WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE?
STRONGER INFRASTRUCTURE
Our current infrastructure cannot handle expansion at it’s current rate. What we have now is putting too much strain on our roadways, bridges and utilities before accounting for future growth. Approximately 86,000 people live in the Kawartha Lakes with an upwards projected population of 130,000 by 2050. Under the Kawartha Lakes Municipal Housing Pledge (page 9) we are in the middle of developing 6,500 homes before 2031. We have limited time to get ahead of our current issues before they become major problems.
FINANICIAL/MUNICIPAL ACCOUNTABILITY
The municipal budget for 2026 was $472 million (approx.). While many projects in the newest budget are necessary maintenance (ex. total replacement of Colborne St. Bridge; $21 million) some are extremely wasteful. The Emily Omemee Rec. Centre required $2.9 million to replace/repair the ice pad of which the provincial government provided $1 million. The facility is currently undergoing an additional $6.8 million renovation to modernize due to a “dated interior”. To add perspective; the municipality allocated only $125,000 in 2026 to recruiting new doctors. That’s 1.4% of our budget towards a singular recreation center, and 0.03% on doctors for the entirety of the Kawartha lakes. The arena deserved a new ice pad, but $6.8 million dollars to change the aesthetics is wasteful at a time when the city needs more pressing services.
JOB DIVERSITY
The Kawartha Lakes needs to attract more diverse and skilled job opportunities. With the rising cost of living, rent and mortgages both families and individuals need better employment. A living wage for one person in the Kawartha Lakes requires a $22.20/hr job. That becomes $47,008 yearly from a 40 hour work week, with no time off or sick days for 52 weeks. This also does not allow for savings, or “luxuries” like a vacation. The average yearly income in the Kawartha Lakes is $44,190, which falls short of the required basics for living, let alone building towards a better life. If we can’t offer the basics necessities, let alone the chance of saving for a future we are not going to keep our current population, let alone expand upon it.
DEVELOPMENT/GROWTH STRATEGIES
Development has largely been pushed in Lindsay, Omemee, Bobcaygeon and Fenelon Falls partially because of the Provincial government, but mainly due to the council. The Kawartha Lakes is the second largest, single tier municipality in Ontario covering over 3,000sq/km. Currently we’re focused on developing in only 29sq/km of what we have. This is causing our infrastructure to undergo extreme duress in addition to causing issues at the Ross Memorial and overcrowding at local schools. We need to diversify our residential builds to take the pressure off at all levels.