Teams Of Veterans, First Responders And Civilians Arrive In Peterborough With Team Rubicon To Help With Storm Clean Up

The City of Peterborough welcomes Team Rubicon Canada to Peterborough to assist eligible property owners with tree and green waste clean-up as part of storm recovery efforts following the May 21, windstorm.

Team Rubicon Canada at its first Disaster Training Camp in Prince George BC, May 9, 2022. Photo courtesy of Team Rubicon Canada.

Team Rubicon Canada is a registered charity and volunteer-based disaster response organization that sends skilled disaster response teams into areas requiring assistance. The teams are made up of Canadian Military veterans, first responders and passionate civilians who have the expertise and specialized equipment to quickly assess damage to properties and put together a safe work plan at no cost to homeowners.

Team Rubicon teams will be deployed in the City of Peterborough for the next few weeks to assist eligible residents with tree and green waste clean-up.

Services are being offered to City of Peterborough residents who own and occupy their property and currently receive the City of Peterborough Property Tax Assistance Program, according to the following qualification following qualifications:

• Low Income Senior aged 65 years or older receiving benefits under the Guaranteed Income Supplement or the Guaranteed Annual Income System.

• Low Income Senior aged 55-64 with a combined taxable income of less than $30,000 per year.

• Low Income Person with a Disability receiving benefits under the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).

Eligible residents who would like assistance from Team Rubicon can complete a request form online at https://arcg.is/iSqOX or dial 211 to request service by phone. 211 is a 24/7 helpline that assists residents access community, social and government services.

Team Rubicon will only assist with cleanup of tree debris and limbs that are on the ground.

They will saw fallen trees, branches and brush that are on the ground into sizes that comply with the City’s Green Waste Collection program wherever possible and move the debris to the curb for Green Waste Collection. Material that exceeds the size or weight for Green Waste Collection may be collected through a Special Green Waste Collection that will take place several weeks later, when the City has the resources available.

 “Even with the extraordinary support our community has provided one another, there are still residents who are struggling to deal with downed trees and property damage,” remarked Mayor Diane Therrien. “This dedicated group of trained volunteers will thankfully be able to assist our residents who might not be able to afford to hire help. The City is grateful for the support that Team Rubicon will offer residents, and grateful to 211 Ontario for their support.”

Each Team Rubicon team will make arrangements with the property owner to undertake any work on site before work begins. Team Rubicon operates independently from the Corporation of the City of Peterborough.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to be working with the City of Peterborough during this challenging time for the community,” said Dave McAllister, Director of Programs and Operations for Team Rubicon Canada. “Our teams are on the ground and ready to put their disaster response skills to work to support the residents of Peterborough and help accelerate their recovery in the wake of this disaster.”

 

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Peterborough Regional Health Centre Offering Fast Pass Screening Options For Patients And Essential Caregivers

Beginning Wednesday, Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) will offer a fast pass screening option for patients and essential caregivers at both the main entrance and the Emergency Department (ED) entrance.

File Photo.

Upon arrival, those who have completed the screening tool will be asked to show their pass on either a device screen or in printed form to enter the hospital building.

The regular screening process will continue to be offered for those who do not complete the fast pass process. All patients and caregivers are strongly encouraged to use the fast pass tool to expedite their entry into the hospital.

All patients and caregivers continue to be required to wear a hospital-provided, medical-grade mask at all times when inside the Health Centre, except in the designated area of the cafeteria, where masks may be removed to eat or drink.

A new, after-hours screening process will also begin at the hospital’s main entrance only on Monday. Between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., anyone requesting access through this entrance must use the buzzer to contact Security and be screened before they are permitted to enter the building.

The ED entrance will continue to be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with fast pass and regular screening available. This entrance is reserved for patients/caregivers who are coming to the ED or to Labour & Delivery.

The pre-screening tool is available online at prhcscreening.ca and can be completed anytime within the 24 hours before the patient or caregiver comes to the hospital.

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Mayor Diane Therrien Proclaims May 29 - June 4 As National AccessAbility Week In Peterborough

Mayor Diane Therrien proclaimed the week of May 29 to June 4 as National AccessAbility Week in the City of Peterborough, on Monday at City Hall.

"People with disabilities continue to lead the way in making our communities more accessible for everyone,” stated Phil Mechetuk, Chair of the City of Peterborough’s Accessibility Advisory Committee. "On behalf of the City’s Accessibility Advisory Committee, I invite everyone to take time this week to recognize the contributions that people with disabilities have made. Let's keep working together for a more inclusive future.”

The theme of National AccessAbility Week 2022 is “Inclusion from the start.” This week, the City of Peterborough is launching the public consultation for its updated Accessibility Plan, a new five-year road map to help make Peterborough more accessible and welcoming for everyone. The plan will help set priorities to identify, remove and prevent barriers in City programs, services and facilities.

Residents can learn about the City’s Accessibility Plan and provide their input using this City’s community consultation website to complete a survey, mark accessibility barriers on a map and share accessible housing ideas online at connectptbo.ca/AccessibilityPlan.

The community consultation is open from June 1 to August 31. Hard copies of the survey are available at City Hall, 500 George St. N. To provide feedback by phone, please call 705-742-7777 ext. 1785.

Also, in light of National AccessAbility Week, The Capable Crew will be at the VentureNorth building on George Street on Saturday.

The Capable Crew, presented by The Council for Persons With Disabilities, is a fictional group of superheroes that use their disability as their superpower.

Capable Con welcomes anyone to attend the free, outdoor event on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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Peterborough Woman Share Tips On Making Virtual Meetings More Accessible For Deaf And Hard Of Hearing People On Global Accessibility Awareness Day

Thursday marks the 11th annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day and Peterborough woman Barb Downey hopes to provide insight about making virtual meetings more accessible for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing.

Barb Downey working at her desk at DeafBlind Ontario Services in Peterborough. Photo courtesy of DeafBlind Ontario, Peterborough.

Downey, a Facilitator of Community Services at DeafBlind Ontario Services in Peterborough, communicates using American Sign Language (ASL).

Downey notes that while video communications platforms like Zoom bridge distances, making meetings, gatherings, and events around the world more inclusive, they can also create new challenges for people that communicate using sign language.

“ASL is my first language. In a virtual environment, it is important that I communicate with the translation of an interpreter, rather than through the chat function,” said Downey, through an interpreter.

When it comes to virtual meetings, being able to clearly see the interpreter is essential to communication, says Downey. She points out that smaller Zoom meetings make it easier for other participants, and herself, to see her interpreter.

“While in large online settings, there are many thumbnail displays of people, sometimes a couple pages of them. If a person does not identify themselves, I may not know who is speaking. The same goes for people that talk over one another, making it difficult for the interpreter to translate everyone. This means I may miss important information, which also happens when the meeting freezes or lags, creating a barrier to communication,” she said.

Thursday marks the 11th annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day. This day aims to raise awareness about digital (web, mobile, software, etc.) access and a commitment to inclusion for more than one billion people around the world with diverse abilities.

“Technology has come a long way in bridging the gap and helping Deaf people connect from afar. However, in my opinion, there is more that can be done to make virtual meetings and events more inclusive,” said Downey.

According to Downey, some ways to make virtual meetings more accessible include scheduling frequent breaks.

“The hearing population can look away from the online meeting and still listen to the conversation or presentation. While someone who is Deaf must focus and constantly watch the screen. After long periods of time, this can strain your eyes and be tiring.”

Avoiding screensharing for long periods of time is important, she says, as that takes over the main screen and shrinks the interpreters window.

It is also important to look and speak directly to the person who is deaf, not to the interpreter.

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City Services Open In Peterborough On Victoria Day

For Victoria Day on Monday many City services and facilities will be operating under holiday hours or will be closed for the holiday.

Photo by Luke Best.

There are no changes to curbside garbage and recycling collection.

Public washrooms in City parks are open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The facilities in Jackson Park close daily at 5 p.m. Visitors at Del Crary Park can access washroom facilities at the Marina.

Splash pads are open daily from noon to 7 p.m. There will be no lifeguard supervision at the Beavermead Park or Rogers Cove beaches until June 25.

Open

• Transit will operate on a Sunday/Holiday service schedule on Monday, May 23

• Peterborough Marina at 92 George St. N. is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Peterborough Museum and Archives at 300 Hunter St. E. is open noon to 5 p.m.

• Sport and Wellness Centre at 775 Brealey Dr. is open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• The Kinsmen Civic Centre is open from noon to 10 p.m. for scheduled user groups.

• Public Works can be reached at 705-745-1386. This line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• Recycling Depot at 390 Pido Rd. is open 24 hours (self-serve)

Closed

• City Hall, including Building Services, the Clerk’s Office and the Tax Office

• Arenas division office

• Art Gallery of Peterborough at 250 Crescent St.

• City-operated child care centres

• Grant Thornton Box Office and Peterborough Memorial Centre (The box office is normally closed on Mondays. Visit online 24 hours a day, seven days a week at memorialcentre.ca for information and tickets)

• Hazardous and Electronic Waste Depot at 400 Pido Rd. (The Hazardous and Electronic Waste Depot’s normal operating schedule is Wednesday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

• Healthy Planet Arena at 911 Monaghan Rd.

• Landfill at 1260 Bensfort Rd.

• Peterborough Public Library at 345 Aylmer St.

• Provincial Offences Act office at 99 Simcoe St.

• Social Services office at 178 Charlotte St. (For after-hours emergencies for Social Services, please call 705-926-0096)

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The Council For Persons With Disabilities Opens Auditions For The Capable Crew Superheroes

The Council for Persons with Disabilities is looking for six volunteers to dress up and become The Capable Crew Superheroes! The Capable Crew is a bunch of ‘everyday superheroes’ living with disabilities, and their mission is to celebrate differences and promote inclusivity.

(LEFT TO RIGHT) ANDREA DODSWORTH, CPD CHAIR; MPP DAVE SMITH; LESLIE YEE; AKIRA, YEE’S GUIDE DOG; CPD VICE-CHAIR AND MINISTER RAYMOND CHO DRESSED IN CAPES TO HIGHLIGHT THE HEROES INVOLVED WITH CPD. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

This is a volunteer position for individuals who would like to support the disability community through meaningful interaction with both kids and adults. Applicants looking to apply should also have the following requirements and skills:

• Outgoing and good with kids.

• Knowledge about disability through lived experience and/or study.

• Ability to facilitate discussions about disability with both children and adults.

• Public speaking is considered an asset.

• Police Record Check for Vulnerable Sector.

The Council For Persons With Disabilities is looking for individuals who may or may not have disabilities including but not limited to, limb loss, vision loss, hearing loss, autism, and/or rely on the use of a wheelchair. In all instances, they are looking for the person who can best portray the role regardless of height, weight, ethnicity, etc. Those roles are:

1. Vision Loss. A non-binary character with a guide dog. Well-spoken leader of the group. An individual who identifies with the First Nations Community is considered an asset.

2. Hearing Loss. A female-presenting skateboarder. Confident and spunky. Sign Language is considered an asset.

3. Mobility. A male-presenting character with no amputations. Adventurous and determined. A wheelchair can be provided.

4. Limb Loss. A female-presenting gymnast with limb loss. Optimistic and proud.

5. Autism. A male-presenting verbally outgoing character.* Outspoken and not afraid to speak their mind.

6. Autism. A female-presenting quiet character. Soft-spoken but not shy. *Twins or lookalikes are considered an asset.

“These auditions are a precursor to our big event called Capable Con,” said John McNutt, Executive Director of CPD. “This is an excellent initiative that shows the community of Peterborough that everyone is capable.”

Auditions will take place on April 13 from 3 - 6 p.m. at the Venture North building’s ground level, 270 George St, N.

For more information contact info@pcpd.ca or at 705-874-8661.

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City Of Peterborough Consulting the Public On Creation Of A Municipal Services Corporation For Affordable Housing

The City of Peterborough is consulting with the public on the creation of a Municipal Services Corporation for Affordable Housing to allow it to manage the debt needed to build affordable housing in the community.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Housing Corporation.

The public is invited to review the information about the project and provide feedback at connectptbo.ca/msc.

Setting up a Municipal Services Corporation, or MSC, would allow the City to retain control over future housing development projects. As well, a MSC that operates as a Government Business Enterprise (GBE) would alleviate debt capacity issues for the City, which would enable new approaches to developing rental housing.

Results of this consultation will be included with recommendations for the creation of the Municipal Services Corporation in a report that is expected to be considered by Council in May.

More information, including background on Municipal Services Corporations and previous reports to Council are available at connectptbo.ca/msc.

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Property Tax Relief For Low Income Seniors And Low Income Persons With Disabilities In County Of Peterborough

Peterborough County Council passed a by-law to allow for relief of a residential tax increase in 2022, 2023 or 2024 for Low Income Seniors and Low Income Persons with Disabilities.

Stock Photo.

A Low Income Person with a Disability must submit an application with evidence of the receipt of benefits being paid under the Ontario Disability Support Program Act, 1997, or a disability amount paid under the Family Benefits Act (Ontario) or a person receiving a Canada Pension Plan Disabilities Pension, and be eligible to claim a disability amount as defined under the Income Tax Act (Canada).

A Low Income Senior who is 65 years of age or older as of December 31st of the previous year and is in receipt of benefits paid under the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), as established under the Old Age Security Act (Canada).

Applications may be filed by an eligible person to the Treasurer of one of the Lower-Tier municipalities for the purpose of receiving relief of a tax increase in 2022, 2023, and 2024. The owner or spouse of the owner or both must occupy the property as their principal residence for which the application for tax relief is made.

Applications may be filed by eligible individuals with the Treasurer of the applicants local municipality by Nov. 15, 2022 for tax relief in 2022.

Eligible property owners are entitled to tax relief provided that the said tax increase for any single year exceeds $50.00 to a maximum relief of up to $200.00 in any given year, which the Municipal Treasurer may approve or deny.

Application forms are available on the County website at http://ptbocounty.ca or by contacting your Municipal Treasurer at the local municipal office below:

• Township of Asphodel-Norwood 705-639-5343

• Township of Cavan Monaghan 705-932-2929

• Township of Douro-Dummer 705-652-8392

• Township of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen 705-778-2308

• Township of North Kawartha 705-656-4445

• Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan 705-295-6852

• Township of Selwyn 705-292-9507

• Municipality of Trent Lakes 705-738-3800

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Peterborough Police Services Partners With Crime Stoppers To Release Colouring Book To Help Child Victims

The Peterborough Police Service and the Peterborough Northumberland Crime Stoppers have partnered on a new colouring book to assist in the Peterborough Police Victims Services Unit.

PC Dillon Wentworth and PSD Gryphon; Crime Stoppers Coordinator DC Keith Calderwood (Peterborough Police); Training Sergeant Ted Branch and PSD Mag; Victim Services Coordinator Alice Czitrom and PSD Pixie; Crime Stoppers Coordinator PC Greg Stokes (OPP); PC Bob Cowie and PSD Isaac. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Police Services.

“The colouring book is not just a way to help the community get to know the PPS working dogs, but a tool that officers can use to help with rapport building and communication with young people coming into contact with police. What we know is that colouring, drawing, reading and writing help with emotional expression and can be a great coping tool for children, teens and adults,” said Alice Czitrom, Victim Services Coordinator, Peterborough Police Service. “We are grateful to our partners at Peterborough Northumberland Crime Stoppers for their generous support for this project.”

The colouring book features the Peterborough Police Service Working Dogs Police Service Dogs (PSD) Isaac, Gryphon, and Mag and Facility Dog Pixie. It will be handed out to children who come into contact with police or find themselves at the police station.

“The Crime Stoppers Board of Directors and the Crime Stoppers coordinators were excited to partner with Peterborough Police Victim Services Unit on this project,” says Keith Calderwood, Peterborough Police Coordinator, Peterborough Northumberland Crime Stoppers. “Helping children through the colouring book and learning about the working dogs of Peterborough Police is a win-win.”

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Community Foundation Of Greater Peterborough Vital Signs Report Highlights Need To Advance Gender Equality

The Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough’s newly released Vital Signs report highlights the need to advance gender equality in our community.

CFGP board of directors. Photo courtesy of CFGP.

“The Kawartha World Issue Centre received a grant from the Foundation last year to conduct research into how our region is fairing on the issue of gender equality,” said Jennifer DeBues, executive director of CFGP.

Vital Focus: Gender Equality highlights some of the ways local women and gender diverse individuals have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, and how many are being left behind when it comes to accessing services and supports.

“The work of organizations and institutions locally needs to be informed by the voices of those left behind,” said Shaelyn Wabegijig, KWIC project coordinator. “There needs to be more accessible and flexible ways for those most impacted by inequalities to be heard and supported.”

KWIC executive director Sam Rockbrune says everyone has a role in advancing intersectional gender equality, and in order to address it we must address racial, social and economic inequalities.

The Vital Signs report ad grants to organizations like KWIC are ways CFGP spotlights these voices.

To get involved visit www.cfgp.ca or email info@cfgp.ca.

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