By Tessa Swanton (Townson),
Bruce Peninsula Press
STA Licensing Generated $250,000 in Revenue in 2024; 365 STAs Licensed, 35 Licences Remaining
At a recent council meeting, Report No. 25-06 from Deputy Clerk, Lindsay Forbes, states that the Municipality has 365 licenced Short-Term Accommodations (STAs) and 35 vacant licences. The Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula (MNBP) Council capped STA licences at 400 in March 2025. The program produced $250,000 in revenue in 2024 excluding Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) profits.
As of May 25th, all STAs are required to display signage at the end of their driveway outlining contact information for a Property Manager/Responsible Person. Forbes said, “2025 was a great year for the licensing program. It seems that we’ve worked out a lot of the kinks and the issues…especially with the implementation of the road sign requirements, a lot of the neighbours found it very beneficial to contact the property managers.”
Forbes’ report indicates that STAs require reinspection every three years. Inspections this year resulted in “non-operational smoke/CO detectors, missing exit signs, and the absence of information signage within dwellings.” Four STA licences were revoked in 2025 for one year, two of the revocations were appealed and taken to the Licensing Appeal Committee where the revocations were upheld.
Two main STA program concerns were reported in 2025:
1) proposing the implementation of a seven-night minimum stay for rentals and
2) restrictions of STA density (minimum distance requirements),
Forbes implied that both ideas are problematic. It was noted that most Ontarians are planning short trips lasting two or three nights and STA regulations should align with travel trends. Further, most STAs are located on waterfront properties and establishing minimum distances between rentals is unrealistic given the high concentration of STAs along the waterfront. Forbes advised, “The information regarding program concerns has been reviewed by the Municipal Solicitor, who has identified a significant legal non-conformity related to the request for a minimum distance requirement.”
Asset Management Plan Update
Nick Larson from Agile Infrastructure appeared before Council on October 14th to outline the updated Asset Management Plan (AMP), a legislative document identifying municipally owned assets, service levels, and strategies for maintenance, upgrades, and replacement of those assets. The October 14th update brings the Municipality into compliance with Ontario Regulation 588/17 where they are required to establish desired service levels and financial strategies to achieve those levels. Larson emphasized that the AMP will be continually amended to reflect new information and legislation over time. Part 2 of the Plan notes an estimated total infrastructure replacement value of $427 million and 9% of the current asset portfolio in poor condition with a $39 million replacement cost.
Larson advised that to maintain desired performance targets, the Municipality would need to implement a 2.5% annual tax levy increase as the current 2% tax levy increase is unsustainable. Further, a 3% tax levy increase combined with grant funding would make construction of a new arena possible.
Page 31 of the AMP highlights a financial strategy of obtaining a $3 million grant alongside $17 million in debt to fund the $20 million Lion’s Head Arena project with a 3% annual tax levy increase.
Kara Smith, GIS/IT Manager’s Report No. 25-04 states that “Through a combination of strategic capital investments, disciplined budgeting, and targeted reserve contributions, the Municipality is entering this next phase of the Asset Management Plan from a strong financial position.”
Larson indicated that the average spending on roads (the largest category for replacement costs) is $2.4 million per year to maintain the infrastructure as it exists right now. The Municipality would need to spend over $5.5 million annually to maintain the current performance objectives of all municipal assets.
Bruce Peninsula’s Asset Management Plan dated October 14, 2025.
Graphic: Current Asset Performance.
Judges Creek Maintenance Approved
Council approved a recommendation from Stephen Cobean, Drainage Superintendent, and Amy Hoffarth, P. Engineer, from Cobide Engineering, to undertake several maintenance activities on Judges Creek Municipal Drain. The Municipality received a request for major drain improvements from affected property owner, Brian Urbshott, which was ultimately denied following an inspection conducted by Cobean via kayak. A detailed list of inspection findings established that major drain improvements were unwarranted, however some maintenance issues were observed.
Cobean and Hoffarth’s inspection report recommended that the following maintenance be completed on Judges Creek Drain:
-remove sediment and substrate from all identified culverts;
-remove/reconstruct low level crossings and riffle pools that are holding back water;
-remove obstructions (trees, branches, garbage) from downstream section from Barrow Bay Rd. to County Rd. 9;
-remove beaver dam west of Con. 4;
-review upstream end of the road crossing culvert at Con. 10;
-spot cleanouts at various locations to remove cattail growth;
-review flow obstructions caused by concrete box culvert at Hwy. 6 and culvert No. 3 at Sideroad 10; and
-repair drain banks.
Cobean discussed a section of Judges Creek that was unlawfully deepened between Pike Bay Rd. and Sideroad 10. Mayor McIver expressed, “That’s what we’re trying to avoid, is people going and working on the drains without permission. And that’s why we appointed a Drainage Committee…and also to ensure the drains are maintained.”
With over 200 landowners in the drainage area of Judges Creek Municipal Drain, improvements and/or routine maintenance activities are crucial for agricultural production, flooding prevention and health and safety.
Boyle Concrete Awarded Contract for New Rotary Hall Patio and Sidewalk
Boyle Concrete Services was awarded a contract to construct a new concrete patio, ramp and sidewalks in front of the Lion’s Head Rotary Hall. Parks and Facilities Manager, Mark Coleman, said, “The existing interlocking brick work, deteriorating front steps, the slope of the walkways, do not meet accessibility [standards]. This project would remedy all of that as well as secure the front foundation of the building.” The quotation totals $105,610 plus tax. Only one bid was received for the work.
The joint Public Works/Facilities project will be funded through $50,000 from the 2025 sidewalk budget, $4,000 from Spruce the Bruce grants, and $52,000 from municipal reserves. Work is planned to take place this season.
Scarborough Company Wins RFP for Tobermory Library and Ferndale Red Schoolhouse Gallery Work
Council accepted a quotation from a numbered company from Scarborough, Ontario, for the reconstruction of concrete stairs, ramp and retaining wall at the Tobermory Library and new stairs, ramp and railing at the Ferndale Red Schoolhouse Gallery. Council budgeted $150,000 for the Tobermory Library at 22 Bay St. and $15,000 for the Ferndale Schoolhouse at 2866 Hwy 6; $235,887.71 plus tax was the lowest of four projects bids.
Coleman’s report states, “Both structures [at the Tobermory Library] are in significant deterioration and beyond their end of life, pose a potential risk of failure and concern for facility user safety.” It further notes the existing Ferndale Schoolhouse entrance “does not meet building code requirements and current accessibility standards.”
