SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE BUDGET
Thursday November 17th, 2025
The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and councillors Brunelle, Walma and Helowka were in attendance. Mayor Evans in the chair.
This meeting was held to receive presentations from non-profit and charitable organizations requesting funding in 2026.
- Georgian Bay General Hospital Foundation – $20,000
- Southern Georgian Bay Physician Recruitment – $10,000
- Community Reach North Simcoe – $7,500
- Huronia Seniors’ Volunteer Care Team (Wheels 4 Wheels) – $5,000
- Severn Sound Environmental Association – $228,935 / $12,522 / $13,302 / $1,755 = $256,514
- Huronia Airport Commission – $35,860
- Business Association of Balm Beach (Bust ’til Dusk) – $4,000
- Bay Shore Seniors Club – $4,000
- MTM Conservation Association – $7,500 / $480 = $7,980
- Child & Youth Advisory Centre Simcoe Muskoka (CYACSM) – $10,000
- The Guesthouse Shelter – 2026 Budget Request – $5,000
REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL Wednesday November 19th, 2025
The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and councillors Brunelle, Walma and Helowka were in attendance. Mayor Evans in the chair.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
New Administration Centre Update Tim Leitch, Director of Public Works reported that the foundation is to be poured December 1st. Hydro line location is being scoped out running from Con.8.
DEPUTATIONS TO COUNCIL
Noise By-law Request for Amendment The St. Amants, neighbours of Perkys Fish ‘n’ Chips in Perkinsfield made a deputation about the continuing noise generated by the trailer’s exhaust fans which has been an ongoing issue for years. They requested that amendments to the By-law be considered to address continuous noise from
commercial or industrial establishments.
It was noted that staff had previously been directed to report on the Noise By-law and were further instructed to include this matter as part of that review.
BY-LAWS
By-law No.25-062 to change the Terms of Reference for the Mayor’s Charity Golf Tournament Working Committee as follows:
The committee to be renamed ‘Township of Tiny Events and Charities Committee’ with the following terms of reference.
The Committee shall serve as an advisory and coordinating body that provides strategic guidance and recommendations to Council on charitable initiatives and community events throughout the year. The Committee’s expanded role will include exploring and supporting new fundraising opportunities, cultivating partnerships with volunteers, residents, community groups, and businesses, and enhancing the Township’s community engagement through inclusive, high-impact events. The Committee will ensure transparency and accountability in all initiatives through regular reporting to Council. Council approved the by-law.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Wednesday November 19th, 2025
The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and councillors Brunelle, Walma and Helowka were in attendance. Councillor Walma in the chair.
STAFF REPORTS: CONSENT ITEMS
Considerations for a Lobbyist Registry: Council approved that the staff report be received as information and rely on existing polices and legislation which address concerns regarding relations with third parties, including the Accountability and Transparency Policy, Code of Conduct, Procurement By-law, and Municipal Conflict of Interest Act to ensure accountability and transparency.
Withall Dam Project Update: Staff have reviewed the potential for installing a small hydro electric facility at this dam. In terms of energy production, the flow of water could support a turbine able to produce approximately 18 kW of power. There would be hurdles to implement such a system:
- The Township would have to obtain damming rights which currently reside with the neighbouring property
- The structure would have to be modified to function as a hydro generation station. Land would need to be purchased from a neighbouring property.
- An agreement would have to be put in place with Hydro One and MNRF.
- Hydro one infrastructure would need to be built out to the site
- A variety of studies would be required to properly design the system and satisfy environmental regulations
Staff do not believe the work required to overcome these items is worth the amount of energy that could potentially be produced. Equivalent green energy could be produced through the use of solar panels for much less time and financial investment. Council approved that the report be received as information only.
STAFF REPORTS: MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION
Formation of Tiny Pickleball Club: A staff report identified that pickleball is one of the Township of Tiny’s fastest-growing recreational pursuits and an important driver of community connection, inclusion, and active living. Participation has expanded rapidly and organized group activity is placing increased demand on existing facilities, staff resources, and program availability within both the Recreation and Parks divisions. The Township conducted the October 2025 Pickleball Community Survey and hosted a Pickleball Open House and Focus Groups to further explore community priorities.
Based on feedback, staff have outlined three strategic options for Council consideration to determine the Township’s next steps:
Option #1: Adopt the Pickleball Strategic Planning Document and establish a Pickleball Working Group in 2026, progressing toward the creation of a Tiny Pickleball Club in 2027.
Option #2: Maintain existing programming while improving communication and scheduling, introducing a $30 + HST registration fee to partially offset program expenditures.
Option #3: Maintain existing programming while improving communication and scheduling, introducing a $60 + HST registration fee to achieve a revenue-neutral program.
After lengthy discussion council approved moving forward with option #1 amended to include a representative from the PRAC on the working group.
Municipal Access Agreement for Broadband North: The Public Works department has been approached by Broadband North for approval to place telecommunications infrastructure within road allowances and other municipal properties. Broadband North is a telecommunications provider who has been contracted by Beausoleil First Nation to provide fibre-optic internet to Christian Island. They plan on running a line up Cedar Point Road and Sandy Bay Road to do so. In order for a telecommunications utility to install their infrastructure within road allowances and under public lands, they require consent from the road authority and landowners. While no agreement is necessary, it is advisable that an access agreement be put in place. This agreement details a number of items including: when and what type of municipal consent is required, insurance requirements, indemnification, responsibilities to locate underground infrastructure, division of costs for relocation of infrastructure
Council directed staff to bring forward a draft bylaw for the Municipal Access Agreement between Broadband North Inc. and the Township.
COMMUNICATION – CONSENT ITEMS
Ombudsman Review and Request for Administrative Hold on Township of Tiny Administrative Centre Project – Mr. Gerd Damitz (letter sent)
Please be advised that a formal complaint has been filed with the Ontario Ombudsman regarding the Township of Tiny Administrative Centre project. The complaint requests an investigation into governance, fiduciary oversight, and procedural compliance under the Municipal Act, 2001.
Given that the matter is now before an independent oversight body, I respectfully request that Council suspend any further discretionary actions, financial commitments, or construction progress related to the project until the Ombudsman’s examination has been completed and any findings or recommendations are issued. This step would demonstrate Council’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance, and would ensure that all future decisions are made with full clarity and public confidence. Kindly confirm that this correspondence and its request will be circulated to all Members of Council and appended to the public record. Thank you for your attention and for your commitment to sound municipal stewardship.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Integrity Commissioner Reports: Ms. Stephanie Di Francescaraised her concern with the process being unfair and flawed. She has filed two complaints with the Integrity Commissioner. One being a comment by Councillor Helowka that the protesters at the sod turning were a bunch of Whackos which was dismissed as the statement could not be verified.Her second was the threatening of residents with banishment or punishment for being involved with the protests.
Councillor Walma commented that the Integrity Commissioner comes under provincial jurisdiction and the complaint would be better handled by the local MPP Jill Dunlop.
Ombudsman Review and Request for Administrative Hold on Township of Tiny Administrative Centre Project: Mr. Damitz expressed his concern that council did not discuss this item and was continuing with construction.
Councillor Walma noted that the Township typically addresses such matters after being contacted by the Ombudsman’s office regarding an investigation or its outcome.
NEW BUSINESS
Ontario Review of Conservation Authorities: Councillor Walma noted that the province is reviewing how conservation authorities work within different regions, with a plan of moving from 36 to 7 conservation authorities. And, that the township of Tiny has never had a conservation authority having worked under a joint municipal services board (SSEA) to provide some of the same services that the CA would.
Council approved a resolution for the SSEA to report back to a future Tiny council meeting with potential impacts/implications of the proposed provincial consolidation.