The Haliburton County Snowmobile Association (HCSA) kicked off its ‘Grooming for Healthcare’ campaign Jan. 16, inviting representatives from Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation for a tour of the HCSA shop on Mallard Road in Haliburton.

Dozens of volunteers were on hand for the kick off.

John Enright, HCSA president, said the organization would donate $1 for every hour of grooming time spent this season along Trans Ontario Provincial B103, otherwise known as the County rail trail.

This is the third year for the fundraiser, which raised over $500 for the Minden Community Food Centre in 2022.

Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MP Jamie Schmale believes issues surrounding inflation and cost of living are likely to get worse in 2023.

After a tumultuous 12 months that has seen the country come out the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic, another very different threat has emerged forcing most Canadians to re-think their household budgets.

Inflation hit a new 39-year high last June, rising to 8.1 per cent. Increased prices at the pumps led to a drastic rise in grocery prices, while much higher interest rates, bumped up seven times by the Bank of Canada since March, has seen accommodation costs, whether through home ownership or rentals, spike considerably.

“These are challenging times for most Canadians,” Schmale told The Highlander. “The cost of living crisis looks like it will be with us for the foreseeable future. Food bank usage is up, with the number of first-time users through the roof in Ontario. More and more people are making tough decisions over whether to pay their rent or mortgage, pay their electricity bill, or buy food. That is extremely concerning.”

Schmale blamed the federal government for printing too much money and overspending throughout the pandemic. He said federal printing presses had created $400 billion of new money since February 2020. He has been critical of several recent federal investments, including a five-year $30 billion plan to subsidize childcare options across the country, and a $5.3 billion spend to improve dental care services for medium to low-income families.

While he was supportive of programs such as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and Canada Emergency Business Account, he feels the government didn’t do a good enough job policing who qualified for supports and who didn’t.

“Tens of millions of dollars went to prisoners and people outside the country that should not have gotten those supports… when you consider that, and that half of the $400 billion printed did not go towards COVID-related supports, we could have printed significantly less money, and as a result our inflation rate would have been a lot less.”

The Consumer Price Index, used to determine inflation, was up 6.3 per cent in December.

Asked what the Conservatives would have done differently to support Canadians while also staving off inflation, Schmale said “we would have been more diligent. We wouldn’t have spent beyond our means. We wouldn’t have printed so much excess currency, devaluing everyone’s dollar.”

He’s remaining optimistic that Canada can avoid a recession this year, and said his primary focuses in 2023 will be bolstering housing, health care and internet connectivity options in the riding. He also wants to see the federal government assisting provincial partners to provide greater mental health supports for Canadians.

“There was definitely a problem before, but the pandemic has exasperated things. It’s been a difficult few years for everyone,” Schmale said. “I know the provinces are responsible for providing a lot of these services, but the feds have to step up and deliver on some of their election promises [to invest in mental health supports]. People are struggling, and they feel like they don’t have anywhere to turn.”

For the past number of years, Minden Hills has provided winter sand at the community centre as a courtesy to residents.

However, director of public works, Mike Timmins, told council Jan. 12 he had serious concerns about continuing, including cost, health and safety as well as taking staff and vehicles off the road at critical times.

During the 2021-2022 winter season, it’s estimated the department delivered two loads per week, on average, for public use.

“This quantity rises quickly during major winter weather events,” Timmins said. “This process likely cost the township between $7,000 and $10,000, but more importantly it takes our sand trucks off the road during the most critical weather events of the year.”

After snow and freezing rain, he said demand skyrockets and department phones get flooded with calls when sand runs out. He added they have “to react by pulling a truck off the critical road routes to deliver sand … this adds stress to public works staff and spreads the equipment thin during the most critical weather events of the year.”

Timmins added policies around sand use – such as a person only taking one five-gallon container, and no commercial use – are being abused, with no way to monitor or control it.

“What started as a courtesy to the small local community is being abused by property owners with lengthy laneways, or contractors and business owners who are taking advantage of the free sand provided by the township. It is also known that residents and contractors from neighbouring townships come … to get access to free sand,” he said.

He’s worried about people getting hurt when they come to pick up sand and suing the township. He said the only recourse to absolve the township from liability would be to have an attendant at the community centre.

As for timing, he said he’d like the program discontinued after this spring.

Coun. Ivan Ingram said he fills a recycling bin full of sand when he needs it. However, he understands there is abuse, including some people selling the sand. He asked about putting the sand at the landfill, or another site, but Timmins noted there would still be liability issues. Mayor Bob Carter said the Ministry of Environment would not allow relocating to the landfill.

“I think, in all honesty, the average person uses it properly, but I agree contactors are in there like crazy,” Ingram said.

Coun. Bob Sisson said in his opinion, “people need sand somewhere, so I’m not in favour of cancelling it altogether.”

Coun. Pam Sayne said she has an icy driveway but every time she goes to the community centre there is no sand because people are taking it away in pick-ups, so she buys it at a store. She said it does not seem like a lot of money for the safety it provides residents but there is no staff to regulate it and it is being taken and resold.

“Unless we can find another way to do this safely and equitably, I don’t know how we can continue it,” she said.

Ingram suggested using the township’s sandbagger and then charging a fee per bag to pay for the cost of an operator on site.

“It’s a tough one. At the end of the day, if we’re going to do it, shut it down, let’s give them lots of notice that it’s going to happen. If we know by spring that we’re not going to do this anymore, let’s get something out there so people are aware of it.”

Carter said they should further discuss it during budget deliberations. Council received the report for information only.

The County of Haliburton is expected to decide by the end of the month whether to support a Highlands Foodcycler program.

Climate change coordinator, Korey McKay, tabled a report to the Jan. 11 committee of the whole meeting, with options for a potential countywide program utilizing combined federal and local funding.

She said 77 per cent of municipal greenhouse gas emissions are a result of organic waste breaking down at landfill sites. She added managing the waste is very expensive for small townships.

Three of the four municipalities have run Foodcycler pilot programs, including Algonquin Highlands, Dysart et al and Minden Hills. They offered subsidized Foodcycler units and McKay said the trials were successful.

She said some feedback was the size of the bucket was too small and even the cost of subsidized units too expensive. She said the County program would address those two issues. The units used today could be offered at $50, with a newer, double the capacity, unit at $150, the coordinator said.

She presented three options, noting Impact Canada funding timelines call for a decision by month’s end.

Coun. Murray Fearrey said, while a great idea, he felt it was being presented in the wrong place.

“I don’t understand what we’re doing as a County, trying to do something that private enterprise should be doing … I just don’t think that we’re in the appliance business here.”

He said it takes a lot of staff time in Dysart and the feedback he has received is the units are loud. He added people who can afford them should buy them rather than municipal government providing subsidies paid by for County taxpayers.

Coun. Walt McKechnie concurred, saying a lot of staff time was taken up “basically selling” the product and explaining how it worked. “It is a lot of money in this day and age, $100,000 for us to subsidize this.

“It’s a great project, but people who want it should go out and buy it.”

Coun. Bob Carter said the way the project is set up makes it a “take it or leave it” proposition for councils. He said the difference is paying $50 or $150 if subsidized, versus $500 on the open retail market. “There’s a huge savings for people. But it comes down to whether or not this is something that we need to do in our budgets.”

Coun. Jennifer Dailloux asked for a breakdown of waste management reduction costs. For example, she said option one appeared to show savings of $112,500, while investing $102,000. McKay said for every tonne of waste reduced, there is a $150 savings. “That’s really impressive,” Dailloux said.

Coun. Lisa Schell acknowledged while the County would be spending $120,000, they would be saving on landfill costs. Looking at the numbers, she said, “it’s almost a wash at the end of the day so I think that’s something to consider as well.”

Warden Liz Danielsen said they did a pilot at Algonquin Highlands, “and it was extremely successful. I heard not one negative comment about it.” She said the unit does take up counter space but she had not heard noise complaints. “I think this is an excellent program.” She added, “it could be considered to be the appropriate place here (at the County).” However, with some councillors voicing concerns, she suggested holding off until more budget talks.

Dailloux said AH councillors were able to trial units and McKay said there was one in the kitchen at the County office.

Council received the report and deferred a decision to a council meeting at the end of the month.

The owners of Fast Lane Bowling in Minden said they will continue to operate until the season ends, however, they are planning to sell and relocate to Sault Ste. Marie.

Ron Crump told The Highlander, “we’re here until April and then I’m going to put it up for sale.”

He said they have family, including grandchildren, in Sault Ste. Marie.

Crump, who owns the business with partner Debbie Gerzymisch, said landlord Hazma Khalid informed them of a substantial rent increase on Dec. 2. Initially, they said it was put at $2,850 a month, and then reduced to $2,100, but still a 75 per cent jump from what they had been paying.

Crump said at that time, “we just don’t make that kind of money.”

Gerzymisch added, “especially in the summer. We’re dead. And in the winter, we have an extra high hydro bill because of the heating.”

Resident Trina West organized a GoFundMe that raised $1,980.

As for plans to put the business on the market, Crump said, “it’s spreading by word of mouth right now. I’ve told a few people. Hopefully someone will pick it up and keep going with it.”

Last week, they notified various bowling leagues of their plans. The winter bowling season now boasts four leagues, including Red Wolves Special Olympics, as well as parties, fundraising events, and drop-ins.

Khalid told The Highlander last month that Bank of Canada interest rate hikes had forced his hand and even with the rent increase, he is still charging less than market rent.

Managing the bowling alley had been Crump’s retirement plan, to supplement income if there were any profits, but also to give himself something to do. Gerzymisch added they had enjoyed getting to know the County bowling community.

Pet store and hair salon

Two other businesses in the complex also had their rents hiked. Another had already moved out.

Susan Andresen of Pet-Tyme-Animal Krackers! was facing a 150 per cent jump, to $1,250 a month from $500.

She told The Highlander last week that the landlord had agreed to negotiate rent, “so we have no plans to move at this time. We love what we do and want to continue to serve the pet and animal lovers of Minden and area.”

Sonya Smith, of Sonya’s Unisex Hairstyling, told The Highlander she is going to try to stay put for now. Her rent increase was more than double. “They’ve come down a little bit. I’m going to try and stay if I can.”

She said she had to raise her prices a little bit, “because I have to do something. If I’m just working here to pay the rent, that’s no good. I need to pay my bills just like everybody else.”

Coun. Walt McKechnie renewed calls for a CT scanner for the Highlands during County budget talks Jan. 11.

McKechnie commented on the Haliburton and Minden hospitals “not being properly equipped with a CT scanner” during discussions on the EMS budget.

The Dysart deputy mayor said they were discussing spending millions of dollars in 2023, for things such as new trucks and fixing bridges, but when it comes to a CT scanner, “it’s a priority for a lot of people, especially those getting older.

“To me, this is a high priority. This is something we should be taking a hold of and trying to help get these machines in our hospitals. It just makes so much sense.”

He didn’t have to convince director of emergency services, Tim Waite, or County CAO, Mike Rutter, who both spoke of the need during the meeting.

Waite estimated his service transported 230 people out of the County for CT scans in 2020. That number jumped to 357 in 2021, or nearly a person a day. He added 78 per cent of those calls involved taking someone to Lindsay or Peterborough, having them scanned to rule out certain medical conditions via negative test results, then bringing them back. Waite said it amounted to about 2,000 hours of ambulance time a year.

The problem, though, is when ambulances are out of the County, they can be dispatched to 911 calls in other jurisdictions. When taking patients to larger hospitals, he said they can be stuck in lineups for hours – essentially taking that ambulance out of service for Highlands residents.

“I think it’s a very important tool for here for a couple of reasons,” the paramedic chief said of CT scanners. “Number one, people in Haliburton County can get the diagnostics locally without having to travel. Number two, for physicians now, a CT scan is just a routine part of their assessment. It’s almost like getting regular blood work.

Not having diagnostic tool a deterrent to doctors

“So, I think it is an important tool to not only keep our vehicles in the community, but also to help diagnose people in the community quicker and determine the proper facility for them to go to.”

Warden Liz Danielsen said one barrier to recruiting physicians to the County is not having a CT scanner.

Rutter said when Campbellford got its diagnostic machine, its physician recruiter commented on how much easier it was to attract new doctors. “Because the young ones in particular, that is just a basic tool, they felt really isolated without having it.”

He added he has aging parents, and his dad has had to go out of the County three times for non-emergency CT scans. While there, he said they’d shopped, gassed up and spent money.

“If they were giving that service locally, they would be less likely to do that. They would shop, fill up, do everything locally and that money continues to circulate in Haliburton County. There are hundreds of CT scans done for residents of Haliburton County each year.

“So, there are many, many benefits outside of just the ambulance service. It’s in physician recruitment. It’s in economic development. For an aging population to drive half-an-hour, or 15 minutes versus two to three hours. There are lots of benefits of having those machines here,” Rutter added.

Waite said while communities usually purchase CT scanners, the province must approve it and also fund the annual operations. He indicated there is work going on “in the background” but did not elaborate.

Coun. Cec Ryall said Haliburton Highlands Health Services is well aware of the situation.

Coun. Bob Carter added, “just because you have a CT scanner here, doesn’t mean you have it staffed.” He added CTs can reveal medical conditions that Haliburton County hospitals cannot treat and some patients will still need to be taken elsewhere. Overall, he said there are many pressures on the ambulance service.

“No doubt, as far as I’m concerned, our ambulance services are going to have to expand … the population aging, population growing, and less medical services available locally,” he said.

HHHS explores feasibility

HHHS said on Jan. 16 it is exploring the possibility of bringing a CT scan machine to the County.

“HHHS had planned to include the addition of a CT scan machine as part of our master planning process,” said president and CEO Carolyn Plummer. “We know it would make such a positive impact in the community and that this is something the community has wanted for some time.”

As part of the exploration, HHHS has taken steps to conduct a feasibility study, she said. The study will help determine if it is possible to proceed now, rather than wait for the master planning process to be completed.

If the study demonstrates that a CT scan machine is feasible for HHHS, a full application to the Ministry of Health will be required.

“While we hope to be successful in this effort, we know we have a long way to go,” Plummer said. “We do see so many benefits of having a CT scan machine for everyone in Haliburton County. It would support our patients with quicker diagnostics, help to better meet the needs of our community in terms of screening and prevention, help attract new healthcare workers to the area, and reduce the number of EMS hours currently spent transferring patients out of the County for services.”

If an application is made to the Ministry of Health, it will require strong community support, Plummer said.

HHHS believes the cost could be in the range of $2.5 to $3 million for the project, which would include estimated renovations, “but the feasibility study will give us a better idea of the cost.”

Musician Terra Lightfoot has been a Haliburton County resident since 2020, but has yet to perform for a hometown crowd.

She’ll soon rectify that thanks to the Haliburton County Folk Society, which is presenting Lightfoot and her band during a show at the Haliburton Legion Jan. 28.

“We love it. There’s nothing better,” Lightfoot said of her chosen home. She relocated from Hamilton.

She added, “I am so excited for my neighbours to come and see the show. I’m excited to play locally after so many times being involved in the community but not in the music community, so that’ll be really good. And I know that there are a lot of local musicians around, too, and I’m excited to meet some of those folks and the Folk Society.”

Lightfoot said they are a rock band, “so we will be playing some rock and roll.” She is bringing bass player, Eli Abrams, and drummer, Glenn Milchem, who plays in Blue Rodeo.

The band will perform original music. “I guess some people would say I’m a little bit country and a little bit folk, too, so there will be some quieter moments but it’s a lively show. It’s for dancing and having fun.”

Lightfoot said she played quite a bit through the pandemic, virtually from the very beginning, but her schedule slowed in the summer of 2021. One COVID-19 memorable moment was doing a recording of a Joni Mitchell song for CBC in the living room looking out at the back marsh, “so, that was really lovely.”

She’s also had time to write music from home, “so, that’s been great.” She is planning to release a new record in 2023. “Those songs were written in Haliburton, which is cool.”

The Folk Society said that in the heart of winter, a show by Juno-nominated Lightfoot and her band, “is guaranteed to brighten the spirit and warm the heart.”

The Folk Society’s Barrie Martin agreed with Lightfoot that, “she’s bringing something a little bit different … more solo rock and roll and blues than anything. It should be a good event.”

Lightfoot is a singer and songwriter with a “huge voice and big and gutsy guitar tone. In her music, you’ll catch some rock, some soul, some blues…and a whole lot of heart,” the Folk Society added.

CBC Music describes Lightfoot as, “one of Canada’s best all-around musicians… an amazing tour de force, the complete package.”

With three studio albums to her credit, along with Polaris Prize and Juno Award nominations, Lightfoot has performed with numerous artists, including Blue Rodeo, Willie Nelson and Bruce Cockburn, and recently completed a tour with Blackie and the Rodeo Kings.

Local singer and songwriter, Thom Lambert, will do an opening set.

“I’m sure I’m going to be meeting a lot of people for the first time and I’m looking forward to that,” Lightfoot said/

Tickets for the concert are available at haliburtonfolk.com. To find out more about Lightfoot, visit terralightfoot.com