Covid-19 Information

The health, safety and well-being of our community members and staff is the City of Kawartha Lakes' top priority. City staff continue to serve the community by providing essential services during this period of Emergency Pandemic Response.

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Food and Community Supports

COVID-19 Financial Help

Affected Municipal Services

Last updated July 10, 2020.

Municipal Administration

Currently all of our resources are solely focused on the emergency pandemic response to COVID-19.

All municipal buildings are closed to the public.

For fire, paramedic or police emergencies, please dial 911.
Call 705-324-9411 and dial 0 for assistance Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30 pm. Dial 4000 for a recording of the latest information on closures.
If you have a municipal emergency during business hours of 8:30am-4:30pm, requiring immediate attention, please call 705-324-9411 and press 0 to leave a message. Messages will be monitored on a regular basis but only emergencies will be responded to at this time. All other inquires will be managed when regular services resume.

For after-hours municipal emergencies between the hours of 4:30 pm and 8:30 am, please call 1-877-885-7337.

For information regarding the fire/flood index rating please call 705-324-9411 and enter 8.

Waste and Recycling

All landfills are open to the public and are running under regular hours of operation.
Cash will not be accepted until further notice, and there will be a limit to the number of vehicles allowed on site.

Illegal dumping is a crime. Please use our report it page if you have any questions.

Roads

Roads are being patrolled regularly to inspect conditions. Roads crews will commence limited road maintenance activity focusing on surface conditions to ensure motoring traffic safety.

Road maintenance services will consist primarily of pothole patching and grading activity as weather permits. Work will continue on a limited schedule to ensure health and safety regulations are adhered to.

Residents may report issues online that require attention. All requests will be recorded and processed as business operations return to normal.

Human Services

The Human Services offices at 68 Lindsay St. N. in Lindsay and 49 Maple Ave. in Haliburton remain closed for public access. All critical operations including social assistance applications and payments; housing support and the maintenance of all KLH Housing buildings are continuing.

Staff can be reached at 705-324-9870 or 1-877-324-9870. These numbers are being used for Haliburton County residents as well at this time. Alternatively, emails can also be submitted to CKLhumanservices@kawarthalakes.ca. We are operating with greatly reduced staffing levels. We will respond to all messages, but it may take slightly longer than usual.

Social assistance payments to ongoing recipients will continue to be issued on the same monthly schedule and by the existing payment method.

New applications for Ontario Works can be started using the online application or by phone at 705-324-9870 or 1-877-324-9870, and press “2”.

Effective immediately there is a temporary one-time discretionary benefit available to those in receipt of Ontario Works to address additional costs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. This benefit provides a maximum of $100 to single individuals or $200 to families of two or more.

Emergency financial support is also available to Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County residents who are not in receipt of Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program and are in financial crisis as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This Emergency Assistance may be available to people who haven’t yet accessed other financial supports, such as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit or Employment Insurance Benefits.

To apply for either of these benefits, call our office at 705 324-9870 or toll free 1-877-324-9870 and press “7” to leave a message with your contact information. You can also email CKLhumanservices@kawarthalakes.ca and leave a contact number where you can be reached.

Applications for Emergency Assistance can also be started using the online application.

For information about federal supports for individuals related to COVID-19, please visit the Benefits please visit our Financial Help and Community Supports pages and the Government of Canada website for Support for Individuals and Families.

Fire and Paramedic Administration

All Emergency Services (Fire, Police and Paramedics) are being maintained.

All administration buildings (Headquarters) for Fire and Paramedic Services are closed to the public. This includes all Fire Stations across the municipality.
There is a Burn Ban in place effective July 8.

Council, Boards and Committee Meetings

Municipal Boards and Committee meetings remain suspended.

Council will begin meeting virtually on April 28, 1pm. Watch livestream via YouTube or watch archived from the Council Calendar.

Building Inspections

The Building Division is transferring all pending files and any permit files issued since January 1, 2019 to the appropriate area inspector/plans examiner during the week of April 20, 2020; all above mentioned files will now proceed to be processed/issued/inspected, provided inspections fall within those types deemed essential services by the provincial order.

New applications are being currently accepted via email submission (depending upon formatted size) or via Canada Post, with payments being accepted via Canada Post or online banking.

Commencing the week of April 27, 2020 staff will be instituting a drop off system to allow applicants to make appointments to drop off larger format application packages directly to the Building Division at the 180 Kent Street West, Lindsay office.

Although provincial timelines have been relaxed currently, it is not anticipated that there will be additional delays outside of those associated with using scheduled submission timings, Canada Post and those attributed to less frequent staff office assignments.

Building Division goal is to have permits issued in advance of the revocation of the provincial order, where applications are complete, in order to allow for industry partners to be shovel ready at that time.

Planning and Development

Planning and Development is continuing to process existing applications, but no new applications will be accepted at this time.

Lindsay Transit

Lindsay Transit has resumed full services, including regular hours of operation.

In addition to the HKPR District Health Unit requirement, the City of Kawartha Lakes is encouraging patrons to wear a mask or face covering at all times during their travels. Physical distancing also remains in place. Masks will be mandatory for Transit drivers effective July 13.

Municipal Airport

The airport is closed. It will remain open for Orng and any emergency vehicles.

Community Services - Parks, Recreation and Culture

Spring recreation programs and classes are cancelled. Recreation program credits and refunds information.

All arenas, community halls, libraries, recreation centres, museums and service centres are closed until further notice.

Pools:

On July 20, the pools at Lindsay Recreation Complex re-open with strict new COVID-19 safety protocols.

The following events and programs have been cancelled or postponed:

Lindsay Milk Run
Concerts in the Park
Spring and Summer Aquatics, Fitness and Recreation programs
City-led Summer Camps
Canada Day gatherings and events

All outdoor recreational amenities are closed, including:

Splashpads - We are pleased that three splashpads are open
Playgrounds
Sports fields
Skateboard parks
Picnic areas
Outdoor exercise equipment
Washroom facilities - opening gradually as splashpads and sports events resume
Park shelters
Public gardens - walk through only
Drop Boxes at municipal Service Centres and Libraries are closed and are not being monitored. Residents are encouraged to use Canada Post for document delivery. The Drop Box at City Hall is open.

Tennis Courts

Effective May 19, all municipal Tennis Courts are open for use following new COVID-19 safety guidelines.

Victoria Rail Trail
As of Tuesday May 12, the multi-use rail trail will be open to motorized vehicles.

Boat Launches

Public Boat Launches are open effective May 14.

Beaches - Open for walk-through/swimming, please see Health Unit beach test results before visiting.

Victoria Manor

In order to provide the highest level of protection to residents, effective March 14, Victoria Manor in Lindsay has implemented limited visiting to the home as directed by the Government of Ontario. Learn more about how Victoria Manor has launched new tools to help families stay in touch.

earlyON Programs

earlyON programs in the City of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County are closed to participants, consistent with the direction taken by the province, school boards and many other public sector organizations as a public health measure, until further notice.

Kawartha Lakes Public Library

All branches of the Kawartha Lakes Public Library are closed to the public. Branches will remain closed until further notice. Virtual programming is available at www.kawarthalakeslibrary.ca.

Kawartha Lakes Public Library is offering pickup service by appointment at the Lindsay, Fenelon Falls, Kinmount and Kirkfield branches. The service will be available Monday to Saturday 10am to 3pm. Book returns will also open at these branches. Details

All library material that is already checked out has had the due dates automatically extended until July 2, 2020.

The use of masks will be required for Curbside Pickup while the provincial Emergency Order remains in place or until such time that the Medical Officer of Health lifts the requirement.

Provincial Offences Act Matters

All Provincial Offences Act matters: Until further notice, no in-person Provincial Offences Act matters will be heard until Sept 14, 2020.If you have a matter scheduled during this time, you do not need to attend court. A notice of your new court date will be sent to you by mail to the address on file with the court. For more information, please contact your local Provincial Offences court.

Property Tax

To lessen the financial burden on residents impacted by COVID-19, the City is deferring the payment of property taxes for 60 days. The installment due on April 29 is extended to June 27. Please visit our property tax and utility billing page for details.

Final Tax Bill
The due dates for the final property tax bill are also deferred for 60 days. Typically scheduled for June and September, this year the final tax bill will be due in August 28 and November 20. Residents can expect to receive the final tax bill in the mail by early August.

Water/Wastewater

Water and wastewater operations are being maintained.
The City is waiving penalty and interest on water and wastewater bills for the period of April 1 to June 30. Additionally, water services will not be disconnected during this period. Please visit our property tax and utility billing page for details.

Bulk water stations remain accessible for emergency operations only.
Haulers performing an essential service such as providing drinking water to residents/businesses or cleaning equipment to prevent the spread of COVID-19 may purchase bulk water and reload SmartVend cards. Requests can be submitted by leaving a voicemail on the City’s general phone line 705-324-9411.

Municipal Law Enforcement and Licensing

Offices are closed to the public and services are limited. Complaint queries are still being processed but there will be an extended delay in any additional action. We continue to monitor complaints at 705-324-9411 extension 1212, bylawcomplaints@kawarthalakes.ca and the By-law and Municipal Law Enforcement page.

Accounts Payable Information

Our Accounts Payable department is still running and processing payments on a weekly basis. All invoices should be sent to ap@kawarthalakes.ca.

We encourage vendors who are currently getting paid by cheque to please sign up for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). Please complete our EFT Vendor Form and return it to ap@kawarthalakes.ca.

Invoices must include the following additional information:

City of Kawartha Lakes PO number (if applicable)
City of Kawartha Lakes department name
City of Kawartha Lakes staff name (if possible)
Vendor's email address (if possible)
Vendor's contact information

Questions and concerns related to Accounts Payable can be directed to Leanne Mitchell, Supervisor, Cost Accounting, at 705-324-9411 extension 1333 or by email at lmitchell@kawarthalakes.ca.