Muskoka Airport set to become a corporation July 1st

The change comes with a $100K budget increase

The District of Muskoka Council approved the next steps for the Muskoka Airport transition into a corporation, in the May 20, 2025, Council meeting.

According to the staff report, to date Council has approved a Business Case Study, the transition of the airport into a Municipal Services Corporation (MSC) “in principle,” and a $100,000 increase to the Tax Supported Budget for a total of $350,000 in the Airport Capital Reserve for an Airport Governance Review.

In his recap about the progress Michael Murray, of Murray Advisory Services, indicated that benefits of a MSC include operating as a competitive business without the constraints of a Municipal Act, faster streamlining of decisions, engagement with stakeholders, and increased revenue and economic impacts.

He advised that the District will retain ownership of the airport lands – a community asset – and lease to the MSC long-term, thereby protecting public lands. However, buildings and some assets will be transferred to the MSC.

The future CAO will be an employee of the MSC, and the rest of staff will remain employees of the District, although, they will continue to provide administrative services to the airport, added Murray.