News

Environment Canada has issued a Snowfall Warning. Snow is expected to continue to fall into Thursday evening with amounts near 10-15 cm with slippery roads and poor visibility in areas of heavy and blowing snow.  Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada.

As per Regulation 239/02 of the Municipal Act 2001, The City of Pembroke is declaring a significant weather event affecting all roads within the City boundaries, due to the forecast for significant snowfall, a long-duration snow event, and strong wind gusts.

This declaration of a significant weather event is not notice of a reduced level of service or a road closure.  It is to notify the public that due to the current or forecasted conditions, caution is to be observed when travelling on roads maintained by the City of Pembroke.  It may take longer than usual to bring the roads and sidewalks back to optimal conditions.

The City of Pembroke Operations Department would like to remind residents:

·       Winter parking restrictions are in effect.  Please keep cars parked in driveways during this event and after the snow stops, so as not to impede snowplowing operations.  Offending vehicles will be ticketed and/or towed at the owner’s expense without notice.

·       Please ensure that garbage and recycling bins are kept 5 to 6 feet back into driveways so that they are not hit or knocked over by the plowing operations.  Plows will not be able to move over for garbage or recycling containers left in the roadway, as they must maintain roadway width.

· This is a long-duration event with significant snow and drifting forecasted.  Please have patience, and if possible stay off the roads during and immediately following the event so that City staff can efficiently clear the streets and sidewalks.

The City Operations department asks residents to have patience during and after this event.  Staff will be working diligently to keep main roads open during the storm, and then the focus will shift to opening residential streets as soon as possible.  With the volume of snow forecasted, it will take longer than normal to clear all City streets.

Please be advised that a Special Council Meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, January 13, 2026, following the Public Budget Meeting in Council Chambers to further discuss the budget.

TAKE NOTICE THAT the audited financial statements of the Corporation of the City of Pembroke for the year ending December 31, 2024 were adopted at the regular meeting of Council held on December 16, 2025. 

Pursuant to subsection 295 (1) of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c.25, the 2024 Audited Financial Statements are available on the City’s website at https://www.pembroke.ca/city-government/budget-and-financial-statements/ or a hard copy can be obtained at City Hall upon request at no cost.

Environment Canada has issued a Freezing Rain Warning. The forecast for our region currently calls for an extended period of freezing rain with ice accumulation up to 20mm, mixed with periods of ice pellets and snow starting and continuing until Monday afternoon.  Please continue to  monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada.
As per Regulation 239/02 Minimum Maintenance Standards of the Municipal Act 2001, The City of Pembroke is declaring a significant weather event affecting all roads within the City boundaries, due to the forecast for significant freezing rain, ice pellets and snow.
This declaration of a significant weather event is not notice of a reduced level of service or a road closure.  It is to notify the public that due to the current or forecasted conditions, caution is to be observed when travelling on roads maintained by the City of Pembroke.  It may take longer than usual to bring the roads and sidewalks back to optimal conditions.
The City of Pembroke Operations Department would like to remind residents:

• Winter parking restrictions are in effect.  Please keep cars parked in driveways during this event and after the rain/freezing rain stops, so as not to impede snow plowing operations.  Offending vehicles will be ticketed and/or towed at the owner’s expense without notice.
• Please ensure that garbage and recycling bins are kept 5 to 6 feet back into driveways so that they are not hit or knocked over by the plowing operations.  Plows will not be able to move over for garbage or recycling containers left in the roadway, as they must maintain roadway width.
• This is a long duration event with a significant amount of rain/freezing rain.  Please have patience, and if possible stay off the roads during and immediately following the event so that City staff can efficiently clear the streets and sidewalks.
• The City Operations department asks residents to have patience during and after this event.  Staff will be working diligently to keep main roads salted and then the focus will shift to opening residential streets as soon as possible.  With the volume of rain/freezing rain forecasted, it will take longer than normal to clear all City streets.

Starting January 1, 2026, Ontario will transition to an enhanced recycling system.

City of Pembroke residents will have expanded recycling options starting January 1, 2026, as part of Ontario's Enhanced Recycling System. 

At this time, there will be no changes to your collection schedule.

Further details will be provided in the coming weeks via Circular Materials who is the new administrator of Ontario’s common collection system. They are a national not-for-profit organization building efficient and effective recycling systems where materials are collected, recycled, and returned to producers to use as recycled content in new packaging and products.

As the new administrator, Circular Materials will be the new point of contact for any concerns or questions regarding the new recycling program. They can be reached by:

Email: customerservice@circularmaterials.ca

Phone: 1-877-667-2626

Notice is hereby given that the City of Pembroke is hosting a public budget meeting Tuesday, January 13 from 6-8 p.m. This meeting will be held in Council Chambers at City Hall located at 1 Pembroke St. E. and is open to the public.

City of Pembroke residents looking to provide comments or ask questions regarding the City’s 2026 operating and capital budgets can do so by:

• Submitting questions or comments online
• The online form will remain open until 8 a.m. on Friday, January 9
• Questions and comments received will be reviewed and addressed during the public meeting. 
• Speaking in person at the public meeting
• Residents wanting to be included on the speakers’ list should contact the Clerk by email at pembroke@pembroke.ca prior to 12 p.m. Friday, January 9

Your feedback will help Council and staff understand satisfaction with City services and budget priorities. Community feedback is one factor, along with legislative requirements, policies, objectives, resource availability, and financial constraints.

This 2026 public budget meeting will be available on the City’s YouTube channel.

The City of Pembroke is seeking competitive proposals from qualified firms to provide engineering services for the Design and Contract Administration for landscaping design and build for Trailhead Hub located at 11 Albert Street, Pembroke Ontario.

Complete proposal documents in electronic PDF version, may be obtained through email request to purchasing@pembroke.ca. Proposal sets will be available for distribution beginning on December 18, 2025, during regular office hours (7:30am to 4:00pm).

Four (4) hard copies of the proposal clearly marked as to contents or emailed PDF copy with signature to purchasing@pembroke.ca by 2:00:59 PM, Local Time, Thursday, January 15th, 2026.

All questions relating to this proposal request will be received in writing up to and no later than 12:00 p.m. local time on Thursday, January 8, 2026.

The City reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals. The lowest or any proposal will not necessarily be accepted.

Ms. Marsha Hawthorne

Purchasing Manager/Deputy Treasurer

City of Pembroke

Operations Department

460 River Road

Pembroke, Ontario K8A 1A1

Purchasing@pembroke.ca

Telephone: (613) 735-6821, ext. 1408

Following two days of deliberations by the City of Pembroke Finance and Administration Committee, Council has advanced the 2026 Budget, balancing service delivery and infrastructure investment with affordability for residents. 

Under Ontario’s Strong Mayor budget process, the budget will be finalized after the mayoral veto/override period on Thursday, January 22, 2026.

Pembroke is the only single‑tier municipality in Renfrew County. The City tax rate includes both City services as well as the County of Renfrew and other shared services. In nearby lower‑tier municipalities (such as Laurentian Valley and Petawawa), the County/shared services are billed as a separate tax rate.

As amended by Council at the December 16 Council meeting, the 2026 budget is advancing with a total tax levy increase after assessment growth of 6.99%. This includes a levy stabilization reduction of 0.9% to improve affordability to residents. Broken down, the County of Renfrew and shared services portion is 2.36%, and the City portion (comparable to neighbours) is 4.63%.

For the average residential property owner, municipal property taxes are projected to increase by about $238 in 2026 (about $20 per month), split as follows:

·        $68 for capital infrastructure projects (roads, sidewalks, parks, and recreation facilities)

·        $65 for operating costs to maintain core services (fire, roads, parks) and to promote economic development

·        $25 for increased OPP policing costs

• About $80 for the County of Renfrew levy and other shared services (paramedic services, homes for the aged, the local health unit, and other social services)

“Committee and staff worked to fund the services residents rely on, invest in our roads and facilities, and recognize affordability pressures facing households,” says Mayor Ron Gervais.

Managing the City’s infrastructure funding gap remains a priority. The community currently utilizes more than $11 million per year in roads, sidewalks, bridges, storm sewer, parks, fleet, and facilities annually with sustainable funding at $7 million. This $4 million funding gap is creating a backlog of projects that will need to be managed in future years. In 2026, the asset management plan will review the annual 2% infrastructure levy to determine if it is sufficient to meet community service expectations while keeping property taxes affordable year-to-year.

Key 2026 infrastructure projects include:

·        Dehumidifier installation at the Kinsmen Pool

·        New ice pad surface at the Pembroke and Area Community Centre (PACC), addressing its critical condition with planning to be undertaken in 2026 and construction expected at the end of the hockey season in March 2027

·        Continued major construction on Isabella Street

• Road resurfacing on portions of Angus Campbell, First Avenue, Forced Road, International Drive, Townline, and William Street

“We continue to make responsible, incremental progress on our infrastructure needs while keeping the City portion of the levy increase affordable, similar to neighbouring municipalities,” says Deputy Mayor and Finance and Administration Chair Brian Abdallah.

For local user-pay services, the waste management collection fee is increasing from $158 to $180.50 in 2026, following more than five years without a fee change. For water and sewer rates, the average residential customer is estimated to pay about $94 more in 2026 (about $7.87 per month) to maintain safe drinking water, wastewater treatment, and system renewal.

Under Ontario’s Strong Mayor legislation, the mayor may veto Council budget amendments within a prescribed period, and Council may override a veto with a two‑thirds vote. In accordance with this process, Pembroke’s 2026 Budget will be finalized on Thursday, January 22, 2026, following the conclusion of the mayoral veto/override window.

Residents seeking additional information about the 2026 Budget may attend a public meeting on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 6 p.m. Attendance is available in person at City Hall (1 Pembroke St. E.), with live streaming provided on the City’s YouTube channel.

Overnight Thursday, November 20, the City of Pembroke experienced a major watermain break on a large diameter trunk watermain within Riverside Park between Riverside Drive and Trafalgar Road that feeds the distribution system.

Due to this break, properties between Trafalgar Road and 786 Pembroke St. W., on Pembroke Street West between George and Wilfred streets, and Miramichi Lodge were directly affected.

Water has been restored to the properties between George and Wilfred streets. Work is underway to restore water to the remaining properties except Miramichi Lodge by midnight. Temporary non-potable and fire suppression water service is expected to be up and running at Miramichi Lodge by this evening. The City will provide potable water to the home for the duration of the repair, which is expected to take two weeks.

Prior to the water being restored, potable water was supplied to the affected properties.

All water system users are asked to reduce their water consumption wherever and whenever possible during this time, but we understand people need to go about their daily lives. Consumption reduction is important to ensure stable water supply for all system users, as well as adequate fire suppression. The water is safe to consume.

Due to the specialized material and size of the pipe, and the specialized contractors to do the work, the repair is anticipated to take two weeks to complete. The City has procured the materials and contacted the contractor.

During this time, people may notice a reduction in water pressure or volume.

The next update will be provided by Monday morning on the City’s website pembroke.ca and our Facebook and Instagram platforms.

We appreciate this disruption can be inconvenient and stressful, and we greatly thank you for your cooperation during this time.

When it comes to challenging issues affecting our city, collaboration is key. This is exactly what is happening in Pembroke when it comes to mental health, addictions, and homelessness challenges, which are being seen across Ontario.

Pembroke is not unique in experiencing these challenges, especially as a hub of services and amenities. I understand some residents have concerns about things they are seeing around town or when these challenges affect people they love.

However, we are seeing progress on supporting people and tackling these issues due to collaborative initiatives from a wide range of Renfrew County services.

Our CAO recently brought a report to Council highlighting various stakeholders including the Mesa HART Hub, Renfrew County and District Drug Strategy, OPP community services and operations, Mental Health Court, and City by-law enforcement.

Since launching in the last year, the Mesa outreach team has connected with 160 people with complex mental health and/or substance use disorders who were not previously connected to any services.

The Drug Strategy’s data shows that suspected drug toxicity deaths have decreased from a historical high of 41 in 2023 to 29 in 2024 and 7 at the midway point of 2025. While any death related to a substance use medical emergency is one too many, there is cautious optimism that these new initiatives are having an impact.

From a policing standpoint, we are seeing support through the Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team, where these officers are partnered with a clinician to intervene when people are in crisis, as well as provide resources to others to prevent them from getting to a place of crisis.

Recently, the Community Street Crime Unit also completed a drug trafficking project where 31 people were charged with trafficking controlled substances within the City of Pembroke. Firearms and drugs were removed from our community because of the actions of our police.

Thanks to efforts such as these, as well as all the ongoing work of the OPP, Pembroke’s by-law enforcement officers, Mesa, paramedics, and other service groups, these issues are being addressed.

There is still a lot of work to be done. But I believe these collaborative efforts are working and will be the way forward to make things better for all in our community.

As always, my door is open should ratepayers wish to meet with me to discuss municipal matters that affect them.

Mayor Ron Gervais