Councillor McCann Meeting Report (November 19, 2024)

Remembrance Day Ceremonies
On Monday Morning, November 11, 2024 I attended the Remembrance Day Ceremonies, at the Cenotaph in Market Square Park. It was heartwarming to witness a wonderful turn-out honouring and remembering those who fought and sacrificed their lives for our freedom. After the singing of "O 'Canada", a moment of silence and speeches there was the laying of several wreaths on behalf of various organizations in our area. We are so grateful for their sacrifices and may we never forget.


Parry Sound Public Library Board Meeting
On Wednesday Morning, November 13, 2024 at 9:00 I attended the Parry Sound Public Library Board Meeting in person at the library. This was a short meeting in which some housekeeping was done including receiving financial reports. Library Board meeting dates have been set for 2025. The Board did watch a terrific video produced by staff and something that will be included in deputations to the Town of Parry Sound and contracting municipalities in the next two months. We continue to explore possibilities of installing an elevator or lift in the building. Staff is working with Brenda Ryan of FAD Architects. In her report, our CEO told the Board that the library is seeing an increase in patrons attending the fall programming. The library continues to collect warm outerwear for its annual Winter Coat Drive. The public can drop off their donated coats and jackets at the library.  And take note, staff members are busy gearing up in preparation for “Stories with Santa” scheduled for this Friday, November 22, 2024 in conjunction with “Light Up the Park” at Market Square. Once again the library is offering a story  time with Santa Claus, a festive photo booth, and Mrs. Claus and her elves will be handing out cookies.  Everyone is invited.


Waterfront Advisory Committee Meeting
On Monday afternoon, November 18, 2024 at 5:15 I attended the Waterfront Advisory Committee Meeting here in Council Chambers. I think it was our shortest meeting to date as we covered some housekeeping. The Waterfront Advisory Sub-Committee provided a report on the success of the October 7, 2024 event “A Wave of Possibilities - An Evening of Waterfront Conversations". There were several positive, productive take-aways from the event and discussion on what to include in future public meetings. People will recall that this was an official kick-off to the Waterfront Master Plan (WMP). One of the most important objectives was to encourage community participation, a goal that was successfully achieved. A Toronto Sun Article, posted October 4, 2024 was brought to our attention regarding the need and importance of maintaining public shoreline access.  It was written by Mark Wessel, titled, "Advocating For Our Right To Walk On By". He described how in Fort Erie, many waterfront landowners have tried to block access to Lake Erie beaches by erecting fences that run out to the water line. That area’s previous local MPP had tabled a private member’s bill known as the “Great Lakes Shoreline Right of Passage Act” back in 2011. It was a very ambitious bill. The overarching goal was to reverse laws, some dating back over 100 years enabling residents and visitors to enjoy a “right of passage” along Great Lakes beaches. That bill died on the table. This is an issue close to home. Parry Sound has an industrial oriented history with the oil tanks and shipping, and perhaps back in those days planners didn't recognize the need for public access along the waterfront. We are fortunate that developers in our area have or are promising to oblige the public by including trails for passage where land ownership goes down to the water line. However, we do enjoy a great portion of town owned, public access waterfront and Parry Sound Staff and Council are committed to protecting that access.