"E-Scooters, Infrastructure, and Partnerships Discussed" - Infrastructure and Corporate Services Committee - May 6, 2026

The Infrastructure and Corporate Services Committee backed an extension of the provincial e-scooter pilot to the end of 2029, heard an update on delays to the Dingman Creek subwatershed study, and approved a nomination for Councillor Corrine Rahman-Hopkins to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario board. Discussion on e-scooters centered on safety, enforcement and whether the program improves mobility for residents who need lower-cost transportation options.

Topics Discussed

E-SCOOTER PILOT PROGRAM: The committee considered staff recommendations tied to the province’s e-scooter pilot, now extended to Dec. 31, 2029. Councillor Steve Lehman Morgan opposed continuing the pilot, saying he had heard “different situations and instances” involving near misses and that “it’s almost like a wild west out there in terms of people not knowing where they’re supposed to be riding these things.” He described one incident in which “one came flying out between a row of parked cars out of nowhere inches from being hit” by his vehicle, and said he would vote against the recommendation because he believes it is “inherently unsafe.”

Staff said enforcement remains limited because “we don’t have the authority to actually demand identification from individuals operating these vehicles.” That means municipal enforcement depends on observation, complaints and coordination with police.

Another councillor supported the staff recommendation, calling it “an equity question” and saying the issue is also about recognizing “that different people have different transportation needs and different budgets and different ways of getting around.” The councillor added that they see many people using e-scooters “responsibly and legally” and linked the discussion to broader city work on safer streets, transit improvements and bicycle infrastructure.

DINGMAN CREEK SUBWATERSHED: Committee members asked staff about delays to the Stage 2 Environmental Assessment for the Dingman Creek subwatershed and what additional consultation will involve. Councillor Rahman-Hopkins said, “I understand we have had a number of project delays. We are expanding the scope of work as well as the community engagement,” and asked staff to explain “what that community engagement would look like as well as what is the projected timelines for completion.” Staff said the work now includes more consultation and that the official plan amendment is expected to return after that process is completed.

AMO BOARD NOMINATION: The committee approved support for Rahman-Hopkins’ nomination to the AMO board. The motion passed unanimously. The board election will take place at the AMO conference in August.

FANSHAWE COLLEGE PARTNERSHIP: The committee also dealt with a contract extension related to the city’s downtown partnership with Fanshawe College. Staff said committee approval ahead of final council approval would be enough to maintain continuity in the arrangement despite the timing gap. Staff told members that approval at committee, pending council ratification, “would be sufficient to give indication that this intention is to continue the agreement and the relationship going forward,” adding that from staff’s perspective the timing difference was “not a concern.”

TRANSPORTATION EQUITY AND EDUCATION: Beyond enforcement, members discussed how the city should respond if the pilot continues. Supporters of the staff recommendation said education will be needed around helmet use and age restrictions, while opponents argued the city is taking on too much risk by participating in a long provincial pilot.

Motions

Passed: - Items 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5 and 2.7 approved as a block - Item 4.1: Nomination of Councillor Rahman-Hopkins to the AMO Board, passed 3-0 - Transportation Recommendation Motion 1, passed 3-0 - Transportation Recommendation Motion 2, passed 2-1

Attendees

• Councillor Rahman-Hopkins
• Councillor Poza
• Councillor Pelosa
• Councillor Van Holst Mirabelli
• Councillor Charles