Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.
The City of Peterborough’s Geomatics/Mapping Division created the tool. File Photo.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
I encourage everyone to take a moment to pause, reflect and remember the tragic events of January 29, 2017, when six lives were taken and many more were forever changed in the senseless attack on the Quebec City Islamic Cultural Centre. This act of hate and violence shook our nation and underscored the ongoing need to confront Islamophobia and all forms of racism and discrimination in our communities.
Our thoughts are with Muslim communities here in Peterborough and across Canada as we honour the memory of those lost and stand in solidarity with those who continue to face prejudice and hatred.
As a City, we are committed to fostering inclusion, respect, and understanding. Diversity strengthens our community and we all share a responsibility to reject hate and create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.
Let us use this day not only to remember but to take meaningful action against Islamophobia. Together we can build a society where everyone feels valued and protected, regardless of their faith or background. Hate has no place in Peterborough.
Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.
File Photo.
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.
Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.
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.
Photo by David Tuan bui.
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
Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.
Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.
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