Once again, plans for a bus between Haliburton village and Minden Hills – with the possibility of one day expanding to Algonquin Highlands and Highlands East – have driven off the road because staff and council have deemed the cost to be too high. In a report to a County of Haliburton council meeting last week, director of economic development and tourism, Scott Ovell, asked councillors to pump the brakes.

The County issued a request for proposals for an on-demand or hybrid transit service in the fall of 2025. They received four bids. However, Ovell said they were all more than double the $182,601.52 the County has in a transit reserve. “If County council still wishes to explore
transit solutions within the County, staff would recommend discussions during 2027 budget deliberations around annual contributions towards the transit reserve,” he said.

This term of County council has been trying to find an affordable provider since 2024 with no success.

Ovell added the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus has been discussing how the provincial government is working towards developing provincial framework to standardize ride-share rules. He said the goal is to improve service in rural areas and reduce municipal red tape as individual municipalities regulate and manage taxi and ride share licences.

Some towns subsidize rides

“It should be noted that if this were to take place, it would not guarantee a ride-share company would choose to operate in Haliburton County, with some businesses citing population density and geography as cost barriers to entering the marketplace in rural Ontario, with some seeking subsidies from local municipalities to offsetoperating costs.”

He said a recent example is Prince Edward County, which used $50,000 of its portion of the Municipal Accommodation Tax in 2023 to support a partnership with Uride. He noted the contribution was lowered to $30,000 in 2025.

“County staff will continue to monitor progress on the provincial legislation and will follow up with council should provincial legislation be updated.” Ovell added.

Coun. Bob Carter said the need for some form of public transportation “is not going to go away… particularly as the County’s population grows, and to more unsettled areas.” He agreed with what was being proposed but said, “I think the next step is we should ask staff to try to put together what it would cost for us to have transportation. In other words, what would the subsidy need to be. So, when we get into budgeting, we decide.” He said towns such as Peterborough heavily subsidize their transportation,supplemented by Trent University providing students with bus passes.

Coun. Jennifer Dailloux suggested it might be time to scrap a fixed route system, in favour of subsidizing private systems. She suggested they talk to organizations such as Point in Time, and SIRCH, as well as Haliburton Highlands Health Services. The latter two have trialled smaller transportation projects in the Highlands.

Coun. Murray Fearrey said with little commercial or industrial tax base, the cost will come on the backs of residential taxpayers.

CAO Gary Dyke said they are not stopping the discussion, and staff will be looking to reprioritize spending in future. “Transit will be an important part of this as we go forward.”

The Ontario government announced April 1 it is doubling its support for the Ontario Transit Investment Fund (OTIF) through the 2026 provincial budget, increasing it from $5 million to $10 million annually over the next three years. The OTIF supports the start-up and expansion of transit projects like new bus services, on-demand rideshare services and door-to-door transportation

Dysart et al mayor Murray Fearrey has promised the township is committed to replacing the faltering footbridge in Head Lake Park.

The walkway has been in poor condition for several years and was closed for three days March 27-30 after municipal officials were notified about a missing deck board. Parks and recreation manager, Andrew Wilbee, investigated the bridge on Monday and said two boards were missing. Staff replaced the missing pieces and had the bridge reopened that afternoon.

“This will only be a temporary fix as it is becoming more and more difficult to fasten the boards to the metal frame,” Wilbee said.

Public works director Rob Camelon told council in early 2024 the bridge was nearing end of life, with the underside heavily rusted. Council initially approved a $590,000 replacement in October 2024 but did a U-turn last week, opting to shelve the project.

That came after Camelon said the price may be even higher now due to a lack of steel availability in Canada. Due to U.S. tariffs, importing sheet steel and tube piling – needed to secure the foundation – would significantly increase costs, Camelon said.

“We may go to tender and the price could come back just ridiculous and we can’t afford it,” Camelon told council at its March 24 meeting.

There, coun. Pat Casey asked about installing a Bailey bridge – a portable pre-fabricated structure – which he said could be sourced locally through Canadian manufacturer Algonquin Bridge.

Camelon said there would be structural issues to overcome going from an arced design to a straight structure, but the biggest obstacle would be getting the pre-fab design approved by Transport Canada. The federal body has rules around required headspace under bridges on navigable waterways.

“I think we’re going to challenge Transport Canada on that,” Fearrey said. “We have the Emmerson Dam on the one side and there’s
no way to pass that even in a canoe, so it’s not navigable. We’re hoping to make the case to put a flat bridge in there.”

Going with a Bailey bridge would likely cost $100,000 to $250,000 – saving the township some serious money, Fearrey said.

Public wants bridge

Haliburton resident Bill Cornwall was walking in Head Lake Park on Friday when he came upon the closed off bridge. He was surprised as there were no signs or warnings at the park entrance, only caution tape covering the structure.

He encouraged council to proceed with a permanent fix as soon as possible.

“If it needs to be replaced because it’s dangerous, then they need to replace it,” Cornwall said. “This is a really nice park. It’s a big advantage to Haliburton. An attraction that brings people to the community.”

Jennifer and Steven Waugh were in the park with their two kids on Friday evening and had to re-think their usual walking route.

“It’s not so bad if it’s closed for a couple of days, but it would be a shame if they cut off the two sides [of the park] for a long time while they figured out what they were doing,” Jennifer said. “A lot of people come here to get their exercise and like to walk all the trails, go between the playground and the beach. It would cut off the dog park from the boardwalk, and I know a lot of people use both, especially come summer.”

Fearrey reiterated there are no plans to tear the bridge down without a replacement.

“We won’t leave the park disconnected – we’ll be putting a new structure in there one way or another,” the mayor said.

By Susan Tromanhauser

Grey Highlands coun. Dane Nielsen suggested the public urge Haliburton County councils to form a remuneration committee, like the one in his rural area, during a Haliburton Highlands Healthy Democracy Project public meeting March 25 in Minden.

The Voices and Votes speaker series also heard from former Dysart et al councillors Andrea Roberts and Pat Kennedy and former Algonquin Highlands coun. Carol Moffatt.

Nielsen’s township is a rural community, similar to Haliburton County.

The out-of-town politician said a non council committee in his municipality determined appropriate compensation, which included salary with the same cost of-living raises as staff, along with benefits and mileage.

“If you want someone to learn about sewers and take it seriously, they need to commit serious hours.”

Nielsen added, “no one should be acclaimed – you want the best people.”

There were numerous acclamations across the Highlands in the 2022 municipal election, and voter turnout was low, birthing the HHHDP for the Oct. 26, 2026 poll.

Kennedy acknowledged compensation may be too low to attract young people needing to balance family and work life. With most meetings in the daytime, it discourages working people, but, “if they changed meetings to evenings, the costs would rise to pay staff overtime,” he said.

Compensation ranges across the County are fairly consistent. Highlands East mayor Dave Burton was the lowest paid in 2025
at $32,500 and Dysart et al mayor Murray Fearrey the highest at $40,000. Algonquin Highlands mayor Liz Danielsen made $38,000 with Minden Hills mayor Bob Carter getting just over $38,000.

Deputy mayors received between $25,000 30,000, with councillors paid between $20,000-25,000. Officials that sit on County
council receive extra pay.

Roberts told the crowd of almost 100 her experience taught her “to take pleasure in the mundane things, like reviewing zoning
bylaws.”

Kennedy agreed “you learn to like” discussions about septic systems but there are also highlights of seeing public projects come to fruition and being able to say, ‘I was part of that’.” He cited the visitor centre in Head Lake Park and the Fleming College residence as examples.

Moffatt acknowledged projects sometimes start, but are not completed in a term. She said municipal operations take longer than
private projects. She advised patience.

“You don’t have to like the rules, but you need to work within the rules (of local government).”

The panel members expressed concern about dealing with angry constituents, or fellow councillors. Moffat advised, “you’re supposed to disagree – council should be made up of divergent opinions, different backgrounds.”

Kennedy added it is the role of a councillor to talk with staff and colleagues in a way to “agree to disagree and still go to lunch with them.” He added “people will stop you in the grocery store, and it is important to listen actively and with compassion.” But Kennedy does not
like social media as a method to engage, advising potential candidates “stay off Facebook.”

Nielsen said constituents “are not mad at you, they are mad at the situation. I’ve been called a bleep on Facebook, but not to
my face.” Nielsen believes debate makes communities the best they can be. He added being a local politician is an opportunity to
network with other councillors across the province and learn good ideas to bring back home.

Advice also came from the crowd when former Minden reeve Jeanne Anthon suggested everyone read the local newspaper for facts, not opinions, to learn more.

Haliburton Highlands Healthy Democracy Project next meeting: April 21 Stanhope Community Centre, Lauren Hunter – How to run a successful campaign.

County non-profit Places for People (P4P) unveiled its first-ever paid staffer at its annual Sleeping in Cars fundraiser, with
Marc Beisheim named interim executive director.

The chartered accountant steps into the role following years of chief financing roles in the corporate world. He’s worked with The Canadian Press, energy company Hydrogenics and Aeroquest International Limited and holds a bachelor of commerce degree in accounting and finance from the University of Ottawa and master’s in business management from the Schulich School of Business at York University.

“Most of my career has been spent in senior management roles in both operational and financial management in environments that were experiencing transition, significant change and growth… where they need a firm hand in choppy seas to refocus the core of the business” Beisheim said. “This background aligns well with where P4P finds itself at this moment.”

He’s no stranger to the organization having served as board treasurer since the fall. Beisheim said his main priority will be preparing the organization for major growth over the next few years.

P4P has committed to purchasing 15 of the 35 units Habitat for Humanity is building on Peninsula Road overlooking Grass Lake.
Habitat hopes to break ground at the site in fall 2027.

P4P has yet to specifically reveal how much capital will be required to facilitate that, though last fall founder Fay Martin said she expects it will be several million dollars.

The organization currently boasts 21 units, which it offers at 80 per cent of average market rentals in the area. Heat and hydro are included in the rent.

“Our ambition would be to increase that over the next three years,” Beisheim said. “The wind is at our back… I think the market is returning to a place where there may be opportunities in terms of existing builds that could be taken on as affordable rentals. We just need to find the means to act on those opportunities.”

He said a key part of his job in the short term will be identifying new revenue streams to allow P4P to increase its capacity.

“The way the organization has rolled over the past 20 years is jumping on opportunistic purchases that have been financed one at a time. We want to develop a more deliberate strategy fuelled by finances and backing that we’re working on securing,” Beisheim said, noting he hopes to have more news on that in the next three-to six months.

“We want to position ourselves with a bit of a war chest to be able to meet our commitments to Habitat and grow even further beyond that,” he added.

With the rising cost of living and economic uncertainty driven by U.S. tariffs and war in the Middle East, Beisheim feels “offering certainty to people through availability of safe, affordable housing has never been more important.”

P4P president Susan Tromanhauser revealed at the organization’s AGM in November that it was looking to add an executive director. With Beisheim now in place, albeit in an interim capacity, he said the non-profit could look to bring more paid staff on board.

“Continuing to be fully 100 per cent volunteer-driven was becoming unsustainable. What P4P needs now are the resources and dedication of staff to help us,” Beisheim said. “With success comes challenges of growing your resources… we’re at the inflection point – which is a
wonderful opportunity we should be excited about, not intimidated by.”

Overnight success

Nataly Mylan, organizer of the annual Sleeping in Cars fundraiser, said the March 27 event was the most successful one yet.

Around 50 participants combined for $58,738 as of press time, with more donations still coming in. ACM Designs was recognized as the top business fundraiser, bringing in $11,450, the Halls/Saskatchewan Lake group named top team after raising $4,235 and Valerie Jarvis the
top individual at $2,360.

“We’re so thankful to be part of such an incredibly giving community,” Mylan said. “We’d like to thank all the participants, sponsors, everyone who donated and cheered us on to help make this the most successful Sleeping in Cars ever.”

By Adam Frisk
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

With Ontario’s unemployment rate hovering at 7.3 per cent, job-seekers and employers in the County are facing a unique set of challenges.

To help address those problems, the semi-annual Fleming CREW job and volunteer fair is expanding to Minden this spring, alongside the traditional Haliburton event that took place at the Legion on March 24.

Sandra Scott, Fleming CREW’s manager of Employment Ontario programs, explained to The Highlander that expanding to Minden is an effort to “meet the bigger community’s need.” While the provincial unemployment rate is high, Scott said the situation in Haliburton is slightly higher than Ontario’s average.

“We’re fairly close when you look at the labour market report that was put out by the Workforce Development Board, which covers our Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge area,” she said. “So we are about the same, if not a little higher in Haliburton for unemployment.”

Scott noted a stark contrast between the desire to work and the ability to find a job.

“It’s really hard right now. It’s really not as strong as the employment environment that we’ve seen in the past,” she said. “People want to be engaged, but they’re just not able to find work right now.”

Several factors play into keeping residents out of the job market, beyond the lack of opportunities. Scott pointed to the tariff influences on the market, rising fuel prices, transportation hurdles and the housing crisis in the County.

“[Employers] can’t attract people to the area because of the lack of housing,” she said. “People just can’t get reasonable housing if they move up here.”

However, despite these hurdles, some businesses are finding success by focusing on workplace culture. Spencer Devolin, owner of Devolin Professional Painting, said he was looking to expand his company this year by adding a second crew. He said that for him, the secret to retention has been treating his staff with respect and providing a clear path forward.

“A big thing for me is creating an environment that people want to work in,” Devolin said. “There’s an opportunity to advance, to learn skills, to make more… if you’re working all the time, you want to have fun while also managing your responsibilities”

But for many job seekers, the local market can feel like a clique. Haliburton resident Devan McConnell said he is looking for a career change, but establishing a foothold in the area seemed to be more about who you know.

“I find it’s a pretty difficult location to establish something if you don’t already have something,” he said. “It can be a little tricky, especially if you don’t have certain connections to certain areas of work through certain individuals, certain people.”

McConnell said that while restaurants and tourism hubs provide some jobs, those without a trade or a “family business” connection often feel forced to look outside the County. The job fair in Minden is April 8 at the community centre from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.