Minutes of Guelph City Council

Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 4:00 P.m. - 10:00 P.m.

Council Chambers

Guelph City Hall, 1 Carden Street

Council:

• Mayor C. Guthrie
• Councillor P. Allt
• Councillor C. Billings
• Councillor L. Busuttil
• Councillor L. Caron
• Councillor E. Caton
• Councillor K. Chew
• Councillor C. Downer
• Councillor D. Gibson
• Councillor R. Goller
• Councillor C. Klassen
• Councillor M. Richardson

Staff:

• T. Baker, Chief Administrative Officer
• C. Clack-Bush, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Public Services
• J. Holmes, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Infrastructure, Development and Environment
• G. Matthews, Acting Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Corporate Services
• J. Sales, General Manager, Strategy, Innovation and Intergovernmental Services
• D. McMahon, Manager, Legislative Services/Deputy Clerk
• G. Meades, Acting Manager, Legislative Services/Deputy Clerk
• J. Slater, Manager, Information, Privacy and Elections/Deputy Clerk
• A. Dolcetti, Housing Stability Advisor
• C. Murray-Sprague, Election Coordinator
• S. O'Brien, General Manager, City Clerk's Office/City Clerk
• G. Brennan, Council and Committee Coordinator
• S. Osborn, Administrative Coordinator
• A. Sandor, Council and Committee Coordinator

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1.

Call to Order

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order (4:02 p.m.)

1.1

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

There were no disclosures.

2.

Authority to move into closed meeting

• Moved By Councillor Allt
  Seconded By Councillor Busuttil
  1. That the Council of the City of Guelph now hold a meeting that is closed to the public, pursuant to Section 239(2)(b) of the Municipal Act, regarding personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees.

  Voting in Favour: (10)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, and Councillor Busuttil

  Carried (10 to 0)

  The following items were considered: 

  
  

2.1

Call to Order (closed meeting)

2.2

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof (closed items)

2.3

Confirmation of Closed Minutes

2.4

May 2025 Public Appointments to Advisory Committees of Council, 2025-265

3.

Closed Meeting Summary

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order (5:00 p.m.) and noted the following:

May 2025 Public Appointments to Advisory Committees of Council, 2025-265

Council made a decision, and a motion regarding this item will be considered by Council later in the meeting.

4.

Open Meeting – 5:00 p.m.

4.4

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

There were no disclosures.

5.

Confirmation of Open Minutes

• Moved By Councillor Billings
  Seconded By Councillor Klassen
  1. That the minutes of the open Council Meetings held April 8 and 23, 2025 and the minutes of the open Committee of the Whole meeting held April 1, 2025 be confirmed as recorded and without being read.

  Voting in Favour: (11)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (11 to 0)

6.

Committee of the Whole Consent Report

The following item was extracted from the Committee of the Whole Consent Report:

Code of Conduct for Council and Local Boards - 2025-196

• Moved By Councillor Allt
  Seconded By Councillor Richardson
  1. That the May 27, 2025 Committee of the Whole Consent Agenda identified below be adopted.

6.1

Committee of the Whole Terms of Reference Update - 2025-190, 2025-190

• 1. That the revised Committee of the Whole Terms of Reference, included as Attachment- 1 to report 2025-190, be approved.

6.2

2024 Year-end Operating Budget Monitoring Report and Surplus Allocation and Deficit Funding, 2025-212

• 1. That the 2024 tax supported operating deficit of $397,604 be allocated to or funded from the City’s reserve and reserve funds as follows:
     1. Transfer $12,271 to the Library Operating Contingency Reserve (102) in accordance with the request from the Library Board.
     2. Transfer $245,072 to the Police Operating Contingency Reserve (115) in accordance with the anticipated request from the Guelph Police Board.
     3. Fund the deficit of $654,948 from the Tax Rate Operating Contingency Reserve (180).
  2. That the 2024 non-tax supported operating surplus of $333,814 be allocated to or funded from the non-tax supported City reserve and reserve funds as follows:
     1. Fund the Parking Services deficit of $62,273 from the Parking Operating Contingency Reserve (106).
     2. Transfer the Stormwater Services surplus of $566,747 to the Stormwater Capital Reserve Fund (165).
     3. Fund the Water Services deficit of $276,756 from the Water Operating Contingency Reserve (181).
     4. Transfer the Wastewater Services surplus of $1,705,452 to the Wastewater Operating Contingency Reserve (182).
     5. Fund the Building Services deficit of $1,752,995 from the Building Services OBC Stabilization Reserve Fund (188).
     6. Transfer the Courts Services surplus of $153,639 to the Courts Capital Reserve Fund (120).

6.3

2024 Year-end Capital Budget Monitoring Report - 2025-215

• 1. That the 2025 budget adjustments in Attachment 2, Tables 4, 5 and 6 be approved.
  2. That the 2026 forecasted budget of $150,000 funded from the Parkland Dedication Reserve Fund for GG0280 Parkland Dedication By-Law Update be advanced to 2025.
  3. That the 2026 forecasted budget of $841,000 funded from the Housing Accelerator Fund for PL0086 Affordable Housing Demonstration Project (HAF-4B) be advanced to 2025.
  4. That $145,000 of the 2026 forecasted budget for FS0079 Bunker Gear be advanced to 2025 for the replacement of end-of-life Firefighter Bunker Gear.
  5. That $70,000 be transferred from the Ontario Building Code (OBC) Reserve Fund to OB0001 OBC File Digitization for completion of the project.

6.4

2024 Long-term Financial Statement: Reserves and Debt, 2025-230

• 1. That $1,000,000 be transferred from the Court Contingency reserve (211) to the Courts Capital reserve fund (120) in 2025.
  2. That $2,514,340 be transferred from the Infrastructure Renewal reserve fund (150) to fund the long-term loan agreement with The Elliott Community for the 29 long-term care bed expansion, as previously approved by Council, and that the repayments of the long-term loan agreement from The Elliott Community be transferred to the Infrastructure Renewal reserve fund (150).
  3. That $862,780 be transferred from the Long-term Care DC reserve fund (364) to fund the contribution to The Elliott Community for the DC recoverable portion of the 29 long-term care bed expansion and that the previous funding for this contribution be transferred back to the Tax Operating Contingency reserve (180).

  Voting in Favour: (12)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (12 to 0)

7.

Items for Discussion

7.1

May 2025 Public Appointments to Advisory Committees of Council, 2025-269

• Moved By Councillor Goller
  Seconded By Councillor Richardson
  1. That Giovanni De Sero, Carmen Loiselle, Janette Svehla, Judy Noonan, and Jacky Radmond be appointed to the Accessibility Advisory Committee for a term ending November 2026 or until such time as successors are appointed.
  2. That Banji Akande, ASM Easir Arafat, Eleni Bakopoulos, Steve Donnelly, Julia Grady, Madeleine Krucker, Scarlett Raczycki, Katie Saunders, and Andi Syme be appointed to the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee for a term ending November 2026 or until such time as successors are appointed.
  3. That Paul Fitzpatrick, Janet Goodfellow, Pamela Membreno, Naeem Mir, Jane Ross, James Smith, and Russell Speers be appointed to the Committee of Adjustment and Property Standards Committee for a term starting June 16, 2025 and ending November 2026 or until such time as successors are appointed.
  4. That Lucas Figueiredo, Paul Blackburn, Damien Smith, Kristel Manes, Anuradha Saxena, Steve Zago, Erin Phillips, and Dennis Voss be appointed to the Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Committee for a term ending November 2026 or until such time as successors are appointed.
  5. That Piper Boyd Bell, Liam Browne, Kelly Caldwell, David Cameletti, Kim Carroll, Sara Epp, Justin Grainger, Donald Mikel, and Hart Slater-Eddy be appointed to the Heritage Advisory Committee for a term ending November 2026 or until such time as successors are appointed.
  6. That Keren Bromberg, Claire Brooks Finoro, Bo Cheyne, Justin Luth, Gavin Maybury, Mike Puddister, Anieca Scott, Rajul Singh, Robert Forrest Smith, Shannon Turnbull, and Laura Verharghe be appointed to the Planning, Environment and Water Advisory Committee for a term ending November 2026 or until such time as successors are appointed.
  7. That June Baldwin, Susan Carey, Natalia Crewson, John Dale, Eldrich Rebello, Elham Heydarigharaei, Matthew Moore, Darren Shock, and Harry Young be appointed to the Transportation Advisory Committee for a term ending November 2026 or until such time as successors are appointed.
  8. That the City Clerk be directed to conduct further recruitment for any Advisory Committees of Council that have outstanding vacancies, as outlined in report 2025-269, dated May 27, 2025.

  Voting in Favour: (12)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (12 to 0)

7.2

Addressing Gaps in Daytime Sheltering Options for Persons Experiencing Homelessness - 2025-92

The following delegates spoke:
Dean Mitchelmore
Morgan Dandie
Tay Caton
Sharon Felker
Dominica McPherson
Andrea Baker
Lorelei Root
Shelby Law

The following delegates did not speak:
Ella Elliott
Dan Loughrin
Kassie Dupuis

• First Motion
  Moved By Councillor Allt
  Seconded By Councillor Richardson
  1. That the Council of the City of Guelph now hold a meeting that is closed to the public, pursuant to Section 239(2)(f) of the Municipal Act, regarding advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose.

  Voting in Favour: (11)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (11 to 0)

  Council moved into closed session (6:02 p.m.), Mayor Guthrie called the open meeting to order (6:33 p.m.) and noted the following:

  Addressing Gaps in Daytime Sheltering Options for Persons Experiencing Homelessness - 2025-92

  Council received information from staff.

  
  
• Second Motion
  Moved By Councillor Klassen
  Seconded By Councillor Goller
  1. That staff be directed to proceed with a competitive procurement process for daytime shelter services and report back through the 2026 budget update.
  2. That Council respectfully requests that the Mayor include funding for daytime shelter services in the 2026 budget update.
  3. That Council respectfully requests the County of Wellington participate in this initiative and pay 10 per cent of the cost as a discretionary social service.
• First Amendment to Second Motion
  Moved By Councillor Goller
  Seconded By Councillor Klassen
  1. That staff be directed to use an RFP scoring criteria that includes scoring based on the proposed location(s), where if the proposed daytime shelter location(s) is not on Wyndham Street (between Wellington and Woolwich) or Carden Street, Quebec Street, Cork Street E, Macdonell Street, or  Wilson Street, the proposal receives a higher location score than submissions where the proposed daytime shelter location(s) is on one of the identified streets.
  2. That staff be directed to develop an RFP which requires Proponents to include the following in their proposals, without limitation:

  • • The municipal address, location map, floorplan layout, and detailed description of the proposed daytime shelter location, including building(s), indoor amenities, private outdoor areas, and AODA-compliant accessibility.
    • Key staff roles, job descriptions, areas of expertise and training, including health and safety, conflict resolution, and de-escalation techniques.
    • Plans and resources to maintain safe operations, including facility management and operational protocols, health and safety, cleanliness, waste management, pest management, and general maintenance.
    • Summary of operational policies/rules/codes of conduct for clients and staff.
    • Summary of “good neighbour” approach to managing relationships with neighbours and compatibility with the surrounding community.
    • Sufficient washroom facilities during hours of operation for members of the public in need, regardless of whether they are utilizing the daytime shelter services.

  This motion was requested to be split into two motions.

  Councillor Downer called a point of order, and asked that specific organizations not be identified in public discussion on a potential Request for Proposal (RFP). Mayor Guthrie asked that the open RFP process not be prejudiced, and cautioned that names of organizations not be discussed.

  Councillor Klassen called a point of order, asking about the appropriateness of Councillor Allt's discussion. Mayor Guthrie noted that personal opinions may stand in the meeting, and asked for discussion to continue.  

  
  
• First Clause of First Amendment to Second Motion
  Moved By Councillor Goller
  Seconded By Councillor Klassen
  1. That staff be directed to use an RFP scoring criteria that includes scoring based on the proposed location(s), where if the proposed daytime shelter location(s) is not on Wyndham Street (between Wellington and Woolwich) or Carden Street, Quebec Street, Cork Street E, Macdonell Street, or  Wilson Street, the proposal receives a higher location score than submissions where the proposed daytime shelter location(s) is on one of the identified streets.

  Voting in Favour: (10)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew
  Voting Against: (2)	Councillor Allt, and Councillor Caton

  Carried (10 to 2)
• Second Clause of First Amendment to Second Motion
  Moved By Councillor Goller
  Seconded By Councillor Klassen
  1. That staff be directed to develop an RFP which requires Proponents to include the following in their proposals, without limitation:

  • • The municipal address, location map, floorplan layout, and detailed description of the proposed daytime shelter location, including building(s), indoor amenities, private outdoor areas, and AODA-compliant accessibility.
    • Key staff roles, job descriptions, areas of expertise and training, including health and safety, conflict resolution, and de-escalation techniques.
    • Plans and resources to maintain safe operations, including facility management and operational protocols, health and safety, cleanliness, waste management, pest management, and general maintenance.
    • Summary of operational policies/rules/codes of conduct for clients and staff.
    • Summary of “good neighbour” approach to managing relationships with neighbours and compatibility with the surrounding community.
    • Sufficient washroom facilities during hours of operation for members of the public in need, regardless of whether they are utilizing the daytime shelter services.

  Voting in Favour: (11)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, and Councillor Chew
  Voting Against: (1)	Councillor Busuttil

  Carried (11 to 1)
• Second Amendment to Second Motion
  Moved By Councillor Caton
  Seconded By Councillor Allt
  1. That points be given to proposals located in areas with easily accessible Guelph Transit stops for routes that cover all areas of the city.
  2. That points be given to proposals located in areas with topographical street/sidewalk slope and pitch consistent with accessibility standards for manual wheelchair users, using AODA ramp standards as the baseline for accessible inclines.
  3. That points be given to proposals located in the areas with the highest identified need for the service, using existing data and collaboration with Wellington County.
  4. That points be given to proposals within the operating area of Welcoming Streets.
  5. That points be given to proposals close to existing services used by the same population to lower barriers to access. 

  Councillor Gibson requested that Mayor Guthrie call the vote.

  This vote was requested to be split into five clauses.

  
  
• First Clause of Second Amendment to Second Motion
  Moved By Councillor Caton
  Seconded By Councillor Allt
  1. That points be given to proposals located in areas with easily accessible Guelph Transit stops for routes that cover all areas of the city.

  Voting in Favour: (12)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (12 to 0)
• Second Clause of Second Amendment to Second Motion
  Moved By Councillor Caton
  Seconded By Councillor Allt

  2. That points be given to proposals located in areas with topographical street/sidewalk slope and pitch consistent with accessibility standards for manual wheelchair users, using AODA ramp standards as the baseline for accessible inclines.

  Voting in Favour: (4)	Councillor Allt, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, and Councillor Busuttil
  Voting Against: (8)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, and Councillor Chew

  Defeated (4 to 8)

• Councillor Downer called a point of order, and asked if Council defeats these proposals, are staff still able to examine these motions as part of the RFP process. Mayor Guthrie noted that staff would examine the process with direction stemming from the main motion.

  Third Clause of Second Amendment to Second Motion
  Moved By Councillor Caton
  Seconded By Councillor Allt

  3. That points be given to proposals located in the areas with the highest identified need for the service, using existing data and collaboration with Wellington County.

  Voting in Favour: (4)	Councillor Allt, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, and Councillor Busuttil
  Voting Against: (8)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, and Councillor Chew

  Defeated (4 to 8)
• Fourth Clause of Second Amendment to Second Motion
  Moved By Councillor Caton
  Seconded By Councillor Allt

  4. That points be given to proposals within the operating area of Welcoming Streets.

  Voting in Favour: (3)	Councillor Allt, Councillor Caton, and Councillor Busuttil
  Voting Against: (9)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, and Councillor Chew

  Defeated (3 to 9)
• Fifth Clause of Second Amendment to Second Motion
  Moved By Councillor Caton
  Seconded By Councillor Allt

  5. That points be given to proposals close to existing services used by the same population to lower barriers to access. 

  Voting in Favour: (3)	Councillor Allt, Councillor Caton, and Councillor Busuttil
  Voting Against: (9)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, and Councillor Chew

  Defeated (3 to 9)
• Second Motion as Amended
  Moved By Councillor Goller
  Seconded By Councillor Klassen
  1. That staff be directed to proceed with a competitive procurement process for daytime shelter services and report back through the 2026 budget update.
  2. That Council respectfully requests that the Mayor include funding for daytime shelter services in the 2026 budget update.
  3. That Council respectfully requests the County of Wellington participate in this initiative and pay 10 per cent of the cost as a discretionary social service.
  4. That staff be directed to use an RFP scoring criteria that includes scoring based on the proposed location(s), where if the proposed daytime shelter location(s) is not on Wyndham Street (between Wellington and Woolwich) or Carden Street, Quebec Street, Cork Street E, Macdonell Street, or  Wilson Street, the proposal receives a higher location score than submissions where the proposed daytime shelter location(s) is on one of the identified streets.
  5. That staff be directed to develop an RFP which requires Proponents to include the following in their proposals, without limitation:
  6. • The municipal address, location map, floorplan layout, and detailed description of the proposed daytime shelter location, including building(s), indoor amenities, private outdoor areas, and AODA-compliant accessibility.
     • Key staff roles, job descriptions, areas of expertise and training, including health and safety, conflict resolution, and de-escalation techniques.
     • Plans and resources to maintain safe operations, including facility management and operational protocols, health and safety, cleanliness, waste management, pest management, and general maintenance.
     • Summary of operational policies/rules/codes of conduct for clients and staff.
     • Summary of “good neighbour” approach to managing relationships with neighbours and compatibility with the surrounding community.
     • Sufficient washroom facilities during hours of operation for members of the public in need, regardless of whether they are utilizing the daytime shelter services.
  7. That points be given to proposals located in areas with easily accessible Guelph Transit stops for routes that cover all areas of the city.

   

  Voting in Favour: (12)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (12 to 0)

  Council recessed (7:32 p.m.). Council reconvened (7.45 p.m.).

  
  

7.3

Guelph’s Community Call to Climate Action, 2025-213

The following delegate spoke:
Adam Donaldson

Mayor Guthrie asked that the delegate ensure that disparaging comments are not made during delegations to Council. 

The following delegate spoke:
Evan Ferrari

• First Motion
  Moved By Councillor Allt
  Seconded By Councillor Goller
  1. That Council approve staff actions to support the community in taking collective climate action as described in Guelph’s Community Call to Climate Action.

  Voting in Favour: (11)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (11 to 0)
• Second Motion
  Moved By Councillor Goller
  Seconded By Councillor Caron
  1. THAT the City of Guelph formally requests the Province of Ontario, through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, to amend the Ontario Building Code to include provisions that effectively require or create a clear pathway for the widespread adoption of energy-efficient heat pumps as a primary space heating and cooling solution in new residential and commercial constructions, and major renovations, where feasible.
  2. THAT the City of Guelph formally requests the Province of Ontario to adopt a tiered building energy performance standard similar to the British Columbia Energy Step Code, providing a clear, incremental, and predictable regulatory pathway for all new buildings to achieve net-zero energy ready levels of performance by 2030 or sooner, thereby supporting a transition to a carbon-neutral future for Ontario.
  3. THAT this resolution be forwarded to the Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario; Mike Schreiner, MPP for Guelph; Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; Minister of Energy and Mines; Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks; Association of Municipalities of Ontario; and Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

  Voting in Favour: (11)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (11 to 0)

7.4

City Council Vacancy Declaration – Ward 6, 2025-248

• Moved By Councillor Billings
  Seconded By Councillor Chew
  1. That City Council declare the seat of Councillor Dominique O’Rourke, Ward 6 Councillor, to be vacant per Section 262 of the Municipal Act, 2001.

  Voting in Favour: (11)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (11 to 0)

7.5

Filing of the Vacant Ward 6 Councillor Seat, 2025-264

Stephen O'Brien, General Manager, City Clerk's Office/City Clerk, spoke regarding the Filing of the Vacant Ward 6 Councillor Seat.

• Moved By Councillor Allt
  Seconded By Councillor Klassen
  1. That the City Clerk be directed to conduct an appointment process based on an open call for nominations, as outlined in Attachment-1 to report 2025-264, as the method for filling the vacant office of Ward 6 Councillor.
  2. That a Special City Council meeting be held on July 23, 2025 to consider and appoint an individual to the office of Ward 6 Councillor.
  3. That the Council Vacancy Policy, included as Attachment-1 to report 2025-264, be approved.

  Voting in Favour: (11)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (11 to 0)

7.6

Code of Conduct for Council and Local Boards - 2025-196

• Main Motion
  Moved By Councillor Caton
  Seconded By Councillor Goller
  1. That the Revised Code of Conduct for Council and Local Boards, included as Attachment-1 to report 2025-196 dated May 6, 2025, be approved.
• First Amendment to Main Motion
  Moved By Councillor Caton
  Seconded By Councillor Caron
  1. Replace paragraph 2, Section 8, part I with: Where a member has chosen to enable public participation and comments on a social media account with content specific to their role as a member, the social media account will be considered a municipal public forum. Once a member establishes their social media as a municipal public forum, they cannot selectively exclude members of the public from that forum because they are critical of the member or express objectionable/contrary views.
  2. Replace paragraph 3, Section 8, part I with: A member is not required to enable public participation and comments on their social media. Where a member has enabled public participation and comments on social media with content specific to their role as member, they should exercise due restraint prior to blocking individual members of the public from viewing or commenting on their social media. A member may be justified in blocking users where necessary to protect the member’s social media account by preventing it from being overrun by spam, bots, or from disseminating abusive, hateful and inciteful communication.
  3. Include at the bottom of Section 8, part I: Members who have created a municipal public forum have a duty to moderate abusive, bigoted and hateful comments towards community members and groups when made aware of such comments. Moderation options vary from platform to platform and may include deleting or hiding user comments or posting with comments disabled.

  Voting in Favour: (11)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (11 to 0)
• Main Motion as Amended
  Moved By Councillor Caton
  Seconded By Councillor Goller
  1. That the Revised Code of Conduct for Council and Local Boards, included as Attachment-1 to report 2025-196 dated May 6, 2025, be approved, as amended.

  Voting in Favour: (11)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (11 to 0)

8.

By-laws

• Moved By Councillor Goller
  Seconded By Councillor Richardson
  1. That by-laws (2025)-21085, (2025)-21091 and (2025)-21092 be approved subject to Section 284.11 (4) of the Municipal Act.

  Voting in Favour: (11)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (11 to 0)

9.

Adjournment

• Moved By Councillor Caron
  Seconded By Councillor Billings
  1. That the meeting be adjourned (8:44 p.m.).
  Carried