Chris Peabody has been chosen to be Warden of Bruce County for another year.
He was the only nominee in this week’s council meeting and was supported by the rest of council.
During his first year as Warden, he was able to make 98% of his commitments and appointments, travelled to France for the MIPIM Conference with members of county staff, and travelled to Finland to learn more about the deep geological repository approach for storing nuclear waste.
In his speech to start
his new one-year term, he spoke to council about the importance of advocating for the county on a provincial and federal level, reconciliation between the County and First Nations, affordable housing, and supporting industry expansion for medical isotopes.
“Reconciliation with our First Nations is a very key part of both Bruce County’s history and our future,” Peabody says in his address to council. “I’m dedicated to building meaningful relationships that promote respect and collaboration with First Nations.”
He continues, saying that staff is busy working on a Reconciliation plan, which upon its release will be the foundation of positive engagement with the members of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation and Saugeen First Nation.
Peabody briefly spoke of the support that the county would be giving to Bruce Power to drum up international investment to expand the production of medical isotopes.
“This spring, we sent a trade delegation to France to promote isotopes in Europe as a key investment opportunity. We’ll continue to support Bruce Power in the development of this key field, and we’ll ensure that Bruce County plays a pivotal role in healthcare innovation.”
Peabody says that closer to home, the collaboration between the county and lower-tier municipalities has resulted in the improvement of infrastructure, and with the improvement and beautification of local downtown areas.
“Our downtowns in Bruce County are amazing. It’s a testament to the work of our local councils that every downtown has had some major investments.”
For the first time ever, Bruce County also named its first Deputy Warden.
Charbonneau says in his address to the rest of the council that he was excited to be named as the first-ever Deputy Warden, and to define the role within the council’s new meeting structure.
“I do expect — frankly, and seriously — to be called upon frequently to represent the county given the growing set of demands that I know Warden Peabody and all wardens face given their dual role as mayor and warden.”
Charbonneau was the sole nominee for the role.
Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau takes the oath of office as Bruce County’s first Deputy Warden on December 7th, 2023
