Bruce County Council has approved the permanency of the Community Development Office (CDO), effective September 2025 as part of an organizational restructuring to support the work required to meet Council’s strategic goals to foster responsible growth.
The CDO manages several large-scale and complex projects emerging within Bruce County that require coordinated, strategic leadership and focused resources. In the two years since the creation of the CDO as a pilot initiative it has proven to be an effective approach in action on housing, advancing work on community readiness for the proposed Bruce “C” project and other energy projects, as well as supporting growth of the medical isotope sector, and building of stronger partnerships with municipalities and community partners.
“We are very pleased with how this capacity is helping us to address the housing and development needs of Bruce County communities,” commented Warden Luke Charbonneau. “Through this approach, we are seeing results that impact quality of life, growth and the economy of Bruce County.”
Claire Dodds, who has led the pilot initiative since its launch in 2023, will continue as Commissioner of Community Development. In this role she will continue to lead these key projects and oversee the community development serving departments, including Human Services, Transportation and Environmental Services, and Planning and Development.
Dodds joined Bruce County in September 2022 as the Director of Planning and Development before moving into the Commissioner role. Her more than 20 years of experience and Master’s in Rural and Regional Planning will continue to serve her well leading the cross-functional, multi-disciplinary team advancing the alignment of services and strategy in the CDO.
Additionally, Jack Van Dorp will remain as the Director of Planning and Development, a role he stepped into with the launch of the CDO pilot. He will continue to lead the team of Planners, Application Technicians and GIS professionals providing the region with land use planning that supports responsible growth.
Van Dorp started as a Planner with the County in 2009 and he holds an Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning. His collaborative style fosters innovative solutions to policies guiding responsible growth and development across the region. Van Dorp’s experience and leadership will support his team as they continue to strengthen the services offered by the Planning and Development department.
“Congratulations to both Claire and Jack on their respective appointments. Their experience and leadership will continue to ensure that Bruce County is innovating, collaborating, and thriving for years to come,” said Warden Charbonneau.
