Council notes: encampment protocol remains the same for summer of 2026

The Town of Greater Napanee Council convened on May 26 for a Regular Meeting. Among the items presented to council was a passionate deputation from Valerie Smith, on behalf of St. Mary Magdalene Church, seeking assurance that public water and wastewater infrastructure will remain in the public domain. Other items included a proclamation regarding Seniors Month, and an update on the encampment protocol.

Smith’s deputation fell on the heels of the Anglican Diocese of Ontario declaring itself a Blue Community.

This designation, initiated in 2009 by the Council of Canadians, seeks to affirm and protect the public’s right to clean, safe water. Furthermore, it seeks to protect water and wastewater infrastructure from privatization.

Smith noted there are over 100 blue communities around the world, and that Kingston is one of them.

With the Anglican Diocese new designation, each Parish is now encouraged to 1) affirm the human right to safe water and sanitation 2) recognize the need to keep water and wastewater infrastructure public and, 3) ban the sale of single-use bottled water at all parish events, when feasible.

“As representatives of St. Mary Magdalene Church, and as a faith community, we are spiritually and morally obligated to protect God’s creation,” said Smith.

Smith further noted that the congregation of St. Mary Magdalene is “gratified that financial contributions from federal and provincial governments, as well as funding from Town Reserves, have enabled the new Water Pollution Control Plant to be kept in public hands.”

In her deputation, Smith stressed the urgency of the issue, citing the Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act, 2025. This provincial legislation allows the province to remove water and wastewater infrastructure from municipalities and transfer them to corporations.

“We are asking for your help to fulfill our three mandates as a blue community,” said Smith.

Council directed staff to prepare a report investigating the issue.

-Clerk Jessica Walters provided a report updating council on the encampment protocol. At this time, Walters noted the protocol does not need to be changed.

“Morningstar Mission does not provide overnight services in the warmer months, and we are already seeing an increase in homeless individuals in public places,” said Walters. “It’s early in the season but we do expect to see an overall increase over what we saw in parks last year.”

In her report, the clerk was careful to note that the Town does not have any funding or mandate for housing and homelessness and is not the decision-maker when it comes to housing supports. This is the task of the County of Lennox and Addington.

Walters added that at the time the report was published, there had been no change in case law that would indicate a need to change the protocol.

She also reiterated the Town’s inability to enforce bans, as is being done in Hamilton and Kingston.

 “The Town of Greater Napanee and County of Lennox and Addington do not have any alternate shelter options available during the summer months, which limits the Town's ability to institute daytime camping bans as Hamilton and Kingston have done,” said Walters.

In other news, council has declared June to be Seniors Month. Across Ontario, this is a time to acknowledge and recognize the amazing seniors throughout the province. 

The theme for this year’s Seniors Month is “Ontario Seniors – Let’s Get Moving”. This is intended to highlight the importance of supporting older adults through programs and initiatives that promote wellness, social engagement and education.