Council Priorities 2022-2026

Since taking office, Council has made it a priority to help the community with things that matter such as physician recruitment, housing, investing in improving roads infrastructure and services, protecting the City’s natural beauty and implementing the Climate Change Action Plan.

Actions to date include:

• Provided supportive funding to community agencies such as Information Orillia, the Mariposa Folk Foundation, Orillia and Area Physician Recruitment, Sustainable Orillia, etc. 
• Working with the County of Simcoe on a Housing Attainable Supply Action Plan.
• Increased the Affordable Housing Reserve contribution annually from $100,000 to $200,000.
• Approved  the creation and hiring a Housing Coordinator position.
• Put a high priority on improving roads and sidewalks throughout the city, doubling funding for annual programming to $3 million.
• Approved Laclie Street Reconstruction Project (Phase 1) as part of its $15 million plus investment in roads and infrastructure for 2023. 
• Awarded over $125,000 in grant funding through the City’s Affordable Housing Incentives Program to increase the supply of affordable housing units.
• Received Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.
• Climate Change Action Plan directives:
  • Approved  the creation and hiring a Climate Change Action Plan Coordinator position.
  • Approved Sustainable Environmental Procurement Policy project
  • Approved  Orillia City Centre Building Automation System
  • Approved more water bottle filling stations at City facilities
  • Approved greenhouse gas facility audits and condition assessments
  • Approved Flood Plain Mapping project
  • Provided funding for Sustainable Orillia
  • Approved Transit Electrification and Zero Emissions Study

Since taking office, Council has made it a priority to look at ways to help our most vulnerable, such as those facing homelessness, mental health and the opioid crisis and supporting community-based policing initiatives for safer streets.

Actions to date include:

• Increased the Affordable Housing Reserve contribution annually from $100,000 to $200,000.
• Approved the creation and hiring a Housing Coordinator position.
• Provided funding for the Orillia Overnight Warming Centre. 
• Established a Opioid and Homelessness Task Force.
• Approved implementing senior transit fare discounts. 
• Formally established the Orillia Food Committee as a permanent Committee of Council.
• Adopted a Recreation Financial Assistance Program for a two-year pilot program beginning January 1, 2024. 

Since taking office, Council has made it a priority to look at ways to strengthen community participation/engagement through equity, diversity, inclusion and truth and reconciliation.

Actions to date include:

• Recognized National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Sept. 30) as a Statutory Holiday.
• Implemented City-wide customer service enhancements (i.e. extended hours pilot, website enhancements, online access to services, etc.).
• Approved Council Chamber accessibility/technology updates to make Council meetings more accessible to all.

Since taking office, Council has made business retention and expansion and culture a priority.

Actions to date include:

• Supported the creation of an economic development strategy.
• Committed to funding of over $130,000 over five years to support the Mariposa Folk Festival.
• Authorized amendments to the City's by-law to open the doors for more ride-sharing opportunities.
• Endorsed Innovation Collective and allocated $500,000 from the Innovation Hub Reserve to administer the Innovation Collective three-year pilot project.
• Established an Economic Development Services Working Group.
• Adopted the Art in Public Places Strategic Plan in principle.
• Authorized amendments to the City's by-law to allow mobile ice cream trucks on city streets.
• Establishing a Lightfoot Museum Working Group