MPP Dave Smith Reflects On Political Career As He Seeks Three-Peat In Thursday's Provincial Election

With the provincial election this Thursday, Peterborough Kawartha MPP Dave Smith reflects on his political career as he goes for the three-peat, seeking a third consecutive term.

Smith talks to constituants at AON Inc’s Royal Gardens Retirement Residence days before election this Thursday. Photo by David Tuan bui.

Smith was first elected in 2018 for the Progressive Conservative Party, defeating current Peterborough mayor and then incumbent Jeff Leal of the Liberal Party. He won his second term in 2022, making him the most recent Conservative Party member elected as Peterborough-Kawartha MPP in back-to-back terms since Gary Stewart did it from 1995 to 2003.

Smith visited Royal Gardens Retirement Residence and held a Q&A session for constituents living on the grounds.

Among topics discussed, including US President Donald Trump’s tariffs and employment, among other issues, healthcare was one of the critical topics Smith and the residents touched on.

“We've laid the groundwork for a lot of things. There are things like adding doctors. It just takes five years for a doctor to be trained. There's no way we can get around that,” explained Smith. “With the work we have done, the increase in the number of residence positions by 400. We are producing more doctors now than we were. We're going to see the benefits of that.”

“My whole philosophy on this is that I owe a debt to the people of Ontario that I cannot repay. The only way I can start to give back is to continue doing this work to make that our community is in a better position than it was when I first found it,” added Smith. “I think a lot of the work I've been doing has been about that. That's what my focus is on, ‘How can continue to improve the situation for people here?’”

Smith adds that the provincial government is adding a $6.2 million Homeless Addiction Rehabilitation Treatment (HART) hub, announced in late January. His government also proposed a $1.13 million detox and residential treatment facility in Peterborough, containing six drug and six detox beds for those battling with addictions that were announced in February 2023. These are several moves, among many, that he said he would continue to do for Peterborough-Kawartha.

“We've increased the funding for the Peterborough Regional Hospital. We've added tools for physician recruitment, we have changed the process, the scope of nurse practitioners can do more of what they're taught and not have their hands handcuffed on certain things and we'll continue down that path and meeting people where they are but we're not leaving them there,” Smith said. “We're going to do everything we can to improve the lives of as many people as possible.

Smith has been challenged by all new candidates since the last provincial election in 2022, except Jen Deck, who is once again running as the NDP candidate.

Regardless of Thursday’s outcome, Smith reflects on serving two terms at MPP and has not taken his role for granted.

“I'm proud of the fact that people have put their trust to serve their needs, to listen to what they have to say and I think when you look at what I have done, the legacy will be that I listened, I reacted, I tried to improve the situation and I'll continue to do that,” concluded Smith.

The following are the candidates running for Peterborough-Kawartha MPP:

• MPP Dave Smith: PC Party of Ontario (incumbent)

• Adam Hopkins: Ontario Liberal Party

• Jen Deck: Ontario NDP/NPD

• Lucas Graham: Green Party of Ontario GPO

• Brian Martindale: Ontario Party

• Andrew Roudny: New Blue Party

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What You Need to Know To Vote In Advance Polls For Provincial Election Beginning Thursday

Advanced polls for this year’s provincial election in the Peterborough-Kawartha Riding begin this Thursday.

This is the first winter provincial election for Ontario since 1981. Since Friday, Candidate nominations have been closed. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Voters can hit advance polls starting Thursday and running until Saturday.

Advance polls run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can vote in the advance polls in one of any of the following locations:

• Peterborough Square (Unit 21), 360 George St. (Local Election Office)

• Havelock Seniors Centre, 10 George St., Havelock

• Lakefield Community Centre, 20 Concession St., Lakefield

• Peterborough Lions Community Centre, 347 Burnham St., Peterborough

• North Kawartha Comunity Centre, 340 McFadden Rd., Apsley

• Trent Lakes Municipal Office, 780 County Rd. 36, Bobcaygeon

• Miskin Law Community Complex, 271 Lansdowne St. W., Peterborough

Additionally, the Local Election Office runs on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

Instructions when voting in the advance polls:

• When you arrive at the voting location, you will be asked to show your ID to an election official, who will check if you are on the voter list

• If you are not on the list, the election official will add you to the voters list and ask you to sign a declaration

• The election official will then issue you a ballot

• You will go behind a voting screen to mark your ballot. To vote for your chosen candidate, mark an X in the circle beside their name and return the completed ballot to the ballot box

• You will place your marked ballot into the secrecy folder and take it to an election official operating a tabulator

The following are the candidates for the ridings in the Kawarthas for the provincial election:

Peterborough-Kawartha

• MPP Dave Smith: PC Party of Ontario (incumbent)

• Adam Hopkins: Ontario Liberal Party

• Jen Deck: Ontario NDP/NPD

• Lucas Graham: Green Party of Ontario GPO

• Brian Martindale: Ontario Party

• Andrew Roudny: New Blue Party

Northumberland—Peterborough South

• David Piccini – PC Party of Ontario (incumbent)

• Dorothy Noronha – Ontario Liberal Party

• Bruce LePage – Ontario NDP/NPD

• Maxwell Groves – Green Party of Ontario

• Florian Bors – Ontario Party

• Joshua Chalhoub – New Blue Party

Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock

• Laurie Scott: PC Party of Ontario (incumbent)

• Alison Bennie: Ontario Liberal Party

• Barbara Doyle: Ontario NDP/NPD

• Tom Regina: Green Party of Ontario

• Brian Kerr: Ontario Party

• Jacquie Barker: New Blue Party

• Bill Denby: Freedom Party of Ontario

• Gene Balfour: Independent

• Zachary Tisdale: Libertarian

Hastings—Lennox and Addington

• Ric Bresee: PC Party of Ontario (incumbent)

• Lynn Rigby: Ontario Liberal Party

• Jessica Zielke: Ontario NDP/NPD

• Mike Holbrook: Green Party of Ontario

• Derek Sloan: Ontario Party

• Glenn Tyrrell: New Blue Party

You can vote by mail by applying to Elections Ontario by Friday.

Requests for a braille voter information card must be received by Wednesday by contacting Elections Ontario at info@elections.on.caOpens or calling 1-888-668-8683.

Voting on election day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Feb. 27.

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United Way to Put On Debate For Provincial Candidates This Wednesday

Provincial candidates have been invited to a debate focused on homelessness in our Peterborough community, held at the All Saints’ Anglican Church from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday.

Photo by David Tuan bui.

The debate is put on by United Way of Peterborough & District, One City Peterborough, the Research for Social Change Lab at Trent University and All Saints’ Anglican Church.

It will be open to both in-person and virtual audiences. Questions will be sent in advance to all of the candidates, and community members will be able to ask questions in person and virtually.

Homelessness in Peterborough has been a growing issue for several years, says Jim Russell, CEO of United Way Peterborough & District.

“The issue of homelessness and the ravages it has on those experiencing it, cries out, indeed demands leadership, in particular political leadership. We are keen to hear how these candidates will lead our community in ensuring safe affordable, supportive housing for all,” he said. “It is critical that all candidates of each respective political party speak directly to this crisis.”

He continues to state that the provincial government has a significant mandate over housing in Ontario. With an upcoming election, four community organizations partnered to bring an all-candidates debate on homelessness to Peterborough.

“The starting point for any response to homelessness is to adopt a Human Rights orientation to developing community responses” said Dr. Naomi Nichols of the Research for Social Change Lab. “We are pleased to be collaborating with One City and United Way in hosting this event and look forward to the responses from the candidates.”

“More and more of our neighbours are being pushed into homelessness at an alarming rate,” said Christian Harvey, One City Peterborough executive director. “Whoever leads our province next needs to prioritize a plan to address this in a meaningful way. Few issues are as pressing as this in the City of Peterborough and in our province.”

The following are the candidates running for Peterborough-Kawartha MPP:

• Dave Smith, Conservative (incumbent)

• Jen Deck, NDP

• Adam Hopkins, Liberal

• Lucas Graham, Green party

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City of Peterborough Recognizes National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia

In recognition of the National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia, Mayor Jeff Leal has issued a statement regarding the incident on Thursday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Leal has made the following statement:

I encourage everyone to take a moment to pause, reflect and remember the tragic events of January 29, 2017, when six lives were taken and many more were forever changed in the senseless attack on the Quebec City Islamic Cultural Centre. This act of hate and violence shook our nation and underscored the ongoing need to confront Islamophobia and all forms of racism and discrimination in our communities.

Our thoughts are with Muslim communities here in Peterborough and across Canada as we honour the memory of those lost and stand in solidarity with those who continue to face prejudice and hatred.

As a City, we are committed to fostering inclusion, respect, and understanding. Diversity strengthens our community and we all share a responsibility to reject hate and create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.

Let us use this day not only to remember but to take meaningful action against Islamophobia. Together we can build a society where everyone feels valued and protected, regardless of their faith or background. Hate has no place in Peterborough.

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City Councillors Echo Mayor Jeff Leal's Statement Increased Homelessness Throughout Peterborough and the Country

Several City Councillors echo and endorse Mayor Leal’s statement regarding increased homelessness and the humanitarian crisis surrounding it which was made on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Councillors Gary Baldwin, Matt Crowley, Kevin Duguay, Dave Haacke, Lesley Parnell and Don Vassiliadis agree with the mayor and have made the following statement in support of Leal.

The following is the joint statement released by City Council:

As City Councillors for the City of Peterborough, we express our agreement with and strong support for the statement issued by Mayor Jeff Leal on Thursday, January 23, 2025.

The creation of 60 more temporary shelter beds is a substantial budget and service level decision that rightly belongs to Council as a whole.

This was not raised during the recent 2025 Budget review when City Council approved substantial increases in homelessness services funding to maintain and enhance services for people who are experiencing homelessness. 

We will repeat some of Mayor Leal’s words: 

“This Council has taken significant steps to help some of the most vulnerable in our community.  

In terms of shelter spaces, our community supports 127 shelter and drop-in centre beds provided in partnership with community agencies. That is among the highest per-capita provision of shelter beds in the Province. 

There are still people in our community who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness. 

Municipalities are not equipped to address homelessness and its related health care, mental health, addiction, and housing issues. Our ability as municipalities to fund these services out of property tax revenue, which is based on property assessment rather than ability to pay, is limited. 

City Council decides how much to invest in homelessness services as it considers the various needs in our community. This Council is now, this year, more than doubling the City’s investment in the City’s Homeless Prevention Program for shelter services and drop-in centre spaces. 

This Council has shown compassion and political will. There is no question more needs to be done.” 

As city councillors, we recognize that additional, long-term, provincial and federal funding is needed for the complete housing continuum.

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Mayor Jeff Leal Issues Statement Regarding Increased Homelessness Throughout Peterborough and the Country

Mayor Jeff Leal has issued a statement regarding increased homelessness and the humanitarian crisis surrounding it on Thursday.

Photo by David Tuan bui.

The following is the full statement released by Leal:

Communities across Canada and throughout Ontario are experiencing a humanitarian crisis from a substantial increase in homelessness. Peterborough is no exception. A recent report from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) shows that homelessness across the province has increased by 25 per cent since 2022.

I have stated publicly many times, and AMO’s report makes clear, that municipalities are not equipped to address homelessness and its related health care, mental health, addiction, and housing issues. Our ability as municipalities to fund these services out of property tax revenue, which is based on property assessment rather than ability to pay, is limited. Municipalities are collectively appealing to the province and the federal government to put a greater focus on this crisis that is affecting individuals, families and communities.

But the City of Peterborough, and this Council, have taken significant action to help some of the most vulnerable in our community. The need is truly great.

Between 2024 and 2025, in one year alone, we are more than doubling the City’s funding toward homelessness prevention programs to increase support to our emergency shelters, expand drop-in space hours of operation, and enhance services.

The overall cost of the City’s Homeless Prevention Program will increase to about $8.4 million in 2025 from almost $6.9 million in 2024, with the City’s share of those costs more than doubling from $1.2 million in 2024 to more than $2.6 million in 2025. The Province’s contribution to shelters and drop-in spaces for homelessness services is increasing to $5.6 million from $5.4 million, which doesn’t include its substantial funding for the 50-unit Modular Bridge Housing Community.

In terms of shelter spaces, our community supports 127 shelter and drop-in centre beds provided in partnership with community agencies. That is among the highest per-capita provision of shelter beds in the Province.

Even with that investment in emergency shelters, the beds are often full, especially in the winter. And when we do have spaces available, there is tenting in our parks as people may choose to not access shelter, or they may not be able to access shelter for a variety of reasons, such as addictions or mental health. There are still people in our community who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

Beyond shelter services, the City financially supports more than 2,000 affordable and social housing units as well as various other homeless and housing support services in the community.

I express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to Councillor Alex Bierk and Councillor Keith Riel who serve as homelessness portfolio co-chairs on Council.

Their call to declare a homelessness emergency and to use Strong Mayor Powers as a way to immediately create 60 additional shelter spaces is, however, a misguided approach.

The City of Peterborough is already under a declared homelessness emergency and has been since October 2022 when it was issued by former Mayor Diane Therrien. The declaration was officially filed with the Province and remains in place. Declaring an emergency does not necessarily provide additional support from the province or federal government.

My understanding as Mayor is that Strong Mayor Powers provided by the Province are to be utilized specifically for the building of housing – the powers do not encompass the provision of temporary shelter.

Councillor Bierk and Councillor Riel stated they have been pushing for an action plan since late summer, yet they did not put forward a motion at the Council table to add additional shelter space to the Winter Response Program, which they championed in its creation and this Council approved in May 2023.

That Winter Response Plan led to the opening of the One City daytime and overnight drop-in program and the building of the 50-unit Modular Bridge Housing Community. In November 2024, Council supported a motion from Councillor Riel, by a 9 to 1 vote, to increase funding to expand the hours for the One City drop-in space program.

I agree that we should do whatever we can to provide shelter space for individuals experiencing homelessness, but that needs to be decided on by a majority of the members of Council.

City Council decides how much to invest in homelessness services as it considers the various needs in our community. This Council is now, this year, more than doubling the City’s investment in the City’s Homeless Prevention Program for shelter services and drop-in centre spaces.

This Council has shown compassion and political will. There is no question more needs to be done. We are doing more. We will do more beyond that, I have no doubt.

Yours sincerely,

Jeff Leal
Mayor
City of Peterborough

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Peterborough County Warden Acclaimed as Chair of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus

Peterborough County Warden Bonnie Clark has been acclaimed as Chair of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) at its annual inaugural meeting in Kingston on Thursday and Friday.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough County.

Since 2023, Clark has served as Vice-Chair of the EOWC, prior to the new role.

The EOWC is a non-profit organization that advocates for 103 small urban and rural municipalities across eastern Ontario. Spanning 50,000 s/hm and serving 800,000 residents, the EOWC has championed regional priorities with a unified voice for over 20 years. They work closely with governments, businesses, non-profits, Indigenous leaders, media, and the public to advance key initiatives that strengthen communities across the region.

As Chair of the EOWC, Clark will advocate for issues affecting Peterborough County.

"It is an honour to lead as Chair of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) for 2025,” said Bonnie Clark. “It is a critical time for our country, province, and region to step up, and the EOWC remains ready to work and ready to grow. I look forward to working with my caucus colleagues in the year ahead to advance priorities of infrastructure, housing and health care on behalf of our 103 municipalities and residents across Eastern Ontario.”

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Announces Resignation; Remains as Party Leader Until New One Has Been Selected

Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation as Prime Minister and head of the Liberal Party effective once a a new leader has selected, announced at Rideau Cottage in Ottawa on Monday morning.

Maryam Monsef, Former Liberal MP (left) and Justin Trudeau, Liberal Prime Minister (right) during his visit to Peterborough during his 2021 Federal Election Campaign at the Peterborough Naval Association. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Trudeau met with Gov. Gen. Mary Simon that morning and asked for the prorogation of Parliament until March 24, which was granted. Since Trudeau had come into power in 2015, his tenure was the longest session of a minority Parliament in Canadian history.

“This country deserves a choice in the next election and it has become clear to me that if I’m having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election,” said Trudeau.

His decision came over the holidays, as he said it was a time for him to reflect. Trudeau said he told his children over dinner about his decision to resign on Sunday night.

This is the first time Trudeau has spoken publicly at length since the Liberal Party had been in turmoil from internal disagreements including the unexpected resignation of his finance minister Chrystia Freeland. She stepped down hours before she was expected to deliver the fall economic statement on Dec. 16.

Trudeau was pressured by public opinion polling, roughly 24 MPs and several regional caucuses called for his resignation prior to the holidays.

He was nearing the end of his third term as Prime Minister, where a federal election was slated to occur this fall. Trudeau assumed the role in 2015 after defeating then-incumbent Stephen Harper of the Conservative Party. The former was reelected as Prime Minister in 2019 and 2021.

“The Liberal Party of Canada is an important institution in the history of our great country and democracy,” said Trudeau. “A new Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Party will carry its values and ideals into that next election. I’m excited to see the process unfold in the months ahead.”

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Public Invited to Attend Mayor’s New Year’s Levee On Jan. 12

The public is invited to join Mayor Jeff Leal and City Councillors on Jan 12 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Canadian Canoe Museum, 2077 Ashburnham Dr., for the Mayor’s New Year’s Levee.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“2025 will be an important year for the City of Peterborough as we move projects forward, renew infrastructure, and deliver critical services,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Please join me and members of City Council for a cup of coffee, tea or juice, light snacks, and some discussion about our community and the exciting plans shaping Peterborough’s future.”

The Mayor’s New Year’s Levee takes place in the Event Room, located on the second floor of the Canadian Canoe Museum.

There is limited parking available at the museum. Free parking is available across the road at Eastgate Memorial Park, 2150 Ashburnham Dr. and at Beavermead Park, 2011 Ashburnham Dr.

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Selwyn Mayor Officially Sworn In As Deputy Warden

Selwyn Township Mayor Sherry Senis was officially sworn in as Deputy Warden for a two-year term following her selection by Warden Bonnie Clark after Wednesday’s County Council meeting.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough County.

This is Senis’s second term as Deputy Warden. She has been involved in municipal government since 2006 and has served on County Council since 2014.

“It has been an honour and privilege to serve Peterborough County as Deputy Warden since 2022,” said Senis. “I want to thank Warden Clark for her continued confidence and support in my continuing to serve as Deputy Warden for the next two years. I am passionate about Peterborough County and I look forward to continuing my work together with County Council, staff, townships, businesses, and residents to deal with local challenges and taking opportunities for the benefit of our community.”

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