Volunteer Canada’s “Value of Volunteering Wheel” illustrates the multifaceted ways in which volunteering positively affects all aspects of a community.

Volunteering allows businesses to attract new talent, neighbourhoods to become more cohesive, and individuals to develop new skills.

Yet despite the many advantages of volunteerism, new research shows a concerning trend afoot.

Every five years, Statistics Canada collects data through its Survey on Giving, Volunteering and Participating. The 2023 results, published in June 2025, show that the number of Canadian volunteers dropped 12 per cent between 2013 and 2023, while overall volunteer hours logged also declined during that period.

In 2018, Canadians contributed five billion hours of formal and informal volunteering, compared with only 4.1 billion hours in 2023. This 18 per cent drop equates to a loss of roughly 451,000 full-time jobs, according to Volunteer Canada.

This contrasts with the period between 2004 and 2013, during which both charitable donations and volunteerism remained stable.

“The data doesn’t signal a shift — it signals a breakdown,” says Joanne McKiernan, executive director of Volunteer Toronto, on the organization’s website. “Canadians are stretched thin — financially, emotionally, and with their time. When both types of volunteerism and charitable giving decline together, it signals a fraying social fabric.

“If we want people to keep showing up for their communities, we need to show up for them,” McKiernan adds. “Volunteerism doesn’t just happen — it requires investment, infrastructure, and intention. Without it, we risk volunteer labour shortages across the sector and rising social isolation in the years ahead.”

Award-winning volunteer engagement professional Jessica Pang-Parks points to several contributing factors. As life has become more expensive, the demographic of people who can afford to volunteer has declined in several ways. There are fewer single-income households, many delay retirement due to mounting costs, and young adults cannot afford to invest time beyond school or work.

“The pool of willing volunteers is shifting, but the decline also reflects something deeper: a long-standing disinvestment in the infrastructure that enables volunteerism,” writes Cara Eaton, senior director of strategy and growth at Volunteer Toronto, in a recent op-ed.

“At one time, Ontario had 30 volunteer centres; now there are only 15, many closing because of unstable or insufficient funding.”

During the pandemic, half of volunteer management roles were eliminated or reduced. The sector has not fully recovered. Many Canadians may want to volunteer, but when they reach out to an organization, they do not hear back. A 2025 Volunteer Toronto survey of 90 volunteers showed that this happens 24 per cent of the time.

High volunteer rates are consistently associated with stronger social networks, higher capacity to support vulnerable populations, and increased community resilience during times of crisis — core components of a healthy city.

Locally, Jessica Barbuto, executive director of Mapleridge Recreation Centre, has also seen a change in how people prefer to contribute.

“There is a strong trend toward short-term, time-limited, and project-based volunteering, rather than long-term role commitments,” she says.

Peterborough has more than 480 non-profits in the region that depend on volunteers, and at least 35 organizations with dedicated staff to support volunteers.

GreenUP is one of those, having recently secured funding for full-time staff capacity to support and grow volunteer programs and build community connections. Volunteer Peterborough, a neighbourhood hub for volunteer opportunities that is part of the Canadian Volunteer Centre Network, has offered a rallying point for local organizations that also rely on volunteering.

Amplifying those opportunities to GreenUP’s audience and beyond supports the growth of a larger volunteer culture that residents can benefit from.

Here are just a few of many ways in which residents can contribute to a stronger Peterborough:

• The Peterborough Humane Society cultivates a space where compassion for animals and their well-being is part of everyday life. Volunteer opportunities range from dishes and laundry to dog walking, cat socializing, sorting donations, greeting visitors, and lending a hand at events.
• Community Care Peterborough provides a variety of essential services to seniors and adults with physical challenges that empower them to live at home with dignity. Volunteer opportunities include delivering meals, helping people get to their medical appointments, and having friendly visits.
• Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region helps families build strength, stability, and independence through affordable home ownership. Volunteer opportunities include helping with tool maintenance and inventory at the Peterborough Tool Library, processing donations and customer service at the ReStore, and administrative support in the office.

Through a robust network of volunteers, Peterborough can become more proactive, resilient, and united.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities at GreenUP, complete a volunteer application form or register to join an upcoming in-person volunteer information session at greenup.on.ca/volunteer.

The City of Peterborough is eyeing the Coldsprings growth area at the southern edge of the city as a potential location for an Alto high-speed rail station.

At city council’s general committee on Tuesday night (February 17), a report from Blair Nelson, the city’s commissioner of infrastructure, planning and growth management, recommended the allocation of $375,000 in each of the 2027 and 2028 capital budgets for a Coldsprings secondary planning study.

“Undertaking studies to support a Coldsprings secondary plan now will allow the city to work with Alto to identify options for preferred routes and station locations and establish an infrastructure and land use plan to maximize both Alto’s benefit to the region and the region’s benefit to Alto,” the report states.

Peterborough is one of seven stops along the corridor for the high-speed rail project, which is the largest public infrastructure project in Canada in recent history. When completed, the project will see trains reaching 300 km/h or more on an electrified rail network spanning around 1,000 kilometres between Toronto and Quebec City, slashing travel time between Toronto and Peterborough to just 40 minutes.

“In planning for routes and station locations, staff expects Alto will need to prioritize efficiency both in terms of overall system operation and ease of construction,” the report states. “To that end, staff anticipates that locations relatively unencumbered by significant urban development and natural heritage constraints will be preferred by Alto. In Peterborough, the Coldsprings planning area is one such area and may be selected by Alto as a possible option location for the station.”

Located at the southern limit of the city, the Coldsprings planning area is named after the former hamlet of Coldsprings. It comprises around 307 hectares (760 acres) of land, including land annexed by the city from Smith Township and Otonabee Township in 1998 along with additional land annexed from Smith-Ennismore-Lakefield and Otonabee-South Monaghan in 2008, with the purpose of accommodating the city’s future growth.

Bounded by the Otonabee River and Matchett Line to the west, Highway 7/115 to the north, Bensfort Road and Wallace Point Road to the east, and Driscoll Road to the south, the Coldsprings planning area is mostly rural and agricultural with some natural heritage areas of significance. It has direct access to Highway 7/115, is close to the Peterborough Regional Airport, and has direct arterial road access to Lansdowne Street East.

“Staff view Coldsprings as an ideal location to consider for Alto because of its large area, proximity to existing transportation facilities, and its relatively unencumbered land use pattern,” the report states.

While the city’s official plan identifies Coldsprings as an area for future development and city council has re-instated approval for two draft plans for subdivisions in the north portion of the area, the official plan requires a secondary land use plan to be prepared for the area to establish appropriate urban structure, delineate land use boundaries, and provide urban design guidelines and development policies that will guide the area’s long-term development.

In February 2025, city council directed staff to prepare a secondary plan. Although $250,000 was previously approved for the completion of planning studies, a request for $375,000 in the city’s 2026 budget was deferred until 2027. City staff are now requesting the allocation of $375,000 in each of the 2027 and 2028 budgets, for a total project budget of $1 million.

At Tuesday night’s meeting, Mayor Jeff Leal spoke in support of the report and the potential for an Alto high-speed rail station to be located in the area.

“The federal minister of transportation has indicated that the amount of land needed for Alto stations is going to be 42 squared metres (sic), which is approximately 10 acres,” the mayor said. “We assume that Alto will want to cross the Otonabee River at its narrowest point, so that’s certainly down in the Coldsprings area, and if we start the development of the station in that area, 10 acres would provide sufficient surface parking to serve the region.”

“We sense that Alto may choose the ONRoute type facility, provide food offerings and the sales of tickets, and we want to make sure that we position the City of Peterborough strategically,” Mayor Leal added.

Alto CEO Martin Imbleau will be in Peterborough on Thursday (February 19) to deliver a keynote address at an event called “PK Conversations: High Speed Rail Advancement with Alto” hosted by the Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce from 8 to 10 a.m. at The StoneHouse Hall (2195 Lansdowne St. W., Cavan Monaghan).

The following Thursday (February 26), Alto will be hosting a public consultation open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. at the McDonnel Street Community Centre at 577 McDonnel Street. There will be a series of booths where attendees can meet Alto team members to learn about specific aspects of the project like travel times, the corridor under study, engineering and design, economic impacts and more. Feedback from the open house will help inform Alto’s selection of the rail network alignment and station locations.

In the only other comment on the item, councillor Kevin Duguay said that it makes “eminent sense that we pre-commit (funding) and proceed with appropriate planning for the Alto station, so I wholeheartedly support this staff report.”

Council then voted 10-0 in support of the request to allocate $375,000 in each of the 2027 and 2028 capital budgets for a Coldsprings secondary planning study, which was a unanimous vote as councillor Don Vassiliadis was absent from the meeting.

Items endorsed by general committee will be considered by council for final approval next Monday (February 23), when registered delegations will be allowed to speak.

The original version of this story has been updated to clarify the mayor’s quote about the area required by Alto stations.

During its general committee meeting on Tuesday night (February 17), Peterborough city council considered two items related to the proposed demolition of much of the historic General Electric (GE) factory complex at 107 Park Street North in downtown Peterborough.

Council endorsed a motion to exclude four buildings that it had previously approved for heritage designation, at the request of BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada Inc. which leases the buildings from property owner GE Vernova.

Council also endorsed a generic health and safety plan guideline for the demolition, and deferred an amending motion from councillor Joy Lachica that would require GE Vernova to disclose its full demolition plan, so that councillors have additional time to review the motion.

BWXT raises concerns about heritage designation

Council’s decision to exclude four buildings from heritage designation was in response to notices of objection filed by GE Vernova and BWXT, as well as a subsequent letter to council from BWXT that expressed concern with heritage designation of any BWXT-leased building.

The January 26 letter from BWXT vice president Andy Collyer stated that the proposed heritage designation “carries significant risk to our business and future in the community.”

BWXT, which produces nuclear fuel bundles for the Canadian Deuterium Uranium (CANDU) nuclear power industry, currently employs over 400 workers in high-paying skilled manufacturing and engineering positions at its Peterborough facility.

“We want to continue to grow our operations in this community as we have done so for many years,” Collyer wrote in his letter. “However, with a looming heritage designation, we do not feel that this allows us to have flexibility to modify our buildings to meet our growing business needs.”

Last November, city council decided to allow GE Vernova to demolish a large number of vacant buildings at the factory complex with the exception of eight buildings that would receive heritage designation.

Council’s decision to designate buildings 2, 2A, 8A, 21, 24A, 26, 28, and 30 was based on a 154-page heritage impact assessment (HIA) report prepared by ERA Architects Inc. for GE Vernova that indicated these eight buildings would be retained. Buildings 21, 24A, 26, and 28 are all leased from GE Vernova by BWXT.

According to a report to council from Blair Nelson, the city’s commissioner of infrastructure, planning and growth management, city staff consulted with legal counsel for GE Vernova and BWXT after receiving notices of objection from both companies of the city’s intention to designate the eight buildings.

As a result of the consultation, city staff recommended buildings 24A and 28 be excluded from heritage designation as they do not have specific heritage value, and suggested that council might also want to exclude buildings 21 and 26 from heritage designation “should council wish to directly address the concerns raised by BWXT” and “balance the city’s interest in heritage preservation with other interests including the community’s long-term economic sustainability.”

Council votes to remove four GE buildings from heritage designation

At Tuesday night’s general committee meeting, Mayor Jeff Leal put forth an amending motion to exclude buildings 21 and 26 from heritage designation in addition to buildings 24A and 28, noting that he had conversations with BWXT’s vice president of government relations Bill Walker about the company’s request that all four of their leased buildings to be excluded.

“I also had conversations with our MPP (Dave) Smith on this particular matter, in light that the government of Ontario is going to be expanding opportunities for the production of nuclear energy in Ontario,” the mayor said.

“In fact, (Ontario energy) minister (Stephen) Lecce just announced last week that Wesleyville will be the site of a new CANDU development. We also have Westinghouse (Nuclear) here in Peterborough, so we want to make sure that our highly skilled, highly paid jobs remain right here in Peterborough, and we can accomplish that.”

Councillor Alex Bierk noted the council’s earlier decision on heritage designation had been based on GE Vernova’s heritage impact assessment (HIA) report and expressed concern that the issue of the four buildings had not been brought forward during council’s original debate on the matter last fall.

After some additional discussion, council voted 8-1 in favour of the amended motion, with Bierk voting against. Councillor Don Vassiliadis was absent from the meeting, and councillor Matt Crowley had earlier declared an interest on the item and did not participate in the discussion or vote.

Council debates demolition health and safety oversight

Debate on the final item on the general committee agenda — a report from municipal operations commissioner Ilmar Simanovskis that provides a high-level outline of a health and safety approach for the demolition of buildings at the GE Vernova site — consumed almost half of the three-hour meeting.

Last October, council had directed city staff to develop the report in response to community concerns about the demolition given the long history of toxic substances used at the factory complex.

The report outlines which agencies could be involved in the demolition and described their regulatory authority, and includes a guideline document for a community health and safety approach, proposing a “joint oversight table” that would include the city, the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), Lakelands Public Health, GE Vernova, the demolition contractor, and an independent environment monitor hired by the city and funded by GE Vernova.

The guideline also describes a number of technical documents that may be required and technical controls during demolition, as well as ongoing public communication including plain-language summaries of technical documents, live data dashboards, public meetings, and a 24/7 hotline and email address

“Although the city has no legislated authority to require the completion of a HASP (health and safety plan) before demolition is started, GE is aware of the city’s request to provide a HASP,” the report states.

“Should GE adopt a HASP approach, it is expected that it will pay all costs for the HASP in addition to any costs that may be required to retain independent third-party oversight of the process and related community consultation and engagement, if required.”

Councillor Bierk calls for stronger city-led health and safety plan

Councillor Bierk, who put forward the original motion for the city staff report, said the report was just “a restatement of the jurisdictional limits we have already debated.”

“That is not what I asked for in this motion, and that is not what council asked for,” he said. “The motion was about the site entirely and its impacts on the surrounding neighbourhood, not solely through the demolition process. The core question was never whether the city can compel GE to submit a plan under the building code. The question was what is this city itself going to do to protect residents from the impacts of this site.”

“We still do not have clarity on whether the city will retain an independent environmental monitor, what contaminants related to the site will be monitored and at what action levels, how residents will be notified of risks, or what happens if site-related impacts occur in the surrounding neighborhood. We don’t even know the extent of the contamination on the site. We know nothing.”

“My concern for this report is simple: it explains jurisdiction, but it does not provide the city’s plan that council requested for this site. I am moving to not defer this, but to refer this back to staff so that council can actually receive that plan with clear deliverables, roles and timelines, and I have a motion which I will submit to the clerk.”

Bierk’s motion requested that staff report back with a “city health and safety plan” for the GE Vernova site that is not limited to the demolition plan itself, referring to the original discussion on the item in October that led to the staff report.

“We had a very thorough debate on this,” he said. “We were sort of stonewalled in the sense that we understood that, with the very specific part of the demolition project, there actually wasn’t much we could impose upon General Electric. But what happened? We had residents show up, we had community members show up, we had people that showed up that worked at GE, all coming to us at council telling us their concerns about that site.”

“While it was clear to me that we couldn’t impose anything on GE through the demolition process, I made a motion that our staff would come back to us with the general health and safety plan for the site and its residents. To me, that was not in this report — this was just a continuation of a debate that we already had, which goes over the jurisdiction, jurisdictional responsibilities, and what we can and can’t do in regards to a demolition.”

“This (new motion) is just reiterating the intent of the original motion, which passed at council, which is for us as a city to take what responsibility we can for the site, even if that just be transparency around the extent of the contaminants and how those contaminants are moving off the site, if at all.”

In response to a question from councillor and meeting chair Andrew Beamer about the impact of Bierk’s motion, Blair Nelson, the city’s commissioner of infrastructure, planning and growth management, said the city could conduct investigative work surrounding the site but that would require funding.

Municipal operations commissioner Ilmar Simanovskis noted that the city has limited ability to impose any requirements on GE Vernova with respect its private property, but could do something related to boulevards surrounding the property.

Much of the remaining debate, including questions to city staff, involved the limitations of what the city can require of GE Vernova as no development is being proposed for the property.

City CAO Jasbir Raina noted that the city has not yet received a demolition permit application from GE Vernova, which would include a demolition plan.

“That’s the time when engagements and the discussions happen,” Raina said, adding that city staff cannot request a demolition plan until an application is received. “We don’t even know if they will do it (the demolition) this year.”

Council then voted on councillor Bierk’s motion to refer the report back to city staff, which was withdrawn after a tie vote of 5-5. Councillors Lachica, Bierk, Crowley, Beamer, and Riel voted in favour and Mayor Leal and councillors Dave Haacke, Lesley Parnell, Kevin Duguay, and Gary Baldwin voting against.

Councillor Lachica’s motion for GE Vernova to disclose demolition plan deferred for a week

Councillor Joy Lachica put forward an amendment to the main motion that council request that GE Vernova disclose its full demolition plan through the city’s chief building official and to all members of municipal council as part of its application for demolition under the Ontario Building Code.

Based on research and expert consultations she had conducted over the past week, Lachica’s motion was lengthy and detailed.

In response to a question to city staff from chair Beamer on the impact of Lachica’s motion, the city’s legislative services commissioner David Potts cautioned that making such a request through the city’s chief building official could create a risk for the city, as the demolition permit application process under the Ontario Building Code precludes the involvement of municipal council or the imposition of conditions by council.

“The practical suggestion is that, if council wants a document from GE Vernova, why does it not just resolve to ask it directly, and don’t impugn the chief building official,” Potts said.

In his comments, Mayor Leal said “the intent of councillor Lachica is a very good one.”

“The gist and the intent of this is very good, and it’s well researched,” he said. “The sentiments I think would be important to everybody in this community, but we’ve got to make sure of the process that we employ to get to the end point of our destination here.”

Due to the length and detail of councillor Lachica’s motion, councillor Baldwin put forward a motion to defer consideration of the motion to give councillors time to review the motion before voting on it at the regular city council meeting until the following Monday.

In response to the concern raised by commissioner Potts, Mayor Leal suggested that Lachica’s motion could be adjusted so that the request to GE Vernova come from municipal operations commissioner Ilmar Simanovskis rather than the city’s chief building official.

“That’s why I’m going to support councillor Baldwin’s (motion to defer), because then we could have a week to mull this over,” the mayor said, referring to councillor Lachica’s motion. “The sentiment, and what the end goal is, I think is very legitimate, but we’ve got to make sure we get it right or we could expose ourselves on something else here that we don’t want to do, and that could be the unintended consequences of not spending the week to get this kind of clarity.”

Council voted on councillor Baldwin’s motion, which carried 8-2, with councillors Lachica and Bierk voting against the deferral.

Councillor Bierk suggested an amendment to the main motion to receive the city staff report, asking GE Vernova to disclose its demolition plan to council. Chair Beamer did not accept the amending motion, as councillor Lachica’s motion already made that request and council had just voted to defer it.

Council then voted on the main motion to receive the city staff report, which carried 9-1, with councillor Lachica voting against.

Items endorsed by general committee will be considered by council for final approval next Monday (February 23), when registered delegations will be allowed to speak.

When Tiffany Arcari organized a last-minute International Women’s Day (IWD) event in 2024 in just eight days, she didn’t imagine she would be doing it again the following year — and have women lined up down the block for it.

“Now I feel like I have to keep doing this because there’s just nothing like it,” Arcari says. “I like the way that it makes people feel, the impact it has on the community, and how it recognizes the business community for the role that they play in our lives in Peterborough and The Kawarthas.”

That’s why the creator and host of The Tiffany Show on Cogeco YourTV Peterborough/Lindsay is now preparing for The Tiffany Show’s IWD Party 2026, her third annual community-driven celebration of women on Sunday, March 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Venue in downtown Peterborough. To join the party, register for a free ticket at www.thetiffanyshow.ca/iwd2026.

“Bringing women together to sit down and share authentically who we are, the challenges we have, and the things that we walk through really reminds us that we’re not alone,” says Arcari.

“With the state of the world and the state of communities, it’s more important now than ever to be creating these spaces for people. The people that are in that room — and some are men, too — don’t all see eye to eye. Not everybody is on the same political side, but we can see beyond those things and realize that core values, community kindness, taking care of each other, communication, sharing, and fostering relationships really does build a stronger community.”

Arcari recognizes her party is not what she calls the “stereotypical” International Women’s Day event that features keynote speakers and conversations about policies and politics, but she makes no apologies for it.

“My focus is to shut that off and get back to the basics of connection,” she says. “Now that we see AI rising and rising and rising, this need for human connection is going to be stronger and stronger and stronger. We need it for community to survive, to take care of each other, to thrive, to build — it affects everything.”

For her IWD event, Arcari has invited local female powerhouses who are “relatable” and will share educational information and powerful stories of overcoming challenges.

Speaking to everything from women’s health to impactful life lessons, the storytellers include naturopathic practitioner Dr. Richa Grover, real estate agent Sarah Evans, Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory customer service agent Caryn Mattless, and Big Brothers Big Sisters Peterborough executive director Zoe King.

“These four women all have very different stories, but it’s all going to resonate with somebody in your life and my life,” says Arcari. “They’re not all celebrities and they don’t need to be, because we need to hear stories from women like me and you so we know that if she went through it, we can do it too.”

Though they will be gaining inspiration from these local women, attendees will also be encouraged to shower themselves with love through the return of the Self-Love Mirror, where women will be invited to the front of the room to turn their back to the crowd, look only at their reflection, and say what they love most about themselves.

“It brings out something so vulnerable and special,” says Arcari. “I think because I get them to turn away from the audience, they almost feel like it’s an individual moment between me and them. It’s powerful (for them), and it’s emotional for me too in that moment.”

There will be no escaping the positivity at this party, either. Even the bathroom mirrors will be decorated with sticky notes that remind attendees just how beautiful, strong, and resilient they are.

Women will be encouraged to take a note and leave a note. Last year, the mirror was covered with notes and Arcari even received photos of the women taking the sticky notes with them to create their own affirmation mirror at home.

“Sometimes we get in front of the mirror, and we get so lost in picking ourselves apart physically,” Arcari says. “But when we look in that mirror, we need to ask ourselves, ‘Would you talk to your best friend like that?’ I think everybody needs reminders (to love themselves).”

The event will also see the return of the Self-Love Club Experience Zone, where local businesses will be serving up pampering experience including mini-facials, massages, polish applications, and more.

“If I have an opportunity to feature a business, one hundred per cent I will do it because I genuinely believe that business is the backbone of community,” Arcari says. “They are the ones sponsoring not-for-profits and charitable organizations and soccer teams and The Tiffany Show and this International Women’s Day event.”

Spin wheels, giveaways, swag bags, a cash bar, light snacks, and plenty of other surprises will add to the party. And you just might want to make sure you’re following participating local businesses on social media, because there will be giveaways for those spreading the love.

“The businesses are so heart-lead in their own leadership and that’s why they back this up,” says Arcari. “They all deeply care about community and see how these relationships strengthen community and bring us close closer together.”

VIDEO: The Tiffany Show’s IWD Party 2026

While Arcari may not have known back in 2024 she would still be hosting an International Women’s Day Party each year, it’s clear she’s doing what she’s meant to do.

“This is my own superpower that I can deploy to make things better and to make things less heavy, so we can chase a little joy,” she says. “These women that are going to show up and be celebrated and spoiled have shown up for me in so many different ways through the last 21 years of being in Peterborough.”

For more information about The Tiffany Show’s IWD Party 2026 and to register for a free ticket, visit www.thetiffanyshow.ca/iwd2026.

As Alto moves forward with Canada’s first-ever high-speed rail network between Toronto and Quebec City, including a stop in Peterborough, the Crown corporation is committed to connecting with residents, listening closely to questions and concerns, and ensuring perspectives from Peterborough and communities across The Kawarthas inform every stage of planning.

That’s why Alto has launched an initial three-month public consultation process that includes a drop-in open house in Peterborough on Thursday, February 26 between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the McDonnel Street Community Centre at 577 McDonnel Street.

Meaningful community engagement

“This phase of Alto’s consultation is centred on engagement with the general public within the communities both around station stops and throughout the corridor, including a concentrated focus on engagement with Indigenous communities,” says Alto spokesperson Crystal Jongeward, adding that public consultations are “foundational to the project.”

Over the last two years, Alto’s community engagement efforts have included reaching out to governments, municipalities, public institutions, and Indigenous communities across the corridor in Ontario and Quebec, as well as offering delegations to elected officials, including to the municipal councils of the City of Peterborough, Peterborough County, and the City of Kawartha Lakes.

As for the initial three-month public consultation period that began on January 21, Jongeward calls it the “single largest public engagement undertaking” to date for the project. More than 20 open house sessions are planned in communities along the corridor between January and March, in addition to eight virtual meetings and a dedicated online information portal.

Alto’s first two open houses, held in Ottawa and Montreal on January 21 and 22, collectively saw more than 1,000 attendees.

What high-speed rail means for the future of Peterborough and The Kawarthas

Peterborough is one of seven stops along the corridor for the high-speed rail project, which is the largest public infrastructure project in Canada in recent history. When completed, the project will see trains reaching 300 km/h or more on an electrified rail network spanning around 1,000 kilometres between Toronto and Quebec City.

Locally, the transformational investment will not only make it possible to travel between Toronto and Peterborough in just 40 minutes, offering greater flexibility and quality of life for students and working professionals, but it will also boost economic prosperity in Peterborough and communities throughout The Kawarthas.

“We see the project as being an impetus for stimulating economic activity through the enhanced connectivity that Peterborough will have to a number of major economic hubs like Toronto, Ottawa, and Montréal,” Jongeward explains.

While the project will drive economic growth by slashing travel times, enhancing connectivity, and creating job opportunities for all communities along the corridor, Jongeward notes it will also have a transformative impact on the visitor economy of Peterborough and The Kawarthas.

“With Algonquin Park nearby, hundreds of lakes, the whole Trent-Severn Waterway system, and everything going on in Peterborough from the Canadian Canoe Museum to Musicfest, high-speed rail means tourists will be able to access all these things with a much smaller time commitment than with the travel options we have today,” Jongeward says.

“When we think about tourism, especially in the summer, it’s a really attractive option for people who are visiting Toronto to hop on the train and go to cottage country in the Kawarthas in just 40 minutes on Alto. It means a lot for the economic impact on coffee shops, restaurants, and all the different spots people visit when they’re in a new city or town.”

What to expect at the February 26 open house in Peterborough

At the Peterborough open house on February 26, there will be a variety of booths set up to share stories of how high-speed rail will revolutionize mobility and quality of life across communities along the corridor.

Alto’s community engagement team will be available at the open house to share why high-speed rail is a ground-breaking project for Canada, what the project timeline looks like, how the trains will work, and how they will transform mobility between Toronto and Quebec City. Community members will also be able to meet experts from the Alto team who can speak to engineering, design, environmental consultations, and more.

Coffee and snacks will be available at the open house, as well as a supervised play area where parents can keep their children busy so they can focus on asking their questions and joining in on the conversations.

“We’re interested in discussing things like what connectivity means to the community,” says Jongeward. “For Peterborough, this means station locations and interconnectivity with local transit, and the route in and route out. None of that is decided, and a lot of community input that we gather will help inform those decisions as we go through the next three months of this public engagement.”

Alto team members will be taking notes on every conversation with community members and, when leaving the open house, attendees will have the option of completing an exit poll and also have further opportunities to share their feedback on Alto’s dedicated public engagement platform.

More options to provide your feedback

For those unable to attend the open house, Alto will also be hosting eight virtual sessions throughout the public engagement period. Upcoming virtual sessions will take place at noon on Friday, February 20 and at 7 p.m. on Monday, February 23, Tuesday, March 3, and Tuesday, March 17.

In addition to the open houses and virtual sessions, community members can also visit Alto’s online portal until March 29 to complete a survey, provide feedback on an interactive map, and submit a brief.

“All input will help us shape the rail network’s alignment, which will then be refined into a proposed alignment,” says Jongeward. “All ideas are welcome.”

What’s next?

Alto will aggregate all the feedback collected during the public consultation process and present it to the public this summer. A second round of public consultations will be held at a later time to review and refine the proposed rail alignment.

While Alto has confirmed that the Ottawa-Montreal corridor will be the first segment of the high-speed rail network, with construction set to begin at the end of the decade, the project is still in the development and pre-construction phase. Public consultations are an important milestone of this phase, providing local communities with the opportunity to help shape the project in partnership with Alto.

“Community input and feedback is key to this project because Alto is for Canadians by Canadians — it needs to reflect the communities that it’s serving from end to end,” Jongeward says. “We really look forward to seeing the people of Peterborough and the surrounding communities on February 26.”

For more information on Alto’s public consultation process, visit www.altotrain.ca/en/public-consultation. To stay informed about upcoming milestones and additional opportunities to engage, sign up for Alto’s monthly newsletter at www.altotrain.ca/en/stay-updated.

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