Couchiching Conservancy Passport to Nature: Paddle Parry on The Black River
2022-07-16 10:00 UTC
Click link below for event details and registration.

Couchiching Conservancy Passport to Nature: Walk on the Wild Side (Summer Challenge)
2022-08-01 - 2022-08-31

RAMA POWWOW 2022
2022-08-27 - 2022-08-28
The Rama Powwow is one of the biggest and best powwows in Ontario. All are welcome!
August 27-28 2022
Held at John Snake Memorial Community Multipurpose Grounds, 6030 Rama Road Rama First Nation, ON.
Cost is $10/day $15/weekend pass; free for kids under 12, seniors, handicapped, or veterans. No pre-registration or advance tickets necessary – pay at gate.
First Grand Entry is Saturday August 27 at 12PM; evening session begins at 630PM. Sunday Grand Entry August 28 at 12:30PM. Gates open around 10AM

Check out the Rama Powwow Facebook page here and RSVP on the Facebook event here.

Couchiching Conservancy Passport to Nature: Musical Mystery Tour
2022-08-27 18:00

Nomination Day: Last day to submit nominations for the 2022 Municipal Election
2022-08-29 09:00 - 14:00
Nomination papers are ONLY accepted from 9 am until 2 pm on this day. Visit https://www.orillia.ca/en/city-hall/elections.aspx for more details.

Mayoral Candidate Debate
2022-09-21 19:00 | St. Paul’s Centre, 62 Peter Street N, Orillia
Join to hear candidates Don McIsaac, Mason Ainsworth, and John Maxwell share their vision for the future of The City of Orillia. Moderated by Ted Reece. Free admission, no reserved seating.

Sustainable Orillia Urban Planning Walks
2022-09-24 10:00 - 15:00
“The Good, the Bad and The Ugly” – Join Sustainable Orillia this Saturday at Orillia’s Waterfront Centre for one of 3 guided urban planning walks. 10AM; Noon; and, 2PM. Pre-register on Eventbrite – link below

Sustainable Orillia Path to Net Zero Conference
2022-09-25 13:00 - 17:00 | St. Paul’s Centre, 62 Peter Street N, Orillia
Sustainable Orillia would like to invite you to attend their “Path to Net Zero” Conference this Sunday from 1-6 pm at St. Paul’s Centre! It’s an opportunity to meet with like-minded citizens, elected officials and folks who are running for municipal office this fall. This community conference will touch upon the climate change action plan (Orillia’s Climate Future) as well as discuss the uplifting film 2040. The event will allow for community members to provide input on how we can ensure a sustainable future and achieve net zero not only for ourselves, but for our children and generations to come. Event is free of charge

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Orange Shirt Day Walk
2022-09-30 16:00
Join us as we remember the history of residential schools, Honour the victims and celebrate the survivors.
Starting at 4PM at the Orillia Opera House, walking down Mississauga St to Matchedash St North to Tecumseth Street, meeting at the Biindigen Pavilion.
Social gathering with refreshments, stories, drumming, craft and dancing.
Everyone is welcome
Any questions email Lisa at Indigenousppe@rogers.com
Hosted by Orillia Native Womens Group, Biminaawzogin Regional Aboriginal Women’s Circle (BRAWC), and Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin.

RALLY: Get Out the Vote to Stop Sprawl Orillia
2022-10-14 16:00 | Orillia City Hall, 50 Andrew Street S, Orillia
SAVE THE DATE: Stop Sprawl Orillia is so excited to announce that we are holding the BIGGEST RALLY OF THE YEAR – Get Out the Vote to Stop Sprawl Orillia! Friday October 14th at 4pm outside of Orillia City Hall! There is a Municipal Election on October 24th and it is imperative that we elect a council with strong democratic values that prioritizes an affordable and sustainable future for all of us.

This rally aims to raise awareness about the need for youth and other underrepresented groups to participate in our democracy – and to elect leaders that are serious about working together to address the challenges facing our community. This is a GET OUT THE VOTE RALLY. Please reach out to those in your workplace, neighbourhood, sports team – wherever you may be and speak to them about the issues and this election. Not all politicians are the same – and all votes matter – especially in municipal politics. Organize a vote mob on election day – plan to vote with five friends and make a day of it.

Stopping sprawl isn’t just about protecting farmland, wetlands and forests we rely on – it’s about re-envisioning how our city grows in order to ensure that we have affordable and accessible housing, sustainable neighbourhoods, and a community that meets the needs of all our residents. We can’t leave it up to a few big developers and politicians to decide our future for us – we can shape our future together by getting involved in the decisions that matter to us. The people we elect to council for the next four years will play an instrumental role in representing us at the decision making table and will make decisions that will shape Orillia for generations to come. Let’s choose wisely!

Confirmed speakers at the rally include Mark Bisset (Couchiching Conservancy), Bob Bowles (Master Naturalist/Educator), Margaret Prophet (Simcoe County Greenbelt Coalition), Paige Jacobczak (Couchiching Jubilee House & Simcoe County Alliance to End Homelessness), and Jacob Kearey-Moreland (local Farmer/Educator). More to come!

The Green Orillia Candidate Questionnaire responses and other voter resources will also be shared at the rally.
RSVP on the Facebook event – link below.

Note: the construction on the west side of the building means we will be gathering near the southern entrance.

Orillia Municipal Election!
2022-10-24 10:00 - 20:00
Voting locations:
Ward 1: Masonic building, 24 James St. E.
Ward 2: Orillia Recreation Centre, 255 West St. S.
Ward 3: Rotary Place, 100 University Ave.
Ward 4: Patrick Fogarty Catholic Secondary School, 15 Commerce Rd.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Roundtable
2022-11-30 17:00 - 18:30
The City of Orillia is looking to support the establishment of a body that can act as a sounding board for Council and the community on matters related to equity, diversity and inclusion. Join us for an update on the results of the research completed and consultation with stakeholder and community members held earlier in 2022, and how you can get involved moving forward: Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 5pm at the Orillia Public Library (Program Room, first floor). For details, visit https://www.orillia.ca/en/living-here/culture-heritage.aspx

Simcoe North Unites To Protect the Greenbelt
2022-12-02 12:00 - 14:30
Like a growing number of Ontarians, residents across Simcoe North are rightly concerned about Bill 23 and Greenbelt cuts. This legislation won’t support the affordable housing we need, but will rip up the Greenbelt, limit local democracy, pave over wetlands and promote costly sprawl. Simcoe North residents are teaming up to have our voices heard this Friday, December 2nd at “Simcoe North Unites to Protect the Greenbelt”.
The event will feature simultaneous pop-up rallies at MPP Jill Dunlop offices in Orillia (575 West St. S) and Midland (320 King St.) from noon until 1pm. From there Simcoe North will unite in Coldwater (on the corner of Coldwater Rd. and Michael Anna Dr.) at 1:30pm.
Jill Dunlop campaigned in 2018 for protecting the Greenbelt and she proudly stood up to Doug Ford to back down on his plan to open it for development. From 2018:
When Marshall’s time came to question Dunlop, he brought up Ford’s previous plan to open up parts of Ontario’s Greenbelt to development. Marshall wanted to know how the PCs would protect green space in Simcoe County.
Ford abandoned that plan, Dunlop replied.
“Myself and other candidates spoke up in favour of not touching that land,” she said. “Yes, (Ford) did change his mind and I don’t see anything wrong with that.”
(Full article here, or see this video for a portion of the debate, where MPP Dunlop goes on about how important our environment/farmland is).
Now MPP Dunlop is silent, absent, and complicit in the face of greenbelt development. MPP Dunlop is not responding to her constituents, so we are looking all around the riding to find her and share our concerns. From Orillia and Midland to Coldwater – we hope you’ll join us.
Please RSVP on the Facebook event here.
If you cannot make the rally, please reach out to MPP Jill Dunlop with your concerns. Email: jill.dunlopco@pc.ola.org, Phone: (705) 326-3246.

Oro Moraine Talk with Susan Walmer
2023-02-26 13:00 - 15:30 | Jarratt Community Hall, 837 Horseshoe Valley Rd E, Oro-Medonte
Guest speaker Susan Walmer, CEO of the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust, will speak about the Oak Ridges Moraine & the Oro Moraine. Hosted by Save the Oro Moraine.

10th Annual Seedy Saturday
2023-04-01 09:00 - 13:00 | Orillia Public Library, 36 Mississaga St W, Orillia, Ontario, L3V 3A6, Canada
Come one, come all! The 10TH ANNUAL Orillia Seedy Saturday is happening on Saturday April 1st from 9am-1pm at the Orillia Farmer’s Market (Inside the Orillia Public Library: 50 Andrew St. South). The event is being hosted by Green Orillia & Orillia Community Gardens, in partnership with the Orillia Public Library and the Orillia Farmer’s Market. After a three year pandemic-hiatus, we are sow excited to be back to celebrate a decade of seed sharing, exchanging, and celebrating!

Seedy Saturday is a local event where local farmers and gardeners connect to buy, trade and share open pollinated, organic, heritage seeds. All are welcome!

This is also a special year as we’re celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Orillia Public Library’s Seed Library. Orillia Community Gardens and the Orillia Public Library partnered in the spring of 2013 to launch this ever growing public collection of seeds integrated within the public library system, schools and community gardens. An effort to gather, organize and freely share seeds and knowledge to realize seed and food sovereignty and promote diversity.
RSVP on the Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/601196901475344

Earth Day Community Garbage Cleanup
2023-04-22 10:00
SO EXCITED FOR OUR 2023 EARTH DAY COMMUNITY GARBAGE CLEANUP!

Spring is the season of new beginnings, but as snow melts it uncovers garbage and debris. With Earth Day coming up, we thought it the perfect time for a community clean up! All are welcome!

We will meet at Couchiching Beach Park, on the grass in front of the Jarvis St. parking lot. You will find our Green Orillia table there. We will have a community discussion, take a group photo, identify high-priority clean up areas, and then split off into groups to clean up!

Be sure to share and spread the word! See you there!

National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls & Two-Spirt People
2023-05-05 06:00 - 10:00 | Rama First Nation

Couchiching Conservancy Youth Cleanup and Nature Walk
2023-05-07 12:00 - 14:00
Couchiching Conservancy Youth Cleanup and Nature Walk
Where? Scout Valley – Forest Home Park Entrance, where the ball hockey rink is (995 Memorial Ave.)
Who? Youth aged 10-19 (if under 10 years old, must be accompanied by guardian)
When? Sunday, May 7th at noon
What? Guided nature walk along the trail followed by a garbage cleanup. Supplies will be provided. Volunteer hours are available for high school students!
Questions? Contact at 705-326-1620 or alysha@couchconservancy.ca

Ward 3 Town Hall
2023-05-08 18:00 - 20:00 | Lakehead University, 500 University Ave, Orillia, Ontario, L3V 0B9, Canada
Councillors Jeff Czetwerzuk and Jay Fallis invite you to join them at a ward meeting to discuss issues affecting Ward 3 and the City of Orillia. Happening at Lakehead University on May 8th from 6 to 8pm. This meeting is available virtually as well. To attend either in person or virtually, please register here. This ward meeting is held in partnership with the Lakehead University Student Union. Light refreshments will be provided.
If you are not sure which ward you live in, please refer to the Ward Map.

High Street Garden Opening Day
2023-05-21 09:00 - 12:00 | High Street Community Garden, 433 Gill Street (behind Brian Orser Arena)
Check out the community garden, find out how to get involved, reserve a plot! Join at 433 Gill Street N. (behind Brian Orser Arena)

Hospital Privatization Referendum
2023-05-26 - 2023-05-27
Vote online or see polling stations near you.

Laugh for Lake Simcoe Comedy Show Fundraiser
2023-05-26 18:30
The Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition is tickled to invite Lake lovers and comedy fans to its second annual Laugh For Lake Simcoe comedy event, on Friday, May 26th. This year audiences will be treated to three of Canada’s favourite comedians: Martha Chaves, Rob Bebeneck, and Jon Steinberg. Join for a night of fun in support of The Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition. The Coalition’s ongoing activities include education and raising awareness of Lake Simcoe’s health, and advocating for sustainable solutions at all levels of government. Read more and get your tickets here

Paso Por Paso Annual Fundraising Plant Sale
2023-05-27 08:00 - 12:00 | 136 Peter Street North, 136 Peter Street North, Orillia, Ontario, Canada
There will be a large selection of perennial plants including hostas.
All proceeds from this sale go towards supporting women and children in Guatemala through Paso Por Paso’s infrastructure, microcredit, education and sponsorship programs.
Cash and debit/credit will be accepted.

Oro-Medonte Horticultural Society Plant Sale
2023-05-27 10:00 | Oro Fairgrounds, 15th/16th Sideroad & Line 7 North, Oro-Medonte, Ontario, L0L 2E0, Canada
Locally grown, hardy, and reasonably priced perennials, hostas, grasses, herbs, ground covers and native plants. Cash, credit and debit cards accepted. 2023 memberships are available at the sale.

Jane’s Walk in Orillia - An Urban Planning Walk
2023-05-27 10:00 - 14:00
Sustainable Orillia and OPPI (Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI)will join to present another engaging walk-and-learn opportunity in Orillia on Saturday May 27 at both 10 am and 2 pm. Each walk will focus on the West Ridge development and community.
“Jane’s Walk in Orillia” is presented in honour of renowned urban planner Jane Jacobs (1916-2006).
Jane Jacobs was an urbanist and activist whose writings championed a fresh, community-based approach to city-building. She had no formal training as a planner, yet her 1961 book, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, introduced ground-breaking ideas about how cities function, evolve and fail – ideas that now seem like common sense to generations of architects, planners, politicians and activists.
“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody,” wrote Jacobs in The Death and Life of Great American Cities, “only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.”
The 90-minute, 2 km. walks will be led by David Parks, Director of Planning at the Township of Severn, and Kristin Pechkovsky, Leadership Team Chair of Lakeland District OPPI and Senior Policy Advisor for the County of Simcoe.
Participants will meet at the parking lot behind Taco Bell (705 University Avenue). They will explore different residential activities, commercial activities, green space, walkable areas and traffic safety. The tag-team hosts will provide interesting opinions and insights on this development and ideas on what to look for in the future.
“Come and explore the good, the bad, and the ugly of the residential, commercial, recreational and education aspects of West Ridge in Orillia.,” said David Parks, “The West Ridge Community is a fast-moving development that has brought major retail to the area with some mixed use residential concepts and lots of traffic.
Register today for one of these interesting walks for all of us interested in the quality of living here in Orillia. Saturday, May 27th … at either 10:00 a.m. or 2:00. See you there.

Rally: Stop the War on the Poor!
2023-05-31 18:45 | Barrie City Hall, 70 Collier Street, Barrie, Ontario, Canada
Barrie City Council recently unanimously passed a “Motion Without Notice” that will have far reaching harmful impact on not only our most disenfranchised citizens, but even people and agencies who try to help out.
If you’ve ever tossed some change to someone panhandling, bought an unhoused person a meal, or given someone water on a hot day, this affects you too!
Join us at this rally on May 31st outside City Hall to let council know that the actions in this motion are harmful, and using a loophole to skip around our democratic process is unacceptable!
STOP THE WAR ON THE POOR!
OUR KINDNESS WILL NOT BE CRIMINALIZED!

This rally is being organized by the Barrie Homelessness and Housing Justice Network

Ward 4 Meeting
2023-05-31 19:00 - 21:00 | St. Paul’s Centre, 62 Peter Street N, Orillia
Councillors Janet-Lynne Durnford and Tim Lauer invite you to join them at a ward meeting to discuss issues affecting Ward 4 and the City of Orillia. Registration is not required.

When: May 31, 2023 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Where: St. Paul’s United Church (62 Peter St. N.)

For more information, please contact Councillor Durnford at jdurnford@orillia.ca or Councillor Lauer at tlauer@orillia.ca.

Gathering: Festival of First Nations Stories
2023-06-01 - 2023-06-04 | Rama First Nation
Gathering is a free literary festival featuring First Nations stories and writers. Two ticketed concerts, one featuring Tom Wilson and one featuring Tomson Highway, are also part of this event.
All information about the event can be found here: https://www.artsorillia.ca/gathering2023.

Orillia Grandmothers to Grandmothers Plant and Yard Sale
2023-06-03 08:00 - 12:00 | 145 Cedar Street, Orillia, Ontario, Canada
Perennials, hostas, ladies’ mantle, sedums, ferns, ground covers, rhubarb
Also offering jewelry and quilting fabric
All proceeds from this sale go to the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign – a part of the Stephen Lewis Foundation supporting African grandmothers raising their orphaned grandchildren.

Enough is Enough Day of Action
2023-06-03 12:30 - 13:30 | Jill Dunlop’s Office, 575 West Street South, Orillia, Ontario, Canada
Join us June 3rd as we participate in the OFL province wide #enoughisenough rally to protect public services, demand affordable gas, groceries and housing, fair wages for all and protect our environment
Sponsored by the North Simcoe and Muskoka District Labour Council
