Notes from the City of Brantford Council meeting, which was held on Tuesday, February 25, 2025.
International Women’s Day
City of Brantford councillors unanimously agreed to once again recognize Saturday, March 8, 2025 as “International Women’s Day” and reaffirmed its commitment to securing the rights of women.
The day is a global celebration intended to inspire action for gender equality, and serves as a platform to recognize achievements, honour courage and commit to breaking down barriers that women continue to face.
Given that this year is the 114th International Women’s Day, the City recognizes the theme of “Accelerate Action,” and focuses on how the community can collectively work to accelerate action for gender equality.
To officially recognize the day, a flag raising will be held in Harmony Square on Monday, March 3, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.
Amyloidosis Awareness Month
City of Brantford councillors unanimously voted to recognize the month of March as “Amyloidosis Awareness Month.”
“Amyloidosis is a group of diseases that occurs when an abnormal protein, known as amyloid, builds up in the tissues and organs of the body. Left untreated, the disease can result in organ failure and can be fatal,” read the City proclamation. “Amyloidosis can mimic the signs and symptoms of more common medical conditions and the disease can be challenging to diagnose. …Amyloidosis often affects people who are older or middle aged; however, younger people have been diagnosed with this disease.”
The purpose in recognizing the month is to raise awareness about the hereditary and non-heriditary forms of the disease, and to work towards the building of healthier communities across Canada.
Review of the Municipal Code of Conduct (Chapter 16)
Kevin Davis, Mayor for the City of Brantford, and Councillors Dan McCreary and Lina Hunt have joined a task force to review the Brantford Municipal Code Chapter 16 – Code of Conduct for members of Council.
The decision comes after Councillor Richard Carpenter was penalized for breaching the code of conduct after revealing details of an in-camera discussion back in June of 2024.
In December, the Integrity Commissioner, while reviewing the case, suggested that “amendments be made to the Code of Conduct to provide greater clarity to members.”
“I’m pleased to say that Councillor Hunt and I both are going to be serving with the Mayor, and we look forward to involvement in terms of a refresh on our Code of Conduct,” said McCreary. “We’re mandated to do that by our own rules every now and again, and it should be a good exercise.”
Davis said that he has already asked the Integrity Commissioner to review the Code of Conduct so that the task force can meet with him as soon as possible.
“Given that it has been five years since we reviewed the Code of Conduct for sitting members of the Council, if there’s anything that you want us to address… I’d ask you to speak to me or drop me a line,” said Davis. “We do hope to have a report, certainly before the summer, and maybe as early as perhaps April. We’re going to move on expeditiously, there’s no need to delay it any further.”
Councillor Carpenter then asked that when there is an item moved in-camera for a certain reason, and such reasons no longer exist down the road, that Council have the opportunity to be more open and transparent about such discussions.
Davis then let him know that he had already asked for the Integrity Commissioners suggestion to improve such instances moving forward.
The item was then carried unanimously.
Funding Request for the Heritage Grant Program
On Tuesday, February 11, 2025, staff proposed that the grant program’s pilot period end, and that the program be continued on a permanent basis. As part of the recommendation, an annual $50,000 is to be funded from the Cultural and Built Heritage Reserve in order to support the Heritage Grant Program for the years 2025, 2026 and 2027.
On Tuesday, February 25, City of Brantford Council unanimously supported the continuation of the Heritage Grant Program.
To read more details about the program, please visit: https://www.brantbeacon.ca/brantford-council-recommends-permanent-heritage-grant-program/
2026 Municipal Election – Alternate Voting Options
City of Brantford Council unanimously endorsed the use of both online and in-person voting for the 2026 municipal election during the Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday, February 11, and on February 25, the Council gave its final approval.
To read more about the decision, please visit: https://www.brantbeacon.ca/brantford-council-endorses-online-voting-for-2026/
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
