Shop Local This Holiday Season for a Chance to Win $1,500 in Peterborough County Gift Cards

By Scott Arnold

Peterborough County is giving shoppers another reason to keep their holiday spending close to home, with a new Shop-To-Win campaign offering weekly gift card prizes and a $1,500 grand prize.

Holiday Magic Shop-To-Win Encourages Residents to Shop Local and Support Peterborough County Businesses

The 2026 Holiday Magic Shop-To-Win campaign launches November 2nd, encouraging residents and visitors to support local retailers, restaurants and other businesses across Peterborough County during the holiday shopping season.

Every purchase at a participating business earns shoppers a ballot for a chance to win. There is no minimum spending requirement, so even a small purchase can count.

To enter, shoppers scan a QR code at a participating business to access an online ballot, fill it out, take a photo of their receipt and upload it with their submission.

Weekly gift card draws begin November 16th, with the grand prize package worth $1,500 in local gift cards to be drawn on January 6th, 2027. The deadline to submit ballots is December 31st.

Peterborough County Warden Bonnie Clark says the campaign is about recognizing the role local businesses play in communities across the region.

“Small businesses are the heart of our communities. They create jobs, sponsor local events, support community organizations and help define the character of our downtowns and villages,” said Clark.

The campaign encourages shoppers to look beyond traditional gift shopping and support local restaurants, independent retailers, service providers and attractions, helping keep more money circulating in the local economy.

For campaign details and a list of participating businesses, visit thekawarthas.ca/holidaymagic.

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

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Peterborough Business Owners Invited to Free Event on Planning Their Business’s Future

By Scott Arnold

A free breakfast event in Peterborough will help local business owners understand how to prepare for retirement, plan a business sale or pass their company on to the next generation.

Community Futures Peterborough and BDC Launch SOAR Succession and Valuation Series to Help Business Owners Plan for the Future (photo courtesy of community futures)

Community Futures Peterborough and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) are launching the SOAR Succession and Valuation Series to help business owners plan for a successful transition and give aspiring entrepreneurs insight into buying an existing business.

The series begins Tuesday, November 24th, at the Peterborough Golf & Country Club, bringing together business owners, succession experts and professional advisors for a morning of discussion and networking.

Succession planning can take years, but many business owners leave it until they are close to retirement or ready to sell.

“Successful transitions often begin three or more years before a sale takes place,” said Devon Girard, Executive Director of Community Futures Peterborough. “Through the SOAR Series, we want to give business owners the knowledge and resources they need to maximize business value, prepare the next generation of leadership, and create a successful transition strategy.”

The kickoff event will cover business valuation, succession options involving family members and employees, leadership development, financing and the legal considerations involved in transferring ownership. It will also offer guidance for people interested in purchasing an existing local business.

A highlight will be a fireside chat with Jillian and Ian Scates of Central Smith Creamery, who will share their experience with business transition. An expert panel will also feature Michael Riseley and Matt Holmes of Holmes Riseley CPAs and Tax Advisors, Nicole Truman of Fox Law and Jody Burnie of BDC.

BDC Vice President and Head of Community Banking Adil Hassam says business transitions can help preserve local jobs and create opportunities for new entrepreneurs.

“Nearly one in five Canadian businesses will change hands within the next five years,” Hassam said.

The event runs from 8am to 9:30am, with doors opening at 8am for breakfast and networking. Attendees will also learn about follow-up succession planning workshops planned for January through the Community Futures Peterborough and BDC partnership.

Registration is free, but seats are limited. Priority will be given to local business owners interested in succession planning and valuation, as well as people exploring the purchase of a business.

To register, visit the SOAR Succession and Valuation Series kickoff page on Eventbrite.

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

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Charges Laid On Peterborough Woman From April Fatal Hit-And-Run

The Peterborough Police Service Traffic Unit has laid charges after a six-month investigation into a fatal hit-and-run in April.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

At roughly 1:15 a.m. on April 16, the Peterborough Police Service responded to a collision on Monaghan Road near Albert Street in the City of Peterborough. As a result of the collision, a 42-year-old Peterborough man was taken to Peterborough Regional Health Centre where he was pronounced deceased. 

As a result of a six-month investigation, a 41-year-old woman from the City of Kawartha Lakes has been charged with the following: 

• Owner operate a motor vehicle on a highway - no insurance (Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act)

• Fail to report accident (Highway Traffic Act)

• Fail to remain (Highway Traffic Act)

• Fail to render assistance (Highway Traffic Act)

The defendant has been summoned to court and is scheduled to appear on Dec. 14.

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Peterborough Transit Service Changes Effective This Sunday (Nov. 1)

Peterborough Transit will implement service adjustments on some routes beginning this Sunday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Route 2 Chemong  

Minor timetable adjustments have been made to better align service.

Route 7 Lansdowne  

Route 7A will continue to operate through the Lift Lock Tunnel instead of transitioning to its usual route over the Maria Street Bridge due to upcoming construction.

Route 14 O’Tech Connect  

Route 14 O’Tech Connect will see several service adjustments based on customer and operator feedback.  

The first trip of the day will depart at 5:55 a.m. and operate as a shorter trip to Technology Drive. This adjustment provides a more direct morning trip and better aligns service.  

Regular weekday service will begin at 6:35 a.m., with the final trip of the day departing at 10:35 p.m.  

Route 14 connects the Peterborough Terminal, Memorial Centre, River Road, Bensfort Road, Neal Drive, Technology Drive and Willowcreek Plaza. 

Transit riders are encouraged to check route schedules regularly and monitor alerts for weather-related delays, service interruptions and cancellations. 

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Mayor Leal Responds After Graffiti Found on War Memorial at Confederation Square in Downtown Peterborough

By Scott Arnold

With Remembrance Day approaching, Mayor Jeff Leal says the Peterborough Citizens’ War Memorial must be treated with the dignity it represents after graffiti was reported at the Confederation Square site.

wet paint signs and plastic cover where the graffiti was on the war memorial at confederation square in downtown peterborough (photo by scott arnold)

Mayor Jeff Leal has spoken out after graffiti was discovered on the Peterborough Citizens’ War Memorial, prompting notification of the Peterborough Police Service.

In a statement issued October 28th, Leal expressed disappointment over the incident, noting the significance of the memorial as a place for the community to honour those who served Canada and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“It is deeply disappointing to see graffiti on the Peterborough Citizens’ War Memorial, a place of remembrance and reflection that holds deep meaning for our community. The Peterborough Police Service has been notified about the incident.

The Peterborough Citizens’ War Memorial stands as a lasting tribute to the courage, service and sacrifice of the men and women who have served our country. Our veterans deserve our respect and gratitude, and the memorial serves as an ever-lasting tribute to that service and to the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy today.

With Remembrance Day approaching, it is especially important that we honour this place, where our community comes together in reflection and remembrance. The Peterborough Citizens’ War Memorial must be treated with the dignity it represents.”

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

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Fleming College Opens Registration For Fully Funded Healthcare Training

Registration is open for Fleming College’s two fully funded health-care training opportunities in partnership with Scarborough Health Network (SHN).

The initiative is led by SHN, with Fleming College serving as the training partner, and is supported by a $2.2 million investment from the Government of Ontario through the Skills Development Fund Training Stream. Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

Starting in the winter of next year, the Accelerated Personal Support Worker training and Rural and Remote Nursing micro-credential will prepare new personal support workers and help current nurses develop specialized skills for rural and remote care.

The training opportunities include:

• Personal Support Worker - Accelerated (certificate): Participants will complete 12 weeks of theory-based instruction followed by a paid, 300-hour work placement. The accelerated format will prepare learners to enter the workforce quickly and confidently. 

• Rural and Remote Nursing (micro-credential): Registered Practical Nurses, Registered Nurses, and Nurse Practitioners will complete three asynchronous courses concurrently over 15 weeks. The training will help participants strengthen the specialized skills needed to provide care in rural and remote communities. 

Tuition is free for eligible participants. Personal support worker learners also receive paid placements and stipends and other supports will help eligible participants overcome financial and personal barriers to completing their training according to Fleming.

The College expects the project to train 80 new personal support workers and provide specialized training to 30 Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses. Recruitment will focus on eligible domestic participants, with targeted outreach to women, new Canadians racialized people and members of underserved communities.

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Public Invited to Douro Community Centre Grand Reopening This Saturday

The Township of Douro-Dummer invites residents, families, and community members to celebrate the grand reopening of the Douro Community Centre arena on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Photo courtesy of the Township of Douro-Dummer.

The reopening follows the completion of the arena’s ice surface replacement project since April.

The celebration will begin with welcome remarks from local government representatives and Douro Minor Hockey, followed by a free public skate for residents to enjoy the new ice surface. Guests can also enjoy a free community BBQ from Enbridge Gas, hot chocolate from Douro Minor Hockey, cookies from Brioche Bakery and Halloween treats from the Township’s Recreation Facilities Department.

The Township encourages families to wear Halloween costumes for the event but masks must not be worn while on the ice for safety purposes.

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MPP Dave Smith Relocating Action Centre to Reid Street Following Protest Disruptions and Expiring Lease

Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith is moving his Action Centre from Chemong Road to Reid Street late next month.

Dave Smith during the grand opening of his current constituency office in 2023 that is roughly 2,300 sq. on Chemong Road. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The new location is at 315 Reid St., the former home of the Canadian Hearing Society (across from Peterborough Cardiology). Nov. 26 is the last day of service on Chemong Road. The office will be closed the following day for the move and will reopen on Nov. 30.

According to Smith, the move is due to the end of the property’s lease and ongoing impacts from protests by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).

“We had 11 weeks of picketing out front of the plaza this summer by OPSEU,” he said. “They really tried to drag me hard into their contract negotiations; they even protested in front of my house multiple times this summer, upsetting my neighbours and making my wife feel unsafe in her own home.”

Smith added that the protests have also negatively affected nearby businesses which have no involvement with either party.

“OPSEU blocked the entrance to the parking lot and that hurt the other businesses and they had no role in the OPSEU contract,” he explained.

The new location has no other businesses in the building so any protests will not affect anyone else but his office, remarked Smith.

Smith’s office phone numbers and email contacts remain the same.

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Selwyn Township’s Official Election Results Are In: Here’s Who Will Serve on Council

By Scott Arnold

Selwyn Township has confirmed its 2026 municipal election results, with two contested ward council races decided and voter turnout reaching 17% across the township.

Ron Black was acclaimed as mayor of Selwyn Township for the 2026-2030 term. (Photo courtesy of Facebook via ron black)

Released Wednesday, October 28th, the official results confirm the winners of the October 26th municipal and school board election, which also saw several candidates acclaimed to their positions.

Selwyn Township Council Results

Ron Black was acclaimed as mayor, while John Boyko was acclaimed as deputy mayor.

Mary Coulas was acclaimed as Ennismore Ward Councillor (Ward 10).

In the two contested council races, Brian Henry was elected Smith Ward Councillor (Ward 20) with 1,071 votes, defeating Mark Eakins, who received 453 votes.

Nadine Robinson was elected Lakefield Ward Councillor (Ward 30), receiving 529 votes to Sue Amsbury’s 376.

Following the election, Black took to Facebook to thank Selwyn Township residents for their confidence in him as mayor and congratulate Robinson and Henry on their election victories. He also thanked Amsbury and Eakins for putting their names forward to serve the community, adding that he looks forward to working with the new council in the next term.

School Board Trustee Results

The official results also confirmed the following school board trustees:

• Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board: Mary Lou Wright was elected English-language public school trustee with 5,495 votes, ahead of Owen Post with 1,375.

• Peterborough, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board: Jennifer Leahy was elected English-language separate school trustee with 1,373 votes. Aaron Dorris received 255 votes and Edward Leerdam received 109.

• Conseil scolaire Viamonde: Erik Lapointe was acclaimed as French-language public school trustee.

• Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir: Marcellin Kwilu Mondo was acclaimed as French-language separate school trustee.

Voter Turnout in Selwyn

A total of 3,082 ballots were cast, representing 17% of eligible electors across Selwyn Township.

Turnout varied considerably by ward:

• Ennismore Ward: 572 ballots cast, with 11.2% voter turnout.

• Smith Ward: 1,595 ballots cast, with 15.3% voter turnout.

• Lakefield Ward: 915 ballots cast, with 35.2% voter turnout.

When Does the New Council Take Office?

The 2026-2030 Council term officially begins Sunday, November 15th. Members of the new Council will be sworn into office at the Township’s inaugural Council meeting on Tuesday, November 17th, at 3pm.

The meeting will take place in Council Chambers at the Township of Selwyn Municipal Office, located at 1310 Centre Line.

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

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Low-Income Senior/Persons With Disabilities Property Tax Assistance Program Applications Available

Applications for the City of Peterborough’s Low-Income Senior and Low-Income Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Assistance Program are available.

File Photo.

Qualifying applicants will receive a $424 tax credit on their tax accounts which will be applied to the February 2027 interim tax bill. Applicants who previously received more than a $424 credit will receive their pre-existing credit amount. 

Applicants can apply under one of the following qualifications: 

• Low-income senior aged 65 years or older  

• Low-income Senior aged 55-64 years of age  

• Low-income Disabled Person receiving benefits under the ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program) 

Applications are available on the City’s website or at Service Peterborough. Residents who received tax credits in 2026 will automatically receive a 2027 Property Tax Assistance application in the mail. 

The deadline for submitting this application is Feb. 5. 

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