Warden ‘more optimistic than ever’ about intersection upgrade
Warden Hilda MacDonald in her opening remarks Wednesday summarized the County’s advocacy delegations at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association conference in Toronto.
But first, the Warden praised the County’s Manager of Planning Services, Rebecca Belanger, for being asked to join an expert panel at ROMA that addressed strategies for managing rural land in front of representatives from more than 300 Ontario rural municipalities. The County’s award-winning Official Plan is the envy of Ontario, the Warden said, and Belanger’s inclusion on the expert panel is a testament to the quality of her work and the high calibre of County employees.
The County on Monday delegated to Ministry of Transportation officials, seeking provincial support in expediting the construction of a grade-separated interchange at the intersection of County Road 22 and County Road 19.
“There are no red lights on the road to regional prosperity and improving this intersection would facilitate the construction of thousands of homes and promote commercial and industrial development, creating jobs and diversifying our economy,” said MacDonald.
“Our presentation was well received by ministry officials, and we are more optimistic than ever that the provincial government will partner with us on this vital infrastructure project.”
On Tuesday, the Warden said, she, CAO Sandra Zwiers and Essex-Windsor EMS Chief Justin Lammers met with Minister of Health Sylvia Jones and advocated on the need to optimize the new priority ambulance dispatch system coming to Windsor-Essex. Local MPPs Andrew Dowie, Anthony Leardi and Trevor Jones also attended the meeting.
“We made a compelling case that embedding clinicians in the dispatch centre would improve triage accuracy, optimize resource deployment amid ever-increasing call volumes, and ensure residents get the right care in the right place at the right time,” said MacDonald.
The Warden closed her remarks by thanking County of Essex snow clearing crews for their hard work and dedication as winter batters the region with cold, ice and snow.
Newly opened HART Hub updates Council on its services
Council voted to receive a report regarding updates on the newly opened HART (Homeless and Addiction Recovery Treatment) Hub in Essex County.
In 2024 Ontario’s Ministry of Health aimed to launch 27 “HART Hubs” across the province, to (a) improve access to recovery and treatment services for those facing housing instability, mental-health and substance-abuse challenges, and (b) to connect such people to a range of comprehensive treatment and recovery services, including primary care, mental-health services, addictions care, social services and employment support. In autumn of 2024, the County was one of 20 local agencies that banded together to request a provincially funded HART Hub for this region. The request was approved, and this area’s HART Hub opened less than two months ago, on November 28, 2025.
A collaborative network of area clinical, social service and care providers are connecting affected individuals with the supports they need, when they need them, according to a Council report. Those supports include mental health services; primary care; food and nutrition services; a safe living environment including beds; addictions treatment groups and peer support; and supportive housing support services.
Read the report!
CAO’s Annual Report highlights achievements and priorities
Council voted to receive the 2025 Annual CAO Report. In it, County CAO Zwiers highlighted organizational achievements, challenges and priorities, ensuring alignment with the County’s Strategic Plan covering the years 2024-27.
Topics covered in the CAO’s year-in-review include leadership and governance, regional collaboration and advocacy, organizational engagement and service delivery, and reporting to Council.
The CAO also listed items of focus for the new year, which will include a new term of Council.
Read the report!
Council updated on Regional Employment Land Strategy
Council voted to receive a report from the County’s Planning Services department containing information necessary for Council to make an informed decision on proceeding with a regional employment land strategy (RELS) and voted to authorize funding a $63,500 budget shortfall to support awarding the consulting services contract to Watson & Associates Economists Ltd.
Read the report!
Council approves bid to co-host AMO conference, 2028-31
Council approved a proposal to support Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island’s submission to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) for the City of Windsor and County of Essex to be considered as the host municipalities for the AMO Annual Conference for 2028, 2029, 2030 and 2031.
Windsor, together with the County of Essex, hosted the AMO Annual Conference in 2010 and 2016, both times with great success. The 2016 conference was particularly impactful, injecting an estimated $3 million into the Windsor-Essex regional economy. County Administration supports the new proposal, and Council authorized the CAO to co-sign the bid document along with the CAO of the City of Windsor.
Read the report!
Notice of Motion on Green Bin Program
Councillor Sherry Bondy introduced a Notice of Motion for the Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority to provide Council with information in writing on the cost and effectiveness of the program along with information about past and future public education campaigns.
The Notice of Motion will be debated at a future meeting of Council.
