Peterborough Regional Health Centre Named One of Canada’s Best Employers
/The Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) has been recognized for the second year in a row by Forbes as one of Canada's Best Employers, announced Tuesday.
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Peterborough Blogs
City of Peterborough 2026 Community Safety and Well-Being Plan Survey Now Open To The Community
/The City of Peterborough has invited residents to provide input toward updating the Community Safety and Well-being Plan through a survey that is open until Feb. 13.
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The survey asks about perceptions and experiences in the community, and suggestions for how to improve safety and well-being. There is a map allowing community members to identify specific areas where they feel safe and unsafe.
The Community Safety and Well-being Plan is used as a guide by the City and local social service providers to identify common goals for building a community where everyone is safe and included.
Community members can provide input through the online survey and interactive map on Connect Peterborough. Paper copies of the survey and the current Plan are available at Service Peterborough in City Hall, 500 George St. N.
“This survey is an important opportunity for residents to share what is working, where challenges remain, and how we can continue building neighbourhoods where everyone feels safe, supported and included. Hearing directly from the community will help guide the next chapter of this work,” said Mayor Jeff Leal.
The Plan identifies five priority areas including; housing and homelessness, poverty and income security, healthcare and mental health, substance use and addictions and active transportation and connectivity.
The survey is open to all residents in the City of Peterborough, Curve Lake First Nation, and Hiawatha First Nation, including all permanent and seasonal residents, as well as those who are living unhoused.
Peterborough Police Service Launches N0H8 Awareness Campaign To Combat Hate Crimes
/The Peterborough Police Service has launched the N0H8 public education and awareness campaign; which aims to reignite awareness about hate bias and hate crimes, how people can report such incidents and the role of law enforcement.
photo courtesy of the peterborough police service, facebook.
This campaign serves as a commitment made by the Peterborough Police Service to address hate through the support of the Proceeds of Crime Grant. Additional commitments included training made available to sworn and civilian members of the Peterborough Police Service and the development of an online visual tool that will help give more understanding to what hate looks like in the community.
Throughout the work funded by the grant, the Peterborough Police Service has connected with a group of community partners to help understand the needs and landscape of hate/bias in the community.
The goals of the campaign are to:
Raise awareness about what hate and/or hate incidents may look like in our community
Promote personal stories of courage and acceptance
Provide access to educational resources and community supports
Encourage more residents to report hate incidents through the Peterborough Police Service online reporting portal
“We are happy to be able to bring this N0H8 campaign to life in our community. Over the past five years, on average, 46 hate/bias incidents are reported to our service,” said Peterborough Police Chief Stuart Betts. “In 2024, more than half of those incidents resulted in charges. We are also aware that these types of incidents are underreported and that is why we are reaching out to the community to encourage more people to report. This may result in a spike of hate-motivated incidents/crimes being reported, which is to be expected with a campaign of this nature.”
A website has been created that offers information about resources, provides a definition of what a hate/bias crime or incident is and a direct link to the hate bias crimes/incidents online reporting form.
The Peterborough Police Service is encouraging residents, businesses and schools to participate in spreading the message of N0H8.
Campbellford Memorial Hospital’s Laboratory Reports Record Testing Volumes and Strong Performance In 2025
/The Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH) is highlighting the work and performance of its Laboratory Services following the release of the 2025 year-end results, which demonstrate high testing volumes, quality outcomes and timely results.
photo courtesy of the campbellford memorial hospital.
In 2025, CMH’s Core Laboratory collected more than 66,000 samples and performed nearly 149,000 tests. When broken down into individual components, this represents close to 470,000 reported results over the course of the year.
“These numbers really reflect both the volume and complexity of the work our team handles every day,” said Zoe Neilly, Laboratory Manager at CMH. “Behind every sample is a patient waiting for answers, and our staff are committed to delivering accurate, timely results that clinicians can rely on.”
In addition to routine testing, the laboratory made more than 3,300 critical result calls in 2025. These are direct, real-time communications to clinical teams when results indicated potentially life-threatening conditions.
“Critical result calls are some of the most important moments in our work,” continued Neilly. “They require immediate action, clear communication, and absolute accuracy. Our team takes that responsibility very seriously.”
CMH’s laboratory also continued to invest in quality and modernization, implementing new equipment, introducing online booking for outpatient appointments and expanding in-house testing capabilities while.
Community members who have recently used the lab for outpatient services are encouraged to complete the new patient satisfaction survey.
4th Line Theatre Breaks Ground With Maja Ardal’s The Legend of Pearl Hart
/4th Line Theatre announces its 19th annual Breaking Ground event on Jan. 31 at Catherine Parr Traill College’s Bagnani Hall, with excerpts from Maja Ardal’s The Legend of Pearl Hart.
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Born in Lindsay, Ontario in 1871, Pearl Hart was the first woman tried and convicted of stagecoach robbery in the U.S. Pearl’s journey takes her from small town Ontario through Chicago’s World’s Fair, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West shows and rough mining frontiers of Arizona. Her trial, imprisonment and escapades while disguised as a boy made her a notorious celebrity of the times.
Breaking Ground is part of 4th Line Theatre’s New Play Development program, designed to support, nurture and encourage the creation of environmentally-staged historical plays
“Public readings are an important part of the creation of plays,” says Kim Blackwell, 4th Line’s Managing Artistic Director. “This forum gives the writer the opportunity to figure out what resonates with audiences. The audience’s feedback during the discussion afterward may be the most valuable aspect of Breaking Ground.”
Kim Blackwell will dramaturge the reading, directed by Anita La Selva, which will feature performers: Robert Winslow, Amy Keating, Colin A. Doyle, Lindsay Wilson, Ryan Tobin and Celine Gadoury.
The free event will take place at Bagnani Hall on Jan. 31 at 2 p.m. To reserve a seat call or email 4th Line Theatre’s Box Office.
The Cheesy Fromage Owner Tanya Bailey Recognized With Rural Entrepreneur 2026 Award
/The Cheesy Fromage owner Tanya Bailey was presented with the inaugural Rural Entrepreneur 2026 by Hon. Lisa Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs as part of the Rural Inspiration at the Rural Ontario Municipalities Association (ROMA) event.
Member of Provincial Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha Dave Smith poses with the cheesy fromage owner tanya bailey as she accepts the rural ENTREPRENEUR award. photo courtesy of the Office of M.P.P. Dave Smith.
“Tanya Bailey and the Cheesy Fromage embodies the spirit of rural Ontario,” said Hon. Lisa Thompson. “Rural small businesses like Cheesy Fromage are what keeps rural Ontario moving. It is rural small businesses in our rural communities that make Ontario the economic engine of Canada. That is why it is so important to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit that is found each and every day in rural Ontario.”
The Rural Entrepreneur 2026 goes to a business that has displayed great efforts in delivering sustainable, local and healthy homemade meal options to assist residents with meal planning and nutrition.
“Tanya’s leadership was instrumental in revitalizing the Peterborough Agricultural Society, steering the 180-year-old organization back from the brink of permanent closure in early 2025, to being a strong voice in the local recovery efforts after the October 2025 fire in downtown Lakefield,” said Greg Bartlett, Vice Chair of the Peterborough Agricultural Society. “Tanya has proven that her dedication to the county’s agricultural community extends far beyond the walls of her Queen Street business.”
The Cheesy Fromage is Lakefield’s Original General Store. They promote local, sustainable, healthy meal options that support Lakefield and the surrounding rural communities.
“The success of our rural economy depends on local leaders like Tanya who bridge the gap between our farmers and our dinner tables,” said Member of Provincial Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha Dave Smith. “By revitalizing the Peterborough Agricultural Society and championing sustainable food through The Cheesy Fromage, Tanya has created a blueprint for rural innovation.”
“I am very blessed to have a small business in a rural community which allows me to connect farming, and the production of Ontario cheeses with an amazing community like Lakefield in the heart of the Kawarthas,” said Bailey. “I hope that in some small way I can continue to raise awareness of the hard work of Ontario cheese makers and how they stand shoulder to shoulder with the best cheese producers in the world.”
47-Year-Old Peterborough Man Facing Impaired Driving Charge After Traffic Stop
/A 47-year-old man is facing an impaired driving charge after Peterborough Police conducted a traffic stop Monday night.
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At approximately 11:55 p.m. on Jan. 19, an officer on general patrol in the Sherbrooke Street and Clonsilla Avenue area spotted a vehicle speeding despite the snowy conditions. The officer conducted a traffic stop in the Sherbrooke Street and Goodfellow Road area. During the stop, the officer noticed signs of impairment with the driver.
As a result of the investigation, a 47-year-old Peterborough man was arrested and charged with:
Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
Entire plate not plainly visible (Highway Traffic Act) (Plate Cover)
The accused was issued an automatic 90-day license suspension and seven-day vehicle impoundment.
The accused was released on an appearance notice and is scheduled to appear in court Feb. 24.
Professional Wrestler Cody Deaner To Guest Speak At Local Elementary Schools
/Through a sponsorship with the Kiwanis Club of Peterborough, Chris Gray, known professionally as TNA Wrestling’s Cody Deaner, is doing his sixth guest speaker tour of several Peterborough schools this February.
photo courtesy of the kiwanis club of peterborough, facebook.
Gray will speak at St. Theresa Catholic Elementary School and Kawartha Montessori School on Feb. 2, and St. Catherine Catholic Elementary School and Keith Wightman Public School on Feb. 3.
“We’re very excited to bring Chris back to Peterborough for another tour,” said Kiwanis Club of Peterborough Past-President Jeff Westlake. “His previous tours have been tremendously popular with both students and staff. This will bring the number of schools we’ve visited to twenty.”
Gray is a recommended speaker with the Canadian Student Leadership Association, who’s mission is ‘to support and encourage student leadership in Canada.’
“I’m delighted to be returning to Peterborough next month”, said Gray. “The partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Peterborough has been outstanding these last few years, and I’m eager to inspire area kids with my stories and message of ‘Dare to Dream Big.’”
Two-Day Petes Alumni Celebrity Hockey Classic In Support of Easter Seals Coming To Peterborough
/Easter Seals Ontario and the Peterborough Petes have teamed up to introduce the Peterborough Petes Alumni Celebrity Hockey Classic, a two-day event taking place on Mar. 11 and 12 at The Venue and the Peterborough Memorial Centre.
photo courtesy of the peterborough petes.
The Peterborough Petes Alumni Celebrity Hockey Classic offers hockey fans the chance to play with former NHL greats in a two-game tournament, as well as the opportunity to meet and greet the players during an exclusive VIP Draft Party on Mar. 11. The VIP Draft Party will take place at The Venue and give registered teams a chance to select an NHL alumnus to join their team.
Confirmed alumni for the Classic include Doug Gilmour, Gary Roberts and Brad May. A full list of alumni participating in the event will be released in the coming weeks.
On Mar. 12, the on-ice portion of the classic will begin, with each team guaranteed two games. Teams who register for the tournament will be provided with jerseys and socks. All games will take place at the Peterborough Memorial Centre before the Petes host the rival Oshawa Generals later that night.
To register for the tournament, each team is responsible for a $1,500 registration fee, as well as a fundraising minimum of $500 per player. Fundraising proceeds are in support of Easter Seals.
Interested teams can contact Jenn to register. Full details for the event can be found by visiting the website.
City of Peterborough Invites Community To Review Draft Community Planning Permit By-Law
/The City of Peterborough is inviting members of the public to review and provide feedback on the draft Community Planning Permit (CPP) By-law through open houses and an online survey.
photo courtesy of connect peterborough.
The draft CPP By-law, along with interactive mapping, is now available for public review online.
The CPP By-law will replace the City’s existing Zoning By-law and will establish new rules for how land can be used and what types of buildings can be developed across the City.
Community members are encouraged to review the draft By-law and attend one of the in-person public open houses to learn more and share feedback. These are drop-in open houses, and no formal presentation will be provided.
In-Person Public Open House Schedule:
Jan. 28 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Westdale United Church, 1509 Sherbrooke St.
Jan. 29 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Queen Alexandra Community Centre (Activity Haven), 180 Barnardo Ave.
Feb. 4 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at McDonnel Street Community Centre, 577 McDonnel St.
Feb. 5 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Healthy Planet Arena Banquet Hall, 911 Monaghan Rd.
