Friday Harbour Requests Exemption from Noise By-law

Friday Harbour is a resort destination located in a somewhat remote location off of Big Bay Point Road, under the jurisdiction of the town of Innisfil with the slogan “Everyday Feels Like Friday”. Although the community is classified as a year-round resort, Friday Harbour is home to residents who call the place home. While some residents may wish every day was Friday, some have nine to five jobs that are being hindered by noise from guests who visit Friday Harbour for respite.

During a recent Innisfil City Council meeting, Friday Harbour requested an exemption from the town of Innisfil’s noise by-law. The exemption would allow them more freedom to throw parties and events throughout the year as they welcome guests, a main source of economic prosperity to the area. However, the town of Innisfil has gotten many complaints about the noise from residents of Friday Harbour due to these events.

Mayor Dollin shared concerns, “How do we assure these complaints get acted on quickly and effectively because what I was hearing in all those correspondence is ‘well I complained and nothing happened.”

Friday Harbour asks for this exemption every year, but due to the recent complaints, they were given some modifications to consider for their recent request, with outdoor amplified noise being limited to Friday and Saturday from 6 pm to 10 pm from May 17 to August 31 with no amplified outdoor noise on any other days including holidays.

Friday Harbour asked for a deferral for the exemption decision on April 24 to fully assess the impacts of these modifications due to the effect it will have on their summer programming, and the ability for them to engage with citizens of the town, so they may understand the reasons for the modifications.

The motion to defer was carried 8 to 1.