Members Present: Mayor-Milt McIver, Deputy Mayor-Rod Anderson, Councillor-Todd Dowd, Councillor-Laurie (Smokey) Golden, Councillor-Aman Sohrab
Staff Present: Clerk-Alexandra Croce, Deputy Clerk-Lindsay Forbes, Treasurer-Teresa Shearer, Public Works Manager-Troy Cameron, Chief Bylaw Enforcement Officer-Carol Hopkins, Committee and Planning Coordinator – Bob Stewart (Left the meeting at 2:15 p.m.)
Others Present: Bruce County Department of Planning and Development, Director of Planning – Jack Van Dorp
Bruce County Department of Planning and Development, Manager of Planning – Monica Morrison (Via Zoom)
1. Call to Order and Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
a. Mayor McIver called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. and Council members were reminded to disclose any pecuniary interest and the general nature thereof that may arise during the meeting.
Councillor Dowd declared a Pecuniary Interest on Correspondence Item 8.b, Peninsula Panters Hockey Club Re: Request for designation of Municipally significant event due to being a member of the club.
2. Approval of the Agenda
a. Approval of the Agenda
Clerk, Alexandra Croce, advised that Item 11.a By-law 2026-01, Being a By-law to Provide for the Levy and Collection of an Interim Tax for the Year 2026, should be removed as it was added erroneously, and noted that the by-law will be brought forward for consideration at the January 26, 2026 Council Meeting.
#01-01-2026
Moved by Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden, Seconded by Councillor Aman Sohrab
That the content of the agenda be approved as amended to remove Item 11.a By-law 2026-01, Being a By-law to Provide for the Levy and Collection of an Interim Tax for the Year 2026.
Carried
3. Adoption of the Minutes
a. Re: Council Meeting No. 25-31, December 8, 2025
#01-02-2026
Moved by Councillor Todd Dowd, Seconded by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson
That the minutes of Council Meeting No. 25-31, December 8, 2025, be approved as printed and circulated.
Carried
b. Re: Special Council Meeting No. 25-32, December 12, 2025
#01-03-2026
Moved by Councillor Aman Sohrab, Seconded by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson
That the minutes of Special Council Meeting No. 25-32, December 12, 2025, be approved as printed and circulated.
Carried
4. Public Meeting – a. Nil.
5. Delegation – a. Nil.
6. Consideration of Agenda Items
a. Clerk Report No. C 26-01
Re: Election Report
#01-04-2026
Moved by Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden, Seconded by Councillor Todd Dowd
That Council receives Report No. C26-01 Election Report for information.
Carried
b. Bruce County Department of Planning and Development – Jack Van Dorp, Director of Planning, and Monica Morrison, Manager of Planning (Via Zoom)
Re: Clerk Report No. C 26-02 – Review of Draft Bruce County Official Plan
Mayor McIver welcomed Bruce County Department of Planning and Development Director of Planning, Jack Van Dorp, and Manager of Planning, Monica Morrison, to the Council meeting.
Director of Planning, Jack Van Dorp provided an overview of the Draft Bruce County Official Plan as it relates to the Municipality, including a description of the implementation of previous comments received from Council.
Council discussed the composition of Core Areas and the criteria for excluding properties located within the Shoreline and Seasonal Recreation Zones, formerly the Rural Recreation Zones.
Mr. Van Dorp explained that this approach ensures natural features are appropriately addressed, and that development on such properties would be subject to the Municipality’s Zoning By-law.
Council discussed the mandate and the requirements related to Coastal Wetlands as outlined in the Provincial Policy Statement.
Mr. Van Dorp provided an overview of the criteria for the designation of Provincially Significant Wetlands and Coastal Wetlands.
Council inquired whether a river that is also designated as a Municipal Drain impacts the above-noted wetland criteria.
Mr. Van Dorp advised that the Draft Bruce County Official Plan does not regulate matters governed under the Drainage Act.
Mr. Van Dorp further provided updates on the additional comments on the Draft Bruce County Official Plan received from Council at the February 3, 2025, Council meeting, and noted that all comments had been resolved within the Draft Bruce County Official Plan..
Council discussed the data updated by the Ministry of Natural Resources, which is utilized to determine Provincially Significant Wetlands, Regionally Significant Wetlands, and Supporting Feature Wetlands.
Council discussed the mandates of the Provincial Policy Statement and their interpretation within the Draft Bruce County Official Plan.
Council discussed matters related to the Bruce County Official Plan following its approval by Bruce County Council, including Planning Department staff site visits to address wetland inquiries, development studies for new lots within woodlands and Core Areas, and criteria for supporting features within Bruce County.
Council discussed the timeline associated with public consultation for the Draft Bruce County Official Plan.
Mr. Van Dorp advised that Bruce County will circulate correspondence regarding public consultation, including the scheduling of open houses, once details are confirmed.
Council thanked Jack Van Dorp and Monica Morrison for their presentation.
Mr. Van Dorp and Ms. Morrison left the Council meeting at 2:15 p.m.
Bob Stewart, Committee and Planning Coordinator left the Council meeting at 2:15 p.m.
#01-05-2026
Moved by Councillor Aman Sohrab, Seconded by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson
That Council receives Report No. C26-02 – Review of Draft Bruce County Official Plan for information; and
That Council directs staff to submit comments to Bruce County regarding the Bruce County Official Plan update, per discussion had on January 12, 2026.
Carried
Motion to Submit Additional Comments
Council discussed the importance of public consultation regarding the Draft Bruce County Official Plan and the promotion of the updated slidebar mapping once it is made publicly available.
#01-06-2026
Moved by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson, Seconded by Councillor Aman Sohrab
That Council directs staff to submit comments to the Bruce County Department of Planning and Development regarding the Draft Bruce County Official Plan Update, emphasizing the importance of public consultation and the use of the updated slide-bar mapping to inform and educate the public on the proposed changes.
Carried
c. Deputy Clerk Report No. DC 26-01
Re: 2025 Accessibility Compliance Report
#01-07-2026
Moved by Councillor Todd Dowd, Seconded by Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden
That Council receives Report No. DC 26-01 Re: 2025 Accessibility Compliance Report, as information.
Carried
d. Deputy Clerk Report No. DC 26-02
Re: Bed and Breakfast Licensing By-law
#01-08-2026
Moved by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson, Seconded by Councillor Aman Sohrab
That Council receives Report No. DC 26-02 Re: Bed and Breakfast Licensing By-law for information; and
That Council approves a By-law to Manage Bed and Breakfasts for the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula at the January 12, 2026, Council Meeting.
Carried
e. Chief By-law Officer Report No. MLEO 26-01
Re: 2026 Paid Parking Season
Council asked about the inclusion of recommendations from the Tobermory and Northern Bruce Peninsula Chamber of Commerce in the 2026 Parking Report.
Council asked about the inclusion of communications at the Little Cove Road Parking Lot to notify users that they are unable to hike from Little Cove to the Grotto and return within the four-hour parking time limit.
Chief By-law Officer, Carol Hopkins, advised that this information is currently communicated through the parking reservation website.
#01-09-2026
Moved by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson, Seconded by Councillor Aman Sohrab
That Council receives report MLEO 26-01, 2026 Paid Parking Season, for information; and
That, in consideration of Report MLEO 26-01, Council approves the continuation of the existing paid parking regulations and operating times for the 2026 Paid Parking Season, including paid parking and reservations; and
That Council approves the relocation of three paid parking machines, as outlined in the report.
Carried
f. Treasurer Report No. TR 26-01
Re: 2026 Interim Tax Levy
#01-10-2026
Moved by Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden, Seconded by Councillor Todd Dowd
That Council receives Treasurer’s Report TR26-01 regarding the 2026 Interim Tax Levy; and
That By-law 2026-01 be presented and considered for passage on January 26, 2026.
Carried
g. Public Works Manager Report No. PW 26-01
Re: Judges Creek Drainage Works – Branch A (Main Drain) Ditch Bottom Spot Clean out Tender
Council asked about the provisions associated with the Tender and a potential grant associated with the work.
Public Works Manager, Troy Cameron, advised that properties used for agricultural purposes may be eligible to receive funding equal to one-third of the clean out cost through a grant administered by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).
#01-11-2026
Moved by Councillor Todd Dowd, Seconded by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson
THAT Council receives Public Works Department Report PW 26-01 titled Judges Creek Drainage Works – Branch A (Main Drain) Ditch Bottom Spot Clean out Tender, as information;
AND THAT Council awards the Judges Creek Drainage Works – Branch A (Main Drain) Ditch Bottom Spot Clean out Tender to Bridge Excavating Ltd. for the amount of $160,105.00, excluding HST.
Carried
h. Public Works Manager Report No. PW 26-02
Re: Circular Material Recycling Depot Operation Agreement
Council asked about the potential impact on residents regarding the transition to Ontario’s Blue Box Program.
Public Works Manager, Troy Cameron, noted that the Municipality’s Recycling Program will remain unchanged until Waste Management implements an automated cart system, which is anticipated in summer 2026.
Council asked whether the Municipality has any oversight over the Blue Box Program, and asked if garbage collection will be affected by the transition.
Mr. Cameron stated that a report outlining potential options for garbage collection will be provided in the second quarter of the year.
#01-12-2026
Moved by Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden, Seconded by Councillor Todd Dowd
THAT Council receives PW 26-02 report titled: Circular Materials Recycling Depot Operation Agreement as information; and
THAT Council authorizes the Mayor and Clerk to enter into an agreement with Circular Materials for Eligible Community Depot Operations.
Carried
7. Other Business
a. Councillor Golden asked about the availability of representatives from the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) to provide Council with information regarding Black Bear management within the Municipality.
Clerk, Alexandra Croce, confirmed that representatives from the MNR are scheduled to attend the Council meeting on April 13, 2026.
b. Councillor Golden asked whether the Tobermory and Bruce Peninsula Chamber of Commerce had received information regarding the Municipal Accommodation Tax, as requested at the November 10, 2025, Council meeting.
Treasurer, Teresa Shearer, confirmed that information had been provided to the organization.
c. Councillor Golden noted that development of a subdivision in Hay Bay near Tobermory has started.
8. Correspondence – Requiring Council Direction
a. Lion’s Head Hospital Auxiliary
Re: Request to Waive Facility Fees – 2nd Annual Fish Dinner Fund-raiser
#01-13-2026
Moved by Councillor Aman Sohrab, Seconded by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson
That Council approves the request from Lion’s Head Hospital Auxiliary to waive the rental fees for the Annual Fish Dinner event to be held on May 16, 2026.
Carried
b. Peninsula Panters Hockey Club
Re: Request for designation of Municipally significant event
Having declared a pecuniary interest, Councillor Dowd did not participate in the discussion related to Correspondence Item 8.b.
#01-14-2026
Moved by Councillor Aman Sohrab, Seconded by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson
That Council designates the Peninsula Panter’s Old timer’s Hockey Club tournament, to be held on February 20, 21 and 22, 2026 an event of municipal significance.
Carried
9. Correspondence – for Information
a. Clean Energy Frontier Program
Re: 2025 Year in Review
b. MPP Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, Paul Vickers
Re: Provincial Investment of $3.9 Million in Ontario’s Snowmobile Trail Network
#01-15-2026
Moved by Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden, Seconded by Councillor Todd Dowd
That the correspondence items #a-b be received as information and printed and circulated.
Carried
10. Closed Session – a. Nil.
11. Reading of By-laws
Further to item 2.a. Approval of the Agenda, item 11 a. By-law 2026-01 Being A By-Law to Provide for the Levy and Collection of an Interim Tax for the Year 2026 was not considered for final passage.
b. By-law 2026-02
A By-Law to Establish a By-law to Manage Bed and Breakfasts for the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula
c. By-law 2026-03
Being a By-law to Authorize an Agreement Between Circular Materials and The Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula
d. By-Law No. 2026-04
Being A By-Law to Confirm the Proceedings of the Council Meeting of The Corporation of The Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula Held Monday, January 12, 2026
#01-16-2026
Moved by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson, Seconded by Councillor Aman Sohrab
That the listed by-laws be given 1st, 2nd, and 3rd reading, and enacted.
Carried
12. Adjournment
a. Motion to Adjourn
#01-17-2026
Moved by Councillor Todd Dowd, Seconded by Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden
That the meeting adjourns at 2:57 p.m.
Carried
