Councillor McCann Meeting Report (November 18, 2025)
Downtown Quality of Experience Team Meeting
On Thursday morning, November 6, 2025, at 10:00 I attended in person, the Downtown Quality of Experience Team Meeting at the Parry Sound Fire Station. There was a great deal of discussion covering several matters. Dave Thompson brought the committee up to date with a review of improvements through the past summer of 2025. These included an increase in OPP officer presence in the downtown area, ramped up By-law presence, a camera installation at the intersection of Seguin and James, tree removal and improvements with sidewalk maintenance. We heard that there was a diminished number of transient people in town this past summer. The section of the Fitness Trail behind McNabb Lumber bears some concerns and town staff are looking at options which include cutting down brush for better visibility so that people will feel safer and that we might eliminate suspicious activities known in that area. The O.P.P. are considering the relaunch the CAMsafe program hoping to generate much more buy in. A relaunch in Sudbury and North Bay rendered favourable growth in popularity. More discussion lead to looking into improved lighting in the James Street parking lot. Tammy MacKenzie and Jeff Degagne of the District of Parry Sound Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB) spoke on the shift in transient traffic this past year. Their approach differs from our neighbours to the north and south and after five years it appears that their methods are resulting in success throughout several areas. There are no active encampments in our area that they are aware of. Improvements planned for 2026 included lighting in the downtown area, garbage receptacles, bike racks and adding cameras in behind the curling rink, at the Bobby Orr Community Centre, the breweries along Great North Road, and Bay Street.
St. Peter's Grade 5 Student Mock Council Meeting
On Friday afternoon, November 7, 2025, at 12:30, I attended the St. Peter's Grade 5 Student Mock Council Meeting, in Council Chambers. Mayor McGarvey, Councillor Beleskey and myself, along with Town Staff, Sally O'Connor who organized this event, and Clayton Harris were on hand to shadow the students and answer questions. This was part of Local Government Week from October 20 to 25, 2025. This is one of my favourite events in which the students get a hands-on and front-line opportunity to learn about local municipal administration and operations.
Parry Sound Public Library Board Meeting
On Wednesday morning, November 12, 2025 at 9:00 I attended in person, the Parry Sound Public Library Board Meeting. We welcomed our new Board Member, Sharon Raney. She is very excited to be included on the board and is looking forward to working with us. We reviewed our Annual Report which will be coming to this Council in the near future. The staff deserves a great deal of credit for all the wonderful improvements over the last few years, programs, increase in visits to the library and so much more. Other discussion centred on some housekeeping matters and we established the 2026 Library Board meeting dates. We received and approved Financial Reports, the CEO Report and reviewed upcoming library programs. As always check the library's website for complete information. visit https://www.parrysoundlibrary.com/.
Saving the Future of Snowmobiling in the Parry Sound District
On Monday evening, November 17, 2025, 7:00, at the Bobby Orr Community Centre I attended the Public Forum: Saving the Future of Snowmobiling in the Parry Sound District. There is a great deal of concern about the future of snowmobiling in Parry Sound District 10. Rising costs, rider compliance and enforcement, land use, liability concerns and environmental factors all have a negative impact on this vital part of tourism in this area. It's reported that 18% of our trails have already been closed and the number of groomers has been falling. This forum provided an overview of the current situation. Just as important, if not more so at this time, is the blockage of the trail north of the Town of Parry Sound. This is a result of the respective landowner having a change of heart over allowing access over his land. This prevents riders coming down from the north to access restaurants and other amenities in Parry Sound, and riders coming from the south accessing trails north of Parry Sound. This is expected to gravely reduce ridership in our area, rendering an economic downfall. Grooming also becomes effected with the logistics of no throughway on the trails. The objective was to come out of this forum with points to focus on and calls for some actionary items with which to move on immediately. The meeting was very well attended with little standing room left.
Be a Santa to a Senior
Once again this year the West Parry Sound Community Support Services is inviting you to be a Santa to a Senior. This is the 14th year in which the agency calls upon the public's support to help ensure seniors in our community feel included, have not been forgotten and that they may have a wonderful Christmas. The goal of the campaign is to provide everything from nutritious meals, fun social activities, shopping support, transportation, friendly visiting, meals on wheels and more. You can help by contacting Community Support Services and making a monetary donation. Volunteering is another great way to help. Call (705) 746-5602, extension 105 and/or drop by the office at 60 James Street, main floor. Visit the organization's website at https://www.parrysoundsupportservices.ca/. Thank you so much in advance!
