Media Release: County Council, October 23, 2024

For immediate release
Oct. 25, 2024

Here are the highlights from the Lanark County Council meeting held Oct. 23, 2024.

Truck Roadeo Driver of the Year Acknowledged: Lanark County Council congratulated Ben Kipp, Roads and Public Works employee for Mississippi Mills, for winning the Association of Ontario Road Supervisors' Provincial Truck Roadeo Driver of the Year!

Kipp represented Lanark County and Mississippi Mills at the day-long competition in Douro-Drummer (hosted by the County of Peterborough-City of Kawartha Lakes Public Works Association) on Sept. 25. He reclaimed the top-driver title and the John Gloor Memorial Trophy after winning in 2022 as well! He has participated at the provincials eight times.

The Roadeo includes a pre-trip inspection challenge and a series of obstacles while driving a truck equipped with a snow plow and wing. He competed against 44 top municipal drivers. For more information, contact Terry McCann, Director of Public Works, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3190.

Presentation photos: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/esydub0yfweys2ge8cozh/AASULDB5GFTY_Xno_90rJ9M?rlkey=pc1ijx87nfse8t5ccyatfd9jn&st=31n9joex&dl=0

“State of Homelessness” Report Presented: Lanark County Council accepted a report on the state of homelessness that was presented at the community services committee meeting earlier this month.

Director of Social Services Emily Hollington said this continues to be a “social, economic and health crisis across Ontario,” noting there were more than 1,400 encampments in the province last year and an estimated 234,000 people experiencing homelessness. She added almost half of tenant households in the province spend 30 per cent or more of their total income on shelter, which is the highest rate in Canada and is expected to increase.

“We need to move beyond crisis response and tackle the root causes of homelessness with solutions that address housing, income security and health,” she said. Last year council passed a resolution asking the province to acknowledge the crisis, commit to ending homelessness in Ontario and work with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and a range of partners to develop, resource and implement an action plan.

In Lanark County, the number of known actively homeless persons has increased from 44 in September 2023 to 71 in August 2024. Hollington noted the number of chronically homeless has risen sharply since July 2023.

The by-name list for homelessness, which is a list of people actively experiencing homelessness in the county and accessing coordinated services facilitated by a committee, showed in August 2024 that 70 per cent of the individuals are adults between ages 26 and 64, with 15 per cent between ages 16 and 25 and 14 per cent ages 65 and older. Smiths Falls, Carleton Place and Perth have the highest rates of homelessness. Family or relationship breakdown was cited as the top reason for homelessness, followed by eviction, “other” and mental health and addiction. Sleeping arrangements include motels, couch surfing, unsheltered, vehicle, trailer/cabin and other.

Hollington outlined current services, including funding for housing and homelessness staff at Lanark County Mental Health and Cornerstone Landing, adult supportive housing beds and transitional housing, the Housing Allowance Program, rent subsidy spaces, and supports by other service providers.For more information, contact Emily Hollington, Director of Social Services, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 2101.

Ontario Works Program Update Provided: Lanark County Council accepted an update on the Ontario Works (OW) program that was presented at the community services committee meeting earlier this month.

Ontario Works Supervisor Katie Mitchell outlined a number of key aspects of the program, including some significant changes. The Employment Services Transformation was launched at the beginning of this year, which has the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) delivering employment and training supports and services through Employment Ontario. OW delivers case-management services that focus on connecting clients to person-centred supports. The two combined provide an integrated case-management system.

Mitchell explained that as of August 2024, Lanark County is exceeding the provincial average in terms of OW adults and non-disabled adults with the Ontario Disability Support Program who have participation requirements for having an action plan, referring to Employment Ontario, exiting to employment, and not returning to the program within one year. “All client action plans have more than one goal associated to them,” Mitchell said. “Of the 839 created, 95.1 per cent have a health-related goal and 68.4 per cent have an employment goal.”

The county has been participating in a centralized intake process since June 2021. Applications the centralization team deems need immediate review are sent to the county to finalize eligibility. The county completes all applications for temporary care assistance, emergency assistance, applicants under age 18 and applicants that are in immediate financial need (i.e., homeless, pending eviction/utility disconnection, fleeing domestic violence).

Mitchell said the ministry intends to make a regulatory change to designate the province as the OW delivery agent and service managers, such as the county, would be delivery partners. “All cases will be forwarded to the local office in active status, which will allow municipalities to focus more on providing impactful, person-centred supports rather than the administrative duties associated with determining initial eligibility.”

The regulatory changes for centralization will follow a phased-in approach, with 10 municipalities commencing this fall. The county does not yet have a launch date, but full implementation across the province is expected during 2025. As well, Mitchell indicated the ministry is reinstating a previous funding model with some modifications to better address evolving needs.

Mitchell also highlighted the results of a client satisfaction survey conducted by the social services summer student for clients accessing Ontario Works or housing services. There were 313 respondents, and the county had very high scores for politeness on the phone, fast response, a welcoming and accessible office, and positive and friendly staff who listened and explained services. For more information, contact Katie Mitchell, Ontario Works Supervisor, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 2110.

Striking Committee Appointments Approved: Lanark County Council has approved the terms of reference for a Government Relations Working Group, which aims to provide priorities and direction for municipal concerns relating to government relations with various levels of government.
The purpose of the working group will be to make recommendations to council related to:
• Training and lobbying options available related to inter-governmental relations
• Companies and/or individuals that provide services in this realm, including providing information related to the scope of services
• Goal setting, priorities and strategic directions for inter-governmental relations

In addition, the working group will oversee the development and implementation of a strategic government relations plan for the county. The striking committee appointed Councillors Richard Kidd (Beckwith Reeve), Christa Lowry (Mississippi Mills Mayor), Judy Brown (Perth Mayor) and Bill King (Lanark Highlands Deputy Reeve) to the committee.

The striking committee also made recommendations regarding adjustments to the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee. New appointments include Elizabeth Snyder  (Queer Connections Lanark) and Councillor Peter McLaren (Lanark Highlands representative). Members Rachael Wilcox, Amy Lockett and Marina Summers have withdrawn from the committee. For more information, contact Jasmin Ralph, Clerk, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502.

Councillor Christa Lowry Named ROMA Chair: Lanark County Councillors expressed congratulations to Councillor Christa Lowry (Mississippi Mills Mayor) following her recent appointment as chair of the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA). ROMA is the rural arm of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) with representatives from across the province.

Lowry, who has been involved with ROMA for a few years, was most recently First Vice Chair and took on the chair role after Westport Mayor Robin Jones moved on to be AMO president. “I am excited about this new role and believe in the impact ROMA makes in supporting and advocating for rural communities in Ontario.”

Lowry noted that, although they may look a little different, rural and urban municipalities face similar challenges and she looks “forward to working with all members of the ROMA board to continue finding solutions for our communities.” For more information, contact Jasmin Ralph, Clerk, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502.

Upcoming Meetings: County Council, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 5 p.m.; Community Services, Nov. 13 (following County Council); Corporate Services, Nov. 13 (following Community Services). County Council, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 5 p.m.; Public Works, Nov. 27 (following County Council); Economic Development, Nov. 27 (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!