We are fortunate to live in this beautiful and unique part of Canada at the mouth of all Muskoka’s watersheds, bordering the largest of them all, Georgian Bay and the Great Lakes. We have convenient access to the GTA by mass transit and Highway 400, the best north/south route in Ontario, making our Township easily accessible from the city.
We do, however, face some significant challenges. For decades the Township has been a subsistence (minimal level) economy, lacking a critical mass of permanent residents and an accompanying diverse and balanced economy. Fortunately, this is changing; our challenge is to manage this change to our benefit. I believe we must preserve what is special about our Township, its beautiful and clean natural environment. As such, our goal ought to be sustainability balanced with selective intensification (population growth) in our three urban defined areas.
In my view there are seven pillars upon which our efforts should be focused:
- Completion of the master site plans for MacTier and Honey Harbour and implementation of infrastructure development to support these plans.
- Enhancement of recreational facilities and programmes to provide services to all segments of our population.
- Promotion of economic development throughout the Township, aimed at enhancing our economic, social, cultural and heritage sectors.
- Proactive introduction of comprehensive and co-ordinated community services to serve all segments of our population (i.e. social welfare, senior and affordable housing, educational, health and childcare services).
- Maintenance and enhancement of our natural environment.
- Community development to promote local sustainability.
- Most important, a more equitable fiscal deal for the Township. We are taxed excessively for the return we receive.
