Dufferin County Council met on February 13, 2025, 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 February 13 meeting:

• County Council proclaimed February Black History Month in Dufferin County
• County Council proclaimed February 10 to 14 Non-Profit Appreciation Week in Dufferin County
• County Council proclaimed March Amyloidosis Awareness Month in Dufferin County
• Simcoe Dufferin Muskoka Crimestoppers delegated to County Council on Crime Stoppers operations in Dufferin County
• County Council approved a new Dates of Significance and Community Recognition Requests Policy
• County Council adopted a direct to Council meeting structure starting in April 2025 for an 18-month trial basis
• Dufferin County to establish a Team Dufferin Business Support Program, procure economic data as it relates to industries in Dufferin County and support advocacy efforts in response to the United States tariff threat
• Dufferin County staff to prepare an amendment to the procurement by-law that prioritizes buying local/Canadian where possible in response to the impact of potential tariffs and the weakened Canadian dollar

Dufferin County Council proclaimed February Black History Month in Dufferin County.

Black History Month provides an important opportunity to acknowledge and honour the contributions of Black Canadians to Dufferin County and Canada. Together, we celebrate the many achievements and contributions made by Black Canadians to our collective economic, cultural, social and political development.

Dufferin County Council proclaimed February 10 to 14 Non-Profit Appreciation Week in Dufferin County.

Dufferin County celebrates the vital role nonprofit organizations and workers play in creating and maintaining healthy, vibrant and inclusive communities in Dufferin and beyond.

Dufferin County Council proclaimed March Amyloidosis Awareness Month in Dufferin County.

Amyloidosis Awareness Month raises awareness of amyloidosis, a group of diseases that occurs when an abnormal protein builds up in tissues. It is dedicated to raising awareness, funding research, and supporting those living with amyloidosis.

Tom Young, Board member, and Leslie Woodley, Police Coordinator, Simcoe Dufferin Muskoka Crimestoppers, delegated to Dufferin County Council on the role of Crimestoppers in the community.

Crime Stoppers provides citizens the option of being the “eyes and ears” for the police and allows them the opportunity to become involved in the battle against crime. The organization needs volunteers who want to give back to their local community. You can find out more about Simcoe Dufferin Muskoka Crimestoppers here.

County Council gave a $10,000 donation and directed staff to work with other municipalities within the District (Simcoe, District of Muskoka and the City of Barrie) to find a long term equitable funding solution for Crimestoppers.

Dufferin County Council approved the County’s new Dates of Significance and Community Recognition Requests Policy.

Recognizing dates of significance celebrates Dufferin’s diversity and helps raise awareness about the different peoples and communities who call the county home and the County their employer.

The Policy will be used to guide staff in communicating dates of significance internally and externally and provide guidelines for community members and organizations to submit community recognition requests. The Policy will support celebrating Dufferin’s diverse community with consistent and equal resources.

Community Recognition Programs, which include proclamations and flag raisings, are community led initiatives. When requested by community organizations, the days of significance listed in the calendar will be further recognized through these programs.

As next steps, staff will create a page on Dufferin County’s website with more information on requesting community recognition requests.

At the November 14, 2024, County Council meeting, a motion was tabled to explore changes to Dufferin County’s meeting structure. Based on research into governance practices in other counties and staff analysis, Council adopted a direct to Council meeting structure. Starting April 2025, there will be one day time and one evening Council meeting each month for an 18-month trial basis.

A direct to Council meeting structure refers to a type of meeting in municipal government where issues, proposals or reports are presented directly to Council. This structure allows matters to go straight to full council for discussion and decision-making, rather than being filtered through standing committees or advisory boards.

Holding one daytime and one evening meeting monthly will allow greater flexibility for community members with varying schedules to participate. The County will continue to promote when Council meetings take place in advance, livestream Council meetings and post them on the County’s website.

The threat of tariffs on the Canadian and local economy is creating significant angst and uncertainty. The situation continues to change and creating an environment that allows flexibility will be important for the foreseeable future.

Dufferin County has a responsibility to take action that will support local businesses and residents.

At the meeting, Council directed:

• Staff to establish a Team Dufferin business support program;
• That $60,000 from the Rate Stabilization Reserve be allocated to acquire services from a data research firm to procure current economic data as it relates to industries in Dufferin County; and that
• Council support advocacy efforts from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Economic Development Council of Ontario, Economic Developers Association of Canada and other municipalities in response to the tariff threat and to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers.

The potential of United States tariffs and associated retaliatory tariffs has the potential for far reaching implications. While the immediate impact on County operations is likely to be minimal, it would grow as time goes on.

Dufferin County is taking steps to mitigate economic uncertainty and is committed to reviewing its procurement processes and policies, changing spending habits and continuing to monitor the situation. County Council directed staff to prepare an amendment to the procurement by-law that prioritizes buying local/Canadian where possible at the March 13, 2025 County Council meeting.

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 YouTube channel.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Megan Ball, Manager of Communications
mball@dufferincounty.ca