The Town of Greater Napanee and the County of Lennox and Addington appear ready to put weeks of tension behind them as they work on a new homelessness plan.
At a special meeting on Sept. 16, 2025, Greater Napanee’s Chief Administrative Officer Matthew Grant told council the County will move ahead with its own encampment bylaw and public consultations. Council agreed to let the County use town facilities free of charge to host meetings.
The move follows a heated exchange in late August, when the County’s solicitor demanded Napanee stop handing out an “encampment protocol map” that extended onto County property. Napanee responded by urging the County to pass its own bylaw and fulfill its housing role under Ontario law.
County Warden Nathan Townend confirmed Sept. 9 that the County would draft a bylaw and drop any legal action. Napanee councillors expressed cautious optimism, with Mayor Terry Richardson urging cooperation moving forward.
Written by Emily Chatwood
