Notice
With the new Council for 2022 to 2026, Council Town Staff are looking into a different Governance model and pending a decision on that, Advisory committees are suspended. This should be resolved by the end of June 2023. In any event, with a new Council, membership of advisory committees is reset so the list below only applies where it's indicated that it's effective for 2023.
Information on Advisory committees - as applicable in 2022.
There are thirteen advisory committees, governing boards or ad hoc committees. Their membership consists of Cobourg residents and elected councillors. Any questions or submissions should be made to Council and not to citizens on these committees. If you are interested in participating, vacancies become available from time to time and are advertised in the newspaper and on the Town's web site. Most committees appointments are for the term of the council. That means that the 2022 appointments expired 14 November 2022. Application forms are available online. Go to this page then scroll down - Click Vacancies.
Note also:
- A resident may make a delegation to these committees and is allowed 10 minutes. To make a delegation request, find the committee meeting on the Escribe Agenda Page here and submit a delegation request.
- Residents (the public) may attend these committee meetings as observers and may raise a hand and, at the discretion of the chair, may make a comment. The main point is attending as an observer.
Committees and Boards
Below is a summary of Cobourg's Boards and advisory committees (in alphabetical order). Committees with members are shown below with the note "effective 2023" - others are on hold. Assigned councillors will certainly change going into 2023. See the Town's page on committees for more info: Committees page
Accessibility Advisory Committee - effective 2023
The role of the Committee is to provide sound advice and recommendations to the Cobourg Municipal Council on matters relating to the goal of ensuring that individuals with disabilities shall be assured access to basic services generally available in the community.
Meeting Dates: Third Wednesday of every month from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Members: Elizabeth Sheffield, Kathryn Richards, Carole Anne Bell-Smith, Cheryl Blodgett, Councillor Aaron Burchat, Councillor Adam Bureau.
Web page
Civic Awards Advisory Committee - effective June 2023
The Town of Cobourg Civic Awards recognizes local residents who have helped benefit the community through outstanding volunteerism and community involvement. The Committee is established to submit recommendations to Council for various Civic/Municipal, Federal and Provincial awards programs. This year, the Civic Awards will be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 to coincide with Local Government Week.
Meeting Dates: Meets on an ad hoc basis.
Members: Jennifer Ashley, Olinda Casimiro, Jane Connolly, Reva Nelson, Heather James, Elizabeth Selby. Possibly also Mayor and a Council member - not announced.
Web Page
Cobourg Heritage Advisory Committee - effective 2023
The Cobourg Heritage Advisory Committee is established to advise, assist and make recommendations to Council on matters relating to the conservation of cultural heritage resources, applications for repeal of designations, construction, alterations, and removal or demolition of heritage properties and matters relating to the conservation and designation of heritage properties and districts in accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act and the Town of Cobourg Heritage Master Plan.
Meeting Dates: The committee meets one Wednesday every month from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Additional meetings are scheduled as required.
Download schedule with deadlines and related council dates.
Members: Graham Andrews, James Young, Elizabeth Betancourt, Kenneth Forsyth, Daniel Gaito, Councillor Brian Darling, Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty
Web Page
Cobourg Police Service Board - effective 2023
The Cobourg Police Services Board (CPSB) is the civilian body that governs the management of the Police Service. As mandated by the Ontario Police Services Act.
Meeting Dates: The Cobourg Police Services Board meeting every third Tuesday of every month at 9:00 am at Venture 13.
Members: Dean Pepper - Town appointee and deputy Chair, Sean Graham - Provincial Appointee, Ronald Kerr - Provincial Appointee and Chair, Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty, Councillor Adam Bureau,
Web page
Cobourg Public Library Board - effective 2023
The Cobourg Public Library Board operates under the authority of Ontario Public Libraries Act, which defines the library's roles and responsibilities to the municipality and the province, and defines the services it is required to deliver. The Act establishes the Library Board as the governing body, responsible for setting policies and directing the affairs of the library. The purpose of the Cobourg Public Library Board is to provide comprehensive and efficient public library services to the residents of Cobourg, reflecting Cobourg's unique needs, as set out in the Public Libraries Act.
Meeting Dates: Third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm on Zoom.
Members: Mike Duncan - Chair, Joanne Hearst, Bonnie Young, Marian Neill, Ken Williamson - Vice Chair, Councillor Burchat, and Councillor Larry Williamson (Hamilton)
Web page
Committee of Adjustment - effective 2023
The Committee of Adjustment is a quasi-judicial body that holds public hearings to consider applications submitted to the Town of Cobourg Planning Department for minor variances to the Zoning By-law and consents for land severances, lot additions, rights-of-way, easements, mortgages and other interests in land for a period equal to or greater than twenty one years. The Committee operates independently from Council.
Meeting Dates: Last Tuesday of every month from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Members: Robert Marr - Chair, Peter Delanty, David Dexter, Brian Murphy, Terry Brown
Web page
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee
This Committee is committed to the promotion of equity, racial acceptance, and multicultural education where citizens are empowered to achieve their full potential in our community. Further, the Committee is committed to creating safe spaces for all persons to voice their opinions and understanding and to work together to create inclusion in Cobourg.
Meeting Dates: Mostly the second Thursday of every month from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. via Zoom or Hybrid (exceptions: Jan 3rd, April July, October 1st Thursday). Download 2022 schedule here.
Members: Anna Albouni, Ashley Bouman, Heidi Carisse - Vice Chair, Shawn Levy, Boutheina Maraoui, Marilou Martin - Chair, Frances Northeast, Beverly Shepperd, Jacqueline Monahan, David Brown, Adam Bureau - Councillor, Emily Chorley - Councillor, Nicole Beatty - Councillor.
One Vacancy
Joint Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee
The Municipal Elections Act, 1996, requires that municipalities establish a committee to hear applications for compliance audits of the election campaign finances of candidates and registered third-party advertisers.
Meeting Dates. None scheduled. Information on the Committee’s meetings (including dates, location, and agendas) and decisions will be posted on the eSCRIBE Meeting Portal.
Members: Lorraine Brace, William (Bill) Graham, James Hunt, Lynn Patry, Tom Tordoff.
One Vacancy
No Web page
Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee
The purpose of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee is to provide strategic and policy advice and recommendations to Council on matters related to parks, open spaces, waterfront, recreation facilities and recreation programs that enhance the quality of life of residents and visitors, reflect the needs of the community and support and encourage active and healthy lifestyles.
Meeting Dates: The Committee meets on the first Tuesday of every month from 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm.
Members: Beth Bellaire - Chair, Patricia Whitney, Dora Body, Richard Pope, James McGrath, Miriam Mutton, Emily Chorley - Councillor,
Web page
Planning and Development Advisory Committee
The Planning and Development Advisory Committee is appointed by Council as authorized by Section 8(2) of the Planning Act, for the purposes of providing Council with recommendations specific to community planning, development and policies matters.
Meeting Dates: The fourth Tuesday of the month
Members: Rick Stinson, Don Wilcox - Chair, Alister Commins - Vice Chair, George Kamphorst, Frieder Aldinger, Graham Gilchrist, Nicole Beatty - Councillor/Coordinator
Web page
Sustainability and Climate Change Emergency Advisory Committee
The purpose of the Sustainability and Climate Change Advisory Committee is to promote the protection, maintenance and awareness of the environment within the community and to provide advice concerning environmental and climate change policy, planning and sustainability.
Meeting Dates: The Committee meets on the first Wednesday of every month from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. via Zoom
Members: Minnie de Jong - Chair, Antony Pitts - Vice Chair, Marius Marsh, John Vickers, Therese Hutchinson, Pam Lancaster - GRCA - no vote, Adam Bureau - Councillor, Judy Smith - Member from Sustainable Cobourg
One Vacancy
Web page
Transportation Advisory Committee
The purpose of the Transportation Advisory Committee is to promote the community participation in advising the Cobourg Municipal Council regarding the design, development, implementation and monitoring of policies, programs and facilities to enhance and promote a safe, sustainable and accessible transportation system within the Town of Cobourg.
Meeting Dates: On the fourth Thursday of the month from 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Members: Randy Curtis - Chair, Bruce Bellaire, Harry Meester, William Glover, Mark Mills, Randall Ross, Brian Darling - Councillor, Jerry Ford - Accessibility Committee Liaison
Web page
Zero Emission Ad Hoc Committee
Appointed late 2022, the purpose of the Ad-Hoc Advisory Committee is to assist the Town of Cobourg in researching how the Town could successfully transition Town operated vehicles to a zero-emission platform, in an effective, effectual, and positive manner. While maintaining The Town of Cobourg’s commitment to the strategic plan initiative, for a sustainable Cobourg.
Members: Randy Curtis, Tony Ferguson, David Kuhnke, Steve Lapp, Christopher Massey, Mark Mills, Randall Ross, Judy Smith