Six finalists who made winning pitches for the Haldimand & Norfolk “Spark” Program were each awarded a $3,000 seed grant and mentorship to help them get started with their new tourism ideas.

The Haldimand & Norfolk County “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program is a collaborative partnership initiative between the Tourism Innovation Lab, Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation, Haldimand County Tourism, Norfolk County Tourism, Libro Credit Union, Grand Erie Business Centre and Venture Norfolk.

The program’s goal is to find, foster and support new tourism ideas, experiences and partnerships that will enhance current offerings, address gaps or challenges, motivate travel and longer stays, and increase year-round visits in the region.

Twenty applications were received, with the top five from Haldimand and the top five from Norfolk being invited to present their new tourism ideas at virtual Pitch Sessions held this week. Judge panels of local partner representatives and tourism innovators from outside the region selected the six winning applicants.

The 2022 Haldimand County “Spark” Program winners are:

• Dan Megna & Laurie Lilliman, Twisted Lemon (Haldimand Getaway Packages)
• Jessica Carpio, Bluewater Flower Farm (Organic Flower Farm Tours, Experiences & Sensory Based Workshops)
• Nancy VanSas, Lower Grand River Land Trust/Ruthven Park (Ruthven in Wonderland)

The 2022 Norfolk County “Spark” Program winners are:

• Brooke Martin (Norfolk’s Bounty: A Picnic Experience)
• Hannah & Cliff Lawrance (Glamping Accommodations)
• Marshall Collins, Collins Harbour (Food Trucks)

In addition to seed funds, mentorship and additional partner support, selected applicants gain access to a network of tourism innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders across the province.

For more information visit www.tourisminnovation.ca/HaldimandNorfolk.

Haldimand County is excited to announce the introduction of the Louise Brown & Ross Brown Juniors Tennis Program, geared towards youth ages 8 to 18 years of age and available from August 3rd to September 2nd  in Caledonia, Dunnville and Jarvis.

The program, which will be coordinated by David Brown—who represented Canada in the Davis Cup—is named after his late mother, a top-notch provincial and Canadian tennis champion, and father.

Louise Brown learned to play tennis in her hometown of Dunnville. Her passion for the sport helped her win the Canadian Open women’s singles and doubles titles in 1957 and she ranked in the Top 10 in Canadian women’s tennis for 26 years. Throughout a tennis career that spanned more than four decades, Louise won more than sixty Canadian singles and doubles titles. Her husband, Ross, served in the R.C.A.F. from 1939 to 1945 and was the President of the Ontario Tennis Association from 1965 to 1970.

The goal of the new program is to introduce youth to the sport and teach them the fundamentals of the game.  Participants will benefit from lessons led by a highly-qualified group of dedicated tennis professionals. “I’m very excited at the opportunity to come back to Haldimand County and share my family’s passion for the sport of tennis with our younger residents,” says Brown.

Thanks to the support of Canadian Tire Jumpstart’s Sport Relief Fund—which helps provide access to sport and play for Canadian youth—and Wilson Sporting Goods, the Louise Brown & Ross Brown Juniors Tennis Program will be offered free of charge to participants, including equipment (racquets and balls).

For more information, or to register (registration opens Wednesday, July 21), please check the County’s online registration system at link.haldimandcounty.ca.

Statement from Mayor and Council – October 9, 2020

CALEDONIA PROTEST

The OPP and levels of government are not criminalizing the protestors at McKenzie Meadows.  The court issuing the injunction is not criminalizing them either.  The only people responsible for being charged with crimes are themselves and those that support and perpetuate the illegal activity. Just because we do not agree with another’s assertion does not mean anyone can step outside of the law to assert their own. No one gets a free pass or is bestowed with the right to be above the law just because they believe that someone else is wrong.

It has been said many times that we can all agree on the past failures that our Nation was built on and I would hazard to guess that most of us today are not directly responsible for those past deeds. However, we are capable of changing the course and direction or path we have been on. Dialogue towards a positive outcome is always the intent of any government and I am sure that those on Six Nations would look to the same.

Positive dialogue cannot occur under the veil of threats and hostility that exists on McKenzie Meadows.  You cannot call it peaceful when the actions of these few are calculated against any opposing action of others. A peaceful protest or exercising rights cannot be at the expense or rights of others.

There is currently a warrant for the arrest of Skyler Williams. In society today our police forces work together to help each other as the brothers they so often call themselves. I find it appalling that the OPP cannot extend the warrant within the boundary of Six Nations. Skyler each night can enjoy a peaceful sleep without interruption while many here in Caledonia continue to be at the brunt of tantrums when the police service is trying to uphold our laws.

As I mentioned earlier, Six Nations needs to assume some accountability for the failure of negotiations as does our governments.  For any meaningful conversation to take place it requires the efforts of both to find a transparent and effective method to represent the needs of both Nations. Without that framework, the posturing that continues to happen on the streets of Haldimand only exasperates things and drives wedges further into the social fabric that has afforded us many years of continued existence.

There are a number of great opportunities other than just the assertion of the claim itself, that could be celebrated for the benefit of all and many of these items are on there table and have been discussed in the past and would provide fundamental things such as fresh water to the whole of the territory and improve everyone’s social position.

Caledonia/Six Nations could be seen as a celebration of success and not one of burning tires and frustration for all. It requires some efforts from all and it must come from a good place, a place not filled with anxiety and anger. It must come from the ability to understand, to compromise and to see the end game that benefits future generations. It will NEVER be a successful ending if at the expense of one another.

Haldimand County Council continues to push provincial and federal agencies – including the Ontario Provincial Police and Ministry of Crown-Indigenous Relations – for an expeditious resolution of the McKenzie Meadows occupation.

Council remains adamant that illegal activities and behaviors in contravention with the law must be prosecuted accordingly, and reminds anyone attending the McKenzie Meadows site that they are at risk of being arrested and facing criminal charges as outlined in the court-issued injunction.

A court injunction remains in place for the McKenzie Meadows site and all municipal roadways. Council is firm in its stance that criminal activities – including occupying the McKenzie Meadows site – must not be tolerated by law enforcement.

Council acknowledges that the OPP has no role to play in the dispute’s underlying issues and is not in a position to resolve them, but expects that they will enforce the law with due process. Council further expects that the courts and relevant authorities will respect the injunctions and hold anyone brought before them accountable for their defiance of the law.

“We have been relentless in our attempts to engage in meaningful dialogue with the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and other federal agencies. This situation isn’t going away, and is a by-product of failed communication and mediation at the federal level. The cost and impacts on our community are mounting. Inaction is unacceptable,” said Haldimand County Mayor Ken Hewitt.

Haldimand County Council will continue to advocate on behalf of the community with the OPP and all levels of government until a resolution is reached.

On Monday, December 2, 200+ residents attended the Flooding Hazards & Preparedness Measures Public Education Centre (PEC) at the Dunnville Community Lifespan Centre. Presentation slides shown during the PEC are available below, as well as other resource materials provided at the December 2 event. This information is also available at HaldimandCounty.ca/floods.

Documents & resources

1. Public Education Centre presentation slides

2. Storm & flood contact information for residents – information sheet

3. Preparing For Flooding – a guide for property owners

4. Emergency flooding handout

5. Emergency power outage handout

6. Insurance for disasters handout

7. Lake Erie Flood Zone Property Lookup Tool