Peterborough’s small business community is rallying around The Main Ingredient as the popular bulk food store aims to “Raise the Roof” through a fundraising event.

This Saturday (November 8), the downtown store at 326 Charlotte Street will be staying open late for a special event from 5 to 8 p.m. featuring good food, live music, and giveaways.

The goal is to raise $10,000 to fund essential roof repairs that will stop leaks caused by the older building’s flat roof that doesn’t drain water well.

“The water sits there and creates a lot of damage to our roof and so anytime it rains really hard — as I’m sure customers have seen — the back of the store becomes really messy,” says Whitney Hall who, alongside her husband Michael, bought the business three years ago from longtime owners Ken and Deb Fraser.

“Sometimes there’s buckets all around and in our fridge and so we have to always be mindful. Being a food store, we want to make sure everything we’re doing is for the wellbeing of the customer, but also making sure it’s safe and making sure we’re keeping their food well.”

Hall says that over the years, they’ve had to throw out hundreds of dollars in foods that have been ruined by the leaks, though they never had the capacity to make the repairs because of the $10,000 price tag.

“It’s been weighing on us,” Hall says. “It’s a hard place to be because something needs to get done and fixed but, at the same time, as a small business that didn’t have a busy summer, cash flow can be hard. We can’t really spend the funds that we would (otherwise) spend on buying product to keep our store and inventory intact.”

Hall recalls that, when they renovated the store before, they heard from customers and fellow small businesses that they would have offered a donation if they knew about it. She was reminded of this recently when she wanted to support another business that was in need.

“I realized if I feel the need to help other businesses, what if other businesses would like to support us?” she says. “Even if we don’t hit the exact 10K, at least there’s some little bit of a hand-up.”

“We’re at this really sweet spot where we’re saying ‘Okay, let’s ask for help’ and if it comes, great, we can move forward,” Hall adds. “And if it doesn’t, then we’re just back where we started, so there really is nothing to lose for us to just ask for some help.”

Throughout the event, The Main Ingredient will be selling bowls of the ready-to-make soups they sell in store, which are lentil-based and vegetarian, as well as other soups that community members have volunteered to make.

“I figured let’s do those soups because people love them, and it also gives them (customers) an idea of what they’re like,” Hall says, noting they hope to sell 150 bowls. “We don’t get to make the soup and get people to try it with us, so I thought this would be a really fun time to do that.”

Dessert will also be available, as local businesses Mija’s Bakeshop and Milk + Tea will be donating sweet treats for the occasion.

“I hope people come hungry,” Hall says.

During the event, there will also be live folk music from 6 to 8 p.m. courtesy of Peterborough-based singer-songwriter VanCamp (Calvin Bakelaar).

“We’ve never had live music at our shop yet, so this will be really interesting and really fun,” Hall says.

Throughout the evening, there will also be opportunity for visitors to bid in a silent auction featuring upwards of 30 items that have been donated by other local businesses, including Cozy: Home, Lifestyle + Gift Shoppe, The Refillery on Queen in Lakefield, Kit Croissanterie & Café, Ashburnham Ale House, Hanoi House, and many more.

There will also be raffles for gift baskets full of products from The Main Ingredient up for grabs, and visitors will have the opportunity to provide monetary donations to support the fundraiser, as well.

With so many fellow small businesses eager to support The Main Ingredient, Hall says it has been easier to get past how “awkward and vulnerable” it is to ask the community for donations.

“It’s just so heartwarming to see the community rally around us for something that probably will never affect them really,” Hall says. “It’s just reminding us that we’re not in this alone, because as business owners sometimes it can feel like that.”

Hall suggests the fundraiser is not only helping them get to know other business owners, but could also help to build a community of support among local businesses.

“It’s really nice that we’re able to just come together in unity,” she says. “I may never meet some of these business owners, but it just feels like there’s this really cool expression of unity and love and support from so many people.”

For one day during November, the United Way Peterborough & District will be taking note of the number of people who are living rough in the city and county of Peterborough.

On the heels of releasing the report of its 2024 point-in-time survey of people experiencing homelessness in the community, the United Way has announced it will be conducting an annual enumeration of homelessness on Thursday, November 20.

As part of the federal government’s Reaching Home strategy aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness across the country, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada coordinates national point-in-time counts of homelessness, with entities identified in each designated community to coordinate and carry out the work. For Peterborough, the community entity is the United Way Peterborough & District.

The point-in-time counts include a full survey every three years, which consists of a set of standardized questions administered directly to people experiencing homelessness, supplemented by an annual enumeration between full surveys that estimates the number of people experiencing homelessness within a determined geographical area on a single night.

For the United Way’s enumeration on November 20, trained volunteers and community outreach workers will conduct visual observations of unsheltered areas and encampments in the Peterborough area.

According to the United Way’s director of community impact Tonya Kraan, while the visual enumeration provides less information than an in-depth survey, it has some advantages.

“The main advantage is that our enumerators will be able to cover a much wider area, including into the townships,” Kraan told kawarthaNOW. “Unlike last year, they won’t be conducting interviews, which often ranged from a few minutes to as long as 20 minutes. This change allows us to focus on reaching more locations and gathering a more complete picture of homelessness in our community.”

Kraan noted that one of the challenges of conducting the count is that many people who are unsheltered have moved deeper into outlying areas as encampments have been dismantled.

“This makes it harder to locate and count everyone, and despite our best efforts, we know there’s a risk of missing some individuals.”

Data collected through the annual enumeration will inform funding priorities for homelessness prevention initiatives, housing placements, and future investments in housing-related supports when the United Way issues its next call for Reaching Home funding applications in December.

“The point-in-time count is a vital tool to help us understand the realities of homelessness and ensure resources make the greatest impact,” said United Way CEO Jim Russell in a statement.

The objective of the enumeration is to provide the most accurate estimate possible of the number of people experiencing homelessness, although some duplication or omissions may occur.

As for the best outcome of this year’s enumeration, Kraan said it would be “that shelters are full and fewer people are sleeping unsheltered on the morning of November 20.”

“That would mean more individuals are accessing safe spaces rather than being exposed to the elements,” she added.

To provide context, Kraan explained the 2024 point-in-time count found that, while 119 beds were occupied in emergency shelters, 146 people did not spend the night in a shelter or transitional housing program.

“These numbers highlight both the need for shelter capacity and the importance of continuing to address gaps for those who remain unsheltered,” she said.

The use of a procedural tactic to prevent debate at Peterborough city council was front and centre during a brief council meeting early Tuesday evening (November 4).

Council was meeting to endorse a decision made at general committee the previous afternoon to reject a recommendation from the city’s heritage committee that several buildings at the General Electric factory complex be designated under the Ontario Heritage Act in addition to those council approved at its October 14 meeting.

As was the case at the general committee meeting, the matter was dealt with in less than 10 minutes and with no debate after a councillor called the question — a procedural tactic that ends debate and, if supported by a majority of councillors, forces an immediate vote.

At Monday afternoon’s general committee meeting, councillor Dave Haacke called the question. At Tuesday evening’s council meeting, it was councillor Gary Baldwin who did so. In both cases, the councillors called the question before any other councillors had the opportunity to speak to the motion.

A motion to call the question comes from Robert’s Rules of Order, first published by U.S. Army engineer Henry Martyn Robert in 1876 based on traditions of the British Parliament and the U.S. House of Representatives, but simplified and standardized to make them practical for ordinary organizations to conduct meetings fairly and efficiently.

In Robert’s Rules of Order, calling the question (formally known as “the previous question”) is a motion used to end debate and proceed immediately to a vote on the pending motion, but only if the motion to call the question is seconded by another member and approved by a two-thirds vote.

Peterborough city council meetings are governed by the city’s procedure by-law which, although it draws upon Robert’s Rules of Order, does not follow them verbatim. For example, the city’s procedure by-law does not specify whether a motion to call the question must be seconded by another councillor and requires a two-thirds vote — although the by-law does state that Robert’s Rules of Order should be used for guidance in “all unprovided cases.”

At Tuesday’s city council meeting, councillor Baldwin called the question immediately after the general committee motion was moved and seconded.

Councillor Joy Lachica raised a point of order and asked Mayor Jeff Leal, who was chairing the meeting, if a seconder was not required for a motion to call the question.

“It hasn’t been the practice here,” the mayor replied, after checking with the city clerk.

On a second point of order, councillor Lachica said “It’s a shame that we can’t respect all of the voices to discuss such an important issue,” referring to councillors being able to reflect the wishes of the electorate.

Councillor Baldwin then raised a point of order, saying he took exception to councillor Lachica’s comment.

“I think she’s calling into question my integrity,” he said. “This is a practice that we’ve had here at city council since I’ve been a councillor. I don’t think by me moving that the question be put that I should be disrespected.”

On her third point of order, councillor Lachica explained her objection to how calling the question is being used.

“Robert’s Rules of Order speak to calling a question when those who have wished to speak have been given the opportunity and were sawing sawdust,” she said. “There’s no direct person that I’m speaking to, but what’s being observed is that this is an obstruction to the democratic voice of council and it’s being weaponized.”

Before proceeding to the vote on councillor Baldwin’s motion, Mayor Leal told councillor Lachica that a new procedure by-law would be coming forward “and if you want to make changes then, we’ll make them.”

Council then voted on the motion to call the question, which passed 6-4 with Mayor Leal and councillors Baldwin, Don Vassiliadis, Dave Haacke, Andrew Beamer, and Lesley Parnell voting in favour and councillors Lachica, Alex Bierk, Matt Crowley, and Keith Riel voting against. Councillor Kevin Duguay was absent from the meeting.

The vote on the main motion — that council endorse the general committee decision to retain the heritage designations for GE buildings that it had approved at its October 14 meeting — passed 7-3, with councillors Lachica, Bierk, and Riel voting against it (the recorded vote was 8-2, but Riel had inadvertently voted in favour and, on a point of order, asked that his vote be changed).

In an apparent protest on the use of calling the question, councillor Lachica also voted against the by-law to confirm the proceedings of the meeting and the motion to adjourn the meeting — votes that are usually unanimous.

Parks Canada will be replacing the upper and lower lock gates at Lock 20 – Ashburnham in Peterborough from November through April, and is installing a temporary bridge to allow access to the Trans Canada Trail during the construction period.

The trail at Lock 20 between Beavermead Park and Rogers Cove will be closed on Friday (November 7) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. so Parks Canada can install the temporary bridge that pedestrians would use over the next six months in lieu of crossing at the top of the lock gates.

Also known as a Bailey bridge, the temporary bridge is a type of portable and pre-fabricated truss bridge that will provide a safe and functional crossing while the replacement work is completed.

The Trans Canada Trail crossing at Lock 20 will reopen to the public once the Bailey bridge installation is complete on Friday, and will remain accessible until construction begins on the gate replacement work and the Bailey bridge goes into use.

In October, Parks Canada erected construction fencing from south of Maria Street to just north of the trail at Lock 20 to prevent vehicle and pedestrian access, including along the canal road.

“Parks Canada appreciates the public’s understanding and cooperation as we work to ensure the continued safety, functionality, and long-term sustainability of the Trent-Severn Waterway,” read a media release from Parks Canada.

Peterborough residents could see a 7.43 per cent all-inclusive rate increase next year, according to the city’s 2026 draft budget presented to city council’s general committee on Monday evening (November 3).

The all-inclusive rate consists of municipal property tax, education tax, and municipal sanitary sewer surcharge rates.

Richard Freymond, the city’s commissioner of finance and corporate services, provided councillors with a summary of the draft budget document prepared by city staff.

“We’re not asking council here this evening to make any decisions,” Freymond said. “The presentation is simply a high-level overview.”

Freymond noted that, in the spring, Mayor Jeff Leal had directed him to prepare a draft budget that maintains current service levels, provides for inflationary increases, and assumes a 10 per cent increase in the police budget to meet provincial requirements under the Community Safety and Policing Act. In June, general committee was presented with preliminary information about the 2026 budget.

Freymond presented council with a line-by-line comparison of differences between the June forecast and what is included in the draft budget document.

Some of the changes include funding housing and homelessness from the municipal tax levy rather than from reserve, higher costs for insurance and fuel, decreased interest income, decreased rezoning application and landfill tipping fees, increased transit revenues, a police budget increase request of 9.8 per cent instead of 10 per cent, a paramedics budget increase request of 7.3 per cent instead of the expected three per cent, a public health budget increase request of five per cent instead of the expected three per cent, and an increase in the sewer surcharge water rate and wastewater protection.

These and other changes amounted to a net increase of $1.5 million to the budget over the June forecast.

Although the printed version of the draft 2026 budget presented to council shows a 7.84 per cent increase to the all-inclusive rate, Freymond advised council that the city had received additional information on benefits costs for employees and an updated amount of the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund grant to the city since the budget was printed that decreases the all-inclusive rate increase.

The reduction in benefits for city employees is estimated at $445,000 for city employees and $220,000 for police employees, for a total reduction of $665,000. The increase in the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund grant is $269,000. In combination, the reduction in expenses and increase in revenue decreases the all-inclusive rate from 7.84 to 7.43 per cent.

For a residential home in the city of Peterborough with a median assessed valued of $260,000, the 7.43 per cent rate increase would equal about $385 for the year (around $148 per $100,000 of assessed value).

The 2026 draft budget includes an operating budget increase of 2.93 per cent to maintain existing levels of service, an increase of 2.18 per cent for infrastructure and capital needs, an increase of 0.53 per cent in the sanitary sewer fee, and an increase of 1.79 per cent increase for city-funded external agencies.

The budget includes $433.7 million in spending on municipal services, funded by revenues of $232.7 million from non-municipal property tax sources such as user fees, grants from other governments, recoveries, interest from investments, and service charges, resulting in a tax requirement of $201 million.

The budget also includes $140.5 million in capital investments, including capital projects such as the police station renovation and expansion, Lansdowne Street West between Spillsbury Drive and Clonsilla Avenue, Wastewater Treatment Plant revitalization, extending a taxiway at the Peterborough Regional Airport, road paving, purchasing transit buses, and water service distribution infrastructure.

It’s important to note that the 7.43 per cent all-inclusive rate increase is subject to change during public consultations as well as council deliberations on the draft 2026 budget. After consultations and deliberations are complete and the budget is finalized, the city expects the 2026 budget will be adopted by council on December 8.

A public information session that includes a brief presentation on the draft budget, followed by an opportunity for residents to speak with city staff, will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday (November 5) in the Banquet Hall at Healthy Planet Arena at 911 Monaghan Road.

That will be followed on Monday, November 10 by a 3 p.m. general committee meeting at city hall where council will hear presentations from invited local boards and agencies. While public delegations will not be heard, the meeting is open to the public.

Later on Monday from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m., an informal drop-in will take place in the main foyer of city hall. While there will be no presentation of the budget during the drop-in, residents can speak with the city’s budget team to ask questions and share comments ahead of the general committee meeting at 6 p.m.

At the general committee meeting on Monday evening, council will hear from registered public delegations about the draft budget.

Following these meetings, general committee will reconvene on November 17 and 18 to review, discuss, and debate the draft budget. While public delegations will not be heard, these meetings are open to the public.

More information about the draft 2026 budget, including a copy of the budget book, is available at peterborough.ca/budget.

Last month, a sold-out crowd of 300 people filled The Venue in downtown Peterborough for a sobering yet inspiring evening with former MP, activist, musician, and author Charlie Angus.

The October 15 event, co-hosted by Justin Sutton and Danielle Turpin, brought people together around a shared concern for democracy, truth, and community at a time when division is spreading, while also helping to reduce and prevent homelessness among youth and families.

With support from sponsors including the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough, the Peterborough and District Labour Council, Home Care Workers Cooperative, Andrea Laforet Consulting, and kawarthaNOW, the evening raised $4,300 for the YES Shelter for Youth and Families.

Tickets sold out in just 13 days, and half of all the attendees voluntarily paid higher-tier prices, a gesture that reflects the community’s generosity and commitment to caring for their neighbours.

The night began with a grounding and inclusive welcome from Healing with Drums, whose songs and smudge invited the audience into a space of reflection and connection.

Local singer-songwriter VanCamp (Calvin Bakelaar) followed with a stirring performance of Woody Guthrie’s “All You Fascists Bound to Lose,” setting the tone for Angus’s keynote address.

VIDEO: Charlie Angus in Peterborough

After Angus took the stage, he spoke about the growing threat of authoritarianism and the erosion of trust in democratic institutions.

Drawing on 20th-century Italian philosopher Antonio Gramsci, he described our current period as an “interregnum” — a time when the old world is breaking down and a new one struggles to be born.

His central message was the need to rebuild solidarity and civic cooperation from the ground up to stop the politics of fear and division and build a country rooted in truth and care.

“This event was meant to bring people together to resist the bots and algorithms that are working so hard to divide us,” said co-organizer Justin Sutton. “Many people told me that being in that space helped them feel less alone, which is deeply meaningful to me. And in a wonderful gesture of solidarity, we raised a significant amount of money for a charity doing crucial frontline work in our community.”

Co-organizer Danielle Turpin said Angus’s message struck a chord with many attendees.

“Charlie reminded us that democracy isn’t something we can take for granted — it’s something we keep alive by working at it, side by side,” she said. “This night was proof that people are hungry for connection and ready to stand up for one another.”

Sara Mountenay, fundraising and communications lead at YES Shelter for Youth and Families, said the $4,300 donation will have a real and immediate impact.

“We’re so grateful for this contribution and for the spirit behind it,” Mountenay said.

“The YES Shelter provides safety, stability, and hope for young people and families facing crisis. To see the community come together in this way, to raise funds, share ideas, and stand for compassion, that’s exactly the kind of collective action that helps us build a more welcoming community for everyone.”

The event was organized entirely on a volunteer basis by Sutton and Turpin, with on-site support from a team led by Ryan Kerr, founder of The Theatre on King. All artists, performers, and technical staff were paid for their work. Take Cover Books was also on site to sell Angus’ books.

Following Angus’ keynote, local artist and novelist Kate Story joined him for a thoughtful conversation on organizing, hope, the power art has to unite us, and the work of rebuilding community.

The discussion then opened up into a lively audience Q&A, closing the night with a sense of shared purpose, and proof that solidarity can thrive, even in difficult times.