Community Futures Peterborough Launches New Guide to Help Entrepreneurs Hire Their First Employee

/

In celebration of Small Business Week 2025, Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) has released a new free resource to support local entrepreneurs and small business owners in hiring their first employee.

Photo courtesy of Community Futures Peterborough.

“Small businesses are the economic engine of Peterborough-Kawartha, and the decision to hire a first employee is a critical milestone that fuels our community's growth,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “Every single new job created here is an investment in a stronger, more prosperous future for our entire region. I commend Community Futures Peterborough and the Business Advisory Centre for creating this practical resource to give our local entrepreneurs the confidence and tools they need to take that important next step.” 

The ‘Hiring Your First Employee’ guide is designed to help small business owners navigate the complex process of becoming an employer for the first time. It was developed in collaboration with the Business Advisory Centre. The guide provides practical, step-by-step insights on topics ranging from understanding employment laws and setting up payroll to writing job descriptions, conducting interviews and onboarding new team members effectively according to Devon Girard, CFP executive director.

“Hiring your first employee is a major milestone, but it can also feel overwhelming,” she said. “This guide simplifies the process by breaking down what business owners need to know, what steps to take, and where to find trusted local resources to make confident, informed decisions.”

Girard says the guide covers key areas such as:

  • Understanding Ontario employment standards, human rights, and health and safety laws

  • Registering with the CRA and WSIB

  • Deciding when and how to hire

  • Differentiating between employees and independent contractors

  • Best practices for recruitment, interviewing, and onboarding

  • Maintaining compliance through workplace policies and documentation

“The comprehensive guide was created to empower entrepreneurs with the knowledge they need to onboard their first employee responsibly and sustainably,” said Rose Terry, Business Advisory Centre and Corporate Communications manager. “By helping small business owners with a free resource to support their first hire, we are growing jobs in our community one-by-one and creating a more resilient local economy.”

The Hiring Your First Employee guide is availableon the Community Futures Peterborough website. In addition to this resource, entrepreneurs can also book a free advisory session with CFP to receive personalized support through the hiring process.

A workshop has also been added to CFP’s popular series, E101, supporting employee hiring. The Staff Smart: Hiring Your First Employee workshop will be held in person in December. Those interested in the workshop can register for free or the Community Futures Peterborough website.

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

Peterborough Petes's Friday Road Game Against Soo Greyhounds Given Rescheduled Time

/

The Peterborough Petes’s road game against the Soo Greyhounds this Friday has been changed to 6:07 p.m. from the previously scheduled 7:07 p.m., announced by the Ontario Hockey League on Thursday.

The Petes are fourth in the East Division with a 5-5-0-1 record. Photo courtesy of Kenenth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The game will take place at GFL Memorial Gardens in Sault Ste. Marie and is the second and final meeting between the two teams this season. The Soo won the previous matchup in Peterborough on Sept. 25, 3-0, after two late empty net goals.

The Petes are on the road this Thursday for their next game. They take on the North Bay Battalion with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Boart Longyear Memorial Gardens.

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

Peterborough DBIA's Halloween In the Booro Returns This Saturday

/

Downtown Peterborough is getting spooky as the Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) hosts its annual Halloween in the Booro event, offering an evening of trick-or-treating and downtown fun on Saturday.

Photo courtesy of the DBIA.

The family-friendly free event runs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. as over 45 local businesses in the Downtown and East City will hand out treats, have characters will roam George Street and a Family Friendly Zone. The zone includes a Halloween-themed photobooth and costume contests for kids, adults and pets.

“Halloween in the Booro is one of our favourite events. It brings local families and merchants together for a safe, welcoming night of family-friendly fun that highlights everything we love about our downtown,” said Nour Mazloum, DBIA executive director. “It makes our city feel like home and creates the kinds of memories that keep people returning to the downtown as a destination for their family to enjoy unique activities.” 

By drawing hundreds of families to the core, the event creates opportunities for residents to discover local businesses, increases evening foot traffic, and supports the small business community that is central to Peterborough’s economy according to Dylan Reinhart, Boardwalk Game Lounge co-owner.

“We’ve loved seeing how Halloween in the Booro has continued to grow each year, bringing more families downtown and shining a light on local businesses,” he said. “It’s become a tradition for many, and events like this are a great reminder of how vibrant and welcoming our downtown really is.”

Families can plan their route using the official trick-or-treat map which lists all participating businesses, accessible entrances, and family-friendly stops.

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

/ /

David Tuan Bui


Stoney Creek Man Charged With Impaired Driving After Vehicle Hopped Curb at PRHC

/

A 37-year-old Stoney Creek man is facing impaired charges after an incident on Sunday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 10:45 a.m., officers received a call about a vehicle that had hopped a curb into a parking lot at Peterborough Regional Health Centre. Upon speaking to the driver, officers detected signs of impairment.

The man was arrested and charged with:

  • Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs

  • Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)

The accused was issued an automatic 90-day license suspension and a seven-day vehicle impoundment.

The accused was released on an appearance notice and is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 2.

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

4th Line Theatre Bringing Forgotten Canadian History to Life With Ontario Farmerettes On Nov. 26

/

4th Line Theatre is shedding light on a largely forgotten chapter of Canadian history with the documentary film ‘We Lend A Hand: The Forgotten Story of Ontario Farmerettes,’ screening on Nov. 26. at Lakefield College School.

Colin Field, Albeiro Films, Producer/Director --’We Lend A Hand: The Forgotten Story of Ontario Farmerettes’ documentary film. Photo courtsy of 4th Line Theatre.

Created by director/producer Colin Field and Bonnie Sitter, historical producer, the documentary tells the extraordinary story of 40,000 teenage girls who volunteered on Canadian farms during and after World War II and helped sustain the nation's food supply, when young men left to fight overseas.

Bonnie Sitter, author, was searching through old family photographs when she found a captivating image of a group of young women taken on her late husband's family farm near Thedford, with a caption on the reverse that read ‘Farmerettes 1946.’

This led her to research the Farmerette story and publish an article in The Rural Voice asking for women who served as Farmerettes to get in touch with her.

Shirleyan English, a retired London Free Press journalist, read the article and wrote a letter to the editor, explaining her own experience as a Farmerette and how it remained the best summer of her life. Sitter and English went on to co-author the book Onion Skins and Peach Fuzz: Memories of Ontario Farmerettes in 2019.

“We wanted to capture the story of how the Farmerettes helped win the Second World War by volunteering to aid farmers with food production,” said Sitter.

Filmmaker Colin Field first met Sitter in 2019 and wanted to bring this forgotten Canadian story to life.

“I was privileged to collaborate with Bonnie on this extraordinary story of dedication and perseverance explained Field. “I got to interview 20 Farmerettes - now in their late 90s - for the documentary, and after two years of work, and with the help of sponsors and generous donors the documentary is finally complete.”

After the screening, there will be a Q&A with the filmmakers and 4th Line Theatre Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell. There will also be a chance to acquire autographed copies of the book Onion Skins and Peach Fuzz: Memories of Ontario Farmerettes.

A portion of ticket sales will go to 4th Line Theatre’s 30 to the Future Endowment Fund and Lakefield College’s Northcote Farm Endowment. A portion of the proceeds go towards victims of the Home Hardware fire in downtown Lakefield.

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

Peterborough Police Urge Public to Exercise Caution of Scams When Purchasing Second-Hand Baseball Tickets

/

With the Toronto Blue Jays playing in the World Series starting Friday, the Peterborough Police Service reminds residents to be cautious if purchasing tickets through a secondary source, announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

The Police are providing the following tips on purchasing second-hand tickets:

  • Be aware that there may be people trying to scam other with deals on tickets that may not exist or be fraudulent. 

  • Have the tickets in hand before making payment

  • Verify who you are purchasing the tickets from

  • If meeting in person to exchange tickets, consider doing so in a public place

  • Check the date and time and game number on the ticket/email ticket to ensure the validity of the ticket

If you are the victim of a scam or become aware of one circulating, you can call the Peterborough Police Service 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, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Ontario Government Invests Over $12 Million For Infrastructure In Peterborough City and County

/

The Ontario Government is investing $12,011,899 in the City and County of Peterborough to help renew and rehabilitate critical infrastructure.

In 2026, Ontario will allocate $400 million in OCIF funding to help 423 small, rural and northern communities address critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The funding will be delivered through the 2026 Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) as part of the government’s more than $200 billion capital plan to protect Ontario by building key public infrastructure that will strengthen the economy and keep workers on the job in the face of tariffs and economic uncertainty according to MPP Dave Smith.

“This provincial commitment ensures our communities receive the reliable, predictable funding necessary to maintain and rehabilitate critical infrastructure assets such as local roads, bridges, and essential water and wastewater systems,” he said. “By empowering our local councils with this resource, we are stabilizing costs, strengthening the foundational services that residents depend upon, and facilitating continued economic growth throughout the county.”

The OCIF provides funding for local infrastructure projects in municipalities with populations under 100,000, rural and northern municipalities, as well as for Local Services Boards that own water or wastewater systems.

“Peterborough County thanks the Government of Ontario for its continued investment in local infrastructure through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund,” said Bonnie Clark, Peterborough County Warden. “This funding supports essential projects that help maintain the services our residents rely on every day. We remain committed to working collaboratively to ensure all communities in Peterborough County can thrive."

“This funding will help us maintain and improve our roads for the benefit of all residents,” said Mayor Jeff Leal.

The amount of funding for 2026 is as follows:

  • North Kawartha: $125,000

  • Peterborough County: $1,260,030

  • Selwyn: $232,869

  • Trent Lakes: $125,000

  • Havelock-Belmont Methuen: $144,000

  • Douro-Dummer: $125,000

  • City of Peterborough: $10,000,000

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

Kawartha Food Share to Pillage Peterborough In 'Porch Pirates For Good' Food Drive This Saturday

/

Kawartha Food Share (KFS) is pillaging Peterborough for 2025 as part of its ‘Porch Pirates For Good’ food drive to restock its empty shelves, occurring this Saturday.

In the last five years, the campaign brought in over 185,000 pounds of food and over $20,000 in monetary donations. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Households are asked to leave a bag of non-perishable food items on their front porch with a flyer sent in mailboxes (or anything that makes the donation easy to identify) for the Porch Pirates to collect starting at 9 a.m.

The number of clients using food banks has reached an all-time high throughout the nation, according to KFS. They continue to state that the rising cost of food and supply chain shortages have affected their clients, donors and purchasing power.

The following are the most needed items requested for donation from KFS:

  • Peanut Butter

  • Canned tuna

  • Canned vegetables and canned fruit

  • Individually wrapped school snacks

  • Pasta and pasta sauce

  • Breakfast cereal

  • Gluten-free items – like pasta, cookies, oats etc.

  • Canned soup/stew

  • Feminine hygiene products

  • Monetary Donations (can be made online or during item collection)

For every one dollar donated, three dollars worth of food can be purchased, according to KFS. Volunteers can collect cheques or cash during their pickups on Oct. 25.

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.

Photos: Community Futures Peterborough Leads Business Owners Through ‘The Modern Entrepreneur Experience'

/

Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) and the Business Advisory Centre hosted ‘The Modern Entrepreneur Experience,’ designed to empower local business owners with modern tools, insights, and connections for growth, held at the El(p) on Tuesday morning.

According to CFP, the event brings together industry leaders, creative strategists, and marketing experts for a half-day of learning, networking, and inspiration, showcasing Peterborough’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.

There were several speakers at the event. Jason Fiorotto, a marketing and sales leader for over 25 years, taught attendees how to attract the right customers, convert leads and build long-term growth.

Shelby Leonard-Watt & Mike Watt of Plush, Flavour and SOS spoke about building a personal brand and sharing storytelling insights while exploring how style and brand presence can elevate business success.

Influencer Megan Patterson discussed how to leverage authentic storytelling and influencer strategy to connect with audiences and drive meaningful results.

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

Trent University Recognizes Nine Recipients With Alumni Awards

/

Nine individuals are honoured through the 2025 Trent University Alumni Awards to recognize their contributions to shaping a better world.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

This year’s recipients are being recognized for efforts advancing research in public health and family well-being, leading in sport and science and inspiring creativity, compassion and leadership in family-law policy, health equity, forensic science, community building, student leadership and student governance.

“This year’s recipients embody what it means to be part of the Trent community,” says Naomi Handley, Trent director of Alumni Engagement and Services. “Their leadership, innovation, and compassion shine through everything they do, from advancing research and championing equity to inspiring the next generation of learners. We’re honoured to recognize their accomplishments and the many ways they carry Trent’s spirit into the world.”

The 2025 alumni award recipients are:

Distinguished Alumni Awards

Dr. Zach Conrad ’02 (Champlain College) is an internationally recognized nutritional epidemiologist whose transformative research shapes national and international policy for the world’s biggest challenges around nutrition, health equity, and sustainability.

Dr. Robert (Bob) Glossop ’67 (Champlain College) is a distinguished researcher on family dynamics whose three decades of work have directly influenced social policy and family law across Canada to better support the well-being of families.

Spirit of Trent Award

Neil Horne ’96 (Champlain College) is a passionate and dedicated leader in Trent’s rowing community, whose 14 years of service to the Head of the Trent Regatta have elevated both the Trent Rowing Club and the regatta to international recognition.

Young Leaders Award

Dr. Theresa Stotesbury ’07 (Gzowski College) is an esteemed forensic scientist whose groundbreaking research on the degradation of biological tissues, such as blood, has revolutionized forensic investigations across Canada.

Jordan MacDonald ’17 (Lady Eaton College) is a dedicated researcher and community advocate whose work is reshaping how we understand and support teen parents – advancing policies that help young parents overcome barriers, complete their education, and thrive.

Founder’s Spirit Award

Newly introduced this year, the Founder’s Spirit Award honours alumni whose visionary leadership and lasting contributions have strengthened Trent University and its broader communities. The late David Christopher (Chris) Leach ’70 (Peter Robinson College) was a leader and Olympian whose founding role in Trent and Peterborough’s rowing clubs - including his instrumental role in creating the Head of the Trent Regatta - left a lasting legacy on sport, mentorship, and University life.

David Glassco Prize (student leadership)

Izabelle (Izzy) Miranda is a dynamic student leader who has held more than 10 leadership positions in campus clubs and organizations, leaving a lasting impact on the Trent community.

Robert W.F. Stephenson Prize (student governance)

Rylin Wormington (Otonabee College) is a fourth-year student who has served as junior senator, vice-president, and now president of the Otonabee College Cabinet, demonstrating exceptional commitment to student governance and University life.

Anne Warigia Kitheka ’18 (Lady Eaton College) is a dynamic leader whose dedication to equity, mentorship, and student advocacy has left a lasting impact at Trent while continuing to shape her path in science and business.

The 2025 awards will be presented at a reception on Nov. 18 at Trent University.

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