Central Smith Creamery Running Second Annual "Fill The Truck" Food Drive For Kawartha Food Share

Central Smith Creamery is loading up for Kawartha Food Share as they are running their second annual ‘Fill the Truck’ campaign, collecting non-perishable goods for Kawartha Food Share from Dec. 1 - 15.

between 2017 and 2018, Around 14.5 per cent of Peterborough residents lived with food insecurity according to the Peterborough Food Action Network. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The campaign fills its trucks with donations instead of ice cream as they challenge community members, businesses schools and organizations to help them collect goods.

Anyone can drop off any non-perishable goods at any participating location in the Peterborough and surrounding area including Central Smith.

On Dec. 16, the Selwyn-based business collects the goods from each drop-off spot and delivers them to Kawartha Food Share.

The following is a list of participating businesses so far:

• Suzi Home Maker

• Sullivan’s General Store

• Holiday Inn

• Ferndale Bible Church

• Kingdon Timber Mart

• Kawartha Orthodontics

• Applewood Retirement Residence

• Dentistry on Sherbrook

• Peterborough KIA

• Kawartha Buttertart Factory

• McWilliams Moving & Storage Ltd.

• Hospice Peterborough

• Home Hardware Building Centre

• Scotiabank

• The Publican House

• Lakefield Herald

• Crestwood Secondary School

• Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber

• Style Boutique

Last year, the campaign collected over 5,000 lbs. of food and almost $10,000 in cash donations.

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Kawartha Youth Orchestra Launches Its RESONATE! Campaign For Music Education Bursaries

The Kawartha Youth Orchestra (KYO) is launching its RESONATE! campaign this Sunday to coincide with Giving Tuesday next week and recognize local philanthropists Ralph and Carol Ingleton announced on Wednesday.

Roughly 100 children are enrolled KYO which operate out of rehearsal space at All Saints’ Church in the City of Peterborough’s downtown core. Photo courtesy of KYO.

The campaign raises bursaries for local children who cannot afford to pay for music education. The goal is to raise $70,000 for bursaries in 2022-23.

The Ingletons are being honoured during a rehearsal after KYO received an undisclosed donation. The senior orchestra rehersal is conducted by KYO artistic director Dr. Alexander Cannon.

“Music is part of our lives and having a youth orchestra in our community is simply wonderful,” said Ralph. “Helping young people with needs to make music is extremely important. I would hope that other musical friends will join in lending a helping hand.”

‘#GivingTuesday’ is a global movement and day of giving to non-profits, that encourages people to do good and unleash their power to transform their community.

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GoFundMe Created To Aid Family In Fatal Hwy. 7 Accident From Tuesday Night

A GoFundMe has been created to cover costs and care for an injured family member after a fatal car crash occurred on Hwy 7, killing four people on Tuesday night.

GoFundMe photo.

The accident involved a pick-up truck and an SUV where the driver of the other vehicle was also killed but is yet to be identified.

Stefphanie, Jon and Riddick MacHart were identified as three of the four people killed in the accident that occurred near the Blue Jay Motel in Otonabee-South Monaghan Township around 5:15 p.m.

Rowghan MacHart, the only survivor, was airlifted to SickKids with an update pending according to Tanya Hart from the GoFundMe page, a family member.

“It is with the heaviest heart that we are writing this…” said Hart on the GoFundMe page. “We are absolutely devastated by the sudden and tragic deaths of Stefphanie, Jon, Riddick on the evening of Nov. 22nd.

One family member was a staff at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School while another was a student. The school’s flag was lowered at half mast according to a notice sent by Rita Russo, director of education:

“Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School is grieving the loss of one of their students and and a staff member after last nights fatal collision on Highway 7.

Debbie Callahan, Principal at TAS had announced this morning that it is with profound sadness that she must share some tragic news regarding last nights serious vehicle collision just east of Peterborough. They have learned that an entire family, the MacHart (Hart & MacDonnell) family, has been deeply impacted by this terrible accident, including the death of a student at our school and both parents, one of whom is also a Thomas A Stewart staff member. Another family member was involved, also a student at our school, and they were airlifted to hospital.

Our school community is shocked and grieving as we struggle to process this difficult news, and we understand that this will have an immediate and significant impact on our students, staff and families. Together, we know you join us in offering our deepest condolences to the MacHart (Hart & MacDonnell) family.

The school has sought the support of the mental health clinicians at our school board, for both students and staff. This news has been shared directly with students this morning, and school board counsellors are available at the school to speak with anyone who needs support. Counsellors will remain available as long as needed. If you feel your child is in need of professional support, please contact us at the school, and we will make the necessary arrangements.

The school has also lowered its flag to half-mast in our grief for the MacHart (Hart & MacDonnell) family.”

Hwy. 7 was closed in both directions around Keene Road and Hwy 28 and reopened Wednesday morning.

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The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Home Builders Association Welcomes New President

Garnet Northey passed the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Home Builders Association (PKHBA) presidential duties over to Mitch Cleary at PKHBA’s annual general meeting on Nov. 17.

Photo courtesy of The Peterborough and the Kawarthas home builders Association.

Cleary, of Century 21 United Realty is the fourth member of the Cleary family to be a PKHBA president.

Leo Cleary was part of creating the Peterborough Home Builders Association in the 1950s, one of the first in the province and served as the association's third president in 1958. Pat Cleary served as president in 1991 and Monique Cleary was PKHBA’s first woman president in 2019.

Northey, of Spotlight Home and Lifestyle, brought the Ontario Home Builders Association (OHBA)’s message of building more homes faster into Peterborough and the Kawarthas this past year.

Mitch Cleary says he looks forward to building on his family’s legacy and support for the Home Builders Association and residential construction in Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes.

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East Peterborough Lions Club Great Turkey Exchange To Help Families in Need This Christmas

The East Peterborough Lions Club is seeking community donations of turkeys and hams through their ‘Great Turkey Exchange’ this Christmas; collecting and distributing them for families in need announced Wednesday.

The Great Turkey Exchange operated from 2009 until 2020, taking a hiatus in 2021 after supply chain shortages made it difficult to get donations.

Over its history, the program has delivered the main course for 17,000 Christmas dinners in the Peterborough area.

“Our club has helped out by delivering turkeys to groups and we saw how grateful people are to have strangers help feed their families,” says Frank Hewitt, East Peterborough Lions Club service chair. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to resuscitate the program and fill such a great need in our community.”

The Lions say turkey and hams donated to the program typically come from individuals and businesses who recognize both the sentimental and nutritional value of a traditional Christmas meal. The community can help by donating turkeys and hams, or cash donations to purchase these items.

Donations can be dropped off at Kawartha Food Share located at 665 Neal Dr. or picked up by emailing your address to greatturkeyexchange@gmail.com.

For families who are unable to afford a turkey or a ham this holiday season, email greatturkeyexchange@gmail.com and ask to be put on the donation list.

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Voice of Business: Highlights From Ontario’s Fall Economic Update

Heading into another period of economic uncertainty, the Government of Ontario recently released the 2022 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review titled Ontario’s Plan to Build: A Progress Update.

As per the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC), Ontario’s economic outlook remains uncertain against a backdrop of higher interest rates, inflation, labour shortages, and supply chain disruptions.

The OCC provided a thorough analysis of the economic update. Here are some key highlights for the business community:

Small Businesses the government announced plans to:

• Propose $185 million over the next three years in income tax relief for small businesses by expanding the small business Corporate Income Tax (CIT) rate. The new upper end of the phase-out range would be $50 million of taxable income (previously $15 million).

• Automatically match property tax reductions for all municipalities that adopt the small business subclass.

OCC analysis: As small businesses grapple with inflation and economic uncertainty, support from the Province will help protect the sector from further closures and ensure they can continue to grow. Additional tax relief through the CIT is welcome as it will make scaling more cost-effective for businesses. Further, the matching of the small business property tax subclass should help incentivize more municipalities to roll out the program outside Toronto and Ottawa.

Other Business Tax Measures the government announced plans to:

• Provide $675 million over three years to temporarily allow eligible businesses to expense up to $1.5 million per year for certain capital expenses.

• Propose to expand eligibility for Ontario’s film and television tax credits to professional productions distributed exclusively online, and expand eligible expenses for the Production Services Tax Credit to include location fees.

OCC analysis: The proposed tax measures will encourage further business investment in Ontario, including in the tourism industry as it struggles to recover from the pandemic. We encourage the government to work with stakeholders on aligning further tax incentives around key opportunities for business investment in Ontario, such as zero-emission vehicles, clean energy, and mining.

Workforce Development the government announced plans to:

• Provide an additional $30 million to the Skills Development Fund, prioritizing training programs that support people facing barriers to employment such as people with disabilities and Indigenous people. Funding will also support priority housing and infrastructure projects across the province.

• Provide an additional $4.8 million over two years to expand the Dual Credit program to encourage more secondary students to take apprenticeship and technological education courses, as well as attract more students into the Early Childhood Educator career pathway.

• Add additional services to the one‐window digital portal, launched in partnership with Skilled Trades Ontario.

OCC analysis: Widespread labour shortages coupled with ambitious provincial housing and infrastructure targets will require significant action toward workforce development, recruitment, and retention strategies. The OCC welcomes ongoing efforts to address gaps in the skilled trades and early childhood education, alongside opportunities to support greater workforce diversity and inclusion. While the Province continues to work with the federal government to increase Ontario’s allocation of skilled immigrants to meet the demand for labour across sectors (including health care), policymakers need to take further action to address skills mismatches and future workforce needs. This could include working with employers and post-secondary institutions to identify and promote in-demand skills and career opportunities, providing support for reskilling, upskilling, and micro-credentials, leveraging technology and bridging the digital divide.

Red Tape the government announced plans to:

• Refocus its red tape reduction efforts toward attracting investment and job creation. This includes clearing provincial supply chain delays, accelerating industrial land approvals and permitting, supporting Ontario’s agri-food system, and removing interprovincial trade barriers.

• Establish consultation groups with representatives from key industries to support these efforts.

OCC analysis: Regulatory modernization is one of the most cost-effective tools to boost economic productivity. We are encouraged to see the government signal a renewed focus on high-impact barriers such as permitting and interprovincial trade barriers, which are currently deterring investment in Ontario. Consultation with a broad range of relevant stakeholders will be critical to the success of these reforms.

Cost of Living the government announced plans to:

• Propose to extend gas and fuel tax rate reductions so that the tax rates would remain at 9 cents per litre until December 31, 2023.

• Propose to double the Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) payment for all recipients (low-income seniors) for 12 months starting in January 2023.

• Increase the monthly earnings exemption from $200 to $1000 per month for Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) recipients. For each dollar earned above $1,000, the ODSP recipient would also keep 25 cents of income support.

OCC analysis: Record inflation and ongoing affordability challenges continue to impact Ontarians, disproportionately affecting marginalized groups. The OCC welcomes efforts to mitigate those costs in the short term with targeted support for the hardest hit populations, and encourages the Province to explore additional opportunities to improve the cost of living, including by reinstating the Basic Income Pilot Program to assess program costs and benefits for Ontarians. The OCC and our members also look forward to providing feedback on the development of a provincial portable benefits program, as well as forthcoming consultations related to a target benefit pension plan framework for Ontario.

Next week we’ll look at what’s missing from the Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review and look at what will help create a clear and predictable path toward long-term growth, productivity, resilience and competitiveness.

Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.

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Kawartha Land Trust to Receive $1.7 Million from Environment and Climate Change Canada

Kawartha Land Trust (KLT) is set to receive $1.7 million over five years from Environment and Climate Change Canada's (ECCC) Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF), furthering its land protection efforts in the Kawarthas announced Monday.

Shoreline of Kawartha Land Trust’s new Otonabee River Property, secured with support from the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (Photo by Veronica Price-Jones/KLT)

As a direct result of the funding, KLT acquired 200 more acres of wetlands and forests in the Kawarthas through the securement of two new properties. They now protect over 5,070 acres of land in the Kawarthas, including 1,739 acres of wetlands.

The newly protected 200 plus additional acres of wetlands and forests includes 154 acres in Kawartha Lakes and 58 acres in Otonabee-South Monaghan township. Both properties include Provincially Significant Wetlands (PSW) and the Kawartha Lakes property is noted as an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI).

The goal of this project is to protect CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalents) conversion through the protection of natural habitat in the Kawarthas by inspiring landowner participation in protecting carbon on their lands through a mix of land protection options and the outright purchase/protection of land with high carbon storage value vital habitat for plant and animal species, including a number of at risk species.

“We are so lucky in the Kawarthas to live where people have been caring for the land for generations, leaving a lasting natural legacy for today,” says John Kintare, executive director of Kawartha Land Trust. “The funding from ECCC’s Nature Smart Climate Solution Fund will allow Kawartha Land Trust to reach out to key landowners across our landscape to help them understand the part their land plays in our local ecosystem. We will work with all who are willing to secure important carbon stores and enhance land management so that our local lands can have a global impact.”

ECCC announced the details of the investment over five years to support KLT’s ‘Sequestering Kawarthas’ Carbon Through Partners in Conservation’ project through the ECCC’s Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund.

The NSCSF is a $631 million, ten-year fund to support projects that restore and enhance wetlands, peatlands and grasslands that store and capture carbon through nature-based solutions.

“Canada matters in the global fight to conserve and protect biodiversity. We are home to twenty four percent of the world’s wetlands, twenty five percent of temperate rainforest areas and twenty eight percent of remaining boreal forests,” says The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, minister of environment and climate change. “These ecosystems are globally significant as they absorb carbon, mitigate against the impacts of climate change, and protect biodiversity.”

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The Kinsmen Santa Claus Parade Returns to Peterborough

After two years off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kinsmen Santa Claus Parade will return to Peterborough on Dec. 3.

File photo.

The theme for the 47th Kinsmen parade will be ‘Christmas Around the World.’

The parade will begin at 4:45 p.m. at Peterborough City Hall, making its way down George Street and ending on Prince Street. Typically the parade route ends at the Peterborough Memorial Centre, but as the Peterborough Petes have an OHL game that night, they will end on Prince Street instead.

Those who are interested in being apart of this year’s celebration are asked to complete and return the application to the Kinsmen Club of Peterborough. Registration deadline is Nov. 25.

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40-Year-Old Man Taken To Hospital After Falling Over Second-Floor Railing at Peterborough Square

A 40-year-old man was taken to a Toronto hospital after falling over a second-floor railing at Peterborough Square on Monday afternoon.

Just before 5:00 p.m, Peterborough Police were called to the mall in the George Street and Simcoe Street area after the man fell.

Polic determined that the incident is not considered criminal in nature.

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