Balancing Rural Character with Focusing on Future Development

A progressive community investing in infrastructure, housing, and partnerships to build a sustainable future while preserving its unique identity.

Nestled in the heart of Ontario, Haliburton stands out as a unique and welcoming community, celebrated for its natural beauty and vibrant lifestyle. Mayor Dave Burton emphasizes its distinct character, noting, “We live in a real unique area in the province, and we welcome our seasonal people to be part of what we’re doing.” This blend of year-round charm and seasonal appeal makes Haliburton a magnet for residents and visitors alike.

Behind its picturesque setting, the town is driving growth through strategic investments in infrastructure, housing, and economic development. From new housing projects to road and bridge upgrades, Haliburton is focused on building a sustainable future while addressing the needs of its rural community. With collaborative initiatives and a clear vision, the town is poised to strengthen its position as a thriving hub in Ontario, one that balances progress with the qualities that make it truly special.

Open for Business: Economic and Housing Initiatives

Haliburton is taking bold steps to address housing shortages and foster economic growth, with a focus on collaboration and innovation. At the forefront of these efforts is the development of 35 new housing units in Minden, a project supported by the provincial government and the Kawartha Lakes Housing Corporation. Burton highlights the need for expanded opportunities, stating, “further assistance to identify Crown and public lands appropriate for development would be a great assistance in the development of affordable housing in rural Ontario.”

The town is also partnering with neighboring municipalities in eastern Ontario to explore communal servicing solutions, aiming to streamline development processes and enable higher-density projects. Burton points to Frontenac County as a leader in this space, noting, “Frontenac County is leading the way in this respect to help streamline the approval process.”

On the economic front, Haliburton established a countywide economic development department in 2021 to attract investment and improve coordination. The department serves as a liaison between the county and member municipalities, ensuring efficient communication with prospective investors. “We’re working with our member municipalities to streamline inquiries from prospective investors in the county,” Burton explains. “County staff work as a liaison between county and member municipalities to help ensure information is communicated in a timely and clear manner.”

Haliburton’s proactive approach includes innovative fiscal policies to support community needs. “We implemented countywide short-term rental and municipal accommodation tax,” Burton notes, a measure that balances tourism growth with local housing pressures while generating revenue for infrastructure and services.

These initiatives reflect Haliburton’s commitment to creating a business-friendly environment while tackling pressing housing challenges, a balance that positions the town for sustainable growth.

Infrastructure Achievements and Future Projects

Haliburton has made significant strides in modernizing its infrastructure while laying the groundwork for future development. Recent accomplishments include the asphalt resurfacing of 5.5 kilometers along County Road 648, known locally as Brackett’s Loop Road, along with essential surface treatments across multiple critical routes. Crews have completed single surface treatments along 2 kilometers of County Road 4 and 3.4 kilometers of County Road 12, while County Road 20 received 7.6 kilometers of double surface treatment to enhance durability.

Bridge infrastructure has seen substantial improvements with the rehabilitation of Potash Lake Bridge and new designs completed for the West Guilford-Oglesby Bridges. These projects demonstrate Haliburton’s commitment to maintaining safe, reliable transportation networks throughout the region.

Looking ahead to 2026, the county has planned an ambitious slate of projects including the resurfacing of 7.0 kilometers along County Road 3 and double surface treatment for 6.5 kilometers of County Road 5. The rehabilitation of Dorset Bridge and County Road 503 Box Culvert remains a priority, ensuring these vital structures meet future demands.

One of Haliburton’s most innovative undertakings combines community services with housing solutions. “We’ve been working with Habitat for Humanity and our daycare provider to develop our WeCare daycare site to include affordable and multi-unit housing,” Burton explains. This forward-thinking project, currently undergoing environmental assessments, exemplifies how Haliburton addresses multiple community needs through integrated planning.

Funding and Strategic Priorities

Haliburton faces unique financial challenges that require innovative solutions and provincial partnership. The county’s expansive geography and aging infrastructure create ongoing funding pressures. “Funding for infrastructure, roads, bridges is important to our county given the geographic size of the county and the resources required to maintain our infrastructure,” Burton emphasizes, highlighting the need for sustainable investment.

A key priority is advocating for provincial support to develop communal servicing projects, which would enable higher-density housing in rural areas. “Increased funding for support for the development of communal servicing projects in rural municipalities would provide an opportunity for more high-density development in communities,” Burton explains, noting this could help address the housing shortage.

Healthcare accessibility remains another critical concern. The county is pushing for provincial assistance in physician recruitment to rural areas. “Provincial support to help with the recruitment of physicians across our rural Ontario would reduce the competition and costs associated with the municipality recruiting new doctors to our community,” Burton states.

The current taxation system presents additional hurdles, with residential properties comprising over 75% of the tax base, a particular burden given Haliburton’s demographic profile. Burton proposes solutions, “for the province to explore providing communities, municipalities with a portion of the land transfer tax.” Adding, “this would alleviate many of the financial issues rural communities are facing.”

Strategic planning efforts include developing a new county-wide plan and streamlining processes for municipalities to acquire Crown land. “A more streamlined process for municipalities, for the province to dispose of Crown land or provincially owned facilities and done so at an affordable rate to municipalities if they can be used for community development purposes,” Burton notes, outlining a path toward more sustainable growth.

Haliburton’s Path Ahead

Haliburton stands at a pivotal moment, demonstrating how rural communities can drive progress through strategic infrastructure investments, innovative housing solutions, and collaborative economic development. The town’s multi-faceted approach, from upgrading critical transportation networks to pioneering communal servicing projects, reflects its commitment to sustainable growth.

What makes Haliburton’s progress particularly noteworthy is its dual emphasis on partnership and transparency. As Burton’s advocacy for provincial support reveals, the municipality understands that addressing complex challenges requires cooperation across all levels of government. 

On the other hand, the county has, “implemented a new process to create more transparency with the public to better understand our budget and department business plans,” Burton notes, highlighting how resident involvement complements government collaboration. This two-pronged approach ensures solutions meet both provincial priorities and local needs.

Looking ahead, Haliburton’s balanced approach to development, honoring its unique character while embracing innovation, positions it as a potential model for rural communities across Ontario. With thoughtful planning, partnership, and transparency, the town is building not just infrastructure and housing, but a blueprint for thriving rural municipalities in the years to come.

AT A GLANCE

Who: Haliburton, Ontario

What: A rural municipality driving growth through infrastructure upgrades, affordable housing initiatives, and economic development partnerships

Where: Haliburton County, Ontario

Website: www.haliburtoncounty.ca