Regular Meeting

That the Council of the Municipality of Casselman acknowledges reception of administrative report OPS-4-2024 for information purposes.

That Council acknowledges the reception of administrative report RL-14-2024; and Accepts the revised scope of work identified in schedule A, and formally dissolves the ad hoc committee.

That Council acknowledges the reception of administrative report URB-12-2024; and Approves the Subdivision Agreement with Casselman Developments Ltd. of Phase 2B of the Domaine de la Rivière Nation Plan of Subdivision in schedule “C” to this report and item 9.1. of the Agenda; and Authorizes the Mayor and Municipal Clerk to sign this Subdivision Agreement between the Municipality and Casselman Developments Ltd.; and Authorizes staff to make minor changes to this Subdivision Agreement that are clerical in nature prior to its signature and registration on title if needed; and Directs staff to confirm the approval of the Plan of Subdivision provided in schedule “A” to the Planning and Forestry Department of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell.

Whereas official statistics from the Government of Ontario confirm that rural roads are inherently more dangerous than other roads; Whereas, despite only having 17% of the population, 55% of the road fatalities occur on rural roads; Whereas, rural, northern, and remote municipalities are fiscally strained by maintaining extensive road networks on a smaller tax base; Whereas, preventing crashes reduces the burden on Ontario’s already strained rural strained health care system; Whereas, roadway collisions and associated lawsuits are significant factors in runaway municipal insurance premiums Preventing crashes can have a significant impact in improving municipal risk profiles; Therefore be it resolved that the Municipality of Casselman requests that the Government of Ontario take action to implement the rural road safety program that Good Roads has committed to lead. It will allow Ontario's rural municipalities to make the critical investments needed to reduce the high number of people being killed and seriously injured on Ontario’s rural roads; and Further that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Premier Doug Ford, Hon. Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation, Hon. King Surma, Minister of Infrastructure, Hon. Rob Flack, Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Lisa Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs, Hon. Trevor Jones, Associate Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response, and Hon. Sylvia Jones, Minister of Health, and Good Roads.

Whereas there is a humanitarian crisis unfolding on the streets in our cities, large and small, urban and rural, across Ontario. The time for words is over, we need immediate action at all levels of government, starting with the Province of Ontario; and Whereas the homelessness, mental health and addictions crisis continues to grow with 3432 drug related deaths in Ontario in 2023 and over 1400 homeless encampments across Ontario communities in 2023; and Whereas the province has provided additional funding and supports, such as the recent investment of $378 million for HART Hubs and approximately 375 beds with wraparound supports, it does not adequately address the growing crisis and the financial and social impact on municipalities and regions across the province; and Whereas municipalities and regions are stepping up and working with community partners to put in place community-specific solutions to address this crisis, but municipalities and regions lack the expertise, capacity, or resources to address these increasingly complex health care and housing issues alone; and Whereas this is primarily a health issue that falls under provincial jurisdiction and municipalities and regions should not be using the property tax base to fund these programs; and Whereas there is no provincial lead focused on this crisis leading to unanswered questions that span over a dozen ministries, and a lack of support to manage the increasing needs of those who are unhoused. Therefore, be it resol

Whereas, the Municipality of Casselman is committed to securing a sustainable and reliable water source for its residents; Whereas, the South Nation River, the current primary water source for Casselman, has proven to be unsustainable due to decreasing water levels and increasing contaminant concentrations; Whereas, the Municipality of Clarence-Rockland has existing infrastructure that facilitates access to the Ottawa River, offering a potential solution for a more reliable water supply; Whereas, establishing a connection through Clarence-Rockland to the Ottawa River could provide significant environmental, economic, and health benefits to the residents of Casselman; Be it resolved that: The Municipality of Casselman Council formally requests the commencement of discussions with the Council of Clarence-Rockland to explore the feasibility and necessary steps for Casselman to connect through Clarence-Rockland for access to water from the Ottawa River; The Mayor, CAO, and necessary staff are hereby directed to prepare all necessary documentation and perform due diligence to support these discussions, ensuring that all technical, environmental, and economic aspects are thoroughly evaluated; The Municipality of Casselman Council authorizes the creation of a special committee, including the Mayor, CAO, and necessary staff, to oversee this initiative, ensuring that the process is transparent, involves public input, and aligns with the long-term strategic goals of the Municipality of