Peterborough County Council Approves 2024 Budget

Peterborough County Council has approved the 2024 Budget entails a rise in the levy by 6.29 per cent during Wednesday’s meeting.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough County.

The budget changes include:

• a dedicated infrastructure levy set at 2.5 per cent

• an increase of 2.57 per cent for the Operating Budget

• and an increase of 1.22 per cent for the Shared Services Budget

This increase in the levy translates to a tax rate increase of 5.69 per cent or approximately $21.81 for every $100,000 in residential assessment.

“Peterborough County staff were tasked with presenting a budget that is both responsible and comprehensive, and they successfully fulfilled that mandate,” said Bonnie Clark, Peterborough County Warden. “This budget will enable the County to tackle both operational and capital infrastructure needs, all while managing the challenges of inflation and the cost of living that persistently affect our ratepayers as well as the County's operations, finances, and those of our service provider partners.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Man Flees Residence With Prescription Medication After Break and Enter; Police Seeking Information On Suspect

The Peterborough Police Service is investigating after a residential break and enter in the Village Crescent and Lansdowne Street area early Wednesday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 1:45 a.m. officers were called to the residence and learned that a homeowner had woken up to find an unknown man in their home. When spotted, the man fled the home with some prescription medication. 

Officers started searching the area and K9 Officer Wentworth and PSD Gryphon were called in for a track. During the search, officers followed a long distance to a broken window on an abandoned house in the Lansdowne Street and Clonsilla Avenue area. Officers searched and determined no one was in the building.

The suspect was described to police as:

• Male

• 5'10"

• Thin build

• Wearing dark clothes including a dark hoodie

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

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

$70 Million Winning LOTTO MAX Jackpot Ticket Sold In Kawartha Lakes

Peterborough City and County residents better check their lottery tickets as Tuesday’s $70 Million Winning LOTTO MAX Jackpot ticket was sold in Kawartha Lakes, announced on Wednesday.

File Photo.

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) will not reveal the location of the ticket’s sale until a winner has claimed the prize at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto.

The winning numbers were 01, 04, 23, 24, 31, 40 and 48 with 38 as the bonus.

The next LOTTO MAX Jackpot is estimated to be $18 million.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

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.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

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.

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.

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.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

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.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

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.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

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.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

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.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.