General City News

Last week, delegations from Owen Sound attended the Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO) Annual General Meeting & Conference in London to meet with provincial ministries to discuss key issues affecting our region.  

With the 2023 Salmon Spectacular beginning today, residents and visitors are reminded that East Side and West Side boat launch passes can be easily and conveniently purchased online through the Owen Sound Boat Launch website. Day passes are available for $10 + HST, and Season Passes cost $100 + HST.

The City has learned of the passing of a valued community member, Sharif Rahman. City Council and staff, together with the community, mourn this tragic loss.

The City is pleased to announce that the proceeds from the Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada event have officially been distributed to Community Foundation Grey Bruce and will be held in perpetuity. The interest earned from the funds will support projects helping children in Owen Sound who are facing financial barriers to playing hockey. 

Owen Sound Fire & Emergency Services is pleased to announce a partnership with Troy Life & Fire Safety for a public education campaign called Saved by the Beep. The initiative recognizes Thursday, September 28, 2023, as Ontario’s first ‘Test Your Smoke Alarm Day’.

Owen Sound residents are reminded that they can report concerns to the City using the online form by visiting OwenSound.ca/ReportAConcern. Completing the online form is a convenient and efficient way to receive information or address any issues. City staff will respond to issues based on priority.

In honour of what will be Tom Thomson’s 146^th birthday on August 5, the Art Gallery is excited to announce the launch of a new online digital database of artworks. The database includes three Tom Thomson paintings purchased by the Lyceum Club and Women's Art Association of Owen Sound in 1927 from the Estate of Tom Thomson.

To address climate change in our area, Owen Sound’s City Council has approved a Climate Action Strategy that will guide the municipality forward in reaching its goal of becoming net zero by 2050.

City Council has passed amendments to the Traffic By-law to include school zones at most of the City’s schools. By-law No. 2023-092 is an amendment to Traffic By-law No. 2009-075 to include various school zones with speed limits of 30 kilometres per hour between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. 

In response to a fulsome Service Review conducted in 2022, the City of Owen Sound has developed a Service Review Priority Opportunity Action Plan to ensure the municipality’s financial and organizational resources are being used as efficiently as possible. Council received the Action Plan on Monday, July 17, and noted that the Actions will achieve direct and indirect savings of approximately $2 million over the current term of Council, equivalent to ten per cent of the gross operating budget.