The post Funding Boost For Parry Sound District Will Help Repair Roads, Improve Bridges And Build Long-Term Resilience appeared first on Muskoka411.

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.

The post Canada Is Losing Businesses At An Alarming Rate: Here’s How We Fix The Country’s Entrepreneurial Drought: CFIB appeared first on Muskoka411.

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.

The post Ontario To Allow Alcohol Almost Anywhere In Provincial Parks appeared first on Muskoka411.

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.

The post Muskoka Says One-Size Governance Model Doesn’t Fit – Council To Debate Protecting Muskoka’s Local Voice April 20th appeared first on Muskoka411.

An individual from the United States has been fined $28,750 for the following moose hunting violations:

The post U.S. Man Fined Nearly $29K For Illegal Moose Kill In Ontario appeared first on Muskoka411.

Ontario is ready to protect people and communities this wildland fire season, which lasts from April 1 until October 31. To prepare for the 2026 fire season, the province has added an additional 68 permanent staff and increased compensation for critical staff including wildland firefighters, pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers.

“We are ready to protect communities from wildland fires, with all the necessary resources in place,” said Mike Harris, Minister of Natural Resources. “Our government stands behind the wildland firefighters, pilots and support staff that make up our frontline response and we will ensure they have everything they need for the upcoming fire season.”

In addition to the new staffing measures, Ontario and Canada are investing in projects through the Wildfire Resilient Futures Initiative that will help enhance local training, education and outreach programs. These measures will ensure communities across the province are equipped with the tools and resources to prevent and mitigate wildland fire risks, while advancing science and research projects to reduce wildland fire risk.

Other investments and actions the province has taken to strengthen Ontario’s world class wildland fire program include:

• Over $500 million to purchase six new Canadian-made De Havilland DHC-515 waterbombers.
• New and amended regulations under the Wildland Fire Management Act taking effect April 1, 2026 to modernize wildland fire management, strengthen compliance measures and protect against the growing threat of wildland fires.
• 100 permanent staff positions filled throughout 2024 and 2025.
• $64 million invested in 2024 in partnership with the federal government to purchase upgraded equipment and modern wildland fire suppression tools, as well as continued training.

Approximately 50 per cent of all wildland fires are caused by humans. There are actions the public can take to reduce the risks of forest fires:

• Before starting an outdoor fire, check the interactive map at ontario.ca/ForestFires and ensure you are aware of the fire hazard and restrictions in place in your area.
• Ensure campfires do not get too big and are fully extinguished at the end of the evening or prior to leaving the site. Have tools and water on hand to control outdoor fires.
• To learn more about how to prepare your community or property to reduce the risk or impact of a wildland fire, please visit how to prevent forest fires and ontario.ca/FireSmart.

Ontario is an international leader in wildland fire management and proudly participates in agreements with provincial, territorial, federal and international partners that allow for the sharing of personnel, equipment and aircraft during periods of escalated wildland fire activity.

The post Ontario Ready For 2026 Wildland Fire Season appeared first on Muskoka411.

The investigation began after CBSA shared information with the RCMP concerning a border services officer. As a result of the RCMP investigation, Daniel Notarianni was arrested in January 2026, after it was determined that he did not follow CBSA policy and a transport truck and trailer were allowed into Canada containing contraband. The transport truck contained millions of dollars worth of opium, cannabis products, and tobacco. The transport truck driver, Abhishek Abhishek, was also arrested and has been charged.

RCMP Federal Policing – Central Region, Niagara-on-the-Lake Border Integrity executed a warrant for arrest on Daniel Notarianni on March 6, 2026, and both subjects have been charged with:

• Conspiracy to Import Schedule I pursuant to section 6(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and committing the offence under section 465(1)(c) of the Criminal Code;
• Trafficking a controlled substance pursuant to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;
• Importation of Schedule I pursuant to section 6(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking pursuant to section 11(1) of the Cannabis Act (3 counts);
• Distribution of Schedule I pursuant to section 9(2) of the Cannabis Act (3 counts);
• Transportation and possession of tobacco for the purpose of sale pursuant to section 121.1(1) of the Criminal Code.

Notarianni is expected to appear in court on March 23, 2026, while Abhishek is expected to appear in court on April 9, 2026. Both will appear at the Welland Courthouse.

“This investigation highlights the strength of the partnership between the RCMP and the CBSA in maintaining a secure border. When the CBSA brought this information forward, our members were able to respond quickly and carry out a careful, impartial investigation. The charges announced today reflect our commitment to upholding the law with integrity and consistency.”

– Superintendent Dale Foote, OIC Border Integrity, Federal Policing – Central Region

Report Suspicious Activity

If you have information related to smuggling, drug importation, trafficking, or possession – or wish to report other criminal activity – please contact:

RCMP in Ontario: 1-800-387-0020
CBSA Border Watch Line (confidential): 1-888-502-9060
Crime Stoppers (anonymous): 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS)

The post Border Officer Charged After Truck Full Of Drugs Crosses Into Ontario appeared first on Muskoka411.

“This funding highlights our government’s commitment to fire protection for our communities,” said Graydon Smith, MPP for Parry Sound-Muskoka. “By investing in cancer prevention initiatives, infrastructure upgrades, and enhancing emergency response through the Fire Prevention Grant, we are protecting our firefighters so they can continue to keep families safe.”

Funding received through the Fire Protection Grant will help support vital equipment and upgrades for the fire departments in the following communities, including: 

Bracebridge – $32,890

• Contributions to the personal protective equipment exchange program for particulate hoods and gear, to enhance firefighter safety through cancer prevention measures. Eight sets of bunker gear, and firefighter personal decontamination supplies were also purchased.

Georgian Bay – $52,821

• Investments in cancer prevention, including a quantitative fit-testing machine to ensure every firefighter’s Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and N95 mask fits properly, individually assigned SCBA facepieces to reduce cross-contamination, and specialized equipment to thoroughly clean fire hoses after incidents.

Gravenhurst – $51,528

•      Improved access to appropriate personal protective equipment, including flash hoods, boots, bunker gear, gloves and helmets.

Huntsville – $30,320

•  The addition of spare turnout gear and a new extractor to wash dirty equipment. This machine now cleans four suits at a time instead of one, helping to maintain service levels and support operational efficiency.

Lake of Bays – $52,821

•  The addition of three fire service washer extractors, one for each station, to improve gear cleaning after calls and reduce firefighter exposure to contaminants and cancer-causing substances. Seven upgraded sets of firefighting suits will also be purchased to enhance outer protection.

Muskoka Lakes – $164,400

•  Funding will support the purchase of two specialized gear-cleaning extractors to improve routine washing of protective clothing, 28 additional sets of bunker gear so firefighters have a second clean set available, and five nozzles designed to help safely cool lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles during fires.

Together, the Muskoka Area Fire Chiefs remain committed to strong regional collaboration to ensure consistent, high-quality fire protection services across the District. Through regular coordination, shared training initiatives, automatic and mutual aid agreements, and joint emergency planning, the six municipalities work together to strengthen operational readiness and support one another during major incidents. This cooperative approach enhances firefighter safety, improves response capabilities, and ensures residents across Muskoka receive seamless service when it matters most.

Quotes

“Our local firefighters are responding to a larger volume of incidents every year. Less time between calls means less time available to adequately clean their gear to remove the contaminants and carcinogens they encounter when fighting fires. Firefighters play a tremendous role in keeping our community safe, and it’s important they have access to proper, clean gear so they can be protected.”

– Gary Monahan, Fire Chief, Huntsville/Lake of Bays

“This investment directly supports the health and safety of our firefighters as they respond to more calls, more frequently. Ensuring they have modern, properly maintained protective equipment is essential not only for cancer prevention, but for maintaining operational readiness in a growing community.”

– Kevin Plested, Director of Emergency Services/Fire Chief, Town of Bracebridge

The post Ontario Investing In The Safety Of Muskoka’s Firefighters appeared first on Muskoka411.

The Ontario government has appointed an expert advisory body to lead a comprehensive review of student achievement and assessment across the province, with a focus on improving results in reading, writing and math. This advisory body is part of the government’s ongoing work to ensure that the provincial education system is supporting student success and helping them reach their full potential.

The post Ontario Appoints Advisory Body To Improve Student Achievement appeared first on Muskoka411.

• 1 winner receives 60%
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• Launch: February 26, 2026
• Early Bird 1: Deadline March 4 (11:59 PM ET) • Draw March 5 • 1 winner of $50,000 cash
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• Early Bird 3: Deadline March 18 (11:59 PM ET) • Draw March 19 • 3,000 bonus ticket winners
• Grand Prize: Deadline March 25 (11:59 PM ET) • Draw March 26 • 13 winners share the Jackpot Payout

• $10 for 5 tickets
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• $50 for 150 tickets
• $100 for 700 tickets (600 tickets + 100 bonus tickets; best value)

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