Warden Highlights Bridge Opening, Drowning Prevention Week

Warden Hilda MacDonald in her opening remarks to Council Wednesday night touted the benefits to our region of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which is scheduled to open before the end of the month.

“Our location at the heart of the North American economy has always been one of our greatest strengths. Combined with the County’s ongoing infrastructure investments, this new crossing positions our region for continued economic growth for decades to come,” said MacDonald. “The County of Essex stands to benefit enormously from this transformational piece of infrastructure. It advances one of the pillars of our strategic plan by strengthening our position as a regional powerhouse for public and private investment.”

MacDonald also warned about the dangers of water – “a tremendous asset but one that also demands respect” – ahead of Drowning Prevention Week, which runs from July 19 to July 25.

The County of Essex, under the leadership of Emergency Management Coordinator Dan Metcalfe and in partnership with the Windsor-Essex County Drowning Prevention and Water Safety Coalition, will be promoting water safety throughout the week.

Public events will be held at Colchester Harbour this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and at the tip of Point Pelee on Saturday, July 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Finally, the Warden welcomed to her first Council meeting the County’s new Director of Infrastructure and Planning Services, Marissa Mascaro Amyotte. Amyotte returns home to Essex County after most recently serving with the Municipality of Chatham Kent and, prior to that, the City of Kingston.

Pelee Coastal Resilience Committee Offers Initiatives to Reduce Coastal Hazard Exposure

Council voted to receive as information a report from Administration providing a comprehensive update on the progress of the Pelee Coastal Resilience Project.

The Pelee Coastal Resilience Committee was formed in 2023 with funding from Environment and Climate Change Canada. Funds were also received from the County of Essex, local municipalities and conservation authorities.

The committee received a mandate from Natural Resources Canada’s Climate-Resilient Coastal Communities Program to develop a Coastal Resilience Action Plan for the Pelee Coast – specifically, along Lake Erie’s north shore from the mouth of the Detroit River in Amherstburg, eastward to Port Alma in Chatham/Kent, an area defined geographically as the Pelee West (west of Point Pelee) and Pelee East (east of Point Pelee) littoral cells.

A key aspect of this project has been public consultation and feedback. The Committee has held 12 public information sessions, most recently late last month.

The Committee has now developed a plan to implement six key adaptations aimed at reducing coastal hazard exposure in the Pelee West and East littoral cells. These initiatives focus on infrastructure assessment, natural dune restoration, natural heritage system connectivity, fish habitat creation, sediment management, and public communication.

Read the report!

Windsor Social Services Team to Attend Council Meeting

The City’s Commissioner of Human and Health Services will attend the Essex County Council meeting on Sept. 16 to provide an update on operations and field questions from councillors.

Council had passed a resolution directing administration to invite City of Windsor representatives to “discuss concerns and opportunities related to our social housing stock and social housing operations” since the city is the designated Service Manager for various regional services, including social housing.

Administration recommended councillors provide city staff questions in advance of the meeting to help make the discussion “as productive as possible.”

Council Prepares for Potential Lame Duck Situation

Council voted to delegate approval authority to CAO Sandra Zwiers for certain, specific acts should Council become subject to the restricted acts of Council provision outlined in Section 275 of the Municipal Act. What is known colloquially as “lame duck” status occurs when “it is determined with certainty that at least four current members of Council will not be returning as member of the Council after the election,” said a report to Council.

Should Council achieve “lame duck” status, approval authority from August 21, 2026 to November 18, 2026 would be delegated to the CAO for the following acts:

• Appointment or removal of any officer (Department Head) of the County of Essex;
• Disposition of real property owned by the County of Essex; and
• Unbudgeted expenditures or liabilities of the County of Essex exceeding $50,000.

Should the CAO exercise the delegated authority, the CAO would report it to the newly elected Council at its first meeting.

Homelessness Hub Shortfall Covered by Departmental Surplus

Council was told Wednesday night that a projected 2026 funding shortfall at the Essex County Homelessness Hub will be covered through existing surpluses within the Community Services Department. While the program continues to face ongoing funding pressures, actual 2026 program results and in-year surpluses have reduced this year’s projected shortfall to just over $51,000.

“While a funding deficit remains, it is significantly lower than originally projected as a result of the updated financial analysis completed through the projection review process,” said the report. “These pressures can be offset by a projected Residential Services Home (RSH) Program surplus of approximately $216,019. Administration’s review identified that several RSH residents receive supplemental income that has reduced the level of County subsidy required.”

Council supported Administration’s recommendation to hire a second temporary outreach worker from August to December 2026 at a cost of $25,000, to be funded from the departmental surplus.

“This position would support the collection and validation of homelessness date across Essex County, improve the accuracy of the By-Name list, provide additional support to the existing Outreach Worker, and strengthen the County’s ability to demonstrate community need through reliable local data,” said the report. “Improved data collection will support future funding discussions with partners and assist Administration in better understanding homelessness trends and service demands within Essex County.”

Council also supported a recommendation to include $70,000 to absorb operating pressures at the Homelessness Hub in the draft 2027 Budget for Council’s consideration to “support the ongoing sustainability of the program.”

Council voted against a recommendation to establish a “Community Services Contingency Reserve from surplus levy funding to support flexibility in responding to unforeseen service demand and funding pressures resulting from changes in community demographics, program utilization, and other emerging operational needs, as part of prudent long-term financial planning.”

Read the report!

Annual Overview Provided on County’s Transportation Network

Council voted to receive as information a report from Administration providing an annual overview of the 2025 activities, initiatives and infrastructure-related work completed by Infrastructure and Planning Services. The update summarizes key departmental functions, capital project delivery, operational support activities, and service-area accomplishments undertaken in support of the County’s transportation network, municipal infrastructure assets, and strategic plan objectives.

Read the report!

Report Details How Amended Privacy Act Impacts Public Access Requests

Council voted to receive as information a report from Administration related to recent amendments by the Province of Ontario to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.56 (“MFIPPA”) and how these amendments affect the County. Among other things, Bill 97 amended MFIPPA to provide institutions with additional time and flexibility in responding to public access requests, mandated new privacy impact assessments and breach reporting requirements, and provided enhanced oversight and enforcement powers to the Information and Privacy Commissioner.

Read the report!

Council Reaffirms Commitment to Support Specialized Emergency Shelter Services

Council voted to approve a Notice of Motion by Councillor Sherry Bondy, as follows:

Whereas women, children, families and gender-diverse individuals experiencing homelessness, housing instability, or intimate partner violence often require specialized, trauma-informed shelter services that provide safety, dignity, and appropriate supports; and,

Whereas the Councils of the County of Essex and the City of Windsor declared Intimate Partner Violence an epidemic in 2023, recognizing its significant impact on individuals, families and the community; and,

Whereas community organizations continue to report increasing demand for specialized shelter services throughout the Essex-Windsor Region; and,

Whereas the Council of the County of Essex recognizes the vital role of organizations providing specialized supports to women, children, families and gender-diverse individuals experiencing homelessness, housing instability, and intimate partner violence.

Now therefore be it resolved:

That County Council reaffirms its commitment to supporting efforts that improve access to safe, appropriate emergency shelter and related services; and,

That County Council calls on the Province of Ontario to provide sustainable operational funding for specialized emergency shelter services and work with municipalities and community partners to ensure these services meet growing local needs; and,

That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Mayor and Council of the City of Windsor, the Welcome Centre Shelter for Women & Families, the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, local Members of Provincial Parliament, local Members of Parliament, and all municipalities within Essex County.

Notice of Motion on AI Data Centres

Councillor Kimberly DeYong introduced a Notice of Motion to direct Administration to “undertake a review and study of the County’s land use planning policies in relation to artificial intelligence (AI) data centres” and provide Council an initial report on the scope of any study to be undertaken along with a proposed public engagement strategy to help Council determine whether a third-party should conduct the study.

The Notice of Motion also requests that the motion be shared with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario to “formally request their support to work with the Federal and Provincial governments and municipalities to establish a coordinated regulatory framework that takes into account environmental, human, and community health safeguards, and clearly outlines public disclosure requirements as it relates to AI industry growth and development.

The Notice of Motion will be considered at a future meeting of Council.

Notice of Motion on Warden, Deputy Warden Elections

Councillor Rob Shepley introduced a Notice of Motion that would amend the County’s procedural by-law to prevent candidates who are defeated in their bid for the Warden’s seat to then vie for the Deputy Warden’s seat.

The Notice of Motion will be considered at a future meeting of Council.