PTBOCanada Featured Post: Explore PTBO With Patrick McAuley; Hutchison House Museum
/
Peterborough Blogs
Local Restaurant Owner Offering 900 Meals to Those In Need for Christmas Day
/The Original Spaghetti House Pizzeria is offering 900 hot lunches to anyone in need on Christmas Day according to a Facebook post by owner Ilir Sino posted on Tuesday.
Photo courtesy of Ilir Sino.
“I will like to thank all 900 people who share my invitation for Christmas Day for free hot lunch for people in need,” said Sino. “I'm blessed to be part of this community and I will do anything to help the people of this community.”
The Original Spaghetti House Pizzeria is located at 512 George St. S. off the corner of Lansdowne Street. The hot lunches will be available for carryout from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sino is no stranger to philanthropy as he has donated $1,500 to Alternatives Community Program Services Peterborough last month. He has also donated to local sports teams and other charities.
“This is the first time we invite our friends to be part of our family for Christmas but it will not be the last,” remarked Sino.
He opened his own production facility, Sino’s Fine Foods, located at 597 Monaghan Rd. in the summer. The business produces his sauces, dressings, soups, oven-ready dinners and more.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Peterborough Public Health Offering Alternative Healthcare Tips During Surge Season
/Peterborough Public Health (PPH) is advising the community to consider alternative healthcare options before coming into the Emergency Department (ED) during the surge season announced on Wednesday.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) continues to experience extremely high patient volumes – both adult and pediatric – as well as higher patient acuity and ongoing staffing shortages. Individuals who come to the ED for care should expect to wait longer than usual to be seen for all but the most serious illnesses and conditions.
Community members are urged by PPH to consider alternative options for healthcare before making a trip to the ED:
Primary care
If you are registered with a family physician or nurse practitioner, please contact them first. Same-day access instructions will be offered via the office voicemail message.
Throughout the surge season, the Peterborough Family Health team (PFHT) offers extended hours to serve patients with non-urgent concerns. Learn more about extended holiday coverage for each clinic here: https://www.peterboroughfht.com/extended-hours-service
PRHC’s COVID, Cold and Flu Clinic
Previously called the COVID-19 Assessment Centre, this clinic has expanded to include assessment, testing and treatment for patients with symptoms of COVID, cold and flu, providing a faster, more convenient option for patients to be seen by a physician. Regular clinic hours are Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and weekends from 8:00 a.m. to noon. The clinic is closed on Christmas Day (Dec. 25) and New Year’s Day (Jan. 1).
Health Connect Ontario
Speak with a nurse day or night about any non-urgent health concerns by calling 811. This is a free, confidential service that is available 24/7.
Alternative care options
Consider this list of alternative options for healthcare in our community, including walk-in clinics and virtual clinics, before making a trip to the ED.
Pediatric care resources
If you are caring for a child with respiratory symptoms, please refer to these ressources:
https://www.ontariofamilyphysicians.ca/files/ocfp_actionsparentscantake.pdf
https://www.pharmacists.ca/advocacy/issues/drug-shortages/childrens-medication-shortage/
The flu shot is free and widely available at many local pharmacies and your doctor’s office. Call your doctor to make an appointment for a flu shot for yourself or a member of your family and ask about your doctor’s flu clinic schedule. Community members can easily find out where the flu shot is available by visiting: http://www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/flu. Additional tips and information are available at www.ontario.ca/flu.
Residents are advised to use PPH’s COVID-19 and Respiratory Virus Risk Index and Guidance over the holidays. PPH continues to host mass COVID-19 vaccine clinics. Eligibility criteria and the clinic calendar can be found at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/covid-19-vaccine-clinic/. Appointments can be booked via the provincial vaccine booking centre call line at 1-833-943-3900 or online at covid-19.ontario.ca/getting-covid-19-vaccine. Walk-ins will be accepted at this time.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Peterborough Animal Care Centre Receives Cabinet Donation From Varcroft & Bianco
/The Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) has received cabinet donations for the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre’s (PACC) staff office space and Spay & Neuter clinic courtesy of Varcroft & Bianco announced on Wednesday.
The animal care centre is located at 1999 Technology Drive, with plans for completion and occupancy targeted for early 2023. Photo courtesy of PHS.
“Everyone at our shop has pets and understands the important role the Peterborough Humane Society plays in the health and well-being of the animals in our community,” said Brad Bates of Varcroft & Bianco. “We thought we could use our expertise and manufacturing facility to help out where we can with what we do best.”
“We are extremely grateful for the outpouring of resources and support our community has put into this new Centre. Varcroft & Bianco were very generous to not only donate the custom-made cabinetry but also to put their incredible talent and efforts into the space through the design, build and installation,” said Shawn Morey, PHS executive director. “These kitchens will service our staff, community members, as well as organizations that will utilize our Humane Education & Multipurpose Room, which will be available to the public for rentals.”
The donation is valued at around $25,000 and Varcroft & Bianco is being identified as a community partner within the PACC.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Voice of Business: Supporting Economic Growth In Uncertain Times
/
Heading into a new year with new challenges, it’s a good opportunity to reflect on this last year and see where we can go from here.
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) released its own report on this topic, titled Supporting Economic Growth in Uncertain Times.
What have we learned?
A predictable and stable policy environment underpins business confidence, prosperity and economic growth. This includes economic strategy that raises up those sectors and regions that didn’t fair so well.
We’ve learned that we need a more resilient workforce that is inclusive of everyone and all abilities. This includes addressing backlogs and processing delays in immigration that have resulted in a wait list of more than 2.4 million applications.
Recent years highlighted decades of underinvestment in strategically important areas, including healthcare and infrastructure.
What can the government do now?
Government is the architect of the ‘industrial commons,’ that ecosystem of public goods in which citizens, communities, and businesses can thrive. We need a long-term strategy to invest in common components that are key determinants of growth, including health care, education and training, R&D and innovation, and infrastructure (particularly digital and climate-resilient infrastructure).
At the same time, the government must protect its investments by reducing the barriers to growth – outdated legislation, policy and regulation, an inefficient and overly complex tax system, and obstacles to interprovincial trade and labour mobility.
Economic growth should involve clear consultation and two-way communication between government and the private sector. It should not be up to industry to push the government into the future rather, both should be equally invested and united in the pursuit of growth and prosperity.
Mainly, the government needs to act in ways that are predictable, accountable, strategic, measurable, outcomes-focused and coordinated.
The OCC has identified critical areas that must inform the government’s strategy for economic growth, including:
Develop policies that support small businesses and Ontario’s entrepreneurial spirit, including enhancing access to capital, developing and scaling training for digital literacy skills, and investing in reliable broadband connectivity.
Be bold on interprovincial trade and enhance labour mobility between provinces.
Modernize regulation that supports recovery efforts, including creating an independent panel to regularly run an evidence-based evaluation of outcomes and unintended consequences of a new regulation.
Foster an inclusive workforce that leverages Ontario’s diversity and increases our immigration intake. Our government must prioritize economic reconciliation by supporting Indigenous partnerships, procurement, education, employment and entrepreneurship.
Invest in growth-enabling infrastructure, from roads to housing, that is climate resilient, energy efficient, and informed by smart planning principles to ensure population and economic growth can be supported for decades to come.
Prioritize innovation through procurement and policy action on technology transfer and adoption, commercialization, and capitalization. The government should encourage data-driven innovation while protecting against potential risks and support a Canadian intellectual property strategy.
If nothing else, we’ve learned a lot in recent years. Next year is going to bring some challenges, but it’s largely rooted in the challenges businesses are currently facing. What we need our governments to do is use that knowledge to create a thorough, sustainable plan that supports our private sector in growing our economy and investing in our communities.
Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
TUFA Agreement Ratified By Trent University Faculty Association Membership and University Board of Governors
/The Trent University Faculty Association (TUFA) and Trent University have announced that the University’s Board of Governors ratified a new collective agreement with TUFA following ratification by TUFA on Monday.
The agreement occurred when a majority of faculty voted in favour it. TUFA represents 295 full-time faculty, limited-term appointments and professional librarians at Trent University.
“We are extremely pleased to have been able to reach an agreement that achieves, among other things, mutually important goals that will enhance equity, diversity, inclusion and Indigenization within the ranks of faculty and academic librarians at Trent," said Dr. Susan Wurtele, chief negotiator for TUFA.
Highlights of the three-year collective agreement signed on Dec. 9 include:
A commitment to advance equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigenization in personnel processes and the faculty ranks
Inclusion of standards to evaluate teaching, research and service for the purposes of promotion, tenure and merit processes
Enhanced recognition of service work to the University community
Improvements to health and dental benefit plans
Across-the-board increases to salaries in each year of the agreement
“This new collective agreement demonstrates the University’s commitment to the vital role that our faculty play in delivering world-class teaching, research and service that our students, sector and communities have come to expect,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, Trent president and vice-chancellor. “An investment in our faculty is an investment in the long-term sustainability of our institution.”
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
3rd Annual Santa's Sleigh Yields Over 900 Gifts For Children and Families
/The Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation (KHCAS) has collected over 900 gifts for children and families in their 33rd annual Santa’s Sleigh program for the holiday season announced on Tuesday.
IRELAND REID, 6, TELLING SANTA CLAUS WHAT SHE WANTED FOR CHRISTMAS DURING THE LAUNCH OF SANTA’S SLEIGH AT WALMART. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.
The gifts are for those affiliated with the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society.
“So many individuals, workplaces and community groups came together to make sure a gift was purchased for every child on our tree, so they will each have a special gift to open this holiday season,” said Carrie Truman, KHCAS executive director. “I am so thankful for the support and generosity the community has provided for the Santa’s Sleigh program again this year.”
The event was held at Walmart (Chemong Road location) and ran from Nov. 24 to Dec. 5.
Children wrote their gift lists on cards to be hung on a Christmas tree at Walmart. Any customer could grab the card, purchase the gift and donate it in a dropbox.
Money, gift cards and presents not on wish lists are encouraged and accepted for the program as alternate ways to help.
Members of the Peterborough Lions Club, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Association of REALTORS and Corus Entertainment have volunteered to help add new cards to the tree and collect items from donors.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Holiday Hours for Peterborough Public Health Announced
/Peterborough Public Health (PPH) notes that office hours will be adjusted for the holiday season, with some closures.
File photo.
PPH will be closed over the holidays at the following times:
Dec. 23 at noon to Dec. 27
Dec. 30 at noon to Jan. 2
PPH will resume regular hours on Jan. 3.
The after-hours line will be available for public health emergencies at 705-743-1000.
Enbridge Gas Assisting Douro-Dummer Fire Services in Supporting Firefighter Training
/Enbridge Gas Inc. is helping Douro-Dummer Fire Services (DDFS) purchase firefighting training materials through a Safe Community Project Assist $5,000 donation announced Tuesday.
Photo courtesy of Enbridge Gas and Douro-Dummer fire services.
The announcement was made at Fire Station 4 in Warsaw with Fire Chief Chuck Pedersen, Deputy Fire Chief Derrick Huffman, Mayor Heather Watson and Ian Moase, GTA East Region operations manager of Enbridge Gas in attendance.
The Safe Community Project Assist program with the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council (FMPFSC) supplements existing training for Ontario volunteer and composite fire departments in the communities where Enbridge Gas operates.
“At Enbridge Gas, safety is our priority. We’re proud to support Ontario firefighters who share our commitment to keeping our communities safe, healthy and vibrant,” said Moase.
This year’s $250,000 donation from Enbridge Gas will be shared by 50 Ontario fire departments including Douro-Dummer Fire Services. Funds will be used to purchase educational materials to assist in training firefighters in life-saving techniques.
Since the launch of Safe Community Project Assist in 2012, 294 grants have been provided to Ontario fire departments for additional firefighter training according to Enbridge Gas in a press release.
“These resources from Enbridge Gas are timely and much appreciated as we ramp up testing for firefighter certification to meet our new legislative requirements,” said Pedersen.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
PVNC Raises Over $56,000 For 2022 United Way Campaign
/Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board has raised $56,757 for the four area United Way organizations during its 2022 board-wide campaign announced on Tuesday.
Students at St. Patrick CES in Peterborough took part in the school's ‘Pumpkin Fest’ fundraiser for the United Way in October. Photo courtesy of PVNC.
