Yes. As of March 25, 2020, Mayor Alar Soever has declared a State of Emergency for the Town of The Blue Mountains in accordance with Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. The decision was made in conjunction with the Town’s leadership team and Emergency Control Group in response to the impacts of COVID-19 on the community.

An emergency is defined under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act as “a situation, or an impending situation that constitutes a danger of major proportions that could result in serious harm to persons or substantial damage to property and that is caused by the forces of nature, a disease or other health risk, an accident or an act whether intentional or otherwise”  [Section 1, definition of an emergency].

An “emergency” is a legal declaration and does not indicate that the municipality has lost control. An emergency declaration provides an opportunity to highlight action being taken under the municipal Emergency Response Plan.

The declaration of an emergency provides the Head of Council with certain tools to address the situation including, but not limited to, those listed below.

General and Government

• Section 4 (1) permits a head of council to “take such action and make such orders as he or she considers necessary and are not contrary to law” during an emergency.
• Some situations may require extraordinary measures be taken or expenditures be made to maintain or restore essential services. A declaration of emergency may allow a head of council to expend funds outside of his or her spending resolutions and/or the regular approval process of the municipality.
• Section 4 (1) permits the head of council to “take such action and make such orders as he or she considers necessary and are not contrary to law to implement the emergency plan.” Section 13 (3) empowers a municipal council to “make an agreement with the council of any other municipality or with any person for the provision of any personnel, service, equipment or material during an emergency.”

Town Hall has recently re-opened to normal business hours for simple transactional matters through a General Inquiries Service Desk located on the first floor. In addition, a variety of services are available online 24/7 and can be accessed by visiting the online services page on the Town website. 

Information regarding other Town facilities re-opening will be provided in the future. For updates, visit: https://www.thebluemountains.ca/facilities.cfm

Yes, all Town services remain operational at this time.

The Town of The Blue Mountains would like to assure residents and visitors that all critical and essential municipal services will continue to operate as normal.

Town staff are available by phone (519-599-3131) and by email during regular business hours (Monday – Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm).

In addition, a variety of services are available online 24/7 and can be accessed by visiting the online services page on the Town website.

Although the Blue Mountains Public Library is physically closed to the public, programs and services are being provided virtually. Please check the Blue Mountains Public Library website for more information, and re-opening details: www.thebluemountainslibrary.ca/.

To help provide clarity, a comprehensive list and maps which outlines the jurisdiction and operational status of all parks, trails, green spaces and natural areas has been created. To view the list, please visit: https://www.thebluemountains.ca/covid-19-open-and-closed.cfm

It is important to understand that the Provincial Orders are still in force and effect for Town owned parks that are open. For more information, visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/emergency-information.

The Town’s By-law Enforcement Department and the Ontario Provincial Police will be actively monitoring all closed areas. To report an Emergency Order violation, please contact the the Town By-Law Department by calling 519-599-3131 ext. 249. The phone number is monitored 24/7.

The Town has also enhanced patrols of Town owned properties with the addition of Community Services staff providing patrols seven days a week.

Town landfill re-opened effective Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at 9:00 am. 

Landfill staff will be checking identification upon arrival to confirm the property address. Please note that the Town Landfill will only accept waste from Town of The Blue Mountains residents and/or individuals that own property in the Town of The Blue Mountains

• Landfill Hours

  • Monday Closed 
  • Tuesday: 8:00am – 3:00pm (as of December 29, 2020)
  • Wednesday: Closed
  • Thursday: 8:00am – 3:00pm (as of December 29, 2020)
  • Friday: Closed
  • Saturday: 8:00am – 12:00pm (closed Boxing Day)
  • Sunday: Closed

In addition, a number of new operational restrictions and safety measures have been implemented to ensure the safe and effective operation of the landfill. Please read the following items carefully:

• There will be a $8 minimum charge per load (as of May 1, 2020)
• Cash payments will not be accepted (debit or credit only – tap preferred)
• Staff will be limiting the number of customers into the landfill, and inbound curbside collection trucks will take priority. As a result, please be patient and expect delays
• Some diversion programs may be temporarily unavailable, and these materials will be disposed of and charged as garbage 
• Split charges will not be allowed as a means to reduce the number of transactions, however; customers must still separate materials into designated areas

The Town’s curbside waste collection schedule continues to operate as normal.

Town landfill re-opened effective Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at 9:00 am. 

Landfill staff will be checking identification upon arrival to confirm the property address. Please note that the Town Landfill will only accept waste from Town of The Blue Mountains residents and/or individuals that own property in the Town of The Blue Mountains

• Landfill Hours

  • Monday Closed 
  • Tuesday: 8:00am – 3:00pm (as of December 29, 2020)
  • Wednesday: Closed
  • Thursday: 8:00am – 3:00pm (as of December 29, 2020)
  • Saturday: 8:00am – 12:00pm (closed Boxing Day)
  • Sunday: Closed

In addition, a number of new operational restrictions and safety measures have been implemented to ensure the safe and effective operation of the landfill. Please read the following items carefully:

• There will be a $8 minimum charge per load (as of May 1, 2020)
• Cash payments will not be accepted (debit or credit only – tap preferred)
• Staff will be limiting the number of customers into the landfill, and inbound curbside collection trucks will take priority. As a result, please be patient and expect delays
• Some diversion programs may be temporarily unavailable, and these materials will be disposed of and charged as garbage 
• Split charges will not be allowed as a means to reduce the number of transactions, however; customers must still separate materials into designated areas

Town staff are available by phone (519-599-3131) and by email during regular business hours (Monday – Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm). Town Hall has re-opened during regular business hours for simple transactional matters through a General Inquiries Service counter. To email Town staff, please visit the staff directory and use the online contact forms.

For COVID-19 specific questions, the Town has created a dedicated email address: covid-19inquiries@thebluemountains.ca. The email address is being actively monitored by Town staff and all inquiries will receive a response within two business days.

To view a comprehensive list and map of open and closed parks, trails, green spaces and natural areas, please visit to: https://www.thebluemountains.ca/covid-19-open-and-closed.cfm

To view a comprehensive list and map of open and closed parks, trails, green spaces and natural areas, please refer to: https://www.thebluemountains.ca/covid-19-open-and-closed.cfm

Enhanced patrols of all public spaces will be in effect. Please respect the physical distancing guidelines and the applicable Provincial Orders.

Yes, you are allowed to go for a walk on a public road, but please respect the physical distancing guidelines and the applicable Provincial Orders.

Any residents who are aware of a violation of any Emergency Orders should contact the Town By-Law Department by calling 519-599-3131 ext. 249.

While the Town is discouraging unnecessary travel, and while travelling back and forth from a primary residence to a secondary residence is definitely discouraged, the Town is not restricting non-permanent residents from occupying their properties.

Mayor Soever issued a statement regarding the occupancy of seasonal properties. To view the full statement, please visit: https://www.thebluemountains.ca/document_viewer.cfm?doc=1285

No, this is not the time to visit the Town of The Blue Mountains. The Town is actively discouraging non-essential travel.

The creation of www.exploreblue.ca allows those who are interested in visiting The Blue Mountains to tour the area virtually and then come in person when it is safe to do so.

The Grey Bruce Health Unit was identified as a region permitted to open under Phase 3 of the Province's re-opening plan.

For information regarding Phase 3 and businesses, visit: https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/07/nearly-all-businesses-and-public-spaces-to-reopen-in-stage-3.html

The Town has created a directory of local businesses and encourages all residents to try and support local businesses during this time: https://www.exploreblue.ca/local-businesses-directory.

Property Tax & Utility Payments

• Penalty/Interest for April to June 2021 inclusive was waived on tax roll and utility accounts.
• 2021 Annual (Final) Tax Bills will be mailed in early August with two instalments due dates August 26 and October 26
• Property tax and utility payments can be paid online or by phone through your financial institution; by regular mail; or by the drop box at Town Hall (east doors) [credit cards not accepted]
• The tax and utility pre-authorized payment plans (PAP) will be processed as usual unless written instructions to suspend the payment are received three (3) days prior to the withdrawal date

*To change your tax and/or utility PAP please contact the Finance department or call 519-599-3131 ext. 221

Through collaboration with local business and community leaders, the Town of The Blue Mountains has formed a task force to lead the recovery efforts related to COVID-19. The Task Force is called the Community Recovery Task Force.

Approved at the March 30, 2020, Special Meeting of Council, the task force will focus on strategic efforts and initiatives to ensure that both the Town and community are well-positioned and ready to implement relief and recovery efforts.

The primary focus of the task force is to work collaboratively to ensure that our tourism, agriculture and small business economies come out stronger and more resilient than ever before. The task force will be considering a variety of initiatives to ensure that both business owners and residents are supported through these difficult and uncertain times.

For more information, and to keep up-to-date with the work of the task force, please visit: www.thebluemountains.ca/covid-19.cfm.