Dufferin County Council proclaimed June as Pride Month in Dufferin County.

Pride Month is a time when 2SLGBTQIA+ people and their allies come together to highlight the resilience, celebrate the talent, and recognize their communities’ contributions. Dufferin County celebrates the incredible 2SLGBTQIA+ residents and visitors who make the community better for everyone who lives, works and plays in Dufferin. The County also recognizes that queer and trans people deserve to live safely and authentically, as it continues to strive to ensure that Dufferin County is a welcoming and supportive place for everyone.

Dufferin County Council proclaimed June as Seniors Month in Dufferin County.

Seniors Month is a time to celebrate the older adults who help shape Dufferin’s families, neighbourhoods and communities every day. The County is proud to wish seniors across the community and those who support them a very happy Seniors Month. Seniors Month is all about recognizing the contributions of older adults, supporting health and social connection and continuing to build age-friendly communities where everyone can thrive.

Jennifer Payne, Executive Director of Headwaters Communities in Action, delivered a presentation to Council on the recommended 2026 Community Grant Program allocations.

For 2026, 38 applications were received, requesting a total of $233,710. Dufferin County Council approved HCIA’s recommendation to approve 32 applications for partial or full funding, totalling the available funds of $100,050. Eight multi-year grants were in place from previous years, totalling $39,950, reaching the full allocation of $140,000.

 

Dufferin County’s Director of Health and Human Services, Brenda Wagner, provided reports for activity in the fourth quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026 for the County’s Community Services Department. Community Services at the County includes Housing Services, Ontario Works and Early Years and Child Care Divisions.

Since the report Bruce, Dufferin, Grey, Wellington Regional Transit Study Update was presented to Council in March, the Bruce-Dufferin-Grey-Wellington and SMART Project Team has continued working with Dillon Consulting toward a draft Unified Regional Transit Plan. Recent developments, including the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus request to establish a Rural Regional Transit Authority, have added context and complexity to this work. The BDGW Regional Transit Study remains one of the most comprehensive of its kind in Ontario.

Project partners are recommending additional time in the current study phase to ensure that complete and reliable information is available to support Council decision-making. Over the summer, staff will gather additional data through a request for information on technology and operator interest, while also reviewing potential regulatory considerations such as a unified rideshare bylaw.

Engagement with the Ministry of Transportation will continue to clarify opportunities and constraints related to OTIF and Gas Tax funding. The Project Team and Dillon Consulting expect to return to Council in fall 2026 with a draft plan and preliminary recommendations. Budget implications may be identified for consideration in the proposed 2027 budget, with final recommendations anticipated in Spring 2027.

To maintain continuity of service for Dufferin residents, County Council approved the staff recommend to extend GTR Route 2 on an interim basis, estimated to be Spring 2027, until such time as a decision is made regarding a Unified Regional Transit Network. Maintaining this route will ensure continued access to regional transit connections, avoid disruption to riders, and support retention of existing ridership levels during the study period.

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.