Committee of the Whole

That Council receive Staff Report CS-13-25; and That a by-law be presented to Council to confirm the use of internet and telephone as alternative voting methods in the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election and all subsequent by-elections during the 2026-2030 term of Council; and That staff be directed to proceed with the procurement of equipment and services for internet and telephone voting for the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election as per legislation and municipal policies.

That Council authorize the purchase of 86 new parking meter beacons in the amount of $87,746.76 to be funded from the Parking Reserve Fund for the purpose of aligning the Municipality with the beacons that have been previously purchased as part of the Walton Street construction project.

the current Community Grants and Donations Policy and Program distributes taxpayer funds based on ad hoc requests rather than strategic Municipal priorities; and Whereas a more strategic funding model will ensure that public funds are allocated based on initiatives identified in Port Hope’s Strategic Plan, supporting Municipal priorities and future innovation; Now therefore be it resolved that the Community Grant and Donations Policy Schedule B to By-law 68/2003 be repealed; And that Council approves transitioning from a grant-based model to a strategic initiatives-based model, whereby the Municipality will seek proposals from local community organizations to advance strategic goals identified in Port Hope’s Strategic Plan; And that staff be directed to present opportunities to the current recipients of the Foundational Funding trial program (i.e. Capitol Theatre, Critical Mass and Float Your Fanny Down The Ganny) that may result in new funding agreements in exchange for providing specific services aligned with Port Hope’s Strategic Plan and be managed by their affiliated Municipal departments; And that staff be directed to create a strategic initiatives-based program, outlining a process and funding model for advancing strategic initiatives by seeking proposals from local community groups and organizations; And that such a program’s focus include, but not be restricted to, community events, community building, local tourism, cultural and/or recreational opportunities that al

Whereas the Government of Ontario has introduced Bill 5: Protecting Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025 , which proposes substantial changes to environmental planning policies, including replacing the Endangered Species Act with a new framework that reduces protections for at-risk species, and enabling the creation of Special Economic Zones that may override local planning authority and environmental oversight; and Whereas the Municipality of Port Hope supports increasing housing supply and economic growth, but believes this must be done in a way that upholds environmental responsibility and maintains the integrity of local planning processes; and Whereas Bill 5, as proposed, weakens safeguards for natural heritage systems, threatening biodiversity, and diminishing the authority of municipalities to manage growth in accordance with local needs and official plans; and Whereas the Canadian Environmental Law Association submits that all of the Bill 5 schedules, with minor exceptions, should be

Whereas the current Community Grants and Donations Policy and Program distributes taxpayer funds based on ad hoc requests rather than strategic Municipal priorities; and Whereas a more strategic funding model will ensure that public funds are allocated based on initiatives identified in Port Hope’s Strategic Plan, supporting Municipal priorities and future innovation; Now therefore be it resolved that the Community Grant and Donations Policy Schedule B to By-law 68/2003 be repealed; And that Council approves transitioning from a grant-based model to a strategic initiatives-based model, whereby the Municipality will seek proposals from local community organizations to advance strategic goals identified in Port Hope’s Strategic Plan; And that staff be directed to present opportunities to the current recipients of the Foundational Funding trial program (i.e. Capitol Theatre, Critical Mass and Float Your Fanny Down The Ganny) that may result in new funding agreements in exchange for providing specific services aligned with Port Hope’s Strategic Plan and be managed by their affiliated Municipal departments; And that staff be directed to create a strategic initiatives-based program, outlining a process and funding model for advancing strategic initiatives by seeking proposals from local community groups and organizations; And that such a program’s focus include, but not be restricted to, community events, community building, local tourism, cultural and/or recreational opportunities