REGULAR COUNCIL AGENDA
For the Corporation of the Town of Espanola

Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 7:00 P.m. - 8:00 P.m.

Council Chambers, 100 Tudhope Street

Please note this meeting will be streamed​

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A.

INDIGENOUS LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT

We would like to begin this meeting by acknowledging the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850 and acknowledging that the Town of Espanola is located on the traditional territories of the Whitefish River First Nation, Sagamok Anishnawbek and Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. We acknowledge this as part of our commitment to truth and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and to working together for our future generations.

B.

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND GENERAL NATURE THEREOF

C.

PUBLIC HEARING

None

D.

DELEGATIONS/PETITIONS

None

E.

QUESTION PERIOD

F.

CONSENT ITEMS TO BE SEVERED

G.

PART 1 - CONSENT AGENDA

• CA-24-18 Be It Resolved That:  Items H.1  to L.1 inclusive contained in Part 1, Consent Agenda be adopted.

H.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

• Be It Resolved That: The following Minutes are hereby accepted;  Regular Meeting of Council Meeting Minutes of October 22, 2024.

H.1

Regular Meeting Minutes of Council of October 22, 2024

I.

BOARD AND COMMITTEE REPORTS

• Be It Resolved That: The following board and committee reports are hereby received: I.1 Corporate Services Committee Meeting of November 5, 2024.

I.1

Corporate Services Committee Meeting of November 5, 2024

J.

BUSINESS ARISING FROM BOARD AND COMMITTEES

None

K.

BYLAWS AND RESOLUTIONS

The following bylaws will be read and passed.

K.1

Bylaw No 3216/24

• Be It Resolved That:  Bylaw No. 3216/24 be adopted, being a bylaw to confirm the proceedings of Council during their Regular Meeting of October 22, 2024.

L.

REPORTS

• Be It Resolved That:  The following reports are hereby received;  Economic Development Department Departmental Report for September and October 2024.

L.1

Economic Development Department Departmental Report

PART 2 - REGULAR AGENDA

M.

BYLAWS AND RESOLUTIONS

M.1

Recommendation Regarding Connecting Link

• Be It Resolved That: Council for the Town of Espanola declares that: 1) The submitted application for 2025-2026 meets the requirements of the MTO’s Connecting Links program as described in the Program Guide. 2) A comprehensive Asset Management Plan including connecting links has been completed and publicly posted. 3) The Municipality will comply with conditions that apply to designated connecting links under the Highway Traffic Act to ensure the safe and efficient movement of the provincial traffic; 4) The project put forward in the application will be completed and the milestones met as stated in the application; and 5) The application is complete and factually accurate.

N.

MEMBER MOTIONS

N.1

Recommendation to support Forestry in Ontario's 2025 Budget

• Be It Resolved That: WHEREAS the forest industry is vital to the economy of Ontario, employs over 130,000 individuals, and has contributed $3.8 billion to Ontario’s economy since 2018; AND WHEREAS Ontario’s pulp and paper sector has seen a significant reduction in its overall production capacity, and three pulp/paper/containerboard mills have shut
  down in the last year, including the Domtar facility in Espanola; AND WHEREAS softwood lumber tariffs are set to double (to nearly 30%) in 2025; AND WHEREAS The forest industry in Northern Ontario has reached a critical juncture where current supply chains are unsustainable, and the industry in unable to compete with international markets;
  THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council support the attached resolution from the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM), and that the Province of Ontario immediately adopt the proposals contained within the Ontario Forest Industries Association’s (OFIA) 2025 Ontario Budget Recommendations; AND FURTHER THAT a copy of this motion be sent to the Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario; the Hon. Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources; Hon. Kevin Holland, Associate Minister for Forestry and Forestry Products; Hon. Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development; MPP Michael Mantha; MP Carol Hughes; to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the Federation of Northern Ontario.

N.2

Recommendation to Expand the Ontario Deposit Return

• WHEREAS Ontario is one of Canada’s only provinces without a deposit return program for non-alcoholic beverages;
  AND WHEREAS Less than half of recyclable bottles and cans end up in recycling, with the majority going to landfills;
  AND WHEREAS an average of 80% of all empties return to Beer Stores each year, and the deposit return provides a consumer incentive to consciously recycle; AND WHEREAS; The Ontario government proposed expanding the program to include non-alcoholic containers in 2023. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council support the attached resolution from the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury, and that the Province of Ontario immediately seek to implement a deposit return for non-alcoholic beverage containers; AND FURTHER THAT a copy of this motion be sent to the Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario; the Hon. Andrea Khanjin, Minister of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks; MPP Michael Mantha; MP Carol Hughes; to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities, and to
  all Ontario municipalities. 

O.

CORRESPONDENCE FOR INFORMATION ONLY

P.

INFORMATION

This information was previously circulated to Council.  If required a copy of the information is available at the Municipal Office.

• Township of Puslinch correspondence  re:  Protection of Agricultural Lands and Sustainable Development in Relation to Provincial Projects and Excess Soil Management Practices
• Township of Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan, Township of Georgian Bay, Township of St. Charles resolutions and correspondence  re: Urging the Government to Promptly Resume Assessment Cycle
• Township of Georgian Bay, Town of Bracebridge, West Nipissing Quest correspondence  re:  Recommendations for Updates to Municipal Elections Acts
• Whitewater Region, Town of Petawawa re:  OPP Funding support - Municipality of Tweed
• Northumberland County  re:  Public Sector Salary Disclosure

Q.

CONFERENCE AND CONVENTIONS

2025 ROMA Conference - Sunday, January 19 - Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Sheraton Centre Hotel - 123 Queen Street West, Toronto

R.

MAYOR AND COUNCILLOR REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

S.

FUTURE COUNCIL MEETINGS

Community Services Committee Meeting of November 19, 2024 @ 4:00 pm.  Main Level Boardroom

Regular Meeting of Council of November 26, 2024 @ 7:00 pm.  Council Chambers

T.

ADJOURNMENT

• Be It Resolved That: The Regular Meeting of Council is hereby adjourned. 

  Time: 7:37pm

U.

CLOSED MEETING (if required)