Middlesex County Council Meeting Highlights – October 13, 2026
Council Highlights is an informal summary of selected actions taken by Middlesex County Council or Committee of the Whole at business meetings. The Council Highlights are not an official record of County Council proceedings. To view official agendas and minutes, please visit Council Meetings and Minutes.
Council approves 2026-2031 Middlesex Community Safety and Well-Being Plan (CSWBP)
County Council approved a new Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, aiming to address complex social issues that contribute to crime and public safety challenges through a proactive and collaborative approach. A joint initiative between Middlesex County and the eight local municipalities, the Plan was developed in consultation with community service delivery partners.
The Plan identifies six interconnected priority areas: Housing Stability and Homelessness; Child, Youth and Family Well-Being; Access to Services and Mobility; Economic Well-Being; Mental Health and Addictions; and Violence Prevention. These priorities are supported by a rural lens and an equity, accessibility and cultural safety lens. The Plan will better align existing municipal and community efforts, strengthen coordination, identify gaps and focus collective resources where collaboration can improve community outcomes.
A key feature is a strengthened governance framework bringing together municipalities and community partners to oversee implementation, monitor progress, and respond to emerging challenges. The approach emphasizes leveraging existing partnerships and resources wherever possible, while maintaining local decision-making authority and avoiding unnecessary duplication.
This does not commit municipalities to new spending but provides a framework for future collaborative initiatives that may be considered through normal budget and Council approval processes.
Read the 2026-2031 Middlesex Community Safety and Well-Being Plan (CSWBP) report for more information.
Procedure By-Law Update
The Committee of the Whole recommended updates to the County Procedure By-law, aimed at improving clarity, accessibility and consistency in how Council conducts business.
The proposed changes reflect current practices and align with the County’s broader governance framework. Updates include revisions to inaugural meeting procedures, changes to the agenda structure, new provisions for alternate members of County Council, and the clarification of rules related to reconsidering decisions from previous terms of Council.
Under the proposed By-law, members of the public would be able to register to speak on items appearing on a published agenda up until noon on the day before a meeting, creating a clearer and more accessible process for public participation. The draft also expands and clarifies circumstances where delegations would not be permitted, helping ensure the process supports fair and effective decision-making.
For more information, see the Procedure By-Law Report.
Artificial Intelligence Roadmap to guide AI implementation at the County
Council received an update on the County’s Artificial Intelligence Roadmap, which sets a phased approach for expanding AI tools across County operations, while maintaining strong governance, privacy, security, transparency, and human oversight. Building on the County’s AI Policy, the roadmap outlines four priorities: organizational readiness and governance; Microsoft Copilot deployment and organizational learning; improved internal information access through Laserfiche; and improved internal and public access to Council information through eScribe.
The Roadmap emphasizes a gradual, measured approach that balances innovation with accountability. Early phases will focus on policy review, privacy impact assessments, security reviews, and performance measurement before broader implementation. The pilot projects are intended to improve access to trusted information, increase efficiency and support informed decision-making. The framework also establishes processes for ongoing monitoring, continuous improvement, and collaboration with municipal partners as the County evaluates future AI opportunities.
Read the AI Roadmap Report for more details.
International local leadership program wraps up
County officials and employees recently marked the end of a six-year international initiative focused on strengthening local governance and supporting women’s leadership around the world.
Since joining the Federation of Canadian Federation of Municipalities’ Partnerships for Municipal Innovation – Women in Local Leadership (FCM PMI-WILL) project in 2022, County officials and staff have participated in workshops, technical missions, and knowledge sharing programs with municipal partners in Cambodia.
The partnership provided opportunities to share Middlesex County’s municipal expertise and learn from the experiences of local governments operating in different social and economic environments. Participants explored topics such as public engagement, gender-responsive service delivery, leadership development, communications, project management, and community outreach.
The project culminated in a closing knowledge exchange forum that highlighted lessons learned, project achievements, and the value of international collaboration in local government.
Read the FCM Partnerships for Municipal Innovation – Women in Local Leadership (PMI-WILL) Project Update report for more information.
Recommendations made by the Committee of the Whole at the October 13, 2026, meeting will be considered by County Council at its next regular meeting on October 27, 2026. The Legislative Services Department maintains the official record for all County government proceedings.
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