CMHA Launches Mental Health Walk-in Clinics in Peterborough and Lindsay

The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) has launched two Mental Health Walk-in Clinics in Peterborough and Lindsay as of Monday.

Jessica Swift, RPN (left) with the virtual care clinic at CMHA HKPR and Tracy Graham, Director of Programs and Services (right) photo courtesy of CMHA.

They are located at CMHA HKPR’s offices at 466 George St. N. in Peterborough and 33 Lindsay St. S. in Lindsay.

The clinics will run Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with no appointment necessary. The clinics are closed over lunch from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.

The clinics are meant for individuals 16 and over who are not already connected with CMHA HKPR but are seeking mental health support and may not know how to get connected to care.

Depending on need, those visiting will see a mental health worker to be assessed and connect with CMHA HKPR services or another community service.

“This clinic is about creating a resource that allows people to have a real time connection with a mental health professional who can provide support and assist in helping people have information that is helpful to them as they access the mental health system” says Tracy Graham, Director of Programs and Services with CMHA HKPR.

The Mental Health Walk-in Clinics are a conversation and assessment tool to help individuals determine the best pathway to care for themselves in real time. The clinics are not for individuals in crisis or requiring acute care.

PRHC advises that anyone in crisis or experiencing emotional distress should contact the 9-8-8 National Suicide Crisis Line by calling or texting 9-8-8. Individuals seeking acute care should go to the Emergency Department at their local hospital.

The Mental Health Walk-in Clinics differ from Peterborough’s Talk Now Clinic. The Talk Now Clinic provides talk therapy support while the new clinics connect individuals to a broader network of mental health supports and pathways.

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Jeff Leal Uses 'Strong Mayor Powers' to Help Expedite Transitional Housing Project

Peterborough Mayor Jeff Leal has released a statement regarding using Strong Mayor powers to expedite their 52-unit transitional housing project at Chemong Road.

Photo by David Tuan bui.

The following is Leal’s statement:

Today, I used Strong Mayor powers at Brock Mission’s request to help expedite their 52-unit transitional housing project at 738 Chemong Road. When there are opportunities to address our critical need for housing, I will do whatever is within my authority as Mayor to support those projects moving forward for the benefit of our community.

I directed City staff to prepare two bylaws for City Council to consider at a Special General Committee meeting on Monday February 24. The first will amend the City’s Zoning bylaw to facilitate this project, and the second will exempt it from site plan requirements. Using Strong Mayor powers, these bylaws will require 4 out of 11 votes to pass.

Strong Mayor powers were given to the City of Peterborough by the Province in October 2023. I believe that these powers are meant to be used in very specific circumstances - for planning matters that advance important housing developments. This project meets that criteria. Not only will Brock Mission contribute 52 units towards the City of Peterborough’s housing target of 4,700 homes by 2031, but these units will also provide critical supportive housing to help people in our community transition away from homelessness. The team at Brock Mission has made it clear to me that expediting their project will save them time and money and will put them in an ideal position to compete for funding opportunities from the provincial and federal government.

Adding 52 units of transitional housing, run by a capable and trusted provider in Brock Mission, is a crucial next step for our community’s response to homelessness. The City of Peterborough is already more than doubling our funding toward homelessness prevention programs to increase support and enhance services in 2025. Our community supports 127 shelter and drop-in centre beds provided in partnership with community agencies, offering among the highest per-capita provision of shelter beds in the Province. We have made a significant investment in the 50 units offered in the Modular Bridge Housing Community, and recently we learned that Peterborough will be the recipient of a Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub. 2

But it’s not enough. We have heard from our community partners that some individuals who enter the shelter system or who currently live in the Modular Bridge Housing Community are ready to move to the next level – supportive housing. They no longer need 24/7 supports, but they aren’t ready to live fully on their own. But there are no available transitional housing units in our community, so these individuals are forced to stay where they are, occupying beds that could otherwise go to people who need them. Brock Mission’s project will add 52 units of transitional housing for our community, and in the process will open up 52 spots in our shelter system.

As the recent report from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) shows, homelessness across the province has increased by 25% since 2022. Municipalities are not equipped to address homelessness and its related health care, mental health, addiction, and housing issues. Our ability as municipalities to fund these services out of property tax revenue, which is based on property assessment rather than ability to pay, is limited.

Municipalities don’t have the resources to build supportive housing ourselves, but using Strong Mayor powers to expedite the approval of this project is something that is within our control.

Brock Mission’s project has already been endorsed in principle by this Council through our decision to provide them with $250,000 to cover some of the initial costs associated with getting their project off the ground. The proposed location on Chemong Road is in one of our Strategic Growth Areas, which our Official Plan has designated for intensification. Brock Mission’s experience and reputation in our community is well known, and they have clearly signalled to me that they will operate in a way that has minimal impact on the surrounding neighbourhood. The residents will be individuals who have been in a shelter for some time and are ready to take the next step.

This project is critically important for the future health and wellbeing of our community. I ask my Council colleagues for their support.

Yours sincerely,

Jeff Leal

Mayor

City of Peterborough

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Fleming Night Hits Peterborough Memorial Centre For Petes Game On Feb. 13

The Peterborough Petes are hosting college students again with Fleming Night when they host the Ottawa 67’s at the Peterborough Memorial Cetnre on Feb. 13.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The night celebrates Fleming students, staff, faculty and alumni.

Members of the Fleming community, including alumnus and social media influencer Brendan Carpenter, will participate in a ceremonial puck drop. Announcements recognizing Fleming College will play throughout the game.

The game is the second part of a home-and-home series between the two teams being played on back-to-back days.

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Peterborough Woman Charged With Break and Enter and Violating Probation Order

A 41-year-old Peterborough woman is facing charges after a break-and-enter incident Tuesday night.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 9:30 p.m., the break-and-enter occurred at a Stewart Street and King Street-area residence.  An unknown female had entered the home and was still inside. Officers entered the home and took the woman into custody.

The woman was arrested and charged with:

• Break, Enter a dwelling house with intent to commit indictable offence

• Fail to Comply with Probation Order

The accused is currently bound by a probation order with the following conditions: to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.

The accused is being held in custody and will appear in court on Wednesday.

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Canadian Flight Academy Named New Tenant for Peterborough Airport

Canadian Flight Academy is the newest tenant at Peterborough Regional Airport, with the company starting construction of a new facility at the airport in 2025.

Photo by David Tuan bui.

The new flight school will contribute positively to the local economy, generating 50 direct jobs and an estimated $20 million in Gross Domestic Product. The City’s Municipal Operations Department oversees the airport's operation and is committed to ensuring a smooth transition while integrating this new tenant at the airport.

Peterborough Regional Airport will safely integrate the operations of the Canadian Flight Academy into airport activities.

Canadian Flight Academy will enhance Peterborough Regional Airport’s strength as an aviation-related employment hub home to more than 20 businesses that employ about 500 people.

“Attracting this tenant, which is a significant, established employer, is another major milestone for the airport. The Peterborough Regional Airport is much more than transportation infrastructure – it’s a significant employment centre for the broader Peterborough Region,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “I’m excited to welcome Canadian Flight Academy to our community and I look forward to celebrating when they complete their new facility.”

Toronto Airways, which started offering flight training services from the Buttonville Municipal Airport near Toronto in 1963, purchased the Oshawa-based Canadian Flight Academy in 1998. It moved into a new facility at the Oshawa airport to accommodate the combined operations of Toronto Airways and Canadian Flight Academy in November 2016.

With the move to Peterborough Regional Airport, Canadian Flight Academy will continue to provide enhanced flight training services and create new opportunities for collaboration within the aviation sector.

Peterborough Regional Airport is an aerospace employment hub for the region serving various industry sectors. The airport's 7,000-foot-long runway and supporting infrastructure have been designed to accommodate Boeing 737 series aircraft.

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City Council Approves 2025 Budget

City Council has approved the City's 2025 Budget which outlines investments in municipal services and infrastructure during its meeting on Monday night.

File Photo.

The budget has a 6.72 per cent all-inclusive rate increase that equates to $10.44 per month per $100,000 of property assessment for the typical residential property,

Through its budget deliberations in November, the City of Peterborough reports that Council cut spending in several areas and added back in funding that had been removed earlier in the budget process to reduce the property tax requirement. Council started with a 7.8 per cent all-inclusive rate increase when the draft budget was initially presented.

To reduce the tax requirement for residents and businesses, Council asked the Peterborough County/City Paramedics and Peterborough Police Services Board to reduce their requested increases for 2025. Peterborough Paramedics reduced its funding request to $7,299,067, an increase of $488,270, or 7.2 per cent from 2024. Peterborough Police Services Board responded with a request for $37,802,241, an increase of $2,727,054, or 7.8 per cent, from 2024 – after initially requesting an 8.8 per cent increase.

Council made many changes to the City’s Draft 2025 Budget to reduce the property tax requirement by decreasing spending, increasing revenue and drawing from reserve funds.

Among the changes to the draft budget Council:

• Restoring $298,153 for Community Grants that had been cut from the draft budget

• Adding a $500,000 interest-free loan for the replacement of the roof at Showplace Performance Centre

• Reducing the proposed 2025 stormwater management funding by $620,000

• Providing $250,000 from the Social Services Reserve to help fund architectural, engineering and planning services for the proposed new Brock Mission Housing Project that would create 50 transitional housing units

• Drawing $904,000 from the Social Services Reserve for several housing and homelessness services enhancements, including extending the Trinity Community Centre overnight drop-in program to a full-year service, increasing funding to the Housing Stability Fund, and increasing the capacity of the Brock Mission shelter to 40 beds from 32 beds

• Restoring funding for discretionary benefits, which had been proposed to be reduced, at a cost of $235,695

• Reducing preventative maintenance at municipal facilities for a savings of $153,000

• Ending the lifeguard service for swimming at Roger’s Cove for a savings of $39,995 (lifeguard service continues to be provided at the nearby Beavermead Park beach)

• Ending the maintenance of the Trent-Severn Waterway canal south of the Lift Lock in winter for skating for a savings of $100,000

• Reinstating a $150,000 annual payment to the Downtown Business Improvement Area that had been proposed to be removed

• Removing a $132,500 expense for contracting streetscape maintenance services to the Downtown Business Improvement Area as the City will directly provide the service in 2025

• Reducing spending on graffiti management, forestry contractual services, and street cleaning totalling $60,000

• Reducing Transit expenses for cleaning supplies and contractual services by $75,000

• Reducing the budget provision for insurance premiums by $115,000

Through its 2025 Budget, Council has endorsed transitioning stormwater funding from the tax base to a dedicated user fee effective April 1, using a simplified interim rate structure. The proposed user fee will replace what is being paid by property owners through the property tax base and place a charge, or a user fee, on the utility bill. Unlike many municipalities with dedicated stormwater networks and raise the necessary funding through a user fee, the City of Peterborough currently funds the program through the tax base.

The City says benefits to implementing a Stormwater Management Fee include:

• Dedicating a funding stream allocated back to providing the service

• Awareness and transparency showing owners what they pay for the service and what is required for capital and operating costs

• Fairness where owners may pay based on stormwater contribution as opposed to property assessment

• Introducing the opportunity for economic incentives, giving owners the opportunity to reduce their costs associated with delivering the service

The Budget details investments in municipal services and infrastructure, such as water and wastewater infrastructure and treatment, garbage collection, the Green Bin program, the landfill and composting facilities, affordable housing, homelessness services, roads, recreation and parks, arts and culture, policing, fire services, paramedics, and public health.

The Draft 2025 Budget, as presented on Nov. 4, includes $411 million in operating expenses, with $185.9 million from property taxes and the remainder funded by other revenues such as grants from other governments, user fees, and service charges.

On the capital side, the Draft 2025 Budget as presented on Nov. 4, includes $147.4 million for 174 projects such as the Transit Garage Replacement, police station renovations, major infrastructure work on Brealey Drive between Lansdowne and Sherbrooke streets, updating and replacing equipment at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and various road projects.

The City started the 2025 Budget process in March 2024 with community consultation, including a survey and public meetings held through March and April. Council held General Committee meetings in June to review information and consider input from the community. Council considered detailed breakdowns of budget implications for services and capital projects before recommending guidelines for preparing the Draft 2025 Budget.

Council heard from public delegations on the Draft 2025 Budget at a meeting on Nov. 12.

The City held informal public meetings on Nov. 7 and 12 to present information, respond to questions and get feedback on the Draft 2025 Budget ahead of Council’s deliberations.

At its meeting on Dec. 9, Council gave final approval to specific projects and programs in the 2025 Budget to allow that work to proceed while Council considers the remainder of the Draft 2025 Budget. Council also approved the 2025 User Fees and Charges.

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Peterborough Petes to Host Mental Health Awareness Game This Thursday

The Peterborough Petes are hosting a mental health awareness game as they host the Flint Firebirds at the Peterborough Memorial Centre this Thursday at 7:05 p.m.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The game is in partnership with Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and the CMHA Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge Branch.

The game day experience will have several features to promote the importance of mental health, including: 

• A CMHA-run kiosk on the concourse where fans can learn more about mental health and the organization’s community-based services 

• A ceremonial puck drop with the CMHA Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge Branch

• Videos featuring Petes players talking about the importance of mental health 

• Public service announcements about mental health and the CMHA Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge Branch

• A CMHA fundraising component 

The key piece of the Talk Today program has been to educate players about mental health and suicide prevention. Each team is also linked to a CMHA mental health coach, who provides support and mental health resources to needy individuals.  

“Talk Today shines a spotlight on mental health awareness, demonstrating how sports and community agencies can unite for a common purpose,” said Jack Veitch, CMHA HKPR manager of community engagement and education and Petes mental health coach. “Thursday’s game celebrates our community's commitment to mental health while reminding everyone of the support services available. Through this partnership, the Peterborough Petes continue to show exceptional leadership in fostering a culture of mental health awareness and support.”

“We’re very excited to once again be partnering with CMHA HKPR for our annual mental health awareness game,” said Eric Ebenbauer, Petes senior director of sales. “Talk Today is such an important initiative as it educates our players and staff about the importance of mental health and provides support services to those in need. Thursday night will be a great opportunity to show the community the benefits of the program, while also spreading awareness about the Canadian Mental Health Association and all the great work that they do.”

Tickets for the game are available now by going online or by visiting the Grant Thornton Box Office.

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Peterborough Man Facing Several Charges Including Setting Fire to a Person In a Residence

A 32-year-old Peterborough man faces 15 charges involving possession of a weapon and setting another person on fire after an incident on Sunday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

There was an unwanted male in a residence in the Towerhill Road and Hilliard Street area. He struck one resident in the face, punched, kicked, choked and set another resident’s clothes on fire and pointed a firearm at a third person in the house. 

At roughly 10:30 p.m. Monday, officers spotted a man matching the description given to police in the Chemong Road and Bellevue Street area. Emergency Response Team officers took the man into custody. During a search after arrest, located a pellet pistol in a backpack the suspect was carrying.

The man was arrested and charged with:

• Fail to Comply with Probation Order x2

• Possession of Firearm or Ammunition contrary to Prohibition Order

• Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose

• Pointing a Firearm

• Assault with A Weapon x3

• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm

• Possession of loaded prohibited or restricted firearm

• Assault Cause Bodily Harm - Choke, suffocate or strangle

• Uttering Threats - Cause death or Bodily Harm

• Arson - Disregard for Human Life

The accused is currently bound by two probation orders with the following conditions: to keep the peace and be of good behaviour and to not communicate with one of the people involved in the incident.

The accused is also currently bound by a prohibition order with the following conditions: to not possess any firearm, crossbow, prohibited weapon, restricted weapon or prohibited device.

The accused is being held in custody and will appear in court on Tuesday.

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City of Peterborough Launches Commemorative Tributes Policy

The City of Peterborough seeks public feedback for a new Commemorative Tributes Policy.

File Photo.

Input is being collected from Feb. 3 to March 3.

This policy defines options for purchasing and maintaining memorials that recognize individuals, groups, or special occasions. This could be done by purchasing a bench with a plaque or a tree without a plaque.

A limited number of benches and trees will be available yearly for commemorative tributes. The location of each memorial would be selected by the City and placed in parks, trails, open spaces or near the waterfront.

Applicants would pay for the memorial and receive a tax receipt. The cost would cover the purchase and installation of the memorial.

Residents can comment through the feedback form or ask questions through Connect Peterborough, the City's online community engagement platform, at connectptbo.ca/commemorative-tributes.

The Draft Commemorative Tributes Policy is expected to be considered by City Council this spring.

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Registration Open For Third Annual GPHSF Charity Bonspiel Closes On Sunday

Registration for the third annual Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF) Charity Bonspiel, held on Feb. 15 at the Peterborough Curling Club closes on Sunday.

Photo courtesy of GPHSF.

Funds raised go towards broadening healthcare and its accessibility for Peterborough, the County, Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations.

“We are really excited for our third Bonspiel in partnership with Imprinted Apparel Store. This event continues to grow each year. The response remains incredibly positive. We have a great time putting it on and being part of this event” said Vince Bierworth, GPHSF executive director. “Funds raised from this event will continue our mission to broaden health equity and access to healthcare for the residents in Peterborough City and County as well as Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations.  Funds will support our partnership with the Peterborough Family Health Team, along with many other community organizations we work with.”

Registration is $300, with a $60 tax receipt. The day includes two games along with breakfast and lunch. There are $2,000 prizes to be won provided by Imprinted Apparel Store and $500 in prizes provided by Goldline. Other activities such as trivia challenges, raffle draws, cornhole boards and many other opportunities to win prizes will be at the event.

Participants can register online. Only 24 teams are available. GPHSF notes that participants should have some experience with the game and their equipment. They will not be able to provide on-ice training for beginners.

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