Council Meeting

Resolved that Section 8.5(2)(b) of the Rules of Procedure be waived to permit Annette Gibbons to delegate.

Resolved that the March 23, 2026 Council meeting agenda be approved as amended.

Resolved that the delegation from Annette Gibbons be received.

Resolved that report CAO-26-04, Niagara Governance Update, dated March 23, 2026 be received; and 1. Whereas the majority of Mayors signed a joint letter stating a commitment to building a governance model that is streamlined and transparent to the public; and Whereas the provincial government has expressed a desire to reduce the number of municipal councillors in the Niagara Region; and Whereas the timeline for Council to enact a By-law regarding ward structures, in accordance with the Municipal Act, 2001, has passed for the 2026 election; Therefore be it resolved: 1. That the Town of Grimsby supports the motion passed by Regional Council on February 26th, 2026, regarding the governance review. Yes (8): Mayor Jordan, Councillor Davoli, Councillor Freake, Councillor Howe, Councillor Vardy, Councillor Charrois, Councillor Korstanje, and Councillor DiFlavio No (1): Councillor Baradziej

Resolved that Council endorse a reduction in Council size from eight (8) Councillors to six (6) for the 2026 municipal election, and an at-large electoral system if mandated by the Province. Yes (2): Councillor Freake, and Councillor Baradziej No (7): Mayor Jordan, Councillor Davoli, Councillor Howe, Councillor Vardy, Councillor Charrois, Councillor Korstanje, and Councillor DiFlavio

Resolved that Council endorse a reduction in Council size from eight (8) Councillors to six (6) for the 2026 municipal election and implementing Option 2B or 3 from the 2021 Council Structure and Ward Boundary Review Final Report, and a peer-review be completed to confirm projections, boundary rationale, and effective representation principles remain valid; if mandated by the Province. Yes (7): Mayor Jordan, Councillor Davoli, Councillor Howe, Councillor Vardy, Councillor Charrois, Councillor Korstanje, and Councillor Baradziej No (2): Councillor Freake, and Councillor DiFlavio

Resolved that the Town Clerk be directed to confirm with the Premier and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing that without provincial intervention, the above changes cannot take place until the 2030 election; and 1. That the Town Clerk be directed to circulate this motion to the Regional Municipality of Niagara, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and the Premier of Ontario. Yes (7): Mayor Jordan, Councillor Davoli, Councillor Freake, Councillor Howe, Councillor Vardy, Councillor Charrois, and Councillor Baradziej No (2): Councillor Korstanje, and Councillor DiFlavio

Resolved that the following minutes be approved:  Corporate Services Committee - March 9, 2026  Council - March 9, 2026

Resolved that the following Board minutes be received:  Grimsby Public Library Board, February 11, 2026  Committee of Adjustment - February 17, 2026

Whereas April is Be A Donor Month in Ontario; and Whereas the goal during Be A Donor Month is to inspire those who have not yet registered consent for organ and tissue donation; and Whereas on average 1,400 people in Ontario are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant and every three days someone will die waiting for an organ transplant; and Whereas in 2025, 362 deceased organ donors gave the gift of life, 1,088 deceased donor organ transplants were performed in Ontario, and 2,051 tissue donors enhanced the lives of thousands; and Whereas 90% of Ontarians support organ and tissue donation yet only one in three (35%) of eligible Ontarians have registered their consent to donate; and Whereas families almost always consent to donation when there is evidence a loved one registered their decision to donate, but in the absence of a registered donation decision, families consent only half of the time; and Whereas everyone has the potential to be an organ and/or tissue donor, regardless of age or health; one organ donor can save up to eight lives and enhance the lives of up to 75 others through tissue donation; and Therefore be it resolved that I, Mayor Jeff Jordan, do hereby proclaim April 2026 as Be A Donor Month in Grimsby. Be it further resolved that all citizens are encouraged to learn more about organ and tissue donation and transplantation and consider pledging their support by registering as a donor at BeADonor.ca.

Resolved that the Niagara Transit Q4 Statistics be received for information.

Resolved that leave be given to introduce By-laws 26-16 to 26-19 inclusive, and that the same be read a first time, considered, and passed.

Resolved that leave be given to introduce By-law 26-20, and that the same be read a first time, considered, and passed.