Councillor Andrews provided a Council update. He discussed the 2025 budget that was approved by Council on December 10, 2024 and he provided an update on the progress of the new Fire Hall. He reviewed a Notice of Motion that was endorsed by Council to support Canadian businesses and to strengthen the local, provincial and national economy responding to tariff actions imposed by US President Trump. He confirmed that the EDC Committee's 2025 Work Plan was approved by Council on December 2, 2024. He discussed his attendance at the 2025 ROMA Conference with Mayor Post, where affordable housing, health care, and infrastructure investment topped the list of discussions. He spoke about the Town's EDI Committee and provided an updated on the Affordable Housing Task Force.
On behalf of D. Morris and the Dufferin Board of Trade, K. Lemire reminded the Committee about the upcoming industry luncheon on February 27th, 2025.
J. Patterson provided an updated from the Orangeville Business Improvement Area (BIA). He said it was a busy holiday season in downtown Orangeville and that the new Holiday Market hosted in November was well-received. He provided an updated about the BIA's Annual General Meeting held on Tuesday, January 28th, 2025.
L. Horne provided an update on the residential and commercial real estate market in Orangeville.
J. Small spoke about the first-ever Economic Impact Assessment of the live music industry in Canada. Conducted by the Canadian Live Music Association, the research quantified the direct, indirect and induced economic impacts of the live music sector, including the tourism and fiscal impact of the industry at the national level.
J. Large discussed concerns about the potential impact of tariffs, particularly in the auto industry.