Council Meeting Reports September 2025
REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL
Wednesday September 17th, 2025
The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and councillors Brunelle and Helowka were in attendance. Councillor Walma absent. Mayor Evans in the chair.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Presentations – Council presented cheques to Nicole Kraftscik, CEO, GBGH Foundation and to Matt Lawson, President & CEO, GBGH.
New Administration Centre Update – Tim Leitch, Director of Public Works advised that the environmental controls are in place as well as delineation of construction area. Grubbing is underway. Design underway and accessibility committee reviewing.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Drainage Issues: Andrew Milligan a six-generation resident raised concerns about the erosion that has occurred, and which has created a safety issue in the Cawaja area. He has requested a drainage study be undertaken to address the project.
High Water Levels Farlain Lake: Mary and Doug Kirk – Long-time residents of Farlain Lake, the Kirks outlined the historic changes in lake levels and their concerns about the flooding, environmental impacts and beach loss which has occurred. They support option #4 in the report which was to instruct staff to petition for a municipal drain as the road authority.
DEPUTATIONS TO COUNCIL
Janet Marks, Cawaja Beach Property Owners’ Association requested that a drainage study be undertaken to address issues in the Cawaja Beach area next spring. She highlighted the issue of tree removal on private property which has impacted the local community properties. Her presentation included several photos of the erosion issues. Council thanked Ms. Marks for her presentation and directed staff to prepare a report on carrying out the drainage study requested.
MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION
Rural Economic Development (RED) Program, Community Development Stream Application for the development of a Special Events Strategy
Director Pallis advised that the Township of Tiny has a growing portfolio of community-based events that offer cultural, recreational, and economic value. However, to ensure long-term viability, strategic alignment, and increased economic return from these events, a formalized approach is required. The Rural Economic Development (RED) Program’s Community Development stream supports the development of strategies and plans that enhance a community’s ability to undertake economic development activities. The program offers up to 50% cost-share, to a maximum of $50,000. Staff propose to develop a Special Events Strategy with the support of a qualified consultant, focusing on enhancing existing Township-run and supported events, attracting new third-party events, and establishing a framework for data-driven event planning.
The total estimated cost of developing the Special Events Strategy is $50,000. Staff intend to apply to the RED Program for 50% of the cost, amounting to $25,000. The remaining 50% will be funded through the Township’s Economic Development Reserve. Should the RED Program application be successful, the Township will be required to commit $25,000 in matching funds in its 2026 Capital budget. This cost-sharing model enables the Township to leverage provincial support to advance local economic development goals.
Council approved moving forward with this project subject to the successful funding application being approved.
NOTICES OF MOTION
Mayor Evans advised he will be bringing a motion to the next meeting regarding a proposed Tiny 2050 Community Engagement project with a focus on public input into where Tiny is going in the next 20 years.
Councillor Brunelle will be bringing motions regarding TC Energy Pumped Energy Storage Proposal and the future of natural gas expansion in Tiny. Both items will be addressed at the following committee of the whole meeting.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
Wednesday September 17th, 2025
The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and councillors Brunelle, and Helowka were in attendance. Councillor Walma absent. Mayor Evans in the chair.
REPORTS OF CONSULTANTS OR THIRD PARTIES
Climate Change Action Plan Implementation – Mr. Jonathan Main, Severn Sound Environmental Association presented on the Climate Change Action Plan. Several reports were included and are available on the Township website. They include 1. SSEA Implementation Council Presentation 2. SSEA – Local Climate Change Action Plan Implementation Report 3. SSEA – Sustainable Severn Sound Regional Plan and Community Actions Implementation Matrix 4. SSEA – Township of Tiny Implementation Matrix
STAFF REPORTS
CONSENT ITEMS
Severn Sound Environmental Association – TC Energy Pumped Storage Proposal Deputy Mayor Miskimins does not feel that sufficient answers have been provided regarding the impacts of this project and questioned whether council should be supporting opposition. Councillors Brunelle and Helowka also voiced opposition. Mayor Evans disagreed with the majority and feels that more information needs to be provided prior to a decision on this subject. This item will be discussed at the next committee of the whole meeting.
The following were included in the agenda but not discussed.
Planning and Development Report – 2025 Second Quarter Comparative Building Permit Activity Staff reported that in the second quarter, 283 permits issued in 2024 at a total value of $20,892,166 with 169 issued in 2025 at a value of $10,583,800. Should the volume of new building permit applications continue to be lower than forecast (a surplus in operating expenses was estimated through the budget process), funds from the Township’s building reserve may be required to cover some departmental operating expenses for 2025. The building reserve is currently funded at approximately 2.5 x the annual operating costs of the building department. The reserve was established by Council to fund and sustain building department operations and service capacity during building market downturns.
Township of Tiny Snow Fencing Trial Update
A snow fencing trial will be performed on Concession 11 East, Baseline Road South, and Concession 6 East for 2025-2026. Staff have obtained consent from two residents to install snow fencing in their fields this coming winter season. One property fronts on Concession 11 East while the other fronts on Baseline Road South and Concession 6. Staff have engaged Pat Lalonde Fencing to perform the work.
MATTERS FOR CONSIDERTION
2026 Regular Council and Committee of the Whole Meeting Schedule was announced and approved. Meetings will be consolidated and commence at 2:00 p.m. unless otherwise advertised. Closed Session Meetings, when required, will commence as early as 12:30 p.m. and are not open to the public. A summer recess has been provided for through the month of July. The 2027 Special Committee of the Whole (Budget) Meetings to be determined.
Lefaive Watermain (Cawaja Area) Paving Project – Clay Removal Director Leitch advised that throughout the course of this project, there has been a large amount of clay found in the base of the roads which is not suitable for modern paved roads as it does not allow water to drain freely. This causes ice pockets (lenses) to form when it freezes which can cause an increased rate of road deterioration.
To address this the contractor will have to replace the clay with proper granular material so that the road grade doesn’t drop significantly. Similar work has been done already at the southern portion of Fernanne Dr and Zelia Ct.
However, to continue this work on the balance of the roads will lead to significant budget overruns. In the worst-case scenario, where a foot of clay is found in the base of all the remaining roads, the extra cost is estimated to be $275,000.
To fund this, it is recommended that funds be transferred to the Lefaive Watermain Project from completed road paving projects that have come in under budget. ($100,000 from the Silverbirch Resurfacing Project; $75,000 from the Farlain Lake Road East Resurfacing Project; $100,000 from the Sawlog Bay Subdivision Resurfacing Project). Council approved moving forward with the proposal.
COMMITTEES
MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION
Springwater Public Library Board – Resignation of Gillian Reynolds Council received the resignation and directed staff to send a letter of appreciation and advertise for a replacement.
COMMUNICATIONS
CONSENT ITEMS
Enbridge Gas Inc. – Consultation on the Future of Natural Gas Expansion in Ontario was deferred to the October 8, 2025 Committee of the Whole Meeting.
MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION
Joan Charlebois – Environmental Concerns Related to Open Air Sandblasting Councillor Brunelle requested that this be referred to SSEA for investigation given the environmental implications. Council passed a motion to receive the letter as information and to refer the correspondence to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks for their standard processes and that Township staff investigate the compliance with applicable building code and zoning requirements.