Peterborough Chamber to Host Warden's Breakfast For County Updates

The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Warden’s Breakfast to hear updates from Warden Bonnie Clark at Lang Pioneer Village Museum on April 23 from 8 to 10 a.m.

Photo by dAVID tUAN bUI.

The Warden will discuss recent endeavours and future aspirations for Peterborough County. Updates on the County's progress and exciting prospects are also being revealed at the breakfast.

Warden Clark will be preceded by guest speaker Meredith Staveley-Watson, Manager of Government Relations and Policy at the Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus. She will discuss the ‘7 in 7+’ regional housing plan.

The ‘Countynental’ breakfast features food showcasing baked goods and savoury samples from establishments such as The Nutty Bean, Elmhirst's Resort, Stuff'd Lakefield, Three Roads Farms, The Cheesy Fromage, Jesse's Tap and Grill, Millbrook Mercantile, Cross Winds Farm and Fairlife.

Tickets can be found online.

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City of Peterborough Hosting Drop-in Meetings and Community Survey For 2025 Budget

The City of Peterborough is inviting citizens to participate in an upcoming drop-in meeting to speak with City Council members and City staff or through a community survey for the 2025 Budget.

pHOTO BY Keegan Beekers.

The survey is available online or in paper copies at City Hall, 500 George St. N. It is open until 11:59 p.m. on April 26.

The drop-in meetings provide an informal opportunity for residents to share their ideas and questions about the 2025 Budget with the City’s Budget team, including Council members and City staff. They are in addition to the regular, official Council meetings through the budget process, which include opportunities for individuals to present as formal delegations to Council.

Two drop-in meetings will be held at the beginning of the budget process before the Draft 2025 Budget is put together and two drop-in style meetings later in the process after the Draft 2025 Budget is released to the public to encourage more conversations about the details in the draft budget.

The City consults with the community throughout the budget process—at the beginning before the priorities and direction are set for the budget drafting, when the draft budget is released, and before Council considers adopting the final 2025 Budget.

Council is expected to consider the direction for the Draft 2025 Budget on June 11. The Draft 2025 Budget is scheduled to be posted for public review in November ahead of Council’s budget deliberations. The Mayor is expected to present the 2025 Budget for adoption on Dec. 9.

2025 Budget consultation key dates

• Community budget consultation meeting (brief presentation, conversations with Budget team), April 18, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., McDonnel Street Community Centre, 577 McDonnel St.

• Budget consultation drop-in meeting (informal drop-in for conversations with Budget team), April 22, 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., main foyer, City Hall, 500 George St. N.

• City Council meeting on 2025 Budget, June 11, City Hall, 500 George St. N.

• Draft 2025 Budget presented to City Council, Nov. 4, City Hall, 500 George St. N.

• Budget consultation meeting (brief presentation, conversations with Budget team), Nov. 7

• Budget consultation drop-in meeting (informal drop-in for conversations with Budget team), Nov. 12, main foyer, City Hall, 500 George St. N. 

• Public meeting for City Council to hear from delegations about the 2025 Budget, Nov. 12

• City Council reviews and discusses the Draft 2025 Budget during General Committee meeting, Nov. 18 and Nov. 19

• Mayor will present the 2025 Budget for adoption, Dec. 9

“Municipal services are essential for the daily life of our community, from roads, sidewalks and trails, to parks and recreation, to our library and cultural facilities, to storm and sanitary sewers, to garbage collection and our new Green Bin program, to social housing and social services, for fire services and policing – all of these services and more are reflected through the annual City budget,” said Councillor Andrew Beamer.

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City of Peterborough to Host Instagram Live of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

To mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the City of Peterborough is hosting an Instagram Live conversation between the City’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisor Reem Ali; the New Canadians Centre’s (NCC) Bhisham Ramoutar, Manager of Community Development and Mauricio Interiano, Community Engagement Officer on Friday at 10 a.m.

pHOTO BY Keegan Beekers.

The discussion will be hosted on the City of Peterborough’s Instagram account @cityptbo. Anyone interested in tuning in is welcome. Following the live event, a conversation recording will be available on the City’s Instagram account.

Last fall, the City supported the NCC with funding from Canadian Heritage to develop a series of short videos highlighting some of the challenges experienced by newcomers. Six individuals were invited to share their experiences of discrimination, micro-aggressions and systemic barriers in their settlement journey and to reflect on how they have navigated these challenges. 

The NCC staff behind the video series ‘Our Neighbourhood’ will speak that launched on Feb. 2 and learn more about the experiences of a series participant Samantha Banton, a Jamaican poet and local entrepreneur.

“Racialized individuals who live and work in this city as well as many other communities across Canada, know all too well the inequities that exist across all sectors,” said Ali. “They experience varying levels of racism, oppression, and discrimination on a regular basis and are often expected to be resilient in the face of harmful experiences that affect them for life as a mechanism to help them survive.”

“The videos in ‘Our Neighbourhood’ delve into the unique stories and journeys of newcomers, shedding light on their varied experiences,” said Interiano. “At the heart of them all is the search for belonging and the success that can be achieved through community – and a good neighbourly welcome. But the series goes beyond just celebrating the successes. We’re also addressing the challenges and barriers that exist in our society. We are diving deeper, confronting and shedding light on discrimination and racism. We can’t ignore these issues. We have to work together to make our neighbourhood a better place for all.”

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on the day the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid ‘pass laws’ in 1960.

City Hall will be lit in blue on Thursday to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The City encourages residents to reflect and re-commit our efforts to combat all forms of racism, racial discrimination and hate. 

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The City of Peterborough Opens Applications For Advisory Committee

The City of Peterborough is now accepting applications on three advisory committees.

pHOTO BY Keegan Beekers.

There are vacancies on the following committees:

• Airport Strategic Initiatives Committee (two vacancies; term to December 2026)

• Community Investment Grant Advisory Committee (one vacancy; term to December 2025)

• Transit Liaison Committee (one vacancy; term to December 2026)

The advisory committees provide input and guidance on providing municipal services and programs for the Peterborough community. Applications will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on April 5.

Citizen appointments are volunteer opportunities. Applicants must be residents of the City of Peterborough.

The Citizen Appointment Selection Committee will review applications. An interview may be required. The Committee will then make recommendations to Council for their consideration.

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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 County Declares Intimate Partner Violence An Epidemic

Peterborough County Council has formally approved a resolution to declare Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) an epidemic, announced on Wednesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Peterborough County is now one of over 30 Municipalities in Ontario to declare IPV an epidemic.

The Council resolution reads:

Therefore Be It Resolved That the Council of the County of Peterborough declare intimate partner violence an epidemic; and That the recommendations from the Renfrew County Coroner’s Inquest be referred to staff for consideration and, where appropriate, integrated within the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan; and That a copy of this motion be sent to The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, The Honourable Sylvia Jones, M.P.P, Minister of Health, Dave Smith, MPP, Peterborough-Kawartha, David Piccini, MPP, Northumberland-Peterborough South and Laurie Scott, MPP, Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock.

“Peterborough County recognizes the urgent need for action on Intimate Partner Violence in our area and across Ontario. With this declaration, we acknowledge the immediate threat this crisis poses to the safety and well-being of vulnerable residents and commit to supporting measures to address this issue,” said Bonnie Clark, Peterborough County Warden. “Through solidarity, effective policies focused on survivors, and collective action at all levels of government and society, we can create a safer community for all.”

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Several Organizations Applaud City of Peterborough's Declaration of Gender-Based Violence Considered An Epidemic

The Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre, YWCA and Peterborough Domestic Abuse Network have supported the City of Peterborough’s decision to become the 74th municipality in Ontario to declare gender-based violence an epidemic.

Photo by Keegan Beekers.

The declaration was made during City Council meeting on Nov. 27. The decision had fulfilled the first recommendation from the Renfrew Inquest for the formal declaration.

“This declaration is crucial in continuing to provide awareness around the impacts of violence against women,” said Brittany McMillan, Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre executive director. “Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre and our partner agencies work tirelessly to support survivors after they have experienced violence.  This motion helps support all survivors and also shifts the narrative to focus on the importance of preventing future violence.”

“This is a big step in the right direction for our community, in solidarity with dozens of other municipalities across Ontario,” says Kim Dolan, executive director, YWCA Peterborough Haliburton. “On behalf of all our partner agencies, and the women, children, and gender-diverse people we serve through the YWCA, I want to thank Peterborough’s City Councillors for making this historic declaration. We look forward to working together with our fellow social service agencies as well as with the City to effect change and make a difference in the lives of all those individuals experiencing or at risk of gender-based violence.”

“PDAN members have been working toward this as a first step toward local implementation of recommendations from the Renfrew Inquest, Mass Casualty Commission and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls final reports,” said Sarah Bass, Peterborough Domestic Abuse Network manager. “These reports identify actionable items that, if implemented, will help to prevent further violence against women and girls in our community.  Our members look forward to continuing to implement further recommendations at a local level and build on these efforts.”

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Peterborough County Launches 'Warden for a Day' Campaign For Grade 9-12 Students

In celebration of last week (Local Government Week), Peterborough County is inviting youth in grades 9 – 12 to enter the ‘Warden for a Day,’ contest running until Nov. 3.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This initiative aims to inform students in the local community about the Warden's responsibilities, the services Peterborough County provides for its residents and the various career and elected office opportunities within local government according to a press release. The County says it aspires to raise awareness among young people about the significance of engaging in their local government.

The winner will be invited to participate in the Nov. 22 Peterborough County Council meeting and will join Warden Bonnie Clark at the County Courthouse for a lunch, a tour of County facilities and prizes

To enter, students must answer two questions in the format of a 60-second video:

1. What do you love about living in Peterborough County?

2. What is one thing that you would do as Warden?

The online submission form can be found online with the deadline on Nov. 3 at midnight.

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Lori Richey Named New Physician Recruiter For Peterborough County

Lori Richey has been named the physician recruiter for Peterborough County.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough County.

Richey previously was the executive director for the Peterborough Family Health Team. She also served as the primary care physician recruiter with Peterborough and director of operations with Peterborough Family Health Team.

In addition to making significant contributions to the field of long-term care, she is also formally trained in the fields of tourism and human resources.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have someone with Lori’s expertise and background join the team at Peterborough County,” said Sheridan Graham, Peterborough County CAO. “We are excited and look forward to Lori’s direct collaboration with the Townships to understand their resident’s needs, to support our existing family physicians and to recruit much-needed family physicians to our region.”

Richey begins her role on Oct. 23.

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Lakefield Installs Pride Crosswalk at Queen Street at Reid Street Intersection

An all-inclusive Pride crosswalk has been installed on Queen Street at Reid Street in Lakefield to demonstrate and promote inclusivity, diversity and belonging within the Selwyn Township, announced on Monday.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough County.

The crosswalk celebrates the 2SLGBTQ+ community within Selwyn Township and all of Peterborough County throughout the year according to a press release. It continues to state that it will serve as a reminder to support, respect and welcome everyone to Peterborough County not just during Pride Month but year-round.  

“The Township of Selwyn continues to be a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming place for everyone to visit and live,” said Sherry Senis, Selwyn mayor. “No matter who you are, you are safe, valued and welcomed in our community.” 

“I am pleased to see that the newly designated All-Inclusive Pride Crosswalk has been placed at a busy intersection in the heart of the Lakefield community for visitors, newcomers, residents, and especially our 2SLGBTQ+ friends and family to see this summer,” said Bonnie Clark, Peterborough Country warden. “We must continue with intentional acts of inclusivity such as this to demonstrate our commitment to welcoming all people to our communities.”  

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