The Township of Lake of Bays has released its new draft Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) bylaw for public review and input.
According to officials, the bylaw details the municipality’s plan to implement a four per cent tax on overnight accommodations, including hotels, motels, and short-term rentals. It was developed using feedback from public consultation and recommendations from an advisory group, which included local accommodation providers.
Officials said the MAT Task Force, formed earlier this year, met throughout the summer and provided recommendations based on feedback from accommodation providers and 179 survey responses from the public.
Under provincial regulations, at least 50 per cent of tax revenues must be directed towards tourism promotion and development. The task force is recommending the establishment of an independent, Lake of Bays-specific non-profit Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) to manage those funds and develop a tourism strategy that ensures transparency and guides the long-term use of MAT revenues.
Officials said if approved, the new DMO will be led by a board of local accommodators and tourism representatives, ensuring that local tourism operators have a direct voice in setting spending priorities.
“By creating a Lake of Bays tourism organization led by local operators, we’re keeping decisions close to home. This way, the funds collected for tourism promotion will be in the hands of the people who know this area and its tourism needs best,” said Morgan Lonsdale, Economic Development Officer, Township of Lake of Bays. “We’ve worked closely with our community to shape this updated draft and are grateful to everyone who got involved.”
Council is scheduled to review the draft program at its meeting on October 14 and may approve its implementation.
Officials said if approved, the collection of the MAT program would begin in January of 2026.
The deadline for the public to review the draft bylaw and submit comments is 4 p.m. on Oct. 13.
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