Elgin County Council
Elgin County Warden and Council
Elgin County Council is comprised of nine (9) Members. This includes the Mayors from each of Elgin’s seven (7) Local Municipal Partners and the Deputy Mayors of the Municipality of Central Elgin and the Township of Malahide.
The Warden or Head of Council is elected by Elgin County Council from amongst the Members of Council on an annual basis. The Deputy Warden position is held by the most immediate past Warden, who is a current member of Council.
Elgin County Council Members
Mayor of the Township of Southwold
Mayor of the Municipality of Bayham
Mayor of the Township of Malahide
Deputy Mayor of the Township of Malahide
Mayor of the Town of Aylmer
Mayor of the Municipality of Central Elgin
Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Central Elgin
Mayor of the Municipality of Dutton Dunwich
Mayor of the Municipality of West Elgin
Warden and Councillor Contacts
As the head of County Council, Warden Jones’ responsibilities include acting as chair of Council meetings, providing leadership to Council, representing the County at official functions, acting as the County’s spokesperson, and much more.
Contact: gjones@elgin.ca | 519-671-0182
This is Deputy Warden Ketchabaw’s first term serving as the Deputy Warden. He was the Elgin County Warden in 2023 and 2024.
Contact: eketchabaw@elgin.ca | 519-619-8432
Contact: dgiguere@elgin.ca | 548-888-6252
Contact: mwidner@elgin.ca | 519-773-2426
Contact: jcouckuyt@elgin.ca | 519-773-3164 ext 4903
Contact: asloan@elgin.ca | 519-868-8355
Contact: toddnoble@elgin.ca | 519-636-6608
Contact: mhentz@elgin.ca | 519-476-1213
Contact: rleatham@elgin.ca | 519-494-1162
Minutes & Agendas
Upcoming Council & Committee Agendas can be accessed by clicking on the links in the schedule below. For a full list of 2025 County Council Meetings, please click the button below:
Previous Council & Committee Agendas and all Council & Committee Minutes (from 2023 – 2025) can be accessed below under the “Past Meeting” section by expanding the tabs for the meeting type.
All Elgin County Council minutes, agendas, and by-laws (from 1852 – Present Day) are available through our Laserfiche Platform (external site).
2025 Agendas & Minutes Schedule
Council Meeting Videos
Elgin County Council Meetings are live-streamed on our Elgin County Facebook page (external site)
Past Council meeting videos are also available on the Elgin County Youtube Channel (external site)
Accessible formats are available upon request, please contact: communications@elgin.ca
From The Council Chambers
Don’t have enough time to read through the entire County Council Agenda package or watch the whole video? Below are meeting highlights for all Council meetings held in 2024 and 2025
Elgin County Boards and Committees of Council
Committees of Council are specialized groups appointed by Elgin County Council to address specific issues or tasks. These Committees typically consist of members of Elgin County Council and appointed members of the public who bring diverse perspectives and expertise to the table. They play a crucial role in the decision-making process by thoroughly examining proposed policies, conducting research, and making recommendations to Council as a whole.
Corporation of the County of Elgin Committee By-Law
2025 Council Committee Appointments
Agendas and Minutes for Past and Future Board and Committee Meetings are available on the Council and Committees Agendas and Minutes Page.
Recordings of Committee meetings are also available on our YouTube channel.
The Finance Committee is a Standing Committee of Council that advises and makes recommendations to Council regarding financial strategy and policy direction as well as the fulfillment of Council’s oversight responsibilities relative to County financial reporting, external audit requirements, asset management, internal controls and compliance with financial regulations and polices.
Elgin County Finance Committee Terms of Reference
Learn more about our most recent budget (external link) and have your say!
The purpose of this Committee is to examine issues, challenges and opportunities resulting from the Province’s strategic investments in the region.
- Develop a strategy for managing growth throughout the County, which includes managing the challenges and leveraging the benefits associated with that growth.
- Identify key infrastructure needs in the region to facilitate growth.
- Work to ensure that the County, the Local Municipal Partners, the City of St. Thomas as well as the Provincial and Federal governments work collectively for the benefit of the region and all its residents and businesses.
- Promote a holistic view to the planning and coordination of growth throughout the County.
- Demonstrate County Council’s commitment to responsible and sustainable growth that considers financial and environmental factors.
- Work to ensure that investment in growth is proportional to the benefit derived from growth and, conversely, that those who benefit from growth proportionally invest.
Growth Planning and Steering Committee Terms of Reference (PDF)
Ontario’s Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021 requires that the Council of a municipality establishing and maintaining municipal homes must appoint a Committee of Management to oversee the management of the Homes.
The role of the Committee of Management is to provide governance oversight of the management of the three County of Elgin long-term care homes. The Committee of Management is broadly responsible for ensuring that the Home(s):
- Complies with applicable legislation
- Meets the requirements of the funding from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
- Maintains appropriate service standards for the residents
- Provides oversight of finance, audits and general operations
Homes Committee of Management Terms of Reference
Human Resources Committee Terms of Reference
The County of Elgin and the Municipality of Central Elgin have formed a Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee (JAAC). Accessibility Advisory Committee’s are only required for municipalities with a population of 10,000 or more. The JAAC meets approximately five times per year and the majority of the committee is represented by people with disabilities.
The JAAC provides advice to County Council and its Local Municipal Partners on the identification, elimination, and prevention of barriers faced by people with disabilities, and liaises with the community to improve accessibility and inclusivity throughout Elgin County. The Committee also provides advice to County Council on the various legislative requirements and implementation of the accessibility standards, to ensure full compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA).
Committee Members
Community Appointees
Jenn Salverda
Tom Marks
Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee Terms of Reference (PDF)
Learn more about accessibility at Elgin County
The purpose of the Rural Initiatives & Planning Advisory Committee is to promote the viability of agriculture and rural affairs in the County and throughout the Province and to examine issues such as, but not limited to: the challenges of the global economy on local agricultural practices; the viability of schools in rural communities; and, alternative sources of economic development in rural areas. The Rural Initiatives and Planning Advisory Committee is also responsible for administering the Community Grant Program.
Committee Members
Community Appointees
Donna Lunn
Rural Initiatives and Planning Advisory Committee Terms of Reference (PDF)
The Terrace Lodge Redevelopment Fundraising Committee is a subcommittee of the Terrace Lodge Redevelopment Steering Committee. The purpose of the Fundraising Committee is to plan, coordinate, implement and evaluate fund development activities in support of the operational and “value added” revenue generation in support of the Terrace Lodge Redevelopment Project.
Committee Members
Community Appointees
Sarah Leitch, Councillor – Township of Malahide
Amarilis Drouillard, Councillor – Municipality of Dutton Dunwich
Jamie Chapman, Community Member
Wendy Carmichael, Community Member
Jim Jenkins, Community Member
Kathryn Desrosiers, Councillor – Town of Aylmer
Terrace Lodge Redevelopment Fundraising Committee Terms of Reference (PDF)
Project Summary Presentation (PDF)
Terrace Lodge Redevelopment Steering Committee Terms of Reference
Delegations
Delegations are opportunities for members of the public to make brief presentations to Council or a Committee of Council. An individual may make a delegation at any Meeting of Council related to an item of business on the agenda.
To speak as a delegation at a Council or Committee meeting please complete the form below at least eight (8) days prior to the date of the Council or Committee meeting.
The Clerk will review all requests. Once the request is approved, the Clerk will notify you of the date of your presentation.
Delegation Request Application
Frequently Asked Questions
- Complete the delegation request application.
- The Clerk will provide you with the information needed in order to participate in the meeting.
- Any person or groups of persons wishing to address Council is required to make the necessary arrangements through the CAO/Clerk, at least eight (8) days prior to the date of the Council Meeting.
- Please submit your written materials using the form above, or email your presentation to the Deputy County Clerk (kthompson@elgin.ca).
- Materials must be submitted five (5) days prior to the Council Meeting.
- A delegation shall be limited to a maximum of fifteen (15) minutes.
- A delegation consisting of more than five (5) persons shall be limited to two speakers and to a total time limitation of fifteen (15) minutes for the delegation presentation.
- No more than four (4) delegations shall be scheduled to address Council at any Regular, Special or Emergency Meeting, unless otherwise permitted by the Warden.
- No person shall be allowed to address Council during any Meeting of Council without the permission of the Warden or other Chair. All comments must be directed through the Warden/Chair.
- Members of Council may ask questions of a delegation but shall not enter into debate with any representative of any such delegation. With the permission of the Chair, the CAO/Clerk may ask questions of any delegations. All questions to delegations shall be addressed through the Chair. No other person may ask any questions of delegations, unless directed to do so by the Warden or other Chair.
- Should an individual wish to be provided with further Notice related to a matter addressed by a delegation before Council, he or she is required to indicate this wish to the CAO/Clerk as part of his or her delegation request originally delivered.
Notice of Collection
Personal information, as defined in the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), is collected under the authority of and in accordance with MFIPPA. Personal information collected on the delegation request form will be used by staff to contact you to facilitate your appearance before Council/Committee, and also to communicate Council’s decision after the meeting. Your name will appear on the public agenda which is available to the public on the County’s website. Questions regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of this personal information may be directed to the County’s Deputy Clerk at 519-631-1460 extension 164 or adminteam@elgin.ca
Accountability
The Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin acknowledges that it is responsible for providing good government for its stakeholders in an accountable and transparent manner, guided by the following principles:
- Encouraging public access and participation, where possible, to ensure that decision-making is responsive to the needs of its constituents and receptive to their opinions;
- Delivering high-quality services to our citizens; and
- Promoting the efficient use of public resources.
Accountability, transparency and openness are standards of good government that enhance public trust. They are achieved through the County of Elgin adopting measures ensuring, to the best of its ability, that all activities and services are undertaken utilizing a process that is open and accessible to its stakeholders. In addition, wherever possible, the County of Elgin will engage its stakeholders throughout its decision-making process which will be open, visible and transparent to the public.
Inquiries
Through By-law No. 24-44 the municipality has appointed ADR Chambers Inc. as Integrity Commissioner, Municipal Closed Meeting Investigator and authorized them to conduct investigations upon receipt of a complaint. Elgin County encourages potential complainants to contact Michael L. Maynard at integrity@adr.ca or (416) 362-8555 for a consultation in advance of submitting a formal complaint form.
Any person or a representative of an organization who has identified or witnessed behaviour or an activity by a member of Council that they believe is in contravention of the Council Code of Conduct (the “Code”) may wish to address the prohibited behaviour or activity themselves as follows:
- Advise the member that their behaviour or activity contravenes the Code;
- Encourage the member to stop the prohibited behaviour or activity;
- If applicable, confirm to the member your satisfaction or dissatisfaction with his response to the concern identified;
- Keep a written record of the incidents including dates, times, locations, other persons present, and any other relevant information, including steps taken to resolve the matter.
- If not satisfied with the response received through the informal process, an individual may proceed with a Code of Conduct Formal Complaint through the Integrity Commissioner.
Council Code of Conduct Complaint Form
All persons and organizations are encouraged to initially pursue this informal complaint procedure as a means of stopping and remedying a behaviour or activity that is prohibited by the Code. With the consent of the complaining individual or organization and the member, the Integrity Commissioner may be part of any informal process. However, it is not a precondition or a prerequisite that those complaining must pursue the informal complaint procedure before pursuing the Formal Complaint.
The County of Elgin shall ensure that Closed Meeting Investigation Requests for investigations submitted under Section 239 of the Municipal Act, 2001 as amended (the Act) are dealt with in a fair, open and expeditious manner.
The County of Elgin shall provide the information requested by the Municipal Closed Session Investigator (Investigator), either written or through interviews, to assist the Municipal Investigator in his investigations.
The County of Elgin shall ensure any report received from the Investigator related to an investigation under the Act, is placed on a public agenda and that consideration of such reports is conducted in an open public session of Council.
Please consult the Procedure for Municipal Closed Meeting Investigations before submitting a request for an investigation through the Municipal Investigation Complaint Form.
Elgin County strives to deliver responsive, accessible and quality customer service to all of its citizens. In order to make complaints and compliments simple and easy please follow the compliments, feedback and complaints procedure.
If the matter remains unresolved, then the complaint may be forwarded to the Provincial Ombudsman by clicking here.
The County of Elgin is committed to public transparency and accountability under the terms of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). MFIPPA establishes a general right of access to records created and maintained by the County under the following guiding principles:
- The public has the right to information held by the County, and that information should be made available to the public;
- Any person can make a request for information held by the County under the Act;
- Any exemptions from the right of access to information should be limited and specific;
- Individuals have a right to the protection of personal information held by the County under the Act;
- Any decisions relating to access to information can be reviewed by the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.
Full MFIPPA Guidelines and Procedure for filing a request under MFIPPA can be found in the Elgin County Access to Information and Privacy Policy. Find the application form here.
Pursuant to Subsection 5.1 of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act R.S.O. 1990 (In force and effect on March 1, 2019), Council members must declare their pecuniary interest in writing.
All members of Council have important ethical and statutory obligations outlined in the Code of Conduct to ensure avoidance of any conflict of interest in connection with carrying out the obligations of the Member’s office. Each Member must declare the conflict of interest and general nature thereof verbally at the beginning of each Council, Board or Committee meeting and provide the Clerk with the signed declaration in accordance with the Conflict of Interest Form.
Form: Conflict of interest (fillable form)
Public Registry of Pecuniary Interest
As per 6.1(1) of the Act, every municipality and local board shall establish and maintain a registry. As per 6.1(2), the registry shall be available for public inspection in the manner and during the time that the municipality or local board, as the case may be, may determine.
Councillor Conflict of Interest/Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest Forms:
Councillor Jones – November 8, 2022
Warden Ketchabaw – September 25, 2023
Councillor Widner – April 9, 2024