Changes could be coming to pleasure craft licensing in Canada | May 12, 2022

A recent article was written by Cottage Life magazine summarizing prospective changes to the pleasure craft license in Canada.  If you operate a marine craft you might be interested to see those changes.

Proposed changes to pleasure craft licensing include:

• Introducing a five-year validity period for pleasure craft licences (PCL).
• Expanding the Small Vessel Regulations to include all pleasure crafts equipped with motors of 10 hp or more and all pleasure crafts (including all power-driven and sail-alone vessels) above six metres in length.
• Owners must notify Transport Canada of a name or address change and of a sale or transfer of a vessel within 30 days.
• Easier cancellation of a pleasure craft licence, if a lifetime PCL holder fails to apply, a PCL holder fails to renew a PCL, or a PCL holder wishes to remove their pleasure craft from service.
• Introducing a $15 service fee to process an application to obtain, renew, or duplicate a PCL.

You can read the full article here: Changes could be coming to pleasure craft licensing in Canada | Cottage Life

The Federal Government held public consultations from November 12, 2020 to January 15, 2021.  The outcome of those consultations can be found here: modernizing pleasure craft licensing

Fire Danger Rating – Full Fire Ban – May 11, 2022

With a lack of sufficient rainfall and extremely dry conditions, the Muskoka Fire Chiefs have issued a total FIRE BAN for Muskoka.

The Fire Rating is now set at EXTREME.

No fires of any type are permitted. No fires are permitted for cooking or warmth. No fireworks are allowed.

Conditions are being monitored and the ban will remain in effect until sufficient rainfall is received.

For more information on the Muskoka Fire Danger Rating, call 1 (877) 847-1577.

Read this article on Township of Muskoka Lakes website.

Shea Road Public Boat Launch – May 3, 2022

The public boat launch located at 1194 Shea Road is in disrepair.  This launch is managed by the township and unfortunately, no funds are available in the 2022 budget to repair the launch.  The township is hopeful that funding becomes available in 2023 to make the necessary upgrades at the Shea Road location.

The next closest boat launch is at Northland Recreation.  Please note that there is a small fee to use this launch.

Media Release – New Election Portal for 2022 Municipal Election – April 13, 2022

MUSKOKA LAKES – The Township of Muskoka Lakes is pleased to announce the launch of a new election portal on the Township’s website.

The next municipal and school board election is happening on October 24, 2022, in the Township of Muskoka Lakes. To help residents prepare, the Township has created a comprehensive election portal to deliver important information on voting, running, or advertising in the upcoming election.

“This new portal will be the one stop shop for everything Municipal Elections,” states Lauren Tarasuk, Director of Legislative Services/Clerk. “We are excited to provide a user friendly tool through our website that will make finding information related to the Muskoka Lakes Municipal Election and future elections easier than ever.”

The portal provides individuals with all information related to municipal elections such as how to add or update voter information, find their ward, see who is running, find key dates, check election results, and more.

The portal is now live. Voters and candidates are encouraged to visit www.muskokalakes.ca/elections to learn more about the upcoming municipal election and to subscribe to pages for updates as new content is added.

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For more information, please contact:

Lauren Tarasuk
Director of Legislative Services/Clerk
ltarasuk@muskokalakes.ca
(705) 765-3156
www.muskokalakes.ca

Official announcement found here.

No Time to Waste – Taking Action on Garbage | March 21, 2022

March 21, 2022 (Muskoka, ON) – As part of the District of Muskoka’s Waste Strategy, a reduction in no-charge weekly garbage bag limits at Waste Facilities starts the week of April 4, 2022.

The changes were approved by District Council in December 2021 as part of the Waste Strategy and Roadmap to 60% Diversion. Reducing garbage is critical to extend the life of Muskoka’s one remaining landfill and ensure a secure, long-term way to manage our garbage. In 2020, the District landfilled over 32,000 tonnes (that’s over 70 million pounds) of garbage with the average person in Muskoka throwing out approximately 760 pounds of ‘stuff’ alone.

Read the full story here: No Time to Waste – Taking Action on Garbage

Parks and Recreation Master Plan – Key Themes Questionnaire | March 18, 2022

The Township of Muskoka Lakes is in the next phase of community engagement for the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. A series of Key Themes have been developed based on the results from the public use survey in the fall of 2021.

The last step before drafting the Master Plan is to receive final comments on these Key Themes to ensure we are heading in the right direction.

We invite all residents who use Township’s parks, recreation, sports, and community facilities to participate in this Key Themes Questionnaire to inform the development of the Master Plan.

A Key Themes Presentation has been published on the project page at www.engagemuskokalakes.ca. Please review this prior to submitting comments through the questionnaire.

The deadline to complete the questionnaire is April 13, 2022. Please share with your networks.

Take Questionnaire

NDMNRF Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety | March 18, 2022

The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry – Parry Sound District is advising area residents that a Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety is in effect until Friday March 25, 2022. This message will effect residents within the NDMNRF Parry Sound District which includes the District Municipality of Muskoka, the Territorial District of Parry Sound and a north-west portion in the County of Haliburton.

With recent mild temperatures and forecasted daytime highs generally above 0 degrees Celsius over the next week water levels and river flows are anticipated to begin to rise.

Residents are reminded to keep a close watch on conditions and regularly check for updated messages.

Source: https://www.muskokalakes.ca/en/resourcesGeneral/Documents/News-and-Notices/2022/MNRF/Parry-Sound-Muskoka-Water-Safety—March-18-2022.pdf

Updated Regulation of Fireworks By-law 2022-013

The Township of Muskoka Lakes has updated the Regulation of Fireworks By-law.  Fireworks are now only permitted on the following holidays between dusk and 11:00 p.m.:

• Victoria Day and the Saturday and Sunday of that same holiday weekend;
• Canada Day and,
  • Where Canada falls on a Monday or Tuesday, the preceding (before) Saturday and Sunday;
  • Where Canada Day falls on a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, the proceeding (following) Friday and Saturday; and
• New Years Eve/Day (dusk – 12:30 a.m.)

Consumer fireworks being set off on these days are permitted to do so between dusk and 11:00 p.m. with the exception of New Years Eve/Day where fireworks are permitted until 12:30 a.m. on New Years Day.

Commercial display fireworks are still permitted upon completion of a successful permit application

A short video explanation is found here.

View the By-law.

Visit the engagemuskokalakes.ca site for more details and information.

Fire Master Plan – February 16, 2022

The Township of Muskoka Lakes is developing a Fire Master Plan to ensure that our fire services meet the future needs of the growing community.

The Fire Master Plan study includes an assessment of the operations and divisions within the Muskoka Lakes Fire department including fire stations, trucks, staffing, firefighter engagement, equipment, fire prevention, response procedures, training, public education programs, communications and emergency planning.

Visit the project page here: Fire Master Plan for details and information.

Public Survey

Members of the public are invited to share their ideas through a short survey. We look forward to receiving your comments on the Fire Master Plan.

The survey will close on March 15, 2022.

You can complete the survey here: Fire Master Plan Survey

Site Alteration/Tree Preservation By-law Review – Have your voice heard!

Posted today from Engage Muskoka Lakes:

The Township of Muskoka Lakes is committed to the protection of the health and integrity of the natural environment and the water quality of its lakes and rivers, which are all part of the Township’s most valuable resources. To ensure that environmental protection meets the highest standards, consideration is being given to updating the Township’s existing Site Alteration and Tree Preservation By-laws.

The Township of Muskoka Lakes is receiving comments on the proposed by-law changes through a survey.  Before taking the survey please review the draft by-law amendments found on the project page: Site Alteration/Tree Preservation Project

The survey is accessible here: Site Alteration/Tree Preservation Survey  The survey deadline is February 25th.