Council and Committees

Peter Kelley

Email Mayor Kelley

Ruth-Ellen Nishikawa 

District and Township Councillor
Email Councillor Nishikawa

Mary Ellen McIntyre

Township Councillor
Email Councillor McIntyre

Glenn Zavitz

Township Councillor
Email Councillor Zavitz

Allen Edwards

District and Township Councillor

Email Councillor Edwards

Susan Mazan

Township Councillor, Deputy Mayor
Email Councillor Mazan

Gordon Roberts

Township Councillor
Email Councillor Roberts

Guy Burry

District and Township Councillor

Email Councillor Burry

Rob Bosomworth

Township Councillor 
Email Councillor Bosomworth

Sally Moyer Kent

Township Councillor
Email Councillor Moyer

The Deputy Mayor is an appointed Member of Council to act in the absence of the Mayor. The Deputy Mayor is appointed for the term of the appointing Council. The Deputy Mayor for the Township of Muskoka Lakes is Councillor Susan Mazan.

The Acting Deputy Mayor is an appointed Member of Council act in the absence of both the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor. The Acting Deputy Mayor is appointed for the term of the appointing Council. The Acting Deputy Mayor for the Township of Muskoka Lakes is Councillor Glenn Zavitz.

The Township appoints a Member of Council as an Alternate Member to the District Municipality of Muskoka Council to act in place of a District Council member who represents the Township of Muskoka Lakes, when that person is unable to attend a District Council meeting. The Alternate District Council Member is appointment for the term of the appointing Council. The Alternate District Council Member for the Township of Muskoka Lakes is Councillor Mary Ellen McIntyre.

• View our 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 2023-089 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.

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. 

The General/Finance Committee is comprised of nine (9) 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 Nishikawa
9. Councillor Gord Roberts
10. Mayor Peter Kelley (ex-officio)

The Planning Committee is comprised of nine (9) 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 Nishikawa
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)

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 is appointed as a voting member to each Hall Board.

Hall Board Members

Bala Community Centre Board

Appointed Councillor:

• Glenn Zavitz

Members:

• Shayne Bol
• Nicole Crate
• Brittainy McGillis
• Erin Vickers

Foot's Bay Community Centre Board

Appointed Councillor:

• Guy Burry 

Hekkla Community Centre Board

Appointed Councillor:

• Allen Edwards

Milford Bay Community Centre Board

Appointed Councillor:

• Gordon Roberts

Members:

• Dawna Brown
• Sydney Clark
• Christine Donald
• Dean Manderson
• Katja Uhde

Peninsula Community Centre Board

Appointed Councillor:

• Rob Bosomworth

Members:

• Laurie Campbell
• Cuyler Conway
• Margaret Conway
• Doreen Gonneau
• Lynn McBride
• John Newton

Port Carling Community Centre Board

Appointed Councillor:

• Sally Kent

Raymond Community Centre Board

Appointed Councillor:

• Gordon Roberts

Members:

• Steve Black
• Brenda Stanbury
• James Stanbury

Torrance Community Centre Board

Appointed Councillor:

• Ruth-Ellen Nishikawa

Members:

• William Boyer
• Nancy Gregor
• Robin Keeler
• Adam Lennie
• Donna Murphy

Ullswater Community Centre Board

Appointed Councillor:

• Allen Edwards

Members:

• Joan Bentley
• Darlene Hope
• Jeanette Odman
• Darlene Poirier
• Jim Poirier
• Aaron Webb

Walker's Point Community Centre Board

Appointed Councillor:

• Mary Ellen McIntyre

Members:

• Judy Gregorash-Racz
• Donelda Hayes
• Mike Racz
• Al Young
• Pat Young

Windermere Community Centre Board

Appointed Councillor:

• Allen Edwards

Members:

• Susan Goltz
• Linda Edwards
• Patricia Veitch
• Bill Webb

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

•   Allen Edwards

Citizen Members

• Barbara J. Bridgeman
• Ruthann E. Brown
• Sean Stokes
• 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.

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

• Barbara J. Bridgeman
• Ruthann E. Brown
• Sean Stokes
• Lisa Grogan-Green

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.

More information about the Muskoka Compliance Audit Committee can be found on the Election Page.

Members

• Bob Panizza (Chair)
• Joan A. Pajunen (Vice–Chair)
• Beverley Webb
• Rosemary King (Alternate Member)

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

• Barbara J. Bridgeman
• Ruthann A. Brown
• Sean Stokes
• Lisa Grogan-Green

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

• Heidi Berninger
• Barb Bridgeman
• Margaret Buddo
• Doug Crichton
• Valerie Duke
• Councillor Mary Ellen McIntyre
• Deborah Stokes

The Project Steering Committee shall report directly to Planning Committee and shall be responsible for the following:

• Provide advice, assistance and guidance to the Township’s selected consultant and sub-consultant and Township staff in completing the project in accordance with the approved Proposal for Consulting Services, including timing and budget;
• Review and provide input on matters such as, zoning issues identification, community and stakeholder engagement, and the various drafts of the proposed Comprehensive Zoning By-law;
• Ensure necessary zoning issues are addressed by the consultants; and
• Provide appropriate recommendations to Planning Committee on the appropriateness of all documents for public consultation purposes and recommend to Planning Committee the final version of a Comprehensive Zoning By-law suitable for approval by the Township of Muskoka Lakes Council.

Council Members

• Councillor Rob Bosomworth (Vice-Chair)
• Councillor Mary Ellen McIntyre
• Councillor Gordon Roberts 

Citizen Members

• Barb Bridgeman (Chair)
• Shawn Donaldson
• Terry Ledger
• Al Moran
• Frank Pottow