2025 Mayor’s Annual Address

December 2, 2025

It has been a dynamic year across our Municipality, one filled with progress, collaboration and vision for the future. I am honoured to share some highlights of what we have accomplished together this year, and the path ahead.  

Supporting Families and Community 

In August, we broke ground on the new $10.5 million Mississippi Mills Childcare Services facility on Menzie Street. Construction is well underway — walls are up, windows and roofing are being installed, and the project is on schedule for a September 2026 opening. 

This modern facility will replace the aging childcare centre on State Street and expand capacity by 78 additional spaces, bringing our total to 382 licensed Canada-wide Early Learning and Childcare spaces. Families can look forward to expanded learning areas that foster both cognitive and physical development, bright and open play spaces, a nature-based play yard and dedicated areas for educators and staff. 

This investment ensures the youngest citizens of Mississippi Mills have access to the care, learning and opportunities they need to flourish. 

Investing in our Roads and Sidewalks 

Our road and sidewalk network received a significant boost this year. Thanks to staff securing competitive tender bids under budget, we were able to complete an additional $1.3 million in road and surface renewal works to strengthen our roads and sidewalks in addition to our annual road and sidewalk program. These upgrades make our roads safer, more accessible and make us better prepared for the future. 

Excellence in Fire Training 

One of the newer jewels of our Municipality is the Mississippi Mills Regional Fire Training Centre. This year, our Mississippi Mills Fire Department (MMFD) partnered with the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management and the Ontario Fire College to deliver advanced training and certification programs. 

The facility includes:

• A multi-level fire tower for drills 
• A fire dynamics simulation for controlled live burns
• A maze trailer to test endurance and simulate realistic rescue scenarios 

We are fortunate to have such a top-notch space, not only for our MMFD firefighters but also for training the next generation across Eastern Ontario and beyond. I applaud Fire Chief Mike Williams and his dedicated team for their vision in creating this hub, which also contributes richly to local economic development.  

Above all, this training centre gives residents peace of mind knowing that, when the call comes, our firefighters are ready. They are equipped with the skills and expertise to respond when it matters most. 

Promoting Local Business 

Council strengthened our partnership with the Carleton Place & District Chamber of Commerce by appointing Councillor Jane Torrance as our representative on the Chamber Board. This connection is helping us promote opportunities for local businesses to thrive. 

This fall, two of our businesses were honoured at the Chamber’s Business Awards of Excellence. Sylvie Bigaouette of Sylvie B Designs Boutique earned the Solopreneur Award; and Darryl Graham of Darryl Thomas Textiles received the Community Impact Award.   

The Municipality continued its tradition of recognizing the enduring legacy of local businesses through our Long-Standing Business Appreciation Night. This year, 17 remarkable businesses were celebrated for their years of dedication and impact in our community.  

Planning for the Future 

The multi-year MM2048 planning process is nearing completion. Thanks to community input, we now have updated master plans for transportation, water and wastewater, community services, asset management, long-term financial planning and more. 

Key milestones this year include: 

• Official Plan Amendment 28: Policies that honour the unique character of our rural villages while supporting growth
• Downtown Secondary Plan and Public Realm Plan: Developed thanks to our $3.3 million grant from the Housing Accelerator Fund agreement through the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, these plans lay out a clear vision for downtown Almonte and Ottawa Street

Other initiatives in the Housing Accelerator Fund agreement that are well underway or completed include reviews of development charges, municipally-owned lands, exclusionary zoning and the creation of an Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan. Together, these efforts will help eliminate barriers and build more affordable and missing middle housing in Mississippi Mills. 

Community feedback through surveys and public information centres has been essential in this process. The public’s voice matters and it is shaping a future that reflects our shared values. 

Facing the Challenges Ahead 

Planning is only the beginning. Implementation will require creativity, collaboration and perseverance to face the challenges ahead. Our MM2048 plans identify $171 million in investment needs over the next five years – put into perspective, that is eight times our current debt load. Over 25 years, the projected needs rise to $643 million in today’s dollars.  

These are not small undertakings; they are ambitious challenges for us to face. The path ahead will demand tough choices and bold ideas. It will mean working together – Council, staff, community partners, and residents – to prioritize wisely, to innovate, and to advocate for the support we need from provincial and federal partners.  

But if there is one thing Mississippi Mills has shown time and again, it is resilience. It is the ability to come together, to roll up our sleeves and to build something better than what came before.

I am confident that together, we can meet these challenges head-on and build a future that is not only strong and sustainable, but also exciting, inclusive, and full of possibility. 

As we reflect on this past year, I want to acknowledge the dedication of my fellow Council members. Your perseverance and commitment to serving residents have been instrumental in moving Mississippi Mills forward. I’d like to recognize the hard work of our dedicated staff team who consistently go above and beyond for our residents – I’m grateful for all you do.  

Most importantly, I want to celebrate the citizens of our community. Their ideas, energy and willingness to engage are what make Mississippi Mills thrive. 

Together, I am confident we can build a future that continues to be strong, exciting and bright with promised.

Sincerely,

Mayor Christa Lowry
Municipality of Mississippi Mills