Michelle Ruby

Brant County Council unanimously approved the first phase of planning for a new central library branch in Paris. The phase will allocate $2.6 million in previously approved funding toward property acquisition, site analysis, project management and architectural concept design. The proposed 26,000-square-foot facility is expected to cost about $28 million and open in winter 2029, with funding potentially coming from development charges and fundraising. It would replace the undersized William Street location and provide expanded collections, technology training, workspaces, family and youth areas, and indoor and outdoor programming space. The project follows council’s decision to abandon plans to locate the library in the Bawcutt Centre, which is instead being renovated separately.

Larry Brock is resigning as Conservative MP for Brantford-Brant-South-Six Nations, effective September 18, after five years in Parliament. He said opposition status prevented him from achieving desired changes to bail and sentencing legislation and described his efforts as running into a “brick wall.” Brock will return to the Brantford Crown Attorney’s Office, where he plans to continue advocating for community safety and justice reform. His resignation will leave the riding without representation in the House of Commons until a by-election is called, while his constituency office will continue operating with existing staff.

Employment in Brantford-Brant grew by about 1,300 in July, with full-time positions accounting for much of the increase and unemployment holding at 6.4 per cent. Gains were concentrated among youth and core-working-age adults in manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, and accommodation and food services. Part-time employment and new job postings declined, while employers continued to report difficulty filling certain roles. The Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie is recruiting for two tuition-free Skills2Advance programs in home building and industrial trades, each combining hands-on training with paid work placements and employment support.

Sylvia Chupka, vice chair of the Bell Committee, is shown with an early switchboard at Henderson House, Canada’s first telephone company business office. The site hosted visitors on August 8 to mark the 150th anniversary of the first long-distance telephone call between Paris, Ontario, and Brantford.

Rhys Reeves withdrew from the Norfolk County mayoral race on Aug. 5, citing the time and commitment required and its impact on his family. Six candidates remain, including councillors Doug Brunton and Adam Veri, former councillors Noel Haydt and David Finch, former Haldimand County mayor Ken Hewitt, and retired RCMP staff sergeant Keith Milner. Former Norfolk mayor Dennis Travale entered the Ward 5 councillor race, which has seven candidates competing for two seats. Candidates have also filed across the county’s other wards and for local school-board trustee positions. Municipal nominations close Aug. 21, with election day scheduled for Oct. 26.

The seventh annual Farms of Norfolk Football Association Tournament in Simcoe brought together a record 14 teams and roughly 300 international agricultural workers from farms across Brant, Haldimand, Norfolk and Oxford. Organizers and farm representatives emphasized that seasonal workers from Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and elsewhere are essential to Ontario’s labour-intensive horticulture sector, while also facing isolation, long hours and extended separation from their families. The tournament, supported by farms and Grand River Community Healthcare Centre, offered recreation, social connection and greater public awareness of workers’ contributions to local food production.

The long-running CanJam for Kids with Cancer fundraiser brought crowds, live music, vendors, classic cars, food and raffles to Brantford's Knights Hall. Proceeds support Help a Child Smile and MacKids, helping fund pediatric cancer treatment, patient care, specialized equipment, research and healthcare education at McMaster Children's Hospital. Organizers highlighted strong community and business support, while hospital representatives said events like CanJam are essential to providing life-saving resources. Heavy rain reduced some outdoor activity, but the event continued its fundraising tradition.