Grey County Council and Committee of the Whole — Wednesday, September 10, 2026
Aggregate policy review directed — Council directed staff to prepare a report on the cost and feasibility of a standalone aggregate resource policy and mapping review ahead of the 2027 official plan process. The motion, moved by Councillor Hutchinson and seconded by Councillor Dobrin, carried after a lengthy delegation from the Sogine Preservation Society Inc. (SPSI), whose president Judy Smelko cited policy gaps exposed by three active licence applications in West Grey — including failures to assess cumulative impacts and cross-boundary effects on the Sogine River. The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH), representing more than 9,000 local members, backed the call. Grey County holds roughly 60% of southern Ontario’s aggregate resources, 139 active licences, and extraction authority exceeding 25 million tonnes annually; water-taking permits tied to aggregate operations total approximately 138 million litres per day, roughly double all municipal water-taking permits combined. Staff said the report would target delivery early in the incoming council’s term, prior to the official plan kickoff. Councillor Neill voted against, citing election timing concerns.
Industrial re-designation approved — Committee approved County Official Plan Amendment No. 28, re-designating West Grey lands to Industrial Business Park Settlement Area to permit expansion of snow-plow manufacturer Viking Surveys (3,900 sq. m building, outdoor staging for up to 450 truck bodies) and relocation of gazebo maker Yardistry (4,600 sq. m building). Applicant Harry By of HBy Construction appeared with planner Chelsea Brooks of MHBC Planning. The Deputy Warden declared a conflict of interest — principals are family members — and recused. A by-law to adopt OPA 28 will be prepared for council. Committee later moved into closed session for solicitor-client privilege advice on the file.
Conservation authority governance — Council endorsed staff comments on ERO posting 0260740, which would restructure provincial conservation authority boards and reduce Grey County’s municipal representation from 17 seats to three elected representatives. Staff flagged that larger urban municipalities would hold disproportionate control of the Lake Huron Regional CA board despite representing less than a quarter of the watershed area. Motion carried.
Conference expense policy — The updated councillor conference and seminar expense policy was endorsed, effective November 15, 2026, at the start of the next council term. Key changes include actual-receipt meal reimbursement with a $75 daily cap (replacing differentiated Warden/councillor per diems), a $500 annual online course allowance, and expanded conference eligibility tied to county strategic priorities. A motion to defer the policy to incoming council until April 2027, moved by Councillor Gray and seconded by Councillor Mackay, failed.
By-laws and brief items — By-laws 5302–5304/26 passed all three readings, amending the off-road vehicle by-law, adopting a new land acquisition and disposition policy, and providing confirmation. Grey Roots Museum and Archives will close September 15 through October 14 for flat-roof replacement covering all exhibit space; memberships will be extended for the full closure. A community safety zone review for Feversham on Grey Road 2 was referred to the next traffic by-law update following a request from Grey Highlands, with Councillor McQueen noting new truck traffic from a nearby industrial water-taking plant and a recently reactivated school. Council also issued a letter of support for Safe and Sound’s Ontario Trillium Foundation application to continue the Neighbourhood Response Team, carried despite concerns from Councillor Greg about missing data from Owen Sound Bylaw and Police Services.