Here are the highlights from the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley Council meeting held Tuesday, April 12, 2022.

2021 Surplus

Township Treasurer Linda Van Alstine reported a surplus of $304,945 for 2021. The surplus will be allocated to reserves as follows:

New Public Works Administrative Assistant

Laura Code was hired as the new Public Works Administrative Assistant to replace Cathie Green who will be retiring on May 6, 2022.

 Closure of Ferguson’s Falls Community Hall

Council formally closed the Ferguson’s Falls Community Hall for public rentals because of the poor condition of the facility. A new building will be constructed and opened in the Spring of 2023.

Repeal of Vaccine Policy

Council repealed the Vaccine Policy which mandated staff and contractors to either have two vaccinations or undergo regular testing for COVID-19. Other health and safety measures are in place at the workplace such as mask wearing when within 2m of another person, passive screening for COVID symptoms and frequent sanitizing.

Upcoming Meetings

• Council Meeting: April 26, 2022 at 5:00 m.
• Committee of the Whole: April 26, 2022 following the Council meeting
• Official Plan Review Public Comments due April 29, 2022

Here are the highlights from the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley Council meeting
held Tuesday, March 22, 2022.

Change in Job Titles
Council approved two title changes. The Clerk Administrator’s title was changed to Chief Administrative Officer and the Deputy Clerk title was changed to Clerk. These changes reflect mirror organization in some of the neighbouring municipalities. There will be no change to duties or compensation for both these positions.

Upcoming Meetings
• Council Meeting: April 12, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.
• Committee of the Whole: April 12, 2022 following the Council meeting
• Official Plan Review Public Meeting April 12, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.

April 13, 2022

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit joined with the Champlain and South East Regions’ hospital Chiefs of Staff and Medical Officers of Health to release a statement about the status of COVID-19 in the area. The key messages are:

1. Get all COVID-19 vaccines you are eligible for, including booster doses.
2. Stay home if you are sick – even if your symptoms are mild.
3. If you have symptoms take a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) if possible, or a PCR test if eligible.
4. Practise respiratory etiquette (like coughing into your elbow) and wash your hands frequently.
5. Wear a well-fitted, three-layer mask in all public indoor settings.
6. If you are hosting or attending a social gathering please allow for physical distancing, outdoor gatherings are best.
7. If you test positive or have symptoms, even if they are mild, you should stay home for at least five days or as otherwise advised by current isolation guidance. Individuals can be infectious for up to 10 days, so it is important that for an additional five days you wear a mask when outside your home and avoid those who are most vulnerable and high-risk settings like hospitals and long-term care.

All the measures combined will help to reduce other respiratory infections, including influenza that is circulating in our community.

Read the full statement here:

• South East
• Champlain

1^st prize $100
2^nd prize $50
3^rd prize $25

We'd like your help for the perfect spring picture in Drummond/North Elmsley.

The winning picture(s) will be featured on Drummond/North Elmsley Township’s website and Facebook and other advertising content. 

Take a picture of your favourite Township spring scenery. The photo should be a local, digital shot that you took yourself. High Resolution photos are required. Up to two photo submission per person are allowed. Please name the Township location in your message (e.g., road name, hamlet or lake.)

Please do not feature people in the photo (animals are acceptable).

Please email your photo to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by June 20, 2022, at 1pm. We will reveal the winning photo by June 24th, 2022.

The successful winners must sign a Photo release Form giving the Township the right to use their photo(s).

Only photos taken in Drummond/North Elmsley Township will be accepted.

MEDIA RELEASE:
Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit
April 8, 2022

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit joined with the Champlain region’s hospital Chiefs of Staff and Medical Officers of Health in the Champlain Region to release a statement about the status of COVID-19 in the area. The key messages are:

• Get vaccinated with all the doses you are eligible for.
• Limit your close contacts.
• Wear a mask in indoor public spaces.
• Stay home if you are sick.

We also remind you of the importance of respiratory etiquette (covering coughs and sneezes) and regular hand washing/use of hand sanitizer when out in public or at gatherings.

All the measures combined will help to reduce other respiratory infections, including influenza that is circulating in our community. 

Read the full statement here:

https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/public-health-topics/novel-coronavirus.aspx?_mid_=32064#April-7-2022--Special-statement-from-Champlain-regions-hospital-Chiefs-of-Staff-and-Medical-Officers-of-Health

MEDIA RELEASE:
Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit
April 8, 2022

Each year the Health Unit responds to hundreds of reports of animal bites in Leeds Grenville and Lanark counties. Along with the pain and possible emotional and physical scarring caused by a bite there is a risk of exposure to rabies.  

What Can I Do to Reduce My Chances of Being Bitten?

Many biting and scratching incidents are preventable. Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Ask animal owners if it is okay to approach or pet their dog when they are on a leash
• Stay away from wild, stray or unknown animals
• Wild animals cannot be domesticated and should not be fed, housed, or held
• If you have a new baby added to your family, be aware that some animals may exhibit jealous behaviour and try to harm the baby.  Never leave a baby alone with an animal
• Never leave  small children unattended in the presence of an animal, they may reach for an animal toy, or pull fur that may result in a bite
• Don’t disturb an animal that is eating, sleeping or caring for its young
• If you encounter an animal that has been injured or is exhibiting signs of illness, do not try to pick it up; contact a local Ontario Wildlife Rescue Centre listed on the Ministry of Natural Resources website MNR Offices :: Ontario Wildlife Rescue
• Avoid running past a dog as they like to chase things
• Never reach through a fence or enter a home unannounced as dogs may be protective of their territory and may feel you are a threat.
• If threatened by a dog, avoid eye contact, speak firmly, stay still until the dog leaves, or back away, don’t turn and run.
•   If you are knocked down, curl up in a ball and cover your head and neck.
• If you adopt a pet from an animal rescue, be sure to ask the about history of the pet you are adopting; animals coming from war torn countries may have experienced trauma and may only be suitable for certain families. 

What should I do if I am scratched or bitten?

• If you are bitten, clean the wound and try to determine who the owner of the animal is.
• Seek medical attention and report the bite to the Health Unit – 1-800-660-5853 (evenings or weekends 613-345-5685).

How can I be a responsible pet owner?

• Vaccinate your pet against rabies, it is the law
• Keep pets leashed and under your control when out in public spaces
• Fence your yard
• Speak to your vet if your dog is experiencing a change in behaviour   

For more information about animals bites, visit our website or call 1-800-660-5853.

For media interviews, contact Susan Healey, Communications Co-ordinator at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

APPLY FOR A ONE-TIME EMERGENCY GRANT FROM THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO

Has the pandemic affected sport and recreation activity in your community? Read further to learn more about this exciting grant opportunity for your organization to move forward and stabilize your programming and financial situation.

The Ontario Sport Network has been appointed by the province to deliver a one-time application-based relief fund targeting community level sport and recreation organizations, clubs, teams, leagues, and associations that have sustained losses due to COVID-19.

Grants will be issued to organizations that demonstrate the greatest financial need and a strategy to use the grant to sustain their programming.

While we understand that many organizations have been under financial pressure due to COVID-19, we expect to receive a large number of submissions and therefore the application process may be very competitive.

Check out our FAQs for more on how to apply and our eligibility criteria.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE FRIDAY, APRIL 29TH, 2022 (AT 11:59PM)

visit https://www.ontariosportnetwork.ca/emergency-grant to apply

Please register below for more information about our webinars.

Eligible Organizations

All sport and recreation clubs and organizations that are not affiliated(Members) with a Ministry-recognized PSO/MSO;

All sport and recreation leagues and teams that are affiliated (Members)with a Ministry-recognized PSO/MSO but can demonstrate substantial losses in gate receipts and sponsorship due to the pandemic

Member clubs of PSO/MSOs that are recognized but not funded through the Ontario Amateur Sport Fund (i.e., Ontario Grappling Association &Ontario Racquetball);

NEWS RELEASE

Additional booster dose will provide an extra layer of protection against severe illness and hospitalization

April 06, 2022
Ministry of Health

TORONTO — The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is expanding eligibility for fourth doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to individuals aged 60 and over as well as First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and over starting on April 7, 2022. Expanding booster eligibility will provide an extra layer of protection against the Omicron and BA.2 variants and, in addition to antivirals, are another tool the province is using to live with and manage COVID-19.

“As we continue to live with COVID-19, we are using every tool available to manage this virus and reduce its impact on our hospitals and health system, including by expanding the use of booster doses,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Vaccines are our best defence against COVID-19 and its variants. Because of our exceptionally high vaccination rates and Ontario’s cautious approach, we currently have one of the lowest hospitalization rates in the country and have performed well throughout this pandemic when compared to other similar sized provinces and states. I encourage everyone who’s eligible to get boosted as soon as you’re able.”

Starting on Thursday, April 7 at 8:00 a.m., eligible individuals will be able to book their fourth dose appointment through the COVID-19 vaccination portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900, directly through public health units that use their own booking systems, through Indigenous-led vaccination clinics, participating pharmacies, and participating primary care settings.

Locations and timing for additional boosters may vary by public health unit based on local planning and considerations.

Ontario has been offering fourth doses of the COVID-19 vaccine since December 30, 2021 to vulnerable populations including residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, First Nation elder care lodges and older adults in other congregate care settings that provide assisted-living and health services. Providing additional boosters to these groups has helped to prevent serious outcomes in the population during the Omicron wave.

All eligible Ontarians are encouraged to get their fourth dose as soon as possible. As with vaccines for other diseases, you are protected best when you stay up to date.

Quick Facts

• As of April 5, 2022, Ontario has administered more than 32 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, with more than 92 per cent of Ontarians aged 12 and over having received at least one dose, more than 91 per cent having received a second dose and more than 55 per cent having received a booster.
• If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY for people who are deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired: 1-866-797-0007), which is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and capable of providing assistance in more than 300 languages.
• As of April 5, over 72 per cent of long-term care residents have received their fourth dose.

Additional Resources 

• Staying Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines: Recommended Doses
• For public inquiries, please contact the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY for people who are deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired: 1-866-797-0007).
• For resources in multiple languages to help local communication efforts in responding to COVID-19, visit Ontario’s COVID-19 communication resources webpage.
• Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect the people of Ontario from COVID-19.

Media Release
Algonquin College

(Pembroke-April 6, 2022) Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) – Lanark & Renfrew is excited to announce that it has a new website portal designed to support newcomers in our communities with settlement in integration resources.

The new site has been created with the support of the LIP-Lanark & Renfrew’s Creating Connections working group members and a partnership with the Human-Centred Design Lab, an interdisciplinary postgraduate program and research lab at Algonquin College’s Ottawa Campus focused on evidence-based design strategy. More than 75 resource items have been curated to support newcomers from the moment they land in our community to the time they become Canadian citizens.

The website portal has supporting content that falls under eight categories, including Welcome to Our Community, Getting Settled, Healthcare & Education, Learning Opportunities, Taking Care of Your Money, Keeping Your Home and Family Safe, Learn About Canada & Local Communities, and Becoming a Canadian Citizen.

“This project has been months in the making, and this is only the start,” says Jodi Bucholtz, Manager of Local Immigration Partnerships-Lanark and Renfrew. “This resource website will continue to grow and improve to meet the needs of our newcomer community across Lanark and Renfrew Counties as part of our broader strategy to help our region become a more diverse population, to address issues such as labour market attraction, population decline in rural areas and a more inclusive society” adds Bucholtz.

During community consultations, feedback received indicated that there was still a lack of awareness of the services provided through the Local Immigration Partnership in Lanark and Renfrew. In particular, community groups and individuals wanted to know more about how they can support newcomers and work in partnership with LIP to help attract and retain more newcomers in the region. The website is a dynamic portal that acts as a virtual settlement service to help our newcomer population find the validated information that they seek while also building greater awareness in our communities of the role of LIP.

IP – Lanark & Renfrew encourages community members, organizations, community groups, and municipalities to bookmark this resource and add it as a link on your website. As more people in our community learn about this portal, they will be able to share it with newcomers, helping them settle in the area.

Learn more about this new resource by visiting https://liplanarkrenfrew.ca/newcomers/.

Local Immigration Partnerships are funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), a department of the Government of Canada, and support communities in bringing together service providers, settlement agencies, community groups, employers, municipalities, and other key organizations to create a welcoming and inclusive community for newcomers. In Lanark and Renfrew Counties, the work of Local Immigration Partnership is administered by Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus.

For more information,

Jodi Bucholtz
Manager, Local Immigration Partnership – Lanark & Renfrew
141 Lake Street
Pembroke, ON K8A 5L8 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
613-735-4700, ext. 2712
liplanarkrenfrew.ca

MEDIA RELEASE:
Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit
April 4, 2022

The ticks are out! When temperatures rise above 4^oC, ticks become active. Enjoy the benefits of being outdoors by going for a hike, working in the garden or cleaning up leaf litter in the yard; but remember to be tick smart. While not all Black legged ticks in our area carry bacteria that cause Lyme disease, a significant number do, and you cannot tell if a tick is positive by looking at it. Taking the following precautions will help to reduce your risk:

·       Dress in light coloured clothing so you can see that a tick is on you, (they are dark in colour).

·       Use an insect repellent containing DEET or Icaridin. You can apply this to clothing or your skin.

·       Put your outdoor clothes in a hot dryer for several minutes to kill ticks.

·       Do a tick check when you return inside. If possible have someone check you from behind. Check your pets for ticks as well.

·       Thoroughly check your body for ticks and nymphs and promptly remove and dispose of them.

·       You can take a quick shower to help remove any unattached ticks.

·       Speak to your vet about ways to protect your pet.

Lyme disease transmission depends on the length of time the infected tick is attached. Ticks that are removed quickly and have been attached for less than 24 hours are not likely to transfer the bacteria. However, if the tick has been attached for longer than 24 hours you may be at an increased risk and it is recommended that you consult your health care provider.

Check any ticks you remove from your body to determine if they are fat or flat. A fat tick is an indication that it has been feeding for a longer period of time. Tick specimens are not used for diagnosis of disease so they are no longer accepted at the Health Unit.  Individuals can submit a photo to the website, eTick - for tick identification.

Lyme disease symptoms can range from a bull’s eye rash around the bite area, to headache, fever and muscle/joint pain. Symptoms can appear from 3 days to several weeks following a tick bite. Consult your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.

For more information about ticks and Lyme disease: visit our Insect Bites and Diseases section of our website or call 1-800-660-5853. You can also e-mail us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or connect with @LGLHealthUnit on Facebook and Twitter or @lglhealthunit.z in Instagram.

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For media interviews, contact:  Susan Healey, Communications Co-ordinator or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.