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Haldimand County Council reviewed and approved the 2021 Tax Supported Capital Budget on March 4, 2021. The Tax-Supported Capital Budget outlines $40.1 million of infrastructure investment in 2021, with a total tax-supported infrastructure investment of $274.5 million over the next 10 years. In total, 302 new tax-supported capital projects have been scheduled for the 2021 calendar year.

The 2021 Capital Budget is heavily focused on infrastructure renewal with notable expenditures in areas such as roadway improvements, bridge and culvert rehabilitation and enhancements to corporate, community and recreation facilities.

2021 Capital Budget Highlights:

• $21.5 million towards roadway and active transportation improvements such as paving, reconstruction, resurfacing, gravel road conversion, sidewalk/curb replacements and street lighting as well as bridge repairs, bridge rehabilitation and other structure-related projects (such as culvert replacements)
• $3.5 million towards the replacement/expansion of the Caledonia Fire Station
• $1.89 million towards the replacement/expansion of the Caledonia Paramedic Services Base
• $3.9 million in facility upgrades at Grandview Lodge
• $3.1 million towards community partnership projects and enhancements to parks, trails, arenas, pools, museums and libraries
• $700,000 towards tree conservation and reforestation initiatives

In recent years the County has deliberately increased its investment in capital to ensure that existing facilities are updated, new facilities desired by the community are added and that a funding plan is in place to minimize tax impacts. Money is set aside every year to ensure that when assets need repairs or replacing, funding is available.

“The 2021 Capital Budget balances current priorities with future needs and further positions Haldimand for growth. Through diligent asset management practices and financial planning principles, staff have developed a budget that ensures our strong financial position is maintained, and our residents and business owners continue to receive high quality programs and services,” said Haldimand County Mayor Ken Hewitt. “We, like many other municipalities, have faced significant financial pressures as a result of COVID-19, and I am proud of the capital program we have developed under such unprecedented circumstances.”

Similar to past years, the capital levy, funded by property taxes, will increase by about $698,000, or about 1% of the overall municipal levy. The total municipal levy for 2021 will be determined once the 2021 Tax Supported Operating Budget is approved by Council.

The 2021 Tax Supported Operating Budget will be presented to Council on the following dates:

• March 31 & April 1*, 2021 – 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Haldimand County Administration Building Council Chamber (*if required)

More information on Haldimand County budgets can be found at HaldimandCounty.ca/Financials/Budgets/.

Statement from Mayor Hewitt & Council – March 3, 2021

COVID-19 Update

I know that many of you are anxious and frustrated about the information surrounding the vaccines. It is a very fluid situation and the news around vaccines and its rollouts have changed almost daily.

We have been working hard with the Health Unit to ensure that when the larger rollout of vaccines are available to the general public. We will be ready. A lot of work and planning has gone in behind the scenes to respond to the needs of our communities.

The challenge is communicating to all of you what is happening. By the time I post this, I am sure that there will be another change brought to us by the Feds or the Province. In any event, I assure you that the effectiveness of our rollout program will not be because we are not ready but will be due primarily to things out of our control such as supplies of vaccinations or decisions made from outside of the region.

I have received many questions regarding the rollout and through time I am sure there will be many more. But for now I have copied what I think are the most pertinent points. As information becomes available, we will do our best to pass it on to all of you.

Key stats

Vaccine doses administered so far: 5,885

Number of people completely vaccinated: 1,573

Vaccines for those 80 and over

Haldimand and Norfolk’s Vaccine Task Force is preparing to vaccinate up to 5,000 people against COVID-19 in the coming weeks as area vaccination efforts start to ramp up

In line with the Province’s vaccination framework, vaccines are now available to those 80 years of age and older.

In addition to clinics already running at Norfolk General Hospital and the Vittoria Community Centre, the clinic at the Dunnville Lifespan Centre will move to Cayuga Memorial Arena this weekend, vaccinating up to 1,000 people per day.

Additional Health Unit-run clinics will be opened in the coming weeks.

Making an appointment

Family doctors will be in touch with patients 80 years of age and older to discuss vaccination plans and facilitate the appointment booking process.

Do NOT call your doctor, the Health Unit or area hospitals to book an appointment.

A vaccination appointment booking process is being developed for those without a family doctor or whose doctor is outside of Haldimand and Norfolk – details to come.

Questions about vaccines

The Health Unit has launched a dedicated COVID-19 vaccine phone line and email address for questions about vaccinations

519-427-5903

vaccine@hnhss.ca

The phone line and email address are NOT for booking vaccinations.

Caledonia Protest Update

I am sure that you all are appreciative that the roads have now been opened up and that traffic can now move along without any intervention. I am grateful to the community of Six Nations, who stood up against the anarchy of these individuals and demanded that they remove the barricades. It’s a shame that when the protestors state they act by consensus, no one takes them to task that consensus was not apparent when they chose to block roads and destroy property in they way they did.

In any event, there is ongoing dialogue with leaders on Six Nations along with representatives of the Province and Feds. Due to COVID, meetings have not taken place in the capacity that all would like which has delayed things. That said, I remain hopeful that we will be able to resolve some of these outstanding issues and we can arrive at a solution that will benefit all living in Haldimand and Six Nations.

Haldimand County will still continue to hold anyone accountable for contradicting the injunction issued by the judge and fully expects that all those attending the site or involved in destruction of property will be held to the fullest extent of the law.

Yesterday, a dangerous individual, Alex Huntert was once again arrested for breaking his conditions and bail, and today once again our courts have released him on new and more conditions. Not only should we expect more from the senior decision makers of the OPP, we should demand more from our legal system. What message is being sent when time and time again, these individuals can be brought in front of the justice, to only be released so they can breach the very same conditions they keep getting arrested for? Enough is enough and we all must demand more from the Province, to put more accountability and teeth into our legal system.

Stay Safe,

Mayor Ken Hewitt

Statement from Mayor Hewitt & Council – February 16, 2021

COVID-19 Update 

Today marks the day that Haldimand-Norfolk opens back up in the ‘orange’ level. Like many of you, I am excited to see this happen and I am hoping that our local businesses can quickly get back to their full production prior to COVID.

I ask you all to consider local businesses before you venture out to the city to shop. Every dollar spent in Haldimand is considerable to those that have had to endure the most difficult times. That said, I am encouraged by the ways our business owners have changed their models to adapt to this new way of life.

We are currently preparing for the rollout of 1000s of vaccines and it is our hope to have the Cayuga Arena ready in the next couple of weeks for mass vaccinations as they arrive.

As many of you know, the date of vaccinations are a moving target and we are at the mercy of other levels of government. It is our belief that those communities most vulnerable and most ready will be of the first to receive the required vaccines. Haldimand’s population is an older one, therefore, more vulnerable, so we will be ready.

Why the Cayuga Arena? There are many factors that were considered and like everything else in this pandemic, it does not always make sense to individuals but does to the whole County. We needed a large venue with several distinct rooms. We needed a central location and the impact although it inconveniences some, is the least intrusive of all other centres. Staff made the decision, putting public health ahead of everything else.

Caledonia Protest Update

As many of you know, the remaining blockades have been lifted by the protestors and we are currently on site trying to repair the extensive damages done by these individuals. It is our hope later this week or next to fully re-open the roads, however, this is dependent on the weather and availability of material.

While I am encouraged by this latest progress, let’s not forget that these roads should never have been closed in the first place. Like it or not, a judge made a ruling and the OPP have an obligation to follow through on such a ruling. To suggest that roads are being closed to protect people against the violence of the OPP is completely absurd.

While the OPP have failed miserably in the application of the injunction and their inability to manage this situation, they are not guilty of violence. Let me state when referencing the OPP, it is always in the context of those making the decisions – not those on the ground.

Speaking of failure, I remind you of the current situation of our court system and the judges within. How can it be possible to have one judge grant us an injunction and other judges to simply release the people arrested for crimes and not hold them accountable for their poor decisions.

You may recall Alex Huntert who was arrested and released on conditions. No surprise he has broken those conditions and is currently wanted for breach. All indications would suggest that he is hiding somewhere within Six Nations and it is our hope that both Six Nations police and the OPP will get this individual off of our local streets soon. Maybe this time our courts will treat him with the same level of respect he has given to date.

In conversations with the Chief of Six Nations, I am encouraged by his efforts to bring leaders on Six Nations together. I am excited that there is a genuine will to put forth a plan to meet with the Federal government. Ultimately, this is truly the progress to get excited about. It is time for those that have aggravated the situation to get out of the way of these good hearted individuals seeking progress and success for the whole of Six Nations, not the self serving ideology that always handicaps their community.

As a County that abuts the territory, it is our goal to work with all of those involved in putting a forth a plan that brings both success and harmony for all.   Haldimand continues to look forward to the day where dialogue can happen about mutual needs such as fresh drinking water, roads and bridges, and most of all meeting the increasing health demands of our respective communities – all of which can be achieved for the betterment of both Haldimand and Six Nations. A stark contrast from standing on a road in utter defiance bringing nothing but stalemate and resentment.

Stay safe,

Mayor Ken Hewitt

On January 26, 2021, Haldimand County Council reviewed and approved the 2021 Rate-Supported Capital and Operating Budget. Otherwise known as the Water & Wastewater Budget, it is an important strategic document that ensures reliable, safe, clean and affordable potable water is available to residents across the County. New water & wastewater rates take effect on February 1, 2021.

This Rate-Supported Budget deals exclusively with water and wastewater treatment initiatives & is funded directly by user rates (with no support from property taxes). With a number of key infrastructure projects on the horizon – including major upgrades to Caledonia’s water and wastewater systems with a significant portion of the costs being covered by development charges – the average residential, combined water & wastewater user will see a slight increase of about .37¢ (0.4%) on their average monthly bill.

Haldimand’s water & wastewater rates remain below the provincial average due to ongoing strategic planning efforts and diligent asset management practices. In the long-term, rates are expected to remain stable due to a comprehensive, long-term infrastructure maintenance/rehabilitation schedule and a projected increase in user growth.

The budget emphasizes that provincial legislation has the ability to significantly impact municipal operations. As such, senior staff will continue to monitor the political environment & lobby against changes that may impact the affordability of water rates in Ontario.

Council will next review the Tax-Supported Operating & Capital Budgets on the following dates:

Tax-Supported Capital Budget: March 4, 2021 & March 5, 2021* (*if required)

Tax-Supported Operating Budget: March 31, 2021 & April 1, 2021* (*if required)

More information about 2021 budget deliberations will be shared closer to the scheduled meeting dates. Due to the ever-changing COVID-19 situation, it has not yet been determined whether the meetings will be hosted in-person or virtually.

More information about County budgets is available at HaldimandCounty.ca/financials.

COVID-19 Update

First of all, Happy New Year to all of you. I hope that you had a great holiday season given the circumstances. I am excited that 2021 will be a different year and that ultimately it will be the year remembered as us turning the corner on this virus and conquering it in a way that we can all resume those loved activities that many of us look so forward to, such as travel, recreational sports, weddings and other social gatherings.

But first at this time, it has become quite clear that the second wave of the virus is/will be worse than the first. We are seeing an increase in numbers that are putting a significant strain on our hospitals. We have some short term hurdles to overcome before the light at the end of the tunnel becomes clearer.

I must say, we in Haldimand-Norfolk have taken the approach of managing this COVID with the respect that it deserved. For that, our experience and numbers have been better than many other places in Ontario. Unfortunately, we are within the boundaries of the most populated area of the Country, let alone the Province, and so we will be a part of the next steps the Ford government takes to prevent the further spread of this virus. In the coming days further restrictions will be forthcoming and it will have an affect on us all.

While I cannot begin to imagine all nor explain here the tolls that this pandemic has had on each of our residents and businesses, I am aware of many personal circumstances, and no one situation is more dire than the other. Whether it is the kids missing out on quality education, or graduates having little to no job opportunities, or small businesses forced to shut down. Our elders in retirement homes with no connection to families or friends; our first responders working day and night with little to no rest in between. The examples go on and on.

I continue to ask where possible: help a friend, help a neighbour, help your local business, be a positive beacon for those around you. Misery loves company and yet it serves nothing but more anxiety.

For those of you that have fear, know you are are part of loving and compassionate community.  Our community is second to none when it comes to helping our people out. I truly believe that within us all we have the capacity to ensure that no one is left alone in this difficult time. My cup is half full and I see the promise of a much better future for Haldimand-Norfolk and I hope that you can help share that message.

Stay safe,

Ken Hewitt

Update on Caledonia protest coming soon..

COVID

Haldimand County did not extend its face mask bylaw because the Provincial order with respect to wearing face masks takes precedence and so there was no need to overlap with another bylaw that would only cause confusion. Haldimand County respects the Provincial orders and fully subscribes to the face mask rules as outlined by them.

As we are seeing numbers increase in the surrounding areas, I implore you all to be vigilant in social distancing and wearing masks where appropriate. You are doing your part and you are making a difference. Particularly for our most vulnerable, including our small businesses that we wish to remain open throughout this difficult time. Currently under the new tiered system we are green and let’s keep that way.

CALEDONIA PROTEST

Who has registered ownership of the lands at 1535 McKenzie?

Foxgate Developments Inc., a development company jointly owned by Losani Homes and Ballantry Homes, has held legal title to the McKenzie Lands now for five years. There has never been any claim made by any indigenous group against the title to the lands. The history is that in 1835 and 1841 the McKenzie Lands were surrendered by the Six Nations to the Federal Crown, which sold them via Crown Grant in 1853 to Thomas Nicholls. The Federal Crown grant and patent form a certified a root of ownership. Continuously from 1853 until today, the McKenzie lands were owned, occupied, and sold to third party residents and farmers without any claims registered against title. In 2006 the Province of Ontario certified the title giving “Fee Simple Absolute Title” to the previous owner that sold the property to Foxgate.

Are the lands at 1535 approved for development?

Yes. The lands were approved for development in 2003 by the County of Haldimand. In 2006 the lands were designated as a Growth Plan Area for Development.  In 2015 Foxgate Developments resurrected the 2003 approvals and had them fully re-approved by the County in 2017.  In 2019 the County approved the site servicing (roads, sewers and watermains), and in July when the protests began, the site was almost fully serviced. In August 2020 the Province reviewed its Growth Plan and included 1535 McKenzie Road (and all of Haldimand County that is not on the Reserve) in its up to date Growth Plan for Development shown below. To be clear, except for the Six Nations Reserve which straddles the Brant-Haldimand border, none of the “Haldimand Tract” lands are held back from being “Growth Plan Area”.  The Province fully encourages growth and development in the Haldimand Tract.

 Why did Haldimand County approve the development?

For the same reasons that development is approved in the Haldimand Tract everywhere else such as Waterloo, Cambridge, Brantford etc.

In good faith, Haldimand County  — through its notification agreement with Six Nations – was very transparent regarding this plan and every other plan in Haldimand. Why would we assume that after a legal binding agreement with the Band Council signed and accepted anything would prevent this from happening? In fact, we were encouraged by the very agreement that this was a positive step forward in working with Six Nations. It was by no means to suggest that the value of the land was such as they already paid millions for it and it was by no means to suggest that the real claim in front of the Feds was diminished by this agreement. It was simply to recognize that the ongoing issues with our Nations were still in court.

Why don’t we just freeze development?

You cannot simply just stop development for many reasons. It takes many yeas and dollars for developments like this to become real. There has to be some reliance on the planning process for these companies to secure financing for these projects. As a tax payer you rely on development to keep your taxes relatively low. Without development you can add approximately 3% to your annual tax rates.   Every municipality needs growth to pay for the needs and wants of those living within.

Stay Safe,

Mayor Ken Hewitt

Well, if there was any doubt regarding the peaceful approach of these protestors – actually professional agitators as some could be called – we have seen clearly their real actions and their complete disregard for public infrastructure and the officers sworn to protect and serve the public. Their actions are despicable and unforgivable in a time where our first responders should be given the utmost respect in helping our communities through these difficult times.

To suggest that the OPP started a confrontation giving these individuals the idea to strip the very rights of those living in Caledonia by the destruction of several main roads is completely preposterous and further demonstrates that other agendas exist. Violence is not being promoted by the OPP, the courts or us locally. The violence exists with those that were clearly seen on video by the OPP.

OPP do not just start firing weapons into crowds because they are bored. Those insinuations are purely an effort to garner support of their misguided decisions. These same peaceful protestors, despite our efforts, have to date said “NO” to both OPP and Six Nation Police escorting Hydro workers in to restore power from the burned out pole for residents living on the adjacent farm. They currently are running on a generator to provide heat and hydro to their home since the incident. That is the true picture of the people that some feel obliged to support. They should take a harder look a their own actions.

Another very disturbing issue and the only thing that I can agree with the protestors on is that no one has heard any responses from the Federal government who carries all the weight in terms of discussions to be had with members of Six Nations. It is disgusting that with all the pleas from all parties we still have no engagement from them.

I have been in contact with the Provincial Minister Greg Rickford and he agrees with the position of getting the Federal government involved to engage leaders on Six Nations.

People have asked “what can be done?” I encourage you to in every possible way contact both the Provincial and Federal governments. They must engage, they must put forth a path to get this into a board room and off our streets.