Council

WHEREAS, the Niagara Region, City of St. Catharines, City of Thorold, City of Niagara Falls, City of Welland, Town of Grimsby and City of Hamilton have declared states of emergencies on mental health, homelessness, housing affordability and/or addiction; and WHEREAS, the Township of West Lincoln endorses Niagara Region’s declaration of a federal humanitarian crisis on homelessness in Niagara; and, WHEREAS, the Township of West Lincoln endorse the Town of Grimsby’s motion declaring a housing affordability emergency; and, WHEREAS, the Township of West Lincoln endorse the City of St. Catharines’ motion of condemning the discrimination of the mentally ill, homeless and addiction; and, WHEREAS, the Township of West Lincoln supports the West Lincoln Public Libraries to highlight and showcase more literature on Indigenous wellness; and, WHEREAS, the Township of West Lincoln supports Steven Soos' initiative for an Indigenous mobile mental health crisis unit pilot project for the Niagara Region; and, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Township of West Lincoln declare a state of emergency and crisis on mental health, homelessness, addiction and housing affordability; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, travel to other cities for services continues to be a challenge for several West Lincoln residents and as such the Township of West Lincoln request more funding for the West Lincoln Memorial Hospital, in order for the hospital to be fully staffed/functional hospital with built-in mental h

That the correspondence and resolution presented by Steven Soos, dated June 26, 2023, be

That, the Township of West Lincoln endorse the following Private Member's Bill: (i) Bill C-207 (sponsored by MP Rachel Blaney) - An Act to amend the Canadian Bill of Rights (right to housing). (ii) Bill C-329 (sponsored by MP Heather McPherson) - An Act to establish a national framework respecting attention hyperactivity disorder. (iii) Bill 53 (sponsored by MPP Bhutila Karpoche) - Right to Timely Mental Health and Addiction Care for Children and Youth Act, 2022.

That the resolution presented by Steven Soos regarding the endorsement of the Private Member's Bill, dated June 26, 2023, be

That, the minutes of the May 23, 2023 regular Council meeting be accepted.

WHEREAS, approximately 204,000 Canadians are living with hepatitis C and over 250,000 people are living with hepatitis B; WHEREAS, people living with hepatitis B and C have an increased risk of developing cirrhosis, liver failure and related illnesses; WHEREAS, Ontario has over 110,000 people living with hepatitis B or C, both of which are slow and progressive diseases; and WHEREAS, there are vaccines available for Hepatitis A and B; effective Hepatitis C treatment therapies can cure over 95% of cases; and WHEREAS, World Hepatitis Day provides an opportunity to reach out to millions of Canadians and encourage hepatitis testing, provide treatment and care for those affected while paving the way towards elimination of hepatitis as a public health concern in Canada by 2030; THEREFORE, the Council of the Township of West Lincoln hereby declares July 28th, 2023 World Hepatitis Day in West Lincoln and that Mayor Ganann be and is hereby authorized to forward correspondence to the Niagara Health System, Addiction Services advising of our support.

That, the request received from Tom Jacobs, for Rocket Fireworks to host a fireworks display on August 19, 2023 at 2433 Port Davidson Road, Smithville, be approved pending final approval of the Acting Fire Chief or designate on the day of event.

COUNCIL - June 26, 2023 1. That, the minutes of the open session portion of the June 12, 2023 Planning/Building/Environmental Committee meeting, be accepted, and the recommendations contained therein, be approved; with the exception of Item#(s) _______________; and, 2. That, the confidential minutes relating to the closed session portion of the June 12, 2023 Planning/Building/Environmental Committee meeting be accepted; and that the minutes remain confidential and restricted from public disclosure in accordance with Section 239 of the Municipal Act.

1. That, the minutes of the open session portion of the June 19, 2023 Administration/Finance/Fire Committee meeting, be accepted, and the recommendations contained therein, be approved; with the exception of Item#(s)_________________; and, 2. That, the confidential minutes relating to the closed session portion of the June 19, 2023 Administration/Finance/Fire Committee meeting be accepted; and that the minutes remain confidential and restricted from public disclosure in accordance with Section 239 of the Municipal Act.

That, the minutes of the open session portion of the June 19, 2023 Public Works & Recreation Committee meeting, be accepted, and the recommendations contained therein, be approved; with the exception of Item#(s)_________________.

1. That, Recommendation Report CAO-02-2023 regarding the 2023- 2026 Corporate Strategic Plan, dated June 26, 2023, be received and approved; and, 2. That, the vision option chosen by Council being "Celebrating its rural and agricultural roots, The Township of West Lincoln will be a safe, engaged and vibrant municipality that fosters connections, opportunities and a strong sense of community" be approved; and, 3. That, Mission Option 1, being "The Township of West Lincoln provides responsive municipal services that enhance the quality of life in our community" as outlined in the report be approved; and, COUNCIL - June 26, 2023 4. That, the Corporate Strategic Plan attached as Schedule A to this report be adopted and hereby implemented.

1. That, Recommendation Report T-16-2023 regarding the “Draft Financial Statements and Audit Findings for Year-End 2022”, dated June 26, 2023, be received; and, 2. That, the 2022 Draft Audited Financial Statements, attached as Appendix A to this report, be approved; and, 3. That, the 2022 Audit Findings Report, attached as Appendix B to this report, be received.

1. That, leave be granted to introduce By-law #s 2023-39, 2023-40, 2023-41, 2023-42, 2023-43, 2023-44, 2023-45, 2023-46, 2023-47, 2023-48, 2023- 49, and 2023-50, and that the same shall be considered to have been read a first, second, and third time with one reading, and are hereby adopted; and, 2. That, the Mayor and Clerk be and are hereby authorized to sign and affix the Corporate Seal thereto, any rule of this Council to the contrary notwithstanding.