Council Highlights | June 11, 2026
Dufferin County Council met on Thursday, June 11, 2026, for a Council meeting. For the full Council meeting agenda and minutes, please see the County’s Meeting Agendas and Minutes page.
Here are the highlights of the June 11 meeting:
- Dufferin County’s Youth Climate Activation Circle shared highlights from their climate action project and discussed their experience designing and planting Orangeville’s first pollinator garden
- County staff provided an update on the Long-Term Waste Management Strategy
- County Council approved funds to be drawn from the Public Works Capital Asset Fund for the procurement of two Portable Radar Speed Signs
- Staff provided an update on Next Generation 9-1-1
Dufferin County’s Youth Climate Activation Circle shared highlights from their climate action project and discussed their experience designing and planting Orangeville's first pollinator garden
Dufferin County’s Youth Climate Activation Circle (YCAC) is a 10-month volunteer program designed to empower Dufferin youth with the knowledge and skills to champion climate solutions in their community.
At the meeting, the YCAC shared highlights from their recent climate action project. In partnership with the Town of Orangeville, the YCAC researched native and climate-resilient plants with guidance from a local Indigenous Advisor, designed and planted the pollinator garden, created educational materials and community outreach activities, engaged residents through the Orangeville Farmers’ Market and Sustainable Orangeville partnership and shared knowledge gained through training, guest speakers, and project-based research.
County staff provided an update on the Long-Term Waste Management Strategy
Dufferin County’s Long-Term Waste Management Strategy (LTWMS) update has advanced through a detailed evaluation of ten shortlisted options and two phases of public engagement.
An assessment process evaluated each option based on social, environmental and economic criteria. The highest-ranked options demonstrated strong diversion potential, environmental benefits, public acceptance and relatively low implementation complexity.
Public engagement feedback has indicated that residents support practical and accessible waste services that reduce waste, increase diversion, expand reuse opportunities and improve access to specialized waste programs.
Evaluation results and engagement feedback will inform the draft LTWMS, which will include implementation priorities and financial considerations.
It is anticipated that the Draft Strategy will be ready for review and approval by Council at the July 9, 2026 Council meeting.
County Council approved funds to be drawn from the Public Works Capital Asset Fund for the procurement of two Portable Radar Speed Signs
Along with many municipalities, Dufferin County continues to experience speeding and road safety concerns throughout the County road network, particularly within settlement and hamlet transition areas, Community Safety Zones, pedestrian activity areas, and corridors with vulnerable road users including agricultural traffic. These concerns are commonly associated with higher operating speeds on arterial and collector roadways as vehicles transition through rural communities and developed areas.
Portable radar speed signs are recognized by the Transportation Association of Canada as an effective mobile traffic calming measure for arterial and collector roadways. They provide an operationally compatible solution with no impacts to winter maintenance operations, emergency response or goods movement on County roads.
Portable radar speed signs will support proactive road safety initiatives through portable deployment, driver speed awareness, OPP coordination opportunities and traffic data collection.
County Council approved $40,000 excluding HST from the Public Works Capital Asset Fund for the procurement of two Portable Radar Speed Signs.
Staff provided an update on Next Generation 9-1-1
The Chief of Paramedic Services and Manager of Emergency Preparedness, 911 and Corporate Projects provided an update to the report titled Launch of Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) Services.
Traditional 9-1-1 systems were designed to support landline-based calls associated with fixed civic addresses. However, the growing reliance on wireless and IP-based communications has necessitated modernization of emergency communications systems.
NG9-1-1 enables enhanced capabilities, including:
- Improved caller location accuracy
- Integration of GIS-based data
- Future support for multimedia (text, images, video)
- Enhanced interoperability across emergency response agencies
Cambridge Central Ambulance Communication Centre (CACC) has completed all necessary technology upgrades for the implementation of NG9-1-1. These upgrades are following Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) legislation.
The deadline for upgrades to be completed is March 31, 2027.
About Dufferin County Council
Dufferin County Council consists of 15 members representing each of the eight municipalities in Dufferin. Council meeting processes are set out in the County’s Procedural By-Law.
Dufferin County Council and Committee meetings can be watched live on the County’s website.
-30-
MEDIA CONTACT:
Megan Ball, Manager of Communications
mball@dufferincounty.ca
