Council Highlights - April 27, 2026

Announcements

Mayor Clarke

• Mayor Clarke recognized Township Director of Legislative Services/Clerk Jennifer Connor on her retirement at the end of April after 27 years with the Township and a 30-year municipal career. He thanked Ms. Connor for her many years of service, including her work as Deputy Clerk and Clerk, and wished her well in retirement.
• Mayor Clarke noted that the Township proclaimed May 4 to 10, 2026, as Children’s Mental Health Week. Residents are encouraged to wear green to show support and can learn more about available services by visiting New Path Youth and Family Services at www.newpath.ca.
• Mayor Clarke also noted that May has been proclaimed MS Awareness Month in Ramara and recognized the work of MS Canada in supporting research, services, and awareness for those affected by multiple sclerosis. He encouraged residents to learn more by visiting MS Canada at www.mscanada.ca.
• Mayor Clarke reminded residents that April 28 is the National Day of Mourning, which honours workers who have been killed, injured, or made ill on the job and noted a local ceremony would be held at 11 a.m. at the workers’ monument in Tudhope Park, and that Township flags would be lowered to half-mast to recognize the day.
• Mayor Clarke advised that the Township’s mosquito control program has started, weather permitting. Residents may notice helicopters applying larvicide, which targets mosquito larvae and does not impact people, pets, or wildlife.
• Mayor Clarke reminded residents that the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign runs from April 27 to May 3, 2026, with the Brechin location supporting the Ramara Township Public Library.
• Mayor Clarke shared a physician recruitment update and welcomed Dr. Anoushka Mohammadiankhorasani (Dr. Mo) who will begin practising in Ramara in July. He thanked the Minister of Health, Township staff, the Couchiching Ontario Health Team, Orillia & Lake Country Physician Recruitment, Deputy Mayor Bell, and community volunteers who helped support the recruitment process.
• Mayor Clarke invited Fire Chief Tony Stong to provide a flood response update. Fire Chief Stong noted that water levels on Lake Simcoe had stabilized, although flows remained strong, and that water levels on the Black River had receded significantly. He advised that the Township’s focus was on Lake St. John, where residents were still being impacted by high water. He also noted that sandbag stations continue to be monitored, demand has decreased, and some roads remain impacted by high water while others have reopened as conditions improve.

Councillor Tuju

• Councillor Tuju shared that on Earth Day, members of the Trails Committee used bags and gloves supplied by the Township to clean sections of the Lagoon City Trail. She encouraged residents to continue registering with the Township for Earth Month community cleanups.
• Councillor Tuju noted that CFUW Orillia, whose advocacy helped support Ramara’s April 13 declaration of intimate partner violence as an epidemic, received similar support in Oro-Medonte. She congratulated Heather Lewis and Diane Porteous and wished the advocacy committee success in bringing the initiative to Severn and Orillia.

Councillor Fisher

• Councillor Fisher shared that she attended the Ramara Historical Society pancake breakfast at the Udney Community Centre on April 18, 2026, with Councillor Gough. She noted the strong turnout and thanked former Councillor John Appleby for donating eggs.

Deputy Mayor Bell

• Deputy Mayor Bell shared that he attended the national wrestling championships in Grande Prairie, where Ramara residents had strong results, including a gold medal by a local under-15 athlete, a third-place finish by his daughter, and additional top finishes by local competitors.

Councillor Gough

• Councillor Gough highlighted the strong turnout at the Ramara Historical Society pancake breakfast, noting that organizers had to bring in more eggs and sausage.
• Councillor Gough reminded residents that the Brechin Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign supports the Ramara Township Public Library, with Friends of the Library volunteers decorating cookies.
• Councillor Gough thanked the Township of Minden Hills for helping provide pre-filled sandbags to Ramara residents.

Councillor Bell

• Councillor Bell thanked the Township of Minden Hills for providing pre-filled sandbags to Ramara, noting how helpful they were for residents. She also shared that she had been assisting with sandbagging efforts and recognized the physical effort involved, highlighting the value of the pre-filled bags for the community.
• Councillor Bell shared that she attended the Ramara Historical Society pancake breakfast, noting it was well attended.
• Councillor Bell highlighted the Lagoon City Community Centre open house held over the weekend, noting that the facility is open to all residents, not just those in Lagoon City. She encouraged residents to attend future open houses to learn more about available programs and activities, as organizers are on-site to provide information and answer questions.
• Councillor Bell also recognized Lagoon City residents for organizing an information session about the Ward 5 sewer servicing project, noting it was a valuable opportunity for residents to ask questions and learn more.

Committee of the Whole

Deputations:

Couchiching Ontario Health Team & Orillia & Lake Country Physician Recruitment

• Jillian Fenik of the Couchiching Ontario Health Team, along with Melanie Delion and Marino Fernandopulle of the Orillia & Lake Country Physician Recruitment Committee, provided a deputation regarding physician recruitment. The presentation highlighted regional collaboration to improve access to primary care, including the development of a new Ramara Health Hub and the successful recruitment of Dr. Anoushka Mohammadiankhorasani (Dr. Mo), who will provide care locally with priority access for Ramara residents starting in July.

View the Physician Recruitment Update Presentation

Learn more about how to register as a patient with Dr. Mo

Open Public Forum:

• Michael O’Brien spoke to Agenda Item 16.6.1. Enquiry Motion introduced by Deputy Mayor Bell.

Below are highlights of what Committee of the Whole recommended at its meeting held on Monday, April 27, 2026. These are subject to ratification by Council at its next meeting on May 11, 2026, unless pulled for ratification on the same day.

Closed Session:

Update - Contractual Relationship with Good Doctors Inc.

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report regarding the contractual relationship with Good Doctors Inc. The report was referred to the April 27, 2026, Council agenda for same-day ratification.

Litigation Update – Notice of Application (Ontario Aboriginal Housing Support Services Corporation)

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report regarding Litigation Update – Notice of Application (Ontario Aboriginal Housing Support Services Corporation) and that the confidential direction to staff be adopted. The report was referred to the April 27, 2026, Council agenda for same-day ratification.

Physician Recruitment – Commitments and Contractual Considerations (Closed Session)

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report regarding Physician Recruitment – Commitments and Contractual Considerations (Closed Session) and that the confidential direction to staff be adopted. The report was referred to the April 27, 2026, Council agenda for same-day ratification.

Council Referral Reports:

Adopting an Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) for the Township of Ramara

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report regarding adopting an Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) for the Township of Ramara and that the Township pursue an AMPS program for the enforcement of the Parking, Long Grass/Weeds, Short-Term Rental, and Licensing bylaws, including the development of the required bylaws, policies, and procedures.
• Committee of the Whole also recommended that delegated authority be provided to the General Manager of Emergency and Protective Services/Fire Chief to implement the required policies and procedures for the AMPS program.

Community Engagement

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report regarding community engagement and that Council support in principle the development of a Communications and Engagement Strategy for consideration by the next term of Council.

Departmental Reports:

Road Needs Study and 2026 Road Projects

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report regarding the Road Needs Study and 2026 Road Projects.
• Committee of the Whole recommended that Council adopt the Ramara Road Needs Study (2025), prepared by Tatham Engineering, in principle and endorse it as a guiding document for the planning, prioritization, and delivery of road maintenance, rehabilitation, and renewal projects.
• Committee of the Whole also recommended approval of the 2026 road work program, including projects on Bridges 18 and 19, Ramara Road 46 (Sideroad 15 to County Road 169), Lakeshore Drive (Concession Road 3 to Simcoe Road), Birch Road, Creighton Street (Highway 12 to Winchester Street), Concession Road 12 (Sideroad 25 to Margaret Orr Boulevard), Rama-Dalton Boundary Road (Kett Road to Fairgrounds Road), and associated engineering works.
• Committee of the Whole further recommended that staff develop a policy to guide road renewal projects, including limiting road widenings to where required for operational or safety needs, using single-lift asphalt applications where appropriate, and not downgrading road surfaces.
• Committee of the Whole also recommended that staff undertake further review and prioritization of additional initiatives, including improvements to turnaround areas on dead-end roads, flood-prone roads, potential upgrades of gravel roads, and enhanced condition assessment of designated haul routes, and report back as part of the 2027 budget process.

Joint Compliance Audit Committee – 2026 Municipal Elections

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report regarding the Joint Compliance Audit Committee – 2026 Municipal Elections and that Council approve participation in a Joint Compliance Audit Committee, facilitated and administered by the County of Simcoe, for the 2026 Municipal and School Board Elections.
• Committee of the Whole also recommended that a bylaw be brought forward prior to October 1, 2026, to establish and appoint members to the Joint Compliance Audit Committee with participating municipalities.

LCP Quarry Limited – Site Plan Modifications and ARA 20-day Objection Form (ARA Licence No. 626641)

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report regarding LCP Quarry Limited – Site Plan Modifications and ARA 20-day Objection Form and that Council receive the proposed site plan modifications and ARA 20-day Objection Form for information and take no further action, including not filing an objection under the Aggregate Resources Act. The report was referred to the April 27, 2026, Council agenda for same-day ratification.

Physician Recruitment – Commitments and Contractual Considerations (Open Session)

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report regarding Physician Recruitment – Commitments and Contractual Considerations (Open Session) and recommended that the Director of Corporate Services/Legal and Chief Administrative Officer be delegated authority to negotiate and execute agreements for physician occupancy at the Ramara Medical Centre for up to three years and to establish a formalized funding relationship with the Orillia & Lake Country Physician Recruitment Committee.
• Committee of the Whole also recommended approval of a 2026 allocation of up to $50,000 from the General Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve to support transition expenses and physician recruitment efforts, and that existing budgeted funding for Good Doctors be reallocated to the Orillia & Lake Country Physician Recruitment Committee for up to three years.
• The report was referred to the April 27, 2026, Council agenda for same-day ratification.

Council

Below are highlights of what Council adopted at its meeting on Monday, April 27, 2026:

• Council received the report regarding the contractual relationship with Good Doctors Inc.
• Council received the report regarding the Litigation Update – Notice of Application (Ontario Aboriginal Housing Support Services Corporation) and the confidential direction to staff was adopted.
• Council received the report regarding Physician Recruitment – Commitments and Contractual Considerations (Closed Session) and the confidential direction to staff was adopted.  
• Council received the report regarding LCP Quarry Limited – Site Plan Modifications and ARA 20-day Objection Form and received the Site Plan Modifications and ARA 20-day Objection Form for information purposes without taking further action, including not filing an objection under the Aggregate Resources Act.
• Council received the report regarding Physician Recruitment – Commitments and Contractual Considerations (Open Session) and authorized the Director of Corporate Services/Legal and Chief Administrative Officer to negotiate and execute agreements for physician occupancy at the Ramara Medical Centre and a formalized funding relationship with the Orillia & Lake Country Physician Recruitment Committee.
• Council approved a 2026 allocation of up to $50,000 from the General Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve to support transition and physician recruitment efforts.
• Council directed that existing budgeted funding for Good Doctors be reallocated to the Orillia & Lake Country Physician Recruitment Committee for up to three years.
• Council received the report regarding the Amendment to the Ramara Public Library Board Bylaw – Number of Board Members and supported an amendment to Bylaw 97.102 to update the required number of board members.
• Council received the report regarding Retention of Electronic Meeting Recordings and acknowledged that meeting minutes are the official record of Council proceedings and approved that open session Council meeting recordings be publicly available for the duration of the Council term and retained for one additional year as unlisted content before deletion.
• Council further approved that recordings be retained only on the Township’s YouTube channel unless required for an active investigation, litigation, or access request and authorized the Clerk to remove or restrict access to recordings where required to address legal, privacy, security, or records management concerns.
• Council approved disabling live chat during Council meeting livestreams.
• Council considered proposed amendments to the Climate Action Committee Terms of Reference and directed that the proposed amendments be forwarded to the Phase 2 Governance Review for Boards and Committees for further consideration and potential standardization.
• Council received correspondence from Joanne Cutler on behalf of the Brechin Outdoor Market regarding a request for approval of park rental and support for the 2026 season and approved funding support of $1,000 to the Brechin Outdoor Market for the 2026 season.
• Council also requested that the Brechin Outdoor Market provide a report to Council at the end of the 2026 season outlining the outcomes of the season, including attendance and the number of vendors.
• Council received the deputation from Jillian Fenik of the Couchiching Ontario Health Team and Melanie Delion and Marino Fernandopulle of the Orillia & Lake Country Physician Recruitment Committee regarding physician recruitment and authorized the Mayor to send correspondence on behalf of Council thanking the organizations for their partnership, advocacy, leadership, and collaboration throughout the physician recruitment process.
• Council directed that when litigation is commenced by or against the Township, the Township Solicitor provide a Council Information Package (CIP) memo to Council advising of the matter in accordance with the Procedure Bylaw
• Council further directed that updates be provided to Council at key stages of litigation, including any material changes in status, scope, or potential exposure, and upon resolution or disposition of the matter, as determined by the Township Solicitor, Clerk, and/or CAO.
• Council also directed that CIP memos related to litigation may be public or confidential, as appropriate, depending on the nature of the matter and applicable legislation.
• Council directed the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare a report assessing the feasibility, scope, timing, and anticipated costs of undertaking several comprehensive reviews to support informed decision-making and long-term financial and governance sustainability, including:
  • A review of the Township’s overall financial systems, internal controls, and fiscal condition, with recommendations to strengthen and optimize these systems over the long term;
  • A financial review of the Township’s water and wastewater operations, including funding, sustainability, long-term obligations, and recommendations to support long-term financial viability and affordability for users; and
  • An evaluation of the legal and governance framework for the Township’s relationship with the Lagoon City Parks and Waterways Commission, including the effectiveness of the current operating model and the feasibility, implications, and risks of alternative governance or service delivery structures.

Bills and Bylaws:

Council approved the following bylaws on April 27, 2026:

• Bill 2026.21 – A bylaw to authorize the submission of an application to Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation (OILC) for financing of certain capital works and to authorize long-term borrowing through the issuance of debentures.
• Bylaw 2026.31 – A bylaw to confirm the proceedings of the Council meeting held on April 27, 2026.

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For More Information

For more details on any of these items, you can read the full meeting agenda on the Township's Meeting Portal or watch the meeting on the Township of Ramara's YouTube channel.

The meeting highlights are prepared to give residents a timely update on decisions of Council. The Council meeting minutes are the official record of the meeting. Once adopted, the Council meeting minutes can be found on the Township of Ramara's Meeting Portal.