Here are the highlights from the Lanark County Council meeting held Oct. 4, 2023.

World Homelessness Day Proclaimed: Lanark County Council has proclaimed Oct. 10, 2023 to be World Homelessness Day in Lanark County.

The proclamation states the county’s homelessness response team serviced 289 people experiencing homelessness in the community in 2022. “The homeless crisis is taking a devastating toll on individuals, families and communities, undermining a healthy and prosperous Ontario,” it states. “Homelessness requires a range of housing, social service and health solutions from government.”

World Homelessness Day aims to draw attention to the needs of people who experience homelessness locally and provide opportunities for the community to get involved in responding to homelessness, while taking advantage of the stage an “international day” provides to end homelessness through improved policy and funding.

“Leadership and urgent action are needed from the provincial government on an emergency basis to develop, resource and implement a comprehensive plan to prevent, reduce and ultimately end homelessness in Ontario,” it states. “Lanark County is committed to working with the provincial government, as well as private and non-profit groups, to deliver positive outcomes to people experiencing homelessness.” For more information, contact Emily Hollington, Director of Social Services, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 2101.

New No Parking Zone in Rideau Ferry: Lanark County Council has approved a by-law amendment for the creation of a “no parking” zone on the east side of County Road 1 (Rideau Ferry Road), from the south entrance to the Rideau Ferry store, northerly for 150 metres.

At the public works committee of the whole meeting last month, Public Works Manager Sean Derouin explained the parking controls are needed to improve safety and movement of traffic and pedestrians as vehicles have been parking adjacent to the store entrances, blocking sight for exiting vehicles.

The no parking zone will come into effect as soon as appropriate signage is installed. For more information, contact Sean Derouin, Public Works Manager, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3194.

Upcoming Meetings: County Council, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 5 p.m.; Public Works, Oct. 18 (following County Council); Economic Development, Oct. 18 (following Public Works). County Council, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 5 p.m.; Community Services, Nov. 8 (following County Council); Corporate Services, Nov. 8 (following Community Services). Watch for details about public access to meetings on agendas and through online notifications. For more information, contact 1-888-9- LANARK, ext. 1502. Like "LanarkCounty1" on Facebook and follow "@LanarkCounty1" on X!

99 Christie Lake Rd., Perth, ON K7H 3C6 * Tel.: 1-888-9-LANARK * Fax: 613-267-2964 * www.lanarkcounty.ca

The Community Safety and Well-being (CSWB) Advisory Committee is updating the CSWB Plan for Lanark County and Smiths Falls. These provincially mandated plans are designed to evaluate local data, determine existing community assets and gaps, and strategize ways to bridge those gaps. The current plan was completed before the pandemic - and a lot has changed! Our goal is to be a voice from a community safety and well-being perspective to increase positive social outcomes in the community. 

As a resident of Lanark County or Smiths Falls, we want your perspective on community safety and well-being - what is working well and where improvements can be made. 

This anonymous survey has 50 questions and is divided into several sections, including Demographics, Health, Affordability and Quality of Life, Violence Against Persons, and Preliminary Risk Areas.  

The survey takes about 20 minutes and will be open until Nov. 6, 2023. Please share with other Lanark County/Smiths Falls residents.

You can access the survey at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CSWBCommunitySurvey

Thank you for your participation!

Community Safety and Well-being Advisory Committee for Lanark County and Smiths Falls

For more information about the CSWB Plan for Lanark County and Smiths Falls, see: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/a3ucvor3l74wjthvckset/CSWB-Plan-for-LC-and-SF-Progress-Report-2022-final.pdf?rlkey=bea4tzvgabsy8fz3o6569prs2&dl=0

A ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 24^th, 2023, marked the official opening of the Ferguson’s Falls Community Hall in the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley.

Council, Staff, special guests and approximately 120 members of the public were on hand to celebrate the grand opening of the newly built Ferguson’s Falls Hall at 1362 Ferguson’s Falls Road.

The original hall opened on October 9, 1924, and almost 99 years later the Community has a new hall.

“The Hall is an integral part of the community as a place to host a gathering with family and friends. Council and Staff are extremely happy and proud to officially open the doors and share with members of the public, after a year of dedicated hard work, this wonderful asset to our Township. We are excited and grateful for this beautiful building to be enjoyed by the whole community.” said Reeve Fournier.

This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.

Council & Staff also welcomed the public to celebrate the 25^th Anniversary of the amalgamation of the Townships of Drummond and North Elmsley. In 1998 hundreds of municipalities across Ontario were amalgamated making the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley what it is today.

A special thank you to Memory Lane and the Clyne Brothers for their lively entertainment.

For further information contact:

Cathy Ryder, CAO
Township of Drummond/North Elmsley
310 Port Elmsley Road, Perth, ON, K7H 3C5
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.           
613-267-6500 x 220

MClNTOSH PERRY
September 7, 2023

Notice of Online Public Information Centre Detail Design and Class Environmental Assessment for Resurfacing, Operational Improvements, Intersection Improvements and Structural Rehabilitations, Highway 7, Pauls Road to Carleton Place, Lanark County

The Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) retained the services of McIntosh Perry Consulting Engineers Ltd. (McIntosh Perry) to carry out the Detail Design and Class Environmental Assessment for resurfacing, operational improvements, intersection improvements and structural rehabilitations (lnnisville Bridge [Site No. 15X-0062/B0] and Unnamed Tributary to McCreary's Creek Culvert [Site No. 15X-0175/C0]) on Highway 7, from 0.9 km west of Pauls Road to Carleton Place, Lanark County. A key map showing the location of the study area is attached.

The Detail Design is following the approved planning process for a Group 'B' project under the Class Environmental Assessment (EA) for Provincial Transportation Facilities (2000). Upon completion of the Study, a Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR) will be prepared.

The purpose of this letter is to invite interested stakeholders to participate in an Online Public Information Centre (PIC). The PIC is being held to present the study process, outline the existing conditions, the recommended plan and receive input on the proposed improvements within the study area. The Online PIC will be available for a 30- day comment period from September 7, 2023 to October 6, 2023.

To view the PIC material and provide comments, please visit the project website at www.highway7paulsroadtocarletonplace.com. The PIC material may also be made available in hard copy format, upon request.

If you have any questions or would like your name added to the project mailing list, please contact one the Project Team members or submit a comment through the project website.

Mr. Jason Sharp, P.Eng.
Project Manager
McIntosh Perry Consulting Engineers Ltd.
1-1329 Gardiners Road
Kingston, ON K7P 0L8
Tel: 343-344-2668
Toll Free: 1-888-348-8991
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mr. Rumen Aigbogun, P.Eng.
Project Manager
Ministry of Transportation - Project Delivery East
1355 John Counter Boulevard
Kingston, ON K7L 5A3
Tel: 613-449-2978
Toll Free: 1-800-267-0295
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

We would encourage you to visit the project website at any time during the study for updates on this project. Comments are being collected to assist MTO in meeting the requirements of the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act.

All information/comments will be maintained on file for use during the study and may be included in project documentation. Information collected will be used in accordance with Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, and other protected information, all comments will become part of the public record.

If you have accessibility requirements in order to participate in this project, please contact one of the project team members listed above.

Thank you for your anticipated participation.

Sincerely,

McIntosh Perry Consulting Engineers,

Jason Sharp Project Manager

Encl. Study Area Key Map

cc. Rumen Aigbogun, MTO Project Manager Amanda Dickson , MTO Environmental Planner Jennifer Cavanagh, McIntosh Perry Environmental Planner

Want to get fresh with a local farmer? The annual Lanark County Harvest Festival will give everyone a chance to do just that!

This outdoor event, slated for Sunday, September 10 at Beckwith Park (1319 Beckwith 9th Line), will celebrate the county’s bounty of the harvest featuring local producers, children’s activities, local musicians, historical displays and more.

"Lanark County Harvest Festival is a great way to experience the amazing agricultural products our farmers produce. It is a wonderful day for the whole family,” notes Warden Peter McLaren.

The festival will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is a collaboration of Lanark County and the Township of Beckwith.

Renowned for their country harmony, the “Bowes Brothers” are returning as the musical entertainment; and children’s activities (weather permitting) such as a petting zoo and a giant air bounce can be expected.

The event provides a perfect opportunity for local producers to connect with visitors and residents. The benefits of local food have brought attention to Lanark County as a food destination. This festival is a good time for visitors to celebrate the harvest by sharing food, stories, and laughter. “Beckwith Township is pleased to be the host municipality for the Lanark County Harvest Festival,” says Richard Kidd, Beckwith Reeve. “Our staff has been working very hard with partners to ensure the event is a huge success. It is a tribute to our agricultural past and future.”

This annual event supports local businesses, farmers’ markets, and the development of new business networks for the county’s agricultural producers.

For more information visit www.lanarkcounty.ca/tourism 

Vanessa Dow,
Tourism & Corporate Relations Coordinator
Lanark County
613-267-4200 x 1701

Lanark County is the Consolidated Municipal Service Manager (Service Manager) for both Lanark County and the Town of Smiths Falls. As service manager, the county is responsible for overseeing and funding various social systems, including licensed child care and Early Years programming. The county completes this work by contracting with child care agencies to carry out the programming.

There are two types of child care in Lanark County: centre- or school-based care and licensed home child care. Home child care providers are licensed and funded through an agency that maintains a contract with the county. To maintain a contract, the agency must meet criteria specified in the Child Care and Early Years Act and its service agreement with the county. Licensed home child-care providers are able to access Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) funding through an approved agency to assist in making child care more accessible and affordable for families. CWELCC is a five-year plan that is being implemented in stages; fees will reduce every year, reaching an average fee of $10/day by 2025-26.

The county recently terminated its contract with Natural Connections, which is a licensed home child care agency in Lanark County. The details of this contract termination are confidential and will not be shared. The termination only impacts the one organization, all other County CWELCC contracts are ongoing. While Natural Connections can still license home child-care providers, families receiving care from these providers will no longer have access to CWELCC funding. The county recognizes this may require families and providers to make alternative arrangements to continue to have access to CWELCC funding and staff will do its best to support local families and providers through the transition.

The county’s termination of its contract with Natural Connections may affect families both inside and outside of Lanark County and the Town of Smiths Falls. Natural Connections has licensed 11 home child-care providers in Lanark County and 37 providers located elsewhere in Eastern Ontario, primarily in the City of Ottawa.

Guidance for Families in Lanark County and the Town of Smiths Falls:
The county maintains a contract with Children’s Resources on Wheels (CROW), which licenses and funds home child care providers located in Lanark County. CROW offers CWELCC funding to its providers and their families. CROW has capacity to accept Lanark County home child-care providers in its portfolio. More information on CROW can be found at www.crowlanark.com. If you should have any inquiries, please contact the county via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via telephone at 613-267-4200 ext. 2140 or toll free at 1-888-952-6275.

Guidance for Families outside of Lanark County and the Town of Smiths Falls:
Families and home child-care providers located outside of Lanark County may reach out to their local Service Manager or licensed home child-care agency in their respective community. Families looking for licensed child care in Ottawa can visit
www.ottawa.ca/childcare, apply to the City of Ottawa Child Care Registry and Waitlist, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The following is a list of licensed home child care agencies located in the City of Ottawa: 
Agence de garde "La Maisonnée" – www.grandirensemble.ca
Andrew Fleck – www.afchildrensservices.ca 
Children's Village of Ottawa-Carleton Home Child Care - www.childrensvillage.on.ca 
Global Child Care Services – www.gccs.ca
Mothercraft Ottawa Private Home Day Care – www.mothercraft.com 
ODAWA Sweetgrass Home Child Care – www.odawa.dreamhosters.com
Parents' Home Child Care of Ottawa Wee Watch – www.weewatch.com

“Child care is a vital component to a thriving community and stable workforce, stated Lanark County Warden Peter McLaren (Lanark Highlands Reeve). “Lanark County acknowledges the great need for more licensed child care in the community and is diligently working at increasing its child care capacity.” The county funds 1,395 licensed child care CWELCC spaces within Lanark County at several child care centres and home child care providers. The County will continue to fund these spaces, and planned expansion spaces, for the duration of the CWELCC program.

In June 2023, the county approved its child care expansion plan based on provincially set expansion targets and is working towards achieving these goals. Details of the plan can be found on the county website at https://www.lanarkcounty.ca/en/county-government/plans-studies-and-reports.aspx. 

For more information, contact:
Emily Hollington
Director of Social Services Lanark County
613-267-4200 ext. 2101
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Reeve Steve Fournier & Council on behalf of the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley
requests the honour of your presence at the
Grand Opening of the Ferguson's Community Hall
& 25th Aniversary Celebration of the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley

Sunday Sepetember 24th, 2023 
1362 Ferguson's Falls Road, Lanark, ON
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

Light Refreshments
Musical Performances by Memory Lane and the Clyne Brothers 

Planet Youth Lanark County is hosting a local Youth Summit on Wednesday August 23^rd from 10am-3pm in Carleton Place. The focus of the day is for youth to share their perspectives and ideas on how to create more safe spaces in Lanark County where young people feel valued, respected, listened to, and be their authentic selves. The summit is open to any youth who live, work, or play in Lanark County and are entering grades 7-12 in September.

Youth must register ahead of time in order to attend. Facilitated by staff from the Student’s Commission of Canada and supported by United Way East Ontario, the day will be full of fun activities, offer free food and transportation and give youth a chance to be a meaningful part of positive change in their communities. The Summit will be followed by a family and community BBQ from 3-5pm to help share the energy and ideas youth generated during the workshops. Register for the summit directly at https://PlanetYouthLanarkCountyYouthSummit.eventbrite.ca by no later than Friday August 18^th.

The ideas and recommendations from the participants will guide crucial community based action planning taking place this fall. Local stakeholders and decision makers are encouraged to attend the BBQ portion so they can see and hear first hand what local youth want and need to be valued members of the community.

If you would like to be involved in the summit, have resources or expertise to share or for more information – call Rebecca at 613-345-5685 ext 2259. For more information on Planet Youth Lanark County in general – and to see the results of the surveys done in February 2022 – visit www.planetyouthlanark.ca

Rideau Valley Conservation Authority 
Aug. 10, 2023

Caution is advised around all waterways in the Rideau Valley Watershed following several large rain events over the last few weeks, with additional rain in the forecast.

Observed rainfall amounts for the last month across the watershed are significantly more than normal. Environment Canada’s short-term weather forecast indicates we may receive an additional 50 to 100 mm of rain over the next 7 days.
 
Water levels and flows in all waterways are generally higher than average for this time of year across the Rideau Valley Watershed. Although no significant riverine flooding is anticipated, water levels and flows are expected to remain seasonally high in all waterways in the Rideau Valley Watershed over the next week.
 
Until the water levels and flows recede, the RVCA advises the public to exercise extreme caution around ALL WATERBODIES AND DAM STRUCTURES and remind children about the dangers of playing near open water. All boaters and swimmers using the Rideau River and other larger water bodies are advised to exercise extreme caution due to much higher flows than normal over the next few days.
 
This watershed conditions statement is in effect until Friday, August 18, 2023 at 5 PM or until an update has been issued.
 

More Information:
Brian Stratton, RVCA Manager Engineering Services
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
613-692-6804, 1-800-267-3504 ext. 1141
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

"Rideau Valley Conservation Authority is a partnership of municipalities within the Rideau Valley watershed created under the Conservation Authorities Act to deliver a range of programs in watershed management and natural resource conservation."

RVCA Watershed Conditions Statements:

• Water Safety – High flows, unstable banks, melting ice or other factors that could be dangerous for recreational users such as anglers, canoeists, hikers, children, pets, etc. Flooding is not expected.

• Flood Outlook – Early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts, calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high winds or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams and/or lakeshore flooding or erosion.

• Flood Watch – Flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individuals in flood prone areas should prepare.

• Flood Warning – Flooding is imminent or already occurring in specific watercourses or municipalities.