Committee and Council Highlights - February 2026

- Feb 17, 2026

In these Council and Committee Highlights you will find a monthly digest of featured news and updates coming out of the Council and Committee meetings.

February Council Highlights

Council adopted recommendations 1-4 from the January General Finance Committee meeting.

Council adopted recommendations 1-10 from the January Planning Committee meeting. Action item 11 was pulled for reconsideration at the request of Councillor Zavitz. Alyxandra Brown, the Executive Director of Our Muskoka Stakeholders Association attended the meeting and presented their concerns related to a potential contractor licensing program. Council chose to substitute the Resolution with the following:

WHEREAS the Township has a responsibility to ensure that development and construction within the municipality are carried out in compliance with applicable bylaws and the Building Code, in order to protect public safety and community interests;

AND WHEREAS Council wishes to better understand whether there are trends or patterns related to construction without permits and other construction-related by-law or Building Code violations;

AND WHEREAS understanding historical data can assist Council in identifying any systemic issues, service gaps, or opportunities for improvement in education, compliance, and enforcement;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: Council directs staff to investigate and analyze available historical data related to construction-related bylaw violations and Building Code violations, including construction undertaken without permits;

AND THAT the review also include, where feasible and not limited to:

1.         trends over time;

2.         common types of violations;

3.         any recurring themes or systemic issues;

4.         existing processes related to permitting, inspections, education, and enforcement;

AND THAT staff report back with the findings.

Council passed all by-laws noted in the February Council Agenda. 

The province established the Municipal Ice Storm Assistance (MISA) program to provide one-time financial support for areas impacted by the March 2025 Ice Storm. The Township is required to have a transfer payment agreement with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to receive funding for reimbursement of a portion of eligible costs. Council approved the execution of the transfer payment agreement.

February Committee Highlights 

Council decision-making at the Township of Muskoka Lakes typically starts at the Standing Committee level. These committees review and discuss staff reports, and make recommendations for Council who ultimately make a decision or provide direction to staff.  Recommendations coming out of Standing Committees are not 'decisions' until Council 'adopts' them as a whole, which typically happens a month later at the next regular Township Council meeting.  Information reports are also shared at these meetings.

These Committee Highlights provide updates coming out of the General Finance Committee and Planning Committee meetings. 

Planning applications are not included in the Committee Highlights. For information about February Planning Applications, please see the Planning Committee Agenda. 

Sharon Creasor made a presentation to Committee regarding the history of her family, the church and the application. She requested that Committee refund a minimum of 50% of the application fee. Committee voted to refund the entirety of the fee.

Mr. C. James Minett requested to donate lands that form part of 1805 Peninsula Rd. (known locally as Riverdale Road) to the Township. Committee respectfully declined the donation.

This informational report summarized the achievements of the Legislative Services Department in 2025 and provided an overview of scheduled projects in 2026. Committee expressed their appreciation of the department's accomplishments.

Staff presented a status update of the Township’s investment portfolio as required under the Municipal Act. Staff also recommended an amendment to the Investment Policy to align with the current investment strategy. Committee voted in favour of the amendment.

The Fire Department’s response time data for 2021 through 2025 showed a widening gap between current performance and the NFPA 1720 objective of achieving a 14-minute response time for 80 percent of incidents. This trend is influenced by changes in call volume, temporal demand patterns, and the operational characteristics of a volunteer response model. This report was provided for information only.

Committee directed staff to proceed with the development of a trailer-based fire boat pilot program for Skeleton Lake and Three Mile Lake, utilizing the Foot’s Bay fire boat upon its planned retirement in 2029.

This report provided the background and an overview of the updated Wharf Manager Agreements for the Beaumaris and Windermere Wharves. Committee chose to refer the matter to the March Council meeting to allow for changes regarding the terms within the administration of the seasonal permits at the Beaumaris dock and revenue sharing with the wharf managers being capped at 40%.

Committee approved one winter seasonal position and one summer seasonal position be converted to a regular full-time position in the Arenas in order to minimize recruitment challenges and training as well as allow more maintenance on the facilities.

Committee directed staff to prepare an update to the Community Improvement Plan Private Sector Incentive Program Policy and to bring the updated policy to Committee for approval at a later date.

The 2025 Year End Review for Muskoka Lakes Development Services Department highlights a busy year for the department, featuring the issuance of 1,160 building permits, the receipt of 653 planning applications and completing 464 by-law enforcement occurrences. Key achievements included launching the Short Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) licensing program and supporting local economic growth through various community and business grant programs and special event permits.   Looking toward to 2026, the department will focus on several key projects including updating the Economic Development Strategy and updating the Township’s Zoning By-law and Noise Control By-law.

Looking for additional information on the Committee meetings? Check out the February Agenda Packages or watch the meetings online.

Subscribe Back to News Search

Contact Us

Township of Muskoka Lakes
1 Bailey St., P.O. Box 129,
Port Carling, ON, P0B 1J0
T: 705-765-3156 F: 705-765-6755
communications@muskokalakes.ca 

Office Hours: 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Subscribe to Township News

Stay informed about Township activities, events, programs, and operations by subscribing to our news updates.

Subscribe Here!