Peterborough to Host Inclusive Sport and Recreation Expo

The City of Peterborough is hosting the Inclusive Sport and Recreation Expo, promoting inclusion and participation in sports and recreation in the community at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre on Nov. 19.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

In partnership with the Council for Persons with Disabilities (CPD) and the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the free event will run from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

The CPD strives to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities in Peterborough by promoting equality, opportunity and inclusion and advocating to increase community capacity.

The expo is set to bring together the community of sport and recreation organizations and highlight/promote inclusiveness and participation for people of all abilities.

Families will have the opportunity to learn more about inclusivity in sport and recreation through demonstrations and peer engagement with local recreation groups. The event will include prizes, activities and a free swim.

The Inclusive Sport and Recreation Expo will feature approximately two dozen organizations including:

• Peterborough Pickleball

• Peterborough Cricket Association

• YMCA East Ontario

• Electric City Special Needs Sports

• Peterborough Curling Club

• Abilities Centre

• Autism Ontario Central East Region

• Peterborough Patriots Sports Club

• Peterborough Special Olympics

• Peterborough Challengers Baseball Association

• Peterborough Athletics Concussion Awareness

• Peterborough Petes

• Junior Achievement Northeast Ontario

• CapableCon-Council for Persons with Disabilities

• City of Peterborough Recreation Services Division

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Peterborough Petes's Michael Simpson Named OHL Goaltender of the Month

Peterborough Petes goalie Michael Simpson has been named the Ontario Hockey League goalie of the month for October announced on Tuesday.

Simpson was selected by the Petes in the tenth round, 193rd overall from the London Jr. Knights in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

It’s his second consecutive award after winning it in April of last season.

During October, Simpson posted a record of six wins and two losses with one shutout, a goals-against average of 2.22 and a .923 save percentage. In ten games this season, Simpson is first in the OHL in goals against average (2.38), wins (7) and second in save percentage (.919).

“Michael has done the work., said Andrew Verner, Petes associate coach. “He committed to coming to Peterborough as a third goalie to play U18 and has gotten better every day since.” 

“It feels amazing,” exclaimed Simpson. “To be recognized two months in a row is pretty special. It’s a nice achievement for myself but overall it’s a team award as we’ve played really good hockey this month. I’m excited to build off this and keep it going as we have a really busy schedule this month.”

Simpson will be honoured before the next home game this Thursday against the Barrie Colts.

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Ontario Expanding 911 Models Of Care In Peterborough and the County

The Ontario Government is expanding 9-1-1 models of care in the County and City of Peterborough to give paramedics more flexibility to provide better treatment for patients away from emergency departments.

WARDEN J. MURRAY JONES (LEFT), CHIEF RANDY MELLOW (MIDDLE) AND MPP DAVE SMITH (RIGHT) DURING JONES’S FINAL DAYS AS WARDEN BEFORE RETIRING FROM A 24-YEAR POLITICAL TENURE. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

This model builds on the first phase of the program which focused on “Alternate Destination” and “Treat and Refer” models for mental health and addictions and palliative care patients, this expansion will now include a new model type: “Treat and Release” according to a press release.

Patients can be treated on-scene by paramedics and released with recommendations for appropriate follow-up care in the comfort of their preferred home or community health setting. This help savoid unnecessary trips to emergency departments and preserve beds for those that need them most.

“This model works. It means people can be treated at home or onsite, without having to go to the emergency room for service. This reduces the pressure on our emergency room at Peterborough Regional Health Centre so that those who need services can receive better, faster care,” MPP Dave Smith said. “This is an innovative way for us to address hospital wait times and hallway health care.”

Patients diverted from emergency departments through these models received the care they needed up to 17 times faster with 94 per cent of patients avoiding the emergency department in the days following treatment as stated in the press release.

“Peterborough County is pleased that the Province has embraced the implementation of the 911 Models of Care and is expanding this program,” said Warden J. Murray Jones.

This expansion will also see more patients become eligible for all three model types. In addition to mental health and addictions and palliative care patients that are currently eligible for the “Alternate Destination” and “Treat and Refer” models, patients with injuries such as minor falls or illnesses that are not life-threatening, patients with managed chronic conditions such as diabetes or epilepsy and patients with other select conditions will also be considered.

“Peterborough County-City Paramedics were pleased to implement the Palliative Care protocols in Peterborough under the first phase of new models of care and we look forward to expanding the models under phase two that will allow the clinical expertise of our paramedics to provide treatment on scene with appropriate patients in a safe and patient centered way that will assist in avoiding unnecessary burden on the health care system,” said Chief Randy Mellow.

This work is on top of the efforts the government has done to date with the March 2022 Plan to Stay Open. Some highlights include:

• Ontario has processed over 25 million lab-based COVID-19 PCR tests and distributed close to 240 million free rapid antigen tests to date.

• Ontario has administered over 34.5 million COVID-19 vaccinations to date.

• Over 36,000 doses of Paxlovid have been prescribed to protect Ontarians against the worst effects of COVID-19, helping to reduce hospital admissions.

• Ontario has invested $880 million in surgical recovery investments over the last three fiscal years, including increasing surgical capacity through funding for innovative hospital projects.

• To strengthen long-term care and alternate levels of care, Ontario has invested $175.2 million to expand home care services and $117 million for the sustainability of home care services, and $1 million for the inter-facility transfer of medically stable patients in Northern Ontario.

• The government has invested $764 million to provide Ontario’s nurses with a retention incentive of up to $5,000 per person.

• Over 10,900 healthcare professionals (including over 7,800 nurses and externs) have been added to the health system since Winter of 2020.

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Stuart Betts Announced as Chief of Peterborough Police Service

The Peterborough Police Services Board appointed Stuart Betts as the next Chief of the Peterborough Police Service announced on Tuesday.

Stuart Betts takes over Tim Farquharson who was serving as acting chief. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Police Service.

Betts, who has 26 years of experience in policing, will officially being his role on Jan. 9.

Betts is a trained Public Order Commander and Critical Incident Commander. He is serving as Deputy Chief of Operations for the London Police Service and was the Deputy Chief of Administration prior. During his career, he has served as Frontline Patrol to Executive Services as well as Support Services and Administrative departments.

“I am thrilled and honoured to have been selected to be Peterborough’s next Chief of Police,” said Betts. “I believe the Chief of Police should be a leader in the community, and also serve to support the members of the Organization by ensuring they have the tools and resources needed to serve the community at the highest possible level. As your Chief, I will be dedicated to ensuring we excel in our commitment to professionalism and excellence in support of safety for the community and to one another. Peterborough is to be my home and I am invested in ensuring it is a safe place for my family and yours.”

Chief Designate Betts has successfully completed the Senior Management Institute for Police with the Police Executive Research Forum at the University of Boston and the Police Leadership Program at the Rotman School of Executive Management at the University of Toronto. He has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from York University, a Masters of Business Administration Degree, focused on innovation leadership, from the University of Fredericton and is pursuing a second Masters degree in Law in Alternative Dispute Resolution at Osgoode Hall Law School. Betts is a certified Canadian Risk Manager and certified Change Management Practitioner. He has served as the co-chair of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, Police Information and Statistics Committee.

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YMCA of Central East Ontario To Sign On To Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care System

The YMCA of Central East Ontario will sign on to the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system along with the other 13 YMCA associations across Ontario announced Tuesday.

File photo.

The YMCA says in a press release that while “considerable work remains to address workforce shortages and to improve equity, inclusion and accessibility, (they) look forward to working alongside government and community partners to support its successful implementation and future growth.” The CWELCC system is an “opportunity to build a stronger publicly-managed early years system that will benefit children and their families for years to come.”

"Ultimately our goal is affordable, accessible and high-quality child care for parents, we have advocated for that and understand the importance of high-quality and affordable childcare for families in our community,” said David Allen, YMCA Central East Ontario president and CEO. "Fees will vary from family to family depending on what they’re paying now. For example, more care is required for an infant than for a six-year-old. But providers like the Y who have opted into CWELLC will be reducing fees for 0-6 years old by more than 50 per cent on January 1.”

YMCAs advocate for a high-quality licensed childcare system that is affordable and accessible. They say they have developed and honed a research-based early learning curriculum that is now delivered across Canada.

"As the largest provider of childcare in the province, we are also the number one choice of parents and families, making us the most trusted provider in the province. We have long known that healthy and robust childcare programs set children up for success," said Allen.

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Adoption Awareness Month with The Kawartha Haliburton Children’s Aid Society this November

The Kawartha Haliburton Children’s Aid Society recognizes November as Adoption Awareness Month, raising awareness about the role that everyone can play in helping children and youth achieve permanency and lifelong connections through adoption.

File photo.

They are committed to finding families that have the strengths and skills to support children who may have siblings, complex needs or open adoption relationships with their family of origin, as it can be challenging to find families who are able to meet the needs of older children, large sibling groups or those with complex medical, developmental and behavioural needs.

Adoption is one of several permanency options that children’s aid societies consider when looking for life-long connections for children in care. Kinship, customary care, legal custody and adoption are all options that are considered.

“The benefits of maintaining lasting family connections are numerous and all young people, including those in care, deserve those benefits. These changes offer a more consistent and responsive adoption experience for children, youth and families,” says Karen Kartusch, manager of the Regional Adoption Program for Highland Shores Children’s Aid, Kawartha-Haliburton CAS and Durham CAS. “Our goal is to find the right families for children and youth, and connect them as quickly as possible.”

The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) continues to prioritize the government’s strategy to redesign the child welfare system by focusing on the needs of children and youth and by creating solid foundations to support strong families.

According to the Kawartha Haliburton Children’s Aid Society, children living with their own families, in their own culture and in their home communities is the priority. However for some children living with their kin may not be an option, and when it is not, the child deserves a family that is a good fit for them.

The number of children and youth in society care and available to be adopted has steadily decreased over the last five years because the primary goal of children’s aid societies is focused on supporting children to live safely in their own homes.

Learn more about adoption by visiting the Central Adoption Intake Service via the Adoption Council of Ontario website www.adoption.on.ca.

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Trent University Set to Host Baggataway Cup This Friday in Three-Day Tournament; First Trent Men's Game Saturday

The Trent Excalibur Men’s lacrosse team is hosting the 2022 Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association (CUFLA) Baggataway Cup Championship at Justin Chiu Stadium in a three-day tournament beginning Friday.

Peterborough has significant lacrosse milestones and notable events during 2022. This year is the 150 anniversary of lacrosse in Peterborough and the Lakers have won a fourth-straight Mann Cup championship. Photo courtesy of Trent University.

“It is my pleasure to welcome athletes, fans and visitors to Trent University for the 2022 Baggataway Cup,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, Trent president and vice-chancellor.

Trent men’s team finished 2022-23 regular season as the number one seed in the East division that earned a bye to the semi-finals in the Baggataway Cup. Trent is hosting the event for a second time since the team’s inception into CUFLA in 2007. The championship was first hosted at Trent in 2012.

“We are thrilled to be hosting this signature CUFLA championship event again at Trent and are honoured to welcome competitors and fans to Justin Chiu Stadium,” said Leslie Spooner, Trent interim director of Athletics and Recreation. “Our Excalibur men’s lacrosse team has had an incredible season and we can’t wait to cheer on our green and white at home during the Baggataway Cup Championship weekend.”

The first quarterfinal game is on Friday at 4:30 p.m. with the second at 7:30 p.m.

Semi-finals begins on Saturday with Trent’s first game against the winner of quarter-final #1 between McGill and Western at 1:30 p.m. The second semi-final game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

The Baggataway Cup final is on Sunday at 2 p.m. immediately followed by an awards presentation.

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to compete at Justin Chiu Stadium, in front of the hometown fans,” said Mark Farthing, head coach of the Excalibur men’s lacrosse team. “The city is well-known for lacrosse, not only at Trent but also in the Peterborough region as well. It will be a great opportunity to have the whole community come watch and support us during the championship weekend.”  

A local high school all-star game takes place at 11:00 a.m. prior to the championship game on Sunday.

Day and weekend passes are available for purchase at the gate and in-person at the Trent Athletics Centre. Trent students and children under 12 can attend for free.

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Ontario Investing Over $450,000 For Hiring Staff to Address Ambulance Offload Times at PRHC

The Ontario Government is investing $450,683 to support fast ambulance response and turnaround times for the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC).

Warden J. Murray Jones (left), Chief Randy Mellow (middle) and MPP Dave Smith (right) during Jones’s final days as warden before retiring from a 24-year political tenure. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This is part of the province’s ‘Plan to Stay Open: Health System Stability and Recover’ where $16.1 million is being invested in 20 communities across the province through the Dedicated Offload Nurses Program.

This results in more hired additional nurses and health care workers including paramedics, respiratory therapists and physician assistants, who are dedicated to offloading ambulance patients to receive care in emergency departments according to the press release.

“Too often, ambulances are stuck at PRHC caring for patients when they should be out on service calls throughout the community,” MPP Dave Smith said. “This funding will help ensure that Peterborough Paramedics are where they belong, helping those who need it, when they need it.”

In addition to this $16.1 million, Ontario is investing an additional $7 million in the program for 2022–23 as announced in the 2022 Ontario Budget: Ontario’s Plan to Build.

“As a recipient community of offload delay funding for years, we are pleased that this funding will continue in our community and pleased to see that the Province is expanding to include other hospitals and communities,” said Warden J. Murray Jones. “This additional funding will expand the program to new municipalities while providing additional support to previously funded communities where this program has already been regarded as a success.”

“Peterborough County-City Paramedics have worked closely with PRHC for years identifying and implementing strategies to assist with systemic offload delays,” said Chief Randy Mellow. “The continuance of this funding is critical to our entities and our community.”

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Peterborough Police Services Board Welcomes New Provincial Appointee

The Peterborough Police Services Board have welcome Provincial Appointee Drew Merrett as their newest member announced on Monday.

File Photo.

Merrett has been a business owner as well as having served on a number of Boards both past and present.

A press release made a statement regarding Merrett being the newest member:

“The Peterborough Police Services Board looks forward to working with Drew Merrett and believe his skills and experience will be an asset to the Board and Service.”

Merrett is being officially sworn in this Friday.

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Buckhorn's Kal Sager Selected for Canadian Men’s Sevens Rugby Team

Kal Sager has been selected for the Canada Men's Sevens Team for the start of the 2023 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Hong Kong, announced Friday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Rugby Club.

Originally from Buckhorn, Sager started playing rugby at Thomas A. Stewart High School where he was part of the winning team for the AAA boys OFSAA in 2019. He went on to join the Peterborough Rugby Club where he played on U16, U18 and senior men’s teams before moving on to play at Trent University.

Sager joins the team from Rugby Canada’s Pacific Pride program, having competed with the B.C. Men’s 7s team at the Rugby Town 7s competition in Denver last August.

This tournament welcomes the 16 best men’s sevens teams in the world and Sager is the only new player to be selected for the team.

Canada is scheduled to face Argentina, Ireland and Kenya in this tournament from Nov. 4 to 6. Canada's first game against Argentina kicks off at 4:04 a.m. EST on Friday.

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