Welcome to FOCA – Your Voice for Waterfront Ontario
HOT TOPIC: Alto High Speed Rail
March 17, 2027 – FOCA sent a Special Update about the Alto High Speed Rail Project to our members, supporters and newsletter subscribers. Click here to read FOCA’s digital notice. We encourage everyone to participate in the public consultation period which has been extended to April 24, 2026.
Got a cottage country question?
FOCA has answers! Search FOCA’s hundreds of pages of rural waterfront resources:
The Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations (FOCA) is a not-for-profit organization that exists to protect the interests of Ontario’s waterfront property owners and to champion the long-term health of our environment, our communities, and the cottage experience itself.
FOCA is the only go-to provincial advocacy organization committed to sustaining and enhancing the Ontario cottage experience.
We work collaboratively to identify and address key issues by providing credible expertise, environmental stewardship, targeted programs and services, and a robust network of strategic partners.
Since 1963, FOCA has been the voice of the Ontario waterfront. Today, there are more than 550 lake and road associations across the province, and the permanent and seasonal residents they represent.
Our Vision: To sustain and enhance the cottage experience for generations.
https://youtu.be/F-W7NXDJ29c
Learn more about Our Work…
Who supports FOCA? People like you, who:
- treasure family time in cottage country
- care about clean and safe lakes, land and rivers
- are concerned about affordability
FOCA encourages everyone to be a member of their local Association; in turn, we encourage those groups to be members of FOCA.
We also appreciate the additional personal support of individuals and families who make annual contributions as the “Friends of FOCA”.
Join Us or Renew:
Corporate sponsor
$1500/+up
Aligned companies can support FOCA's work with an annual or event sponsorship contribution in exchange for brand placement & some ad options.
Find out more…
Corporate Sponsorship
Friend of FOCA
$60/year
Hundreds of folks like you provide their extra support each year by becoming Annual Supporters of FOCA and accessing special benefits.
Find out more…
Be a FOCA Supporter!
Association Membership
$150/plus $5.00 pp
Lake and Road Associations are FOCA's primary members, receiving resources and support, as well as benefits for all their member families.
Find out more…
Join/Renew
years of volunteer efforts
Member associations
member families
Find your community!
Connect with YOUR local lake association – the folks who KNOW about the water, your rural township, your piece of heaven.
Is there a lake association in your area? Find out…
Membership Services & Benefits
Events
Attend FOCA events to network with property owners, scientists, industry experts, politicians, and enthusiastic lake volunteers! Plan to JOIN US at an upcoming event…
Offers & Discounts
FOCA supporters – including all members of our Member Associations – can access member benefits, including these offers & discounts from our sponsors and partners…
Association Resources
Access tools, templates and tips to help lake and road associations thrive. FOCA celebrates success stories and shares network connections and best practices.
News & Publications
Access FOCA’s monthly Elerts, annual newsletter, video productions and reports on a wide range of cottage country hot topics and emerging issues.
Issues & Programs
FOCA works year-round on behalf of thriving and sustainable waterfronts and waterfront property owners!
Here are just some of our many ongoing programs and priority issues:
Welcome & Etiquette
Taxation
Responsible Rental
Septic Systems
Lake Partner Program
Boating Issues
Rural Road Issues
Fair Electricity Pricing
Rural Services & Utilities
Cottage Succession
Preventing Invasive Species
Association Governance & Best Practices
Click here for more about key cottage country issues, ongoing files and FOCA programs…
You guys have been doing a bang-up job
and are clearly working long hours to streamline this wacky world for cottagers.
You have answered my questions on many occasions,
and it’s great to know you’re out there, and that you care.
I plan to better connect our membership to FOCA’s many benefits and related services;
they need to understand how much you do, and who you’re doing it for.
I see the value. AND THANKS!”
Eric T.
~Association member
Donate to support FOCA’s work!
Support FOCA’s work for healthy Ontario waterfronts, with a one-time or recurring monthly gift. Or, make a donation in honour of someone special who loves waterfront Ontario.
FOCA’s Team
FOCA Board of Directors
Amazing volunteers, representing associations across Ontario.
FOCA's Member Associations
Large, small, and everything-in-between. These are FOCA's 550+ member associations.
FOCA Staff
The team is here year-round to assist our members.
Thank you to our “Cottage Champion” Sponsor:
For links to ALL our sponsors, visit our webpage:
Click here for all FOCA’s sponsors
Corporate sponsors support FOCA’s ongoing work – Please, support them!
Your role:
Stay up-to-date on cottage country issues with FOCA’s Elert (e-news).
SUBSCRIBE to receive FREE monthly email updates.
Join over 22,000 fellow subscribers who love cottage country as much as you do, and read the Elert to stay current on the important issues.