City of Peterborough Celebrates National Tourism Week

With Peterborough rich in arts, sports, environment, history and landmarks, the City is joining the country by celebrating National Tourism Week until Friday.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough,

The week is an annual initiative led by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada. This year’s theme, ‘Canada: Powered by Tourism,’ highlights the sector’s national impact — contributing more than $100 billion annually and supporting one in 10 jobs across Canada.

The City says tourism plays a vital role in Peterborough’s economy and quality of life. Peterborough and the Kawarthas welcome more than three million visitors annually, contributing approximately $300 million to the local economy according to the City. It continues to state that in the Peterborough census subdivision, the tourism sector includes more than 400 businesses and supports more than 3,000 jobs. Peterborough continues to gain international recognition through tourism, with iconic attractions like the Trent–Severn Waterway and The Canadian Canoe Museum making headlines in 2025.

“Much of what makes Peterborough a sought-after destination for visitors also makes it an incredible place to live,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “National Tourism Week is an opportunity to celebrate the impact of tourism on our community and economy. It supports local jobs, fuels small businesses, and showcases the natural beauty and cultural vibrancy that make our city special. During the week, I hope everyone takes a moment to recognize the people and places that make Peterborough a destination worth exploring and sharing with friends from around the world.”

Residents and visitors are encouraged to share their favourite local experiences on social media using #TourismWeekCanada2025, tagging @ptbotourism.

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Peterborough Police Service Launch Community Perception Survey

The Peterborough Police Service is launching a Community Perception Survey, asking for feedback from residents, released to the public on Friday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

It is the first survey of this scope in many years and is anonymous and voluntary.

As part of the 2024-2027 Peterborough Police Service Strategic Plan, the Service has committed to completing a community survey in 2025 and again in 2027 according to a press release. The Strategic Plan has three pillars: Enhance Community Safety, Modernize Policing Services, and Support Our People, which aim to build trust and confidence with the public. 

“As we embark on initiatives to meet these goals, it is important to hear from our largest stakeholder – the community,” said Stuart Betts, Peterborough Police Service Chief. This is so we can understand how they interact with the Service, how safe they feel in our policing areas, which issues are of concern, and how they believe we are living up to our motto of professional, friendly, helpful.  As a Service, we have been working on gathering and using data to help us have officers and resources in the right place, at the right time, to do the right thing. This survey will build on that commitment to be evidence-based and data driven.”

Peterborough Police Service say that the survey will become an important data collection tool and help identify areas where crime prevention initiatives could be further explored, implemented or improved.

There are roughly 35 questions, asking residents if they have interacted with the service, how they get their information on policing issues, whether they are aware of specialty units and safety initiatives, whether they have witnessed or been the victim of a hate/bias incident or crime, how safe they feel in downtown, how safe they feel in the other Peterborough policed areas and what is their top traffic concern.

The survey includes a set of core questions about police accountability, legitimacy, and perception of safety. It is being conducted in partnership with several other mid-size police agencies to understand how our communities are the same and different.

The survey will be available online until June 3.

There will be several in-person opportunities for residents to fill out the survey, including:

The Peterborough Home and Garden Show at the Healthy Planet Arena

• Saturday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

• Sunday from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

175th Anniversary Community Celebration at 1421 Lansdowne St.

• May 31 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

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Team Rubicon Canada Deploys Volunteers To Aid Peterborough In Ice Storm Recovery

Team Rubicon Canada is sending volunteers to Peterborough to assist residents with downed trees and storm debris on their properties that started on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Team Rubicon Canada.

This is not the first time the group has aided Peterborough. Its members came during the City’s derecho storm in May 2022.

“Our community extends a heartfelt thank you to the volunteers with Team Rubicon Canada for helping residents recover from the damage following the severe ice storm,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Many residents may not be physically able to remove downed trees and storm debris on their property, and it could be a financial hardship. It’s a distressing situation. I’m grateful to the volunteers with Team Rubicon for providing a helping hand through this difficult time.”

Team Rubicon Canada issued the following statement:

“We understand this is a stressful time for many in our community. In the wake of the recent weather event, Team Rubicon Canada is on the ground and ready to assist.

We are a non-profit organization that unites the skills and experience of military veterans and first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams. Our services are provided free of charge to those in need.

If your property has been impacted by downed trees or storm debris, we’re here to help. Our trained volunteers will conduct a damage assessment and evaluate the debris caused by the storm. Based on your individual situation, our teams will respond accordingly—getting to work on debris management and removal at no cost to you.

If you or someone you know needs assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d be honoured to serve you.”

To contact Team Rubicon for assistance, please email request_assistance@teamrubicon.ca clearly indicating the location—whether the address is in the City of Peterborough or Peterborough County—or call 647-473-8655.

As part of the storm response, the city has waived tipping fees for residential yard waste and tree debris at the City-County Landfill, 1260 Bensfort Rd., until April 14.

Regular curbside yard waste collection services began this week.

The City will provide curbside tree debris chipping services for debris that is too large for the regular curbside yard waste collection service once resources are available to divert to that activity. Currently, resources are being directed to the storm response efforts to address hazardous and critical conditions. An update will be provided when the curbside chipping service activity is scheduled.

The City does not maintain trees on private property.

As a result of the ice storm, the City is temporarily waiving the permit requirement until April 14 for residents to remove trees on private property that have been destroyed, destabilized or structurally compromised as a direct result of the ice storm, with the following condition:

• Residents must send email notification to treebylaw@peterborough.ca providing photos, property address, tree species information including diameter, and provide the physiological and structural condition of the tree preferably prior to removing the tree or as soon as possible after removing a tree.

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Nominations Open For Community Care Peterborough's 37th 'Grandparent of the Year'

City and County of Peterborough children in grades 1-6 can honour their elders through Community Care Peterborough’s 37th ‘Grandparent of the Year’ contest.

Photo courtesy of Heather Doughty and Community Care Peterborough.

Children are asked to submit a hand-drawn picture and a piece of writing that addresses what is important about their relationship with their grandparent, elder or special older person and why they think their nominee should win the award.

“The Grandparent of the Year Award is a wonderful opportunity to connect generations and affirm the dignity, wisdom, and value of seniors in our community—many of whom are clients or volunteers with Community Care Peterborough,” said Chris LeBlanc, Director of Donor and Public Relations. “The stories we receive each year are a powerful reminder of the impact older adults have on young people, and we encourage all eligible students to take part.”

Nomination packages have been distributed to schools throughout Peterborough County and are also available for download.

Submissions will be accepted in both English and French and a winner and honourable mention will be selected in each language from two grade groups: Primary (Grades 1-3) and Junior (Grades 4-6).

The deadline for submissions is May 6. Winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony on June 4 at Royal Gardens Retirement Residence.

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City of Peterborough Gets Green In Flag-Raising Ceremony to Commemorate Irish Heritage Week In Bi-Centennial Anniversary

It is ‘Top o’ the Mornin’ and 200 years for Peterborough as the City kicked off Irish Heritage Week with a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall on Monday morning.

Bonnie Clark, Peterborough County Warden; Shelley Ryan, Canadian Irish Club president; Brendan Moher, Peterborough Canadian Irish Club and Jeff Leal, Peterborough Mayor prior to the flag raising of Ireland to kick off Irish Heritage Week. pHOTO BY dAVID tUAN bUI.

Members of the Peterborough Canadian Irish Club, residents and dignitaries were present to kick off Irish Heritage Week, as declared by Mayor Jeff Leal for Peterborough.

This year marks several milestones for Peterborough and Irish Heritage. 2025 marks the 200th year that politician Peter Robinson administered the passage and settlement of Irish Catholic families into Scott’s Plains, now known as Peterborough.

“Irish people have are responsible for the names of all these communites in this area, (aside from) First Nations; they are here to be respected as well,” said Brendan Moher of the Peterborough Canadian Irish Club. “A lot of these communities bear the names of Irish people and it is fitting that we honour that legacy and all the people that have come out of this area. ”

Watch on TikTok

Sunday is the 25th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, starting at City Hall and running through George Street until the Peterborough Memorial Centre. This year's parade grand marshall is actor M. John Kennedy playing the role of Peter Robinson.

“There are an awful lot of people in this area that lay claim to Irish heritage,” explained Moher. “Of course, on St. Patrick's Day, everybody lays claims to Irish heritage so we'll be expecting a big increase in the next week.”

This year is also the 175th anniversary of Peterborough's founding, including the Peterborough Police Force. Moher says Robinson would be proud to see what Peterborough has become after all these years.

“People from Ireland continue to come here because of those connections and settle still to this day because of the roots that were laid down,” he said. “It causes growth in the community, comically there will be growth this summer as well because of Irish people coming from Ireland to take part in these bicentennial celebrations.”

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Nominations Are Open For 2024 Civic Awards Nominations

Nominations for the City of Peterborough 2024 Civic Awards will be open until April 11 at 4:30 p.m., announced on Wednesday.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF PETERBOROUGH.

The Civic Awards recognize those who had a positive impact in the City of Peterborough through sports, arts, culture or volunteer work.

“The Civic Awards are an opportunity to celebrate those who give their time, energy and passion to make Peterborough a better place. I encourage all residents to recognize and celebrate those efforts by nominating deserving individuals and groups,” said Mayor Jeff Leal.

Nominations are being accepted for the following categories:

• Adult Athlete of the Year

• Athletic Award of Merit

• Community Betterment

• Cultural Betterment

• Environmental Stewardship

• Holnbeck Award

• Junior Athlete of the Year

• Lifetime Achievement Award

• Mayor’s Youth Award

• Senior Athlete of the Year

• Volunteer of the Year

• Youth Volunteer of the Year

Nominees must be a resident and/or a property owner in the City. Those living outside the city can be recognized if they are part of a city group or team and receive an award. Holnbeck Award nominees can be residents of either the City or County of Peterborough. All nominees must be volunteers.

Applications are available online or paper copies can be obtained at the Clerk's Office at City Hall, 500 George St. N.

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New Canadians Centre Seeking New Board Members

The New Canadians Centre (NCC) is looking for board directors to join the governance team to fill three positions.

NCC began in 1979 when a group of volunteers committed to supporting refugees fleeing Vietnam. The NCC serves more than 2,000 newcomer clients annually. File Photo.

The positions are for two-year terms and board members may serve three consecutive two-year terms.

The NCC is asking that community members give five to ten hours per month to apply. They are looking for those with well-rounded governance experience and with a specific background in facilities management, capital campaigns, and/or IT/cybersecurity.

The information package and application form can be found online. The deadline for applications is at 5 p.m. on Feb. 23.

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Peterborough Agricultural Society to Continue With New Board of Directors

After being in jeopardy of being disbanded, the Peterborough Agricultural Society (PAS) is continuing to serve the community after a newly elected board of directors during their Annual General Meeting on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of PAS.

The 180-year-old organization, with its new board, is planning to revitalize the Society and charting a sustainable path forward with 12 new members and three associate board members, according to Louise Dobbin, PAS general manager.

“We’re excited to take on this important responsibility and look forward to working with the community to continue the Society’s legacy,” said Louise Dobbin, general manager. “Our focus will be on strengthening agricultural education, fostering partnerships, and reimagining the future of the Peterborough Agricultural Society.”

The new Board invites the community to get involved as they develop plans for the year ahead.

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Photos: Miskin Law Community Complex Officially Opens to Public

The City of Peterborough has officially opened the new Miskin Law Community Complex and welcomed the community to explore the new facility, participate in activities and celebrate a new Indigenous public art installation on Wednesday.

Photo by David Tuan bui.

The grand opening of the new complex at Lansdowne and Park Streets includes free public skating, a yoga class, opportunities to view the art installation and a chance to try out the indoor walking track.

The 121,500-square-foot facility features a twin-pad arena, an indoor walking track, multi-purpose spaces and leasable office space. A Peterborough Public Library branch is set to open on Feb. 1 as a replacement for the De La Fosse branch.

“Today, we celebrate a moment more than a decade in the making. The opening of the Miskin Law Community Complex is the result of the cumulative effort and dedication of City staff, community supporters, and past and present City councils,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “This facility provides dynamic spaces like the twin-pad arena and walking track to help people be active, while also serving as a source for inspiration with a new library branch and public art installation.”

The ground-breaking ceremony of the $68.5-million facility began on Dec 8, 2022. However, construction began earlier that year in August.

The Miskin Law Community Complex’s gounrdbreaking ceremony on Dec. 8, 2022.

The building boasts reduced carbon emissions during construction by reducing concrete usage, optimizing building envelope materials and strategically using glazing according to the City. Operating emissions were reduced by nearly 40 per cent through features like LED lighting, a water-loop heat pump system with heat recovery from the ice plant, electric ice resurfacers and ventilation heat recovery systems.

The indoor walking track allows individuals of all ages and abilities to stay active. Meanwhile, a new public art installation builds awareness of Indigenous cultures, heritage and sport said the City.

Vanessa Dion Fletcher, an Indigenous artist, created a focal-point art installation in the floor-to-ceiling windows at the main entrance’s two-storey atrium. Supported by sculptor and fabricator Matthew Walker, the work Resonant Harmony features three hoops painted with the visual texture, patterns and colours of quillwork. The installation offers insight into Indigenous teachings, the ethos of sport and its role in fostering relationships.

The development of the City’s newest community complex received significant funding from the federal government and local corporate sponsors, totalling more than $9.4 million.

The project was bolstered with more than $8.4 million from the Canada Community-Building Fund.

In Ontario, the Canada Community-Building Fund is administered by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario twice annually to 443 municipalities with funding allocated per capita. Local corporate sponsors were important supporters of the project and contributed a cumulative total of $1 million to the project’s budget.

These sponsors include:

• Miskin Law: Secured overall naming rights for the complex for the next 10 years

• Canadian Hockey Enterprises: Secured naming rights for the south arena pad and has agreed to utilize lease space in the building for its operations

• Russelle Toyota: Secured naming rights for the north arena pad

The ice pads and indoor walking track in the Miskin Law Community Complex are now accessible for Peterborough residents and visitors.

Programming includes Learn to Skate programming, parent and tot instructional lessons, and private skating lessons. All ages drop-in public skating will be available on Sundays from 3 p.m. to 4:50 p.m., and youth shinny hockey will run on Tuesday evenings from 6:15 p.m. to 7:05 p.m.

Miskin will also be the location for two upcoming hockey tournaments in January, including the Steve Richey Tournament of Champions and the Peterborough Hockey Association Tournament.

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City of Peterborough Discontinues Maintenance On Canal Due to Budgeting; Final Deliberations In Early February

As part of its 2025 Budget deliberations, the City of Peterborough is not maintaining a skating rink at the Peterborough Lift Lock and may remove that service as a cost-cutting measure.

File Photo.

With the canal property of Parks Canada, the City does not decide on public access to the property, according to a press release. Parks Canada has, in the past, installed steps for public access to the ice surface of the canal at the City’s request.

The City estimates an annual cost of $100,000 for maintenance, which includes activities such as regularly flooding the ice surface to create a smooth rink, snow clearing with snow clearing machines, and testing ice thickness.

The green flag was posted for safe skating on the canal beneath the Lift Lock for the following number of days for each of the past few seasons based on weather and ice conditions: 2021-2022 season, 12 days; 2022-2023 season, four days; 2023-2024 season, one day.

The City also operates an outdoor skating rink at Quaker Foods City Square on Charlotte Street. It administers a neighbourhood park rink program provided by volunteers who maintain rinks at neighbourhood parks.

City Council will continue its 2025 Budget deliberations on Jan. 20 with final approval of the 2025 Budget anticipated on Feb. 3.

The Draft 2025 Budget reflects an eight per cent all-inclusive property tax increase for 2025. City Council has indicated it would like options to reduce the all-inclusive property tax increase to seven per cent.

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