Municipal and School Board Election Advance Voting Takes Place Next Wednesday

Advance in-person voting for the City of Peterborough 2026 Municipal and School Board Election will take place on Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Healthy Planet Arena.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Advance voting day gives voters the opportunity to cast their ballot in person before Election Day on Oct. 26. 

Voter notification cards include information about online and in-person voting options. Voters are encouraged to bring their voter notification card when voting in person. 

Peterborough Transit is free to ride to and from in-person voting locations. Voters can show their voter notification card when boarding the bus to access free transit. 

Accessible in-person voting equipment and an internet voting kiosk will be available at City Hall from Oct. 19 to Oct. 23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

On Election Day, in-person voting will be available from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at ward-specific voting locations: 

• Ward 1 – Otonabee: Healthy Planet Arena, 911 Monaghan Rd.

• Ward 2 – Monaghan: Westdale United Church, 1509 Sherbrooke St. 

• Ward 3 – Town: McDonnel Street Community Centre, 577 McDonnel St.

• Ward 4 – Ashburnham: Peterborough Lions Community Centre, 347 Burnham St. 

• Ward 5 – Northcrest: Northview Community Church, 1000 Fairbairn St. 

Voters must cast their ballot at an Election Day voting location in the ward where they reside.

Accessible voting equipment will also be available on Election Day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at City Hall. Voters from all wards can use this location. 

Online voting is available at peterboroughvotes.ca until 8 p.m. on Oct. 26. A video tutorial is also available on the website to guide voters through the online voting process. 

Eligible voters who have not received a voter notification card can access an electronic copy through the Online Voter Services portal at peterboroughvotes.ca. The portal can also be used to confirm registration, add or update voter information, find voting locations and view candidates.

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City Services on Thanksgiving Day Monday 2026

Many City services have modified hours, with some facilities closed for Thanksgiving on Monday.

Photo courtesy of Dave Ellis.

Art Gallery of Peterborough 

Art Gallery of Peterborough, 250 Crescent St., will be closed on Oct. 10 and 11 for an exhibit changeover. 

The Art Gallery of Peterborough will also be closed for Thanksgiving on Oct. 12.  For information about gallery exhibitions and programs, visit agp.on.ca  

City Hall 

City Hall offices at 500 George St. N., including Service Peterborough, Building Services, the Clerk’s Office and the Provincial Offences Office, will be closed on Oct. 12.     

Online services are available at peterborough.ca. Fine payments can be made online at peterborough.ca/POA.    

Water Services Customer Service will be closed on Oct. 12. For water services emergencies over the holiday, including watermain breaks, leaking hydrants, low water pressure, emergency water shut-offs, water quality concerns, or rental water heater issues, call 705-748-9300. For more information visit peterborough.ca/waterservices.    

Environmental Protection Division Laboratory 

The Environmental Protection Division Laboratory, 425 Kennedy Rd., will be closed on Oct. 12. The laboratory will resume accepting water samples on October 13 at 8 a.m. For information on services, hours of operation and water testing, visit peterborough.ca/watertesting.  

Parking Services 

Parking in City-operated parking garages, surface lots and on-street parking spaces is free on weekends and statutory holidays. The Parking Services office located in the King Street Parkade, 202 King St., will be closed on Oct. 12. Visit peterborough.ca/parking to find more information, including parking locations.  

Peterborough Museum and Archives  

Peterborough Museum and Archives, 300 Hunter St. E., will be open from noon to 5 p.m. on Oct. 12. Information about current exhibitions is available online at peterborough.ca/museum.    

Peterborough Public Library    

Peterborough Public Library, 345 Aylmer St. N., will be closed on Oct. 12.   

Library card holders can access the Miskin Law Community Complex branch, 271 Lansdowne St. W., between 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 12 by scanning their library card at the door and entering their PIN to access the library. Card holders can then browse books, pick up holds and check out items using the self check-out machines.   

Audiobooks, eBooks, eLearning and eMagazines can still be accessed by visiting ptbolibrary.ca/DigitalCollections.   

Information and digital resources are available online at ptbolibrary.ca.    

Peterborough Regional Airport 

Peterborough Regional Airport, 590 Skyway Dr., will operate from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 12. Visit peterborough.ca/airport for more information.     

Public Works 

Public Works can be reached at 705-745-1386. This line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.    

Recreation Facilities 

The following recreation facilities will be closed on Oct. 12:  

• Health Planet Arena, 911 Monaghan Rd.  

• Kinsmen Civic Centre, 1 Kinsman Way  

• McDonnel Street Community Centre, 577 McDonnel St.  

Miskin Law Community Complex   

Miskin Law Community Complex, 271 Lansdowne St. W., will be open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 12.  

Peterborough Memorial Centre 

The Peterborough Memorial Centre, 151 Lansdowne St. W., and the Grant Thornton Box Office, will be closed on Oct. 12.    
  
Tickets for Memorial Centre events are available for purchase online at memorialcentre.ca.   

Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre 

Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, 775 Brealey Dr., will be open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 12.   

The Recreation Facility Booking office will be closed on Oct. 12. 

Peterborough Visitor Centre at the Lift Lock 

Peterborough Visitor Centre at the Lift Lock, 353 Hunter St. E., will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 12.  

The Peterborough Visitor Centre will then shift to shoulder season hours beginning Oct. 13, 2026, following Thanksgiving and the end of the Trent-Severn Waterway navigation season. The Peterborough Visitor Centre will be open Friday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Oct. 16 to May 14, 2027. 

For more information, visit ptbotourism.ca/plan. 

Riverview Park and Zoo  

The Riverview Park and Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., including on Oct. 12.  

Guest Services/Gift Shop: Open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.     

Miniature Train Ride: Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hours may change due to weather and maintenance.   

For updates and more information, visit riverviewparkandzoo.ca.   

Social Services and Child Care Centres 

The Social Services office at 178 Charlotte St. will be closed on October 12. For information on Social Services, please visit peterborough.ca/SocialServices.     

Emergency shelter services remain open over the holiday. To access emergency shelter services outside of regular business hours, or on holidays, call the after-hours service at 705-926-0096.     

City-operated child care centres will be closed on Oct. 12.    

Transit 

Peterborough Transit will operate on a Sunday/Holiday service schedule on October 12. The Customer Service desk will be open from 9 a.m. to noon and from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Visit peterborough.ca/transit for details or call Transit Customer Service at 705-745-0525.     

Waste Collection and Facilities 

There are no changes to the curbside waste collection schedule on Oct. 12.    

The City/County Landfill at 1260 Bensfort Rd. will be closed on Oct. 12.    

The Hazardous and Electronic Waste Depot at 400 Pido Rd. will be closed. The Hazardous and Electronic Waste Depot’s normal operating hours are Wednesday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.   

For more information on collection schedules, visit peterborough.ca/wastewizard. 

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Mayoral Candidates Sit Down With PTBOCanada Ahead of the Municipal Election

By Scott Arnold

With municipal election day approaching, PTBOCanada sat down with each of the candidates running for mayor of Peterborough to give voters an opportunity to hear directly from the people looking to lead the city.

in an upcoming series of interviews starting Thursday, mayoral candidates for the city of peterborough sit down with ptbocanada ahead of the october 26th municipal election

PTBOCanada will be releasing a mayoral candidate interview each day until all of the candidates have been featured.

• Thursday — Brian Lumsden

• Friday — Jacob Méthot

• Saturday — Keith Riel

• Sunday — Michael Eamon

• Monday — Neil Morton

• Tuesday — Rebecca Schillemat

Note: There are seven mayoral candidates, but Rob Hailman has announced that he is suspending his campaign.

Online voting is now open and will remain available until 8pm on October 26th at peterborough.elections.vote/.

Advanced in-person voting will take place on Wednesday, October 14th from 10am to 8pm at Healthy Planet Arena, located at 911 Monaghan Rd.

On election day, Monday, October 26th, in-person voting will be available from 10am to 8pm. Voters should visit the location for their ward, as listed on their voter notification card.

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

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Rob Hailman Suspends Campaign for Peterborough Mayor

By Scott Arnold

Rob Hailman has announced that he is suspending his campaign for mayor of Peterborough, effective immediately.

mayoral candidate rob hailman put a statement that he will be suspended his campaign (photo courtesy of rob hailman, via hailman4mayor.ca)

Hailman says he will still attend commitments he has already made, including debates this week, but will conduct no further campaign activities.

In a written statement, Hailman said that after spending the past month campaigning while working two jobs, he has found that doing both has meant compromising his ability to campaign, his commitments to his employers and his community, and his health and well-being.

While Hailman is no longer campaigning, he remains a candidate for mayor and his name will appear on the ballot.

“Long before seeking election, I dedicated myself to learning about the issues facing our community, to bearing witness to the inequities and injustices in the structures and decisions of City Hall, and to speaking truth to power,” Hailman said. “It is clear to me that this, not elected office, is the best means for me to bring about the change I believe Peterborough needs.”

Hailman says he remains committed to advocacy and citizen engagement and encourages those who supported his campaign to continue that work.

Hailman’s full statement is below.

Statement From Rob Hailman Re: Suspension of Campaign

I have made the difficult decision to suspend my campaign for mayor of Peterborough, effective immediately. I will attend the events I have committed to, such as debates this week, and then will conduct no further campaign activities.

For the past month, I have sought to conduct this campaign while working two jobs. In recent days, it has become evident that this has meant compromising my ability to campaign, my existing commitments to my employers and my community, and my health and well-being.

Throughout the campaign, many people have told me they feel represented by my candidacy, as someone who knows first hand the struggle of today’s high rents and housing instability, as someone who works multiple jobs to make ends meet, or as someone who relies on a public transit system that is too often inadequate.

I have long known, intellectually, that the privilege to be able to take time off work, or to not need to work at all, confers a huge advantage during an election, and this affects both the perspectives we hear on the campaign trail, and the people we see in the council chamber. While my decision to end my campaign is a personal choice which I am wholly responsible for, I now understand those structural factors more deeply from my first-hand experience.

At the start of my campaign, I said that I didn't feel that the other candidates running for mayor shared my values. The intervening weeks have strengthened my certainty that this is the case.

I have attempted to express positions which offer an ambitious vision for better Peterborough than today’s status quo, but which are also based on a realistic view of the city’s finances and future outlook.

Throughout the campaign, I have heard promises, specifically around spending and taxation, which are not grounded in reality. At best, these promises will simply be broken. At worst, attempting to fulfill them could mean draining the city’s reserves, falling farther behind in maintaining our public infrastructure, and continuing to fail to address the city’s most pressing issues.

While I am no longer campaigning, I remain a candidate and my name will appear on your ballot. I encourage you to vote your conscience in this election, in whatever way you choose.

To my supporters, I am deeply sorry if I have disappointed you.

Long before seeking election, I dedicated myself to learning about the issues facing our community, to bearing witness to the inequities and injustices in the structures and decisions of City Hall, and to speaking truth to power. It is clear to me that this, not elected office, is the best means for me to bring about the change I believe Peterborough needs.

If my campaign has inspired or encouraged you, I ask that you join me in that work, as citizens and as neighbours, both today and long after election day.

With love and gratitude,
Rob

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

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$12,500 Raised for Cancer Care at PRHC Through Charity Golf Tournament

By Scott Arnold

A local charity golf tournament has raised $12,500 to support cancer care at Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

Meredith Kennedy, who recently completed cancer treatment at PRHC, hosted the Royal Service Charity Golf tournament to raise $12,500 in support of cancer care at the hospital. (Photo courtesy of Instagram, via prhc_foundation)

The Royal Service Charity Golf tournament held in September at the Black Diamond Golf Golf Club was hosted by Meredith Kennedy and the Meredith Kennedy Team at Royal Service Real Estate Inc. Brokerage, with the money raised going toward cancer care at PRHC.

The fundraiser was especially meaningful for Kennedy, who recently completed cancer treatment at PRHC and wanted to give back to the hospital and the community.

The donation will help PRHC’s cancer care teams access tools and technology that support the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, helping patients from across the region receive care close to home.

PRHC Foundation thanked Kennedy, her team and everyone who took part in, sponsored or supported the tournament for helping make the fundraiser possible.

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

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Four More NHL Alumni Join Battle of Ontario Game in Peterborough, Including Former Pete Dave Reid

By Scott Arnold

Four more NHL alumni have been added to Rivalry Night: The Battle of Ontario, including two former Senators and a former Peterborough Pete.

Former Peterborough Pete and two-time Stanley Cup champion Dave Reid will join the Maple Leafs Alumni team for Rivalry Night: The Battle of Ontario. (Photo courtesy of the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation)

The Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation and Peterborough Memorial Centre have announced that Wade Redden and Craig Anderson will join the Ottawa Senators Alumni team, while Todd Gill and Dave Reid have been added to the Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni roster for the November 6th fundraiser at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

The four new additions bring the announced alumni rosters to 16 players, with more names still to come.

Redden spent 11 seasons with the Senators after joining the organization as a rookie in 1996-97. He became an alternate captain and a key part of Ottawa's teams during the Battle of Ontario years, making two NHL All-Star Game appearances and helping the Senators reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2007. Redden was also the first player inducted into the Senators Ring of Honour.

Former Ottawa Senators defenceman Wade Redden will join the Senators Alumni team for Rivalry Night: The Battle of Ontario on November 6th. (Photo courtesy of the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation)

Anderson spent 10 seasons with Ottawa after being acquired during the 2010-11 season. He became the franchise's all-time leader in wins by a goaltender in 2017 and holds Senators single-season records for goals-against average and save percentage. He also won the Bill Masterton Trophy in 2017.

Former Ottawa Senators goaltender Craig Anderson is one of four new alumni announced for Rivalry Night: The Battle of Ontario. (Photo courtesy of the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation)

Gill spent 12 seasons with the Maple Leafs and was part of Toronto teams that reached the conference finals in the early 1990s. He played 19 seasons in the NHL before moving into coaching, spending 13 years behind the bench with AHL and OHL teams.

Former Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Todd Gill will suit up for the Maple Leafs Alumni team at the November 6th fundraiser. (Photo courtesy of the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation)

Reid brings a strong Peterborough connection to the Leafs alumni team. Born in Etobicoke, Reid spent his entire OHL career with the Peterborough Petes before going on to play 961 NHL games. He won Stanley Cups with the Dallas Stars in 1999 and Colorado Avalanche in 2001 and later returned to Peterborough as the Petes' general manager from 2010 to 2012.

The four new additions join the previously announced alumni.

Ottawa Senators Alumni: Mike Fisher, Chris Neil, Chris Phillips, Jason York, Shaun Van Allen, Marc Methot, Wade Redden and Craig Anderson.

Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni: Darcy Tucker, Nik Antropov, Rick Vaive, Gary Leeman, Steve Thomas, Todd Gill and Dave Reid.

Fisher is the latest Peterborough connection to join the event. Born and raised in the area, he played his minor hockey with the Peterborough Minor Hockey Association before playing for the Sudbury Wolves and spending nearly 11 seasons with the Senators. He later finished his NHL career with the Nashville Predators.

The complete rosters for both alumni teams are expected to be announced the week of October 12th, although rosters will be subject to change.

Rivalry Night: The Battle of Ontario takes place November 6th at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

Tickets are available now, including Meet and Greet packages with Fisher and the Senators Alumni or the Maple Leafs Alumni team, through the Peterborough Memorial Centre website.

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

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Ontario Government Funding Over 1,500 More Seats With $38 Million at Trent University to Prepare Students for In-Demand Careers

The Ontario government has invested $38 million to fund 1,504 additional seats at Trent University to connect more students to good-paying, in-demand careers, announced on campus on Monday morning.

Dr. Cathy Bruce, Trent president and vice-chancellor (right) and Nolan Quinn, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry MPP (left) making one of two funding announcements at Trent University on Monday. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

According to Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, this allocation, which is part of a broader $1.7 billion investment to support a total of 70,000 new seats, supports the province’s plan to protect Ontario and build a more competitive economy by continuing to develop a world-class workforce. He added that the high-demand areas receiving additional seats at Trent University include programs in STEM, health and trades, with seats available for student enrollment as early as the fall 2026 academic year.

“Our province’s greatest strength is our highly skilled workforce – and those workers are trained at our world-class colleges and universities,” said Quinn. “This investment is supporting the largest seat expansion in Ontario in more than a decade and will ensure more students have the opportunity to train for good-paying careers that protect and strengthen our communities, industries and province.”

This investment is part of the government’s $6.4 billion investment in the postsecondary sector, including $1.7 billion to fund more than 70,000 additional postsecondary seats in high-demand sectors at publicly assisted colleges and universities. This seat expansion is the largest postsecondary seat expansion in more than a decade and aims to help the province stand up to tariffs and economic uncertainty by building a highly skilled workforce to support the most competitive economy in the G7.

The government announced the allocation of the first 30,000 seats in May when it launched a call for proposals for the remaining 40,000 new seats. Colleges and universities worked with their local communities and industries to identify programs that will prepare students for in-demand jobs and meet regional labour market needs. Ontario evaluated proposals based on institutional capacity, local industry needs and student demand to ensure the greatest impact on workforce development and economic growth.

The 1,504 newly funded seats at Trent University include:

• 1,081 seats for STEM programs

• 163 seats for education programs

• 126 seats for health programs

• 134 seats in other labour-market driven programs

“Trent University welcomes the Priority Growth Fund announcement and the Ontario government's commitment to expanding access to university education,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, Trent president and vice-chancellor. “The Priority Growth Fund aligns closely with areas of strength and growing momentum at Trent. As a regionally responsive university, we are committed to preparing graduates to contribute meaningfully to their communities, workplaces, and Ontario's future economy.”

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Tampering Election Signs Can Lead to Charges Peterborough Police Say

The Peterborough Police Service reminds residents to respect election signs during the municipal election campaign as they could be charged for moving, defacing, or stealing them.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Police warn that these actions can be considered theft or mischief, which could trigger an investigation and lead to charges.

Candidates or their third-party advertisers are encouraged to report any incidents involving vandalism of campaign signs or campaign materials to the police service of their jurisdiction.

If it is an emergency call 9-1-1.  For other situations, you may call the non-emergency line or report online, where you can easily upload pictures and videos.

To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

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Free Seniors Skating Returns to Selwyn Township

The Township of Selwyn is bringing back free Seniors Skating at the Ennismore Community Centre and the Lakefield-Smith Community Centre for the 2026-27 skating season through sponsorship support.

Photo courtesy of the Township of Selwyn.

Swish Maintenance and Blue Diamond Window Cleaning have sponsored Seniors Skating in Ennismore, while Hendren Funeral Homes - a Division of Opus Tribute Group, is supporting the program in Lakefield.

Residents aged 55 and over can enjoy free public skating sessions throughout the season.

Seniors Skating sessions are available at the following locations:

• Ennismore Community Centre: Mondays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., excluding holidays.

• Lakefield-Smith Community Centre: Tuesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., excluding holidays.

For the full public skating schedule, visit selwyntownship.ca.

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Peterborough DBIA Making Downtown Spooky With Its Annual 'Halloween in the Booro' On Oct. 24.

Downtown Peterborough is getting spooky again, as the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) invites families to bring their costumes and grab their trick-or-treat bags for the annual ‘Halloween in the Booro’ on Oct. 24 from 4 to 6 p.m.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.

Over 50 local businesses throughout Downtown Peterborough and East City will welcome trick-or-treaters with decorated storefronts, treats and Halloween surprises. Costumed characters will roam George Street and surrounding blocks, while the Family Fun Zone will offer a Halloween-themed photo opportunity and costume contests for kids, adults and pets.

New this year after trick-or-treating is a free screening of Goosebumps at the Quaker Foods City Square at 6:30 p.m. This movie will be cancelled if it rains.

“Halloween in the Booro has grown into a real downtown tradition for local families, and we’re excited to keep building on it,” said Nour Mazloum, Peterborough DBIA executive director. “There’s something so special about seeing so many local businesses, families and community partners all get involved. Adding a movie this year extends the celebration beyond trick-or-treating and gives families one more reason to make a night of it downtown.”

World’s Finest Chocolate is helping bring Halloween treats to participating businesses throughout the event.

“Chocolate has a special way of bringing people together,” says Jennifer King, World’s Finest Chocolate’s director of Canadian sales. “We’re proud to support Halloween in the Booro and celebrate the local schools, teams and community groups that use fundraising to make great things happen all year long.”

Families can plan their Halloween in the Booro route using the official event map, available at theboro.ca and on Instagram and Facebook at @theboroptbo. The map identifies participating businesses, accessible entrances and family-friendly stops.

Halloween in the Booro is free and open to the public.

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