• In Saugeen Shores, the Grey Bruce Health Unit (GBHU) is the municipality’s lead agency in terms of managing a local infectious disease outbreak.
• The Town will provide regular updates to the community via our website and social media platforms regarding Town services and programming.
• If you need assistance during the pandemic, the United Way encourages you to submit a request to TheDo.ca. As well, you can call 211 to find resources and local services in our area. 
• During a pandemic it is not uncommon to struggle with mental health. There is support available through Grey Bruce Public Health and The Canadian Mental Health Association.

We know many are eager to receive their COVID-19 vaccine. The Grey Bruce Health Unit is leading the vaccination rollout in our area. For about vaccines including who is currently eligible and how to book appointments, visit Grey Bruce Health Unit's Vaccine Information page.

The Town of Saugeen Shores cannot book COVID-19 vaccination appointments.

•  Know the facts. Follow direction from the Grey Bruce Health Unit to know the signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
• Call Telehealth Ontario toll-free at: 1-866-797-0000 or visit the GBHU website for information on how to care for the ill, infection prevention and control, self-treatment and when and where to seek medical attention.
• Follow Public Health’s direction to use infection control practices such as hand washing, covering your cough and sneeze, and staying home when you’re sick to reduce the spread of the virus.
• Wear a mask or non-medical face covering inside commercial establishments as well as in situations where physical distancing (staying 2 m apart) is difficult to maintain.
• Organizations and businesses should be preparing their own plans and policies to ensure business continuity in the event an infectious disease outbreak is declared locally.

Saugeen Shores’ small and locally owned businesses are woven into the fabric of our Town. To help support businesses during these challenging times, we’ve assembled a Saugeen Shores Strong page with information on how the community can help.

The Mayor’s Task Force on Economic Recovery is currently underway, working to support businesses in our community. Read more about recovery efforts happening in Saugeen Shores. The Mayor chairs the group and members will include representatives from each industry in the community, elected officials, regional and provincial government representatives, and employment/labour market specialists.

Essential business hotline

For any businesses in Saugeen Shores unsure of whether they are deemed essential by the Province of Ontario, the Stop the Spread hotline is available to answer these questions. Anyone with questions or concerns can call the province’s Stop the Spread hotline at 1-888-444-3659 or Saugeen Shores Police Services at 519-832-2500.

Facilities and amenities

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in consultation with public health officials, the Town of Saugeen Shores may close or make adjustments to operations at recreational and leisure facilities. 

Due to the provincial emergency break shutdown, municipal facilities and amenities closed to the public include:

• Municipal Office (600 Tomlinson Dr, Port Elgin)
• Public Works facilities (339 Concession 6, Port Elgin and 429 Peel St., Southampton)
• Saugeen Shores Fire Department (612 Emma St., Port Elgin and 50 Victoria St. S, Southampton)
• Saugeen Shores Police Service (1240 MacKenzie Rd., Port Elgin)
• Centennial Pool
• The Plex and Rotary Hall
• Southampton Coliseum
• Community halls and meeting rooms (i.e. Rotary Hall, Green Room, Southampton Town Hall auditorium)
• Southampton Curling Club
• Port Elgin and Southampton Visitor Centres

Outdoor amenities

Parks, trails and waterfront remain open. This includes playgrounds, the skate park, and dog park. Please abide by the provincial legislation and public health guidelines when using these outdoor amenities. Expanded year-round washrooms and garbage collection remain in place. Additional seasonal garbage cans will roll-out beginning mid-April. Seasonal washrooms will open ahead of the May long weekend.

Indoor recreation amenities

The Centennial Pool, Saugeen Shores Community Complex (The Plex) and the Southampton Coliseum are closed. All programs, activities and rentals in these facilities are cancelled or postponed until further notice.

Outdoor recreation amenities

Outdoor recreational facilities such as ball diamonds, soccer fields and the skate park are open but team sports can not be practiced or played.

Tourist Camps, Harbours and Airport

The Port Elgin and Southampton Tourist Camps, Harbours and Airport continue to be closed to the public for the off-season. Staff are currently working hard to prepare these facilities for opening this Spring and continue to monitor COVID-19 related legislation.

The public is reminded that visits to the Tourist camps during the off-season are by appointment only and must comply with the Stay-at-Home order. Staff will continue to monitor the facility and will reach out to trailer owners if there are any immediate concerns.

While the Harbours are currently closed for the season, the boat launch remains open and available for use provided it complies with the Stay-at-Home order.

The Port Elgin Airport is currently preparing for a Spring opening, which would be done under compliance with the Stay-at-Home order.

Further updates on these facilities will be provided as new information becomes available.

Recreation programs and activities

• Swimming lessons and registered aquatic programs: Programs will be paused until further notice with a plan to resume following the shut-down if possible. Anyone who wishes to withdraw will receive a refund for remaining classes.

• Recreational swimming and skating: All activities are cancelled. Anyone already registered will receive a credit on their account. Credits will be processed beginning April 6.

• Ball hockey: Staff are monitoring the situation and will notify participants of any changes or cancellations closer to the program's start date of May 6, 2021.

Refunds will be processed starting the week of April 6 as required. To request a refund email recreation@saugeenshores.ca or call 519-832-2008 x131

Clean Sweep Week

The Town has made the decision to cancel Clean Sweep Week which would normally take place at outdoor Town facilities this time of year. If you would like to assist in cleaning up litter in our community, please consider taking a garbage bag and appropriate protective equipment with you while out exercising or using outdoor recreation amenities as allowed by the Stay-at-Home order.

Building services

Building permits

• Accepted electronically by applying online at ca.cloudpermit.com. If you require assistance, please contact us by emailing Building Services
    or calling 519-832-2008 x118.
• Payment of building permit application fees will not be required at time of application.

 Building inspections

• Mandatory building inspections will continue for open building permits.

 Other services

• Other services will be conducted online or by telephone: Email Building Services or call
  
  519-832-2008 x118. Please leave a message and we will return your call.
• Plans for any new structure, addition or renovation must be approved. A Building Permit is your formal permission to start construction or demolition.
• For more information, please visit our Building and Renovating page.

Council meetings

Garbage and recycling

Curbside collection

• Curbside garbage and recycling collection will continue as scheduled.
• All curbside garbage must have a bag tag on it in order for it to be collected.

Landfill

Residents are welcome to bring their household garbage during normal operating hours Saturdays from 9:00 am to 3:45 pm and Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9:00 am to 4:45 pm.

Physical distancing measures will remain in place and payment is by debit tap only.

Recycling is currently not available at the Landfill site for blue box items.  Film Plastic, Styrofoam and cardboard recycling depots remain open. 

For more information, visit our Garbage, Recycling and Compost page.

 Infrastructure and Development (Public Works)

Services requiring payment

A list of applicable services are:

• Moving Permit
• Road Occupancy Permit  
• Water meter repair/replacement
• Curbstop (water service) turn on/off 
• Bulk Water (Fill Station) Permit
• Site Plan Applications

• Municipal Consents (email trevor.robinson@saugeenshores.ca)

• Engineering Review Fees

Cemetery plot sales and burial costs

• These can be done via phone at 519-832-2008 x130 or email the Cemetery Operator.  
• For after hours service, contact at 519-385-2885 or or email the Cemetery Operator.

Permits

• All permits requiring a site inspection will be scheduled via phone calls when staff are able.
• For questions specific to these, call 519-2008 x130 or email Public Works.

Services not available at this time:

• Pool Filling Permit
• Sandpoint Permit
• Hydrant use Permit

• Green Cone and Composter sales

Lottery Licence, Marriage Licence, Burial Permit, or Commissioner of Oath

Paying your bills

Property Taxes

For questions about your account, please email us

• Available payment methods:
  • Internet/telephone banking – Use your 19-digit roll number when you log into your online banking
  • Pre-Authorized Payment - Sign up for our Monthly or Due Date payment plans
  • Town drop-box - Drop off a cheque or cash payment, along with your billing stub, at the drop-box located outside the main doors of the Municipal Office at the Plex (600 Tomlinson Drive, Port Elgin)
  • Mail - You can mail your cheque or post-dated cheque, along with your billing stub, to:
    Town of Saugeen Shores, P.O. Box 820, Port Elgin, ON N0H 2C0
• Tax Certificates will be accepted by email request. There is a fee of or $55.61 per roll number or $71.23 if required within 48 hours.

Water and Sewer Billing

For questions about your account, please email us

• Available payment methods:
  • Internet/telephone banking – Use your 7 digit account number when you log into your online banking
  • Pre-Authorized Payment - Sign up for our Monthly or Due Date payment plans
  • Town drop-box - Drop off a cheque or cash payment, along with your billing stub, at the drop-box located outside the main doors of the Municipal Office at the Plex (600 Tomlinson Drive, Port Elgin)
  • Mail - You can mail your cheque or post-dated cheque, along with your billing stub, to: Town of Saugeen Shores, P.O. Box 820, Port Elgin, ON N0H 2C0
  • Final water meter read requests and Water Certificate requests will be accepted by email. There is a fee of $55.61 or $71.23 if required within 48 hours for water certificates.