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Lanark County Council received an update on initiatives that have been completed or are ongoing related to the Rural Inclusion Pilot Project, which is a three-year program ending March 31, and Lanark and Renfrew Immigrant Settlement Services (LRISS), which began last year and ends in 2028.
The Rural Inclusion project is 50 per cent funded through a Rural Economic Development Grant and is in partnership with Valley Heartland Community Futures Development Corporation and Renfrew County. It provides Lanark County employers with 200 dedicated spaces in the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program to help fill labour shortages, as well as connections for businesses to receive assistance through the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
Settlement and Recruitment Coordinator Linda Alexander highlighted successes of the program as it draws to a close. She indicated a goal of the program was to attract workers while addressing needed settlement supports. “By building on municipal connections and pooling our resources, we built trust and created a stronger regional partnership that allowed us to achieve far more collectively than we ever could alone.”
The pilot project featured the shared coordination role to bring together partners, connect directly with newcomers and work with businesses to address labour needs. Alexander outlined a range of presentations, information sessions, community meetings and events that took place, including Multicultural Food Fairs, direct assistance with newcomers, the award-winning Land in Lanark Campaign, grant applications, and diversity, equity and inclusion trainings. A key component was to strengthen retention through settlement for newcomers who were attracted to the area.
Alexander noted the pilot laid the foundation for formal settlement services in Lanark and Renfrew, provided data to help secure more funding and connected with more than 380 newcomers. She highlighted successes in collaboration, the rural model, economic development through settlement, the value of authentic digital attraction, community initiatives and data gathering.
The LRISS project is also in partnership with Renfrew County and is 90 per cent funded by the federal Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Coordinator Adam Amza explained the program delivers targeted, no-cost programs that help eligible newcomers successfully settle, integrate and thrive in communities. Amza outlined barriers and challenges related to language, system navigation and adjustment, and the ways LRISS supports newcomers and works with partners. They offer needs and assets assessments, information and orientation sessions, employment services, community connections and settlement workers in schools. The program has supported clients from eleven diverse countries and cultures.
So far, LRISS has delivered support across its core services streams and has conducted numerous community initiatives, including informal language learning activities, mentorship and youth support, citizenship preparation programs, tax awareness sessions and employment-focused sessions. The program has been supported by about 20 active volunteers.
“These stories show settlement is longitudinal, not one-time support,” Amza said. “Coordination across systems is essential. Trust and consistency are critical, especially in rural settings.” He added settlement services contribute to family stability, school success, workforce participation and community cohesion.
Both projects were supported by the Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) Lanark & Renfrew, which encouraged partnerships, project development and gathering data to address workforce challenges. ... See MoreSee Less
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Lanark County Council is supporting a resolution from the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) expressing opposition to the ALTO high-speed rail project in its current form. Warden Richard Kidd (Beckwith Reeve) moved the motion at the EOWC and stated he felt it was important to bring it directly to county council.
ALTO is a federal government high-speed passenger rail project between Quebec City and Toronto that has been identified as a national building project. It is estimated to cost between $60 and $90 billion and would cut through eastern Ontario with only one proposed stop.
On March 19, the EOWC passed a resolution noting the project would be “benefitting urban residents at the cost of rural residents and lands,” and would affect communities, infrastructure, residential and agricultural lands, municipal trails and environmentally sensitive areas “with no long-term economic benefits.”
The resolution highlights issues such as the closure and/or dead-ending of roads causing significant and unknown costs to municipalities and with implications for service delivery and emergency response. It cites a lack of sufficient detailed information about potential local impact to land use, the environment, municipal infrastructure and long-term financial or operational implications. The EOWC and its member municipalities are actively trying to engage with ALTO to understand the impacts.
The EOWC states it opposes the project “based on concerns related to insufficient municipal consultation, unclear rural and small-urban impacts, potential environmental effects, and alignments with existing eastern Ontario planning and infrastructure priorities.” It urges stakeholders to share questions and comments with ALTO and federal representatives, and pledges to gather more detailed information. It is also advocating for full exploration of train route options along existing infrastructure corridors, such as VIA Rail and/or Highway 401.
The resolution is to be circulated to Prime Minister Mark Carney, Premier Doug Ford, various federal and provincial ministers, ALTO representatives, and several federal and provincial associations. ... See MoreSee Less
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Check out these upcoming informal language circles! ... See MoreSee Less
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Lanark County to host Public Information Centre for Phase 2 of the 5 Arches Bridge rehabilitation in 2026
Lanark County plans to proceed with Phase 2 of the rehabilitation of the historic 5 Arches Bridge in Pakenham during the 2026 construction season, continuing work to preserve the structure and extend its service life while conserving its heritage character.
To keep residents informed and provide an opportunity for public input, Lanark County has planned a Public Information Centre (PIC) where members of the public can learn more about the upcoming work, anticipated construction timing, traffic impacts, and detour planning.
⏰Thursday, April 16 from 5 to 7 p.m.
📍Pakenham Library, 128 MacFarlane St., Pakenham.
The PIC will be an open house format with County staff and project representatives available to answer questions. No formal presentation is scheduled, and attendees are welcome to drop in at any time during the event.
The 5 Arches Bridge is a designated heritage structure and an important transportation link within the community. Phase 2 of the rehabilitation project will build on work completed during 2025 and will include masonry rehabilitation and roadway approach improvements to ensure the bridge remains safe and serviceable for years to come.
“Rehabilitation of the 5 Arches Bridge is part of Lanark County’s long term asset management strategy, supporting the preservation of existing infrastructure, reducing long term lifecycle costs, and minimizing future disruptions to the community,” said Public Works Director Sean Derouin.
Additional information and project updates will be shared as the 2026 construction season approaches on the County website under Government/Public Consultation/Bridge Construction: www.lanarkcounty.ca/government/public-consultation/#1751893784205-b8fe6731-94c6 ... See MoreSee Less
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Lanark County Council meets tomorrow (March 25). The meetings may be attended by the public in person or via livestream through Lanark County’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@LanarkCounty/streams. Once the livestream is available, it will show under the “Live” tab on the channel.
The regular council session begins at 5 p.m. There are no scheduled delegations or presentations. Reports include economic development, public works, the Long-Term Care Home Service Accountability Agreement Declaration of Compliance and the council remuneration and expenses summary for 2025.
Next is the public works committee of the whole meeting. There is a delegation by resident Kent Geroux regarding an additional entryway on Highway 43. Discussion reports include no-parking zones (Lally Road, South Lavant Road and Highway 511) and the Pin #5783 Highway 43 entrance.
Next is the economic development committee of the whole meeting. There are no scheduled delegations or presentations. Discussion reports include the Lanark County Official Plan Amendment No. 16 on Affordable Housing and the naming of the Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail bridge. Verbal reports include Valley Heartland Community Futures Development Corporation, the Lanark County Municipal Trails Sub-Committee, the Government Relations Working Group and Lanark County Community Highlights. Under new/other business is the decision notice on the proposed boundaries for the regional consolidation of Ontario’s Conservation Authorities.
Agendas can be found under “Government” then “Council and Committees” at www.lanarkcounty.ca. Hope to see you there! ... See MoreSee Less
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DEADLINE TOMORROW (MARCH 25) FOR FAMILIES ALREADY ON WAITLISTS
OneList Lanark County is now live! REMINDER: If you were already on waitlists for participating centres:
✅ Your waitlist spot at each centre remains secure
🔔 Activate and update your OneList Lanark County profile by March 25, 2026
📧 An email from no-reply@onehsn.com was sent on February 25, 2026 with activation instructions.
❓For any issues with your profile or applications, please contact technical support at support@onehsn.com ... See MoreSee Less
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Lanark County is hiring a Temporary Part-Time Ontario Works Clerk. For full details of this position, including how to apply, please visit our website: www.lanarkcounty.ca/careers ... See MoreSee Less
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