The Future of Gravenhurst
Vote October 16, 2026
Grounded in Community. Focused on the Future.
My professional reputation has been built around helping organizations work better and reach their fullest potential. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on bringing people together, improving systems, and helping communities and organizations move forward in practical, productive and meaningful ways.
I’ve brought that same approach to supporting the lives of my friends and neighbours here in Gravenhurst.
Our community is growing, and with growth comes responsibility. Responsibility to the Gravenhurst we love while planning thoughtfully for the future and embracing fresh possibilities.
The decisions we make today will shape the kind of community future generations inherit tomorrow.
We need to act now and plant the seeds for Gravenhurst’s future. I’m looking for you, the community builders to join the campaign.
Let’s dare to set the bar high for a change. I’m running. Run with me.
A Record of Experience and Service to Gravenhurst, Muskoka, and our Lake Associations.
- Business Development Executive with a long career history of business growth, productivity, planning and bringing people together to overcome challenges and maximize potential.
- Certificate Governance from the Institute of Corporate Directors and the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, Executive Programs.
- At the table with the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment and Indigenous Leaders. I am your voice. An ally for our water, clean lakes and waterways. MLA please note.
- Booster for the Gravenhurst Health Hub and Save the South Muskoka Hospital Committee volunteers.
- Advocate for our Lake Associations and the delicate health of our lakes. Attended Friends of the Muskoka Watershed AGMs.
- Volunteer President of the Ryde Community Co-op for three years, serving the well being of the community with programs and services benefitting all ages. Powered by volunteers.
- Food Insecurity Support during Covid 19 for Gravenhurst and Indigenous communities across Parry Sound and Muskoka. Strong collaboration with Feed It Forward.
- Board Member Legacy for Alex supporting funding for Youth Mental Health Support such as Alex’s House, Gravenhurst High School (Go Gryphons!), and MindAid Muskoka.
- Attended “Every” Town Council and Committee Meeting for a Year. Well known to the Town of Gravenhurst and the District of Muskoka Mayors, Staff and Management. Then I met with the Mayors of Muskoka. I created my own University of Gravenhurst. It’s all more than familiar to me.
- Gravenhurst Against Poverty volunteer three years. Forever a booster.
- Gravenhurst Winter Carnival Committee. Great weekend for the Gravenhurst local business economy!
- Community Influencer. Supporting, acknowledging and sharing the news and stories of outstanding people, organizations, events and local culture. Celebrating the Community and Business builders.
What matters for Gravenhurst? What’s the platform?
1. Emergency Preparedness
With weather events and fires increasing in severity, we have experienced 3 “one hundred year flood events” in only 15 years. We have to ensure we’re ready for disasters we have never experienced before. Lets relook at that plan.
2. Economic Development and Revitalization
After a tough market, the Downtown is regaining vitality one business at a time, and with outside businesses expressing interest. Kick starts include, the BIA (Business Improvement Area) poised for a resurgence and to be “hugely” more business inclusive area. The CIP (Community Improvement Program) is also active with dollar for dollar grants. On a larger scale, must go out and proactively engage the best potential employers that can contribute to year round jobs as a compliment to our strong seasonal economy, while giving the Wharf and our iconic steamships the attention they deserve.
3. Excellence in Service with Strong Tax Stewardship
The Town works best when all it’s parts are working together. That the Council’s agenda supports seasonal and full time residence, business and development, services and infrastructure/roads, the arts and culture, budgeting and strong tax stewardship. A strong Council and Town Staff are agile multitaskers.
4. Public Health, Safety and Well Being
The Rotary Club of Gravenhurst launched an initiative to address the 6,000 residence of Gravenhurst without Primary Care. Soon after, the Town of Gravenhurst, the District of Muskoka and many more generous donors joined in and it’s happening. Public attention remains on saving the (Bracegridge) South Muskoka Hospital. We must reduce risks associated with having only one acute care hospital in Huntsville. The conversation continues through the SSMH.ca committee and the public’s persistent voice.
5. With Growth Comes Responsibility
I believe that the District’s forecasted growth in population will be exceeded. While the 55+ citizens moves up to 55% by 2051. Even a with few hundred units of affordable housing to be added to the District soon, it was forecasted. by the District, that homelessness will still increase by 15%. We need to be bold for our veterans, seniors and working families. Lack of affordable housing has also been known to affect attracting healthcare professionals like nurses and nurse practitioners. The **affordable housing head line is on rewind every term.
What else could there be?
The Development of the old Regional Centre is a massive property in Gravenhurst on Lake Muskoka. It was owned by the Province (we had no say in the sale of the land) and is in the hands of a developer. As per the developers plans, it will be the largest development that Gravenhurst and Muskoka has ever seen. You have concerns over the potential impact on our precious waters, the environment and pressures on our infrastructure.
With the best laid plans and forecasts, there are twists and turns. We need a council that can be agile and energized to meet our needs with more growth heading our way.
The District of Muskoka’s permanent population is projected to reach approximately 99,100 residents by 2051. Driven largely by migration from elsewhere in Ontario.
A strong united council will collaborate with the Town of Gravenhurst, the District of Muskoka, MP and MPP. This, with strong tax stewardship and diligent planning are essential for our future.
When you vote, I will appreciate your support. We are understandably troubled by apathy. Still I am hopeful that people will be wanting change in Gravenhurst leadership enough to have the biggest turn out at the polls we might have ever had in a long time.
I’m grateful for your interest. Please vote.
in service, Marc Mantha
Mayoral Candidate for the Town of Gravenhurst and the District Municipality of Muskoka.
Vote October 16, 2026
(Note, as Mayor of Gravenhurst, I will sit on two Councils. First, as Mayor of Gravenhurst. Second, the Mayors of Muskoka also sit as Councillors for the District Municipality of Muskoka.)
**The planned District of Muskoka housing project on First Street in Gravenhurst is not the standard definition of affordable housing. “Transitional housing” is designed to provide temporary, stable, homes for persons in crisis with critical community support, and assist to transition to affordable housing. We are not aware of any affordable housing projects in Gravenhurst that would support transitions.
Copyright 2026 Marc Mantha