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Youth earn $5,000 for Haliburton Heat Bank

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Joseph Quigley

Two Haliburton Highlands Secondary School (HHSS) students earned $5,000 for Heat Bank Haliburton County through the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) Canada June 4.  

Bence Suranyi and Stefan Salaris beat out their Grade 10 civics classmates with their presentation on the Heat Bank.

The school-wide competition is part of the YPI program, which runs similar charitable contests in schools around the world.  

Suranyi said their presentation highlighted the success stories of the charity.

“The Haliburton Heat Bank is a less-known charity than the other ones that were competing,” Suranyi said. “I think that helped shed light on the Heat Bank.”  

“The stories that (Heat Bank co-ordinator) Tina (Jackson) gave were probably really moving because sometimes they were really tragic,” Salaris added. 

 The YPI initiative has run at HHSS for 12 years. The program goes into the curriculum as a graded project for the school’s civics class. The project requires students to engage with charities in their community and share what they have learned in a presentation. The top-five projects compete in front of the school, with the winning group earning $5,000 for their charity.

The group has donated more than $50,000 to local charities since it started running in Haliburton.  Teacher Paul Longo, who co-ordinates YPI at HHSS, said the program remains successful. 

“It gets Grade 10 students out in the community, visiting charities, asking questions, learning about what we do in this community that’s so important as far as volunteer work,” Longo said. 

Jackson said the charity, which provides firewood and heat to vulnerable people, has participated in projects for YPI before. But this is the first time the charity has won.  

“I am just so proud of the work that both of these youth did, in pouring everything into the presentation that won us the money,” Jackson said. “This is one of the largest donations we’ll likely receive this year.“

They were absolutely passionate. They believed in what we were doing,” she added.  

Salaris said to succeed in the competition, it is vital to choose a charity you care about.  “Pick a charity you believe in, like and would stand for,” he said.

Demand spikes again at County food banks

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Minden Community Food Centre (MCFC) manager Jean Munroe said things have never been busier at the Newcastle Street pantry, reporting an 18 per cent increase in demand through the first quarter of 2025, with Tina Jackson from Central Food Network reporting similar activity in Highlands East.

The figureheads from two of the County’s three major food bank operations told The Highlander, in an April 18 interview, that there’s been a “non-stop surge” in numbers stretching back to 2019.

According to Munroe, that’s putting considerable stress on the Minden food bank’s staff, volunteers, and bottom line. In 2024, the operation served 3,248 people, averaging 271 visits per month. Through January, February and March that total had reached 966 people – or 322 per month.

“It’s been six years of increase after increase after increase. I haven’t seen demand go down yet,” said Munroe, who celebrated her third year with the operation in February. “The big issue I’m hearing from people is rent. People are struggling to make ends meet and keep a roof over their head. Unfortunately, food is one of the first things people opt to go without.”

The recent ice storm had an impact, with some clients telling Munroe they lost all their frozen and refrigerated foods due to the prolonged power outage.

Jump in the Lake foodbank fundraiser set for May 17

After seeing just over 3,000 visits in 2023 – the first time the Minden hub crossed that annual threshold, Munroe said she’s preparing to hit another new milestone this year. With economic uncertainty stemming from the Canada-U.S. trade war, she feels things may get worse for those struggling before it gets better.

So, she and the MCFC board have decided to pivot. Beginning in mid-March, staff started sending clients home with three weeks’ worth of food, rather than the usual four, allowing the needy to visit more frequently.

It’s the second major transition in the past eight months, after the food bank, last summer, increased the amount of food people get each visit.

“We’re seeing the crunch everywhere – food is flying off our shelves faster than ever before. Trying to keep up with that is bringing its own challenges right now,” Munroe said, noting when she started the operation spent about $3,500 a month on food. Now, its bill is more than double that.

As a result, Munroe said the food bank is heavily reliant on community donations. More bins were set up across Minden last fall, which has helped keep non-perishables stocked – with 8,710 pounds collected so far this year.

Proteins and produce are more limited, though Monroe said some businesses, like Coneybeare’s Butcher Shop, have established programs where people can purchase things at cost, which is then donated.

“We’re getting lots of ground beef, which has been amazing,” Munroe said.

She’s also looking forward to the community garden at the fairgrounds reopening, which also helps.

Surging demand

Last year, CFN saw 4,128 visits to its food banks in Cardiff and Wilberforce, averaging 343 stops per month. Those numbers have increased slightly in early 2025, with CFN seeing 336 visits in January and 361 in February.

Compared to pre-pandemic levels, Jackson estimates the operation is serving an additional 57 people – or 100 extra monthly visits. The Wilberforce food bank assisted 25 more households this January compared to last, with an additional 19 in February. In Cardiff, five new households were welcomed in January and seven in February.

CFN also distributed over 900 frozen meals to people in January and February through its Community Cooks program.

“Poverty in Canada is spiraling out of control. In the last five years, visits to Canadian food banks have almost doubled,” Jackson said.

In 2023, CFN was able to buy a cargo van, which Jackson said has allowed the local food banks to access reserves from bigger facilities in Belleville, Peterborough, and Lindsay. Last year, that brought 235,299 pounds of food valued at approximately $750,000 to the County.

That’s brought the facility’s monthly food spend way down, with Jackson saying CFN spent $2,200 in January. Before, she said they would have spent “considerably more.”

While she didn’t have numbers, Judy MacDuff, who runs the 4Cs Food Bank in Haliburton, said demand has been “a lot higher” through the first quarter of the year. She registered four new clients in a single day April 17.

In 2024, the site registered 2,213 visits, assisting 2,726 adults and 1,109 children, which MacDuff said was up from 2023.

“We need to see food prices come down and incomes go up… if it wasn’t for the Lily Ann, we wouldn’t be able to operate [at current levels]. It pays for our rent, heat, hydro and other things we need,” MacDuff said. “Donations [to the food bank] go directly to purchase food.”

Jump in

MCFC and CFN are partnering again this year for Jump in the Lake, scheduled for May 17. The annual event challenges people to get pledges before jumping in a local waterbody on the day.

It raised $11,500 last year, with Jackson hoping to eclipse that total this time around. As of press time, MCFC has 12 people registered, raising $2,000, with CFN at nine participants and $1,950 raised.

This will be the first time Jump in the Lake doesn’t run alongside the same-named Coboconk initiative, which happens May 3.

Munroe said this was done to try and encourage more cottagers to get involved. There will also be prizes for top individual fundraisers, Jackson noted. Munroe said she’ll be taking a dip in the Gull River this year, with Jackson diving into Halls Lake.

“We want this to be fun – something people can have a little competition with. Our organizations are facing lots of challenges and struggles right now. So get together, talk to your neighbours, form a team and help make a positive impact in our community,” Jackson said.

Carter and Fearrey to get strong mayor powers

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They will soon have strong mayor powers, but Dysart et al’s Murray Fearrey and Minden Hills’ Bob Carter are still figuring out what that means for them and their townships.

On April 9, Ontario proposed to expand strong mayor powers to 169 additional municipalities effective May 1.

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing said the expansion “reflects Ontario’s commitment to streamline local governance and help ensure municipalities have the tools they need to reduce obstacles that can stand in the way of new housing and infrastructure development.”

The powers will allow heads of councils of six members or more “to support shared provincial-municipal priorities, such as encouraging the approval of new housing and constructing and maintaining infrastructure to support housing, including roads and transit,” the ministry said.

Dysart et al and Minden Hills have seven councillors, while Algonquin Highlands and Highlands East five.

Rob Flack, minister of municipal affairs and housing, said by extending strong mayor powers to these additional municipalities, “we are providing mayors every tool at our disposal to empower them to get homes and infrastructure built faster. Mayors know their municipalities best, and we support them in taking bold actions for their communities.”

Ontario’s strong mayor powers, initially introduced for Toronto and Ottawa in 2022, have been gradually rolled out across the province. There are 47 municipalities in Ontario with these enhanced powers, which the province says has helped to cut red tape and accelerate the delivery of key priorities in their communities.

“These enhanced powers come with increased accountability for heads of council and maintain essential checks and balances through the oversight of councillors,” the ministry said.

Fearrey said he’s just learning what it all means but, “it’s not going to change the way I operate in terms of being involved with staff hiring, and things like that. I’ve always been involved. I think it’s important that it be a team effort.”

He believes, “it’s going to help us on some of the planning issues; to free things up and make it a little bit easier to get housing started because we need to do that desperately. It should help us leverage provincial funding for some of these projects because it’s all about getting some housing built, getting some rental units out there. If we have a proposal, I think it’ll go a long way to disposition now. I think it’s going to help.”

Fearrey said one reservation he has is, “when you make one move, are you going to make that move all the time? That’s the dangerous part of shifting away from policy.”

Carter said the news caught Minden Hills by surprise, finding out when the minister made the announcement last week. They’ve only briefly looked at the implications.

He wants more clarity on the fact Minden Hills, and Dysart, work with the County of Haliburton. “We have Dysart and Minden, who have these powers, but the County does not and our plans are tied into the County. We need to be able to clarify and figure that out.”

He sees a benefit in things such as being able to move official plans ahead faster.

“The primary thing is … hopefully good news that we can use the power to help the community.”

Strong mayor powers and duties include:

• Choosing to appoint the municipality’s CAO.

• Hiring certain municipal department heads and establishing and re-organizing departments.

• Creating committees of council, assigning their functions and appointing the chairs and vice-chairs of committees of council.

• Proposing the municipal budget, which would be subject to council amendments and a separate head of council veto and council override process.

• Proposing certain municipal bylaws if the mayor thinks the proposed bylaw could potentially advance a provincial priority. Council can pass these bylaws if more than one-third of council members vote in favour.

• Vetoing certain bylaws if the head of council thinks all or part of the bylaw could potentially interfere with a provincial priority.

• Bringing forward matters for council consideration if the head of council thinks considering the matter could potentially advance a provincial priority.

Tariffs timeline

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Jan. 20: Trump sworn in, announces plans for 25 per cent tariff on Canada

Feb. 1: Trump announces 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports, effective Feb. 4

Feb. 3: Trump agrees to a 30-day delay for tariffs on Canada Feb. 10: Trump removes 2018 steel exemptions, raising tariffs to 25 per cent on all steel imports. Aluminum tariffs increased from 10 to 25 per cent, effective March 12.

March 4: Trump enforces 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports, though only 10 per cent on energy. Canada responds with $100 billion in retaliatory measures

March 5: Trump agrees a one-month pause on tariffs for auto imports from Canada

March 12: Canada imposes $29.8 billion retaliatory tariffs on U.S.

March 26: U.S. announces a 25 per cent tariff on all imported vehicles, including those made in Canada, effective April 3.

April 2: Canada implements additional $95 billion in tariffs on U.S. goods

April 3: Canada announced 25 per cent retaliatory tariffs on all non-CUSMA vehicles and non-Canadian auto parts, but only those imported from the U.S. April 9: The U.S. imposes reciprocal 10 per cent tariff on Canadian imports, a 25 per cent tariff on non-USMCA goods, and 10 per cent on energy and potash. Canada retaliates with additional $125 billion in tariffs on U.S. imports.

April 11: Trump announces 90-day pause on new tariff increases for most countries, but existing tariffs on Canadian imports remain.

Conn wants more supports for County’s small businesses

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Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce executive director Amanda Conn said it’s been a difficult few weeks for County-based businesses adapting to “seemingly ever-changing, on-again, off-again” tariffs proposed by the U.S. government.

After initially announcing plans to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports effective Feb. 4, president Donald Trump delayed implementing measures until March 4. Since then, a series of retaliatory strikes from the federal and Ontario governments has resulted in more threats, though on April 11, Trump declared a 90-day pause on new tariff increases for most countries, including Canada.

The initial 25 per cent levy remains on imports, including non-United StatesMexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) compliant goods and 10 per cent on energy and potash.

Conn said some County businesses are starting to feel the pinch.

“A few are definitely seeing some significant cost increases – those who rely on getting their raw materials from the U.S. or who have to ship things. We’re helping where we can, but I would say the nervousness many have been feeling is still there and it’s starting to worsen because we’re seeing some of the things we were concerned about coming true.

“The uncertainty and not knowing is probably the most frustrating thing, because it’s leaving people in limbo. For a good run there, we were seeing things change on a daily basis. New tariffs being added, then taken off. It’s created a sense of chaos and confusion. Businesses are finding it very difficult to plan because they never know what’s coming next, if they’re going to get hit or not,” Conn said.

With the Ontario Legislature getting back underway April 15, Conn said there’s some encouraging news coming out of Queen’s Park. Premier Doug Ford announced an $11 billion support fund for businesses, with $9 billion in deferrals for things like the employer health tax and insurance premium tax. He said that will be in place retroactively from April 1 to Oct. 1.

There’s also a $2 billion rebate the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) will issue to “safe employers.”

Conn said full details have yet to emerge on how that relief will be rolled out. She’s unsure, too, how much it will help small businesses.

“I think there’s some employers in our County that will benefit, but you have to have a pretty substantial payroll. I’d like to see more about the supports for smaller businesses,” she said.

Chamber president Joe Cox also felt the announced measures would have “little to no impact” on those struggling in Haliburton County.

Following last week’s throne speech, there’s an expectation the new government’s first bill will focus on interprovincial trade, breaking down internal barriers to bolster Ontario’s economy, as well as diversifying trade partnerships with other countries.

MPP Laurie Scott told The Highlander, “these measures will help us build a more competitive and resilient economy, ensuring that businesses are better equipped to thrive in the global market.”

Cox, controller at Francis Thomas Contracting in Algonquin Highlands, felt that would be a positive move.

“This could be an opportunity for local businesses to source alternative solutions without having to pay hefty import fees. Although, this will not have a considerable impact on our operations [at Francis Thomas], I can see this being beneficial to a number of organizations,” Cox said.

Focus on tourism

Conn said one benefit to the Canada-U.S. trade war is an expected bump in local tourism. She said locals should brace themselves for a summer like those seen in 2021 and 2022, when the Canadian border was closed for travel.

“The Ontario chamber network is doing a lot of advocacy around staycations – we did that a few years ago and it was a good boost for Haliburton County. Many businesses are driven by tourism here, so hopefully that’s something that will help,” Conn said.

Angelica Ingram, the County’s manager of tourism, noted many County-based tourism operators reported a strong winter and are optimistic for a busy summer. She believes the Highlands now one of the premiere four-season destinations for visitors from across the world – especially the U.S.

A recent Destination Ontario poll revealed more than half of U.S.-based respondents are likely to take a trip north of the border this year, Ingram said.

“Americans still feel that Canada is a welcoming destination. That is positive news, and we hope that translates to continued tourism from the U.S.,” Ingram said.

Jamie Schmale, Conservative candidate

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Many people in Haliburton County continue to struggle with the rising cost of living. Tell me something tangible you/your party will do to help put more money in their pocket?

Our party understands that the past 10 years of the current Liberal government have been a disaster on the pocketbooks of the average family and working Canadian, especially in Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes. The stories I hear at the doors of so many people not being able to afford groceries, rent, and other necessities are heart-breaking. We must act quickly to provide relief and kickstart our economy. Conservatives are proposing a plan where workers will keep more of their paycheques by cutting income taxes by 15 per cent so the average worker can keep an extra $900 each year, while dual-income families will keep $1,800 more. We will also make each dollar go further by axing the federal sales tax on new homes worth up to $1.3 million.

With the U.S. proving to be an unreliable trade partner, what plans does your party have to diversify Canada’s economy, and what partnerships will you be targeting?

Canada will never become the 51st State and Canada can no longer rely on the United States to act in fair negotiations for free trade under the current president. Our party has been advocating for interprovincial free trade within our borders for over a decade, and we have the plan to make our economy self-sufficient, while trading our goods with allies overseas. Conservatives will bring premiers together to agree on removing as many trade barriers as possible, we will create an energy corridor that enables us to quickly build infrastructure for pipelines, LNG plants, and small modular reactors, and we will create a “Blue Seal” standard so that doctors and nurses can quickly be certified and work anywhere in the country through a streamlined process.

What’s the most significant item in your party’s platform and how do you feel it will impact people in Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes?

As sad as it is to say, addiction and homelessness have spiked across our riding over the past 10 years, and residents in our communities have been expressing the need for a change in policy to solve these issues. The solution to these problems requires compassion. That’s why Conservatives are proposing a plan that will fund 50,000 Canadians in treatment centres with a proven record of success of sending patients home, drug-free. We will require existing federal recovery sites to focus on connecting users with treatment and meet stricter regulatory standards through a results-based system. To fund this policy, our government will stop federal funding for opioids and sue the opioid manufacturers, along with their consulting companies, who created this crisis in the first place.

You’re seeking a fourth term having spent 10 years representing the riding in Ottawa. In your opinion, what’s your biggest accomplishment as a politician?

My office has a series of little victories each and every day because of the amazing team I have who work so hard and passionately for the people in our riding. Each year, we handle thousands of everyday issues that constituents need solving, whether it’s involving the CRA, passports, OAS, or for any inquiry someone may have at a given moment, my team is always there to hear what you have to say. Carrying on from my Conservative predecessor, Barry Devolin, I have proudly kept the “Capital Experience” going, an annual opportunity for two students from the seven high schools in our riding to travel to Ottawa and learn about various career options our capital city has to offer after post-secondary. I will continue this tradition that creates opportunities for our youth.

If elected, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has said he’ll make history and become the first prime minister to use the notwithstanding clause to override the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to impose consecutive life sentences on multiple murders. What are your thoughts on that?

We must advocate for the rights of victims of these heinous crimes. Sadly, the Supreme Court has made decisions that result in the sentences of some of Canada’s most notorious killers being reduced, giving them a chance to walk free early. We see examples in cases involving Alexandre Bissonette, Justin Bourque, among many others. I stand with Pierre Poilievre, and I firmly support our Conservative plan to use our constitutional powers under the Charter of Rights, and Freedoms to bring justice back to our criminal justice system and end discounted sentencing for murderers. We will introduce life sentencing for criminals convicted of five or more counts of human trafficking, importing/exporting 10 or more illegal firearms, and fentanyl trafficking.

Nell Thomas, Liberal candidate

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Many people in Haliburton County continue to struggle with the rising cost of living. Tell me something tangible you/ your party will do to put more money in their pockets.

Building resiliency against trade wars/ tariffs; Cutting taxes for middle-class families; Supporting seniors and retirees by reducing RRIF withdrawals 25 per cent per year; Increasing Guaranteed Income Supplement by 5 per cent; Eliminating GST for first-time buyers; Covering $8,000 in apprenticeship training; Expanding union programs to help workers enter high-paying trades; Cancelled carbon tax, saving 18 cents/litre at the pumps; Making permanent $10 a day childcare and National School Food Program; Expanding Canadian Dental Care Plan; Protecting pension and benefit transfers, employment insurance, Canada Child Benefits, GST/HST credits, disability savings grants; Funding home retrofits, lower utility bills for mid/low-income homeowners and renters (heat pumps, energy efficiency upgrades); Funding home protection against floods, wildfires, extreme weather (funding roof repair/replacement, installing sump pumps, sealing foundation cracks).

With the US proving to be an unreliable trade partner, what plans does your party have to diversify Canada’s economy, and what partnerships will you be targeting?

Prime Minister Carney’s Liberals are: Rapidly mobilizing investments in electricity, transportation, building, agriculture, forestry, manufacturing; Expanding training in trades, healthcare, high tech; Building local businesses to be tariff-resilient using Canadian resources and markets; Fast-tracking made-in-Canada sustainable investment guidelines; Growing food locally; Keeping raw materials here instead of shipping out for manufacturing (make beer cans here from our aluminum, build greenhouses, furniture here, etc.); Eliminating interprovincial trade barriers; Establishing with European leaders a unified response to Trump’s tariff threats (already done); Developing a national energy and electricity plan; Developing ports, supply chains and new trade corridors away from the US.

What’s the most significant item in your party’s platform and how do you feel it will impact people in Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes?

Canadian self-sufficiency – energy, jobs, food, and housing. Stop importing lamb and beef. We want our eggs, chickens, beef, vegetables produced in Canada. All components of the food industry must be Canadian, from farm machinery to greenhouses to food processing and distribution.

If Ontario replaced the top ten imported fruits and vegetables by growing, processing, distributing them here, $250 million could be created for the economy, producing 3,400 jobs. Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes has all the major farm equipment dealers, large commercial grain elevators, input suppliers, a livestock sale barn and large animal veterinary service to support over 1,100 crop and livestock farming operations.

We are a regional centre for Agri-business retail and support services. By adding new technologies, food production and processing will flourish here.

It’s been 25 years since a Liberal was elected to represent this riding in Ottawa. Why should that change this month and why are you the best person for the job?

Canada is facing unprecedented threats from the U.S. Donald Trump wants our water and resources. We need a strong and unified country and a leader who knows how to manage trade wars.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has already met with European leaders to unify a stance against the Trump tariffs… he has already met with the premiers and established a commitment to unite in trade.

Carney is a globally recognized financial expert with a track record for managing crises. I am a crisis manager, too. I bring real world experience (farmer, business owner, physician) and a life of community service that directly applies to finding solutions to big and urgent problems. I am practical and disciplined. I advocate, most emphatically for the neediest.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a new federal housing entity that he says will speed up affordable housing construction and provide financing to home builders. How much money has been committed through this? How will it help encourage more development in Haliburton County?

Carney plans four million homes by 2035, guaranteeing everyone has a safe and stable place to call home by: Unlocking private investment to build new homes for younger Canadians; Cutting developer fees 50 per cent, spurring $8 billion private investment annually; Eliminating GST for homes under $1 million; Removing tax and regulations for contractors/builders to get permits for new builds; Standardizing national building codes; Reintroducing home builders tax incentive Multi-Unit Rental Building (MURB); Accelerating construction training, covering $8,000 apprenticeships; Doubling non-profit and co-op permanent homes; Injecting $10 billion in middle/low-income rental homes; Investing $25 billion in sustainable technologies that speeds builds, lowering costs making it cheaper to own/maintain homes; Eliminating need to relicense when crossing provincial borders; Expanding Rapid Housing and Rental Protection Fund programs.

Supports Coming Full Circle in County

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A new program designed to match County residents dealing with substance abuse issues and mental health challenges with people who have lived experience overcoming them now has a home base in Haliburton village.

Coming Full Circle is a two-year pilot that aims to change the narrative around supporting people in crisis, says David Barkley, project lead. He recently secured a space at 83 Maple Ave., Unit 7 of the Halco Plaza. The next step is hiring a team of seven peer support specialists who, he hopes, can get to work making a difference in the community.

He’s expecting the program to fully launch in late May or early June. “This is going to be a unique approach to supporting people – there will be oneon-one, drop-in, casual and insert-type programming. It’s all about fostering connections and finding ways to communicate with people,” Barkley said.

“We want to improve the resources in this community and be seen as a place where anyone can come for support, instead of being just another name or group that people don’t want to use.”

It’s a collaboration between Point in Time, Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR), and several organizations representing the Haliburton County Connections Committee. It was made possible by a $800,000 grant from Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program.

Barkley has 22 years of experience working in the field, most recently with the Lynx Early Psychosis Intervention Program. He said he’s seen the peer support model “become a little more accepted” in recent years, believing it’s the key to unlocking doors, and barriers, for people needing support.

Breaking it down more, he said the program isn’t meant to attract professionals with fancy degrees or diplomas to serve in lead roles, opting instead for “real life” experience.

“We want a full complement of peers. We want people who are in different stages of their own recovery journey, because we want everyone to be able to learn from one another.

“Ultimately, we believe lived experience is lived expertise. If people have been there and it’s true, exposure to substance use and addictions, it helps foster connections with people just starting out on their own healing journey. They didn’t read it in a book, they didn’t go to school to learn about it. It’s genuine, firsthand knowledge. That’s the kind of thing that helps break down barriers, that people can connect with,” Barkley said.

All staff will be trained once hired and before meeting with would-be clients, on things like non-violent crisis intervention, verbal support, and communication techniques. Barkley said he’s still looking for candidates – pay is above market rate, for 21 hours a week.

He expects the drop-in centre will be open up to three days a week, though said that may change as the program develops.

Asked if he had a sense for how prevalent the drug crisis is in Haliburton County, and what the program expects to do numbers wise, Barkley said he’s less focused on statistics.

“We know it is an issue, but it’s an issue everywhere. It’s been expressed the County can really use some additional resources… it’s something that’s impacting a lot of people in the community,” he said. “Our goal is to improve things. If that’s one person at a time, that’s OK with me. Now is the time, I think, to try some different things… because the usual ways and models haven’t been working.

“We’re wanting to see people who have maybe connected with supports before, but it didn’t quite work for them. And it doesn’t just have to be drugs and mental health – we’re hoping people who have issues around food insecurity, housing and homelessness come to us as well so we can help them and maybe improve connections to other resources once people have developed a level of trust.”

If they can get a foothold, Barkley believes Coming Full Circle can change the way other agencies work and operate, too.

“This peer support approach can be effective, but it isn’t being utilized a whole lot. It’s going to take unique, almost outside the box ways of thinking and connecting to make a difference. We’ll be evaluating ourselves all the time to make sure we’re hitting the right mark, and hope to share what’s working for us with others,” Barkley said.

For more information, or to apply, visit cmhahkpr.ca/careers.

Student bringing comedy to life through opera

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For as long as Highlands East teenager Veronica Beynon can remember she’s always dreamed of writing and producing movies, TV shows and stage plays – now her fantasy is set to become reality thanks to Highlands Opera Studio (HoS).

The Hal High victory lapper was recently announced as one of five storytellers for the studio’s upcoming Let’s Make an Opera production. The year-long pilot project is being overseen by Valerie Kuinka, HoS lead, and three other mentors – Lauren Margison, Danika Loren, and Michael Murphy.

The goal is to create a professional play based on stories, historical happenings and life experiences in Haliburton County. Fellow County residents Marci Mandel, Meghan Mardus, Jack Simpson and Janet Trull will also have stories featured for the opera, which will premiere later this year.

Beynon’s was one of the last of 14 submissions received, with the student telling The Highlander she quickly put a proposal together after learning about the project through Melissa Stephens, a retired teacher and conductor with Highlands Festival Singers.

“It was actually a week before the final due date – I went into researching some old newspaper clippings from a long time ago to find some fun historical facts I could try to build an opera around,” Beynon said.

She read up on the County’s rich history of logging and found accounts of land disputes between original settlers in Haliburton and those who arrived following the completion of the Victoria Railway in 1878.

After stumbling upon the works of Ontario author Larry D. Cotton, renowned for his Whiskey and Wickedness series that spans 30 books, she settled on a comedic scene involving two men arguing in a fictional County-based bar. Her story is a simple one, involving one other character, a bartender.

“One of the funny recurring themes through all my research was about these almost like duels going on in the bars. Because people were intoxicated, they were forced to take the bullets out of their guns before being served. So I thought it would be really fun to play with the idea of a shootout almost happening in a bar, only for all the suspense and build-up to lead to nothing,” Beynon said, noting it will feature callbacks to key historical moments.

She’s collaborating on the piece with Bill Gliddon, a man almost 70 years her elder. An organist at St. George’s Anglican Church for 63 years and retired music teacher, Gliddon said he jumped at the opportunity to assist Beynon by composing music for her story.

The pair met for the first time in late March to go over ideas. Gliddon said they connected instantly.

“I liked her story, I thought it was funny. Then I thought to myself how refreshing it would be working with someone so young, the intergenerational creativity we could each bring to the project,” said Gliddon, who also submitted a story but wasn’t selected.

Following that first meeting, he provided Beynon with seven musical numbers she could take away to style her words for. A week later, she sent back almost a complete libretto – essentially the manuscript for an opera. That inspired Gliddon, who spent much of April 11 perfecting his composition.

While far from finished, he’s likened the piece to an old-school Gilbert and Sullivan production. That was a nice callback for the former Hal High music teacher and Glee club figurehead, who produced student-led plays from the Victorian-era duo annually through the 70s and 80s.

While Beynon will take a behind-the-scenes role during the final production, Gliddon admits he feels a calling to tickle the ivories. He’ll also assist with final planning.

Next steps

Kuinka said the community is abuzz following the story announcement, with the next phase going to be finding performers. There are workshops scheduled May 16 and Aug. 9, though she encourages anyone interested in playing a role to reach out.

Originally, the opera was to feature three or four local stories, but Kuinka said the judges had a hard enough time whittling things down to five.

“We’ve really hit the ground running now – our selected writers have all been matched with mentors to assist. Some require help with the music, but others are already working themselves to figure out how to best bring their pieces to life,” Kuinka said, noting Mandel and Mardus will also perform in their renditions.

“We have stories that are hilarious, stories that are deeply moving and are tear-jerkers, and stories of human growth, of experience overcoming hardship,” she added.

Kuinka is hoping all stories will be wrapped by Aug. 9, giving performers at least three months to perfect their act.

The final performance will be held in November of December, likely at the Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion.

HoS is looking to fill a variety of behind-the-scenes roles, as well as on-stage, with anyone interested asked to contact Kuinka at valerie@highlandsoperastudio.com.

Job fair ‘connects youth with County jobs’

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For Aggie Tose, executive officer with the Haliburton County Home Builders’ Association (HCHBA), job fair day at Hal High is one of her busiest and most rewarding of the year.

With 33 businesses packed inside the school gymnasium April 16, and hundreds of students coming-and-going throughout the day, Tose believes the annual event is one of the most important recurring functions in the County.

A joint HHSS-HCHBA staple for several years, it informs future workers about the opportunities that exist in Haliburton County, connecting them with businesses early.

“This is about showcasing to students all the amazing careers that are available across the Highlands. They can go away to school, but we want to instill in them that they can come back home and live very well here. There are lots of positions in-demand.

“We had a wide variety of businesses involved this year from all sectors – construction, service, healthcare, different monitoring and how to perform CPR. government departments,” Tose said.

Among the busiest vendors was the Haliburton Highlands Health Services table, manned by HR director Peter Kronenberg. He said the organization, which operates the Haliburton hospital, Minden Health Hub, and Hyland Crest and Highland Wood long-term care homes, is always hiring.

Kronenberg said job fairs like this help HHHS connect with youth interested in a career in healthcare.

“We want to let young people know what options are out there within their community. Students do not have to leave their community to find good jobs. There’s so many choices and different things available at HHHS.

“I think most people know about the nursing jobs, but we also have vacancies in diagnostic imaging, admin, and other more focused areas. People might not know these jobs exist unless they have a friend or relative who works in the system, so building awareness at events like this is important,” Kronenberg said.

Haliburton County EMS paramedics Jordi Collins and Krystin Hope spent all day teaching students about vital sign

“Lots of the kids said they’d done a course, so we were able to use our machines to see whether their depth was good or not. It’s always fun to show them proper techniques – we have to do it for two minutes at a time before we check on patients, they all said ‘oh my god, two minutes! That’s a long time’. They’re very surprised by what it actually looks like,” Hope said.

A paramedic with the local service for two years, Hope said her position comes with lots of job security – something she said the students were all asking about.

Cole Stiles is a general contractor with G.J. Burtch Construction. He said the company was hiring for apprentices – something they’ve done for as long as Chris Simpson, woodwork and auto shop teacher at Hal High, can remember.

Simpson said interest in Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program places was at an all-time high this year.

“We’ve got three or four applying for carpentry, three for electrical, a couple for automotive, one for welding… that will put them in a co-op that goes towards their leonemurray.com | 705-854-0068 | 123 Maple Ave, Haliburton high school diploma, but also level one training for whatever their chosen field is. Then they can go to college, a lot of them with an employment opportunity waiting for them when they’re done.

“Days like this open so many doors for these kids. Most of them have no idea what’s out there, or how much money they could be making,” Simpson said.

Tose said there’s major demand for plumbers, electricians, drywallers and painters. Despite a slower year for construction in 2024 and economic uncertainty due to the Canada-U.S. trade war, Tose expects there to be lots of activity this summer.

“New builds are slower, but renovations are booming. People are being a little more cautious… some businesses are pivoting, but there is hiring happening. We’re preparing for a busy summer.”

She said HCHBA is available to assist any student looking for more information on specific positions, how to access training, and get lined up for work. “Our youth don’t need to go into debt to find good, stable, well-paying work in Haliburton,” Tose said.

Volunteer firefighters, heroes among us

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Volunteers come in all shapes, sizes, and vocations. What they all have in common is the desire to help their communities.

Some collect food and distribute it to those in need, others organize charitable events to raise money for community organizations, while a select few put their lives on the line as volunteer firefighters.

In Canada, volunteers make up approximately 71 per cent of firefighters. According to the Canadian Fire Service in Ontario, over 94 per cent of communities rely on volunteer firefighters for at least part of their emergency response. Of these, 75 per cent are in departments that serve communities with populations of less than 25,000—such as Haliburton County.

In the Highlands, there are four fire departments: Algonquin Highlands, commanded by acting chief Chris Shelly, Minden Hills by chief Don Kruger, Dysart et al by chief Dan Chumbley, and Highlands East by chief Chris Baughman.

Kruger, from the Minden Hills fire hall, explains that they currently have 18 firefighters and four captains. Meanwhile, deputy chief Stacey Parish, from the Dysart et al fire hall, reports that although there is room for 32 volunteer firefighters, they presently have 28.

“We have absolutely fantastic volunteers,” Parish said.

Kenny Briggs and Jarrod Spooner are volunteer firefighters at the Dysart et al fire hall. Both maintain full-time day jobs— Briggs works at Dimensions Algonquin Highlands, and Spooner runs his own property maintenance company—but they never hesitate to answer the call.

“I work full-time, but when the pager goes off, I usually answer the call,” said Briggs. “It is all about the initial effort and dedication.”

Spooner echoed that sentiment, adding that the passion for helping others and the camaraderie among firefighters are key factors in the enjoyment and satisfaction of the work.

Parish: job hard but ‘so worth it’

Both Briggs and Spooner have logged over 100 hours already this year.

Pat Kitcheman, a volunteer from the Minden Hills fire hall, has responded to more than 44 calls in the first quarter of this year. “Being my own boss, I have the freedom to answer the calls when they come in,” Kitcheman said.

While some volunteer firefighters mentioned that joining had been something they always wanted to do, Kitcheman joined for a different reason.

“I witnessed a fire down my road and was intrigued by watching the responders—I thought, that’s something I could do.” He added that, although he initially knew little about firefighting, he adopted the “that looks interesting, let’s give it a try” rule of thumb. “I have completed all of the training and continue to obtain as many additional certifications as I can.”

Shelly explained that the hiring process and provincially-mandated certification program is quite in-depth.

“The standard requirements we follow come from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and from February to June we run a County-wide training program that brings recruits from across Haliburton County together,” Shelly said.

Jenn McGovern, a volunteer from the Minden Hills department and the first female captain Minden Hills has ever had, noted that the recruitment school fosters relationships with other departments in the community.

“We are like a family that always has each other’s backs. We get to observe the new recruits’ skills, which is really helpful when we respond to mutual calls.”

Despite having a full-time job as a correctional officer and teaching at both the recruitment school and sometimes even at the high school, McGovern still likes to get her hands on the hose.

“Typically, I attend a callout in a supervisory position, and as a captain it is sometimes hard to step back and let my crew do their job because I still like to get my hands dirty,” she said.

Haliburton County is one of many regions that rely on the dedication and continuous training of volunteer firefighters to keep everyone safe. When a call goes out, it is answered by those who have committed themselves to helping others—on what can sometimes be the worst day of their lives.

Although the work can be challenging, Dysart’s Parish believes it’s “so worth it.”