As we grind toward the October 26 municipal election, the usual issues — such as taxes, crime, and infrastructure needs — are front-of-mind for many Peterborough voters.
On Wednesday night (September 23) at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough, the arts received its due.
Hosted by the Electric City Culture Council (EC3), ArtsVote Peterborough 2026 saw all seven mayoral candidates share where the arts reside on their respective priority lists and what, as mayor, they plan to do to ensure the sector is healthy and thrives in the face of what has been, at best, frozen municipal support.
According to EC3, multiple external studies have consistently demonstrated the value of the arts in terms of Peterborough’s overall wellbeing, the vitality of the downtown core, as a tourism catalyst, and as a lure in attracting new businesses and much-needed professionals, such as doctors, to the city and region.
“Our new Municipal Cultural Plan (MCP) is in the works,” noted EC3 in a statement released prior to the event.
“Other cities are making important investments in the arts. We need to know where our civic leadership stands, and how it plans to enhance and develop the arts sector during their term. Do the arts matter to them? How will they find funding for critical investments?”
Moderated by EC3 executive director Su Ditta, the ensuing event held before a packed house wasn’t as much a debate as it was an affirmation that all seven mayoral candidates view the arts as deserving of more and consistent municipal support, be that financial or otherwise.
That said, the candidates had varying views on just what form that support should take.
Before fielding a few questions from a panel comprised of EC3 board member Victoria Yeh, author Bola Abodunrin, and New Stages Theatre artistic director Mark Wallace, each candidate laid out their plan for the arts via an opening statement.
Following are summaries of each candidate’s position on the arts, in the pre-determined order that each candidate spoke.
Neil Morton
Saying “arts and culture nourish our community soul, create social change, define our civic pride, and have great economic impact,” Neil Morton advocated more public investment in the sector, not less.
“For too long, our creative community has faced administrative hurdles, endless red tape and having to defend themselves in front of council. That will change under my leadership.”
Morton proposes the provision of multi-year operating grants to arts organizations that demonstrate collaboration and economic impact, a streamlining of the process by which people apply to host special events in Peterborough, and completion of the Municipal Cultural Plan through meaningful collaboration with cultural organizations, Indigenous communities, and residents.
In addition, he wants to see vacant downtown commercial space converted into artist studios, rehearsal spaces and galleries, and expand the city’s public art program.
“There will be no more fighting over scraps when it comes to the arts community,” Morton pledged.
Rebecca Schillemat
Referencing Peterborough’s “very long history of a great arts scene,” Rebecca Schillemat said that, based on her experience as a Peterborough Folk Festival board member, stable funding for the sector is essential.
“I know how important it is to have support from the city when you’re applying for funding from other organizations and other levels of government,” she said.
Funding, she added, “would ideally come with a three or four-year budget so that everything is a bit more stable and we can plan better.”
“Because I’m looking at a future in Peterborough for various different generations, and things to keep kids and youth active, having more youth spaces and opportunities for youth to enjoy the arts is very important.”
“I’ve had great opportunities at the door to talk to people about why they chose to move to Peterborough, and a lot of it is because of the arts scene.”
Rob Hailman
As a musician, artist, and photographer who has organized festivals and shows, Rob Hailman spoke to his first-hand experience as a member of the arts community, and was particularly critical of past practice.
“The arts are treated as a bargaining chip between staff and council,” he said, adding “Staff will put in a cut to the arts so that one of our councillors, or our councillors collectively, can, after a great outcry from the public, save the day and restore the money that was already there. That game needs to stop.”
“We need to be stable and predictable in the way the city treats arts organizations, in the way that the city treats EC3, in the way that the city treats individual artists.”
Hailman pledged that, as mayor, he would “make sure we have long-term, stable relationships” with the arts community and “finish the Municipal Cultural Plan.”
Micheal Eamon
Citing his experience as a musician and as member of the Peterborough Singers and the Peterborough Concert Band, Michael Eamon also spoke to his facilitating the creation of the Jalynn Bennett Amphitheatre at Trent University’s Traill College.
“When you create a space where the arts can happen, you create community,” he said, noting collaboration — a consistent theme in his platform — is key.
“I will work with council to ensure there is stable funding, and to ensure that we have communication outside of the stage — communication outside of the gallery (in city council chambers), communication where we actually have conversations to have each other’s back and to help.”
“We have great organizations like EC3 which need to be supported, but we also need to work together as artists in every facet and every way. I think the city has a key role to play in that.”
Brian Lumsden
While noting his campaign is primarily focused on “fixing this drug epidemic that’s plaguing our city” and keeping taxes low, Brian Lumsden acknowledged the arts “define our society, and provide individuals with a sense of purpose and accomplishment — qualities and values that we desperately need.”
Saying each candidate should have “this (drug) crisis at the top of their priority list,” Lumsden lamented the spending of “millions of dollars on band-aid solutions that could be used for the arts.”
“Once we have a clean, vibrant city, we can be in a position to address the arts, and the future of our children. I fully support the Municipal Cultural Plan. However, we need this drug epidemic under control so we can appreciate the arts.”
“Peterborough is a beautiful city. A lot of money has gone into beautifying it, but what’s the point if we can’t enjoy it?”
Keith Riel
As the lone candidate running for mayor who has city council experience, incumbent Ashburnham Ward councillor Keith Riel said he “did what he could” to support local artists, adding he has come to “trust their expertise, their incredible work ethic and the way they care about the community.”
As mayor, Riel pledged to “put together an arts table” where artists play an active role identifying the needs of their community and put their case to the city accordingly.
“I will also make sure they get multi-year funding,” he said, adding “Grants that stay flat are a cut. You can’t keep good staff or plan a season without funding. Making you constantly beg for it is disrespectful.”
“Artists don’t sit on their money. They make great things with it. They hire people to help them do it. The arts community is part of the economic success of the city, and it’s going to be treated that way. I’m taking on that file on myself. No commissioner in between. It’s too important and it has to be righted immediately.”
Jacob Méthot
The youngest of the seven candidates, 21-year-old Trent University student Jacob Méthot said the arts “drives tourism, money, quality of life and new business, but most of all it drives people. To create a community and culture that allows an arts community to thrive is to create a community that exists for everyone.”
Peterborough, he said, “needs to be proactive” but added that’s only possible “if future generations and Peterborough now sees the arts as a sustainable way for them to live. This needs more grant funding and allowances for art to exist in spaces, and reducing the barriers they (artists) face while trying to promote, sell or celebrate their work.”
“It means going to a high school, finding the next protégé, and saying “Write me a poem, play me a song, give me your passion and we will give it a platform.”
“Looking at it (the arts) as just another way to drive money, just another dollar sign, ignores the very real reality of the value it creates outside of a profit-driven enterprise.”
Turnout for ArtsVote 2026 was the largest ever for EC3
Following the conclusion of ArtsVote 2026, Ditta told kawarthaNOW there’s much reason for optimism, much of that rooted in Wednesday night’s turnout being the largest for any ECS-presented election event.
“The majority (of the candidates) reached out to EC3 first — that has never happened before,” said Ditta, adding “There was never any attempt to meet with EC3 as candidates were developing their policies and programs. I was over-the-moon encouraged by that.”
“I think that demonstrates that all the work EC3 has done (and) all the work the arts community has done independently has really struck a chord with political candidates. They were much more knowledgeable than we’ve ever seen people be before, and they followed up a lot with other questions and preparation for this event.”
Speaking specifically to Riel’s arts table proposal, Ditta said “that’s obviously something EC3 would see as very beneficial.”
“Neil (Morton) was teasing me about having been morose when we met. I have to say the whole experience of organizing this event, and hearing the discourse and the level of conversation, has really cheered us. We’re inspired.”
While noting that arts councils such as EC3 don’t endorse candidates during elections, Ditta is heartened based on what she heard from the seven candidates, adding “I don’t think we can lose.”
EC3 plans to send each candidate a survey arising out the event, with their responses to be posted at www.ecthree.org before the October 26 election.
