District of Muskoka defers request for changes to garbage bag program

The requested change would support seasonal residents

District of Muskoka defered Muskoka Lakes request for changes to the garbage bag tag program in the August 21, 2025, meeting.

According to the staff report, the Township of Muskoka Lakes requested changes to the waste system to improve their support to seasonal residents through the use of bag tags to allow for more flexibility for garbage disposal.

Upon reviewing the matter, staff recommended 2 options to Council:

The first option is to maintain the existing 2-bag drop-off limit until they explore more models, such as ‘pay-a-you-throw.’ They indicate that this approach would help maintain consistency in the District’s solid waste management system and aligns with service initiatives and environmental sustainability.

The second option provides 10 tags to 4,500 residential drop off only units in Muskoka Lakes and Georgian Bay. Therefore, tags are provided uniquely to municipalities and are only valid where they are issued.

Staff reported, “Providing garbage tags to residents in selected area municipalities, rather than across the entire District waste management system, is a complex undertaking.”

Council members were conflicted with the options provided.

Councillor, Brenda Rhodes, refused to support both options, suggesting that the matter needs to be investigated further and in line with the Master Plan, so they can “see the full plan in totality.”

She added that they “have time to make sure we consider it as a full plan.”

Councillor, Heidi Lorenz, agreed that the matter requires a broader discussion.

Other Councillors expressed concern that there are residents not getting the service they’re paying for in the meantime.

Councillor, Peter Kelley, didn’t support the resolution because he said it lacked clarity “and doesn’t solve the problem that we are trying to solve.” He added, “At least half of residents are not feeling they’re getting value,” or are being “appropriately dealt with for what they’re paying.”

Council agreed that given the differences in opinions about the service delivery it would be better to defer it to the Engineering and Public Works department to investigate the matter further in their joint meeting with the Finance and Corporate Services committee in October.