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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Photos: Peterborough International Women's Day March 2024

Kawartha World Issues Centre and Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre rallied and marched in Downtown Peterborough for International Women’s Day from Peterborough Square to City Hall on Friday afternoon.

All photos by David Tuan Bui.

The two organizations and participating marchers acknowledge women's achievements and advocate for equality in the annual global celebration. This year's theme, ‘Inspire Inclusion,’ highlights the crucial need to foster a diverse and inclusive society, according to a press release.

Deputy Mayor and Councillor Joy Lachica gave a rousing speech to the 120+ marchers at City Hall, a significant increase from last year’s march which saw roughly 60 people participate. Roughly 10 per cent of this year’s attendees were men, another uptick from the prior event.

A poem reading from Peterborough's current Poet Laureate, Ziysah von Bieberstein, was also performed. Mayor Jeff Leal also spoke, proclamating March 8 as International Women’s Day in Peterborough.

During the march, signs were held up with statements such as, “Where there is a woman, there is magic,” “We are the voice of those who are no longer here,” “It’s a beautiful day to smash the patriarchy,” and “The future is female.”

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City Hall Council Chambers Open House On Feb. 25

The public are invited to drop in for conversations and light refreshments with Mayor Jeff Leal and City Councillors at an Open House in the Council Chambers at City Hall from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 25.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

“We want to provide another way for residents to visit City Hall, to see the Council Chambers, and to speak with their Council members outside of the typical formal meetings that usually bring us together,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Join us for coffee, tea or juice and local baked goods. This is going to be another huge year for moving projects forward, renewing infrastructure, and delivering critical services. Let’s talk about our community and how we can build a better tomorrow, together.”

The Council Chambers are on the second floor of City Hallwhich can be accessed through the main doors and taking either the central staircase or the adjacent elevator to the second floor. Refreshments will be available in the City Boardroom next to the Council Chambers.

Free public parking is available in the City Hall parking lot when visiting City Hall and on-street parking is permitted in front of City Hall on George Street. 

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Peterborough Youth Commission Meeting May 30

The Peterborough Youth Commission will host a meeting on May 30 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at City Hall in the Doris Room.

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.

Youth Commission meetings are open to the community and youth are encouraged to attend and share their ideas.

The Youth Commission is resuming its important community work following a pause due to the pandemic. The Commission is made up of non-profit service providers working to assist local youth along with interested community members and youth representatives.

“The City of Peterborough’s Youth Commission is gearing up to re-ignite our mutual goals of re-engaging youth for another exciting year. Our addictive use of electronic devices and social media plus the pandemic have affected how we interact with each other, especially for our youthful citizens,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell, chair of the Youth Commission. “The Youth Commission is a way for youth to engage with our community and for our community to engage with the youth who contribute so much to who we are as a City.”

The Peterborough Youth Commission was created following the 2000 municipal election. The Commission has been very successful over the years helping to make the community more youth friendly.

For further information please contact Ellen Stewart, City of Peterborough Youth Programmer by email or phone 705-927-7046.

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Photos: City Hall and Peterborough & District Labour Council Gather For Half-Mast Flag Raising Of National Day of Mourning

All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Roughly over 80 people gathered at City Hall for a flag-raising on the National Day of Mourning. Municipal politicians such as Mayor Jeff Leal and Councillor Joy Lachica spoke at the event. Peterborough & District Labour Council members and several others were in attendance for the event.

The day honours those who have lost their lives in the workplace. A flag has been flown at half mast in memoriam of those who passed on.

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Photos: Peterborough International Women's Day March

For International Women’s Day, a rally organized by Kawartha World Issues Centre and Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre had roughly 60 people march from Peterborough Square to City Hall on Wednesday.

Katelyn Brennan (left) and Rhianna Patterson (right) leading the charge for the march that started from Peterborough Square to City Hall. All photos by Samantha Bianco.

During the march, signs were held up with statements such as, “Trans women are women,” “On Wednesday, we smash the patriarchy,” and “Feminism = Equity.”

City Councillor Joy Lachica read Jeff Leal’s proclamation of International Women’s Day announced earlier in the day and roused the crowd to celebrate the fight for equity.

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City of Peterborough Honours Two Petes For World Juniors Gold Medal Performance

Peterborough Petes’ Owen Beck and Brennan Othmann were honoured by Council at City Hall for their gold-medal performances during the World Juniors Championships at the beginning of Monday’s General Committee meeting.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Mayor Jeff Leal made a presentation on behalf of City Council recognizing their efforts for the Petes and Peterborough.

Othmann was obtained from the Flint Firebirds on Nov. 12, several months prior to the deadline. The Petes dealt Artem Guryev, two second-round and one third-round pick for Othmann. He was drafted 16th overall by the New York Rangers in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Beck was acquired from the Mississauga Steelheads in exchange for Jack Van Volsen, Justin DeZoete, Peterborough’s second and third-round picks in 2025, Erie’s second-round pick in 2025 and Peterborough’s fourth-round pick in 2026 on Jan. 7.

He was a late call-up to Team Canada for the World Juniors on New Year’s Day after an injury to Colton Dach. He had 17 goals and 23 assists in 30 games with the Steelheads this season prior to being traded to the Petes on Jan. 7.

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Accessible Advance Voting Location to Run at City Hall for Municipal Election

An advanced voting location with enhanced accessibility features for the 2022 Municipal Election will run at City Hall on Monday to Oct. 21 announced on Thursday.

File photo.

Voters from any ward are welcome to vote at the accessible location from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the City boardroom of City Hall, located at 500 George St. N.

Accessibility features include an audio and tactile voting tabulator equipped with special equipment to allow any elector to independently cast a ballot.

The second of three in-person advance voting days are on Saturday with voting locations open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The final day for advance voting is Oct. 22.

Election Day is on Oct. 24, with polls open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. There will be 16 designated voting locations throughout the City, and residents can choose the location within their ward that is most convenient.

Find a map of all the voting locations here.

Voters are reminded to bring their Voter Notification Card and abide by the City of Peterborough’s COVID-19 guidelines.

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Peterborough Residents Can Now Register Ahead Of October Municipal Election

Residents, owners, and tenants of property in the City of Peterborough who are a minimum of 18 years of age can now confirm that they are registered to vote in the Oct. 24 municipal and school board elections online and in person at City Hall.

Photo by Luke Best.

Registering in advance helps ensure a seamless voting experience and is necessary for those who plan to vote online.

Residents can visit peterboroughvotes.ca to check that they are on the voters list. If they are not registered, residents can upload a form of identification that confirms their name and qualifying City of Peterborough address online. City staff will review submissions and email voter notification cards to verified voters.

Residents who prefer to register in person are welcome to stop into the City Clerk's office at City Hall. There is free, 30-minute parking on George Street between McDonnel Street and Murray Street. City Hall business hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Staff will verify their identification and eligibility to vote, register them on the voters list, and print out their card, all in one trip.

Students living in Peterborough while attending school can vote in the Peterborough municipal election as well as in their home municipality.

People who are experiencing homelessness, or do not have a permanent home or a fixed address can vote based on the location they have slept in the most during the 5 weeks leading up to the election.

Both online and in-person voting will be available for the 2022 municipal election. Online voting starts Oct. 1 and ends Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. In-person voting will be available at advance voting locations on Saturday, Oct. 8, Saturday, Oct. 15, and Saturday, October 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on election day on Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. An advance voting location that provides enhanced accessibility features will be available at City Hall, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily from Oct. 17 to Oct. 21.

Voter Notification Cards will be sent to registered voters by mail in late September or early October. The notification card will specify the assigned voting location for the registered voter. Voters who choose to vote in person must vote in their designated ward. All voting locations are barrier-free for people with disabilities. Online voting is a convenient option that will allow registered voters to vote from anywhere using a smartphone, tablet, or computer with internet access.

Details on voting options are posted on the municipal election website at peterboroughvotes.ca. Inquiries can be made by calling 705-742-7777 and selecting option 7 for the election hotline.

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Peterborough City Hall Lit Blue and Yellow In Support of Ukraine

On a display of solidarity and support to Ukraine in their conflict with Russia, Peterborough City Hall has been lit in blue and yellow that started Tuesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The lights are lit from March 1 to 7.

Before the playing of the Canadian national anthem at Monday’s virtual City Council meeting, 30 seconds of silent reflection were taken.

Several council members dressed their virtual background in the Ukrainian flag at the meeting.

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