Message from Mayor Meloche - January 30, 2026

January 30, 2026

Hello residents of LaSalle, 

I want to briefly address the Green Bin program, as many residents have reached out with questions and concerns. While the Green Bin charges do appear on your LaSalle Property Tax bill, it is a not a Town of LaSalle fee. The Town collects taxes on behalf of other levels of government, and a portion of your bill goes to the County of Essex to fund County level services, including this program. The Green Bin program is delivered and priced by the Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority (EWSWA) and funded through the County. Neither the Town of LaSalle, nor County Council set the cost. 

An estimate of costs was presented to county council in 2024; however, the final per-household cost was not shared with County Council until December 17, 2025 and was not available during LaSalle's budget deliberations. The final by-law regarding the green bin fee has not yet been passed by County Council and the fee for the green bin won't be added to the tax bill until June of 2026.

Communications around the timing of the final costs could have — and should have — been better. The intention was to share additional information over the coming months as the County prepared to bring forward the related by-law, and that feedback is absolutely fair.

It is also important to note that this program is provincially mandated. It was not created by County Council or local municipalities, and residents cannot opt out under EWSWA’s current program. The goal is to extend the life of our landfill and reduce long-term regional waste management costs.

Council will continue to advocate for clearer communication and reasonable costs for our residents. More information about the Green Bin Program can be found at EWSWA.

A big thank you to our Public Works team. This winter has brought significant snowfall, thank you to our crews for working tirelessly, putting in long hours, and keeping our roads safe.

I also want to recognize our LaSalle Fire Service for their recent rescue of two dogs stranded on the ice in the Detroit River. Thanks to their coordinated efforts, both animals were safely brought to shore and are reported to be doing well. This rescue is a great example of the professionalism and commitment of our emergency crews and serves as an important reminder for residents to use caution around ice and waterways.

Polar Plunge Fundraiser
The LaSalle Police Service 2026 Polar Plunge Fundraiser supporting Special Olympics Ontario, is coming up Friday, February 6, at 6:00 pm. I encourage everyone interested to sign up. The season for freezing is here! Or if you aren’t going to jump, you can still show support by donating towards this great cause or attend to watch people take the plunge.

LaSalle Awards of Excellence Nominations Now Open
I am proud to announce the inaugural Town of LaSalle Awards of Excellence to celebrate individuals, teams, artists, businesses, and community leaders who help shape a vibrant and caring community. I encourage residents to take the time to nominate someone or a business who deserves to be recognized. Nominations are open and must be submitted by Monday, February 9. The awards will be presented during a special celebration event on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at the Event Centre at LaSalle Landing.

The Loop at LaSalle Landing
The Loop is open daily for the winter season, operating hours are from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm. As this is an outdoor ice trail, conditions will vary, and there may be temporary closures due to weather and/or maintenance. Visitors are encouraged to check the latest trail status. Happy skating!

Mayor Crystal Meloche