Highlands East will remain with neighbouring County municipalities in a revised federal riding announced earlier this summer.

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario had originally proposed that parts of Highlands East be split from the other County townships and join a new Hastings-Lennox and Addington-Tyendinaga riding.

However, Highlands East and Member of Parliament, Jamie Schmale, lobbied to keep the Haliburton County family together.

The commission has decided to retain Highlands East but take away Brock Township. It has added parts of Trent Lakes and North Kawartha.

The new riding has been renamed HaliburtonKawartha Lakes and now comprises the City of Kawartha Lakes, Dysart et al, Highlands East, Trent Lakes (except the islands of Curve Lake) Algonquin Highlands, Cavan Monaghan, North Kawartha and Minden Hills. It’s a population of approximately 119,150.

Highlands East mayor Dave Burton said, “we did fight the fight with it. I couldn’t thank Jamie and the bunch that helped us with it (enough). I’m extremely pleased that we’re staying put.”

Schmale added, “we had good community engagement on that, to get Highlands East put back into Haliburton County in the riding.”

The next federal election is expected on or before Oct. 20, 2025.

Schmale made a public appearance at the committee hearings last September. He pitched the status quo, but didn’t quite get it. With Brock on the move, Schmale said, “it’s always sad when you lose part of the family. We’ve been together as a riding since the 1990s. They’re (Brock) now going back into the York-Durham riding, which they were part of from 1977… It’s obviously sad o see them go. On the flip side, we also gain North Kawartha and Trent Lakes, which had been in the riding…,” he said.

Riding loses Brock Township

“You hit on emotions. You’re losing part of the family but you’re also gaining part of the family that you had lost, so it’s going to be different.”

Under the Canadian constitution, federal electoral districts must be reviewed after each 10-year Census to reflect population shifts.

The population of Central East Ontario – which included the ridings of Peterborough-Kawartha, Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock, Northumberland-Peterborough South, HastingsLennox and Addington, and Bay of Quinte – grew by nine per cent, from 535,322 in 2011 to 583,287 in 2021.

The commission shifted boundaries to balance the population of the districts across Central East Ontario.

Schmale said it takes Elections Canada about seven months to implement the changes, so if there were a snap election called prior to April 2024, the former Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock would remain in place for such an election. After April, the new Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes riding comes into being.

Schmale said he is planning to seek re-election for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes.

“You take nothing for granted. You run scared or you run stupid. I’ll keep plugging away and not take anything for granted because in this day and age anything can happen.”

To see more, go to Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes – Final boundaries – Federal Electoral Districts Redistribution (redecoupage-redistribution-2022.ca).

Haliburton County Huskies head coach Ryan Ramsay said Sunday’s home exhibition against the Renfrew Wolves will be a good chance for some of his young charges to lay down a marker ahead of the new OJHL season.

It’s been a busy summer for Ramsay as he prepares for his third season in the Highlands. With just five players returning from last year’s roster – Patrick Saini, Jack Staniland, Lucas Stevenson, Lucas Marshall and Zack Morissette – recruitment has been the coach’s first order of business

Players reported for training camp Aug. 17, with a mix of vets and young affiliate players put through their paces

“We brought 20 guys in for camp – some coaches like to bring in a lot of players and run big sessions, but I only bring the guys that are signed or who we’ve committed to as affiliate players. That’s made for a really competitive camp – I think we’ve got a great group of guys again,” Ramsay said.

He said players came back in peak condition. “It’s probably the best fitness testing I’ve ever done, so kudos to the players for staying in shape. That could give us an edge as we get ready for the new season,” Ramsay said.

After finishing third in the South/East conference last season and making a run to the second round of playoffs, Ramsay is hoping to go one step further this year. While he acknowledges it may take some of the new additions time to get up to speed with ‘Huskies hockey’, Ramsay is confident he has all the ingredients to make a championship run.

“Fans can expect to see a similar brand of hockey to what they’re used to. We like fast, intense hockey – players that play with a bit of an edge. We have a lot of quality hockey players signed this season,” he said.

The newest addition is 20-year-old power forward Aidan Yarde, acquired from the Pembroke Lumber Kings of the Central Canada Hockey League. The six-foot-threeinch, 220-pound winger will provide a physical presence for the Huskies, Ramsay said. He’s still exploring the trade market ahead of the new season, with three max-age roster spots open

The squad travels to Stouffville to kick off the pre-season Aug. 24 for a tilt with the Spirit. They’ll do so with a new face behind the bench – Matt Comand is replacing Jordan Bailey as associate coach, joining the Huskies after three years with the Collingwood Blues. Owen Flood, the team’s long-time strength and conditioning coach, has also been named an assistant coach for the 2023/24 season.

The team will be at home Aug. 27 against the Renfrew Wolves. Puck drop at S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena is 2 p.m. Tickets are $5.

“It’s a chance for our fans to see a new team from a different league. I’m excited to see how we stack up, it’s going to be a learning curve for some of these guys. I just want to see them work and compete,” Ramsay said.

Haliburton County Huskies defenceman Jack Staniland is seeking redemption as he prepares for his final year of junior hockey in the Highlands.

The 20-year-old right shot is looking to make up for lost time after having his sophomore season cut short by a broken leg last spring. He watched from the sidelines as his teammates were swept by the Wellington Dukes in the second round of the OJHL playoffs, leaving him with a sense of unfinished business.

Returning to S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena last week, Staniland had an extra spring in his step after being named an alternate captain for the 2023/24 season. It’s the culmination of years of hard work for the near six-foot blueliner, who has grown from prodigious talent in his rookie season to become one of head coach Ryan Ramsay’s most trusted lieutenants on the ice.

Staniland is the first to admit, though, that he had some help along the way.

“I sat beside [former Huskies captain] Nathan Porter during my first year here. He really took me under his wing and showed me what it takes to lead and be a voice inside the locker room. I learned a lot from him,” Staniland said.

Asked how being handed the ‘A’ will change things this season, Staniland said, “my mindset is still the same. We’ve got a job to do – we want to win a championship. That’s our goal. For me, I know I need to be a little louder in the room, use my voice on the ice and try to be a calming influence. I want to step up, help settle players down and remind them of the expectations that come with being a Husky.”

In two seasons in the Highlands, Staniland has played 106 games and tallied seven goals and 31 assists. The highly dependable puck carrier enjoys driving play from the blueline. While he has impressed in spells, the Port Perry native feels he has more levels to his game and can’t wait to showcase those.

“Ryan likes us to play a fast, physical game. I took that in stride last season, which really helped my development. Now, I’m ready to push on again and be a difference maker. I want to lead by example and show guys what’s expected, but also express myself and show what I can do,” Staniland said.

He’ll be in the lineup Aug. 24 as the blue and white travel south to take on the Stouffville Spirit in pre-season action. The Huskies will welcome the Renfrew Wolves to S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena for a home exhibition Aug. 27, before the Spirit visit Sept. 2. The team kicks off the regular season Sept. 8 with a road tilt against the Lindsay Muskies in the ‘Battle of Hwy. 35’ and has its home opener the next night, Sept. 9, against the Pickering Panthers.

“I’m counting down the days. Stepping out onto the ice in this rink, with the crowd in there, it’s a hard feeling to describe. The fans create such a great atmosphere. It’s a great place to play hockey,” Staniland said.

He’ll be in familiar surroundings away from the rink again, billeting in Haliburton with the Boice family, as he’s done for the past two seasons.

While this will be Staniland’s final year in the OJHL, he’s hoping it’s just the beginning of his hockey adventure.

“I want to play at the highest level possible, sticking around in the game past this season is my primary goal. I’d like to play in the NCAA,” he said, noting he’s had discussions with several colleges south of the border.

He believes the Huskies provide him with the best platform for future success.

“This is home away from home for me. It’s a top class organization and I know the coaches are going to push us to be our absolute best again this season. I feel like there’s a little something to prove, but we’ll thrive on that pressure,” he said. “I think we’re in a great position to have a big year.”

This year’s Rock on the Dock will have more impact than ever, says SIRCH Community Services, as money raised will go towards ensuring the kitchen gets an infusion of much-needed funds.

Organized by Gary Bouwmeister, the annual event is now in its fourth year, with all money raised supporting SIRCH. Rock on the Dock invites anyone to boat, swim or paddle to a live music concert on the shores of Kennisis Lake. This year’s event will take place Aug. 26 from 2-4 p.m. A rain date of Aug. 27 is planned.

The event was conceived by Bouwmeister as a way of giving back to the community.

“Since the 1990s I have been spending time in Haliburton and I’ve always donated to SIRCH,” he said. “It’s amazing what they do to help people.”

The concert will feature live music by Tim Magwood and admission is by donation. All funds will go towards supporting Community Kitchen, a charitable food program SIRCH operates that distributes approximately 1,400 free meals, plus soups and desserts each month to vulnerable individuals. The program tackles food insecurity in Haliburton County and the meals are distributed through 12 partner agencies. Since COVID, the demand for meals has steadily increased, as has the cost to produce them, SIRCH said.

With funds needed to keep this program going, Bouwmeister is happy to support the cause

It’s so important that everybody in Haliburton, and everywhere, can have a sufficient amount of food to eat,” he said.

SIRCH executive director, Gena Robertson, said the impact the Community Kitchen meals have on individuals is “incredible.

“The feedback we get from recipients is a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation,” Robertson said. “One recipient told us, ‘this year, I think, may in fact have been the scariest and most challenging to survive and move forward. I’m in deep water with everything, but most of all I haven’t had enough food to provide my family since COVID, and it’s getting harder and harder.”

For the past few years, hundreds of individuals have attended and donated and Bouwmeister hopes this year is no different. The event has raised thousands of dollars for SIRCH. Even if you can’t attend the event, organizers are encouraging donations.

More information about SIRCH and Rock on the Dock, including how to donate, can be found at sirch.ca/DONATE.

This past weekend’s 17th annual HHHS Radiothon raised $33,231.30, surpassing last year’s total.

It ran Aug. 17-18 on 93.5 MooseFM.

Proceeds will go to the HHHS’ Community Support Service transportation needs, helping to ensure residents can get to, and from, life-saving medical appointments.

Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation executive director Melanie Klodt Wong said the need for transportation within Haliburton County is increasing and the current fleet of vehicles is not meeting the demand.

It consists of a 2015 Mercedes Benz with wheelchair conversion, a 2016 Chevy City Express LT, and a 2018 Dodge Promaster with wheelchair conversion.

Their projected number of passenger trips for April 2023-March 2024 is 10,712. Amanda Rowden, the client service manager and community liaison for Community Support Services, adult day program, assisted living and supportive housing, said, “we have seen a 30 per cent increase in individual appointments since last year, and we are having to tell people we are unable to provide transportation in their time of need.”

HHHS asked community members to participate in the two-day event by either listening, donating, presenting a challenge, or providing a prize to encourage others to pledge their support.

Klodt Wong said, “this is a strong community that supports each other and HHHS Community Support Services does an amazing job of helping people stay in their homes as long as possible, providing vital services for vulnerable seniors and adults.”

For more information on HHHS and the Radiothon visit: hhhs.ca/foundation/events-campaigns/ radiothon.

After a lifetime of writing for national newspapers and radio broadcasts, Ted Morris has seen, done, and written many things over the years. However, one of most personal things he has done is self-publish his first book.

Matching the witty humour in the book, Morris said he, “has never been successful at keeping jobs, and the most recent one I am trying is launching a career as a best-selling author at the age of 88.”

Tales My Father Told Me, (When Mother Wasn’t Home), was written for his adult grandchildren, grandnephews, and grandnieces, and the grown families of his friends “and for people who keep that inner spark of their inner child,” Morris said.

The book is a collection of short stories, classic nursery rhymes and fairytales updated with a grown-up, satirical spin. A journalist, Morris has researched the origins of the tales and intertwines this in his re-telling.

The octogenarian started as a high school correspondent for weekly newspapers. In the 50s and 60s, he worked as a correspondent for The National and was a radio station manager on Baffin Island.

“My self-assigned task was to foster native language broadcasting,” said Morris. “All these folk stories and folktales were on tape. Unfortunately, after I left the station, someone decided they needed more recording tape, so they scrubbed them all. I wept.”

He also worked for The Telegraph as the bureau chief in the Hamilton area and wrote under pseudonyms for The Globe and Mail and Toronto Star while working for the CBC. “Most of the stuff was coming from the Northwest Territories, which was totally unplowed ground at the time. We even set up two pirate radio stations, which were later adopted by the CBC.”

He had some advice for would-be journalists, telling them to get a broad education in the first three years of post-secondary, then do a fourth year of journalism. “Because then you have a better, well-rounded understanding of what you might be writing about, and actually have questions you can ask.”

Morris was also part of the first Canadian team on Mount Everest, a PR manager for Canada, a licensed pilot and ordained minister.

For more than 20 years, he wrote annual Christmas stories for his children. “I would put them out as limited editions, about 100, and send them.” He wrote under the pseudonym, Ted Hébert. The first chapter in his book, Tah-tah, Teddy. Bye-bye, Hébert, is a transition from stories for children to stories for “big people. It is a rite of passage from naivety to pragmatism, a collection of bedtime stories for adults.”

What drew Morris to re-jig nursery rhymes and fairy tales was the idea that originally nursery rhymes were morality plays. “They are also the focus of a lot of what we understand. So much of what we take for granted has been shaped by what we learn in nursery rhymes.” He added they do two things: scare children so they are quiet and go to bed, or the boogeyman will get them, and political satire. “I indulge in a great deal of satire.”

From writing to publishing took about two years. Morris worked with Friesen Press and the book is available online by searching E.R. Morris – Author.

Morris dedicated his book to his wife, Gail, but also his children and grandchildren. He said it’s a gift to them, “because everything you write, whatever it is, has a piece of your voice in it.”

Morris is doing a book signing Aug. 26 from 2-5 p.m. on Esson Lake, at the boat launch, halfway between the narrows and the culvert. The dock will be marked with festive balloons. The rain date is Aug. 27.

Minden Pride’s theme of ‘love is love is love’ was chosen as a positive message to help counter negativity and vitriol that still exists towards 2SLGBTQ+ people, chair Allan Guinan said at a flag-raising ceremony in Minden Aug. 21.

Kicking off a week of celebrations, Guinan said they have had incidents leading up to this week, including vandalism to their main banner and flags, “so, there’s still work to be done and there is a reason that we are here.”

However, he added the committee had been busier than ever since the beginning of April, as invited guests to help promote awareness and acceptance of the queer community across the Highlands. He said the reception had been good, although some people are still “uncomfortable with Pride being as bold as it is in the community.”

One of those outreach efforts was Pride week at Haliburton Highlands Secondary School (HHSS) in June. Guinan said it signaled how far the County has come to create a more positive space for youth who may identify as 2SLGBTQ+. Guinan added there have been many stories in the past of teens and young adults being bullied, and in some cases forced out, by their peers, “and I believe we are making a difference.”

Jenn Mills is the principal of HHSS. Born and raised in the County, she attended the school herself.

“We have come a long way since then and I’m very proud that I get to be part of the continued growth that I witness every day at HHSS and in our community,” she said. She applauded the work of the justice, equity, diversity, inclusion (JEDI) leadership team at the school.

“At HHSS, we strive everyday to create an environment where everyone can be who they are and feel safe and supported so they can learn and grow.”

Guinan said this year they are again raising funds for the Rainbow Railroad, an organization that brings queer people at risk out of countries where they are persecuted, imprisoned, “or worse.”

Remaining events this week are:

• Aug. 24 – Drag story time at the Haliburton library 3-4 p.m. Minden Pride trivia night at the Dominion 7-9 p.m. Outdoor movie night at the Minden Hills Cultural Centre at dusk.

• Aug. 25 – Queer comedy night at Sir Sam’s Ski and Bike, 7-9 p.m.

• Aug. 26 – Divas dance party at the Haliburton Legion featuring Dani Doucette at 7:30 p.m.

• Aug. 27 – Rainbow Street Festival 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and pride river parade noon to 2 p.m. downtown Minden.

While Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) holds its fourth and final town hall meeting in Highlands East the morning of Aug. 26, the Minden Matters committee will be preparing for its Minden Ground Zero rally and hometown concert at the fairgrounds that afternoon.

Patrick Porzuczek said he and his committee invited HHHS acting CEO Veronica Nelson and board chair David O’Brien to attend but they have declined. So, too, has MPP Laurie Scott.

The grassroots organizer said they offered a police escort to hold the town hall at the fairgrounds, saying, “we’ll give you the hour, the hour and a half, to address the crowd, address Minden, address the population, we’re going to have the whole County there. It’s a great way for you to have the exposure, to answer questions, be outside and be a big part of the event.”

HHHS is hosting its town hall from 10-11 a.m. at the Lloyd Watson Memorial Community Centre in Wilberforce. They also held one in Algonquin Highlands Aug. 22.

“The purpose of these town halls is to provide you with information regarding the decision to consolidate the emergency departments, hear from you and discuss together how we plan to continue to provide high-quality care for this community for today, and into the future,” Nelson has said. HHHS added questions could be submitted to Lauren Ernst at lernst@hhhs.ca

As for the Minden Matters event this Saturday, Porzuczek said the committee “just wanted to keep the awareness going, and bringing all of rural Ontario to one place. We’re calling Minden ‘ground zero’. We were the first hospital to close in the six weeks.”

He said they had confirmation that Liberal health critic, Dr. Adil Shamji, is attending, as well as Stephanie Bowman, the Liberal MPP for Don Valley West. They are anticipating NDP representation as well.

The event has been advertised across the province. Porzuczek said he expects representatives from Chelsea, Ontario, perhaps Blind River and Sault Ste. Marie, and Ottawa.

In addition to trying to keep momentum to have the ER reopened, the committee wants to bring County residents together. “It’s time for the County, for Haliburton, for Algonquin Highlands, for Kinmount, for Lindsay, for Minden… all the people who have used the hospital to actually get together. Do a little bit of a summer blowout. Do a friendship festival. Talk to each other. Get to know each other,” Porzuczek said.

Ryan Van Lee is performing live at the gathering that is scheduled for 1 to 6 p.m. The day will feature a by-donation BBQ, refreshments, live music, a DJ and guest speakers.

Back to the politics, Porzuczek said, “it’s about bringing awareness as to what’s happening with the closing of the Minden ER… keeping the pressure up and hopefully something will give in the next couple of months, or couple of years, where the Minden ER comes back to life.

“This event has to happen. If it doesn’t, it looks better for the Ford government. They can say, ‘look, nobody cares. We closed it. They made a ruckus. Nobody cares. Nobody’s turning up’. We can’t cancel it.”

He said their goal is to highlight awareness for people, and to have them share their stories. “And, it’s also for other communities to know that they’re not alone, that what happened to Minden, the way they closed Minden, could happen to them. For them to start standing up and being more involved in their own (health services) boards, their own municipalities, to know exactly what’s going on and start fighting back.”

Porzuczek also attended the Association of Municipalies of Ontario (AMO) conference in London Aug. 21,

See mindenmatters.com for more information.

Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) acting CEO Veronica Nelson said the Kawartha North Family Health Team’s urgent care clinic in Minden will be moving to full-time hours effective Sept. 30.

During HHHS’ third town hall meeting, at the Stanhope Firefighters Hall in Algonquin Highlands Aug. 22, Nelson said the clinic will operate seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Until then, the plan remains to open on weekends and long weekends.

Nelson said the clinic had been averaging 20 patients a day since opening, with 25 per cent of people being seen having a primary care provider. She said the top three reasons people are going in are injuries (55 visits), ear, nose and throat (53), and other (53).

Nelson added that she is in the process of establishing a Minden community nursing clinic in conjunction with SE Health and Paramed. It would do things such as wound care, IV therapy and catheter care. Nelson said her goal is to have it open seven days a week, 11 hours a day, dependent on referrals. She would like it to operate next to the urgent care clinic.

During the one-hour town hall, Nelson added HHHS had successfully recruited a new human resources manager, with Peter Kronenberg joining the services, while new chief nursing executive and vice president Jennifer Burns-West is also poised to join the organization. She added that since June 1, HHHS has added nine nursing staff, 14 personal support or home support workers and seven people in support and administration.

“So, we’re moving in the right direction,” she said.

Nelson also discussed their efforts to reduce the use of agency nurses, which contributed to a blown-out health care budget. She said the goal is to get it down to 25 per cent by October. She added they “weren’t’ out of the woods yet” as they continue to need some nursing agency support as they recruit staff.

As for the recently approved CT scan machine and CT mammography unit, Nelson said they’d met with Dysart’s chief building official, Karl Korpela, and are now working on architectural and engineering drawings with the intent of putting the project out to tender for construction. They hope to have both units online next spring. They still need to raise funds to pay for the machines.

During a question-and-answer session, Nelson was asked about wait times at Haliburton’s consolidated ER site and said they had gone up in July.

Terry Moore said he’s worked on the labour side of health care for 35 years and asked about the ratio of full-time to part-time staff at HHHS. He said he believed the industry was now 70 per cent part-time, exacerbated by the pandemic. “I think the pandemic heightened a problem that was already there and festering for a long time,” he said.

Nelson did not have an immediate percentage answer but said the organization is trying to strike a balance.

Carolynn Coburn queried the hospital board. She said when it began, it comprised locals and now, she does not recognize many of the board members. She believes what’s needed are “full-time residents, really embedded in the community.” She also called for board members’ biographies to be publicly posted.

Board vice-chair Irene Odell said all but two board members are full-time residents and HHHS’ communications person, Lauren Ernst, said bios will soon be posted on the HHHS website.

One audience member asked why board chair David O’Brien was not at the meeting, and Odell said he had a previous, out of town, engagement. Odell reiterated the decision to close the Minder ER was made by the entire board. She added the executive and board are now working in a “more stabilized and different environment” as opposed to scrambling to avoid ER closures.

The next town hall is Aug. 26 at the Lloyd Watson Memorial Community Centre in Wilberforce from 10-11 a.m.