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Not the full picture. Built from public records, which leave things out.Read by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date. Check the sources, and tell us if you spot a mistake. What this site can't tell you
Read by hand. We read The South Bruce Peninsula's own documents for this site in October 2026; the Sources page lists which ones. The comparisons with other places still come from the Province's yearly reports.

Questions · 11 so far

Things worth asking about

We read The South Bruce Peninsula's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 47 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.

What these are, and what they are not. A question here means a number or practice is unusual, or harder to see than it should be. It does not mean anyone did anything wrong. Most unusual numbers turn out to have ordinary explanations, and every question lists some. The only way to know is to ask.
Worth asking

Worth asking

There may well be a good reason. It is still worth asking what it is.

Worth askingMoney health

What have the Sauble Beach land claim cost orders cost the Town, and where do they show in its financial statements?

$2,080,901.27the Town's share of the other side's costs plus the amount owed to Canada, from the May 21, 2024 ruling (added up by us)

The Town is a defendant in a court case brought by the Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation over part of Sauble Beach. In a ruling dated May 21, 2024, the court said who pays the costs of the first phase of the trial. It put 50 percent of the other side's costs on the Town ($1,610,901.27) and ordered the Town to pay another $470,000 to the federal government. Together that is $2,080,901.27 (worked out by us). The Court of Appeal later refused the Town permission to appeal those costs. The 2024 and 2025 financial statements we read do not print either amount.

Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources

Worth askingOpenness

Why does the Town's 2025 financial statement no longer mention the Sauble Beach land claim?

0mentions of the land claim in the 2025 financial statements we read (in the 2024 statements it was named in a note)

The 2024 statements had a note about the land claim: the Town was a defendant, a court decision went against it, and it was appealing. The 2025 statements have the same note number (16, Contingencies) but mention only insurance claims. We found no mention of the land claim, the First Nation or the court case anywhere in the 2025 statements' text. The case was still going: the Town's own page lists a document filed with the Supreme Court of Canada in February 2025, and its media release says a second phase about compensation was not expected to be decided until 2026 at the earliest.

Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources

Worth askingRising costs

What was the $2,901,779 the Town spent on outside services in general government in 2024?

$2,901,779contracted services in general government in 2024, against $671,448 in 2023 and $452,754 in 2025

General government is the part of the Town that runs the Town itself (administration, council, town buildings). The statements break its spending down by type. Spending on contracted services (work bought from outside companies) in that part was $671,448 in 2023, $2,901,779 in 2024 and $452,754 in 2025. In 2024 total general government spending was $5,461,490, against a budget of $3,325,680. The statements do not say what the 2024 amount was for.

Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources

Worth askingSpending level

Why did the Town spend $8,134,313 on capital in 2025 when it budgeted $12,942,500, and why did its yearly surplus come in so far below budget?

$8,134,313spent on capital in 2025, against a budget of $12,942,500

Capital means building or buying things that last, such as roads and buildings. For 2025 the Town budgeted $12,942,500 for these and spent $8,134,313. It also budgeted an annual surplus of $9,564,341 and ended with $5,222,028. Part of the gap is money from other municipalities for roads: $3,502,858 budgeted and $840,460 received. The Town's statements show projects still under way, which is a likely reason.

Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources

Worth askingRising costs

Why did the cost of parks, arena and library grow 90% in 6 years?

+90%parks, arena and library, 2019 to 2025

The South Bruce Peninsula spent $1.5M on parks, arena and library in 2019 and $2.8M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 5 of 47 similar towns had faster growth here.

Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources

Worth askingRising costs

Why did the cost of water, sewers and garbage grow 100% in 6 years?

+100%water, sewers and garbage, 2019 to 2025

The South Bruce Peninsula spent $2.4M on water, sewers and garbage in 2019 and $4.8M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.

Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources

Good to know

Good to know

Background that helps make sense of the rest.

Good to knowRecord-keeping

Why does the Town budget so little for investment income and recycling sales, year after year?

$610,053recycling sales in 2025, against a budget of $50,935

Two kinds of income came in far above the budget in both 2024 and 2025. Investment income was budgeted at $508,500 in 2024 and came in at $1,426,073. For 2025 it was budgeted at $891,926 and came in at $1,267,849. Sales of recycling materials were budgeted at $72,385 in 2024 and came in at $672,065, then budgeted at $50,935 in 2025 and came in at $610,053. The statements say the 2025 surplus, including an unrealized gain of $243,400, was moved into reserves as Council approved.

Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources

Good to knowMoney health

Why does the Town still carry a 5.46% bank loan while holding millions in investments?

$2,342,795owing on a 5.46% bank loan at the end of 2025

The Town owes a bank (Royal Bank of Canada) $2,342,795 on a loan at 5.46% due in November 2038, and paid $133,247 in interest on its debt in 2025. At the same time its statements list investments that include guaranteed investment certificates (GICs, which are fixed-term savings) paying 3.85% to 4.06% at one institution, and a credit-union balance of $10,862,910 in investment deposits.

Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources

Good to knowHow decisions are made

How much will council members be paid from 2027, how does that compare with now, and how will it grow?

$29,092the yearly pay for a Councillor from January 1, 2027, under By-Law 25-2026

By-Law 25-2026 sets council pay at $49,628 for the Mayor, $35,938 for the Deputy Mayor and $29,092 for a Councillor, starting January 1, 2027. After that it goes up each year by whatever raise non-union staff are given. We did not find the Town's yearly statement of what council members were actually paid, or the old rates, on the pages we read, so we cannot say how much of a change this is.

Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source

Good to knowOpenness

Will the 2027 budget be decided by the council voters choose on October 26?

January 19, 2027the date the proposed schedule gives for formal approval of the 2027 budget by by-law

The Town's proposed 2027 budget schedule has the draft budget going to council on December 1, 2026, a public meeting that evening, special budget meetings from December 7 to 15, 2026, and a formal approval by by-law on January 19, 2027. The election closes at 8:00 p.m. on October 26, 2026, so these meetings come after it.

Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources

Each question in full

Worth askingFound by reading the town's documents

What have the Sauble Beach land claim cost orders cost the Town, and where do they show in its financial statements?

$2,080,901.27the Town's share of the other side's costs plus the amount owed to Canada, from the May 21, 2024 ruling (added up by us)

The Town is a defendant in a court case brought by the Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation over part of Sauble Beach. In a ruling dated May 21, 2024, the court said who pays the costs of the first phase of the trial. It put 50 percent of the other side's costs on the Town ($1,610,901.27) and ordered the Town to pay another $470,000 to the federal government. Together that is $2,080,901.27 (worked out by us). The Court of Appeal later refused the Town permission to appeal those costs. The 2024 and 2025 financial statements we read do not print either amount.

Why it matters

This is about two million dollars. Residents pay for it through taxes or reserves (savings accounts the Town keeps for later), so they can reasonably ask how much was paid, from where, and how much more could be coming.

It could be because…

  • The Town may have paid or set aside these amounts in 2024 and recorded them inside another line, such as general government spending, without naming them.
  • Insurance, reserves or an agreement with its lawyers may cover some of the cost. We could not read the Town's budget reports or council minutes, which may explain it.
  • The Town is asking, in the second phase of the case, to be repaid by the federal government for its share. A statement may leave out a hoped-for repayment until it is decided.
  • The cost order is joint and several, which means the other side can collect all of it from any one defendant. The split between the defendants matters only if one of them pays more than its share.

Questions you could ask

  1. How much has the Town paid, or set aside, toward the $1,610,901.27 share and the $470,000 order, and in which year and which line of the statements?
  2. What are the Town's total legal and consulting costs for the land claim case so far, by year?
  3. Where in the budget and the statements can a resident find these amounts, and are any covered by insurance or by the federal government?

You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.

Speak for The South Bruce Peninsula? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.

The evidence

  1. The court said the First Nation "is entitled to their costs against the defendants, on a partial indemnity scale, in the amount of $3,221,802.54, on a joint and several basis". The court then split that between the defendants: "The Town is responsible for the remaining 50 percent of Saugeen's costs in the amount of $1,610,901.27".

    Costs Endorsement, 2024 ONSC 2827 (May 21, 2024) · Disposition, paragraph 71(a) and (b)(iii), PDF page 11

  2. The same ruling makes an order that the Town pay part of the federal government's own costs, which it fixed at $470,000: "in the sum of $470,000 all-inclusive by way of a Sanderson order". The ruling also says the Town's request for the federal government to pay the Town's costs was dismissed.

    Costs Endorsement, 2024 ONSC 2827 (May 21, 2024) · Issue #3, paragraph 51 (PDF page 8); Issue #4, paragraph 59 (PDF page 9); Disposition paragraph 71(c) (PDF page 11)

  3. The Town's own explanation in court: its claim to be repaid for its share of these costs by the federal government "is accordingly the subject of Phase II" of the case, which the court said it would decide later.

    Costs Endorsement, 2024 ONSC 2827 (May 21, 2024) · Issue #5, paragraph 70, PDF page 10

  4. The Court of Appeal wrote: "leave to appeal the costs award is denied." Leave means permission, so the costs award stays as the trial judge set it.

    Court of Appeal for Ontario, 2024 ONCA 884 (December 9, 2024) · Issue #5, paragraph 246, PDF page 107 (the issue runs to PDF page 111)

  5. The Town's January 10, 2025 media release says its legal team "appreciates and understands the significance of the costs borne by South Bruce Peninsula to date" and offered to carry out the further appeal "at no cost to the Town, should the appeal be unsuccessful." It does not give a total of what the Town has paid.

    Town media release (January 10, 2025) · page 1, paragraph beginning "The Town's legal team"

↑ All questions

Worth askingFound by reading the town's documents

Why does the Town's 2025 financial statement no longer mention the Sauble Beach land claim?

0mentions of the land claim in the 2025 financial statements we read (in the 2024 statements it was named in a note)

The 2024 statements had a note about the land claim: the Town was a defendant, a court decision went against it, and it was appealing. The 2025 statements have the same note number (16, Contingencies) but mention only insurance claims. We found no mention of the land claim, the First Nation or the court case anywhere in the 2025 statements' text. The case was still going: the Town's own page lists a document filed with the Supreme Court of Canada in February 2025, and its media release says a second phase about compensation was not expected to be decided until 2026 at the earliest.

Why it matters

A contingency note is where the auditors and the Town tell readers about a legal risk that could cost money later. If the case is still open, residents would expect to see it there, or a clear statement that it is over.

It could be because…

  • The Town and its auditors may have decided the remaining risk is too uncertain to describe, or that it is covered by other wording.
  • The case may have ended in a way we did not find. The Town's page lists nothing after January 10, 2025, but we did not read council minutes.
  • The 2025 statements may have been shortened or reorganized. The note numbers match, so we expected the same topics.

Questions you could ask

  1. Is the land claim case still open in any court, and what stage is it at?
  2. Why was the land claim note taken out of the contingencies note in the 2025 statements?
  3. Does the Town expect to owe more than the cost orders, such as compensation in the second phase?

You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.

Speak for The South Bruce Peninsula? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.

The evidence

  1. The 2024 statements, Note 16 (Contingencies), say: "The Town of South Bruce Peninsula along with private land owners, was named as defendants in a land claim action filed by the Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation. A decision not in favour of the Municipality was rendered in Superior Court. The Municipality is currently in the process of appealing the decision."

    Financial Information, December 31, 2024 · Note 16, Contingencies, PDF page 28

  2. The 2025 statements, Note 16 (Contingencies), say only: "The Municipality has claims that are in proceedings through their insurance company. The Municipality's liability with respect to these claims is not determinable at this time." The words "land claim", "Saugeen", "Chippewas" and "appeal" (about the case) do not appear anywhere in the text of the 34-page PDF.

    Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Note 16, Contingencies, PDF page 27

  3. The Town's media release of January 10, 2025 says: "'Phase Two' of the Land Claim Trial primarily deals with compensation to impacted parties and it won't likely be resolved until sometime in 2026 at the earliest."

    Town media release (January 10, 2025) · page 1, last paragraph before the media contact

  4. The Town's land claim page lists a "Supreme Court of Canada Memorandum of Argument" (the linked file is dated February 7, 2025) and media releases up to January 10, 2025. We did not find any later update on the page. The page says it was last updated September 1, 2026.

    Sauble Beach Land Claim (the Town's page) · Court Documents and Media Releases lists; Page last updated line

↑ All questions

Worth askingFound by reading the town's documents

What was the $2,901,779 the Town spent on outside services in general government in 2024?

$2,901,779contracted services in general government in 2024, against $671,448 in 2023 and $452,754 in 2025

General government is the part of the Town that runs the Town itself (administration, council, town buildings). The statements break its spending down by type. Spending on contracted services (work bought from outside companies) in that part was $671,448 in 2023, $2,901,779 in 2024 and $452,754 in 2025. In 2024 total general government spending was $5,461,490, against a budget of $3,325,680. The statements do not say what the 2024 amount was for.

Why it matters

A one-year jump of more than $2 million in a single line, in the part of the Town that is meant to be its own running costs, is a reasonable thing to ask about. The answer may be ordinary.

It could be because…

  • It could be legal costs. The Town was in court over the Sauble Beach land claim, and its lawyers' bills would be a contracted service. The statements do not say so, and we are not claiming it.
  • It could be a one-time project, such as a study or a legal matter.
  • It could be a change in how the Town sorts its costs from one year to the next.

Questions you could ask

  1. What contracts made up the $2,901,779 of contracted services in general government in 2024?
  2. How much of it was legal fees, and for which matters?
  3. Why was the budget for general government in 2024 set at $3,325,680 when actual spending was $5,461,490?

You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.

Speak for The South Bruce Peninsula? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.

The evidence

  1. In the 2024 statements' note on spending by service area, the General Government column shows contracted services of $2,901,779 for 2024. The 2023 note, on the next page, shows $671,448 in the same column.

    Financial Information, December 31, 2024 · Note on segmented information, 2024 table PDF page 33 and 2023 table PDF page 34, General Government column, Contracted services row

  2. The same 2024 statements show general government expenses of 3,325,680 in the 2024 budget column and 5,461,490 in the 2024 actual column.

    Financial Information, December 31, 2024 · Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Surplus, PDF page 8, General government row

  3. In the 2025 statements' note on spending by service area, the General Government column shows contracted services of $452,754 for 2025.

    Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Note 19, Segmented Information, 2025 table PDF page 32, General Government column, Contracted services row

↑ All questions

Worth askingFound by reading the town's documents

Why did the Town spend $8,134,313 on capital in 2025 when it budgeted $12,942,500, and why did its yearly surplus come in so far below budget?

$8,134,313spent on capital in 2025, against a budget of $12,942,500

Capital means building or buying things that last, such as roads and buildings. For 2025 the Town budgeted $12,942,500 for these and spent $8,134,313. It also budgeted an annual surplus of $9,564,341 and ended with $5,222,028. Part of the gap is money from other municipalities for roads: $3,502,858 budgeted and $840,460 received. The Town's statements show projects still under way, which is a likely reason.

Why it matters

Large gaps between a budget and what happened can mean projects are delayed, or that budgets are set too high. Either way residents who pay taxes toward these projects will want to know if they are late.

It could be because…

  • Projects were started but not finished by December 31, 2025. The statements show work still in progress, and contracts the Town has signed.
  • Money from other municipalities for roads comes only when the work is done, so late work means late money.
  • The budgeted surplus may be tied to the capital plan, so smaller capital spending and a smaller surplus could go together.

Questions you could ask

  1. Which 2025 capital projects were not finished, and when will each be done?
  2. Is the $3,502,858 of road money from other municipalities still expected, and in which year?
  3. How are capital budgets checked for what can actually be built in a year?

You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.

Speak for The South Bruce Peninsula? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.

The evidence

  1. The statement of changes in net financial assets shows acquisition of tangible capital assets of (12,942,500) in the 2025 budget column and (8,134,313) in the 2025 actual column.

    Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Consolidated Statement of Changes in Net Financial Assets, PDF page 7, Acquisition of tangible capital assets row

  2. The statement of operations shows an annual surplus of 9,564,341 in the 2025 budget column and 5,222,028 in the 2025 actual column.

    Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Surplus, PDF page 6, Annual surplus row

  3. The note on government transfers shows capital transfers for roads from Other Municipalities of 3,502,858 in the 2025 budget column and 840,460 in the 2025 actual column.

    Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Note 9, Government Transfers, PDF page 23, Capital Transfers, Other Municipalities, Roads row

  4. The Town's own figures on unfinished work: "The net book value of tangible capital assets not being amortized because they are under construction is $6,536,275 (2024 - $1,264,667)." Note 15 adds that the Town has signed contracts for capital projects and vehicles with "a $2,702,453 commitment as of December 31, 2025."

    Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Note 4 (continued), PDF page 20, and Note 15, Commitments, PDF page 27

↑ All questions

Worth askingFound automatically from financial reports

Why did the cost of parks, arena and library grow 90% in 6 years?

+90%parks, arena and library, 2019 to 2025

The South Bruce Peninsula spent $1.5M on parks, arena and library in 2019 and $2.8M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 5 of 47 similar towns had faster growth here.

Why did the cost of parks, arena and library grow 90% in 6 years?
+90%
Show as a table
YearParks, arena and libraryPrices (inflation)
2019+0%+0%
2020−10%+1%
2021+51%+4%
2022+60%+11%
2023+60%+16%
2024+70%+18%
2025+90%+21%

Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.

Why it matters

When one area grows much faster than prices, it is either doing more (which may be great) or paying more for the same thing. Residents deserve to know which.

It could be because…

  • The town added a service, a building or staff that residents asked for.
  • Costs were moved from another area, so the total did not really change.
  • Accounting rules changed how costs are sorted.
  • Large one-time costs, like a study, lawsuit or repair, landed in one year.

Questions you could ask

  1. What did the extra $1.3M a year pay for?
  2. Why did parks go from $467K to $1.1M?
  3. Was each increase approved by council as a separate decision, or did it happen through the yearly budget?

You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.

Speak for The South Bruce Peninsula? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.

The evidence

  1. Parks, arena and library: 2019 $1.5M, 2020 $1.3M, 2021 $2.2M, 2022 $2.4M, 2023 $2.4M, 2024 $2.5M, 2025 $2.8M.

    Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy

  2. Biggest driver: Parks, from $467K to $1.1M.

    Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy

  3. Typical growth among similar towns: 60%. The South Bruce Peninsula ranks 6th of 48.

    Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 47 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy

↑ All questions

Worth askingFound automatically from financial reports

Why did the cost of water, sewers and garbage grow 100% in 6 years?

+100%water, sewers and garbage, 2019 to 2025

The South Bruce Peninsula spent $2.4M on water, sewers and garbage in 2019 and $4.8M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.

Why did the cost of water, sewers and garbage grow 100% in 6 years?
+100%
Show as a table
YearWater, sewers and garbagePrices (inflation)
2019+0%+0%
2020+35%+1%
2021+46%+4%
2022+49%+11%
2023+62%+16%
2024+84%+18%
2025+100%+21%

Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.

Why it matters

When one area grows much faster than prices, it is either doing more (which may be great) or paying more for the same thing. Residents deserve to know which.

It could be because…

  • The town added a service, a building or staff that residents asked for.
  • Costs were moved from another area, so the total did not really change.
  • Accounting rules changed how costs are sorted.
  • Large one-time costs, like a study, lawsuit or repair, landed in one year.

Questions you could ask

  1. What did the extra $2.4M a year pay for?
  2. Why did recycling go from $386K to $1.3M?
  3. Was each increase approved by council as a separate decision, or did it happen through the yearly budget?

You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.

Speak for The South Bruce Peninsula? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.

The evidence

  1. Water, sewers and garbage: 2019 $2.4M, 2020 $3.2M, 2021 $3.5M, 2022 $3.5M, 2023 $3.9M, 2024 $4.4M, 2025 $4.8M.

    Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy

  2. Biggest driver: Recycling, from $386K to $1.3M.

    Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy

↑ All questions

Good to knowFound by reading the town's documents

Why does the Town budget so little for investment income and recycling sales, year after year?

$610,053recycling sales in 2025, against a budget of $50,935

Two kinds of income came in far above the budget in both 2024 and 2025. Investment income was budgeted at $508,500 in 2024 and came in at $1,426,073. For 2025 it was budgeted at $891,926 and came in at $1,267,849. Sales of recycling materials were budgeted at $72,385 in 2024 and came in at $672,065, then budgeted at $50,935 in 2025 and came in at $610,053. The statements say the 2025 surplus, including an unrealized gain of $243,400, was moved into reserves as Council approved.

Why it matters

Budgeting low for money that is hard to predict is common, and may reflect caution. But if it happens by a wide margin two years running, the budget presented to residents understates the money the Town has, and residents may be asked to cover costs that the Town's own income could handle.

It could be because…

  • Interest rates and recycling prices move a lot, so budgeting low may be a deliberate safety margin.
  • Recycling sales may be linked to the Bruce Area Solid Waste Recycling joint board, in which the Town has a 20.74% interest, and the Town may budget only part of it.
  • Extra income goes into reserves, so it is saved rather than spent: the Town says the 2025 surplus went to reserves as Council approved.

Questions you could ask

  1. How does the Town set its investment income and recycling sales budgets, and why have they been well under actual results in both 2024 and 2025?
  2. Would budgeting closer to expected results change the tax rate residents are asked to pay?

You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.

Speak for The South Bruce Peninsula? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.

The evidence

  1. In the 2025 statements, Note 8 (Other Income) shows: Investment income 891,926 (2025 budget), 1,267,849 (2025 actual) and 1,426,073 (2024 actual); Sale of recycling materials, etc. 50,935 (2025 budget), 610,053 (2025 actual) and 672,065 (2024 actual).

    Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Note 8, Other Income, PDF page 22

  2. In the 2024 statements, Note 8 (Other Income) shows: Investment income 508,500 (2024 budget) and 1,426,073 (2024 actual); Sale of recycling materials, etc. 72,385 (2024 budget) and 672,065 (2024 actual).

    Financial Information, December 31, 2024 · Note 8, Other Income, PDF page 23

  3. The Town's own explanation of where the extra went: "The 2025 operating surplus of $1,617,096, including the unrealized gain of $243,400, was transferred to various reserves during the year as approved by Council."

    Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Note 5, Accumulated Surplus, PDF page 20

↑ All questions

Good to knowFound by reading the town's documents

Why does the Town still carry a 5.46% bank loan while holding millions in investments?

$2,342,795owing on a 5.46% bank loan at the end of 2025

The Town owes a bank (Royal Bank of Canada) $2,342,795 on a loan at 5.46% due in November 2038, and paid $133,247 in interest on its debt in 2025. At the same time its statements list investments that include guaranteed investment certificates (GICs, which are fixed-term savings) paying 3.85% to 4.06% at one institution, and a credit-union balance of $10,862,910 in investment deposits.

Why it matters

Paying 5.46% while earning less than that on savings costs money, unless there is a good reason such as a penalty for paying early or savings already promised to a project. This is the kind of thing a budget document should explain.

It could be because…

  • Paying a loan off early can carry a penalty that costs more than the interest saved.
  • The Town's investments may be set aside for specific purposes (it lists reserves), or locked in until a set date.
  • Some of its investments earn rates up to 5.60% according to the notes, which is above the loan rate.

Questions you could ask

  1. Why has the Town not paid off the 5.46% loan, and what would an early payoff cost?
  2. What does the Town's investment policy say about how much can be held at one institution?

You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.

Speak for The South Bruce Peninsula? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.

The evidence

  1. Note 3 (Long-Term Liabilities): "Loan payable, Royal Bank of Canada, 5.46%, payments of $15,018 plus interest payable monthly, due November 2038" with $2,342,795 owing at the end of 2025. "Interest paid during the year totalled $133,247 (2024 - $144,501)."

    Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Note 3, Long-Term Liabilities, PDF page 17

  2. Note 1 (Cash and Investments) lists "Canaccord Genuity Corp. Guaranteed Investment Certificates 3.85% to 4.06%, maturing December 2027 to October 2028" of $3,168,864 and "Meridian Credit Union Guaranteed Investment Certificates 3.85% to 5.60%, maturing April 2026 to January 2030" of $11,119,859. It also says the Town has "a revolving demand credit facility available of $3,000,000" that "was not drawn upon at December 31, 2025."

    Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Note 1, Cash and Investments, PDF page 15

  3. Note 18 (credit risk): "The Municipality also had investment deposits of $10,862,910 at a Canadian credit union. The Deposit Insurance Corporation of Ontario (DICO) insures deposits to a maximum of $250,000 per depositor."

    Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Note 18, Credit Risk, PDF page 28

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Good to knowFound by reading the town's documents

How much will council members be paid from 2027, how does that compare with now, and how will it grow?

$29,092the yearly pay for a Councillor from January 1, 2027, under By-Law 25-2026

By-Law 25-2026 sets council pay at $49,628 for the Mayor, $35,938 for the Deputy Mayor and $29,092 for a Councillor, starting January 1, 2027. After that it goes up each year by whatever raise non-union staff are given. We did not find the Town's yearly statement of what council members were actually paid, or the old rates, on the pages we read, so we cannot say how much of a change this is.

Why it matters

The new rates take effect on January 1, 2027, after the October 26, 2026 election, so they apply to the next council. Voters may want to see the current pay and expenses beside the new rates, and know that the pay rises automatically with staff raises.

It could be because…

  • Setting pay in advance for a later date can be a way to avoid members voting on their own raise.
  • Linking pay to staff raises can avoid a big jump later.
  • The yearly statement of pay and expenses may be posted somewhere we did not look.

Questions you could ask

  1. What is each member of council paid now, and what are the old rates the by-law replaces?
  2. Where is the yearly statement of council pay and expenses (Municipal Act section 284) posted?

You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.

Speak for The South Bruce Peninsula? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.

The evidence

  1. The by-law says remuneration for members of council shall be: Mayor $49,628; Deputy Mayor $35,938; Councillor $29,092. It also says "the remuneration shall be adjusted annually to reflect any annual increase which is approved to be given to the non-union staff," and that "this by-law shall come into force and effect on January 1, 2027." The page we read prints the passing dates with the year cut off, so we do not give them.

    By-Law Number 25-2026 · sections 1, 2 and 4, PDF page 1

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Good to knowFound by reading the town's documents

Will the 2027 budget be decided by the council voters choose on October 26?

January 19, 2027the date the proposed schedule gives for formal approval of the 2027 budget by by-law

The Town's proposed 2027 budget schedule has the draft budget going to council on December 1, 2026, a public meeting that evening, special budget meetings from December 7 to 15, 2026, and a formal approval by by-law on January 19, 2027. The election closes at 8:00 p.m. on October 26, 2026, so these meetings come after it.

Why it matters

The council that takes office after the election will make the budget decisions. Residents can take part at the public meeting on December 1, 2026, and can ask candidates what they would change.

It could be because…

  • Holding budget meetings in December after an election is normal in an election year, and this schedule was made earlier.
  • The schedule is headed as a proposal to council, and we did not see whether council approved it as written (minutes were not readable).

Questions you could ask

  1. Did council approve this 2027 budget schedule, and when?
  2. How can residents give input on the 2027 budget before the December 1, 2026 public meeting?

You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.

Speak for The South Bruce Peninsula? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.

The evidence

  1. The schedule lists: Presentation of Draft Budget & 2027 User Fees to Council, December 1, 2026 Regular Council; Statutory Public Meeting For Tax and User-Pay Budget Input, December 1, 2026 Tuesday (evening); Draft Budget Deliberations by Council (Special Meetings), December 7, 2026 Monday, December 8, 2026 Tuesday, December 14, 2026 Monday, and December 15, 2026 Regular Council (if required); Formal 2027 Budget Approval by Council (By-Law), January 19, 2027 Regular Council.

    Attachment One: 2027 Budget Schedule · page 1, items 12 to 14 and 18

  2. The Town's election page lists "October 26, 2026 at 8:00pm Close of Voting".

    Elections (the Town's election page) · Key Dates list

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Good to knowFound automatically from financial reports

Why does The South Bruce Peninsula spend more than most similar towns on garbage, dump and recycling?

$331per home on garbage, dump and recycling, 2025

The South Bruce Peninsula spent about $331 per home on garbage, dump and recycling in 2025. The typical similar town spent $159. Only 3 of 47 similar towns spent more.

Why it matters

Spending more than neighbours is not wrong by itself. It might buy better service. But it is the first place to look for costs that could be lower, such as contracts that were not competitively bid.

It could be because…

  • Geography: more roads, more snow, a bigger area or a landfill of its own.
  • Accounting: some towns record the same cost in a different category.
  • A one-time cost in this year.

Questions you could ask

  1. What makes this cost higher here than in similar towns?
  2. When were the main contracts in this area last put out to competitive tender?

You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.

Speak for The South Bruce Peninsula? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.

The evidence

  1. Garbage, dump and recycling per home: The South Bruce Peninsula $331; typical similar town $159; ranked 4th highest of 48.

    Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 47 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 and Schedule 2 · archived copy

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