Strategic Decisions by Council - April 27, 2026

Council Meeting Date: April 27, 2026

Consent Agenda Items

Appointment of a Municipal Clerk
Appointment of a Fire Chief
2026 Municipal Election Key Dates
Treasurer's Annual Statement: 2025 Development Charge Reserve Funds Report 
Capital Projects Status - December 31, 2025 Report 

Strategic Decisions from Council

Operating Results – December 31, 2025
Township staff presented a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the Township’s operating results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. The 2025 tax supported operating deficit is $51,433, representing a 0.12% variance from the total tax supported operating budget for the year. Council directed staff to find the deficit from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve.

Report to Council

Shuttle Bus Program Funding Update
The Township’s seasonal Shuttle Bus program supports transportation between downtown Fergus and downtown Elora during the peak tourism and event season. The service helps alleviate parking shortages, improve mobility, support access to local businesses and destinations, and contribute to a more convenient experience for visitors and residents. For the 2026 season, the shuttle is planned to operate from Friday, May 15 through Monday, September 7. Service is provided every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and on Statutory Holidays. The approved funding model was reliant on securing $20,000 through sponsorship.  Thanks to generous community sponsors, the Township’s contribution to the program will be $16,500 of the total $64,500 cost. Additional Township funds may be required to fund minor costs associated with the shuttle, such as fuel.

Report to Council

EASE Grant Application - Bissell Park Multi-Use Pad Replacement Report
Council endorsed an application to the 2026/27 Ontario Enhancing Access to Spaces for Everyone (EASE) Grant, for the Bissell Park Multi-Use Pad Replacement Project.

The Bissell Park Multi-Use Pad replacement project will improve accessibility and increase barrier-free paths of travel so that the facility can be accessed and used by people of all ages and abilities. Specifically, the project will include a new access ramp connecting the Bissell Park path to the multi-use pad, and a ramp connecting an existing park pavilion to the facility. In addition to pathways, the upgraded pad surface will provide a safe, accessible, and barrier free recreational space. As such, the project meets the eligibility criteria and is well-suited for this grant. Staff recommend applying for the maximum funding amount of $60,000, with no matching contribution required by the Township. Applications for this intake of the EASE grant program are due by May 7, 2026.

Report to Council

Community Planning Permit System (CPPS) Initiation 
Staff provided information to Council on a proposed Township-initiated Community Planning Permit System (CPPS).

A Community Planning Permit System (CPPS) is a land use planning tool available to municipalities in Ontario.  It is intended as an alternative tool that can help plan and shape the future of a community based on its own vision and objectives. It combines several typical planning application types, such as zoning by-law amendments, minor variances, and site plan approval into a single streamlined application and approval process. These application review processes typically run consecutively, sometimes with large spans of time in between each approval until the final building permit stage. A CPP application would take only 45 days to approve, instead of up to 180 days or more through the other application processes. A CPPS would still be required to conform with the Official Plan and its policies and goals.

Council received the report for information and asked staff to return to Council with additional information about CPPS before moving to the Request for Proposals (RFP) process.

Learn more about how a CPPS Works and Legislated Requirements for Implementation

Update on Ontario's "Bring-Your-Own" at Outdoor Festivals and Events Framework
Council endorsed staff's recommendation to not opt-in to the Province of Ontario’s "Bring-Your-Own" at Outdoor Festivals and Events Framework at this time, however staff will continue to monitor the implementation of this program in other municipalities and report back to Council should conditions or guidance change.

Report to Council

Short-term Rental Accommodation and Bed and Breakfast Establishments Licensing Update

Following the council meeting of February 23, 2026, staff posted the draft By-law to Regulate and License Short-Term Rental Accommodations and Bed and Breakfast Establishments on ConnectCW, along with a summary of key highlights of the revised draft licensing by-law. Staff had also participated in a Municipal Accommodation Tax discussion with accommodation providers on March 5th to discuss the draft by-law at a high level and encouraged participants to review the draft By-law and utilize the ConnectCW platform to submit comments and questions.  Comments and suggestions for council consideration form Appendix A of the report. 

Additionally, a public meeting was held on March 23, 2026, to present and receive feedback on the proposed amendments to the Township's Zoning By-law to ensure that the licensing and zoning by-laws be complementary municipal legal tools for the regulation of property and related activities on where businesses can operate and how they must behave with the aim of protecting public health, safety, and community order. 

Council deferred any further action on the licensing of Short-term Rental Accommodations and Bed and Breakfast Establishments until the new term of Council.

Report to Council

Decision Report File RZ004/26 Short-Term Rental Accommodation Zoning Amendment
As part of the municipality's efforts to regulate short-term rental accommodation, Planning and Development staff were requested to prepare an amendment to the Township's zoning by-law.

The proposed zoning amendment added a new definition of "short-term rental accommodation" consisted with the draft licensing by-law and also modified existing zoning definitions for hotel and motel. Parking regulations for short-term rental accommodation were also proposed. 

To address concerns from operators at the public meeting, proposed zoning amendments were modified in two key areas:

• The definition of hotel has been modified to restore the requirement for six rooms. The proposed definition is consistent with the definition of hotel that appears in the Accommodation Sector Registration of Guests Act.
• The general provision permitting short-term accommodation has been modified to specify that short-term accommodation is permitted anywhere that a residential dwelling unit is a permitted use. This would include the C1 (Central Business District) zone. In addition, existing short-term rental accommodations are expressly deemed to be legal in terms of both permitted use and regulation compliance, such as parking, provided the use remains continuous. This approach was developed in consultation with the Township's legal counsel.

Council decided to defer action on the Short-term Rental Accommodation Zoning Amendment to the next term of Council to coincide with the deferral of the Short-term Rental Accommodations and Bed and Breakfast Establishments Licensing update. 

Report to Council

Municipal Accommodation Tax Update

The By-law consolidates benchmark best practices currently in use in the Ontario landscape by providing: interpretations, definitions, administration practices, delegation of authority, the ability to impose a Municipal Accommodation Tax, exemptions, details on collection and remittance practices, assessment practices, audit authority, and enforcement and penalty provisions.

The anticipated go-live of the Municipal Accommodation Tax is September 1, 2026. With this date established by By-law, the MAT only applies to accommodations commencing on or after September 1, 2026. Any renter that has accommodation booked now, but commencing on or after September 1, 2026 would be subject to the MAT. Council also approved the implementation of the Municipal Accommodation Tax at a rate of 5% of the purchase price of transient accommodation. This rate is a balanced and defensible approach that reflects provincial norms, municipal comparators, and the Township’s tourism context. 

Council approved execution of a by-law in respect to establishing a Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT).

Report to Council