Peterborough Blogs
Former Peterborough Petes Akil Thomas Scores Hat Trick Against Vegas Golden Knights In Preseason Game
/Former Peterborough Petes Akil Thomas is making a case to crack the Los Angeles Kings’s roster as he scored a hat trick against the Vegas Golden Knights in preseason action to lead the team to a 4-3 comeback win at T-Mobile Arena on Wednesday night.
Akil Thomas skating with a young fan prior to a game. Photo courtesy of the PEterborough Petes.
Thomas’s first goal came late in the second period with 4:21 left as Thomas shot a quick wrister after a pass from Francesco Pinelli to bring it to a 2-1 Golden Knights lead.
REAL DEAL AKIL
— LA Kings (@LAKings) September 28, 2023
2-1 VGK pic.twitter.com/oF5KElWYgP
Now down 3-1 into the third, Thomas capitalized on a loose-puck rebound after a Steven Santini shot. It went off Vegas goalie Adin Hill’s pad and Thomas unleashed a quick wrist shot to cut the Golden Knights’s deficit to one.
REAL DEAL AKIL STRIKES AGAIN
— LA Kings (@LAKings) September 28, 2023
3-2 VGK pic.twitter.com/ENGpcMHkfe
With just over two minutes left, Los Angeles pulled their goalie to try and tie the game. Former Barrie Colts captain Brandt Clarke took a shot from the point that was blocked by Vegas’s Johnathan Marchessault. Thomas chopped at the loose puck on the backhand and hit the top-shelf corner for the hat trick to tie the game and send it to overtime.
AKIL THOMAS HAT TRICK TO TIE IT!!!!!!!
— LA Kings (@LAKings) September 28, 2023
3-3 pic.twitter.com/ZjmyqYA3Ja
Tyler Madden scored 4:30 into overtime to give the Kings a 4-3 comeback win over Vegas.
Thomas was acquired by the Petes in a trade from the Niagara IceDogs in Jan. 2020 for Cameron Butler, two second-round picks (2020, 2022), one third-round pick (2022) and a fourth-round pick (2024).
He played 22 games for the Petes, scoring nine goals and 31 assists before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the Ontario Hockey League.
Thomas was drafted by the Kings in 2018 in the second round, 51st overall. Following his OHL career, Thomas spent time with the Kings’ AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign since the 2020-21 season. He has not played a regular-season game with the Kings since being drafted into the NHL.
The Toronto native is well-known for his game-winning goal for Team Canada in the gold-medal game against Russia at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship in the Czech Republic.
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City of Peterborough Postpones Monaghan Housing Unit Groundbreaking Ceremony
/The official groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new six-storey, 53-unit affordable housing building at 681 Monaghan Rd. has been postponed to align with an upcoming announcement according to the City of Peterborough announced on Wednesday.
Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough.
A new date will be released once the City confirms the details.
Construction is expected to be completed by mid-2024.
The City of Peterborough is building the affordable housing project on property they own and the housing will be managed by the City’s social housing agency, Peterborough Housing Corporation.
Information on the project is available on the City’s online community engagement hub, Connect Peterborough, at connectptbo.ca/affordable-housing-project.
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Trent University Honours Faculty In First-Ever Celebration of Excellence in Humanities and Social Sciences Awards
/Trent University hosted its first-ever Celebration of Excellence in Humanities and Social Sciences awards ceremony by bringing together department chairs and distinguished donors to celebrate exceptional faculty and students.
Award winners from the inaugural Humanities and Social Sciences Award Ceremony gather together on the Symons Campus. Photo courtesy of Trent University.
“The Humanities and Social Sciences are the heart of any university, leading the way in challenging the way we think, especially in challenging times, by inspiring students and alumni to think critically and creatively about how we can better understand and improve the world around us," said Dr. Mark Skinner, Trent dean of Humanities and Social Sciences. “This awards ceremony symbolizes not only a celebration of our students' remarkable achievements but also the enduring culture of academic excellence that thrives within Trent’s Humanities and Social Sciences departments. We are honoured to recognize the dedication of our students and to showcase the profound impact of our outstanding faculty.”
A full list of the awards and recipients follows:
Alexander Nielsen (Lady Eaton College), Anthropology Faculty Prize — Awarded to a student with the highest overall standing in the introductory course in Anthropology from the previous year, provided they continue as an Anthropology or Archaeology major and earn the top mark in any of our first-year Anthropology courses.
Isla Gole ‘18 (Catharine Parr Traill College), Andrew Wernick Essay Prize — Awarded to a Cultural Studies major or joint-major for the best essay of a critical or theoretical nature related to the subject areas of the Cultural Studies program, submitted to a juried competition held by the department.
Samantha Paolucci, Department of English Literature Scholarship — Awarded annually to the highest achieving student entering the fourth quarter of the Honours program in English Literature.
Mady Rodrigues-Raby (Lady Eaton College), W.L. Morton Essay Prize in History — Named after the distinguished Canadian historian, an early member of the Trent History Department, and the first principal of Champlain College, this prize is awarded to the third-year student writing the best essay.
Sasha Jones ‘19 (Peter Gzowski College), Alan Wilson Prize — Named in honour of the founder of the Trent History Department and the Canadian Studies Program, this prize is awarded to the Honours student achieving the highest record in the fourth year.
Avery Shortland (Peter Gzowski College), International Development Studies (IDST) Fundraising Trust Award — Awarded annually to the student with the highest standing in the first year of IDST.
Lucas Skolseg (Champlain College), The Mary's Fund Scholarship — Awarded annually to an outstanding student entering the final year of the Honours program in Philosophy. Established in honour of Mary Margaret (Stewart) Beattie and Mary Marjorie (Murphy) Beattie.
Lindsey Russell ’19 (Champlain College), Outstanding Graduating Sociology Student Award — Awarded annually to a top graduating student at each campus. Sponsored by the Canadian Sociological Association.
Jack Carey (Peter Gzowski College), Carolyn Sarah Thomson Scholarship — Awarded annually in recognition of the Canadian Studies student with the highest average entering their second year at Trent.
Jasmine Boisvert ‘19 (Catharine Parr Traill College), Swiss Embassy Award/Prix de l'ambassade de Suisse au Canada — Awarded to the graduating student with the highest overall average in recognition of credits acquired in the study of the French language.
Alex Bruneau (Lady Eaton College), George S. Henry — Awarded annually to the student that achieves the highest combined grade average in the two introductory courses, POST 1011H and POST 1002H.
Carly Walker (Lady Eaton College), ROMA Humanities and Social Sciences Award — Established by the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA), this award is granted annually to an exceptional student enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts program in the Humanities and Social Sciences.
Sophie Medeiros (Lady Eaton College), ROMA Humanities and Social Sciences Award — Established by the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA), this award is granted annually to an exceptional student enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts program in the Humanities and Social Sciences.
Dean Howley ’06 (Peter Gzowski College), School of Business, Decanal Award for Teaching Excellence — Awarded to exceptional faculty member who has made a profound impact on student success through teaching and mentorship.
Dr. Antonio Cazorla-Sánchez, Trent History Department — Recognized for recent election as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.
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Award-Winning Mac + Cheese Festival Returns to Downtown Peterborough For Third Straight Year For All of October
/There are 21 Downtown Peterborough Businesses vying for the title in the third year of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area’s (DBIA) award-winning Mac + Cheese Festival, running all of October, announced at the Venture North Building on Wednesday morning.
Three mac and cheeses were sampled at the press conference: Heartburn City, Mind Your Carrots & Peas and Lactose Overload. Photo by David Tuan BUi.
The downtown businesses offer their mac and cheese dishes for all of October for take-out or dine-in. Classic macs, adventurous macs, handheld macs and even ‘mac-it-at-home’ options are available for this year’s festival.
The winning business will receive their bragging rights for the year, a hand-crafted trophy, the title of mac-and-cheese champion and a donation to Kawartha Food Share in their name.
New businesses entering the competition include The Vine, The Food Shop, The Pasta Shop and Sam’s Place Weinery.
Anyone can vote online for their favourite mac and cheese dishes throughout the month and use a Mac Map to locate which businesses are participating.
“We were so beyond proud to be chosen as the top mac of 2022, tying with Capra Toro for the winning prize,” said Amanda da Silva, The El(P) co-owner. “Being a newer business in downtown Peterborough, we’ve had such a blast participating in these foodie festivals. The culinary competition in this city sure is steep.”
The festival website has previous winning recipes and locally curated recipes for home chefs. Recipe cards include a hearty ‘local mac’ that utilizes local ingredients from The Ptbo Food Shop and recipes from previous champions: Sam’s Place and The El (P).
“Our Mac + Cheese Festival has been incredibly successful both locally and provincially and has even gone on to inspire other BIAs in the province to adopt similar events,” said Terry Guiel, DBIA executive director. “We won an award last year for ‘special events and promotions’ at the Ontario Business Improvement Area awards conference and our team is really proud of how these cheesy shenanigans continue to inspire not only local chefs but other cities in Ontario.”
At the press conference, three mac and cheeses were sampled at the event.
Heartburn City: Pickled jalapenos, hot sauce and crushed Hot Cheetos
Mind Your Peas & Carrots: Peas, carrots and hot dog slices
Lactose Overloard (winner): Havarti, mozzarella, marbled cheddar, Tex-Mex and queso
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Green Bin Distribution Begins For New Organic Waste Collection Service
/The City of Peterborough’s Green Bin distribution has begun deliveries to roughly 28,000 eligible households with weekly collection service beginning the week of Oct. 31 announced on Wednesday.
File Photo.
The new service is intended to reduce the amount of garbage going to the landfill, extending its life and promoting sustainability by reducing its greenhouse gas emissions according to a press release.
By diverting organic waste from the landfill and converting it into valuable compost, we are taking a vital step toward a cleaner and healthier environment, said Mayor Jeff Leal.
“Residents have been asking the City for this service,” he said. “I’m excited for this initiative that reduces the environmental impact of waste disposal and also contributes to the creation of nutrient-rich compost.”
Peterborough residents currently divert about 53 per cent of waste through programs such as the Blue Box for recyclables, the household hazardous waste collection depot and yard waste collection according to the City. The Green Bin service is anticipated to divert an additional 15 to 20 per cent of garbage.
Delivery of the Green Bins to households will be completed over the next several weeks leading up to the program's launch. There is no additional fee to households to get the Green Bins and a smaller container for use in the kitchen which are included in the implementation of the new service.
The bins are designed to conveniently collect organic waste including food scraps and other compostable materials. They include a pest-proof locking mechanism to keep the organic materials securely contained.
Residents are asked to look inside the Green Bin when it is delivered to find an information kit that includes:
A guide on Green Bin, recycling, yard waste and garbage services
A calendar that shows collection schedules
An information sheet on the Green Bin service, including a list of what can and cannot go in the Green Bin
An information sheet on the new requirement to use clear bags for curbside garbage collection
Samples of clear garbage bags and a coupon to assist with transitioning to the requirement to use clear garbage bags and compostable liners for the Green Bin that GLAD Canada provides as part of its sponsorship of the rollout kits.
“Battery Cube” sponsored by Call2Recyle. The battery cube is a small cardboard storage unit for used batteries that can be dropped off at collection sites for proper disposal. The City of Peterborough and Call2Recycle want to ensure hazardous waste products like batteries are diverted from our landfills.
Residents are advised not to start putting food waste and other organic materials into the Green Bins until Oct. 23 – the week before the weekly Green Bin collection service starts on Oct. 31.
The new Green Bin service is one of several changes to waste services that start the week of Oct.31:
Weekly Green Bin collection
Bi-weekly garbage collection (except for the Downtown Business Improvement Area, which maintains its current collection schedule)
Clear bag requirement for curbside garbage collection for all homes and businesses that receive City waste collection
The Green Bin service is being rolled out to residential properties of six units or less, plus specific selected condominium properties that will be notified that they are part of a pilot project.
Councillor Gary Baldwin, chair of Council’s Waste Management Portfolio, encouraged residents to actively participate in the Green Bin program to support the community’s sustainability goals.
“The success of our organic waste collection program relies on the active engagement of our community members,” he said. “We are confident that our residents will embrace this opportunity to reduce waste, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to a more environmentally friendly Peterborough.”
Residents can use the online tool to see their collection day and whether they receive Green Bin service.
About 8,000 households will have their waste collection day changed starting the week of Oct.31 as collection routes are redistributed to evenly spread out the number of stops between collection days which will help improve the reliability of the service and safety for waste collection workers as stated in a press release.
Program details, including collection schedules and guidelines, are available online and in the printed handouts placed in the Green Bins being delivered to households.
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Two Scam Incidents Totalling $13,000 In Losses Hits Peterborough, Police Reminds Community To Be Cautious
/The Peterborough Police Service has received reports of two scams totalling $13,000 that have surfaced in the community as stated on Wednesday.
File photo.
Officers are investigating after a business owner reported suspicious credit card purchases for about $4,000 worth of products being made.
In another case, a resident was scammed out of over $9,000 when they were informed their computer had been compromised. The resident was asked to send money in Bitcoin to fix the problem.
Frauds can be reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Anyone victimized by a scam can call 705-876-1122 or complete a report online.
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Voice of Business: Employment Insurance Premium Rates Planned to Increase
/
The costs of many things have gone up, sometimes dramatically, in the last year or so.
Interest rates, fuel, insurance, and wages are just a few cost increases hitting businesses. Now, Employment Insurance Premium rates are planned to increase.
The EI program is designed to be self-sustaining. The Canada Employment Insurance Commission sets annual rates based on a seven-year break-even forecast. Increases in unemployment and temporary support programs introduced during the pandemic have led to a forecasted cumulative deficit of $18.8 billion on Dec. 31.
Employers pay 1.4 times the employee rate. The Canada Employment Insurance Commission is recommending employers pay $2.32 per $100 of insurable earnings, up from $2.28. Employees would also see a larger portion of their paycheque go to EI.
In response to this, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce has issued a letter to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland and Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages Randy Boissonnault.
RE: Potential 2024 Increase in EI Premiums
Dear Ministers,
I’m writing to express our concern about the potential 2024 increase in EI Premiums. EI is a critical program delivered by the federal government. It supports the livelihoods of Canadians and communities during periods of lost income. Temporary program changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic created a significant deficit that according to the 2023 Actuarial Report on the Employment Insurance Premium Rate led the EI Operating Account to a projected cumulative deficit of $25.2 billion by the end of 2023.
Employers understand that EI is an important temporary job-loss protection program and want to ensure it is effective in supporting their employees during periods of transition. However, increases to EI premiums are effectively a tax on employers who pay a disproportionate amount into the program. Increases to EI premiums must take into account the economic challenges faced by businesses in Canada today, and into the future.
High interest rates, inflation and increased labour costs are making it difficult for small and medium-sized businesses to keep their heads above water. Due to continued strength of the labour market, Budget 2023 stated that the EI Premium Rate would hold steady at $1.63 per $100 of insurable earnings in 2024-2025. We understand EI premiums are being reviewed, and our view is that any increases would be ill-timed and unsustainable at a period when most businesses are struggling to resume normal business operations. It is not fair for employers and employees to pay off the deficit incurred through temporary program changes through increased premiums. Consequently, EI premium rates should be maintained at current levels.
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce represent businesses of all sizes in all sectors and regions of the country, and we would like to emphasize that any proposed changes to EI must balance the need to
support workers while ensuring the program is financially sustainable and promotes a return to the labour force.
Sincerely,
Diana Palmerin-Velasco
Senior Director, Future of Work
Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.
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Fleming Phoenix Roundup: Sept. 23 - 24
/The Fleming Phoenix kicked off the first fall weekend with a full slate of men's and women’s varsity games but struggled to find their footing in several games.
The Fleming Phoenix logo was unveiled for the college on Sept. 8, replacing the Fleming Knight. Photo courtesy of Fleming College.
Last Saturday, the men’s Fleming Phoenix soccer team was routed at home 9-0 by the Algonquin Wolves. The women’s team home a same-day home game but were also shut out, 7-0, by the Algonquin Wolves.
Both teams return to the field on Saturday as they travel north to take on the Cambrian Golden Shield. Game time for the women is noon and 2:30 p.m. for the men.
In Women’s Rugby Sevens, the Fleming Phoenix team played four matches over the weekend, winning one and losing three. On Saturday, the Phoenix lost 27-0 to the Humber Hawks but earned their first win, 14-5, over the Conestoga Condor. On Sunday, the Fleming Phoenix had another double-header but lost 44-0 to the Durham Lords and 25-5 to the Seneca Sting.
The women play again on Saturday when they will travel to Ottawa for three matches - the Loyalist Lancers at 10:30 a.m., the Algonquin Wolves at 11:30 a.m. and the St. Lawrence Surge at 1 p.m.
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Newest Peterborough Petes Zach Bowen Ready to Get to Work
/Less than 24 hours after being traded to the Peterborough, newly-acquired Petes goaltender Zach Bowen is ready to help the team get a second championship after making his first public appearance at the Season Ticket Holder BBQ on Tuesday evening.
Bowen signing an autograph for a young Petes fan. The 18-year-old goaltender was welcomed to the team by several fans during the BBQ’s autograph session. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Petes traded OHL Playoff MVP Michael Simpson to the London Knights for Bowen and Kingston Frontenac’s third-round pick in 2025.
The trade was made two days before the team’s home opener against the Kingston Frontenacs. Head coach Rob Wilson says he is making sure that Bowen gets the time he needs to fit in with the team and get used to the Petes’s system.
“We're not rushing Zach in any way,” he explained. “We've got good goaltending with Easton and Stu (Stutska) so we're really confident with our goaltending and Zack's just another addition that just strengthens us in that position.
This was Bowen’s first public appearence with the team after being traded to the Petes. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
