Roxanne Casey, station manager at CanoeFM, said she wouldn’t take no for an answer after spending the past two years lobbying the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for an updated broadcasting licence.

The federal body put a moratorium on processing and approving new applications in August 2023, while working to modernize regulatory plans for Canadian broadcasting. Casey was approximately six months deep on a proposal to bolster Canoe’s radio signal across Haliburton County.

Using funds raised through its popular Radio Bingo game, the station wanted to address one of many dead zones across the region where residents struggle to get a signal. Minden, Wilberforce, Gooderham and Cardiff were all considered.

A two-week pilot project in spring 2023 led to Casey applying for a secondary transmitter to be installed on a tower along Scotch Line Road in Minden, with an aim of improving service to people in the southwestern portions of the County. On Feb. 3, the station received special approval from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) after the CRTC ratified an exemption.

“It almost didn’t happen – at the time [of the moratorium announcement] they said there wasn’t going to be any new licences issues period. We had to send a letter to say we had an ongoing application in process, we had gotten prices, done a lot of work and spent a lot of money. It all would have been for nothing if we weren’t able to move ahead,” Casey told The Highlander March 17.

Now, listeners will be able to tune into Canoe on both 100.9 and 97.1. Casey said the licence for the latter runs until 2032.

Testing conducted in 2023 was vital to the project’s approval, Casey noted, with data gathered from specialized equipment revealing much of Minden experienced unreliable reception due to challenging terrain.

“They recognized that rural areas like Minden deserve a strong, reliable signal to access local news, programming, and community information,” Casey said.

All told, the project cost the station just under $43,000. “It’s the biggest project we’ve done for a while.”

Casey said none of it would have been possible without Radio Bingo. Every Tuesday for the past 10 years, the station has broadcast games over the airwaves giving locals a chance to win big. After prizes are dished out, what’s left is split between Canoe and important community causes. To date, around 50 non-profits have benefitted to the tune of approximately $600,000.

“The money goes to our food banks, the Haliburton County Heat Bank – we try to support all the not-for-profits that might need a leg up. Most have received something from us over the years,” Casey said.

She hopes to expand the station’s reach even more in future, mentioning Cardiff and Tory Hill as areas in need of better service. Nothing is imminent, Casey said, with the CRTC moratorium in-place until at least August.

“We will look at something else – it all depends on funding. It’s a really big process, it took us two years to move forward with this project, but the conversations were going on much longer than that,” she said.

Immediate focuses include improving the station’s website and attracting more volunteers. Casey said Canoe is developing an online portal that will highlight available openings and offer tasters on various roles. There will also be a virtual sign-up sheet for those who want to get involved.

“We’ve had people move away, everyone is getting older… we need to look at how we can engage younger volunteers to help out and take more of an interest,” Casey said.

A ribbon cutting will be held in Minden celebrating the improved service in the spring.

Fleming College staff say “there have not been any significant delays” with the ongoing 47-bed student residence build at the Haliburton School of Art + Design (HSAD), touting an opening some time this year.

A Fleming spokesperson told The Highlander in a March 14 email that work is still underway on land overlooking the campus inside Glebe Park. Construction crews broke ground on the $16 million development in December 2023, with college administration estimating the facility would be move-in ready by early 2025.

“Like any project of this size, there can be minor slowdowns due to supply chain issues, inclement weather etc.,” the college representative said. “The residence remains on schedule to open in 2025.”

The college says construction has largely wrapped, with workers now “in the process of completing any identified deficiencies with the project… and completing some outdoor landscaping.” Once open, it will boast 27 units – seven individual suites and 20 two-bedroom apartments.

The Haliburton campus was the only Fleming-operated site to escape widespread program cuts last year after the federal government introduced new limits on international student intake.

Twenty-nine courses in Peterborough and Lindsay were scrapped, with Fleming president Maureen Adamson estimating the cap would mean a $40 million annual revenue loss for the college. At its peak, the institution reported 4,000 of a total 7,200 students were international.

The college spokesperson said the impact in Haliburton has been negligible since the new rules came into place in January 2024, though warned changes could be on the horizon.

“Enrolment in classes at the Haliburton campus has remained consistent between 2023/24 and 2024/25 at a low level. International revenue has previously been used to subsidize these courses, and we are exploring innovative options for program delivery.”

Fleming released its 2025 course calendar March 3, highlighting summer programming and fall options. As of now, all 10 full-time programs in Haliburton will return, including the artist blacksmith, glassblowing, ceramics, jewellery making, and fine arts courses.

There are dozens of options for people throughout the summer, including new offerings in arts commerce, small business planning, oil painting, weaving, musical theatre, screenwriting, and folkloric ceramics.

“We are extremely excited about these programs – many of them are open to all skill and experience levels, so you’ll be able to take something from them whether you’re new to the craft, an expert, or anywhere in between,” the college said.

HSAD is hosting an open house March 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., offering prospective students a peek behind the campus’ red doors.

Staff will lead tours of the facility, while students and instructors in the glass, ceramic and jewellery studios lead live demonstrations. Academic coordinators will be available to answer questions about certificate and diploma programs in drawing and painting, fibre arts, and visual/creative arts.

Representatives from Fleming Crew, Minden Pride, and the Arts Council Haliburton Highlands will also be in attendance.

“We hope to showcase the supportive community and strong industry connections that make Fleming a great place to learn and grow.”

For a full list of programs, visit flemingcollege.ca/hsad.

Haliburton’s Malcolm Cockwell won The Forests Canada Award for “his outstanding achievements in, and contributions to, the field of forestry in Canada and beyond,” at the Forests Canada conference in Mississauga Feb. 19-20.

A Registered Professional Forester who holds a Bachelor of Science and a PhD from the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Forestry, Cockwell is the managing director of the Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve, and served on the Forests Canada board for more than 10 years, including as chair.

Forests Canada said Cockwell is also a leader within the forest sector, acting as chair of Acadian Timber Corp., acquiring several Canadian forest businesses, and bringing global innovations to Canada.

“He was instrumental in helping to shape the national direction for Forests Canada and was valued for his time, experience, and knowledge, as well as the important business lens he brought to the organization.”

Cockwell told The Highlander March 18, that serving on the board of directors of Forests Canada over the past decade had been a highlight of his career. He added spending five of those years as chair was “very rewarding, as we secured additional resources for the organization’s tree planting and community outreach initiatives and embraced a national mandate to operate across the entire country.”

Looking ahead, he said, “Forests Canada is in great shape, with an exceptional team led by Jessica Kaknevicius as the CEO and Christine Leduc as the new chair. I am proud of what the organization has accomplished and will continue supporting its programs as a member.”

As for the award, Cockwell said he was deeply honoured. “It was humbling to receive the award because previous recipients include many of the ‘greats’ in Canadian forestry, such as Harvey Anderson, who is arguably the godfather of modern hardwood silviculture in Ontario, as well as the team of forestry professionals who developed the provincial tree marking program.”

The conference brought experts from different fields together to talk about how to conserve, restore, and grow Canada’s forests.

See more at ForestsCanada.ca/Conference

Klara Oyler thought she was joining MPP Laurie Scott at the Haliburton County Huskies game March 15 for a ceremonial puck drop – until the politician surprised her with a King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Oyler said she was “surprised and overwhelmed” but, upon refection, “I have been extremely fortunate, after moving to Haliburton upon retirement, in being privileged to be involved in a variety of groups. 50 York Street, Unit 5 Haliburton, Ontario

“I have been part of many projects that have made a huge impact on our community. Meeting so many people, who have been dedicated to their missions and projects, has really pushed me to think outside the box and dig deep to learn new skills, as well as adapting those skills I already had. I feel very lucky being involved in a most positive way in our community. I feel fortunate that I am able to call many of those people who offered me the opportunities, my friends.”

Oyler’s volunteer record includes: The Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation (20 years, including six months on campaign cabinet for the Here for You campaign), Ontario Trillium Foundation (10 years to present), Minden Hills Santa Claus parade (10 years), Minden Hills Canada Day committee (10 years), Friends of the Haliburton County Public Library (eight years and counting), Minden Hills Timbersport/Timberfest committee (six years), Minden Hills cultural centre committee and foundation (four years), Minden Hills new library fundraising committee (four years), R.D. Lawrence Place Minden fundraising committee (four years), the Huskies (four years to present), Ontario senior winter games (two years), Haliburton Highlands Sports Hall of Fame (one year to present), Water Ambassadors Canada, Haliburton County (three years), and the vaccination clinics during COVID.

Dale Walker, former head of the HHHSF, nominated Oyler, whom she said, “volunteered for everything that came along, as well as being in the office. But she was involved in so many other things, it only seemed right.”

Scott had five King Charles III Coronation Medals to hand out, with Oyler being the only one in the County for the provincial member.

“There’s nobody more well-deserving. I think Klara has volunteered for more years than people usually work in their lifetime at a job. She selflessly works on so many things. She does have a good time, but the community does not function without volunteers and Klara is the epitome of a volunteer in Haliburton County.”

Other medal winners

In 2006-07, Chuck Krangle completed a combat tour in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Upon his return to Canada, his dad, Wayne Krangle, wanted to find a way to give back. Since 2008, Wayne has been the founder of ‘syrup for soldiers.’ On his property in the Highlands, he taps trees, processes, and sells syrup. He has raised close to $100,000 for Wounded Warriors Canada.

Wayne said the honour came as a surprise. Chuck, who’s just retired as a police officer, told him he was getting the award. They went to Jamie’s Schmale office March 15.

“Gobsmacked,” Wayne said of the surprise. He said he had been phoning some of the people who had helped him make it possible. “It didn’t happen on its own. A lot of people along the way have volunteered their time. This is my 16th year, so I didn’t start yesterday.”

Steve Cooper of Gooderham also received a medal March 19; for a lifetime commitment to cadets.