Media Release - Special County Council - December 13th, 2023

For immediate release
Dec. 13, 2023

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

County Proceeding with Better Homes Lanark Application: Lanark County Council has approved contributing $5 million from reserves as the capital contribution for the Better Homes Lanark (BHL) Program under the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Community Efficiency Financing (CEF) Program. It also authorized staff to prepare and submit the CEF application. BHL is a home energy financing program that ties into the county’s Climate Action Plan.

Climate Environmental Coordinator Elizabeth Gallant updated the public works committee Wednesday evening. The consultants, Greenscale, have completed the required feasibility assessment and draft program design for BHL. Gallant explained BHL can fill a range of gaps in the community.

The feasibility study showed 65 per cent of the county’s single-family homes (SFH) were built before 1991, which is when energy efficiency requirements were embedded in the Ontario building Code, and more than half use natural gas. More homes than average in Ontario use fuel oil and propane as their primary heating source, which has a higher carbon intensity and is more expensive. “Although any single-family home is eligible, retrofits in homes heated with oil and propane will potentially provide the most cost-effective greenhouse gas reductions and utility bill savings for residents,” Gallant said.

She added more than 7,000 local households who experience high energy cost burden do not qualify to participate in existing low-income eligible energy efficiency programs, which this program could help alleviate. “Homes within the county heating with fuel oil or propane are spending two to four-and-a-half times the amount on home energy costs than the provincial average.” An estimated 15,620 single-family homes in the county could benefit from a local home retrofit financing program; however, homes built in the last 20 to 30 years are less likely to have many opportunities for cost-effective deep energy retrofits.

Gallant provided an overview of the program design, including goals and objectives, target markets, loans and incentives, risk mitigation, the Local Improvement Charge loan terms, the delivery model, capital funding sources and sustainability of the program. Long-term benefits of the program include:
• More than 4,500 homes could be retrofitted by 2040
• Almost 10,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas reduced annually
• Substantially reduce utility bills for many residents
• Increase resiliency of local housing stock against extreme weather
• Create work for 160 to 320 people in the first four years of the program operation

Gallant said to apply for FCM funding in February, local municipalities that want to participate must submit a letter of support indicating they will table a Local Improvement Charge by-law upon notification of funding approval. The capital contribution commitment from the county is also needed, along with the completed CEF application. For more information, contact Elizabeth Gallant, Climate Environmental Coordinator, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3114.

Blakeney Bridge Supply Contract Awarded: Lanark County Council has awarded a contract for the supply of the modular bridge for Blakeney to ACROW Ltd. for $1.2 million plus HST. Last December, council approved a two-lane, 7.3-metre replacement modular bridge for the site, and in May, Mississippi Mills Council passed a resolution to contribute $180,000 to widen the bridge to 7.9 metres to accommodate pedestrians. Keystone Bridge Engineering began the detailed design in September.

Public Works Manager Sean Derouin told the public works committee on Wednesday evening the tender was advertised from Nov. 2 to Dec. 5 on Merx, with two bids received. The winning bid came in $362,000 under the estimate. The work will be funded through the capital budget and reserves.

“The modular bridge will provide the residents of Mississippi Mills with a safe and economically efficient crossing with the least impact to local traffic during construction,” Derouin said. “The use of prefabricated modular bridges optimizes the efficient use of construction materials, minimizes waste generation, provides for shorter construction time and road closures, and reduces disturbances to the local environment.” For more information, contact Sean Derouin, Public Works Manager, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3194.

County Seeks Funding for Trail Project: Lanark County Council has authorized staff to include the county in an application to the Tourism Growth Fund for the Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Tourism Project.
Vanessa Dow, Tourism and Corporate Relations Coordinator, explained to the economic development committee Wednesday evening the project is a collaborative effort between economic development and tourism staff from Frontenac, Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, Renfrew, and the Town of Smiths Falls in partnership with Ontario's Highland's Tourism Organization (OHTO). “The primary aim of this project is to establish a world-class tourism attraction by developing a 350-kilometre off-road loop comprising the Algonquin, Ottawa Valley, Cataraqui and K&P Trails,” Dow explained.

The project aligns with the standards set by the Trans Canada Trail and incorporates the Trail Tourism Plan outlined in the Federal Government's Tourism Growth Strategy. Dow said the goal is to elevate the trails to meet “tourism ready” standards to increase visitor volumes and resulting economic benefits.

The three-year application would include a market assessment, implementing recommendations from the assessment (e.g., signage, safety improvements, attracting key businesses) and development of marketing products and launching the campaign to North America and beyond. The project aligns with county council’s 2023-2026 priorities regarding trails promotion and tourism. For more information, contact Vanessa Dow, Tourism and Corporate Relations Coordinator, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1701.

Council Declares Support for Newcomers: Lanark County Council passed a motion expressing support for newcomers to the county.

The motion notes Lanark County has experienced unprecedented labour market shortages across all sectors but particularly in health care, and that the county recognizes the value immigration brings to the cultural and economic fabric of our communities.

The motion follows recent presentations to council related to the need for workers and, specifically, recruitment efforts being undertaken by Lanark Lodge, as well as efforts to support newcomers through the Rural Inclusion Pilot Project in partnership with Renfrew County. Several councillors spoke of their support for the motion and how it reflects inclusivity and welcoming in Lanark County. 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!