FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MARCH 10, 2025

Town of Gore Bay Approves 2025 Budget

Sustaining Momentum, Building on Past Accomplishments

The Town of Gore Bay has approved its 2025 Budget, reaffirming its commitment to building a vibrant and sustainable community. Guided by the Town’s bold and ambitious 2022-2027 Strategic Plan, this year’s budget prioritizes key investments that will shape the Town’s legacy while maintaining financial responsibility.

A Vision for the Future

Council’s 2022-2027 Strategic Plan outlines five key pillars that drive decision-making and investment:

• Infrastructure
• Economics & Tourism
• Communication
• Health & Wellness
• Recreation & Culture

Built upon sound financial practices, exceptional customer service, and operational excellence, these pillars serve as the foundation for Gore Bay’s continued growth.

Major Investments Completed in 2025

The 2025 Budget builds on the momentum of the Town’s recent successes, delivering transformative projects that enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. Key investments include:

• Completion of a modern airport terminal at the Gore Bay-Manitoulin Airport
• Waterfront enhancements, including:
  • Installation of boardwalk lighting
  • Construction of the Harbour View Pavilion
  • Renovation of the Ron McQuarrie Gazebo
  • New three-season public washrooms adjacent to the pavilion
• Public Works fleet replacements to maintain and improve community safety service levels
• Infrastructure upgrades, including $1.9 million in watermain upgrades and paving along Dawson Street/Meredith Street and Borron Street/Thorburn Street
• Recruitment of a fourth physician at the Gore Bay Medical Centre
• Establishment of the Gore Bay Community Spirit and Events Group, creating new opportunities for engagement and entertainment

Life-Changing Investments for the Future

The 2025 Budget also includes strategic partnerships and initiatives that will have a lasting impact on Gore Bay, such as:

• Health care partnership with St. Joseph’s Health Care Centre, maintaining the long term care services in the community starting July 1, 2025
• Collaboration with the Ministry of Long-Term Care and other partners to build a new 64-bed facility on the West Bluff, ensuring essential services remain close to home and maintaining jobs
• 2024 ‘Destination Gore Bay’ Marketing Initiative, designed to attract new residents—particularly young families and seniors—to sustain full services and increase property assessment
• Creation of a housing strategy, including a tax increment program to encourage housing development, that will increase property assessment and fill job opportunities
• Downtown Revitalization Project, enhancing the vibrancy, accessibility, and investment-readiness of Gore Bay’s downtown core while strengthening connections to the waterfront

Additional Community Enhancements

Residents will also benefit from further investments in key projects, including:

• Paving of Doc Strain Drive and Wright Street
• Rehabilitation of the Kinney Street Bridge
• Upgrades to the Gore Bay Memorial Arena
• Investing in an extension of the Lodge Trail
• Recruitment of a fifth family physician
• Renovations to the Gore Bay Medical Centre
• Continuation of the recreational and cultural programming that provides engagement and entertainment to our residents

Responsible Financial Planning

A significant portion of property taxes (approximately 50%) also support essential services such as the Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board, Manitoulin Centennial Manor, Sudbury District Public Health, and the Ontario Provincial Police. The Town remains committed to minimizing the financial impact on residents while exploring partnerships with neighboring municipalities for shared services such as:

• Transfer Station (Waste Management)
• Fire Department
• Library
• Airport
• Cemetery
• Provincial Offenses (POA), which is administered by the Town on behalf of all Manitoulin municipalities

To sustain these investments and maintain Gore Bay as a full-service community, the 2025 Budget includes a 3.49% property tax increase, amounting to an average increase of $8.76 per month for a median-assessed household. Council is also contributing 1% to the Town’s Asset Management Plan to help preserve the Town’s existing physical assets.

A Message from the Mayor

Mayor Lane commented on the budget approval, stating:

“The approval of this year’s budget is a testament to our commitment to sustaining momentum and shaping the future of Gore Bay for generations to come. Through strategic investments and responsible financial planning, we are ensuring that our Town continues to grow as a great place to live, work, and play. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Town staff, members of Council, and our many community volunteers for their dedication and hard work in making this vision a reality. Their commitment to our community is what drives our success, and I look forward to the positive impact this budget will have on Gore Bay for years to come”.

Contact Information

For more information, please contact:

Harry Schlange

Town Manager/Clerk

hschlange@gorebay.ca 

Michael Lalonde

Treasurer

mlalonde@gorebay.ca