A backlogged court system, exacerbated by COVID-19, has stalled the cases of locals charged in major drug busts in 2020.

Of the 24 Haliburton County residents charged after the execution of major drug warrants in 2020, 16 are still before the courts, two have had their charges withdrawn and another three have seen their charges stayed. The court office could not provide information on the remaining three cases.

There has only been one case resolved in favour of the Crown, a 38-year-old Haliburton man pleading guilty Dec. 10, 2020, with sentencing scheduled for Feb. 8, 2021.

A Ministry of the Attorney General spokesperson told The Highlander Dec. 23, 2020 that “it would be inappropriate to comment on matters that are before the Court.”

The charges withdrawn or stayed were revealed by a Lindsay courthouse update of matters handled in the Minden court, provided by the ministry’s office. Charges are stayed when a judge or a Crown decides that it would be bad for the justice system for the case to continue. This means the issue of guilt or innocence is never determined. It was not stipulated why the charges were dropped or stayed.

The Highlander has also learned that four Haliburton County residents were charged in connection with more than one drug bust in 2020.

A then 59-year-old man and a 49-year-old man were charged on May 13, 2020 with trafficking cocaine. They were charged again on May 28 – just 16 days later – with possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine. Both are still before the courts.

A then 30-year-old Haliburton man was also charged Jan. 30, 2020 with trafficking cocaine, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 and possession of cocaine for trafficking. He was charged again on Nov. 12, 2020 – 10 months later – with possession of cocaine and fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking. He is still before the courts.

And a now 26-year-old Minden Hills man was charged on Jan. 30, 2020 – had those charges stayed on Dec. 2, 2020 – and was also charged on April 9, 2020 with possession, trafficking cocaine and possession of methamphetamine. He also had charges related to firearms and stolen property.

The ministry spokesperson said that the federal Crown, through the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC), is responsible for prosecuting charges laid under the Controlled Drug and Substances Act.

They told The Highlander Jan. 4, 2021 that the PPSC makes every effort to resolve files in a timely manner. They added they cannot comment on specific factors affecting any particular case. There are numerous factors which are outside of their control, a spokesperson added.

“For instance, when a person charged with an offence exercises his or her right to set a trial date in the Ontario Court of Justice or to have a preliminary inquiry and a trial in the Superior Court of Justice, it is not unusual for the matter to remain before the courts for over a year or more,” she said.

“In addition, court closures and reductions in matters proceeding due to the COVID-19 pandemic have had an impact on many of our files.”

‘It feels like whack-a-mole’

Haliburton Highlands OPP detachment commander, Liane Spong, would not comment on the courts.

However, she said that one of the biggest challenges with drugs is recidivism, or repeat offences.

“We know recidivism is always anticipated,” Spong said. “That is how our team does so well. They anticipate there’s going to be recidivism and they are already working on a layered approach to that. They are already on top of people every step of the way. When we are able to execute another series of successful warrants, some of the same players are re-arrested again.”

Dysart et al Mayor Andrea Roberts declined to comment on the court system. However, she did say it is “disheartening and really frustrating” to see people arrested, charged and released only to be arrested, charged and released a second time.

“It feels like whack-a-mole. Where you take down two or three people and make some good arrests and hope that you’ll alleviate the problem and it pops up again. Punishment enough is obviously not a deterrent,” she said. “It’s a bit of a joke.”

County council debated the future of its shoreline bylaw and will hold another special meeting to address an increasingly fraught debate over the legislation.

Council decided to schedule a special meeting Jan. 27 to examine the bylaw and its upcoming public consultation, which will include both an online survey and a public meeting in February or March. Councillors weighed whether the document – which would restrict development within 30 metes of the shoreline – should be slowed in the wake of increased outcry.

Warden Liz Danielsen lamented the spread of misinformation and council receiving some vitriol.

“Disappointed to see the number of people who are willing to cast aspersions about us and our work,” she said. “About the thought that this is being sprung upon them and we’re doing this under the cloak of secrecy. This is a topic that’s been under discussion for 2.5 years and longer.

“It is unfortunate that people feel they need to start calling us names and giving members of council a difficult time … The raft of emails we have received in the last couple of weeks, I believe are reactive of the misinformation.”

She said they must find a way to combat the misinformation. She indirectly referenced the Haliburton County Home Builders Association (HCHBA) estimating a $750,000 cost to enforce the law and advertising that. However, that figure is inaccurate. The County’s current 2021 draft budget features $115,000 towards enforcement, including $88,000 for a new officer to assist the one already on staff.

The HCHBA and others have also pushed to delay the changes until after the pandemic is over to allow for an in-person public meeting. But Coun. Brent Devolin said he opposed that because the pandemic could linger for the rest of the term.

“For us to delay it because of COVID … I don’t think (the bylaw) will be dealt with in this term of council and I think that would truly be a mistake,” he said.

However, deputy warden Patrick Kennedy said they should hit a pause button on the document and it is not yet good enough to move forward.

“I’m not in anybody’s back pocket on this. I am as much in love with the water as anybody at this table or in this County,” he said. “I don’t feel this bylaw is at that stage yet, to the point it can be taken out to the public for comment. I fully endorse a step back … I feel like we have lost the public trust on both sides of the issue.”

Kennedy suggested an external consultation group or committee examine the document, but Coun. Carol Moffatt pushed back on that.

“Ultimately, it’s our job as the people who are elected to listen to the public,” Moffatt said. “Our problem right now is, I think, all the noise that’s out there. We can’t address the misinformation without a competing information campaign, and we can’t do that without dedicated resources.”

She added council needed to provide input into what is going out to the public and what questions will be asked.

Danielsen said people should be more specific about what parts of the bylaw should be addressed, which she said it not being seen in messages lately.

“We’re hearing a lot from all angles and we need to work hard to try and get it right.”

CanoeFM is donating $50,988 to five local charities after record-breaking fundraising numbers from its radio bingo program in the past six months.

Station manager, Roxanne Casey, said they raised more than $100,000 in that time, the highest total since it began. Half will go to CanoeFM, while the other half will be split amongst donation recipients, with $10,000 each going to Fuel for Warmth, the Central East Heat Bank and Minden Community Food Centre, and $10,494 each to the Abbey Retreat Centre and the Friends of the Haliburton County Public Library.

Every Tuesday at 6 p.m., CanoeFM reads out bingo numbers, with cash prizes on the line. Casey said the pandemic has contributed to the event’s greater popularity, with the station selling 736 sheets this past week, more than double this time last year.

“Radio bingo became almost like a household word,” Casey said. “It’s just become like a fun thing to do and you don’t need to go anywhere to do it.”

The fundraising runs in six-month intervals, based on the lottery licence. The January-June 2020 period raised approximately $63,550, with half that going to Minden Community Food Centre. But Casey said with dollars rising, it made sense to start sharing the wealth.

“COVID hits people really hard, so we felt it was really important to make sure we were supporting those organizations,” Casey said.

Fuel for Warmth executive director, Joanne Barnes, said the donation is greatly appreciated.

“I was so surprised to be given such a lovely donation of funds … It will certainly allow us to assist more families in need,” Barnes said. “I give my most sincere thanks for the money, but also for the trust of the community who recognize our commitment.”

Casey said the funding is also a boost on the radio side, allowing them to cover broadcasting expenses such as equipment and licencing fees. However, the money is disallowed for operational expenses. She said she expects the game to keep its popularity.

“The next run will be as good, if not better,” Casey said. “People are not going anywhere. They’re still at home and it gives them something to do. Even once this is over, I think it will still carry on.

“We really appreciate people supporting radio bingo.”

Tickets are available at the station or grocery and convenience stores throughout the County.