Latest news with #DonMcIsaac
CTV News
3 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
The Great Flag Challenge of Summer 2025
Councillor Janet-Lynne Durnford and Councilor Luke Leatherdale pose with a Canada flag in an Orillia neighbourhood. Thu., June 5, 2025. Photo: City of Orillia Orillia is launching The Great Orillia Flag Challenge, inviting residents to team up with their neighbours and decorate their homes with as many red and white Canadian flags as possible. The friendly neighbourhood challenge, running June 30 to July 6, is an opportunity for residents to connect with one another, celebrate Canada Day, and show their national spirit—one flag at a time. 'Now more than ever, finding ways to connect locally and build community spirit is important,' said Mayor Don McIsaac. 'This challenge is a fun and simple way to come together and get to know your neighbours. I encourage residents to plan a decorating day and team up with their street. It's more than just competition — it's about celebrating where we live and who we share it with.' To take part in the challenge, a representative of your street must register their Orillia street by emailing one of their ward councillors directly using the contact information below. View the Orillia Ward Map for clarification on your ward Councilor. Ward One: David Campbell (dcampbell@ and Whitney Smith (wsmith@ Ward Two: Ralph Cipolla (rcipolla@ and Luke Leatherdale (lleatherdale@ Ward Three: Jay Fallis (jfallis@ and Jeff Czetwerzuk (jczetwerzuk@ Ward Four: Tim Lauer (tlauer@ and Janet-Lynne Durnford (jdurnford@ Challenge rules: Only red and white Canadian flags will be counted. Flags must be visible from the end of the driveway. Residents will compete as part of the street their address is located on, not as individuals. Apartments and multi-unit buildings are encouraged to participate. Flags visible from the street or displayed on balconies will be counted. All units in the building will be included in the calculation. All flags must be in place by June 30 and remain up through July 6. Councillors will tour their wards between June 30 and July 6 to complete the flag count. The winning street will be determined based on the number of flags divided by the number of homes on the street. The street with the highest flag-to-home ratio will hold the honour of being the Great Orillia Flag Challenge Champion for 2025.
CTV News
29-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Pricey ice storm cleanup ongoing in Simcoe County
Tree companies continue to work at a feverish pace to get the cleanup job down after the March ice storm that crippled the county. 'We're just driving around removing trees that are storm damaged... We've been very busy. It's been a busy two months,' said George Paddock with Kodiak Tree Services. While crews continue to take down trees in Barrie, now at 4,500 and counting, homeowners are encouraged to do one last check of their yards for brush and other storm-related debris before the city carries out it's final pickup. 'Drag everything out to the curb and we hope to have the contractors do a one or two week run throughout the city and do their final clean ups,' said Dave Friary with the City of Barrie. And the cleanup hasn't been cheap. Now estimated at over $12 million in Barrie alone. The final pricetag is expected next week. Many city trails still need to be cleaned and people are asked to stay off the ones that are closed until further notice. 'If you have a hanger up in the tree and it falls on somebody - that's the last thing we want,' said Friary. In Orillia, the cost for storm cleanup is pegged at about $7.5 million, with the majority of the job now completed. After help from government, the mayor said the city would be looking at a bill of about $1 million. 'There are some places where arborists can't get to because of the volume but most of the trees have already been cut down and put to the curb,' explained Mayor Don McIsaac. The city's last debris collection for property owners should be done by the end of the week. Residents of Orillia and Barrie still have the opportunity to drop-off brush at the landfill free of charge until Saturday.
CTV News
26-05-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
After costly ice storm cleanup, Orillia explores ways to improve winter maintenance
The gates to the Saint. Andrew's - Saint. James' Cemetery in Orillia remain locked nearly a month after a devastating ice storm swept through the region on April 23, 2025. (CTV News/ Rob Cooper) Just months ago, the City of Orillia approved a half-million dollar investment for tree rescue and replanting, marking the beginning of the city's recovery from the devastating March ice storm. Now, Orillia is asking how it can improve its winter maintenance. A working group was established early last month and came up with 19 recommendations for the city to adopt. That includes enhancing communications, expanding its slow plowing fleet, and even driveway clearing support to some residents in Orillia. On Monday afternoon, CTV News asked Orillia Mayor Don McIsaac what caught his attention. His response focused on the city's Business Impact Analysis (BIA) about the possibility of assuming downtown winter upkeep. 'I'm wondering why they do that. Why doesn't the city just take that over? That's a conversation we have to have with them. I mean, there may be a good reason why they want to do it, but I think the city has all of the equipment and people, stuff in place to do it. So that's probably something we could look at.' He said. 'Roads and sidewalks we're looking at expanding the fleet. Do we need more equipment or not? The problem with the equipment is you have it, and you need it for one or two days a year, and then you don't need it. So we need to look at it very carefully.' Ice storm damage provincial parks A destructive ice storm has created significant damage at provincial parks in the Orillia area. (Source: Ontario Parks) Council has directed staff to assess the feasibility of these recommendations, with a further report to be included in budget deliberations. Earlier this month, council approved the $500,000 in funding to plant new trees, remove damaged and fallen trees and tree stumps from public parks hit the hardest by the storm, including Couchiching Beach Park, Centennial Park, and J.B. Tudhope Memorial Park. The funding was allocated from the City's Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve. But with the city spending more than anticipated to keep up with the challenges of the harsh winter, it remains to be seen what the city can actually adopt. With files from CTV News Christian D'Avino. Related Articles:
CTV News
15-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Orillia changes zoning rules to allow more housing options to unlock $4.5M in funding
The City of Orillia is clearing the way for more homes to be built by allowing up to four residential units on a single lot across the city and opening parts of commercially-zones areas to new housing options. The changes are aimed at securing up to $4.5 million in federal funding through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's (CMHC) Housing Accelerator Fund. Orillia has already received $1.1 million, but will need to meet specific goals by 2027 to receive the full amount, including issuing 908 residential building permits and constructing at least 100 affordable housing units. 'As a council, we are committed to increasing housing in our community, and this funding from CMHC gives us the opportunity to take meaningful steps to fast-track new housing initiatives and boost supply,' said Mayor Don McIsaac. 'By updating key policies, we're making real progress in supporting more housing options, especially affordable ones, right here in Orillia.' Previously, the City permitted a maximum of three units per residential lot. The new rules increase that number to four, allowing property owners to add additional living spaces. While the zoning has been updated, all new construction must still meet building code and property standards. To help residents navigate the process, the City has published a guide on its website, outlining steps and requirements for adding additional units to existing properties. In addition to residential changes in neighbourhoods, Orillia has also amended its policies to allow a mix of residential uses on some commercially-zoned properties in the city's west end, such as areas near big-box retail stores. City staff say this will help transform underused commercial land into sites for housing development. 'We are committed to keeping our planning policies current and taking opportunities that increase our supply of housing,' said Katy Modaressi, Orillia's director of development and infrastructure planning. 'This is a smart way to make better use of existing land and bring more homes to Orillia.' The changes are part of a broader strategy by the City to address the housing shortage, particularly when it comes to affordability.
CTV News
07-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Garage Sale Day returns to Orillia to support affordable housing
Bargain seekers and neighbourhood treasure hunters will have plenty of reasons to hit the streets on Sat., June 7 as Orillia's city-wide Garage Sale Day makes its return. Residents are encouraged to host or shop garage sales to support local efforts to expand affordable housing. Residents can declutter their homes, find great deals and donate proceeds of the day to a meaningful cause. "I encourage everyone to take part again this year and be part of something that brings people together while supporting affordable housing in our city," said Mayor Don McIsaac. Last year more than 100 garage sales took place across the Sunshine City, raising $4,500 for Orillia's Affordable Housing Reserve. The fund, created in 2020, supports non-profit and government organizations working to increase access to affordable housing locally. No registration is required to participate. Anyone wishing to donate all or a portion of proceeds can do so online. This year, a Pop-Up Shop at St. Paul's Centre at 62 Peter Street North will open at 7:30 a.m. to offer garage sale maps and vendor tables. Complimentary hamburgers will be available from Harvey's Orillia from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. while supplies last. Participants are encouraged to advertise their sales on social media using the #OrilliaGarageSaleDay, and follow city signage rules for promoting locations. Signs can't be attached to utility poles or trees and must be removed within 24 hours.
