Cochrane, ON

OPP Detachment Board-James Bay East

Public Meeting

The Town of Cochrane is holding a public meeting to discuss a Zoning By-law Amendment (ZBA-2026-01) for lands owned by Greg Shanks. The proposal seeks site-specific provisions to recognize an existing lumber storage rack and permit a new one.

• Zoning By-law Amendment ZBA-2026-01 for 110 Railway Street to reduce front, interior, and rear yard setbacks for lumber storage racks

Regular Council

The Town Council will discuss a $250,000 contribution for a bridge replacement and a new budget and financial reporting policy. The meeting includes financial presentations on budget variances and cash flow, as well as a proposal to name a bridge after George Struyk.

• Authorization of $250,000 contribution for Concession 12 & 1 Bridge Replacement Project
• By-Law 2026-87 to adopt a Budget and Financial Reporting Policy
• By-Law 2026-89 for an agreement of purchase and sale with J. Bussiere
• Notice of Motion to name the Lilibelle Lake Bridge the George Struyk Bridge
• Presentation on 2025 Year-End Budget Variance Report and cash flow outlook

Cochrane and Suburban Planning Board

Committee of Adjustment

Regular Council

Regular Council

Committee of Adjustment

Cochrane and Suburban Planning Board

Regular Council

Cochrane and Suburban Planning Board

The Cochrane and Suburban Planning Board will meet to discuss a specific land consent application. The board will also review minutes from previous meetings and determine a meeting date for December 2026.

• Consent Application B2026-03 for 257 Thirteenth Avenue (R. Lessard)

Committee of Adjustment

The Committee of Adjustment will review a minor variance application for a property at 70 Seventh Avenue South. The body will also adopt minutes from the July 8, 2026, meeting and discuss the December 2026 meeting schedule.

• Minor Variance Application-A06-2026: Request to reduce corner side yard setback to 1.2m (from 3.0m) for a garage expansion at 70 Seventh Avenue South

Regular Council

Council is considering updates to the Town's Budget and Financial Reporting Policy to align with Strong Mayor Powers. The meeting includes decisions on municipal contracts, committee appointments, and land purchase agreements.

• Contract award to B&F Shier Contractors Limited for winter sand for an estimated $52,110.00
• Unbudgeted $25,000.00 replacement of heating unit at 92 2nd St
• Appointment of Chantal Chabot, Stephane Lapointe, and Linda Semczyszyn to the Joint Election Compliance Audit Committee
• Proposed updates to the Budget and Financial Reporting Policy (Report 2026-97)
• Purchase and sale agreements with G. & D. Papineau and Trustees J. Walker, T. Fortney, and M. Schnurr

Cochrane Beautification Committee

The Cochrane Beautification Committee meets Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 12:00 PM in Council Chambers. The agenda is largely procedural: opening remarks, adoption of the agenda and minutes, declarations of pecuniary interest, and adjournment. Under new business, the committee is set to discuss applications for committees and boards, an update on projects, a Council presentation, and a roundtable. The attached notice states the Town is accepting applications for several municipal committees and boards for the 2026-2030 term, with a deadline of November 10, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.

• Applications open for the 2026-2030 term on the Cochrane Committee of Adjustment, Cochrane and Suburban Planning Board, OPP Detachment Board-James Bay East, Cochrane Public Library Board, Cochrane Beautification Committee, and Cochrane Economic Development Steering Board
• Application deadline: November 10, 2026 at 4:00 p.m., submitted to the Deputy Clerk
• Current committee or board members seeking reappointment must submit a new application
• New business items listed: Application for Committee and Boards, Update on Projects, Council Presentation, Roundtable
• Meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 12:00 PM in Council Chambers

Regular Council

Cochrane Council will receive the Final Draft Background Report for the Cochrane and Suburban Planning Area Official Plan Review and direct staff to continue the process. They will also consider approving revised fees for the Cochrane Municipal Airport effective January 1, 2027, and adopt a new procurement policy by-law. The agenda includes routine items like minutes, correspondence, and scheduling changes.

• Receive Final Draft Background Report for Cochrane and Suburban Planning Area Official Plan Review
• Approve revised fees for Cochrane Municipal Airport effective January 1, 2027
• Adopt By-Law 2026-78 to adopt a Procurement Policy
• Receive uncommitted hydraulic reserve capacity calculation for water and wastewater
• Cancel Oct 27, 2026 meeting; reschedule Nov 10 to Nov 2 or 4

OPP Detachment Board-James Bay East

The OPP Detachment Board-James Bay East will review activity reports for Cochrane, Moosonee, and Smooth Rock Falls. The Board also expressed support for a request to designate the Highway 11 corridor as a Restricted Tow Zone.

• Support for Murray OK Tire's request for a Highway 11 Restricted Tow Zone
• Cochrane OPP Activity Report (July 1, 2026 – September 4, 2026)
• Moosonee OPP Activity Report (July 1, 2026 – September 4, 2026)
• Smooth Rock Falls OPP Activity Report (July 1, 2026 – September 4, 2026)
• Review of Solicitor General correspondence regarding 2027 policing costs

CANCELLED-Cochrane and Suburban Planning Board

CANCELLED-Committee of Adjustment

Regular Council

Cochrane's Regular Council meeting on September 8, 2026, will consider several by-laws, including an agreement with Agnico Eagle, a forest fire management deal, and adoption of the 2025 Asset Management Plan. Council will also hear a notice of motion from Mayor Politis to direct staff to prepare a brief on a roundabout makeover, and will amend a board appointment. The agenda includes routine items like minutes and consent agenda correspondence.

• Notice of motion: roundabout makeover to display three pillars of heritage, with staff brief due by October 13, 2026
• By-Law 2026-70: agreement with Agnico Eagle
• By-Law 2026-77: adopt 2025 Asset Management Plan
• By-Law 2026-52: Municipal Forest Fire Management Agreement with Ontario
• By-Law 2026-74/75: agreements for Provincial Offences Act prosecution and facility lease

Emergency Council

Cochrane's emergency council meeting on August 20, 2026, will consider a staff recommendation to acquire a SANY SMG200-8 motor grader and a SANY SW305K wheel loader through a five-year TRAC lease with National Bank Equipment Finance, supplied by Timmins Mechanical Solutions. The report outlines replacing aging equipment, using remaining 2026 capital allocations for lease payments, and incorporating future lease costs into budgets. The meeting also includes a closed session to discuss Northern Ontario Wires Inc. financing arrangements and an update on the Treasurer position.

• Purchase of one SANY SMG200-8 Motor Grader with Winter Package and one SANY SW305K Wheel Loader from Timmins Mechanical Solutions
• Five-year Terminal Residual Adjustment Clause (TRAC) lease with National Bank Equipment Finance
• Use of remaining 2026 capital budget allocations for grader and loader toward 2026 lease payments
• Decommission and disposal of 1991 Champion grader (GR-91-01) and 1975 CAT loader (LD-75-01)
• Closed session under Municipal Act s. 239(2)(i) re: Northern Ontario Wires Inc. financing and s. 239(2)(b) re: Treasurer position update

CANCELLED-Committee of Adjustment

CANCELLED-Cochrane and Suburban Planning Board

Regular Council

Cochrane Council will consider several staff reports, including updates to the procurement policy for local preference, acquisition of heavy equipment via lease, a short-term rental licensing framework, and adoption of the 2025 Asset Management Plan. The agenda also includes routine items like minutes, consent agenda, and by-laws, plus closed-session discussions on RFP results and staff matters.

• Report 2026-67: Amending Procurement Policy for Local Preference and Buy Ontario Directive
• Report 2026-76: Acquisition of SANY motor grader and wheel loader via 5-year TRAC lease with National Bank Equipment Finance
• Report 2026-82: Developing short-term rental business licensing framework tied to Municipal Accommodation Tax compliance
• Report 2026-85: Adoption of 2025 Asset Management Plan per Ontario Regulation 588/17
• By-Law 2026-71: Establishing Health Care Recruitment Reserve Fund and delegating authority to CAO for physician recruitment incentives

Cochrane Beautification Committee

Regular Council

The Town of Cochrane Council will read and pass three by‑laws: an agreement with Remi Papineau, the operating and capital water and wastewater budget for 2026, and a schedule of user fees and service charges. The meeting also includes a presentation from Eastlink about launching its mobile network in Cochrane on July 7. Additional items are the adoption of consent‑agenda resolutions, reports on recent RFPs for landfill monitoring well repairs and a lighting retrofit at the water treatment plant, and a resolution to rescind a prior strong‑mayor powers resolution.

• By‑Law 2026‑61 – agreement with Remi Papineau
• By‑Law 2026‑62 – adopt 2026 water and wastewater operating and capital budget
• By‑Law 2026‑63 – adopt schedule of user fees and service charges
• Eastlink presentation on launching a mobile network in Cochrane (July 7 launch)
• Report 2026‑53 – RFP 2026‑09 for Fournier Landfill monitoring well repairs

CANCELLED-Cochrane and Suburban Planning Board

Committee of Adjustment

The Committee of Adjustment will consider a minor variance application (A05-2026) to permit a reduced interior side yard setback of 0.61 metres for two detached garages at 59-61 Huron Road, where the zoning by-law requires 1.0 metres. Staff recommend approval, finding the variance meets all four tests under the Planning Act. The meeting will also adopt previous minutes and handle other procedural items.

• Minor variance application A05-2026 for 59-61 Huron Road to allow 0.61m interior side yard setback for two detached garages (required 1.0m)
• Staff recommendation to approve the application
• Property zoned Residential First Density (R1) and designated Residential Neighbourhood Area in Official Plan
• Public hearing scheduled for July 8, 2026 at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers

Regular Council

The regular council meeting will adopt minutes and consent agenda items, then move into closed session to discuss a proposed relocation for 2nd Street Capital Funding, an appointment to the Committee of Adjustment, and other confidential matters. No other substantive public decisions are on the agenda.

• Consent agenda includes minutes from Planning Board, Committee of Adjustment, Library Board, and OPP Detachment Board (April 2026)
• Correspondence from Ministry of the Solicitor General re. police service board elections
• Resolutions from Wawa (school board governance) and Prince Edward County (Better Regional Governance Act) received
• Confirmatory By-Law 2026-59 to ratify proceedings
• In-camera discussion of proposed relocation for 2nd Street Capital Funding under s.239(2)(i)(k) of Municipal Act

Emergency Council

Council will amend three resolutions passed June 4, 2026, that created Indigenous Cochrane Day (June 21), Franco-Cochrane Day (June 24), and Anglo Cochrane Day (June 25) as voluntary holidays. The amendments specify that these are community proclamations, not public holidays for municipal employees, and that all municipal services and facilities will remain in full operation. The meeting includes a closed session to discuss labour negotiations with CUPE Local 71.

• Amend Resolution 2026-42: Indigenous Cochrane Day (June 21) clarified as voluntary for community, not a staff holiday
• Amend Resolution 2026-43: Franco-Cochrane Day (June 24) clarified as voluntary for community, not a staff holiday
• Amend Resolution 2026-44: Anglo Cochrane Day (June 25) clarified as voluntary for community, not a staff holiday
• Closed session under s. 239(2)(d) of the Municipal Act for update on bargaining with CUPE Local 71

OPP Detachment Board-James Bay East

The OPP Detachment Board-James Bay East will receive the 2025 annual report and quarterly policing reports from Cochrane, Moosonee, and Smooth Rock Falls. The board will also vote on a by-law establishing meeting procedures and consider directing the secretary to include livestreaming costs in future budget deliberations. Correspondence from the Solicitor General regarding municipal elections and a notice from Police Governance Ontario will be received.

• Receive 2025 Detachment Board Annual Report (crime and traffic data)
• Receive quarterly OPP reports from Cochrane, Moosonee, and Smooth Rock Falls (Feb-Jun 2026)
• By-law 2026-02 to establish rules of order for board meetings (first, second, third reading and final passage)
• Staff Report 2026-01 on livestreaming: board to direct inclusion of ongoing costs in future budget
• Correspondence from Solicitor General re. police board members and elections, and notice from Police Governance Ontario

Cochrane Economic Development Steering Board

The Cochrane Economic Development Steering Board adopted its agenda and the minutes from the April 2, 2026 meeting, and accepted the April and May EDO monthly reports. It then discussed several informational items, including the BAG awards, upcoming elections, business licensing, and an online survey for the Official Plan. No formal policy decisions were made beyond routine approvals.

• Adopted agenda (moved by Adrian Struyk, seconded by Heather Decevito)
• Adopted minutes of the April 2, 2026 meeting (moved by Adrian Struyk, seconded by Dennis Draves)
• Accepted EDO April 2026 monthly report for information (moved by Heather Decevito)
• Discussed business licenses as a data/compliance tool (moved by Dennis Draves)
• Received the Official Plan Surbey (online survey) for information (moved by Lee Thomas)

Cochrane Beautification Committee

The Cochrane Beautification Committee will meet to discuss updates on the burdock report and a Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) grant, as well as a community cleanup contest, trolley projects, Little Bear flowers, a welcome billboard, a student weed program, and a community tree plaque. The agenda includes standard procedural items such as adoption of minutes and declarations of interest.

• NOHFC Grant – potential funding opportunity
• Burdock Report Update – invasive species management
• Community Clean Up Contest – planning discussion
• Trolley – project update
• Little Bear – flowers/landscaping discussion

Regular Council

The council will adopt the draft minutes from the May 26 and June 4 meetings and consider several consent agenda items, including a motion supporting the provincial‑municipal fiscal framework and a confirmatory by‑law. It will read and pass By‑Law 2026‑33 to create a Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee and By‑Law 2026‑46 to authorize a bank loan agreement (Folio No. 0574584) with Caisse Desjardins Ontario Credit Union Inc. An in‑camera session will follow to discuss land acquisition, lease agreements, labour matters and a potential road‑funding joint venture.

• Adopt draft minutes from May 26, 2026 and June 4, 2026 meetings
• Consent agenda: Tailgate event permit update, support motion for provincial‑municipal fiscal framework, Confirmatory By‑Law 2026‑56
• By‑Law 2026‑33: Establish the 2026 Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee
• By‑Law 2026‑46: Authorize a one‑year fixed‑term loan with Caisse Desjardins Ontario Credit Union Inc. (Folio 0574584)
• In‑camera discussion of land purchase (Eight Street), lease agreements, labour negotiations and road‑funding joint venture

Cochrane and Suburban Planning Board

The Cochrane and Suburban Planning Board will hold public hearings on two consent applications. The first seeks to sever a 3.2-hectare lot at 2307 Highway 652 for industrial use, requiring a zoning by-law amendment and site plan control. The second application involves property at 1267 Concession 4 & 5. The board will also handle procedural items including the adoption of minutes.

• Consent Application B2026-01 (K. Dumont & J. Mageau): sever 3.2 ha at 2307 Highway 652 for industrial use (heavy equipment repair), with conditions including zoning amendment and site plan control
• Consent Application B2026-02 (M. Massicotte & C. Dubeault): severance at 1267 Concession 4 & 5
• Appointment of Acting Secretary-Treasurer (item 2.1)
• Adoption of April 8, 2026 meeting minutes

Committee of Adjustment

The Committee of Adjustment will hold a public hearing on a minor variance application (A04-2026) from F. Charron to allow a reduced front yard setback (4 m vs. 15 m required) and a slight height increase (6.12 m vs. 6 m max) for an already-constructed dome accessory structure on an agricultural property. Other agenda items include adoption of previous meeting minutes and a call for applications for a vacant public member position.

• Public hearing on Minor Variance A04-2026 – 1521 Concession 4 & 5: requests 4 m front yard setback (instead of 15 m) and 6.12 m height (instead of 6 m) for accessory dome structure
• Staff report recommends approval subject to conditions
• Adoption of April 8, 2026 Committee of Adjustment minutes
• Application for vacant Public Member position on the Committee

Special Council

Council will consider three notices of motion to declare June 21, 24, and 25 as voluntary holidays for Indigenous, Francophone, and Anglophone communities under the 'Shared Shores' framework. Other items include authorizing an in-kind donation for the Blue Heart Festival, approving a $10,000 contribution to the 2026 Bearfest and Monster Truck Show, amending the June meeting schedule due to staff unavailability, and passing by-laws for agreements with A2Z Civil Inc. and CIMCO Refrigeration.

• Three voluntary holidays proposed for Indigenous (June 21), Francophone (June 24), and Anglophone (June 25) communities
• In-kind donation to support Blue Heart Festival
• $10,000 from Recreation Board Reserve for 2026 Bearfest and Monster Truck Show
• By-laws for agreements with A2Z Civil Inc. and CIMCO Refrigeration
• Regular June Council meeting schedule amended to June 16 and 30

Regular Council

Council will consider approving the 2026 Water and Wastewater Budget, and is recommended to reject and cancel the $9,503,286.78 tender from MCA Contracting for the Cochrane Second Street Upgrades Project due to significant variance from the engineer's estimate. Other items include a deeming by-law for lots at 39 and 41 Algonquin Road, establishment of a joint compliance audit committee, and replacement of chiller equipment at Tim Hortons Event Centre. Several reports are for information only.

• Reject and cancel $9.5M tender from MCA Contracting for Second Street Upgrades due to cost variance
• Approve 2026 Water and Wastewater Budget
• Deem Lots 74 and 75 on Plan M406C (39 and 41 Algonquin Rd) no longer part of registered plan
• Establish joint Compliance Audit Committee with eight neighbouring towns for municipal elections
• Award contract for replacement of chiller, compressor, sub-floor brine pump at Tim Hortons Event Centre (financial details in closed session)

Cochrane Beautification Committee

The Cochrane Beautification Committee will consider updates on the welcome sign at Railway Park and staining of the boardwalk. It will discuss council results concerning the designation of burdock as a noxious invasive weed and a request to apply for Northern Ontario Heritage Fund funding for the Railway Park train renovation. Additional items include tree planting, a community clean‑up contest, and the Little Bear Flowers project.

• Welcome sign at Railway Park
• Staining of the boardwalk
• Request to designate burdock as a noxious invasive weed
• Proposal to seek NOHFC funding for Railway Park train renovation
• Tree planting initiative

CANCELLED-Committee of Adjustment