PVNC Clarington Trustee Acclaimed As Chairperson For 2025-2026 term

Clarington trustee Kevin MacKenzie has been acclaimed as chairperson of the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board for the 2025-2026 term after the Board’s annual meeting on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of PVNC.

MacKenzie was first elected as a trustee in 2018, served as vice-chairperson from 2021 to 2022 and was elected chairperson in 2022.

“The past several months has had the spotlight on the role of a trustee. I look at it as a blessing. Months ago, many of our constituents did not know what we did or the value we brought. Now, I think they know the advocacy we bring and help we provide,” said MacKenzie. “Every term brings new challenges and new things to celebrate. The hard work and dedication of everyone at PVNC Catholic doesn't go unnoticed.”

Peterborough County trustee Jenny Leahy was also acclaimed as vice-chairperson. She holds this title for a fourth consecutive year. Leahy joined the Board in May 2022 and was later elected in the October 2022 municipal election.

This year’s annual meeting also marked several milestones:

• Loretta Durst (Peterborough) – four years since her appointment in November 2021. She was re-elected in the 2022 municipal election.

• Joshua Glover (Clarington), Mary Ann Martin (Kawartha Lakes), and Kathleen Tanguay (Northumberland) – three years since their elections in 2022.

• John Connolly (Peterborough) – his third annual meeting since being appointed in September 2023.

Following the meeting, Bishop Daniel Miehm held Mass with trustees and staff.

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Peterborough Man Wanted On Warrants Arrested For Break-and-Enter

A 40-year-old Peterborough man wanted on warrants is facing a new charge after officers were called to a break-and-enter on Wednesday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 3:50 p.m., officers were called to a residence in the Aylmer Street and Sherbrooke Street. The owner returned, noticed a door open and saw someone inside. Officers located a man on the second floor and took him into custody. They further learned that the man was wanted on two warrants for three counts of failing to attend court, failing to comply with an appearance notice, failing to adhere to a release order, two counts of breaking and entering a dwelling house – commit an indictable offence and failing to comply with probation.

The man was arrested on the strength of the warrants and further charged with:

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

The accused is being held in custody and appeared in court on Thursday.

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City of Peterborough Receives $50,000 Investment Towards the TELUS Cup

The Ontario Government has invested $50,000 to the City of Peterborough to host Hockey Canada’s TELUS Cup in Peterborough from April 20 to 26.

The 21 national and nine international amateur sport events in communities across the province welcome 10,000 athletes from across Canada and around the world to Ontario and are expected to generate over $34 million in economic activity. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The TELUS Cup is on display at the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame.

“This investment of $50,000 to bring the TELUS Cup to Peterborough is fantastic news for our community. Hockey Canada’s national championship will not only showcase the tremendous talent of the young athletes but will also generate significant economic activity for our local businesses, restaurants, and hotels,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.” By supporting events like this, our government is following through on its commitment to promote active, healthy living while reinforcing Peterborough-Kawartha’s reputation as a premier destination for world-class amateur sport.”

“Securing support through the Ontario Sport Hosting Program is an important step on the road to the TELUS Cup," said Councillors Lesley Parnell and Alex Bierk. “As we prepare to showcase Peterborough on the national stage, strong collaboration across all levels of government is crucial. We’re grateful to the Government of Ontario for recognizing the value these tournaments bring to our community.”

Peterborough was selected to host the TELUS Cup back on April 23. The event has six elite men’s U18 teams from across the nation battling for the title. The host Peterborough Minor Petes are making their national championship debut.

The City expects the event to generate more than 1,200 total room nights and over $1 million in economic impact, boosting hotels, restaurants, shops and local attractions during the tournament week.

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"It's a Deepening Crisis" United Way's Annual Housing Report Sees Continued Downward Trend

The United Way Peterborough & District has released its 20th edition of ‘Housing is Fundamental,’ which is a report that tracked the cost and availability of rental housing in Peterborough from 2004 to 2024, announced on Wednesday morning.

Paul Armstrong authored the Housing is Fundamental report annually. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Author Paul Armstrong says the research also seeks to contextualize the pressures households face in maintaining safe, affordable housing. His main takeaway is that their housing in Peterborough has trended downward repeatedly.

“It's a deepening crisis,” explained Armstrong. “This is something that compounds year over year over year, and it's been happening for 25 to 30 years. We are in a very, very bad set of circumstances and housing is underscoring the times of social deficiencies that we have.

The following are his key findings:

• Current vacancy rate: 3.1 per cent

• Current two-bedroom rent: $1,506/month, a 6.7 per cent increase over last year

• 20 per cent of purpose-built rental units are owned by financial firms- approximately 400,000 units nationally

• Over a 20-year period rent for a two-bedroom unit has gone up 88.95 per cent The current welfare rate for a single person is $733/month, while the average bachelor apartment rents for $956/month

“As a society, we are in decline of people who can't afford their housing when they have to line up for their food. The significant numbers that where you find this in housing and in food insecurity. We are in a time that we can safely say that we have first-world and third-world societies co-existing.”

“We need to see housing as a human right,” explained Jim Russell, United Way CEO. “We need to understand that success in life requires safe affordable housing. We need to be ever vigilant to the creeping presence of a predatory capitalism."

Trent University’s Dr. Naomi Nichols, director of research for the social change lab Trent had analyzed Armstrong’s report.

“This year's Housing is Fundamental report demonstrates the deep need for non-profit and public investments in affordable rental housing to lessen the financial pressures facing individuals and families in our community,” she explained. “Peterborough residents are being squeezed. Despite a softening of local vacancy rates since 2022, average market rents and the cost of food continue to rise faster than household incomes.”

“We are living the effects of the globalization of inequality and the proliferation of economic hardship,” concluded Armstrong. “To know and witness this progression is to call for justice and rebalancing.”

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City of Peterborough Recommends Several Amendments to Its 2026 Draft Budget

City Council reviewed the budget and recommended several changes in the City’s Draft 2026 Budget to maintain current levels of service primarily and to invest in municipal infrastructure on Monday and Tuesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

After Council’s budget deliberations, the Draft 2026 Budget currently reflects an operating budget increase of 2.11 per cent, a 2.16 per cent increase for infrastructure and capital needs, a 0.53 per cent increase in the sanitary sewer fee, and a 1.76 per cent increase for external agencies the City funds.

When combined, the 6.56 per cent all-inclusive rate increase, including the municipal, education, and sanitary sewer surcharge rates, would amount to about $28.31 per month for the median residential property.

To reduce the expected property tax increase, Council has recommended using an additional $3 million from the Legacy Income Retention reserve account in 2026. Money in the Legacy Income Retention reserve account comes from interest earned on investments using the proceeds of the sale of assets of Peterborough Distribution Inc. The $3 million injection from the Legacy Fund reserve fund reduced the tax requirement in the Draft 2026 Budget by 1.32 per cent.

Council also wants to hear if there could be potential reductions in the Police Service budget. Council directed that the Police Service budget be returned to the Police Service Board. The Police Services Board 2026 request of $41,506,841 is an increase of 9.8 per cent or $3,704,600, over 2025.

The City’s 2026 Budget is anticipated to be presented for adoption on Dec. 8. Residents can register to be a delegation during the Council meeting through an online form at Peterborough.ca/delegations or by calling 705-742-7777 ext. 1820.

With the recommendations approved by Council, the Draft 2026 Budget includes $434.2 million in municipal service spending and $139.2 million in capital investments.

The $434.2 million is funded by revenues of $235.8 million from non-municipal property tax sources, such as user fees, grants from other governments, recoveries, interest from investments, and service charges, resulting in a tax requirement of $ 198.4 million.

Capital projects include the police station renovation and expansion, Lansdowne Street West between Spillsbury Drive and Clonsilla Avenue, Wastewater Treatment Plant revitalization, extending a taxiway at the Peterborough Regional Airport, road paving, purchasing transit buses, and water service distribution infrastructure.

A list of major capital projects and a breakdown of what a taxpayer pays for various municipal services is available at peterborough.ca/budget.

Through its budget deliberations, Council made various changes or directions related to the Draft 2026 Budget, such as:

• Reducing the proposed employee benefits cost requirement by $665,000 from what was included in the draft budget documents;

• The City was informed that its Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund grant will be $269,000 more than anticipated;

• On Nov. 3, Council awarded RFP48-25 for shelter services and daytime drop-in program to One City, which added $1.12 million to the Draft 2026 Budget;

• Increasing the net tax levy by $90,137 in 2026 for the Community Development Program to offset a reduced funding from Peterborough County;

• Reducing the net tax levy requirement by $204,477 to reflect the increased final current value assessments from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation;

• That the Police Service budget be returned to the Police Service Board for potential reductions;

• Deferring until 2027 consideration of a $900,000 project for a public washroom at Jackson Park;

• Deferring $25,000 that had been requested to convert a washroom space into a kitchenette at City Hall;

• Deferring until 2027 consideration of a $375,000 budget for the Coldsprings Growth Area – Planning Studies;

• Extending the Community Service Agreement with Electric City Culture Council (EC3) for Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2026, including $100,000 for EC3 operations plus $50,000 for EC3 to provide Artsweek and the Individual Artists program, as well as increasing the funding by an additional $25,000 toward the Individual Artists program; and

• Increasing funding for the Peterborough Public Library collections acquisition by an additional $32,000 funded from the Library Materials Acquisition Reserve.

Beyond the immediate budgetary considerations, Council made several recommendations on program direction on items that will return to Council for consideration in the future, such as:

• That Ashburnham Memorial Park be given priority for the next round of park improvements;

• That a preferred option for a pedestrian crossing involving the Crawford Trail Extension Project - Monaghan Road to Townsend, be at the signalized intersection of Monaghan Road and Lansdowne Street; and

• That staff be directed to bring forward a report to the 2027 Budget to explore parking and other revenue opportunities at the Riverview Park and Zoo.

The official minutes of the meeting, including all of Council’s endorsed motions, will be available at peterborough.ca/agendas.

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Two Peterborough Men Arrested and Charged After Drug Investigation

Two people have been arrested after a drug investigation conducted by Peterborough Police Service Intelligence and Drug Unit along with the Emergency Response Team (ERT) on Tuesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Both Units executed a drug warrant at 196 Park Street N. and arrested a 20-year-old man on drug charges and a 42-year-old man on bail violations.

Officers seized:

• 32.4grams of Cocaine

• Canadian currency

The 20-year-old Peterborough man was arrested and charged with:

• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking - Cocaine

• Failure to comply with release order - other than to attend court

A 42-year-old Peterborough man located within the residence was found to violate a release order and was arrested and charged with:

• Failure to comply with release order - other than to attend court

Both accused are held in custody and appeared in court on Wednesday.

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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Otonabee Region Watershed Downgrades to Level 1 Low Water Condition

The Otonabee Region Water Response Team has downgraded the Otonabee Conservation watershed to a Level 1 Low Water Condition, following its Level 2 status since August.

Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

Above-average rainfall in September and October has eased the effects of this summer’s hot, dry weather. Otonabee Conservation states they will continue monitoring conditions and may return to normal status if precipitation remains sufficient in the coming weeks.

The Otonabee Region Water Response Team includes representatives from local municipalities, water managers, tourism and agriculture, provincial and federal agencies, First Nations and Otonabee Conservation.

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Havelock Receives Ontario Trillium Grant of $145,000 to Revitalize Cordova Mines Outdoor Rink

The Township of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen has received a $145,000 Capital grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) to revitalize the Cordova Mines outdoor rink, announced on Friday.

Photo courtesy of the Township of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen.

Funds provided by the OTF grant have enabled major repairs to the existing outdoor rink. This provides additional recreation opportunities, including basketball, pickleball, tennis and ball hockey.

“By providing funding for major repairs, we are ensuring this vital community hub is not just saved but transformed into a year-round multi-purpose facility,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “This supports active, healthy living and ensures families have a modern, safe, and accessible place to play, whether they are enjoying skating in the winter or ball hockey, pickleball and basketball in the warmer months.”

This funding extends the rink's current seasonal use to year-round multi-purpose.

“On behalf of the Township of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen, I want to thank the Ontario Trillium Foundation for supporting the revitalization of the Cordova Mines Outdoor Rink,” said Mayor Jim Martin. “This beloved attraction in the Hamlet with a Heart of Gold where families come together and pride of place shines and continues to strengthen our local spirit and economy. We’re also very grateful to the Cordova Mines Recreation Association and our dedicated Township of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen Fire Fighters whose volunteer efforts keep this treasured gathering place alive and thriving.”

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Peterborough Man Given Three Charges From Motor Scooter/Vehicle Collision From Nov. 9

A 33-year-old Peterborough man is facing three charges in connection with a motor vehicle collision in which the driver of a scooter was struck on Nov. 9.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 12:05 p.m., there was a collision involving a scooter and motor vehicle on Crawford Drive in the area of Johnston Drive. The driver of the scooter suffered serious injuries and was taken to Peterborough Regional Health Centre before being transferred to a Toronto hospital.

On Monday, the 33-year-old Peterborough man was arrested and charged with:

• Fail to stop at accident resulting in bodily harm

• Careless driving causing bodily harm (Highway Traffic Act)

• Operate unsafe vehicle (Highway Traffic Act)

The accused was released on an appearance notice and is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 30.

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26th Anniversary of "In From The Cold" Benefit Concert Returns In Support of YES Shelter

The ‘In From The Cold’ benefit concert is celebrating its 26th anniversary with two performances at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on Dec. 5 and 6 in support of the YES Shelter.

Photo courtesy of Yes Shelter.

The shows run on at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 5 and 2 p.m. on Dec. 6.

The performances gather local musicians to perform holiday music with a blend of traditional and contemporary Christmas and winter songs.

This year's lineup features:

• Carried Away – an acoustic string and vocal band known for rich harmonies and creative arrangements of seasonal favourites.

• Convivio Chorus – a dynamic choral ensemble whose performances fill the hall with warmth and joy.

• The Claveer Cousins – bringing lively, heartfelt energy to the stage.

• Special guest Benj Rowland – nationally known, locally-born singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who brings a haunting voice and an innate gift for melody to his unique brand of alt-folk music.

“I’m so pumped to have Benj join us this year,” says John Hoffman, In From the Cold co-founder. “His take on any song is always interesting and distinctive so he fits right in with our ongoing passion to present great, rootsy seasonal music you won’t hear at any other Christmas show. I know our audience is going to love what Benj brings to the table.”

The proceeds go to YES Shelter for Youth and Families, to help provide safe shelter, support and hope for youth and families experiencing homelessness in our community. 

In From The Cold tickets are available for purchase at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre or online.

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