Council

That Melissa Goo Goo and Elizabeth Emerson, residents, City of St. Catharines, BE PERMITTED to appear before Council as individual delegates respecting the motion respecting Call to Strengthen Laws, Sentencing and Parole Restrictions (Agenda Item 13.1).

That the rules of procedure BE SUSPENDED to permit Alicia Googoo, resident, City of St. Catharines, to appear before Council as a delegate respecting the motion respecting State of Emergency on Mental Health, Homelessness and Addictions (Agenda Item 13.2). The Acting Regional Chair informed Council that the motion would require an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present to pass. Two-thirds majority having been achieved, the Acting Regional Chair declared the motion,

That Council Agenda CL 14-2025, BE ADOPTED, as amended.

That the rules of procedure BE SUSPENDED to permit the motions pertaining to Call to Strengthen Laws, Sentencing and Parole Restrictions (Agenda Item 13.1) and State of Emergency on Mental Health, Homelessness and Addictions (Agenda Item 13.2) to be considered following the delegations on these matters. The Acting Regional Chair informed Council that the motion would require an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present to pass. Two-thirds majority having been achieved, the Acting Regional Chair declared the motion,

WHEREAS the City of Welland and the broader Niagara Region have been deeply shaken by the recent violent sexual assault of a toddler in Welland; WHEREAS court documents confirm the accused was previously convicted of sexual assault of a minor, ordered to register as a sex offender, but was released from his original sentence months early with limited conditions; WHEREAS the release of repeat sexual offenders into our communities poses an unacceptable risk to children, families, and public safety; WHEREAS municipalities lack the authority to legislate sentencing and offender release policies, but the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada hold responsibility for ensuring that laws, sentencing guidelines, parole, and release practices protect the public from repeat violent and sexual offenders; WHEREAS Canada’s existing criminal justice system has permitted offenders convicted of the most serious crimes, including crimes against children, to be released prematurely despite ongoing risks to the community, and such leniencies in bail, sentencing, and release conditions have contributed to repeat victimization of children and other vulnerable Canadians; and WHEREAS Niagara South Member of Parliament Fred Davies is presenting a petition to the House of Commons demanding changes to the Criminal Code to make bail and early release provisions more restrictive for repeat violent and child sex offenders. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: 1. That Niagara Regional Council FORMALLY C

WHEREAS Niagara Region issued three separate declarations of emergency in the areas of homelessness, mental health and opioid addiction on February 23, 2023, recognizing that the scope and scale of the crisis surpasses the Region’s capacity to respond effectively; and WHEREAS following the submission of the three declarations of emergency, the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (PEOC) has engaged with the Region’s Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC); and WHEREAS these issues have continued to intensify and add further strain to the social support system in Niagara over the past two years; and WHEREAS municipalities across Ontario are continuing to experience similar challenges; and WHEREAS a coordinated, province-wide approach and associated funding support is required to address the growing emergency of mental health, homelessness and opioid addiction, the scale of which falls well beyond the scope of what a municipality can address. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: 1. That Niagara Region ADVOCATES that the Province support a coordinated approach between the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, to address ongoing challenges related to mental health, homelessness and opioid addiction; Regional Council Open Session Minutes CL 14-2025 September 25, 2025 Page 8 2. That Niagara Region FORMALLY ADVOCATES for Provincial funding to address identified gaps in programs and service

That Minutes CL 13-2025 being the Open Session minutes of the Regional Council meeting held on Thursday, August 28, 2025, BE ADOPTED.

That Correspondence Item CL-C 47-2025, dated September 25, 2025, respecting Niagara Transit Commission – Notification of Purchase Approval for 10 New 40’ Conventional Transit Vehicles, BE RECEIVED.

That Minutes BRCOTW 5-2025, being the Open Session minutes of the Budget Review Committee of the Whole meeting held on Thursday, September 4, 2025, BE RECEIVED and the recommendations contained therein BE APPROVED.

That Minutes PWC 9-2025 being the Open Session minutes of the Public Works Committee meeting held on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, BE RECEIVED and the recommendations contained therein BE APPROVED.

That Minutes PHSSC 8-2025 being the Open Session minutes of the Public Health & Social Services Committee meeting held on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, BE RECEIVED and the recommendations contained therein BE APPROVED.

That Minutes CSC 7-2025 being the Open Session minutes of the Corporate Services Committee meeting held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, BE RECEIVED and the recommendations contained therein BE APPROVED. 11.4.1 Minutes CSC 7-2025, Minute Item 5.5 respecting Hybrid Remote Work Arrangement Program Update The motion contained in Minute Item 5.5 was considered separately as follows: That Memorandum CSC-C 18-2025, dated September 10, 2025, respecting Hybrid Remote Work Arrangement Program Update, BE RECEIVED for information.

That Minutes PEDC 6-2025 being the Open Session minutes of the Planning and Economic Development Committee meeting held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, BE RECEIVED and the recommendations contained therein BE APPROVED.

That the rules of procedure BE SUSPENDED to permit the consideration of Confidential Reports CSD 48-2025 and CSD 49-2025, at this time. Two-thirds majority, being achieved, the vote was declared,

That Confidential Report CSD 48-2025, dated September 25, 2025, respecting A Matter of Litigation and a Matter of Advice that is Subject to Solicitor-Client Privilege pursuant to section 239(2)(e) and(f) of the Municipal Act - 6811 Reixinger Road, Niagara Falls - Expropriation Settlement, BE RECEIVED and the recommendations contained therein BE APPROVED.

That Confidential Report CSD 49-2025, dated September 25, 2025, respecting A Matter of a Proposed or Pending Acquisition or Disposition of Lands by the Municipality under Section 239(2)(c) of the Municipal Act, 2001 - Former Long-Term Care Facility at 50 Gilmore Road, Fort Erie, BE RECEIVED for information.

That Council DO NOW MOVE into closed session for the purposes of receiving information of a confidential nature respecting: A Matter Respecting Personal Matters About Identifiable Individuals under s. 239(2) of the Municipal Act, 2001 - EMS Station in Vineland (Public Health and Social Services Closed Minutes 8-2025, September 9, 2025). Regional Council Open Session Minutes CL 14-2025 September 25, 2025 Page 13

That Minutes PHSSC 8-2025 being the Closed Session minutes of the Public Health and Social Services Committee meeting held on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, BE ADOPTED.

That the following Bills BE NOW READ and DO PASS: Bill 2025-48 A by-law to authorize the borrowing upon amortizing debentures in the principal amount of $12,000,000.00 for a capital work of The Corporation of the City of Niagara Falls. Bill 2025-49 A by-law to amend By-law 2024-81, being a By-law to Establish Fees and Charges for the Services and Activities provided by The Regional Municipality of Niagara and for the Use of its Property. Bill 2025-50 A by-law to authorize the borrowing upon debentures in the principal amount of $888,630 (10 year instalment debentures) for capital works of The Corporation of the City of Welland. Regional Council Open Session Minutes CL 14-2025 September 25, 2025 Page 14 Bill 2025-51 A by-law to appoint a Chief Building Official and inspectors for The Regional Municipality of Niagara pursuant to the Building Code Act and to repeal By-law 2022-75. Bill 2025-52 A by-law to authorize long-term financing (1-30 years) in the amount of $14,968,000 for a capital works project for The Regional Municipality of Niagara. Bill 2025-53 A by-law to adopt, ratify and confirm the actions of Regional Council at its meeting held September 25, 2025.