Ontario Government Invests Over $5.7 Million For Jobs and Economic Development Boost In Rural Ontario

The Ontario Government has invested over $5.7 million in 85 projects, to help create jobs and boost economic development in rural communities across the province, announced at the Township of North Kawartha on Friday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The funding through the recent intake of the Rural Economic Development (RED) program supports projects that diversify and grow local economies, build community capacity and address barriers to economic development and labour force challenges said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs.

“Our government values rural communities throughout the province and this program provides municipalities, Indigenous communities, and not-for-profits with essential funding for projects that contribute to local economic vitality,” she said. “The Rural Economic Development program is another example of how our government is ensuring small towns and communities across Ontario continue to share in the province’s growth and economic prosperity.”

As a result, North Kawartha is set to receive up to $25,000 for downtown revitalization efforts. This funding will support community consultations, the creation of a downtown Master Plan and marketing initiatives aimed at fostering economic growth within the community according to Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.

“The RED program plays a vital role for our rural communities, such as North Kawartha,” he said. “Investing in these areas aids in diversifying and expanding economies. By fostering inclusive economic growth, rural communities can continue to benefit from the province's overall prosperity.”

Marketing initiatives will highlight North Kawartha's unique charm and attractions, drawing attention to its natural beauty, cultural heritage and local businesses. /the township aims to attract new visitors, boost tourism, and stimulate economic development according to Steve Pinsonneault, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Rural Affairs.

“Our government recognizes the need to prepare rural Ontario for expansion through the Rural Economic Development Program,” he said. “We are committed to supporting projects that continue to benefit rural communities. The projects we are investing in will incorporate the right tools necessary to help build the best possible future for the entire province.”

“We are excited to move forward with these much-needed downtown revitalization efforts,” said Carolyn Amyotte, Township of North Kawartha Mayor. “The funding provided through the Rural Economic Development Program is crucial in helping us create a vibrant, welcoming, and economically viable downtown for Apsley. We appreciate the partnership and program support from the Ministry of Rural Affairs which makes these initiatives possible.”

Curve Lake First Nation will receive $53,789.33 from the Rehabilitation of vacant and/or underutilized building projects to renovate the Chemong Cottage. The project aims to create a space for learning and collaboration, attract diverse visitors and foster new partnerships.

The RED program provides cost-share funding for activities that create strong rural communities. This includes funding assistance to build local capacity and improve job prospects. The program aligns with the government’s priorities of removing barriers to investment, opening doors to rural economic development, and creating good jobs across the province according to Keith Knott, Curve Lake First Nation Chief.

“Curve Lake First Nation appreciates the support from the Rural Economic Development Program for the renovation of Chemong Cottage,” he said. This project not only enables us to create a sustainable space for economic growth but also provides an invaluable opportunity to share our cultural heritage and teachings. This construction aligns with our vision to foster greater understanding, generate meaningful employment, and celebrate the rich traditions of Curve Lake. We are excited to bring this vision to life and look forward to the positive impact it will have on our community and our neighbours.”

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City Receives Nearly $3 Million From OLG As Gaming Revenue Share

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation has provided $2,973,019 to the City of Peterborough in the 2024 Fiscal Year as its share of gaming revenue from Shorelines Casino Peterborough as a host community, in a cheque presentation at the Canadian Canoe Museum on Tuesday afternoon.

Since the gaming site opened in October 2018, the City of Peterborough has received $13,844,047. Municipal government members and OLG representatives with the check of over $2.9 million from hosting Shorelines Casino. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“The Canadian Canoe Museum is an integral part of our City and an integral part of our culture and heritage,” Mayor Leal said. “Being a casino host community allows us to reinvest OLG revenue in areas where it will support residents and help our city grow.”

According to a press release, in 2023/24, the City used the funding from Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) for investments such as planting trees, improving trails and the cycling network, building a splash pad, and contributing to the Canadian Canoe Museum’s capital campaign.

“OLG is proud to be a vital part of the City of Peterborough,” said Kathleen Devine, OLG’s Senior Municipal Relations Manager. “Each and every year, 100% of OLG profits are reinvested in Ontario to support provincial priorities. From critical infrastructure to important local programs, to community festivals, OLG’s profits are hard at work in Peterborough and all across our province to build stronger communities. When you play at an Ontario casino, like Shorelines Casino Peterborough, you play for Ontario.”

The City of Peterborough is contributing $4 million toward the Canoe Museum’s capital campaign to support the construction of the new museum that opened on Ashburnham Drive, next to Little Lake, in May. The City used $500,000 from its OLG revenue in 2023/24 to fund part of its contribution to the Canadian Canoe Museum as stated by a press release.

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Ontario Government Invests $59,200 to Improve Buckhorn Community Centre's Accessibility and Support

The Ontario Government is funding $59,200 to improve accessibility and support for everyone at the Buckhorn Community Centre, announced on Friday afternoon.

Since the Program’s inception in 2020, Ontario has provided over $5 million to support 107 projects promoting inclusivity and accessibility across the province. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“Those with disabilities and limited mobility are often faced with obstacles or unwelcoming environments when they try to use outdoor spaces,” said Dave Smith Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “This grant will allow individuals to have access to the Buckhorn Community Centre's Festival Park that will enable them to enjoy activities with their friends and families for years to come.”

The funding is part of the Inclusive Community Grant that provides funding of up to $60,000 for projects of all ages and abilities to live healthy, active and independent lives.

“The Buckhorn Community Centre has received funding to improve outdoor accessibility and inclusivity,” said Molly Kriksic, Buckhorn Community Centre Volunteer Board of Directors. “Visitors can look forward to new walkways, seating, gardens, and raised beds, enhancing the BCC's ability to offer community-focused programs and events.”

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Ontario Government Investing Over $10 Million For Faster Emergency Care and Increased Ambulance Availability For Peterborough County

The Ontario Government is investing $10,037,559 in Peterborough County to connect people to faster emergency care faster and increase ambulance availability, announced at Peterborough EMS on Friday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“When people call 911, they need to know that paramedics will arrive quickly to meet their needs. A delay in a service call of just minutes can lead to drastically different results,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “The Peterborough County-City Paramedics work hard to deliver emergency medical care. This investment will help all of us receive better service when our loved ones pick up the phone at that critical time.”

According to a press release, the province is increasing land ambulance funding by six per cent, bringing the province’s total investment in the region to $10,037,559 this year. The release continues to state that this base funding increase helps municipalities address increased costs and continue delivering high-quality emergency care.

“With record high population growth and call volumes, our Peterborough County-City Paramedics are working hard to keep up,” said Bonnie Clark, Peterborough County Warden. “The Provincial funding announced today will help our paramedics service to continue providing the high quality of care that Peterborough County and City residents expect and deserve. Thank you to the province for this funding to help our paramedics do their job and keep our communities safe and healthy.”

To further reduce delays paramedics encounter when dropping patients off at a hospital, the Ontario government is investing $607,727 in Peterborough County through the Dedicated Offload Nurses Program to hire more nurses and other eligible health professionals dedicated to offloading ambulance patients in hospital emergency departments.

“Peterborough County/City Paramedics have worked closely with PRHC identifying and implementing strategies to assist with offload delays,” said Patricia Bromfield Peterborough County Paramedic Chief. “The continuance and increase of funding received this year is important for our ongoing staffing of this program and returning our ambulances back to the road to service the community.”

The program allows paramedics to return to the community faster and respond to their next 9-1-1 call sooner. It has significantly reduced ambulance offload times and increased ambulance availability for 9-1-1 patients across the province. As a result of this investment and the dedication of healthcare professionals, provincial ambulance offload time has been reduced by more than 50 per cent since its peak in October 2022 according to a press release.

Ontario is also continuing to implement the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) across the province to ensure urgent patients receive critical care sooner. The system helps prioritize and triage emergency medical calls and dispatch paramedics sooner. Over the last year, the province has rolled out MPDS to Mississauga, Kenora, Thunder Bay, Ottawa and Renfrew and is accelerating progress to implement the system at the 15 remaining dispatch sites across Ontario over a year ahead of schedule.

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Ontario Government Invests Over $9.5 Million For Peterborough's Critical Infrastructure

The Ontario government is investing $9,536,982 to help renew and rehabilitate critical infrastructure in the City of Peterborough, announced at City Hall on Friday morning.

In 2025, Ontario will allocate $400 million in OCIF funding to help 423 small, rural and northern communities build roads, bridges, water and wastewater infrastructure. Communities may accumulate funding for up to five years to address larger infrastructure projects. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The funding will be delivered in 2025 through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund and is part of the government’s $190 billion capital plan to build and expand more homes, highways, hospitals, transit and high-speed internet across the province according to a press release.

“This investment of over $9 million will improve infrastructure throughout the City of Peterborough, particularly in the downtown core,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “It is formula-based funding that is sent out to the municipalities each year and is something they can count onto plan for critical infrastructure projects.”

“With this support, we can address key projects that will improve our core infrastructure and create long-lasting benefits for our residents,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Strong infrastructure is the backbone of our city’s future, and this partnership with the province plays a pivotal role in ensuring a vibrant Peterborough for many years to come.”

The OCIF provides funding for local infrastructure projects in municipalities with populations under 100,000, rural and northern municipalities and Local Services Boards that own water or wastewater systems.

The funding allocations are based on a formula that accounts for each community's needs and economic conditions.

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Ontario Government Invests Nearly $250,000 For Youth Support Pathways In Skilled Trades.

The Ontario government is investing $241,280 through the Skills Development Training Stream in the Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario’s (JA-NEO) World of Choices Program, announced on Friday morning.

Since its launch in 2021, Ontario’s Skills Development Fund has helped connect more than half a million jobseekers with the skills and training they need to find well-paying and fulfilling careers close to home. Photo courtesy of JA-NEO.

“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is proud to invest in programs that support training and developing career pathways,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “We are happy to support JA-NEO as an exceptional organization that are dedicated to running programs that develop our future workforce and provide young people with real-life exposure to a wide variety of skilled trades jobs.”

JA-NEO is focused on inspiring and preparing young people to succeed by providing them with opportunities to learn financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness skills.

The funding helps JA-NEO run programs throughout the 2024/25 school year that will reach over 2000 full-time students and youth according to a press release. The focus of these programs will be to educate and help students understand the importance of skilled trades. Participants will be linked with community and business leaders to familiarize themselves with potential career pathways and access a real-world glimpse into various careers.

Ontario supports JA-NEO’s innovative plans to reach youth from different communities and populations experiencing unique barriers that limit pathways into skilled trades careers. JA-NEO will work with schools across Northumberland and Peterborough to provide inclusive environments with equitable engagement and learning opportunities in skilled trades.

“At JA Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO), we are often the first point of contact with students surrounding skills in Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurship and Workforce Readiness.” John McNutt, JA-NEO president and CEO. “With funding from the Skills Development Fund, JA-NEO is continuing to be at the forefront of exposing and providing experiential learning opportunities and essential skills to youth that are needed within the skilled trades sector. By working alongside our industry partners across all Northern and Eastern Ontario we are helping to close the skilled trades gap.”

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First-Ever Couture For Kids Fashion Show to Benefit Five Counties Kids On Oct. 3

Fashion meets philanthropy at the first-ever Couture for Kids event in support of Five Counties Kids set for Oct. 3 at Celebrations (35 Lindsay St. N.) in Lindsay.

Five Counties kids Payton (front) and sister Paisley (back) are excited about the first-ever Couture for Kids fashion show fundraiser taking place on Oct. 3 in Lindsay. In 2023/24, the Centre served more than 1,300 kids and youth in Kawartha Lakes.

Couture for Kids is a fashion show featuring clothing from local retailers like Brittany’s N Bros, Bonita Clothing & Co, Cathy Allan Ladieswear, John G’s, Homethreads Boutique, The Lingerie Loft, Lizzy’s by Cathy Allan and Nisbett’s Clothiers.

“We are excited to mix fashion and fun at our first-ever Couture for Kids event in Lindsay,” said says Lyn Giles, Five Counties director of fund development. “This fundraising event is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and support the life-changing work that goes on every day at Five Counties.”

The doors open at 6 p.m. with the fashion show starting at 7 p.m.. Tickets are $25 each and include light snacks provided by Milk and Honey Eatery and Brouwer Bake Shop. Tickets can be purchased at participating retailers or by going online.

A raffle, consisting of flower arrangements by Hill’s Florist, skin care basket, hair care basket, gift cards for local businesses and much more are being featured. Pass the Purse will also be on the agenda, with any attendee who puts a donation in the purse being entered in a draw to win it.

All proceeds from Couture for Kids will support Five Counties kids in City of Kawartha Lakes, helping them access needed life-changing treatment services close to home according to a press release.

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Two Peterborough Archers Awarded Petro-Canada FACE Grant

Archer Amelia Gagné and her coach Jess Ashton have been selected to receive the Petro-Canada FACE (Fuelling Athlete and Coaching Excellence) grant announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Heather Watson.

The duo has been chosen from a group of 55 up-and-coming athletes and hopes to represent Canada at the Olympics.

Archery Canada nominated them and they are the only archery athlete-coach pairs to receive the grant. Each National sports organization across Canada can nominate athletes and coaches based on their pathway toward future Olympic events.

Gagné and Ashton are both from the Peterborough area and train there. The development of the sport of archery in the region has had challenges, starting with the closure of a nearby facility in 2019, leaving competitive archers with limited options to train. They train near Red Head Archery, a new facility in Douro Dummer that opened in 2021. The two have been able to continue to work together through perseverance. They worked together at the 2023 Canada Winter Games and competed in the Youth and Masters Pan American Championships in 2024 in El Salvador. In September, they will be heading to the World Archery Championships in Alberta.

“I am so grateful to have received this funding from Petro-Canada,” said Gagné. “The money will allow me to participate in more international tournaments and assist with equipment upgrades. This will greatly benefit my progression in archery and in achieving my goals as a high performance archer.”

As a woman who has grown up in this sport, as a previous competitive archer myself, I understand the time, dedication and countless hours of work that go behind high performance archery,” said Ashton. “Programs like the Petro-Canada FACE program are invaluable for athlete development as we work towards Amelia’s Olympic goals.”

Potential Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athletes are awarded a $10,000 FACE grant to help them along their journey. The grants are often used for training, equipment, coach education, and travel expenses for competitions. Since 1988, the fund has provided more than $14 million in support to Canadian athletes and coaches.

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Ontario Government Invests Over $3 Million to Improve Trent University's Infrastructure

The Ontario Government has invested $3,002,300 into Trent University’s infrastructure to help its students access to modern facilities, learning tools and equipment, announced at the school’s Student Centre on Thursday morning.

(From left to right) Kathy Bruce, Trent president and vice-chancellor; Tariq Al-idrissi, Vice-President of Finance & Administration and Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP in front of ongoing consutrction of an accessible pathway along the Otonabee River. The pathway stretches from Bata Library to Champlain College. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Trent is using the money to:

• Enhance the learning environment and campus experience for students, faculty and staff with infrastructure upgrades and improvements to critical academic and research facilities.

• Increase efficiency and reduce the University’s environmental impact by enhancing building exteriors, mechanical and electrical systems.

• Prioritize accessibility, AODA standards, health and safety through essential facilities as well as ramps and stairs, and updated signage.

“This support will ensure students at Trent University have access to modern instructional equipment to meet business and industry standards, increase student access to micro-credentials and enhance the overall student experience,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “By investing in postsecondary infrastructure, we are not only supporting our local economy but ensuring students develop the skills they need to succeed in the workforce.”

“This significant contribution from the government helps Trent University enhance the environments of our renowned campuses, ensuring our award-winning architecture and its infrastructure are keeping pace with the latest upgrades and innovations,” said Cathy Bruce, Trent president and vice-chancellor. “At Trent, we are dedicated to student success and wellbeing, prioritizing a safe and modern environment for both learning and teaching. This investment not only strengthens the University but also reinforces Trent's role as a vital asset and key contributor to the local communities and Ontario’s economy.”

The most notable part of the investment is an accessible pathway that starts from Bata Library, travels north underneath Faryon Bridge and extends out to Champlain College. The construction has already been ongoing for two years with expected projected completion before Head of the Trent which takes place on Oct. 4 and 5.

While the University is known for its architecture, it had its accessibility issues. Having the balance between modernization and preserving heritage was key in making these upgrades.

“We have that level of modernization that students are looking for, we have safe and accessible campuses but we also need to be preserving the heritage,” said Bruce. “We needed to preserve the riverside and we need to make it really conducive to community and anybody who wants to come along here and enjoy that.”

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GPHSF Announces New Senior Care Microgrant

The Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF) has announced its new Senior Care Microgrant program to support senior care projects and healthy aging initiatives in the Peterborough area.

These grants have been made possible due to funding provided by the June Towle Trust. She passed away in 2023. Photo courtesy of GPHSF.

Two grants are available with the application deadline on Sept. 30. Find out more about the grants and criteria below. 

The new Senior Care Microgrant program is meant to be a low-barrier applicant process according to GPHSF. The grants can be used as seed money to address a new need or as financial support to an existing program in Peterborough, County, Hiawatha First Nation and Curve Lake First Nation. 

Two grants are available, with up to $5000 in funding available with each grant.

Applications are open to community and not-for-profit organizations, including medical organizations, that run programming and services or propose to run programming and services within the boundaries of Peterborough City and/or Peterborough County, Hiawatha First Nation and Curve Lake First Nation.

Proposed projects must be general in scope (including and impactful on as many people as possible). Project completion must occur within one year of approval unless GPHSF grants an extension. Grant funding can be applied to existing projects or used as seed money for new projects.

A maximum of $5,000 is available for each gran, and a maximum of $10,000 is available across all grants (two total).

The project timeline and budget must be provided.

Senior Care Microgrant projects may include.

• Research

• Equipment

• Nutrition

• Physical Activity

• Mental Health

Priority will be given to projects that:

• Have a lasting impact on our community.

• Support emerging needs in our community.

• Improve the quality of life for seniors in the community.

Applications can be submitted online.

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