City of Peterborough Receives $50,000 Investment Towards the TELUS Cup

The Ontario Government has invested $50,000 to the City of Peterborough to host Hockey Canada’s TELUS Cup in Peterborough from April 20 to 26.

The 21 national and nine international amateur sport events in communities across the province welcome 10,000 athletes from across Canada and around the world to Ontario and are expected to generate over $34 million in economic activity. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The TELUS Cup is on display at the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame.

“This investment of $50,000 to bring the TELUS Cup to Peterborough is fantastic news for our community. Hockey Canada’s national championship will not only showcase the tremendous talent of the young athletes but will also generate significant economic activity for our local businesses, restaurants, and hotels,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.” By supporting events like this, our government is following through on its commitment to promote active, healthy living while reinforcing Peterborough-Kawartha’s reputation as a premier destination for world-class amateur sport.”

“Securing support through the Ontario Sport Hosting Program is an important step on the road to the TELUS Cup," said Councillors Lesley Parnell and Alex Bierk. “As we prepare to showcase Peterborough on the national stage, strong collaboration across all levels of government is crucial. We’re grateful to the Government of Ontario for recognizing the value these tournaments bring to our community.”

Peterborough was selected to host the TELUS Cup back on April 23. The event has six elite men’s U18 teams from across the nation battling for the title. The host Peterborough Minor Petes are making their national championship debut.

The City expects the event to generate more than 1,200 total room nights and over $1 million in economic impact, boosting hotels, restaurants, shops and local attractions during the tournament week.

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Havelock Receives Ontario Trillium Grant of $145,000 to Revitalize Cordova Mines Outdoor Rink

The Township of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen has received a $145,000 Capital grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) to revitalize the Cordova Mines outdoor rink, announced on Friday.

Photo courtesy of the Township of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen.

Funds provided by the OTF grant have enabled major repairs to the existing outdoor rink. This provides additional recreation opportunities, including basketball, pickleball, tennis and ball hockey.

“By providing funding for major repairs, we are ensuring this vital community hub is not just saved but transformed into a year-round multi-purpose facility,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “This supports active, healthy living and ensures families have a modern, safe, and accessible place to play, whether they are enjoying skating in the winter or ball hockey, pickleball and basketball in the warmer months.”

This funding extends the rink's current seasonal use to year-round multi-purpose.

“On behalf of the Township of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen, I want to thank the Ontario Trillium Foundation for supporting the revitalization of the Cordova Mines Outdoor Rink,” said Mayor Jim Martin. “This beloved attraction in the Hamlet with a Heart of Gold where families come together and pride of place shines and continues to strengthen our local spirit and economy. We’re also very grateful to the Cordova Mines Recreation Association and our dedicated Township of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen Fire Fighters whose volunteer efforts keep this treasured gathering place alive and thriving.”

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Canadian Canoe Museum Receives $150,000 Ontario Trillium Grant For Expansion of Volunteer Roles

The Canadian Canoe Museum received a $150,000 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) during its annual Volunteer Appreciation event earlier this year.

Photo courtesy of Justen Soule and the Canadian Canoe Museum.

The two-year grant has supported the Museum’s Volunteer Program at its new waterfront location and helps strengthen connections across the Peterborough area and beyond according to a press release.

“The Resilient Communities Fund was designed to help vital organizations like the Canadian Canoe Museum adapt and thrive during major change,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “This $150,000 in support has allowed the Museum to completely rebuild its volunteer structure, train new roles, and welcome back its dedicated team after a pause. I am incredibly proud that our government, through the OTF, is supporting the passionate volunteers who are so essential to the Museum's continued success.”

The grant supported the hiring of a Volunteer Coordinator and the development of several new key volunteer roles. These new positions - including Visitor Services Attendant, Exhibition Attendant, Cleaning Support, Lakefront Campus Attendant, Tour Guide, and Event Support. The mony also allowed the Museum to purchase equipment and provide training, networking and learning opportunities.

“This generous support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation has been transformational for our volunteer program during a time of exciting growth and change,” said Carolyn Hyslop, Canadian Canoe Museum executive director. “Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do, and this grant has allowed us to build the structure, training, and support needed to help them thrive in our new home. We are deeply grateful to OTF for helping us strengthen our community—paddling forward together with purpose and connection.”

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Ontario Government Invests Over $12 Million For Infrastructure In Peterborough City and County

The Ontario Government is investing $12,011,899 in the City and County of Peterborough to help renew and rehabilitate critical infrastructure.

In 2026, Ontario will allocate $400 million in OCIF funding to help 423 small, rural and northern communities address critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The funding will be delivered through the 2026 Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) as part of the government’s more than $200 billion capital plan to protect Ontario by building key public infrastructure that will strengthen the economy and keep workers on the job in the face of tariffs and economic uncertainty according to MPP Dave Smith.

“This provincial commitment ensures our communities receive the reliable, predictable funding necessary to maintain and rehabilitate critical infrastructure assets such as local roads, bridges, and essential water and wastewater systems,” he said. “By empowering our local councils with this resource, we are stabilizing costs, strengthening the foundational services that residents depend upon, and facilitating continued economic growth throughout the county.”

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

“Peterborough County thanks the Government of Ontario for its continued investment in local infrastructure through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund,” said Bonnie Clark, Peterborough County Warden. “This funding supports essential projects that help maintain the services our residents rely on every day. We remain committed to working collaboratively to ensure all communities in Peterborough County can thrive."

“This funding will help us maintain and improve our roads for the benefit of all residents,” said Mayor Jeff Leal.

The amount of funding for 2026 is as follows:

• North Kawartha: $125,000

• Peterborough County: $1,260,030

• Selwyn: $232,869

• Trent Lakes: $125,000

• Havelock-Belmont Methuen: $144,000

• Douro-Dummer: $125,000

• City of Peterborough: $10,000,000

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Ontario Government Invests $981,888 to Peterborough Police Service to Combat Theft and Human Trafficking

The Peterborough Police Service (PPS) is receiving a $981,888 investment from the Ontario Government to enhance local crime-fighting capabilities across two major initiatives: retail theft and human trafficking, announced at the Peterborough Police Station on Friday afternoon.

Chief Stuart Betts (left) and MPP Dave Smith explaining to the media on how the new investment will be used. The Peterborough Police Service project is one of 127 projects being funded across the province for 2025-26. Of the 127 projects, 88 projects will address local priorities and 39 projects will address provincial priorities, including gun and gang-related violence, sexual violence and harassment, human trafficking, mental health and addictions, hate-motivated crime, housing and homelessness and commercial/retail theft. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The money is delivered through the Community Safety and Policing Grant Program. This is part of a $91 million investment to help protect families and communities across the province.

Funding has been secured to strengthen the PPS's successful Community F.L.R.S.T. (Focused Investigation Response and Support Team), which targets retail and provincial theft. The F.I.R.S.T. Unit has made 466 arrests and recovered over $119,000 in stolen property for local businesses since launching in January last year.

There is $500,000 invested to strengthen the PPS's efforts against the provincial priorities of sexual violence, harassment and human trafficking.

This funding will be used to enhance survivor-informed strategies across three key pillars:

• Training & Personnel: Ensuring all frontline officers receive continuous, trauma-informed training, supported by dedicated specialized roles like the Human Trafficking Investigator and Domestic Violence Coordinator.

• Technological Tools: Expanding the Community Safety CCTV Network and installing high-resolution Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology. These tools are crucial for tracking suspect vehicles and disrupting exploitation through transportation networks.

• Community Engagement: Improving public education and outreach, with the technology expansion guided by a transparent, community-led CCTV Steering Committee. This investment directly supports the PPS's strategic goal of strengthening community partnerships and providing both proactive enforcement and compassionate, effective support for victims of complex and often hidden crimes.

“Every resident deserves to feel safe in their community,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “This substantial funding will equip our police service with the resources to not only crack down on organized retail crime and put repeat offenders behind bars through the successful Community F.I.R.S.T. team, but also to deliver specialized, trauma-informed support for victims of the horrific crimes of human trafficking and sexual violence. Our government is committed to ensuring our police have the tools they need to protect our families and make our streets safer.”

“Because of this investment, the Peterborough Police Service will be able to continue to tackle issues that impact residents and visitors and help us achieve our strategic goals of enhancing community safety, modernizing the service through technology and supporting our people,” said. Chief Stuart Betts of the Peterborough Police Service.

This funding provides new technology to simplify the reporting process for residents. It also helps continue to train and educate officers in trauma-informed practices around human trafficking and sexual violence.

The money also allows the Peterborough Police to enhance its CCTV program to install cameras at key intersections that lead in and out of the community according to Chief Betts.

“As I have stated many times, many of the most severe crimes that have occurred in this community over the past two years have been perpetrated by people who have travelled here; having cameras equipped with automatic license plate readers at strategic locations will assist in a multitude of investigations,” he said. “These are issues that are important to our community and with this support we will continue to be able to make strides in solving crimes and ensuring the safety of all residents in our community.”

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Ontario Raising Minimum Wage to $17.60 This Wednesday

To support over 800,000 workers, the Ontario Government is raising the minimum wage from $17.20 to $17.60 an hour, effective Wednesday.

Under the Employment Standards Act, Ontario’s minimum wage increases annually based on the Ontario CPI, a measure of inflation that represents changes in prices experienced by Ontario consumers. Screenshot.

This annualized wage increase of 2.4 per cent is based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index (CPI). It delivers on the government’s plan to protect and support workers while keeping Ontario competitive in the face of U.S. tariffs according to David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.

“At a time when many families are feeling the pressure of global economic uncertainty, our government will protect Ontario workers with a minimum wage increase that supports our world-class workforce,” he said. “We will continue to take action to build a strong, resilient workforce ready to face whatever comes our way.”

As a result of the changes, a worker making minimum wage and working 40 hours per week will get an annual pay increase of more than $800.

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Ontario Government Invests Over $186,000 For Peterborough County OPP Mobile Crisis Response Teams Expansion

The Ontario government is investing $186,860.34 over two years to support the mobile crisis response team expansion, led by Peterborough County OPP, announced at the Peterborough Police Station on Friday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The funding will enable police to work with trained crisis workers to provide the specialized support often needed when interacting with people who are experiencing a mental health-related crisis.

“Our police are increasingly confronted with the need to assist vulnerable people in a mental health crisis,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “This funding will assist the Peterborough County OPP deliver appropriate services focused on de-escalation. Meeting the unique needs of an individual who is in crisis will help ensure a better outcome for everyone involved.”

For 2025-26 and 2026-27, 36 police services and OPP detachments will receive approximately $9 million through the Mobile Crisis Response Team Enhancement Grant to increase the capacity of mobile crisis response teams across the province.

“We’re supporting our police services by providing them with the resources they need to assist vulnerable people in crisis situations,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “Mobile Crisis Response Teams are best positioned to respond to people experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis and are an important part of how police in collaboration with this government are working hard to keep Ontarians safe.”

“This grant will enable the OPP to expand its Mobile Crisis Response Teams (MCRT), allowing us to improve pathways and connections to necessary services for those experiencing crisis,” said Chris Galeazza, Inspector/Detachment Commander, Peterborough County OPP. “When police and health partners can continue working together through initiatives like this, safety is improved, and we see better outcomes for everyone.”

“We're proud to receive this enhancement grant to expand live crisis response across the 4,000 km² region served by the OPP,” said Calli Lorente, CMHA-HKPR Manager of Integrated Crisis Services. “With a second team in place, we can respond in real time to support those experiencing crisis. This timely response allows for a stronger connection to the person and a more appropriate connection to the right service. Connecting people in the community to people at resources in their community is the goal of this team. The expansion is exciting as it supports positives outcomes in all aspects of the community.”

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Francophone Communities Receive a Three Million Dollars Investment From Ontario Government

The Ontario Government is investing three million dollars to protect the province’s Francophone community by creating jobs and driving economic growth through the 2025-26 Francophone Community Grants Program (FCGP).

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The funding is to aid 71 organizations and businesses around the province to strengthen the cultural and economic impact of Franco-Ontarians by expanding service offerings, improving employee training, increasing community outreach and expanding hiring, according to Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.

“I am incredibly proud to see our government investing in the vitality of Ontario’s Francophone community right here in Peterborough,” he said. “This funding for Junior Achievement of Northern & Eastern Ontario is an excellent example of our commitment to supporting organizations that are making a tangible difference. By empowering our youth with access to French-language education on entrepreneurship and careers, we are not just investing in their future, but in the economic and cultural strength of our entire community.”

The government's Francophone Community Grants Program (FCGP) is providing $44,560 to Junior Achievement of Northern & Eastern Ontario.

This funding will support a project aimed at promoting and strengthening Ontario's Francophone community. The project will involve:

• Recruiting and training bilingual volunteers and facilitators

• Hosting French-language sessions for students at French and bilingual schools

The goal is to provide Francophone youth with better access to education on career exploration and entrepreneurship, enhance the organization's capacity to serve this community, and strengthen its partnerships with school boards, according to John McNutt, JA-NEO president and CEO.

“At Junior Achievement (JA), we believe the most powerful gift we can offer young people is the ability to distinguish between a want and a need. Through our programs in Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurship, and Work Readiness, young people don’t just learn about money or careers; they learn to make informed choices that will shape their futures,” he said. “Thanks to this support, and in partnership with our friends at JA Québec, we are bringing these opportunities to even more Francophone youth in border communities. This funding goes beyond building skills: it fosters friendships, deepen understanding, and creates lasting connections between Ontario and Québec. Together, we are empowering students to strengthen their communities and believe in a future where opportunity knows no boundaries.” John McNutt added.

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Long-Term Care Home Underway For Trent University

Construction is underway to build peopleCare Peterborough, a new 224-bed long-term care home at Trent University’s Symons Campus, announced by Minister of Long-Term Care, Natalia Kusendova-Bashta on Tuesday morning.

Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care (pictured) visited Peterborough and the Kawarthas, making stops at Trent University and Station Place Long-Term Care Home in Havelock. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“Following years of planning, breaking ground on this long-term care home marks a meaningful step forward for Trent, for peopleCare, and for the community,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, Trent president and vice-chancellor. “This project will help meet the urgent need for long-term care, while also creating a space where innovation, research, and learning come together to improve quality of life for older adults. It’s a place where care will be practiced with compassion, informed by evidence, and to benefit others.”

This project is a recipient of the provincial Construction Funding Subsidy top-up. Kusendova-Bashta says this is part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by creating good jobs and building for the future, while ensuring long-term care residents get the quality of care and quality of life they need and deserve.

“Our government is improving long-term care by building more homes, hiring more staff, and protecting those who reside in them,” she explained. “Once construction is complete, 224 people will have a new home where they can receive the care they need, when they need it.”

Located at the corner of Water Street and Woodland Drive, the home is designed with advanced Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) features and engineered technologies. The long-term care home will provide a safe, supportive environment for residents, families, staff, and students alike, and create approximately 200 local jobs in the Peterborough region.

“PeopleCare is thrilled to build and operate a new long-term care home that will be a centre of excellence for aging adults in Peterborough, as part of Trent University's Integrated Seniors Village,” said Brent Gingerich, peopleCare chairman and CEO. “We’re excited to collaborate with an innovative partner like Trent and create something truly unique, where clinical best practices, teaching, research and intergenerational connections come together.”

The home will also be surrounded by 55 acres of natural areas and trails.

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Ontario Government Invests $878,878 For New Canadians For Training to Land Jobs In Trades Sector

The Ontario Government has invested $878,878 through the Skills Development Fund Training Stream to support new Canadians in Peterborough-Kawartha in acquiring skills for jobs in the construction industry, announced at Toromont Cat and Battlefield Equipment Rentals on Thursday.

Trainer Shawn Shaw (left) gives a lesson on heavy machinery to New Canadian students getting into the trades sector. Since its launch in 2021, Ontario’s Skills Development Fund has helped connect more than half a million job seekers with skills and training for careers. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This funding is a part of our broader effort to strengthen Ontario’s workforce, improve productivity, and protect workers from U.S. tariffs, according to David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.

“Our government is protecting Ontario by investing in the tools, training, and resources needed to keep our workforce strong,” he said. “Through targeted funding, we’re strengthening our supply chains, growing a job-ready workforce, and building the foundation for a more self-reliant and productive province – one that can compete, deliver and win.”

The investment is made in partnership with Utimus, a business that aims to provide new Canadians with proper training to enter the workforce. Augmented by some online training and job resumé help, students can go through training as quickly as two to three weeks said Brian Macdonald, Utimus CEO.

“We have a number of partners and through those partners, we deliver both online and in-person training,” he explained. “In this case, we do heavy equipment training and some basic carpenter skills to get New Canadians into worksites as quickly as possible and ultimately careers in the skilled trades.”

The ‘Training New Canadians for Construction Jobs’ program aims to prepare newcomers to Canada to work in the construction sector in Eastern Ontario such as carpenters, electricians, plumbers and other in-demand skilled trades said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.

“By investing in new Canadians, we're not only helping them build a new life in Ontario but also addressing a critical labour shortage in the construction industry,” he said. “This funding will ensure that our newcomers have the skills to thrive and contribute to a stronger, more prosperous Ontario.”

@ptbo_canada The Ontario Government has invested $878,878 through the Skills Development Fund Training Stream to support new Canadians in Peterborough-Kawartha in acquiring skills for jobs in the construction industry. #ptbocanada #peterborough #journalism #news #fyp ♬ Trendsetter - Connor Price & Haviah Mighty

The Skills Development Fund Training Stream is open to a wide range of applicants, including employers, industry associations, labour unions, hospitals and more.

“We are training excellent people that are ready to go on your jobsite,” said Macdonald. “They've got the safety training, they've got basic skills, they're going to provide good labour so let's get them building.”

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