As a 21-year-old Trent University student, Peterborough mayoral candidate Jacob Méthot knows what people are saying about him. But his steady belief in municipal politics and quiet enthusiasm for the campaign remain undeterred.
“If Peterborough has seen what ‘experience’ can do, then I think they’re willing to give me a chance,” said Méthot in a recent interview with kawarthaNOW.
Méthot is one of five candidates for mayor in Peterborough, having filed his nomination paperwork on May 4, with the other four being Michael Eamon, Neil Morton, incumbent councillor Keith Riel, and Rebecca Schillemat. Incumbent mayor Jeff Leal has yet to declare his intentions.
Increasing engagement of students and young voters in municipal politics
Méthot is the youngest candidate in the election so far, and the only one to run while being a full-time student. He is currently in his fourth year at Trent University studying English Literature.
As a life-long resident of Peterborough, Méthot decided that 2026 was the moment to take action on the challenges he has seen in his hometown.
“I can either sit back and complain or I can participate in the change and try to be a part of it,” he said.
According to Méthot, his platform priorities include increased transparency at council, more comprehensive public transportation, and meeting the demands of the housing market while prioritizing affordability and access to entry.
“I don’t know many people that are satisfied with the current state of things — I’d like to shake that up,” he said.
Another of his priorities is to increase engagement with council and municipal politics among demographics that typically see lower turnout at election time. Students and young voters are central to this strategy and to Méthot’s campaign.
Canadian students who attend post-secondary education in a municipality other than their home locality are permitted to vote in multiple municipal elections. However, this is not widely known among eligible student voters, Méthot pointed out.
“I think it’s important to recognize that Peterborough has a large student body that should be heard just as much as everybody else, because they do usually intend to stay in Peterborough and participate,” he said.
Speaking further to the importance of engaging and enfranchising students, Méthot said that many students feel disconnected from the city and the activities of council and often feel their voice is not represented at the council level.
“I think it’s important to bridge that community gap, especially with Trent University being a little bit removed sometimes from the actual downtown core and from community,” he explained.
Although Méthot himself was raised in Peterborough, he also recognizes that for many students there is a sense of being an “outsider” in the community and they do not feel integrated into the city at large.
Affordable housing and job opportunities to keep young people in Peterborough
Having spent time canvassing on campus, Méthot has learned which municipal issues are important to students, including transit, housing, and the job market.
“I think as a student, the biggest barrier that is facing everybody is housing — how you’re going to afford to live within Peterborough — and connected to that is the job market,” said Méthot.
In particular, Méthot identified the shift in Peterborough’s economic landscape away from large industry without sufficient alternative opportunities, leaving students struggling to find jobs following graduation.
“There is no GE. There is no Lufthansa. There is a significant shift away from large companies and you need to focus on local business to support that,” he said.
Furthermore, Méthot said that there has not been enough recognition by council and local leaders to the impact of this change and how young job seekers are being made to adapt to a rapidly changing market.
“We don’t have large industrial sector anymore,” said Méthot. “This is a different job market — a different economic structure — than what they’re used to living in Peterborough.”
In addition to working to engage transplant students who may be intending to live in Peterborough long-term, or even just for the duration of their studies, Méthot also spoke about the importance of ensuring that Peterborough is appealing to young people who have moved away for schooling.
“They can go to Toronto or they can go to Guelph for their university program, but draw them back with opportunities in their home,” said Méthot.
“I know a lot of people feel the draw of Peterborough, some other candidates included. After they leave for a while, they want to come back. I think that speaks to what Peterborough leaves within people, and how important it is to realize that it’s a special place and it needs to be a special place.”
A ‘no cost, no spend’ campaign representing all Peterborough voters
Although Méthot is perceived as “the student candidate,” he is clear that his campaign is inclusive of all Peterborough residents. With retirees making up a large proportion of Peterborough’s population, Méthot spoke about how his campaign will engage older residents.
“What I’m offering is a fresh perspective,” he said. “I think a lot of retirees and a lot of older residents within Peterborough would like to see change.”
Méthot said that retirees are being “pinched” by taxes and the cost of living crisis, causing them to be unable to participate in the community or economic development for the city.
“I’m hearing a lot of people that feel like they’re being pushed and that Peterborough doesn’t want them,” said Méthot. “I want to represent an idealistic perspective that Peterborough is for them, just as much as it is for the growing economy.”
As part of Méthot’s commitment to transparency and accountability, he is running a “no cost, no spend” campaign. He explained that this means he is neither accepting donations nor is he spending on campaign-related expenses.
“Peterborough’s voice needs to be listened to, rather than their pocketbooks,” he said.
Concerns with out-of-region campaign donations
Méthot also said that, having reviewed past campaign financial documents, he is concerned by the number and value of contributions made to candidates by donors and businesses outside of the Peterborough area.
In municipal elections, individuals may donate up to $1,200 to a single candidate up to a maximum of $5,000 across all elections.
“These candidates speak about representing Peterborough when they actually are taking large donations from people as far as Toronto and the GTA,” said Méthot. “I think it’s really disheartening and sad to see that they’re not accepting donations from people who live in Peterborough and listening to their voice.”
For Méthot, municipal candidates receiving large contributions from out-of-region donors pushes out local resident voices and ultimately prioritizes the financial position of large companies.
He questioned whether a large developer from Toronto that makes a campaign donation is “intending to target Peterborough as a potential investment site rather than what it is, which is a community which is very diverse and not just a way for them to make a profit.”
“What does that mean for Peterborough’s voice?” he asked.
Furthermore, Méthot said that as the cost-of-living crisis is a key part of his campaign, he will not be asking individuals for donations.
“It’s disingenuous to say ‘We need to lower the cost of living — can you give me $5?’ It’s not really a honest campaign to represent Peterborough’s voice.”
Ultimately, Méthot said he is only beginning his work in municipal politics and has no plans to stop.
“Regardless of the outcome, I like to walk the walk as much as I talk the talk. I will stay involved in municipal politics and I will stay involved in the political sphere as much as possible.”
