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. Application forms are available online. Go to this page then scroll down. Most committees appointments are for the term of the council. That means that the current appointments will expire 14 November 2022.
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). See the Town's page on committees for more info: Committees page
Accessibility Advisory Committee
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. via Zoom.
Members: Susan Caron - Chair, Kathryn Richards - Vice Chair, Troy Mills, Elizabeth (Beth) Sheffield, Jerry Ford, Dan Wilson, Aaron Burchat - Councillor.
Web page
Civic Awards Advisory Committee
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.
Meeting Dates: Meets on an ad hoc basis.
Members: Beth Selby - Chair, Olinda Casimiro - Vice Chair, Reva Nelson, Duncan Walker, Jennifer Ashley, Lynn McMillan, Mayor John Henderson, Councillor Adam Bureau
Web Page
Cobourg Heritage Advisory Committee
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.
Members: Graham Andrews - Chair, Ken Bagshaw - Vice Chair, Felicity Pope, Loren Turner, Barbara Wigmore, James Young, Nicole Beatty, Councillor
Web Page
Cobourg Police Service Board
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 9:00AM. Meetings will be held virtually until further notice. Please contact the CPSB office if you wish to attend.
Members: Dean Pepper - Chair, Sean Graham - Provincial Appointee, Ronald Kerr - Provincial Appointee, Mayor John Henderson, Councillor Aaron Burchat,
Web page
Cobourg Public Library Board
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: Kevin Caldwell - Chair, Simon Chorley - Vice Chair, Jennifer Gillard, Joanne Hearst, Marian Neill, Ken Williamson, Adam Bureau - Councillor Cobourg, Pat McCourt - Councillor Hamilton
Web page
Committee of Adjustment
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 and its decisions may be appealed to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal.
Meeting Dates: Last Tuesday of every month from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Members: Robert Marr - Chair, Peter Delanty, Astrid Hudson, Allan Smelko, Randy Barber
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
Memorial Arena Ad Hoc Committee
The purpose of the Ad-Hoc Advisory Committee is to assist the Town of Cobourg in reimagining the Memorial Arena, which was decommissioned as an ice rink in 2019. The Committee will provide Council with a shortlist of three (3) to six (6) options for the Memorial Arena that: 1) meet the needs of the community, 2) are financially and technically viable, and 3) align with the Town of Cobourg's Strategic Plan.
Meeting Dates: As required
Members (as listed on minutes of 8 June, 2022): Councillors: Emily Chorley, Nicole Beatty, Brian Darling. Citizens: Allan Proos; James Young; Dora Body; Don Wilcox.
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
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