‘Right where I wanted it to be’: Midland ratepayers face 3.44% tax hike next year
By: Derek Howard, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Source: MidlandToday.ca, Dec 11, 2025
Midland residents can expect a 3.15% blended tax rate budget increase in 2026.
During a 10-hour special meeting on Tuesday, Midland council stuck close to a target budget and almost landed on the bullseye. The municipal tax rate increase was 3.44% upon approval by Mayor Bill Gordon.
Council began the day thinking it would be the second of a three-day process, having engaged with agencies, boards and commissions the week prior. At the start of Tuesday’s process, the proposed municipal tax rate increase was 4.08% and the blended was slated as a 3.61% increase.
While the NT Power substation land sale matter held variables due to uneven figures, the simplest explanation was that four properties sold for roughly $200,000 each for $800,000 total, as negotiations by NT Power warranted purchasing land their substations were located on.
As per the speed cameras, staff anticipated drawing from the community safety reserve as a one-time funding injection, but early cancellation of the program meant $250,000 less money needed to be withdrawn.
“That actually caused us to go in the negative one per cent,” said CAO Rhonda Bunn. “That helped out in this year’s budget. The contributing factors were staff being really diligent in cutting budgets and finding smarter but more innovative ways to do things.”
A 90-minute discussion which removed two potential firefighting positions (at $195,683) lowered the blended tax rate increase to 3.14%; however, the conversation was charged at times.
Coun. Bill Meridis scrutinized collected fire matrix data for his perspective, fire chief Richard Renaud responded that through decisions based on “numbers against statistics, you can manipulate it to show whatever you want”, and Meridis firing back that “I didn’t manipulate the numbers” but he wouldn’t hand out a blank cheque.
Meridis cited his core ethos and problem during the exchange which carried through the budget process, stating that despite promised growth for Midland in the years ahead no shovels were in the ground as of yet, and he wouldn’t approve budget requests for further staffing without hard proof of their need.
Coun. Jamie-Lee Ball was lightly reprimanded several times, and called on a point of order once, while attempting to whittle the budget so certain staffing positions could be altered or created, described by Gordon at one point as going beyond the weeds into “the bugs on the weeds” for micromanagement of costs.
For years Midland council had put off contributing to a festival in 2028 for the town’s 150th birthday, and a request for $54,000 ($162,000 total over the next three years) to reserves was suggested by Ball as better spent by defunding the 2028 Tall Ships visit to aid the sesquicentennial; the comment was met with backlash by council and staff defending the $10 million economic impact and unique value of the Tall Ships weekend.
Council voted to remove $650,000 in upgrading lighting infrastructure at Galloway Park soccer field, referring it to an upcoming parks master plan; as well, a $500,000 project to design and site prep a new fire hall was defeated and bumped to the new council of 2027, as the current council tiptoed around what could be openly said in public around land acquisition for its location.
A $202,000 community vision project, described by Ball as aiming council’s “north star” toward 2050 and praised by Gordon as “bang on” for the accurate analogy, was just one of many projects perceived by Meridis as suffering “study overload”, and met with resignation by Coun. Howie Major who said: “I’m consultanted out”; the project was approved.
Shortly after 6 p.m., council approved the budget along with fees and charges.
Due to the Strong Mayor Powers granted by the province, Gordon had 30 days from November 14 to provide amendments which were accomplished early at the meeting; and Gordon vowing to sign a mayoral decision to further waive a 10-day period to adopt the budget and do so as soon as possible.
“It’s right where I wanted to be,” Gordon told MidlandToday following the meeting. “For us to end at 3.15% without having to do any forceful things really is wonderful; it speaks to the cohesiveness of this council. This was not a rubber stamp exercise, and yet we still ended up there.”
“For our folks at home, it means that the MPAC assessment that’s still frozen in time because of the province, at 2016 levels, that impact on their pocketbooks in 2026 – which by all accounts looks like it’s going to be an ugly year financially, especially around the cost of food and other things – the municipality will have done its damnedest to keep giving them the services they count on and things we’re legally obliged to supply – water, wastewater, those kind of things – at the lowest responsible increase.
Detailed information, timelines and reports on the 2026 budget can be found on the budget and finance page of the Town of Midland’s website.
The 2026 budget deliberation is anticipated to be available on the Town of Midland’s YouTube channel.
Chartwell Tiffin Celebrates 100 Years of Life and Service for WWII Navy Veteran Warden Shaw
By Chartwell Tiffin, Dec 12, 2025
(MIDLAND) Chartwell Tiffin was thrilled to hold it’s first centennial birthday for WW2 Canadian Navy Veteran and long-standing resident, Warden Shaw. Tiffin welcomed Ivan Miller who performed the bagpipes, followed by an afternoon celebration including champagne toast, speeches (including a brief speech from Ward himself), visiting family and friends, including Legion representatives, birthday cake and concert with local musician Adrien Robitaille. The celebration then continues to the dinner hour with Ward’s favourite meal – prime rib buffet.
A bit about Ward:
Ward was raised in Woodbridge, ON where he was educated, played and worked.
At the age of 18 years, Ward joined the Royal Canadian Navy undergoing extensive training over the course of 2 ½ years. During WW2, Ward was a seaman in a Frigate style warship escorting cargo ships across the ocean, ensuring there weren’t any German submarines in area. It was during this time, he suffered extensive hearing loss letting off depth charges. After the war, Ward married his wife and they raised their family in Weston, when he started his second career of 30 years building aircrafts for Boeing. Ward then retired at age 65, and they sold their house in Weston and bought a house in Florida, splitting their time between Canada and the United States. Winters were spent in Florida and then moved to the family cottage in Waubaushene where they spent summers over the course of 35 years.
After the loss of his wife, Ward eventually moved to Tiffin where he continues to enjoy activities, coffee with friends, watching sports and going on a daily walk.
At 100 years of age, Ward notes he is very fortunate to live a good life, with good health. Wards likes to stay very active, both physically and mentally, have a good laugh and catch up with family and friends.
Ward’s advice to make it to 100 years of age: “work hard and stay active”.
Legendary Media Officer Passes the Torch at Southern Georgian Bay OPP
By OPP, Dec 12, 2025
(MIDLAND, PENETANGUISHENE, TOWNSHIPS OF TAY, TINY AND GEORGIAN BAY) – The Southern Georgian Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police announces that Provincial Constable David Hobson, a well-known and respected media spokesperson, will be passing the torch to fellow officers who will carry forward his legacy of public engagement.
For many years, Dave has been the trusted voice of the OPP in communities including Midland, Penetanguishene, Tiny, Tay, and Georgian Bay Townships, ensuring that our municipalities remained informed and engaged. His dedication to transparency and open communication has strengthened trust between police and the community. Dave was always willing to put anything aside to fulfill his media duties, demonstrating his commitment to public safety and information sharing.
Dave began his policing career in 1985 and retired in 2015, he later served with the Anishinabek Police Service before returning to Southern Georgian Bay OPP as a part-time media officer. Beyond his policing role, Dave has been deeply involved in community initiatives, including serving as a longtime member of the Georgian Bay General Hospital Foundation, leading the Safe and Sober Awareness Committee, and earning MADD Simcoe County’s Outstanding Policing Award for his efforts in the fight against impaired driving in 2024.
OPP Superintendent Todd Pittman, who worked closely with Dave, shared:
“Provincial Constable Dave Hobson has been an outstanding ambassador for the OPP and the communities we serve. His professionalism, integrity, and passion for public safety have set the standard for what it means to be a media officer. We are grateful for his years of dedication and wish him all the best as he moves into this next chapter. Dave Hobson has given not only years of dedicated service but also has an enduring spirit of generosity and community. Always available, always willing, Dave has been a steady and trusted voice for public safety – both within the OPP and beyond. His commitment to integrity, compassion, and community service truly exemplifies what it is to be a Provincial Constable. I would like to thank him for continuing to lead by example, reminding us of what it means to serve with heart.”
As Dave moves into new responsibilities at detachment and enjoys more time on his farm with family, the OPP extends sincere gratitude for his decades of service, leadership, and unwavering dedication to community safety.
Thank you, Dave, for your outstanding contributions to the OPP and the communities of Southern Georgian Bay.