Gravenhurst Council Highlights - Oct. 21, 2025
Board of Health annual report
Council received correspondence from Ann-Marie Kungl, chair of the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s (SMDHU) Board of Health.
Kungl said the health unit’s 2024 annual report is now available.
“Throughout 2024, SMDHU remained focused on delivering core public health services that support the health and well-being of those who live in, work in, and visit our communities,” she noted. “With the full resumption of core programming, particular attention was given to immunization and helping school-aged students catch up on vaccines required under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA).”
Council receives Third Quarter Financial Update Report
Council received the Third Quarter Financial Update Report for information.
“The purpose of the [report] is to provide a quarterly update on the town’s financial performance,” Deputy Treasurer Theresa Trott said in the report.
Town operations and the capital program are occurring normally with no major issues or surprises since the ice storm in the spring, Trott said.
She added later in the report that, “operations and capital spending are expected to fall within parameters in the 2025 budget.”
Meeting recordings will be kept in perpetuity
Council adopted a new policy that will see meeting recordings kept permanently on the town’s YouTube channel.
Up until now, recordings were kept for 12 months and all were to be removed after the inauguration of the next council.
In September, with the intention of creating greater transparency, council directed staff to look into a new retention policy, one that would see the recordings kept permanently.
The town began livestreaming council meetings in March 2020 due to pandemic-related in-person meeting restrictions.
In February 2024, significant technological investments were completed, allowing for the livestream/recording of all council meetings and committee meetings.
The new setup includes multiple cameras and a professional sound system.
Additionally, people can now participate in meetings from other locations.
Nearly 300 people subscribe to the town’s YouTube channel today, making it an important communication tool.
In the last year, there were 7,334 total unique livestream views, while recordings were viewed a total of 4,579 times.
The average peak number of total individuals watching at any given time during a livestream is 25.
Integrity commissioner rules councillor had conflict-of-interest
Council received a report from the town’s integrity commissioner.
Laura Dean, on behalf of Aird and Berlis, the law firm that provides integrity commissioner services for the town, said in her report that Ward 1 Councillor Penny Varney contravened the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act by trying to influence the vote on a question before council.
Varney is a member of Arts at the Albion, an artists’ cooperative at the former Albion Hotel downtown.
In June, the cooperative sought an exemption from the town’s sign bylaw. Members wanted to erect three flag signs on the sidewalk in front of the building, a request council turned down.
Varney, who did declare a pecuniary interest at the council table and did not participate in discussions, did send emails to council members regarding the matter before it was heard at the council table.
The actions triggered a complaint to the integrity commissioner, an investigation, and a determination that the councillor contravened the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act through her actions.
The commissioner is taking no further action.
The complainant – the identity is confidential – has six weeks to determine if they wish to take the matter to a provincial judge for consideration.
Read the related staff report.
Read the integrity commissioner report.
Watch the presentation and discussion.
Downtown Business Support Report received for information, work on next steps to start in 2026
Council received the Downtown Business Support Report for information.
They directed staff to start work on the tasks outlined in Option 2 in the first quarter of 2026.
“The purpose of the [report] is to respond to recent direction from committee by providing broad economic context for the downtown and offering solutions beyond existing municipal community improvement efforts,” wrote Manager of Economic Development Amy Taylor in the report.
As per Option 2, staff will work on a variety of tasks, including the development of a vacant building and land registry bylaw to address specific regulations for the maintenance of undeveloped properties.
For full details, review the report.
Watch the related presentation and discussion.
Province expropriating parcel of town land
The province is expropriating a small piece of land from a 100-acre parcel the town owns at 1342 Highway 11 North.
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation requires 0.135 acres for future works.
The balance of the property will remain in the town’s control; these lands include the former Muskoka Tourism Centre building, a trail network, and a municipal cemetery.
Council authorized staff to execute the sale agreement. The province will pay $13,575 for the town’s land.
Because the transaction involves expropriation, there was no negotiation for the sale price.
However, staff noted in a related report that they believe the price is reasonable. Council received the report for information.
Read the related staff report.
Council OKs land lease agreement
Council directed staff to enter the town into a land lease agreement with Robinson Haulage Inc.
The agreement will allow the company to install infrastructure under Sedore Road.
In September, company owner Rob Robinson made a presentation to council.
He asked the town to enter into an agreement with him so the business could pipe water under Sedore Road.
He said they have a water problem at their quarry on the east side of Sedore Road.
He said they pump the water from the quarry to different ponds on the property, however, the ponds are now full.
Robinson said the plan is to place a pipe under Sedore Road and transport the water to the property they have on the west side of the road.
In September, town staff said they were OK with the request.
The agreement outlines the terms.
Council granted Andrew Stacey, director of infrastructure services, authority to sign the agreement on behalf of the town.
Read the related staff report to learn more.
Watch the related presentation and discussion.
Town assumes addition at Muskoka Discovery Centre
Council authorized the town taking ownership of a nearly 8,000-square-foot addition to the Muskoka Discovery Centre.
The town owns the Musoka Wharf building and in 2018 authorized the centre to proceed with the expansion.
The centre began construction of the addition in 2019.
In a related report, staff said the project has now reached the point the town can assume ownership.
Read the related staff report.
Muskoka Watershed Council update
The town’s representative on the Muskoka Watershed Council, District Councillor Peter Johnston, provided his monthly update on the organization.
Johnston shared information about a new brochure the council has produced regarding integrated watershed management (IWM).
According to information in the brochure, IWM is an approach requiring the management of human activities and natural resources together on a watershed basis, taking into consideration the connected interests and needs of the environment, economy, and society.
Councillor Christina Hunter report
Councillor Christina Hunter provided an update.
She shared details about a Housing Task Force educational event set for Nov. 22, National Housing Day.
Further details will be available through the Engage Muskoka site.
On another note, she thanked local resident Robert Barnes for his efforts to get the canteen operational at the Graeme Murray Arena.
Hunter said the canteen will now be open for specific tournament dates this winter.
Watch the discussion to learn more.
Update from the mayor
Mayor Heidi Lorenz provided her monthly update.
The mayor thanked Spark Muskoka for its presentation of ‘We Lend a Hand – The Forgotten Story of Ontario Farmerettes.’
The documentary presentation took place at the Gravenhurst Opera House on Sunday, Oct. 19.
Mayor Lorenz also thanked the community for its generosity. She explained that through the Rotary Club of Gravenhurst, more than $900,000 has been raised for the Gravenhurst Health Hub project.
The mayor said she is attending the Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario conference in Toronto on Thursday, Oct. 23, to be part of a panel presentation about the health hub project.
On another note, the mayor said the Sparrow Lake Women’s Institute is hosting a Beetlejuice-themed high tea fundraiser at the Blue Willow Tea Shop on Friday, Oct. 24. There will be a 5 p.m. seating and a 7 p.m. seating. Tickets are $40 each. For more details, check out the Sparrow Lake Women’s Institute Facebook page.
Mayor Lorenz said the Severn Bridge Fairgrounds is hosting a free Halloween Trick or Truck event from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25. See the ‘Events’ page on Gravenhurst.ca to learn more.
Saturday, Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to noon, is the Gravenhurst Halloween Trick or Treat event, the mayor said. Trick or treat at participating businesses downtown. A spooky Story Hour will take place at the Gravenhurst Public Library from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. See the ‘Events’ page on Gravenhurst.ca to learn more.
Halloween Spook Spot takes place 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Oct. 31 at the YMCA Gym at the Gravenhurst Centennial Centre. There will be various Halloween-related activities.
Mayor Lorenz also encouraged people to shop local this Small Business Week (Oct. 19-25).
Committee appointment
Council appointed Jason Mckenzie to the Community Awards Committee for the balance of the 2022-2026 term.
Mayor Lorenz thanked Mckenzie for putting his name forward to serve on the committee.
Council Highlights
Council Highlights is prepared as an overview of the council meeting. For the official record, please refer to the agenda and minutes on the town website at www.gravenhurst.ca.
Watch the meeting
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