character that brought people here in the first place. Mayor Jamie McGarvey describes Parry Sound as a community with a rare balance. “People are able to live in a community where they have the urban amenities—shopping, services—while also being located on Georgian Bay with its scenic backdrop of islands,” he says. Add to that the inland lakes beyond town, and the result is a place that attracts a wide spectrum of residents, from retirees to young families, as well as visitors looking for the Georgian Bay experience. Position matters too. Parry Sound sits between Sudbury and Toronto, offering access in both directions for work, family, and specialized services. That connectivity, paired with a growing residential mix that includes apartments, seniors living, and condominiums, has become increasingly important as the town’s population and housing needs diversify. REMOTE WORK ADDS A NEW LAYER OF DEMAND A defining trend shaping Parry Sound’s current growth is remote work.As more professionals decouple their careers from major urban centres, Parry Sound has become the kind of community they actively seek: close enough to the Greater Toronto Area to maintain ties, far enough to feel like a true lifestyle shift. Crucially, the town’s internet services have supported that transition. With multiple providers and strong connectivity, remote workers can live in Parry Sound without sacrificing productivity. That strength has also opened the door to a new type of downtown business: flexible workspace and meeting services. One standout example is Parry Sound Corporate Corner, created to support remote professionals who occasionally need boardroom space, soundproof offices, or administrative services. The concept is simple and powerful: provide an environment where professionals can host meetings, bring colleagues into a shared space, and access support services without driving to Toronto or elsewhere. In a community that includes residents living farther out in rural areas where connectivity may be weaker, the ability to “come into town” for reliable workspace adds real day-to-day utility. DOWNTOWN REINVESTMENT AND A RENEWED STRATEGY Parry Sound’s downtown remains a key focus—both as the heart of local commerce and as the place where community energy is most visible. Recent momentum is being reinforced through business attraction, local programming, and direct investment in the public realm. 155 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 07, ISSUE 01 PARRY SOUND, ON
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