Ontario Government Invests Over $10 Million to Peterborough and County For Infrastructure; Mayor Jeff Leal to Prioritize Fixing Downtown Roads, Calling Them 'Embarrassing'

The Ontario Government has invested $10,154,936 into Peterborough-Kawartha to help renew and rehabilitate critical infrastructure for 2024.

Mayor Jeff Leal wants to prioritize upgrading several deteriorated downtown roads, calling them ‘an embarrassment.’

In 2023, the Ontario government provided $400 million in funding through OCIF to 425 communities. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The funding is being delivered through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund to help support economic growth and job creation, according to Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.

“This investment of over $10 million will improve infrastructure throughout the municipalities in the region,” he said. “It is formula-based funding that is sent out to the municipalities each year and is something they can count on to plan for critical infrastructure projects.”

The following is what each municipality is receiving from the $10 million:

• North Kawartha: $100,000

• Trent Lakes: $119,868

• Douro-Dummer: $161,441

• Havelock-Belmont-Methuen: $180,124

• Selwyn: $304,404

• Peterborough County: $996,071

• Peterborough: $8,293,028

Leal was adamant about upgrading downtown roads such as Aylmer Street, George Street and Water Street.

“Some of these projects had been on the books for well over two decades,” he said.

The dilapidated roads are not representative of what Downtown Peterborough is supposed to be, according to Leal.

“When people come to the City of Peterborough, they drive to Downtown. What impression do we want them to have for the City of Peterborough?” he said. “The impression we want them to have is an innovative, growing and a progressive community and not talk about washboard streets in your downtown corner.”

Leal continued to label the roads as an embarrassment which should be addressed with the funds from the 2024 budget.

“As I've said many times, they're an embarrassment,” he explained. “An embarrassment to me and an embarrassment to every citizen in the City of Peterborough. You can't have your downtown streets in that kind of condition.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Ontario Government Invests Nearly $60,000 For Rural Economic Growth

The Ontario government, through through the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Rural Economic Development Program is providing $59,768 to Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) and the City of Kawartha Lakes (CKL) for rural economic growth.

The project is partly funded by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The funding aids the ‘Growing the Local Food Wholesale Market’ in the Kawartha region. The multi-phase, multi-year initiative aims to scale up local food production and regional wholesale marketing to create a more robust availability of locally produced foods through local wholesale channels, according to a press release.

“Investments in rural communities help diversify and grow local economies, making growth more inclusive in our region,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “Good things grow in Ontario when we nurture local entrepreneurs and give them the tools they need to collaborate and innovate.”

The project is a collaboration between PKED and CKL to expand local food production and consumption capacity by connecting, training and coaching food producers and buyers. This project builds upon previous agricultural economic development initiatives by PKED and CKL. It seeks to take the next step in expanding the local wholesale food marketplace, including tailored aggregation and distribution systems. 

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. 

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Applications For 2024 Community Grants Open On Nov. 1

The City of Peterborough Community Grants Program application process will open at noon Wednesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Any not-for-profit group or association in the City that would like to be considered is invited to complete an online application for a Community Project Grant or a Community Investment Grant.

The purpose is to provide financial assistance to non-profit, community-based organizations that provide direct programs, services or activities that enhance the quality of life for Peterborough residents in the areas of social services and health, arts, culture, heritage, recreation or the environment according to the City.

Applications will be open for the following Community Grants streams:

• Community Project Grants – support for a specified project for which the requested amount is $250 to $1,000.

• Community Investment Grants – support for projects and special events, specific programs or operating budgets for which the requested amount is $1,000 to $15,000.

The deadline for grant applications is Dec. 6 at noon.

Council annually sets aside funds to be allocated to various groups within the City of Peterborough. All applications will be subject to evaluation and final approval by the Council. The Community Grants Program is a competitive program and funding is limited and not guaranteed.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation Funds Nearly $3 Million From Shorelines Gaming Revenue to City of Peterborough

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation provided $2,934,300 to the City of Peterborough in Fiscal Year 2023 as its share of gaming revenue from Shorelines Casino Peterborough in a tree-planting event at Bowers Park on Thursday morning.

Since the gaming site opened in October 2018, the City of Peterborough has received $10,323,782.  Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

There were 70 trees planted to highlight the City’s use of $1.8 million from the host community revenue to support urban forestry activities. 

In previous years, the City has used its OLG revenue to help fund projects such as the construction of Quaker Foods City Square, building splash pads, supporting the new Canadian Canoe Museum project and expanding the City’s trails and cycling network. 

“Through investments in our urban forest to maintain the tree canopy and to plant new trees, we are enhancing the quality of life and well-being for the community,” said Councillor Joy Lachica. “Trees are incredibly important, especially in urban areas where they help filter pollutants from the air, contribute to stormwater management, and provide a cooling effect – an oasis amid the heat of the built environment.”

“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 per cent 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.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

OLG Issues Second-Quarter Gaming Revenue Payment to Peterborough of $800,000

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has made their second quarter payment totalling $800,021 to the City of Peterborough for hosting Shorelines Casino Peterborough announced on Wednesday morning.

Since 1994, host communities have received more than $2 billion in non-tax gaming revenue.. File Photo.

The quarter was from July 1 to Sept. 30.

During OLG’s fiscal year from Apr. 1 to Mar. 31, 2024, Peterborough has received $1,589,950. Since Shoreline’s opening in October 2018, the city has amassed $10,994,315.

These payments to host communities are based on a formula consistently applied across all gaming sites in Ontario using a graduated scale of gaming revenue at the hosted site according to a press release. 

“OLG continues to be a proud partner in hosting gaming communities,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance.  “Municipality Contribution Agreement payments help these municipalities fund priorities such as community infrastructure, parks and recreation and local health care facilities, benefiting families and local residents.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Peterborough County OPP Funded Over $60,400 to Deploy Trained Mental Health Crisis Workers From Emergency Calls

Peterborough County OPP has received $60,401.08 from the Ontario government to provide specialized support to people who are experiencing a mental health crisis, announced at the Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge Branch (CMHA) on Tuesday afternoon.

Andrew Reynolds of the CMHA (left) hs been dispatched with OPP officer Roy Maddan (right) to address mental health calls. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The funding goes towards the Mobile Crisis Response Team Enhancement Grant program that has police utilize trained crisis workers when responding to those in need.

“Our police are increasingly confronted with the need to assist vulnerable people in a mental health crisis,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “This funding will assist the Peterborough County OPP deliver appropriate services focused on de-escalation. Meeting the unique needs of an individual who is in crisis will help ensure a better outcome for everyone involved.”

Anyone calling 9-1-1 can request a mental health crisis worker and they will be accompanied by an OPP officer.

“Our unit will make our best efforts to make it out there in a timely manner and get you the help that you need,” said Roy Maddan, OPP officer.”

In 2023-24, the Ontario government is allocating more than $4.5 million to 39 municipal and First Nations police services, as well as Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), to help strengthen Mobile Crisis Response Teams across the province.

“We will be working with community partners to deliver a MCRT that will meet the unique needs of the communities,” said Mark Graham, CMHA CEO. “The team responds to calls from individuals experiencing a mental health crisis that will provide immediate support and follow-up.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Community Care Peterborough Receives $74,243 From Federal Government's Community Services Recovery Fund

Community Care Peterborough (CCP) received $74,243 from the Government of Canada’s Community Services Recovery Fund to hire a one year contract Program Coordinator and to enhance their existing Specialized Transportation and Access to Primary Care programs announced on Tuesday.

Photo by David Tuan bui.

The fund is a one-time $400 million investment from the Government of Canada to support community service organizations including charities, non-profits and Indigenous governing bodies, as they adapt and modernize their organizations for pandemic recovery according to a press release. It is administered by the Canadian Red Cross, Community Foundations of Canada and United Way Centraide Canada. They provide funding to Community Service Organizations including non-profit organizations, Indigenous Governing Bodies or Registered Charities located in Canada.

“As of long-term recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we welcome the Government of Canada's push for a more inclusive model of economic growth that creates opportunities for everyone in Canada,” said Danielle Belair, CCP executive director.  “We have seen an immediate improvement in our ability to respond to the growing needs of our community as we adapt to the long-term impacts of the pandemic.”

Hope Robbins joined the Community Care Peterborough team in May and took on the role of Program Coordinator of Brokered Services and Grocery Shopping and Delivery for the City of Peterborough. 

“As a result of her efforts, Hope has reduced the waiting time for our clients needing Home Help and Home Maintenance programs from three months to one month,” said Belair.  “We also had on average five to 10 clients waiting for Grocery Shopping & Delivery services each month and now there is no waiting list.”

Community Care Peterborough’s Grocery Shopping & Delivery program is for clients who can cook meals for themselves but help in getting groceries. Volunteers can either shop for a list of groceries needed or simply pick up orders prepared by the grocery store for clients who do not drive. It is an option in their food security program of Meals on Wheels that also offers prepared hot and frozen meals to residents not able to cook on their own.

“With more medical professionals now conducting their appointments in person, this funding is also helping us build back our Specialized Transportation and Access to Primary Care programs for clients,” said Belair.  “The demand remains high but our wait times are also decreasing from these services too.”

Community Care Peterborough’s Specialized Transportation program uses their accessible vans for clients whose physical needs cannot be met through their volunteer driving service.  Their Access to Primary Care program employs Personal Support Workers (PSWs) to provide transportation and accompaniment for people who require support to attend primary care and other medical appointments.  The service is for those who require assistance beyond what is offered by a volunteer driver due to mobility or cognitive limitations. PSWs can take notes during the appointment.

“We are grateful for the additional funding that we were able to access through the United Way of Peterborough & District,” said Belair.  “We didn’t stop our services during the pandemic and as we, like all health support agencies, feel the impact of increased demand and we want our clients to be able to access the services they need to remain safe and independent in their own homes and out of hospitals and long term care facilities.” 

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

$57,423 In Grants Given to 24 Recipients in Individual Artists Program

The Grants for Individual Artists program has given twenty-four artists a total of $57,425 to bring dozens of new plays, paintings, sculptures, albums, writing and performances to life in Peterborough announced on Wednesday.

Victoria Yeh. Photo by Jordan Cooper.

The grant was funded jointly by the City of Peterborough and Electric City Culture Council (EC3) and administered by EC3.

“Peterborough is home to a vibrant community of exceptional artists and it’s important to make these types of investments in the creative economy,” said Councillor Alex Bierk. “Art and culture help to make Peterborough a special place and grants like these are important to sustain this part of our City’s identity.”

“There is an impressive range of art being supported by this year’s Grants for Individual Artists program,” said Councillor Joy Lachica. “From visual art, to performing art, music and the written word, these talented artists will engage and inspire our community.”

“These investments in the work of our very talented and hardworking artists means more artists can realize their visions, contribute to our cultural, economic and social well-being, and make Peterborough a more vibrant, dazzling place for all of us,” said Su Ditta, EC3 executive director. “New books, poetry, concerts, plays, exhibitions, albums and performances of all kinds will touch our hearts, minds, and imaginations. The projects supported by these grants explore love, climate change, beauty, community connection, disability, forgotten histories and more.”

The Grants for Individual Artists (GFIA) program has two components:

• Component One: Mini Development Grants for Individual Professional Artists provide up to $1,500 each for research, development, workshopping etc., of original new works, as well as for professional training and mentorship opportunities.

• Component Two: Project Production and Presentation Grants for Individual Artists provide up to $3,500 each for the production and presentation of specific projects and support costs such as artist fees, production materials, venue rentals, technical equipment, costumes, printing, etc.

The Grants for Individual Artists program receives $50,000 from the City of Peterborough through the Arts and Culture budget according to a press release.

The program’s open call for artists was available to those working in every discipline and medium including multi-disciplinary or community-based arts practice, in traditional or contemporary forms. A five-member peer assessment jury reviewed a total of 50 applications. Grants were awarded to 24 artists, including 13 in Component One (total $19,500) and 11 in Component Two (total $37,925).

2023 Recipients of Grants for Individual Artists

COMPONENT ONE: Mini Development grants for Individual Professional Artists

Melissa Addison-Webster: Earth Within Earth

An exploration of Land Dancing, building on collaborations with Heryka Miranda.

Kate Alton: Divining Laurence (working title)

A new dance/theatre project inspired by legendary author Margaret Laurence.

Dreda Blow: My Underground

A program of movement research to create a dance solo exploring themes of hope, love, oppression, regret, and resilience.

Samantha Chiusolo: Children’s Book

Research, writing, illustration planning, development, and artist fee to create a children’s picture book 'dummy.'

Garrett Gilbart: Sculpture-Based Performance

Professional development and experimentation for sculpture-based performance practice.

Brooklin Holbrough: Zine Development

Developing skills as a zine and printmaker, and the production of planned zine publications.

Elizabeth Jenkins: Healing From Those Who Love You

Support for writing and research for a book series, about love, race, and blurred boarders in exploring relationships and culture.

Charlotte Kennedy: The Stilt Walker Story-Poem

A video of creative collaboration, artist fees for a writer/project coordinator, an illustrator, and a videographer/musician, to bring original story-poem into a new dynamic medium.

Shannon LeBlanc: text-tile

Artist fees for creating 10 textile art pieces and a fee payable to an artist for their intellectual property.

Zoe Litow-Daye: Time for a Transition

Transitioning from digital art to producing physical works (e.g. paintings on canvas).

Nicole Malbeuf: Dance Training

Regular dance training in ballet, tap and fusion to advance artistic movement practice in aerial arts and physical theatre.

Holly McGillis: Processing Autistic Burnout Through Pottery

Transitioning to a new medium, pottery, and developing skills while adapting worsening disabilities.

Esther Vincent: The Loneliness of a Long-Distance Daughter

Artist fee for the revision of a suite of poems written in the last months of my mother’s life.

COMPONENT TWO: Project Production and Presentation Grants for Individual Artists

Calvin Bakelaar: Untitled ‘Vancamp’ Album

A folk-rock album challenging the traditional notions of masculinity I grew up with as a queer person in a small town.

Shannon Culkeen: Shannon Culkeen Debut Album Production Project

Artist fees to compose, rehearse, and produce an album of songwriter material at Sadleir House in June 2024, released November 2024.

Michael C. Duguay: Content

Artists fees to contribute to a site-specific, immersive field-recording and music project about community, wellness, and home for release in Autumn 2024.

Jon Hedderwick: Bubie’s Tapes

Artist, technical, promotional and travel fees and tour a play exploring antisemitism using stories left by my Bubie Sarah in cassette recordings.

Ryan Kerr: Death in Reverse: Project Baroness

A new performance project navigating the liminal territories between past and present, activating possibilities for personal and political transformation.

Justin Million: After Monomania

Artist fees and venue costs, to compose and present a text-based art installation based in the postmodern poetic tradition.

Stan Olthuis: Interconnected – A Touring Immersive Experience

Artist fees for a choreographer, three dancers, costume designer, art fabricator and musician to produce an immersive, multi-disciplinary exhibition about Sacred Geometry presented at the Art Gallery of Peterborough.

Laurel Paluck: Symbiosis

Five local artists (artist fees) create artworks based on exploring the concept of climate change, for exhibition at Ludmila Gallery.

Jill Staveley: Focus

Artist fees to work with a collection of local musicians to support arranging and enhancing original songs not yet fully developed.

Kate Story: Anxiety

Artist fees, materials costs, and venue costs for a remount and adaptation of a one-person show “Anxiety” preparatory to touring it to St. John’s, Newfoundland. “Anxiety” explores Beowulf, the current rise of white supremacy, language, my childhood, and my father’s work as a Newfoundland lexicographer.

Victoria Yeh: Timeless

Artist fees to produce and present a concert of violin music through the ages and around the world.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

United Way Announces First-Ever Funding Recipients From Women United of Over $15,000

United Way Peterborough & District’s inaugural Women United Fund has donated $15,800 split between Peterborough Child and Family Centres and Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre at the former’s main office announced on Wednesday morning.

(from left to right) Betsy Ferrar, United Way Manager of Community Impact; Nicola Lyle, Child & Family Centres CEO; Maryam Monsef, CEO and Founder of ONWARD; Brittany McMIllian, Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre executive director and Kellie Walden, Peterborough Child and Family Centres director of administrative services. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Women United Fund was donated by Maryam Monsef, CEO and Founder of ONWARD, to help United Way offer a funding opportunity for one-time projects. United Way published a Request for Proposals this past June that sought initiatives supporting women, girls and gender-diverse people in the Peterborough community according to a press release.

“The Women United Fund embodies what is possible when community comes together to address a shared goal,” said Betsy Ferrar, United Way manager of community impact. “This grant was not only made possible through Maryam’s generous donation but also her drive and awareness of local issues as the founding chair of our local Women United group. In addition, we want to extend our gratitude to all of the applicants who brought forward creative and compassionate solutions to complex gender-based issues.”

Taking place between Sept. 1 and Aug. 31 next year, the inaugural Women United Fund recipients are:

Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre, for their project titled Leading Ladies. There was $4,750 in Women United funding, contributing to leadership training for women in the local non-profit sector. Through weekly seminars, women will engage in training that spans topics related to leadership and advocacy as stated in a press release. Guest speakers from various professional backgrounds will participate in the training delivery. Women have traditionally made up a strong portion of employees within the non-profit sector, so providing leadership training tailored to the sector's unique intricacies will support their personal and professional growth as they advance into senior roles.

“KSAC is honoured to have received funds through the Women United Fund. With this funding, we will be able to provide leadership training and expertise to women in the non-profit sector,” said Brittany McMIllian, Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre executive director. Our Leading Ladies Curriculum will create a safe community for women to support their growth as future leaders.”

Peterborough Child and Family Centres received $11,050 for their ‘Empowering Two Generations’ project. The funding will support young, parenting women through life skills programming according to United Way. This project will enhance their current programming to ensure their vulnerable clients can increase their skills and confidence in the areas of parenting, health and wellbeing, educational support, financial literacy, and personal development. Participants will also be supported through access to transportation, childcare, and a meal to reduce barriers to accessing the programs and services at PCFC.

“Peterborough Child and Family Centres has been providing support to vulnerable pregnant women, parents, and their young children for almost 30 years,” said Nicola Lyle, Child & Family Centres CEO. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to expand our work with young parenting women, providing the tools they need to overcome barriers to employment and education, build resilience, and improve their families’ well-being.”

“Tough economic times are often toughest on women and women-led families. I applaud every agency working to support women and the most vulnerable in our community,” said Maryam Monsef, CEO and Founder of ONWARD. “Thanks to the team at United Way for working with me to establish the Women United Fund and for selecting two projects that offer professional and personal development opportunities for young moms and leaders in the non-profit sector. I look forward to building on this momentum with the Women United Steering Committee and our caring community.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Peterborough County-City Paramedics Get Funding Boost to $9.5 Million From Ontario Government Grant

The Peterborough County-City Paramedics received a boost of $914,328, totalling $9,490,038, for this year’s funding from the Ontario Government’s Land Ambulance Service Grant (LASG) announced at the Selwyn Fire Department (Hall #2) in Lakefield on Friday morning.

MPP Dave Smith (left); Sherry Senis, Peterborough County deputy warden and Randy Mellow, Peterborough County Paramedic Chief at Selwyn Fire Department (Hall #2) in Lakefield making the announcement. The province’s 2023 investment of $811 million in the Land Ambulance Services Grant represents an average funding increase of 11 per cent for municipalities over the last two years. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The investment is part of $811 million in the province to help municipalities facing increased cost pressures in their emergency departments.

“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.”

This will support hiring additional paramedics, wage and cost of living adjustments and general ambulance services operation to meet the needs of the local community according to Randy Mellow, Peterborough County Paramedic Chief.

“That’s eight full-time paramedics and a number of part-time that support them so they can have vacations and leaves,” he explained. “It’s about a 10 per cent increase in staffing.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.