News
Last night, Council met in closed session regarding the Picton terminals. Brenda Little has more.
Last night’s agenda had included a report regarding correspondence with the Ministry of Natural Resources pertaining to the Picton terminals and the use of the property. Council sat in closed session to hear that the ministry deemed that the blasting and removal of aggregate does not require a licence because the activities do not constitute the operation of a quarry. Despite comments from the audience, Mayor Ferguson stated the position of the provincial government is clear.
Council heard a sobering deputation from Jess Uddenberg, the Executive Director for Highland Shores Children’s Aid Society. The good news is that 90 to 96% of the families on their caseload have their children in their own care or with extended family. The organization focuses on family preservation and kinship care. The main challenge is the funding gap. They are mandated to reduce their costs by 2% every year, yet the cost of living goes up, and the cost of boarding has increased and is limited for complex children. The message was clear – it is a shared responsibility with the community and advocating for provincial funding would be beneficial.
Two developers made deputations to council last night. Jamie Erlicktoe from Cosmopolitan Homes requested a wastewater allocation, saying the company is ready to build 111 townhouse units at Folkard Lane. They will be priced at less than $400,000 and local trades persons and planners will be employed. Also, Alan Hirschfield of Homes First Nicholas Corporation requested that the $290,000 wastewater connection fees be waived on 31 affordable housing units. Their plan also includes 89 market-value rental units. Audience members expressed concerns regarding the burden on the taxpayer should council waive the fees. Staff will review the impact.
Council also agreed unanimously to award the tender for construction on County Road 49 to R.W Tomlinson. The company is ready to begin work starting at the bridge and working toward Picton. Final asphalt will be laid in 2027 with painting of lines in 2028
Finally, the Committee of the Whole will be meeting tomorrow at 1 in Shire Hall. They will consider a report from the Finance & IT Department regarding 2025 development charges, as well as the Annual Parkland Report, which contains information on parkland capital projects and on cash payments by developers in lieu of parklands. They will also consider an update from Community Services of the Programs and Initiatives Department regarding the Youth Engagement Strategy Project, that will include a proposed direction to County staff to explore free, fixed-route transit service for high school students with a valid student ID card. The Committee will finally move into closed session to consider an Ontario Land Tribunal matter, a transfer of surplus municipal lands, and Volunteer Firefighter contract negotiations.
Sports
In the NHL’s Western Conference final last night, the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Colorado Avalanche 2 – 1, to sweep the winners of the President’s Trophy. Chicago in 2013 was the last team to claim the Presidents’ Trophy and the Stanley Cup in the same season. Tonight, the Montreal Canadiens host the Carolina Hurricanes in the fourth game of their Eastern Conference final, with Carolina ahead 2 games to 1.
In the WNBA, the Toronto Tempo visit the Chicago Sky tonight. The Tempo are in 4th place in the Eastern Conference, half a game back of Chicago, with both teams on two-game losing streaks.
In MLB, the Toronto Blue Jays are hosting the Miami Marlins in a three-game series. With Toronto’s 8 – 1 win last night, the series is tied at one win each. The rubber match goes this afternoon. The Jays start a four-game series in Baltimore tomorrow, with the Jays one game ahead of the Orioles in the AL East.
In tennis, both Victoria Mboko and Félix Auger-Aliassime are moving on to the second round of the French Open after wins in their opening matches yesterday. Auger-Aliassime is seeded fourth, while the 19-year-old Mboko is the ninth seed in the women’s draw. Denis Shapovalov was eliminated in the first round yesterday, while 24th-seed Leylah Fernandez was bounced after a first-round loss on Monday.
