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Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula
Council Report
Report Number: DC 25-08
Subject: Annual Status Report of the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan - 2025
From: Lindsay Forbes, Deputy Clerk
Date: December 8, 2025
Recommendation:
That Council receives Report No. DC 25-08 Re: Annual Status Report of the Multi-year
Accessibility Plan - 2025, as information.
Purpose:
The purpose of this Status Report is to provide an update on the Municipality of
Northern Bruce Peninsula's progress in implementing the 2022-2026 Multi-Year
Accessibility Plan. This plan outlines the Municipality's ongoing efforts to prevent and
remove barriers, ensuring compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with
Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA).
The full 2022-2026 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan is available on the Municipality's
website.
This report highlights a range of initiatives undertaken to improve accessibility across
municipal facilities, programs, and services. Presented to Council each year, it
demonstrates the Municipality's continued commitment to creating an inclusive and
accessible community.
A copy of this Status Report will also be available on the Municipality's website following
the December 8, 2025, Council Meeting.
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The Municipality's Commitment to Accessibility
- To ensure equal access and participation for people with disabilities;
- To treat individuals with disabilities in a manner that upholds their dignity and
supports their independence;
- To eliminate accessibility barriers and comply with the requirements of the
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Ontario's accessibility laws;
- To encourage public participation and civic engagement in community
accessibility matters.
The Legislation:
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) establishes a
framework for developing, implementing, and enforcing accessibility standards across
Ontario. These standards apply to government entities, businesses, non-profit
organizations, and the public sector.
Because the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula has a population of fewer than
10,000 residents, it is not required to form an Accessibility Advisory Committee. Instead,
the Deputy Clerk serves as the Municipality's Accessibility Coordinator. This role is
responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and monitoring of
accessibility initiatives, as well as ensuring the Municipality's ongoing compliance with
the AODA.
The O.REG 191/11: Integrated Accessibility Standards regulation comprises five (5)
standards. This is now law, and requirements are being phased in each year:
- The Information and Communications Standard will help Ontario businesses
and organizations make their information more accessible.
- The Employment Standard will help Ontario businesses and organizations
make accessibility a regular part of their recruitment, hiring, and supporting of
employees with disabilities.
- The Transportation Standard will make travel more accessible in Ontario.
- The Design of Public Spaces Standard will make it easier for persons with
disabilities to move through, use, and enjoy our community public spaces.
- The Customer Service Standard will make it easier for persons with disabilities
to obtain services and have their needs met accordingly.
Highlights from 2025:
Below is a summary of the 2025 accessibility action items from the 2022-2026 Multi-
Year Plan, as well as other initiatives completed this year. Together, these efforts
highlight the Municipality's continued commitment to creating a barrier-free community.
Initiatives completed in earlier years are not listed.
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National Accessibility Week
- National Accessibility Week, taking place from May 25-31, 2025, was promoted
via the Municipality's website and social media pages.
Information and Communications:
- Completion of a comprehensive audit to assess and enhance the accessibility of
the municipal website.
- Staff training was completed on creating accessible documents and
communications using tools like Microsoft Word and Excel.
- Continued publication of Council Meeting Highlights and printing of minutes in the
Bruce Peninsula Press.
- Continued hosting of public meetings, both virtual and in-person, to gather
community feedback on key Council decisions.
- Ongoing use of the municipal website, virtual newsletters and Facebook page to
share important municipal information and updates.
- Continued promotion of the Municipality as an equal opportunity employer
committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection process, while
actively encouraging applications from individuals with disabilities.
- Ongoing support for and participation in local job fairs to connect with potential
applicants and promote municipal employment opportunities.
- Continued use of web-based meetings to increase participation and accessibility
for all individuals.
o A telephone (call-in) option and the acceptance of written correspondence
remain available for participants.
- Ongoing upgrades to Council Chamber audio and video technology to support
livestreaming, closed captioning, and meeting recordings, allowing the public to
easily watch, engage, or access recorded sessions afterward.
- Continued use of ALT text and the implementation of optical character
recognition (OCR) to improve document accessibility.
- Ongoing use of an electronic records management system to enhance
accessibility, organization, and efficiency in records management practices.
Transportation:
- Ongoing completion of the Lion's Head sidewalk construction project.
o Sidewalks are wheelchair, walker, and stroller accessible.
- Installation of Wheelchair Traffic Sign on the East Road in response to a request
from a community member.
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New curb ramps and sidewalks installed for the Lion's Head Sidewalk Project
Wheelchair Traffic Sign installed in 2025
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Design of Public Spaces:
- Completed construction of 2 new playgrounds in Ferndale and Pike Bay with the
assistance of a $125,000 grant from the Enabling Accessibility Fund.
o Playgrounds equipment designs include wheelchair accessible ramps with
handrails, accessible step decks, inclusive swing seats, accessible ground
elements and surfacing at each location.
o Meets CAN/CSA-Z614 standards including Annex H recommended
minimum number and type of ground-level play components on accessible
routs and required elevated components.
- Completed construction of an accessible ramp onto the Harbourside Music Stage
in Lion's Head for persons (musicians and public) of all abilities to be able to
participate and use the stage for events and picnic/rest area views of the
waterfront.
- Installed 10 new Haul-all Hide-a-Bag II stations throughout Lion's Head in 2025
o Tilted design improves access and meets AODA compliance,
o Bear-proof design,
o 10 new stations were installed throughout Tobermory in 2024.
- Installed 283 linear feet of new docks at Lion's Head Marina (Docks A and B),
featuring Thruflow decking and accessible aluminum ramps with handrails,
enhancing accessibility for individuals of all abilities.
New Ferndale Park Playground
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New Pike Bay Park Playground
Harbourside Music Stage with new accessible ramp
New Haul-all Hide-a-Bag II Stations
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Newly constructed Docks A and B at the Lion's Head Marina
Facilities:
- Rotary Hall - New Concrete Entrance Patio, Ramp, and Accessible
Doorway (Ongoing): Construction of a new engineered concrete patio, ramp,
and sidewalks at the front and side entrances, designed to meet accessibility
standards.
o Includes installation of a new accessible front entrance door with exterior
and interior operator buttons.
- Red Schoolhouse Art Gallery - New Concrete Entrance and Ramp
(Ongoing): Construction of new concrete front entrance stairs, ramp, and railing
to improve accessibility.
Customer Service:
- Ongoing accessible customer service training for all staff members.
- Continuous implementation of new software and digital tools to improve and
streamline customer service, including options such as online by-law complaint
submissions.
- Continued use of accessible, fillable forms available on the municipal website.
- Ongoing availability of paper copies of documents upon request to ensure
accessibility for all residents.
- Regular distribution of monthly newsletters, Council Highlights, and municipal
bulletins in the Bruce Peninsula Press to keep the community informed through
accessible communication channels.
- The Municipality provides multiple ways for residents to connect with staff or
book appointments, by phone, web conference, email, or in person, ensuring
accessible service for all.
- Members of the public are encouraged to contact the Municipality if information
or assistance is needed in an alternative format.
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Complaints:
No formal accessibility complaints were filed in 2025.
Budget Implications:
Funds needed to meet accessibility standards are allocated annually through the
accessibility budget.
Municipal Strategic Commitment:
1. Creating a strong & resilient economy
2. Maintaining a transparent & responsible government.
3. Supporting the sustainability of environment and infrastructure.
4. Building a safe & vibrant community
Respectfully submitted:
Lindsay Forbes
Lindsay Forbes
Deputy Clerk
Reviewed by:
Alexandra Croce
Alexandra Croce
Municipal Clerk
Approved by:
Peggy Van Mierlo-West
Peggy Van Mierlo-West,
Chief Administrative Officer