News

City of Pembroke Council and staff have taken several recent opportunities to advocate for our community’s needs with the Province of Ontario.

In December, the City took part in the Eastern Ontario Mayors’ Caucus Day of Advocacy at Queen’s Park. This group represents the separated (single-tier) municipalities of Eastern Ontario. Early this month, the City had a submission in the Provincial pre-budget consultations with the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, which was held in Pembroke. And, last week, the City attended the Rural Ontario Municipal Association Conference.

These opportunities allow for one-on-one discussions with Provincial ministers, parliamentary assistants, and key staff, which can lead to stronger cases being made right to the decision makers. Often, these efforts are made in collaboration with regional partners such as the County of Renfrew and neighbouring municipalities. 

Themes of the recent advocacy include:

• Predictable and sustainable funding sources for municipalities, especially regarding asset management and aging infrastructure.
• Rising and unpredictable policing costs due to the OPP billing model, court security, prisoner transfer, and growing demands related to mental health, addictions, and homelessness.
• Extraordinary costs of fire apparatus and equipment/rising acquisition costs.
• MPAC assessment.
• Increased per-capita funding for domestic students attending college or university.
• Announced timelines for the stages of four-laning Highway 417/Highway 17 to Pembroke.
• Stagnant subdivision and how to spur development in rural Ontario.
• Fiscal pressures on municipalities due to a broken funding relationship and provincial underfunding of social and housing services.
• Sportsplex funding.

“The Province is a key partner, and it is very important for us to be in front of these key people to provide the reality and pressures of small municipalities such as Pembroke so that voice is brought to the table when the government is making decisions,” says Mayor Ron Gervais. “We will continue to advocate for Pembroke and our region and maintain our great relationship with MPP Denault to help ensure our growth and viability into the future.”

Thursday, January 29 until Friday, February 6, 2026, at 7:00 am until 5:00 pm John Street, between Pembroke Street East and Sussex Street will be reduced to one lane for borehole drilling.

The City of Pembroke asks that drivers respect the posted construction signage at all times. Some delays can be expected, and the travelling public is encouraged to use alternate routes.

You are also reminded that the businesses within the construction and detour zones remain open for business and the many business owners would be happy to serve you.

We thank you for your patience as the City of Pembroke continues to improve our infrastructure.

CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF PEMBROKE  

REQUESTS FOR TENDERS

T-26-01- Granular Materials - 2026

Hard copy sealed tenders, clearly marked as to contents and on forms supplied by the City, will be received by Ms. Marsha Hawthorne, Purchasing Manager/Deputy Treasurer, City of Pembroke, Operations Department, 460 River Road, Pembroke, ON, K8A 1A1 until 2:00:59 p.m.

Electronic submissions are not acceptable.  Tenders will be opened in public and the City will broadcast the tender opening by way of a Microsoft Teams meeting.  Unofficial bid results will be emailed to all those who submitted bids, shortly after tender closing.  Language of tender submissions is English.

Complete tender documents, in an electronic PDF version, may be obtained through email request to purchasing@pembroke.ca.  Tender documents will be available for distribution beginning on Thursday, February 5, 2026, during regular office hours (7:30 am to 4:00 pm).

All questions relating to these tender requests will be received in writing up to and no later than 12:00 p.m. local time on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

The City reserves the right to accept or reject any or all tenders.  The lowest or any tender will not necessarily be accepted.

The procurement of goods and services specified in these documents are subject to the provision of the Canada Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) and the Ontario-Quebec Trade and Cooperation Agreement (OQTCA).

City of Pembroke

Operations Department

460 River Road

Pembroke, ON  K8A 1A1

Telephone:  (613) 735-6821 ext. 1408

Email:  purchasing@pembroke.ca

THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF PEMBROKE

 NOTICE OF PASSING

Adoption of an update to the City of Pembroke’s Community Improvement Plan

TAKE NOTICE that, in accordance with Section 28 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, as amended, the Municipal Council of the Corporation of the City of Pembroke passed By-law No. 2026-06 on the 20th day of January, 2026 updating the Community Improvement Plan.

AND TAKE NOTICE that any person, incorporated group of persons or agency may appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal in respect of the update made to Pembroke’s Community Improvement Plan by filing with the Clerk of the Corporation of the City of Pembroke not later than February 11, 2026 a Notice of Appeal setting out the objection to the update to the Community Improvement Plan and the reasons in support of the objection.

NOTE: The update to Pembroke’s Community Improvement Plan is exempt from approval by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing – the decision of Pembroke City Council is final if a Notice of Appeal is not received on or before the last day for filing a Notice of Appeal. Only individuals, corporations and public bodies may appeal a decision of Pembroke City Council to the Ontario Land Tribunal. A Notice of Appeal may not be filed by an unincorporated association or group. However, a Notice of Appeal may be filed in the name of an individual who is a member of the association or the group on its behalf. No person or public body shall be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal unless, before the decision was made, the person or public body made oral submissions at a public meeting or written submissions to Pembroke City Council or, in the opinion of the Ontario Land Tribunal, there are reasonable grounds to add the person or public body as a party.

THE PURPOSE AND EFFECT of the proposed updated Community Improvement Plan is to support and promote the continued revitalization, redevelopment, and enhancement of the City of Pembroke. The proposed Community Improvement Project Area and Community Improvement Plan will provide a set of financial incentive programs to support the revitalization, redevelopment, and enhancement of the City of Pembroke.

AN EXPLANATION of the proposed updated Community Improvement Plan is to provide financial incentive programs to support revitalization, redevelopment, and enhancement of the City of Pembroke. The Pembroke Community Improvement Plan applies to all lands within the Community Improvement Project Area, which encompasses the entirety of the City of Pembroke. The updated proposed Community Improvement Plan can be found on the City of Pembroke’s project webpage at engagepembroke.ca/CIPUpdate.

Dated at the City of Pembroke this 22^nd day of January, 2026

Victoria Charbonneau

Clerk

1 Pembroke Street East

Pembroke, ON  K8A 3J5

By virtue of the power vested in me

I Do Hereby Declare

February 1-7, 2026

as "White Cane Week"

in the City of Pembroke.

Whereas the first full week of February is celebrated as White Cane Week in Canada to promote the initiative of the Canadian Council of the Blind; and

Whereas the Pembroke White Cane Club, in association with the Canadian Council of the Blind aims to provide education and to raise awareness about vision loss and remind all Canadians that the traditional white cane is a symbol of independence – not dependence, and a lack of sight is not a lack of vision; and
Whereas White Cane Week has evolved to reflect the changing situations of the blind community and it has begun to emphasize the equal capabilities and talents of people who are blind and partially sighted and their significant contributions to the community and the work place; and

Whereas with the province’s aging population, all Ontarians need to be better informed about the effects of vision loss and work towards creating more supportive, inclusive communities.

Therefore, be it resolved that I, Ron Gervais, Mayor of the City of Pembroke do hereby proclaim the week of February 1-7, 2026 as White Cane Week in the City of Pembroke.

Dated in the Mayor’s Office this 20th day of January, 2026

Ron Gervais

Mayor, City of Pembroke

TAKE NOTICE THAT the audited financial statements of the Corporation of the City of Pembroke for the year ending December 31, 2024 were adopted at the regular meeting of Council held on December 16, 2025. 

Pursuant to subsection 295 (1) of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c.25, the 2024 Audited Financial Statements are available on the City’s website at https://www.pembroke.ca/city-government/budget-and-financial-statements/ or a hard copy can be obtained at City Hall upon request at no cost.

Environment Canada has issued a Freezing Rain Warning. The forecast for our region currently calls for an extended period of freezing rain with ice accumulation up to 20mm, mixed with periods of ice pellets and snow starting and continuing until Monday afternoon.  Please continue to  monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada.
As per Regulation 239/02 Minimum Maintenance Standards of the Municipal Act 2001, The City of Pembroke is declaring a significant weather event affecting all roads within the City boundaries, due to the forecast for significant freezing rain, ice pellets and snow.
This declaration of a significant weather event is not notice of a reduced level of service or a road closure.  It is to notify the public that due to the current or forecasted conditions, caution is to be observed when travelling on roads maintained by the City of Pembroke.  It may take longer than usual to bring the roads and sidewalks back to optimal conditions.
The City of Pembroke Operations Department would like to remind residents:

• Winter parking restrictions are in effect.  Please keep cars parked in driveways during this event and after the rain/freezing rain stops, so as not to impede snow plowing operations.  Offending vehicles will be ticketed and/or towed at the owner’s expense without notice.
• Please ensure that garbage and recycling bins are kept 5 to 6 feet back into driveways so that they are not hit or knocked over by the plowing operations.  Plows will not be able to move over for garbage or recycling containers left in the roadway, as they must maintain roadway width.
• This is a long duration event with a significant amount of rain/freezing rain.  Please have patience, and if possible stay off the roads during and immediately following the event so that City staff can efficiently clear the streets and sidewalks.
• The City Operations department asks residents to have patience during and after this event.  Staff will be working diligently to keep main roads salted and then the focus will shift to opening residential streets as soon as possible.  With the volume of rain/freezing rain forecasted, it will take longer than normal to clear all City streets.

Starting January 1, 2026, Ontario will transition to an enhanced recycling system.

City of Pembroke residents will have expanded recycling options starting January 1, 2026, as part of Ontario's Enhanced Recycling System. 

At this time, there will be no changes to your collection schedule.

Further details will be provided in the coming weeks via Circular Materials who is the new administrator of Ontario’s common collection system. They are a national not-for-profit organization building efficient and effective recycling systems where materials are collected, recycled, and returned to producers to use as recycled content in new packaging and products.

As the new administrator, Circular Materials will be the new point of contact for any concerns or questions regarding the new recycling program. They can be reached by:

Email: customerservice@circularmaterials.ca

Phone: 1-877-667-2626

Notice is hereby given that the City of Pembroke is hosting a public budget meeting Tuesday, January 13 from 6-8 p.m. This meeting will be held in Council Chambers at City Hall located at 1 Pembroke St. E. and is open to the public.

City of Pembroke residents looking to provide comments or ask questions regarding the City’s 2026 operating and capital budgets can do so by:

• Submitting questions or comments online
• The online form will remain open until 8 a.m. on Friday, January 9
• Questions and comments received will be reviewed and addressed during the public meeting. 
• Speaking in person at the public meeting
• Residents wanting to be included on the speakers’ list should contact the Clerk by email at pembroke@pembroke.ca prior to 12 p.m. Friday, January 9

Your feedback will help Council and staff understand satisfaction with City services and budget priorities. Community feedback is one factor, along with legislative requirements, policies, objectives, resource availability, and financial constraints.

This 2026 public budget meeting will be available on the City’s YouTube channel.

Following two days of deliberations by the City of Pembroke Finance and Administration Committee, Council has advanced the 2026 Budget, balancing service delivery and infrastructure investment with affordability for residents. 

Under Ontario’s Strong Mayor budget process, the budget will be finalized after the mayoral veto/override period on Thursday, January 22, 2026.

Pembroke is the only single‑tier municipality in Renfrew County. The City tax rate includes both City services as well as the County of Renfrew and other shared services. In nearby lower‑tier municipalities (such as Laurentian Valley and Petawawa), the County/shared services are billed as a separate tax rate.

As amended by Council at the December 16 Council meeting, the 2026 budget is advancing with a total tax levy increase after assessment growth of 6.99%. This includes a levy stabilization reduction of 0.9% to improve affordability to residents. Broken down, the County of Renfrew and shared services portion is 2.36%, and the City portion (comparable to neighbours) is 4.63%.

For the average residential property owner, municipal property taxes are projected to increase by about $238 in 2026 (about $20 per month), split as follows:

·        $68 for capital infrastructure projects (roads, sidewalks, parks, and recreation facilities)

·        $65 for operating costs to maintain core services (fire, roads, parks) and to promote economic development

·        $25 for increased OPP policing costs

• About $80 for the County of Renfrew levy and other shared services (paramedic services, homes for the aged, the local health unit, and other social services)

“Committee and staff worked to fund the services residents rely on, invest in our roads and facilities, and recognize affordability pressures facing households,” says Mayor Ron Gervais.

Managing the City’s infrastructure funding gap remains a priority. The community currently utilizes more than $11 million per year in roads, sidewalks, bridges, storm sewer, parks, fleet, and facilities annually with sustainable funding at $7 million. This $4 million funding gap is creating a backlog of projects that will need to be managed in future years. In 2026, the asset management plan will review the annual 2% infrastructure levy to determine if it is sufficient to meet community service expectations while keeping property taxes affordable year-to-year.

Key 2026 infrastructure projects include:

·        Dehumidifier installation at the Kinsmen Pool

·        New ice pad surface at the Pembroke and Area Community Centre (PACC), addressing its critical condition with planning to be undertaken in 2026 and construction expected at the end of the hockey season in March 2027

·        Continued major construction on Isabella Street

• Road resurfacing on portions of Angus Campbell, First Avenue, Forced Road, International Drive, Townline, and William Street

“We continue to make responsible, incremental progress on our infrastructure needs while keeping the City portion of the levy increase affordable, similar to neighbouring municipalities,” says Deputy Mayor and Finance and Administration Chair Brian Abdallah.

For local user-pay services, the waste management collection fee is increasing from $158 to $180.50 in 2026, following more than five years without a fee change. For water and sewer rates, the average residential customer is estimated to pay about $94 more in 2026 (about $7.87 per month) to maintain safe drinking water, wastewater treatment, and system renewal.

Under Ontario’s Strong Mayor legislation, the mayor may veto Council budget amendments within a prescribed period, and Council may override a veto with a two‑thirds vote. In accordance with this process, Pembroke’s 2026 Budget will be finalized on Thursday, January 22, 2026, following the conclusion of the mayoral veto/override window.

Residents seeking additional information about the 2026 Budget may attend a public meeting on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 6 p.m. Attendance is available in person at City Hall (1 Pembroke St. E.), with live streaming provided on the City’s YouTube channel.