Municipal Community Newsletter

35 Alice Street | Brighton, ON K0K 1H0 CA

Featured in the February newsletter...

Family Day Municipal Office Closure
Official Plan & Zoning By-Law Survey
Peace Park and Cedar Hill Trail Accessibility Survey
Heart Disco Skate on February 13 at the King Edward Park Arena
2026 Municipal Election
Municipal Department News and Updates
Upcoming Council and Committee Meetings

Monthly Wisdom...

“Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour” - John Boswell

Winter Parking Restrictions

in place until April 1

Residents are reminded that winter parking restrictions are in effect nightly from 12:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. until April 1. Parking is restricted on roadways, streets, and road shoulders during these hours.

Thank you for your cooperation.

First Installment of Interim Tax Bills Due February 27

A reminder to residents that the first installment of the Interim Tax Bill is due on Friday, February 27, 2026.

The Municipality of Brighton offers the following payment method options for tax bills:

Online or telephone banking, at your financial institution or Pre-Authorized Payment,
Cash, cheque, or debit at the Municipal Administration Office (35 Alice Street) in person or in the drop box. Please do not include cash in the drop box,
By visa on the municipal website.

Family Day Municipal Office Closure

Please note, our Municipal Offices will be closed on Monday, February 16 for Family Day. We look forward to welcoming you on Tuesday, February 17 during our regular hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Hey Students, We are hiring!

Join our team this summer! Check out the available positions below or visit our Career Fair today, February 3, at the Owen Gibb Community Centre from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.!

Parks & Recreation Summer Student (4 positions) - Assists with the maintenance of parks, gardens, sports fields, cemeteries, trails, boat launches

Public Works Summer Student (4 positions) - Assists with the construction and maintenance of municipal roads, ditches, and culverts

Economic Development and Communications Summer Student (1 position) - Assists in creating content and promoting the Municipality’s tourism and local commercial economy

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a cover letter and resume clearly marked with the appropriate job title before 11:59 p.m. February 22, 2026, to hr@brighton.ca.

Learn more

The team at the Municipality of Brighton is committed to working together to meet the needs of our residents, visitors, and those who choose to invest in our area. We dedicate ourselves to providing superior services to customers.

For more information about each of our departments, visit the Municipal Services page on our website.

Official Plan & Zoning By-Law Review

The Municipality of Brighton has launched a review of its Official Plan and Zoning By-Law. To help guide this work, we are seeking input from residents, businesses, landowners, and others with a connection to the community.

Your participation will help staff understand the community’s priorities and concerns as Brighton continues to grow and change.

Complete the survey

Peace Park Accessibility Survey

The Municipality of Brighton is seeking comments from the public regarding the accessibility of Peace Park located on Huron Drive. Please complete this short survey to assist staff with accessibility for future park improvements.

We want to hear from you!

How to participate:

Complete the survey before February 9, 2026.

Pick up a physical survey at:

Brighton Municipal Office and Public Library (35 Alice Street)
Codrington Public Library (2992 County Rd 30, Codrington)
Brighton Public Works Department Office (67 Sharp Road)
King Edward Park Arena (75 Elizabeth Street)

Complete the survey

Cedar Hill Trail Accessibility Survey

The Municipality of Brighton is seeking comments from the public regarding the accessibility of Cedar Hill Trail. Please complete this short survey to assist staff with accessibility for future trail improvements.

We want to hear from you!

How to participate:

Complete the survey before February 9, 2026.

Pick up a physical survey at:

Brighton Municipal Office and Public Library (35 Alice Street)
Codrington Public Library (2992 County Rd 30, Codrington)
Brighton Public Works Department Office (67 Sharp Road)
King Edward Park Arena (75 Elizabeth Street)

Complete the survey

Heart Disco Skate

Join the Parks and Recreation Department as we celebrate love and friendship at our Heart Disco Skate! Everyone’s welcome on the dance floor… on ice!

Date: February, 13

Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Location: King Edward Park Arena, 75 Elizabeth St.

Admission: $3 admission

Dress in your brightest pinks and reds and skate the night away under the disco lights!

Enjoy winter at the Codrington Outdoor Rink!

The Codrington Outdoor Rink is open! Head over to the Codrington Community Centre and enjoy the winter fun!

Location: 2992 County Rd 30, Codrington

Before you hit the ice, please remember:

the rink is open to all - please be welcoming and respectful of everyone who wants to enjoy the ice
to check the ice surface for safety
helmets are strongly encouraged
the rink is maintained by volunteers and is not supervised

Stay tuned for the opening of the outdoor rink at King Edward Park!

For any concerns, please contact the Parks & Recreation department at (613) 475-0670 ext. 402 or email bstansel@brighton.ca.

Stay safe and enjoy the ice, Brighton!

Generator Safety Reminders

Using a portable generator is definitely handy, but they can be dangerous if they’re used incorrectly. Here are some tips to keep you, your family, and your house safe while using a generator...

Make sure the generator has all the necessary safety labels and always follow all safety instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Always operate the generator in a dry place and make sure your hands are dry.

Be sure to keep the generator somewhere with proper ventilation. If the generator is outside, don’t place it close to any windows or vents because carbon monoxide can build up inside. Have working carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home and check the batteries frequently. If the detectors are wired to the house’s electricity supply, make sure they have battery-powered back-ups.

Generators become extremely hot during operation. Let the generator cool down and turn it off before refueling. Never refuel the generator while it’s still hot. Don’t store any fuel near a fuel-burning appliance or the generator itself.

Learn more about generator safety

2026 Municipal and School Board Election

The Municipality of Brighton is preparing for the upcoming 2026 Municipal and School Board Election, which will take place on October 26. If you have recently turned 18, changed your name, or moved, please take a moment to confirm your voter information on the Elections Ontario website to help keep the voters’ list accurate. Candidate nomination packages will be available beginning May 1 both online and in person at the Municipal Clerk’s Office located at 35 Alice Street. Voting in the 2026 election will be conducted using internet voting.

Important Dates and Deadlines:

Current until August 12, 2026 – Register and update Voter Information

May 1, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. – Nomination Period Begins

August 21, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Nominations Close

October 26, 2026 – Municipal and School Board Election Day

November 16, 2026 – Inaugural Council Meeting

Learn more and read the news release

Calling all Youth! Thinking about running for Council in the 2026 Municipal Election?

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is offering a free online workshop designed to provide insights and strategies to build your understanding and boost your confidence in becoming a candidate and running an election campaign.

Three dates to choose from:

February 18 - 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

March 11 - 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

April 15 - 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Learn more and register

Stronger Leaders, Stronger Communities Online Workshop Series

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is hosting a series of free online workshops that provide a supportive, skills-focused environment to strengthen your leadership foundation and reconnect with the values that guide public service.

The online series is being offered in two streams:

Stream 1: For elected officials considering re-election. Learn more and register.

Stream 2: For first-time aspiring candidates. Learn more and register.

The Municipality of Brighton encourages resident involvement through a variety of advisory committees and local boards advise to make recommendations to Council.

The Municipality is currently seeking individuals who are connected to the community, have strong communication skills and, and have the ability to collaborate amongst a team.

To be eligible to participate as a board member, applicants must be:

a Municipality of Brighton resident, be over the age of 18, and/or a property owner, and cannot be employed by the municipality or a local committee.

Available Advisory Committee Appointments:

Heritage Advisory Committee

The Municipality of Brighton is currently seeking one (1) public member to join the Heritage Advisory Committee.

This committee advises Council on preserving, celebrating, and raising awareness of Brighton's cultural heritage for the community's social, cultural, and economic benefit.

Applefest Steering Committee

The Municipality of Brighton is currently seeking two (2) public members to join the Applefest Steering Committee.

This committee is delegated by Council to plan, supervise, coordinate and promote the Annual Applefest event. The Committee also prompts additional citizen volunteers to participate in producing the event, as well as enter into partnerships with community organizations where appropriate.

Sustainability Advisory Committee

The Municipality of Brighton is currently seeking two (2) public members to join the Sustainability Advisory Committee.

This committee provides information and advice on particular environmental sustainability issues and discusses the impact of this on the community and municipal plans, while recognizing that many of the issues are within the context of regional, national or global concerns.

Learn more and apply to an Advisory Committee

In the midst of the winter doldrums, February brings exciting opportunities for Brighton’s business and tourism community. Our Economic Development and Tourism team is focused on supporting local employers, attracting investment, and showcasing Brighton as a welcoming place to live, work, and visit.

A key highlight this month is the Brighton Career Fair on Tuesday, February 3, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Owen Gibb Community Hall in King Edward Park, 75 Elizabeth Street. This free event connects job seekers and students with local employers offering full-time, part-time, and seasonal positions across multiple sectors. Attendees are encouraged to bring copies of their resume and consider pre-registering online to save time on arrival.

The Community Improvement Plan (CIP) intake also remains open, offering eligible property and business owners support to enhance façades, landscaping, and overall curb appeal in key commercial areas. These investments strengthen Brighton’s business districts and improve the experience for residents and visitors alike.

Together, we are building on Brighton’s welcoming reputation as a destination to visit, live, work, and do business.

Let’s keep our momentum strong this year — Brighton’s best seasons are still ahead!

Yours in Economic Development,

Ben Hagerman

Manager of Economic Development and Communications

2026 Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Program

applications open!

Eligible downtown Brighton businesses and property owners can now access funding to enhance their properties through the Brighton Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Programs.

The CIP provides financial incentives to support property improvements that enhance Brighton's unique character and improves accessibility in the downtown core. This year, the plan focuses on three programs:

Façade Improvement Rebate Program

Intended to encourage commercial, residential or institutional properties in the Downtown core to make improvements, rehabilitate and improve their facades. The Municipality will provide a rebate for 50% of costs associated with design-related professional fees up to a maximum of $3,000.

Façade and Landscape Design Program

Designed to assist commercial, residential or institutional properties to make improvements, to rehabilitate, or improve their facades and/or landscaping. The Municipality will provide a rebate for 50% of façade or landscaping improvements that satisfy design criteria, included in detail in program description, up to a maximum of $10,000.

Community Accessibility Fund

Intended to assist businesses with improving the accessibility of the interior/exterior of their buildings in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. Eligible properties include industrial, commercial and mixed-use. The Municipality will cover 50% of eligible costs up to a maximum of $5,000.

Applications are open until March 31. To learn more about eligibility and program requirements, please visit our website or contact the Economic Development Department.

Email: cbirch@brighton.ca

Phone: (613) 475-0670 ext. 210

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Nominate a deserving Citizen for the Community Service Excellence Award and the Youth Community Service Excellence Award!

The Municipality of Brighton is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the Community Service Excellence Award and the Youth Community Service Excellence Award (formerly the Junior Citizen of the Year Award). These awards honour individuals whose dedication strengthens the well-being of the Brighton community.

There are two award categories being presented in 2026:

Community Service Excellence Award

Formerly known as the Citizen of the Year Award, the Community Service Excellence Award honours a resident who has made meaningful, long-term contributions to the Brighton community.

Youth Community Service Excellence Award

New for 2026, the Youth Community Service Excellence Award (formerly the Junior Citizen of the Year Award) honours an outstanding young community member whose dedication, initiative, and compassion have made a meaningful impact to the Brighton community.

Spirit of Service Awards

To acknowledge the wide range of volunteer efforts that strengthen our community, the program also includes Spirit of Service Awards, presented to nominees who demonstrate commendable service even if they are not selected as the recipient of the Community Service Excellence Award or the Youth Community Service Excellence Award. Previous Spirit of Service recipients may be nominated again this year and in future years.

Nomination forms are available at www.brighton.ca. Paper copies can also be picked up at the Municipal Office, 35 Alice Street, during regular business hours.

A special ceremony to celebrate the award recipients and recognize community volunteers will be held on April 23 at the Owen Gibb Community Centre (75 Elizabeth Street). Nominees will be contacted directly and invited to attend. Tickets will be available to community volunteers beginning March 30.

For more information on the nomination process, including the eligibility requirements, visit brighton.ca.

Learn more

Council and Committee meetings are held in the Council Chambers at the Municipal Centre, 35 Alice Street and are open to the public.

Council and Council Planning meetings are streamed live on our YouTube Channel.

Regular Council Meetings: These meetings are held on the first and third Monday of each month.
Planning Council Meetings: These meetings are held on the second Monday of each month.

Below is a list of recent Council and Committee meetings.