Dufferin County Council met on Thursday, May 14, 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 May 14 meeting:

Dufferin County Council proclaimed May Lupus Awareness Month
Dufferin County Council proclaimed May as Lupus Awareness Month in Dufferin. Jordyn Lavecchia-Smith, Lupus Ontario Board Member, attended the meeting to accept the proclamation.

Lupus Awareness Month is dedicated to educating the public about this complex autoimmune disease, advocating for earlier diagnoses, funding research, and supporting the millions of people living with its unpredictable symptoms.

Dufferin County Council proclaimed May Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month
Dufferin County Council proclaimed May as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month in Dufferin James Jackson, Dufferin-Caledon MS Ambassador, and Jeff Mamer, Senior Director Community, Ontario, MS Canada, attended the meeting to accept the proclamation.

MS Awareness Month is dedicated to funding research, sharing lived experiences, and supporting the millions of people affected by MS.

Dufferin County Council proclaimed May 17 to 23 Paramedic Services Week
Dufferin County Council proclaimed May 17 to 23 as Paramedic Services Week in Dufferin.

The theme of Paramedic Services Week for 2026 is “Improving Outcomes, Together”. Improving Outcomes, Together extends beyond medicine. It’s a collective responsibility that involves investing in the people behind the care with fair pay, safe staffing levels, mental health resources, leadership that listens and acts, and opportunities for professional growth.

At the April 23, 2026 Council meeting, the Chief of Paramedic Services was asked to report back on response times, with a specific focus on disparities affecting rural municipalities and areas.

Dufferin County Paramedic Service provides land ambulance service to approximately 66,000 residents and visitors across Dufferin County. Dufferin County spans more than 1,400 sq. km and includes eight distinct municipalities. Most of the population is concentrated in the more urban area surrounding the Town of Orangeville.

Dufferin County Paramedic Service currently operates from three stations: Orangeville, Shelburne, and Grand Valley. In 2025, total call volume was 9,180, with 6,024 patients requiring transport to hospital. The average response time for all calls in Dufferin County was 08:45, and the average response time for high-acuity calls was 07:02.

County Council received report on Council Remuneration Review for the 2026 to 2030 term and set rates for Councillors and the Deputy Warden
Under the County’s By-Law 2022-30, the County must conduct a formal review of Council remuneration once per term, with any changes to take effect at the start of the 2026 to 2030 Council term. County Council received a report on the Council Remuneration Review for the 2026 to 2030 term and increased rates for Councillors by $1,896.48. Council also set a rate of an additional $1,5000 above the Councillor compensation for the position of Deputy Warden.

County Council approves implementation of an additional transit stop in the Primrose area on Grey Transit Route 2 as a six-month pilot commencing in July 2026
Grey Transit Route 2 continues to provide a critical connection between Dundalk and Orangeville, supporting access to employment, health and human services, and regional transit, with strong ridership of 7,142 trips recorded in 2025.

Demand for service has increased in recent years, resulting in expanded service levels, including the addition of a second vehicle and eight daily trips, ensuring continued capacity for Dufferin County residents.

County staff have received renewed requests to reinstate a transit stop in Primrose (near the Shelburne Motel) to address growing client need and improve equitable access to essential services for individuals experiencing transportation barriers.

County Council approved a six-month pilot beginning July 2026 to assess ridership, operational impacts, and safety considerations, with an estimated cost of $2,490 that can be accommodated within the 2026 budget.

County Council approves implementation of a voluntary Green Development Program in partnership with Grey and Wellington Counties
Dufferin County Council approved the implementation of a voluntary Green Development Program in partnership with Grey and Wellington Counties, with an anticipated launch in Summer 2026.

The Program will support reduced long-term housing costs, improved resilience to climate risks, and economic development in the green building sector. It establishes a consistent regional framework to support higher-performing residential development while reducing duplication for municipalities and the development industry.

The Green Development Program has been designed as a voluntary, points-based system with three core components: Metrics, Recognition and Capacity Building.