We are gathering input about transportation-related needs and priorities in the County, and need your help to confirm our transportation Vision and Goals. Join us for one of two information-sharing sessions:

Saturday July 4, 2026 - 8:00-10:00 a.m.
Market Square: 7 Beckwith Street, ...Carleton Place

An online survey and detailed project presentation will be available from June 15th to July 12th 2026 for those who are unable to attend in person. Visit our website for more information: https://www.lanarkcounty.ca/government/public-consultation/#TMPUpdate

Lanark County is developing a new Transportation Master Plan (TMP). Much has changed since the previous TMP in 2010, and so the County requires a new plan to guide investment, address challenges, and support safe, efficient and equitable mobility for residents and visitors.

The TMP study considers components of the transportation system under County jurisdiction, and focuses on improving mobility for residents and visitors across all modes: walking, cycling, transit, driving and goods movement. The outcome will be a plan that is both actionable and aligned with the County’s vision for the future.

Lanark County Council has approved the 2026-27 Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) allocations for almost $2.5 million.

Community Support Services Manager Brooke Coutts explained the program is provincially funded and aims to deliver housing and support services to individuals at risk of... or experiencing homelessness, with the goal of preventing, addressing and reducing homelessness, including chronic homelessness, through flexible and local responsive services. It supports a range of vulnerable populations.

The province requires an investment plan to outline how funding will be spent in five categories. For 2026-2027, the allocations are as follows:
• Emergency shelter (e.g., motel vouchers), $200,000
• Supportive housing (residential services homes), $830,000
• Community outreach and support services (food security, By-Name List for homelessness, The Bridge House), $801,200
• Housing assistance (short-term/emergency assistance), $540,000
• Administration (5%), $124,800

“HPP supports a range of services that address housing instability and homelessness across Lanark County. The recommendation is to continue funding these programs in 2026-27,” Coutts said.

Following a Rescue Services Review report by the Loomex Group earlier this year, Lanark County Council has directed staff to proceed with the option to continue operating the program without making any significant changes. Lanark County owns three heavy rescue vehicles used for motor vehicle ...collisions.

Deputy Clerk Megan Beson explained an initial report detailed upcoming challenges to providing consistency in service, consideration for capital replacement, potential enhanced services, and future provincially mandated training requirements. Loomex provided a third-party review to look at service options and potential enhancements, and an ad hoc committee of councillors and fire chiefs was created to make recommendations to council.

The Loomex report provided three potential options: status quo, disbanding the program or enhancing it. The ad hoc committee reviewed the options and a wide range of additional data and recommended the status quo. She said the program has existed for about 40 years, provides a valuable service and is relatively inexpensive to operate. This option will still have financial implications for equipment replacement costs and future training costs.

Beson noted disbanding the program would place responsibility for rescue services on local municipalities, while enhancing it would incur additional operating and training costs. Any associated financial costs related to the status quo will be considered as part of the 2027 budget process.