The rural region of Haldimand–Norfolk in southwest Ontario is known for its rich agricultural land and sandy beaches by Lake Erie. But in recent years, its name has come up increasingly in politics, often for unique reasons.
The region is the riding of high-profile Tory MP Leslyn Lewis, who is making her second bid for the leadership of the Conservative Party.
In 2020, it attracted attention after the mayors of Haldimand and Norfolk held a public haircut outdoors to protest provincial COVID-19 restrictions that prevented business re-openings in their counties while other regions were allowed to open.
And it made waves in 2021 after its board of health, which consists of the mayor and councillors of the Norfolk County Council, hired a doctor known for his anti-lockdown views as its acting medical officer of health….