Learn how to make delicious no-bake date squares and a refreshing mango lassi with Chef Rabiya through Haldimand County Public Library’s virtual cooking class. On Friday, March 18 at 4:00 p.m, join Chef Rabiya from Rabi’s Grand Kitchen in Caledonia via Zoom.
Young chefs and families will be responsible for purchasing their own ingredients where they can follow along with Chef Rabiya as they create a delicious snack. Registration is required at a cost of $5.00 per family.
Haldimand County Council reviewed and approved the 2022 Tax Supported Capital Budget on March 3, 2022. The Tax-Supported Capital Budget outlines $35 million of infrastructure investment in 2022, with a total tax-supported infrastructure investment of $310.4 million over the next 10 years. In total, 313 new tax-supported capital projects have been scheduled for the 2022 calendar year.
The 2022 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.
2022 Capital Budget Highlights:
$19 million towards roadway and active transportation improvements such as paving, road reconstruction, tar and chip resurfacing, gravel road conversion, sidewalk/curb replacements, street lighting as well as bridge/culvert rehabilitations, replacements and other structure-related projects (e.g. retaining walls)
$2.8 million towards accelerating the gravel road conversion program. All gravel roads will be converted to tar and chip by 2023 and the program will be completed in 2025 when the second coat of tar and chip is applied to the final road
$4 million towards fleet and equipment maintenance/replacements, including the purchase of multiple new emergency services and winter control vehicles
$3.8 million towards community partnership projects and enhancements to parks, trails, arenas, pools, museums and libraries
$855,000 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 2022 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 challenging circumstances.”
Similar to past years, the capital levy, funded by property taxes, will increase by about $725,500 or about 1% of the overall municipal levy. The total municipal levy for 2022 will be determined once the 2022 Tax Supported Operating Budget is approved by Council.
The 2022 Tax Supported Operating Budget will be presented to Council on the following dates:
• March 31 & April 1*, 2022 – 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Haldimand County Administration Building Council Chamber (*if required)
Haldimand County has raised the Ukrainian flag at its administration building to show support for the nation currently besieged by attacks from Russia.
The flag-raising request was initiated by Council in response to the events unfolding across Ukraine, and in support of community members who are personally impacted by these tragic circumstances.
“Haldimand County stands with Ukraine and wishes for a peaceful, hasty resolution. Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine and their loved ones,” said Mayor Ken Hewitt.
Haldimand County Public Library, in partnership with the Canada Revenue Agency, is hosting the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, a free income tax filing service provided by trained volunteers.
This tax program will be offered by drop-off appointment only at the Caledonia, Jarvis, Cayuga, Hagersville, and Selkirk Branches of the Haldimand County Public Library. The free tax clinics will run from February 28 to April 22, 2022.
To be eligible for this free tax filing service, participants must be either:
Single, with an annual income of $30,000 or less;
Married couple, with a combined annual income of $40,000 or less;
Single adult with dependents, with an annual income of $35,000 or less (plus additional $2,500 per dependent);
All individuals must have less than $1,000 in investment income to be eligible.
If you would like to access this free service or have any questions, please call the Haldimand County Public Library at 289-674-0400 or visit one of the branches.
Once participants drop off materials and complete the necessary forms, all materials will be delivered to a volunteer by library staff. Upon completion of the tax files, participants will be called back to the library to pick up their prepared forms. If any questions should arise during the process, the volunteer will contact participants by phone.
Individuals seeking further information about tax clinics may contact Katrina Krupicz, Community Outreach Coordinator, Haldimand County Public Library at 905-318-5932 ext. 6552 or kkrupicz@haldimandcounty.on.ca
Haldimand County Council is encouraging all residents and users of County facilities to have their say in helping identify recreation facility needs now and in the future.
An online survey—focusing on new or repurposed facilities to support activities such as aquatics, sports, health, wellness, arts and culture—is available at HaldimandCounty.ca/RecStrategy/ until March 7.
“We are eager to hear from everyone about the kinds of recreation and community facilities they want the County to build or create in the coming years, and the input from this consultation process will guide that,” says Mayor Ken Hewitt. “If we have learned anything through this pandemic, it is that access to recreation and leisure is critical to supporting physical, mental, emotional and social well-being.
“We also want to encourage our younger residents, who we hope continue to make Haldimand County their home as they begin to work and raise their own families, to use this opportunity to tell us what kinds of recreation makes them happy.”
You can find out more about the Community & Recreation Facilities Strategy process—including the online survey and updates about in-person consultation opportunities—on the project web page.
The Heritage Centre in Cayuga is pleased to host six programs for the month of March.
You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby: March 8 at 6:00 p.m. This presentation will focus on the history of the suffragette movement and the changing roles of women throughout history.
Preserving Your Family Heirlooms: March 9 at 1:00 p.m. This hands-on workshop teaches participants how to preserve and protect family heirlooms; topics include textiles, furniture, documents and more.
Famous Canadian Women: March 15 at 6:00 p.m. Join us for this enlightening talk featuring some of Canada’s and Haldimand’s most famous women and the impact they have had on our country and our community.
When Irish Eyes are Smiling: March 16 at 1:00 p.m. This presentation focuses on the migration of the Irish to Canada and Haldimand County. Over half a million Irish citizens arrived in Canada from 1831 to 1850, and by 1867 they were the second-largest ethnic group in Canada (after the French), comprising 24% of the country’s population.
Carved in Stone: March 19 at 12:30 p.m. Have you ever wondered what various gravestone symbols mean? Is the information on the stones completely accurate? During this workshop, participants will be provided with tips on how to use cemetery stones and associated records in their genealogy quest.
Royal Women: March 23 at 1:00 p.m. The third in this series of presentations about the Royal Family will focus on the women of the family and the various roles they have had throughout history.
Cost for all programs is $10 per person and pre-registration is required. Register online at Link.HaldimandCounty.ca or in person at the Haldimand County Administration Building, 53 Thorburn Street South, Cayuga.
For more information about programs and activities, contact the Heritage Centre at 905-318-5932 ext. 6613 or email heritagecentre@haldimandcounty.on.ca.
Six finalists who made winning pitches for the Haldimand & Norfolk “Spark” Program were each awarded a $3,000 seed grant and mentorship to help them get started with their new tourism ideas.
The Haldimand & Norfolk County “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program is a collaborative partnership initiative between the Tourism Innovation Lab, Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation, Haldimand County Tourism, Norfolk County Tourism, Libro Credit Union, Grand Erie Business Centre and Venture Norfolk.
The program’s goal is to find, foster and support new tourism ideas, experiences and partnerships that will enhance current offerings, address gaps or challenges, motivate travel and longer stays, and increase year-round visits in the region.
Twenty applications were received, with the top five from Haldimand and the top five from Norfolk being invited to present their new tourism ideas at virtual Pitch Sessions held this week. Judge panels of local partner representatives and tourism innovators from outside the region selected the six winning applicants.
The 2022 Haldimand County “Spark” Program winners are:
Dan Megna & Laurie Lilliman, Twisted Lemon (Haldimand Getaway Packages)
Nancy VanSas, Lower Grand River Land Trust/Ruthven Park (Ruthven in Wonderland)
The 2022 Norfolk County “Spark” Program winners are:
Brooke Martin (Norfolk’s Bounty: A Picnic Experience)
Hannah & Cliff Lawrance (Glamping Accommodations)
Marshall Collins, Collins Harbour (Food Trucks)
In addition to seed funds, mentorship and additional partner support, selected applicants gain access to a network of tourism innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders across the province.
Last fall, Haldimand County Council approved a new process for the flying of community flags in support of local charitable and non-profit groups. A fourth flagpole was installed at the administration building in Cayuga last month and groups may now formally submit a flag-raising request.
The new community flagpole is located adjacent to the administration building’s three existing flagpoles. All requested flags will be flown alongside federal, provincial and municipal flags.
Charitable and non-profit groups are encouraged to submit a request at least four weeks in advance of the date requested, along with a brief description of the nature of the flag raising.
Requests from groups will be confirmed on a first come, first served basis and reviewed to ensure that they meet all criteria outlined in the policy (e.g. they are not of political, commercial or religious nature, do not promote hatred, violence, racism or discrimination, etc.)
Flags will be flown for one week, with the possibility of a longer timeframe where other requests have not been submitted. A description of the current community flag being flown will be posted on the Haldimand County website at HaldimandCounty.ca/community-flags/.
All interested groups are encouraged to review the eligibility requirements and submit requests through the online at application form at HaldimandCounty.ca/community-flags/.
Below: The Pride flag flies in front of the Haldimand County Administration Building in June 2021. A fourth flag pole has been installed specifically for community flags.
Haldimand County is launching a comprehensive Community & Recreation Facilities Strategy to identify major facility needs and establish a 20-year implementation plan.
The Strategy will focus on facilities that support activities such as aquatics, sports, health, wellness, arts and culture.
The process will be strongly informed by public and stakeholder input and will examine needs, financial feasibility, partnerships and potential locations. While the analysis will exclude facilities that are already in sufficient supply (e.g. indoor ice rinks, community halls, neighbourhood parks), it will consider strategies to enhance and re-purpose existing buildings or construct new facilities to address growth and emerging needs.
“We are very excited about this project, which has been a priority for this term of Council,” says Mayor Ken Hewitt. “Unfortunately, it has been delayed due to the pandemic and the associated limitations to public consultation, which is a critical part of this process.
“At this point, we know many people have become used to engaging online or via Zoom, and we feel we will be able to host in-person engagement opportunities. We don’t want to wait any longer to hear what residents want in the way of facilities to support recreation and wellness. We also think the pandemic may have adjusted people’s thinking about the importance of recreation to quality of life and the many different ways we can remain active, social and engaged.”
You can find out more about the consultation process—including the online survey and updates about in-person consultation opportunities—on the County’s website.
