Ontario Government Bringing High-Speed Internet Access to Peterborough County

The Ontario Government is bringing another expansion of high-speed internet across Peterborough County announced by MPP Dave Smith at the Douro-Dummer Township Fire & Rescue Department Station 4 on Friday morning.

The Ontario government has committed over $950 million to nearly 190 broadband, cellular and satellite projects to date, bringing faster internet access to over 375,000 homes and businesses across the province. Photo by Luke Best.

In attendance with Smith was J. Murray Jones, Warden of Peterborough County and Mayor of Douro-Dummer and Coun. Heather Watson.

Townships affected by the investment include Trent Lakes, Havelock-Belmont-Methuen, Douro-Dummer, Selwyn and North Kawartha. The Ontario Government wants to connect the entire province by end of 2025.

“We live in an increasingly interconnected and digital world, and we cannot allow our small rural communities fall behind,” said MPP Dave Smith. “Students depend on high-speed internet to learn and our farmers and small businesses need access to reliable service to remain competitive and showcase their products.”

The provincial government estimates around 9,000 remaining homes and businesses without high-speed internet in Peterborough County. Within that number, there are 1,350 in Selwyn, 1,640 in Trent Lakes, 2,380 in Havelock and 1,870 in Douro-Dummer that will benefit from the upgrade according to Smith.

He adds that customers can expect to receive high-speed Internet within 30 to 60 days.

“The infrastructure is almost completely in place now,” Smith explained. “It'll (high-speed internet) be offered to all of those residents, the tower itself has been upgraded and it's ready to go. It's just a matter of those final small pieces of hardware and then making that the offer out to customers.”

Clients will have a choice between Rogers Communications Canada, Xplornet Communications Inc. and Bell Canada to access the high-speed internet. Those companies have signed an agreement with the province to bring high-speed internet access to homes and businesses in the county as stated by Smith.

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Ontario Launches Its "Plan to Catch Up" After Two Pandemic-Disrupted Years of Education

After COVID-19 disrupted the last two years of education, the Government of Ontario launched its ‘Plan to Catch Up’ for the 2022-23 school year to return students to a full curriculum and experience announced on Monday.

Ajax MPP Patrice Barnes (left) with Perth - Wellington MPP Matthew Rae (right) as Hon. Stephen Leece, Minister of Education at Viola Desmond Public School’s library. Screenshot.

In attendance to make the announcement were Ajax MPP Patrice Barnes, Perth - Wellington MPP Matthew Rae and Minister of Education, Hon. Stephen Leece at Viola Desmond Public School in Ajax.

Students can engage in extracurriculars like clubs, band and field trips with the plan according to Leece.

“Our government is looking ahead as we remain squarely focused on ensuring students receive the best stable learning experience possible and that starts with them being in class, on time, with all of the experiences students deserve,” said Lecce. “We have a plan for students to catch up including the largest tutoring program in Ontario’s history, a modernized skills-focused curriculum to prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow, and enhanced mental health supports.”

Ontario’s ‘Plan to Catch Up’ is comprised of five key components:

1. Getting kids back in classrooms in September, on time, with a full school experience that includes extra-curriculars like clubs, band and field trips

2. New tutoring supports to fill gaps in learning;

3. Preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow;

4. Providing more money to build schools and improve education; and

5. Helping students with historic funding for mental health supports.

According to a press release, the government has made key investments that students and educators are already benefiting from, including:

• More than $26.6 billion in funding for the 2022-23 school year, the highest investment in public education in Ontario’s history.

• Investing more than $175 million for enhanced tutoring support programs delivered by school boards and community partners, with a focus on reading, writing and math.

• $304 million in time-limited funding to support the hiring of up to 3,000 frontline staff, including teachers, early childhood educators, educational assistants, and other education workers.

• Investing $14 billion to build state-of-the-art schools and classrooms and renew and repair existing schools, including $2.1 billion for the 2022-23 school year.

• Allocating $90 million for mental health initiatives and supports for students, a 420 per cent increase from 2017-18.

• Additional funding to support students with exceptionalities through a $93 million increase in funding for the Special Education Grant and over $9 million in funding to support the new de-streamed grade nine program, with an emphasis on supporting students most at risk including students from racialized, Black, immigrant and Indigenous communities.

“With almost 50,000 children benefiting from Ontario’s tutoring investments every week, and summer learning programs underway province-wide, Ontario’s plan is getting students back on track,” said Lecce. “With an emphasis on getting back to basics, our government is focused on strengthening life and job skills in the classroom, so that students graduate as financially literate, technologically savvy, emotionally intelligent leaders, ready for the jobs of tomorrow.”

The full ‘Plan to Catch Up’ can be found online.

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Ontario Government Invests $2.9 Million Over Three Years For Peterborough Police Service

Peterborough Police Service is receiving $2,947,380 over three years from the Ontario Government to provide for new resources to strengthen services to Peterborough and Lakefield announced Monday.

Inspector John Lyons (left) with MPP Dave Smith (right) following the $2.9 million investment into Peterborough Police Service. The maximum funding for any initiative under the Provincial Priorities Funding Stream is $1.5 million over three years. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This funding is part of Ontario’s $267 million investment in the Community Safety and Policing (CSP) Grant Program for initiatives that help combat crime locally.

The Peterborough Police Service is one of 90 police service boards receiving funding through the CSP Grant Program for 147 public safety initiatives focusing on local and provincial priorities such as gun and gang violence, sexual violence and harassment, human trafficking, mental health and addictions and hate-motivated crime. Several projects are in collaboration with community partners.

“The single highest priority of government is to keep communities safe. The Peterborough Police Service has received record investments over the last few years to fight crime and support victims,” said MPP Dave Smith. “This funding will bring significant support to victims of crime; helping them heal and bring criminals to justice.”

The Peterborough Police Service will use funds to:

• Our Special Victims Unit (which will focus on investigating crimes related to human trafficking, child exploitation/sexual abuse, elder abuse, domestic violence as well as sexual violence and harassment)

• Addition of a Major Crime Investigator to assist with the above noted investigations and proactive projects

• Provide for a Situation Table Coordinator to assist the Community Development and Engagement Coordinator

• Assist with the services’ Data Analysts

• Advanced training courses for officers

“The funding allows the Service to work on more proactive projects, provides advanced training courses, allows officers in the major crime unit to work on investigating overdose deaths which may lead to more positive outcomes for our community and more connections to our Victims Services Unit for victims of crime,” said Inspector John Lyons. “The funding also aligns with the goal of the Community Safety Well Being Plan and helps the Situation Table in our community.”

The CSP Grant Program helps police services address priority issues identified in their communities such as expanding mental health supports, preventing crime in schools and combatting cyber-crime. It also addresses provincewide priorities such as:

• Gun and gang violence

• Sexual violence and harassment

• Human trafficking

• Mental health and addictions

• Hate-motivated crime.

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Over $3.4 Million Invested Peterborough Regional Health Centre, Expansion of Eating Disorder Support and Services

Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) is receiving $3,409,974 from the Ontario Government as part of its $572.3 million investment to reimburse hospitals across the province for their lost revenue during the pandemic announced Friday.

Ontario has a total of 2,436 adult and pediatric ICU beds. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The announcement was made in a Zoom meeting with MPP Dave Smith and Brenda Weir, PRHC Executive Vice President.

A one-time payment of $1,000,000 is included to immediately address the increased demand for services to support specialized care for children and youth diagnosed with eating disorders according to Smith.

“The pandemic worsened the challenges we face in health care and mental health supports after years of neglect and underfunding,” MPP Dave Smith said. “A $4,409,974 investment builds on our work to address hallway medicine, expand mental health services and ensure people in our community get the care they need,”

The program will focus on those up to the age of 24.

“The social isolation with the pandemic definitely has impacted how people have coped. Social isolation for any child or teen is significant as part of their development,” said Brenda Weir, PRHC Executive Vice President.

This funding is part of the province’s overall investment of over $1.2 billion to help hospitals recover from financial pressures created and worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hospitals have felt financial challenges not only through direct costs, but also through the loss of other forms of revenue such as co-payments for private rooms and the reduction of retail services, all of which contribute to patient care and support clinical services according to the press release.

“While the pandemic funding will help to offset the significant financial burden we have seen at the hospital as a result of COVID-19, the additional investment into PRHC’s Eating Disorders program will help us to address a dramatic increase in the need for this important service for youth in our community and region,” said Weir.

The investment in eating disorder supports and services is part of the 2021 Fall Economic Statement which allocates $8.1 million this year to immediately address the increased demand for services to support specialized care for children and youth diagnosed with eating disorders.

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Ontario Government Invests $2.7 Million In New Jobs Program For Peterborough

The Ontario Government is investing $2,714,847 for Pathways to Prosperity to provide workers with training for in-demand and well-paying jobs announced at the Venture North Building on Tuesday.

Rhonda Keenan, PKED President & CEO (pictured) speaking alongside MPP Dave Smith who was there on behalf of Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The project is administered by Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED).

PKED is focusing on workforce development over a 12-month period. The project’s goal is to have those employed or unemployed into sustainable well-paying jobs according to PKED. The program has three pillars:

• Pre-Employment Support: readiness, participant supports, referral to training, long-term retention support, including any mental health support.

• Job Seeker Training: 15 cohorts of job seekers will receive comprehensive training designed for four sectors: line cook, manufacturing, agriculture, and construction

• Business Recruitment: recruit 50 local businesses or more to participate and offer job placements for the job seekers at the end of their training.

“We laser-focused on job creation in our region; creating opportunities for workers and families to enter the middle class through well-paying local jobs,” MPP Dave Smith said. “This jobs program will see hundreds of people receive the training and skills development needed to upgrade their careers and earn more money for their families.”

“Creating a collaborative partnership that not only supports the job seeker, but the businesses in this community that are facing a critical skills shortage, was the focus of this program,” said Rhonda Keenan, PKED President & CEO. “Businesses will have greater support to successfully hire people with the skill sets that are most in demand in the City of Peterborough, Peterborough County, and the City of Kawartha Lakes region.”

This initiative is supported by the government’s Skills Development Fund. They have provided over $200 million in funding for innovative projects that address challenges to hiring, training, or retraining workers during the pandemic according to the Ontario Government.

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Province Extends Tuition Freeze College and University Students

Ontario students and families can breathe as the provincial government has extended the tuition freeze through 2023 announced on Wednesday.

Students enrolled in a university undergraduate arts and science degree would pay an average of $660 less in tuition with the freeze according to the Ontario Government. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

The freeze will provide financial relief and predictability for students and families seeking access to affordable post-secondary education according to the Ontario Government.

“Our government recognizes that students and their families make huge sacrifices to attend college and university, so our government will continue to look for ways to reduce financial barriers for learners,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of colleges and universities. “By freezing tuition for another year, we are saying yes to ensuring that students have access to affordable, high-quality postsecondary education and reducing the financial strain on families who have already faced so many challenges throughout the pandemic.”

The one-year extended tuition freeze for Ontario residents builds on Ontario’s 10 per cent reduction in tuition for the 2019-20 academic year, and the subsequent two-year freeze from 2020-22.

The freeze has provided students with tuition relief of about $450 million annually when compared to tuition costs in 2018-19 according to a press release.

“Increasing the affordability of college and university is part of Ontario’s plan to help people get the training they need to get good-paying jobs,” said Minister Dunlop. “By extending the tuition freeze, we will ensure that students can get the skills they need to succeed in a highly-competitive global economy.”

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Fairhaven Long-Term Care Receives Over $2 Million to Hire 44 New Staff

Fairhaven Long-Term Care Home is receiving up to $2,232,672 to hire 44 additional staff this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents announced on Friday.

(left to right) Lionel Towns, Fairhaven executive director; Coun. Keith Riel; MPP Dave Smith and Coun. Karl Moher in front of Fairhaven Homes on 881 Dutton Rd. In 2021-22, Ontario invested $200 million to train up to 16,200 additional personal support workers through publicly-assisted colleges, private career colleges and district school boards. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Fairhaven is part of the $7,212,576 investment from the Ontario Government for long-term care homes in Peterborough-Kawartha.

The Dutton Road long-term care home can hire 25 full-time and 19 part-time positions. The funding will boost benefit packages for both full-time and part-time employees.

“Our region has one of the highest seniors populations in Canada and the demand for long-term care in our region will continue to grow,” said Coun. Karl Moher. “It is our jobs as representatives to ensure that our residents receive the additional care and support that this funding will provide for.”

These funds will increase care for residents at other long-term care homes such as:

• Extendicare Inc., in Lakefield, will receive up to $872,136 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents.

• Extendicare Inc, in Peterborough, will receive up to $1,517,520 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents.

• Riverview Manor Nursing Home, in Peterborough, will receive up to $845,976 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents.

• St. Joseph’s at Fleming, in Peterborough, will receive up to $1,744,272 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents.

“Our seniors deserve the best care possible. Full stop. This $7.2 million investment takes us one step further in delivering the care loved ones in our community rightfully expect,” said MPP Dave Smith. “We have made significant progress towards fixing the broken system we inherited just a few short years ago.”

Over the span of four years, the funding will increase direct hours of care by 1 hour and 21 minutes for seniors according to the Ontario Government.

The government is investing $4.9 billion over four years to boost direct resident care to an average of four hours daily by increasing care staff by more than 27,000 people.

Hiring thousands of new staff at long-term homes and increasing the amount of care they deliver each year will be made possible by annual funding increases to homes:

•  $270 million in 2021-22

•  $673 million in 2022-23

•  $1.25 billion in 2023-24

•  $1.82 billion in 2024-25

Fairhaven is seeking applications for new employees as a result of the funding announcement.

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Ontario Funds Over $5 Million In Program For People Experiencing Homelessness

The Ontario Government has invested $5,164,300 in Peterborugh for their new Homeless Prevention Program to help anyone experiencing or at-risk of homelessness announced on Tuesday.

Sheldon Laidman, City of Peterborough commissioner of community services (left); MPP Dave Smith (middle) and Coun. Keith Riel (right) outside Peterborough City Hall where the announcement was made. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

It launches on April 1 that combines the Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative, Home for Good and the Strong Communities Rent Supplement Program.

Service managers will have more flexibility to target funding where it is needed and allow for greater financial accountability by measuring their progress in reducing and preventing homelessness according to MPP Dave Smith.

“Addressing homelessness is a complex issue and one key component is the personal relationship before social workers and outreach workers and their clients,” said MPP Dave Smith. “The new program is easier, streamlined and client-focused.”

The streamlined program plans to help anyone with resources find a place to live.

Access to the funding is based on a “by-name list” that meets provincial requirements while containing accessible information for anyone needing the program to be connected with local support.

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North Kawartha Receives $750,000 In Modernization Program For Efficiency Upgrades

North Kawartha received $747,975 for efficiency upgrades as part of their third and final intake of the Ontario Municipal Modernization Program announced Monday.

Carolyn Amyotte, North Kawartha mayor (pictured) was first elected to North Kawartha Council in 2003 and has served four consecutive terms as the Ward 2 Councillor. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Projects receiving the funding are for renovations to health care infrastructure, software upgrades, security installations, service delivery and organizational reviews. Small townships typically are not reviewed for technological upgrades according to MPP Dave Smith.

“Together, we have been able to identify and oversee more than 32 projects on behalf of the ratepayers of North Kawartha,” said MPP Dave Smith. “For a small community like North Kawartha, these projects worth over $747,000 mean real, tangible savings and better, more efficient services.”

With improved technological equipment, residents and anyone doing business in North Kawartha can save a trip of driving to the township by doing everything online such as paying property taxes according to Smith.

With modern upgrades for North Kawartha, the township will aid in providing better service to tourism which has taken a hit in past years due to COVID.

“That is the lifeblood of our community,” said Carolyn Amyotte, North Kawartha mayor. “We’re better able to serve the residents, we also serve visitors as well too. If we‘re modernizing things like our website, all of our online processes for people to come here, stay here and enjoy North Kawartha.”

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Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre Receives $250,000 in Funding to Aid in Turtle Rehabilitation

The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre is receiving $250,000 in funding from the Ontario government as part of a $4.5 million investment to protect species at risk announced on Friday.

Cathy Bruce, Trent University’s acting vice-president of Research and Innovation holding Andrea, a Blanding’s turtle missing its right eye. Blanding turtles are provincially “threatened” and endangered globally. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The funding will go towards staffing, protecting and recovering at-risk turtles, education, field research and disease surveillance.

“The on-the-ground work carried out by stewardship organizations is extremely important to protecting at-risk plants and wildlife in Ontario,” said David Piccini, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “Our government is proud to support its partners and the many important research and recovery projects they are undertaking this year to help preserve our province’s rich biodiversity for generations to come.”

"This historic investment will strengthen their work in ecological restoration and rehabilitation projects locally and across the province,” said MPP Dave Smith.

The Conservation Centre was one of over 80 projects approved for funding through the Species at Risk Stewardship Program. They are the only accredited veterinarian hospital dedicated to turtles in the province.

"They (turtles) come in from all over Ontario, we have 1,500 turtles that come in per year approximately," said Dr. Sue Carstairs, Conservation Centre executive and medical director. “Since road mortality is one of the leading causes of declines and why seven of the eight of our native species are at risk, this really does a lot to help mitigate that any by time to fix the problem.”

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If you see an injured turtle in Ontario, you can contact the centre to get it transported from one of 900 volunteer drivers across the province or bring it in yourself.

Turtle help with wetlands maintenance as they act as a filter for healthy water sources according to Carstairs.

Report dead turtles to the Conservation Centre since they can still incubate and hatch the eggs through their hatchling program if the mother has any. The Centre can obtain data via its location and aid in disease analysis if a deceased turtle is reported.

Once hatched and ready, the centre will release the newborns roughly one kilometre within the location of where they were found in an appropriate body of water.

There are eight different turtle species in Ontario: Spotted, Blanding’s, Eastern Spiny Softshell, Wood, Eastern Musk, Northern Map, Snapping and Painted.

Trent University received $132,955 over three years for assessing changes in population size and genetic structure to determine population targets for self-sustaining populations of Small-mouthed salamander and Unisexual Ambystoma on Pelee Island.

They also got $60,000 for three years for delineating Boreal and Eastern Migratory ranges and investigating metapopulation dynamics of Boreal caribou using genome-wide data from non-invasively collected samples.

All donations can be made at the Centre’s official website.

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