[0:48] Good morning Dr. County Counselors and [0:51] members of staff and public that are [0:54] joining us in person and online. Hope [0:57] everybody had a good Canada Day [0:58] yesterday. [1:00] I'd ask Ms. Leger to take the roll call, [1:01] please. [1:04] » Thank you, Warden. [1:06] Deputy Warden Agar. [1:07] » Present. [1:09] » Counselor Atkinson. [1:11] » Present. [1:12] » Counselor Bushy. [1:13] » Present. [1:15] » Counselor Bradley. [1:16] » Present. [1:18] » Counselor Broad. [1:19] » Present. [1:20] » Counselor Case. [1:21] » Present. [1:23] » Counselor Cook. [1:27] Counselor Dennis. [1:30] You just need to unmute Counselor [1:32] Dennis. [1:37] » Um [1:38] Can you hear me okay? [1:39] » Yep, perfect. Thank you. [1:40] » I'm [1:41] present. Thank you. [1:42] » Thank you. [1:43] Counselor Ferguson. [1:45] » Present. [1:47] » Counselor Hand. [1:48] » Present. [1:50] » Counselor Looseley. [1:51] » Present. [1:53] » Counselor McRoberts. [1:54] » Present. [1:55] » Counselor Miller. [1:56] » Present. [1:58] » Counselor Seageman. [2:01] » Present. [2:03] » Councillor Vein? [2:05] » Present. [2:06] » Councillor White? [2:09] Warden Marriott? [2:10] » Present. [2:11] » We have quorum. [2:13] Thank you. [2:14] We acknowledge that this land on which [2:16] we are gathered today is part of the [2:18] Anishinaabe. [2:24] It is through the connection of the [2:25] Anishinaabe with the spirit of the land, [2:27] water, and air that we recognize unique [2:29] cultures, traditions, and values. [2:32] Together as treaty people, we have a [2:33] shared responsibility to act with [2:35] respect for the environment that [2:36] sustains all life, protecting the future [2:39] for those generations to come. [2:42] I would ask that any member of council [2:44] declare a pecuniary interest now or [2:46] where it rises during the meeting. [2:51] Item number four in camera and look for [2:53] a motion in one camera for the reasons [2:55] noted agenda. Councillor Atkinson and [2:57] Councillor Hand seconds. All in favor? [3:00] That's carried. We'll meet in committee [3:01] room three. [5:49] » Mhm. [7:27] » Welcome back. [7:29] Please join me for a moment of silent [7:30] reflection. [7:58] » Thank you. [8:04] I would ask Ms. Lejay to rise and report [8:07] of the motions of in camera, please. [8:11] » Thank you, Warden Marriott. I can report [8:13] that Lambton County Council met in [8:15] camera this morning to address a few [8:16] matters. First, to review and approve [8:19] the Lambton County Council closed [8:20] session minutes of June 3rd, 2026. [8:23] To receive a report that includes [8:25] personal matters about identifiable [8:27] individuals related to the long-term [8:29] care division leadership structure [8:31] review and staffing enhancement [8:33] proposal. [8:34] To receive a report and provide [8:36] instructions regarding collective [8:38] bargaining with LiUNA Local 3000 and [8:41] Unifor Local 444. And then lastly, to [8:45] review and approve the Committee of the [8:47] Whole in camera minutes of June 17th, [8:50] 2026. Which included receiving a report [8:53] and providing instructions regarding an [8:55] unsolicited offer received by a third [8:57] party relating to an acquisition of [9:00] county owned property located in the [9:02] city of Sarnia. And also to receive a [9:04] report and provide instructions [9:06] regarding lease negotiations between [9:09] County EMS and a third party related to [9:11] property in the city of Sarnia. [9:14] » Thank you, Ms. Lejay. [9:15] Item [clears throat] number eight, [9:17] minutes of open session [9:19] council of June the 3rd. Look for a [9:21] motion to adopt those minutes. [9:22] Councillor Broad, Councillor Hands [9:24] seconds. All in favor. That's carried. [9:26] Thank you. [9:29] Item number nine, [9:30] Board of Health, Dr. Dewitt, please. [9:48] » So, we have uh informa- five information [9:51] reports to receive and file unless there [9:53] are questions. [10:00] Councillor Veen moves. Councillor Miller [10:02] seconds. All in favor? That's carried. [10:05] Thank you. [10:07] And we [10:09] nine [10:10] B, we have uh report regarding Lambton [10:13] Public Health Disclosure Program. [10:16] It requires a motion, discussion, or [10:18] motion to approve the recommendation. [10:21] Councillor Broad [10:23] and [10:23] Councillor Sageman seconds. All in [10:26] favor? [10:27] That's carried. Thank you. [10:30] Is there any other business for Board of [10:32] Health? Deputy Warden Egar, please. [10:36] » Thank you, Warden. [10:37] Um I just want to raise a concern on [10:39] behalf of St. Clair Township Council [10:42] regarding ambulance response times in [10:44] the Port Lambton area, especially. [10:46] Uh we fully understand that the Ministry [10:48] of Health protocols govern ambulance [10:50] dispatch and that call takers must [10:53] prioritize calls based on patient acuity [10:56] and available resources. [10:58] This is not a criticism of our [11:00] paramedics or dispatch staff. We [11:03] recognize the difficult work they do and [11:05] the pressures they are under. Our [11:07] concern is what happens to residents in [11:09] rural areas when ambulance response [11:12] times are significant delay delayed, [11:14] sorry, [11:15] or when a call is not deemed [11:17] life-threatening under the current [11:19] dispatch protocol. [11:21] In those situations, residents may be [11:23] left on their own for extended period of [11:25] time while help is still to come a [11:27] distance away. [11:29] St. Clair Township has trained [11:32] firefighters available in Port Lambton. [11:34] We're not asking firefighters to replace [11:36] paramedics or provide advanced medical [11:39] care. [11:40] We're just asking whether they cannot be [11:42] notified to provide basic assistance [11:45] first, patient monitoring, scene safety, [11:48] reassurance, and updated information to [11:51] dispatch while awaiting for the EMS. [11:54] With that in mind, sorry I preambled [11:56] here a little bit. Here's my question. [11:58] When St. Clair Township has trained [12:00] firefighters available in Port Lambton, [12:03] why can they not be notified immediately [12:05] to provide basic assistance and [12:07] reassurance when the ambulance responds [12:09] will be significantly delayed? [12:12] What changes are required to make that [12:14] possible? More specifically, [12:17] can county staff, Lambton EMS, CACC, [12:20] Sarnia police, fire dispatch, and St. [12:23] Clair Township work together to review [12:26] the current tiered response agreement [12:28] and determine whether fire can be [12:30] dispatched based on defined criteria, [12:34] which is extended ambulance ETA, [12:37] no ambulance immediately available, or [12:39] calls involving vulnerable residents or [12:42] injuries? [12:43] Uh early support would be a beneficial [12:45] to the patient. [12:48] Thank you. I'll turn it over to Mr. [12:50] Churchill, please. [12:53] » Thank you for the question uh through [12:56] you, Warden, to Councillor Agar. Um [13:00] I mean, I think the short answer is yes, [13:02] we can have that discussion under [13:04] the review of the tiered response [13:06] agreement, but um [13:08] Chief Steven Turner is on the line, so [13:10] um I'll ask him to uh provide a little [13:13] bit more information. [13:15] Thank you. [13:17] » Mr. Turner, please. [13:19] » Good morning. Thank you, Warden. Um [13:21] Councillor Agar, uh through you, Warden, [13:23] uh the tiered response agreements are [13:25] the agreements that align the framework [13:27] for under which the fire departments [13:29] respond. [13:30] Typically, the tiered response [13:32] agreements are focused on [13:33] life-threatening emergencies to those to [13:34] which we go code four or lights and [13:36] sirens. [13:38] Most tiered response agreements don't [13:40] incorporate the code threes, which are [13:42] those non-life-threatening incidents. [13:44] Those are those are certainly available [13:48] to be added to the tiered response [13:49] agreements. If approached and requested, [13:51] we can review the tiered response [13:53] agreement with the [13:54] Sarnia fire or Sarnia [13:56] fire. [13:57] We would also take a look and make [13:59] referrals back to the county sorry to [14:02] the municipality to determine [14:04] whether those those criteria would want [14:07] to be incorporated. One of the the [14:09] considerations is often the expense. [14:12] Code three calls are more numerous than [14:15] code four calls. [14:16] That's one of the reasons why volunteer [14:18] fire departments don't typically go on [14:20] code three calls, but we can also [14:22] incorporate a delay criteria for those [14:24] which there might be significant delay. [14:26] One of the challenges in the area of [14:28] Port Lambton is that that's [14:31] in one of our shared service areas [14:32] between us and Chatham-Kent just due to [14:35] the location and proximity of the [14:36] stations. We've got Bright's Grove and [14:38] Corunna as our closest stations and then [14:41] Wallaceburg would be the next station [14:44] responding especially to code threes. [14:49] » Thank you. I would I would like it [14:51] reviewed though if it's possible. Thank [14:52] you. [14:55] » Okay, thank you for that. Uh [14:57] any other business under Board of Health [14:59] this morning? [15:01] Seeing none, item number 10, [15:03] correspondence. We have a [15:05] We have a correspondence from Matt [15:06] Slotwinski, CEO of Sarnia-Lambton [15:09] Economic Partnership. [15:11] Uh [15:12] to do with the ready application. [15:17] Look, uh Councillor Ferguson moves. [15:22] » Move putting item not to receive in [15:23] file. [15:24] » Okay, move to support. [15:26] Councillor Seguin seconds that. [15:29] Discussion? [15:31] Councillor Dennis. [15:36] You're on mute, Councillor Dennis. [15:40] » My apologies. [15:41] I will not be supporting this, Ward [15:43] Marriott. [15:44] I in a country of 40 million people, I [15:47] find it [15:48] highly unlikely that we cannot find [15:51] someone in a country of 40 million [15:53] people that can that can fill these [15:56] positions. [15:57] I I find it [16:00] myself and a lot of Canadians very very [16:04] frustrating [16:06] that we always have to turn and look for [16:09] new Canadians to fill [16:11] these roles that can be filled with our [16:14] own citizens. The [16:16] temporary foreign workers program turned [16:19] into a complete complete mess and it was [16:22] abused and and we see it right here [16:24] locally when where [16:27] various companies have abused the [16:29] program and as a result our own citizens [16:33] and youth have paid the price and I will [16:35] not continue to support these programs. [16:38] We should be putting our own citizens [16:40] first, so I will not be supporting this. [16:44] » Okay. [16:45] Any other comments? Councillor Bradley. [16:47] » Mr. Ward, I'm just trying to understand [16:49] the receiving file. That means the [16:51] resolution will not be endorsed? [16:54] » I believe the resolution to endorse is [16:56] on the floor. The motion is on the [16:58] floor. [16:59] » Thank you. [17:01] » Uh [17:03] Call the vote. All in favor? [17:04] » I I Can I Can we please have a [17:06] recorded vote, please, sir? [17:08] » Okay, recorded vote's been requested. [17:11] Ms. Leger. [17:14] Oh, sorry, Councillor Bradley. [17:16] » Thank you, Mr. Warden. [17:18] I'm pleased there's a recorded vote [17:19] because this program has been a success [17:21] to bringing in skilled skilled people [17:24] who we could not fill we could not [17:26] take care of the [17:29] through the regular workforce. [17:31] And it has been a great value and it's [17:32] proven itself to employers. This is [17:34] where the feedback came from. Employers [17:36] said this works for them. And it gives [17:38] them that special skills that they need. [17:40] And it also grows the population here, [17:42] which we all support. So, I certainly [17:43] will be supporting the best interest [17:46] » So, I have Councillor Sageman and [17:47] Councillor Dennis. [17:51] » I'll speak to this from the perspective [17:53] of of an employer. I mean, at the base [17:55] level, we're all immigrants. [17:57] And as an employer, I find it [17:59] increasingly difficult to find [18:01] folks that want to do certain types of [18:03] work, certain types of working [18:05] conditions. [18:06] And it's very hard to find employees in [18:08] a rural environment. And I fully support [18:10] this motion. [18:12] » Councillor Dennis. [18:13] » Well, uh you know what? This is the [18:15] timing of this couldn't be better, the [18:16] day after Canada today. [18:18] Our country has a uh we are the lowest [18:22] in the G7 of and we're in a recession [18:25] while the rest of the G7 is not in a [18:27] recession. We have [18:28] uh record unemployment. We have uh [18:30] especially among among our youth. It's [18:32] about time that we start thinking of [18:34] ourselves first. And this is this is [18:37] disgraceful, quite honestly disgraceful, [18:40] that we are bringing in [18:41] uh uh uh foreign um nationals to do the [18:45] work of Canadians. And once again, you [18:47] cannot tell me that in a in a country [18:49] like Canada, uh we're 40 million uh [18:53] uh strong country, perhaps even higher [18:56] than that now, that we cannot find [18:58] people uh [18:59] that can fill these jobs. And and again, [19:02] um uh the people that seem to uh to um [19:06] um [19:08] um [19:09] the uh um are in favor of a project like [19:12] this, belong to a particular, uh uh, [19:14] party that don't seem to, uh, care about [19:17] the everyday, uh, working people in [19:20] Canada. So, again, I'm I'm adamantly [19:22] against this and and they're going to [19:24] find [19:25] that they're [19:26] they're going to find that the majority [19:28] of Canadians, everyday working [19:30] Canadians, that that may they may not, [19:32] uh, [19:33] they they may look down on, they do not [19:35] support this. They're the ones that are [19:37] hurting. [19:37] » Okay, counselor [19:38] » They do not support this. [19:39] » We'll go Uh, [19:40] counselor Sageman, you have a comment [19:42] before I call the vote. [19:45] » Just to follow up to that. [19:47] When this meeting's over, I'm going to [19:49] go out in this 36° heat and I'm going to [19:51] work as a construction laborer and build [19:53] a house for a customer. And I take [19:55] offense to that comment. I am a regular, [19:58] everyday working Canadian who operates a [19:59] construction business and I support this [20:02] program. [20:03] » Okay, we'll call the question. Uh, [20:05] Ms. Leger, please. [20:07] » So, a recorded vote has been requested [20:09] by counselor Dennis. The motion on the [20:11] floor is the resolution at page 86 of [20:14] our agenda package and we will start [20:16] with counselor Bradley, please. [20:20] » Yes. [20:21] » I have a yes. [20:22] Counselor Broad? [20:23] » Yes. [20:24] » I have a yes. Counselor Case? [20:26] » Yes. [20:27] » I have a yes. [20:29] Counselor Dennis? [20:31] » No. [20:32] » I have a no. Counselor Ferguson? [20:34] » Yes. [20:35] » I have a yes. [20:37] Counselor Hand? [20:38] » Yes. [20:39] » I have a yes. Counselor Looseley? [20:41] » Yes. [20:42] » I have a yes. [20:44] Counselor McRoberts? [20:46] » Yes. [20:46] » I have a yes. Counselor Miller? [20:49] » Yes. [20:49] » I have a yes. Counselor Sageman? [20:53] » Yes. [20:54] » I have a yes. Counselor Bean? [20:56] » Yes. [20:57] » I have a yes. [20:59] Deputy Warden Agar? [21:00] » Yes. [21:01] » I have a yes. Counselor Atkinson? [21:03] » Yes. [21:04] » I have a yes. Counselor Bushy? [21:06] » Yes. [21:07] » I have a yes. Warden Marriott? [21:09] » Yes. [21:10] I have a yes. [21:15] That motion passes. [21:19] » Okay, item number 11 on the agenda is [21:24] items not requiring a motion. We have [21:27] three sets of minutes here, Lambton [21:30] Creative County, [21:32] Sarnia Lambton Economic Partnership and [21:34] Tourism Sarnia Lambton. I'll look for a [21:36] motion to receive and file all three of [21:38] these sets of minutes. Councillor [21:40] Atkinson and Councillor Bushy seconds. [21:43] All in favor. [21:44] That's carried, [clears throat] thank [21:45] you. [21:47] Item number 12, reports requiring a [21:49] motion. [21:51] 12A A Long-Term Care Division. [21:54] We have a report on the LTC Leadership [21:57] Structure Review and Staffing [21:58] Enhancement Proposal, which has no [22:01] impact on the levy. [22:03] Look for a motion to approve the three [22:04] recommendations. Councillor Case and [22:06] Councillor Broad. [22:08] All in favor. [22:10] That's carried, thank you. [22:12] And 12B Social Services Division. [22:15] Report regarding Homelessness and [22:17] Prevention Program Investment Plan. [22:21] Look for a motion to approve the two [22:23] recommendations. Councillor McRoberts, [22:26] seconded by Councillor Broad. [22:29] All in favor. [22:31] That's carried, thank you. [22:35] And item number 13, committee minutes [22:42] of June 17th. [22:46] Um there was three motions under [22:49] Infrastructure and Development. [22:53] One under Public Health Services. [22:57] Three under Cultural Services Division. [23:02] One under long-term care. [23:06] Five under corporate services division. [23:10] Three under social services division. [23:15] Four in camera and uh [23:18] adjournment. [23:23] Move by [23:24] Councilor Miller and second by Councilor [23:26] Bean. [23:29] All in favor. [23:30] That's carried. Thank you. [23:32] 13B, audit committee minutes of June [23:34] 17th. [23:36] Look for a motion to adopt the audit [23:39] committee minutes. Councilor Atkinson [23:41] moves. [23:43] Councilor Ferguson seconds. All in [23:45] favor. [23:46] That's carried. Thank you. [23:49] Item number 14, there are no items [23:51] tabled from previous meetings. [23:54] And number 15, notice of motion by [23:57] Deputy Warden Agar. [24:01] » Thank you, Warden. [24:02] Um I'd like to withdraw at this time [24:04] after our last conversation on our last [24:06] county meeting. [24:08] Um Jason Cole has been looking into it [24:10] and looking after it and I appreciate [24:12] him right now, so [24:14] for right now, I'll withdraw. [24:16] » Thank you. [24:19] Brings us to item number 16, other [24:20] business. Councilor Atkinson. [24:24] » Thank you, Warden. Um [24:26] just one thing I'd like to bring forth [24:28] that [24:29] recently I was reading an article in our [24:32] one of our local newspapers and it was [24:33] an article concerning the York dump [24:36] that's going to be take opening up down [24:38] by Dresden and I was noticing the [24:40] traffic route that they are proposing. [24:44] And one of the routes is through off the [24:45] 402 through Plympton-Wyoming down [24:48] uh Heritage all the way there. Not only [24:50] passing through my community, but uh [24:52] five other communities as well. [24:54] And it kind of bothers me that nobody is [24:57] uh the [24:58] opportunity to communicate with us and [25:00] I'm not sure at what level, whether it's [25:01] at the county level, provincial level, [25:03] or where. [25:05] But, this was brought forth by one of my [25:07] fellow councilors a few months ago. [25:09] And to see it back in the newspaper [25:11] without any communication to us kind of [25:13] bothers me. We have a lot going on, for [25:16] example, through Plympton-Wyoming. It's [25:17] going through the core of our business [25:19] section. [25:20] And I'm concerned about the traffic [25:23] and the amount of traffic that's going [25:25] through. So, I'm just wondering where we [25:27] go from here. Do who do we talk to [25:29] because this is a concern [25:31] for the safety of our residents going [25:34] through this area. Thank you, Warden. [25:36] » Thank you, Councilor Atkinson. I'd look [25:38] to Mr. Cole if he has any comments on [25:41] that. Please. [25:45] » Thank you. Through through you, Warden, [25:47] to Councilor Atkinson. Um yeah, it is [25:50] concerning that we haven't heard [25:52] directly from York 1 at the county [25:54] level. Uh we were involved in previous [25:57] communications regarding that that [26:00] landfill project. And [26:03] we have received a traffic and routing [26:06] study that uh [26:08] that that [26:09] the municipality of Chatham-Kent had [26:11] provided to us in advance of their [26:14] presentation to the community last week, [26:17] week before. [26:18] Um we are looking at that and have [26:22] endeavored to join with them on further [26:24] discussions regarding routing of that [26:27] project the way it stands now. Um [26:30] through their community and and ours. [26:33] So, we we look forward to get together [26:35] with them to have our own opportunity to [26:38] review that and provide comments back. [26:42] » Follow up, Councilor Atkinson. [26:44] » Thank you, Mr. Cole. Yeah, thank you, [26:46] Warden. Through you to Mr. Cole, I thank [26:47] you very much for that information, but [26:49] if you do you some backup or if you need [26:51] some encouragement, we're there for you [26:53] as well. And I'm sure the other mayors [26:55] from the other municipalities that are [26:56] going to be affected by it as well would [26:58] certainly love to be of assistance as [27:00] well. [27:02] Thank you. [27:02] » Thank you. Council Broad. [27:05] » Thank you, Warden Marriott. I attended [27:07] the meeting in Dresden. Uh when it got [27:10] to the traffic study, it's showing [27:12] approximately 10% will be coming from [27:14] the north. Whether that's down 21 [27:16] Highway, 80 Highway to 21, I'm not [27:20] really sure [27:21] uh what the route will be cuz again it's [27:22] just a study. It doesn't say they have [27:24] to do it. To me, the big question is on [27:27] the York 1's information there, they [27:29] showed 200 trucks a day. [27:32] Well, 10% of 200 trucks a day is a lot [27:34] different than 10% of the 700 trucks a [27:37] day that they were asking for a [27:39] previous. So, unfortunately, we don't [27:41] know whether it's a 200 or whether it's [27:43] a 700. Uh 10% 200 lot different than the [27:48] 10% of 700. So, um and don't expect York [27:51] 1 to send you any information. If you [27:54] want any information, you got to track [27:56] it down yourself because uh York 1 isn't [27:59] doing a very good job with the [28:00] information. And to be quite honest, you [28:03] can blame a lot of that on the province [28:04] of Ontario because they did not want the [28:06] environmental assessment done and this [28:08] is what happens. Now you get little bits [28:10] and pieces of information. So, um yeah. [28:13] If if it's a 10% [28:15] if we have to, we can kind of live with [28:17] that. But again, is it 200 or 700? Thank [28:20] you. [28:20] » Thank you for that, Council Broad. [28:23] Any other comments before I close the [28:25] conversation? [28:27] Seeing none, [28:29] is there [28:30] any other business today? [28:36] Seeing none, I would turn to Ms. Leger [28:38] for notice of bylaws, please. [28:42] » Thank you, Warden Marriott. It is moved [28:43] by Councillor Ferguson, seconded by [28:45] Councillor Hand that bylaws 15 and 16 of [28:48] 2026 as circulated be taken as read for [28:52] a first and second time. [28:54] » All in favor. [28:56] That's carried. [28:58] » It is moved by Councillor Ferguson, [28:59] seconded by Councillor Hahn, that bylaws [29:02] 15 and 16 of 2026 as circulated be taken [29:06] as read for a third and final time. [29:08] » All in favor. [29:10] That's carried. Thank you. [29:14] At this time, I have number 18, I'll [29:16] look for a motion to adjourn with the [29:18] next meeting of Lambton County Council [29:20] to be held September the 2nd at 9:00 [29:23] a.m. [29:25] Councillor Loosley moves. [29:28] And Councillor Bean seconds. All in [29:30] favor. [29:31] That's carried. [29:34] Before we go to O Canada, just remind [29:36] that on September the 2nd following [29:39] County Council, it will be the annual [29:41] luncheon for councillors, uh, hosted by [29:45] St. Clair. [29:48] Please join me with O Canada. [30:12] » O [music] [30:14] Canada, [30:17] our home and native land. [30:23] True [30:24] » [music] [30:25] » Patriot [singing] love [30:28] in all of us command. [30:33] With glowing [music and singing] hearts [30:36] we see thee rise, the True North strong [30:41] [singing] [30:42] free. [30:44] From far [music] [30:46] and wide, O Canada, [30:50] we stand [singing] [30:51] on guard for [music] thee. [30:56] God keep our [31:01] land [31:02] » [music] [31:04] » Glorious and free. [31:07] O [music] Canada, [31:10] now we stand on guard [31:14] for thee. [31:16] » [music] [31:18] » O [31:19] Canada, [31:21] » [singing] [31:21] » We stand on [31:24] guard [31:25] for [31:27] » [music] [31:27] » Thee.