By John Francis, Bruce Peninsula Press
The following information was supplied by Cathy Addison, MNBP’s Municipal Clerk:
“The total voter participation was 3607, which is 37.3% of the 9682 electors. This is a decrease from 2018 Municipal election, as voter participation was at 41%.
Turnout by Age
Age Percentage Voted
18-24 43.2%
25-34 32.9%
35-44 28%
45-54 27.2%
55-64 35.8%
65-74 46.5%
75-84 48.1%
85+ 32.2%
Electors aged 75+ plus seem to be in the largest demographic to cast a ballot using the electronic method, however, it’s encouraging to see the younger generation is showing a large percentage of eligible voters exercising their right to vote.
The total number of people who voted using the internet was 88% compared to 12% who used the telephone method of voting.
Voter participation throughout some other Bruce County municipalities was as follows:
Brockton – 35.4%
Arran-Elderslie – 46.6%
Kincardine – 45.1%
Town of South Bruce Pen – 42.5%
Municipality of South Bruce – 59.3%
Township of Huron-Kinloss – 40.9%”
A full Clerk’s Report on the 2022 Municipal Election will be presented at the new Council’s inaugural Meeting on November 15.
CUPE Strike Only Affects School Custodians
As this newspaper goes to press, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) strike against the Government of Ontario is in its second day.
CUPE represents a broad spectrum of educational and support workers in Ontario, but precisely which staff members belong to CUPE varies from board to board. In Bluewater District School Board (BWDSB), only custodial and maintenance staff are CUPE members, so they are the only ones on strike. In our community, that means one custodian in each of our schools.
On the first day of the strike, picketers concentrated on the office of MPP Rick Byers, so there were no picket lines at individual schools.
As of the evening of November 6, BWDSB is saying that Bluewater schools will be open on November 7. School buses will run their normal routes but all extra-curricular activities are cancelled.
BWDSB warns that “Families should be aware that school closures may become necessary if the withdrawal of services by CUPE members continues beyond this point”. Up-to-date information can be found on the board website: www.bwdsb.on.ca; select Labour Updates in the SPOTLIGHT menu along the right border.
Sharp Slowdown in Real Estate
The Realtors Association of Grey Bruce Owen Sound offers some numbers on the current real estate market. Home sales in October were more than 40% below the 5- and 10-year averages for October. The number of active listings is more than double the number from this date last year. The “Residential Average Price” was barely $600,000 for October; it was above $750,000 from December 2021 to March 2022.
New Minister at Tobermory United Church
Tobermory United Church has been without a minister since the departure of Brad Inglis last year.
The church has now hired a new minister, Rev Sheryl Spencer. Her first service will be November 20.
