Activists tell province ‘no’ to private health care

March 3, 2022

A seemingly off-the-cuff remark made by Health Minister Christine Elliott in early February has seen several activist groups, including the Haliburton-City of Kawartha Lakes Long-Term Care Coalition, sound the alarm over fears the province may be favouring a move towards privatization of health care in Ontario.

During a virtual press conference Feb. 24, Sarah Labelle, OPSEU region three vice president, expressed her concern over Elliott’s statement Feb. 1 that indicated the province would be looking to independent health facilities and private hospitals to help clear the backlog of non-emergency surgeries and procedures.

“That is a complete departure from what we have historically done in Ontario, and in fact goes against the legislation that banned private hospitals back in 1973,” Labelle said. “This is further privatization, and they’re doing it under the guise of telling people that they’re going to get rid of the backlog … It’s not right.”

While Elliott could not be reached for comment, local MPP Laurie Scott said any procedures redirected to privatelyoperated health facilities would still be publicly-funded.

“OHIP already funds procedures in other facilities … Right now, it’s all about ramping up for more surgeries. It’s an all hands-on deck situation for us to try and catch up with the backlog, so even if someone is [referred to a private facility] it will still be an OHIP-funded procedure,” Scott said.

She added that, as far as she was aware, there are no plans to expand independent health care facilities and operations in Ontario.

Labelle remains unconvinced. She said that rather than rely further on private hospitals, albeit temporarily, the provincial government should instead be working to outlaw them.

“The quality of care is not the same. The independent health facilities are not covered by the same legislation and regulations as our public hospitals,” Labelle said. “These facilities poach valuable health professionals away into the private sector, which leaves an already beleaguered public sector short.

“There’s just so many reasons why it’s not a good idea [to rely on private facilities]. What we need to do is push for more professionals and more beds and more funding for our existing public hospitals,” she added.

Bonnie Roe, co-founder of the Haliburton-CKL LTC Coalition, also spoke at the conference, bringing attention to the recently announced $41 million 128-bed long-term care facility Extendicare plans to build in Haliburton County by 2025.

She criticized the provincial government’s decision to partner with Extendicare, a privately-owned corporation, on the project.

“That could have been used for notfor-profit beds,” Roe said. “This was a key opportunity to have changed the way we look at long-term care, and to try to do things differently. Unfortunately, this government just has no political will to do that.”

Among the local coalition’s chief mandates is to lobby the government to outlaw for-profit companies from opening new nursing homes in Ontario.

Scott said the province entered into an agreement with Extendicare because it was the only service provider in the Haliburton region to apply for funding to increase the number of long-term care beds in the community.

“We made the commitment to add 30,000 net new beds in Ontario by 2028 … We put the call out in 2021 for another round of applications for extensive developments and Extendicare is who applied from our area,” Scott said. When asked if there had been any other applications made by service providers in Haliburton County, she responded “none to my knowledge.”

It’s unclear how much of the $41 million needed to complete the project is coming from the province. Scott said the funding is determined on a per bed basis and that negotiations are still being finalized.

“They’re certainly a partner on this thing though,” Scott said, indicating the new build won’t be fully funded by the government.

Sign-up time for new Dysart home composters

Mike Baker

March 3, 2022

Dysart et al has kicked off a new home composting pilot project, and is looking for local households to take part in the 12-week initiative.

FoodCycler is a portable in-home food recycling machine designed to transform food waste such as vegetables, meat, poultry and bones into a nutrient-rich soil amendment that can be used for gardening, landscaping and farming. Each unit is designed to divert at least two tons of food from landfills and prevent up to 2.6 tons of carbon monoxide from being released into the atmosphere.

Each unit retails at around $500, but Dysart has entered into an agreement with manufacturer Food Cycle Science to offset costs for those interested in the program. Units are available for $150 plus HST. Dysart is investing $10,000 through the initiative.

Interest in the program has been strong, said John Watson, Dysart’s environmental manager.

“I suspect we’ll definitely have more than 100 applicants for the FoodCycler pilot, so will end up using a lottery system to select the participants,” Watson said. “This really speaks to a willingness of Dysart residents to manage their food waste through an in-home composting solution.”

Watson noted the FoodCycler is designed to work alongside a backyard composter or digester, and not completely replace it. Approximately the size of a bread making machine, the unit can hold up to 1 kg of food waste and takes between four and eight hours to complete a cycle.

The machine has been piloted in more than 20 municipalities Canada-wide according to Christina Zardo, manager of municipal solutions with Food Cycle Science. She said 83 per cent of people who have participated in the program would recommend the FoodCycler.

Algonquin Highlands ran a pilot of its own beginning in October 2021, though results have not yet been made public.

“From an economic standpoint, FoodCycler offers return on investment by reducing waste management and disposal costs,” Zardo previously told Dysart council. “From an environmental standpoint … it represents an approximate reduction in greenhouse gas impacts by 95 per cent compared to sending food to the landfill.” Dysart’s pilot will run from April 10 to July 2. Participants are required to track their usage of the machine through online weekly logs and provide feedback via online surveys. Anyone looking to take part must be a permanent or seasonal resident of Dysart.

The deadline to register is March 31. To learn more, visit dysartetal.ca/foodcycler.

A new service for Dorset readers

Sam Gillett

March 3, 2022

After nearly a year without library service, Dorset residents will be able to pick up library materials in their own community starting March 12.

That’s thanks to a newly-installed row of lockers outside Robinsons General Store that will soon be full of reserved books from across the library system.

“We’re really excited about this launch and getting library materials into the hands of community members,” said Library CEO Christopher Stephenson in an email.

Mike Hinbest, owner of Robinsons, said he enthusiastically supports the projects. For him, it was a simple decision to lend the space.

“The town needs the help, we have space for [the lockers] so we help out the town,” he said.

“If we have the ability to help when someone is in need then that’s what we’re going to do.”

Dorset residents can now call or email to secure their lockers. They’ll be assigned one of 36 lockers and then will set a fourdigit combination.

Any holds that are placed before the end of the day Friday will be couriered to Dorset Saturday morning.

The Dorset Community Centre has been closed because of mold since spring and service at the Stanhope branch is still offline, as accessibility improvements have blocked the front entrance.

To sign up for a locker call 705-457-2241 or email illo@haliburtonlibrary.ca

Libraries move to stage three

As of Feb. 22, all HCPL branches will be open for in-person browsing and borrowing during regular hours. Public computers, printing and photocopying services are all available.

Curbside service will continue to be available, and masking rules are still in place.

County eyes municipal climate resilience

Lisa Gervais

March 3, 2022

The County’s climate change coordinator outlined some of the challenges municipal operations and services will face as weather patterns shift and presented a plan to deal with it during council’s Feb. 23 meeting.

Korey McKay, in a 44-page report, highlighted how the weather is changing in Haliburton County. It is trending towards higher temperatures, resulting in more heat waves and less snow. It also means increased precipitation, with rainfall concentrated in more intense events with longer dry spells in between. That will result in increased flood risk as well as lake levels that experience higher highs and lower lows. There will also be more frequent and intense storms of all kind, including ice and thunderstorms.

Gleaned from the plan are some examples of what this means for municipal operations.

For example, she said staff working outdoors will have more health risks due to more extreme heat.

“What can be done is updating health and safety policies to incorporate climate change considerations and continue to provide education, resources and training to outdoor staff to reduce heat stress,” she said.

She added there will be disruption to outdoor events and programming for winter-based recreation due to the increased snow melt. “What can be done is developing alternative programming for low snowpack conditions.”

She noted an expected disruption to transportation and emergency services due to the closure of roads and bridges from flooding.

“What can be done is ensuring new or replacement infrastructure is designed to reflect future climate conditions, including increasing culverts and bridges in size and height to reflect increased precipitation.”

During the meeting, McKay noted this plan focuses on climate impacts to municipal operations and services. Broader impacts for the community, including effects to private property, will be included in the Community Climate Action Plan, which will be the third and final comprehensive plan McKay is working on.

She is working on it now and the newly-created advisory group held its first meeting Feb. 16 and is scheduled to next meet in April.

According to Coun. Andrea Roberts, who sits on that group, “there’s a very enthusiastic group of people on that committee.”

McKay told council this plan “is to provide a first step for understanding the climate-related risks that impact our municipal operations and services, as well as providing steps to embed resiliency across our operations and infrastructure.”

She said she looked at parks, public works, water and wastewater and administration.

She noted her work piggybacked on a lot of things the townships have already been doing to address things such as severe rainfall, extreme heat and intense storms.

There is a strong business case for the plan as it is, she added, noting it is, “cost effective to proactively plan ahead. The Insurance Bureau of Canada estimates that for every dollar invested in risk mitigation measurements, $6 is saved in future damages.”

Coun. Pat Kennedy said it was important to share the plan with emergency planning and management at councils.

Coun. Carol Moffatt added there was no question climate change is impacting reservoir lakes. “The water levels that are already going up and down quite a bit is going to be significant more in the future.” She encouraged McKay to liaise with the Coalition for Equitable Water Flow, which is doing its own monitoring.

Coun. Brent Devolin said Minden Hills has probably suffered more from the negative effects of climate change than other municipalities due to its flooding history. He agreed they must continue to lobby the provincial and federal governments for assistance. He also noted the strong link to emergency planning. He encouraged McKay to continue to “thread the needle” through all of the existing planning across the County and other jurisdictions.

“I’m excited to see this go forward.”

County investigating development charges

Lisa Gervais

March 3, 2022

The “timing is right” to launch a development charges study for the upper and lower-tier Highlands municipalities, County Coun. Andrea Roberts told a Feb. 23 meeting.

The Dysart et al mayor said, “we’re seeing growth like none of us have ever seen before. I know at Dysart’s planning department, it’s just phone calls coming in of potential applications. It’s going to be a little bit overwhelming.”

The recently-released population census for Haliburton County found 13.9 per cent growth between 2015 and 2021.

County director of planning Steve Stone updated a report by his predecessor, Charlsey White, calling for a development charges study a couple of years ago.

He said the cost, estimated at $50,000 in 2019, was too low so it was “put on the backburner.”

This time around, if Algonquin Highlands, Dysart et al, Highlands East and Minden Hills all sign off on it, Stone is recommending a budget of $100,000, with a request for proposals going out in the hopes of finding a consultant to do the work by October 2022.

Roberts asked if development charges would affect every building permit and Stone clarified they would be for new dwelling units only.

Stone’s report outlined that development charges are one-time fees imposed by municipalities on land developers, home builders and institutions.

The fees are intended to offset the cost of increased municipal services and infrastructure required due to population growth within the municipality, resulting from new development.

The municipality can use development charges to pay for hard services such as water, waste management or roads, and soft services such as recreation centres and libraries.

“Development charges can only be imposed on development that is subject to a zoning bylaw amendment, minor variance, part lot control bylaw, plan of subdivision, application for consent, plan of condominium and building permit,” Stone said. “They cannot be imposed for applications related to the enlargement of an existing dwelling unit or creation of up to two additional dwelling units.”

Stone, in an analysis, added, “development charges are recommended to be used to finance growth-related capital costs for some of the services provided by the County of Haliburton such as roads, emergency services and library services.

“It would be mutually beneficial for the County and local municipalities to consider collaborating with regard to development charges. Almost all services provided by the County are eligible for development charges, provided they can meet the test of a service which will incur capital costs as a result of increased development,” he said.

Stone added there are some identified ineligible services, which include cultural or entertainment facilities, tourism facilities, land for parks, hospitals and headquarters for general administration.

The process

• A development charge bylaw is effective for five years after the date it comes into force.

• Before council can pass a bylaw, it must: complete a development charge background study. The bylaw must be passed within one year after the study is completed; complete a municipal asset management plan; and hold at least one public meeting with appropriate notice.

• Notice of adoption of a bylaw must be given within 20 days and is subject to a 40-day appeal period.

Council slashes parking fees for new business

Mike Baker

March 3, 2022

Dysart et al council signed off on giving a pair of new entrepreneurs a break Feb. 22 after municipal officials found an application to increase capacity at the old Baked and Battered restaurant violated township parking bylaws.

Veronica and Taylor Van Leeuwen had spent months coming up with ideas to grow their new business after taking ownership in late 2021. After discontinuing the bakery, they decided to change the layout of the downtown eatery. They submitted a building application to allow for more seating inside, but days later their hearts dropped after being hit with a municipal bill for $27,000.

Planner Kris Orsan informed council the restaurant did not have enough on-site parking to justify the number of seats the Van Leeuwens wanted to add, as per municipal bylaws. The bylaw states there must be one parking spot per nine sq. metres of floor space. With a proposed seating area of 369.1 sq. metres and only 16 on-site spots, Orsan said the restaurant was 27 spots short of the 43 required to meet standards.

Given the lack of space available, Orsan said the business qualified for a program where they could pay a one-time fee in lieu of providing parking. This would, theoretically, give the municipality the option of upgrading existing parking options in the area, or develop new parking space of its own to offset the overflow. The payable rate is set at $1,000 per deficient space.

This was news to the Van Leeuwens, who said they were not aware of this bylaw prior to purchasing the business.

Mayor Andrea Roberts asked if this issue had ever come up at the site before, under previous ownership. Jeff Iles, Dysart’s director of planning, told council there was no record of any prior issues.

“Then the seating capacity must not have been calculated properly prior to [the Van Leeuwens] purchasing the restaurant,” Roberts said. “Even if they were to reconfigure, there isn’t enough space inside to add that many new seats to all of a sudden [exceed the bylaw].”

Iles said the township’s most recent documents permitted seating for 30 people at the restaurant. The Van Leeuwens’ new application sought to increase that to 100. Veronica estimated when she bought the business, there was seating for around 60 customers.

“How can the previous owners have no payment, then this huge, unexpected amount be charged to the new owners? It doesn’t make sense,” said Coun. Tammy Donaldson.

In an effort to help the new business owners, Coun. Nancy Wood-Roberts suggested council reduce the bill by 50 per cent, bringing the total owed to $13,500. Council voted 5-2 in favour of that option, with John Smith and Walt McKechnie opposing.

Patios to return

Restaurants along Highland Street will be permitted to transform parking spaces in front of their businesses into patios to support outdoor dining again this summer.

In a report to council, CAO Tamara Wilbee said seven spots in front of McKeck’s Tap & Grill, Maple Avenue Tap and Grill and Kozy Korner would be culled to make room for the patios. The space will be offered to businesses free of charge.

“I very much think we should be supporting this. It’s going to be years for businesses to recover from what’s been happening [with the pandemic]. Anything we can do to enable them to get back on track, we should,” said Coun. Larry Clarke. “It will cost us in terms of a few parking spaces, but those spots don’t mean anything if we don’t have businesses there for people to go into.”

Treasurer Barbara Swannell said there could be an opportunity for Dysart to use federal Safe Restart funding to offset any losses by the township.

Museum lauded

After spending months compiling information for a new book documenting the history of Drag Lake, area resident Charles Wheeler told council he believes they should do more to support the Haliburton Highlands Museum.

“The museum is a great asset to this community, but we think it needs further investment by Dysart,” Wheeler said.

He suggested the municipality create a digital archive of all the information the museum has on-site, while also improving signage along Hwy. 118 providing directions to the facility. He also recommended the museum boost its online presence, and provide options for people to make donations through their website.

“George Santayana said that those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it, but for history to be learned it has to be visible and accessible,” Wheeler said.

Stewards want more mineral protection

Sam Gillett

March 3, 2022

A Highlands East couple is calling on the township to protect a Crown land lot containing rare minerals near Tory Hill.

By leasing the Crown Land’s mining rights, Highlands East could limit the extraction of the minerals running through the site, said Mark Bramham, who sent a letter to council.

“I want them to permanently protect it with a mining lease,” he said, adding the municipality could consider leading tours into the area. He estimates it would cost $8,000 for an initial assessment, as well as a minimal yearly fee for the lease.

The land is located on a calcite deposit running from Gooderham to Harcourt that contains a high concentration of minerals.

Mark and Sandra Bramham have spent time preserving Fluororichterite and other minerals on Greenmantle Farm. It’s one of the only known areas containing Fluororichterite in the world.

They think the rare mineral, among others, is found on the land where they want to see the mining lease. Currently, Crown Land mining policies allow recreational collectors to extract minerals and rocks once per year.

Bramham said the land is fairly well hidden from the road, but as interest in rock hounding increases, the risk of extraction does too.

Areas such as the Gibson Occurance in Highlands East have been popular destinations for rock collectors worldwide who search for minerals such as Orthoclase and Titanite.

“These deposits are finite and nonrenewable so once they are gone, they are gone,” Mark wrote in the letter to council Feb. 7.

He added Highlands East could help ensure the area functions as a destination to marvel at, rather than an extraction destination.

“This is a wonderful ecosystem that’s been left intact since the last ice age. It’s worth protecting,” he said.

Bramham’s letter was received as information, with Mayor Dave Burton requesting staff send a letter to the Bramhams thanking them for their stewardship of the land.

Burton said he has not witnessed overextraction of minerals on the land, but said establishing the lease is “doable.”

“It’s something we may take into consideration, probably not at this time,” he said, adding that if council expressed interest in the idea, they’d need to consult with the public too. “There are a lot of people who have invested a lot of money to enjoy what we have, they’d have to be consulted as well,” he said.

The Bramhams have had university classes, researchers and international tourists visit the property. They said it’s their responsibility to act as stewards.

Seeing the rare mineral in an undisturbed habitat is a powerful experience, Mark said. Sandra said one couple from the U.S.A. they met at a rare mineral convention “begged” for a chance to see the Flourorichterite on their property. Once they arrived at a visible Flourorichterite occurrence, the pair were awestruck, and put away their rock hammers, urging the Bramhams to protect the rare minerals.

“I’m not saying people shouldn’t collect minerals, but should we not save something?” Mark asked.

County Ukrainians hope for peaceful end to invasion

Lisa Gervais

March 3, 2022

Bill Kulas is just one Highlander with ties to Ukraine now reeling from the Russian invasion of the European country. Kulas’ ancestors came to Canada in the early 1900s but he still has extended family in the war-ravaged country, including a cousin who is married with a son. He’s been in touch with the cousin, Ivan Fratsovir, since Russia began its invasion Feb. 24.
The family lives in western Ukraine about 60km from the Polish border.
Kulas shared a text from Fratsovir with The Highlander. In it, he expresses fear and disbelief. “People are panicking, hiding in the subway, some have already left their homes, rockets are falling all over our country. But we will not hand over our Ukraine to the occupiers. [Russian leader Vladimir] Putin wants to seize the capital. Belarus has supported Russia.”
However, Fratsovir also expresses hope, telling Kulas, “I think that everything will pass, everything will be fine. Thank you for your support.”
For his part, Kulas said, “who would believe that in 2022 we would face the threat and potential of another world war?”
He said Putin is not only attacking Ukraine, its language, culture and traditions, but democracy, freedom and the entire world.
Kulas said Ukraine and its people have suffered greatly in the past with the mass starvation in the 1930s of millions of Ukrainian men, women and children in what is known as the Holodomor under Stalin.
There was also the Crimean invasion in 2014. Now, he is again watching television news coverage and indiscriminate bombings.
“My hope is that the Russian people have the will and courage to stop this insane situation and withdraw their war efforts in Ukraine,” he said.
He is hopeful worldwide retribution will convince Putin’s colleagues to bring an end to the invasion. It’s been an emotional few days, Kulas said. “Devastating to hear that people are sitting in an apartment or home and facing bombings and missiles. For what? It’s awful. The Russian bear has tried to swallow a Ukrainian porcupine.” He said Putin’s legacy will be one of “pariah, rogue leader, tyrant, oppressor, killer …”
He said he and wife Ginger are praying the invasion will come to a quick resolution with a peaceful ending. If that does not happen, the Kulases will be “more than happy” to sponsor his cousin’s family to come to Canada.
Meanwhile, Leona Carter’s ancestors are Ukrainian, settling in Dauphin, MB in 1897.
She visited Ukraine in 2001, spending three weeks touring villages and graveyards.
She said the locals even cleared the cemetery of weeds so they could find their departed family members.
She said they were met with hospitality at every turn, including dancers, musicians and feasts even though the people were poor.
She said the invasion has made her “absolutely sick. There is no reason for it except one person thinks he should take back everything lost when the Soviet Union was shut down.” Valerie Kuinka was born in Canada, as were her parents, but she is also of Ukrainian heritage. She said she feels the connection through her upbringing. “The situation in the Ukraine is beyond all our worst nightmares,” she said.
“As a Canadian, I feel the sharp horror and deep sympathy for the Ukrainian people as we watch this unbelievable situation develop and worsen.”

Haliburton’s job market bounces back as worker shortages continue

Sam Gillett

March 3, 2022

LG -power cut - 3.jpg WEB — Workers prepare ground to place new equipment at the Minden Transmission Station.

Haliburton County’s fastest-growing employment sectors in the past four years include healthcare, applied sciences and finance-related occupations.

That’s according to data in the newlyreleased Workforce Development Board’s (WBD) 2021-2022 Local Labour Market Planning Report.

Between 2017 and 2021, the WDB said Haliburton County lost 86 jobs in the sales and service sector, but gained 43 jobs back in 2021. The WDB, which provides workplace development services in Haliburton, Northumberland, Peterborough and Lindsay, said Haliburton’s job market indicates a “modest recovery.”

Staff shortages topped the list of worries for most County employers the WDB surveyed.

Out of 24 businesses, nearly all reported they’re actively hiring. “We tend to hear a lot from employers that they struggle to find the right workers,” WDB analyst Sean Dooley said.

Those surveyed said possible reasons for the shortage include abuse of federal or provincial income supports, fear of getting COVID-19, resignations, retirements, affordability of housing, and lack of public transportation in the County.

Employers indicated the top skills lacking in job applicants in the area were customer service, communication, financial literacy, problem-solving, time management, work ethic, basic trades and organizational skills.

Besides a lack of employees, the local accommodation and food service industry saw a 238 person decline in its workforce between 2017 and 2021 the retail industry lost 46 people.

That’s despite population growth that was recently recorded as one of the highest in Canada in the same time period.

The WBD said some businesses suggested, “secondary schools in the area could expand their career planning courses to include the developmental services field, local government opportunities, more co-op and hands-on training, especially in the trades and paths to local employment.”

Overall, however, the report estimates a 3.2 per cent growth rate for Haliburton County jobs, with an estimated 151 new positions added year over year. Ontario recorded a 5.7 per cent employment growth rate in 2021.

Certain sectors flourish

Nicole Baumgartner of RE/MAX said the past few years have “been like nothing [she’s] ever experienced.” The explosion of interest in Haliburton County houses is reflected in the growth of the real estate sector.

Since 2017, real estate, along with construction-related firms, has been the fastest-growing business type in the County.

Fourteen new firms have sprung up since June 2017.

Baumgartner said she relishes the chance to showcase the community she loves to newcomers, and the job means she “has her finger on the pulse” of the community. A red-hot housing market means there are opportunities for new realtors, she said. “I think there’s a need for more skilled professionals but understand that it’s a lifestyle. You don’t get to turn off your phone, turn off your computer, at night,” Baumgartner said.

The WDB estimates the real estate industry will grow by 9.3 per cent by 2024, the highest growth projection of any industry in the Highlands. However, as far as individual jobs available, Haliburton’s healthcare sector topped the list. Since 2017, the WDB estimates there were 98 new healthcare-related jobs created in the County.

Previously, this article mistakenly said Nicole Baumgartner was a realtor with Century21 real estate. She is an agent with RE/MAX. The Highlander regrets the error.

Police lay charges in Minden vehicle theft investigations

Sam Gillett

March 1, 2022

LG-OPP put dent in drug trade 3 — Constable Christopher Darling of the Haliburton Highlands Detachment keeps an eye out from his police cruiser. Photo by Lisa Gervais.

Two men from Minden Hills face charges after the theft of multiple vehicles.

At 6 a.m. on Feb. 26, officers found a stolen vehicle that had collided with a snowbank on Scotch Line Road outside of Minden.

A 43-year-old from Minden Hills Township has been charged with the theft along with two counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

Another vehicle was reported stolen in the area the same morning. The owner of the vehicle later located the stolen car at a commercial parking lot in Minden through an onboard GPS.

Officers located the vehicle and made an arrest without incident. A 32-year-old man from Minden Hills is charged with theft of a Motor Vehicle, two counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, operation while prohibited and driving while under suspension.

Both will appear in court in Minden April 6.

A March 1 press release said that Police are investigating further reports of stolen vehicles in Minden’s downtown within the past week.

“Those investigations are still ongoing and it is unknown if they are related at this time,” said the press release. “Local residents are reminded to always lock their vehicles and take keys with them. Residents are also asked to check their security cameras and report any suspicious persons or activity to police.”

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