By Tessa Swanton (Townson),
Bruce Peninsula Press
Signature Contractors Inc. visited the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula (MNBP) Council on March 23rd proposing the construction of new sidewalks, crosswalks, and parking in Tobermory. Representatives Rui Matos and Don Bastien presented their vision for the village in the form of site plans and architectural plans along with an overview of their company and past projects.
The site plans on the March 23rd Council agenda identify seven crosswalks:
-one at the intersection of Highway #6 and Bay Street South,
-four on Bay Street South,
-one at the intersection of Brock Street and Bay Street South,
-and one at the intersection of Head Street and Brock Street.
The architectural plans display stamped coloured concrete crosswalks in a plank boardwalk style “to keep the nautical theme of Tobermory,” said Matos.
Graphic: Harpur Drive – Sidewalk and Parking Rendering.
Graphic: Bay Street South Crosswalk Rendering.
Graphic: Highway #6 and Bay Street South Perspective – Sidewalk and Crosswalk Rendering.
When describing the walkability of Tobermory, Matos stated, “[Tobermory] has been neglected for some time, and it could probably use some improvements.” He continued, “We see a big lack of accessibility and crosswalks and direction for pedestrians.” The renderings are a “work in progress” and feedback would be necessary from residents and businesses before moving ahead with construction.
Currently, brick sidewalks are found around Tobermory, which are very common in municipalities according to Matos. “We see that a lot, and it’s probably 30-40 years old.” He noted that brick sidewalks often shift due to freeze-thaw cycles. Shifting contributes to the worsening of the sidewalks. Water can penetrate the subbase, then freeze in the winter, lifting the brick, shifting, and settling improperly. They proposed replacing the brick with concrete sidewalks which can be coloured, sandblasted or stamped to achieve a look that is more aesthetically pleasing for the village. Although concrete is more expensive than asphalt, cost savings are expected in the long term from a durability perspective.
Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson reflected on when the brick sidewalks were installed in 1989/1990, “It was state of the art, looked good, and we were proud of it…It is due for a refresh…a couple things I do like about the refresh is the accessibility…I mean that was always lacking and this certainly would be an improvement on that,” voiced the deputy mayor.
Improving parking along Harpur Drive was included in the project proposal. The construction would include a sidewalk curb where pedestrians can walk safely off the roadway and create a parking lane with designated parking spots tucked away from the road. Deputy Mayor Anderson commented that “As it stands now, you park your car on Harpur Drive and it’s worth your life because you don’t have a sidewalk, you’re walking up the road, there’s blind corners….[new parking on Harpur Drive] certainly intrigues me because it cleans it up and makes it safer,” he expressed.
If approved, work would be scheduled to avoid the summer months and busy tourism season. To avoid disruption, concrete can be walked on the next day suggested Matos. He noted that 80% of their construction inquiries result from liability lawsuits. Withholding hardscape upgrades for budgetary purposes can cost municipalities money when the funds they saved from delaying projects is alternatively used on legal fees.
Signature Contracting Inc. is a full-service contracting company based out of Windsor with an emphasis on hardscapes. Geographically, they service all of Canada, specifically Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan. With over 30 years in business, they cater to smaller municipalities. The company recently constructed the concrete sidewalks in Lion’s Head which Mayor Milt McIver referred to as “great work.”
Council Supports Comprehensive Land Policy After Fourth Review This Year
MNBP Council ultimately supported a new Comprehensive Land Policy prepared by the Clerk, Alexandra Croce, at the March 23rd meeting. The update stems from a July 14th, 2025 resolution from Council asking the Clerk to bring forth an updated policy. The new policy was reviewed by Council on February 9th and 23rd, and March 9th and 23rd. Croce’s Report No. 26-09 implies that there are over 30 pending requests from the public for municipal land matters, like requests to purchase shore and unopened road allowances.
There are many shore road allowances (SRAs) within the Municipality that run along the edge of waterfront properties, typically 66 ft. wide. For public use and oftentimes owned by the Municipality, these strips of land can restrict what upland abutting property owners can or cannot do, prompting many to inquire about purchasing the SRAs themselves and merging the strips with their private land.
The March 23rd review of the policy pleased Council with clarification around shore/road allowances (RAs). Additions to the policy included SRA/RA closing procedures, application form, and application process diagram. The application form specifies that a non-refundable $2,000 application fee payable to MNBP must be submitted to begin the process. Pending approval, the applicant must pay for a reference plan prepared by a surveyor and submit a $5,000 deposit to MNBP to cover all costs (legal, appraisal, and survey fees). Costs upwards of the deposit will be billed to the applicant, if the process costs less than the deposit, it will be refunded.
The latest version of the draft policy indicated that MNBP will only consider applications for the closure and conveyance of RAs from “abutting owners.” The SRA Procedure states that “Applicants must own property directly abutting the original shore road allowance.” Also, “All road allowance closures are at the discretion of Council and shall be unfettered by any previous decisions.”
Other amendments include that applications will be rejected if the closure is deemed to have a negative impact on neighbouring landowners, other landowners are deprived of the sole vehicular access to their property, or the closure conflicts with municipal policies. Legally, all abutting SRAs/RAs stopped up and closed will merge in title with the applicant’s land and are determined by straight line extension of existing lot lines in most cases.
The Clerk stated, “Municipalities are required to have policies of this nature per The Municipal Act. The current policies that we have are dated. We do get very frequent requests from folks looking to purchase shore road and unopened road allowances, so the framework in the policy and the procedures offers staff a way to process those requests and a procedure to bring them back to council for review.” The policy will not be officially in effect until passed by by-law at a future meeting.
Mayor McIver said, “What we’re trying to do is come up with a policy to try and satisfy The Municipal Act and this is the policy we’re looking at right now.”
Falconry Services Agreement Renewed for 2026 Season to Deter Geese at Lion’s Head Beach and Harbour
Council approved renewing an agreement with Imperial Falconry Services Inc. (IFSI) for bird control of Canada Geese and seagulls at the Lion’s Head Beach/Harbour area for 2026. The program uses Harris Hawks to deter geese and seagulls. Reports suggest that the 2025 season was successful from deterring birds from nesting and occupying the harbour, waterfront, beach, and campground in Lion’s Head.
A report from the company states that they provided falconry services in Lion’s Head over 74 days in 2025 between April 1st and September 29th. “These efforts contributed to the reduction of environmental, health, and safety risks, supporting a safer and more desirable recreational environment for both locals and tourists to enjoy,” reads the report.
Statistics reveal that IFSI recorded 2,529 geese entering or attempting to enter the harbour during service days. “Through strategic placement of perched falconry birds and active free-flying operations, IFSI achieved 100% elimination of nesting activity and deterred 100% of geese from accessing the shoreline, while preventing 97% from settling on or remaining on the water.” During program days, 10,113 gulls were recorded and the use of falconry birds resulted in 100% removal of gulls from land and water.
Mark Coleman, Parks and Facilities Manager, spoke to the effectiveness of the program and noted that upon reassessment, the program may be reduced after two-three additional years of service.
“I will speak in favour of the effectiveness of [the program]. It has made an improvement on the waterfront, the docks, and the lawn. I think we along with several other municipalities are trying to deal with Canada Geese and they’re not an easy bird to deter,” said the mayor.
