On the evening of Wednesday, July 31, 2024, Haldimand County was made aware that an event organized by Diagolon, a suspected alt-right extremist group, was taking place in Jarvis at a county-owned hall operated by community volunteers. The hall was booked through an application process and made under a personal name, misrepresenting the event nature and intended facility use. The County and the Jarvis Lions Community Centre regret this occurred and would not have permitted the rental if the group affiliation or intentions had been disclosed.
“Haldimand County does not condone hate or racism,” says Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley. “We want to reassure our community that these types of events are not in keeping with our values of inclusion, equity and diversity. Our priority is to ensure that everyone feels safe in Haldimand County. Groups such as Diagolon who allegedly promote violence and racism are not welcome in the Haldimand community,” Bentley added.
“While the County has policies and procedures in place for the rental of its facilities, it is difficult to ensure people are using the facilities in an appropriate manner when they are providing false information on a rental application. County staff and volunteers will continue to work together to try to prevent this from occurring in Haldimand and will involve law enforcement as necessary,” stated County CAO Cathy Case.
On Tuesday, July 30, 2024, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure Kinga Surma visited the Haldimand County Administration Building for a brief presentation, followed by a tour of the Nanticoke Water Treatment Plant. The Minister was joined by MP Leslyn Lewis – Opposition Critic of Infrastructure & Communities, MPP Bobbi-Ann Brady, Haldimand mayor Shelley Ann Bentley, Norfolk mayor Amy Martin, members of Council and staff. The $132 million, multi-year facility expansion project will enable Haldimand to meet current and future water treatment/supply needs to 2041.
Representatives from the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) and county staff provided a walk-through of the Nanticoke Water Treatment Plant as well as notable updates and an overview of the expansion project’s benefits, which include:
The ability to supply safe and reliable drinking water to the border of Six Nations, facilitating a solution to the current water quality concerns within the Territory;
The timely supply of treated water to Norfolk County to address limitations of existing well-based systems;
The ability to increase the current supply of treated water to Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation to allow for additional connections;
Increasing the customer base resulting in efficiencies and economy of scale and stabilizing water rates; and
Providing economic development opportunities and additional housing starts within the area serviced by the water supply system.
Since 2018, Haldimand County Council has been granted several formal delegations at ROMA and AMO to lobby for provincial support and funding for the project. Although financial support has not yet been provided by the province, county staff and Council continue to advocate for provincial support on an ongoing basis along with project partners from Norfolk County and Six Nations.
Currently in the design and engineering phase, the Nanticoke Water Treatment Capacity Expansion Project was approved within the 2024 Rate-Supported Operating Budget with costs fully recoverable from Norfolk County.
Quotes
Haldimand County CAO Cathy Case: “As we continue to prioritize making strategic investments in our infrastructure to support sustainable growth, we need the provincial and federal governments to be our ally. Rising costs and changing legislation has put municipalities in a challenging position to fund the local infrastructure necessary to accommodate provincial growth objectives. Hosting a tour of the County’s critical infrastructure provides a rare opportunity to showcase Haldimand’s extraordinary facility in Nanticoke, demonstrating firsthand to our provincial and federal representatives, its capacity to service hundreds of thousands of customers in the surrounding area.”
Haldimand County Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley: “It’s important that we are persistent in elevating the issues that matter to our community to ensure we’re top of mind with the province when it comes to funding and supports. I appreciate the time Minister Surma took to visit our community today and look forward to future discussions and announcements that will positively impact the future of this project.”
Mayor Bentley, MP Leslyn Lewis, Minister of Infrastructure Kinga Surma participate in a tour facilitated by Phil Wilson, Haldimand County Manager of Water & Wastewater Engineering.
On February 29, 2024, Haldimand County Council reviewed and approved the 2024 Tax-Supported Operating Budget. The budget results in a total levy requirement of $86,097,640, which equates to an annual residential tax impact of 4.43% or approximately $13.14 per month on an average residential home.
The Operating Budget pays for day to day operations of the County, including (but not limited to) salaries, wages, utilities, insurance and services like running arenas, pools and the public library, maintaining 600+ acres of parks and cemeteries, providing emergency services and garbage collection.
The 2024 budget strives to balance the difficult economic climate being experienced across the province with the necessary requirements to keep Haldimand on pace within other communities.
The increase to the budget can be attributed to inflationary increases to base operational expenditures along with minimal new initiatives in the areas of community health & safety, climate change and technology advancements, all of which are intended to meet the community’s evolving needs and maintain the level of service delivery residents deserve and expect.
“Staff have worked hard under challenging economic circumstances to develop a budget that balances the challenges taxpayers are facing with keeping the municipality moving forward to meet the service expectations of our community,” noted Cathy Case, Chief Administrative Officer.
Case noted that despite facing similar budgetary pressures, the county’s annual tax impact is significantly lower than many of its municipal comparators.
“The 2024 budget maintains the core services our residents expect and introduces some new initiatives in response to our community’s greatest needs. Staff have prepared a budget that accounts for many uncontrollable factors, including decisions made by the province, while ensuring the facilities, services and amenities we provide are sustained for the public we serve,” said Haldimand County Mayor Shelley Bentley.
Key initiatives included within the 2024 Tax-Supported Operating are focused around 5 key themes. Highlights include:
Healthcare & Community Wellness – Investing in additional staff at Grandview Lodge to increase direct care for residents and provide enhanced coverage – Continuing the vital work of the Community Paramedic Program – Introducing a Physician Recruitment Strategy to address critical shortages of health care practitioners in the community
Community & Customer Service – Increasing the annual contribution to the Community Beautification Program, providing $80,000 in grant funding to local organizations – Introducing new resources to support local business and bolster the local economy – Facilitating bi-annual Resident Satisfaction Surveys to ensure services are meeting community needs – Adding additional frontline customer service staff in response to growth and increasing demand for services
Workforce Recruitment & Retention – Committing to staff recruitment and retention through the implementation of Non-Union Compensation Market Review recommendations
Technology – Strengthening cybersecurity efforts, increase efficiencies and continue technology advancements through the continuation of the Council approved IT division reorganization – Adopting an Innovation Fund to enable small-scale technology projects within the organization to proceed efficiently – Ensuring public-facing communications technologies meet user needs and comply with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) legislation
Climate Change & Emergency Response – Enhancing the county’s forestry management program by introducing a new invasive species program – Allocating additional funding to offer the Rural Water Quality Program on a permanent basis – Moving from a part-time Emergency Services Coordinator of Emergency Management/Fire Education to a full-time position
On average, a residential property owner can expect their annual property taxes to be allocated as follows:
There is still lots of time to take advantage of all the cold-weather recreation and leisure Haldimand County has to offer, and the Playbook—available online and at the Haldimand County Administration Building, the Cayuga Heritage Centre and Libraries—is residents’ guide to getting engaged and getting active!
Public skating programs
Free public skating programs are offered at all four of the county’s arenas, including public and adult skates, pre-school skates, child’s hockey skates, shinny for all ages and open figure skates. No registration is required; check out the Playbook or the Recreation page for schedules and additional details.
Walking tracks
The County has indoor Walking Tracks in the Caledonia, Cayuga and Dunnville Arenas, open daily from 8:00 a.m. to Arena closing. Access is free and requires no pre-registration; call the Arena to confirm hours of operation.
Partnership programs – Sit to Be Fit, Minds in Motion
In collaboration with the Haldimand Abilities Centre, Haldimand County is pleased to once again offer the always-popular Seniors Sit to be Fit at the Caledonia Arena, while the new Minds in Motion program is being offered at the Cayuga Arena. Both programs are free; contact the Abilities Centre at 905-768-4488 for information or to register.
Museum and library programming
Haldimand Museums and Libraries also offer a variety of activities and programs for all ages, including exhibits, presentations, workshops and social opportunities. You can also go virtual with your Haldimand Museums experience! Visit the Museums’ online collection or exhibits, programs and curriculum. A schedule of Museum programs is available at link.haldimandcounty.ca; some programs require registration.
March Break
Families looking for March Break diversions have a variety of options to choose from including weekly recreation camps (registration opens February 1), museum workshops or ‘take-home’ kits and library activities. Pricing, locations and registration details are in the Playbook and online at link.haldimandcounty.ca.
Haldimand County also has beautiful outdoor spaces you can visit at your leisure: parks, pathways and trails. Please be aware these assets are not winter maintained and should be used at your own discretion.
Visit the Haldimand County Administration Building, your local Library or the Cayuga Heritage Centre to pick up a copy of the Playbook, or find it online.
The Cayuga Heritage Centre is pleased to announce the launch of its newest exhibition, ‘Handle With Care’, along with its October program schedule.
Exhibition Talk: ‘Handle with Care’ – October 10
In this special presentation led by our museum curator, participants will learn about the history of fragile, useful objects we use in our daily lives and the process of setting up and caring for the precious items in Haldimand Museums’ collection – including 19th century ceramics, pottery, earthenware and porcelain. Visitors will have a chance to explore the exhibition upon arrival (6 p.m.) and celebrate its grand opening. There is no cost to attend.
Workshop: Preserving Your Family Photographs – October 21
Participants in this hands-on preservation workshop will learn how to keep their cherished family photographs intact for future generations. The workshop will include a discussion on the history of photography, how to identify vulnerabilities and apply preventive care techniques like an archivist! Please feel free to bring photos along for consultation at the end of the session. The workshop will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and take place in the Cayuga Heritage Centre’s Archive Room.
Community Voices Participatory Presentation and Community Paramedic Program K9 Visit – October 25
Join other history enthusiasts for a presentation exploring lesser-known families that have had roots in Haldimand County from time immemorial. Attendees will also have an opportunity to learn about the genealogical research process and have a visit with our local emergency services’ wellness dogs.
This program will run from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Cayuga Heritage Centre programming room. Please note that a trained emergency services dog will be in the building.
Cemetery Walk – October 28
Discover the history and secrets of the Caledonia Methodist Cemetery on a guided walking tour. Learn about headstone symbiology and local family histories. There are two timeslots available: 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The cost for each program is $10/person unless otherwise specified. Pre-registration is required for all events. Register online at link.haldimandcounty.ca or in person at the Haldimand County Administration Building at 53 Thorburn Street South, Cayuga.
The Winter Storm and Flood Warnings remain in effect for the Lake Erie shoreline. High winds and strong wave action is causing flooding in lakeshore areas, and Haldimand County Emergency Services is advising residents to avoid non-essential travel along the lakeshore and shelter in place if in an affected area.
Haldimand County Emergency Services is actively monitoring conditions and roads along the lakeshore and implementing closures as necessary. Roads crews are also out actively salting and plowing, as well as monitoring key areas. Crews will continue to work 24/7 through the duration of this significant weather event.
Ice accretion is a significant concern with the high winds, waves and cold temperatures. Residents along the lake should have their 72 hour emergency kits close by.
Road conditions are deteriorating quickly, which will cause obvious delays for emergency services. Residents who attempt travel should only do so for absolutely essential purposes.
Current road closures include:
Port Maitland Rd. and the Esplanade (as well as the Pier)
Northshore Dr. in Lowbanks
Key storm contacts:
If you are facing an emergency, dial 9-1-1. 9‑1‑1 is for police, fire or medical emergencies when immediate action is required. Dial 9-1-1 only if you feel your safety is at risk.
To report a public roadway obstruction (e.g: downed tree, water over the road or debris blocking a roadway) call 1-888-849-7345.
To report a sewer, water, park or public facility emergency call 1-888-849-7345.
If you see a downed power line caused by a storm or accident, maintain a distance of 10 metres or more and report it to both 911 and Hydro One at 1-800-434-1235.
If you are experiencing a power outage, call Hydro One’s 24/7 province-wide outage hotline at 1-800-434-1235. You can view Hydro One’s live outage map which includes restoration time information.
Residents should pay close attention to changing weather conditions and watch for updated flood messages. A flood guide for lakeshore property owners and other emergency preparedness resources can be found at www.HaldimandCounty.ca/floods.
Updates will be shared at HaldimandCounty.ca and via Facebook and Twitter as they become available.
The 2022 Municipal and School Board Election wrapped up this evening with polls officially closing at 8 p.m. Haldimand County saw an increase in voter turnout this election with 36.50% of eligible voters casting a ballot in total, up from 35.57% in 2018. Advance voting turnout more than tripled from 2018; 18.27% of votes were cast in advance prior to election day, with 6,074 voters casting a ballot online and 1,394 voting in advance in person.
Starting after the polls close at 8 p.m., unofficial election results will be populated on our results page. Results will be updated in real-time as more polls come in.
After a two-year hiatus, Edinburgh Square Heritage & Cultural Centre is pleased to announce the return of Haldimand County’s Juried Art Exhibition with a call for submissions for the 24th annual show.
The Juried Art Exhibition is open to emerging or established artists working in all media including, but not limited to, painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, ceramic, sculpture and mixed media. The theme of the show is open, and artists are invited to submit pieces that depict any subject matter in any location.
Works of art completed within the last three years are eligible for entry and can be submitted at Edinburgh Square Heritage & Cultural Centre, 80 Caithness St. E., Caledonia, during regular business hours from May 10-30. There is a $25 entry fee per artist and up to three pieces may be presented for the jury’s consideration.
The exhibition will run June 3-30 at Edinburgh Square with an opening reception and awards presentation on Thursday, June 2, from 7-8:30 p.m.
Entry forms are available online or at in-person at the heritage centre.
For further information, please contact Edinburgh Square at 905-765-3134, or by email at museums@haldimandcounty.on.ca.
The arrival of warmer weather has sparked an uptick in recreational and non-recreational fires in Haldimand County. The Haldimand County Fire Department would like to remind all residents of our Open Air Burn By-law. We kindly ask for everyone’s cooperation to ensure that all outdoor fires are safe and controlled.
Haldimand County does allow small fires (recreational) in all areas without a permit as long as the fire meets all of the regulations found in the Open Air Burn By-law. Things to remember when having a fire on your property are:
The fire is contained and supervised at all times.
Recreational fires must be at least 10 meters from buildings and structures.
A means of extinguishing the fire must be available.
Measures must be in place, so no one is adversely affected by the smoke and odours from your fire.
However, Haldimand County only permits Non-recreational fires in specific regions. As a result, you must acquire a burn permit available on the Haldimand County Website. Non-recreational fires must meet all of the regulations set out in the by-law.
These regulations include:
Non-recreational fires must remain under supervision at all times.
Fires must be contained to an area not exceeding 6 meters by 6 meters.
Non-recreational fires must be 60 meters from all buildings, roadways and anything combustible.
Conducting Open-air fires that are not in line with Haldimand County’s by-law presents potential safety hazards. Anyone running an open-air fire that violates the by-law is subject to fines, provincial prosecution and recovery of costs required to respond to and extinguish the fire.
If you have further questions regarding Haldimand County’s Open Air Burn By-law or our Burn Permit, please reach out to Haldimand County Emergency Services at (905) 318-5932, extension 6230.
