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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.
Township of the Archipelago Ward 4 Update, October 2023 It is our pleasure to submit this report to the Ward 4 Associations.* Here are a few of the things we have been working on this season. Deerhorn Conference 2023 We are looking forward to a productive Deerhorn Conference this weekend (October 21), wherein representatives from Ratepayers’ Associations get together with TOA Staff and Council to discuss and brainstorm about issues the Township is working on. Waste In recognition of the outsized impact of cigarette litter on our waterways, Council passed a motion at our October meeting calling on the Provincial government to include cigarette producers in the move to Full Producer Responsibility. The initial purchase of 200 Foodcyclers that The Township has made available to residents at a subsidized price were sold out by mid-July. Council approved the purchase of 100 more, and we have only 26 FC-30 (2.5L) units left in stock. They are still being sold on a first come, first serve basis. Please call the Township Office at 705- 746-4243 if you have any questions regarding the program. See foodcycler.com for more information on the product. The subsidized Foodcycler program is but one of several strategies we’re working on to reduce the amount of waste going to our one landfill site (Site 9) and extend its life. Climate Change The Township of The Archipelago council has adopted a Corporate Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It is a plan that contains dozens of specific and measurable actions that can be taken by staff in all departments and overseen by council. As a member of the Integrated Communities Energy and Climate Action Plans (ICECAP) partnership, the township will work toward reducing energy use and emissions in its buildings and facilities, fleet, outdoor lighting, and corporate waste, with a goal to reduce its operating emissions by 30 per cent below the 2016 levels by 2030. As technology and regulatory advancements allow, the TOA will strive to achieve net- zero corporate GHG emissions by 2050 or earlier. Tree Preservation and Site Alteration Bylaws As you know, Council has been working on developing regulations placing limits on the destruction of mature trees and on site alteration (blasting, fill, etc.), with a view to protecting and preserving the Georgian Bay shoreline and natural environment. We had public meetings over a year ago and we continue to work with an independent planning firm to develop the best possible approach. At our August meeting, Council received and discussed a draft Bylaw from this firm. Having received Council’s feedback, staff is currently making some minor amendments, and we will be scheduling the next round of public meetings likely for spring 2024. We will keep you apprised of developments of course! The Museum on Tower Hill This is a PSA! The West Parry Sound District Museum, commonly known as the Museum on Tower Hill, is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the rich history of the district for generations to come. Today the Museum continues its mission to collect, preserve and share the West Parry Sound District's history with visitors and future generations, and provide our community with opportunities to explore contemporary topics relevant to today. The Museum has almost returned to pre-pandemic visitor numbers! Next time you’re in Parry Sound be sure to check it out. There’s a special exhibit featuring the art of your township’s Reeve continuing until mid-December. MPAC Assessment Much to the dismay of municipalities across the province, the Government of Ontario recently announced the continued postponement of the province-wide assessment update for the 2024 taxation year. This means property values for the purposes of taxation will continue to be based on the January 2016 MPAC assessments until then (at least). TOA Council passed a resolution asking the Province to reconsider this decision. * Dave Ashley, Rick Zanussi and Alice Barton will be providing updates on a roughly quarterly basis. If you want to know what the Township is doing more up-to-the-minute, we recommend you (a) connect to the TOA on social media (Facebook & Twitter), (b) register for the TOA’s E-Newsletter; and/or (c) for the real nitty gritty, Committee & Council agendas & minutes are posted on the Township web site, and our YouTube page maintains the recordings of our meetings. Also, each of us is available if you want to contact us directly.
Ward Four Councillors Report to Cottage Associations -July 2023 As you read this message we will be well into the summer season. We trust that your cottage experience is meeting or exceeding your expectations. The following is an update on some of the activities of the Township of The Archipelago TAX RATE Earlier this month many of your residents will have received their final tax bill for 2023. The tax rate in the south half of our township has increased by 1%, well below the rate of inflation. Our actual expenses are up by more than that but still below the rate of inflation. There was considerable new construction in the township in 2022 so the costs were spread over a bigger base to bring the rate down. In 2022 we approved building permits worth 27 million dollars and for the first 5 months of this year we have approved permits at the same rate as last year. For those of you that look closely at the numbers you will note that the charge for the services of the OPP was shown separately on your 2022 invoice and included the tax rate in 2023. We started to show the OPP charge separately when those charges were increasing significantly for a number of years but, now that they have stabilized, there is no need to identify them separately. DEERHORN CONFERENCE On a regular basis the Township hosts a Deerhorn Conference. We are planning another Deerhorn Conference in October of this year. This is an opportunity for council and senior staff to meet with all the cottage associations in our township and discuss what we, as a group, see the current and upcoming issues for our residents. If you have an issue you think should be discussed, please speak to the executive of your association. (And yes, the conference gets its name from the location of the first meeting, Deerhorn Lodge in Sans Souci.) SIGNIFICANT BY-LAWS As the result of some unfortunate activity in the past, we are developing new bylaws to deal with site alteration and tree protection. These are complicated areas to get the right balance so, as soon as we have a draft, there will be public consultation. More opportunities for you and your association to shape our Township. Once these by-laws are completed, we will work on a new Comprehensive Zoning By-law. OTHER THINGS WE ARE WATCHING Floating cottages. (The Province has taken some action but now we need the Federal Government to step up to the plate.) The northward spread of the city and the expectation for city level services. Provincial actions and other activities and their effect on water quality and the environment. The provincial implementation of producer responsibility for the collection of recyclables and how this may affect our blue box program and waste disposal cost. FIRE RATING I am going to close with a repetition of something all of you have heard but some have not fully understood. Because of the particularly dry conditions in our forest the fire rating in all of Northern Ontario is at the extreme level. This means no fires, no fireworks and no other activities that might release sparks. It will take a great many rainstorms before this situation can be reversed. Please help us protect the land that attracts us to this part of the world. Stay safe, stay healthy and enjoy your summer David Ashley, on behalf of the councillors for Ward Four (Alice Barton, Rick Zanussi and myself)
If you have non-perishable food items left at the end of the season, consider donating them to a local food bank to help families in need! SSCA has confirmed the following local marinas will accept your donations: (We'll be adding to this list as others reply) Georgian Bay Marina LeBlanc's Sans Souci Moon River Marine Parry Sound Marine Point Pleasant Marina Questions: Contact Mikko (705) 938-1738 or kmikko.henry@gmail.com
The Schoolhouse will be closed for renovations beginning August 22nd through the remainder of the season> This includes the restrooms. A porta-potty will be in place for public use. Please keep a safe distance from the worksite and be aware of times when material or equipment is being moved from the docks to the worksite.
The SSCA AGM is scheduled for Saturday, July 22nd at 10:00 am at the School House (Zoom information to be finalized). All voting members are invited to join the meeting. Please check your online account to confirm: that 2023 annual dues are paid and who has been designated as the 'voting' member on your account. Please contact Glen Campbell if you have questions campbellglend@gmail.com A luncheon will be served following the meeting. We look forward to seeing you on the 22nd! Agenda: Link Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5806177836 Meeting ID: 580 617 7836
More than 175 people joined the Canada Day Potluck on July 1st! If you would like a copy of a particular photo you are in, please email sscasocials@gmail.com to request it. (Photos courtesy of the Cadottes)
Township of the Archipelago Ward 4 Update, March 2023 It is our pleasure to submit this report to the Ward 4 Associations.* Here are a few of the things we have been working on this season. Woods Bay / Gates OLT Hearing On Feb 28 we finally received the decision of the Ontario Land Tribunal on the Woods Bay severance application. The OLT approved the proposal to create 4 new lots on the subject lands. Staff and Council will be reviewing the decision and determining what any next steps may be. Pointe au Baril Land Purchase In line with the Township of The Archipelago’s strategic priorities and goals, the TOA has purchased 38 acres of land in the Village of Pointe au Baril Station. The purchase of these lands is to assist the residents of the Village with the provision of attainable and entry level housing. While the Township is excited by this opportunity, there are many steps that have to be taken prior to development. The Township will initiate the required studies to ensure that the development of building lots on the site can occur in an environmentally appropriate manner. The Township does not intend to build homes. The purpose of this project is twofold: first, to create lots for sale which will lead to the construction of homes to service the community; and second, to zone the lands to ensure that the types and sizes of houses will address the community’s housing needs. We expect this process to take a couple of years. Tale of a Thousand Turtles The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) announced the winners of the 2022 Sustainable Community Awards. The Township of The Archipelago was awarded the Natural Asset Management award for its Tale of a Thousand Turtles project on Skerryvore Road. See the press release here: https://fcm.ca/en/news-media/news-release/fcm- announces-the-winners-the-2022-sustainable-communities-awards Deerhorn Conference 2023 We are pleased to report that planning is underway for the 2023 Deerhorn Conference, an important event giving the TOA community an opportunity to provide feedback on our Strategic Plan and to make suggestions for future directions. The Conference will be in September; we will share the details as we have them. Underused Housing Tax (UHT) The "Recent News” section of the TOA's main web page has been updated to include a message regarding the UHT, to provide information to non-residents regarding their Canadian tax obligations. (If you are a non-resident please note the filing deadline of April 30.) Floating Cottages - Public Comments Open The Ontario Government is proposing amendments to regulations under the Public Lands Act. The key proposed amendments relate to camping on water over public lands and are intended to reduce the environmental and social impacts of floating accommodations and long camping stays. Have your say! The comment period for the proposal closes April 11. https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-6590 FoodCycler Program We are delighted to announce a partnership with Food Cycle Science to subsidize the purchase price of FoodCycler food waste diversion products. 100 units (a mix of the large and small units, for $300 and $150 plus HST, respectively) will be available. If demand exceeds this supply, the Township may order more. Residents wishing to purchase a unit must pay at the municipal office by cash, debit, or cheque (no credit cards) on a first come first serve basis, limited to one unit per residential kitchen. The program is open to residents only, and pickup can take place when payment is made. The Township Office is open M-F 8:30am to 4:30pm (closed daily from noon to 1pm). Residents will be given a tracking sheet to report on their usage for the first 12 weeks to help the TOA to estimate how much waste is being diverted from our transfer stations and landfill. See foodcycler.com for more information on the product. * Dave Ashley, Rick Zanussi and Alice Barton will be providing updates on a quarterly basis. If you want to know what the Township is doing more up-to-the-minute, we recommend you (a) connect to the TOA on social media (Facebook & Twitter), (b) register for the TOA’s E-Newsletter; and/or (c) for the real nitty gritty, Committee & Council agendas & minutes are posted on the Township web site. Also, each of us is available if you want to contact us directly. Council is meeting this week so if you'd like an update on any of the above please feel free to reach out. NB we have new e-mail addresses (in the CC line above).
The Underused Housing Tax is an annual 1% tax on the ownership of vacant or underused housing in Canada that took effect on January 1, 2022. The tax usually applies to non-resident, non-Canadian owners. In some situations, however, it also applies to Canadian owners. This is a summary of some of the most important information about the Underused Housing Tax: LINK to SUMMARY If you are an "affected" owner (see definition in LINK to SUMMARY above), you must file an Underused Housing Tax return for each residential property that you own in Canada on December 31. You must also pay the Underused Housing Tax, unless your ownership qualifies for an exemption for the calendar year. Even if your ownership qualifies for an exemption, you must still file an Underused Housing Tax return for the calendar year The minimum penalty for missing the April 30 filing deadline is $5,000 per property for any individual affected owner. The Township of The Archipelago cannot provide you with information or advice on filling out the form. Although we provide links for information that may be useful, please contact your lawyer or accountant with any questions you have regarding your personal taxation and filing obligations. For further information on the UHT and to access the form, please go to the Canada Revenue (CRA) website page here. Non-resident owners of properties on the east and north coasts of Georgian Bay may fall under one of the exemptions (630 or 635) on page 5 of the form, which can be found here. Your roll number is on your tax bill. It is the number that starts with 49 05 and looks like this: 49-05-xxx-xxx-xxxxx-0000. Information regarding your property’s ownership or assigned property information number (PIN) can be accessed through Ontario’s Land Registry Access online portal here ( https://www.onland.ca/ui/ ). Your LRO location is Parry Sound. You will have the option to buy the “Parcel Register”. The parcel register contains all documents on a property, such as the ownership, transfer, and history. There is a cost of $32.50. If you encounter any difficulties using the system, please contact the OnLand Help Centre. Property Information may also be available through a land property title search. Several companies in Ontario can provide this service to you for a fee. Do a website search for an Ontario title search and choose the company that best suits your needs. TOA Website
15 MARCH, 2022 - David Ashley
As I write this in mid March it is snowing but, like many of you, I am thinking about opening the cottage, all the things that need to be done before opening weekend and the tasks that might be sprung on us when we get there. An old piece of doggerel, slightly modified, jumped into my mind:
Spring has sprung,
The grass is riz,
I wonder where them icepacks is.
There are a number of things I would like to cover in this update. The first is floating cottages. Over the years we have been concerned over the possibility of floating cottages appearing on the Bay. In the past we have been able prevent them but now there is a manufacturer in the south part of Georgian Bay who is promoting them. The Township’s understanding is that if a “floating cottage” is not attached or associated with private or municipal lands, then regulation of the structure would be the sole jurisdiction of the province (use over crown lake bed) and the federal government (Transport Canada is responsible for the registration of boats and regulating activities on navigable waters). This is a big jurisdictional problem but a solution may be on the horizon. In a message released on the 3rd of March the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry (MDMNRF) announced they are seeking input about the use of floating accommodation on waterways over Ontario’s public lands. The following is an excerpt from their message:
“We are seeking to engage municipalities on potential ideas and approaches to manage “camping” and the use of floating accommodations on waterways over Ontario’s public lands. The ministry is seeing increased interest in the use of waterways by various types of vessels (i.e., watercrafts equipped for overnight accommodation). In some cases, the ministry has heard concerns relating to vessels that are primarily designed for accommodation and not navigation.
We are seeking input from the public, Indigenous communities, and municipal associations, and various stakeholders including your organization by April 19, 2022.
Input from this process will inform consideration of potential future changes intended to address growing concerns around the impacts of this activity on Ontario waterways and those who use them.
Please note, no regulatory changes are being proposed at this time. Any regulatory or policy changes that may be considered in the future would be posted on the Environmental Registry for consultation purposes.”
I am bringing this bulletin [https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-5119] to your attention to encourage your association and your members to submit their concerns to the ministry before the 19th of April deadline. The Township’s response is currently being developed and will be available on our website once it is completed but no later than the end of the month.
At our last Council meeting held on the 10th of March, we approved a new waste management bylaw. You will be hearing more about this shortly and full details are included in the agenda for that meeting on our website. One thing I would like to point out is that you will now be able to get rid of small (up to 30 ft.) wooden and fibreglass boats by trailering them to our Site 9 Dump or the Healey Lake Transfer Station. There will be a very reasonable fee charged for disposal of boats. Our boat ramps at Woods Bay and Holiday Cove Marina are available to you for this purpose. Aluminium boats are metal waste.
We are currently working on our budget and tax rate for this year. The budget will be on the agenda for approval at our April meeting.
One piece of good news is that we are planning on removing all the unencapsulated foam from all township owned docks.
Also, the value of building permits for 2021 was more than double the previous ten year average and the pace of requests has continued into 2022. To ensure we continue to provide proper service levels, for both approvals and enforcement, we are adding staff in the Planning and Building Department.
Our office is currently closed to “walk-in” visitors but the community centre in Point au Baril is gradually being opened. We are closely monitoring and following the recommendations of the Board of Health and all our operations will return to normal as soon as the Board of Health is comfortable with the progress in the fight against Covid-19
Stay safe and stay healthy. We are looking forward to seeing you on The Bay soon and to wonderful summer of cottaging.
If you have any questions, comments or concerns please contact our excellent Township staff or one of your Ward Four councillors: Alice Barton, Rick Zanussi or myself, David Ashley. If you make a submission to MDMNRF on floating cottages please send us a copy.
Sans Souci and Copperhead Association
