As the October 26 municipal election in Peterborough approaches, residents are asking candidates hard questions about their most pressing issues. While councils are responsible for a wide array of issues, economic development underpins all operating activities within a municipality.
Economic issues raised by local residents have included revitalizing the downtown core, support for small and local businesses, and the attraction of new employers and job opportunities.
As the city works on its first economic development strategic plan since assuming responsibility for economic development in January 2025 following the dissolution of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED), successful council candidates will be responsible for implementing and guiding the plan.
As of the date of this story, Peterborough has six candidates for mayor (Brian Lumsden, Jacob Méthot, Neil Morton, incumbent councillor Keith Riel, and Rebecca Schillemat) with incumbent mayor Jeff Leal still to declare his intentions.
Meanwhile, 24 people are competing for 10 councillor positions (two in each of the city’s five wards), including seven incumbent councillors and 17 first-time or repeat candidates. The nomination period is still open until August 21, so it’s possible even more candidates may decide to throw their hats in the ring.
As part of a multi-story series on the Peterborough municipal election, kawarthaNOW has already asked registered candidates in each of the city’s five wards — Ward 1 (Otonabee), Ward 2 (Monaghan), Ward 3 (Town), Ward 4 (Ashburnham), and Ward 5 (Northcrest) — to introduce their campaigns by answering three questions: why they are running, what the biggest challenge is in their ward, and what makes them a unique candidate for councillor.
Having published their responses verbatim, kawarthaNOW has now contacted all registered ward candidates to ask for their position on six key election issues, with the first question being, “How should Peterborough approach economic development strategies and opportunities?”
kawarthaNOW asked each of the ward candidates to respond in email, and is publishing their answers verbatim with no editing. Responses were not received from Jessica Correa (Ward 1 – Otonabee), Rose Kitney (Ward 2 – Monaghan), Andrew MacGregor (Ward 4 – Ashburnham), or Charmaine Magumbe and Debbie Halstead (Ward 5 – Northcrest).
Ward 1 – Otonabee
Kevin Duguay
I serve as the Chair of the City’s Economic Development Working Group. This Group provides helpful knowledge and direct experience benefitting many Economic Development programs and services.
The City has assumed direct responsibility for Economic Development (and Tourism). This initiative has led to several positive outcomes, including: Doctor Recruitment; Sports Tourism (Telus Cup, Prospects Game); Support of existing businesses; Re-opening of the Liftlocks Visitor Centre.
The City needs to draw sustained primary employment, gain access to additional services lands, make best use of the many and varied City attributes and to maximize the potential of the Peterborough Regional Airport. I wish to be part of the City Council that will ensure these matters are addressed and implemented!
Lesley Parnell
The current council & staff have made some significant moves towards positioning our sustainable growth. Numerous changes have happened in the planning division to encourage more housing including cutting in development charges in half. This move is intended to get shovels in the ground by builders, reduce the costs of these new homes for buyers and the city will be mostly reimbursed by the Provincial and Federal grants.
We have a vision to rejuvenate downtown IF we can work positively towards significant and essential private and upper-level government investment.
We continue to enhance our Community Well-Being with opportunities in the arts, sport, recreation, and community engagement for all ages. An active community is a happier, healthier community.
Plus, we have paid attention to the necessary infrastructure to sustain this growth – water, wastewater, stormwater, roads, active transportation and FREE youth transit. I consider policing and fire as essential Community Well-Being components. We continue to work with the Provincial and Municipal partners on employment lands.
All of this investment adds a solid community base, adds confidence and attracts more investment.
Chris Potter
Peterborough needs an economic development strategy that is realistic about what kind of city we are and what kind of city we want to become.
We need to support small businesses, attract good employers, protect and grow our industrial tax base, and make it easier for people to build, invest, and create jobs here.
Economic development can’t just be about ribbon cuttings and announcements. Those are fine, but they only mean something if they lead to local jobs, stronger tax revenue, and a city where people can afford to live and work.
We should be looking at sectors where Peterborough has a real advantage, including trades, clean technology, advanced manufacturing, agriculture and food systems, tourism, arts and culture, education, and health-related services.
We also need City Hall to be easier to deal with. If someone wants to open a business, build housing, expand a service, or invest here, the process should be clear, fair, and efficient. It shouldn’t feel like people are being sent through a maze before they can get a straight answer.
Ward 2 – Monaghan
Matt Crowley
What I have learned over the last four years is economic development isn’t just about “attracting businesses”, but it’s laying foundations and creating the kind of city where people want to invest, start a business, build a career, and raise a family.
One of the best ways to keep property taxes affordable over the long term is by growing our commercial and industrial tax base. When more businesses choose Peterborough, they create jobs, strengthen our local economy, and help reduce the pressure on homeowners.
We’re already seeing encouraging signs from everything we have been working towards over the last few years. The Financial Accountability Office of Ontario recently reported that Peterborough had the fastest pace of employment growth of any major urban centre in Ontario in 2025. That’s something we should all be happy about, but it’s also something we need to continue to build on.
I was proud to support bringing economic development back in-house because I believe it gives the City greater accountability and a stronger focus on attracting investment and supporting local businesses.
In spite of what you might see on social media, Peterborough has a lot going for it. We have excellent post-secondary institutions, a skilled workforce, a vibrant arts community, a great quality of life, beautiful parks, and a strategic location in the Province. Our job now is to keep that momentum going by supporting local businesses, attracting new employers, and making it easier for companies to invest here.
Economic development isn’t just about creating jobs today, but it’s about building a stronger, more financially sustainable Peterborough for the future.
Ashley Flynn
Economic development has to become one of Peterborough’s biggest priorities because it impacts almost every issue we’re facing.
We need to be far more aggressive in attracting new industry, supporting local businesses, and creating good-paying jobs. Growing our industrial and commercial tax base reduces the pressure on homeowners while giving the city more revenue to invest in roads, infrastructure, recreation, housing, and public services.
As a business owner, I understand what companies look for when deciding where to invest. I want Peterborough to be known as a city that’s easy to work with, welcomes investment, and is serious about sustainable economic growth. When our economy grows, our entire community benefits.
Jen Lacey
It should be approached in a balanced way. We need to support the local businesses that already are invested in Peterborough because that will create an environment that will attract new businesses. City Hall’s role is to support, not be a barrier. Using this approach will help create local jobs. We need to improve communication, streamline processes whenever possible and reducing unnecessary delays. Delays could mean the difference of a family being able to afford their groceries or not.
We need to further develop partnerships with local small businesses, the Chamber of Commerce, and post-secondary institutions. We need to ensure that our local infrastructure can support a strong workforce. We need to be fiscally responsible while also being clear with how decisions are being made.
AJ Shearer
Economic development is one of the best long-term affordability strategies available to council.
Peterborough relies heavily on residential property taxes to fund city services compared to other cities of its size. By attracting new employers, supporting local businesses and encouraging investment we can help expand our commercial and industrial base while creating good local jobs. The broader the commercial and industrial base becomes, the less the burden falls on homeowners as it has for quite some time.
The current council has begun taking steps to streamline approvals and recently reduced development charges after seeing that they had become a barrier to some projects. The next council should continue looking for practical ways to encourage investment while ensuring growth contributes to our city’s infrastructure and quality of life. This means ensuring we have serviced employment lands available, making development approvals as efficient as possible and continuing to promote Peterborough as a great place to invest.
By growing the economy responsibly, we will broaden our commercial and industrial assessment base, strengthening the city’s long-term financial sustainability which benefits us all.
Ward 3 – Town
Alex Bierk
I think Peterborough needs to rethink its approach to economic development. Too often, we look for a single, silver bullet approach, to relieve the tax burden on residential taxpayers — while the independent businesses, arts organizations, tourism sector, and community partners that already drive our local economy struggle to get the support they need.
Supporting our downtown, strengthening the arts and culture sector, and helping independent businesses succeed should be central to our economic development strategy.
Jenni Cathcart
I believe the best investments are the ones that pay for themselves over time through economic growth, a broader tax base, and reduced long-term costs. I see three opportunities that meet these criteria and could transform this city over the next five to ten years.
First, we need to expand Peterborough’s boundaries. Right now, our tax base is roughly 80% residential — far out of balance with the ideal ratio of 60/40. That’s partly because there’s very little land left zoned for commercial or industrial use. Expanding our boundaries would open up room for new businesses, create jobs, and take pressure off residential property taxes. This is a foundational fix that makes everything else easier.
Second, a new stadium and conference centre located near the waterfront downtown. This isn’t just about keeping the Pete’s in Peterborough — though that matters, too. It’s about giving our downtown an anchor that draws people in. Tourism already generates an estimated $277 million annually for our region. A modern facility would allow us to compete for conferences, events, and visitors we can’t attract right now.
Third, we need to get ahead of high-speed rail. The Province’s Alto high-speed rail corridor has the potential to connect Peterborough with Toronto and Ottawa — cutting travel times dramatically and making our city more attractive to commuters, businesses, and remote workers who want more space and a lower cost of living. Cities that are ready when the investment arrives get the jobs, the growth, and the spinoff development. That means having our zoning, infrastructure plans, and station-area vision ready to go — so that if and when the government gets to “yes,” Peterborough isn’t scrambling to catch up. We should be shovel-ready before we need to be.
Jessica Kuhlmorgen-Hille
With open minds, and the willingness to learn from other areas who have been more successful than we have. Our current strategy has not been successful, as we have lost thousands of full time jobs in the past few years. We need to focus on ensuring our current small businesses have what they need to grow, and that larger companies feel secure — confident even, about not only remaining here, but expanding here — willing to put in long term investment for generations to come.
Joy Lachica
As Economic Development co-liaison via the Infrastructure Planning and Growth Management Portfolio, I believe and always underscore the importance of communication, transparency and fostering a collaborative approach to priority-setting and strategic planning. Strategic planning requires an essential tier of community input. Such an approach ensures clarity for council, staff and the public and establishes a common understanding of key opportunities and setting the best way forward. Quarterly reports by the Economic Development division to Council are important, especially since bringing this division newly in-house.
Ward 4 – Ashburnham
Gary Baldwin
As you know, the City of Peterborough has brought the economic development portfolio in-house. The goal of any economic development program is to implement strategies that will improve the city’s economic well-being and quality of life. As a member of Council, I have been supportive of trying to create an environment that will facilitate job creation. This term, Council approved cross-border servicing in an effort to attract business and bring jobs to the Peterborough region. An increase in jobs is a tangible measure of how healthy our community is. To further address job creation, it is imperative that Council continue toward the acquisition of strategically-located serviceable employment lands.
Ashley Bonner
Peterborough needs to approach economic development in a way that is realistic and rooted in what is already happening here.
Of course, we should be looking for new opportunities, new investment, and good jobs. But we also need to better support the businesses and organizations that are already part of our community. Small businesses, local employers, tradespeople, entrepreneurs, artists, farmers, and non-profits all play a role in our local economy, and they need to feel like the city is working with them, not making things harder.
To me, economic development is also connected to everyday life. If people can’t find an affordable place to live, can’t get to work reliably, or businesses can’t find staff, that affects the whole local economy. So when we talk about economic development, we also have to talk about housing, transit, childcare, infrastructure, and affordability.
Peterborough has a lot to build on. We have strong neighbourhoods, local talent, post-secondary institutions, a thriving creative arts and culture scene, tourism, agriculture, and a growing interest in green and sustainable industries. We need to focus on those strengths while remaining open to new ideas and partnerships.
Economic development shouldn’t just be about chasing the biggest project; it should be about building a local economy that is steady, diverse, and benefits the people who live here. That means listening to business owners, workers, and residents, removing barriers where we can, and making decisions that support both growth and quality of life.
Jason Stabler
I am committed to supporting the growth of local businesses and tourism initiatives and developing the infrastructure needed to attract new investment. I also believe that the arts and cultural sector — the galleries, venues, festivals, and creative community that give this city so much of its character — deserves to be recognized and supported as the serious economic and social contributor it is.
Ward 5 – Northcrest
Andrew Beamer
Securing employment lands and attracting new industry needs to be the city’s top priority. This would create jobs for our community, secure long-term local prosperity, and provide much needed property tax revenue. We need to grow our commercial/industrial tax base to provide much needed relief for the residential taxpayers. There is only so much we can put on the backs of the property taxpayers, and we have reached that limit. Securing additional commercial/industrial tax revenue will take the pressure off residential taxpayers and will allow us to further invest in important infrastructure projects and services to move the city forward. Securing employment lands is vital for the growth of the entire region.
City Council needs to collaboratively work with our regional neighbours and must advocate for Provincial assistance. Also, I will continue to support and vote in favour of employment land opportunities like I did in December 2021 when I supported an annexation offer from Cavan Monaghan that would have created a new 272-acre industrial park which would have provided the City employment lands for the next 30 years.
Phillip Jolicoeur
Peterborough should approach economic development by building on its existing strengths while making sure we are genuinely ready for new investment.
For more than 20 years, I have worked alongside small businesses, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, tradespeople, artists, tourism operators, and community organizations. I understand how much people risk when they choose to open or expand a business.
Economic development is not handled by one department. It is connected to housing, infrastructure, transportation, planning, tourism, workforce development, and how efficiently the City responds to investment opportunities.
I propose an Investment Readiness Report that would bring existing City work into one clear public document. It should identify where Peterborough is prepared to compete, where gaps remain, and what Council should prioritize next. If a company wanted to invest here and create hundreds of jobs, we should be able to clearly explain what we can offer, how we can make the processes simpler for those who are serious, and welcome industry with open arms.
We must also support businesses already operating here. Tourism, arts, culture, sports, and events should be treated as economic drivers. Success means more investment, stronger local businesses, good jobs, and a city where people can build their future.
Paul Lawton
Peterborough should focus on the conditions that allow families, workers, small businesses, and employers to thrive.
That means safe streets, clean public spaces, reliable infrastructure, reasonable taxes, predictable approvals, and a City Hall that does not make it harder than necessary to invest, build, hire, and grow here.
Economic development should not be reduced to slogans or large announcements. The basics matter. If roads are deteriorating, public spaces feel unsafe, costs are unpredictable, and approvals are slow or unclear, that hurts economic confidence.
The city should support small business, reduce unnecessary red tape, make better use of employment lands, and be honest about the infrastructure needed to support growth.
Gavin Muir
Economic development isn’t a nice-to-have for Peterborough — it’s a matter of survival. Our residential tax base alone cannot carry this city forward. We need a real, thriving economic engine to share that load and that has been missing in our city for a long time. That’s why I have real reservations about how we brought economic development in-house. For over 25 years, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development gave the city and county a shared structure for pursuing growth together — when the city chose not to renew that agreement, it effectively forced the county’s hand too, and that shared regional structure no longer exists. “Control” over our own division doesn’t mean we have all the skills, ideas, or relationships that real economic development requires.
Opening up development lands or offering sweetheart deals isn’t a strategy, it’s a bidding war we can’t win against bigger cities with deeper pockets — and it’s an approach that’s let us down before. Businesses aren’t drawn here by acreage and perks alone. They’re drawn by mature partnerships and a genuine ecosystem: a place where post-secondary institutions, business leaders, arts and culture, and social service providers are all contributing fresh ideas, not working in isolation. That’s what actually attracts investment, and it’s what convinces employees this is a place they want to build a life, not just take a job. Peterborough won’t earn that reputation by acting alone, or by settling for what’s easy — we’ll earn it by building something genuinely innovative, together.
Jim Wasson
This is a bit of a complex question with no one direction that fits all. Having said that Peterborough should be “Open For Business”. A successful strategy should focus on creating good jobs, expanding the tax base and ensuring growth benefits all neighbourhoods, including Northcrest Ward. That would include supporting existing businesses, attracting new investment, building a skilled work force, revitalize commercial area, investing in infrastructure, and promoting tourism. All this which would help in tackling the unemployment rate for the area.
kawarthaNOW has reproduced written responses from candidates verbatim. Any errors, factual or otherwise, or any use of AI-generated content originate with the candidate.
