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Oxford Warden Addresses Provincial Growth Targets

Tuesday, 21 April 2026 at 10:38

By Marcie Culbert X @marcieculbert

Warden Marcus Ryan laid out the three steps Oxford County Council is taking to address the growth targets set by the province.

OXFORD - Warden Marcus Ryan is addressing the provincial growth targets for Oxford County.

The county's population is expected to reach almost a quarter of a million people over the next 40 years.

In a video posted on the Oxford County social media pages, Warden Ryan says growth usually pays for growth, but only to a certain extent.

"If it did every student would have a classroom instead of a portable, every patient would have primary healthcare, and there wouldn't be anyone sleeping under tarps in parks. But that is happening, and it's not okay."

He went on to outline the three steps county council is taking to address this growth projection. This includes asking staff to research how much it will cost, begin talks with the province about who should be paying for what, and requesting new intensification targets for Oxford's municipalities.

He says Woodstock, Ingersoll and Tillsonburg have had intensification targets of 15 percent for future growth up until this report, and council is looking to update this.

"Council has asked, historically, for increased intensification targets for Woodstock, Ingersoll and Tillsonburg of 25 percent and new targets for any serviced village in the county between nine and 25 percent."

He says council just wants to make sure the growth is done the right way.

"In these three steps, we're hopeful that in a conversation with the province, we can have the growth that they're requiring us to have, but do it in a responsible way so Oxford residents get the services they need for that growth and respects our green spaces, natural spaces, farmland, and responsible infrastructure costs."

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