Council Highlights from the July 5, 2021 Meeting

Addressing the legacy of residential schools: Clarington will examine ways to move forward with reconciliation on a municipal level.

Clarington Council unanimously passed a motion directing Staff to examine the calls to action identified by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Staff will look at the action items specifically directed at municipalities and all levels of government to provide Council with advice on the steps Clarington can take to redress the legacy of residential schools.

The 94 calls to action identified by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada focus on various themes "to advance the process of Canadian reconciliation," including child welfare, education, health and justice for the Indigenous Community.

Clarington Staff will review the calls to action, consult with the Indigenous Community and Municipal Advisory Committees and bring back a recommendation report for Council consideration in early 2022.

For more information, read resolution Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action – Municipal Path Towards Reconciliation.

Creating awareness and building an inclusive community - Clarington's Diversity Advisory Committee helps affect change

Clarington's Diversity Advisory Committee (CDAC) has been busy working on a variety of projects to help further the Municipality's goal of creating an inclusive community. In an annual progress report to Council, the Committee outlined several of its initiatives,  including its work to combat racism. CDAC released a joint statement issued with the Municipality following the death of George Floyd in the United States condemning racism. CDAC members also voted to form the Clarington Anti-Black Racism Subcommittee (CABRSC) in June 2020 to develop strategies addressing anti-Black racism and other forms of discrimination in the community. Working with Clarington Staff, the subcommittee has developed a social media engagement plan focusing on allyship and anti-racism. It has provided input towards developing an anti-racism strategy and guidance on a training program focused on anti-racism and anti-discrimination.

Earlier this year, CDAC partnered with the Clarington Public Library to host a virtual event - a panel discussion focused on strategies to support Black residents in education and career development, mental health and policing. CDAC has established a work plan to guide its initiatives for the rest of the year. The plan focuses on developing training for Council, Staff and the community looking at issues related to multiculturalism, diversity, racism and discrimination. The Committee is also looking to develop and test a diversity lens, which would allow Council and Staff to approach Municipal work with a different perspective, creating diversity awareness when developing policies and programs.

To cement its commitment to diversity and inclusion, in July 2020, Clarington founded an internal Staff Team. The team champions various initiatives across the Corporation, actively planning, promoting, and implementing workplace activities to encourage employee involvement and learning.

Read Report CSD-005-21 for more information.

Clarington considers options for recreational vehicle storage in zoning and its Official Plan Review

Clarington Council reviewed a report with key findings and options for recreational vehicle storage in Clarington. The Municipality retained a consultant to analyze the existing provisions for the parking and storage of RVs and trailers in rural areas. They looked at the current requirements to determine if the provisions are appropriate and see if further policy options are warranted. They also looked at best practices and how other municipalities address RV storage. The consultant conducted extensive public consultation, including surveys to help inform the recommendations in the Study.  

The Study also identified land use designations and zoned areas where RV and trailer parking and storage may be appropriate. Some of the key findings include:

• Amendments to Zone Clarington, specifically the urban zoning by-laws to provide more clarity.
• Amendments to Zone Clarington to implement RV storage provisions by lot size in rural areas.
• Working with the Agricultural Advisory Committee to develop a policy for on-farm diversified use and guidelines.
• Enhance regulations for RV storage in employment areas.
• Develop local regulations to allow RV storage on agricultural lands located within the urban boundary.

Council has directed Staff to incorporate the Study findings and options in the Zone Clarington review and the upcoming Official Plan Review and has referred the on-farm diversified use to the Agricultural Advisory Committee.

For more information on the Study, read Report PDS-039-21 or visit our RV and Trailer Parking and Storage Study web page for more details.

Building blocks of a healthy community: Lakeridge Health updates Council on key projects

Lakeridge Health updated Clarington Council on several major projects that are in the works to improve community access to health-care services. Mark Murphy, Senior Director for Capital and Planning, updated Council on the Bowmanville Hospital Redevelopment project. The project is moving forward with stage 1, with the preliminary design and layout currently under review. Stage 2 planning is also underway. The hospital redevelopment is on track for construction in 2025-26. Lakeridge Health received amazing community support, including the contribution of more than $5 million from Clarington and $37.5 million from Region of Durham Council.  Director Murphy also thanked Council for generously donating land for the Bowmanville Hospital interim helipad. The Ministry of Health approved a capital grant for the development of the helipad, and community consultation has been completed. The design has been finalized, and the helipad should be completed by fall 2021. Durham Hospice Clarington is also firmly underway, with the Ministry of Health approving the final design.Clarington Council donated the land for the nine-bed residential hospice. The site plan approval has been granted. Construction is expected to start in early 2022.

For more information on these projects, listen to the Lakeridge Health presentation.

The next Council Meeting is on Monday, September 20, 2021.