The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) will be conducting gas detection surveys in the Jarvis area from October 25 until the end of November as part of its Legacy Oil and Gas Wells Action Plan. Residents may see gas detection vehicles and drones in the area as the survey work is completed.
Some surveys will be conducted via detection vehicles, which will be slow moving with aerial-mounted gas detection equipment on top. Others will be conducted within the municipal right-of-way or by drone surveys collecting gas readings.
None of the survey methods will collect photographs or recognizable imagery. Based on the survey results, the MNR may contact individual landowners/occupants seeking permission to undertake additional testing on private properties.
More than half of the wells in Ontario are abandoned. There are about 6,000 known legacy oil and gas wells in both Haldimand and Norfolk counties, with 56 per cent of them in Haldimand. The province recently provided funding to municipalities – including Haldimand and Norfolk counties – to address mitigation and emergency preparedness initiatives.
About legacy oil and gas wells
Leaking wells may release hydrogen sulphide (H2S), a poisonous gas that smells like rotten eggs, and methane, an odourless and flammable gas. The health effects from breathing in these chemicals can vary depending on how much is in the air.
More information about abandoned oil and gas wells is available on the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit website and via the Abandoned Works Program page at Ontario.ca. For more information on the gas detection work specifically, contact the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.
On October 17, SOAR Community Services – in partnership with the Haldimand Business Development and Planning Advisory Committee, the Economic Development and Tourism Division, and the Grand Erie Business Centre – hosted a successful Job Fair at the Riverside Exhibition Centre.
The Job Fair saw participation from 31 local employers such as Stelco, Libro Credit Union, West Haldimand General Hospital, Haldimand O.P.P. and many more, who exhibited and showcased what opportunities are available for the local labour force. The event was a major success and saw over 237 job seekers and spectators in attendance over the course of the three hour event.
“The Job Fair was a tremendous success, drawing in employers and job seekers from all over Haldimand County,” shared Lidy Romanuk, Haldimand County’s Manager of Economic Development and Tourism. “Organizing an event that aligns local talent with local employers is truly a win-win for the County as it not only strengthens our economy, but also our local business community, ensuring a successful future,” she continued.
“Connecting job seekers with local businesses is a core aspect of programming,” added Malcolm Whyte, Director of Services, Employment & Justice with SOAR Community Services. “Showing local job seekers the opportunities that exist right outside their door, and keeping local talent local, is the ultimate success. Job Fairs are a perfect example of how we can do that.”
Tauri Caputo, General Manager of Grand Erie Business Centre, emphasized the importance of the event: “Job fairs like this are critical to connecting job seekers with businesses that are looking to grow. We are proud to support this initiative as it not only provides immediate job opportunities but also helps foster long-term relationships between employers, local service providers, and the local workforce.”
Preliminary planning has begun for another Job Fair, which is scheduled to be hosted in the early spring. Information regarding this event will be released closer to the selected date. Employers interested receiving registration information directly can connect with Haldimand Economic Development & Tourism at Opportunity@HaldimandCounty.on.ca.
For more information about employment services available to Haldimand County employers visit SOAR Community Services online at www.soarcs.ca.
On Tuesday, October 15, Haldimand County staff and members of Council gathered in Dunnville on Tamarac St. to witness the last section of road in the gravel conversion program be completed 18 years ahead of schedule – a major milestone.
The Granular Road Conversion Program was launched in 2002 as part of a maintenance plan in Roads Operations and became an official Capital Budget item under Engineering Services in 2009. As a top priority of Council for many years, the program set out a plan to convert 197 sections of road from gravel to hard surface, representing 406 kms of roadways and a total lifetime cost of $45.3 million.
During the course of the program road sections were ranked using four criteria: traffic volume, housing density, connections to other roadways and required maintenance efforts which determined their priority in the conversion schedule.
Originally the program was scheduled to be complete by 2042 but through a series of improvements to the conversion process and funding accelerations approved by Council, the timeline was shortened by 18 years.
The final 100m stretch of Tamarac St. (from Main St. E to Front St.) has re-opened to vehicular traffic, however, sidewalk construction and landscape restoration will continue over the next few weeks so crews will still be on site.
“Through projects like the Gravel Road Conversion Program, we are seeing firsthand the positive impact of investing in our infrastructure. Well-maintained roads mean safer travel for families, smoother commutes for workers, and better connections between our neighborhoods and businesses. By prioritizing these improvements, we are building an even stronger, more connected future for everyone in our community,” stated Haldimand County Mayor Bentley.
Photo (left to right): Councillor Stu Patterson, Councillor Rob Shirton, Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley, Tyson Haedrich (General Manager, Engineering & Capital Works), Cathy Case (Chief Administrative Officer), Councillor John Metcalfe, Councillor Patrick O’Neill, Kris Franklin (Manager, Engineering & Capital Works)
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.
