2025 Council Highlights - November 3, 2025

Long Service Presentation

Council began the meeting with a special presentation recognizing Mayor Basil Clarke for 25 years of service to the Township of Ramara. The presentation included acknowledgements from Simcoe North MP Adam Chambers, Jacqueline Bayley on behalf of Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop, and a video message from Simcoe-Grey MPP Brian Saunderson. Certificates were presented to Mayor Clarke from the Government of Canada, Province of Ontario and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Announcements

• Mayor Clarke:

  • Mayor Clarke highlighted that November is a significant month of remembrance and that Veterans’ Week is observed from November 5 to 11, including Indigenous Veterans Day on November 8 and Remembrance Day on November 11. Residents are reminded to support Veterans and the Legion by purchasing a poppy. The Brechin-Mara Legion will host an indoor Remembrance Day service on November 11; attendees are asked to arrive by 10:30 a.m.

  • Mayor Clarke encouraged residents, businesses, and organizations to provide feedback on the future of St. Andrew’s Hall and the former Standard Bank in Brechin. Feedback can be shared through an online survey. Hard copies of the survey are also available at the Ramara Centre or Township Administration Building. Two open house sessions will take place on Tuesday, November 18 at the Ramara Centre from 3:30–5 p.m. and 6–7:30 p.m., where community members can learn more and provide feedback in person. Learn more and complete the survey at ramara.ca/BuildingBrechin.

  •  Mayor Clarke reminded residents that as of January 1, 2026, residential recycling collection in Simcoe County will be managed by Circular Materials as part of a province-wide transition. While the County will still respond to recycling inquiries, calls will be redirected to the new provincial provider. Visit simcoe.ca/RecyclingChange for more information.  

  • Mayor Clarke noted that November 1–7, 2025, is Carbon Monoxide (CO) Awareness Week. Carbon Monoxide is known as the silent killer. Residents are reminded to install CSA-approved CO alarms outside all sleeping areas and on every level of their homes and test your alarms should be tested regularly.

• Deputy Mayor Bell:
  • Deputy Mayor Bell attended the Witches Brew-Ha-Ha fundraiser at Joyland Beach. The sold-out event supported both Joyland Beach and the Brechin-Mara Legion, and featured local entertainment. The Deputy Mayor noted he participated as a model and that it was a fantastic event that was well-received by the community.

• Councillor Fisher:
  • Councillor Fisher attended the Elevate Orillia event hosted by the Orillia Chamber of Commerce, which celebrated and showcased small businesses in the area. Councillor Fisher visited vendors during the evening preview and noted the strong participation and success of the event.
    
    
• Councillor Bell:
  • Councillor Bell gave a shout out to local businesses and highlighted three local markets – the Bayshore Village Makers’ Market, the craft show at the Ramara Centre, and at the Ramona Hall – all featuring local makers and artists.
  • Councillor Bell also gave a shout out to the Brechin community, Lagoon City Community Association, the Lions Club and Ramara Fire Department, local businesses, and residents for the great Halloween events that took place, including trick-or-treating, festive displays, and a walk-through experience.

Special Council Meeting re Amendments to the Mayor's Proposed 2026 Budget

Council convened a Special Meeting of Council as part of the Regular Meeting to consider amendments to the Mayor’s proposed 2026 Annual Budget. The discussion followed the October 23, 2025, Special Meeting of Council, during which Council and staff reviewed the Mayor’s Proposed Budget. Any amendments to the 2026 Annual Mayor’s Budget Proposal were due by the end of this Regular Meeting, in accordance with Council’s resolution on October 23, 2025. View Highlights from the Special Council Meeting.

Committee of the Whole

Below are highlights of what Committee of the Whole recommended at its meeting held on Monday, November 3, 2025. These are subject to ratification by Council at its next meeting on November 24, 2025, unless pulled for ratification on the same day.

Council Referrals Reports

Update - Township of Ramara Tree Planting in Conjunction with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority
Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report regarding the 2025 tree planting initiative in conjunction with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority as information.

Departmental Reports

Proposed Delegation Topics for ROMA 2026 Conference
Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report and submitting delegation requests for the 2026 ROMA Conference. The proposed topics include:
- Funding opportunities for sport domes (Ministry of Sport)
- Infrastructure funding for water and wastewater (Ministry of Infrastructure)
- Doctor recruitment in rural areas (Ministry of Health)
- Municipal aggregate levy taxation for pits and quarries (Ministry of Natural - Resources and Ministry of Finance)
- Construction of a roundabout at Highway 12 and County Road 169 (Ministry of Transportation)
Committee of the Whole also recommended that staff submit the requests before the November 18, 2025, delegation deadline. The report was referred to the November 3, 2025, Council agenda for same-day ratification.

Council

Below are highlights of what Council adopted at its meeting on Monday, November 3, 2025:

• Council adopted the 2026 Council/Committee of the Whole meeting schedule.
• Council received the report regarding proposed delegation request topics for the 2026 ROMA Conference and directed staff to request the following delegations before the November 18, 2025, deadline:
  • Funding opportunities for sport domes (Ministry of Sport)
  • Infrastructure funding for water and wastewater (Ministry of Infrastructure)
  • Doctor recruitment in rural areas (Ministry of Health)
  • Municipal aggregate levy taxation for pits and quarries (Ministry of Natural Resources and Ministry of Finance)
  • Construction of the roundabout at Highway 12 and County Road 169 (Ministry of Transportation)
• Council received correspondence from the Municipality of Bluewater regarding Resolution - Keeping Climate Change as a Foremost National Priority as information.
• Council received and supported correspondence from the Municipality of South Huron regarding Swim to Survive Training.
• Council received and supported correspondence from the Municipality of South Huron regarding the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund.
• Council received correspondence from the Town of Ajax regarding Provincial Decision on Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) as information.
• Council received and supported correspondence from the Town of Plympton-Wyoming regarding Resolution - Conservation Authority Fee Freeze.
• Council received and supported correspondence from the Township of McGarry regarding Resolution of Support - Aerial Spraying.
• Council received a request from Uptergrove Public School regarding waiving the Community Centre Rental Fee for the Maker's Market Fundraiser as information and directed staff to waive the Ramara Centre rental fee in the amount of $360 plus security deposit for the event being held on November 15, 2025.
• Council received correspondence from the City of Orillia regarding a proposed recreation funding agreement as information and directed staff to initiate a meeting with City of Orillia representatives to receive clarity on the and report back to Council.

Notice of Motion

Councillor Fisher gave notice of a motion to be brought forward at the November 24, 2025, Council Meeting, proposing the introduction of the Giraffe Awards, a community recognition initiative under the Economic Development Committee.

Bills and Bylaws

Council approved the following bylaws on November 3, 2025:

• A bylaw to confirm the proceedings of the Council meeting held on November 3, 2025.