The Ontario government has announced it will end funding for Peterborough’s Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) site, which has been in operation for almost four years.

The Peterborough CTS site is one of seven CTS sites the Ontario government is closing in communities that now have a Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub funded by the province.

“Our government is focused on treatment, recovery, and safer communities,” said Ontario health minister Sylvia Jones in a media release on Monday (March 16). “Through our almost $550 million investment to establish HART Hubs across the province, we are ensuring people struggling with addiction can access the care and supports they need to break the tragic cycle of addiction and rebuild their lives while protecting Ontario communities.”

Located in the former bus terminal at 220 Simcoe Street in downtown Peterborough, the CTS opened in June 2022 to provide a safe and medically supported space for people to consume pre-obtained drugs under the supervision of health professionals. People using the CTS are provided with sterile injection supplies, education on safer consumption practices, drug checking, basic medical services, and referrals to addiction treatment services, housing, and other social services.

The CTS is operated by Four Counties Addictions Services (Fourcast), which is also leading Peterborough’s HART Hub, one of 28 approved across Ontario.

The creation of HART Hubs resulted from the province’s August 2024 “safer communities” announcement that banned supervised drug consumption sites within 200 metres of schools and child care centres. It resulted in the closure of nine existing provincially funded supervised drug consumption sites, including four in Toronto as well as sites in Guelph, Hamilton, Thunder Bay, Ottawa, and Kitchener-Waterloo. CTS sites that were not located within 200 metres of schools and child care centres continued to receive funding.

Along with Peterborough, the other six sites that will no longer receive provincial funding as a result of Monday’s announcement include two sites in Toronto, two sites in Ottawa, one site in Niagara, and one site in London.

“This latest step responds directly to local concerns over public safety associated with these sites and furthers the government’s plan to fund treatment and lasting recovery from addiction, rather than continued public funding of drug injection sites,” reads the province’s media release.

The Ontario government states it will initiate a 90-day wind-down period “to give clients time to transition to the support provided by their local HART Hub.”

“During this period the government will work directly with the municipalities and community partners to ensure a safe, coordinated wind-down of provincial funding for the drug injection sites and successful transition into the new model of recovery,” the media release states.

In January 2025, the Ontario government announced $6.2 million for Peterborough’s HART Hub for local service delivery partners to provide a continuum of services for people with complex service needs on their recovery journey from addictions and homelessness.

It delivers primary and psychiatric care, mental health and addictions services (including case management, Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM), withdrawal management, bed-based addictions treatment, and aftercare), peer recovery coaches, mental health and addictions supportive housing (both transitional and permanent) and dual diagnosis supportive housing with 24/7 community wrap-around services, occupational therapy, and vocational services.

Like all of the HART Hubs funded by the province, the Peterborough hub will not offer safer supply, supervised drug consumption, or needle exchange programs — leaving a gap in services for people living with addiction who are not in treatment.

Harm reduction advocates and healthcare professionals have objected to the provincial government’s decision to shut down CTS sites, stating they decrease public drug use and save lives and reduce pressure on the healthcare system by preventing overdoses.

According to Lakelands Public Health (the health unit formed by the merger of Peterborough Public Health and the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit), the Peterborough CTS site recorded over 15,000 visits between January 2023 and August 24 and successfully managed 104 drug poisonings without a single fatality.

In December 2025 alone, 896 individuals (including repeat visitors) used the site, with 28 per cent of these visits for services other than the consumption of drugs, such as substance use support and treatment, housing, health services, and mental health resources.

Statement from the Canadian Civil Liberties Association

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) has issued a statement that “strongly condemns” the province’s move.

“Safe consumption sites are proven harm-reduction measures that support people who use drugs and people living with addiction. This decision will make it harder to access essential, life-saving health services.”

“Communities across Ontario and throughout Canada are facing an unprecedented toxic drug crisis, alongside escalating homelessness and mental health challenges. This is a moment that demands expanded, evidence-based supports — not reduced access to critical, lifesaving health care services.”

“This misguided decision will put vulnerable and marginalized people at greater risk and will cost lives. The loss of funding for these services will disproportionately harm already marginalized communities, including Indigenous and racialized people, as well as those experiencing poverty and homelessness, who face systemic barriers to accessing health care and other supports.”

Statement from HIV Legal Network and the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario

The HIV Legal Network and the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (HALCO) has also issued a statement to “unequivocally denounce” the province’s decision, calling consumption and treatment services sites “hubs of community care and support that reduce the risk of overdose and HIV infection, backed by decades of empirical evidence proving their effectiveness.”

“Despite this, the Government of Ontario has tried to systematically dismantle these services since it came into power,” the statement reads. “In 2018, it arbitrarily limited the number of sites that Ontario would fund. In the years that followed, Ontario continued to defund sites or refused to fund new ones.”

According to the HIV Legal Network and HALCO, overdose rates in Toronto alone increased by 50 per cent in January 2026 compared to January 2025 when the province closed the majority of CTS sites in Toronto, “despite warnings from the government’s own experts that overdoses would increase.”

“What we know right now is that more people will die without access to the lifesaving care they receive at supervised consumption sites. These sites exist within our communities and make them better and safer for everyone. We will continue to support the fight to keep them open and keep our community members alive and well.”

Statement from Lakelands Public Health

A statement from Lakelands Public Health “acknowledges and thanks Fourcast for the important work they have done, and continue to do, to support individuals who use substances by providing access to services, treatment connections, and compassionate care” and notes that, without alternate funding, the Peterborough CTS will close.

“Programs that provide harm reduction services and pathways to treatment are an important part of a comprehensive public health approach to addressing substance use and the ongoing drug poisoning crisis,” the statement reads.

“Continuity of services that support people who use substances is an important component of protecting community health, particularly at a time when many communities continue to experience the impacts of the toxic drug supply.”

Lakelands Public Health adds that it “will continue to collaborate with local drug strategies to understand the impacts of this change and to support individuals who may be affected.”

Statement from Peterborough 360 Degree Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic

A statement from the Peterborough 360 Degree Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic, which provides primary care and health system navigation for marginalized and vulnerable population, notes that the closure of the Peterborough CTS “will have significant and far-reaching effects — not only for individuals who relied on this service, but for the broader community and the many partners who support it.”

“The closure of the CTS represents not only the loss of a critical harm reduction service, but also the loss of an important entry point into primary care for individuals who often face substantial barriers to accessing traditional healthcare,” the statement reads.

“This comes at a time when our clinic has already experienced reductions in harm reduction capacity, including the loss of funding for the Safer Supply Program (SSP) last year. Programs like SSP and CTS are not standalone services — they are interconnected components of a broader continuum of care that support engagement, stability, and safety. Evidence shows that supervised consumption services and related harm reduction programs reduce overdose deaths, improve access to treatment, and act as critical gateways into healthcare and social supports.”

“The closure of the CTS is expected to increase pressure on the Emergency Department, as more individuals will require acute care for overdoses and related complications that were previously managed in a supervised setting. In addition, the loss of on-site nursing care — including preventative wound care — means more untreated infections and complications, further driving avoidable hospital visits. This added demand will contribute to longer wait times and increased strain on an already overburdened system.”

“The impacts of this closure will extend well beyond the healthcare sector. Without a comparable service in place, we can expect increased pressures on paramedic services and police, who will see a rise in overdose responses and crisis calls. Public spaces — including the library, transit hubs, and other shared community environments — will experience increased challenges as individuals who previously accessed supervised care are displaced. Public works teams will also face increased demands related to community safety and public space maintenance.”

The statement adds that, while organizations such as Fourcast, PARN (Peterborough AIDS Resource Network), and Peterborough Regional Health Centre’s Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) Clinic will continue to support people who use substances through treatment, recovery, and harm reduction services, “gaps in care will inevitably emerge” with the closure of the CTS.

“The CTS has been a vital point of connection for many individuals, and its closure will leave a noticeable void.”

The original version of this story has been updated with statements from the HIV Legal Network and the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (HALCO), Lakelands Public Health, and the Peterborough 360 Degree Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic.

Maryam Monsef’s ONWARD and the Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce are partnering to host a community-focused gathering at the end of March about the status of women in the community, in honour of the late trailblazer Ann Farquharson.

“A Conversation about the Status of Women in our Community” is being held at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31 with sponsorship from Kawartha Financial Services, Electric City Real Estate, kawarthaNOW, East City Flower Shop, and the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA).

Tickets are priced at $49.95 plus tax and can be purchased at pkchamber.ca.

“March is a very special month for women with International Women’s Day on the 8th, but also March 9th was Ann Farquharson’s birthday,” says Monsef, the former MP for Peterborough who was also federal Minister for Women and Gender Equality from 2017 to 2021.

“I haven’t met anyone who loves birthdays as much as she did, so given the inspiration and the support she was for so many in our community, particularly women, it felt fitting to honour her on her birthday month with a gathering that brings women and those who care about us together for an important conversation about the status of women.”

The event is a follow up to the “How Women Superpower the Economy” event that ONWARD presented in 2025 shortly after Trump resumed presidency of the United States. That event was designed to discuss how tariffs would impact women given that they often superpower the economy with “invisible work” like emotional labour and caring for loved ones.

“What we forget, and what history and research shows us again and again, is that women are hit hardest in these times,” Monsef says. “Many of the people who came (to last year’s event) left feeling invigorated and inspired and they said they want more. They want to delve deeper into topics like health, safety, money, and leadership, so this is a follow-up to that conversation.”

Also featuring a light lunch and refreshments an opportunity to network with other women and allies in the community, this year’s event will offer engaging discussions covering key topics like women’s leadership, economic empowerment, gender equity, intersectional barriers, community impact, and pathways forward.

“The war in the Middle East is going to have implications for everyone all over the world,” Monsef notes. “I believe this event is going to create a space for us to talk about how geopolitics, and the threat for more tariffs, are going to continue to affect women in our economy and in our community, and what the role for women is in moments like this.”

Speakers at the event include The Tiffany Show’s Tiffany Arcari, DBIA executive director Nour Mazloum, Chamber president and CEO Brenda Whitehead, Curve Lake First Nation artist Missy Knott, and Peterborough MP Emma Harrison.

“The idea is to convene a room full of women supporting each other and those who care about us and to build community in a really difficult moment for all of us,” Monsef says. “In scary, unsettling times, it’s easy to feel alone and so we’re offering a chance to come together in community.”

Monsef paraphrases a quote from Prime Minister Mark Carney earlier this year about middle powers acting together — “If we’re not at the table, we’re on the menu.” — and applies it to gender quality.

“If we’re not at the table raising our voices about what we bring to the table and how we might be affected negatively, then our experiences won’t be included in the way that they should be in the decisions that are to come,” Monsef says. “This is an opportunity for us to be at the table and in community and be reminded that we are all in this together, and that we have the good fortune to live in a country like Canada where our voices matter.”

This, Monsef says, is work that Farquharson would have supported.

A prominent lawyer and former city councillor who had a long history of civic leadership, serving on boards and committees for a large number of organizations in Peterborough, Farquharson died unexpectedly in her sleep on November 24 at the age of 68. As a proud feminist, she devoted much of her life to advocating for women’s health and safety.

A longtime friend and supporter, Monsef calls Farquharson a “mobilizing force” who brought the community together, made it better for everyone, and whose “significant loss” has been felt widely.

“I think she’d be proud to know that we’re coming together in solidarity, in community, in celebration, and that we’re making a day of it where we’re going to have a nice lunch and we’re going to network and hopefully build some business-to-business connections in the process,” says Monsef.

“She would have been proud of that and that we’re talking about serious issues that women and children and our families in this community are experiencing, and trying to give voice to those who can’t come out to these events.”

kawarthaNOW is proud to be the media sponsor of for “A Conversation About The Status of Women In Our Community.”

Jethro’s Bar + Stage at 137 Hunter Street West in downtown Peterborough will be closing in April, almost four years to the day when musician Kayla Howran first opened it.

After several local musicians broke the news on Friday (March 13) that the venue would be closing, Howran confirmed the closure on social media the following day.

“It has been a rewarding, fulfilling and heartfelt journey the last four years – watching our music community grow in this intimate space,” she wrote on Facebook.

“Peterborough has an incredibly special arts and music scene and it has been an honour to be even a small part of it,” Howran wrote. “We are proud of what Jethro’s became. Small, independent venues are never just businesses — they’re gathering places and this one was built by the people who filled it. So thank you.”

“Over the next four weeks we will be celebrating the best way we know how: great music, good drinks and the best company. We hope you’ll join us, raise a glass and see us out in true Jethro’s style.”

Located in the former location of The Sapphire Room cocktail lounge, Howran opened Jethro’s on April 22, 2022 and it quickly became a favourite spot for musicians and music fans alike, eventually featuring live music in the evenings from Wednesdays to Saturdays, as well as the popular all-ages blues jam on Sunday afternoons hosted by drummer and harmonica player Al Black.

“The jam has grown into something I could have never predicted,” Black wrote on Facebook. “I have met so many fantastic musicians young and old and from far and wide and been blessed with so many new friendships.”

“Owner Kayla and fixer Andy along with his fur buddy Reggie have always been there at load in and load out with words of encouragement and laughs. Bartenders Colleen and Lauchie have always been so good to me and all who attend.”

Singer-songwriter Jeanne Truax, the Peterborough Folk Festival’s 2025 emerging artist of the year, wrote on Facebook that “although my heart is so sad, it is also so very full,” noting that she played her first-ever show at Jethro’s.

“I feel as though I’ve made a family there,” added Truax, who currently performs with the Jet Airliners during a residency at the venue.

“Kayla Howran, I am so beyond grateful for all you poured into this community and I thank you for the opportunity to perform at your bar. It absolutely changed my life and I could not be more appreciative.”

An email from musician Craig Paterson, who performs regularly at Jethro’s with his jazz band Carpe Noctem, notes the venue is closing as of April 13.

Friday the 13th was especially unlucky for Runner’s Life owner Dave Dame, after Peterborough city council effectively reversed its earlier decision to grant him a temporary road closure permit for George Street in the downtown core for the St. Patrick’s Day 5k Run and Walk he had organized for this Sunday (March 15).

Only 40 hours before the event was scheduled to begin, council met virtually at 8 p.m. on Friday (March 13) and voted to approve an amended motion that would give city staff the authority to propose alternative routes for the race — something Dame is not interested in pursuing.

The two and a half hour meeting began with a general committee meeting chaired by councillor Matt Crowley, where Mayor Jeff Leal delivered a verbal report outlining new information he had received since councillors had voted 9-1 at Monday’s council meeting to override the city clerk’s decision last Friday (March 6) not to grant a permit for Dame’s event.

Safety concerns raised by city staff and police

The mayor called on city clerk John Kennedy and police chief Stuart Betts to describe the safety concerns with the event.

Kennedy said there were issues identified during the February 3 meeting about the event between Dame and city staff — which included the clerk’s office, parade officials, traffic staff, public works, and the police — that included the event’s proximity to the St. Patrick’s Day parade, the bidirectional nature of run, and the fact that a full road closure would impact businesses.

For his part, Chief Betts raised a litany of concerns, noting he had past experience with these types of events. He said a “hard block” (a complete road closure) would be required for the event, rather than the “rolling block” that will be in place for the St. Patrick’s Day parade — where police close each intersection as participants pass that intersection — and which Dame had requested be used for his event.

The chief also said there wasn’t sufficient advance planning to close down George Street and its 15 intersections for a hard block, there were insufficient resources to barricade off intersections, that the run/walk nature of the event presents challenges because of the varying speeds of participants, that the event’s start time of 30 minutes before the parade left insufficient time for all runners and walkers to complete it, that faster runners would be lapping walkers during the bidirectional run, and that a hard block would require 30 officers (two per intersection).

Chief Betts also said that there were issues with bus route changes, business closures, a lack of consultation with fire and emergency services for appropriate crossing points, and that barricades were not sufficient to prevent people or vehicles from crossing George Street unless police officers are present. He referred to a number of incidents when the walk/run was last organized in 2023, including a near-collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian.

Councillors question why concerns were not shared earlier

A number of councillors raised concerns that none of this information was shared with council on Monday night, despite several requests during the meeting for clarification on safety concerns.

Councillor Dave Haacke asked Kennedy whether any of these concerns were communicated to Dame. Kennedy said some of the issues were discussed during the February 3 meeting. When Haacke noted that Dame has said the opposite when delegating to council on Monday night and asked if this was made clear to Dame at the meeting, Kennedy said Dame was told city staff would require further discussion and investigation of the issues.

“It’s crazy that we’re here tonight,” councillor Alex Bierk said, adding “We should have never been put in this position” before asking Mayor Leal why the information had not been shared with council earlier.

The mayor said he met with the city clerk on Tuesday morning when he received new information, and subsequently met with Chief Betts and the city’s commission of legislative services David Potts on Wednesday. The first available time to convene council meetings was on Friday afternoon, and since those meetings didn’t have a quorum, meetings were scheduled for Friday night.

For her part, councillor Joy Lachica called the lack of communication with Dame between the February 3 meeting and the March 6 decision to deny a permit an “utter miscarriage of communication to the organizer.” She said Dame would not have proceeded to organize his event if he thought the permit might not be issued.

“I think it’s absolutely wrong to stick it to a small business owner like this,” she said. “We need to do better.”

Legislative services commissioner says event organizer not ‘truthful’

Potts said all the concerns that Chief Betts raised were also raised at the February 3 meeting with Dame.

He said Dame’s delegation to council was “Neither accurate nor truthful” and that council’s decision to approve a temporary road closure permit was based on “erroneous information, and I say that generously.” He also said there is a “history” with Dame, without explaining what he meant.

In response to Potts’ comments, councillor Keith Riel said “I don’t like being scolded by staff,” noting there was an opportunity on Monday night for the city clerk to advise council to go into closed session if issues needed to be shared with councillors after Dame’s delegation.

“The information I received that night did not justify not giving a permit,” Riel said.

Councillor Lachica said concerns about the run/walk could have been communicated to council before Monday night, as well as during the meeting itself, and that councillors had asked Kennedy and Potts several times to clarify what the concerns were and didn’t receive a response.

“It puts us in a very difficult position,” she said.

City staff propose alternative routes for the race

Councillor Haacke said his vote on Monday night would have been different had he received information about concerns with the event.

“We didn’t have that information — that is a problem,” he said, before asking city staff if there is a way to “salvage” the event.

City CAO Jasbir Raina said staff have developed some options, and asked recreation and park services director Rob McAulay to explain them. McAulay said staff have been working on two options for alternative routes: a 2.5-kilometre route up and down the Rotary Trail or a one-kilometre loop in Nicholls Oval Park.

After Haacke asked how council could proceed with these options, Kennedy said council could amend its Monday night decision to delegate authority to the city clerk to establish alternate routes.

Councillor Kevin Duguay asked Kennedy if Dame had been instructed at the February 3 meeting to resolve the issues identified at the meeting for the permit to be issued.

Kennedy did not directly answer the question, instead saying that, after a series of communications and meetings, technical staff concluded the event would not be safe. Duguay asked if Dame was advised of issues that needed to be addressed, and Kennedy said Dame was told there were issues that needed to be reviewed.

Councillor Riel said city staff should have given council information about their concerns with the event on Monday night in closed session.

“It’s going to look bad on our community,” he said. “Why the hell would I do anything with the city if this is how I’m treated? Someone dropped the ball and it certainly wasn’t council.”

Raina said he took “full responsibility for the process.” He said that, although he doesn’t get involved in the details, “we could have done better with the process.”

Baldwin, who was the sole vote against granting a temporary permit on Monday night because he was concerned he didn’t have all the information, wondered why no “alarm bells” had been raised about event during the previous 12 years it had taken place.

Debate over whether mayor’s motion is a ‘reconsideration’ of council decision

After Mayor Leal said he intended to move the amendment as described by the city clerk, delegating the authority to establish alternate routes, councillor Lachica asked whether a two-thirds vote would be required as council was reconsidering a decision it had already made.

Kennedy said that a two-third vote is required for reconsideration of a decision, but a majority vote is required for an amendment to a motion.

Councillor Bierk said that the mayor’s motion was a reconsideration and not an amendment, noting “It is completely different,” and councillor Lachica echoed his comment.

Councillors Haacke and Baldwin said they didn’t consider it a reconsideration, and councillor Crowley — as chair of the meeting — agreed, stating that Dame would still have a permit for the event.

Councillor Lachica said the mayor’s motion is for a different route at a different location requiring a different permit, and councillor Bierk noted that when a similar situation happened during the Bonnerworth Park redevelopment debate, an amendment to a decision already made by council was considered to be a reconsideration.

Councillor Crowley then ruled that the motion was not a reconsideration since council was not revoking the permit for the event, even though the permit in the original decision explicitly named George Street and the mayor’s motion effectively reversed that decision.

Councillor Lachica challenged the chair’s ruling, which was upheld by a 8-3 vote, with Lachica and councillors Bierk and Riel voting against.

General committee passes mayor’s motion 8-3

With the mayor’s motion on the floor for debate, councillor Lachica asked whether alternative routes were presented to Dame when issues were raised at the February 3 meeting. Kennedy said Dame’s preference was for a road race and technical staff only looked at the road route.

Councillor Bierk said he appreciated the effort to find an alternative route, but “I can’t support this at 30 hours before the event,” noting that there are 300 participants in the race who are bringing their families, and that a downtown race is different from a race on a trail or in a park.

Chief Betts said that police did provide alternative routes during the February 3 meeting with Dame that would eliminate safety concerns and resource requirements and, in response to a question from Bierk, said these alternative routes were on trails and in parks and not on George Street or downtown.

In response to a question from councillor Crowley about whether a run could be held on George Street in the future, Chief Betts said “anything is possible with resources,” adding that it was the bidirectional nature of the event causing the issue, and resolving that issue would require organizer involvement far in advance.

CAO Raina said city staff are reviewing the permitting process, which is currently 90 days but could be 120 or 180 days.

Councillors then voted on the mayor’s motion, which passed 8-3 with councillors Bierk, Lachica, and Riel voting against.

‘Did you guys just vote to cancel my race?’

After adjourning as general committee and immediately reconvening as city council with Mayor Leal as chair, councillors heard from Dame as a registered delegation.

“Did you guys just vote to cancel my race?” he asked, at which point Kennedy read the mayor’s motion.

Dame said he left the February 3 meeting “thinking everything was fine.”

“No-one who talked tonight was at the meeting,” he said. “No alternative routes were discussed.”

He said he was not aware of the 2023 incident that Chief Betts spoke about and, in response to Potts’ comment about “history,” said “You treat me like this, no wonder. This is going to affect my reputation.”

“I may never do another event in this city ever again,” he said, adding “It’s up to council to give direction to city staff and police, not the other way around.”

He said he was not interested in alternative routes for his event.

In response to a question from councillor Lachica about whether he would have considered an alternative route if he had been aware of the issues raised by city staff, Dame said “I would have considered anything if there had been any notion of a potential problem.”

“I would not have proceeded if there was any issue,” he added, pointing out that no-one from the city had talked to him since the February 3 meeting, and that the first indication he had that there was a problem was when he received the letter from the city clerk on March 6 denying the permit.

Dame said nothing had changed since the event was last held in 2023, except there were “a bunch of new faces in the room” during the February 3 meeting. He said the police representative did not indicate there would be any issue with policing at the event.

“It just doesn’t make any sense,” he said.

Police traffic sergeant addresses council

As Dame’s delegation ended, Chief Betts said he was prepared to have traffic sergeant Matt McGill participate in the council meeting as he attended the February 3 meeting with Dame.

McGill told council there were “quite a few back-and-forth discussions” during the meeting, and that concerns were raised about where runners would gather before the event. He said Dame was aware there was no final decision made at the meeting, and that police needed to review the issues.

In response to a question from councillor Crowley about whether police had any further communication with Dame after the February 3 meeting, McGill said he sent an email on February 10 to the city clerk’s office indicating serious concerns about the police’s ability to facilitate the event, including resources required and costs, but had no conversations with Dame.

Councillor Lachica asked McGill whether there were any suggestions for alternate routes were presented to Dame during the February 3 meeting. McGill contradicted the earlier assertion made by Chief Betts and said he didn’t recall discussions about moving the event to a different location, as it was clear Dame wanted to have the event on George Street.

In response to a question from councillor Bierk about whether there was any way to salvage the event on George Street with current resources, McGill said there are too many variables in keeping vehicles off of George Street and controlling the runners, and that there are safety issues without having hard barricades at every intersection or police at every intersection.

Councillor Riel asked McGill about the number of police officers and auxiliary officers required for an event like this. McGill said that, for the St. Patrick’s Day parade, 26 duty officers were requested and 15 were approved, with 11 auxiliary officers available to assist. He said that the Highway Traffic Act does not permit auxiliary officers to be posted at intersections on their own.

When Riel asked McGill how police are managing the parade given those resources, McGill said the parade has been planned in such a way so that the 15 duty officers can keep the auxiliary officers at the intersections within sight, thereby extending the resources.

Riel pointed out the McGill had just said that auxiliary officers can’t be at intersections on their own but declined to continue his question, saying “This evening is frustrating enough.”

Council approves mayor’s motion 6-5

After councillors finished questioning McGill, the mayor’s motion as approved by general committee was read out loud — “That council delegate authority to the city clerk to impose conditions and establish alternate routes in relation to council’s approval of the temporary road closure for the St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run Road Closure.” — and was on the floor for discussion.

“This entire situation just makes us look terrible,” councillor Crowley said about the communication between city staff and Dame regarding the event permit and council’s subsequent decisions. “This whole thing is a massive mess.”

Councillor Riel said Dame will have to cancel his event if council passes the recommendation, noting 300 people are coming for the event and that it’s a fundraiser for charity.

“To me, this is a black eye for the city, it’s a black eye for us as council, and for how the whole thing has been handled,” Riel said.

Councillor Lesley Parnell said “This whole situation is totally regrettable” but added “The bottom line is that it is not safe to run this race,” referring to the potential for a tragedy.

Councillor Don Vassiliadis questioned why council was voting on the recommendation when the event organizer said he is not interested in alternate routes, adding that communication was missing and that he heard information contradicting other information.

“I think we have to do a lot better than this,” he said.

Councillor Baldwin said the city would be at risk if council allowed the original motion to stand instead of supporting the amendment, while councillor Bierk said “Voting for this amendment is to vote against the race, and all the repercussions from that.”

Council then voted 6-5 in favour of the mayor’s motion, with councillors Vassiliadis, Crowley, Lachica, Bierk, and Riel voting against it.

The original version of this story has been updated with minor changes to improve clarity and with councillor Riel’s questioning of traffic sergeant Matt McGill.

A special meeting of Peterborough city council scheduled for Friday afternoon (March 13) was adjourned due to a lack of quorum.

Just prior to the 1 p.m. meeting, council held a closed session of general committee to discuss a matter related to “facility use” that was subject to solicitor-client privilege. As the meeting was closed, details about the matter under discussion were not disclosed, and it is unknown how many members of council were present at that meeting.

Following the closed session, the matter was supposed to be considered by council in an open session of general committee, followed by a regular council meeting where the matter would be ratified.

Mayor Jeff Leal and councillors Dave Haacke, Kevin Duguay, and Gary Baldwin were present in council chambers in person, and councillor Lesley Parnell was participating by phone. To reach a quorum of six members of council, one more councillor needed to be present at the meeting.

Councillors Matt Crowley, Don Vassiliadis, Keith Riel, Andrew Beamer, Joy Lachica, and Alex Bierk were not in chambers. Unsuccessful attempts were made to reach councillor Bierk by phone.

After around 40 minutes, city clerk John Kennedy advised Mayor Leal that quorum could not be reached and the meeting was adjourned.

In a media release issued later on Friday afternoon, the City of Peterborough stated the closed session general committee meeting also did not proceed due to lack of quorum.

In the release, the city added that council would hold a special virtual general committee meeting at 8 p.m. on Friday “to consider a verbal report related to the St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run road closure for Sunday, March 15, 2026.”

At its meeting on Monday (March 10), city council voted to authorize a temporary road closure permit for the St. Patrick’s Day 5k Run and Walk after the city clerk’s office declined to issue a permit due to safety concerns. It is unclear whether the earlier council meetings on Friday that did not proceed due to lack of quorum were on the matter of the St. Patrick’s Day 5k Run and Walk.

The original version of this story has been updated with additional information from the City of Peterborough.

Splish, a North American river otter at the Riverview Park and Zoo in Peterborough, has passed away at the age of 19.

The zoo made the announcement on Friday morning (March 13), noting that Splish passed away from natural causes, with an autopsy showing that his cause of death was heart related.

According to the zoo, the life expectancy of a North American river otter is usually around 12 years in the wild and around 20 years in captivity.

“Splish arrived at the Riverview Park and Zoo in 2007 and spent many years engaging visitors and staff with his playful behaviour,” the zoo states in a media release.

“A familiar presence in the zoo’s otter habitat, Splish created memorable moments for countless visitors over the years. Known for his curious and energetic nature, this river otter became a favourite among visitors who enjoyed watching him swim, interact with enrichment activities, and participate in daily otter feedings.”

Splish shared the habitat with two other North American river otters, Meadow and Violet, which remain on exhibit at the zoo. Last March, Meadow suffered a severe leg injury after an altercation with the other otters and had a leg amputated.

North American river otters are known for their intelligence, agility, and playful behaviour, often spending much of their time swimming and exploring their surroundings.

“Splish will be deeply missed by zoo staff, volunteers, and the many members of the community who made memories during visits,” the media release reads.

“The zoo extends sincere thanks to the dedicated animal care team who cared for Splish throughout his life.”