Council Highlights - May 25, 2026

Stay-up-to-date with what’s happening at the Council table with the Town of Arnprior’s meetings in just a few minutes.  Please note these summaries are not an official record of Council meetings. Official minutes are posted online once they are approved during a subsequent meeting. You can also access the meeting recording on the Town’s YouTube channel.

Delegations:
 
Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation
Meghan Sutherland, Business Development Officer with Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation provided Council with an overview of services including small business financing, community economic development and business counselling and support. For more information please visit www.rccfdc.org.

Reports:
 
Request for Sign By-law Exemption – 145 Daniel Street North
Council approved a minor variance from the provisions of the Sign and Merchandise
Display By-Law Number 5209-04 to increase the maximum sign face area and height for the installation of a ground-mounted sign for a residential use (bed and breakfast) from 0.4 square meters and 1 meter in height to a sign face area of 1.2 square meters (0.6 meters per sign face) and 2.4 meters in height at 145 Daniel St. North.
 
New Land Acknowledgement Process
Council received a report from the Town’s Manager of Culture / Curator and directed staff to amend the Procedure By-law to include:

• an appendix providing a template for use in the creation of personalized Land Acknowledgements; and
• an amendment to the wording of Section 7.4, to allow for the Presiding Officer and/or another person present at the meeting to give the Land Acknowledgement statement.

 
The Land Acknowledgement template allows for speakers to recognize the long-term stewardship of ancestral and traditional territories undertaken by Indigenous Nations in the Ottawa Valley and beyond. It also provides space for speakers to move beyond acknowledgement by speaking to personal and social relationships with the land and communities that care for it and including individual steps in support of reconciliation.
 
Award Tender PW-2026-02 Rolling Road Rehab & Contract Administration
Council awarded Tender PW-2025-02 Rolling Road Rehabilitation to McRae Excavating
Ltd. in the amount of $800,940.00 plus HST, as well as awarded Contract Administration & Inspection services to Jp2g Consultants Inc, in the amount of $35,412.00 plus HST. The project includes the following scope of work:

• Pulverizing and paving of Hartney Street from Decosta Street to Herrick Drive;
• Milling and paving of Jack Crescent including curb/sidewalk spot repairs and padding of low spots; and
• Road reconstruction of Ida Street South from William Street to an existing joint in the road approximately 105m from William Street. Scope includes excavation of road base, installation of filter cloth, new road base, sidewalk patches and a new asphalt surface.

 
Originally budgeted at $750,000 in the 2026 Capital budget, the budget deficit of $101,074.84 will be funded from the Capital Expenditure Reserve Fund.
 

Construction Award for Robert Simpson Park Refresh Phase 1A

Council awarded the Tender REC-2026-03 for the Arnprior Robert Simpson Park Refresh Phase 1A to Thunderbolt Contracting Ltd., for a total of $1,652,421.27 (plus HST), as well as awarding the quality assurance and contract administration services to Stantec Consulting for a total of $129,381.00 (plus HST). Council also authorized the General Manager, Operations to spend additional contingency expenses up to $178,180.22 (including net HST) which constitutes 10% of the total Contract value.

This major rehabilitation project will provide paved pathways, improved lighting, a new splashpad and play structure with features for all ages. During construction this summer and fall, the beach and washrooms will remain open to the public, however events typically held at Robert Simpson Park have been relocated to other municipal facilities for this summer. Please check out our events page for more information.

Robert Simpson Park Phase 1B Update
Staff provided Council with an update on planning for the next phase of revitalization at Robert Simpson Park, which is intended to include washroom retrofit. Council discussed alternatives for the washrooms but deferred making a decision on the proposal until the next Council meeting to be held June 8^th.
Council Community Support Fund Policy
The Mayor provided Council with a policy for the newly established Council Community Support Fund. As part of the 2026 municipal budget process, Council approved funding in the amount of $5,000 to establish a discretionary community support fund. The intent of the Fund is to provide modest municipal support for community initiatives and
events, charitable events, local fundraisers, volunteer recognition activities, and other
community-building efforts that may not qualify under existing municipal grant criteria.
 
The Policy outlines parameters, an approval process, and eligibility considerations. Council approved the policy which can be found here.
 
Proclamations: 
 
Pride Month (June 2026)
Council proclaimed June 2026 as Pride Month in the Town of Arnprior and encourages all citizens to think about what steps we can collectively take to make our community a safe and inclusive place for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. The Town will be flying the Progress Pride flag at Town Hall during the second week of June 2026 symbolizing the Town’s celebration of diversity and support for the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
 
Recreation and Parks Month (June 2026)
Council proclaimed June 2026 as Recreation and Parks Month in the Town of Arnprior and encourages all citizens to recognize the benefits and values of Recreation and Parks in Arnprior and participate in the many activities taking place this month and throughout the year. The Town will have a variety of programming and community events sponsored by ParticipACTION’s Community Better Challenge encouraging residents to be and stay active to be crowned Canada’s most active community, as well as hosting 2026 Priorpalooza Festival and the School’s Out Beach Party. These events will provide a wide range of activities accessible to everyone in our community. Don’t forget that the Town operates a Youth Club and Older Adults Club providing weekly programming to keep our youth and seniors active and engaged.
 
Seniors Month (June 2026)
Council proclaimed June 2026 as Seniors Month in the Town of Arnprior and encourages all citizens to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of our seniors. The Town of Arnprior is a recognized Age-Friendly Community, establishing policies
and services and investing in programming and infrastructure related to the physical and social environment designed to help seniors “age actively”. The Town’s Recreation Department and its Older Adults Club (OAC), the Seniors Active Living Centre (SALC), and many community groups throughout the Town provide regular age-friendly programming for local seniors.
 
Indigenous History Month (June 2026) and National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21, 2026)
Council proclaimed June 2026 as Indigenous History Month and June 21, 2026, as National Indigenous Peoples Day in the Town of Arnprior and encourages all citizens to continue learning about reconciliation, and Indigenous history, contributions, and culture. The Town invites community members to recognize and celebrate
this month at the following public gatherings:

• Arnprior Public Library will have a display featuring Indigenous authors in the month of June; and

• The City of Pembroke is celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21st Pembroke event with traditional music, dance, and ceremonies at Waterfront Park; and

• The Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation hosts a traditional Pow-wow on the third weekend of August every year; and

• encourages residents to participate in the University of Alberta’s Indigenous Canada course, which is a free online resource that explores different histories and contemporary perspectives of Indigenous Peoples living in Canada.

• Many other opportunities to come together in recognition of Algonquin Teachings and Ways of Knowing.

 
By-laws:
Council passed By-law 7677-26 adopting the Arnprior & District Museum Strategic Plan.