Curve Lake First Nation Receives $20,000 From Ontario Government For Annual Pow Wow

The provincial government is investing $20,000 in the Curve Lake First Nation Pow Wow, which will be held Sept. 20-21, through the 2025 Experience Ontario program, announced on Monday.

Experience Ontario 2025 is supporting more than 350 festivals and events across the province. Photo by Evan Holt.

The money is part of a nearly $20-million investment in festivals and events across the province to help organizers expand programming and draw visitors to stay longer in local accommodations, eat in restaurants, shop at local retailers and support main street businesses according to Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.

“The Curve Lake First Nation Pow Wow is a significant gathering that offers a space for cultural expression, connection, and healing,” he said. “This funding allows the teaching of history, honours traditions, and celebrates community in a way that truly shines a spotlight on Indigenous culture.”

“Our Pow Wow is a meaningful celebration of Anishinaabe culture, identity, and community,” said Keith Knott, Chief, Curve Lake First Nation. “We are grateful to Experience Ontario for recognizing the importance of supporting First Nation-led cultural events. This funding helps ensure that the people who carry these traditions are respected and compensated for their contributions.”

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Ontario Government Plans to Cut Gas Tax; Proposing Taking Tolls Off Highway 407 East

The Ontario government plans to permanently cut the gasoline and fuel tax rates and proposes to remove tolls from the provincially-owned areas of Highway 407 East, announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of the Ontario Government.

The gas tax is estimated to save about $115 per year and the proposed toll removal would save daily commuters roughly $7,200 annually according to Doug Ford, Ontario Premier.

“I know that families and business owners are worried about rising costs, especially as U.S. tariffs threaten to raise the price of everyday essentials,” he’s aid. “That’s why we’re cutting the gas tax permanently and taking tolls off Highway 407 East, and that’s why we’ll always keep looking for ways to put more money back into the pockets of Ontario families.”

The proposals are through the Ontario government, which is introducing legislation through its 2025 Budget. If passed, it would permanently cut the gas and fuel tax rate, resulting in provincial tax rates at nine cents per litre.

“Ontario families have seen prices on everyday items go up over the last several years,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “To help Ontarians cope with the high cost of living and the impacts of the economic uncertainty caused by tariffs, we are continuing to take action to ease the pressure and do more to help lower costs for households.”

The provincial government is also introducing legislation to permanently remove tolls on Highway 407, from Brock Road to Highway 35/115, effective June 1. This is the last stretch of Ontario's provincially owned and tolled highway. It follows the government’s previous removal of tolls from Highways 412 and 418 and its recent legislation banning new road tolls on any public roadway in Ontario.

“Our government is making it easier and more affordable for Ontarians to get where they need to go, when they need to get there,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “The measures announced today will not only help to reduce traffic and commute times, but they will help put money back in the pockets of hardworking families at a time when it matters most. This is another step in our work to protect Ontario by building a more efficient, affordable and accessible transportation network.”

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Ontario Raising Minimum Wage On Oct. 1

In an effort to support workers and businesses, the Ontario government is increasing the minimum wage from $17.20 to $17.60 an hour effective Oct. 1.

Screenshot.

This annualized wage increase of 2.4 per cent, based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index (CPI), will bring Ontario’s minimum wage to the second-highest provincial rate in Canada.

“Our government will continue to have the backs of Ontario workers, investing in skills training and development and helping ensure that work pays,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Ontario’s minimum wage remains one of the highest in the country. Now more than ever, workers and businesses need fair, balanced and predictable wages.”

The provincial government says these changes will result in an annual pay increase of up to $835.00 for a worker making the general minimum wage and working 40 hours per week. 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.

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Ontario Government Providing $6.2 In Funding For Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hub In Peterborough

The Ontario Government is providing support for those struggling with addiction and mental health issues in Peterborough by building a $6.2 million new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub, announced at Showplace Performance on Monday.

Photo by David Tuan bui.

This new hub is part of the province’s plan to support safer communities by investing $529 million to create 27 HART Hubs across the province while also banning drug injection sites from operating within 200 metres of schools and licensed child-care centres.

“For the first time in Ontario’s history, we are taking a look at the entire continuum for homelessness, addictions, and recovery,” said Dave Smith, Member of Provincial Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha. “The Hart Hub is a fantastic approach; it means that we are crossing different sectors to ensure that we are providing the service where they need it, when they need it, and at the appropriate level. People can enter at any stage into the Hub, wherever they are, and then progress through. It is the first time that any province has looked at the entire continuum for homelessness, addiction, and rehab.”

Peterborough’s HART Hubs, similar to existing hub models in Ontario that have successfully provided people with care, will reflect regional priorities by connecting people with complex needs to comprehensive treatment and preventative services.

Planning efforts to create the HART Hub in Peterborough are underway and the proposed services to be offered could include:

• Primary and psychiatric care

• Mental health and addictions services including case management, Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM), withdrawal management, bed-based addiction treatment, and aftercare

• Peer recovery coaches

• Mental health and addictions supportive housing (transitional and permanent) and dual diagnosis supportive housing with 24/7 community wrap-around services

• Occupational therapy

• Vocational services

“The HART Hub investments are the right concept for the right time. Our community, like others, is struggling with high rates of homelessness, chronic mental illness, substance use and addictions and poverty. For people living this crisis, housing is the solution,” said Donna Rogers, Fourcast executive director. “The Peterborough HART Hub investment will offer housing alongside many of the other essential supports that can help people re-establish their lives through housing stability, addiction and mental health recovery and good health. Our community is ready to maximize this opportunity and build on the strong foundations of housing from homelessness that has been established amongst our community partners.”

The 18 new HART hub locations, including in Peterborough, were chosen due to a provincewide call for proposals last summer. All HART Hubs will have the goal of being operational by April 1. Earlier this year, the province announced that nine drug injection sites in Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, Kitchener, Guelph and Thunder Bay that are required to close due to being located within 200 metres of a school or licensed child-care centres have been approved for transition to a HART Hub. This brings the total number of HART Hubs across the province to 27, eight more than initially planned.

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Ontario Government Invests $2.9 Million Into PRHC For Expansive Mental Health and Addiction Care Services

The Ontario Government is investing $2.9 million into the PHRC to expand the mental health crisis unit for faster and easier connections to high-quality, comprehensive mental health and addiction care services, announced at Showplace Performance Centre on Monday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan bui.

“This investment to enhance the PRHC Crisis Response Unit showcases our government's commitment to addressing mental health challenges,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. It will significantly impact the lives of patients and their families in Peterborough and nearby regions, allowing our healthcare professionals to maintain exceptional care for those in need.”

The expansion is meant to ensure that the hospital is better equipped to deliver responsive and comprehensive care to those in crisis according to Dr. Lynn Mikula, PRHC president and CEO.

“The addition of a purpose-built, expanded Crisis Response Unit at PRHC will have a profound impact on the lives of thousands of patients, improving care and alleviating overcrowding in our Emergency Department, which sees 80,000 visits a year,” she said. “The need for mental health crisis services in our region has grown substantially over the last decade, and we look forward to launching into the next phase of this project, which will ensure that our Mental Health Crisis Response Unit is equipped to provide the best possible care and support in the years and decades to come.”

Once opened, the expanded mental health crisis unit will include:

• Additional capacity to address high volumes of acute mental health and substance abuse incidents

• New crisis unit beds

• Separation for adult and youth mental health patients to enhance the delivery of care, so they can receive the appropriate and high-quality care in a safe space

The ministry says they are working with PRHC to complete early planning and design for this project. A construction schedule will be confirmed once further planning is complete and the project is tendered and awarded.

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Central Smith Creamery Receives Grant Up to $200,000 In Government's Effort to Strengthen Dairy Sector

In an effort to bolster the dairy sector in Peterborough and the Kawarthas, Selwyn’s Central Smith Creamery has received a grant of up to $200,000 from the provincial and federal governments.

(left to right) Jillian Scates, project manager and co-owners Ian and Jennifer Scates are part of three generations who have been involved with Central Smith Creamery. The Sustainable CAP is a five-year, $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5-billion commitment cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs designed and delivered by provinces and territories. Photo by David Tuan Bui

The funding is used to purchase various technologies including an ultraviolet liquid storage tank, volume and temperature control systems, a fat tester system, liquefier load cells, an upgraded raw material management system and a robotic conveyor system.

The grants aims to enhance product quality and boost processing efficiency through the Dairy Processors Modernization Initiative, which offers cost-shared funding to dairy processors for improving efficiency, capacity, and food safety by adopting modern milk processing methods according to Dave Smith, Peterborough Kawartha MPP.

“Central Smith Creamery plays a vital role in our community by providing job opportunities and backing local initiatives. It's wonderful to witness their ability to enhance production capabilities through this project,” he explained. “Central Smith is establishing a standard of excellence within the industry. This upgrade is anticipated to boost efficiency and allow the company to satisfy increasing demand while upholding the high quality that customers have come to cherish.”

The Dairy Processing Modernization Initiative still accepts applications from cow, goat, sheep and water buffalo milk processors until the program is fully subscribed. The initiative provides up to $200,000 in cost-shared funding to each successful applicant to help dairy processing businesses increase production efficiency and food safety in their facilities. Funding can help cover the cost of new or refurbished equipment, training and more. The governments of Ontario and Canada are investing up to $8 million in the initiative through the Sustainable Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP).

“We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to receive this grant, as it will enable us to elevate the level of support we offer to our customers across the country. The backing from the Ontario Government is incredibly valuable, and we sincerely appreciate it,” said Ian and Jennifer Scates, Central Smith Creamery co-owners.

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Showplace Showcases Results From $66,000 Grant By Ontario Government For Post-Pandemic Impact

Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith saw the work of a $66,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant for the Showplace Performance Centre to develop a new strategic plan for moving forward past the impacts created by the pandemic, on Thursday.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“This funding from the Provincial Government, through the Ontario Trillium Foundation, has played a crucial role in the strategic planning of Showplace Peterborough,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “This Performance Centre is a cornerstone of our community, providing arts, culture, and live entertainment for individuals of all ages.”

The 18-month grant has allowed Showplace to bring in outside expertise to develop the plan and help with the costs of hosting focus meetings and helping with promotion and administrative costs.

Ken Doherty, past board chair, presented the plan to an audience, unveiling a new vision, mission and values to carry Showplace into its next era as Peterborough’s premier destination for arts, culture and live entertainment.

“The Ontario Trillium Foundation knows that Showplace helps local artists thrive. Our new strategic plan, with concrete actions and measurable results, will see Showplace grow to be an even more vibrant part of our community,” said Doherty. “As we look to the future, partners like Trillium will help us engage new audiences and hold our spot as Peterborough’s premier choice for live entertainment.”

The full plan can be viewed below:

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Ontario Government Invests $99,000 For Dementia Care In Peterborough and the Kawarthas

The Ontario Government has invested $99,900 to connect more people in Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton to dementia care to provide support and services when needed.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This funding will support the Alzheimer Society of Ontario’s Peterborough Kawartha Lakes Northumberland and Haliburton services, such as the First Link® Care Navigation program that connects people living with dementia and their families with help navigating care, education and resources.

“As the rates of dementia burgeon across our four-county area, we would like to applaud this investment in care for persons living with dementia and their care partners through the Alzheimer Society’s First Link program,” said Jen Johnstone, Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, and Haliburton executive director. “We welcome the government’s commitment to supporting healthcare navigation and counselling support for people impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, which will aid us in our mission to ensure that no one in our local community has to navigate dementia alone.”

This funding is part of the Ontario government’s $6.9 million investment over two years to support those who have received a dementia diagnosis on their care journey.

“This initiative seeks to improve healthcare for those affected by dementia through programs like First Link,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “The provincial government aims to support individuals and families dealing with dementia complexities, enhance the Alzheimer Society’s capacity, and promote community awareness. These efforts are essential for improving quality of life and addressing the increasing need for comprehensive dementia care as the population ages.”

The funding goes towards hiring 36 full-time equivalent staff members, shortening wait times for existing patients and providing support for roughly 7,000 new clients across Ontario. Clients will have access to a coordinator to assist with care planning, care coordination, and referrals to community services.

“The provincial government is providing funding to the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough Kawartha Lakes Northumberland and Haliburton for the First Link program to further support individuals living with dementia and their families”, said Laurie Scott, Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP. “With this funding, they will be able to hire additional staff members, reduce wait times, and provide timely support for new clients, ensuring the everyone receives the care, education, and resources they need to navigate the challenges of dementia.”

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Peterborough Fire Services Receive $255,260 In Training Funding From Ontario Government

Peterborough Fire Services has received $255,260 through the Ontario Government’s Skills Development Fund (SDF) to support a Fire Services Technical Rescue Certification Training Program, announced at Fire Station No. 2 on Friday afternoon.

Josh Marshall (left) and Lucas Roy (right) of the Peterborough Fire Services conducting a demo of their rope rappell exercise. Since its launch in 2021, Ontario’s Skills Development Fund has helped connect approximately 600,000 workers train or upskill for careers in the trades in their local communities, including over 92,000 manufacturing workers, over 66,000 construction workers, over 36,000 PSWs and healthcare workers and over 27,000 mining, quarrying, oil and gas extraction workers. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This initiative aims to equip Peterborough Fire Service firefighters with the necessary skills to meet the technical rescue standards outlined in the Provincial Regulation Firefighter Certification.

“This latest round of SDF funding emphasizes the significance of ongoing professional development and demonstrates the government's dedication to investing in its workforce,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “As the challenges encountered by emergency responders change, it is essential that their skills and knowledge adapt as well. The Fire Services Technical Rescue Certification Training Program exemplifies the proactive measures being implemented to keep first responders leading in safety and innovation.”

The program includes classroom work and practical exercises such as rappelling and heights training. Several firefighters are currently undergoing training in the six-month program, according to Chris Snetsinger, Peterborough Fire Services Chief.

“Peterborough Fire Services must be ready to respond to complex and challenging situations. This investment in the Fire Services Technical Rescue Certification Training Program ensures our team is equipped with the technical skills and latest training needed to meet provincial certification standards and provide the highest level of service to our community,” he said. “This funding strengthens our ability to protect lives and property and supports the ongoing development of our dedicated firefighters.”

Through the SDF, the government is investing up to $1.4 billion through the SDF’s Training Stream and the Capital Stream, designed to recruit, train and upskill workers and build or upgrade training centres for the skilled trades.

“This funding ensures that our firefighters are equipped with the critical skills needed to meet modern rescue challenges and reinforces the importance of preparing our local firefighters to protect lives. It is a critical component in public safety,” said Jeff Leal, Peterborough Mayor. “I want to thank the Province of Ontario for recognizing the needs of our city and supporting our fire services with this vital initiative through the Skills Development Fund.”

“Community safety is a top priority for all of us, and investments like this in our local fire services are vital to ensuring the well-being of our residents. The $255,260 in funding through the Skills Development Fund will help strengthen Peterborough firefighters’ ability to respond to emergencies and protect lives,” said Community Services co-chairs Councillor Lesley Parnell and Councillor Alex Bierk in a joint statement.

The City is hosting an open house of Fire Station No. 2 this Saturday 10 a.m. to noon.

Visitors are welcome to tour the station, explore the facility’s unique features and meet the firefighters staffing Fire Station No. 2. Sparky the Fire Dog will welcome young residents and share a few safety tips.

Fire Station No. 2 is the City’s first facility designed and built to be a net zero and net carbon building. Constructed with a mass timber structure, a carbon sequestering material, it aims to reduce the City’s carbon footprint.

On-street parking is available where indicated. Visitors are asked to respect posted parking restrictions.

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Peterborough Folk Festival Celebrates Two Grants Totalling $35,400 From Ontario Government

The Peterborough Folk Festival (PFF) is celebrating two Capital grants from 2023 and 2024 totalling $35,400 from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), announced at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on Friday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“The support from the province of Ontario via the Ontario Trillium Foundation has enabled the Peterborough Folk Festival to acquire essential items needed for the festival's operation, ensuring they can keep delivering this vital event for our community,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.

Funds from the most recent grant, $19,500, awarded this past summer, allowed the purchase of new portable stage platforms and signage.

Last year, PFF received a $15,900 Capital grant from OTF to purchase more equipment, such as electrical cords and cable mats, needed to run the stage performances and to purchase more canopy tents and folding tables.

“This helps us make our festival more sustainable for us,” said Rob Davis PFF Chair. “All of this helps set us up to be more successful in the future.”

The free-admission music and arts festival has been active in the City of Peterborough since 1989. They are a registered charity organization led by a volunteer board of directors.

“Buying this equipment means a lot less borrowing and renting,” said Davis. “It ensures that we always have high-quality equipment.”

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