When Communications Go Sideways
When communication breaks down, it’s rarely because the facts are wrong — it’s because the tone, framing, or intent becomes defensive. In municipal or inter-organizational contexts, this can happen when a message tries to prove who was right instead of showing how the situation can move forward. The result is often the same: readers perceive blame, relationships become strained, and dialogue turns into justification rather than collaboration. Even accurate information can feel accusatory if it lacks empathy or balance.
When We Communicate Clearly and With Empathy
Taking the time to craft a message with clarity, accountability, and respect changes everything. The focus shifts from defending a position to building understanding. A professional, empathetic tone invites the other party — and the public — to see a shared purpose rather than a dispute. Facts remain the same, but the intent becomes constructive: acknowledging challenges, recognizing joint responsibility, and emphasizing future cooperation. In doing so, we strengthen trust and model the kind of governance people can believe in.
How to Audit Tone Before Communicating
Before a message leaves the desk, take a moment to read it through three lenses: clarity, balance, and intent.
• Clarity asks: Would a reasonable person outside the situation understand what’s being said and why it matters?
• Balance asks: Does the message acknowledge the other party’s perspective or constraints, even briefly?
• Intent asks: Does the tone build trust and open dialogue, or does it close the door?
A well-balanced communication neither hides accountability nor seeks vindication. It treats readers as partners in a shared effort, not as an audience for internal disputes. When public institutions adopt this reflective habit, every clarification becomes an opportunity to reinforce transparency, mutual respect, and credibility — the foundations of effective governance.
Beach Access for Non-Residents of Happy Valley
– Clarifications –
The Municipality of Happy Valley would like to clarify the situation regarding access to the municipal beach for the citizens of Maple Hollow Township. Some misleading information was unfortunately reported in the media a few days ago, requiring clarification.
Residents of neighbouring municipalities can still access the Happy Valley Beach, subject to a fee if their municipality has not signed an agreement. It should also be noted that Happy Valley residents pay for their recreational services through their municipal taxes, which is why the municipality provides them with free access to the beach.
The intermunicipal recreation agreement signed in May 2019 (following a resolution voted unanimously in March 2019, including current Maple Hollow Township Mayor Mr. Fontaine) between the two municipalities provided for the unification of the two municipalities’ respective recreation offerings. The agreement defined Maple Hollow Township’s service offering as follows:
• Fall, winter and spring programming
• Summer day camp
• Outdoor cinema
• Choir
• Family Day in June
• Winter carnival
• River access
• Merchant’s Committee (joint activity)
In return, Happy Valley was to offer the following services:
• Beach (swimming and swimming lessons)
• Sailing lessons
• Tennis courts
• Ice rink and ice trail
• Dreamland summer concert series
• Canada Day celebrations
The agreement provided for equal cost sharing for the delivery of included activities, salaries and contingencies, the delivery of free activities, and the realization of events. Happy Valley deplores Mayor Fontaine’s statements in the media, since the agreement was clear on the distribution of costs in relation to the activities carried out. It should be noted that the skating rink has been set up and open every year, although we cannot guarantee the conditions of the ice depending on the unpredictability of the weather.
In 2023 and 2024, post-COVID inflation created a challenge in attracting and retaining qualified lifeguards. It should also be noted that Willowmere Beach in Silverbrook had also experienced difficulties in recruiting lifeguards, reducing the hours of lifeguard supervision. The subject of lifeguard salaries was discussed at a meeting of the Recreation Committee (elected officials and management from both municipalities) in 2022, at which it was agreed that although beach revenues were lower than expenses, it was imperative to provide adequate supervision by qualified lifeguards to ensure user safety and continued swimming lessons. Last year, 391 Maple Hollow Township residents used the Happy Valley Beach free of charge (although the Township owns a share of Willowmere Beach).
It is perfectly normal for non-residents to pay certain access fees to use recreational services paid for by Happy Valley residents if their municipality does not have a valid agreement to provide them with services free of charge.
Until recently, an agreement between Maple Hollow Township and Happy Valley clarified the sharing of expenses for beach user services used by residents of both municipalities, as well as recreation services on Happy Valley territory. Only completed activities were billed to Maple Hollow Township, as stipulated in the agreement signed in 2019 and automatically renewed in 2021 and 2023.
In February 2025, management met to agree on a strategy for renewing the agreement (following the adoption of the resolution terminating the agreement by Maple Hollow Township) in the interest of users, in which the Maple Hollow Township administration was to forward an updated agreement proposal, but this never came. To date, Happy Valley remains open to discussion but is awaiting a proposed agreement from Maple Hollow Township.
Beach Access and Intermunicipal Recreation Agreement: Clarifications and Next Steps
Happy Valley, June 2025
Dear Residents of Happy Valley and Maple Hollow Township,
Over the past few weeks, there have been discussions about public access to the Happy Valley beach and the renewal of our intermunicipal recreation agreement. To provide everyone with accurate and transparent information, we would like to clarify the current situation and outline the next steps we hope to take together.
Background
Since 2019, Happy Valley and Maple Hollow Township have collaborated through a shared recreation agreement that allowed residents of both communities to enjoy a variety of programs and facilities, including swimming and sailing lessons, tennis courts, concerts, and seasonal events. The spirit of the agreement was simple: small municipalities can offer more when they work together.
Evolving Context
Over time, the operating context has changed for both municipalities. Rising costs, staffing shortages, and post-pandemic pressures have affected certain services, including beach operations and lifeguard availability. Both municipalities have had to make responsible adjustments within the limits of their resources.
In early 2025, Maple Hollow Township formally ended the previous agreement, with the understanding that discussions would follow to explore a renewed and more up-to-date framework. Meetings were held in February to begin this process, but no final proposal has yet been received. Happy Valley remains fully open to dialogue and cooperation to ensure fair and safe access for residents of both communities.
Current Access to the Beach
Residents of neighbouring municipalities, including Maple Hollow Township, are still welcome to use the Happy Valley beach. As with other intermunicipal services, user fees apply when no active cost-sharing agreement is in place. These fees help cover part of the operational costs that are otherwise financed through Happy Valley residents’ municipal taxes.
Commitment to Collaboration
Both municipalities share the same priorities: promoting community well-being, maintaining access to recreational spaces, and ensuring the responsible use of public funds. While past interpretations may have led to misunderstandings, we recognize that our shared goal to cooperate for the benefit of our citizens remains unchanged.
Happy Valley looks forward to resuming discussions with Maple Hollow Township to develop a renewed agreement that reflects today’s realities while preserving the spirit of partnership that has long benefited both communities.
Sincerely,
The Administration of the Municipality of Happy Valley