Cochrane, ON

Regular Council

Cochrane and Suburban Planning Board

Committee of Adjustment

OPP Detachment Board-James Bay East

Regular Council

Regular Council

Cochrane and Suburban Planning Board

Committee of Adjustment

Regular Council

OPP Detachment Board-James Bay East

Regular Council

Cochrane and Suburban Planning Board

Committee of Adjustment

Regular Council

Regular Council

Cochrane and Suburban Planning Board

Committee of Adjustment

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

Committee of Adjustment

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

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

CANCELLED-Cochrane and Suburban Planning Board

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

CANCELLED-Cochrane and Suburban Planning Board

Regular Council - 12 May 2026-RESCHEDULED to May 13

The Cochrane Town Council will consider a twelve‑month renewal of a government‑relations advisory contract with Jenni Byrne & Associates Inc. for $48,000 plus HST. It will also vote on two by‑laws: one amending By‑Law 2026‑31 and another entering an agreement with Sky Wrench Inc. Additional items include a request to seek NOHFC funding for a historic train renovation in Railway Park and a directive to staff to draft a report on designating burdock as a noxious invasive weed.

• Renewal of a 12‑month contract with Jenni Byrne & Associates Inc. at $48,000 plus HST (Nov 2025‑Nov 2026)
• By‑Law 2026‑47 to amend By‑Law 2026‑31
• By‑Law 2026‑48 to enter into an agreement with Sky Wrench Inc.
• Authorization to apply to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund for the Railway Park historic train renovation project
• Council directs staff to draft a report on formally designating burdock as a noxious invasive weed

Cochrane Economic Development Steering Board

The Cochrane Economic Development Steering Board will meet on May 1, 2026 to adopt previous minutes, receive the April Monthly EDO Report, and discuss several items including the Official Plan survey (open until May 25), the BAG Awards event on May 23, municipal elections, and business licenses. The EDO report covers updates on planning, tourism, Hillcrest Park expansion, and funding such as a finalized Energy Feasibility Study agreement and student wage subsidies for 12 positions.

• Adoption of minutes from April 2, 2026
• Receive April Monthly EDO Report (includes Hillcrest Park expansion, Energy Feasibility Study funding, student wage subsidy increase to 12 positions)
• Discussion of BAG Awards ceremony on May 23, 2026
• Discussion of municipal elections
• Discussion of Official Plan community survey (open until May 25, 2026)

Regular Council

Council will vote to approve Growth Community Improvement Plan Incentive Application 09‑2025, allowing the sale of municipal land at $10 per lot. The council also directs staff to amend the Open Air Burning By‑Law to permit daytime burning permits. Reports on the Concession 6&7 and 12&1 bridge projects and the Road Paving Inspection RFP will be received, with financial results to be reviewed in closed session. By‑Law 2026‑44, authorizing an agreement with CRCS Recreation, will be read and passed.

• Growth Community Improvement Plan Incentive Application 09‑2025 – $10 per‑lot land sale (approval)
• Fire Permit By‑Law Review – directive to amend Open Air Burning By‑Law for daytime permits
• Report 2026‑26 – Concession 6&7 and 12&1 bridges – financial results to be considered in closed session
• Report 2026‑28 – RFP 2026‑04 Road Paving Inspection – financial results to be considered in closed session
• By‑Law 2026‑44 – agreement with CRCS Recreation to be read and passed

Cochrane Beautification Committee

The Cochrane Beautification Committee will discuss several upcoming projects including the Sportsman Show, a quote for burdock removal, a welcome sign, holiday light changes, and a lake cleanup. The committee will also review its list of 2026 goals and accomplishments.

• Burdock removal quote for weed control
• Welcome sign project
• Change out holiday lights and banners
• Around the lake clean up
• Review of 2026 goals and accomplishments

OPP Detachment Board-James Bay East

The OPP Detachment Board-James Bay East will hold its regular meeting on April 15, 2026, in Cochrane. Key items include a presentation from Victim Services on the Provincial Bail Notification program, a resolution to support the County of Prince Edward's call for sustainable OPP funding, and a resolution to support the Prescription Diversion Project proposed by North Bay Police Service. The board will also discuss logistics for reopening Highway 11 with plow and OPP escort coordination, and consider options for livestreaming meetings.

• Presentation from Victim Services of Nipissing District on the Provincial Bail Notification program
• Resolution to support the County of Prince Edward's call for OPP Sustainable Police Services Funding
• Resolution to support the Prescription Diversion Project proposed by North Bay Police Service and Community Drug Strategy – North Bay & Area
• Discussion on Highway 11 reopening logistics including plow and OPP escort coordination
• Discussion on options for livestreaming board meetings

Regular Council

The Town of Cochrane Council will consider several by‑laws, including one to stop‑up, close, declare surplus and sell parts of unopened road allowances on Poplar Avenue and Wyandotte Road. The council will also adopt the operating and capital budget, tax rates and tax ratios, and approve a contract for new playground equipment at Hillcrest Park. A letter from the de Blois family regarding the land sale is being received for information only.

• By‑Law 2026-30 to stop‑up, close, declare surplus and sell portions of unopened road allowances on Poplar Avenue and Wyandotte Road (M182NB)
• By‑Law 2026-35 to adopt the operating and capital budget
• By‑Law 2026-36 to adopt tax rates
• By‑Law 2026-37 to adopt tax ratios
• Contract award to CRCS Recreation for Hillcrest Park playground equipment, $158,711.34 plus HST

Cochrane and Suburban Planning Board

The Planning Board will receive a presentation from J.L. Richards on a Background and Directions Report for the review and update of the Cochrane and Suburban Planning Area Official Plan. The report outlines proposed policy directions on growth, housing, agriculture, economic development, transportation, and public health and safety. The meeting is part of Phase 3 (Public and Stakeholder Engagement) of the five-phase project. No decisions are being made; this is a discussion item.

• Presentation of Background and Directions Report for Official Plan review
• Projected population growth from 5,880 (2024) to 9,400 by 2051, with 1,790 new housing units
• Proposed policy updates including affordable housing targets, ARU policies, and 15-year minimum land supply
• Updates to rural and agricultural consent policies and hazard land mapping
• Project schedule: Phase 3 engagement runs April to June 2026

Committee of Adjustment

The Committee will hear a minor variance application from Falcon Investment Inc. to build a three-storey, nine-unit apartment at 144 Fourth Street West. Variances are needed for building height, outdoor amenity space, and parking requirements. Staff recommend approval, subject to site plan control. The meeting also includes an update on a separate application at 110-112 Third Street West.

• Minor variance application A02-2026: request to permit 11m building height (max 10m under zoning by-law)
• Reduced outdoor amenity space: 44 sq m proposed vs. 54 sq m required (3.67 sq m per unit vs. 4.5 sq m)
• Reduced total parking: 14 spaces proposed vs. 15 required (1.1 per unit vs. 1.25)
• Only 6 of the 14 required parking spaces would be on-site; the rest would be off-site
• Update on application A03-2026 for 110-112 Third Street West (no details in agenda)

Cochrane and Suburban Planning Board

The Cochrane and Suburban Planning Board will adopt minutes from January and February 2026, consider By-Law 2026-04 to amend By-Law 2025-01, receive a communication from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding a provincial appointee, and appoint a Secretary-Treasurer.

• Adoption of minutes from January 14, 2026 and February 19, 2026 special meeting
• Consideration of By-Law 2026-04 to amend By-Law 2025-01
• Communication from Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing re provincial appointee for Planning Board
• Appointment of Secretary-Treasurer under Section 11(3) of the Planning Act