Middlesex County Council Meeting Highlights – December 10, 2024
Council Highlights is an informal summary of selected actions taken by Middlesex County Council or Committee of the Whole at business meetings. The Council Highlights are not an official record of County Council proceedings. To view official agendas and minutes, please visit Council Meetings and Minutes.
Woodlands Conservation By-Law Update
The Committee of the Whole approved recommendations to proceed with an updated Woodlands Conservation By-law. Staff were directed to provide notice of Council’s intention to pass the updated by-law in accordance with the Notice By-law and to bring the finalized by-law forward for consideration at the next County Council meeting. The proposed updates focus on improving clarity, modernizing processes, and increasing transparency while maintaining the by-law’s purpose of protecting the County’s woodlands. Key changes include revised application forms, updated terminology, and new requirements for Notices of Intent. For more information, see the Woodlands Conservation By-Law Update Report and the Public Notice.
Committee Advocates for Municipal Elections Act Modernization
The Committee of the Whole has endorsed a resolution advocating for updates to the Municipal Elections Act (MEA) to address challenges in election administration and improve transparency. The Committee voted in support of the recommendations set out in the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks, and Treasurers of Ontario’s (AMCTO) submission, Modernizing the Municipal Elections Act for the 21st Century, for immediate and long-term reforms, including simplified compliance timelines, clarified voter eligibility rules, and standardized electronic voting methods. The resolution calls for priority amendments by mid-2025 to prepare for the 2026 elections and a complete MEA re-write by 2030. For more information, see the Municipal Elections Act report.
Approval of the 2024 Joint Annual Accessibility Status Report
The 2024 Joint Annual Accessibility Status Report has been finalized and received Committee approval, marking another year of progress in removing barriers and improving accessibility across Middlesex County. The report outlines achievements throughout the County and the local municipalities such as staff training on accessibility standards, upgraded facilities, improved digital accessibility, and compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). The report reflects ongoing efforts to meet goals outlined in the Joint Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (2022-2027). For more information, see the staff report.
Recommendations made by the Committee of the Whole at the December 10, 2024 meeting will be considered by County Council at its next regular meeting on January 14, 2025. The Legislative Services Department maintains the official record for all County government proceedings.
For more information please contact: @email