HOUSING FIRST MODEL
PAGE
2
LEMON BUCKET SHOW PAGE
STRATFORD VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 49
14 FREE
JULY 24, 2026
Jennifer Anderson
Jamie Gerber
519-301-2736
519-276-7995
Team Leader - BROKER
Maria Walsh 519-272-3229
REALTOR®
Judah Bootsma 519-272-4378
walshremax@gmail.com
Judah.remax@gmail.com
AndersonRealEstateGroup.ca
Ombudsman makes suggestions after 2024 bans CONNOR LUCZKA
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Two years after three Stratford residents were temporarily banned from all city property, some questions have been answered – for some. After a fiery February 2024 council meeting, the City of Stratford issued notices of suspension from all city property to three individuals: Barb Shaughnessy, Mike Sullivan and Ken Wood, saying that all three had breached the city’s respectful workplace policy, though no specific instances were shared with the public. Following a summer of protests and meetings being abruptly cancelled after the suspended individuals were spotted in the gallery, the suspensions were lifted, city council amended its policy as calls came from the public to revoke it entirely, and Shaughnessy, Sullivan and Jane Marie Mitchell, another resident who was issued a warning, vowed to fight back. All of that leads to today, after Shaughnessy shared the letter she received from the Office of the Ombudsman of Ontario, who completed a review at her request. In the letter, which only addressed Shaughnessy’s complaint, investigator Johanna Dennie noted the city did not address its concerns with her behaviour prior to issuing the letter of suspension. Under the respectful workplace policy of the day, and the amendCONTINUED TO PAGE 4
Sunset Shades
(AMANDA NELSON PHOTO)
Susan Powell and Alex Powell of Waterloo take a seat in two of Destination Stratford's new tulip chairs while enjoying a walk along Lake Victoria during a visit to Stratford. For more on the new chairs, see our story on page 6.
Council supports another year of warming centre operations CONNOR LUCZKA Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
After a successful, if frenetic, first year, the warming centre will be back next winter. At the July 20 special Stratford city council meeting, council elected to approve its operation for a budget of $327,031 (with $88,560 being the city’s portion). It will operate Nov. 1 through April 30, 2027. The centre ran for a total cost of $235,446 last year, though stakeholders advised council that this year one
Roller Shades
Vinyl Shutters
WINDOW TREATMENT www.whiteoakkitchens.com
519.801.6245
more social service worker and the elimination of the security guard position would be recommended, necessitating the increased cost, along with building safety improvements. “A warming centre is not and cannot be a long-term solution to homelessness,” said Kim McElroy, director of social services with the City of Stratford. “It is a temporary seasonal safety measure. The long-term solution … remains permanent, deeply affordable, supportive housing combined with the prevention, stabilization, CONTINUED TO PAGE 2
Duel Shades
Cellular Shades
white oak KITCHEN & DESIGN