Oakville Council Focuses on Former High School Site, Urban Forest Health, and Growth Funding

Oakville council focused on the future of the former Oakville Trafalgar High School property, findings from the town's urban forest study, growth-related funding pressures, procurement rules, and governance items involving the Municipal Elections Compliance Audit Committee and Oakville Municipal Development Corporation.

Council did not make a final decision on the former high school site. Instead, members asked for more information on options including heritage preservation, structural condition, reuse potential, and marketing strategy, with several councillors pushing for a report back before the summer or by August.

Topics Discussed

FORMER OAKVILLE TRAFALGAR HIGH SCHOOL REDEVELOPMENT

Council spent significant time on the future of the former Oakville Trafalgar High School property and whether the current direction to seek a seniors-focused redevelopment remains viable.

Oakville MDC CEO Mark Maner told council the existing instructions have not produced workable proposals: "the instructions we have right now have not encouraged any viable offers." He said the direction had been to find someone to build "a four-story senior's facility," rehabilitate the heritage building, and construct a civic square, but "no one has the financial interest in doing that."

Councillors asked for more detail before deciding next steps. Councillor Grant said residents want "a concrete plan" and more public information on "what can and would we do." Councillor Haslett-Theall asked for details on heritage preservation, structural condition, chimney swift habitat requirements, and "a proposed revised marketing strategy reflecting an open public transparent" process.

Jeff Knoll asked whether the town has had "a third party dispassionate assessment of the potential use of this building for for other use," while Councillor Elgar warned against "demolition by neglect" and said council owes residents a fuller review before making a decision.

Mayor Rob Burton pushed for the information quickly, saying he would like it by June 1 if possible, though he acknowledged staff concerns about timing. Discussion pointed to a return by July or, if necessary, August.

URBAN FOREST STUDY

Council received the comprehensive study of Oakville's urban forest, which Mayor Burton called "the most important thing on the agenda tonight."

Staff reported gains in canopy cover and species diversity since 2015. The presenter said "Oakville tree population has increased by 700 trees since 2015 as well as species diversity and environmental benefit like pollution removal and carbon sequestration also have increased while tree mortality has decreased." Janet Haslett-Theall highlighted the climate impact of canopy, noting that "every 10% increase in canopy cover is associated with about two degrees reduction in maximum temperature in urbanized area."

At the same time, councillors and staff discussed signs of decline in forest health and development pressure. A presentation to council said, "The health is declining," with the share of trees in good or excellent condition falling from 83% in 2015 to 57% in 2024, and woodland areas showing the lowest percentage of healthy trees. Jalil Hashimi also told council, "We're seeing an increase in impervious land cover and also a decrease in potential planting area."

Haslett-Theall raised concerns about North Oakville, saying current canopy and spacing guidelines are "not helping north to achieve the 20% canopy cover target for residential area." She asked, "as development continue in North Oakville, how can we prevent our tree canopy from dextraing further and further?"

Council also discussed invasive buckthorn and whether the town should support private property owners trying to remove it.

DEVELOPMENT CHARGES, PARKLAND AND GROWTH FUNDING

Council reviewed the financial impact of provincial changes affecting development charges, parkland dedication and other growth-related revenues.

Councillor Elgar said, "The report documents over $74 million in revenue that Oakville has either lost, had deferred, or had to cover from existing taxpayer reserves." He added that council has "an obligation to discuss this publicly and to formally tell the province that we are not satisfied and we are being left to absorb these costs."

The discussion focused on the long-standing principle that growth should pay for growth and whether existing taxpayers are now covering more of those costs. Members also discussed making the figures easier for residents to find and understand through the town website.

PROCUREMENT RULES AND BUY ONTARIO REQUIREMENTS

Council discussed procurement rules tied to the Buy Ontario Act and broader restrictions on contact with vendors during active purchasing processes.

Staff cautioned against councillors or staff stepping outside formal procurement channels. Director of Finance and Deputy Treasurer staff said conversations with vendors can be appropriate in some contexts, but the rules were tightened after earlier concerns. Councillors asked how the policy applies to conference discussions, unsolicited proposals and Ontario-content requirements.

Ray Chisholm questioned whether new sourcing rules could raise costs, asking whether there is "a real value difference" for taxpayers under the new legislation.

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS COMPLIANCE AUDIT COMMITTEE AND OAKVILLE MDC REPORTS

Council also reviewed terms of reference for the Municipal Elections Compliance Audit Committee for 2026-2030.

The clerk said the committee "operates at arms length from the town as an independent and administrative tribunal," and that staff "do not direct or influence committee decisions or outcomes." Solicitor Carr added that it is "completely separate and apart from municipal council" and "not a committee of council."

Councillors raised questions about eligibility, family relationships and drafting details. Sean O'Meara asked, "how do we define what a family member is? Is it a first cousin, second cousin, third cousin?"

Council also heard broader updates from Oakville MDC on several properties. During that discussion, Councillor Romero noted, "So we've spent $3 million in eight years with no revenue as of yet," while staff said revenue is expected as projects move forward.

Motions

Approved: - Request for additional information on the former Oakville Trafalgar High School property before a final decision - Town Square Project Update - Oakville Galleries recommendation amendment - By-laws 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 - Direction to publicly post growth-related financial information and notify the province of council's concerns

Deferred/Returned for revision: - Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee terms of reference (Item 3.5), for revised drafting and return at a future meeting

Attendees

Councillors identified in the meeting discussion:

• Mayor Rob Burton
• Councillor Peter Longo
• Councillor Nav Nanda
• Councillor Jonathan McNeice
• Councillor Cathy Duddeck
• Councillor Marc Grant
• Councillor Janet Haslett-Theall
• Councillor Natalia Lishchyna
• Councillor Jeff Knoll
• Councillor Allan Elgar
• Councillor Dave Gittings
• Councillor Sean O'Meara
• Councillor Ray Chisholm

Other speakers identified: - Mark Maner, CEO, Oakville Municipal Development Corporation - Solicitor Carr - Jalil Hashimi, Manager of Forest Service - Director of Finance and Deputy Treasurer - Clerk