Written By David Gomez, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
ADELAIDE METCALFE - Council approved a new policy governing the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) and received an update on the School Road Landfill capacity during its November 3 meeting.
CAO Morgan Calvert presented the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence Policy, explaining that it positions the township ahead of pending provincial regulations. “In 2024, the province introduced Bill 194, which aims to enhance digital security and public trust in the use of artificial intelligence,” Calvert said.
“At this time, there are no regulations in place to guide the policy development, so we are really getting ahead of the regulations on this one.”
Calvert noted that the policy draws on the federal government’s voluntary code of conduct for responsible AI and is intended to help small municipalities like Adelaide Metcalfe operate more efficiently.
“This policy is designed in a way to encourage the adoption of artificial intelligence within the township,” he said. “It allows us to build organizational capacity and capabilities within the township [and] enhances public service delivery by making the township administration a bit more efficient and effective.”
He explained that AI could eventually assist staff with information lookups, customer service, and freedom of information requests, while human oversight would remain a requirement. “Anything that we build here will be a trust-but-verify type of process,” Calvert said.
“If AI is providing a response, it is also going to cite the document and where it is found that information.”
The CAO added that the municipality had applied for an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant of about $95,000 to implement an AI-based system that would support these functions. Council later voted unanimously to adopt the policy.
Council then turned to the School Road Landfill – Capacity Update report. With Public Works Manager Coulter Cahill away, Calvert informed councillors that the landfill had reached its limit for non-hazardous waste. “Unfortunately, the landfill has reached capacity,” he said. “For the township to remain in compliance with its environmental compliance approval… we needed to immediately stop accepting non-hazardous waste.”
He explained that materials such as concrete, tires, brush, and scrap metal would still be accepted, while residents could dispose of household waste at Twin Creeks Landfill in Watford. “They have confirmed that residents of this township can bring their non-hazardous waste there. Standard fees will apply,” Calvert said.
Councillors discussed communication plans, including signage and social media notices, to ensure residents were informed of the changes. “We have three landfill days left this year—November 8, November 29 and December 13,” Calvert said, adding that signs would be posted immediately.
Councillor Garett Kingma stated for the record that “expansion is the right answer,” while Councillor Mike Brodie noted the need to balance long-term waste management options. Mayor Sue Clarke said the issue should be included in future strategic planning discussions.
Council voted unanimously to receive the landfill capacity report for information and directed staff to consult with the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and GHD Engineering Services before returning with cost assessments and recommendations for next steps.
