District of Muskoka Council agreed to enter into agreement with the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs “as soon as possible” in the December 16, 2024, meeting.

In his presentation, former Council member and member of the Muskoka Lakes Snow Trails snowmobile club, Phil Harding, urged Council to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which would allow continued use of snowmobiles on trails on District property.

According to Harding, “50 parcels of land are owned by the District,” and insurance companies require the District to sign the MOU, otherwise the trails will be closed.

Harding expressed the importance of snowmobiling to the economy, which apparently brings in “$125 million annually in Muskoka.”

He said that his online public survey to the community resulted in 6,100 people in support of keeping the trails open, compared to 20 people in favour of closing them.

Harding, also said that MPP Graydon Smith, MP Scott Aitchison, and Premier Doug Ford “reached out in support of snowmobiling.”

He added that other area municipalities, such as Bracebridge, Muskoka Lakes, Lake of Bays, and Huntsville have signed the MOU so far, and they are waiting for a response from Georgian Bay.

Gravenhurst Mayor, Heidi Lorenz, advised that her Town hasn’t received the request yet.

Harding said he would ensure they receive it, and urged Council to decide today, otherwise the clubs couldn’t get groomers out without the MOU and snowmobiling wouldn’t be able to resume until February.

He suggested that if Council couldn’t sign the MOU today to sign a temporary agreement so the clubs can at least prepare the trails, and the agreement can be replaced with a new one later.

He said the trails get groomed by volunteers because the snowmobile clubs are a non-profit entity, however, “provide economic benefit to taxpayers of Muskoka.”

He added that if people followed what insurance companies and lawyers told them “we probably wouldn’t leave home without bubble wrap on.”

Councillor, Rick Maloney, concurred that other municipalities are also dealing with the issue, and insurance and liability “will be a problem.” He added, “We’re in a litigious society.”

District Chair, Jeff Lehman, assured Harding that Council members are well aware of the impact snowmobiling has on the economy in Muskoka.