On Monday March 9^th the Town of Perth will move forward with a new online recreation and facility booking platform called Amilia SmartRec. This new platform will make it easier to register for the Town’s recreation programs, book facilities, and manage your recreation account with them.

Please visit their website for more information:

https://www.perth.ca/recreation-culture/new-recreation-facility-booking-platform/

Lanark County is undertaking a comprehensive process for its new 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan, including two public engagement sessions.
The public sessions are in-person and open to anyone interested in helping to shape housing and homelessness objectives for the next 10 years. They are scheduled as follows:

• Tuesday, March 10, 5 to 7 p.m. – Carleton Place Arena

• Thursday, March 12, 1 to 3 p.m. – Smiths Falls Youth Arena

“We are hoping for strong attendance at these sessions,” said Director of Social Services Emily Hollington. “Feedback and lived experience from community members contributes to our understanding of the needs, challenges, ideas and concerns of our residents when it comes to housing in Lanark County.”

As a service manager, Lanark County is required by the province to develop and update its 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan, which is important for supporting poverty reduction, increasing multi-sector collaboration and for focusing on client-centred service access. The plan must assess current and future housing needs in Lanark County, propose measures to meet objectives and targets, and describe how progress will be measured.
The previous plan focused on seven priorities, including increased access to housing, ending homelessness, non-profit housing corporations and cooperatives, private market, coordination with community services, meeting a broad range of community needs and environmental sustainability.

“Over the past 10 years, Lanark County has made progress in providing safe and affordable housing,” said Warden Richard Kidd (Beckwith Reeve). “This new plan will help us to build on that foundation and make even greater strides for our community.”

Residents can also provide input through a survey, which can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LanarkCounty

Request for Applications

To the Joint Lanark County
2026 Election Compliance Audit Committee

The municipalities of Beckwith, Carleton Place, Drummond/North Elmsley, Lanark Highlands, Mississippi Mills, Montague, Perth, Smiths Falls, and Tay Valley are currently seeking interested applicants with accounting, auditing and legal experience, from professionals who are required to adhere to codes or standards of their profession and from individuals with in-depth knowledge of the campaign financing rules for candidates and registered third parties of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, for appointment to the Joint Lanark County 2026 Election Compliance Audit Committee.

The purpose of the Compliance Audit Committee is to:

• consider compliance audit applications made by electors and decide whether they should be granted or rejected;

• appoint an auditor if the compliance audit application is granted;
• receive and consider the auditor’s report;
• decide whether to commence legal proceedings, if there is a contravention; and

• consider compliance audit reports prepared by the Clerk and decide whether to commence a legal proceeding against the contributor.

DEADLINE is Monday, March 30^th, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.

For further information or if you wish to be considered for an appointment, a copy of the Terms of Reference and Application Form are available by visiting https://election.dnetownship.ca/compliance-audit-committee

 Alto High-Speed Rail – Information and Public Engagement Open House!

Please join them March 4^th from 11am to 3pm or 5pm to 9pm at the Perth Lions Club, 50 Arthur Street Perth, ON

The Alto High-Speed Rail project will be one of Canada’s largest infrastructure investments in decades. Building the first high-speed rail network in Canada will turbocharge our economy, create well-paying jobs, support Canadian businesses and industry while delivering to Canadians the transportation system deserving of a major economy.

The first segment of the High-Speed Rail network will run between Ottawa and Montreal. Confirming this segment as the first to move forward is a recognition of its potential to deliver early benefits to travellers, communities and the economy. Spanning two provinces, this first segment proposes a shorter route, approximately 200 km. This plan lets teams in both provinces start working at the same time, which means local communities can see benefits sooner, and workers can build the skills needed to expand the network more quickly toward both Toronto and Québec City. Construction of the Ottawa-Montreal segment is expected to begin in 2029.

Beginning in January 2026, Alto will begin a comprehensive three-month consultation process. Through open houses, virtual sessions, and an online platform, Canadians will have multiple opportunities to share their views on the corridor under study. This process is just the start of a continuing conversation that will go on after the first consultation phase. It will inform the selection of the preferred alignment and station locations, and guide efforts to minimize impacts, and strengthen local benefits.

Alto will continue to engage Indigenous communities, municipalities, and public institutions regarding the project’s development, including design, environmental studies, construction and long-term operations. Each step of Alto’s development will be guided by a commitment to reconciliation and sustainability, while creating real opportunities for Canadians. Full details on consultation dates, formats, and participation options are now available on Alto’s website.

Please join them March 4^th from 11am to 3pm or 5pm to 9pm at the Perth Lions Club, 50 Arthur Street Perth, ON

Please feel free to share the open house information and invite members of your community.

The goal is to involve Canadians throughout the development of the project and to offer multiple opportunities for the public to share feedback on project plans and community priorities.

For immediate release

February 24, 2026

Southeast Public Health is investigating exposures to a confirmed measles case 

Southeast Public Health (SEPH) is advising residents of potential measles exposure at locations in Kingston related to a new single positive case of measles. 

If you attended the following locations at these dates and times, you may have been exposed to measles: 

If you were at any of the above locations during the exposure times: 

Check vaccination records to ensure protection from measles. 

• Immunity requires two doses of a measles vaccine or proof of immunity through a laboratory test. If you are unsure of your vaccination status:  
  • Check your record online (please note that public health may not have records for anyone born in 1985 or earlier):  
    • City of Kingston, as well as Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Counties 
    • Hastings and Prince Edward Counties 
    • Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Counties 
  • Call your health-care provider. 
  • Call Southeast Public Health’s Kingston office at 613-549-1232. 
• Most individuals born before 1970 are generally presumed to have acquired immunity due to infection in their childhood, as high levels of measles were circulating before 1970. 
• If you are not vaccinated or have had only one dose of measles vaccine you should monitor for symptoms, isolate at home for 21 days following your exposure and call Southeast Public Health for further direction. 

Monitor for symptoms until 21 DAYS following your exposure date (even if you are vaccinated). Symptoms of measles start seven to 21 days after exposure and may include: 

• high fever, cough, runny nose 
• red, watery eyes (pink eye or conjunctivitis) 
• red blotchy rash 

If you develop symptoms, stay home and do not go to work, school, daycare or any other public settings. Call before visiting a health-care provider or health-care facility to let them know you may have measles and need special precautions. You may also call Southeast Public Health’s Kingston office at 613 549-1232, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air and can survive on surfaces for up to two hours. Infants, pregnant individuals and those who have a weakened immune system are at higher risk of severe complications, including brain inflammation and even death. 

Visit our website for more information on measles. 

Two public information sessions will be held to provide community members with an oppurtunity to share their prespectives, ideas and concerns. 
These sessions will help inform the developement of the 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan.

• March 10^th, 5-7pm at the Carleton Place Arena, Bob Rintoul Hall
• March 12^th, 1-3pm at the Smiths Falls Youth Arena Hall

For more information, please contact 613-267-4200 ext. 2402

Are you looking to improve your home’s energy efficiency and save on energy bills?

Better Homes Lanark offers low-interest loans to complete deep home energy retrofits to make your home more comfortable, energy efficient, and affordable.

For more information, visit www.lanarkcounty.ca/betterhomeslanark.

We want to hear from you for our 10-Year Housing & Homelessness Plan update!

Lanark County Social Services is working with community partners to develop a new plan to improve housing options and responses to homelessness in Lanark County. This survey is meant to hear directly from community members about their perspectives and experiences.

You can find the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LanarkCounty

Please share! Your participation and support will help ensure we gather a broad range of perspectives to guide this important work.

 Lanark County affected by road salt shortage

Lanark County is adjusting its winter operations procedures in light of a province-wide salt shortage. An earlier start to winter weather, increased weather events and cold snaps along with supply issues have resulted in the significant limitations to salt availability.

As a result of the constraints, Lanark County Public Works will be switching to a sand/salt mix rather than straight salt for all roads. “After some storms, drivers may notice snow packing on the road surface instead of bare, wet pavement as a result of this change,” explained Director of Public Works Sean Derouin. “We will be maximizing our use of the sand/salt mix and reserve straight salt for ice conditions.”

Adopting this strategy aims to conserve the county’s remaining supplies to ensure there is enough to last through the season. “This adjustment still meets Lanark County’s service levels and legislative requirements and reflects practices we are seeing across the province as municipalities respond to the supply issues,” Derouin said, adding sand provides traction but does not result in the same surface condition as when salt is used. Residents can help by adjusting driving to road conditions, allowing for extra time, and maintaining safe distances.

“Lanark County Public Works crews work diligently to maintain our roads throughout the winter and are making every effort to conserve our salt supply,” said Warden Richard Kidd (Beckwith Reeve). “We thank motorists for their understanding and patience and encourage everyone to drive safely according to road conditions.”

TOWNSHIP OF DRUMMOND/NORTH ELMSLEY

JOB POSTING:

LANDFILL ATTENDANT LEAD HAND

The Corporation of the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley is accepting applications for a Permanent Full-Time Landfill Attendant Lead Hand. Reporting to the Public Works Manager, the Landfill Attendant Lead Hand is responsible for the operation of the Landfill weigh scales, covering and compaction, calculating and recording financial transactions, interacting with the Ministry of the Environment & Ministry of Labour, contractors, waste site customers, and maintaining the security of the Landfill Site. 

The ideal candidate will have a secondary school diploma, successful Criminal Reference Check, the ability to operate heavy equipment, experience with computers, experience with weigh scales and debit/credit machine would be an asset, good knowledge of Safety Regulations and Procedures, the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing and be in good physical condition. A DZ licence and experience plowing snow on Township roads would be considered an asset.

The wage range is $28.86-$33.04 per hour (2025 rates). Hours include Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Saturday (November to April) 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and Saturday (May - October) 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. With an additional 4 hours on Thursdays

A comprehensive benefit package is available.

A detailed job description is available on the Township website at www.dnetownship.ca

This posting will remain open until the vacancy has been filled. Please reply in confidence with a detailed cover letter and resume to:

Janie Laidlaw, Clerk

Township of Drummond North/Elmsley
310 Port Elmsley Road
Perth ON   K7H 3C7
(613) 267-6500 ext 251

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Township of Drummond/North Elmsley is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion within the workplace. We will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities. If you require accommodation at any time throughout the recruitment process, please contact Janie Laidlaw, Clerk.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those to be interviewed will be contacted.
Personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will be used for employment assessment purposes only.