News

(Huntsville/Lake of Bays) – Mark your calendars! The Huntsville/Lake of Bays Fire Department is ramping up for the 36th annual Project Porchlight Food Drive in support of the Salvation Army. Fire trucks, with the assistance of the OPP, EMS, Public Works, and Motorcyclists of Muskoka, will be coming house-to-house to collect non-perishable food donations across our community on Wednesday, December 4, starting at 6 p.m.

(Lake of Bays, ON) With over two decades of dedicated service, the Township of Lake of Bays announces the upcoming retirement of Stephen Watson, Director of Building and By-law Services and Chief Building Official (CBO), effective March 31, 2025. 

Stephen’s 26-year career began with the Township in September 1998, primarily working as a one-person operation. He progressed from Deputy Chief Building Official to Chief Building Official, and eventually to Director of Building and By-law Services. As the municipality grew, Stephen developed into a successful leader, overseeing a team and managing a thriving department.

(Huntsville / Lake of Bays, ON) Over 60 municipal leaders from thirteen (13) upper and lower tier municipalities in and around the Muskoka watershed gathered together on Thursday, November 28 at an Integrated Watershed Management Workshop at the Active Living Centre in Huntsville, hosted jointly by the Town of Huntsville and Township of Lake of Bays. Attendees included District Chair Jeff Lehman as well as Mayors, Council Members, CAOs, and senior municipal staff members from the District of Muskoka and various municipalities throughout the Muskoka watershed area, as well as First Nations representatives.

With the first significant snowfall of the season, the Township of Lake of Bays urges all drivers to prioritize safety on our roads. Remember to drive according to road conditions.

Our plows will be actively working to clear the roads throughout the Township, so please be patient with our operators giving them plenty of room to operate safely and effectively.

Important Reminder: There is NO PARKING or standing of vehicles on any road or street allowed in the Township of Lake of Bays when it interferes with winter operations. Thank you for your cooperation!

Please be advised of temporary road closures for the upcoming Baysville Lions Santa Claus Parade. The closures are scheduled for Sunday, December 8, 2024, starting at 1:00 pm and concluding at 4:00 pm.

Staff and consultants have wrapped up Phase One of the project, and are well underway to completing Phase Two, the Background Research phase. As part of Phase Two of the project, initial public engagement activities will include a public information session, stakeholder focus groups, a presentation to Council, and the release of key discussion papers for the public to review and provide comment on.

Please be advised that the ongoing Canada Post strike may cause delays in mail-out Notices for Planning Act applications. 

Notices for planning applications in the Township of Lake of Bays will be available online through the Township website at the Planning Application Notices page. 

TAKE NOTICE THAT the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Lake of Bays will review the first draft of the 2025 Municipal Budget at its next regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. Budget discussions will begin at 1:00 p.m.

The Township of Lake of Bays has prepared a Housing Needs Assessment for review and comments from Council and the public. The Housing Needs Assessment aims to assess the current and future housing needs in the Township of Lake of Bays, identify gaps between housing demand and supply metrics across the full housing continuum, and direct strategic planning at the Township. This report is being presented at the December 17, 2024, Council (Planning Matters) meeting commencing at 9:00 a.m.