Council Meeting Recap: Exploring Online Voting and Looking Ahead to 2026

Tuesday night’s council meeting opened, as usual, with the land acknowledgment before the agenda was approved—with just one added item—and no disclosures of interest noted.

The evening began with a presentation from Matthew Heumann, CEO of New-Vote Systems, who introduced his company’s services as council considers the possibility of online voting for the 2026 municipal election. New-Vote offers a secure, end-to-end verifiable system that includes options like tabulators and vote-by-mail. Heumann emphasized accessibility and auditability, while council members expressed interest in the potential benefits for winter voting. Concerns about seniors and offline voters were addressed with plans for in-person voting alternatives and public education. The quoted cost for implementing the online voting system came in at approximately $6,360.

From there, council moved into the core of the evening’s business. Several resolutions were passed, including the appointment of voting representatives for the upcoming Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Conference, approval of the treasurer’s report on excluded 2025 budget expenses, and receipt of the 2024 council expense report. Council also greenlit the band Throwback to perform at Heritage Days for a fee of $2,800 plus accommodations, and accepted the Ontario Clean Water Agency’s water system reports for 2024. Additionally, council voiced support for the Northern Highway Safety Plan, as proposed by MPPs Guy Bourgouin and John Vanthof, and approved the January and February 2025 bank payments.

A few bylaw amendments were also approved. These included a revision to a 2023 agreement with Automation Now regarding ESA project expenses (along with a request for a final financial report), a change to the municipal fee schedule that reduces fire permit costs from $30 to $20, and the adoption of a new liquor policy for town-operated events.

The Economic Development Officer provided updates on several grant applications, including submissions to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for capital funding, arena upgrades, and summer student placements. The EDO has completed the first year of an economic fundamentals course and is currently working with the committee to advance the five-year strategic plan.

Council renewed its Parks Canada agreements for interpretive panels and red chairs at Schreiber Beach for another five years at a symbolic cost of $1. Questions were raised about the town’s responsibilities for trail maintenance under the Trans Canada Trail agreement, potentially requiring a formal partnership with the Casque Isles Trail group.

A recommendation from the Fire Chief to renew the communications tower rental with CRC Communications was accepted, as it aligns with the budget and is essential for maintaining reliable radio coverage.

Council also considered a two-day Earth Day proposal focused on public education and interactive activities. A $300 advertising budget was proposed, with potential involvement from the beautification committee.

Interest in online voting was reaffirmed later in the evening, with council suggesting a reserve strategy to finance the 2026 initiative—starting with a $4,500 transfer from existing reserves and setting aside $1,500 annually moving forward.

A $25,000 proposal from PSD Citywide to complete the final phase of the town’s asset management plan was also reviewed. The project is required by July 1, 2025, and will be covered under a previously approved $55,000 capital budget.

Plans for Heritage Days 2025 were briefly discussed, with council seeking budget clarifications. There was also a preliminary discussion on how to address a growing interest in using shipping containers for residential storage—an issue that will return for deeper discussion at a future meeting.

The open portion of the meeting then concluded, with council moving in camera for the remainder of the evening.