Councillor Garneau to propose new policy supporting businesses during municipal construction

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

County of Brant Councillor Christine Garneau has submitted a notice of motion signaling her intent to bring forward a Municipal Construction Business Impact Policy for council’s consideration later this month.

The proposed policy aims to formalize how the County supports businesses affected by municipal construction projects that Garneau says became particularly evident through the Downtown Dig project in Paris, which underscored the operational challenges local businesses face during prolonged infrastructure work.

Garneau’s motion notes that similar construction projects are planned across the County in the coming years and emphasizes the importance of ensuring all business sectors, including farms, on-farm diversified uses, non-profit organizations, and home-based enterprises, receive appropriate consideration and support.

The proposed policy would direct County staff to:

Establish criteria to assess the potential impact of construction on business operations, such as project duration, road closures, and utility interruptions.

Designate a staff liaison to serve as a direct point of contact for affected businesses.

Develop signage and communication protocols to maintain customer access and awareness throughout construction.

Identify potential supports the County could provide — from communication assistance to financial or in-kind contributions — and ensure equity between urban and rural areas.

Create a process for collecting and incorporating business feedback to improve future projects.

The motion also requests that staff consult with key business stakeholders, including the Paris and Brantford-Brant Chambers of Commerce, the Paris BIA, the St. George Business Association, Burford Connects, and the Brant County Federation of Agriculture.

If adopted, the motion would result in a new framework guiding how the County communicates with and assists local businesses during major construction projects, both municipal and those led by external partners such as the Ministry of Transportation or neighbouring municipalities.

Council is expected to discuss Garneau’s motion later this month.