City of Peterborough to Host Live Virtual Public Information Centre For Sanitary Master Plan

The City of Peterborough is hosting a live virtual Public Information Centre to present the preliminary evaluation results of the Sanitary Master Plan, which is currently in development on Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

This Public Information Centre focuses on alternative strategies for servicing development and growth. These strategies consider environmental and socio-cultural impacts, technical feasibility, regulatory compliance and cost.

Residents wishing to view the live broadcast are asked to complete the online registration form.

Registration is available on the project page at connectptbo.ca/sanitary-master-plan.

During the presentation, questions and comments can be submitted through a virtual chat feature.

The presentation will also be posted on the project’s webpage at connectptbo.ca/sanitary-master-plan following the broadcast. Residents can submit questions and comments through the webpage’s questions section following the broadcast.

The Sanitary Master Plan will focus on how to best provide wastewater services as the City grows. The intent is to improve service delivery, demonstrate value for costs, and increase accountability. It’s being developed in coordination with an update to the City’s Asset Management Plan focused on how to best maintain existing infrastructure. 

This project's first public consultation phase began in early last year with a survey and a public information centre. The final Sanitary Master Plan will be presented to City Council in March.

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City of Peterborough Seeking Residents to Join Advisory Committees

The City of Peterborough is hosting a drop-in information session to encourage residents to be involved in local government by joining a board or committee.

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The session runs from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at City Hall on Feb. 10 for anyone wishing to join an advisory committee.

The session takes place in the Doris Room. An option to attend virtually is available by emailing clerks@peterborough.ca or calling 705-742-7777 x1820.

Seats are available on a variety of City committees. These are volunteer positions. Terms run until November 2026.

Available seats include:

• Accessibility Advisory Committee

• Arenas Parks and Recreation advisory Committee

• Arts and Culture Advisory Committee

• Citizens’ War Memorial

• Museum and Archives Advisory Committee

• Peterborough Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee

• Peterborough Public Library

• Planning Advisory Committee

• Property Standards Committee

• Transit Liaison Committee (One committee member must be a user of the accessible transit service)

Residents interested in serving on a City board or committee can obtain an application form from the Clerk’s Office at City Hall. Application forms can be completed online from the City’s website.

Completed applications must be returned by Feb. 14. An interview may be required for some positions.

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City of Peterborough to Remove Ash Trees Three Sites Starting Monday

The City of Peterborough is removing roughly 150 dead and/or dying ash trees from three separate locations beginning Monday.

In 2024, the City planted 1,000 trees as part of the City’s Urban Forest Strategic Plan. Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The removal is occurring in wooded lots lining residential areas near Eldon Court and Cunningham Boulevard, along the south side of Farmcrest Avenue and Willowcreek Boulevard.

The trees being removed are infested with Emerald Ash Borer and pose a potential risk of harm to residents and private property. Once the trees are removed, woody material, including the trunk, limbs and brush, will be left on site to decompose naturally. The City says this adds organics to the site and encourages wildlife habitat.

Removing these trees is part of the good forestry practices required to maintain and enhance the City’s urban canopy as part of the Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan.

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City Councillors Echo Mayor Jeff Leal's Statement Increased Homelessness Throughout Peterborough and the Country

Several City Councillors echo and endorse Mayor Leal’s statement regarding increased homelessness and the humanitarian crisis surrounding it which was made on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Councillors Gary Baldwin, Matt Crowley, Kevin Duguay, Dave Haacke, Lesley Parnell and Don Vassiliadis agree with the mayor and have made the following statement in support of Leal.

The following is the joint statement released by City Council:

As City Councillors for the City of Peterborough, we express our agreement with and strong support for the statement issued by Mayor Jeff Leal on Thursday, January 23, 2025.

The creation of 60 more temporary shelter beds is a substantial budget and service level decision that rightly belongs to Council as a whole.

This was not raised during the recent 2025 Budget review when City Council approved substantial increases in homelessness services funding to maintain and enhance services for people who are experiencing homelessness. 

We will repeat some of Mayor Leal’s words: 

“This Council has taken significant steps to help some of the most vulnerable in our community.  

In terms of shelter spaces, our community supports 127 shelter and drop-in centre beds provided in partnership with community agencies. That is among the highest per-capita provision of shelter beds in the Province. 

There are still people in our community who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness. 

Municipalities are not equipped to address homelessness and its related health care, mental health, addiction, and housing issues. Our ability as municipalities to fund these services out of property tax revenue, which is based on property assessment rather than ability to pay, is limited. 

City Council decides how much to invest in homelessness services as it considers the various needs in our community. This Council is now, this year, more than doubling the City’s investment in the City’s Homeless Prevention Program for shelter services and drop-in centre spaces. 

This Council has shown compassion and political will. There is no question more needs to be done.” 

As city councillors, we recognize that additional, long-term, provincial and federal funding is needed for the complete housing continuum.

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Mayor Jeff Leal Issues Statement Regarding Increased Homelessness Throughout Peterborough and the Country

Mayor Jeff Leal has issued a statement regarding increased homelessness and the humanitarian crisis surrounding it on Thursday.

Photo by David Tuan bui.

The following is the full statement released by Leal:

Communities across Canada and throughout Ontario are experiencing a humanitarian crisis from a substantial increase in homelessness. Peterborough is no exception. A recent report from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) shows that homelessness across the province has increased by 25 per cent since 2022.

I have stated publicly many times, and AMO’s report makes clear, that municipalities are not equipped to address homelessness and its related health care, mental health, addiction, and housing issues. Our ability as municipalities to fund these services out of property tax revenue, which is based on property assessment rather than ability to pay, is limited. Municipalities are collectively appealing to the province and the federal government to put a greater focus on this crisis that is affecting individuals, families and communities.

But the City of Peterborough, and this Council, have taken significant action to help some of the most vulnerable in our community. The need is truly great.

Between 2024 and 2025, in one year alone, we are more than doubling the City’s funding toward homelessness prevention programs to increase support to our emergency shelters, expand drop-in space hours of operation, and enhance services.

The overall cost of the City’s Homeless Prevention Program will increase to about $8.4 million in 2025 from almost $6.9 million in 2024, with the City’s share of those costs more than doubling from $1.2 million in 2024 to more than $2.6 million in 2025. The Province’s contribution to shelters and drop-in spaces for homelessness services is increasing to $5.6 million from $5.4 million, which doesn’t include its substantial funding for the 50-unit Modular Bridge Housing Community.

In terms of shelter spaces, our community supports 127 shelter and drop-in centre beds provided in partnership with community agencies. That is among the highest per-capita provision of shelter beds in the Province.

Even with that investment in emergency shelters, the beds are often full, especially in the winter. And when we do have spaces available, there is tenting in our parks as people may choose to not access shelter, or they may not be able to access shelter for a variety of reasons, such as addictions or mental health. There are still people in our community who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

Beyond shelter services, the City financially supports more than 2,000 affordable and social housing units as well as various other homeless and housing support services in the community.

I express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to Councillor Alex Bierk and Councillor Keith Riel who serve as homelessness portfolio co-chairs on Council.

Their call to declare a homelessness emergency and to use Strong Mayor Powers as a way to immediately create 60 additional shelter spaces is, however, a misguided approach.

The City of Peterborough is already under a declared homelessness emergency and has been since October 2022 when it was issued by former Mayor Diane Therrien. The declaration was officially filed with the Province and remains in place. Declaring an emergency does not necessarily provide additional support from the province or federal government.

My understanding as Mayor is that Strong Mayor Powers provided by the Province are to be utilized specifically for the building of housing – the powers do not encompass the provision of temporary shelter.

Councillor Bierk and Councillor Riel stated they have been pushing for an action plan since late summer, yet they did not put forward a motion at the Council table to add additional shelter space to the Winter Response Program, which they championed in its creation and this Council approved in May 2023.

That Winter Response Plan led to the opening of the One City daytime and overnight drop-in program and the building of the 50-unit Modular Bridge Housing Community. In November 2024, Council supported a motion from Councillor Riel, by a 9 to 1 vote, to increase funding to expand the hours for the One City drop-in space program.

I agree that we should do whatever we can to provide shelter space for individuals experiencing homelessness, but that needs to be decided on by a majority of the members of Council.

City Council decides how much to invest in homelessness services as it considers the various needs in our community. This Council is now, this year, more than doubling the City’s investment in the City’s Homeless Prevention Program for shelter services and drop-in centre spaces.

This Council has shown compassion and political will. There is no question more needs to be done. We are doing more. We will do more beyond that, I have no doubt.

Yours sincerely,

Jeff Leal
Mayor
City of Peterborough

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City Opens Registration For Summer Day Camp Programs at the Kinsmen Civic Centre

The City of Peterborough has opened registration for its summer camp programs at the Kinsmen Civic Centre.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

This is the first time summer camp programming has been offered at the Kinsmen Civic Centre. This new location gives the City’s Recreation and Parks Services division a chance to offer more programming to hundreds of campers throughout the summer.

Summer day camps at the Kinsmen Civic Centre include:

• Beach Party, July 7 – July 11

• Wild Zoofari, July 14 – July 18

• Pirates and Mermaids, July 21 – July 25

• Superhero Showdown, July 28 – Aug. 1

• Space Adventure, Aug. 5 – Aug. 8

• Dinosaur Daze, Aug. 11 – Aug. 15

• Dreaming of Disney, Aug. 18 – Aug. 22

These programs are also offered at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre on the same dates.

Summer and day camp programs are also at the Art Gallery of Peterborough and the Peterborough Museum and Archives, and sports programs are at numerous sites across the city.

Residents can sign up for summer camp programs by calling 705-742-0050 or visiting online.

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City Council Endorses Draft 2025 Budget

City Council has endorsed a Draft 2025 Budget that outlines investments in municipal services and infrastructure.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

There is a proposed 6.72 per cent all-inclusive rate increase that equates to $10.44 per month per $100,000 of property assessment for the typical residential property.

Council is expected to consider final approval of the City’s 2025 Budget on Feb. 3

Through its budget deliberations in November, Council cut spending in several areas and added back funding that had been removed earlier in the budget to reduce the property tax requirement. Council started with a 7.8 per cent all-inclusive rate increase when the draft budget was initially presented.

To reduce the tax requirement for residents and businesses, the Council asked the Peterborough County/City Paramedics and Peterborough Police Services Board to reduce their requested increases for 2025. Peterborough Paramedics reduced its funding request to $7,299,067, an increase of $488,270, or 7.2 per cent, from 2024. Peterborough Police Services Board responded with a request for $37,802,241, an increase of $2,727,054, or 7.8 per cent, from 2024 – after initially requesting an 8.8 per cent increase.

Council made many changes to the City’s Draft 2025 Budget to reduce the property tax requirement by decreasing spending, increasing revenue and drawing from reserve funds.

Among the changes to the draft budget, Council:

• Restoring $298,153 for Community Grants that had been cut from the draft budget

• Adding a $500,000 interest-free loan for the replacement of the roof at Showplace Performance Centre

• Increasing Transit fares by 25 cents to generate an estimated $125,000 in revenue

• Reducing the proposed 2025 stormwater management funding by $620,000

• Providing $250,000 from the Social Services Reserve to help fund architectural, engineering and planning services for the proposed new Brock Mission Housing Project that would create 50 transitional housing units

• Drawing $904,000 from the Social Services Reserve for several housing and homelessness services enhancements, including extending the Trinity Community Centre overnight drop-in program to a full-year service, increasing funding to the Housing Stability Fund, and increasing the capacity of the Brock Mission shelter to 40 beds from 32 beds

• Restoring funding for discretionary benefits, which had been proposed to be reduced, at a cost of $235,695

• Reducing preventative maintenance at municipal facilities for a savings of $153,000

• Ending the lifeguard service for swimming at Roger’s Cove for a savings of $39,995 (lifeguard service continues to be provided at the nearby Beavermead Park beach)

• Ending the maintenance of the Trent-Severn Waterway canal south of the Lift Lock in winter for skating for a savings of $100,000

• Reinstating a $150,000 annual payment to the Downtown Business Improvement Area that had been proposed to be removed

• Removing a $132,500 expense for contracting streetscape maintenance services to the Downtown Business Improvement Area as the City will directly provide the service in 2025

• Reducing spending on graffiti management, forestry contractual services, and street cleaning totalling $60,000

• Reducing Transit expenses for cleaning supplies and contractual services by $75,000

• Reducing the budget provision for insurance premiums by $115,000

Through its 2025 Budget, Council has endorsed transitioning stormwater funding from the tax base to a dedicated user fee effective April 1, using a simplified interim rate structure. The proposed user fee will replace what is being paid by property owners through the property tax base and place a charge, or a user fee, on the utility bill. Unlike many municipalities with dedicated stormwater networks and raise the necessary funding through a user fee, the City of Peterborough currently funds the program through the tax base.

The benefits to implementing a Stormwater Management Fee according to the City include:

• Dedicating a funding stream allocated back to providing the service

• Awareness and transparency showing owners what they pay for the service and what is required for capital and operating costs

• Fairness where owners may pay based on stormwater contribution as opposed to property assessment

• Introducing the opportunity for economic incentives, giving owners the opportunity to reduce their costs associated with delivering the service

The Budget details investments in municipal services and infrastructure, such as water and wastewater infrastructure and treatment, garbage collection, the Green Bin program, the landfill and composting facilities, affordable housing, homelessness services, roads, recreation and parks, arts and culture, policing, fire services, paramedics, and public health.

The Draft 2025 Budget, as presented on Nov. 4, includes $411 million in operating expenses, with $185.9 million from property taxes and the remainder funded by other revenues such as grants from other governments, user fees and service charges.

On the capital side, the Draft 2025 Budget as presented on Nov. 4, includes $147.4 million for 174 projects such as the Transit Garage Replacement, police station renovations, major infrastructure work on Brealey Drive between Lansdowne and Sherbrooke streets, updating and replacing equipment at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and various road projects.

The City started the 2025 Budget process in March 2024 with community consultation, including a survey and public meetings held through March and April. Council held General Committee meetings in June to review information and consider input from the community. Council considered detailed breakdowns of budget implications for services and capital projects before recommending guidelines for preparing the Draft 2025 Budget.

Council heard from public delegations on the Draft 2025 Budget at a meeting on Nov. 12.

The City held informal public meetings on Nov. 7 and Nov. 12 to present information, respond to questions and get feedback on the Draft 2025 Budget ahead of Council’s deliberations.

On Dec. 9, 2024, Council gave final approval to specific projects and programs in the 2025 Budget to allow that work to proceed while Council considers the remainder of the Draft 2025 Budget. Council also approved the 2025 User Fees and Charges.

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City to Continue Taking Natural Christmas Trees For Curbside Pickup

The City of Peterborough continues curbside collection of natural Christmas trees throughout January. 

File Photo.

The first City-wide collection round was completed last week and a second round began on Monday.

Collection takes place weather permitting and does not follow regular curbside collection schedules. Residents do not need to call to request collection.

Trees will be composted, therefore all decorations and tinsel must be removed and trees must not be in plastic bags.

Residents are asked to place trees at the curb in a visible location within safe reach for collection staff. Please avoid snowbanks and ensure that trees do not get buried in snowbanks.

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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 Warns Residents of Possible Text Message Scam Involving Unpaid Fines

The City of Peterborough is warning residents of a potential text message scam after receiving multiple calls from residents reporting that they have received text/SMS messages regarding unpaid or outstanding parking tickets or speeding fines.

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The City does not use text messaging to communicate about parking tickets or fines related to the Provincial Offences Act.

Residents are reminded never to click suspicious links asking for ticket payment or personal information by text. Messages may be reported as spam to the cellular service provider, and suspicious text messages can be deleted.

For questions about possible outstanding fines, residents can call the City of Peterborough at 705-742-7777.

Residents can report scam calls to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or visit the Peterborough Police Services Fraud page for more information. Local victims of fraud should contact the Peterborough Police non-emergency number 705-876-1122.

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