Centre Wellington Economic Development and Tourism Municipal Services Corporation

The Township of Centre Wellington has created a new corporation to deliver Economic Development and Tourism services to the community. The Centre Wellington Economic Development and Tourism Municipal Services Corporation (EDTMSC) is a Township-owned, non-profit organization created to deliver economic development and tourism services in a focused, accountable, and strategic way, while maintaining full public oversight by Township Council.

What is The Centre Wellington Economic Development and Tourism Municipal Services Corporation?

The Centre Wellington Economic Development and Tourism Municipal Services Corporation (EDTMSC) is a non-profit corporation that is 100% owned by the Township of Centre Wellington. It was created by Township Council to deliver economic development and tourism services on behalf of the Township through a dedicated and accountable organization.

The EDTMSC is a separate legal entity, however the Township remains the sole owner. The Board of Directors of the EDTMSC is accountable to Township Council. This structure allows services to be delivered in a focused and business-oriented way while ensuring strong public oversight and alignment with Council’s strategic priorities.

Why was the Economic Development and Tourism Municipal Services Corporation created?

The EDTMSC was established to:

Bring economic development and tourism services together under one organization
Increase capacity and focus on job creation, business growth, and tourism management
Implement the Council approved Economic Development and Tourism Strategy
Meet provincial requirements related to the implementation of a Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT)
Provide a flexible, efficient delivery model while maintaining municipal accountability.

What does the Economic Development and Tourism Municipal Services Corporation do?

Economic Development

The EDTMSC supports the local economy by:

Supporting business attraction, retention, and expansion
Encouraging new investment and job creation
Supporting downtowns and other key economic areas
Building partnerships that strenthen the local economy
Implementing Council-approved economic development strategies and initiatives

Tourism

The EDTMSC is responsible for tourism management and development, including:

Acting as the Township's Eligible Tourism Entity
Managing Centre Wellington as a tourism destination with a focus on regenerative tourism
Developing and delivering tourism strategies and programs
Working with regional and provincial partners to grow tourism

How is the Economic Development and Tourism Municipal Services Corporation governed?

The EDTMSC is governed by a skills-based Board of Directors appointed by Township Council. The Board includes:

The Mayor and one Councillor as voting members
Five community members appointed as voting members based on skills and experience
The Township CAO and Treasurer as non-voting members

The Board of Directors provides strategic direction and oversight, while day-to-day operations are managed by the EDTMSC staff (i.e. Executive Director).

A Sole Member’s Declaration approved by Council sets out the Township’s ownership, authority, financial controls, reporting requirements, and decision-making limits to ensure transparency and accountability.

How does the Economic Development and Tourism Municipal Services Corporation work with the Township?

Although the EDTMSC is a separate corporation:

Staff remain Township employees, ensuring an effective and efficient operation
The Township provides administrative, financial, human resources, IT, communications and other support
Services are delivered through a formal Administrative Services Agreement
The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and has an administrative and operating reporting relationship to the Township CAO.

This shared-services model ensures efficiency, consistency, and strong public accountability.

How is the Centre Wellington Economic Development and Tourism Municipal Services Corporation funded?

The EDTMSC is funded through Council-approved sources. While still in development and subject to Council approval, funding sources could include:

A minimum 50% share of Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) revenues
Potential allocations from Township parking revenue and Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) funds
Property tax funding as required
Sponsorship and donation revenue
Other funding approved by Council

All MAT funding directed to the EDTMSC is governed by a MAT Financial Accountability Agreement and must be used exclusively for eligible tourism purposes. Township Council will approve the EDTMSC budget annually.

How will the Economic Develoment and Tourism Municipal Services Corporation be held accountable?

The EDTMSC is required to:

Prepare a Township Council approved four-year Strategic Plan
Submit annual business plans and budgets for Township Council approval
Provide regular reports to Council
Produce audited financial statements using the Township's auditor
Operate transparently and in compliance with provincial legislation

Council Reports

Economic Development and Tourism Municipal Service Corporation Update - March 23, 2026

Municipal Accommodation Tax Implementation Update - September, 2025

Municipal Accommodation Tax Implementation Plan - April, 2025

EDTMSC Board of Directors:

Voting Members

Mayor Shawn Watters

Mayor Shawn Watters brings extensive experience as a Landscape Architect, with a career focused on designing communities and delivering projects such as parks, streetscapes, trail networks, open spaces, commercial and residential developments, restaurants, golf courses, music festivals, and climate mitigation initiatives. His professional and political experience reflects a strong commitment to leadership, collaboration, and long-term vision.

Having served five terms on Council and now serving as Mayor of Centre Wellington, Shawn is dedicated to working with Council, staff, and the community to achieve shared goals through meaningful dialogue and informed decision-making.

Councillor Kim Jefferson

Kim Jefferson grew up on a farm north of Fergus in West Garafraxa, and has now lived with her family in Elora, Ward 2, for the past 15 years.

Opening her retail store, Joanie's Gifts and Stained Glass Supplies, in 2001 in Downtown Fergus, Kim has been involved with many local events including organizing Twilight in Templin Gardens. In addition to being the Chair of the Fergus BIA, for several years, she sat on the Community Services and Economic Development Taskforce Groups at the Township.

Kim actively volunteers in the Whitewater Community with her family and has a wide variety of interests that help her in her position on Council.

Councillor Jefferson serves on the following external committees:

Elora BIA

Groves Memorial Community Hospital Board

Skylar Hammond

Skylar Hammond is the Communications Lead at the Future Cities Institute (FCI) at the University of Waterloo, a research institute focused on housing, infrastructure, mobility, and urban modelling. He founded FCI's communications department and leads its communication strategy, staff, and tools, using storytelling to connect researchers, stakeholders, and the public.

Previously VP of Digital Marketing at Pearl Street Communications, where clients included the City of Guelph, Dairy Farmers of Ontario, and Suncor, he earlier founded Hammond Marketing, serving over 1,000 clients in more than 40 countries, including Range Rover and the University of Cambridge. His book of micro-fiction was adapted by TVO into a children's TV series, for which he was head writer for two seasons, reaching over 2 million Canadians.

Skylar mentors with Big Brothers Big Sisters Centre Wellington, holds a Master of Business Law (LL.M) and a Bachelor of Law (LL. B), and lives in Elora, where he can often be found cycling Centre Wellington's trails.

Michael Ryan

Michael is an entrepreneur, business owner, and former full-time farmer. Growing up in Grey County, Michael and his family farmed until 2019 when he moved to Fergus and purchased a local business.

Michael has been an active community member serving on agricultural boards and various committees in Grey, Bruce, Simcoe and Wellington County. As a passionate rural advocate Michael believes that for businesses to thrive communities need to thrive.

Donald Fisher

Retired Lawyer with over 30 years' experience as in house counsel to City of Kitchener, Regional Municipality if Waterloo and City of Hamilton. Specialized in municipal law and planning and development law. Former Councillor, Ward 1, Centre Wellington Township. Former Chair, Centre Wellington Healthy Growth Advisory Committee. Former member of Board of Directors of Kindle Communities (Guelph). Current member of Board of Directors, Centre Wellington Community Foundation.

Don and Anthea are long-time residents of downtown Elora and this year sponsored one of the pieces of art for the Elora Sculpture Project. Don's extended family also calls Centre Wellington Home.

Jocelyn Maurice

Jocelyn Maurice is a transformational hospitality and operations leader with over 20 years of experience driving multi-site strategy, brand elevation, and operational turnarounds across high-end restaurants and boutique luxury hotels. Currently serving as Managing Partner at Elora Mill (and formerly COO and Director of Operations for Pearle Hospitality), Jocelyn excels at translating big-picture vision into seamless, all-season guest experiences.

Her career features a strong track record of success with premier hospitality brands, including leadership roles with Oliver & Bonacini Hospitality overseeing iconic venues such as Auberge du Pommier and Canoe. Grounded in collaborative change management, financial acumen and authentic place-based tourism, Jocelyn's contributions at Elora Mill actively support local economic development while helping position Elora and Centre Wellington as a world-class destination.

Outside of work, Jocelyn is deeply invested in all the community has to offer – enjoying hikes with her weiner dog, kayaking the Grand, taking part in local events and enjoys cooking and hosting friends and family. In her early years, she backpacked around the world and her travel bug is as strong as ever - when she isn't enjoying life in Centre Wellington, she loves traveling to explore new hospitality destinations across all continents.

Bob Cameron

Bob was born and raised in Centre Wellington. The first half of his career was in the consumer package goods industry, first with Proctor and Gamble and then 17 years with PepsiCo. His last role was V.P. and General Manager of the South-West U.S. division, responsible for over $1 billion in revenue and 3,500 employees.

Locally, he built and operated Delta Guelph Hotel and Conference Centre and Heritage River Retirement Residence in Elora. Bob and his wife Lynn are committed to the community and have donated to Groves Hospital, Aboyne Rural Hospice, Elora Centre for the Arts and Confederation Park redevelopment.

Non-Voting Members

Dan Wilson, Chief Administrative Officer

Dan Wilson is the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the Township of Centre Wellington. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant and holds a certificate in Asset Management Planning.

Dan has extensive experience in municipal government and public administration, with expertise in governance, policy development, organizational leadership, municipal finance, strategic planning, and asset management. His work is focused on building strong, sustainable communities and supporting long-term economic prosperity.

As the CAO, Dan is the highest-ranking administrative officer in the municipality. He implements the policies and decisions of Council, oversees the day-to-day operations of the municipal administration, and ensures effective service delivery. Dan provides strategic advice to Council, leads municipal staff, and works collaboratively with community partners to advance Council's priorities, support economic growth, and enhance the quality of life for residents.

Adam McNabb, Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer

Adam McNabb is the Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer for the Township of Centre Wellington, providing leadership for the Finance & IT Services department and supporting the organization’s long-term financial sustainability, budgeting, asset management, and strategic decision-making. He is a member of the Township’s senior leadership team and is based at the Civic Centre.