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Our vision is to sustain and enhance the cottage experience for generations.

2026 Spring Freshet & High Water

After a winter of intense snow, it has been a bumpy ride into Spring across many parts of Ontario cottage country as snowpacks melt and rain events recur, leading to flooding in many areas.

(map image above from April 16, 2026 - Government of Ontario, via CBC News)

Our thoughts are with you if you have been affected by high water.

FOCA reminds everyone:

• Always take care near riverbanks or the lake edge, particularly at this time of year, to keep pets and people safe from harm.
• Move outdoor furniture or other objects away from low-lying areas of your property or the water's edge (BBQ tanks became floating projectiles in past years' storms).
• Don't drive through flooded roads or moving water because there can be hidden dangers or unseen wash-outs.
• Do not launch boats on swollen waterways; the wake impacts on shorelines and returning loons will be increased at this time.

Find links to news updates, flood warnings, what to do if your well or septic system has flooded, and 'more' from links on FOCA's Water Levels webpage.

FOCA is Hiring: Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Biologist - Contract

We're hiring an AIS Biologist for an exciting 2026 lake assessment pilot project with FOCA. This part-time contract is ideal for an early-career environmental professional passionate about aquatic ecology and protecting Ontario's freshwater.

If you are eager to make a meaningful impact through environmental stewardship and collaboration, click for 'more' about the full job posting and how to apply by May 25, 2026.

As severe weather events become more frequent and intense across the province, waterfront property owners are facing increasing risks from heavy rain, hail, and high winds.

Please click 'more' to download our tip sheet about Rain, Hail and Windstorms, for practical steps you can take now to protect your property, reduce potential damage, and keep your family safe when storms strike.  

Public officials also recommend that homes be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours without power or essential services during a period of emergency. While we hope it’s never necessary, our tip sheet also includes some recommendations around emergency plans and kits that are worth reviewing as a family.

An update from our partners in risk management - administrators of the FOCA Association Insurance Program and CottageFirst group insurance for cottagers

2026 Municipal Election Year

FOCA has reached out to Elections Ontario to remind them of their obligation to accommodate those who have the right to vote, and to ensure the polling staff are well informed. We will provide you with more information via the e-news as the months progress.

For now, click 'more' to check the Voter List - which will only confirm you at your 'resident' address. You can confirm, add, or update your personal information online until August 12, 2026.

NWMO Radioactive Waste Proposal: Public Comment

FOCA and our partners at the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) encourage everyone to comment on the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s proposal to permanently place high-level radioactive waste underground in the Revell Lake area near Ignace, Ontario. Click for 'more' in the "Latest News" section of FOCA's Nuclear Waste Management webpage, including CELA's casework on this topic, FOCA's comments about nuclear waste storage, and how the public can comment through May 10, 2026. 

Royal Assent: Underused Housing Tax

On March 26, 2026, changes to the Underused Housing Tax Act received Royal Assent from Parliament, confirming that affected owners do NOT need to file a return or pay the tax for the 2025 and subsequent calendar years. Learn 'more' about what to do if you had already filed for 2025, and read news from FOCA's CPA partner, Kaz Nesbitt, about this tax and its earlier application to certain Canadian and non-Canadian cottage owners in the 2022 to 2024 tax years (non-filers in those years may still be subject to penalties).

Cottage Electrical Safety:

Don't Let a Hidden Hazard Ruin the Season

Your cottage sits empty for months, endures freeze-thaw cycles, humidity, and critters — and then you flip the switch and expect everything to work. Sometimes it does. Sometimes the wiring behind that switch has quietly been deteriorating all winter.

Seasonal properties age differently than year-round homes. Moisture, temperature swings, and years of DIY additions create conditions that can make even a "well-maintained" cottage a hidden electrical risk.

This season, watch for flickering lights, tripping breakers, warm outlets, or any sign of moisture near your electrical panel. Near water — docks, boathouses, bathrooms, kitchens — confirm your outlets have GFCI protection.

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FOCA Cottage Succession Webinar:

Targeting Tax

Tuesday, June 16, 2026 from 7pm to 8:30pm by Zoom - Register to join FOCA for the next session in our 2026 webinar series with estate lawyer Peter Lillico. Take a "deeper dive" into taxation issues related to cottage succession; techniques to avoid, reduce, or defer tax; and planning approaches to fund it.

Families of FOCA Member Associations in good standing attend this event for free - one of the many benefits of your association's annual membership in FOCA. You must include your FOCA affiliation and register separately for every member of your family who wants a Zoom link by email. Click 'more' to register now.

Not yet a member but want to attend this event? Pay the $35 non-member fee per registrant, or become a Friend of FOCA (our paid annual supporter category) to receive free access to our 2026 Cottage Succession Webinar Series, plus additional supporter benefits.

recap: 'Lunch & Learn' webinar: Emergency Preparedness in Cottage Communities

April 29, 2026 - When Minutes Matter: The Tools and Training That Can Save a Life at the Lake

At the cottage, knowing how to respond to a cardiac emergency could save the life of a loved one, friend or neighbour.

You are invited to participate in a members-only contest for a chance to win a community outdoor 24/7 accessible SaveStation® automated external defibrillator (AED) cottage package from Action First Aid, valued over $4,000! The prize package includes a SaveStation Outdoor Climate Controlled AED Cabinet with AED & Response Kit, outdoor AED signage bundle, and a group CPR/AED awareness workshop in your community.

Be Kind to Your Private Road this Spring

It's the time of year when private road managers hold their breath for fear of washouts or damage caused by heavy vehicle use of the road while it is in mid-thaw. FOCA has been alerted to at least one road washout this month, and another road group recently sent out the following message, which we feel is worth sharing with anyone considering travel on a gravel road at this time:

"Road use during the spring thaw is restricted to emergency traffic and other critical uses only. We have made significant investments in improving road drainage, and it is essential that these features are allowed to function as designed. During the thaw, the road structure is highly unstable, and even light vehicles cause serious damage. ... We already had one contractor massively stuck, and tow trucks will not traverse the road." ~F.B.C.A.

Partner Webinar: 'A Ditch in Time'

Spring Cottage Life Show Recap

Thank you to everyone who dropped by the FOCA booth at the Spring Cottage Life Show (March 26-29, 2026) at the International Centre. We had lots of in-depth conversations with attendees about invasive species like carps, phragmites, and Eurasian watermilfoil; and - with the help of our colleauges at Cade Associates Insurance Brokers - answered questions about cottage insurance, private road issues, land use planning concerns, and much more.

REMINDER: FOCA member families can click 'offer' to access one of your great FOCA benefits: subscribe to Cottage Life magazine for just $24.95/year!

Associations: do your member families know about all the deals and savings they can access because of your annual membership in FOCA? Be sure to leverage this value! Click 'Benefits' below for the latest details.

NOTE: You will need your FOCA Member Login to access the discount codes or links to these offers. Don't have or can't recall your personal login? Contact the office for assistance during business hours: info@foca.on.ca or call 705-749-3622

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We have one spot remaining to book our next session!

Join us in an exclusive opportunity for FOCA member families: small group cottage succession workshops led by our long-time colleague and estate lawyer Peter Lillico for $160+HST per family.

Here's what two participants had to say, after the first session was held last month:

"The personalized advice was very useful. I would tell other families that they are probably missing a lot of crucial information related to their specific use case."

"I liked the variety of questions as families have different challenges. Peter was so helpful in responding to my own questions and really put my mind at ease by having more knowledge and understanding."

These virtual sessions are limited to 4-6 families, providing a highly personalized and interactive experience with direct access to Peter's legal expertise. Participating families will:

• submit their top 3 succession questions in advance
• receive tailored advice during a dedicated segment in the session
• be eligible for a complimentary one-on-one follow-up with Peter if their question can't be fully addressed during the workshop.

Celebrating Volunteers

Call to Action: Share a Local Volunteer Story with FOCA

All year long FOCA is sharing your stories in celebration of the 2026 'International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development' proclaimed by the UN General Assembly. Vital volunteers make our communities hum and we value them. Accomplishments large and small are worth celebrating and have the power to inspire others to action.

Tell us about your own great volunteer, for a chance to be featured in an upcoming edition of the FOCA e-news or on our social media channels. Please share a photo (with the volunteer's permission) and a few sentences about their contributions to your waterfront community.

FOCA e-news updates continue below...

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Northlander Train Proposed Schedule Released

The return of the previously-discontinued Northland train line will once again connect Timmins to Toronto by passenger rail in Northeastern Ontario. An expanded route has been announced with new, fully accessible trains and testing is proceeding, with service anticipated to return later this year. Click 'more' to review details, see the route map, and explore information about draft fares.

Biological Control of Invasive Phragmites

The idea of using two European moths as a potential biological control against Invasive Phragmites was back in the news this month. Originally approved for release in Canada in 2019, FOCA last reported on this topic in 2024. According to recent reports, about 40,000 insects have been released to date, and early results are encouraging. Read 'more' from links in the "Latest News" section of FOCA's Phragmites webpage. (image: lab work on stalks - Ducks Unlimited Canada, via Collingwood Today)

Partner Workshop: Wildfires & Sewage Systems - Douro Dummer

Sunday, June 7, 2026 - As part of Wildfire Preparedness Day, our member group the Birchcliff Property Owners Association (BPOA) is hosting an in-person workshop, together with partners from FireSmart Canada, the Ontario Onsite Wastewater Association and Township of Douro-Dummer. BPOA asked FOCA to extend an invitation to organizations in the area to send a representative to hear about:

• wildfires - practical risk reduction strategies
• septic systems - maintenance and compliance, to understand the requirements of the Douro-Dummer Sewage System Maintenance Inspection Program.

Click for 'more' in the event notice BPOA invited us to circulate.

Partner Workshop: Cold Water Awareness

Thursday, May 14, 2026 - our partners at the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) are gearing up to launch the 2026 Safe Boating Awareness Week with an in-person workshop about what happens to our bodies when immersed in cold water, basic first response, and important cold water awareness tips. Click for 'more' and to register for this paid training.

Short-Term Rental & North Kawartha "Good Neighbour Guide"

The Council of the Township of North Kawartha's Short-Term Rental Advisory Committee has released a set of final recommendations for review and comment. At this time, registration and licensing are not being suggested; instead, education and enhanced bylaw and pro-active enforcement are prioritized.

As part of the education process, a "Good Neighbour Guide" was developed and released for both renters and owners about related bylaws. Click 'more' to reach FOCA's Rental webpage for copies of the guide and details on how residents can share feedback on the final recommendations, including information about an upcoming Public Open House scheduled for May 23, 2026.

Have you Encountered Die-offs?

As the ice melts and snow evaporates, you may find fish or wildlife deaths on your property. Click to learn 'more' about how to clean up and report to the Ministry of Natural Resources if you find die-offs of fish, bats, or significant numbers of dead birds in one location. 

(image: Upper Thames River Conservation Authority's "FAQ on Fish Die Offs")

Do You Share our News?

Over 22,500 subscribers receive a FOCA e-newsletter like this in their inbox each month! We also hear some great 'ambassadors' forward these messages to others in their association, friends, family, or colleagues. Do you? Tell us in a quick 2-minute survey.

Remember: We encourage all member associations to prompt fellow members to sign up directly to receive FOCA e-newsletters for timely updates, and to help us reach our goal of 25,000 subscribers. Share this subscription link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/8FBtE46

Love to Garden? Dispose of Waste with Care

Our partners at the Invasive Species Centre (ISC) have an important reminder for those of us who are itching to get our hands on the garden tools and clean up the yard this Spring. Many invasive plants can regrow from small fragments or seeds, meaning improper disposal of yard waste can spread the problem. Click 'more' for the full infographic with tips from ISC about proper yard waste disposal practices.

Your contribution - whether $5 or $500 - supports FOCA's year-round work to raise the voice of waterfront residents to government on the key issues impacting sustainable watersheds.

image: FOCA Board Chair Donna Commerford at Queen's Park as FOCA and partners opposed the amalgamation of Ontario's Conservation Authorities (March 25, 2026)

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