Committees

2025 Canada Day Committee - established October 17, 2024

The purpose of the 2025 Canada Day Committee is to plan and implement Canada Day activities held in Calabogie for the purpose of celebrating national and local civic pride, culture, and community. The Canada Day Committee will work with the DACA Centre and Matawatchan Hall to encourage community participation at all three events held in the Township.

The Terms of Reference outline the details of the Committee.

The following applicants and member of Council were appointed to the Committee by Council Resolution during the October 17, 2024 Council Meeting:

• Councillor Rob Tripp

• Jean Libbey

• Jane Weir

• Cheryl Grass

• Emily Thompson

Committee Meetings and Agendas can be found on the Township's Meetings and Information Portal.

The Committee is always looking for volunteers to help on the day of the event. Contact the Township if ou are interested.

The Township of Greater Madawaska undertook a collaborative planning exercise to modernize the Committees of Council, and to incorporate the views and suggestions expressed by community members.

To effectively and efficiently serve the needs of the Township of Greater Madawaska a survey was released seeking valued input on the formation and prioritization of our Community Committees. The survey deadline was February 8, 2023.

The Committee Survey that was developed and made available to the public received only 127 responses, which equates to 2.5% of eligible electors. Despite this low level of response, the feedback from the survey, along with other key resources, was used to help identify the most important standing and ad-hoc committees, supporting open and transparent governance in the delivery of services throughout the Township. The information gathered was used to select three committees to be formed at this time; Recreation Advisory Committee, Inclusivity Advisory Committee, and Economic Development and Communications Advisory Committee.

The Economic Development/Internet and Cell Committee was formed in 2019.  The main purpose of the committee is “to make broadband high-speed Internet and cell phone coverage accessible in all areas of the Township, including rural and remote areas”. 

Many presentations and letters have been compiled since the committee was formed 2019-2021.  These documents are here for your information.

Updated information regarding Cell Towers has been provided, March 2022, and is here for your information.

A news release was issued August 4, 2022 regarding "Ontario Increasing Access to High-Speed Internet Across the Province". The article provides information outlines that Ontario has committed nearly $4 billion to bring high-speed internet access to every corner of the province by the end of 2025.

The initial call for Equity Diversity and Inclusion Committee Members brought forward only one applicant. If you are interested in this committee please feel free to submit an application and we will keep in touch with the future of this committee.

The purpose of the Equity Diversity and Inclusion Committee is to provide support, advice, and recommendations to Council and Staff to help ensure that the Township applies an equity, diversity, and inclusion lens to its policies, services, and programs. 

Scope of the Committee:

To advise Council in order to meet the following objectives:

• Provide insight, advice, and make recommendations to the Township of Greater Madawaska Council relating to:
  • Emerging equity or diversity issues or trends arising in the community.
  • Identifying systemic barriers to accessing township services, information, programs, and facilities.
  • Identifying systemic barriers to participation in public life and achievement of the social, cultural, and economic well-being of residents.
  • Strategies for building connections and fostering a deeper sense of inclusion and belonging.
  • Proposed Township of Greater Madawaska initiatives, services, and policies to meet the changing needs of a diverse community.
  • Employment and employee awareness policies, initiatives, and programs.

• Liaise with organizations and stakeholders to facilitate discussions that promote broader understanding and engagement between residents of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
• Provide recommendations on opportunities for education and awareness programs on equity, diversity, and inclusion in consultation with Staff and within the budget allocated by Council. 

The Greater Madawaska Public Library Board is a governance board which runs under the authority of the Public Libraries Act of Ontario. The Board is responsible for providing library services and programs in Greater Madawaska. The Ontario Public Libraries Act mandates that Board members must be: at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada within the meaning of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada), a resident of the municipality, and not employed by the board or by the municipality or county.

Board members, also known as trustees, set up policies, goals and objectives of the library. The Board is the legal authority of the library and is the ultimate authority for decision-making and oversight. They also advocate strongly for the library in the community. The Board works side by side with the Library CEO and staff. The Library CEO handles day-to-day operation of the library with their staff.

The Township of Greater Madawaska advertised for the appointment of a minimum of 5 members to the Library Board to serve a 4-year term, concurrent with the members of council, until November 15th, 2026. The application deadline was Friday, November 25th, 2022.

The following applicants and member of Council were appointed to the Board by Council Resolution during the December 1, 2022 Council Meeting:

• Councillor Lois Thomson
• Barry Brydges
• Caitlin Zeyl
• Emily Thompson
• Lucie Perrier
• Nicole McKinnon
• Patti McArthur
• Sue Michalicka

For more information about the Greater Madawaska Public Library Board check out their web page.

The purpose of the Griffith Mile Committee is to make a recommendation to Council regarding improving the safety of Highway 41 through the village of Griffith.

The Terms of Reference outline the details of the Committee.

Committee application deadline was February 24, 2023.

No applications were received.

The purpose of the Madawaska Street Docks Committee is to make a recommendation to Council regarding the use of private docks on Madawaska Street (Township owned land) and if private docks will be allowed, what rules and regulations will apply.

The Terms of Reference outline the details of the Committee.

Committee application deadline was January 27, 2023.

The following applicants and member of Council were appointed to the Committee by Council Resolution during the March 16, 2023 Council Meeting:

• Mayor Rob Weir
• Chris Fleming
• Christopher Merla
• Deb Giffin
• Kurt Viehbacher
• Leo Mulvihill
• Luke Goulette
• Sharon Pearce
• Sherry Cameron

Committee Meetings and Agendas can be found on the Township's Meetings and Information Portal.

Committee Final Report is available on the November 16, 2023 Council Agenda available on the Meetings and Information Portal.

Recreation and Culture Committee - established December 7, 2023

The purpose of the Recreation and Culture Committee is to provide support, advice, and recommendations to Council and Staff relative to enhancing the quality of life for Greater Madawaska residents through a wide range of innovative, inclusive, and accessible recreational programming, providing opportunities for physical activity, social interaction, and community engagement.  

Scope of the Committee:

To advise Council in order to meet the following objectives:

• Provide input in the development of plans and policies for open spaces, recreation, culture, and heritage;
• Pursue and facilitate the involvement of the community in leading, developing and delivering activities, programs and events that provide public engagement opportunities and build on the vitality of the culture, arts, recreation, and heritage of the community through partnerships and assistance to:
1. The business community in general;
2. Community groups;
3. Arts and cultural groups;
4. Non-profit organizations;
5. Other municipalities; and
6. Residents across all demographics.
• Raise the profile of parks, recreation and culture through positive support and promotion in the community;
• Encourage, nourish, and support volunteer organizations within the Township that provide leisure, special events, arts and culture services and facilities;
• Identify concerns and present constructive solutions for the Townships’ programs, facilities, open spaces, trails, and events;

Refer to the Terms of Reference for full Committee details.

Committee Members are as follows:

• Councillor Jeff Levesque
• Kurt Viehbacher
• Kate Zeyl
• Lesley Cassidy
• Tracy Fredericks
• Heather Crawley
• Colin Sutherland

Committee Meetings and Agendas can be found on the Township's Meetings and Information Portal.