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

The Budget details investments in municipal services and infrastructure, such as water and wastewater infrastructure and treatment, garbage collection, the Green Bin program, the landfill and composting facilities, affordable housing, homelessness services, roads, recreation and parks, arts and culture, policing, fire services, paramedics, and public health.

The Draft 2025 Budget, as presented on Nov. 4, includes $411 million in operating expenses, with $185.9 million from property taxes and the remainder funded by other revenues such as grants from other governments, user fees, and service charges.

On the capital side, the Draft 2025 Budget as presented on Nov. 4, includes $147.4 million for 174 projects such as the Transit Garage Replacement, police station renovations, major infrastructure work on Brealey Drive between Lansdowne and Sherbrooke streets, updating and replacing equipment at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and various road projects.

The City started the 2025 Budget process in March 2024 with community consultation, including a survey and public meetings held through March and April. Council held General Committee meetings in June to review information and consider input from the community. Council considered detailed breakdowns of budget implications for services and capital projects before recommending guidelines for preparing the Draft 2025 Budget.

Council heard from public delegations on the Draft 2025 Budget at a meeting on Nov. 12.

The City held informal public meetings on Nov. 7 and 12 to present information, respond to questions and get feedback on the Draft 2025 Budget ahead of Council’s deliberations.

At its meeting on Dec. 9, Council gave final approval to specific projects and programs in the 2025 Budget to allow that work to proceed while Council considers the remainder of the Draft 2025 Budget. Council also approved the 2025 User Fees and Charges.

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City Council to Determine Approval of 2025 Budget On Monday's Meeting

City Council will consider approving the City's 2025 Budget, which outlines investments in municipal services and infrastructure, during its meeting that starts at 6 p.m. on Monday.

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

The Budget details investments in municipal services and infrastructure, such as water and wastewater infrastructure and treatment, garbage collection, the Green Bin program, the landfill and composting facilities, affordable housing, homelessness services, roads, recreation and parks, arts and culture, policing, fire services, paramedics, and public health.

The Draft 2025 Budget, as presented on Nov. 4, includes $411 million in operating expenses, with $185.9 million from property taxes and the remainder funded by other revenues such as grants from other governments, user fees, and service charges.

On the capital side, the Draft 2025 Budget as presented on Nov. 4, includes $147.4 million for 174 projects such as the Transit Garage Replacement, police station renovations, major infrastructure work on Brealey Drive between Lansdowne and Sherbrooke streets, updating and replacing equipment at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and various road projects.

The City started the 2025 Budget process in March 2024 with community consultation, including a survey and public meetings held through March and April. Council held General Committee meetings in June to review information and consider input from the community. Council considered detailed breakdowns of budget implications for services and capital projects before recommending guidelines for preparing the Draft 2025 Budget.

Council heard from public delegations on the Draft 2025 Budget at a meeting on Nov. 12.

The City held informal public meetings on Nov. 7 and 12 to present information, respond to questions and get feedback on the Draft 2025 Budget ahead of Council’s deliberations.

At its meeting on Dec. 9, Council gave final approval to specific projects and programs in the 2025 Budget to allow that work to proceed while Council considers the remainder of the Draft 2025 Budget. Council also approved the 2025 User Fees and Charges.

The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 500 George St. N. and can be attended in person or watched live online at peterborough.ca/WatchCouncil.

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City Council Endorses Draft 2025 Budget

City Council has endorsed a Draft 2025 Budget that outlines investments in municipal services and infrastructure.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

There is a proposed 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.

Council is expected to consider final approval of the City’s 2025 Budget on Feb. 3

Through its budget deliberations in November, Council cut spending in several areas and added back funding that had been removed earlier in the budget 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, the 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

• Increasing Transit fares by 25 cents to generate an estimated $125,000 in revenue

• 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 benefits to implementing a Stormwater Management Fee according to the City 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

The Budget details investments in municipal services and infrastructure, such as water and wastewater infrastructure and treatment, garbage collection, the Green Bin program, the landfill and composting facilities, affordable housing, homelessness services, roads, recreation and parks, arts and culture, policing, fire services, paramedics, and public health.

The Draft 2025 Budget, as presented on Nov. 4, includes $411 million in operating expenses, with $185.9 million from property taxes and the remainder funded by other revenues such as grants from other governments, user fees and service charges.

On the capital side, the Draft 2025 Budget as presented on Nov. 4, includes $147.4 million for 174 projects such as the Transit Garage Replacement, police station renovations, major infrastructure work on Brealey Drive between Lansdowne and Sherbrooke streets, updating and replacing equipment at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and various road projects.

The City started the 2025 Budget process in March 2024 with community consultation, including a survey and public meetings held through March and April. Council held General Committee meetings in June to review information and consider input from the community. Council considered detailed breakdowns of budget implications for services and capital projects before recommending guidelines for preparing the Draft 2025 Budget.

Council heard from public delegations on the Draft 2025 Budget at a meeting on Nov. 12.

The City held informal public meetings on Nov. 7 and Nov. 12 to present information, respond to questions and get feedback on the Draft 2025 Budget ahead of Council’s deliberations.

On Dec. 9, 2024, Council gave final approval to specific projects and programs in the 2025 Budget to allow that work to proceed while Council considers the remainder of the Draft 2025 Budget. Council also approved the 2025 User Fees and Charges.

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City of Peterborough Discontinues Maintenance On Canal Due to Budgeting; Final Deliberations In Early February

As part of its 2025 Budget deliberations, the City of Peterborough is not maintaining a skating rink at the Peterborough Lift Lock and may remove that service as a cost-cutting measure.

File Photo.

With the canal property of Parks Canada, the City does not decide on public access to the property, according to a press release. Parks Canada has, in the past, installed steps for public access to the ice surface of the canal at the City’s request.

The City estimates an annual cost of $100,000 for maintenance, which includes activities such as regularly flooding the ice surface to create a smooth rink, snow clearing with snow clearing machines, and testing ice thickness.

The green flag was posted for safe skating on the canal beneath the Lift Lock for the following number of days for each of the past few seasons based on weather and ice conditions: 2021-2022 season, 12 days; 2022-2023 season, four days; 2023-2024 season, one day.

The City also operates an outdoor skating rink at Quaker Foods City Square on Charlotte Street. It administers a neighbourhood park rink program provided by volunteers who maintain rinks at neighbourhood parks.

City Council will continue its 2025 Budget deliberations on Jan. 20 with final approval of the 2025 Budget anticipated on Feb. 3.

The Draft 2025 Budget reflects an eight per cent all-inclusive property tax increase for 2025. City Council has indicated it would like options to reduce the all-inclusive property tax increase to seven per cent.

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Peterborough County Approves 2025 Budget

Peterborough County Council has approved the 2025 Budget during Monday’s Council meeting.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The approved budget includes a 6.28 per cent tax rate increase (8.4 per cent tax levy increase) which reflects the County’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure and reducing dependency on reserve funding according to a press release.

Key highlights of the budget include:

• Dedicated Infrastructure Levy: A 2.5 per cent allocation specifically for infrastructure needs.

• Operational Sustainability: Elimination of reliance on reserved funding to support ongoing operations.

• Tax Rate Adjustment: A tax rate increase of 6.28 per cent, amounting to approximately $66.00 for the average assessed household.

“Peterborough County Council is tasked with balancing the need to invest in our communities with the rising cost of living for our ratepayers,” said Bonnie Clark, Peterborough County Warden. “This budget enables continued investment in services to meet the needs of our residents and townships, provides for much-needed maintenance on key infrastructure, while eliminating the draw on reserves for operating needs. The work does not end here. County Council, the Finance Committee, and staff will continue to find efficiencies and opportunities throughout the organization in the months ahead.”

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Standard & Poor’s Maintains AA+ Credit Rating For City of Peterborough

Standard & Poor’s has maintained the City of Peterborough’s credit rating at “AA+” with a stable outlook in its recently released credit report on the municipality.

Standard & Poor’s is a financial services company that offers services including credit ratings, data analysis and equity research to both the private and public sectors worldwide. File Photo.

The report cites the City’s financial management practices and political and managerial commitment to disciplined fiscal policies.

“We expect the financial administration and council will keep political consensus to implement reforms and support fiscal sustainability in the future. This has been demonstrated by higher-than-historical tax levies to support a growth-oriented capital plan,” according to a statement made by Standard & Poor’s.

The ”AA+” rating is the second highest on Standard & Poor’s credit rating scale. 

They commented in its credit report that the City benefits from a diversified economy. It specifically cited an active tourism industry and growth in the manufacturing and aerospace sectors, which are fostering advancements in technology and creating jobs.

“We expect Peterborough's stable economy and prudent management will continue to support strong operating balances of 14.6 per cent of operating revenue, on average, from 2024-2026. While we expect significantly elevated capital spending on large projects will lead to high after-capital deficits in the short term, as the projects near completion, we expect deficits will decrease in 2025-2026,” stated the credit rating agency.

Standard & Poor’s commented that the local economy is “somewhat constrained” by an older population and that aging demographics could lead to greater spending on social services and budgetary pressures in the future.

Among the observations for the City of Peterborough’s strong credit rating, Standard & Poor’s has cited: 

• The City's exceptional liquidity position and supportive institutional framework continue to bolster its credit profile

• Peterborough demonstrates good financial management practices

• An extremely predictable and supportive local and regional government framework that has demonstrated high institutional stability and evidence of systemic extraordinary support in times of financial distress

• The City’s after-capital deficits will stay elevated in the short term, primarily driven by substantial spending on transportation projects and the new community complex

• The City’s debt burden will remain manageable and supported by robust liquidity

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Rally Planned To Oppose 2025 Budget Cuts to Arts and Social Services

A coalition of activists, organizations and citizens will gather at Peterborough City Hall to rally against proposed budget cuts to social services and arts organizations in the 2025 budget on Tuesday afternoon.

File Photo.

The rally will begin at 4:30 p.m. at City Hall, with a lineup of speakers. It is organized by the Community Race Relations Committee of Peterborough, The Centre for Gender and Social Justice, OPIRG Peterborough, BLM Nogojiwanong and community members and will be followed by a community debrief session at Dreams of Beans.

The Centre for Gender & Social Justice released the following statement regarding the proposed budget cuts:

“These cuts would divert essential funds from community support services to increased policing costs, a shift that organizers say undermines the wellbeing of Peterborough’s most vulnerable residents and damages the network of grassroots organizations working to support them.

Peterborough’s city council recently proposed a budget that would cut funding to 75 social service and arts organizations by 25 per cent, including vital groups like the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre, Community Race Relations Committee, and Peterborough Drug Strategy. These organizations provide critical support in crisis intervention, mental health, addiction counselling, and harm reduction. Many of these services fill gaps that policing does not address, using trauma-informed care, cultural sensitivity, and restorative justice to meet community needs and foster safety without punitive measures.”

The rally will feature speeches from leaders of affected organizations, local activists and community members who rely on these services. Poetry and storytelling highlighting the budget cuts’s impact of these cuts will be told during the rally.

The speaker list includes Sneha Wadhwani, local poet and activist; Bill Kimball, Public Energy Coordinator and Nico Koyanagi from OPIRG Peterborough.

These are the key messages of the rally according to a press release:

• Stop the Defunding of Social Services: The community urges council to protect funding for essential organizations that provide support, intervention, and resilience-building for those in need.

• Reject Police Budget Increases: With an 8.8 per cent increase in the police budget, including funding for new facilities and equipment, community members are concerned about prioritizing policing over proactive social services.

• Demand Transparent and Inclusive Budget Consultation: Only 227 residents participated in the budget consultation process. Organizers are calling for greater community engagement and transparency in future budgeting decisions.

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