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

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November 28, 2019

JQ - Teachers work to rule - 1-web — Haliburton Highlands Secondary School teachers gather outside before the school day as they began work-to-rule action Nov. 26. Photo by Lisa Gervais.

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

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Lisa Gervais

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November 27, 2019

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JQ - Feed and Seed - 2-web — Haliburton Feed and Seed owner Phillip Primavera stands inside his new store.

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

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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

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Lisa Gervais

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November 27, 2019

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JQ - Tourism marketing plan - 1-web — Director of tourism Amanda Virtanen highlights older tourism booklets during a Nov. 13 meeting. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

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

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Lisa Gervais

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November 26, 2019

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JQ - senior dental plan - 1 — A new free seniors dental program is now available but cannot yet be used locally. File photo.

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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JQ - Short term rental special meeting - 2-web — Highlands East council voted unanimously to have staff draft a short-term rental bylaw. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

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.”

Dysart’s “poor” roads on pace to more than double, data shows

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Lisa Gervais

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November 24, 2019

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IMG_6437-web — Dysart et al Mayor Andrea Roberts suggested the municipality should make incremental increases to its road budget. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

Dysart et al roads are going to get worse if the municipal budget stays the same, according to projections from Decision Optimization Technology (DOT) software.

Staff presented the data to the municipal infrastructure and equipment committee Nov. 20. The municipality implemented the software this year to gather and organize data on all of its roads.

The software found if the roads capital budget remains steady at $1.25 million a year over the next 10 years, roads in poor condition would more than double in the short-term, from 18.5 per cent in 2019 to 46.6 per cent in 2021.

“The folks that are driving these roads today are saying that these roads are not in good enough condition,” Coun. John Smith said. “To have the poor category grow from 18 per cent to 46 per cent is inconceivably outrageous.”

The 10-year projection also shows things would gradually improve after 2021, with roads in poor condition falling to 13.1 per cent in 2029.

Smith argued the municipality needs to prioritize more funding, beyond 2019’s increase. He noted the municipality only resurfaced about six per cent of hard-top streets this year, when they would need to double that to maintain them on a typical eight-year life cycle.

“We’re spending money on other things that frankly are not essential services,” Smith said. “We don’t need to put bicycle lanes in every road but we sure do need to get them out of the poor category.”

Committee chair and deputy mayor Patrick Kennedy suggested the municipality could consider a loan to address the situation, citing the County of Haliburton’s plans to borrow $3 million in 2020.

Mayor Andrea Roberts said she preferred not to and favoured an incremental increase to the roads budget. She floated a $1.35 million figure.

“There’s middle ground,” Roberts said. “The fact is you’re always going to have a percentage of your roads that are not perfect … the odd pothole here and there, that’s normal.”

Kennedy said 2020 might be a “clean-up” year to address areas highlighted in the municipality’s 2014 roads needs study, which is due to expire next year. The municipality could then start to catch up in 2021 and beyond.

Smith protested their perspectives and said the $1.35 million suggestion was “not near enough.”

“You’re kicking the can down the road,” Smith told Kennedy.

“I’m not,” Kennedy replied, noting the software’s 2029 projection. “The thing goes in cycles.”

The committee did not make any motion but asked staff to better explain the data and DOT system to council.

Red Hawks dominate 7-0 in home opener

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Lisa Gervais

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November 22, 2019

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JQ - Red Hawks - 5-web — The Red Hawks boys hockey team gathers together after a 7-0 victory in their home opener. Photos by Joseph Quigley.

The Haliburton Highlands Secondary School Red Hawks boys hockey team celebrated after a dominating 7-0 victory in its home-opener against the Crestwood Mustangs Nov. 19.

Students packed the A.J. LaRue Arena stands to watch their schoolmates soar to victory. The Red Hawks controlled play throughout, taking an early lead just under two minutes into the game and never surrendering it.

Head coach Jason Morissette said beforehand he expected an underdog season for the young squad. The team did not expect the offensive outburst, he said.

“We know we’re a young group, the challenge will be there,” he said. “But today was really about some of our senior players, skill players, they really came through.”

Brendan Coumbs scored on an odd-man rush to open the scoring. The Red Hawks held most of the play but were unable to muster any more goals in the first frame, going to intermission 1-0.

But they would add to their lead in a quick sequence. Goalie Carson Sisson stopped a breakaway midway through the second period. The Red Hawks would then take it up the ice, where Braeden Robinson scored to make it 2-0. Desi Davies would add to the lead with a goal to make it 3-0 heading to second intermission.

The team got into some penalty trouble, taking six to Crestwood’s zero. But their penalty kill held well, scoring twice shorthanded in the third and preventing any goals.

Coumbs led the way in the game with two goals and an assist, while Robinson added two of his own. Lucas Haedicke also scored two.

“The team played great,” assistant captain Isaac Little said. “With that being the first game of the year and having a young squad, I think we played past my expectations.”

Proceeds from the game are going to Heat Bank Haliburton County as part of a season-long fundraising effort.

Morissette said he would consider the season a success if the team made it to the playoffs, but added there is more to the game than that.

“Just enjoy the moment, have fun because you only get to be young like that once,” he said.

Health Unit urges action on housing

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Lisa Gervais

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November 22, 2019

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Housing WEB — Tina Jackson at a housing forum in Minden.

High housing costs and a limited supply of rental units are proving a double whammy in ensuring County residents have access to a stable, secure place to call home, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit said in advance of National Housing Day today.

The health unit is urging action about the lack of safe and affordable housing in the area, especially given its link to public health.

“Local residents are being asked to lobby all levels of government to build more affordable housing units. People are also encouraged to be open and welcoming to affordable housing developments and rental units being renovated or built in their neighbourhoods,” the health unit said in a Nov. 19 press release.

In addition to National Housing Day, the call comes in the wake of statistics released by the health until Tuesday.

They said the average local house cost is approximately $247,950 for a non-waterfront property, according to local realtors. They say this puts home ownership out of reach for many people.

Rent for a three-bedroom apartment is around $1,450 per month in Haliburton County – if you can find it. With a very low vacancy rate, there are not enough rental units to meet local demand (Source: 2019 Housing and Homelessness Assessment Report for Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County).

“Stable housing plays a key role in a person’s health, according to the Ontario Medical Association. A safe, secure place to live can help people gain employment, enjoy food security, and access social services and health care. Stable housing can also help people who are recovering from mental illness and addiction,” the health unit said.

It added, “These findings are worrisome because they highlight the lack of affordable housing in Haliburton County – both to buy and rent – and the toll it can take on people’s health,” says Mary Lou Mills, a public health nurse.

She said older adults are at higher risk of living in poor quality housing, as they are often on fixed incomes and have complex health needs.

“A stable living environment is so important for our health, because without it, we fall into a vicious cycle of problems,” Mills said. “If people do not have adequate housing, they are less likely to be able to find work and earn money. Without enough income, people cannot afford food and other necessities of life which are essential for personal wellbeing.”

The health unit estimates 17.2 per cent of County residents live in poverty (the poverty rate for children 17 years of age and younger is higher at 22.9 per cent). Often, social assistance, disability program, seniors’ fixed pensions, and low-paying jobs do not provide enough to meet the basic needs of housing and food, Mills said.

She said that to meet the basic needs for a family of two adults and two children, both parents must work full time and make a living wage of at least $19.42 per hour in the County. This living wage rate is based on calculations made by the health unit in 2018.

The hills will be alive with music next summer

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Lisa Gervais

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November 21, 2019

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HS- HSF 3.jpg WEB — Brian Kipping and Scot Denston presented Jack Brezina with a lifetime ticket pass to the Highlands Summer Festival as a thank you for his years of service.

The Highlands Summer Festival announced its 2020 season lineup at McKecks this past Sunday, with The Sound of Music kicking things off.

“This has to be one of the most crowd-pleasing musicals the world has ever enjoyed,” artistic producer Scot Denton said Nov. 17.

They presented the show in 2004 and Denton said, “It was such an overwhelming success then, we thought it was time to bring this inspiring, family-friendly musical back.” It opens on June 29 for 10 performances.

The second show on the schedule is the Importance of Being Earnest. “The script is one of [Oscar] Wilde’s best, full of wit, satire, comedy and a biting commentary on the mores and manners of Edwardian England,” Denton said. It opens July 13 for eight performances.

The third show is Every Brilliant Thing. It’s an interactive theatre experience set in the round, featuring one actor. It opens July 27 for five performances.

It’s followed by Lucien, the story of a New Brunswick mill worker, July 22-24.

The season closes with Across the Pond. It celebrates more than 50 years of British pop and rock music with tributes to acts across the era.

“We have put together an interesting and entertaining schedule for the summer,” festival president Brian Kipping said after the announcement. “I think everybody will discover something special in each of the productions this year.”

Season passes, now on sale, are $160. Single tickets are $37.50. Season pass purchases can be made by phoning 705-457-9933 or toll free at 855-457-9933, online at highlandssummerfestival.on.ca or by mail: Box 938, Haliburton, ON, K0M 1SO.