Bruce County Council Highlights for February 12, 2026

Bruce County Council met on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
Bruce County logo. TEXT: Council Highlights

Bruce County Council met on Thursday, February 12th, 2026. The complete agenda and video of the meeting is available on our Agendas and Minutes webpage. 

Prior to the meeting, the Honourable Lisa Thompson, Huron-Bruce’s Member of Provincial Parliament, joined members of Council and staff to formally present two funding commitments from Ontario to Bruce County.

A presentation of a novelty cheque for $25,000 of funding for Bruce County’s Emergency Services – Mental Health Supports for Public Safety Personnel. From left – Christine MacDonald, CAO; Steve Schaus, Director/Chief, Paramedic Services; the Honourable Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron-Bruce; Luke Charbonneau, Warden; and Don Murray, Deputy Warden.
A presentation of $25,000 of funding for Bruce County’s Emergency Services – Mental Health Supports for Public Safety Personnel. From left – Christine MacDonald, CAO; Steve Schaus, Director/Chief, Paramedic Services; the Honourable Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron-Bruce; Luke Charbonneau, Warden; and Don Murray, Deputy Warden.

The first presentation awards Bruce County’s Emergency Services with $25,000 of funding for Mental Health Supports for Public Safety Personnel program. This program protects the mental health and well-being of frontline emergency personnel. 

A presentation of a novelty cheque for $7,957,930 of funding for Bruce County’s Land Ambulance Service Grant. From left – Christine MacDonald, CAO; Steve Schaus, Director/Chief, Paramedic Services; the Honourable Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron-Bruce; Luke Charbonneau, Warden; and Don Murray, Deputy Warden.
A presentation of $7,957,930 of funding for Bruce County’s Land Ambulance Service Grant. From left – Christine MacDonald, CAO; Steve Schaus, Director/Chief, Paramedic Services; the Honourable Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron-Bruce; Luke Charbonneau, Warden; and Don Murray, Deputy Warden.

For the second presentation, the Land Ambulance Service Grant of $7,957,930 provides funding to Bruce County’s Paramedic Services. These funds will support the delivery of timely and reliable paramedic services across the region.

Thank you to Minister Thompson, her staff, and the Province of Ontario for these funds to help us continue providing essential services to the Bruce County community.

These are highlights of the meeting that followed:

Age-Friendly Communities Ontario Award and Update

The recent recognition by the Province of Ontario of Bruce County being an Age-Friendly Community is a significant step in advancing foundational work to support residents aging safely, actively and with dignity in our communities.

Received on January 18th, 2026, at a ceremony held at the same time as the 2026 Rural Ontario Municipalities Association, the award speaks to the progress of the County’s Age-Friendly Community Strategy. Staff provided an update to Council about next steps for the Strategy, including pursuit of both national and international designations.

New Bruce County Official Plan Workshop

Council participated in a workshop to further familiarize themselves with the draft Official Plan. The session provided members with the opportunity to ask questions and discuss their perspectives about the draft.

There were no decisions made during the meeting, as Council members are taking time to fully review and gather further thoughts. The conversation also provides staff with the opportunity to research and prepare recommendations and additional details.

Future meetings in February and March will allow for further discussions and decisions for further refinement of the draft Official Plan. 

Grey Bruce Board of Health Application Process for Appointees

A report from the Office of the CAO shared updates about the Grey Bruce Board of Health. Bruce County Council gave their support to the Skills-Based Matrix endorsed by the Chief Medical Officer of Health, and for the strengthening of the Board of Health for the Grey Bruce Public Health Unit.

Council also approved a new Grey Bruce Board of Health Applications Process which will use the sixteen unique skills identified in the matrix to appoint three representatives to a renewed Board of Health.

Bruce County Councillors and local municipal Deputy Mayors, in their role as alternate Bruce County Councillors, will have the opportunity to apply for appointments to the Board of Health until February 27th, 2026.

What’s Next?

The next Bruce County Council meeting is February 19th, 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.