Exploring the Future of Haliburton County: An Affordability and Governance Structure Study

Livestream Links for the Community-Wide Affordability and Governance Study

Haliburton: Tuesday August 25 6-8pm @ the Haliburton Legion. Watch here.

Minden: Wednesday August 26 6-8pm @ S.G. Nesbitt Community Centre. Watch here.

Highlands East: Thursday August 27 6-8pm @ Lloyd Watson Memorial Community Centre. Watch here.

Algonquin Highlands: Monday, August 31 6-8pm @ Stanhope Firefighters Hall. Watch here.

County of Haliburton Affordability and Governance Structure Study Report

The final report for the County of Haliburton's Affordability and Governance Structure Study is available now! The report contains four potential models for a future governance framework for the County. Please read the report, familiarize yourself with the options, and take part in opportunities to share your feedback.

Find the report here: https://bit.ly/exploringhaliburtoncountystudy.

The Community Survey has now closed. Thank you to all who participated.

Current Status as of June 26th

• Community survey timeline extended to Sunday, July 5
• Thank you to the 125 community members who participated and shared valuable feedback at the Open Houses.
• All municipal councils have now been engaged by the Study team.
• More than 200 municipal and library staff participated in focus group sessions.

We need to talk about the future and what the local government should look like in the years ahead.

The County of Haliburton has launched a study to learn more about what we can do now to ensure that municipal governments can continue to deliver high-quality, affordable services over the long term. The Study will look at ways to simplify government processes and provide better value for taxpayers.

About the Study

The Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) is leading the Study. EORN is a well-respected group of independent advisors who know rural Eastern Ontario well. The Study is scheduled to run from April 30 to July 31, 2026.

EORN’s work to develop a final Study report includes:

• Reviewing the current two-tier system of municipal governance in Haliburton County.
• Reviewing key processes and financial information from all four local municipalities and the County of Haliburton.
• Carrying out a comprehensive community engagement strategy with the goal of hearing from as many people as possible in Haliburton County.

No decision would be made right away. The Study is about getting more information to help inform what we do next. EORN will provide a final Study Report that outlines options for different paths forward. Ultimately, any decisions around the future of Haliburton County will be made by the 2026-2030 councils.

What’s your opinion?

Your voice matters in helping to shape the future of our communities. What do you think local government should look like in Haliburton County? How have cost and tax increases impacted you? What could local governments be doing to help make services more affordable?

The success of the Study relies on hearing from as many people as possible. Complete the Public Survey and attend upcoming in-person and virtual engagement opportunities.

Upcoming Open Houses

We invite members of the public to participate in one of five public open house sessions in June:

• June 23, 2026
  1. 2 – 4 p.m. at the Haliburton Legion
  2. 6 – 8 p.m. at the Lloyd Watson Memorial Centre in Wilberforce
• June 24, 2026 – Virtual session Please click here to register.
• June 25, 2026 –
  1. 2 – 4 p.m. at the Dorset Recreation Centre
  2. 6 – 8 p.m. at the Minden Hills Community Centre