The Halls and Hawk lakes system in Algonquin Highlands has been selected for a new Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations (FOCA) pilot seeking to protect “valuable and vital” sources of drinking water across the province.

The chain, a key cog on the Trent Severn Waterway, was one of three watersheds announced for the pilot last week. Shelley Fellows, president of the Halls and Hawk Lakes Property Owners Association (HHLPOA), said this is a big deal for waterfront residents in the immediate area.

“Overall, our lakes look fairly healthy but there are certain things that are a concern… the thing that terrifies me is blue-green algae. We have not had any blooms on the lakes yet, but there was one upstream from us on Kennisis Lake in 2024,” Fellows said.

For years, the association has conducted its own monitoring through the Woodlands and Waterways Ecowatch, a program coordinated by U-Links. That provides a chemical analysis of samples, painting a picture of the lake’s general health but doesn’t identify bacteria that may be in the water, Fellows said.

A successful pilot project could spread to other Highlands lakes

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Walkerton drinking water tragedy, when seven people died and more than 2,300 fell ill following an E. coli contamination. The event led to significant changes in Ontario’s drinking water regulations and practices, including regular bacterial and chemical testing of municipal systems.

A special report by Ontario’s auditor general, released in March, identified ongoing gaps affecting drinking water safety for nearly three million Ontario residents who rely on non-municipal systems for their drinking water. On Halls and the Hawks, where water is pulled from the lake, there’s no legislation requiring upkeep, meaning many systems remain untested and unregulated.

Fellows said HHLPOA applied to be part of the pilot – a second phase for FOCA – in March, shortly after hearing from members on what they feel the association should prioritize in its 20-year lake plan update. A new document will be rolled out next year, replacing the one completed in 2006.

Almost unanimously, water quality was the number one concern heard.

“We asked people about things like boat noise, wakes, water usage, but the top issue by far was this feeling that preserving the quality of the water was paramount,” she said, noting that survey was submitted o FOCA as part of the application. “It definitely helped us land this pilot.”

FOCA’s CEO Lesley Lavender said there were 12 applicants, noting the three selected stood out based on their demonstrated experience, strong volunteer commitment and enthusiasm to build capacity provincially for source water protection. Others selected are based in Sundridge and Perth.

“All lake associations, including those in Haliburton County, are encouraged to explore source water protection,” Lavender said. “FOCA aims to help extend a culture of multi-barrier drinking water protection into rural and waterfront communities, starting with the source – our precious freshwater.

The work

Last year, FOCA partnered with Ontario’s Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) and the Kinmount Park Estates Association to develop a source water protection plan for the waterfront community on Crego Lake.

Working with consulting engineers and volunteers on the lake, the pilot assessed threats to the community’s drinking water, including risks posed by septic systems, fuel storage, and the area’s vulnerable fractured bedrock geology. It provided practical recommendations to help the community mitigate risk and safeguard private water sources.

These include maintaining a naturalized shoreline buffer at the water’s edge, avoiding pesticide use, using biodegradable cleaning products, testing well water, and having septic systems inspected. Fellows anticipates similar recommendations for Halls and Hawk lakes.

A five-person working group has been established, formulating a plan for the summer. She hopes to grow that core group to 10 people, ideally with representatives from each of the three lakes, as well as the Kennisis River. Fellows said HHLPOA has also invited Algonquin Highlands township to participate in the pilot.

The project will kick-off this month at the association’s upcoming AGM, happening June 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Shalom by the Lake resort on Little Hawk Lake Road.

“Then, for the rest of the summer, we will be doing another survey, taking a look at publicly available information on water quality, nearby land uses, and geography and topography of the region to identify risk to source water quality,” she said. “Then, in the fall, we should have a list of risks to drinking water quality and a very specific source water protection plan.”

There will be another meeting late fall to present findings, with a final plan expected by the end of the calendar year. That information will also be used for HHLPOA’s updated 20-year lake plan. She noted that document will likely see several changes from the last one.

“The community is very active and aware about things that were acceptable 25 years ago but aren’t today. Before, many wouldn’t think anything of sending kids into the lake with a bar of soap, but people aren’t doing that anymore,” she said.

“It will be like a strategic plan for our waterbodies, guiding us to ensure the sustainability and health of the lake going forward. Having the FOCA piece this year too just means this latest plan will be the most informative one yet,” she added.

Anyone interested in joining the working group can contact president@ hallshawklakes.ca.

County of Haliburton CAO Gary Dyke wants to continue tackling the service delivery review – tabling a fulsome report to the May 28 County council meeting.

His proposal for a second phase garnered council approval.

The County began the review of 66 services it, and member townships, provide, in 2022. That review found 12 high priority services that could be targeted for efficiencies. Six of them (solid waste management, fire services, economic development, bylaw enforcement, procurement and IT/digital strategy) were addressed in 2022-23.

Dyke said phase two has identified engineering, communications, human resources, and planning.

He said the next detailed review and analysis would be done by County and township staff, led by CAOs. Final reports on recommended options would be provided to County council in September, and to member municipal councils in October.

Dyke said, “on an overall basis, the ones that were implemented were implemented successfully and resulted in increased productivity and service delivery efficiencies.”

Some were not, however, such as councillors rebuking the idea of centralizing solid waste management.

The CAO talked about some of the challenges that have bogged the review down.

He said staff were presented with 12 “significant” tasks, but “a minimal implementation plan.” He said the strategy going forward is to break it down into manageable chunks. In addition, Dyke said there were “no clearly articulated” service agreements between the County and the townships, leading to “ambiguity and misremembering.” He’d like detailed service agreements going forward so, “everyone understands what their role is, who’s lane is what lane, and what to do in the event of conflict.”

No job cuts in County’s services delivery review

He also called for “accountability and effective valuation of what we are doing.” He also felt they need a review of all staff vacancies, when people leave, “to determine the relevancy and value of each role to the organization’s strategic goals.”

Deputy warden Liz Danielsen agreed, “one of the greatest challenges we ran into right off the top was there was so much, so many recommendations, so much work to do.” She said it was “overwhelming.” She felt service agreements are needed.

Overall, she said for the service delivery review to work, “we really need to have buy-in here from all of us in order to go forward. We’ve talked about this an awful lot and we seem to keep kind of stumbling and not going ahead the way we should be.”

Coun. Bob Carter said another difficulty was turning the work “over to a group of people in which jobs could be potentially redefined or threatened. You almost need an outside person to lead the task force… just having somebody maybe a bit more neutral.”

But Dyke said they’d never discussed job cuts. “We’re not thinking of getting rid of people. When someone is leaving, really take a look at it, is there an opportunity for efficiencies here? That gives a sense of security to staff. Finding efficiencies doesn’t mean someone is going to lose their job.”

Coun. Walt McKechnie said he personally felt the process was taking them towards a one-tier government and, “I don’t believe in a one-tier government in Haliburton County.”

But Dyke said they have no intention of looking at single-tier. He said municipal governments do, however, face challenges with a regressive property tax system and spending demands. He said it’s about creating efficiencies and, “how we keep ourselves tenable” with extra pressure for services. Danielsen expressed a “desire to work better together … not taking power, control…no desire for the A (amalgamation) word.”

County council will hold on to the former Land Registry Office in Minden, but has shelved plans for an extensive $2.5 million redevelopment of that building and the current County offices across the street.

Director of public works, Sylvin Cloutier, presented a report to the May 28 council meeting. In it, he said work at the building at 12 Newcastle St., (the former Land Registry Office) would have cost nearly $1.3 million: including moving the existing council chamber at 11 Newcastle St. across the road; another $165,000-plus for exterior work; and $100,000 for a lift. He noted a big chunk of that would be for accessibility requirements.

He estimated another $1.145 million for the current County office building, with $600,000 being for accessibility upgrades.

Coun. Murray Fearrey said he could not justify spending the $2.5 million to taxpayers. He felt a new council chamber was not necessary, as it would only be used for a limited number of meetings every month.

“In these times, I just cannot accept spending $2.5 million on both,” he said in asking to defer the project. However, he did back doing the government-mandated accessibility upgrades at the current office, at the $600,000. Fearrey added with council committing to furthering the service delivery review, now was not the time. “This project needs a lot of consideration.”

Coun. Walt McKechnie was firm in his opinion that the County sell the Land Registry Office, making it available for future affordable housing; “some real nice apartments in there, which is what’s really needed,” while upgrading the existing office.

Coun. Jennifer Dailloux didn’t want to surplus the building. “We will be expanding. It would be shooting ourselves in the foot to get rid of a building during a trend of continuous expansion.”

Coun. Cec Ryall asked about the space needs of County staff. Dyke said they have capacity issues. He said for now, they could get by, but “from a growth, flexibility standpoint, that doesn’t exist in its current form.”

Deputy warden Liz Danielsen said she is always concerned about deferring projects, as, “nothing gets cheaper.” She suggested an RFP that could break down work and costs. “At least we have the information. If we decide not to go ahead, so be it.” She said they may ultimately run out of space and it will cost more to redevelop at that time. She also asked about other sources of funding. Dyke said they are investigating other money possibilities.

The prospect of sharing a council chamber with Minden Hills was raised.

Dyke felt council was proposing “forget about doing work at 12 Newcastle St. for now, proceed with renovations at the existing County office, and possibly share council chambers with Minden Hills.”

His second option was leaving the former Land Registry Office alone; doing all upgrades at 11 Newcastle St., including modernizing the existing council chamber space, and dealing with growth as it happens.

He said both could be done within existing budgets.

By recorded vote, council elected for the first option; the complete renovation at 11 Newcastle St. and discussions with Minden Hills about a shared council chamber. Only McKechnie voted against.

Minden Hills mayor Bob Carter told a packed house at the Minden Community Centre last week that he has never understood why municipal elections attract so few voters to the polls.

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) brought its travelling ‘healthy democracy project’ roadshow to town May 28, with speakers Petra Wolfbeiss and Henry Khamonde discussing ways County residents can get involved and help make a difference ahead of the next election, scheduled for Oct. 26, 2026.

Kicking off the event, Carter spoke about low voter turnout for the most recent municipal election in 2022. Dysart et al reported 31.47 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot, with Algonquin Highlands at 28.9 per cent, Minden Hills at 24.76 per cent, and Highlands East at 21.26 per cent.

This is a far-cry from the 72.36 per cent of voters in the riding (which also includes Kawartha Lakes) who re-elected Jamie Schmale to parliament in April, and the 48.95 per cent of people in HaliburtonKawartha Lakes-Brock who gave Laurie Scott a seventh term as MPP in February.

“The day-to-day relationships most of us have with government is at the municipal level – waste management, fire services, road upgrades… so, the area that affects us the most we pay the least attention to,” Carter said. “This apathy is also reflected in the number of people we attract to run.”

Wolfbeiss said AMO is working to flip those statistics on their head. Involving and engaging the public is key to the process, she said. So too is understanding why interest is so low.

“Municipal governance is the least understood… so educating people about all the different things their municipal government is responsible for is vital. We also need to get back to a place where we can have frequent conversations, disagreements and debates and for that to be OK,” Wolfbeiss said. “It’s only through those conversations that good change can happen.”

She noted the project has one clear objective – to increase the diversity and number of people running for election in 2026.

The 2022 election had the highest number of acclamations in history with 560, up from 380 in 2018. There were 32 communities where the entire council was acclaimed, meaning they automatically secured a seat because nobody run against them.

In Haliburton County, 12 of 22 officials were acclaimed, including the mayors and deputy mayors in Dysart and Minden Hills.

Wolfbeiss pointed to two blinding issues – low pay and increases in harassment, violence and abuse. She told how, recently, Leamington mayor Hilda McDonald had to be escorted out of a meeting after an “online conspiracy theory group” ambushed a meeting about the township’s official plan. She has reportedly received repeated threats against her life.

In Quebec, nine per cent of the province’s approximate 8,000 elected officials have resigned since November 2021, citing toxicity at the council level and abuse from the community.

“It’s low wages, high demand. That narrows down the number of people who want to do it. People are seeing too much risk and not enough reward,” she said, noting AMO is developing a civility and anti-harassment strategy.

It’s also inviting municipal politicians, active or not, to share stories from when they were in office – the good and the bad – to help form future ‘healthy democracy’ directives. Staff will engage with diverse candidates representing different minorities who have run for office.

Wolfbeiss said AMO is also revamping its training for new councillors and will provide additional resources to ensure they feel informed and supported.

“Through this work, we hope to build up representative councils, develop resource tools and training, foster a respect for democracy, and increase trust in local government.”

Youth are key

Khamonde, a youth fellowship intern with AMO, said the organization has recently collaborated with Apathy is Boring, a non-partisan group that promotes youth participation in politics. They released the report ‘Youth and Local Democracy’, which highlights existing barriers.

“To put it simply, youth don’t think their voice holds weight in local government. It’s up to us all to shift their frame of mind, so they know they do have a say,” Khamonde said. “They haven’t yet established that connection with their municipality and the role it undertakes.”

Seeking youth input on important issues is a good first step to bridging the divide, the AMO representative added. “Local municipalities have the power to invite youth to the table and inspire change.”

A “homegrown” healthy democracy project will be kicking off in the Highlands this fall. It’s operating under the umbrella of the Telling Our Stories Speaker Series, as part of the Haliburton County Community Cooperative. Four sessions are planned, designed to boost candidate numbers ahead of next year’s municipal election. A full itinerary will be released over the summer.

To learn more, contact Sean Pennylegion at pennylegion@gmail.com.

Stephanie Field of Cottage Care Rentals and JT Lowes of All Season Cottage Rentals asked Minden Hills council, May 29, to tweak its short-term rental rules.

The two said the township’s bylaw wording about buildings and structures is confusing. They added when people are applying for a short-term rental licence, and are told they have to pay additional money for a licence of occupation for a dock, and proof of added insurance, they are taken aback.

Lowes said “many owners have decided, with the extra expenses, they’re no longer going to rent. It’s just not worth it.” He said his business has lost 75-80 per cent of its renters in Minden Hills.

He and Field clarified their market is people who rent out for three to five weeks a year to help offset costs of running a cottage, such as paying taxes or for new docks or decks. He said they are being impacted by the new short-term rental rules much more than people on online platforms renting 365 days of the year who are getting much more income.

As a result, Lowes said bad renters are staying in the game and good ones leaving. He noted cottage rental companies do the things the bylaw covers, such as ensuring properties are safe and up to code. They deal with neighbour complaints.

The two suggested a class B licence for cottage rental companies. They said the township could be included in indemnity waivers to ease fears about liability. That would eliminate the need for a licence of occupation for a dock, as well as extra insurance.

Lowes said their loss of rental properties will affect the Highlands’ economy, and has already resulted in job cuts. Field added they are losing repeat renters.

Algonquin Highlands and Dysart et al do not require licences of occupation, or proof of insurance, for docks on shore road allowances.

Mayor Bob Carter said the existing rules are about liability. “Since we own land, and are letting someone operate a business on the land, we are the last stop for collection of any insurance claims.”

Coun. Pam Sayne said cottage rental agencies have been in the County a long time and provide a valuable service. She said they are full-time operators who understand all aspects of the business. They inspect properties to ensure safeguards. She said the township should look into the request by way of a report back from staff.

Carter said the County and, subsequently, the townships, passed short-term rental rules to crack down on a growing business that was creating problems in the County. “But, as often happens, what you write sounds great, until it gets to be a practical situation…”

He was intrigued by the prospect of an indemnity clause. He said staff could look into that and encouraged Field and Lowes to provide ongoing feedback. Deputy mayor Lisa Schell was also in favour of taking another look at the bylaw. Coun. Tammy McKelvey said short-term rental owners are facing rules others are not, while coun. Bob Sisson said they don’t want to lose business in Minden Hills.

Council received the delegation for information only, and, later in the meeting, agreed they need a staff report on definitions of a structure, possible licensing classifications, and the potential for indemnification.

Editor’s note: This story has been edited to correct two issues. The original story stated the file will go to County council for final approval, but since there was no proposed change to the official plan, that isn’t necessary. The original story also stated the proposed hobby farm would be located at the rear of the property, closest to the water. That site is actually the furthest point from the water. The Highlander apologizes for these mistakes.

Algonquin Highlands council has unanimously supported a request to rezone roughly six acres of land close to Halls Lake, paving the way for the applicants, Tim and Laura Kegel, to re-establish a hobby farm on their property.

Council chambers was filled to the brim May 29 as elected officials met to discuss a rezoning application for 1572 Little Hawk Lake Rd. Last summer, the Kegels applied to transition the land from Shoreline Residential Two (SR2) to Rural-Exception (RU).

The couple wants to raise pigs and chickens and build a secondary residence on the property, though their application has been opposed by dozens of other cottagers on the system. A petition signed by 565 people before the vote called for council to turn the proposal down, claiming the hobby farm would have a negative impact on Halls Lake.

In his presentation, planner Sean O’Callaghan said the township did receive an environmental impact study, nutrient management strategy and plan, and an Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) inspection report, with “no concerns noted with regards to the proposed hobby farm.”

The planner, however, recommended council deny the application based on comments received by County planner Elizabeth Purcell, who indicated the property would be in violation of the uppertier’s official plan if it were rezoned RU.

O’Callaghan said this is due to verbiage in the official plan stipulating that RU zones be accessible directly from a public highway. The only access to the Kegel property is off the neighbouring Shalom on the Lake resort, which is owned by family.

Mayor Liz Danielsen felt that was a non-factor, noting “nobody seems concerned about the issue of access.” Deputy mayor Jennifer Dailloux agreed, feeling it’s “a technicality… not the heart of this application.”

While there was discussion about the file potentially going to the County, O’Callaghan noted since this is just a zoning bylaw amendment, with no changes proposed to the official plan, that it won’t be heard by the upper tier.

What was approved?

Included within the RU designation is an exemption that will prohibit the Kegels from setting up a portable asphalt plant, commercial kennel, or group home. It will allow a hobby farm, which Kegel previously had on the site from about 2018 to 2023, but council implemented limits on the number of animals allowed.

O’Callaghan said the threshold for total nutrient units (NU) on the property has been set at 1.5, which should allow for up to four pigs and some chickens. NU refers to the amount of nitrogen and phosphate nutrients generated by livestock and poultry. In Ontario, one unit is defined as the nutrient value equivalent to 43 kilograms of nitrogen or 55 kilograms of phosphate.

Asked who would police that, O’Callaghan said since it would be a zoning matter the township takes point but would likely have to consult with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFRA) to determine if the property has exceeded the limit.

Council also opted to retain site plan control of the property, meaning any addition must first be ratified by the township. O’Callaghan said the Kegels included their plans in the EIS and nutrient management reports, so the township is aware of what and where they plan to build.

Kegel plans to house the pigs in pens at the rear of the property, furthest away from the water. He also plans to construct a secondary residence on the site, with O’Callaghan telling council a building permit will be required before work can begin.

Council also directed staff to confirm setbacks for new structures from neighbouring properties.

How they got there

One of the primary concerns levelled by the opposition was that the EIS and nutrient management work was completed last October and November, when there would have been no run-off towards the water. They wanted tests done in the spring to show that contaminants won’t seep downhill and into the lake.

O’Callaghan said he is “quite confident” there will be no impact.

“The study was done based off eight pigs being on the property, so almost double what’s being proposed. It demonstrated there would be a negative nutrient load on the property. Because the applicant intends to mix manure generated by the pigs with topsoil to make fertilizer that will be applied to plants and gardens on the property, they will absorb more nutrients than the pigs are producing,” he said.

The planner also noted no streams or drainage courses leading to Halls Lake have been identified on the Kegel property, saying “the studies we’ve been provided show there shouldn’t be any overland drainage off the property. The soil type has been identified as being a sandy-ish soil, so not clay, meaning it would absorb any water run-off.”

Dailloux felt approving the application was “the fair thing to do,” noting there are several other RU properties in the township that are closer to waterbodies than the Kegel property. The deputy mayor said she has seen no evidence to suggest the planned hobby farm would negatively impact Halls Lake.

“The environment is paramount for our community. But I’m not seeing a reason from what we’ve been given that suggests this would jeopardize the lake in a direct way,” Dailloux said.

‘Heartbreaking’ decision

Beth Carey, one of approximately 100 waterfront residents on Halls Lake who opposed the application, sobbed when council delivered its decision last week. Her grandfather was the first to establish a cottage on Halls Lake. She has spent her whole life summering on the “pristine water,” though is worried her grandchildren won’t have that same opportunity.

“They usually play for hours in front of our cottage, jumping into the water… I’m worried this is the first domino to fall… for me, this is not just about the Kegel property. It’s about precedent,” she said, noting other landowners may be encouraged to put in similar applications now. “That’s why this was an important one to take a step back, do all the work, and make a truly informed decision.”

Sherry Lawr, who has been visiting Halls Lake for almost 50 years, was disappointed the township didn’t have the reports submitted by the Kegels peer reviewed by an outside firm. She also felt more potential uses should have been outlawed, such as implementing a cemetery, daycare, commercial greenhouse or veterinary clinic.

“We all support homesteading and farming activity as long as it is located in an appropriate location,” Lawr said.

The Halls Hawk Lakes Property Owners Association (HHLPOA) is investigating whether it can appeal Algonquin Highlands’ decision to the Ontario Land Tribunal. Following the passing of Bill 23 in 2022, neighbours can no longer appeal development decisions made by a local council. Instead, that falls to certain advocacy groups, such as conservation authorities.

Given there’s no conservation authority in Haliburton County, HHLPOA president Shelley Fellows believes she may have a case.

“I am disappointed in the decision. I feel the community was concerned for all the right reasons and that there should have been a lengthier environmental study done,” she said. “In the absence of a conservation authority, to me, the next level would be a property owners association, or a lake association. So, we’ll see.”

MPP Laurie Scott visited SIRCH’s Bistro and Bakery May 20.

She came to see what the organization has done with a $190,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant it received in April 2023 to help recover from COVID and build resiliency.

The community kitchen is just one of many initiatives made possible through the grant.

It was noted they were able to hire a kitchen coordinator and a food donation coordinator.

Executive director, Gena Robertson, said they’re now distributing 1,750 frozen meals a month and doing the Lunch is On Us program.

Scott commented on how SIRCH is “always finding ways of trying to help the community.”