Administration and Finance

That the previous question be called. In Favor (9) J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, M. Harris, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, C. James, N. Salonen, and M. Rodrigues Opposed (5) S. Shantz, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, and C. Huinink

WHEREAS residents and taxpayers across the region are facing significant financial pressures due to the rising cost of living, including housing, food, fuel, and other essential expenses; AND WHEREAS affordability remains a top concern for many households and businesses within our community; AND WHEREAS ongoing economic uncertainty, including the impact of tariffs and global market instability, continues to place additional strain on local businesses and consumers; AND WHEREAS Regional Council has a responsibility to balance the delivery of essential services with fiscal prudence and affordability for taxpayers; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Regional Council direct staff to prepare and present a draft 2026 budget for direct regional services that limits the overall tax levy increase to no more than 5 percent, while maintaining vital services and seeking efficiencies wherever possible. In Favor (12) J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, M. Harris, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, J. Liggett, D. Craig, C. James, N. Salonen, and M. Rodrigues Opposed (2) P. Wolf, and C. Huinink

That the previous question be called. In Favor (13) J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, M. Harris, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, J. Liggett, P. Wolf, C. James, N. Salonen, C. Huinink, and M. Rodrigues Opposed (1) D. Craig

That the meeting adjourn at 4:44 p.m. In Favor (14) J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, M. Harris, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, N. Salonen, C. Huinink, and M. Rodrigues

That the previous question be called. In Favor (9): K. Redman, J. Erb, S. Foxton, M. Harris, C. James, D. McCabe, J. Nowak, M. Rodrigues, and N. Salonen Opposed (5): D. Craig, C. Huinink, J. Liggett, S. Shantz, and P. Wolf

That the previous question be called. In Favor (13): K. Redman, J. Erb, S. Foxton, M. Harris, C. Huinink, C. James, J. Liggett, D. McCabe, J. Nowak, M. Rodrigues, N. Salonen, S. Shantz, and P. Wolf Opposed (1): D. Craig

WHEREAS the United States has imposed tariffs on key Canadian industries, and Canada has implemented counter-tariffs in response; and WHEREAS tariffs are already disrupting local economies across Ontario, jeopardizing jobs, investment, and economic stability in communities of all sizes; and WHEREAS we must protect our most vulnerable residents whose housing supports and services may be negatively impacted by an economic downturn; and WHEREAS infrastructure investments in public transit, Light Rail Transit and improving the electricity grid will simultaneously address the economic uncertainty created by the US imposed tariffs by creating good, local jobs while also addressing the climate crisis; and WHEREAS in times of economic uncertainty, federal and provincial governments have historically stepped up with stimulus investments to support municipalities, create jobs, and maintain economic momentum; and WHEREAS past stimulus initiatives, such as the 2009 Economic Action Plan, which funded 23,000 infrastructure projects across the country in response to the global financial crisis, and the 2020 COVID-19 stimulus plan, which provided critical economic relief during the pandemic, played a critical role in stabilizing local economies and ensuring communities could withstand economic downturns; and WHEREAS municipal governments are uniquely positioned to drive economic recovery by facilitating major infrastructure projects that create well-paying jobs, attract investment, and impro

That the meeting adjourn at 4:44 p.m. In Favor (14): K. Redman, D. Craig, J. Erb, S. Foxton, M. Harris, C. Huinink, C. James, J. Liggett, D. McCabe, J. Nowak, M. Rodrigues, N. Salonen, S. Shantz, and P. Wolf