It’s a weekday evening or weekend when your dog decides to eat a chocolate bar you have inadvertently left on the counter. You are a bit panicked, wondering if you should rush your canine to the Kawartha Veterinary Emergency Clinic in Peterborough.

Not so fast, according to Minden Animal Hospital, which has added an after-hours emergency service through its local, 705286-2919, number.

Owner and veterinarian, Dr. Jenn Morrow, said they are using a third-party company, called VetWise, to answer their phone after hours.

She said when you call, a veterinary professional can answer your questions, and help triage the situation.

“Is this something that can wait until tomorrow when we’re open? They can book that appointment for you. Is it something potentially urgent? They can connect you with a telemedicine veterinarian. Is it an emergency? They’ll help you get to the emergency clinic and let them know that you are coming.”

Morrow said pet owners can experience a lot of anxiety deciding whether or not to take an animal to an out-of-town emergency clinic. “Do I need to go? Is this truly an emergency? How much is it going to cost? How long am I going to be waiting?”

She said VetWise will help to alleviate that anxiety.

The clinic owner said 70 per cent of situations don’t actually require a trip to an emergency clinic. For example, an ongoing ear infection. She said the animal can be triaged virtually from home. Perhaps an owner will be advised to monitor their pet overnight. Perhaps they will be given a script for an antibiotic they can fill at the local pharmacy to tie the pet over until Monday.

She said the service “is helping people understand which is which…because if it’s a true emergency, at least when you are going there, you understand.”

She added there is no fee for the initial call, although you will pay for a telemedicine appointment with a vet. “There’s no fee to ask questions. There’s no fee to book an appointment the next day.”

Morrow added emergency clinics are for true emergencies, and don’t need to be overrun with non-urgent visits. Things like bladder infections can be treated at home – not doing so can cause long waits at emergency clinics, Morrow said.

The Minden-based vet has also added a new team member, Dr. Alicja Larisch, and as a result, been able to extend hours from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., rather than closing at 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Morrow said she recognized that in difficult financial times, not everyone can take time off work to bring their pet to the vet. The new hours allow people to come from 5-7 p.m.

She added it is helpful for when people have a sick pet and come home from work to find their pet’s condition has changed. They can bring them in.

They now have three full-time and one part-time vet.

Morrow said for some it’s still a “sore point” Haliburton County vets are not open on weekends; however, she believes in a work-life balance for herself and her employees. However, she thinks the afterhours service and extended hours is a good offering.

“It might not be a fair comparison, but you also have to travel outside of the County to give birth. I learned that myself. There are pros and cons to living up here. We love living up here, but we don’t have all the same services as Orillia or Peterborough, whether it’s human care or animal care.”

The clinic has also added an app for clients and broadened financing options.

A new drinking water source protection plan for the Halls and Hawk lakes system has been completed and Algonquin Highlands deputy mayor, Jennifer Dailloux, believes the project could be scalable County-wide.

It’s a first-of-its-kind program in the Highlands, said Shelley Fellows, president of the Halls and Hawk Lakes Property Owners Association (HHLPOA). Commissioned with money provided by the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations (FOCA), Fellows said the plan outlines several ways waterfront property owners could protect themselves and their lake.

A 60-page report with the tagline “protect every drop” was presented to Algonquin Highlands council May 7.

“Our goal was to understand, identify and communicate where we as individual property owners are within the wider region; what makes Halls [and Hawk] lakes unique; why protecting our drinking water is important; and what responsibilities we have to protect our drinking water,” Fellows said.

“We live in a special area and rely on a precious natural resource, our water, to sustain us. We have a responsibility to protect it because the individual choices we make affect it,” she added.

The local system was selected alongside two others in Ontario, in Sundridge and Perth, to lead a second phase of a FOCA pilot project seeking to protect valuable and vital sources of drinking water across the province.

Last March, Ontario’s auditor general released a report identifying gaps affecting drinking water safety for nearly three million people who rely on non-municipal systems. On Halls and the Hawks, where water is pulled from the lake and surrounding groundwater reserves, there’s no legislation requiring upkeep, meaning many systems are untested and unregulated.

HHLPOA started with a survey of its members, completed by 168 of approximately 350 properties on the lake chain. Fellows said she was startled to find that 55 per cent of respondents say they never test their drinking water, with 35 per cent testing annually. She said it’s recommended to have drinking water systems tested twice per year at least.

Water showing signs of decline

While water clarity has not changed significantly since measurements began in 1990, Fellows said there are several indications water quality has dropped in recent years.

“The system is healthy overall, but vulnerable because it is highly developed around the shoreline and showing signs of declining water quality.

“Historically, there have been higher populations of pollution-tolerant groups (mayflies, dragonflies, damselflies and caddisflies), which means a higher quality of water as these organisms would not be able to survive in low-quality water. Though, between 2020 and 2024, there have been significant decreases in the proportion of these groups in Halls Lake, indicating water quality has decreased,” the report reads.

Across five years of measurements, there has been a significant increase in “algal abundance” in the Halls and Hawk system. Of particular concern, Fellows said, is an increase in floating algae, which includes blue-green algae.

HHLPOA identified and mapped the drinking water systems that serve the community and the sources that supply water to those systems. They also tracked vulnerable areas where drinking water sources could be at risk from nearby activities.

“We used publicly-available data to describe and understand the geology, geography, hydrogeology and chemistry. There was a lot of science over the winter,” Fellows said.

The top four designated threats to water quality include: activities that reduce aquifer charge, which includes things like increased residential development and destruction of wetlands; problematic septic systems; road salt that runs from nearby Hwy. 35 into the water; and the use of pesticides and fertilizers.

Boat wakes, shoreline erosion, climate change and the Canada Goose were listed as undesignated threats – not listed within Ontario’s Clean Water Act.

“These threats can all result in contamination of our drinking water,” Fellows said.

To offset the risk, she recommended residents maintain their wells, naturalize their shoreline, keep on top of their septic systems and regularly test and treat their drinking water.

Fellows also advised against things like fogging for mosquitoes.

“Companies indicate it’s a plant-based natural product that’s used, but it is toxic to all forms of insects. So, in our efforts to reduce biting insects on our property, we’re actually causing larger harm, killing off beneficial insects,” Fellows said, noting insect population is one of the main indicators used in annual water quality testing through U-Links.

HHLPOA is hosting a plant sale at Elvin Johnson Park May 23, where it will be selling native species people can plant on their property. The group pitched installing some native shrubs at the park, which council approved.

Renaturalizing shorelines is the easiest way for lake residents to pitch in, with Fellows saying it’s important to have at least 80 per cent of growth be native plants.

“Studies show that natural shorelines reduce run-off of surface water directly into the lake and increases filtration through soil and roots, effectively reducing contamination of lake water. They also reduce shoreline erosion, resulting in clearer water,” the report reads.

Taking action

Fellows said HHLPOA is developing a water quality self-assessment tool that lake residents can use to identify threats. She noted drinking water test kits are available through Lakelands Public Health.

With eutrophication of the lake a concern, Fellows said the lake association plans to expand its annual monitoring programs.

The report has identified some gaps in data for Halls Lake, Fellows added, with HHLPOA committing to doing more research to assess threats and areas of vulnerability. One of those is the Halls Lake Causeway, which will be the focus of a thesis from a Trent University student in partnership with U-Links.

HHLPOA also plans to launch a water guardian program where those who pledge to take specific actions to protect water quality will receive a medallion, which Dailloux liked.

“I think you’ve done a beautiful job… we have a lot to learn from your experience here because you’re really doing the work,” Dailloux said. “I think there’s real scale up potential here… where you take this to other lake associations, show them what’s been achieved and see if they’d be interested in doing the same.”

In closing, Fellows requested the township update its study on lake capacity, completed in 2006, to “better understand development pressure and guide future land use decisions.”

By Adam Frisk Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

With high water levels in the County’s waterways and dense forests, residents can expect a “dynamic” biting insect season this year, according to at least one expert.

Author and outdoor educator Rick Whitteker explained that following a wet spring, the abundance of standing and flowing water has created ideal breeding conditions for both mosquitoes and black flies.

“In terms of bugs, mosquitoes like still water and standing water, so there’s going to be more of that in the forest, assuming we don’t have a drought right off the bat this spring, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen,” he said. “So, with dead standing water or still water, mosquito larvae do particularly well, and black flies love clean moving water.”

While last year saw high bug activity, Whitteker said the current environmental opportunity provided by the high levels of water suggests a significant population increase might be on our doorstep.

“I’m assuming the black fly population is going to do quite well, because there’s still a lot of water in the system, and they need rocky, clean water,” he said. “So, larvae can cling to the rock underneath the river, and then eventually float to the surface as an adult black fly.”

The author explained that despite the fluctuations in temperatures, including nighttime lows of near-zero degrees, they are unlikely to hinder the population of the biting buggers.

“They’re all underwater,” Whitteker said, noting larvae are protected from air temperature changes. However, as daytime temperatures rise, the rate of metamorphosis accelerates, which could lead to an earlier onset of the season.

“For the most part, with these bugs, it’s about temperature,” Whitteker said. “The warmer the temperatures, the earlier they’re going to be able to metamorphosize or change. If you get a warm spring, then you’re looking at a more dynamic population.”

To help protect yourself from the biting bug season, the expert suggested wearing light-coloured clothing, and do the ticktuck (tucking pant legs into socks) before heading out to prevent ticks from reaching the skin.

“It’s dawn and dusk when they’re most active,” Whitteker said. “Mosquitoes, in particular, just thrive in warm, humid conditions. So if you have a sunny breezy day, that’s a much better prognosis for a bug-free experience than a day that’s damp and warm.”

As spring progresses, the expert also said it’s important to distinguish between biting pests and beneficial insects and that some personal research may be required before using broad-spectrum pesticides, as many bugs and other creepy crawlies play an important role in fertilizing crops and gardens.

“Don’t just assume any bug is a bad bug,” Whitteker said. “They have specific roles that they’re playing to pollinate… and actually fertilize our vegetables and our flowers.”

Haliburton County-based builders, Brown + Co, said a decision by the provincial government to waive the HST for any new home purchased, to become a principal residence, is “a very exciting announcement.

“We’re surprised, and delighted, such extreme measures are going to be taken to boost new home sales,” Benton Brown told The Highlander in a recent interview.

Brown+Co’s Stothart Creek has been building and selling Tarion Warranty homes in Haliburton for more than a decade and Brown said the news has the potential to save people $130,000 on a $1 million home.

On May 5, the province officially introduced the HST Relief Implementation Act to support 13 per cent relief on eligible new homes. The program is in partnership with the federal government.

The province said the initiative would provide buyers of most new homes in Ontario with up to $130,000 in relief and could stimulate an additional 8,000 housing starts next year, support up to 21,000 jobs, and boost Ontario’s GDP growth by $2.7 billion.

“We’re already seeing the positive impact of our commitment to remove the HST from most new homes, with more shovels in the ground on new homes across Ontario,” minister of finance, Peter Bethlenfalvy, said. He added, “our government will continue fighting to lower costs for homebuyers, keep the dream of homeownership alive in Ontario, and keep workers in our construction sector on the job.”

Buyers of eligible new homes valued at $1 million or less would receive the full 13 per cent relief, to a maximum of $130,000. Buyers of eligible homes at $1 million to $1.5 million would see relief of $130,000. For homes valued above $1.5 million, the HST relief would decline gradually to a maximum of $24,000 for homes of $1.85 million or more.

While applications for HST relief are not open at this time, those who meet the relevant eligibility criteria can apply once it launches. For example, purchasers of an eligible home acquired on, or after, April 1, 2026, and on, or before, March 31, 2027, would be able to apply at a later date to receive the HST relief, even though the application process has not yet open.

Impact on real estate

The proposed legislation also includes provisions that would enable buyers to assign the top-up to builders so that sellers can take the full HST relief amount off the price of a new home up front. The government continues to work with the federal government to implement the HST relief through federal regulatory changes and has asked the feds to administer the full HST relief program through the Canada Revenue Agency.

The measures build on existing provincial housing tax supports to help increase the supply of affordable homes, support housing development and foster a robust housing industry across Ontario. This includes removing the full eight per cent provincial portion of the HST on qualifying purpose-built rental housing. The province is also providing historic housing-enabling infrastructure funding through the $4 billion Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program and the $1.2 billion Building Faster Fund, which rewards eligible municipalities that make real progress in getting shovels in the ground to build new homes.

Brown said his company has fared “quite well” through a difficult post-COVID housing market, plagued by tariffs and high building prices. He estimated their costs are up 35 per cent. He said it’s left some contractors and sub-contractors looking for work, while some builders have paused construction. “It’s really tough out there.”

He said last Tuesday’s announcement is “a targeted shot in the arm for new builds, and hopefully has a good impact on the economy. I think the cost is the catalyst of why this announcement has come out.”

Brown said it will be interesting to see what impact the new rebate has on the Highlands’ real estate market, since a lot of people might be interested in saving HST on a new home but have to sell an existing one in a saturated housing market. He added people looking to buy will be more attracted to a new home with the potential of saving on HST versus an existing home that is not included.

“I don’t think it’s a stretch to say it’s a once-in-a lifetime opportunity in terms of potentially saving a considerable amount of money and getting a head start on the equity in your home.”

By Adam Frisk Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Haliburton Rotary Club is moving into the second phase of the Skyline Park restoration project, with a 2027 completion date still on target.

Charles Wheeler, chair of the Skyline Park project committee, said that despite some logistical shifts, the project remains on budget and on schedule for the 2026 construction season.

A main component of this year’s work is the construction of a second timber-frame picnic shelter. While the first shelter was completed through Diezel Woodworks and Haliburton School of Art + Design, the club had to pivot this year.

“Unfortunately, another municipality has snagged Diezel Woodworks to do a timber frame structure for themselves,” Wheeler explained, with Algonquin Highlands securing the firm for a gazebo project at the Dorset Heritage Museum. “So, we’re just in the process of evaluating bids from five different companies to build a second picnic shelter.”

A winning bid was expected to be finalized in April, followed by manufacturing, and installation planned for July or August.

A second component slated for completion this summer is the year-round, fully accessible washroom building that the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) committed to supplying, saving Rotary about $65,000 in capital costs.

“We originally asked the province to help fund us, and they originally said no,” Wheeler said. But with the assistance of Laurie Scott, our local MPP, she was able to convince the Ministry of Transportation, which owns Skyline Park, to take on the washroom building.”

The facility will replace the seasonal Porta-Potties that were used from May through October, providing a permanent solution for year-round visitors, including winter snowmobilers.

Further accessibility upgrades include the new upper viewing platform, constructed from donated granite, to allow those with mobility challenges to still enjoy the view without having to navigate the steep slope to the lower viewing area of the park.

Also on the list for the 2026 season is the installation of the six historical display boards that include the history of Skyline Park and an Indigenous land acknowledgement. The panels were funded through a $15,000 partnership between the Rotary Club, Haliburton County, and the Municipality of Dysart et al.

Wheeler said that the project remains on budget at $200,000, with the MTO assuming the cost of the washroom facilities; the Rotary’s net financial responsibility is about $135,000.

The Rotarian said that the work done to date was the result of significant volunteer labour. “It has been a real Rotary team effort to get the project to this point, including the Skyline Park project committee and the many other Rotary Club volunteers who assisted on site when needed,” Wheeler said.