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County approves $1 million for Stevenson, receives immigration funding, provides update on recycling 

June 20, 2025   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

Simcoe County Council has released a summary of actions taken at recent meetings to keep the public informed of decisions and new developments in the region.

Council approves funding for Stevenson Memorial Hospital

In 2024, Stevenson Memorial Hospital requested $1 million in capital funding from the County under the Hospital Alliance Funding Policy. Before approving payments, the County reviewed each hospital’s ambulance offload times to ensure compliance with the 30-minute target set in the 2014 Memorandum of Understanding.

To support long-term healthcare planning, the County awarded a contract to Ernst & Young LLP to lead a regional review of hospital capital needs. This strategic project, running through 2025, will assess current infrastructure, engage stakeholders, and recommend a coordinated, sustainable funding approach.

The $1 million allocation for Stevenson Memorial will be drawn from the Hospital Reserve Fund, which will retain a balance of over $8.6 million after disbursement.

2025 – 2028 IRCC grant agreement

The County has received a new three-year agreement with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to support the Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) from April 2025 to March 2028. The latest funding application emphasizes employer support, talent retention, and applied research, backed by strong community support.

The new agreement includes annual activities such as partnership meetings, anti-racism initiatives, and the development of a multicultural centre. With a total funding allocation of over $738,000, the initiative aligns with Simcoe County’s strategic goals to enhance social and educational opportunities.

Update on the status of recycling services

As a provincial-directed change (outside the control of the County and other municipalities), starting January 1, 2026, the County of Simcoe will stop collecting recycling. A new company, Emterra Environmental, will take over recycling collections for homes, schools, and not-for-profit Long-Term Care Homes.

People who don’t get curbside pickup now won’t be able to use County depots for free recycling anymore. The County is waiting to hear from the new recycling program about where these residents can drop off their recycling for free. County staff are also pushing for rule changes so more places can be included in the recycling program.

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