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.”

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

Applications For 2026 Community Grants Now Open

The City of Peterborough’s Community Grants Program application process for 2026 is now open as of noon on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Any not-for-profit group or association in the City that would like to be considered is invited to complete an online application for a Community Project Grant or a Community Investment Grant.

The Community Grants program provides financial assistance to non-profit, community-based organizations that provide direct programs, services, or activities that enhance the quality of life for Peterborough residents in social services and health, arts, culture, heritage, recreation or the environment. 

Applications will be open for the following Community Grants streams:

• Community Project Grants – support for a specified project for which the requested amount is $250 to $1,000.

• Community Investment Grants – support for projects and special events, specific programs or operating budgets for which the requested amount is $1,000 to $15,000.

The Community Project Grant or Community Investment Grant applications deadline is Dec. 3 at noon.

Funding for the Community Grants program is contingent on the City Council’s anticipated budget approval. All applications will be subject to an evaluation process and final approval by Council. The Community Grants Program is competitive and funding is limited and not guaranteed. 

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

FCM Grant Helps City of Peterborough Enhance Urban Canopy

The City of Peterborough is restoring its urban canopy and increasing tree coverage by planting thousands of new trees through grants from the Government of Canada’s 2 Billion Trees Program and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund (GMF) totalling $1,623,230.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The money was from GMF’s Growing Canada’s Community Canopies (GCCC) initiative, to plant up to 4,000 trees throughout the city, maximizing benefits for residents and the City’s urban canopy. 

Jointly announced by the Government of Canada and FCM in May 2024, GCCC will support the planting of at least 1.2 million new trees across Canada by the end of March 2031, while providing funding, resources, and coaching to communities.  

“This initiative reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing the impacts of climate change by restoring the vital ecosystems in our community,” said Emma Harrison, Peterborough-Kawartha MP. “Planting trees brings immediate benefits to all living beings and lasting benefits for generations to come. I’m proud to be part of planting the seeds today that our children and grandchildren will one day enjoy.”

“Fair and equal access to trees means ensuring that every resident, in every neighbourhood, can enjoy the cleaner air, shade, and beauty that our urban forest provides,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “The support from this FCM grant will not only help us expand canopy coverage city-wide, but it will also allow us to replace the many trees we’ve lost. Peterborough's tree canopy has been greatly impacted over the last few years by a derecho in May of 2022, the ice storm in March of 2025, and the invasive emerald ash borer. With this grant, we'll be able to rebuild and replenish our urban forest, making sure the benefits of trees are shared equitably while building a greener, more resilient Peterborough for the future.”

“With the right trees in the right places, communities of all sizes can unlock environmental, social and economic benefits,” said Rebecca Bligh, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. “Through the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative, our municipalities now have access to the funding, training and resources they need to make tree planting a smart investment in the long-term health and resilience of our communities.” 

Trees will be planted along road allowances, parks and open spaces. The City will maintain the trees.   

Factors like space, soil conditions, sunlight, and nearby utilities and structures will help determine the location and species of the tree to be planted. Large, native-growing trees are planted whenever possible.  

As part of the City’s annual tree planting program, notification letters are sent to property owners when a tree is going to be planted on a boulevard or road allowance. A door hanger is also provided when the tree planting location has been marked in advance of the planting.

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

Fleming College Awarded Over $357,000 to Launch Research On Resilience In Nursing

Fleming College has been awarded $357,033 to fund a three-year applied research project aimed at improving nurse well-being at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) through structured resilience training, announced last Friday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The money was awarded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), in collaboration with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). The funding is provided through the College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF), one of the main grant types under the tri-agency College and Community Innovation (CCI) program.

The project is led by Fleming College faculty members Jill Henderson, MN, RN; Wendy Morgan, MA-Ed, MA-CP; and Melissa Sherrer, MN, RN, from Fleming’s School of Health and Community Services. They are joined by Dr. Michael Ungar, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Child, Family and Community Resilience at Dalhousie University.

“The nursing workforce in Canada faces severe challenges with devastating rates of burnout and projected shortages,” said Dr. Theresa Knott, Acting Co-President, Fleming College. “A recent poll from the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions reports 40 per cent of nurses intend to leave the profession within the next year. This funding will help address these workforce pressures and strengthen the future of health care in Ontario and across the country.”

The CCSIF-funded project builds on a successful pilot study led by Henderson and Morgan, previously funded by NSERC. In that study, the duo delivered resilience training to fourth-semester students in Fleming’s Practical Nursing program. Their research demonstrated clear benefits: participants reported improvements in overall mental health, increased self-awareness, better emotional regulation, and greater confidence in managing stress. Many also valued the group-based support.

With this new funding, the research team will adapt and expand their resilience training model to support nurses at PRHC and study the impact of the training over time. The goal is to help nurses’ psychological well-being, reduce burnout and strengthen job satisfaction. The study offers a scalable training model to shape best practices in nurse support at the provincial and national levels said Dr. Knott.

“Fleming College is proud to support the well-being of nurses already in the field through this important new resilience training,” she said. “While we remain committed to preparing career-ready nurses through our academic programs, this applied research project allows us to make a direct, meaningful impact on those currently serving in our healthcare system. It’s a response to real needs in our community.”

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

Trent University Receives $1 Million Grant to Advance Trauma-Informed Care in Long-Term Care

Through a $1-million research project grant, Trent University will introduce trauma-informed care practices into long-term care homes.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

The practice is led by Dr. Kimberly Ritchie, an assistant professor in the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing (whose research focuses on trauma and dementia.

“We know from research by Dr. Ritchie that the need for trauma-informed approaches is pressing, with nearly two-thirds of Canadian adults reporting at least one potentially traumatic event in their lives,” says Dr. Holger Hintelmann, Trent vice-president of research and innovation. “This is valuable funding for a critical project that could inform innovations in care for our aging populations.”

Ritchie will lead a four-year project with colleagues from McMaster University to co-design, implement and evaluate a trauma-informed care framework. According to Trent, this work is part of the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging and is supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, in particular its Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research initiative, as well as the Azrieli Foundation, Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence, Brain Canada Foundation and SPOR.

Trauma-informed care emphasizes understanding the lasting impact of trauma, creating safe and inclusive environments, and equipping staff with tools to recognize triggers, de-escalate distress and build trust with residents says Ritchie.

“Research shows a two-way relationship between PTSD and dementia, making transitions into institutional settings especially difficult,” she said. “For many residents, long-term care environments can unintentionally trigger trauma memories, leading to distress and behavioural symptoms. Embedding a trauma-informed approach means safer, more inclusive and supportive environments for both residents and staff.”

The project will also focus on supporting care staff, who often face high levels of stress and burnout. The framework will be piloted in one home, refined and then tested in a national trial across four long-term care homes.

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

City of Peterborough Releases OLG Gaming Revenue Spending

The City of Peterborough has released its funding recipients from revenue by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation as the host community for Shorelines Casino Peterborough.

Since the gaming site opened in October 2018, the City of Peterborough has received $16,524,145. File Photo.

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation revenues totaled $2,717,827 for the 2024/2025 fiscal year.

Examples of how the funding was directed to benefit the community in 2025 include:

• $880,900 toward police equipment needs, including replacing vehicles 

• $500,000 for planting trees 

• $500,000 toward the City’s commitment of providing $4 million to the Canadian Canoe Museum’s capital campaign for its new facility 

• $473,000 for Fairhaven long-term care facility’s capital funding 

• $155,000 for improvements to parks 

• $89,100 for public art 

• $75,000 for sport tourism activities 

“Being a casino host community allows us to reinvest OLG revenue in areas where it will enhance the quality of life for residents and help our city grow. Thank you to the provincial government and OLG for being a strong partner through these significant investments in community infrastructure,” said Mayor Jeff Leal.

“OLG is proud to be a vital part of the City of Peterborough,” said Kathleen Devine, OLG’s Senior Municipal Relations Manager. “For the last 50 years, since the organization’s start in 1975, 100 per cent of OLG profits are reinvested in Ontario to support provincial priorities.  From critical infrastructure to important local programs, to community festivals, OLG’s profits are hard at work in the City of Peterborough and all across our province to build stronger communities. We also appreciate the contribution of gaming employees at Shorelines Casino Peterborough who are making life in Peterborough that much better. When you play at an Ontario casino, you play for Ontario.”

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

Trent University Receives $359,000 Grant From TD Bank Group For University Green Network

Trent University has received over $359,000 from the TD Bank Group (TD) to support conservation and learning on the University Green Network (UGN), announced on Wednesday.

A student conducts research in a forested area part of the University Green Network at Trent University. Photo courtesy of Trent University.

The network is a large, interconnected 868-acre system on Trent’s Peterborough campus, including habitat restoration, biodiversity monitoring, Indigenous Knowledge integration, and experiential learning opportunities for students, according to Julie Davis, Trent's vice-president of external relations and development.

“Thanks to this latest funding from TD, we can take the next step in realizing the vision for the UGN – implementing the Ggwepnandizamin Systems-Level Plan,” she said. “The plan provides a structured approach to monitoring and enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem health across campus. This funding support will allow us to restore and enhance habitats, establish best practices in conservation, and create meaningful opportunities for students and the community to engage with the natural environment.”

This new grant builds on funding received from TD in 2022 to support multiple initiatives within the UGN, a system that includes diverse habitats, wildlife corridors, productive landscapes, and various green spaces that promote ecological function and biodiversity according to a press release. The UGN was first envisioned in the Trent Lands and Nature Areas Plan.

Earlier funding from TD facilitated the development of the Ggwepnandizamin Plan in collaboration with faculty, students, Michi Saagiig First Nations, and local organizations, including Camp Kawartha and Peterborough Green-Up.  The word Ggwepnandizamin means ‘together, putting our best effort forward towards something important’ in Anishinaabemowin. The name was provided by the Elders and Knowledge Keepers Council at Trent, who provided wisdom and guidance in developing the plan.

“Trent University's focus on enhancing biodiversity and embedding Indigenous Knowledge in environmental stewardship reflects a deep commitment to reconciliation and sustainability,” said Robyn Small, TD Bank Group senior manager, Philanthropy, Sustainability and Corporate Citizenship. “Through the TD Ready Commitment, TD is proud to continue supporting Trent University in advancing this important work that honours Indigenous knowledge and creates hands-on opportunities for students and community members to meaningfully connect with the environment.”

During the next three-year funding period, Trent says the will implement key actions from the Ggwepnandizamin Plan, including developing wildlife corridors and natural areas, such as pollinator gardens; creating Michi Saagiig cultural harvesting areas; reducing invasive species, such as phragmites; launching Indigenous storytelling initiatives; and expanding teaching and learning opportunities.

The grant will also fund a part-time ecological land planning coordinator to implement the plan, integrate ecological planning into campus projects, support environmental monitoring, facilitate Indigenous engagement and involve students and faculty.

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

Ontario Government Invests Over $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

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

OLG Issues Second-Quarter Gaming Revenue Payment to Peterborough of $716,653

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has made their second quarter payment totaling $716,653 to the City of Peterborough for hosting Shorelines Casino Peterborough.

Since 1994, host communities have received more than $2.3 billion in non-tax gaming revenue. File Photo.

The quarter was from July 1 to Sept. 30.

During OLG’s fiscal year (April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2026), Peterborough has received $1,428,934. Since the gaming site opened in October 2018, Peterborough has amassed $16,524,145 according to a press release.

These payments to host communities are based on a formula consistently applied across all gaming sites in Ontario using a graduated scale of gaming revenue at the hosted site as stated in a press release. 

“Peterborough is able to offer local programs and improve the quality of life of our residents through the economic activity generated through revenue from Shorelines Casino Peterborough,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “The people of Ontario benefit from OLG’s gaming revenues as 100 per cent of OLG profits are reinvested in the province to support provincial priorities.”

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

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.”

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