Five Counties Occupational Therapist Ashley Parsons swears by the six F-words for child development: Family, Fun, Friends, Functioning, Fitness, and Future. She sees tremendous value in the F-words framework that shifts thinking from a medical model of "fixing" kids with disabilities or impairment to one that focuses on a child's strengths and interests. (Photo: Five Counties Children's Centre)
Every month, Five Counties Children’s Centre provides a story about the work of the charitable organization. This month’s story is by Ashley Parsons, Occupational Therapist, Five Counties Children’s Centre.
If you hear F-words being used at Five Counties Children’s Centre, it’s a good thing. They’re not F-bombs, but words of wisdom we urge families to share with their kids.
The six F-words of childhood development focus on six key areas of a child’s health and well-being. Inspired by decades of research and developed by McMaster University’s CanChild research centre, the six F-words represent a big shift in thinking.
The framework moves us from a medical model of “fixing” kids to a strength-based approach that promotes health and development using all aspects of a child’s life This change in focus encourages us to look at a child’s strengths and interests rather than a disability or impairment. .
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This holistic approach to development — being used by Five Counties in its work assisting children with physical, developmental, and communication challenges — helps us address all of the child’s and family’s unique needs and goals for treatment.
To see how this works, we can spell out each of the six F-words:
Functioning is a child’s strengths and way of doing things. (“I may do things differently, but I can do them. How I do it isn’t important; please let me try.”)
Family represents a child’s essential ‘environment’. (“My family knows me best and I trust them. Listen to them, talk to them, hear them, and respect them.”)
Fitness describes a child’s physical and mental well-being. (“Everyone needs to stay fit and healthy, both physically and mentally. Help me find ways to do this.”)
Fun includes activities a child likes doing. (“Life is about fun and play. Please help me do the activities that I find the most fun.”)
Friends refer to a child’s relationships with others their own age. (“Having friends is important. Please give me opportunities to make friends.”)
Future is a child’s expectations and dreams for life. (“I am growing up every day, so please find ways for me to participate and be included in my community.”)
William, a Five Counties client, strikes a batting stance to illustrate his love for baseball. For William, this represents “Fun,” which is one of the six F-words of child development. (Photo: Five Counties Children’s Centre)
Using each F-word, we tailor questions that suit a child’s age, stage of life and developmental level to spark a conversation. This helps us work with the client and family to answer and describe what each F-word looks like for them.
The result is a picture that we can use with the family to plan programs and activities, set goals, and problem solve to help achieve the best treatment outcomes for their child.
The six F-words framework (and the many CanChild resources that come with it) can be used in everyday situations by everyone, be they a child’s family, care group, daycares, educators, and other service providers. The six F-words model is ideal for introducing a child with unique needs to others and to new settings, like school.
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A parent, who worked with McMaster’s CanChild research centre, puts it this way: “The F-words help me tell the story of my son, to paint a picture of who he is, what he likes and focus on what he can do.”
The six F-words speak to the strength and abilities in children, helping us embrace their whole self, situation and surroundings. Far from being a curse, the six F-words are something by which we swear, as they are an invaluable way to promote healthy childhood development.
For more information about the six F-words for child development, visit McMaster University’s CanChild website.
Simple and straightforward, the six F-words for child development speak to the whole child and are an important resource for families and Five Counties staff to use to plan, set goals, and problem solve to achieve the best treatment outcomes for clients. (Photo: Five Counties Children’s Centre)
Selwyn Beach Conservation Area is located on the northeast shore of Chemong Lake. It is best known for its excellent swimming with a gently sloping sandy beach. Parents and caregivers are advised that the beach and swimming area are not supervised. (Photo: Otonabee Conservation)
Every Friday during swimming season, we post The Beach Report™ — our weekly report of the results of water quality testing at beaches in the greater Kawarthas region — and update it throughout the week as conditions change. This is the final beach report of the season.
As of Thursday, August 29, the following beaches are unsafe for swimming:
Beavermead Park – City of Peterborough
Rogers Cove – City of Peterborough
Riverview Beach Park – Bobcaygeon
Rotary Head Lake Beach – Dysart et al (beach is closed)
Harwood Waterfront & Dock – Hamilton Township
Hastings Waterfront North – Trent Hills
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Below are the complete results of water quality testing at beaches in the City and County of Peterborough, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, Northumberland County, and Hastings County and Prince Edward County.
In the City of Peterborough, Peterborough Public Health Inspectors sample the beaches at Rogers Cove and Beavermead every business day, and public beaches in the County of Peterborough are sampled at least once a week (except for Chandos Beach, Quarry Bay Beach, and White’s Beach which are sampled at least once in June, July, and August).
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit provides weekly testing results for beaches in the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Northumberland County. Testing is based on the most recent test results from the provincial lab in Peterborough for water samples taken from these beaches.
As of 2024, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health provides weekly testing results for only five designated public beaches in Hastings County and Prince Edward County. It no longer regularly samples another 13 beaches due to historically low occurrence of high bacteria levels.
During the summer, local health units sample water at area beaches and test for bacteria such as E. coli to determine if the water quality at a beach is safe for public use. Popular beaches, like the beach at Roger’s Cove in Peterborough’s East City, are tested every business day while most other beaches are tested weekly. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
Important note
The following test results may not reflect current water quality conditions. Water samples can take one to three days to process and heavy rainfall, high winds or wave activity, large numbers of waterfowl near a beach, or large numbers of swimmers can rapidly change water quality.
You should always check current conditions before deciding to use a beach. You should also monitor other factors that might suggest a beach is unsafe to use, such as floating debris, oil, discoloured water, bad odours, and excessive weed growth.
City of Peterborough Beaches (sampled each business day)
Beavermead Park (2011 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough) – sample date 27 August – UNSAFE
Rogers Cove (131 Maria Street, Peterborough) – sample date 27 August – UNSAFE
Note: Blue-green algae has been sighted at Rogers Cove numerous times during the summer. If blue-green algae is visible when you visit the beach, do not enter the water.
Peterborough County Beaches (sampled weekly)
Buckhorn Beach (12 John Street, Buckhorn, Municipality of Trent Lakes) – sample date 27 August – SAFE
Crowe’s Line Beach (240 Crowe’s Line Road, Trent Lakes) – sample date 27 August – SAFE
Douro North Park (251 Douro Second Line, Township of Douro-Dummer) – sample date 26 August – SAFE
Ennismore Waterfront Park (1053 Ennis Road, Ennismore) – sample date 27 August – SAFE
Henry’s Gumming (150 Chemong Street S, Curve Lake) – sample date 19 August – SAFE
Hiawatha Park (1 Lakeshore Road, Hiawatha) – sample date 26 August – SAFE
Jones Beach (908 Jones Beach Road, Bridgenorth) – sample date 27 August – SAFE
Lakefield Park (100 Hague Boulevard, Lakefield) – sample date 20 August – SAFE
Lime Kiln Park (150 Whetung Street E, Curve Lake) – sample date 19 August – SAFE
Sandy Beach (1239 Lakehurst Road, Municipality of Trent Lakes) – sample date 27 August – SAFE
Selwyn Beach Conservation Area (2251 Birch Island Road, Selwyn) – sample date 27 August – SAFE
Squirrel Creek Conservation Area (2445 Wallace Point Road, South Monaghan) – sample date 27 August – SAFE
Warsaw Caves Conservation Area (289 Caves Road, Warsaw, Township of Douro-Dummer) – sample date 20 August – SAFE
Peterborough County Beaches (sampled monthly)
Belmont Lake Beach (376 Mile of Memories Road, Belmont) – sample date 6 August – SAFE
Chandos Beach (2800 County Road/Highway 620, North Kawartha) – sample date 22 August – SAFE
Kasshabog Lake (431 Peninsula Road, Havelock) – sample date 22 August – SAFE
Quarry Bay (1986 Northey’s Bay Road, Woodview) – sample date 22 August – SAFE
White’s Beach (26 Clearview Drive, Trent Lakes) – sample date 19 August – SAFE
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City of Kawartha Lakes
Results updated August 28.
Riverview Beach Park – Bobcaygeon – UNSAFE
Beach Park – Bobcaygeon – SAFE
Birch Point – Fenelon Falls – SAFE
Blanchards Road Beach – Bexley – SAFE
Bond Street – Fenelon Falls – SAFE
Burnt River Beach – Somerville – SAFE
Centennial Park West – Eldon – SAFE
Centennial Beach – Verulam – SAFE
Centennial Verulam Parkette – SAFE
Four Mile Lake Beach – Somerville – SAFE
Head Lake Beach – Laxton – SAFE
Lions Park – Coboconk – SAFE
Norland Bathing Area – Laxton – SAFE
Omemee Beach – Emily/ Omemee – SAFE
Sturgeon Point Beach – Fenelon Falls – SAFE
Valentia/ Sandbar Beach – Valentia – SAFE
Verulam Recreational Park – Verulam – SAFE
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Haliburton County
Results updated August 28.
Rotary Head Lake Beach – Dysart et al – CLOSED
Bissett Beach – Minden Hills – SAFE
Dorset Parkette – Algonquin Highlands – SAFE
Eagle Lake Beach – Dysart et al – SAFE
Elvin Johnson Park – Algonquin Highlands – SAFE
Foresters Beach – Minden Hills – SAFE
Glamour Lake Beach – Highlands East – SAFE
Gooderham Lake Beach – Highlands East – SAFE
Haliburton Lake Beach – Dysart et al – SAFE
Horseshoe Beach – Minden Hills – SAFE
Paudash Lake Beach – Highlands East – SAFE
Pine Lake Beach – Dysart et al – SAFE
Rotary Park Lagoon – Minden Hills – SAFE
Rotary Park Main – Minden Hills – SAFE
Sandy Cove Beach – Dysart et al – SAFE
Sandy Point Beach – Dysart et al – SAFE
Slipper Beach – Dysart et al – SAFE
Twelve Mile Lake Beach – Minden Hills – SAFE
Wilbermere Lake Beach – Highlands East – SAFE
Northumberland County
Results updated August 28.
Harwood Waterfront & Dock – Hamilton Township – UNSAFE
Hastings Waterfront North – Trent Hills – UNSAFE
Caldwell Street Beach – Port Hope – SAFE
Cobourg Victoria Park Beach – Northumberland – SAFE
The entrance to Peterborough's Rotary Greenway Trail near Nassau Mills Road at Trent University. (Photo: Google Maps)
The stretch of Peterborough’s Rotary Greenway Trail between Armour Road and Trent University will be closed for repairs for around a week starting on Monday (August 26).
According to a notice from the City of Peterborough issued Friday (August 23), the work by contractor Green Infrastructure Partners Inc. will take place along the trail from Nassau Mills Road to Armour Road.
The work includes pavement crack sealing, saw cutting and removal of existing deteriorated asphalt at selected locations, fine grading, placement of new asphalt where removed, application of emulsified asphalt tack coat, and installation of hot mix asphalt overlay.
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While work is underway, the 1.4-kilometre section of the trail between Armour Road and Nassau Mills Road will be closed to pedestrians and cyclists.
Users can follow the posted signs for alternate routes.
The work is scheduled to be completed by Tuesday, September 3rd.
Terry, a Peterborough resident who supports himself by delivering papers and recycling bottles and cans, tries out the prototype sleeping cabin built by Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH). Having leased the site at 385 Lansdowne Street East for three years from Habitat for Humanity Peterborough and Kawartha Region, PATH is proceeding to Peterborough city council to obtain a temporary use zoning by-law amendment that would allow the organization to build 24 one-room sleeping cabins with wrap-around services to help address the city's homelessness crisis. (Photo: Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes)
At its general committee meeting on Monday (August 26), Peterborough city council will consider a temporary use zoning by-law amendment that would allow Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) to build 24 one-room sleeping cabins in the east end of the city.
Peterborough’s commissioner of infrastructure, planning and growth management is recommending in a report to council’s general committee that it pass a temporary use zoning by-law amendment — effective for up to three years — to allow for the creation of the sleeping cabin community, which will also contain wrap-around services.
“From a land use planning perspective, planning staff can support the applicant’s request for a temporary use by-law,” states the report. “However, (planning staff) acknowledge the complexities of introducing such a site into the community.”
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The cabins would be constructed on the property at 385 Lansdowne Street East, the former home of the Peterborough Humane Society. Currently zoned as commercial, the property is now owned by Habitat for Humanity Peterborough and Kawartha Region (HHPKR), which has entered into a three-year lease agreement with PATH.
Located on the south side of Lansdowne Street east of Ashburnham Drive, the property is directly adjacent to Peterborough Pet Hospital to the west, Living Hope Church to the east, Willowcreek Plaza to the north, and Toromont Industries to the south.
PATH is a non-profit organization based in the City of Peterborough whose mission is to “provide homes to individuals experiencing chronic homelessness”. PATH advocates for transitional housing availability and affordability — including the use of non-traditional housing forms to provide as much housing as possible.
In 2022, grass-roots organization Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) revealed a prototype sleeping cabin, which was built by Cleary Homes and a volunteer construction crew with materials supplied at cost by Merrett Home Hardware and Charlotte Paint and Wallpaper and funding raised by Grace United Church. From left to right: Rudy Verhoeven, Chris Cleary of Cleary Homes, and Ross Allen of Grace United Church. (Photo: Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes)
PATH announced in a media release earlier this month that it had completed an application for the temporary rezoning of the property, which it had submitted to the satisfaction of Peterborough’s planning department and will be presented to council’s general committee during Monday’s meeting.
“This is the first step in providing a valuable community resource to address homelessness in the City of Peterborough and will enable us to offer secure, heated sleeping cabins and supporting amenities for 24 unhoused individuals,” said Keith Dalton, PATH board member, in the release.
PATH noted “Peterborough is facing a humanitarian crisis that demands a community response. PATH is building on experiences from existing projects in Peterborough and across Ontario which includes both partnering with Elizabeth Fry Society and working with Better Street from Kitchener and Waterloo.”
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“We are proud to be part of a community that is prepared to supplement the efforts of local government to meet an urgent need,” PATH noted. “Based on the potential of PATH to offer housing, our community has already provided the land (HHHPKR) and sufficient private funding to be operational for the first year of a three-year program.”
“We genuinely hope that council sees our efforts as critical to support their 10-year housing and homelessness plan, and aligned with the recently approved Community Safety and Well Being Plan.”
PATH noted a site development agreement consultation has been completed with city staff, Peterborough’s planning and building departments, and fire services “to establish the parameters for development and operation of the site.”
PATH said it has raised enough private funding to operate the first year of a three-year program, and will seek additional funding from the community and the provincial and federal governments to extend the service for three years.
While HHPKR has leased the property to PATH for three years, the city report notes HHPKR intends to engage with the city in consideration of a permanent housing proposal for the site, “but they are several years away from bringing a proposal forward.”
“In the interim, PATH is seeking the proposed temporary use through this application.”
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Under Ontario’s Planning Act, a municipality can pass temporary use by-laws to permit the temporary use of land, buildings, or structures for any purpose that is otherwise prohibited by the zoning by-law. A temporary use by-law can be in effect to a maximum of three years, although it can be extended subject to processes outlined in the Planning Act, including holding another public meeting.
Items endorsed by general committee on August 26 will be considered for final approval during council’s regular meeting the following Tuesday (September 3), when public delegations will be heard.
If council votes to approve the temporary use by-law, the development would be subject to “site plan control,” which includes approval of an amended site plan application.
Toronto-based filmmaker Stephen Hosier (right) with Richard Csanyi during the filming of the documentary "Attila," which follows Richard as he explores the life and premature death of his twin brother Attila, who was found dead at the age of 28 in May 2020 on a Hamilton rooftop after becoming homeless when he was expelled from a long-term care residence as he grappled with addiction and schizophrenia. Hosier and the Csanyi brothers grew up in Lindsay and made videos together during high school. (Photo: Brian Bettencourt)
Lindsay native Stephen Hosier has been recognized with a national award by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Health and Mental Illness (CAMIMH) for his debut feature documentary that explores mental health and social issues.
The Toronto-based filmmaker and photographer is one of seven recipients of CAMIMH’s 2024 Champions of Mental Health Awards announced on Thursday (August 21). Hosier was recognized in the media category for his 2024 film Atilla, which is now streaming on Crave.
In the film, Hosier follows his childhood friend Richard Csanyi as Richard investigates the life and tragic death of his 28-year-old twin brother Attila. Hosier and the Csanyi brothers all grew up in Lindsay and made videos together during high school.
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On May 2, 2020, police and paramedics responded to a call about a man found without vital signs on the roof of Jackson Square Mall in Hamilton, Ontario. He was pronounced dead at the scene after unsuccessful resuscitation efforts. More than a month later, he was identified as Attila Csanyi. It was later determined he died from an accidental drug overdose.
Prior to his death, Attila has been homeless and missing for weeks after being expelled from a long-term care residence as he grappled with addiction and schizophrenia. In the documentary, Richard opens up to Hosier about the abuse he and his brother suffered as foster children.
Soon after the documentary was released, a coroner’s inquest was called into Attila’s death. Held over two weeks in April, the inquest concluded with the coroner’s jury issuing 21 recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths, including that the Ontario government and City of Hamilton conduct a “comprehensive review” of residential care facilities in the city.
VIDEO: “Attila” teaser
“Recognizing the outstanding efforts of those who passionately advocate for comprehensive mental health and substance use care is crucial,” said CAMIMH co-chair Anthony Esposti in a media release.
“Mental health is fundamental to the well-being of Canadians, which is why each year we honour those making a tangible impact in this vital area. Now more than ever, it’s essential to spotlight the advocacy work happening at all levels, from local communities to the national stage.”
The six other Champions of Mental Health Award recipients are Serena Habib, who received the Sharon Johnston Champion of Mental Health Award for Youth, Jason Arneson for workplace mental health, Brighter Futures (Roxanne Pottle) for community organization, Elder Noel Milliea for community individual, MP Matt Jeneroux for parliamentarian, and La Fondation CERVO (Maryse Beaulieu) for innovation, researcher or clinician. More information about the award recipients is available at camimh.ca/2024-champions-of-mental-health.
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The award recipients were nominated by their peers, colleagues, friends, and community members in honour of their mental and substance use health advocacy. Applications were evaluated by the CAMIMH selection committee, which includes individuals from member organizations including health care professionals and individuals with lived or living experience, their families, and caregivers.
The 2024 Champions of Mental Health Award recipients will be celebrated at an event held on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on October 10, coinciding with the observance of Mental Illness Awareness Week.
Established in 1998, CAMIMH is an alliance of national mental health organizations comprised of health care providers and organizations representing persons with mental illness and their families and caregivers. Each year, the alliance recognizes seven Canadians whose work has helped to advance the mental health agenda across the country.
The Port Hope Jazz Festival is on now and all through the weekend at various venues in Port Hope, with Toronto's iconic jazz and funk fusion band The Shuffle Demons performing a sold-out show at the Ganaraska Hotel on Friday night. (Photo: The Shuffle Demons / Facebook)
Every Thursday, kawarthaNOW publishes live music events at pubs and restaurants in Peterborough and the greater Kawarthas region based on information that musicians provide directly or that venues post on their websites or social media channels. Here are the listings for the week of Thursday, August 22 to Wednesday, August 28.
If you’re a musician or venue owner and want to be included in our weekly listings, email our nightlifeNOW editor at nightlife@kawarthanow.com. For concerts and live music events at other venues, check out our Concerts & Live Music page.
With the exception of karaoke, we only list events with performing musicians. Venues may also host other events during the week (e.g., dancing, DJs, comedy shows).
6-8pm - Chester Babcock Trio; 8-10pm - Sadie McFadden; 10pm-1am - Russell Wideman & The Russlin' Bears
Saturday, August 24
3-6pm - Crocky's Tune Saloon; 6-8pm - Newberry Family Hours; 8-10pm - Peter Graham Band; 10pm-1am - Nina Voleán w/ DJ set from Pavils
Sunday, August 25
3-6pm - Blues Jam; 8pm - Trent Radio presents Radio From The Stage Wrap Party w/ open stage from 9-10pm & official sealing of Sonic Time Capsule at midnight
A rendering of Pinnguaq's new world-class STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) education and community hub at 12 Peel Street in Lindsay. The not-for-profit organization will mark the opening of the hub with a public street festival from 2 to 7 p.m. on August 29, 2024. (Rendering courtesy of Pinnguaq)
Pinnguaq is getting all “steamed” up about an upcoming summer street festival it is hosting in downtown Lindsay.
The not-for-profit educational organization is holding a celebration on August 29 to mark the opening of its new community hub, located at 12 Peel St. in Lindsay. The festival encompasses elements of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM).
“We are very hopeful and excited to show off a new capital project in downtown Lindsay,” Ryan Oliver, CEO and founder of Pinnguaq, told kawarthaNOW. “We are excited to share in the good vibes and showcase what this building can be not only for our organization but for the community as a whole.”
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The public can expect to see food vendors, bouncy castles, and a variety of STEAM-based activities running throughout the afternoon.
“We will have live bands and lots to eat,” Oliver added. “The public will see a celebration and we’re hopeful they will join in.”
The event precedes “STEAM School,” a new program which Pinnguaq is offering in September to children in grades 4 through 6 who are specifically interested in STEAM subjects. Offered two days a week beginning September 10, the school encourages students to explore real-world challenges and apply critical thinking, as they delve into STEAM subjects.
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The Level-Up Summer Street Festival runs from 2 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 29, and offers family-friendly fun, Pinnguaq said.
“Embracing a playful approach to learning, Pinnguaq is thrilled to invite the public to the festival, a celebration of (STEAM) education in the Kawartha Lakes and the opening of their new community hub in downtown Lindsay,” a media release noted.
Members of the public can tour the 3,500-square-foot makerspace, enjoy hands-on STEAM-powered programming for learners of all ages, and visit a tech exploration station. Attendees can also embrace play in a video game lounge or express their creativity in the chalk art zone.
“This street festival has something for people of all ages.”
Pinnguaq partnered with O’Neil and Carroll, a Downeyville/Lindsay-based contractor, and Home by Tim + Chris, a Fenelon Falls-based design firm, to make the hub a reality.
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The makerspace will be home to after-school programming, drop-in programming on weekends and, of course, STEAM School next month.
In addition to the Lindsay makerspace, Pinnguaq operates a makerspace in Iqaluit, and supports a makerspace network from Curve Lake First Nation to a growing number across Nunavut, including Cambridge Bay, Pond Inlet, and Saniarjak.
“We’re so excited to be moving to downtown Lindsay and look forward to celebrating the launch of the new hub with this family-friendly, STEAM-powered festival, along with our friends, learner community, partners and local businesses,” Oliver noted.
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Originally from Lindsay, Oliver worked for almost nine years for the territorial government in Nunavut, where he founded the not-for-profit Pinnguaq Association in Pangnirtung in 2012 to provide Nunavummiut youth access to technology through games.
Pinnguaq now works alongside rural, remote, Indigenous, and other communities, and strives to deliver programs for people of all ages to cultivate STEAM skills through innovative technology, art, and play. It offers “world-class” makerspaces, maker kits and activities, and works with educators to introduce children to a STEAM-based curriculum that brings learning to life.
For more information about Pinnguaq and its programming in Kawartha Lakes, visit www.pinnguaq.com or follow along on social media at @pinnguaq.
Prior to the open session, councillors will meet behind closed doors.
While the topic of the closed session is not public, the agenda refers to legal advice related to the strong mayor powers that the Ontario government provided to municipalities beginning in 2022. The strong mayor powers give heads of council the power to set budgets, veto by-laws, and pass by-laws with just one-third of their council’s support if the by-laws deal with provincial priorities such as housing.
The agenda for the closed session also refers to negotiations related to a leasing opportunity.
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Public Meetings under the Planning Act
Council will consider two zoning by-law amendments and a temporary use zoning by-law amendment.
The first zoning by-law involves amending the zoning of 427 and 431 Raymond Street to permit a single-detached residential dwelling to be built on each property. The two properties are adjacent to a residential property 435 Raymond Street, which has the same owner as the two properties, and are currently used for a private lawn and basketball court.
The second zoning by-law involves amending the zoning of 78 and 82 Lansdowne Street West to allow Habitat for Humanity Peterborough and Kawartha Region, which owns the properties, to develop a 41-unit five-storey apartment building. Located on the south side of Lansdowne east of Lock Street, the properties currently have a one-story single detached dwelling with a garage and a two-and-a-half story single detached dwelling, both of which would be demolished.
The temporary use zoning by-law amendment involves a temporary use permit to allow Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) to build 24 one-room sleeping cabins for up to three years at 385 Lansdowne Street East, the former location of the Peterborough Humane Society located on the south side of Lansdowne Street east of Ashburnham Drive and directly across from Willowcreek Plaza. The property is owned by Habitat for Humanity Peterborough and Kawartha Region, which has leased the property to PATH and intends to develop permanent housing on the site in the future.
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Presentations
Council will receive a presentation from Dr. Thomas Piggott, Peterborough’s medical officer of health, about the results of a climate change and health vulnerability assessment completed by Peterborough Public Health in 2023 as mandated by the Ontario government. The presentation follows one the health unit gave to the Peterborough environmental advisory committee in April.
Council will also receive a presentation from John Wynsma, president and CEO of City of Peterborough Holdings Inc., on the corporation’s 2023 annual report. The Corporation of the City of Peterborough is the sole shareholder of City of Peterborough Holdings Inc., which is part of the Peterborough Utilities Group.
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Reports
Council will consider a report with recommendations to establish a traffic technical working group to streamline various requests related to traffic and parking services. Mayor Jeff Leal requested city staff to consider re-establishing the working group that was in place from the 1990s until 2007 when it was dissolved.
Since the dissolution of the working group, traffic and parking requests have been managed individually on a first come, first served basis as staff resources permit.
“Many requests, such as all-way stop or no parking requests, require extensive data collection and investigation to provide a comprehensive response,” the report states. “Once the review is complete, each individual request and recommendation are presented to council for consideration which has led to extended response times given other work program priorities.”
The report adds that the implementation of the traffic technical working group “will streamline the existing process and provide a consistent approach to the various traffic and parking concerns that the city receives.” The group would meet monthly, and Peterborough residents would be able to submit requests or concerns through an application form that would be posted on the city’s website.
To support the working group as well as day-to-day traffic services supervision, a senior traffic services supervisor — a position approved in the city’s 2024 budget — would be hired and the working group would be fully established by the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025.
Items endorsed by general committee on August 26 will be considered by council for final approval the following Tuesday (September 3), when public delegations will be heard.
Peterborough homeowners Madeleine Endicott and Steve McMurtry now enjoy a much more comfortable home, and have reduced their total energy consumption by 43 per cent, after insulating the walls of their 100-year-old house and adding a heat pump. They plan to investigate additional upgrades in the future. (Photo: Clara Blakelock / GreenUP)
In this series, GreenUP is spotlighting homeowners from Peterborough and the surrounding region who have undertaken deep retrofits on their homes — reducing their energy use by about half and reducing greenhouse gas emissions even further.
Each week, GreenUP provides a story related to the environment. This week’s story is by Clara Blakelock, Home Energy Program Manager, GreenUP.
When they investigated the carbon emissions of their household, Madeleine Endicott and Steve McMurtry were surprised to find that their biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions came from heating their home — even more than from driving.
This motivated them to start the journey to retrofit their 100-year-old Peterborough home near Bonnerworth Park, where they have lived since 2021 with their three young kids.
“We were interested in upgrades that would be cost-effective, and we wanted to do as much of the work ourselves as possible,” says Endicott.
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It turned out that their brick-veneer home had an empty, uninsulated four-inch wall cavity, ideal for adding dense-packed blown-in cellulose. Cellulose is a type of insulation made from recycled newspaper, also commonly used in attics.
Modern wood-framed homes are built with insulation in the framing cavities to prevent heat loss. Homes built today have walls insulated to at least R22. In the 1970s and 1980s, R12 was commonly used. In homes built before the 1960s, there may be little to no insulation in the walls.
The R-value of insulation measures the rate at which heat is transferred through the material — the higher the R value, the slower heat will move, meaning more heat is kept inside the home in winter (and outside in summer).
Peterborough homeowners Madeleine Endicott and Steve McMurtry moved their furniture and drilled holes in the walls in preparation for cellulose insulation (an eco-friendly insulation made from recycled newspaper) to be blown in. The couple wanted to do the preparation work themselves while Hastings-based company New Energy Consulting Canada installed the insulation. (Photo: Madeleine Endicott)
It can be a challenge to add insulation to existing walls, but there are a few options available.
If a house is undergoing a major renovation and being gutted from the interior, then the insulation within the wall cavities can be upgraded. In a house with siding, a layer of insulation can be added to the exterior underneath the siding when it is being replaced.
Adding dense-packed cellulose to empty or near-empty wall cavities is another great option in many homes. This can be done from the interior (in homes with brick exterior), or from the outside when siding can be removed. Holes are drilled between every set of studs, and then a specialized machine is brought in to pack the cavities with cellulose insulation.
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Endicott and McMurtry worked with Morgan Fiene of New Energy to complete this upgrade.
“Morgan was great to work with,” explains McMurtry. “They were very receptive to letting us DIY some of the work. We drilled all the holes ourselves.”
Fiene then came in with his team and a specialized blower to fill the wall cavities.
“It did take us longer than we expected to do the patchwork, sanding, and painting afterwards, but this was because of our choice to do it ourselves,” McMurtry says.
“We had to move out of the home for a couple of days and move our furniture off the main floor,” adds Endicott. “This was a dusty job.”
Peterborough homeowner Madeleine Endicott dons a mask to tackle the dusty job of patching up the drilled walls. After Hastings-based company New Energy Consulting Canada blew cellulose insulation innto the walls, the couple did all patchwork, sanding, and painting themselves. (Photo: Madeleine Endicott)
Their walls are now insulated to R14, better than what would be found in a typical 1980s home. The cost of the insulation was almost entirely covered by a rebate from the Home Efficiency Rebate Plus program.
In addition to the walls, the attic insulation was also topped up to R60. The results were immediately noticeable.
“Our house is a lot warmer in the winter and there are fewer cold spots, especially near the outside walls,” says McMurtry. “The upstairs is much more comfortable than it was before.”
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After completing the wall insulation, Endicott and McMurtry also replaced their furnace with an air source heat pump with electric backup, although they don’t believe the backup system was ever needed during last year’s mild winter.
Endicott advises others to look into the benefits of wall insulation.
“Sometimes the less expensive and less ‘showy’ things make the biggest difference,” she explains. “When all was said and done on our insulation job, you couldn’t see any visual evidence of the work other than different paint on the walls. But it has made a huge difference in the comfort and energy efficiency of our home.”
Madeleine Endicott and Steve McMurtry in front of their century home near Bonnerworth Park in Peterborough. Because of the brick exterior, cellulose insulation was installed through holes in the interior walls of the home. The couple’s air source heat pump with electric backup, which replaced their natural gas furnace, can be seen along the side of the home. (Photo: Clara Blakelock / GreenUP)
There is still more that can be done to improve efficiency of the Endicott-McMurtry home — they still have original wood storm windows and an uninsulated basement — but, with the upgrades they have completed so far, they have reduced their total energy consumption by 43 per cent and their greenhouse gas emissions by 86 per cent.
They have also seen savings of about $440 in their energy bills over the last year, and no longer pay a bill to Enbridge Gas.
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Contact GreenUP if you’re interested in starting your own deep retrofit. An EnerGuide assessment is a great starting point to guide you towards the most impactful upgrades. Visit greenup.on.ca/home-energy to learn more, or email clara.blakelock@greenup.on.ca.
The Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus (EOWC), Western Ontario Wardens' Caucus (WOWC), and Eastern Ontario Mayors' Caucus (EOMC) led by Peterborough mayor Jeff Leal have announced they are supporting a call to action led by Ontario's Big City Mayors to its "Solve the Crisis" campaign. The campaign calls for increased funding from the provincial and federal governments to address homelessness and mental health issues. (kawarthaNOW screenshot of Ontario's Big City Mayors video)
In what has been called an “unprecedented humanitarian crisis,” municipal leaders across Ontario are rallying the provincial and federal governments for more funding to better address homelessness and mental health issues.
Representing 230 municipalities and more than 2.6 million people across Ontario, the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC), Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (WOWC), and Eastern Ontario Mayors’ Caucus (EOMC) have announced they are lending their support to “Solve the Crisis” — a new campaign led by Ontario’s Big City Mayors, a caucus representing mayors of Ontario cities with populations of 100,000.
During a meeting at the start of the 125th annual conference of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) in Ottawa this week (Aug. 18 to 21), the three caucuses stated their collective support around the need for the Ontario and federal governments “to take immediate and targeted action” to help solve the crisis around homelessness and mental health, a media release noted.
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“This is something we (the EOMC) have been pursuing, over the last year — the need for substantial investment by both the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada, to deal with this unprecedented humanitarian crisis that all municipalities are now facing,” said Jeff Leal, EOMC chair and mayor of the City of Peterborough, in the release.
During the AMO conference, Leal accepted an award from AMO recognizing the City of Peterborough’s innovative modular bridge housing community project that helped end a controversial tent encampment of people experiencing homelessness in downtown Peterborough.
The partners in the Solve the Crisis campaign say the homelessness and mental health crisis is occurring on streets throughout communities whether they are small or big, rural and urban.
VIDEO: “We need your help” – Ontario’s Big City Mayors
“Municipalities continue to step up, but do not have the tools, expertise or capacity to fully address the intersectional and complex issues around housing, homelessness, health care, and social services,” the release states.
They said they appreciate the actions that both governments have taken to date, including “Ontario’s Roadmap to Wellness,” the creation of the “Homelessness Prevention Program,” and investing in youth wellness hubs. But it’s not enough, according to the municipalities.
“We need to do more to ‘Solve the Crisis’ together as government partners, and we need to act swiftly.”
Brian Ostrander, warden of Northumberland County, recently told kawarthaNOW the theme of underfunding in areas of social services and housing was a common thread throughout Northumberland County’s recently released 2023 annual report.
In recent years, regional governments like Northumberland have been asked to spend more money in areas traditionally funded by the province.
“We simply cannot keep providing services like social services and housing services using property taxes,” Ostrander said. “Property taxes only make sense for linear projects like roads and bridges — but even then, in small and rural communities we don’t have the base to adequately keep up with the networks that we have.”
The rising number of homeless encampments and the human toll of the opioid crisis are a symptom of “deeper system failures that hurt Ontario’s overall social and economic prosperity,” the release stated.
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The WOWC, EOMC, and EOWC said they intend to send a letter to Ontario Premier Doug Ford “to further underscore the need” for a social and economic prosperity review.
“We need a municipal fiscal relationship that supports the foundations of a strong economy, sustainable communities and quality of life that reflects modern day and front-line realities.”
EOWC chair and Renfrew County warden Peter Emon said, “in communities of all sizes, not just big cities, people are unhoused, suffering and dying.”
“We need to help them and municipalities do not have the financial tools and resources to do it alone. It is time to take action to Solve the Crisis together with municipalities, the Ontario government, the federal government, and community partners at the table.”
The caucuses invite organizations and Ontario residents to join the call and support the Solve the Crisis campaign by visiting solvethecrisis.ca.
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