November 2025

Remembrance Day in The Blue Mountains

The Town of The Blue Mountains joins communities across Canada in commemorating Remembrance Day on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. Town Hall will be closed on Tuesday, November 11, and will reopen with regular hours on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.

Members of the public are invited to the following ceremonies in honour of Remembrance Day:

• Wednesday, November 5 at 7:00 p.m.
  Candlelight service at the Thornbury Cenotaph - Jack Acres Park
• Tuesday, November 11 at 10:45 a.m.
  Remembrance Day Service at the Thornbury Cenotaph - Jack Acres Park
• Tuesday, November 11 at 1:00 p.m.
  Remembrance Day Service at the Ravenna Cenotaph – Ravenna Memorial Park

For those who wish to learn more about the area's local military history, The Blue Mountains Public Library has online exhibits available on its website. To learn more about the Royal Canadian Legion Beaver Valley Branch 281, visit their website.

Learn More

Public Meeting Scheduled for 2026 Draft Budget and Fees & Charges

As the Town continues to work toward an approved 2026 Budget, a Public Meeting has been scheduled for Monday, November 10, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. The Public Meeting will provide information to the public regarding the budget and allows the public the opportunity to review and comment on the 2026 Draft Budget and supporting Tax Rate Changes.

There are multiple ways for residents to provide their input. Written comments that are submitted to the Town Clerk prior to 9:00 a.m. on Friday, November 7, 2025, will be read by the Town Clerk at the Public Meeting and included in the record of the meeting. Comments can be submitted via email to townclerk@thebluemountains.ca. Anyone wishing to provide their verbal comments in person at the Public Meeting can do so by attending the meeting on Monday, November 10, in the Town Hall Council Chambers.

To learn more about the budget, including copies of the 2026 Proposed Budget and the 2026 Proposed Fees & Charges, visit www.thebluemountains.ca/Budget.

Learn More

Provide Your Input for the Corporate Strategic Plan

The draft framework for the Corporate Strategic Plan has been released for public review and can be found on the Town’s website at www.thebluemountains.ca/OurPathForward.

The framework includes the Town’s Vision, Mission, Values, Strategic Priorities, Initiatives and Success Measures.

Two public information sessions have been scheduled to receive feedback from the community. Each session will begin with a formal presentation, which will include an open question-and-answer period, followed by an informal opportunity for residents to share feedback with project team members. These sessions are open to the public and no pre-registration is required.

• Session #1: Wednesday, November 12, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall
• Session #2: Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Town Hall

For those unable to attend, the presentations will be recorded and posted to the Town website and feedback can be submitted at anytime to si@thebluemountains.ca.

Learn More

Apply Now: 2025 Environmental Sustainability Fund

The Town's Environmental Sustainability Fund is now accepting applications for the 2025 intake period. A total of $8,000 will be available to allocate among successful proposals, with a minimum grant size of $1,000 and a maximum of $5,000 per project. The application window for this year's program closes on December 9, 2025.

Learn More

Council Adopts Updated Planning and Development Engineering Fees

The Town of The Blue Mountains would like to inform residents, builders and developers that Council has adopted By-law 2025-61, updating fees related to Planning Matters and Development Engineering Services. The By-law was formally adopted at the October 20, 2025, Council Meeting and replaces By-law 2022-14.

Updated fees for Development Engineering Services take effect immediately, while Planning Services fees will be phased in over three years, beginning on January 1, 2026.

This update follows the enactment of By-law 2025-40, which introduced revised fees for Building Services effective September 1, 2025. Together, these By-laws complete a comprehensive review of the Town’s Planning, Building and Development Engineering fees. The updated fees are designed to enhance sustainability, ensure financial responsibility and support ongoing community growth.

Learn More

Seasonal Closure Update for Outdoor Recreation Facilities

As cooler weather approaches, several Town recreation amenities are preparing to close for the winter. The final day of golf at the Municipal Golf Course was October 31, 2025, and both the Pickleball Courts at the Municipal Recreation Complex and the Tennis Courts at Bayview Park are now closed for the year.

The Nipissing Ridge Tennis Courts are expected to remain open into mid-November, weather permitting.

Outdoor public washrooms also began to close for the season starting Monday, November 3.

Thank you for a great summer full of rounds, rallies and serves!

Learn More

Lace Up! Skating Programs Return

Leaves are falling and skating programs are back at the Beaver Valley Community Centre. The Town offers a variety of options for getting on the ice including Public Skating, Adult Skating, Parent & Tot and Stick & Puck. Private ice rentals are also available. Please note that helmets are strongly recommended for all skaters regardless of age or ability.

Learn More

Annual Winter Parking Restrictions Now in Effect

As of November 1, 2025, the Town’s annual winter overnight parking restrictions are now in effect. In accordance with By-law No. 2022-49, overnight parking is prohibited on all Town streets from 2:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. until April 15, 2026. These measures help ensure snow removal operations can be completed safely and efficiently throughout the winter season.

Residents can now register for a 2026 Digital Resident Parking Pass. Licence plates can be registered online through the Town’s website, or in person at Town Hall during regular business hours. Once registered, residents can enjoy free parking at all paid municipal lots throughout the Town.

Learn More

Leaf & Yard Waste Collection Ending Soon

A reminder that Fall Leaf and Yard Waste Collection wraps up on November 20, 2025. As residents complete their fall cleanup, the Town’s Operations department has some additional information regarding collection:

• Yard Waste is collected on your regular curbside collection day and must be curbside by 7:00 a.m.
• Yard Waste collected curbside is limited to 10 compostable bags or containers weekly.
• Oversized yard waste is not collected curbside but can be delivered to the Landfill and Recycling Depot free-of-charge.
• Oversized yard waste refers to any plant material that is too large to fit into a container or yard waste bag that is 89cm high x 41cm wide, or bags over the 10 bag limit.

Learn More

The Georgian Bay Fruit Growers Association, following the advice of F.A.R.M.S. and the Jamaican Liaison Service, recommends that residents or members of the public who wish to support relief and recovery efforts in Jamaica make monetary donations to the official Government of Jamaica recovery portal online at https://supportjamaica.gov.jm. 

Additionally, Goldsmith’s Farm Market and Bakery will be collecting essential goods and supplies from November 5 to 11, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at its outdoor checkout hut located at 207600 Highway 26 in Thornbury. All donations gathered will be sent directly to Jamaica. Most needed items include:

• Batteries, flashlights, lanterns, ropes and bungee cords
• Buckets with lids, collapsible water containers, heavy-duty garbage bags
• Hygiene products and personal care kits
• Heavy duty gloves, hammers, sledgehammers and other clean hand tools
• Helmets, hard hats, portable generators, portable flood lights
• Rain gear, safety vests, safety goggles, shovels, spades
• Hard-toe boots, water boots, wheelbarrows, axes
• First-aid kits and over-the-counter medical supplies (new, sealed)
• Blankets, towels, washcloths, mosquito nets
• Food storage containers, bottled drinking water (sealed), crank radios

All items must be new or like-new, clean and in working condition. Goldsmith’s can also coordinate supplier and industry donations and encourages agricultural and food sector partners across Ontario to get involved. For questions or to arrange larger contributions, please contact info@goldsmithsmarket.com.

Learn More

World Town Planning Day 2025

The Town of The Blue Mountains is proud to recognize November 8, 2025, as the 76th annual World Town Planning Day.

World Town Planning Day is an opportunity to reflect on planners’ accomplishments and encourage curiosity and collaboration in solving modern challenges. From the parks residents enjoy to the streets people travel, planning is interwoven with public life.

Town Planning Staff continuously work to enhance how residents live, work and play within the community. By leading the design and management of land and resources, they help protect the environment, promote health and well-being, preserve cultural heritage and enhance community features, all while ensuring development projects align with the Town’s overall objectives and goals.

Learn More