As part of its long-term Customer Experience & Communications Strategy, Haldimand County is looking for community feedback on personal experiences with County services and general perceptions related to the quality of life in the County.
300 random telephone surveys were conducted on behalf of Haldimand County by Deloitte Canada last month to gather input on county services and service levels. Residents who did not receive a random call are encouraged to take a brief online Resident Satisfaction Survey and provide feedback.
Haldimand County is committed to providing high-quality customer service, and this survey will help to create a larger picture of service delivery across the county to enable more efficient, cost-effective and accessible services for all residents.
Results from the telephone and online survey will be analyzed and shared with Council in a report before the end of the year.
HALDIMAND COUNTY, ON – Join us from October 6th-12th in celebrating Fire Prevention Week! Haldimand County Fire Department is spreading awareness regarding Fire Prevention and the importance of having working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms in your residences. Our fire fighters will be our boots on the ground handing out information to local residents throughout the week. Don’t be shy and say hi! This will be prime time to ask questions, get advice, and meet your friendly neighbourhood fire fighters!
Smoke and CO alarms are the first line of defense in protecting your home and your loved ones. Ensuring they are properly installed on every floor of your home and outside of all sleeping areas, testing them regularly, and replacing them every ten years could be the difference in being able to get out of your residence safely.
The theme of this year’s Fire Prevention Week is ‘Smoke Alarms: Make Them Work For You”. By having working smoke/CO alarms properly located throughout the home, they work for you to alert you of potential life-threatening issues. You can further make them work for you if you have other needs, as smoke alarms come in various forms to alert those with disabilities. From bed shakers to strobe lights, smoke/CO alarms are there to give you the greatest amount of time possible to escape a fire.
If you miss our fire fighters when they go door-to-door with fire safety information, feel free to drop by the following locations:
Saturday October 12 from 9am-12pm @ Caledonia Arena
Saturday October 12 from 9am-2pm @ Dunnville Farmer’s Market
Saturday October 12 from 10am-2pm @ Hagersville Foodland
Emphasizing the importance of road safety in rural communities, Haldimand County’s Agriculture Advisory Committee of Council (AAC) is urging drivers to exercise caution around farm vehicles. To raise awareness, the AAC is distributing ‘Share the Road’ car magnets, available for pickup at Haldimand County Libraries while supplies last.
The magnets serve as a reminder to be respectful and share the road responsibly with farm vehicles.
Agriculture is a key sector in Haldimand County and our roads often share space with agriculture vehicles and other farm equipment. This is essential for our local economy and way of life. Learning how to share the road safely is crucial to creating a safe community for everyone.
Key safety tips for sharing the road include: staying alert and cautious while driving, obeying traffic laws, reducing speed on rural roads, being patient, maintaining visibility, observing signals, considering weather conditions, and leaving space to safely drive around farm equipment.
Neil Hedley, Chair of the Agriculture Advisory Committee explained, “Safety on our roads is not just a priority but a responsibility. With the new ‘Share the Road’ magnets the county is raising awareness, reminding all drivers to respect agricultural vehicles and farm equipment. By promoting a mutual respect between drivers and these farm vehicles we create a safer journey for all road users.”
Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley added, “I am committed to enhancing road safety for all in our county. The ‘Share the Road’ magnets represent our collaborative effort to foster understanding and caution between motorists and agricultural vehicles. Let’s drive forward with care and consideration, ensuring our roads are safe and accessible for everyone.”
The Agricultural Advisory Committee is an advisory Committee of Haldimand County Council that advises Council on matters, issues and policies pertaining to agriculture and agribusiness in Haldimand County in order to sustain the vitality of the municipality’s economic base.
Haldimand County will observe the Government of Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Monday, September 30, 2024.
Closures and Service Disruptions:
Haldimand County Administration Building, all Haldimand County Public Library branches, and museums will be closed Monday, September 30. Canborough Waste Management Facility will be closed Monday, September 30. There will be NO garbage or recycling collection on Monday, September 30. All curbside collection will be delayed by one day this week.
Background
In 2021, theNational Day for Truth and Reconciliation was approved as a public holiday for all Haldimand County staff. September 30 is not a celebration, but a day of remembrance. It is intended as time to reflect on the past ills done to the Indigenous community in Canada, acknowledge the current barriers as a result of colonization, and to identify actions to promote change.
As a Corporation, Haldimand County is taking steps towards truth and reconciliation efforts. Council adopted a land acknowledgement statement for the purposes of recognizing the traditional territory of the Indigenous people, modern communities and the commitment of working towards common goals and objectives. The details of this adoption, including considerations and process taken, are outlined in Report HRD-06-2022. Council has the following acknowledgement read at the beginning of all formal meetings, ceremonies and events:
As we gather, we humbly acknowledge that Haldimand County sits on the ancestral land of many generations of Indigenous nations, who have been here since time immemorial.
Today, this land continues to be home to many Indigenous peoples, including the Six Nations of the Grand River and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, as well as non-Indigenous settlers from a variety of backgrounds. As a community, we have a shared responsibility for stewardship of the land on which we live and work. We are grateful for the opportunity to work together and to share the land we all call home.
Acknowledging reminds us that our living conditions are directly related to the abundant resources of the Indigenous peoples. We commit to continue learning, reflecting on our past, and working in ally ship with Indigenous communities, toward respective community goals and objectives, in peace, respect and friendship.
The Every Child Matters flag will be flown at Haldimand County Administration Building for the days up to and including September 30. Haldimand County will be participating in Orange Shirt Day as well as ongoing professional development in response to the 94 Calls to Action. Haldimand County staff are encouraged to learn more through access to a variety of educational resources/webinars, films, books and historical items relating to Indigenous history, as well as will be given the opportunity to visit Woodland Cultural Centre to learn the history behind residential schools, and hear interviews from five survivors.
Haldimand County Libraries – All six of Haldimand County’s library branches have created displays for September and October, each highlighting their indigenous resources and materials available at that library.
Resources
There are a number of ways to participate in truth and reconciliation efforts. Below are 5 ideas that may guide your learning and assist you in recognizing this important day:
1. Read the Truth & Reconciliation Commission Report and the 94 Calls to Action
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada was constituted and created by the Indian Residential Schools Settlement agreement, and the Commission spent six years travelling across the country to hear the stories of survivors and their families. The Truth & Reconciliation Commission Report set out 94 Calls to Action to federal and provincial levels of government. Call to Action #80 was a request to the federal government to establish a public holiday in the spirit of truth & reconciliation. Read more about the 94 Calls to Action, and other reports here.
2. Visit the Woodland Cultural Centre
The Woodland Cultural Centre serves to preserve and promote Indigenous history, art, language and culture. The site includes:
Interactive Museum and Gallery
Indigenous Library and Language Resource Centre
Mohawk Institute Indian Residential School historic site
5 acres of grounds and green spaces with outdoor exhibits
The centre, located in Brantford, is the site of the former Mohawk Institute Residential School.
3. Browse & interact on the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) website
The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund aims to build cultural understanding and create a path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Additionally, this link provides ideas on how each of us can individually be part of reconciliation efforts.
4. Every Child Matters
Orange Shirt day is observed on Monday, September 30th and is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day inspired by the story of Indian Residential School Survivor Phyllis Webstad. The orange shirt has become a symbol of hope, reconciliation and a commitment to a better future. By wearing an orange shirt, you make a statement to support reconciliation and commit to the enduring truth that Every Child Matters. To further educate yourself, learn the story behind Orange Shirt Day here.
5. Involve your child
Kids Help Phone has some great ideas on how to involve your child in the truth & reconciliation process. To access these ideas and resources, visit the Kids Help Phone website.
On Wednesday, October 2, Haldimand County is hosting two community engagement sessions to discuss the development of a public art and culture strategy. This strategy—and associated policy—will help identify opportunities to advance public art and cultural activities throughout the County.
All residents, community groups and local organizations are invited to participate and share their ideas at the sessions, taking place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Cayuga Arena (McSorley Family Hall), 55 Thorburn Street South, Cayuga.
The sessions will include a review of the outcomes from the 2018 Open Space Gathering workshop, where participants discussed opportunities and issues related to developing a public art and culture policy. Registration is not required; just drop-in.
For further information about the public art and culture strategy meeting, please contact Anne Unyi, Supervisor, Heritage & Culture at aunyi@haldimandcounty.on.ca or 905-318-5932 ext. 6516.
Haldimand County residents are reminded that two in-person open houses are taking place Tuesday, September 17 regarding the draft Community & Recreation Facilities Strategy (CRFS), the municipality’s vision for indoor recreation and programming for the next twenty-plus years.
The drop-in sessions are 2:00-4:00 pm and 6:00-8:00 pm in the Cayuga Memorial Arena’s McSorley Family Hall, 55 Thorburn Street South, Cayuga. Both County staff and the consultant involved in drafting the report will be available at the sessions to share information and answer questions.
The draft CRFS is available now on the County’s website at www.haldimandcounty.ca/recstrategy/. It is the result of extensive community engagement, research, current and future County demographic information and best practices in community and recreation facilities development. Comments about the Strategy may also be provided via online form until September 20, 2024.
The Strategy will be brought forward to Council in late 2024 for review and final approval.
On Thursday, September 12, Haldimand County will be celebrating one of its most active civic leaders, Barbara Martindale, with the naming of a laneway at Edinburgh Square Heritage & Cultural Centre and presentation of an associated storyboard and exhibit, in her memory. The event begins at 5:00 pm, with a welcome and remarks beginning at 5:30 pm.
The Executive Director of the Caledonia & Regional Chamber of Commerce from its creation in 1996 to her passing in 2022, Martindale was a noted historian, author, advocate and community builder. Her work career began at the Caledonia Grand River Sachem newspaper, where she wrote the popular column, “For What It’s Worth”, for decades.
Martindale’s advocacy began in the early 1980s when she joined a volunteer committee to restore the recently-saved Caledonia Town Hall, now known as Edinburgh Square Heritage & Cultural Centre. Locally, she was active with her church, the Caledonia BIA, Ruthven Park Management Committee, the Caledonia Community Foundation and the Active Lives Campaign, which spearheaded the construction of the Haldimand County Caledonia Centre (twin pad arena, library and hall).
Her contributions didn’t end with those she made locally. Martindale was active in the Canadian Community Newspaper Association, the provincial Progressive Conservative Party (including running as a local candidate in 1985), the Toronto Women’s Advertising Club and as President of the Hamilton Branch of the Media Club of Canada.
For her community work, Martindale received a Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 and a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012, as well as Rotary International’s Paul Harris Fellow recognition.
As part of its long-term Customer Experience & Communications Strategy, Haldimand County is looking for community feedback on personal experiences with County services and general perceptions related to the quality of life in the County.
Haldimand County is committed to providing high-quality customer service, and this survey will help to create a larger picture of service delivery across the county to enable more efficient, cost-effective and accessible services for all residents.
“It’s important to identify where we are in order to plan where we need to go with our programs and services,” says Trish Cardwell, Manager, Customer Experience & Communications. “Resident feedback is critical to help Haldimand County make well-informed decisions that will improve quality of life and cultivate a thriving community.”
Starting on September 16, 300 random telephone surveys will be conducted using both cell and landline numbers. The County has contracted Deloitte Canada to facilitate the calls and collect responses. The caller ID will appear as ‘Haldimand Survey’ and the questions survey should only take about 15 minutes to complete.
Callers will be asked for general demographic information only and no personal information will be collected.
Residents who do not receive a random telephone survey will be able to share feedback through an online survey, which will be available from October 7 to 14.
Haldimand County is inviting members of the public to attend a Community Open House to learn about – and provide input on – options for the county’s ward composition and council structure.
Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. have been facilitating the review and leading public consultation activities on behalf of the county since early 2024 with the goal of ensuring an effective and equitable system of representation ahead of the 2026 municipal election.
Following community engagement activities in spring 2024, Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. analyzed and evaluated public input and data collected to develop options for Haldimand’s ward boundary structure and council composition.
Public consultation is an essential piece of the review process and critical to ensuring an equitable electoral system. Preliminary ward configurations will be presented at the upcoming engagement sessions. Members of the public are encouraged to attend an in-person or virtual open house to learn more and provide input:
In-Person Open House #2: October 2, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Haldimand County Administration Building, 53 Thorburn St. S., Cayuga.
Virtual Open House #2: October 3, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. via Zoom (link to follow). A recording and a copy of the presentation will be available shortly after the session.
An online survey will also be made available on the project web page and advertised closer to the open house dates.
Residents who wish to learn more about the Ward Boundary Review project are encouraged to visit www.haldimandcounty.ca/wardboundaryreview and follow the county on social media for the latest updates.
On Wednesday, August 28, Haldimand County broke ground on construction of its new Hagersville Library + Active Living Centre, located in Grant Kett Park. The co-located building, in the County’s second-fastest-growing community, is its first indoor facility for recreation, wellness, leisure and socialization.
“This is an exciting day for Haldimand County and the many community partners who were involved in making this project happen,” says Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley. “This includes the Haldimand County Library Board and the Community Fund-Raising Committee, which have worked hard, for several years, with County staff and the community to make this project a reality. We are also very happy to have the architect of this beautiful new facility—Curran, Gacesa, Slote Architects Inc.—and general contractor Gateman-Milloy Inc. on hand to share in this major milestone.”
The project was approved in Haldimand County’s 2021 capital budget. “For more than two years, staff engaged and consulted with residents, neighbouring communities (including Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and Six Nations of the Grand), community groups and other stakeholders to ensure we were designing and building a multi-functional facility that could serve residents and visitors of all ages and abilities,” says Mike Evers, General Manager of Community & Development Services. “In the end, after taking into consideration the needs identified by the community and the increased building costs post-pandemic, the project has landed at an estimated $15 million budget.”
In keeping with the County’s partnership approach to developing community and recreation facilities, the community was tasked with raising $1.5 million towards the project. Since then, a Community Fund-Raising Committee headed by Tony Dalimonte, Doug Miller and Rob Phillips, has raised more than $1.6 million.
“One of the things that has been really wonderful about this project is the level of community engagement and collaboration, both on the design and fund-raising for this new facility, “ adds Ward 4 Councillor Marie Trainer. “The County is always made better when we partner with our residents and volunteers to create the kinds of facilities, programs and services they want, and this project has been an excellent example of that.”
Those sentiments are echoed by Haldimand County Library Board Chair Pat MacDonald. “Great libraries play an important role in strengthening communities, provide opportunities for personal growth and social connections, and help level the playing field for community members who may be disadvantaged or marginalized. The Library Board is excited to provide a new space in Hagersville that will be inclusive, responsive and welcoming for many years to come.”
Left to right: Rob Phillips – Community Fundraising Committee member, Tony Dalimonte – Chair of the Community Fundraising Committee, Cathy Case – Haldimand County CAO, Stewart Patterson – Ward 1 Councillor, John Metcalfe – Ward 2 Councillor & Deputy Mayor, Marie Trainer – Ward 4 Councillor, Shelley Ann Bentley – Haldimand County Mayor, Pat MacDonald – Haldimand County Public Library Chair, Paul Diette – Haldimand County Public Library CEO, Tyson Haedrich – Haldimand County General Manager of Engineering & Capital Works, Bill Curran – Founding Principal, CGS Architects, Justin Smith – Project Manager, Gateman-Milloy Inc., Jeff Oakes – Haldimand County Manager of Facilities Capital and Asset Management, Jessica Ignaszak – Haldimand County Project Manager, Facilities Infrastructure.
Project Timeline:
2021:
As part of Haldimand County’s planned replacement of the Hagersville Public Library—and in recognition of the need for more accessible public programming spaces to meet anticipated population growth—Council approves construction of a co-located Library and Active Living Centre (ALC). The ALC is the first non-Arena indoor community and recreation facility in Haldimand County, and represents an innovative new service delivery opportunity for residents and visitors.
Council also authorizes the creation of a Community Fund-Raising Committee to work in partnership with the County and raise $1.5 million towards the project. Within months, the Committee secures more than $700,000 in corporate and private donations.
Community engagement begins about the potential design and future programming of the new facility.
2022:
The 100+-year-old Hagersville Community Centre—operated by the Hagersville Chamber of Commerce for decades on behalf of the County—is sold by the Chamber, which donates the $700,000 proceeds towards the new project.
Design consultation continues with community stakeholders and potential users of the facility.
2023:
The firm of Curran, Gacesa, Slote Architects Inc. (CGS) is awarded the design contract for the new facility.
CGS initiates final design consultation with the community
2024:
General contractor Gateman-Milloy Inc. (G-M) is awarded the construction tender for the project and breaks ground in late August.
