Council Meeting

THAT the draft agenda presented to Council and dated the 27th day of February, 2024 be adopted as prepared.

THAT the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of February 13th, 2024 be adopted as circulated.

WHERES Council for the Municipality of East Ferris approved the Boards and Committees Policy on November 8th, 2022 by resolution No. 2022-285; AND WHEREAS an amendment to the Committee Composition within the Terms of Reference for the Striking Committee is required to ensure that a quorum of Council is not present at any meeting of the Striking Committee; BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that Council for the Municipality of East Ferris approve an amendment to the Committee Composition within the Terms of Reference for the Striking Committee in the Boards and Committees Policy as follows: Committee Composition: When filling positions for new term of Council: Mayor; Deputy Mayor; Chief Administrative Officer; and Director of Community Services When filling vacancies within the term of Council: Mayor; Chief Administrative Officer; Director of Community Services ; and Chair of the Board or Committee with the vacancy

WHEREAS current provincial-municipal fiscal arrangements are undermining Ontario’s economic prosperity and quality of life; AND WHEREAS nearly a third of municipal spending in Ontario is for services in areas of provincial responsibility and expenditures are outpacing provincial contributions by nearly $4 billion a year; AND WHEREAS municipal revenues, such as property taxes, do not grow with the economy or inflation; AND WHEREAS unprecedented population and housing growth will require significant investments in municipal infrastructure; AND WHEREAS municipalities are being asked to take on complex health and social challenges – like homelessness, supporting asylum seekers and addressing the mental health and addictions crises; AND WHEREAS inflation, rising interest rates, and provincial policy decisions are sharply constraining municipal fiscal capacity; AND WHEREAS property taxpayers – including people on fixed incomes and small businesses – can’t afford to subsidize income re-distribution programs for those most in need; AND WHEREAS the province can, and should, invest more in the prosperity of communities; AND WHEREAS municipalities and the provincial government have a strong history of collaboration; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Province of Ontario commit to undertaking with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario a comprehensive social and economic prosperity review to promote the stability and sustainability of municipal finances across Ontario; AND FURTHER

WHEREAS Council for the Municipality of East Ferris deems it expedient to pass three readings of the following by-law at this session; BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT a By-law to appoint a Municipal Law Enforcement Officer BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2024-08; AND THAT said by-law be signed by the Mayor and Clerk and sealed with the Seal of the Corporation.

WHEREAS Council for the Municipality of East Ferris deems it expedient to pass three readings of the following by-law at this session; BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT a By-law to close and convey a part of the road allowance and shoreline road allowance, adjacent to 23 Durrell Road, described as part of the road allowance between Lots 9 and 10 Concession 15 and part of original shore road allowance in front thereof, being parts 1 & 3 Plan 36R15100, Township of East Ferris, District of Nipissing AND a part of the road allowance and shoreline road allowance, adjacent to 27 Durrell Road, described as part of the road allowance between Lots 9 and 10 Concession 15 and part of original shore road allowance in front thereof, being Parts 2 & 4 Plan 36R15100, Township of East Ferris, District of Nipissing, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2024-09; AND THAT said by-law be signed by the Mayor and Clerk and sealed with the Seal of the Corporation.

THAT Council approve the Correspondence and Information as circulated with the agenda of February 27th, 2024.

THAT the Council for the Municipality of East Ferris supports the resolution received from the City of Stratford calling upon the Federal Government to Extend the full CEBA program deadline by extending the forgiveness (up to $20,000 of the maximum $60,000) deadline for businesses to coincide with the new repayment deadline of December 31, 2026.

WHEREAS many municipalities in Ontario have seen an increase to their insurance rates due to Joint and Several Liability; AND WHEREAS in 2015 the City of Greater Sudbury (the "City'') entered into a contract with a contractor experienced in road construction projects to complete a project on Elgin Street in the City's downtown core; AND WHEREAS the contract provided that the contractor would be the constructor for the project as that term is defined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act (the "Act''); AND WHEREAS an employee of the constructor operating a grader on the project struck and killed a pedestrian; AND WHEREAS the City was charged with offences under the Act as the constructor and the employer; AND WHEREAS after being acquitted at trial and on appeal, the Ontario Court of Appeal, in a decision issued on April 23, 2021, found the City to be liable for contraventions of the Construction Regulations as an employer as it employed quality control inspectors to monitor the quality of work on the project from time-to-time; AND WHEREAS the Supreme Court of Canada, in a decision issued on November 10, 2023, was evenly divided 4-4 on the issue resulting in dismissal of the City's appeal; AND WHEREAS the consequence of this decision is that municipalities in Ontario, as well as all other owners of property in the province, who wish to undertake construction, are subject to being charged and convicted as an employer for offences in relation to project sites for which they ha

THAT the Council for the Municipality of East Ferris supports the stabilization of the Federal Government’s Reaching Home Funding to the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board as the Community Entity; AND THAT funding be maintained, at minimum, at current levels for future fiscal years; AND THAT this resolution be shared with local federal representatives.

THAT the Council for the Municipality of East Ferris supports the resolution received from the Municipality of Calvin encouraging the Federal Government to commit additional funds for cost sharing of provincial firefighting and to consider the development of a national strategy of firefighting.

THAT the Council for the Municipality of East Ferris supports the resolution received from Prince Edward County regarding support from the Province to expand the life span of fire apparatus, specifically pertaining to the replacement of fire trucks due to insurance requirements.

THAT the Council for the Municipality of East Ferris supports the resolution received from the Town of Petrolia calling upon both the ROMA and OGRA Boards to re-establish a combined OGRA and ROMA annual conference.

THAT the Council for the Municipality of East Ferris supports the letter received from Enbridge Gas regarding concerns with the Ontario Energy Board's decision on Phase 1 of the Enbridge Gas 2024 rebasing application.

THAT Council approve the general accounts for the Municipality of East Ferris as indicated in the cheque register(s) dated February 27th, 2024 in the amount of $290,143.26.

WHEREAS Council for the Municipality of East Ferris deems it expedient to pass three readings of the following by-law at this session; BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT a By-law to confirm the proceedings of Council from February 13th, 2024 to February 27th, 2024, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2024-10; AND THAT said by-law be signed by the Mayor and Clerk and sealed with the Seal of the Corporation.

THAT we do now adjourn at 8:17 p.m. and meet again on March 12th, 2024.