By Tessa Swanton, Bruce Peninsula Press
At the March 10th Council meeting, Council approved the removal of Class C Short Term Accommodation (STA) licences and reduced the number of STA licences in NBP from 500 to 400. Existing Class C licence holders will be grandfathered and permitted to operate their existing STA business. However, no new Class C licences will be granted. Class C STAs allow a maximum of 12 occupants and an unlimited number of rental days per year.
If staff reach the threshold of 400 active licences, Council will be notified, and all pending applications will be waitlisted. At this time, Council would be given the opportunity to increase the number of STAs, if they wish. Currently, there are approximately 370 valid licences and eight pending applications awaiting processing for the upcoming rental season.
Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson stated, “I think the 400 is an indication that we are taking it seriously…I think it tells people that you cannot just go into the STA business on a whim, that it is a business, there is some thought and planning required before you open an STA.”
Mayor McIver said, “we’re learning every year in the STA business, we still have a way to go, there’s still little things we’re dealing with.”
NBP to Consider Relocating Lion’s Head Geese to Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Kingsville
Management of Canada geese has been an ongoing problem in Lion’s Head for several years. Council minutes from August 26, 2019, indicate that Mayor McIver expressed that he had “received numerous complaints with respect to goose issues at the Lion’s Head Beach,” prompting the adoption of Northern Bruce Peninsula’s (NBP) 2020 Goose Management Plan. The fluid plan has focused on utilizing predator replication, drones, K9 goose control services, site aversion (scare tactics), habitat modification (fencing), public education (signage and no-feeding by-law), and Avian Migrate (bird repellent). Countless public comments have been documented in public meetings and plans, such as the August 2022 Lion’s Head Waterfront Revitalization Report, where anonymous constituents conveyed disgust with the excessive goose feces on the beach and desperate need for effective goose control. In October, 2024, Council authorized $9,000 to hire Imperial Falconry Services to deter geese with trained hawks.
Photo: Canada geese at the Lion’s Head Beach in the fall of 2023. 
Photo: Canada geese roaming the grounds of Jack Miner Bird Sanctuary in Kingsville, ON.
Advance to February 24, 2025, when Council received a delegation from Norm North, the owner of Integrated Goose Management Services, who specialize in relocating geese. North concentrates on relocating geese within Ontario using his truck and trailer, which can hold up to 300 geese at a time. The Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary located in Kingsville, ON, a common goose relocation area, houses a Bird Relocation Program where they accept injured and nuisance birds. The sanctuary is home to countless migrating geese and ducks and is a popular tourist attraction offering trails, picnic areas, and a museum. North assured Council that he “treats the birds well” and they are only handled during banding. North appeared confident that he could greatly reduce the number of geese at the Lion’s Head Beach for the summer of 2025, creating a pleasant experience for residents and visitors alike. The price for North’s services is based on many factors, such as the number of employees and birds, and distance travelled for relocation.
North suggested that Council also considers egg management (removal).
North obtains permits from the Canadian Wildlife Service to conduct his services as it is illegal to disturb Canada geese or their eggs without proper authorization.
Staff will report back to Council with additional information at a future meeting.
Switching to EVs is the Only Way to Reduce Municipal GHG Emissions by 20%
At the February 24th Council meeting, Council was visited by Mike Campbell on behalf of the Climate Action/Waste Diversion Committee. In May of 2022, Council committed to reducing corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 20% by 2030. The Committee notes that approximately 72% of all corporate emissions come from buildings and 27% from fleet. The consistent cold and snow this winter have resulted in greater energy consumption of diesel, gasoline, propane, and electric heat.
Campbell listed some current environmentally positive municipal initiatives: conversion to LED lighting in facilities; removal of oil fired hot water tanks in the marina, campground, and arena; new insulation and windows in the Rotary Hall; insulation at the Eastnor Public Works Shed; installation of heat pumps at the Tobermory Meeting Place and Community Centre; purchase of electric gas trimmers; and new water reservoir hanging planter baskets in villages.
He mentioned that the Municipality “purchased three Honda CRVs” and the Committee is “disappointed that these cars aren’t EVs.” Campbell recommended that Council ensure any newly purchased vehicles are electric as Council cannot achieve its goal of reducing GHG emissions by 20% without this change. He asked that municipal staff incorporate the “climate lens” into all decisions.
Grey Bruce OPP Presents 2024 Year End Report
Grey Bruce OPP Acting Staff Sergeant, Henry Thalen, appeared before Council on March 10th with the 2024 OPP Year End Report for the Grey Bruce Detachment. He advised that 2024 fatal motor vehicle collisions were a result of distracted driving and seat belts rather than speed. Sergeant Thalen said that increased enforcement on Highway #6 has started to show positive results.
Offences involving violence or threats increased drastically by 43.3% from 2023 totaling 215 records.
Daily patrol hours saw a significant increase in 2024 in the areas of cruiser, marine, ATV, bicycle and foot. Marine patrol hours increased from 692 hours in 2023 to 1,172 hours in 2024. Sergeant Thalen reported that, “in the world we are in right now with the border issues, and we do have some significant marine borders on the Peninsula, we will see an increase in marine patrol this summer.” The OPP are planning on placing a marine patrol boat in the water every day this summer with additional boats on busy weekends. This comes as a part of “Operation Deterrence” that the province has undertaken to address safety and security concerns at the border.
Mental health calls remained high in 2024. Grey Bruce OPP employs three mental health clinicians working to answer calls and provide resources to those facing a crisis.
With educational OPP school programs at a halt, Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden encouraged the OPP to reinstate the programs and place officers back in schools to educate young people.
