MPP Dave Smith Named Ontario PC Party Candidate In Next Provincial Election For Peterborough-Kawartha

Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith is going for a third consecutive term as he has been acclaimed as the Ontario PC party’s candidate in the next provincial general election, announced on Thursday.

Photo by Luke Best.

Smith earned his second term in a back-to-back after being re-elected in 2022 with 20,188 votes which is 38.5 percent of the ballots. Gary Stewart was the last Conservative MPP for the Peterborough-Kawartha riding to get elected for consecutive terms from 1995-2003.

Smith was declared the winner 38 minutes after the polls had closed. Premier Doug Ford was re-elected to a second term 11 minutes after polls closed. They earned a majority government seven minutes later.

“I want to thank the great people of Peterborough Kawartha for putting their trust in me to once again carry the banner for Premier Ford and the Progressive Conservatives in the next provincial election,” said Smith. “We have accomplished so much over the last seven years but my work is not yet finished. I want to thank my family for their unwavering support and all of my friends who have rallied around me to help make life better for everyone in our region.”

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Mayor Jeff Leal Issues Statement For Pride Week From Sept. 20 to 29

Mayor Jeff Leal has issued a statement regarding Pride Week during the week of Sept. 20 to 29, on Wednesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Leal has made the following statement:

On behalf of the City of Peterborough, I am extremely pleased to recognize and celebrate Pride Week, organized by Peterborough-Nogojiwanong Pride, from September 20 to 29 this year.

The theme for this year’s Pride Week is “Educate. Activate. Celebrate!”

Peterborough is a city that values diversity and inclusivity. Let’s take time to celebrate our 2SLGBTQIA+ community and their invaluable contributions to the social, cultural and economic life of our city. Let’s take time to learn about the struggles and triumphs of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in their ongoing fight for a more inclusive and equitable society – Discrimination, homophobia, and transphobia continue to hurt members of our community. Let’s take action to ensure that everyone is safe, valued, and loved, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Let this week serve as a reminder of the importance of standing together against discrimination and hate. As we attend the events and festivities, let us take the time to listen, learn, and join the voices of those who continue to advocate for a more inclusive and welcoming community. We can all be allies in our daily lives.

The Peterborough-Nogojiwanong Pride Week flag-raising will be held at City Hall on Friday, at 12:15 p.m. The Pride Parade will be held on Sept. 28, departing from City Hall at 1:30 p.m. and continuing to Millennium Park.

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Former Liberal Party Candidate Greg Dempsey Gives Endorsement For Upcoming Leadership Race

Former 2022 Ontario Liberal Party Peterborough–Kawartha candidate Greg Dempsey has officially endorsed Bonnie Crombie to lead the Ontario Liberals for the province.

Photo courtesy of Zachary Hatton.

Crombie vies to become the Liberal leader for the upcoming provincial election in June of 2026, challenging current Premier Doug Ford (Conservatives).

Crombie currently serves as the Mayor of Mississauga and has been an MP for Mississauga-Streetsville from 2008-11.

“We came close to winning Peterborough–Kawartha last year but just didn't have the leadership we needed,” said Dempsey. “Bonnie’s been elected as an MP, she’s led a city, she’s competent, strong, inclusive. But most importantly, she scares the heck out of Doug Ford. With Bonnie as leader, I believe that we’ll beat Dave Smith, evict Doug Ford from the Premier's office and make our province the caring place it can and should be.”

“I am so grateful to have the support of Greg Dempsey,” said Crombie. “Everywhere I go, I am seeing a spark across the Liberal Party. People are proud to be Liberal again. We are re-energized and ready to win in 2026!”

Former Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca (left) endorsed Greg Dempsey (right) during the last provincial election last year. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Liberal leadership election votes are this Saturday. Citizens in the Peterborough—Kawartha riding can vote at the Peterborough Lions Community Centre (347 Burnham St.) from 2 - 7 p.m.

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Ontario Liberal Party Leader Steven Del Duca Visits Peterborough the Weekend Before the Provincial Election

Less than one week before the provincial election, Ontario Liberal Party Leader Steven Del Duca made a stop to support Peterborough-Kawartha candidate Greg Dempsey at a campaign rally in downtown Peterborough on Saturday afternoon.

Ontario Liberal Party Leader Steven Del Duca (left) speaks with a supporter with Peterborough-Kawartha Liberal candidate Greg Dempsey looking on. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

While Del Duca endorsed Dempsey in his visit, both criticized Doug Ford and the Conservative government and issues they would address if elected.

The Liberal candidates were critical of Ford’s views regarding building Highway 413, privatizing healthcare and Bill 124 involving wage suppression for healthcare workers.

Del Duca says repealing Bill 124 would be his first legislative priority if elected as Premier.

The Ontario Liberal Party leader remained confident of Dempsey’s ability to become MPP despite the former’s first campaign in politics.

"This community needs a real champion, a real strong voice at Queen's Park and Greg has the determination, the experience, the talent and the drive to do what hasn't been done for the past four years which is stand up strongly for Peterborough-Kawartha,” said Del Duca.

Dempsey was born and raised in Peterborough. He says having roots in town will play a vital role in looking out for the county’s interests.

“My parents being teachers has really matter to me. I was out on the picket lines with my parents during the Mike Harris years of cuts and chaos and that really formed my politics,” said Dempsey. “The Ontario Liberal Party is the only choice that's going to invest in education, invest in healthcare and make a meaningful difference for the climate crisis and that's why I'm so proud to be running for this.”

Some Ontario Provincial Police officers were present during the Liberal campaign party.

The provincial election is on Thursday. Dempsey is challenging current MPP and Conservative candidate Dave Smith.

The following are the candidates for the Peterborough-Kawartha Riding in the provincial election:

• MPP Dave Smith (Conservative)

• Greg Dempsey (Liberal)

• Jen Deck (New Democratic Party)

• Robert Gibson (Green Party)

• Tom Morazzo (Ontario Party)

• Rebecca Quinnell (New Blue Party)

• Dylan Smith (None of the Above Party)

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Interim Leader Of Green Party Of Canada To Speak At Local AGM

Amita Kuttner, Interim Leader of Green Party of Canada will speak at the Peterborough-Kawartha Green Party of Canada Annual General Meeting

Photo courtesy of Amita Kuttner.

The meeting will take place on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Registration will begin at 6 p.m.

Kuttner will be speaking from 6:30 p.m. until 6:55 p.m.

This meeting will be held via Zoom.

Click here to register. After registering participants will receive a confirmation email with further details.

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Mayor Diane Therrien Takes Temporary Leave Of Absence Effective Immediately

In a statement released Monday evening Mayor Diane Therrien announced that she will be taking a temporary leave of absence effective immediately.

File Photo. Courtesy of Diane Therrien.

Councilor Andrew Beamer, Deputy Mayor for the City of Peterborough to temporarily take on the role of Acting Mayor.

Therrien is taking this temporary leave to address her personal health.

“While it pains me to step away from my responsibilities as our community continues to deal with the impacts of COVID, I deeply appreciate Deputy Mayor Beamer’s willingness to step up as well as my fellow Councillors for filling in as they are able,” she said in a release. “I know the important work of the City will continue in my absence, and I look forward to re-joining you all soon.”

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18-Year-Old Student Zach Hatton Is Running For City Council

Eighteen-year-old community advocate Zach Hatton is running for City Council in Northcrest Ward in the upcoming October election. The Grade 12 student at St. Peter Secondary School has a passion for politics, having run for the New Democratic Party in this riding last year. 

Hatton, who will be attending Trent University in the Fall in the Teacher's Education stream while pursing an Arts degree, tells PTBOCanada he is excited about this opportunity and want to help "build and position the city in an even more progressive place." The incumbents in Northcrest Ward are Andrew Beamer and Dave Haacke.

Hatton believes he has a lot to offer the city and constituents in his ward:

“I’m proud to have been born and raised within this community," Hatton says. "I’m connected to our area through my own personal connections and experiences, and they’ve afforded me a great understanding of Peterborough as a whole. My knowledge will be beneficial to our community when applied to the many pressing issues at City Hall right now.”

Hatton says his great pride in the community played a major role in his decision. Indeed, by deciding to attend Trent University in the Fall, he plans to call Peterborough home for many years to come.

Hatton volunteers at many different places including YourTV (formerly CogecoTV), where he has followed local political issues closely while working on many campaigns at all levels of government—including his own personal run recently for the nomination of the New Democratic Party of Ontario.

Hatton, who intends to use social media aggressively throughout the campaign—namely Twitter and Facebook—will be filing his nomination papers at City Hall on May 1st. You can reach him here for more info.

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Maryam Monsef Appointed To Cabinet As Minister Of Democratic Institutions

Thirty-year-old Liberal MP Maryam Monsef—the first woman Peterborough has ever elected to serve in Ottawa (and the first Afghan-Canadian MP)—now also has another amazing honour after being sworn in for a cabinet position.

From CBC News

Monsef was appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as Minister of Democratic Institutions in a swearing-in-ceremony at Rideau Hall Wednesday morning (November 4th).

From CBC News

From CBC News

Please welcome Maryam Monsef, Minister for Democratic Institutions. #pm23 pic.twitter.com/8dN8dgAQjY

— Liberal Party (@liberal_party) November 4, 2015

Congrats @MaryamMonsef for your appointment as Minister for Democratic Institutions! Making @Ptbo_Canada proud! pic.twitter.com/fsKUpOGxuM

— WhiteBulb Animation (@WhiteBulbCanada) November 4, 2015

So proud!!! @MaryamMonsef And so excited for @Ptbo_Canada pic.twitter.com/hZubuEVj70

— Natalie Guttormsson (@natfame) November 4, 2015

The PCVS and Trent University grad is the first federal cabinet minister from Peterborough since the late Seventies.

photo via Twitter

Learn more about Monsef's backstory in this feature article—"From Afghanistan To Iran To Peterborough: One Woman's Amazing Story Of How A City (& A School) Saved Her Life"—we posted in 2012.

Read her biography here and this excellent profile the Ottawa Citizen did on her.
 

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Be The Change: Peterborough Youth Council Accepting Applications

Youth, here is your chance to make a difference by becoming a member of the Peterborough Youth Council.

Image via PtboYouth.com

The Peterborough Youth Council is now receiving applications for their 2015-2016 Term.

The 10-member Youth Council will engage, assist and empower young people in Peterborough to take action in addressing youth issues in our community.

This opportunity will provide members with leadership skills, responsibility and a chance to contribute positively to their community. The Youth Council will also provide networking possibilities with other youth and adults in our community.

Applications are available to youth between the ages of 10 to 21, residing or attending school in the City of Peterborough. To learn more, visit Peterborough.ca, PtboYouth.com or email here.

**The application deadline is Friday, May 15th by 4:30 p.m.

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Dean Del Mastro Has Resigned As MP

Developing story...

UPDATED: Here's the video of his resignation in the House...

The Young and the Restless

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Peterborough is without an MP as Dean Del Mastro has resigned his seat, CBC reports, less than a week after being found guilty of spending too much on his 2008 campaign. "I will not be a distraction in Peterborough," he said during his emotional resignation in the House of Commons.

Del Mastro was found guilty last week on three counts of violating the Canada Elections Act—exceeding spending limits during the 2008 election, failing to report a personal contribution of $21,000 to his own campaign and knowingly submitting a falsified document.

No word on when the by-election will be.

Photo Laura Payton CBC

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