What’s at stake if our Association doesn’t pass the motion to adopt Bylaw 27?

Our Association is under increasing pressure — and the consequences of maintaining the status quo are far more serious than many owners realise.

Every year, about 20% of road fees go uncollected. Each year that’s about $80,000 missing from the budget we rely on to keep ~52 km of roads open, safe, and passable, and to prepare for the inevitable emergencies like washouts and bridge failures.

The owners who do pay are carrying the weight of those who don’t. When we send unpaid accounts to collections, we lose 30% of whatever comes in — and that doesn’t include the extra bookkeeping, administrative burden, or the time spent tracking down new owners to get them properly registered in our accounting system.

Bylaw 27 directly addresses this long‑standing issue. Once the Region becomes responsible for collecting road fees, they have the authority and mechanisms to hold non‑paying owners accountable. This significantly improves the sustainability of our road system by ensuring that all owners contribute their fair share, rather than relying on a majority to subsidize the rest.

The roads today are dramatically better than they were 10, 20, or 30 years ago. Long‑standing washouts have been repaired, dangerous sections rebuilt, and areas that were once barely passable are now reliably maintained. It’s not perfect, but year‑on‑year improvements continue. This progress only happened because owners stepped up and funded it — and it is progress we risk losing if the Association cannot reliably collect fees.

If the Association can’t collect road fees, maintenance degrades or stops. And when maintenance stops, gravel roads fail — fast. Without grading, ditching, and gravel, our roads will not last two years. They will wash out, rut, collapse, and become impassable. Owners will struggle to reach their homes and cottages. Fire trucks and emergency vehicles will not be able to get in. Insurance companies will refuse coverage because they cannot insure properties without fire access. Ambulances will not be able to reach people in medical emergencies. The basic services that protect lives simply won’t be able to reach us.

This is not a distant possibility. It is the direct, unavoidable outcome if we continue on the path we’re on.

The Board has taken these factors into consideration and recommends that members support Bylaw 27 to ensure the long‑term viability of our roads, our safety, and our property values.

Click here for more information and to access the full AGM package.