Environment and Sustainability

Electric Vehicle (EV) ownership has grown considerably in Ontario, along with opportunities for rural communities to benefit from EV tourism. The partnership of County of Wellington, County of Dufferin, County of Perth, County of Huron, Bruce County, County of Grey, City of Guelph, and Nuclear Innovation Institute want to ensure residents and businesses in their collective region are afforded the opportunity to benefit from the transition to EVs.

They are therefore collaborating to develop a regional EV charging network strategy. By working together and across boundaries, they can amplify success and gain more from their resources than they can alone. Specifically, the Partners realized that when they implemented stations independently, they had an insufficient network; by collaborating, they can leverage time and resources to build a cohesive charging experience that allows EV drivers to travel throughout the region.

Currently, the region has 22 Level 3 (DC Fast Charging) and 145 Level 2 EV charging stations for public use. The Regional EV Charging Network Strategy proposes new locations for Level 2 and 3 fast charging locations to facilitate travel across the region, improvements to economic development opportunities, and tourism throughout Southwestern Ontario.

Under the Green Energy Act, 2009 and as a public agency, we prepare, publish, make available to the public and implement energy conservation and management plans.

The Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan 2019-2024 is the municipality's plan for reducing our carbon footprint and overall energy consumption. 

The goals of the Energy Plan are:

• To create a culture of conservation
• To improve the energy efficiency of our facilities by utilizing best practices to reduce our operating costs, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions
• To maximize fiscal resources through direct and indirect energy savings

View the previous version here: Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan 2014-2019 

To contact a Weed Inspector, or if you require more information, please contact Marvin Smith, County Weed & Tree Inspector at 519-291-2236. 

Noxious Weeds in Ontario

In accordance with the Weed Control Act, R.S.O., property owners are responsible for spraying and removing noxious weeds on their property.

The Municipality does not spray or pay for the spraying of noxious weeds on private property or private roads.

The County Weed Inspector shall perform all duties required by the Weed Control Act and regulations.

If you have questions related to pesticide use please contact the Ministry of Environment at 1-800-565-4923 or visit the Ministry of Environment website.

Roadside Spraying

Vegetation control along the County roadsides is an important part of road maintenance. It ensures clear sight lines for signs, intersections and roadside wildlife, promotes drainage and drying and prevents the establishment of trees and brush in the right of way.

Roadside herbicide spraying will be completed yearly in the months of May and June. The herbicide will selectively kill weeds but not the grasses and is approved for use on roadsides under the public works exemption of the cosmetic pesticide ban. Spraying of the herbicide will be completed by a qualified contractor licensed by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change under requirements of the Pesticides Act.

A public notice of this pesticide use will be advertised in the local paper, and on the municipal website.

Property owners who do not want the unmaintained ditch in front of their property sprayed can contact the Operations Manager. 

Property owners who do not want the unmaintained ditch in front of their property sprayed can post “No Spray” signs at the start and finish of their property. These signs must be at least 30cm x 60cm (1 ft x 2 ft) and be easily read from the shoulder of the road.

"Japanese knotweed is an aggressive semi-woody perennial plant that is native to eastern Asia. In the 1800’s it was introduced to North America as an ornamental species and also planted for erosion control. It has since spread throughout the United States and Canada. Japanese knotweed is often mistaken for bamboo; however it is easily distinguished by its broad leaves and its ability to survive Ontario winters. Japanese knotweed is especially persistent due to its vigorous root system, which can spread nearly 10 metres from the parent stem and grow through concrete and asphalt. This invader is very persistent and once it becomes established, is incredibly difficult to control" (invadingspecies.com).

Japanese Knotweed is an invasive species that has been found in various locations in the flood plain and along the trails in Mitchell. The Municipality and Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) are working together to control and remove the Japanese Knotweed from the area.

If you have questions concerning Japanese Knotweed contact Jay Ebel, Forestry Technician by email or at 1-519-451-2800.

Learn more about Japanese Knotweed and West Perth's management of Japanese Knotweed below. 

Removing Japanese Knotweed - UTRCA - 16 Sep 2019

Massive Removal of Invasive Species in Mitchell - UTRCA - 5 Sep 2019

Japanese Knotweed - Ontario's Invading Species Awareness program

Detailed information regarding the Mitchell Dam and Reservoir can be obtained from the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority here.

The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) is raising awareness of a potential Gypsy Moth caterpillar infestation and actions homeowners can take to reduce its impact. 

Landowner Guide to Gypsy Moth Management

Learn more about the Gypsy Moth on the ABCA Gypsy Moth webpage.  

Phragmites Control

On Tuesday, September 7, 2021, the Invasive Phragmites Control Centre (IPCC) conducted work in West Perth Wetlands to control an outbreak of Phragmites australis, Canada’s worst invasive plant.  The IPCC is the only organization operating in Ontario that can provide the expertise and services needed to undertake all aspects of a control program of phragmites. 

IPCC is continuing the work that was conducted in 2020 to manage Phragmites in the West Perth Wetlands.  They are returning to confirm the effectiveness of the treatment in 2020 and follow-up with touch-up treatment.  They will be using backpack herbicide sprayers and will be supported by a track vehicle.  In addition, they treated an affected area that was inaccessible in 2020.  IPCC will bring an industrial off-road vehicle this year to tackle this inaccessible area. The vehicle comes equipped with a spray system and tank.  The machine has tires that are adjustable depending on terrain and enables the crew to tread lightly on surfaces and it is also amphibious.  Treatment of larger areas is made possible by this machine.

Signs will be posted 24 hours in advance of any herbicide spraying in the area.  Phragmites will be being treated along the shoreline of the wetland and possibly adjacent to the walking paths.  The area does not need to be avoided by the public, but it is cautioned to not veer away from the walking paths.

Climate Change Report 

Climate is something that impacts our day to day lives. Locally, each municipality has faced the impacts of severe weather, flooding, and increased hot and cold days. The world is on its way to reaching and surpassing the 1.5°C threshold that has been identified as the upper limit of global temperature increase to keep us within a safe range of climate change impacts. The world has to stay below this threshold and lower emissions 40% to 50% by 2030, or effects will be long lasting or irreversible.

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan

Perth County, North Perth, Perth East, Perth South, West Perth, and Stratford and St. Marys have partnered to address the risks and take action on climate change within the communities. Each municipal action impacts one another, so it is important to work together to address the greater impacts that climate change will bring. This plan identifies various actions and strategies to move forward on increasing adaptability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the community.

Our vision is to mitigate climate change risks by ambitiously reducing local greenhouse gas emissions, and will ensure a more resilient and healthy future for our communities.

The Council of the Municipality of West Perth has adopted Green House Reduction Plan at its Regular Council Meeting on February 22, 2022. View the full Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan.