Controversial hospital proposal sparks debate

The discussion over the future of healthcare services in Muskoka has become one of the most contentious issues in the region.

In January, Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) announced plans for significant changes to the level of service at South Muskoka Memorial Hospital (SMMH) in Bracebridge and the Huntsville District Memorial Hospital site.

Under the new proposal, dubbed the Made-in-Muskoka Plan by MAHC, both facilities would have 24/7 emergency rooms with SMMH increasing emergency room beds from 11 to 27. The number of inpatient beds in Bracebridge would decrease from 67 to 18. Huntsville’s inpatient care beds will go from 56 to 139.

MAHC said they anticipate surgical/procedural visits will go from 3,900 to 9,700 in Bracebridge but the facility would lose obstetrics.

The proposal was lambasted by many south Muskoka healthcare workers, politicians and members of the public during a series of meetings MAHC hosted across the region.

“I am confident that a more balanced and equitable plan can be achieved,” said MPP Graydon Smith. “This process must be centered on engaging with the community and having meaningful dialogue with doctors and nurses to develop a new plan that is satisfactory for all.”

The province is responsible for the vast majority of funding on the nearly $1 billion project. Updated cost estimates from MAHC have put the project, as originally proposed, at closer to $1.5 billion. That increase in cost was the primary driver behind the creation of the proposed Made-in-Muskoka healthcare system, according to MAHC.

“This plan is not going to work for the communities of south Muskoka, so MAHC is going to need to go back to the table with doctors, nurses, and health care workers and try to find a better-balanced model,” said District Municipality of Muskoka Chair Jeff Lehman.

In late February, MAHC announced they were taking a step back to reconsider the plan and no final decision was imminent.

“We want our communities to be clear that no decisions are being made for quite some time,” said MAHC via a press release. “Our primary focus is continued consultation to reach the best possible model of care for the future. We are committed to our promise to take all the time that is needed to meet with our stakeholders, to listen to feedback, and make adjustments.”

Several Muskoka municipalities have significant tax increases

Tax increases for 2024 are now in across Muskoka and they indicate double-digit spikes in some municipalities.

The District Municipality of Muskoka, which oversees the six lower-tier municipalities within the region, announced in December they had approved a $155.9M tax-support budget. As a result, Muskoka residents will see a 3.94 per cent increase in the district portion of their municipal property taxes to fund municipal services and a 0.4 per cent increase to support hospital redevelopment. This represents an annual impact of approximately $40.38 per $300,000 of assessed property.

The highest lower-tier municipal increase was in the Township of Muskoka Lakes where the 2024 budget has a net levy of $15.9 million, which represents a 14.3 per cent tax rate increase over 2023.

Huntsville is also facing double-digit tax increases of 10.89 per cent for 2024. That number was reduced from the initial proposed net tax rate increase of 15.26 per cent.

Lake of Bays Township came in with a 9.06 per cent increase, Bracebridge residents can expect a 6.8 per cent increase, and Gravenhurst council approved a 2.99 per cent increase.

The Township of Georgian Bay has yet to finalize their budget.

Muskoka Lakes considers tighter short-term rental rules

The Township of Muskoka Lakes is proposing a new licensing system for short-term rentals (STR) but not all residents are on board.

The Township recently hosted a lengthy public meeting at its offices in Port Carling to hear public feedback on the proposed STR licensing system. Dozens of residents attended both virtually and in person to speak for and against tighter restrictions on STRs.

Staff told those in attendance the Township has been attempting to deal with the issue of STRs for the past eight years. There were more than 800 STRs in operation in the Township last year. The bylaw department reports increasing concerns over issues like noise, smoke, parking and overcrowding on the lakes.

Under the new rules, STRs would pay $1,000 for a two-year license and would be limited to only renting properties for 50 per cent of the summer and 50 per cent of the remainder of the year. Guests would be required to stay for a minimum of seven nights in the summer and three nights during the rest of the year. Stays under 14 days would not fall under the new bylaw.

While some spoke in favour of the new rules, expressing their frustration with what they see as numerous bylaw infractions by STR guests, the majority of those who spoke were opposed to the new regulations.

Several said that renting properties is one of the only ways they can pay off expenses like the upkeep of their property and increased municipal taxes. Some expressed concern that the problem was not so much with short-term rentals as it was with a lack of enforcement of the existing bylaws.

Council emphasized the short-term rental licensing regulations are simply a draft at this point. They said council will take all the public input under advisement before finalizing any type of bylaw related to STRs.

Arena/library complex in Bracebridge headed for August opening

One of the largest infrastructure projects in Bracebridge’s history is now nearing completion.

As of February, the construction of the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre on Salmon Avenue in Bracebridge is more than 70 per cent complete.

Slated for opening in August 2024, construction crews are currently working on electrical and mechanical work in addition to other interior finishing. The building exterior work is largely complete, including the brickwork, glass and roof. The ice plant for the arena is in place, with cooling lines and headers laid and the concrete slab poured.

“It’s hard to believe that we are only months away from the grand opening of the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre,” said Bracebridge Mayor Rick Maloney, upon the announcement of more financial donors for the project in late January.  “We have come this far because of the ongoing generosity of our sponsors and donors, and the continued support of the community. Thank you to everyone who has played a role in helping bring this generational facility to life.”

In addition to the arena, auditorium and library replacements, the centre will include a multi-sport field house (double-sized gymnasium with track) that is expected to support a wide variety of community uses and groups. Other amenities include a concession, outdoor playground, trails, open spaces, parking and an area retained for a future second arena.

In December, Town council approved an additional $2.9 million in funding for the project, bringing the total expected cost of the 113,700-square-foot facility to $75.3 million.

Gravenhurst snowboarder claims World Cup victory in Switzerland

 A young snowboarder from Gravenhurst found himself on top of the podium in Switzerland earlier this year after winning gold at the FIS Snowboard World Cup.

Competing on the Laax, Switzerland leg of the world tour, Liam Brearley claimed his first-ever victory with a score of 89.93 points.

“What a crazy week out here in Laax! So happy to come away with my first WC win!! Thank you to everyone for the messages and support,” said Brearley via social media.

Brearley had previously finished second on two occasions and third on another.

His first World Cup victory came nearly four years exactly after he won three medals at the Lausanne 2020 Youth Olympic Games, where he hit the podium in halfpipe, slopestyle and big air.

Majority of District waste bins have now been transitioned

The District of Muskoka is reporting they have now transitioned 54 of the 88 total unlicensed waste bin locations across the region.

Dozens of waste bin sites have been used for decades throughout Muskoka but in 2019 the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks told the Muskoka government all the unlicensed bins needed to be removed by 2026. The bins were primarily located at commercial businesses like marinas or on road allowances or vacant lands and were intended to be used by Muskoka residents who do not have curbside pickup.

“I think we’re making really great progress to move towards our completion date of 2026,” said Commissioner of Engineering and Public Works James Steele when updating the district council earlier this year.

According to Steele, transitioning and decommissioning efforts will continue in 2024, with special attention and consultation being paid to Georgian Bay Township, due to its high number of sites.

There was some concern among District councillors that proper notification was not being given to all residents of Georgian Bay Township.

It was reiterated that councillors should do their best to reach out to constituents and inform them the moves are being made primarily in the interest of the local environment and the sustainability of local landfills.

Councillor Dan Armour stated that the experience of the transition in Huntsville was challenging but handled well by District staff. He went on to say many residents are happy with the new system.

“I have to admit that to date, there’s a lot of people reaching out now saying that it’s a great program they’re running with the opportunity now to be able to use organics. Their waste is really reduced,” Armour said.

Matt Richter named deputy leader of the Ontario Green Party

A longtime local representative of the Ontario Greens has been named to one of the marquee positions of the party.

Matt Richter of Huntsville was recently named deputy leader of the Green Party of Ontario.

Richter has been the Parry Sound-Muskoka provincial candidate for the Green Party in every election since 2007. During the most recent provincial election in 2022, he managed to garner more than 40 per cent of the vote – one of the highest percentage totals for a Green Party candidate in all of Ontario.

“I am delighted to step into this new role with the Ontario Greens,” said Richter upon the announcement.

Shortly after the announcement, Mike Schreiner, the leader of the Ontario Greens, joined Richter in Bracebridge for a housing Town Hall.

“Matt brings a lot of drive and energy to the Ontario Greens, and I’m delighted to have him join our leadership team,” said Schreiner.

Muskoka Conservancy adds new 597-acre property

 The Muskoka Conservancy has added a pristine slice of Muskoka's natural beauty to the 55 properties they currently protect.

In January, the Conservancy announced their purchase of a 597-acre property in southeast Gravenhurst bordering on the Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park.

The new property features mature mixed forest, rocky barrens, wetlands and a small lake. It also contains a former hunt camp that has several kilometres of trails, some of which extend into Crown Land and the neighbouring provincial park.

“We could not have done this without excellent donors and funding partners,” said Scott Young of the Muskoka Conservancy. “The previous owners each made a significant donation of land, without which, frankly, we would have had a challenge building the momentum to see this through. As it worked out, we are extremely happy and grateful to have attracted excellent funding partners to complete the purchase.”

The Conservancy says they plan to explore potential uses of the land for nature education programming, bird watching, nature photography and recreational activities like hiking and snowshoeing.

“Muskoka Conservancy’s immediate priority is to get to know the land, its ecosystems, habitat types and species,” says Young. “Based on that, we will develop a conservation plan that prioritizes nature conservation. In the not-too-distant future, we would like very much to offer this new reserve as a hiking destination for nature lovers.”