Peterborough DBIA Issues Strong Warning to the City Regarding Risks of By-Law 25-126
/The Downtown Peterborough Business Improvement Area (DBIA) has issued a strong warning regarding By-law 25-126, which is scheduled to go before City Council for approval during their meeting on Monday evening.
Nour Mazloum, Peterborough DBIA executive director during the Peterborough and the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce Meet the Candidates event for the federal election earlier this year. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
According to the DBIA, if passed, the by-law would shift authority over funds that have long supported downtown stability, revitalization, safety and economic activity – potentially weakening the DBIA’s ability to deliver services at a time when downtown businesses are already facing unprecedented pressures.
The DBIA says they were not consulted on the development of the by-law. Nour Mazloum, Peterborough DBIA executive director, said she raised questions about how this change would affect the organization’s ability to carry out its mandate during an already challenging economic period.
“Downtown businesses have been navigating higher operating costs, increased taxes, tariffs, and the lingering impacts of COVID-19,” said Mazloum. “This is precisely the time when they need more support, not less. We have been transparent, responsible, and accountable with every dollar we manage. That’s why this by-law is so concerning; it breaks trust. If the City can change direction without discussion on something this important, what will they do next? Trust requires year-over-year consistency. Right now, that’s what’s at risk.”
She also stated that the DBIA has a long-standing, collaborative working relationship with City staff and remains committed to maintaining that partnership but emphasized that major financial or governance changes require proper consultation.
“By-laws have consequences and this one has them,” she said.
“You can’t pass a by-law without considering the consequences. This one has them,” said Sacha Lai-Svirk, DBIA Chair. “A by-law like this sends a message about the City’s commitment (or lack of commitment) to stability, predictability, and partnership. After the progress we’ve made together, introducing doubt right now is strategically harmful. It risks undoing years of work to rebuild confidence with the City.”
Lai-Svirk emphasized that the DBIA is not opposed to tough conversations but decisions of this magnitude must be informed, transparent, and collaborative.
“I’ve run a small business downtown for 20 years. I know exactly what uncertainty does to a business,” she said. “The last thing our businesses need is confusion about the City’s support.”
Lai-Svirk also addressed an online comment that the by-law ‘does not change anything.’
“If this by-law doesn’t change anything, then passing it is unnecessary,” she explained. “And if it does change something, the City needs to explain exactly what — and why.”
Lai-Svirk added that the DBIA warns that shifting administration of the funds to the City creates the possibility of future reductions or redirection, undermining the stability provided through existing commitments through 2037.
“We have stability until 2037. There is no reason to revisit this now. This by-law should be set aside until then,” she said.
The DBIA has highlighted the following strategic implications if the by-law is passed:
Passing By-law 25-126 without review or consultation risks:
Undermining downtown stability during a volatile economic period
Creating uncertainty for 400+ businesses who rely on DBIA support
Damaging trust between the City and downtown stakeholders
Sending a negative signal to investors, developers, and new businesses
Interrupting momentum at a time when the downtown has finally turned a corner
Jeopardizing future collaborative initiatives, including:
permanent lighting strategy
downtown boundary expansion
high-speed rail (Alto) integration
Event Centre activation
new streetscape, placemaking, and safety programs
“These are the conversations we should be having,” said Lai-Svirk. “Not a by-law that destabilizes the very partnership that makes these projects possible.”
The DBIA is formally requesting that Council:
Vote against the by-law
Conduct a full legal and strategic review
Engage directly with the DBIA, AON Inc. and downtown stakeholders
Reassess the by-law in the context of downtown’s economic recovery
