Part 2: Lawn Naturalization, Conservation Lands, and Farm Support - 04/13/2023

This second part focuses on who spoke, how councillors voted, and what directions were formally given, based strictly on the discussion and motions passed during the April 13, 2023 Committee of the Whole meeting. Rather than just outcomes, this section highlights how decisions took shape through motions, amendments, and questions raised around the table.

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View the entire PEC Council Meeting; or view our recap.

Lawn Naturalization and the Grass and Weeds By Law

The strongest and longest discussion of the meeting centred on the proposed new Grass and Weeds By Law and how lawn naturalization should be handled. Nina Marie E. Lister, Professor and Director of the Ecological Design Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University, argued that residents already have a legal right to naturalize their yards and that the by law should support that right rather than frame it as something the County is allowing. Her comments directly shaped later amendments.

During council discussion, John Hirsch brought forward a motion to change the wording of the by law from “allow” to support lawn naturalization. The motion was seconded by Kate MacNaughton and carried.

Hirsch also raised concerns about invasive species and public land responsibilities. He later moved that staff be directed to explore expanding the by law to public lands, with the understanding that cost and feasibility would need to be reviewed. This motion was seconded by Sam Branderhorst and carried, with staff directed to report back during 2024 budget deliberations.

Kate MacNaughton introduced a motion directing the Environmental Advisory Committee to work with staff on training and communication materials so residents understand how naturalization works and what is expected. This motion was seconded by John Hirsch and carried.

Kate MacNaughton introduced a motion directing the Environmental Advisory Committee to work with staff on training and communication materials so residents understand how naturalization works and what is expected. This motion was seconded by Hirsch and carried.

Janice Maynard focused heavily on invasive species risks. She moved a motion directing staff to explore excluding additional invasive species beyond the four already listed in the by law. This motion was seconded by Roy Pennell and carried.

After these amendments, council voted on the main by law motion as amended, approving the new Grass and Weeds By Law, defining four local invasive weeds, updating property standards language, and confirming the additional staff work. The amended motion was moved by Councillor MacNaughton, seconded by Councillor Hirsch, and carried.

Cost of Community Services Study

The presentation on the Cost of Community Services methodology by Ben Le Fort, Senior Policy Analyst with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, prompted questions rather than amendments. Councillor Pennell asked about urban and rural tax differences. Councillor Roberts focused on provincial funding shortfalls and the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund. Councillor MacNaughton questioned how road impacts were calculated.

After discussion, the presentation was formally received. The motion was moved by Councillor Roberts and seconded by Councillor Pennell, and it carried.

Farming and Agricultural Mental Health

The deputation on farming and agricultural mental health by Kristen Wheatcroft, Farming Mental Health Team Lead with the Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario, generated cross party support.

Councillor Prinzen moved to waive procedural rules so Wheatcroft could speak longer than the standard time limit. That motion was seconded by Councillor Branderhorst and carried.

Councillors including Maynard, MacNaughton, and Roberts asked about training access, suicide prevention, and whether these programs could be integrated into county safety planning.

The deputation was formally received through a motion moved by Councillor Roberts, seconded by Councillor Pennell, and carried.

Protecting Municipal Lands

Council also considered a report on environmentally protecting surplus municipal lands.

Councillor Prinzen moved a motion directing staff to confirm interest from conservation organizations for eight surplus properties and to report back on either transferring the lands or keeping them for municipal conservation use. The motion was seconded by Councillor Branderhorst and carried.

Several councillors including Councillor St.-Jean and Councillor Hirsch raised practical questions about access and long term stewardship, but no amendments were introduced.

What This Means for Locals

The decisions mean that naturalized lawns are being formally supported, not discouraged, and enforcement is expected to focus on complaints and invasive species rather than appearance alone. Homeowners experimenting with pollinator gardens or reduced mowing now have clearer backing from council.

Farmers and rural landowners will see continued pressure from provincial funding gaps, but council is actively using data to support advocacy rather than shifting tax burdens locally. At the same time, the county is leaning more openly into farmer mental health awareness, with councillors signalling that these supports should be visible, normalized, and connected to county planning.

Taken together, the meeting showed council trying to balance environmental goals, rural realities, and everyday impacts on residents without rushing decisions beyond what staff and budgets can support.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on a meeting with an approximate duration of 2:39:37. Due to the length of the meeting, our team was not able to independently review the full recording in its entirety. As a result, we relied on software-generated transcription, automated summarization, and automated recognition of speakers and participants, which may not be entirely accurate. All transcriptions, summaries, and related content are prepared by our team in good faith and on a reasonable best-efforts basis. The content is provided for general informational purposes only and is intended to support public understanding of the topics discussed. While reasonable efforts have been made to present the information accurately, automated processes may result in errors, omissions, or unintended misinterpretations. This article does not constitute an official, certified, or verbatim record of the meeting, and it should not be relied upon as such. Readers are encouraged to consult original source materials, official minutes, or recordings where available for confirmation or clarification. Questions, requests for clarification, or suggested corrections may be submitted to hello@pecconnect.ca for review and consideration.