Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations (IRNR) is responsible for Setting Lake and other northern cottage areas that are located outside of municipalities and parks. The department manages SLCOA’s cottage levy trust fund.

IRNR plans to make changes to its northern cottage areas program. As part of this process, the department has launched the Cottage Administration Modernization Project (CAMP).

The department plans to improve local cottage area governance, to streamline cottage area service delivery, to make its cottage area cost recovery system fair and efficient, and to ensure its cottage area program is effective and sustainable. The changes could affect all of us.

IRNR has advised Setting Lake cottage owners and SLCOA that it will review and address differences in taxes and/or levies from one cottage area to another, inconsistent levels of service delivery from one cottage area to another, and lack of a compliance mechanism for cottage area administration fees. The department is consulting with cottage owners, associations, and businesses; other government departments; and other provinces. It expects the changes will be implemented next summer.

It’s important that each of us has a say about the proposed changes. Please take a few minutes to complete IRNR’s online survey at https://engagemb.ca/cottage-administration-modernization-project. The survey runs until next Wednesday, August 24, 2022.

If you missed our July AGM, here’s what you need to know to make an informed response.

• The Province of Manitoba does not deliver any services to Setting Lake’s community. All services are provided by SLCOA volunteers and local contractors.

• IRNR’s only function is to only collects the annual levy and administer the trust fund.

• Your most recent IRNR invoice is for $546.50. The invoice does not show that there are two separate charges.  $500 is SLCOA’s annual levy, voted on and approved by our members for road and landfill maintenance, fire protection, and capital improvements. $46.50 is IRNR’s fee for administering the trust fund.

Please contact me at president@settinglake.ca if you have questions or concerns.

Jose Correia

President

Setting Lake Cottage Owners Association Inc.