Committee of the Whole Highlights - January 14, 2025

Kawartha Lakes – The following are highlights of the Committee of the Whole meeting on January 14, 2025.  

The meeting can be viewed in full on our YouTube channel. 

All recommendations made at Committee of the Whole will return to Regular Council for review and/or adoption on January 28, 2025. 

Ward 5 By-Election update 

On November 19, 2024, Council passed a motion to declare the Councillor vacancy in Ward Five and they selected the By-Election option to fill the vacancy. By-Elections require the municipality to pass a by-law, at a Special Council meeting prior to the Committee of the Whole meeting, Council passed the By-Law to Authorize By-Election for Ward Five as printed.  

Key By-Election dates: 

The by-election will utilize internet voting as the alternative method to ensure accessibility and efficiency. The City Clerk will oversee the process in compliance with the Municipal Elections Act, with costs covered by the Election Reserve.  

View the Special Council meeting on our YouTube channel. For more information about the process read the By-Law for the 2025 By-Election and Internet Voting Method report to Council.  

Health Unit addressing the drug poisoning crisis 

Kate Hall, Health Promoter, Haliburton Kawartha Northumberland Peterborough Board of Health, Vidya Sunil, Epidemiologist, Haliburton Kawartha Northumberland Peterborough Board of Health, and Julie Elliott, Chair, Haliburton Kawartha Lakes Northumberland Drug Strategy presented the Haliburton Kawartha Lakes Northumberland Drug Strategy’s Situational Assessment of the Four Pillar Approach to Addressing the Drug Poisoning Crisis to Council.

The presentation looked at the presence of drug use in the area and described the four-pillar approach used to assess local trends in drug usage and poisoning. Included were strategies for action and data to help create strategies for prevention, treatment, harm reduction and community safety intervention.  

For more information visit the Haliburton Kawartha Lakes Northumberland Drug Strategy website.  

Climate Change Strategy Update  

In the 2025 Mayor’s Budget, $150,000 was allocated for the completion of a comprehensive Climate Change Strategy for Kawartha Lakes. On top of the already allocated funds, we have applied for funding from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation program to help develop the strategy. The funding is in the form of a grant that would cover 60% of eligible project costs up to a maximum of $105,000. This initiative aligns with strategic goals to ensure a healthy environment, improve residents' quality of life, and demonstrate accountable governance.  

The funding application, submitted in December 2024, aims to support the strategy's development over two years. If the funding application is not successful, the entirety of the project will be funded through the approved municipal budget. The project is not contingent on securing external funding.  

For more information, read the Support for Climate Change Strategy Funding Application report to Council.