Members Present: Mayor-Milt McIver, Deputy Mayor-Rod Anderson, Councillor-Todd Dowd, Councillor-Laurie (Smokey) Golden
Members Absent: Councillor-Aman Sohrab
Staff Present: Chief Administrative Officer-Peggy Van Mierlo-West, Clerk-Alexandra Croce, Deputy Clerk-Lindsay Forbes, Public Works Manager-Troy Cameron, Parks and Facilities Manager-Mark Coleman, Public Works Operations Supervisor – Scott Coleman, Committee and Planning Coordinator – Bob Stewart (Left the meeting at 1:09 p.m.)
Others Present: Bruce County Senior Planner – Jenn Burnett, Freeman Sweazy, Shelley Sweazy, Catherine Henderson, Gwen Bestard
1. Call to Order and Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
a. Mayor McIver called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. and Council members were reminded to disclose any pecuniary interest and the general nature thereof that may arise during the meeting.
2. Approval of the Agenda
a. Approval of the Agenda
Clerk, Alexandra Croce, announced that materials for Delegation 5a – Freeman Sweazy Re: Residential Snowplow Services Request, were received following the publication of the November 24, 2025, Council agenda, and that an agenda amendment is required to display the materials within the meeting.
#30-01-2025
Moved by Councillor Todd Dowd, Seconded by Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden
That the content of the agenda be approved as amended.
Carried
3. Adoption of the Minutes
a. Re: Council Meeting No. 25-28, November 10, 2025
#30-02-2025
Moved by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson, Seconded by Councillor Todd Dowd
That the minutes of Council Meeting No. 25-28, November 10, 2025, be approved as printed and circulated.
Carried
4. Public Meeting
a. Clerk Report No. C 25-27
Re: 2026 Fees and Charges
Mayor McIver opened the Public Meeting at 1:02 p.m.
Members of the public attending the meeting in person and online were asked if they had comments or questions regarding Clerk Report No. C 25-27 – 2026 Fees and Charges.
No public comments were received.
Mayor McIver closed the Public Meeting at 1:03 p.m.
#30-03-2025
Moved by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson, Seconded by Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden
That in consideration of report C25-27 ‘2026 Fees and Charges’ at the Public Meeting held on November 24, 2025, Council directs staff to bring forward a by-law to Set Fees and Charges for the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula for passage at the December 8, 2025 meeting.
Carried
b. Jenn Burnett, Bruce County Planning
Re: Application Z-2025-064 for Wes Rydall
Mayor McIver welcomed Bruce County Senior Planner, Jenn Burnett to the Council meeting.
Ms. Burnett provided an overview of the information contained within Application Z-2025-064 for Wes Rydall.
Council asked about the recommended conditions for site plan control.
Mayor McIver opened the Public Meeting at 1:08 p.m.
Members of the public attending the meeting in person and online were asked if they had comments or questions regarding Bruce County Planning Application Z-2025-064.
No public comments were received.
Mayor McIver closed the Public Meeting at 1:09 p.m.
Council thanked Ms. Burnett for her presentation.
#30-04-2025
Moved by Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden, Seconded by Councillor Todd Dowd
Subject to a review of submissions arising from the public meeting:
That Council approve Zoning By-law Amendment Z-2025-064 by Wes Rydall for lands identified as Lot 6, Con 1 WBR, RP 3R10945 PARTS 2 TO 4, Eastnor.
Carried
5. Delegation
a. Freeman Sweazy
Re: Residential Snowplow Services Request
Mayor McIver welcomed Freeman and Shelley Sweazy to the Council Meeting.
Mr. Sweazy provided an overview of the residential snowplow services request for his property in Barrow Bay, stating that winter maintenance services currently end approximately 160 metres prior to his driveway.
Mayor McIver noted that a staff report regarding the request will be included on the December 8, 2025, Council agenda.
Council thanked Mr. and Mrs. Sweazy for their delegation.
b. Rotary Club of Northern Bruce Peninsula – Catherine Henderson and Gwen Bestard
Re: Delegation to Council
Mayor McIver welcomed Catherine Henderson and Gwen Bestard to the Council meeting.
Mrs. Henderson provided an overview of the programming offered by the Rotary Club of Northern Bruce Peninsula and a summary of recent maintenance projects for the building.
Mrs. Bestard added that the Rotary Club is very grateful for Council’s support over the years.
Council thanked Catherine Henderson and Gwen Bestard for their delegation.
6. Consideration of Agenda Items
a. Chief Administrative Officer Report No. CAO 25-20
Re: Corporate Policy Update
#30-05-2025
Moved by Councillor Todd Dowd, Seconded by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson
THAT Council receives Report CAO 25-20 as information.
Carried
b. Chief Administrative Officer Report No. CAO 25-21
Re: Cabot Head Project and Engagement Plan
#30-06-2025
Moved by Councillor Todd Dowd, Seconded by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson
It is recommended that Council receive Report CAO 25-21 Cabot Head Road – Draft Operational Plan and Communication & Engagement Plan as information; and,
That Council approve the Communication & Engagement Plan for immediate implementation; and further, that Council endorses the Draft Operational Plan as a conceptual framework only, with the understanding that it will be refined following the completion of public, stakeholder, and partner engagement.
Carried
c. Clerk Report No. C 25-27
Re: Clerks Department Policy Update
#30-07-2025
Moved by Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden, Seconded by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson
THAT in consideration of staff report C25-27 Clerk’s Department Policy Update, Council directs staff to bring forward a by-law to repeal by-laws 2024-57, being a by-law to adopt a civil marriage services policy and 2024-58, being a by-law to adopt a commission documents policy.
Carried
d. Parks and Facilities Manager Report No. PF 25-20
Re: Seniors Community Grant Application – Digital Literacy Project with Connected Canadians
#30-08-2025
Moved by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson, Seconded by Councillor Todd Dowd
That Council receives Parks and Facilities Report PF 25-20 Seniors Community Grant Application – Digital Literacy Project with Connected Canadians as information; and
That Council supports and approves the submission of a funding application to the 2026–27 Seniors Community Grant Program, in partnership with Connected Canadians, to enhance digital literacy and technology access for older adults across the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula.
Carried
e. Public Works Manager Report No. PW 25-24
Re: Winter Control Handbook
Public Works Manager, Troy Cameron and Public Works Operations Supervisor, Scott Cole provided an overview of the information contained within the Winter Control Handbook, clarifying the rationale associated with the recommendations regarding the three (3) winter service maintenance requests on Swan Lake Lane, North Shore Road, and the Cameron Lake Road Spur.
Council discussed the requests, considering operator safety, municipal servicing impacts, the anticipated rise in similar requests, the use of snow removal contractors, and the potential creation of new turnarounds.
#30-09-2025
Moved by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson, Seconded by Councillor Todd Dowd
THAT Council receives Public Works Department Report PW 25-24 titled 2025/2026 Winter Control Handbook; and
THAT Council approves By-law No. 2025-80, being a By-law to Establish Winter Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Roadways, at its regular meeting of November 24, 2025; and
THAT Council supports the recommendation to provide winter maintenance service to Swan Lake Lane; and
THAT Council supports the recommendation not to provide winter maintenance service to 141 North Shore Road and 224-226 on the Cameron Lake Road Spur.
Deferred
f. Public Works Manager Report No. PW 25-25
Re: Water & Wastewater Master Plan PIC Public Comment Summary
Chief Administrative Officer Peggy Van Mierlo-West provided an overview of the next steps for the Water and Wastewater Master Plan, noting that the Plan will be presented at an upcoming Council meeting.
#30-10-2025
Moved by Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden, Seconded by Councillor Todd Dowd
THAT Council receives PW 25-25 report titled Water & Wastewater Master Plan PIC Public Comment Summary, as information.
Carried
7. Other Business – a. Nil.
8. Correspondence – for Information
a. Mike Campbell
Re: Future of Cabot Head Road
b. Saugeen First Nation #9
Re: Zaag’idiwin
c. Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Re: Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025
d. United Way Bruce Grey
Re: Radio Bingo
#30-11-2025
Moved by Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden, Seconded by Councillor Todd Dowd
That Council supports the sale of Radio Bingo cards for the United Way of Bruce Grey within the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula.
Carried
e. Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury
Re: Removing HST/GST from New Homes to Support Housing Affordability
#30-12-2025
Moved by Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden, Seconded by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson
That correspondence items a, b, c, and e be received as information and printed and circulated.
Carried
f. Township of Chapple
Re: Elect Respect Pledge
#30-13-2025
Moved by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson, Seconded by Councillor Todd Dowd
That Council supports the following resolution from the Township of Chapple;
Be it resolved that the correspondence from the Township of Southgate regarding the Elect Respect pledge; be received and supported as outlined below:
Whereas democracy is healthy when everyone is able to participate fully and safely and contribute to the well-being of their community; and
Whereas we are witnessing the dissolution of democratic discourse and respectful debate across all levels of government and in neighbouring jurisdictions; and
Whereas Ontario’s municipally elected officials and municipal staff are dealing with increasingly hostile, unsafe work environments facing threats and harassment; and
Whereas social media platforms have exacerbated disrespectful dialogue, negative commentary, and toxic engagement which disincentivizes individuals, especially women and candidates from diverse backgrounds from running for office; and
Whereas better decisions are made when democracy is respectful and constructive and the voices of diverse genders, identities, ethnicities, races, sexual orientation, ages and abilities are heard and represented around municipal council tables; and
Whereas the Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s Healthy Democracy Project has identified concerning trends with fewer people voting in local elections and running for municipal office; and
Whereas in 2024, female elected representatives from across Halton formed a group called H.E.R. (Halton Elected Representatives) which pledged to speak out against harassment and negativity in politics and called on elected officials to uphold the highest standards of conduct; and
Whereas H.E.R. Halton has launched a campaign called Elect Respect to promote the importance of healthy democracy and safe, inclusive, respectful work environments for all elected officials and municipal staff that encourages individuals to participate in the political process.
Now Therefore Be It Resolved That the Council of the Township of Chapple supports the Elect Respect pledge and commits to:
· Treat others with respect in all spaces—public, private, and online
· Reject and call out harassment, abuse, and personal attacks,
· Focus debate on ideas and policies, not personal attacks,
· Help build a supportive culture where people of all backgrounds feel safe to run for and hold office,
· Call on relevant authorities to ensure the protection of elected officials who face abuse or threats, and
· Model integrity and respect by holding one another to the highest standards of conduct; and
Be It Further Resolved That the Township of Chapple Council calls on elected officials, organizations and community members to support the Elect Respect campaign and sign the online pledge at www.electrespect.ca; and
Be It Further Resolved That a copy of this resolution be sent to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, MP Doug Shipley and MPP Hon. Doug Downey, the Ontario Provincial Police, and all Ontario Municipalities.
Carried
9. Closed Session
a. Closed Session
Councillor Golden declared a pecuniary interest on Item 9: Closed Session Re: Union Negotiations, and left the meeting at 2:15 p.m.
#30-14-2025
Moved by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson, Seconded by Councillor Todd Dowd
That Council move into a closed meeting at 2:15 p.m. with the CAO and Clerk in attendance pursuant to Section 239 (2) of The Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, for the following reasons: d) labour relations or employee negotiations; (Union Negotiations).
Carried
b. Reporting Out
Mayor McIver reported out that Council met in closed session with the CAO and Clerk in attendance to discuss labour relations or employee negotiations specifically related to Union Negotiations. Council accepted the closed session minutes from November 10, 2025 and direction was given to the CAO.
10. Reading of By-laws
a. By-law 2025-77
Being A By-Law to repeal by-laws 2024-57, being a by-law to adopt a civil marriage services policy and 2024-58, being a by-law to adopt a commission documents policy
b. By-law 2025-80 Winter Control Handbook
A By-law to Establish Winter Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Roadways
By-law 2025-80 was deferred at the November 24, 2025, Council Meeting.
c. By-law 2025-81 – ZBA Rydall (Z-2025-064) – 463 The Bury Road
Being A By-Law to amend the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula By-law 2002-54, as amended. (Rydall (Z-2025-064) – 463 The Bury Road)
d. By-law No. 2025-78
Being A By-Law to Confirm the Proceedings of the Council Meeting of The Corporation of The Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula Held Monday, November 24, 2025
#30-15-2025
Moved by Councillor Todd Dowd, Seconded by Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden
That by-laws By-law 2025-77, be given 1st, 2nd, and 3rd reading, and enacted.
Carried
11. Adjournment
a. Motion to adjourn
#30-16-2025
Moved by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson, Seconded by Councillor Todd Dowd
That the meeting adjourns at 2:38 p.m.
Carried
