General City News

With an upcoming provincial election in 2025, Owen Sound joins municipal governments across Ontario in calling for provincial action and partnership to help them deliver a high quality of life to all Ontarians.

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) has launched a non-partisan awareness campaign to ensure that voters and provincial parties alike understand three key areas where provincial partnership and action can improve Ontario’s quality of life:

• tackling the homelessness crisis
• curbing reliance on municipal property taxes to fund provincial responsibilities
• investing in local infrastructure to build housing

Residents are being asked to avoid parking on the road when winter maintenance is required, to assist staff in clearing the roads as quickly and efficiently as possible. The City of Owen Sound's fully staffed Public Works Department continues to provide around-the-clock snow removal services across the municipality, and all snow removal equipment is fully operational. However, snow removal equipment is hindered or prevented from entering snow-narrowed roads when vehicles are parked on the road.

Owen Sound is still under a Significant Weather Event declaration. This means that normal snow response timelines observed under the Minimum Maintenance Standards are extended. While staff are fully mobilized and working at maximum capacity, the volume and frequency of snow events are delaying response times. As of Wednesday afternoon, most roads have been cleared within the last 48 hours, with the exception of some dead-end roads and lanes, which should be expected to take longer. Snowfall occurring on the weekend will have longer than usual response times.

The City’s tiered response system ensures critical routes receive priority attention. Arterial roads, hills and emergency routes are cleared first, followed by City bus routes and then residential streets. The City’s Fire department is also working to clear the accumulation of snow from around fire hydrants. 

Staff are planning another snowbank removal process in the River District next week, depending on the weather.

As part of Owen Sound Council’s ongoing commitment to community engagement, residents are asked to provide feedback via an online survey now available to review the City’s first year of Short Term Rental (STR) licensing.  

Due to current conditions, most City facilities in Owen Sound will close early today. City Hall, the Public Works Administration Building, Tom Thomson Art Gallery, and Bayshore Community Centre will close at 3 p.m., while the Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre and YMCA remain open, though YMCA programming is cancelled. Owen Sound Transit (OST) is operating as usual, but GOST transit is cancelled. Garbage and recycling collection for the East Side Tuesday route will continue as scheduled.

Heavy snowfall is expected to continue, and residents are urged to take precautions: avoid unnecessary travel, stay indoors during extreme conditions, keep vents clear to prevent carbon monoxide buildup, and check on vulnerable neighbours. Ensure emergency preparedness with essential supplies and use caution when shovelling. For updates on road conditions, visit Municipal511.ca. Residents in need of assistance can call 211, available 24/7.

It’s nearly time for the Family Day long weekend and the City is reminding everyone of facility closures, modified hours, and alternate programming. Here is all you need to know to plan ahead so you can spend quality time with family and friends. 

This Saturday, February 15, marks the 60th anniversary of our cherished national flag. Raised for the first time in 1965, this emblem uniquely symbolizes our national identity and is recognized globally for the values it represents: generosity, openness, respect, and equality. Our vibrant red and white flag adorned with a maple leaf connects us to our shared Canadian pride and serves as a constant reminder of the home we all share.

Join us in celebrating by raising the Canadian flag on the Community Flag Pole at City Hall on Friday, February 14, at 4 p.m. Stop by this weekend or next week to snap a selfie with the flag and show your Canadian pride while supporting local businesses in the River District and the Owen Sound Farmers’ Market. Don’t forget to share your photos on social media!

City Council’s Strategic Planning Ad Hoc Committee met February 12 for an update on the Vision 2050 long-term strategic planning process.

Phase 2 of the process, which was about shaping the vision through broad public outreach and engagement is complete and Phase 3 drafting of the report is underway for delivery spring of 2025. 

Please be advised that a Special County of Grey Joint All Councils meeting will be held jointly with the County of Grey and all of its lower tier municipalities.

The purpose of the joint meeting is to discuss centralized planning services. The meeting will be held electronically on March 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. and will be livestreamed to the County of Grey YouTube Channel. The agenda will be available for review on the County of Grey’s website by end of day on March 14, 2025.

Due to the winter storm forecasted to begin this afternoon, the Guelph to Owen Sound (GOST) service will not operate its afternoon route.  

Online registration for 2025 youth summer day camps in Owen Sound will open Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 9 a.m.  This includes registration for:

       ·       Soccer Camp (Week 1: June 30, July 2-4; Week 2: August 4-8)

·       Lacrosse Camp (July 7-11)

·       Harrison Park Sports Camp (Week 1: July 14 - July 18; Week 2 August 18-22)

·       Hockey Camp (August 11-15)

·       Power Skating Program (Tuesdays, June 10 – July 29)

·       Hockey Skills Program (Wednesdays, June 11 – July 30)

·       Camp TOM: Summer Art Adventures (Week 1: July 7-11, Week 2: July 14-18, Week 3: July 21-25, Week 4: July 28-August 1, Week 5: August 11-15, Week 6: August 18-22)