County Council Highlights for Sept. 15, 2021

Warden Urges Residents to Get Vaccinated and Vote

Essex County Warden Gary McNamara is urging residents to get their COVID-19 shots, vote in the federal election, and take time to reflect on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

“Vaccines are our most powerful weapons,” he said of the rising number of COVID-19 cases. “If you’re eligible, get your two doses as soon as possible.”

The County of Essex and City of Windsor have joined forces with several local institutions to launch the WEVax to Win contest. Already, more than 18,000 fully vaccinated residents have entered and will be eligible to win more than $200,000 in prizes, including vehicles, tuition and property tax breaks, and staycation packages.

“This contest is meant to show our gratitude to those who have rolled up their sleeves and to provide encouragement to those who have yet to get their shots. We want to stay positive in this fight and we want to avoid another devastating lockdown,” McNamara said.

He also encouraged residents to ask federal candidates about the four issues Essex County is making priorities during the election.

The county is calling for more funding to build and repair infrastructure. It wants strategic investments in the automotive technology and food production sectors. It is urging the creation of more affordable housing. It is also pushing for access to reliable, high-speed internet for all homes and businesses.

“Our message to candidates and parties is that Essex County counts,” the warden said.

McNamara also expressed support for the residents of Wheatley affected by last month’s explosion, extended condolences to the family of former warden Allan Pare and urged residents to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30.

“At an upcoming county council meeting, we plan to adopt a land acknowledgement statement to recognize the Indigenous past, present and future of this region,” he said. “This will be an important step in our journey toward reconciliation.”

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will also be a County Holiday

The County of Essex will mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a holiday.

County council voted to approve the new federal statutory holiday on Sept. 30 as a paid day off for staff. Ontario has opted not to make it provincial statutory holiday.

The net cost to the county will be approximately $150,000, says a report to council by Kristie Cronin, director of Human Resources.

Federal legislation was passed earlier this year to commemorate the history and legacy of residential schools on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – fulfilling one of the recommendations issued in 2015 by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The commission documented stories of neglect and abuse of thousands of Indigenous children who attended residential schools across Canada. Revelations earlier this year that unmarked graves have been discovered at several school locations again put a spotlight on the damage done to Indigenous children and their communities.

All-way Stop Approved for Comber Intersection

Stop signs will be put up on County Road 46 (Middle Road) at Highway 77 (Main Street) in Comber to better control traffic at the intersection south of Highway 401.

County council approved the creation of the all-way stop on the south side of Comber after the Ontario Ministry of Transportation determined the traffic volume on the two roads doesn’t qualify the intersection for a traffic light. Lakeshore council made a request to the ministry in 2020 for the light.

The county worked with the ministry, Lakeshore and property owners in the area to come up with another solution, says a report to council.

There are already oversized stop signs on Highway 77 at the intersection, as well as flashing red beacons. The stop signs on County Road 46 are expected to be put up shortly. The county and ministry will monitor the intersection afterwards to see if modifications or changes are required.

Council Supports Chatham-Kent’s Call for Affordable Internet

Essex County council is joining Chatham-Kent in urging the federal government to overturn a decision by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) it says will lead to rising internet costs for consumers.

In 2019, the CRTC ruled that the large internet companies overcharged smaller competitors. As a result, the CRTC reset the rate structure. The decision was upheld by the Federal Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court of Canada and the federal cabinet. Nonetheless, the CRTC reversed its decision in May this year.

“The CRTC decision has impacted over 1,200 small (internet service providers) across Canada, thousands of jobs in your communities and negatively impacts millions of Canadians ability to receive affordable internet,” says a letter from Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff to the prime minister and members of cabinet.

The letter is also being sent to the Ontario premier and minister of industry, local MPPs, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, all Ontario municipalities and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities seeking their support.

Council Receives Update on Commodity Hedging Strategy

County council received an update on the corporation’s electricity and natural gas hedging strategy and its continued participation with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario/Local Authority Services Ltd. Procurement Program to procure, in bulk, electricity and natural gas in the open market.

“The goal of the commodity price hedging policy is to allow the Treasurer to enter into fixed price agreements for the future delivery of all or any portion of a commodity when deemed advantageous to do so,” said a report to council by Director of Financial Services/Treasurer Sandra Zwiers. “A hedge is a financial agreement that fixes the price to be paid by the municipality for future delivery of a commodity. A hedge is typically used to reduce cost fluctuations and provide cost certainty.”

In terms of electricity, the hedge program ordinarily would have resulted in savings of $23,007 in 2020, but, due to COVID-19 Relief Rate reductions, costs were instead incurred of $19,416. For natural gas, the County realized savings in 2020 of $4,905.