Screenshot: Norfolk County, YouTube
Veterans crosswalks are becoming more common across Canada, and Simcoe will soon have one of its own.
During a recent Council-in-Committee meeting, Stephanie Johnson appeared before elected officials alongside her son, Nolan, an active member of the Canadian Armed Forces who recently returned home after a deployment in Latvia, to formally request the project move forward.
For Johnson, the installation of a veterans crosswalk would carry deep personal meaning.
The crosswalks are typically painted in red and white to honour fallen soldiers and military service members.
Johnson believes that having this crosswalk installed would continue to show veterans that the community remembers them and their sacrifice.
Norfolk County Council-in-Committee endorsed a community-led initiative to install a commemorative Veterans’ Crosswalk near the Carillon Tower in Simcoe. The long-term vision includes five crosswalks across the county, with the Simcoe location serving as the first installation.
County staff told councillors the project follows Norfolk’s Decorative Crosswalks Guideline Policy and recommended using durable thermoplastic material instead of paint. The estimated installation cost ranges from $10,000 to $20,000, depending on the size of the intersection, while annual maintenance is expected to cost about $2,000.
Originally, the proposal called for the applicant to raise all construction costs through community fundraising. However, during debate, Councillor Chris Van Paassen introduced an amendment for Norfolk County to fund the Simcoe crosswalk directly. Van Paassen said the Carillon Tower, deserves special recognition. He said County funding would help ensure the project is completed on time while allowing community fundraising efforts to focus on future crosswalks in other communities.
The committee unanimously approved the amended recommendation, allocating up to $20,000 from the Council Initiative Reserve for the Simcoe installation while supporting the broader vision of commemorative veterans’ crosswalks across Norfolk County.
At the end of Johnson’s deputation, Chair Kim Huffman addressed Johnson’s son, Nolan.
The goal is to have the crosswalk completed before Remembrance Day 2026.
Written by Matt Leblanc and Jeremy Hall
