Council Meeting - June 23, 2025

Announcements

•  Mayor Clarke:
  • Mayor Clarke advised that the Ramara Centre was opened by the Township as a Cooling Centre and hydration station due to the extreme heat. The Township would assess further if additional resources were needed for cooling. 

  • Mayor Clarke advised that the County of Simcoe’s Employment Survey is underway and encouraged Ramara businesses to complete the survey. Input will help the County and Township understand local employment trends, plan for infrastructure and support economic development across Ramara. Businesses can participate by emailing employsimcoe@simcoe.ca for a link to the survey. 

  • Mayor Clarke noted he and members of Council celebrated International Trails Day with the opening of the new Ramara Trail Extension on Saturday, June 7. He thanked the Trans Canada Trail and Chippewas of Rama First Nation for their support. For more information on the new trail extension, visit www.ramara.ca/trails.

  • Mayor Clarke noted he and members of Council attended an announcement on June 14, 2025, with MPP and Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response, Jill Dunlop, where she announced $150,000 in funding for upgrades to the Ramara Centre, including a new roof and improvements to the ball diamond. Mayor Clarke thanked thank the Province for their funding and investment in Ramara

  • Mayor Clarke advised the Province has launched two new programs to help municipalities, small businesses, farms and non-profits recover costs from the ice storm. He also noted that the Township will have a future report coming to Committee of the Whole as the Township will be applying for funding. More information about the funding is posted on www.ramara.ca/IceStorm.

  • Mayor Clarke provided a final reminder that nominations for the Ramara Wall of Fame and Spirit of Ramara awards close on June 27 at 4:30 p.m. These honours celebrate residents whose volunteer spirit shapes Ramara for the better. Forms are available online at www.ramara.ca/awards or at the Township Office. 

  • Mayor Clarke encouraged residents to take part in local celebrations for Canada Day, including parades in Washago and Bayshore Village. He emphasized the importance of celebrating Canadian identity and values.

• Councillor Tuju:

  • Councillor Tuju noted that on June 19, 2025, she attended a webinar on how municipal leaders can protect local water and food security amid legislative changes in Ontario and growing concerns around Canadian land and water sovereignty. She looks forward to sharing key learnings with the Township’s Climate Action Committee.

  • Councillor Tuju noted that June 21, 2025, which is National Indigenous Peoples Day, was also the busiest day of the season for turtle nesting activity. As part of her conservation work, she reflected on the cultural significance of turtles in Anishinaabe teachings and the importance of protecting threatened species for future generations. She expressed gratitude for her ties to the Rama community and looks forward to working with local voices on the Climate Action Committee to support wetland and waterway preservation in the spirit of reconciliation.

• Councillor Fisher:
  •  Councillor Fisher noted that the Plates and Pockets workshop, hosted in Council Chambers on June 11, was well received. The presentation is  available for viewing on the Township of Ramara YouTube channel.
  • Councillor Fisher noted that on June 12 she attended the City of Orillia’s Food Strategy Open House, which focused on food systems in Orillia and the surrounding area. She noted the event provided valuable connections and ideas for the Township’s Rooted in Ramara Committee.
  • Councillor Fisher noted that she attended the Steak and Stawberry Dinner at the Legion on June 14 and it was successful. 
• Deputy Mayor Bell: 
  

  • Deputy Mayor Bell noted that 18 Blanding’s turtle eggs were successfully recovered on June 24, 2025, following three days of nighttime tracking efforts. 

• Councillor Gough:
  • Councillor Gough noted that on June 22, 2025, he attended a community barbecue hosted by MPP Jill Dunlop and MP Adam Chambers, accompanied by his daughter and grandchildren. He thanked the hosts for a well-attended event.
• Councillor Bell:
  • Councillor Bell noted she attended a presentation by Dr. Louisa Marion-Balmer on addiction treatment on June 16, 2025, following a recently published study. She highlighted the shift toward viewing addiction as treatable rather than stigmatized and commended the holistic approach of the research. Councillor Bell noted that she would have more to report back once she had the presentation materials.

Public and Special Meeting(s) of Council

Public Meeting Report: Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw Amendment Files OP-4/23 & Z-11/23

1506 and 1646 Highway 12 & 2440 and 2530 Concession Road 1

LCP Quarry Limited

Council received Report BP-26-25 titled "Public Meeting Report: Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment Files OP-4/23 & Z-11/23," concerning a proposed amendment to redesignate and rezone lands associated with the Brechin Quarry. The amendments, submitted by LCP Quarry Limited, relate to expanding the quarry's licensed area across the subject properties.

As part of the statutory public meeting held on June 23, 2025, the applicant presented their proposal, and several public and agency submissions were received. 

View the Proposal Presentation

Council acknowledged that outstanding comments from review agencies must still be addressed. Council approved postponing a decision on the applications until all outstanding agency feedback is received and evaluated.

Deputations

Don Goodyear, General Manager of Integrated Watershed Management with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA), provided a deputation to Council on chloride levels in the Lake Simcoe watershed. The presentation outlined sources of chloride contamination—primarily from road salt—and its long-term environmental impacts on freshwater ecosystems. Mr. Goodyear also shared current data trends, LSRCA’s mitigation efforts, and opportunities for municipalities to support salt reduction strategies through best management practices and policy development.

Council received the deputation as information.

View the LSRCA Presentation

Ryan Dube, Project Manager with Atura Power, and Lucas Reindler, Managing Director of Bright Diamond Consulting, provided a deputation to Council outlining proposed plans for the Gamebridge Solar Project—a solar-powered electricity generation facility in Ramara Township. The presentation included an overview of the project scope, site location, expected environmental and community benefits, and the regulatory process, including opportunities for public consultation and partnership.

Council received the deputation as information.

View the Gamebridge Solar Project Presentation

Committee of the Whole

Below are highlights of what Committee of the Whole recommended at its meeting held on Monday, June 23, 2025. These are subject to ratification by Council at its next meeting on July 21, 2025, unless pulled for ratification on the same day.

Closed Session Reports

• Committee of the Whole supported receiving confidential report CD-16-25 and appointed Chantal Trahon, Noah Stegman, and Joanne Mohan to the Climate Action Committee for a term ending November 16, 2026.
• Committee of the Whole supported receiving confidential report CD-17-25 and appointed Tom Hart to the Lagoon City Parks and Waterways Commission for a three-year term ending June 2028. The report was referred to the June 23, 2025 Council agenda for same-day ratification.
• Committee of the Whole supported receiving correspondence from Eric Davis of SmithValeriote Law Firm LLP regarding roles and responsibilities. The Committee was unopposed to releasing the memorandum to the public and referred it to the June 23, 2025, Council agenda for same-day ratification.

Departmental Reports

Council

Below are highlights of what Council adopted at its meeting on Monday, June 23, 2025:

• Council received confidential report CD-16-25 and appointed Chantal Trahon, Noah Stegman, and Joanne Mohan to the Climate Action Committee for a term ending November 16, 2026.
• Council received confidential report CD-17-25 and appointed Tom Hart to the Lagoon City Parks and Waterways Commission for a three-year term ending June 2028. 
• Council received correspondence from Eric Davis of SmithValeriote Law Firm LLP regarding roles and responsibilities and approved releasing the memorandum to the public.
• Council received the 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements and Audit Report as information.
• Council received the report regarding the 2026 Method of Voting for the Municipal and School Board Election and authorized staff to prepare for a hybrid voting system using paper ballots with tabulators and Internet/Telephone Voting. Council also authorized holding paper ballot voting with tabulators on the three advance voting days and directed staff to prepare the required bylaws. 
• Council received the updated Asset Management Plan and Strategic Asset Management Policy and endorsed both documents as presented. 
• Council received the report regarding the Draft Plan of Subdivision for 4836 Muley Point Road, submitted by Highland Mills Development Inc., and approved the Draft Plan for 46 residential lots, subject to the conditions outlined in the report. Council supported that draft approval lapse after three years if a Subdivision Agreement is not executed.
• Council received the report regarding Bayshore Village Spray Field Operations for 2025 and awarded the contract for Wastewater Effluent Hauling Services to Wessuc Inc. in the amount of $897,000 plus HST.  Council authorized the Mayor and Clerk to sign the contract on behalf of the Township. 
• Council received the report and approved an exemption for the Ramara Chamber of Commerce from the $1,000 Special Event Permit Fee for the Classic Car Show under Special Event Bylaw 2025.21, Section 6.3. 
• Council received and adopted the Couchiching Community Safety and Well-Being Plan 2025–2029.
• Council received Report TR-04-25 regarding Development Charges Reserve Funds as information. 
• Council received Report ID-19-25 titled Revised Annual Wastewater Performance Report as information.
• Council received correspondence from the Township of Georgian Bay regarding their resolution on floating accommodations as information.
• Council received correspondence from the Township of Black River-Matheson regarding their request for an exemption to O. Reg. 343/22 – Firefighter Certification Requirements as information.
• Council received correspondence from the Director of Financial Services – Treasurer providing an update on the Township’s Property Tax E-Billing system, as information. Staff were directed to prepare a report detailing current cost, projected savings and strategy for improving adoption of paperless billing among Ramara residents. The staff report is to be provided to Council by September 2026.
• Council received correspondence from the Director of Financial Services – Treasurer regarding the 2026 Budget process as information.
• Council received correspondence from the Director of Infrastructure regarding the status update on the Ice Storm Recovery Plan as information.
• Council received correspondence from the Director of Infrastructure regarding Effluent Hauling Procurement as information.
• Council received correspondence from the Director of Infrastructure regarding the Township’s Water Servicing Strategy as information.
• Council received correspondence from the Chief Administrative Officer regarding promotion of the Township’s Report a Concern tool as information.

Notice of Motion

Council adopted the following resolution:

WHEREAS the Province of Ontario initially introduced Strong Mayor Powers in 2022 with the stated intent of expediting housing development across municipalities; 

AND WHEREAS the Province of Ontario arbitrarily expanded the Strong Mayor Powers legislation to include an additional 169 municipalities in April 2025; 

AND WHEREAS municipalities across Ontario have demonstrated a commitment to addressing the housing crisis through local planning approvals and community-led solutions; 

AND WHEREAS Strong Mayor Powers fundamentally alter local democratic governance by concentrating decision-making authority in a single individual, thereby weakening the role of elected Councils and disrupting the principles of collaboration and shared leadership; 

AND WHEREAS these powers can create uncertainty within municipal organizations, impact staff morale, and risk eroding the trust that underpins effective municipal governance; 

AND WHEREAS there are currently no provincial checks and balances or independent oversight mechanisms in place to ensure Strong Mayor Powers are being used appropriately and as intended, and the legislation itself has been described by some as “open to interpretation,” creating a fundamental flaw in the responsible application of these potentially dangerous powers; 

AND WHEREAS the primary barriers to housing construction are not rooted in municipal decision-making processes, but in broader market conditions, infrastructure constraints, and the lack of effective provincial and federal policy supports to stimulate affordable and attainable housing development;

THEREFORE be it resolved THAT the Council of the Township of Ramara formally request the Province of Ontario to rescind the Strong Mayor Powers legislation in its entirety; 

AND THAT should the legislation not be repealed, that the Province immediately remove the Township of Ramara from the list of municipalities designated under the Strong Mayor Powers framework; 

AND THAT a copy of this resolution be forwarded to all Ontario municipalities, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), the Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, the Honourable Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Honourable Sylvia Jones, MPP for Dufferin-Caledon, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Affairs and Housing, the Honourable Sylvia Jones, MPP for Dufferin-Caledon, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, and the Honourable Jill Dunlop, MPP for Simcoe North, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response, for their information, support and consideration.

Enquiry Motions

Members of Council brought forward several enquiry motions, which are requests of staff to perform an action or bring forward a report. The enquiry motions approved during the June 23, 2025, meeting included the following:

• That staff invite Uber to present information about Ride-Sharing opportunities and advocacy.
• Staff draft a policy for Council consideration outlining when and how traffic calming measures may be considered and implemented to enhance road safety and respond to community concerns. Staff were also directed to reinstall the speed bumps on the section of Ramara Road 47 in the area from the swing bridge following along the lake to the location where Ramara Road 47 turns northward.

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For More Information

For more details on any of these items, see the full meeting agenda or view the meeting on the Township of Ramara's YouTube channel.

The meeting highlights are prepared to give residents a timely update on decisions of Council. The Council meeting minutes are the official record of the meeting. Once adopted, the Council meeting minutes can be found on the Township of Ramara's Meeting Portal.