Meaford is holding off on establishing a new advisory committee geared towards the proposed TC Energy Pumped Storage project.
Council during a meeting Monday approved a two-week deferral on the new committee, which would examine the benefits and impacts of hosting the major project.
Coun. Tony Bell asked for a 30-day deferral based on a topic which was to be discussed in a closed session, but would not explicitly say what this was.
Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney says she felt the the municipality needs time to get the committee to where it needs to be to maintain a healthy relationship with TC Energy.
“I am very much in favour of this committee going forward, but it is also important to me that we have fulsome support from this council, from staff and we do need, in my opinion, to continue to have a collaborative relationship with TC Energy,” says Keaveney.
The new committee would play a role in guiding the municipality and assist in the community benefit agreement process. It would include nine residents, a member from council, one from the Meaford Chamber of Commerce, another from the Save Georgian Bay Association, and a youth under the age of 25.
Recruitment for the committee began on Feb. 1 and will close March 1 with members set to be appointed on March 11, and meetings starting shortly afterwards.
Keaveney proposed adjusting the length of deferral to two weeks — instead of the 30 days proposed by Bell — in consideration of those who may have already submitted their applications.
“I am going to suggest a deferral for two weeks to allow us, as you suggest Coun. Bell, to absorb the information that will be provided this afternoon in the closed session and to bring that back so we can have a fulsome discussion in two weeks regarding the terms of reference, make the necessary amendments to those as presented, and also perhaps have consideration around the council table to have that discussion with TC Energy,” says Keaveney.
Council supported returning to discuss this new advisory committee in two weeks.