Here’s Who Was Elected to Peterborough City Council in the 2026 Municipal Election

By Scott Arnold

Peterborough voters have chosen their representatives for the next term of City Council, with two councillors elected in each of the city’s five wards. Here are the unofficial results from Monday’s municipal election.

peterborough city council will feature five new faces and five returning councillors after the votes were tallied following the municipal election on Monday night (photo by scott arnold)

The results are in for Peterborough’s 2026 municipal election, with voters choosing 10 city councillors to join newly elected Mayor Michael Eamon at City Hall, including five new councillors.

According to unofficial results released by the City of Peterborough, 30,044 ballots were cast out of 74,603 registered electors, representing a voter turnout of 40.27 per cent.

Here’s a look at the results in each ward, including every candidate and the number of votes they received.

Ward 1 – Otonabee

• Lesley Parnell – 2,677 votes (Re-Elected)

• Chris Potter – 2,318 votes (Newly Elected)

• Kevin Duguay – 2,294 votes

• Lucas Graham – 1,580 votes

• Joe Laton-Trickett – 260 votes

Ward 2 – Monaghan

• Matt Crowley – 5,301 votes (Re-Elected)

• AJ Shearer – 2,241 votes (Newly Elected)

• Ashley Flynn – 1,935 votes

• Rose Kitney – 1,197 votes

• Jen Lacey – 1,061 votes

• Aris Metaxakis – 337 votes

Ward 3 – Town

• Alex Bierk – 3,261 votes (Re-Elected)

• Joy Lachica – 3,086 votes (Re-Elected)

• Jenni Cathcart – 2,296 votes

• Nigel Lister – 657 votes

• Jessica Kuhlmorgen-Hille – 468 votes

Ward 4 – Ashburnham

• Ashley Bonner – 3,536 votes (Newly Elected)

• Jason Stabler – 3,107 votes (Newly Elected)

• Gary Baldwin – 2,570 votes

• Andrew MacGregor – 1,191 votes

Ward 5 – Northcrest

• Andrew Beamer – 3,765 votes (Re-Elected)

• Charmaine Magumbe – 2,371 votes (Newly Elected)

• Jim Wasson – 1,536 votes

• Gavin Muir – 1,528 votes

• Debbie Halstead – 1,026 votes

• Phil Jolicoeur – 843 votes

• Paul Lawton – 640 votes

• Dennis Nephin – 52 votes

School Board Trustee Results

Voters also selected school board trustees as part of the municipal election. Here are the unofficial results for the boards included in the City of Peterborough’s election results.

Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board

• Shawna Blackwood – 12,283 votes

• Julie Chatten – 11,925 votes

• Jack Henry – 10,984 votes

Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board

• Loretta Durst – 1,826 votes

• Braden Leal – 1,309 votes

• Alex Delorey – 1,272 votes

• Christine Haffie – 929 votes

• Jacquelyn Roffey – 823 votes

Conseil scolaire Viamonde

• Erik Lapointe – Acclaimed

Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir

• Marcellin Kwilu Mondo – Acclaimed

The results remain unofficial until declared official by the City Clerk.

The new Peterborough City Council will be inaugurated on Thursday, November 19th. Council’s next General Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 30th.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Peterborough Picks Its Next Mayor Tonight: Watch PTBOCanada’s Interviews With Mayoral Candidates

By Scott Arnold

Peterborough voters head to the polls today, Monday, October 26th, to choose the city’s next mayor. If you haven’t voted yet, or want one last look at the people hoping to lead the city, PTBOCanada sat down with six of the seven mayoral candidates to talk about their campaigns and what they hope to bring to Peterborough.

PEterborough residents will elect a new mayor to city hall today with voting for the municial election set to close at 8pm on Monday, October 26th. (photo by scott arnold)

Earlier this month we shared video interviews with Brian Lumsden, Jacob Méthot, Keith Riel, Michael Eamon, Neil Morton and Rebecca Schillemat, giving each candidate an opportunity to introduce themselves and share their vision for Peterborough’s future.

While seven candidates are listed on the ballot, Rob Hailman suspended his campaign on October 4th and was not available for our interviews which took place the following week.

Meet the Candidates

If you haven’t cast your ballot yet, there’s still time to make your voice heard in Peterborough’s 2026 municipal election with voting locations set to close at 8pm. You can also vote online at peterborough.elections.vote/en/home.

The City of Peterborough anticipates posting unofficial election results at approximately 9pm.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

A Special Flag at City Hall Has a Meaningful Message This Week

By Scott Arnold

If you’ve noticed a new flag flying outside Peterborough City Hall today, there’s a reason it’s there.

The Deaf flag flies outside Peterborough City Hall on September 23rd in recognition of International Week of Deaf People and International Day of Sign Languages. (photo by scott arnold)

The City of Peterborough has raised the Deaf flag in recognition of International Week of Deaf People, which takes place during the last full week of September.

September 23rd is also International Day of Sign Languages, a day established by the United Nations in 2017 to raise awareness of sign languages and strengthen their status around the world.

The date is significant because it marks the anniversary of the founding of the World Federation of the Deaf in 1951.

The flag itself also carries meaning. Designed by French deafblind artist Arnaud Balard, it features two hands, representing sign language, communication and support. Its turquoise blue, yellow and dark blue colours each have their own significance, reflecting the Deaf community, light and life, humanity and the connection to Deaf culture around the world. Together, the colours represent the diversity of people and languages and the place of Deaf people within the broader human community.

International Week of Deaf People brings Deaf communities and others together through activities and events focused on awareness, participation and inclusion. The week also highlights the important role of families, governments, professional sign language interpreters and organizations supporting people with disabilities.

This year also marks 20 years since the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the recognition of national sign languages as full and equal languages.

For the City, the flag is also connected to its broader work around accessibility.

Peterborough says it is committed to creating an inclusive environment across its services, programs, facilities, information, employment and transportation systems, with a focus on dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity.

The City also notes that people with disabilities can face limited options when navigating public spaces and says it is committed to providing timely information about service disruptions, including what is affected, how long the disruption is expected to last, why it is happening and what alternatives are available.

So, if you’re passing City Hall and spot the Deaf flag flying this week, now you know why it’s there.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Jeff Leal Will Not Seek Re-Election After Nearly Four Decades in Politics

By Scott Arnold

Peterborough Mayor Jeff Leal announced Thursday that he will not seek another term in office, bringing a nearly four-decade political career closer to its conclusion and setting the stage for a wide-open mayoral race in 2026.

Following a political career that began in peterborough in 1985, mayor jeff leal announced on thursday that he would not be seeking re-election in the next municipal election.

Speaking at City Hall on Thursday, Leal said the decision came after considerable reflection on his health, age and family, despite strong encouragement from supporters to run again.

The announcement was made in front of family members, city staff and supporters, including councillors Gary Baldwin and Kevin Duguay.

Leal said he is proud of what has been accomplished during his first term as mayor and believes the city is positioned well for the future.

“I'm satisfied that I've done my part to help transform our city and entrench a positive direction for Peterborough moving forward,” he said.

Throughout his remarks, Leal pointed to progress on housing, infrastructure, parks, city services, environmental initiatives and long-term planning. He said the foundation has been established for major projects that will continue beyond his time in office.

Among the projects he referenced were the new event centre, the proposed Alto development, airport expansion plans and efforts to support continued growth throughout the city.

But while he remains optimistic about Peterborough's future, Leal said personal considerations ultimately drove his decision.

“At the end of the day, I have to be realistic about my age and my health,” he said.

Leal noted that he has continued to maintain what he described as a strong attendance record despite battling prostate cancer during the current term. He also revealed that upcoming knee surgeries and rehabilitation played a significant role in his thinking.

“Unfortunately, I require knee surgeries and consequent rehab that would make my high standards of work ethic difficult to achieve,” he said.

The mayor also spoke emotionally about wanting to spend more time with his family.

“My parents both passed shortly after they'd finished work. They were given very little time to enjoy their retirement. I don't want this to be my story,” he said.

“I want to enjoy my beautiful family while I still have good health.”

While stepping away from electoral politics, Leal stressed that he is not finished with the job.

“I still have months of being mayor ahead of me and I very much look forward to continue the work that needs to be done,” he said.

“I will continue to be relentless in my pursuit to advance and finalize some very important projects.”

Following his formal announcement, Leal told reporters he was satisfied with what council and staff have accomplished over the past four years.

“When you look at the platform that we campaigned on in 2022, we were able to accomplish almost 90 plus percent of those commitments,” he said. “Working with this council and our city staff, we've moved the direction of this city forward.”

Leal's decision will mark the end of one of the longest and most recognizable political careers in Peterborough's history.

A lifelong Peterborough resident, he first served 18 years on Peterborough City Council before being elected as Peterborough's Member of Provincial Parliament in 2003. He was re-elected in 2007, 2011 and 2014 and later served as Ontario's Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. He also held several other cabinet, parliamentary assistant and government leadership roles during his time at Queen's Park.

After leaving provincial politics, Leal returned to municipal government and was elected mayor in 2022.

Reflecting on his career Thursday, Leal said public service has always been about advancing the interests of the community.

“As your MPP, Cabinet Minister, Mayor, my sole objective was to advance the interests of our community and to improve the lives of all our citizens,” he said.

“I have served in public life now for almost 4 decades.”

Leal closed his announcement by expressing confidence in the city's future.

“The work continues, the foundation is strong, and Peterborough has a bright future.”

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Ontario Government Invests Over $9.5 Million For Peterborough's Critical Infrastructure

The Ontario government is investing $9,536,982 to help renew and rehabilitate critical infrastructure in the City of Peterborough, announced at City Hall on Friday morning.

In 2025, Ontario will allocate $400 million in OCIF funding to help 423 small, rural and northern communities build roads, bridges, water and wastewater infrastructure. Communities may accumulate funding for up to five years to address larger infrastructure projects. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The funding will be delivered in 2025 through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund and is part of the government’s $190 billion capital plan to build and expand more homes, highways, hospitals, transit and high-speed internet across the province according to a press release.

“This investment of over $9 million will improve infrastructure throughout the City of Peterborough, particularly in the downtown core,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “It is formula-based funding that is sent out to the municipalities each year and is something they can count onto plan for critical infrastructure projects.”

“With this support, we can address key projects that will improve our core infrastructure and create long-lasting benefits for our residents,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Strong infrastructure is the backbone of our city’s future, and this partnership with the province plays a pivotal role in ensuring a vibrant Peterborough for many years to come.”

The OCIF provides funding for local infrastructure projects in municipalities with populations under 100,000, rural and northern municipalities and Local Services Boards that own water or wastewater systems.

The funding allocations are based on a formula that accounts for each community's needs and economic conditions.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Photos: Peterborough International Women's Day March 2024

Kawartha World Issues Centre and Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre rallied and marched in Downtown Peterborough for International Women’s Day from Peterborough Square to City Hall on Friday afternoon.

All photos by David Tuan Bui.

The two organizations and participating marchers acknowledge women's achievements and advocate for equality in the annual global celebration. This year's theme, ‘Inspire Inclusion,’ highlights the crucial need to foster a diverse and inclusive society, according to a press release.

Deputy Mayor and Councillor Joy Lachica gave a rousing speech to the 120+ marchers at City Hall, a significant increase from last year’s march which saw roughly 60 people participate. Roughly 10 per cent of this year’s attendees were men, another uptick from the prior event.

A poem reading from Peterborough's current Poet Laureate, Ziysah von Bieberstein, was also performed. Mayor Jeff Leal also spoke, proclamating March 8 as International Women’s Day in Peterborough.

During the march, signs were held up with statements such as, “Where there is a woman, there is magic,” “We are the voice of those who are no longer here,” “It’s a beautiful day to smash the patriarchy,” and “The future is female.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

City Hall Council Chambers Open House On Feb. 25

The public are invited to drop in for conversations and light refreshments with Mayor Jeff Leal and City Councillors at an Open House in the Council Chambers at City Hall from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 25.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

“We want to provide another way for residents to visit City Hall, to see the Council Chambers, and to speak with their Council members outside of the typical formal meetings that usually bring us together,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Join us for coffee, tea or juice and local baked goods. This is going to be another huge year for moving projects forward, renewing infrastructure, and delivering critical services. Let’s talk about our community and how we can build a better tomorrow, together.”

The Council Chambers are on the second floor of City Hallwhich can be accessed through the main doors and taking either the central staircase or the adjacent elevator to the second floor. Refreshments will be available in the City Boardroom next to the Council Chambers.

Free public parking is available in the City Hall parking lot when visiting City Hall and on-street parking is permitted in front of City Hall on George Street. 

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Peterborough Youth Commission Meeting May 30

The Peterborough Youth Commission will host a meeting on May 30 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at City Hall in the Doris Room.

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.

Youth Commission meetings are open to the community and youth are encouraged to attend and share their ideas.

The Youth Commission is resuming its important community work following a pause due to the pandemic. The Commission is made up of non-profit service providers working to assist local youth along with interested community members and youth representatives.

“The City of Peterborough’s Youth Commission is gearing up to re-ignite our mutual goals of re-engaging youth for another exciting year. Our addictive use of electronic devices and social media plus the pandemic have affected how we interact with each other, especially for our youthful citizens,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell, chair of the Youth Commission. “The Youth Commission is a way for youth to engage with our community and for our community to engage with the youth who contribute so much to who we are as a City.”

The Peterborough Youth Commission was created following the 2000 municipal election. The Commission has been very successful over the years helping to make the community more youth friendly.

For further information please contact Ellen Stewart, City of Peterborough Youth Programmer by email or phone 705-927-7046.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Photos: City Hall and Peterborough & District Labour Council Gather For Half-Mast Flag Raising Of National Day of Mourning

All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Roughly over 80 people gathered at City Hall for a flag-raising on the National Day of Mourning. Municipal politicians such as Mayor Jeff Leal and Councillor Joy Lachica spoke at the event. Peterborough & District Labour Council members and several others were in attendance for the event.

The day honours those who have lost their lives in the workplace. A flag has been flown at half mast in memoriam of those who passed on.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Photos: Peterborough International Women's Day March

For International Women’s Day, a rally organized by Kawartha World Issues Centre and Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre had roughly 60 people march from Peterborough Square to City Hall on Wednesday.

Katelyn Brennan (left) and Rhianna Patterson (right) leading the charge for the march that started from Peterborough Square to City Hall. All photos by Samantha Bianco.

During the march, signs were held up with statements such as, “Trans women are women,” “On Wednesday, we smash the patriarchy,” and “Feminism = Equity.”

City Councillor Joy Lachica read Jeff Leal’s proclamation of International Women’s Day announced earlier in the day and roused the crowd to celebrate the fight for equity.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.