To celebrate Canada Day and encourage more people to enjoy Ontario’s world-class outdoors, Canadian residents can fish for free across the province from June 27 to July 5 without purchasing a fishing licence or Outdoors Card.

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This Father’s Day weekend, Ontario is inviting families to reel in some fun and enjoy the outdoors together for free. On June 20 and 21, Canadian residents can fish in Ontario without purchasing a licence or Outdoors Card.

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At a special meeting on June 3, councillors endorsed a resolution outlining the qualities they believe are essential for the role. The recommendations emphasize municipal leadership experience, a strong and ongoing connection to Muskoka, the ability to build consensus, a deep understanding of the region’s unique rural and northern realities, and a demonstrated commitment to public service.

The special meeting was called in response to the Province’s decision to proceed with the appointment of Muskoka’s District Chair despite Council’s earlier request to be exempt from the legislation. The issue has become one of the most significant governance debates facing the region, raising fundamental questions about local representation, democratic accountability, and the future relationship between the Province and municipal government.

The discussion was marked by a strong defence of local democracy and local decision-making. Councillors expressed disappointment that the Province chose to move forward with an appointment process after Council had unanimously requested the ability to continue selecting its own Chair. Members repeatedly stressed that the Chair plays a critical role in shaping regional priorities, building relationships among Muskoka’s municipalities, and representing the District to other levels of government. Many argued that such an important position should remain accountable to the elected representatives chosen by Muskoka residents.

Deputy Chair Terry Glover, who chaired the meeting, described the matter as one of the most consequential governance issues facing the current term of Council. Throughout the discussion, members emphasized that the appointment will influence not only who occupies the Chair’s office, but how Muskoka’s priorities are advanced, how regional relationships are managed, and how accountability is maintained across the District for years to come.

Council also considered additional measures aimed at protecting local authority and preserving Council’s role in regional decision-making should the Province proceed with an appointment. Following discussion, councillors directed staff to review the proposed measures and report back on any legal or governance implications later this month.

As part of its resolution, Council requested that the Province provide councillors with the opportunity to review applicants and offer feedback before a final appointment is made. Council also called on the Province to recognize Muskoka’s unique circumstances as a large, predominantly rural municipality whose success depends on collaboration, consensus-building, and strong relationships among its six local municipalities.

The unanimously adopted criteria call for a Chair with demonstrated municipal leadership experience, a strong understanding of Muskoka’s communities and challenges, the ability to work collaboratively across municipal boundaries, and a proven commitment to public service.

The unanimous support for the selection criteria sends a clear message that Muskoka Council is not stepping away from the issue. While the Province may ultimately make the appointment, Council remains determined to advocate for a process that respects local knowledge, local accountability, and the voices of Muskoka residents.

Council is expected to continue discussions on the matter when staff report back later this month.

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ENCORE offers 22 ways to win and can be played in conjunction with most lottery games for an extra $1. There are two ENCORE draws every day.

The winning ticket was purchased at Daisy Mart on Main Street in Penetanguishene.

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As seen in CFIB’s Canada’s Entrepreneurial Drought, Part 1: The Shrinking Business Landscape report, business exits in Canada have outpaced new business entries since early 2024, and the problem seems to be getting worse. In the second quarter of 2025, exit rates reached 5.6%, while entry rates fell to 4.8% in Q4 2025, marking some of the highest closure rates and weakest startup activity outside the pandemic.

Today, CFIB is releasing Part 2 of the report series, Canada’s Entrepreneurial Drought, Part 2: Fixing Canada’s Shrinking Business Landscape, which outlines practical reforms to reverse the drought and improve Canada’s business environment.

“Tomorrow’s federal spring economic statement is an opportunity for the federal government to address Canada’s entrepreneurial drought and restore small business confidence,” said Michelle Auger, CFIB director of trade and marketplace competitiveness. “Governments have spent years prioritizing big business needs, while small firms have been largely ignored. Canada cannot afford to keep losing more businesses than it gains, it’s time for all governments to put small businesses first and reverse the entrepreneurial drought.”

CFIB identified three priority areas of action to fix Canada’s entrepreneurial drought: reducing the cost of doing business, cutting red tape, and responding to the ongoing transformation of Canada’s labour market.

Some key reforms for governments include:

Reducing the costs of doing business:

• Reduce the federal small business corporate tax rate (SBCTR) from 9% to 6%; and
  • Provincial governments should permanently lower their SBCTRs to 0% by 2030.
  • Federal and provincial governments should raise SBCTR thresholds to at least $700,000 and index it to inflation.
• Make financing more accessible and affordable.
• Create a level playing field and ensure government programs and procurement processes are accessible to small firms.

Cutting red tape and reducing internal trade barriers:

• Measure and publicly report the regulatory burden.
• Eliminate two regulations for every new one introduced (a “2 for 1” rule) to cut red tape.
• Streamline internal trade by expanding mutual recognition beyond its current scope to include food and alcohol and ensure the Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement and provincial legislation are applied consistently and transparently, with minimal carve-outs.

Addressing labour market challenges and improving business succession:

• Improve workforce quality through training incentives and stronger partnerships with educational institutions.
• Keep, protect and defend the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and consult the business community in advance of future reform.
• Increase awareness, particularly among young entrepreneurs, about the opportunities and advantages of purchasing an existing business.
• Allow small corporations to defer the tax on capital gains from the transfer of a business to the owner’s children.

“The entrepreneurial drought won’t fix itself. Canada needs to give businesses clear reasons to start, stay and invest, yet current government policies are failing to inspire confidence among entrepreneurs,” said Brianna Solberg, CFIB director for the Prairies and the North. “If governments are serious about Canada’s economic strength, competitiveness, and productivity growth, they need to start reflecting this in their policies.”

Visit cfib.ca/drought for more information.

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Just in time for summer, the Ontario government is making it easier for people to enjoy the great outdoors with family and friends by allowing adults to responsibly consume their favourite alcoholic beverages throughout provincial parks. As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by building a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy, this change means alcohol will no longer be restricted to individual campsites, making it easier for people to relax and spend time with family and friends while supporting a stronger tourism industry that creates jobs and drives economic growth across the province.

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A motion brought forward by District Councillor Tatiana Sutherland, and seconded by Huntsville Mayor Nancy Alcock, will be discussed at the April 20th District Council meeting. The motion asks the Province to recognize Muskoka’s unique circumstances as it considers changes to how regional governments are structured, including respecting the right of Muskoka Council to choose its own, locally-responsive and accountable Chair.

At the core of the discussion is how Muskoka fits within a broader provincial approach that has largely focused on more densely populated regions.  Local leaders say Muskoka’s structure and geography set it apart. Spanning thousands of square kilometres of lakes, forests, and small communities, the District operates across a mix of serviced centres and rural areas, creating different service delivery realities within a single region.

At the same time, local officials point to the challenges of building in Muskoka. Canadian Shield bedrock, environmental considerations, and higher servicing costs all play a role in shaping how growth can occur, often requiring a more tailored, locally responsive approach.

There are also operational pressures unique to the region. In recent years, Muskoka has faced multiple extreme weather events that required coordinated responses across municipalities, emergency services, and provincial partners—highlighting the need for strong local collaboration.

As Council prepares to discuss the motion, the conversation is expected to centre on how Muskoka is fundamentally different from the Greater Toronto Area, and a request for the Province to respect local decision-making.

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