Join other SSCA families in contributing to our future as a community. Be part of our Community Centre building campaign. Click on Learn More below for more information of our most exciting community transformation ever.
The Sans Souci and Copperhead Association (SSCA), founded in 1912, is located on Canada’s beautiful Georgian Bay between Parry Sound and Twelve Mile Bay. It is a vibrant community of permanent and summer residents from all over the world that enjoy this special part of the Bay and want to preserve it for future generations.
Its a new year and your annual membership dues are now due.
Bringing communities and stakeholders together to develop a vision for
protecting the Georgian Bay coast and natural environment into the future.
Georgian Bay is a unique, largely pristine waterbody and region featuring a UNESCO world biosphere reserve, a proposed UNESCO Geopark, the world’s largest freshwater archipelago, many significant national and provincial parks, nature reserves and conserved lands, and numerous First Nations.
Unfortunately, natural disasters and human activities such as climate change, unfettered development, and pollution are threatening the very existence of the Georgian Bay’s special wonders. We are in a period of rapid growth and development. The GTA is projected to increase by 50% by 2050; the District of Muskoka by 30% to 40%.
Growth in cottage communities is intensifying too. There is a clear need to propose a vision to protect the Bay and ensure responsible planning & development standards. We need a new regional plan that recognizes today’s new realities – which include a challenging environmental, social, political and development landscape.
It is vital for governments, communities, and stakeholders to come together to develop a comprehensive regional vision and plan to guide future development on and around Georgian Bay.
Step 1 is to retain a reputable, highly credible planning and environmental team to write a white paper as a basis for promoting the need for a vision and plan for the coast to governments and others.
The Objectives Are Clear.
We need to preserve and protect the Georgian Bay coastal region.
Expand conservation of natural and environmentally valuable areas.
Improve protection of those areas with stronger and more consistent policies.
Strengthen and reinforce planning standards in Official Plans and Zoning By-Laws.
Support and build on current key projects & priorities like: Canada’s commitments to protecting natural areas and habitats under the Global Biodiversity Framework, GBLT ecological corridors project, GB Biosphere natural asset management project and Indigenous conservation areas.
To Make This Happen.
We need to create a vision of preservation and protection based on recognized principles for conserving significant natural areas.
Share our vision with the Ontario and federal governments, municipalities, park authorities, GBA members, NGOs, Indigenous communities, and Georgian Bay residents.
Georgian Bay Association
The Georgian Bay Association was established in 1916 as an advocacy organization. It serves approximately 30,000 people on the eastern and northern coasts of Georgian Bay.
Our aim is to be our members’ trusted voice at the federal, provincial, municipal, and Indigenous government levels on issues that include: coastal, environmental and water protection; boating, safety & emergencies; aquaculture; fisheries; lands and forests; species at risk; indigenous relations; and other important Bay related matters.
INTRODUCTION
At the end of May, following an initial round of public consultations, the Township posted its revised proposed site alteration and tree preservation bylaws on its website: https://www.thearchipelago.on.ca/p/site-alteration-
Follow-up public consultation meetings have now been scheduled for 2-4pm on August 13 (an in-person meeting at Pointe-au-Baril Community Centre) and for 6-8pm on August 22 (Zoom meeting). You must register on the Township website to participate.
The bylaws prohibit site alteration (blasting, removing or importing fill, etc.) and the removal of any naturally-occurring vegetation (now only within 7.5 metres of the shore), with certain exceptions, unless the Township grants an exemption. In areas more than 7.5 metres from shore, the tree preservation bylaw now prohibits only “clear cutting”. As before, if a landowner wants an exception beyond the ones listed, there is a formal application process for exemptions, but now applications are made to a Township official, not directly to Council. Violators would be subject to fines, stop-work orders and/or remediation orders.
KEY OBSERVATIONS
The original draft site alteration bylaw raised few concerns in the original consultation round and has been streamlined further. This bylaw will not impact landowners except during construction and even then in relatively few circumstances. It should be easy and inexpensive for the Township to administer.
With the tree preservation bylaw, it is much more difficult to develop good regulations that achieve environmental protection, administrative efficiency, equitable enforcement and protection of landowner rights. Tree/vegetation removal happens in the ordinary course of property maintenance, not just during construction. It is much less permanent than site alteration. Specialized professionals are required to evaluate the health of a tree or other vegetation and the impact of removing it.
The revised tree preservation by-law prohibits the removal of naturally occurring vegetation, including trees of any size, from land within 7.5 metres/25 feet of the high-water mark unless there is an applicable exception or the owner receives an exemption. There are now minimal restrictions (other than against clear cutting) for trees and vegetation more than 7.5 metres away from the high-water mark.
Many reasons people would want to remove trees or other plants are covered under the listed exceptions, so that no application for an exemption is required. Some are not. For example, these are not listed exceptions:
to provide a view to the water (or to maintain a view by removing immature trees);
to remove brush or undergrowth other than along pathways (e.g. in front of a cottage);
to construct a permanent roadway (wider than 2 metres) from dock to door; or
to construct small structures within 25 feet of shore for which no permit is required (e.g. a shed).
In these cases, the owner would have to apply for an exemption.
The proposed bylaws are intended to preserve our unique visual environment, but do not make a distinction between densely wooded areas and rock barren landscapes (e.g. small outer islands) where removing any tree has a significant visual impact.
Our understanding is that the Township had anticipated hiring by-law officers to enforce the new by-laws. We do not know whether this is still the case, or how many would be required. Presumably, the revised site alteration bylaw could be managed and enforced with minimal effort. With the tree preservation bylaw, this could also be true, but it seems that this might require further changes to the bylaw so that there are very few exemption requests, violations or requests for clarifications. For perspective, the cost of adding two by-law enforcement officers might be about 2% of annual Township property tax revenues (about $9 million annually).
KEY ELEMENTS OF PROPOSED SITE ALTERATION BYLAW
This bylaw would prohibit “site alteration”, defined as “a change in elevation from existing grade or finished grade resulting from (i) the placing or dumping of fill; (ii) the removal of topsoil; (iii) placing, dumping, removal, or blasting of rock; or (iv) any other action that alters the grade of land including the altering in any way of a natural drainage course on a site”.
There are specific exemptions in Section 5 of the bylaw. These have been broadened slightly and include site alterations associated with the following:
minor landscaping (e.g. small gardens),
the construction of paths of up to 2 metres in width (no longer restricted to paths linking buildings to the water)
maintenance or replacement of existing landscaping features
construction or expansion of a building, dock or permitted shoreline structure
emergency repairs
driveways connected to a public road
temporary (construction) access roads, which are subject to a remediation requirement
septic systems
The Bylaws do not appear to prohibit the construction of retaining walls.
The Manager may grant exemptions where there is no adverse impact on drainage, “any natural heritage feature” or “the natural environment of the area”.
In the revised draft, a landowner may appeal any adverse decision by the Manager to Council within 30 days (or failure by the Manager to issue a decision within 45 days).
KEY ELEMENTS OF PROPOSED TREE PRESERVATION BYLAW
This draft bylaw would prohibit “clear-cutting” (previously, the destruction/injury of mature trees, with a trunk 6 inches/15cm or more in diameter) and, within 25 feet/ 7.5 metres of the high-water mark, the destruction of any native shoreline vegetation (including trees of any size) unless there is a Section 5 exemption, or unless the Township Manager (previously Council) grants relief.
Specific exemptions (Section 5) are similar to those in the site alteration bylaw and do not require an application or approval: minor landscaping, maintenance of existing landscaping or buildings, the construction of buildings, access roads from a public roadway, pathways up to 2 metres in width (previously only paths from door to dock), solar panels (a new exemption), plus additional exemptions for tree removal following severe damage resulting from natural disasters, weather events, insects, disease or wildlife; and actions “in accordance with good arboricultural practices” or “in accordance with good forestry practices”.
Applications for exemptions other than those specified would require a formal application, including an application fee and professional arborist report. Newly added language in the bylaw requires the applicant for an exemption to demonstrate that the proposed actions, among other things, “will not have a significant impact on fish or wildlife habitat” and “will not be in contravention of the Species at Risk Act, the Endangered Species Act of the Migratory Birds Convention Act”. Like the revision to the draft Site Alteration Bylaw, the revised Tree Preservation Bylaw would entitle the owner to appeal to Council within 30 days of an adverse ruling by the manager, or within 45 days of no ruling.
Summary above provided by SSCA President Glen Campbell
NEW FUNDRAISING SOCIAL EVENT AUGUST 17, 2024 Organized by SSCA Member Laura Hay!
We will be providing you with regular videos of what is happening with your SSCA through our new social media videos called SSCA Clips July SSCA Programs and Events: Director of Programs, Tory Cadotte, provides the membership with July 2024 events https://youtu.be/mxhpZZGZsHQ June SSCA Events: Volunteer Day and Canada Day. Director of Programs, Tory Cadotte, gives us an update on Canada Day and the Potluck on June 29, 2024. To register: RSVP button link: https://form.jotform.com/241677880875272 https://youtu.be/nHvUaBoEkIU Day Camp News: Listen to Senior Camp Counsellor Emma Bentley-Taylor overview Summer Camp 2024 https://youtu.be/3THFuI8P_Ek May 2024 SSCA Clips: Glen Campbell talks about the New Community Build https://youtu.be/CmxoAlUk0zU The Schoolhouse renovation is now complete so come take a look at the changes. See the New Community building outline completed with ropes on the actual site of the build. Imagine how great it will be to gather and enjoy our spectacular views of our special part of Georgian Bay from our New Community Centre!
See the Upcoming 2024 SSCA Events and the link to the calendar under the events tab and under the Home Page to see all the great things available to you as a Member of the SSCA!
The SSCA AGM is scheduled for Saturday, July 6/24 at 10:00 am at the School House (Zoom information to be finalized). A luncheon will be served following the meeting. We look forward to seeing you on the 6th!
The following letter requesting further consultation on the By-laws was submitted January 28, 2024. SSCA letter to ToA re bylaws 24-01-28
We have a new mailing address: SSCA PO BOX 15005 (RPO) Heath Yonge Toronto, ON M4T 1M1
SSCA dues are now payable for 2024 and due by January 31st. Please note our renewal payment process and mailing address has changed. Please read this entire message for new details on payment. Dues this year are $200 (primary member - can include 1 spouse or partner associate non-voting member). If you are under 30 years old, you qualify for Associate (non-voting) membership of $50. A Dual Association Membership is $150 for Individuals that are members of another GBA recognized association and have already paid their GBA dues ($50) with their other Association. We also encourage donations to the Community Center Fund, the Contingency Fund and to the GBA. To submit all dues payments and NEW payment instructions, go to our New Payment Portal: New Payment Portal Please Note: We prefer e-transfer payment as the bank fees are lower and it is instantaneous. If you pay by cheque, processing may be delayed. When you pay your dues, we ask that you please confirm the completeness and accuracy of your member profile data. Updates can be made by going to our website at https://ssca.info/membership-renewal/, log in, and edit your member profile data.. What do you get for your membership? Participation in a Ratepayers Group advocating for you at all levels of government on issues important to our area. Membership in the Georgian Bay Association providing a voice on matters that affect all of Georgian Bay and the Great Lakes. Regular newsletter updates on the Environment, Fire and Safety, Community activities and vital local news Access to Community Programmes such as the SSCA Regatta, Day and Sailing camps, book club, pot luck suppers, kayak races, sport court games, presentations of interest, guided hikes, model boat races and lots more An annual Member Directory (mailed if payment received by March 31st) We welcome all cottagers and year round residents in the Sans Souci area. Thank you in advance. We look forward to seeing you on the Bay. Jacquie Green Membership Chair membership@ssca.info PS: Payments received by March 31st will be mailed a copy of the 2024 Member Directory.
Yoga Class is 10:am-11:15am. For more information, Click the link below. https://wp.me/PaF2yX-1m
SAILING REGATTA
Ahoy! SSCA Sailing Regatta takes place on July 27th @ 11:00am - followed by food and drinks! (Rain Date July 28)
Register https://form.jotform.com/241967190638265
For questions: contact Pieter Swinkels pieterswink@gmail.com
Meet at 8:30 at the school house for coffee. Launch at 9:30. Approximately two hour paddle. To help estimate numbers, please RSVP to LaRee if you plan to attend. lwaltersboadway@gmail.com or text 905 691 4339
Yoga Class is 10:00am-11:15. For more information, Click the link below. https://wp.me/PaF2yX-1m
DAY CAMP WEEK 5: July 29/24-August 2/24 Day Camp run Monday to Friday , 9:00am-2:00pm weekdays from July 2,2024 to August 16, 2024. Ages of campers must be between 4-12 yrs. For more information or to register, please go to the tab Programs through the link below and click on the link to register. https://wp.me/PaF2yX-1i SSCA parent package
Drop in event Organized by Jess Sloss and Basketball Coach Peter Campbell. For ages 8-13. Come learn some basketball skills from some of the best coaches in Ontario!
Moon of the Turning Leaves by Waubgeshig Rice. Presented by the author Waub Rice with Libby Stratton and Sally Braun
We are delighted that Waub has offered to join us again and he is making a special trip out to be with us. You may recall that he joined us a few years ago to present Moon on Crusted Snow.
Moon on Turning Leaves is a sequel to this post-apocalyptic novel as a brave scouting party of hunters and harvesters must venture into unknown and dangerous territory to find a new home for their close-knit but slowly starving Northern Ontario Indigenous community more than a decade after a world-ending blackout.
July 30th 3:30 pm SSCA Docks
Please contact me if you have any questions, or know of someone interested in joining us. cathie@cathiesinger.com
Check out the other great line-up of books this summer
https://wp.me/PaF2yX-1s
Yoga Class is 10:00am to 11:15am. For more information, Click the link below. https://wp.me/PaF2yX-1m
Come see all the artists at Iron City on July 31/24 from 1:15pm to 3:30pm.
Sans Souci and Copperhead Association
