By Tessa Swanton, Bruce Peninsula Press
Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula (MNBP) Councillors Todd Dowd, Laurie (Smokey) Golden and Aman Sohrab discussed mitigation options for addressing concerns related to the potential closure of Crane Lake Road at the May 26th Council Meeting. Mayor Milt McIver declared a conflict of interest and refrained from participating as his wife owns property on the road and Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson was absent.
Crane Lake Road is subject to excessive flooding causing concern for public safety and road travel. The MNBP Fire Department noted various incidents of vehicles driving off the road or becoming immobilized due to deep waters. MNBP staff have considered various options to deter traffic on the section of road prone to flooding, such as the installation of a gate to limit public vehicular traffic.
Public Works Manager, Troy Cameron, indicated in Report No. PW 25-11 that staff circulated letters to property owners/agencies near the proposed gate location for input, including Parks Canada and the Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC). Responses were torn between three respondents in favour of a gate, four in opposition, and two indifferent and/or needing further information.
Cameron presented five detailed options to Council for consideration. Councillor Golden presented a motion in favour of Option 1: Partial closure with restricted access including gate installation with key/code access for private landowners, emergency services, and municipal staff. Signage would also be installed at entry points to prevent confusion and conflict. She also noted that Option 3: Alternative route for Bruce Trail and public access – relocating the trail to an alternative route to avoid private property while working with the BTC and Parks Canada, could be investigated in the meantime. Councillor Golden later withdrew her motion as there was no support.
Council was opposed to Options 2, 4 and 5: maintaining the road to a drivable condition, delaying a decision, and installing a permanent gate structure that is only closed during times of hazardous flooding.
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Peggy Van Mierlo-West, advised that “If the Municipality determines that [a road] is closed, then pedestrian, vehicular, and bike traffic cannot go across that boundary.” Further, “Similar to Cabot Head Road, it would be deemed a temporary closure, if you went past without permission, you can legally be charged.” It was later clarified in a MNBP Facebook post that “The road is closed to vehicle traffic. So, if you’re on foot and enjoying the trail, you’re welcome to continue your journey through the area.”
Councillor Dowd said, “To truly fix the problem, we need to work with [Parks Canada] to control the beavers that are flooding out the road to begin with. If the beaver dams are going to stay the way they are and flood the road out, we’re always going to have this problem.”
Cameron informed, “There would have to be major work done along with collaboration with property owners to lower the water level and make [the road] passable.”
Council directed staff to proceed with circulating a staff report to property owners and the BTC for comments on Options 1 and 3 for a four-week period, temporarily close the road by way of barricade, and provide an updated report to Council for further consideration. To read the full report or watch the meeting recording, visit https://northernbrucepeninsula.civicweb.net/
Tobermory All Seasons Market Receives Council Support
Elza Efendi, Chief Organizer of the Tobermory All Seasons (TAS) Market, appeared before Council on May 26th requesting approval to host outdoor market events during the summer months at the Tobermory Pavilion next to the ball diamond/tennis court or at the Tobermory Meeting Place. She also requested approval to organize indoor markets at the Tobermory Community Centre or Meeting Place from October to April.
Following the meeting, Efendi quickly received approval from MNBP to host the TAS Market at the Tobermory Community Centre (outdoor pavilion at Head Street at the ball diamond). The Market will operate from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. every Saturday as it is the “best day to bring the community together” from June to the end of September (excluding June 14 and 21).
The TAS Market launched in October 2024 at the Light and Life Chapel in Tobermory where the group held monthly market events from the basement. In May 2025 the group was informed that the Chapel could no longer offer the facility due to current rules and regulations, leaving the group without a location to operate. Currently, the TAS Market has a list of over 20 local vendors offering products like stained glass, baked goods, antiques, photography, woodworking, and more.
Efendi said the TAS Market is “about assisting local community vendors, encouraging visitors and entrepreneurs, and supporting individuals.” She stated that, “People want to experience touching products, learn how it’s made, maybe gain some ideas and share their ideas with the community – this is more what I call an event – learning, educational, helping the community strive, and helping us build the future of this community.” She emphasized the importance of vendors selling products in person rather than using online platforms.
Efendi noted that the TAS Market is eager to collaborate with potential stakeholders, like MNBP, Bruce Peninsula National Park, Tobermory Primary Place, Meeting Place, Tobermory Trail Race, Chi-Cheemaun Festival and local commercial and non-profit organizations.
Mayor McIver said, “Council always tries to work with our community groups, especially when funds are going back into the community” and “From a Council perspective, we’d like to try to work with you to get this off the ground and successful.” For the latest information, visit “Tobermory All Seasons Market” on Facebook.
Plan for St. Edmunds and Lindsay Landfills to Become Transfer Stations; Eastnor Landfill Will Be Main Site
Council and staff discussion on Report No. PW 25-15 from the Public Works Manager, Troy Cameron, revealed that the St. Edmunds landfill site has a remaining 1.5-2-year lifespan and an estimated nine-year remaining site life for the Lindsay landfill site. Cameron indicated that as the St. Edmunds and Lindsay landfills close, they will become transfer stations with all waste being directed to the Eastnor site which has 40-45 years of life left even when considering the additional waste from the future transfer sites. Cameron stated, “Eastnor is the prime candidate for expansion” and “with just a few studies we can get easier approvals that could get us another 45 years.” Mayor McIver said, “we’re very fortunate to have substantial years left on that site.”
