The Oakville Record
Portrait of Tom Adams

Tom Adams

Councillor · Ward 6 · seen 2010-07-12 to 2026-09-28 · served 2006–2010, 2010–2014, 2014–2018, 2018–2022, 2022–2026

870substantive motions movedof 323 meetings the minutes record them at
51procedural motions movedcounted separately, and never added to the above
241substantive motions secondedseconding is often a seat convention, not agreement
5meetings recorded absentof 323 they were on the record for
8–6recorded votes, for–againstrecorded votes are rare and a skewed sample

Vote count and office as published by the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, 2022 municipal election results (Open Government Licence – Ontario). Everything else on this page is read from Oakville’s own minutes.

In their own words, via the Town

Councillor Tom Adams was first elected to represent northeast Oakville’s Ward 6 in 2003 as a Town Councillor. He was subsequently elected as the Regional and Town Councillor for the same area in 2006, 2010 and again in 2014. In both 2018 and 2022 he was elected by acclamation to the same position. He is the longest serving Chair of Oakville’s Budget Committee as well as the longest continuous serving Chair of Halton’s former Planning and Public Works Committee. In these positions, Councillor Adams has worked to protect natural lands, build and renew infrastructure and strengthen Oakville’s strong finances. Councillor Adams has previously served as the President of Halton Community Housing Corporation. He is currently a member of the Credit Valley Conservation’s Board of Directors where he has served previously as both the Chair and Vice-Chair. Councillor Adams has a strong concern for the natural environment and served on the Association of Municipalities of Ontario Task Force on Climate Change. He is also a Municipal Leader for the Greenbelt supporting protection for our natural lands and building complete communities. In addition to Councillor Adams' current committee appointments, he also has previous experience serving on a wide variety of other committees and boards. He is a former member of the Boards of Directors of Conservation Halton, the United Way of Oakville, the Oakville Galleries, the Oakville Public Library and the Oakville Economic Development Alliance. Prior to dedicating himself to full-time Council duties, Councillor Adams was a senior risk manager with BMO Financial Group working on corporate governance. He has a master's degree in business administration in finance from McMaster University and an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering from the University of Ottawa. He also spent time doing engineering research work in the fields of alternative fuels and energy. Prior to being elected to Council, Councillor Adams was a volunteer member of Oakville's Transit Advisory Committee and the Stakeholder Advisory Committee to review the Official Plan for north Oakville development where he fought to support the creation of Oakville’s first Natural Heritage System. He has been a land steward for the Bruce Trail Association and is a volunteer caretaker for a section of Morrison Creek as part of Oakville's Adopt-a-Trail program.

As published by Oakville.

How they voted, where it was recorded (14)

Council August 11, 2025
That this item be referred to staff to adjust what was previously approved.
Against · 7–7 · Lost
Council September 16, 2024
That the general prohibition be lifted, in a limited fashion to allow identified sports (to be determined) on only specific types of roads and at certain times of day (to be determined) at the participants own risk…
Against · 8–6 · Carried
Planning and Development Council January 22, 2024
1. In support of the Housing Accelerator Fund Application, as advised by Minister Fraser with due regard for heritage conservation and infrastructure capacity and servicing: Planning and Development Council Minutes…
For · 11–4 · Carried
Council September 18, 2023
That the continued implementation of the Neighbourhood Traffic Safety Program be considered as part of the 2024 Budget and prioritized along with other known budget pressures.
Against · 4–10 · Lost
Planning and Development Council June 12, 2023
That this item be referred back to staff to seek additional research from other jurisdictions, identify options for definitions that recognize the difference between warehouses and distribution centres in terms…
For · 12–3 · Carried
Special Planning and Development Council May 19, 2023
That the information in item 4.1 from the May 15, 2023 Planning and Development Council meeting be received. For (7): Mayor Burton, Councillor Adams, Councillor Grant, Councillor Knoll, Councillor Lishchyna, Councillor…
For · 7–6 · Carried
Planning and Development Council May 15, 2023
Planning and Development Council Minutes May 15, 2023 That this item be
Against · 9–6 · Carried
Council February 27, 2023
That $45,000 be added to increase the annual Councillor community outreach and professional development as discussed at the budget committee meeting.
For · 7–8 · Lost
Council February 27, 2023
The Mayor called the vote on the main motion to approve the recommendations of the Budget Committee meetings of January 17, 2023, January 24, 2023, January 26, 2023, February 14, 2023, February 16, 2023 and…
For · 8–7 · Carried
Planning and Development Council June 27, 2022
1. That the revised Site Plan application, File No.: SP.1601.028/01 to allow the construction of three warehouse buildings be approved, subject to the conditions in Appendix “A” contained within the June 14, Planning…
For · 8–2 · Carried
Council January 31, 2022
That Oakville Council provide a contribution in the amount of $10,000 to the joint legal challenge of Bill 21. For (7): Mayor Burton, Councillor Adams, Councillor Grant, Councillor Knoll, Councillor Parmar, Councillor…
For · 5–6 · Carried
Council September 28, 2021
That Council proceed with Option 1 as presented in the confidential staff report dated September 14, 2021 from the Legal Department.
Against · 7–5 · Carried
Council May 25, 2021
WHEREAS, the Government of Ontario is planning to increase greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Ontario’s gas-fired power plants by more than 300% by 2030 and by 500% or more by 2040, reversing more than 40% of the GHG…
For · 11–1 · Carried
Council April 26, 2021
That Section 14.1(2) of the Procedure By-law be waived to allow consideration of the following Notice of Motion this evening: Whereas the April 29, 2019 decision made by Oakville Council regarding the Former Brantwood…
Against · 5–7 · Lost

Meetings the minutes record them as absent from (5)

CouncilJuly 9, 2024
Special CouncilOctober 12, 2023
inZone Council Sub-committeeJanuary 20, 2014
inZone Council Sub-committeeFebruary 25, 2013
North Oakville East Trails Plan CommitteeJanuary 17, 2012

Substantive motions moved (showing the 40 most recent of 870)

That the by-laws noted above be passed.
Special Council, August 11, 2026 · Carried Unanimously
That by-law 2026-118, a by-law to provide for the levying of payments in lieu of taxes for the year 2026 on Halton Healthcare Services Corporation (Oakville) and the Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, as attached to the report of the Finance Department dated July 28, 2026, be passed.
Council, August 10, 2026 · Carried
That staff be granted authority to extend the license agreement with the Burloak Canoe Club for an additional 10 years for their premises at 160 Water Street, on the terms set out in this report. That the license extension agreement be executed in accordance with By-law 2023-021 and the Town Solicitor be authorized to enter into any minor amendments, as required.
Council, August 10, 2026 · Carried
That the Vacant Home Tax program report be received. That Town staff advise Regional staff that Oakville is not moving forward with a Vacant Home Tax.
Council, August 10, 2026 · Carried
That By-Law 2009-031 be amended as set out in By-Law 2026-101 in Appendix A. of this Report to update the administration of the By-law including changes in management responsibility by applicable Directors under the By-Law.
Council, August 10, 2026 · Carried
That the 2026 capital budget be amended to add a new project in the amount of $891,274 funded from the provincial Road Safety Initiatives Fund (RSIF) to implement eligible traffic calming and roadway safety improvements at former Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) locations.
Council, August 10, 2026 · Carried
That staff undertake a review of the Official Plan policies and Zoning By-law regulations for data centres, enterprise computing facilities, and similar high-intensity digital processing facilities. The municipal study shall review the Official Plan policies and Zoning By-law regulations, and analyse such regulations appropriate to mitigate potential adverse effects of development relating to nois
Council, August 10, 2026 · Carried Unanimously
That the confidential direction provided in the Legal Department “CONFIDENTIAL – ONTARIO LAND TRIBUNAL APPEAL OLT-24-000820 – 1539059 ONTARIO INC., 349 DAVIS ROAD” report dated July 28, 2026, be approved.
Planning and Development Council, August 10, 2026 · Carried
1. That the Vacant Home Tax program report be received. 2. That Town staff advise Regional staff that Oakville is not moving forward with a Vacant Home Tax. Council Minutes August 10, 2026
Council, August 10, 2026 · Carried
1. That staff undertake a review of the Official Plan policies and Zoning By-law regulations for data centres, enterprise computing facilities, and similar high-intensity digital processing facilities. The municipal study shall review the Official Plan policies and Zoning By-law regulations, and analyse such regulations appropriate to mitigate potential adverse effects of development relating to n
Council, August 10, 2026 · Carried Unanimously
That the confidential direction provided in the Legal Department “CONFIDENTIAL – ONTARIO LAND TRIBUNAL APPEAL OLT-24-000820 – 1539059 ONTARIO INC., 349 DAVIS ROAD” report dated July 28, 2026, be approved. For (8): Mayor Burton, Councillor Adams, Councillor Chisholm, Councillor Duddeck, Councillor Knoll, Councillor Lishchyna, Councillor Longo, and Councillor Xie Against (6): Councillor Elgar, Counc
Planning and Development Council, August 10, 2026 · Carried
That the Director of Planning & Development be authorized to grant draft plan approval of the Draft Plan of Condominium (24CDM-26001/1310) submitted by Korsiak Urban Planning on behalf of Mattamy (Joshua Creek) Limited, and prepared by R-PE Surveying Ltd., dated February 23, 2026, and revised May 1, 2026, subject to the conditions contained in Appendix ‘A’ of the Planning & Development Report date
Planning and Development Council, July 7, 2026 · Carried
That the maximum allowable duration for unsigned on-street parking in the Town of Oakville be increased from three hours to five hours between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. That a year-round town-wide prohibition on overnight on-street parking between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. be implemented. That on-street parking be prohibited on one side of any street where the existing width
Council, July 6, 2026 · Referred
That Council endorse or recommend changes to the draft Mayoral Direction to Staff for the preparation of the 2027 annual budget and provide any additional advice. That Council endorse or recommend changes to the draft schedule for preparation of the 2027 Town budget.
Council, June 22, 2026 · Carried
That the confidential report from the Legal Department titled “Employment Areas Review Official Plan Amendments – Legal Dept” dated June 2, 2026 be received.
Planning and Development Council, June 15, 2026 · Carried
That By-law 2026-076 – A by-law to stop up and close for all purposes a portion of Lakeshore Road West, being Part 1 on Plan 20R-19703, be passed; That the Town Solicitor be authorized to register By-law 2026-076 in compliance with the Municipal Act 2001; That the Town Solicitor be authorized to grant easements to protect any utilities within the said lands prior to the disposition.
Special Council, May 26, 2026 · Carried
That Council approve the Town’s participation in a Joint Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee with the lower-tier municipalities in Halton Region for the 2026-2030 Term of Council. That the Terms of Reference be amended to add the following to the list of individuals who are not eligible to sit on Committee: Any persons who are candidates or registered third parties in the 2026 Municipal
Special Council, May 26, 2026 · Referred
That staff be directed to engage with Oakville Galleries to further refine and clarify the scope and scale of their request to undertake a feasibility study for the Gairloch Gallery, including providing additional detail on the Galleries’ overall vision for the use of the Gairloch site and any potential second location, and report back to Council by December 2026. That the Galleries request to exp
Special Council, May 26, 2026 · Deferred
That this item be deferred to the Special Council Meeting on May 26, 2026.
Council, May 25, 2026 · Carried
Council Minutes - May 25, 2026 That this item be
Council, May 25, 2026 · Deferred
That the 2025 Invest Oakville Annual Report from the Economic Development department be received.
Planning and Development Council, May 19, 2026 · Carried
That an assumption of Registered Plan 20M-1129 be approved. That By-law 2026-072, a by-law to assume the completed public works within Registered Plan 20M-1129, be passed.
Planning and Development Council, May 19, 2026 · Carried
That the 2026 funding allotment as attached in Appendix A – Heritage Grant Applications 2026 attached to the report titled 2026 Heritage Grant Program Recommendations, dated May 5, 2026, be approved.
Planning and Development Council, May 19, 2026 · Carried
That Council receive the staff report “Community Improvement Plan Financial Analysis Update”, dated April 21, 2026. That Council directs Staff to plan and conduct public workshops for the public and Council input for a draft CIP and for consideration of an eventual draft CIP, with costing That Staff provide Council a detailed report on ARU take up in Oakville, including numbers permitted and built
Planning and Development Council, May 4, 2026 · Carried
That the staff comments included in the report “Recent Legislative Updates – Bill 97, 98, 100, and 105” be submitted to the Environmental Registry of Ontario per the respective postings. That the report titled “Recent Legislative Updates – Bills 97, 98, 100, and 105” dated April 28, 2026 be forwarded to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Halton Area MPPs, City of Burlington, Town of Ha
Planning and Development Council, May 4, 2026 · Carried
That the revised Zoning By-law Amendment application submitted by Valgo LP (File No.: Z.1308.07), be approved; That By-law 2026-058, an amendment to Zoning By-law 2009-189, be passed; That the notice of Council’s decision reflects that Council has fully considered all of the written and oral submissions relating to these matters and that those comments have been appropriately addressed; and, That,
Planning and Development Council, April 20, 2026 · Carried
That staff report back in March of 2026 and that HRPS be asked to attend.
Council, March 30, 2026 · Carried
That staff report on drone show options for future Canada Day events for 2027 and beyond, for locations including Bronte with good transportation and amenities for further consideration by Council.
Council, March 30, 2026 · Carried
That the confidential direction provided in the report from the Office of the Mayor dated March 20, 2026 be approved.
Planning and Development Council, March 23, 2026 · Carried
That the confidential direction provided in the report from the Office of the Mayor dated March 20, 2026 be approved. Planning and Development Council Minutes March 23, 2026 For (8): Mayor Burton, Councillor Adams, Councillor Chisholm, Councillor Grant, Councillor Knoll, Councillor Lishchyna, Councillor Longo, and Councillor Xie Against (6): Councillor Duddeck, Councillor Elgar, Councillor Gitting
Planning and Development Council, March 23, 2026 · Carried
That the Public Meeting Report, prepared by the Planning and Development department, dated February 17, 2026, be received. ​That comments from the public with respect to the Town-initiated Zoning By-law Amendment to Zoning By-law 2014-014 and Zoning By-law 2009-189, for Seasonal Commercial Patios on Private Property (File No. 03.94), be received. That staff consider comments as provided by Council
Planning and Development Council, March 2, 2026 · Carried
1. That the Public Meeting Report, prepared by the Planning and Development department, dated February 17, 2026, be received. Planning and Development Council Minutes March 2, 2025 2. That comments from the public with respect to the Town-initiated Zoning By-law Amendment to Zoning By-law 2014-014 and Zoning By-law 2009-189, for Seasonal Commercial Patios on Private Property (File No. 03.94), be r
Planning and Development Council, March 2, 2026 · Carried
That the motion be amended to include: That staff report on drone show options for future Canada Day events for 2027 and beyond, for locations including Bronte with good transportation and amenities for further consideration by Council. Council included this amendment with unanimous consent.
Council, February 23, 2026 · Carried
That the motion be amended to include: Council Minutes - February 23, 2026 That staff report on drone show options for future Canada Day events for 2027 and beyond, for locations including Bronte with good transportation and amenities for further consideration by Council. Council included this amendment with unanimous consent.
Council, February 23, 2026 · Carried
That item 8.1 Inclusionary Zoning Official Plan Amendment (OPA 77) be
Planning and Development Council, February 17, 2026 · Referred
That Council endorse the recommendations from the East Morrison Creek Erosion Mitigation Study Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Study. That the Notice of Completion under the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process be issued to initiate the 30-day review period for the East Morrison Creek Erosion Mitigation Study.
Council, January 26, 2026 · Carried
That the updated Reserve/Reserve Fund Procedure in Appendix A be approved. That the reclassification of reserves and reserve funds as shown in Table 1 be approved. That a new discretionary reserve fund entitled “WSIB Liability reserve fund” be established with an initial balance of $13,792,000 transferred from the Post Employment Liability reserve fund. That a new capital reserve entitled “Parking
Council, January 26, 2026 · Carried
That By-law 2026-006 be passed authorizing the temporary borrowing of monies to meet current expenditures should the need arise in 2026, until taxes are collected and other revenues are received.
Council, January 26, 2026 · Carried
1. That the updated Reserve/Reserve Fund Procedure in Appendix A be approved. Council Minutes - January 26, 2026 2. That the reclassification of reserves and reserve funds as shown in Table 1 be approved. 3. That a new discretionary reserve fund entitled “WSIB Liability reserve fund” be established with an initial balance of $13,792,000 transferred from the Post Employment Liability reserve fund.
Council, January 26, 2026 · Carried
That the confidential direction provided in the Economic Development Department’s confidential Sports Tourism Event Update report, dated December 9, 2025, be approved.
Council, December 15, 2025 · Carried

In the record

318meetings recorded presentthe minutes record presence, not a rate
20conflicts of interest declareda member saying they should not vote on a matter
Ward 6seatCouncillor
Planning and Development Council April 7, 2025
with respect to confidential item 8.1 - Confidential OLT Appeals – Palermo (April 7, 2025), as he has a family member who is employed by the company mentioned in the confidential report
Planning and Development Council January 20, 2025
with respect to confidential item 8.1 - Confidential OLT Appeals – Palermo (January 2025), as he has a family member who is employed by the company mentioned in the confidential report
Planning and Development Council March 4, 2024
with respect to Item 6.2 - Statutory Public Meeting – Town-initiated Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments – Four Dwelling Units Per Property and Sheridan College Housing Area (File No
Planning and Development Council June 12, 2023
with respect to Item 6.2 - Public Meeting and Recommendation Report, Zoning By-law Amendment and Draft Plan of Subdivision, bcIMC Realty Corp
Planning and Development Council August 7, 2018
in Item C1: LPAT Appeal – OPA 14 (Midtown Oakville and Transportation Network Updates) , as his wife is an engineer employed by TDL Group who operates Tim Horton and there is a franchise operator…
Council October 23, 2017
with respect to Item 2 - By-law 2017-094 - A by-law to dedicate certain land as part of a public highway (Part 11, Plan 20R-13289 - Wyecroft Road) of the Community Services Committee meeting…
Planning and Development Council February 9, 2015
with respect to Confidential Item C-1 - Update and Instructions Re OPA 4 and By-law 2014-014 Appeal, as it relates, in part, to this spouse’s employer, TDL Group
Council September 22, 2014
with respect to Item 9 of the Community Services Committee meeting of September 15, 2014 - Oakville Children's Festival, as his spouse is employed by Tim Horton’s, the only major sponsor of the event
Special Planning and Development Council May 27, 2014
with respect to clauses 1 and 2 of Item 1 - Midtown Oakville Strategy 2014 and Public Meeting Report, Official Plan, and Item 2 - Midtown Oakville Transportation and Stormwater Environmental…
Special Planning and Development Council April 16, 2014
with respect to Item C-1 - Ontario Municipal Board Appeals of Official Plan Amendment 4 and By-law 2014-014, as his spouse is employed by TDL Group, a company with an interest in this matter
Special Planning and Development Council November 4, 2013
with respect Item 2 - Public Meeting Report, Proposed New Comprehensive Zoning By-law – 2014 Zoning By-law (inZone Project), as his spouse is employed by the TDL Group, which has submitted comments…
Planning and Development Council October 21, 2013
with respect Item 7 - Trafalgar Road Corridor Planning Study – Preliminary Report, as his spouse is employed by the TDL Group, which operates the Tim Horton stores, one of which is located on Site No
inZone Council Sub-committee February 4, 2013
and did not participate in discussions regarding drive-through facilities as his wife is employed by TDL Corporation
inZone Council Sub-committee July 3, 2012
and did not participate in discussions regarding drive-throughs as his wife is employed by TDL Corporation
Planning and Development Council April 10, 2012
with respect to Item 3 - Public Meeting and Recommendation Report, Proposed Official Plan Amendment to the Livable Oakville Plan (Housekeeping Matters), Item 5 - Old Bronte Road/Khalsa Gate…
Planning and Development Council February 6, 2012
with respect to Item 6(b) - ‘Old Bronte Road/Khalsa Gate Streetscape Plan’ of Item 6, Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee Minutes of January 24, 2012, as his spouse is employed by the TDL Group Corp
Planning and Development Council December 12, 2011
with respect to Item 10 - Old Bronte Road/Khalsa Gate Streetscape Plan, as his spouse is employed by the TDL Group Corp
Planning and Development Council November 14, 2011
with respect to Confidential Discussion Item C-4 - OMB Hearing - Drive-Throughs, as his spouse is employed by the TDL Group Corp
Planning and Development Council June 13, 2011
with respect to Item 3 - Heritage Designation By-law for 293 Church Street and Repeal of Heritage Designation By-law 2010-023 for 131 Trafalgar Road, By-law 2011-062 and By-law 2011-066 dealing…
Planning and Development Council May 9, 2011
with respect to Item 7 - Notice of Intention to Demolish - 131 Trafalgar Road and with respect to Item 6(e) - Notice of Intention to Demolish - 131 Trafalgar Road of Item 9 - Heritage Oakville…

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