As the fall municipal election in Peterborough approaches, residents are asking candidates hard questions about their most pressing issues — including transportation.
The City of Peterborough began implementation of it 15-year Transportation Master Plan in 2022 including goals for road infrastructure, transit, and active transportation.
Online, Peterborough residents have been expressing discontent with the city’s public transit system, citing concerns such as poor vehicle cleanliness and maintenance, repeated cancellations and lateness, and the route system being inadequate. “The buses became so unreliable that I just stopped using them all together,” reads a post on the r/Peterborough Reddit page.
Municipal elections across Ontario will take place on Monday, October 26. As residents of a single-tier municipality, Peterborough voters will elect a mayor, two city councillors in each of the city’s five wards, and school board trustees.
Although incumbent mayor Jeff Leal has yet to declare whether he intends to run for re-election, six candidates have filed their nomination papers so far seeking the mayor’s chair: Michael Eamon, Brian Lumsden, Jacob Méthot, Neil Morton, incumbent councillor Keith Riel, and Rebecca Schillemat.
Meanwhile, seven incumbent councillors have already begun their campaign for re-election. With 18 first-time or repeat candidates fighting to take their roles, each seat will be hotly contested. 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 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 — and has published their responses verbatim: Ward 1 (Otonabee), Ward 2 (Monaghan), Ward 3 (Town), Ward 4 (Ashburnham), and Ward 5 (Northcrest).
kawarthaNOW has now contacted all registered ward candidates to ask for their position on key election issues, including to “explain your priorities for transportation and active transportation.”
kawarthaNOW asked each of the ward candidates to respond in email, and is publishing their answers verbatim with no editing.
As of the date of this story, responses have not been received from Jessica Correa (Ward 1 – Otonabee), Andrew MacGregor (Ward 4 – Ashburnham), or Charmaine Magumbe and Debbie Halstead (Ward 5 – Northcrest). kawarthaNOW has reached out to Aris Metaxakis, a Ward 2 – Monaghan candidate who registered after kawarthaNOW sent its questions to candidates, and will include his answers if he responds.
Ward 1 – Otonabee
Kevin Duguay
The City’s Official Plan, Transportation Master Plan and the Bikeways and trails Master Plan all serve to address transportation including active transportation.
Ensuring complete streets which allows for all forms of transportation in keeping with the established policy framework of the noted documents is critical. I support a balanced approach towards transportation including: Effective use of Public Transit; Upgrading of existing sidewalks-trails; Continuing with the City’s Road State of Good Repair Program (Road re-resurfacing); Planned Capital Projects (including Charlotte Street, Sherbrooke Street, Lansdowne Street at Clonsilla and Lansdowne Street at Park Street).
As a Rotarian, I have been directly involved in the advancement of the Rotary Greenway Trail and its companion series of other trail facilities throughout our City.
Lesley Parnell
Over the years we have adapted our approach to fix more roads faster with different program levels. Improving this infrastructure includes the active transportation components: transit, multi-use trails, sidewalks, bike lanes. Note — the standard for new construction is moving to dedicated spaces for all to separate vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. This is not an inexpensive mandated change on the capital or operating sides however, when cyclists and pedestrians feel safe, they will use the options more often. FREE youth transit will remove barriers for our youth and teach them to be lifelong transit users — worldwide. I am thrilled we achieved free youth transit this term.
Chris Potter
Transportation has to be practical.
People need roads that are safe and maintained, transit that works, sidewalks that are usable, and bike routes that actually connect to places people need to go.
I support active transportation, but it has to be built as part of a real network. A bike lane here and a trail connection there doesn’t do much if people still can’t safely get across the city.
I also think we need to be honest about transit. If we want people to use it, it has to be reliable, accessible, and useful for real life. That means getting people to work, school, appointments, groceries, and services without turning a simple trip into a full afternoon.
For Otonabee Ward 1, road safety, pedestrian safety, transit reliability, and better connections are big pieces of this, especially around schools, parks, busy intersections, residential streets, and areas where speeding or poor visibility is already a concern.
Ward 2 – Monaghan
Matt Crowley
Transportation planning is about making sure people can get where they need to go safely, efficiently, and in the way that works best for them.
For many people in Peterborough, that means driving, so maintaining our roads and bridges has to remain a priority. We’ve had to make significant investments in infrastructure over the past four years because delaying repairs only makes them more expensive in the future.
I think at the same time, we need to continue investing in things like sidewalks, trails, cycling infrastructure, and especially in our public transit. A strong transit system is good for our community because it provides an affordable transportation option for residents, helps connect people to jobs, education, or doctor’s appointments, and it also reduces congestion by giving people more choices in how they travel.
That being said, building and maintaining a strong transit system isn’t something our city should have to do alone. I’ll continue advocating for stable, long-term funding from the provincial and federal governments so we can improve service without placing the entire cost on local property taxpayers.
Quality transportation planning really isn’t about favouring one way of getting around over another. It’s about recognizing that different people have different needs at different stages of their lives. Whether our residents drive, take transit, walk, or cycle, they deserve safe, reliable infrastructure that helps them get where they need to go.
Ashley Flynn
Transportation isn’t about choosing cars over bikes or transit-it’s about creating a system that works for everyone.
My priorities are maintaining our roads, and speed limits, improving traffic flow, investing in safe sidewalks and cycling infrastructure, where it makes sense, and ensuring public transit continues to improve as our city grows.
I’m also a strong supporter of regional transportation opportunities like the proposed ALTO rail project. Better connections between Peterborough and larger economic centres should help to attract investment, create jobs, and make our city more accessible.
Rose Kitney
Again the transportation strategies in the City of Peterborough Official Plan Implementation Strategy need to be reviewed and revised to ensure this is an area that does not lag behind. Public transportation is vital for many people in the city to get to their place of employment, medical appointments, social activities, etc. Transportation in Peterborough is not a level playing field compared to other municipalities. The Official Plan includes active transportation improvements and as councillor for Monaghan Ward I would work to ensure transportation is continually addressed.
Jen Lacey
Transportation is all encompassing. It’s about connecting people to work, school, medical appointments, recreation, and each other safely, efficiently in a means that is affordable. Peterborough needs a transportation network that works for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, seniors, and people with disabilities.
Public transit is extremely important. Reliable, accessible, timely and affordable transit helps people get to work, school, medical appointments, and local businesses. For many people in our community, public transit is a necessity, and we need to treat it as such. Many seniors rely on public transit and live on a fixed income.
My priority is to improve the transportation system we already have so that people can go to their job and get their groceries while planning responsibly for future growth. That means investing in road maintenance, addressing congestion where possible, and ensuring infrastructure projects are coordinated to reduce unnecessary disruptions and make the best use of taxpayer dollars.
I support expanding active transportation where it makes sense. However, these investments should be based on community needs, clear planning, and meaningful public consultation to ensure they are practical and well used.
AJ Shearer
Council’s job is to make investments that improve the overall transportation network while recognizing that every decision involves trade-offs.
One of my priorities is protecting the infrastructure that is already built. By investing in rehabilitating our roads, sidewalks and bridges, we save taxpayer dollars over time as deferring maintenance almost always costs more.
Other than that, I support transportation investments that improve safety, connectivity and long-term value for the community. Each project should be evaluated on its own merits, balancing cost, community benefit and long-term sustainability.
Ward 3 – Town
Alex Bierk
I have been, and will remain, fully supportive of public transit and active transportation. As our city grows, people need safe, accessible, and affordable ways to move around Peterborough, whether they walk, cycle, take transit, or drive.
Jenni Cathcart
My priorities around transportation are straightforward: make it safer, more convenient and more transparent.
I want to take a hard look at whether our bus routes are working for the people who rely on them. That means talking to riders, reviewing the data, and making changes where they’re needed. I’d also like to see proper shelters built at the stops where routes connect — right now, transferring between buses in the rain or cold is an experience nobody should have to put up with.
As I mentioned in an earlier response, Alto high-speed would be a gamechanger for our city. Not only would high-speed rail increase our access to more job opportunities, but it would likely lead to new job creation and additional revenue streams.
Safety is a real concern, too. There are intersections in this city that have been dangerous for years — both for drivers and cyclists — that need to be addressed. And there are areas where a driver turning left creates a big back-up during school drop-off or pick-up times.
Finally, I hear from residents that they feel left in the dark when street construction happens in their neighbourhood. I want to change that. Better communication about what projects are upcoming, when projects are starting, how long they’ll last, and what to expect isn’t complicated — it’s just good governance.
Jessica Kuhlmorgen-Hille
I would love to work on a bylaw to allow for low-speed vehicle (LSV) use — including registration and proof of insurance with the city. I would like to propose shared bicycle lanes with LSVs on the roads, as well as divided trails, that allow a lane only for bicycles & LSVs, and a lane only for pedestrian traffic. Transportation affordability, and accessibility, are hot topics, and we, as a city, need to be open to growing with the needs of our citizens. It’s a great Green option addition as well. I want to ensure our bus system is as straight forward, easy to use and access, as possible. Countless complaints are still flooding social media about issues with the current system, so it would behoove us to really resolve these things once and for all. Our citizens deserve that much.
Joy Lachica
Active transportation and transportation mode-share are crucial elements in our city-building and urban design. Our commitment to our Official Plan, Transportation Master Plan and Cycling Master Plan in alignment with Climate Action Plan 2.0 speak in concert to these principles in having the most significant impact in lowering our greenhouse gas emissions to off-set the haste of climate change. As we urgently electrify fleets and/or use alternatives to fossil fuels, as we increase walkability, bikeability and tame our arterials we’re moving in better directions for all. Increased investment in transit and a city-driven public campaign to increase transit ridership is an easy and obvious next step to accelerate this emergent priority.
Ward 4 – Ashburnham
Gary Baldwin
Public transportation is an essential service. Many people depend of public transportation to get to and from work, school, appointments, and events. Over my 12 years on Council, I have consistently voted to support investments in public transportation and active transportation (bike lanes, walking trails). My priorities with respect to public transportation would be to provide safe, reliable, accessible, and timely service to patrons who use the service.
Ashley Bonner
My priorities for transportation and active transportation are to ensure residents have safe, reliable, and practical ways to get around, whether they drive, take the bus, walk, cycle, or use mobility supports.
We need to invest in transit in line with the City’s Transportation Master Plan, especially as Peterborough grows and our population ages. For many people, public transportation is a lifeline. It connects residents to work, school, medical appointments, groceries, services, and community spaces. If transit is unreliable or inaccessible, it creates real barriers in people’s everyday lives.
We need to be proactive about the way growth is changing transportation needs. The new Community Planning Permit System allows developers to provide cash-in-lieu for parking spaces in new developments. That means tenants will have fewer parking options, which will put more pressure on transit, sidewalks, cycling routes, and other alternatives to driving. If we know that shift is happening, then we need to invest now in the systems people will depend on.
That includes improving transit frequency and reliability, making routes more accessible, creating safer sidewalks and crossings, and building better connections for people who walk, cycle, or roll. This isn’t about being anti-car. Many people will still need to drive. It’s about making sure residents have real choices and that people who do not drive, cannot afford to drive, or choose not to drive are not left behind.
As a councillor, I would bring a neighbourhood lens to these decisions and listen closely to residents about where the gaps are, where safety concerns exist, and what would make the biggest difference in their daily lives. A strong transportation system helps create a more connected, affordable, and resilient community.
Jason Stabler
Whether you are driving, walking, cycling, or taking the bus, getting around Peterborough should be safe and accessible. I will work to ensure that every neighbourhood in this ward has the infrastructure to make that a reality, through thoughtful traffic calming, expanded and better connected sidewalks and cycling routes, and transit service that is frequent, reliable and convenient.
Ward 5 – Northcrest
Andrew Beamer
Speeding and cut-through traffic on our Northend residential streets continue to be a top concern for many residents. And with the significant residential growth in the Northend over the coming decade, speeding and cut-through traffic on our residential streets will only get worse.
During my time on Council, I have been a strong advocate for increasing capacity on arterial roads to take the pressure off our existing neighbourhood streets. The Chemong Road Widening Project is scheduled to begin in 2027, and the new Council must make this infrastructure project a top priority. This project is critical for Northcrest Ward growth, and it’ll help to ensure we keep traffic off neighbourhood streets in the area.
In addition, in 2020 City Council developed a Traffic Calming Policy that has now been implemented in several neighbourhoods throughout the City. In 2023 City Council launched the Drive Slow Ptbo campaign to bring awareness to road safety and established Community Safety Zones in School Areas. Although all positive steps forward, more work needs to be done to address the issue of cut-through traffic and speeding.
Phillip Jolicoeur
My transportation priorities begin with road safety in our neighbourhoods. Speeding remains a serious concern in Ward 5, particularly in family neighbourhoods where children are walking, cycling, and playing near busy streets. I support using traffic data and resident feedback to identify problem areas, followed by measures such as traffic calming, safer crossings near schools and parks, appropriate speed limits, and stronger enforcement in higher risk locations.
Active transportation must also give residents safe and accessible ways to move around the city. That means closing gaps in sidewalks, improving pedestrian crossings, connecting trails and cycling routes, maintaining them properly throughout the winter, and considering accessibility whenever roads are rebuilt.
Public transit is an essential public service, and I believe it should remain publicly operated. As Northcrest continues to grow, residents need reliable connections between established neighbourhoods, newer subdivisions, employment, schools, medical appointments, shopping, and the rest of Peterborough.
I would support funding transit in line with Peterborough’s Transportation Master Plan, along with clear public reporting on cancelled trips, on time performance, transfer reliability, and ridership by route and time of day. Peterborough already offers Sunday service and seasonal late-night service on selected routes. I would support using ridership patterns and local employment data to determine where those hours should be expanded, particularly for shift workers and residents in growing areas of Northcrest.
Paul Lawton
My transportation priorities are practical: safer streets, better-maintained roads and sidewalks, reliable snow clearing, sensible traffic flow, and targeted improvements where there are real safety concerns.
Active transportation can be part of a healthy city, but it should be approached practically rather than ideologically. Sidewalks, trails, crossings, and bike infrastructure should be safe, maintained, and designed in a way that makes sense for the area.
Many residents still rely on cars for work, family life, appointments, groceries, and church. The city should not punish drivers, but it should also make sure pedestrians, cyclists, seniors, and children can move through neighbourhoods safely.
Gavin Muir
Corridors like Chemong, Parkhill, and Water/George need to function as through-routes and as safe neighbourhood streets at the same time, and that requires deliberate, forward-thinking traffic planning rather than an afterthought. Congestion is already a problem, and we need to act quickly to catch up. Active transportation infrastructure — sidewalks, bike lanes, safe crossings — need to be built alongside intensification and new development with the future in mind, not added years later. Public transit is just as critical: it only works as real infrastructure if it’s convenient and reliable enough to compete with owning a car, not simply available as a backup option. That means pursuing every funding avenue available to us — provincial and federal included — to get there. I will be a strong voice on council to ensure that our city is advocating for every dollar we need.
Jim Wasson
Transportation for the city generally focuses on improving mobility while accommodating future growth. The key transportation and active transportation priorities for Peterborough would be to maintain and improve roads, reduce traffic congestion, and improve public transportation with a focus on service reliability and that would improve connections between neighbourhoods.
Active transportation includes walking, cycling, and other forms of human powered travel. That would include expanding cycling infrastructure, safer sidewalks, improving trail connections with better connections through neighbourhoods. Design transportation systems that work for everyone.
kawarthaNOW has reproduced written responses from candidates verbatim. Any errors, factual or otherwise, or any use of AI-generated content originate with the candidate.
