Municipal Matters – October 5-9

Municipal Matters

Items to watch from upcoming municipal council meetings across Huron County, October 5 to 9, 2026

The Huron Chamber of Commerce has introduced a weekly scan of municipal council agendas across Huron County to help members and local businesses keep an eye on items that may affect business, development, infrastructure, downtowns, tourism, workforce, and community services. Each Friday, we share selected items of interest from council agendas for the week ahead.

This is not intended to be a full analysis of every agenda item, nor a statement of Chamber positions. It is a practical “things to watch” list, highlighting items that may be worth following, attending, or reviewing in more detail as they move through local council processes. Some municipal agendas may not be included in a given week if they do not contain items that appear to have a clear connection to the Chamber community. If there is something you think we missed, let us know.

Across the county: Ontario and Canadian procurement
Procurement and domestic sourcing appear in several agendas this week through two related streams. Bluewater, Central Huron, Huron East and North Huron have received a South Huron resolution supporting a request from Exeter-based Syfilco Ltd. to consider Canadian-made erosion-control products where they meet required specifications and are competitively priced. Bluewater, Morris-Turnberry and South Huron are also receiving provincial correspondence about Buy Ontario procurement policies and the possible extension of the Building Ontario Business Initiative to municipalities.

Across the county: Bruce C regional readiness funding
Bruce Power’s Regional Municipal Readiness Assessment Fund appears in both the Goderich and Huron County agendas. Goderich has been awarded $75,000 for an archaeological assessment at the Mitchell Street Industrial Park. Huron County was successful with three projects totalling $205,000 covering home childcare recruitment and expansion, growth and transportation readiness, and an employment lands study. The fund is intended to support regional preparations related to the proposed Bruce C project.

In this edition

• Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh
• Bluewater
• Central Huron
• Goderich
• Huron County
• Huron East
• Morris-Turnberry
• North Huron
• South Huron

Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh

Meeting: October 6, 2026, 9:00 a.m.

Item 7.2: Minor Variance Application MV02-2026 Regier
Council will consider a minor variance to allow two additional mobile homes to provide housing for employees of an existing livestock operation and proposed barn expansion. The applicant says the operation employs both Canadian and international agri-food workers. Approval would require the units to be constructed consistently with the submitted site plan and would remain valid for 18 months from the decision.

Municipality of Bluewater

Meeting: October 5, 2026, 6:30 p.m.

Item 4.8: Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing – Supporting Ontario and Canadian Suppliers Through Municipal Procurement
Provincial correspondence outlines Ontario’s domestic procurement measures, including the Buy Ontario Act and Municipal Buy Ontario Procurement Directive. Municipalities are being asked to review procurement planning, sourcing practices and supply chains and ensure applicable provincial requirements are reflected in purchasing practices. The province is also considering extending the Building Ontario Business Initiative to municipal purchases of goods and services.

Item 4.11: Municipality of South Huron – Tariff Response
Bluewater will receive South Huron’s resolution supporting correspondence from Exeter-based Syfilco Ltd. asking municipalities to consider Canadian-made erosion-control products for infrastructure projects where the products meet required specifications and are available at a reasonable and competitive price. The correspondence describes a Canadian supply chain involving domestic raw materials and manufacturing of erosion-control products.

Municipality of Central Huron

Meeting: October 5, 2026, 5:00 p.m.

Items 6.2.9 and 6.3.1: Community Improvement Coordinator Monthly Report and Destination Central Huron Team Committee Minutes
The September community improvement update includes assistance to three businesses with Rural Ontario Development grant applications for accessibility improvements, two new businesses preparing to open in Clinton, and work on ideas for a possible public space on the vacant lot beside Town Hall. The Destination Central Huron committee has also been examining downtown development ideas and professional development opportunities through the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association.

Item 6.3.8: Municipality of South Huron – Support for the Use of Canadian-Made Erosion-Control Products
Council will receive a South Huron resolution supporting correspondence from Syfilco Ltd. asking municipalities to consider Canadian-made erosion-control products for municipal infrastructure projects when they meet required standards and are competitively priced. The correspondence highlights domestic manufacturing and supply-chain considerations amid ongoing trade uncertainty.

Item 14.1: Closed Session – Land Acquisition and Boundary Negotiations
Council is scheduled to meet in closed session regarding a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land, along with positions or instructions related to land acquisition and boundary negotiations. Further details are not publicly available in the agenda package.

Town of Goderich

Meeting: October 6, 2026, 1:00 p.m.

Items 5.1 and 7.5: Mineral Springs Trail Station / Proposed Goderich Trail Head Location
Council will hear from the Menesetung Bridge Association and Rotary Club regarding a proposed trail station at the Mineral Springs site. A staff follow-up report says G2G Rail Trail and Trans Canada Trail support locating the trailhead in the green space at the base of Harbour Road, while the Menesetung Bridge Association continues to favour Mineral Springs. A draft project charter for a kiosk at the Harbour Road location is also included, and Council direction is requested.

Item 5.2: Proposed Development Plan – Secondary Resources Perth Ltd.
Council will hear a presentation from Tom Joyes regarding a proposed development by Secondary Resources Perth Ltd. The concept plan included with the agenda shows a new building and a steel processing and inventory management area, along with scales, an office, an electric stationary crane, a turnaround area, a runoff pond and access along a rail service road.

Item 7.1: 2023–2027 Strategic Action Plan Final Progress Report and Semi-Annual Progress Tracker
The Town’s final report for the current Strategic Action Plan reports a 92 per cent completion rate. It also reports approximately $5.54 million in federal, provincial and other grant funding secured since 2023 for projects including infrastructure, equipment, facilities and community activities. The report and progress tracker are proposed for inclusion in orientation materials for the incoming Council as background for development of the next strategic plan.

Item 7.2: Housekeeping Amendment to the Town’s Zoning By-law – Data Centres
Staff recommend beginning a zoning amendment process that would add a holding symbol to data-centre uses in Goderich. The proposed amendment would return for consideration at a public meeting on November 2. The report follows provincial consultation on a draft Data Centre Playbook addressing issues including economic development, electricity-grid access, infrastructure, data security and community impacts.

Item 7.7: T-Hangar Lease Agreement – Goderich Regional Airport
A T-hangar became available after the previous tenant sold their aircraft. The Town issued an expression of interest and received one response. Council is being asked to approve a three-year lease with Mattheus Ueckermann beginning October 7, 2026, at a rate of $296.96 plus HST per month.

Item 7.11: ALFA Aircraft Movement Tracker – Continuation of Service
Staff recommend continuing the aircraft movement data collection service used at the Goderich Regional Airport. The system automates aircraft movement tracking used for landing-fee administration and operational analysis. The proposed cost is $600 plus HST for the remainder of 2026, with an annual cost of $1,500 plus HST. Medevac and commercial landing-fee revenue recorded so far is $3,350 against a $2,000 budget target.

Item 9.15: Bruce Power – Regional Municipal Readiness Assessment Fund
Bruce Power has advised the Town that its application for a $75,000 archaeological assessment of the Mitchell Street Industrial Park has been approved through the Regional Municipal Readiness Assessment Fund. The funding program supports local and regional readiness work associated with the proposed Bruce C project, and the project agreement will require the funded work to be connected to that proposed development.

Item 15.1: Closed Session – 2012 Boundary Adjustment Agreement
Council is scheduled to discuss the 2012 Boundary Adjustment Agreement in closed session. The agenda cites provisions relating to litigation or potential litigation, solicitor-client privilege, confidential commercial or financial information, and municipal negotiating positions. The substance of the discussion is not public.

County of Huron

Meeting: October 7, 2026, 9:00 a.m.

Item 9.2: Funding Update – Bruce C Regional Municipal Readiness Assessment Fund
Huron County was successful with three applications through Bruce Power’s Regional Municipal Readiness Assessment Fund: $55,000 for a Home Childcare Recruitment and Expansion Strategy, $75,000 for a Bruce C Growth and Transportation Readiness Study, and $75,000 for a County Employment Lands Study. The projects are to be completed by the end of 2027. No County matching contribution is required beyond staff time.

Item 16.1: Closed to the Public Session – Planning Matter
County Council is scheduled to meet in closed session regarding a planning matter for which solicitor-client advice will be discussed. The agenda does not provide further public details about the substance of the matter.

Municipality of Huron East

Meeting: October 6, 2026, 6:00 p.m.

Items 12.4 and 17.1: Vacant Building By-law Final Revision
Council will consider the final version of a Vacant Building By-law and associated fees. Following earlier Council direction, the revised by-law applies to buildings that are completely vacant. Commercial or industrial buildings with an individual vacant storefront but other occupied portions would not be covered. The by-law establishes registration and renewal requirements, and staff recommend reviewing its effectiveness after one year.

Item 8.7: Municipality of South Huron – Support for Canadian-Made Erosion-Control Products
Huron East will receive South Huron’s resolution supporting a request from Syfilco Ltd. to consider Canadian-made erosion-control products for municipal infrastructure work when appropriate products meet specifications and are competitively priced. The issue is circulating through several Huron County municipal agendas this week.

Municipality of Morris-Turnberry

Meeting: October 6, 2026, 7:30 p.m.

Item 8.1: Supporting MFOA’s Advocacy for the Permanent Doubling of the OCIF Grant
Council is being asked to support the Municipal Finance Officers’ Association of Ontario in requesting that the province maintain the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund at approximately $400 million annually beyond 2026. Morris-Turnberry received $367,632 through OCIF in 2026 and has historically used the funding for road resurfacing, paving and bridge repairs. Staff estimate that a 50 per cent reduction from the current level would mean approximately $180,000 less for future capital projects.

Item 10.2: Buy Ontario Requirements – Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Provincial correspondence asks municipalities to ensure Ontario’s domestic procurement framework is reflected in purchasing decisions and to review upcoming purchases and supply chains for opportunities to consider Ontario and Canadian goods, services and suppliers. The province is also considering extending the Building Ontario Business Initiative to municipal procurement.

Item 13.1: Closed Session – Proposed Acquisition of Land
Council is scheduled to meet in closed session regarding a proposed acquisition of land to correct a road encroachment. No additional details about the property or proposed transaction are provided publicly in the agenda.

Township of North Huron

Meeting: October 5, 2026, 6:00 p.m.

Item 4.3.1: Municipality of South Huron – Canadian-Made Erosion-Control Products
North Huron will receive South Huron’s resolution supporting correspondence from Syfilco Ltd. asking municipalities to consider Canadian-made erosion-control products for municipal infrastructure projects where suitable products meet required specifications and are competitively priced.

Item 4.3.2: Municipality of South Huron – 2027 OPP Policing Costs
South Huron’s resolution notes the province’s decision to limit 2027 OPP municipal policing cost increases to no more than 11 per cent and calls for a permanent, transparent and sustainable multi-year framework for future OPP costs. The requested framework would address annual increases, cost drivers and the fiscal capacity of smaller and rural municipalities. North Huron is receiving the resolution as correspondence.

Item 5.1: Statutory Public Meeting – Proposed Changes to Building Fees
Council will hold a public meeting on proposed 2027 Building Department fees, the first comprehensive review since 2020. Proposed changes include a maintenance fee for permits remaining open longer than 24 months, increasing the charge for construction started without a permit to three times the normal fee, and moving to a single flat base rate. North Huron reports 55 permits representing about $16.4 million in construction value so far in 2026.

Municipality of South Huron

Meeting: October 5, 2026, 6:00 p.m.

Item 5.1: South Huron Ladies Slo-Pitch – 2026 Season Facility Conditions, Maintenance & Accessibility Concerns
Council will hear a delegation regarding conditions at the Exeter ball diamonds and associated outdoor facilities during the 2026 season. The written submission raises concerns about washroom maintenance, cleanliness, accessibility and servicing, including problems with toilets, taps, the accessible stall and restocking during high-use periods. The September Ladies Slo-Pitch tournament is cited as highlighting issues that the submission says had existed before the event.

Item 9.3.1: MTO Connecting Link Grant 2027–2028
Staff are submitting an application to the Ministry of Transportation’s Connecting Links Program for Main Street South in Exeter, between Huron Street and a point 600 metres south of Waterloo Street. The program can fund 90 per cent of eligible road project costs, to a maximum of $5 million. Because of the municipal election timetable, the incoming Council will be asked after taking office to provide the resolutions required to continue with the application.

Item 14.1: Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing – Extend Building Ontario Business Initiative
South Huron will receive provincial correspondence concerning Ontario and Canadian suppliers in municipal procurement. The province points to the Buy Ontario Act and Municipal Buy Ontario Procurement Directive and says it is considering extending the Building Ontario Business Initiative to municipal purchases of goods and services.

Notes

• Note on closed sessions: Closed-session items are included to acknowledge that a council will be meeting privately on a subject identified in its public agenda. Only the publicly disclosed subject matter is summarized here. The substance of the discussion is not public unless information is subsequently reported out by the municipality.
• Note on correspondence items: Correspondence items are included in council agendas because they have been received by the municipality and are therefore part of the public record. Their inclusion in a council agenda does not indicate that the municipality has endorsed, verified, or taken a position on the content. These items may or may not be discussed at a council meeting.