County Closeup

Aging Together as Community is a community advocacy group established originally in 2020, as the Haliburton Highlands Long Term Care Coalition during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the help of a number of community builders, it evolved into a group intent on raising awareness of seniors' unique health care needs while keeping seniors living independently in their homes for as long as possible. Bonnie...

When the Canadian Dental Care Program rolled out in May 2025, offering affordable dental services for eligible Canadians of all ages, Dr. Bill Kerr and his colleagues made the difficult decision to close the Volunteer Dental Outreach Clinic in Haliburton. The clinic officially closed in September. While he salutes the federal government for providing dental care to all Canadians, it's a bitterswee...

Haliburton Highlands Secondary School has been offering co-op education credit courses for 40 years and Jason Morissett says it gives students invaluable, real-world experience. Rather than spending thousands of dollars in post-secondary courses only to find out it's not a fit, the high school's co-op program is a kind of ‘try before you buy' approach to learning more about the career than interes...

In 2008, Woodlands Wildlife Sanctuary was founded by Monika Meli-car and her husband Whitebear as a refuge for animals in need of a second chance. Every year, more than 800 animals come to the center, who are either sick or have been injured or orphaned due to some kind of human cause, such as being hit by a car or run-ins with domestic animals. No matter the reason, the volunteers give their all...

Marg Cox, Executive Director and the Board of Directors of Point in Time are celebrating the securement of land in Haliburton that will eventually become a new Child, Youth and Family Hub as well as the new Point in Time office. The site, at 5219 County Road 21, is beside the Home Hardware, and will be a one-stop shop for Point in Time services, programs and a child, youth and family hub. It's the...

From Bethany houghton's earliest memories of learning to play the cello, to building violins, teaching students and performing, the constant thread has been wrapped around the joy that music brings her. So, it's no surprise that when CanoeFM recently had the opportunity to interview her, music was center stage. While there were some relatives that could play music, it took sibling rivalry to open...

William Spotton loves his little piece of paradise on Farguhar Lake near Wilberforce. It's a long cabin built by his grandfather in 1948. With no electricity or running water, it's not a fancy cottage, but to Spotton, it's his refuge. So, when it came time to renew his insurance for the waterside property, it was a shock to discover how much more he'd be paying, four times the original rate when h...

Canada's rental market is dire. In cities like Toronto, the average person's income must be at least $78 thousand dollars per year to afford to rent an apartment. And here in Haliburton, the rental market suffers from both a lack of inventory and landlords who can set whatever price they want. CanoeFM sat down with Fay Martin, Vice-president of Places for People recently to learn more about the cu...

Eight years ago, Jennifer Semach opened Walkabout Farm in Minden. She began offering therapeutic riding programs to provide enrichment for those who are differently abled. This farm, and the important work done in Minden, is the only stable of its kind here in Haliburton County and relies on donations from both businesses and individuals to operate. That's why the farm and its many volunteers and...

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...