Huntsville endorses Muskoka River Watershed Working Group accord

Huntsville is the first to endorse the accord and will participate in collaborative group to co-ordinate decision making across the watershed

Huntsville Council endorsed the Muskoka River Watershed Staff Working Group Accord during the July 27, 2026, meeting.

According to the staff report, the accord formalizes the Town's participation in a collaborative staff working group focused on Integrated Watershed Management (IWM), an approach that brings together municipalities, First Nations, provincial agencies, environmental organizations and other stakeholders to coordinate decision-making across the Muskoka River watershed.

Climate Action Strategist, David Zilkey, explained, “Integrated Watershed Management, just as a reminder, is a modern approach to environment management and seeks to integrate information and decision-making process that spans across jurisdictions to achieve collective watershed-wide goals.”

He added, “Environment and water in particular does not respect political boundaries movement across townships, area municipalities, regional municipalities, the entire province. All of this happens irrespective of the lines that we draw on a map when it comes to defining a town or a province.”

According to his report, staff have been involved in IWM discussions since 2024, including participation in the Muskoka Watershed Council's IWM Conference and co-hosting a leadership workshop with the Township of Lake of Bays.

In January 2026, staff also participated in the inaugural meeting of the Integrated Watershed Management Staff Working Group, where representatives from municipalities, provincial agencies, First Nations and the Muskoka Watershed Council collaborated on developing the accord.

The document establishes a shared purpose, guiding principles and framework for collaboration among participating organizations while recognizing that each municipality retains its own authority and responsibility for local decision-making.

The report states that any policies, projects, plans or strategies developed through the working group will still be brought before Council through existing governance processes.

By endorsing the accord, Council also authorized the Mayor and Clerk to sign the agreement and directed staff to continue participating in the working group.

Zilkey referred to Council’s participation as a way to “reaffirm their commitment to IWM and sign on to this accordance…notably as the first area municipality to do so.” He added, “So really setting the standard and hope that others will sign on and join in this effort.”  

Quarterly meetings are expected to begin in fall/winter 2026, with the District Municipality of Muskoka providing interim leadership until the group selects a chair.

Staff said the accord will serve as a guiding document for ongoing Integrated Watershed Management efforts and strengthen collaboration among municipalities and First Nations throughout the watershed.

The report notes there are no immediate capital costs associated with the initiative. However, should the working group identify projects requiring financial support in the future, staff may bring funding requests forward for Council's consideration.