The 2025 Canadian federal budget has received mixed reviews, but two changes might interest cottage owners: the elimination of the Underused Housing Tax (UHT) and the removal of the luxury tax on aircraft and vessels. Underused Housing Tax (UHT) Cancellation The UHT, a 1% annual tax on vacant or underused residential properties owned by non-Canadians and some trusts, is eliminated effective immediately. You won't need to file UHT returns or pay taxes for 2025 and beyond, but you'll still need to address filings and penalties for 2022-2024. Luxury Tax on Aircraft and Vessels Cancellation The 10% luxury tax on aircraft and vessels is no longer applicable as of November 4, 2025. The 10% tax was applied to boats valued above $250,000 and aircraft valued above $100,000. These c

Our  2025 President's Forum was held on Saturday, November 15, and was very well attended. This year, Member Association Presidents were joined by the Directors of the GBA Board for a series of structured workshop discussions covering five key strategic areas: Membership Communications Development Indigenous Liaison Water Feedback from participants was very positive and we're excited to put the presidents’ input to good use. Thanks to everyone who attended for making it a valuable and productive day!

Vision 2050 is pleased to announce that Urban Strategies Inc. (USI) has been engaged to write our Discussion Paper. USI will create a compelling narrative on the "why, what, and how" to protect and conserve the eastern and northern coastal regions of Georgian Bay. The Discussion Paper will outline potential strategies and approaches to achieve this goal and will be used to engage stakeholders, governments, and influencers. Urban Strategies is a global design, planning, and engagement consultancy with 70+ team members, headquartered in Toronto, with offices in Hamilton and Vancouver. Founded in 1986, the firm has won over 150 awards for its projects. The development of the Discussion Paper will be led by Partners Melanie Hare and Christine Fang

The Georgian Bay Association (GBA) determined, after much research, that Georgian Bay lacks an integrated regional approach to conservation planning and protecting ecosystems. Through its Vision 2050 team, GBA aims to develop a regional conservation plan for the eastern and northern coasts of the Bay that is based on actions, shared values, and principles that are used in existing parks, conservation reserves and other conserved areas across Canada and throughout the world. Our goal is to develop a plan that’s officially recognized in Ontario’s conservation and planning legal and policy framework, like the Greenbelt. To help us better understand the challenges we’re facing on the Bay we created a survey for our GBA members. Many of you received a request, either from your cottage

Lake Michigan-Huron is 8 inches below its level at this time last year. From a month ago, the water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are down 4, 6, 3, 2 & 2 inches, respectively. Lakes Superior & Ontario levels are up 1 & 4 inches from the same as last year, while Lakes Michigan-Huron, St. Clair & Erie are lower by 8, 6 & 7 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, Lakes St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are 6, 12, 3, 2 & 2 inches below their long-term November averages. All the lakes remain well below their November record highs. In a month, Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair & Erie levels are predicted to fall by 3, 2, 2 & 1 inches, respectively. La

Earlier this year more than 7,100 lake users across Ontario took part in the fourth “Your Lakes, Your Views” survey from Safe Quiet Lakes. Georgian Bay was well‑represented with 817 individual respondents. This is the second time our region has been included, and the results are shaping the conversation on how we protect and enjoy our waters. Building on similar studies in 2013, 2017 and 2021, the 2025 survey provides a 12‑year trend on lake‑related attitudes and behaviours. Key Takeaways: A near‑ideal experience, but growing concerns – Most people love the lake lifestyle, yet they feel the quality of that experience is being eroded. Mixed‑use is the norm – 90 % of respondents support a variety of activities on the water, provide

Join the movement to create wildfire-resilient communities! Wildfire Community Preparedness Day is an annual campaign that encourages citizens to take actions that will increase their home, neighbourhood, and community's resilience to wildfire. FireSmart Canada is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR), the Co-operators, and Provincial and Territorial wildfire agencies, is offering $500 grants to support your efforts. Groups can apply now for a $500 award to fund a wildfire prevention event or project that can take place any time between May and October 2026. Last year, FireSmart Canada awarded a record 404 grants across Canada, including several around the Bay - don't miss your chance to be part of it! Applic

What are sea lampreys and why are they problematic? Sea lampreys are an ancient form of a jawless fish with a toothed, funnel like mouth, that suck blood out of fish. They entered the Great Lakes through the St. Lawrence Seaway. During the 50’s, Lake Huron’s commercial fishing industry was verging on collapse. In particular, one of the most valued species, Lake Trout, a favorite sea lamprey meal, was nearing extinction. The good news is Lake Huron’s sea lamprey population (once the largest in the Great Lakes with over 700,000 in the 1940’s and 1950’s) has been declining. For example, in 2015 the population fell to 70,000, well below the target of 90,000 set by the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission (GLFC), established in 1954 to oversee a Great Lakes sea lamprey control

The message from traditional Indigenous teachings is that catch and release is disrespectful to the fish (it can also harm their ability to eat properly after they are released) and one should only fish respectfully, which includes eating the fish we catch. Now it seems there is another reason to question this practice. Some bass are smarter than we might think, learn to avoid lures and can pass that knowledge down through the generations! Who knew! - Read more here. -

What’s your name and what’s your connection to Georgian Bay? Sheila Williams and I (Celesta Bjornson) are the co-presidents of the Bay of Islands Association (BICA) and have been enjoying our summers in the Bay of Islands since we were toddlers. My family is from Pittsburgh and we originally found the Bay of Islands in the 1950s by vacationing at a fishing lodge called Moredolpton Lodge. Sheila's family is one of the founding families of the Bay of Islands. Her grandfather discovered the Bay of Islands in early 1900s while working on the lakers, travelling from southern Georgian Bay to the North Channel, transporting lumber back south. He fell in love with the area and purchased an island around 1924 and began building a cottage. Why is being a Guardian of the Bay important to yo

Luc Voorn is a cottager in the South Channel and a passionate advocate for Georgian Bay. He currently serves as the Membership Chairperson for the South Channel Association (SCA), Editor of the SCA “On the Waterfront” newsletter, and as Director, Friends of the Massasauga Park. This past summer (2019), he was nominated as a Guardian of Georgian Bay for his ongoing enthusiasm and efforts to protect and preserve the Bay. Note from Jamie Drayton, GBA Chair of Guardians of Georgian Bay Committee My Dad used to take us camping. His lure to get us to bathe was to promise us ice cream if we ran into the water first thing in the morning for a swim. I recall the water being absolutely freezing at 7 o’clock in the morning… I don’t recall ever getting any ice cream. A few years l

Boating from October through June offers a very different experience steeped in solitude and excellent fishing. It is a beautiful time to be on the water. But boating during this season also requires extra attention to detail and the ability to be self-sufficient given that there are fewer boaters around should you require assistance. Here are some helpful tips from the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) and the Ontario Federation of Anglers & Hunters to make off-season boating safer for you. Check the weather forecast. The weather can change quickly and storms can be more violent. Fog is also more common. Ensure that your boat and engine are in good working order. Ethanol-based fuel can allow water contamination in the tank. The use of a fuel additive prevents water in the f

As nominated by Heather Sargeant  My Phragbuster Hero About 5 or 6 years ago, at an event jointly put on by the Georgian Bay Association, Georgian Bay Forever, and featuring Dr. Gilbert, an ecologist with Phragmites expertise , I first learned about invasive Phragmites and the harm it can have on wetlands. I decided to investigate if Phragmites was a threat in Woods Bay (my favourite area of Georgian Bay), and that’s when my journey tackling this plant began.  I wasn’t sure if a plant across from the family cottage was indeed the invasive type, and so I was nervous and queasy about leading people to help me cut it.  What if it was the native plant, and I’d taken all these people out to cut down something benign? One of my neighbors told me there was a hero on Georgian

The Nature Conservancy of Canada is asking motorists to look out for vulnerable turtles on our roadways. Road surfaces provide an attractive source of warmth for these cold-blooded reptiles, particularly in the spring and early summer. During this time, turtles are mating and nesting; in late summer and early fall, newly hatched turtles are travelling from their nests to nearby wetlands. The Nature Conservatory of Canada has an informative video and tips for safely moving turtles. Watch the video and read the tips here.

Here are some things to think about around Fire Safety at the cottage: Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are present and working. Have a list of local emergency numbers posted for all to see. Include all pertinent cottage location information.   Have the right fire extinguishers in the right places. Have an individual fire plan for evacuation. Make sure your plan has two escape routes. Respect local fire ratings. Have a fire pump and use it regularly to ensure it is in good working order. At the very least have a list of neighbours to call for assistance. Follow your association’s emergency plan if it exists. Make sure you have insurance. Make sure you understand what it covers and that it is adequate to rebuild and covers contents AND fire de