Council / Committee Meetings – Thursday, March 17, 2022

Find Yourself in Bruce County 2022-2026 Economic Development Strategic Plan

The Planning & Development Committee approved that the Find Yourself in Bruce County 2022-2026 Economic Development Strategic Plan be adopted as Bruce County’s Economic Development Strategic Plan. The new Strategic Plan continues to use the “Macro Approach,” developed in the 2017-2021 Strategic Plan, to collaborate with local municipalities and local leaders, and has evolved the Macro Approach further, to recognize the role of regional stakeholders, thus ensuring it is the leading principle in every Economic Development project and initiative. The Strategic Framework identifies the key strategic priorities that will guide the work to be done in the coming five years: Business Development, Workforce Development, and Community Development. Each priority encompasses its own objectives and applicable areas of focus, ensuring clear direction and purpose. Additionally, everything we do is with a marketing focus, noting the importance of key messaging and the brands used to effectively implement each objective in the Strategic Plan. Bruce County’s overall marketing goals are to encourage people to visit, live, or start or move a business here. 

Enhanced Spruce the Bruce Program

The Planning & Development Committee approved the amended Enhanced Spruce the Bruce Program, which establishes a Community funding stream and an Industry funding stream. The Committee also approved that $125,000 of undispersed funds remaining from the Support the Bruce Business Sustainability Fund - Emergency Business Sustainability Loan will be transferred to the 2022 Spruce the Bruce Program operating budget. County Staff were directed to work with Local Municipalities to develop an equitable and phased plan for implementation of the Enhanced Spruce the Bruce Program. County Staff were also authorized to initiate an Amendment to the County Official Plan to enable Community Improvement Plans to be established outside of Primary Urban Communities. After discussion, the Committee removed the Commercial Building Interior Renovation grant option from the Enhanced Spruce the Bruce Program.

Plan the Bruce: Business Discussion Paper

The Planning & Development Committee approved the Plan the Bruce: Business Discussion Paper a foundation for developing policies in the new Official Plan. The Plan the Bruce: Business Discussion paper is one of eight Discussion Papers that support the Official Plan project. The Business Guiding Principle is about growing economic health through business diversity. Final recommended directions include identifying economic development as a key objective, reinforcing the economic development strategic plan, and ensuring a diverse land supply. The Committee highlighted the importance of continued workforce development. Discover more at www.planthebruce.ca.

Transportation & Environmental Services Committee Delegation

The Transportation & Environmental Services Committee heard a presentation from Mr. Roger Cook from Saugeen Mobility on transportation solutions for the mentally and physically challenged and SMART Regional Transit. Discover more at www.saugeenmobility.ca. 

Bruce County Roads 1, 17, and 13 Posted Speed Limit Reductions

The Transportation & Environmental Services Committee approved a by-law to authorize select speed limit changes for the Bruce County Road System and in Construction Zones. Bruce Road 1 will be reduced to 60 km/h near the Community of Kinloss with the addition of lane narrowing and pavement markings. Bruce Road 17 will be reduced to 60 km/h from Mill Creek Bridge in Port Elgin to 250 metres West of Sideroad 13/14. Bruce Road 13 will be reduced to 70 km/h from Eckford Ave to 2nd Avenue South.

Bruce Road 12 Right of Way Dedicated as Road

The Transportation & Environmental Services Committee approved a by-law to assume the lands legally described as Pt lot 9 Con A Culross; Pt 2 3R-2545; South Bruce; being part of PIN 33218-0051 (LT). These lands, which are the Bruce Road 12 right-of-way, will be dedicated as public highway.

Plow and Sander Unit Purchase 

The Transportation & Environmental Services Committee approved $29,000 from the Machinery and Equipment reserve to be used to cover the overage in the actual cost of a plow and sander unit that was included in the 2022 budget cycle. The T&ES Capital Equipment and Housing budget included $150,000 for the plow and sander unit. A detailed vendor cost was received in February and it was $29,000 higher than the budgeted amount, for several reasons including cost increases for materials and labour.

Grey Transit Route #6 Ridership Expansion from Walkerton to Hanover

The Transportation & Environmental Services Committee supported the service expansion of Grey Transit Route #6 from Walkerton to Hanover for 2022. The Committee also approved that the operating costs of $20,000 to fund the Grey Transit Route #6 expansion be funded from the Tax Stabilization Reserve fund. With this approval, the Flesherton to Walkerton route will be expanded from 3 days a week to 5 days a week for 2022 and include an additional stop at Brucelea Haven. The $20,000 will cover the expense of providing the portion of the route from Hanover to Walkerton for the remainder of 2022. Currently in the 2022 budget, $50,000 will be used to run Route 5 from Wiarton to Sauble Beach with an enhanced service level (to be evaluated in the fall of 2022) comprising of 7 days per week, 4 runs per day from May 24 weekend to Labour Day Weekend.

Bruce Road 6 East - Ministry of Infrastructure Funding Agreement

The Transportation & Environmental Services Committee approved the signing of the Amending Agreement No.1 to a Transfer Payment Agreement for the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP): Rural and Northern Stream for Bruce Road 6 East. The Province of Ontario will make a maximum Provincial Contribution of $1,584,541 to this project and Federal Government will make a maximum Canadian Contribution of $2,377,050 to this project. Bruce County will pay approximately 16.67% of the costs which is budgeted in 2022 at $793,409. Total project cost is estimated at $4,753,958.

Extension of LTC Service Accountability Agreement

The Long Term Care Homes Committee of Management approved the Extension of the Long Term Care Home Service Accountability Agreements between the South West Local Health Integration Network and Bruce County, for Brucelea Haven and Gateway Haven, for the period ending March 31, 2023. Bruce County is the licensee for long term care services provided at Brucelea Haven and Gateway Haven and is also a health service provider (HSP), as identified under the Local Health System Integration Act, 2006 (LHSIA).

County Long Term Care Homes Pandemic Response Continues to be the Priority Focus 

The County’s LTC pandemic response continues to be the priority focus for Brucelea Haven (Walkerton) and Gateway Haven (Wiarton). Enhanced measures include increased monitoring for symptoms, twice daily temperature taking of residents, cohorting staff to units, and increased cleaning and disinfecting. The Ministry of Health provided updated guidance for Long Term Care homes on March 9, which eased restrictions within long term care. Changes include general visitors can resume visits, visitor numbers increase to 4, outdoor visit restrictions are lifted, residents may go on overnight absences, and social group activities can increase to 10. On March 9, it was announced that the Minister’s Directive on Long-Term Care Home COVID-19 Immunization Policy will be revoked, shifting from a provincial directive that requires homes to have a mandatory vaccination policy to a guidance-based approach that continues to support long-term care homes with their employer-led policies and best practices. In consultation with Residents Council, Family Council, staff/support workers and other stakeholders, Bruce County will be working on updating the employer-led policies which will apply to all staff, families, and visitors. Family and Residents Councils are active in both homes. These councils provide an opportunity for both family and residents to have direct discussions with each other and with homes’ staff. The latest Resident engagement included luncheons, Olympic games, Valentine’s Day activities, virtual travelling, and crafts. There are 136 residents at Brucelea Haven and 94 residents at Gateway Haven. Staffing challenges continue in both homes, due to the number of vacant lines, staff illness, and the number of staff off due to high-risk contacts. Thank you to the 15 County employees who redeployed to Long Term Care in February. Explore a mix of long term care career opportunities at www.brucecounty.on.ca/jobs.

LTC and Senior Services Healthy Workplace Report

The long-term effects of the pandemic on the health workforce, including mental health, have been significant. Health care workers have continued to provide care for patients despite exhaustion, personal risk of infection, fear of transmission to family members, and the loss of patients and colleagues. Poor mental health can lead to depression and anxiety, as well as other significant mental health concerns including, compassion fatigue, moral injury, traumatic grief, and burnout. In 2017, Bruce County developed and implemented the Workplace Mental Health Program across the corporation, with the goal to improve quality of work-life, and the health and wellbeing of the workforce. The program has been very successful and Long-Term Care homes will leverage the success and lessons learned to advance the program within. Each home will be developing a comprehensive plan for the development of a “healthy workplace” program which will include input from key stakeholders. The homes will use tools/resources such as Leadership coaching, Nurse leadership training, Employee Assistance Program, “Guarding Minds”, “Not myself today”, Management training (Loyalist), Third party resources for investigations/training, Strategic Planning, and other department specific activities. 

401 Cayley St., Walkerton - Building Evacuation Update

On Wednesday, January 12, 2022, 401 Cayley St. in Walkerton had a fire on the second floor in the west common area room. The fire was extinguished by the local fire department. The official cause of the fire is still undetermined. The building endured significate damage, including soot/combustion product infiltration throughout all floors and multiple units, fire alarm system, electrical (lighting, breakers), structural, water, architectural (wall, floors, ceilings). Tenant re-occupancy will be coordinated on a per floor basis starting with the first floor, followed by the third floor, and then the second floor. Occupancy is restricted until building and fire department deem cleaning/restoration and fire alarm system scope of work is completed and deemed acceptable as per building and fire code standards.

Social Service Relief Fund Phase 4 Re-Allocation

Bruce County received notice of the Social Service Relief Fund (SSRF) Phase 4 allocation of $978,500 on August 16, 2021. The Investment Plan outlined the funds to be allocated to a capital project for transitional housing. The Investment Plan was approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing on December 9, 2021, and staff immediately released an RFP to be considered by the public. Although the documents were viewed several times, there were no submissions. In order to maintain the funds within Bruce County, staff asked for the funding to be reallocated to operating expenses to further serve vulnerable populations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding will be used to support community partners to provide emergency shelter, food security, and prevent homelessness. This request has been approved by MMAH.

Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre Update

• Hope and Healing Exhibit - February 14 to March 31: Hope and Healing is an art installation created by Métis artist Tracey-Mae Chambers. Using red yarn, large knit, and crochet pieces to illustrate the connection between people and their environment, Tracey-Mae also uses her work to promote dialogue questioning the connection between Indigenous, Inuit, Métis, and settlers. The decolonization of public spaces is also present in her mind while she creates. Recordings of the artist’s talk session can be found on the Museum’s Facebook page.
• Muse-Talk: Environmentalism and the Future - March 9 - 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM: The first in a series of three talks, a speaker from the Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII) will speak about environmentalism and climate change. At the end of the lecture, guests will have the opportunity to ask questions and share ideas.
• March Break Family Fun - March 14 to 18: is a week of programs for the public to enjoy with themes like: Call of the Wild, It’s Magic!, Under the Magnifying Glass, Outta This World Astronomy, and The Science Lab. Each day will also include a Deep Dive into the Museum’s collection, showcasing an artefact related to the day’s presentation.
• KidZone March Break Discovery Day Camp - March 14 to 18: Children aged 5-12 are invited to explore, create, and have fun at the Museum! It’s a week of games, arts and crafts, experiments, special guests, time in the exhibits, and fun outdoors. Each day will also feature a special guest presentation. Themes include: Call of the Wild, It’s Magic!, Under the Magnifying Glass, Outta This World Astronomy, and The Science Lab. Pre-registration is required. 
• Museum Munchkins - March 10 & 24 - 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM: Preschoolers and caregivers are invited to attend March’s Museum Munchkins sessions. Themes include Art Extravaganza with open-ended art making and play, and Music & Movement with special guest Lauren Best who will present a morning of songs, dancing, and excitement for all.
• The Museum received $99,612 from the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund (CCSF) Making Cultural Spaces Safe During COVID-19 Initiative for upgrades to improve air quality.
• The Museum received $30,000 from the Museum Assistance Program (MAP) Digital Access to Heritage Component to assist with the Newspaper Digitization project.

This publication identifies highlights from recent Bruce County Council and Committee meetings. Bruce County’s Office of the CAO maintains complete agendas and minutes from all Council and Committee meetings, which can be reviewed at www.brucecounty.on.ca/government/agendas-and-minutes