May 6, 2021

Attention Residents and Visitors:

The COVID 19 pandemic has created unique challenges for the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation (CGFN). Our First Nation has been faced with unforeseen budgetary, service, and operational setbacks.

To date, CGFN has taken the following steps to address the safety and well-being of the First Nation, while maintaining ferry boat transportation:

• Hired IVBC (Island View Business Centre) security to limit tourism of the First Nation
• Monitored unnecessary overflow and high-risk visitation to the First Nation
• Enacted health and safety protocols as recommended by Health Authorities
• Given Captains/ crews authority to operate unscheduled trips
• Authorized transportation and security staff to work overtime
• Stopped all trailers, storage containers, and mobile homes from accessing the Aazhaawe

 

The CGFN does not have the operational capacity to offer ferry transportation to all visitors.

To ensure the health and wellness of our First Nation, while maintaining the services our residents require, we will be instituting a traffic control policy. This policy’s purpose is to ensure the residents of CGIFN (both permanent and temporary) have appropriate access to the First Nation.

Effective May 14th, 2021, CGIFN ferry will limit lease holders to two vehicles for the entirety of the peak season (May 24-Labour Day weekend). Lease holders will be required to submit vehicle information (Make model/License plate) to ensure they are in compliance with the traffic control policy.

Any questions and concerns can be forwarded to:  reg.info@georginaisland.com
There will be further communications about this policy in the upcoming weeks. In the meantime, please make necessary arrangements.

 

 

April 12, 2021

Notice to Georgina Island Leaseholders

COVID Restrictions Remain in Effect – Ferry Boat Restricted to Leaseholders and Immediate Family Only

Spring has arrived on Georgina Island, and Chief and Council are pleased to announce that the ferry boat has resumed its regular schedule. The ferry schedule is available on the web site www.georginaisland.com from a link on the transportation page.

While we are happy to welcome leaseholders and their immediate families back to their cottages, we would like to remind everyone to continue to practice public health measures to reduce the spread of the virus. COVID-19 cases, including variant cases, are once again increasing, and Ontario has issued a province-wide stay-at-home order. The Ontario Science Table has found that the variants are now dominant and lead to 62% higher risk of hospitalization, 114% higher risk of ICU and 40% higher risk of death. Everyone is asked to continue to wear masks in indoor settings other than your home (including after vaccination), to avoid indoor contact with those outside your household, to remain on your property when on the island, and to only go out for essential reasons. We would also ask cottagers to limit the frequency trips between their cottage and their permanent residence or other urban locations.

Similar to last summer, the ferry boat will be restricted to leaseholders and their immediate family. Leaseholders will be required to show proof of their lease and identification. Photos of documents on your phone are acceptable. Staff will continue to inspect vehicles and walk-on passengers prior to loading onto the ferry. There is a maximum of two vehicles per cottage.

Ferry boat passes must be purchased at the Gas Shack prior to loading the ferry. Crew cannot accept cash on the ferry boat.

Chief and Council will continue to monitor the situation together with our Emergency Task Force.  Thank you for your cooperation and for helping to keep our community safe from the virus.

Sincerely,
Chief Donna BigCanoe