2018-Apr-18
Boating
Issues Covered
- Rules and Regulations
- Continued Boating Safety
- Emergency Response Protocols
Sponsored by:
News
July 2026
A $5,700 Lesson: Why "Pouring Water on It" Isn't Enough
An Ontario cottage owner was fined and ordered to pay $5,716.82 after a fire they thought was extinguished smouldered underground for four days and eventually erupted into a wildfire, knocking out power, threatening nearby properties, and requiring an airborne ministry fire crew to extinguish it. In Ontario, failing to safely manage an open-air fire is illegal, and you will be held financially responsible for the emergency response costs. With the official fire season running from April 1 to October 31, you must follow these rules to stay legal and prevent human-caused wildfires. Can You Even Burn? Before burning, always check with your local municipality as local fire bans and restrictions always override provincial rules: Township of Georgian Bay Township of the Arch
July 2026
July 12 Water Levels Report
Lake Michigan-Huron is 6 inches higher than it was at this time last year. From a month ago, the water levels on Lake Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are up 2, 2, 5, 2 & 1 inches, respectively. Lake Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair & Ontario levels are up 3, 6, 4 & 13 inches, respectively, from last year. Lake Erie levels are the same as this time last year. Lake Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are 2, 7, 5 & 15 inches above their long-term July averages. Lake Superior is 2 inches lower than its long-term July average. All the lakes remain well below their July record highs. In a month, Lake Superior levels are expected to rise by 1 inch. Lake Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario levels are expected to fall by
July 2026
Summer Events From Our Georgian Bay Partner Organizations
Summer on Georgian Bay is officially in full swing! Whether you want to expand your knowledge of the local ecosystem, enjoy some fine art, get the kids out into nature, or roll up your sleeves to keep our waters pristine, our Georgian Bay partner associations have an incredible calendar lined up. Here are some of the what’s happening around the Bay: Georgian Bay Land Trust (GBLT) Artist & Author Talks: King Family Bursary Winners Tuesday, July 14 | 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm | Midland Cultural Centre Presenters Peter Mills and Amelia Stea MacLaurin share their artistic and literary projects Discover what an ecologist reflects on while canoe-tripping, and how an artist responds to traveling the Bay in all four seasons Nature Walks Umbrella Island Sund
July 2026
New Digital Licensing System for Fishing and Hunting Coming in 2027
Ontario’s 1.5 million hunters and anglers will soon have a much easier way to manage their gear, cards, and tags. The provincial government has announced the development of FishHuntON, a new digital licensing platform set to launch in early 2027. - The biggest upgrade coming to the system is a free mobile app designed to act as a digital wallet for the field. Through the app, outdoorsmen and women will be able to buy and renew products, submit hunter accreditation documents digitally, and easily file mandatory hunter reports. Best of all, your stored digital licences and tags will be accessible entirely offline—meaning you can still show proof to a conservation officer even when you have zero cell service. - For those who prefer a traditional approach, don't worry: the province isn
July 2026
Hydro One Transmission Line Project: Round 2 Open Houses Announced
- The proposed 300-kilometre high-voltage transmission line from Sudbury to Barrie is moving forward quickly, and Hydro One has announced its Round 2 Community Consultations for this summer, introducing narrowed-down "Focused Study Areas." This round of meetings centers on new geographic maps that dictate the specific bands where the transmission line will actually be built. Because the existing infrastructure cannot safely support the weight or electrical clearance of these new 500-kV lines, Hydro One must build entirely new, larger steel structures and widen the existing right-of-way corridor. For property owners, the lines drawn on these maps this summer will directly determine where massive new towers are placed, which shorelines will face extensive clear-cutting and visual
July 2026
'Regalia' Photography Exhibit Opens at Parry Sound Friendship Centre
A powerful travelling exhibition celebrating Indigenous culture, identity, and resilience is on display throughout the summer at the Parry Sound Friendship Centre. Regalia: Indigenous Pride features 30 stunning portraits of powwow dancers from 14 different First Nations across Eastern Canada. - The project is the result of a massive collaborative effort by Montreal-based photographer Roland Lorente and writer Aline Saffore, who travelled over 10,000 kilometres to attend more than 20 powwows. The artwork uniquely pairs striking, vibrant portraits of the dancers in their magnificent traditional regalia alongside photographs of the exact same individuals in their everyday street clothes. Accompanied by personal, written testimonies, these side-by-side images pull back the curtain on the pro
July 2026
ACTION REQUIRED: Verify Your Municipal Voter Registration Before August 12
While federal and provincial politics get all the headlines, it’s your local council that directly shapes the community right outside your front door. From setting property taxation rates and defining water protection bylaws to deciding the future of your local waterfront or community infrastructure, municipal decisions impact your day-to-day life more than almost any other level of government. - If you own or rent property in Ontario, it’s time to double-check the voters' list to ensure you have a say in these decisions. - The voter registration process has officially changed for the 2026 Ontario Municipal Elections. In a major administrative shift, the Municipal Voters' List is now managed directly by Elections Ontario, rather than the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (M
July 2026
July 5 Water Levels Report
Lake Michigan-Huron is now 7 inches higher than it was at this time last year. From a month ago, the water levels on Lake Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are up 2, 4, 3, 1 & 0 inches, respectively. Lake Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair & Ontario levels are up 4, 7, 2 & 12 inches, respectively, from last year. Lake Erie levels are lower by 2 inches than this time last year. Lake Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are 0, 2, 6, 4 & 15 inches above their long-term July averages. Lake Superior is 2 inches lower than its long-term July average. All the lakes remain well below their July record highs. In a month, Lake Superior levels are expected to rise by 1 inch. Lake Michigan-Huron levels are expected to remain the same. Lakes
July 2026
Runaway Vessels, Tragic Fatalities, and Close Calls: A Grim Week on the Water
Emergency crews and Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Marine Units have responded to a wave of drownings, capsized vessels, and near-misses this week. The headlines from this Canada Day week paint a sobering picture of how quickly things can spiral out of control—both on the water and back on the shoreline: Video captures unattended boat slamming into dock, other vessels north of Peterborough: On June 29, viral video footage captured a wild scene on Chemong Lake (Selwyn Township). An operator towing an inflatable tube was thrown from a motorboat, but because the safety kill switch wasn't used, the vessel kept running. The driverless boat circled at high speeds for roughly 20 minutes before violently crashing into a private dock and smashing into two other boats. While the occupants we
June 2026
June 28 Water Levels Report
Lake Michigan-Huron is now 7 inches higher than it was at this time last year. From a month ago, the water levels on Lake Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are up 1, 2, 3, 0 & 0 inches, respectively. Lake Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair & Ontario levels are up 4, 7, 2 & 13 inches, respectively, from last year. Lake Erie levels are lower by 1 inch than this time last year. Lake Superior, Michigan-Huron, Lakes St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are 0, 2, 7, 4 & 13 inches above their long-term June averages. All the lakes remain well below their June record highs. In a month, Lake Superior levels are expected to rise by 2 inches. Lake Michigan-Huron levels are expected to remain the same. Lakes St. Clair, Erie & Ontario levels are expected
June 2026
Got Cottage Insurance Questions? Ask a BrokerLink Expert Live!
Whether your cottage is a seasonal retreat, a year-round second home, or a rental property, navigating insurance on the Bay can be surprisingly complex. From water damage and fire protection ratings to renting out your property on Airbnb, ensure you have the right coverage before the peak of summer. To help you get the facts, we are hosting a live, interactive webinar on July 23 from 7:00-8:30 pm with a resident insurance expert from BrokerLink. Over the course of this 90-minute session, we will break down the unique risks facing Georgian Bay properties and open the floor for a Q&A to answer your specific questions. Event Details: Date: Thursday, July 23rd - Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM - Format: Live online presentation followed by an interactive Q&A -
June 2026
June 21 Water Levels Report
Lake Michigan-Huron is now 7 inches higher than it was at this time last year. From a month ago, the water levels on Lake Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are up 2, 2, 3, 3 & 1 inches, respectively. Lake Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair & Ontario levels are up 6, 7, 1 & 12 inches, respectively, from last year. Lake Erie levels are lower by 1 inch than this time last year. Lake Superior, Michigan-Huron, Lakes St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are 0, 2, 5, 4 & 13 inches above their long-term June averages. All the lakes remain well below their June record highs. In a month, Lake Superior & Michigan-Huron levels are expected to rise by 2 & 1 inches, respectively. Lake St. Clair levels are expected to remain the same, while Lake Erie