‘Healthy You’ Series At Haldimand County Public Library Brings Healthcare Information To Residents

In partnership with the Haldimand Family Health Team, Haldimand County Public Library will be offering ongoing health education sessions at its branches throughout the year. The series will include free, informative programs about important health topics led by registered healthcare professionals.

“This is an exciting partnership that gives the public a chance to meet with health professionals, learn how to stay healthy and ultimately improve their quality of life,” said Michael Feraday, Executive Director for the Haldimand Family Health Team.

The Healthy You Series in 2019 will highlight one topic per program. Topics include: eating for one on a budget, coping with stress, understanding anxiety & depression, heart health, surviving menopause and conflict management. Program dates, times and locations are listed on the library website.

Registration is required for all Healthy You Series programs. Interested community members may register in person at the library branch hosting the session or by calling 289-674-0400. More information about the Healthy You Series can be obtained via the library website or by calling the Haldimand Family Health Team at 905-768-9599 ext.1000. Residents are also encouraged to contact the Haldimand Family Health Team at the phone number above to suggest topics for upcoming Healthy You Series programs.

Haldimand County recognized for Grand River water quality improvement efforts

Haldimand County has been recognized by the Grand River Conservation Authority for its efforts to improve the water quality of the Grand River.

During the Grand River Conservation Authority’s annual Grand River Watershed Wide Optimization Program workshop on Tuesday, November 20, recognition awards were handed out to a number of municipalities for their water quality improvement efforts throughout 2017. All three of Haldimand County’s wastewater treatment plants discharging to the Grand River were recognized: Caledonia, Cayuga and Dunnville.

Caledonia’s wastewater treatment plant was the only plant in the entire Grand River watershed to receive gold recognition. The Dunnville plant received silver and Cayuga obtained bronze. To be recognized, municipalities are required to meet specific criteria related to environmental compliance regulations and performance reporting. Haldimand County met – and in some cases exceeded – recognition criteria.

The GRCA continuously works with municipal water managers and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks to improve the operation of wastewater treatment plants.

The goal of the Wastewater Optimization Program is to raise the quality of the treated effluent that leaves the plant and enters a river or stream.

“This recent recognition fully demonstrates our commitment to protecting the natural environment by reducing pollutant discharges to the Grand River”, said Mayor Ken Hewitt. “These achievements are primarily a result of enhancing process control through data based decision-making and efforts to understand plant needs, which over time have saved the County a significant amount of money through infrastructure deferral,” he continued.

For more information about the County’s water and wastewater treatment operations, including water quality reports, visit the Water and Wastewater page.

What the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit wants you to know about cannabis legalization

The federal government has legalized recreational cannabis. The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit (HNHU) wants to ensure the public knows what this means locally.

While recreational cannabis is now legal for adults, it is still illegal in Ontario for anyone under 19 to purchase, possess or use recreational cannabis.

“Legal doesn’t mean harmless. No drug is without risk,” said Michelle Lyne, program manager of Community Health at the HNHU. “Youth, pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, and people who have a history of mental illness or addiction should not use cannabis, unless prescribed and monitored by a healthcare provider.”

“The Health Unit is most concerned about young people starting to use cannabis. The health risks to young people are serious and multifaceted,” said Dr. Shankar Nesathurai, medical officer of health at the HNHU.

Driving under the influence of cannabis is also a major public health concern. Cannabis use increases your risk of being involved in a collision. Combining cannabis and alcohol increases this risk further. Using cannabis and driving is illegal and dangerous. Never drive high or be a passenger in a vehicle with a driver who is impaired by cannabis.

In Colorado, where cannabis has already been legalized, there has been a significant increase in poisonings among children who accidentally eat or drink cannabis. Always keep cannabis out of sight and reach of children and pets. If your child consumes cannabis by accident, call the Ontario Poison Centre 1-800-268-9017 and seek medical attention right away.

The HNHU’s website has information on the health effects of cannabis as well as resources for parents talking to youth and potential cannabis users. A coordinated campaign on cannabis and driving will be rolled out in 2019. The HNHU is also planning community and school-based programming to help prevent youth cannabis use.

If you choose to use cannabis, you can lower your risk by following Canada’s Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines, which can be found at www.hnhu.org.

New Haldimand County Ambulances Debut Blue Emergency Lights

Two new ambulances will be added to Haldimand County’s emergency vehicle fleet next month. These ambulances will be equipped with forward and rear facing blue lights – instead of the usual white lights – in an effort to increase first responder visibility and improve safety during emergency responses.

“Using a combination of flashing red and blue lights will help get the attention of drivers and keep emergency responders safer,” said Jason Gallagher, Haldimand County’s Fire Chief and Manager of Emergency Medical Services. “Blue lights tend to stand out and are more visible than red or yellow in daylight,” he added.

The placement of blue lights on Haldimand County’s new ambulances are the result of an amendment to the Highway Traffic Act in July 2018, which allows ambulances and fire trucks to use flashing red or blue lights. Previously, only police were allowed to use blue lights.

Gallagher is also reminding residents how to react on the road when an emergency vehicle approaches with a simple phrase: move to the right for sirens and lights. At an intersection, stop sign or traffic light, drivers should stay put if they cannot pull to the right.