2026 Winter Newsletter

Message from Mayor Creelman

Former Mayor Laura Ryan passes:

We were all saddened to hear of the passing of Laura Ryan, our past Mayor and former Warden of Dufferin County. Laura also served for many years as a School Board Trustee. Laura will be remembered for her years of selfless dedication to Mono and of course her famous pies! She will be greatly missed by her family, many friends and all those who worked with her.

Bigger is not always Better:

The Province has announced its intent to amalgamate Conservation Authorities (CAs) reducing their number from 36 to 7. Originally formed in response to major flooding triggered by Hurricane Hazel in 1954, CA boundaries reflected specific river systems and watersheds. In Mono we are currently affected by three CAs — the Credit Valley, Nottawasaga Valley and Toronto Region Conservation Authorities.

CAs are mandated to protect our river systems and watersheds. While sometimes controversial and challenging to deal with, they do important work. Municipalities all have representation on CA boards even if we need to share a representative. Going back in years, a true funding partnership existed between CAs and the Province. CAs are now almost exclusively funded by member municipalities, user fees and development fees capped by the Province. Ontario’s percentage support of CAs is now in the very low single digits.

Without serious consultation, Queen’s Park now wants to create huge Conservation Authorities. The proposed Huron-Superior CA for example would pick up a portion of Mono, span an area half the size of Switzerland and include 78 municipalities. That’s just one of four CAs now proposed to affect Mono residents. Governance becomes a major problem with Mono suffering a huge dilution of its influence on CA boards. Possibly worse, the Province is adding a layer of bureaucracy and potential red tape on top of CAs in the form of its own agency to coordinate and supervise and expects municipalities to pay for it!

We’ve seen this movie before… School Boards, Health Units and Municipalities, the fewer the better according to some. We are told there will be efficiencies, cost savings but no job losses etcetera but the promises rarely materialize.

Recycling changes:

As of January, municipalities will no longer be responsible for recycling.  An entity known as Circular Materials has been mandated by the Province to run recycling throughout Ontario. It is also intended that the ubiquitous Blue Box would be replaced by a large cart, a potential big problem for those with long driveways especially in winter. In Dufferin, we pushed back and got two wins. First, Dufferin residents will have the choice of two sizes of bins and second, a later rollout of the bins themselves. The two bin sizes are displayed at Town Hall and residents can choose to receive a smaller, 240-litre recycling cart online until January 15, 2026. To request the smaller cart, you must fill out the online form.

Residents who do not fill out the request form will receive the 360-litre cart.

2026 Interim Tax Dates:

February 18 & May 13, 2026

2026 Town Hall

Come out and take part in an open discussion with your Town Council! A main topic will be announced closer to the date. There will be an open forum in which any topic can be raised.

Mark your calendars and come out to the Town Hall Meeting on Saturday, April 18, 2026! Check our website closer to the date for location, time, and more details!

2025/2026 Tree Orders

The Town’s annual Tree and Seedling Program is open!  You can place orders online by visiting our online tree and seedling shop. Online payment options include credit card or PayPal. For those who prefer to order in person, paper order forms will be available at the front desk at Town Hall. The deadline to submit all orders is February 13, 2026. Quantities are limited!

All 2025/2026 Tree & Seedling Program orders will have discounted prices, thanks to a Council-approved subsidy aimed at making the program more affordable and supporting our climate action efforts.

Please note that all tree and seedling orders are for pickup only at the Public Works Garage. Delivery is not available.

If you have any questions, please contact Public Works at PublicWorks@townofmono.com.

What the Flush?!

Did you know the only thing that should be going down the toilet is human waste (the two p’s) and toilet paper?

Products marketed as “flushable” are only telling you half the truth. These products do not breakdown. Putting them down the toilet will eventually:

• Require expensive repairs caused by damage or blockages to your home plumbing
• Cause expensive damage to the Town’s sewer pipes located under the streets (and lead to basement flooding)
• Cause expensive damage to wastewater treatment plants and septic beds

DO NOT FLUSH:

• Hygiene products (e.g., sanitary napkins, liners, tampons, condoms, wipes, cotton swabs, dental floss, diapers, rags, etc.)
• Fats, Oils and cooking Grease (F.O.G.)
• Medication (pills or liquid)
• Household hazardous waste (paints, pesticides, cleaning products, car & garage products such as motor oil)

2026 Spring Landfill Opening

The Town of Mono’s landfill site located at 795261 3rd Line (between Mono Centre Road and 25 Sideroad) will be open to residents on the following dates:

• Wed. May 20 from 8 am – 1 pm
• Sat. May 23 from 8 am – 3 pm
• Wed. May 27 from 8 am – 1 pm
• Sat. May 30 from 8 am – 3 pm

Accepted materials: tree and brush debris only (no garbage & no leaves in bags).

Alternatively, residents can follow the guidelines of the Dufferin County Leaf and Yard Waste Program found online.

Get Ready to Vote! 2026 Municipal Election

In the 2026 municipal election, Town of Mono electors will cast their ballots online and by telephone once again!

The municipal election is when you vote for council members (mayor, deputy mayor, and 3 councillors) and the trustee for your school board.

October 26, 2026 is voting day! Advanced voting dates will be available. Stay tuned! Every 2026 newsletter will have information about the upcoming election.

Get ready early! Registering to vote or confirming your information is easy to do online.

Fire Permit Reminder

Fire permits expired on December 31, 2025. If you have not already, please apply for a free 2026 Fire Permit.

Always check if there is a fire ban before lighting your fire! Fire bans will be posted to our website.

Paperless Billing

Go paperless in 2026!

Receiving your bills by email is available for both tax, water, and waste water bills.

To register your account, please email the Tax & Water Department at cathy.crawford@townofmono.com

Please include your:

• Account number
• Name
• Email address

Pre-authorized Payment Plan

Avoid late penalties by setting up a pre-authorized payment plan. Setting it up is easy and you can choose to pay by installment dates or choose monthly payments.

Set up your plan online.

Skate & Sled!

Skating rink locations: Mono Centre Park, Mono College Park, & Purple Hill Park. Volunteers welcome! Contact kim.heaton@townofmono.com | 519-941-3599, ext. 227

Take on the sledding hill at Mono Centre Park! The light at the hill shuts off at 10 pm. Helmets are recommended for both sledding & skating.

Aqua Art!

Watercolour Art Workshop

Learn a variety of watercolour techniques. Explore colour, flow, and texture, and experience the unique beauty and joy of painting with watercolours.

Date and Time: Wednesdays from February 4^th to March 25^th.  9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Location:  Mono Community Centre Lower South Room.

Cost:  $120 for the 8-week session*

*First class materials included. Participants are required to bring their own supplies from week two onward.

All levels welcome!

Register online for Aqua Art!

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Ice & Aces Euchre Tournament

Join us on Friday, February 20 for our Ice & Aces Euchre Tournament!

• Food,
• Drinks*,
• Cash Prizes, and
• Fun!

Participants must be 19 and over. * Non-alcoholic drinks are available.

Date and Time:

Friday, February 20, 2026 from 6:30 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.

Location:

Mono Community Centre (754483 Mono Centre Road).

Registration

Tickets: $25 for person, includes one drink ticket.

Register for the Ice and Aces Euchre Tournament online.

Snowshoe Lending Library Returning this Winter!

Borrow snowshoes for the weekend and enjoy the best of Mono's winter scenery!

For more information, visit the online Snowshoe Lending Library.

This is a FREE program offered by the Town of Mono.

Family Moonlight Snowshoe

Join Mono's Recreation Advisory Committee for a magical night on the snow at Mono Centre Park as we explore sparking winter trails under the stars. This relaxed, all -levels snowshoe outing is the perfect way to enjoy crisp air, good company, and the beauty of winter after dark. Bring your own snowshoes or borrow ours for free. Hot chocolate and cookies will be waiting at the finish!

Date & Time:

Thursday, January 22, 2026 from 7 to 8 PM.

Location:

Mono Community Centre (754483 Mono Centre Road, Mono L9W 5W9).

More Information:

• Ages 5 to adult
• Headlamps recommended.

Registration:

You must pre-register online for Family Moonlight Snowshoe event.

Winterfest 2026

Get ready for a fun-filled winter afternoon at the Mono Community Centre on Sunday, February 1, 2026, from 12–4 p.m.

Enjoy a day packed with cross-country skiing, skating, snowshoeing, horse-drawn sleigh rides, live music, BBQ lunch, snowflake draw, community information booths, and plenty of indoor activities to keep you warm! ☃️🔥

Plus — don’t miss the Snowflake Draw, community booths, and all the wintry fun that makes Winterfest one of Mono’s favourite annual events!

📍 Mono Community Centre

754483 Mono Centre Rd, Mono

Winterfest is fun for the whole family!

Mono  Youth Soccer

Wednesday Evenings from June 3 to August 19

Lil' Cleats & Tykes: 5:30 to 6:30 PM

Twisters & Cyclones: 6:45 to 7:45 PM

All teams are co-ed.

• Lil Cleats: Ages 3 & 4 (born in 2022 & 2023)
• Tykes: Ages 5 & 6 (born in 2020 & 2021)
• Twisters: Ages 7 & 8 (born in 2018 & 2019)
• Cyclones: Ages 9 & 10 (born in 2016 & 2017)

Register for soccer online.

Adult Ping Pong Club

Ages 16 and over.

Every Wednesday from 7 to 9 PM

January 14 to May 27, 2026

Location: Mono Community Centre (754483 Mono Centre Rd, Mono)

Seasonal membership: $30

You must pre-register to join the Adult Ping Pong Club.

Valentine's Dance

Part of an all-day community day.

All ages. All styles.

Come solo, with a partner, friends or family. Romantic classics — old and new.

9 AM to 10 PM

6 to 10 PM :

Partner dance lesson (7:15 to 7:45 PM)

Group dance (8:30 to 9 PM)

Location: Mono Community Centre (754483 Mono Centre Rd)

$15 on website or e-transfer. $20 at door. $8 for kids.

Classes:

• Yoga
• Music
• Circus
• Dance
• Sports
• Theatre
• Card games

Tickets: call or text 416-763-6565

Email: dance@DanceOrangeville.com

Or tickets are also available on Dance Orangeville's website.

6-Week Gentle Flow Yoga

January 19 to February 23

Mondays: 9:30 to 10:30 AM

Wednesdays: 7:00 to 8:00 PM

Cost:

Mondays OR Wednesdays:

• Mono Residents — $65
• Non-Residents — $81.25

Both Mondays & Wednesdays:

• Mono Residents — $120
• Non-Residents — $150

Beginner Tai Chi Classes with Happy Chi Academy, Mono

A series of ancient Chinese movements which focus on balance, flexibility, relaxation at a gentle and controlled pace. Excellent for your mental and physical well-being.

In this 10-week program, you will learn how to do a "short" set of 17 moves in an enjoyable relaxing environment.

10-Week Program Dates & Times

This program will run on Tuesdays from February 3^rd to Tuesday, April 7^th.  Time: 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.  Location:  Mono Community Centre (Lower South room).

Cost

• Mono residents: $90
• Non-residents: $112.50

Register for Beginner Tai Chi Classes online.

Ballroom Beats

Ready to Twirl, Dip and Sparkle? Ballroom Dancing is coming to Mono. Join Jonathon Neville from Dance Orangeville as he teaches you the basic elements from a variety of dances.  

All ages welcome! Sign up as a single or with your partner!

"Have more fun on the dance floor" — whatever music is playing!!!

Session 1: Introduction to Dance

Dance Skills for a Wide Range of Music

Dates:  

• January 27
• February 3
• February 10

Times:

• 7 - 8 p.m. - Beginner Class
• 8 - 9 p.m. Intermediate/Advanced Class

Location:

Mono Community Centre (754483 Mono Centre Road).

Cost:  

$45 per session - includes admission ticket to Valentine Dance Party on Saturday, February 14^th at Mono Community Centre.

Registration

Register online for Ballroom Beats.

Changes Coming to Medical Call Dispatch

Beginning in December, the Province is changing how 9-1-1 medical calls are dispatched in Dufferin County with the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS).

The new MPDS will help ensure that medical help gets to those who need it faster in the community, so that Dufferin Paramedic Service has the best chance at saving you or someone you love during a critical health emergency.

Starting in December, when someone calls 9-1-1 for paramedic services in Dufferin, dispatchers will ask more detailed questions to better understand how serious an emergency is. Please stay calm and provide as much information as possible. The new system will help prioritize life-threatening situations, meaning those in urgent need will get help faster. Learn more on Dufferin County's Medical Priority Dispatch System page.

Public Works: Winter Reminders

This winter, there are a few things to remember to help keep each other safe:

• No parking on any Town road or highway between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. starting November 15th and running until April 15th. Vehicles parked or left unattended on Town roads that interfere with snow removal equipment may be ticketed and towed.
• During winter road and sidewalk maintenance, it is impossible not to block or deposit snow on private driveways. It is the owner’s responsibility to clear the snow from their driveway entrances.
• Please keep the area around your boulevard and fire hydrants clear.

Rural Mailboxes – Snow Clearance

The area in front of a rural mailbox must be kept clear of snow and ice (this is the homeowner’s responsibility). Take time to ensure your mailbox and post are secure.

Canada Post Community Mailboxes – Snow Clearance

Snow removal around these mailboxes is the responsibility of Canada Post. To request winter maintenance, please visit the Canada Post website.

Reminders

Ensure all basketball nets, hockey nets and  other recreational belongings are off the roads and sidewalks to avoid damage to fleet or homeowner belongings. Only deposit snow on your own property.

No person shall deposit snow or ice on a roadway without permission in writing so to do from the Ministry or the road authority responsible for the maintenance of the road.  R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 181.

Be Water & Septic Wise

• Test your well water at least three times a year (spring, summer, and fall). Water test kits can be picked up at Town Hall and dropped off at the location identified in the instructions.
• Have your septic tank inspected for the buildup of sludge, scum, and solids every 3 to 5 years and clean out when 1/3 of your tank is full of solids.
• Conserve water. The more water used, the more must be handled by septic system drain fields.

For more septic information and water conservation tips, visit our Treating Your Septic System with Care page.
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Climate Corner: Is It Time for an Electric Vehicle?

“ The federal government has mandated 100% zero-emission new car sales by 2035”

There are four types of electric vehicles: Hybrid, Plug-in hybrid, Fuel Cell Electric and Battery Electric cars (BEVs or EVs for short).  This article will only discuss EVs. Eliminating the need for gasoline, an EV has a large battery pack which drives at least one electric motor.  

Charging Levels:  Level 1 uses household outlets. One hour of charging will give 3–5 km of driving.

Level 2 is what most homeowners will install for an EV.  This requires 240 V and 30–40 amps, which may need an upgrade to your home electrical panel.   Charging will be at 30–50 km per hour.

Level 3 is the standard rapid public charger, often located at a gasoline service station.  A full level 3 charge for an EV will take approximately one hour.

Environmental impact: Making an EV produces more manufacturing based emissions (up to 2× that of a gasoline car). The amount depends on how green is the battery production process.

However, the ongoing energy needs of an EV are far less than for an ICE.  As an EV uses the grid for charging, driving an EV in Ontario means the vehicle’s lifetime emissions are very low as Ontario’s electricity grid is very clean thanks to nuclear, hydro, and renewable energy sources. When the low operational emissions of an EV are added to the higher manufacturing emissions, the EV’s lifetime carbon footprint is 60-70% smaller than that of an ICE).(1,2)

Cost: The initial cost of an EV is higher than an ICE vehicle (approximately 15%). However, an average EV driver (20,000 km / year) will save $2,000 or more a year on fuel and maintenance, so the cost will be neutral at 3–6 years of ownership. (4)

Cons to EVs: In addition to higher upfront costs, winter driving range is decreased by 10–30% (3) Furthermore, most battery “fill ups” provide less range than a tank of gasoline. Long highway trips can be frustrating because of the infrequency of level 3 public chargers.

Pros to EVs: Besides the cheaper lifetime costs, and the environmental benefits, the drivability is superb.  Thanks to the near-instant torque of an electric motor, EVs hug the road on turns, have excellent acceleration and offer a smoother ride.

What Is Coming? Solid-state batteries are around the corner; they will bring longer range, faster charging and longer battery lifespan. Future battery recycling — not currently available in Canada — will further decrease the need for mining.

So, Why Drive an EV?  Commonly, owners will tell you two things. They love the way the car drives, and they are delighted not to be burning gasoline.  If you can charge at home and you  have a modest commute, you will like an EV. If you do a lot of long-distance driving, the relative scarcity of level 3 charging stations may frustrate you.

References

Dog Tags

Mark your calendars! Avoid late penalties by paying before April 1 every year! You can renew online any time.

2026 dog tags and licence renewals:  

• $30 for a spayed or neutered dog
• $50 for a non spayed/non neutered dog
• $20 for replacement tags
• Late payments: twice the fee

The Town’s service provider has changed from AgapiK9/Municipal K9 Control to Municipal Support Services Inc. updated contact information for dog bylaw concerns will be posted on the Dog Licensing page.

Regional Conservation Authorities

On November 6, 2025, the province introduced Bill 68 which included significant amendments to the Conservation Authorities Act, including the establishment of the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency.  This was followed on November 7th with a proposal to consolidate Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities into 7 regional conservation authorities (CAs).

Mono objects to this and, at its December 9th council meeting, it approved comments to be submitted to the Environmental Registry of Ontario.

A key point made was that Mono will be such a small municipality in these new, regional CAs that it will not have a member sit on the governing board.  For example, the new Western Lake Ontario Regional CA will include what is now Credit Valley Conservation.  It will also take in Halton Hills, Hamilton and Niagara with the result that this new agency will stretch about 170 kilometres from Mono in the north to Niagara in the south and have almost 3 million residents.  It is not known which of the 30 municipalities will be represented on the governing board, but the chances of Mono being selected with a population of less than 10,000 are slim.

The northern two-thirds of Mono is now under the jurisdiction of the Nottawasaga Valley CA.  And Mono has one seat on the governing board.  Under the proposed new arrangement, the northern part of Mono will be under the jurisdiction of the Huron–Superior Regional CA which will stretch from Mono in the south to Thunder Bay in the north.  This new organization will incorporate 78 municipalities, and it is highly unlikely that Mono will have any representation on the governing body.

Notwithstanding the Provincial Government’s claim that consolidation of CAs will reduce or eliminate duplication for municipalities, this is not true in the case of Mono.  Mono currently deals with three conservation authorities.  It has a (small) voice in the governance of these agencies. Under the proposed amalgamation, Mono will have to deal with four very large regional CAs. Mono will be too small to be given a seat at the governance table. The Town will continue to be taxed (pay a levy) to these organizations with no input as to the amount of this tax or the nature of the programs funded.

Upcoming 2026 Council Meetings:

• January 27 at 9 am
• February 10 at 9 am
• February 24 at 9 am
• March 10 at 9 am
• March 24 at 9 am
• April 14 at 9 am
• April 28 at 9 am
• May 12 at 9 am
• May 26 at 9 am
• June 9 at 9 am
• June 23 at 9 am
• July 14 at 9 am
• August 25 at 9 am
• September 8 at 9 am
• September 22 at 9 am
• October 6 at 9 am
• October 20 at 9 am
• November 10 at 9 am
• December 1 at 9 am
• December 8 at 9 am

Subscribe to receive email notification when agendas for these meetings are published.

Please check the calendar of meetings to verify the date and time of council and committee meetings.

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