Peterborough's Annual Swap and Seed Sale, 16th-Annual Seedy Sunday Hits Peterborough Square March 10

Those with green thumbs can get an early start on spring as Peterborough’s 16th Annual Seedy Sunday hits Peterborough Square on March 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Urban Tomato.

This popular seed sale and swap event allows those in attendance to learn, get the tools and resources needed to grow this season.

The free-admission event will have a diverse range of locally grown heirloom vegetables, flower and herb seeds, vermicomposting supplies and bulbs available for perusing and purchase from local vendors. These locally grown seeds are adapted to our unique climate and grown to thrive on your farms and gardens according to a press release.

Community groups will display information about their work and provide visitors opportunities to get involved with local food, farming, water, and environmental programs and to answer questions about gardening, seed saving and growing this season.

Attendees can expand their gardens at the Seed Exchange Area to swap seeds with other growers, pick up some new and unique seed varieties and chat with other seed savers.

Educational, hands-on activities will be offered throughout the afternoon.

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Voice of Business: Enforcing Fair Property Tax Ratios

Businesses in Ontario pay much higher property tax rates than residents, despite using fewer services. The Ontario Municipal Act requires municipalities to tax commercial and industrial properties at a ratio of 0.6 to 1.1, but many municipalities have no plans to comply.

For 2024, the City of Peterborough moved to increase its business tax ratio from 1.5 to 1.65, shifting added tax burden onto the business community in order to minimize the rate increase for homeowners. This trend is causing concern among businesses across Ontario.

The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce has put together a policy resolution on this tilted “Enforcing fair property tax ratios” that we have submitted to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC). It will go to the membership to debate and vote on in April, at which point approved resolutions become part of the advocacy efforts of the OCC for the next three years.

Our resolution:

Commercial and Industrial property taxes in Ontario municipalities are calculated based on a ratio of what residential property owners pay. For example, if a municipality has a commercial tax ratio of 1.75, commercial property owners are paying 175 per cent what a resident is paying for the same amount of property tax assessment.

The Ontario Municipal Act Reg. 386/98: Tax Matters – Allowable Ranges for Tax Ratios sets an allowable range for property tax on commercial and industrial properties at 0.6 to 1.1.

A quick look at tax ratios from a selection of municipalities from across Ontario from 2023 demonstrates that this range is not being followed:

Commercial Industrial

• Barrie 1.43 1.51

• Milton 1.46 2.09

• Peterborough 1.5 1.5

• Brantford 1.75 2.25

• Guelph 1.84 2.2

• North Bay 1.88 1.4

• Woodstock 1.9 2.63

• Sudbury 1.91 3.45

• Belleville 1.92 2.4

• Kingston 1.98 2.63

• Thunder Bay 1.98 2.37

• Clarington 1.98 2.49

• Sarnia 2.02 2.4

• Niagara Falls 2.15 2.95

• Sault Ste. Marie 2.31 4.38

Municipalities are coming under increasing financial pressure due to factors that include inflation in everything from capital projects to wages, increased demand for services, and an increased role in areas like public health and homelessness. Despite this pressure coming from a variety of sources, they essentially have one tool for raising the funds to do it — property taxes.

More financial pressure on municipalities is leading them to further increase tax ratios to the benefit of residents at the expense of the business community.

The City of Peterborough spent a decade lowering its commercial and industrial tax ratios to 1.5, achieving that several years ago. This year it voted to increase the tax ratios to 1.65, shifting $3 million in taxation from residents to businesses. Businesses in the City of Peterborough will on average pay 22 per cent more in property tax in 2024.

Similar stories are playing out across Ontario and businesses cannot continue to bear the brunt of property taxation on behalf of residents. Businesses use fewer services but are expected to pay significantly more for them.

It is clear Reg. 386/98 of the Ontario Municipal Act has no teeth. Municipalities across Ontario have been charging property tax ratios well outside the allowable range for decades with no plans to change. The Government of Ontario needs to put some teeth in the act and hold non-complying municipalities to account.

Recommendations

That the Ontario Chamber of Commerce urge the Government of Ontario to:

Enforce existing property taxation ratios set out in the Ontario Municipal Act Reg. 386/98: Tax Matters – Allowable Ranges for Tax Ratios by withholding provincial support — including access to provincial funding streams — to municipalities that:

a) are not taxing commercial and industrial properties at the required rates or

b) are not actively transitioning to the required rates based on a plan that specifies gradual decreases on a timeline approved by the Province.

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

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Those Without a Family Doctor Can Visit Peterborough Family Health Team For Acute or Problem-Specific Needs

The Peterborough Family Health Team (FHT) has expanded services at their PFHT Health Clinic. Peterborough City and County residents without a primary care provider can now see a family doctor or nurse practitioner in person for acute and problem-specific needs, announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of FHT.

The clinic has two locations at King Street in Peterborough and Strickland Street in Lakefield, increasing the number of available appointments. Residents can now book an appointment on the same day they call or the following day. Unattached patients who have already visited the clinic at least once can now request an appointment to renew their prescriptions through online booking.

Additionally, on March 14 and 21, the PFHT Health Clinic will hold the ‘Don’t Be Late, Cancer Won’t Wait’ screening day for unattached patients who have a cervix and are due for a Pap Test. These screenings are one of the many functions in family medicine and why all Ontarians need to have a primary care provider according to Duff Sprague, FHT CEO.

“We knew action must be taken to support the alarming number of unattached patients in this community,” he said. “While we wait for the Ministry of Health to recognize the seriousness of the crisis in family medicine and primary care, we are using our limited resources to operate the PFHT Health Clinic. This is an interim solution. We are committed to the many thousands of area residents and will do all we can to support their access to high-quality, in-person care by a family doctor or nurse practitioner.”

Despite the positive additions, the recent investments in primary healthcare do not come close to ensuring that every Ontarian has access to family medicine and primary care teams said Sprague.

“Not only is the number of physicians opening a family practice unable to fill the gaps made by those retiring or leaving a practice but add to that the four-year wage freeze in primary care teams that has fewer and fewer other clinicians choosing primary care,” he said. “We are very fortunate to have many clinicians who stay in primary care despite the compensation inequities but without action, there will come a time when even the most passionate will leave primary care.”

The types of non-urgent health concerns that can be addressed at the clinic include:

• Sore throat/ears

• Cancer screening

• Prescription renewals

• Women’s health/contraceptive counselling

• Growth & development concerns

• New sprains/strains

• Chronic disease check-in

• And more

To book an appointment at the PFHT Health Clinic, those without a primary care provider must call 705-651-4866. For details about this clinic or to renew a prescription, visit online.

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Head to Italy With Peterborough and the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce After Partnership With Marlin Travel

In a partnership with Marlin Travel, the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce is offering members and non-members to the take in the authentic flavours of northern Italy this fall, announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber is hosting a nine-day trip to Italy from Oct. 3 to 11.

The trip provides guests with premium accommodations, a chance to try some authentic Italian cuisine and an opportunity to see northern Italy with local colleagues and friends.

The Spotlight on Northern Italy trip includes:

• Try some tiramisu in its hometown of Treviso

• Take in the romance of Romeo and Juliet in Verona

• Check out the glass-blowing foundries of Murano, a city with 1,500 years of glassmaking history

• Take a gondola cruise through Venice

• Trace the steps of Ernest Hemingway through the artist hilltop haven of Asolo

• Journey through the rolling hills of the Prosecco region and visit a local vineyard

• Take a cable car ride through the picturesque Dolomite Mountains

• Enjoy some Grappa (grape-based pomace brandy) in the quaint town of Bassano del Grappa

The trip includes transportation from Peterborough and flights to and from Italy. The vacation package offers a competitive travel protection plan for $499.

Book by March 4 to guarantee availability at the best rates according to the Chamber.

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Partial Lane Closure For Kirkfield Lift Lock; Traffic Interruptions Expected

Expect traffic interruptions at the Kirkfield Lift Lock as there is a partial lane closure until Friday at 5 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Parks Canada.

The closure on Kirkfield Road (County Road 6) is required to facilitate crane access to support the necessary repairs. Traffic controls including flaggers and signage will be in place as needed.

Parks Canada thanks area residents and visitors for their patience and understanding.

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Nominations Open For Community Care Peterborough's 'Grandparent of the Year' to Children

City and County of Peterborough children in grades 1-6 can honour their elders through Community Care Peterborough’s 36th ‘Grandparent of the Year’ contest.

Photo courtesy of Community Care Peterborough.

Children are asked to submit a hand-drawn picture and a piece of writing that addresses what is important about their relationship with their grandparent, elder or special older person and why they think their nominee should win the award.

“Teachers in the City and County of Peterborough have a wonderful opportunity to use this contest as an inspiring writing assignment for their students,” said Danielle Belair, Community Care executive director. “We also recognize that not all teachers may know about this opportunity so we have applications available on our website. If your child is in grades one to six and not participating in their class, they are encouraged to take part.”

Grade 1 students are new to this year’s edition of the annual contest.

“Each year we are fascinated by the variety of heartwarming stories we receive,” said Belair. “Many of the honorees are indeed grandparents or great grandparents of the students however there have been a number of entries that highlight a special senior friend, elder or great Aunt or Uncle as well.”

Applications are available and are being accepted at the Peterborough Public Library, with a writing workshop planned for any students including those whose school are not participating.

The awards ceremony will take place at the Library in early June at the ‘Smiles All Around’ event. The winners and honourable mentions will have an opportunity to introduce and present the award to their Grandparent, Elder, or special older person, with photos taken by a local photographer.

A committee will select one winner and one honourable mention from each group of grades; primary and junior in both English and French categories. Primary is Grades 1, 2 and 3 and junior is Grades 4, 5 and 6.

Community Care has suggested several questions for children to think about when describing their nominee:

• What is important about their relationship with their Grandparent, Elder or special older person?

• What kinds of activities are done together?

• What kind of knowledge have they shared with the child?

• Describe a happy occasion the child and their nominee shared.

• How does their nominee make them feel when they are together?

• Why they are proud of their nominee?

• Why the child thinks their nominee should win the award?

All entries must be received by May 7. Entries may be submitted by mail to:

Community Care
185 Hunter St. E.
Peterborough, Ont.
K9H 0H1

They can also be submitted by email to Pamela Beauchamp at pbeauchamp@commcareptbo.org or online in English or French.

Winners will be announced in early June at an in-person event at the Library.

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Peterborough Police Continue Investigation of a Stolen Vehicle Found in the Water Near Johnson Drive

The Peterborough Police Service continue to investigate after a stolen vehicle was located in the water off Johnson Drive in Peterborough. 

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

When officers arrived, them and Peterborough Fire determined that no one was in the vehicle and believe it was pushed into the water from the road. The vehicle was found to be stolen from a nearby residence. 

Anyone with information is asked to call Peterborough Police at 705-876-1122 x555 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

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Petes Next Gen Game Gets Away From Peterborough After Six Unanswered Goals From Visiting Kitchener Rangers, 6-2

The Petes started well but let the game slip away as the visitng Kitchener Rangers scored six unanswered goals for a 6-2 Petes loss at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Monday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

This was the Petes Next Gen game that allowed children selected by Five Counties Children’s Centre to experience the day-to-day operations of running an OHL team.

The children were introduced at a press conference a few hours prior to the game.

These positions included:

• General Manager

• Head Coach

• Assistant Coach

• Scouts

• PA Announcer

• In-Game Host

• Radio Broadcaster

This year’s Next Gen participants. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes had a good start to the period just under six minutes into the game. Caden Taylor had a sharp-angle bid that slipped by Rangers goaltender Tristan Malboeuf for a 1-0 lead.

Peterborough got another goal on the board as Chase Lefebvre drove towards the net while tied up with a Kitchener defender. He managed to get a shot off but was save by Malboeuf. A rebound was available and as bodies piled up in front of the net, Ryder McIntyre pounced on the puck and backhanded it in for a 2-0 lead.

Unfortunately for Peterborough, the game went downhill from there. Just under a minute left in the period with four-on-four action, Kitchener was in the attacking zone and played the puck from behind the net. A pass missed the mark for the intended target but the Rangers but the puck fortuitously ended up on Carson Rehkopf’s stick and he beat Liam Sztuska to the cut the lead in half at the end of the first.

It was not long before the Rangers tied the game as 66 seconds in, they had 1:58 of powerplay time off a late Lefebvre penalty. Eduard Šalé was able to snipe one past Sztuska from the faceoff dot and make it a 2-2 game.

With just under two minutes left in the second period, Simon Motew was able to rip one through traffic from just inside the faceoff circle for Kitchener’s first lead of the game, 3-2.

The Rangers looked to run away with the game early in the third with a pair of goals in 92 seconds with scores from Rehkopf (his second of the game and Matthew Sop with beautiful deking to make it 5-2.

The Petes had a chance to get back in the game as Matthew Andonovski got a foul-from-behind penalty on Nico Addy that resulted in a penalty shot. He tried to go high glove-side with his shot but it was snatched by Malboeuf.

The Rangers finished off Peterborough by causing a neutral-zone turnover resulting in a three-on-one situation. Tanner Lam opted to keep the puck for himself and shoot which resulted in the right decision and a goal. That made it 6-2 as the final score and the Petes take another loss, falling in nine of their last 10 games.

The Petes will get several days rest before hitting the road to Sudbury to take on the Central Divison-leading Wolves — who have already clinched a playoff spot — at the Sudbury Community Arena on Friday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. with the Official Road Game Watch Party at Shoeless Joe’s on Lansdowne Street.

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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Nutty Bean Café, Realign Wellness Centre, Trent Research and Dan Joyce Clothing

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

The Nutty Bean Cafe in Lakefield is under new ownership.

Sherry Salminen has handed the reins over to April and Brad who plan to continue offering great coffee and delicious food in a cozy atmosphere in downtown Lakefield at 33 Queen St. The Nutty Bean Café starts every morning serving fresh baked goods and breakfast with a selection of sandwiches, house-made soup, and salads throughout the day. They feature organic fair-trade, shade-grown coffee by the cup or beans by the bag.

There’s a new, unique service to elevate individuals who want to look and feel better inside and out.

Angela Hobbs is taking her expertise as a holistic medical spa practitioner of 20 years and going back to her own practice. She offers services that include permanent makeup, paramedical tattooing, hypnosis, and skin specialties like mole removal. Angela is inspired to elevate individuals from a holistic approach connecting body, mind, and spirit. You can find her on Facebook or at Realign Wellness Centre at 157 Charlotte St.in Peterborough.

For more than 25 years, the Trent Community Research Centre has been working with businesses and community organizations, connecting them with students for research projects.

These research projects address some of the biggest challenges our communities face. There will be a celebration of community-based research on March 28 at Market Hall. The event will feature presentations on research, a discussion panel, and an awards presentation. Register or find out more about community-based research at trentu.ca.

Dan Joyce Clothing is hosting a Beat the Blues event at their location at 87 Hunter Street West in downtown Peterborough.

The event is scheduled as a drop-in from 2 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday and will feature local experts offering advice on various ways to support good mental health. Beat the Blues will feature Jodi from Jodi-Lee Nutrition and Wellness, RJ from Flow Spa, and Tori from Wild Rock Outfitters. Drop in and learn some new methods for improving your mental health. You could also win some draw prizes from the experts.

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Successful Surrogate Pregnancy Gives Chance For Local High School Sweethearts to Start a Family

The Gills are growing after three years of finding a surrogate and six failed embryo transfers, the seventh one proved to be the lucky one for high school sweethearts Brianna and Josh Gill, who had a successful pregnancy at 13-and-a-half weeks in.

Josh (left), Brianna (middle) and Jenn (right) with the former two holding lemons, indicating the rough size of the baby at 13 weeks of pregnancy. Photo courtesy of Brianna Gill.

Brianna was diagnosed with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome, a condition that affects women to have underdeveloped uteri and vaginas, causing them to be unable to reproduce. Brianna was born without a uterus though she does have ovaries when she was diagnosed at 16.

The Gills have gone through two surrogates with the first being a family friend in 2022. They had two unsuccessful embryo transfers and eventually put a call for another candidate later that year.

“There have been numerous times where I’ve wanted to walk away,” said Brianna. “It’s just been so hard emotionally, financially and you start to think to yourself, ‘Why am I putting myself through all of this?’”

A woman named Jenn (who saw our first article of the story on Facebook) reached out to be their surrogate in the summer of 2022. She underwent four unsuccessful embryo transfers before the fifth one hit the mark and was eventually revealed to be a baby girl.

“(It was) Complete disbelief, to be honest,” said Brianna. “We actually got together with Jenn and her family, we were waiting for blood work results to come back but got impatient.”

Jenn suggested a pregnancy test since she had a ‘good feeling.’

“Josh looked at it first; the pregnant line was clearly darker than the other, and I just went into complete shock,” explained Brianna. “I couldn’t believe it.”

Brianna said Jenn was a driving factor in continuing to pursue the dream despite the past failed attempts.

“We had originally agreed — which is pretty standard — you’ll try three times and after that, if things don’t work, you’ll break a match and look for a new surrogate,” she said. “Jenn is so determined. She wanted this so badly for us.”

While the Gills had stopped after two failed transfers from their first surrogate, Jenn’s will was unphased in helping them reach their goal.

“She kept saying after each failed transfer, ‘I’m willing to try again if you guys are but I totally understand if you’d rather go in a different direction,’ but I think having her be so determined is what helped us want to continue.”

It also helped that the embryos were expensive to create so stopping could have cost a lot of money for the Gills with no results.

The Gills recently held a gender reveal party earlier in the week and tracked their entire journey on Instagram with over 2,800 followers.

Even 13-and-a-half weeks into the pregnancy, Brianna's thought of having a baby was still surreal.

“We got our first bump picture around the 10-week mark and that really helped make me feel that this was real,” she explained. “It’s hard to let go of the trauma of going through of the negatives and I finally feel like I am able to focus on the future and enjoy where we are.”

With a successful pregnancy and a baby girl on the way, Brianna says that this is the motivation for perhaps a second one to come in the future.

“This journey was a lot harder than we ever thought it would be which definitely played a factor at one point on whether or not we could mentally go through this again,” she explained. “Finally, now that we've had success too and we can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel, I think it will motivate us to try to do this again someday for sure.” 

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