With the arrival of respiratory illness season, hospitals in the Kawarthas region are taking a closer peek at their masking policies, with two reintroducing the requirement of wearing masks in all patient areas.

In late October, Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) announced masks will again be required in all direct patient care areas and in spaces where patients gather.

The hospital says its goal is to protect patients from developing hospital-acquired COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, and other respiratory virus infections during respiratory illness season. Masking will be mandatory for patients, visitors, staff, and volunteers, the hospital noted.

“Masks slow the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses,” said Dr. Justin Tilak, physician lead for the infection prevention and control group at PRHC, in a statement. “During respiratory season, where COVID-19, RSV, flu and more are circulating more frequently, we want to do everything we can to protect our most vulnerable patients.”

This decision comes as many hospitals across Ontario, including Toronto’s University Health Network, are implementing similar measures, PRHC noted. At the Peterborough hospital, medical masks will continue to be available at the main entrance, in the emergency department, and in patient care areas across the hospital.

Additional personal protective equipment and visiting restrictions may apply based on the patient’s location and status, the hospital stated. Meanwhile, active screening of all patients and visitors entering the hospital will continue.

Ross Memorial Hospital (RMH) in Lindsay is taking a similar approach. In October, the hospital announced masking is required for entry into all patient care units. RMH has also “strongly recommended” masks be worn while in ambulatory waiting rooms, including the emergency department.

Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH) in Campbellford currently requires masks to be worn in all clinical areas of the hospital, which includes departments such as diagnostic imaging, lab, clinic space, inpatient units, and the emergency room.

“Masking remains optional outside of clinical areas such as meeting rooms, office spaces, the gift shop, or the cafeteria,” Peter Mitchell, CMH’s executive assistant and communications and community relations manager, told kawarthaNOW. “We do review our masking policy regularly and will make changes if the situation warrants it.”

To the west at Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) in Cobourg, the infection prevention and control and occupational health and safety teams continue to monitor prevalence of respiratory illness in and around the community and in the hospital, said Jennifer Gillard, vice-president of patient experience, public affairs, and strategic partnerships.

“Masks continue to be available free of charge for patients, visitors and staff who wish to don one,” Gillard told kawarthaNOW. “But unless requested for specific purposes — patients with symptoms of communicable respiratory illness, for example — there is no blanket requirement to mask at NHH at this time.”

Gillard said the hospital does encourage masking, including in areas of clinical and patient care, based on personal preference.

“Our infection prevention and control and occupational health and safety teams continue to monitor prevalence and will revisit as required,” Gillard reiterated.

At Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS), the Haliburton hospital requires staff, physicians, volunteers, visitors, and patients to wear a procedure mask in specific areas of the hospital.

Over the past 15 years, the aerospace sector in Peterborough and the Kawarthas has climbed to new heights and is continuing to soar.

With the Peterborough Airport at its centre, the region has become a leader in aerospace innovation with an ideal location, cutting-edge training and research programs, the presence of international and expanding businesses, and specialized services.

“The Peterborough Airport has experienced tremendous growth, solidifying its position as a hub for aerospace innovation and employment in Ontario,” says Kyle Bruce, Manager of Airport Administration. “The airport’s success has attracted a diverse range of businesses and training facilities, making it a key driver in the region’s economic development.”

That success is the continued result of the Peterborough Airport Master Plan, which was created in 2009 and updated in 2022 to guide the positioning of the airport as an economic leader in meeting future aviation demand and creating local employment.

Since launching the airport development program in 2010, the Peterborough Airport has seen full-time jobs double from 251 to more than 500, with 22 businesses currently residing on site and more to come. The sector’s regional GDP has more than doubled, from $40 million to $90 million.

Bruce points to the airport’s strategic location as a gateway to the eastern GTA as a contributor to encouraging growing aviation businesses to make a home in the airport.

“The supportive business environment is another key factor, with local governments offering incentives and streamlined processes to foster growth,” he says, adding the region has even more to offer. “The region’s quality of life, including natural beauty and affordable living, makes it attractive to both businesses and employees. All these factors create a dynamic, thriving ecosystem for aerospace companies.”

For workers, a wide range of employment opportunities are available at the Peterborough Airport, especially in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) businesses. Whether they are new graduates entering the sector for the first time or seasoned professionals looking for a change, employees always have opportunities to ascend the career ladder of their chosen profession.

“The close collaboration between companies, training facilities, and educational institutions enables continuous skill development, helping employees advance within their organizations,” says Bruce. “The airport’s focus on growth also means businesses are expanding, creating new roles and leadership opportunities, and allowing employees to build long-term careers within the region.”

To meet the growing demand for skilled employees, the Peterborough Airport offers top-notch training facilities for educational institutions. In 2014, Seneca Polytechnic relocated its four-year Bachelor of Aviation Technology program — the only program of its kind in Canada — to the Peterborough campus at the airport. Combining in-class learning and on-the-job placements, the program sets students up for success in careers in aviation and aerospace.

“When it comes to future growth and development, nothing would be possible without skilled labour,” says Bruce.

With the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program led by the Peterborough Northumberland Victoria and Clarington Catholic School Board, even teenagers can explore future career opportunities available at the Peterborough Airport.

This past summer, students in the SHSM program were given the opportunity to work an eight-week summer placement with aviation and aerospace businesses at the airport through the Build & Soar program delivered by Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) and its partners. Participating businesses were given a 50 per cent wage subsidy, while students received on-the-job training and paid workplace opportunities, many of which have led to part-time employment beyond the summer.

“There is a place for all skills to be valued in the supply chain surrounding the airport’s interconnected community of businesses, and that starts with teaching a new generation of learners where they can fit in and flourish,” says Bruce. “By ensuring we give as many local students as possible the chance to get their start in aviation, we can ensure that the future demands for careers in aviation are met.”

As for future growth of the Peterborough Airport, Bruce says the airport will build upon the momentum by focusing on emerging trends and being a leader in innovative research. For example, Fleming College is involved in cutting-edge research on an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft — a more sustainable aircraft that could be the future of aviation.

“The airport’s focus on emerging trends, like sustainable aviation and workforce development, positions it as a hub for MRO, testing, and innovation,” says Bruce. “This proactive approach, combined with its strong infrastructure and expanding industry connections, will help attract new businesses and sustain economic growth in the region.”

That includes outreach efforts such as attending aerospace industry trade shows like the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom. Representatives from the Peterborough Airport and PKED travelled to Farnborough this past July, where they met with aerospace manufacturers, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) service providers, and eVTOL developers, and came away with leads for potential airport tenants. The momentum gained at Farnborough continued with the Airport’s Business Enablement Team booth at October’s DAIR to Innovate show at Centennial College.

“Peterborough Airport is committed to maintaining its growth by leveraging its strategic advantages, including its proximity to Toronto and Ottawa, and access to skilled talent from nearby colleges and universities,” Bruce notes. “Attending key industry events, like the Farnborough International Airshow and DAIR to Innovate, plays a crucial role in this strategy.”

Aside from the leads generated at Farnborough, three companies are planning investments at the Peterborough Airport over the next year, including a flight training unit, the development of a commercial aircraft hangar, and the potential development of energy infrastructure.

“The expansion of Peterborough Airport has not only transformed the region’s aerospace industry but has also reaffirmed the area’s status as an ideal place to pursue a long-term, successful career in aviation and aerospace,” says Bruce.

Bruce adds that the airport’s continued growth is a key driver for the region’s overall economic success.

“The growth has a ripple effect on the broader regional economy, driving development in multiple industries,” Bruce points out. “As aerospace businesses expand, they create demand for local supplies, construction companies, logistics services, and professional supports. Additionally, job creation within the aerospace sector boosts consumer spending, which benefits retail, hospitality, and housing markets.”

Explore training and employment opportunities at the Peterborough Airport at peterborough.ca/en/doing-business/airport-services.aspx.

This branded editorial is one of a series created in partnership with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development. If your organization or business is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.

After just a year in the job, the Municipality of Port Hope’s chief administrative officer Candice White is leaving to become chief executive officer of Skilled Trades Ontario.

The Ontario government announced White’s appointment to the provincial agency on Friday (November 1).

“This next chapter comes sooner than anticipated, but I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to lead the municipality over the past year,” White said in a media release. “Port Hope is a remarkable community, and it has been an honour to serve its residents and businesses alongside the dedicated staff and council. My time here will always hold a special place in my heart.”

An agency of the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Skills Trade Ontario was established by legislation in 2021 and is responsible for apprenticeship and skilled trades certification in Ontario.

The agency is governed and managed by a board of directors and a chief executive officer, all of whom are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council on the recommendation of the minister.

“I look forward to Candice leveraging her executive experience within public sector organizations to build upon (Skilled Trades Ontario’s) successes as we continue to work together to grow our skilled trades workforce, and develop world-class training and standards,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development and Peterborough-Northumberland South MPP, in a media release.

Prior to joining the Municipality of Port Hope last November, White was chief administrative officer and clerk/treasurer of the Township of Asphodel-Norwood in Peterborough County for nine years. She has also served on the board of directors of provincial agencies including the Ontario Clean Water Agency and the York Region Wastewater Advisory Panel.

White is taking over the reins at Skilled Trades Ontario from Melissa Young, who was appointed the agency’s first CEO in January 2022. Young oversaw the launching of standards industry advisory committees, certificates of qualification and wallet cards for skilled trades professionals, and more.

White’s last day at the Municipality of Port Hope will be November 22, and she will begin her new job at Skilled Trades Ontario on November 25. The municipality is developing a recruitment process to appoint a new chief administrative officer.

Kawartha Lakes police are investigating two separate fires at two tent encampments in Lindsay early Friday morning (November 1).

At around 5:09 a.m. on Friday, the Kawartha Lakes Police Service along with Kawartha Lakes Fire and Rescue responded to a fire in the area of Bond Street in Lindsay.

Upon arriving, officers observed a small tent encampment and surrounding area fully engulfed in flames.

“Fortunately, the resident and pet were able to escape without harm,” reads a police media release, which also describes the incident as “disturbing.”

Then, at around 6:20 a.m., police and fire crews responded to another tent on fire in the area of Colborne Street East in Lindsay. There were no occupants in the tent at the time of the fire.

Police believe both fires were intentionally set, and the criminal investigations unit is investigating the fires as arson.

Police are looking to speak with the occupants of a pickup truck that was caught on CCTV leaving the Bond Street area at the time of the first fire.

Anyone with information about either fire is asked to contact the Kawartha Lakes Police at 705-324-5252.

If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can call Kawartha Haliburton Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a tip online at www.khcrimestoppers.com.

Clocks will ‘fall back’ an hour when daylight saving time (DST) ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday (November 3).

The annual return to eastern standard time (EST) means it will be lighter in the morning when we get up, with the sun rising at 6:54 a.m. on Sunday in the Kawarthas. On the other hand, it will be darker earlier, with the sun setting at 4:59 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.

The end of DST also means it’s time to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and to check whether the alarms need to be replaced (if they are more than 10 years old, they probably do).

Here’s everything you should know about DST:

Who invented DST and why?

Although it’s commonly believed Benjamin Franklin came up with the idea for DST, it was actually New Zealand entomologist George Hudson.

In 1895, Hudson proposed a two-hour shift in the clocks (he wanted more daylight to collect insects).

“The effect of this alteration would be to advance all the day’s operations in summer two hours compared with the present system,” Hudson wrote in 1898, explaining his original proposal. “In this way the early-morning daylight would be utilised, and a long period of daylight leisure would be made available in the evening for cricket, gardening, cycling, or any other outdoor pursuit desired.”

A few years later, English outdoorsman William Willett also proposed advancing the clocks during the summer months (he wanted more daylight to golf).

The first governments to implement DST were Germany and Austria-Hungary in 1916, as a way to conserve coal during World War I. Britain and most other European countries adopted it shortly after, with the United States and Canada adopting it in 1918.

DST used to begin the first Sunday of April and end the last Sunday of October, but in 2007 the U.S. decided to change it to begin the second Sunday of March and end the first Sunday of November in an attempt to conserve energy.

To avoid issues with economic and social interactions with the U.S., the Canadian provinces that observe DST followed suit.

What are the health effects of changing time twice a year?

While the evidence is mixed, some research has found that “falling back” results in more accidents involving pedestrians, while “springing forward” increases the risk of heart attacks and traffic accidents.

In any case, moving clocks forward or backward changes our exposure to daylight and affects our circadian rhythm (the body’s natural internal clock).

In the fall, gaining an extra hour of sleep sounds like a good thing but it can actually make you feel “jet lagged”.

It can take up to a week to adjust your internal clock to the shift in daylight hours.

Why don’t we just get rid of DST?

It’s possible that we’ll soon be ending the practice of changing our clocks twice a year, but by making DST permanent rather than getting rid of it.

On November 25, 2020, the Ontario government gave royal assent to The Time Amendment Act, a private members’ bill tabled by Ottawa-West Nepean MPP Jeremy Roberts that proposed making “the time now called daylight saving time the standard time year-round.”

The bill would only come into force if the province of Quebec and the state of New York also make DST permanent. While the Quebec government has previously said it is open to the idea of making DST permanent if neighbouring jurisdictions do the same, the province launched a survey in October 2024 asking residents in western Quebec whether to keep the time change or not and, if not, whether they’d prefer to have DST or EST year round (communities in eastern Quebec currently observe Atlantic time with no time change).

In 2022, it looked like the U.S. was on the verge of ending the bi-annual time change. On March 16, 2022, the U.S. Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make DST permanent beginning in spring 2023. Despite passage in the Senate, the bill stalled in the House, where it remained in a committee until it died with the expiration of the previous Congress.

In March 2023, Florida senator Marco Rubio reintroduced the bill into the 118th Congress, where it was sent to a senate committee with no notable progress since.

Is making DST permanent a good idea?

The primary argument for adopting DST permanently is that, by increasing the amount of daylight at the end of the day, it would lead to more economic activity and reduce vehicle collisions, energy usage, and robberies.

But researchers in chronobiology — the study of biological rhythms — disagree that DST should be made permanent. While they also want to get rid of the bi-annual time change, they say we should be permanently adopting standard time rather than DST.

“Based on current chronobiology knowledge, permanent Standard Time (ST) would be a wiser, healthier choice,” the Canadian Society for Chronobiology has said.

Chronobiologists say adopting permanent standard time would move sunrise closer to our body’s internal clock, while permanent DST would move it further away. It’s the light in the morning that is most important in resetting our biological clocks, they say.

And it’s not just the Canadian Society for Chronobiology advocating for the permanent adoption of standard time. The U.S.-based Society for Research on Biological Rhythms, the European Biological Rhythms Society, the British Sleep Society, and the European Sleep Research Society have all issued statements supporting it.

How can we reduce the health effects of the time change?

Here are some suggestions for how you and your family can adapt more quickly to the time change:

• Each morning leading up to the time change on Sunday, try waking up 15 minutes earlier than normal.
• Also try going to bed 15 minutes earlier than normal each night. You can help prepare your body for an earlier bedtime by not eating two hours before you go to sleep, and put down your devices an hour before bed.
• Eat a healthy breakfast when you first wake up, as food is one way to tell your body it’s the beginning of the day.
• After the time change, expose yourself to daylight during waking hours as much as possible.
• Reduce your use of caffeine and alcohol during the day and increase your physical activity.