A group of County-based health care advocates are again urging Ontario’s auditor general to launch a full-scale investigation into Haliburton Highlands Health Services’ (HHHS) closure of the Minden ER.

Jeff Nicholls, Adria Scarano, Aurora McGinn, and Tracy Klompmaker have been leading the charge behind Minden Paper, a group of working professionals who have spent the past 12 months analyzing HHHS’ reasoning for the shuttering.

Last November, the group wrote to Shelley Spence, Ontario’s auditor general, and the office of the integrity commissioner, to request a thorough investigation. Nicholls said the team, which also includes an advisory group of 10 to 15 other people located across Canada, had spent more than 9,000 hours compiling data from HHHS and every hospital in Ontario from the 2022-23 fiscal years.

“We believe the closure of the Minden emergency department serves as a microcosm for what’s happening to hospitals, and health care services, across Ontario,” Nicholls said.

The decision to close the Minden site was made by the HHHS board last spring. It shuttered six weeks later. Board chair David O’Brien stated repeatedly over the following weeks that the decision had more to do with a local health care worker shortage than money, but Nicholls and the rest of the Minden Paper team disagree.

They have questioned how the organization’s deficit grew from $220,000 in June 2022 to approximately $4.1 million in March 2023.

Spence replied to Minden Paper March 19, stating much of the requested information was included in a 2023 report the auditor general’s office compiled looking at emergency department issues provincewide. Spence said several recommendations have been submitted to the Ministry of Health, Ontario Health, and dozens of hospitals, though she did not state whether HHHS was on that list.

The auditor general’s office will follow-up on the status of those recommendations this year, with a public report to be published in 2025.

Nicholls contends the Minden Paper team has uncovered a major oversight in the auditor general’s report, which claims HHHS extensively utilized the Health Force Ontario Locum program – to fill physician ER shifts – at its Haliburton and Minden sites between 2020 and 2023, logging more than 4,000 hours. Nicholls claims the program was rarely used in Minden, as corroborated by former Minden ER doctor Dennis Fiddler in a 2023 letter.

“Minden did not use the locum program for physicians until April 2023… the AG’s audit oversights regarding usage – incorrectly suggesting Haliburton and Minden used the locum program in equal amounts – raise serious concerns,” Nicholls said.

The team called on the auditor general’s office to re-evaluate data regarding Minden’s use of the locum program and amend its 2023 report.

Spokesperson Becky Fong said the auditor general’s office “carefully considers” all information when selecting and planning audits, including information submitted by the public, but noted, “we do not comment on specific details of information received by our office, or with respect to any planned or ongoing audit work.”

When audits are complete, they are tabled in the Legislature and then made public, she said.

Lauren Ernst, communications lead at HHHS, told The Highlander that HHHS did not distinguish separate numbers for locum program usage for Haliburton and Minden, instead grouping the two hospitals together in its reporting. She noted the sites utilized “almost” 4,000 physician hours between April 2022 and March 2023.

McGinn said she, and the community, are still waiting on answers.

“People still don’t really understand why this happened… we need to address the lack of accountability and transparency before we can move on,” she said.

Slippery slope

Klompmaker said she inspected year-end financial reports from hundreds of hospitals in Ontario, to see if the problems plaguing HHHS were happening elsewhere. The results, she said, were alarming.

Klompmaker found that 102 hospitals ended the 2023 fiscal year with a deficit – an increase from 33 at the end of the 2022 fiscal year. The average deficit rose by 992 per cent, from $545,000 to $5.9 million, with the total deficit climbing 3,300 per cent – from $17.9 million to $610 million.

Five hospitals have released projections for the 2024 fiscal year – Niagara Health System, Brant Community Healthcare in Brantford, Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington, St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton, and Hamilton Health Sciences. Collectively they are anticipating their deficit to grow 280 per cent, to $145.8 million from $38.3 million in 2023.

A months-long Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP) investigation of the Wigamog Inn site in Dysart et al has found species at-risk could be present at the site – further delaying demolition efforts.

Gary Wheeler, MECP spokesperson, told The Highlander last week that ministry officials had been in contact with property owner, Aurora Group, to request they address “several” regulatory requirements for on-site operations and pending demolition activities before proceeding.

“The owner is required to undertake assessments on the property, including a species at-risk assessment, should demolition plans continue,” Wheeler said.

He noted species at-risk observed, or known to frequent the area, include the chimney swift, eastern whip-poor-will, Blanding’s turtle, at-risk bats, and the eastern hog-nosed snake.

Hailey Cole, a Dysart bylaw officer, said “there is a reasonable likelihood” that species at-risk may be present at the site. She has been in touch with Aurora Group, and confirmed an assessment is underway and expected to be complete in about six months.

“That timeframe is to allow for observation during multiple seasons,” Cole said.

It’s the latest in a long line of setbacks since the township started looking into the property in 2019. While Aurora Group touted major investment for the site after buying it in March 2016 – posting plans to its website for the reopening of the inn and the Moose Bar and Grill, as well building 180 new residential units – little has been done, and the property today sits empty, in a state of disrepair.

Dysart’s previous bylaw officer, Robert Mascia, reported carrying out multiple inspections between 2019 and May 2022, when he issued a remedial action notice to Aurora Group outlining 47 infractions of the township’s property standards bylaw. Issues varied from downed power lines to smashed windows, damaged doors, and collapsed decks.

At a property standards committee meeting in the fall of 2022, Aurora Group said they intended to demolish the 37 buildings that make up the Wigamog site. They then missed a deadline to submit a demolition permit, which led the committee, in October 2022, to direct Dysart’s chief building official, Karl Korpela, to issue an RFP to have the site torn down.

Staff were still working on the RFP in March 2023 when Aurora Group started the demolition process. To date, around a dozen buildings have been taken down.

Cole noted staff assessed the property again in November, working with Aurora Group to ensure fencing was put up around an empty in-ground pool and that access points to all remaining buildings were sealed.

On top of the issues surrounding at-risk species, Dysart mayor Murray Fearrey said he was aware of a complaint being made to the ministry about active chemicals at the site. Wheeler said the ministry has not confirmed the presence of asbestos, or any other chemical on the site, but is mandating that Aurora Group take inventory of, and appropriately store, any on-site waste before proceeding with demolition.

Wheeler noted all waste “must” be disposed of at an approved waste management facility. Rubble from several buildings torn down last spring remain in place at the Wigamog site.

Fearrey expressed his frustration over the situation stretching into the summer.

“It’s disappointing news for the community, but also for council. This has gone on way too long. It’s more disappointing the way the owners have delayed it, time after time with promises they don’t keep,” Fearrey said. “With the ministry involved now, it’s really out of our control [what happens next].”

Aurora Group did not respond to a request for an interview.

Rick Wood couldn’t believe his luck this year when he was able to forego his snowshoes while tapping trees on his Carnarvon acreage.

Working alongside wife, Wendy, the Woods have been producing maple syrup on their Peterson Road property since 2014. What started as a small hobby-like operation, using buckets to collect sap from 80 trees in their first year, has grown to a professional system that draws from more than 850 trees and encompasses around seven kilometres of pipelines.

The Woods were one of many local makers to open their doors to the public April 6 and 7 for the County’s annual Maple Fest. They welcomed around 15 people to their property on Saturday, providing tours of their sugar shack and samples of their Colour of Wood syrup.

“It’s always nice to give people a peek behind the curtain, to show them what we do. And it’s a nice way to meet people we don’t know,” Wendy said.

Rick noted this was their best-ever year production-wise. Despite dropping from 1,000 taps to 850 this season, Rick collected 970 litres of syrup – a big increase from the previous high of 797 litres a few years ago.

He credited the season’s mild weather – saying he was fully tapped by the end of January. The Woods had their first boil Feb. 4

It’s a strenuous process getting things started – Rick said he usually spends about 10 days in the bush tapping trees. He must prepare the system, too. Rick said there’s a one-inch mainline traversing his property, which has 46 lateral runs connected. Each of those runs has 20 to 25 taps on it.

“It makes a natural vacuum coming downhill to the shack, which helps with production,” he said.

Once the sap makes it to the shack, it’s stored in a tank out back. Rick then feeds from there into an interior tank, which can hold up to 1,000 litres. He has a reverse osmosis system that separates the water, which usually leaves around 300 litres of sap to boil. He’ll work at least 12 hours a day during maple season.

“It keeps me busy,” he said.

Bob Snider, of Neil Brown’s Farm in Gooderham, said it was business as usual for him this year. He decided to forego the early rush and stick to his usual schedule that sees him tap in early March. He pulls from 300 trees, usually producing around 300 litres annually.

“I don’t try to capture every last bucket… for me, this is a fun family activity come winter. We didn’t see much of a difference,” Brown said.

John Williams, executive director of the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers’ Association, said “I’ve been hearing generally good things – every year there are people who do well, and people who do not so well. That can be related to the microclimate of the bush, or maybe they missed a weather window early or late in the season.”

County council has backed a request from director of economic development and tourism, Scott Ovell, to enter into partnership with the Haliburton County Homebuilders Association (HCHBA), which is working with Haliburton Highlands Secondary School to boost the trades.

Ovell said that last May, the County and HCHBA hosted their first skilled trades bus tour. They took 30 students to five different locations, highlighting skilled trades job opportunities. They went to Sunbelt Rentals, Holden Truss, a construction site at 75 per cent completion, a finished timber frame home, and a large landscaping site.

“At each site, the employers were provided an opportunity to address the students and discuss the employment options within their sector and the stability of the jobs,” Ovell said. “The program was well received and will be run again in the spring of 2024.”

HCHBA members have also been going to tech, math and science classrooms at the high school. But Ovell said it was noted the association was donating not only time but about $3,000 in materials as well. So, the partners came up with the idea for the County to provide financial support to the HCHBA, to allow them to purchase additional materials, tools, and safety equipment, to enhance the school-based program.

The economic director said the program is covering the fundamentals of framing and drywall installation, and providing an introduction to electrical work.

The County, during its March 27 meeting, committed to the nearly $8,000 in costs.

Coun. Cec Ryall commented, “that’s exciting… university is a great option, but trades are what we need the most.”

Coun. Murray Fearrey added, “in my day, that was called shop, everybody took the course, that was a long time ago. It’s the right thing to do… we need to do more of this sort of thing.”

Ovell said if successful, the partners will look to continue this year, and potentially expand the program in 2025.

HCHBA president Kevin Hodgkinson said the County “stepping up to the plate like they did is huge.” He said it’s important to get more tools and materials into the hands of high school students. Equally, it’s key to get association members into the classroom.

He said as an association, they are aware that a lack of affordable housing is a deterrent to out-of-town tradespeople moving to the Highlands. So, having a presence within the high school lets students know they have an option to stay and work in the County.

“We’re going to have a serious shortage of tradespeople in the coming years as people start to retire. There’s work here.”

Although it’s not until June 8, Haliburton Highlands Secondary School’s prom committee – as well as the folks at Make Dreams Come True, who have been outfitting grads for 10 years – are preparing for this year’s event.

High school teacher Justin Collins said the Grade 12 students who volunteered for this year’s prom committee last September, have a mission.

“Their job is to plan, and fundraise for, prom because prom is a big event, and an expensive event. Our goal every year, since I’ve been here, is to plan for prom tickets to be as cheap as possible,” Collins said.

“I never want a student to not be able to attend prom because of financial reasons. Our goal is to always create the best possible event for the cheapest price possible, so fundraising is our second big thing.”

This year’s prom will again be held at the Pinestone Resort and Conference Centre. But what’s new for 2024 is the school is planning a silent auction on Facebook that will run April 25-28 to raise money.

“We were thinking about all the different ways we could fundraise,” Collins said. “We thought, we have a lot of really amazing businesses in the County, and maybe there’s a way to do something that’s mutually beneficial, for the school and the businesses. So, we’ve reached out to some companies, and people have been very generous with donations.”

Collins said a number have already donated, but they are accepting more items. Meanwhile, the committee will continue to hammer out details, such as the theme of this year’s gathering.

“If you have donated, thank you, we love your generosity, we appreciate you. If you have not, there is still time, even when the silent auction has started,” the teacher said. “Let’s get back to having a real prom that celebrates our kids.”

He said the price was $30 a ticket last year, compared to $60-$70 at other schools.

To donate, contact Collins via email at the school: justin. collins@tldsb.on.ca – you can also donate via Jennifer Jackson-Korpela at 705-457-2950 ext. 34000.

For more, go to Haliburton Buy and Sale on Facebook and look for HHSS Prom – Silent Auction Fundraiser.

Make Dreams Come True

Jenn Abbott is into her 11th year of collecting dresses, suits, shoes, jewelry, purses and other items and services to help grads find the perfect look – for free.

Abbott has it down to a science. She continues to run it as she did during COVID. So, instead of going to a popup to try on clothes and accessories, students contact her (via Facebook, email or cell phone) with dress or suit ideas, size and colour. She then goes through her inventory. Arrangements are made to have a few dresses or suits picked up, and tried on, at home. If they don’t work, they come back. If there is a match, Abbott then adds footwear and other accessories. She makes up a gift bag from generous community donations.

She noted she receives items and services from local drug stores, retail outlets, local barbers, nail salons, and a local photographer.

It’s a labour of love for the woman who did not attend her own prom because her family could not afford it.

“Living here, it’s very much needed because it’s hard for people, especially now with the cost of living, to be able to send their child to prom. Without the community, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do. It brings me joy to be able to do this for the local grads.

“It’s time they acknowledge all their hard work and their dedication to finishing school. A lot of kids don’t. They drop out and get into the wrong crowd. Kids should be applauded and acknowledged and have their day feel extra special, and that’s why I keep doing what I do.”

Contact Abbott via The Make Dreams Come True Facebook page, email jen_jen_25@hotmail.com or call or text 705286-0906.

Three years after launching a new literacy program at Haliburton Highlands Secondary School, Trish Dobson is starting to see the fruits of her labour.

The teacher-turned-chief librarian has been working closely with students behind on their reading since the fall of 2021. That was a difficult time at the school, with the COVID19 pandemic forcing kids to spend months learning from behind a screen rather than inside a classroom.

“A lot of kids were struggling – some more than others,” said Dobson, who had experience working with youth on their reading and comprehension through her daughter, who is dyslexic.

After spending years refining her at-home program, Dobson made several breakthroughs with her daughter, who she says can read just fine today. Having seen the impact extra tutoring can have, Dobson pitched opening it to students at the high school.

“I have a lot of empathy for kids who are dyslexic. Now that I understand the issue and what’s going on, I’m better placed to help,” she said. Dobson noted when she was a teacher, she was often confused when kids she knew to be intelligent hit a brick wall with reading.

First, she reached out to kids she knew were struggling as an English teacher. She would work with them one-on-one and in small groups, decoding words and coming up with ways to break them down. She estimates helping a dozen youth consistently across the first two years, and is now working with Grade 9 classes on comprehension.

Dobson said she’s passionate about her work. While a teacher with Trillium Lakelands District School Board since 1998, she believes she’s done her best work since moving to the library.

“You keep track of all the wins, the differences you make – there was one student who came to me in Grade 9 reading at a very low level. I’ve worked with him for almost three years, and while he isn’t reading at grade level, he has progressed massively. He can read his texts now, which is kind of important for a teenager,” she said.

Her program has caught the eye of higherups at TLDSB. Dobson said she started prepping students for the Grade 10 literacy test last year, which paid huge dividends. The Haliburton school’s passing rate climbed from 70 per cent in 2022 to 87 per cent last year.

Dobson was honoured for her contributions with a director’s recognition award at a March TLDSB board meeting.

She was nominated by HHSS principal Jenn Mills, who said, “to call Trish our ‘librarian’ does not encompass the things she has done to reinvent what a librarian can do to impact students’ lives daily… the difference in all students’ reading, comprehension, and confidence over the semesters has been amazing. She is making a real difference.”

Wes Hahn, director of education at TLDSB, thanked Dobson for “going above and beyond to implement innovative solutions” to real problems students are facing in the classroom.

While she admits to being surprised by the award, Dobson said it’s further proof that her program is working. She is assisting colleagues at Lindsay Collegiate Vocational Institute and Huntsville High School to implement similar initiatives there, while continuing to enhance her offerings in Haliburton.

“I think we’ve created a real culture of literacy here at HHSS and at the library. If we can continue to build on that, and spread it to some of our other communities too, there’s no end to the number of students who stand to benefit,” Dobson said.