Ahead of next year’s International Plowing Match and Rural Expo, Bruce County staff are looking for council’s approval to give in-kind funding toward the event.
CAO Christine MacDonald gave a request to council that would provide up to $200,000 in contributions toward the 2026 IPM.
Of the total amount, it’s estimated that $120,000 is allocated to support in-kind contributions toward the IPM. Another $80,000 will be used by Bruce County for the development of a collaborative showcase to feature at the event.
Councillor Chris Peabody suggested that the County and the IPM committee negotiate that the requests for in-kind sponsorships for the event include cost recovery for the municipalities that contribute.
“I want to see some cost recovery. I recall being involved in the plowing match in 2007, and there was a large surplus. The committee of the plowing match took that money and donated it to hospitals, which is fine,” said Peabody. “But it was municipal money they were basically donating, and a good percentage of that money did not stay in hospitals in Bruce County, and I think that’s something to be cognizant about and I do think we need to negotiate with the IPM executive about this.”
CAO Christine MacDonald informed council that a decision should be made ahead of budget meetings to get the funding approved.
She shared that because council budget discussions are set to happen before the next IPM municipal executive meeting, a decision for inclusion of funding in the budget is necessary.
“The next municipal executive meeting, at which Deputy Warden [Murray] will be there as our official county representation happens in November. Budget will be happening before then. Your decision on what you’d like to fund is entirely your decision,” she said. “We can begin discussions with the IPM about what that means to them. What I’m hearing though from the discussion is if there was a scenario where they weren’t supporting net surpluses, there’s a willingness to support. So I think that discussion can happen in due time, with our November meeting, but open to hearing direction either way.”
Council chose to refer the report to staff for more information.
The estimated $120,000 is to pay for in-kind infrastructure costs such as signage and roadwork as well as paramedic services. The $80,000 is for the development of the showcase itself.
The IPM is North America’s largest Agricultural celebration, organized by the Ontario Plowmen’s Association (OPA) in partnership with a local volunteer committee.
Bruce County previously hosted the IPM in 1976, 1993, and 2008.
The event typically attracts over 80,000 attendees and generates significant cultural and economic benefits for host communities.