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.

Peterborough Challenger Baseball Hits a Home Run In Their Season Finale Return

There was no shortage of smiles and fly balls as Peterborough Challenger Baseball concluded their comeback season with the final game of the year at Kinsmen Park on Thursday.

The Senior division kicked off the final game of the season for the non-profit organization. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Peterborough Challengers squeaked a 16-13 win over the PTBO Rockstars in the championship game of the senior division.

The organization supports anyone with cognitive or developmental challenges or chronic health issues that prevents them from playing an organized sport.

Peterborough Challenger Baseball has 24 volunteer coaches that are all mentored and instructed by the Jays Care Foundation, the charity arm of the Toronto Blue Jays. There were 76 active players this year with several regulars who sat out for safety reasons.

The Challengers were made up of members who benefit from the non-profit organization while the Rockstars are pick-up players that vary week-to-week as their opponents. The games are casual but the competitive spirit resides in every player that walks onto the field according to Bernie Daynes, Peterborough Challenger Baseball president.

“It's all about learning for them as well as some of them can hit a ball. Tonight (Thursday) was quite competitive but it's all about having fun as well,” he said. “They’re still learning some fielding fundamentals and that's what we do here.”

Peterborough Challenger Baseball has several divisions of all ages including Little League Juniors, Martinez Intermediates and Barfield Seniors. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The organization last year was able to have a season from the COVID-19 pandemic but got the thumbs-up for this summer. Weekly play typically begins in May but was delayed until mid-June through September.

Playing baseball was an activity both the players and staff were aiming for after coming off a forced hiatus of 16 months.

“We started planning for a return to play in January of this year. As soon as we got the go-ahead from the province and the local health board, we had our plan in action and we put the players back on the field very quickly,” said Daynes.

The PTBO Rockstars during their final game of the season. The team welcomes all skill levels to participate against the Challengers. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The mission of Daynes’s organization is not only to provide an inclusive outlet for baseball and have fun but to teach life lessons and develop as human beings.

”Also within playing the baseball as a game, it's also as a social network for these players and we also help teach them some social skills as well as how to accept failure as a learning device and not a failure,” he explained. “That's all failure is, that it's an opportunity to learn and these guys here are very quick to learn.”

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 Museum Exhibit Highlights Inuit Role in Search for the Franklin Exhibition

A new exhibit, The Ones We Met – Inuit Traditional Knowledge and the Franklin Expedition, will occupy the Peterborough Museum & Archives for three months announced on Monday.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The exhibition features photographs, illustrations and an animated map of routes charted by Europeans looking for a Northwest Passage in the 350 years before Franklin’s expedition.

The Franklin Expedition was a voyage of Arctic exploration led by Captain Sir John Franklin that departed from England in 1845 aboard two ships, the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror.

Visitors can hear stories of Inuit encounters with Franklin and his men and of Martin Frobisher’s voyages to Baffin Island in the 1570s.

The expedition ended in disaster after both ships and their crews, a total of 128 officers and men, became icebound in what is now Nunavut.

“This exhibit is a great opportunity for visitors to learn about an important perspective surrounding the account of the Franklin Expedition. From the time HMS Erebus and Terror got trapped in the icy north, Inuit have been a part of the story. When that chapter came to a close, they continued to share their experience to younger generations, of the crewmen they met, and of ships stuck in ice,” said Dustin McIlwain, Peterborough Museum and Archives Community Engagement Coordinator.

Presented in Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun, English and French — the four official languages of Nunavut — the travelling exhibition will be on display at the Peterborough Museum & Archives from Sept. 18 to Dec. 5.

“This tradition of sharing oral histories was a key component to the discovery of these wrecks. To this day, the Inuit continue their key role in sharing this story, as well as the preservation of this historical site. The narrative will continue to evolve with time, as we embrace the concept of storytelling as a way to keep our history alive,” said McIlwain.

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 Petes and Local Brewery Partner With Giveaway For Free Hockey Tickets

Hockey and beer have come together in town again as the Peterborough Petes and the Bobcaygeon Brewing Company have partnered for the Petes Lager Homecoming Contest, to win Petes Suite tickets announced Monday.

The Petes Lager was first introduced to Peterborough in March earlier this year. Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Beginning Monday until Oct. 17, seven winners will be selected by buying a Petes Lager (16 oz., pint or tall can) at any participating restaurants, scan the QR Code on the coasters with their electronic device and enter all required information for their entry.

Alternatively, participants can download and print the entry form on the Bobcaygeon Brewing Contest company’s website and mail it to Bobcaygeon Brewing Company.

The beer is a 4.0% light lager and the art was designed by Ryan Dawson and illustrated by freelance artist Cam Miller. Photo Courtesy of Neil Morton.

Winners are randomly selected on Oct. 21 and announced through a video that will be shared on the video board and across social media during a Petes home game.

Chosen applicants are required to answer a skill-testing question to claim the prize. All participants must be 19 years of age or older when entering the contest and only one entry per customer per day. Proof of identification will be required. 

For more rules and information on the Homecoming Contest, click here.

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

Trent University Welcomes New Excalibur Varsity Rowing Head Coach

It is back to the old stomping grounds for Trent rowing alumna Ugette Vanderpost as she becomes the new Trent Excalibur varsity rowing head coach announced on Friday.

Vanderpost has also graduated from Queen’s and Royal Roads University after graduating from Trent. Photo Courtesy of Trent University.

Vanderpost had graduated from the university in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and English.

“We are excited to have Trent alumna, Ugette Vanderpost join the Excalibur team as the new head coach of our rowing program,” said Deborah Bright-Brundle, director of Trent Athletics and Recreation. “Joining Trent Athletics and the Peterborough Rowing Club, she will be a great mentor for our student-athletes and continue to advance for the sport of rowing for our community.”

Vanderpost was coach of the Peterborough Rowing Club and Trent Excalibur rowing program from 1998-2000. She remained involved with the Peterborough rowing programs for several years and has seen the transformation and growth of rowing in the community.

She returns to Trent bringing more than 20 years of teaching and coaching experience to her new role.

“I feel very honoured and humbled to join the legacy of Trent rowing,” said Vanderpost. “It’s very exciting to join it at this time in its history as a program. I did this role 20 years ago and I’m excited to be a part of all that it is now.” 

Vanderpost is joining the School of Education as an instructor during the 2021/22 academic year and says she hopes to continue promoting a welcoming and inclusive environment for student-athletes of all levels.

“For student-athletes who are trying the sport for the first time or they’re returning to rowing after being away from it for such a long time and waiting for it to come back, it’s a very social and collaborative sport,” she explained. “I’m really looking forward to creating an opportunity for them to return and have them excited.”

With Vanderpost being in the position before, her knowledge and understanding of what Trent and surrounding area has to provide for the student-athletes and community members according to the press rlease.

She wants to bring people back to sport, whether they are just beginner or experienced rowers.

“The thing about sport is that it can be really unifying and energizing, when there’s been a lot of uncertainty about going back to school, it’s nice to marry sport and school back together in a somewhat normal way.”

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

StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring I Stop Defamation, The Marketing Guy, ClearlyThen Inc. and Habitat for Humanity

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running StoosNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition… 

If you have ever experienced online bullying or defamation, there is a new service that you might be interested in. istopdefamation.com utilizes in-depth knowledge of online platforms and website building to help anyone recover from everything from a toxic breakup to an online bully. 

Reputational repair tools include having the content removed for violating platform policies, to starting a suppressive content campaign, such as creating new, specially coded content to help bury defamatory posts or messages. A full list of services and free advice is available at their official website.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­After 19 years of working in the marketing and communications world, local entrepreneur, Phillip Jolicoeur has branched off on his own as “The Marketing Guy”.

Jolicoeur is offering a one-stop shop for social media management, website and graphic design and copywriting - a marketing concierge to handle all your business marketing month to month. Call 289-251-7445 (PHIL) or follow him on social media @PJTHEMARKETINGGUY.

Jonathan Bennett recently announced the launch of a coaching practice under the banner, ClearlyThen Inc.

Recognized as the founder of Laridae, a successful training and strategic planning consulting group, Jonathan will now focus on coaching leaders of progressive businesses and organizations.

From group coaching, including Boards of Directors, to individual coaching, Jonathan promises reliable support to keep you at your creative and strategic best.

Congratulations to Susan Zambonin, the new CEO of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough and Kawartha Region. Susan brings 19 years of award-winning experience within Canada’s Habitat community.

Congratulations also to Sarah Budd, who hands over the reins on October 4th after 15 years of stellar leadership and vision.

“Like” StoosNews page on Facebook here!

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.

Instructions Issued Regarding Vaccine Mandate for Sports Staff

Peterborough Public Health released a letter of instruction regarding vaccine requirements for sports staff on Friday.

Similar instructions for restaurant mandates were released Thursday. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Peterborough Public Health will require all volunteers, coaches and officials 18 years of age and over who are participating or associated with the indoor organized sport to confirm proof of vaccination (or proof of being entitled to a medical exemption) and identification each time the individuals arrives at the facility.

“The requirements for proof of vaccination for high-risk indoor settings will ensure residents remain safe,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “The provincial requirements related to organized sports have exempt volunteers, coaches, and officials, putting vulnerable individuals at risk. Given that these individuals will have close and prolonged contact with unvaccinated youth players, I am requiring proof of vaccination for these individuals, in addition to the individuals prescribed by provincial legislation.”

Proof of vaccination requirements will come into effect on Sept. 22. Patrons will be required to show identification and proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before entering the following indoor establishments:

• Indoor areas of meeting and event spaces

• Indoor and outdoor areas of food and drink establishments with dance facilities, including nightclubs and other similar establishments

• Indoor areas of restaurants, bars, and other food and drink establishments without dance facilities

• Indoor areas of facilities used for sport and recreational fitness activities, including waterparks, and personal fitness training

• Indoor areas of casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments

• Indoor areas of concert venues, theatres and cinemas

• Indoor areas of bathhouses, sex clubs and strip clubs

• Indoor areas of horse racing tracks, car racing tracks and other similar venues

• Indoor areas where film and TV production take place with studio audiences

Businesses and organizations who fall into these categories are required under O. Reg. 364/20 to obtain proof of vaccination and proof of identification from each patron before entering the premise. Other public health measures like masking and distancing will remain in place.

Patrons of these establishments may have a paper or electronic proof of vaccination in the form of a receipt, card, or certificate. Proof of vaccination can be obtained through the Ontario provincial portal or by calling the provincial call centre at 1-833-943-3900.

Additional information on the provincial proof of vaccination requirements and Peterborough Public Health letter of instruction can be found at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/proofofvaccine

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

Youth Group Prepares to Welcome 78 Afghan Refugees to Peterborough

The New Canadians Centre (NCC) Youth Welcome Team prepared signs and cards for the 78 Afghan refugees coming to Peterborough, on Thursday.

Ava Williams and Maryam Abdella, members of the youth welcome team, make signs at the silver bean cafe on Thursday. Photo courtesy of Lubna Sadek.

The group met at the Silver Bean Café, with NCC group leader and youth worker Lubna Sadek to help make Peterborough a more welcoming place for the refugees.

“We’re very pleased with the positive response from the community regarding the refugees arriving,” she said.

The Youth Welcome Team meets once a month to plan projects and activities to welcome new Canadians to Peterborough.

They allow high school students to complete the required 40 hours of volunteer work they need to graduate and has approximately ten members.

“I’m a refugee too,” said Sidra Abdulla, a 16-year-old member of the welcome team. “When I came to Canada I saw a lot of people help me so I like to give back too.”

(Left to right) Sidra Abdulla, Aya Darrouba, and Angel Ngwepo present their finished welcome sign at the Silver Bean Cafe on Thursday. Photo courtesy of Lubna Sadek.

Almost 2000 Afghan refugees have arrived in Toronto according to an NCC press release. COSTI Immigrant Services, the main settlement agency in Toronto, has asked the NCC to support the settlement of 78 Afghans.

Andy Cragg, NCC executive director says they anticipate many newcomers will stay in Peterborough for four to eight weeks but will ultimately settle in Toronto.

During their stay in Peterborough, the NCC provides them with temporary housing, helps meet their basic needs, delivers basic orientations to life in Canada and help them find permanent accommodations.

Until the NCC is able to meet the newcomers on Friday, they will not know exactly what their needs are. For now, the NCC is asking those interested in helping drop off welcome cards to their office at 221 Romaine St.

Landlords and property managers who can provide affordable and safe housing for refugees are asked to contact the NCC at ncc@nccpeterborough.ca

Currently, the NCC does not have the capacity to process donations. They will post a call for items after they are able to assess the newcomer’s needs.

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