Hearst meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Hearst agendas: university land request, waste plan review, snow contract renewal

Hearst's committees and council posted agendas for nine meetings held between Oct. 13 and Oct. 22, covering a university land request, a waste management environmental assessment, a snow removal contract renewal and tax rebate requests. Every record supplied for these meetings is marked "agenda only (minutes not yet published)," so the items below are what was scheduled for discussion, not confirmed decisions. No vote tallies or outcomes appear in the records.

Université de Hearst asks for land at Kinsey Park

The Planning Committee met Oct. 14 with a request from the Université de Hearst for a donation of municipal land at Kinsey Park on 7th Street on its agenda. The same meeting listed a proposed renewal of an agreement with Les Médias de l'épinette noire for emergency information broadcasting, and a review of building permit activity comparing September 2025 with September 2026.

Waste management environmental assessment terms of reference

The Operations Committee met Oct. 14 to review approval of Terms of Reference to begin an environmental assessment for the Hearst Waste Management System. The committee also had the water and wastewater system operation report for August 2026 on its agenda.

Snow removal renewal, tax rebates and veterinarian incentive

The Finance Committee met Oct. 13 on the renewal of a snow removal service agreement with Les Entreprises Forma-Jeunes. Also listed were tax rebates under Sections 357 and 358 of the Municipal Act, a notice of motion for a Financial Incentive Program for veterinarians, free rental of municipal space used by Dépôt Gamelin, and the activity report for Centre Éducatôt Hub.

Council public hearing on tax rebate requests

Council's regular meeting on Oct. 20 included a public hearing on requests for tax rebates. The agenda also listed reports from the Long-Term Care Committee and James Bay O.P.P. Detachment Board 1, the District of Cochrane Social Services Administration Board and the Hearst Planning Board, plus correspondence on the Highway 11/17 expansion and northern highway safety, 2027 OPP policing costs and Northeastern Public Health municipal levies.

Library board record lists $14,010.55 in expenditures

The Hearst Public Library Board record for Oct. 21 lists approval of $14,010.55 in expenditures across 30 electronic fund transfers for June, July and August 2026. It also lists monthly circulation of 1,007 in June, 1,249 in July and 982 in August, a literary project with Editions Prise de Parole, a request for age-group and attendance statistics to evaluate opening hours, and direction for the director to propose priority policies for revision. Because the record is marked agenda-only, the expenditure approval is not confirmed by published minutes.

Accountability policy, airport traffic and arena storage

The Policy Committee met Oct. 13 on a proposed new Accountability and Transparency Policy, proposed repeals of By-law No. 75-07 (Accountability and Transparency Policy) and By-law No. 89-09 (Code of Ethics Policy), appointments to the 2026 Joint Election Compliance Audit Committee, and support for an Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus resolution to reinvest non-refundable HST in local infrastructure.

The Economic Development Committee met Oct. 15 to review a 2026 year-to-date air traffic summary from the Director of Airport Services for the René Fontaine Municipal Airport. The item was listed for information only, with no staff recommendation for action.

The Parks and Recreation Committee met Oct. 15 on requests from two sports organizations for free space at the Claude-Larose Recreation Centre. Staff recommended granting free basement storage to the Hearst Minor Hockey Association for the 2026-27 season; the Hearst Figure Skating Club requested storage space and La Limite Hall.

Downtown, policing and road safety

Centre-ville Hearst Downtown met Oct. 20 on correspondence regarding the closure of rue George, banner supports estimated at $40 per support, a painting project with the Club Rotary, Christmas decorations and Halloween festivities, and "Magie de Minuit."

James Bay OPP Detachment Board 1 met Oct. 22 on a stop sign at the corner of Gaspésie Rd and Highway 583 South, road closures on Hwy 11, the Hearst Detachment report for January to October 2026, and a closed meeting regarding trade secrets under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings were listed in the supplied data for the next 14 days. Readers should check the Town of Hearst's published agendas and minutes for scheduling and for the minutes of the meetings summarized above.

Hearst committees take up Kinsey Park land request, snow removal renewal; no minutes published yet

Six Town of Hearst committee meetings were scheduled between Oct. 13 and Oct. 15, 2026, but none has published minutes, so no decisions from those sessions are confirmed. The agendas list a request from the Université de Hearst for municipal land at Kinsey Park, a snow removal contract renewal, a proposed new accountability and transparency policy, and the start of an environmental assessment for the waste management system.

No minutes yet for the Oct. 13–15 meetings

All six summaries are marked "agenda only (minutes not yet published)." The items below were listed for discussion. The record provided does not show what, if anything, was decided, deferred, or voted on.

Université de Hearst requests land at Kinsey Park

The Planning Committee (Oct. 14) was to review a request from the Université de Hearst for a donation of municipal land at Kinsey Park (7th Street). The same agenda listed a proposed renewal of the town's agreement with Les Médias de l'épinette noire for emergency information broadcasting, and a review of building permit activity comparing September 2025 with September 2026.

Snow removal renewal and tax rebates at Finance

The Finance Committee (Oct. 13) was to discuss renewal of the snow removal service agreement with Les Entreprises Forma-Jeunes, and tax rebates under Sections 357 and 358 of the Municipal Act. Also listed: a notice of motion for a Financial Incentive Program for veterinarians, free rental of municipal space used by Dépôt Gamelin, and an activity report for Centre Éducatôt Hub. A notice of motion is a notice that a proposal will be brought forward, not a decision.

Policy Committee: accountability and transparency policy

The Policy Committee (Oct. 13) was to consider adopting a new Accountability and Transparency Policy, and proposed repeals of By-law No. 75-07 (Accountability and Transparency Policy) and By-law No. 89-09 (Code of Ethics Policy). The agenda also listed appointments to the 2026 Joint Election Compliance Audit Committee and support for an Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus resolution to reinvest non-refundable HST in local infrastructure.

Waste management environmental assessment

The Operations Committee (Oct. 14) was to review approval of Terms of Reference to begin an environmental assessment for the Hearst Waste Management System, along with the water and wastewater system operation report for August 2026.

Recreation storage requests

The Parks and Recreation Committee (Oct. 15) had two requests for free use of space at the Claude-Larose Recreation Centre: basement storage from the Hearst Minor Hockey Association for the 2026-27 season, which staff recommended granting, and storage space plus La Limite Hall from the Hearst Figure Skating Club.

Airport traffic report for information only

The Economic Development Committee (Oct. 15) was to review the 2026 year-to-date air traffic summary from the Director of Airport Services. The item was presented for information only, with no staff recommendation for action.

Library board expenditure item carries conflicting status

The Hearst Public Library Board item is dated Oct. 21 and appears in the upcoming list, but its summary describes a board that met and approved $14,010.55 in expenditures (30 electronic fund transfers) for June, July and August 2026, with circulation of 1,007 in June, 1,249 in July and 982 in August. Because the date falls after today and the listing is labelled an upcoming agenda, that approval should be treated as unconfirmed until minutes are available.

Coming up

• **Oct. 20 — Regular Meeting of Council:** a public hearing on requests for tax rebates, plus reports from the Long-Term Care Committee, James Bay O.P.P. Detachment Board 1, the District of Cochrane Social Services Administration Board and the Hearst Planning Board. Correspondence covers the Highway 11/17 Expansion and Northern Highway Safety, 2027 OPP policing costs, and Northeastern Public Health municipal levies.
• **Oct. 21 — Hearst Public Library Board.**
• **Oct. 22 — James Bay OPP Detachment Board 1:** a stop sign at the corner of Gaspésie Rd and Highway 583 South, road closures on Hwy 11, the Hearst Detachment report for January to October 2026, and a closed meeting regarding trade secrets under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019.

Hearst council to weigh landfill hours, window contract, youth program

Hearst's committees and council have several proposals on the table this month, including a cut to landfill operating hours, a $43,200 window replacement contract, and a youth entrepreneurship challenge. None of these items have been decided yet; minutes from the recent meetings have not been published, and the proposals are still pending council approval.

Landfill hours and staffing proposal

The Policy Committee's Aug. 11 agenda included a proposal to reduce landfill operating hours from 64 per week in summer and 59 in winter to 40 per week year-round, with two options detailed in Appendix A. The same proposal would replace two part-time Assistant By-law Officers with one full-time Landfill Attendant, saving an estimated $38,112 to $48,235 annually. The committee also reviewed a proposed $12,900 budget allocation for two elected officials to attend the ROMA 2027 conference (Jan. 24-26, 2027), and a property standards activity report covering 2024-2026 under By-law No. 37-2020.

Window replacement contract

At a special meeting on Aug. 11, council considered awarding a contract to replace 13 windows at the Gilles Gagnon Welcome Centre to RPM Glass for $43,200 plus HST. The bid was the lowest of three compliant bids but exceeds the $38,000 budget. Staff recommended an additional $5,200 allocation, funded by savings from the René Fontaine Municipal Airport window project. The meeting also included a closed session for confidential third-party information and adoption of a confirmatory by-law.

Parks and recreation updates

The Parks and Recreation Committee met Aug. 13 to receive informational reports on activities at the Claude-Larose Recreation Centre for August and September, and a summer work summary. The agenda noted ice installation at the Giroux surface to be ready by Aug. 24 and at the Ndur surface by Sept. 21. The Hearst Minor Hockey Association camp starts Aug. 24. No formal recommendations were made.

Economic development

The Economic Development Committee met Aug. 13 and discussed the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge. Staff recommended Option 1, which would alternate between French and English schools each year. The challenge includes workshops, mentors, and a final pitch to 'Dragons de Hearst.' The committee also reviewed a report on an information fair for new residents.

Coming up

The next Regular Meeting of Council is scheduled for Aug. 25. The agenda is procedural, with no public hearings or delegations. Council will adopt minutes from July 28 and Aug. 11, and review correspondence, including items on 2027 OPP municipal policing costs, a new transitional housing development in Hearst, dedicated funding for municipalities without development charges, a restricted towing zone for Highway 11, and support for doubling the OCIF.

Hearst council roundup: no decisions published; landfill hours, staffing on next agenda

No decisions have been published from Hearst council meetings held in the past two weeks. The agendas for those meetings are summarized below, and the next scheduled committee meeting will consider changes to landfill operations and staffing.

Recent meetings

Regular Meeting of Council (July 28)

The agenda included two operations committee recommendations: an agreement with Villeneuve Construction for applying granular material on Blais, Roy and McNee Roads, and a contract for the supply of screened sand. Council was also set to file correspondence from the Ministry of Northern Development, Ministry of Natural Resources, ROMA, FONOM, and multiple municipalities on topics including forest industry, emergency evacuations, hospital funding, physician recruitment, and road safety. No public hearings or delegations were scheduled. Minutes have not yet been published.

Special Meeting of Council (July 28)

This meeting was procedural only, with no substantive items listed. The agenda covered routine opening, conflict-of-interest declarations, and adjournment. No ordinances, contracts, or public hearings were proposed.

Hearst Planning Board (July 29)

The board held a public hearing on consent applications C04-26 and C05-26 by Yves Bastarache to create two new rural lots. It also received correspondence from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry on the Martison Site all-season access road and from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing on parkland regulation amendments. Business in progress included updates on pending consent applications, preparation for the 2027 comprehensive review of the Official Plan and Zoning By-law, and discussion on RVs and trailers in the Seasonal Residential (SR) Zone at Lac Ste-Thérèse. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming up

Policy Committee (August 11)

The committee will discuss three items and make recommendations to the Municipal Council:

• A proposed $12,900 budget allocation to send two elected officials to the ROMA 2027 conference (January 24–26, 2027).
• A proposal to reduce landfill operating hours from the current 64 (summer) / 59 (winter) per week to 40 hours per week year-round, with two options detailed in Appendix A.
• Replacing two part-time Assistant By-law Officers with one full-time Landfill Attendant, with estimated annual savings of $38,112 to $48,235.

The committee will also receive a property standards activity report covering 2024–2026, including cases under By-law No. 37-2020 (yards, outdoor storage, landscaping, etc.).

These items are recommendations only; final decisions will be made by the Municipal Council at a later date.

Hearst committees weigh $1.35M road funding, new staff position; downtown council approves George Street closure for car exhibition

Hearst's municipal committees spent the last two weeks reviewing a potential $1.35 million road rehabilitation funding application, a new permanent Facilities Attendant position, and free hall rental for minor hockey — while the Centre-ville Hearst Downtown council approved closing George Street for a August 29 car exhibition. All meetings listed below are agenda-only; minutes have not yet been published, so items described as approved or proposed reflect what agendas and summaries state.

Centre-ville Hearst Downtown — July 20

The downtown council approved several payments and a street closure, according to the meeting summary. The body approved using CFA funds to pay $250 for a dance session with Hearst Dance & Art Studio held July 9, 2026 at Parc des Nations. It also approved a $300 payment to CINN FM plus $150 in cash for the "Balade sur la rue George" radio event on July 23, 2026.

The council approved closing George Street and municipal parking between 8th and 9th streets on August 29, 2026 for the sixth car exhibition. A $5 registration fee for car exhibition participants was proposed. A mural painting project was discussed, and holiday decoration items were deferred to the next meeting. The May 2026 cheque list was adopted.

Finance Committee — July 21

The Finance Committee is considering amending By-law No. 28-91 to create a permanent Facilities Attendant position classified at Pay Band 3, with an hourly rate of $23.99 to $30.85. The committee is also reviewing the appointment of Sonia Coll as Deputy Treasurer to provide backup for the Acting Treasurer; no new position or direct cost is associated with this appointment.

Additional items include a draft update to the Municipal Procurement Policy covering by-law and delegation of power, and a mid-year review of 2026 revenues and expenses with budget variance reports for Operational and Capital Funds.

Policy Committee — July 21

The Policy Committee is reviewing a proposal to amend Delegation of Powers By-law No. 11-2025 to allow the Chief Administrative Officer to renew existing commercial leases at 801 George Street if terms remain substantially unchanged.

The committee received informational reports on the 2026 Bike Rodeo, which involved 260 students and 26 local business sponsors, and the 2026 Pitch-In cleanup campaign, which spent $70.15 on supplies. The Ontario Ombudsman 2025-26 Annual Report was also listed. A discussion on rebranding the Pitch-In campaign as a local municipal initiative was included.

Operations Committee — July 22

The Operations Committee is reviewing a proposal to apply for the Northern Ontario Resource Development Support (NORDS) Fund for road rehabilitation. Three candidate projects were listed: Route 583 Sud at $1.35 million, Chemin Gaspésie at $750,000, and Chemin Marchildon at $575,000.

The committee also received a progress update on the Mongeon and McManus Streets Local Improvement Project, water and wastewater systems operations reports for April and May 2026, and a report on elevated trihalomethanes (THM) and haloacetic acids (HAA) in the drinking water system for April 2026.

Parks and Recreation Committee — July 23

The committee is reviewing a request to provide free use of La Limite Hall for Hearst Minor Hockey Association youth events, with an estimated value of $1,424.78 plus HST.

The committee received an update on the $904,200 Claude Larose Recreation Centre project, including elevator modernization and bathroom renovations, and a progress report on replacement of 17 exterior doors at the facility. Information on the annual maintenance closure of the Stéphane-Lecours Swimming Pool was also listed.

Economic Development Committee — July 23

The committee received a mid-year air traffic summary for the René Fontaine Municipal Airport, presented for information only with no staff recommendation. Air traffic totaled 1,021 movements in the first half of 2026, up 55% from 658 in the same period of 2025. Passenger traffic reached 1,758, a 282% increase from 460. Fuel stopovers were the largest category at 22% of movements (228), up 48%. Wildlife survey flights accounted for 20% (207), up 184%. The report states this was the busiest first half-year recorded in 16 years of continuous tracking. No decisions were made.

Regular Meeting of Council — July 28

Council is considering two Operations Committee recommendations: an agreement with Villeneuve Construction for applying granular material on Blais, Roy and McNee Roads, and a contract for the supply of screened sand. Council will also file correspondence from the Ministry of Northern Development, Ministry of Natural Resources, ROMA, FONOM, and multiple municipalities on topics including forest industry, emergency evacuations, hospital funding, physician recruitment, and road safety. A special meeting of council held the same day was procedural with no substantive items.

Hearst Planning Board — July 29

The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on consent applications C04-26 and C05-26 by Yves Bastarache to create two new rural lots. The board will also receive correspondence from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry on the Martison Site All-Season Access Road and from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing on parkland regulation amendments. Preparation for the 2027 comprehensive review of the Official Plan and Zoning By-law is listed, along with a discussion on RVs and trailers in the Seasonal Residential (SR) Zone at Lac Ste-Thérèse.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days.