Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Urges Public to "Buy Canadian" Amid Tense Trade Talks With United States

Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP, has urged residents to ‘buy Canadian’ amid tense trade talks between Canada and the United States over tariffs.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

In a social media post made on Sunday, Smith stated that any deal that hurts Canadians is ‘not the right deal.’

“The US demanding concessions at the last hour on things that had already been agreed upon demonstrates they had no interest in actually honouring their word,” said Smith.

Mark Carney, Canadian Prime Minister, had suspended trade negotiations with the United States on Friday. This followed President Donald Trump’s sudden intention to impose a 50 per cent tariff on Canada on Saturday, said Carney. The Canadian Prime Minister stated that the tariff would affect roughly $28 billion of Canadian goods.

“Last-minute changes in the U.S. proposed terms were unfair, uneconomic and called into question the reliability of any deal,” he said.

Smith encouraged the public to buy Canadian to support its country during these trying times.

“Stay strong, buy Canadian and support your neighbours and friends,” he said.

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 Release 2026 Rookie Camp Rosters

The Peterborough Petes have unveiled their roster for the 2026 Rookie Camp, with all games to be held at the Healthy Planet Arena, starting Monday.

Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Petes.

The following is the full 41-player roster:

Forwards:

  • Pacey Adduono

  • Jonny Brooks

  • Elijah Chavez

  • Ty Civello

  • Jax Conklin

  • Matthew Crawford

  • Quinn Creally

  • Sebastian Dzieciol

  • Theo Finch

  • Ty Gendron

  • Nolan Gerow

  • Chase MacKay

  • Ethan MacLeish

  • Jayden Mercier

  • Mason Quinn

  • Kieran Raynor

  • Declan Ready

  • Brody Robertson

  • Brandt Rooyakkers

  • Landon Roulston

  • Nathan Slack

  • Alex Spadafora

  • Cale Williams

Defence:

  • Shane Brown

  • James Buchan

  • Tyson Cartier

  • Hudson Clayton

  • Josh Goodwin

  • Colton Lapierre

  • Cole McLennan

  • Marco Nichele

  • Aiden Plooy

  • Samuel Rivet

  • Keegan Shirley

  • Joseph Szarka

  • Daniel Tout

  • Eric Wood

Goaltenders:

  • Ethan Cosker

  • Luka Gelinas

  • Zidane Jasey

  • Andrew Vaduva

The following is a full schedule for the rookie camps:

Rookie Camp

  • Monday, Aug. 24

    • 4 p.m. – GAME – Rookie Maroon vs Rookie White (Healthy Planet Arena)

  • Tuesday, Aug. 25

    • 10 a.m. – GAME – Rookie Maroon vs Rookie White (Healthy Planet Arena)

    • 4 p.m. – GAME – Rookie Maroon vs Rookie White (Healthy Planet Arena)

All scrimmages will take place on the Sign-A-Fied pad at Healthy Planet Arena and are open to the public.

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.

Reconstruction Project to Cause Lane Closure On Kawartha Heights Boulevard Until Sept. 7

The northbound lane of Kawartha Heights Boulevard, between Lansdowne Street West and Applewood Crescent, is closed until Sept. 7 as part of the Lansdowne Street West Reconstruction project. 

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Turn restrictions will be in place at Lansdowne Street West, Spillsbury Drive and Kawartha Heights Boulevard. Northbound traffic on Kawartha Heights Boulevard should follow posted detour routes and allow extra time when travelling through the area. 

The sidewalk on the east side of Kawartha Heights Boulevard will also be closed within the work area. Pedestrians are asked to use the west sidewalk. 

The following Peterborough Transit detour routes will be in effect during the lane closure:

  • #6 Sherbrooke East and West will not be running on Kawartha Heights Boulevard and Spillsbury Drive between Applewood Crescent and Forster Avenue.  

  • #6 East Detour: Spillsbury Drive to Forster Avenue to Brealey Drive to Cherryhill Road to Kawartha Heights Boulevard

  • #6 West Detour: Kawartha Heights Boulevard to Cherryhill Road to Brealey Drive to Forster Avenue to Spillsbury Drive  

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 Farmfest Returns This Fall With Nine Farms to Explore

By Scott Arnold

Fall is a pretty good time to get out and explore the countryside, and Kawartha Farmfest gives families nine different reasons to do just that.

Fall is a pretty good time to get out and explore the countryside, and Kawartha Farmfest gives families nine different reasons to do just that.

Kawartha Farmfest returns October 3rd, bringing visitors to nine farms and rural attractions across Kawartha Lakes. (Photo provided by the City of Kawartha Lakes via KawarthaLakes.ca)

The 24th annual Kawartha Farmfest takes place Saturday, October 3rd, with nine farm families opening their properties to visitors from 10am to 4pm.

It’s a self-guided driving tour, so there’s no set route. Visitors can decide which stops they want to make and how much time they want to spend at each one. Admission is $5 for adults, while children under 14 are free.

And each farm has its own theme and activities.

At The Roost Farm near Brechin, it’s all about maple, with demonstrations, farm animals, wool work and fall scenery. Wagon rides, food and the farm market are also available for an additional cost. Located at 3314 Kirkfield Rd, Brechin.

At The Roost Farm near Brechin, it’s all about maple, with demonstrations, farm animals, wool work and fall scenery. Wagon rides, food and the farm market are also available for an additional cost. Located at 3314 Kirkfield Rd, Brechin.

The Roost Farm will celebrate all things maple during this year’s Kawartha Farmfest. (Photo provided by the City of Kawartha Lakes via KawarthaLakes.ca)

Schaiwind Farm in Woodville is putting the spotlight on its sheep, including demonstrations of sheep shearing and sheep dog herding. Visitors can also meet the shepherd and learn about the farm’s solar grazing operation. Located at 84 Goose Lake Rd., Woodville.

Schaiwind Farm is one of nine stops featured during the 24th annual Kawartha Farmfest. (Photo provided by the City of Kawartha Lakes via KawarthaLakes.ca)

If apples are more your thing, Holliday’s Farm Fresh Vegetables is offering pick-your-own apples from its dwarf orchard, with several varieties available. Ready-picked apples and products from the farm store will also be available. Located at 1641 Glenarm Rd., Woodville.

Visitors can explore Holliday’s Farm Fresh Vegetables during Kawartha Farmfest on October 3rd. (Photo provided by the City of Kawartha Lakes via KawarthaLakes.ca)

At O’Brienview Farm in Cameron, visitors can walk through the certified organic farm, meet the cattle and poultry and learn more about organic farming. Fresh vegetables and frozen meat will be available for purchase. Located at 688 Country Lane, Cameron.

O’Brienview Farm will welcome visitors as part of this year’s Kawartha Farmfest. (Photo provided by the City of Kawartha Lakes via KawarthaLakes.ca)

Sims Farm near Fenelon Falls will have its turkeys, chickens, goats, sheep and cattle on display, along with farm equipment and its farm store. There will also be a chance to purchase eggs, baked goods and a hot dog lunch. Located at 1394 Kawartha Lakes County Road 121 Fenelon Falls.

Sims Farm is among the nine participating farms taking part in Kawartha Farmfest. (Photo provided by the City of Kawartha Lakes via KawarthaLakes.ca)

For those who don't mind getting a little lost, McQuaid’s Country Market near Omemee has a nine-acre corn maze, along with games, a scavenger hunt and a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch. The farm market will also be stocked with pumpkins, squash, gourds and other local products. Located at 346 Peace Road, Omemee.

McQuaid’s Country Market will be one of the stops on the self-guided Kawartha Farmfest tour. (Photo provided by the City of Kawartha Lakes via KawarthaLakes.ca)

Lunar Rhythm Gardens in Janetville will offer tours of its 15-acre organic farm, including its fields, greenhouses and other growing areas. Visitors can also see the farm animals and stop by the petting zoo, while fresh produce, meat, honey, preserves and apples will be available. Located at 253 Gray Road, Janetville.

Lunar Rhythm Gardens is opening its farm to visitors for this year’s Kawartha Farmfest. (Photo provided by the City of Kawartha Lakes via KawarthaLakes.ca)

At Stellmar Farm in Little Britain, giant pumpkins take centre stage as the farm celebrates its 24th year of Pumpkinfest. There will be games, face painting, fall vendors and crafts, with a discounted haunted corn maze available to Farmfest visitors. Located at 136 Sandbar Road, Little Britain.

Stellmar Farm will celebrate its 24th year of Pumpkinfest during Kawartha Farmfest. (Photo provided by the City of Kawartha Lakes via KawarthaLakes.ca)

And at Valentia Equestrian Centre, visitors can meet horses, sheep, goats, chickens, alpacas and other animals, explore the forest trail and mini maze, and take part in kids' activities. Pony rides and animal treats will be available for an additional cost. Located at 188 Valentia Road, Little Britain.

Valentia Equestrian Centre is one of nine farms welcoming visitors during Kawartha Farmfest on October 3rd. (Photo provided by the City of Kawartha Lakes via KawarthaLakes.ca)

With the farms spread throughout the Kawartha Lakes area, Farmfest is designed to be explored at your own pace. You can pick a few stops or try to see as many as possible in the six-hour event.

The event is rain or shine, although individual activities may change depending on the weather.

Some activities, food and farm products cost extra. Visitors should check the City of Kawartha Lakes website information before heading out for any last-minute changes to programming or individual sites.


Scott Arnold
is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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 Natives Help Canada Rally to Pan-Am Gold in Jamaica

By Scott Arnold

Peterborough natives Owen Hiltz and Wyatt Wiggins are Pan-American champions after Canada erased a three-goal fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the United States 9-8 in Sunday’s gold-medal game in Kingston, Jamaica.

Team Canada celebrates after winning gold at the 2026 Pan-American Men’s Lacrosse Championship. Owen Hiltz is third from the left in the front row, wearing number 7, Wyatt Wiggins is seventh from the left in the back row, wearing number 22, and dan carey is third from the right in the back row, with the white hat. (Photo via Instagram @lacrossecanada)

Canada trailed 8-5 early in the fourth quarter before scoring four unanswered goals to complete the comeback and claim the Pan-American Men’s Lacrosse Championship.

Hiltz scored once and added an assist in the final, while Wiggins was part of Canada’s defensive group as the Canadians held the Americans scoreless for the entire fourth quarter.

Alex Simmons celebrates Canada’s Pan-American championship win in Jamaica by striking the iconic pose made famous by Jamaican sprinting legend Usain Bolt. (Photo via Instagram @lacrossecanada)

Alex Simmons tied the game with 1:32 remaining and then provided the game-winning goal with just 20 seconds remaining, completing a four-goal performance for Canada.

Simmons is a familiar name for local lacrosse fans. He played for the Oakville Rock, who were eliminated by the Peterborough Lakers in the Major Series Lacrosse semifinals earlier this month.

Owen Hiltz had a strong tournament for Canada, finishing with nine goals and seven assists on the way to the Pan-American championship. (Photo via Instagram @lacrossecanada)

Hiltz finished the tournament with nine goals and seven assists for 16 points, which was fourth-most on the Canadian team and seventh-most in the tournament.

Meanwhile, Wiggins helped anchor the Canadian defence throughout the championship, holding their opponents to just eight goals in five games, including a shutout win against Argentina.

Wyatt Wiggins was a key part of Canada’s defensive effort throughout the tournament as the team battled its way to Pan-American gold. (Photo via Instagram @lacrossecanada)

The gold medal also capped a successful tournament for Peterborough’s Dan Carey, who put the team together as Canada’s general manager.

Canada’s run to the championship included wins over Mexico, Haudenosaunee, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Argentina before Sunday’s comeback against the United States.

The tournament also secured Canada’s place at the 2027 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship in Japan, giving the Canadian team a championship title and a spot on the world stage in the same tournament.


Scott Arnold
is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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.

Lakers Fall on the Road to Chiefs in Game 3 of MSL Final

By Scott Arnold

The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers dropped a 12-9 decision to the Six Nations Chiefs Sunday night, giving the Chiefs a 2-1 lead in the MSL final.

The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers dropped a 12-9 decision to the Six Nations Chiefs Sunday night, giving the Chiefs a 2-1 lead in the MSL final.

The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers battle the Six Nations Chiefs during Game 1 of the MSL Final on Wednesday night at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena. The series shifts to the Peterborough Memorial Centre for Game 2 on Thursday. (Photo courtesy of peterborough lakers, via anna taylor)

Peterborough came out strong, scoring four times in the opening period to take a 4-2 lead into the second. Rob Hellyer and Justin Sykes led the offence in the opening 20 minutes, each picking up two goals.

The Chiefs turned the game around in the second, scoring seven times while holding the Lakers to two goals. Thomas Hoggarth and Braedon Saris scored for Peterborough, but Six Nations took a 9-6 lead into the final period.

Peterborough pushed back in the third, with Hellyer scoring his third of the night, followed by Ryan Lanchbury and Brad McCulley. The Lakers pulled within two on McCulley’s goal with 59 seconds remaining, but Graeme Hossack answered with an empty-netter 28 seconds later to put the game out of reach.

Hellyer finished with three goals and one assist, while Sykes had two goals and two assists. Hoggarth added a goal and two assists, and Brad McCulley finished with a goal and an assist. Taite Cattoni also had two assists.

Josh Byrne led Six Nations with two goals and three assists, while Shayne Jackson had a goal and four assists.

Nick Rose was in net for the Lakers, while Doug Jamieson picked up the win for Six Nations.

Game 4 is set for 8pm on Tuesday at the PMC.


Scott Arnold
is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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.

From a Small Used Car Lot to National Recognition: Del Mastro Recreation’s Remarkable Peterborough Success Story

By Scott Arnold

What began as a modest used-car business built in memory of a father’s dream has grown into one of Peterborough’s most successful family-run companies, earning three national sales awards in the past year and proving that big achievements can happen right here at home.

Del Mastro Recreation has been named Top Canadian Dealer for South Bay Pontoon and Forest River Marine, Bentley Pontoon’s Rookie of the Year Award and a Gold Sales Award recognizing the company as a top seller in Canada.

Dean Del Mastro sits aboard a pontoon boat with three national sales awards earned by Del Mastro Recreation over the past year, including Top Canadian Dealer for South Bay Pontoon and Forest River Marine, Bentley Pontoon’s Rookie of the Year Award and a Gold Sales Award recognizing the Peterborough-based company as one of the top sellers in Canada. (Photo by Scott Arnold)

For Dean Del Mastro, the recent recognition earned by Del Mastro Recreation is about much more than sales numbers.

The Peterborough-based company has received three national sales awards within the past 12 months from three different pontoon boat manufacturers, an accomplishment Del Mastro believes is highly unusual in the industry.

Among the honours are Top Canadian Dealer for South Bay Pontoon and Forest River Marine, Bentley Pontoon’s Rookie of the Year Award and a Gold Sales Award recognizing the company as a top seller in Canada.

“I’m incredibly proud,” said Del Mastro. “I can’t remember any time that a business in Peterborough has received three national awards in the same year from three different companies, all with competing products.”

While the awards recognize strong sales performance, Del Mastro credits the achievement to the people behind the business, from staff members to customers who continue to place their trust in the company.

A Leap of Faith That Paid Off

One of the biggest success stories has been the company’s partnership with Bentley Pontoon.

Del Mastro admitted bringing on the brand was initially a leap of faith. The company already had strong relationships with established manufacturers Avalon and South Bay when the opportunity arose.

Part of what caught his attention was an unexpected personal connection.

His beloved bulldog, whom he describes as “the best dog we’ll ever own,” was named Bentley.

“When they came and said they wanted to talk about taking on Bentley Pontoon, I said, ‘What name did you say?’” he recalled with a laugh.

But beyond the name, it was the people behind the company that convinced him.

A self-described relationship-driven person, Del Mastro said meeting the Marcotte family and the Bentley team left him confident the partnership would work.

That confidence proved well founded.

Following a strong showing at the Toronto Boat Show in January, demand for the boats quickly took off, helping Del Mastro Recreation earn both Rookie of the Year and top sales honours.

Building Trust Through Service

Del Mastro believes success in the recreation industry comes down to three key factors: people, product and service.

With many boats now carrying price tags of $50,000 and beyond, customers want reassurance that they will be supported long after the purchase is complete.

“People expect that when they make that kind of decision, they’re going to be able to count on the company manufacturing the boat and the place selling it to them,” he said.

That commitment to customer service has helped the company build a loyal customer base over more than three decades in business.

A Family Business Rooted in Peterborough

The Del Mastro name has been connected to Peterborough for generations.

Dean’s mother grew up in Douro, and his parents returned to Peterborough shortly before he was born. When his father passed away, the family decided to pursue a dream he never had the chance to realize: starting his own business.

The company began in December 1992 as a small used-car lot operating across from what was then the Trentwinds International Centre.

The first year exceeded expectations, with roughly 300 vehicles sold.

A few years later, the family took a major risk by purchasing the property at 48 Lansdowne Street East, which remains the company’s home today.

“It was a huge undertaking for us,” Del Mastro said. “We didn’t have a lot of money, but we found a way to make it work.”

The family pooled resources, took on significant risk and relied on hard work, determination and strong community relationships to keep moving forward.

More than 34 years later, those efforts continue to pay off.

Growth Through Adversity

After spending more than a decade away from the business, Del Mastro returned during the COVID-19 pandemic and began investing heavily in its future.

Since then, he said the company has quadrupled its sales.

The business has also expanded beyond vehicle sales into powersports, marine products and other recreational industries.

But Del Mastro insists growth does not happen by accident.

“It takes good staff, good planning, good marketing and everything else that goes into running a business,” he said. “You can’t be half in. You’re either all in or you won’t make it.”

Family Still at the Heart of Everything

While the company has grown significantly, it remains a true family operation.

His brother Jason now plays a major leadership role within the business, while their wives help manage financial operations. Even the next generation is involved, with Del Mastro’s daughter Charlotte helping out at the company’s car wash and Jason’s daughters contributing over the years as well.

The family atmosphere extends beyond relatives to employees.

Del Mastro said one of the biggest lessons he has learned in recent years is that younger workers are every bit as motivated as previous generations.

“They want to succeed. They want to contribute. They want to do well in life,” he said. “They’re really just looking for a path.”

That realization has strengthened his commitment to mentoring staff and sharing the lessons he has learned through decades in business.

Why Peterborough Still Matters

Despite opportunities to expand elsewhere, Del Mastro says Peterborough remains the heart of everything the company does.

“This is where I’m from,” he said. “This is where my family and friends are.”

He acknowledged that future expansion may take the company beyond Peterborough’s borders, but he is adamant that the city will always remain its home base.

His pride in the community remains as strong as ever.

“I’ve always fought for this town,” he said.

Today, that fight comes through entrepreneurship, job creation and continued investment in a business that employs local people and serves customers across the region.

Chasing Bigger Goals

For Del Mastro, the recent awards are not a finish line.

If anything, they are motivation to aim even higher.

He studies successful businesses across North America and believes companies operating in communities the size of Peterborough are capable of achieving far more than many people realize.

“Often we limit ourselves by believing what we think is possible,” he said.

That mindset continues to drive the company forward.

Whether it is expanding operations, growing sales or setting new industry benchmarks, Del Mastro says the goal is not simply to be good at what they do.

“We expect not to be good,” he said. “We expect to be great.”

And after turning a small family business into a nationally recognized operation, few would bet against them.


Scott Arnold
is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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.

Pair of Peterborough Boys Help Canada Cruise Their Way Into Pan-Am Final

By Scott Arnold

Peterborough natives Owen Hiltz and Wyatt Wiggins have helped Canada reach the Pan-American Men’s Lacrosse Championship final after a pair of dominant wins in Jamaica.

Peterborough natives Owen Hiltz and Wyatt Wiggins have helped Canada reach the Pan-American Men’s Lacrosse Championship final after a pair of dominant wins in Jamaica.

Peterborough native Wyatt Wiggins defends for Team Canada during the Pan-American Men’s Lacrosse Championship in Kingston, Jamaica. (photo via instagram @beyondscoreco)

Canada followed up Wednesday’s 17-5 win over Haudenosaunee with a 23-1 win over the U.S. Virgin Islands on Thursday before blanking Argentina 23-0 on Friday.

Canada’s perfect record in Pool B didn’t just secure them a spot in the final, where they’ll be guaranteed at least a silver, it also officially qualified the team for the 2027 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship in Japan.

Hiltz continued to make an impact for Canada’s offence in both games.

The Peterborough native scored three goals and added two assists against the U.S. Virgin Islands, then followed that up with a goal and three assists in Friday’s win over Argentina.

That gives Hiltz eight goals and six assists through Canada’s four games at the tournament, good for 14 points, which is tied for third on the Canadian team and tied for eighth overall in the tournament.

Wiggins, a Peterborough native and member of Canada’s defensive group, has also been part of the team’s strong run. Canada has allowed just eight goals through four games, including only one over its last two outings.

Now Wiggins, Hiltz and the rest of team Canada will play for the Pan-American championship and the United States in the gold-medal game at 3pm on Sunday.


Scott Arnold
is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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.

Three Trent University Researchers Receive $643,477 For Advanced Research Infrastructure

Three Trent University researchers have received a combined $643,477 from the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund for advanced research infrastructure, announced on Friday.

Faculty and student researchers conducting investigations in Trent's Water Quality Centre will benefit from a new state-of-the-art mass spectrometry instrument supported by JELF funding. Photo courtesy of Trent University.

The money allows the researchers to acquire advanced tools and equipment that will strengthen scientific investigation in fields of growing importance to Canada, including aging and dementia care, environmental contaminants and medical innovation, according to Dr. Cathy Bruce, Trent president and vice-chancellor

“The federal government is supporting important research for Canada – a nation that values knowledge creation, innovation, and productivity grounded in deep research,” she said. “Thanks to the Canada Foundation for Innovation, Trent researchers can equip campus spaces and labs with state-of-the-art tools and equipment that help attract world-class talent to the University and push discovery further.”

Psychology professor Dr. Raheleh Saryazdi is using the funding to support research in her Cognition, Health, Aging, and Technology (CHAT) Lab at Trent University, Durham. Research includes examining how sensory and cognitive changes affect communication as people age. Using tools such as eye-tracking equipment and a social robot, her team will study communication between people and how older adults interact with emerging technologies. Research findings will help inform new interventions for people experiencing hearing loss or dementia and support the design of more effective technologies for Canada’s aging population.

Chemistry professor Dr. Michael Burt plans to build a globally distinctive laboratory with a titanium-sapphire laser, allowing researchers to observe how complex molecules change during chemical reactions. Research at the Spectroscopy and Optics Lab at Trent Lightsource (SPOTLIGHT) will advance applications in greenhouse gas storage and medicinal chemistry and provide students with training on ultrafast spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and scientific computing.

Dr. Mary-Claire Buell, assistant professor in the Trent School of the Environment and Forensic Science, is using funding to acquire a new high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer to be housed in Trent’s Water Quality Centre (WQC), Canada’s most comprehensive mass spectrometry facility. The new instrument will advance the work of her 14-person research lab working to detect and analyze per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—known carcinogens often referred to as “forever chemicals’—and other emerging contaminants in freshwater and coastal systems.

“Modern scientific tools are essential to producing the reliable data that communities need to understand potential risks and consider approaches to mitigation,” said Professor Buell. “The new mass spectrometry equipment has greater sensitivity that will allow researchers to identify contaminants at very low concentrations and determine how much is present in water, soil and traditional food sources. The new instrument will help us train the next generation of researchers while producing evidence that communities can use.”

Shared access to the new mass spectrometer in the WQC expands research and training opportunities for other programs at Trent, including Chemistry, Forensic Science, Biology, Anthropology, and Physics disciplines, as well as for collaborators in government, other universities and the private sector. Over the past year, more than 75 faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students and post-doctoral researchers used facilities in the WQC supporting research across Canada and internationally.

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 Warn Public of 'Phone Provider Agent Scam' Circulating

The Peterborough Police Service is warning the public about a new scam that has been circulating over the past few weeks called the ‘Phone Provider Agent Scam.’

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

In each case, the victim has received texts or calls from third parties posing as legitimate agents of a cell phone provider, offering discounts and deals on new phones and devices, along with incentives to act immediately.

These third parties gain login credentials to the complainant's accounts by asking their security questions and personal information under the guise of ‘Identity verification.’ Scammers then purchase new model phones and devices using the victim's accounts without their knowledge and have them mailed to their homes by the legitimate phone providers.

Once the new devices are received by the victims, the third-party scammers will reach out again, advising that there was an issue and the wrong device or model was sent to them, and provide a ‘return shipping label’ to the victims, directing them to mail the newly received phones or devices back to the phone provider.  

The scammer then sells the product and the victims are on the hook for the full value of the phones/devices. 

The Peterborough Police are advising residents to remember that scammers can mask their identity and the phone number they are calling from, known as ‘spoofing’ their phone number so it appears to be your legitimate phone provider's contact number.

If an offer seems sudden, rushed or too good to be true in any respect, disconnect the call and call your legitimate phone provider to verify whether they were actually contacting you with the offer/promotion. 

Anyone victimized by an attempted or successful fraud or scam is asked to report the incident to the Peterborough Police Service through their online reporting portal.

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.