Consultants, the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN), have presented four governance models for Haliburton County – with the 2026-30 councils tasked with choosing one of them.

However, in its affordability and governance structure study, EORN supplied financials indicating taxpayers can no longer afford the current two-tier governance structure of the County and local townships (model one) – leaving three viable options.

They are model two: a singletier governance model. Essentially amalgamation, it would consolidate responsibility for all municipal services, decision-making, taxation, planning and administration into one municipal government.

An example is Prince Edward County; created in 1998 through the amalgamation of the Town of Picton, villages of Bloomfield and Wellington, and 10 surrounding townships. Another is Quinte West, bringing the former City of Trenton, village of Frankford, and townships of Murray and Sidney together.

Model three is an ‘enhanced County – four local municipalities.’ Under it, the County would assume responsibility for a majority of services that benefit from scale, specialized expertise, consistent standards, and regional planning.

Concerns about affordability

That could potentially mean: planning and development, building and permitting administration, public works and infrastructure, waste and environmental services, IT and digital services, procurement, HR, communications, finance, asset management, economic development and tourism, libraries, and facilities all County responsibilities.

The four local councils would focus on community-based services, local representation, customer service, recreation programming, community events, local heritage, local bylaw matters, and neighbourhood-level priorities.

Model four is referred to as ‘enhanced County – two local municipalities.’ It would see the County take on similar responsibilities as model three, but also, potentially, fire administration and emergency management, policing oversight, airport management and health centre services.

The four existing local municipalities would be consolidated into two larger local municipalities, each with its own council and streamlined staffing structure. For example, Minden Hills and Algonquin Highlands could align, with Dysart et al joining forces with Highlands East. They would have similar roles to model three. Some examples of these models are Oxford County, and Wellington County in Ontario.

Consultant Jim Pine told The Highlander, “the models are pretty significant in terms of potential change, other than staying the same. There’s a lot for everybody to consider. The good news is there’s time to do that in a very reasoned, and rational way. It will require more work but nonetheless, the way it’s been structured in terms of the study process is going to give future council an opportunity to decide what change, if any, that they prefer.”

Affordability

EORN said it did in-depth community engagement in June and July; including a survey and open houses, as well as consulting all councils, staff and stakeholders.

Affordability was the number one theme. Eighty-two per cent of respondents expressed concern about affordability, and 80 per cent about rising taxes and costs. More than three-quarters said governments could work more collaboratively and efficiently. More than half thought significant changes may be needed to improve overall governance.

EORN found that property taxes are supporting $70.6 million of $102.4 million in expenditures in all five municipalities in 2026.

In addition, all five are relying on reserves to support dayto-day operations. From 2023-26, the governments only contributed $19.7 million to reserves, while withdrawing $47.1 million.

This is not considered good business and should only be done when the offsetting expenditure has a defined end, or there is an approved financial plan to eliminate the need for reserve funding over time.

EORN also found that cumulatively, $29 million in additional debt was taken on over the past four years to support capital expenditures.

EORN stressed in its 178-page report that, “experience from comparable municipalities demonstrates that governance restructuring does not, on its own, guarantee lower taxes or immediate financial savings.

“Long-term benefits are more likely to result from improved organizational capacity, coordinated planning, reduced administrative duplication, strategic investment, and continuous improvement in service delivery.”

Work not done

The study is not complete. Pine said, “there’s a lot more that needs to be done in order to give people all of the information they might need.

“The details take time because you’ve got to figure out how you want to deliver the service, how much staff do you need, who do you need, where do you want to put them … those things take time and careful analysis.”

To see the full report, go to wadein.haliburton.ca

Deputy warden, Liz Danielsen, told County council Wednesday (Aug. 12), she recalled a Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce meeting 12 years ago in which two or three “very well-respected local folks were stamping their feet saying there’s nothing but amalgamation to be done.”

A single-tier government is one of just four models the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) presented to County and local councillors. The others are status quo, or hybrid models.

Danielsen said back in 2014, she thought “no way” to amalgamation at that chamber meeting, factoring in things such as losing local identity.

“Over time, you start to see the true need for change. We truly do need to do something because we cannot sustain ourselves financially without massive increases in taxes, or doing something different.”

Danielsen, looking around a County table that had not just County councillors, but local councillors as well, added they had to work closer together. “More partnerships, more discussion, we need to play nice in the sandbox in order for us to improve things and keep life the way we want it to be in Haliburton County.”

She questioned if there was any room for the current council to have further input, despite already deferring the decision to the 2026-30 councils. For example, she wondered if it made sense to have a deeper dive only into models palatable to councils.

Coun. Walt McKechnie said he’s passionate about Dysart et al and would do what is best for its taxpayers. He’s worried about loss of identity.

“I just feel that this process right now is being really rushed, especially for the new council coming in.”

He said he couldn’t understand why the report did not mention amalgamations that had resulted in higher taxes. He said he would expect single-tier to produce lower taxes and better services.

Referring to something sent to him when he was driving to yesterday’s meeting, McKechnie read out examples of post-amalgamation figures from his phone; that City of Kawartha Lakes employee compensation had jumped 52 per cent and spiked property taxes; Haldimand County property taxes rose by 50 per cent … and other examples The Highlander was unable to verify as of press time.

He said he was unaware of good stories around amalgamation.

Counsultant Maureen Adams said she did not think County council wanted to commit to lowering taxes, but to building capacity, so, for example, there was not a need to do five audits, fives sets of financial statements, five budgets, five asset management plans, etc. so they could put more money into infrastructure and capital.

Pine, who was involved in the Quinte West amalgamation, urged councillors to look at what levy increases would look like going forward if they don’t change.

In the case of their four municipalities, he said, “we all came to the recognition we could stay the same, but what we wanted to do was more. And we realized on our own, we couldn’t do more. If public service is about the public and service, what can we do differently that will improve things … ?”

He said from 1995-96 to where the city is today, “it’s growing … they were able to hard top all the gravel roads in one year …”

They were able to open an industrial park.” He said it is an example of a success story.

Burton said there were differences in assessment base and population.

Coun. Pat Casey said the models were akin to a merger-acquisition, “and we need very solid financial data and efficiency data as to how much will be saved.

“Show us the money. Show us the efficiencies and then walk through the process of how we are to collectively vote on it or implement it. We need a crystalclear picture of its benefits.” He suggested they continue to work on service delivery review suggestions.

Danielsen asked Pine what his choice would be.

“Single-tier offers the greatest opportunity for reduction in duplication, the most opportunity around building capacity.”

By Adam Frisk Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Unionized staff at Community Living Trent Highlands (CLTH) are back on the job this week after a nearly 11-week strike.

The end of the prolonged labour dispute saw four per cent initial wage increase for workers, and the return of community programs across Haliburton County.

According to CLTH executive director, Teresa Jordan, employees were greeted by management staff at locations throughout the area as Community Living transitioned from temporary replacement workers.

“We’re just getting started back to our regular teams,” Jordan said in an interview with The Highlander on Aug. 10. “Happily, everything reopens this week… by Wednesday, we will have everything back up and running and open.”

The strike began on May 25, when more than 300 developmental service workers, represented by OPSEU Local 358, walked off the job. Members were fighting for a 6.5 per cent retroactive wage increase, a no-layoffs guarantee and an increase to baseline funding that supports residents living in Community Living group homes.

Under the new agreement, workers secured a four per cent wage increase in year one, retroactive to April 2025, followed by three per cent increases in years two and three.

OPSEU Local 358 president Jessica Bushey noted the significance of the deal for developmental service workers, and said they had not seen general wage increases above 1.9 per cent since 2018.

“We really did set the bar for the sector provincially,” Bushey told The Highlander.

“Having that retro payment will help reduce some of the costs of being on strike… This agreement wouldn’t have happened without the campaign, without the strike, and without the strength of the membership.”

Jordan said that while the collective agreement includes a 10 per cent salary increase over three years; other compensation items were removed from the package compared to the initial offer at the start of the strike, including the guarantee against layoffs for existing staff.

As for budget concerns amid fixed provincial funding, Jordan said she was confident in navigating the outcome.

“I think the difference for Community Living Trent Highlands is that we have a lot of diverse programs. I’m confident we can find the efficiencies that we need to find without drastically impacting service or jobs.”

The local union president said the return of members brought emotional reunions between staff and residents, many who experienced disruptions to their routines while replacement staff covered shifts.

“A lot of happy tears, a lot of really good reunions happening,” Bushey said. “A lot of the people supported were really happy to see the staff back.”

With staff returning to work this week, the focus shifted toward workplace reconciliation.

“Our relationship can’t be healed immediately when it’s had this kind of trauma,” Jordan admitted. “While this will be a long road back to feeling like a comfortable partnership, I just want to convey my excitement that we are now at this stage of having ended the strike and to start that work.”

With Pride Week in Haliburton County right around the corner, Pride in the Highlands’ volunteer lead, Chris Hewson, said the local LGBTQ+ group has had to pivot to survive over the past year.

A lack of manpower has forced festivities, running Aug. 17-23, to be scaled back for this 10th annual celebration. Last year, Hewson and his former co-chair, Allan Guinan, said the group needed to find more helping hands to assist with event planning and delivery, though that didn’t pan out.

“The Pride planning committee used to be 12-people strong a few years ago. Then it dropped to nine and now we’re down to seven,” Hewson said. “We just don’t have the time to do everything we want, so we’ve had to pick and choose where to put our energy. So, this year’s Pride Week is a little pared back compared to what people have seen before.”

Celebrations begin Aug. 17 with flagraising ceremonies at Minden Hills township office (11 a.m.), in Stanhope at Algonquin Highlands municipal office (1 p.m.), and at A.J. LaRue Arena in Haliburton (4 p.m.).

This is the second year for the Dysart raising and first in Algonquin Highlands. Hewson feels it’s important hosting flag-raisings all over the County – especially since the group officially changed its name to encompass the wider Highlands region last year.

“The raising of the flag is more than a symbol of the LGBTQ+ community; it’s a beacon, a visual reminder that the Haliburton Highlands are a welcome and safe space for everybody,” Hewson said.

There is no flag raising in Highlands East, though Hewson confirmed no application was submitted to the township.

Other marquee events include a collaboration with youth theatre troupe CtrlART-Del, with a special reading of Paul Dunn’s Outside at Highland Hills United Church in Minden Aug. 18 and 20 at 6:30 p.m. It follows the story of Daniel, a teen who triumphs over homophobic bullying, depression and suicidal thoughts.

There’s a Pride picnic for youth at Rails End Gallery Aug. 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; an artist reception and opening party for ‘Voice of Pride’ art exhibition at the Minden Hills Cultural Centre Aug. 19 at 7 p.m.; a screening of Pixar’s Onward at the cultural centre Aug. 21 at 2 p.m.; and rainbow trivia night at The Dominion Hotel Aug. 21 at 7 p.m.

There are also two drag storytime events planned – at Haliburton County Public Library branches in Minden (Aug. 18, 3-4 p.m.) and Haliburton (Aug. 20, 3-4 p.m.). Both will feature Minden entrepreneur Shawn Smandych in drag as his alter-ego, Auntie Plum.

“It’s a literacy program… it’s been very well-attended in the past, participants love it and that’s why we continue to do it,” Hewson said.

Asked why he felt it was appropriate to expose children to concepts like drag and what some of the benefits are, Hewson said it sparks creativity and imagination.

“When we think about the way we approach drag, it is in a very fun, imaginative and playful way… there’s nothing sexual about it,” Hewson said. “Drag exists in all shades of the rainbow. There are more adult-appropriate things we’ve done in the past, but those definitely aren’t happening in the middle of the day at a library.”

Pride Week will close with its rainbow street festival in downtown Minden Aug. 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be various vendors selling their products, musical performances, a show by NorthFIRE Circus and Gayly Forward and the always-popular river run.

Hewson said he’s seen an increase in homophobic-fuelled actions, including a banner in Minden promoting Pride Week twice being cut down in recent weeks.

“We see and experience more divisive verbiage and behaviour than in the past – that comes from being more visible, present and engaged with the community. But being out is what we’re about – being closeted is no place for someone to live, survive or thrive. By shining our lights as boldly as we dare, we’re encouraging others to shine their lights too.”

Anyone interested in getting involved can contact Hewson at chris. prideinthehighlands@gmail.com.

By Adam Frisk Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A single Canada goose can drop up to two pounds of poop a day, a stomachchurning fact that members of the Halls & Hawk Lakes Property Owners Association (HHLPOA) were using this past weekend (Aug. 8) to drive home a serious message about local drinking water protection.

The HHLPOA launched its new Water Guardian campaign on Saturday at Elvin Johnson Park, urging property owners to take direct action to protect vulnerable, untreated drinking water supplies.

“Because we’re not within a town or city, we’re relying on well water, groundwater, or surface water from lakes and rivers, and that’s it,” Shelley Fellows, HHLPOA president, told The Highlander. “For a lot of us, you turn the tap on and assume it’s safe to drink… But here, we are responsible for it. It’s about bringing that home, understanding that every one of us is a guardian of the water.”

The initiative serves as the public outreach component of the HHLPOA’s Protect Every Drop: Drinking Water Source Protection Plan. The 60-page document was created as part of a pilot project funded by the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations following a provincial auditor general report that highlighted gaps in nonmunicipal water safety.

The Water Guardian pledge encourages property owners to adopt specific practices, like maintaining their septic systems, eliminating fertilizer and pesticide use, regularly testing their drinking water, and renaturalizing their shorelines. The renaturalization helps filter surface runoff and deters Canada geese, whose poop contributes to localized coliform bacterial contamination.

The campaign comes during a time when data indicates declining water quality across the watershed. According to Olivia Tomlinson, a Big Hawk Lake cottager who led a recent revamp of the association’s broader lake plan, long-term monitoring shows water clarity and dissolved oxygen levels dropping, while algal blooms are on the rise.

“It’s a very sensitive ecosystem,” Tomlinson explained, noting that while changes aren’t drastic just yet, there is a statistical downward trend. “The goal would be to see a stabilization… it’s really about trying to correct it before it gets any worse. And I think it’s totally doable. Everyone is so involved.”

Tomlinson explained that waterfront properties face risks from blue-green algae blooms, which were documented on nearby Kennisis Lake last summer, as well as invasive species. She said that she had taken some water samples that indicated the potential presence of spiny water flea in local waters, though official lab verification is required.

The association is also working to address widespread gaps in water testing. An HHLPOA survey conducted last year found that 55 per cent of waterfront residents never test their drinking water, despite health unit recommendations to do so at least twice a year.

“I was one of those people who did not test my water for coliform; it just wasn’t something that occurred to me,” Beth Carey, HHLPOA member, admitted. The association had free water sample bottles from Lakelands Public Health on hand at Saturday’s event.

The HHLPOA has several research projects underway to gather baseline scientific data, including an aquatic plant inventory and a Halls Lake causeway study that will look at how the historical fillingin of the man-made causeway near Elvin Johnson Park has impacted water flow, siltation, and plant growth in the bay.

The association aims to eventually sign up all 650 property owners to the Water Guardian program. To help track participation, HHLPOA plans to use selfassessment check-ins, waterfront display medallions, shoreline restoration contests, and social media tracking.

“Most people, if you’ve grown up on the lakes, know a lot of this almost instinctively, but it’s a really good reminder,” Tomlinson said. “Everyone has been so curious… they want to know how they can help.”

Emma Warburton has spent much of her adult life learning from distinguished artists in Canada and abroad. Now, she’s hoping to use her experience to help connect County-based artists with the materials they need to complete their next project.

The Artist Pantry opened at 12818 Hwy. 35, in the HP Propane plaza in Minden, in early June. Warburton said she hopes it will become a haven for artists who, like her, likely struggle to source high-quality, professional level products locally.

She relocated to the Highlands last year, moving home with her parents in Norland with her now two-year-old daughter, Skye. After years of living in major cities like Toronto, Montreal and London, UK, Warburton found smalltown living a tough transition. Especially since she didn’t have access to her own vehicle.

“All winter long, I felt like I was asking my parents to pick up watercolour paper at Michaels and other supplies at Costco. I couldn’t find a single thing I needed or wanted anywhere in the County,” she said.

With a strong local artistic community, supported by the Haliburton School of Art + Design, Warburton said she saw an opportunity to provide a missing service to the region.

She is starting small – focusing on highquality paints, brushes, paper, pencils and markers. The store also offers custom stretch canvas to desired dimensions. Partial to acrylics, Warburton said she currently has options from Kroma Artist’s Acrylics in Vancouver and Tri-Art, a Kingston-based paint maker.

Whether it’s the artist supplies or some of the food options brought in by Warburton’s mother, Kara, such as candied salmon, pickles and condiments, oils, vinegars, organic flours and cereals – almost everything is sourced from Canadian suppliers.

“That was a foundational concept – we want to be as Canadian as possible. The idea is to contribute to the Canadian economy consciously, keeping things local, and maybe introducing the community to some cool new products,” Warburton said.

She’s also taking suggestions from customers – if there’s a product you use that is difficult to source, Warburton wants to hear from you.

After graduating from a special arts program at Unionville High School in the city, Warburton studied fine art at Concordia University in Montreal and got her master’s in art curating from London Metropolitan University in the UK. She interned at the Art Gallery of Ontario after returning home.

Recently moving into her own place in Minden, Warburton said she’s excited to form meaningful connections in her new community. She has a home painting studio for the first time in years, which she said is awakening her creative spirit.

Specializing in pseudo-realism and abstract expressionism, Warburton takes after her grandfather, Tom Hodgson, a member of the influential Painters Eleven group of abstract artists prominent through the mid-to-late 1950s. She plans to pass down tips and tricks of her trade at workshops at the store next year.

“This is where I’m meant to be… I’m meeting new artists every day. We plan to be open year-round. I just really hope to become an essential part of the community,” Warburton said.

There store is open six days a week, closed on Wednesdays. For more information, visit www.artistpantry.ca.

Through much of the latter half of the 20th century there were few people who had as big an impact on life in Haliburton County, or were as loved and respected locally, as Len Salvatori. The family patriarch died Aug. 2 aged 96.

Over the past week, those who knew him have shared heartfelt tributes and touching stories capturing his many contributions to the community.

Volunteerism was at the heart of everything he did, his family said. He served 41 years with the Ontario Minor Hockey Association, was a trustee on the Haliburton County Board of Education for 35 years, spent more than 20 years assisting the Haliburton Highlands Outdoors Association, where he helped at the fish hatchery, and was a board member with Haliburton Highlands Health Services for nine years.

“His life is one of the greatest stories in Haliburton,” said Gary Brohman, who was friends with Salvatori for 54 years.

The two connected in 1972, shortly after Brohman took a teaching job in the County. It was normal then for teachers to form relationships with board officials. While things were kept largely professional at first, they hit it off after Brohman started volunteering in minor hockey.

From that point, Brohman, then 27, said Salvatori was like a surrogate father to him.

“As a young man with two kids moving to a new area, I had a lot of questions. Whether it was asking him if I needed new tires, whether or not I should buy a boat, or if my roof needed replacing, Len always had the answer,” Brohman said. A memory wall on the Haliburton Community Funeral Home website is littered with similar testimonials. Mike Polonsky said Salvatori, his new neighbour, was one of the first people he met after buying a cottage. He was hosting people on his first night but his toilet wasn’t hooked up.

“I asked to use his phone to call a plumber. He asked what was wrong, so I told him. He grabbed his toolbox, saying ‘what do you need a plumber for?’” Polonsky said.

Salvatori lived his entire life in Haliburton County – he was born in Dysart on Nov. 6, 1929. He spent 43 years married to Betty Rae Bush, who died in 2001. Together, they have three children – Andy, Lisa and Laurie.

He spent 44 years working at Curry Motors, starting as a general labourer completing oil changes before becoming autobody shop manager and, later, co-owner.

In recognition of his community service, Salvatori was named Highlander of the Year in 1978 and Haliburton Citizen of the year in 1993. In 2017, the Haliburton Alternate Education was renamed in his honour and, in 2022, Salvatori was an inaugural inductee into the Haliburton Highlands Sports Hall of Fame.

Dysart et al mayor Walt McKechnie met Salvatori in the early 1970s. Through all the years he knew Len, McKechnie called him an “effective man for the community.”

The two socialized on occasion, with golf a shared love. McKechnie said they would play at the Pinestone regularly. According to local records, Salvatori shot a hole-in-one on the course in 2006.

Some of McKechnie’s best memories came on the 18th hole, he said.

“It’s a long drive to the hole and there’s a big pond – if you don’t drive it far enough, there’s a real chance you lose your ball to the water on the next shot,” McKechnie noted. “Len would always use one of his good balls for the drive, then put it in his pocket for his second shot and take out a scuffed-up ball he’d call his water ball.

“We used to tease him about that all the time, but he was adamant he didn’t want to risk losing his good ball,” the mayor added.

A celebration of life was held in Haliburton Aug. 11. The family asks that donations in Salvatori’s name be directed to the HHOA fish hatchery or HHHS’ Highland Wood long-term care home.