Lanark County Council Highlights – August 26, 2026

Press Release – Lanark County

Here are highlights from the Lanark County Council meeting held August 26, 2026. 

Highway Salt Tender Accepted

Lanark County Council has awarded a five-year contract for the supply and delivery of bulk coarse highway salt to Compass Minerals following a tender process that closed August 5. The previous contract with Cargill Salt has ended. 

Director of Public Works Sean Derouin said Compass Minerals was the sole bid received. The other two major suppliers in Ontario, Cargill Salt and Windsor Salt, were circulated in the tender. 

This is a joint tender with all local municipalities except for Perth, which already has a contract with Compass. The participating local municipalities have agreed to purchase at least 80 per cent of their estimated annual tender quantity to support competitive pricing and reduce supplier risk related to supply and storage. 

“A five-year contract will secure long-term supply and pricing certainty,” Derouin explained. “This option protects the county and participating municipalities from future market volatility and reduces the risk of price escalation resulting from future supply shortages.” 

Municipalities may increase their annual quantities needed during the contract. 

Public Works plans to help mitigate higher prices by increasing use of “winter mix,” which is a blend of sand, salt and stone dust, on lower-volume roads, while continuing to meet required maintenance standards.

“Similar measures were successfully implemented during last year’s salt shortage, reserving salt applications for higher-volume roads and freezing rain events,” Derouin said. 

For more information, contact Sean Derouin, Director of Public Works, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3194. 

Active Kids, Bright Futures Policy Approved

Lanark County Council has approved a Social Services policy relating to the implementation of the new youth activity program Active Kids, Bright Futures. 

The program aims to support low-income children and youth in Lanark County by increasing access to recreation activities and encouraging greater community engagement. It is funded through revenue generated from the Warden’s Golf Tournament and a $50,000 allocation in 2026 for its establishment.

Director of Social Services Emily Hollington explained the program will be administered by existing staff with a standardized approach supported by this policy and departmental best practices to ensure families are served fairly, consistently and in accordance with clear eligibility and administration requirements.

Recipients must meet eligibility requirements related to income and assets to receive up to $500 per child to support participation in approved recreational programs. Payments would go directly to service providers. This can cover registration, participation and/or membership fees, required basic equipment (up to $75) and transportation support. Eligible activities include those associated with a recognized organization or provider in a range of sports, arts, clubs, education and camps. Staff plan to launch the program September 1. Interested applicants can call their caseworker or book an appointment by calling the County office and extension 2140. 

For more information, contact Emily Hollington, Director of Social Services, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 2101. 

Update on Community Safety and Well-Being Plan Received

Lanark County Council received a progress update on 2025 activities related to the Community Plan for Safety and Well-being for Lanark County and Smiths Falls (2025-2029), which was adopted by all local municipalities last year. 

Lanark County OPP Detachment Board Support Coordinator Stephanie Gray outlined progress made in the four theme areas of the plan: affordability and quality of life, health, violence against persons, and priority populations and diversity. 

“Affordability and quality of life is the biggest theme area in the plan,” Gray said.

Examples of progress in this area include child care space expansion, grant funding to support activities leading to housing stability for clients, completion of the transit feasibility study, numerous activities in local climate action plans, the launch of the Natural Heritage System workplan, and efforts to support diversity, equity and inclusion in communities. 

Progress in the health theme was seen with efforts to divert calls from hospital, the creation of the new Lanark Integrated Frontline Team (LIFT) mobile initiative, grant funding for education and wellness fairs, and the expansion of the HART Hub in Smiths Falls. 

Violence against persons progress examples included the Coaching Boys Into Men prevention program; grant support for the Victim Advocate program, training and education in intimate partner violence/healthy relationships; anti-hate crime training for officers and the Safe and Inclusive Schools Officer Visits and Books program. 

In the priority populations and diversity area, progress was made through youth conferences; increasing efforts to support Indigenous peoples and support Calls to Action; 2SLGBTQIA+ training for hospice volunteers and increasing opportunities related to support groups; and activities by Lanark and Renfrew Immigration Settlement Services to support newcomers. 

The full progress update can be found at https://lanarkcounty.civicweb.net/document/183932/

For more information, contact Stephanie Gray, Lanark County OPP Detachment Board Support Coordinator, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1509. 

September Meeting Date Adjusted

Lanark County Council has passed a motion to change the date of the council and committee meetings (Community Services and Corporate Services) currently scheduled for September 9. 

Clerk Jasmin Ralph explained the meetings coincide with the annual Ontario East Municipal Conference, which many councillors attend. Changing the date to September 16 would accommodate participation in the conference. 

For more information, contact Jasmin Ralph, Clerk, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502. 

Upcoming Meetings

• NOTE CHANGE: County Council, Wednesday, September 16, 5 p.m.
• Community Services, September 16 (following County Council)
• Corporate Services, September 16 (following Community Services)
• County Council, Wednesday, September 23, 5 p.m.
• Public Works, September 23 (following County Council)
• Economic Development, September 23 (following Public Works)

Watch for details about public access to meetings on agendas and through online notifications. For more information, contact 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502. Like “LanarkCounty1” on Facebook and follow “@LanarkCounty1” on Instagram.