[0:06] And welcome everyone to South Huron Council meeting September 8th, 2026. The

[0:09] kids are all back in school, so that's a good thing for everyone. And we're glad

[0:12] to have everyone here this evening that's in the gallery, and I thank our

[0:15] staff that are here as well to advise facts and information to help us make

[0:18] the best decisions on behalf of all members of the public. I will welcome

[0:22] everybody now and then ask everyone to ensure their cell phones are turned off

[0:25] with the exception of our firefighters. They're more than welcome to leave

[0:27] theirs on. If everyone could stand for O Canada, please.

[0:39] » [music]

[0:42] [singing]

[0:45] [music]

[0:53] [singing]

[0:57] [music] [singing]

[1:06] [music]

[1:10] [singing]

[1:14] [music] [singing]

[1:19] [music]

[1:22] [singing]

[1:31] [music and singing]

[1:42] [music]

[1:51] » Again, welcome to everyone that's participating here this evening and

[1:54] those that are participating from home in the comfort of their homes. Uh just

[1:57] great to have everyone involved. Uh we'll begin our meeting with our land

[2:00] acknowledgement. As we gather, we are reminded that the Municipality of South

[2:03] Huron is situated on Treaty 29 land that is steeped in rich indigenous history

[2:08] and home to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people today. And as a community,

[2:12] we have a responsibility to honor and respect this territory's significance

[2:16] for the indigenous peoples Excuse me, who lived and continue to

[2:19] live upon it and whose practices and spiritualities were tied to the land and

[2:23] continue to develop in relationship to the territory and its other inhabitants

[2:27] today. In the spirit of reconciliation and truth, we acknowledge the

[2:30] Anishinaabe and the Haudenosaunee peoples on whose traditional territory

[2:33] that we are meeting. And I turn to Ms. Sue Colson, item

[2:36] number two, please. >> Uh through the mayor, item 11.1

[2:42] is being removed as there was a deferral of the notice to consider for the Mud

[2:48] Creek Municipal Drain, and that date I don't believe at this time has been set.

[2:53] So, the agenda will be that South Huron Council approves the agenda as amended.

[3:00] » And a mover for that, please. Moved by Councillor Neweb, seconded by Councillor

[3:02] Oak. Any discussion? I'll call the question. All in favor?

[3:06] And that carries with six. Thank you. Uh disclosure of pecuniary interests in

[3:10] the general nature of Are there any disclosures at this time?

[3:14] And not seeing any, we'll move on to presentations. And we have our fire

[3:17] department, and I'll begin with a welcome to all of you, of course. And

[3:20] tonight we gathered to recognize and express our deepest gratitude to our

[3:24] brave brave professional volunteer firefighters who have dedicated years

[3:28] and even decades to protecting our our communities.

[3:31] These patriotic heroes have selflessly placed themselves in harm's way

[3:34] countless times to protect all of us, our families, and even complete

[3:37] strangers. While others are running away from

[3:40] danger, you are the ones running towards it. And being on call 24/7 every day is

[3:44] a demanding responsibility that only the most elite patriot will choose to pursue

[3:48] while still balancing their work and family lives.

[3:51] We are a better place because of your loyalty, and of course, we are eternally

[3:54] grateful that your family shares that same passion, and it's really quite

[3:57] admirable. So, tonight as we reflect on your years of courage, let us be

[4:01] reminded of the sacrifice each of you have made without hesitation.

[4:05] And although I'm not able to explain why you do it, I can tell you that I and the

[4:09] rest of South Huron are proud that you do, because life will be drastically

[4:12] different for all of us without each and every one of you and your families.

[4:17] And we as a community need to continue to support our patriotic heroes, as the

[4:20] risks by not doing so are too many to contemplate.

[4:23] When we consider that 85% of all firefighters across Canada are

[4:26] professional volunteers, we in South Huron are so thankful to have the best

[4:29] of them. So, members of council and staff, and members of the public, before

[4:32] I turn this over to Chief Becker, would you please join me in thanking these

[4:35] incredible heroes and their families properly.

[4:43] Chief Becker, please proceed. >> Thank you, uh, through you, Mayor Finch.

[4:47] I did have a speech, but you summed up most of it right there, so I want to

[4:49] thank you for that. Um, I do want to highlight the, uh, one point, uh,

[4:56] is the family. It's, um, a huge commitment,

[5:00] and I've said it before, and having, uh, recipients tonight for 20 and 30 years,

[5:05] um, they've definitely been a part, so I

[5:09] want to thank them as well. So,

[5:12] we'll get on to the awards, and, uh, we'll start, um,

[5:15] I'm going to call Chief Vanderburg to come down. He's going to assist me

[5:18] tonight. Um, we'll bring the recipient down. We'll do a photo, um,

[5:22] with the Chief Vanderburg myself, and then if your family wishes to,

[5:27] um, come down as well, um, with all of council as well.

[5:31] So, tonight we'll start with Firefighter Aaron Daters' 20 years of service.

[6:21] » Uh tonight we all also have um Aaron's family

[6:26] um who both serve on the department as well so

[6:29] his father Peter Daters and his brother Sam.

[7:09] You think 20 years is a long time? Add another 10 on.

[7:13] Captain Doug Smith.

[8:06] » And also tonight we have Doug Sunwill who is also a member of the fire

[8:11] department.

[8:43] Thank you everyone for coming. That concludes our

[8:45] award ceremony for this year.

[8:59] » Thank you very much fire fighters and your families.

[9:03] Well done.

[9:39] » Okay, Ms. Basil Cole's in. Next item. Please.

[9:45] » Next item, uh delegations, there are none.

[9:49] Public meeting, there isn't. Uh so, at minutes, item

[9:52] 7.1, that South Huron Council adopts the minutes of the regular Council meeting

[9:56] of August 10th, 2026, as printed and circulated.

[10:00] » And a mover for that, Deputy Mayor moves, second by Councillor Dietrich.

[10:03] Any discussion? Call the question. All in favor, that

[10:05] carries with six. Thank you. Next item, eight, please.

[10:09] » That the minutes and agendas of the following committees and or boards be

[10:12] received as presented to Council. Asable Bayfield Conservation Authority

[10:16] submission to ERO 026-0740, consultation on proposed governance

[10:22] regulations for regional conservation authorities and the Ontario Provincial

[10:26] Conservation Agency. Upper Thames River Conservation

[10:30] Authority, the draft minutes of June 23rd, 2026, and agenda package of August

[10:36] 25th, 2026. The 2027 draft budget, and the Exeter

[10:41] Rodeo minutes of July 8th, 2026 and July 22nd, 2026.

[10:47] » And a mover, please. Moved by Councillor Nieb, second by Deputy Mayor. Any

[10:50] discussion? Councillor O'Rourke, go ahead, please.

[10:52] » Yes, thank you, Mayor. Um item 8.1, um just wondering

[10:58] um and maybe uh

[11:01] Councillor Vaughn can uh comment. Should we be supporting this or by resolution

[11:07] or something just uh to the cons- for the Conservation

[11:10] Authority, their recommendations here to add some strength to it?

[11:16] » Go ahead, Councillor Vaughn. >> Sure. Um thank you, Councillor O'Rourke.

[11:20] I um I do believe that the whole ERO um

[11:25] submission here was to basically preserve our representation

[11:30] at the local level, and uh we do have an awful lot of support for maintaining

[11:36] local representation. So, I think um at any point that we can continue to

[11:42] support it, it would be good. A resolution, I think I would support.

[11:48] » Very well, Councillor Brooke. >> Could I make a a motion that we support

[11:52] this uh um and and uh CC the recipients on the

[11:58] original letter? >> Yeah, we can do that. We'll deal with

[12:01] the first motion that's with us right now and then uh we can do that right

[12:05] after this, okay? So, there any further questions at this

[12:08] time on 8.3? Okay, last room we got to move to second

[12:13] and I'll call question all in favor. And that carries with six. Thank you and

[12:16] I'll turn to Madam Clerk for that motion.

[12:57] » That South Huron Council supports the Ausable Bayfield Conservation

[13:02] Authority's submission to the ERO in regards to consultation on proposed

[13:06] governance regulations for regional conservation authorities, Ontario

[13:10] provincial conservation agency, and that the supporting resolution be circulated

[13:16] to um MPP Thompson, MPP Rae, uh MPP

[13:22] Pasquini, uh County of Huron, County of Lambton, County of Middlesex, County of

[13:27] Perth, the current members, municipal members

[13:30] of the ABCA Conservation, as well as the transition committee,

[13:34] um and their project lead. >> So, moved Councillor. So moved. Is there

[13:39] a second? Seconded by Councillor Neeb. Any discussion?

[13:43] Call the question. All in favor. And that carries with six. Thank you.

[13:46] Uh next item, 9.4, please. >> That Council receives the Committee of

[13:50] the Whole minutes of August 12th, 2026 as presented, and approves the

[13:54] recommendation of the Committee of the Whole as follows.

[13:57] That the Age-Friendly Landfill Liaison and Volunteer Appreciating Appreciation

[14:02] Committee be dissolved. And that the Procedural Bylaw, item 4.3.e.ii,

[14:09] be updated to the meeting curfew shall be 3 hours from the published start time

[14:14] of the meeting. Council may by may by unanimous resolution of all members

[14:19] present proceed past the curfew for up to 1 hour.

[14:24] And that the closed session and report from

[14:27] closed session be moved to the end of the meeting agenda, save and except for

[14:31] the confirming bylaw and meeting adjournment.

[14:34] And that the start time for regular Council meetings, 4.1.a

[14:39] and 4.3.e.i,

[14:42] remain at 6:00 p.m. And that the rest of the proposed

[14:47] revisions to the Procedural Bylaw, save and except those discussed today, be

[14:52] approved and the bylaw be brought back for the required three readings.

[14:56] » And a mover for that, please. Deputy Mayor moves, seconded by Councillor

[14:59] Vaughan. Any discussion? Call the question. All in favor. Carries

[15:03] with five. Thank you very much. Next item, please. 9.1, please.

[15:09] » That South Huron Council receives staff report BPS 14-2026,

[15:14] Building and Planning, second quarter. >> And a mover for that, please. Moved by

[15:18] Councillor Neeb, seconded by Councillor Dietrich. Any discussion?

[15:23] Call the question. All in favor? Carries with five. Thank you.

[15:26] And next item, please. Some Everyone here.

[15:30] 9.3 appointment. >> That South Huron Council receive staff

[15:34] report TSD08-2026, motor grader repairs special

[15:39] circumstance purchase summary. >> And a mover for that, please. Moved by

[15:43] Council Oakes, seconded by Council Vaughn. Any discussion?

[15:48] Call the question. All in favor? And that carries with six. Thank you.

[15:52] Uh 9.4, please. >> That South Huron Council receive staff

[15:56] report CL14-2026, election compliance audit committee for

[16:01] 2026 to 2026-2030 council term. And that council authorize the clerk to

[16:06] proceed with the establishment of a compliance audit committee for the 2026

[16:11] municipal election in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996.

[16:16] And that the required bylaw to establish the election compliance audit committee

[16:21] and adopt the terms of reference be brought back for the required three

[16:25] readings. >> And a mover for that, please. Moved by

[16:28] Deputy Mayor, seconded by Council Neeb. Any discussion?

[16:32] Call the question. All in favor? That carries with six. Thank you. Next item,

[16:35] please. >> That South Huron Council receive staff

[16:39] report CL15-2026, municipal election 2026 restricted acts

[16:45] of council lame duck period update. >> And a mover for that, please. Moved by

[16:50] Council Neeb, moved, seconded by Council Dietrich. Any discussion?

[16:55] Call the question. All in favor? And that carries with six. Thank you.

[16:59] 9.4.3, please. >> That South Huron Council receive staff

[17:04] report CL16-2026, transfer of Jessica's House.

[17:09] And that council authorize the cost to complete the transfer of the property to

[17:14] Jessica's House as an in-kind donation. And that the mayor and clerk be

[17:19] authorized to execute any documents necessary to complete the transfer of

[17:24] the lands legally described as known as parts 2, 3, and 4, plan 22R-6530,

[17:32] Municipality of South Huron. >> I'll move for that, please. Moved by

[17:35] Councillor Niebsch, seconded by Councillor Oak. Any discussion?

[17:40] Call the question. All in favor? And that carries a six. Thank you.

[17:44] Uh is there any notice of motion?

[17:47] » There are none. >> Thank you. And 11.1 has been removed

[17:49] from the agenda. 12, any new business from members of council?

[17:54] Not seeing any. Uh 13, mayor and council comments and announcements. Are there

[17:58] any announcements at this time?

[18:02] No. Councillor Oak, go ahead, please. >> Just uh want to welcome everybody to the

[18:07] Kirkton Fair this coming weekend and remind people that it's uh

[18:11] it's on starting Friday night and all the way through till Sunday afternoon.

[18:15] So, hopefully the the weather cooperates

[18:18] like this past weekend. So. >> Okay. Councillor Vande

[18:23] » Yes, I just wanted to make mention of a couple of events that I've attended over

[18:27] the last uh couple of weeks. Um so, the first one was the Huron County um Food

[18:33] Bank uh their distribution gala. It was a

[18:37] very well-attended uh event. Um

[18:42] many people that I met there also were beyond the confines of just uh Huron

[18:48] County. So, definitely a whole regional um

[18:52] uh support for

[18:55] the good work that's being done by that Food Bank.

[18:58] And uh also I attended the Huron Manufacturing Association uh at the

[19:03] Cowbell Brewery in uh Blyth. They have a uh new approach to some networking

[19:10] opportunities that I think they're going to try to uh frequently roll out over

[19:15] the year. Um and we had a opportunity to also hear from Fein, who

[19:23] is a distributor of professional power tools. So, that was

[19:28] very informative meeting. Yeah.

[19:32] » Great. Yes, and as I both of those as well and then add to the HMA event,

[19:36] Larry Livingston made a good point. We're now the in his opinion the

[19:39] economic engine down here here in East West for a number

[19:42] of years, but that seems to be shifting, which is good. There's lots of progress

[19:46] on the go. So, good to hear that

[19:50] we're leading away there. Any other comments at this time?

[19:54] Not seeing any. We'll go to communications. If you wish anything to

[19:57] be pulled, please advise. >> 14.1

[20:04] 14.2 >> I'd pull that.

[20:10] » 14.3 >> Pull that.

[20:14] » Pull. >> 14.4

[20:18] » Pull.

[20:22] » I 14.5

[20:30] 14.6

[20:36] 14.7

[20:42] 14.8

[20:47] Can somebody pull that? >> I'll pull that, please.

[20:51] » Um 14.9

[20:58] 14.10

[21:03] 14.11

[21:07] 14.12

[21:12] Oh. 14 13

[21:16] » Thank you. Thank you. Hey, we'll start with

[21:20] 14.2. Counselor, go ahead, please. >> Yeah, thank you, Mayor.

[21:25] Just want to um voice my concern about the letter

[21:29] that we received here um with the OPP policing increase uh

[21:37] um looks like it uh will be around 11% increase this coming

[21:42] year. Um so, that kind of uh increase on a

[21:49] a $2 million budget is a big number. And so,

[21:53] um I think we should be voicing our concern in a in

[21:58] some some way, shape, or form.

[22:03] Um not sure if

[22:06] if we should be making a a resolution and sending something to

[22:12] to the Solicitor General. >> Uh Ms. Ms. Wilson, comment.

[22:16] » Through the Mayor, uh we certainly could.

[22:19] Um if you want a more fullsome resolution,

[22:22] maybe it's something that um we can work out for the next meeting. Uh

[22:28] » Sure. >> Would that work?

[22:29] » Yep. >> Can can you pass a resolution then and

[22:33] have something brought back? >> Sure. I send it like a staff report or

[22:37] something or like a staff staff memo. >> of a of a resolution expressing concern.

[22:43] » I make that motion to for staff to bring back a memo to the next meeting.

[22:47] » Uh Madam Clerk, we'll prepare that and we'll move from there.

[23:21] » That a staff memo be brought back to the September 21st Council meeting providing

[23:25] a proposed resolution regarding concerns for the proposed increase for OPP

[23:29] municipal policing costs. >> So moved Councillor. So moved. Is there

[23:33] a seconder for that Councillor? Deputy Mayor seconds. Any discussion?

[23:38] Call the question. All in favor. That carries with six. Thank you.

[23:41] And next item 14.3 I'll just turn to staff regarding this

[23:46] matter. Wonder if the flag can be raised at the community park there. Is that

[23:50] something that can be looked at? >> Through the Mayor, yes.

[23:53] We do have a flag and it will be raised. There's also additional information on

[23:58] our website that's always updated at this time of year as well.

[24:01] » Perfect, thank you. And you don't need a resolution for that I take it.

[24:04] » No, we do not. >> Thank you. 14.4 Councillor Neeb, go

[24:07] ahead please. >> Yep.

[24:09] Thank you Mayor French through the chair. Um

[24:11] this is a request from the Xtra BIA to close parts of the street and

[24:17] for the BIA to use the parking lot for two separate dates, November 14th

[24:22] and October 24th. One's for the Santa Claus parade and one is for the

[24:27] Jack-O-Lantern Jamboree. So I'm willing to make that motion that we

[24:31] make those spaces available to the BIA.

[24:36] » Okay, let's wait for the resolution here.

[24:46] » That South Huron Council approve the closure of Town Hall parking lot, the

[24:50] closure areas as outlined in the request for October 24th, 2026 from 4:30 to 7:30

[24:55] p.m. for the Jack-O-Lantern Jamboree. >> [gasps and sighs]

[24:58] » and Council approved the road closure of Main Street from Huron Street to

[25:01] Wellington Street from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on November 14th, 2026 for the Santa

[25:06] Claus parade. >> So moved, Councillor Neeb.

[25:09] » So moved. >> Is there a seconder for that, please?

[25:11] Seconded by Deputy Mayor seconds. Any discussion?

[25:15] Call the question. All in favor? Carries with six. Thank you, everyone. Uh next

[25:19] item, 14.8. Uh just turned to staff in regards to uh welcoming week, September

[25:23] 16th. Comments, please.

[25:25] » So, this is the Hey Neighbor event. Um and it is proposed to be held in the at

[25:31] the parking lot here. Uh partnership with the the library here and

[25:35] immigration partnership and the municipality.

[25:38] » And we do we need a recommendation from >> Yes, for to use a proposed uh portion of

[25:44] the town hall parking lot, and uh there are some of the

[25:49] looking at getting food trucks, so some parking on Main Street. I think it was

[25:52] four spots. >> I see Councillor Neeb has his hand up

[25:55] there, and Councillor O'Rourke will second it eventually. So, if we could

[25:58] just get a resolution, please, and then we'll go from there.

[26:03] » That South Huron Council approve the request for use of the town hall parking

[26:06] lot on September 16th from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. The closure areas outlined in the

[26:12] request, as well as the parking spots on Main Street for the welcoming week

[26:16] event. >> So moved, Councillor Neeb. Seconded by

[26:18] Councillor O'Rourke. Any discussion? Call the question. All in favor? Carries

[26:23] with six. Thank you. Uh 14.12. Uh Councillor O'Rourke, please.

[26:29] » Um yes. This uh resolution appears to deal with uh the elimination of a uh

[26:37] second injury and enhancement fund that supported uh

[26:43] uh the WSIB claims. And uh I must say I don't really know exactly what that

[26:49] means to us, except for the fact that this resolution speaks about uh this

[26:55] might provide might cause additional costs for

[26:59] employers such as ourselves to have to deal with as pre-existing

[27:05] conditions are apparent. And I'm just wondering if

[27:10] this is something our CAO has had opportunity yet to speak with

[27:16] our staff about and if there's an impact we should be

[27:21] aware of or doing something about. >> Through the chair. Yes, so the

[27:26] correspondence speaks to WSIB second injury and enhancement fund. It's a cost

[27:32] relief mechanism for certain employers. And it it actually recognizes a worker's

[27:37] pre-existing physical or psychological condition

[27:41] that can be that can make a workplace injury happen easier or make the

[27:46] recovery more serious. When applied to WSIB could move some of

[27:51] the claim costs away from the employers individual reclaim record and into the

[27:57] shared fund. So so there is to help bear the costs.

[28:02] The goal was to avoid creating financial hardship for employers to hire or retain

[28:07] people with disabilities and pre-existing conditions.

[28:12] So practical example that we have here is employee has a significant and

[28:17] well-documented pre-existing shoulder condition. They suffer from a

[28:21] work-related strain from lifting equipment. And

[28:26] but as of June 16th, 2026, the fund was closed.

[28:30] And so claims prior to that date may be applicable, but anything after that not.

[28:37] So it would be good to support this

[28:41] resolution. >> Okay. So may I make that motion that we

[28:45] support this resolution? >> I'm clerk, whenever you're ready.

[29:01] » That South Huron Council supports the Municipality of Trent Hills resolution

[29:06] regarding elimination of the Workplace Safety Insurance Board's Second Injury

[29:10] Enhancement Fund. And that the supporting resolution and

[29:15] initial documentation be provided and forwarded to the honorable

[29:20] Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills, Premier of Ontario,

[29:25] all members of provincial parliament and Ontario WSIB,

[29:29] AMO, the Eastern and Western Warden's Caucus, Ontario Chamber of Commerce,

[29:35] um CFIB, OBIAA, ROMA, Federation of

[29:40] Northern Ontario Municipalities, AMCTO, local members of parliament, as

[29:45] well as local boards of trade and chambers of commerce and all

[29:49] municipalities for their consideration. >> So moved, Councillor Bond.

[29:53] » So moved. >> Deputy seconds that. Any discussion?

[29:57] Call the question. All in favor? That carries with six. Thank you. Ms.

[30:00] Massouh-Colson, recommendation, please. >> That South Huron Council receive

[30:04] communication items not otherwise dealt with.

[30:06] » And a mover, please. Moved by Councillor Neeb, seconded by Councillor Oke. Any

[30:10] discussion? Call the question. All in favor? Carries

[30:13] with six. Thank you. We have no closed session on 15, no report from closed

[30:17] session, and we go to 17.1, please. >> That South Huron Council gives first,

[30:21] second, third, and final reading to by-law 59-2026,

[30:25] being a by-law to authorize the signing of a memorandum of understanding with

[30:29] the Sable Bayfield Conservation Authority for the purpose of formalizing

[30:33] a working relationship with the Municipality of South Huron to assist in

[30:37] their mission and management of the South Huron Trail within the

[30:40] Municipality of South Huron. >> And a mover for that, please. Councillor

[30:43] Neeb moves it. Councillor Vaughan seconds. Any discussion?

[30:48] Call the question. All in favor? It carries with six. Thank you. And we

[30:51] go to 18, confirming bylaw. >> That South Huron Council gives first,

[30:55] second, third, and final reading to bylaw 60-2026, being a bylaw to confirm

[30:59] matters addressed at the September 8th, 2026 Council meeting.

[31:04] » And a mover for that. Deputy Mayor moves, seconded by Councillor Oak. Any

[31:06] discussion? Call the question. All in favor?

[31:10] It carries with six. Thank you. And 19. >> That South Huron Council hereby adjourn

[31:14] at 6:31 p.m. to meet again on September 21st, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. or at the call

[31:20] of the chair. >> Deputy Mayor will move that. Seconded by

[31:24] Councillor Neeb. No discussion. Call the question. All in favor? And that carries

[31:28] with six. Thank you, everyone. And thank you very much for attending this

[31:30] evening.

Regular Council Meeting - September 8, 2026

Transcript