The Corporation of the City of Stratford
Social Services Committee
Open Session
AGENDA

Meeting #:

Date:

Monday, June 23, 2025

Time:

7:05 P.m. - 9:05 P.m.

Location:

Council Chamber, City Hall

Committee Present:

• Councillor Henderson - Chair Presiding, 
• Councillor Briscoe - Vice Chair, 
• Mayor Ritsma, 
• Councillor Beatty, 
• Councillor Biehn, 
• Councillor Burbach, 
• Councillor Hunter, 
• Councillor McCabe, 
• Councillor Nijjar, 
• Councillor Sebben, 
• and Councillor Wordofa 

Staff Present:

• Kim McElroy - Director of Social Services and Interim Director of Human Resources, 
• Adam Betteridge - Interim Chief Administrative Officer, 
• Tatiana Dafoe - City Clerk, 
• Karmen Krueger - Director of Corporate Services, 
• Taylor Crinklaw - Director of Infrastructure Services, 
• Tim Wolfe - Director of Community Services, 
• Neil Anderson - Director of Emergency Services/Fire Chief, 
• and Audrey Pascual - Deputy Clerk 

To watch the Committee meeting live, please click the following link: https://video.isilive.ca/stratford/live.html

A video recording of the meeting will also be available through a link on the City's website https://calendar.stratford.ca/meetings following the meeting.

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1.

Call to Order

​The Chair to call the Meeting to Order.

2.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

The Municipal Conflict of Interest Act requires any member of Council declaring a pecuniary interest and the general nature thereof, where the interest of a member of Council has not been disclosed by reason of the member’s absence from the meeting, to disclose the interest at the first open meeting attended by the member of Council and otherwise comply with the Act.

Name, Item and General Nature of Pecuniary Interest

3.

Sub-committee Minutes

​Sub-committee minutes are attached for background regarding the discussion held at the June 10, 2025 Sub-committee meeting.

4.

Delegations

4.1

Request for Delegation Regarding Housing and the Cost of Living Crisis in Stratford

The following persons requested to speak to Committee to request that the housing and cost-of-living crisis in Stratford be prioritized:

• Tanner Bergsma - requesting the building of a shelter in Stratford and that the total development of any new residential housing projects be paused and allocate land for purpose of affordable, transitional, and permanent housing.
• Justine Styles - requesting that the concerns raised be taken seriously and to consider where funds are allocated.
• Hailey Houston - requesting approval of housing ideas and to meet the needs of the community. Specific requests are: to conduct a housing needs survey every year with input by marginalized communities, approve permanent supportive and transitional housing, and ensure requirements are met when building on indigenous lands.
• Barb Howard - requesting that a men’s shelter be developed in Stratford and that there be more programs for geared rent to income.

• Motion by

  THAT Tanner Bergsma, Justine Styles, Hailey Houston and Barb Howard be heard.

5.

For the Information of Committee

5.1

Department Update

The following Department Update Infographics of April, 2025 were provided for the information of Committee:

• Monthly Children's Services Report
• Monthly Homelessness Report 
• Monthly Housing Report 
• Monthly Ontario Works Report 
• Monthly Social Services Stratford Report

6.

Adjournment

​Meeting Start Time:
Meeting End Time:

• Motion by

  ​Committee Decision: THAT the Social Services Committee meeting adjourn.