Council Highlights

Council recognized Deputy Clerk Elisabeth Vachon, who earned her Diploma in Municipal Administration from the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO). The program is completed on personal time, on top of regular work, and both the Clerk and council congratulated her on the achievement.

Planning consultant Jason Ferrigan of J.L. Richards presented the final draft Background Report for the Cochrane and Suburban Planning Area Official Plan Review. The document has been reworked from a descriptive report into a more strategic one, and it will stay in draft form until the statutory public meeting so new information can still shape it.

Two choices worth knowing about: the Watson growth study, rather than Statistics Canada projections, will be the evidence base for growth decisions; and the plan will pair a generous land supply for growth with more conservative projections on the infrastructure side, so the Town is positioned for opportunity without over-committing money to a high-growth scenario. Council received the report and directed the review to continue.

A companion memo from J.L. Richards calculated the uncommitted reserve capacity of the Town’s water and wastewater treatment plants. The discussion noted Cochrane is using roughly 35 percent of available hydraulic capacity, with room discussed for about 3,000 additional residents on the water side and about 4,000 on the wastewater side. The findings will be carried into the Official Plan Review as the evidence that Cochrane can service future growth.

The Solicitor General has advised municipalities that OPP policing costs will rise by up to 11 percent for 2027, the second consecutive increase of that size, which council discussion placed at roughly $250,000 more for Cochrane and about 22 percent over two years. Members stressed this is a fiscal concern, not a criticism of the police service itself, and raised the lack of explanation or any signal of when the increases end.

Council directed the Mayor to write the Solicitor General about the definitive 2027 increase, and requested that an OPP representative make a public presentation to council with details and justification for the ongoing increases. Council also revisited the idea of showing policing costs as their own line so taxpayers can see what they pay for.

With the clerk’s office running the October 26 municipal election, council cancelled the regular meeting that was scheduled for October 27, the day after voting day, and moved the November 10 meeting earlier; in discussion, council settled on November 4. The council-elect is expected to be sworn in November 15, hold a ceremonial inaugural meeting November 17, and hold its first regular meeting November 24.

Council approved revised fees for the Cochrane Municipal Airport effective January 1, 2027: a $42 landing fee, a $175 call-out fee, and a $300 medivac fee. Staff reported the rates stay competitive with comparable airports in the region, are expected to bring in almost $14,000 in additional annual revenue, and will now be reviewed every year. The Fees and Charges By-law will be amended at a future meeting to formalize the change.

Council passed By-law 2026-78, adopting a new procurement policy for the Town. The policy builds in added value for local businesses in the bidding process, using room provided by provincial legislation, so companies that invest in the community gain an advantage when competing for Town work.

• On consent, council received Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities correspondence on municipal service, U.S. tariffs, bail reform, northern highways, and the Ryam Temiscaming shutdown.
• Council supported a Town of Parry Sound resolution asking the Province for a province-wide e-scooter framework, and a Town of Latchford resolution on railway bridge maintenance along Highway 11.
• Council met in closed session from 6:41 to 7:19 p.m. under s. 239(2)(d) of the Municipal Act for labour relations regarding CUPE Local 71, then rose and reported.