Council Highlights | April 23, 2026
Dufferin County Council met on April 23, 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 April 23 meeting:
- Dufferin County Council proclaimed May Community Living Month in Dufferin
- Dufferin County Council proclaimed May Sexual Violence Prevention Month in Dufferin County
- Dufferin County Council proclaimed May 14 Students Against Impaired Driving Day in Dufferin County
- Dufferin County to send commenting letters on the Province of Ontario’s Proposed Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026
- Dufferin County’s Chief Administrative Officer provided an update on the Municipal Program Review
- Staff directed to bring forward report on Council agendas and meeting structure
- Dufferin County adopts new Procedural By-law to come into effect for the next Term of Council
Dufferin County Council proclaimed May Community Living Month in Dufferin
Diane Kite, Executive Director, Community Living Dufferin was present to accept a proclamation of May being Community Living Month in Dufferin.
Diane Kite, Executive Director, Community Living Dufferin was present to accept a proclamation of May being Community Living Month in Dufferin.
Community Living Month is a province-wide annual awareness campaign to recognize the accomplishments of the Community Living movement.
Dufferin County Council proclaimed May Sexual Violence Prevention Month in Dufferin County
Dufferin County Council proclaimed May as Sexual Violence Prevention Month in Dufferin County.
Dufferin County Council proclaimed May as Sexual Violence Prevention Month in Dufferin County.
In Dufferin throughout May, Family Transition Place and other members of the Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres (OCRCC) will spread awareness to further practice sexual violence prevention, using a #SurvivorsFirst approach.
Dufferin County Council proclaimed May 14 Students Against Impaired Driving Day in Dufferin County
Dufferin County Council proclaimed May 14 Students Against Impaired Driving Day in Dufferin County. Students Against Impaired Driving (SAID) Day is a province-wide initiative in Ontario aimed at educating youth about the dangers of impaired and distracted driving. Impaired driving is the leading cause of death for youth aged 15–24 in Canada.
Dufferin County Council proclaimed May 14 Students Against Impaired Driving Day in Dufferin County. Students Against Impaired Driving (SAID) Day is a province-wide initiative in Ontario aimed at educating youth about the dangers of impaired and distracted driving. Impaired driving is the leading cause of death for youth aged 15–24 in Canada.
Dufferin County to send commenting letters on the Province of Ontario’s Proposed Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has introduced new legislation referred to as the Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026 (Bill 98). Dufferin County staff provided a report to County Council on the legislative changes being proposed, including information on the most notable amendments being made to the Planning Act and the implementation of the new Fare Alignment and Seamless Transit Act, 2026.
Staff have prepared five commenting letters for changes being proposed to the Planning Act. Those letters will be submitted to the respective Environmental Registry of Ontario portal by the April 29 and May 14 deadlines.
Staff informed Council they have no significant comments pertaining to the Fare Alignment and Seamless Transit Act, 2026 at this time. Once additional information is brought forward, staff may have comments, especially as it relates to the financial responsibility of rural transit systems.
Dufferin County’s Chief Administrative Officer provided an update on the Municipal Program Review
Dufferin County launched a program review in January 2026 to identify service adjustments, alternate delivery models, productivity improvements, efficiencies, and revenue opportunities to achieve budgetary savings.
At the Council meeting, the CAO provided Council with an update including the status of 51 program reviews led by department heads/division managers. The update also summarized options completed to date.
The CAO informed Council that low-risk, staff-recommended savings options identified in the update total $361,558 to $472,658 annually. Combined with Update 2 savings of $121,500 to $128,000, total budgetary savings identified to date are $483,058 to $600,658 annually.
Further savings have been identified for the consideration of Council and are outlined in the Summary of Options and Recommendations on the County’s website. Staff have created a scoring matrix and the County will hold workshops to discuss next steps related to the Service Review.
Staff directed to bring forward report on Council agendas and meeting structure
Last year, County Council implemented a consent agenda and direct-to-Council meeting structure. As some members of Council have identified that the current format is not effectively supporting discussion and decision-making, Council directed staff to bring forward a report no later than the June 28, 2026 Council meeting to explore alternative approaches. Staff will provide options for Council’s consideration at a later date.
Dufferin County adopts new Procedural By-law to come into effect for the next Term of Council
At the meeting, the County adopted a new Procedural By-law to come into effect for the next Term of Council. Major changes include:
At the meeting, the County adopted a new Procedural By-law to come into effect for the next Term of Council. Major changes include:
- Beginning meetings at 6 pm on the second and fourth Thursday of each month. Previously, meetings were hosted during one day and one evening each month.
- The Warden will now be elected for a two-year team and there will be a Deputy Warden, also to be elected Warden for a two-year term concurrent with the Warden.
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
