Changes, Closures and Cancellations

Cultural Services

• The Judith and Norman Alix Art Gallery, Sarnia Library Theatre, Lambton Heritage Museum, Lambton County Archives, and Oil Museum of Canada are currently closed to the public.
• Lambton County Library is currently offering curbside pick-up service at select locations. For more information on locations hours of operation visit lclibrary.ca;
• Lambton County Library has suspended all in-person appointments for computer use, wi-fi use and academic study from Saturday, December 26, 2020 until further notice.  

The Cultural Service Division asks patrons to familiarize themselves with its guidelines to ensure cultural facilities remain a safe place for all visitors and staff. The full list of guidelines is available on the library, museum, gallery and archives websites.

Finance, Facilities and Court Services

Court Services

The Court Services Department is currently closed to the public until further notice. This closure will affect in-person ticket payments and in-person administrative services. Visit the Court Services page to learn more about available alternative service options.

• All "in-person" Court Proceedings scheduled between March 16 and January 22, 2021 remain adjourned to a future court date.  If you have a proceeding scheduled during this time, do not attend court in person.  A notice of the new court date will be sent to you by mail.

• All matters currently scheduled in the County of Lambton Provincial Offences Court are by remote appearances only. All scheduled court appearances will proceed by audio or video. The scheduling of in-person appearances, which is currently permitted as of January 25, 2021, will only be booked at direction of the presiding Judiciary.

• All limitation periods under the Provincial Offences Act have been suspended from December 1, 2020 to February 26, 2021.

• Visit lambtononline.ca/courtservices for more information, or contact us by phone (519-344-8880) or email.

Infrastructure & Development Services

Building Services

• Building, plumbing, and septic system permits by way of email, courier and in person application submission. Please call our office at 519-845-5420 for direction and assistance. 
• All inspections are to be requested and arranged by phone. Please call 519-845-5420. 

Long-Term Care

• There are restrictions on visitor access to Lambton County Long-Term Care Homes. Please call the Home you wish to visit for more information.
• Adult Day Programs are currently paused, until further notice.
• Lambton County Connects (virtual Adult Day Program) is operating with an enhanced program schedule. French programs have been added to the current program offering.

Public Health Services

Office restrictions or closures:

• Lambton Public Health - access to the main office at 160 Exmouth Street in Point Edward will be restricted to the public by appointment only. Call-in options are available.
• Petrolia sub-office at 450 Blanche St. will be CLOSED.
• Forest sub-office at 59 King St. W. will be CLOSED.

Suspended programs or services:

• Prenatal Classes
• Ask a Public Health Nurse: Parent Drop-In sessions
• Early ON Drop-in support
• School Screening for Dental or Vision
• Routine/School Immunizations
• All drop-in clinic visits

Modified access to some programs or services:

• Sexual Health Clinic available for urgent needs - call
• Harm Reduction supplies - North Entrance (door bell and monitored)
• Dental Services for children or adults with urgent concerns causing pain - call
• Family Health Line - call
• Breastfeeding or infant feeding support
• Child growth and development
• Parenting concerns
• Food Handler courses - online options or call
• Water Sample Testing - call
• Garden Fresh Box - call

• TB tests only for medical reasons (not for employment or education) - call

Call for an appointment or get more information at 519-383-8331 or toll free 1-800-667-1839. Services are provided during standard business hours of 8:30 .a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Please note wait times may vary due to a current high volume of calls.

Full details and options at https://lambtonpublichealth.ca/restricted-access/.

Social Services

All social assistance, housing, homelessness prevention and children's services will be available by phone or email. Staff are contacting current clients to advise them of these changes.

Please reach out to our Social Services Division departments using the contact information below:

Phone: 519-344-2062 ext. 2100

Email: socialservices@county-lambton.on.ca

These services remain available by phone or email to all Lambton County residents who suddenly find themselves in need of financial assistance, food security or housing stability. See the Social Services options flyer for additional details.

Homelessness Prevention and Children's Services

• A limited number of sites are providing emergency child care to school aged children of essential worker families until schools reopen for in-person instruction or until emergency child care is terminated by the Ministry of Education. Information on emergency child care can be found in the online information sheet. Child care programs for ages 0-3 years remain open with enhanced health and safety measures in place. 
• Early ON Child and Family programming is being offered virtually for the time being. In-person programming continues to be suspended at this time
• New applicants for the Child Care Fee Subsidy can complete their application online at www.LambtonOneHSN.com. For ongoing Fee Subsidy families, please contact your caseworker for assistance by phone or email.

Ontario Works

• Ontario Works will remain open by appointment only, by telephone or by email. Those seeking the services of Ontario Works who are not currently on assistance are asked to apply online at www.ontario.ca/socialassistance or contact the Ontario Works intake line at 519-344-2062. Those already receiving assistance should connect with their caseworker by phone, email or text.
• Ontario Works recipients do not need to bring documents into the office including your income reporting statement. Payments are being sent by mail, direct bank deposit or reloadable payment cards. Notify your caseworker about any changes to your address or banking information immediately. If you do not have direct bank deposit or reloadable payment cards it is highly recommended that you contact your caseworker to get it set up for your payments.

• The Lambton Works Centre is offering virtual employment support services through Zoom, phone and email. Their friendly and knowledgeable team is ready to assist with resume and cover letter advice, interview tips, access to local jobs and referrals to educational and training options. People can speak with their caseworker or email the Lambton Works Centre to book a virtual one-on-one appointment. 

• For those in the community who have experienced rental/mortgage rental or utility arrears due to the impact of COVID19, contact Ontario Works at 519-344-2062 to find out if you qualify for assistance with your arrears.

Lambton Circles

• Program is being provided virtually. For more information or to contact please visit: lambtoncircles.com

Housing Services

• The Housing Services Department has cancelled all non-essential office visits. Current tenants should contact the office by phone or email. Those wishing to apply for rent geared-to-income assistance or other housing related programs can access information online or contact the office at 519-344-2062 ext. 2200.

Sarnia-Lambton Local Immigration Partnership (LIP)

• All Sarnia-Lambton LIP activities and meetings will continue virtually for the foreseeable future.