Peterborough-Nogojiwanong Pride Week Will Celebrate Joy And Resistance This September

Peterborough-Nogojiwanong Pride Week will take place this year from Sept. 16 - 25. This marks the 20th year of Pride in Peterborough.

Community outreach booth, 2019. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Pride.

“Joy & Resistance” is the theme of Peterborough-Nogojiwanong Pride Week 2022.

The theme is a nod to the origins of ‘Pride’, which started as a riot, an act of resistance against police violence, racism and transphobia.

“Many of us have gained the ability to unapologetically and joyfully be ourselves, without the fear of violence or criminalization,” Peterborough Pride stated in a release. “This isn’t true for everyone and many do not have this luxury. We invite everyone to embrace the theme of Pride Week, take action and make it your own.”

Plans are in the works for over 20 community run virtual and in-person gatherings that folks can participate in safely. Out of an abundance of caution, organizers encourage participants to wear masks at events to help protect themselves and others.

Pride Week events will continue to provide space for participants to gather, share ideas, speak their minds, support each other, and have fun in a safe and accepting environment.

The Pride Parade will be on Sept. 24 starting at 2 p.m. from City Hall. A road closure will be in effect along the parade route, with George St. from McDonnell to Murray closed at 12 p.m. and rolling closures from 2 -3 p.m. southbound on George St. to King Street and east over to Millennium Park.

There will be no parking on George Street between McDonnel and Murray Streets from noon to 2:30 p.m. and south along the parade route from 1- 3 p.m.

Everyone is invited to show their Pride and express their feelings by decorating their homes and businesses to signal that they are part of a welcoming community where nobody needs to feel alone or unsafe.

To learn more about Peterborough-Nogojiwanong Pride Week 2022 visit peterboroughpride.ca or find them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Changes To Peterborough Transit Will Be Effective On Sunday To Serve Increased Fall Ridership

Peterborough Transit is making seasonal adjustments to some routes starting Sunday to serve increased ridership for the fall.

Photo by Luke Best.

Changes include increased frequency during peak commute hours, the return of extended evening hours on some routes, and trip time adjustments to improve connections for riders who make transfers between routes, as well as shifts to on-demand services on Saturday evenings.

Updated routes are posted online at www.peterborough.ca/TransitRoutes or by phone at 705-745-0525.

 Saturday Evening Changes

Peterborough Transit’s on-demand service called PTBOnDemand will be expanded to operate across the entire transit system area on Saturday evenings between 8 p.m. and 11:45 p.m., using ride-share technology to provide a direct ride without the need to transfer. To increase efficiency, the on-demand service will replace traditional route service on Route 2 Chemong, Route 3 Park, Route 4 Weller, Route 7 Lansdowne, Route 8 Monaghan and Route 9 Parkhill, which will end at 8 p.m. On-demand buses will serve Trent University along the Bata (west) side of the campus.

In addition to the on-demand service, regular service will continue to operate Saturday evenings on Route 5 The Parkway and Route 6 Sherbrooke with trips operating every 30/60 minutes between Trent Bata, Peterborough Terminal, and Fleming College.

How to use PtboOnDemand

Riders can download the PTBOnDemand app and create an account or call Peterborough Transit at 705-745-5801 to book a same day trip.

When the rider requests a trip, system will look for the next trip available based on the rider’s trip pick-up and drop-off locations and number of people travelling together.

Riders who book their trip using the PTBOnDemand app are able to track the real-time location of the vehicle including information on when they will be picked up and dropped off.

Standard fares and payment options apply.

Please visit the Peterborough Transit website www.peterborough.ca/OnDemand for additional details about PTBOnDemand.

Route 2 Chemong

• Weekday 20-minute service will start one hour earlier at 11:15 a.m.

Route 3 Park

• Weekday 30-minute morning rush service returns.

• Weekday midday and afternoon rush time improves to 30-minute frequency.

• Trips will be adjusted to operate 5 minutes earlier than currently scheduled to improve reliability with connections at the terminal.

Route 5 The Parkway

• Weekday 30-minute midday service returns.

• Late evening service returns.

Route 6 Sherbrooke

• Most eastbound trips during the daytime will depart from Fleming College 5 minutes earlier through to Peterborough Terminal to improve reliability with connections at the terminal.

• Late evening service returns.

Route 7 Lansdowne

• Weekday 30-minute service returns for the morning and afternoon rush periods between Willowcreek Plaza and Trent Gzowski (Route 7A).

• Weekday westbound trips from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. will operate 5 minutes earlier from Fleming to Trent Gzowski to improve reliability.

• A new morning and afternoon Route 7B Willowcreek Plaza trips have been added to resolve overcrowding.

Route 9 Parkhill

• Weekday 30-minute service returns for the morning and afternoon rush periods.

• New short-turn extra trips between Parkhill at Hedonics and Trent Gzowski (Route 9A) have been added weekday mornings and afternoons to resolve overcrowding.

• The first morning weekday westbound trip will operate 5 minutes earlier from Trent Gzowski to Fleming to improve the transfer with Route 8 trip.

Route 10 Technology Drive

• On-demand Pink Community Bus zone will be expanded to include the Technology Drive and Neal Drive areas.

• More travel options are available with new midday, later weekday afternoon rush and new weekends options

• Weekdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Sunday and holidays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Early afternoon rush hour trips are cancelled and will be served by the on-demand service. There are no changes to weekday morning rush service.

Route 11 Water

• Weekday service returns:

• Route 11 – Peterborough Terminal will operate every 15-minutes during peak periods and every 20-minutes during midday and evenings.

• Route 11A – Traill College will operate every 20-minutes during peak periods and midday, and every 30-minutes in the evenings.

There will be no changes to the Community Bus schedules.

Customers with questions on the route schedules can contact Peterborough Transit directly by phone at 705-745-0525 or by email at transitoperations@peterborough.ca.

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Labour Day Brings A Few Changes To City Services

Many City facilities will be closed or offering modified service on Labour Day Monday.

Photo by Luke Best.

City Hall

City Hall offices, including Building Services, the Clerk’s Office and the Tax Office, will be closed. Online services are available at www.peterborough.ca.

Arenas Division

Healthy Planet Arena will be open from noon until 10 p.m. on Monday.

The Peterborough Memorial Centre and Kinsmen Arena will be closed.

The Arenas Division office will be closed.

Art Gallery of Peterborough

The Art Gallery of Peterborough will be closed on Monday.

To stay up-to-date with what's happening at the Art Gallery of Peterborough, please visit www.agp.on.ca, or visit their social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Garbage, recycling and green waste

There will be no change to curbside collection of garbage, recycling and green waste.

The Household Hazardous Waste Depot and the Peterborough County and City Waste Management Facility (landfill) will be closed on Monday.

The Pido Road Recycling Depot remains open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Peterborough Museum and Archives

The Peterborough Museum and Archives and gift shop are open from noon to 5 p.m. on Monday.

Peterborough Public Library

The Peterborough Public Library will be closed on Monday.

Information and digital resources are online at www.ptbolibrary.ca.

Peterborough Transit

Peterborough Transit will operate on a Sunday/Holiday service schedule on Monday. Please visit the website www.peterborough.ca/transit or call 705-745-0525 for detailed schedules.

Sport and Wellness Centre

The Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre will be open Monday from 6 a.m to 2 p.m.

To contact the Recreation Division or Wellness Centre, please phone 705-742-0050 or email rec@peterborough.ca

Marina

The Peterborough Marina office will be open from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Monday.

To contact the Marina, please phone 705-745-8787 or email marina@peterborough.ca.

City splash pads

City splash pads will be operational on Monday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Provincial Offences office

The Provincial Offences office at 99 Simcoe St. will be closed on Monday. Fine payments can be made online at www.peterborough.ca/POA.

Social Services office

The Social Services office at 178 Charlotte St. will be closed. Emergency shelter services remain open: call 705-926-0096 after hours, during weekends and on holidays.

Child care centres

City-operated child care centres will be closed on Monday.

Public Works

Public Works can be reached at 705-745-1386. This line is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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Community Living And Five Counties Children's Centre Provide Youth With Complex Medical Needs A Space To Be Kids And Have Fun

Community Living Trent Highlands ( Community and Family Services) in partnership with Five Counties Children’s Centre, hosted an accessible camp for youth in the area living with complex medical needs.

This camp was meant to provide an opportunity for youth living with complex medical needs to experience the fun of summer camp, while still having access to important medical resources they need.

“The facilities here are absolutely perfect,” said Shawna Belcourt, Outcomes Facilitator at Community Living. “The lift, the air conditioning, these are just things that are super important but wouldn’t be available anywhere else.”

Belcourt noted that the facilities at Five Counties helped participants with mobility devices and their supporters get around the building, the air conditioning was important to provide relief to campers with low blood sugar and, while much of their time was spent outside, being able to come inside to cool off or take a break was a bonus.

The two day camp welcomed four young people, who have aged out of most summer camps that accept participants up to 12 years old, and their supporters.

They had a packed schedule with visits from a music therapist from Soundspeaks Music Therapy, a performance by Peterborough Circus, participated in Art Therapy, Adapted Sports (bowling, hockey, and curling) and made lots of furry friends from Critter Visits.

Liam, a camper, and his supporter he refers to as ‘Nanny Beth’ had fun bowling in the gym.

Beth says Liam is always busy spending time with her or with his family, but the opportunity provided by Community Living and Five Counties was special.

“He’s not different here,” she said. “He fits right in. There’s no stares, no questions, he’s just like all of the other kids and he has just had so much fun.”

Belcourt says that this camp has been in the works for a long time, and now, as COVID restrictions are easing she hopes it becomes yearly.

She says that because of the complex medical needs these young people and their families deal with and nursing shortages, some of them were unable to attend school for many months because they couldn’t risk contracting COVID.

The closure and postponement of other accessible events and activities in the city has also disrupted routines and offered little support or interaction for these youth.

“This has been a labour of love,” said Belcourt. “We couldn’t have done it without Five Counties and without all of the behind the scenes support from our manager Penny Wood, the Recreation Therapists Colleen (Ristok) and Caitlin (Ivany) here at Five Counties, volunteers here and so many others. It was a huge success.”

This years camp was a pilot project, but with the success of it and feedback from participants, Community Living and Five Counties hope to be able to offer this program for years to come.

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City Council Approves Over $20,000 Of Grants To Seven Peterborough Organizations

Peterborough City Council approved allocating $20,458 to various local charitable and not-for-profit organizations as recommended by the Community Investment Grant Advisory Committee, on Monday.

Capable Con is one of seven organizations receiving funding. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This year the city received twelve applications for their Investment Grant funding and all twelve applications received funding. Due to the low number of applications received and the Committee’s evaluation of those applications, a surplus of funds remained.

The Committee discussed how best to approach this unique occurrence and recommended a motion to Council addressing the surplus.

That the remaining surplus Community Grant funds will be split between seven different organizations.

• $5,000, Community Care Peterborough, Meals on Wheels program

• $1,958, Peterborough Historical Society-Hutchison House Museum, repairs to stairs and install a bike rack

• $3,500, Council for Person's with Disabilities, support for Capable Con 2022

• $3,000, Market Hall Performing Arts Centre, upgrade ticketing platform

• $3,000, Peterborough Folk Festival, assistance to cover costs of paying performers

• $2,000, Peterborough Drug Strategy, hire an external consultant to support strategic planning and post COVID-19 engagement

• $2,000, Peterborough Bicycle Advisory Committee, support the development of education, communication, and engagement activities

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Peterborough Public Health Launches New Opioid Harms Data Portal And Drug Reporting Tool

Peterborough Public Health (PPH), with support of its partners, has launched a new Opioid Harms Data Portal and Drug Reporting Tool, both available on the PPH Website, as part of the broader response to the drug poisoning crisis facing Peterborough.

File Photo.

“Our community has experienced 17 deaths so far this year,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health. “The loss of our community members is tragic and has a broader rippling effects on people who use drugs, their family members, and the community. This work is one piece of the whole response that Peterborough Public Health is supporting in an effort to address the drug poisoning crisis.”

The Opioid Harms Data Portal is a public facing interactive tool that allows residents to stay up to date on drug-related harms in the community. Updated monthly, the portal includes local data on:

· 911 Calls

· Emergency Department Visits

· Deaths

Additional data and information will be added as available.

The Drug Reporting Tool is an online survey where residents can anonymously report drug poisonings and other bad drug reactions. Any information shared through the tool supports Peterborough Public Health and community partners in responding to and preventing drug poisonings in the Peterborough region.

“These tools are the result of a two-year consultation with partner agencies and evaluation on the opioid early warning and surveillance system (EWSS)” said Jocelyn Qualtrough, a Health Promoter on the Family and Community Health team. “The drug poisoning crisis impacts local lives daily. The Opioid Harms Data Portal and the Drug Reporting Tool will create opportunities for the broader community to grow their understanding and compassion for people who use drugs, who are recovering, who have lasting complications from drug use and poisoning, and who have been lost to drug poisoning.”

These tools are intended to give insights to the community and service providers about what is happening, who is affected, and how trends are changing in the community. The Opioid Harms Data Portal will now be the central location for accessing local opioid harms data.

In an online press conference on Thursday, Dr Piggott noted that there have been 17 drug poisonings in Peterborough in 2022 to date.

Residents can access the Opioid Harms Data Portal and The Drug Reporting Tool via the Peterborough Public Health Website by searching for “Opioid”, or by clicking on the corresponding links.

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Record Checks Can Be Obtained Online As Of June 13

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is moving record checks online as of June 13.

Stock Photo.

The online application process will allow members of the public to apply quickly, easily and securely for:

• Criminal Record Check (CRC)

• Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC)

• Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC)

• OPP Non-Parent Custody Check (LE213)

Payment will be collected electronically as part of the online application process, with results delivered directly to the applicant through a secure portal link.

The fees for record checks remain unchanged:

• Record checks: $41.00

• Fingerprints: $90.00

• Volunteer checks: free

The new process will allow those living in OPP-policed communities to submit requests for police record checks at opp.ca/recordchecks.

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Teams Of Veterans, First Responders And Civilians Arrive In Peterborough With Team Rubicon To Help With Storm Clean Up

The City of Peterborough welcomes Team Rubicon Canada to Peterborough to assist eligible property owners with tree and green waste clean-up as part of storm recovery efforts following the May 21, windstorm.

Team Rubicon Canada at its first Disaster Training Camp in Prince George BC, May 9, 2022. Photo courtesy of Team Rubicon Canada.

Team Rubicon Canada is a registered charity and volunteer-based disaster response organization that sends skilled disaster response teams into areas requiring assistance. The teams are made up of Canadian Military veterans, first responders and passionate civilians who have the expertise and specialized equipment to quickly assess damage to properties and put together a safe work plan at no cost to homeowners.

Team Rubicon teams will be deployed in the City of Peterborough for the next few weeks to assist eligible residents with tree and green waste clean-up.

Services are being offered to City of Peterborough residents who own and occupy their property and currently receive the City of Peterborough Property Tax Assistance Program, according to the following qualification following qualifications:

• Low Income Senior aged 65 years or older receiving benefits under the Guaranteed Income Supplement or the Guaranteed Annual Income System.

• Low Income Senior aged 55-64 with a combined taxable income of less than $30,000 per year.

• Low Income Person with a Disability receiving benefits under the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).

Eligible residents who would like assistance from Team Rubicon can complete a request form online at https://arcg.is/iSqOX or dial 211 to request service by phone. 211 is a 24/7 helpline that assists residents access community, social and government services.

Team Rubicon will only assist with cleanup of tree debris and limbs that are on the ground.

They will saw fallen trees, branches and brush that are on the ground into sizes that comply with the City’s Green Waste Collection program wherever possible and move the debris to the curb for Green Waste Collection. Material that exceeds the size or weight for Green Waste Collection may be collected through a Special Green Waste Collection that will take place several weeks later, when the City has the resources available.

 “Even with the extraordinary support our community has provided one another, there are still residents who are struggling to deal with downed trees and property damage,” remarked Mayor Diane Therrien. “This dedicated group of trained volunteers will thankfully be able to assist our residents who might not be able to afford to hire help. The City is grateful for the support that Team Rubicon will offer residents, and grateful to 211 Ontario for their support.”

Each Team Rubicon team will make arrangements with the property owner to undertake any work on site before work begins. Team Rubicon operates independently from the Corporation of the City of Peterborough.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to be working with the City of Peterborough during this challenging time for the community,” said Dave McAllister, Director of Programs and Operations for Team Rubicon Canada. “Our teams are on the ground and ready to put their disaster response skills to work to support the residents of Peterborough and help accelerate their recovery in the wake of this disaster.”

 

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Peterborough Regional Health Centre Offering Fast Pass Screening Options For Patients And Essential Caregivers

Beginning Wednesday, Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) will offer a fast pass screening option for patients and essential caregivers at both the main entrance and the Emergency Department (ED) entrance.

File Photo.

Upon arrival, those who have completed the screening tool will be asked to show their pass on either a device screen or in printed form to enter the hospital building.

The regular screening process will continue to be offered for those who do not complete the fast pass process. All patients and caregivers are strongly encouraged to use the fast pass tool to expedite their entry into the hospital.

All patients and caregivers continue to be required to wear a hospital-provided, medical-grade mask at all times when inside the Health Centre, except in the designated area of the cafeteria, where masks may be removed to eat or drink.

A new, after-hours screening process will also begin at the hospital’s main entrance only on Monday. Between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., anyone requesting access through this entrance must use the buzzer to contact Security and be screened before they are permitted to enter the building.

The ED entrance will continue to be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with fast pass and regular screening available. This entrance is reserved for patients/caregivers who are coming to the ED or to Labour & Delivery.

The pre-screening tool is available online at prhcscreening.ca and can be completed anytime within the 24 hours before the patient or caregiver comes to the hospital.

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Mayor Diane Therrien Proclaims May 29 - June 4 As National AccessAbility Week In Peterborough

Mayor Diane Therrien proclaimed the week of May 29 to June 4 as National AccessAbility Week in the City of Peterborough, on Monday at City Hall.

"People with disabilities continue to lead the way in making our communities more accessible for everyone,” stated Phil Mechetuk, Chair of the City of Peterborough’s Accessibility Advisory Committee. "On behalf of the City’s Accessibility Advisory Committee, I invite everyone to take time this week to recognize the contributions that people with disabilities have made. Let's keep working together for a more inclusive future.”

The theme of National AccessAbility Week 2022 is “Inclusion from the start.” This week, the City of Peterborough is launching the public consultation for its updated Accessibility Plan, a new five-year road map to help make Peterborough more accessible and welcoming for everyone. The plan will help set priorities to identify, remove and prevent barriers in City programs, services and facilities.

Residents can learn about the City’s Accessibility Plan and provide their input using this City’s community consultation website to complete a survey, mark accessibility barriers on a map and share accessible housing ideas online at connectptbo.ca/AccessibilityPlan.

The community consultation is open from June 1 to August 31. Hard copies of the survey are available at City Hall, 500 George St. N. To provide feedback by phone, please call 705-742-7777 ext. 1785.

Also, in light of National AccessAbility Week, The Capable Crew will be at the VentureNorth building on George Street on Saturday.

The Capable Crew, presented by The Council for Persons With Disabilities, is a fictional group of superheroes that use their disability as their superpower.

Capable Con welcomes anyone to attend the free, outdoor event on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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