Warden Praises Volunteer Award Winner Dan Metcalfe, Offers Thanksgiving Greetings

Warden Hilda MacDonald in her opening remarks to Council Wednesday night recognized Dan Metcalfe, the County’s Emergency Measures Coordinator, who was named the 2026 Volunteer of the Year by the Great Lakes Water Safety Consortium.

Metcalfe received the surprise honour last week at a drowning prevention conference in Michigan.

“This recognition comes as no surprise to those of us lucky enough to work with Dan,” the Warden said. “He is humble, he is kind, and he has dedicated decades to keeping our community safe. He leads our emergency exercises here at the County and he volunteers with the Children’s Safety Village and the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, among other public safety groups. Congratulations, Dan! This award is well deserved, and the County and its residents are fortunate to have someone with your resolve and passion looking out for us.”

The Warden also offered best wishes to County residents heading into the Thanksgiving weekend.

“I hope you have an opportunity to spend time with family and friends, enjoy a good meal, and perhaps take a moment to appreciate the many blessings in our lives,” said MacDonald. “And for those who may be working this weekend, or serving our community while others gather with their families, please accept our sincere thanks for all you do … On behalf of Essex County Council, I have the honour to wish everyone a very happy and safe Thanksgiving.”

Council Unanimously Approves Tentative Agreement with Paramedics Union

Council voted unanimously to ratify the tentative agreement reached with CUPE Local 2974.2, which represents more than 300 paramedics and support staff with Essex-Windsor EMS. The agreement had been endorsed by the County’s bargaining team, and the union’s bargaining team is recommending ratification to its members.

Official Correspondences Received, Including on Broadband Expansion

Council voted to receive eight pieces of official correspondence, including:

1.    A response from the Honourable Matthew Rae, the Province’s Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries, regarding Warden MacDonald’s inquiry regarding provincially funded broadband expansion projects in the County.

2.    A news release from the Province of Ontario announcing its $49-million investment to strengthen supports for small businesses.

3.    A letter from the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing that shared information on Ontario’s ongoing efforts to strengthen domestic supply chains, to ensure that government’s expectations are aligned regarding municipal public sector procurement.

4.    A news release from the Province of Ontario unveiling changes to Premier Ford’s Cabinet.

5.    A bundle of news communications from the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities Initiative (GLSLCI), including Upcoming Events, Latest News and the latest newsletter.

6.    The latest Western Ontario Warden’s Caucus (WOWC) newsletter.

7.    WEtech Alliance’s 2025-26 Impact Report.

8.    A letter from the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) Board of Directors, providing a Western Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority (WLERCA) cost apportionment redistribution analysis.

Emergency Management Plan Strengthens Local Preparedness

Council approved the County of Essex’s 2026 Emergency Management Plan and its supporting documents. This annual review and adoption process ensures compliance with the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, while demonstrating the County’s continued commitment to strengthening emergency preparedness, response, recovery and resiliency across all local municipalities.

The 2026 review reflects a philosophy of continuous improvement. Targeted enhancements and refinements have been made to improve usability, strengthen emergency response processes, incorporate emerging risks, and ensure the Emergency Management Plan remains aligned with current best practices and operational realities.

Read the report!

Road Safety Management Plan Identifies 10 Intersections for Modifications

Council voted to receive as information a report that updates the County’s Road Safety Management Program and outlines the safety improvements planned for implementation this year – together with the next steps required to continue to advance the program, including financial.

Based on the findings of the safety assessments, Administration recommended several targeted safety improvements going forward, including:

•         Enhanced signage and flashing beacons at priority locations.

•         Conversion of select intersections from two-way stop control to all-way stop control.

•         Posted speed limit reductions where warranted.

•         Introduction of transitional speed zones in accordance with Ontario Traffic Manual guidance.

•         A road safety public education campaign.

•         Continued collaboration with local police services regarding speed management and enforcement.

Safety modifications are proposed for the following intersections involving County Roads:

1.    CR 18 at CR 31, on the Kingsville/Leamington border.

2.    CR 18 at CR 34, in Kingsville.

3.    CR 19 (Manning Road) at Baseline Road, on the Tecumseh/Lakeshore border.

4.    CR 19 (Manning Road) at CR 22, on the Tecumseh/Lakeshore border.

5.    CR 42 at CR 22 (Myers Road), in Lakeshore.

6.    CR 22 at Lesperance Road, in Tecumseh.

7.    CR 27 at CR 46, in Lakeshore.

8.    CR 34 at CR 37/Mersea Road 19, in Leamington.

9.    CR 43 (Banwell Road) at Baseline Road, in Tecumseh.

10.  CR 34 at Mersea Road 12, in Leamington.

Work in 2026 is being completed through the approved 2026 Road Safety budget, which includes an allocation of $400,000 for the design and implementation of road safety improvements.

Administration is proposing a total of $400,000 in the County’s 2027 Budget to continue implementing targeted safety improvements through the Road Safety Management Program. This includes $300,000 funded from the levy, and $100,000 proposed to be funded from the Rate Stabilization Reserve. This maintains the existing levy supported base for the program while providing additional funding capacity for 2027. The funding will support lower-cost measures such as signage, beacons and road markings at priority locations identified through the County’s network screening process.

If the proposed 2027 funding is not approved, Administration would need to defer or reprioritize elements of the next phase of targeted safety improvements. This could reduce the County’s ability to respond to priority locations identified through the network screening process within the planned timeframe.

Read the report – as well as the appendix containing specifics on the 10 intersections where Safety Modifications are targeted!

Council Approves Speed-Limit Reductions and Intersection-Control Modifications

Council voted to approve amendments to the Traffic and Parking on Highways By-law to implement targeted speed limit reductions and intersection control modifications at various locations within Essex County. The proposed amendments are intended to enhance roadway safety, support consistent speed management, and improve conditions for all road users. The proposed speed limit amendments include:

• reductions from 50 km/h to 40 km/h adjacent to an elementary school and community facilities on County Road 8;
• conversion of an existing time-limited school zone speed limit to a permanent 60 km/h speed limit and transition zone further east on County Road 8;
• and the extension of an existing 50 km/h speed zone and introduction of a new 60 km/h transition zone on County Road 18 at the location of a new fire hall. 

Additional speed reductions from 80 km/h to 60 km/h were approved at several locations on County Road 18, 19, 31, 34 and 46 based on the County’s Road Safety Program recommendations and corridor safety assessments. And a reduction from 80 km/h to 70 km/h was approved on County Road 20 adjacent to an established residential area.

Approved recommendations also include the introduction of several speed transition zones, to provide a more gradual change between higher-speed and lower-speed roadway environments and thus encourage better compliance with the lower posted speed limits. In addition, two-way stop-controlled intersections on County Road 18, at County Roads 31 and 34, are to be converted to all-way stop control, including the installation of stop signs and flashing beacons to improve driver awareness and intersection safety.

Collectively, the passed amendments are intended to align traffic regulations with current roadway conditions and support safe, consistent travel throughout the County road network.

Read the report, and view the map showing locations of speed reductions and intersection modifications.

Standby Generator Agreements Renewed for County Administration Building and SPH

Council voted to renew Standby Generator Operation and Maintenance Agreements for both the County of Essex Administration Building and Sun Parlor Home.

Read the report!

County Approves Cost Sharing Agreements with Tecumseh, Adjacent Landowners

Council voted to enter into two cost sharing agreements with the Town of Tecumseh and adjacent landowners, for works occurring in the vicinity of the Manning Road Secondary Plan Area (MRSPA).

The first agreement entails the reconstruction and extension of Westlake Drive east of Lesperance Road, while the second amends an agreement for cost sharing of the construction of multiple stormwater management facilities adjacent to the intersection of County Road 19 and County Road 22. Both projects support development of the MRSPA as well as necessary County infrastructure improvements and capacity for stormwater management. The agreements provide the formal mechanism to allocate costs appropriately among the County, Tecumseh and benefiting developers.

Read the report!

Council Approves Notice of Motion Imploring Hydro One to Address Power Flickers

Council approved the following Notice of Motion brought by Councillor Sherry Bondy at the September 16, 2026 Regular Meeting of Essex County Council:

Whereas residents and businesses across the entire County of Essex—spanning multiple local municipalities and local distribution networks are experiencing a severe, disruptive, and frequent pattern of brief power interruptions, voltage sags, and continuous "power flickers"; and

Whereas these repeat power flickers extend far beyond localized ELK Energy, Essex Power or EnWin Utilities distribution territories, indicating a broader, systematic transmission infrastructure challenge rooted within the regional upstream grid managed by Hydro One; and

Whereas these chronic power fluctuations cause ongoing operational disruptions, premature appliance failures, equipment damage, and significant economic frustration for local homeowners, agricultural producers, and commercial businesses alike; and

Whereas Essex County Council recognizes and appreciates that Hydro One has initiated plans for transmission investments within Southwestern Ontario, yet the immediate reality on the ground demonstrates that the frequency of these disruptions continues to severely impact the daily quality of life and economic predictability for our residents;

Now Therefore Be It Resolved as follows

That Essex County Council formally requests that Hydro One accelerate, and prioritize its localized infrastructure investments within the County of Essex to eliminate these chronic power flickers and establish verifiable grid reliability; and,

That a copy of this resolution be forwarded directly to the Ontario Minister of Energy, our local MPPs, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), and all lower-tier Essex County municipalities to ensure a unified regional demand for immediate grid stabilization and accountability.