Council this Week: Highlights from the April 22 County Council agenda

04/20/2026

News and Events News and Releases Council this Week

Oxford Stewardship Award, “Housing for all” update, new all-way stops, Bill 98 and more

County Council meetings are broadcast live at www.oxfordcounty.ca/livestream. To download the full agenda or view past recordings of council meetings, visit www.oxfordcounty.ca/council.

Oxford Stewardship Award

Oxford County Warden Marcus Ryan will present a local landowner with the 2025 Oxford Stewardship Award at the April 22 meeting of County Council. The award recognizes Oxford landowners who have made exemplary contributions to preserve and enhance the natural features and areas on their properties, such as woodlands, wetlands, streams and meadows. Learn about the nominees

Progress on 10-Year “Housing for all” housing and homelessness plan

Oxford County’s annual update on the 10-year housing and homelessness plan, a requirement under the Housing Services Act, comes forward at the April 22 County Council meeting. In 2025, progress on the “Housing for all” plan included the following.

Approval of approximately $3.5 million to incentivize and support the creation of up to 85 new affordable and supportive housing units by 2028.
A total of 96 individuals were successfully housed from the By-Name List, a real-time list of those experiencing homelessness. At the end of 2025, a total of 159 individuals were active on the By-Name List.
Continued collaborative implementation of the new HART Hub/Wellness Centre located in Woodstock. This provincially funded program connects mental health and addictions support, as well as housing and social supports, for individuals 18 + across the County.
Launch of an Eviction Prevention Pilot Program to provide in-home supports to households at risk of eviction in County housing.
Approval of 60 new rent supplements through the private rental market and 28 Canada Ontario Housing Benefit applications. A total of 260 households in Oxford are currently receiving a rent supplement or housing benefit.

HS 2026-01: 2025 Progress Report–10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan (Housing for All)

New all-way stops in EZT and Zorra

Oxford County will install three new all-way stops in two townships in May pending County Council approval.

Township of East Zorra-Tavistock at the intersection of Oxford Road 8 and Oxford Road 60 (16th Line)
Zorra Township at the intersections of Oxford Road 6 and Oxford Road 17, and Oxford Road 119 and Road 74

The stops are a response to increased traffic volumes and collision occurrences at these sites, and are part of ongoing efforts to enhance safety on County roads.

PW 2026-10: All-Way Stop at Oxford Road 8 and Oxford Road 60, Township of East Zorra-Tavistock

PW 2026-11: All-Way Stops at Oxford Road 6 and Oxford Road 17 and Oxford Road 119 and Road 74, Township of Zorra

Oxford Road 119 and Clarke Road intersection improvements in Ingersoll

County Council is being asked to approve the construction of a single-lane roundabout with a right-turn exit lane at the Oxford Road 119 (Harris Street) and Clarke Road intersection in Ingersoll, along with widening of Oxford Road 119. The proposal follows a Class Environmental Assessment Study for the intersection that took place in 2025. Reconstruction of the intersection was identified in Oxford County’s 2024 Transportation Master Plan to address anticipated future traffic growth and improve traffic operations and safety. If approved by County Council and following the legislated final 30-day public review and comment period, detailed engineering design would begin this year for construction start in 2027.

PW 2026-15: Oxford Road 119 (Harris Street) and Clarke Road Intersection Improvements and Oxford Road 119 Widening, Ingersoll, Class Environmental Assessment Study – Notice of Completion

Comments on Bill 98 - Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act

County Council receives staff comments on Ontario’s Bill 98 - Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act next council meeting. Overall, the staff report notes a range of potential impacts to planning policies (e.g., Official Plans and secondary plans), processes, and tools, as well as to how sewage and water services can be provided. The report notes that while some changes may potentially streamline processes or enhance transparency, others risk weakening local autonomy and increasing potential environmental and financial vulnerabilities. Oxford County’s proposed submission to the Province emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balanced, locally informed approach that supports provincial goals without compromising municipal decision-making authority, environmental protections, and sound planning principles.

CP 2026-126: Bill 98 - Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act

Questions or comments?

Council this Week previews the Oxford County Council meeting agenda for residents, community partners and employees. Please send your questions and comments to communications@oxfordcounty.ca