With food insecurity at an all-time high across the Highlands, County farmer Godfrey Tyler put Dysart et al council candidates on the spot during a debate at the Haliburton Legion Saturday (Oct. 3), challenging them to do a better job of working with, and advocating for, local growers and suppliers.
Around 235 people attended the event, hosted by the Haliburton Highlands Healthy Democracy Project (HHHDP), which has organized forums in all four townships ahead of this month’s municipal election.
After candidates had a chance to present their platforms in a short one-minute introductory speech, and answer preset questions on amalgamation, lake protection and the future development of the township’s 92-acre property on County Road 21, it was the public’s chance to hold their feet to the fire.
Tyler was one of the first to step forward. For decades, he and his wife, Jean, have cultivated cattle, maple syrup and forestry operations at their Waverly Brook Farm property. He asked deputy mayor candidates Pat Casey and Walt McKechnie and mayoral hopefuls Greg Bishop and Andrew Nowell how they would help local farmers keep putting food on the table.
Bishop said he wanted to review the township’s bylaws around community and personal gardens, which would help with supply. He also promised to work closely with the Haliburton County Farmers’ Market to connect local vendors with Highlands’ stores and shops.
“Getting them on side to buy and supply locally within our institutions around the County is key,” Bishop said.
Nowell promoted homesteading, believing there’s more the municipality can do to support people starting out, while Casey and McKechnie liked the idea of more individual and community gardens – provided they can be protected from wildlife.
Margaret Cox, a volunteer with the Haliburton 4Cs Food Bank noted the organization is spending around $30,000 per month on food to give away to needy households. She asked the four leadership candidates if they would endorse the township providing annual funding to the food bank to support operations – Bishop,McKechnie and Casey said they would, while Nowell presented a different idea.
“We’ve got to look outside the box and bring more food sources into our area. I used to work with Sysco Canada and they usually have a surplus they give away each month,” Nowell said.
Elizabeth Cloutier asked each candidate if they’re aware of the funding streams available to municipalities needing to invest in failing infrastructure. McKechnie brought up a joint $1 billion commitment from the provincial and federal governments to assist townships who don’t issue development charges to builders.
“We’re lining up at the door… we have a team at Dysart working on this, and other grants, all the time. This is something that will be very positive for our community and will help in many ways, maybe even with the sewage plant expansion,” McKechnie said. The $14 million project is still awaiting regulatory approval.
Casey said money could also be used to support expensive bridge repairs and installed necessary infrastructure at the County Road 21 property. Nowell and Bishop said they’d look to staff to provide direction on what the township can apply for and do with the money.
All four committed to doing some work to repair the road into the village at the intersection of County Road 21 and Gelert Road.
With short-term rentals now permitted on licensed shoreline properties, another resident asked if any of the candidates were open to allowing bed and breakfasts. She first came to the Highlands as an arts student 30 years ago and, for the next 20 years, made annual visits, staying at different B&Bs. They’ve mostly disappeared in the years since, she said.
Bishop and McKechnie said the issue is a big one and should be decided by all council, with guidance from staff. Nowell said he would be open to investigating, while Casey noted he’d be in favour.
“I struggle with it, being on the lakes… but the conversation on the other side is Airbnbs. If we’re allowing them in that zone, and B&Bs comply with getting a STR licence, I would support that,” Casey said.
Voting will be done via telephone or the internet in Dysart again this election, with polls opening Oct. 16 at 9 a.m. and closing Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. If you don’t receive your voter information letter by Oct. 16, contact the Dysart municipal office at 705-4571740.
