Call us at 1-833-606-0265 to discuss the packages and check availability at your address, or visit the Rogers booth at your nearest cottage show. See you there!

First there was the province's Bill 23 (October 2022) which our members heard about at the 2023 FOCA Spring Seminar. Now there's Bill 97 (April 2023). Does the new bill make matters worse, or improve the situation for shoreland planning protections? Read FOCA's take on this and other land use planning matters on our webpage: https://foca.on.ca/land-use-planning/ 

As part of FOCA's ongoing concerns about floating accommodations on Ontario waterways, we want our member Association to know that sample letters have been created and shared with us, for you to send to the federal Minister of Transport, and to your municipality asking them to take action as well. There is also a House of Commons paper petition circulating, asking Transport Canada to classify both existing and new float homes within Ontario as float homes - NOT vessels. If you or your local association is interested in joining fellow associations already participating in this advocacy effort, visit https://foca.on.ca/floating-accommodations/ for more information and related links.

FOCA knows there have been a number of instances of waterfront development in Ontario that have sought to skirt planning rules and regulations by disingenuously proposing buildings that are actually boathouses as other federally-regulated aviation-related undertakings, such as aerodromes. FOCA believes this is a gratuitous and inappropriate application of the exemptions that are in place for genuine aviation infrastructure, and represents a threat to good planning and orderly waterfront development with appropriate oversight and planning input. 

Our member group, the Three Mile Lake Community Club in Armour Township, is in the midst of countering such a threat (at the side is an aerial view of the "aerodrome" under construction at the lower left of the image, and looks a lot like a dock with 4 boat slips). Transport Canada is reviewing the situation, and the association has created a petition that requires 500 signatures in order to be read in the House of Commons, hoping to stop such incidents from happening. If you wish to add your name to the petition, FOCA encourages you to access it here by June 25th at the latest.

On April 20th, 2023 Haliburton Highlands Health Services announced the Minden hospital emergency room will close on June 1st, citing "serious staffing shortages". FOCA contacted the Mayor of Minden Hills, and wrote to the Ministers of Health and of Infrastructure, as well as the local MPP to express our concern about the planned closure. Access to primary care and emergency services should not depend on one's postal code. Read FOCA's letter and the response we received from MPP Laurie Scott, on our Rural Services webpage.

(image: HaliburtonEcho.com)

Many municipalities are debating how to handle short term rentals (STR) in their jurisdictions. In April, the City of Kawartha Lakes council voted to move ahead with a STR bylaw, implementing a soft start to the program for 2023. Meanwhile the City of Orillia has not yet passed a bylaw but council did agree in April to move ahead with regulations soon. Port Colborne council came to a similar conclusion at their April council meeting. Get links to all the latest news from FOCA's webpage: https://foca.on.ca/rental/ and remember to share FOCA's STR Report with your municipal partners! Members can login on the website to download a copy, or municipal partners can request a copy directly.

On January 7th, 1963, 125 people representing 40 cottage associations met and decided the time was right to form a provincial association. By the spring of 1963, the organization was called The Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations. Today, FOCA represents 50,000 families in more than 525 lake, road, river, camp, and residents' associations.

There are many ways YOU can contribute to FOCA's 60th anniversary celebrations:

Friday June 2nd, 2023 at 7pm (Westport) - as part of the first annual "EcoFest" celebration in Westport (June 2-3), Sean James, a professional gardener, will make a presentation about beautiful alternatives to the 'green desert' (i.e., grass). The event has been organized by the Better Together Circle. Get details on their Facebook page.

Looking for a unique gift? Whether you're a bit late for Mother's Day (doh!), or planning ahead for Father's Day, you can now give that special person the gift of being a Friend of FOCA for the coming year! They'll gain access to member resources and benefits, and you'll be supporting FOCA's work for waterfront Ontario. We all win.