NEWS RELEASE
TOWNSHIP OF TINY
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TOWNSHIP OF TINY - As we approach the Victoria Day long weekend, the Township of Tiny is urging both permanent and seasonal residents to continue following all Provincial Orders and healthcare recommendations. Your actions impact the spread of COVID-19.
Seasonal residents and visitors are asked to stay home
As the weather gets warmer, we appreciate that many individuals may have plans to visit their seasonal property in Tiny or day trip to the area. We strongly urge you to follow the recommendation of Premier Doug Ford and the medical officer of Hhalth to stay home. As the COVID-19 virus continues to spread, citizens must make the difficult but responsible decision to avoid all non-essential travel. Township Council and staff recognize the hardship and inconvenience that the COVID-19 pandemic, Provincial Orders and precautionary measures have on residents and visitors alike. The township’s seasonal residents and visitors are valued members of the Tiny community, and we look forward to welcoming you back when the provincial/federal governments and healthcare experts deem it safe to do so.
To seasonal residents who wish to visit their property to conduct outdoor maintenance, lawn care and landscaping services have been deemed essential by the Province under Ontario Regulation 82/20. This means that permanent and seasonal homeowners are permitted to hire private contractors to provide these services, so long as they follow the proper health and safety guidelines while working. We provide this information as a possible alternative to visiting your seasonal property for maintenance purposes.
To those seasonal residents who have already returned to Tiny, please act responsibly to protect your community by physically distancing, practicing proper hygiene, and self-isolating for a minimum of 14 days as required. When self-isolating, do not leave your residence. Dial 211 for assistance accessing community resources.
While the Government of Ontario has not issued a Provincial Order to mandate that citizens must shelter in place at their primary residence, at this time, it is strongly recommended. However, there is no avenue for municipal enforcement if seasonal residents or visitors do migrate away from their primary residence. Under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, the authority to order seasonal residents or visitors to stay at or return to their primary residence lies with the Province.
Outdoor recreational amenities are closed
Under Ontario Regulation 104/20, outdoor recreational amenities are closed to the public. This closure applies to “outdoor recreational amenities that are intended for use by more than one family... regardless of whether they are publicly or privately owned and regardless of whether they are attached to a park system.” Outdoor recreational amenities include, but are not limited to, playground equipment, sports fields/facilities, off-leash dog areas (CBO dog park), washrooms and benches. Beaches are not considered outdoor recreational amenities and are not closed to the public.
Beaches are restricted to walk-through use only
While beaches have not been closed to the public, the township is restricting beach use to walk-through use only (click here for details). Recreational activities, such as fishing, sitting/laying on the beach, playing games on the beach, etc., are not permitted. These restrictions also apply to trails and greenspaces in parks.
Although swimming, paddle boarding and kayaking have not been specifically prohibited by the Province at this time, these activities could result in increased complaints or the potential for an emergency rescue, should you not be able to return to shore safely. Tiny’s Municipal Law Enforcement Department is, therefore, strongly discouraging these activities.
Boat launches are closed
All municipally-owned boat launches in Tiny remain closed to the public and are being cleared for use by emergency services only. Under Ontario Regulation 82/20, privately-owned marinas also remain closed to the public.
Enforcement will be assisted by park ambassadors
The township’s Municipal Law Enforcement Department has extended coverage hours and increased personnel. Crews will be responding to complaints and patrolling frequented areas of the township, including beaches, parks and trails, to enforce municipal by-laws and Provincial Orders. Two Recreation Department staff have been redeployed as park ambassadors to aid the Enforcement Department in the management of parks.
To report allegations of non-compliance with the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (i.e. for non-essential businesses being open, social gatherings exceeding five people who are not from the same household, use of closed outdoor recreational amenities, etc.), please call the OPP’s non-emergency phone line at 1-888-310-1122. The OPP are receiving complaints related to COVID-19 and forwarding them to the appropriate municipality for action as required.
During these challenging times, please remember to be kind to one another. Let’s work together to protect our community and help flatten the curve. Stay connected with friends and family through virtual means, spend time outside in your yard, and support local businesses and frontline workers when possible. Remember, we are all in this together.
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