April 19, 2018

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One Muskoka!

             ‘Working Together’

 

Our Mission
is to stimulate discussion about our municipal governance with the goal of having an independent review of the governance structure of Muskoka.

 

Why?

Currently our Municipal politicians do not feel that a review of governance is a vital issue yet reports indicate annual savings in the millions of dollars.

Our current two tier government was designed from the Paterson report, which was written in 1969. Innovations have modernized our world, but our 40 year old governance model remains the same.

It is time for a review to determine if a more efficient form of municipal government is needed. This forum has been assembled to help share information and opinions with the hopes that you will take this matter up with your elected officials, to put this issue on top of their agenda.

 

The One Muskoka Team is committed to the following broad precepts:

The governance structure of Muskoka’s municipal government must be fully reviewed as it has not changed significantly in 41 years.

Any review of Muskoka’s municipal governance must be independent, allowing for political input but free of any preconceived political restraints.

One Muskoka’s preference is for the creation of a goverance model that delivers service with fair representation and operates with efficient effectiveness

A new governance structure must:

    • be for the common good of Muskoka
    • reduce duplication and overlap among Muskoka’s seven existing municipal governments
    • be designed with maximum efficiencies and lower costs while delivering high quality service
    • be accessible, accountable and representative of the population it serves
    • be streamlined and simplified
    • have the ability to attract and retain highly qualified staff
    • commit to creating a single Muskoka mindset while ensuring all parts are treated equally and fairly

Where do Councillors stand on governance?

October 5, 2011 By 10 Comments

Dear Councillors, Mayors and District Chairman, One Muskoka has been promoting the idea of an independent review of Muskoka’s municipal governance. Having closely examined past attempts at restructuring since the late 1970s we have concluded that despite strong support from ratepayers groups, cottage associations and the general public, Muskoka’s municipal politicians rejected significant change. As […]

Half a Century and Still no Change In most people’s lives 52 years is a long time. As our lives unfold, we change, we grow and we adapt to the world us around to ensure our success, improve our lives and learn new things. Not so with our District Council. The current group of District Councillors will consider any change to their structure only when the government, by amendments to the Municipal Act, forces them to do so. The first significant change will occur in the 2018 fall election when the people will elect the District Chair when they cast their ballots. One Muskoka has advocated this change for almost eight years. It was by government direct intervention that this happened. The second change in the legislation targets the number of elected councillors to the district council. In May 2016, Debbie Crowder, the District Clerk, prepared an excellent report on the history of the regional government including some options on composition for consideration by the members of Council. The report sat on the shelf. No action. Finally, a Composition Committee was formed under the Chairmanship of Mayor Bob Young. The first meeting was held in July 2017 with a recommendation to hire a consulting firm to provide options on the council composition. With a dead line of October 16, 2017, the firm scrambled to complete the scope of the work. A public meeting was held to hear the draft report options, regulatory requirements and the time line for implementation. Few members of the public attended. The composition committee then met to finalize the report. There was some thoughtful discussion, some reasonable ideas and some outrageous comments at the meeting. It was not long before it became very clear, there will be no change to the 52 councillors that govern the district and the municipalities. Was it a deliberate, calculated move on the part of some councillors to leave the matter to the eleventh hour to ensure there will be no change (if then) until 2022? Muskoka will continue to be one of the most over governed regions in the province of Ontario. One where current councillors protect their own backyards at the expense of putting Muskoka first. At the November 20th District Council will receive the recommended motion for no change. Prediction: 52 years with 52 councillors will continue.

November 16, 2017 By Leave a Comment

2000 The Rice Report

July 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

June 2000, The Rice Report (also known as the Phase 2 Report) – Final findings for the Ad Hoc Muskoka Restructuring Committee (64 pages) Click to Download this report here FREE! (zip compressed pdf file)  

2000 The Tomlinson Report

July 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Restructuring committee letters between Mr. Len Clarke and Tony Clement (4 pages) Click to Download this report here FREE! (zip compressed pdf file)  

The aftermath of the last time Municipal Governance was reviewed

August 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Restructuring committee letters between Mr. Len Clarke and Tony Clement (4 pages) Click to Download this report here FREE! (zip compressed pdf file)