General City News

Every year on December 6, the City of Owen Sound recognizes the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.  Flags at all City facilities (excluding City Hall’s community flagpole) are currently lowered to half-mast until the end of day, in honour of this day of significance.

This year marks 35 years since the murder of 14 young women at Polytechnique Montréal (December 6, 1989). This act of violent misogyny shook our country and led the Federal Government to designate December 6 as The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

Owen Sound’s 2025 Waste Management Calendar is now available online at OwenSound.ca/Waste. Due to the ongoing Canada Post strike, printed waste calendars will not be delivered this year. However, beginning December 16, paper copies will be available for pick-up at City Hall, the Owen Sound Transit Terminal, and the Owen Sound and North Grey Union Library. Additional locations for calendar pick-up may also be available; please visit the Waste Management website for an up-to-date list at OwenSound.ca/Waste.

The City of Owen Sound has released its draft 2025 Operating budget for Council deliberation at Monday’s meeting.  The budget outlines the City’s commitment to balance the costs of providing important services while ensuring long-term fiscal responsibility.  The budget also continues to address and reduce the gap between Owen Sound’s property tax rate and the average residential tax rate in Grey County.  The 2025 draft budget proposes a property tax rate increase of 2.65% which works out to just less than $10 per month for the average home.

Due to forecasted conditions associated with the incoming weather system and the expected impact on the city’s road and sidewalk infrastructure, the City of Owen Sound has declared a Significant Weather Event that will remain in effect until further notice.

The declaration of a significant weather event is not a notice of a reduced level of service or a road closure. It is to notify the public that caution is to be observed when travelling on roads maintained by the City. It may take longer than usual to bring the roads back to optimal conditions.

Winter is expected to make its arrival this weekend, bringing heavy snowfall and the potential for whiteout conditions that could last from a few hours to a couple of days.

The City of Owen Sound is reminding residents to be prepared with resources and plans in place.

Please be advised that the Corporate Services Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday, December 12, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. has been cancelled.

Owen Sound’s Public Works Division began seasonal Winter Control Operations earlier this week. Winter Control is based on a 24-hour-per-day, 7-day-per-week schedule throughout the winter months. Reminder: parking is prohibited on all City streets and non-designated municipal lots between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. from December 1 until March 31 each year to allow for snow removal.

Owen Sound Fire and Emergency Services responded to a report of a fire with black smoke visible at an east side grocery store earlier today.  The fire was in the deli area and was controlled by the fixed extinguishing system, building ventilation system and portable fire extinguishers prior to fire department arrival.