Statement from the Warden: Accountability, transparency, and Council decisions

Today, County Council authorized an update to the community on the purchase of a property that will serve as a Homelessness Support Centre.

While we had hoped to be the first to share this news with the community, we were not. Some of you are asking why that is. 

As Head of Council, I want to share my personal thoughts.

First and foremost, I want to assure all of you that County Council acted properly every step of the way. I have been a part of this particular term of council for the past four years and I believe all members of Council are committed to, and align their actions to, openness and transparency.

Real estate transactions are legitimately discussed in closed sessions of Council under a provision of the Municipal Act; this is when conversations are not open to the general public. This helps us negotiate a fair price for tax dollars and it reduces legal risks for all parties involved. 

A member of County Council recently questioned the actions of Council over this process.

The Councillor stated that they were very concerned as an elected official. I couldn’t agree more: voting one way and saying the opposite is very concerning. 

On April 28, this member of Council voted in public, in open session, to go into closed session to consider purchasing the former YMCA property for use as the Homelessness Support Centre. 

Then, on the same day, the Councillor voted, again in public in open session, to adopt the recommendations in report HS (CS) 2026-02 to purchase the former YMCA property for use as the Homelessness Support Centre.

Council is here to make the tough decisions on the tough issues and be accountable. I have great respect for this Councillor and every single member of Council, and I believe without doubt that all of us are working to serve in this way.

Sometimes being on Council is easy: going to meetings and cutting ribbons and getting credit for spending other people’s money. 

But, sometimes, it’s hard, and you have to make tough choices that not everyone will like, then stand by them on behalf of the greater good of your community.  

Homelessness is one of the most important and challenging issues this term of Council has faced.

It affects us all: people who have resorted to sleeping in ravines; businesses that have tenants sleeping in their doorways; and those among us who are desperate to see their family or friends get the help they need to lead a better life. 

For years, the community has been asking for better services to move people out of homelessness and County Council has been asking staff to develop a plan and make it happen. 

We need to take this problem seriously, make tough choices, and stand by them.  That’s the job the public expects us to do. 

And that’s what this Council intends to do: remain focused on addressing the issues of encampments, homelessness, and housing for all Oxford residents.  

Warden Marcus Ryan
Oxford County

Read the update to the community: Establishing a Homelessness Support Centre in Woodstock

For future updates on this project visit Speak Up, Oxford!