"$56"-*5 4r/&84 RUSSELL TOWNSHIP APPROVES NEW FIRE TRUCK PURCHASE TO REPLACE AGING FLEET
GABRIELLE VINETTE gabrielle.vinette@eap.on.ca
to sell or trade in the outgoing vehicles to help offset costs. Although the purchase was sole-sourced, staff confirmed it complies with municipal policy under the urgency clause. Legal coun- sel noted that broader trade agreements, such as the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) and the Ontario-Quebec Trade and Cooperation Agreement (OQTCA), require public procurement to be transparent and non-discriminatory. Council was advised to document its rationale in full to ensure accountability and maintain public trust. Planning for future replacements This acquisition is the first of several fire vehicle replacements expected over the next decade. A fleet summary included in the Township’s report highlights multiple vehicles approaching or exceeding their recommended service life, with projected capital investments totalling several million dollars. 8JUIUIJTQVSDIBTF UIF5PXOTIJQPG Russell is reaffirming its commitment to strong fire protection, responsible long-term capital planning, and the goals outlined in its Strategic Plan. Residents can follow updates on the pro- ject through the Township’s official website and social media channels.
The Township of Russell has approved the purchase of a new pumper/rescue fire truck for Station 12, located on South Russell Road. The contract, awarded to Battleshield Industries Limited of Vars, is valued at $924,866.99, including the Township’s por- tion of the 1.76 per cent non-refundable HST. The new multi-functional vehicle will re- place two aging trucks currently in service—a 1999 rescue truck and a 1995 pumper— with a combined original cost of $1.6 million. The purchase is part of the Township’s Fire Master Plan, which emphasizes maximizing service life and consolidating firefighting apparatus. &YQFEJUFE QSPDVSFNFOU to avoid tariffs and delays Although the Township’s procurement policy typically requires a competitive bidding pro- cess for purchases exceeding $110,000, staff invoked a “Special Circumstance – Urgency” clause to fast-track the process. The move was aimed at avoiding potential cost increases and maintaining operational readiness. Delaying the purchase could have subjec- ted the Township to a 25 per cent U.S. tariff on the truck’s chassis, potentially adding $50,000 to the price. By piggybacking on a 2024 contract
La municipalité de Russell approuve un camion d’incendie de 925 000 $ pour la station 12, remplaçant deux véhicules vieillissants et accélérant la livraison afin d’éviter les tarifs et d’assurer la préparation aux situations d’urgence. (Photo d’archives)
already used by Clarence-Rockland and The /BUJPO UIF5PXOTIJQDBOCFOFàUGSPNB pre-approved procurement framework and faster delivery. The fire truck is expected UPBSSJWFCZ/PWFNCFSNVDIFBSMJFS than the usual two-year timeline for custom
vehicle orders. Funding for the vehicle will be spread over two years, with $500,000 allocated in the 2025 capital budget and a further $500,000 projected for 2026. Once the new unit is operational, the Township plans
MINGARELLI MEETS WITH FARMERS, PLEDGES STRONG SUPPORT FOR SUPPLY MANAGEMENT want to know their work won’t be undermined at the bargaining table.”
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Questions have been raised about Min- garelli’s connection to the riding, but she says her roots run deep. Her family moved to Rockland when she was five, and she attended local schools before moving to Ottawa during high school. She later spent time living in the United States while her husband served as Cana- EBT$POTVM(FOFSBMPOUIF8FTU$PBTU5IFZ returned to Canada in 2022 and moved back to Rockland earlier this year. i*HSFXVQIFSF8FNPWFECBDLCFDBVTF this is where we want to live and raise a family,” she said. “It’s not just about running for office—I believe you should live in the riding you want to represent.”
previously cut the agriculture budget, while the Liberals increased it by 25 percent. “The last thing farmers need is more DVUT uTIFTBJEi8FOFFEQPMJDJFTUIBUIFMQ them stay competitive and protect food security in this country.” She also stressed the importance of supporting Francophone communities in the region, which make up the majority of UIFSJEJOH&EVDBUFEJOCPUI'SFODIBOE &OHMJTITDIPPMT .JOHBSFMMJTBJEQSPUFDUJOH the French language and culture is a priority under a Carney government. “Francophones here have told me they want action, not promises,” she said. “Mark Carney has committed to supporting Franco- phone communities and increasing French- language immigration outside Quebec.” Ties to the Riding
Mingarelli pointed to comments from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has called Canada’s supply management system unfair and has threatened new tariffs on dairy products. She said Liberal leader Mark Carney has been clear the system will be protected. “Prime Minister Carney has said supply management will not be part of future trade talks, and that message has been well received by farmers in the riding,” she said. Mingarelli, who grew up in Rockland and has family roots in farming, said the Liberal Party will also expand support for the sector through investment in risk management pro- grams, new equipment, and food processing. She noted the Conservative government
Liberal candidate Giovanna Mingarelli says farmers in Prescott-Russell– Cumberland need clear federal support to protect their livelihoods, not more uncertainty. During a recent meeting with more than a dozen local dairy and poultry farmers—many of them Francophone—Mingarelli heard concerns about trade instability and the future of supply management. The conver- sation, held in French, focused on protecting the system from renewed pressure from the United States. “Supply management is not up for nego- tiation,” Mingarelli said. “Farmers are worried about trade threats from the U.S., and they
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