Council Highlights - May 11, 2026

Announcements

Mayor Clarke:

• Mayor Clarke encouraged residents to participate in the 2026 Bike Challenge, a nine-week community initiative running from May 11 to July 12, presented by Sustainable Orillia and the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. The initiative encourages residents to cycle more, drive less, and stay active as a family. More information is available at www.sustainableorillia.ca.
• Mayor Clarke reminded residents that the Township Administration Building will be closed on Monday, May 18, 2026, for Victoria Day and will reopen Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 9 a.m. He wished everyone a safe and enjoyable Victoria Day long weekend.
• Mayor Clarke also reminded residents about fireworks regulations in Ramara, noting that fireworks are prohibited in Lagoon City, at short-term rentals, on roads or public land, and during fire bans. While permits are normally required in areas such as Bayshore Village, permits are not required during the Victoria Day weekend between dusk and 11 p.m. More information is available at www.ramara.ca/fireworks.
• Mayor Clarke noted that he will not be seeking re-election to Ramara Council in the 2026 Municipal Election after 26 years of service. He encouraged residents interested in municipal politics to consider running for Council and emphasized the importance of voting in the upcoming election. For more information on the 2026 Municipal Election, visit www.ramara.ca/election.

Deputy Mayor Bell:

• Deputy Mayor Bell wished all mothers a happy Mother’s Day.
• Deputy Mayor Bell noted that he had attended the final Ramona Hall fish and chips dinner of the season on May 2, 2026.
• Deputy Mayor Bell attended the Orillia Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony on May 9, 2026, where several Ramara residents and athletes were recognized, including Ryan Smith, Richie Scott, the 1985 Travelways team, and Tracy Zwiers. The Athlete of the Year for 2025 was Spencer Shropshire, who is also a resident of Ramara. The Athlete of the Year for 2025 was Spencer Shropshire, who is also a resident of Ramara.
• Deputy Mayor Bell also highlighted the achievements of local young wrestlers, including four athletes who recently returned from the Canadian Wrestling Championships in Halifax with gold medals.
• He further recognized students for winning gold medals at city and county wrestling championships and noted that Rama Public School won its first-ever county championship flag.
• Deputy Mayor Bell also shared that three athletes from the Mariposa Wrestling Club, including Ramara residents Leah Hancock and Trent Suite, will be travelling to Montreal to try out for the Canadian National Wrestling Team.

Councillor Fisher:

• Councillor Fisher attended a Mother’s Day planter workshop hosted by Casino Rama in partnership with Scott’s Garden Centre in Ramara. She noted the strong turnout and participation from residents and visitors from across the region.

Councillor Tuju:

• Councillor Tuju and Councillor Fisher attended the National Day of Mourning ceremony in Tudhope Park to honour workers who have been injured, become ill, or lost their lives in the workplace and emphasized the importance of workplace safety.
• Councillor Tuju also attended a Couchiching Conservancy event in Washago regarding the Black River Wildlands, where residents discussed protecting waterways, flooding concerns, and environmental stewardship.
• Councillor Tuju noted she had the honour of laying a wreath on behalf of the Township of Ramara at the Barrie Cenotaph to commemorate the Battle of the Atlantic alongside local dignitaries, veterans, cadets, and members of the Royal Canadian Navy.
• Councillor Tuju also recognized the many talented local students from Ramara and Rama, who recently participated in the Kiwanis Festival and Festival of Encores at the Orillia Opera House, as well as the Twin Lakes Secondary School spring concert.

Councillor Bell:

• Councillor Bell extended Mother’s Day wishes to residents and recognized the strength and resilience of mothers in the community.
• Councillor Bell highlighted that the Simcoe County Loop Trail is participating in this year’s Sustainable Orillia cycling initiative and noted that Cycle Simcoe t-shirts are available for participants.
• Councillor Bell encouraged residents to share their perspectives with the City of Orillia regarding the importance of the Orillia Museum of Art and History (OMAH) and its role in preserving regional and local history.
• Councillor Bell reminded residents of the importance of voting in the upcoming municipal election and encouraged both seasonal and permanent residents to ensure they are on the voters’ list.
• Councillor Bell congratulated the Ramara Township Public Library and the Friends of the Library on another successful Smile Cookie campaign and thanked volunteers and Tim Hortons for their support.
• Councillor Bell highlighted the upcoming grand opening celebration at Lagoon City Marina on May 15, 2026, noting the return of the “Jewel of Lake Simcoe” with a new restaurant and additional amenities.
• Councillor Bell shared information about the Couchiching Ontario Health Team Wellness Fair taking place on May 27 starting at 10 a.m. at the Couchiching Family Health Team building in Orillia. The event is open to residents across the region and will include workshops and information from local service providers.

Committee of the Whole

Open Public Forum:

• Trevor Bruce and Kailey Bruce spoke regarding Agenda Item 11.5.3. Road Status and Winter Plowing Considerations – Sunset Drive.

Below are highlights of what Committee of the Whole recommended at its meeting held on Monday, May 11, 2026. These are subject to ratification by Council at its next meeting on June 8, 2026, unless pulled for ratification on the same day.

Closed Session:

Litigation Update & Strategy – Road Widening on Ramara Road 47 Matter

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report regarding the Road Widening on Ramara Road 47 matter and that the confidential direction to staff be adopted. The matter was referred to the May 11, 2026, Council agenda for same-day ratification.

Council Referral Reports:

City of Orillia Recreation Funding Request

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report regarding the City of Orillia Recreation Funding Request and also recommended that the City of Orillia be advised that the Township of Ramara acknowledges and appreciates the significance, quality, and value of the recreational services provided by the City of Orillia and the benefits those services offer to Township residents.
• Committee of the Whole further recommended that Township staff work collaboratively with City of Orillia staff to develop a six-month data collection protocol to better understand Township resident use of City recreation facilities and programs.
• Committee of the Whole also recommended that Township staff develop and implement a community engagement strategy to assess Township resident support for potential financial contributions to offset non-resident recreation fees and report back to Council once the information and engagement results are available.

Departmental Reports:

Implementation of Bids and Tenders

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report regarding the Implementation of Bids and Tenders and that $6,200 from Municipal Modernization funding be authorized for implementation costs. The report was referred to the May 11, 2026, Council agenda for same-day ratification.

Renovation of the Ramara Centre Washrooms

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report regarding Renovation of the Ramara Centre Washrooms, that repairs to the Ramara Centre washrooms proceed as outlined in the report and that $40,000 be allocated from the Capital Reserve to complete the work.
• The report was referred to the May 11, 2026, Council agenda for same-day ratification.

Road Status and Winter Plowing Considerations – Sunset Drive

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report regarding Road Status and Winter Plowing Considerations – Sunset Drive and that winter plowing continue on Sunset Drive, without prejudice or precedent, until a global roads inventory and unified policy are prepared by staff for Council consideration.
• Committee of the Whole further recommended that winter plowing on Sunset Drive occur when snow accumulations exceed 100 mm (4 inches).
• Committee of the Whole also recommended that previous closed session item(s) regarding the road assumption status of Sunset Drive be referred to the next Committee of the Whole closed session meeting to consider releasing the information publicly. The report was referred to the May 11, 2026, Council agenda for same-day ratification.

Council

Below are highlights of what Council adopted at its meeting on Monday, May 11, 2026:

• Council received the report regarding Litigation Update & Strategy – Road Widening on Ramara Road 47 Matter and the confidential direction to staff was adopted.
• Council approved the implementation of Bids and Tenders software and authorized $6,200 from Municipal Modernization funding for implementation costs.
• Council approved repairs and renovations to the Ramara Centre washrooms and allocated $40,000 from the Capital Reserve to complete the work.
• Council approved continuing winter plowing on Sunset Drive, without prejudice or precedent, until a global roads inventory and unified policy are prepared for Council consideration. Council also directed that previous closed session items regarding the road assumption status of Sunset Drive be referred to a future closed session meeting to consider releasing the information publicly.
• Council adopted recommendations related to the Township’s new Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS), including implementation for Parking, Long Grass/Weeds, Short-Term Rental, and Licensing bylaws.
• Council supported, in principle, the development of a Communications and Engagement Strategy for consideration by the next term of Council.
• Council adopted the Ramara Road Needs Study (2025), prepared by Tatham Engineering, in principle and endorsed it as a guiding document for future road maintenance, rehabilitation, and renewal planning within the Township.
• Council approved the proposed 2026 road work program, including projects on Bridges 18 and 19, Ramara Road 46, Lakeshore Drive, Birch Road, Creighton Street, Concession Road 12, Rama-Dalton Boundary Road, and associated engineering works.
• Council directed staff to develop a policy to guide future road renewal projects, including limiting road widenings unless operationally or safety required, utilizing single-lift asphalt applications where appropriate, and ensuring roads are not downgraded from hard surface to gravel.
• Council further directed staff to review and prioritize additional road-related initiatives, including improvements to dead-end road turnaround areas, flood-prone roads, potential gravel road upgrades, and enhanced haul route assessments for consideration as part of the 2027 budget process.
• Council approved the Township’s participation in a Joint Compliance Audit Committee facilitated and administered by the County of Simcoe for the 2026 Municipal and School Board Elections.
• Council received correspondence from the Municipality of Huron Shores regarding support for the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands resolution related to Tar and Chip Surface Treatment as information.
• Council received correspondence from the Municipality of Tweed regarding support for the Township of Ramara’s resolution declaring Intimate Partner Violence an epidemic as information.
• Council received and supported correspondence regarding the Township of Oro-Medonte’s resolution related to the Association of Ontario Road Supervisors Health and Safety Request.
• Council directed staff to pursue delegation requests for the 2026 AMO Annual Conference, including:
  • A joint delegation with the Townships of Oro-Medonte and Severn regarding quarry matters, including TOARC and importation fees, with an invitation extended to the Township of Springwater to participate;
  • A delegation to the Ministry of the Solicitor-General regarding the OPP Billing Model;
  • A delegation to the Ministry of Energy regarding Phase 3 natural gas expansion and gas servicing in Ramara;
  • A delegation to the Ministry of Health regarding physician recruitment efforts and support for rural and small municipalities; and
  • A delegation to the Ministry of Transportation regarding the Highway 12 and County Road 169 roundabout and funding opportunities for the Simcoe Road CN Rail overpass.
• Council also authorized the Mayor to invite the MP for Simcoe North to attend the Ministry of Transportation delegation meeting if the request is accepted.
• Council received the memo from the Climate Action Committee regarding the Earth Day Community Clean-up Program (Year-Round Feasibility) and directed staff to review the feasibility of expanding the current Earth Day community clean-up initiative into a year-round program, including operational requirements, costs, availability of supplies, and waste collection logistics, and report back to Council.
• Council received the memo from the Climate Action Committee regarding Township Representation on a Watershed Council as information at this time.
• Council directed staff, in collaboration with the County of Simcoe, to prepare a report on the feasibility of a tax rebate for residents who do not receive garbage collection services due to the service not being provided in their areas.

Bills and Bylaws:

Council approved the following bylaws at the May 11, 2026, meeting:

• Bill 2026.22 – A bylaw to amend the Ramara Public Library Board Bylaw and repeal Bylaw 99.06.
• Bill 2026.23 – A bylaw to provide for the municipal levy and payment of taxes, mosquito control service rate, goose control rate, and adoption of 2026 tax rates.
• Bill 2026.24 – A bylaw to appoint seasonal Municipal Law Enforcement Officers, Property Standards Officers, Parking Enforcement Officers, and Provincial Offences Officers.
• Bill 2026.25 – A bylaw to implement an Administrative Monetary Penalty System within the Township of Ramara.
• Bill 2026.26 – A bylaw to amend the Long Grass and Weeds Bylaw.
• Bill 2026.27 – A bylaw to amend the Dog Licensing and Impounding Bylaw.
• Bill 2026.28 – A bylaw to amend the Short-Term Rental Accommodation Bylaw.
• Bill 2026.29 – A bylaw to amend the Licensed Businesses Bylaw.
• Bill 2026.30 – A bylaw to repeal and replace the Township’s Parking Bylaw.
• Bill 2026.31 – A bylaw to amend the Township’s Appeal Tribunal Bylaw and Rules of Procedure.
• Bill 2026.32 – A bylaw to amend the Fees and Charges Bylaw to include fees related to the Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS).
• Bylaw 2026.43 – A bylaw to confirm the proceedings of the Council meeting held on May 11, 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.