Two of the Highlands’ most seasoned realtors say the residential real estate market is looking good into spring, while the cottage market remains somewhat of an unknown. And, it appears to be heading towards a buyers’ market.

Andrew Hodgson, of Century 21 Granite Realty Group, said Haliburton County was set up for a “really good” real estate year, with a favourable fall market, interest rates dropping, lots of buyers, and sellers understanding where the market was and pricing accordingly.

“Right now, our residential housing market is going well. It is becoming a buyers’ market. No question, buyers are getting a little bit better deals. Sellers are softening on their prices.”

Linda Baumgartner, of Baumgartner Realty Group, says “if a property is priced right, they’re selling. Our residential market is a good market. There is a demand there.”

She said if the people who told her last fall that they would list in the spring do, “then we will swing into a buyers’ market. But we don’t have any proof of that right now. We are starting to see some multiple offers on good and attractive properties that are priced right. They’re selling. Are we a balanced market? I wouldn’t say.”

Hodgson said, “the cottage market, or the waterfront market, is not really going yet. I don’t know if it’s because there is still lots of snow and ice. People are hesitant to pay $1 million-plus for a place if they can’t see the shoreline.”

Baumgartner said she had a number of waterfront properties coming up, and is just waiting for the weather conditions to improve. She said buyers need to be able to access properties to get a lay of the land. She said Baumgartner Realty Group is going to see more inventory. And, again, if there is an influx of listings, anticipates swinging into a buyers’ market.

Volatile market

Hodgson is worried that economic uncertainty will have an impact. With the U.S. and Canadian governments in a trade war, he indicated people might be reluctant to make big investments.

“Uncertainty is never good for real estate. We’ve got uncertain times right now.”

Baumgartner follows Benjamin Tal, the deputy chief economist of CIBC World Markets Inc. She said he’s identified, “we’re in a volatile market. He’s telling us to handhold our clients for the next few months.”

However, she expects more interest rate cuts, down 50 base points, and back to a 2.25 per cent interest rate by the end of the year. “Is that helping us predict or gauge what’s going to happen in the spring market? I don’t know.”

Hodgson said he’s hopeful the sluggish waterfront start is weather-related, also noting interest rates are dropping.

“There are lots of buyers, and demographics, such as retirees, are still great for Haliburton County.” People still want to move, and work from, cottage country, he said, noting internet is better than it has ever been to allow that.

“We’re still in great shape although I am a little leery about where the cottage market is. We’ll wait to see when the snow and ice leave.”

Hodgson said some people are listing their properties as a result of the new short-term rental bylaws across the County. He said some are reluctant to have to buy their shore road allowances or spend a lot of money on things such as new septic systems.

Baumgartner said we might see more cottages on the market as a result of STR bylaws, as people don’t want to go through the licensing process, or make costly repairs needed to qualify.

Overall, Hodgson said “Haliburton County will never die down too much. Even after 2009, and COVID, where we went to great heights, we only dropped 15 per cent. The demographics are so good in Haliburton County. We’ve got so much good going on. I think we’re going to have a decent year.”

Baumgartner added, “you have to adapt whatever market we’re entering into or experiencing. You just have to know how to work it. Communicate with your clients and keep plugging away and try to be positive.”

Long-promised changes to blue box recycling in Dysart et al will land in the new year.

Council approved a plan at its March 25 meeting that will see the Haliburton landfill become the only waste disposal site in the township to accept what the Ontario government deems non-eligible blue box materials, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Environmental manager John Watson, who left his position with Dysart at the end of March, said the change is necessary as the province prepares to complete a twoand-a-half-year plan to revamp its recycling rules.

In July 2023, the Ontario government shifted responsibility for the collection and disposal of blue box materials to producers. Dysart transitioned to this new model Jan. 1, 2024, costs incurred by collecting and hauling recyclables from residential properties, schools, and non-profit retirement and long-term care homes was taken off the township’s plate.

“The regulation aims to expand the residential blue box program to more communities, standardize acceptable blue box materials across the province, and make producers of paper products, packaging and packaging-like products 100 per cent financially and operationally responsible for the residential blue box program,” Watson said.

A multi-year agreement was struck with Circular Materials to handle the disposal of eligible recyclables dropped off at Dysart’s four landfills, which saved the township over $200,000 in 2024.

Watson said this latest deal covers non-eligible recyclables generated from commercial properties, municipal buildings, places of worship, non-profits, daycares, campgrounds and trailer parks, commercial farms and industrial businesses.

“It’s the same materials, just coming from different places. The regulations treat a pop can from a home differently than a pop can from a business,” Watson said at a June 2024 meeting.

As of Jan. 1, 2026, recycling generated by these businesses cannot be placed in the same bins as eligible sources and cannot be picked up in the same load as eligible sources.

Watson said following a two-year grace period, Circular Materials will stop collecting non-eligible recyclables on Dec. 31, 2025. If the township opted against sourcing a new company to collect these materials, people will be forced to dispose of them elsewhere, Watson said.

A five-year deal has been struck with Waste Connections Canada to haul away non-eligible recyclables. Two new drop-off locations will be available at the Haliburton landfill next year. Watson said the township will pay $720 per haul and $71.70 per metric tonne for containers and paper disposed of. He estimated the annual cost at between $20,000 and $42,000.

Minden Hills has also approved a similar contract, with non-eligible recyclables to be collected at the Scotch Line landfill. Highlands East has opted against accepting recyclables from non-eligible sources, while Algonquin Highlands is investigating its options.

When the new rules kick in, Watson said people will be asked if their recyclables are coming from a residential or commercial operation, with people directed to different drop-off locations for each.

“I recognize it seems silly, but this is the way we have to respond to a piece of legislation that provincial government has passed.

“The Haliburton landfill already has two active bays for 40-yard roll-off bins to accept materials from non-eligible sources… Dysart’s other waste disposal sites (Harcourt, Kennisis Lake, West Bay and West Guilford) do not have bays to accommodate extra bins. The capital costs to develop each site for two additional bins… makes including them not financially feasible,” Watson said.

Hydro One estimated more than 7,500 customers in Haliburton County were without power as of noon, April 2, as recovery from the weekend’s ice storm continues.

Work was underway at over 60 locations across the Highlands as of press time, with crews doing what they can to restore downed and damaged power lines, said Hydro One representative Tiziana Baccega Rose.

So far, approximately 820,000 customers across Ontario have had power restored, with 203,000 homes still in the dark. The company did not say when it would have power restored for most County residents, though its online outage map states most should be back online by April 3 at 11 p.m.

“After most storms, we typically see damage concentrated in specific areas. This storm has been widespread, with damage accumulating over several days. On some lines, crews have identified multiple types of damage that need to be addressed before power can be restored.

“Crews are focused on restoring the main lines that run from the local stations to the community. Then they will be able to focus on cleaning damage from lines that serve smaller groups of customers to get the power back on… we expect restoration in the hardest hit areas to continue throughout the week,” Rose told The Highlander.

She said Hydro One workers have been called in from other parts of the province to support areas most impacted, with local utility companies and contractors also assisting.

Thousands still without power

Rose said reconnection for residences in remote areas and for water-access only properties will take longer. She also warned that another storm system, beginning April 2, may result in further outages.

Municipal response

After Minden Hills declared a state of emergency March 31, mayor Bob Carter said the community is “suffering through unprecedented series of challenges.” Many people are also without cell and internet service, Carter said.

“Our staff and emergency control group have been working through the weekend… now supplemented by staff from the County of Haliburton, our neighbouring municipalities, Renfrew County, York Region, and the province,” Carter said.

S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena has been open 24 hours a day during the emergency, serving as a warming centre for those without power and an information hub for people looking for updates on cleanup and restoration efforts. There are shower facilities available, as well as spots for charging devices. Pets are not permitted at the arena.

A mobile virtual triage and assessment centre has been set up at the arena. Paramedics will be available to treat health concerns 24/7, no appointment needed.

Carter said all other municipal facilities are temporarily closed. While landfill sites remain open for regular winter hours – as with all across the County – most locations are cash-only.

Dysart et al mayor Murray Fearrey said Haliburton village was largely unscathed.

“Fortunately, we got a couple inches of snow before the rain and it certainly reduced the impact. We have had several power outages, most are coming back on. We do have some trees down but issues we can deal with. Nothing compared to what I’m seeing in Minden and Algonquin Highlands,” Fearrey said.

He said the township hadn’t established any warming stations in the community, noting “[we] haven’t had any requests or need that I have been aware of, or staff.”

Dysart town hall reopened April 1. The township has also ended the significant weather event it declared alongside the County and other three lower-tier townships March 28.

Algonquin Highlands opted to extend its warning until April 4, given the threat of more freezing rain this week. The township office on North Shore Road will remain open to the public during regular operating hours, with the Dorset Recreation Centre also open.

Deputy mayor Jen Dailloux, said residents endured “treacherous conditions” over the weekend.

“There were intermittent power outages, and a couple of localized outages continue as branches get cleared off lines. But the greatest impact was the partial communications blackout, which affected the southern half of the township.” Dailloux said.

She noted the township deployed public works staff to Minden Hills to assist with storm clean-up. Highlands East municipal office in Wilberforce was closed March 28 to April 1, but reopened April 2.

Other closures

All Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) schools, including those in the County, have been shuttered since Monday.

“Some areas within TLDSB are still without power and are dealing with the aftermath of the storm, such as power and internet outages, downed trees and hazardous conditions. In addition, there are freezing rain warnings [Wednesday] morning. In the interest of student and staff safety, we have made the decision to keep schools and childcare centres within schools closed,” said communications lead Carolynne Bull. “Schools will not be moving to online learning.”

The Haliburton School of Art + Design was also closed March 31 and April 1.

Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) is under a Communications Code Grey, with all telephone, IT and internet services offline. The emergency department in Haliburton remains open, with the Urgent Care Clinic in Minden reopening Wednesday with regular hours, after closing March 31 and April 1. LifeLabs also reopened Wednesday.

HHHS’ community support services will be interrupted, including adult day program, meals on wheels and transportation. For those in-need, meals can be picked up in Haliburton between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. this week.

Highland Wood and Hyland Crest longterm care facilities remain open to visitors. Staff noted phone lines at the centres remain down as of press time.

Most businesses have reopened in Haliburton and Minden, though are cash only.

Mary Douglas, owner of Let’s Get Local in Minden, said, “it’s been a rough go for everyone, that’s for sure. Lessons learned – always have some cash on hand. We’re cash-only while systems are offline.”

Pitching in

Cheryl Smith Hamilton was trying to get down Deep Bay Road in Minden on Sunday to check in with her parents, who live on the road, but found it impassable due to downed trees. After confirming they were OK, Smith Hamilton said rather than wait for municipal staff or hydro workers to clear the route, her family got to work.

Larry and Donelda Smith, Kirk Smith, Smith Hamilton, and Mike Hamilton spent hours trimming branches buckling under the weight of ice build-up and clearing limbs that were blocking the road.

“As we were clearing, other travellers would join in to pull debris off the road. About midpoint down Deep Bay, we were met by another individual who had been clearing it from Hwy. 35-way up,” she told The Highlander.

She posted a video to her social media March 30 showing the damage, which was shared almost 900 times. An update on April 2 showed the road back to normal, with Smith Hamilton adding, “so thankful that I live in a smalltown where locals and visitors never hesitate to jump in and help out anyone in need… it truly takes a village.”

North Shore Road resident Paul MacInnes said he had power earlier this week when many of his friends and neighbours didn’t. So, he and his wife, Susan, opened up their home. They offered people a hot shower and home-cooked meal.

“You do what you can in situations like this. That’s what community is all about,” MacInnes said.

Dysart et al council has supported a draft plan from the Campbell family, owners of Curry Chevrolet Buick GMC in Haliburton, to create five new commercial lots on just over seven acres of land between Mallard Road and County Road 21.

Addressing council March 25, Dysart planner Kris Orsan said the proposal features lots between one and two acres, totalling 7.4 acres, and would be serviced by a private road currently made up of driveways accessing the property from Mallard Road and CR21 by Todd’s Independent Grocer.

The property is zoned highway commercial, which Orsan said supports things like restaurants, banks and clinics.

“The property is surrounded by a mix of industrial, commercial and residential uses. The proposed development aligns with the character of the surrounding area and serves as a suitable transition between the industrial park to the north and the residential areas to the south and west.

“Its design and scale will… support economic growth and community integration. The development will also enhance the overall functionality of the area by providing a buffer between differing uses, promoting a cohesive and wellplanned urban environment,” Orsan wrote in his report.

He noted the application was prepared by Bishop Geyer Surveying and included a draft plan of subdivision, functional servicing report, stormwater management and construction mitigation plans, hydrogeological service study, and environmental impact study. All reports were peer-reviewed by Michalski Nielsen Associates on behalf of the township in June 2024.

While the hydrogeological servicing study confirmed there are enough groundwater resources to adequately meet the needs of the development, Orsan said the municipality will require proof of potable water at the site. He said they may also mandate a more thorough examination to ensure any development won’t impact water quality or access for neighbouring properties.

Haliburton County mapping identified four wetlands in the vicinity, with two located within 120 metres of the subject property, though Orsan noted none are recognized as provincially significant. He added, “the development is not anticipated to have a negative impact to the features.”

The environmental impact study identified potential habitats for three endangered bat and bird species. Orsan said the owners will be responsible for complying with provincial and federal environmental regulations, while noting the report recommends vegetation clearing be done between May 1 and Sept. 30 to prevent harm to animals using trees for roosting.

Next steps

Orsan said the project will now go to the County for draft plan of subdivision and condominium – there’s no residential aspect, with the latter covering an application to create a recognized private road. Pending County approval, it will come back to Dysart to develop a subdivision agreement.

Tony Usher, representing the Campbells, said this plan has been in the works for several years. He noted the 7.4 acre parcel was severed from the Curry Motors property prior to 2019, which is when he was retained.

Usher said the proposal includes a two per cent allocation of land to the township for a park, or cash payment of two per cent of the land’s value pre-development.

There was some discussion among council over the need to install a walking path – as requested by the former Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge district health unit (HKPR). Some members felt that was unnecessary given no other business in the vicinity has a footpath.

Clerk Mallory Bishop recommended council mandate footpaths for new businesses on that side of town.

“The intent is to develop out into that area. Pathways will be needed for walking. Council has bought land out in that area… this is something to consider for the future of this town,” Bishop said. “Pedestrians will be able to navigate the area better with a designated footpath, which is important… especially if something like a clinic were to go in.”

Usher said the Campbells are happy to include walking paths in their proposal.

In a follow-up with The Highlander, Usher said, if approved, it will likely be several months before the lots are severed and development can proceed. He noted the Campbells may retain one lot but intend to sell the rest. There are no immediate plans for how or when they will be developed.

The Campbells declined an interview.

Four years into a volunteer-led program removing invasive Chinese mystery snails from County lakes and Paul MacInnes, chair of the Coalition of Haliburton Property Owners’ Association (CHA), said almost 1.4 million critters have been evicted to date.

Speaking at U-Links celebration of research event March 29, which took place virtually due to the weekend ice storm, MacInnes said the effort is going strong. Launching in 2021 with 235 volunteers, he said 425 people were active on 41 County lakes last summer.

He expects that number to grow again this year. For participants, it’s not as simple as turning up with a can-do attitude, there’s training involved on how to properly handle and dispose of the snails.

MacInnes said the snails have been a major problem on lakes through the Trent Severn Waterway system for decades.

“They’re not like normal snails, which lay eggs that are eaten by fish. These snails are born in their shell, so it makes them very resistant to being eaten. Females can give birth to up to 100 juveniles a year.

“They are a threat to lake and human health because they force out native species, they’re a vector for parasites, cause swimmer’s itch and reduce recreational pleasure on lakes,” MacInnes said.

Last summer, he said one group on South Lake collected over 80,000 snails in a single day. The species originated in eastern Asia, landing in North America in the late 1800s. The snails were introduced to the Great Lakes around 1931.

Given how entrenched the snails are in our lakes’ ecosystems, MacInnes said full eradication isn’t realistic. The program’s effectiveness differs from lake-to-lake.

“It depends very much on the make-up of the lake and how many volunteers are involved. On some lakes, we have made significant progress. The goal is to keep the snails under control to a point where people can go swimming.

“For lakes I’ve visited, it’s much better with this control than on lakes where there’s no volunteers collecting. On those lakes, it’s basically impossible to go for a swim now,” MacInnes said.

More monitoring

Dr. Pedro Antunes, an invasive species and climate change biologist teaching at Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie, provided a high-level overview of plant-based and insect invasives at the event.

He said there’s a correlation between climate change and the onset of some invasive species. Antunes noted the average temperature in Canada is 1.1 degrees Celsius higher than pre-industrial levels. In some northern areas, the change is closer to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

“With this changing temperature, plant communities are changing,” he said, noting other contaminants like microplastics, pesticides, heavy metals, and intensive agriculture can lead to more nitrogen filtering into the ground, which he says is a negative.

Antunes said Ontario is a hot spot for invasive species in Canada, hosting the highest number of invasive plants in the country. He attributed this to overseas shipping, estimating 64 per cent of containers entering Canada come via the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence corridor.

“Most of the invasive plants come from the agricultural and horticultural sector, things like ornamental plants… we have a very good grasp of where these plants are coming from and where we need to keep vigilant,” he said, plugging a guidebook published in 2013 that identifies 14 plants and 11 insects and pathogens that are most concerning.

He and his team developed that list using data to see “what species are moving the needle more than others and then target these species for control.” Antunes said the goal is to get to a point where, through continuous tracking, scientists will be able to detect new invasive species before they spread. He said this has been done in the U.S. with some forms of algae.

“We just need better monitoring,” he said.

Community plays ‘big role’

Kayleigh Mooney, an ecological restoration student at Trent University, said community members can play a significant role in aquatic science. Speaking at the event, she shared how, when surveying Gilchrist Bay north of Peterborough, she watched a lakefront resident pulling what she thought was starry stonewort, an invasive macroalgae, from the water. After going to speak with the resident, Mooney said it was a native plant she was removing.

“By pulling them out, she was removing the buffer that could lead to more of the starry stonewort coming in,” she said, highlighting the importance of people knowing the difference between a native and non-native before springing into action.

Mooney said people who frequent a lake more often than visiting scientists can be key to understanding how invasive species adapt to and change their surroundings.

“There’s more to the story than just the species itself. The wider community and ecosystem it’s a part of is important too,” she said. “Folks have the opportunity to intimately understand and observe these relational interactions in a way researchers could never capture. We get one side of the story, but there’s a role that could be filled by the community to capture the other side. One that shows the full extent of what’s truly happening within our lakes.”