Government of Canada Invests $74 Million into Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site

Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, announced approximately $74 million in funding for projects related to infrastructure improvements along the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site.

Current rendering of the Whites Portage Dam. Originally constructed in 1918, the dam regulates the lake’s water level and outflow into Gloucester Pool. photo courtesy of Parks Canada.

On Wednesday, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault announced that the funding will be distributed over three years for this project.

The Trent-Severn Waterway is Canada's largest, and one of the most visited national historic sites. The waterway welcomes more than 1 million visitors each year.

The network of protected areas administered by Parks Canada is a gateway to nature, history and 450 000 kilmometres2 of stories from coast to coast to coast.

Investing in these locations is said to help support the protection of natural heritage and rich history, increase climate resiliency and create jobs in local communities, while providing visitors with high-quality, safe and meaningful experiences across the country.

“The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring the sustainability of Parks Canada assets. These national heritage places provide cultural, environmental and economic vitality for Canadians,” said Guilbeault. “Parks Canada’s robust dam and lock improvements along the iconic Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site will ensure critical flood mitigation for regional communities and provide for safe navigational experiences for Canadians to connect with nature.”

Rendering of the new Whites Portage Dam design, which will replace the existing dam in the same location and orientation. photo courtesy of Parks Canada.

Through this federal investment – part of the $557 million in funding announced by the Government of Canada in late 2022 – Parks Canada will conserve the heritage value of these important cultural resources.

The investments in infrastructure along the Trent-Severn Waterway will enhance Parks Canada’s ability to mitigate flood risks, protect heritage in Canada and strengthen the appeal of this world-class waterway as a destination for visitors and tourists.

Once these infrastructure projects are complete, the lifespan and function of these structures will have been extended for decades, continuing to connect and protect local communities. The work supported through this investment includes:

• repairs to the Kirkfield Lift Lock;

• recapitalization of the walls, tunnels and valves at Lock 42 – Couchiching;

• recapitalization of the Little Chute Dam “G” near Port Severn;

• replacement of the Whites Portage Dam on Six Mile Lake;

• recapitalization of the valve tunnels for Healey Falls Locks 16 and 17; and,

• creation of an access road from White’s Falls Road to the Pretty Channel Dam.
  Parks Canada has a mandate to conserve and present national heritage places in Canada. More than just supporting visitors as cornerstones of Canada’s tourism industry, Parks Canada’s assets play critical functions, such as transportation, water management, public safety, and services to residents and businesses, while being a source of shared pride for Canadians. These upgrades will help ensure public safety, quality and reliability for visitors, incorporate green technologies and climate resilience, while connecting Canadians with nature and history.

“From First Nations to fur traders to lumber barons and steamship traffic, the Waterway has linked communities across Ontario for over a hundred years. Investments in the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site’s infrastructure are essential for public safety, preserving natural and cultural heritage, ensuring environmental protection and conservation, and providing benefits for visitors, local communities and the nation’s tourism industry,” said Guilbeault.

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Three-Year Old Girl Dies From Woodglade Boulevard Collision

UPDATED: 3:31 p.m. 23/03/23

The Peterborough Police Service are investigating a collision on Woodglade Boulevard involving a three-year-old girl on Thursday morning. 

FIle Photo.

The collision happened around 9 a.m. between Kawartha Heights Boulevard and Sherbrooke Street. A vehicle came off the road and struck a three-year-old girl in the driveway of the residence.

The three-year-old child was transported to PRHC and died as a result of her injuries.

The Peterborough Police Service collision reconstruction unit is investigating.  

The area is expected to be closed while the investigation is underway.  

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Peterborough Police Seeking Owner of Cash Lost In the South End

Peterborough Police had a large sum of money turned in and are seeking the owner, announced on Thursday.

File Photo.

The money was found in a south-end business parking lot of a business in Peterborough on Wednesday and turned into police on the same day. 

“The Service would like to be able to confirm and identify the rightful owner and return the money,” says Inspector John Lyons.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Inspector Lyons at 705-876-1122 x242.

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Fleming College Heads to Enactus Canada National Competition

A team of Fleming College students will be competing against some of the top minds in Canada during the Enactus Canada National Exhibition in May.

photo courtesy of fleming college.

Enactus Canada brings together some of Canada’s best and brightest students, challenging them to use business models to address some of our most pressing social and environmental issues.  

During the regional competition earlier this month, Fleming beat teams from Ontario and Quebec-including three teams which had previously won the national competition.  

Enactus projects must address at least one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Fleming’s project, “Paddy Waste to Income,” won their league in both the Scotiabank Climate Action Challenge and TD Entrepreneurship Challenge. “Paddy Waste to Income” put Fleming students in touch with small farmers in the Punjab region of India.  

In that region most local farmers own one to three acres of land, producing anywhere from three to 10 tons of paddy waste. Paddy waste is a term used describe what is left behind in a field after certain grains are harvested, like stalks and husks. 

Large farming operators use bailing machinery or hire a truck to get rid of their paddy waste or work with government or institutional buyers to sell it. But small farming operations can neither afford to hire machinery or lack the contacts to sell the waste. Therefore, most farmers burn the waste, creating air pollution and squandering a valuable organic resource.  

In September 2022, 21 farmers from 12 communities in Punjab and Uttarakhand signed up to work with Fleming College, agreeing not to burn their paddy waste. Working with local NGOs, community leaders and farmers, Fleming College students and faculty helped small farming communities access equipment and market contacts while helping them create the logistical support to collect, bail, store and transport paddy waste.  

Through this project, it is estimated that 99 tons of paddy waste from 99 acres of land were diverted elsewhere:  

• 59 tons were used to feed cattle. 

• 30 tones were used to shelter crops. 

• 10 tones were used in dairy farms as bedding to keep animals warm, saving farmers an estimated $17,000.  

The student team estimates that carbon dioxide emissions in those regions were reduced by 143.5 tons. Not only did this project have a positive economic impact on the 21 farmers and their families, but it had an indirect impact on 670 people in 133 homes in nearby communities. 

Fleming students are now taking this project to the Enactus National Exhibition in Montreal in May. This is the first time a team from Fleming has qualified to compete for the National Champion title. The winner of the national competition will go on to represent Canada at the Enactus World Cup in the Netherlands in the fall.  

For more information, visit the website.

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19th Annual YWCA Empty Bowls Raises Over $33,000 in support of YWCA Nourish Food Programs

The 19th Annual YWCA Empty Bowls campaign raised $33,104 to support their Nourish Food Programs held at The Venue on Feb. 25, announced on Wednesday.

PHOTO COURTESY OF YWCA.

“Our hearts are so full,” said Kim Dolan, YWCA Executive Director. “When I pause to think about all the people and all the time that goes into making this event possible year after year, I’m overwhelmed by the good in our community.”

Ticket holders received a handcrafted ceramic or wooden bowl and a restaurant coupon card, entitling them to discounts from 12 participating local restaurants. These include Amandala’s, Baked 4U, Black Honey, Central Smith, Fresh Dreams, Naked Chocolate, Pastry Peddler, Sam’s Place, That’s a Wrap and The Cheesy Fromage. 

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Peterborough Public Library Self-Serving Book Kiosks in The Community

The Peterborough Public Library has self-serving book Kiosks in the Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre and at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre. 

photo courtesy of the peterborough public library.

Library staff restock the Kiosks weekly with popular adult and children's books. All you need is your library card for the easy to use the Kiosks.

How to check books in and out with your library card:

1. Scan the barcode on the back of your library card.

2. Enter your library PIN (your PIN is usually the last 4 digits of your phone number)

3. The door will unlock for you to open.

4. If you have books to return, place them on the shelves. It doesn’t matter where on the shelves you place them, please make sure they’re standing upright.

5. If you’d like to borrow any books, take them off the shelves and then shut the door.

6. The Kiosk will scan all the books inside. It automatically checks in any books you have returned and checks out any that you’ve removed.

7. Take your receipt.

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PRHC Closing COVID, Cold and Flu Clinic March 31; Alternative Assessment and Treatment Available

With declining patient volumes and a shift from acute crisis management to an integrated chronic approach for treating COVID-19, the Peterborough Regional Health Centre’s (PRHC) COVID, Cold and Flu Clinic (previously the COVID-19 Assessment Centre) will close on March 31.

file photo.

PRHC’s COVID-19 Assessment Centre opened in April 2020 to respond to the community need for COVID- 19 assessment and testing. Since then, it has provided safe and timely access to PCR testing, clinical assessments by nurses, paramedics and physicians, and treatment for COVID-19.

In December 2022, the clinic expanded its services to provide assessment, testing and treatment for patients with respiratory symptoms, including COVID-19, cold and flu.

“The work done to launch and operate PRHC’s COVID, Cold and Flu Clinic over the last three years represents a truly community effort, with a number of healthcare partners coming together to make this service possible for patients,” said Dr. Lynn Mikula, PRHC’s current Chief of Staff and incoming President & CEO. “I am incredibly proud of the work of this clinic, and I want to thank everyone who has been involved in its success – including every physician and staff member who stepped forward to provide their service and support at a very challenging and uncertain time for all of us.”

The Assessment Centre will remain open through to March 31. After this date, community members are encouraged to take advantage of one or more of the following services:

• Primary care provider (family doctor)

• For those individuals without a primary care provider, visit PRHC's website to see a list of care alternatives in the community for unattached patients.

• Call 811 or visit the Health811 website for safe, high-quality care from a registered nurse.

• Visit a local pharmacy. Many prescribe and dispense Paxlovid and offer onsite PCR and rapid testing.
  As respiratory illnesses continue to circulate in the region, vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to protect against viruses. All approved COVID-19 vaccines used in Canada are effective at helping to protect against severe illness, including hospitalization and death from COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines remain available to the public through Peterborough Public Health and participating pharmacies.

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Peterborough Petes Raise $65,000 For PRHC From Pink In the Rink Campaign

The Peterborough Petes have raised $64,870 for the 2023 Pink in the Rink Campaign towards cancer care at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

A cheque presentation took place at the PRHC on Tuesday, featuring campaign ambassadors, PRHC and Petes staff and Roger the Mascot.

A total of $954,136 has been raised after this year’s campaign. This year’s campaign raised a preliminary fundraising total of $62,600, with donations continuing to roll in after the annual Pink in the Rink game on Feb. 4.

“Through incredible fan support, and the work of our Campaign and Physician Ambassadors, it is exciting to see that the 2023 Pink in the Rink campaign put us within reach of the $1 million fundraising mark,” commented Burton Lee, Petes executive director of business operations. “The Peterborough community did what it does best on February 4 and that is get behind an important cause, all in support and recognition of some truly inspiring hockey moms.” 

Five local hockey moms: Dara Gosselin, Jennie Ireland, Elke Rye, Karen Tarkington and Dana Thorn were named Hockey Mom Ambassadors for the 2023 Campaign. They joined Physician Ambassador Dr. Neera Jeyabalan, PRHC Foundation President; CEO Leslie Heighway and Chris Hinze, Minor Hockey Pink in the Rink organizer and husband of late hockey mom Melissa Hinze, on the ice before the 2023 Pink in the Rink Game for a ceremony recognizing all of their cancer journeys.

The Petes play their last home game of the regular season against the East-leading Ottawa 67s with puck drop for scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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Peterborough Winter Parking Restrictions Lifted Beginning April 1

Winter parking restrictions for road maintenance within Peterborough are being lifted on April 1.

File Photo.

This includes prohibited parking all City streets from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. The fine for a violation is $25.

During snow-clearing operations, vehicles cannot park or stop on any City street as it typically takes place between midnight and 8 a.m.

Vehicles must be removed from city streets throughout the day and/or evening during snowstorms. Free overnight parking is available in municipal parking garages and surface lots. Drivers can use the parking garage entrance ticket for a free ride home on Peterborough Transit.

The fine for a violation is $80 and the vehicle will be towed to one of two locations;

• vehicles parked north of Parkhill Road will be towed to Milroy Park, 242 Milroy Dr.

• vehicles south of Parkhill Road will be towed to Morrow Park, 171 Lansdowne St. W.

Vehicles must be picked up within 24 hours. All unclaimed vehicles will be towed to an impound yard at the owner’s expense.

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Voice of Business: Ontario Budget Must Focus on Business Predictability and Growth

Ontario needs to foster an environment that supports longer-term, sustainable economic growth.

That’s the message the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is sending to the provincial government with its 2023 budget submission.

The recent Ontario Economic Report (OER) showed Ontario business confidence has dropped to a record low in 2023. Driving that are labour shortages, inflation, healthcare system vulnerabilities, and fears of a potential economic slowdown.

“We know from the OCC’s 2023 OER that many small businesses would like to see public policies that support their immediate financial and operational needs, while large businesses are more interested in broader workforce development and health care challenges,” said Rocco Rossi, President and CEO of the OCC. “What we are looking for in Budget 2023 are measures that support greater productivity and long-term, sustainable economic growth. That means we want to see the government continue to prioritize growth-enabling investments to address labour shortages, the health care crisis, and infrastructure deficits, and modernize regulations and government services in the year ahead.”

The budget submission groups recommendations to the Government of Ontario under the following categories: Sustainable Growth, Complete Communities, and Modernization.

Some key proposals include:

• Fostering an inclusive workforce and addressing labour market challenges by supporting innovative training and education models, boosting immigration, making regional immigration pilots permanent, continuing to remove barriers to labour mobility and foreign credential recognition, and adopting supplier diversity programs to create opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses that support diversity and inclusion.

• Strengthening health system capacity and resilience by continuing to tackle the health human resources crisis, combating growing rates of mental health and addictions challenges, supporting the aging population, and continuing to address the backlog of surgeries and routine immunizations, as well as deferred cancer treatments, diagnostics, and procedures.

• Investing in growth-enabling infrastructure by continuing to accelerate broadband rollout across the province, building affordable housing and complete communities, expanding regional transportation connectivity, and investing in energy generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure to support long-term growth and resiliency.

• Modernizing government services and regulations by building an integrated health data system, bolstering interprovincial trade, improving supply chain infrastructure and public sector procurement processes, and lowering administrative burdens on business.

The recommendations outlined in the OCC’s budget submission were developed with businesses, associations, post-secondary institutions, and chambers of commerce and boards of trade from across the province. See the full submission here.

Ontario's business community needs a clear and predictable path forward to support economic recovery and growth. We want to see the government direct sufficient resources towards the hardest-hit sectors, while laying the groundwork for a sustainable and inclusive economy.

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

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