From the Council Chambers – July 8, 2025
Elgin County Council met earlier this week for both their Council Meeting and Committee of the Whole Meeting. Here are some key takeaways:
Council Meeting – Council meetings focus on urgent matters, final approvals, and updates for public information.
Preserving the Past, Engaging the Present: Museum & Archives Report
From captivating exhibitions to major digitization initiatives, the 2025 Museum and Archives Activity Report showcased the outstanding work being done to preserve and share Elgin County’s heritage.
This year’s exhibitions included Through the Lens: Photography in Elgin County and Jumbomania, which commemorates the 140th anniversary of Jumbo’s death. A wide range of programs and events attracted visitors of all ages, from school groups to historical societies, while outreach activities such as the Green Screen photo booth, library displays, and travelling exhibits brought history to communities across the County.
The Archives team advanced several large-scale digitization projects in 2025, scanning more than 26,000 newspaper pages to date. Since the launch of the initiative in 2019, over 600 years’ worth of newspapers have been digitized. The Archives also reached new audiences online, with nearly 5.7 million people engaging with content across social media platforms in 2024.
Behind these achievements is a dedicated team committed to preserving Elgin’s past and making it accessible and engaging for all. Council received the report with appreciation for their efforts and enthusiasm for the year ahead.
For the full Council Agenda, click here.
Committee of the Whole Meeting (COTW) – COTW meetings are held directly following Council and focus on detailed discussions and reviewing reports. Decisions on the following matters will be finalized at the August 12th Council Meeting:
Elgin to Acquire Decontamination Trailer Through Provincial Grant
Elgin County will enhance its emergency response capacity with the addition of a provincially funded decontamination trailer. The unit will be used by local fire departments in the event of hazardous material exposure, particularly incidents related to legacy oil and gas wells.
The purchase is part of a broader initiative involving eight municipalities across Southwestern Ontario. Led by the County of Brant and funded through the Province’s Legacy Oil & Gas Well Collaborative Action Plan, the project aims to improve regional readiness for large-scale gas release events. Each participating municipality will acquire a specialized trailer for either triage or decontamination purposes.
Elgin’s trailer will be sourced from Canadian Safety Equipment, the only supplier identified by the working group as capable of meeting the project’s technical and regulatory requirements. The $136,000 purchase is fully covered by grant funding.
Impact on Elgin County Taxpayers:
The trailer is being acquired at no cost to the County through a provincial grant.
Committee Considers Contract for Administration Building Upgrades
The Committee of the Whole reviewed a staff recommendation to award the contract for cladding, window, and door replacement at the County Administration Building to Alpeza General Contracting Inc., following a competitive tender process.
This project is part of the 2025 Capital Budget and represents a major investment in the continued functionality of the 86-year-old facility. The scope includes an overclad of the building’s exterior with aluminum composite panels, new double-glazed windows, and updated doors. Additional improvements such as roller window shades and refreshed finishes were also proposed to complete the project.
The recommended contract total is $2.79 million, with separate additional work estimated at $205,600. Total project costs are expected to remain well within the $5.3 million allocated budget.
Impact on Elgin County Taxpayers:
No additional financial impact is anticipated. The project is expected to be delivered within the approved capital budget.
Committee Discusses Next Steps for the Aylmer Library’s Future Location
The Committee reviewed two reports related to the future of the Aylmer branch of the Elgin County Library: one outlining the results of a public consultation and another responding to a Letter of Intent from Aylmer Town Council to expand the current Old Town Hall site.
The County’s consultation included a public open house, online engagement, and a survey that received 224 responses. Results showed divided opinions on relocating the library to the East Elgin Community Complex (EECC), with 52.7% in favour. Based on these findings, the Committee supported a recommendation to seek a formal commitment from the EECC Board to accommodate the library relocation beginning in 2028 and to begin discussions on capital needs and lease terms.
The Committee also reviewed Aylmer’s proposal to expand the Old Town Hall. While staff recognized it as a positive development, they noted that additional details are still needed. Specifically, more information is required on the square footage allocated for library use and the proposed construction start date, in order for the County to fully evaluate the proposal under its Library Branch Construction Policy. The Committee supported a recommendation to request these clarifications before the proposal can be formally considered.
For the full Committee of the Whole Agenda, click here.