Upcoming meeting preview for Committee of the Whole on April 23, 2026 10:15 AM.

This preview is based on the published agenda package and supporting reports.

One-Sentence Summary

On April 23, 2026 at 10:15 AM, Council decides whether to let a single company fix bridges while approving tree clearing and buying ambulances from a distant supplier instead of local businesses.

Whole Agenda Summary

This upcoming agenda is expected to focus on 4.a Kate Burns Gallagher - Western Ontario Wardens Caucus (WOWC) Update - Priorities and Achievements 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.; 6.a TR-CW-19-26 Award of Tender RFT-TS-13-26 for the Reconstruction of Structure 900-363 **That report TR-CW-19-26 containing the tender results for RFT-TS- 13-26 regarding the replacement of structure 900-363 located on the Euphrasia - St. Vincent Townline on the border of Municipality of Meaford and the Municipality of Grey Highlands be received; and ** **That Lancoa Contracting Inc. be awarded the tender for a total amount of $714,413.33, excluding HST; and ** That action take place prior to Council approval as per section 26.6 b of the Procedural By-law.; 6.b TR-CW-21-26 Award of Motor Grader That report TR-CW-21-26 containing the quotation results for the award of a motor grader be received; and That the contract be awarded to Toromont Cat – Grey County / Owen Sound for a total amount of $643,700.00, excluding HST.; 6.c PDR-CW-15-26 Marlane Farms Minor Exemption **That report PDR-CW-15-26 be received; and ** That the application for minor exemption under the County’s Forest Management By-law for Part of Lot 54, Concession 2 EGR, geographic Township of Holland, now in the Township of Chatsworth, municipally known as 395656 Concession 2, be approved..

Most Newsworthy Agenda Items

• 4.a Kate Burns Gallagher - Western Ontario Wardens Caucus (WOWC) Update - Priorities and Achievements 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. The organization represents a federation of 15 Upper and Single Tier Municipalities encompassing 300 communities and 117 municipalities. Collectively, this distributist network serves over 1.6 million residents and hosts 250,000 businesses within an area of 90% rural character and 1⁄2 million square kilometers. This structure highlights a significant concentration of commercial activity and population within predominantly rural jurisdictions, suggesting a decentralized economic base reliant on local municipal governance rather than centralized urban hubs. The sheer scale of businesses relative to the rural population underscores a robust local enterprise sector embedded deeply across diverse communities.

• **6.a TR-CW-19-26 Award of Tender RFT-TS-13-26 for the Reconstruction of Structure 900-363 **That report TR-CW-19-26 containing the tender results for RFT-TS- 13-26 regarding the replacement of structure 900-363 located on the Euphrasia - St. Vincent Townline on the border of Municipality of Meaford and the Municipality of Grey Highlands be received; and ** That Lancoa Contracting Inc. be awarded the tender for a total amount of $714,413.33, excluding HST; and ** That action take place prior to Council approval as per section 26.6 b of the Procedural By-law. Grey County will spend $643,700 to buy a motor grader from Toromont Cat, a local Owen Sound dealer, under a Canoe Procurement Group contract designed to let municipalities pool buying power and secure trade-compliant terms. The 224 hp machine is a direct replacement for a unit 17 years old, a pragmatic, like-for-like swap that avoids overbuying and extends service life without speculative future needs. Meanwhile, a separate bridge reconstruction project at Structure 900-363 will use a $1.38 million capital reserve, resulting in an $487,735 surplus after taxes, demonstrating efficient budget management. The bridge work includes installing a new steel pipe culvert, MSE retaining walls, and temporary flow passage to protect property access for residents currently relying on the existing structure, ensuring equitable continuity for affected communities during construction.

• 6.b TR-CW-21-26 Award of Motor Grader That report TR-CW-21-26 containing the quotation results for the award of a motor grader be received; and That the contract be awarded to Toromont Cat – Grey County / Owen Sound for a total amount of $643,700.00, excluding HST. Grey County officials plan to swap an aging 2008 motor grader for a new 224-hp model from Toromont Cat, a deal that significantly strains the local equipment replacement reserve fund. The purchase costs $643,700, requiring a projected transfer of $551,029 into the fund, yet the county has not generated a surplus despite the trade-in slightly exceeding budget expectations. To finance this gap, the county must draw down its Transportation Services Equipment Replacement Reserve, which is projected to drop to just $172,000 by the end of 2026, down from a $2.3 million balance. This aggressive drawdown is a direct result of previous delays in acquiring replacement tandem trailers. Compounding this fiscal pressure, the county council is set to approve a minor exemption allowing Marlane Farms to clear-cut 1.4 hectares of valuable Scots Pine and hardwoods to expand agriculture, further converting managed forestland into farmland.

• **6.c PDR-CW-15-26 Marlane Farms Minor Exemption That report PDR-CW-15-26 be received; and ** That the application for minor exemption under the County’s Forest Management By-law for Part of Lot 54, Concession 2 EGR, geographic Township of Holland, now in the Township of Chatsworth, municipally known as 395656 Concession 2, be approved. Grey County officials are moving to clear non-native Scots Pine trees, explicitly noting the species is invasive and prone to disease, thereby justifying removal as a normal farming practice rather than ecological damage. While the County’s climate action plan aims to promote tree planting, a specific by-law review currently allows exceptions for clearing low-benefit woodlands adjacent to active farms. The proposed clearing targets a small pocket of trees separated from significant woodlands by a farm lane, receiving no public opposition and full support from conservation authorities and ecologists who deem the impact negligible. Simultaneously, the County is aggressively pursuing infrastructure spending, with a Q1 2026 report highlighting a major $271,000 asphalt joint venture awarded to E.C. King and Owen Sound, alongside a policy shift granting directors authority to award up to $500,000 without Council vote.

• 6.d FR-CW-09-26 Quarterly Purchasing Report Quarter 1 2026 That Report FR-CW-09-26 regarding the quarterly purchasing report for Quarter 1 2026 be received for information. Grey County Council approved a purchase of three new ambulances from TriStar Ambulances for $743,148 plus HST to replace aging fleet vehicles. Officials warn that recent manufacturer delays force frontline crews to operate outdated ambulances beyond their planned lifespan, skyrocketing maintenance and repair costs. The purchase is part of a broader spending spree where the county awarded contracts for a tourism consulting study under budget, installed a new roof for significantly less than allocated funds, and hired waste management consultants, all while explicitly stating there are no legislated requirements or legal considerations attached to these expenditures. This procurement underscores a systemic reliance on large corporate suppliers for critical public safety equipment rather than fostering local manufacturing or alternative economic arrangements.

• 6.e PSR-CW-03-26 Purchase of Three New Ambulances for 2026 That Report PSR-CW-03-26 regarding ambulance purchases be received and that the purchase of three ambulances be awarded to TriStar Ambulances in the amount of $743,148.00 plus HST; and That three ambulances will be disposed of in accordance with the purchasing policy. Municipal road crews in Ontario face a escalating crisis where dangerous aggression from residents threatens their lives and essential public services. Manufacturers delayed ambulance deliveries to the Township of East Zorra-Tavistock, forcing staff to operate aging vehicles over 275,000 kilometers with rising repair costs; the township secured a new contract for replacements funded by selling used units. Simultaneously, the Association of Ontario Road Supervisors warned the Solicitor General that plowing crews endure life-threatening harassment, including residents throwing ice at equipment, issuing death threats, physically climbing onto active snowplows, and jumping in front of plows to delay emergency responses for over an hour. These actions mimic threats against police and fire, yet Ontario Provincial Police often dismiss the incidents as “not a police matter” unless physical assault occurs. Officials argue current laws fail to protect these workers, urging the province to amend legislation to treat interference with municipal workers as a direct public safety risk requiring immediate police enforcement. This legislative gap forces municipalities to choose between maintaining worker safety and delivering critical services during severe weather. Distributist principles emphasize that essential community infrastructure must be protected as a public good, not compromised by corporate negligence or a lack of state support for frontline defenders of roads and bridges.

• 6.f AORS Request for Provincial Legislation Amendments Unsafe Working Conditions, Oro-Medonte and East Zorra Tavistock That the correspondence received from the AORS, The Township of Oro - Medonte and East Zorra Tavistock regarding a request for provincial legislation amendments to improve the health and safety of municipal workers, including unsafe working conditions caused by interference, harassment and dangerous actions towards municipal staff be supported by the County of Grey; and That a letter of support be sent to AMO for advocacy. Items For Direction and Discussion On April 23, 2026, Grey County Council was recommended to award a tender for reconstructing a specific structure on the Euphrasia-St. Vincent Townline, located near the Blue Mountains. Three bids were received, with Lancoa Contracting Inc. selected as the sole winner for a total of $714,413.33 excluding HST. The project addresses critical infrastructure needs by replacing an aging structure to prevent economic barriers for rural municipalities that often lack sufficient per-capita revenue for such upgrades. This award supports the broader strategic goal of maintaining essential road and transit networks without which rural growth stalls. The tender was posted via the County’s Bonfire portal from March to April 2026, highlighting the administration’s commitment to transparent, competitive procurement for vital regional assets.

• 7.a Joint Municipal Services minutes dated April 16, 2026 That the Joint Municipal Services Committee meeting minutes dated April 16, 2026, be adopted as presented and the following resolutions contained therein be endorsed: Grey County is sharpening its rural defenses against a creeping commercial empire that threatens its $460 million agricultural base. Unlike neighboring regions allowing free-roaming tourism, the county faces chaotic case-by-case approvals where venues like Post and Beam operate as unapproved hotels, straining infrastructure with noise, traffic, and failing septic systems. The new distributist response mandates a strict firewall between farming livelihoods and commercial enclaves. Every future venue must pass rigorous site-specific scrutiny, including full environmental reports and binding contracts for low-impact infrastructure, before construction begins. The plan caps annual events based on lot size to prevent overuse, ensuring rural tourism remains a secondary support rather than an encroaching landlord. Financially, the county’s reported 2025 $1.8 million surplus masks deep operational rot caused by unmet provincial funding and infrastructure failures costing nearly $2 million. Meanwhile, new provincial laws under the Metrolinx Act and rigid lot-size mandates ignore rural realities like snow storage, risking costly retrofits for local taxpayers. A looming July deadline forces a choice between paying a $60,000 emergency fee or stalling infrastructure upgrades due to bureaucratic gridlock in public procurement. The county insists that without strict thresholds defining scale and frequency, unmanaged expansion will displace active farming operations, turning prime farmland into a commercial playground.

• **6.a TR-CW-19-26 Award of Tender RFT-TS-13-26 for the Reconstruction of Structure 900-363 **That report TR-CW-19-26 containing the tender results for RFT-TS- 13-26 regarding the replacement of structure 900-363 located on the Euphrasia - St. Vincent Townline on the border of Municipality of Meaford and the Municipality of Grey Highlands be received; and ** That Lancoa Contracting Inc. be awarded the tender for a total amount of $714,413.33, excluding HST; and ** That action take place prior to Council approval as per section 26.6 b of the Procedural By-law. (Subsections): Lancoa wins tender saving half a million dollars for bridge repair: Lancoa Contracting secured the tender for Structure 900-363 reconstruction, generating a $487,735.66 surplus that replenishes community reserves for future eligible projects without raising taxes. 714k Tender Award for Euphrasia Structure Replacement: Lancoa Contracting Inc. receives the 714,413.33 dollar award to rebuild Euphrasia Structure 900-363 while staff prioritize low-emission construction methods and material selection.

• **6.c PDR-CW-15-26 Marlane Farms Minor Exemption That report PDR-CW-15-26 be received; and ** That the application for minor exemption under the County’s Forest Management By-law for Part of Lot 54, Concession 2 EGR, geographic Township of Holland, now in the Township of Chatsworth, municipally known as 395656 Concession 2, be approved. (Subsections): Invasive Scots Pine cleared with no replant offset required: Staff approve clearing invasive Scots Pine on a farm lane despite county tree planting targets, prioritizing disease-resistant habitats over mandatory replanting offsets under the current forest management by-law. Forest cutting approval despite half-load restrictions: Staff recommend minor exemption approval for non-significant woodlands cutting despite ongoing half-load season restrictions until May 1, 2026.

• 6.e PSR-CW-03-26 Purchase of Three New Ambulances for 2026 That Report PSR-CW-03-26 regarding ambulance purchases be received and that the purchase of three ambulances be awarded to TriStar Ambulances in the amount of $743,148.00 plus HST; and That three ambulances will be disposed of in accordance with the purchasing policy. (Subsections): TriStar Wins Ambulance Bid While Disposing Old Fleet: TriStar Ambulances will supply three new certified vehicles totaling $743,148, generating a surplus by selling off older ambulances exceeding 275,000 kilometers that require higher maintenance. TriStar Wins Ambulance Bid Amid Public Worker Safety Crises: The municipality awards TriStar Ambulances a $743,148 purchase while municipal workers face increasing public interference and safety threats during critical weather events. Three New Ambulances Awarded Amidst Worker Safety Crisis: TriStar Ambulances received a $743,148 contract for three new units despite ongoing harassment threats and violent obstructions from residents that endanger municipal winter maintenance crews.

• 7.a Joint Municipal Services minutes dated April 16, 2026 That the Joint Municipal Services Committee meeting minutes dated April 16, 2026, be adopted as presented and the following resolutions contained therein be endorsed: (Subsections): County Funds Shared Digital Platform for Equitable Community Engagement Across Member Municipalities: Grey County will utilize a centralized Social Point platform to streamline feedback, track engagement demographics, and ensure equitable information access for all nine member municipalities. Joint Services Adopt New Rules for Rural Event Venues: The committee endorses a student report recommending site-specific zoning for rural event venues to balance economic growth with community compatibility and agricultural protection. Minutes Adopt Resolutions for Rural Event Venues: Committee minutes dated April 16, 2026, adopt resolutions endorsing a report on best practices for rural event venues involving Spy Cider House and Highland Estates. Committee endorses protecting agricultural land from large event venues: The committee will adopt minutes detailing distinctions between small-scale farm and large-scale commercial events to enforce agricultural land protections within Grey County zoning bylaws. Joint Municipal Services adopts framework to regulate rural event venues and protect farmland: The committee adopts recommendations from a new Grey County report establishing coordinated policies that balance agricultural protection with rural event venue development needs.

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/agendas/grey-county/committee-of-the-whole/2026-04-23

Transcript will be published here: https://helpos.ca/transcripts/grey-county/committee-of-the-whole/2026-04-23

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

Original Agenda Package Links

• Agenda source 1
• Agenda source 2
• Agenda source 3

Official meeting page: https://pub-grey.escribemeetings.com/MeetingsCalendarView.aspx/Meeting?Id=94c9b4e2-4d24-4756-9479-920f39d9c0cd