In Brief by Probe Media
With a population of 13,000 permanent residents, the picturesque township of Tiny on the serene shores of southern Georgian Bay has become a hotbed of government overreach and public outcry.
Rebel News recently reported on a fiery protest in Tiny over a new multi-million dollar administration facility that many locals believe is unnecessary, unwanted, and overly costly. [See: “Want to Erect a Birdfeeder in Tiny Township? You’ll Have to Get Permission before Doing So…”]
Financial Post columnist and Tiny Township resident Lawrence Solomon, who previously criticized the township’s governance in his column “Ontario’s Tiny Township returns to serfdom,” highlighted the municipality’s increasing control over residents and their land.
A new bylaw set to pass next month will significantly restrict property owners’ rights, allowing only minor activities like weeding and trimming without township permission. Residents will be prohibited from installing birdfeeders, planting trees, or erecting flagpoles without prior approval, which will require a detailed application and a fee.
Solomon argues that this bylaw resembles a return to a feudal system, where local authorities act as “benevolent masters” granting limited freedoms to residents, who retain formal title to their lands but must pay taxes and fees for any modifications. The bylaw mandates that property owners submit detailed sketches for any proposed changes, further emphasizing the township’s control over land use.
See Rebel News’ interview below with Lawrence Solomon, among others, as they survey opinion at the Oct. 17 protest outside the groundbreaking ceremony for the planned new administration center with a total cost that could exceed $50 million for the small community.
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