Sarah McLachlan Returns to Peterborough Memorial Centre On Nov. 9

Grammy and Juno-award winning artist Sarah McLachlan is returning to Peterborough and the Memorial Centre as part of her Fumbling Towards Ecstasy 30th Anniversary 2025 Canadian tour on Nov. 9.

Photo courtesy of Live Nation Entertainment.

Joining her is the acoustic harmony trio Tiny Habits for all listed dates.

“I’m really excited to bring the tour across Canada, it was so disappointing to have to cancel the 2024 tour due to my vocal health, and I’m grateful that we were able to reschedule,” said McLachlan. “I’m fully recovered and recharged and can’t wait to share the Fumbling Towards Ecstasy 30th Anniversary tour with my home country, and maybe a few new songs as well. This tour is a real walk down memory lane as Fumbling is a very special record for me... I’m hoping that the songs will bring back a lot of good memories for everybody.”

The tour celebrates McLachlan’s third studio album, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, first released Oct. 22, 1993.

One dollar per ticket sale will be donated to the non-profit Sarah McLachlan School of Music which provides music education and mentorship free to children and youth facing barriers to access.

PMC Scoop Ticket presales start Thursday at 10 a.m. with the apporpriate promo code.

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Two Brampton Men Arrested For Theft at a Home Depot; One Man Wanted On a Warrant

Two Brampton men have been arrested and charged with theft at a Home Depot, as reported on Thursday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 4:15 p.m. on Wednesday, officers saw two men matching a given description exiting Home Depot and took them into custody.  

During the investigation, officers were informed of an incident that occurred on April 8, in which two men entered the store, paid for only some of the items in their cart at the self-checkout and then left. 

A 57-year-old Brampton man wanted on a warrant for multiple theft incidents between August 2024 and April 2025 was arrested in Peterborough on Wednesday.

On the strength of the warrant, he was arrested and charged with:

• Theft under $5,000 x15

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

The second man, a 27-year-old Brampton man was charged with:

• Theft under $5,000 x3

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court May 27.

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PVNC Concludes Naming Consultation; No Change to Board Name

After several months of public consultation, the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board has decided not to proceed with a name change, announced on Thursday.

File Photo.

The consultation invited thousands of students, families, staff and community members to share their perspectives on whether the Board’s name should change. After consideration, no single name got enough support to proceed

The consultation process was conducted as part of the Board’s broader multi-year strategic planning process. No additional costs were incurred.

“We committed to a transparent process and took the time to listen to our communities,” said Stephen O’Sullivan, Director of Education. “What we heard was a deep pride in Catholic education and strong connections to our Board’s identity. We may not have reached consensus on a new name, but the feedback we received was thoughtful and sincere, and the engagement from our communities was deeply appreciated.”

“We were encouraged by the number of people who engaged with this process and by the passion they shared from every part of our Board,” said Kevin MacKenzie, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees. “It’s clear that our communities care deeply about Catholic education and the future of PVNC Catholic. We want to thank everyone who took the time to participate.”

Despite maintaining the name, PVNC states that a visual brand refresh—including a new logo—will occur in the months ahead as part of the Board’s ongoing strategic planning efforts.

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Peterborough Petes Hold Number One Pick In 2025 OHL U18 Priority Selection; Team Takes Two Players

The Peterborough Petes selected two players in the 2025 OHL U18 Priority Selection that included first-overall pick Sebastian Dzieciol on Wednesday.

Sebastian Dzieciol. Photo courtesy of Jordan MacDonald and the Peterborough Petes.

The 6’, 182 lbs centre from Ottawa, featured in 28 games for the Ottawa Myers Automotive U18’s this season, scoring 13 goals and adding 15 assists for 28 points. In the playoffs, he played in 13 games, scoring three goals and recording six assists for nine points, which helped Myers win the HEO U18 Championship. In the U18 AAA Ontario Championships, Dzieciol played in five games, picking up an assist. 

“Sebastian is a big, strong forward who isn’t afraid to play physical and battle for the puck,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “He was a big part of Myers HEO Championship this season, leading the team in scoring during the season and in the playoffs.” 

“I am very honoured and excited to be selected by the Petes,” said Dzieciol. “I am looking forward to being a part of the team and learning and contributing as best I can.”

With the 21st overall pick in the second round, Peterborough selected forward Jayden Mercier from the Upper Canada Cyclones U18.

Jayden Mercier. Photo courtesy of Dan Hickling and the Peterborough Petes.

“Jayden is a strong forward who uses his size well,” said Oke. “He’s a good skater who plays hard and isn’t afraid to go into the corners.”

Mercier, a left winger from Rockland, played in 30 games for the Upper Canada Cyclones U18’s this season, scoring 15 goals and adding eight assists for 23 points. In 11 playoff games for the Cyclones, he scored four goals and added six assists for 10 points, helping his team to the HEO Championship Series.

“It’s literally a dream come true,” exclaimed Mercier. “I can’t believe it. I have been working hard my whole life for this and it hasn’t been easy. It’s a dream come true to be drafted by the Petes.”

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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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