Southampton Cultural Heritage Conservancy

06/12/2026

OPEN HOUSE ON THE COMMUNITY PLANNING PERMIT SYSTEM (CPPS)-- 24 JUNE 2026, 6:30 p.m., Power Link building, Port Elgin

The Town of Saugeen Shores will hold a “Statutory Public Open House” on June 24, 6:30 p.m. at the Power Link bldg., Port Elgin, to share information and to receive public comments on the draft Community Planning Permit By-law and a related Amendment to the Town of Saugeen Shores Official Plan.
One area that has generated significant community discussion is the proposed CPPS planning permissions for portions of Albert Street South in Southampton. During the March 31 Virtual Public Meeting, the project consultant described the proposed changes for Albert Street South as potentially "the most radical change" being considered within the CPPS, and he specifically requested public feedback.
EXACT QUOTES FROM CONSULTANT RENE BIBERSTEIN re Albert St S follow, with video times indicated:
45:07: “It's a bit of a big change from what's there right now.” … “offer these as a set of permissions to these land owners.”
1:44:37: “The Albert Street section of Southampton I would say … is the most radical change.”
1:44:43: “So again, I think in my mind that was sort of the part that I was the least certain about.”
1:44:48: “So I'd like to hear from people.”
1:44:54: “You have this sort of condition along Albert Street where you have houses, you know, on large properties. Um some of them have other uses. You know, there's the pub and so forth using, you know, some of those house buildings.”
1:45:13: “So thinking about using that sort of stretch for some kind of intensification to allow, you know, larger scale commercial buildings sort of along the scale of … Goderich Street and Port Elgin.”
1:45:32: “I would say out of everything that's proposed here that's sort of the most radical change from what exists now.”
To view the virtual meeting at which the above remarks were made, click here: Virtual Mgt March 31, 2026 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbOvguseW7Q

To read the consultants’ summary of public comments received at the March 31 virtual meeting, in their "What We Heard Report" --click here: https://engage.saugeenshores.ca/download_file/1065/591

Updated drafts of the Bylaw and Official Plan Amendment will be posted on June 17, 2026, for public review on the Town’s project page; this is prior to the Open House on June 24, on this page: https://engage.saugeenshores.ca/CPPS
If you are unable to attend the Open House, you may submit written comments to the Mayor and Council via the Town Clerk at: [email protected]
On July 13, 2026 there will be a Public Meeting prior to the Saugeen Shores Council meeting. Residents will have an further opportunity to present opinions and concerns re the CPPS directly to Council. Individuals may speak for up to five minutes without advance notice.

05/26/2026

Proposed Community Planning Permit System (CPPS) Threatens Heritage Streetscapes and Small Town Character in Southampton, "The Oldest Port on the Bruce"

Southampton’s High St and downtown core, including some residential streets, are facing dramatic changes if the controversial proposed Community Planning Permit System (CPPS) is approved by Saugeen Shores Council.
At the virtual meeting held on March 31st with the consulting team, many objections were raised (future posts on this FB page will present a range of issues discussed -- stay tuned).
In the photos, we provide an AI rendering of an example drawn from the consultants' images of "What to Build," illustrating a four-storey building between the Southampton Post Office and Logan's on High St.
We will notify FB followers when the CPPS will be coming before Saugeen Shores Council for consideration at a "public meeting" at which community members will be permitted to speak for 5 minutes and/or submit comments in writing.
We encourage readers to share this post with others. Thank you.

05/11/2026

Ne’bwaakaah giizwed ziibi - THE RIVER MOUTH SPEAKS: Sacred Land Returned to Saugeen First Nation:
On May 5, 2026 ceremonies to honour a sacred First Nations site were held—during sunrise a sacred fire was lit at the James Mason Centre, followed by a visit to what is known to the public as 6 South Rankin St. (on the land side of “Scubby’s Point”) with discussions about the site at the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre. Saugeen First Nations also hosted a public gathering at the James Mason Centre at which the significance of the land at 6 South Rankin St. which has been returned to Saugeen First Nation, was explained.
In 2010, as excavations for sewers commenced on the road by 6 South Rankin, Indigenous artifacts were found in abundance. Works ceased while Saugeen Ojibway Nation held ceremonies and protocols for those artifacts, many of which could be found in a joint exhibition by the museum and SON: Ne’bwaakaah giizwed ziibi - The River Mouth Speaks. The mouth of any river provides nourishment—and love—for all life, and this is especially so for the mouth of the Saugeen.
6 South Rankin was purchased by a numbered company, but in November 2022, that company and an individual were, “….charged with disturbing a registered archaeological site at 6 South Rankin Street, Southampton, under s. 48(1) of the Ontario Heritage Act. An additional charge was laid under s. 8(1) of the Ontario Building Code for demolishing a building without a permit” according to a joint statement from Saugeen First Nation and the Ontario Court of Justice. The site is home to thousands of artifacts.
The company pleaded guilty, and the solution for all parties was that the land and $30,000 towards its protection, would be donated to Saugeen First Nation, while $3,500 was paid as a fine for the contravention of the Heritage Act. Because of the guilty plea, charges under the Ontario Building Code were dropped.
SCHC recognizes the sacred nature of this site and others, and that the return of the land is an understanding of the responsibility non-Indigenous people have to reconcile the past. We are filled with gratitude to Saugeen Ojibway Nation as they have welcomed us with a generosity of spirit to their traditional territories. SCHC has reached out to Indigenous knowledge-keepers as we hope they will share their knowledge concerning Ne’bwaakaah giizwed ziibi in a public event this summer.
Post by Laura Robinson (Southampton)

05/11/2026

Ne’bwaakaah giizwed ziibi - THE RIVER MOUTH SPEAKS: Sacred Land Returned to Saugeen First Nation: Sacred Land Returned to Saugeen First Nation:
On May 5, 2026 ceremonies to honour a sacred First Nations site were held—during sunrise a sacred fire was lit at the James Mason Centre, followed by a visit to what is known to the public as 6 South Rankin St. (on the land side of “Scubby’s Point”) with discussions about the site at the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre. Saugeen First Nations also hosted a public gathering at the James Mason Centre at which the significance of the land at 6 South Rankin St. which has been returned to Saugeen First Nation, was explained.
In 2010, as excavations for sewers commenced on the road by 6 South Rankin, Indigenous artifacts were found in abundance. Works ceased while Saugeen Ojibway Nation held ceremonies and protocols for those artifacts, many of which could be found in a joint exhibition by the museum and SON: Ne’bwaakaah giizwed ziibi - The River Mouth Speaks. The mouth of any river provides nourishment—and love—for all life, and this is especially so for the mouth of the Saugeen.
6 South Rankin was purchased by a numbered company, but in November 2022, that company and an individual were, “….charged with disturbing a registered archaeological site at 6 South Rankin Street, Southampton, under s. 48(1) of the Ontario Heritage Act. An additional charge was laid under s. 8(1) of the Ontario Building Code for demolishing a building without a permit” according to a joint statement from Saugeen First Nation and the Ontario Court of Justice. The site is home to thousands of artifacts.
The company pleaded guilty, and the solution for all parties was that the land and $30,000 towards its protection, would be donated to Saugeen First Nation, while $3,500 was paid as a fine for the contravention of the Heritage Act. Because of the guilty plea, charges under the Ontario Building Code were dropped.
SCHC recognizes the sacred nature of this site and others, and that the return of the land is an understanding of the responsibility non-Indigenous people have to reconcile the past. We are filled with gratitude to Saugeen Ojibway Nation as they have welcomed us with a generosity of spirit to their traditional territories. SCHC has reached out to Indigenous knowledge-keepers as we hope they will share their knowledge concerning Ne’bwaakaah giizwed ziibi in a public event this summer.
Post by Laura Robinson (Southampton)

For more information:

03/30/2026

"Community Planning Permit System" -- Virtual Public Meeting on March 31 -- 6:30 to 8:30 pm
The Town of Saugeen Shores is identifying Downtown Southampton as "suitable for higher-density housing and mixed land uses" under a proposed Community Planning Permit (CPP) By-law which would replace the current Zoning By-Law. To find out more, please register for the Virtual Public Meeting here: www.engage.saugeenshores.ca/CPPS

12/29/2025

"The Chantry Way" -- Music Video by the Marine Heritage Society

Click on this link to view more:

The Chantry Way celebrates volunteerism and community spirit in Saugeen Shores, Ontario, featuring efforts of the nonprofit Marine Heritage Society (MHS) and...

10/19/2025

🎖️ Billy Bishop Goes to War 🎖️
The award-winning Canadian musical, comedy, and drama that’s brought audiences leaping to their feet!

📅 November 8th, 2025 at 7:30 PM
📍 Bruce County Playhouse - Southampton Town Hall
🎟️ Tickets available @ brucecountyplayhouse.com

Join Matt John Evans and Michael Mulrooney for this powerful, two-man tribute to Canada’s WWI flying ace — Billy Bishop of Owen Sound. A soaring mix of humour, heroism, and heart, this Governor General’s Award–winning show is a must-see!

10/19/2025

10/04/2025

SHORELINE ARTISTS EXHIBITION AT THE SOUTHAMPTON ARTS CENTRE, OCTOBER 2025
Several members of the Shoreline Artists group exhibited works in a juried exhibition that opened on October 4th and will run until October 25, 2025, at the Southampton Arts Centre. Many people attended the “meet and greet” opening today, at which artists shared information and answered questions about their art works on display.

09/30/2025

NATIONAL DAY OF TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION CEREMONY at Zgaa-biig-ni-gan Bridge, Southampton, Sept. 30, 2025
On a perfect fall day, a large crowd gathered on Zgaa-biig-ni-gan Bridge today for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Sept. 30, 2025.