Media Release - County Council - December 13th, 2023

For immediate release
Dec. 13, 2023

Here are the highlights from the Lanark County Council meeting held Dec. 13, 2023.

Entering Recruitment Agreement for Lanark Lodge: Council has authorized staff to enter into an agreement with Allison Jones Consulting Services Inc. to coordinate the recruitment of up to 15 internationally trained health-care workers at an average per-candidate cost of $4,000 and approximate total cost of $60,000 plus taxes.

This follows a presentation by Long-Term Care Director Carey Duncan to the community services committee last week, in which she outlined the proposed agreement in light of the fact traditional recruitment measures have not closed the staffing gap at Lanark Lodge. “With the current health human resource crisis and the requirement to achieve four hours of care per resident by 2025, Lanark Lodge is looking to close the gap using internationally trained healthcare workers,” she said.

Duncan explained recruitment agencies can bring internationally educated healthcare workers to the Lodge through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Four agencies were consulted regarding services and fees, and Allison Jones Consulting Services Inc. was recommended based on lowest associated fees for comparable services. Agency fees cover advertising, a Labour Market Impact Assessment application per Employment and Social Development Canada, recruitment activities with the candidate, and settlement and service fees (such as travel, documentation, pairing with community supports). The process may take 8 months or longer.

Under the program, the employer must offer at least 30 hours per week for 24 months. Workers are issued a two-year closed work permit, which is employer and occupation specific. “They can only work for the employer named on the work permit,” Duncan said. The employer must ensure housing is available for the worker, and Lanark Lodge is investigating several options, including rental of mobile units, hotel/motel rooms, housing and apartments. Renovating onsite space that is currently rented to a community agency is a last resort, Duncan said. “If accommodation is provided, we can recoup the costs, and this cost can be no more than 30 per cent of the employee’s wages.”

Duncan said up to 15 internationally educated healthcare workers are required, which represents current vacancies at the Lodge. “While the cost of bringing them to the Lodge is not insignificant, the investment means more sustainable, longer-term employees.” For more information, contact Carey Duncan, Director of Long-Term Care, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 7101.

Moose Hide Campaign Presented: Council received a presentation by local resident Bill Janes about the Moose Hide Campaign at the community services committee meeting last week.

The campaign is a grassroots movement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous men and boys who are standing up against violence towards women and children. It indicates wearing a moose hide pin demonstrates a “commitment to honour, respect and protect women and children in your life and speak out against gender-based and domestic violence.” The campaign was inspired by a father and daughter in 2011 along the Highway of Tears in Northern BC, where many women have gone missing or have been murdered. The far-reaching campaign is a way for men and boys to participate in ending violence and to develop a culture of healthy masculinity.

Janes distributed moose hide pins to councillors and staff. Non-leather pins are also available. Councillors thanked Janes for his presentation, and Councillor Richard Kidd (Beckwith Reeve) suggested this type of presentation should be done each year close to Dec. 6, which is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. To learn more about the Moose Hide Campaign, visit www.moosehidecampaign.ca. For more information, contact Jasmin Ralph, Clerk, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502.

Remuneration Policy Approved: Lanark County Council passed a by-law approving the Elected Officials Meeting and Professional Development Remuneration Policy.
Updates to the policy were explained at the corporate services committee meeting last week by Clerk Jasmin Ralph, including an increase to per diems and meal allowances for professional development events and meetings. The policy reflects the 2023 salary rates for the warden and councillors. Other updates included removing a meeting upset limit for mileage compensation, clarity around submitting expense forms and corrections to conflicting policy wording. For more information, contact Jasmin Ralph, Clerk, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502.

Support for Amendment Allowing Digital Notice: Lanark County Council has supported a resolution from the Township of Puslinch asking the province to amend the Legislation Act, 2006 to permit digital notice for activities required to be publicized to meet requirements for provincial acts and regulations.

The motion was first circulated by the Township of McKellar after all local print publications in its community switched to an online-only model. The Legislation Act applies a definition of “newspaper” as a printed document. The motion notes Ontario municipalities are required to follow publication and notice requirements for provincial acts and regulations, but some communities can no longer comply as there are no local news publications fitting the definition of “newspaper” in the act. The motion asked for support from all municipalities in Ontario. For more information, contact Jasmin Ralph, Clerk, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502.

County to Switch to Ombudsman for Closed Meeting Investigations: Lanark County Council has passed a motion directing staff not to renew its current closed meeting investigator contract, opting instead to defer such investigations to the Ontario Ombudsman’s Office.

At the corporate services committee meeting last week, Clerk Jasmin Ralph explained the Municipal Act requires municipalities to conduct meetings in open session unless topics fall under specific exemptions. The act further indicates a person can request an investigation of whether a municipality has complied with the section pertaining to open and closed meetings, and the county can appoint an investigator or one can be provided through the Ombudsman.

The county had contracted a closed-meeting investigator, which was on a retainer and billed hourly for investigations. That contract was up for renewal as of Jan. 1, 2024. Ralph explained that although the services provided have been “professional, courteous and timely,” the cost for a recent brief investigation was very high. “The Ontario Ombudsman’s office provides closed meeting investigation services free of charge to both the complainant and the municipal organization,” she said, adding most municipalities in Ontario use the Ombudsman’s services. For more information, contact Jasmin Ralph, Clerk, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502.

Upcoming Meetings: County Council, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 5 p.m.; Community Services, Jan. 10 (following County Council); Corporate Services, Jan. 10 (following Community Services). County Council, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 5 p.m.; Public Works, Jan. 24 (following County Council); Economic Development, Jan. 24 (following Public Works). Watch for details about public access to meetings on agendas and through online notifications. For more information, contact 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502. Like "LanarkCounty1" on Facebook and follow "@LanarkCounty1" on X!