Midland News

Huronia Transition Homes Receives $50,000 Donation from Bertram Construction, Following $100,000 Contribution Earlier This Year.  By HTH

Midland, ON –Huronia Transition Homes (HTH) is thrilled to announce that they have received a $50,000 donation from Bertram Construction, which follows the company’s generous $100,000 donation made earlier this year. This continued support underscores Bertram Construction’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the lives of those in need and helping to build stronger communities.

With a long history of community giving, Bertram Construction has demonstrated a dedication to supporting local organizations that provide vital services to individuals and families in crisis. This latest donation will directly support HTH’s mission to offer emergency shelter, advocacy, and critical resources to women and children escaping violence and abuse.

“We are incredibly grateful to Bertram Construction for their continued generosity and commitment to our cause,” said Haily MacDonald, Executive Director of Huronia Transition Homes. “This donation will make a tremendous difference in the lives of the women and children we serve, ensuring they have access to the support they need to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.”

In addition to the emergency shelter services HTH provides, the $50,000 donation will go toward expanding Operation Grow, an innovative social enterprise that is centered around a hydroponic vertical farm and focuses on empowering women facing the challenges poverty and trauma. The impact of this contribution is immeasurable and will help HTH continue to be a lifeline for individuals facing some of the most difficult challenges in their lives.

“HTH is an organization we’ve been proud to support for a number of years now,” said Lisa Bertram, president of Bertram Construction. “The team at HTH is comprised of forward-thinking and proactive people who are incredible advocates for women who’ve been subjected to gender-based violence and provide such comprehensive support as they work to break the cycle of violence. As a community, we’re really fortunate to have this organization providing support to those who need it. It’s a big endeavor and one that we’re proud to support in any way that we can.”

The $150,000 total donation from Bertram Construction in 2024 exemplifies their commitment to building stronger, more resilient communities. Their partnership with Huronia Transition Homes reflects a shared vision of supporting individuals and families in need, fostering safety, and creating lasting change.

About Huronia Transition Homes

Huronia Transition Homes is a non-profit organization that provides emergency shelter, support services, and advocacy to women and children who are fleeing violence and abuse. HTH offers a comprehensive range of programs and wrap-around supports to help survivors regain their independence, heal from trauma, and build brighter futures. Working across Simcoe County, Huronia Transition Homes is a vital resource for individuals in crisis.

 

Progress Continues on GBGH MRI Addition

December 19, 2024 – Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) is making great progress on the addition to its existing building, which will house the much-anticipated Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine. This expansion represents a significant milestone in advancing healthcare services for the communities GBGH serves.

“As we near the end of 2024, it is incredible to reflect on the progress we’ve made throughout the year,” says Matthew Lawson, GBGB President and CEO. “With equipment arrival expected early in the New Year, we are excited to begin operating the MRI suite and scanning our first patient in early 2025.”

Construction progress has steadily continued, with several key milestones achieved. The lower level’s exterior brickwork is now 100% complete, and the upper level’s exterior insulation has been finalized. Siding for the upper level is currently being fabricated and will be installed soon. The MRI room’s radiofrequency shielding has been installed and thoroughly tested, with an alarm system in place to monitor its integrity. All window frames have been installed, and framing throughout the building is fully complete. Drywall installation has started on both the upper and lower levels, shaping the interior spaces. Additionally, a new entrance connecting the addition to the existing building has been opened. To support Phase 2 of construction, which includes expanding the waiting room and creating a new hallway, the Diagnostic Imaging waiting area has been temporarily relocated.

The GBGH Foundation is closer than ever to completing the $4-million fundraising campaign for an MRI, thanks to a match gift from FDC Foundation. This private family foundation will match all donations to the MRI Fund up to a total of $550,000. Since April 2023, businesses, organizations, and individuals have raised more than $3 million to bring MRI technology to GBGH. This latest match gift is expected to be the final push, with fundraising efforts anticipated to conclude by the end of January 2025.

“Our community has been so supportive of the MRI campaign, and we are so grateful to every person who has invested in this project to date,” says Jen Russell, Director of Communications and Engagement, GBGH Foundation. “FDC Foundation’s generous match gift means that all donations to the MRI Fund going forward will have double the impact. We are almost there, and we hope everyone will join us in achieving the funding goal for this important project.”

For monthly time-lapse videos showcasing construction progress, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4tD_HC0Ja0
To learn more about the MRI project or to make a donation, please visit: https://gbghf.ca/current-needs/mri/

Government of Canada invests over $198,000 in Little Lake Park Accessibility Improvements

Submitted by Town of Midland

(December 23, 2024, Midland, ON) – The Town of Midland gratefully received a contribution from the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), to enhance vital accessibility and safety features at Little Lake Park, supporting 75% of the project costs.

These park improvements allow residents and visitors of all abilities to continue enjoying one of Midland’s most beloved green spaces. The project, focusing on compliance under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), included detailed design, construction of new ramps, re-construction of existing amenities, and the addition of a pedestrian-only access recreational pathway. Upgrades were completed in the fall of 2023.

Improvements include:

• Installation of three new paved ramps throughout the park connecting users from the vehicle parking area to the park’s amenities and facilities.
• Re-construction of an existing ramp complete with paving and support rails along each side.
• Restoration of an existing pavilion with a new concrete surface that can be accessed by one of the new ramps.
• Creation of a new point of entry for pedestrians by using the recreational pathway to access the park safely from Yonge Street.

Quotes:

Bill Gordon, Mayor of the Town of Midland: “Everyone in our community deserves to feel welcome and included. These improvements have allowed more people to safely visit and access one of Midland’s signature spots, Little Lake Park. We are grateful for the Government of Canada for their continued support by providing much-needed infrastructure funding to municipalities and for assisting Midland to enhance accessibility at Little Lake Park.”

Adam Chambers, MP Simcoe North: “Strengthening access to recreational spaces found in Midland is necessary for residents and visitors alike. This contribution ensures that Little Lake Park, one of Midland’s gems, remains a welcoming space for all to enjoy. I welcome the Government of Canada’s decision to allocate funding to Simcoe North through the Community Revitalization Fund.”

About FedDev Ontario

For 15 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our investment profiles, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

 

Gordon’s seasons greetings to Midland include promise of new year’s growth

By: Derek Howard, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Source: MidlandToday.ca, Dec 25, 2024

Seasonal greetings from Midland Mayor Bill Gordon included a look at the year past along with good tidings the town hopes to provide for residents in the year ahead.

“I can wish residents ‘happy holidays’ in the sense that the number one thing we hear about is lack of housing and affordability. Mine and council’s objectives is to make life more affordable over the next two years,” said Gordon when asked by MidlandToday about the season of gift-giving.

Gordon noted that by having the 2025 budget discussions early in January and having growth in mind, council’s holiday season would still be filled with thoughts towards making things better for residents.

“That’s what we’ll be thinking about over Christmas time as we’re with our families, and we want our residents to know that they’re in good hands, that we care about their ability to pay their bills, and we’re going to do everything we can in our small role as a local municipality to make that easier for them next year.

“Our new year’s resolution is affordability,” Gordon added.

Also in the beginning of 2025, Gordon noted that several public meetings would be held with land use applications and zoning changes.

“If I had to summarize everything, it’s growth,” said Gordon. “The community needs to grow; we need more ratepayers to spread around the costs of running the town. The province has seen that, the province is mandating it, and they’ve been giving us staggering sums of money to help facilitate that growth.”

Upcoming projects in the new year included utilizing the $30 million infrastructure grant for water and wastewater projects, which will be seen through construction at the town’s wastewater facility as well as along Highway 12 and County Road 93.

“We’re going to redo Yonge Street,” said Gordon. “That’s a really big deal and it’s going to cause a lot of consternation in town because it’s an arterial road. We’re going to be ripping it up, and putting it back together after.”

Council’s progress toward Midland Bay Landing and other campaign promises was delayed as unexpected deaths of Deputy Mayor Jack Contin and Coun. Jim Downer were replaced by Coun. Jaz Patel and Eric ‘Howie’ Major respectively, causing a six-to-nine month pause.

“Losing two council members is unprecedented,” said Gordon. “I think the key thing is we’re going to hit all of our promises, all of our objectives, everything that we campaigned on doing as a council. We’re going to make all that stuff happen over the next year and three-quarters until we go lame duck.”

In conclusion, Gordon provided words of comfort for his citizens to tide them through the upcoming seasonal festivities.

“As you sit back and enjoy holidays with your family – hopefully it’s a safe, warm, enjoyable, and peaceful Christmas, Hanukkah, whatever celebration you’re having over this holiday season – you can look forward to some really good hard work by council to try to make life more affordable over the next two years.”

 

Town of Midland releases Draft 2025 Budget

Submitted by Town of Midland

(December 17, 2024, Midland ON) The Town of Midland Draft 2025 Budget was released to the public and is available on the Town’s website. The proposed budget provides a balanced approach that supports the best value of services delivered to residents and businesses, as well as ensuring financial responsibility and promoting sustainable growth.

“The annual draft budget is one of the most important tools for shaping our Town’s future,” said Mayor Bill Gordon. “Council is committed to carefully reviewing this comprehensive document, which includes the preliminary recommendations prepared by staff. The annual draft budget process is a key opportunity for the community to get involved – learn about the Draft 2025 Budget, share your feedback, ask questions, and join us on January 15, 2025 at the Draft Budget Public Meeting. In late January, Council and staff will come together to finalize the 2025 Budget.”

Highlights of the Draft 2025 Budget include:

• Water and Wastewater Servicing: With an investment of over $30 million from the Province’s Housing-Enabling Water System Fund (HEWSF) the Town will complete significant upgrades to our water and wastewater systems supporting Midland’s continued growth.
• County Road 93 Secondary Plan Expansion: This $30 million infrastructure grant has attracted significant development interest.  This project will establish a land use policy framework in the form of a Secondary Plan that will unlock land for development.
• Existing Infrastructure Revitalization: Investing in the continued renewal and reconstruction of existing infrastructure is vital to the sustainability of the community. Road resurfacing project on Angela Schmidt Foster Road, as well as major road reconstruction work on Yonge and Ellen Street.
• Harbour and Pete Pettersen Park Boat Launch Dock Replacement: The docks at the Harbour and Pete Pettersen Park are planned for replacement. New docks will improve access and enhance safety for residents and visitors who use these services.
• Supporting local organizations and boards: Through funding, in-kind services, or other means of support, the Town invests directly back into the community.

Proposed rates include:

• The Town’s base budget increase is 5.68% (including the requests from Agencies, Boards and Commissions).

o This increase allows the Town to maintain service levels, address OPP costs and invest in critical infrastructure. This positions the community for future growth, ensuring current and future residents continue to enjoy Midland’s high quality of services.

• With Council’s strategic priorities in mind, Council and staff have put forward several new investment and service recommendations for Council’s careful consideration during budget deliberations. These requests equate to another 0.75%.
• If all service recommendations are adopted, the Town rate of 6.43%, is expected to blend down to a rate of 5.32%, when the impact of the County and Board of Education are considered. $7.30 per month per $100,000 of residential property assessment.
• 2% increase in Water Rate = $0.76 increase per month for a typical user.

o This increase supports the critical infrastructure necessary to deliver clean, safe drinking water.

• 4% increase in Wastewater Rate = $1.68 increase per month for a typical user.

o This increase supports the critical infrastructure necessary to effectively treat wastewater before it is discharged in Georgian Bay.

Town Staff look forward to receiving input from Council and the community over the six-week budget review period. Comments or questions can be e-mailed to budget@midland.ca.

The 2025 Budget process will continue in January 2025 on the following schedule:

• December 16, 2024, to January 15, 2025 – Budget Review and Public Q&A Period. Questions can be submitted to budget@midland.ca.
• January 15, 2025 – Budget Public Meeting.
• January 28 to 30, 2025 – Council/Staff Budget Deliberations/Approval and Agencies, Boards and Commission Presentations.

The Town of Midland Draft 2025 Budget is available on the Town’s website at midland.ca/budget2025

 

 

 

 

Severn Sound Environmental Association saddened by the loss of legacy conservationist Ron Reid

By SSEA, Dec. 17, 2024

Port McNicoll, Ontario – The Severn Sound Environmental Association (SSEA) is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ron Reid, a cherished member of the conservation community and a true champion for our environment.

“On behalf of the Board and staff of the SSEA, we extend our sincerest and deepest condolences to Ron’s wife Janet, his family, and the entire team of staff and board members who had the privilege of working alongside him”  Julie Cayley, SSEA Executive Director.

Ron’s legacy is clear in the success of The Couchiching Conservancy. Ron’s passion, dedication, and tireless efforts were instrumental in forging a path for generations of conservationists and ecologists. He led the way in breaking down barriers and fostering collaboration, building partnerships and alliances across environmental and conservation organizations, government, non-profits, and municipal sectors alike. His ability to bring people together for a common cause left an indelible mark on everyone he worked with and created lasting change in the conservation landscape. Ron inspired many and his passing is a profound loss for the conservation community.