Bruce County Council Highlights for April 23, 2026

Bruce County Council met on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
Bruce County logo. TEXT: Council Highlights

Bruce County Council met on Thursday, April 23, 2026. The complete agenda and video of the meeting is available on our Agendas and Minutes webpage. 

These are highlights of the meeting:

Strategic Community Initiatives Fund – 2026 Grant Recipients

A report announcing the recipients of the 2026 Strategic Community Initiatives Fund support celebrated investment in community-based initiatives.

Proposal submissions for the funds need to meet specific requirements including:

  • Complimenting core services delivered by Bruce County’s Human Services.
  • Addressing identified service gaps and/or unmet needs of low-income residents.
  • Aligning with recognized best practices and/or evidenced-based research.
  • Avoided duplication of existing community resources.

A total of $50,000 in funding was divided between five successful applicants:

  • Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force - $20,000
  • Community Drug and Alcohol Strategy - $20,000
  • The Salvation Army, Wiarton - $5,000
  • The Meeting Place, Tobermory - $3,000
  • Drop-In at the Bridge, Kincardine - $2,000

Learn more about services and support offered by Bruce County’s Human Services on their webpage.

Updates to 2026 Ontario Child Care and Early Years Funding
(2026 Space Targets and ELCC Infrastructure Fund)

Council received a report with updates about the impacts of Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) on Bruce County. 

Ontario’s Ministry of Education (MEDU) conducted a Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) space reallocation in 2025 resulting in a reduction for Bruce County. 

The MEDU has completed another recalibration and provided an update, reinstating 84 spaces in 2026.
Staff are integrating additional allocations to support equitable access to licensed child care across the community.

Visit the Early Learning Programs and Support for Licensed Child Care webpage for more details about child care in Bruce County.

Flooding in Pinkerton – Bruce Road 15

Council received a report for information providing an update about flooding in Pinkerton in the Municipality of Brockton.

Bruce Road 15 remains closed after significant flooding on March 13, 2026. The breach of a privately owned flood control structure, upstream of the hamlet, re-routed a section of the Teeswater River. The breach followed intense rainfall and a heavy spring melt. The result flooded several residential properties and a section of Bruce Road 15. 

The Municipality of Brockton built a temporary watertight cofferdam with large sandbags on March 19 and 20, 2026 to help mitigate the impacts on local residential properties.

Staff informed Council that after consultation with B.M. Ross and Associates, Bruce Road 15 is expected to remain closed until waters recede and further assessments can be made.

Addressing Outstanding Matters in the New Bruce County Official Plan 

Bruce County Council directed staff to make recommended revisions arising from municipal and provincial comments on the draft Official Plan. Staff will incorporate these recommendations into a final draft for engagement with the province and the public. Open Houses and a Public Meeting will occur before Council considers adoption of the new Official Plan. Details will be available on our Plan the Bruce website.

Other Items Discussed

Announcements

Delegations

Reports

What’s Next?

The next Bruce County Council meeting is May 7, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.

For a complete schedule of Committee and Council meetings, along with agendas, recordings and minutes for meetings, please visit our Agendas and Minutes webpage.