Although a single mayoral race in Ontario has received the majority of press and attention, the municipal election in the Township of Georgian Bay is equally important!

Not surprisingly, most residents on Six Mile don’t spend a lot of time thinking about municipal politics while sitting on the dock. However, what happens at the municipal level has a far larger effect on your dock and your enjoyment of it than politics at either the provincial or federal levels. Six Mile Lake has been fortunate to have two active voices on the current council, as well as an open minded mayor, and this has helped ensure that our concerns are not only heard but are acted upon at the local government level.

We would like to encourage all Six Mile Lake residents to become informed about the candidates and their positions in the upcoming election. We particularly would like all eligible residents to vote. The mail in voting process, explained below, is quite simple.

The executive and I strongly believe that it is important to have representation on township council that is in tune with the concerns of our lake, our neighbouring lakes and the township as a whole. After reviewing the available information, we think that the candidates that can best represent the Six Mile Lake community as well as the township as a whole are: Larry Braid for Mayor and Brian Bochek for Area Councillor. Paul Wiancko was acclaimed as the candidate for the position of District and Area Councillor.

We often hear how residents are angry with property tax increases and how the only service that they use is garbage disposal. The best way to have your voice heard on these issues is to vote!

The township sent out the mail in ballots late last week. You should receive yours next week. Please put your ballot in the mail by October 18 in order to ensure that it arrives in time. The election date is Monday, October 27, 2014.

Previous Election Statistics

The 2010 and 2006 elections were a vote by mail ballot. Despite the relative ease of the vote by mail system, the voter turnout in 2006 was 35.58%. In 2010 the voter turnout increased to approximately 45%, which is actually better than the average for municipal elections in Ontario but still too low.

The Township of Georgian Bay has a unique population distribution. There are 2500 permanent residents and 15,000 seasonal residents. The seasonal residents make up 86.4% of the population.

There are 8983 registered eligible voters in the township. Ward 3, which includes Six Mile Lake, Port Severn and the half of Gloucester Pool in Muskoka, has 3651 eligible voters. This represents 40.64% of the township.

Six Mile Lake has approximately 1350 registered voters. This represents 37% of the eligible voters in Ward 3 and 15% of eligible voters in the Township.

The Six Mile Lake community represents a powerful portion of the electorate if we get out and vote.

Township Political Organization

In Muskoka, we have a two-tiered system consisting of an upper level, the District of Muskoka and a lower level, the Township of Georgian Bay. The District of Muskoka consists of three Towns, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst and Huntsville, and three Townships, Georgian Bay, Lake of Bays and Muskoka Lakes.

The Township of Georgian Bay is now divided into four electoral wards, simply known as Wards 1, 2, 3 and 4.  All of Six Mile Lake resides in Ward 3. Ward 1 goes from Mactier to the north side of Muskoka Road #33, South Gibson Lake Road. Wards 2 and 4 cover the majority of the Georgian Bay Islands.

The Township provides services such as tax collection, fire, basic planning services, building permits/inspections, road maintenance, recreation and libraries. The District provides major planning services, policing, community housing, garbage service, ambulance, some major road maintenance and other community services that are mandated by the Province.

Township and District Council is comprised of one Mayor, two Area and District Councilors (one representing Wards 2 and 4 located on the western  mainly coastal side of the township and one representing Wards 1 and 3 located on the eastern mainly inland side of the township), and four Area Councilors (one representing each of the four Wards). Council Chambers are in Port Severn. The two Area and District Councilors, along with the Mayor, also sit on the District of Muskoka Council. This Council meets in Bracebridge and has a total of 22 councilors from all the major Towns and Townships and 1 Chair.

Who Can Vote

In each municipal election, Canadian citizens who own property in the Township of Georgian Bay and their spouses (even if the spouse’s name is not on the title) are entitled to vote. Families that have their property in Trust cannot vote. Residents and tenants with long term leases are also entitled to vote.

The Township has a web address where you can check if you are on the voter’s list. You will need to enter your full name and your property’s 911 address. If you are an island resident, your Island Number is your street name.

If you are not on the voters list, the Township has arranged for week-end sign-up on Saturday, October 11 from 10:00 am to 2:00pm at the Honey Harbour Library and Saturday, October 25 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Township offices located at 99 Lone Line Road in Port Severn.

To have your name added to the Voter’s List, you will need to bring your passport or birth certificate and one other piece of photo ID for identification purposes.

How to Vote

A tutorial that explains the mail in voting process is available here.

Candidates Information

You can find more information on all the candidates for mayor and Ward 3 Councillor from the links below.

Mayoral Candidates

Councillor Ward 3

District and Area Councillor Ward 3

Paul Wiancko was acclaimed for this position.