This Month in Lambton - October 2026

The October 2026 edition of This Month in Lambton includes the following news, service updates, programs and events:

Creative County Grant Program accepting applications for 2027

Applications are now being accepted through the County of Lambton's Creative County Grant Program, which supports arts, culture, and heritage initiatives taking place across Lambton County in 2027. The application intake opened on October 1 and provides funding opportunities for organizations and groups launching new projects or expanding existing programs.

The Creative County Grant Program invests in innovative initiatives that strengthen the local creative community, build cultural capacity, and enrich quality of life for residents. Eligible applicants may receive funding for up to 50 per cent of project costs.

The County of Lambton has allocated $75,000 in available funding for the 2027 program year. Applications will continue to be accepted online until 4 p.m. on November 9, 2026.

The program continues to support a wide range of community-led initiatives throughout Lambton County. In 2026, the Creative County Committee approved funding for 21 projects, representing an investment of $77,665 in local arts, culture, and heritage programming.

Organizations interested in applying can find program details and submit an application through the Creative County webpage.

Be prepared for a cyber incident

Cyber incidents and attacks, affecting institutions in both the public and private sector, are increasing in frequency and magnitude.

Attacks include the demand for payment under the threat of hacked and locked operations or services, or perhaps even the release of personal, private information.

In response, many organizations are taking steps to strengthen their networks and other digital assets. However, some organizations may still fall victim to an outage or attack.

When this occurs in a municipality, staff may encounter difficulties accessing and providing information you have requested, administering reservations and bookings, accepting and providing payments, and communicating electronically.

During these incidents, residents should be prepared to speak with municipal staff by phone, expect longer processing times, and follow up on expected payments.

Learn more about cyber incidents on the County’s emergency preparedness website.

Emergency dispatch updates

Ambulance Communications Officers who support Lambton County EMS are implementing a new system for prioritizing medical 9-1-1 calls. The change applies to medical calls only, not calls for police or fire. It will help ensure patients with the most serious medical conditions receive the fastest emergency response.

The Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) helps Ambulance Communications Officers assess medical emergencies based on urgency and determine the most appropriate response.

The system supports effective use of emergency medical resources while helping ensure life-threatening emergencies receive priority attention.

MPDS is part of the Ministry of Health and Central Ambulance Communications Centre's transition to a standardized medical-call prioritization process across Ontario.

For more information, visit LambtonCounty.ca/EMS.

Lambton County website receives new, refreshed look

Residents can now access County of Lambton services and information in a new, modern home by visiting LambtonCounty.ca!

The new web URL and refreshed look were Introduced on October 8, 2026, alongside dedicated websites for Lambton Works Centre (LambtonWorks.ca), Oil Museum of Canada National Historic Site (OilMuseum.ca), Lambton County Archives (LambtonArchives.ca), Lambton Heritage Museum (HeritageMuseum.ca), and the Judith and Norman Alix Art Gallery (JNAAG.ca).

Residents can still access the website using the old URL, LambtonOnline.ca, however it will now redirect to the new and improved site.

The County encourages you to visit the new site, explore, and continue to access all of the information you need in a new space!

Upcoming events at Lambton Works Centre

The Lambton Works Centre (LWC) is an employment agency that helps job seekers and employers thrive in the local job market. The main office is located at 162 Lochiel Street in Sarnia, but the employment team is regularly available at several drop-in locations across Lambton County. 

This month's free upcoming events are listed below. All events are held at the Lambton Works Centre on Lochiel Street unless otherwise stated.

Ask the Experts – Better Jobs Ontario

• November 5 | 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Drop in to learn about eligibility criteria and in-demand careers, and get your questions answered by an expert!

Worker Health and Safety Awareness Training

• November 6 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Build your workplace safety knowledge and receive your certificate upon completion. Registration is required: 519-344-2062 ext. 2019

John Howard Society

• November 18 | 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Staff from the John Howard Society will be at Lambton Works Centre to answer questions and provide information about programs, services and training available for folks affected by the criminal justice system.

Service Canada at Lambton Works Centre

• November 19 | 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Have questions about government programs and services? Service Canada staff will be here to provide information and assistance with programs such as Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Pension Plan (CPP), the Canada Dental Plan, and more.

Adult & Continuing Education Support

• November 25 | 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Staff from the Lambton Kent District School Board’s Adult and Continuing Education Centre will be at Lambton Works Centre to answer questions and provide information about continuing education, skills upgrading, and options to help you reach your education goals.

Upcoming events at Lambton County Library

Lambton County Library Upgrades Electronic Catalogue and Borrowing System

On November 4, 2026, Lambton County Library’s online catalogue and cardholder accounts will launch with a more user-friendly design and improved search capabilities. A new Lambton County Library mobile app will be available to download for managing cardholder accounts, with optional features such as digital library cards and text alerts for holds and updates. Search for “Lambton County Library” in the app store on Android or Apple devices starting November 4 to download. 

Lambton Remembers

Learn about the wartime contributions of Sarnia-Lambton veterans and community members from presentations by the Oil Museum of Canada and Lambton County Archives at select library locations.

Letters to Santa

Write a letter to Santa and mail it by Wednesday, December 9. Santa will respond to all letters he receives; however, delivery dates cannot be guaranteed. Use one envelope to send all letters from your family for best results. Visit any Lambton County Library location for letter templates and pre-addressed envelopes.

An Evening with Richard Beland

• Friday, November 20 | 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
• Sarnia Library Theatre

Go behind the lens with renowned music photographer Richard Beland at Sarnia Library Theatre. He will share stories from his career capturing some of the world’s most iconic musicians. Doors to the theatre will open at 6:00 p.m. with live music before the presentation begins. There will be light refreshments and a green screen activity in the lobby beginning at 5:30 p.m. 

Radon Action Month

November is Radon Action Month in Canada, the perfect time to borrow a Radon Initial Screening Kit from Lambton County Library to identify any potential radon issues in your home.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can build up in homes and is a leading cause of lung cancer, especially for non-smokers. Short-term radon measurements from electronic radon monitors can be misleading (either much lower or much higher than your actual average radon level). Health Canada recommends long-term radon tests (minimum 91 days) for reliable results, regardless of the outcome of initial screening tests.

Code Competition Accepting Submissions Through November 30

Join Fiero Code, an online learning platform available for free to Lambton County Library cardholders, to create and submit a game inspired by “Frogger” by November 30, 2026. This global coding contest offers prizes for the top three winners in each age category: 8-12, 13-18, and 19+. Fiero Code hosts three global coding competitions each year, and since 2025, two residents from Lambton County have submitted winning entries to earn top prizes.

Upcoming events at Lambton County Museums and Archives

Heritage Hour: Connecting the County on November 19

Join us for the next virtual Heritage Hour, Connecting the County, on Thursday, November 19 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. and discover the fascinating history of transportation across Lambton County.

Shaped by its diverse geography and position on Canada’s western frontier, Lambton County’s landscape has supported every major form of transportation. From rivers and roads, to railways and runways, the region has long been a crossroads of movement and innovation. Museum professionals from across Lambton County will take you on a journey through the history of transportation in this free virtual event. Register online here.

Lambton County Archives offers workshops on military history and research skills

Lambton County Archives is offering a series of workshops on military research this November as part of Lambton County Library’s Lambton Remembers series. Join archivist Nicole Aszalos for Researching Military History on Monday, November 2 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the Forest Library to learn about the resources available through Lambton County Archives and the Library and Archives Canada. Register here.

In Victory Gardens, Lambton County Archives will take a fascinating look at the history of Victory Gardens, patriotic vegetable plots that transformed backyards and vacant lots in Lambton County during World War I and II. The first Victory Gardens presentation takes place at Point Edward Library on Tuesday, November 3 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Register here.

The second Victory Gardens presentation takes place at Alvinston Library on Thursday, November 12 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Register here.

Lambton Heritage Museum offers Holiday Open House PA Day event on November 20

Step back in time and embrace the magic of the season at Lambton Heritage Museum on the PA Day on Friday, November 20 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. At this Holiday Open House event, visitors will find a festive day with crafts, activities, and old-fashioned fun for all ages. Discover holiday traditions from around the world, try candle dipping, and visit our newest (and oldest!) historic building, the Canatara Cabin. Enjoy a warm cup of wassail and a wagon ride around the museum grounds to end your visit. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for students and seniors (65+), $3 for children, and children aged three and under are free. Learn more at heritagemuseum.ca

Oil Museum of Canada offering spooky fun at Cackling Cauldrons event October 31

Grab your costume and visit the Oil Museum of Canada between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 31 for some spooktacular Halloween fun! Trick-or-treat through the historic buildings, make spooky crafts and try family-friendly activities like witch hat ring toss and bobbing for apples on a string. Thanks to the generous support of Pembina, admission to this fang-tastic event is FREE and no registration is required. Learn more at oilmuseum.ca

Lambton Remembers: Oil and the War Effort

Join the Oil Museum of Canada for the engaging presentation Oil and the War Effort, as part of Lambton County Library’s Lambton Remembers series. Discover the important contributions of Sarnia-Lambton veterans and industries such as Imperial Oil, Polymer, and Operation Shuttle to the success of World War I and II. The presentation will be offered on three separate occasions.

• Sarnia Library: Tuesday, November 3, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. – Register Here
• Corunna Library: Thursday, November 5, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. – Register Here
• Petrolia Library: Monday, November 9, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. – Register Here

Find holiday cheer at the Oil Museum of Canada’s Holiday Open House on November 20

Celebrate the season at the Oil Museum of Canada’s Holiday Open House on Friday, November 20 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Meet Victorian Santa as he shares stories and holiday cheer, make holiday-themed crafts, and warm up with tasty snacks and apple cider. Bring a non-perishable food donation for free admission! Learn more at oilmuseum.ca

Upcoming events at JNAAG

Youth and Family Programs

Family Saturday Studio Drop-In 

Every Saturday afternoon, JNAAG offers a free workshop for all ages from 1 to 3 p.m. Families are welcome to drop-in for a short, artist-facilitated studio activity inspired by the current exhibitions. During November, participants will gather around the art studio table and draw objects arranged before them. They will explore shape, light, and details as they create their own still-life drawing from their own point of view. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Try New Things (TNT) Ages 9-13
Free | Registration required
Still Life Impressions
November 5-6 | 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

PA Day
Free | Drop-in
Feather Fun
Friday, November 20 | 1:00 .m. – 3:00 p.m.

Adult Programs

Guided Tour of Breathing Spaces
Thursday, November 12 | 7:00 p.m.
Free | Registration required

Workshops

Narrative Textiles: Drawing with Stitch, Transfer, and Cloth with Colleen Schindler
Saturday, November 14 | 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
$110 +tax | Members discount available

Block Printed Holiday Cards with Emily
Thursday, November 19 | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
$60 +tax | Member discount available

Drawing in the Gallery
Thursday, November 26 | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
$10 +tax | Member discount available

Upcoming Exhibitions 

Dream Spell
Opening November 6, 2026

Dreams have long fascinated artists. Once understood as spiritual or divine experiences, dreams—and later the subconscious—became gateways for artistic exploration and expression.

Current Exhibitions 

11059 Cuts
Zhan Zhang
August 26, 2026 – February 6, 2027

Zhan Zhang is a Toronto- and Shanghai-based visual artist whose soft sculptures, paper installations, and video works evoke a fragile, dreamlike atmosphere suspended between memory and materiality. Influenced by the ancient tradition of Chinese paper cutting (jianzhi) as well as contemporary and surrealist aesthetics, Zhang has developed a method she describes as “drawing” with scissors, which reduces paper cutting to its most elemental gesture: the cut itself.

Breathing Spaces
Collen Schindler and Grahame Lynch
October 2, 2026 - March 20, 2027

Breathing Spaces is a two-person exhibition that examines the interplay of stillness and movement through the distinct yet complementary practices of Colleen Schindler and Grahame Lynch. Their process-oriented works highlight how art can serve as a repository for fleeting experiences and emotions, preserving them in tangible forms that resonate beyond the moment.

Homme
Liana Russwurm
October 2, 2026 - March 20, 2027

Liana Russwurm’s portraits find inspiration in the dramatic naturalism and chiaroscuro* of Baroque artists like Caravaggio (1571-1619), whose paintings captivated her as a student in Florence, Italy. Her most recent works continue to recontextualize Baroque techniques within contemporary portraiture.

Memento
October 2, 2026 - March 20, 2027

Drawn from the permanent collection of the Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery, Memento traces the evolution of still life from the experimentation of Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, and Cubism to contemporary explorations of consumption, identity, and the environment.

Looking Ahead

9:00 a.m., November 4 - Lambton County Council Meeting
9:00 a.m., December 9 - Warden and Deputy Warden Election

Agendas and minutes for Committee and Council meetings are available on the online Meeting Calendar.

Open Sessions of Lambton County Council and Committee meetings are streamed live and are available for archival viewing by clicking on the links below.

Council & Committee Agendas, Minutes & Livestreams

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