Committee of the Whole

That the Answers to Rural Focus Group Questions from Delegation to Council April 22, 2025 be received for information.

1. That the following candidates be appointed as Youth Councillors to support Port Hope Council for the term ending June 2027 or until a successor is appointed: Leah Ferguson Emily Mountjoy 2. That the Youth Councillor Terms of Reference be amended to include reference that more than one Youth Councillor can be appointed at a time, at Council’s discretion.

That a by-law be presented to Council to rezone the Subject lands from Future Development ‘FD’ to a site-specific Hamlet Residential One ‘RESV1(142)’, Open Space ‘OP’ and Environmental Protection ‘EP’ Zone. That the application for approval of a plan of subdivision submitted by G. Biddle and Associates Limited on behalf of Hillstreet Developments Ltd. (SU01-2023) be granted draft plan approval, with conditions, and that the required Notice of Decision be circulated in accordance with the provisions of the Planning Act .

That Report DS-09-25 be

That Council receive the 2024 Quality Management System Management Review Summary.

That Council receive Staff Report CS-10-25 for information.

That a by-law be presented to Council to adopt the 2025 Tax Levy.

That Council approve the revised Ice Allocation Policy (Attachment 1).

That the Notice of Motion regarding Affirmative Votes from Each Ward for Budget Issues be

WHEREAS the Municipality of Port Hope has not reviewed its ward boundaries or Council composition since amalgamation; and WHEREAS there are increasing community concerns regarding the current balance of representation across the wards; and WHEREAS a comprehensive and impartial review will support fair and effective representation, strengthen democratic processes, and ensure Council’s structure continues to reflect the needs of the community; and WHEREAS Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. has a proven and legally informed framework for conducting electoral structure reviews, including ward boundary reviews, council composition assessments, and an examination of the Deputy Mayor’s role, and incorporates public consultation as a core component of its methodology; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct staff to engage Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. to undertake a Ward Boundary Review and Council Composition Review, including a review of the Deputy Mayor’s role, with the objective of ensuring the Municipality’s governance structure remains representative and effective; AND THAT in accordance with the Municipality’s Procurement Policy, Council authorize a Single Source Procurement under Section 2(e), recognizing that Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. possesses unique expertise and proven legal methodology in electoral structure reviews, which is critical to achieving a fair, effective, and legally defensible outcome. AND THAT staff be directed to execute a contrac

WHEREAS, equitable representation is a foundational principle of effective and inclusive governance, ensuring that all communities have a voice in municipal leadership and decision-making; and WHEREAS, current governance structures may not adequately reflect the diversity of perspectives and needs across the entire community; and WHEREAS, establishing an elected at-large Deputy Mayor position would strengthen equitable representation of the whole community and provide additional leadership capacity to support the Mayor and Council; and WHEREAS Section 217 of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, provides municipal councils with the authority to change their composition, subject to prescribed requirements; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Municipality of Port Hope shall elect its Deputy Mayor at-large beginning with the 2026 municipal election; AND THAT the at-large Deputy Mayor position shall replace one of the four existing Ward 1 Council seats; AND THAT Council composition shall be amended to include: 1 Mayor (elected at-large) 1 Deputy Mayor (elected at-large) 3 Councillors representing Ward 1 (elected by Ward 1 residents) 2 Councillors representing Ward 2 (elected by Ward 2 residents); AND THAT municipal staff be directed to prepare and present a by-law reflecting this revised Council composition; AND THAT staff be instructed to make all necessary amendments to relevant municipal by-laws and election procedures to implement the election of the Deputy Mayor at-large.