As seven candidates compete to become Peterborough’s next mayor in the municipal election on October 26, kawarthaNOW is asking the contenders to outline their plans for the economy, housing, taxes, and leadership at city hall.
Economic development is a fundamental priority of the mayor’s office, but voters want to know what candidates will actually do to drive growth in Peterborough.
With incumbent mayor Jeff Leal not running for re-election, the seven certified mayoral candidates are Michael Eamon, Rob Hailman, Brian Lumsden, Jacob Méthot, Neil Morton, incumbent Ashburnham Ward councillor Keith Riel, and Rebecca Schillemat.
Having conducted in-depth interviews with six of the seven mayoral candidates to introduce their campaigns (with Brian Lumsden to be interviewed soon), kawarthaNOW has asked the candidates to go on the record about the most pressing election issues.
On the topic of economic development, candidates were asked two questions: “What should Peterborough’s two highest economic-development priorities be, and what would you do during your first two years to support job creation and local business growth?” and “What two actions should the next council take to strengthen downtown Peterborough’s economy, public safety, and quality of life?”
kawarthaNOW is publishing the responses from the seven candidates verbatim.
What should Peterborough’s two highest economic-development priorities be, and what would you do during your first two years to support job creation and local business growth?
Michael Eamon
Job growth is the overarching priority as it will help address other issues, including poverty and homelessness, additional revenues for infrastructure and a more equitable redistribution of the property tax ratio. No mayor and council can create jobs, but they can foster the right environment for economic growth. Several concurrent actions are needed; however, two largest priorities to get there would be:
A. Building bridges with Peterborough County and Townships. Peterborough is not an island and we need to re-establish a regional vision for economic development. The city needs to work with surrounding Cavan-Monaghan, Otonabee South Monaghan and Selwin townships to find mutually beneficial solutions to expand employment lands. We need to enhance and grow upon our current strengths. Agri-business, aviation, warehousing and supply chain management, environmental and electrical engineering, high tech, should be pursued. In particular, we need blue-collar, entry-level jobs. We also need next-level positions to keep workers, and their families, in the region.
B. Peterborough has shifted away from its industrial roots and now the largest seven employers are in the public sector (such as Trent, Fleming, PRHC, school boards, the MNR and the City). Another priority would be to create a city-led Group of Seven Committee with these institutions. The goal would be to establish a shared economic vision, break down barriers to collaboration and create more jobs in the short term. All these institutions share similar provincial obligations regarding accessibility, service delivery, etc. They hold land and have facilities maintained in whole, or part, by public funds. This task force would emphasize working together, sharing resource, and job creation.
Rob Hailman
The two biggest ways a municipal government can promote economic development are by being reliable for business to work with, and by fostering great communities to live in. Where senior management wants to live, or spend a lot of time, is often a major factor in where businesses choose to relocate or expand to.
To the first priority, we must look to streamlining permitting processes and keep the cost, in time and money, of dealing with the city low and predictable. To the second, we must understand that investments in arts and culture, in recreation, in housing and in transit are all themselves investments in economic development.
Brian Lumsden
Keep taxes low and clean up the streets. There is an in-house committee specifically for economic development; make sure our tax dollars are getting the desired results.
Jacob Méthot
Peterborough’s approach has to be realistic. We can’t expect a couple of giant corporations to come and save the day. Instead, we need to focus on developing what is already here. The focus of my campaign is twofold.
The first priority is communication. This includes the creation of a retention and expansion program for businesses that would involve regular meetings with local employers. Understanding their needs, wants, and struggles is part of the solution to allowing more small businesses to thrive. Part of this program would include making more information available and accessible to businesses in a readable format that is easy to understand. The city also needs to listen to what these large employers need, and if they feel the need to leave, understand what the City has done to fail them. Orienting the City around the future job markets and most potential for long-term growth is also important. A focus needs to be placed on under-utilized and underdeveloped properties with a higher property-tax rate applied to these when needed to incentivise development.
The second priority is comfort. Businesses want to be able to make money, that’s only possible if it is easy for people and supplies to get to them and comfortable enough for them to spend their money there. Beautifying the downtown with an expanded district of flowers and having a transparent cleaning program in place is part of that. Allowing more opportunities for events, sports-tourism initiatives, and supporting the regional airport which is growing even faster than expected would bring even more dollars into the community.
Neil Morton
First, we must do a much better job of attracting new industry and high paying jobs to secure long-term prosperity to this community which will increase the commercial/industrial and residential assessment base — a key revenue stream that takes the pressure off existing taxpayers by adding new ones. This includes increasing the supply of industrial land and collaborating with Peterborough County and neighbouring townships to develop new opportunities — regional cooperation is paramount. As well, we need to be laser focused on retaining business, which means providing great customer service support from city hall — and gratitude — when they want to grow and expand. To make the process more seamless, we will be implementing a Planning and Building Permit Service Guarantee for all applications, ensuring builders, developers and the public receive predictable timelines and accountable customer service.
We need to anchor the revitalization of the waterfront at Del Crary and downtown by partnering with the private sector and other levels of government to develop a multi-purpose sports, entertainment, and convention centre, using a financing model that doesn’t place any additional burden on property taxpayers. This will be one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken in the city’s history and will serve as a catalyst for economic development and the revitalization of both the waterfront at Del Crary and the downtown. The facility and surrounding projects will also increase our commercial and residential assessment base. It would spur the growth of the hospitality industry in that area, be a stimulus for new housing projects and create far more pedestrian traffic to and from the downtown. This would be great for the Petes as well as the Peterborough Lakers and for other local soccer, lacrosse, hockey, skating, and arts and culture organizations to make use of throughout the year at an affordable cost. As well, it will attract small to medium-size conventions whose participants will create economic activity for local businesses. It would also attract top-notch promoters to want to bring music acts and theatrical productions here from around the world. I would also envision a public square outside the facility with a PTBO Landmark sign and art installations where people can gather before events with entertainment like buskers and jugglers.
Keith Riel
My first priority is making Peterborough easier to invest in and do business with. My second is putting the assets we already have, employment land, Cleantech Commons, our creative sector and our institutions, to work creating jobs.
I’ll make Economic Development a direct priority of the mayor’s office. Businesses should have one front door, one point of contact and a clear timeline, not be bounced between departments.
I’ll meet with at least one local business every week to ask what’s working, what’s getting in the way and what the City can reasonably do to help.
We also need to pursue opportunities more aggressively. Taxpayers have invested millions in Cleantech Commons. It’s time to see results. Ontario attracts billions in film, television, and commercial production — Peterborough should be competing for its share. Our arts and cultural sector is also an economic driver and should be treated like one.
The test is simple: are businesses growing, investments happening and people getting good jobs?
Rebecca Schillemat
Priority 1: Support Existing Business Expansion and Downtown Vitality
- Promote gentle densification and mixed-use infill development to boost municipal revenues and support public infrastructure.
- Review Central Area CIP incentives and redirect funds into high-impact initiatives like storefront renovations, commercial tenant assistance, and rapid-response clean-up teams.
Priority 2: Attract New Investment and Expand Serviced Employment Lands
- Partner with the County of Peterborough and surrounding townships to finalize agreements for expanded industrial lands and recruit supply-chain partners.
- Streamline municipal planning processes by assigning dedicated project stewards and establishing predictable timelines to reduce approval delays by 25% in the first term.
- Leverage local institutional partnerships with Trent University including Clean Tech Commons and Fleming College to drive research, innovation, startup incubation, and green energy projects.
What two actions should the next council take to strengthen downtown Peterborough’s economy, public safety, and quality of life?
Michael Eamon
Peterborough deserves a renewed and revitalized downtown that is a commercial and cultural hub for the region. Achieving this will require a consistent and focused effort, engaging a large range of stakeholders.
My first action would be to create a dedicated, inter-departmental Downtown Task Force focused on the downtown, reporting directly to CAO and mayor. The task force will bring together all city departments that provide services in the downtown as well as the DBIA. The goal is to improve communications between the DBIA and city staff, as well as to reduce red tape ensuring a rapid response to issues of maintenance, cleanliness and safety.
I would create a Mayor’s Committee of Downtown Stakeholders to bring together business leaders, landlords, shelter and health-care workers, residents, and staff to encourage productive conversations and shared information. City staff will be asked to look at the implementation of concrete solutions to grow business, make the downtown more accessible and ensure a sense of safety, including:
- A yearly report on the types of commerce and activity that exist downtown with market segmentation and other information that can be used to attract new businesses.
- An acceleration of the Official Plan goal to “intensify” downtown with both residential and commercial development.
- Development of a “Friends of Downtown” association that, with the Downtown Task Force, gains residents’ support and fosters new ideas, such as a yearly “Spring Cleanup” and other promotions.
- Expansion of “clean teams,” re-establishment of police foot patrols, and re-establishment of roving mental health and addiction teams to ensure continued cleanliness, safety of downtown areas and wellness of residents.
Rob Hailman
Many of the challenges facing downtown are issues of perception. Actual public safety downtown, and its perception by people who choose not to visit downtown, are two separate but related issues. Much of the positive action the municipality can take relates more to perception.
Changes in city policy around insurance and risk management have made it progressively more difficult for businesses and cultural organizations to hold events downtown, and council should take steps to reverse this trend, allowing more partners the opportunity to give more people reason to visit downtown for special occasions.
At the same time, much of the crime that does occur downtown are crimes of opportunity and desperation. That is not a problem that can be rebranded away, and in my opinion closely related to the housing crisis. The next council must take decisive action toward solving homelessness and promoting housing affordability in all its forms.
Whatever actions are taken, the city too often forgets that downtown Peterborough is a densely-populated working class residential neighbourhood. Those voices must be heard in order to find real solutions to issues downtown.
Brian Lumsden
Investigate the business practices of One City. Reclaim the trinity church and move One City’s drug hub outside of the city. I want a long term plan in place in cooperation with the health department, police department and city hall.
Jacob Méthot
The two issues I hear most from residents, businesses, and visitors to downtown is parking (including getting ticketed before you walk to the machine) and the problems surrounding homelessness, mental health, and addiction. The first of these problems needs to be addressed with greater leniency and communication around parking. If people get punished for spending money in downtown Peterborough, they won’t return.
The second solution is most crime is a solitary crime, ones that happen when nobody is around. When people are around, foot traffic especially, people don’t feel comfortable committing crime. Peterborough needs a coordinated downtown team focused on visible public safety, mental-health and addiction outreach, bylaw enforcement, cleanliness, lighting and rapid response to problem properties. A joint-organizational approach is needed. The goal isn’t simply more enforcement, it’s making sure that people who live, work and visit downtown feel safe while connecting vulnerable residents with the services they need.
Neil Morton
The downtown and its businesses/residents are the heartbeat, epicenter and nourishment of this community, and as such I will advocate for it and have its back. Our downtown belongs to all our residents, and I will work to ensure people have the opportunity to work, live and enjoy our downtown in a safe and secure manner. As such my first action will be launching a Downtown Ambassador Program to provide a friendly, visible, and caring presence that enhances the downtown experience for residents and visitors alike to make it safer. Knowledgeable ambassadors would greet visitors, assist shoppers and tourists, provide directions and local information, and report maintenance concerns and other public safety hazards. Team members with specialized training would also help connect individuals experiencing homelessness or mental health challenges with appropriate community services. In addition, we will make residents feel more engaged with the downtown by a) launching real-time Downtown Response App that enables residents to report property standards, maintenance, and cleanliness issues by submitting photos directly to City staff, and b) establish the Peterborough Proud Program, a city-led initiative that encourages citizens to take pride in their downtown through programs such as adopt a block, downtown cleanup days, a youth service program, and business proud awards. Beyond what the city can do directly, I will work with federal and provincial governments to create more supportive housing with suitable wraparound services, advocate for more treatment centres for those suffering addiction and mental issues, and create more jobs to help lift people out of poverty.
Keith Riel
First, take care of the place. Downtown should look and feel cared for. I’ll set clear standards for garbage, graffiti, sidewalks, weeds, washrooms, lighting and City-owned spaces using the staff and resources we already pay for.
Second, make downtown work for everyone. Being homeless isn’t a crime, and I won’t treat it like one. But moving someone from one doorway to another isn’t a solution.
We need visible policing where it’s needed, alongside outreach, shelter, civilian crisis response, mental-health and addiction supports, and housing. Public spaces must remain welcoming and accessible to everyone, while people in crisis have somewhere safe and appropriate to go. We have to do both.
Rebecca Schillemat
To improve Quality of Life council must provide enough shelter spaces for those who are experiencing homelessness, improve garbage clean up and by-law enforcement downtown. Our downtown requires a compassionate yet structured approach to address complex social challenges. As mayor I will plan a winter shelter response using existing municipal buildings close to downtown that includes enough space for Everyone experiencing homelessness in our community. I also have a long term plan to tackle the homelessness and addictions crises, which includes establishing a Whole-of-Community Hub, modeled after the framework in London, ON, to provide a streamlined continuum of care with low-barrier employment pathways, mental health treatment, recovery programs and proactive community safety measures.
As mayor I will address safety and public order with clear public space standards, more garbage cans downtown and along trails, window and graffiti repair within 24 hours, and proactive policing and by-law enforcement alongside health-led crisis response. I will advocate to the provincial and federal governments for funding and policy changes to support social housing, healthcare, mental health facilities, addictions recovery programs, court capacity, and bail reforms to ensure long-term stability and safety across our downtown core.
Quality of Life means we need to have a city where Everyone can walk in public without the need to watch behind them or look out for feces and needles on the sidewalk or in municipal parking lots.
kawarthaNOW has reproduced written responses from candidates verbatim, without editing for grammar or format. Any errors, factual or otherwise, or any use of AI-generated content originate with the candidate.
