Council Highlights - March 23, 2026

Announcements

Mayor Clarke

• Mayor Clarke noted that he attended the Orillia District Fish and Game Conservation Club’s 79^th anniversary and Annual General Meeting on March 19. He recognized the organization’s longstanding contributions to conservation efforts across the region, including the reintroduction of wild turkeys and Canada geese. Mayor Clarke also acknowledged the dedication of the club’s members, noting that some individuals have contributed more than 50 years of volunteer service, and commended the group for their continued work supporting species at risk and environmental stewardship.
• Mayor Clarke shared that 2026 resident parking passes are now available, including a new digital E-Pass option that links directly to a vehicle’s licence plate, eliminating the need for a physical pass. Traditional hanger-style passes will continue to be available online and in person at the Township Administration Building. Residents can learn more at ramara.ca/parking.
• Mayor Clarke noted that Earth Day takes place on April 22 and encouraged residents to participate in the Township’s Community Clean-Up Program running from April 1 to April 30. Residents and groups organizing clean-up activities are asked to register in advance at ramara.ca/EarthDay and can pick up clean-up kits from the Township Administration Office.
• Mayor Clarke shared that the Township’s Recreation Division is preparing for summer programming. The Summer Camp Guide is now available, and resident registration opens April 1. Residents are encouraged to register early as spaces fill quickly. For more information visit ramara.ca/recreation.
• Mayor Clarke thanked the Province of Ontario and MPP Jill Dunlop for their support following the March 2025 ice storm. Through the Municipal Ice Storm Assistance program, the Township will receive more than $1.5 million in funding to support recovery efforts. Mayor Clarke reminded residents, as the one-year anniversary of the storm approaches, to review their emergency preparedness plans and ensure they have an emergency kit ready. Additional information is available at ramara.ca/EmergencyManagement.

Councillor Fisher

• Councillor Fisher shared that the Couchiching Conservancy will be holding its Annual General Meeting on March 28, 2026, at Hawk Ridge and encouraged those interested to attend.
• Councillor Fisher also highlighted the recent Legion public speaking competition, noting that local students Liliana and Olivia have advanced to the district level following success at the zone competition. She congratulated them on their achievement.

Committee of the Whole

Deputations:

OPP Community Mobilization Unit

• Sgt. Matt Stoner and Staff Sgt. Theodore (Ted) Dongelmans of the OPP Community Mobilization Unit gave a deputation to Council regarding an update on the goals and structure of the Orillia Detachment Community Mobilization Unit, a team of officers, focusing on community issues with the goal of developing strategies to connect community partners, promote community safety and reduce calls for service. The deputation including the purpose and mission; unit structure; education, engagement, and enforcement; and ongoing projects. 

View the OPP Community Mobilization Unit Presentation

Mariposa House Hospice

• Dr. Josiah Lowry and Ted Markle of Mariposa House Hospice gave a deputation to Council regarding an update on the hospice and their current expansion project, including highlights of the 2025-26 year, why expansion matters, the vision for the capital expansion campaign, capacity, project overview, and an ask of the Township for a contribution to the Expansion Capital Campaign of $40,000 over two years. 

View the Mariposa House Hospice Presentation

Below are highlights of what Committee of the Whole recommended at its meeting held on Monday, March 23, 2026. These are subject to ratification by Council at its next meeting on April 13, 2026, unless pulled for ratification on the same day.

Closed Session

Litigation Update & Strategy – Bertrand et al v. Township of Ramara et al

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report regarding the Litigation Update & Strategy – Bertrand et al v. Township of Ramara et al (2026 ONSC 1662) as information and that the confidential direction provided to staff be adopted.
• Committee of the Whole also recommended that staff provide a confidential status update to the Lagoon City Parks & Waterways Commission.
• The report was referred to the March 23, 2026, Council agenda for same-day ratification.

Council Referral Reports

Sports Dome Preliminary Research and Next Steps

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report regarding Sports Dome Preliminary Research and Next Steps.
• Committee of the Whole also recommended that a Sports Dome Feasibility Study be commissioned, contingent upon the successful receipt of grant funding and in accordance with the Township’s Procurement of Goods and Services By-law.
• Should grant funding not be obtained, Committee of the Whole recommended that staff submit a 2027 capital budget request in the amount of $50,000 including HST to complete the feasibility study.

Feasibility of a Boat Launch into Lake Simcoe 

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report regarding the Feasibility of a Boat Launch into Lake Simcoe as information.
• Committee of the Whole also recommended that staff be directed to request the City of Orillia to consider reduced boat launch rates for Township of Ramara residents.

Departmental Reports

Use of Corporate Resources for Election Purposes Policy 

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report regarding the Use of Corporate Resources for Election Purposes Policy.
• Committee of the Whole also recommended that Council approve the Use of Corporate Resources for Election Purposes Policy attached as Schedule “A” of the report.
• The report was referred to the March 23, 2026, Council agenda for same-day ratification.

Social Media Policy Update

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report regarding the Social Media Policy and that Council approve the Township of Ramara Social Media Policy as shown in Schedule “A” to the report.
• The report was referred to the March 23, 2026, Council agenda for same-day ratification.

Council

Below are highlights of what Council adopted at its meeting on Monday, March 23, 2026:

• Council received the report regarding the Litigation Update & Strategy – Bertrand et al v. Township of Ramara et al (2026 ONSC 1662) as information and the confidential direction provided to staff was adopted. Council also directed that staff provide a confidential status update to the Lagoon City Parks & Waterways Commission.
• Council received the report regarding the Use of Corporate Resources for Election Purposes Policy and approved the Use of Corporate Resources for Election Purposes Policy attached as Schedule “A” to the report.
• Council received the report regarding the Social Media Policy and approved the Township of Ramara Social Media Policy as shown in Schedule “A” to the report.
• Council received the report regarding Road Name Review – Phase 2 and approved the renaming of several roads previously identified during Committee of the Whole discussions on May 8, 2023, as follows:
  • Concession Road A (from Sideroad 5 to the west end) to McCuaig Lane; 
  • Concession Road B/C (from Rama Dalton Boundary Road to the west end) to Deerfield Road;
  • Concession Road D/E (from Rama Dalton Boundary Road to the west end) to Silver Springs Road;
  • Sideroad 5 (from County Road 46 to Mundy’s Lane) to Forest Haven Road;
  • Sideroad 5 (from County Road 46 to Concession Road 10) to Mill Creek Road;
  • Sideroad 5/6 (from Concession Road B/C to Concession Road D/E) to Heaven’s Gate Road; and
  • Sideroad 25 (from Muley Point Road to Bonnie Beach Road) to Cattle Run Road.
• Council received the decision on motion for contempt dated March 18, 2026, regarding Bertrand et al v. Township of Ramara et al (2026 ONSC 1662) as information.
• Council received and supported correspondence from the Town of LaSalle dated February 25, 2026, regarding support for the Town of Parry Sound’s resolution on Municipal Support for School Bus Safety and Stop-Arm Camera Systems.
• Council received and supported correspondence from the Township of Adjala-Tosorontio dated February 27, 2026, regarding minimizing salt pollution in watersheds.
• Council received and supported correspondence from the Township of Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan dated March 4, 2026, regarding support for Tay Valley Township’s resolution on collaborative action for sustainable waste management in Ontario.
• Council received and supported correspondence from the Regional Municipality of York dated March 6, 2026, regarding provincial action on Blue Box recycling service disparities.
• Council received the deputation from Sergeant Matt Stoner and Staff Sergeant Theodore (Ted) Dongelmans of the Ontario Provincial Police Community Mobilization Unit regarding an update on the goals and structure of the Orillia Detachment Community Mobilization Unit as information.
• Council received the deputation from Dr. Josiah Lowry and Ted Markle of Mariposa House Hospice regarding an update on the hospice and their current Capital Campaign as information and directed that the request for financial support from Mariposa House Hospice be referred to the Township of Ramara’s 2027 budget process for consideration. Council also directed that staff promote Mariposa House Hospice fundraising events on Township communication channels as available.
• Council directed staff to prepare a CIP memo outlining the section of the Township of Ramara's Official Plan that speaks to the Atherley-Uptergrove Secondary Plan Area/Rama Road Corridor Master Servicing Plan. 

Bills and Bylaws

Council approved the following bylaws on March 23, 2026:

• Bill 2026.14 – A bylaw to repeal and replace Bylaw 2026.03 for the stop-up, closure, and sale of a portion of the unopened Laidlaw Avenue road allowance.
• Bill 2026.15 – A bylaw to amend Bylaw 2026.07 to update appointments of Municipal Law Enforcement Officers, Property Standards Officers, Parking Enforcement Officers, and Provincial Offences Officers.
• Bylaw 2026.21 – A bylaw to confirm the proceedings of the Council meeting held on March 23, 2026.

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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.