Grey County County Council Meeting Transcript — May 28, 2026

00:00:12 Speaker 01: Good morning, County Council. I'd like to call to order this meeting of May twenty eight, twenty twenty six. At this time, as you are able, please join us in the singing and standing for O Canada. our home and native land, true patriot love in all of us command.

00:00:45 Speaker 02: With glowing hearts, we see thee rise, the true North, strong and free, from far and wide, O. Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

00:01:06 Speaker 02: God keep our land glorious and free. O Canada, we stand. on guard for thee. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Could you please conduct our roll call?

00:01:52 Speaker 03: Councillor Mackey sends his regrets today. Councillor McKay, Councillor Carleton. Councillor Pringle, Councillor McQueen, Councillor Nielsen, Councillor Patterson, Councillor DeKert, President, Councillor Kentner, Councillor Kieveny, Councillor Body, Councillor Craig, Councillor Milne, Councillor Dobrine, Warden Matrosovs, Councillor Barningell, Councillor Eccles, Councillor Hutchinson.

00:02:24 Speaker 01: We have all members in attendance today, with the exception of with the. exception of Councillor Mackie, thank you. Let us begin by respectfully acknowledging that we are gathering on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabek Nation, the people of the Three Fires, known as the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi Nations, and further we give thanks to the Chippewas of Saugeen and the Chippewas of Nawash, known collectively as the Saugeen Ojibwe Nation, the traditional keepers of these lands and waters. since time immemorial.

00:02:59 Speaker 01: In our south lies the traditional territories of the Six Nations of the Grand River Haudenosaunee. We are dedicated to honoring Indigenous history and culture, and committed to moving forward in the spirit of truth, reconciliation, friendship, and collaboration with all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people.

00:03:25 Speaker 01: Moving on to item number five, we are looking at the adoption of the minutes.

00:03:26 Speaker 01: It's recommended that the minutes of County Council meeting and committee, the whole meeting dated May fourteenth, twenty twenty-six, and the resolutions contained therein be adopted as presented.

00:03:28 Speaker 01: May I ask for mover and a seconded?

00:03:29 Speaker 01: It's moved by the deputy ordnance, seconded by Councillor Hutchinson.

00:03:29 Speaker 01: Any discussion?

00:03:29 Speaker 01: All those in favor?

00:03:29 Speaker 01: And that motion is carried.

00:03:30 Speaker 01: Item five B.

00:03:30 Speaker 01: It's recommended that the closed session committee of the whole meeting.

00:03:31 Speaker 01: minutes dated May Fourteenth, Twenty Twenty Six, be adopted as provided.

00:03:31 Speaker 01: May I ask for a motion moved by Councillor Dobrin, seconded by Councillor Kevany.

00:03:32 Speaker 01: Any discussion?

00:03:32 Speaker 01: All those in favor?

00:03:33 Speaker 01: That motion is carried.

00:03:33 Speaker 01: And next we have, we'll put it on the floor and then ask Director Cornell to come up and speak.

00:03:34 Speaker 01: It's recommended that the Long Term Care Committee Committee of Management meeting meeting minutes dated May Nineteenth, Twenty Twenty Six.

00:04:22 Speaker 01: 19th, 2026, be adopted as presented, and that the following resolutions contained therein be endorsed: that the LTCRCM 1026 report regarding a long-term care director update be received for information, and that report LTCRCM 1126 regarding the long-term care operational report dated February 15 to April 14th be received for information.

00:04:50 Speaker 01: May I ask for mover? It's moved by Councilor. It's moved by Councillor Patterson, seconded by Councillor Carleton. It's now on the floor for discussion. So I'll look to. Good morning, Director Cornell.

00:05:03 Speaker 04: Thank you, Warden Matrasovs, and through you, good morning, County Council. I'm pleased to provide a brief update from the Long Term Care Committee Committee of Management meeting held on May 19th. As the Warden has indicated, the committee received both the director's update and the operational report for information. reflecting steady progress across all three Grey County long-term care homes.

00:05:27 Speaker 04: Overall, the reporting the report highlighted continued alignment with ministry direction, strong operational performance, and a steady focus on quality improvement and resident-centered care.

00:05:29 Speaker 04: From a system and funding perspective, there were a number of ministry updates, including changes to level of care funding and the consolidation of several staffing programs into core envelopes, in an effort to streamline.

00:05:32 Speaker 04: some of the reporting, which was a delegation that we made to A.m.O.

00:05:33 Speaker 04: last year, so it's great to see that happening.

00:05:34 Speaker 04: We also received confirmation of additional one-time funding to support capital, infection prevention and control, and technology, along with targeted funding to strengthen our behavioral support program at Gregables.

00:06:14 Speaker 04: On the clinical and quality side, we continue to advance innovation and partnerships at Lee Manor. We're participating. in a digital outbreak line list pilot with public health, improving the coordination and response during outbreaks. We've also implemented on-site rapid PCR testing, which allows for much faster clinical decision making and and will support all three homes. Workforce development remains a priority. Recruitment continues across all roles, and we've made significant investments in education, particularly in dementia care. More than two hundred.

00:07:04 Speaker 04: More than 250 members participate of Lee Manor participated in improving dementia care training this spring, strengthening our shared approach to person-centered care across the organization.

00:07:47 Speaker 04: I also want to highlight the continued progress of the Rockwood Terrace redevelopment.

00:07:48 Speaker 04: Construction is now over 60% complete, with an anticipated occupancy in early 2027 and move-in planning actively underway.

00:07:50 Speaker 04: Operational readiness work, which includes staffing and equipment planning, is progressing well.

00:07:51 Speaker 04: The reports also included inspection and compliance updates, where findings were identified, action plans have been implemented, and staff education completed.

00:07:53 Speaker 04: And this reflects our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and accountability.

00:07:54 Speaker 04: And most important, not most importantly—that's coming up.

00:07:55 Speaker 04: Importantly, occupancy across the homes remains strong, and resident, family, and team engagement continues to be a significant strength.

00:08:01 Speaker 01: Most importantly, the report includes many examples of meaningful programming and color it your way moments and stories that bring connection, joy, and purpose into the daily lives of the people living, working, and visiting in our homes.

00:08:34 Speaker 01: That is my report, and I'm happy to take any questions.

00:08:35 Speaker 01: Thank you, Director Cornell.

00:08:35 Speaker 01: I'll look around the room to see we have any questions.

00:08:36 Speaker 01: It was a very detailed report, and thank you.

00:08:37 Speaker 01: and it allows us to catch up as we read through the minutes for those who can't attend.

00:08:38 Speaker 01: So I'm seeing no questions come forward.

00:08:38 Speaker 01: I'll call the question.

00:08:39 Speaker 01: Then all those in favor, and that is carried.

00:08:39 Speaker 01: Thank you very much.

00:08:39 Speaker 01: We do not have any closed meeting matters to attend to in council here, nor reports, so that allows us to move on to the bylaws.

00:08:41 Speaker 01: It's recommended that bylaws 528226 and 528326 be introduced and taken as read a first, second, and third time.

00:08:42 Speaker 01: finally passed, signed by the warden and the clerk, sealed with the seal of the corporation, and engrossed into the bylaw book.

00:08:48 Speaker 01: The first one, 528226, is a bylaw to adopt the amendment number 29 of the Gray County, the County of Gray official plan affecting lands described as Plan 813, Block 68, Geographic Township of Glenaig, now in the Municipality of West Gray.

00:09:06 Speaker 01: The second is 528326, which Two eighty-three twenty-six, which is a bylaw to confirm the proceedings of council.

00:09:18 Speaker 01: May I ask for a mover and a seconder?

00:09:19 Speaker 01: We've got it moved by Councillor Nielsen, seconded by Councillor Gregg.

00:09:19 Speaker 01: Any discussion?

00:09:20 Speaker 01: All those in favor?

00:09:20 Speaker 01: And that motion is carried.

00:09:20 Speaker 01: News and celebrations.

00:09:20 Speaker 01: We've got two items to introduce on from staff as we open up Section Nine.

00:09:21 Speaker 01: And the first, I would like to actually call upon Director McKechnie to introduce Mr.

00:09:22 Speaker 01: White, who has been the.

00:09:23 Speaker 01: GIS intern, and who will then provide us with an overview.

00:09:23 Speaker 01: Thank you, Madam Warder.

00:09:24 Speaker 01: So yes, since about February, we have had the good fortune to have a student, Owen White from Owen Sound District District Secondary Schools Cooperative Education Program, and he will be with us for a few more weeks.

00:09:26 Speaker 01: Yet he's been working with us doing some GIS work.

00:09:27 Speaker 01: So Owen, if you'd like to take the mic.

00:09:27 Speaker 01: Hello, everyone.

00:09:28 Speaker 01: My name is Zona White.

00:10:22 Speaker 05: I've been asked by Jody to tell you about my experience working as a co-op student here. I'm a co-op student from OSDSS, currently in my grade 12 year. I am doing my co-op year in the GIS department. GIS is the process of creating and analyzing digital maps to provide insights or show information to understand complex data. in a geographic context. I am usually helping out the other GIS workers when I can with their projects, or I am using the resources provided to further my skills.

00:10:57 Speaker 05: An example of a project that I have completed during my co-op time here would be when I created a new map using existing information to show all the properties owned by Grey County.

00:10:59 Speaker 05: Another project I did was when I mapped out all heritage Ontario plaques in Grey County.

00:11:00 Speaker 05: Plaques in Gray County and added them into a presentation.

00:11:00 Speaker 05: This project helped me understand some of the history in Gray County, and both these projects, as well as many others like them, taught me a lot about how working in this role would be.

00:11:02 Speaker 05: It also gave me experience working in an office environment in general.

00:11:03 Speaker 05: This co-op has taught me a lot, and I will appreciate the next month out that I will be spending working here until school year is over.

00:11:04 Speaker 05: Thank you for your time.

00:11:04 Speaker 05: Thank you, Mr.

00:11:04 Speaker 05: White.

00:11:04 Speaker 05: Don't go too far away.

00:11:05 Speaker 05: There might be a there might be a question or two for you, but thank you very much for that.

00:11:06 Speaker 05: And that sounds like very concrete and very valuable work that you did in your projects.

00:11:06 Speaker 05: May I ask if you have an aspiration about what you'd like to do next?

00:12:01 Speaker 05: I had plans going into GI. Going into GIS, but I've since been accepted into a college going into engineering.

00:12:17 Speaker 01: So it won't be related to what I'm doing in the future, but it has been a really good experience and given me like lots of experience in office work and other roles.

00:12:35 Speaker 01: Thank you very much, and that is that's exciting, and and what you've done here has been valuable. to our team. We appreciate that effort that you've put forth on behalf of the county, but also that's a very exciting field to go into engineering. So best wishes with that, and let me just open it up to the council in case they have any further questions. Okay, I probably asked the main question that everybody did want to know: what you were going to do next.

00:13:24 Speaker 06: So thank you very much, Mr. White. We appreciate the time that you spent, and thank you, Director McCaffrey, to you and your staff for being able to provide the guidance. in this co-op term, thank you. Okay, next we will move on to.

00:13:34 Speaker 06: I'm going to look to Director McNab. If you'd like to come and make an introduction, and you have brought along Dr. Meta with you this morning, and we have some exciting news and celebrations here. Over to you.

00:13:35 Speaker 06: Good morning, Warden and County Council. Very pleased to be here today to honor a great county.

00:13:50 Speaker 06: Today to honor Gray County paramedics in a couple prestigious awards, with me is Doctor Neil Meta, who's our local medical director, and Evan Kryenbrink is one of our paramedics being recognized today.

00:13:52 Speaker 06: Also being recognized with Mark Eckhart and Jeff Thomas who weren't able to be here.

00:13:53 Speaker 06: Also online is our regional medical director Doctor Matthew Davis, as well as Julie Manning who is our our director of the base hospital in London.

00:13:54 Speaker 06: That's where they're coming.

00:13:54 Speaker 06: from today.

00:13:55 Speaker 06: So I was going to do the award for Mark, tell you about the history with that, and then Dr.

00:13:56 Speaker 06: Meta will talk to you about Evan and his accomplishments.

00:13:56 Speaker 06: So happy to be here to recognize Mark Irchart.

00:13:57 Speaker 06: He received the Medical Directors Award for Professional Contribution.

00:13:57 Speaker 06: Mark Irchart is being awarded the Southwest Ontario Regional Base Hospital Medical Directors Award for Professional Contribution, an award that recognizes paramedics who.

00:13:59 Speaker 06: demonstrate excellence in mentorship, education, and development of others while helping to strengthen clinical practice across the profession.

00:14:45 Speaker 06: It reflects those who go beyond their day-to-day work to support their peers, share knowledge, and improve care across the system. Mark is receiving this award of his long-standing commitment to paramedicine and the lasting impact that he's had on not only in Grey County but across the province. Mark has dedicated more than 42 years to the profession, beginning as a frontline paramedic in Brampton.

00:15:23 Speaker 06: As a front-line paramedic in Brockville and advancing to leadership roles focused on quality assurance, training, and health and safety, his work has supported paramedics and first responders across Ontario, including his involvement with the Mississauga Health and Safety Association, where he has taught high-risk technical rescue skills such as high-angle rescue, trench rescue, and extrication. Since joining Grey County in 2019 as a paramedic supervisor, he has continued to work with a strong focus on mentorship and well-being.

00:16:05 Speaker 06: He teaches mental health resilience to new recruits, helping them prepare for the demands of the job, and delivers hazard awareness training specifically for paramedics to improve safety in the day-to-day work.

00:16:08 Speaker 06: In Gray County, Mark serves as co-chair of the health and safety team and continues to lead through action and care for others.

00:16:10 Speaker 07: He supports paramedics, their families, and teams across Gray County, not just within paramedic services, through peer support, recognizing that strong support systems extend beyond the workplace.

00:16:12 Speaker 07: He also serves as a liaison with the Great County Fire Chiefs and as the team lead for the Paramedic Access Team, working closely with fire services and yearly trains with the OPP Emergency Response Team to ensure readiness of high risk situations.

00:16:24 Speaker 07: Through his steady leadership, he creates an environment where people feel safe, supported, and respected. And his dedication to mentorship, education, safety, and well-being of others is exactly what this award is meant to recognize. So we really do appreciate Mark and all his contributions. here in the county. Thank you for having me.

00:17:34 Speaker 01: My name is Sania Meta.

00:17:35 Speaker 01: As Kevin mentioned, I'm the local medical director for Gray County.

00:17:35 Speaker 01: Evan and his partner Jeff Thomas are being awarded the Medical Director's Award of Excellence.

00:17:36 Speaker 01: For to keep it very brief, demonstrating.

00:17:37 Speaker 01: exceptional teamwork under extraordinary circumstances, and that is a very brief version of a very trying circumstance north of Owen Sound in a smaller hospital, where they brought in a very critical patient and subsequently stayed on scene with medical staff for over two hours, resuscitating about one patient, remaining on scene even longer when an additional six patients that were critical arrived, overwhelming the resources of that.

00:17:42 Speaker 01: hospital, that is exceptional teamwork, exceptional paramedicine, and the physician on scene nominated them because of their extraordinary efforts.

00:17:44 Speaker 01: Thank you very much.

00:17:44 Speaker 01: That is indeed very inspiring to hear the kind. of work and commitment that comes in those hours of crisis. So, on that, we'd like to do a photo and and a congratulatory hand over the certificate.

00:19:36 Speaker 08: Okay, so with that, we'll open it up to council members if they have news and celebrations to share from their lower tier municipalities or elsewhere. We'll begin with Councillor Carleton.

00:19:51 Speaker 08: Thank you, Warden, and good morning, County Council.

00:19:51 Speaker 08: So, George and Bluff says, as the amalgamated townships is now celebrating.

00:19:52 Speaker 08: our 25th anniversary.

00:19:52 Speaker 08: This is going to happen June 6th at Shallow Lake Arena.

00:19:52 Speaker 08: We are having a barbecue sponsored by Hutton Land and Shore.

00:19:53 Speaker 08: That'll kick off at 6 o'clock with the beef coming from a local beef farmer.

00:19:53 Speaker 08: Ice cream will be coming from Elsie's Diner for dessert.

00:19:54 Speaker 08: There will be speeches from dignitaries at 7 p.m.

00:19:54 Speaker 08: and we're asking the community to submit favorite photos, whether old and new, of living.

00:19:54 Speaker 08: in George and Bluffs, and those will be on the website and the Facebook page.

00:19:55 Speaker 08: And will be photos will be presented at the barbecue and online.

00:19:55 Speaker 08: And we're also doing a barn quilt unveiling for the 25th anniversary.

00:19:56 Speaker 08: And the first reveal will be the one at Shallow Lake at the barbecue.

00:19:56 Speaker 08: So anyone can volunteer to paint a barn quilt with their community group or go on our website for more information.

00:19:57 Speaker 08: And at the Fall of Darkness, we'll watch a movie that came out the same year as Amalgamation in two.

00:19:58 Speaker 08: Here is amalgamation in two thousand and one, and we're not telling anybody yet what that movie is going to be.

00:19:58 Speaker 08: And for more information, you can go to GeorgianBluffs.ca/25.

00:19:59 Speaker 08: So we look forward to a fun evening.

00:19:59 Speaker 08: Thank you.

00:19:59 Speaker 08: Thank you.

00:19:59 Speaker 08: We'll go to Councillor Kibany.

00:19:59 Speaker 08: Thank you, Warden Matrosovs, and good morning, everyone.

00:19:59 Speaker 08: I wanted to share two pieces of good news from Meaford.

00:20:00 Speaker 08: First of all, the province has announced funding for a new.

00:20:00 Speaker 08: school in Meaford, 19.1 million, for a new elementary school which will be located on our tract property that the school board already owns.

00:21:36 Speaker 08: It will provide spaces for 340 students as well as 54 daycare spaces, and will be a JK to grade four school.

00:21:36 Speaker 08: So we're very excited about that.

00:21:37 Speaker 08: And also, we're going to be having early discussions about an OPP station in Meaford, and it will be modeled after the.

00:21:37 Speaker 08: one in Markdale, another twenty million dollar project to house eighteen to twenty-four OPP officers in Meaford, to be located right on Highway Twenty Six, coming into Meaford from the east.

00:21:38 Speaker 08: So we're excited about both those projects.

00:21:38 Speaker 08: Thank you.

00:21:38 Speaker 08: Thank you very much.

00:21:39 Speaker 08: We'll go to Councillor Bordenille.

00:21:39 Speaker 09: Thank you, Madam Warden.

00:21:39 Speaker 09: Good morning, County Council.

00:21:39 Speaker 09: Tonight kicks off the fifth annual Blue Mountain Film Festival at the Blue Mountain Resort.

00:21:39 Speaker 09: We have some great industry professionals coming up.

00:21:40 Speaker 09: They look for location scouting as well as featuring films and panels.

00:21:40 Speaker 09: And the closing night film on Saturday is you had to be there, which is the Godspell SCTV.

00:21:41 Speaker 09: How they got their start.

00:21:41 Speaker 09: So it's a very Canadian-based film, and that that should be very exciting.

00:21:41 Speaker 09: So that runs tonight through Sunday.

00:21:41 Speaker 01: Thank you.

00:21:41 Speaker 01: And looking around the room, we'll go to Councillor Nielsen.

00:21:42 Speaker 01: thank you very much, Ward Matrosov.

00:21:42 Speaker 01: I just wanted to share with County Council that the Hanley Institute, which is our local youth center in Fletcherton, will be having kind of spawning off your arts theme there, Councillor Borneo.

00:21:43 Speaker 01: They're doing their showcase of Alice in Wonderland.

00:21:43 Speaker 01: So the children are part of the theater club as part of the Hanley Institute that meets on Thursday nights.

00:21:44 Speaker 01: They'll be doing a production on Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday afternoon.

00:21:44 Speaker 01: And I've heard that the Sunday afternoon sold out, and the Saturday night is sold out.

00:21:45 Speaker 01: There was a few tickets left.

00:21:45 Speaker 01: Sold out.

00:21:45 Speaker 01: So there was a few tickets left for Friday night, which is very exciting to see other people coming out to support the kids.

00:21:45 Speaker 01: Excellent.

00:23:17 Speaker 01: And looking around, anything further?

00:23:17 Speaker 01: Not see any further hands.

00:23:18 Speaker 01: Excellent.

00:23:18 Speaker 01: Thanks.

00:23:18 Speaker 01: So with that, I'll look for a motion to adjourn.

00:23:19 Speaker 01: I've got it moved by.

00:23:20 Speaker 01: Oh, sorry.

00:23:20 Speaker 01: So many hands came up at once.

00:23:21 Speaker 01: There.

00:23:21 Speaker 01: I'm going to have it moved by Councillor Pringle on this side and seconded by Councillor Greg on this side.

00:23:23 Speaker 01: Councillor Gregg, on this side, any discussion?

00:23:24 Speaker 01: All those in favour, and that motion is carried.

00:23:25 Speaker 01: It's like everybody's eager to carry on.

00:23:25 Speaker 01: Okay, we'll take a moment to switch over to committee of the whole.