Council Highlights – November 9, 2026
The Township of Huron-Kinloss Council Meeting was held on Monday, November 9, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at 21 Queen Street in Ripley.
Highlights from the meeting include:
- Recognizing the 2022–2026 Council
- Proposed Council Meeting Procedure Changes
- Bruce C Project: Planning for Growth and Opportunities
- Huron-Kinloss Community Recognition Program
The full agenda and supporting documents can be viewed through eSCRIBE, the Township of Huron-Kinloss's platform for Council agendas and minutes.
Recognizing the 2022-2026 Council
Council held its final regular meeting of the 2022–2026 term. To recognize their service to the community, members of Council were presented with certificates of recognition by the Chief Administrative Officer.
The Township extends its thanks and appreciation to members of Council for their commitment to public service and contributions to Huron-Kinloss throughout the term.
Legislative Services:
Proposed Council Meeting Procedure Changes
Council reviewed proposed updates to the Township's Procedure By-law, which establishes the rules for how Council meetings are organized, how decisions are made and how residents can participate.
A mid-term review with Council identified opportunities to improve meeting efficiency, clarify procedures, provide more time to review meeting information and make public participation easier to understand.
The proposed changes are being brought forward for feedback only; no changes have been approved.
What Changes Are Being Proposed?
Several changes are being proposed to make Council meetings easier to follow and improve access to information and participation opportunities.
- One meeting format:
- Removing Committee of the Whole so that discussions and decisions take place through Council meetings, reducing duplication and simplifying the meeting process.
- Consent agendas:
- Grouping routine and informational items for approval with one vote, while allowing Council members to remove any item for separate discussion.
- Earlier agendas:
- Publishing meeting agendas on Thursdays, or at least 48 hours before a meeting, giving residents and Council more time to review upcoming topics.
- Updated delegation procedures:
- Clarifying how requests to present to Council are reviewed and scheduled, including directing presentations to the most appropriate meeting or process. The proposed changes would allow up to three delegations per meeting.
- Consistent meeting schedules:
- Establishing a regular Council meeting cycle, generally on the first, second and third Mondays of most months, with the schedule approved annually.
- Meeting end times:
- Introducing a 9:30 p.m. adjournment time unless Council votes to extend the meeting.
What This Means for Residents
- Residents would have more time to review meeting agendas and supporting information before Council meetings.
- A simplified meeting structure is intended to make it easier to follow Council discussions and decisions.
- Residents would continue to have opportunities to attend meetings and request to speak to Council, with clearer procedures for participation.
What Happens Next?
Council's feedback will be incorporated into a revised draft Procedure By-law for consideration by the newly elected 2026-2030 Council.
Before any changes can be adopted, the Township will provide public notice through its website and local newspaper. Residents will have an opportunity to review the proposed changes and submit comments before Council considers formal adoption.
Learn More/Read Full Report
Additional information:
CAO:
Planning for Potential Growth and Opportunities from the Bruce C Project
The Township has received $145,000 in funding from Bruce Power to complete three studies examining potential opportunities and impacts associated with the proposed Bruce C Nuclear Project.
What is the Regional Municipal Readiness Assessment Fund?
Bruce Power established the Regional Municipal Readiness Assessment Fund to help municipalities in the Clean Energy Frontier region prepare for the proposed Bruce C Project.
The program provides funding for planning initiatives related to transportation, housing, water and wastewater, land development, workforce development and community services.
Huron-Kinloss applied for funding for three studies, and all three applications were approved.
What Will the Funding Support?
The $145,000 will be distributed across three studies:
- Business Attraction Assessment and Strategy ($75,000):
- Examining opportunities to attract new businesses and support future economic growth in Huron-Kinloss.
- Emergency Services Readiness Study ($40,000):
- Examining potential impacts on emergency services and identifying whether additional preparation may be needed.
- Urban Boundary Expansion Review ($30,000):
- Exploring potential future growth needs and opportunities within the Township's settlement areas.
What About Regional Transportation Planning?
Bruce County is already undertaking regional transportation planning to examine potential impacts of the proposed Bruce C Project on roads and transportation infrastructure.
With that work underway, Huron-Kinloss focused its funding applications on three other areas where additional local study would be beneficial.
What This Means for Residents
- Bruce Power is providing the full $145,000 to fund the studies, meaning the Township will not need to use its own budget to pay for them. Township staff time will still be required to coordinate the work.
- The studies will help the Township better understand potential impacts and opportunities related to local businesses, emergency services and future community growth.
- The studies are planning tools only. They do not mean that new development, urban boundary expansions or changes to emergency services have been approved.
What Happens Next?
The Township will finalize project agreements with Bruce Power before proceeding.
Requests for Proposals (RFPs) will be issued to select consultants for the Business Attraction Assessment and Strategy and Emergency Services Readiness Study. Recommendations will be brought back to Council for consideration in the new year.
The Urban Boundary Expansion Review will be completed with support from the Township's existing planning consultants, B.M. Ross.
Learn More / View Full Report
Additional Information:
- Bruce County Council Meeting: May 21, 2026 – Community Development Office – Bruce Nuclear Project – Capacity Funding Agreement
CAO: Huron-Kinloss Community Recognition Program
The Township is moving forward with the Huron-Kinloss Recognition Program, which will celebrate individuals and groups who make a positive difference in the community. The program will include two awards: Community Champion and Youth of the Year.
What Is the Huron-Kinloss Recognition Program?
Originally proposed as a Volunteer Recognition Program, Council supported expanding the program to recognize a broader range of community contributions beyond formal volunteer work.
The two awards will recognize:
- Community Champion: An individual or eligible group whose contributions have made a positive difference in Huron-Kinloss.
- Youth of the Year: A young person, 18 years of age or younger, who has demonstrated leadership or contributed positively to the community.
Who Can Be Nominated?
Current and former Huron-Kinloss residents may be nominated. Groups of residents may also be nominated for the Community Champion award. Youth nominees must be 18 years of age or younger on the day of nomination.
How Will Recipients Be Selected?
A Review Group will assess nominations and recommend recipients. The group will include two members of Council, one Township staff member and one member of the public. A scoring guide will help ensure nominations are assessed fairly and consistently.
What This Means for Residents
- Residents will have an opportunity to recognize individuals and groups making a difference in Huron-Kinloss.
- Contributions beyond formal volunteering can be celebrated through the awards.
- Community members can express interest in serving on the Review Group.
What Happens Next?
The Township will invite members of the public to submit expressions of interest in serving on the Review Group until December 18, 2026. A recommendation for the public appointment will then return to Council for consideration.
The Township is also considering holding community and employee service recognition at the same Council or Committee of the Whole meeting in April each year.
Learn More / View Full Report
Upcoming Meetings
Inauguration of Council
The Inauguration of Council is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 16, 2026. During the meeting, the newly elected Council for the 2026–2030 term will be sworn into office. The ceremony will be held in Council Chambers at the Municipal Office, 21 Queen Street in Ripley.
Special Meeting of Council – Township Tour
A Special Meeting of Council is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on Friday, November 20, 2026. Council will participate in a tour of Township roads, facilities and services.
The meeting is open to the public; however, Council will be travelling outside of Council Chambers. The tour is for information-gathering purposes only, and Council will not engage in discussions that materially advance Council business.
Space on the tour is limited. Members of the public interested in participating must contact the Clerk by noon on November 16, 2026. Space will be allocated in the order requests are received.
To participate, contact jwhite@huronkinloss.com or 519-395-3735 ext. 123.
Next Regular Council Meeting
The first regular Council meeting of the 2026–2030 term is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 7, 2026. This meeting will be held in Council Chambers at the Municipal Office, 21 Queen Street in Ripley.
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