General City News

Beginning next Monday, City staff will remove the seasonal cross-street Noma lights over Second Avenue East and install seasonal banners, closing one block at a time to minimize the disruption to visitors and businesses in the River District.

A new public-facing Geographic Information System (GIS) web application is now available through the City of Owen Sound’s website. This interactive tool offers residents improved access to a range of mapped city services and information. It makes it easy to explore a range of city services and infrastructure through information-rich map layers.

The City of Owen Sound will begin the annual fire hydrant flushing program this week and will continue until September. Flushing will start in the City's Municipal Pressure Zone area, identified in yellow on the map.   

The City of Owen Sound reminds residents and visitors to ‘Be Prepared’ during Emergency Preparedness Week, May 4 to 10, 2025. This national event, held annually during the first full week of May, raises awareness about the importance of emergency preparedness for individuals, families, and communities.

9^th Avenue East between 6^th Street and 9^th Street will have lane reductions for asphalt repair/resurfacing on Monday, May 5, 2025, beginning at 8:00 a.m., weather permitting.  The closure is expected to last until 5:00 p.m.

As of May 1, the Province of Ontario has legislatively designated Owen Sound as a "Strong Mayor" municipality—one of 170 across the province. This designation grants the Mayor additional powers, including the ability to unilaterally hire and dismiss senior staff, prepare and submit the budget, and veto by-laws that conflict with provincial priorities.

The City of Owen Sound is pleased to announce the 2025 Volunteer Award Recipients. On behalf of Owen Sound City Council, Mayor Ian Boddy, along with Chair of the Community Services Committee, Councillor Marion Keopke, and Bruce Grey Owen Sound MPP Paul Vickers, awards were presented at the beginning of the April 28 Council meeting.

The 2025 Home and Cottage Expo will be held at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre and JD McArthur Arena this weekend, Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

The event will showcase 140 indoor exhibitors, including popular businesses across Ontario, interactive displays, local municipal building officials, a dedicated green energy section, 30 outdoor exhibitors, including outdoor furniture, sheds, equipment, vehicles, small home-based businesses, and a kids’ zone that includes pony rides, games, balloons and more! 

The City of Owen Sound is celebrating local innovators and entrepreneurs with a new economic development toolkit that highlights the amenities, opportunities, and sense of connectedness enjoyed by residents. 

Available in both digital and print formats, the cinematic community profile invites potential residents and investors to spend time getting to know their future neighbours.  

Please be advised that the Corporation of the City of Owen Sound intends to adopt an amendment to Fees and Charges By-law No. 2024-078, in accordance with subsection 391(1) of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25.

The Fees and Charges By-law is being updated to:

• Add fees related to derby camping; and
• Amend fees related to civil marriages.

The following staff reports are available on the City’s website and provide information on the amendment:

• CS-25-036 Derby Camping
• CR-25-021 Civil Marriage Services

The meeting at which the by-law will be presented will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025, at City Hall, Council Chambers, 808 2nd Avenue East, Owen Sound, ON N4K 2H4.

Notice is being provided in accordance with Notice By-law No. 2018-022.  If the matter is postponed or considered at a subsequent Council meeting, no additional notice will be provided other than the information on the subsequent Council agenda.