GO Bus Services Unavailable as Transit Workers Strike

More than 2,200 GO Transit bus operators, station attendants and other employees began striking on Monday after being unable to reach an agreement with GO operator Metrolinx.

Photo by Luke Best.

The union says 81 per cent of GO employees voted against a previous contract offer from Metrolinx, leading to the walkout.

The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1587 says its concern is with job security, and hiring connect workers from outside the company.

Metrolinx, the provincial transit agency that oversees GO Transit and the Union Pearson Express, says they will remain open to bargaining during the strike.

GO bus services will be unavailable during the strike. GO trains will continue to operate.

More information to come.

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Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce's Stu Harrison Honoured In Retirement After Two Decades of Service

Halloween marked the final day of Stu Harrison’s tenure with the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce as president and CEO as he was honoured for over 20 years of service at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club on Friday.

Stu Harrison shares a moment with his five-year-old granddaughter Evan Welker during his retirement celebration. Harrison moved from Wilkie, Sask, (formerly known as Leipzig) to Peterborough in 1977. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Roughly 200 guests showed up to celebrate Harrison’s retirement and recognize his service to the community.

“To me, it's the same community since I moved here 45 years since I first moved here from Saskatchewan,” said Harrison “It's an amazing place full of amazing people and not matter what happens, we work it out and I know we'll keep doing that and if I can be a part of that, I will.”

Harrison began as a volunteer for the Chamber before assuming the role he is retiring from. He says spending two decades with them helped make a positive impact within the community.

“It's meaningful work,” explained Harrison. “You're in a position of influence and I never took that likely. To me, there was never a doubt that I was in the right place, it was a good fit for me and vice versa.”

Harrison says he is continuing his philanthropy work such as the annual Easter Seals Telethon, volunteering for the past 44 years. He will still write his weekly Stoosnews ‘Business Beat’ segment that is featured weekly on PTBOCanada. Harrison is going to relax and spend more time with his wife Signe during his retirement.

Sarah Budd is the new president and CEO of the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce. She formerly served as the CEO of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough.

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Five Local Artists Reimagine Downtown Peterborough Through The Illustrated Boro Project

The Downtown Business Improvement Area’s (DBIA) Illustrated Boro Project commissions local artists to create illustrations of downtown shops with funding from the federal government’s Tourism Relief Fund.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.

Five local artists were selected to create ten illustrations of downtown shops through this initiative. Each Illustrator featured businesses based on their own personal connection to Peterborough’s downtown business district. Viewers are encouraged to look at the city centre through the eyes of the artist.

Art from Jason Wilkins, Samantha Chiusolo, Julii McMillan, Kathryn Durst and Brooklin Holbrough feature prominent downtown businesses such as Mark Jokinen Books, Statement House, Ritual Apothecary, Night Kitchen, Couture Candy, Providence, The Food Shop, Bijoux Bar, Blue Streak Records and Black Honey Café.

The DBIA’s Illustrated Boro project aims to explore downtown Peterborough through an artistic lens while showcasing local talent in the arts community.

“As a newer resident to Peterborough, I felt so honoured to be a part of this wonderful collaboration with the DBIA, the shops and fellow artists. My family and I have had the pleasure to meet wonderful shop owners that help remind us, we are a part of a larger community, with whom we will support and foster new long-lasting relationships,” said Samantha Chiusolo. “Speaking as an artist, this project has helped support my foray into narrative illustration as well as build up a fellowship within the artist’s community.”

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.

A public art exhibit at the First Friday Art Crawl on Friday showcased the artists’ work with a group art show in celebration of downtown businesses and shop owners. The art show sales of postcard sets (including all ten artworks), prints and original works have all proceeds going directly to the artists.  

The Illustrated Boro project was funded by the Government of Canada’s Tourism Relief Fund (TRF), through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) to help local tourism organizations and businesses safely welcome back visitors and recover from impacts of the pandemic while preparing for future growth. The DBIA and 36 other regional tourism organizations have received $2.8 million in support for tourism relief in the Peterborough, Kawarthas and Northumberland region.

“With the Illustrated Boro project, we honour the art of illustration with drawings of familiar Downtown Peterborough shops handpicked by five local artists. This is how they see their favourite businesses in The Boro. These talented artists see what others may only catch a glimpse of; whimsy, charm and a generosity of spirit, a few hallmarks of The Boro,” says Sacha Lai-Svirk, DBIA marketing committee chair and board of directors member.

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Trent Excalibur Men's Lacrosse Team Win First Baggataway Cup Title

The hosting Trent Excalibur men’s lacrosse team has earned their first Baggataway Cup Championship in front of 1,200 fans, defeating the Brock Badgers 12-3 at the Justin Chiu Stadium on Sunday.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

Trent came close in 2016 and 2019, reaching the finals but lost both times to the Western Mustangs. This was the second time Trent had hosted the championship weekend since 2012.

"This team wanted to win badly. What the 12-3 scoreboard does not show in the finals is the blood, sweat and tears it took from the guys all year to make that happen,” said Mark Farthing, Excalibur men’s head coach. “The support from both Trent, as well as the community, has been outstanding. It was a special atmosphere on Justin Chiu Stadium all season and especially this weekend. Winning a national championship on the banks of the Otonabee River is a dream come true for all involved."

“We are so proud of our men’s lacrosse team and their performance not only this weekend but throughout the season,” said Leslie Spooner, Trent interim director of Athletics and Recreation. “They’ve represented Trent University so well. Their dedication and championship win is monumental and well-deserved.”

Trent earned a first-round bye since they were the top team in the East division and did not play on Friday, the opening day. The Excalibur defeated McGill 12-5 on Saturday in order to compete for the Baggataway Cup championship.

Trent’s Tyler Hendricks was named the team’s Player of the Game and ttack on the All Baggataway Cup Team.

Colton Armstrong and Taite Cattoni were named midfield players for the All Baggataway Cup Team, Curtis Conley for defense and Curtis Romanchych for long-stick midfielder and Aidan McLaughlin for face-off.

Trent’s Jackson Brown was named goaltender for the All Baggataway Cup Team, allowing only eight goals during the tournament.

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"I'm advocating on behalf of two million students." MPP Dave Smith Urges CUPE To Renegotiate and Stop Striking

MPP Dave Smith explains the province's steps and stance toward the Canadian Union of Public Employees’ actions which are fighting for a pay raise. He says the ball is in CUPE's court to act but wants to have students back in schools as soon as possible.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has agreed to repeal Bill 28 if the CUPE workers agreed to stop striking. According to Ford’s tweet Monday morning, CUPE has agreed to withdraw.

I’m glad CUPE has agreed to withdraw its strike action so kids can return to class. We’ll be back at the table to negotiate a fair deal — for students, parents, workers and taxpayers.

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) November 7, 2022

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Dave Ellis: October Wildlife Photography Review

Dave Ellis is an Omemee-based wildlife photographer. PTBOCanada features his work in our daily ‘Good Morning PTBO’ posts.

This month’s images feature various local environments and many species of wildlife as the Canadian winter weather ramps up. Here are some of the shots the photographer captured in October.

As the frost comes in, follow along with Ellis’ captures through PTBOCanada.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Caygeon Liquidation, Cancer Takedown, Courtney Cartmel and Friends in Music

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…

Jeff der Kinderen recently opened Caygeon Liquidation in a big yellow barn behind 51 Main St. in Bobcaygeon.

Jeff has winter boots, electronics, kitchenware, auto accessories, tools and hardware, home décor, toys, antiques, military surplus and more. Housed in a 100-year-old barn, Caygeon Liquidation is open Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Caygeonliquidation.ca or find them on Facebook.

Cancer Takedown is an evening of song story and solidarity.

Dubbed a “Spirit-Raiser”, the event is being organized by Rick and Amy Kemp, and MC’s Linda Kash and Megan Murphy will be introducing people with inspiring stories, as well as local musicians Kate Suhr and Melissa Payne, among others. Cancer Takedown takes place on Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre. Tickets are available at markethall.org

Courtney Cartmel is a registered acupuncturist who recently moved back to the Peterborough area to set up practice at the Peterborough Centre of Naturopathic Medicine.

Through acupuncture, Cartmel can treat a wide variety of issues including physical pain, injuries, headaches, digestive problems, mental health issues, insomnia and more. Fully certified, Courtney brings 7 years of experience with her. You can contact Courtney at The Peterborough Centre of Naturopathic Medicine or call 705-761-6596.

“Friends in Music” is a community band for all ages and abilities.

Music Director Mark Hiscox rehearses Thursday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Playing a variety of music genres in a relaxed atmosphere, Mark promises a fun-loving, diverse and noncompetitive group of people who simply enjoy making music together in a positive, low-pressure environment.

Anyone who plays woodwinds, percussion or brass at an easy to medium level of difficulty is welcome to come and play. No auditions are required and there is no age limit. For more information, please contact Joanne Culley, joanne.culley@sympatico.ca or call 705-748-5353.

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#PetLovePTBO Campaign Launches in Support of the Peterborough Humane Society

PTBOCanada has launched their #PetLovePTBO campaign, selling toques and dog toys in support of the Peterborough Humane Society.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Toques range from $20-$25 and toys are $15. $10 from every toque and toy will go towards the Humane Society and their new Animal Care Centre.

“We’re just about ready to open up the Peterborough Animal Care Centre right here on Technology Drive. It’s going to be absolutely amazing, it’s gone to revolutionize animal welfare right here in Peterborough, and we can’t wait to get things started,” says Shawn Morey, executive director at the Peterborough Humane Society.

The new facility is set to feature larger kennel spaces, larger cat suites, humane education programming, a spay/neuter clinic and a dog rehabilitation centre.

“The support from Kirtus and the folks at PTBOCanada has been amazing, as well as our whole community,” Morey continued. “This is a centre that was built for the community, by the community, and we’re just excited to be bringing it home.”

Apparel in support of the Peterborough Humane Society can be purchased at www.ptbocanada.com/shop until Christmas.

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CUPE Education Workers Protest During First Day of Strike

Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) education workers protest outside MPP Dave Smith’s office on Water Street as their strike for wage increases takes off on Friday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

CUPE workers are striking for a 6 per cent wage increase, down from their original ask of 11.7 per cent. “Ford and Lecce have got to go!” chants were made from the crowds as education workers picketed and receive honks of encouragement from passing vehicles.

Similar protests were held outside the offices of Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott in Lindsay, and Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini in Port Hope.

The Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic School Board (PVNC) and Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB) have both opted to closing schools during the strike, saying in a statement that “without CUPE workers on-site, (they) simply cannot ensure safe conditions for all students and staff.”

Students have been transitioned to at-home, asynchronous learning for the day on Friday as CUPE strikes.

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