Community engagement has been a priority for the municipality and Council.  Below is an outline of community engagement initiatives to date.

In October 2020 Council urged Ontario’s Ministry of the Solicitor General to fast-track its public consultation efforts. The first meeting to explain their project and answer questions from the local community was held on October 30. Several key stakeholders participated in the meeting, including representatives from the Kemptville District Hospital, the four local school boards, the Salvation Army, the business community and a few others who do not support the new facility. Twelve members of the community in total.

In November 2020, Council advocated for a second meeting open to the public. This second meeting to provide more information and resident questions was held on November 26. Nearly 300 people participated. View the Ministry’s presentation (coming soon).

In December 2020, Council worked with the Ministry of the Solicitor General to host two separate engagement sessions on December 18th. One with the Kemptville District Hospital and another with local School Boards.

March 2021, Council held a Town Hall on March 23rd where residents could attend virtually and ask questions with respect to the Correctional Facility: View Council Town Hall.

May 2021, Council planned an engagement session with the Ministry of the Solicitor General for the English School Board on May 3rd and one with the French School Boards on May 4th.

November 2021, Council asked the Ministry of the Solicitor General to provide another public engagement session to update the public on the EOCC which took place on November 17th. View Ministry's Presentation.

We want to make sure that all voices are heard and that all concerns are addressed. To date, residents and our Town Council have raised understandable questions:

• Why has the Ontario government chosen Kemptville, and is Kemptville really their best option?
• What other locations did the Ministry consider?
• Why does the Ontario government believe that there would be an economic benefit?
• Where would families stay when they come to visit?
• Could the facility grow bigger over time?
• How will the Ministry ensure that the facility is safe?
• What transportation will be available to inmates?
• Some argue that tax dollars would be better spent on programs and services that keep people out of jail.
• What services and infrastructure would be needed to support the facility, and will the Ontario government make those investments?
• Will it impact property taxes?
• What will the impact of policing costs be on residents?

December 2020, Mayor Peckford spoke with Minister Sylvia Jones to discuss the correctional facility and to express the concerns raised by residents of North Grenville. In addition, they spoke about what the province was covering in terms of finances and what the municipality would not be responsible for.

In January 2021 a delegation from the Municipality met virtually with Solicitor General Sylvia Jones and Parliamentary Assistant, Randy Pettapiece, through the 2021 ROMA Conference. In that meeting, North Grenville presented the case for using the Ontario Government’s surplus land to align with the Kemptville Campus’ Master Plan, link with existing pathways and honour our rich agricultural history.

January 2022, The Mayor and Council led a delegation to meet Minister Thompson, the new Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Ontario, at the ROMA Conference. In the meeting, the Mayor and Council discussed the importance of having the surplus lands transferred to the municipality as soon as possible as well as potential funding initiatives.

List of Mayor Consultations:

Mayor Peckford and Deputy Mayor McManaman spoke with nine Ontario Mayors who have provincial or federal correctional facilities. The list of Mayors can be found below:

• Kitchener
• Windsor
• Stratford
• Sarina
• Thunder Bay
• Kingston
• Milton
• Brockville
• Penetanguishene