Hydro One's Grant Gives Up to $10,000 to 50 Communities For Ice Storm Recovery Efforts

To support local communities from the late March weather, Hydro One has named its 50 recipients of up to $10,000 for its Ice Storm 2025: Recovery Grant, announced at the Paul J. English Chemung Lions Park in Bridgenorth on Monday afternoon.

Sherry Senis, Selwyn Mayor (left); Bonnie Clark, Peterborough County Warden (middle) and Bronwen Evans, Hydro One VP (right) planting the first tree at the Paul J. English Chemung Lions Park in Bridgenorth. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The grants support local recovery efforts from the widespread ice storm that left severe damage. The 50 recipients are local municipalities and Indigenous communities. Several Indigenous communities and municipalities declared states of emergency due to the storm with some places having ongoing clean-up.

“The ice storm caused severe and widespread impacts across the province, leaving many Indigenous communities and municipalities with devastating damage,” said Bronwen Evans, Hydro One Vice President. “We are incredibly grateful to the Indigenous community leaders, local staff and emergency responders who came together to support restoration efforts and keep everyone safe.”

Selwyn Township was one of the recipients and utilized the grant for its ReLeaf Program, donating more than 350 trees to residents who experienced vegetation loss as a result of the storm.

“Selwyn Township is incredibly grateful to Hydro One for their generous support,” said Sherry Senis, Selwyn Township Mayor. “This grant allows us to work with residents to contribute to the community's recovery and beautification. Together, we’re planting the seeds for a more resilient and sustainable future.”

“All of Peterborough County was deeply impacted by the ice storm this spring. Some places may never look the same,” said Bonnie Clark, Warden, Peterborough County. “It’s wonderful to see Hydro One in the community long after the power was restored to help with rebuilding.”

Each community had its respective uses for the grant money which included supplying emergency shelters, restoring biodiversity and more according to Evans.

“Some of the things that people applied for were simply cleaning up debris. You can see in different areas of the province where trees have fallen and they're hanging over the side of the highway and needed to be cleaned up,” she explained. “In other cases, it was water drainage infrastructure so we did leave it up to the municipalities and communities to identify what their unique needs were.”

The ice storm spanned three days of ice accumulation that uprooted trees, downed lines and more than 2,700 broken poles across the province according to Hydro One.

The following are the recipients of Hydro One's Ice Storm 2025: Recovery Grant:

1. Alderville First Nation 

2. Alnwick Haldimand Township 

3. City of Barrie 

4. Beausoleil Island First Nation 

5. Town of Bracebridge 

6. Municipality of Brighton 

7. Brock Township 

8. Cavan-Monaghan Township 

9. Central Elgin Township 

10. Municipality of Centre Hastings  

11. Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation 

12. Chippewas of Nawash First Nation 

13. Chippewas of Rama First Nation 

14. Curve Lake First Nation 

15. Douro-Dummer Township 

16. Essa Township 

17. Georgian Bay Township 

18. Georgian Bluffs Township 

19. Town of Georgina 

20. Haliburton County 

21. Hamilton Township 

22. Hiawatha First Nation 

23. Town of Innisfil 

24. North Kawartha Township 

25. Marmora and Lake Township 

26. Melancthon Township 

27. Town of Midland 

28. Minden Hills Township 

29. Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation 

30. Mono Township 

31. Moose Deer Point First Nation 

32. District Municipality of Muskoka 

33. Muskoka Lakes Township 

34. City of Orillia 

35. Oro-Medonte Township 

36. Town of Penetanguishene 

37. Peterborough County

38. Municipality of Port Hope 

39. Ramara Township 

40. Selwyn Township 

41. Severn Township 

42. Sheguiandah First Nation 

43. Simcoe County 

44. Southgate Township 

45. Tay Township 

46. Municipality of Trent Lakes 

47. Municipality of Tweed 

48. Uxbridge Township 

49. Wahta Mohawk Nation 

50. Wasauksing First Nation 

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City Finishes Removal of Ice Storm Brush

The City of Peterborough has finished its removal of brush and debris from the March ice storm.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

According to the City, crews removed more than 6,500 tonnes of brush, debris and tree branches from City boulevards. That took approximately eight weeks.  

Storm debris that was not placed at the curb for removal or placed on the curb after city crews had completed the street will not be picked up, unless it meets the guidelines for curbside yard waste collection.  

Debris can be disposed of through the City’s curbside yard waste collection program or at the Peterborough Waste Management Facility, 1260 Bensfort Rd. 

Yard waste set out requirements are as follows: 

• Yard waste must be placed in brown paper bags, marked bins or a bushel basket. No other type of bin will be collected (including blue boxes). Plastic bags will not be accepted. 

• Marked bins must contain a maximum volume of 80 litres, with two fixed handles. Lids must be removable and not secured by any means (bungee cords, etc.). Yard waste material must empty freely when emptied/dumped by the collector.  

• Bins must have two clearly identifiable yellow labels attached defining the contents as yard waste.  The yellow labels are available for no charge at City Hall, 500 George St. N. 

• Weight limit must be less than 13 kilograms (30 lbs.).  

• Brush can be tied in bundles with light rope or twine, weighing not more than 13 kilograms (30 lbs.), with a length of up to one meter (three feet) and a diameter of up to 30 centimeters (12 inches). 

The Peterborough Waste Management Facility accepts yard waste and is open from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday to Friday and from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. on Saturdays. Tipping fees apply.

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City of Peterborough Launch New Maps to Help Residents Track Ice Storm Recovery Efforts

The City of Peterborough has developed three new maps to help residents track its ongoing recovery efforts following the ice storm that occurred from March 28 to March 30.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This map displays ongoing curbside brush debris and cleanup. Incomplete streets are shown in red and streets completed since Monday are displayed in green.

Crews will not return to a street once it has been marked as completed. All brush and debris related to the ice storm should be placed curbside. Brush collection will be ongoing, with several crews deployed daily. The collection is expected to take six to seven weeks to complete.

Residents are asked not to obstruct debris piles by parking in front of them. Crews will not return for brush and debris missed due to an obstructed location.

This map shows Right of Ways that still contain known hazards and Right of Ways that have been cleared of known hazards. If a tree-related issue remains in a completed area, the City asks to call Public Works at 705-745-1386 or report the issue online.

Residents in zones still marked as containing hazards are asked to be patient as crews work to address the issue. Please call Public Works to report any immediate matters.

This map indicates parks that have been cleared of known hazards and are open and parks that remain closed due to ongoing brush and debris hazards and removal. Parks that remain closed are shaded red.

Residents are asked to remain out of parks that are still listed as closed, and to follow all posted signage and barricades.

Residents are reminded to use caution in open parks. Subsequent windstorms may have resulted in further downed limbs and branches in previously cleared parks. Residents can report an issue by calling 705-745-1386 or online.

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City Asking Residents to Bring Ice Storm Brush and Debris to the Curb

The City of Peterborough is urging residents to bring all brush and debris related to the March 28 to March 30 ice storm to the curb by Monday to ensure pickup by the City.

Photo by Aaron Elliott.

This service is for storm-related debris, branches and tree limbs that cannot be collected through the City’s regular curbside collection for yard waste.

Brush collection is expected to last another six to seven weeks. The collection is not scheduled for a particular street at a specific time. Residents are asked to ensure that all debris is at the curb, ready for pickup when the crews arrive.

Crews are currently working in neighbourhoods between Parkhill Road and Lansdowne Street. Another collection will occur in neighbourhoods completed before Monday within the next few weeks.

To help ensure efficient and prompt pickup, residents are encouraged to dispose of small sticks, branches and lightweight brush through the regular yard waste program. Brush can be tied in bundles with light rope or twine and should not weigh more than 13 kg (30 pounds). It should have a length of up to one metre (three feet) and a diameter of up to 30 cm (12 inches).

For curbside yard waste collection, residents can place unlimited quantities of yard waste in reusable containers, labelled bushel baskets or paper yard waste bags.

Residents are asked not to place whole trees or large tree stumps at the curb for removal.

Residents are also asked to avoid parking in front of curbside debris piles to help crews access debris quickly and easily.

Street sweeping of City streets is now underway in the north section of the city, and will be completed in the west, south and east sections of the city over the coming weeks. Street sweeping is expected to be completed by mid-June.

When placing storm debris at the boulevard for yard waste collection, please avoid putting debris too close to the curb so that it may wash into the street during a rainstorm.

Residents are also asked to be mindful of sightlines to ensure the safety of pedestrians and vehicular traffic and to prevent debris from obstructing the sidewalk.

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City of Peterborough LIfts State of Emergency Declaration From Late-March Ice Storm

The City of Peterborough has officially ended the State of Emergency declaration from the March 28 to 30 ice storm.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The State of Emergency was declared on March 30 after the region was hit by a severe ice storm that led to downed trees and tree limbs and widespread power outages throughout the City.

“As the City officially lifts its State of Emergency following the devastating ice storm in March, I want to express my deepest gratitude to our residents, emergency responders, utility workers, City staff, and volunteers for their incredible resilience and dedication over these past few weeks,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “The response from our community has been nothing short of extraordinary.”

Clean-up efforts are still underway across the City.

The City continues to remove brush and debris from the curbside during the ice storm. This service is for debris, branches and tree limbs that cannot be collected through the City’s regular curbside collection for yard waste. Residents are asked not to place whole trees or large tree stumps at the curb for removal.

When placing debris at the boulevard for yard waste collection, please be mindful of sightlines to ensure safety for both pedestrians and vehicular traffic. Avoid placing debris close enough to the curb that it may wash into the street during a rainstorm.

It is expected to take up to eight weeks for crews to complete curbside removal of large brush and debris in all areas of the City.

Curbside collection has been completed for the area north of Parkhill Road and west of the Otonabee River.

The partial non-enforcement of the Tree Removal bylaw, including waiving permit fees for trees on private property that were damaged or destroyed as a result of the ice storm, remains in place until Monday. Regular requirements under the Tree Removal Bylaw will resume on Tuesday.

Residents wishing to remove storm-damaged trees without paying permit fees must email treebylaw@peterborough.ca and provide a photo of the tree, the property address, location of the tree on the property, the species of tree (if known), the approximate diameter of the tree and a description of the condition of the tree.

The Tree Removal bylaw remains in place for all other trees.  More information on the Tree Removal By-law can be found at peterborough.ca/trees.

The City reports significant damage to trees in City parks and along trails from the ice storm. The City is assessing and addressing hazardous tree conditions. Due to the extent of the damage, this work is ongoing.

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Peterborough County Lifts State of Emergency From Late March Ice Storm

Peterborough County has officially ended the State of Emergency as the region transitions to the Recovery phase following the March 28 to 30 ice storm.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

According to the County, the Emergency phase focused on immediate response efforts, including ensuring public safety, restoring critical infrastructure and coordinating emergency services. The Recovery phase will now focus on longer-term efforts such as cleanup and repair.

The State of Emergency was declared on March 31 to support coordinated emergency response efforts and resource allocation across the region in the face of widespread storm damage and power outages.

“With power now restored to all permanent residents and storm cleanup well underway, Peterborough County is officially ending its State of Emergency. I want to extend my sincere thanks to our residents, local businesses, volunteers, the governments of Ontario and Canada and especially to the hydro crews, public works teams, and first responders whose dedication and hard work continue to be instrumental in our recovery,” said Bonnie Clark, Peterborough County Warden. “While this ice storm caused significant disruption, it also highlighted the strength, resilience, and unity of our communities, and while there is still a lot of work to do, Peterborough County is defined by its compassion, and that spirit of community is what will carry us forward. I encourage residents to continue monitoring official channels for safety updates, to exercise caution around waterways due to potential flooding, and to remain vigilant for falling tree limbs in forested areas.”

Services and Recovery Information:

• Peterborough County Depot Drop Off Locations

  • Peterborough County residents have until Wednesday, April 30, 2025, to drop off storm-related brush and tree debris for free at select County depots.

  • Centreline Depot (1275 County Road 24) is CURRENTLY CLOSED due to significant brush accumulation, which has made the site unsafe for public access.

  • County depots are for Peterborough County residents only and are for storm clean-up only - NO leaf and yard waste.

• County Roads and Infrastructure: All Peterborough County roads are open. Cleanup of debris along County roads is ongoing. Please use caution when driving and report any hazards to Peterborough County’s Public Works department.

• Flood Watches/Warnings: For the latest watches and warnings in your area, please contact your local Conservation Authority or the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

• Trail/Park/Forest Closure: Victoria Park and the County Forest remain CLOSED due to unsafe conditions caused by the recent ice storm. Rotary Trail has reopened for recreational use.

The County’s Emergency Operations Centre has stood down and standard operations have resumed. Monitoring and coordination will continue to support the long-term recovery needs.

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City of Peterborough Remains In State of Emergency As Ice Storm Response Continues

The City of Peterborough continues ongoing efforts in response to the ice storm that hit the region on March 30 as the State of Emergency declaration remains in place.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The City continues to ask residents to reduce water use as water levels remain high along the Trent-Severn Waterway. These conditions are due to wet weather conditions and snow melting in the watershed's north region.

The City’s Wastewater Treatment Facility is currently processing extremely high volumes of water. Reducing water use will help reduce demands on the sewage treatment system and assist with capacity at the facility.

Residents are urged to stay well back from shorelines and waterways. Due to fast-flowing water, banks may be unstable. Children should be supervised at all times, and pets should be leashed.

Parks Canada's water management team continues to actively monitor water levels and flows and weather forecasts across the Trent-Severn Waterway. These factors are used to determine dam operations on a daily basis.

Brush and debris are being removed curbside. This service began in the north end of the City on Monday. It is expected to take four to six weeks to complete all areas of the City.

When placing debris at the boulevard for yard waste collection, please be mindful of sightlines for pedestrians and vehicular traffic safety. Avoid placing debris close enough to the curb that it may wash into the street during a rainstorm.

The City Landfill accepts residential brush, wood chips and damaged tree waste related to the ice storm at no charge until Monday.

The landfill will operate extended hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Saturday to assist residents with storm cleanup.

The City is temporarily waiving the permit requirement to remove trees on private property that have been destroyed, destabilized or structurally compromised as a direct result of the ice storm, with the following condition:

• Residents must send email notification to treebylaw@peterborough.ca, providing photos, property address, tree species information including diameter, and provide the physiological and structural condition of the tree preferably prior to removing the tree or as soon as possible after removing a tree.

The bylaw waiver remains in place until April 28.

City-owned trees of any size, including street trees and trees in parks and natural areas, are owned and maintained by the City and are not eligible for removal or maintenance by residents. To report an issue with a City-owned tree, please call 705-742-7777 and dial 8, or 705-745-1386 after hours and weekends.

City parks and trails remain closed until further notice, due to ongoing hazards regarding falling trees and branches.

The City had an Emergency Benefit of up to $75 until 5 p.m. on Wednesday to cover storm-related expenses for eligible residents in areas still affected by the power outages.

This benefit is available to low-income residents, Ontario Works and ODSP recipients.

Eligible residents whose power has not been restored yet but who have not applied for the benefit by the deadline may still be eligible for this assistance but will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Those residents are asked to contact the Social Services office at 705-748-8830 or in person at 178 Charlotte St. (Charlotte Mews) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.

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Ice Storm Updates From City of Peterborough (April 4)

As storm recovery efforts continue in the City of Peterborough, all Public Works crews and 23 contractor crews are working throughout the City, addressing hazards on roads, sidewalks, trails and in parks.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Proper food waste disposal is essential to prevent contamination and maintain community cleanliness says the City.

Residential Properties 

• Residents should use their green bin to dispose of spoiled food. All packaging must be removed before placing food waste in the bin. 

• Residents may also dispose of spoiled food waste at no charge at the City Landfill/Compost Site, 1260 Bensfort Rd., until April 14. Spoiled food waste should be removed from its packaging before disposal.  

Multi-Unit Residential and Commercial Properties 

• If the building does not have a green bin program, please coordinate with the property owner or building manager to arrange proper disposal. 

The City Landfill is also accepting residential brush, wood chips and damaged tree waste related to the ice storm at no charge until April 14.  

Curbside chipping service for large tree debris that cannot be processed through the regular yard waste curbside collection will be provided when resources can be redeployed to provide that service. Resources are dedicated to storm response efforts, addressing hazardous and critical conditions. The City will provide an update when the curbside chipping service for large tree debris will begin.

When placing tree debris at the boulevard for yard waste collection, the City asks to be mindful of sightlines for pedestrian safety and vehicular traffic. Avoid placing debris close enough to the curb that it may wash into the street during a rainstorm.

As a result of the ice storm, the City is temporarily waiving the permit requirement to remove trees on private property that have been destroyed, destabilized or structurally compromised as a direct result of the ice storm, with the following condition:

• Residents must send email notification to treebylaw@peterborough.ca, providing photos, property address, tree species information including diameter, and provide the physiological and structural condition of the tree preferably prior to removing the tree or as soon as possible after removing a tree.

City-owned trees of any size, including street trees and trees in parks and natural areas, are owned and maintained by the City and are not eligible for removal or maintenance by residents. To report an issue with a City-owned tree, please call 705-742-7777 and dial 8, or 705-745-1386 after hours and weekends.

Team Rubicon Canada is deploying volunteers to Peterborough to assist residents with downed trees and storm debris on their properties. To contact Team Rubicon for assistance, please email request_assistance@teamrubicon.ca clearly indicating the location—whether the address is in the City of Peterborough or Peterborough County—or call 647-473-8655.

With high water levels in all regional waterways and rain in the forecast, the City’s Wastewater Treatment Facility is processing extremely high volumes of water. To help reduce the demands on the sewage treatment system and assist with capacity at the facility, residents are strongly urged to conserve water over the next several days.

The municipal drinking water system has maintained operations throughout the state of emergency with no disruption to service.

Warming centres continue to be available in the City of Peterborough for residents of the City and County experiencing extended power outages as Hydro One crews continue to work to restore power to affected areas.

The City’s warming centres are open at the following locations:

• Healthy Planet Arena, banquet hall, 911 Monaghan Rd.: closed at 9 a.m. on Friday

• For Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the 24-hour warming centre is relocated to the McDonnel Street Community Centre at 577 McDonnel St. starting 9 a.m. on Friday, April 4. Food support will be provided at this location on Friday. This location is anticipated to be open until at least 9 a.m. on Monday

• Miskin Law Community Complex, 271 Lansdowne St. W.: open 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. daily through to at least noon on Monday

• Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, 775 Brealey Dr.: open 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. on Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and through to at least 9 a.m. on Monday

The City is monitoring conditions and will assess needs to determine warming centre location services after Monday, April 7.

Showers are available at all Miskin Law Community Complex and the Sport and Wellness Centre during warming centre hours of operation. Community partners, including the Salvation Army, will provide food at the McDonnel Street Community Centre on Friday.

With widespread power outages continuing, please check on neighbours and loved ones.

Peterborough Transit has resumed regular service, with some detours where hazards such as downed trees affect routes. Anyone requiring Transit to visit one of the City’s warming centres will ride for free: notify the driver of the destination when boarding.

City Hall, the Social Services office at 178 Charlotte St., the Peterborough Public Library and the Peterborough Museum and Archives are open regular hours. The Provincial Offences Office at 99 Simcoe St. reopened on Friday.

Recreation facilities have returned to regular, full operations, including arenas, the pool and community centres.

The Art Gallery of Peterborough is closed for unscheduled maintenance until Sunday.

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Team Rubicon Canada Deploys Volunteers To Aid Peterborough In Ice Storm Recovery

Team Rubicon Canada is sending volunteers to Peterborough to assist residents with downed trees and storm debris on their properties that started on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Team Rubicon Canada.

This is not the first time the group has aided Peterborough. Its members came during the City’s derecho storm in May 2022.

“Our community extends a heartfelt thank you to the volunteers with Team Rubicon Canada for helping residents recover from the damage following the severe ice storm,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Many residents may not be physically able to remove downed trees and storm debris on their property, and it could be a financial hardship. It’s a distressing situation. I’m grateful to the volunteers with Team Rubicon for providing a helping hand through this difficult time.”

Team Rubicon Canada issued the following statement:

“We understand this is a stressful time for many in our community. In the wake of the recent weather event, Team Rubicon Canada is on the ground and ready to assist.

We are a non-profit organization that unites the skills and experience of military veterans and first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams. Our services are provided free of charge to those in need.

If your property has been impacted by downed trees or storm debris, we’re here to help. Our trained volunteers will conduct a damage assessment and evaluate the debris caused by the storm. Based on your individual situation, our teams will respond accordingly—getting to work on debris management and removal at no cost to you.

If you or someone you know needs assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d be honoured to serve you.”

To contact Team Rubicon for assistance, please email request_assistance@teamrubicon.ca clearly indicating the location—whether the address is in the City of Peterborough or Peterborough County—or call 647-473-8655.

As part of the storm response, the city has waived tipping fees for residential yard waste and tree debris at the City-County Landfill, 1260 Bensfort Rd., until April 14.

Regular curbside yard waste collection services began this week.

The City will provide curbside tree debris chipping services for debris that is too large for the regular curbside yard waste collection service once resources are available to divert to that activity. Currently, resources are being directed to the storm response efforts to address hazardous and critical conditions. An update will be provided when the curbside chipping service activity is scheduled.

The City does not maintain trees on private property.

As a result of the ice storm, the City is temporarily waiving the permit requirement until April 14 for residents to remove trees on private property that have been destroyed, destabilized or structurally compromised as a direct result of the ice storm, with the following condition:

• Residents must send email notification to treebylaw@peterborough.ca providing photos, property address, tree species information including diameter, and provide the physiological and structural condition of the tree preferably prior to removing the tree or as soon as possible after removing a tree.

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Ice Storm Updates From City of Peterborough (April 2)

Warming centres remain open for residents of the City and County experiencing extended power outages caused by the recent severe ice storm as Hydro One crews continue to work to restore power to affected areas.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The City’s three warming centres are open at the following locations through Friday:

• Healthy Planet Arena, banquet hall, 911 Monaghan Rd.: during the day and overnight, will be open until at least 9 a.m. on Friday – The City will provide an update on a location for an overnight warming centre for Friday night, if required.

• Miskin Law Community Complex, 271 Lansdowne St. W.: open 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. daily through Friday

• Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, 775 Brealey Dr.: open 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. daily through Friday

Showers are available at all three locations until 11 p.m. Food is being provided by community partners, including the Salvation Army, at the Healthy Planet Arena.

With widespread power outages continuing, the City urges those to check on neighbours and loved ones.

Peterborough Transit resumed services on most routes on Tuesday morning. The Link transit service to Curve Lake First Nation and Selwyn Township is operational. A warming bus will be stationed at 486 Donegal St. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or until power is restored.

The Social Services office at 178 Charlotte St., the Peterborough Public Library and the Peterborough Museum and Archives are open for its regular hours.

Recreation facilities, including arenas, the pool, and community centres, are returning to normal and full operations.

The Art Gallery of Peterborough at 250 Crescent St. and the Provincial Offences Office at 99 Simcoe St. are closed.

Curbside garbage, green bin, and yard waste collection will proceed regularly this week.

Public Works crews continue to respond to downed trees on streets and sidewalks, addressing hazardous situations.

All City parks are officially closed due to the risk of falling trees and tree limbs caused by ice accumulation.

Riverview Park and Zoo remains closed due to extensive tree damage. Damage is being assessed, and recovery efforts are being planned to determine when the zoo can safely reopen for visitors. The care of the animals is being maintained and the animals are safe.

As the City prepares for freezing rain and rainfall, with alerts issued by Environment Canada, residents are strongly urged to conserve water use to reduce the volume of water processed by the sewage pumping stations.

Regular yard waste curbside collection service begins this week.

Residential yard waste and tree debris can be dropped off at the City-County Landfill, 1260 Bensfort Rd., free of charge, until April 14.

Curbside chipping service for large tree debris that cannot be processed through the regular yard waste curbside collection will be provided when resources can be redeployed to provide that service. Resources are dedicated to storm response efforts, addressing hazardous and critical conditions. An update will be provided when the curbside chipping service for large tree debris will begin.

As a result of the ice storm, the City is temporarily waiving the permit requirement to remove trees on private property that have been destroyed, destabilized or structurally compromised as a direct result of the ice storm, with the following condition:

• Residents must send email notification to treebylaw@peterborough.ca, providing photos, property address, tree species information including diameter, and provide the physiological and structural condition of the tree preferably prior to removing the tree or as soon as possible after removing a tree.

City-owned trees of any size, including street trees and trees in parks and natural areas, are owned and maintained by the City and are not eligible for removal or maintenance by residents. To report an issue with a City-owned tree, please call 705-742-7777 and dial 8, or 705-745-1386 after hours and weekends. Residents are urged not to touch or attempt to move tree limbs that are on or near Hydro lines. These hazards should be reported to Hydro One by calling the reporting line at 1-800-434-1235.

Peterborough Fire Services reminds residents using backup generators and equipment like a gas-powered cooking stove or charcoal grill to follow safe practices to avoid risks from carbon monoxide.

Peterborough Public Health provides information on food safety and storage, including safety guidance related to extended power outages following the ice storm. Please follow this guidance and monitor food spoilage.

Residents are asked to properly prepare food waste for green bin collection. All packaging must be removed from food waste before placing it in green bins to ensure efficient processing. The City is actively working to ensure seamless waste collection on streets affected by downed power lines.

Additionally, residents bringing food waste to the landfill must remove any packaging beforehand. Food waste brought to the landfill with packaging cannot be processed as compost and will be directed to landfill disposal instead.

The Beach Boys concert at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Friday and the Peterborough Home, Garden and Cottage Show at Healthy Planet Arena on Saturday and Sunday are expected to proceed as scheduled.

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