THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF EAST FERRIS

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

5:00 P.m. - 7:00 P.m.

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

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1.

Call to Order

2.

Adoption of Agenda

• 2026-01
  Moved by Councillor Kelly
  Seconded by Councillor Brazeau

  THAT the draft agenda presented to Council and dated the 13th day of January, 2026 be adopted as prepared.

  Carried Mayor Champagne

3.

Accepting the Minutes of the Previous Meeting(s):

a.

Approval of Council Minutes: Regular Meeting of December 9th, 2025

• 2026-02
  Moved by Councillor Brazeau
  Seconded by Councillor Trahan

  THAT the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of December 9th, 2025 be adopted as circulated.

  Carried Mayor Champagne

4.

Business Arising from the Minutes

None for this session.

5.

Declarations of Conflict of Interest- Pecuniary Interest Thereof

None for this session.

6.

Announcements and Updates from Council Members

Mayor Champagne thanked all those in attendance to hear the delegation. Mayor Champagne also reminded the public that the East Ferris Winter Carnival is taking place from February 12th to 15th, 2026 and encouraged everyone to attend. 

7.

Delegations to Council:

a.

Seniors Villas of East Ferris 

East Ferris Seniors Villa Board Members Debra Stone, Martine Lavoie and Donna St. Martin made a presentation to Council regarding the potential opportunity for funding under the Canada Builds Homes Fund (presentation attached to and forming part of these minutes).

Members of Council and staff will attend a virtual information session held by the Federal Government for further information. 

A report to Council will come forward at the next regular session of Council, January 27th, 2026. 

8.

Committee Reports:

a.

Public Works and Infrastructure Committee

None for this session.

b.

Emergency Management Program Committee

1.

Emergency Management Program Committee Minutes of December 11th, 2025

c.

Fire and Emergency Services Committee

None for this session.

d.

Planning Advisory Committee

None for this session. Next meeting: January 21st, 2026.

e.

Committee of Adjustment

None for this session. Next meeting: January 21st, 2026.

f.

Recreation, Parks and Culture Committee

None for this session.

g.

Striking Committee

1.

Minutes of December 15th, 2025

2.

Recommendation(s) from Minutes

The Clerk advised that the successful candidate is no longer available to fill the position. The Striking Committee will bring forward a recommendation to fill the vacancy on the Recreation, Parks & Events Committee at a future meeting of Council. 

9.

Board Reports:

a.

Library Board

Minutes of January 5th, 2026.

1.

Library Board Vacancies

Resignation of Lisa Dupuis & Donna St. Martin

• 2026-03
  Moved by Councillor Trahan
  Seconded by Councillor Kelly

  THAT Council for the Municipality of East Ferris accepts the resignations of Lisa Dupuis and Donna St. Martin from the East Ferris Public Library Board, effective immediately; 

  AND THAT staff be directed to advertise the vacancies on the East Ferris Public Library Board, noting that the positions are effective for the remainder of the Council Term. 

  Carried Mayor Champagne

b.

OPP Detachment Board

None for this session.

c.

Cassellholme, DNSSAB, Health Unit and NBMCA

1.

District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board

Minutes of November 26th, 2025.

10.

Departmental Reports & Resolutions:

a.

Report No. COMM-2026-01 re: Official Plan Subdivision Policies

• 2026-04
  Moved by Councillor Trahan
  Seconded by Councillor Brazeau

  That Council for the Corporation of the Municipality of East Ferris direct staff to prepare amendments to the subdivision policies in the East Ferris Official Plan, specifically section 5.5.6, and bring them forward to the East Ferris Planning Advisory Committee for review.

  Carried Mayor Champagne

11.

Notice of Motions

None for this session.

12.

By-laws:

a.

By-law No. 2026-01: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Readings

Being a by-law to levy interim tax rates and charges for the year 2026.

• 2026-05
  Moved by Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers
  Seconded by Councillor Brazeau

  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 levy Interim Tax Rates and Charges, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2026-01;
  
  AND THAT said by-law be signed by the Mayor and Clerk and sealed with the Seal of the Corporation.

  Carried Mayor Champagne

b.

By-law No. 2026-02: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Readings

Being a by-law to authorize temporary borrowing from time to time to meet current expenditures during the fiscal year ending December 31st, 2026.

• 2026-06
  Moved by Councillor Kelly
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers

  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 authorize temporary borrowing from time to time to meet current expenditures during the fiscal year ending December 31st, 2026, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2026-02;
  
  AND THAT said by-law be signed by the Mayor and Clerk and sealed with the Seal of the Corporation.

  Carried Mayor Champagne

c.

By-law No. 2026-03: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Readings

Being a by-law to set 2026 tax ratios for prescribed property classes. 

• 2026-07
  Moved by Councillor Kelly
  Seconded by Councillor Trahan

  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 set 2026 Tax Ratios for prescribed property classes, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2026-03;
  
  AND THAT said by-law be signed by the Mayor and Clerk and sealed with the Seal of the Corporation.

  Carried Mayor Champagne

d.

By-law No. 2026-04: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Readings

Being a by-law to authorize a temporary use under Sections 34 and 39 of the Planning Act, RSO 1990.

• 2026-08
  Moved by Councillor Trahan
  Seconded by Councillor Brazeau

  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 authorize a temporary use under Sections 34 and 39 of the Planning Act, RSO 1990, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2026-04;
  
  AND THAT said by-law be signed by the Mayor and Clerk and sealed with the Seal of the Corporation.

  Carried Mayor Champagne

e.

By-law No. 2026-05: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Readings

Being a by-law to appoint David G. Boghosian, Boghosian & Allen LLP, as the Integrity Commissioner for the Municipality of East Ferris.

• 2026-09
  Moved by Councillor Trahan
  Seconded by Councillor 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 appoint David G. Boghosian as the Integrity Commissioner for the Municipality of East Ferris, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2026-05;
  
  AND THAT said by-law be signed by the Mayor and Clerk and sealed with the Seal of the Corporation.

  Carried Mayor Champagne

f.

By-law No. 2026-06: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Readings

Being a by-law to authorize an agreement between the Corporation of the Municipality of East Ferris and His Majesty the King in Right of Ontario as represented by the Office of the Fire Marshal.

• 2026-10
  Moved by Councillor Brazeau
  Seconded by Councillor Trahan

  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 to authorize an agreement between the Corporation of the Municipality of East Ferris and His Majesty the King in Right of Ontario as represented by the Office of the Fire Marshal, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2026-06;
  
  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.

Office of the Solicitor General

re: OPP Billing Statements

b.

Office of the Solicitor General

re: 2026 Pre-Budget Consultation Submission

c.

Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

re: Municipal Project Assessment Process

d.

Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities

re: Media Release - Securing the Future of Northern Ontario's Forestry Economy

e.

AMO Communications

re: Watchfile of December 11th and 18th, 2025 and January 8th, 2026

f.

Municipality of Magnetawan

re: Invest Ready Grant Funding Criteria 

• 2026-11
  Moved by Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers
  Seconded by Councillor Kelly

  THAT the Council of the Municipality of East Ferris supports the Municipality of Magnetawan, urging the Province of Ontario to revise its grant funding criteria to recognize and accept alternative servicing methods as eligible infrastructure, and to ensure that rural and northern municipalities lacking municipal gas, water, and wastewater systems are not excluded from support. 

  AND FURTHER THAT this resolution be forwarded to Premier Doug Ford, the Minister of Finance, and the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

  Carried Mayor Champagne

g.

Township of Nairn and Hyman

re: Support for Steel and Lumber Sectors

h.

The Steel Rail Group

re: Ontario Heritage Provincial Plaque & Museum Project - Donation Request
This item was deferred to 2026 Budget meetings.

14.

Action Items:

a.

Approval of Correspondence and Information Circulated with the Agenda

• 2026-12
  Moved by Councillor Brazeau
  Seconded by Councillor Trahan

  THAT Council approve the Correspondence and Information as circulated with the agenda of January 13th, 2026.

  Carried Mayor Champagne

b.

2026 Council Conferences: Attendance Approval

• 2026-13
  Moved by Councillor Brazeau
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers

  WHEREAS the following conferences are being held in 2026: 

  • Rural Ontario Municipal Association: Sheraton Centre, Toronto, January 18th - 20th, 2026
  • Good Roads: Fairmont Royal York, March 29th - April 1st, 2026
  • Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities: Timmins, May 11th - 13th, 2026
  • Association of Municipalities of Ontario: Westin Ottawa, August 16th - 19th, 2026

  AND WHEREAS Council uses these conferences as opportunities to liaise with federal and provincial government officials, network with similar municipalities and learn about opportunities available to East Ferris; 

  NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT all members of Council be approved to attend the 4 conferences listed above in 2026. 

  Carried Mayor Champagne

c.

2026 Council Memberships

• 2026-14
  Moved by Councillor Kelly
  Seconded by Councillor Brazeau

  THAT Council approves the 2026 Memberships Listing as circulated.

  Carried Mayor Champagne

15.

Approval of Accounts Payable

• 2026-15
  Moved by Councillor Trahan
  Seconded by Councillor Kelly

  THAT Council approve the general accounts for the Municipality of East Ferris as indicated in the cheque register(s) dated January 13th, 2026 in the amount of $987,250.05.

  Carried Mayor Champagne

16.

Other Business

None for this session.

17.

In Camera (if required)

None for this session.

18.

Confirmatory By-law

a.

By-law No. 2025-07: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Reading

• 2026-16
  Moved by Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers
  Seconded by Councillor Brazeau

  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 December 9th, 2025 to January 13th, 2026, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2026-07;

  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

• 2026-17
  Moved by Councillor Trahan
  Seconded by Councillor Brazeau

  THAT we do now adjourn at 6:25 p.m. and meet again on January 27th, 2026.

  Carried Mayor Champagne