Committee of the Whole Meeting Highlights – February 10, 2026

Kawartha Lakes – The following are highlights from the Committee of the Whole meeting on February 10, 2026. 

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

Kawartha Community Foundation Presentation 

Laurie Dillon-Schalk, Executive Director, and Jim Armstrong, both of Kawartha Community Foundation (KCF), presented their “Vital Signs” community well-being report to Council. This presentation served as an early “report card” on local quality of life in areas like housing, health care, employment, food security and other key indicators based on local data and resident input. The project is intended to help the community inform decision-making and future investments  

Dillon-Schalk spoke about the importance of community involvement and the foundation’s goal to use this research to support more effective planning and collaboration across sectors. Council members responded positively, noting the value of the data and encouraging ongoing work on the issues identified.  

The Vital Signs report is part of a broader strategy from KCF to deepen its role in community research and impact, with this presentation marking a public launch of the research. 

Five Counties Children’s Centre Presentation 

Scott Pepin, CEO of Five Counties Children's Centre, presented Council with an overview of the organization. He shared that it is one of Ontario’s largest children’s treatment centres by service area, supporting children and youth with physical, developmental, and communication needs across Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, Northumberland, and Peterborough. Last year, it served 6,028 children, a 10% increase from 2024 and the highest number in their history. Their services are publicly-funded and families can self-refer. Supports include speech, occupational and physiotherapy, autism diagnostics, infant hearing, and more. 

In Kawartha Lakes alone, demand is growing. Speech therapy currently has the longest wait times at about five months. Despite this growth, Five Counties has reduced its waitlist by 15% over the past three years by hiring more clinicians and using new service models. Fundraising also plays a key role, helping them serve an additional 500 children each year. 

Celebrating 50 years of service, including 45 years in Lindsay, Five Counties says its current building is now too small to meet demand. With population growth expected in Kawartha Lakes, they are actively exploring options to expand their space so they can continue “building abilities for life” and supporting families in the community. 

10 Year Growth Management Plan for the Kawartha Lakes Public Library 

The Kawartha Lakes Public Library presented its new 10-year growth strategy to Council, outlining how it will continue to meet the needs of residents today while preparing for future growth. It was developed over the past year with input from staff, community partners, and residents. The strategy addresses the library’s current capacity challenges and ensures it can grow alongside the municipality. 

Key priorities include: 

• Building capacity: strengthening governance, investing in staff, and creating equitable service across all branches 

• Enhancing services: offering inclusive programs, expanding collections, supporting digital literacy, and increasing community engagement 

• Improving and expanding spaces: ensuring library facilities are accessible, adaptable, and reflective of local community identity, including plans for a new central hub 

This strategy ensures the library remains responsive to a growing and diverse population in Kawartha Lakes over the coming decade. 

Child Care Expansion and Directed Growth Update 

Ayson Truax, Manager of Children’s Services, presented an update on Child Care Expansion and Directed Growth. 

The Child Care Expansion and Directed Growth Plan Update (2025) explains how Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton are working to add more licensed childcare spaces for children up to age five. The province first set an initial goal of 443 new spaces. After changes and a centre closure, the total target is now 448 new spaces between 2022 and 2026. So far, most of these spaces are either open, under construction, or planned. If all proposed projects move ahead, the area could reach 91% of its target. 

Several new childcare centres are opening in communities like Lindsay, Kirkfield, and Haliburton. These projects are fully funded by the Ministry of Education, but they must be finished and operational by the end of 2026. The province has also changed how it funds daily childcare operations, helping keep parent fees capped at $22 per day while giving providers stable funding. 

The updated plan focuses on building childcare in areas with the greatest need. Priority communities include Fenelon Falls, Dunsford, Haliburton, Coboconk/Norland, Woodville, Oakwood, and Pontypool. The goal is to support families, help parents return to work, and strengthen the local economy.  

Anne Street and Front Street Sewage Pumping Station Upgrade: Environmental Assessment (EA) Completion Presentation 

Council received the completed Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Anne Street and Front Street Sewage Pumping Station (SPS) upgrades. These upgrades are needed to support future growth north of the Bobcaygeon River and to address existing infrastructure limitations. 

Key decisions from the EA study include: 

• Anne Street SPS: full replacement of the existing pumping station, including a new control building and a new forcemain along the current route to the Bobcaygeon Water Pollution Control Plant. This upgrade addresses capacity constraints during high flows and future residential and commercial growth. 

• Front Street SPS: upgrades to the existing station including pumps, piping, electrical systems, and forcemain to improve aging infrastructure and accommodate new developments. 

These upgrades ensure the municipality’s wastewater system can safely and efficiently service current residents and future growth, while addressing aging infrastructure. 

Construction is planned for 2027, pending Council approval of the Water and Wastewater Capital Budget. 

2025 Kawartha Lakes Business Count 

Rebecca Mustard, Manager, Economic Development, summarized the 2025 Kawartha Lakes Business Count for Council. The Business Count was a strong community effort, with students going door-to-door to gather information from 1196 businesses and employment properties. 

Key highlights included that 47% of businesses plan to hire, 9% plan to expand, and 51% operate in and outside the region, showing economic growth potential. The report also identified vacant space downtown, including 25% of third floor and 12% of second-floor commercial space, pointing to redevelopment opportunities. The data will also support upcoming planning work, including the downtown parking study, by outlining employee numbers and workforce trends. 

The survey has been conducted for several years to better understand the local economy at a detailed, neighbourhood level. The data helps guide economic development planning, business support strategies, and service delivery decisions. It also provides valuable evidence that community partners, like Chambers of Commerce, can use for grant applications and program development.