Keep calm and carry on

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March 22, 2020

I’m just past the second week of my annual spring cold.

Blessed with bronchitis since a young age, the aforementioned spring cold comes with a telltale cough: it starts with a deep, dry bark before evolving into a phlegmy rattle. It’s almost gone now, but you can imagine the looks I got last week when the cough escaped my attempts to keep it at bay – with Benylin, Halls and water.

At a Minden Hills council meeting, for example, I got ‘looks’ and at least one staffer pulled out the hand sanitizer. Despite my repeated assurances, it was just a cold, many a Haliburtonian moonwalked away from me.

As I write this, from my kitchen table at home, I realize I just don’t want to be out there and be seen as a coronavirus-carrier or someone with full-blown COVID-19. I’ve been doing most of my work from home since that council meeting.

I guess I’m lucky since I have the sort of profession where I have the luxury of doing that. I can conduct interviews via email or phone. Now that just about everything is cancelled, I don’t really have to go out and cover anything, anyway.

Meanwhile, my partner just came back from the grocery store in Minden. There was no toilet paper at either Foodland or Valu-Mart. It appears there’s also been a run on frozen vegetables and potatoes. A lot of shelves were empty with limits of two per customer. The rabid stocking up continues.

I guess I can’t completely fault people. They’re scared and panicky. As a member of the fifth estate, I have to take some responsibility, although I believe the Haliburton news media has tried to keep its stories factual, informational and non-sensationalized.

Safe to say, the world has gone a little crazy since last Thursday.

The coronavirus, or COVID-19, is affecting all of us. School children will see their March break extended into April. Parents are scrambling to provide care for them. Some of us are working from home. Some of us are not so fortunate. College students are wondering how they can do hands-on learning via distance education. Businesses are very concerned about empty establishments and equally empty bank accounts. Municipal government has ground to a standstill. Live entertainment has been shelved. The Highlander can barely keep up with the cancellations and postponements filling our inbox.

So, it’s pretty easy to add anxiety to that already mentioned fear and panic as we seem to have slipped into some dystopian novel.

But, as a community, we don’t have to be fearful, panicked or anxious.

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (HKPR) District Health Unit says there’s no need to panic.

They said declaring COVID-19 a pandemic has to do with how quickly it spreads, not its severity.

The majority of people who test positive for COVID-19 are experiencing mild symptoms and are recovering fully, the health unit said.

People in the county have been sensible in cancelling and postponing events to try to slow down the spread of the virus. Further, if people take the precautions health partners across the region are advising, this can be a manageable situation.

Stay home if you can. Enjoy some quality family time. Tackle some of those home-based jobs you’ve been putting off. Catch up on books, podcasts, radio and television. Leave some toilet paper and groceries for your neighbours.

In other words, keep calm and carry on

Landscapers push for change to shoreline bylaw

By

Lisa Gervais

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March 21, 2020

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JQ - Shoreline bylaw update - 1-web — Warden Liz Danielsen at a March 11 committee of the whole meeting. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

Haliburton’s landscaping industry has formed a new group to raise its concerns about the impact of the County of Haliburton’s draft shoreline preservation bylaw.

The group of six landscape businesses presented at the committee of the whole meeting March 11. The contractors banded together specifically to raise their concerns with the bylaw, which would restrict development and activities within 30-metres of shorelines.

Michele Bromley of Boshkung Lake Tree Service said though the group is not opposed to the idea of the bylaw, it finds the draft lacking.

“The draft bylaw, as presented … in some areas is reaching beyond its original intent, and in other areas missing key factors that have significant impacts on the water quality of our lakes,” Bromley said, reading from a joint letter.

The group argued the 30-metre buffer is far too expansive and there also needs to be more action on the existing properties with damaged shorelines.

It also argued the permitting requirements will be too strict and there needs to be more leeway for smaller projects.

“Although appropriate for some major landscaping/site alteration projects, applying the same rigorous processes to any and all projects will literally assure the landscaping industry in Haliburton County and the economic benefit it provides for its many employees and other businesses will disappear in short order,” the group wrote.

The group also said the bylaw should be more comprehensive and the County should address things such as fertilizers, pesticides and road salt. Council members expressed appreciation for the input.

“This is clearly the type of input that we want. Written, clear, concise, the challenges that it appears to pose for you,” Coun. Brent Devolin said.

In a statement to The Highlander, the group said the broad scope of the bylaw made it sensible for similar stakeholders to work together and address parts of it pertaining to them.

“Many of the restrictions within the draft have direct impact on the landscaping industry and we felt it would be beneficial to assemble a group of likeminded individuals,” the group said. “We continue to work collaboratively with other groups and individuals to achieve the goal of fashioning a comprehensive and workable document for all.”

Bylaw review on hold

But those eager to see the County progress on its review of the bylaw will have to wait. The County put the review on hold indefinitely due to the coronavirus.

The municipality opted to change the agenda for its March 17 special meeting originally dedicated to the shoreline bylaw to instead address response to the pandemic.

“We understand there is a significant community interest about the draft by-law, with a large number of people planning to attend, and want to provide assurances that there will be extensive notice provided when we are once again able to conduct businesses as usual,” the County said in a press release.

Highlands East declares state of emergency

By

Lisa Gervais

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March 20, 2020

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JQ - HE COVID - 1 — Highlands East council met March 19, keeping extra distance between one another. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

Highlands East has declared a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is taking steps to prepare itself.

The municipality made the declaration March 19. It said the declaration allows the head of council to take action and make orders to address the situation and lets the municipality provide WSIB protection to volunteers helping during the crisis.

Mayor Dave Burton said it should also help the municipality access resources from upper evels of government going forward.

“Declaring this local State of Emergency is not a decision I made lightly. With the rapidly evolving changes regarding the COVID-19 pandemic I felt it was a necessary, proactive measure,” Burton said in a press release. “The Emergency Control Group is meeting on a daily basis to address matters as they arise. We have a dedicated group whose main focus is to protect the community, members of staff and their families.”

Council also met March 19 and passed a Delegation of Authority Bylaw, allowing chief administrative officer Shannon Hunter to perform administrative and legislative tasks to manage the municipality. Clerk Robyn Rogers noted a similar measure is used during election time. Council has suspended regular meetings and closed facilities due to COVID-19.

“We’re trying to do social distancing, so that makes it quite hard for council to come together to make the decisions,” Rogers said. “There are restrictions still in place … Just looking to be proactive so we can continue the business of the municipality.”

Deputy Mayor Cec Ryall supported the motion but said bigger things like policy and bylaw changes need to be kept to council.

“I don’t really think we should be abdicating everything,” Ryall said.

Council also agreed to amend the municipal procedural bylaw to allow for electronic participation of meetings in case of a public health emergency.

The municipality said it will continue to provide updates through media releases.

“These are trying and unsettling times,” Burton said. “But if we come together, support one another, this too shall pass.”

Students stuck at home for COVID-19

By

Lisa Gervais

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March 20, 2020

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Haliburton Highlands Secondary School teacher Mary Cannon is one of many parents expecting to be spending more time with her kids in the coming weeks.

A mother of four school-age children, she is faced with them getting an extra twoweek break from classes after March break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ontario schools are closed until at least April 5.

“My kids will miss their friends and teachers. I am concerned about the skills, building block skills, especially in subjects like math, that they will miss,” Cannon said.

But she is working to make the most of it. She plans to have her kids – in Grades 1, 3, 4, and 5 – read, go through workbooks and write creatively.

However, there are challenges with teaching kids in a situation like this, Cannon said.

“For most parents, the hurdles will be a new version of the same problem they usually have – balancing work and parenting responsibilities,” she said. “Whether you are trying to work from home or scrambling to put together childcare options, putting together an academic program on top of that will be a challenge.”

But childcare options have also been limited. Daycares in Minden and Haliburton both decided to shut doors before a provincial directive came down March 17, closing all daycares until the end of the month.

Haliburton Wee Care is closing until at least April 5 over concerns about spreading the coronavirus and health guidelines to practice social distancing. “It wasn’t an easy decision to make,” supervisor Denise Wolm said. “Parents still need (child) care but the problem is, we’re in a daycare, we have people coming and going.”

Wolm said parents are finding other ways to get by.

“Some of them are able to work from home and have their children at home with them. Others have backup plans, other family members or grandparents, friends,” she said.

“Everybody needs to help each other.” There is no certainty for public school students about when classes will resume and how it will impact the school year.

Grade 11 student Logan Heaven said there are unanswered questions.

“Initially, it’s like a vacation, but then we don’t know what’s going to happen,” Heaven said. “It’s a little stressful.”

Regardless of how long the break lasts, Cannon said she wants to find some positives in the chance to be with her children.

“This is a rare opportunity for us to spend time together as a family and I don’t want to get so scheduled and worked up about curriculum expectations that I don’t make the most of that.”

Algonquin Highlands, Minden Hills make changes to landfills

By

Lisa Gervais

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March 19, 2020

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By Lisa Gervais

The days of driving into Algonquin Highlands landfills with construction and demolition material, furniture, appliances, yard waste or anything else requiring a fee, are over – for now.

In an attempt to reduce high risk points of public contact, council instituted the measure as stage one of its landfill reaction to COVID-19, starting March 20.

Operations manager Adam Thorn said at a meeting March 19 that the idea is to eliminate cash and receipt handling, reduce paper handling and increase distance of public contact.

“We’re taking every step possible to be safe,” he said.

It was determined that businesses that have existing non-cash arrangements with the township, such as contractors charge accounts, can continue to bring their construction and demolition waste by appointment only. Thorn estimated there are about 10 of those.

While the township uses contractors at its waste facilities, Watson General Contracting, and relies on Waste Connections Canada out of Bracebridge for hauling, Thorn said the municipality has to plan in case illnesses affect contractor operations. He said in a worse-case scenario, public works staff might have to step in.

His report outlined further stages, but it was decided council will review necessary steps as the COVID-19 crisis evolves.

Initially, Thorn wanted to stop all items with a fee attached. But council felt that was going too far.

Deputy Mayor Liz Danielsen said she had a philosophical problem with stopping all non-household waste since they wanted to encourage businesses. Thorn’s reply was that they would have limited public works staff to deal with construction and demolition material if they had to step in.

Coun. Jennifer Dailloux asked about things such as tap and pay devices. However, it was noted that the Maple Lake landfill does not have Hydro or internet. And while there are future plans for the Maple Lake site, coming to council via a report in two months’ time, Dailloux said, “two months is a long time if shutting down what people can dump.”

She wondered about waiving fees or signing up people. She said contractors are continuing to work and many people are planning renovations during the COVID-19 shutdown. She added she didn’t want to unnecessarily increase panic. However, Moffatt said it was simply unrealistic due to numbers.

Moffatt said she agreed with Danielsen that people who already have accounts should be allowed to dump since they are not in contact with staff.

Another issue raised by Danielsen was people accepting a $300 fine just to get rid of items. Thorn said the township could also withdraw landfill privileges.

Dailloux inquired about “rage dumping” at the gate. Thorn said it would have to be monitored. Coun. Lisa Barry asked about the prospect of people burning waste and fire chief Jonathan Wilker said that , too, would have to be monitored.

As for council implementing stage one of its waste management site operations contingency planning, Coun. Julia Shortreed said, “I don’t think anybody should be surprised.”

Minden Hills is also changing landfill services starting March 20. The township will not be accepting loose waste, construction and demolition material, commercial waste, tires, scrap metal, electronics, textiles or any other non-household bagged waste. Only bagged household waste and recycling will be accepted. Cardboard tipping fees are waived until April 30.

Municipalities shutting doors for pandemic

By

Lisa Gervais

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March 19, 2020

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JQ - County COVID-19 - 4-web — A.J. LaRue Arena is one of many municipal facilities closed due to COVID-19.

The County of Haliburton declared a state of local emergency March 18 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Council met March 17 to discuss how to respond to the situation. Each of the townships have closed facilities and municipal offices. Council decided to also close the County administrative office and council meetings are discontinued until further notice.

County chief administrative officer Mike Rutter said it is important for municipalities to take these types of steps.

“It is, I think, about leadership,” Rutter said. “If we’re trying to tell our community isolate, shelter in place, do those kinds of things. If we have a meeting, like this, we’re still bringing 10, 12 people out into the world and gathering. I’m just not sure if that’s a best practice.”

Council also discussed co-ordinating more of the response. When it comes to communication, Coun. Brent Devolin said he would like more centralization.

“Rather than five flavours, I would like one and have the County be the voice,” he said.

There was some uncertainty about whether to close township administrative offices. Coun. Cec Ryall said it was paramount to reduce contact.

“Any contact, direct contact that we can reduce between our staff and the public is absolutely paramount. We have to make sure our staff is unexposed to anything that would hurt them in any way, shape, or form,” he said.

However, councillors noted the challenges, especially such as people visiting to pay taxes. Coun. Andrea Roberts said with the County closing its office, the lower-tier townships would probably be expected too as well.

“It’s harder because we do have more people coming in paying tax bills,” she said. “It’s going to be quite a challenge to close our office to the public.”

Councillors discussed possibilities if offices are closed and options that could be provided, such as having people call ahead for necessary office visits, mail slot dropoffs and quick phone call responses.

“A huge volume of trust issues here,” Warden Liz Danielsen said. “We’re just going to have to rely on our residents to the greatest extent we can.”

Municipalities closing facilities

Each one of the lower-tier municipalities have implemented closures as of March 19, 4 p.m. All municipal offices and community centres are closed including:

• Algonquin Highlands has closed its community centres, including those in Stanhope, Dorset and Oxtongue Lake. All programming and events at these facilities are cancelled. The airport terminal building and water trails office are also closed.

• Dysart et al is closing its community centres, including A.J. LaRue Arena, the Haliburton Highlands Museum, the West Guilford Community Centre and the Harcourt Community Centre.

• Highlands East is cancelling or postponing all meetings and events scheduled in municipal buildings, including those at the Lloyd Watson Memorial Community Centre, Robert McCausland Memorial Community Centre, the Keith Tallman Memorial Arena, and the Cardiff and Highland Grove community centres.

• Minden Hills has postponed all community programming, events and meetings scheduled within municipal buildings and facilities until at least April 5. The Cultural Centre, Nature’s Place, Agnes Jamieson Gallery, Minden Hills Museum, Welsh Room and Community Centers (S.G. Nesbitt, Irondale and Lochlin) will be closed to the public and all programing postponed. The Minden Hills Fire Hall will also be closed to the public.

Landfill sites in each of the municipalities are open but restrictions are being put in place.

Check municipal websites for full details of service changes. Municipal closures and emergency measures could change quickly as the pandemic continues and emergency control groups meet. See thehighlander.ca and facebook.com/thehighlanderonline for the latest updates.

Updated list of closures and cancellations

By

Lisa Gervais

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March 18, 2020

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The Province said all non-essential businesses must close before midnight March 24.

The Province of Ontario declared a state of emergency March 17 and closed all, daycares, public libraries, theatres, cinemas, convert venues and indoor recreation facilities until at least March 31. Bars and restaurants can remain open only to provide takeout and delivery.

SIRCH

Thrift Warehouse Haliburton/Bancroft – closed

The SIRCH office at 49 Maple Ave and SIRCH Central at 2 Victoria Street in Haliburton – closed to the public

CAPC/CPNP participants will be supported by phone and text

Catering for a Cause – cancelled

The Community Kitchen is working with the health unit to be able to safely increase their numbers of free frozen meals. Their intent is to continue to supply the food banks, and a plan to allow people to pick up frozen meals at SIRCH Central during limited hours on Saturdays and Sundays starting March 28. That will be done without contact with those picking up.

Ready for Retail – cancelled. A decision on Cook It Up is pending.

OSGA-55+ District 11’s 2020 summer games – cancelled

DOC(K) Day has been postponed from April 4. Purchased tickets will be refunded in that manner they were bought. As of now, April’s movie, Knives Out, is cancelled and a decision on reimbursement will be announced shortly.

HALIBURTON COUNTY FAIR The Minden Agricultural Society, sponsor of the Haliburton County Fair, in the interest of prudence and public safety, has decided to cancel the 2020 Fair that was scheduled to be held on June 13 at the Minden Fairgrounds.

ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION – Haliburton Wednesday night bingo is cancelled for now

WILD GAME DINNER – postponed

ONTARIO PARKS – including programming and visitor centres

SLEEPING IN CARS is cancelled for this year as municipal building will not be accessible.

ULINKS has cancel’ed this year’s Celebration of Research event that was to be held on Saturday, March 28th.

DOMINION HOTEL has postponed the Jane Sibery concert

ABBEY GARDENS has cancelled its March Break programming.

HHHS has announced the cancellation of several of its programs until further notice. They include: diabetes self-management education workshops; balanced fitness and falls prevention; adult day program; grief support group; social recreation drop-in programs; diner’s clubs; cancer support group and gatherings of volunteers, community education sessions etc.

Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce is postponing its upcoming events in April, May and June, or until further information is received from public health officials.

This includes its annual Business and Community Achievement Awards until a later date.

The Chamber remains open for business, and encourages everyone to utilize emails or telephone calls over in-person meetings with them until further notice.

Haliburton County Public Library branches and administration centre are closed through April 6. People with items are asked to hold onto them until branches re-open and all overdue fines are waived.

The Highlands Little Theatre has postponed its play – Vintage Hitchcock Production – scheduled to begin March 31.

Trillium Lakelands District School Board will have all its schools closed through April 5, two weeks after March break, by provincial mandate.

Haliburton Wee Care is closed through April 5.

Fleming College suspended all of its classes starting at noon March 13 at all campuses, including the Haliburton School of Art and Design.

As of March 17, campuses and college buildings are closed with restricted access.

The college will deliver classes in online or alternative formats for the remainder of the winter semester.

The County of Haliburton is closing its administrative office to the public as of March 17. Staff are still working and will respond to messages. Regular council meetings are suspended.

Algonquin Highlands has closed its administrative office on North Shore Road to the public.

The building/bylaw and planning departments will continue operations, but interaction with staff is limited to appointment only. Inspections will continue with appropriate distancing and hygiene protocols. Application forms can be found online. The public is asked to consider the urgency of a request or application.

The municipality is unable to accept cash or debit payments at this time. Tax payments can be made by cheque deposited at the township office or mailed, through online and telephone banking or at your financial branch.

The Water Trails office is closed to the public. Recreation centres remain closed. Equipment rentals are not available. Trails remain open.

The municipal airport terminal building is also closed, though regular aviation operations continue.

The community centres (and all programming and events), in Stanhope, Dorset and Oxtongue Lake until further notice, including the fitness centre at the Dorset Recreation Centre are closed.

Meetings by committees of council are suspended until further notice with the exception of the Committee of Adjustment.

Highlands East is has declared a state of emergency closing all municipal offices, sub-offices and facilities to the public until further notice.

All meetings and events scheduled in municipal buildings are cancelled or postponed, including those at the Lloyd Watson Centre, Robert McCausland Memorial Community Centre, the Keith Tallman Memorial Arena, and the Cardiff and Highland Grove community centres. This includes regularly scheduled council and committee meetings.

Landfill sites remain open.

Minden Hills had declared a state of emergency.

All community programming, events and meetings scheduled within Municipal buildings and facilities are postponed until April 5.

Closure beyond this period will be determined as the situation evolves.

The Cultural Centre, Nature’s Place, Agnes Jamieson Gallery, Minden Hills Museum, Welsh Room and Community Centers (S.G. Nesbitt, Irondale and Lochlin) will be closed to the public and all programing postponed. The Minden Hills Fire Hall will also be closed to the public.

Municipal offices are closed to the public.

Landfill sites are open but will only accepted bagged household waste and recycling.

Dysart et al has closed A.J. LaRue Arena, the Haliburton Highlands Museum, the West Guilford Community Centre and the Harcourt Community Centre until further notice.

Municipal offices are closed to the public.

Curlers COSSA champs again

By

Lisa Gervais

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March 16, 2020

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JQ - Sports news - 1-web — The Haliburton Highlands Secondary School team of Jacob Dobson, Liam Little, Corin Gervais and Owen Nichols earned a regional COSSA title March 9. Photo by Erin Nicholls.

The Red Hawks boys curling team dominated on the way to its second straight COSSA title March 9.

The Haliburton Highlands Secondary School (HHSS) team of skip Jacob Dobson, vice Liam Little, second Corin Gervais and rookie Owen Nichols went 3-0 on the day, including a 7-1 victory in five ends in the final to earn a spot at provincial OFSAA competition.

“We were able to shoot quite well,” Dobson said of the final against East Northumberland, who conceded early. “Hammered them to just keep putting the pressure on throughout the entire game.”

OFSAA was scheduled for March 25-28 but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Hawks hockey comeback falls short

The Red Hawks boys hockey team had a comeback attempt come just short in the Kawartha semi-finals against the Cobourg Wolves, losing 4-3 in overtime March 3.

Coach Jason Morissette said the team fell behind early, down 3-0 in the first period despite good play. But goals from Lucas Haedicke, Braeden Robinson and a final, tying goal from Haedicke in the third allowed the team to storm back.

But the Hawks could not prevail during 3-on-3 overtime, with a near-breakaway pass for the Hawks getting turned over and ending up in the back of their net.

“I can say this is one of the top games of hockey I’ve seen any group of young players at the high school level here [play],” Morissette said. “A lot of teams at 3-0 against a team of that calibre, would have just said ‘I’m done.’”

Cobourg went on to win Kawarthas, defeating St. Mary’s 9-2 in the final.

Morissette said the team put everything out on the ice.

“I told the seniors that are graduating, I will always be proud of you and I will always shake your hand saying, ‘you finished it with a lot of Red Hawk pride.’”

Wrestlers compete at provincials

HHSS sent two wrestlers to provincials March 2-4 who competed well despite not reaching the podium, according to coach Paul Klose.

Nic Graham went 2-1 in the 89kg on the first day to advance to day two. But his tournament ended with a defeat in his next match. It was his fourth and final year of wrestling.

“He has shown continued development and represented Hal High proudly,” Klose said.

Eli Samson finished provincials with a 2-2 record in the 83kg.

“The experience will serve him well in the future,” Klose said. “Both Nic and Eli represented Hal High with class and pride.”

Teachers want offer on table, not in media

By

Lisa Gervais

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March 16, 2020

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JQ - Strike continues - 2-web — Teachers demonstrated outside Haliburton Highlands Secondary School for a one-day strike March 5. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

High school teachers were back on strike in Haliburton March 5 with unions unconvinced by the province’s announced concessions.

Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) members and supportive public protested outside Haliburton Highlands Secondary School (HHSS).

The planned one-day strike came after Minister of Education Stephen Lecce announced March 3 he is halting plans to further raise average class sizes and mandate online courses for graduation, two major sticking points in labour negotiations. Lecce added he wanted union concessions around wages and merit-based hiring.

But unions expressed concern about Lecce presenting the offer to media first, instead of at the bargaining table.

“Nothing is on paper. So, we actually have no idea what this announcement even means,” HHSS bargaining chair Jason Morissette said. “How much faith do you have in a sound byte?”

In a March 5 press release, Lecce called for unions to stop striking, citing his offer as well as commitments to full-day kindergarten and investment in special education.

“The time for a deal is now. I urge the unions to stop this disruptive escalation and return to the table to get a deal that is fair for parents, students, and educators,” Lecce said. The province is offering to keep average high school class sizes at 23, less than the planned 28, though more than the 22 average of 2018-19. The increase was limited to 22.5 this year, contributing to 24 teaching positions getting cut in Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB). The Grade 4 to 8 average was also pushed from 23 to 24 this year and though Lecce indicated no further increase was coming, the change is not up for a reversal.

The province had proposed secondary students take four online courses to graduate, later reduced to two after union and public backlash. Lecce said he is now offering a parental opt-out.

Morissette said OSSTF was not aware of concessions in advance and there are no written details.

“There might be some positive there that he is thinking about,” he said. “There are no guarantees.”

In a March 3 press release, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) said it remains concerned about reduced special education funding despite assurances from Lecce. ETFO announced March 9 it will resume strikes March 23 if a deal is not reached.

The OSSTF announced March 6 it would put a pause on rotating strikes until at least March 27. Instead, the union is escalating a withdrawal of administrative services starting March 9, which it said would have “minimal impact on the learning environment.”

Morissette said the minister’s announcement is confusing, but he advises the public to stay informed.

“It’s complex, but it’s also incredibly important because we are talking about the future of your public education system,” he said.

Shows aren’t going on in wake of COVID-19

By

Lisa Gervais

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March 16, 2020

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By Lisa Gervais

While ‘the show must go on’ has been a rallying cry for theatre companies for centuries, COVID-19 has thrown a curveball when it comes to the local arts and entertainment scene.

Highlands Little Theatre had been practicing for its upcoming show, Vintage Hitchcock Production, when the Trillium Lakelands District School Board announced it was closing schools for the two weeks after March break.

With Highlands Little Theatre planning to use the Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion for shows starting March 31, they were suddenly out of a venue. They were also worried that no one would come anyway due to fears of the coronavirus spreading.

Last week, they decided to postpone the show.

“Due to ongoing health concerns around the rapidly spreading COVID-19 pandemic and following the announcement March 12 by the provincial government that all schools in Ontario will be closed from March 13 – April 5, Highlands Little Theatre has decided to put our production of Vintage Hitchcock on pause,” they said.

The play was originally scheduled to run from March 31 through April 4 at the NLPAP.

“Our cast and crew have been working very hard on this production and we are terribly sad and disappointed to postpone; however, the health of our patrons, cast, crew and community is of utmost concern,” they said.

Anyone who’s purchased tickets can return to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Greg and Hannah Sadlier of Camexicanus said they’d had to postpone their cross-cultural trip to Mexico this week.

“We had to make the difficult but necessary decision to postpone our Camexicanus Trip to Mexico due to the current level of restrictions and advisories on COVID-19. The students on our team have worked so hard, and given so much of themselves for this opportunity, and we will make it happen, just not this week,” they said.

They thanked their supporters and said they’d be sorting out rescheduling. Meanwhile, proceeds will be saved until the trip.

A number of other arts, entertainment and cultural activities were cancelled this week, including March break at Abbey Gardens; The Dominion Hotel’s Jane Siberry concert scheduled for May 10; HHHS’ adult day and social recreation drop-in programs and diner’s club; and libraries. Highlands East has cancelled its sign making fundraiser on April 4 in Cardiff and line dancing starting on March 16 in Cardiff and Dysart et al cancelled public skating and shinny at A.J. LaRue Arena on March 15 and 16. See thehighlander.ca for an updated list of cancellations.