Committee of the Whole Highlights – June 2, 2026
Kawartha Lakes – The following are highlights of the Committee of the Whole meeting on June 2, 2026.
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 June 23, 2026.
Announcements
National Indigenous People's Day
On June 21st, we will recognize National Indigenous People's Day. This is a day to celebrate the rich cultures, traditions, and historic contributions of indigenous peoples across Canada. Traditionally celebrated during the summer solstice, it is a time to reflect on our relationship with the natural world and acknowledge the deep connections we have to the earth and our environment. We can learn much from the First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities in their respect and stewardship of our lands and waters.
One way for us to honor National Indigenous People's Day is to take the time to learn about how they continue to protect and care for our natural resources and to appreciate their significant contributions to our area locally as well as across Canada.
Mayor Elmslie read our land acknowledgement in honour of National Indigenous People’s Day.
Pride Month
June is Pride Month, a time for coming together and appreciating diversity, appreciating the freedom to be oneself and appreciating the strength that comes from welcoming all voices of our community. When people are free to be themselves, we all benefit and we set a needed example of inclusivity and acceptance. And from this, our society will only grow and become stronger as we build on a foundation of equality and respect for others.
Let this Pride Month remind us that kindness and open minds go a long way in building a more inclusive and empowered community.
Learn about Pride Month activities and how you can celebrate in the Pride Month news release.
Presentations
Accessibility Awareness Recognition Awards Presentation
Accessibility Awareness Recognition Awards were presented at Council. Congratulations to this years’ winners:
Outstanding Contribution, Individual
- Tyler Lorenz
- Jon Thurston
Outstanding Contribution, Business
- Mackey's, Jardine's, Stoddart's and Hendren's Funeral Homes
Outstanding New Build or Modification
- T.H.R.I.L. (Therapeutic Horsemanship and Riding in Lindsay)
- Downeyville Hall (Knights of Columbus Hall)
Outstanding Contribution, Community Group
- St. Luke’s Catholic Church Parish
- Immanuel Church, Fenelon Falls
Outstanding Contribution, City Employee or Team
- Customer Experience Division
Kathryn Peeters Youth Accessibility Award
- Ariana VanVierssen Trip
- Aiden Timmins
- Rose Luciak
Barbara MacArthur Memorial Award of Distinction
-
Joanne Berdan
Read more about the awards and the winners on the Accessibility Awareness Recognition Awards page.
Project Lifesaver Presentation
A collaborative partnership between local emergency services and community organizations is bringing Project Lifesaver to Kawartha Lakes this summer. Project Lifesaver is a proven search-and-rescue program that supports individuals at risk of wandering due to cognitive conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other related impairments.
The initiative is being introduced locally through the City of Kawartha Lakes Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), supported by the Kawartha Lakes Police Service, Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Service, and the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland & Haliburton. Designed to enhance rapid response capabilities, Project Lifesaver provides first responders with specialized tracking equipment to help quickly locate missing individuals and safely reunite them with their families. The program’s mission is simple but vital: bringing loved ones home.
Project Lifesaver uses wearable transmitters assigned to registered participants. When a participant is reported missing, trained police services deploy the associated tracking equipment, dramatically reducing search times and the risk of injury.
2026-2035 Long-Term Financial Plan Update
Council received a presentation on the City's Long-Term Financial Plan (LTFP), which provides a financial roadmap for 2026 to 2035. The plan balances infrastructure investment, service delivery, growth management and affordability, while helping guide future budget decisions.
The plan assumes annual budget increases needed to maintain service levels and support infrastructure renewal. It also includes strategies to strengthen reserves, manage debt responsibly, and invest in roads, bridges, facilities, water infrastructure and housing.
The LTFP does not replace the annual budget process. Future budgets will continue to be reviewed and adjusted based on current conditions, Council decisions and available grant funding.
Infrastructure remains a top priority
The City owns more than $5 billion in assets. The plan continues investments in infrastructure and aims to eliminate deferred tax-supported capital needs by 2029.
Growth forecasts have been adjusted
To reflect current conditions, the plan reduces projected housing growth from 500 to 300 units annually in the near term, lowers assessment growth from 3% to 2% per year in the near term, and stabilizes anticipated workforce growth over the next three years.
Building financial reserves
The City is proposing a more proactive approach to reserve funding, with priority reserves focused on infrastructure replacement, emergency and disaster response, tax stabilization and housing initiatives. These reserves help protect against future financial pressures.
User fees and grants
A review of user fees is planned for 2027 to better align fees with the cost of providing services. Staff will also continue pursuing grants to help reduce pressure on property taxes.
Next steps
Reports on Debt, Reserve and Investment Policies will be presented to Council on June 23, 2026. The final Long-Term Financial Plan will be presented in August and will help inform development of the 2027 budget.
Memorandums
Memorandum about a letter of support for a flyby
Council received a memorandum from Councillor McDonald requesting a letter of support for a flyby in Lindsay on July 17. The Lindsay Legion is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and requires Council’s support to secure approval for a commemorative Canadian Armed Forces flyby.
The recommendation will be forwarded to Council for consideration.
Watch the discussion on YouTube from the 2:40:20 mark.
Memorandum regarding a recommended by-law exemption to allow one bag of diapers and incontinence products in addition to the one bag garbage limit in urban areas
Council received a memorandum from Councillor Warren recommending a change to the City’s waste by-law. The proposed amendment would allow households in urban areas with organics collection service (Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, Lindsay, Omemee) to set out one additional bag containing diapers and/or incontinence products, beyond the one bag garbage limit that will be in effect as of June 15. For details of the changes coming June 15, please visit the Garbage and Diversion web page.
The recommendation was brought forward in response to concerns that some households may have difficulty meeting the garbage limit due to the amount of unavoidable waste these products create. The recommendation will be forwarded to Council for consideration.
Watch the discussion on YouTube from the 2:41:21 mark.
Next Council meeting
Council will return for a Regular Council Meeting on June 23 at 1pm.
Public attendance in Council Chambers is welcome in the public gallery on the main floor, and overflow seating is available in the Victoria Room on the second floor. Please note that no video and/or audio recording is permitted in Council Chambers during meetings.
The Regular Council meeting will be broadcast live on the City’s YouTube Channel as well as Cogeco cable television. A recording of the meeting will also be available on Cable Cable channel 26 and Rogers Ignite channel 548 at 1pm on the Sunday that follows the Tuesday meeting.
