Ontario Government to End Funding For Seven Drug Injection Sites Including Peterborough

The Ontario Government is ending provincial funding for the seven active drug injection sites, including Peterborough’s existing Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub, announced on Monday.

To date, the province has invested almost $550 million to support 28 HART Hubs across Ontario. File photo.

In late January of last year, the Ontario Government provided $6.2 million for Peterborough’s HART hub.

According to a press release, the defunding is part of the government’s plan to protect families and communities. This latest step responds directly to local concerns over public safety associated with these sites and furthers the government’s plan to fund treatment and lasting recovery from addiction, rather than continued public funding of drug injection sites, according to Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.

“Our government is focused on treatment, recovery and safer communities,” she said. “Through our almost $550 million investment to establish HART Hubs across the province, we are ensuring people struggling with addiction can access the care and supports they need to break the tragic cycle of addiction and rebuild their lives while protecting Ontario communities.”

The province is initiating a 90-day wind-down period — 60 days longer than required — to give clients time to transition to support from their local HART Hub. With Peterborough, the other sites include two in Toronto, two in Ottawa, one in Niagara Falls and one in London. During this period, the government stated that it would work directly with municipalities and community partners to ensure a safe, coordinated wind-down of provincial funding for the drug injection sites and a successful transition to the new recovery model.

The defunding follows legislation passed in 2024 that prohibits injection sites from operating within 200 metres of schools and child-care centres.

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Provincial Government Launches Classroom Supplies Fund of $750 For Elementary School Teachers and Students

The Ontario Government has launched the Classroom Supplies Fund, providing $750 to elementary school homeroom teachers for classroom supplies starting this September, announced at Highfield Junior School in Etobicoke on Wednesday morning.

Screenshot.

The fund is part of the province’s 2026 budget and teachers will access it through a Classroom Supplies Card. It helps teachers have classroom materials without paying up front for them according to Doug Ford, Ontario Premier.

“Our government is making record investments so that our students have the support and supplies they need to succeed and grow in school,” he said. “The new $750 Classroom Supplies Card will give teachers across the province access to the resources they need, without forcing them to cover the costs themselves or wait to be reimbursed. It’s just one of the ways we are supporting our students and teachers while ensuring Ontario’s education system is focused on student success.”

Homeroom teachers can access the funding through a new provincial website. It allows them to order classroom supplies directly, with materials delivered to their schools. The Classroom Supplies Card directs teachers to the website and includes instructions for accessing it. According to the provincial government, the website will offer a grade-by-grade selection of commonly used classroom items, including writing supplies, notebooks, calculators, chalk, arts-and-crafts materials, tissues and paper towels.

This process allows elementary teachers to order the necessary supplies without paying up front and waiting for reimbursement, according to Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance.

“Our government continues to make record investments to build an effective and strong education system. We are committed to protecting student learning and ensuring teachers have the support they need for every student to thrive,” he said. “We will continue to strengthen accountability across the system and ensure that every investment is focused on student success and reaches the classroom where it matters most.”

Providing a card also allows teachers to directly access funding rather than the chance of not seeing the money that school boards distribute to teachers said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education.

“We know that many teachers have been paying out of pocket for supplies. That isn’t fair for teachers or students,” he said. “While school boards receive funding for classroom resources, we have not always seen those dollars consistently reach every classroom. That is why we are putting funds directly in the hands of teachers to ensure their classrooms are equipped to support student achievement.”

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Rotary Club of Peterborough Offering Thousands in Funding for Local Green Startups and Environmental Innovators

The Rotary Club of Peterborough is rewarding thousands of dollars in funding through the Rotary Environmental Innovators Fund (REIF) to local green startups and environmental innovators.

The following were last year's recipients of REIF: Wildrock Outfitters / Kawartha Land Trust, Woodleigh Farms, Clean Energy Generation, Taproots for Tomorrow and Second Nature Studio. Last year saw 16 applicants for local projects. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Rotary Environmental Innovators Fund (REIF) is an initiative of the Rotary Club of Peterborough, with the goal of identifying, funding and elevating local environmental innovators whose ideas can make a measurable difference in the region and beyond.

REIF is currently seeking proposals from students, entrepreneurs, community leaders and small businesses developing local solutions to environmental challenges.

Up to $3,000 is available for initiatives that address:

● Climate action and energy efficiency

● Land and water conservation

● Waste reduction and circular economy solutions

● Sustainable food systems and regenerative practices

● Eco-conscious innovation in product and service design

More than $30,000 has been awarded to successful applicants since the fund’s inception in 2023.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the website to download an application form and learn more about this opportunity.

The deadline for applications is April 2 with the winners announced at a reception on May 11. at the Rotary Club of Peterborough’s regular lunch meeting.

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Trent University Exceeds United Way Annual Campaign Goal

United Way Peterborough and District and Trent University came together to celebrate another successful year of partnership, as Trent’s 2025 Workplace Campaign raises $124,847.

photo courtesy of the united way peterborough and district.

Since the mid-1960s, Trent University faculty and staff have united annually to host fundraising events like their signature kick off barbecue and chilli cook off.

“It’s always heartwarming to see our community show up for one another, but what I find especially touching is when we can do so with our friends and colleagues at Trent for 60 years in a row. Sixty years,” said United Way CEO Jim Russell. “Each year, our friends at Trent have shown up and approached their campaign with enthusiasm and energy. Our team looks forward to building on this remarkable relationship for decades to come.”

While Trent University’s workplace campaign has concluded, the broader community campaign remains active through March 31. United Way continues to fundraise and relies on the generosity of local donors to meet their community campaign goal of $1.6 million.

To make an impact with United Way Peterborough and District you can donate online, in person (277 Stewart St.) or over the phone.

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Township of Selwyn Gets $1,378,504 Investment For Critical Water Infrastructure From Ontario Government

The Ontario government has invested $1,378,504 to rehabilitate water infrastructure for the Township of Selwyn’s George Street Watermain and Trunk Sewer.

Within the past few weeks, the Ontario Government has made announcements for provincial funding for Havelock, Peterborough and Selwyn’s water infrastructure. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The funding comes from the province’s Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program’s Health and Safety Water Stream (MHIP-HSWS). It has been increased by $700 million to a total of $875 million to support access to safe drinking water, housing, job creation, and protection for communities in the event of extreme weather events according to Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.

“This investment of over $1.3 million is a critical step in ensuring the long-term safety and reliability of water services for the residents of Lakefield,” he said. “By rehabilitating the George Street watermain and trunk sewer, we are not only addressing aging infrastructure but also creating the capacity needed to support new housing and economic growth in Selwyn. Our government remains committed to providing our municipal partners with the tools they need to build stronger, more resilient communities.”

Project upgrades include installing a new sanitary sewer to support future housing growth and replacing a section of aging watermain to increase water flow, improve fire protection and strengthen system reliability. Construction is expected to begin this spring, with excavation, pipe replacement, service reconnections and full roadway restoration.

“This funding represents a major investment in the long-term sustainability and livability of our community,” said Sherry Senis, Mayor of Selwyn Township. “By modernizing critical infrastructure along the George Street corridor, we are proactively addressing capacity challenges, strengthening system resilience, and ensuring Lakefield is well positioned to support planned growth. Projects like this protect public health, enhance service reliability, and demonstrate our commitment to responsible infrastructure planning for current and future residents.”

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Ontario Government Invests Over $2 Million For Havelock Road Repairs

Ottawa Street in Havelock is getting road repairs this summer, as the Ontario Government has invested $2,026,194 in the Havelock-Belmont-Methuen (HBM), announced at Havelock’s Council Chambers on Monday afternoon.

Ottawa Street serves as the main road of Havelock as part of Highway 7. Municipalities can apply for the 2027-28 Connecting Links program funding when the intake opens later this year. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP, noted that most traffic comes from out-of-town rather than local vehicles which contributed to the road’s deterioration.

“The people of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen deserve access to safe, reliable transportation infrastructure—and that's what our government is delivering,” he said. “Ottawa Street is the lifeblood of this village, serving as a critical link for both local residents and the movement of goods along the Highway 7 corridor. By investing over $2 million into this rehabilitation, we are ensuring our roads remain resilient, supporting local jobs and driving economic growth for years to come.”

Havelock’s Council Chambers operaters from 1 Ottawa St. E. which is the township’s main road. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Funding is through the 2026-27 Connecting Links program, which supports the maintenance of vital municipal roads and bridges that connect provincial highways.

A connecting link is a designated municipal road or bridge that connects two ends of a provincial highway through a community or to an international border crossing. This year, the Ontario government is investing $45 million in 21 projects to repair roads and bridges in 20 municipalities across the province.

“The Connecting Link is infrastructure that is challenging for a small Municipality like Havelock Belmont Methuen to maintain," Jim Martin, Mayor of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen. “Unlike other roads within our Township, Highway 7 sees a tremendous amount of traffic daily. The over two-million-dollar grant announced today will allow us to do upgrades this summer that otherwise would be impossible for us to do.”

Eligible costs for Connecting Links include the design, construction, renewal, rehabilitation and replacement of designated municipal roads and bridges.

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Havelock Receiving Over $4.1 Million Ontario Government Investment to Upgrade Its Wastewater Treatment Plant

The Havelock Wastewater Treatment Plant’s (WWTP) infrastructure is being upgraded, with the Ontario Government investing up to $4,136,362 in the facility, announced at Havelock’s Council Chambers on Monday afternoon.

Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP (left) and Jim Martin, HBM mayor after the funding announcement was made before the township’s staff and council members. This funding is part of an investment of $4 billion in the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, included in Ontario's $220 billion capital plan. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The funding comes from the province's Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program's Health and Safety Water Stream (MHIP-HSWS), which has increased by $700 million for a total of $875 million to support access to safe drinking water, housing, job creation and community protection in case of extreme weather events, according to Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.

“Our government is taking the necessary steps to ensure that Havelock has the robust, modern infrastructure needed to support its growing community," he explained. "By investing this critical funding into the Havelock Wastewater Treatment Plant, we are not only protecting our local environment but also clearing the way for new housing developments. This is about building a safer, more prosperous community where families can thrive for generations to come.”

The (MHIP-HSWS) funding will be utilized in Havelock-Belmont-Methuen (HBM) to systematically upgrade the Havelock Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Revitalizing the plant helps remove development bottlenecks to support significant local housing growth, resulting in laying the groundwork for more than 1,500 new homes and a projected population of 2,400 residents by 2041, said Jim Martin, Mayor of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen.

“We will be able to increase the functional capacity of the wastewater treatment plant,” he said. “This over four million dollars will help us upgrade the wastewater treatment infrastructure and let us continue to prepare for future growth opportunities in HBM.”

He adds that this is just the first phase of HBM's growth and hints at the next phase.

“The next phase would probably be the Wastewater Treatment Plant and adding a new cell is huge,” said Martin. “It’s a huge cost, with I think around 15 million dollars. This part here will get us a few years to get this part done and any growth that’s coming, we’ll be able to care of the immediate needs but we’ll continue planning for further out.

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Trent University Students Showcase Community Impact Projects at Year-End Celebration

Recipients of Trent University's Impact Microgrant Program presented project results showcasing work advancing food security, safe consumption and cybersecurity at the Trent Student Centre Wednesday.

fourth-year social work student bhawani persaud. Photo by Felicia Massey.

Led collaboratively by the Office of Student Affairs and Careerspace at Trent, and funded in part by Canada Service Corps, the Impact Microgrant Program is a national movement for youth aged 15 to 30 to gain experience and build skills while contributing to their community. Over the last year, nearly $500,000 has been distributed to student‑led projects through this partnership, with a total of $1.5 million in funding committed over three years.

In the first year of the program, 101 eligible youth across Canada were each awarded up to $5,000 to advance proposed social, cultural, economic and arts initiatives, and participated in virtual training on leadership and event management.

Nearly 50 grant recipients presented their work at the year-end showcase, including projects that supported community organizations in the Peterborough region.

Trent Durham student Bhawani Persaud showcased her book “this is us,” a collection of poetry and prose from racialized second-generation immigrant youths.

“I grew up with this sort of in-between feeling of not really being in the Western culture but not really being from the culture my parents are from,” said Persaud. “I really wanted to make a space for those who identify with this.”

A digital copy of Persaud’s project is linked on the this is us Instagram.

trent peterborough student andrea sturgis. Photo by Felicia Massey.

Andrea Sturgis founded student-led project Nourish to Flourish, partnering with The Seasoned Spoon Café to prepare snack packs and meals for youth accessing services through the YES Shelter.

Sturgis delivered over 280 food supports to youth experiencing homelessness and/or food insecurity in the Peterborough area with help from her community partnerships.

“Nourish to Flourish is rooted in dignity and care,” said Sturgis. “I am grateful for the Trent community’s support on this project.”

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Peterborough DBIA Accepting Applications For 2026 Community Event Support Grants

The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) is accepting applications for its 2026 Community Event Support Grant, announced on Tuesday.

Past grant recipients include the Neighbourhood Markets, Highly Likely Festival, Otonabeats Day Breaks and An Evening with Folk Fest's Emerging Artists. Photo courtesy of the DBIA.

The first deadline is March 8 for events taking place between April 1 and Sept. 30. The Sept. 8 deadline covers events from Oct. 1 to March 31, 2027.

According to the DBIA, the grant program provides financial and in-kind support to organizers hosting community-minded events in downtown Peterborough. Funding can offset costs such as advertising, permits, supply costs, administrative fees and rental fees. The number of grants awarded will depend on available funds and the volume of qualifying applications.

Local businesses, grassroots groups and organizations in Downtown Peterborough are eligible for grants. The DBIA says priority is given to events that reach diverse audiences, engage DBIA member businesses, drive foot traffic and tourism, bring economic activity to the BIA district and celebrate the unique cultures and identities of the downtown community.

All applications must include a detailed budget outline to be considered.

Applications are accepted twice a year. Following each deadline, the DBIA board will review submissions at its next scheduled meeting and notify applicants of funding decisions. Successful applicants can expect to receive funds within two weeks of their event date. Organizers requiring in-kind support should coordinate with the DBIA at least two weeks before their event.

“Our Community Event Support Grant is about more than funding — it's about helping event organizers bring their ideas to life in ways that bring real energy to our downtown core," says Nour Mazloum, Peterborough DBIA executive director. “Every event we support strengthens people's connection to downtown Peterborough, inspires new experiences and builds the kind of community that keeps people coming back.”

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Ontario Government Invests $8,691,562 For Peterborough Critical Water Infrastructure

The Ontario government has invested up to $8,691,562 to rehabilitate water infrastructure in the City of Peterborough, announced at City Hall on Friday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The target area is the water systems at Lansdowne Street West and Park Street. The funding supports the replacement and upgrade of aging watermain, sanitary sewer and storm sewer infrastructure.

The City of Peterborough has outlined the project’s goals and benefits as follows:

• Strengthen community resilience by helping protect the area during extreme weather events

• Improve flood reduction and drainage through upgraded storm sewer infrastructure

• Increase watermain and sanitary sewer capacity and to better serveexisting homes and businesses

• Support future growth and development with expanded servicing capacity

• Enhance public accessability thrrough roadway and intersection improvements

The funding comes from the province’s Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program’s Health and Safety Water Stream (MHIP-HSWS). The amount has increased by $700 million to $875 million.

The total approved project’s cost is $11,906,250:

• The Province of Ontario will invest up to $8,691,562, representing approximately 73 per cent of the total project cost

• The City of Peterborough will contribute $3,214,688, covering the remaining 27 per cent

Field investigations and utility relocations are expected to occur this year, construction starts next year and completion is expected in 2028. Planning and design for the project are already underway.

“Our government is taking the necessary steps to ensure that Peterborough has the robust, modern infrastructure needed to support our growing community,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “By investing nearly $8.7 million into the rehabilitation of water systems at Lansdowne and Park Street, we are not only protecting our access to safe drinking water but also clearing the way for new housing developments. This is about building a safer, more prosperous Peterborough where families can thrive for generations to come.”

 “This significant provincial investment in Peterborough’s water infrastructure is critical to protecting public health and supporting our city’s continued growth,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Reliable, modern water systems are the foundation of safe neighbourhoods and economic development. We thank the Province of Ontario and MPP Dave Smith for recognizing the importance of investing in core infrastructure that will serve our community today and for generations to come.”

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