Marilynne Lesperance has seen the waters flood Minden’s streets before.

With the municipality in a state of emergency, the recent retiree leapt back into the fray to co-ordinate the Minden Food Bank’s flood relief efforts, as she did back in 2017. She is tasked with helping to feed volunteers, who have been bagging and delivering sand.

“I have the experience and I knew what had to be done. It’s just not in my DNA to stop when somebody’s in need,” Lesperance said. “I have an incredible team of volunteers that work with me,.”

The water levels continue to rise in the community continually tested by floods. It was expected earlier this week the levels could approach the 2017 flood. But with heavy rains now moving through the area, Mayor Brent Devolin said it could get as bad as the 2013 flood, which is the assumption the town is operating under.

“It pushes us into the realm that people will choose to get out of their homes,” Devolin said. “As we go up toward 2013, then the loss and the number (of homes) that are damaged exponentially increases with every five centimetres of water rise.”

Devolin said there would be a clearer idea of the trajectory of this flood event after the rains pass.

In the meantime, volunteers are working hard to get sandbags throughout Minden. Devolin said the community produced 10,000 bags April 25.

“We live in a pretty caring community,” Devolin said. “It’s just amazing the people that come out and support. We have people that can’t come and help out physically that are buying sandbags on Amazon and having them delivered to our municipality property. It’s unbelievable.”

Gary Johnson volunteered, helping to bag sand as part of the Algonquin Highlands Fire Department.

“It’s great to have people like this in your community,” Johnson said of the volunteer efforts. “It’s good that they’re organized in what they’re doing … it’s unfortunate that we’re having to do this (but) people, they know we have to do something.”

In the midst of the third major flooding event in six years, Devolin said they have hit the community hard, both financially and mentally.

“It takes a toll emotionally on people, mental health. ‘Not again,’ I can see it in them,” Devolin said. “I’m talking as an individual, not as a mayor. I’ve seen my friends and neighbours on my street and do I think it has some of the elements of PTSD effect on their well-being? Yes, it does.”

Lesperance said the 2017 flood has helped people prepare for this one and relief efforts have been much better organized.

She called the volunteering “phenomenal.”

“The town has come together,” Lesperance said. “It’s just an incredible experience to work with those guys … we’re here to help them and the town who supports us year-round.” 

Those looking to volunteer can contact the food bank at (705) 286-6838 or the township’s recovery/event co-ordinator at 705-286-1260 ext. 211 or after hours at 1-866-856-3247

After living on McKnight Street in Minden for 30 years, Keith Hardy is used to spring flooding.  

The road that runs between Anson Street and Bobcaygeon Road is closed as the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has changed conditions on the Gull River to a flood warning, from a flood watch.  

Yesterday, a state of emergency was declared.  

Hardy got his tin boat out on Monday in case he couldn’t drive because of the rising waters surrounding his property. He also moved items from outside sheds offsite of the property 

“It’s just very disappointing,” an admittedly exhausted Hardy said with a sigh. “But we knew it was going to come.”

The township called a press conference yesterday.  

“We encourage residents to take necessary precautions to protect personal safety and property,” Mayor Brent Devolin said. “In the event of an emergency call 911.”  

The township said the outflow of water on Horseshoe Lake, through the Gull River, will continue to increase until Friday afternoon.

River levels are expected to increase a further 13cm, approaching 2017 water levels. 

“Water levels will continue to rise due to snow melt in the upper reaches of the Gull River watershed, and will remain high, as water is being moved down through reservoir lakes upstream of Minden; which are reaching capacity,” the township said.  

Water is flooding low lying areas along McKnight, Invergordon, Prince, Anson, St. Germaine Street, Orde Street, Hospitality Road, Spring Valley Road, Ritchie Falls Road, Mark Twain Road, Salerno Lake Road Bridge, Conway Road and Jacob’s Lane.  While the Irondale and Burnt Rivers crested over the Easter weekend, the Gull River was placed into warning, from watch, about noon Tuesday.  

Devolin said the emergency operations centre in Minden had also been convened as of April 23 and is meeting daily.

In addition, he said they are continuing with their daily conference calls with the Trent Severn Waterway, Parks Canada, the MNRF, and other jurisdictions within the watershed.  

“Obviously, we’re being diligent,” Devolin told the press on Tuesday.  

He added that people should look for updates on mindenhills.ca.  Further, he said sand and bags are available at Furnace Falls, the Kinmount roads shed and the lower arena parking lot.

The township is also sandbagging for the public.

People can call 705-286-1260 ext 211 during business hours and 1-866-856-3427 outside of business hours.  

Devolin said his message to the public is “just for people to be diligent. Take it to the next level. As you can see by some of our actions with local road closures and staking those roads that are water covered, we’re already keeping ahead of the curve.”  

He asked drivers to use caution when accessing local roads to get to their homes and asked people who don’t live in those areas to stay away.  

“Stay out of the water. Don’t be playing hot rod. We don’t need that kind of activity adding agitation. If you don’t live there, stay out.” 

Dysart et al is planning top limit the days in which fireworks can be used to specific holidays beginning this year.  

Council discussed a new fireworks bylaw during its April 23 meeting.

The proposed bylaw would prohibit the use of fireworks except for New Year’s Eve and the holiday weekends for Victoria Day, Canada Day and the Civic Holiday.  

Mayor Andrea Roberts said this was a direction she preferred to end a “free-for-all” with fireworks, as opposed to a total ban.  

“This is a really good step forward,” Roberts said. “This has been in the talk for 10 years now.”  

Municipal law enforcement officer Kristen Boylan said she researched similar bylaws restricting the dates for discharging fireworks, including the neighbouring Township of Minden Hills.

She also noted the Canadian National Fireworks Association is not aware of any municipalities with a total ban on fireworks, instead relying on the federal regulations of fireworks sales.  

Coun. John Smith said he would prefer to see a ban on fireworks in the interests of keeping harmful chemicals from them out of lakes.  

“It’s the accumulation of those things in our lakes and waterways that’s the big issue, in my mind,” Smith said. “But I can accept council’s maybe not necessarily going to go as far as I’d like to see you go.”  

However, Smith proposed the bylaw also ban floating lanterns, which he said can land in uncontrollable places and harm wildlife that come upon them.

The idea was accepted at the council table.  

Smith also recommended taking off Labour Day as one of the permitted days, which was in the original draft of the bylaw. The idea also received council support.  

“I can’t find a municipality other than Minden that thinks Labour Day is a fireworks occasion,” Smith said.  

The bylaw requires permits for any public fireworks displays, but not private ones.

It also allows for a $100 administrative penalty if anyone is found in contravention of the bylaw. However, Boylan said such fines will take time. 

 “I’m not necessarily going to go out and hit everyone right away,” she said. “There’s a lot of education and communication that needs to happen.” 

Roberts said the bylaw has received attention, with lots of letters of support to do something about fireworks.

She added the issue has come to council before but quickly gone away.  

“This is the first time we’ve actually seen a specific fireworks bylaw, so I’m really pleased to see this,” she said. 

The bylaw is expected to come forward with adjustments at the next meeting.

Correction: A previous version of this story said the fireworks bylaw had been passed. In fact, the bylaw is to come forward with adjustments council suggested at a future meeting. 

Did you just buy one of those Roku televisions but are having trouble figuring it out?  

If so, Tech Tutoring Fridays at the John Howard Society in Minden might be the ticket for you.  

Skills development co-ordinator Robert Gaudette is facilitating the new program.  He told The Highlander in a recent interview that momentum is slowly building.  

“We’ve had a few individuals through. And when people come in, they seem to come with their laundry list and so far, we’ve been able to work through each list and the person more often than not leaves with all of their issues solved,” Gaudette said.  

He hopes more people will start coming, necessitating added staff.

He would also like to see peer support so if someone knows more about a certain aspect of technology than someone else, they can pair up.  

To date, he said people have come with questions about Gmail’s new interface and contacts and other Internet-related queries about sending and saving photos.

He’s also been asked about legitimate emails with offers versus scams. Another common request is about downloading files. He added it’s also about learning what 
you can fix yourself and when you need to contact an expert.

In addition to helping people navigate their devices, it’s about empowering them to not be afraid to use them, Gaudette said.  

So far, an older demographic has been coming, a trend he expects to continue. He understands since his own parents come to him with tech questions.

He said his mom is good on the computer, has a smart phone and tablet but struggled with Roku.  

“A lot of people are changing and watching their entertainment that way but if you’ve never been trained on how to do it, it’s not always intuitive,” Gaudette said.  

His background is in technology, having worked at a tech start-up for 15 years after university.

About 10 years ago, he got into community work.  

The program is free but people are asked to register so Gaudette can prepare.  

Another program that Gaudette wanted to highlight was their regular adult literacy services.  Funded by Employment Ontario, John Howard facilities the program for anyone 19 and older that needs help with math, English or digital literacy.

The free program is comprehensive, Gaudette said.  People register, are asked how they want to improve, assessed for a starting point and then a curriculum is designed for them.  

Gaudette said it can be in-person tutoring on online.  

“So, it’s not like being in traditional school where you might be one of 30 people. Perhaps you have anxiety. Perhaps there are other reasons why you aren’t interested in taking education in that kind of a formal setting and if you can only come Wednesday at two o’clock then you can come Wednesday at two. It’s at your own pace.” 

 For more information or to register, contact: Robert Gaudette, 705-3280472 x 921, Cell: 705-340-2986, email: bgaudette@jhscklh.on.ca

Amidst honking horns, cheering allies and occasional jeering, Jürgen Shantz remained steadfast in his protest against climate change inaction.

The crowd alongside him has dwindled over the course of his protest on four-consecutive Fridays, from more than 40 strong to approximately 10 by his final demonstration April 12. His fellow Haliburton Highlands Secondary School students had not joined him consistently. Although elementary students and adult activists have come, the protests have also attracted negative attention from skeptics.

Despite the challenges of losing out on class time and balancing a schedule with school sports, Shantz said he did not want to stop coming.

“I didn’t want to disappoint people,” Shantz said. “I really want to grow up in a world where I don’t have to worry about this kind of stuff anymore.”

Shantz was inspired to start demonstrating by Swedish student Greta Thunberg, who has become internationally-acclaimed for not attending high school to protest climate change inaction.

He made his mind up to follow in her footsteps and began protesting outside the Dysart et al municipal building March 22.

“I’m not that much of an outward person, so starting this was pretty difficult for me,” he said. “It was also difficult getting the word out there. But I had to do it.”

The support came quickly, with adults and activist groups spreading the word.

“It means a lot to me,” Shantz said. “I was just really scared of nobody being here, but at least 40 people showed up (to the first protest).”

Bonnie Roe joined in the protests each week and said the youth attending would learn a lot from the experience.

“They’ve received tons of support and I think it’s going to help them realize we can have a voice,” Roe said.

Not everyone has supported the effort. The protest has attracted negative attention on social media. One driver passing by on the final day of protest called it crazy and said not to “use the kids.”

“I thought that specific case was hilarious,” Shantz said. “I was the one who started this, so they’re not using me.”

“There will always be a few naysayers,” Roe said. “We should admire the depth and insight they have about such a serious issue as climate change, not undermine them as not understanding or following adults.”

Shantz said government action on climate change at all levels is critical.

“They’re the people who have the power to do things,” he said. “We really need governments to get on board with this.”

Although Shantz’s weekly protests are ending, he plans to co-ordinate local demonstrations in solidarity with international ones. The next one is planned for May 24.

He said he hopes that he can attract more of his peers to attend.

“I accomplished about half of what I was hoping. I was hoping a lot more students would show up which didn’t happen,” Shantz said. “But a lot more people seemed to be paying attention to the subject.”

Job seekers can expect to find a wide array of openings ahead of the busy summer season in Haliburton at Fleming Crew Employment Centre’s job fair April 25.

The fair seeks to connect people with a range of employers, including municipalities, hospitality and trades sectors. A total of 20 employers have registered.

Information and reception assistant Sarah Adams said the fair comes in response to high demand from employers. She noted the Fleming Crew job board is overflowing, with more than 150 postings.

“It seems like we have a lot of job postings so we’re trying to get more people out to connect with employers,” Adams said.

“There’s a labour shortage,” employment and training consultant Kim Quigley said. “Any employers locally, you’ll hear them say they have issues finding staff. It’s a real challenge.”

Quigley said the difficulties have been year-round, citing a lack of housing and transportation as issues in the local job market.

Fleming is looking to address some of the gaps in the local job market. Fleming College’s Academic Upgrading program is running a computer course from May to June to help people get the skills employers are demanding.

“There’s still a bit of a gap, especially here in Haliburton. The internet is not readily accessible so people, they’re just not selfteaching themselves,” program co-ordinator Marion Willemsen said.

Prospective employees attending the job fair should come prepared, Adams said.

“They should definitely bring multiple copies of their resume,” she said. “Make a good first impression, that’s important. They should do some research ahead of time.”

Willemsen said job seekers looking to break into the market can come to Fleming Crew for help with resumes, interviews and more.

“We have this awesome service hub here with lots of resources,” she said. “We can even help people get here if they are challenged in reaching out to us here. The resources to make themselves more employable are here.”

The job fair takes place at the Pinestone Resort from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Transportation can be arranged by contacting Fleming Crew at 705-457-2020 or flemingcrew@flemingcollege.ca.

The CAO of Alberta-based NuVista Energy was in Haliburton Monday, talking about the energy crisis in Alberta and how it relates to business in Ontario.

Jonathon Wright was joined by Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock Member of Parliament Jamie Schmale and Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce manager Jennifer Locke at the Bonnie View Inn in front of a handful of guests for a discussion and lunch.

Wright said he’d come to “just have a good fireside chat about energy, about Canada and about oil and gas.”
In addition to being the CAO of NuVista, Wright sits on the board of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP).

Most of NuVista’s operations are based near Grand Prairie.

Wright said there are “a lot of misconceptions about what is happening these days” around greenhouse gas emissions and climate change as it pertains to Canada’s natural gas and oil industry. He said it is driving anti-industry rhetoric despite Canada being “the cleanest, most ethical producer [with] the highest standards in the world.”

He said it’s projected the world will need 27 per cent more energy by 2040. While he lauds the phasing out of coal, only two per cent of the world’s energy is now being supplied by renewables, such as wind and solar. That number is projected to be only six per cent by 2040 “after trillions are spent,” according to Wright.

Consequently, he said consumers still need other forms of energy, such as natural gas, oil, nuclear and hydroelectricity.

He noted Canada is the fifth largest producer of natural gas, and the sixth of oil, but is lacking investment and support. It’s gone from $81B invested in 2014 to $41B last year.

Wright emphasized that Canada needs to connect to the rest of the world via pipelines but the challenges are coming from within our country.

He attributes that to large federal government deficits; the national carbon tax; failure to expand pipeline capacity; two federal bills that are anti-pipeline and anti-marine tanker (Bill-C-69 and Bill C-48) and red tape.
He emphasized it’s not just an Alberta problem since Ontario benefits from 63,000 oil and gas sector jobs and the oil sands spend $1.9B in Ontario on supplies and services. And, yet, “entire provinces seem to think it’s okay to hold up nationally-important infrastructure projects that are critical for another province’s structure.”
He went on to say marine tanker oil shipments have doubled since 1970, yet the number of spills over seven tonnes has dropped dramatically.

He showed a slide with pipelines running all across the USA and into Canada and commented, “explain to me why we are worried about the next pipeline … the next pipeline will be the safest pipeline ever built.” He conceded there are spills from time to time, and while “terrible,” they are minor, quickly cleaned up and the faulty pipes taken out of service.

He said while there have been strides to reduce consumption, there remains a demand for gas and oil so, “we need all Canadians’ help to get pipelines built … all we want to do is go to work … we’re all part of the solution … we’re all part of the problem … we’re all using the stuff.”

The Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) and its teachers are bracing for job losses due to provincial government cutbacks.

The province has indicated it will be raising the funded average high school class size from 22 to 28, as well as an increase at the Grade 4 to 8 level from 23.84 to 24.5. It has also said boards cannot count on the continuation of local priorities funding, which provided more special education staffing to support children in need, “at-risk” students and adult education.

TLDSB director of education Larry Hope said the board has not finalized what the cuts will amount to but estimates $7.4 million in reduced funding. Board wide, Hope estimated a reduction of approximately 23.5 high school teaching positions and 15 elementary teaching positions.

“We are very, very concerned about being able to provide the excellent support that we have all become quite accustomed to and frankly have become very proud of,” Hope said. “We always want to ensure we can have the greatest support possible for all our learners.”

Minister of Education Lisa Thompson said April 11 school boards have been left in a bad position due to poorly negotiated collective agreements with staff.

“I appreciate the fact that there are some school boards experiencing financial pressures of teacher salaries and benefits due to proposed changes in class size,” Thompson said. “We’re going to be working with school boards as we go forward. We’re going to be investing in education and we’re going to help school boards get it right.”

Ontario’s 2019 budget plans for a $1 billion increase in education spending over the next three years, less than the rate of inflation.

Minister of Finance Victor Fedeli said balancing the budget was crucial to protecting core services.

“Do we really think our public education system will flourish when the government continues to pile on more and more debt? The answer to both questions is a resounding no,” Fedeli said.

Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation local district 15 president Colin Matthew said the cuts will harm specialized programming in schools.

“These cuts will drive up class sizes in the core credits – bigger math and English classes, some of which are already at 33 students, meaning far less individual time for students,” Matthew said in a press release. “And will be the death knell for specialized programming like arts, technology and senior elective classes.”

Hope said the board will have a clearer idea of its staffing picture in May, as teachers declare retirements.

“We’re watching very closely to see what the (provincial) budget brings us,” Hope said. “And what we’re going to be able to do, and what we’re going to have to do, to protect the excellence in programming.”

The OPP and OSPCA are not laying charges in a case involving a group of dogs in poor condition on a Haliburton-Bancroft border property.

The case involved a group of more than 20 dogs, whose alleged images went viral in a Facebook post Feb. 22. The dogs were taken in by the Siberian Husky Assistance and Rescue Program (SHARP) in Peterborough as officials investigated the situation.

Bancroft OPP Const. Philippe Regamey said the investigating officer had finished and no charges would be laid. He noted the owner had already been getting assistance from SHARP before police involvement.

“The owner was already in contact with them and getting support as he was unable to care for them, Regamey said. “Once we were involved, we expedited that process and the dogs were removed and cared for.”

The dogs attracted attention in a Facebook post from Jennifer Martin, who attended the scene with OPP. She described the dogs as being too weak to stand, with no food or water to be found.

Martin said she suspects the investigation may have been impacted by the transition of animal welfare investigations between OPP and Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA). The OSPCA announced March 4 it would no longer investigate and enforce animal cruelty law once its contract expired April 1.

“I sympathize with the OPP and OSPCA,” Martin said. “It was just really bad timing to get this situation properly investigated by cruelty experts.”

Both OPP and OSPCA told The Highlander the other organization was the lead on the investigation.

“We as the OPP were waiting to hear back from the OSPCA, who were taking the lead,” Regamey said.

“Our role was one of support, as police have the same jurisdiction as Ontario SPCA officers,” OSPCA
associate director of communications Melissa Kosowan said.

In an email March 28, SHARP board member Sally Kirkby said the dogs were still under its care.

However, Martin said she and other animal welfare advocates have become concerned by the lack of status updates on the dogs.

“We just want to make sure these dogs have been cared for and rehabilitated,” Martin said.

SHARP did not respond to a follow-up request for comment for more details about the status of the dogs and what happened around Feb. 22.

“We will not be doing any follow-up stories with any media/publication regarding these or any other dogs through our rescue,” Kirkby said. “We would just like to get on with our rescue work.”