Where I Stand: The Muskoka Regional Centre, Cliff Bay, and the Proposed MZO
So many of my neighbours across Ward 1 have reached out asking where I stand on the redevelopment of the former Muskoka Regional Centre lands at Cliff Bay and the talk around a Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO). It’s one of the biggest issues on everyone’s mind, and you deserve straight talk from me without political spin.
First off, this isn’t about taking cheap shots at Town Council, the Province, or anyone else. It’s about being upfront about the facts. Right now, that property is zoned institutional. Proposing a large commercial resort, especially one with construction extending over Crown owned lakebed, needs serious, careful scrutiny. My biggest issue is the possibility of an MZO being tied to the land sale.
An MZO cuts our local planning committee, Town Council, and public appeals completely out of the picture. It takes away our voice. When you bypass our Official Plan, you strip away our power to protect Lake Muskoka’s shoreline, fish habitats, water quality, and the pressure on our local infrastructure.
I’m not against growth, but growth has to be responsible, sustainable, and respectful of our lakes. Keeping the community in the conversation is nonnegotiable. We must have a seat at the table.
So, what can Council actually do?
If there’s no MZO, our Town Council, planning staff, and committee have the exact tools needed to ensure any developer follows Gravenhurst’s planning rules. But because Queen’s Park owns the land, political grandstanding or shouting empty campaign promises won’t protect our shoreline. It will just get doors slammed in our faces.
What actually gets results is united, professional diplomacy. Council needs to stand together and give clear direction to our Mayor and representatives to take Gravenhurst’s concerns straight to the Province, urging them to drop the MZO and require standard municipal planning approvals.
“Diplomacy means keeping the conversation alive even when you disagree. The minute we stop talking to provincial partners, we lose our leverage. Browbeating won’t save an inch of shoreline, but solid, respectful relationships will. I’ll always deal in reality to keep Gravenhurst’s voice front and centre.”Gordie Merton
I know that approach doesn’t come with fiery slogans, but being a responsible councillor means dealing in reality and doing the hard legwork. If you put your trust in me on Council this October, I promise to stand firm for our community, protect our water, and make sure Gravenhurst always has a say in what gets built in our own backyard.