High Frequency Rail Corridor is Coming Through Peterborough

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Officials announced plans for a high-frequency rail corridor to lay tracks through Peterborough on Thursday morning.

Officials holding a sign from an old Peterborough train station. Back row: Peterborough Chamber of Commerce president Stu Harrison, Via Rail president Cynthia Garneau, Havelock-Belmont Methuen Township Mayor Jim Martin, Selwyn Township Mayor Andy Mitchell. Front row: Federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra, Peterborough-Kawartha MP and minister for women and gender equality and rural economic development Mayam Monsef, Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien. Photo By Angela O’Grady

Officials holding a sign from an old Peterborough train station. Back row: Peterborough Chamber of Commerce president Stu Harrison, Via Rail president Cynthia Garneau, Havelock-Belmont Methuen Township Mayor Jim Martin, Selwyn Township Mayor Andy Mitchell. Front row: Federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra, Peterborough-Kawartha MP and minister for women and gender equality and rural economic development Mayam Monsef, Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien. Photo By Angela O’Grady

The press conference was held at the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce building which was formerly a Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) station.

Plans state that the new passenger rail stretching from Toronto to Quebec City will not share tracks with freight trains in hopes to cut travel times.

Maryam Monsef, Peterborough-Kawartha MP and minister for women and gender equality and rural economic development highlighted the positive impact this new infrastructure would have on the community.

The high-frequency rail corridor will unlock economic potential, offer new jobs and allow community members to travel elsewhere for work if needed according to Monsef.

“We’re getting this done because in a post-pandemic Canada, we are all aware of how vital our connections are,” she said.

Federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra says he hopes that shovels will hit the ground in the next three to four years and the rail will be functioning by 2030.

He noted that the environmental impact this rail may have is being considered in the planning process and about 90 percent of the new service will run on electricity.

“Equally, maybe even more importantly, this project is about nation building, about connecting our communities,” explained Alghabra.

When asked about the location of a station, Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien said an official decision has yet to be made.

“Right here seems like a great place though,” she said, standing outside the former CPR building.

Both Therrien and Monsef noted that First Nations communities are being consulted before construction begins.

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Ontario Government Releases Provincial Reopening Plan With Eased Outdoor Restrictions For Victoria Day Weekend

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The Government of Ontario has lifted outdoor activity restrictions for the Victoria Day weekend and a “road map to reopen” in a press conference at Queen’s Park held on Thursday.

Premier Doug Ford, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health were present to discuss the province’s reopening plan.

On Saturday, outdoor recreational amenities can reopen such as golf course and tennis courts to safely celebrate the Victoria Day long weekend said Elliott.

Outdoor gathering limits have been expanded to five people. The government urges the province to continue following health guidelines and get the COVID-19 vaccine.

The road map to reopen is the proposed way out of the pandemic and a clear path forward to carefully and safely reopen in a three-step plan according to Elliott.

  • Step one: Initial focus on resuming small-crowd outdoor activities including pools, splash pads, fitness classes, zoos and religious services. Retail stores can be open with restrictions.

    • Outdoor gatherings can be up to 10 people.

    • Outdoor dining up to four people per table.

    • Non-essential retail at 15 per cent capacity.

  • Step two: Further expands outdoor activities and continue limited indoor services with face coverings worn.

    • Outdoor gatherings of 25 people

    • Outdoors sports and leagues permitted

    • Non-essential retail open up at 25 per cent capacity

    • Public libraries and personal care services where face coverings can be worn and with capacity limits

  • Step three: Expand access to indoor settings with restrictions including large numbers of people and where face coverings cannot always be worn. This includes but not limited to gyms, cinemas, performing arts facilities, indoor dining and museums with capacity limits.

The province plans to be in step one around the week of June 14 and will be in each step for at least 21 days. The three weeks allow time to evaluate the impacts and determine if Ontario can move to the next step.

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Canadian Government Releases Federal Budget, Announces $101.4B in Spending

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Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland released the plans of the Liberal Party federal budget for a post-pandemic economic recovery at the House of Commons in Ottawa on Monday.

Cynthia Freeland, finance minister had her first federal budget announcement since the Liberal Party of Canada did not do one last year. She is the first federal female finance minister in Canadian history. Screenshot.

Cynthia Freeland, finance minister had her first federal budget announcement since the Liberal Party of Canada did not do one last year. She is the first federal female finance minister in Canadian history. Screenshot.

This was the first budget in two years for the Liberal Party. Here are the highlights of the announced budget:

Main highlights:

  • $101.4 billion over three years in new spending for recovery aid and kick-start a green economy transition

  • $30 billion over five years and $8.3 billion every year after to create and maintain a national child care program. The goal is a $10-a-day child care service by 2025-2026

  • $18 billion pledged for Indigenous communities

  • $17.6 billion towards green recovery — to conserve lands and oceans by 25 percent by 2025 and to help Canada cut emissions to 36 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030.

  • Extension of pandemic business and income support measures, such as wage and rent subsidies through autumn.

  • Taxable grants $500 to Old Age Security pensioners aged 75 or older starting on June 2022

  • A 10 per cent boost for pensioners to maximum OAS benefits 75 and older beginning on July 1, 2022

Deficit

  • The deficit at $354.2 billion in 2020-21 and $154.7 billion in 2021-2022, expected to drop to $30.7 billion in 2025-2026

Jobs

  • Extension of the maximum period of employment insurance sickness benefits from 15 to 26 weeks.

  • A projection of one million new jobs by the end of the year

  • A $15 federal minimum wage

Other highlights

  • $4.4 billion to help homeowners with green renovations with interest-free loans of up to $40,000.

  • $3 billion to help provinces improve long-term care over five years

  • $2.5 billion towards building and repairing 35,000 housing units

  • $1 billion towards tourism for festivals and cultural events

  • A new luxury tax on new cars and private aircrafts worth more than $100,000 and recreation boats over $250,000

  • $300 million to support underrepresented people-of-colour entrepreneurs.

  • $236.2 million over five years and $33.5 million every year after for the departments of National Defence and Veterans Affairs to eliminate sexual misconduct and gender-based violence for support survivors and military

  • Extension of interest-free period for student and apprentice loans in Canada to March 31, 2023, at a cost to the government of roughly $392.7 million in 2022-2023.

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Maryam Monsef Is Doing National Tour On Electoral Reform

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This Sunday (August 28th) in Iqaluit, the Minister of Democratic Institutions, the Honourable Maryam Monsef, will kick off a national tour on electoral reform that will take her from coast to coast to coast. During this tour, Monsef will engage Canadians on electoral reform and how we can all work together to make Canadian democracy even stronger.

Monsef will travel to every province and territory across Canada, and is undertaking these gatherings to reach out and hear first-hand from Canadians from across the country about what they expect from the electoral process and the core values it should reflect.

Local Town Hall on Climate Change in June 2015 Minister Monsef hosted

Participants at events across Canada will have the opportunity to openly share the values, needs and aspirations they feel should be reflected in Canada’s electoral system.
 
“I am truly grateful for the tremendous opportunity to go and meet with Canadians from coast-to-coast and, most importantly, listen to their views on democracy," says Monsef. "I am especially looking forward to hearing from Canadians who have not voted in the past, because our electoral system should work for each and every one of us."  

For more info, click here.     

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Peterborough City Council Selects New Chief Administrative Officer

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Peterborough City Council has announced that it has appointed Allan Seabrooke as the new chief administrative officer of the Corporation of the City of Peterborough effective June 8, 2015.

“Mr. Seabrooke has an excellent track record of leadership and innovation, in both the public and private sector,” Mayor Bennett said in a media release. “His existing, positive relationships within the Corporation of the City of Peterborough, with organizations throughout our community and with the County of Peterborough will help ensure a seamless transition.”

Mr. Seabrooke brings more than 25 years of experience in executive positions in municipal and provincial government as well as a private-sector business background. He is joining the city from the City of Waterloo, where he served as the commissioner of community services overseeing services including fire rescue, bylaw enforcement, environment and parks, recreation and facilities, and community programming and outreach.

From 2011-2013, Mr. Seabrooke served as chief administrative officer of the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority, an organization that delivers programs and ensures compliance with legislation and regulation for a watershed region encompassing 1,951 square kilometres across eight municipalities in the Peterborough region.

“I am excited to return to the City of Peterborough and look forward to working with staff, Council, our residents, community and business organizations as we continue to build a strong community,” Mr. Seabrooke said.

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Maryam Monsef Launches Federal Liberal Nomination Campaign For Peterborough-Kawartha Riding

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UPDATE: February 4th. The full press release from today's announcement...

At a gathering of friends and supporters at Sam’s Place in Peterborough, Maryam Monsef announced her candidacy for the Peterborough Kawartha Liberal nomination. "I believe it is time to do politics differently in Peterborough-Kawartha riding and provide a progressive alternative to the politics of division practiced by Steven Harper and the Conservative party. In our community we have clear evidence that the Conservative Party have pursued policies which have hurt, not helped the people of our community.”

Ms. Monsef attended PCVS and is a graduate of Trent University. She is co-founder of the Red Pashmina Campaign, recipient of the YMCA's Peace Medallion in 2013, represented Peterborough at the United Nations for the Commission on the Status of Women in 2013, and is an experienced community organizer. She is a sought after speaker on topics such as leadership, youth, women and inclusion.

Maryam, who recently ran for Mayor in Peterborough and garnered nearly 10,000 votes, pointed to a series of issues which she believes need to be addressed to make our community an even better place to live, work, raise a family and provide every resident an opportunity to achieve their full potential.

“I believe we need a national housing strategy that seeks to provide affordable accommodation, new investments in public transportation to ensure greater access to work and vital services and new investments in infrastructure to help meet the needs of a growing community.” Maryam told her supporters.

She went on to describe the importance of pursuing an economic development strategy which strengthens the small business community, builds a knowledge based economy, promotes the region’s cultural and tourism industries and builds on community strengths to attract investments leading to new jobs.

Ms. Monsef expressed her profound concern with the current government’s approach to environmental issues. “We have an obligation to our children and our children’s children to protect our environment and allow the next generation to enjoy clean water, safe air to breathe, and a natural environment that nurtures the soul and is not polluted by careless use.” She continued, “When it comes to climate change, not only does Steven Harper and his Ministers refuse to act, many of them simply deny it exists.”

Also present at the launch was Cammie Jaquays. Ms. Jaquays recently stepped aside from the nomination race and is now supporting Ms. Monsef. "I congratulate Cammie on her excellent campaign and the large number of new members she has brought into the Liberal party. I am proud to call her friend and am very appreciative of her support,” remarked Maryam.

Over the next few weeks Maryam will be meeting with area residents and asking them to join her in bringing change to Ottawa. Maryam ended her address with a clear commitment to the constituents of Peterborough-Kawartha “I promise to listen carefully, work hard on your behalf and provide a new way of doing politics that responds to the needs of local citizens”.

MaryamMonsef.ca | 705.931.2244 | Twitter @MaryamMonsef | Facebook.com/VoteMonsef

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ORIGINAL POST

Breaking news...

Maryam Monsef has announced the launch of her campaign to be the Liberal candidate in the next Federal election and to be Peterborough’s next MP. Her official campaign launch takes place Wednesday, February 4th at 10 a.m at Sam’s Place, 188 Hunter Street West, in Peterborough.

More info to come...

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Peterborough Votes: Election Day & Social Media

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UPDATED: Mayor Bennett re-elected for 2nd term, Maryam Monsef finishes second. All the unofficial numbers below via a City of Peterborough release...

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NOTE: We'll be updating this post all day with your tweets and more information. Scroll down for more...

*10 Things You Need To Know Regarding Municipal Election -> Click here.

*Follow @CityPtbo for updates.

*Follow us @Ptbo_Canada for updates and tweet us your thoughts all day.

*Unofficial real-time results will be available on the City of Peterborough website after 8 pm.

*Use the hashtags #PtboPoli and #PtboVotes on Twitter.

*Post your election day thoughts to our Facebook post all day.

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-> Email us tips/resources all day during Election Coverage to add to this post.

Get out and vote!

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PTBOCanada Featured Video Post: Maryam Monsef On Why She Should Be Mayor Of Peterborough

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Promoted post by Maryam Monsef campaign team

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PTBOCanada Featured Post: Diane Therrien In Town Ward

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Promoted post by Diane Therrien campaign team

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Here Is A List Map Of All The Mayoral and City Council Candidates In Peterborough

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The Peterborough Chamber created this map below—and a great Municipal Election hug page on Facebook—so share it around!

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