Petition to the Province, More child care in Muskoka, Bracebridge Community Awards, Lake of Bays Tax Increase

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

PETITION TO THE PROVINCE

A petition to the province regarding the future of Muskoka’s healthcare, particularly in terms of the way the new hospital plan has changed directions, is being circulated.

Bracebridge resident Dan Waters came up with the petition and it is available to be signed in several locations (list below).

Since the province doesn’t yet accept digital signatures, either in-person signed of paper copies or emails addressed to Graydon.Smith@pc.ola.org, Sylvia.Jones@ontario.ca, danwaters92@gmail.com

This is the letter/petition that is being circulated

To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:
Because electronic submissions of petitions are not yet accepted by the legislative assembly of Ontario at this time, and because we understand, there will be a paper petition brought to you at Queens Park in the coming weeks, and because I need to ensure my name is on the list of petitioners, I am asking that you include my name and address and signature through this email to the petition that states:
To The Legislative Assembly of Ontario:
WHEREAS, Muskoka Algonquin Health Care Board of Directors appoints all members of their Board of Directors and since there is no democratic selection to the Board by our local communities, and
WHERAS Muskoka Algonquin Health Care Board has decided to change South Muskoka Hospital into what we see as a temporary Emergency Rest Stop with reduced general hospital beds and services in South Muskoka despite that South Muskoka Memorial Hospital has had 35% more inpatient days and 12% more admissions over the past 5 years than Huntsville District Memorial Hospital, the Board suggests that Huntsville’s hospital should increase in beds and services by more than 153% despite greater demand in South Muskoka and
WHEREAS a move to make such a change will cause health, economic and social strife for South Muskoka’s communities, WE the undersigned petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to unanimously agree to:
1. disregard any suggestion or applications by the current Board of Directors to the Ministry of Health for any changes to hospital services at Muskoka Algonquin Health Care and
2. allow the community to choose their Board of Directors in a democratic fashion or dissolve Muskoka Algonquin Health Care and return to 2 Boards chosen by residents that will work toward sharing services to reduce costs of having 2 hospitals.
Ending with: Name, Address, Phone, Signature

In Huntsville, Muskoka Unlimited contributor Ruby Truax is helping spread the word and so far the petition opposing MAHC’s new model for the hospitals is available to be sigend at the pharmacy counter in PharmaSave, The Great Vine, at the courtesy desk in Bullock’s Your Independent Grocer, and at the Huntsville Place Mall Pharmacy.

Those wanting to have copies of the petition in their own business (or to pass around to friends and acquaintances) in Huntsville or Baysville can reach out to Ruby on Facebook – either through her own page or the Huntsville Voice group.

For the rest of Muskoka, here is the list of places the petition is available (from Dan Waters’ Facebook page) . . .

Gravenhurst: Anglican Church, United Church, Catholic Church. Presbyterian Church, Mighty Mart, Rombos, Bethune Bistro, Tara’s, Gull Lake Variety, Currie’s Music Store, Anne’s Variety

Bracebridge: Marg’s Breakfast Restaurant, Nick’s Restaurant, Owl & Pen Book Store, Muskoka Bear Wear, Pure Muskoka, Big River Bakery, Sullly’s, Annex, Senior’s Active Living Centre, Bracebridge Hall, Mark’s Work Wear House, Medical Centre, Medical Arts

Port Carling: Apothacary, Community Centre, Legion, Antique Store, Food Land

Bala: Drug Store, Pizza Nova, Hook and Ladder Restaurant, Food Land

Baysville: Country Store, Canibus Shop

Burk’s Falls: Hardware Store, Medical Centre, Bowling Alley

Mactier: Food Land

Torrance: Clear Lake Brewery

INCREASED ACCESS TO CHILD CARE

The District of Muskoka is creating 373 more spaces under the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement (CWELCC) to help families needing quality and affordable child care.

As well, the District is making progress in its efforts to increase capacity and bring on new operators.

The Muskoka Home Child Care Agency (MHCCA) is licensed by the Ministry of Education and has been directly operated by the District of Muskoka since 2015. MHCCA offers a high quality, accessible and affordable child care program for children from birth to age 12. 

The MHCCA continues to grow, fostering partnerships with two new providers who will bring a total of 10 new licensed child care spaces to Muskoka families in Utterson (opening February 12, 2024) and Port Carling (opening February 20, 2024). 

Full time spaces at these new locations are available, find out more by contacting Monica Diefke, Manager Muskoka Home Child Care Agency, at 705-645-2412 ext. 4264.

Contact information for licensed child care programs operating in Muskoka can be found on the District’s website at: www.muskoka.on.ca/licensedchildcare

bracebridge accepting awards nominations

Nominations are open for the Town of Bracebridge Community Recognition Awards to recognize residents for their valuable contributions to the community in two categories.

One category is the Community Service Awards, which includes Good Citizenship, Volunteer Service, Volunteer Achievement, Recognition of Merit, Senior Achievement, Accessibility, and Community Arts and Culture.

The other category is the Community Sport Awards which honours an Athlete of the Year, Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, and Baseball Wall of Fame for players, coaches/officials, supporters, or builder/sponsors.
Nominations are due by Friday, May 3, 2024 either online or in-person to the Bracebridge Sportsplex.

Visit bracebridge.ca/communityrecognition for more information.

LOB TAX INCREASE

Following a two-day budget review taking place on January 31 and February 1, council for the Township of Lake of Bays has agreed to a 9.06 percent tax rate for 2024.

According to Patricia Allen, the Lake of Bays director of finance, this would mean a $87.95 increase on $500,000 of property value.

Should the increase be finalized as expected at the February 13 regular council meeting, it would mean the Township had the second lowest increase in Muskoka this year with the other municipalities as follows from highest to lowest . . . Muskoka Lakes (14.3 percent), Huntsville (10.68 percent), Georgian Bay (9.9 percent), Bracebridge (6.8 percent) and the lowest being Gravenhurst (2.99 percent).

The District of Muskoka increased it’s taxes by 4.34 percent. For more information about the Lake of Bays budget, visit their website at www.lakeofbays.on.ca