Conservative Candidate Michelle Ferreri Wins Riding In Her First Election

First time is the charm for Conservative candidate Michelle Ferreri as she became the MP for the Peterborough-Kawartha riding on Monday.

Ferreri still in disbelief about her win shortly after giving her victory speech. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Ferreri beat out the former incumbent and runner-up Maryam Monsef of the Liberal Party who served as Peterborough’s MP since 2015. The winner was declared a few hours after the polls had closed around 9:30 p.m. The two parties were separated by more than 3,000 votes.

The Douro native had a small group of supporters congratulating her at The Venue when she had arrived shortly after 11:00 p.m. Ferreri said it was surreal when she found out she won her riding.

“I still don’t actually believe it,” said Ferreri. “I didn’t think we were going to have results until Wednesday so I still haven’t fully processed this right now.”

She attributed her victory to the amount of support she had, citing that she did not win but that “we” won. Ferreri added that it was not the campaign that necessarily got her the seat but it was her legacy she built that earned her the victory.

“I don’t think I did anything in 36 days, I think I did it in the last 42 years,” reflected Ferreri.

Ferreri celebrates with her partner Ryan Moore. Ferreri is a graduate of Trent University (Biology/Anthropology) and Loyalist College (Biotechnology). Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Monsef arrived outside the Venue doors to congratulate Ferreri in a brief conversation shortly after the Conservative candidate was declared the winner. The former incumbent was happy to see several women on the ballot this election.

Ferreri won 39 per cent of the votes after 287 of 289 reported polls. Monsef earned 34 per cent while NDP candidate Joy Lachica received 19 per cent.

“There’s just a lot of work to do… …but we can do it, we’re going to do it together,” said Ferreri.

The Liberals successfully held a minority government as party leader Justin Trudeau will remain Prime Minister of Canada.

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

Trudeau Rallies With Supporters During Campaign Tour in Peterborough

The Peterborough Naval Club was covered in red as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a visit urging supporters to vote Liberal while showing support for federal candidate Maryam Monsef on Saturday.

Peterborough-Kawartha Liberal candidate Maryam Monsef being supported by Prime Minister Trudeau after both candidates made speeches before a supporting crowd. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Both Monsef and Trudeau spoke before a crowd of roughly 100 supporters during an invite-only event. They were joined by fellow Liberal candidates, Judi Forbes (Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes Brock) and Alison Lester (Northumberland-Peterborough South).

Monsef introduced the Prime Minister roughly around 7:00 p.m. after a brief speech despite the event being scheduled for 5:45 p.m.

Topics such as race/gender-based violence, child care, gun control, the housing crisis, climate change and other topics were addressed in the rally.

“We asked all the women’s organizations and asked them what should we do and they all said the same thing, ‘race and gender-based violence were going to go up,’” said Monsef. “So make sure that the last door that women and children knock on is a door that is safe, that is welcoming and caring professionals will help piece back what is broken.”

In a roughly 25-minute speech, Trudeau began endorsing Monsef, praising her insight, work ethic and determination while working alongside her on the cabinet.

He stressed the hardships Canadians have gone through during the pandemic and have persevered including frontline workers. He mentions the subsidies and financial support the government gave citizens during the lockdowns.

Trudeau plans to “finish the pandemic for good” through vaccinations. He urged his supporters that if any friends or family they know are not vaccinated that there are “two doses waiting for them.”

“We now have among the highest rates of double vaccination in the world,” he said. “Close to 80 per cent of eligible Canadians have now done their part.”

The current Prime Minster criticized the Conservative party and leader Erin O’Toole for not demanding his candidates to get the shot and disclose their vaccination status. Trudeau also referenced Conservative candidate Michelle Ferreri for not being double-vaccinated despite campaigning at senior citizen homes.

Former Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair spoke before Monsef and is running for the election for Scarborough Southwest. He was elected to the same riding back in October of 2015.

He stressed the importance of gun control and outlawing any weapons that were “able to kill efficiently” citing his police experience as a reference.

Blair said O’Toole was pandering to gun lobbyists after showing inconsistency on the issue. He would respect the ban but changed his mind after pressure from the gun enthusiasts.

After Trudeau‘s speech, he had photos taken with supporters with brief conversations before exiting onto his campaign bus.

From start to finish of the event, protesters were yelling profanities and waving anti-Trudeau signs while garnering support from passing vehicles.

Polls for the election open on Monday.

Monsef is seeking a third term with Peterborough but is challenged by candidates Michelle Ferreri (Conservatives), Joy Lachica (NDP), Chanté White (Green Party), Paul Lawton (People’s Party) and Robert Bowers (Independent).

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

Voting on Monday? Here is What You Need To Know...

Voting for the 2021 Canadian Federal Election of the Peterborough-Kawartha is on Monday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

To register and vote in a federal election, you must be a Canadian citizen be at least 18 years old on election day and prove your identity and address with valid forms of identification. If you want to see if you are confirmed to vote, click here.

If you have received your voter information card, it contains the time, date and location of your respective polling station. If you want to view your location online, click here.

There are three options for voting for the upcoming election.

Option One: Show one of these pieces of ID

• driver's licence

• any other card issued by a Canadian government (federal, provincial/territorial or local) with your photo, name and current address

Option Two: Show two pieces of ID

Both must have your name and at least one must have your current address. The following is a list of items of accepted ID for identity and address.

From a government or government agency 

• band membership card

• birth certificate

• Canadian citizenship card or certificate

• Canadian Forces identity card

• Canadian passport (accepted only as proof of identity)

• card issued by an Inuit local authority

• firearms licence

• government cheque or cheque stub

• government statement of benefits

• health card

• income tax assessment

• Indian status card or temporary confirmation of registration

• library card

• licence or card issued for fishing, trapping or hunting

• liquor identity card

• Métis card

• old age security card

• parolee card

• property tax assessment or evaluation

• public transportation card

• social insurance number card

• vehicle ownership

• Veterans Affairs health care identification card

From Elections Canada

• targeted revision form to residents of long-term care facilities

• voter information card

From an educational institution

• correspondence issued by a school, college or university

• student identity card

From a health care facility or organization

• blood donor card

• CNIB card

• hospital card

• label on a prescription container

• identity bracelet issued by a hospital or long-term care facility

• medical clinic card

From a financial institution

• bank statement

• credit card

• credit card statement

• credit union statement

• debit card

• insurance certificate, policy or statement

• mortgage contract or statement

• pension plan statement

• personal cheque

From a private organization

• employee card

• residential lease or sub-lease

• utility bill (e.g.: electricity; water; telecommunications services, including telephone, cable or satellite)

Letters of confirmation

• letter from a public curator, public guardian or public trustee

• letter of confirmation of residence from a First Nations band or reserve or an Inuit local authority

• letter of confirmation of residence, letter of stay, admission form, or statement of benefits from one of the following designated establishments:

  • student residence

  • seniors’ residence

  • long-term care facility

  • shelter

  • soup kitchen

  • a community-based residential facility

Other pieces of ID may be added. Elections Canada accepts e-statements and e-invoices by printing them or showing them on a mobile device.

Option Three: If you don't have ID

• You can still vote if you declare your identity and address in writing and have someone who knows you and who is assigned to your polling station vouch for you.

• The voucher must be able to prove their identity and address. A person can vouch for only one person (except in long-term care facilities).

Photo Courtesy of Elections Canada.

The following are the confirmed candidates in the Peterborough-Kawartha electoral district as of Sept. 1:

• Maryam Monsef, Liberal Party of Canada

• Michelle Ferreri, Conservatie Party of Canada

• Joy Lachica, New Democratic Party

• Chanté White, Green Party of Canada

• Paul Lawton, People’s Party of Canada

• Robert Bowers, Independent

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

Federal Candidate Interview: Conservative Candidate Michelle Ferreri

Angela O’Grady speaks with the Conservative federal candidate Michelle Ferreri for the upcoming election. We answer community-submitted questions surrounding her stance on climate change, vaccine passports, the housing crisis and small businesses.

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

Federal Candidate Interview: Green Party Candidate Chanté White

Angela O’Grady speaks with the Green Party federal candidate Chanté White for the upcoming election. We answer community-submitted questions surrounding her stance on climate change, vaccine passports, the housing crisis and small businesses.

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

Federal Candidate Interview: PPC Candidate Paul Lawton

Angela O’Grady speaks with the People's Party of Canada federal candidate Paul Lawton for the upcoming election. We answer community-submitted questions surrounding his stance on climate change, vaccine passports, the housing crisis and small businesses.

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

Federal Candidate Interview: Liberal Candidate Maryam Monsef

Angela O’Grady speaks with Liberal federal candidate Maryam Monsef for the upcoming election. We answer community-submitted questions surrounding her stance on climate change, vaccine passports, the housing crisis and small businesses.

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

Federal Candidate Interview: NDP Candidate Joy Lachica

Angela O’Grady speaks with New Democratic Party federal candidate Joy Lachica for the upcoming election. We answer community-submitted questions surrounding her stance on climate change, vaccine passports, the housing crisis and small businesses.

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

Peterborough Chamber Hosts All-Candidates Debate

The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce live-streamed an all-candidates debate at the Peterborough Curling Club on Wednesday.

Joy Lachica (NPD), Maryam Monsef (Liberal), Chanté White (Green), Michelle Ferreri (Conservative) speak at Wednesdays debate.

Federal candidates from The Liberal, Conservative, Green and New Democratic Party (NDP) participated.

All other candidates involved but were not in attendance were provided with an opportunity to submit a three-minute video.

Submitted videos are available to watch on Peterborough Chamber’s YouTube channel.

In their opening remarks, NDP candidate Joy Lachica shared that she was delighted to be sharing this platform with three other female candidates while Maryam Monsef, Peterborough’s Liberal incumbent, noted that she was not done giving back.

When touching on vaccine mandates, Michelle Ferreri of the Conservative Party believes in the vaccines but respects giving people a choice. She notes medical exceptions such as some of her friends and family that can not be vaccinated due to medical reasons like chemotherapy treatment.

Chanté White from the Green Party highlighted other public health guidelines like proper handwashing.

"We shouldn't be penalizing people who aren't able to get the vaccine,” she said.

A vaccine passport is "a coordinated, efficient, smart way to mitigate any confusion about vaccination,” said Lachica.

“We all need to get vaccinated and move on with life,” said Monsef.

Candidates also touched on the opioid crisis, Downtown Peterborough, small businesses, climate change and the housing crisis.

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

City Issues Open Invite For Information Session Of Official Plan

The City of Peterborough is hosting an online community information session of the final draft of the City’s updated Official Plan announced Tuesday.

Photo Courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The sessions will accommodate as many people as possible, with four sessions will be offered at different times where participants are encouraged to choose the time that works best with their schedule.

Wednesday, Sept. 1

• 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. or

• 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 2

• 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. or

• 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Each session will begin with a presentation to summarize the process, public engagement, themes of the comments received and the organization of the Final Draft as well as time for participant questions.

Registration to attend one of the four timeslots is available online at: www.eventbrite.ca/e/peterborough-official-plan-update-community-information-session-tickets-166507106237.

Once registered, residents will receive a link to the online meeting by email.

Anyone who is unable to access the sessions online can contact the City during office hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at 705-742-7777 ext. 1880 for information on how to register and attend by telephone.

The proposed Official Plan and the final Land Needs Assessment are available for review on the City’s website at www.peterborough.ca/planit and through Connect Peterborough at www.connectptbo.ca/official-plan-update.

Following completion of this final round of community engagement, the Official Plan will be presented to City Council in October and a formal public meeting is being planned for November where Council will hear public delegations and will consider adopting the Plan.

Following Council’s adoption of the Plan, it would be forwarded to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for final approval.

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