The Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation’s ‘Here for You in the Highlands’ campaign ended the way it started Nov. 1 – with another $500,000 from the Cockwell family and Haliburton Forest.

Campaign chair Tayce Wakefield said the Cockwell’s overall $1 million donation had brought the Foundation effort to an end – having raised more than $6.225 million to date.

She lauded other community donors in further announcing they had exceeded their original goal of $4.3 million, for CT, mammography, new ultrasound, picture archiving communications system, and related technologies. She noted it was enough money to also provide for an urgently-needed new x-ray suite.

Malcolm Cockwell, the Forest’s managing director, said, “the importance of the diagnostic imaging campaign’s objectives was clear to our group from the first discussion with HHHS. Increasing the capability and capacity of the hospital is critical to the well-being of our employees, clients, their families, visitors, and all other residents in the region. This resulted in our initial gift at the beginning of this campaign.”

He added, “over the last few months, the generosity of the community has been astounding: large gifts and small gifts together have enabled this immensely positive investment in our local health services. The generosity of the community is such a clear demonstration of the importance of this initiative, that we were motivated to make a second gift.”

Large and small gifts made

Wakefield said they appreciated the donation for taking them “over the top, with the help of the incredible support from over 650 donors.” She thanked the leadership of the volunteer campaign cabinet (Greg Bishop, Kurtis Bishop, David Blodgett, Michael Harrison, Peter Henry, Pat Kennedy, Klara Oyler, Keith Sjögren, Roger Trull and Dale Walker).

Foundation executive director, Melanie Klodt Wong said, in mid-September, Christine Tutssel and Rob Holl announced they would match all gifts to the end of October up to $500,000. “This has inspired more donors and we are pleased to announce that their matching challenge has been fully met.

“It has been such an incredible campaign, with the breadth of support from the community, including the amazing group of volunteers I’ve had the pleasure to work with. Without them, this would not have been possible, and definitely not at the speed at which it was accomplished.”

Haliburton Highlands Health Services CEO Veronica Nelson said, “adding these diagnostic imaging technologies and services is the first step forward in our plans to build capacity in, and expand, healthcare services in the County.

“Our community deserves access to excellent local care. We thank every donor for their support in helping us optimize health and wellbeing in the County.”

She said more than 1,000 patients had already undergone CT scans, and the mammography unit will be installed in January.

HHHS Foundation board chair David Blodgett said with the province requiring the community to fund the majority of capital investments, the Foundation’s core purpose is to work closely with the community to raise the necessary funds to support and enable HHHS to better serve healthcare needs, acute care, long-term care and community services. He said this campaign’s record-breaking success had broadened their donor base. “We look forward to working with all of our donor partners to build on this success as we forge ahead.”

Warden Liz Danielsen said, “improving healthcare locally is an important enabler for community, social and economic development. County council voted to support this campaign ($1 million) because we recognized the benefit of keeping our emergency services close to home and to providing a foundation of broad-based support.”

She added because of the new technology, their EMS teams had improved response times to local emergencies by 28 per cent (CTAS1), “assuring residents that more ambulances are readily available across the County.

The Haliburton Highlands Land Trust is launching an online auction Nov. 17 in hopes of supporting its efforts to secure a sixth property for the conservation organization.

Spokesperson Sheila Ziman said the Land Trust has “an exciting opportunity” to purchase the Hadlington Reserve in Highlands East.

“It’s a 100-acre, undeveloped property with 3.5 km of natural river shoreline, forests, wetlands and rocky barrens and supports three turtles at-risk species” she said.

Ziman added they had secured $50,000 in federal government funding, and another $50,000 from the private Schad Foundation. They hope to line up support from other grants and foundations but need to raise $75,000 to complete the purchase by the end of the year.

The online auction will go until Dec. 8 and they’ve created a fundraising campaign on CanadaHelps.

“This is an important step forward for conservation in Haliburton County,” Ziman said.

If successful, it would be the Land Trust’s first property in Highlands East.

Ziman said it is a “rare and urgent” opportunity to protect the property, which she described as “100 acres of untouched wilderness identified as a high priority in the Highlands Corridor.”

As part of the Highlands Corridor project, the Land Trust is working with private landowners and donors. Biologist Paul Heaven reviewed properties and prioritized them, preferring large tracts, with speciesat-risk, near other protected areas, such as Crown land, or a provincial park, or another Land Trust property.

Ziman said the Hadlington property came up in Heaven’s research because of Crown Land on three sides.

“When I think of the Highlands Corridor, I think of it like a puzzle and each of our partners in conservation is like a puzzle piece that goes in and connects to the next piece.”

She said this land, if put in place, would connect the three pieces of Crown land to enhance the wildlife corridor. She noted the property is perfect to sequester carbon, which is important to the Land Trust and County.

Ziman said the current owner is moving on and wishes to see the property preserved, offering them first priority for purchase.

The land features pristine forests, 11.5 hectares of wetland, and 3.5 kilometres of shoreline along the Irondale River and the Hadlington Creek. Many uncommon species, such as Eastern Hog-Nosed Snakes, Black Ash, and Lungwort Lichen, can be found there.

This would be the first-ever Land Trust purchase. It’s also never done a fundraising campaign to purchase a property. Ziman said the land is appraised at $270,000. The Land Trust also has to set aside funds to ensure it is protected in perpetuity.

Visit bit.ly/48vQgFF to learn more, make a direct donation, or join the Land Trust’s upcoming fundraising auction. The link for registration is: app.galabid.com/ hhltholidayevent.

The longer negotiations between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) over a new contract stretches on, the more likely there will be a strike, says Doug Ford, president of the local 564 covering Lindsay and Haliburton County.

Approximately 55,000 letter carriers, mail service couriers, postal clerks and mail handlers nationwide have been working without a contract since Dec. 31, 2023, Ford said. Union officials have been in talks with higher ups from the Crown corporation for months, but as of Nov. 6 no deal has been struck.

Canada Post’s latest offer, presented last week, included annual wage increases amounting to 11.5 per cent over the next four years, while also including protections for defined benefit and pension plans for current employees.

Speaking to The Highlander Monday evening, Ford said the offer didn’t address workers’ main concerns.

“When Canada Post publicizes the offers they’ve made, what they focus on is things like wage increases. But they’re not telling the public about what they’re trying to take away,” Ford said. “Canada Post has told the public they wish to get into seven-day delivery to compete with Amazon – CUPW, I don’t think, is disagreeing with that. Where the problem lies is in the language of the contract.”

Ford said, now, all CUPW employees enjoy “predictable” schedules with regular hours during the traditional work week. While there’s an acceptance workers may have to lose weekends, Ford said what’s being proposed goes further than that.

“Today, you might have a Monday to Friday job, but in the new contract you’d be expected to work seven days a week. Possibly four hours some days, and eight to 12 hours other days. These are things the union sees as non-negotiable,” Ford said.

He also expressed concern over a two-tier wage and benefits system Canada Post is trying to include in a fresh deal, meaning new employees would start at a significantly reduced rate. “We want everybody to be equal,” Ford said.

In a statement to CBC Nov. 3, Canada Post said it is “rapidly falling behind in today’s highly competitive, customer-focused parcel delivery market,” and is proposing a seven-day work week as a possible solution.

The Crown corporation has reported losses of $490 million through the first six months of 2024 and $3 billion since 2018.

Ford said of the approximate 100 unionized employees in the region, about 95 per cent voted in favour of a strike mandate. Nationwide, CPUW reported approximately 90 per cent of employees supported a potential strike.

“We’ve given the national executive board the right to bargain on our behalf. But we don’t want to be on strike. That’s not what anybody wants. Most of our members are living paycheck to paycheck. Nobody can really afford to go on strike, especially over the holidays,” said Ford.

The union has to provide 72-hours’ notice before striking – Ford predicts if that were to happen, the first step would be rotational walkouts in major hubs like Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Halifax, and Vancouver. If a full-scale lockout is called, customers in the County would be impacted, he said.

Ford said he’s been with Canada Post since 2007 and has been involved in multiple labour disruptions – the last in 2018, which ran for three days before the federal government mandated the postal workers return to work and sent the issue to binding arbitration.

Ford expects a similar thing would happen again, though retains hope for a negotiated contract.

“That’s what all organized labour people want to see. Unfortunately, history with Canada Post has shown often that just isn’t possible. We’ve had to settle for third party negotiated agreements in the past,” he said.

Since 1965, CPUW has been involved in 19 major labour disputes with their employer.

Responding to resident concerns about safety in downtown Minden – in light of a new school board policy making children walk 1.6 km to Archie Stouffer Elementary School – staff reported back to council Oct. 31 about safe movement in the core.

Council had asked staff on Sept. 26 to look into crossing guards.

CAO Cynthia Fletcher noted the township has already been working on the file. For example, in the summer, they expanded the existing community safety zone to include all of Water Street and the remaining portion of Bobcaygeon Road through Minden village. The roads department has also installed four digital speed limit signs to help slow traffic.

The CAO added mayor Bob Carter, and Dysart mayor Murray Fearrey, recently met with Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDB) officials; and plan to contact MPP Laurie Scott to request a meeting with the Ministry of Transportation.

Fletcher added, “there are several potential changes to infrastructure that staff are exploring.” However, she said they have to investigate further and crunch some numbers for budget deliberations.

One thought is pedestrian crosswalks on Bobcaygeon Road, and, or Water Street, with locations to be determined. Fletcher said they could remove the two courtesy crosswalks on Bobcaygeon Road and install a “proper” one. There could be another on Water Street near the footbridge. She said they would need to develop concept renderings, get public input and do a traffic study. The crosswalks would have to be approved under the Highway Traffic and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities acts.

Staff are also working on a proposal to upgrade sidewalks and ramps for better access to all pedestrians, including those with mobility issues. There may be grant money available.

Fletcher said they could also look into lowering the speed limit on Bobcaygeon Road.

When it comes to crossing guards, she said it would be something new for the township and needs more investigation. They are governed under the Highway Traffic Act and there are many requirements, such as certification, on-going training, supervision, and safety equipment, among others.

“Staff intend to have further conversation with the OPP, local school and colleague municipalities who offer this service,” she said.

They could also investigate a Walking School Bus program, the CAO reported.

“Like a motorized bus, there is a planned route with scheduled pick-up points or ‘stops’… which has many benefits for children and families, including safety, better health, and socializing with friends and neighbours.” Coun. Pam Sayne did question liability under such a program.

Deputy mayor Lisa Schell said she is worried TLDSB will continue to increase walking distances. “I don’t want to stop putting pressure on the school board. It’s their responsibility. I don’t want the townships to take it on and let them get away with doing whatever the heck they want.”

Coun. Tammy McKelvey agreed with the “need to put pressure on… if they can’t do busing, they can do crossing guards. People need to be encouraged to contact the school board to do the job they are supposed to be doing.”

The staff report was received for information.

Acknowledging “there’s been some hiccups, to say the least, along the way,” Minden Hills’ chief building official Eric Guay tabled a report to an Oct. 31 council meeting seeking approval for a staged approach to the new short-term rental bylaw.

Council passed its bylaw to regulate and govern the operation of STRs Sept. 12. Guay said staff have been working with Granicus Canada on implementation as the bylaw came into force Oct. 1. Granicus got the contract for monitoring and compliance.

“An essential role of the service contract was to provide an effective roll out to the STR registration and compliance program; however, the implementation has not progressed as originally anticipated,” Guay said.

“There have been implementation delays due to the vendor not being able to adequately meet the townships’ requirements.”

He noted that recently both Highlands East and Algonquin Highlands have adopted a staged approach to the roll out of their STR programs. “In a concerted effort to have continuity amongst the lower-tier municipalities regarding STR implementation, staff recommend that council adopt a similar implementation process,” Guay suggested.

He said stage one would be an implementation phase, until May 31, 2025, with a focus on education, voluntary compliance, and conditional approvals of licences. “The expectation will be that staff will work with operators to achieve compliance with all aspects (of the bylaw) during this time frame.”

He said enforcement will focus on potential hazards to occupants and neighbours, so anything of a health and safety risk, as well as environmental issues; things such as high-risk sewage systems, access for emergency service vehicles, fire threat, and building code issues.

Stage two would see active enforcement as of June 1, 2025. “All requirements pertaining to the bylaw will be enforced and all properties that remain non-compliant will have demerit points, administrative penalties applied, and will be subject to the issuance of orders to achieve compliance,” Guay said.

Mayor Bob Carter said he was “really troubled” by the June 1 date. “The number in my head is March 31. If you got me April 30, I could probably live with that.” However, he said he wanted the full court press to occur before the May 24 weekend.

Coun. Tammy McKelvey agreed, saying she’d like full enforcement to begin in the winter season to ensure renters “here to enjoy the winter season are safe.” And Coun. Ivan Ingram also preferred a March 31 date. The majority of councillors directed staff towards that date.

CAO Cynthia Fletcher said between now and then, “the program is not stopping. We are taking applications, having conversations with operators, we need some time for staff and community members to have an education and adjustment period.” At the same time, she said there would be enforcement for “egregious non-compliance.”

Council received the report for information only.

AH starts short-term rental licenses

The registration and licensing system for the Township of Algonquin Highlands’ shortterm rental bylaw went live Nov. 1.

It is available to residents through the shortterm rentals page of the Algonquin Highlands website, where you can also access the bylaw and its associated documents. Under the bylaw, residents who operate short-term rentals must register them with the township and obtain an operating licence.

The page also contains staff contact information. AH planning and bylaw staff are available to answer questions and help guide residents through the registration process.

U-Links Centre for Community Based Research has kick started a year-long investigation analyzing the threat of invasive phragmites to four watersheds in the northern part of Haliburton County.

Jim Prince, U-Links co-chair, said the nonprofit recently received $20,000 from the Invasive Species Centre to identify patches of the plant – described as one of the most dangerous and prevalent invasive species in Ontario – on Redstone, Kennisis, Growler, and Lipsy lakes in Dysart et al.

The effort, led by a group of more than 25 County-based volunteers, will see approximately 200 kilometres of roads assessed. Prince said U-Links will also map out 20 public water access locations across the County, to see how widespread the problem is.

“Managing invasive phragmites has been identified as a priority in Ontario. The Ontario Phragmites Action program is a new effort to enhance a coordinated response to invasive phragmites across the province,” Prince said, noting the effort is provincially funded. “The primary objective is to expand collaborative action on invasive phragmites across Ontario.

“Haliburton County does have some reported invasive phragmites and it is important to further understand the extent of the problem here,” he added.

Also referred to as European Common Reed, invasive phragmites has been prevalent in Ontario for decades. The Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP) describes it as a perennial grass that largely invades wetlands and beach areas. The plant spreads quickly, out-competing native species for water and nutrients. Once settled, it releases toxins from its roots into the soil to hinder the growth of and kill surrounding plants.

Because of its ability to change ecosystems, invasive phragmites is a threat to fish, birds, and land-based animals.

Prince said it’s a major problem in much of southern Ontario and stretches as far north as Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie. Early indications, he said, suggest invasive phragmites hasn’t completely taken hold in Haliburton County – yet. He’s hoping by identifying problematic areas, U-Links can establish a plan to eradicate the plant before it spreads.

The organization enlisted the help of Lynn Short, a horticulture professor from Humber College, who has extensive experience identifying and removing invasive phragmites around Georgian Bay. Short came to Haliburton County over the summer to train local volunteers.

“Lynn has perfected a removal technique – basically you take a shovel and dig at a 45-degree angle and remove the roots, which are called rhizomes. If you carefully do that in targeted spots, it’s possible to effectively remove it,” Prince said.

Several areas Short has treated on Georgian Bay have shown signs of life – with native plants taking over again.

U-Links has identified several sample removal plots it would like to work on – near Kennisis Lake – though will need to apply for funding in 2025. There will likely be money available, Prince said, with the Ontario government investing $16 million into invasive phragmites identification and eradication over the next few years.

While many may not know invasive phragmites by name, Prince said most can identify it. Capable of growing up to five metres tall, the plant bunches in wetland along roadways. In impacted areas, there can be up to 200 plants per square metre.

“It takes over so quickly. It already has in many urban areas south of us. The good news story here is we’ve got patches of it, yes, but they’re not huge plots yet. We have a chance to stop this before it fully takes hold,” Prince said.

Sara Gregorini and Frank Figuli are the project leads at U-Links and have been working with volunteers and three intern students from the University of Guelph on mapping. Most of the mapping has been complete, Prince said.

One of the benefits, he believes, is U-Links will be able to add to an online database showing anywhere invasive phragmites is found in Ontario. Right now, he called Haliburton County a “data desert”, with very little information available.