On March 31, 2025, the consulting team presented the project scope and timeline to Council. You can watch a recording of the meeting or view presentation materials online from our Council Calendar.
We've launched a new Community Improvement Plan
Edwardsburgh Cardinal Council adopted the new Community Improvement Plan (CIP) at their regular meeting of Council on December 8, with bylaw 2025-70. This new Plan marks the most significant update to our revitalization programs in more than a decade and replaces the former plans for Cardinal (2012) and Spencerville (2013). Bylaw 2025-69 designates the entire Township as the Community Improvement Project Area.
The Investing Together in Our Community's Future Community Improvement Plan will come into effect following the appeal period on January 6.
New and existing programs
Popular programs such as the Façade and Property Improvement Grant remain in place, while several new programs respond to emerging local needs. The new Signage Improvement Grant assists both commercial and home-based businesses with upgraded, street-facing signage. The Accessibility and Safety Renovation Grant supports improvements such as ramps, automatic doors, widened entrances, and pathway upgrades to make public-facing spaces more accessible for residents and visitors.
Housing was identified as a major focus in the Township’s 2024-2028 Strategic Plan. This CIP includes funding to bring existing units into compliance with the Building or Fire Code, rebates for planning and building fees to support Additional Residential Units (ARUs), and temporary tax relief for larger affordable housing developments.
A more flexible process
A major improvement is the shift to a flexible funding model and approval process. Instead of a $10,000 lifetime limit per property, the CIP now provides up to $10,000 per project, allowing eligible applicants to undertake multiple projects over time. Additionally, applicants get started sooner without jeopardizing their eligibility if work begins before approval, as long as a formal preconsultation has taken place with staff. This will provide more flexibility to time-sensitive projects.
Applications for CIP programs will open on January 6. In the meantime, staff welcome preconsultations and inquiries at any time.
CIP adoption process
Learn about each step of the process here.
Step 1: Council meeting - project overview
Step 2: Needs assessment and environmental scan
A Needs Assessment and Environmental Scan is completed as an early step in this project.
This report helps us understand what's working and what could be improved in our current community improvement plans. It looks at how past programs have been used, what our community needs today, and how other municipalities are using CIPs to support things like housing and downtown revitalization.
It includes key insights from the Township's Housing Needs Assessment and local census data, and highlights where there may be opportunities to support affordable and attainable housing, attract investment, and strengthen our communities.
You can read the executive summary or review the full Needs Assessment and Environmental Scan report.
Step 3: Community survey (now closed)
The new CIP should reflect what is most important to our community. Thank you to everyone that shared their comments through our survey from April 23 to May 12, 2025.
Review an overview of the survey results.
Two in-person workshops were hosted by NPG Planning Solutions and Tim Welch Consulting Inc. on May 7, 2025. We heard ideas and feedback from developers, business owners, and community organizations that will help shape the new plan to meet the needs of our community.
View the presentation material and discussion topics from the economic development workshop and the affordable housing workshop.
Step 5: Draft community improvement plan
A draft Community Improvement Plan (CIP) has been prepared by NPG Planning Solutions based on the input received from focus groups, a public survey, tradeshow engagement, and internal review.
We welcome you to review this early draft.
Step 6: Council meeting - draft CIP update
The draft plan was presented to Council at their regular meeting on August 25, 2025.
A Public Meeting to invite formal feedback from residents, businesses, and community stakeholders will be scheduled before finalizing the Plan.
The draft Community Improvement Plan was presented to the public at a public meeting on October 6 at 6 p.m.. This Statutory Public Meeting, held under the Planning Act, offers residents, local business owners, and community stakeholders a valuable opportunity to ask questions, offer feedback, and raise any concerns before the Plan is finalized.
Revisions have been made to the draft CIP based on comments we heard at the public meeting. The Committee of the Whole - Community Development reviewed an updated draft at their regular meeting on November 3.
Watch a recording or this meeting or view the proposed revisions from our Council Calendar.
We are here - Step 8: Council meeting - adoption of CIP
Council adopted the new Community Improvement Plan and the new Community Improvement Project Area at their regular meeting on December 8. You can view the meeting agenda on our Council Calendar.
What is a Community Improvement Plan?
A CIP is a tool municipalities can use under Ontario's Planning Act to promote improvements in their communities. It allows municipalities to offer financial incentives to stimulate private investments and support community priorities such as:
- Revitalizing downtowns
- Encouraging the creation of affordable and attainable housing
- Preserving heritage buildings
- Improving public spaces and accessibility
Since 2012, our Township has had two CIPs - one for the Village of Cardinal and one for the Village of Spencerville - focused mainly on facade improvements, property upgrades, and supporting mixed-use downtown development. Now, with changing needs and growing housing pressures, it's time for an update.
For more information
Reach out to our Community Development Coordinator if you have any questions about this process or the new CIP.
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