CAO/Clerks Staff

Administration Department

The Administration Department is completed of five functional branches with specific responsibilities in each area:

Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

Ted Walker, Interim Chief Administrative Officer
twalker@gbtownship.ca
(705) 528-2337 / (800) 567-0187 x. 227

The CAO is responsible to the Mayor and Members of Council for the coordination and administration of all departments and operations.  The CAO ensures the efficient and effective operation of the Corporation through management and leadership of the Senior Management Team.  The onus is on the CAO to ensure that council is supplied with information that is reasonable, complete and accurate, in order to allow Council to make informed decisions.  The CAO assists in the preparation of the Township’s budget and ensures the delivery of high quality services in a timely, responsible and cost effective manner.

The role of the CAO’s office is providing strategic leadership in the ongoing implementation of corporate continuous improvement initiatives.  The CAO advises Council on policy matters and provides policy and program development to maximize revenue and / or cost savings.  The CAO is also responsible in delivering a welcoming, courteous and professional culture of public service excellence to our residents, visitors and businesses. The CAO continues to develop collaborative relationships within the community and with other levels of government.

Programs / Services provided by this branch:

• Provides Liaison Function between Council and staff
• Manages and exercised general control of the day to day operations and functions of the municipality
• Ensures that Council policy is implemented effectively and efficiently
• Provides communications from Council to Ratepayers and vice-versa
• Implementation of the Strategic Plan Initiatives

Clerks

Susan Boonstra, Clerk
sboonstra@gbtownship.ca
(705) 538-2337 / (800) 567-0187 x. 231

Jessica Gunby, Deputy Clerk
jgunby@gbtownship.ca
(705) 538-2337 / (800) 567-0187 x. 242

The Clerk’s branch is responsible for the statutory duties of the Municipal Clerk under the Municipal Act, including organizing and maintaining records of Council and official documents of the Corporation, reviewing and signing corporate contracts / agreements and by-laws as signatory (along with the Mayor), recording proceedings of Council / Committee meetings and / or overseeing the provision of Council secretariat and administrative support functions and associated records management; issues statutory notifications as required under the Municipal and Planning Acts and processes requests under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Programs / Services provided by this branch:

• Prepares, produces and circulates agendas and associated materials for Council Meetings
• Provides record keeping, information management and retention for Township records
• MacTier Union Cemetery maintenance and operations
• Designated Freedom of Information (FOI) Officer for the Township and responsible for processing FOI requests
• Preparation of Municipal By-laws
• Provide lottery licensing
• Processing property acquisitions and dispositions
• Processing original shore road and road allowance closures
• Implementation of the Strategic Plan Initiatives

Economic Development

Jennifer Schnier, Economic Development Officer
jschnier@gbtownship.ca
x. 259

The Economic Development portion of this department is responsible for Business Retention as well as the attraction of new businesses to the Township of Georgian Bay.

Using Asset Based Community Development (ABCD), economic prosperity is measurable by attracting businesses that support the four main ‘assets’ of the community: Trent Severn Waterway; UNESCO Biosphere Reserve; Georgian Bay Island National Park; and, the Big Chute Marine Railway.  Also, interconnecting commercial enterprise with the services and commodities associated to the users of these assets supports a sustainable business model.

The Sustainable Georgian Bay Community Based Strategic Plan, now in its implementation phase, recognizes seventy-five achievable actions that center around three main pillars: Economy, Environment and Culture and Society.  Samples of such actions include celebrating arts and culture, creating commercial concentration hubs, supporting e-commerce and utilizing modern technologies to showcase regional, national and international excellence in the brand “Muskoka”.

With a strong and successful grass roots approach to economics, our Economic Development Officer is able to work closely with businesses in order to bring together the right tools necessary that best suits business and community needs before, during and after establishing an operation within the Township.

Programs / Services provided by this branch:

• Promoting existing tools / resources available to and for businesses
• Aligning business goals with strategic objectives of the Township of Georgian Bay as outlined in the Strategic Plan
• Visitations and meetings with local businesses in an effort to establish good working relationship and respond to inquiries
• Branding and Corporate communications that is accurate, timely and transparent
• Search for and apply for all available funding /grants that are relevant to the goals of the Strategic Plan
• Promote the community outside of the area for business investment, brand identity and district awareness of services required / needed
• Assist developers in identifying opportunities for business partnerships or other types of business and community relationships to assist in making developments viable in the Township
• Work with local festival and event organizers
• Maintaining the Township’s Facebook and Twitter pages
• Assist with Physician Recruitment
• Liaise with Community based groups, such as Chambers and Heritage committees, to support ABCD

Human Resources / Health & Safety

Glenda Green, Director of Human Resources / Health and Safety
ggreen@gbtownship.ca
(705) 538-2337 / (800) 567-0187 x. 262

The Director of Human Resources / Health and Safety works within the Administration Department and is responsible for providing assistance with the administration of the day-to-day human resource management functions and duties with a focus on workplace safety, development of a superior workforce and development of a corporate culture that emphasizes quality, continuous improvement and high performance.  Some specific duties include policy and program development; recruitment and selection; employee and leadership training and development; coordinating  the functions and activities of the Joint Health and Safety Committee; assisting with the administration of performance management and improvement systems; , health and safety-related training; assisting with all facets of employee relations; and assisting with corporate employee communications.

This branch is also responsible to ensure that labour and employee relations governed by collective agreements, polices, practices and legislation contribute to an effective workplace for individuals and the overall staff team, in order to achieve corporate goals and objectives.

Programs or services that are delivered by this department:

• Responsible for all facets of Human Resources
• Responsible for Health and Safety
• Implementation of the Strategic Plan Initiatives 

 Neighbourhood Services

Jennifer Whiston, Coordinator of Neighbourhood Services
jwhiston@gbtownship.ca
(705) 538-2337 / (800) 567-0187 x. 261

Through this branch of the Township, residents are able to access any type of social service they may require.

Programs / Services offered through this branch:

• Georgian Bay Wellness Centre Coordinator
• Food Bank Coordinator
• Dental Subsidy Assistance
• Employment Services, Workshops and Events
• Addiction Services
• Medical Services
• Transportation Services
• Credit Counseling
• Affordable Housing
• Mental Health
• Ontario Works
• Retire at Home
• Free Internet Access
• Mobility Services
• Crisis Intervention Assistance
• Hydro and Utilities Assistance
• Child Welfare Resources
• Senior Independent Living Resources
• Poverty Reduction of Muskoka Planning Team Member
• Literacy Assistance (including application/form writing)
• Fresh Food Basket Program
• Mom and Tot Healthy Development and Engagement
• Assisting residents to sort out options and develop plans of action while providing necessary support and assistance
• Assist residents in locating and utilizing community resources including legal, medical and financial assistance, housing, employment, transportation, assistance with moves, day care and other referral services
• Implement life skills workshops and other community and social service programs

CLICK HERE for the Administration Department 2013 Gantt Chart (Project Schedule)