County Closeup

Take a drive in Haliburton County these days, and you're sure to see how gas prices vary from town to town and station to station. The resulting confusion surrounding the variance got one local Haliburton woman wondering why those differences exist. She started a Facebook group entitled ‘Fair Gas Prices for Haliburton' to raise awareness and lobby support in a community where the effects of a down...

From the annual Maplefest to the Penny Raffle and awarding student bursaries, the Wilberforce ‘Fun'-raising Committee is committed to its beloved community. All their initiatives are aimed at improving the lives of the friends and neighbors who call this small village home. That's why Janice Dahms is excited to be involved in hosting yet another community effort — the Wilberforce Clothing Swap to...

This past year has been a tough one when it comes to the health and stability of trees in Haliburton County. Heavy snowpacks, a devastating ice storm, windstorms, and prolonged heat and drought have put many different species under extreme stress. But, according to a local expert, trees are designed to withstand and survive multiple hardships, but don't live forever. CanoeFM went into the Haliburt...

Every year in mid-September, the tiny village of Gooderham in Haliburton County comes alive with motorcycles, racers and enthusiasts who participate in the Corduroy Enduro — an intense test of motorcycling skills through challenging terrain. This is the 71st year for the Cord, as it's affectionately called, with more than 700 riders expected to compete over the weekend of September 18 – 21.CanoeFM...

In Ontario's last municipal election, 32 councils were acclaimed. That means no one chose to run for office to serve their communities. The recently-formed Haliburton Highlands Healthy Democracy Project aims to change that, by giving local residents a chance to acquire the skills and tools needed to become involved in the political arena. Established and run by five politically-active individuals,...

For the second year in a row, the Haliburton Legion, Branch 129 will be hosting its Empty Bowls fundraiser, that serves up both soup and support for SIRCH Community Services and other local food banks. CanoeFM spoke with both Michelle Anton, the Legion Secretary and Mike Waller, President of the Haliburton Legion Branch #129 about the event, who are thrilled to host the Empty Bowls fundraiser. Ant...

For the second year in a row, Haliburton's Youth Unlimited has partnered with the owners of Home Hardware to provide free backpacks and school supplies for another school year. CanoeFM spoke with Leanne Young of Youth Unlimited. She says it's just one way to take the financial burden off parents who might be struggling to make ends meet, and it also aligns with the organization's mission to nurtur...

Based on responses to the Canadian Income Survey, an estimated 18 per cent of households in Haliburton County are experiencing food insecurity. In fact, one in four cannot afford to buy the food they need to maintain good health. Food insecurity, a direct sign of poverty, has doubled in recent years, with more people turning to food banks to fill the gaps. Since late 2024, five Ontario communities...

For many young people, it's the obstacle that's the hardest to overcome — to get a job, you need experience, but how do you get it? The Ontario Summer Company program gives youth a chance to confidently start and run their own business. Beau Harnois, started up Clean Force Power Washing in Haliburton this summer, thanks to the grant which allowed him to purchase his equipment and learn all about t...

Rising rent, soaring grocery prices and other essentials are putting a strain on Ontarians and forcing them to make some difficult decisions. The reality? More households are experiencing food insecurity — the inability to afford nutritious food for optimum health. In Haliburton County, 18 per cent of households are living with food insecurity, with demand for assistance at food banks and social s...

Brooksong Retreat and Cancer Support Center in Haliburton is a nationally recognized safe place where people will be listened to and supported in the midst of a cancer experience. An upcoming fundrasiser is aimed at encouraging local residents to sweat to raise funds to ensure more people living with cancer can take advantage of the transformative care that Brooksong offers. The Sweat for Support...

It's a practice that might not be policy, but for the more than 700,000 rural mailbox customers served by Canada Post raising the red flag to signify a delivery has been made has ended. Canada Post made the announcement in early August and its mail carriers, members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, (CUPE), are disturbed by the removal of the time-honored practice since it weakens the crown...

Just a short drive from Minden is a river that offers the kind of paddling challenges for kayak and canoeing enthusiasts of all skill levels. The Minden Whitewater Preserve is a natural river that's been modified to provide some of the best whitewater to be found in Ontario. Nestled in the forest on the Gull River, the Preserve has everything; 800 meters of twists and turns, eddies and holes, as w...

A drastic lack of rain and tinder-dry conditions have resulted in a county-wide fire ban across all four municipalities in Haliburton County. Local fire officials made the decision as a preventative measure, to decrease the risk of wildfires. So what is a fire ban and why is it necessary? CanoeFM spoke with Michael French, Fire Chief for Algonquin Hills and the county fire coordinator just hours a...

Baz Conlin has spent much of his life rehabilitating landscapes. As a biologist trained in restoration, he's passionate about the power of native plants. That's why he's taken all he knows and turned it into Haliburton Micromeadows — a native plant nursery in Lochlin. Conlin encourages gardeners to use plants and shrubs native to the region and he sells 140 varieties of them at his nursery. He say...

In real estate, it's usually about location, location, location. But in Haliburton County, as with other cottage country areas, now it's all about patience and a dose of reality. Cottage country has long been a sought-after location for real estate buyers, and surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the boom has gone bust. As interest rates soar and mortgages came up for renewal, many property o...

Ever since the explosion of the internet, people have been turning to ‘Dr. Google' to research medical maladies. Now, because of the convergence of both a shortage of physicians and the growth of Artificial Intelligence, or AI, more people are relying on medical expertise found on their laptop. According to the Ontario Medical Association, the advent of AI and a lack of access to primary care are...

More than 13 years ago, the municipality of Dysart et Al asked local residents for their opinion on what was needed in terms of art and culture. That one survey led to the creation of the Cultural Resources Committee, whose job was to foster creativity in the community with a variety of projects. Now, the municipality is attempting to refresh the cultural landscape through its online Cultural Plan...

Homeschooling, a tradition that's existed for hundreds of years, has been enjoying a renaissance of sorts since the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021-2022, the number of Ontario children being homeschool jumped from 40,000 to more than 85,000 and here in Haliburton County, the trend continues. Micheon Hutchings is a member of the Haliburton Homeschoolers, a Facebook group that supports parents who've cho...

Threatened annexation and tariffs by US President Donald Trump have cooled the historically friendly relationship between Canada and the United States. That now includes travel by Canadians who are choosing not to go south of the border this summer. Border crossings have dropped 33 point one per cent in June. Canadian air travel also fell by 22 point one per cent in the same month. Last year, Cana...

They're fast and fun, but in the hands of untrained drivers, ATVs – All Terrain Vehicles, can be deadly. According to the Ontario Provincial Police, in the last 10 years, there have been 58 off-road vehicle fatalities in the region, with 59 per cent of those occurring with drivers not wearing helmets. In fact, the Haliburton Highlands OPP say the region leads the province with the most ATV fatalit...

Thanks to Hydro One's Ice Storm 2025 Recovery Grant, 50 indigenous communities and municipalities, including the County of Haliburton and the Township of Minden Hills, will receive up to ten thousand dollars to support local recovery efforts and bolster emergency preparedness. Minden Hills declared a state of emergency that lasted long after the initial storm and subsequent power outage. That decl...

HHHS CEO Veronica Nelson recently announced her plans to leave the hospital to take on the CEO role at Ross Memorial in Lindsay. Nelson came into the organization in the midst of turmoil, following the closure of the Minden Emergency Room. After two years, she's proud of the work that's been done to build back the trust of both staff and the community and forging a path forward together. In her tw...

The Kawartha Haliburton Children's Aid Society is hoping to find more foster families willing to open their homes to care for children and have launched a campaign to help encourage them to do so through information sessions throughout the region. While the good news is fewer children and youth are going into the care of the KHCAS, the bad news is that either through retirement, changing family dy...

On the third Wednesday of the month, a group of men and women meet in the private dining area of a local restaurant in Haliburton to share their writing samples, receive feedback and be pushed out of their comfort zone. The newly-formed Haliburton Writers Write group aims to support local writers in the region and to have some fun along the way. The group was the brainchild of the Haliburton Arts...