Congratulations to The Alexander Muskoka Residence!

Congratulations to The Alexander Muskoka Residence on winning the 2026 ORCA Innovation Award for the “Green is Clean” initiative, developed in partnership with Hygienic Echo!

The initiative uses Green Badge technology to support hand hygiene and strengthen infection prevention in congregate living. A well-deserved recognition of innovation, teamwork, and resident safety!

Click Here to Read More!

Schofield Heating & Cooling Celebrating 4 years!

Congratulations to Schofield Heating & Cooling on celebrating four years in business! Thank you for being a valued part of the local business community and for your continued commitment to serving Muskoka.

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The Launch of Canada Summer Jobs is approaching

The Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) 2027 application period opens October 27, 2026 and closes December 3, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Employers interested in hiring youth for summer 2027 are encouraged to prepare now. Not-for-profit organizations may receive funding of up to 100% of the provincial or territorial minimum wage, while public and private sector employers may be eligible for up to 50%.

Organizations must generally have been in operation for at least two years to apply. Before applying, review eligibility requirements and prepare your application materials.

Applications will be submitted through Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS). If you don’t already have a GCOS account, create one ahead of the application period to avoid delays.

Click Here for More Details

Lakeland Highlights Commitment to Buying Canadian

Lakeland Holding Ltd. is highlighting its commitment to supporting Canadian businesses through its purchasing practices. A recent review found that nearly all of Lakeland’s procurement spending stays in Canada, with Ontario businesses receiving the largest share.

In 2026, Lakeland Power sourced 100% of its purchases from Canadian suppliers, while Bracebridge Generation and Lakeland Solutions sourced 99.4%. Lakeland Energy, which includes Lakeland Networks, sourced 87% from Canadian businesses, and Lakeland Holding sourced 98%.

Lakeland’s Canadian Pride Purchasing Policy prioritizes Canadian products and services whenever practical, while maintaining standards for quality, reliability, sustainability and value. The company notes that most spending outside Canada is related to specialized software, cybersecurity and technology platforms where suitable Canadian alternatives may not be available.

Click Here to Read More

Calling All Vendors!

The Muskoka Discovery Centre’s 4th Annual Christmas Market is coming November 28 & 29, 2026, and vendor registration is now open!

We’re looking for local artisans, makers, creators and businesses who want to showcase their products and be part of a festive weekend in Gravenhurst.

Vendor Pricing:

Single Booth – $150 for both days

Double Booth – $200 for both days

Important Deadline: Vendor applications must be received by October 15, 2026.

Spaces are limited and can fill before the deadline, so don’t wait to reserve your spot!

Have questions before registering? Contact us at mdc@realmuskoka.com or call 705-687-2115.

Apply by October 15 and be part of one of our favourite holiday weekends!

Click Here for More Details

Woman in Business Sponsorship Opportunity!

The Port Sydney/Utterson & Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting its Women in Business Networking Event on October 20, bringing local women together for an evening of connection, inspiration and community.

Local businesses are invited to get involved through event sponsorships, swag bag donations or silent auction donations. Silent auction proceeds will support Chrysalis Muskoka and The Muskoka Shoebox Project.

📅 Tuesday, October 20, 2026

📍 Port Sydney Community Hall

🕠 Doors Open: 5:30 PM

🎟️ $50 + tax

🎤 Featuring Kim O’Grady and Jayne Pritchard

For sponsorship or donation opportunities, contact the Port Sydney/Utterson & Area Chamber of Commerce at info@portsydneycoc.com or 705-385-9753.

Click Here for Tickets!

Regional Trails Forum: Building the Picture

October 13th | Huntsville

Explorers’ Edge is bringing together trail organizations, municipalities, tourism operators and community partners for an open conversation about the future of trails and tourism in the region. The forum will explore existing trail networks, challenges, opportunities and how trails can better support tourism and local communities.

Tuesday, October 13 | 10–11:30 a.m. | Huntsville

Registration is required.

Click Here to Register

Muskoka Business Forum

October 21st | Gravenhurst Opera House

The Muskoka Business Forum is coming to Gravenhurst! Join us for an afternoon of insights, connections, and conversation around:

• Succession Planning

• AI

• The Future of Marketing

📅 October 21, 2026 | 12:00–5:00 PM

📍 Gravenhurst Opera House

295 Muskoka Rd S, Gravenhurst, ON

Whether you’re building your business, planning what’s next, or navigating a changing market, this is an event to have on your radar.

Click Here to Get Tickets

Small Business Safety Awards

SIB Health & Safety Resources for Businesses

WSIB has several programs and resources available to help Ontario businesses strengthen workplace health and safety. The Small Business Safety Awards recognize independently owned businesses with fewer than 50 employees that have implemented practical and creative safety solutions, with winners eligible for $20,000 to reinvest in their business. Applications are open until October 16, 2026.

Businesses can also explore the Health and Safety Excellence Program, which provides expert guidance, practical tools and the opportunity to earn WSIB premium rebates. There is also a new Safety Excellence for Leaders Program designed specifically for small businesses with 5–50 full-time employees, offering free registration, hands-on support, training and a $1,000 WSIB incentive.

Other resources include the free Business Safety Portal, which provides WSIB-registered businesses with access to templates, online courses and industry-specific safety resources.

Explore these programs and find support to help make your workplace safer!

WSIB Small Business Safety Awards

WSIB Health & Safety Excellence Program

Safety Excellence for Leaders Program

AI Visibility Workshop

October 22nd | 2 Bay St, Parry Sound

Business owners are invited to the Prelude Room at the Stockey Centre in Parry Sound on Thursday, October 22, from 1-4 p.m., for a hands-on AI visibility workshop with Dave Burnett of AOK Marketing and James Savard, IION’s Ignite AI Program Lead.

Participants will leave with a live audit of their business, an individual visibility baseline and a written 30-day plan to make their business show up in AI searches. Dave and James will educate participants on which AI tools matter and how to prompt them effectively; building an ideal-customer profile and turning that profile into the questions buyers actually ask AI; how AI answers are formed through entities and knowledge graphs and the AI Awareness Framework from invisible to trusted.

This will be a fantastic learning experience for owners of innovative businesses operating in Nipissing, Timiskaming, Parry Sound or Muskoka looking to scale their endeavours with AI.

Proudly supported by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor).

Click Here to Register

Muskoka Beatles

October 9th / 8pm / 17A Manitoba St, Bracebridge

Rock into the weekend with Muskoka Beatles at Bracebridge Hall on October 9! Enjoy a night of live music celebrating the timeless songs and legendary sound of The Beatles.

Thanksgiving Mini Putt at Northern Escapades Mini Putt

October 10th / 10am - 6pm / 301 Ecclestone Drive, Bracebridge

Celebrate Thanksgiving with a round of mini putt at Northern Escapades Mini Putt! Join the fun on October 10 for a festive day of family-friendly fun, friendly competition. Bring an item or cash donation (per person) for the FOOD BANK and play for only $7+tax!.

Thanksgiving Weekend Cruises with Muskoka Cruises

October 10th - 12th / Bracebridge & Port Carling

Make the most of Thanksgiving weekend in Muskoka! Set sail with Muskoka Cruises and enjoy breathtaking fall colours, scenic lake views, and a relaxing cruise through the heart of Muskoka.

Last Bracebridge Farmers Market Date October 10th!

October 10th / 8:30am - 2pm / Memorial Park , Bracebridge

Don’t miss the final Bracebridge Farmers’ Market of the season! Join local vendors at Memorial Park on October 10th from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for one last market day!

Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise aboard the Wenonah II

October 10th / 6pm - 9:30pm / 185 Cherokee Lane, Gravenhurst

Skip the dishes this Thanksgiving and join us for a Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise onboard Wenonah II! This cruise is a decades long Muskoka Steamship Tradition for many families that includes a delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner served to you and your loved ones in the elegant ship’s dining room.

Friends-Giving Buffet at PK Lodge Muskoka

October 10th / 1360 Golden Beach Road, Bracebridge

Keeping it easy breezy on T-giving Saturday!! Join the PK Lodge for a Friendsgiving Buffet! $45 Per Person, $19 for 12 & Under Featuring favourite eats to save space for the Sunday feast. 🍽️ Reservation Required ☎️ 705-645-1757

Santa’s Village Halloween Spooktacular

Saturdays & Sundays / 1624 Golden Beach Rd, Bracebridge

Come and enjoy many of your favourite rides and attractions, and several special Halloween activities too, like trick-or-treating around the park, our pumpkin patch and more! Visit on Saturdays from 11:00 am – 8:00 pm and Sundays from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, kicking off September 26 to October 25.

Fragile Exhibition at MA&C on Main

October 15th / 6-8pm / 63 Manitoba St, Bracebridge

The exhibition brings together sculptural assemblage and painting to consider cycles of accumulation and loss, renewal and decay, and the human impulse to mark, remember, and ritualize lived experience. Artists: EJ Lightman & Amanda Greavette