Peterborough Blogs
Voice of Business: The Call for Urgent Action on Homelessness
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A new campaign called “Solve the Crisis,” led by a group of Ontario Big City Mayors (OBCM) was presented at a conference in Ottawa, hosted by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).
The conference included members from several caucuses and brought together some big names such as the minister of housing, mental health and addictions, and the minister of health. Those in attendance were Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC), Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (WOWC), and Eastern Ontario Mayors’ Caucus (EOMC). The three caucuses announced their collective support for the “Solve the Crisis” campaign.
On a local note, Mayor Jeff Leal accepted a municipal innovation award on behalf of the city of Peterborough from the AMO. The award recognizes the city of Peterborough's innovative modular housing community project which started in 2023. The project helped to end a tent encampment of people experiencing homelessness on Wolfe Street. According to a CBC report, the modular housing project has successfully housed 47 people out of 50 units.
A report by AMO in 2023, found there were at least 1400 homeless encampments in Ontario communities. The encampments were situated in communities of any size, urban, small town rural, and northern Ontario. This eye-opening statistic set in motion the call for urgency in this crisis.
The leading organization is the OBCM which includes mayors of 29 cities with a population of 100,000 or more that makes up about 70 per cent of Ontario’s population. The OBCM thus advocates for issues and policies for Ontario’s largest cities.
At the conference the OBCM highlighted their demands for urgent action on homelessness and the opioid crisis, known as “Solve the Crisis.” The conference addressed the reality of an issue that continues to grow where municipalities do not have the sufficient resources and support to combat homelessness.
The campaign calls on specific demands from the provincial government and federal government. This involves creating a ministry responsible for overseeing housing needs and mental health supports, as well as a taskforce to develop an Ontario Action Plan. In addition, they’re asking for more funding, tools and resources to address homelessness.
During the conference, Health Minister the Hon. Sylvia Jones’ announced that the province would be investing $378 million into 19 new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) hubs which will add up to 375 supportive housing units. On top of this, the province has implemented a ban on consumption sites within 200 metres of a school or childcare centre. Several mayors from OBCM voiced their gratitude for further investment from the province. Mayor Patrick Brown of Brampton stating, “Grateful for the Ford government’s focus on treatment for addictions and not band-aid solutions. I share their concern about the proliferation of safe injection sites in area close to families and children. This needs to stop".
Looking ahead, the OBCM, and our own mayor, remain steadfast on tackling this crisis and collaborating with all levels of government. In an interview with the Peterborough examiner, Leal mentioned he has had productive conversations with the minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Micheal Tibollo’s to help address our local needs. Leal said, “we want to continue to impress upon the need to have additional funding, both from a treatment perspective and (for) supportive housing”.
The city of Peterborough has already received both federal and provincial funding for housing, drug supervision and treatment programs. These include the current supervised consumption site, affordable housing and a future residential treatment centre.
Locally, we met with Fourcast to get a better understanding of Peterborough’s Consumption and Treatment Services Site (CTS). Fourcast is the lead agency operating the CTS site here in Peterborough. The CTS which has been active since June 2022, has seen a large success in preventing overdoses according to their 2022-2023 report. While a CTS is controversial in recent news and from communities, Fourcast involves community perspectives from community and business leaders in their operations with a community committee. Therefore, any community concerns will be reviewed in the committee. If you would like to see the past year's report on the CTS, please click the following link.
While the AMO acknowledges there have been some positive steps towards action, more is needed to combat this growing problem. With the success from modular housing and our own supervised consumption site, it will be interesting to see which municipalities will have the HART hubs. Thanks to the OBCM and pressure from Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade across Canada, the homelessness crisis in Ontario is getting the attention it needs.
Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.
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Canadian Council of the Blind To Open New Office Sept. 12
/CCB Peterborough is bringing people together in the community with vision loss and with a new office space at 159 King St., Suite 206, on Sept. 12.
Photo courtesy of the Canadian Council of the Blind.
“We are so excited to have a new space in a great location accessible to our members. This is especially important for our From the Blind, For the Blind lending library that provides visual aids for those in need,” said Christel Galachiuk, CCB Peterborough co-chair.
Mayor Jeff Leal will deliver an address, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and member speeches. Chamber of Commerce members have been invited to attend the ceremony.
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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring The Willow Studio, Dietrich Homes, Gauvreau CPA and Summer Soul Yoga
/PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…
The Willow Studio is celebrating a grand re-opening on Sept.21.
Angela Demeester took over the business earlier in the summer and is celebrating the new venture with an open house that includes free classes all day, food and drinks, giveaways, and special offers. The Willow Studio offers beginner-friendly yoga and Pilates. As the mother of a son diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, Angela prioritizes accessibility with an accessible studio and she teaches adaptive yoga for children with disabilities. Drop by 1600 Lansdowne St. Wt. on Sept. 21 to see what The Willow Studio has to offer.
Local homebuilder Dietrich Homes is being recognized provincially for their great work.
They have been named as a finalist for two categories in the Ontario Home Builders’ Association 2024 Awards of Distinction. Dietrich Homes is a finalist for Builder of the Year in the Small Volume category and Production Built Home in the two storeys up to 2,500 square feet category. Winners will be announced on Sept. 24 in Niagara Falls. Being one among hundreds of submissions from top builders across the province, it’s great to see the team at Dietrich Homes recognized for their hard work and dedication to building quality homes in the region.
A big shout out to Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory which lead a record-breaking Gear up for Good drive.
They exceeded their goal of collecting 200 fully-stocked backpacks for local children in need, collecting a total of 208. A big thanks to seven local businesses that stepped up in support of the campaign: Domino's Pizza, Ricart Branded Apparel and Promo, Quaker, Eco Chalet Homes, Mirror Mirror Beauty Salon, Angela's Hair Co, and Hair Studio One. Great news as many kids head back to school this week.
Summer Soul Yoga and Wellness Studio is celebrating one year in business!
Located at 394 George St. N. in Downtown Peterborough, Summer Soul offers an experience that enhances your growth, boosts your happiness, and connects you to a supportive community. They even offer stand up paddleboard yoga on the lake. To celebrate their first year in business, they’re offering three free classes, live music with Deanna Earle, and a number of giveaways like four free months of yoga and Pilates. Find out more at summersoul.ca.
Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Smash Courts, Le Boat, Dan Joyce Clothing and The Local Show
/PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…
Smash Courts Pickleball Court and Sports Store is open at 799 Erskine Ave.
The pickleball and multi-sport court is available 24 hours a day through an online reservation system. They also have a dinking court and pickleball machine available for hourly rental. The store has all your top-of-the-line pickleball paddles, court shoes and accessories. They’ve recently been announced as an official Lululemon retailer. Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in Canada right now. Try it out by booking some court time and get the gear you need at their new sports store.
Want to see the stunning fall colours from the water?
Le Boat is extending its cruising season on the Trent-Severn Waterway through to Oct. 31, providing more opportunities to experience the breathtaking fall colours on Ontario’s picturesque waterway. Fall cruise highlights includes taking in tranquil Rice Lake, known for its fishing and traveling 56 km from the Le Boat base to the quaint community of Hastings at Lock 18. Book your experience at leboat.ca.
Dan Joyce Clothing is on the move!
After many years in downtown Peterborough at 87 Hunter Street, they are heading to 1525 Chemong Rd., right beside Shop The Lake. Dan Joyce Clothing has evolved as a beloved name in women’s fashion, crafting simple and timeless wardrobes that empower women. In 2022, owner Nancy Wiskel opened a second location in Apsley that offers relaxed casual styles. In the meantime, drop by the downtown location for some great deals and quality fashion. The Local Show is back on Sept. 14 for its second year.
Hosted by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce at Lansdowne Place, the show will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Local Show is an opportunity for new residents to see what the community has to offer and for longtime residents to rediscover what new businesses and services are available. Booths are still available for businesses looking to meet new customers with about 14,000 people expected to pass through the mall that day. Visit pkchamber.ca for more information.
Voice of Business: Exploring the Outcomes of Basic Income
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As global interest in Basic Income grows, Ontario's brief pilot offers insights and raises questions about the potential for more sustainable social assistance models.
This week on the VOB we are discussing Basic Income (BI) - a concept that proposes providing people with a livable income that helps improve housing and health outcomes. The brief pilot project in Ontario did not provide enough data to get a good idea of its impact. It’s time to look at alternatives to the current social assistance status quo and see if there are better models.
Basic income would be set at 75 per cent of the median income in Canada. BI operates through a negative income tax (NIT), by assessing an individual’s tax return where their earned income would be reduced by 50 cents per dollar. This would then determine the BI amount they could receive.
Ontario started its BI pilot project in the fall of 2017. BI aims to test how a livable income for couples and individuals would provide sustainability and how sustainability impacts employment, education, life, health, and financial security outcomes. An individual could receive up to $16,989 with an extra $500 monthly and couples could receive up to $24,000. Notably, BI would be a substitute for people on ODSP and OW.
The BI pilot project recruited 4,000 participants across three cities: Thunder Bay, Hamilton, and Lindsay. The pilot project was meant to last three years, but only lasted 18 months. The gross cost for the three years was $150 million.
Unfortunately, the pilot project was short-lived, and we could not fully analyze the impacts of the BI. These impacts could demonstrate labor market participation and healthcare use on BI. Additionally, no data collection was done on the control group that did not receive BI, limiting our ability to compare and observe whether economic and life conditions improved without BI.
After the shutdown of the BI pilot project, recipients went back to our current social assistance, which are Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). OW currently supplies up to $733 monthly and ODSP supplies up to $1368 a month. For someone trying to re-enter the labour market, $733 is extremely difficult to live on when a rental for a one-bedroom apartment in Peterborough is $1,173. ODSP can cover rent but with very little left over.
As taxpayers, we are concerned with the costs of these projects. If these projects come to fruition, will the cost increase taxes? Will we see a decrease in labour market participation? These are valid concerns from both business owners and taxpayers.
For context, the Ontario Government is currently spending $3.7 billion less than required to fund existing programs and announced commitments on social assistance until 2026, and as of this year, our budget is short $0.7 billion. The 2024-2025 budget stands at $214.5 billion with social assistance covering 9.3 per cent of the budget.
From a sample of 200 participants in Hamilton, there was 24 per cent of people who were unemployed before and during the pilot. 11 per cent were employed but became unemployed during the pilot. 6 per cent were employed before the pilot but became unemployed to pursue a post-secondary education. 5 per cent of participants found work while on the pilot project. In total, there were almost two-thirds of people worked with 54 per cent of people working before and during the pilot excluding the 5 per cent who found work while on the pilot. 35 per cent of people in total did not work during or before the pilot. What is noteworthy is the 11 per cent who were employed but became unemployed during the pilot.
The Ontario government spends $85 billion on healthcare annually. In the same survey, 33 per cent of respondents reported a reduction in hospital emergency room visits, and 83 per cent noted increased access to over-the-counter medications. With a third of participants reducing their hospital visits, this could alleviate the strain on our healthcare system and improve people’s standard of living by decreasing the frequency of visits from lower-income individuals. Such a shift could potentially lead to cost savings for taxpayers by reducing the need to service a higher volume of patients.
Short-term results from the BI pilot project indicate potential cost savings for our healthcare system and the reduced effects from the rising cost of living. It’s time to look at all the options when it comes to assisting those living on the margins.
Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.
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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Wildflower Bakery, Sidewalk Sale, Business Excellence Awards and Habitat for Humanity ReStore
/PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…
Are you interested in owning a local bakery?
Wildflower Bakery in Havelock is up for sale. This is an opportunity for an aspiring entrepreneur to buy their very own well-appointed bakery and café business with a great reputation. The owners are hoping to find someone to carry on what they’ve built. In the meantime, it’s business as usual as they continue baking amazing treats. Wildflower Bakery features hand-crafted organic bread and European-style pastries. Drop by 4 Oak St. in Havelock to try some delicious baked goods.
A correction to last week’s Business Beat – the downtown Peterborough end of summer sidewalk sale and block party is August 31.
Head downtown on the last Saturday in August to get some deals and find something unique. George Street will be closed between Simcoe and Hunter streets to make for a pedestrian-friendly area with some live music, giving it that block party feel. Get more info at theboro.ca.
The finalists are in for the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce 2024 Business Excellence Awards.
The annual awards publicly acknowledge and honour local businesses and business leaders in our community who go above and beyond. While the shortlist of finalists is out, recipients will be announced live at the awards ceremony on Oct. 29. The evening starts with a pre-show party at The Venue at 5:45 p.m. with the show starting at 7:30 p.m. at Showplace. Get your tickets at pkexcellence.ca.
The new Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Lakefield is officially open! The new Lakefield location provides Selwyn and the surrounding area with a spot to shop for great deals and donate previously enjoyed furniture and building products. Proceeds from the ReStore play a crucial role for Habitat for Humanity by covering the organization’s operating costs, ensuring all donations go straight to local housing projects. Habitat have been busy building, including recent developments at Leahy’s Lane Phase 1 and 2, providing 53 local families and individuals the opportunity to become homeowners. Help fund local affordable homebuilding projects by dropping by the ReStore at 3001 Lakefield Road.
Finalists Announced For Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce 2024 Business Excellence Awards
/Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce has announced the finalists for the 2024 Business Excellence Awards where the winners will be announced in a ceremony at The Venue on Oct. 29.
Photo courtesy of the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.
The awards publicly recognize and honour local businesses and business people who have demonstrated a passion for excellence.
The evening begins with a reception at The Venue, followed by the ceremony at Showplace Performance Centre. Megan Murphy will host the event, which will award prizes in 22 categories, including the prestigious Business Citizen of the Year.
“Excellence is out there, throughout our local business community in Peterborough and the Kawarthas,” says Sarah Budd, Chamber president and CEO. “It’s so important to recognize the hard work, innovation, resilience, and impact of our local businesses and business leaders, and this annual celebration does just that.”
Tickets are available online.
The following is a list of the 2024 Business Excellence Awards Finalists (listed alphabetically):
4-Under-40 Profiles, in memory of Kathy Windrem
Winning recipients:
Dr. Taylor Bonner
Joe Curry
Hillary Flood
Dylan Radcliffe
Businesswomen of the Year
Entrepreneur
Rosalea Terry (nectar co.)
Organization
Heidi Popov (Kawartha Gymnastics)
Business Citizen of the Year
(To be announced at the ceremony)
Business Student Leadership Prizes
Winning recipients:
Ali Jammal (Trent)
Joylyn Johnson D Souza (Trent)
Swarna Latha Mareedu (Fleming)
Commercial Development or Renovation
Ashburnham Realty (The Railyard Development)
The Canadian Canoe Museum
Holmes Riseley LLP (823 Park St. S.)
Customer First
The Boardwalk Board Game Lounge
Couture Candy
McLeod's EcoWater
Employer of the Year
Engage Engineering
Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory
New Beginnings Building Services
Entrepreneurial Spirit
Green Street Inc.
nectar co.
Wanderlight Alpaca Experience
Peterborough County Farm Family of the Year
Winner: Scott & Paula Cornish (Whiskey Lane Livestock)
Green Initiatives
Camp Kawartha
Cheeks Ahoy
Dietrich Homes
Health & Wellness
Acceptance Nurse Psychotherapy
Flow Spa
Trent Health in Motion
Hospitality
The Dirty Burger
Levantine Grill
Millbrook Mercantile
Local Focus
Lang Pioneer Village Museum
Market Hall Performing Arts Centre
OmniWorx Design
Marketing & Promotion
Cottage Country Lifestyle Magazine
Harmony for Healing
nectar co. - The Viral Keepsake Campaign
Micro Business
The Chocolate Rabbit
Millbrook Mercantile
Peterborough Disability Tax Services
Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year
Winner: Sama Noor Yousafzai (Goodies on Mews)
Not-for-Profit
Five Counties Children's Centre
Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region
Kawartha Gymnastics
Professional Services
Acceptance Nurse Psychotherapy
Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory
Holmes Riseley LLP
Retail
Dan Joyce's Retailing Limited
Paris Marine
Shop The Lake Inc.
Skilled Trades
New Beginnings Building Services
R & M Smith Contracting
Tom's Heating and Cooling
Tourism
Beachwood Resort
Kawartha Country Wines
Lang Pioneer Village Museum
