Planned organizational changes build on successful succession planning and align services for the future. 

East Zorra-Tavistock is taking the next step in strengthening its leadership and service delivery with a new organizational structure that brings community focused services together while creating clear leadership for the future.

The changes follow the planned retirement of Director of Fire and Emergency Management Services, Fire Chief, Scott Alexander, and reflect the Township’s ongoing commitment to succession planning, leadership development and organizational sustainability. 

Effective October 12, 2026, East Zorra-Tavistock will establish a new Community and Protective Services Department, bringing together fire and emergency services, community emergency management, recreation and facilities, together under one department with a coordinated administrative structure. At the same time, the Infrastructure Services Department will be established, overseeing roads and transportation networks, winter operations, stormwater and drainage, fleet and equipment, construction project management, parks, and capital and asset management.

Tom Lightfoot, currently serving as Director of Infrastructure and Community Services, will lead the new Department as the Director of Community and Protective Services, Fire Chief. Claire Ohrling, currently Engineering Technologist/Drainage Superintendent, will assume the role and responsibility of Director of Infrastructure Services. 

Comment 

CAO Karen DePrest, Township of East Zorra-Tavistock 
“This is an exciting opportunity to build on the strong foundation we have today while preparing our organization for the future,” said Chief Administrative Officer Karen DePrest. “We have talented and experienced leaders within our organization that have demonstrated the leadership, knowledge, and experience needed to lead these departments. This is a succession decision that recognizes internal talent while ensuring continuity for our residents and the services that they rely on.”

Mayor Phil Schaefer, Township of East Zorra-Tavistock 
“This restructuring allows us to leverage our talent and lay the groundwork for strong leadership now and into the future. On behalf of Council, staff, and residents I want to wish Chief Alexander all the best in his upcoming retirement, and also to offer congratulations to Tom Lightfoot and Claire Ohrling on their new positions,” Mayor Phil Schaefer.

In determining the new structure and leadership assignments, consideration was given to the Township’s existing leadership capacity, institutional knowledge, experience, demonstrated performance and the continuity required for essential municipal services.

The changes will take effect October 12, 2026, with transition planning already underway to support employees, maintain service delivery and ensure a smooth implementation.

About Township of East Zorra-Tavistock

Located in the heart of northern Oxford County, the Township of East Zorra-Tavistock is a great place to work, live and play. Accessible by highway, air and railway, East Zorra-Tavistock’s settled areas are a short drive from Highway 401, 402 and 403 and is located near several airports. East Zorra-Tavistock is a part of the eight area municipalities that make up the Oxford County municipal government. The Township of East Zorra-Tavistock was formed through the amalgamation of numerous communities, including Braemar, Cassel, East Zorra, Hickson, Huntingford, Innerkip, Perry Mine, Perrys Lane, Strathallan, Tavistock, Tollgate, and Willow Lake. East Zorra-Tavistock’s three largest towns are Hickson, Innerkip and Tavistock. The Township of East Zorra-Tavistock municipal office is located in Hickson. Learn more at www.ezt.ca 

 Your Vote. Your Choice. Your Convenience.

Participating municipalities encourage residents to prepare for the 2026 Municipal Election.

Town of Tillsonburg, Township of Blandford-Blenheim, Township of Zorra, Township of South-West Oxford, Township of East Zorra-Tavistock.

The participating municipalities are reminding residents to get ready for the 2026 Municipal Election, which will take place from October 13 to October 26, 2026, using secure internet and telephone voting.

Eligible electors will be able to vote from anywhere using their own computer, tablet, smartphone, or telephone. The voting system will be available 24 hours a day throughout the voting period, providing residents with a convenient and accessible way to cast their ballot. Whether you're at home, at work, or travelling, you'll be able to securely cast your ballot during the voting period. Voting closes at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, October 26, 2026.

Watch for Your Voter Information Letter

Eligible electors will receive a Voter Information Letter (VIL) in the mail before voting begins.

The VIL will include:

• Your name and address

• Your unique voting PIN

• Instructions on how to vote online or by telephone

Your PIN is required to access the voting system and cast your ballot. If you do not receive your VIL, lose your PIN, or require assistance, you can contact your municipality's Voter Help Centre.

Check Your Voter Information Now

All residents are encouraged to confirm that they are on the Voters' List and that their information is correct before election day.

Do not assume you are already registered. If you are not on the Voters' List, you may still be eligible to vote. Election staff can help add eligible electors to the list or update voter information when required.

The Province of Ontario's 2026 Municipal Voters' Guide is also available online and provides information about voter eligibility, municipal elections, and the voting process.

Secure and Confidential Voting

The participating municipalities have partnered with Intelivote Systems Inc., a Canadian company specializing in municipal election technology, to deliver secure internet and telephone voting services.

The voting system:

• Allows eligible electors to vote online or by telephone

• Uses security safeguards and encryption to protect voter information

• Prevents multiple votes from being cast by the same elector

• Is tested and monitored throughout the election period

Most importantly, voter privacy is protected. Votes are anonymous, cannot be connected to an individual elector, and municipalities never see how a person voted.

Need Assistance?

Voter Help Centres will be available throughout the election period to assist eligible electors who need help updating voter information, obtaining a replacement PIN, or accessing voting services.

For election information, voter resources, and important dates, visit our elections webpage.

Oxford County’s municipalities are looking for your feedback on how to improve road safety.

The Road Safety Strategy survey is online now at Speak Up, Oxford! until September 8, 2026. The survey invites Oxford residents and businesses to share their thoughts and experiences as the County builds a detailed plan to improve safety for all road users and reduce collisions, injuries and fatalities.

Residents can also mark areas of concern for driving, walking or cycling on an interactive map, or fill out an online feedback form to submit a comment or question.

Work to improve road safety begins this year with the development of a Road Safety Framework that will lay the groundwork for future planning. This will be followed by the development of a Road Safety Strategy in 2027 that will include detailed countermeasures and guidance to address road safety concerns. The project is being carried out by Oxford County, the County’s eight area municipalities, and partner agencies including police and public health.

Short-term recommendations under a new road safety strategy could include greater use of illumination at rural intersections, speed feedback signs, acoustical rumble strips, and flashing beacons at stop control intersections. Longer term actions would focus on roadway design and expanded use of data-driven transportation planning.

The development of an Oxford County’s Road Safety Strategy was approved by County Council in October 2025. This included adopting the Ontario Road Safety Audit (RSA) Guideline, which looks at existing road infrastructure and future transportation capital projects to identify safety hazards, assign risk ratings, and offer mitigation measures.

Public input and feedback will be sought throughout the process of developing the road safety strategy. The survey is a first step in getting public feedback and takes only 3-5 minutes to complete. Visit www.oxfordcounty.ca/speakup to learn more and take the survey.

Background

In 2025, Oxford County Council directed County staff to explore implementing a long-term Vision Zero Plan and adopting the Good Roads Rural Road Safety Strategy following requests from the Township of Blandford-Blenheim, the Township of Zorra, and Township of East Zorra-Tavistock.

The Good Roads Rural Road Safety Strategy focuses on addressing safety on rural roads that have a disproportionately high number of accidents compared to urban roads through provincial funding advocacy and consistent road safety design standards.

Please note that due to technical difficulties, the livestream and recording for the August 5th Regular Meeting of Council was unavailable. 

In place of the livestream and recording, catch up with what happened at this weeks East Zorra-Tavistock Council Meeting with a quick read of the meeting highlights below. 

During the Meeting

• The meeting began at 9:30am, following the attempt to resolve the technical difficulties that resulted in the meeting livestream and recording not being available. Deputy Mayor Smith and Councillor Van Wyk who were both present online were unable to participate in the meeting due to the technical difficulties at the Township Administration Building. 
• A Public Meeting was held in accordance with the Drainage Act for the Tavistock Drain 1979 (The Glasgow Warehouse Inc. Minor Improvement). Curtis MacIntyre from K. Smart Associates Limited presented the drainage engineering report. Following the closure of the Public Meeting, Council considered and adopted the engineer's report and gave the Provisional By-law the first and second reading in accordance with the Drainage Act.  
• April Nix, Manager of Policy and Planning and Justin Waud, Policy Planner from Oxford County Planning presented an update to Council regarding the New Official Plan that Oxford County is working on. The presentation provided background information on the County's current Official Plan, as well as visioning opportunities for the public and a project timeline. 
• Ronda Stewart, Economic Development Director from the Rural Oxford Economic Development Corporation (ROEDC) provided a presentation to Council surrounding the work completed in 2026 by ROEDC, as well as a look ahead. Highlights included the Rural Down Town Project, Rural Mayor's Breakfast, Oxford County Career Expo, Discover Rural Oxford, the Tourism Innovation Grant, and marketing and communications work. 
• Council received a number of Correspondence for Information Items. Included was a letter from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding Parkland development planning use regulation amendments. Director of Building and Development Services, Chief Building Official John Scherer provided a brief summary to Council.
• Council approved the request from the Tavistock Agricultural Society to deem the 2026 Tavistock Fall Fair as an event of municipal significance, and approved their request for an exception to the Municipal Alcohol Policy.   
• Staff Report OT-2026-04 Petition for Extension of the Raymer-Zinn Drain was reviewed with Council by Engineering Technologist, Drainage Superintendent Claire Ohrling. Council accepted the signed drainage petition and appointed an engineer to prepare a report in accordance with the Drainage Act. 
• Staff Report PR-2026-01 Recreation Update was reviewed with Council by Parks and Recreation Supervisor Matt Lamers. 
• Staff Report CAO-2026-14 August Monthly CAO-Treasury Report was reviewed with Council by Chief Administrative Officer, Treasurer Karen DePrest. 
• The Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Van Wyk regarding Stormwater Managment Pond Walking Trails was deferred to the September 2nd Regular Meeting of Council in accordance with the Procedure By-law as Councillor Van Wyk was unable to participate in the meeting due to technical difficulties at the Township Administration Building.  
• Council adjourned to the Closed to the Public Session as authorized under Section 239 of the Municipal Act for the Closed Session Agenda Items. 
• Council reconvened to the Open to the Public Session, and adopted a resolution directing staff to amend and increase the reserve bid price for the 90 Loveys Street property to $550,000 following the completion of the Record of Site Condition - Phase 2 assessment. Staff were also directed to provide a copy of the Record of Site Condition Phase 2 once approved by the Ministry in the public tender package.   

By-laws 

• Council considered and approved the following By-laws:
  • By-law 2026-11 Timms Creek Drain (third and final reading)
  • By-law 2026-28 Oxford County Library Board Innerkip Library Lease
  • By-law 2026-29 ZN2-25-09 (McKay)
  • By-law 2026-30 Tavistock Drain 1979 (The Glasgow Warehouse Inc. Minor Improvement) - First and Second Reading Only 

Next Council Meeting

The next regularly scheduled East Zorra-Tavistock Council Meeting is set for Wednesday September 2, 2023 at 9:00am.  

Southwestern Public Health has issued an Extreme Heat Warning for our area. 

Environment Canada is forecasting a multi-day heat event starting Monday, July 13th and continuing into Wednesday, July 15th or Thursday, July 16th. Daytime highs will be as high as 35 degrees Celsius, with humidex values near 42. 

Remember to stay hydrated, limit time outdoors during the hottest parts of the day, and check in on friends, family, and neighbours who may be more vulnerable to the heat.

Cooling Centres 

Members of the public are welcome to stop in and cool off in an air conditioned space at the following cooling centres:

Tavistock Memorial Hall

Monday July 13, Tuesday July 14, Wednesday July 15, Thursday July 16, open from 7:30am to 4:30pm

Township Administration Building

Monday July 13, Tuesday July 14, Wednesday July 15, Thursday July 16, open from 8:30am to 4:30pm

Innerkip Community Centre

Tuesday July 14, open from 3:00pm to 7:00pm 
Wednesday July 15, open from 10:00am to 2:00pm
Thursday July 16, open from 3:00pm to 7:00pm

Spray Pad

Looking for other ways to beat the heat? The Spray pad at the Tavistock Queen’s Park is open daily from 9:00am to 9:00pm.

Additional Resources

Visit Environment Canada's website for the most up-to-date weather information. 

Visit Southwestern Public Health's Extreme Heat resources page for a list of additional cooling centers and more information about how to protect yourself in extreme heat.

Due to today's continuing Extreme Heat Warning issued by Southwestern Public Health and localized power outages, the Township has opened additional cooling centres.

Members of the public are welcome to stop in and cool off in an air conditioned space, and charge phones and electronic devices.

Tavistock Memorial Hall

Thursday July 2 and Friday July 3, open from 7:30am to 4:30pm

Township Administration Building

Thursday July 2 and Friday July 3, open from 8:30am to 4:30pm

Innerkip Community Centre

Thursday July 2, open from 3:00pm to 7:00pm 

Looking for other ways to beat the heat? The Spray pad at the Tavistock Queen’s Park is open daily from 9:00am to 9:00pm 

Remember to stay hydrated, limit time outdoors during the hottest parts of the day, and check in on friends, family, and neighbours who may be more vulnerable to the heat.

Learn more about Extreme Heat at: https://www.swpublichealth.ca/extreme-heat

Oxford County is initiating background work and community visioning for a new Official Plan.

Why is a new Official Plan being created?

The Official Plan is a document that guides all development across all lands in Oxford County. A community’s vision helps identify local interests that an Official Plan needs to balance such as social and economic needs and the preservation and protection of natural assets, agricultural lands and natural spaces. The County’s vision and strategy help inform the detailed policies which guides local requirements for development (e.g. zoning by-laws).  The current Official Plan is over 30 years old and since then there’s been a lot of change. This is the opportunity to take a fresh look at what Oxford County’s local priorities should be.

What’s happening?

The first phase of engagement will focus on visioning – we would like to understand what is your vision for a new Official Plan? The next opportunity to participate is through one of the upcoming in-person workshops:

1. Tuesday, June 16 - 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm - Innerkip Community Centre, East Zorra-Tavistock
2. Wednesday, June 17 - 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm – Mt. Elgin Community Centre, South-West Oxford
3. Tuesday, June 23 - 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm – Altadore Hall, South Gate Centre, Woodstock
4. Thursday, June 25 - 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm - Embro Community Centre, Zorra

Interested in coming to a workshop? Please RSVP to help us make these workshops a success!

What other ways can I participate?

• Visit the new Speak Up Oxford Page with project information
• Complete the Community Visioning Survey

Stay Informed

If you would like to be notified about future engagement opportunities, have questions, or would like to submit your thoughts about the New Official Plan, please contact Community Planning staff at: OPupdate@oxfordcounty.ca or (519) 539-9800 ext. 3207

How will my feedback be used?           

The goal for collecting community feedback is to help identify broad goals that will inform policy directions, which affect detailed draft Official Plan policies for Council’s consideration.

Community visioning feedback will be reviewed and shared through a “Setting Directions” document that shows Council key themes from what we heard during visioning and learned during the broader study process.