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Eastern Charlotte seeks public input for 2027 budget

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The municipality of Eastern Charlotte is seeking resident feedback to inform its 2027 budget.

Eastern Charlotte said the survey will allow residents to share their views on municipal services, programs, and spending priorities.

The feedback will help inform council as it considers community priorities while developing the upcoming budget.

Residents can find the survey on the municipality’s website.

The survey will be available for two weeks, until Oct. 9.

Healthcare

Public input wanted on Rainy River District healthcare

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The Rainy River District Ontario Health Team is seeking help in identifying the successes, challenges and barriers facing the area’s healthcare system.

It has launched a survey to gather those opinions.

There will also be town hall meetings taking place in Emo, Fort Frances, Atikokan and Rainy River.

The Team’s Executive Lead, Jackie Park, says it is important they hear from the public.

“It’s really important. We want to get the feedback through these town halls and the surveys,” says Park.

“The information will be brought back to community members to be validated, but this will really drive the priorities for the Ontario Health Team and will guide the future of planning healthcare in our district.”

Dates and locations for the community town halls are;

  • Atikokan: October 20th, Atikokan Legion
  • Emo: October 21st, Emo Legion
  • Fort Frances: October 22nd, Memorial Sports Centre Auditorium
  • Rainy River: Date and Location to be determined

Times and additional details will be available on the Health Team’s website as they are confirmed.

“We also have consultants who will be helping facilitate these sessions,” says Park.

“And we’re going to be looking for individuals to share their experiences and to help find solutions for some of the challenges and barriers that are common across our district.”

The survey can be found on the Health Team’s website. Click here.

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Rothesay residents’ content with quality of life but say more affordable housing needed: Survey

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A Town of Rothesay survey found 95 per cent of residents are satisfied with their quality of life in the municipality.

But respondents also identified areas for improvement.

According to the town, the 2026 survey — conducted from June 4 to July 13 — was performed to help the new council understand residents’ priorities, concerns, and aspirations.

The town invited every household in Rothesay — 4,023 residents in total — but only received 631 responses.

The municipality shared the results last week.

According to the report, overdevelopment and growth management, traffic congestion and road safety, and property taxes and affordability were the three most common top-of-mind issues, followed by housing affordability and active transportation.

However, availability of affordable housing was the top issue residents believe the town needs to improve most, with 33 per cent of respondents rating it poorly, which, according to the town, was the lowest-rated item in the survey.

Respondents also raised concerns about the way the town shares information. The survey identified a large gap in digital communication, as 58 per cent of residents say they prefer to receive updates via email or a digital newsletter, but only 23 per cent currently receive information this way.

Residents also ranked the town’s top seven priorities, with trails and walkability taking the top spot, followed by recreation and opportunities. Completing the Rothesay Intergenerational Centre ranked third, followed by water and sewer infrastructure, alternative transportation options, business and commercial development, and increasing housing options.

Rothesay also asked residents about their vision of growth, with over 50 per cent of respondents saying they want “controlled growth,” meaning moderate, well-planned development that keeps the neighbourhoods’ traditional character, rather than rapid expansion.

According to the report, the feedback gathered will be used to guide future planning in the town.

The full report can be found here.

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Survey responses needed for future transportation planning

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The Fundy Regional Service Commission wants to know how residents get from place to place.

The Fundy Travel Activity Survey (FundyTRAC) is the first-ever comprehensive travel activity survey is underway.

This covers the communities of Fundy Rural District, Fundy–St. Martins, Grand Bay–Westfield, Hampton, Quispamsis, Rothesay, and Saint John.

Questions include where trips begin and end, why they are made, when they occur, and the modes of transportation residents use.

“Understanding how people move throughout the Fundy Region is essential for building a transportation
system that reflects real community needs. By participating in FundyTRAC, residents are helping shape the
future of how we travel in our region,” said Robert Doucet, Chair of the Fundy Regional Service Commission
Board.

The results will inform long-term transportation planning, including the development of a Regional Public Transportation Plan.

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Haven’t filled out the Census? Statistics Canada warns of possible $500 fine

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Statistics Canada is contacting households that have not yet completed this year’s Census, reminding residents that failing to do so could result in a fine.

Under the Statistics Act, anyone who refuses or neglects to complete the Census may face a penalty of up to $500.

To encourage participation and help residents comply, Statistics Canada has hired thousands of surveyors to follow up with households by phone. Surveyors are able to assist residents with completing the questionnaire.

In addition to phone calls, surveyors will also be going door‑to‑door in communities to provide in‑person support.

Statistics Canada says millions of households have already completed the Census online, by phone, or on paper.

The information collected is used to help guide decisions on government programs, services, and infrastructure in communities across the country.

Downtown Scott Street Oct 2025 (2)

Efforts underway to make downtown Fort Frances more vibrant

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A new committee focusing on downtown Fort Frances has been formed.

The Business Recruitment and Downtown Revitalization Committee is looking at ways to attract new businesses, support existing ones, and make the downtown more vibrant.

One of its first steps is gathering public comment through an online survey.

Angela Halvorsen-Smith of the Rainy River Future Development Corporation says that input will determine their next steps.

“I think it’s going to give us a really good idea of the types of businesses that we would then go out and try to recruit or try to entice to come to the area,” says Halvorsen-Smith.

“We’re going to summarize that in a way that whatever seems to come out as the most prominent, then maybe that’s where we’ll start as far as any kind of recruitment or marketing towards businesses of those types and then sort of go from there.”

Halvorsen-Smith says it will also give them some information to use on the development of potential incentives that could be developed to encourage investments in the downtown core.

“The town of Fort Frances is going through a community improvement plan exercise right now, and part of that community improvement plan may be to be able to give some incentives,” says Halvorsen-Smith.

“So that’s sort of what also is part of this, is coming up with what do we want to see as a committee? What do we want to bring to the town and say this is what we would like the town to be able to do?”

Halvorson-Smith notes that RRFDC already offers support to those interested in starting a business, including loan programs and help with business plans.

There have been previous studies done.

Halvorsen-Smith says they may look back at those to review the recommendations to see if they are still applicable today.

“You know, things that may have worked 20 years ago may not work now or vice versa. Maybe things that didn’t work or wouldn’t work 20 years ago would work now because things have changed.”

“Through COVID, people got very used to shopping online and being able to access things from outside of the area. So, if there are things that we can bring here to give that opportunity for people to shop locally, then obviously that would be our goal.”

The survey can be found on the Rainy River Future Development Corporation’s Facebook page.

Click here.

David Hickey Dec 18 2025

Housing New Brunswick requesting public input in Residential Tenancies Act review

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The provincial government looks to receive more public input on rental conditions from both tenant and landlord perspectives as its review of the Residential Tenancies Act continues.

The release from Housing New Brunswick says the corporation’s Tenant and Landlord Relations Office began holding engagement sessions last year to see which sections of the act are working and if any improvements could be made.

According to David Hickey, the minister responsible for the housing corporation, said many inconsistencies and outdated provisions have been found in the act, which has been left unchanged since its passing in 1975.

The minister says it is clear that the Residential Tenancies Act needs to be updated following these consultations.

“We’ll keep listening in the months ahead to make sure we get this right for tenants, landlords, and communities,” said Hickey.

A new online survey has been opened as of April 7 and will close to new input on May 8, according to the Government of New Brunswick’s Modernizing the Residential Tenancies Act page. Meetings with stakeholders will continue as well.

The survey will meet key discussion topics such as fair rent, affordability, tenant and landlord protections, rules, various processes, and enforcement options.

The online survey is available here, or people can share feedback by sending an email to YourVoiceHNB-VotreVoixHNB@gnb.ca.

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UNB researchers conducting natural disaster survey

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The Housing, Mobility, and Engagement Research Lab (HOME-RL) at the University of New Brunswick is conducting a survey to understand people’s experiences with housing displacement, damage, evacuation, or loss in natural disasters or extreme weather in Atlantic Canada.

Dr. Julia Woodhall-Melnik, Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Resilient Communities, leads the study.

“We are looking to speak with folks who have experienced some kind of housing damage or evacuation, housing loss, or evacuation with no damage related to extreme weather events or climate change.”

She says the goal is to ensure that disaster response policies are shaped by those who have lived through such events.

Individuals at or above the age of majority are eligible for participation if they have experienced housing damage or loss, were evacuated or displaced due to a natural disaster or extreme weather event, experienced said event(s) in Atlantic Canada, and were affected between 2015 and 2026.

Those interested may participate by calling (506) 648-5522 or by emailing homerl@unb.ca, where someone will get back to you.

The online survey is also accessible by clicking here.

Thunder Bay City Hall

Residents invited to give feedback on Thunder Bay budget

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Thunder Bay residents have a chance to weigh-in on the City’s capital budget for next year.

The first time the City of Thunder Bay has presented a two-year budget (through 2027), the public is invited to share their feedback on the proposed plan.

Key initiatives in this year’s budget include more than $34 million in road improvements next year with another $26 million in 2027.

Other areas of interest include continued work on organics and auto cart programs to support waste diversion and improve collection services as well as funding to advance the transition to a lower-emission transit fleet.

Feedback will help the City continue improving the budget process and will ensure it aligns with community priorities.

The survey is open until November 25 and residents can also submit questions or comments directly by emailing: your.budget@thunderbay.ca.

Residents can review the proposed capital budget and provide input through the public survey available here.

Hard-copy surveys are also available at Thunder Bay Public Library locations and in the lobby of City Hall.

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Survey shows Ontario drivers making switch to winter tires

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If you haven’t switched to winter tires, you may want to add it to your to-do list.

After all, Environment Canada is forecasting periods of snow to reach the region on Thursday, which could cause some slippery driving conditions.

However, switching over to winter tires will also add you to the growing number of people doing just that.

According to a new Probe Research survey commissioned by the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada (TRAC), 77 per cent of Ontario drivers are now using winter tires.

While that number shows people are making safety a priority, the national figure stands at 80 per cent, which is a two per cent jump over last year.

“This is a 12-point increase over the past decade,” says Michal Majernik, communications manager with TRAC. “The government, the road safety groups, the tire manufacturers – the safety messaging has been doing the job and Canadians are getting the message.”

Majernick also says climate change has been playing a role in more people using winter tires, with the report showing three-quarters of drivers (76 per cent) stating extreme winter weather events related to Canada’s changing climate have made winter tires more important than ever.

“There are these strange freak weather events that occasionally happen and if you get caught in it unprepared, you might end up in trouble,” says Majernick. “Winter tires are always the safest option for Canadian drivers.”

While the survey results suggested that safety is a priority among Canadians, the study also showed 32 per cent of drivers are less likely to buy winter tires because of current financial burdens and the rising cost of living.

In Ontario, 26 per cent of drivers say they are still deterred from making the switch to winter tires due to the cost.

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