Council and Committees

Mayor

Peter Kelley

Email Mayor Kelley

Ward A 

Ruth-Ellen Nishikawa 

District and Township Councillor
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Mary Ellen McIntyre 

Township Councillor
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Glenn Zavitz 

Township Councillor
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Ward B 

Allen Edwards

District and Township Councillor

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Susan Mazan

Township Councillor, Deputy Mayor
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Gordon Roberts

Township Councillor
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Ward C 

Guy Burry

District and Township Councillor

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Rob Bosomworth

Township Councillor 
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Sally Moyer Kent

Township Councillor
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Deputy Mayor

Acting Deputy Mayor 

Alternate Member to the District Municipality of Muskoka Council 

Meeting Calendar

• View our for Government Portal to find dates for the Council, Standing Committees and the Committee of Adjustment meetings, along with the agendas, minutes and webcasts (if available).
• View our meeting schedule through our Government Portal. 
• Subscribe to receive agenda links directly to your inbox to any Council, General/Finance Committee, Planning Committee and Committee of Adjustment meetings.

• All meetings are held in the Council Chambers at 1 Bailey Street, Port Carling, ON unless otherwise noted.
• Meeting Schedule is subject to change. Please ensure that you subscribe to the agendas to receive any updates.
• Special or additional meetings may be called depending on operational requirements.

Please be advised that all Township Council, General/Finance and Planning Committee meetings held in the Council Chambers and will be webcast, audio and video recorded.

Council Procedure By-law

Pursuant to section 238 of the Municipal Act, 2001, every municipality shall pass a procedure by-law for governing the calling, place and proceedings of meetings.  Please access the Township of Muskoka Lakes Council Procedure By-law 2019-079 for the rules governing the proceedings of Council and Committee Meetings.

The Township of Muskoka Lakes is a scent-sensitive environment.

While visiting the Township Office we ask your assistance in keeping the air fragrance free. 

Potential symptoms and effects of chemical and fragrance sensitivities could result in impacting a medical condition of a fellow visitor or staff member.

We thank you for helping us maintain a safe, secure and clean working environment for all.

Agendas and Minutes

The Minutes and Agendas for all Council and Committee meetings are available in our Document Centre.

Subscribe to receive agenda links directly to your inbox to any Council, General/ Finance Committee, Planning Committee and Committee of Adjustment meetings. 

General/Finance Committee

The General/Finance Committee is comprised of five (5) members of Council. The Mayor is an ex-officio member.

Duties and responsibilities include

1. Fire
2. Public Works
3. Economic Development and Grants
4. Parks and Trails
5. Library Board
6. Planning
7. Development Services
8. Heritage and Attainable Housing

Specifically

Financial Statements & Auditors Report, Current/Capital Budget, Collective Bargaining, Salary Administration/Job evaluation, Municipal Organization, Legal matters, Policies, Insurance, Communications, Liquor License Requests, Road/Shore Road Allowance Closures, License Agreements, Community Centres & Hall Boards, Arenas, Health Hub, Emergency Management, Health and Safety, Accessibility, Roads and Bridges, Public Wharves/Docks/Wharf Masters, Cemeteries, Temporary Road Closures, Libraries, Parks, Public Beaches, Trails, Economic Development Strategy, Marketing and Promotion, and Website.

Members

1. Councillor Susan Mazan, Chair
2. Councillor Rob Bosomworth
3. Councillor Allen Edwards
4. Councillor Sally Moyer Kent
5. Councillor Mary Ellen McIntyre
6. Councillor Glenn Zavitz
7. Councillor Guy Burry
8. Councillor Ruth Nishikakwa
9. Councillor Gord Roberts
10. Mayor Peter Kelley (ex-officio)

Planning Committee

The General/Finance Committee is comprised of five (5) members of Council. The Mayor is an ex-officio member.

Duties and responsibilities

1. Planning
2. Development Services
3. Heritage and Attainable Housing

Specifically

Property Standards By‐law, By‐law Enforcement, Staff Housing, Official Plan and Zoning By‐law Amendments, Site Plans, Plans of Subdivision/Condominiums and Long Range Planning

Members

1. Councillor Rob Bosomworth, Chair
2. Councillor Sally Moyer Kent
3. Councillor Allen Edwards
4. Councillor Ruth Nishikakwa
5. Councillor Gord Roberts
6. Councillor Mary Ellen McIntyre
7. Councillor Susan Mazan
8. Councillor Glenn Zavitz
9. Councillor Guy Burry
10. Mayor Peter Kelley (ex-officio)

Community Centre Hall Boards

Responsibilities of the Community Centre Boards

• To oversee the operation of designated Community Centres under the authority of the Council.
• To assist in setting the annual Community Centre budget as part of the overall Council budgeting process.

Roles of the Community Centre Hall Boards

• Establishing Community Centre needs, and recommending appropriate actions to Council.
• Promoting the benefits of the Community Centre and encouraging use.
• Ensure conformance to current policies and procedures passed by Council.
• Meeting with Township staff prior to the end of each year to provide input into the operating and capital budget.
• Participating in periodic Joint Community Centre Board discussions on amendments and enhancements to the program.
• To meet on a regular basis as needed; but no less than twice per year.
• Ensuring that minutes are taken at each meeting and submitted to the Township in a timely fashion.

Community Centre Hall Boards report to Council through the General / Finance Committee.

Council Members on Hall Boards

A Council Member has been appointed as a voting member to each Hall Board.

• Community Centre Hall Board Council Member
• Bala Councillor Glenn Zavitz
• Cardwell (Hekkla) Councillor Susan Mazan
• Foot's Bay Councillor Barb Bridgeman
• Glen Orchard Councillor Peter Kelley
• Milford Bay Councillor Gord Roberts
• Peninsula Councillor Frank Jaglowitz
• Port Carling Councillor Peter Kelley
• Raymond Councillor Susan Mazan
• Torrance Councillor Ruth Nishikawa
• Ullswater Councillor Allen Edwards
• Walker's Point Councillor Donelda Hayes
• Windermere Councillor Allen Edwards

Community Members Hall Boards

• Bala Community Centre Board - No Active Hall Board Members
• Foot's Bay Community Centre Board - Murray Kelly, Ben Roberts, Karen Robinson, John Thomson
• Glen Orchard Community Centre Board - No Active Hall Board Members
• Hekkla Community Centre Board - Lynnis Royea, Margret Anderson-Coveart
• Milford Bay Community Centre Board - Dawna Brown, Katja Uhde
• Peninsula Community Centre Board - Laurie Campbell, Cuyler Conway, Marg Conway, Doreen Gonneau, Lynn McBride, John Newton, Judy Paxton, Brad Paxton, Marg Taylor
• Port Carling Community Centre Board - Jean-Ann Baranik
• Raymond Community Centre Board - Steve Black, Larry Haigh, Jim Gordon, Derek Mason, Al Quinton, James Stanbury
• Torrance Community Centre Board - William Boyer, Nancy Gregor, Nancy Kikot, Joe Larouche
• Ullswater Community Centre Board - Darlene Poirier, Jim Poirier, Jeanette Odman, Irv Cain Aaron Webb, Darlene Hope
• Walker's Point Community Centre Board - Jim Mills, Judy Gergorish-Racz, Mike Racz, Sheldon Harris, Bethany Harris, Al Young, Pat Young
• Windermere Community Centre Board - Susan Goltz, Barbara Dutton, Dan Veitch, Pat Veitch, Bill Webb

Economic Development and Grants Committee

Purpose

The Economic Development and Grants Committee (EDGC) is an advisory committee of Council established to advise Council on matters associated with improving the economic, physical and social well-being of Muskoka Lakes. The committee will support overall objectives of the Township Strategic Plan, Economic Development Strategy, and Downtown Enhancement Action Plan. The committee will review and consider all grant applications as per the criteria in Policy C-FS-09, discuss and prioritize grant requests, and determine a list of successful grant applicants.

Mandate

The Muskoka Lakes Economic Development and Grants Committee will promote economic prosperity within the Township of Muskoka Lakes by:

• Advising Council in implementation of the economic development strategy and downtown enhancement action plan, both in the short-term and long-term;
• Advising Council on co-ordination of economic development strategies and initiatives with other organizations;
• Advising Council on marketing and branding strategies to attract investment and promote local business opportunities;
• Providing strategic planning advice on business developments as they arise in the community;
• Assisting in communication of Muskoka Lakes vision for economic development to the community;
• Seeking out and identifying opportunities to help the Township achieve economic sustainability as set out in the current Strategic Plans;
• Advise Council on successful grant applicants;
• Providing Council minutes of the Economic Development and Grants Committee.

The Economic Development and Grants Committee reports to Council through the General / Finance Committee.

Members

Council Members from the Township of Muskoka Lakes

1. Councillor Peter Kelley (Chair)
2. Councillor Susan Mazan (Vice-Chair)
3. Councillor Barb Bridgeman
4. Councillor Glenn Zavitz

Citizen Members from the Township of Muskoka Lakes

1. Laurie Campbell
2. Valerie Fleck
3. Frank Pottow
4. Greg Knight
5. Jeremy Fowler

Resource Advisors from the Township of Muskoka Lakes

1. Township of Muskoka Lakes Communications and Economic Development Specialist
2. Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce Representative
3. Jeff Mole
4. Steve Sharko

Heritage and Attainable Housing Committee

Purpose

The Heritage and Attainable Housing Committee is an Advisory Committee of Council established to advise and assist Council on matters associated with Heritage and Attainable Housing in the Township of Muskoka Lakes.

Heritage Mandate

• To advise and assist Council on means of conserving heritage properties and areas, through a review of the Township policies, practices and programs and also by review of development applications referred to the committee by Council;
• To advise and assist Council on all matters relating to Parts IV and V of the Ontario Heritage Act;
• To advise Council on heritage conservation issues and to assist Council in the preparation of municipal legislation to conserve heritage properties and areas;
• To establish criteria for the evaluation of properties of historical and/or architectural value or interest;
• To prepare and maintain a list of properties and areas worthy of conservation;
• To encourage the support of owners, or administrators, of those properties which fit the criteria to appreciate and preserve their integrity;
• To work with partners to implement programs and activities to increase public awareness and knowledge of heritage properties;
• To submit to Council an annual report of the committee's previous years activities, before May 1st of the following year; and,
• The minutes of the Heritage Advisory Committee shall be forwarded to a standing committee of Council.

Attainable Housing Mandate

• To provide a forum for monitoring, advocacy and information exchange regarding attainable housing needs in the Township of Muskoka Lakes;
• To identify creative solutions to increase the supply of attainable housing within the Township;
• To identify opportunities and constraints for the Township to lead or assist with identified solutions;
• To identify how additional support for these solutions can be provided by senior levels of government;
• To promote programs, initiatives and collaboration between local governments and the development industry, and facilitate partnerships and education related to attainable housing;
• To provide advice related to the Township of Muskoka Lakes Attainable Housing Initiative Rebate Program, Muskoka Affordable Housing Initiatives Program (MAHIP) and other housing initiatives;
• To provide advice on policy related to planning, best practices and development across Muskoka; and,
• The minutes of the Attainable Housing Committee shall be forwarded to a standing committee of Council.

The Heritage and Attainable Housing Committee reports to Council through the Planning Committee.

Members

Council Members from the Township of Muskoka Lakes

1. Councillor Donelda Hayes (Chair)
2. Councillor Frank Jaglowitz (Vice-Chair)
3. Councillor Allen Edwards

Citizen Members from the Township of Muskoka Lakes

1. Susan Daglish
2. John Amardeil 

Parks and Trails Committee

Purpose

The Parks and Trails Committee is an Advisory Committee of Council established to advise and assist Council on matters associated with Parks and Trails in the Township of Muskoka Lakes.

Principles

Principles that guide the Parks and Trails Committee include:

• A commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all residents
• A commitment to fostering a greater appreciation for trail development and utilization within the Township of Muskoka Lakes
• A commitment to collaboration and partnership to achieve common objectives

Mandate

The mandate of the Parks and Trails Committee is to provide advice to Council on a range of multi-disciplined trail development including but not limited to:

• Promote, protect and assist in the development of enjoyable, safe, convenient parks and recreational trails opportunities throughout the Township of Muskoka Lakes.
• Identify current and future parks and recreational trails interests and provide recommendations concerning maintenance and improvement of existing parks and recreational trails, establishment of new parks and recreational trails, and linkages with other recreational trail systems.
• Work cooperatively with partners and the community concerning programs and activities to increase public awareness and knowledge of the parks and recreational trails and to promote parks and recreational trails interests.
• Initiate and provide advice with respect to the properties best suited for multi-disciplined trails use within the Township of Muskoka Lakes;

• Provide advice as to how trail development features may be achieved through the adoption of appropriate municipal policies;
• Establish criteria for the evaluation of public and/or private properties of interest;
• Promote the awareness of the Township of Muskoka Lakes' existing network of trails and those proposed through publications, events, public speaking, displays, signage and plaques;
• Advise on relevant development, applications and funding opportunities that may be available for trail development in the Township;

• Report on multi-disciplined trail development opportunities in a broader sense as it relates to mandate features and utilization;
• Communicating, and collaborating where appropriate, with other Township of Muskoka Lakes staff and committees.

The Parks and Trails Committee reports to Council through the General / Finance Committee.

Members

Council Members from the Township of Muskoka Lakes

1. Councillor Ruth Nishikawa (Chair)
2. Councillor Gordon Roberts (Vice-Chair)

Citizen Members from the Township of Muskoka Lakes

1. Douglas A.C. Davis
2. Wayne Gibson
3. Peter Ringler

Committee of Adjustment

The Township of Muskoka Lakes has established a Committee of Adjustment to deal with applications for consents and minor variances. All meetings are open to the public.

The Committee of Adjustment has general and special powers, these include:

• to grant minor variances from the Township's Zoning By-law.
• to grant permission to expand or enlarge legal non-conforming uses.
• authority to permit a change in use where the new use will be more compatible with the intent of the Official Plan or Zoning By-law.
• to approve consents for land severances, lot additions, validations of title, and easements or right-of-way within the Township of Muskoka Lakes (pursuant to sections 50 and 53 of the Planning Act), which do not require a concurrent Zoning By-law Amendment.

Council Members

1. Allen Edwards

Citizen Members

1. Barbara J. Bridgeman

2. Ruthann E. Brown

3. Joseph W. Quinn
4. Sean Stokes
5. Lisa Grogan-Green

As the Committee of Adjustment is a quasi-judicial body which bases its decisions on the information presented at the Hearing, Committee members cannot be contacted regarding Committee of Adjustment matters, or they may be disqualified from hearing the application.

Line Fence Viewers

The cost of fences to be erected along a common property line are normally shared between two property owners. In the event of a disagreement between two property owners, or if one property owner does not wish to pay their share, an application may be made to the Township to have the Fence Viewers attend the property. In this case they shall notify the clerk using the appropriate application form. Fence Viewers are appointed by Council to arbitrate and make awards as to the cost of the fence construction along common property lines.

Three Fence Viewers will attend the property to visually inspect the area and file a report outlining the responsibilities to each property owner (section of fence to be erected and type), assign a date by which the fence must be constructed or repaired, and assess costs for their attendance.

These meetings are not open to the public in order to protect the privacy of individuals involved.

Members

1. Barbara J. Bridgeman

2. Ruthann E. Brown

3. Joseph W. Quinn
4. Sean Stokes
5. Lisa Grogan-Green

Muskoka Compliance Audit Committee

The Muskoka Compliance Audit Committee (MCAC) receives and make decisions on applications for compliance audits of candidates' and registered third party's municipal election campaign finances and any by-election campaign finances during the 2018 to 2022 Council term. The MCAC is also responsible for reviewing reports submitted to the MCAC by the Clerk with respect to any contributor who appears to have contravened any of the contribution limits to a candidates' or registered third party's election campaign.

Insert link to Muskoka Compliance Audit Committee drop down on election page

Members

1. Bob Panizza (Chair)
2. Joan A. Pajunen (Vice–Chair)
3. Beverley Webb
4. Rosemary King (Alternate Member)

Property Standards Committee

This Committee has full delegation of authority within the Building Code Act to hear appeals from property owners who disagree with a Property Standards Order issued by the Township of Muskoka Lakes as follows;

• Hears evidence presented by witnesses, Township By-law Staff, property owners, or other individuals that may have evidence relating to the case;
• Makes decisions on the status of the Property Standards Order; and
• Confirms, modifies, rescinds, or extends the time for complying with the Order.

Notice of Hearing/Appeal

Where an appellant is properly notified of a hearing or appeal (via registered mail) and does not attend at the time and place appointed, the Committee shall determine that the appellant has "deemed not to dispute" the Order. The Committee shall confirm the Order(s) as written, with the appellant being notified of the Committee's decision after the appeal hearing.

These meetings are not open to the public in order to protect the privacy of individuals involved.

Members

1. Barbara J. Bridgeman
2. Ruthann A. Brown
3. Joseph W. Quinn
4. Sean Stokes
5. Lisa Grogan-Green

Public Library Board

The Township of Muskoka Lakes Public Library Board is responsible for providing the community with excellent library services by:

• anticipating and responding to the changing library and information needs;
• serving all members of the community; and
• generating community pride in the library.

Board Members

1. Heidi Berninger

2. Barb Bridgeman

3. Margaret Buddo

4. Doug Crichton

5. Valerie Duke

6. Councillor Mary Ellen McIntyre

7. Deborah Stokes