Arena sneak peek

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December 2, 2019

Patrick Brousseau, a design-build estimator for McDonald Brothers Construction Inc., tours the public through the in-progress S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena in Minden on Tuesday, Nov. 26.

The township offered a sneak peek at the $12.5 million project.

People are pictured on the walking track.

Resident Linda Brandon said she uses the Riverwalk and is looking forward to using the walking track. She was also impressed with the site of the future gym and basketball court.

“It’s all about keeping people active. It’s what we need in terms of the overall health of our community,” she said.

An enthusiastic Brousseau, while walking past the NHL-sized arena space added, “I believe in this project. People are going to fall in love with this thing.”

Gooderham firefighters turn to GoFundMe for side-by-side

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Lisa Gervais

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November 29, 2019

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Gooderham firefighters are fundraising to get a vehicular upgrade for their rescue missions in the bush.

The firefighters launched a $25,000 GoFundMe campaign Nov. 18 for a new rescue side-by-side. The hall hopes to use the vehicle to improve their capabilities over their current ATV.

The station’s fire chief Brian Horner said they got a lot of use out of the ATV this past summer, as much of their area can only be accessed by off-road vehicles. But he said firefighters found the vehicle limited as it could only carry two people.

“You need to get more firefighters into the bush to do rescue and a paramedic and get somebody out as well,” Horner said. “The sleigh we pull behind our four-wheelers works, but it’s not the greatest. It gets caught on stuff all the time.”

He added a side-by-side would be significantly better to handle the rough terrain and allow for more occupants.

Horner said the hall has fundraised for equipment dating back to 2009 when they worked toward a new Jaws of Life. Typically they only do events such as barbecues to raise money but Horner said they wanted to expand their reach through GoFundMe.

“It seems to use social media better,” Horner said. “Cottagers might find out about it now.”

Their ATV was stolen around Oct. 27 but firefighters recovered it Nov. 3. Horner said the ignition needed replacement but the vehicle was in good condition. He added fire vehicles typically have a 10 or 20-year life cycle. The township is not paying for a replacement since it is not due until 2026.

“I understand why. There are other, more important, pressing vehicles that need to be replaced,” Horner said. “They can replace something better for us when it comes to our turn again.”

Highlands East acting fire chief Christ Baughman said the ATV is from 2006. In the years since, the municipality has replaced ATVs with side-by-sides in other halls when they are due.

“It’s great that they’re taking it upon themselves to improve the equipment,” Baughman said. “We completely encourage it and gladly accept it.”

The campaign has raised $1,755 as of Nov. 29. Horner said he is glad about the response, though he would have liked to have seen the campaign go more viral.

“Sometimes, these GoFundMe pages, they move a little quicker but I guess we just have to get the word out more,” he said.

The GoFundMe is accessible at gofundme.com/f/Gooderham-st-3firefighters-new-rescue-vehicle.

Unions win where others don’t

By

Lisa Gervais

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November 29, 2019

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The province is fighting its education-sector unions and people are feeling the ripples.

The circular headlines have become repetitive; negotiations stalling, cutbacks at issue, union taking a strike vote, union taking work-to-rule job action. We have seen it with the Canadian Union of Public Employees, the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO), the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF) and the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association. We have yet to see actual strikes or school closures but they seem to be close.

To some, these negotiations and headlines are bothersome. The unions threatening to strike may seem selfish. The instability is a headache in the already hectic lives of parents.

But it cannot be denied these unions’ efforts have succeeded at pushing back government cuts. They are the group best equipped to do that.

Consider some of the major changes the province is implementing to save costs. It initially planned to cut funding to push the average high school class size from 22 to 28 students over the next four years, with smaller increases at the elementary school level.

That sent shock waves through the sector, which were felt locally. Across Trillium Lakelands District School Board, there were 50 support staff layoffs, 24 retiring teachers that went unreplaced and 100 fewer programs on offer.

Plenty of protests have occurred against these cuts in the months since, from the streets to the board rooms to newspaper columns. Justified concern was raised about the harms of ballooning class sizes, with students getting less time with their teachers. But the province did not budge – not until they were facing down a lot of angry unions.

The province relented Oct. 24 amidst tense OSSTF negotiations, announcing it would instead provide funding to make the class size average 25. Not a complete victory – the OSSTF is still fighting on this point – but significantly better. Where concerned students, parents, pundits and administrators failed, unions succeeded.

The unions scored another point on the province’s plans to mandate high school students get four online course credits to graduate. Pitched as a step into the future, the idea falls flat in rural areas like Haliburton, where good internet connectivity is not universal. Online courses should be explored and expanded, but the mandating seemed an idea much more concerned with provincial pocketbooks than student betterment.

But the unions got concessions here too. The province reduced its planned mandate from four courses to two. The OSSTF seems intent to make that number zero but it is a significant gain that could have a very tangible impact on our students.

Unions are often unfairly maligned as greedy and their concerns get boiled down to money. But they are often fighting for more than just compensation. The ETFO, for instance, is trying to get issues such as a rising amount of school violence addressed.

If you find yourself grumbling about a union, it is worthwhile to dig into what is being fought over and think critically about where you stand on these issues. These negotiations are always complicated and deserve more thought.

It is vital the governments of all stripes – and businesses, for that matter – get held to account. Unions are an important check and balance to them.

Red Hawks fall to late-game stinger

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Lisa Gervais

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November 28, 2019

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The Red Hawks boys hockey team suffered a stunning defeat as opposing I.E. Weldon scored with just 40 seconds left to take the win in Haliburton 4-3 Nov. 25.

The Haliburton Highlands Secondary School team battled back repeatedly throughout the game, erasing 2-1 and 3-2 deficits. But the Wild Cats dashed their hopes when Jackson Allen scored off the rush to steal the game.

“You have to always expect the unexpected. You have to work right till the end,” Haliburton head coach Jason Morissette said. “You can learn from it.”

The Hawks started the game well with an unassisted goal from Dylan Keefer in the first period. But I.E. Weldon answered with two goals in the second to go up 2-1.

With just two minutes left in the frame, the Hawks would lose a key defenceman. I.E. Weldon’s Cam Marshall hit Keefer into the boards from behind. Marshall was ejected, along with receiving a five-minute major. Keefer was able to move but was taken out of the game for precautionary reasons, in case of concussion.

“It’s a very dirty hockey play,” Morissette said. “It’s always upsetting because yes, you want that player in the game but you also want them to be healthy.”

Morissette added he told the team not to retaliate and they listened.

Instead, Brendan Coumbs made the Wild Cats pay on the ensuing power play, scoring with just three seconds left to tie the game 2-2 going into the third.

I.E. Weldon surged ahead with a goal in front of the net midway through the third period. But Haliburton answered, getting several good chances until Paul Turner scored off the rebound to tie the game with just 3:19 remaining.

“I just saw the rebound, goalie out of place, so I put it in,” Turner said. “All in all, we played well. Everyone did their job pretty well and we just barely lost.”

Morissette said the team will learn and work to improve defensively. But he expects more close games from here on.

“You’re working hard, you’re kind of staying in there. You’re trying to give it your best and I still think the boys did really, really well.”

The Red Hawks followed it up with a 5-1 loss to St. Mary’s in Cobourg Nov. 28.

“We had the score at 3-1 at the start of the third period but just could not keep up the pace,” Morissette said. “Good effort from all especially Carson Sission in net and our defencemen. I feel the team learned a lot about saying with a system and playing against a very experienced and talented team.”

Teachers begin work-to-rule, call one-day strike

By

Lisa Gervais

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November 28, 2019

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Local teachers showed solidarity with colleagues across the province as they began work-to-rule action in their schools Nov. 26 with a one-day strike looming Dec. 4.

Both Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) and Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF) members demonstrated in front of County of Haliburton schools before class. Their unions are at standstills in negotiations for new collective agreements with the province and have decided to stop certain administrative tasks.

Local OSSTF District 15 president Colin Matthew said the province is using their power to limit salary and impose increased class sizes. The OSSTF has said it is seeking an inflation-based compensation increase.

“We’re disappointed to be at this point,” he said. “These cuts are negatively affecting our students through bigger classes, less individual attention, fewer course options and more combined classes.”

The OSSTF also announced it would commence a one-day strike on Dec. 4 if a deal is not reached, citing poor negotiations in the days following the work-to-rule.

This week we began a job action carefully devised to have no impact on students,” OSSTF president Harvey Bischof said in a statement. “It is clear from these last two days of bargaining, however, that our action is having no impact on the tone or substance of negotiations.”

The province has moved to reduce its education funding, raising class size averages. Initially, the province planned to go from an average of 22 to 28 students per class in high schools, but that figure decreased to 25 students amidst negotiations. Still, the cut resulted in Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) laying off support staff, not rehiring for 22 high school teaching positions and offering about 100 fewer courses.

TLDSB ETFO teacher president Karen Bratina said their work-to-rule will not impact students.

“Our current strike action is directed at the government and school boards and will not in any way affect students, their learning or their safety,” Bratina said. “There are real issues that need to be addressed.”

She added their union is trying to address things such as violence and more support for special needs and high-risk students.

Both unions work-to-rule includes ending participation in EQAO testing, limiting or removing comments on report cards, not participating in board or ministry professional activities and not attending staff meetings, among other tasks.

Education minister Stephen Lecce said in a statement the actions are regrettable. He said the government “has remained a consistent and reasonable force at the negotiating table.”

“There is a path to a deal, and it requires all parties to be reasonable and fair and put the needs of our children first,” Lecce said

In response to OSSTF’s strike declaration, Lecce said the government has made “reasonable offers,” citing the reductions to class size increases and mandatory online courses.

“Strikes hurt kids. Our government has been clear, we want deals that keep students in class,” Lecce said. “For teacher unions to leave the table, to turn their back on our children, and to escalate to the point of compromising their education, is deeply troubling for parents and our government.”

In a press release, TLDSB confirmed its secondary schools and adult and alternate education centres will close Dec. 4 if the strike goes ahead.

“We hope that a provincial agreement with both ETFO and OSSTF can be reached very soon,” TLDSB said.

New feed store helps fill void

By

Lisa Gervais

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November 27, 2019

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With a farm full of animals, Phillip Primavera said he needs a lot of feed.

He was a regular customer of the Great Haliburton Feed Co., a convenient local supplier. When the store announced it was closing, Primavera said he tried to buy it, but a deal could not be worked out.

Instead, Primavera opted to start a new business, Haliburton Feed and Seed, which opened Nov. 1. Besides providing farm supplies and feed, it will help re-home animals of all kinds, much like the Feed Co. used to do.

“We’re not doing this to get rich,” Primavera said. “We’re doing this to help the community out and the animals.”

Primavera is no stranger to animals. His wife Minna owns The Wild Life, a petting zoo and equestrian centre. Through their farm and new store on Mallard Road, they plan to help rehome all kinds of animals.

“We saw this opportunity, thought this is a good idea,” Primavera said. “The town needs it.”

The new operation brings some relief for Don Kerr of Minden Cat Angels and Jenny Northey of Paulmac’s Pets. The Minden-based operations have received more calls from Haliburton to take on cats since the Great Haliburton Feed. Co closed.

Kerr said that closure left a gap in the county, which the new store could help address.

“We need all the help we can get,” Kerr said. “This is great news for us.”

Northey said although it was a light summer, there was an explosion of approximately 30 kittens in the fall, about two to three times more than usual.

People failing to spay and neuter their pets remains a persistent problem, Northey said. To that end, she tried to help bring a mobile clinic into the area this year, but funding dried up. She added she hopes to bring one next year and plans to appeal to the government for funding.

“Some people here don’t drive and if you can’t drive your animal to the vet, how are you ever going to get it spayed or neutered?” she said, adding costs are also a barrier.

Kerr said it is a lot of hard work for their groups to take care of all the abandoned cats. He said people need to understand a pet is a commitment – one that requires stopping their reproduction.

“They have to realize it’s a lifetime obligation,” Kerr said. “If they can’t afford to get them spayed or neutered, then don’t take them in.”

“In my opinion, it’s getting better, but there’s still a lot to get done,” Primavera said. “You’re never going to change the way people do things, but I think it can definitely be helped.”

Environmental concerns stall trail development in Highlands East

By

Lisa Gervais

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November 27, 2019

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Highlands East property owners are taking issue with a proposed all-use trail development, which they say sprang up without forewarning or environmental consideration.

Kevin Jackson and Dan Patfield spoke to Highlands East Council in separate delegations Nov. 12. They each own property along the proposed Dillman Hill Trail between Legacy Road and South Wilberforce Road, which would include ATV and snowmobile traffic.

However, the two argued there was not enough public consultation, as the municipality had not alerted multiple area landowners. They also expressed concern about the environmental impact ATVs could inflict in the area. Jackson said residents have spotted Blanding’s turtles along the route, a protected species under Ontario legislation.

“The environment is not getting the proper attention,” Jackson said.

Trails and outdoor tourism advisory committee chair and Coun. Cam McKenzie said the development is now on hold to address the issues raised. That includes the possible species at risk matter, which McKenzie said would require the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks to assess the area after the winter.

“We sure as heck don’t want to get involved with some kind of breach with a fairly important piece of provincial legislation,” McKenzie said.

The route also extends into an environmentally protected area in the municipality’s official plans. It is not completely clear if more motorized traffic would be allowed in that zone, McKenzie said. Jackson also proposed the municipality develop a trails master plan to better guide the process for development.

“We need something,” McKenzie said. “I personally kind of like the idea but I’m only one member of council.”

McKenzie said the development predates him joining the committee in 2019. But he said an approximately two-kilometre stretch was likely considered because it is on publicly-owned land. But he said no group or individuals have specifically pushed for it since he came onto the committee.

Halliburton ATV Association director and committee member Barry Lord said the organization is not eyeing the trail.

“We have tons of trails and we have added new trails in the past, but we have not been looking in Wilberforce to add a new trail,” Lord said.

The next committee meeting is scheduled for February to start addressing the concerns raised, McKenzie said.

“There’s something wrong with the process,” Jackson said.

County plans bigger digital footprint

By

Lisa Gervais

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November 27, 2019

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The County of Haliburton plans to help create a “tourism ecosystem” with a focus on improving the sector’s digital footprint.

Staff unveiled the 2020 marketing plan to the county’s tourism committee Nov. 13. The plan highlights initiatives such as a destination development plan, workshops and the Hike Haliburton winter edition.

County director of tourism Amanda Virtanen said the plan is to build on stakeholder feedback gathered from surveys, workshops and meetings with the local stakeholders group.

“All of this has fed into where we’re at today,” Virtanen said. “It’s very important to say no feedback went ignored.”

Virtanen’s report highlighted the results from the county’s Destination Next project and digital audit. The report said the county has strong outdoor recreation, arts and entertainment and events space.

But a digital audit found the tourism sector lagging behind online, with 37 per cent of destination websites not mobile-friendly, a lack of video storytelling, and gaps in key information from operators.

Areas identified for improvement also included transportation and avoiding negativity.

“Internal conflict, infighting, judging other operators, nobody cares,” Virtanen said. “They (tourists) just want to come here and have a cool experience.”

The plan also identifies accommodators as needing more focus. To that end, the department is planning to spend 10 per cent of the marketing budget on a strategy to promote the highlands with a focused page on TripAdvisor. The County will also workshop how to best use TripAdvisor and other social channels.

Committee member and Sandy Lane Resort owner Rob Berthlot voiced opposition to TripAdvisor.

“One of the factors why I don’t use a lot of these other third-party vendors … they all take a piece of whatever I make. 10 per cent, five per cent, all money out of my pocket,” Berthlot said.

Virtanen clarified accommodators would not have to make their own paid arrangements with TripAdvisor if they do not wish. The destination page is a new product.

She added although the tourism department has pushed stuff out online, that needs a more unified approach.

“2020 is about, not stopping doing that, but also letting stakeholders be able to do more of that,” Virtanen said. “If we’re not all creating content, we’re not creating a good digital footprint.”

The committee voted to receive the plan as information.

New program to help seniors smile

By

Lisa Gervais

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November 26, 2019

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Approximately 4,000 seniors in the region are eligible for a new program providing free dental services but may have to travel to get them.

The province launched the new Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP) Nov. 20, which will provide free routine dental care for low-income seniors. The $90 million-per-year program will be accessible through the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR) at approved public health clinics in Port Hope, Whitby or Peterborough.

HKPR director of health promotion Pam Stuckless said it is a positive development.

“It’s a step in the right direction,” she said. “Good dental health is connected to overall good health, so it’s helping it to increase the quality of life and access to health services for seniors.

“Like any new program, there’s going to be lessons learned and probably some changes as we go along,” she added.

One of the changes she expects is creating a local access point for Haliburton. The program garnered some condemnation from the Ontario Dental Association and the Haliburton County Volunteer Dental Outreach (VDO) when the province announced it in April, due to the requirement to get the program from public health clinics. That requires seniors in many areas to travel and use unfamiliar dentists.

But the VDO and the health unit are planning to solve that by making the program accessible at the VDO. Stuckless said they have the green light to forge partnerships to expand the program’s reach.

“The volunteer dental clinic already services the population this program is looking to target,” Stuckless said. “Exceptional access point to be able to deliver services to clients.”

VDO director Lisa Kerr said their office would be a much more convenient location for locals. But she expects there would be an influx of new patients when a workable arrangement is approved.

“Our organization looks forward to helping more senior patients,” Kerr said.

To access the program, applicants must be 65 years or older, not have existing dental benefits and have an annual income of less than $19,300. For couples, the combined income must be less than $32,300. The services available include preventative care and treatment such as fillings and extractions. People can apply through Ontario.ca/SeniorsDental or at health unit offices.

Stuckless said she hopes people can start accessing the program at the VDO by the end of the year or early 2020.

HE plans short-term rental rules

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Lisa Gervais

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November 25, 2019

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Highlands East council is forging ahead with plans to create a short-term rental bylaw.

Council voted unanimously at a special meeting Nov. 19 to direct staff to draft the bylaw. The motion comes after the municipality completed a survey of residents, with 62 per cent indicating they would like to see regulations.

“The people have spoken here,” Coun. Suzanne Partridge said.

Councillors discussed what should be part of the new law. Although there were no specifics, councillors agreed to include licencing. They also want to adjust the zoning bylaw to make rentals a permitted use. Council identified recurring issues from survey comments, such as noise, fireworks, environment and parking.

“If we don’t have a licencing system, we can’t deal with the overloading of septic (systems), the parking,” Partridge said. “Those issues that aren’t covered by another bylaw.”

However, councillors also said issues that are not specific to rentals, such as noise, should be addressed through other bylaws.

“A lot of the (comments) dealt with violations that are already covered by bylaws existing right now or provincial legislation,” Coun. Cam McKenzie said.

CAO Shannon Hunter said the municipality needs to educate. In the survey, 57 per cent of respondents said they did not contact anyone when they saw unwanted behaviours from neighbouring rentals.

“I’m hoping we can do an education piece that says these are your options if you have concerns,” Hunter said.

However, McKenzie said some people are skeptical about whether anything will happen if OPP or bylaw enforcement are called.

“People didn’t show a lot of confidence,” McKenzie said. “People are frustrated that nobody’s enforcing what we already have.”

The discussion also touched on ideas such as regulating rentals based on the season or granting exemptions if a property is rented for less than three weeks, which were subjects of survey questions. But there was no consensus, with concerns about enforcement difficulty raised.

“We can’t regulate if it’s under three weeks,” Partridge said. “Either we regulate short-term accommodations or we don’t.”

Deputy mayor Cec Ryall said creating regulations would need to come in parts. He cautioned against tackling aspects like fee structures at the same time as legally recognizing rentals.

“If there’s a road to success, it has to be incremental,” Ryall said. “It cannot be the whole elephant.”

Hunter said details such as fees would come later in the process.

“Everyone realizes this is going to be a slow process,” Hunter said. “There’s going to be quite a few strikes on the page.”