Dufferin County Council met on January 22, 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 January 22 meeting:

• Dufferin County proclaims February Black History Month in Dufferin
• Dufferin County to submit comments on the Government of Canada’s Rural Development Action Plan
• Staff provided update on Older Adult Strategy Implementation Plan
• County Council endorsed advocacy recommendations for increased federal and provincial investment in housing and homelessness solutions
• County Council received report on Community Service impacts of Bill 60 – Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025
• County Council approved motion to express serious concern regarding the instability of Ontario’s scrap tire recycling system under the current Producer Responsibility framework

Dufferin County proclaims February Black History Month in Dufferin

Warden Lisa Post proclaimed February Black History Month in Dufferin County.

This year marks 30 years of Black History Month in Canada. Throughout February, Canadians are invited to learn more about and celebrate the diversity and accomplishments of Black Canadians across the country. Black History Month is also a time to reflect on Canada’s painful history and the systemic barriers that Black communities continue to face, including anti-Black racism and discrimination, and to reaffirm our shared responsibility to address them.

Dufferin County to submit comments on the Government of Canada’s Rural Development Action Plan

The federal department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (IESD) is developing a Rural Development Action Plan to support rural-inclusive federal initiatives, targeted rural-specific initiatives, and rural stakeholder and partner engagement.

To help inform the development of the Rural Development Action Plan, the government is seeking consultation through a survey where submission can be made until February 6, 2026.

Dufferin staff have summarized responses from recent business visits conducted through data collection work with KPMG, as well as other stakeholder feedback, to submit a response to the survey.

Staff provided update on Older Adult Strategy Implementation Plan

The County’s Older Adults Services Review includes many recommendations and the Implementation Plan translates these findings into actionable steps across eight priority areas: housing, long-term care, in-home supports, health and community services, social isolation, caregiver support, communications, and organizational capacity.

County staff provided an update on progress to date, with early implementation steps beginning in Spring 2025 and planned implementation continuing through 2027. The Implementation Plan focuses on housing engagement, transportation expansion, mental health outreach, caregiver supports, and the development of a centralized information hub.

Progress on the Older Adults Strategy is moving forward steadily, with early steps already improving access to transportation, health services, and caregiver supports. Ongoing efforts to build capacity, enhance communication and advocate for additional funding will continue.

County Council endorsed advocacy recommendations for increased federal and provincial investment in housing and homelessness solutions

County staff presented a report to Council with updated data on homelessness in Ontario from AMO, in conjunction with the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association and Northern Ontario Service Deliverers Association. “Municipalities Under Pressure One Year Later Updated Report”, shows continued growth despite increased investment.

Key findings include:

• 84,973 Ontarians experienced homelessness in 2025, a 7.8% increase from 2024 and nearly 50% since 2021.
• People are staying homeless for longer periods of time. Chronic homelessness now accounts for 53% of all homelessness (45,111 people).
• Rural communities saw a 31% increase.
• Encampments: Nearly 2,000 reported across Ontario.
• 42 out of 47 Consolidated Municipal Service Managers (CMSM) reported encampments Municipalities Under Pressure One Year Later Updated Report Page 2 of 3 Collaboration
• Housing waitlist: Over 301,000 households with an average wait time of 65 months.
• Future projections: Homelessness could double by 2035 under steady conditions and triple under an economic downturn.
• Funding gap: Despite $4 billion invested in 2025, homelessness continues to rise.

In Dufferin County, the trend identified in the report is in line with what is being experienced locally. County Council approved staff’s recommendation to continue to advocate for increased federal and provincial investment. Staff will also continue to implement system-level improvements and report on progress and funding opportunities.

County Council received report on Community Service impacts of Bill 60 – Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025

The Province recently introduced Bill 60 – Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act and part of the Bill includes changes to the Residential Tenancies Act.

Staff reported to Council that Bill 60 introduces significant changes that will accelerate eviction timelines and reduce tenant protections. While intended to streamline processes, these updates risk increasing housing instability, disrupting communities and placing additional strain on municipal services and social supports.

The potential rise in evictions and rental turnover could lead to higher rents and reduced affordability, compounding existing challenges for vulnerable populations. Staff informed Council that proactive planning and collaboration with community partners will be essential to mitigate these impacts and uphold the County’s commitment to equity, stability, and well-being for all residents.

County Council passed motion to express serious concern regarding the instability of Ontario’s scrap tire recycling system under the current Producer Responsibility framework

Dufferin County residents and businesses depend on reliable access to scrap tire disposal services to prevent illegal dumping, fire hazards, and environmental harm, and under the Province’s transition to a Producer Responsibility system, tire manufacturers are required to meet annual collection obligations through Producer Responsibility Organizations. Multiple PROs have recently met their annual quotas, and are now slowing or pausing scrap tire pickups across Ontario, creating widespread service disruptions, including in Dufferin County.

County Council passed a motion to request that the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks conduct an immediate review of the tire recycling program and take steps to ensure year-round, province-wide collection services—particularly in rural areas like Dufferin County. Staff were directed to monitor local impacts resulting from service disruptions and report back as necessary, and Council are requesting that the Province report back on actions taken to stabilize the tire recycling system and protect rural communities from environmental and public-safety risks.

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.

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