Past President Tracy Bray was pleased to introduce the speaker today, His Worship Mayor Neil Ellis, the 77th Mayor of the City of Belleville, Ontario. Mayor Ellis is a proud lifelong resident of Belleville, deeply rooted in our community. He entered public office in 2006, first serving as Mayor. In 2015 to 2021, Mayor Ellis served as a Member of Parliament for the Bay of Quinte until 2021, chairing the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs and serving as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. He returned to municipal service in 2022 with a renewed focus on addressing the challenges facing Belleville, including healthcare recruitment, affordable housing and long-term economic and infrastructure planning, always with a strong emphasis on collaboration and community engagement. Mayor Ellis holds a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Psychology from Carleton University and professional designations through McMaster University's Directors College. A dedicated civic leader who believes that the work of municipal government matters most in the daily lives of people who live and work in the community.
Mayor Ellis was pleased to pause today to review and reflect on the past and future of the City of Belleville. The municipality provides 65% of all services available and offered in the City. Services that would be noticeable immediately. The City budget will be released in the next week and he feels there will be much discussion around outside agencies and their presented budgets, user fees, garbage bag tags, social services being provided to the unhoused. These are some areas where the City is subsidizing the services available, certainly all priorities. Doctor recruitment is another major area that will be discussed. Since 2006 the City of Belleville has recruited 60 doctors and the population has grown by 6,000. It is felt that an additional 35 doctors should resolve the shortage. Mayor Ellis spoke about the hard work and commitment by Karen Poste who is responsible for doctor recruitment. She recruited 11 doctors in 2024 and 14 in 2025, 12 family doctors and 2 specialists. The City is looking at a retention program similar to what Prince Edward County has in place where doctors receive $300 to $400 for every new patient they take on. Another area of attention is industrial land available for new businesses. It takes three years to prepare land for sale and with industry looking at Belleville, it is crucial to be positioned in the market. Council will have to make decisions of expanding industrial land, probably to the north and west. There is new building underway and a reduced budget with respect to the new Fairgounds and it is anticipated that the work should be done for the next fair.
Mayor Ellis mentioned the municipal election to take place in October. He is committed to run for Mayor and to encourage members of the public to get involved and consider joining Council. Thanked by Dave Allen for explaining some of the challenges of funding services and overseeing City budgets. And for all Mayor Ellis does for the community.