MUNICIPALITY OF CASSELMAN

REGULAR MEETING

Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 6:00 P.m. - 9:00 P.m.

Council Meeting Room

750 Principale - Hall B1

Casselman, ON, K0A 1M0

Council

• Genevieve Lajoie, Mayor
• Paul Groulx, Councillor
• Francine Leblanc, Councillor
• Anik Charron, Councillor
• Sylvain Cleroux, Councillor

Resource persons

• Sébastien Dion, Clerk
• Yves Morrissette, CAO
• Mélodie Sorrell, Director of operations and human resources
• Simon Thibeault, Treasurer
• Pierre-Paul Beauchamp, Director of Public Work
• Pascal Doucet, Planner
• Martin Allard, Chief Building Official
• Jenna Huisman, Director of Parks and Recreation
• Mario Cardinal, Deputy Fire Chief

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1.

OPENING OF THE MEETING

The chair calls the members to order at 6:00 p.m.

2.

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

• Resolution No. 2025-105
  Moved by: Anik Charron
  Seconded by: Paul Groulx

  Be it resolved that the agenda be accepted, with modification:

  • Item 8.1 will be addressed today.
  Carried

3.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We acknowledge that in Eastern Ontario, we are on the unceded
traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabe and on the vast
territory of the Haudenosaunee.

4.

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS 

5.

DELEGATIONS

1.

VA3CSH - Repeater Relocation Request to the Casselman Water Tower

The VA3CSH group presents a repeater relocation request to the Casselman Water Tower.

2.

Group of Residents – Petition in Support of a Green Space Development Plan – Domaine de la Rivière Nation

Mr. Maurice Lamontage and Mrs. Tracy provides a presentation about a petition in support of a Green Space Development Plan in the Domaine de la Rivière Nation.

6.

MAYOR’S & COUNCILLORS MESSAGE

7.

CONSENT ITEMS

All items listed under the consent items will be adopted by a single motion requiring a majority vote. These items will not be discussed separately unless it is requested, prior to the Council voting on the motion, that a consent item be severed from the motion. The separate item(s) will be reviewed immediately after the consent points.

• Resolution No. 2025-106
  Moved by: Francine Leblanc
  Seconded by: Anik Charron

  Be it resolved that items 7.2 to 7.5 listed under the consent items section be received and/or adopted as presented.

  Carried
• Resolution No. 2025-107
  Moved by: Anik Charron
  Seconded by: Sylvain Cleroux

  Be it resolved that item 7.1, under the consent items section, be adopted with a correction to item 10.1.2.

  Carried

1.

Adoption of the minutes of the regular meeting held April 29, 2025

2.

Reception of the March 2025 OCWA Report

3.

Receipt of the SNC Board of Directors Minutes - Meetings of March 20 and April 17, 2025

4.

Strategic Plan Quarterly Update – January to April 2025

5.

Parc and Recreation Quaterly Update - January to April 2025

8.

NOTICES OF MOTIONS AND MEMBERS' ITEMS

1.

Notice of Motion - Paul Groulx - Inclusion of a Clause in the Procedure By-law Regarding the Use of Official Languages During Meetings

• Resolution No. 2025-108
  Moved by: Paul Groulx
  Seconded by: Francine Leblanc

  Whereas any citizen may speak in the official language of their choice during the public question period;

  And whereas members of Council may speak in the official language of their choice during meetings;

  And whereas when a citizen addresses Council in one of the official languages, members of Council should respond in the same language to ensure clear and respectful communication;

  And whereas if a member of Council is unable to speak in either official language, training programs will be offered to improve interaction and understanding with the community;

  And whereas the Municipal Act, 2001 (S.O. 2001, c. 25), in particular sections 11 and 270(1), paragraph 1, authorizes municipalities to govern their affairs and adopt by-laws related to their internal functioning;

  Be it resolved that Council direct municipal staff to submit a report examining the feasibility and legality of including the use of French and English during meetings in the Procedure By-law, with the goal of establishing a formal and equitable framework for official languages. This report must be presented before the summer recess to allow for the possible adoption of an amendment at the August 26, 2025 meeting.

  Voters	For	Against	Conflict	Absent
  Paul Groulx	X
  Francine Leblanc	X
  Genevieve Lajoie		X
  Sylvain Cleroux	X
  Anik Charron	X
  Results	4	1	0	0

  vote Type: Majority (Voted), Recorded
  Carried (4 to 1)

2.

Members' Item - Geneviève Lajoie - Discussion regarding a possible Town Hall on Water related subjects

Ms. Lajoie seeks the opinion of Council and administration regarding a possible public meeting on water-related matters.

9.

FORMAL REQUESTS FROM COMMITTEES AND LOCAL BOARDS

10.

REPORTS AND ITEMS OF THE ADMINISTRATION

1.

Administration, operations and Human Resources

1.1

OPS-4-2025 - Change of Provider – Employee Group Insurance

• Resolution No. 2025-109
  Moved by: Sylvain Cleroux
  Seconded by: Anik Charron

  That Council acknowledges the reception of administrative report OPS-4-2025; and

  Approves the change of group insurance provider, from Sunlife to Canada Life, effective June 1, 2025 authorizing the administration to sign the necessary documents to proceed with this transition; and

  Directs the administration to make the necessary amendments to the procurement policy and the delegation of authority policy regarding the process for future renewals or changes of group insurance provider.

  Carried

1.2

FIN-5-2025 - Update on the annual repayment limit and funding strategy for future major projects

• Resolution No. 2025-110
  Moved by: Sylvain Cleroux
  Seconded by: Anik Charron

  That Council acknowledges the reception of administrative report FIN-5-2025; and

  Accept to allocate the 2026 grant under the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund to finance the remaining costs of the Main Pumping Station 1 Upgrade project.

  Voters	For	Against	Conflict	Absent
  Paul Groulx	X
  Francine Leblanc	X
  Genevieve Lajoie		X
  Sylvain Cleroux	X
  Anik Charron	X
  Results	4	1	0	0

  vote Type: Majority (Voted), Recorded
  Carried (4 to 1)

1.3

OPS-5-2025 - Updates on Projects at 1 Industriel and Approval of the Budget Following the Call for Tenders

• Resolution No. 2025-111
  Moved by: Anik Charron
  Seconded by: Paul Groulx

  That Council acknowledges receipt of administrative report OPS-5-2024; and

  Approves the following recommendations regarding the various completed tenders, conditional upon the approval of the necessary funding:

  • Annex A (ADM-002-2025): Duquette Électrique Ltée for the supply and installation of an emergency generator at a cost of $119,643.11 + HST;
  • Annex B (ADM-003-2025): ICON Office Environments for the supply and installation of office furniture at a cost of $100,000 + HST;
  • Annex C (ADM-005-2025): Field Service CA Inc. for audio and video solutions in the Council Chamber, including online streaming, at a cost of $102,684.39 + HST;
  • Annex D (ADM-006-2025): Brawn Construction for the interior fit-up of the new Town Hall at a cost of $1,191,573 + HST; and

  Approves Option 4 (Annex E) for the canopies, to address the issue related to snow melt, at an estimated cost of $45,000 included in the overall Town Hall project budget; and

  Approves the overall budget of $5,696,099 (including the purchase cost and the repairs of the building), conditional upon the approval of the necessary funding, for the completion of the projects at 1 Industriel Street, as presented in report OPS-5-2025, including a 15% contingency allowance, and authorizes the administration to proceed with the updating of the required financing.

  Voters	For	Against	Conflict	Absent
  Paul Groulx	X
  Francine Leblanc	X
  Genevieve Lajoie		X
  Sylvain Cleroux	X
  Anik Charron	X
  Results	4	1	0	0

  vote Type: Majority (Voted), Recorded
  Carried (4 to 1)

1.4

GR-8-2025 - Welcoming Francophone Community Project for the Municipality of Casselman

• Resolution No. 2025-112
  Moved by: Anik Charron
  Seconded by: Paul Groulx

  That Council acknowledges the reception of administrative report GR-7-2025; and

  Supports the Municipality of Casselman’s initial expression of interest in the IRCC’s Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative.

  Carried

1.5

GR-9-2025 - Community Well-Being - Donation Requests

• Resolution No. 2025-113
  Moved by: Francine Leblanc
  Seconded by: Anik Charron

  Be it resolved that Council agrees to grant the following funding:

  • Groupe Action: 580$
  Carried

1.6

GR-10-2025 - Request for Support - Promotion of Leadership for Community Development Group

• Resolution No. 2025-114
  Moved by: Francine Leblanc
  Seconded by: Anik Charron

  That Council acknowledges the reception of administrative report GR-10-2025; and

  Approves the request for support of the Promotion of Leadership for Community Development Group including the following elements:

  • Recognize the PLCD as a key organization working toward the integration of Francophone immigrants in Casselman.
  • Facilitate access to key contacts in various sectors that can support PLCD’s initiatives.
  • Support PLCD in its efforts to secure funding from government bodies, private organizations, and partners, notably by providing a letter of support when the Municipality deems the initiative worthy of endorsement.
  • Include the PLCD on the agreement list for reduced-rate office rental, enabling the provision of a dedicated contact point for newcomers.
  Carried

2.

Public Works - By-Law Enforcement

3.

Parcs and Recreation

4.

Planning

4.1

URB-6-2025 - Relocation of Christmas Festival Booths - Backyard of 750 Principale

• Resolution No. 2025-115
  Moved by: Francine Leblanc
  Seconded by: Paul Groulx

  That Council acknowledges the reception of administrative report URB-6-2025; and

  Directs staff to undertake the process to amend the zoning by-law prescribed under the Planning Act to make a decision regarding the relocation of the Christmas kiosk structures in accordance with the proposals shown in schedules “A” and “B” to this report.  

  Carried

5.

Construction

6.

Fire Department

11.

BY-LAWS

1.

2025-22 - To authorize a bank loan agreement to finance the new townhall at 1 Industriel

• Resolution No. 2025-116
  Moved by: Anik Charron
  Seconded by: Francine Leblanc

  Be it resolved that By-Law no. 2025-22 to authorize a bank loan agreement to finance the new townhall at 1 Industriel be read and adopted in 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd reading.

  Carried

2.

2023-23 - To authorize a bank loan agreement to finance the Main Pumping Station Upgrade

• Resolution No. 2025-117
  Moved by: Sylvain Cleroux
  Seconded by: Anik Charron

  Be it resolved that By-Law no. 2025-23 to authorize a bank loan agreement to finance the Main Pumping Station Upgrade be read and adopted in 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd reading.

  Carried

12.

CORRESPONDENCE

• Resolution No. 2025-118
  Moved by: Anik Charron
  Seconded by: Francine Leblanc

  Be it resolved that the correspondences listed on the agenda be received.

  Carried

1.

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing - Updates

2.

Township of Champlain - Surveillance and Monitoring of Heavy Vehicles in Ontario

3.

Geneviève Lajoie

3.1

Prescott-Russell Chamber of Commerce - 2025 Wine and cheese invitation

3.2

EOWC - Support for Canadian and Ontario Government Negotiations with the U.S. Government on Trade Tariffs

3.3

2024-25 Annual Community Planning and Partnerships (CPP) Session Hosted by CDSBEO and UCDSB

13.

QUESTION PERIOD FROM COUNCIL TO DEPARTMENT HEADS

14.

PUBLIC QUESTION PERIOD

15.

MEETING SCHEDULE

16.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Calendar of events

Calendar of events

17.

CLOSED SESSION

18.

CONFIRMATION BY-LAW

1.

2025-24 - To confirm Council procedures at Regular Meeting held May 20, 2025

• Resolution No. 2025-119
  Moved by: Anik Charron
  Seconded by: Sylvain Cleroux

  Be it resolved that By-Law no. 2025-24 to confirm Council’s proceedings at its meeting of May 20, 2025 be read and adopted in 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd reading.

  Carried

19.

ADJOURNMENT

• Resolution No. 2025-120
  Moved by: Anik Charron
  Seconded by: Francine Leblanc

  Be it resolved that the present meeting be adjourned at 8:16 p.m.

  Carried