Draft Of New Peterborough County Official Plan Released

Peterborough County Council received the release of the new draft of the Official Plan for Peterborough County, at the Jan. 19 Council Meeting, that draft is now available to the public.

File Photo.

A requirement of the County Planning Department was to undertake a Municipal Comprehensive Review of the existing Official Plan and to complete a Growth Plan conformity exercise.

“The Official Plan was largely developed by creating consistencies between local Municipalities”, said Bryan Weir, Director, Planning and Public Works. “Through land use designations and mapping, and then refining the policies to reflect provincial legislation and local context, this new draft plan will serve the County and most of the Townships and is now available for public review and comment.”

The County Official Plan provides direction and guidance on how land in the County of Peterborough will be used and provides policy to ensure that future development will meet the needs of the community. Currently it also functions as the lower tier Official Plan for four local municipalities.

In 2017, the County initiated the development of a new Official Plan; one that is more user-friendly and meets both Provincial and local directives. Is being developed with input from County and Township Councils, public agencies, and members of the public.

The full Draft County Official Plan, detailed Land Use Schedules, and Report to Council in digital or printable format can be found on the Peterborough County website.

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Michelle Ferreri Tells A Story Of A Peterborough Woman In Her Maiden Speech

Member of Parliament Michelle Ferreri gave her maiden speech at the House of Commons on Dec. 16.

In Ferreri’s first ever speech she brought to light the mental health crisis in Peterborough-Kawartha.

She told the story of Cassie, a Peterborough local who struggled with her mental health.

On Sept. 20, Cassie passed away. Ferreri made a promise to Cassies’s mother that her story wouldn’t end in vain, and that she would work to help the other ‘Cassies’ in Peterborough.

“Cassie is the real example of what needs to be solved and the crisis we’re living in,” said Ferreri. “Her mom wanted her story shared. She wants people to know what happened.”

When Ferreri posted a video of her clip on Facebook, members of the community and Cassie’s family members expressed their praise in the comments.

“I wrote the speech myself, I didn’t have any help or input on what I chose to write. I think I’ll be able to look back on my maiden speech in the future and it will remind me of why I started this. There’s days when it gets hard and overwhelming but I can go back to my maiden speech and be reminded of why I’m doing this and what I’m trying to achieve.”

Ferreri also noted how COVID-19 has magnified the opioid and mental health crisis, and that Canada needs to learn to live with COVID.

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MP Michelle Ferreri Named Shadow Minister of Tourism

On Tuesday Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives and the Official Opposition, announced the Conservative Shadow Cabinet for the 44th Parliament.

File Photo.

It is the shadow cabinet's responsibility to scrutinize the policies and actions of the government, as well as to offer alternative policies.

Ferreri says she can not wait to help the tourism sector move into recovery while supporting and promoting Canada.

The current Minister of Tourism is Randy Boissonnault.

Also announced on Tuesday, Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Philip Lawrence was named the shadow minister for the Federal Economic Development Agency for eastern, central and southern Ontario.

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Greg Dempsey Nominated As Peterborough-Kawartha Liberal Candidate

Greg Dempsey has been nominated as their Ontario Liberal Party (OLP) candidate for the next provincial election in the Peterborough-Kawartha riding announced Saturday.

Photo Courtesy of Greg Dempsey.

He won the nomination over Dane Bland after the party had narrowed the selection down to two candidates.

“Greg is truly committed to improving life for those in Peterborough—Kawartha, and brings a lifetime of experience advocating on behalf of Canadians to the table," said OLP Leader, Steven Del Duca. “By electing Greg Dempsey as their MPP, families in Peterborough—Kawartha will have a strong fighter on their side.”

Greg Dempsey grew up in Peterborough, graduating from Adam Scott CVI in 1999. He holds a BA and BSc from Bishop’s University, a law degree from the University of Victoria, a certificate in International Indigenous Studies from Columbia University in New York and a cum laude LLM in International Human Rights Law from Utrecht University in the Netherlands.

Dempsey has served with distinction in the Canadian Foreign Service since 2008, representing Canada at the UN in New York, at the Human Rights Council in Geneva and in Kabul, Afghanistan.

He has supported the Prime Minister's special advisor on LGBTQ2S+ issues and advised the Hon. Ralph Goodale on Canada’s response to the tragic downing of flight PS752.

“I am incredibly honoured to be the Ontario Liberal Party candidate for Peterborough—Kawartha,” said Dempsey. “From my roots in Peterborough, I’ve built a career bringing people together, and I'm committed to electing a better, more caring provincial government — one that will take decisive action on the climate crisis, support the under-resourced, partner with Indigenous peoples, and restore our relationship with healthcare and education workers. Together, I know we can."

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Ontario Government Raises Minimum Wage to $15 Beginning Next Year

The Ontario Government will raise the minimum wage from $14.35 to $15.00 effective on Jan. 1, announced at UNIFOR Local 414 in Milton on Tuesday.

The 43rd Ontario general election will be on June 2, 2022. Screenshot.

The increase would add an extra $1350 in income to minimum wage workers according to Doug Ford, Ontario Premier.

“As a result of these changes, more than 760,000 Ontario workers will be getting a raise,” he said. “I can’t think of a better way for our government to be working for workers than ensuring hundreds of thousands of people take more pay home.”

Servers and hospitality workers go from $12.55 to $15.00, a 19.5 per cent pay raise.

Students under 18 will go from $13.50 to $15.00. Hunting and fishing guides and homeworkers will also be a part of the minimum wage increase.

In late 2018, Ford had scrapped the scheduled wage hike to $15 for Jan 1, 2019 and kept it at $14. The move was made shortly after he was elected into office during the 2018 Ontario general election.

The 43rd Ontario general election is on June 2, 2022. Ford will be contested by NDP leader Andrea Horwath, Liberal leader Steven Del Duca, Green Party leader Mike Schreiner and New Blue Party leader Jim Karahalios.

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Ontario Government Releases Plan For Province's Safe Reopening

The Ontario Government plans to lift all COVID-19 public health measures including mask mandates by the end of March announced at a press conference in Queen’s Park in Toronto on Friday.

Screenshot.

Due to Ontario’s cautious and careful approach with COVID-19, the province is poised to gradually lift all restrictions over the coming months according to Doug Ford, Ontario Premier.

Roughly 88 per cent of eligible Ontarians have at least one vaccine dose.

Beginning Monday, the Ontario Government will increase capacity limits and distancing requirements for restaurants, bars, gyms, casinos, indoor meeting and event spaces.

Other settings are permitted to lift capacity limits if they opt-in to require proof of vaccination such as barbershops; salons; indoor areas of amusement parks, galleries and museums.

Passports will not be required for places of medical care, grocery stores or basic medical supplies.

If COVID-19 levels no longer become a concern, vaccination passports could be lifted early next year.

To see the government's long-term plan click here.

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Peterborough-Kawartha Provincial Liberal Association Announces Candidate Nomination Vote

The Peterborough-Kawartha Provincial Liberal Association (PKPLA) announced on Wednesday that the nomination vote to select the Liberal candidate for the next Ontario election will take place on Saturday, November 6, 2021.

Photo courtesy of Dane Bland and Greg Dempsey.

Vying for the nomination are Dane Bland and Greg Dempsey.

Bland is a graduate of the Trent University Business Administration Program and holds a BBA from Trent, he also completed the Seneca College Fundraising Management postgraduate certificate program. He has spent the last decade working in sectors like Arts, Culture, Education, Human Rights, Healthcare, and Long-Term Care.

Born and raised in Peterborough, Dempsey holds a BA and BSc from Bishop’s University, a law degree from the University of Victoria, a cum laude LLM in International Human Rights Law from Utrecht University in the Netherlands, and a certificate in International Indigenous Studies from Columbia University in New York. He has served with distinction in the Canadian Foreign Service since 2008, representing Canada at the UN in New York, the Human Rights Council in Geneva, and in Kabul, Afghanistan.

The vote will take place online, on November 6, between 11:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. To be eligible to vote residents need to be a member of the Ontario Liberal Party by Sunday at 5:00 p.m.

Those wishing to become a member of the Ontario Liberal party can do so online at https://ontarioliberal.ca/become-a-member. Membership in the Ontario Liberal Party is open to residents of Ontario who are 14 years of age or older.

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Peterborough-Kawartha Green Party is Looking for a Local Candidate for MPP

The Peterborough-Kawartha Green Party of Ontario Constituency Association announced Wednesday that they are looking for contestants for nomination as the local Green Party Candidate for MPP.

Photo courtesy of The Green party of Canada

“We heard loud and clear during the Federal election that people in our riding are concerned about the affordability of housing. The Green Party of Ontario has a stellar housing strategy. It is time for the needs and the solutions to meet,” said Pati Beaudoin, President, Peterborough-Kawartha Green Party.

This emphasis on Housing and Environment fits the priorities outlined by Mike Schreiner, MPP, and leader of the Green Party of Ontario, who tabled at motion on this topic in the legislature last week.

“Transportation is the biggest source of climate pollution in Ontario,” Schreiner said. “And a big portion of that comes from cars commuting back and forth pumping carbon into the air. That’s why I tabled a motion to tackle the housing affordability issues that are leading to more sprawl. This way we can greatly reduce pollution and tackle the housing and climate crises at the same time.”

The Green Party’s 9-point housing strategy focuses on building “15-minute communities” by lifting red-tape that prevents building duplexes, triplexes, laneway houses, tiny homes, etc., within urban boundaries. The policy includes provisions for “housing by Indigenous People and for Indigenous People” in urban areas. Housing First and Housing is a Human Right are fundamental principles. The policy provides for 60,000 units of permanent supportive housing along with other models such as shelters.

For more information on running as contestant for the Green Party contact info@ptbogreens.org

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Conservative Candidate Michelle Ferreri Wins Riding In Her First Election

First time is the charm for Conservative candidate Michelle Ferreri as she became the MP for the Peterborough-Kawartha riding on Monday.

Ferreri still in disbelief about her win shortly after giving her victory speech. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Ferreri beat out the former incumbent and runner-up Maryam Monsef of the Liberal Party who served as Peterborough’s MP since 2015. The winner was declared a few hours after the polls had closed around 9:30 p.m. The two parties were separated by more than 3,000 votes.

The Douro native had a small group of supporters congratulating her at The Venue when she had arrived shortly after 11:00 p.m. Ferreri said it was surreal when she found out she won her riding.

“I still don’t actually believe it,” said Ferreri. “I didn’t think we were going to have results until Wednesday so I still haven’t fully processed this right now.”

She attributed her victory to the amount of support she had, citing that she did not win but that “we” won. Ferreri added that it was not the campaign that necessarily got her the seat but it was her legacy she built that earned her the victory.

“I don’t think I did anything in 36 days, I think I did it in the last 42 years,” reflected Ferreri.

Ferreri celebrates with her partner Ryan Moore. Ferreri is a graduate of Trent University (Biology/Anthropology) and Loyalist College (Biotechnology). Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Monsef arrived outside the Venue doors to congratulate Ferreri in a brief conversation shortly after the Conservative candidate was declared the winner. The former incumbent was happy to see several women on the ballot this election.

Ferreri won 39 per cent of the votes after 287 of 289 reported polls. Monsef earned 34 per cent while NDP candidate Joy Lachica received 19 per cent.

“There’s just a lot of work to do… …but we can do it, we’re going to do it together,” said Ferreri.

The Liberals successfully held a minority government as party leader Justin Trudeau will remain Prime Minister of Canada.

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Trudeau Rallies With Supporters During Campaign Tour in Peterborough

The Peterborough Naval Club was covered in red as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a visit urging supporters to vote Liberal while showing support for federal candidate Maryam Monsef on Saturday.

Peterborough-Kawartha Liberal candidate Maryam Monsef being supported by Prime Minister Trudeau after both candidates made speeches before a supporting crowd. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Both Monsef and Trudeau spoke before a crowd of roughly 100 supporters during an invite-only event. They were joined by fellow Liberal candidates, Judi Forbes (Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes Brock) and Alison Lester (Northumberland-Peterborough South).

Monsef introduced the Prime Minister roughly around 7:00 p.m. after a brief speech despite the event being scheduled for 5:45 p.m.

Topics such as race/gender-based violence, child care, gun control, the housing crisis, climate change and other topics were addressed in the rally.

“We asked all the women’s organizations and asked them what should we do and they all said the same thing, ‘race and gender-based violence were going to go up,’” said Monsef. “So make sure that the last door that women and children knock on is a door that is safe, that is welcoming and caring professionals will help piece back what is broken.”

In a roughly 25-minute speech, Trudeau began endorsing Monsef, praising her insight, work ethic and determination while working alongside her on the cabinet.

He stressed the hardships Canadians have gone through during the pandemic and have persevered including frontline workers. He mentions the subsidies and financial support the government gave citizens during the lockdowns.

Trudeau plans to “finish the pandemic for good” through vaccinations. He urged his supporters that if any friends or family they know are not vaccinated that there are “two doses waiting for them.”

“We now have among the highest rates of double vaccination in the world,” he said. “Close to 80 per cent of eligible Canadians have now done their part.”

The current Prime Minster criticized the Conservative party and leader Erin O’Toole for not demanding his candidates to get the shot and disclose their vaccination status. Trudeau also referenced Conservative candidate Michelle Ferreri for not being double-vaccinated despite campaigning at senior citizen homes.

Former Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair spoke before Monsef and is running for the election for Scarborough Southwest. He was elected to the same riding back in October of 2015.

He stressed the importance of gun control and outlawing any weapons that were “able to kill efficiently” citing his police experience as a reference.

Blair said O’Toole was pandering to gun lobbyists after showing inconsistency on the issue. He would respect the ban but changed his mind after pressure from the gun enthusiasts.

After Trudeau‘s speech, he had photos taken with supporters with brief conversations before exiting onto his campaign bus.

From start to finish of the event, protesters were yelling profanities and waving anti-Trudeau signs while garnering support from passing vehicles.

Polls for the election open on Monday.

Monsef is seeking a third term with Peterborough but is challenged by candidates Michelle Ferreri (Conservatives), Joy Lachica (NDP), Chanté White (Green Party), Paul Lawton (People’s Party) and Robert Bowers (Independent).

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