Middlesex County Council Meeting Highlights – June 16, 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.
Province Approves Middlesex County Official Plan Amendment No. 4
The Committee of the Whole received an update that Middlesex County’s updated Official Plan is now in effect following Provincial approval of Amendment No. 4, marking a significant milestone in the County’s long-term planning efforts. Over the past year, Middlesex County undertook an extensive review and update of the Official Plan to reflect changes in Provincial policy and align it with the renewed Middlesex County Strategic Plan. The update incorporates sound land use planning principles and ensures consistency with Provincial objectives related to growth management, housing, and employment forecasts. It also strengthens coordination between the County’s planning framework and local municipal official plans. The amendment introduces updated population, housing, and employment forecasts that will serve as a foundation for future planning initiatives at the local municipal level. The input of municipal partners, local organizations, First Nations, and members of the public was essential in shaping the updated Plan.
To learn more, read the County Official Plan Amendment No. 4; Minister’s Decision report.
Middlesex County aligns procurement practices with Buy Ontario Act
The Committee of the Whole received a report outlining how the County is adjusting procurement practices following the Province of Ontario’s new Buy Ontario Act, which introduces requirements to prioritize domestic goods and services. New policies will require municipalities to prioritize Ontario-made products where feasible and apply evaluation incentives to bids featuring domestic supply chains. Staff training, regional coordination, and engaging with industry partners will help the County mitigate any potential operational challenges associated with the changes. Read the Buy Ontario Act report for more information.
County advancing digital transformation efforts
The Committee of the Whole received two reports that highlight how Middlesex County is advancing its digital transformation efforts with a new artificial intelligence (AI) roadmap and early results from a public-facing chatbot already in use. County staff are developing a two-year AI roadmap to guide responsible adoption, building on a 2024 policy that sets standards for privacy, security, transparency, human oversight, and accountability. The plan will outline phased implementation, beginning with governance and pilot projects, and expanding to tools that improve information access, automate routine tasks, and support data-driven decisions.
To learn more, read the AI Roadmap Development and Website AI Chatbot Update reports.
County Consolidating User Fees and Charges By-law
The Committee of the Whole recommended approval of a new consolidated User Fees and Charges By-Law. The proposed by-law will streamline and modernize how the County charges fees for its services, bringing together fees for permits, applications, services, and use of County property into a single document, replacing the current patchwork of by-laws.
The proposed change will improve transparency, consistency, and ease of access for residents, businesses, and staff. The updates aim to better reflect service delivery costs, generate additional revenue, and reduce reliance on the tax levy while maintaining fair cost recovery where appropriate. For more information, read the User Fees and Service Charges By-law report.
Recommendations made by the Committee of the Whole at the June 16, 2026, meeting will be considered by County Council at its next regular meeting on July 14, 2026. The Legislative Services Department maintains the official record for all County government proceedings.
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