Fleming College Partnership Offers Tuition-Free Training For PSWs and Rural Nurses Winter of 2027

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Fleming College and Scarborough Health Network (SHN) have partnered to provide tuition-free training to prepare new personal support workers and help current nurses develop skills to deliver care in rural and remote communities, beginning in the winter of 2027.

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

The project is supported by a $2.2 million investment from the Government of Ontario through the Skills Development Fund Training Stream.

Fleming expects to train 80 new personal support workers and provide specialized rural and remote nursing training to 30 Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses by June 30, 2027.

“This partnership brings together Scarborough Health Network’s health-care leadership and Fleming College’s expertise in applied, career-focused education,” said Dr. Theresa Knott, Interim President of Fleming College. “By removing financial barriers and providing learners with practical training and comprehensive supports, we are creating more accessible pathways into rewarding health-care careers while responding directly to workforce needs across Ontario.”

Through Fleming Continuing Education, the project offers two training streams:

  • Accelerated Personal Support Worker training: Participants will complete 12 weeks of theory-based instruction followed by a paid, 300-hour work placement. The accelerated format will help learners develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to enter the workforce quickly and confidently.

  • Rural and Remote Nursing micro-credential: Current Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses will complete three asynchronous courses taken concurrently over 14 weeks. The training will help nurses strengthen the specialized skills needed to provide care in rural and remote settings.

Tuition will be free for eligible participants. Personal support worker learners will also receive paid placements, while wraparound supports and stipends will help eligible participants overcome financial and personal barriers to completing their training.

“Building a strong and sustainable health-care workforce means creating opportunities for people to enter the field and supporting current professionals as they expand their skills,” said David Graham, President and CEO of Scarborough Health Network. “Together with Fleming College, we are helping more people access health-care training while preparing personal support workers and nurses to meet the needs of patients and communities.”

Recruitment will focus on eligible domestic participants, with targeted outreach to women, newcomers to Canada, racialized people, and members of underserved communities. Training may be delivered through multiple cohorts to provide participants with flexible entry points and appropriate learning supports.

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Woman Gets Charge Upgraded to First-Degree Murder For Matricide From June London Street Footbridge Incident

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Forty-five-year-old Sarah-Jayne Maier has her second-degree murder charge from June 12 upgraded to first-degree after her mother, 74-year-old Susan Maier, was pronounced dead at the hospital from injuries sustained during an incident.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Officers were called to the area of the London Street footbridge on the east side of the Otonabee River about a woman in the water on June 9. They pulled her out of the water and attempted life-saving measures but Susan was pronounced deceased at Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

After a follow-up investigation, Sarah-Jayne was arrested and charged with second-degree murder on June 12. Since then, she was re-arrested and charged with first-degree murder. The accused appeared in court on Aug. 4.

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Capable Con's Fifth Anniversary Celebrates Accessibility This Saturday at Quaker Foods City Square

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The Council for Persons with Disabilities (CPD) is celebrating the fifth anniversary of Capable Con to build understanding around accessibility and create opportunities for community connection in Peterborough this Saturday at Quaker Foods City Square.

Photo courtesy of CPD.

Held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the event is held during the final weekend of National Accessibility Awareness Week. The day brings together community members, families, advocates, and local organizations to focus on accessibility, inclusion and awareness.

The free community event will feature interactive activities, accessibility experiences, adaptive recreation demonstrations, local exhibitors, live performances, family activities, community resources and opportunities to connect with organizations from across the region.

Visitors can explore adaptive sports and recreation, accessible technology, sensory-friendly activities and presentations led by people with lived experience.

“Over the past five years, Capable Con has become an important community event that brings people together to learn more about accessibility, inclusion and the experiences of people with disabilities,” said Cody McIntyre, Chair of the Council for Persons with Disabilities. “Hosting the event during National Accessibility Awareness Week makes this milestone even more meaningful. We look forward to welcoming the community back for another year of learning, connection and celebration.”

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Kinsmen Club of Peterborough Donates $6,000 to Riverview Park and Zoo For Accessible Playground

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The Kinsmen Club of Peterborough has donated $6,000 to support the accessible playground project at Riverview Park and Zoo in a cheque presentation on Monday morning.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The proceeds were from the 2025 Father’s Day Classic Car Show and Fundraiser. 

The accessible playground project focuses on improving access, reducing steep slopes and enhancing play opportunities for visitors of all abilities. These upgrades include widened pathways between play areas for people using strollers and mobility devices, new surfaces throughout the playground to make getting around easier, and relaxing, shady spaces with great sightlines to make it more comfortable for visitors and their caregivers.

Riverview Park and Zoo, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Peterborough, is raising $1.5 million through Project ROAR, a community-driven campaign to support the development of a fully accessible and inclusive playground. 

“The Kinsmen Club of Peterborough’s contribution is helping advance efforts to improve accessibility and play opportunities at Riverview Park and Zoo,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Through Project ROAR, and with support from community partners and donors, this work is moving forward to create a more accessible playground that better supports residents and visitors. Donations raised through community events like the Father’s Day Classic Car Show hosted by the Kinsmen Club of Peterborough continue to play an important role in this progress.” 

Project ROAR is dedicated to transforming the Riverview Park and Zoo playground into an inclusive space for all. Donations can be made online or by visiting the Rotary Club of Peterborough’s website.

The Kinsmen Club of Peterborough is hosting the Father’s Day Classic Car Show and Fundraiser again on June 21 at Riverview Park and Zoo, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event features live music, a BBQ, a prize table and a 50/50 draw. Admission is by donation. A rain date has been scheduled for June 28. 

Those wishing to participate in the Classic Car Show must register their vehicle. 

Registration can be completed online or by contacting Barry Craft at 705-292-5171 or bcraft@nexicom.net. Advanced online registration is open. The fee to register is $10. Participants can also register vehicles at the gate on the day of the event, beginning at 8 a.m. The registration fee at the gate is $15. 

All vehicle entries must be model year 1999 or older. 

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City Hosting Public Drop-In Session For Riverview Park and Zoo Accessible Playground

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Residents are invited to learn about proposed upgrades to the accessible playground at Riverview Park and Zoo and provide feedback to help shape the project.

Photo courtesy of the Rotary Club of Peterborough.

A public drop-in session will take place on April 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Rotary Education Centre in the Riverview Park and Zoo. Project staff will be available to answer questions and gather feedback from residents on the proposed accessibility improvements.

A public survey is also available online. Paper copies are available at City Hall (500 George St. N.) The survey will be open until 11:59 p.m. on May 1.

Accessible playground upgrades are part of a multi-year project focused on reducing steep slopes and improving access to the existing playground.  

Riverview Park and Zoo, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Peterborough, is working to raise $1.5 million to bring this vision to life. Project ROAR, a community-driven fundraising campaign, will support the development of an accessible, inclusive playground. 

“This project is about making sure every visitor to Riverview Park and Zoo has the opportunity to play, explore and feel included while enjoying the playground,” said Community Services co-chairs Councillor Lesley Parnell and Councillor Alex Bierk in a joint statement. “We encourage residents to share their ideas to help shape a space that reflects the needs of our community and supports a more accessible and welcoming experience for everyone.” 

Donations to support the Playground Accessibility Project can be made online.

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The 54th-Annual Easter Seals Telethon to Support Children With Disabilities Hits the Air On March 22

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The 54th-annual Easter Seals Telethon fundraiser to support children with physical disabilities is set for March 22, announced at Lansdowne Place on Wednesday morning.

(From left to right) Stuart Harrison, Easter Seals Telethon host; Zoe Gibbbons, Easter Seals Ontario Ambassador for Peterborough-Durham and Sarah-Lynn Gibbons, Zoe’s mother. The Gibbons were active partipants in the 40th annual Carl Oake Rotary Swim on Friday morning. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Proceeds go towards Easter Seals Ontario so that children and youth with physical disabilities have access to the tools and opportunities they need to thrive. The Telethon airs live from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on YourTV and Global Peterborough. The Telethon brings together stories, community voices and fundraising efforts to support Easter Seals kids across the region.

This year’s Easter Seals Ambassador (representing Peterborough-Durham) is seven-year-old Zoe Gibbons from Ajax. This is her second year participating in Easter Seals Ontario but her first as an ambassador.

Zoe was born with a rare condition known as congenital disorder of glycosylation type 2 (CDG Type-2) at birth and requires a wheelchair for mobility. She was the 49th person in the world to be given the diagnosis, according to her mother, Sarah-Lynne Gibbons.

“That's when the sugars and proteins, that mechanism is broken on one of her X chromosomes so there's a 50/50 chance that it can affect every system and organ in her body,” she explained.

Zoe uses her eyes and a Tobii Dynavox communication device to interact with others.

“There's heat sensors on the bottom so if she focuses on something long enough (like on one of the boxes), then it speaks out loud,” said Sarah-Lynn. “It's really cool. It took a really long time for us to advocate because it's one of those things that's hard to get covered but we did and we haven't stopped chatting since.”

The Gibbons were recipients of the Incontinence Grant through Easter Seals Ontario which is awarded to families with children who are diapered at the age of three and beyond.

“They also help with camps for all abilities and equipment so equipment that isn't covered by the government comes with a heavy price tag,” said Sarah-Lynne.

@ptbo_canada The 54th-annual Easter Seals Telethon is set for March 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.! Proceeds are for Easter Seals Ontario for children with physical disabilities access to tools and opportunities to thrive. #ptbocanada #journalism #fyp #news #eastersealscanada ♬ original sound - PTBOCanada

Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP and Jeff Leal, Peterborough mayor, were in attendance for the launch. Leal had declared March to be Easter Seals Month in the City of Peterborough.

Throughout the month, Easter Seals Ontario invites the community to several fundraising events. This includes the Boston Pizza Celebrity Serving Event (1164 Chemong Rd.) on Sunday and the Peterborough Petes Alumni Celebrity Hockey Classic on March 12 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

“It's amazing to see the community to come together the way it does and for everyone to show up, it's pretty incredible,” she said.

Donations can be made online.

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PHOTOS: Special Olympics Athletes Have a Ball At TASSS's Regional Bocce Tournament

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Over 100 athletes gathered to compete at the regional Special Olympics Bocce Tournament at Thomas A Stewart Secondary School (TASSS) on Friday.

There were 22 teams from Peterborough and the Kawarthas that competed at the event. Schools included St. Peter CSS, Crestwood SS, Kenner CVI, Adam Scott CVI, Norwood DHS, Holy Cross SS, and Thomas A Stewart SS at this year’s tournament.

An opening ceremony was held prior to the tournament, featuring TASSS band Tommy and the Stewarts and a performance from the TASSS Dance Program.

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City of Peterborough’s Corporate Accessibility Policy Seeking Public Contributions and Input

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The City of Peterborough is inviting residents to provide input into its Corporate Accessibility Policy update.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

According to the City, the Corporate Accessibility Policy will help strengthen and standardize accessible service delivery across all City departments. By providing staff with consistent guidance and improving procedural access to City services, the policy promotes equity, inclusion and customer-focused service. 

The update ensures the City continues to meet current accessibility legislation, adopts modern best practices, and applies accessibility principles consistently across all City programs, services, and operations. 

Residents can review the proposed policy and share their thoughts through the Connect Peterborough page.

The draft policy can be viewed under the ‘documents’ section on the webpage. Comments can be submitted directly through the online portal. 

Any feedback received will be used to inform the final policy and revise language where necessary. All comments will be reviewed by the Program Manager of Accessibility Standards and Integration and the Accessibility Advisory Committee before the policy is presented to City Council for final review. 

The public comment period will remain active until Feb. 27. 

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Score For The Zoo Hockey Tournament Raises Funds For Accessible Playground Project At Riverview Park and Zoo

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The Score for the Zoo hockey tournament has raised $8,000 for the Rotary Club of Peterborough’s Accessible Playground project at Riverview Park and Zoo. 

The Riverview Park and Zoo, in partnership with The Rotary Club of Peterborough, has committed to raising $1.5 million to bring their vision of a fully accessible playground at the zoo to life. The Rotary Club has pledged to match every donation made to the project, up to $125,000.

More details can be found online.

@ptbo_canada Score For The Zoo hockey tournament raises funds for the Rotary Club of Peterborough’s Accessible Playground Project at Riverview Park and Zoo! 🛝🥅 #ptbocanada #accessibility ♬ Reflections on 52nd - AGM3

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Canadian Council of the Blind Receives $1,250 Donation From AON Inc.

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AON Inc. has donated over $1,200 to the Canadian Council of the Blind Peterborough Chapter at a cheque presentation Monday.

photo courtesy of The Canadian council of the blind.

The donation will go towards the continued support of the local blind community; providing visual aids for those with vision-loss.

“On behalf of the Canadian Council of the Blind Peterborough chapter, thank you to AON Corporation and The Gardens for your generous donation and continued support. Your kindness makes a real difference in the lives of blind and visually impaired people in our community,” said Christel Galachiuk, Chair of the Canadian Council of the Blind Peterborough. “Because of partners like you, we are able to provide connection, advocacy and meaningful programs that help people live more independent and fulfilling lives. We are truly grateful for your generosity and belief in our mission.”

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