Haliburton Curling Club president, Wanda Ruddy, said she’s been hearing rumours of a new curling rink being built in Haliburton for years, though noted chatter has increased tenfold since Dysart et al closed on a 91.5-acre property on the outskirts of Haliburton village last summer.

Mayor Murray Fearrey has repeatedly stated the land, which Dysart acquired for $1.725 million, would be an ideal home for a new arena and curling rink. Ruddy said the membership would be interested in a new location.

“The one here in town is 82 years old. It’s been renovated and refurbished over time, but it’s an old building. So, of course we’d all be excited to have a new curling club… but I think we need to have a seat at the table to make sure it gets designed the right way,” Ruddy said.

She isn’t concerned about losing a prime spot in the centre of town, noting most members commute from outlying areas such as Percy and Haliburton lakes.

Ruddy said the idea of a new curling rink was first floated about five years ago – after local resident Marnnie Blair donated a 15.75-acre parcel of land across from the Pinestone Resort on County Road 21 to Dysart. The gift was made public at a council meeting in November 2019, on condition the land be used for recreational purposes.

Then, there was nothing. While Ruddy said she had preliminary talks with both Blair and Andrea Roberts, Dysart’s mayor at the time, in late 2019, things went quiet as soon as the pandemic hit.

The land transfer never went through, which was news to Roberts.

“It stalled for several reasons – but when I left council my understanding was [it was going to get done]. Then I found out Dysart bought [the 91.5-acre parcel] up the road, so I followed up and asked what happened to the gift from the Blair family and was told it was dead in the water,” Roberts said.

Dysart declines private land gift

She noted staff had spent considerable time on the file – going as far as to rough sketch what any development could look like.

“The land was a bit of a triangle – there was some wetland to the west, there was road access off Soyers Lake Road. We mapped it out using the township office, arena and curling club as a footprint – that area is five acres downtown. We thought we could fit an updated arena and curling rink on five acres, put in parking, and meet the required setbacks, so from that perspective the project seemed feasible,” Roberts added.

Fearrey said the deal collapsed because Blair wanted a tax receipt for the donation based on the land being valued at $300,000.

“We didn’t accept that appraisal and weren’t willing to issue a tax receipt based on that valuation. The land there is a bog, filled with rocks. It would have taken so much money to be able to develop it,” Fearrey said.

The mayor also questioned whether it would be appropriate for the municipality to issue a tax receipt for the land, since it was presented to the previous council as a gift.

“A gift is just that – a gift. They must be given for free,” Fearrey said, referencing the Ontario Municipal Act.

Blair declined to comment when approached by The Highlander.

Looking to the future

Ruddy said she has no idea what a new curling rink would cost, but noted the Haliburton club would be able to transfer infrastructure from the current facility.

The club installed a new ice plant in 2016, at a cost of $175,000, with Ruddy saying it still has 30 years of life left. A new double oven, dishwasher and cupboards for the kitchen – to be installed this April courtesy of a $141,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant – could also be moved over.

In a new rink, Ruddy said she’d like separate spaces for a lounge and eating area, with a bar and kitchen grouped together. She feels four sheets of ice “is plenty for Haliburton.”

There’s still life left in the current facility – which she feels is important, as she believes it’ll be years before a new build comes to fruition.

“We are at the very early stages – is this going to be a five-year project? A 10-year project? We just don’t know at this point. We’re clearly an interested party and want to be part of this process. We need to be mindful this could be a possibility down the line and adjust our long-term planning appropriately,” Ruddy said.

Active living and the importance of maintaining a mobile lifestyle were on the menu as Aging Together as Community – Haliburton Highlands hosted its holiday social Dec. 2.

Around 50 people attended the event, held at Haliburton United Church. One of the organizers, Brigitte Gebauer, said it was a great way to end what has been a productive year for the group. With four guest presenters on-hand, sharing information about health and wellness programs and services available in the County, and leading live demonstrations, Gebauer said it was a great learning opportunity for anyone, young or old.

“Events like this are all about promoting some of the incredible things we have available to us here in Haliburton County, that help people to age in-place,” Gebauer said. “We try to get as much information as possible out to support seniors, and help caregivers, family and friends establish plans around active living.”

The Aging Together group held its inaugural meeting in January. Co-lead Bonnie Roe said the grassroots project is designed to bring community members of all ages together to build a shared vision of care for the Highlands’ older population.

“Through a series of community conversations, we have a collective desire to expand the current options of what aging looks like in Haliburton County,” Roe said, noting the group’s vision is to ensure “members of the local community can age with dignity and [with] the supports we would want for ourselves and our loved ones.”

Wilma Thompson, of Haliburton FLK Taoist Tai Chi, was the first presenter. She said tai chi is a moving meditation that reduces stress and helps people feel more energetic, balanced, strong and supple.

She led some volunteers through a quick demonstration, noting tai chi is accessible to anyone. Sessions are held Thursdays at the Haliburton United Church from 10 a.m. to noon.

Georgia Shank is a Seniors’ Fitness Instructor Course (SFIC) certified instructor. She runs balance and fitness programs through Sit to Fit Bodies in the County every week.

“It’s really important to integrate movement into every day of your life. Routine is important, consistency is key and it’s never, ever too late to get started with fitness,” Shank said.

She shared a story of a 70-year-old local who started attending her programs, with life-changing results.

“The key is finding something that speaks to you – whether that’s dancing, boxing, seated fitness, walking with a friend. As long as you integrate some form of activity into your life, you will be better off,” Shank said. “Our aim is to prevent early admission to long-term care and keep people as independent as they can be.”

Emily Clarke, a registered kinesiologist and certified matrix repatterning practitioner, told attendees movement can sometimes be the best medicine for a range of ailments. She specializes in working with people with Parkinson’s, but also offers functional fitness training, therapeutic exercise instruction, and assists people rehabilitating from injury and recovering from surgery.

Jennifer Stubbert and Melissa-anne Foster, from the Alzheimer Society Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton, run weekly Minds in Motion programming in Haliburton. It’s designed for people suffering with dementia or memory loss, and their caregivers.

“It’s all about having fun and making connections, we want people to come in, leave their issues at the door, and have a good time,” Stubbert said. “We do things like axe throwing, trivia, games. We’ve done pumpkin carving and different themed things around holidays.”

The program runs on Tuesday afternoons, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Haliburton United Church. It will restart in March, on an eight-week loop. Registration is required.

The Aging Together group has organized another gathering, taking place at Pinestone Resort Jan. 27 at 10 a.m. Gebauer said there will be more guest speakers, promoting ways for people to get active.

“We want to keep the momentum going,” Gebauer said. To learn more about the group, search ‘Aging Together as Community – Haliburton Highlands’ on Facebook.

The U18LL Highland Storm made an impression at the Silver Stick regional tournament held in Haliburton Dec. 16. For some players, it was the final Silver Stick appearance of their minor hockey career.

The team took to the ice early Saturday, taking on the Apsley Flames. The dressing room was abuzz with positive vibes as the players geared up for their first game of the tournament. The Storm were at it right from puck drop, putting in lots of effort. While it was one of the team’s best games of the season, with 100 per cent effort given by all players from buzzer to buzzer, they came up just short.

As the day went on all players maintained a positive attitude. Game two was a match-up with the Lakefield Chiefs. The home side came out buzzing, scoring two quickfire goals in the first period through Haiden Bird and Austin Latanville. The gameplay was fast and furious, with Storm goalie, Carson Simms, keeping his team in the game.

The Storm went into the third period down by one, but found a way back into the game early through Latanville – a slapshot from the point finding its way past the Chiefs goalie to tie the game at three. Despite an intense effort in the final frame, the Storm found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard at the final buzzer.

The team played in one final game, a 4 p.m. tilt against the Collingwood Jr. Blues.

Even though the tournament may not have gone the way the team hoped, head coach Dallas Latanville said he was extremely proud of his players for their effort and never give up attitude.

The U18LL squad has two more tournaments coming up and will be pushing for a playoff spot in the new year. Go Storm go.

The Haliburton County Huskies head into the Christmas break on a high after polishing off five wins in six games in December to re-establish themselves as contenders in the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s tough eastern conference.

The blue and white were dominant on the ice, if not the scorecard, in a 3-2 come-frombehind win over the North York Rangers in Minden Dec. 16. Goals from Charlie Fink, captain Patrick Saini, and Jack Staniland earned the team its fifth-straight win at S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena.

It was a bright start for the Huskies, who showed their ability to control the puck in the early goings. Fink thought he’d given his team a deserved lead four minutes in, his shot looping over Amir Valiullin in the Rangers net, only for the officials to wave it off – with the frame coming off its spikes.

The Huskies were busy throughout the first, firing off 24 shots.

They maintained that pressure heading into the second. Saini spurned a great opportunity four minutes in, going eye-toeye with Valiullin but seeing his shot saved. The Huskies were relentless as they sought an opener – they registered 12 shots on the man advantage five minutes in after Saini was tripped but couldn’t find a way past the impressive Valiullin.

They were hit with a sucker punch at 17:02 – Jacob Strizzi scoring on a breakaway on only the Rangers’ fourth shot of the period.

It looked like being a day to forget for the Huskies when, six minutes into the final frame, Cian Noble doubled the visitors’ lead, scoring just one second after a Lucas Vacca cross-checking penalty had lapsed.

There was a roar from the crowd as the game restarted, with chants of ‘let’s go Huskies’ reverberating around the arena. The home side used that energy to keep pushing and finally got their reward – Fink lifting the puck over Valiullin’s pad on the rebound at 8:31 after Izayah Luddington and Antonio Cerqua had been denied.

Saini sniped the leveller at 12:21, assisted by Lucas Stevenson and Lucas Vacca, sparking mass celebrations on the ice.

Huskies netminder Brett Fullerton made a huge save a minute later, robbing Hudson Weger in close to keep the scores level.

With the home side pushing, Saini drew another penalty – high sticking from former teammate Josh Rumolo. The Huskies were patient, recycling the puck while searching for an opening. Defenceman Jack Staniland was the hero at 18:48 – taking control of the biscuit at the blueline, he walked along the wall, saw he had some space and ripped one on net. Valiullin got something on it, but not enough to keep it out, with the puck trickling over the line to the delight of the crowd.

Staniland earned first star honours for his late contribution. Speaking to The Highlander after the game, he said he feels the win could be a huge turning point in the Huskies season.

“I think the performances have been there, but you’ve got to turn that into results. I think we’ve done a good job of that heading into the break,” Staniland said. “We’ve found some lines that are connecting now, some guys are playing really well with one another, and it’s helping us move forward.”

Loss on the road

A tight game in Markham Dec. 17 saw the Huskies on the wrong side of a 3-1 decision.

Despite outshooting their hosts eight to four in the opening frame, the Huskies found themselves behind after the first buzzer – Ashton Miwa scoring just five minutes in. Shane Bondy made it a two-goal game 10:16 into the second.

Nicholas Lamont gave the Huskies some hope with his 12th of the season 11:54 into the third. The blue and white dominated during the final frame, firing 12 shots to the Royals’ six, but couldn’t find the equalizer. Bondy scored his second, an empty netter, with nine seconds left on the clock.

The Huskies sit in 7th place with 38 points from 34 games – 18 wins, 14 losses and two ties. They have two more games left in 2023 – home tilts with the Toronto Patriots Dec. 29 (7 p.m. puck drop) and Wellington Dukes Dec. 31 (2 p.m. puck drop).

When Dallas Stars forward Matt Duchene took to the ice Dec. 7 at Capital One Arena in Washington, he did so with an extra spring in his step.

The date had been circled on the superstar forward’s calendar for months, with the game representing an extraordinary milestone: 1,000 games played in the National Hockey League.

The Haliburton product became the 387th player to hit four figures, joining fellow Highlands native Bernie Nicholls – who featured in 1,127 games – in the millennium club. Duchene marked the occasion with an assist, three shots on goal, a hit, and a block in just under 18 minutes of ice time in a 5-4 shootout win over the Capitals.

Speaking to The Highlander, the 32-yearold centre said he’s thankful to have enjoyed a long career at the top level, with this his 15th pro season.

“It’s funny, I don’t really look at it like a success, even though it is. I honestly look at it more as a moment in time when you can reflect on your life and career and just be grateful,” Duchene said. “For me, that game is just a product of those who have been with me from day one of hockey, when I was four [playing in Haliburton] up to NHL game 1,000.”

Duchene was able to share the moment with his family – mom Chris, dad Vince, wife Ashley, and two of his children: Beau and Jaymes, which made it all the sweeter.

“It wouldn’t have been the same if they weren’t there,” he said.

Vince said he and Chris flew into Washington D.C. Dec. 6, catching up with Matt briefly at the hotel the next day. After arriving at the rink, the Duchenes were brought down to the bench during warm-ups to surprise Matt.

While there, Vince bumped into Ray Ferraro – TV broadcaster for ESPN and veteran of 1,258 NHL games over a near 20-year career.

“He said it’s one of the hardest things to do. Matt is only the fourth from his 2009 draft year to do it [after John Tavares, Victor Hedman, and Ryan O’Reilly] so it is quite an accomplishment, and one we as a family are so proud of,” Vince said.

While Duchene has competed in NHL AllStar games, played meaningful hockey in the Stanley Cup playoffs, and won Olympic gold with his country, Vince said the standout moment, for him, of his son’s career came just prior to puck drop against the Capitals.

“The Stars asked if Beau would read the starting line-up in the dressing room… it was an amazing moment,” Vince said. “Seeing the joy and love in Matt’s eyes for his family – that moment is at the top, for sure.”

The Stars have planned a special ceremony Jan. 27, before a home game against the Capitals in Dallas, where Duchene will be presented with a silver stick commemorating his 1,000 games played.

Making the most of an opportunity

Duchene said he’s enjoying his time in Dallas. He signed a one-year deal with the organization in the summer after being bought out of the final three years of his $8 million a season deal in Nashville.

“I can’t say enough good things about my teammates, my coaches, the organization, and the city. We are at the top of our division, and I feel like we still haven’t hit our top gear, so that’s exciting,” Duchene said. “We have a great chance to make a deep run at the cup.”

The forward has 10 goals and 17 assists in 29 games with his new team as of press time.

While he’s only on a one-year deal, Duchene said he’d love to stick with the Stars long-term.

“My family and I really like it here… I’m hoping we start to talk in the new year about an extension. The idea around a one-year deal [was] to try something out and see if it fit. So far, it’s been great.”

Having passed the 1,000-game threshold, Duchene is already chasing down his next target – a first Stanley Cup.

“I’ve been lucky enough to win everything possible at the international level with Team Canada, but the ultimate prize is the cup,” he said. “I still am hoping my biggest games are in front of me.”

Students and staff at Haliburton Highlands Secondary School (HHSS) embraced the spirit of giving this festive season, collecting goodies for the Interact club’s annual Christmas gift drive.

Held every year in the lead up to the holidays, the initiative has become a staple of the school’s pre-Christmas festivities, says club member, Hazel Jones. Students are encouraged to bring in toys, games, gift cards, school supplies, hats, mitts, scarves, and hygiene products, which are divided into gift bags and donated to the 4Cs Food Bank in Haliburton and the Minden Community Food Centre.

“The bags are handed out to families in-need, or who might be struggling… the idea is to make sure everyone can enjoy Christmas,” Jones said.

Between Nov. 27 and Dec. 5, the school community rallied to put together 51 gift bags, which were dropped off at the food banks last week.

There was a competitive component introduced this year – the 20 participating classrooms were split into two teams, captained by principal, Jenn Mills, and vice principal, Andrea Borysiuk. Donations were tracked, with the team that collected the most gifts getting the chance to come up with challenges for teachers to do at the school’s holiday assembly.

Mills’ team was declared the winner, with her and 10 other teachers facing the forfeit.

“We haven’t decided what it’s going to be yet, but it’ll be something silly and fun,” Jones said. “Last year some of the teachers had students do their makeup, we’ve also done things like shaving hair.”

This is Jones’ second year on the Interact club – the high school equivalent of Rotary. The Grade 10 student said it’s a great way to engage with the school community and make new friends. The club has 25 members.

This is Interact’s second major event of the school year, following a successful food drive over Halloween. Jones said she always looks forward to these initiatives, as the wider school community usually buys in.

“These things sort of take over school for about a week – kids are always talking about it in the halls, friends try to one-up each other, the teachers find creative ways to encourage donations. People really get into it,” Jones said.

She added the club is hoping to do something to raise awareness about homelessness in the new year. Plans are also underway for the annual international fundraising campaign, where Interact collects money for the Mahatma Gandhi Sishu Sisksha Sadan School in northern India. Proceeds support the infrastructure of the school and purchase of much-needed supplies, Jones said.

The Morton Family Foundation has continued a tradition of generosity by donating $50,000 to support the YWCA’s services for women and children experiencing gender-based violence in Haliburton County.

“We are incredibly grateful for the continued leadership shown by the Morton Family Foundation in the Haliburton County community,” said Kim Dolan, executive director of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton this week.

She added, “Patricia and David’s ongoing generosity is a testament to their commitment to supporting the YWCA’s efforts to serve the rural women and children in Haliburton County, providing them with the resources and support they need to feel safe again.”

Access to safe and reliable resources in rural communities is an ongoing problem, Dolan said. The Women’s Centre in Haliburton County offers resources women need in order to escape gender-based violence and find safer ways to move forward with their life. The centre provides access to transition supports, such as safe transportation, individual counselling, a family law lawyer, court support and guidance.

YWCA’s Haliburton Emergency Rural SafeSpace (HERS) provides safe and supportive temporary accommodations for women with and without children fleeing abuse in Haliburton County. The service is designed to be available on an as-needed basis and offers space for two families at a time, so that women can move away from the abusive situation in their home without leaving their support systems, jobs and schools, families and friends behind.

Dolan said rural women in Haliburton County have reported far more serious and complex abuse since 2020. Like women’s organizations across the province, the YWCA faces heightened demand and increasing costs.

Patricia Morton said, “David and I feel very fortunate to be able to continue to support the wonderful work of the YWCA Peterborough Haliburton, because this work continues to be so essential to so many area women and children.

“And it is important to remember that both under Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms and under the United Nations Charter, violence against women and children is a major and criminal violation of human rights. However, shockingly, this violence is actually on the increase throughout Canada, especially against rural women, just as it is here and now against isolated rural women in Haliburton County, and likely in neighbouring rural counties as well.”

David Morton added, “thank goodness the YWCA Peterborough Haliburton is here to provide these women and their children with safe shelter at HERS and with vital services, to help these victims of violence move forward past the trauma and suffering, to strive to rebuild their lives and become brave survivors.

“As a man, I find femicide and all forms of violence against women and children appalling. I will never understand why some – too many – men take out their anger, frustration, or whatever by inflicting physical and/or psychological violence on women and children. However, we are grateful at least to be able to support the YWCA Peterborough Haliburton to provide essential help to the rural women of Haliburton County who are suffering from such appalling male violence, hopefully to be able to empower themselves.”

Community members who wish to donate or find ways of supporting YWCA services in Haliburton County are encouraged to visit ywcapeterborough.org or contact the YWCA directly at 705-743-3526.

The Township of Minden Hills passed its new user fees for 2024, with two members of the public objecting to some of the charges during a public meeting Dec. 14.

Diane Peacock spoke against a proposed increase to rent the community room. She’s leased it the past two Novembers for a Christmas craft sale.

“I started this sale because the previous Christmas artisan market that the township held was no longer being offered. I participated in those sales and they were always so well attended. Some of the artisans I knew wanted to do a Christmas sale that was inside and not in the cold,” Peacock said.

However, with the proposed raise in the rental fee for 2024, she said, “it means that if I hold the sale next November, the rental fee will be $382.75 plus insurance, and $30 tax for a total of $466.40. Because of this raise in rates, I will likely have to raise the cost of a space for next year, which is something I’m not wanting to do.”

Peacock added she looked around the County and found a larger hall that would only charge her $200, without insurance, putting the township on notice she may move. She said other events have left the township, including the fur harvesters workshop and Coby Islander hockey tournament. “What is next?”

She said they won’t get more rentals if they keep increasing fees.

Peacock also objected to the fire department no longer issuing burn permits during the fire season. She said her husband has used them in the past to burn brush and trees. She said she’s been told the alternative is to pay to bring brush and trees to the landfill or burn after 7 p.m. but Peacock said her husband does not feel that is safe. She said more people will burn illegally and they should scrap the brush fee at the landfills.

Bill Blakes agreed. He said he had lived in “quite a few municipalities and we’ve never been charged fees for dumping leaves.” He said most of the townships recycle them and make money instead of charging residents for them.

Peacock added, “I realize the user fees are put in place to generate revenue for the township to offset taxes but if you keep raising the user fees, these revenues will go down and the taxpayers will end up paying higher taxes.”

Following the public meeting, Coun. Ivan Ingram asked about cemetery fees if people don’t want markers for a burial plot and, or cornerstones. He asked if it could be a separate charge. Coun. Pam Sayne did not want marriage services taken out of the fees and charges bylaw. Clerk Vicki Bull said they don’t have enough staff to provide the service now. Ingram said it was a matter of needs, versus wants since they do not make money on marriages. Coun. Shirley Johannessen said she’d had feedback on community room fees as well. Coun. Tammy McKelvey asked if they’d address the concerns about community rental fees, burn permits and waiving leaf and brush costs.

After numerous meetings on the bylaw, mayor Bob Carter said, “this document is never going to be perfect. Ninety-five per cent of it is correct, and we need it for the budget process and for making plans. If we have one or two little things that we need to further examine we can bring it back and make the change.”

Council adopted the fees and charges bylaw for 2024.

A national restructuring of support services for people suffering with suicidal thoughts and tendencies is a “game changer” according to Ellen Watkins, director of corporate services at Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge.

The local chapter was chosen to be one of 45 national providers for a new 9-8-8 suicide crisis helpline, which recently launched. It replaced regional call operations, previously operated in HKPR through the Four County Crisis community response program, providing people with around-the-clock access to professional support.

“What this means is if someone is experiencing thoughts of suicide or extreme emotional distress… there will always be someone available to answer your call,” Watkins said.

Calls made to 9-8-8 are immediately routed to the closest geographically available agent, using an algorithm that distributes based on area code.

“Calls that are meant to come to us, will do so. Having the ability to understand both the social and environmental context of our callers is important,” Watkins said. “The other piece is we’ll be able to connect individuals in real-time to local resources.”

As part of the restructuring, the HKPR chapter is tripling the number of on-theground mental health workers – from four to 12 – who will be available to travel across the region to meet with people most in-need face-to-face. Referrals will be made for anyone who calls the 9-8-8 service, with Watkins saying the goal is to establish an in-person connection within 48 hours.

Watkins noted there had been a spike in demand for CMHA services in recent years, which she attributes to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Loneliness and lack of connection is often at the core of what drives changes or increases [in numbers]. People were more harshly exposed to what that all looks like through COVID,” she said, noting suicide numbers were also up.

“For people who are contemplating ending their life, three things are occurring – there’s suicide ideation, there’s an opportunity, and there’s no one around to interrupt the opportunity. We’re hoping, through 9-8-8, for those who have the idea and opportunity, there may be a spark of ‘maybe I would like someone to help me interrupt what I’m thinking of doing’,” Watkins added.

According to the CMHA national database, around 4,500 people die every year as a result of suicide. Last year, the HKPR chapter assisted 479 people through its crisis intervention supporting services. This year, Watkins said the organization is anticipating serving around 800 people through its new brief mental health services team.

“For people in Haliburton, this is a step change for us in terms of the level of support we’ll be able to provide in a community that is not as resource-rich as some others within the region,” Watkins said. “We feel that by improving the number of workers we have available [on the road], being able to support people in place in Haliburton County will change the momentum [towards more positive outcomes] and make a difference in people’s lives.”

Temporary housing bolstered

CMHA HKPR is also expanding its Safe Beds program, now operating in downtown Peterborough.

The space provides short-term temporary housing for six people and is available to anyone going through a mental health crisis that resides in the HKPR region. Intake is usually by referral and after HKPR staff have conducted a thorough assessment. Stays are typically capped at 10 days.

Watkins said, while roughly 100 km away, the space is available to County residents.

“Constituents from Haliburton are very welcome. We can help with transportation if necessary,” she said.

For more information, visit cmhahkpr.ca, call 705-748-6711, or email info@cmhahkpr. ca.

CMHA’s Ellen Watkins believes the restructuring of suicide support services is a win for the community

A short-term rental owner in Highlands East has asked the township to pause the proposed STR bylaw and municipal accommodation tax (MAT).

Elizabeth Oakley made the request at a Dec. 12 council meeting. She said she is also a volunteer leader for the Bancroft-Madawaska Area Airbnb Host Community on Facebook.

Oakley said her Airbnb is her primary residence, rented to offset expenses.

“Both of us (partner Grant Kauffman) work full-time. We are not speculators, nor are we absentee hosts. We’re not operating under any illusions that we’re going to become millionaires.” She said her research has determined the typical host makes about $9,000-a-year.

She acknowledged STRs have been “a blessing and a curse” with some “bad apples.” However, she said she vets renters “like crazy.”

She told council she agreed in principle with licensing of STRs as long as the cost is reasonable, saying $250 to $500-a-year was acceptable.

However, she said they’re “deeply concerned” about a MAT. She said tourists will go to municipalities without one, causing lost revenue; it could potentially drive hosts underground; is discriminating if not applied to hotels and motels and, “STRs’ contribution to the local economy far exceeds revenues generated through MAT.

“As property owners, we’re already taxed enough (property taxes and HST for the STR). Municipalities that don’t use the MAT for its prescribed use (50 per cent to go to a tourism third party to market the region) face zero consequences. Where is the accountability from the municipality expecting STR hosts to be accountable on their end? How can we be assured MAT funds will go to their intended purpose? Where’s the compliance on the municipality’s side?” she asked.

“This tax is fundamentally flawed and nothing more than a cash grab for municipalities hoping to make up for budget shortfalls.”

However, County of Haliburton director of economic development, Scott Ovell, has said staff would create a municipal services corporation, which would handle the money collected to go towards things such as destination marketing.

He has told County council that if the four municipalities were to implement the MAT, it could generate more than $3.4 million in revenue annually. Ovell based his projections on a calculation of 1,300 short-term rental hosts being charged a four per cent MAT. He said 80 per cent would have to remit the tax with a medium nightly rental rate of $348, and based on an average occupancy rate of 65 per cent.

The director said it would more than cover some items in the economic development and tourism budget, such as wayfinding signage, marketing, Hike Haliburton programs, economic development strategy works and web design and maintenance.

“The savings created by this approach could then be redirected towards other programs and/or services provided by the County,” Ovell said.

In her delegation to council, Oakley added STRs contribute to local economies and noted a lot of STR bylaws are being challenged in court. She said Airbnbs in Ontario contributed $1 billion to the economy last year; owners hire property managers and create other jobs; they fill the void of not enough hotels, motels and B&Bs; they attract tourists who spend locally; and sometimes these people move permanently to the area.

“My worry is there is significant pressure being put on municipalities to rush this flawed legislation through without fully examining the impact it will have, not only on STRs, but to the local businesses and those employed by them, in the long run. Let’s find equitable solutions and move forward taking all parties into consideration.

“I’m asking you to consider taking a pause before implementing both the licensing and taxing of STRs here. Wait until the Tiny Township legal case is resolved, as I’m certain the findings there will set a precedent across Ontario.”

In Tiny Township, four appeals were filed with the Ontario Land Tribunal – the provincial board that hears and adjudicates matters related to land use planning, environmental and natural features, heritage protection and more – regarding the township’s recently-adopted STR bylaw.

“A phased approach followed by a study of the first-year impact and a more measured and balanced approach to the MAT is the best course of action to take in what remains a challenging and emotionally charged matter,” Oakley said.

Council received the delegation for information only.