As the fall municipal election in Peterborough approaches, residents are asking candidates hard questions about their most pressing issues — including transportation.

The City of Peterborough began implementation of it 15-year Transportation Master Plan in 2022 including goals for road infrastructure, transit, and active transportation.

Online, Peterborough residents have been expressing discontent with the city’s public transit system, citing concerns such as poor vehicle cleanliness and maintenance, repeated cancellations and lateness, and the route system being inadequate. “The buses became so unreliable that I just stopped using them all together,” reads a post on the r/Peterborough Reddit page.

Municipal elections across Ontario will take place on Monday, October 26. As residents of a single-tier municipality, Peterborough voters will elect a mayor, two city councillors in each of the city’s five wards, and school board trustees.

Although incumbent mayor Jeff Leal has yet to declare whether he intends to run for re-election, six candidates have filed their nomination papers so far seeking the mayor’s chair: Michael Eamon, Brian Lumsden, Jacob Méthot, Neil Morton, incumbent councillor Keith Riel, and Rebecca Schillemat.

Meanwhile, seven incumbent councillors have already begun their campaign for re-election. With 18 first-time or repeat candidates fighting to take their roles, each seat will be hotly contested. The nomination period is still open until August 21, so it’s possible even more candidates may decide to throw their hats in the ring.

As part of a multi-story series on the Peterborough municipal election, kawarthaNOW has already asked registered candidates in each of the city’s five wards to introduce their campaigns by answering three questions — why they are running, what the biggest challenge is in their ward, and what makes them a unique candidate for councillor — and has published their responses verbatim: Ward 1 (Otonabee), Ward 2 (Monaghan), Ward 3 (Town), Ward 4 (Ashburnham), and Ward 5 (Northcrest).

kawarthaNOW has now contacted all registered ward candidates to ask for their position on key election issues, including to “explain your priorities for transportation and active transportation.”

kawarthaNOW asked each of the ward candidates to respond in email, and is publishing their answers verbatim with no editing. Responses were not received by publication date from Jessica Correa (Ward 1 – Otonabee), Andrew MacGregor (Ward 4 – Ashburnham), or Charmaine Magumbe and Debbie Halstead (Ward 5 – Northcrest). Jessica Correa has since withdrawn from the race.Charmaine Magumbe, Andrew MacGregor, and Lucas Graham provided responses after publication.

kawarthaNOW has reached out to Aris Metaxakis, a Ward 2 – Monaghan candidate who registered after kawarthaNOW sent its questions to candidates, and will include his answers if he responds.

Ward 1 – Otonabee

Kevin Duguay

The City’s Official Plan, Transportation Master Plan and the Bikeways and trails Master Plan all serve to address transportation including active transportation.

Ensuring complete streets which allows for all forms of transportation in keeping with the established policy framework of the noted documents is critical. I support a balanced approach towards transportation including: Effective use of Public Transit; Upgrading of existing sidewalks-trails; Continuing with the City’s Road State of Good Repair Program (Road re-resurfacing); Planned Capital Projects (including Charlotte Street, Sherbrooke Street, Lansdowne Street at Clonsilla and Lansdowne Street at Park Street).

As a Rotarian, I have been directly involved in the advancement of the Rotary Greenway Trail and its companion series of other trail facilities throughout our City.

Lucas Graham

My priority is a transportation system that gives people real choices in how they get around. Driving will remain important, but walking, cycling, and transit should be practical options rather than something people use only when they have no alternative.

That starts with maintaining roads and bridges before they become much more expensive to repair, while also building continuous sidewalks, safer crossings, accessible streets, connected cycling routes, and transit that is frequent and reliable enough for people to plan their lives around.

The biggest problem is often the gaps. A bike lane that disappears at a dangerous intersection, a sidewalk that ends halfway down the street, or a bus connection that turns a short trip into an hour can make an otherwise useful network effectively unusable.

Transportation is something everyone depends on, but not everyone has the same options. Some people can’t afford a car, some can’t drive because of age or disability, and others simply shouldn’t need one for every trip. Our transportation system should give all of them a realistic way to get to work, school, groceries, appointments, and the rest of their community.

Lesley Parnell

Over the years we have adapted our approach to fix more roads faster with different program levels. Improving this infrastructure includes the active transportation components: transit, multi-use trails, sidewalks, bike lanes. Note — the standard for new construction is moving to dedicated spaces for all to separate vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. This is not an inexpensive mandated change on the capital or operating sides however, when cyclists and pedestrians feel safe, they will use the options more often. FREE youth transit will remove barriers for our youth and teach them to be lifelong transit users — worldwide. I am thrilled we achieved free youth transit this term.

Chris Potter

Transportation has to be practical.

People need roads that are safe and maintained, transit that works, sidewalks that are usable, and bike routes that actually connect to places people need to go.

I support active transportation, but it has to be built as part of a real network. A bike lane here and a trail connection there doesn’t do much if people still can’t safely get across the city.

I also think we need to be honest about transit. If we want people to use it, it has to be reliable, accessible, and useful for real life. That means getting people to work, school, appointments, groceries, and services without turning a simple trip into a full afternoon.

For Otonabee Ward 1, road safety, pedestrian safety, transit reliability, and better connections are big pieces of this, especially around schools, parks, busy intersections, residential streets, and areas where speeding or poor visibility is already a concern.

Ward 2 – Monaghan

Matt Crowley

Transportation planning is about making sure people can get where they need to go safely, efficiently, and in the way that works best for them.

For many people in Peterborough, that means driving, so maintaining our roads and bridges has to remain a priority. We’ve had to make significant investments in infrastructure over the past four years because delaying repairs only makes them more expensive in the future.

I think at the same time, we need to continue investing in things like sidewalks, trails, cycling infrastructure, and especially in our public transit. A strong transit system is good for our community because it provides an affordable transportation option for residents, helps connect people to jobs, education, or doctor’s appointments, and it also reduces congestion by giving people more choices in how they travel.

That being said, building and maintaining a strong transit system isn’t something our city should have to do alone. I’ll continue advocating for stable, long-term funding from the provincial and federal governments so we can improve service without placing the entire cost on local property taxpayers.

Quality transportation planning really isn’t about favouring one way of getting around over another. It’s about recognizing that different people have different needs at different stages of their lives. Whether our residents drive, take transit, walk, or cycle, they deserve safe, reliable infrastructure that helps them get where they need to go.

Ashley Flynn

Transportation isn’t about choosing cars over bikes or transit-it’s about creating a system that works for everyone.

My priorities are maintaining our roads, and speed limits, improving traffic flow, investing in safe sidewalks and cycling infrastructure, where it makes sense, and ensuring public transit continues to improve as our city grows.

I’m also a strong supporter of regional transportation opportunities like the proposed ALTO rail project. Better connections between Peterborough and larger economic centres should help to attract investment, create jobs, and make our city more accessible.

Rose Kitney

Again the transportation strategies in the City of Peterborough Official Plan Implementation Strategy need to be reviewed and revised to ensure this is an area that does not lag behind. Public transportation is vital for many people in the city to get to their place of employment, medical appointments, social activities, etc. Transportation in Peterborough is not a level playing field compared to other municipalities. The Official Plan includes active transportation improvements and as councillor for Monaghan Ward I would work to ensure transportation is continually addressed.

Jen Lacey

Transportation is all encompassing. It’s about connecting people to work, school, medical appointments, recreation, and each other safely, efficiently in a means that is affordable. Peterborough needs a transportation network that works for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, seniors, and people with disabilities.

Public transit is extremely important. Reliable, accessible, timely and affordable transit helps people get to work, school, medical appointments, and local businesses. For many people in our community, public transit is a necessity, and we need to treat it as such. Many seniors rely on public transit and live on a fixed income.

My priority is to improve the transportation system we already have so that people can go to their job and get their groceries while planning responsibly for future growth. That means investing in road maintenance, addressing congestion where possible, and ensuring infrastructure projects are coordinated to reduce unnecessary disruptions and make the best use of taxpayer dollars.

I support expanding active transportation where it makes sense. However, these investments should be based on community needs, clear planning, and meaningful public consultation to ensure they are practical and well used.

AJ Shearer

Council’s job is to make investments that improve the overall transportation network while recognizing that every decision involves trade-offs.

One of my priorities is protecting the infrastructure that is already built. By investing in rehabilitating our roads, sidewalks and bridges, we save taxpayer dollars over time as deferring maintenance almost always costs more.

Other than that, I support transportation investments that improve safety, connectivity and long-term value for the community. Each project should be evaluated on its own merits, balancing cost, community benefit and long-term sustainability.

Ward 3 – Town

Alex Bierk

I have been, and will remain, fully supportive of public transit and active transportation. As our city grows, people need safe, accessible, and affordable ways to move around Peterborough, whether they walk, cycle, take transit, or drive.

Jenni Cathcart

My priorities around transportation are straightforward: make it safer, more convenient and more transparent.

I want to take a hard look at whether our bus routes are working for the people who rely on them. That means talking to riders, reviewing the data, and making changes where they’re needed. I’d also like to see proper shelters built at the stops where routes connect — right now, transferring between buses in the rain or cold is an experience nobody should have to put up with.

As I mentioned in an earlier response, Alto high-speed would be a gamechanger for our city. Not only would high-speed rail increase our access to more job opportunities, but it would likely lead to new job creation and additional revenue streams.

Safety is a real concern, too. There are intersections in this city that have been dangerous for years — both for drivers and cyclists — that need to be addressed. And there are areas where a driver turning left creates a big back-up during school drop-off or pick-up times.

Finally, I hear from residents that they feel left in the dark when street construction happens in their neighbourhood. I want to change that. Better communication about what projects are upcoming, when projects are starting, how long they’ll last, and what to expect isn’t complicated — it’s just good governance.

Jessica Kuhlmorgen-Hille

I would love to work on a bylaw to allow for low-speed vehicle (LSV) use — including registration and proof of insurance with the city. I would like to propose shared bicycle lanes with LSVs on the roads, as well as divided trails, that allow a lane only for bicycles & LSVs, and a lane only for pedestrian traffic. Transportation affordability, and accessibility, are hot topics, and we, as a city, need to be open to growing with the needs of our citizens. It’s a great Green option addition as well. I want to ensure our bus system is as straight forward, easy to use and access, as possible. Countless complaints are still flooding social media about issues with the current system, so it would behoove us to really resolve these things once and for all. Our citizens deserve that much.

Joy Lachica

Active transportation and transportation mode-share are crucial elements in our city-building and urban design. Our commitment to our Official Plan, Transportation Master Plan and Cycling Master Plan in alignment with Climate Action Plan 2.0 speak in concert to these principles in having the most significant impact in lowering our greenhouse gas emissions to off-set the haste of climate change. As we urgently electrify fleets and/or use alternatives to fossil fuels, as we increase walkability, bikeability and tame our arterials we’re moving in better directions for all. Increased investment in transit and a city-driven public campaign to increase transit ridership is an easy and obvious next step to accelerate this emergent priority.

Nigel Lister

Transportation is vital to a good City. With a possible new Events Centre coming to the downtown and a possible high frequency rail line by ALTO, we will need to make sure that getting people from that station to the core, and quickly, is a top priority. I also have some really fun ideas for transportation and active transportation around the core and in the village of East City as well. Happy to chat about that over the coming months. Let’s just say a public downtown trolley is not out of the question in my mind!

Ward 4 – Ashburnham

Gary Baldwin

Public transportation is an essential service. Many people depend of public transportation to get to and from work, school, appointments, and events. Over my 12 years on Council, I have consistently voted to support investments in public transportation and active transportation (bike lanes, walking trails). My priorities with respect to public transportation would be to provide safe, reliable, accessible, and timely service to patrons who use the service.

Ashley Bonner

My priorities for transportation and active transportation are to ensure residents have safe, reliable, and practical ways to get around, whether they drive, take the bus, walk, cycle, or use mobility supports.

We need to invest in transit in line with the City’s Transportation Master Plan, especially as Peterborough grows and our population ages. For many people, public transportation is a lifeline. It connects residents to work, school, medical appointments, groceries, services, and community spaces. If transit is unreliable or inaccessible, it creates real barriers in people’s everyday lives.

We need to be proactive about the way growth is changing transportation needs. The new Community Planning Permit System allows developers to provide cash-in-lieu for parking spaces in new developments. That means tenants will have fewer parking options, which will put more pressure on transit, sidewalks, cycling routes, and other alternatives to driving. If we know that shift is happening, then we need to invest now in the systems people will depend on.

That includes improving transit frequency and reliability, making routes more accessible, creating safer sidewalks and crossings, and building better connections for people who walk, cycle, or roll. This isn’t about being anti-car. Many people will still need to drive. It’s about making sure residents have real choices and that people who do not drive, cannot afford to drive, or choose not to drive are not left behind.

As a councillor, I would bring a neighbourhood lens to these decisions and listen closely to residents about where the gaps are, where safety concerns exist, and what would make the biggest difference in their daily lives. A strong transportation system helps create a more connected, affordable, and resilient community.

Andrew MacGregor

Public transportation is a public service, and we should have a bus system that is more accessible, and less expensive. The more we reduce the service and hike the fares, the less people can use it, destining the service for failure.

As a cyclist myself, I would like to see more active transportation network routes, protected bike lanes, safer streets by design.

We should also be planning neighbourhoods around the 15 Minute Village model: that most of what we need should be a short walk away, reducing the need for vehicular travel, and our reliance on fossil fuels.

Jason Stabler

Whether you are driving, walking, cycling, or taking the bus, getting around Peterborough should be safe and accessible. I will work to ensure that every neighbourhood in this ward has the infrastructure to make that a reality, through thoughtful traffic calming, expanded and better connected sidewalks and cycling routes, and transit service that is frequent, reliable and convenient.

Ward 5 – Northcrest

Andrew Beamer

Speeding and cut-through traffic on our Northend residential streets continue to be a top concern for many residents. And with the significant residential growth in the Northend over the coming decade, speeding and cut-through traffic on our residential streets will only get worse.

During my time on Council, I have been a strong advocate for increasing capacity on arterial roads to take the pressure off our existing neighbourhood streets. The Chemong Road Widening Project is scheduled to begin in 2027, and the new Council must make this infrastructure project a top priority. This project is critical for Northcrest Ward growth, and it’ll help to ensure we keep traffic off neighbourhood streets in the area.

In addition, in 2020 City Council developed a Traffic Calming Policy that has now been implemented in several neighbourhoods throughout the City. In 2023 City Council launched the Drive Slow Ptbo campaign to bring awareness to road safety and established Community Safety Zones in School Areas. Although all positive steps forward, more work needs to be done to address the issue of cut-through traffic and speeding.

Phillip Jolicoeur

My transportation priorities begin with road safety in our neighbourhoods. Speeding remains a serious concern in Ward 5, particularly in family neighbourhoods where children are walking, cycling, and playing near busy streets. I support using traffic data and resident feedback to identify problem areas, followed by measures such as traffic calming, safer crossings near schools and parks, appropriate speed limits, and stronger enforcement in higher risk locations.

Active transportation must also give residents safe and accessible ways to move around the city. That means closing gaps in sidewalks, improving pedestrian crossings, connecting trails and cycling routes, maintaining them properly throughout the winter, and considering accessibility whenever roads are rebuilt.

Public transit is an essential public service, and I believe it should remain publicly operated. As Northcrest continues to grow, residents need reliable connections between established neighbourhoods, newer subdivisions, employment, schools, medical appointments, shopping, and the rest of Peterborough.

I would support funding transit in line with Peterborough’s Transportation Master Plan, along with clear public reporting on cancelled trips, on time performance, transfer reliability, and ridership by route and time of day. Peterborough already offers Sunday service and seasonal late-night service on selected routes. I would support using ridership patterns and local employment data to determine where those hours should be expanded, particularly for shift workers and residents in growing areas of Northcrest.

Paul Lawton

My transportation priorities are practical: safer streets, better-maintained roads and sidewalks, reliable snow clearing, sensible traffic flow, and targeted improvements where there are real safety concerns.

Active transportation can be part of a healthy city, but it should be approached practically rather than ideologically. Sidewalks, trails, crossings, and bike infrastructure should be safe, maintained, and designed in a way that makes sense for the area.

Many residents still rely on cars for work, family life, appointments, groceries, and church. The city should not punish drivers, but it should also make sure pedestrians, cyclists, seniors, and children can move through neighbourhoods safely.

Charmaine Magumbe

My priorities for transportation are a city where cars, motorcyclists, public transit, walkers, runners, people with mobility issues, ie in wheelchairs or walkers/cane and cyclists can move from one place to another in a safe manner. This includes a Peterborough transit system as per in agreement with the City’s Master Transportation plan that prioritizes transit improvements:: Prioritize transit infrastructure and service enhancements to encourage public transport use and to improve public transit.

Also, agree with the Peterborough Biking Advisory Committee (P-BAC); one of their goal is to promote cycling as a means of improving individual and community health and well-being, access to transportation choice, and social and economic equity.

It would be great for Peterborough to have inclusive transportation where it designs its public transit, walking paths, and data systems with gender, age, and diversity in mind. To create this safe network of transportation for all, we need traffic calming and school safety zones.

Gavin Muir

Corridors like Chemong, Parkhill, and Water/George need to function as through-routes and as safe neighbourhood streets at the same time, and that requires deliberate, forward-thinking traffic planning rather than an afterthought. Congestion is already a problem, and we need to act quickly to catch up. Active transportation infrastructure — sidewalks, bike lanes, safe crossings — need to be built alongside intensification and new development with the future in mind, not added years later. Public transit is just as critical: it only works as real infrastructure if it’s convenient and reliable enough to compete with owning a car, not simply available as a backup option. That means pursuing every funding avenue available to us — provincial and federal included — to get there. I will be a strong voice on council to ensure that our city is advocating for every dollar we need.

Jim Wasson

Transportation for the city generally focuses on improving mobility while accommodating future growth. The key transportation and active transportation priorities for Peterborough would be to maintain and improve roads, reduce traffic congestion, and improve public transportation with a focus on service reliability and that would improve connections between neighbourhoods.

Active transportation includes walking, cycling, and other forms of human powered travel. That would include expanding cycling infrastructure, safer sidewalks, improving trail connections with better connections through neighbourhoods. Design transportation systems that work for everyone.

kawarthaNOW has reproduced written responses from candidates verbatim. Any errors, factual or otherwise, or any use of AI-generated content originate with the candidate.

This story was updated on September 1 to include a response from Town Ward candidate Nigel Lister, who filed his nomination papers after the story was originally published.

This story was updated on September 10 to include a response from Northcrest candidate Charmaine Magumbe.

This story was updated on September 18 to include a response from Ashburnham Ward candidate Andrew MacGregor.

This story was updated on September 24 to include a response from Otonabee Ward candidate Lucas Graham.

The face of United Way Peterborough and District has changed for the first time in nearly 15 years, with recently appointed CEO Jason Seguya coming to the non-profit organization in time for its 85th anniversary.

Last December, after long-time CEO Jim Russell announced he would be retiring the following summer, the United Way began the search for new leadership before announcing the appointment of Seguya in June as the organization’s 10th CEO.

Seguya, 27, a native of Uganda, comes to Peterborough via Ottawa, having previously served as executive director of The Fulcrum Publishing Society and of Ontario Student Voices. He has a bachelor of science in social sciences from the University of Ottawa.

Building capacity through collaboration

One month after Seguya began his role, kawarthaNOW sat down for an in-depth interview with the new CEO to learn more about what he has learned so far and what his goals are for his tenure.

“One thing that has to be core with this work is it has to be led by community for community,” Seguya said, before describing his past experience.

“I’ve really built a career on non-profit governance and leadership from as soon as I was at university, serving as the first executive on the student union team for the University of Ottawa Students’ Union, continuing with Ontario Student Voices and a number of different organizations, like The Fulcrum (Publishing Society).”

Most recently, Seguya served as director of human resources for the Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce, which supports queer entrepreneurs across the country including through funding provided by the Federal Entrepreneurship Program Fund.

“What is unique about that perspective is I come into this role not only with the experience relevant to run a non-profit and a charity like the United Way Peterborough and District, but to really serve and contribute to conversations in conjunction with other non-profits and charities on the focus of the relevant internal infrastructure and long-term support that each of our organizations need to not only survive, but thrive.”

Since starting his role on July 6, Seguya has been meeting with community partners — including organizations supported by the United Way’s agency capacity fund, a new three-year fund supporting registered human and social service charities across the city and county of Peterborough that are enhancing capacity to deliver inclusive programs and services — to learn about their missions, programs, and needs.

“It shows with each and every one of those interactions a true element of care towards the programming that they’re developing and delivering towards our community, matched with ideas that are beyond just a simple checkbox, but really speak towards not just the symptoms, but the long-term impacts that are relevant to the city of Peterborough,” Seguya said.

According to Seguya, one of the most common challenges facing charities in the Peterborough region is a lack of internal capacity both to implement programs and to manage business operations. However, fundraising to cover operational and administrative costs can be met with stigma from donors and funders who may prefer to directly fund programs or materials.

“The programming that we develop and deliver is so important on all fronts, but if we are to equally invest into capacity building within our organization, the return on investment that the community will feel is stronger, more long-lasting impact on the work that we’re doing,” he explained.

In addition to providing sustainable and flexible funding to local non-profits, Seguya sees the role of United Way as acting as a convener and facilitator between community organizations, client populations, and Peterborough at large.

“United Way of Peterborough and District, and the whole United Way movement, really does serve as a convener in so many different formats, whether it’s by community, as we come together and address some of the largest pressure points, or by nature of the organizations that we partner with.”

Being such a small sector, there are sometimes barriers that organizations experience when there are overlapping functions of work across the region, said Seguya. This manifests through splitting the community donor base, competing services, and replication of administrative and operational tasks.

“Our effort, when we do our internal reviews of capacity and shared efforts within the sector, is to ensure that if there’s overlap, it’s complementing each other, rather than repeating or recreating work that’s already been conducted,” he said.

“Role ambiguity is known as one of the largest areas that create conflict. If our main effort can serve as conveners on each of these different functions and formats, we will see a strong sector where we’re all contributing in a way that’s meaningful.”

Bringing together his priorities of capacity building and community convening, Seguya will lean on his human resource background to facilitate collaboration within United Way and beyond to the local non-profit community.

“With my own background, what I’m hopeful to bring amongst the shared efforts of each of the staff and teammates throughout the organization is a room for convening on those topics focused on capacity.”

“If we’re to ensure long-term capacity for the organizations involved, you will see that in the ways that we develop our programming. You’ll see that in the way that we develop our interactions with community, and you’ll see that in the way that we develop our research and long-term planning.”

Embedding equity throughout the United Way’s work

Seguya, who grew up in the York Region and pursued his post-secondary education at the University of Ottawa, has been involved in many community and student organizations, which he said has influenced his professional work.

“Beyond my work working with non-profits and charities, I’ve also been a community organizer, really working on the ground addressing some of the largest issues that came towards my eye as well as community while living in both Ottawa as well as previously in the York Region area.”

In particular he notes his understanding of convening multiple organizations working in overlapping or similar service areas as stemming from his work with grassroots groups.

“There’re elements within community organizing or efforts of grassroots (organizations) that should motivate and actually lead and guide the ways that we can serve as a community when it comes to addressing some of the larger issues.”

At United Way’s annual general meeting last Thursday (August 6), community impact officer Elisha Rubacha shared information about the ongoing work to integrate the values of reconciliation, equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion (READI) throughout the organization’s work, both internally and externally.

For his part, Seguya said that oftentimes historically marginalized individuals are disproportionately represented in data on homelessness, poverty, and food insecurity.

“One of the things that I hold core to my beliefs is when you support those who are most vulnerable in any capacity, all benefit, and it will be shown in the way that this process is shifted and moved,” he said.

Over the past year, United Way has assessed their internal systems against United Way Centraide Canada’s DEI Toolkit, developed an action plan based on strengths and spaces for improvement, and implemented READI values across the organization.

“One of the dangers about engaging with this work without that clarity or guidance is efforts that should be positive could actually be more detrimental towards the communities we’re aiming to serve and support if they’re not informed accordingly,” said Seguya of the importance of looking critically at internal processes.

READI values have also been applied to the redevelopment of the community impact model, the agency capacity fund recipients, and Reaching Home fund distribution.

“It’s also looking external towards our efforts to make sure it’s included in every element that we do, rather than held in silo by itself,” Seguya added. “That’s one of the most beautiful elements that I’ve seen as it really shows that it’s becoming embedded in the way that we operate in the organizations on all fronts rather than an effort that’s just intending to be presented for the sake of demographics or show.”

Alongside READI values, Seguya said that he intends to continue to receive community input across the scope of United Way’s programs and campaign initiatives to ensure that the most pressing issues are addressed.

“It’s that effort that we’re going to continue to see through data collection, research, and more, to be able to guide us in efforts ensuring that voices that aren’t naturally or often initially included in conversations are intentionally included in those discussions as we continue.”

“One thing for me that it would signal as well is more efforts on fair, clean research and data collection that would be able to support us in those efforts. That way, our answers and our supports on these specific issues can be guided by the experiences of folks within community rather than assumption.”

Seguya noted the importance of reports such as the Point-in-Time Count and Community Homelessness Report in both guiding United Way’s own work and establishing quality public data to be used by other organizations.

One example he shared was that, when research identified a disproportionate number of Indigenous people experiencing homelessness, the United Way dedicated funds towards organizations working with Indigenous clients.

“One beautiful thing I appreciate about the United Way Peterborough and District is at the same time that it’s community-oriented, it’s also pragmatic with its efforts,” Seguya said.

Leading through a time of transition

Having spent the last month transitioning into his new role, Seguya said he has been supported in all areas by the United Way’s staff team who have ensured the engine of the organization never falters during times of change.

“In the course of these past few weeks leading up towards a month, I’ve seen leadership demonstrated from every member of the team in such an impactful and meaningful way that it made me more excited for the future to come,” he said.

To help facilitate the transition to a new CEO, Seguya said, previous CEO Jim Russell remained on staff until July 17 and has continued to be an active resource to Seguya and the team since his retirement. Having led the United Way for nearly 15 years, Russell has considerable organizational experience and knowledge.

“Jim is a key partner, just as everyone else is in the community, in guiding this effort forward. I’m not alone with this work.”

Going forward, Seguya said he will foster a working environment that promotes transparency, collaboration, and safety.

“One thing that I’ve made a point of instilling within the team, both in the way I present myself as well as the feedback I receive, is ensuring that psychological safety is core within the function of the organization.”

“There’re actual actions and behaviors that can be represented that ensure psychological safety is put in, and that’s been intentionally incorporated in the ways that we interact with each other and the way that I lead on a daily basis.”

Seguya also noted the wider United Way community as having been primary supporters in his transition.

“Although our solutions and results within community may differ, some of the experience and the relevant knowledge is all shared,” said Seguya.

Alongside Seguya’s excitement about his role and the opportunity he sees for United Way, he recognizes that he has big shoes to fill and high expectations to meet.

“It comes with a lot of anxiety and quite a bit of pressure that’s sometimes attached to it, but in the best of ways,” said Seguya.

Despite being just 27 years old, Seguya says he hopes the community will see him for his experience and his potential, not just his age.

“When it comes to my work as someone whose core value is merit, I hope that that’s what’s captured with all that’s done, where folks will see me for what I’m able to develop and deliver.”

Furthermore, he hopes to inspire other young professionals to take risks in their work and have faith in their abilities and value.

“I’m hopeful that my own introduction and experience towards this position will equally include and encourage other individuals within my generation to raise their hand, to be a little bit audacious with their efforts, to try something new, even if it means potentially failing, and go for that opportunity,” said Seguya.

“But most importantly, (to) know that their voice matters and deserves to be part of the conversations that are impacting our communities, as we are the leaders of tomorrow.”

Making space for a new generation of leaders

Seguya, whose family emigrated from Uganda to Canada when he was two, said he knows he is not the typical charity executive, but that his background and intersectional identities allow him to bring unique and progressive ideas to his work.

“I will always stand on my background in terms of experience, the ideas I bring to the table, the jokes I’ll throw midway through, but I’m happy that me being in roles like this serves as motivators to others,” said Seguya.

Furthermore, he wants to demonstrate that leadership and the non-profit sector are not only welcoming to people of all backgrounds but also are actively making space.

“It goes without saying that when folks see individuals like myself, who are the non-traditional chief executive officer or non-traditional leader, they know to themselves that they can at least try and raise their hand and do so.”

“In terms of my reference of my race, I would want that to be captured amongst the Black community and also be incorporated in the work. In terms of me being quirky and flamboyant, I would want other queer kids to know you can be a leader and be embraced and accepted in the spaces that you want to engage with. And even if you aren’t, that you’re good enough that it doesn’t matter.”

When asked about his goals for the next 12 months, Seguya said that he wants to focus on supporting capacity building for partner agencies and creating guidelines and checkpoints to ensure long-term sustainability.

“I care for the sector as a whole, and I want to ensure that as an organization, we’re able to develop and deliver capacity towards the organizations and groups we partner with beyond just a dollar amount that’s provided towards them, but the core things that ensure that they’re able to run and not only survive, but thrive in the long term.”

Internally, Seguya said he will take a long-term planning approach to strategic and financial goals. For him, this better allows an organization like the United Way to address internal infrastructure needs.

“One thing that’s core towards me is being objective as possible when it comes to long-term planning over the course of an organization. That way we can actually give ourselves a moment to smell the roses and celebrate when there’s progress.”

Seguya’s most public responsibility this year will be to lead, alongside recently announced campaign cabinet chair Tiffany Arcari, the 2026-27 United Way Campaign to a potentially record-breaking total.

Planning is already underway for the campaign, which will be officially launched in September when the United Way will announce its fundraising goal.

“There’s no effort, no donation, no element that’s considered small,” Seguya said. “All of it’s important. We’re in this together as a community.”