Dysart council decided against further cuts to their draft budget and finalized it with a 6.71 per cent tax rate increase March 13.

The figure is a reduction from the 7.35 per cent increase presented to council at its budget meeting on Feb. 14.
The reduction between the drafts is due to funding a $65,000 replacement vehicle for Parks and Recreation from reserves rather than property taxes.

Mayor Andrea Roberts cited increases to the roads and environmental departments, as well as a particularly harsh winter, for the taxation increase.

“This is a budget we can all stand behind and be proud of going forward,” Roberts said.

Council discussed other budget cuts to reduce the taxation increase, including taking out a new $20,000 electronic sign for A.J. LaRue arena, $30,000 earmarked for arena planning and $20,000 for water refill stations.

Deputy Mayor Patrick Kennedy suggested deferring the electronic sign and water refill stations for this year.

“Six point seven per cent is high,” Kennedy said. “Six point seven is a lot to ask our people.”

Coun. John Smith said he was prepared to put off the sign, noting it was presented as being able to generate some revenue through advertising.

“I’d certainly support taking that out until we see a more robust business case,” Smith said. “On the water refill stations, I think that’s something, from an environmental point of view, we’re seeing a lot of pushback in our community. People looking for alternatives to single-use plastics.”

Roberts said the sign would complete the A.J. LaRue Arena renovation, largely finished in 2013. The sign has been put off in the years since then.

“Do we just keep pulling it out because we want to come in with a magic number?” Roberts said. “We fought, we dug our heels in, we brought it down. I personally don’t see the big win knocking off 0.25 per cent.”

Coun. Larry Clarke expressed concern about the $30,000 arena planning, intended to help develop a plan for renovations to the upstairs. He said the infrastructure committee should examine the matter first.

Roberts replied any plan would still be decided by the infrastructure committee and the money could stay parked if they decide not to go ahead with work.

Coun. Walt McKechnie supported removing all three of the discussed items, while Smith supported removing the sign and plan funding. The remainder of council supported the budget as presented.

Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP and Minister of Labour Laurie Scott talked about work done to help increase apprenticeships at a Haliburton County Home Builders Association (HCHBA) meeting March 14.

Scott discussed her work to push through the reduction of journeyperson-to-apprenticeship ratios as part of legislation introduced in the fall.

The change allowed businesses to take on more apprentices by keeping the ratio at 1:1 and was applauded by the crowd of more than 60 people.

“It has been a very long time bringing that to fruition,” Scott said. “I gave lots of input to see that change come about. That’s good for all of our businesses up here. We have lots of experienced people that are in the trades that want to train our young people.”

The event also featured speeches from Canadian Home Builders Association (CHBA) incoming president Stefanie Coleman and Ontario Home Builders Association (OHBA) director of policy Mike Collins-Williams, who discussed areas of concern for the industry. Scott also addressed the next steps on the apprenticeships file.

When asked about a new bottleneck with large waiting lists for students to get into trades programs, Scott said it is something the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities is working on. Collins-Williams added with the changes to apprenticeships, colleges see trades programs as a potential area of growth.

“It’s been recognized there’s a shortage of classroom places. This is a change the government only made in the fall, but the education sector and the colleges see this as a huge opportunity,” he said.

Scott was also asked about the impending closure of the Ontario College of Trades, which will hand off its functions regulating the skilled trades and apprenticeship system.

HCHBA executive officer Aggie Tose asked about the apprentices working under the college and still paying dues to it.

“Where does that leave those apprentices?” she asked.

Scott said the fees are expected to be paid for another year while the system evolves.

“They’ll probably just leave it in a fund for the moment,” Scott said. “It’s a big transformation that’s coming in.”

Scott and the provincial government earned praise from the OHBA. Williams said it had long pushed for changes to apprenticeship ratios.

“It’s great news for people trying to start a career in construction. We’re now looking to work with all of our locals … to help close the skills gaps in Ontario,” Williams said.

Health care reforms

In an interview with The Highlander, Scott also discussed the province’s upcoming health care reforms.

The province has announced plans to integrate multiple provincial agencies into a single agency called Ontario Health. Premier Doug Ford also announced March 13 some management-level jobs will be cut as part of the merger.

Scott, a former nurse, said the integration will help improve the system.

“It’s going to be a big transformation to make it more patient-centred,” Scott said. “So hopefully, patients are actually able to do some of the co-ordination themselves a little easier online.”

The opposition Ontario NDP has said the health system overhaul would open the door to more privatization in the health care system, but Scott said that is not the aim of the changes.

“I don’t think you’ll see that be a big factor in what we’re trying to do. Right now, it’s so siloed it’s horrible. That’s why we’re trying to bring it down so the patient has more control,” Scott said. “You’re going to see a transformation take place that hopefully will deliver faster and closer-to-home services.”

Local-based research on plastic water bottle reduction, wetland management and climate change will be on display at the U-Links 21st annual Celebration of Research March 23.

The U-Links Centre for Community Based Research is spotlighting 23 ongoing projects in the County of Haliburton done by Trent University students from fields including geography, environmental science, forensics and international development studies.

U-Links project co-ordinator Amanda Duncombe-Lee said the initiative is a way for students to gain real-world experience during their studies.

“There’s not always a lot of opportunities for students to engage in real-world experience and also give them course credit,” she said.

Duncombe-Lee said projects this year include work done with the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust to develop guidelines for protecting wetlands, addressing how climate change affects mental health with the local health unit and working with Dysart et al to reduce plastic water bottle usage.

This year’s keynote speaker is Ray Letheren, an environmental advocate who ran the Blue Bayfield Community Project, a model for Dysart et al’s push to cut plastics.

U-Links also announced it was moving up the start of project development for the 2019-20 year. Interested organizations can now reach out to discuss future projects until June 30.

“We did it just in order to better facilitate faculty in their planning process for the next academic year,” Duncombe-Lee said. “The sooner we start talking about potential projects for the next year the better they can plan and the more fleshed out the project proposals can be.”

Interested organizations can contact Duncombe-Lee at aduncombe-lee@ulimks. ca or 705-286-2411.

The celebration of research will be hosted at the Minden Hills Community Centre from 1-4 p.m. March 23.

“U-Links is very thankful to all of the community organizations and students who have been working tirelessly to support these projects,” the organization said in a press release.

Highlands East’s clubs and volunteer groups came out in force to recruit new members at the first-ever Wilberforce Activity Fair March 9.

The fair at the Lloyd Watson Memorial Community Centre featured about a dozen local groups showcasing what they are about. The event was organized by Wilberforce’s volunteer fundraising group.

Member Kathy Rogers said the idea came when someone recently left Highlands East because they did not know what there was to do.

“We were all way too busy doing stuff, so we couldn’t figure out how somebody wouldn’t know,” Rogers said. “So how do we get the word out to people so they know what’s going on in the community?”

The event attracted more than 100 people to survey the groups and enjoy music and free chilli provided by Highlands East Community Cooks.

Heat Bank Haliburton County co-ordinator Tina Jackson said the fair was a great way for people to learn what is happening in the area.

“It’s a great opportunity for somebody who may want to get involved with the community,” Jackson said. “Whether or not they want to become a dedicated volunteer, it’s good to know what’s going on.”

Fay Martin of Places for People said the event was a good way for the group to boost its profile in Highlands East. She added the fair was a networking opportunity.

“Most people here are already volunteering, but we made some good connections who didn’t know us,” Martin said. “Even though not a whole lot of new people came in to get recruited, there’s still a lot of good work that happens among the movers and shakers.”

Carrie Boss attended the fair for the music and to survey the different groups participating.

“Lots of fun,” Boss said. “It was a good idea because it shows you what actually is in the community.”

Rogers said the group plans to put on another activity fair in the future.

“It went all right. It’s our first year to give it a try so we’ve asked for feedback from the different groups in what they think we can do different,” Rogers said. “But everyone seems to be happy.”

Dysart et al Coun. John Smith defended his comments on arts and cultural facilities at a town hall in the West Guilford Community Centre March 7.

The event attracted more than 40 people asking questions of the first-time councillor. Much of the discussion centred on Smith proposing to cut municipal funding to the Rails End Gallery and Arts Centre and Haliburton Highlands Museum during budget talks. Smith had suggested the facilities should be more efficient and operate more independently using private donations.

Based on a show of hands, Smith said about half of the people attending were from outside his ward, adding that is a result of those comments.

Smith said it was a very respectful discussion.

“That’s what a town hall ought to be, so I’m delighted,” Smith said in an interview. “My past comments stirred up a number of people in the arts community … it’s great that people get engaged about something they care for.”

“The museum and the Rails End Gallery aren’t the most important thing to everybody in our community,” Smith further said. “I’m going to continue to challenge those organizations to demonstrate they have community support by getting more money from things other than taxes.”

Smith said he hosted the town hall to engage with members of the public. He plans to hold them twice-yearly.

Daniel Manley, a member of the Haliburton Highlands Arts Council, said there are issues associated with relying on donations.

“Trying to put the onus on the public to support these things, you get donor fatigue,” Manley said.

“The community does an incredible amount of (work) raising money,” attendee Barb Bolin told Smith. “People, I think, have given until it just about bleeds in this community.”

Smith responded that he prefers to have more choice in where his money goes. He further said there must be change to achieve the things people are clamouring for, such as a new community centre.

“Some people say just maintain the status quo. Keep giving the Rails End Gallery their building and their money. Keep giving the arena their money,” Smith said. “If we keep doing all those things, the other things that folks are talking about will never happen.”

Other topics included tax increases, tourism, short-term rentals and environmental issues.

Attendee Ted Parent said the night progressed well.

“He (Smith) stood there tonight in a room full of people who started out not all positive. We are now in a place where we will all work together,” Parent said, to applause from the crowd.

Smith said it would be important to acknowledge different perspectives as council decides on its objectives this term.

“We need to recognize that we’re a diverse community,” Smith said after the meeting. “Find ways of ensuring all those perspectives are reflected in our goals.”

Business owners discussed how to deal with the legalization of cannabis within their workplaces during an Algonquin Gateway Business Association (AGBA) meeting Feb. 20.

The meeting, held at the South Algonquin Diner in Wilberforce, centred around how business owners could handle employees impaired by cannabis. It featured an OPP drug recognition officer and speakers from Peninsula, a consultant company which offers HR and health and safety support for small businesses.

AGBA board member Barbara Kraus said it was important to educate the organization’s members on cannabis.

“Since the cannabis issue is relatively recent and most of us don’t have any experience with the new laws, we thought it was an important item as we head into the (summer) season,” Kraus said.

Haliburton Highlands OPP Const. Kevin Brown, a drug recognition officer, detailed different types of cannabis and how business owners could identify signs of people under its effects. He noted symptoms to look for, such as bloodshot eyes, paranoia and disorientation.

Brown also said although OPP could charge someone for breaking laws around cannabis, a business owner is limited if they do not have a proper cannabis policy. “

If you wanted to let that individual go, unless you have policies and procedures in place, kind of hooped on that,” Brown said.

Peninsula’s Tracey Harvey presented on how businesses should implement cannabis into their contracts and policies.

“As employers, you have more control over this situation with cannabis in the workplace than you probably think you do,” Harvey said. “You have the right to put together policies that protect your workers and your workplace.”

Harvey said although employers are not trained sobriety officers, they can look for symptoms to help support workplace cannabis policy. She said such policies should be clear and signed off by employees.

“You can put the limit on where you want to put it so long as it’s communicated in advance,” she said.

She added confronting someone you suspect of being cannabis impaired should be done in private to protect privacy. But a witness should also be present to observe, she said.

AGBA board member Linda Middleton said she was happy with the approximately 20-person turnout.

“It went really well, when you get a good response, a good question period,” she said. “Part of the success was we had the legal side here and we also had the business side here,” Kraus added. “That gave us all a perspective on what we do to make cannabis policies fly”

Highlands East council approved of a 2019 draft budget which would see the municipal residential tax rate rise 3.56 per cent.

Council passed the budget at a March 12 council meeting.The $5.9 million draft budget features increased spending for capital projects across all departments totalling $1.9 million, $475,507 more than 2018.

“It’s an ambitious year,” chief administrative officer and treasurer Shannon Hunter said during a March 5 budget meeting. “Every department has major projects happening in 2019 if this budget is
approved.”

The largest capital projects are in the roads department, with $615,000 allotted to rehabilitating Dyno Road and $544,207 for the second phase of road work at the Cardiff townsite. Other new expenses include $55,000 for this year’s building renovations, $50,000 for a facilities review, and $28,000 for an organizational review.

Councillors spoke positively of the budget and the number of included projects.

“I’m sure all of us would prefer to see the tax rate lower,” Coun. Suzanne Partridge said. “But I don’t think there’s anything to add on this budget besides the projects we’ve already agreed upon. So, I’m comfortable.”

Deputy mayor Cec Ryall agreed and complimented staff’s work.

“We try to keep the taxation dollars down to zero, we’re going to cut off our nose to spite our face. We’re going to pay for it somewhere,” Ryall said. “Everything you pay hurts but I think the value is there and I think we’re getting great value for our money. I think our taxpayers are getting great value.”

The budget highlights also indicate staffing changes, including a full-time bylaw enforcement officer, a new septic inspector and increased hours for the part-time economic development co-ordinator.

Hunter credited a high assessment growth of 4.16 per cent as helping to lower the tax increase.

The municipality is also drawing from reserves this year. Hunter said if all proposed projects are complete by the end of the year, the reserves will decrease from $4.263 million to $3.267 million.

“A lot of projects we’re working on this year, it’s amazing,” Mayor Dave Burton said March 5. “You guys still have time to look at (the budget) but I’m quite content with it.”

The tax percentage increase represents $16 per $100,000 assessment.