Oxford County has now confirmed it already approved moving forward with the purchase of 808 Dundas Street — the former Woodstock YMCA — for a homelessness support centre.
Since then, staff have already begun feasibility work, layouts, budgeting, and design planning. Now council is being asked to approve a $250,000 single-source design contract at the May 27 council meeting.
And yet public consultation is still being described as something that will happen later.
That is the concern.
Residents are not questioning the need for homelessness supports. Residents are questioning why major decisions appear to be advancing before the public is meaningfully involved.
Yes, Ontario law allows land acquisitions to be discussed in closed session. But legality is not the same thing as transparency or public trust.
Once a property is secured, designs are underway, budgets are built, and timelines are established, consultation risks becoming more symbolic than meaningful.
Oxford County residents deserve to be part of the conversation while decisions are still taking shape — not after the direction is already well underway.
The next Oxford County council meeting takes place Tuesday, May 27, and this project is once again on the agenda.
Residents who care about transparency, accountability, and meaningful public input should pay attention, attend, and engage respectfully while decisions are still unfolding.
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