A round-up of recent news from communities throughout our beautiful region

We’ve put together some of our own Muskoka Newsbites from various sources including media releases, along with a few contributed by our friends at The Bay 88.7 FM.

HUNTSVILLE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION RECEIVES $39,000

Huntsville-based developer Greystone Project Management has donated an additional $39,000 of their ongoing pledge of $130,000 to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation (HHF).

Greystone’s Campus Trails Legacy Fund pledged $1,000 for every unit sold at their condo
development, Campus Trails.

In August 2021, Greystone donated their first installment of $30,000 after selling out all the units in The Tom building. Greystone’s latest donation of $39,000 comes from the sales of the condo units at The Alexander building.

The money stemming from the Campus Trails Legacy Fund will go towards the hospital’s capital
expenses, ranging from basic medical equipment like stethoscopes to more advanced machines
like an MRI, based on the level of urgency.

This will not only help our current medical practitioners perform their duties more efficiently but also help to draw the next generation of medical professionals to the Huntsville Hospital.

director position open at town of huntsville

According to confirmed reports, Tarmo Uukkivi is no longer with the Town of Huntsville.

He was the Director of Operations and Protective Services for the Town for close to a year, having replaced Steve Hernen in the role.

Huntsville CAO Denise Corry said recruitment for the new Director of Operations and Protective Services was set to begin soon.

family place luncheon supports hv hospital foundation

The annual Family Place Restaurant Christmas Luncheon takes place on December 4 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The restaurant will serve a buffet lunch that the community can enjoy with a donation. Funds raised will benefit the Huntsville Hospital Foundation and Muskoka’s MRI project.

Every year, the Family Place Restaurant supports worthy causes through their annual Christmas Luncheon.

new fire route designation for port sydney road

During a recent meeting, Huntsville Council approved a proposed change the parking control by-law for parts of South Mary Lake Road in Port Sydney.

The change, once the motion is given the go ahead by District of Muskoka council, would see the road from civic addresses 340 to 434 designated as a as a no stopping/fire access route.

Councillor, Jason FitzGerald, expressed, “This is a safety measure and for first responders in Port Sydney leaving the Fire Hall.”

He added, “We just want to ensure that they can get out with full access on South Mary Lake Road to service the community emergency needs.”

Designating it as a fire route rather than simply no-parking means bigger fines if anyone breaks the rules. This request is a proactive approach to the area as a fairly large new Christian school is being built there.

Fire Chief Gary Monahan said there were concerns about traffic congestion during the drop-off and pick-up of students at the school. The new designation ensures the area is clear for emergency vehicles such as fire trucks.

Monahan clarified that there aren’t any issues right now. He added, “The by-law department did bring it to our attention with the great idea. A big school is going in there that could cause us some problems.”

IDEA Letter to ford approved

The District of Muskoka approved an IDEA (Inclusive, Diverse, Equitable, Anti-racist) support letter to Premier Doug Ford during their November meeting.

The IDEA Advisory Group created the letter to advocate for consultation regarding children’s mental health and safe schools.

According to the letter, the recent change in legislation in Saskatchewan and New Brunswick that “require students under the age of 16 to obtain parental consent to change their name or pronouns at school” has raised concerns.

The District of Muskoka and other community groups advocating IDEA are concerned after monitoring the outcomes and believe the legislation undermines efforts to provide a safe school environment for students regarding sexual orientation, gender, and expression.

The letter adds, “Collectively, we believe schools need to continue to be a safe and inclusive place for ALL.”

The IDEA group suggestions include diversity and inclusion be added to teaching curriculums, “and demonstrate that differences based on any prohibited grounds of discrimination under human rights legislation are not to be feared or hated but instead valued and celebrated.”

There is also concern about the mental health of youth, which is described as being in “crisis” in Canada and around the world.

The IDEA also expressed concerns that the mental health of youth was already negatively impacted by Covid, including the recovery from stress and isolation, and is now impacted by “documented incidences of hate.”

The group adds that if the same legislation was passed in Ontario, it would give the message that the opinions of youth aren’t important.

It continues, “Further, Ontario would be legislating teachers and support staff in schools to misgender and deadname trans youth, even though an Ontario-based study found that 20 percent of trans people had experienced physical or sexual assault due to their identity, and that 34 percent were subjected to verbal threats and harassment.”

According to the group, there are currently pending law suits due to the legislation in Saskatchewan and New Brunswick due to a violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The group recommended that if the legislation is passed in Ontario that consultations with stakeholders, including Canadian Mental Health Association, youth mental health and provincial Pride organizations, Ontario Principals Council, and other professional associations for teachers, parents, and youth.