Petawawa

This Multi-Year Accessibility Plan outlines the Town of Petawawa's strategies to identify, remove, and prevent barriers for people with disabilities, ensuring full participation in society and compliance with the Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. The plan aims to position the Town as a leader in developing accessible environments by embracing universal design and promoting inclusion. Its core initiatives are structured around Customer Service, Employment, Information & Communication, and the Built Environment, with the overarching goal of making Petawawa a more accessible place to live, work, and play for everyone.

This comprehensive, long-term plan for the Town of Petawawa unifies the 2021 Wayfinding Strategy and the Municipal Signage Program to transform community navigation and experience. It focuses on modernizing and standardizing the Town's signage network, improving navigation for all users, and creating an attractive public realm. The strategy aims to support economic growth, enhance visitor engagement, and strengthen civic pride, reinforcing Petawawa's vision as a center for recreation, culture, and tourism, while prioritizing fiscal responsibility, consistency, legibility, and accessibility.

This Economic Action Strategy outlines a three-year plan for Petawawa's continued economic growth and diversification, building on the success of the 2018 strategy. It focuses on four strategic goals: supporting and retaining existing businesses, attracting new investment and job creation, growing the workforce and housing solutions, and connecting through branding, marketing, and communications. The plan aims to create a balanced, sustainable, and connected community that welcomes residents and supports business innovation, strengthening the local economy and enhancing quality of life.

The meeting commenced with a land acknowledgement recognizing the traditional territory of the Omami Winniang people and referencing Call to Action Number 77. A special presentation recognized 9-year-old Chase Fleming for his bravery in calling 911 to assist his grandmother, with presentations also made by Renford County paramedics and the town Fire Department. The Recreation, Culture, and Tourism report for October detailed staff attendance at various conferences focused on community revitalization, rural recreation, cycle tourism, and provincial tourism standards. Key updates included the completion of a recreation survey indicating higher demand for children's programming, discussions on inter-municipal resource sharing, confirmation of a corporate structure change for the AGCO, and highlights of successful events like the 50 Plus Harvest Dinner and Dance, Pedals Pints and Pastries, and the Farm to Trail event. The department is planning for the next National Seniors Day event following 100% positive feedback. Rental activity remained consistent, with banquet hall bookings expected to increase for Christmas parties. The department is continuing work on the MAT tax collection, which is nearing $80,000, and established a Tourism Working Group with local businesses to discuss growth opportunities. A grant application for $25,000 for improvements to the Kitty Land Diamond is pending. The budget review highlighted ongoing adjustments required due to the separation of properties between municipal operations and Recreation, Culture, and Tourism, with several lines significantly over budget due to restructuring and staffing allocations that require reconciliation with Finance.

The council meeting commenced with a Land Acknowledgement and a moment of silence. Key discussions centered on a presentation by Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa regarding affordable housing needs in the region, including potential development of 17 to 23 townhomes on forested surplus land between Oak and Spruce and Brierwood Drive. The presentation detailed Habitat's operating model, its goal to build 100 homes in the next 5 years, and the requirements for program participation, such as 500 volunteer hours. Council members inquired about the buyback policy and how volunteer hours are managed. The council also adopted the agenda for the regular meeting and approved minutes from a prior meeting held on December 1, 2025. A councilor disclosed a pecuniary interest on item PL-39-2025.