The 2026 Municipal Election will take place October 26. The Township will again use internet and telephone voting options. Voting will open October 14 at 10:00 a.m. and will remain open until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day (October 26th). If you are on the voters list, you should receive your Voter Information Letter by mail toward the end of September. This letter will provide you with the information you need to cast your vote. If you do not receive a letter and believe you are eligible to vote, please contact the Township Office. If you are unsure whether you are registered to vote, contact the Township Office, and we can confirm whether you are on the voters list. If you are eligible but not yet registered, we can help you register to vote.
It’s September, and local bears are entering a critical phase called hyperphagia. During this time, bears forage almost constantly to consume up to 20,000 calories a day to build up fat reserves before hibernation. With wild natural foods dwindling, human food sources like trash, bird seed, and BBQs become top targets.
Whether you’re packing up the cottage for the season or just heading out between weekend stays, taking a few extra precautions can help keep both your property and the bear population safe.
Cottage Closing Checklist:
Dispose of All Garbage: Take waste home or drop it at an approved waste facility.
Neutralize Odours: Disinfect garbage and recycling containers using strong cleaners.
Never Dump Cooking Oil Outside: Seal used grease in a container, bag it, and dispose of it with secure garbage.
Clean & Store BBQs: Scrub grills thoroughly and store them inside a locked shed or garage.
Remove Pantry Items: Clear out indoor food entirely—unopened items like dessert and pudding mixes still attract bears.
Store Scented Items Indoors: Bring in items like candles, soaps, suntan lotion, and insect repellent.
Take Down Bird Feeders: Store feeders until deep winter; bird seed is a high-calorie prize for foraging bears.
Lock Up Securely: Close and lock all doors and windows. If leaving for extended periods, ask a neighbor to check in for signs of break-ins.
Educate Renters: Remind tenants and guests about local Bear Wise safety rules.
If You Encounter a Bear:
Stop. Do not panic. Remain calm. Remember not every bear sighting is an emergency situation.
Remain calm – often the bear is just passing through, and will move on if no food source is found
Slowly back away while keeping the bear in sight
If you are near a building or vehicle, get inside as precaution
If a bear poses an immediate threat to personal safety, call 911
If a bear is in a tree, leave it alone and remove other people and dogs from the area
Keep away from the bear, and do not block its exit
Keep dogs on leash and away from bears
Need to Report an Encounter?
If you encounter a bear that poses an immediate threat to your safety, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Call the toll-free Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327 or TTY 705-945-7641 if a bear:
roams around or checks garbage cans
breaks into a shed where garbage or food is stored
is in a tree
pulls down a bird feeder or knocks over a barbecue
moves through a backyard or field but does not linger
This line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from April 1 to November 30 and can provide advice on how to avoid human-bear encounters during bear season.
Visit ontario.ca/bearwise for more information.
Lake Michigan-Huron is 8 inches higher than it was at this time last year.
Compared to last month:
Lake Superior: Down 1″
Lake Michigan-Huron: Down 2″
Lake St. Clair: Down 1″
Lake Erie: Down 3″
Lake Ontario: Down 4″
Compared to last year:
Lake Superior: Same
Lake Michigan-Huron: Up 8″
Lake St. Clair: Up 6″
Lake Erie: Up 5″
Lake Ontario: Up 18″
Long-Term September Averages: Most of the lakes remain above their long-term September averages (Michigan-Huron +1″, St. Clair +7″, Erie +6″, Ontario +18″), though well below record highs. Lake Superior is currently 1″ below its long-term September average.
One-Month Forecast: Levels on Lake Superior (-1″), Lake Michigan-Huron (-2″), St. Clair (-6″), Erie (-4″), and Ontario (-9″) are expected to decline.
Lake Superior’s outflow through the St. Marys River, Lake Michigan-Huron’s outflow through the St. Clair River, and Lake St. Clair’s outflow through the Detroit River are projected to be near average in September. Lake Erie’s outflow through the Niagara River and Lake Ontario’s outflow through the St. Lawrence River are projected to be above average in September.
This report below shows the most recent month of precipitation and outflows published by Level News:
With regard to the forecast graph below (and the more recently updated first graph in this report), the USACE predicts that Lake Michigan-Huron levels will likely drop from August through January.
Monthly mean water levels for the previous year and the current year to date are shown as a solid line on the hydrographs. A projection for the next six months is given as a dashed line. This projection is based on the present condition of the lake basin and anticipated future weather. The shaded area shows a range of possible levels over the next six months dependent upon weather variations. Current and projected levels (solid and dashed lines) can be compared with the 1918-2021 average levels (dotted line) and extreme levels (shown as bars with their year of occurrence). The legend below further identifies the information on the hydrographs.
Lake Michigan-Huron is 7 inches higher than it was at this time last year.
Compared to last month:
Lake Superior: Same
Lake Michigan-Huron: Down 2″
Lake St. Clair: Down 2″
Lake Erie: Down 2″
Lake Ontario: Down 5″
Compared to last year:
Lake Superior: Up 1″
Lake Michigan-Huron: Up 7″
Lake St. Clair: Up 6″
Lake Erie: Up 5″
Lake Ontario: Up 17″
Long-Term September Averages: Most of the lakes remain above their long-term September averages (Michigan-Huron +2″, St. Clair +7″, Erie +7″, Ontario +19″), though well below record highs. Lake Superior is currently 2″ below its long-term September average.
One-Month Forecast: Lake Superior levels are projected to stay the same. Levels on Lake Michigan-Huron (-2″), St. Clair (-5″), Erie (-5″), and Ontario (-9″) are expected to decline.
Lake Superior’s outflow through the St. Marys River, Lake Michigan-Huron’s outflow through the St. Clair River, and Lake St. Clair’s outflow through the Detroit River are projected to be near average in September. Lake Erie’s outflow through the Niagara River and Lake Ontario’s outflow through the St. Lawrence River are projected to be above average in September.
This report below shows the most recent month of precipitation and outflows published by Level News:
With regard to the forecast graph below (and the more recently updated first graph in this report), the USACE predicts that Lake Michigan-Huron levels will likely drop from August through January.
Monthly mean water levels for the previous year and the current year to date are shown as a solid line on the hydrographs. A projection for the next six months is given as a dashed line. This projection is based on the present condition of the lake basin and anticipated future weather. The shaded area shows a range of possible levels over the next six months dependent upon weather variations. Current and projected levels (solid and dashed lines) can be compared with the 1918-2021 average levels (dotted line) and extreme levels (shown as bars with their year of occurrence). The legend below further identifies the information on the hydrographs.
The 2026 Carling municipal election is coming up, and a new website is available to help residents get informed and vote. Get Out the Vote Carling provides information about the candidates, their responses to the same questions, and practical information about how to vote — including important dates, voter registration and PIN information. Carling is using internet and telephone voting this year, with voting open from October 14 until 8:00 p.m. on October 26. The site is a volunteer initiative, is not affiliated with the Township of Carling, and does not endorse any candidates. Visit Get Out the Vote Carling For official election information, including voter registration and voting procedures, visit the Township of Carling election page.
Labour Day Long Weekend coming up, please note the following Waste Site hours: Saturday, September 5th • Carling Waste Site: Open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. • Killbear Waste Site: Open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, September 6th • Carling Waste Site: Closed • Killbear Waste Site: Open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday, September 7th • Carling Waste Site: Open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. • Killbear Waste Site: Closed
Lake Michigan-Huron is 6 inches higher than it was at this time last year.
Compared to last month:
Lake Superior: Up 1″
Lake Michigan-Huron: Down 1″
Lake St. Clair: Down 3″
Lake Erie: Down 2″
Lake Ontario: Down 2″
Compared to last year:
Lake Superior: Same
Lake Michigan-Huron: Up 6″
Lake St. Clair: Up 2″
Lake Erie: Up 1″
Lake Ontario: Up 17″
Long-Term August Averages: Most of the lakes remain above their long-term August averages (Michigan-Huron +1″, St. Clair +5″, Erie +5″, Ontario +16″), though well below record highs. Lake Superior is currently 2″ below its long-term August average.
One-Month Forecast: Lake Superior levels are projected to stay the same. Levels on Lake Michigan-Huron (-2″), St. Clair (-3″), Erie (-4″), and Ontario (-8″) are expected to decline.
Lake Superior’s outflow through the St. Marys River is projected to be near average in August. Lake Michigan-Huron’s outflow through the St. Clair River and Lake St. Clair’s outflow through the Detroit River are projected to be near average, and Lake Erie’s outflow through the Niagara River and Lake Ontario’s outflow through the St. Lawrence River are projected to be above average in August.
This report below shows the most recent month of precipitation and outflows published by Level News:
With regard to the forecast graph below (and the more recently updated first graph in this report), the USACE predicts that Lake Michigan-Huron levels will likely drop from August through January.
Monthly mean water levels for the previous year and the current year to date are shown as a solid line on the hydrographs. A projection for the next six months is given as a dashed line. This projection is based on the present condition of the lake basin and anticipated future weather. The shaded area shows a range of possible levels over the next six months dependent upon weather variations. Current and projected levels (solid and dashed lines) can be compared with the 1918-2021 average levels (dotted line) and extreme levels (shown as bars with their year of occurrence). The legend below further identifies the information on the hydrographs.
A few stray drops of fuel or a splash of soapy water off the deck might not seem like much on its own, but when hundreds of boats share the same waterways, the cumulative impact builds. A minor fuel spill creates a surprisingly large slick that can starve marine life of oxygen and persist in shoreline sediments. Household cleaners containing phosphates and ammonia can wash off hulls into sheltered bays, altering water chemistry and fueling harmful algal blooms. Because this stress lands directly in the waters where we swim, dock, and fish, simple tweaks to how we maintain our boats can make a noticeable difference.
What is the Clean Marine Program?
Developed in 1995 by Boating Ontario, the Clean Marine Eco-Rating Program is a voluntary framework for marinas, yacht clubs, and marine dealers to follow best environmental practices to reduce and prevent water, air and land pollution associated with recreational boating activities. Since the program’s inception, over 300 businesses have participated.
How it Works
Participating marinas undergo an independent, 220-point assessment (evaluating things like spill prevention, hazardous waste disposal, emergency response, and site runoff management). Facilities earn ratings from Bronze to Diamond Elite based on their audit performance. Marinas complete annual self-assessments and undergo formal re-audits every four years to retain their certification.
When you see the Clean Marine Flag flying at a dock, it serves as your assurance that the facility operates under world-class environmental management standards. Over 40 marinas around Georgian Bay meet these high standards.
Habits for Greener Boating
While certified marinas manage ground runoff and commercial waste, preventing direct water contamination requires conscious choices aboard your vessel.
Drip-Free Refueling & Bilge Care:
Avoid overfilling your fuel tank—always leave 10% room for fuel expansion in the summer heat
Hold a fuel-absorbent collar or pad around the nozzle while filling to catch stray drips before they reach the basin
Place an oil-absorbent pad or “bilge sock” in your bilge to trap fuel, oil, and hydraulic fluid before automatic bilge pumps discharge water overboard
Eco-Friendly Products & Waste Management:
Switch to marine-safe, biodegradeable soaps and avoid conventional cleaners with phosphates, ammonia, or chlorine
Swap single-use food storage for reusable silicone bags, glass containers, or beeswax wraps and secure garbage and recycling containers with tight lids so light plastics don’t blow overboard
Take used engine oil, filters, batteries, and leftover paint to designated hazardous waste collection areas at your local marina
Always empty holding tanks at designated marina pump-out stations rather than discharging into open water
When winterizing engines and freshwater lines, choose non-toxic, USP-grade propylene glycol (pink antifreeze) over toxic ethylene glycol so spring startup doesn’t flush toxins into the water
Respect Shorelines and Wildlife
Observe posted speed limits and reduce your wake near shallow bays, marshes, and natural shorelines to prevent bank erosion and protect waterfowl nesting grounds
Choose sandy or muddy bottoms when dropping anchor rather than dragging ground tackle through fragile aquatic vegetation or fish spawning beds
Consider adding flexible solar panels to charge onboard house batteries or run small electronics, reducing engine idling and generator fuel use
Clean, Drain and Dry
Before transporting your vessel between water bodies clean all aquatic plants and mud off your hull, trailer, and gear, drain bilges, livewells, and bait buckets on dry land to prevent transferring invasive species between waterways
Get tips safe refuelling tips here and read more about Boating Ontario’s Clean Marine Program here.
