Whole Agenda Summary

The April 9, 2026 session represents a critical intersection of grassroots advocacy and high-level provincial policy. The push for Stop-Arm cameras in partnership with the Peterborough County model demonstrates how municipalities are attempting to leverage neighboring jurisdictions’ strategies for local child safety, a core distributist principle of local problem-solving through shared resources.

However, the responses from the Provincial Government regarding the OCIF and the new Infrastructure Act signal a potential tightening of provincial control over municipal funds and land-use planning. If the minister’s suggestions for “enhancements” to the OCIF are merely adjustments that reduce local leverage, it could signal a shift where the county must cede more autonomy to Ottawa and Toronto. The introduction of the Building Homes Act further complicates this, as new provincial statutes often limit the ability of local bodies to reject high-density developments or specific housing mandates. The Saugeen Valley Children’s Safety Village delegation stands as a counterweight, representing the tangible human cost of these policy abstractions.

Most Newsworthy Agenda Items

Saugeen Valley Children’s Safety Village Al Leach, Vice President of the Saugeen Valley Children’s Safety Village, is scheduled to address the committee. The agenda highlights the organization’s mission with the provocative question: “If you could make a difference in the life of a child – would you?” While specific details on funding or program expansions are not yet disclosed, the presence of a child safety advocate signals potential pressure on the county to align local resources with the organization’s safety initiatives.

Stop-Arm Camera Systems Proposal The Committee of the Whole will receive correspondence from the County of Peterborough regarding “Enhanced School Bus Safety.” Specifically, the group will consider the implementation of Stop-Arm Camera Systems to protect children. Although this is currently a proposal for information rather than an adopted resolution, the push for camera technology highlights a contentious intersection of public safety costs versus student security.

Infrastructure Fund Negotiations A key distributist lens focuses on the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF). The agenda includes a message from Ontario Minister of Infrastructure, Hon. Todd J. McCarthy. He is responding to Grey County’s resolutions to extend the fund and suggesting enhancements. The minister’s letter, dated March 17, 2026, acknowledges the county’s stance but frames the discussion around provincial constraints and county-level resolution powers, potentially limiting municipal autonomy over future infrastructure allocations.

Ministerial Response on Housing Act The committee will also review a letter from Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Hon. Robert J. Flack. This correspondence addresses the new “Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026.” The inclusion of this federal/provincial legislation in the local agenda suggests that county councillors are navigating a complex web of new statutory powers introduced this legislative session, potentially reshaping how Grey County plans for density and transportation.

Election Protocol Updates An updated policy regarding Election Protocol for Members of Grey County Council is set to be received and endorsed. This procedural change affects the mechanics of local governance, potentially altering how future elections are administered within the county boundaries.

Detailed Breakdown

2 Declaration of Interest 2 Declaration of Interest Agenda item noted in published package.
3 Business Arising from Minutes Agenda item 3 involves the presentation of business arising from minutes, though no specific details or speaker contributions are provided in the source text for this upcoming session.
4 Delegations 4.a Saugeen Valley Children’s Safety Village Al Leach, Vice President 4 Delegations 4.a Saugeen Valley Children’s Safety Village Al Leach, Vice President Agenda item noted in published package.
5 Determination of Items Requiring Separate Discussion This agenda item will determine whether any specific municipal matters require separation from the main business order for distinct discussion.
6 Consent Agenda That the following Consent Agenda items be received; and That staff be authorized to take the actions necessary to give effect to the recommendations in the staff reports; and That the correspondence be supported or received for information as recommended in the consent agenda. Council is scheduled to receive the consent agenda items, support corresponding correspondence for information, and authorize staff to take necessary actions to implement recommendations contained in the staff reports.
7 Items For Direction and Discussion 7.a CCR-CW-03-26 Updated Election Protocol for Members of County Council That Report CCR-CW-03-26 regarding an update to the Election Protocol for Members of Grey County Council Policy be received and the policy be endorsed. 7.b 7 Items For Direction and Discussion 7.a CCR-CW-03-26 Updated Election Protocol for Members of County Council That Report CCR-CW-03-26 regarding an update to the Election Protocol for Members of Grey County Council Policy be received and the policy be endorsed.
8 Closed Meeting Matters The agenda lists an item for closed session discussion regarding specific matters that are subject to public meeting rules but contain no details on the topics, personnel, or outcomes involved.
9 Other Business OGRA Conference Updates This agenda item is scheduled to address updates regarding the upcoming OGRA Conference as a standing item in the “Other Business” section of the meeting.
10 Notice of Motion An upcoming agenda item will feature a Notice of Motion without any disclosed details, speaker identities, or supporting facts beyond its listed position in the published package.
11 Adjournment 11 Adjournment Agenda item noted in published package.
4.a Saugeen Valley Children’s Safety Village Al Leach, Vice President Determination of Items Requiring Separate Discussion Consent Agenda That the following Consent Agenda items be received; and That staff be authorized to take the actions necessary to give effect to the recommendations in the staff reports; and That the correspondence be supported or received for information as recommended in the consent agenda. Page 6 of 140 If you could make a difference in the life of a child – would you?
6.a County of Peterborough - Enhanced School Bus Safety That the correspondence received from the County of Peterborough regarding Enhanced School Bus Safety and the Implementation of StopArm Camera Systems be received for information. Page 24 of 140 February 19, 2026 The Honourable Doug Ford Premier of Ontario The Honourable Prabmeet Sarkaria Minister of Transportation Province of Ontario Re: Municipal Support for School Bus Safety and Stop-Arm Camera Systems Dear Premier Ford and Minister Sarkaria, On behalf of the Council of the Corporation of the County of Peterborough, I am writing to express our strong support for enhanced school bus safety measures across Ontario, including the implementation of school bus stop-arm camera systems and other childsafety technologies.
6.b Message from the Minister of Infrastructure That the correspondence received from the Minister of Infrastructure, Hon. Todd J. McCarthy, in response to Grey County’s resolution on considerations for the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) be received for information. Page 26 of 140 Ministry of Infrastructure Ministère de l’Infrastructure Office of the Minister Bureau du ministre 5th Floor, 777 Bay Street Toronto, Ontario M7A 2E1 Telephone: 416-327-4412 777, rue Bay, 5e étage Toronto (Ontario) M7A 2E1 Téléphone: 416-327-4412 March 17, 2026 Andrea Matrosovs Warden County of Grey Andrea.matrosovs@grey.ca Dear Warden Matrosovs, Thank you for your letter and for sharing the Grey County Council resolutions regarding extending the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) and suggested enhancements.
6.c Message from the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing That the correspondence received from the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Hon. Robert J. Flack, in response to the introduction of the Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026, Page 28 of 140 omm Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Ministère des Affaires municipales et du Logement Office of the Minister Bureau du ministre 777 Bay Street, 17th Floor Toronto ON M7A 2J3 Tel.: 416 585-7000 777, rue Bay, 17e étage Toronto (Ontario) M7A 2J3 Tél.

What To Watch

Which agenda items move forward to formal recommendations.
Whether staff proposals trigger additional public consultation or revisions.
Follow-up actions, timelines, and any deferred items.

Read full agenda archive page: https://helpos.ca/transcripts/grey-county/committee-of-the-whole/2026-04-09

Share accessibility feedback with Grey County: https://www.grey.ca/government/accessibility

Original Agenda Package Links

Official meeting page: https://pub-grey.escribemeetings.com/MeetingsCalendarView.aspx/Meeting?Id=6864edcb-c7e7-4972-b759-226ac240cc70