Georgian Bay, ON

Council

The Township of Georgian Bay Council meets Monday, October 5, 2026 at 99 Lone Pine Road, Port Severn. Council will consider a staff recommendation to increase the Iroquois Road assumption legal budget by up to $50,000, funded from the Working Fund Reserve, to cover mortgage discharges and title clearances. Council will also receive a report on the Ontario Land Tribunal and a fee request for 177 High Street, and will hold a closed session on matters including 248 Lake Road. Much of the agenda is procedural, including consent minutes and a confirming by-law.

• Staff Report 2026-185: increase Iroquois Road legal budget by up to $50,000, funded from Working Fund Reserve (original budget was $5,000)
• New business: Review of the Ontario Land Tribunal and Enhancing Deference to Municipal Planning Decisions (Predko)
• New business: 177 High Street - B26-15/ZBA Fee Request (Predko)
• Closed session items include 248 Lake Road (land acquisition/disposition and litigation) and a Legal Files Listing
• Consent agenda includes minutes from Council (Sept 14), Planning Council (Sept 15), and Committee of the Whole (Sept 15)

Committee of the Whole

Planning Council

The Township of Georgian Bay Planning Council meets October 6, 2026 to hold public meetings and consider planning staff reports. Items include two applications to close and sell shore road allowances, an extension of draft plan approval for a subdivision at 40 and 50 Lone Pine Road, a deeming by-law application, and Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendment applications. The agenda also includes routine procedural items and a confirming by-law.

• Shore Road Allowance closure R26-07 at 27 Old Tower Road (Rising) for $18,825.18 plus HST, based on 77.79 metres of shoreline frontage
• Shore Road Allowance closure R26-12 at 6123 Severn River Shore (Garrett)
• Extension of Draft Plan Approval for Applications S2006-8 and C2006-9 at 40 and 50 Lone Pine Road (IB Amonsen Real Estate Ltd.)
• Deeming By-law Application D26-01 at 18342 & 18334 Georgian Bay Shore (Smibert)
• Official Plan Amendment O26-02 and Zoning By-law Amendment Z26-06 (ARUS, Source Water Protection & Housekeeping); Zoning By-law Amendment Z26-13 at 2 Island 1710 Georgian Bay (McCain)

Committee of Adjustment

Council (Inagural)

Refresh MacTier Advisory Committee

Council

Committee of the Whole

Planning Council

Committee of Adjustment

Refresh MacTier Advisory Committee

Refresh MacTier Advisory Committee

The Refresh MacTier Advisory Committee is meeting to discuss community projects and new business items, including increased signage, an emergency gathering point, MacTier Arena water tap location and traffic concerns, an adult skate program, and train whistle cessation. The agenda also includes adoption of the August 24, 2026 minutes and a staff update on community projects.

• Increased Signage (Middleton)
• Emergency Gathering Point for MacTier (Jordan)
• MacTier Arena Water Tap Location and Traffic Concerns (Fellows)
• Adult Skate Program - MacTier Arena (Predko)
• MacTier Train Whistle Cessation (Predko)

Special Council

The Township of Georgian Bay Council is holding a special meeting on Monday, September 28, 2026 at 7:00 PM via Zoom. The only substantive agenda item is a new business discussion on waste management for marina bins, raised by Mayor Peter Koetsier. Council will also consider By-law 2026-072, a routine confirming by-law that adopts the proceedings of this meeting. The rest of the agenda is procedural: call to order, land and resident acknowledgements, strategic directions, conflict of interest declarations, open forum, and adjournment.

• New business: Waste Management Discussion - Marina Bins (Koetsier)
• By-law 2026-072 - Confirming Special Council September 28, 2026 (routine by-law confirming the meeting's proceedings)
• Open Forum: public may email [email protected] in advance to attend or speak
• Meeting streamed on the Township of Georgian Bay's YouTube Channel

Committee of Adjustment

The Committee of Adjustment is meeting to hold public hearings on a consent application and a minor variance application, and to consider a minor variance extension request. The agenda also includes routine items like adopting minutes and declarations of interest. The meeting is open for public viewing via YouTube and comments can be sent in advance.

• Consent Application B26-15 (177 High Street - Moeckel)
• Minor Variance Application A26-31 (92 Island 80 Six Mile Lake - Core)
• Minor Variance Extension Request (A22-08 20 Bluewater Road/A22-09 42 Bluewater Road - Halls Cottages)

Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole is meeting to receive an update on the Peer Support Team implementation for Georgian Bay Fire & Emergency Services. The report details the establishment of a formal peer support program, a Standard Operating Guideline, and enhanced access to wellness resources. The committee is expected to acknowledge the ongoing efforts to support firefighter mental health and wellness.

• Peer Support Team implementation update (Fire & Emergency Services Report 2026-170)
• Standard Operating Guideline for peer support roles and confidentiality
• Application for Mental Health Supports for Public Safety Personnel (MHS4PSP) Grant
• No direct financial impacts at this time

Planning Council

The Planning Council will hold public meetings and consider staff recommendations on two road allowance purchase applications with overlapping lands, and three planning applications for official plan and zoning by-law amendments. The road allowance item involves competing requests from adjacent property owners, with staff recommending the township retain overlapping lands. The planning items are public hearings for amendments at specific properties.

• Road allowance applications R26-04 (557 Rocky Shore Road) and R26-05 (4303 Severn River Shore) with overlapping lands; staff recommend retaining overlapping parts in municipal ownership
• Proposed closing by-law to convey part of road allowance at 4303 Severn River Shore for $8,392.56 plus HST
• Official Plan Amendment O25-03 and Zoning By-law Amendment Z25-06 for 58, 60 & 78 Lone Pine Road
• Official Plan Amendment O26-06 and Zoning By-law Amendment Z26-09 for 2 Island 1715 Georgian Bay (Thompson)
• Zoning By-law Amendment Z26-13 for 2 Island 1710 Georgian Bay (McCain)

Council

The Township of Georgian Bay Council is meeting to hear a deputation on the Information Technology Master Plan from Blackline Consulting, review staff reports on the annual Investment Policy Statement, insurance policy renewal for 2026/2027, and reallocation of capital funding for fire hall upgrades. Council will also consider new business items including a private road grant program, Honey Harbour launch ramp, and waste cost direction, along with a consent agenda and closed session.

• Deputation: Information Technology Master Plan by Blackline Consulting
• Staff report: Investment Policy Statement Annual Review (Financial Services 2026-169)
• Staff report: Insurance Policy Renewal 2026/2027 (Financial Services 2026-174)
• Staff report: Reallocation of Approved Capital Funding for Fire Hall Ventilation and Building Upgrades (Operations 2026-175)
• New business: Private Road Grant Program for Georgian Bay Township (Graziano)

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

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

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)

Committee of the Whole

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

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)