Council Meeting

THAT the Agenda be approved as presented.

THAT the Minutes of the November 26, 2024 Meeting, the Closed Session Minutes of the November 26, 2024 Meeting, the Minutes of the December 3, 2024 Special Meeting and the Closed Session Minutes of the December 3, 2024 Special Meeting be approved as presented; and THAT the recommendations made by Committee of the Whole as set out in the Minutes of the November 26, 2024 Meeting be adopted.

THAT the necessary by-law be introduced at the December 10, 2024 meeting of Council to appoint Councillor Smibert to the Budget Committee.

THAT Committee of the Whole convene at 1:04pm.

THAT the Woodlands Conservation By-law Report be received for information; AND THAT staff be directed to provide notice of Council intention to pass a Woodlands Conservation By-law in accordance with the provisions of the Notice By-law; AND THAT staff be directed to bring forward a Woodlands Conservation By-law for Council consideration.

WHEREAS elections rules need to be clear, supporting candidates and voters in their electoral participation and election administrators in running elections. AND WHEREAS legislation needs to strike the right balance between providing clear rules and frameworks to ensure the integrity of the electoral process, AND WHEREAS the legislation must also reduce administrative and operational burden for municipal staff ensuring that local election administrators can run elections in a way that responds to the unique circumstances of their local communities. AND WHEREAS the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 (MEA) will be 30 years old by the next municipal and school board elections in 2026. AND WHEREAS the MEA sets out the rules for local elections, the Assessment Act, 1990 and the Education Act, 1990 also contain provisions impacting local elections adding more places for voters, candidates, and administrators to look for the rules that bind the local democratic process in Ontario. AND WHEREAS with rules across three pieces of legislation, and the MEA containing a patchwork of clauses, there are interpretation challenges, inconsistencies, and gaps to fill. AND WHEREAS the Act can pose difficulties for voters, candidates, contributors and third-party advertisers to read, to interpret, to comply with and for election administrators to enforce. AND WHEREAS while local elections are run as efficiently and effectively as can be within the current legislative framework, modernization and contin

THAT the 2024 Joint Annual Accessibility Status Report be received for information; AND THAT the 2024 Joint Annual Accessibility Status Report be approved and posted on the Middlesex County website.

THAT the Middlesex County Warden’s Activity Report be received for information.

Whereas there is a humanitarian crisis unfolding on the streets in our municipalities, large and small, urban and rural, across Ontario. The time for words is over, we need immediate action at all levels of government, starting with the Province of Ontario Whereas the homelessness, mental health and addictions crisis continues to grow with 3432 drug related deaths in Ontario in 2023 and over 1400 homeless encampments across Ontario communities in 2023; and Whereas the province has provided additional funding and supports, such as the recent investment of $378 million for HART Hubs that includes funding for approximately 375 beds with wraparound supports, it does not adequately address the growing crisis and the financial and social impact on municipalities and regions across the province; and Whereas municipalities and regions are stepping up and working with community partners to put in place community-specific solutions to address this crisis, but municipalities and regions lack the expertise, capacity, or resources to address these increasingly complex health care and housing issues alone; and Whereas this is primarily a health issue that falls under provincial jurisdiction and municipalities and regions should not be using the property tax base to fund these programs; and Whereas there is no provincial lead focused on this crisis leading to unanswered questions that span over a dozen ministries, and a lack of support to manage the increasing needs of those who are unhouse

THAT items 9.d.1 to 9.d.9 be received for information.

THAT the next portion of the meeting be closed at 1:22pm in order to consider the following: 9.e.1 - Consolidated Municipal Service Manager (CMSM) Agreements. A position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations

THAT Committee of Whole rise from Closed Session at 2:47pm.

THAT Committee of the Whole rise at 2:48pm.

THAT the by-laws be given a first and second reading.

THAT the by-laws be given a third and final reading.

That the meeting adjourn at 2:49pm.