Clerk's Department

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In addition to providing administrative and procedural services to Council and Committees of Council, the Clerk's Department is responsible for a wide array of services, as outlined below.

To review Council and Committee agendas and minutes, visit our Agendas and Minutes webpage.

All Council and Committee meetings are now livestreamed to the Township YouTube channel. Click here to watch and stream meetings.

Elections

The Municipal Election was held on October 24, 2022.

Click here to visit our 2022 Elections Page.

Accessibility

Township of Georgian Bluffs is committed to providing municipal policies, services, programs and facilities that are accessible to residents, ratepayers and visitors of all abilities.

The Township is required by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 to maintain accessibility standards within the Township.

For more information, visit our Accessibility webpage.

Accountability and Transparency

Accountability, transparency and openness are standards of good government that enhance public trust. These principles apply to the political process, decision-making and to the administrative management of the municipality.

For more information regarding Township Accountability and Transparency policies, including Council Code of Conduct, Closed Meetings, Procedure By-law, etc., visit our Accountability and Transparency Webpage.

Commissioner of Oaths

The person(s) swearing the affidavit must appear before the Commissioner with photo identification (drivers licence), including a signature. A fee of $10.00 is required for commissioning services.

The Clerk, Deputy Clerk, Treasurer, and Deputy Treasurer for the Township are, by virtue of office, commissioners for taking affidavits. It is recommended that you contact the Township at 519-376-2729 to arrange an appointment.

Please visit the Province of Ontario's website to review your requirements, as well as the authority of the Commissioner of Oath.

Township Licensing

The Township issues various licensing programs, further to regulating By-laws as enacted by Council.

Said licences include:

Refreshment Vehicles (ie. mobile food truck / vending units)
- Beginning April 15, 2021, business owners will be able to apply for a refreshment vehicle license using an online form. Click here to access the form.
Special Events Permits - for events larger than 300 people
- Special Events By-law 47-2013
- Note: Weddings do not require a permit.
Salvage Yard Licences
Kennels and Breeding and Boarding Establishments

To inquire and/or obtain any of the licences as listed above, please contact the Clerk's Department at clerks@georgianbluffs.ca.

Lottery Licensing

The Clerk's Department is responsible for receiving, reviewing and issuing Lottery Licences in accordance with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission Ontario.

Eligibility

Prior to issuing your lottery licence, the Clerk's Department will complete a review of your organization to determine your eligibility to host a lottery within the Province of Ontario, in accordance with the Lottery Licensing Policy Manual. Please contact clerks@georgianbluffs.ca to initiate a review of your organization.

Your organization may be eligible to host a lottery, if it is a:

Charitable organization, or
Non-profit organization with charitable purposes whose activities fall under one of the following four classifications:
a) relief of poverty
b) advancement of religion
c) advancement of education
d) other charitable purposes beneficial to the community that do not fall under a, b, and c.

Note: To host a lottery event in Ontario, you must establish a lottery trust account, separate from all other operating accounts, for lottery proceeds.

Applications

Note: The fee for a lottery licence is 3% of the value of the prize. Payment can be made once the application has been deemed complete by the Clerks Department.

Reporting

If receive a lottery licence through the Township, you must submit a Lottery Report within 30 days of the expiry of the license.

For more info on lottery licensing in Ontario, please visit www.agco.on.ca/.

Municipal Freedom of Information

You can request information kept by the Township of Georgian Bluffs, as per the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).

How to Make a Request

Submit your request in person or by mail, with a completed form, to:

Office of the Clerk
Township of Georgian Bluffs
177964 Grey Road 18
Owen Sound ON, N4K 5N5

It helps to make your request as specific as possible to get the information you need. A clear request helps us find what you are looking for and limits fees you will be charged.

Visit the Province of Ontario website to download a request for access form

Cost

A fee of $5.00 is required when when you submit your request. This fee is not refundable.

The following fees may also be applied:

$0.50 per page for photocopying
Fees for manual record search
Fees for preparation of records

You will be provided an estimate if fees are anticipated to be $25.00 or more. When processing fees are over $100.00, a deposit will be required.

We accept payment by cash, debit or cheque.

These fees are prescribed by the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and the Regulations and Guidelines for Municipalities and Local Boards.

Processing Your Request

You will receive the results of your request within 30 calendar days. If you are asking for a large number of records, or if it requires and extensive search or consultation with a third party, this timeline may be extended. You will be notified of any time extensions.

Once your records are ready and you have paid your fees, your records will be mailed to you. You may also pick them up at Township Administration Offices (177964 Grey Road 18). If you are requesting your own personal information, you will have to provide proof of your identity before you will get your records.

Appeal a Decision

MFIPPA allows you to appeal decisions about access to records made by municipalities.

You must file your Appeal Form within 30 calendar days after you receive the notice of the decision for any of the following reasons:

A decision to extend the time limit for responding to a request
A refusal to grant access to a record on the grounds that the record does not exist
A refusal to grant access to a record on the grounds that the record is exempt from disclosure
Granting access to only part of a record
A refusal to confirm or deny the existence of a record that deals with law enforcement or would, if disclosed, be an unjustified invasion of personal privacy
Granting a request for access to a record or part that may contain information where the disclosure may be an unjustified invasion of personal privacy
A deemed refusal to grant access to records
A refusal to make a correction to personal information
The amount of a fee charged
A refusal to waive a fee or a refusal to allow the requester to examine the original record

Resources

Information and Privacy Commissioner/Ontario

How to Make a Freedom of Information Request

Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act - Request Form

Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act - Appeal Form

Livestock Claims

You may be eligible to receive compensation if your livestock, poultry or honeybees were damaged by wildlife. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food administers The Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program.

To make a claim, contact one of our Municipal Livestock Valuers:

Brad Ironmonger - 519-374-4719

Luke VanSligtenhorst - 519-377-3027

A Livestock Valuer will make a site visit and complete the necessary forms. The Livestock Valuer will submit the application, including photos and supporting documents, to the Ministry within 10 business days of your first contact with the Municipality. For more information, visit the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program on the Ministry of Agriculture and Food website.

Increasing Deadstock Capacity Initiative

The purpose of the Increasing Deadstock Capacity Initiative is to provide funding support for deadstock management in Ontario. A detailed description of the initiative’s guidelines can be found: Increasing Deadstock Capacity Initiative Guidelines. A list of eligible applicants are noted on Page 3 and 4 of the guideline.

The Township is ineligible for the program. However, eligible applicants in the Township would include existing deadstock providers (broker, carrier, collector, disposal facility etc.), commodity associations (county federations of agriculture, accredited farm organizations, live animal, red meat, or other animal product organizations), and waste management companies (including Waste Management of Canada).

Bounties

The beaver bounty program is administered and paid for by the County. Trappers receive $25.00 per beaver and must bring the tails to the Township Administration Office for notching. The Township Clerk will then sign and forward the paperwork to the County.

Click here to view the Beaver Claim Form.

To apply to trap coyote, complete the Coyote or Wolf Compensation Claim Form and submit it to the Clerk at clerks@georgianbluffs.ca. It includes steps to be completed by the stockowner, the Livestock Evaluator, the licensed hunter/trapper, the Township, and Grey County.

Click here to view the Coyote or Wolf Compensation Claim Form.

Resources:

County of Grey By-law 3274-91 – Nuisance Beaver Removal

County of Grey By-law 3332-92 – Wolf and Coyote Control

Animal Control

The Clerk's office administers the animal control contract for Georgian Bluffs with Owen Sound Animal Shelter.

Contact Information for the Animal Shelter:

Renee or Todd Robbins

Owen Sound/Georgian Bluffs Animal Control

2125 18th Avenue East

Owen Sound, ON N4K 1W8

Phone: 519-372-1123