Interim Co-Executive Directors Hired at Peterborough Community Health Centre Hires to Spearhead Establishment of New Community Health Centre

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The Board of Directors of the Peterborough Community Health Centre (CHC) has appointed David Jeffery and Christine Brander as Interim Co-Executive Directors, announced on Wednesday.

JOHNATHAN BENNETT, CHC DIRECTOR AND CHAIR IS PART OF FOUR BOARD OF DIRECTOR MEMBERS. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

“David Jeffery is renowned for his decade-long leadership at Chigamik Community Health Centre, and brings a wealth of experience in establishing inclusive and culturally sensitive healthcare environments,” said Jonathan Bennett, Peterborough CHC’s board chair. “Under his guidance, Chigamik CHC evolved into a bilingual and Indigenous-focused healthcare facility, catering to the diverse needs of communities in North Simcoe Muskoka. We are so pleased that he and Christine will join us to lead the establishment of our CHC.”

Jeffery's dedication to inclusivity and accessibility makes him a natural leader who can guide the Peterborough CHC toward its mission of promoting community well-being according to a press release.

“I am honoured to collaborate with Christine Brander in leading the establishment of the Peterborough Community Health Centre,” said Jeffery. “Together, we are poised to create a healthcare model prioritizing inclusivity, accessibility, and community empowerment.”

Brander has over two decades of healthcare expertise across various domains which include acute care and primary care settings. With a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance and Management, Brander’s extensive background encompasses medical education, hospice palliative care and health system planning.

She had a recent tenure with the Ontario Health Central Region System Strategy, Planning, Design and Implementation team.

“I am thrilled to join the Peterborough Community Health Centre as Co-Executive Director and contribute to positive changes in healthcare delivery," said Brander. “With a focus on collaboration and innovation, we will strive to enhance accessibility and effectiveness in delivering healthcare solutions that make a meaningful difference in people's lives.”

Newly funded, which was sought on Feb. 16 last year, the Peterborough CHC is positioned to address the region's pressing healthcare needs while focusing on social determinants of health and supporting vulnerable populations as stated in a press release.

The CHC’s key initiatives are attracting new family doctors and nurse practitioners, reducing pressure on hospitals, attaching thousands of patients to healthcare providers, serving as a hub for social services, and promoting a healthier, safer downtown community.

The Peterborough CHC's programs and services will encompass comprehensive primary care, mental health services, chronic disease management and culturally appropriate care facilitated by Indigenous Traditional Healers. Additionally, the centre will be pivotal in coordinating social services and collaborating with Indigenous partners.

The next phase of the Peterborough CHC initiative involves securing an interim location and commencing client services by the end of the calendar year.

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Electric City Players Inaugural Production Brings Shakespeare to Life With 'MacBeth' at Market Hall On May 23 - 25

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The Electric City Players is taking William Shakespeare's timeless tragedy, Macbeth, to Market Hall Performing Arts Centre for its inaugural production on May 23 - 25.

Photo courtesy of Electric City Players.

Andrew Loeb, a seasoned Shakespeare professor from Trent University, and Jacqueline Barrow, a respected figure in local theatre with notable acting credits and directorial experience will helm the production.

"Like all great endeavors, it began in a pub," said Loeb. “It was something like a dare: 'what if we…?'" This spirit of bold experimentation infuses every aspect of their debut production.”

"We wanted to choose a play that was accessible to a wide variety of audiences and that could be reimagined for a modern audience,” said Barrow. “We think Macbeth was the perfect place to start.”

“We hope people come to the show not because it’s Shakespeare but rather to hear it speak to the urgent crises that we face now—that we have always faced," said Loeb. “Something wicked this way comes.”

For tickets, visit the Market Hall website.

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David Tuan Bui


Voice of Business: Majority of Businesses Are Not Prepared For Leadership Change

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There is a topic that is often not discussed or planned for until late in the process – succession.

Here at the Chamber of Commerce we often have conversations with businesses who are thinking about selling their business. It’s something that has hit them fairly recently. They’re tired. The last few years have been a lot. They want to look after their mental and physical health. They’re getting older and want to spend time traveling and hanging out with the grandkids. It’s all understandable and frankly, they’ve earned it after years of long hours, high stress, and financial risks.

The problem is they’re tired right now. They’re hoping to get out some time in the next 12 months or so.

There’s a new report on this subject from the Northern Policy Institute in partnership with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and Société Économique de l’Ontario called Taking Care of Business: The State of Business Succession and Planning in Ontario.

The report’s survey found that 73 per cent of business owners do not have a succession plan in place, even though the leaders of many organizations plan to sell or retire soon. Most business owners report planning to sell or retire in the next 15 years.

From Taking Care of Business: The State of Business Succession and Planning in Ontario:

Business Owners’ Responses to “Do you have a succession plan in place?”

  • I don’t know/prefer not to answer: 9 per cent

  • No, we do not have a succession plan in place nor have one in the process of being created: 44 per cent

  • No, but it is in the process of being created: 29 per cent

  • Yes, one is completed: 18 per cent

The transition of business ownership represents both opportunity and risk. Established businesses provide a strong platform for someone to continue to grow. But poorly planned succession can be a mess.

The report notes that one-third of business owners who plan to sell or retire in the next five years do not have a succession plan in place or are in the process of creating one. Organizations who are not anticipating a change of leadership are far less prepared. Smaller businesses are typically less prepared, despite being more likely to undergo leadership change.

There is a cost to putting off planning for change, as stated in the report:

“Poorly managed succession can lead to worse organizational performance and lost business value. This can result in reduced economic growth, job losses for employees, and reduced options for consumers. Therefore, increasing the number of businesses that adequately plan for succession will be crucial to ensuring that Ontario’s successful existing businesses continue to provide employment opportunities, goods and services, and economic growth even as their current leadership departs.”

While we typically talk about succession planning as it relates to retirement, which is a big component of it, businesses change hands for multiple reasons. Some move on for a change of

scenery, but there are also unexpected and unforeseen changes due to health issues, death, family needs, financial issues, business partnership breakdowns, etc. Having a plan on the books will go a long way to making that transition process go more smoothly.

Good planning will help preserve local businesses and create a stronger local economy. If you or your organization are interested in planning for changes in leadership and ownership, your local Chamber of Commerce can help make some recommendations on local businesses with succession expertise. The best time to plan for the future is now.

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

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Peterborough Police Thank Good Samaritan For Turning In Lost Satchel Filled With Valuables

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The Peterborough Police Service would like to thank a Good Samaritan who returned a satchel filled with valuables after a Saturday incident.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The resident located a satchel in a parking lot near Lansdowne Street and Park Street. It contained identification, credit cards, and several thousand dollars in cash. The Good Samaritan turned the bag into the police. 

Officers could locate and return the property to the rightful owner, who was extremely thankful.

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PKED Launches Workshop Series To Aid Entrepreneurs At Every Stage

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Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) has launched three workshops in a series for entrepreneurs at different stages.

Photo bcourtesy of PKED.

The workshops support small businesses by laying the foundation for business planning, navigating social media, and adopting digital marketing strategies, according to a press release.

“No matter the stage of a business, mastering the fundamentals and continuous learning matters. Luckily there are many options and no wrong door for entrepreneurs to receive training, tools, and resources,” says Jamey Coughlin, PKED’s director of business attraction, retention and expansion. “Whether you are testing an initial idea, expanding on your success, or considering a future exit, these three workshop series were designed to help businesses start and grow.”

The Business Fundamentals workshop series builds a strong foundation for an aspiring entrepreneur. Focused on business planning, market research and financials. This series is delivered in collaboration with Community Futures Peterborough and Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

The Small Biz Social Navigator workshop series, delivered by Kat Tepylo Murphy from Social Kat Media, navigates small businesses through social media and how to equip themselves with the skills and strategies needed to thrive online and to better connect with their audiences. This workshop series will guide entrepreneurs through social media essentials, developing a marketing plan and diving deep into Instagram and Reels.

The Digital Excellence Unleashed workshop series helps transform businesses into digital powerhouses and adapt to changing digital marketing trends. It walks entrepreneurs through developing websites, discovering AI tools, and using TikTok as a small business. Camp Tech, Canada’s most established leader in digital marketing skills training, will deliver this interactive series.

“We touch businesses through consultations, visits, and our annual Business Count Survey. We have heard loud and clear the challenges businesses experience and the training and tools they require,” explains Coughlin. “These workshops were developed alongside local business support organizations and topic experts to provide in-person interactive workshops that cater to those specific needs.”

These three series will be delivered throughout 2024, with the following upcoming workshops occurring this spring:

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David Tuan Bui


Savage Arms Creating 49 New Jobs With $500,000 From Government of Ontario; Part of $3.3 Million Investment For Production of Two Rifles

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As part of a $3,364,206 investment, the Ontario Government is funding $504,361 to Savage Arms for the development of 49 jobs through two product lines, announced in Lakefield on Tuesday afternoon.

(left to right) Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP; Terry McCullough, Savage Arms Canada vice-president and general manage, David Myles, Director of Manufacturing and Sherry Senis, Selwyn Mayor, put on display the prototypes of the new lever action rimfire rifles as part of the $3.3 million investment. Photo by dAVID tUAN bUI.

The funding is through the Regional Development Program of Eastern Ontario’s Development Fund. Along with the provincial government’s funding, Savage Arms is also investing over $2.5 million to introduce two new rifles with takedown/disassembly features such as their new level action rimfire rifle and centrefire hunting rifle.

“Our government is building a strong Ontario and strengthening the economy by supporting key investments in communities in Selwyn Township,” Said Dave Smith, Peterborugh'-Kawartha MPP. “This investment from Savage Arms, supported by the provincial government will grow local manufacturing and create more jobs for workers and families in Petebrorough County.”

The development is of the rifles are ongoing as part of a three-year timeline to complete the process. Full-time positions can range from salaries in the $20 an hour range with upwards to around $80,000 a year with the manufacturer hiring now of people with a wide array of skill levels according to Terry McCullough, Savage Arms vice president and general manager.

“We have positions like general machine operator, quality engineer, CNC technician positions, design engineers, product manager and human resources,” he said. “We employ all levels of people from a general machine operator to a technical programmer.”

Majority of rifles made are shipped to a facility in the United States that redistributes them globally. Local consumers can obtain the rifles (and already finished products) upon completion at stores such as Canadian Tire, Accuracy Plus, Bass Pro Shop and Cabela's.

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Peterborough Man Faces Several Indecent Act Charges in Jackson Park

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A 40-year-old Peterborough man is facing three indecent act charges after in Jackson Park Saturday and again on Tuesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 12:30 p.m., officers were called to Jackson Park about a male committing an indecent act in public. The male was located and taken into custody.  

He was arrested and charged with:

  • Commit Indecent Act x3

As a result of the investigation, Police determined the male was the same suspect wanted in connection with two reports filed on Saturday which multiple calls were made to 9-1-1. At that time, officers searched the park but a suspect was not located according to the Police.

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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Peterborough Police Suspend One License Through 700 Easter RIDE Checks

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The Peterborough Police Service had issued one three-day license suspension during RIDE checks over the Easter weekend.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

On Friday, officers were in three locations and stopped 400 vehicles. They conducted two roadside tests, and there were zero warnings, fails or refusals.

On Saturday, officers checked 300 vehicles in three different locations issuing five roadside tests. One person received a three-day license suspension and provincial offence notices for driving with cannabis readily available and failing to surrender insurance card.

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University Spirit Takes a Rise for Wednesday to Celebrate Trent Day

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Trent University’s community will show their school spirit to help mark the fourth-annual Trent Day with philanthropy on Wednesday.    

pHOTO BY dAVID tUAN bUI.

The City of Peterborough is recognizing the event and will proclaim Wednesday to be Trent Day, marking the occasion with an official flag raising ceremony. 

“Trent Day holds a significant place in the Trent University calendar, showcasing our core values of support, service, and spirit," said Sherry Booth ’98, Trent associate vice-president of philanthropy and alumni engagement. "It's a time to celebrate our dedication to these principles, our vital relationships within Peterborough and Durham, and unite as a community of alumni making a collective difference around the world. Our Trent spirit shines brighter than ever, and we warmly invite alumni and supporters everywhere to join us in this celebration.”

The event pays tribute to the April 1963 signing of the Trent University Act where the University was officially granted the ability to confer degrees.

How to take part in Trent Day 2024:     

1) Trent Day Support

Join the #TrentDay challenge and become one of 50 new monthly donors who offer reliable philanthropic support to the Trent Community. Gifts to the Trent Fund will respond to new and evolving student needs such as emergency housing and mental health initiatives. For details, visit the Trent Day monthly donors web page.

2) Trent Day Service 

In the tradition of service to the community, Trent alumni will come together in a unified display of service by volunteering with organizations including Kawartha Food Share, Feed the Need in Durham, Cuddles for Cancer, Peterborough Museum and Archives, and Casey House in Toronto. Alumni and friends can also get together, register an independent volunteer activity, and participate in a way that is meaningful to them, and on a day that suits their schedule.

A Trent Day food drive will take place at both the Peterborough and Durham GTA campuses. Staff, faculty, students, alumni and community members are encouraged to bring their non-perishable items to donation booths stationed on both campuses from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 4. All donations will support Kawartha Food Share in Peterborough and Feed the Need in Durham in Oshawa.

3) Trent Day Spirit 

Whether at school, in the office, or out in the community, Trent Day is the time to wear your Trent gear and show your school spirit! Alumni and community members are encouraged to show #TrentDay pride on social media by sharing memories or posting photos in Trent gear (tag @TrentAlumni and use #TrentDay hashtag when posting).

“This is great way to celebrate Trent! We hope all members of the Trent community will show their Trent pride, take part in Trent Day activities, and make a gift to assist and empower a student,” said Booth.

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Former Peterborough Pete Makes NHL Debut With Los Angeles Kings

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It was a few years in the making but former Peterborough Petes Akil Thomas made his NHL debut with the Los Angeles Kings who took on the Winnipeg Jets at the Canada Life Centre on Monday night.

Akil Thomas skating with a young fan prior to a game. Photo courtesy of the PEterborough Petes.

Thomas got his opportunity after centreman and former Montréal Canadien Philip Danault is day-to-day with an upper body injury. Thomas got to play on the fourth line with former Hamilton Bulldog Arthur Kaliyev and rookie Alex Laferriere. Thomas only logged 3:42 of ice time and was on the ice for the Jets’s first goal of the game.

“It's kind of a crazy couple of days and a lot has to be taken in pretty quick but I'm very thankful to be here,” said Thomas.

Thomas’s parents were in attendance for the game and drove roughly 22 hours to see their son in his debut. They were unable to get a flight in time and opted to drive from Toronto to Winnipeg for the game.

“It means the world with the injuries and everything so I'm very thankful for the opportunity and obviously having people come out and support me means the world to me,” said Thomas.

Thomas has struggled with injuries in the last two years. He missed the first half of the 2021-22 season and only played 40 games. The next year, he suffered another injury on Nov. 19 that ended his year after just 13 games.

Prior to being called up to the Kings, Thomas had 22 goals and 21 assists in 61 games with the Ontario Reign (the Kings’s AHL affiliate) this season.

He 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 Ontario Hockey League was shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thomas was invited back to the Peterborough Memorial Centre for Game Three of the OHL Championship against the London Knights as part of the pre-game ceremonies to pump up the fans on May 15.

Thomas 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.

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.

The Kings lost to the Jets 4-3 with a late goal from Winnipeg in the third.

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