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FROM/DE: Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment DATE: January 22, 2025

OPP Snowmobile Patrol Provide a Did You Know (DYK) For Young Riders and Parents

(MIDLAND,ON) - Members of the Southern Georgian Bay OPP detachment snowmobile patrol unit stop and many hundreds of snowmobiles and speak with the drivers throughout the snow covered sections of North Simcoe every year. Officers ask many questions of the sled operators but they too ask back a lot of questions about the rules and regulations of being out on the trails.

Today's on the trail question was, how old does a person need to be or what licence is required to operate a snowmobile across a roadway or highway?

A view online at the following link https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90m44 provides the following and ultimately the answer.

One must look at the definitions. A "highway" includes a common and public highway, street, avenue, parkway, driveway, square, place, bridge, viaduct or trestle, designed and intended for, or used by, the general public for the passage of vehicles.

Every road that we have in our area is defined under this act as a Highway.

"serviced roadway" means the part of highway that is improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular traffic, and includes the ploughed portion of the shoulder, and, where a highway includes two or more separate serviced roadways, the term "serviced roadway" refers to any one serviced roadway separately and not to all of the serviced roadways collectively;

Serviced roadways are highways.

Driving along highway

9 (1) Subject to subsection (2), no person shall drive a motorized snow vehicle along a highway unless,

(a) the person has attained the full age of sixteen years; and

(b) the person holds a driver's licence; or

(c) the person holds a motorized snow vehicle operator's licence; or

(d) the person is a resident of any other province, country or state and holds a licence issued by such province, country or state which authorizes the person to drive a motorized snow vehicle. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.44, s. 9 (1).

Driving across highway

(2) No person shall drive a motorized snow vehicle across a highway unless,

(a) the person has attained the full age of sixteen years; and

(b) the person holds a driver's licence, a motorized snow vehicle operator's licence or is a resident of any other province, country or state and holds a licence issued by such province, country or state which authorizes the person to drive a motorized snow vehicle. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.44, s. 9 (2).

Driving on trails

(3) No person shall drive a motorized snow vehicle upon a trail unless,

(a) the person has obtained the full age of twelve years; and

(b) the person holds a driver's licence, a motorized snow vehicle operator's licence or is a resident of any other province, country or state and holds a licence issued by such province, country or state which authorizes the person to drive a motorized snow vehicle. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.44, s. 9 (3).

The answer is a person who has attained the age of 12 years and who holds an issued Ontario Snowmobile licence can drive on an OFSC trail but must have a driver who has attained the age of 16 years and possesses an Ontario Snowmobile Licence can lawfully drive the snowmobile across or along a roadway/highway as defined by the Motorized Snow Vehicle Act (MSVA).

An operator with an Ontario Drivers Licence or equivalent class G!, G2 better can drive a snowmobile across or on a roadway/highway.

With a balance between rider education and enforcement in mind, officers deal with issues found on the trails on a daily basis under some extreme weather conditions and welcome your cooperation on the many trails here in North Simcoe

Snowmobiling is a wonderful sport for most family members to enjoy the great outdoors, but sadly we have to attend incidents involving snowmobiles being operated by persons who are suspected of being impaired, or operating carelessly and are tasked with an investigation that will have long lasting effects on all involved, victims and emergency services personnel.

Ride in control and to the trail conditions
Obey the posted speed limit.
Never, ever drive impaired
No Ice is Safe Ice
Snowmobilers planning to head out on the OFSC trail system this weekend would be well advised to check on the following website link to ensure the trail is open for use - Snowmobiling Ontario

It also goes without saying that it is still early in the cold weather winter season for local ice conditions to be up to expectations for ice surface travel by foot or by machine. Always remember that, "No Ice Is Safe Ice" and to check the ice surface or inquire with local residents, ice hut operators, weather stations or any other reliable source before heading out and possibly going through into the frigid waters below. Ultimately, you may be risking your life, the lives of others possibly with you and that of emergency service responders tasked to rescue you, or worse to locate and remove you from the lake.

All drivers /riders/operators should be aware that the O.P.P. R.I.D.E. program checks are conducted 24/7 all year long. The OPP remains committed to taking alcohol/drug-impaired drivers off our roads & trails through enforcement and public education so riders can expect to see OPP officers on the trail system during day time & night time hours. Also, it can be expected that uniform road patrol officers will be conducting Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (R.I.D.E.) programs at trail heads. The Detachment also works with area safety partners such as MADD Canada, Arrive Alive, The North Simcoe Safe and Sober Awareness Committee and area snowmobile clubs, Georgian Bay Snow Riders (GBSR) and the Baxter Snow Riders (BSR) and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC).

The sport of snowmobiling has many associated inherent risks, dangers and hazards caused by the changing terrain & environment, your machine, and others on their machines to name a few. To help reduce these risks, riders are reminded to always check the Interactive Trail Guide before heading on the trails and wear all of the required safety equipment including floater suits if travelling on frozen water surfaces. It is highly recommended to have a fully charged cell phone with you, let a family member know where your heading to and a return time, load a location app on your cell phone such as What3Words and/or the Interactive Trail Guide and remember that "No Ice Is Safe Ice" . Self rescue maybe your only way out for reasons depicted in the following link - https://twitter.com/OPP_News/status/1342817627077488641

OPP Snowmobile Patrol Have Been Hitting the Trail to Help Keep Riders Safe

Riders on the local Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) trails over the last week have felt the presence of the OPP Snowmobile patrol made up of members of the Southern Georgian Bay OPP detachment..

Officers on sleds logged over 70 hours of patrol checking over 400 snowmobilers for equipment, required licences, registration and trail passes where applicable. Officers also conducted eight separate reduce impaired driving everywhere (R.I.D.E.) programs checking snowmobilers for signs of impairment in an effort to maintain trail safety.

With rider education and balance of enforcement in mind, officers dealt with issues found on the trails as follows.
32 riders were warned with a variety of Motorized Snow Vehicle Act (MSVA) offences which were predominantly failing to have a valid ownership permit on their snowmobile.
One rider charged with speeding, five riders charged with riding without a trail pass, two riders charged for not having a valid machine registration permit.

Unfortunately, officers have been tasked along with area Fire and Paramedic Services to attend three snowmobile crashes, all of which resulted in injuries ranging from a ride with paramedics to the hospital for treatment of a broken bone to a flight to a Toronto trauma hospital for treatment serious injuries. Because of these crashes and similar incidents that may follow this weekend, we state the following.
Snowmobiling is a wonderful sport for most family members to enjoy the great outdoors, but sadly we have to attend incidents involving snowmobiles being operated by persons who are suspected of being impaired, or operating carelessly and are tasked with an investigation that will have long lasting effects on all involved, victims and emergency services personnel.

Ride in control and to the trail conditions
Obey the posted speed limit.
Never, ever drive impaired
No Ice is Safe Ice

Snowmobilers planning to head out on the OFSC trail system this weekend would be well advised to check on the following website link to ensure the trail is open for use - Snowmobiling Ontario

It also goes without saying that it is still early in the cold weather winter season for local ice conditions to be up to expectations for ice surface travel by foot or by machine. Always remember that, "No Ice Is Safe Ice" and to check the ice surface or inquire with local residents, ice hut operators, weather stations or any other reliable source before heading out and possibly going through into the frigid waters below. Ultimately, you may be risking your life, the lives of others possibly with you and that of emergency service responders tasked to rescue you, or worse to locate and remove you from the lake.

All drivers /riders/operators should be aware that the O.P.P. R.I.D.E. program checks are conducted 24/7 all year long. The OPP remains committed to taking alcohol/drug-impaired drivers off our roads & trails through enforcement and public education so riders can expect to see OPP officers on the trail system during day time & night time hours. Also, it can be expected that uniform road patrol officers will be conducting Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (R.I.D.E.) programs at trail heads. The Detachment also works with area safety partners such as MADD Canada, Arrive Alive, The North Simcoe Safe and Sober Awareness Committee and area snowmobile clubs, @Georgian Bay Snow Riders (GBSR) and the Baxter Snow Riders (BSR) and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC).

The sport of snowmobiling has many associated inherent risks, dangers and hazards caused by the changing terrain & environment, your machine, and others on their machines to name a few. To help reduce these risks, riders are reminded to always check the Interactive Trail Guide before heading on the trails and wear all of the required safety equipment including floater suits if travelling on frozen water surfaces. It is highly recommended to have a fully charged cell phone with you, let a family member know where your heading to and a return time, load a location app on your cell phone such as What3Words and/or the Interactive Trail Guide and remember that "No Ice Is Safe Ice" . Self rescue maybe your only way out for reasons depicted in the following link - https://twitter.com/OPP_News/status/1342817627077488641
#NeverDriveImpaired #SGBOPP

OPP Seeking Assistance Robbery Investigation at Midland Fuel Station

UPDATE 1 - Suspect Arrested

At approximately 3:00 p.m. January 9, 2025 with the assistance of the public and through police investigation, a 28 year old male of Midland was arrested by members of the Crime Unit attached to the Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment and charged criminally with the offence of Robbery with Theft. in relation to this investigation.

The accused was released from custody to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on February 20, 2025.

Investigators wish to thank those community members who assisted in this investigation #E250019887.

January 7, 2025
Investigators from the Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment are seeking assistance from the public in their investigation of a robbery at a Simcoe County Road 93, Midland fuel station..
The OPP Communication Centre received an initial complaint on January 6, 2025, at approximately 2:54 a.m. from a staff member of the Ultramar Gas Station reporting an unknown male entered the store and threatened the lone clerk with a weapon hidden under his coat. The suspect fled the scene on foot with cash from the cash register along with some packages of cigarettes.
Suspect is described as being a male wearing a black and gray plaid jacket, red toque with white accents, red scruffy beard and fingerless gloves. See attached photographs
Anyone who may have information or surveillance footage about this property crime (OPP Incident # E250019887) is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122, opp.southern.georgian.bay@opp.ca or by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit your anonymous information online at https://ontariocrimestoppers.ca/submit-a-tip/submit-a-tip. You can follow Crime Stoppers of Simcoe Dufferin Muskoka www.crimestopperssdm.com on X or Facebook.

The Canadian Coast Guard Vessel "Griffon" is back in town. All ice surface users please stay clear of Midland Bay while she clears an area for the M.V. Whitefish Bay to come in aside the ADM wharf in the very near future.
No Ice Is Safe Ice!

OPP and Canadian Coast Guard Advise of Ice Breaking Activities in Midland Bay and Its Approaches Today

The Southern Georgian Bay OPP detachment in conjunction with the Canadian Coast Guard wish to make all ice surface users aware of the following ice breaking activities that should occur on the afternoon of January 7, 2025.

This ice breaking activity is being conducted for the safe arrival of the grain ship M.V. Whitefish Bay who is expected to arrive and moor at the Archer - Daniels - Midland (ADM) wharf in Midland in the very near future.

Please see the below noted media release from Canadian Coast Guard
Icebreaking near Midland, Ontario

January 3, 2025 Sarnia, Ontario Canadian Coast Guard

The Canadian Coast Guard advises residents of Midland, in Ontario that the CCGS Griffon will carry out icebreaking operations in the Georgian Bay area on or around January 7, 2025. The purpose of this operation is to break up the ice to allow commercial vessels safe and efficient movement.

It is recommended that all traffic on the ice, including pedestrians, fishers, snowmobilers, and all-terrain vehicle operators, leave the ice during icebreaking operations. The ice may move, creating a real danger for anyone on it. Additionally, plan activities carefully and use extreme caution after operations are complete as the ice will remain unstable even once the icebreaker has left the area.

Icebreaking on the Great Lakes and connecting waterways is delivered through close co-operation between the Canadian and United States Coast Guards. By working together, the two Coast Guards ensure scheduled vessel traffic can move through the shipping channels and in and out of community harbor's. Vessels will be assigned as needed to provide this service.

The date and assets are subject to change with no notice, as activities could begin before or after that period, depending on operational requirements or weather conditions.

The sport of snowmobiling has many associated inherent risks, dangers and hazards caused by the changing terrain & environment, your machine, and others on their machines to name a few. To help reduce these risks, riders are reminded to always check the Interactive Trail Guide before heading on the trails and wear all of the required safety equipment including floater suits if travelling on frozen water surfaces.

It is highly recommended to have a fully charged cell phone with you, let a family member know where your heading to and a return time, load a location app on your cell phone such as What3Words and/or the Interactive Trail Guide and remember that "No Ice Is Safe Ice" .
Self rescue maybe your only way out for reasons depicted in the following link - https://twitter.com/OPP_News/status/1342817627077488641