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

Registration is Open: 2026 FOCA Spring Seminar & AGM

Secure your spot at the FOCA Spring Seminar and Annual General Meeting (AGM), taking place on Saturday, March 7, 2026 as an all-day hybrid event at the Bayview Golf & Country Club (Thornhill) and by Zoom webinar.

Come for community engagement tips before the 2026 municipal elections, get updates on rural source water protection and lake planning, and hear important volunteer association governance tips. Also: find out who receives the 2025 FOCA Achievement Award, participate in the AGM, pick up information and benefit offers from our sponsors - and meet your peers and the FOCA Board and Staff.

In person attendance is limited to 100 spots and always sells out! Click below for 'more' details and register now:

Last Call: FOCA Experience Survey

Thank you to the hundreds who have taken our FOCA Experience Survey. You have one last chance to share your impressions with us, and the link with your fellow waterfront enthusiasts. Click 'more' to take the survey by November 30, 2025 - it's very quick! Here's a link to copy and share with others: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/25FOCAexp

Launching: FOCA Rural Road Survey

Our next survey is not so quick, and it's not for everyone! This is only for the representatives of cottage country rural roads that are privately maintained in some way. Please help FOCA update our 2019 benchmark stats about road ownership and governance, maintenance best practices, specs and materials, fees and expenses, year-round usage trends, top volunteer association concerns, and so much more. Whew! Pull your notes together, settle in, and complete this survey by December 19, 2025. Then join us at the FOCA Spring Seminar for a reveal of the new results. Here's the link to copy and share with your road rep: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FOCAroad25

As the last of the leaves fall, and those of us with seasonal cottages make our final drives to the lake for the year, it’s a good time to check in on a few important auto insurance topics. 

Whether you’re heading down the highway or just into town, click 'more' for a quick reminder about why to keep your phone in your pocket - distracted driving tickets can have a serious impact on your insurances, and your wallet! Also, read about changes to Accident Benefits in the Ontario auto insurance policy, coming into effect in mid-2026. 

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

FOCA has been following a number of important postings on the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO), and has participated in recent public comment periods, with more on the horizon that are important to our waterfront environments.

Bill 68, the "Plan to Protect Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2025" was introduced in November, and has significant impacts for local Conservation Authorities across Ontario. FOCA opposes the province's proposal to consolidate the 36 Conservation Authorities into just 7 regional entities. Public comment on the related ERO posting is open until December 22, 2025. Please click 'more' to read FOCA's call-to-action for members, download a template letter, and submit your own comments. There is also a sample municipal resolution you can share with your municipal partners.

Bill 56, the "Building a More Competitive Economy Act, 2025", was an omnibus bill that sped through three readings in the Legislature late last month. There are two related ERO postings (025-1060 and 025-1104) that propose changes to the source protection plan processes. Click for 'more' on our webpage.

As mentioned in our last e-news, Bill 5, the "Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025" became law in June 2025 despite widespread opposition from FOCA and environmental partners across the province. Read 'more' about FOCA's written responses opposing aspects of the related EROs: 025-0908, 025-0909 and 025-1077, as well as joint letters FOCA signed with over 80 partner organizations on these topics.

FOCA is seeking passionate and dedicated individuals for the 2026-2027 slate of directors to join our Board. We are particularly seeking candidates with professional experience in corporate law, governance, or related legal and compliance fields to complement the existing skills and perspectives on our Board.

Experience in finance or board leadership is also considered an asset, though not required. Learn 'more' and apply using the application form on FOCA's "Our Team" webpage.

For years, FOCA asked our emergency management partners for a way to ensure seasonal residents could receive alerts for their cottage region, even if they live elsewhere - and now it is here! Alertable is an app that allows you to sign up for notifications in locations of your choosing (home, cottage, work, etc.) Visit the 'Latest News' section of our emergency preparedness webpage for 'more'.

sponsors support our work - please support them

Each month, estate lawyer Peter Lillico answers a FOCA member question about cottage succession planning. This month's question comes from Eric G. Click 'more' below to reach our webpage, where members can login to read Peter's response to this, and earlier questions.

"I have a question regarding non-Canadian resident ownership of cottage property. We have a cottage that has been in the family for close to 100 years, it is time for it to pass to the third generation owners (which are already in the deed with rights of survivorship) and I’m wondering how to remove the names of the deceased from the deed and, also, how best to set it up now in preparation to pass on to the 4th generation."

We want your questions for Peter! Email them to: programs@foca.on.ca

We are excited about this new, exclusive opportunity for FOCA member families: small group cottage succession workshops led by our long-time colleague, estate lawyer Peter Lillico for $160+HST per family.

These virtual sessions are limited to just 4 to 6 families at a time, providing direct access to Peter’s legal expertise in a more personalized and interactive setting.

• submit your family's "Top 3 Questions" in advance
• receive a dedicated segment in the session with Peter's tailored advice for your family
• if your question can't be fully addressed during the workshop, Peter has offered a 1-on-1 follow-up at no additional cost.

This initiative is made possible through Peter’s generosity, with proceeds supporting FOCA’s ongoing programs and advocacy work.

Your association renewal contact has a link (unique to your association) for you to use to set up your own Username and Password as a Sub-Account to see members-only material on the FOCA website - like discount codes. Please ask your contact to reach out to FOCA if they need assistance locating the association's link.

FOCA is pleased to offer a special 1.5 hour video recording about cottage succession tax planning with expert advice for both American and Canadian owners of Ontario cottage properties. We have created a highlight reel so you can make an informed purchase. Click 'more' for details, the member discount code ($75 off the regular price) & order link.

sponsors support our work - please support them

November 24-28, 2025 is Phragmites Awareness Week. Follow FOCA's posts on Facebook and Instagram and learn how to spot this invading plant before it spreads.

Apply now: Invasive Phragmites Control Fund

Applications are now open for the 2026/2027 Invasive Phragmites Control Fund, supporting on-the-ground action and control activities. Eligible organizations are encouraged to review the program guidelines and apply by January 23, 2026.

Apply now: Invasive Species Action Fund

FOCA's partners at the Invasive Species Centre encourage you to apply to the Invasive Species Action Fund for grants to support on-the-ground invasive species monitoring, management and prevention projects across Ontario.

Eligible municipalities, lake and community associations, conservation authorities, organization, and Indigenous communities can apply by January 9, 2026 for funding of up to $50,000 to help protect local ecosystems and advance the goals of Ontario's Invasive Species Strategic Plan. Click to learn 'more' and to apply.

sponsors support our work - please support them

Nov. 3-4, 2025 - FOCA was pleased to participate in the in-person 2025 Latornell Conservation Symposium with colleagues and partners in the conservation community. Click 'more' for details of the event.

Our sincere congratulations to FOCA's Board Chair Deborah Martin-Downs, who received a Leadership Award at the 30th anniversary Latornell Conservation Symposium for her past work with Conservation Authorities, and her ongoing commitment to conservation! She was one of 5 honourees at this year's event, and we are very proud to have her support and expertise as FOCA's Board Chair.

November 14-16, 2025 - Thank you to everyone who visited our booth at the Fall Cottage Life Show, and to our wonderful Board volunteers and our partners at Cade Associates Insurance Brokers who helped us greet visitors and answer questions during the show!

Nov.25, 2025 - FOCA was pleased to attend the 2025 Pollution Probe Gala: "Infrastructure Reimagined" with colleagues and partners in the sector. Click for 'more' images from the event.

FOCA is a not-for-profit, member-supported organization working year-round to protect the freshwater environments and cottage communities we all love. As we approach the end of the year, we invite you to consider making a one-time or recurring donation to FOCA.

Thanks to supporters like you, we recently helped a lake association secure the tools and guidance they needed to advocate at their local municipality for stronger lake planning and improved septic management. These actions protect water quality and support long-term ecosystem resilience.

To ensure FOCA is there when you need us, working to make your cottage experience better, please consider making a donation today.

Your support strengthens our ability to deliver trusted information, champion environmental stewardship, and safeguard the waterfront way of life.

Donate today and help keep our lakes healthy for you, your kids, and their kids.

We wish all our American friends and neighbours a very happy thanksgiving with your families!

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