School board encourages skilled trades

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May 13, 2021

by Kirk Winter

A new, comprehensive plan to encourage students to choose the skilled trades as a career path was presented to trustees at a local school board meeting April 27.

Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) staff, Katherine MacIver, Heather Truscott, Kelly Neumann and Angela West shared the recently-launched Start Me Up campaign. It’s intended to increase awareness of skilled trades as a viable option and opportunity for high school students.

MacIver said, “This is a great opportunity for students, families and staff to learn about and get involved in the skilled trades. We want to increase board-wide knowledge of the pathways to the skilled trades and apprenticeships.”

Truscott shared a recruitment video, laying out how important the initiative might be for the future of the Ontario economy.

The film’s narration stated that in the next five years, one in five new jobs will be in the skilled trades. By 2030, the province will need more than 500,000 new tradespeople to keep up with retirements and economic expansion.

It also pointed out the opportunities for interested students are ever-expanding. They include technological studies classes and two credit co-ops that place students in workplaces, the Specialist High Skills Major program and the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship program.

It promised students long-term career opportunities, the chance to own their own business and portable skills that could allow them to work anywhere in the world in any of the 140 recognized trades offered in Ontario.

The Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS), a lobby group for homebuilders in Ontario, echoed the board pitch, saying a 2019 survey of 500 member firms found 79 per cent reporting company growth slowed and 76 per cent turning down work because of a lack of skilled workers. OCS also reported too many older skilled tradespeople not being replaced by younger fully-trained workers when they retire.

Truscott said, “Tradespeople have rallied around this programming locally, offering student placements and volunteering their time to mentor and instruct students.”

Truscott talked about the involvement of Georgian, Fleming and Loyalist College, who have all signed on to the dual-credit program that has senior students spending part of their day at college as they continue their pathway to certification in the trade of their choice.

“Across the board we have 400 students in 23 different trades enrolled in the Specialist High Skills Major program in nine distinct economic sectors,” Truscott said.

She added there are another 200 students enrolled in 36 different trades as part of the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship program, the first step towards getting their ticket, and local businesses have stepped up to provide placements for these students.

She said the seven most in-demand trades in the TLDSB catchment area are automotive service technician, truck service technician, carpenter, electrician, plumber, welder and hair stylist.

Board chair Bruce Reain called the presentation “spectacular.”

Trustee John Byrne suggested the “programs were fantastic and there will be more skilled tradespeople once students (through this program) become more aware of what jobs are available in the future. I am happy that TLDSB can make these opportunities available.”

Palliative care at home

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Lisa Gervais

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May 13, 2021

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The province is piloting a new program in Haliburton to have community paramedics treat palliative care patients at home.

Ontario announced the initiative May 7. It will allow palliative care patients calling 9-1-1 to have the option of being treated on scene for pain and symptom management, versus automatically being taken to hospital.

Haliburton County Paramedic Service deputy chief Jo-Ann Hendry said this will aid in end-of-life comfort and provide a choice for those who wish to be at home.

“They don’t want to be in hospital, they want to be with their family. Those are their dying wishes, and we want to respect that,” Hendry said.

The program is also being piloted throughout Central East Ontario; County paramedic chief/director Tim Waite said paramedics throughout the region submitted a joint proposal.

The province said patients will remain in control of their care and can always request to be taken to the emergency department.

But paramedics can treat symptoms on-site and co-ordinate directly with the patient’s primary palliative care provider afterward.

The province added it also helps protect hospital capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Waite said the model will have use beyond the pandemic as well.

“Certainly, it’s helpful right now,” Waite said. “Moving forward, it’s important for families and for those patients who wish to stay at home.”

Hendry said the initiative will not be implemented until the fall, as further training is required.

She said services are currently occupied with staffing vaccination centres and delivering vaccines.

The pilot will last for 12 months.

Digital support for youth

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is planning to create a new digital platform to help service people at its Youth Wellness Hubs.

Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO) announced May 7 that it would support developing a one-stop platform to provide youth with access to resources such as mental health assessments, addictions treatment, therapy and counselling.

It will be delivered at the 10 hubs throughout the province, including Haliburton’s.

The platform “enables YWHO to enhance its virtual support for youth anywhere and whenever they need it,” executive director Dr. Joanna Henderson said.

The RBC Foundation is providing $1 million to fund the program.

Designer sews seeds of success

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Lisa Gervais

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May 13, 2021

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Keli Schmidt said she was born wanting to sew, getting her first needle and thread at age three and learning how to operate a sewing machine by age eight.

The designer and clothes maker has worked freelance in the fashion industry for the past 15 years, creating patterns for Ontario brands. But now, she is making her mark by starting her own business, the Haliburton Clothing Co. She plans to launch her first line in June.

“Retail fashion is kind of hibernating right now, so I haven’t had a lot of work,” Schmidt said. “It just feels like the right moment. There’s such a wonderful arts community in Haliburton and I’m not aware of any other fashion designers operating here, so I thought there was a good opportunity.

“It’s just in my bones.”

The company is a one-woman operation, with Schmidt producing everything out of the Haliburton home she moved into last November. Her first line will include T-shirts, hoodies, dresses, pants, shorts and underwear.

“Like all artsy people, I have 1,000 ideas, so the challenge is to always stay focused and do one thing,” she said. “Just looking for some comfy clothes that would be great for life up here in the Highlands.”

Schmidt credited the Digital Comfort Studio for helping her online storefront. The Arts Council Haliburton Highlands program helped 14 local artists through a free six-week seminar to teach them digital marketing.

“I’m a sewer. I like to sit in my basement and make clothes,” Schmidt said. “All that world of online marketing was definitely a scary thing, so that has really helped.”

“We discovered that focusing on story was very beneficial. She just has a great story,” program coordinator Sandra Clarke said.

“She will definitely be very successful.”

Ethical production is also a focal point for Schmidt. She said she will price her clothing to providing for a fair, living wage. She added international clothes production has many issues with wages, and prices have not kept up with inflation.

“Just stop buying it isn’t the answer. It’s a very complex issue, but we have to start talking about it and being aware,” Schmidt said. “If you want to consume mindfully, the best way to do that is just to buy less stuff.”

Schmidt said her clothes are staying online for now, but she will gladly help anyone with fit to ensure they order the right size.

The designer said she would be glad if the business experiences enough success so that she can do it full-time.

“I hope people buy it and then I’ll just keeping making more clothes,” she said. “I make all my own clothes and I haven’t bought clothes for 17 years, so I have a very practical understanding of what works and what doesn’t.”

The store is available through haliburtonclothingco.com.

COVID CORNER – How thing change in a week

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Lisa Gervais

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May 13, 2021

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by Dr. Nell Thomas

Pfizer and its European partner BioNTech are seeking the FDA’s full approval for their COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine is currently administered in the United States under emergency use authorization (EUA). If the FDA says yes, Pfizer would be the first COVID vaccine to gain full approval in the U.S. Similar to EUA, in Canada, all four COVID-19 vaccines are okayed for use under an Interim Order (subsection 30.1 (1) of the Food and Drugs Act. This allows temporary and immediate use of drugs in situations of urgent public health needs. Interim Orders typically are followed by official authorization.

The World Health Organization has now classified the Indian variant B.1.617 as a variant of concern (VOC) at a global level. Remember this variant? It’s the double mutant (with two mutations) that has shown increased transmissibility and possibly more lethality. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to define it as a variant of interest. There are now four VOCs: UK, South African, Brazilian and Indian.

Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, says the Ontario government is pausing the use of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine as a first dose because of the blood clotting syndrome Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia (VITT).

Health Canada has approved Pfizer/ BioNTech vaccine for children in Canada ages 12 to 15. Clinical trial results showed the vaccine had 100 per cent efficacy and was well tolerated in this age group.

Modification of the Moderna mRNA vaccine shows effectiveness against the VOCs from South Africa and Brazil. Adjusting the vaccine has successfully neutralised these variants in laboratory trials, suggesting that boosters against these more contagious and partially vaccine-resistant variants is feasible and effective. Oxford/AstraZeneca is reportedly developing tweaked vaccines against the South African variant and the Brazilian variant, which appear to be the major threats to current immunisations.

You can book your COVID-19 vaccine on the provincial booking system (1-833- 943-3900) or visit covid-19.ontario.ca. Vaccination clinics continue to be offered locally through doctors’ offices as well as pharmacies.

The Haliburton doctors’ office clinics are not available on the provincial booking system, but patients and permanent residents can call 705-457-1212 and select option 5 or 6 to book in the Haliburton doctors’ office.

The Haliburton Family Medical Clinic has four clinics this month: May 14, 17, 18, and 19 for Moderna vaccines.

Who can currently book? Anyone born in 1981 or earlier, or those who fall into the Phase 2 provincial priority grouping. This includes people with highest, high, and at-risk health conditions; those who live or work in a congregate living setting; certain caregivers in congregate settings; and essential frontline workers who cannot work from home (definitions are on the COVID-19 vaccine online booking site).

Also able to book at the Haliburton Medical Clinic are people who had Moderna as their first vaccine and meet the criteria for a reduced interval between first and second dose (if Astra Zeneca, interval is decreased from 16 to 12 weeks; if Pfizer or Moderna it is decreased from 16 weeks to 21-28 days). These are people currently receiving chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, dialysis patients, high risk health care workers, and First Nations and Métis status individuals. We may require a letter from your physician stating your eligibility. Second dose planning is underway and anyone receiving a first dose at the medical centre will be booked accordingly and contacted if the date for the second dose changes.

We are reading about “breakthrough cases” of COVID, illness in people after vaccines. Especially with the numbers of Variants of Concern in our communities rising now, we must keep washing, masking, distancing, avoiding indoor gatherings. And vaccinating. Please review https://covid-19.ontario.ca/zones-and-restrictions.

Minden wrong on voting

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Lisa Gervais

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May 13, 2021

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Make no mistake. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is keeping an eye on The County of Haliburton and its four lower-tier municipalities when it comes to the modernization funding the province has handed over to assist the five governments to find efficiencies.

A media relations spokesperson reminded me recently that the Ontario government has no intention of forcing amalgamations or annexations in Ontario. However, it is encouraging municipalities to look for opportunities to work together and support locally-developed solutions that are mutually-beneficial.

All four municipal clerks have brought virtually the same report to their respective council meetings about the method of voting for the 2022 election.

They all said they were striving for consistency across the board. This hasn’t happened in the past. Residents of Algonquin Highlands, Dysart et al, Highlands East and Minden Hills have had different voting methods at various times. It has been confusing for County residents.

The clerks said if all four selected the same voting method for the 2022 ballot there would be an opportunity to work collaboratively to deliver a consistent election with equally consistent training, education, advertising, processes and procedures. In essence, they could put out a joint RFP that would result in all Highlands voters being on the same page, and all of them benefitting from costs savings.

It made perfect sense and was in keeping with the County’s recent services delivery review.

Dysart et al was the first to vote for the recommended e-voting only, using internet and telephone. They used vote-by-mail last time around. While councillors had some concerns, they thought it was a method whose time had come.

Algonquin Highlands is also onboard. They scrapped vote-by-mail to go with e-voting, too. They stressed the cost savings as one reason for their unanimous council vote.

At a Highlands East meeting May 18, they also opted for e-voting only.

That leaves Minden Hills. They were the only council to vote against their clerk’s recommendation. They instead chose a hybrid model of e-voting and paper ballots. This despite the fact clerk Trisha McKibbin specifically did not recommend a combination of voting methods. She said it’s very labour intensive, expensive and may be confusing for the public. She argued for consistency in all four townships.

Coun. Bob Carter largely led the charge to keep paper balloting in Minden Hills and his colleagues voted with him.

While I understand that Carter is worried about older people, in particular, having to adapt to e-voting, the Minden decision, in the larger context, is wrong. It harkens back to an age-old silo mentality that has not served County residents well in the past.

Don’t think councillors in Algonquin Highlands, Dysart et al, and Highlands East didn’t have reservations about scrapping paper ballots. They did. However, they opted for a new approach that better meets today’s needs. And they’ll go out of their way to make sure everyone who wants to vote can.

Even more worrisome, Minden Hills’ decision sends a message to the ministry that it is dancing to the beat of its own drum – even though other townships have shown a willingness to change in the name of consistency and efficiency.

Algonquin Highlands drops mail-in ballots

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Lisa Gervais

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May 13, 2021

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Algonquin Highlands is opting to use internet and telephone voting for the 2022 election, moving away from vote-by-mail.

Council unanimously approved the move May 6 and authorized staff to proceed with a joint request for proposals for the method. It is expected to cost the township $30,000.

Staff recommended the methodology, citing cost-effectiveness, a longer voting period, increased participation and preventing gatherings amidst the pandemic.

Mayor Carol Moffatt said it is something council has considered in the past.

“Our previous conversations were around sort of not being ready,” Moffatt said.

“Looks like the time has come.”

Clerks from all four County townships met to discuss the issue, according to AH clerk Dawn Newhook. The methodology is being brought to all local municipalities, with Dysart et al also opting for the internet/phone voting and Minden Hills going for a hybrid model.

Under the method, voters will receive an information package including a unique passcode. They then either use a website or call in to use a touch-tone menu to cast their vote.

Deputy mayor Liz Danielsen asked about having an option for holdouts who prefer a written ballot, but Newhook said that a hybrid model is “labour intensive.”

“It’s very costly. You need two sets of procedures,” Newhook said. “Hiring staff is challenging, so the recommendation is to go with internet/telephone alone.”

Coun. Jennifer Dailloux said she supported the move.

“Especially due to the number of seasonal residents we have,” she said. “Some of the other methods are not appropriate for our township.”

She asked about issues with website crashes other jurisdictions experienced in the last election. Newhook said the RFP would address it and providers would conduct load tests.

“Any RFP that would be issued … it would be focused on providing information about the security and broadband and backup,” Newhook replied. “What they would propose as an alternative method should something go wrong.”

The projected cost is more than the $19,000 pricetag for the 2018 election, though Newhook said the limited number of races drove down the price that year. Three of the five council positions were acclaimed.

Clerks plan to issue a joint RFP with each of the townships that agree to take part.

“I’m really pleased to see the clerks are working so much more closely together,” Danielsen said. “It’s good to see this consolidated recommendation.”

Stay-at-home order extended to June 2

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Lisa Gervais

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May 13, 2021

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JQ - Coronavirus prep - 1-web — A microscopic image of the virus that caused COVID-19, also known as the Coronavirus. The spikes on the outer edge of the virus particles give coronaviruses their name, crown-like. NIAID-RML via Flikr.

The provincial government announced May 13 that its stay-at-home order, scheduled to expire May 20, would be extended until at least June 2.

All current COVID-19 public health protocols and regulations will remain in effect with the extension, including keeping most outdoor recreational facilities closed.

Premier Doug Ford said the extension is necessary measure and with vaccinations continuing, July and August could look better.

“While we are seeing positive trends as a result of the public health measures put in place, we cannot afford to let up yet,” Premier Doug Ford. “We must stay vigilant to ensure our ICU numbers stay down and our hospital capacity is protected”

The province also announced it would begin providing youth aged 12-17 with the Pfizer vaccine starting May 31. Vaccinations are scheduled to open up in the coming weeks, with adults of all ages able to receive a vaccine starting May 24.

The province said although COVID-19 cases are falling, ICU and hospital admissions remain high. But the government indicated it would consider reopening outdoor recreational amenities starting June 2.

“While the latest data shows that public health measures are having an impact, the situation in our hospitals remains precarious and variants continue to pose a significant risk,” Minister of Health Christine Elliott said.

Scotiabank to finalize closure of Dorset branch

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Lisa Gervais

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May 13, 2021

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Scotiabank has officially confirmed the closure of its branch in Dorset, with an Oct. 19 move to Huntsville.

The branch had been closed for more than a year, and before that only open Mondays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Manager, Canadian Banking Communications, Daniela Da Silva told The Highlander, that “after careful consideration, we have made the decision to relocate our services at our branch at 1059 Main St in Dorset, which has already been closed for more than a year, to our branch at Hunstville Place Mall, 70 King William St, Huntsville.”

She confirmed the move will take place October 19.

She added that all Scotiabank accounts from the Dorset branch will continue to be held at the Huntsville branch and there will be no interruption in service or access to accounts. She said all employees who previously worked at the Dorset branch will continue to serve customers from the Huntsville branch following the closure.

“We feel that this relocation will help us provide better service and greater resources to our customers from our Huntsville Place Mall branch and our team there is committed to assisting our customers with any questions they may have about this change,” Da Silva said.

She said the decision was made “as a result of a fulsome business review which includes a full area market analysis and is not limited to one branch, or to rural or urban areas. We also review factors such as proximity of the branch to other Scotiabank branches and customer traffic at branches across the market area.”

Customers received notification letters dated April 15 for the branch that is located in Algonquin Highlands.

Mayor Carol Moffatt said she was in touch with a Scotiabank representative, who called to tell her about the closure.

Moffatt said she was told the accounts of bank customers have always been integrated with the Huntsville branch location so the bank will not be changing customers’ bank account numbers. She added there will be no job losses.

However, she said not all of their residents shop and bank in Huntsville

“It is tremendously unfortunate, because the bank is one of the things that gives the village its identity,” Moffatt said. “If there’s any solace to be had, it’s that no jobs are being lost and the banking integration has existed for years anyway. People aren’t suddenly without a bank.”

In January, 2017, Scotiabank officially closed its doors for good in Wilberforce, leaving that town without a financial institution and requiring customers to use its Bancroft branch.

Black bears emerge hungry from hibernation

By

Lisa Gervais

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May 13, 2021

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Brian and Wendy Campbell returned home from getting groceries about 4 p.m. May 6 only to find a surprise visitor on their deck.

Brian Campbell said he suspected something was up as their Golden Retriever, Casey, was “quite agitated.”

“We soon found out why,” he said. “A young bear, probably just two years old and left on his own by his mother, was on our deck. He was reaching up and getting at our bird feeders, which have since been raised.”

The Campbells live on Moose Lake in Dysart et al. Brian Campbell said they have lived in the area for years. He said they’ve always had bird feeders and typically keep them high enough so the racoons can’t get to them.

“In 40 years, this is our first experience with a young bear in the bird feeders. As MNRF (the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry) will tell you, two-year-old bears are abandoned by their mothers when they come out of hibernation in the spring of their second year. They are starving and very immature.”

He said they are aware of the recommendation to take down bird feeders in spring “but in 40 years, this is the first time that this has happened. In this encounter, the bear destroyed two bird feeders but came back because he had not been able to finish off the third feeder. It had been raised to five feet or so, but he was still able to reach it.”

The MNRF and Ontario Provincial Police are reminding Haliburton County residents to be bear wise and prevent bear encounters again this spring.

In a news release, the two organizations asked Highlanders to exercise caution as black bears have begun to come out of hibernation.

“Bears waking up from hibernation are faced with a scarcity of natural food sources, leading them to look for food in garbage cans and bird feeders,” they said.

They added you can prevent bears from visiting your home, cottage or neighbourhood by:

• Storing garbage in waste containers with tight-fitting lids (and indoors if possible).

• Putting away bird feeders for the spring (you can offer birds natural alternatives, such as flowers, nesting boxes and fresh water). • Cleaning food residue and grease from outdoor barbecue grills after each use.

• Keeping pet food indoors.

They said bears that enter our community are not necessarily a threat but it is important to know who to call if you encounter a bear. For non-emergencies, the province operates a toll-free bear wise reporting line (1-866-514-2327). The line is open 24/7 from April 1 to November 30.

If a bear is posing an immediate threat by exhibiting threatening or aggressive behaviour, remain calm and call 911 or your police department.

Municipalities pressuring for faster internet

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Lisa Gervais

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May 13, 2021

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Haliburton County and other eastern region municipalities are ramping up lobbying to get provincial and federal backing for better gigabyte internet speeds.

Heads of council throughout the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) area met May 4 to discuss the state of the Gig Project. The proposed $1.2-$1.6 billion initiative would deliver gigabyte download speeds, above the 50 megabytes per second (Mbps) download/10 Mbps upload minimum promised by the Government of Canada universally by 2030.

EORN is seeking $200 million each from the provincial and federal governments, which has yet to come.

County Warden Liz Danielsen said May 6 she was worried about whether the funding would happen.

“Seems to be becoming more and more tenuous,” Danielsen said.

EORN formally submitted the proposal to upper governments March 1. The remainder of the dollar total would come from municipalities, the private sector and the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

Chair J. Murray Jones said 50/10 speeds would be outdated by the time they get built. He said governments should no longer delay the Gig Project file.

“We’re not going to stand by and let the two governments not make some action here,” Jones said.

Scott: Ontario ‘all in’ on broadband

Provincial Minister of Infrastructure Laurie Scott told The Highlander Ontario is investing heavily in broadband, with nearly $4 billion over six years and plans to provide reliable high-speed internet everywhere by 2025. But she did not address the Gig Project specifically.

“In terms of our commitment to improving broadband access to the residents of Ontario, I can tell you that our government is leading the way,” Scott said. “Ontario is all in on broadband.”

In a letter, EORN argued its funding ask is only a small portion – 5.7 per cent – of the combined $7 billion available at the federal and provincial levels for broadband expansion. The letter also said about 30 per cent of underserved households in the province are in rural eastern areas.

Jones said despite meetings with Scott and the federal Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development Maryam Monsef, he has been unable to get a straight answer.

“I’m not criticizing any one of them. They have a lot of staff and bureaucrats in the background trying to give advice,” Jones said. “I’m very confident, to be honest with you, that both Mary and Laurie understand the situation.”

Jones said municipal officials across the region are backing the lobbying effort. He said EORN can do the work better than any private-sector alternative.

“There is life outside the big city limits,” Jones said. “EORN has a track record. We know how to do it; we’ve done it before.”