Committee and Council Highlights - September 2026

Paul Church presented to Committee and requested that either the gates that have been erected at the existing boat ramp be removed immediately or that Council consider allowing for public boat access at another location on the lake. Committee directed staff to investigate and report back on the feasibility, cost and potential partnership with the Bass Lake Association for a public boat launch on Township property.

Blake Johnston presented the Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce Year End Report for information purposes. The presentation highlighted the Chamber's successes in each of their three main priorities: business support, business and community promotions and year-round visitor and resident information.

This report reviewed layout options for the Port Carling Arena renovation, including potential improvements and expanded facility uses, and provided preliminary cost information to assist Council in determining the preferred approach. Committee considered all of the options as presented and chose option 3. Option 3 includes: two additional dressing rooms, new lobby layout, bar seating at windows viewing into the arena and a new washroom layout. Staff will consult with local stakeholder groups to receive feedback and comments and will present a completed schematic design package and Class D cost estimate to Council for consideration at a future meeting.

This informational report showed that the Township had used approximately 50% of its approved annual tax levy as of June 30. For the operating budget, some variances are to be expected at this point in the year due to the seasonal and cyclical nature of municipal operations. Staff are monitoring key areas that may impact the year-end results.  For capital expenditures, projects will be reported later in the year as projects reach completion.

In this report, staff recommended a one-year extension to the current appointment of BDO Canada LLP as its auditor with the intent to issue a request for auditing services next year. Committee approved of the extension and forwarded the by-law required for the appointment to the Council meeting for final adoption in October.

This report contained an overview of the draft 2026-2030 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan. Committee approved of the plan as presented. Please visit Engage Muskoka Lakes for more details about the plan.

This report summarized staff’s review of applications received during the first intake of the 2026 Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Private Sector Incentive Program. Committee voted in favour of a conditional approval for an employee housing project.

Mayor Kelley shared information that was provided by the Minister of Natural Resources regarding steps that they are taking to examine and update the Muskoka River Water Management Plan prior to the 2027 freshet and the requests that the Township made to them that they will not be addressing.

Committee discussed a proposal from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to establish a standardized Municipal code of conduct, Municipal Integrity Commissioner processes and education and training requirements. Committee provided their feedback for Mayor Kelley to share with the Minister.

This report was provided to seek Council support and direction for staff to continue to participate in the Muskoka River Integrated Watershed Management working group and to endorse the Working Group Accord. Planning Committee was not supportive of endorsing the Muskoka Watershed Working Group Accord.

In October 2025, Planning Committee endorsed a plan for the update of the Noise Control By-law. In July 2026, Council considered Noise By-law 2026-069. Public comments were received and Council directed staff to bring the Noise By-law back to Planning Committee for additional review and consideration. Committee discussed the comments that were received and ultimately voted in favour of forwarding the By-law to Council for final adoption without any further changes.

Committee approved updates to the Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) By-law including changes to the Burning By-law, Land Use By-law, Parks and Facilities Use By-law and Prohibition of Keeping Certain Animals By-law.

This presentation was made to inform Committee, staff and the public of updates respecting various affordable housing projects underway throughout Muskoka.

This Class EA addendum regarding Minett was included on the agenda for information and commenting purposes.