THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF EAST FERRIS

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

-
Municipal Office Council Chambers
PRESENT:
  • Rick Champagne, Mayor
  • Lauren Rooyakkers, Deputy Mayor
  • Terry Kelly, Councillor
  • Steven Trahan, Councillor
  • Nick Brazeau, Councillor
STAFF PRESENT:
  • Jason Trottier, CAO/Treasurer
  • Kim Rose, Clerk

1.
Call to Order

 

Mayor Champagne called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. 

2.
Adoption of Agenda

 
  • 2025-168
    Moved byCouncillor Brazeau
    Seconded byCouncillor Kelly

    THAT the draft agenda presented to Council and dated the 8th day of July, 2025 be adopted as prepared.

    Carried Mayor Champagne

3.
Accepting the Minutes of the Previous Meeting(s):

 

a.
Approval of Council Minutes: Regular Meeting of June 10th, 2025

This item has attachments. 
1.Regular Meeting Minutes - June 10, 2025.pdf
  • 2025-169
    Moved byCouncillor Trahan
    Seconded byCouncillor Brazeau

    THAT the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of June 10th, 2025 be adopted as circulated.

    Carried Mayor Champagne

4.
Business Arising from the Minutes

 

Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers noted that the Municipality has yet to receive an update from Bell regarding fiber internet. CAO Jason Trottier advised that a representative from Bell will be invited to the August meeting of Council. 

5.
Declarations of Conflict of Interest- Pecuniary Interest Thereof

 

None for this session.

6.
Announcements and Updates from Council Members

 

Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers and Mayor Champagne spoke to the storm that recently hit Mattawa, Calvin and Bonfield. Bonfield Mayor, Narry Paquette thanked East Ferris for their assistance. 

Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers noted the success of Franco-Ontario Flag raising for St. Jean Baptiste Day. A reminder regarding the upcoming youth fishing tournament was given. 

Mayor Champagne advised that the beaver dams on Highway 94 have been cleared by the land owners. Mayor Champagne also advised that new 'bump' signs have been placed at the railway crossing in Corbeil.  

7.
Delegations to Council:

 

a.
Bay Events - Shannon MacCarthy

 

Shannon MacCarthy of Bay Events presented highlights of the 10th Annual East Ferris Tradeshow. Ms. MacCarthy noted that East Ferris saw the largest participation to date, with an increase in vendors to nearly 70 and an attendance of 1300. 

Successes included the Artisan's Way, the magician and the reptile show, as well as the Youth Tradeshow. Areas of improvement for next year include additional signage and mapping. 

b.
Baker Tilly SNT LLP

This item has attachments. 
1.Draft Financial Statements 2024.pdf

Jessica Dion of Baker Tilly, SNT, LLP presented the 2024 Financial Statements as well as a comparative analysis. Ms. Dion noted the exceptional budgeting for 2024, with only a 1.2% deviation.

  • 2025-170
    Moved byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers
    Seconded byCouncillor Trahan

    THAT the Corporation of the Municipality of East Ferris' Financial Statements for the year ended December 31st, 2024, be accepted as prepared and presented by Baker Tilly, SNT, LLP, Municipal Auditors.

    Carried Mayor Champagne

8.
Committee Reports:

 

a.
Public Works and Infrastructure Committee

 

None for this session. Next meeting July 24th, 2025. 

b.
Emergency Management Program Committee

 

None for this session. Next Meeting July 22nd, 2025.

c.
Fire and Emergency Services Committee

 

None for this session.

d.
Planning Advisory Committee

 

None for this session.

e.
Committee of Adjustment

This item has attachments. 
1.Minutes CoA June 18, 2025.pdf

Minutes of June 18th, 2025. 

f.
Recreation, Parks and Culture Committee

 

None for this session. Next Meeting July 15th, 2025.

g.
Striking Committee

 

None for this session.

9.
Board Reports:

 

a.
Library Board

 

None for this session.

b.
OPP Detachment Board

 

1.
East Ferris Quarterly Report

This item has attachments. 
1.Municipality of East Ferris - January - May 2025 Quarterly Report.pdf

Council received the OPP Quarterly Report for East Ferris. 

2.
2025 Annual Report to Council

This item has attachments. 
1.Report No. LNOPPDB Annual Report 2025.pdf

Council received the Annual Report to Council from the Lake Nosbonsing OPP Detachment Board.

c.
Cassellholme, DNSSAB, Health Unit and NBMCA

 

1.
North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit

This item has attachments. 
1.BOH-Minutes-2025-04-23.pdf

Board of Health Minutes of April 23rd, 2025.

10.
Departmental Reports & Resolutions:

 

a.
Verbal discussion re: Arena Roof Project

 

CAO Jason Trottier discussed the roof at the East Ferris Community Centre and noted that the condition of the roof is worse than anticipated. Council, at it's regular meeting of June 10th, 2025 passed Resolution No. 2025-04 to accept a tender bid for a partial roof replacement.

The CAO recommended completing the project in its entirety, phased over 2 years. 

  • 2025-171
    Moved byCouncillor Kelly
    Seconded byCouncillor Brazeau

    THAT the Council for the Municipality of East Ferris approved moving forward with the East Ferris Community Centre roof project in its entirety over the 2025-2026 years; 

    AND FURTHER THAT J.G. Fitzgerald and Sons be awarded the project in the amount of $545,205.00 plus HST. 

    Carried Mayor Champagne

11.
Notice of Motions

 

None for this session.

12.
By-laws:

 

a.
By-law No. 2025-36

This item has attachments. 
1.By-law No. 2025-36 re C-2025-03 - Amend by-law 2021-60.pdf
  • 2025-172
    Moved byCouncillor Trahan
    Seconded byCouncillor Kelly

    WHEREAS Council for the Municipality of East Ferris deems it expedient to pass three readings of the following by-law at this session;

    BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT a By-law to amend By-law No. 2021-60 as amended, (Kearns - Blanche Road), for the purpose of rezoning the property to a Rural zone from the existing Conservation zone) BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-36;

    AND THAT said by-law be signed by the Mayor and Clerk and sealed with the Seal of the Corporation. 

    Carried Mayor Champagne

13.
Correspondence and Information Items:

 

a.
AMO Communications

This item has attachments. 
1.AMO Watchfile June 12, 2025.pdf
2.AMO Watchfile June 19, 2025.pdf
3.AMO Watchfile June 26, 2025.pdf
4.AMO Watchfile July 3rd, 2025.pdf

re: AMO Watchfile of June 12th, 19th and 26th, 2025 and July 3rd, 2025

b.
Township of Black River - Matheson

This item has attachments. 
1.Township of Black River Matheson Firefighter Certification Opposition Letter.pdf

re: Request for Exemption to Proposed Mandatory Firefighter Certification Requirements (O. Reg. 343/22)

  • 2025-173
    Moved byCouncillor Kelly
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers

    THAT the Council of the Municipality of East Ferris supports the Township of Black River-Matheson in their request to the Office of the Fire Marshal and the Ministry of the Solicitor General to :

    1. Defer full implementation of the certification regulation for rural and northern municipalities,
    2. Provide exemptions or alternative compliance pathways tailored to the needs and limitations of small, remote fire services,
    3. Increase funding and training supports for municipalities outside major urban centres. 

    AND FURTHER THAT a copy of this resolution be forwarded to The Honourable Michael Kerzner, Solicitor General, The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, and the Honorable Vic Fedeli, MPP, Nipissing. 

    Carried Mayor Champagne

c.
Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury

This item has attachments. 
1.Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury - Advocacy for Increased Income Support Thresholds for Canadian Veterans.pdf

re: Advocacy for Increased Income Support Thresholds for Canadian Veterans

  • 2025-174
    Moved byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers
    Seconded byCouncillor Brazeau

    That the Council of the Municipality of East Ferris supports the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury in their call on the Government of Canada and all federal parties to increase the eligibility threshold for the Income Replacement Benefit (IRB) program from $20,000 to no less than $40,000 annually for a single-person household; 

    AND THAT Council urges Veterans Affairs Canada to review all income support programs with the intent to modernize eligibility criteria in line with the current cost of living across Canada;

    AND FURTHER THAT this motion be forwarded to the Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, the Honourable Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs, and the Honourable Pauline Rochefort, MP for the Nipissing-Timiskaming District. 

    Carried Mayor Champagne

d.
Township of Georgian Bay

This item has attachments. 
1.Township of Georgian Bay - Floating Accommodations - Position Paper.pdf
2.Township of Georgian Bay FAPP_V7.0.pdf

re: Floating Accommodations

e.
Prince Edward County

This item has attachments. 
1.Prince Edward County Disability without Poverty.pdf

re: Disability without Poverty

f.
Municipality of Tweed

This item has attachments. 
1.Municipality of Tweed Blue Box Producers.pdf

re: Blue Box Producers O.Reg. 391/21

  • 2025-175
    Moved byCouncillor Trahan
    Seconded byCouncillor Brazeau

    THAT the Council of the Municipality of East Ferris supports the the Municipality of Tweed in their request that the province amend Ontario Regulation 391/21:Blue Box so that producers are responsible for the end of-life management of recycling product from all sources;

    AND FURTHER THAT this resolution be forwarded to the Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, the Honourable Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation, and the Honorable Vic Fedeli, MPP for the Nipissing District. 

    Carried Mayor Champagne

g.
Jeff Miller

This item has attachments. 
1.Voyageur 200 Gravel Bike Race.pdf

re: The Voyageur 200 Gravel Bike Race - Request for Donation

  • 2025-176
    Moved byCouncillor Brazeau
    Seconded byCouncillor Trahan

    WHEREAS the Voyageur 200 Gravel Bike Race is returning to the Municipality of East Ferris on Saturday, August 16, 2025, as a charity cycling event in support of the North Bay Regional Health Centre Foundation; 

    AND WHEREAS the event has already raised $8,000 in support of patients undergoing rehabilitation from heart health and stroke-related conditions, including Aphasia; 

    AND WHEREAS the race is organized by local volunteers in partnership with Discovery Routes and offers a unique cycling experience through East Ferris and surrounding areas, promoting health, tourism, and community spirit; 

    AND WHEREAS the organizers have requested financial support of $500 to assist with event-related expenses such as hall rental, catering, permit fees, safety planning, and temporary signage, as well as assistance with traffic control and public notice distribution;

    NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Municipality of East Ferris hereby supports the Voyageur 200 Gravel Bike Race and approves a donation in the amount of $500 toward the 2025 event;

    AND FURTHER THAT a copy of this resolution be provided to the organizers of the Voyageur 200.

    Carried Mayor Champagne

14.
Action Items:

 

a.
Approval of Correspondence and Information Circulated with the Agenda

 
  • 2025-177
    Moved byCouncillor Kelly
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers

    THAT Council approve the Correspondence and Information as circulated with the agenda of July 8, 2025.

    Carried Mayor Champagne

15.
Approval of Accounts Payable

 
  • 2025-178
    Moved byCouncillor Brazeau
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers

    THAT Council approve the general accounts for the Municipality of East Ferris as indicated in the cheque register(s) dated July 8, 2025 in the amount of $1,084,442.65.

    Carried Mayor Champagne

16.
Other Business

 

a.
Terms of Reference - Boards and Committees (Discussion)

 

Mayor Champagne recommended that the mandate of the Parks, Recreation & Culture Committee be amended to focus on Municipal events. Councillor Trahan advised that this item will be brought forward to the Committee meeting of July 15th, 2025. 

b.
Daycare (Discussion)

 

Mayor Champagne advised that he met with the YMCA in regards to childcare and associated costs. CAO, Jason Trottier noted that the funding opportunities are limited for new builds. Mayor Champagne will continue to research options. 

17.
In Camera (if required)

 

None for this session.

18.
Confirmatory By-law

 

a.
By-law No. 2025-37: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Reading

This item has attachments. 
1.By-law No. 2025-37 Confirmatory - June 10th, 2025 to July 8th, 2025.pdf
  • 2025-179
    Moved byCouncillor Trahan
    Seconded byCouncillor Kelly

    WHEREAS Council for the Municipality of East Ferris deems it expedient to pass three readings of the following by-law at this session;

    BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT a By-law to confirm the proceedings of Council from June 10th, 2025 to July 8th, 2025, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-37;

    AND THAT said by-law be signed by the Mayor and Clerk and sealed with the Seal of the Corporation.

    Carried Mayor Champagne

19.
Adjournment

 
  • 2025-180
    Moved byCouncillor Brazeau
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers

    THAT we do now adjourn at 7:12 p.m. and meet again on August 12th, 2025.

    Carried Mayor Champagne
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