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

• County Council proclaimed June 2025 Seniors Month
• County Council proclaimed June 2025 Pride Month
• County Council adopts Government Relations Framework, Strategy and Action Plan 2025 to 2026
• Dufferin staff provided information on the Province’s Bill 17: Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act and Council directed staff to submit comments outlined in the report to the Province
• County Council adopted the Master Housing Strategy Implementation Plan and directed staff to create a detailed plan to develop 22 Third Avenue, Orangeville
• Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (IC&I) locations that meet the requirements of the County’s recycling program to continue to receive recycling collection and processing services through the County and any new IC&I locations added to the collection be limited to four recycling carts starting January 1, 2026

Warden Horner proclaimed June 2025 Seniors Month in Dufferin County. This month-long celebration acknowledges and honors the contributions of seniors, recognizing their past and ongoing roles in communities. It also aims to promote the health and well-being of seniors, ensuring they are socially connected and engaged.

Warden Horner proclaimed June 2025 Pride Month in Dufferin County. Pride Month is a time when 2SLGBTQI+ communities and allies come together to spotlight the resilience, celebrate the talent and recognize the contributions of 2SLGBTQI+ communities. The County will be celebrating Pride Month with a flag raising in June. The County will provide more information once it is available!

Dufferin County Council adopted the Government Relations Framework and Strategy and Action Plan 2025 to 2026.

Policy and funding decisions from other levels of government can have a significant impact on Dufferin County and other municipalities. Building relationships with other levels of government increases the ability to influence policy decisions and request support for local priorities.

The Government Relations Framework and Strategy and Action Plan 2025 to 2026 aims to enhance Dufferin County’s ability to influence policy decisions and secure support for local priorities. The Strategy identifies specific activities to support the priorities identified by Council at its May 8, 2025 meeting: homeless prevention, municipal funding and infrastructure and road safety.

To advance its target of building 1.5 million homes by 2031, the Ontario government introduced Bill 17, the Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025 on May 12, 2025. Bill 17 proposes several changes to multiple statutes including the Planning Act, Development Charges Act and Transit Oriented Communities Act.

Bill 17 was brought forth with limited consultation with Ontario municipalities and a limited review period. County Council directed staff to inform the Province of its comment that it is urged to consult with municipalities in the future when significant legislation impacting municipalities is being considered.

At the latest Council meeting, County Council adopted the Master Housing Strategy Implementation Plan to serve as a guide for the County moving forward and directed staff to create a detailed plan to develop 22 Third Ave Orangeville.

Council adopted the Master Housing Strategy in October 2024 and directed staff to create an implementation plan to develop three of ten County-owned properties. Through the Master Housing Strategy review, a need for more supportive housing was identified with 335 adults needing housing for people with physical disabilities, 216 to 540 units needed for people with mental health and addiction challenges, and 191 to 229 units for adults with intellectual disabilities as of 2024.

22 Third Avenue Orangeville will have 12 supportive housing units. Next steps include finding a non-profit partner, determining the ownership and operating model and conducting due diligence activities.

Since July 1, 2023, residential recycling in Dufferin County has been managed by producers of printed paper and packaging under Ontario’s Blue Box Transition Regulation. Circular Materials, the Producer Responsibility Organization, has overseen all residential and eligible sources including schools, long-term care facilities, etc., during and beyond the transition period of July 2023 to December 2025. IC&I sources are excluded from this regulation. During the transition period, Circular Materials has permitted municipalities to continue servicing IC&I locations under residential contracts on a cost-recovery basis.

At the May 22 Council Meeting, County Council approved staff’s recommendation to continue collection for small to medium-sized IC&I sites but with a formal cap of four carts for any new collection locations starting January 1, 2026 following the upcoming end of Circular Materials’ transitional coverage.

Small to medium-sized IC&I sites typically produce limited volumes, making private contract costs prohibitive. Without County support, these materials risk ending up in landfill due to inconvenience or cost. Continuing this service aligns with existing garbage and organics programs.

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