Protestors ran from the front to the back of McKecks Tap and Grill Tuesday when word got out that Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott had entered the building off of York, rather than Highland Street. 

Members of Concerned Citizens for Haliburton County (CCHC) and Environment Haliburton! (EH!) gathered outside the front of the venue for the Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce breakfast club where Scott was speaking April 23.  

Only a few protestors greeted Scott out back while the main crowd remained out front. Bonnie Roe of CCHC was one of the ones who ran to try to intercept Scott.

When they arrived, the local MPP had already entered the building. 

 “I think our whole group is very disappointed she would not come and meet with us and at least be civil and say good morning, instead of avoiding her constituents who want to hear from her and want to greet her this morning,” Roe said.  

However, inside McKecks, Scott said she did acknowledge the protestors out back. She added she is meeting with CCHC  April 25.

She said she had also encountered protestors at the Dysart et al municipal building when she was in Haliburton for BMO’s 100th birthday celebration. 

Earlier in the morning, Roe confirmed the meeting with Scott.  The protestors gathered with signs about climate change inaction, a living wage, health care and education cuts.  

Eric Lilius of EH! said the cuts have been made with minimal consultation.

He decried the library cuts in particular, saying libraries are part of the quality of life in Haliburton County. In his opinion, the provincial government’s attitude is, “because you elected us gives us a mandate to do whatever the hell we want.”

He said it mirrors what is going on in the US and fears it will lead to more privatization.  

Roe said the goal of Tuesday’s protest, and the group’s talk with Scott today, is “that we have huge concerns about the Ford cutbacks. And they’re too numerous to name.

But let’s face it: education; ambulances; libraries; health care; health units, it’s deplorable. 

 “And we also want her to know that we need her to stand behind us as we are her constituents and we need to feel that she is working for us at Queen’s Park and that’s the message.”  

CCHC is a group of 15-20 people who have been meeting since January.

Laurie Scott said her Labour Ministry had so far found $4B in annual savings in a “whirlwind” 10 months in office.  

Scott, the MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock, spoke in Haliburton Tuesday to the Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce breakfast club.  

“So far, it’s $4B but we want to do more,” said Scott, who reminded a largely business crowd that she is surveying them and the public to “give us your input … what you see that just doesn’t make sense any more. It’s time to modernize.”  

Some examples, she said, have been changes at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, that have seen premiums come down an average 30 per cent for employers.

She said that amounted to a $1.45B savings. Changes to workplace training, such as online versus onsite, have also trimmed $60M, she said.  

She again spoke of Bill 148 reform, which she said “repealed job killing aspects,” saving money for employers across the county.  

She’s also proud of her work on the double hatter portfolio, which now allows professional firefighters to also volunteer in the county. Her ministry is also tackling red tape around overtime hours across the province.  She again commented on the provincial budget.  

“We feel it strikes the right balance between fiscal responsibility and protecting  what matters most, and you all know we have a huge debt problem. We’re carrying a $343M mortgage payment. So, our plan puts us back on the path to balance while protecting core government services.”  Scott said that she was still absorbing “how influential you can be as minister of labour. It’s a big portfolio and how it impacts our communities here in Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock.”  

In a 17-minute talk, she also said the province was tackling regulations, making trades’ changes, working on high-speed internet, had created 97,000 jobs, handled a university and power workers’ strike and addressed Association of Municipalities of Ontario asks. 

 “Our goal is good public policy. We want to listen to you guys on the front lines who deal with employment regulations, whether it’s the Employment Standards Act or the Labour Relations Act. We want to hear what changes, what modernizations, you suggest that we review.  

“We just want a prosperous Ontario. We’re moving in that direction. There’s a lot more to do but you saw the budget. It’s reasonable, it’s practical applications. I mean there are so many exciting things that we can do further in many, many sectors. So, we want more jobs. If the economy is doing well, we do well and the Haliburton Highlands and our riding do well.”  

The chamber will he hosting the warden’s breakfast on Tuesday, May 7 at 7:30 a.m., at the Sandy Lane Resort.

Environmental consultant Julia Sutton told the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) there is more potential in naturalized shorelines than they might think.  

Sutton spoke to more than 20 people at the Haliburton Highlands CFUW meeting April 19 about natural shorelines and landscape restoration.  

She emphasized the benefits of natural shorelines for the environment and said there are a lot of misconceptions about making them.  

“A lot of people think native plants are boring. That they’re ugly. I’ve also heard a lot of ‘it’s too wild looking’ and they’re concerned about what their neighbours will think,” Sutton said. “I’m here to tell you, you can do anything you want with native plants.” 

Sutton, who also runs an organic farm, said there are naturalized plants for anything people might need. She recommended careful consideration for how much land people use.  

“Messy is best,” Sutton said. “We don’t like to hear the word at all, and I don’t mean you have to let your place go to shambles with weeds. But it’s that idea of tidying and maintaining where you need to and letting things go wild where you can. Pollinators really need messy.”  

Sutton also suggested sourcing from native plant centres, not using chemicals like pesticides and making creature-friendly habitats such as insect hotels.  

Sutton said natural shorelines are “the ribbon of life” and vital to the health of lakes and native species.  

“The healthier your shoreline, the healthier your environment,” she said. “What you’re hoping is it will be more resilient to things like climate change.”  

CFUW programmer Deborah Ouellette said she organized the presentation because it is an important topic to a lot of people in the area. 

“Our organization realizes what’s going on and how important it is for future generations that we take care of our environment,” she said. “It’s one of the best presentations we’ve had this year.” 

 “Climate change will affect every aspect of our lives and it’s already starting,” Sutton concluded. “We need to think beyond our generation and we also need to think beyond our species. All of our wildlife will need help and we really need to give them help.”

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