What Are We Doing?!: Recent Episodes
The Highlander
Take an inside look at the Highlander newsroom and join the editorial team as they hunt down the answers to What are we doing? An in-depth look at some of the largest local issues in the county.
Have something to say!? Join our podcast by submitting a voice note at https://anchor.fm/whatarewedoinghighlands/message
Brian Atkins chats with reporter Mike Baker about his vision for Dysart et al’s ward 4. What Are We Doing? is created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Carm Sawyer chats with reporter Mike Baker about his vision for Dysart et al’s ward 4. What Are We Doing? is created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Hayden Hughes chats with reporter Mike Baker about his vision for Dysart et al’s ward 4. What Are We Doing? is created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Ron Evans chats with reporter Mike Baker about his vision for Dysart et al’s ward 4. What Are We Doing? is created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Jennifer Korpela chats with reporter Mike Baker about her vision for Dysart et al’s ward 2. What Are We Doing? is created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Dan Roberts chats with reporter Mike Baker about his vision for Dysart et al’s ward 2. What Are We Doing? is created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Nancy Wood-Roberts chats with reporter Mike Baker about her vision for Dysart et al’s ward 2. What Are We Doing? is created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Crazy bon fires, late night parties, it's either paradise or a nightmare! Join us this week as we look into short term rental units and what our townships are doing to get them under control.
This episode was compiled by Lisa Gervais.
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Join our next episode by sending a voice note! Visit: https://anchor.fm/whatarewedoinghighlands/messageor email us at whatarewedoinghighlands@gmail.com.
Created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett.
Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga
Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Napier Simpson chats with reporter Mike Baker about his vision for Algonquin Highlands ward 2. What Are We Doing? is created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Reporter Amber Meirik chats with Algonquin Highlands ward 2 candidate Amber Meirik about her vision for the township. What Are We Doing? is created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Reporter Mike Baker chats with Algonquin Highlands ward 2 candidate Lisa Barry about her vision for the township. What Are We Doing? is created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Reporter Mike Baker chats with Algonquin Highlands ward 2 candidate Sabrina Richards about her vision for the township. What Are We Doing? is created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Editor Lisa Gervais chats with Minden Hills ward 2 candidate Stephen Hertel. What Are We Doing? is created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Editor Lisa Gervais chats with Pam Sayne, who is seeking re-election in Minden Hills’ Ward 2. What Are We Doing? is created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Getting around in the highlands can be one of the largest hurdles! If you don't own a vehicle you're at the mercy of friends, or unregulated taxi prices! Join us this week as Mike Baker dives into what the county is doing about Transportation.
You'll hear from Jaime Schmale, Marg Cox, and Andrea Roberts, with special thanks to Mike Rutter.
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Join our next episode by sending a voice note! Visit: https://anchor.fm/whatarewedoinghighlands/messageor email us at whatarewedoinghighlands@gmail.com.
Created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett.
Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga
Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Mike Baker speaks with Mike Lang, a candidate for mayor in Algonquin Highlands. What Are We Doing? is created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Mike Baker speaks with Liza Danielsen, a mayoral candidate in Algonquin Highlands. What Are We Doing? is created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Reporter Mike Baker speaks with Dysart et al Ward 1 candidate Rob McCaig about his qualifications, political positions and vision for Dysart’s future. Created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Reporter Mike Baker speaks with Dysart et al Ward 1 candidate Pat Casey about his qualifications, political positions and vision for Dysart’s future. Created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Reporter Mike Baker speaks with Dysart et al Ward 1 candidate Pamela Brohm about her qualifications, political positions and vision for Dysart’s future. Created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Reporter Mike Baker speaks with Dysart et al Ward 1 candidate Tom Bailey about his qualifications, political positions and vision for Dysart’s future. Created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Angela Lewis is vying to become ward 2 councillor for Highlands East. Sam Gillett chatted with the candidate about her vision for Highlands East, Haliburton County, and her thoughts on the hot topics we’ve covered on What are we doing?
Join our next episode by sending a voice note! Visit: https://anchor.fm/whatarewedoinghighlands/message or email us at whatarewedoinghighlands@gmail.com. Created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Trevor Chaulk is vying to become councillor at large for Minden Hills. Lisa Gervais chatted with the candidate about his vision for Highlands East, Haliburton County, and his thoughts on the hot topics we’ve covered on What are we doing?
Join our next episode by sending a voice note! Visit: https://anchor.fm/whatarewedoinghighlands/message or email us at whatarewedoinghighlands@gmail.com. Created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Tammy McKelvey is vying to become ward 2 councillor for Highlands East. Lisa Gervais chatted with the candidate about her vision for Minden Hills, Haliburton County, and her thoughts on the hot topics we’ve covered on What are we doing?
Join our next episode by sending a voice note! Visit: https://anchor.fm/whatarewedoinghighlands/message or email us at whatarewedoinghighlands@gmail.com. Created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Janice Dahms is vying to become ward 2 councillor for Highlands East. Lisa Gervais chatted with the candidate about her vision for Highlands East, Haliburton County, and her thoughts on the hot topics we’ve covered on What are we doing?
Join our next episode by sending a voice note! Visit: https://anchor.fm/whatarewedoinghighlands/message or email us at whatarewedoinghighlands@gmail.com. Created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Ivan Ingram is a candidate for Minden Hills’ ward 1. Sam Gillett chatted with the candidate about his vision for Minden Hills and his plan for tackling hot-button issues in the township. Join our next episode by sending a voice note! Visit: https://anchor.fm/whatarewedoinghighlands/message or email us at whatarewedoinghighlands@gmail.com. Created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Mike Grozelle is a candidate for Minden Hills’ ward 1. Sam Gillett chatted with the candidate about his vision for Minden Hills and his plan for tackling hot-button issues in the township. Join our next episode by sending a voice note! Visit: https://anchor.fm/whatarewedoinghighlands/message or email us at whatarewedoinghighlands@gmail.com. Created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Shirley Johannessen is a candidate for Minden Hills’ ward 1. Sam Gillett chatted with the candidate about her vision for Minden Hills and her plan for tackling hot-button issues in the township. Join our next episode by sending a voice note! Visit: https://anchor.fm/whatarewedoinghighlands/message or email us at whatarewedoinghighlands@gmail.com. Created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Richard Bradley, Ward 1, Minden Hills Richard Bradley is a candidate for Minden Hills’ ward 1. Sam Gillett chatted with the candidate about his vision for Minden Hills and his plan for tackling hot-button issues in the township. Sam chatted with Richard on park bench during a busy morning in Minden; forgive the background noise! Join our next episode by sending a voice note! Visit: https://anchor.fm/whatarewedoinghighlands/message or email us at whatarewedoinghighlands@gmail.com. Created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Cheryl Ellis is vying to become mayor of Highlands East. Lisa Gervais chatted with the candidate about her vision for Highlands East, Haliburton County, and her thoughts on the hot topics we’ve covered on What are we doing? Join our next episode by sending a voice note! Visit: https://anchor.fm/whatarewedoinghighlands/message or email us at whatarewedoinghighlands@gmail.com. Created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Dave Burton is the current mayor of Highlands East. He’s running for re-election this fall.
Lisa Gervais chatted with the candidate about his vision for Highlands East, Haliburton County, and his thoughts on the hot topics we’ve covered on What are we doing?
We recorded these interviews in busy offices, on picnic tables outside restaurants and while sitting on benches next to the Gull river: please forgive any audio glitches or background noise.
Join our next episode by sending a voice note! Visit: https://anchor.fm/whatarewedoinghighlands/message or email us at whatarewedoinghighlands@gmail.com.
Created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga
Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.ink
Some people love it, some people hate it - but one thing remains true. We all want to see our lakes stay healthy. Our townships recently enacted a shoreline bylaw, and today we're going to talk allllll about it.
Join us as we figure out what we're doing about shorelines!
You'll hear from some of the supporters and opposition to this bylaw as well as from council and how they reached these decisions! You'll also hear some background on the science behind this project and what we can be doing better to ensure the future of our lakes.
Relevant Links:
https://loveyourlake.ca/
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Join our next episode by sending a voice note! Visit: https://anchor.fm/whatarewedoinghighlands/messageor email us at whatarewedoinghighlands@gmail.com.
Created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett.
Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga
Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.inc
An aging population + the Covid migration has our health system under duress! And while this is predominantly a provincial issue, our Municipality can still play a large impact in the quality of care we receive.
So what are we doing about Health Care?
Join us as Lisa lays out the limits of our local government and speaks with Pat and Sheryl Kennedy, along with Cindy Snider for an inside scoop on how we could improve the Highland's Health Care.
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Join our next episode by sending a voice note! Visit: https://anchor.fm/whatarewedoinghighlands/messageor email us at whatarewedoinghighlands@gmail.com.
Created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett.
Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga
Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.inc
Behind the million dollar lake homes hides a shameful secret. Haliburton County and Manitoulin Island have been competing for the title of "poorest county in the province of Ontario" for YEARS. Maybe it's time we change that? So What Are We Doing about Poverty?
Join us this week as we look into how the county became a silent home for the provinces' most under served, and hear from experts who've known how to address this issue long before the pandemic created an even larger rift between wealthy cottagers and minimum wage locals.
You'll hear from Jaime Schmale, Gena Robertson, Tina Jackson, and Fey Martin, alongside the research and hard work conducted by Mike Baker.
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Join our next episode by sending a voice note! Visit: https://anchor.fm/whatarewedoinghighlands/messageor email us at whatarewedoinghighlands@gmail.com.
Created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga
Artwork by Jason Yates @jy.inc
Our two-tier municipal structure is under fire! Amalgamation has been a hot word floating around for quite some time in the county, and this isn't the first time. The last time our townships decided to amalgamate was in the 80's, when we reduced from 10 (ish) lower tier governments to 4.
So What Are We Doing about Amalgamation?
Join us as we delve into the Highlander's in depth research conducted by Lisa Gervais. You'll hear from Jack Brezina - who reported on our last amalgamation for the Minden times, and Zach Spicer - an expert in all things municipal. We'll walk through the difference between full blown Amalgamation and the ongoing Service Delivery Review and lay out the pros and cons to becoming a single tier government!
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Read Lisa's coverage of Amalgamation in the Highlander!
Diving into services delivery, Collaboration could save towns $1.18M, County receives service delivery update, Is it time to discuss County governance?, Is it time to change government?, Single-tier government working in CKL, My mind was changed, Amalgamation: not about saving money.
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What do you think about Amalgamation?! Join our next episode by sending a voice note! Visit: https://anchor.fm/whatarewedoinghighlands/messageor email us at whatarewedoinghighlands@gmail.com.
Created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga
Artwork by @jy.inc
With inflation on the rise, and supply running low - the Highlands have become more and more difficult to live in. For some people, that means looking at purchasing homes out of the county in order to make ends meat.
So what are we doing about housing?
Join us this week as we discuss this growing issue, and try to identify some of the solutions the county is working on! This week you'll hear from; Gord Polhamus, Dianne LePage, Mike Moffat, Jaime Schmale, Jeff Strano, Michelle Corley, and Liz Danielson!
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Join our next episode by sending a voice note! Visit: https://anchor.fm/whatarewedoinghighlands/messageor email us at whatarewedoinghighlands@gmail.com.
Created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga
Artwork by @jy.inc
Hear our bonus episode breaking down what a municipality is here: https://anchor.fm/whatarewedoinghighlands/episodes/The-Highlands-Municipality-101-e1jqm3e
Welcome to the Highlander's "What are we doing" Podcast!
Join Justin and the Highlander team (Mike, Lisa, and Sam) as they discuss some of their thoughts on major issues in the county! Setting the stage for future episodes, get to know the journalists that will be bringing you conversations with our community leaders and politicians in anticipation for the municipal elections taking place this fall.
If you have any questions, concerns, or comments - join our next episode by visiting: https://anchor.fm/whatarewedoinghighlands/messageor email us at whatarewedoinghighlands@gmail.com.
Created by Justin van Lieshout in partnership with The Highlander, featuring Mike Baker, Lisa Gervais, and Sam Gillett. Music by Mackenzie Robinson AKA. Kashaga'. Find his music here: https://linktr.ee/Kashaga
Hear our bonus episode breaking down what a municipality is here: https://anchor.fm/whatarewedoinghighlands/episodes/The-Highlands-Municipality-101-e1jqm3e
Other useful links:
- https://thehighlander.ca/
- https://www.haliburtoncounty.ca/en/index.aspx
- https://www.dysartetal.ca/
- https://mindenhills.ca/
- https://www.highlandseast.ca/en/index.aspx
- https://www.algonquinhighlands.ca/
and stay tuned for our next episode on
Homelessness and Housing
From humble beginnings as loggers to a sprawling cottager's heaven. Haliburton county has evolved over time from 23 municipalities to one county and four townships.
Join us in this bonus episode where we explore the role of a municipality, what councillors do, and some of the important things you can count on the townships to provide.
Joining this episode are Tamara Wilbee and Mallory Bishop, the CAO and Clerk for the township of Dysart et al.
You'll also hear some exerts from Fred Dean's candidate meeting which can be found on youtube here: https://bserv.zendesk.com/hc/requests/105868.
Join the conversation by submitting audio clips to https://anchor.fm/whatarewedoinghighlands/message!