The Clarington Record

Regular Council Meeting

March 23, 2026

Who was there

Present (7): Granville Anderson, Sami Elhajjeh, A. Foster, Lloyd Rang, Corinna Traill, Willie Woo, Margaret Zwart

Taken from the roll call in the town’s own minutes. The minutes record who was not there and almost never why.

What was decided (14 motions)

13 carried, 1 recorded otherwise. Every motion below is printed as the minutes print it.

That all items listed in Section 8, with the exception of items 6.1 and 6.4 of the Planning and Development Committee minutes be approved, in accordance with the Agenda.
Moved by Councillor Woo, seconded by Councillor Zwart
Carried
That Report PDS-006-26, and any related delegations or communication items, be received for information; That staff be authorized to host a Public Information Centre in the Winter of 2026 regarding the draft Clarington Waterfront Strategy and continue finalizing the Clarington Waterfront Strategy as outlined; That up to an additional $10,000 be directed towards communications for the purpose of further public consultation on the draft Strategy; That the funds be sourced from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve Fund; and Whereas, on March 4, 1837, King William IV of England, with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly and the Province of Upper Canada, passed an Act to incorporate the Port Darlington Harbour Company; And whereas this Act also granted certain rights and authorities to the Port Darlington Harbour Company including for such harbour to be accessible to and fit, safe, and convenient for the reception of vessels; And whereas, on March 4, 2026, the Port Darlington Harbour Company celebrated 189 continuous years of stewardship of the Bowmanville Harbour and Waterfront. This milestone makes the Port Darlington Harbour Company one of the oldest, if not the oldest, continuous operating corporation in Clarington; And whereas celebrating 189 years of continuous stewardship of Bowmanville Harbour and Waterfront is a tremendous achievement which warrants acknowledgement and celebration within our community by the Clarington Mayor and Council; Now therefore be it re
Moved by Councillor Traill, seconded by Councillor Rang
Carried
In favour (7): Mayor Foster, Councillor Anderson, Councillor Elhajjeh, Councillor Rang, Councillor Traill, Councillor Woo, Councillor Zwart
That Report PDS-025-26, and any related delegations or communication items, be received; That the Clerk issue a Notice of Intention to Designate the following properties as a cultural heritage resource as individual designations under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, substantially in accordance with the Statements of Significance and Lists of Character Defining Features for each property outlined in Attachments 2 and 3 of this Report; 75 Wellington Street, Bowmanville 7755 Old Scugog Road, Enniskillen That the designation of 3 Ontario Street, Bowmanville, be
Moved by Councillor Elhajjeh, seconded by Councillor Anderson
Referred
That the minutes from the Clarington Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee e meeting dated March 10, 2026, be received for information, with the exception of Item 5, which will be endorsed by the Council of the Municipality of Clarington, in the following resolution.
Moved by Councillor Rang, seconded by Councillor Anderson
Carried
Whereas the alleged use of a racial slur by a senior leader within the Durham Regional Police Services (DRPS) is deeply troubling and harmful, given the term’s history of dehumanization and systemic oppression against Black people; And whereas the use of such language by someone in a position of authority within a policing institution undermines public trust and raises serious concerns about respect for the dignity, safety, and humanity of Black residents; And whereas incidents of anti-Black racism further erode already fragile relationships between Black communities and policing institutions, particularly at a time when Black families across Southern Ontario have expressed ongoing concerns about community safety, accountability and the urgency afforded to matters affecting the well-being of Black children, including cases involving missing Black boys in recent years; And whereas the Clarington Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee (CABRAC) believes it is important for Council to demonstrate leadership by supporting meaningful accountability and has brought forward an attached letter from the Durham Region Anti-Racism Taskforce (DRART); Now therefore be it resolved That the Council of the Municipality of Clarington endorse the letter from DRART, calling for the Deputy Chief to be suspended without pay and for an independent, external investigation into the alleged use of a racial slur; That Council affirm its commitment to confronting anti-Black racism and to upholding the dig
Moved by Councillor Rang, seconded by Councillor Anderson
Carried
In favour (7): Mayor Foster, Councillor Anderson, Councillor Elhajjeh, Councillor Rang, Councillor Traill, Councillor Woo, Councillor Zwart
That the minutes from the Clarington Diversity Advisory Committee meeting dated March 12, 2026, be received for information, with the exception of Item 5, and 6 which are endorsed by the Council of the Municipality of Clarington, in the following resolutions.
Moved by Councillor Anderson, seconded by Councillor Rang
Carried
Whereas Clarington Diversity Advisory Committee (CDAC) is committed to meaningful reconciliation and to ensuring that its practices reflect respect for the histories, rights, and presence of Indigenous Peoples; And whereas additional historical information was presented to CDAC indicating that the lands upon which we gather are situated on the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat people, who inhabited the north shore of Lake Ontario, including the area near the Rouge River and toward Prince Edward County, particularly during the 14th and 15th centuries; And whereas the Huron-Wendat were agriculturalists who established villages near water sources, and their presence in the region historically overlapped with other Nations; And whereas land acknowledgements are living statements that should reflect accurate historical understanding, evolving knowledge, and ongoing relationships with Indigenous communities; And whereas CDAC recognizes the importance of engaging directly with local First Nations communities to ensure that any acknowledgement statement is respectful, accurate, and reflective of their perspectives; and And whereas land acknowledgements are most meaningful when delivered as a personal reflection that demonstrates individual awareness, learning, and commitment, rather than solely as a scripted statement; Now therefore be it resolved that Council direct Staff to: Formally review the current Land Acknowledgement Statement to ensure historical accuracy, inclusivit
Moved by Councillor Anderson, seconded by Councillor Rang
Carried
In favour (7): Mayor Foster, Councillor Anderson, Councillor Elhajjeh, Councillor Rang, Councillor Traill, Councillor Woo, Councillor Zwart
Whereas a thriving democracy requires public accountability, but also a climate which encourages good people to step up and support their community without fear of personal attacks and misinformation; And whereas advisory committees serve an important role in advising Council on specific issues; And whereas advisory committee members volunteer their time, effort and lived experiences to make Clarington a safe, livable, and equitable community; And whereas advisory committee members should feel safe, valued and encouraged in their work; And whereas the current advisory committee structure may present challenges to those from various socio-economic backgrounds; And whereas municipalities such as Ajax, Pickering and Toronto have changed their advisory committee policies to better reflect the important work and commitment of advisory committee members; Now therefore be it resolved that Council direct Staff to: Explore opportunities to support current and future advisory committee members in fulfilling their work, including, but not limited to, the following: Regular training for advisory committee chairs and vice-chairs (and other committee members as needed) on topics such as meeting procedure, committee-staff-council relationship, EDI, and public relations; Appointment of alternate members, who would automatically be appointed to an advisory committee in the event of a vacancy; Holding a public open house prior to the appointments process to ensure prospective applicants unders
Moved by Councillor Anderson, seconded by Councillor Rang
Carried
In favour (7): Mayor Foster, Councillor Anderson, Councillor Elhajjeh, Councillor Rang, Councillor Traill, Councillor Woo, Councillor Zwart
That the recommendations in Confidential Report PUB-002-26 - Appointment of Fire Chief, be approved. Yes (7) Mayor Foster, Councillor Anderson, Councillor Traill, Councillor Zwart, Councillor Rang, Councillor Elhajjeh, and Councillor Woo
Moved by Councillor Anderson, seconded by Councillor Zwart
Carried
That By-law Number 2026-016, to appoint Brad Lamport as Director of Emergency and Fire Services/Fire Chief, be approved.
Moved by Councillor Woo, seconded by Councillor Zwart
Carried
That By-law 2026-024 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council of the Municipality of Clarington at a regular meeting held on March 23, 2026, be approved.
Moved by Councillor Anderson, seconded by Councillor Elhajjeh
Carried
That the meeting adjourn at 8:23 p.m.
Moved by Councillor Anderson, seconded by Councillor Elhajjeh
Carried
That the recommendations in Confidential Report PUB-002-26 - Appointment of Fire Chief, be approved. Yes (7): Mayor Foster, Councillor Anderson, Councillor Elhajjeh, Councillor Rang, Councillor Traill, Councillor Woo, and Councillor Zwart
Moved by Councillor Anderson, seconded by Councillor Zwart
Carried
That By-law 2026-024 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council of the Municipality of Clarington at a regular meeting held on March 23, 2026, be approved. March 23, 2026 Council Minutes
Moved by Councillor Anderson, seconded by Councillor Elhajjeh
Carried

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