Kenner Collegiate Vocational Institute in Peterborough is one of 74 schools across Canada that will receive $1 million worth of musical instruments, equipment, and gear under two school funding programs from MusiCounts, Canada’s music education charity associated with the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) and the Juno Awards.

Since 1997, the MusiCounts Band Aid Program has been providing under-resourced schools with grants to keep school music programs alive. It funds traditional forms of music education like concert and jazz band, choir, Orff ensembles, guitar and ukulele groups, and more.

For the first time this year, the MusiCounts Slaight Family Innovation Fund is also supporting schools with grants from $5,000 to $20,000 for culturally relevant or technology-forward approaches to music education that exist outside of mainstream practice, as well as contemporary music making.

Kenner Collegiate Vocational Institute is one of 32 schools across Canada, including nine in Ontario, receiving a total of $320,000 in funding from the MusiCounts Slaight Family Innovation Fund.

Culturally specific programs supported by the fund can include Indigenous drumming, steel pan percussion, African percussion, Métis fiddling, and more. Technology-forward programs can include music production, digital music creation, hip hop and beat making, and more. Contemporary music making can include rock bands and popular music ensembles.

“MusiCounts is thrilled to welcome students back to school and back to music with the investment of $1 million worth of much-needed instruments and gear,” says MusiCounts president Kristy Fletcher in a media release. “As students return to the music classroom, they’ll not only find guitars, drums, horns, and turntables, they’ll also find a safe space in their school where they can connect with their peers, build their confidence, and find their voice.”

MusiCount’s school music funding programs have provided $14.3 million to 1,439 schools in Canada. Applications are now open for MusiCount’s 2025 programs at https://musicounts.ca/smfp.

Environment Canada has issued a frost advisory for much of the northern Kawarthas region for Monday overnight (September 2).

The frost advisory is in effect for northern Peterborough County, Haliburton County, and Hastings Highlands.

Ground temperatures are expected to drop to near zero degrees Celsius overnight Monday into early Tuesday morning.

Frost may damage some crops in frost-prone areas.

Cover up plants, especially those in frost-prone areas.

Take preventative measures to protect frost-sensitive plants and trees.

Northumberland County is inviting community members interested in the future of homeless shelter services on Division Street in Cobourg to apply for a position on a new liaison committee.

Interested residents are being encouraged to put their names forward now for a seat on the Community Liaison Committee (CLC). The CLC will be tasked with helping support the roll out of modernized shelter services at 310 Division St.

This fall, homeless shelter services will transition from 10 Chapel St. to 310 Division St. “with expanded services to help improve pathways out of homelessness for people in need,” the county noted in a media release.

“This committee will play a vital role in helping to integrate shelter services effectively within the neighbourhood and the broader community, delivering the best possible support to vulnerable community members, and ensuring strong neighbour relations,” said Rebecca Carman, Northumberland County’s associate director of housing and homelessness, in a statement.

“We encourage interested community members to apply to join the CLC to contribute their voice and support the shelter’s success, improving pathways out of homelessness for people in need. We greatly value the opinions and ideas of shelter neighbours and local community members, and look forward to working together to create opportunities and resolve challenges.”

The new shelter will provide a 24/7 hub, offering about 35 emergency shelter spaces alongside drop-in warming and cooling spaces, health, wellness and skill-building programming, along with a resource centre. The shelter services are being designed with the intent of reducing barriers for couples, 2SLGBTQ+ community members, people with pets, and people who have disabilities.

The county’s overall goals are to provide a roof for more people who are living unsheltered in the community and to modernize homeless shelter services through the new endeavour.

Back in December 2023, Northumberland announced it was buying the 47-bedroom complex at 310 Division St., which was the former location of Cobourg Retirement Residence. During a special meeting of county council, the community learned about the partnership with Transition House for the new facility.

The county heard from nearby business owners and residents who were concerned about the impact on the neighbourhood of having the shelter and its services moved to Division Street. Staff, county councillors, service providers, residents, and business owners spoke in support of, and against, the new facility.

“County council recognizes the need to rapidly expand new shelter, supportive, transitional, and affordable housing opportunities for vulnerable and low-income residents,” said Northumberland County councillor Mandy Martin, who was warden at the time.

“With homelessness a rising concern across Canada, we are seeing the increasing impacts in Northumberland, with more people living rough in their cars, in parks and forested areas, individually or in encampments. The county is looking at all possibilities, all real estate ventures, to increase options across the entire housing spectrum.”

Since then, the county and Transition House have conducted extensive community consultation to collect feedback from neighbours, community members, local businesses, community partners and people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity to inform plans for 310 Division St., the release noted.

“A key theme identified as part of this process, and presented as a recommendation to county council, was community interest in the creation of a CLC to facilitate communication between community members and shelter management.”

To move ahead, the county engaged OrgCode, considered leaders in homelessness system transformations, to advise on best and common practices to establish shelter CLCs, the release noted.

“OrgCode has assisted in devising a committee framework designed to align with community expectations and foster effective collaboration between shelter staff and residents.”

The 310 Division CLC is intended to be a committee of diverse perspectives, including 12 to 15 members representing shelter neighbours, community members, people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity, local businesses, faith organizations, Cobourg Police Services, town, county and shelter staff, and community partners who work closely with the shelter and its clients.

Northumberland noted CLCs are generally put in place for a shelter’s first year of operations, focusing on addressing initial concerns, setting up effective communication channels, and integrating the shelter into the neighbourhood.

“As shelter operations stabilize and become routine, the need for a dedicated liaison committee often decreases. Ongoing communication is typically then maintained through established channels, regular community meetings, or other mechanisms that support continued engagement without the need for a formal committee.”

The 310 Division CLC will meet once a month for at least a one-year term, perhaps longer. During the meetings, committee members will share information, discuss ideas and collectively problem-solve concerns, the county noted.

“The committee will be an advisory body, providing guidance and feedback to help the county and Transition House make informed decisions for the shelter’s successful integration within the neighbourhood and community.”

Those interested in applying to join the 310 Division CLC can submit an expression of interest by Wednesday, September 18 to begin the application process. All applicants will be required to attend an in-person training session in Cobourg on September 25 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. to learn about homelessness in Northumberland, shelter services, and the structure and purpose of a CLC.

CLC members must be available to volunteer at least two-and-a-half hours per month to attend committee meetings and review materials.

To submit an expression of interest, visit Northumberland.ca/ShelterModernization.

Clean Up Peterborough (CUP) is pitching in for the sake of the planet with four community clean-up efforts in September.

The new volunteer-run group, made up of residents from both the city and county of Peterborough, care about nature and want to keep Peterborough’s parks, trails, and community clean, year-round. CUP is inviting community members to lend a hand during one of four upcoming events to tidy up the city.

“Our goal is to get as many people as possible to join us and see how much litter, cigarette butts, and recycling we can collect,” CUP founder Steve Paul told kawarthaNOW. “We want to show people it is possible that small changes can make a big difference, and that cleaning up litter should be a year-round project, not just something to be done in spring.”

CUP is seeking passionate people who are willing to participate or even organize a clean-up, the group notes on its Facebook page.

The events in September include the following efforts: Driscoll Terrace and Rotary Park Ravine on Saturday, September 7; Beavermead Park, Rogers Cove, and Little Lake on Sunday, September 8;
Peterborough Regional Health Centre grounds (collection of cigarette butts only) on Saturday, September 21; and Ashburnham Memorial Park (Armour Hill) on Saturday, September 28.

In early June, CUP was one of 14 groups across Canada awarded a grant from the 2024 Unsmoke Canada Cleanups program. The grant, in its fifth year, is a partnership between The Great Outdoors Fund and Unsmoke Canada to support litter clean-up projects anywhere in Canada.

“We set a goal to complete five clean-ups by the end of September,” Paul noted.

During the first community clean up on July 14, 18 volunteers collected six bags of litter and recyclables, and picked up a total of 5,185 cigarette butts in a two-and-a-half-hour period across two city parks, trails, and nearby parking lots.

Residents can pitch in during the upcoming events or also join CUP on a longer basis.

“We will be looking for donated supplies, and for businesses and organizations who would like to get involved as well,” said Paul.

Created to bring people together and get involved in reducing litter in Peterborough, CUP launched with the motto, “let’s make the world a better place.”

“Our focus is on developing strong partnerships and collaboration between volunteers, businesses, non-profit organizations and municipalities, so that we can all make a difference together.”

To learn more about getting involved, community members can visit CUP on Facebook and Instagram by searching for “Clean Up Peterborough.”

Personally, Paul shared why CUP is important to him.

“My journey started with cleaning up litter on a local trail,” he said. “Through the last five months I have learned so much. Even though I have always been a responsible recycler, I now have a personal focus on thinking about what and where I purchase products, because it matters.”

Paul referred to the term “wishcycling” — where people place items that can’t be recycled into recycle bins in the hope they will be recycled.

“People don’t realize it could contaminate clean recycling and cause it to be diverted to the landfill instead,” he explained. “Everyone, from individuals to families and businesses, should take the time to learn more about recycling, and review what plastics they buy. Small positive changes will add up to make a real difference.”

CUP’s goal is to continue with the community clean-up events until the snow flies, and then switch to outreach and education over the winter. Paul plans to attend the volunteer fair on September 11 at Trent University, during which he’ll be looking to connect with students who are interested in developing initiatives on campus and within the community.

“We are looking to attract people with a similar vision who want to give back. Whether you are passionate and want to learn or have very specific experience, come join us. Help us grow and shape the future within our community. There are many groups we can partner with, and lots of education opportunities.”

Paul’s hope is for CUP to become ambassadors in the community and influence positive change with a grassroots, hands-on approach.

“As we learn and grow in new areas, we will share what we learn with others,” Paul said, before sharing his vision for CUP’s future.

“I would love to develop and host annual community events. I would eventually like to incorporate as a non-profit once we find the lane we can help with the most, and define our true vision, mission, and values.”

It’s big, it’s ambitious and, more to the point, it’s badly needed.

Brock Mission’s plan to build a 50-suite 10-storey building specifically designed “for men and women transitioning from homelessness to wellness” was unveiled Friday (August 30) at the Murray Street shelter.

While hard details of the project — such as the location, total cost, and completion date — haven’t been finalized at this point, the intent is crystal clear: the empowerment of those transitioning from homelessness by providing them with a supportive residential environment fully dedicated to the promotion of mental health, the facilitating of substance withdrawal, and the enhancing of social and employment skills.

The project has been approved by Brock Mission’s board of directors with the hope that it will be included on the agenda at September’s meeting of city council. A request to that effect has been submitted.

The board is asking city council to endorse the proposed project in principle, that it approve $250,000 in one-time funding for costs associated with the subsequent site approval process and securing of the required permits, and that any development and application fees be waived.

“We have designed the building (and) we know how it will be constructed,” said Brock Mission board member and project lead Alan Wilson. “We know what the layouts will be, we know what the materials (used) will be, we know what the rules will be.”

“We have had discussions with City Hall since September of last year. In January of this year, we made another presentation. I’ve been in contact with every (city) councillor and the mayor, and received amazing comments of support. Just this week, we got an email from the commissioner of social services (Sheldon Laidman) voicing his support for the project.”

“The only thing we need to do now is get on the (council meeting) agenda. We don’t want to be an agenda item that’s going to be cut during the budget process. We want to be an agenda item that talks about what we’re offering to do that nobody else is doing, except Brock Mission.”

What Brock Mission does, said Wilson, goes well beyond the provision of emergency shelter for men and — at affiliated Cameron House on Chemong Road — for women.

There are also professionally staffed support services and, at Brock Mission, a primary care clinic led by Major (Retired) Lee-Anne Quinn CD, NP that provides medical attention to anyone who is experiencing homelessness, not just shelter clients.

“We have 23 suites (at Brock Mission),” said Wilson, adding the new building “will add 50 to that.”

“This will be a permanent building running the way Brock (Mission) has for 37 years plus, helping people who are addicted, have mental health issues, and who are homeless. We want those folks off the streets.”

Brock Mission executive director Bill McNabb, who has been in that role for just more than 30 years, lives daily the work being done to help those who not only need it but want it — work that will continue on a grander scale at the new building.

“We’ve had the opportunity to see people stabilize and moving away from here (Brock Mission),” he said, noting over the past three months alone, 11 people have moved on from recovery to private housing.

“We call it semi-independent living. There are rules and bounds around them (clients). They are not tenants. They are part of a project where they create, with staff support, a personal care plan that they work toward. It’s about getting them the services they need and maintaining them.”

Asked if he’s concerned over the project receiving council’s endorsement in light of that same body’s recent rejection of a temporary use by-law request from Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) for the erection of 24 sleeping cabins, Wilson said he’s not, noting Brock Mission has history and “professionalism” on its side.

“This is permanent, this is run by professionals, this is curative,” he said.

“There’s just no comparison. This is being built on the basis of two existing facilities (Brock Mission and Cameron House) that operate successfully and have people moving on into successful lives. Every member of the staff is professionally qualified. People need the right kind of professional care. You can’t do otherwise and be sure of a successful outcome. That’s the model that needs to be built on.”

“The temporary cabins on Wolfe Street will be beyond use — we believe and City Hall believes — in three years. The contract with Trinity Centre (at 360 Reid Street) is for three years. We would like this (the new Brock Mission facility) in three years, not 10.”

McNabb makes it clear the new building’s accommodations are “transitional” in nature.

“Somebody might only need six months before you recognize their life is stable (and) they could live independently and can move out into the regular (housing) market. Others might take longer. You have to be flexible per individual. It can be six months; it might be five years.”

Looking forward, Wilson says his hope is the proposed project will “go through the City Hall portion in six months.”

“I would like us to apply to the federal government (for funding) as we’re nearing the end of that process. Then I would like us to spend 18 months building. That’s just me, but I did this for a living at Quaker Oats. I know how to push things through. Bill’s much more realistic than me. He thinks it will take longer.”

Wilson adds a public fundraising campaign will be organized at some point.

As for the building site, Brock Mission will own the property, wherever that is determined to be. But wherever that is, both Wilson and McNab say urgency is required.

“People are dying on the streets,” says Wilson, adding “Temporary solutions are not the answer.”

McNabb adds “What we want to ensure is this is part of a bigger plan.”

“We’re not going to fix the homelessness situation ourselves. We’ve never felt that way. With this new facility, we’re working with the city to ensure we’re lining up with other things that are going on.”

Also present for the announcement were Major (Retired) Quinn, who spoke specifically to the work of the Brock Mission primary clinic, as well as Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce vice-president Joel Wiebe, whose organization has formally endorsed the building project.

“When the team from Brock (Mission) came and proposed this to us, we were very excited, our first thought being ‘How can we help?'” said Wiebe.

“Every time I meet with a person who works with these communities, it all comes back to you need people to have safe, supportive housing. No matter what services you’re providing, if they don’t have a place where they feel like they can be themselves and have their own their own place, you don’t have a lot of success.”

“We (the Chamber) are looking for things that will lift up our most marginalized, our most vulnerable people, and put them in better places in life. This is one of those projects that jumps up and really hits the mark.”

The Ontario government has approved new regulatory changes to protect to vulnerable salmon on the Ganaraska River in Port Hope during peak migration season, including through the creation of a new fish sanctuary. The changes take effect on Sunday (September 1).

Every fall, Port Hope sees an influx of both anglers and spectators during the annual salmon run, when tens of thousands of migrating Chinook salmon return to the Ganaraska River on their way to upstream spawning habitat — making it one of the largest salmon runs in Ontario.

The migrating salmon are slowed by the Corbett Dam fishway, which is located about three kilometres upstream from Lake Ontario. As it takes time for thousands of salmon to figure out how navigate the fishway, they accumulate in engineered step pools separated by shallow limestone stretches below the dam. This makes the fish highly visible and vulnerable to anglers.

“The Ganaraska River is a unique waterway because salmon migration is slowed down by the Corbett Dam fishway,” states a bulletin from the Ontario government released on Friday (August 30). “This creates a bottleneck of concentrated fish from Lake Ontario to the dam and leaves them little room to spread out or find cover.”

During the salmon run, some anglers have been catching the breeding salmon to harvest their roe (eggs) while discarding the rest of the fish. Others leave trash, fishing lines, and fishing hooks behind. Every fall following the salmon run, Port Hope residents have been cleaning up the waste.

Last fall, Port Hope resident Sean Carthew — who organizes the annual “Run Salmon Run” event for non-anglers who wish to celebrate the annual salmon migration — launched an online petition to urge changes to protect the salmon.

“The fishing and lack of respect for the river has gotten out of hand,” Carthew wrote. “It’s not safe to walk over thousands of hooks (not exaggerating). People have stopped coming to see the salmon / Port Hope because of the butchery. It’s affecting our image and tourism.”

“The salmon run should be a positive celebration and I’ve tried to do that with my Run Salmon Run celebration but I need your help! Imagine where we could go with this if we didn’t have a slaughterhouse in town!”

Carthew’s petition has garnered almost 14,000 signatures and came to the attention of the Municipality of Port Hope, which has been aware of the concerns during the salmon run but has not been able to directly address them as the provincial government had jurisdiction over fishing in Ontario.

According to a media release from Port Hope, the municipality has worked with the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH), the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority (GRCA), local authorities (including the Port Hope Police Service), and other stakeholders to address historical challenges during the fall salmon run.

In July, Port Hope council received a confidential briefing on the regulatory changes being considered by the MNR. As part of that confidential meeting, council directed Mayor Olga Hankivsky to engage with the ministry to seek support for addressing the specific impacts Port Hope may face during the fall, including requesting the implementation of a temporary variance order during the 2024 season.

The ministry approved the regulatory changes only a week after the end of the online consultation period, which took place from July 24 to August 22. Now approved, the regulatory changes mean portions of the Ganaraska River will be closed to fishing every year from September 1 through October 14 to provide protection for salmon as they move through the area.

Closures to fishing apply from the south side of the Jocelyn Street bridge to the CNR bridge, the first rail line north of Lake Ontario. The Ganaraska River is already closed to fishing all year from the 401 south to the Jocelyn Street bridge.

As part of the changes, the ministry is also extending the fishing season from October 15 through December 31 to allow anglers to catch a variety of trout and salmon species following the peak salmon migration season.

More details about the changes to Fisheries Management Zone (FMZ) 17 are available at ontario.ca/page/fisheries-management-zone-17-fmz-17.

With the new regulations taking effect on September 1, the Municipality of Port Hope is urging the public to exercise patience and understanding as some anglers will initially not be aware of the new rules.

“Authorities are committed to educating the community and ensuring that everyone is informed about the updated rules,” states a media release. “While enforcement measures will be in place, it is important to allow time for adjustments as the changes are implemented. The cooperation and consideration of all residents and visitors during this period will be greatly appreciated, contributing to a smoother and more effective adaptation to the new guidelines.”

As for Carthew’s annual “Run Salmon Run” celebration, the event is scheduled to take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, September 8th at Rotary Park beside the Port Hope Library, along the river. The free event will feature fish ponds, live music, art, and education.