Committee of the Whole

That the presentation by Sabine Matheson, StrategyCorp be received; and That the Corporate Strategic Plan 2025-2028 be brought forward to Council for approval.

That Council receive the presentation from George Kallonakis, Board Chair, regarding Revised 2026 Police Budget for information.

Whereas the Municipality of Port Hope supports the creation of Additional Residential Units (ARUs) as a means of encouraging housing development and achieving housing affordability in alignment with municipal and provincial housing objectives, and with the goals expressed in the Municipality’s Strategic Plan; and Whereas current policy language in the Official Plan and Zoning By-law defines ARUs as new development, thereby triggering blanket prohibitions and requirements intended for new lots or subdivisions rather than modest intensifications of existing residential properties; and Whereas ARUs, in most cases, represent a form of intensification or adaptation of an existing, already-occupied residential use, and not the creation of a fundamentally new development; and Whereas defining ARUs as such is in keeping with the framing of ARUs by the Province as a form of gentle residential intensification on existing lots (per PPS 2020 section 1.4.3 b and PPS 2024 section 2.2.1 b); and Whereas requiring property owners to pursue site-specific Zoning By-law Amendments to permit ARUs imposes disproportionate financial and procedural barriers that are inconsistent with the intent of provincial housing policy and Council’s strategic priorities; Therefore, be it resolved that: That Council direct staff, as part of the ongoing comprehensive review of ARU provisions in the Zoning By-law, to examine and assess the potential to clarify policy language — including in the Official Plan and Zo

That Council receive Report DS-16-25 for information.

That Council receive Report FS-10-25 for information.

That Report PS-15-25 be received; and That Council authorize Municipal Staff to accept new unwrapped toys, gift cards, and non-perishable food items in lieu of payment for parking tickets received from December 1st through to the December 15th, every year hence forth.

That Council receive Report WE-09-25; and That the inclusion of $9,500 to support the rural transit route operated by Community Care Northumberland be

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 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 call 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 o