Ice Storm Updates From City of Peterborough (April 4)

As storm recovery efforts continue in the City of Peterborough, all Public Works crews and 23 contractor crews are working throughout the City, addressing hazards on roads, sidewalks, trails and in parks.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Proper food waste disposal is essential to prevent contamination and maintain community cleanliness says the City.

Residential Properties 

• Residents should use their green bin to dispose of spoiled food. All packaging must be removed before placing food waste in the bin. 

• Residents may also dispose of spoiled food waste at no charge at the City Landfill/Compost Site, 1260 Bensfort Rd., until April 14. Spoiled food waste should be removed from its packaging before disposal.  

Multi-Unit Residential and Commercial Properties 

• If the building does not have a green bin program, please coordinate with the property owner or building manager to arrange proper disposal. 

The City Landfill is also accepting residential brush, wood chips and damaged tree waste related to the ice storm at no charge until April 14.  

Curbside chipping service for large tree debris that cannot be processed through the regular yard waste curbside collection will be provided when resources can be redeployed to provide that service. Resources are dedicated to storm response efforts, addressing hazardous and critical conditions. The City will provide an update when the curbside chipping service for large tree debris will begin.

When placing tree debris at the boulevard for yard waste collection, the City asks to be mindful of sightlines for pedestrian safety and vehicular traffic. Avoid placing debris close enough to the curb that it may wash into the street during a rainstorm.

As a result of the ice storm, the City is temporarily waiving the permit requirement 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.

City-owned trees of any size, including street trees and trees in parks and natural areas, are owned and maintained by the City and are not eligible for removal or maintenance by residents. To report an issue with a City-owned tree, please call 705-742-7777 and dial 8, or 705-745-1386 after hours and weekends.

Team Rubicon Canada is deploying volunteers to Peterborough to assist residents with downed trees and storm debris on their properties. 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.

With high water levels in all regional waterways and rain in the forecast, the City’s Wastewater Treatment Facility is processing extremely high volumes of water. To help reduce the demands on the sewage treatment system and assist with capacity at the facility, residents are strongly urged to conserve water over the next several days.

The municipal drinking water system has maintained operations throughout the state of emergency with no disruption to service.

Warming centres continue to be available in the City of Peterborough for residents of the City and County experiencing extended power outages as Hydro One crews continue to work to restore power to affected areas.

The City’s warming centres are open at the following locations:

• Healthy Planet Arena, banquet hall, 911 Monaghan Rd.: closed at 9 a.m. on Friday

• For Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the 24-hour warming centre is relocated to the McDonnel Street Community Centre at 577 McDonnel St. starting 9 a.m. on Friday, April 4. Food support will be provided at this location on Friday. This location is anticipated to be open until at least 9 a.m. on Monday

• Miskin Law Community Complex, 271 Lansdowne St. W.: open 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. daily through to at least noon on Monday

• Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, 775 Brealey Dr.: open 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. on Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and through to at least 9 a.m. on Monday

The City is monitoring conditions and will assess needs to determine warming centre location services after Monday, April 7.

Showers are available at all Miskin Law Community Complex and the Sport and Wellness Centre during warming centre hours of operation. Community partners, including the Salvation Army, will provide food at the McDonnel Street Community Centre on Friday.

With widespread power outages continuing, please check on neighbours and loved ones.

Peterborough Transit has resumed regular service, with some detours where hazards such as downed trees affect routes. Anyone requiring Transit to visit one of the City’s warming centres will ride for free: notify the driver of the destination when boarding.

City Hall, the Social Services office at 178 Charlotte St., the Peterborough Public Library and the Peterborough Museum and Archives are open regular hours. The Provincial Offences Office at 99 Simcoe St. reopened on Friday.

Recreation facilities have returned to regular, full operations, including arenas, the pool and community centres.

The Art Gallery of Peterborough is closed for unscheduled maintenance until Sunday.

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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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Peterborough Man Arrested On Several Drug Trafficking Charges

A 45-year-old Peterborough man wanted on a warrant is facing multiple drug trafficking charges after a search during an arrest that occurred on Thursday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 4 p.m., Community FIRST Unit officers spotted a man wanted on a warrant for failing to comply with probation. The suspect attempted to run but police caught up and took him into custody. 

During a search after arrest, officers seized:

• 48.3 grams - Fentanyl

• 10.9 grams – Crystal Methamphetamine

• 34.8 grams - Cocaine

• 86.7 grams – Unknown Substance

• Cell phone, scale, small bags and tin foil

• Canadian currency

The man was arrested on the strength of the warrant and further charged with:

• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking - Methamphetamine

• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking- Other Drugs (Fentanyl)

• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking - Cocaine

The accused is being held in custody and will appear in court on Friday.

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Art Gallery of Peterborough Temporarily Closed For Maintenance

The Art Gallery of Peterborough is closed to the public for unscheduled maintenance until Sunday.

File Photo.

It is expected to reopen to the public on Wednesday at its regular hours of 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.  

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City Urges Residents to Reduce Water Intake

Residents are asked to reduce their water use due to the high volume of rainwater runoff entering the City of Peterborough Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Due to recent weather conditions stemming from last weekend’s ice storm, the wastewater treatment system is experiencing increased wet weather water volume. This increase in water flow is due to recent heavy rain and ongoing ice melt in the region, with more rain forecasted for this weekend.  

Weather conservation helps alleviate the pressure on the sewage pumping stations and treatment plant according to the City.

Residents can help conserve water by:

• Turning off taps: Don’t leave water running while brushing teeth or washing dishes.

• Shorten showers: Aim for shortened showers instead of baths, and shower in the evening if possible.

• Delay unnecessary laundry: Wait to run washing machines until there is a full load and wash clothes later in the evening.

• Fix leaks: Even small drips can waste significant amounts of water.

• Reuse water wherever possible.

The drinking water system remains unaffected by the ice storm that hit the region last weekend. The quality of the City’s drinking water continues to be safe and maintained without disruption.

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Ontario Raising Minimum Wage On Oct. 1

In an effort to support workers and businesses, the Ontario government is increasing the minimum wage from $17.20 to $17.60 an hour effective Oct. 1.

Screenshot.

This annualized wage increase of 2.4 per cent, based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index (CPI), will bring Ontario’s minimum wage to the second-highest provincial rate in Canada.

“Our government will continue to have the backs of Ontario workers, investing in skills training and development and helping ensure that work pays,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Ontario’s minimum wage remains one of the highest in the country. Now more than ever, workers and businesses need fair, balanced and predictable wages.”

The provincial government says these changes will result in an annual pay increase of up to $835.00 for a worker making the general minimum wage and working 40 hours per week. Under the Employment Standards Act, Ontario’s minimum wage increases annually based on the Ontario CPI, a measure of inflation that represents changes in prices experienced by Ontario consumers.

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Women’s Adventures in Golf Opens Registration For 2025 Season

Women’s Adventures in Golf (WAG) has officially opened registration for its 2025 season with six events scheduled, announced Wednesday evening.

Photo courtesy of WAG.

The six-event series is designed for women of all skill levels. It also has a charitable aspect, as in 2024, WAG raised over $5,000 for five local charities and welcomed more than 200 women.

“WAG was created to open the doors of golf for women by creating a relaxed and fun atmosphere that is inviting, warm and accepting,” said Susan Williamson, WAG founder. “Supporting each other as we learn the nuances of the game is the goal of WAG. The themed focus allows women to laugh and recognize that we all start at the same place in the sport.”

Women can design their own experience by choosing their rounds, adding cart or lunch options and can select their playing format. Each 18-hole shotgun scramble event includes a light-hearted themed game with prizes and optional donations to a local charity to grant an advantage in the game.

2025 Event Lineup:

• May 18 – Pre-Season Social @ Rolling Grape Vineyard

• May 24 – Jailbreak Round @ Warkworth GC

• June 22 – She CAN Round @ LiftLock GC

• July 13 – Wheel of Life Round @ Katchiwano GC

• August 24 – Jetsetter Round @ Heron Landing GC

• September 14 – Mystery at the Club @ Katchiwano GC

Participants can register as individuals or in groups of up to four. Registration can be done online or by emailing info@golfwithwag.ca.

Photo courtesy of WAG.

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City Conducting Wellness Checks For Vulnerable Residents

The City of Peterborough Social Services division and Ontario Search and Rescue Volunteer Association (OSARVA) members are checking in on the City’s most vulnerable residents after last weekend’s ice storm that hit the area.

Photo by Aaron Elliott.

The City is actively tracking the power outage status of community housing providers. Prioritizing seniors, residents with disabilities and vulnerable residents, OSARVA members conduct door-to-door wellness checks and deliver food hampers.

“In times like these, the strength of our community shines through. Volunteers from the Ontario Search and Rescue Volunteer Association, City staff, and organizations like Kawartha Food Share have stepped up to ensure that our most vulnerable residents are safe, fed, and supported,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Thank you to everyone who has given their time and energy to help those in need. Let’s all take a moment to check in on our neighbors, lend a hand where we can, and continue to care for one another as we recover from this storm.”

Food hampers are coordinated through Kawartha Food Share and Feed Ontario. Around 500 hamper boxes will be distributed within the next few days according to the City.

OSARVA members have also been providing support on warming buses and at the City’s warming centres, volunteering throughout the day and night alongside City social services staff.

Social Services staff have been operating out of the Healthy Planet Arena, providing referrals to residents looking for warmth, food and a space to charge their devices. The team has also been helping young children stay occupied and entertained while they are at warming centres. 

With power outages continuing, the City encourages residents to check in on neighbours and loved ones.

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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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Peterborough Woman Arrested For Stealing From Downtown Business and Punching An Employee

A 29-year-old Peterborough woman is facing charges including theft and assault after an incident at a downtown business on Wednesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 3:30 p.m., a disturbance occurred at a George Street and Murray Street area business. A woman had entered the business, taken items from the store including from a customer and punched an employee when asked to leave. The suspect left the scene after the hit.

Officers located a woman matching the description given to police across the street and took her into custody.

She was arrested and charged with:

• Assault

• Theft Under $5,000

• Fail to Comply with Probation Order

The accused is currently bound by a probation order with the following condition: to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.

She is being held in custody and will appear in court on Thursday.

Anyone with information is asked to call Peterborough Police at 705-876-1122 x555 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

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