Georgian Bay, ON

Refresh MacTier Advisory Committee

The Refresh MacTier Advisory Committee will receive staff reports on upgrading the MacTier baseball field (with a $40,000 budget for backstop replacement) and on the 'Light Up the Caboose' holiday lighting project for the historic caboose. The committee will also discuss new business items including a potential renaming of Mosquito Lake, advertising opportunities, playground barriers, and arena water supply. The meeting includes adoption of the July 29, 2026 minutes and an open forum.

• MacTier Baseball Field Upgrades: $40,000 budget for backstop replacement; committee input sought on ball diamond vs. multi-use sports field
• Light Up the Caboose: $1,000 approved in 2026 operational budget for holiday lighting of MacTier's historic caboose
• New Business: Mosquito Lake potential renaming
• New Business: MacTier Playground Barriers
• New Business: MacTier Arena Water Supply

Special Planning Council

The Planning Council is holding its first statutory public meeting for the 2026/28 Georgian Bay Official Plan Comprehensive Review, which must also address the new official plan framework under Bill 98. Staff will present an outline of the review process and proposed changes, and the council will hear public comments. The council is expected to accept the information and refer it to staff for further discussion with First Nations, District staff, and community groups before scheduling the next meeting.

• First statutory public meeting for the 2026/28 Official Plan Comprehensive Review
• Discussion of the new official plan framework required by Bill 98
• Proposed change from 3 to 12 land use designations in the new Official Plan
• Public comments accepted in advance via [email protected]
• Meeting livestreamed on the Township's YouTube Channel

Council

Planning Council

Committee of the Whole

Committee of Adjustment

Refresh MacTier Advisory Committee

Council

Committee of the Whole

Planning Council

Committee of Adjustment

Refresh MacTier Advisory Committee

Refresh MacTier Advisory Committee

Committee of Adjustment

The Committee of Adjustment is holding public hearings for two consent applications and seven minor variance applications. The consent applications involve property severances at 264 Huron Trail and 135 Port Severn Road North. The minor variance applications seek relief from zoning bylaws at various properties, including 15 Silver Sands Lake Road, 259 Hasketts Drive, 39 Railway Street, 368 Island 540 Georgian Bay, 98 Driftwood Lane, 192 Wild Rice Trail, and 2 Island 3150 Georgian Bay. The committee will also adopt minutes from the July 17, 2026 meeting.

• Consent Application B26-13 (264 Huron Trail - Schmidt)
• Consent Application B26-14 (135 Port Severn Road North - 2684528 Ontario Inc.)
• Minor Variance Application A26-22 (15 Silver Sands Lake Road - 299518 Alberta Limited)
• Minor Variance Application A26-25 (259 Hasketts Drive - Eisses)
• Minor Variance Application A26-26 (39 Railway Street - Bradshaw)

Planning Council

The Planning Council will decide whether to approve two applications to close portions of shore road allowances adjacent to private properties. Each closure would transfer municipal land to abutting owners for a fee, resolving existing encroachments. No objections were received from staff or agencies.

• Close shore road allowance at 231 Wesley Road for $7,102.70 plus HST
• Close shore road allowance at 210 Birch Acres Drive for $10,294.20 plus HST
• Official Plan Amendment O26-02 & Zoning By-law Amendment Z26-06 for ARUs, source water protection, and housekeeping
• Temporary use zoning extension for rock crushing at Rock Crushing by OBD Developments Inc.
• Land swap proposal for Honey Harbour Fire Hall / Lot 37, Concession 11, Baxter

Committee of the Whole

Council

The Township of Georgian Bay Council meets to discuss the 2026 Asset Management Plan update, which assesses the condition and replacement costs of roads, stormwater systems, buildings, parks, and fleet. Council also hears a presentation on efforts to control the invasive Water Soldier plant in Lake Simcoe. Several routine reports, by-law confirmations, and procedural items are scheduled.

• 2026 Asset Management Plan update (roads, stormwater, buildings, parks, fleet)
• Responding to Water Soldier in Lake Simcoe presentation (Invasive Species Centre)
• 2027 Budget Preparation report
• Development Charge Reduction Program (DCRP) report
• Update of Fire Department Establishing and Regulating By-law

Refresh MacTier Advisory Committee

The Refresh MacTier Advisory Committee will decide on a staff recommendation to establish a sub-committee for the MacTier Union Cemetery to focus on beautification and preservation. The committee will also discuss a proposed bike repair station and consider changing future meeting location to the MacTier Arena with a 3:00 p.m. start time. Minutes from the June 22, 2026 meeting are up for adoption.

• Staff report 2026-137 recommends forming a MacTier Union Cemetery volunteer sub-committee
• New business: Bike Repair Station proposal
• New business: Discussion on meeting location and start time (possibly MacTier Arena, 3:00 p.m.)
• Adoption of June 22, 2026 meeting minutes
• Strategic directions reviewed: Environmental Protection, Fiscal Responsibilities, Streamline Planning, Customer Engagement, District-Township Relations, Indigenous Engagement

Sustainable Communities Advisory Group

The Sustainable Communities Advisory Group will receive a presentation on the 2025 Usage Guide for Lake Water and a report on Repair Cafés. The group will also review staff updates regarding food bank community programs and climate adaptation.

• Presentation of 2025 Usage Guide for Lake Water by Georgian Bay Forever
• Repair Café presentation by Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
• Staff Report 2026-138: Food Bank and Community Programs Update
• Staff Report 2026-139: Climate Adaptation Update

Special Council

Committee of Adjustment

The Committee of Adjustment will hold public hearings regarding several consent and minor variance applications. These include requests for lot severances and property modifications across various locations in the Township.

• Consent Application B26-08 and B26-09: Hungry Bay Road - McCart
• Consent Application B26-11: 201 Nicholson Road - Little Go Home Bay Dockers
• Consent Application B26-12: 714 Sweets Portage Road - Burgoin
• Minor Variance Application A26-18: 170 Red Hawk Road - Szarko
• Minor Variance Application A26-20: 64 Trillium Lane - Kutas

Planning Council

This meeting includes public hearings on a shore road allowance closure for $7,224.42, a zoning by-law amendment at 117 Port Severn Rd, and staff reports on two official plan amendments, a temporary use zoning extension for rock crushing by OBD Developments Inc., and an outline for the 2026/28 Official Plan Review.

• Shore road allowance closure at 68 Bear Lake Road for $7,224.42 + HST
• Zoning By-law Amendment Z26-14 (117 Port Severn Rd N)
• Official Plan Amendment O26-01 & Zoning Amendment Z26-04 (146 Prisque Road)
• Official Plan Amendment O26-05 & Zoning Amendment Z26-10 (34 Curling Club Road)
• Temporary Use Zoning Extension for rock crushing by OBD Developments Inc.

Council

Council will decide on engaging Barry Bryan and Associates as architectural consultant for MacTier Memorial Arena and Community Centre upgrades, with additional $36,240 from the Working Capital Reserve. Also up for decision is replacement of a battery-powered auto extrication tool using up to $24,000 from the Fire/Emergency Services Reserve. Other items include back flow prevention requirements, Port Severn Park playground resurfacing, Go Home Lake pump, tree removal at MacTier Union Cemetery, and new business on expired marine distress flares and affordable housing.

• Engage Barry Bryan and Associates as architectural consultant for MacTier Arena and Community Centre upgrades at $108,240.36, with $36,240 from Working Capital Reserve
• Replace battery-powered auto extrication tool for up to $24,000 from Fire/Emergency Services Reserve
• Back flow prevention requirements report
• Port Severn Park playground resurfacing report
• New Business: Expired marine distress flares advocacy and Liveable Ontario non-market affordable housing discussion

Refresh MacTier Advisory Committee

The committee will conduct training on procedure by-laws, codes of conduct, and accessibility. Members will also receive verbal updates regarding the Refresh MacTier Town Hall and MacTier Arena Advisory Committee resolutions.

• Committee training on Procedure By-law and Code of Conduct
• Update on Refresh MacTier Town Hall
• Update on MacTier Arena Advisory Committee resolutions

Committee of Adjustment

The Committee of Adjustment will hold public hearings for several consent applications and minor variance requests at 99 Lone Pine Road in Port Severn. The agenda includes items on Millard Drive, Macey Bay Road, and Island Drive, with staff reports available for review.

• Consent Applications B23-22 and B24-06 (129 Millard Drive)
• Consent Applications B26-01 through B26-06 (377B Macey Bay Road)
• Consent Applications B26-07 & B26-10 (Island 1740 Georgian Bay)
• Minor Variance Application A26-06 (108 Island Drive)
• Minor Variance Application A26-19 (217 Kilty Bay Road)

Planning Council

This Planning Council meeting will hold public hearings on several planning applications, including a temporary use zoning extension for rock crushing by OBD Developments Inc., an official plan and zoning amendment for a property on Curling Club Road, and a zoning amendment on Macey Bay Road. Staff reports also cover a zoning amendment on Huron Trail and a combined official plan/zoning amendment on Millard Drive. Additionally, the council will vote on closing two shore road allowances.

• Temporary Use Zoning By-law Amendment Extension Z26-05 for rock crushing by OBD Developments Inc.
• Official Plan Amendment O26-05 and Zoning Bylaw Amendment Z26-10 at 34 Curling Club Road (Brad Hutchinson Sales and Service)
• Zoning By-law Amendment Z26-02 at 377B Macey Bay Road (Bidinot)
• Close shore road allowance at 13258 Georgian Bay Shore (Wendt) for $30,567.02
• Close shore road allowance at 200 Stewart Lake Road (Zebrowski)

Committee of the Whole

The Committee will receive a staff report on Ontario Regulation 343/22, which mandates new NFPA-aligned firefighter certifications by July 1, 2026. Council will also hear a presentation from the Georgian Bay Land Trust on its strategic plan. A summary of legal fees from 2023 to 2026 Q1 will be presented.

• Delegation: Georgian Bay Land Trust presents strategic plan review
• Staff report on firefighter certification requirements (O. Reg. 343/22) with compliance deadline July 1, 2026
• Summary of legal fees 2023-2026 Q1
• Future amendments to Fire & Emergency Services Establishing and Regulating By-law required

Council

Council will receive the audited 2025 financial statements and discuss renewing the OSPCA shelter agreement. Several community groups will present on relocating the Port Severn Library to the Baxter Ward Community Centre. Staff reports also cover sidewalk plow replacement, arena renovation funding, a bear bin program, and drainage work on Hasketts Drive.

• Audited year-end financial results for 2025 presented by Pahapill and Associates
• OSPCA shelter agreement renewal considered
• Port Severn Library relocation to Baxter Ward Community Centre – multiple delegations
• Municipal sidewalk plow blower replacement – staff report
• Refresh MacTier Memorial Arena and Community Centre renovation funding opportunity

MacTier Arena Advisory Committee

The MacTier Arena Advisory Committee will consider directing staff to issue a Request for Proposals for sponsorship, advertising, and naming rights. The committee will also discuss a pilot program using third-party platforms to market available ice time, along with other initiatives to boost utilization and community engagement.

• Sponsorship, advertising, and naming rights RFP for MacTier Arena
• 12-month pilot for ice time marketplace platform (e.g., CatchCorner, HockeyFinder)
• Online scheduling and booking system implementation
• Standardized ice time release and booking policy
• Facilitated town hall on dedicated arena agenda allocation

Committee of Adjustment

The Committee of Adjustment will hold public hearings on four minor variance applications seeking relief from the Zoning By-law for properties at 820 Island 980, 66 Blueberry Lane, 241 John Buchler Road, and 229 Crooked Bay Road. The committee will also adopt the minutes from the previous meeting.

• Minor variance A26-12 for 820 Island 980 Georgian Bay (Weatherell)
• Minor variance A26-14 for 66 Blueberry Lane (Mayo & Irving)
• Minor variance A26-15 for 241 John Buchler Road (Groenevelt & Linton)
• Minor variance A26-16 for 229 Crooked Bay Road (Proctor)
• Consent applications B26-01 through B26-06 (377B Macey Bay Road) deferred

Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole will discuss proposed changes to the Township's Code of Conduct for Council and Committees. This follows a referral from the April 13 Council meeting. The discussion includes a review of the existing bylaw and policy amendments.

• Discussion of Code of Conduct amendments (Resolution C-2026-079, By-law 2024-062)

Planning Council

The Planning Council will hold public hearings and consider several planning applications. They will vote on a zoning by-law amendment that defines gross floor area for SML uses. They will also review two other zoning amendments, an official plan amendment, and applications to close shore road allowances. Additionally, staff will present a report on the provincial Bill 98 regarding building homes and transportation infrastructure.

• Public hearing: Close shore road allowance at 88 Chain of Lakes Road ($7,267.26)
• Zoning by-law amendment Z26-01 to define gross floor area
• Zoning amendment Z25-13 for 414 High Street (Sarrasin)
• Official plan amendment O25-05 and zoning amendment Z25-14 for 2416 Island 404 (Cecchetto)
• Shore road allowance closures: 9362 Go Home Lake Shore and 9344 Go Home Lake Shore

Council

Council will decide whether to apply for a federal speed limit of 9 km/h in Honey Harbour after years of study and public consultation. Other items include a private waste management subsidy for water-access properties, 2026 municipal grants, and by-laws on tax rates, administrative penalties, and firearm discharge.

• VORR speed limit vote: Honey Harbour 9 km/h zone
• Private waste management subsidy for water-access properties
• 2026 Municipal Grants (Small Grant Policy)
• By-law 2026-XXX: 2026 Final Tax Rate
• By-law 2026-XXX: Discharge of Firearms amendment

MacTier Arena Advisory Committee

The committee will hear a staff report responding to a resolution for a sponsorship and league-attraction strategy. The report finds that the MacTier Arena's non-regulation ice size prevents tournament hosting and that sponsorship is not feasible due to low utilization. The committee will discuss the findings and consider next steps.

• Staff Report 2026-066: Arena ice is non-regulation size, preventing sanctioned league play and tournaments
• Low utilization: available ice already fully allocated to local leagues
• Sponsorship attraction not feasible due to low visibility and inconsistent use
• Comparison to neighbouring municipal arenas not like-for-like as they meet standard ice sizes
• Report recommends strategic consideration by Council on ongoing operation

Committee of Adjustment

The Committee of Adjustment will hold public hearings on five minor variance applications to zoning bylaws for properties on Stewart Lake Road, Steep Rock Road, Sunrise Trail, Georgian Bay Shore, and Conger Marsh Lane. The committee will also consider adopting minutes from its March 13 meeting.

• Minor Variance A25-42: 295 Stewart Lake Road (Melko)
• Minor Variance A26-05: 333 Steep Rock Road (Fulford)
• Minor Variance A26-07: 151 Sunrise Trail (Domm)
• Minor Variance A26-08: 19980 Georgian Bay Shore (Shave)
• Minor Variance A26-10: 5 Conger Marsh Lane (Healey)

Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole discusses updating the Public Docks By-law to regulate commercial vessel use, overnight mooring, and material storage at launches. Options include permit fees of $75/day or $500/season for barges, a $400 surcharge for capital upgrades, and designating commercial-only launches. New business also includes house and commercial development incentives.

• Review of Public Docks By-law for commercial operations and fee schedule
• Discussion of overnight mooring and commercial launch use
• Proposed permit fees: $75/day or $500/season for barges
• Potential $400 surcharge for upgrading gravel launches to concrete
• House and Commercial Development Incentives (Predko)

Planning Council

The Planning Council will consider several zoning by-law and official plan amendments. The body is also deciding on the closure and sale of shore road allowances and reviewing a project plan for water access and marinas.

• Proposed sale of shore road allowance at 1110 East Shore Road for $12,758.96
• Zoning By-law Amendment Z26-03 (ARN 446503003102300 - Myers)
• Official Plan Amendment O26-01 and Zoning By-law Amendment Z26-04 (146 Prisque Road)
• Zoning By-law Amendment Z26-02 (377B Macey Bay Road)
• Project plan for 2026/28 Official Plan & Zoning By-law Review regarding Water Access, Navigation & Marinas

Council

The Georgian Bay Council will consider three staff reports: a road restoration work update, a refresh of the MacTier Advisory Committee, and a policy on the use of municipal resources in municipal elections. The council will also adopt the consent agenda and consider a by‑law appointing a Deputy Fire Chief. These items constitute the primary business for the April 13, 2026 meeting.

• Road Restoration Work – Operations – Roads staff report (2025‑053)
• Refresh MacTier Advisory Committee – Corporate Services staff report (2026‑051)
• Use of Municipal Resources in a Municipal Election Policy – Corporate Services staff report (2026‑048)
• Adoption of Consent Agenda of April 13, 2026
• By‑law 2026‑XXX – Deputy Fire Chief Appointment (Woll)

Special Council

The Special Council will consider a statement of claim in the closed session for Graziano v. Mariotti and the Township of Georgian Bay. It will also adopt By-law 2026-017 to confirm the actions taken at this meeting. Additional agenda items include strategic directions and a declaration of pecuniary interest.

• Closed Session – review of Graziano v. Mariotti statement of claim (litigation)
• Adoption of By-law 2026-017 to confirm council proceedings
• Presentation of Strategic Directions (environmental protection, fiscal responsibilities, technology efficiencies, planning policies, community engagement, Indigenous relations)
• Declaration of Pecuniary Interest or Conflict of Interest
• Public comments submitted in advance via [email protected]

Special Council

The Township of Georgian Bay is holding a Special Council meeting to discuss waste management and a specific legal matter. The body will also consider a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the meeting.

• Waste Management Discussion regarding the Marina Bin Site Transition
• Closed session regarding Statement of Claim: Graziano v. Mariotti and Township of Georgian Bay
• By-law 2026-016 to confirm the proceedings of the March 27, 2026 Special Council

Sustainable Communities Advisory Group

The Sustainable Communities Advisory Group is discussing the use of $80,000 for a climate adaptation plan that incorporates Indigenous learnings. The group is also reviewing proposed initiatives for Earth Day 2026 and education regarding algae blooms and E. coli.

• Proposed $80,000 budget ($70,000 grant and $10,000 reserve) for a climate adaptation plan and vulnerability assessment
• Proposal to solicit Requests for Proposal (RFP) for a consulting team to facilitate the adaptation project
• Review of six proposed Earth Day initiatives for April 22, 2026
• Discussion on Algae Bloom & Water E. coli Education and Management
• Adoption of January 26, 2026 meeting minutes

Committee of Adjustment

The Committee of Adjustment will hear public submissions on three minor variance requests: 180 Lavalley Way, 212 Moore Point Road, and 13722 Georgian Bay Shore. Members will consider whether the proposed changes meet the criteria under Zoning By-law 2014-75. The meeting also includes adoption of previous minutes and a review of strategic planning directions.

• Minor Variance Application A26-01 – 180 Lavalley Way (Nassr)
• Minor Variance Application A26-03 – 212 Moore Point Road (Kovacs)
• Minor Variance Application A26-04 – 13722 Georgian Bay Shore (Campbell)
• Adoption of February 13, 2026 minutes
• Discussion of strategic directions for planning and community engagement

Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole will consider a recommendation to approve the draft Firearm Discharge By-law (By‑Law Enforcement 2026‑029) that has been revised after public and Council feedback. The revisions include a new firearm definition, removal of the 3‑acre property size restriction, and language recognizing Indigenous treaty rights. The meeting will also receive Facility Condition Assessment results for the Baxter Ward Community Centre and Georgian Bay Public Library, and conduct an open forum for public comments.

• Recommendation to approve Draft Firearm Discharge By‑law (By‑Law Enforcement 2026‑029)
• Facility Condition Assessment results for Baxter Ward Community Centre and Georgian Bay Public Library
• Strategic Directions discussion covering environmental protection, fiscal responsibilities, and Indigenous engagement
• Open Forum for public comments
• Declaration of Pecuniary Interest and Delegation items