GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO
Edith Dumont to be Installed as Ontario’s 30th Lieutenant Governor – Madame Dumont will be the first Francophone Lieutenant Governor in the province’s history.
The installation ceremony of Madame Edith Dumont as Ontario’s 30th Lieutenant Governor will take place on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 in the Queen’s Park Legislative Chamber.
Further and more detailed information about the installation will be released at a later date.
The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell continues in office as Lieutenant Governor until the installation of Madame Dumont.
“I want to congratulate Madame Edith Dumont on her appointment as the 30th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. I look forward to working with Madame Dumont and wish her the best of luck in her new role. I also want to express my gratitude to outgoing Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, for her years of dedicated service to the people of Ontario.”
– Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario
“I am deeply honoured to be appointed Ontario’s 30th Lieutenant Governor, representing His Majesty the King. I am especially proud to be the first Francophone in Ontario’s history to hold this position. I look forward to connecting with people across the province, and I will serve our communities with pride and civic spirit. I would also like to acknowledge the remarkable work of the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, who will be a source of inspiration for me in this new role.”
– Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor-designate
BRACEBRIDGE
Join the Town of Bracebridge in recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour the children who never returned home, the Survivors of residential schools, and all of their families and communities. We seek to understand the impact and intergenerational harm these schools have caused to Indigenous families and their communities and honour the First Nations, Inuit and Métis lives that were lost.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Memorial Park
Saturday, September 30 | 9 a.m.
Gather in Memorial Park to recognize the third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Join Elder Chris Stock of A Journey Begins as he guides attendees through a Thanksgiving address and engages with the community in a meaningful discussion of Indigenous knowledge, history and connection.
Following this guided ceremony, Mayor Maloney will honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by unveiling a new memorial bench in the park.
Elder Christopher Stock has been sharing his knowledge of Indigenous culture, history and languages for over 30 years. He is a fifth-generation member of Wahta Mohawk Territory near Bala, Ontario who has been immersed in his Indigenous culture his entire life, but it was his battle with stage 4 cancer that gave him an experiential understanding of the true meaning of his teachings. His cancer journey gave him a deeper connection to his teachings and to the natural world. Elder Chris’ mission is to engage with the community in meaningful ways to allow for creative insights to bring about active, engaging, sustaining and meaningful truth and reconciliation for today and into the future.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Buttons and Storytime
Bracebridge Library
Saturday, September 30 | 10:30 to 11 a.m.
For ages 0 to 9 years
To honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, children are invited to enjoy storytime featuring books written by Indigenous authors and create their own Every Child Matters button.
GRAVENHURST
Community Awards/Lions Sports Hall of Fame – Do you know someone who deserves recognition? Nominations are now open for Community Spirit Awards and the Lions Sports Hall of Fame. Deadline for nominations is October 13, 2023.
For more information go to: https://forms.gravenhurst.ca/Legislative/COMMUNITY-AWARDS
GRAVENHURST
Community Improvement Program applications now open. Following the August committee of the whole meeting, town council approved new program timelines and increased amounts for several grant categories. Businesses and property owners can now submit their application for the 2024 intake of the Community Improvement Program. Applications for various improvement grants can be submitted until Dec. 15.
For more information go to: https://www.gravenhurst.ca/en/doing-business/community-improvement-program.aspx
BRACEBRIDGE
Bracebridge gets one step closer to brining the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre to life: The Town of Bracebridge has announced the next round of community sponsors who are generously contributing to bringing the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre to life. Through their generous contributions, the following organizations will become named sponsors in the facility.
Kubota North, contributing $105,000 over 15 years for naming rights to three arena team rooms in the Muskoka Lumber Arena;
JSW Manufacturing Inc, contributing $15,000 over 10 years for naming rights to the score clock in the Proline Rentals Fieldhouse; and
Alarm Pro Muskoka, contributing $15,000 over 15 years for naming rights to the teen area in the Coulson Family Bracebridge Library.
Thank you to the following organizations for their generous donations:
Crozier Foundation and Recreation Capital Fund Foundation for historic fundraising totaling $150,000; and
The Kenney Foundation for their $5,000 donation.
During the summer months, work on the facility progressed with a focus on roofing, exterior wall insulation, concrete flooring, the external pond and retaining wall, exterior brick and more. The facility is scheduled to open in August 2024.
Help support the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre by sponsoring a seat in the arena or bay in the library. For $500 for an arena seat, or $250 for a library bay, sponsors will have a name placard in place for 25 years and receive a charitable tax receipt. Fifteen per cent of each seat and bay sale will go towards the South Muskoka Hospital Foundation’s annual capital fundraising campaign for much needed medical equipment.
For more information on the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre, donor opportunities and ways to be involved, visit engagebracebridge.ca.
HUNTSVILLE
On Monday, September 25, 2023, the Huntsville/Lake of Bays Fire Department investigated the cause of a fire which severely damaged the kitchen of a home on Stephenson Road 2 West.
Through data analysis and scene examination, the Huntsville/Lake of Bays Fire Department determined that a malfunction involving the electrical components of the dishwasher started the fire.
The fire occurred at 7 am on Sunday, September 24, 2023. Upon discovering the fire, the family immediately evacuated and called 911. Firefighters from Huntsville/Lake of Bays Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire before it spread to the rest of the home. There were six occupants and three dogs inside at the time. No injuries were reported, and the family’s home had working smoke alarms.
The Huntsville/Lake of Bays Fire Department continues to work to reduce community risk through fire safety education and code enforcement. The Fire Department encourages all residents to test their smoke alarms and replace them if they are more than 10 years old.
HUNTSVILLE
Just Craftin Around Muskoka is hosting an outdoor haunted trail on Williamsport Road in Huntsville from October 28th to the 31st from 6 pm until 9 pm. Treats and hot chocolate will be available – admission is a cash donation or food items to support local banks.
RAMA
Jerry Seinfeld is making a return to Casino Rama May 10th. The last time he performed there was in 2007. Of course he’s best known for the long running sitcom Seinfeld and more recently Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee Tickets are on sale now at the Casino Rama box office or at ticketmaster.
TROUT CREEK
The Trout Creek fire engine needs a specialized brake job, and people are stepping up to help raise the required $3,000 for the job. Peter McIsaac, Mayor of The Municipality of Powassan, Councillor Leo Patey, Councillor Dave Britton, Councillor Randy Hall, lots of firemen, Lynne Cyr, Kathie Hogan, Mike Loxton, Kelsey Ellis (and most of her family) Jared Dupuis and others will be in the dunk tank at Wand Family Farm on the Great Pumpkin Tour 10-3 pm next Saturday, October 7! Come watch the fun, and bring some money and help support the Trout Creek fire department, please. The FULL schedule of dunkers will be posted next week. And, YES, if you would like to volunteer to be dunked, the offer is open. Just text 705-492-4895.
THUNDER BAY
The City of Thunder Bay’s Solid Waste & Recycling Facility (the Landfill) will be closed on Saturday, Sept. 30, for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Regular hours will resume on Monday, Oct. 2. For more information call City Dispatch at 807-625-2195 or visit: www.thunderbay.ca/landfill
THUNDER BAY
Event: Residential School Survivor Ceremony
Date: Sept. 30, 9 am
Location: Hillcrest Park
Taking Part: Mayor Ken Boshcoff, City of Thunder Bay, The Hon. Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, Chief Michele Solomon, Fort William First Nation, President Wendy Houston, Metis Nation of Ontario Thunder Bay and District Metis Council, Elder Sheila DeCorte, and members of Indigenous Advisory Council, Elder Fred Thomas, Lac Seul First Nation
THUNDER BAY
]Survey open on Backyard Home setbacks and accessible housing: Planning Services is asking for feedback on potential changes to the Zoning By-law. These changes would clear up inconsistencies in the Backyard Homes setback regulations and provide an opportunity for accessible apartments in the commercial Main Street Zone.
Two surveys are posted on the City’s Get Involved page, to gather feedback on Backyard Home setback regulations and ground floor housing in the Main Street Zone.
“We need to make these adjustments to the Zoning By-law for more clear and concise regulations for development,” said Jillian Fazio, Acting Senior Planner. “Changes to rules around housing in commercial areas could help increase the amount of accessible housing in our most walkable neighbourhoods.”
Backyard Homes are permitted, but there are conflicting rules on the appropriate setbacks from lot lines for accessory buildings acting as backyard home. Currently, a homeowner could convert an existing garage or accessory building into a backyard home, which has different setback requirements than a purpose-built backyard home. The City wants to get clarity on what the public feels is an appropriate solution to the conflicting regulations.
The Main Street Zone housing rules impact some commercial areas, such as portions of Frederica Street or Algoma Street. Currently, residential units are not allowed to take the place of storefronts. A change to the Zoning By-law could allow barrier-free apartments to use part of the main floor of a commercial building.
The online public survey will remain open until November 3, 2023.
An Open House will take place on Monday, October 23, 2023, in the City Hall lobby, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
For more information visit www.getinvolvedthunderbay.ca
