Council Highlights - June 8, 2026
Council meetings occur on the second, third, and fourth Monday of each month (the third Monday of the month is to discuss and consider planning and development matters). If a regular meeting falls on a public or civic holiday, the Council meets at the same hour on the next day that is not a public or civic holiday.
Visit www.SaugeenShores.ca/Meetings to see all meeting dates, agendas, minutes and webcasts.
Please note that these highlights are provided for your information but are not a substitute for Minutes approved by Council. The Minutes approved by Council are the official record of the meeting.
June 8, 2026
Moore Bridge EA Recommendations Deferred Report
Council received a report presenting the findings of the Moore Bridge Project Planning Report, including background, environmental and technical considerations, review of alternatives, and recommendation for the preferred solution.
Council postponed the consideration of removal or replacement of the Moore Bridge to the 2028/2029 business plan at such time Staff are to report back with more studies on active transportation, and potential funding sources for a Option 4 (Recreational Bridge Replacement); and directed Staff to continue to monitor the bridge on an annual basis.
This was carried.
Bruce County Homelessness and Encampment Protocol
Council received a report, on March 31, 2026, Bruce County launched the Homelessness and Encampment Response Protocol. This report provided an overview of the protocol and its intended application. A representative from Bruce County was in attendance and presented the protocol in more detail.
This was carried.
Municipal Healthcare Role and Governance Framework
On October 27, 2025, Council received the Municipal Healthcare Administration Review, which recommended a Phase 2 Foundational Pathway be undertaken in 2026. The Foundational Pathway is a series of five sequential reports designed to provide Council with the analysis, governance clarity, and decision points required to consider the Town’s future role in healthcare-related matters. This report is the second in that sequence and focuses on the Municipal Healthcare Role and Governance Framework.
This was carried, as amended.
Council Remuneration Update
As part of the 2026 Business Plan Human Resources Major Initiative, Gallagher Benefit Services (Canada) Group Inc. completed a comprehensive compensation review, including Council remuneration. On May 11, 2026 Council directed staff to return with a phased in option to achieve market alignment and identify the associated financial impact of implementation.
Council approved the 4-year phase-in option for implementation of Council remuneration effective November 15, 2026.
This was carried.
Development Charges By-law
At the May 11th Council meeting on new Development Charges, Council directed staff to return with an implementation strategy and exemption clarity to align with the Province of Ontario. This report reviewed the Proposed Approach for By-law exemptions in the proposed By-law. A further report on the Development Charges Reduction Program (DCRP) will come forward on June 15th, and the final Development Charges By-law and Rates will be presented to Council for approval at the July 6th Council meeting.
Council approved the removal of all discretionary exemptions from the Town’s Development Charges By-law; and
Council directed Staff to incorporate the discretionary exemptions as outlined in the “Proposed Approach” from the Saugeen Shores DC Exemptions List for inclusion in the Community Improvement Plan; and,
Council determined that no further public meetings under Section 12 of Development Charges Act be held.
This was carried.
Bruce County Draft Official Plan
Bruce County is continuing to advance the Draft County Official Plan and is seeking comments in advance of the June 18 Statutory Public Meeting. This report was a follow up to the February 17, 2026 report, which provided a summary of the Draft County Official Plan process and outlined comments endorsed at that time as a result of the County Council workshop.
Council endorsed the comments in this report and forward them to Bruce County for consideration in the New Bruce County Official Plan.
This was carried.
Ombudsman Ontario May 2026 Report
The Ontario Ombudsman investigated eight Council meetings between 2022 and 2025 and found that five did not adequately describe the general nature of closed session matters, though no improper use of closed meeting authority occurred. Council passed a resolution stating how it intends to address the report.
Council received the Ombudsman Ontario May 2026 Report for information; and,
Council and its committees committed to vigilance in adhering to their individual and collective obligation to ensure that the municipality complies with its responsibilities under the Municipal Act, 2001; and,
Council committed to ensuring that all resolutions to proceed into a closed session provide a general description of all issues to be discussed in a way that maximizes the information available to the public while not undermining the reason for excluding the public; and,
Council will specify which closed meeting exception(s) it intends to rely upon for each individual matter to be discussed in closed session; and,
Council will, when possible, follow the practice of reporting back meaningful information about the matters considered in closed session.
This was carried.
Shoulder Season Campaign Results
The Saugeen Shores Shoulder Season Campaign was implemented from October 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026. The campaign was successful in achieving strong awareness and consistent reach, while identifying opportunities to improve campaign success in the future. Outcomes and learning will be incorporated into the development and execution of the 2026/2027 Shoulder Season Campaign.
This report was received for information.
Changes to Tiered Medical Response Agreement
On June 12, 2023, Council approved the SSFD (Saugeen Shores Fire Department) Medical Oversight Agreement with London Medical Sciences and authorized the Fire Chief to enter a tiered response agreement with Bruce County Emergency Medical Services (BCEMS). BCEMS is transitioning from Dispatch Priority Card Index (DPCI II) to the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) under Provincial legislation; MPDS uses more detailed questions to assign clearer patient categories and response priorities. There are no required changes to the current tiered response agreement.
This report was received for information.
Communications
The following was received for information:
- Ontario Municipal Administrators Association Long Service Award - K. Van Myall
- Accessibility Advisory Committee - February 11, 2026 Minutes
- Airport Advisory Committee - February 26, 2026 Minutes
- Saugeen Shores Police Board - March 11, 2026 Minutes
- Municipal Heritage Committee - April 13, 2026 Minutes
- Southampton Business Improvement Area Board - April 27, 2026 Minutes
- Bruce Area Solid Waste Recycling Board - April 15, 2026 Minutes
- Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan - Alto High Speed Rail Support Resolution
- Township of Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan - Provincial Bail Notification Program Support Resolution
- Town of Bruce Mines - Bill 97, Plan to Protect Ontario Act (Budget Measures) Support Resolution
- City of Kitchener - Heritage Helping Housing Building Grant Support Resolution
- County of Prince Edward - Insurance for Owners of Properties Designated under the Ontario Heritage Act Support Resolution
- County of Prince Edward - Vacant Commercial Storefront Tax Support Resolution
- Town of Plympton-Wyoming - Sustainable Provincial Grant Funding for Fire Services in Ontario Support Resolution
Council supported the following correspondence:
- 12.3.9 Township of Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan - Provincial Bail Notification Program Support Resolution
- 12.3.12. County of Prince Edward - Insurance for Owners of Properties Designated under the Ontario Heritage Act Support Resolution.
Council Passed the following by-laws:
- By-law 58-2026 - Being a By-law to Amend By-law 55-2024 a By-law to Establish Base Remuneration and Per Diem Rates for Members of Council
- By-law 59-2026 - Confirm the Proceedings of June 8, 2026
To learn more, view the Council meeting agenda.