County Council Highlights for May 6, 2026

Warden Highlights Emergency Preparedness Week

Warden Hilda MacDonald encouraged Essex County residents during Emergency Preparedness Week to take some simple steps to prepare themselves and their families for unexpected emergencies.

“Emergencies and natural disasters can happen anywhere, at any time, often without warning,” said MacDonald. “While we can’t control when they strike, we can control how ready we are. I encourage everyone to stay informed and be prepared.”

The Warden encouraged residents to sign up for municipal alerts, pack a 72-hour emergency kit and make an emergency plan with their families. She also thanked paramedics with Essex-Windsor EMS and other first responders for “the work they do every day to keep our communities safe” and praised emergency management personnel for their “planning, coordination and behind-the-scenes work that ensures we are ready when emergencies arise.”

The commitment to preparedness continues Thursday, the Warden said, when the County conducts its annual emergency exercise at the County of Essex Administration Building. This year’s mock scenario will explore the risks associated with legacy oil and gas wells.

Earlier this week, the Warden said, she travelled to Queen’s Park and advocated for the County’s interests at an advocacy day organized by the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus.

The Warden concluded her remarks by marking Municipal Clerks Week, thanking the Clerk and Deputy Clerk of the County of Essex and the Clerks and Deputy Clerks at all regional municipalities for their diligence and dedication.

Council receives Green Bin information report

Council received as information an Administrative Report stemming from a Feb. 4, 2026 request by Council regarding (1) the processing of the organics that are collected in the Green Bin Program – and whether the materials are being sold to the processor, or if there is a fee collected by the processor for the disposal of the material – and (2) what the process at the Regional Landfill would be should the Province ban organics from the landfill altogether.

Regarding (1), there is a fee collected by the processor (Seacliff Energy Corp.) for the disposal of the material. Seacliff was one of only two bidders for the job and was chosen, on a five-year contract with extensions permissible up to three years, with Seacliff paid the following amounts per tonne for taking on the required organic processing: $135 in 2025, $140 in 2026, $145 in 2027, $150 in 2028 and $155 in 2029, with optional extension-year amounts of $160 in 2030, $166 in 2031 and $172 in 2032.

Regarding (2), should the Province implement a ban on the disposal of organics in landfills, EWSWA has advised County Administration that it would first review the provincial direction and policy framework, including the timing of implementation. Following that review, EWSWA would develop and present recommendations to the EWSWA Board, which could include measures such as bag limits, clear bag requirements and other enforcement tools to support compliance with the ban. The EWSWA Board would provide notice to City of Windsor Council and County Council of any decision and information.

Read the report!

County Advocates at Queen’s Park

CAO Sandra Zwiers updated Council about the County’s participation earlier this week at a Queen’s Park advocacy day organized by the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus.

“Following a day of advocacy meetings, an evening reception was held allowing each WOWC member municipality the opportunity to showcase their region through the display of a corporate banner, provision of a non-perishable food item for a gift bag and face time with members of provincial parliament,” said the report. “The networking opportunity allowed the Warden, CAO and Solicitor to share how WOWC’s strategic priorities align with the County of Essex’s and build municipal/provincial relationships.”

The CAO updated Council that the province has prioritized our region for a new EMS dispatching model. As well, she said, a recent delegation before the Ministry of Transportation about the need for a grade-separated interchange at County Roads 19 and 22 was “well received.”

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County Resources for Election Purposes Strictly Prohibited

Council voted to receive as information a report on the Use of Corporate Resources for Election Purposes. Section 13.0 of the Essex County Council Code of Conduct specifically requires members of County Council to follow provisions of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 with respect to the use of County property, services, or other resources during a municipal election campaign period. Specifically, the “use of the County’s resources, both property and staff time, for any election-related activity is strictly prohibited.”

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Sun Parlor Home Fulfils Compliance Obligation

Council voted to receive as information a report relating to the execution of the Declaration of Compliance under the Long-Term Care Home Service Accountability Agreement (SAA) for the period covering April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.

The Long-Term Care SAA between Ontario Health West and the Corporation of the County of Essex requires an annual Declaration of Compliance indicating that, to the best of their knowledge and belief, Sun Parlor Home has fulfilled its obligation under the SAA.

Read the report!