Our vision is to sustain and enhance the cottage experience for generations. | | |
Last Call! 2026 FOCA Spring Seminar & AGM
We are almost out of in-person spots for the FOCA Spring Seminar and Annual General Meeting (AGM), taking place on Saturday, March 7, 2026 as an all-day hybrid event: in person at the Bayview Golf & Country Club (Thornhill) and by Zoom webinar.
Attend to learn who receives the 2025 FOCA Achievement Award, join fellow members voting in the AGM, and to hear expert presenters give community engagement tips leading up to the October 2026 municipal elections, highlights from the 2025 FOCA Road Issues Survey, First Nations relationship building & land visioning, source water protection and community lake planning for associations, how to identify aquatic invaders, and preparing properties for climate impacts.
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Click 'more' for the Agenda and registration link.
Remember: registration closes this Friday, February 27 - don't delay.
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| | | Road Insurance Questions? | The FOCA AGM and Spring Seminar are just around the corner and the team from Cade will be on hand to answer your insurance questions! | | One of the many excellent topics during the day will be the release of highlights from the 2025 FOCA Road Issues survey. If your Road Association is considering insurance or has questions about how the FOCA Association Insurance Program can help meet your needs, we look forward to chatting with you on March 7. Otherwise, reach out to us by phone or email. A quick overview about road liability considerations is attached for 'more'. | |
| Underused Housing Tax Update | | FOCA has been keeping our members informed about the federal Underused Housing Tax (UHT) since 2021. The tax (1% of property value, paid annually) was implemented by the Department of Finance Canada, effective January 2022. Now, there has been an update potentially affecting Canadians who hold cottage property in trusts or corporations, and non-Canadian cottagers with residential property in Canada. Members can read 'more' from our colleague Kaz Nesbitt, CPA and Partner in Doane Grant Thornton LLP, from a link in the 'Latest News' section of FOCA's taxation webpage. | |
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High Speed Rail Advancement with Alto: Sessions & Public Input
On behalf of our membership across southeastern Ontario, since January FOCA has connected with the team at Alto, the Crown Corporation developing a proposed high-speed rail service with planned stops in Toronto, Peterborough, Ottawa, Montreal, and beyond.
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A proposed corridor has been mapped, and public input is invited to determine where the final rail placement is located. Upcoming open houses with Alto are scheduled over the coming weeks in Peterborough, Perth, Madoc and Stirling, and virtual events are also planned through March. Get all event details online here.
You can provide input by filling out a survey or adding comments to the interactive map highlighting opportunities and areas of concern. FOCA encourages all members to share this notice widely, and ensure the voices of waterfront property owners across the corridor region are heard by the planning team at Alto. FOCA will continue to keep members informed over the coming years as this project rolls out.
| | sponsors support our work - please support them | | |
2026 Lake Partner Program is Underway
Two messages for our lake stewards from FOCA's Lake Stewardship Coordinator:
Hello Lake Partner Program (LPP) volunteers,
1) The first round of 2026 sampling kits are starting to be sent out, so watch for yours.
2) Please keep an eye on your email this week for a link to our volunteer survey. It will help FOCA improve LPP volunteer support, resources, and communications for Ontario's lake stewardship community. Responses are anonymous and should take less than 12 minutes to complete. Thank you!
| | Interested in more information about the LPP of water quality monitoring across Ontario, or how to get involved? Click for 'more'. | | | Invasive Species Awareness Week | | |
FOCA is proud to be a partner in Invasive Species Awareness Week (ISAW) taking place February 23–March 1, 2026. ISAW brings communities together to raise awareness about the impacts of invasive species and how we can protect our natural spaces. You can participate with a free ISAW toolkit featuring promotional graphics, social media content, free-use photos, and more to help your association spread the word. Click 'more' to access the toolkit, and see below for an upcoming event. Together, our actions make a difference in protecting Canada's natural heritage.
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| From Knowledge to Action Symposium | | |
Thursday, February 26, 2026 (1pm-3pm EST) - This virtual symposium features speakers from the Invasive Species Centre, Nature Conservancy Canada, FOCA, and the Invasive Species Awareness Program who will highlight actionable ways you can make a difference in invasive species prevention and management. Click for 'more' and to register. Attendees have a chance to win an outdoor gear prize pack worth $250! (Read contest terms and conditions here.)
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Updated: FOCA Lake Planning Guide
FOCA is very pleased to announce the upcoming release of the second edition of the FOCA Guide to Lake Planning for Community Groups, now including a new chapter about source water protection (SWP).
In the coming weeks, the second edition will be posted digitally on the FOCA website for member access.
Print copies of the Guide will be available to members at the upcoming FOCA Spring Seminar on March 7, where the community groups involved in 2025 SWP planning will share their experiences during a special panel discussion with FOCA. Register here for the event.
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Please join us in welcoming and thanking our new Shoreline Supporter Sponsors:
On the Water Designs and Rescue 7:
| | Has your dock seen better days? | | |
Do you spend more time hammering down loose boards or worrying about stability than enjoying the lake? It might be time for a dock upgrade. On the Water Designs is here to help! For over 25 years, we’ve been the trusted choice for Ontario cottagers, providing rugged, Canadian-made docking systems designed specifically to withstand Ontario’s challenging conditions. From initial design to final install (turnkey to DIY options) we provide tailored advice and flexible solutions. We’ll help you stop worrying about your dock, and start enjoying being ‘On the Water’.
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BONUS: FOCA members receive an exclusive 5% discount! Plus, act fast for additional "We pay the taxes" winter savings. Click for 'more'.
Learn more: OnTheWaterDesigns.com/FOCA | (866) 477-0177
Visit the Showroom: 1490 Hwy 11N, Kilworthy (Muskoka) or reach out to one of the Local Dealers
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Dedicated to Saving Lives
Rescue 7 Inc., established in 1998, is a trusted Canadian provider of life-saving equipment and training.
We are a leading distributor of Health Canada-approved AEDs, offering a full range of models — from compact, affordable units to advanced cellular-connected devices.
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Our Encore Series AEDs are ideal for homes and cottages, providing dependable protection in remote or seasonal settings.
Rescue 7 holds a current Medical Establishment Licence from Health Canada, and all first aid training programs are federally and provincially approved, including convenient CPR/AED online training.
Start today. Save a life tomorrow.
| | Click to learn 'more' or visit the Rescue 7 table at the FOCA Spring Seminar on March 7. | | | sponsors support our work - please support them | |
Celebrating Volunteers
Thank you to the President of the Carson Trout Lepine & Greenan Lakes Association (CTLGLA) for sending a story about one of their great volunteers:
"Every community has that one person who does it all - that’s Frank Burchat! From assisting with critical water samples to finally unearthing the secrets of the Carson Lake train wreck, his contributions to the CTLGLA are as diverse as they are vital. He’s the first to volunteer for the 'dirty work' and brings a rare mix of tireless service and a sense of humour that keeps us all afloat." ~Wendy Wolak
Share Your Local Volunteer Story with FOCA!
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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. 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.
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| Please share a photo (with the volunteer's permission) and a short paragraph about their contributions to your waterfront community. Accomplishments large and small are worth celebrating and have the power to inspire others to action. Email: info@foca.on.ca | | | | |
Borrow This Idea: Sharing FOCA Member Benefits
We like to highlight examples of member groups that share FOCA benefits information widely! Remember: each of your member families has access to discount offers and benefits because of your association's annual membership in FOCA. Make sure they see the value.
| | Thank you to our friends at the Chaffey's Area Lakes Association for including a call-out in the rotating banner on their website homepage that reads: "Did you know that as a member of CALA you are automatically a member of the Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations and are entitled to all of their member benefits" with a link to the FOCA benefits webpage for access to the most current offers. Thanks for sharing the news, CALA. | | FOCA Members Featured in New Cardiac Safety Video | | |
We're excited to share that fellow FOCA members on Lake of Bays, including one of FOCA's Board Directors, Mary Ann Peden, are featured in a new video about cottage community emergency preparedness, created by our partners at Action First Aid. Click 'more' to watch the YouTube posting.
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Win a SaveStation & Training for your Association
At the cottage, knowing how to respond to a cardiac emergency could save the life of a loved one, friend or neighbour. FOCA members are invited to participate in an upcoming members-only contest for a chance to win an Outdoor 24/7 accessible SaveStation® Cottage AED Package from Action First Aid, valued over $4,000! Visit the Action First Aid table at the FOCA Spring Seminar on March 7 to learn more.
| | sponsors support our work - please support them | |
register now: Cottage Succession "A to Z"
Wednesday, April 1, 2026 from 7pm to 8:30pm by Zoom - Register now to join FOCA for the first of our 2026 webinar series with estate lawyer Peter Lillico. This is the introductory session in the series, with an overview of the many important aspects of cottage succession planning.
| | Peter has updated his intro talk to reflect the latest legal, tax, and financial developments. Members: click 'more' to register now - include your FOCA affiliation for free attendance, a $35 value for every member family! | | | Not yet a member but want to attend? 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. | | | |
Succession Strategy Series - Small Group Workshops for FOCA Members | Join us for 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. | | |
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.
Here's what two participants had to say, after the first session held earlier this month:
"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."
"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."
| | Interested in being in an upcoming session? Email programs@foca.on.ca for more. This initiative is made possible through Peter's generosity, with proceeds supporting FOCA's programs and advocacy work. | | |
Digital Recordings: Cottage Succession Planning | | Want to start the succession conversation with your family in the off-season? | | |
Purchase digital access to recordings of Peter's talks. Choose the intro session or deeper dives into cottage sharing agreements, capital gains tax, trusts, timing, and the role of the kids. Click 'more' and login for the member discount code for $50 off!
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| 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. | | | | |
Partner Survey: Lake Stewardship
Our colleagues at Carleton University invite all FOCA members to participate in a short survey being undertaken by a graduate student researching lake stewardship and shoreline care. The survey is anonymous and open to anyone age 18+ who owns lakefront property. Feel free to share the survey link widely.
| | You could win a draw prize of one of five $100 gift cards for participating! Click 'more' to access the survey. FOCA looks forward to sharing the results when they become available. | | | Huron County Invasive Species Programs | | |
For members in Huron County, help is available through two programs being offered to property owners who have a large area of invasive plants. Read 'more' in the notice posted in early February by the Exeter Lakeshore Times-Advance (source of the image at the side).
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| Rideau Valley Phragmites Management | | |
A Rideau Valley Phragmites Management Area working group has been established to share expertise, resources, and strategy across the watershed. Organizations or individuals with an interest or experience in mapping, managing or understanding phragmites are invited to learn 'more' and express interest to join the group.
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Calling for Salt Pollution Action
The Ontario Salt Pollution Coalition reports there are now 32 municipalities, towns, regions and conservation authorities that have passed resolutions calling on the Provincial government to act on salt pollution. Is yours among them? Click for 'more' including a Model Resolution you can share with your municipal partners.
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Recap: Invasive Species Forum
February 17-19, 2026: This year's theme was "Progress Through Partnerships" with an emphasis on collaboration and integration of diverse perspectives and knowledge systems to address the challenges of invasive species management. Click 'more' for recordings of the sessions.
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Your contribution - whether $5 or $500 - supports FOCA's year-round work to engage everyone in learning how to care for Ontario's lakes, lands, and rivers.
Help us to nurture the next generations of environmental stewards. Thank you!
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| FOCA: Inform. Protect. Unite. | | FOCA believes everyone who loves waterfront Ontario has a right to stay up-to-date on the issues that matter. Those who have an existing relationship with FOCA may receive email from us, based on express or implied consent under Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation. We value your privacy and do not share your contact information with third parties. You can unsubscribe at any time, using the link below. | | | | |
