Huskies add OHL vet for championship run

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January 20, 2022

The Haliburton County Huskies bolstered their blueline over the weekend with the addition of five-year OHL veteran Simon Rose.

Drafted by the North Bay Battalion in 2017, Rose dressed in 185 games at the OHL level. That experience, and quality, will be invaluable to the Huskies down the stretch, says head coach and general manager Ryan Ramsay, who has his eyes firmly set on a franchise-first league championship.

“Simon is going to be one of, if not the best defenceman in the league. He’s an exceptional talent who has great pedigree having played so long in the OHL,” Ramsay said. “I’m sure he had his pick of pretty well every team in the OJHL, so for us to land him is huge.”

Huskies forward Christian Stevens played a pivotal role in getting the deal over the line. Having played with Rose for several years during his time with the Battalion, Stevens sold the blueliner about what life is like in the Highlands.

That piqued Rose’s interest, and once he got on the phone with Ramsay, the coach was able to seal the deal.

“We just told him what we are hoping to achieve as a team this season, and our philosophies on hockey,” Ramsay said. “It seemed a pretty good match.”

Already boasting defensive talent such as Nathan Porter, Jonah Cochrane, Ryan Hall, Will Gourgouvelis, Jack Staniland and Isaac Sooklal, Ramsay feels his team now possesses the best D core in the league.

The team is expected to welcome Payton Schaly back into the fold over the coming days. Now into his final year of junior hockey, and hoping to secure an athletic scholarship stateside, Schaly moved down to Long Island, New York after Ontario’s lockdown shut down OJHL play. He recorded two assists in five games with the Islanders Hockey Club.

The Huskies are scheduled to host the North York Rangers Jan. 28, two days after Ontario’s lockdown is expected to end. Puck drop at S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena is set for 7:30 p.m

Huskies’ newest fans based in South Korea

By

Mike Baker

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January 20, 2022

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The Haliburton County Huskies have gone international thanks to a local grandmother.

Davis Lake resident Dorothy McIntyre was on the hunt for Christmas gift for her grandchildren just before the holidays.

As they live in Busan, South Korea she always has a hard time finding things small and light enough to ship.

With two boys, five-year-old Owen and nine-year-old Liam, to buy for, she wanted to get them something that would remind them of home.

Exhausting options, McIntyre was at her wit’s end when, while buying groceries at Dollo’s Foodland in Minden, she saw the answer staring her in the face.

“Haliburton County Huskies sweaters!” McIntyre exclaimed. “We had to think of something that wasn’t too heavy and could be easily packaged, and I just thought a gift from home, of a new hometown team would be perfect. Something that helps us keep a connection with them” she said.

McIntyre has become a huge Huskies’ fan since they relocated to the Highlands ahead of this season.

While she hasn’t been able to attend a game in-person due to health concerns, she has kept up with their progress online and through The Highlander’s coverage.

“I think it’s great that we have a hockey team in the community again. The players all seem like great kids, and the team is doing well too,” McIntyre said. “They’ve been a wonderful addition.”

She explained as much in a letter accompanying the sweaters, telling Owen and Liam about the team.

The gift, she said, provided the pair with three links to Canada.

“First, there is the link to Haliburton County, the part of Canada they know best.

“The second is hockey, our national game.

“And the third is the dog, the Husky.

Huskies were dogs raised to pull sleds for the Inuit, people who live in Canada’s far north,” McIntyre said.

“I wrote all of that in my note, giving them a bit of history and my thoughts behind the gift.”

Hockey isn’t popular in South Korea, McIntyre noted. Her grandsons are more interested in baseball, but were happy when they opened their gifts Christmas morning. They immediately put on their new sweaters and took photos to send to grandma.

“They were happy and smiling. I think it’s actually the first bit of hockey merchandise they’ve ever gotten,” McIntyre said. “This gives them the chance to spread the word about hockey. I’m sure their friends will ask about the sweaters, now they’ll know what to tell them.”

McIntyre hopes the boys will make it back to Canada this year.

They usually visit every other summer with dad, Colin, but had to cancel last year due to the pandemic.

With the Huskies’ pre-season typically kicking off in August, she hopes to take Owen and Liam to their first ever hockey game.

“That really would be quite something. For the boys to get out and see the Huskies play, and maybe meet some of the players. That would be an amazing experience for them,” she said.

Gourgouvelis taking game to the next level

By

Mike Baker

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January 20, 2022

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The evolution of hockey over the past 15 years has really opened up doors for players such as Will Gourgouvelis.

A silky, skilled offensive defenceman, Gourgouvelis has taken the OJHL by storm in his debut season with the Haliburton County Huskies, suiting up in 29 games and logging big minutes on one of the strongest bluelines in the league.

Despite his slender frame, 5’10” and 154 pounds, Gourgouvelis has forged a reputation as one of the most aggressive defenders on the team, never afraid to throw himself into a big hit. While that willingness to embrace the physical side of the game has endeared himself to fans and coaching staff, it’s when the puck is on his stick that the Huskies’ number 21 excels.

He showcased his skills during a big 2-1 road win over the Lindsay Muskies back in November. Deep into the second period, with the Huskies behind, Gourgouvelis picked up the puck deep, carried it into the zone, danced past three defenders and flicked it backhand over the goalie’s glove to tie the game, capping off a fine individual play.

His biggest inspirations growing up have been Morgan Rielly, the longest tenured Toronto Maple Leaf, and inaugural Seattle Kraken captain Mark Giordano.

“I like to say that I’m a 200-foot defenceman prioritizing my puck moving skills. I’m good in the D zone, and always trying to work on my offensive game. I’m probably best when I’m getting the puck up ice quickly, just turning the game around and going towards offence,” Gourgouvelis said.

Growing up in Whitby, he developed through the Wildcats system, eventually playing AAA midget. When he was 16, he moved on to play with the Ajax-Pickering Raiders U18 team, racking up 34 points in 35 games. That put him on the radar of several OHL teams and, in April 2020, he was drafted by the Sarnia Sting in the second round of that’s year priority draft.

Due to the pandemic, Gourgouvelis missed out on playing any hockey last year. That stunted his development and killed any hopes he had of cracking the Sting’s roster. So, when the opportunity came for him to head to the Highlands this past summer, he jumped at it.

“I had committed to the Whitby Fury last season, and played in eight exhibition games, but then COVID-19 set in and everything was cancelled. I was surprised when I found out the team was moving, but it was exciting too. Coming up and living in the north is something I’ve always wanted to do, and I knew we would have a good team,” Gourgouvelis said. “This is a pretty great place for me to play hockey.”

He is billeting with Jim and Cheryl Waddell in Haliburton village.

Still eligible for two further OJHL seasons beyond this, Gourgouvelis said he’s focusing on improving his game and learning all that he can from his teammates and coaching staff.

“Already my development has gone up quite a bit since getting here to Haliburton. Up here, we get to focus on hockey and hockey alone, there’s no distractions. We’re at the rink the majority of the day and working on all aspects of our game,” Gourgouvelis said. “Long-term, I just want to be able to play at the next level, wherever that is. That’s my ultimate goal right now, being able to do this past just junior.”

Ontario opens business rebate applications

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Sam Gillett

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January 20, 2022

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Highlands businesses required to close or limit capacity due to COVID-19 rules can apply for financial assistance.

The Ontario Business Costs Rebate program opened for applications Jan. 18.

Restaurants, gyms and bars can receive 100 per cent rebates for property taxes and energy costs. Indoor businesses currently limited to 50 per cent capacity can get up to 50 per cent of energy costs and property taxes covered if eligible.

“We recognize that these necessary public health measures are impacting businesses, and as we have been since the beginning of the pandemic, we are there to support them,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, minister of finance, in a Jan. 18 press release.

Highlands restaurants have been forced to offer outdoor and takeout-only service at four different periods during the pandemic.

Shannon Brown, of Till Death BBQ in Fort Irwin, said his restaurant doesn’t qualify for the rebate. He likely won’t need it. He has developed a thriving takeout business serving signature smoked meat dishes. “We were so busy that first weekend I could barely even keep up,” he said.

His partner Joy said the success has also been a community effort. “In the few weeks we have been open we did build some really strong relationships with some of the people up there,” she said. “They are really pushing for friends and family to come and support us because we have built those relationships. We consider them friends and family now.”

For more information visit: app.grants. gov.on.ca/obcrp/#/

Grants connect shops with locals online

By

Sam Gillett

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January 20, 2022

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You can buy nearly everything online with a couple of clicks. But buying local? That’s often trickier.

Thanks to funding from the Haliburton County Development Corporation (HCDC), Local Initiative Project (LIP) grants might make it easier for local shops to get online.

The money partners Haliburton County sellers with free access to ShopCloseBuy. ca, an online local vendor platform.

It’s an online store with an interface similar to Amazon where local sellers can flaunt their wares.

“I love the local part of things,” said Kyla Grexton, who owns knit and crochet company Keep Me In Stitchez. “I’m a firm believer in shopping local, I try to be conscious of where I spend my money.”

Grexton received a grant that helped launch her products on ShopCloseBuy.ca. Funding includes coaching from SIRCH, as well as a spot at their Haliburton Village storefront.

“Businesses that apply and are selected will receive a multitude of benefits,” HCDC said, “including social media coaching and promotion, enhanced online marketing and much more.

” Christine Hewitt of ShopeCloseBuy.ca said the grant “is really going to allow new and emerging businesses to have a leg up,” in efforts to share products. “This platform is a unified one-stop community hub for consumers anywhere.”

Grexton said applying was “fairly easy. The tech support with ShopCloseBuy.ca is amazing.”

Eric Wolfe, marketing and sales coordinator for SIRCH, said he’ll work with businesses who receive the grant on their marketing and produce a video they can use online.

“We’re also here to provide answers for any questions asked,” he said.

Grexton said she’s “really excited” about the future of the online platform. “I really hope the word gets out and we get more vendors.”

Ten out of 20 grants are available. To qualify, businesses must have been operating for a year or less and have earned less than $35,000 in the year prior to applying.

Applications close at the end of February. To apply or find out more visit shopclosebuy.ca or email info@ shopclosebuy.ca or call 705-457-9977.

Roberts want staff savings to help budget

By

Lisa Gervais

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January 20, 2022

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Coun. Andrea Roberts would like a projected 3.24 per cent tax rate increase at the County whittled down using 2021 savings from payroll that went unused due to staff changeovers.

During a committee of the whole meeting Jan. 12, director of corporate services, Andrea Bull, presented a third draft of the 2022 budget.

The second draft was brought to the December committee of the whole meeting and included a total levy of $20,825,738, which equalled a 3.21 per cent tax rate increase.

Changes since then have included $40,000 for a new library website, which would be funded by Safe Restart money so have no impact on the budget. There has been an increase in OCIF-formula based funding from $284,000 to $630,334. Bull said that could cover the potential costs of a traffic light project on County Road 21. She had no details but said a report would come to a future council meeting. Other changes included a decrease of $11,967 in social services and housing and an added $2,500 for website licensing.

During a verbal presentation, she added she would like an extra $15,000 to cover anticipated insurance increases this year. Warden Liz Danielsen noted the library board looks to be trimming $15,000 from its projected budget so that timing was good on the insurance ask.

Roberts then said they’d have more information when they knew how expenses shook out in December – to have a better handle on where the 2021 budget came in at.

“We did have quite a staff changeover at the director’s level so sometimes in my mind, savings in that area, they don’t necessarily need to be carried over,” she said. “I would like to see a more fulsome report of where we’re at.

“I know we don’t have to make a decision right now but there are opportunities for savings from the 2021 budget. Generally, we get this big, long report ‘and this amount goes to this reserve and this amount goes to that reserve’ but why would you put savings from staff in a reserve?

“I know it was a difficult year but I would like to see if there’s an opportunity to even bring the levy lower than what it is if there are savings in that regard.”

Warden Liz Danielsen agreed it would be good information to have before finalizing the budget. Bull said she could provide a report.

Coun. Carol Moffatt added, “I don’t think there’s any rush. I think if we can just continue to cross some T’s and dot some I’s then I think we have a little bit of time to make sure that those things are done. It’s fine by me.”

Big-ticket budget items:

• Replacing two data center servers used by County and local municipalities; the County administration core switch; the public works administration copier; upgrading five staff laptops; one-third cost of a new IT technician emergency services.

• Purchase of two ambulances; replacing eight public access defibrillators; ambulance laptop and server contribution; upstaffing the Tory Hill base to 24/7 yearround and development of a master plan for paramedic services planning.

• Addition of funding for two bylaw officers and one plan examiner (six months) to enforce the shoreline preservation bylaw if approved.

• Continuation of the enhanced flood plain mapping project (LiDAR); implementation of climate change mitigation and adaption projects.

• New director of economic development and tourism

• Public works: 33.6km of road projects; six structure projects; purchase of 1/2 ton pick-up, a tandem plow and grad-all; salt storage shed at Highland Grove; roof repair and storage bin at Ingoldsby; garage windows for Eagle Lake buildings; renovations and roof replacement at the registry office.

• Increase in affordable housing target program funding; contribution for the Hwy. 35 development; addition of a procurement coordinator, community safety and wellbeing position (nine months); waste management study; implementation of electronic records management system; finishing implementation of new financial software for the library and the addition of 1.5 FTE staff and sick benefits for part-time staff.

‘Long road back’ says MP Jamie Schmale

By

Mike Baker

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January 20, 2022

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MP Jamie Schmale has hope life will return to some semblance of normality in 2022, though he warned Canada’s postCOVID-19 recovery will be a difficult one.

During an interview, Schmale said as we move into a third calendar year of the pandemic, the long-term impacts of provincial lockdowns, “lavish” federal spending, and burnout of thousands of health care and education workers would be felt for years to come.

“This pandemic has certainly been challenging, and there are many obstacles we will have to overcome,” Schmale said.

“We need to get our inflation crisis, our labour crisis, our housing crisis under control. We need to bring a sense of fiscal sanity back to Ottawa.”

Late last year, inflation hit a three-decade high – up to 4.7 per cent in November – with many industries looking to recoup money lost during the early stages of the pandemic. Schmale feels the Liberal government has exacerbated the issue through its spending habits, forcing the Bank of Canada to print money at a recordbreaking rate.

Since February 2020, the government’s printing press has created north of $370 billion.

“This is a problem,” Schmale said. “The longer we keep printing, the more the dollar becomes worth less, the more the savings accounts of our working class becomes worth less. It’s a dangerous cycle, and the fear is that once this starts happening, businesses might have to close, we might see more dependence on government. Life is going to become more difficult for everyday Canadians.”

While he agreed with the rollout of programs such as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit and several businessrelated supports during the early stages of the pandemic, Schmale feels the Liberals are taking advantage of the current situation to push through several self-serving initiatives he says will be deficit financed.

In its 2021 budget, the federal government promised to spend $30 billion over the next five years and $8.3 billion per year after that to create and sustain a national child care program, while $17.6 billion was set aside to aid Canada’s “green recovery”, with a target to cut the nation’s emissions to 36 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030.

The calling of an early election still rankles with Schmale too, a $610 million expense he feels nobody wanted and changed very little.

That money would have been better spent addressing issues such as housing, Schmale said. According to the Canadian Real Estate Association, house prices in Ontario increased by more than 15 per cent in 2021, pricing many out of the market.

Schmale said it’s an issue he’s all too familiar with.

“Housing is not affordable now for many Canadians. I think those trying to get into the market are feeling like they’re never going to be able to do it,” he said. “They just don’t see an opening.”

The feds have promised to build, preserve or repair 1.4 million homes over the next four years, but even that may not be enough to keep up with current demand, Schmale fears.

It’s not all bad though, Schmale said, as there have been some positives over the past 12 months.

“We’re one of the world leaders in terms of vaccinations, and we didn’t tip our hospital capacity at any point during the pandemic. There have been a lot of successes,” Schmale said.

“Looking ahead, we have much to do. We need to look after our tourism and hospitality sectors, which have probably been the hardest hit over the past two years. We need to get more people back into the workforce, and really kickstart our economy,” he added. “We have to rebuild our health care sector, address the affordability crisis. There’s a lot of work to do for us to get back on track, it’s going to be a long road back.”

Lack of skilled labour, housing hurting County

By

Lisa Gervais

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January 20, 2022

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County councillors discussed a skilled labour shortage and a lack of housing when they approved staff going forward with finding a consultant to create a county-wide economic development strategy during a Jan. 12 meeting.

Director of economic development and tourism, Scott Ovell, said “it is essentially a road map for economic transformation, growth, and yields long-term prosperity for a community.”

He said the final report will have action steps involving the public, businesses and institutions that can be initially implemented over a five-year period.

“While the County has had tremendous success developing and marketing tourism, the challenging realities of today’s economy call for new directions, ideas and approaches to enhance economic growth, attract investment and ensure that opportunity continues to be a significant part of the County’s quality of life,” Ovell said.

In debating the recommendation, Coun. Cec Ryall said for five years now, and exacerbated by the pandemic and explosive growth, a lack of skilled workers has been identified.

“We’re finding we just don’t have enough skilled people. Are there other line items in this strategy, a way to start working with the skill providers, be it the colleges or apprentice board or whoever?” he asked.

“Also, with a high unemployment rate in Haliburton County to put some of our people back to work for businesses that are currently growing and thriving. I just didn’t see that in the report as a line item.”

Ryall noted that businesses said with sufficient staff they could increase sales 15 to 20 per cent.

“And I think that is going to be something that we need to deal with.”

Ovell said the RFP will be designed to be “fairly broad” however “if that is a priority, we can definitely drill down and include that in there.”

Coun. Brent Devolin said one strategy might be encouraging colleges that teach things such as construction and hospitality to come to the Highlands. Coun. Carol Moffatt said “semi-facetiously” it may be a matter of bussing apprentices to Peterborough. But Ryall said what’s needed is qualified instructors, not bricks and mortar to come to the County.

Coun. Andrea Roberts raised the housing issue.

“How does housing equate into something like this because to me that’s one of the biggest obstacles,” she said. “People can’t move here because there is no place to live. So how does housing tie into an economic development strategy?”

Ovell said the lack of housing for potential workers will no doubt be identified in the final strategy but he wants a document that is within the County’s power to take action.

“I don’t want a document that says we need to expand broadband or housing. I want a document that has tactics or objectives that utilize what tools are at the County’s skillset or the townships’ skillset so something in our toolbox so we can actually make a difference.”

Moffatt said, “I wonder what happens if or when we come across something that is beyond our current toolbox. Hopefully there’d be something built-in that would allow for us as a community to go and get or somehow acquire something that we’re missing to move us to the next level to feed the growing needs as opposed to saying we don’t have those skills or skillset or toolbox so we can’t go there. Sort of looking for the biggest blue sky possible. Here are our problems. How are we going to build back to get there so hopefully that would be part of it as well? We don’t have this so we have to go and get it.”

It’s ok to tax growth

By

Lisa Gervais

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January 19, 2022

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Now is the time for the County of Haliburton, and the four lower-tier municipalities, to seriously consider implementing development charges.

In May 2019, the province launched a five-point plan to increase the supply of housing. It included a mechanism to make the cost of development more predictable.

The More Homes, More Choices Act 2019 and COVID-19 Economy Recovery Act changed a bunch of statutes, including the Planning Act and the Development Charges Act.

The result is a new and improved funding framework for municipalities to make the cost of building more predicable (for example, my development needs a turning lane and it is going to cost X amount of dollars); and erect new housing faster to provide more housing options.

Basically, townships can help pay for local infrastructure in our growing communities via development charges, community benefit charges and parkland dedication.

Most importantly, municipalities have a Sept. 18, 2022 deadline to change to the new framework.

Former County planner, Charlsey White got the ball rolling in the spring of 2019. County council included $50,000 for a development charges study in the 2019 budget with a plan to release an RFP. It’s been shelved ever since.

Consequently, no local government body now collects development charges but they can apply them on a new development to help pay for the capital costs of infrastructure to support new growth.

Development charges are discretionary. Municipalities can choose whether to use them and, if they are used, which services or infrastructure they want to include from an extensive list of eligible services, such as water supply; storm water drainage and control; specified services related to a highway; electrical power; transit; waste diversion; policing; fire protection; ambulance; library boards; long-term care; parks and rec; public health; child care and early years programs; and housing and emergency preparedness.

All the municipalities have to do is pass a bylaw to set development charges for different types of development. First, though, a municipality must prepare a development charges background study as set out in legislation.

We urge our townships to get the ball rolling now as they’ll likely need outside help as municipalities have to calculate development charges separately for each eligible service, or class of service, detailed in their development charges bylaw.

Community benefits charges are another option but likely would not be that beneficial locally since they are aimed at developments with 10 or more residential units and five or more storeys. The parkland dedication is also likely not to be used as we shouldn’t have to fight for parkland as our County grows.

However, the time for development charges is long past due in the Highlands.

While they’re at it, municipal staff and councillors should begin to think about a municipal accommodation tax or MAT on rental revenues. This will tie in nicely with work about to get underway on a short-term rental review.

In many parts of the province, short-term rental operators must collect and remit a four per cent municipal accommodation tax on rental revenues. So, if there is a complaint that 10 people are squished into a two-bedroom cottage and taxing the septic, the MAT could pay for a municipal bylaw officer to go and check it out rather than coming on the backs of taxpayers. On the same subject, it’s time for some serious consideration of short-term rental licensing fees.

Prior to the pandemic, and certainly since, we’ve seen growth put added pressure on our County’s infrastructure. However, there are ways for the growth to give back.

Hike Haliburton winter edition cancelled again

By

Lisa Gervais

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January 13, 2022

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By Lisa Gervais

The County of Haliburton is cancelling its Hike Haliburton Winter Edition for the second year in a row.

Director of economic development and tourism, Scott Ovell, cited COVID-19 protocols and regulations in forcing his department, and the County’s, hand.

The decision was made at a Jan. 12 committee of the whole meeting.

The first-ever edition made its debut on Feb. 8-9, 2020 across the County but has not been back as a result of the pandemic.

Ovell said, “the unknowns related to when restrictions will be lifted has impacted planning for the event and staff do not feel it is prudent to market or promote the festival given the current circumstances.”

Instead, he said in February and March, pending COVID-19 safety protocols, staff will promote the County’s snowshoe page along with content regarding self-guided hikes to help augment the cancellation of the event.

“Staff still plan to proceed with the Hike Haliburton Festival in the fall of 2022 and will begin planning the program this Spring,” he added. “Should government protocols change again, a report will be brought back to committee (of the whole) from staff to identify alternative options.”

He said his department plans to include the Hike Haliburton Winter Edition in the 2023 operational budget. With plans to spend $10,000 this year, he asked that the money be placed in a reserve for an enhanced winter festival next year.

Ovell said the inaugural version was comprised of 20 guided snowshoe hikes. Three-hundred people participated for an average of 15 participants per hike. The hikes were spread around the County, with each municipality included and varied in length from 1.5 to 10 kilometres. Five hikes took place on private land. The full hike program and registration occurred entirely online, which saved printing costs.

A few events highlights included: 97 per cent of participants rated the festival as ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’; all indicated they would participate again in future years; 83 per cent (249) of participants were seasonal or permanent residents; 17 per cent (51) were visitors; 58 per cent said they spent money at restaurants during the festival; 26 per cent at retailers and 16 per cent at restaurant and retailers.

Warden Liz Danielsen said, “sadly, it seems to be a bit of a no-brainer. You hate to have to make this kind of decision but it’s definitely in order.”