Voice of Business: What a High-Speed Train Means for Peterborough’s Economy and Tourism

Peterborough is finally getting a high-speed passenger rail service.

This newly announced line will run between Toronto and Quebec City, with Prime Minister Trudeau confirming the project last week. The fully electric train will connect Toronto, Peterborough, Ottawa, Laval, Montreal, Trois-Rivières, and Quebec City, reaching speeds of up to 300 km/h.

The federal government has committed $3.9 billion over the next six years to support system development, including laying approximately 1,000 km of new tracks. This week on Voice of Business, we explore why this rail project matters, what businesses need to know, and what to expect next.

This rail line will serve a region of 18 million people with an economy worth over $850 billion. Once completed, it will reduce travel time between Toronto and Montreal to just three hours, positioning Peterborough as a prime hub for intercity and interprovincial trade. This project aligns with the federal government's commitment to reducing interprovincial trade barriers, opening new opportunities for local businesses to access broader markets.

Tourism, a $300 million industry in Peterborough, is also expected to benefit. Many international visitors rely on public transit, and a high-speed rail link will make Peterborough a more accessible and attractive destination. The Chamber of Commerce has been a strong advocate for this rail initiative.

“Ensuring Peterborough is a stop on the high-speed rail line has been a priority for the Chamber, as this is a key way to connect our community to the rest of the province,” said Gail Moorhouse, Interim President and CEO of the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.

“Peterborough is an incredible place to work, live, and visit. We look forward to the train connecting our community and businesses to the province,” adds Vice President Joel Wiebe.

The Chamber has been deeply involved in this effort, starting as a founding member of the grassroots Shining Waters Railway organization. Over the years, it has worked closely with VIA Rail, VIA HFR, and now Alto to develop the business case for the rail line. "Having Peterborough as a major stop on this rail project is a win for the tireless advocacy work of the Chamber," says Wiebe.

The economic benefits of this project are substantial. The high-speed train will cut travel time between Toronto and Montreal in half, from six hours to three, making transportation more accessible and positioning Peterborough as a key destination. The increased connectivity is expected to boost tourism and create a spillover effect that benefits local businesses by attracting more visitors to the community. A study from the C.D. Howe Institute estimates the economic impact could range between $11 billion and $27 billion over a 60-year period (2039–2098), depending on whether the train operates at conventional or high-speed levels. While the project remains in the initial design phase, Peterborough’s position as a tourist destination with over three million annual visitors makes it well-suited to capitalize on this opportunity. Events like MusicFest, local sports teams, lakes, hotels, the Canadian Canoe Museum, and Trent University already draw significant traffic, and a passenger train will further increase accessibility.

With the train potentially cutting travel time significantly from Montreal to Peterborough, students, tourists, and business professionals will no longer be restricted to car travel, which currently takes nearly three hours.

It is worth noting that similar passenger rail proposals have been discussed in the past but never materialized. However, with this renewed commitment and funding, there is hope that Peterborough will finally become a key destination for high-speed rail. If realized, this project could transform the region, making Peterborough not just a stop on the map but a hub for travel, tourism, and economic growth.

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

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Peterborough Man Charged After Throwing TV Remote At a Woman Resulting In Minor Injuries

A 27-year-old Peterborough man is facing charges after an incident of intimate partner violence on Tuesday evening.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 5 p.m., a disturbance occurred at a residence in the Hunter Street East and Armour Road area. A verbal disagreement escalated, resulting in a woman receiving minor injuries from a TV remote being thrown at her face by a 27-year-old Peterborough man.

He was arrested and charged with:

  • Assault with a Weapon - Spousal

  • Fail to Comply with Probation Order

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

They are being held in custody and will appear in court on Wednesday.

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MPP Dave Smith Reflects On Political Career As He Seeks Three-Peat In Thursday's Provincial Election

With the provincial election this Thursday, Peterborough Kawartha MPP Dave Smith reflects on his political career as he goes for the three-peat, seeking a third consecutive term.

Smith talks to constituants at AON Inc’s Royal Gardens Retirement Residence days before election this Thursday. Photo by David Tuan bui.

Smith was first elected in 2018 for the Progressive Conservative Party, defeating current Peterborough mayor and then incumbent Jeff Leal of the Liberal Party. He won his second term in 2022, making him the most recent Conservative Party member elected as Peterborough-Kawartha MPP in back-to-back terms since Gary Stewart did it from 1995 to 2003.

Smith visited Royal Gardens Retirement Residence and held a Q&A session for constituents living on the grounds.

Among topics discussed, including US President Donald Trump’s tariffs and employment, among other issues, healthcare was one of the critical topics Smith and the residents touched on.

“We've laid the groundwork for a lot of things. There are things like adding doctors. It just takes five years for a doctor to be trained. There's no way we can get around that,” explained Smith. “With the work we have done, the increase in the number of residence positions by 400. We are producing more doctors now than we were. We're going to see the benefits of that.”

“My whole philosophy on this is that I owe a debt to the people of Ontario that I cannot repay. The only way I can start to give back is to continue doing this work to make that our community is in a better position than it was when I first found it,” added Smith. “I think a lot of the work I've been doing has been about that. That's what my focus is on, ‘How can continue to improve the situation for people here?’”

Smith adds that the provincial government is adding a $6.2 million Homeless Addiction Rehabilitation Treatment (HART) hub, announced in late January. His government also proposed a $1.13 million detox and residential treatment facility in Peterborough, containing six drug and six detox beds for those battling with addictions that were announced in February 2023. These are several moves, among many, that he said he would continue to do for Peterborough-Kawartha.

“We've increased the funding for the Peterborough Regional Hospital. We've added tools for physician recruitment, we have changed the process, the scope of nurse practitioners can do more of what they're taught and not have their hands handcuffed on certain things and we'll continue down that path and meeting people where they are but we're not leaving them there,” Smith said. “We're going to do everything we can to improve the lives of as many people as possible.

Smith has been challenged by all new candidates since the last provincial election in 2022, except Jen Deck, who is once again running as the NDP candidate.

Regardless of Thursday’s outcome, Smith reflects on serving two terms at MPP and has not taken his role for granted.

“I'm proud of the fact that people have put their trust to serve their needs, to listen to what they have to say and I think when you look at what I have done, the legacy will be that I listened, I reacted, I tried to improve the situation and I'll continue to do that,” concluded Smith.

The following are the candidates running for Peterborough-Kawartha MPP:

  • MPP Dave Smith: PC Party of Ontario (incumbent)

  • Adam Hopkins: Ontario Liberal Party

  • Jen Deck: Ontario NDP/NPD

  • Lucas Graham: Green Party of Ontario GPO

  • Brian Martindale: Ontario Party

  • Andrew Roudny: New Blue Party

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City of Peterborough Seeking Consultation For 2026 Municipal Election Voting Methods

With the next municipal election in October 2026, the City of Peterborough is asking residents what voting methods they prefer to use when casting their ballots in a municipal election.

File Photo.

The survey is open until 4 p.m. on March 14. Paper copies of the survey at City Hall at 500 George St. N.

The City reminds citizens that the survey is for the 2026 Municipal Election voting methods – it is not associated with upcoming provincial and federal elections.

A summary of the information collected through the survey will be included in a report to City Council to inform its consideration of voting methods and technologies to use in the upcoming 2026 Municipal and School Board Elections on Oct. 26.

For the 2022 Municipal Election, the City of Peterborough offered in-person voting and online voting. When casting their ballots in the 2022 Municipal Election, 69.2 per cent of voters in the City of Peterborough used online voting.

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Peterborough Petes Raise Over $17,000 In Next Gen Game In Support of Five Counties Children's Centre

The Peterborough Petes Next Gen Game raised $17,056 to support kids’ treatment services for Five Counties Children’s Centre, announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The game was on Family Day (Feb. 17), where the Petes succeeded in a comeback bid against the Kitchener Rangers, winning 5-3. The Next Gen Game allowed children to experience it up close and personal as they signed one-day contracts to be Next Gen Staff.

The following were the children and their respective roles:

  • Myles Nugent-Horton: Head Coach

  • Abbott Nugent-Horton: General Manager

  • Gryffin Tucker: Scout

  • Saphira Tuckers: Assistant Coach

  • Damien Beaulieu: In-Game Host

  • Alexis Beaulieu: Radio Broadcaster

  • Bryor Grimes: PA Announcer

This year’s game was another sellout and funds were raised through donations, sales, a raffle draw and corporate sponsorships. 

Scott Pepin, CEO of Five Counties, says the total team effort to help reduce wait times for high-demand services like speech therapy and occupational therapy at the Peterborough-based children’s treatment centre.

“The Peterborough Petes are tremendous hosts and, once again, the team, their fans and our Five Counties supporters all provided a huge assist to ensure more children and families in our community get access to the care they need when they need it,” said Pepin.

The Petes are celebrating Indigenous Heritage Night for Thursday night’s game against the Windsor Spitfires.

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Aylmer Street North Closed Until Wednesday Morning For Water Main Repairs

Aylmer Street North from McDonnel Street to Murray Street is closed due to repairs for a water main, announced on Tuesday morning.

File photo.

Peterborough Utilities Group estimates the work to be completed by Wednesday morning at approximately 9 a.m.

Crews are already on site for repairs.

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Two Peterborough Women Charged With Theft In Separate Incidents

Two Peterborough women have been charged with theft in separate incidents.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

A 35-year-old woman attempted to take items without paying at a Charlotte Street and Aylmer Street area business.  Officers were unable to locate the suspect upon arrival. Officers were called to the store again the next day about the same woman leaving the store with more stolen items. She was taken into custody. Police learned there was a warrant for her arrest concerning a theft incident in January and bail violations in November and December.  

The woman was arrested on the strength of the warrant and further charged with:

  • Theft Under $5,000 x2

  • Fail to Comply with Probation Order x2

A probation with the following condition currently binds the accused: to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.

On Monday, a Loss Prevention Officer detained a 37-year-old Peterborough woman at a Lansdowne Street West and Clonsilla Avenue area business. Roughly $460.00 worth of products had been taken from the store without payment.

The woman was arrested and charged with:

  • Theft under $5,000

Both accused were released on an undertaking and are scheduled to appear in court on April 8.

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Photos: Peterborough Petes Practice In Havelock; Hold Free Skate and Autograph Session For Havelock Hawks

The Peterborough Petes treated Havelock hockey fans as the team held a practice and autograph session at the HBM Community Centre on Monday afternoon.

The team had practice ahead of their Thursday night game against the Windsor Spitfires. A free skate was held where children from the Havelock Hawks (Havelock Minor Hockey) got to hit the ice with the Petes.

Following ice activities, the Petes held an autograph session for Havelock families which also served food and had a decorative Petes cake.

Donations and 50/50 draws were at the event in support of Havelock Minor Hockey.

The Petes concluded the day with an autographed jersey presented to Havelock Minor Hockey president, Danielle Follette.

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Peterborough Airport Announces New Acting Manager Effective Friday

Trent Gervais has been named Peterborough Airport’s Acting Manager for the immediate future, effective Friday.

Photo courtesy of the LOomex Group.

He takes over the role of Dustin Gervais, who held the title since July. Dustin had worked in operations on-site at the airport and worked with The Loomex Group for several years prior to taking the airport manager role.

In addition to Esther Juthman’s role as community relations coordinator and safety management coordinator, they are being appointed as the acting assistant airport manager.

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Peterborough Using New Logo To Celebrate 175th Anniversary of City's Incorporation

The City of Peterborough is using a new version of its logo in 2025 to reflect the 175th anniversary of its incorporation as the Town of Peterborough in 1850.

The Town of Peterborough was officially incorporated on Jan. 1, 1850, under the Baldwin Act, which allowed for the incorporation of townships, villages, towns and cities, each with its own democratically elected council. In 1850 Peterborough had a population of roughly 2,200 people. Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The City will be incorporating the recognition of its 175th anniversary into various events throughout the year.

“For 175 years, Peterborough has grown and evolved into a hub of culture, education and industry. This important milestone is a testament to those who have built, shaped and strengthened Peterborough for generations,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “As we celebrate our rich history we look forward to our exciting future, filled with opportunity, progress and Peterborough’s unwavering sense of community.”

Along with the temporary alternative logo, the City will use ‘Peterborough 175 | 1850-2025 | Celebrating the foundation of our future’ for the anniversary.

Peterborough was officially incorporated as a City on July 1, 1905

The following are relevant and notable occurrences during the City’s 175-year run:

  • Peterborough is home to the Peterborough Lift Lock, which is the highest hydraulic lift lock in the world and designated as a national historic site of Canada.

  • Peterborough is known as ‘The Electric City’ because in May 1884 it was one of the first cities in Canada to have electric streetlights.

  • Peterborough-based Fisher Gauge produced Hasbro’s Monopoly game pieces in the 1980s.

  • Quaker Oats, now PepsiCo, opened its plant here in 1902.

  • Fire destroyed the downtown on August 16, 1861, which led to a by-law that buildings must be made of brick.

  • Canada General Electric was established here in 1891

  • Canadian singing legend Stompin’ Tom Connors got his nickname Stompin’ Tom in Peterborough. Before he died in 2013, he chose Peterborough as the location for his public memorial because of his connection to the community.

  • Senator Iva Fallis, born in 1883, was the second woman ever appointed to the Senate.

  • Per-capita, Peterborough had the most enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy in the Second World War.

  • 2025 is also the 200th anniversary of the Peterborough Robinson Emigration of 1825 that brought nearly 2,000 Irish settlers to the Nogojiwanong-Peterborough area. Nine Ships 1825 Inc. is organizing events to recognize the Bicentennial.

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