Ontario Minimum Wage Increased to $17.95
/To support over 700,000 workers, the Ontario Government has raised the minimum wage from $17.60 to $17.95 an hour, effective immediately.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Peterborough Blogs
OLG Makes First-Quarter Payment of Over $710,000 to The City of Peterborough
/Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has made its first-quarter payment of $715,551 to the City of Peterborough for hosting Shorelines Casino Peterborough, announced on Wednesday.
Since 1994, host communities have received more than $2.4 billion in non-tax gaming revenue. File Photo.
The fourth quarter ran from April 1 to June 30. Peterborough has received $18,461,887 since the Shorelines opened in October 2018.
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.
“OLG sharing these gaming revenues directly with Peterborough allows our community to invest in the local priorities that matter most to residents,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “From boosting community services to maintaining local infrastructure, these quarterly host payments from Shorelines Casino Peterborough are a key part of protecting and enhancing the critical services our families rely on every day.”
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OLG Makes Fourth-Quarter Payment of Nearly $600,000 to The City of Peterborough
/Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has made its fourth-quarter payment of $597,293 to the City of Peterborough for hosting Shorelines Casino Peterborough, announced on Friday.
Since 1994, host communities have received more than $2.3 billion in non-tax gaming revenue. File Photo.
The fourth quarter ran from Jan. 1 to March 31. Peterborough has received $17,746,336 since the Shorelines opened in October 2018.
During OLG’s fiscal year of April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, Peterborough has received $2,651,125.
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.
“OLG shares revenues with host gaming municipalities to help them invest in local priorities, including community services and infrastructure,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “These payments generated at Shorelines Casino Peterborough are part of our government’s commitment to support municipalities and to protect what matters most – those critical services families rely on.”
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City of Peterborough Adopts 2026 Budget
/The City of Peterborough’s 2026 Budget was adopted during a City Council meeting Monday, setting a financial plan to maintain current service levels and continue investments in municipal infrastructure.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
To help reduce the property tax increase next year, Council supported using an additional $3 million from the Legacy Fund Income Retention reserve account, a reserve fund that holds revenue or interest earned on investments made using the proceeds of the sale of assets of Peterborough Distribution Inc. Council has identified the Legacy Fund Income reserve as a way to reduce the tax increase and recommended several other changes during its budget deliberation meetings in November. The $3 million injection reduced the tax requirement in the 2026 Budget by 1.32 per cent.
The City’s 2026 Budget reflects an operating budget increase of 2.11 per cent, a 2.16 per cent increase for infrastructure and capital needs, a 0.53 per cent increase in the sanitary sewer fee and a 1.76 per cent increase related to external agencies that the City funds.
The 6.56 per cent all-inclusive rate increase, including the municipal, education, and sanitary sewer surcharge rates, amounts to about $28.31 per month for the median residential property.
“Thanks to all residents who called, emailed and spoke to City Council to provide their perspectives on the budget,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Everyone’s input is incredibly helpful to meet our service requirements and ensure that our capital investment is sufficient to repair, rebuild and renew Peterborough’s capital infrastructure.”
The 2026 Budget includes $453.9 million in municipal services spending and $139.2 million in capital investments. The $453.9 million is funded by $255.5 million in revenue from non-municipal property tax sources, including user fees, grants from other governments, recoveries, interest on investments and service charges, resulting in a tax requirement of $198.4 million.
Capital projects include the police station renovation and expansion, the Lansdowne Street West between Spillsbury Drive and Clonsilla Avenue, the Wastewater Treatment Plant revitalization, the extension of a taxiway at the Peterborough Regional Airport, road paving, the purchase of transit buses and water service distribution infrastructure.
A breakdown of the municipal tax dollars:
25.9 per cent - outside/external organizations, such as police, paramedics, and public health
23.9 per cent - Community Services, such as social services, housing, fire services, parks, cultural services, the library, the museum and the art gallery
18.2 per cent - Municipal Operations, such as public works, winter control, transit and the airport
16.5 per cent - financial services, which includes financing costs for major infrastructure projects
6.1 per cent - Finance and Corporate Support Services, which includes the City’s finance administration, emergency management, communications and facilities management
5.4 per cent - Infrastructure, Planning and Growth Management, which includes services such as engineering, managing major infrastructure projects, processing planning and building permit applications, physician recruitment and economic development
2.2 per cent - Legislative Services, such as the Clerk’s Office, legal services, real estate transactions, the Provincial Offences Act office and by-law enforcement
1.4 per cent - Chief Administrative Officer’s office, which includes the City’s People and Culture Division
0.4 per cent - City Council
Council made various changes or directions related to the Draft 2026 Budget, such as:
Reducing the proposed employee benefits cost requirement by $665,000 from what was included in the draft budget documents
On Nov. 3, Council awarded RFP48-25 for shelter services and daytime drop-in program to One City, which added $1.12 million to the Draft 2026 Budget
Increasing the net tax levy by $90,137 in 2026 for the Community Development Program to offset a reduced funding from Peterborough County
Reducing the net tax levy requirement by $204,477 to reflect the increased final current value assessments from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation
Deferring until 2027 consideration of a $900,000 project for a public washroom at Jackson Park
Deferring $25,000 that had been requested to convert a washroom space into a kitchenette at City Hall
Deferring until 2027 consideration of a $375,000 budget for the Coldsprings Growth Area – Planning Studies
Extending the Community Service Agreement with Electric City Culture Council (EC3) for Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 2026, including $100,000 for EC3 operations plus $50,000 for EC3 to provide Artsweek and the Individual Artists program, as well as increasing the funding by an additional $25,000 toward the Individual Artists program
Increasing funding for the Peterborough Public Library collections acquisition by an additional $32,000 funded from the Library Materials Acquisition Reserve
Information on the 2026 Budget is available online. Residents can use the interactive OpenBook tool that is available on the website to view budget information in visual, accessible and easy-to-understand formats with charts, tables and graphs.
Peterborough County Approves 2026 Budget Increase of 5.29 Per Cent
/Peterborough County Council approved the 2026 Budget which includes a 5.29 per cent increase in the levy during their council meeting on Wednesday.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The budget increase covers:
A dedicated infrastructure levy set at 2.5 per cent
An increase of 2.80 per cent for the Operating Budget, which includes a 1.2 per cent increase for County Operations and a 1.6 per cent increase for Shared Services.
This increase in the levy translates to a tax rate increase of 3.93 per cent or approximately $17.35 for every $100,000 in residential assessment.
“County Council has continued to invest in our critical infrastructure with our commitment to a 2.50 per cent dedicated infrastructure investment to support our roads and bridges – vital to providing the links for our residents and businesses,” said Bonnie Clark, Peterborough County warden. “Staff brought forward a very responsible operational increase, below inflation this year, which focuses on our commitment to service delivery reviews and operational excellence.”
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City of Peterborough Recommends Several Amendments to Its 2026 Draft Budget
/City Council reviewed the budget and recommended several changes in the City’s Draft 2026 Budget to maintain current levels of service primarily and to invest in municipal infrastructure on Monday and Tuesday.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
After Council’s budget deliberations, the Draft 2026 Budget currently reflects an operating budget increase of 2.11 per cent, a 2.16 per cent increase for infrastructure and capital needs, a 0.53 per cent increase in the sanitary sewer fee, and a 1.76 per cent increase for external agencies the City funds.
When combined, the 6.56 per cent all-inclusive rate increase, including the municipal, education, and sanitary sewer surcharge rates, would amount to about $28.31 per month for the median residential property.
To reduce the expected property tax increase, Council has recommended using an additional $3 million from the Legacy Income Retention reserve account in 2026. Money in the Legacy Income Retention reserve account comes from interest earned on investments using the proceeds of the sale of assets of Peterborough Distribution Inc. The $3 million injection from the Legacy Fund reserve fund reduced the tax requirement in the Draft 2026 Budget by 1.32 per cent.
Council also wants to hear if there could be potential reductions in the Police Service budget. Council directed that the Police Service budget be returned to the Police Service Board. The Police Services Board 2026 request of $41,506,841 is an increase of 9.8 per cent or $3,704,600, over 2025.
The City’s 2026 Budget is anticipated to be presented for adoption on Dec. 8. Residents can register to be a delegation during the Council meeting through an online form at Peterborough.ca/delegations or by calling 705-742-7777 ext. 1820.
With the recommendations approved by Council, the Draft 2026 Budget includes $434.2 million in municipal service spending and $139.2 million in capital investments.
The $434.2 million is funded by revenues of $235.8 million from non-municipal property tax sources, such as user fees, grants from other governments, recoveries, interest from investments, and service charges, resulting in a tax requirement of $ 198.4 million.
Capital projects include the police station renovation and expansion, Lansdowne Street West between Spillsbury Drive and Clonsilla Avenue, Wastewater Treatment Plant revitalization, extending a taxiway at the Peterborough Regional Airport, road paving, purchasing transit buses, and water service distribution infrastructure.
A list of major capital projects and a breakdown of what a taxpayer pays for various municipal services is available at peterborough.ca/budget.
Through its budget deliberations, Council made various changes or directions related to the Draft 2026 Budget, such as:
Reducing the proposed employee benefits cost requirement by $665,000 from what was included in the draft budget documents;
The City was informed that its Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund grant will be $269,000 more than anticipated;
On Nov. 3, Council awarded RFP48-25 for shelter services and daytime drop-in program to One City, which added $1.12 million to the Draft 2026 Budget;
Increasing the net tax levy by $90,137 in 2026 for the Community Development Program to offset a reduced funding from Peterborough County;
Reducing the net tax levy requirement by $204,477 to reflect the increased final current value assessments from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation;
That the Police Service budget be returned to the Police Service Board for potential reductions;
Deferring until 2027 consideration of a $900,000 project for a public washroom at Jackson Park;
Deferring $25,000 that had been requested to convert a washroom space into a kitchenette at City Hall;
Deferring until 2027 consideration of a $375,000 budget for the Coldsprings Growth Area – Planning Studies;
Extending the Community Service Agreement with Electric City Culture Council (EC3) for Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2026, including $100,000 for EC3 operations plus $50,000 for EC3 to provide Artsweek and the Individual Artists program, as well as increasing the funding by an additional $25,000 toward the Individual Artists program; and
Increasing funding for the Peterborough Public Library collections acquisition by an additional $32,000 funded from the Library Materials Acquisition Reserve.
Beyond the immediate budgetary considerations, Council made several recommendations on program direction on items that will return to Council for consideration in the future, such as:
That Ashburnham Memorial Park be given priority for the next round of park improvements;
That a preferred option for a pedestrian crossing involving the Crawford Trail Extension Project - Monaghan Road to Townsend, be at the signalized intersection of Monaghan Road and Lansdowne Street; and
That staff be directed to bring forward a report to the 2027 Budget to explore parking and other revenue opportunities at the Riverview Park and Zoo.
The official minutes of the meeting, including all of Council’s endorsed motions, will be available at peterborough.ca/agendas.
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OLG Makes First-Quarter Payment of Over $712,000 to The City of Peterborough
/Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has made its first-quarter payment of $712,281 to the City of Peterborough for hosting Shorelines Casino Peterborough, announced on Wednesday.
Since 1994, host communities have received more than $2.3 billion in non-tax gaming revenue. File Photo.
The first quarter ran from April 1 to June 30. Peterborough has received $15,807,492 since the Shorelines opened in October 2018.
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.
“OLG is a strong partner that provides substantial benefits to Peterborough,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “In addition to the jobs at Shorelines Casino Peterborough, important investments in our local community are made possible through OLG’s sharing of casino revenue.”
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Peterborough Public Library Staffing Reorganization Paused For Considerations
/The Peterborough Public Library staff reorganization, which was expected to result in a net reduction of one full-time position, has been paused for the City to consider alternative options for meeting budgetary constraints, announced on Monday.
File Photo.
A Library staff reorganization was planned to reduce the Library’s 2025 operating budget increase from 10.9 per cent to about 8 per cent, as approved through the City’s 2025 Budget.
While the approved budget needs to be followed, the City is exploring all options to ensure the most effective means to reduce the budget while maintaining the same level and quality of service, through constructive meetings with Peterborough Public Library staff.
Through the initial plans for a staff reorganization, the Library planned to maintain children’s library services, but would have delivered them differently through staffing changes.
The City says it has heard and appreciates the support for Library services expressed by residents and others who have advocated for the Peterborough Public Library. The Library is a core community service that continues to receive strong support, including the opening of a new Library branch in the City’s south end at the Miskin Law Community Complex to improve access to library services.
A press release states the City is continuing an open dialogue with Peterborough Public Library staff and their union executive, as represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 1833, as discussions progress on implementing changes within the Library’s approved budget and as the collective bargaining process continues.
The staff reorganization at the Peterborough Public Library was one of several budget changes in various City program areas that City Council approved in the City’s 2025 Budget to reduce the property tax increase, such as ending the lifeguard service at Rogers Cove beach with lifeguard service being maintained at the nearby Beavermead Park beach, ending the maintenance of the ice for skating on the Trent-Severn Waterway next to the Lift Lock, reducing preventative maintenance of City facilities, reducing funding for advertising and increasing the Peterborough Transit single ride fare by 25 cents.
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City Council to Hear On 2026 Budget On Tuesday's General Committee Meeting
/Peterborough City Council will hear preliminary information on factors that may affect the City’s Draft 2026 Budget, during a General Committee meeting in the Council Chambers at City Hall, starting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Council will receive presentations from the City’s Finance Division, which leads the budget process, as well as presentations from Community Services, Infrastructure, Planning and Growth Management, and Peterborough Police Service.
The June 10 General Committee report regarding the 2026 Budget process will go to the June 30 City Council meeting for approval.
The budget process will continue with a community engagement meeting from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, in the Banquet Hall at Healthy Planet Arena, 911 Monaghan Rd.
The Draft 2026 Budget is expected to be presented in November, followed by further public consultation and Council debate on the Draft Budget.
Under Strong Mayor Powers legislation, the City receives direction from the Mayor on the development of the City’s Budget. Council recommendations on the direction for the Draft Budget would be made to the Mayor, requesting that the Mayor consider them when providing direction to staff on the preparation of the budget.
It is anticipated that the Mayor will present the budget for adoption in December. After the Mayor puts forward the budget, Council can pass resolutions to amend the budget within 30 days. The Mayor may veto a Council budget resolution and Council may then override a mayoral veto with a two-thirds majority vote.
At this early stage of the 2026 Budget process, the Mayor has directed that the City staff prepare a Draft 2026 Budget that:
Initiates a collaborative budget process with members of Council;
Maintains current service levels approved by Council in the 2025 Budget, that reflects increases related to inflation, 2026 costing adjustments, Council approved changes, and legislated requirements; and
Includes an anticipated 10 per cent increase for Peterborough Police Service due to legislative requirements.
The community engagement meeting on June 19 will include a brief presentation on the 2026 Budget process outlining how the budget is put together, a summary of results from the 2026 Budget survey that closed in April, and initial information on anticipated financial impacts that may affect the 2026 Budget.
Information on the City budget is available at peterborough.ca/budget or on the City’s community engagement hub at connectptbo.ca/2026Budget, where comments can be submitted to the City’s Budget team.
2026 Budget process
2026 Budget survey opened, April 7
2026 Budget survey closed, April 25
General Committee meeting, presentation on preliminary information/factors that are anticipated to affect the City’s Draft 2026 Budget, June 10 at 9 a.m., City Hall, 500 George St. N.
Community budget consultation meeting with brief presentation, conversations with Budget team and Council members, June 19 at 6:30 p.m., Healthy Planet Arena Banquet Hall, 911 Monaghan Rd.
City Council meeting, consider items related to drafting the 2026 Budget, June 30, City Hall, 500 George St. N.
Draft 2026 Budget presented to City Council, Nov. 3, City Hall, 500 George St. N.
Budget consultation meeting with brief presentation, conversations with Budget team and Council members, Nov. 6
Budget consultation drop-in opportunity to ask questions, share ideas, have conversations with Budget team and Council members, Nov. 10, main foyer, City Hall, 500 George St. N.
Public meeting for City Council to hear from delegations about the Draft 2026 Budget, Nov. 10
City Council reviews and discusses the Draft 2026 Budget during General Committee meeting, Nov. 17 and Nov. 18
Mayor will present the 2026 Budget for adoption, Dec. 8
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City Council Approves 2025 Budget
/City Council has approved the City's 2025 Budget which outlines investments in municipal services and infrastructure during its meeting on Monday night.
File Photo.
The budget has a 6.72 per cent all-inclusive rate increase that equates to $10.44 per month per $100,000 of property assessment for the typical residential property,
Through its budget deliberations in November, the City of Peterborough reports that Council cut spending in several areas and added back in funding that had been removed earlier in the budget process to reduce the property tax requirement. Council started with a 7.8 per cent all-inclusive rate increase when the draft budget was initially presented.
To reduce the tax requirement for residents and businesses, Council asked the Peterborough County/City Paramedics and Peterborough Police Services Board to reduce their requested increases for 2025. Peterborough Paramedics reduced its funding request to $7,299,067, an increase of $488,270, or 7.2 per cent from 2024. Peterborough Police Services Board responded with a request for $37,802,241, an increase of $2,727,054, or 7.8 per cent, from 2024 – after initially requesting an 8.8 per cent increase.
Council made many changes to the City’s Draft 2025 Budget to reduce the property tax requirement by decreasing spending, increasing revenue and drawing from reserve funds.
Among the changes to the draft budget Council:
Restoring $298,153 for Community Grants that had been cut from the draft budget
Adding a $500,000 interest-free loan for the replacement of the roof at Showplace Performance Centre
Reducing the proposed 2025 stormwater management funding by $620,000
Providing $250,000 from the Social Services Reserve to help fund architectural, engineering and planning services for the proposed new Brock Mission Housing Project that would create 50 transitional housing units
Drawing $904,000 from the Social Services Reserve for several housing and homelessness services enhancements, including extending the Trinity Community Centre overnight drop-in program to a full-year service, increasing funding to the Housing Stability Fund, and increasing the capacity of the Brock Mission shelter to 40 beds from 32 beds
Restoring funding for discretionary benefits, which had been proposed to be reduced, at a cost of $235,695
Reducing preventative maintenance at municipal facilities for a savings of $153,000
Ending the lifeguard service for swimming at Roger’s Cove for a savings of $39,995 (lifeguard service continues to be provided at the nearby Beavermead Park beach)
Ending the maintenance of the Trent-Severn Waterway canal south of the Lift Lock in winter for skating for a savings of $100,000
Reinstating a $150,000 annual payment to the Downtown Business Improvement Area that had been proposed to be removed
Removing a $132,500 expense for contracting streetscape maintenance services to the Downtown Business Improvement Area as the City will directly provide the service in 2025
Reducing spending on graffiti management, forestry contractual services, and street cleaning totalling $60,000
Reducing Transit expenses for cleaning supplies and contractual services by $75,000
Reducing the budget provision for insurance premiums by $115,000
Through its 2025 Budget, Council has endorsed transitioning stormwater funding from the tax base to a dedicated user fee effective April 1, using a simplified interim rate structure. The proposed user fee will replace what is being paid by property owners through the property tax base and place a charge, or a user fee, on the utility bill. Unlike many municipalities with dedicated stormwater networks and raise the necessary funding through a user fee, the City of Peterborough currently funds the program through the tax base.
The City says benefits to implementing a Stormwater Management Fee include:
Dedicating a funding stream allocated back to providing the service
Awareness and transparency showing owners what they pay for the service and what is required for capital and operating costs
Fairness where owners may pay based on stormwater contribution as opposed to property assessment
Introducing the opportunity for economic incentives, giving owners the opportunity to reduce their costs associated with delivering the service
