Council Highlights - August 10, 2026

Announcements

Mayor Clarke:

• Mayor Clarke recognized September 9, 2026, as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day, noting that the proclamation was being recognized in advance as Council's next regular meeting is September 14. He recognized the Simcoe County FASD Prevention Committee for its work to raise awareness, support prevention and promote greater understanding and acceptance of individuals and families affected by FASD.
• Mayor Clarke officially welcomed Dr. Mehdi Dadashi to Ramara. Dr. Dadashi will join Dr. Mo at the Ramara Medical Centre and brings 20 years of experience in family medicine and emergency care. Both physicians are now building their patient rosters. Residents without a family doctor or nurse practitioner, or those looking for one closer to home, must register with Health Care Connect to be considered for attachment. The Couchiching Ontario Health Team is assisting residents with registration by calling Emily at 705-329-3649, extension 241.
• Mayor Clarke advised residents that the Province has activated the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) program following the April flooding, with the Lake St. John area of Ramara included in the designated activation area. Residents who experienced flooding in the area are encouraged to review the program's eligibility requirements and apply by November 16, 2026. Visit ontario.ca/DisasterAssistance for more information.

Councillor Tuju:

• Councillor Tuju invited residents and visitors to attend the second annual Ramara Fall Harvest Festival on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Atherley Community Park. The free event will feature local farmers and vendors, food, family activities, community organizations, demonstrations and displays. The Couchiching Ontario Health Team will also be available to assist residents with registering for Health Care Connect. Learn more about the Ramara Fall Harvest Festival.

Councillor Fisher:

• Councillor Fisher attended the Sylvan Glen Beach Association golf tournament and barbecue at Western Trent Golf Club. Although the golf tournament was cut short by severe weather, she thanked the Brechin-Mara Legion for opening its facility so participants could continue the gathering indoors.

Councillor Gough:

• Councillor Gough attended the Health Care Connect registration event at the Ramara Medical Centre and spoke to the strong turnout from residents. He also welcomed Dr. Mo and Dr. Dadashi and thanked both physicians for taking the time to meet and speak with residents attending the event.

Councillor Bell:

• Councillor Bell toured the Lagoon City waterways with Dr. Ginn who has extensive experience studying Lake Simcoe and issues including nutrient inputs, climate change, invasive species and fish habitat. During the tour, water samples were collected from the waterways.
• Councillor Bell highlighted several local businesses and community events she attended over the past month, including the Brechin-Mara Legion Pig Roast and local business anniversary celebrations.
• Councillor Bell promoted the upcoming Ramara Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament, taking place September 16, 2026, at Western Trent Golf Club.
• Councillor Bell also welcomed Dr. Mo and Dr. Dadashi to Ramara and highlighted her continued involvement with the Couchiching Ontario Health Team's Patient, Family and Caregiver Network, offering her assistance to residents who looking to sign up for the new doctors in Ramara.

Committee of the Whole

Open Public Forum:

• Michael O'Brien spoke to Agenda Item 11.5.1. regarding the 2026 Financial Mid-Year Update.

Below are highlights of what Committee of the Whole recommended at its meeting held on Monday, August 10, 2026. These are subject to ratification by Council at its next meeting on September 14, 2026, unless pulled for ratification on the same day.

Closed Session:

Preliminary Report of the Ombudsman

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report regarding the Preliminary Report of the Ombudsman. The report was referred to the August 10, 2026, Council agenda for same-day ratification.

Township of Ramara Industrial Park – Exercise of Repurchase Options

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the closed session report regarding the Township's potential exercise of repurchase options for properties within the Ramara Industrial Park and recommended proceeding in accordance with the direction to be given in accordance with the associated open session report. The report was referred to the August 10, 2026, Council agenda for same-day ratification.

Disclosure of Personal Information – Councillor Social Media

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report regarding Disclosure of Personal Information – Councillor Social Media and adopting the confidential direction provided to staff. The report was referred to the August 10, 2026, Council agenda for same-day ratification.

Departmental Reports:

2026 Financial Mid-Year Update

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report regarding the 2026 Financial Mid-Year Update as information.

Township of Ramara Industrial Park – Exercise of Repurchase Options

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report regarding the Township of Ramara Industrial Park – Exercise of Repurchase Options and allocating up to $950,000 to support the exercise of the Township's repurchase option for the following properties:
  • 321 O'Donnell Court;
  • 344 O'Donnell Court; and
  • 345 O'Donnell Court.
• Committee of the Whole also recommended that the funding allocation be made from surplus revenue resulting from investment proceeds.
• The report was referred to the August 10, 2026, Council agenda for same-day ratification.

Site Alteration Bylaw Update

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report regarding the Site Alteration Bylaw Update and directing staff to bring forward a bylaw to repeal and replace the Site Alteration Bylaw, as set out in the report.

Proposed Ramara Quarry Aggregate Resources Act Licence Application

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report regarding the Proposed Ramara Quarry Aggregate Resources Act Licence Application (Licence #626728) as information.
• The report was referred to the August 10, 2026, Council agenda for same-day ratification.

Council

Below are highlights of what Council adopted at its meeting on Monday, August 10, 2026:

• Council received the report regarding the Brechin Municipal Buildings – Demolition Costing and Request for Information/Request for Proposal Framework and directed staff to include the demolition of the municipally owned buildings at 2287 and 2291 Highway 12, Brechin, within the proposed 2027 Budget for consideration.
• Council also directed staff to proceed with a Request for Information process regarding future opportunities for the properties, authorized Colliers Project Leaders to develop and administer the process, authorized up to $19,000 plus HST for consulting services funded from the Capital Buildings project, and directed staff to report back to Council with the results.
• Council received the report regarding the Feasibility of Garbage Collection Services Tax Rebate as information.
• Council received the report regarding the Stop and Yield Bylaw Update and supported the following additions and modifications:
  • Addition of a stop sign at the intersection of Mara/Eldon Boundary Road and Canal Road.
  • Conversion of a yield sign on Winchester Road to a stop sign.
  • Addition of a yield sign on Tivnon Lane.
  • Addition of a stop sign on Queen Street at Ogden Street.
• Council also directed staff to bring forward a bylaw to amend Bylaw 2005.86 with the proposed changes to Schedules "A" and "B" as enclosed in Report ID-22-26.
• Council received the report regarding the Routine Disclosure Process and Prospective Policy Amendment and amended the Township's Routine Disclosure Policy 2024.RD to revise the fee structure for routine disclosure requests. Council also directed staff to bring forward an amendment to the Fees and Charges Bylaw to implement a $30 flat fee for routine disclosure requests.
• Council received the report regarding the Preliminary Report of the Ombudsman.
• Council received the closed session report regarding the Township of Ramara Industrial Park – Exercise of Repurchase Options and agreed to proceed in accordance with the direction provided through the associated open session report.
• Council received the report regarding Disclosure of Personal Information – Councillor Social Media and adopted the confidential direction provided to staff.
• Council received the open session report regarding the Township of Ramara Industrial Park – Exercise of Repurchase Options and allocated up to $950,000 to support the exercise of the Township's repurchase option for:
  • 321 O'Donnell Court;
  • 344 O'Donnell Court; and
  • 345 O'Donnell Court.
• Council directed that the financial allocation be made from surplus revenue resulting from investment proceed recapture.
• Council received the report regarding the Proposed Ramara Quarry Aggregate Resources Act Licence Application (Licence #626728) – Informational Update as information.
• Council received correspondence from the Top Aggregate Producing Municipalities of Ontario (TAPMO) regarding the August 16, 2026, TAPMO Membership Committee Annual General Meeting Agenda as information.
• Council received correspondence from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada regarding its response to the Township's request for a review of operational safety at the Lake Country Airways Water Aerodrome as information.
• Council received correspondence from the Municipality of Shuniah regarding support for the Town of Whitby's resolution concerning Ontario Land Tribunal Review and Enhancing Deference to Municipal Planning as information.
• Council received the memo from the Lagoon City Parks and Waterways Commission regarding a request for a deputation from the Invasive Species Centre and directed staff to contact the Invasive Species Centre to request a deputation regarding Responding to Water Soldier in Lake Simcoe at the next available Council meeting.
• Council received and supported correspondence from the Municipality of Trent Lakes regarding a request for provincial action on the accuracy of municipal voters' lists.
• Council received correspondence from the General Manager of Development and Infrastructure regarding the Atherley-Uptergrove Master Servicing Study Update as information.
• Council received and supported correspondence from the Municipality of Wawa regarding support for the North Grenville, Merrickville-Wolford Village OPP Detachment Board's resolution concerning Traffic and Speeding Funding.
• Council received correspondence from the Udney Community Centre Board regarding insurance assistance for the 2026 Udney Fest and authorized up to $450 to assist with insurance costs, funded from the UCC Capital Expenditures Reserve. Council also directed the Board to include future insurance costs for events in its annual budget for consideration during the annual budget process.
• Council directed staff to prepare a report on the feasibility of implementing measures to support the Township's declaration of Intimate Partner Violence as an epidemic, including:
  • Contacting municipal partners involved in the Couchiching Community Safety and Well-Being Plan to ask about progress in addressing Intimate Partner Violence and provide them with the June 24, 2026, CFUW Orillia correspondence.
  • Encouraging municipal staff and members of Council to attend the Neighbours, Friends and Families free, one-hour online training program and communicating about the availability of the training.
  • Following up with the County of Simcoe regarding the February 2026 funding request from Green Haven Women's Shelter and, if funding has not been granted by the County, forwarding the request to the Township's 2027 Budget process.
• Councillor Fisher provided notice of a motion for the September 14, 2026, Council meeting calling on the Province of Ontario and Government of Canada to collaborate with medical experts, researchers, healthcare providers and patient representatives to continue research and review clinical guidance related to persistent symptoms following Lyme disease, enhance physician education and awareness, improve access to multidisciplinary assessment and care, and review funding policies and access to medically necessary diagnostics and treatments where supported by emerging evidence and best clinical practice.
• The proposed motion also calls on Ontario to advocate for continued national leadership in developing evidence-informed guidance on persistent Lyme-related illness.
• The proposed resolution would be forwarded to the provincial and federal Ministers of Health, Public Health Agency of Canada, Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Rural Ontario Municipal Association, Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop, Simcoe North MP Adam Chambers and all Ontario municipalities for support.

Bills and Bylaws:

Council approved the following bylaws at the August 10, 2026, meeting:

• Bill 2026.40 – A bylaw to amend Fees and Charges Bylaw 2025.74 to update Routine Disclosure Request fees as outlined in Schedule "A".
• Bill 2026.41 – A bylaw to amend Bylaws 2026.48 and 2026.34 to update appointments of Municipal Law Enforcement Officers, Property Standards Officers, Parking Enforcement Officers and Provincial Offences Officers.
• Bill 2026.43 – A bylaw to provide for the acquisition of Part of the South 1/2 of Lot 10, Concession 3 Mara, Part 4, Plan 51R43173, described by PIN 58724-0165 (LT).
• Bill 2026.44 – A bylaw to provide for the acquisition of Part of the South 1/2 of Lot 10, Concession 3 Mara, Part 2, Plan 51R43173, described by PIN 58724-0160 (LT).
• Bill 2026.45 – A bylaw to provide for the acquisition of Part of the South 1/2 of Lot 10, Concession 3 Mara, Part 6, Plan 51R43173, described by PIN 58724-0161 (LT).
• Bill 2026.46 – A bylaw to establish and appoint a Joint Compliance Audit Committee for the 2026 Township of Ramara Municipal and School Board Election.
• Bylaw 2026.65 – A bylaw to confirm the proceedings of the Council meeting held on August 10, 2026.

Subscribe

Subscribe to receive email updates on Township of Ramara news and notices, media releases, Council highlights, Monthly Ramara Bulletin, community events, and beyond.

Subscribe now

For More Information

For more details on any of these items, you can read the full meeting agenda on the Township's Meeting Portal or watch 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.