Lanark County Council Highlights – October 9, 2024

Press Release – Lanark County  

Here are the highlights from the Lanark County Council meeting held Oct. 9, 2024.

Council Proclaims World Homeless Day: Lanark County Council has proclaimed Oct. 10, 2024 as World Homeless Day and World Mental Health Day in Lanark County, which are observed annually.

Homelessness is an issue that is a core responsibility of the county, and World Homeless Day helps to raise awareness and promote action to address the plight of homelessness around the world, including in Lanark County.

The proclamation notes communities in Ontario are seeing a rise in the scope, visibility and complexity of homelessness, and that the crisis takes a devastating toll on families and communities, undermining a healthy and prosperous Ontario.

“Ontario’s municipalities are committed to ensuring safe, secure and affordable housing for all residents and recognize the need for collaborative efforts with provincial and federal partners to effectively address and eradicate homelessness,” the proclamation states, adding municipalities are ready to work with these partners to end both homeless encampments and chronic homelessness.

“It is essential to implement comprehensive strategies that include prevention, emergency response and long-term solutions to end homelessness, ensuring that every individual has access to the support and services they need to thrive,” it states.

Lanark County Social Services indicates Ontario is also experiencing a mental health and substance use crisis that intersects with and contributes to homelessness. People with poor mental health are more vulnerable; homelessness exacerbates mental illness, which is a tragic and costly cycle.

Warden Steve Fournier (Drummond/North Elmsley Reeve) encourages residents, business and community organizations “to join us in recognizing this important day to continue to collectively work together to end homelessness in Lanark County and across Ontario, standing ready to collaborate with our provincial and federal partners, dedicating ourselves to creating a future where homelessness is a thing of the past.”

For more information, contact Emily Hollington, Director of Social Services, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 2101.

Tay Valley Township Official Plan Amendment Approved: Lanark County Council passed a motion to approve an amendment to the Tay Valley Township Official Plan that implements outcomes of the township’s five-year review of the document.

Planning Manager Mike Dwyer provided an overview of the changes at the economic development committee meeting held last month. The review process, which is mandated under the Planning Act, began in 2021 to ensure it conforms with provincial plans or does not conflict with them, considers matters of provincial interest listed in the act and is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement (2020). The county is the approval authority for the amendment.

The amendment includes 180 textual changes to the official plan, as well as schedule mapping updates. Dwyer said amendments of note include:

• Bolstering the plan’s acknowledgement of First Nations history in the township and commitment to engagement and duty to consult

• Additions to or refinements of policies that support the provision of housing and a range of housing types, including Additional Residential Units and communal servicing

• Addressing community sustainability and resilience through updated environmental, natural heritage and climate change policies

• A focus on community health and safety that considers social well-being of residents and adds/refines policies related to land development objectives and outcomes to support community safety

• Updated economic and agricultural policies

“The Tay Valley plan amendments continue to build on the established policy to reflect and refine the local public interest as well as satisfy matters of provincial interest,” Dwyer said.

He added the amendments are consistent with the Lanark County Sustainable Communities Official Plan, and that growth management and aggregate resources updates will follow ongoing county studies and processes. He noted a comprehensive public consultation program was completed by Tay Valley, with records indicating feedback was considered as part of Tay Valley’s process.

For more information, contact Mike Dwyer, Planning Manager, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1520.

Upcoming Meetings: County Council, Wednesday, October 23, 5 p.m.; Public Works, October 23 (following County Council); Economic Development, October 23 (following Public Works). County Council, Wednesday, November 13, 5 p.m.; Community Services, November 13 (following County Council); Corporate Services, November 13 (following Community Services). Watch for details about public access to meetings on agendas and through online notifications.

For more information, contact 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502. Like "LanarkCounty1" on Facebook and follow "@LanarkCounty1" on X!