Less than two years after townships in Haliburton County adopted new rules for short-term rentals (STRs), three of four lower-tier councils are contemplating major changes to the file.

Algonquin Highlands, Dysart et al, Highlands East and Minden Hills all adopted a new bylaw regulating STRs in 2024. New rules came into effect that October, with municipalities requiring those looking to rent out vacation properties to first secure a licence with their local township.

Elected officials said the purpose of the bylaw was to shore up safety, with the licensing process requiring property owners to meet various safety standards and guidelines before being allowed to rent their space. There’s also a financial benefit for municipalities, via application fees and a new municipal accommodation tax (MAT).

Highlands East was the first to initiate a review earlier this year, with mayor Dave Burton saying his council is “very willing to look at the bylaw. We understand it does need a bit of tweaking, and we will certainly do that.”

The township’s STR clerk and enforcement officer, Stacey Brown, told council June 23 that staff have identified several operational, interpretive and enforcement challenges that warrant refinement.

“Feedback from internal administration, the appeals committee process, and ongoing enforcement experience has highlighted opportunities to improve clarity, consistency and overall effectiveness of the bylaw,” Brown said.

Staff are recommending a transition away from the current demerit point system for those who break the rules, which Brown said, “has proven administratively burdensome and difficult to apply consistently.” She pitched transitioning to a more streamlined administrative monetary penalty (AMP) model when it becomes available.

Highlands East is also looking to add definition for water access dwellings, while requiring provisions for dedicated docking space and parking requirements associated with the number of bedrooms.

Next councils to drive change

It looks as though the township will also continue with a public-access dashboard, so people can see the short-term rental address and registration number online.

A revised bylaw would also clarify structures to include features such as hot tubs and saunas.

CAO Brittany McCaw told council the program had a $6,059 surplus in 2025, so it did not cost taxpayers anything other than staff time.

Meanwhile, in Minden Hills, mayor Bob Carter said he expects his staff to provide a STR update to council this summer. He noted staff have been asked to speak to other townships to see what their experiences have been to see how the program can be run more efficiently.

“We’re trying to determine what’s working and what’s not and go from there,” Carter told The Highlander in the spring.

Last Tuesday (June 23), Dysart et al held a public meeting to decide whether to amend its rules to allow secondary residential spaces on a property to be rented out as short-term rentals. When council, in 2022, updated its zoning bylaw to allow accessory dwelling units (ADU) to be built on rural properties, it was decided then those units should be geared towards long-term rentals rather than short-term.

Last May, council said it wanted to move ahead with allowing short-term stays in ADUs, against the advice of township planner Jeff Iles. In bringing the file back last week, Iles said his opinion hasn’t changed.

“Staff questions whether the proposal is good planning and whether this benefits the community as a whole,” Iles said. “Staff are of the opinion this will impact our growth potential and long-term housing supply for the municipality.”

Iles said the provincial government’s reasoning for changing rules in its More Homes, More Choice bill in 2019 was to create 1.5 million new homes across Ontario by 2031 and that, by allowing ADUs to transition to STRs, council would be going against that.

In a public survey completed this year, Dysart asked people if they were in favour of allowing STRs in ADUs – 73 per cent of respondents said they were not.

Coun. Pat Casey said he supported allowing STRs in ADUs in town and rural areas, but not on the water. He said many landlords are opting to leave properties vacant right now, rather than rent out long-term given issues some have had with problematic tenants. He feels STRs give those owners a chance to make some money.

“The rental market has definitely soured… I did some digging and counted at least 50 rentals that have gone by the wayside [in Dysart] over the past 10 years,” Casey said.

The proposed change was shot down, though council was keen to ensure property owners wanting to rent out a secondary unit short-term be given the opportunity to plead their case. Iles said people can apply to make requests of council that can be considered on a case-by-case basis.

It’s status quo in Algonquin Highlands as far as mayor, Liz Danielsen, is concerned. She feels the current rules are working well in her township.

“We haven’t had any major concerns raised and really haven’t had any kind of substantive discussion about STRs,” Danielsen said. “It’s always a good idea to do a bit of a review every once in a while, especially with something so new… but given that we’ve lost our planner and are in the process of hiring a new one, I would think it’ll be the new council before there’s any changes considered.”

Danielsen confirmed Algonquin Highlands is the only township in the County that currently allows STRs in ADUs.

Dysart plans to run a public consultation later this year to gather more feedback, with Casey calling for an annual review of the STR file. Deputy mayor Walt McKechnie said, given a municipal election is four months away, this was one for the township’s new council to pick up come fall.

Haliburton County council has supported Habitat for Humanity Peterborough and Kawartha Region’s request to apply for $15.5 million in provincial funding through Infrastructure Ontario, with the money to be used to bring 57 new affordable housing units to Haliburton village.

Approved at last Wednesday’s (June 24) County meeting, the loan will support construction of a 35-unit build on Peninsula Road and the repurposing of the Haliburton Heights timeshare on Wigamog Road, creating 22 condos.

The Peninsula Road project will feature all one and two-bedroom apartments, with the Haliburton Heights timeshare comprised of six studios, six one-bedroom units and 10 two-bed units.

Habitat’s CEO, Susan Zambonin, confirmed most of the units would be sold via the non-profit’s homeownership program. Fifteen of the Peninsula Road apartments will be sold to Places for People, a partner in the project, which intends to offer them for below-market rent.

Zambonin told County council last week that securing a low-interest loan through Infrastructure Ontario would save Habitat big money.

“If we were to borrow this money from a bank, we would spend more than $1 million on interest fees. On top of that, we’d also have to come up with more than $4.5 million of our own money before we can start drawing down on a construction loan,” Zambonin said. “That’s $4.5 million we could be spending on other projects, helping other families.”

Treasurer Andrea Robinson said the County had sufficient borrowing capacity under both the Municipal Act’s annual repayment limit (ARL) and the County’s debt policy to accommodate the request.

Through the Municipal Act, the province allows municipalities to borrow money up to 25 per cent of its ‘own source’ revenues – this includes property taxes, user fees and investment income. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing calculates ARLs annually, with the County’s 2026 limit pegged at just over $5.1 million.

After taking into account the Habitat loan, Robinson said the County would still have approximately $1.25 million of wiggle room on its ARL.

The treasurer said the agreement stipulates the loan should be repaid in a maximum of three years. Zambonin said the plan would be to start selling units as soon as she has approval to build, committing to repay the full $15.5 million within 120 days of completion of the Peninsula Road project.

Coun. Liz Danielsen was concerned about the risk the County would be taking on. Robinson confirmed the County would be responsible for repaying the loan to the province should Habitat not be able to meet its obligations. The non-profit has committed to paying all interest payments for the duration of the loan.

County CAO Gary Dyke said, given how extensive the Infrastructure Ontario application process is, he feels the County would be sufficiently protected.

“Based on our review and the partnership we’re looking at doing, we feel the risk is well-mitigated,” Dyke said.

Zambonin said she’s hoping to tap into federal grants to help pay for construction. She said, if Habitat didn’t raise enough money to pay the loan back on time, the non-profit has a $1 million development line of credit and $13 million in mortgage receivables it can use as collateral to secure an additional bank loan, if necessary, to make the County whole.

Coun. Cec Ryall asked how many of the 57 units would go to County residents. Zambonin said she hoped all of them.

“As soon as we have construction financing secured, we will start advertising in Haliburton County that we’re looking for homeowners. Our goal is all 57 units will be filled by people who live or work in Haliburton County,” she said.

Frank Figuli said one of the most effective ways for people to make a positive difference in the Highlands is to partner with U-Links to bring a focused, community-based research project to life.

The non-profit’s program coordinator said U-Links is actively taking on proposals from the public, with initiatives typically centred on environmental, cultural, social and economic issues.

Once a project has been approved, Figuli said U-Links markets them to students from Trent and Guelph universities.

Last year, the organization worked with 239 students on 38 projects across the County. Some of the major initiatives included analyzing the viability of artificial loon nesting platforms, how to implement underground greenhouses in Haliburton County; and whether municipal digesters are an effective tool to reduce landfill waste.

As of early June, Figuli said he had found students for five projects for the 2026-27 academic year, though he’s hoping to match last year’s total. Rather than assigning proposals to young researchers, Figuli said U-Links allows students to pick their projects. That’s why some proposals have sat on the shelf for many years.

“I don’t cherry pick. Anything we have an opportunity to pursue, we pursue. The bottleneck comes because it’s up to students to apply,” Figuli said. “That’s really the best way – then you know you’re getting someone who’s passionate and excited about what they’re doing. You’re going to have more heart and soul put in.”

There will be more work done this fall on the artificial loon nesting platform study, while students will also look into seasonal apple production in community kitchens, help develop a hazardous algae bloom reporting framework for the County, and provide data-driven insights for CanoeFM’s future.

While Figuli said about 80 per cent of U-Links programming is environmental, thanks largely to offerings under its Woodlands and Waterways Eco-Watch program, there are interesting proposals ready to go in other sectors.

U-Links has one project drafted with the Haliburton basic income group, to investigate the benefits of a guaranteed livable wage and potential pathways to making it happen. Figuli said he’s also been working with Canoe’s Roxanne Casey on a project unpacking the history of the radio station building, which was once a Red Cross Outpost.

There’s also a project with the Haliburton Highlands Arts Centre Foundation to do a follow-up on a feasibility study completed in 2022. The organization wants to build a new performing arts facility and has secured land on Wonderland Road.

“We’re looking to do a community and stakeholder assessment for them, looking at things from the public’s perspective on what they want for programming and amenities they want in a new building,” Figuli said. “We don’t have matches for any of these projects yet, but we’re hoping to have them paired with students for the fall.”

For anyone looking to pitch a new idea, Figuli said they have until Aug. 10 to firm up their interest. There’s a PDF on the U-Links website for people to follow-up. They need to provide a brief description of the problem or challenge they’re facing, what questions they’d like answered and how the project would benefit the community.

“If there’s a person or an organization that doesn’t have the bandwidth or resources right now to approach something they’re interested in, a community-based research project is a great way to support that, provide an experiential learning opportunity to somebody entering the professional workforce, and get their questions answered 99 per cent of the time,” Figuli said.

The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) had workers at Skyline Park in Haliburton June 15-17 for the installation of the new year-round washroom facilities.

A part of Haliburton Rotary’s two-year rehabilitation project at the park, the washrooms are wheelchair accessible confirmed Charles Wheeler, a local Rotarian and lead of the project. He said the building, which contains two toilets, has a 2,000-gallon holding tank that will be routinely pumped out.

The washroom building was manufactured in Thunder Bay and shipped to Haliburton. It was brought into the site on an oversized truck bed and lifted onto the concrete pad with a crane.

Wheeler said the building weighed 32,385 pounds, making the installation a “tough job.” The MTO assumed the costs, estimated at $65,000. Wheeler said the washrooms would be opened this summer.

Further accessibility upgrades planned this year include a new upper viewing platform, constructed from donated granite, the installation of six historical display boards and Indigenous land acknowledgment. There will also be a second picnic shelter installed. Wheeler said the project is on budget at $200,000, including the MTO contribution.

When life gave Halls Lake teen Kadyn Gilooly lemons last summer, she embraced the old cliché and immediately got to work figuring out how to turn them into lemonade.

The now 14-year-old is one of the top up-and-coming motocross racers in the province. After a knee injury ended her 2025 season prematurely, Gilooly used her spare time putting together a business plan for her new venture, The Lemon Bar, which has been making the rounds across Haliburton County this summer.

A mobile refreshment trailer serving homemade lemonade and other specialty drinks, Gilooly has been busy getting her new brand out to the public in recent weeks. She was at Snowflake Meadows’ magical festival fundraiser and the Haliburton County Fair in June, the Minden Canada Day celebrations July 1 and served at her first birthday party last Saturday (June 27).

Gilooly said she plans to attend the Norland Fair July 9 and the Sunset Social event in Head Lake Park in Haliburton July 11.

The concept, she said, was born out of a desire to keep busy while she was hurt. The branding and menu were established last summer, with Gilooly approaching her dad, Kieran, who owns Northern HVAC, for a business loan. She wanted to use the money to repurpose an old trailer on her parents’ property into The Lemon Bar’s new digs, though eventually found a better deal online.

“I got the idea from motocross – there have been a few stands up at my races and I always looked forward to trying them out. So, I figured why not do something like that for myself,” Gilooly said. “We bought a lot of the equipment and syrups last year, so we were ready to launch right away as soon as the weather started getting better.”

The young business owner said “we squeeze to please” with every beverage. While traditional lemonade is a favourite, there are other flavourful options including the shark attack, sugar cloud, peach paradise, pink dragon, the kraken and mermaid escape – a sugar-free option.

The venture has given Gilooly some vital hands-on experience. She’s learning how to manage people, with her friends volunteering their time to help during events, where they split tips. She’s also getting a taste for budgeting, marketing, customer service and inventory management.

She hopes to keep busy through summer, saying her stand is available for bookings. People can contact: the.lemon. bar.kg@gmail.com. Gilooly said she plans to save her earnings for her postsecondary education. She wants to get into anesthesiology one day.

“I’ve always wanted to do something in the medical field. I know it takes a long time to become a surgeon, so I’m looking into becoming an anesthesiologist assistant or something, just to cut down on the school time,” Gilooly said.

Racing will still be a priority – she is currently the second-ranked racer in Ontario in her age and race category. Now fully healed from her torn posterior cruciate ligament, Gilooly said her goal is to finish first overall. The season runs until late October.

“I want that champions jacket at the end of the year. My brother has one and I want to get one for myself,” Gilooly said.

By Adam Frisk Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Proud parents, friends, and extended family gathered at Archie Stouffer Elementary School on June 19 to hear the class of ‘26 roar one last time.

The evening was filled with humour, nostalgia, and some words of wisdom as 40 graduates said goodbye to their teachers and prepare for the next step in their young lives.

Kelson Bagshaw took the stage as the Grade 8 valedictorian and delivered a heartfelt send-off to the graduating class.

With a little dose of self-deprecation, Bagshaw joked about his unlikely path to the podium, where he stood in front of a packed gymnasium.

“One year ago, I had no idea what a valedictorian was or how to pronounce it, yet here I am this evening,” the student said. “By looking at my friends here tonight, we’ve definitely increased our aura.”

Looking back on his time at Archie Stouffer, Bagshaw spoke about how the graduating class once walked into the school with “backpacks bigger than we were” and became a tight-knit group of “hardworking, loud, fun, chatty individuals with strong personalities” who were proud to call themselves wildcats.

The young man recounted countless recesses packed with football, four-square, and mini-sticks, as well as memorable field trips to a Toronto Blue Jays game, Medieval Times, and an overnight stay at Camp Muskoka.

Other highlights included the girls’ volleyball team beating the boys twice and a holiday concert mishap.

“We definitely rocked the Christmas concert, or so I’m told, as I don’t remember much as I’m still recovering from the concussion,” Bagshaw joked. “Thanks, friends.”

The valedictorian expressed gratitude toward the teachers who consistently went above and beyond, while admitting, “I’m sure we’ve pushed you to your [limits], or at least I know I have!”

As the grads prepare to transition from wildcats to hawks, Bagshaw left his peers with some advice for high school: sign up for clubs, work hard, and “stay away from the plane!

“Stand your ground and stand up for others,” Bagshaw told his classmates. “These next four years will go fast, so make the best of them.”

Before stepping from the stage, the valedictorian closed the chapter on their elementary school years with a final rally cry.

“So for one last time, wildcats roar!”

If Travis Kelce had not publicly shared on his podcast that he tried to give Taylor Swift a friendship bracelet with his phone number on it at her Kansas City concert – the two would not be married today.

Wilberforce Elementary School principal Mike Gervais told the graduating class last Wednesday (June 24) that 90 per cent of success – like Kelce did – is just showing up. “Because the coolest things in life happen when you just show up. Think about that.”

He said when the eight grads first came to the school for Grade 4, they were small and wide-eyed but are now taller and wiser. He said they had survived the rollercoaster of elementary school, making staff laugh, proud, and a few students causing them to consider early retirement. However, he had nothing but praise for the graduates.

Valedictorians, Morgan McKnight and Emmett Wimperly, thanked teachers. They reminisced about a great school trip to Toronto to see a Blue Jays game. They noted that being such a small class allowed them to get close, and teachers and staff to know the students well.

They borrowed a phrase from teacher Jacob Findeis who often says, “it’s okay not to know, but it’s not okay not to ask’.”

Highlands East mayor Dave Burton told grads they could accomplish anything with hard work and determination.

And, retiring school board trustee, Gary Brohman, noted it takes a community to get graduates to the podium.

He said their pending journey to high school starts with hard work, with his trademark advice: “go to class, go to class, go to class.” He said high school would be the best years of their lives.

The grad also marked the retirement of long-time secretary Sandy MacDonald, and the departure of teacher Rachel Manol.

MacDonald said, “this has been the best school that I’ve ever worked in. I came here, and it is the diamond in the rough, and it is the families, and the community, and the students. I am going to miss all of that so much.”

She wished the grads well, and said she looked forward to hearing about their journeys into the future.

Graduates: Ameira Burke-Campbell; Clayton Cline; Isabella Lamb; Morgan McKnight; Phoenix Oldfield; Ryan Downey; Conner Wiebe and Emmett Wimperly.

By Adam Frisk Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Families, friends, and staff gathered to celebrate the J. Douglas Hodgson Elementary School class of 2026 last Tuesday (June 23), with dual valedictorians sharing the stage to reflect on their unique five-year journey.

Aley Jones and Linus Gervais opened their speech to a packed gymnasium by looking back on their transition to middle school at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced them to miss out on traditional “link day” orientations.

“Although that was less than optimal, it taught us to be resilient and to problem-solve while we found our way around our new school,” Gervais said. “That fear of the big, daunting middle school went away quickly because the staff made us feel welcomed and at home.”

The duo joked about how far they had come since Grade 4, when their biggest academic milestone was simply remembering their Google passwords.

“Now we are graduating from JDH,” Gervais said. “That is a big upgrade.”

From playing sports to school clubs, the graduates celebrated the tight-knit community they built. Jones highlighted memorable field trips to Canada’s Wonderland, the Toronto Zoo, and a Blue Jays game, alongside an unforgettable Grade 6 trip to Camp Muskoka, where she broke a leg.

“That trip will definitely be unforgettable!” Jones joked.

Gervais highlighted the unique advantages of growing up in Haliburton, with the school’s vast backyard where students spent years playing sports and manhunt.

“Not many schools have a backyard like we do,” he told the crowd.

The graduates took some time to express gratitude to their parents and teachers. Jones joked that parents deserved diplomas for surviving years of middle school mood swings. Staff from both the French immersion and English streams were recognized for keeping learning engaging and ensuring that every student felt included.

As the class of ‘26 set their sights on Haliburton Highlands Secondary School, Gervais encouraged his classmates to remain authentic and embrace new opportunities like woodworking, guitar, and pottery.

“Be yourself,” he said. “Your best friendships are formed from truths, not lies, and if your goal is to be ‘cool’ then you should think again.”

Lastly, the valedictorians reminded their classmates that mistakes are the greatest motivator for growth.

“Although our paths may go different ways, we are all Jags, and that will always be our bond.”