WELLINGTON COUNTY – Wellington County council has made official its support of Guelph’s plan to integrate the 230-acre Dolime quarry lands into the city’s boundary from Guelph/Eramosa.
No members of the public spoke during a mandated public meeting on the annexation, which wrapped within minutes before the county’s council meeting on June 24.
All parties – city, township and county councils – must agree on a developed restructuring proposal for the lands which would then be submitted to the province for approval before anything can move forward.
“The city on behalf of the county and the [Township of Guelph/Eramosa] has conducted local Indigenous engagement as they’re required to do,” county CAO Scott Wilson said during the public meeting.
A June 15 committee report submitted by county clerk Donna Bryce stated discussions with Indigenous treaty partners “have been very positive” with water quality and protection being at the forefront.
A summary of Indigenous engagement will be submitted with the restructuring proposal to the province, where municipal affairs and housing minister Steve Clark ultimately has final say on the outcome of the proposed annexation.
Wilson previously told the Advertiser the county is mostly a “passenger in this process.”
During council’s June 24 meeting, the county was authorized, through the speedy passing of a bylaw, to enter into an agreement with the city and township on the proposal.
The proposal previously went before Guelph/Eramosa council on June 21 with staff directed to bring back a recommendation at a July 12 council meeting.
Guelph council will address the proposal at its July 6 council meeting and the city’s committee of the whole meeting on July 19.
