Council Meeting Summary: May 12, 2026

The following is a brief recap of the main issues and matters that Council dealt with at the meetings held on May 12, 2026. A video recording of the meeting will also be posted at Lakeshore.ca/TV. 

These highlights are not official minutes of the meeting and are meant solely for the purpose of general communications. The approved minutes provide the only official record of Council Proceedings and decisions.  

Council:

• Received a presentation in Committee of the Whole regarding Infrastructure Services Project Delivery Overview.
• Endorsed the Common Sewage Treatment Facility project and confirm a funding commitment of $69,806,600 through annual budget allocations commencing in 2027; directed the Interim Chief Financial Officer to work with lenders and develop financing strategies to secure $74,497,000 in debentures; endorsed the Belle River Sanitary Sewer Expansion (Wastewater Conveyance Group 3) project and confirm a funding commitment of $7,410,000 through annual budget allocations commencing in 2030; directed the Interim Chief Financial Officer to report back on the utilization of the $7,436,162 approved HAF2 Infrastructure funding and update expected utilization prior to March 31, 2029, grant expiry date; approved the proposed project budget support dollars of $350,000 per annum commencing in 2027 and future budget deliberations to deliver the Plan; and approved the proposed four (4) additional positions (2 full-time, 2 contract) brought forward for the remainder of 2026 and include in all required future budgets.
• Received the 2026 Building Services First Quarter Activity Report for information only.
• Called on the Provincial Government to enact legislation known as Finlay’s Law to:
  • Establish legal maximum wait time standards for patients under 18 (i.e. physician assessment within 2 hours, admission within 8 hours);
  • Require safe pediatric nurse-to-patient and physician-to-patient ratios in emergency settings;
  • Create an independent oversight body with authority to audit hospitals emergency departments, investigate pediatric deaths that occur in ER waiting areas, and enforce compliance;
  • Mandate timely public, independent reviews of every pediatric death in an ER waiting area or while awaiting assessment; and
  • Provide dedicated provincial funding to improve pediatric emergency readiness, including staffing, training, and pediatric equipment. 

Adopted the following by-laws:

• By-law 95-2024, Being a By-law for the Hostine Drain East Branch in the Municipality of Lakeshore
• By-law 21-2026, Being a By-law for the East Branch of the William Strong Drain in the Municipality of Lakeshore
• By-law 32-2026, Being a By-law to Confirm the Proceedings of the April 28, 2026 Council Meeting