Council Meeting Highlights - September 1, 2026

Council directed staff to send a letter of support regarding a review of extended producer responsibility for one-pound single-use propane cylinders to the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, the Premier of Ontario, and the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority.

Council received a staff report regarding Gateway Signage – Phase 1 (Durham). Entrance signage will be installed in Durham in 2026, and in each of West Grey’s remaining main settlement areas (Ayton, Elmwood, and Neustadt) in subsequent years.

Council received a staff report regarding Part Lot Control 01-2026 – Block 51. The report was in response to an application from Candue Homes 2020 Ltd requesting to exempt Block 51 Plan 16M-101 from part lot control.

Council received a staff report regarding a Tax Increment Equivalent Grant. A Tax Increment Equivalent Grant program is a tool that can be adopted by municipalities to provide financial assistance to development projects by phasing-in the taxes on new developments. The program can help encourage the development of large multi-residential development, or the redevelopment of industrial sites with contaminated properties. Council directed staff to bring forward a bylaw to amend Bylaw No. 83-2020 to incorporate a Tax Increment Equivalent Grant within the West Grey Community Improvement Plan.

Council received a staff report regarding ZA17.2026 (270 Queen Street South). The property is irregularly shaped and located immediately adjacent to the Saugeen River. It was zoned to permit multi-residential uses but was subject to a holding provision that required demonstration of “safe access” could be provided to the subject lands. Council directed staff to bring forward a bylaw to amend the Zoning Bylaw to give effect to application ZA17.2026. 

Council received a staff report regarding the Municipal Finance Officers' Association (MFOA) request for the permanent doubling of the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund beyond 2026. Staff were directed to send the resolution letter provided by MFOA to the Minister of Infrastructure, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Minister of Finance, and the Municipal Finance Officers’ Association on behalf of West Grey.

Council received a staff report regarding ‘Approved Grey County Roads Exchange’. On July 23, 2026, Grey County Council formally approved a rural and urban road transfer with its lower-tier municipalities, to take effect June 1, 2027. West Grey will be assuming approximately 8.6 kilometres of roads in urban areas and will be uploading rural roads on Concession 12 and the Bentinck Sullivan Townline to Grey County. Over a 10-year period (2027-2037) the Municipality of West Grey will receive $5,136,277 in funding from Grey County for the roads exchange.

Council received a staff report regarding ‘Stothart Hall Funding Agreement – Renewal’. Council authorized the Mayor and Clerk to enter into an agreement with the Municipality of Grey Highlands respecting Stothart Hall with a commencement date of January 1, 2025.

Council received a staff report regarding ‘West Grey Employee Handbook’. Council directed staff to bring forward a bylaw to rescind West Grey Personnel Policy Bylaw 122-2004 and any amendments thereto; and authorized the CAO or designate to make any administrative modifications and/or updates to ensure compliance with prescribed legislation, as required.

Council shared information about upcoming community events, including:

• Durham Fall Fair on September 4-6, 2026
• Wing Night in Elmwood on September 4, 2026
• Neustadt Night Markt on September 4, 2026
• Neustadt, Normanby Carrick Agricultural Fair on September 18-19, 2026
• Ayton and Neustadt Firefighters on September 20, 2026
• Terry Fox Run on September 20, 2026

The next regular Council meeting is September 15, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

For full council meeting details please visit:
westgrey.com/meetings