Businesses worry about economic impact of COVID-19

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March 16, 2020

By Lisa Gervais

With Quebec ordering movie theatres to close, Highlands Cinemas owner Keith Stata is worried about the future of his Kinmount-based business.

“Theatres will probably be mandated to close, it happened [Sunday] in Quebec,” Stata said.

He added that even if he is permitted to open “people are not going to go out. Then Hollywood is busy moving films into the fall or next year. If you do open, what will you run? Let’s say you have one customer who comes in and is diagnosed with Covid-19, then you are in for an expensive cleaning, staff will be quarantined for 14 days.”

He is also worried the crisis could extend into September and does not know how he will make ends meet.

“I have taxes, mortgage, and the Insurance is $17,000 a year. Not to mention 42 cats.”

Stata said he’s far from alone in his concerns since our area relies so heavily on seasonal tourists.

Already, he said business this past weekend plummeted as people are not going out.

“We are in a tourist economy. If this goes on as long as I think it will, how will resorts, motels, restaurants, hockey camps, summer camps, bars, and movie theatres do without customers, or shuttered during the short time they need to make money to get through the winter?

Stata says he hopes the government has deep pockets, and is prepared to bail out the Country “because this will touch every segment of the population, and every business. How can all these businesses pay their expenses without an income, and seasonal ones will get hit the hardest if they miss their season.”

The Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce, which has 270 members, has postponed its April, May and June events, including the annual business and community achievement awards.

“With recent announcements around school, camp and event cancellations, there was a recognition that this will have significant impact on our membership and our local productivity in the coming weeks,” executive director Jennifer Locke said March 13.

The Chamber remains open for business, but is encouraging people to email and call, versus in-person meetings.

She also encouraged the public not to panic, but follow the advice of health care professionals.

“The Chamber … wants to underscore the impact that wide-spread panic could have on our local economy and encourage members of the public to heed the advice of our public health authorities for the most appropriate precautions. The Chamber wishes to keep our community, volunteers and staff safe while supporting our local enterprises and businesses.”

So far, very few businesses have closed in the Highlands. However, many say they are taking precautions against the spread of the coronavirus. Many employees are also working from home.

Harmony Yoga Haliburton announced over the weekend that it is temporarily closing its doors.

Amanda Rico said on her businesses’ Facebook page, “as COVID-19 spreads and is now officially a pandemic, we are taking additional safety measures to protect our community, students, and teachers. The scale of impact is still unknown, and we want to do our part to protect our community … We believe this is the right and socially responsible thing to do in this difficult and unpredictable time.”

John Teljeur, of the Pinestone Resort and Conference Centre, said like most businesses, he expects accommodators will feel a hit. He added though he wants the resort to stay open and continue providing employment, management is prepared to close.

“If there was a documented case in this area, or God forbid, a documented case that involved a staff member or somebody visiting our place, at that point in time we’d have to be prepared to shut down,” he said.

“We’re trying to be ready for every scenario possible but there are so many variables at play, it’s really hard to say what’s going to happen next.”

(With files from Joseph Quigley)

AH plans for long-term septage needs

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Lisa Gervais

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March 14, 2020

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Algonquin Highlands will build dewatering trenches at the McClintock lagoon site to ensure long-term capacity for septage for the township.

Consultant Cambium Inc. made the recommendation during a report to council’s March 5 meeting.

The exfiltration lagoon is currently approved for 2,470 cubic metres of septage. However, existing capacity is not sufficient to meet the needs of township residents per provincial policy.

The report said “trenches have been found to be a suitable option for expanding capacity and were selected as the preferred alternative.” They’re basically long, narrow trenches excavated in permeable soils to dewater septage prior to final disposal. They reduce the septage volume by allowing liquid-solids separation by controlled exfiltration into the soil matrix, at approved environmentally acceptable inflow rates. The residue remaining in the trenches after dewatering is removed for disposal at a ministry-approved waste disposal site.

The township will have to acquire 14.55 ha of Crown land to build the dewatering trenches. It was noted that the chosen process made the environmental assessment process easier, less-costly and quicker for the township, while still protecting the environment.

“If the existing lagoon was expanded or another lagoon constructed, the project would be classified as a sewage works and a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) would be required,” the report said. “Trenches fall under Waste approval (not sewage works) and are exempt from MCEA requirements.” As such, the MCEA has been discontinued. An Environmental Study Report (ESR) is also not required.

Mayor Carol Moffatt, in an interview after the meeting, said it was important to note reports have already been submitted to the ministries for review and comment as part of the pre-consultation process. They include an archeological report and hydrogeological assessment. Natural heritage will be reviewed during the MNRF’s EA process.

She said discontinuing the MCEA “does not mean AH is terrible to the environment, or we’re trying to undertake any shenanigans or shady business. It’s all on the up and up. We will provide notification to First Nations and the public about discontinuing.” In addition, there have been no surface water impacts detected at monitoring wells to date nor surface water impacts. “The operation and exfiltration of the lagoon is well within compliance,” Moffatt said.

She said they can now submit all reports to the MNRF and begin the process of having the land surveyed for eventual purchase. She emphasized it won’t be a quick process. Moffatt said while the lagoon is not currently operating at capacity, they need to have plans in place on paper so as not to disrupt any future larger scale building projects.

“There is no urgency at the moment to push this through and have those trenches created next week. However, we know the community is growing and we will need capacity under the provincial policy statement,” she said.

“We’re engaging in some good, solid, long-term planning for sewage disposal in AH. So, there’s no rush to have those trenches soon but should the province end field spreading, we would need those trenches tomorrow.”

Haliburton School of Art and Design suspends classes over coronavirus

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Lisa Gervais

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March 14, 2020

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JQ - Fleming suspensed - 1-web — Haliburton School of Art and Design dean Angela Stukator addresses students about classes being suspended March 13.

By Joseph Quigley

Haliburton School of Art and Design students are concerned about their education after Fleming College announced it would shift to online learning for the semester due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The college announced the change March 13 as a measure for public safety. Classes at all Fleming campuses are suspended until March 17, after which they will switch to online and alternative learning for the remaining five weeks of the winter term. Campuses and schools will remain open but Fleming is encouraging students to study from home if possible.

What exactly that means for hands-on courses in Haliburton is not yet clear. Blacksmithing student Josiah Fletcher said his class was disappointed and frustrated by the announcement.

“It sucks. A lot,” he said, adding having time in the classroom is important. “I really just hope we’re able to get back in it, even if they just compress the school schedule. As long as we’re just able to keep working.”

Dean Angela Stukator addressed students after classes were suspended at noon March 13. She said staff are planning for how courses will continue March 18 and will communicate regularly.

“It’s really important that you get through the next five weeks and you get your diploma. So please don’t stop working,” Stukator told students. “You will be well taken care of by your teachers and the staff here.”

Several students expressed skepticism about how well online learning would work going forward.

“Online doesn’t do it for me at all. I just can’t do it. My brain doesn’t work that way,” integrated design student Liam McCloud said.

“Especially for hands-on courses, it makes no sense. It’s just wasting people’s time and money,” digital image design student Jacob Butler said. “You can’t do glass blowing online, you can’t do jewelry online. I’ts pointless.”

Stukator said staff are working to accommodate students while maintaining precautions. She listed possible measures including phone conversations, one-on-one meetings, or having smaller groups of students cycle through the workshop space at the school.

“All of these things are possibilities,” she said. “What’s so difficult right now is we don’t have answers to everybody’s questions.”

Fletcher said he is encouraged by the communication of Haliburton’s school staff.

“Some of the stuff, they don’t know, that’s kind of nice, too, because that means we’re all in this together,” he said.

Stukator noted Haliburton is a small and relatively isolated campus – “its own little world” – which could affect what happens going forward compared to larger schools.

“You will not be lost in the shuffle,” she said. “This place is small; we all know each other. You will not get lost, I promise you.”

AH shuts down community centres, programs and events

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Lisa Gervais

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March 14, 2020

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By Joseph Quigley

Algonquin Highlands announced it was shutting down its community centres and council committee meetings as of March 13 in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.

All programming and events at the community centres in Stanhope, Dorset and Oxtongue Lake are also cancelled until further notice. Mayor Carol Moffatt said the Algonquin Highlands Emergency Operations Centre met Friday to discuss the pandemic and appropriate response.

Moffatt said in a Facebook post the measures would “protect the broadest range of people within our community.”

“With only five councillors and just over 30 employees, Algonquin Highlands doesn’t have an over-abundance of staff to manage municipal functions should the virus come calling,” Moffatt said. “There is a tremendous influx of people into our community over March break.”

Moffatt specified that the closure included the Dorset Recreation Centre and the municipality will contact any person or group who uses or plans to use the facilities. Municipal committee meetings are also suspended, except for the committee of adjustment due to legislated timelines. Staff and firefighters will also take enhanced protocols for hygiene, personal space, and cleaning.

“The Township of Algonquin Highlands encourages the public to be attentive to hygiene, respiratory etiquette and to be vigilant around vulnerable citizens,” Moffatt said.

The decision is not immediately being matched by Algonquin’s neighbouring municipalities.

Highlands East Mayor Dave Burton said it is not taking similar measures to Algonquin Highlands yet.

“Highlands East is fully aware of the seriousness of the pandemic and is monitoring the situation closely. At this time, Highlands East will not be closing our centers or halting programming over the weekend,” Burton told The Highlander. “If things should change or concerns arise, we will be sure to pass along any updates as we receive them.”

Neither Dysart et al or Minden Hills had announced the closure of public facilities over the weekend, though Dysart did cancel public skating and shinny at A.J. LaRue Arena March 15 and 16. Dysart et al Mayor Andrea Roberts and Minden Hills Mayor Brent Devolin said their respective municipal emergency control groups would meet March 16 to discuss next steps.

County of Haliburton CAO Mike Rutter said the County Emergency Control Group, the group of officials that oversees emergency management operations, is meeting March 16 to discuss the Coronavirus. A public release is expected to follow.

Moffatt said Algonquin Highlands will provide an update every Friday until normal operations resume.

“We thank the public for their understanding of our obligation toward safety regarding public spaces and the general well-being of the community,” she said.

What you can do about COVID-19

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Lisa Gervais

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March 13, 2020

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The County of Haliburton issued a media release today advising people across the region about the handling of Covid-19.

They said health partners in Haliburton, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Peterborough are collaborating to protect patients, visitors, healthcare professionals, staff and volunteers.

“As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, hospitals, paramedics, primary care and public health units are working together to ensure safe practices in our communities,” they said.

They added the health partners and the County are working together proactively to encourage safe practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

If you have a fever and/or cough, and have travelled to one of the affected countries in the past 14 days, or have had close or confirmed contact with a probable case, you are asked to self-isolate at home, not go to an Emergency Department.

You should then contact your local public health unit or Telehealth Ontario for additional direction:

• HKPR District Health Unit – 1-866-888-4577 ext. 5020

• Peterborough Public Health – 705-743-1000 ext. 401

• Telehealth Ontario – 1-866-797-0000

Further, residents are asked to:

• Avoid going to hospital or other healthcare settings for non-essential reasons. This includes visitors as well as patients with elective (non-urgent) appointments or procedures. Some hospitals have started screening visitors for illness and travel history at all public entrances; others have plans to begin this practice soon. If you need to go to a healthcare environment for investigation of respiratory symptoms, wear a disposable face mask as prompted.

• Follow the recommended rules of social distancing to avoid close contact with others who may be sick. Avoid crowds, gatherings and events and maintain a two-metre distance between people in public environments. Today, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health recommended an immediate suspension of gatherings of more than 250 people. The Canadian government has also advised Canadians to avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada.

• Clean your hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol- based hand rub, and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Hands should be cleaned for at least 15-20 seconds. Cover coughs and sneezes with your elbow, and throw used tissues in the garbage.

• Clean frequently-touched areas in your home environment, including toilets, bedside tables, light switches, door handles and personal devices such as phones and tablets.

Flooding strategy a starting point

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Lisa Gervais

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March 13, 2020

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The province brought its dog and pony show to Minden this past Monday. Local, and other media, were informed sometime Friday night that their presence was requested since Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, John Yakabuski, was coming to town. He would be joined by Minister of Infrastructure Laurie Scott for ‘a flooding preparedness announcement.’

So, we all gathered – Kawartha 411 was there as was Global News – as a podium and speakers were set up in front of a very low Gull River near the pedestrian bridge to the Riverwalk. The government brought its own camera crew so it could broadcast the announcement. Mayor Brent Devolin was there along with most of his council. MPP Jamie Schmale was present.

At least one councilor from another municipality, Algonquin Highlands Mayor Carol Moffatt, who also sits on County council, publicly commented that it would have been a courtesy to extend the invite to other municipal officials, who apparently knew nothing of the announcement.

Yakabuski took up his place and unveiled Ontario’s Flooding Strategy, obviously skimming the highlights since the documents handed to media were in the 44-page range. It would have been nice to have received them beforehand, not when arriving at the event, since it was hard to ask direct questions about the plan when we’d only just received it. I

t was interesting that Yakabuski talked a lot about partnerships … the need for federal, provincial and municipal governments to work together, along with conservation authorities, Indigenous communities and industry. As the press conference unfolded, he seemed to slip back into old silos, though.

For example, Yakabuski did not provide answers to any of The Highlander’s questions. We asked him to comment on the fact local municipal politicians aren’t happy with the creation of a new Muskoka Watershed Advisory Group (MWAG), and the province providing it with $5 million in 2018 to work on watershed management in that area.

They have expressed further concern after learning MWAG input would help guide watershed management across the province. Moffatt has publicly said Haliburton County and its partners have already worked extensively on improving area watershed management over the past 10 years. “It seems odd that we – and our many partners, have no knowledge of the ministry’s work on a broader, comprehensive approach,” Moffatt wrote in a letter to Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks Jeff Yurek. “We’d be most pleased to offer our knowledge.” Moffatt’s letter also took issue with the MWAG not consulting beyond the Muskoka watershed and made mention of the $960,000 Haliburton is seeking for its own watershed work. Yakabuski deflected The Highlander’s question, though, saying we should reach out to Yurek’s ministry.

We then asked about the broader issue of climate change as it relates to flooding, specifically asking about how the new penalties for polluters initiative is going – since seemingly that would put money into flooding strategy coffers. Again, Yakabuski deflected, saying we had to talk to Yurek’s people.

When another member of the local media pointed out there appeared to be no new funding in the flooding strategy, Yakabuski cut him off, asking to be allowed to finish his own statement.

I eventually got around to reading the 44 pages. As an overarching policy statement, it’s a good start. There are a lot of references to “evaluating” and “exploring.” There is a lot of emphasis on the province’s partners doing certain things. There is some sound theory, such as the need for better flood mapping.

Where it will get tricky is where the rubber hits the road. For instance, the province wants municipalities to steer developers from floodplains. Makes perfect sense for new development. But what of existing development? Is Minden Hills supposed to expropriate land that has flooded in the past, for example, along Anson Street. How would that look and who would pay for it?

Clearly, the province still has a lot of work to do on this portfolio but at least they’ve got a roadmap going forward.

Big changes proposed for destination plan

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Lisa Gervais

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March 13, 2020

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JQ - Destination development - 2-web — Ontario Highlands Tourism Organization executive director Nicole Whiting addresses a town hall for a Destination Development Plan March 3. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

Community stakeholders discussed significant changes Feb. 29-March 5 to make Haliburton a more attractive place with a Destination Development Plan.

The County is working with consultant MMGY NextFactor to build the $60,000 plan, which will recommend improvements the area needs to enhance both tourism and the broader community over the next five years. The tourism sector, lake associations, councillors and more attended different focus groups and one-on-one consultations.

Director of Tourism Amanda Virtanen said the consultation went well, with more than 100 people participating. She said the plan can make big change happen but not immediately.

“It’s not going to be overnight,” Virtanen said. “All of these things will take time.”

Audience members offered several ideas during a public town hall March 3, such as addressing short-term rental regulations, an agency for all-inclusive travel packages and diversifying experiences for all seasons.

Another major point of discussion was a municipal accommodation tax, also known as a bed tax. The tax is levied against people using accommodations and directed in part towards a non-municipal entity, generally to promote tourism.

Virtanen said Haliburton is one of the few jurisdictions that don’t have it, with councils reluctant to discuss the idea.

“They got so much pushback from accommodation owners that they decided to not even have the conversation in most cases,” she said, adding such a tax would need to apply to both traditional accommodations and short-term rentals. “It would help to regulate some of the Airbnb, cottage rentals. It would put the money back in infrastructure.”

Another discussion was the state of accommodations. Virtanen said she had turned down calls from three companies in six months looking to travel to Haliburton with 1,000 people for conferences, because the County did not have the facilities, including a multi-use conference centre.

“We’re losing a lot of our lodges,” Yours Outdoors consultant Barrie Martin said. “There needs to be analysis of the whole accommodations industry to see where we’re going.”

Virtanen said the County only has about 330 rooms at traditional accommodations, excluding short-term rentals.

“That’s not a lot of space for people to stay,” she said. “It’s about how [we] can actually build that infrastructure and help small business with investment.”

Sir Sam’s Ski/Ride assistant general manager Randy Pielsticker attended the town hall. He said he liked the consultation and believes the plan can make some of the ideas happen.

“If anything can bring these ideas to fruition, it will be this plan,” Pielsticker said.

Virtanen said the plan will need to be pushed by the whole community. Another open session is being planned for more feedback before a draft plan goes to County council in June or early July.

“It’s owned by all the municipalities, it’s owned by the chamber, it’s owned by the BIA, it’s owned by stakeholders,” she said. “Who can take different pieces of the plan and move it forward as a community.”

Health unit reassures public on COVID-19

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Lisa Gervais

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March 12, 2020

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JQ - COVID-19 update - 1-web — This transmission electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2—also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in the lab. Credit: NIAID-RML via Flickr creative commons.

The health unit says there is no need to panic in the wake of COVID-19 being declared a worldwide pandemic.

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (HKPR) District Health Unit said in a March 11 press release that there are still no local cases of the infectious respiratory illness and it is preparing in the event there are. The World Health Organization declared COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, a pandemic March 11, a classification based on the spread of the disease rather than its severity.

“While we may eventually see cases in our area, we have been working with our hospitals and health care partners to ensure we have supports in place to protect our residents and contain the spread of the illness when it arrives,” medical officer of health Lynn Noseworthy said.

Those supports include providing nurses with testing information and following up with anyone tested for COVID-19.

“The majority of people who test positive for COVID-19 are experiencing mild symptoms and are recovering fully,” added Noseworthy. “We know that many people are experiencing heightened anxiety about COVID-19 and I want to reassure them. This declaration should not increase those fears.”

Other organizations are also preparing for the spread of illness.

The province has announced all publicly-funded schools will close for an additional two weeks after March break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We recognize the significant impact this decision will have on families, students, schools, as well as the broader community, but this precaution is necessary to keep people safe,” Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Health Christine Elliott and Minister of Education Stephen Lecce said in a joint statement.

Schools will now be closed from March 14 to April 5.

The County of Haliburton is planning to convene the County Emergency Control Group – the group of officials that provides direction for emergency management operations – next week to prepare for COVID-19.

Chief and director of paramedic services Tim Waite discussed the illness during the March 11 committee of the whole meeting. He said the department has stocked up on masks.

“It’s important we are ramping up,” Waite said. “Just so we are prepared, and the community knows we are prepared in case.”

He also identified March break as a concern for the disease spreading.

“Everybody’s going to be travelling. Where are they travelling to?” Waite said.

Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) said March 12 it is cancelling all out-of-district school trips in response to COVID-19. It also provided advice for anyone travelling during the break, including monitoring health for 14 days upon return and contacting their local health unit immediately if flu-like symptoms develop.

TLDSB also said it is increasing surface cleaning in schools and providing more disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer.

“Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) continues to monitor the increasing number of cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Ontario and around the world,” the board said.

The province also announced March 12 it will establish additional assessment centres in the coming weeks, will launch an online self-assessment tool in the coming days and is launching a public education campaign.

The health unit also offered other tips, such as washing hands frequently for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching the face and staying home if you or a family member are ill.

The health unit also said it is working with partners to develop strategies on screening additional people to reduce the strain on emergency departments.

More information is available by contacting the Health Unit at 1-866-888-4577, ext. 5020, or visiting www.hkpr.on.ca. After hours, people can call Telehealth Ontario for medical advice toll-free at 1-866-797-0000.

Ontario announces flood plan in Minden

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Lisa Gervais

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March 10, 2020

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LG-flood plan horizontal_Easy-Resize.com — MNRF Minister John Yakabuski in Minden.

By Lisa Gervais

With a low Gull River in the background, Ontario unveiled its flooding strategy in Minden March 9.

Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry John Yakabuski was joined by Infrastructure Minister and MPP Laurie Scott and Minden Mayor Brent Devolin at a podium set up at the entrance to the town’s Riverwalk.

Federal MP Jamie Schmale was in the audience as were councillors and staff of Minden Hills council.

Yakabuski said Ontario’s Flooding Strategy was developed after extensive public consultation and the advice of Doug McNeil, the province’s special advisor on flooding.

“We know that we can’t prevent flooding in Ontario – we can only reduce the impacts when it happens,” Yakabuski said. “This strategy is designed to help us to do just that, by introducing a series of new and enhanced actions that will reduce flood risks and make our province better prepared for flooding events, better equipped to respond to them and more capable of recovery from them quickly.”

He emphasized it had to be a multi-jurisdictional approach, working with the federal and municipal governments, homeowners, conservation authorities, industry and Indigenous communities.

He unveiled five strategies.

The first is understanding flood risks through updated floodplain mapping and increasing access to flood-related information.

The second is strengthening governance of flood risks through provincial policy to ensure local development is directed away from areas where flooding and erosion present unacceptable risks.

The third is enhancing flood preparedness through the use of state-of-the-art science and technology.

The fourth is enhancing flood response and recovery by improving how the province and its partners receive and respond to municipal requests for assistance.

The fifth is investing in flood risk reduction by working with the federal government to increase investment in critical areas such as mapping and infrastructure.

Devolin said, while “the backdrop may be a bit surprising with low water levels,” water issues are a big deal on the Trent Severn Waterway in the County of Haliburton. “Dealing with them, and the changing environment that we have, requires partnerships.” He said they’d seen an evolution in those partnerships, particularly with the federal government’s multi-million-dollar investment in dam infrastructure across the county.

“I’m hoping that this is the beginning of a new day and a new partnership, with our municipal partners with the MNRF, so that mitigation measures, and with the ever-changing water levels and the environment that we have, that we can protect and look after the interests of all of our taxpayers,” he said.

Yakabuski applauded Minden Hills for completing a drainage study to provide more accurate information on four flood-prone areas as well as installing a jet valve to lessen the likelihood of flooding for approximately 50 homes.

Scott said that while the Gull River was currently low, Minden, other Haliburton County municipalities and those in the North Kawartha’s had “gone through some very rough flooding times in the past. We recognized that we needed to look at new approaches to flooding. We’re here today because we have shown a wonderful community collaborative approach with all agencies, and of course, the immense strength of people not only in Minden but the County of Haliburton when flooding times happen.”

Yakabuski highlighted one feature, an updated Ontario website to better communicate with homeowners to help them be better prepared, and know who to contact during and after a flood. It is ontario.ca/floods

Health unit tells county it can’t budge on bigger bill

By

Lisa Gervais

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March 9, 2020

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JQ - County briefs - 1-web — County councillors expressed frustration with the health unit asking for more municipal funding due to provincial funding changes.

County of Haliburton councillors are upset with the province about getting pushed to pay 10 per cent more into the local health unit.

Council discussed the dispute Feb. 26. The Haliburton, Kawartha Lakes, Pine Ridge (HKPR) District Health Unit has asked municipalities to increase funding by 10 per cent over last year, due to formula changes imposed by the province. For the County, that’s an extra $42,137 compared to 2019, yet to be released by council.

County council requested more information about any discretionary spending from the unit. Rutter reported the health unit said everything it is spending is mandated.

“Taxation by stealth,” Coun. Carol Moffatt said. “The provincial government makes changes to a body that has the mandate to just ask for a certain amount of money and there’s no discussion.”

The province is shifting the provincialmunicipal split for health units from 75-25 to 70-30. Certain programs once funded 100 per cent by the province now require municipal contribution.

The City of Kawartha Lakes is also reluctant to release funding, with its council voting not to provide the extra $185,912 it’s been billed for.

Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care spokesperson David Jensen said costsharing was kept the same last year to “provide municipalities with additional time to find efficiencies.”

A 10 per cent cap was instituted for this year’s increases to ease transition, he said. The province is consulting with partners about health unit changes, including consolidation. Board of health chair Doug Elmslie, a City of Kawartha Lakes councillor, said the board made its concerns about changes known at a consultation session in Peterborough Dec. 19.

“We’re pitting our partner municipalities against the health unit that is trying to work for their benefit,” Elmslie said. “It makes it very uncomfortable for the councillors and the elected officials who sit on the board.”

He added he is hopeful the consultation report would lead to a solution. But the health unit needs the extra municipal funding to be released.

“We are still mandated by the province to provide the services for the programs that we have,” he said. “But at some point during this year the money is going to run out.”

When asked whether the province is open to reversing its funding decisions based on feedback, Jensen said “our government is committed to working with our partners to modernize public health services. We are making changes to ensure that public health units are sustainably funded and better positioned to support the needs of people.”

He added municipalities are obligated under the Health Protection and Promotion Act to pay unit expenses.

Deputy warden Andrea Roberts, also a board member, said the unit has worked to cut costs as much as possible.

“I’ve seen them make changes in staffing, I’ve seen them make changes in operational, organizational things that have been very effective,” Roberts said.

Coun. Brent Devolin said municipalities do not get enough say about the funding.

“They spend our money without any checks and balances,” Devolin said. “Don’t go through the charade of having us involved.”