By Tessa Swanton (Townson),
Bruce Peninsula Press
The 2026 Capital Budget was reviewed by the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula (MNBP) Council on January 26th where department heads presented their requests for capital improvements. Treasurer, Teresa Shearer, advised that a total $12,172,636 of spending is proposed for 2026 capital projects financed largely by operations and reserves, alongside some funding from provincial and federal governments. She indicated that a 5.88% tax levy increase over 2025 is suggested, representing a $553,635 increase to a $9,966,593 total tax levy. Taxpayer impacts were described as an increase of $24.76 per $100,000 of property assessment. Recommended for 2026, an assessment of $100,000 yields a tax levy of $571.37.
Three capital projects were granted preapproval prior to adoption of the 2026 Budget in March: Fire Department Tanker, IT Site Review and Reconfiguration Project and Dock “F” at the Lion’s Head Marina.
Council Preapproves $800,000 Fire Tanker; New Bunker Gear, Personal Protective and Communication Equipment Needed for Firefighters
Financed over two years, Council preapproved the purchase of a new fire tanker in 2026 that should assume a 20-year lifespan. The significant purchase received preapproval to ensure a 2026 delivery date. The tanker will be funded with $300,000 from the NBP Capital Reserve and $500,000 from the Fire Truck Reserve.
Fire tankers serve an essential purpose for firefighting: transporting large volumes of water where water is limited or nonexistent, acting as a mobile water supply. The new tanker will upgrade water capacity from the 1500-gallon current tankers to 2500 gallons. This provides “more water for us to fight fires and really increase our capability for fighting fires,” said MNBP Fire Chief Jack Burt. Equipped with an articulating nozzle, the new tanker will allow firefighters to extinguish fires from inside the cab, providing added protection from harmful chemicals and smoke.
Manufacturers are willing to purchase the old tanker as a trade-in offering $18,000, which is what the department paid six years ago for the 2002 tanker from Nawash Fire. The old tanker has several issues, including broken sirens and fires occurring under the dash.
Research suggests the substantial price difference between the old and new tankers are the result of rising material costs for aluminum and steel from tariffs, new regulations for engine design, and supply chain disruptions. An article from the International Association of Firefighters in December 2025 refers to this skyrocketing cost issue as the “fire apparatus crisis” which is “hitting Canada just as hard” as the US, “forcing departments to wait years and pay inflated prices for new trucks while deteriorating apparatus continues to jeopardize firefighter and community safety.”
To avoid an additional 25% tariff charge, Burt held off on the tanker purchase in 2025. A Request for Proposals (RFP) is in progress and should be posted in the coming weeks.
Burt requested $30,000 for replacement of expired firefighter bunker gear. Bunker gear is an annual replacement item as it deteriorates over time from heat, smoke, and contamination. After a fire is over, firefighters must undress and wash their gear. Firefighters redress in expired gear if another call is received in the meantime. The Fire Chief recounted an instance two years ago where three fires occurred in one day. He said, “We were scrambling to get gear to put on our firefighters to make sure they were protected.”
The Fire Department received over $35,000 in provincial funding to assist in purchasing helmets, gloves, and washer/dryer units at each station. He explained, “We recently had a call where three firefighters were covered in bodily fluid and didn’t have the ability to wash it [gear] at the fire hall, and they took it home to wash.”
The current communication system in NBP has gaps where communicating is difficult or impossible. Areas like Pike Bay and the National Park have weak to no signal, delaying firefighter response times. Burt proposes to add infrastructure to existing towers for $20,000 and purchase portable radios. Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden stated that “it would be good relations if we received some help [from the National Park],” as MNBP is investing close to one million dollars into the Fire Department in 2026. Councillor Todd Dowd suggested staff investigate using satellite phones. A new feature from Apple allows iPhone 14 or later models to conduct satellite calls where no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage is available. Callers can text emergency services, request roadside assistance and share their location if they have an IOS-18 operating system and unobstructed view of the sky.
Council Chambers Modernization
To modernize the council chambers, $30,000 has been budgeted to replace flooring, desks and workspaces. Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson expressed, “I’d like to see us spend some money on proper audio-visual equipment.” With the current livestream/recording setup delivering inconsistent audio along with video capturing faces of Council only, not delegation speakers or staff, proper equipment is likely to improve community engagement with Council business.
IT Costs and Internet Connectivity Improvements
Kara Smith, GIS/IT Manager, requested $27,000 to purchase a new computer at the St. Edmunds Museum and tablets for the incoming 2026 Council. Facility booking and asset management software projects totaling $50,000 will carry over from 2025.
She proposed $30,000 from the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) to enhance Wi-Fi connectivity in downtown Lion’s Head and Tobermory where internet is unreliable. Improved connectivity is necessary for the overwhelming tourism presence in those areas. “This is a great project that could help tourism and improve the tourism experience,” said Smith.
The IT Roadmap and Site Review Projects were presented at $61,100 and $65,000 respectively. The first project will plan for the end of MNBP’s affordable financial software, Keystone, which has been used by staff for decades. The hunt for new software is underway with estimated costs being six figures.
Smith received preapproval to begin replacing firewalls that help with cyber security. She informed, “We continue to beat every test” and MNBP is at “low risk” for cyber-attacks. She noted that staff education is vital for avoiding cyber criminals.
Road Reconstruction Projects and Sidewalks
Troy Cameron, Public Works Manager, pitched $800,000 for reconstruction of Tammy’s Cove Road. “It’s at the point where it gets enough traffic… it’s a built-up area…an ideal candidate to change from gravel to hard surface.” Construction is anticipated for the third quarter of 2026.
Cameron suggested $50,000 budgeted for North Shore and Cabot Head Roads. Staff are attempting to obtain drainage easements to Little Lake for North Shore Road and stakeholder communications and a solution for Cabot Head Road are planned for this year. Councillor Golden voiced concern with a solution based on survey responses. “We wouldn’t want to base what happens to Cabot Head on a survey, there’s a broader interest in this area.” “People may try to skew a response,” said the councillor.
Stokes Bay Road has been identified as a high-class priority road for 5.5 km of reconstruction from Bruce Road 9 to southern Stokes Bay. Reconstruction is planned as a phased approach with $150,000 budgeted in 2026.
Cape Chin North Road requires $25,000 for investigation of hard surfacing.
Hidden Valley Road occupies a $260,000 budget from taxation. Cameron mentioned that major bank stabilization is required to stop the road from slipping into the Crane River. Working on private property and in the water will raise costs. Councillor Todd Dowd highlighted the road’s importance, “In the future, this could be an emergency backup road if Highway 6 is closed.” “If Highway 6 is closed between Dyers Bay and Johnsons Harbour Road, that is our only alternative to get north,” expressed Cameron.
A considerable $550,000 commitment to sidewalks for 2026 will repair non-compliant sidewalks in Lion’s Head and continue repairs on interlocking sidewalks on Bay Street South and other sections in Tobermory; coupled with a new $220,000 sidewalk machine. A walking path from the municipally purchased lot on Big Tub Road to the lighthouse will be investigated this year. Cameron discussed a possible sidewalk on Moore Street to the McCurdy Drive parking lot. Conversation about crosswalks in Tobermory prompted Cameron to say, “I think it’s time we look at the whole area [Tobermory].”
Mayor Milt McIver proclaimed, “I really like the way we’ve been concentrating on sidewalks in the recent years…if the sidewalks are there, people use them.” “Let’s concentrate on sidewalks and get people walking,” stated the mayor.
