E-NEWS - MID JULY 2026

Fellow LJNA members and Lake Joseph Neighbours, 

Happy Summer!

Some quick reminders about upcoming LJNA activities including:

• AMM this coming weekend - Aug 1st. 8:30 Coffee, Meeting 9 - 10:30
• Photo Contest - Deadline  EXTENDED to Thurs 30th - noon
• Benthic Sampling Day – August 6^th – 10 am

And a round up of events and news from the community.

I look forward to seeing you next Saturday.  As always, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Warm regards,

Photo Contest - Capture Summer at Lake Joe!

Deadline  EXTENDED to Thurs 30th - noon.

Do you have a knack for capturing the perfect shot? Whether you're a seasoned photographer or just love snapping photos with your phone, we want to see our beautiful Lake Joe through your lens!

Entries will be featured at our AGM in August and in upcoming communications.  

Two entry categories:  ** Age 14 & under  **  Adult  **

Submit your photos:

1. DM our Instagram account: @lakejoenorthassociation  
2. email your entries to editor@LJNA.org 

Prizes courtesy of Muskoka Steamships & Discovery Centre.

• 4 tickets for a Wenonah II sightseeing cruise
  
• 4 admission tickets for the Muskoka Discovery Centre 

Update from the LJNA Board

2026 LJNA - Annual Meeting of Members – Saturday Aug 1^st – 9 am

Join us next Saturday at the Gordon Bay Marine boat showroom. Coffee and treats will be available from 8:30 am and the meeting will start promptly at 9. An online option is available for those who prefer to join via Zoom.  

This year, our meeting will include updates from:

• Seguin Township Council Mayor Ann MacDiarmid and Ward 4 Councilor Terry Fellner.  
  
• Maple Leaf Marine about planned improvements, 
  
• Muskoka Conservancy about a new Conservation Easement on Lake Joe
• and, West Parry Sound Hospital Foundation
  

Please click HERE for the Meeting Notice, proxy and zoom link.

Benthic Sampling Day

Thursday Aug 6th - 10 am

Curious about the bugs in mud?  Want to learn more about these important indicators of water quality?  

Join with other LJNA members on the of August 6h – 10 am for a morning of citizen science.  

Click HERE to learn more and sign-up.

Membership Renewal.

Be part of the community that cares for North Lake Joe & Portage Lake. Act now to renew your membership. Membership is by family – you can add up to 4 emails addresses to ensure that your family stays informed. 

We are recruiting!

Do you have a passion or expertise to share?  Would you like to help coordinate one or more activities?  Help keep Lake Joe beautiful and meet more of your neighbours.  

There are lot of ways to be involved:

- help keep our voice at the table for municipal decisions. 

- help with organize, or plan an event such as our AMM or a social

- help update our website, or write and article or edit our newsletters 

We welcome your ideas and your energy.  Contact Nancy @info@ljna.org.

Staying Connected & Summer Newsletter

Our summer newsletter was delivered to all the docks on Lake Joe North earlier this month. If you missed your copy, you can download it from the LJNA website. Thank you to the dozens of volunteers who helped by writing articles, stuffing and delivering the newsletter - truly a team effort!

Staying Connected

Do you have new neighbours? Or family members that sha.re the cottage with you? Please share this newsletter with them and invite them to  subscribe.

Follow us at  @LakeJoeNorthAssociation

Municipal Matters

The Rosseau Springs Development Application - Update

Council has turned down the Rosseau Springs application for a development in the backlands off of Maplehurst Road on Lake Rosseau. This project is not aligned with provincial nor with Seguin policy and would set a precedent for other Rural zoned proposals in Seguin including lands around Lake Joseph.  Here’s a link to local coverage.

Expansion Planned at Gordon Bay Marine: Maple Leaf Marinas has applied for a zoning bylaw amendment to permit 80 additional docking slips and a new parking area at Gordon Bay Marine.  The notice which includes a diagram can be viewed on Seguin’s website. Maple Leaf has submitted supporting documentation to the township. We have invited leadership from Maple Leaf Marine to speak about their plans at our AGM.  The Board would like input from members to inform our response.

Seguin’s Draft Official Plan: The LJNA reviewed and commented on the various drafts and many of our comments were reflected in the most recent draft presented at the statutory public meeting in April. The Draft Official Plan was formally presented to Council this past week and, after approval, will be forwarded to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for approval.  

Please be in touch with any board member should you have questions or thoughts.

Seguin Township News

IMPORTANT - Be ready for Municipal Elections this October

Make sure you are on the list!   Deadline Aug 12^th.

Municipal elections are coming this October.  Canadian citizens who own or rent property in Seguin are eligible to vote here, even if you also own property and vote elsewhere in Ontario.  Seguin residents will be able to vote electronically.

It is important for all voters to confirm they are on the list. Management of the list has moved from MPAC to ElectionsOntario.  Reports are that many voters are not listed.

The deadline for online registration is coming up - August 12^th.  

You can check the list online and register at registertovoteon.ca.  Suggest you have your tax bill on hand as you will need to provide proof of ownership or tenancy in the name of either you or your spouse.  You will also need to submit a copy of your government ID.

More info on Seguin''s website, and FOCA's 

Dark Skies Bylaw Coming

Seguin adopts bylaw to protect ‘dark sky environment’ passed on June 1st.   here's a link to local coverage. 

More information on the benefits of dark sky lighting can be found here .

Summer 2026 Seguin Township Newsletter 

Read the newsletter HERE or HERE

You can subscribe to Seguin news here: https://www.seguin.ca/subscription

Print versions are also available upon request at the Seguin Township Municipal Office during regular business hours.

Of Interest and Partner Updates

Hydro One is planning a new Sudbury Barrie Transmission Line Project

They have shared a Notice of Commencement of Class Environmental Assessment (EA). The notice includes a map of the study area - an area stretching from Sudbury down to Barrie and covers all of Lake Joseph. They are inviting public comment at a series of open houses.  One is in Seguin on Thursday August 13, 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m at the Foley Community Centre. More information is on their website .  Please be in touch if you can help monitor this project on behalf of the LJNA.

In the Community

Here’s some links to community events and activities:

Mark your calendars!  GBM's Fuel your Hospital Fundraiser and Customer Appreciation Day

Gordon Bay Marine’s Third Annual Civic Long Weekend Event is happening next Saturday, August 2 from 10am to 5pm, with fireworks at dusk lighting up the harbour. 

Also this weekend, Maple Leaf Marina's Fuel your Hospital Fundraiser.  from Wednesday, July 30 to Sunday, August 3

Up to 20 cents per litre of fuel pumped is donated to the West Parry Sound Health Centre Foundation. 

Muskoka Steamships & Discovery Centre

It’s full steam ahead for the 2026 sailing season!

This summer at the cottage, be sure to treat your family, friends or guests to a cruise aboard the grandest of vessels, the  of the RMS Segwun or Wenonah. 

Book your tickets online: www.realmuskoka.com

Summer Events from the Huntsville Festival of the Arts

The festival features a full calendar of shows and community events in Huntsville. 

Rosseau Farmers Market

Fridays from 9:00 to 2:00 down at the waterfront park from the Last Friday in June until the Second Friday in September. More info HERE

Muskoka Lakes Museum in Port Carling announces launch of new exhibit

Mahogany in Motion: 55 years of the MLA Antique Boat Show. Fundraiser and official launch Saturday, July 18 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.  Tickets info, summer lecture series schedule and more online.

Parry Sound Airport's 22nd Annual Fly-In Drive-In 

Saturday September 6th, 2025:  Plane & Helicopter rides, live music, kids zone, BBQ, vendors market and so much more!!   More info HERE.

The Lake Joseph North Association (LJNA) represents the interests of shoreline residents on the Seguin section of Lake Joseph, including Portage Lake. 

The E-News is published on a regular basis to keep residents and members informed.  

Please send comments to editor@ljna.org. 

Follow us at @LakeJoeNorthAssociation or subscribe HERE