Special Council

RESOLVED THAT: the Special Meeting commence at the hour of 1:30 p.m. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT: Council acknowledges that we are meeting in the Robinson-Superior Treaty area on lands that have been traditionally used by several Indigenous nations, but, we would like to pay special recognition to our closest Indigenous neighbours, the communities of Biigtigong Nishnaabeg and Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg First Nations. We wish to recognize the long history of the First Nations and Métis peoples in our region, specifically, and show respect to them today.

RESOLVED THAT: the agenda be approved as circulated. Page 1 of 4

RESOLVED THAT: Council is in receipt of Administration Report ADM2024-09 submitted by Florence MacLean, CAO, regarding Resolution of Support – Keeping Energy Costs Down; and further, THAT Council approves the proposed Resolution to support the Keeping Energy Costs Down Act; and further, THAT Council directs staff to immediately forward the approved Resolution to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario; Premier Doug Ford, the Honourable Todd Smith, Minister of Energy and regional municipalities; and further, THAT Council directs staff to prepare a media release to be issued on April 11, 2024, following the approval by Council to support the Keeping Energy Costs Down Act.

WHEREAS access to natural gas is vital to residents and businesses in our community for affordability and reliability, and is a driver of economic development for the province of Ontario; and, WHEREAS expanding natural gas access to communities will help keep the cost of energy low for families, businesses and farmers, while at the same time improving economic development, housing, and creating thousands of new jobs; and, WHEREAS the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) issued a split decision which would increase the upfront cost to consumers of installing natural gas connections for new homes and small businesses, and could increase the cost of new homes in the province by tens of thousands of dollars, particularly in rural areas, which would limit customer heating choices and energy reliability in communities such as the Township of Manitouwadge; and, WHEREAS the government’s Keeping Energy Costs Down Act, 2024 would reverse the OEB’s decision, and ensure that the province can build new homes and that all Ontario families and businesses can continue to access reliable and affordable energy when it is needed; and, WHEREAS the proposed legislation would maintain the existing treatment of gas Page 2 of 4 transmission projects that are critical to the province’s economic growth by ensuring new customers do not have to incur upfront financial contributions and update the OEB’s Leave to Construct process to respond to concerns raised by municipalities around supporting critical housing pr

Being a Bylaw to Confirm the Proceedings of the Council of the Township of Manitouwadge at its Special meeting held on Thursday, April 4, 2024, be read a first and second time. And Furthermore, be read a third time, passed and numbered as Bylaw No. 2024- 15.

RESOLVED THAT: the Special Meeting adjourn at the hour of 1:38 p.m.