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Statement from Haldimand County regarding potential merger of Haldimand-Norfolk & Brant County Health Units

Statement from Haldimand County regarding potential merger of Haldimand-Norfolk & Brant County Health Units

Background:

In 2023, the Ministry of Health announced plans to strengthen the public health sector by offering one-time funding, resources and supports to local public health agencies that decide to voluntarily merge by January 1, 2025. Their goal is to better support communities through optimization of resources and better coordination of services.

The decisions of the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit (HNHU) and Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) Boards of Health to pursue a potential merger were released publicly on April 26, 2024.

While a merger is voluntary at this point, municipalities have received clear indication that regionalization of Public Health Departments is a priority of this provincial government. If voluntary mergers are not considered, the potential for a merger to be imposed, and without the current funding, is a distinct possibility. This would bring Haldimand County back to the drawing board in terms of a revised governance model with direct Haldimand representation.

The decisions of the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit (HNHU) and Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) Boards of Health to pursue a merger present a number of opportunities and benefits for Haldimand County and its residents.

These include:

  • An enhanced ability to build upon and strengthen existing public health services with a focus on addressing health inequities;
  • An opportunity for Haldimand to have direct representation on a new board of health;
  • An opportunity to access dedicated Ministry funding through the transition, putting money directly back into local public health unit services and enhancing public health capacity;
  • Responding to the request of Ministry to expand jurisdiction, in a responsible, manageable way; building on aligned services and existing synergies between Haldimand, Norfolk and Brant.

A number of options were considered beyond merging with Brant. A Joint Board Merger Working Group, including representatives from each health unit, worked with a consultant who facilitated a Feasibility Assessment Report to present various options and inform the Boards’ decision making.

Alternative options for Haldimand – including whether or not it was feasible to break apart from the existing Haldimand-Norfolk Board of Health and explore mergers with other neighbouring municipalities was considered – however, was not pursued for a variety of reasons, including lack of interest from these agencies.

Next steps are to submit a business case to the Province in consideration of this merger. No decision is final until authorized by the Ministry of Health. Council and the community will be kept informed about any changes as updates become available.

Quote from Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley:

“Access to high quality public health services is paramount to the overall well-being of our community and the opportunity to strengthen the critical services our residents depend on is very much welcomed. The potential for a merger between Haldimand, Norfolk and Brant speaks to the existing relationships between all agencies and common interest in providing responsive, accessible services that meet community needs. As both agencies work through next steps, Haldimand Council will continue to advocate for an independent voice within the governance model of a merged Board of Health to ensure the interests of Haldimand residents are heard and considered.” – Haldimand County Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley

 

Haldimand County logo. A yellow sun rising or setting atop green and blue waves. Haldimand County in black lettering below.

Haldimand County partners with City School by Mohawk to offer free post-secondary programming in Caledonia

Haldimand County, in partnership with City School by Mohawk, will be providing a free Landscape Construction course to community members 19+ with little to no post-secondary education this summer in Caledonia.

In the Landscape Construction course, Introduction to Decks & Fences, students will learn basic construction techniques to build projects relating to landscape construction including:

  • Learning how to interpret drawings;
  • Learning how to read a bill of materials and build projects of varying sizes and complexity;
  • Select appropriate tools and fasteners aligning with project requirements;
  • Develop skills to support the construction of decks and fences on a smaller scale to serve as an introduction to the trade; and
  • Explore landscape construction as a potential career.

This program will run from May 13 to June 13, 2024 from 3:00 pm -7:00 pm every Monday, Tuesday & Thursday in the City School mobile classroom in the parking lot at the Haldimand Caledonia Community Centre (HCCC) (100 Haddington St.).

“We are thrilled that City School by Mohawk is back in Haldimand County, providing access to post-secondary education to members of our community,” said Lidy Romanuk, Manager of Economic Development & Tourism at Haldimand County. “We are pleased to continue this valuable partnership with Mohawk College and encourage Haldimand residents to explore these local post-secondary offerings, various employment pathways, and embrace a commitment to lifelong learning.”

“We are so grateful for the partnership with Haldimand County, and the opportunity to increase the options Haldimand County residents have for entering, or re-entering, college education,” said Emily Ecker, Mohawk College Associate Dean, Community Partnerships & Learning, Community Access and Engagement.

Registration for the City School by Mohawk Landscape Construction course is now open and will close on May 9, 2024. You can register online at the City School by Mohawk website at https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/programs/get-prepared-for-college/city-school-by-mohawk. Please note that registration is required, and space is limited.

Mohawk College has been providing a quality, higher education experience to students in Hamilton, Ontario and the surrounding area since 1967. The college educates and serves more than 34,600 full-time, part-time, apprenticeship and international students at four main campuses in Hamilton, and at learning hubs across Hamilton through City School by Mohawk. Mohawk is among the leading colleges in Canada for applied research. It has been named one of Canada’s greenest employers for 11 years in a row, and is home to the country’s largest net zero energy institutional building. More than 165,000 people have graduated from Mohawk since it was founded.

Public Input Required – Sunday Gun Hunting

Haldimand County seeking public input into permitting seven-day gun hunting in Haldimand County.

HALDIMAND COUNTY, ON – Haldimand County Council has requested staff to gather information and input to consider permitting Sunday day gun hunting in Haldimand County during the gun hunting season established pursuant to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.

Feedback regarding this matter can be submitted to bylaw@haldimandcounty.on.ca and is being accepted until May 30, 2024.

All feedback will be reviewed and considered when reporting back to Council on this matter.

Ditch Burning

HALDIMAND COUNTY, ON – Over the last week, Haldimand County firefighters have responded to numerous fires resulting from the burning of grass and brush in roadside ditches. As the spring season unfolds and agricultural activities intensify, the Haldimand County Fire Department is highlighting the critical issue of fire spread dangers associated with burning ditches. While historically used for land clearing and waste disposal, this practice poses significant risks to communities, ecosystems, and property.

Burning ditches can quickly escalate into uncontrolled fires, especially under unfavourable weather conditions such as dry spells or high winds. Once ignited, flames can rapidly spread to surrounding vegetation, crops, and structures, endangering lives and property.

The indiscriminate burning of ditches poses direct threats to nearby communities, particularly those situated in rural or semi-urban areas. Embers carried by wind can travel significant distances, igniting fires in residential areas and causing property damage or destruction. Smoke from burning ditches can envelop neighbourhoods, posing respiratory hazards and reducing air quality, especially for vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions.

The Haldimand County Fire Department urges property owners to prioritize fire safety and adopt alternative land management practices to mitigate fire risks associated with burning ditches. The burning of brush or grass within ditches is not permitted within Haldimand County. In the event of a fire response resulting from the intentional burning of grass or brush, the property owner is subject to fines and/or cost recovery fees under the Open Air Burning Bylaw.

For more information, please visit HaldimandCounty.ca or contact the Fire Department at 905-318-5932 ext. 6230, or email emergencyservices@haldimandcounty.on.ca

Haldimand County seeking public input to modernize and consolidate business licensing by-laws

Haldimand County staff have initiated a project to review, modernize and consolidate its existing business licensing by-laws. The goal of the review is to ensure current by-laws are meeting regulatory requirements, protecting consumers and not imposing unnecessary barriers for businesses.

Haldimand County currently licenses the following businesses:

  • Hired vehicles
  • Mobile food premises
  • Motor vehicle racing businesses
  • Public entertainment events
  • Salvage yards and scrap metal collection bins
  • Pawnbrokers

Additional business types may be considered as part of this review.

Kennels are licensed under the Animal Control By-Law and as such, are not being considered as part of this review.

Staff have created a Business Licensing Review & Consolidation Survey to obtain preliminary public feedback on existing by-laws and gain a better understanding of what the community feels should be included or changed. The online survey is open to both business owners and members of the public, and only takes a few minutes to complete. The survey closes April 30.

A Community Open House will also be held for business owners and members of the public who wish to learn more about business licensing by-laws, provide suggestions or discuss with staff in more detail. The Open House will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Haldimand County Administration Building (Haldimand Room) – 53 Thorburn St. S, Cayuga. Everyone is welcome to attend and registration is not required.

Community feedback will be assessed and considered when developing the new, consolidated by-law.

More information on business licensing by-laws can be found at www.haldimandcounty.ca/licences; updates on the by-law consolidation project will be posted at www.haldimandcounty.ca/businesslicences and shared via social media as they become available.

Haldimand County Business Symposium

HALDIMAND COUNTY, ON – Haldimand County Mayor and Council invite all Haldimand County businesses to the 2024 Haldimand Business Symposium. This free networking event will take place on Thursday April 18, 2024 from 5:00 pm -7:30 pm at the Haldimand County Administration Building in Cayuga (53 Thorburn St S)

This year’s event will feature a networking reception and presentations from two guest speakers. “Putting On Your Storytelling Hat: An Introduction to Content Marketing for Business Owners” by Jessica Robinson, Content Manager at The Globe and Mail Content Studio. Jessica will present the fundamentals of storytelling-focused marketing with emphasis on tactics and examples that are relevant to small business owners. Prior to joining The Globe, Jessica told brand stories at Canada’s most beloved magazines including Chatelaine and Maclean’s.

Additionally, Tony Cupido, Research Chair of Sustainable Building Technologies at Mohawk College, presenting “Is Your Business Ready for a Low-Carbon Future” will provide valuable insights and considerations for the future. His research initiatives include the development of an operational performance database for Canada’s award-winning, largest institutional, net-zero energy and zero carbon building, The Joyce Centre.

“The Haldimand Business Symposium presents a chance for Haldimand County to express gratitude to our local businesses for their invaluable contributions in making our community a wonderful place to live and work” said Mayor Bentley.

“The evening will provide a valuable opportunity to network with other local business owners and key business organizations and hear two impactful speakers share information that will support your business” added Lidy Romanuk, Manager, Economic Development and Tourism.

Haldimand County Council invite all local business owners, representatives from Chambers of Commerce, Business Improvement Areas and business organizations across the county to attend this event. There is no cost to attend but registration is required. Visit BusinessHaldimand.ca for more information and to register. Should you have any questions please contact us at opportunity@haldimandcounty.on.ca (905) 318-5932 ext. 6331.

 

Register online here: https://www.haldimandcounty.ca/symposium/

Haldimand Museums Spring Trivia Night Fundraiser

HALDIMAND COUNTY, ON – Join Haldimand Museums as they host their annual Spring Trivia Night on Thursday, April 18 at the Cayuga Legion, located at 11 Talbot Street West.

Doors open at 5:00 p.m. with dinner—including roast beef on a bun, salads and dessert —served at 5:30 pm. A vegetarian option is also available.

Following dinner, a fun-filled evening of friendly competition begins with a spirited pop culture trivia contest. Test your knowledge of recent history, trends and the trivial. Prizes will be awarded for the first- and second-place teams, but no prize is better than bragging rights!

Register your four-person team online at link.haldimandcounty.ca using activity code 26436. The cost per person is $30, and covers both the meal and trivia.

Proceeds from the evening support ongoing Haldimand Museums’ program and exhibition development.

For additional information about this event, contact museums@haldimandcounty.on.ca.

Burn Permits

HALDIMAND COUNTY, ON – Haldimand County Emergency Services are reminding the public that there are rules and permits for open air burning. This is both for your safety and the safety of our community. If you are planning any burning activities on your property, it is crucial to approach them with care and diligence. Here is a concise rundown to ensure safe and lawful burning..

Secure a Permit: Prior to igniting any fires, ensure you have the necessary permit. These permits serve as a regulatory measure to monitor burning activities and uphold safety standards. To obtain a permit, please visit the Haldimand County website or attend in person at the Haldimand County Administrative Building, located at 53 Thorburn St South, Cayuga.

Large Burn Piles: For those conducting a “non-recreational” burn, exercise heightened caution. These types of burns can swiftly escalate if not managed effectively. The approved size of a “non-recreational” burn is a maximum of 6m x 6m. Separating large piles into smaller, more manageable piles, and burning one at a time is best practice. Ensure adequate clearance of anything combustible around the burn area. In addition, monitor winds and weather conditions, and have appropriate fire suppression equipment readily available. Never leave the burn unattended.

Property Owners Responsibility: In the event that a fire spirals out of control or a complaint is made which requires the fire department to respond, property owners may be held financially accountable for all associated costs. Once the burn is extinguished, by whatever means, the property owner must ensure the burn area has been returned to its natural, clean condition. Adhering to safe burning practices not only mitigates risks, but also averts potential financial liabilities.

Community Responsibility: Let’s not overlook the collective responsibility we share as members of a community. Practicing safe burning is not just about safeguarding individual properties; it is about fostering a culture of collective safety and responsibility within our community.

To learn more about the Haldimand County Open Air Fire Bylaw, please visit: https://www.haldimandcounty.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Open-Air-Fire-Burning-By-law-1662-16.pdf

Haldimand County Council approves 2024 Tax-Supported Operating Budget

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:

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. Workforce Recruitment & Retention
    – Committing to staff recruitment and retention through the implementation of Non-Union
    Compensation Market Review recommendations
  1. 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
  2. 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:

Haldimand County Tax Allocation by Service graph - 2024

More information on County budgets and budget processes is available at HaldimandCounty.ca/financials/budgets.

Hagersville Library + Active Living Centre fund-raising campaign heads into homestretch

After more than two years of public engagement and design consultation, the Hagersville Library + Active Living Centre (HL+ALC) project is just months away from breaking ground, and the local Fund-Raising Committee supporting the construction of the new centre is launching the final push to meet its $2 million fund-raising goal.

“We are excited to be this close to making the new facility a reality for residents and visitors to our town,” says Committee Chair Tony Dalimonte, the former ward Councillor who initiated discussions with County staff in 2019 to realize the vision of multi-functional library, recreation and community facility in Grant Kett Park. “We know it will take about 18 months to complete the build, but putting a shovel in the ground gets us one step closer.”

“Hagersville is the second-fastest-growing community in Haldimand and needed an accessible, integrated building like this for library services, recreation and community socialization,” says Mike Evers, the General Manager of Community & Development Services. “From the beginning, this project has been an amazing collaboration with community members and groups working with Haldimand County staff—and now the design team at CGS Architects Inc.—to create a made-in-Hagersville and Haldimand facility.”

In June 2023, Council approved an additional $4.6 million in County funding towards the construction of the HL+ALC. This was in response to community feedback which included increasing the size and functionality of programming areas and the rapidly-rising construction costs since the original project budget was developed prior to the pandemic.

To date, the Fund-Raising Committee has raised more than $1.5 million dollars towards the construction of the facility, mostly through major community and corporate donations.

“The Committee has set an ambitious goal of raising another $500,000 through the community, which will be used specifically for technology and other design and program delivery enhancements that will elevate the uses and functionality of the facility,” explains Dalimonte. “This will be Hagersville’s community hub—for all ages and abilities—and we hope everyone will want to be part of making this facility a success and contribute any way they can, including using it for their recreation, leisure, wellness, educational, family and other activities and get-togethers.”

“We know how generous our community is,” adds Fund-Raising Committee member Rob Phillips, “and how it supports its local groups and services. We’ve seen that most recently with the Catch the Ace lottery and the many other important community initiatives that are supported by local residents and businesses. This is a facility designed for our community, and we hope residents from Hagersville and our surrounding towns will become part of building and supporting it for decades to come.”

For more information about contributing to the Hagersville Library + Active Living Centre, contact Fund-Raising Committee Chair Tony Dalimonte at 905-768-1260.

Details about the latest design are also available to view on the project web page at https://www.haldimandcounty.ca/hagersvillealc/.