Regular Council

THAT the agenda for the Council meeting of February 13, 2024 be confirmed.

THAT the presentation by Barinder Gill, Executive Director Prince Edward Family Health Team to address Council regarding the launch of the PEFHT community clinic be received.

THAT the presentation by Irene Harris, Chair, Accessibility Advisory Committee regarding the 2023 annual update and report to Council be received.

THAT the presentation by Kelly McGillivray, Chair, Traffic Advisory Committee regarding the 2023 annual update and report to Council be received.

THAT the comments from the audience be received.

1. THAT Council receive report CLS-02-2024; 2. THAT Council approve the attached Reserve List of commemorative street names; 3. THAT Council approve the revised Commemorative Street Naming Policy DS-03; and 4. THAT the Street Naming Task Team be on hiatus, and reconstituted if the County receives a renaming street proposal, in accordance with the Commemorative Street Naming Policy DS-03.

WHEREAS poverty is taking a devastating toll on communities, undermining a healthy and prosperous Ontario, with people in receipt of Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program being disproportionately impacted; WHEREAS the cost of food, housing, medicine, and other essential items have outpaced the highest inflation rates seen in a generation; WHEREAS people in need of social assistance have been legislated into poverty, housing insecurity, hunger, poorer health, their motives questioned, and their dignity undermined; Regular Council Minutes February 13, 2024 Adopted as circulated to Council on February 27, 2024 WHEREAS Ontario Works (OW) Financial Assistance rates have been frozen since 2018 ($733 per month); WHEREAS Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) benefit rates have been increased by 6.5 per cent as of July 2023 to keep up with inflation, however even with the increase, ODSP rates still fall below their value in 2018 ($1,376 when adjusted for inflation) and significantly below the disability-adjusted poverty line ($3,091 per month) WHEREAS OW and ODSP rates do not provide sufficient income for a basic standard of living and, as a result, hundreds of thousands of people across Ontario who rely on these programs live in poverty; WHEREAS the poverty risk profile for Prince Edward County created by Vital Signs states that 10.1% - 13.5% of County residents are living on low income; WHEREAS designated Service Managers are doing their part, but do not have the

WHEREAS current provincial/municipal fiscal arrangements are undermining Ontario’s economic prosperity and quality of life; WHEREAS nearly one third of municipal spending in Ontario is for services in areas of provincial responsibility including expenditures for health care, childcare, long term care and housing. These municipal costs are outpacing provincial contributions by nearly $4 billion a year; WHEREAS municipal revenues from property taxes do not grow with the economy or inflation and a one percent increase in taxes generates approximately $507,000 in Prince Edward County; WHEREAS aging infrastructure, combined with housing construction and population growth, will require significant investments in municipal infrastructure including roads, bridges, water and wastewater; WHEREAS inflation, rising interest rates, and provincial policy decisions such as a pause on MPAC property assessments are sharply constraining municipal fiscal capacity; WHEREAS Ontario’s property taxes are already the second highest in the country, while provincial spending per capita is the lowest in Canada and property taxpayers – including people on fixed incomes and small businesses – cannot afford to subsidize income re- distribution programs for those most in need; WHEREAS municipalities and the provincial government have a strong history of collaboration; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Province of Ontario commit to undertaking with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario a comprehensi

THAT clause two of the main motion be removed in its entirety.

THAT Council direct the Mayor to write to members of the EOWC to urge they pause their support position on Enbridge's request, and urge the members to instead explore the Ontario Energy Board decision and more current, cleaner technologies.

THAT the resignation of Councillor Braney from the Built & Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee be received with regret; THAT Councillor Grosso be appointed to the Built & Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee.

THAT the resignation of Councillor Braney from the Audit Committee be received with regret; THAT Councillor Nieman be appointed to the Audit Committee.

THAT items 10.1, 10.2, and 10.5 be approved by consent.

THAT the report of the Built & Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee meeting held January 10, 2024 be received; THAT the Committee recommends that Council, in accordance with By-Law 4271- 2018 approve a Heritage Grant of $7,500 for Heritage Permit HP-12-23 for 281 Main Street, Bloomfield as presented.

THAT the report of the Accessibility Advisory Committee be amended to remove the second clause.

Regular Council Minutes February 13, 2024 Adopted as circulated to Council on February 27, 2024 A By-law to Confirm the Proceedings of the Council of the Corporation of the County of Prince Edward at the meeting held on February 13, 2024.

THAT this meeting now adjourn at 9:41 p.m.