Peterborough Blogs
PTBOCanada Interview: MP Maryam Monsef On The Empowerment Of Women & Girls Locally (& Globally)
/Read our interview with MP Maryam Monsef covering a range of issues associated with women and girls not only in her Peterborough-Kawartha riding but across Canada and globally...
PTBOCanada: On March 2nd, a Rural Women's Summit you created is taking place at Buckhorn Community Centre near Peterborough. Tell our readers about this initiative, and what this means to you...
MP Maryam Monsef: I am proud to represent a mixed urban and rural riding. It means we have unique assets and unique challenges. In this era of social and economic transition, it is more important than ever to protect our rural identity and recognize that these transitions can often harm the most vulnerable.
We also need to ensure equal opportunities for our women and girls who live in rural communities. This has been recognized by the United Nations, which is why this year’s theme for the 62nd gathering of the UNCSW is “Challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls.”
Since I’ll be leading the Canadian delegation to the UN again this year, it is critical that as the head of the delegation, I seek and hear the experiences of my own rural community in order to take those voices with me. That’s really what the Rural Women’s Summit is all about—to hear from women who are leaders and local role models.
MP Monsef at Electric City Hacks at Trent University, which highlighted the role of young women in STEM.
PTBOCanada: Tell us about the #MeToo movement and how it applies locally—what are you seeing and hearing? Are you hearing from a lot of your female constituents about this movement? Do you view this movement as a game-changer/tipping point for women's rights?
MP Monsef: In October, I hosted a feminist roundtable in Peterborough-Kawartha, and while the focus was on economic security, the reality that kept coming up was that gender-based violence is a persistent and systemic barrier for women. We heard it from the Peterborough YWCA, we heard it from Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre, we heard it from our indigenous leaders. All this while online, a firestorm of conversation was taking place under the hashtag #MeToo, and it continues to inspire survivors to come forward today. No one is surprised now to see that there is no industry, profession or community that is untouched by sexual harassment and assault.
#MeToo has forced us, here at home in Peterborough-Kawartha, and around the world, to come face to face with the power imbalance that has, for generations, fed such behaviour, and made us normalize this gender-based violence. But it’s not normal, and it is time for a change.
We can only call it a tipping point, though, if we are going to change our behavior—if we are going to do things differently. It’s important to listen, it’s important to talk, but then there must be action. Our Government has already taken concrete steps to achieve a Canada where women and girls can live free from all forms of gender-based violence.
We have invested $100.9M in our Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-based Violence. We launched a newly reformed and easier to access “call for concepts” with funding of $20M to support the organizations across Canada that are already doing the valuable work of providing support to GBV survivors and their families. And we introduced Bill C-65 to address harassment and sexual violence at work to ensure that all federal institutions are workplaces free from sexism and harassment.
Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas "Power Breakfast - Future Innovators!", with the entrepreneurs of Chimp Treats
PTBOCanada: We're in this great, defining age of female empowerment/"Girl Power". What does this mean to you, this moment in history?
MP Monsef: We are catching up to what feminist leaders have been shining a light on for decades. We need to express thanks to all those who have shared their stories and wisdom ahead of us. It’s time, we are finally here. There is an understanding that we all share a responsibility—individuals, businesses, institutions, governments—to help create safer spaces for women and girls to thrive.
I heard this in Davos, from economic and world leaders; we’ve heard this from advocates in our own community; we’ve heard it from our Prime Minister. Empowering women and girls isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do.
PTBOCanada: Who are some of your female role models locally?
MP Monsef: There is no shortage of inspiring women for me in Peterborough-Kawartha.
-> Linda Slavin for her work on sustainability and political activism.
-> Rosemary Ganley for her grassroots and international community development.·
-> Faith Dickinson, whose work to support veterans and cancer survivors has been celebrated internationally.
-> Lynn Zimmer for her feminist mentorship and lifelong commitment to providing women with safe shelter.·
-> Khadija Warsame for her strength and bravery in sharing her own refugee story to support other new Canadians.
-> Carmela Valles for her pioneering efforts in immigration settlement in Peterborough.·
-> Chief Phyllis Williams, whose fierce and effective advocacy for her community is a great example of what women in politics can do.·
-> Kyla Gutsche, a Cancer survivor who used her bravery to create a successful business that helps others.·
-> And, Erica Cherney whose lasting legacy continues to shape our community. I could go on and on.
I should note that at the Rural Summit on March 2nd, we will also be announcing a new initiative that will honour women like these!
"Make a Difference Day" at Lansdowne Place Mall with Faith Dickinson from Cuddles for Cancer.
PTBOCanada: International Women's Day is March 8th—what is your plan to celebrate that day locally?
MP Monsef: I am so excited to be celebrating this important day here in Peterborough-Kawartha this year. There is a lot planned for that day at places like the Women’s Business Network, Trent University, Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre, and Kawartha World Issues Centre. I will be participating in as much of what is going on here in Peterborough-Kawartha as I can, and I encourage everyone to get out there and experience IWD with me. I am so looking forward to being out in the community, among the organizations and individuals that inspire me in my work as MP and as Minister for Status of Women.
I will also be using the hashtag #MyFeminism throughout the day to share what the women’s movement, and those who embody it, means to me, and to our communities.
PTBOCanada: You will be attending the 62nd Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in March. What does it mean to you to be there again this year? What are the key topics you hope to see addressed, and how do they apply locally?
MP Monsef: As Canada is leading the G7 presidency this year, I am excited to connect with my G7 counterparts, in particular to talk about GBV, women in leadership, and economic opportunities for women and girls. I am also looking forward to sharing Canada’s work on reconciliation with our Indigenous peoples, as well as our leadership on gender-based budgeting.
UNCSW is an annual event, held at the United Nations, where thousands of leaders from around the world come together, across their diversity and differences, to unite around a common cause: improving the status of women and girls in our communities. Canada is a founding member of the UN and this year, as ever, the world looks to our leadership.
In 2013, I attended the 57th gathering through a bursary from the Peterborough YWCA. That experience was a politicizing moment in my life, and now, to lead the Canadian delegation again this year, as the Minister for Status of Women is an honour, and to take Peterborough’s perspective to this gathering is a privilege.
PTBOCanada: So you have your passport to get to New York? The necessary updates have taken place?
MP Monsef: Since becoming a Canadian citizen nearly 20 years ago, I have carried a Canadian passport. When I learned, 18 months ago, that my place of birth needed to be updated, I followed established IRCC processes to correct my documentation, just like any other Canadian in a similar situation would do. This process takes time. My application to correct my place of birth on my documents was reviewed and approved by IRCC, and my Canadian passport has been updated.
My story and experiences as a refugee connect me to many other new Canadians who have come to this country to escape war and oppression. In my case, my parents were Afghan refugees when they were within Iran’s borders, and we were Afghan refugees when we arrived in Canada.
Regardless of birthplace, my status as an Afghan refugee upon arrival in Canada is unchanged. Based on the laws of both Afghanistan and Iran, thousands of Afghan refugees born on Iranian soil, just like me, cannot become Iranian citizens. As a result, I am a Canadian citizen and I also hold citizenship for Afghanistan. I am proud of my Afghan roots, I am proud to be a Canadian, and I am so grateful to call Peterborough-Kawartha my home.
My family and I were welcomed by the people of Peterborough with open arms, and this sense of inclusion and support is something that is at the core of who I am. It is a privilege to be able to dedicate myself to improving my home community of Peterborough-Kawartha, and indeed, my country.
At the Grand Opening of the Student Centre at Trent University in 2017 with past and present Student Presidents.
PTBOCanada: Word is the upcoming Federal Budget will be the strongest yet in terms of being allocated strategically to empowering women. How hopeful are you are that this will be huge step in the right direction for women in Canada. How will this impact be felt locally?
MP Monsef: As you know, Budget 2018 will be released on Tuesday, February 27th. I’m very proud that our government understands that advancing women’s equality in Canada will drive economic growth, while boosting the income of Canadian families. More women in leadership positions won’t just grow the economy, create jobs, and strengthen communities, it will also lead to innovation and change in the workplace that benefits everyone.
We are already seeing the impact of this work—from appointing the first gender-balanced Cabinet, to creating and strengthening the Canada Child Benefit, to making major investments in combatting gender-based violence, to ensuring that gender and other intersecting identities are considered in the formation of government policy and the way we spend Canadians’ tax dollars.
These measure are being felt locally, and I know that Budget 2018 will continue to create an economy that works for the middle class, and gives the people of Peterborough-Kawartha—and all Canadians—the opportunity to succeed.
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Olympic Hopeful Grace VandenBroek Chooses Trent University Over Other Schools
/Peterborough Grade 12 student Grace VandenBroek had Stanford, Harvard, Princeton and many other top-tier American and Canadian universities actively pursuing her after an impressive showing at the world junior rowing championships this past summer.
But the young rower has chosen her postsecondary home, and it's right here in her hometown: Trent University. As one of Canada’s top young rowers, VandenBroek was inspired by and drawn to the opportunity to remain in the city, and to continue training with Carol Love—Rowing Canada’s NextGen Hub lead coach and one of the best rowing coaches in the country.
Photo courtesy Trent University
“I really like the idea of having Carol as my coach as I continue to develop and hone my rowing skills and experience,” says the 17-year-old, who has been training with her since Grade 9. “With the one-on-one coaching, Trent’s varsity program really focuses on the whole athlete. I like Trent’s size, the close proximity to home, and Trent offers a nice balance of rowing and academics. I love the feeling of the campus.”
“Trent will give Grace the rich environment a small and outstanding university experience can offer,” says Coach Love. “The supports and balance of home, the community and the University will enable her to excel in the goals she has set for herself.”
Photo courtesy Trent University
She's only rowed for about three years, but VandenBroek has had amazing success with the sport to date: Last summer, in her first international competition, she took home a bronze medal in the women's double at the World Junior Rowing Championships in Trakai, Lithuania. VandenBroek was also named Rowing Canada Aviron 2017 Junior Athlete of the Year.
Future Olympians like VandenBroek will benefit from the magnificent Otonabee River rowing setting and state-of-the-art training facilities at the Trent Athletics Centre.
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The Comeback Kid: Mike Fisher Comes Out Of Retirement, Returns To Smashville
/Peterborough's Mike Fisher had an incredible season with the Nashville Predators last year, captaining the team to within two games of the Stanley Cup.
It would appear he has unfinished business. Yes, Fisher is coming out of retirement for the remainder of the season and is hoping to help lead Smashville to another Stanley Cup run this year (the Preds are currently 3rd place in the Western Conference).
The 37-year-old inspired Smashville with his leadership, grit and poise on and off the ice, and his return is huge for the team and NHL fans—none of whom saw this coming, not even his close friends.
"When Mike called to tell me he was going back, I said, 'Yeah right, they don't need an old man like you,'" his buddy Patrick McAuley tells PTBOCanada. "I thought he was trying to be funny. Once I was convinced he wasn't joking, I was really excited for him. He's a great example for people that hard work and dedication pays off."
The Preds tweeted out the news Wednesday (January 31st)...
Fisher says this will 100 percent be his last season and "he's all in", with a shot at another Hollywood ending—a Stanley Cup—within reach.
"Mike is a great leader, someone you can rely on and look up to," adds McAuley. "I'm honoured to call him a friend and can't wait to see if he can help the team to a Stanley Cup."
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Peterborough's Cody Crowley Returns Home For Bout At Memorial Centre
/On May 5th, CCC Promotions returns to the Peterborough Memorial Centre, as two of Canada’s top Welterweights duke it out at “Homecoming III: Mayhem at Memorial.”
CPBC International Super-Welterweight Champion and Peterborough loyalist, Cody “The Crippler” Crowley, will return home from his training camp in Las Vegas to take on Hamilton-based up-and-comer Kevin Higson.
Higson, WBA-NABA Canada Super Welterweight Champion, is Crowley’s toughest competitor yet, winning 12 of his 14 professional fights by going the full distance. Higson, who has won 5 bouts in a row, including notable wins over fellow Canadian contenders Phil Rose, Ryan Young and Junmar Emon.
In this epic main event, hometown boy Cody Crowley looks to defend his CPBC title on his home turf. In addition to putting his title on the line, Crowley will be fighting for the vacant CPBC Canadian title which will let the world know who is the best one 154 pounder in Canada.
Crowley is a dominating force in the Canadian boxing scene and is determined to earn his way to the top by only taking on qualified opponents to get there. The fighter is gradually reaching the pinnacle of his craft, with the help of elite-level coaching staff and training partners.
Tickets for the bout go on sale February 2nd online or by calling 705.743.3561.
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Neil Young & Daryl Hannah Visited The Sapphire Room In Downtown Peterborough
/Neat moment for Peterborough on Friday night (December 1st), as Neil Young and his partner Daryl Hannah dropped by The Sapphire Room—aka "The Sapph"—in the downtown after his rockin' hometown show in nearby Omemee.
Here is Neil's tour bus parked in front of the Hunter Street cocktail bar...
Photo via Jonathan Hall on Facebook
In this blurred pic below, you can see Neil flashing the peace sign to Jonathan Hall, who captured the pictures.
Sapph owner Kerri Niemi tells PTBOCanada there wasn't a big entourage—it was "chill"—and it was "mostly family" who showed up. And they were hungry.
"It brought a lot of excitement to the neighbourhood," she adds.
Heart Of Gold: Peterborough County OPP Officer David McNab Retires After 30 Years
/David McNab, a humble, giving and caring Peterborough OPP officer, has announced he is retiring after 30 years serving for the force.
McNab, the man behind the viral video of Syrian refugees toboganning for the first time, wrote a heartfelt Facebook message announcing his retirement from this profession he loved.
McNab in his viral 2016 video toboganning with Syrian refugee at Armour Hill in Peterborough
"I have more gratitude than I could ever express for what this career has taught me and for what it has allowed me to be part of," McNab wrote in the Facebook post. "The job is more about problem solving than about enforcing rules, despite what it appears to be.
I’ve met incredible people and I’ve seen true heroics and unselfish acts far more than I’ve seen the bad side of human nature. Despite the feeling to the contrary, the world is full of goodness if we can only recognize it when we see it."
McNab pictured in one of his last moments on the job (picture via his Facebook page)
"I was fortunate to work for what I believe is one of the most professional organizations anywhere and I’ll miss the people and the sense of family," adds McNab. "I’ll miss the teams I was part of and the rush that came with successful resolutions amid serious situations. I’ll miss the public that I worked for and the ability to occasionally make a real difference for somebody deserving."
You can read his entire Facebook post below...
Watch the awesome video below by McNab and his wife Kristy from January 2016 that now has nearly 400,000 views on YouTube....
Comedic Writer Tamara Bick On Moving Back To Peterborough From Los Angeles
/Comedic writer/director/actress Tamara Bick recently relocated to Peterborough along with her husband/co-comedic partner in crime, Drew Antzis, and two children, Jaffe and Bailey, after spending a decade in Toronto and then more than a decade in Los Angeles where they developed a diverse résumé working with the Who's Who of Hollywood.
Tamara (born and raised in Peterborough, where she attended Adam Scott) and Drew (born in Queen's, New York but raised in Tucson, Arizona) worked in the entertainment scene there—primarily specializing under the BICK/ANTZIS handle as writers and directors for both branded and original comedy for the web. They've worked with the likes of HBO, Comedy Central and Second City.
They co-wrote a bunch of celebrity comedy shorts for Funny or Die, working with comedic actors such as Jim Parsons and Sean Hayes, and actress Natalie Portman. And Drew did this hilarious video, "The Landlord", with Will Ferrell that was a viral hit on Funny or Die. They also did a MoveOn.org PSA with Jon Hamm and Olivia Wilde. The list goes on and on.
Dynamic Duo: Drew and Tamara (Photo by Miranda Hume)
The couple also acted a bit in Hollywood—in commercials and some guest starring roles. Tamara guest starred on Seinfeld, and worked with Kelsey Grammer from Frasier. They also did a bunch of Improv there, including Second City and Improv Olympic (Drew is a special guest in an upcoming Citiots Improv show at the Gordon Best Theatre).
So what made the couple leave LA, where, as Tamara says, "most people we met were super talented and super awesome." Her answer is both simple and complicated, and at times conflicted, all at once:
"Hollywood is great parties, meeting lots of famous people, working in television—it's really, really fun," she tells PTBOCanada. "The weather is the best, just gorgeous every day. California is a wonderful place. Living in Los Angeles, our family loved heading out to the beach every Sunday to surf and play in the sand. So we miss the beach and we miss our friends.
But LA is so huge—it's over 500 square miles, it's massive. It's about 4 million people living in that city... that's a lot of smell. But it's very diverse and exciting. At first, you're in awe of everything around you: the huge studios—Warner Brothers and Paramount—from the famous palm tree lined streets, Rodeo Drive and Sunset Blvd, and famous bars, the Chateau Marmont or the Brown Derby, to the clubs The Comedy Store or the Improv. It's the big league.
But then you do a set on the Improv stage and it's just another tiny stage in front of another brick wall except Jerry Seinfeld and Amy Poehler are in the audience that night and you suck. But after awhile, you realize all these famous people are just regular people who happen to be really talented, well dressed, beautiful and rich. Other than that, they're super ordinary people. And if you're willing to be in your car three to four hours day and pay 25 grand a year for pre-school, then it's the best city to live in!"
The couple is collaborating on Settle This Thing show (Photo by Miranda Hume)
But they weren't. And so, they now find themselves happily in Peterborough, where as Tamara says, there is "free health care, no guns, less traffic." They live in the north end near Trent University—"it's so beautiful up here, especially in the fall," says Bick.
And the couple continue to create as much as they ever have. They're just been selected for the Montreal Fringe Festival and have applied to many others including Toronto, New York, Chicago and Winnipeg.
Photo by Miranda Hume
They're workshopping a show in Peterborough called Settle This Thing that actually had its origins on YouTube way back in 2012. Their premise was simple: to have the internet provide a solution to an ongoing argument they couldn’t resolve on their own.
Tamara and Drew each laid out their argument and told viewers to vote for who they agreed with and that they would live with the results of the vote. After a week, the married couple tallied the votes and had a winner. Argument solved! "It’s crowdsourcing to solve our fights," says Antzis, "and it worked!"
Photo by miranda hume
