Blenheim News Tribune

12/12/2025

Don’t forget that Santa Claus will be special guest during the Coca Cola Caravan Visit that will visit Talbot Trail Place tonight (Friday Dec 12th) between 8-9.
There are several brightly decorated Coca Cola Caravan touring Canada and Chatham Kent is lucky to have four stops including one here in Blenheim.
Don’t forget to visit Talbot Trails Festival of Light’s Show tonight as well. Talbot Trail will feature the light displays nightly until December. Enjoy your visit enjoy the lights and Merry Christmas

12/12/2025

Dont' forget the Coca Cola Caravan will make a stop with Santa at Talbot Trail Place this evening between 8-9 PM.
Come to see Santa and view the light show offered up in our beautiful Talbot Trail Place located at 24 John Street in Blenheim

12/07/2025

What a fantastic Festival of Lights display that kicked off Friday evening following Blenheim’s BIA/Festival of Lights/Rotary Club Santa Claus Parade.
The decorative Light display featured hundreds of thousands of lights with choreographed voices and music is located at our beautiful Blenheim Talbot Trail Place in Blenheim.
The location is situated between Chatham Street. Marlborough and John street. Actual address is 24 John Street Blenheim.
The lights come on with music every night in December starting at 6:00 pm till 10:00.
The lights will be on from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily, with the synchronized light and music shows taking place at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. nightly.
Visitors will be able to sit or walk through the park to enjoy the shows or they can stay in their cars and tune into FM 87.9 to listen to the synchronized show.

There will also be a Choir singing at the park this Sunday, tonight December 7th starting at 6:30.
The Blenheim Ministerial Association is hosting the annual Christmas Caroling In the Park on Sunday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. under the pavilion at Talbot Trail Place.
This special event will bring friends and families together to celebrate the warmth and spirit of the holidays by singing along to classic Christmas carols and enjoy free hot chocolate and cookies.

Some snow is expected which will ad to the Christmas feel of the concert. As usual all is free admission.
Enjoy the lights, enjoy the choir and the atmosphere at Talbot Trail Place.

12/03/2025

Canada Post, union reach agreement in principle

Canada Post and Canadian Union of Postal Workers reached an agreement in principle after two years of bargaining and interrupted service since the last contract ended on Dec. 31, 2023.
“The parties have reached agreements in principle but have yet to finalize tentative collective agreements for signing,” read a statement from Canada Post.
“While we do so, we have agreed that all strike/lockout activity is suspended.
“As the parties work to finalize the tentative agreements, we will make no comment on the details of any potential agreement,” Canada Post said.
In a prepared statement from the CUPW, both sides have agreed on the main points of the deals.
“But we need to agree on the contractual language that will form the collective agreements that would be put to a vote by the members,” the CUPW said in the statement.
“Upon signing the agreements, the Union agrees to pause its strike action, and the Employer agrees to suspend its right to lockout.
“The Union will retain the right to strike until new agreements are ratified.”
The CUPW represents 55,000 workers.
The federal government announced sweeping changes to Canada Post in September, including an end home delivery for the four million addresses.
The government also plans to lift a moratorium on closing rural post offices, which covers almost 4,000 locations.
Postal workers conducted a 32-day strike in November and December of 2024 but were ordered back to work by the Canada Industrial Relations Board on Dec. 13.
After negotiations continued to be at a stalemate, the CUPW issued a 72-hour strike notice on May 19 but instead of striking, postal workers were instructed to refuse all overtime beyond eight hours a day and 40 hours a week.
Postal employees overwhelmingly voted against accepting Canada Post's “final offer” in a two-week vote conducted between July 21 and Aug.1.
The two sides returned to the bargaining table in mid-August but could not reach a settlement.
The union later imposed a ban on postal workers delivering flyers while lifting its overtime ban.
Postal workers went on a nationwide strike on Sept. 25 in response to Canada Post's announcement of eliminating home mail delivery.
The postal workers returned to the job on Oct. 9 but staged rotating strikes across the country.

11/28/2025

Fortis Construction Group Inc. will begin mobilizing the week of December 1st to start work on the new Chatham-Kent Community Hub located at 130 King Street West in Chatham. The Chatham-Kent Community Hub project will establish a dynamic, centralized destination for civic services, community, and cultural programming, enhancing the vibrancy of the downtown.
Initial activities will include setting up the perimeter fencing, beginning preparation for demolition work on the building’s exterior, and expansion of the building to the north and to the south.
As part of the construction, the following temporary closures will be in place to ensure public safety and necessary separation from work areas and activities:
The sidewalk and parking spaces on the south side of King Street West and the east side of Fifth Street in the vicinity of the project area will be closed starting next week for the duration of construction.
The northbound Route 5 transit stop on Fifth Street at King Street West will be out of service during construction.
Traffic control measures will be installed around the site on Tuesday, December 2nd and Wednesday, December 3rd from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM each day. Traffic/access will be maintained through these areas during the installations. Police will be present to direct traffic during this time but motorists should expect some temporary delays along Fifth Street from Wellington Street West to King Street West and King Street West from Fifth Street to Sixth Street during this work.
On Tuesday, December 2nd the following transit bus stops will be affected:
Route 5 stop ID #5102 on Fifth Street at King Street will be out of service for the duration of the project.
Route 2 stop ID #2057 on Fifth Street at Llewellyn Street will be temporarily out of service while barriers are being installed.
On Wednesday, December 3rd the following transit bus stop will be affected:
Route 5 stop ID #5143 on King Street West at Sixth Street will be temporarily out of service while barriers are being installed.
Please note that on-street parking areas on the north side of King Street West and adjacent areas in the downtown will remain open, along with all downtown parking lots. The pedestrian crossing at King Street West and Sixth Street will also remain open for access to the mall. Signage will be posted for all sidewalk closures.
About the Chatham-Kent Community Hub
The Chatham-Kent Community Hub is a significant redevelopment of the property at 130 King Street West in downtown Chatham. This landmark project will unite key civic and cultural services under one roof, including a new Municipal Library, Museum, and Civic Centre. Designed to be modern, accessible, and welcoming, the Hub will serve as a vibrant destination for residents and visitors alike and will foster community connection, enhance public services, and enhance the continued revitalization of Chatham’s downtown core.
For more information on road and lane closures, please visit the Weekly Traffic Report:
https://www.chatham-kent.ca/services/gettingaround/Pages/Weekly-Traffic-Report.aspx
For more information on Ride CK’s Transit routes and stops, please visit: https://www.chatham-kent.ca/transit/Pages/default.aspx
For more information on the Chatham-Kent Community Hub project, please visit:
https://www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/community-hub

October 21 - Chatham-Kent Community Hub Project Moves Forward as Construction Contract Award Approved Chatham-Kent Council has officially approved the award for the construction of the new Chatham-Kent Community Hub, marking a major milestone in one of the most

11/27/2025

Following two online community consultations and two Budget Deliberation meetings, Chatham-Kent Council has recommended its second annual update to the 2024–2027 Multi-Year Budget.
Council is recommending a 4.63% increase for 2026, which includes 1.10% in investments to maintain existing municipal services, which is well below the 2025 inflation rate of 2.03%. The update also includes 1.76% for capital infrastructure, 0.62% toward social issues, and 1.15% for service level changes, including a successful motion to reinstate dust suppressant application on gravel roads which added 0.67%.
This represents an annual increase of $172 for an average household with an assessment value of $176,194, or $97 per $100,000 of residential assessment.
The initial forecast for 2026 was an 8.77% increase. At Mayor Darrin Canniff’s direction, staff identified 4.14% in efficiencies, including savings in insurance, reduced transfers to reserves, additional funding at Riverview Gardens, and restructuring the new Deputy CAO role.
A significant factor is the Province of Ontario’s cap on Chatham-Kent’s Ontario Community Infrastructure Funding (OCIF). Based on Chatham-Kent’s size, infrastructure needs, and formula calculations, Chatham-Kent should be receiving $29 million in OCIF funding. Instead, Chatham-Kent is capped at $10 million, leaving a $19 million annual shortfall. This cap results in a 2% additional impact on Chatham-Kent taxpayers to maintain the community’s vast network of roads, bridges, and stormwater systems.
The 0.62% investment in social issues will allow the Municipality to continue addressing complex community pressures, including homelessness, encampments, and ongoing supports through Pathways on Park, work that continues in the absence of adequate upper-level government funding.
Budget Committee Chair Councillor Brock McGregor said “I would like to thank Chatham-Kent residents for their feedback during our public engagement sessions, as well as Municipal staff who helped tremendously throughout this budget process.”
“This year’s budget is about responsibility, balance, and making tough decisions in the face of major challenges. Despite inflation, growing social demands, and the lack of fair provincial infrastructure funding, Council and staff worked together to bring the increase down significantly from where we started,” said Mayor Darrin Canniff. “Being capped at $10 million in OCIF funding, when we should be receiving $29 million, has placed an additional burden directly onto Chatham-Kent taxpayers. This gap isn’t sustainable for municipalities like ours that manage extensive rural infrastructure. We remain hopeful that the province will lift the OCIF cap and provide the funding levels communities like Chatham-Kent rely on to maintain safe, reliable roads, bridges, and drainage infrastructure.”
For more information on the 2024–2027 Municipality of Chatham-Kent Multi-Year Budget, visit the municipal webpage Our Municipal Budgets.

11/25/2025

Treatment Centre receives major Beattie Foundation funding

The Children’s Treatment Centre Foundation of Chatham-Kent received a generous donation of $110,000 from the James A. Beattie Foundation last week.
The donation will support of the newly established Endowment Fund.
The Endowment Fund marks the next chapter for the Children’s Treatment Centre Foundation following the successful completion of its Build for the Kids capital campaign and the current construction of the new Children’s Treatment Centre facility.
“We are deeply grateful to the James A. Beattie Foundation for this remarkable gift,” said Mike Genge, President & CEO of the CTCF-CK.
“This contribution represents more than financial support - it’s an investment in the future of children and families in Chatham-Kent.”
This transformational gift will help ensure the long-term sustainability of essential programs and services at the Children’s Treatment Centre that are not covered by government funding.
These include:
- Social Work – providing families with guidance and support to navigate complex systems and access needed programs and services
- Music Therapy – using music as a therapeutic tool and creative outlet
- Recreational Therapy – offering inclusive programs such as sledge hockey, dance, baseball, and sailing to promote skills, social connections, and quality of life
Each year, the Foundation funds these life-changing services.
The creation of the Endowment Fund will allow these programs to continue in perpetuity, with investment income providing ongoing annual support.
The James A. Beattie Foundation, of Wardsville, was created in 1958 in memory of James A. Beattie and has a long history of community giving to children's and seniors’ charities in the region.
“The Children’s Treatment Centre Foundation extends heartfelt thanks to the James A. Beattie Foundation for their vision, generosity, and commitment to helping children and youth in our community reach their full potential,” read a statement in the media release.

11/19/2025

Virtual budget open houses today, Thursday

Community input on Chatham-Kent's 2026 Budget Update is welcome during two virtual community open houses this week.
The first session is today at 12 noon while the second session on Thursday at 7 p.m.
The live discussions take place on the Municipality of Chatham-Kent's page - www.facebook.com/MunicCK
A brief summary of the 2026 annual budget update will be presented by administration at the beginning of each session followed by a live question and answer period.
Chatham-Kent residents are facing a potential 4.92 per cent property tax increase in 2026 after the Budget Update was presented to Council on Nov. 5.
The original tax increase was at 8.77 per cent hike but administrative staff got the number down to 4.92 staff by finding $9.5 million in efficiencies.
Council was told the budget increase would be around 2.92 per cent if the municipality was not capped at receiving only $10-million from the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund.
Chatham-Kent is one of three municipalities in Ontario that has a $10-million cap inOCIF funding , as Sudbury and Thunder Bay are the others.
Administration estimates Chatham-Kent should be receiving $29.3-million in 2026, according to local calculations, if it was not for the funding cap.
Mayor Darrin Canniff took out full page ads in several local newspapers last week – including The Blenheim News Tribune – explaining how Chatham-Kent is treated unfair by the OCIF funding process.
Residents are being asked to contact local MPPs Trevor Jones and Steve Pinsonneault to express their displeasure with the funding cap and encourage the representatives to 'go to bat' for Chatham-Kent at Queen's Park.
Budget deliberations begin Tuesday, Nov. 25, with sessions also scheduled for Nov. 25-27.
If Council cannot approve the budget after the first three sessions, deliberations will continue on Tuesday, Dec. 2 and 3.
All budget meetings will be held in-person in the Council Chambers at the Civic Centre, 6-10 p.m. nightly, as well as livestreamed on YourTV and CK’s YouTube Channel.
Anyone wishing to make a deputation regarding the budget on the first night of deliberations on Nov. 25 can send a requests and submission by email to [email protected] before 12 noon on Nov. 25.
The 2026 Budget Update is available on the Let's Talk Chatham-Kent website – www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/budget-2026 – which includes a new 'budget tool' that allows easy access to look at the numbers in more depth

The 2026 Budget Survey is now closed. Thank you for your contributions. Click here for the full results of the survey. Chatham-Kent's Municipal budget is the blueprint for how your tax dollars will be spent. It shows how the Municipality will balance revenue with

11/06/2025

The Chatham Christian Flames Sr Boys Volleyball team completed their perfect undefeated season with three wins over the Blenheim Bobcats during Wednesday evening’s Lambton Kent Secondary School Boys A Sr Volleyball championship. The Bobcats didn’t go down without a fight as all three games were close wins by the well rounded Flames.

Read more about the finals in next weeks Blenheim News Tribune

10/10/2025

Chatham-Kent by-law officers have been contracted to patrol encampments in Chatham-Kent. The by-law officers are currently working two shifts, Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. These hours will be monitored and adjusted if needed to best meet the needs of the community.
In addition to enforcing the Municipality’s encampment by-law, the role of by-law officers is to maintain a presence at the sites, deter non-compliance and build relationships with encampment residents. This approach will help the by-law officers enforce the by-law when required.
When issues are identified, Housing Services, ROCK, and by-law officers will first speak with individuals, advising them of the infraction and offering guidance and support to correct it. If compliance is not achieved, the by-law officers, in consultation with Housing Services will issue a formal order with a deadline for compliance. Continued non-compliance could result in further action, including municipal remediation of the issue or a summons to court. All such actions will be carried out in consultation with Municipal Legal Services and under the direction of Housing Services.
While the community may expect immediate results, the Municipality emphasizes that this process is structured and deliberate. By-law officers only recently began their patrols and have begun to address some concerns. Written compliance orders are expected to begin this week, if required.
In addition to enforcement, regular clean-ups are scheduled twice weekly, and staff continue to work with encampment residents to meet compliance expectations.
For questions or to report encampment-related concerns, residents can call 311. Complaints made directly to the by-law officers will be redirected to 311 to ensure all concerns are tracked and responded to appropriately.

More information on encampments can be found at

There has been a noticeable increase in public interest and concern surrounding encampments in Chatham-Kent. Residents, business owners, and community organizations have raised important questions about how encampments are being addressed, what supports are available

10/06/2025

Chatham-Kent Council will be voting on the tender award for the Chatham-Kent Community Hub (CKCH) project, with the recommended bid for construction services coming in below original cost estimates.
Following a competitive procurement process, Fortis Construction Group Inc., based in Tecumseh, Ontario, is being recommended to lead construction of the CKCH at the former Sears building in downtown Chatham. The total construction services contract, valued at $39,280,323 (including HST rebate), comes in under the previously projected budget. The initial budget estimation for construction was $42,920,000. There are significant contingency funds included in the tender to budget for the unexpected. The construction services contract bid excluding contingency funds and taxes is $35,200,946.
The overall project budget remains at $52.8 million including over $7 million of contingency funds that are best practice for project of this size, which aligns with the cost estimate presented to Council in May 2025. The funding plan ensures should Council vote to move forward, that the project will proceed without requiring any related property tax increases. This budget includes contingencies for tariff impacts.
Funding for the project will come from a combination of property sales, reserves, development charges, and a debenture, with no additional tax levy increases required. There is a strong potential of donations and naming rights attracted to this project to further support and reduce the final debenture required. In the current funding model, $0 donations or naming rights have been included.
“We’re committed to ensuring this project proceeds in a financially responsible manner, so seeing the recommended bid come in under budget is extremely exciting,” said Mayor Darrin Canniff. “This project is one of the most significant investments in our community’s future, and it’s something we’ve saving for for many years. We can't afford to not do this; the alternative options are more expensive and don't offer nearly as many benefits to the community. I am committed to seeing this project progress responsibly, sustainably, and for the betterment of all of Chatham-Kent.”
Should Council award the tender, construction is expected to begin in December 2025 with completion anticipated in early 2028. Once open, the Hub will not only serve as a central destination for civic and cultural services but will also support the Municipality’s Asset Management Plan by replacing aging facilities and reducing long-term infrastructure costs.
The Chatham-Kent Community Hub will bring together a new Civic Centre, Library, and Museum under one roof, consolidating municipal services into a modern, accessible, and energy-efficient facility. The project is designed with a strong focus on accessibility, inclusivity, enhanced services, and community input, reflecting feedback gathered during public consultations.
To find out more about the Chatham-Kent Community Hub project, and to see the full report, visit www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/community-hub

09/19/2025

It’s moving day for Dr’s and staff at the Chatham-Kent Family Health Centre Blenheim Branch located on Chatham Street here in Blenheim. Local Dr’s along with thousands of their files, equipment, cabinets, fridges, everything is being moved to the all new and very spacious Blenheim Medical Health Hub at 2 Hyland Drive. Patient’s please be reminded that the offices are closed for the move Friday, on the weekend and Monday with re opening set for Tuesday. Staff from Mike’s Moving is pictured here assisting with the move.
The grand opening for the Blenheim Medical Health Hub was held with over 1000 people attending and touring the new location last Thursday on Hyland Drive. Once filled with specialized services, What a wonderful facility this will be for the Blenheim and South Kent Communty for many years to come. Thanks to so many people that made this happen.