The Interim Newsletter contains lots of useful information such as contact information, how to apply for burn permits, information pertaining the 2022 elections and, other municipal updates. Most residents receive a copy with their tax, however these things can get lost. If needed you can find the electronic copy of the Interim Newsletter here. 

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

We'd like your help finding the perfect winter picture of Drummond/North Elmsley.The winning picture(s) will be featured on Drummond/North Elmsley Township’s 2022 Christmas card, Township website and Facebook page. 

Take a picture of your favourite Township winter scenery. The photo should be a local, digital shot that you took yourself. High Resolution photos are required with a minimum of 300 DPI [dots per inch] to ensure clear printing of the Christmas card. Up to two photo submissions per person are allowed. Please name the Township location in your message (e.g., road name, hamlet or water body.)

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

Please email your photo(s) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by next March 25, 2022. We will reveal the winning photos by April 1^st, 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.

The Friends of the Tay Watershed would like your input for our 2021 Environmental Awards

If you know of a person or organization that has done exceptional work to improve the health of the environment or our watershed, please nominate them. The categories for nomination are shown below.

A list of the winners and why they were selected is available at
https://www.taywatershed.ca/documents/Environmental-Awards-Winners-List-2021.pdf

A couple of paragraphs outlining the accomplishments of the nominee and any supporting documentation that you choose to include is all that’s required.
 The winners will be announced at our Annual General Meeting on Thursday, March 24, 2022.

Deadline for submissions: Thursday, Feb. 17

Send nominations to: Judy Buehler, Nominations Committee
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Categories:

1. Contribution to the Tay Watershed
(contribution to water resources specific to the watershed):

2. Contribution to Water Resources at the provincial, national or international level
(person or organization, either local or outside area, whose activities have an impact on water resources on a wider basis):

3. Contribution to the General Environment
(a local person or organization whose activities are aimed at the environment but impact on our water resources):

Friends of the Tay Watershed Association,
P.O. Box 2065, 57 Foster Street,
Perth, ON
K7H 3M9

 

Township Office is Reopening to the Public– The Municipal Officer will be reopening to the public on Monday, January 31st during regular business hours Monday to Friday,  8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.   Physical distancing measures will be in place and access will be limited in the front lobby area.

If possible, please continue to make your tax payments online, at the bank or via the drop-box at the front door.

If you require an in-person appointment to meet with staff, please make an appointment in advance.

Self screening for Covid-19 prior to coming to the office, social distancing and mask wearing must be adhered to.

Canada’s largest and most reliable1 5G network now reaches Carleton Place, Cobourg, Kingston, Lindsay, Perth, Peterborough, Picton and Port Hope

$300M public-private partnership delivering better reliable wireless connectivity for residents and businesses

TORONTO, January 19, 2022 – Rogers Communications, together with the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN), announced today it has extended its 5G network to reach more residents and businesses across eight new cities and towns throughout Eastern Ontario. Rogers 5G is now available in

Carleton Place
• Cobourg
• Kingston
• Lindsay
• Perth
• Peterborough
• Picton
• Port Hope

“Strong, reliable connectivity plays a critical role in Canadians’ daily lives, and Rogers is proud to bring next-generation wireless service to communities across Eastern Ontario,” said Ted Woodhead, President, Eastern Ontario, Rogers Communications. “We are committed to investing in our networks and working with government partners to continue delivering world-class technology that will drive innovation and prosperity across the region.”

Today’s network expansion is part of a $300 million partnership between Rogers, the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, and EORN to bridge the digital divide and bring reliable wireless connectivity across Eastern Ontario. Through this partnership Rogers will deliver mobile connectivity to 113 municipalities and Indigenous communities in Eastern Ontario by building more than 300 new cellular towers and upgrading over 300 pre-existing sites by 2025.

“We congratulate Rogers Communications for completing the first step in improving the reach and quality of cellular coverage across eastern Ontario through the EORN Cell Gap Project,” said J. Murray Jones, Chair, Eastern Ontario Regional Network. “Using the latest technologies available, upgrades to the Rogers network in these communities will help support economic growth and improved quality of life. We also appreciate the support of our federal, provincial and municipal partners in helping us close the gap in mobile services.”

“Access to a fast and reliable wireless service is not a luxury – it’s increasingly become a necessity for families and businesses,” said Mark Gerretsen, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities. “Through the investments our Government is making in Eastern Ontario, residents across eight additional communities will now benefit from enhanced service that will enable them to take full advantage of the possibilities 5G offers.”

“Under Premier Ford’s leadership, our government is working with service providers, the federal government and municipal groups to ensure families, businesses, and municipalities across the province have the necessary and reliable digital infrastructure they need to compete in the global market,” said the Honourable Kinga Surma, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure. “By investing in next-generationtechnology, we’re stimulating regional economic growth, creating jobs, and ensuring families and businesses in Eastern Ontario have access to the wireless service they need to thrive and prosper. The exceptional work Rogers Communications is doing to ensure Ontarians are connected to reliable wireless service will go a long way in supporting long-term growth and fostering more accessible, competitive and resilient communities.”

As part of an additional $140 million investment related to this project, Rogers recently announced it will expand its network of fibre-to-the home technology in Eastern Ontario, servicing more than 20,000 homes and businesses in Quinte West, Belleville and Prince Edward County.

This work is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to expand service and improve connectivity for underserved communities, including more rural and remote regions in Ontario. Since January 2020, Rogers has enhanced its wireless networks across more than 200 Ontario communities and delivered fixed broadband network upgrades to nearly 100 communities across the province.

These investments make an impact. A PwC study commissioned by the company indicates that in 2020, Rogers investments and operations resulted in a total economic footprint in Ontario of $15.2 billion of output, including over 45,800 full-time jobs generated and supported

Rogers Award-Winning National Network

•  Rogers was awarded the best wireless network in Canada for the third year in a row by umlaut1

• The company has won five awards for its 5G network from Opensignal, ranking number one in Canada across five categories, including for 5G Reach, 5G Availability, 5G Voice App Experience, 5G Games Experience and tied first for 5G Upload Speed

•  For the sixth quarter in a row, Rogers was ranked Canada’s most consistent national wireless network and broadband provider by Ookla® 3
  
  

Rogers is Leading the Way for 5G in Canada

•  Rogers has now proudly connected more than 1,500 urban and rural communities to Rogers 5G across Canada.

• Rogers has invested over $30 billion over the past 35 years to build Canada’s most reliable wireless network 1

• Recently, Rogers invested $3.3 billion in 3500 MHz band spectrum, covering 99.4% of the Canadian population, to enhance and accelerate the expansion of Rogers 5G. This investment in Canada’s future positions the company as the largest single investor in 5G spectrum in the country across rural, suburban and urban markets.

About Rogers:
Rogers is a proud Canadian company dedicated to making more possible for Canadians each and every day. Our founder, Ted Rogers, purchased his first radio station, CHFI, in 1960. We have grown to become a leading technology and media company that strives to provide the very best in wireless, residential, sports, and media to Canadians and Canadian businesses. Our shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI).

For more information
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
1-844-226-1338

1 Rogers was ranked first in the umlaut Mobile Data Performance audit of Canada in Q2, 2021. Rogers achieved Best In Test in the umlaut
Mobile Network Benchmark Canada for 2021. Visit https://www.umlaut.com/en/benchmarking/canada. Largest based on total square
kilometers of Rogers 5G coverage compared to published coverage of other national networks.

2Opensignal Awards – Canada: 5G Experience Report August 2021, based on independent analysis of mobile measurements recorded during the
period April 1 – June 29, 2021 © 2021 Opensignal Limited.

3 Ookla® Speedtest Intelligence® data for Q3 2021 https://www.speedtest.net/global-index/canada?fixed#market-analysis

MEDIA RELEASE:

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

January 11, 2022

Notice to Gyms, Fitness and Sport Facilities - January 11, 2022

Due to the circulation of Omicron variant of COVID-19 throughout Ontario and the overwhelming strain it has put on our health care system the Province has moved back to a modified version of Step 2 in its Re-opening Ontario Plan.  At this time indoor gyms are to be closed for classes, personal training, using machines and equipment; however, there are a few exceptions.

Gyms, fitness and sports facilities can operate only for:

1.     Athletes that are attending the winter or summer Olympics or Paralympics only, other elite athletes are not permitted to train in your gym.

2.     Child care within the meaning of the Childcare and Early Years Act, 2014 such as a licensed daycare

3.     Mental health or an addiction support services that are being facilitated by a registered health professional or organization with a maximum of 10 participants per group, and 

4.     The provision of social services provided by a recognized social service agency with a maximum of 10 participants per group.

Trainers may offer classes and personal training through alternative methods such as online, outdoors or other remote means. Employees may enter the facility to retrieve equipment, for the purpose of maintenance, or to provide online and remote services. 

We trust that facilities and trainers will comply with the requirements of the modified Step 2 Ontario Regulation O. Reg. 263/20: RULES FOR AREAS IN STEP 2 (ontario.ca). 

Media Contact: Susan Healey, Communications Co-ordinator or Katie Jackson, Manager: email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Township of Drummond/North Elmsley
For Immediate Release January 4, 2022

The province of Ontario will return to the modified version of Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen effective Wednesday, January 5, 2022, at 12:01 a.m. for at least 21 days (until January 26, 2022), subject to trends in public health and health system indicators.

Accordingly, Drummond/North Elmsley Township has closed the municipal office to the public and effective today, services to the public have resumed on a virtual basis. All staff who can perform their work from home are doing so.

Staff have access to voicemails and emails in order to respond to residents, so please call the office if you need information. We will continue posting and sharing information about municipal services on the Township website and on the Facebook page.

Phone:           613 267 6500
Website:         www.dnetownship.ca
Facebook:     www.facebook.com/dnetownship.ca/

Please leave messages as you would normally at the office and staff will get back to you as quickly as possible. Documents can be hand-delivered to the locked drop box outside the municipal office at 310 Port Elmsley Road or mailed as usual.

Township staff continue to focus on the delivery of essential municipal services while protecting the health and safety of everyone concerned.

Regular road maintenance continues. Curbside collection of garbage and recycling continues, and the landfill at 745 Code Road is open with normal hours. If you need to interact with landfill or curbside collection staff, please maintain a 2-meter physical distance and wear a mask.

Community Halls are closed effective today, and the Code Road ReUse Centre remains closed.

The Township is committed to balancing community needs with the safety of its residents and employees in its approach to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information regarding the Township’s response to COVID-19 please visit www.dnetownship.ca

The Township thanks all residents in advance for following Public Health guidelines, and for performing your civic duty by staying home! That is an essential service too.

Township of Drummond/North Elmsley
For Immediate Release 22 December 2021

In response to the rapidly spreading and highly transmissible Omicron variant, Drummond/North Elmsley Township will apply additional public health and workplace safety measures for the first two weeks of January 2022.

The office will be closed for the holidays at noon on Friday, 24 December. When we reopen to the public at 8:30 am on Tuesday, 4 January 2022, we will do so with reduced staffing levels. All staff who can work from home for the first two weeks of January will do so to minimize risk. These measures will help curb transmission and continue to safeguard the Township’s ability to ensure the provision of essential services

Service to the public will continue with reduced in-person staffing at the office

•  Patrons will be required to wear a mask when entering the building. Should a patron enter our facilities without a mask, they will be asked to leave.
• The Township encourages inquiries through its website, by telephone or email in order to minimize risk to customers and employees.
• Offices are open to the public for typical transactions such as submittingapplications, processing payments, and answering standard questions; however, patrons are asked to make an appointment for inquiries or transactions that will require a greater amount of staff time or attention. This ensures staff availability and preparedness and prevents longer lineups.
• When accessing Township offices, customers will be expected to adhere to the following guidelines:
  o Ensure you do not feel ill or exhibit any symptoms related to COVID-19.
  o Wear a face mask
  o Stay 2m away from other people.
  o Provide contact tracing information
  o Only one (1) customer can enter at a time, to a maximum of two (2) people per household.
  o Debit or cheques are the preferred form of payment during this time.
  o The drop-box at the front door remains available to drop off applicationsand payments.

The Township thanks all residents in advance for following these important guidelines when visiting our offices. The Code Road ReUse Centre will remain closed at this time. The Township is committed to balancing community needs with the safety of its residents and employees in its approach to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

We'd like your help finding the perfect winter picture of Drummond/North Elmsley.The winning picture(s) will be featured on Drummond/North Elmsley Township’s 2022 Christmas card, Township website and Facebook page. 

Take a picture of your favourite Township winter scenery. The photo should be a local, digital sho that you took yourself. High Resolution photos are required with a minimum of 300 DPI [dots per inch] to ensure clear printing of the Christmas card. Up to two photo submissions per person are allowed. Please name the Township location in your message (e.g., road name, hamlet or water body.)

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

Please email your photo(s) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by next March 25, 2022. We will reveal the winning photos by April 1^st, 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.

LANARK COUNTY 
MEDIA RELEASE: NOVEMBER 24, 2021
Highlights from the Lanark County Council meeting held Wednesday, Nov. 24

United Way Cheque Presented: Warden Christa Lowry (Mississippi Mills Mayor) presented a cheque for $2,500 to the United Way’s Lanark County Advisory Council Chair Helen McIntosh. The donation represents proceeds of the Warden’s Slow Roll event on the Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail from Almonte to Pakenham on Oct. 23. More than 50 cyclists took part in the second annual event.

“We are delighted to present this cheque to the United Way in support of the many activities you do to improve quality of life for residents in Lanark County,” Lowry said.

Nominations Received for 2022 Warden and Committee Chairs: Council received a report from Deputy Clerk Casey Whiticar regarding nominations received for the positions of warden and committee chairs in 2022.

Nominations for 2022 are as follows:

• Lanark County Warden: Councillor John Fenik (Perth Mayor), nominated by Councillors Ed McPherson (Perth Deputy Mayor) and Richard Kidd (Beckwith Reeve). Acclaimed.
• Community Services Chair: Councillor Sharon Mousseau (Beckwith Deputy Reeve), nominated by Councillors John Fenik and current Warden Christa Lowry (Mississippi Mills Mayor). Councillor Klaas Van Der Meer (Montague Deputy Reeve), nominated by Councillors Rickey Minnille (Mississippi Mills Deputy Mayor) and Peter McLaren (Lanark Highlands Reeve).
• Corporate Services Chair: Warden Christa Lowry, nominated by Councillors John Fenik and Rickey Minnille. Acclaimed.
• Economic Development Chair: Councillor Ray Scissons (Drummond/North Elmsley Deputy Reeve), nominated by Councillors Steve Fournier (Drummond/North Elmsley Reeve) and Sean Redmond (Carleton Place Deputy Mayor); Councillor Rickey Minnille, nominated by Councillor Ed McPherson and Warden Christa Lowry.
• Public Works Chair: Councillor Steve Fournier, nominated by Councillors Ray Scissons and Sean Redmond; Councillor Ed McPherson, nominated by Councillors Barrie Crampton (Tay Valley Deputy Reeve) and John Fenik.

The inaugural meeting is planned for Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 2 p.m., at which point the new warden will be sworn in and elections will be held for the three chair positions that were not acclaimed. For more information, contact Casey Whiticar, Deputy Clerk, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1102.

Children’s Services Receives Provincial Award: Warden Christa Lowry (Mississippi Mills Mayor)congratulated Lanark County Children’s Services staff on the news they have received a Local Municipal Champion Award from the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (OMSSA). The award recognizes the great work done in advancing excellence in human services integration and service system management by teams from Consolidated Municipal Services Managers, such as Lanark County, which are responsible for overseeing local municipal social services. It is in recognition of Lanark County’s early childhood educator (ECE) recruitment and retention initiative as a notable example of the ongoing commitment to both the ECE profession and service system management.

OMSSA indicated the nominated team brought strong ties to community groups that were typically segregated and created a community-wide system that had three specific outcomes: Retain current ECEs, attract new individuals to the ECE course, and guaranteed employment for ECE graduates. Lanark County Children’s Services had several initiatives to support the goals, such as standardized training, providers’ succession planning tool, media and social media blitz, mentorship opportunities and guaranteed employment pathways.

OMSSA noted preliminary findings indicate “child care and early years providers and their staff feel supported and valued, families appreciate stability in staffing, and soon-to-be graduates of the local community college are able to find work in their home community. The circular system supports ECEs from pre-entrance to the field to becoming active, long-term professionals.” “Congratulations and thank you to our children’s services team for their exceptional work in supporting the child care and early years field during a time of incredible uncertainty,” Lowry said.

For more information, contact Emily Hollington, Director of Social Services, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 2101.

Lanark Lodge to Proceed with Staffing Enhancements: Council has passed a motion authorizing the Director of Long-Term Care to implement an enhanced staffing structure at Lanark Lodge based on the need to achieve four hours of direct care per resident per day using provincial “Staffing Increase Funding” to fund the increase.

At the community services committee meeting earlier this month, Director of Long-Term Care Carey Duncan explained the province’s “Long-Term Care Staffing Plan,” released in December 2020, outlines a commitment to a resident-centred sector providing the highest quality of care.

Three key areas of the plan include:

• Increasing staffing levels (registered nurses (RNs), registered practical nurses (RPNs), personal support workers (PSWs) and allied health professionals (e.g. physiotherapists, occupational therapists and social workers) to support the average amount of direct, hands-on care to increase to four hours per day per resident. The government has committed funding for staffing increases into 2025.
• Disrupting, accelerating and increasing education and training pathways. This includes removing barriers to employment for internationally educated professionals, training PSWs on the job, and scaling up traditional education and training streams.
•  Supporting ongoing staff development. The province is providing a “Professional Growth Fund” that allocates additional monthly funding per bed in the home.

Duncan indicated the Lodge currently provides care hours above the provincial average of two hours and 45 minutes, achieving 3.19 hours of care per resident per day. She noted the home is committed to achieving the new target, but reaching 4.06 in 2022 will be difficult due to a severe province-wide shortage of health human resources. The home is planning to add an additional 16 full-time PSWs and three full-time RPNs, as well as recreation team support and a dedicated infection prevention and control professional.

“The increase in resident care hours is an important step forward in further enhancing the quality of direct care provided to the residents of Lanark Lodge,” Duncan said, noting recruitment of staff will begin as soon as possible.

Council also passed a motion to send a letter to Ontario Minister of Health Rod Phillips expressing thanks for the province’s commitment to staffing long-term care homes. For more information, contact Carey Duncan, Director of Long-Term Care, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 7101.

Report on Homelessness Enumeration Received: Council accepted a report on the provincially mandated point-in-time (PIT) count and by-name list registry week results, which help illustrate the scope of homelessness in Lanark County and identify where more resources may be needed.

Homelessness Service Coordinator Brooke Coutts presented the results at the community services committee meeting earlier this month. The PIT count was conducted on Sept. 21 and found 58 people presenting as homeless, meaning they were staying in an emergency-funded motel, domestic violence shelter or in public spaces that night. This also included people who didn’t know where they would be staying or declined to answer. Coutts indicated this was an increase from 27 in the 2018 count. The highest number of respondents were in Perth, Smiths Falls and Carleton Place. In terms of demographics, 59 per cent were female and 69 per cent were adults, followed by youths (16 to 25) at 19 per cent. The survey also looked at sexual orientation, ancestry and language, Indigenous data, source of income and program supports.

“The average length of time respondents spent homeless in the past year was 230 days,” Coutts said, noting 41 per cent of respondents had been homeless for 10 to 12 months or longer. Most, 44 per cent, stay at someone else’s home (couch surfing), followed by transitional housing/shelter at 20 per cent. Motels, camping, vehicles and public spaces were also listed. Low income, landlord/tenant  conflict, mental health issues, abuse, spouse/family conflict and substance use were the top reasons for homelessness. Mental health issues topped the list in terms of wellness concerns for respondents. Identified barriers to securing housing were had high rents (93 per cent) and low income (78 per cent) topping the list.

Forty-seven homeless individuals consented to taking part in the by-name list, which enables the county and community partners to work in a case management capacity in an effort to secure support and move individuals towards stable housing. “A committee is currently working on prioritization and coordinated access,” Coutts explained. For more information, contact Emily Hollington, Director of  coordinated access,” Coutts explained. For more information, contact Emily Hollington, Director of Social Services, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 2101.

Results of Non-Profit Housing EOI Discussed: Council has passed a motion to proceed with an option to provide rent subsidy for 28 rent-geared-to-income (RGI) units starting in 2023.

At the community services committee meeting earlier this month, Housing Services Manager Shawna Stone outlined the results of an expression of interest process for affordable housing in January/February. Only one proposal was received from current non-profit housing providers for the creation of new affordable housing projects within the county. Carebridge Community Support has proposed a four-storey, 28-unit residential building at 44 Chambers St. in Smiths Falls. It features a mix of unit types, primarily one- and two-bedroom units, including accessible ones.

Stone explained the project has been submitted to the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Rapid Housing Initiative, but Carebridge intends to proceed with the project even if it is not successful there. RGI support from the county would benefit the application, she said, which is anticipated to be completed in 2023. Carebridge would own and operate the project, including the ongoing property management and maintenance.

“The county is on track to potentially meet our service level standard this year; however, we are dealing with a loss of rent supplement landlords and this trend is likely to continue, as is being seen across service areas,” Stone explained. “If the county partners on the Carebridge project, it would help to offset the loss of rent supplement units and fulfil the target of our 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan.”

For more information, contact Emily Hollington, Director of Social Services, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext 2101.