Saugeen Shores and Zonnebeke, Belgium, formalize sister-city ties
Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau met Zonnebeke's mayor in Belgium on Nov. 9 to mark the new sister-city relationship, the town says.
By David Ellis · Published · 1 min read
Saugeen Shores and Zonnebeke, Belgium, the municipality that is home to the Passchendaele battlefield, have formalized a sister-city relationship, the Town of Saugeen Shores said Tuesday.
Mayor Luke Charbonneau met Zonnebeke Mayor Koen Meersseman on Nov. 9 at Villa Zonnedaele to recognize the partnership, the town said. Saugeen Shores council authorized the memorandum of understanding in February 2026, and Zonnebeke later ratified it. The two mayors signed the memorandum and Zonnebeke's "Golden Book," which now has a page dedicated to the relationship.
The town says the partnership is rooted in shared First World War history and will look for connections through schools, museums, veterans' organizations, heritage groups and youth, and for ideas both municipalities can learn from.
On Nov. 10, Charbonneau laid a wreath on behalf of the town at the Crest Farm Canadian Memorial and shared the story of George Henry Partridge, a Bruce County soldier killed during the Battle of Passchendaele, the town said. On Remembrance Day he is scheduled to take part in ceremonies at Tyne Cot, laying wreaths for the town and the Royal Canadian Legion.
The town says the mayor's travel was self-funded and no travel costs were paid by the Town of Saugeen Shores.
Source: Town of Saugeen Shores news release, Nov. 10, 2026.
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