Pathway of Fame Pushing For Nominations

The Pathway of Fame, Peterborough and District is pushing to receive nominations from the community for this year’s class of inductees.

The Pathway of Fame was created in 1997 to honour those who have given of themselves so selflessly for a period of years, or a lifetime. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Nominations can be made for deserving individuals in any one of the following categories:

• Visual Arts

• Dramatic Arts

• Literary

• Entertainment / Musical

• Cultural Betterment

• Community Samaritan

• Community Builder

• Media

A one-page nomination form can be downloaded as a PDF from the Pathway of Fame website or as a hard copy from Package Plus at 171 Rink Street. The cost is $10 per nomination.

The Pathway also encourages groups and organizations to nominate a deserving individual in any available category. While nominations can be made throughout the year, the annual deadline is historically April 30, to provide ample time for The Pathway to process and vet the various nominations received.

Successful inductees are honoured each September with an event hosted at Showplace Performance Center. Their names are engraved onto individual granite markers permanently installed along the Pathway of Fame at Del Crary Park.

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North Kawartha and Trent Lakes Well Water Sampling Program Resumes For 2025 Season

The well water sampling drop-off program will resume for the 2025 season on Tuesday in the Township of North Kawartha and the Municipality of Trent Lakes.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The program offers free water sample collection kit pick-up and sample drop-off through these municipal offices. 

Water samples can be dropped off at: 

• North Kawartha Municipal Office – 280 Burleigh St., Apsley,
  Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. 

• Trent Lakes Municipal Office – 760 County Road 36, Trent Lakes,
  Tuesday and Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.  

Samples are then couriered to the Public Health Ontario Lab in Peterborough for testing. Empty sample bottles can be picked up from these offices during regular business hours. Samples must be dropped off at the municipal offices within 24 hours of collection to ensure they reach the lab and are processed promptly. Residents are encouraged to carefully read each kit's sampling and collection instructions. Filled sample bottles should be delivered to the front desk at the municipal office. Staff will then place it in a fridge until the courier collects it. 

Well water testing is recommended at least twice yearly, in the Spring and Fall. Water samples are tested for two types of bacterial contamination: total coliforms and E. coli. Anyone can become ill if they consume contaminated water, but young people, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk. 

Water samples can also be dropped off year-round at the following locations: 

• Havelock-Belmont-Methuen Township Office, 1 Ottawa St., Havelock
  Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.   

• Peterborough Public Health, 185 King St., Peterborough
  Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  Friday., 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon  

• Public Health Ontario Laboratory, 99 Hospital Dr. 
  Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Residents will receive water quality results by mail or can call Public Health Ontario’s Interactive Voice Response at 1-877-723-3426. If they have questions about their test results, call the PPH Safe Water Program at 705-743-1000, ext. 232. 

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OLG Issues Fourth-Quarter Gaming Revenue Payment to Peterborough of $587,121

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has made their fourth-quarter payment totalling $587,121 to the City of Peterborough for hosting Shorelines Casino Peterborough announced on Wednesday morning.

Since 1994, host communities have received more than $2.2 billion in non-tax gaming revenue. File Photo.

The quarter was from Jan. 1 to March 31.

During OLG’s fiscal year (April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025), Peterborough has received $2,717,827. Since the gaming site opened in October 2018, Peterborough has amassed $15,095,211 according to a press release.

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 as stated in a press release. 

“Shorelines Casino Peterborough strengthens our community through sharing gaming revenue that supports local priorities and programs,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “In addition to job creation and community support, the Municipality Contribution Agreement with OLG delivers substantial benefits to the people of Peterborough.”

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City Receives Grant to Provide Assistance For Swimming Leadership Programs to Low-Income Residents

The City of Peterborough has received a grant from Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities to assist low-income families and individuals in covering the registration and equipment needed for the Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, and National Lifeguard programs.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Participants must meet the eligibility requirements under the City’s recreation subsidy guidelines.

Those interested in applying for the grant can contact Summer Ley at sley@peterborough.ca

Sessions run from May 4 to Au.t 31. Session information is as follows:

Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid with CPR-B:

• Sunday, May 4, Saturday May 10, Sunday, May 11, Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Bronze Cross & Standard First Aid with CPR-C:

• Each Sunday from June 1 to June 29, 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

National Lifeguard Pool:

• Each Sunday from June 15 to July 13, 12:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid with CPR-B:

• Each Sunday from July 6 to August 3, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid with CPR-C:

• Each Sunday from July 6 to August 3, from 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

National Lifeguard Pool:

• Each Sunday from August 3 to August 31, from 12:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities is a registered charity dedicated to removing financial barriers for low-income families and individuals, ensuring everyone has equal access to sport and recreation.

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Voice of Business: Investing in Ontario’s Future: Why Sustainable Investment Matters

Welcome back to this week's Voice of Business. Today, we’ll be discussing the future of post-secondary education and what is needed to ensure its sustainability, particularly as Canada faces increasing demand for skilled workers and the need to enhance productivity.

As you know, Canada’s productivity has been lagging for years—this is not a new issue. There is a direct correlation between productivity, the quality of our post-secondary education system, and workforce development. This week, we’ll examine the impact of post-secondary investment and the advocacy efforts that have been undertaken on this issue.

Last month, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce(OCC), and the Council of Ontario Colleges and Universities, released a letter urging the provincial government to invest in post-secondary education. The provincial government has frozen funding for the sector, leading institutions to rely heavily on international students for revenue. Without critical funding, many post-secondary institutions have been forced to cut programs vital to Ontario’s economy. This has dangerous trickle-down effects on workforce development, especially as we strive for self-sufficiency amid a hostile trade environment. If we want to position ourselves for success, we need targeted investments that contribute to and build our economy. The letter highlights the key link between strategic investment in AI and technology and the need to spur innovation in post-secondary institutions home to Ontario’s research and development. Investing in post-secondary education not only drives innovation but also strengthens our workforce and economy. If the government is investing in key growth sectors, we must ensure we have the talent to support these investments.

How did this problem arise and worsen? A combination of underfunding and a tuition freeze contributed to the crisis. In 2019, Premier Doug Ford mandated a 10 per cent tuition cut for colleges and universities. With domestic tuition frozen at this reduced rate, post-secondary institutions had to find alternative revenue sources to offset the financial shortfall. By 2024, the federal government further strained the sector by capping international student permits by 35 per cent to address housing market pressures, particularly in areas with low rental vacancy rates. As a result, post-secondary institutions began reporting significant revenue shortfalls. Adding to the crisis, another 10 per cent funding cut was introduced this year. Consequently, 24 of Ontario’s colleges are projecting a billion-dollar deficit by the 2026-27 school year, forcing many institutions to implement program suspensions and layoffs. Locally, Fleming College has suspended eight more programs, in addition to the 29 programs cut last year. Another notable college is Seneca Polytechnic which was forced to close its Markham campus due to declining international student enrolment.

Universities may need to downsize to remain financially viable. Although the Ontario government has allocated $1.3 billion to post-secondary education, the Ontario Council of Colleges and Universities reports that this does not account for the $2.5 billion in ongoing base funding recommended by an expert panel commissioned to assess the sector’s financial health. In short, current funding levels are not sustainable.

The OCC and the Council of Ontario Universities and Colleges are advocating for a new approach to post-secondary funding, including:

• Increasing base operating revenues

• Fully funding enrolment expansion

• Enhancing research funding

• Strengthening partnerships between government, industry, and academia

Your local Chamber of Commerce, along with other Chambers across the province, has signed onto this advocacy effort. As a Chamber, we recognize the critical role that education plays in equipping our business community with top talent. Universities and colleges are essential to providing graduates with the skills needed to drive our province’s and country’s prosperity. Given the federal government’s continued cap on international student permits, the current funding model is unsustainable, and urgent action is required to ensure the long-term viability of post-secondary education in Ontario.

Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.

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Peterborough Police Seeking Missing 14-Year-Old Female Teen Last Seen On Monday

The Peterborough Police Service is seeking the public's assistance in locating missing 14-year-old Aaliyah Cameron, reported on Wednesday morning.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Police Service.

She was last seen near Adam Scott Secondary School on Monday around noon.

Cameron is described as:

• White

• Female

• 5'8"

• 100 lbs.

• Dark hair

Last seen wearing:

• grey sweat pants

• black waffle knit sweater

• white socks

• Birkenstock style footwear

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Photos: Local Candidates Mingle With Constituents At Peterborough Chamber's "Coffee With the Candidates" Event

The Peterborough-Kawartha federal election candidates got a chance to mingle with their constituents at the Peterborough and the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce’s ‘Coffee with the Candidates’ event held at the Holiday Inn on Tuesday morning.

Conservative candidate and incumbent Michelle Ferrari (left) being thanked by Joel Wiebe (right) of the Peterborough Chamber for attending. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Each candidate had three minutes at the podium to speak to the room before breaking off to speak with the public.

The attending candidates briefly spoke about the following during their podium time (in order):

Chad Jewell (Independent): Regardless of who was in power, no party had answers to raising concerns and issues.

Emma Harrison (Liberal): She highlighted her upbringing which attributes to her hard work ethic. She also highlighted the importance of small businesses and their impact. However, her speech was cut short due after going over the time limit.

Michelle Ferrari (Conservative): Addressed homelessness, increased crime and drug addiction as significant issues that require tackling. Emphasized the housing crisis and says the party is working to cut GST on homes and development fees.

Heather Ray (NDP): Highlighted her past work history and emphasized protecting small businesses.

Jami-Leigh McMaster (PPC): Criticized over promises made by past governments and trading children’s futures for virtue-signalling and economic benefits. She said she does not expect to win but wants to help draw eyes to her party and the issues they want to address.

Jazmine Raine (Green): Gave a timeline of her work and school history, highlighting her journey of finding answers as she does not feel her questions or concerns are heard. She also remarks on how voters feel disenchanted when voting because of the lack of real choice on the ballot. She also briefly wanted to fight for improved healthcare funding and instill a universal basic income.

Matthew Grove (Christian Heritage Party of Canada) was absent from the event.

Election day is April 28 and advanced voting starts this Friday until Monday.

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Registration Open Community Care Peterborough's For Fourth Annual Gary Dalliday Memorial Golf Tournament

Registration for the fourth annual Gary Dalliday Memorial charity golf tournament is open with the event set for Aug. 18 at the Peterborough Golf & Country Club in support of Community Care Peterborough.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

All proceeds from this special event will support Community Care’s Meals on Wheels program, providing nourishment and connection for seniors and adults with disabilities in the City of Peterborough, West Selwyn Township, the Municipality of Trent Lakes and Curve Lake First Nation. Last year’s tournament raised $18,000.

The event is named after Gary 'The Diller’ Dalliday for his contributions to the Peterborough community. He was a CHEX-TV sportscaster, the radio voice of the Peterborough Petes and a longtime supporter of local sports. He was an avid volunteer with Community Care Peterborough and its Meals on Wheels program

Gary’s grandson, Nick Bozec, inspired the event to honour his grandfather’s legacy.

“Our family is proud and thankful for this opportunity,” said Pete Dalliday, Peterborough Lakers director of community engagement and partnerships and son of Gary. “My dad would be very pleased with the proceeds of this event helping Community Care.”

The day begins with a BBQ lunch at 11:30 a.m. followed by a 1:00 p.m. shotgun start.

Participants will enjoy 18 holes of golf, a cart, two meals, prizes, and more—capped off with a dinner and awards ceremony. Registration is available online.

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Brampton Man Charged With Fraud After Attempting to Open Bank Account With Fake Identification and Documents

A 41-year-old Brampton man is facing fraud charges involving a Peterborough bank, reported Friday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 4:30 p.m., officers were called to the bank regarding a customer attempting to open an account with fake identifying information and documents.

Officers witnessed a man matching the description given to police attempting to leave the bank and was taken into custody without incident. 

The man was arrested and charged with:

• Fraud Over $5,000

• Use, deals, acts on forged document x2

• Obtain Credit by False Pretences or Fraud

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court May 20.

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Kaawaate East City Student Wins Peterborough Police Service's Chief For A Day Contest

Kaawaate East City Public School’s Izzy Condon received a phone call from Peterborough Police Chief Stuart Betts during class to discover she was the Chief For A Day contest winner, announced on Tuesday.

Izzy Condon is serving as the Peterborough Police Chief for a day on May 20. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

The Police received about 50 entries from Grade 5 students in the Peterborough area, with six chosen as finalists. 

They visited the Peterborough Police Station and read their essays in front of Betts and a panel of judges last Tuesday. The children also received a tour of the station and a chance to sit in the Chief’s chair. 

Condon will serve as Chief For A Day on May 20.

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