Peterborough Fire Services Receive $255,260 In Training Funding From Ontario Government

Peterborough Fire Services has received $255,260 through the Ontario Government’s Skills Development Fund (SDF) to support a Fire Services Technical Rescue Certification Training Program, announced at Fire Station No. 2 on Friday afternoon.

Josh Marshall (left) and Lucas Roy (right) of the Peterborough Fire Services conducting a demo of their rope rappell exercise. Since its launch in 2021, Ontario’s Skills Development Fund has helped connect approximately 600,000 workers train or upskill for careers in the trades in their local communities, including over 92,000 manufacturing workers, over 66,000 construction workers, over 36,000 PSWs and healthcare workers and over 27,000 mining, quarrying, oil and gas extraction workers. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This initiative aims to equip Peterborough Fire Service firefighters with the necessary skills to meet the technical rescue standards outlined in the Provincial Regulation Firefighter Certification.

“This latest round of SDF funding emphasizes the significance of ongoing professional development and demonstrates the government's dedication to investing in its workforce,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “As the challenges encountered by emergency responders change, it is essential that their skills and knowledge adapt as well. The Fire Services Technical Rescue Certification Training Program exemplifies the proactive measures being implemented to keep first responders leading in safety and innovation.”

The program includes classroom work and practical exercises such as rappelling and heights training. Several firefighters are currently undergoing training in the six-month program, according to Chris Snetsinger, Peterborough Fire Services Chief.

“Peterborough Fire Services must be ready to respond to complex and challenging situations. This investment in the Fire Services Technical Rescue Certification Training Program ensures our team is equipped with the technical skills and latest training needed to meet provincial certification standards and provide the highest level of service to our community,” he said. “This funding strengthens our ability to protect lives and property and supports the ongoing development of our dedicated firefighters.”

Through the SDF, the government is investing up to $1.4 billion through the SDF’s Training Stream and the Capital Stream, designed to recruit, train and upskill workers and build or upgrade training centres for the skilled trades.

“This funding ensures that our firefighters are equipped with the critical skills needed to meet modern rescue challenges and reinforces the importance of preparing our local firefighters to protect lives. It is a critical component in public safety,” said Jeff Leal, Peterborough Mayor. “I want to thank the Province of Ontario for recognizing the needs of our city and supporting our fire services with this vital initiative through the Skills Development Fund.”

“Community safety is a top priority for all of us, and investments like this in our local fire services are vital to ensuring the well-being of our residents. The $255,260 in funding through the Skills Development Fund will help strengthen Peterborough firefighters’ ability to respond to emergencies and protect lives,” said Community Services co-chairs Councillor Lesley Parnell and Councillor Alex Bierk in a joint statement.

The City is hosting an open house of Fire Station No. 2 this Saturday 10 a.m. to noon.

Visitors are welcome to tour the station, explore the facility’s unique features and meet the firefighters staffing Fire Station No. 2. Sparky the Fire Dog will welcome young residents and share a few safety tips.

Fire Station No. 2 is the City’s first facility designed and built to be a net zero and net carbon building. Constructed with a mass timber structure, a carbon sequestering material, it aims to reduce the City’s carbon footprint.

On-street parking is available where indicated. Visitors are asked to respect posted parking restrictions.

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Peterborough Folk Festival Celebrates Two Grants Totalling $35,400 From Ontario Government

The Peterborough Folk Festival (PFF) is celebrating two Capital grants from 2023 and 2024 totalling $35,400 from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), announced at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on Friday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“The support from the province of Ontario via the Ontario Trillium Foundation has enabled the Peterborough Folk Festival to acquire essential items needed for the festival's operation, ensuring they can keep delivering this vital event for our community,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.

Funds from the most recent grant, $19,500, awarded this past summer, allowed the purchase of new portable stage platforms and signage.

Last year, PFF received a $15,900 Capital grant from OTF to purchase more equipment, such as electrical cords and cable mats, needed to run the stage performances and to purchase more canopy tents and folding tables.

“This helps us make our festival more sustainable for us,” said Rob Davis PFF Chair. “All of this helps set us up to be more successful in the future.”

The free-admission music and arts festival has been active in the City of Peterborough since 1989. They are a registered charity organization led by a volunteer board of directors.

“Buying this equipment means a lot less borrowing and renting,” said Davis. “It ensures that we always have high-quality equipment.”

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Peterborough Petes Shutout at Home 6-0 to League-Leading London Knights

The Peterborough Petes had snapped a London Knights winning streak back in late January but not this as they were shut out 6-0 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth ANderson and the Peterborough Petes.

The league-leading Knights had a 15-game winning streak entering the game. On Jan. 26, goaltender Easton Rye got his first career win against London in a 3-2 shootout victory to stop their 14-game winning streak. He had the start again for Peterborough.

London struck first in four-on-four play as William Nicholl received an outlet pass and had a step on the Petes defense. After some stickhandling, he beat Rye on the backhand and made it 1-0 for London. The Knights continued their goal-scoring ways as Sam O'Reilly tipped a point shot from Blake Montgomery that beat Rye to make it 2-0 going into the second.

Nicholl struck again as he was left a soft drop-like pass to the high slot and slapped it past Rye for a 3-0 lead. The Knights kept their foot on the gas as Landon Sim, on the power play, was able to tip an Oliver Bonk point shot to make it 4-0 after two.

The Knights would not let up and kept pressuring Peterborough in the third. Montgomery was left alone in front of the net as the Petes had previously broken up his shot attempt. London forced a turnover in the offensive zone, and Sim helped Montgomery ring off a one-timer for a 5-0 lead. Noah Aboflan added a late goal and the Knights extended their winning streak to 16 with a 6-0 shutout over the Petes.

Peterborough heads to the nation’s capital on Friday to face the Ottawa 67’s at TD Place. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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Police Warn Public of PRHC Fundraising Scam Circulating In Peterborough

The Peterborough Police Service is warning residents and businesses to be aware of scams, particularly ones aimed at supporting the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC).

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Police received a report that a local business was contacted to purchase advertising in a ‘children’s activity guide’ to support the PRHC.  PRHC has stated that they no affiliation with the group or any such publication.

Officers in the Fraud Unit say the business did the right thing by contacting the hospital to see if this was a project in which they were involved. 

These incidents can be reported through the online reporting portal.

The Police have provided tips to protect yourself and your business:

• If you are not comfortable, end the contact

• Report the incident to your local police service and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre

• Take time to do research

• Talk to trusted sources

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Fleming College Introduces FastPass to Grant Credits From Prior Education or Experience

Fleming College has introduced FastPass to determine whether credits are based on prior education, work or volunteer experience, certifications and licenses, traditional or organizational learning, or life experience apply to their programs.

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

Students can easily check their eligibility for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR).

“PLAR can kickstart a new student’s program by giving them credits for skills and competencies they’ve earned elsewhere,” says Sherry Gosselin, Fleming executive vice president, information technology. “That way it shortens the duration to graduation, can reduce the money they spend, and can get them to the workforce faster.”

The FastPass tool also boasts helping decide which program is the best fit according to Fleming. The FastPass credit predictor can identify which program would match up best with a diploma after uploading a résumé.

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Kawartha-Haliburton Children's Foundation Launch 2024 Santa's Sleigh to Fulfill Kids' Christmas Wishlists

For the past 35 years, Children’s Christmas wishes are getting fulfilled through the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation (KHCAS) 2024 Santa’s Sleigh Program launched at the Chemong Road Walmart on Thursday.

Ivana Braithwaite, 4, gets a Merry Christmas and holiday cheer from Santa as Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation launches its Santa’s Sleigh program for 2025. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“Our community is so generous,” said Carrie Truman, KHCAS executive director. People have given for many years and we're hoping they're going to give in the same way again this year.”

The program is in conjunction with the Central Lakes Association of Realtors, East Peterborough Lions Club, 101.5 The Wolf, Global Peterborough and 100.5 Fresh Radio.

Roughly 900 children are involved in the foundation, with gift requests written on tags and placed on a Christmas tree in Walmart. Shoppers can grab a tag, fulfill it, and put it in a drop-in sleigh at the store. The program runs until Dec. 9 at 1 p.m.

“We are inviting the community to choose a child’s gift suggestion from our tree at Walmart, and then shop for that gift in order to fulfill the child’s holiday wish” said Truman. “The gifts will go directly to children in our community, so that together we can put smiles on the faces of local children this holiday season.”

Presents, gift cards, and monetary donations are accepted during the program. Donated money purchases gifts and gift cards for children and youth involved with the KHCAS.

Donors can make online monetary donations on the foundation’s website.

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Peterborough Petes Partner With Pedal For Hope Tour For 2025 Pink in the Rink Game On Feb. 1

The Peterborough Petes 16th Annual Pink in the Rink Campaign will support the Pedal for Hope tour, a part of Cops for Cancer at the Canadian Cancer Society, announced at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This year’s game is against the Oshawa Generals on Feb. 1 at 7:05 p.m.

The proceeds will go towards pediatric cancer research and to support the Pediatric Family Counselling Service. This program provides support to families and children coping with a cancer diagnosis, as well as young adults who have surpassed their diagnosis as they transition into adulthood.

Last season, the Petes Pink in the Rink Campaign surpassed the $1 million mark in funds raised for cancer research over the event's 15-year history. This year, the fundraising goal is $50,000.

The Pedal for Hope team will be the Ambassadors for this year’s Pink in the Rink Campaign. The Petes will highlight a team member each week as a community spotlight for those behind this program. 

“The Pedal for Hope team is thrilled to be named the Ambassadors for the 2024-25 Pink in the Rink game,” said Staff Sergeant John Townsend, Pedal for Hope founder. “The money raised at this game will go directly towards helping local children living with cancer and their families through the Canadian Cancer Society’s vital support services and research. 

This event is about more than just hockey,” noted Jonathan Melee, Petes captain. “It's about coming together as a team, as a city, and as a community to make a real difference. Through our support of the Pedal for Hope Tour, we can help fund crucial research and offer hope to families affected by pediatric cancer. The strength and resilience of these young patients inspire all of us, and as a team, we're committed to helping however we can.” 

“Everyone knows someone whether it’s a family member, friend, community member, or even themselves who have been touched by cancer,” said Townsend. “It takes a community to support each other, and events like these give us the opportunity to spread the word that they are not alone, we are here to support. Every cent truly makes an impact, and we are grateful for this opportunity to work with the Peterborough Petes organization this year to help make a difference in our community.”

Several activations will support the Pink in the Rink Campaign this year. These include Pink in the Rink t-shirts, an in-person silent auction during the game and an in-person game-worn jersey auction on the ice after the game. The Petes will release the Pink in the Rink game jersey design to the public in the coming weeks.

Fans are invited to submit their loved ones' names and pictures to be featured on the video board during the Pink in the Rink game. Fans can submit their loved one’s information by going online.

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Hometown PTBO: Peterborough Petes Goaltender Easton Rye Snagging His First Home Win of the Season

This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with Peterborough Petes goaltender Easton Rye about earning his first home win of the season, his life after being drafted in the OHL and looking ahead to the team's future.

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'Christmas By Candlelight' Hits Lang Pioneer Village To Get In the Holiday Spirit

Lang Pioneer Village is celebrating a traditional pioneer Christmas with ‘Christmas by Candlelight’ for Dec. 7 and 8 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Heather Doughty Photography and Lang Pioneer Village.

The village is being lit with candles, lamps and lanterns. The nights feature horse-drawn wagon rides, campfire stories, old holiday treats, photo shoots and Christmas carols.

Events and activities include holiday treat samples, reindeer games, meals, raffles and more.

Sunday at 7 p.m. will feature a live nativity complete with animals and a choir by the Keene United Church.

Lang Pioneer Village is requesting one or more non-perishable food item(s) to donate to the Otonabee South Monaghan Food Cupboard (drop off in the Museum Shop).

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City Unable To Mail Property Tax Notices During Mail Strike

Due to the ongoing Canada Post strike, the City of Peterborough cannot mail the final 2024 Reminder Notices for property taxes. 

File Photo.

Residents can register or log in to the Online Property Tax Portal to verify any outstanding balances.

To register for the portal, property owners must have the property address, the property roll number, a unique Access Code and the first name listed on the bill. All required details are located on a tax bill issued in 2023 or later. The Access Code can be found in the upper right-hand corner of the tax bill.

The online portal allows users to manage their property tax accounts online, including the ability to:

• View current and previous bills

• View current property tax balance and payment history

• Print a statement of account

• Sign up for electronic billing

• Enroll in the pre-authorized payment plan

• Update mailing address

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