Council

That the minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council held on January 20, 2025 be adopted.

That the balance of the report (Items 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9 and 6.10) dated February 18, 2025 containing Items of Correspondence be received for information.

That Item 6.6, City of Pickering – Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), of the Correspondence Report be endorsed.

That the Community Affairs & Planning Committee Report dated February 3, 2025 be adopted.

That the General Government Committee Report dated February 10, 2025, be adopted.

1. That pursuant to section 10(1) of the Development Charges Act, 1997, the “Town of Ajax 2024 Development Charge Background Study” dated December 17, 2024, as amended, be approved. 2. That, based on the public input received by the Town, pursuant to Section 12(3) of the Development Charges Act, 1997 (the Act), Council determine no further public meeting is required. 3. That the Development Charges By-Law as set out in Appendix A (pg G-1) of Addendum to: Town of Ajax 2024 Development Charges Background Study, be approved.

That the Regional Councillors’ Reports of February 18, 2025 be received for information.

WHEREAS Ajax is proudly home to more than 250 restaurants, bakeries, breweries, cafes and other food and beverage providers; AND WHEREAS the culinary offerings in Ajax are as diverse as our residents with influences from around the world; AND WHEREAS the development of an Ajax Food Guide would help residents and visitors access the local food and beverage scene and discover new and exciting cuisines; AND WHEREAS an Ajax Food Guide would further promote the retention and expansion of food and beverage businesses in Ajax; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: Public and Strategic Affairs be directed to: 1. Develop and distribute the 2025 Ajax Food Guide on ajax.ca, with limited hard copies to be available; and 2. Coordinate the design of the Ajax Food Guide with Communications and Engagement staff; and 3. Plan and host an event to launch the Guide and celebrate the Ajax restaurant community; and 4. Unbudgeted funds up to $10,000, be approved and funded from the capital contingency reserve.

WHEREAS the Town of Ajax recognizes the significant contributions of Durham College (DC) to our local economy and community through its diverse range of programs and skilled graduates; AND WHEREAS the recent changes to the International Student Program (ISP) by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have negatively impacted post-secondary institutions in Ontario, including Durham College, by reducing international student study permits and limiting eligibility for Post- Graduation Work Permits (PGWP) to programs in fields of study identified as having national labour market shortages, irrespective of local labour market needs; AND WHEREAS the Blue Ribbon Panel report commissioned by the provincial government highlighted the need for long-term, sustainable funding for the post- secondary sector, noting that Ontario’s colleges are funded at 44% of the national average, with tuition revenue first cut by 10% in 2019 and then frozen for the past six years; Town of Ajax Council Meeting – February 18, 2025 AND WHEREAS the financial sustainability challenges faced by Ontario’s post- secondary institutions have been exacerbated by significant wage and cost inflation, as well as the growing reliance on international enrolment; AND WHEREAS DC has compiled a short list 34 programs not currently PGWP eligible to the IRCC list of fields of study (ATTACHMENT #1) which provide skilled graduates who are vital to growing our local economy, and in some cases, the College relies on

WHEREAS there is consistent evidence of unsafe driving behavior, including frequent speeding, failure to yield, and aggressive driving patterns at the two-way stop-controlled intersection at Fletcher Avenue and Hibbard Drive, creating an urgent need to upgrade the intersection to an All-Way-Stop to enhance safety for all road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers; AND WHEREAS due to driveway apron parking, residents are noting sightline- related issues at the following five (5) two-way stop-controlled intersections: • Kerrison Drive West and Fletcher Avenue; • Williamson Drive West and Hazeldine Drive/Tozer Crescent; • Hollier Drive and Cantwell Crescent; • Wicks Drive and Horton Street/Knowles Street; • Finley Avenue and Burden Crescent; AND WHEREAS the installation of All-Way-Stops at the above intersections will alleviate ongoing visibility concerns, reduce risks associated with potential liability issues in the event of incidents/accidents, and lessen the burden on transportation and parking enforcement staff while not impacting resident parking on driveway aprons; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: 1. Planning & Development Services and Operations & Environmental Services be directed to install All-Way-Stops at the following locations by end of May 2025: • Fletcher Avenue and Hibbard Drive; Town of Ajax Council Meeting – February 18, 2025 • Kerrison Drive West and Fletcher Avenue; • Williamson Drive West and Hazeldine Drive/Tozer Crescent; • Hollier Drive a

WHEREAS the Town of Ajax has a proud military history, serving as the home of the largest shell filling plant in the British Commonwealth during World War II, was named in honour of the Royal Navy ship H.M.S. Ajax, and has celebrated veterans who served aboard the ship by naming local streets in their honour; AND WHEREAS numerous communities throughout the province including Pickering, Bowmanville, Hamilton, Belleville, Petawawa, and Chatham, are introducing special crosswalks in recognition of our veterans; AND WHEREAS installation of a crosswalk at Veteran’s Point Garden would be an opportunity for the Town of Ajax to continue contributing to honouring veterans; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT 1. Operations and Environmental Services, with support from Public and Strategic Affairs and Transportation Services, be directed to work in consultation with Royal Canadian Legion Branch 322 to design and install a crosswalk at Veteran’s Point by October 2025; and 2. $20,000 for this unbudgeted capital project be approved and funded from the capital contingency reserve; and 3. A copy of this motion be sent to Royal Canadian Legion Branch 322.

WHEREAS the Town of Ajax has more than 75 businesses that export primarily to the United States, representing over 4000 employees locally; AND WHEREAS United States President Donald Trump has committed to imposing a blanket 25% tariff on Canadian goods, which pose a serious threat to the entire Canadian economy; Town of Ajax Council Meeting – February 18, 2025 AND WHEREAS the Town of Ajax's combined 2025 Capital and Operating Budget represents a purchasing power of over $50 million; AND WHEREAS municipalities in Ontario are subject to obligations under international trade agreements, and federal legislation, such as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) and the Competition Act, which mandate certain procurement practices and ensure non-discriminatory access to procurement opportunities by foreign businesses in Canada; AND WHEREAS the Business Supports & Engagement team has taken steps, including a resource hub on the Town's website and direct outreach to businesses, to ensure the Town is a vocal supporter of Team Canada by working closely with Invest Durham, Invest Ontario, and Invest in Canada to provide timely information and localized support for Ajax businesses in response to tariff threats and a potential trade war; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: 1. Ajax Council fully endorse the actions and sentiments of Team Canada to protect Canadian consumers, support Canadian businesses, and mitigate the impact o

That staff report back to Council at the March 2025 Council meeting on the cost implications of a Phase 1 approach vs. Phase 2 approach and impacts to the Development Charges schedule.

That By-law numbers 11-2025 to 12-2025 be read a first, second and third time and passed.

That By-law numbers 13-2025 to 17-2025 be read a first, second and third time and passed.

That By-law number 18-2025 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Ajax at its regular meeting held on February 18, 2025, be read a first, second and third time and passed.

That the February 18, 2025 meeting of the Council of the Town of Ajax be adjourned (2:33 p.m.)