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Five Counties Children’s Centre helps kids reach for the stars during record-setting year

By Five Counties Children's Centre -
Five Counties Children's Centre CEO Scott Pepin races client Hamish down the hall after he completed one of his recent treatment sessions at the Peterborough-based children's treatment centre. (Photo courtesy of Five Counties Children's Centre)

You may have heard reference to the rat race, but what do you make of scooter races? For me, it’s been one highlight of many in the past year in my role as CEO at Five Counties Children’s Centre.

Every month, Five Counties Children’s Centre provides a story about the work of the charitable organization. This month’s story is by Scott Pepin, CEO, Five Counties Children’s Centre.

The scooter race started innocently enough last summer when one of our clients, Hamish, came for his weekly treatment sessions at our Peterborough site. I got to know Hamish and his family well and, from there, evolved a friendly competition between us to see who was the king of speed.

After his treatment appointment was over, I’d race Hamish down the hall on a scooter to see who was fastest! While competitive, this was a friendly rivalry that always ended in a high-five or fist pump.

Gotta love working with kids!

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Hamish is one of thousands of children and youth with physical, developmental, or communication needs that Five Counties supported over the past year in Peterborough, Northumberland County, City of Kawartha Lakes, and Haliburton County. In fact, during 2025/26, the centre served 6,574 kids/clients — the highest number in our 50-plus history!

That number is out of this world, and brings to mind the Artemis II crew members who captivated us earlier this spring with their successful flyby of the Moon and their safe return to Earth. In looping around the far side of the Moon, the spacecraft crew went further from Earth than anyone in human history.

The Artemis II exploits bring to mind the words of Norman Vincent Peale, an author best known for popularizing the concept of positive thinking. Peale once said: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”

One of the big accomplishments for Five Counties Children's Centre in 2025-26 was the official opening of a new accessible backyard space at its Cobourg site. The new space allows the centre and its community partners to enhance treatment, recreation, cultural awareness and outdoor education programs in the Northumberland community. (Photo courtesy of Five Counties Children's Centre)
One of the big accomplishments for Five Counties Children’s Centre in 2025-26 was the official opening of a new accessible backyard space at its Cobourg site. The new space allows the centre and its community partners to enhance treatment, recreation, cultural awareness and outdoor education programs in the Northumberland community. (Photo courtesy of Five Counties Children’s Centre)

At Five Counties, reaching for the stars happens every day. It’s evident in our kids (like Hamish) who work diligently with our staff and their own families to build their abilities for life.

In that way, Five Counties is a launch pad of sorts: working to help kids achieve maximum liftoff by supporting their independence, well-being, and quality of life, while helping and empowering families in our region.

As outlined in our latest annual report for 2025/26, it was a busy and banner year. In addition to a record number of clients served, the centre gained public recognition for its work, launched an innovative new campaign that asks families to Rethink Therapy, and celebrated its 50th anniversary.

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Consider that, in 2025/26, Five Counties Children’s Centre:

  • Provided a total of 56,687 client visits last year — another record count — and an increase of nearly 1,300 visits from 2024/25.
  • Kept wait times in check for kids’ treatment services, despite an 11.8 per cent increase in client referrals to the centre last year. Only 18 more kids were added to its wait list in 2025/26, even as the centre served 366 more clients year-over-year.
  • Supported 3,928 local students through the centre’s school-based rehabilitation services, even as we continued to implement tiered intervention in schools to ensure the right students get the right care at the right time.
  • Spent a total of 4,199 hours last year offering support and skill-building training to families, schools and child-care facilities. Put another way, the time works out to nearly 175 days, or more than six months, of capacity building with these groups.
  • Officially opened our new accessible backyard space at Five Counties in Cobourg to enhance treatment, recreation, cultural awareness and outdoor education programs in the community.
  • Created the new Purchased Services Abilities in Action program as a new treatment pathway for children with autism and their families who quality for funding through the Ontario Autism Program. This came as the centre also successfully recruited a new pediatrician and doctors over the past year to better support, and more quickly, screen kids for autism.
Five Counties Children's Centre has released its annual report for 2025-26, detailing activities and accomplishments over what CEO Scott Pepin calls "a busy and banner year," including serving the highest number of kids/clients in its 50-plus year history. (Graphics courtesy of Five Counties Children's Centre)
Five Counties Children’s Centre has released its annual report for 2025-26, detailing activities and accomplishments over what CEO Scott Pepin calls “a busy and banner year,” including serving the highest number of kids/clients in its 50-plus year history. (Graphics courtesy of Five Counties Children’s Centre)

The credit for these activities and accomplishments rests with our staff members. While our buildings are made of bricks and mortar, Five Counties staff are the inner heart and soul that enable us to do what we do every day.

And it’s more than just numbers. Behind every statistic is a personal interaction and human connection made between our staff members, children and their families. We want to help our kids reach the stars and, through our staff’s dedication and work, Five Counties is doing that!

Zimbabwean-Canadian author, philosopher, and entrepreneur Matshona Dhliwayo once said, “Gravity is no match against one who is determined to reach the stars.”

Take a walk around our centre sites any day and you’ll see those words in action, no rockets required (just scooters, when Hamish and I renew our racing rivalry)!

Peterborough’s KADEX Aero Supply is ready to soar to new heights after warehouse expansion

By Megan Gallant -
KADEX Aero Supply recently renovated and expanded its warehouse at the Peterborough Airport to add 10,000 square feet of space, ensuring shipping, receiving, and inventory are all in the same hangar to increase efficiency and streamline communication between team members. The renovation and expansion comes as KADEX prepares for a new era of growth following its recent acquisition by Canadian holding company Chorus Aviation. (Photo courtesy of KADEX Aero Supply)

With its recent warehouse renovation at the Peterborough Regional Airport, KADEX Aero Supply will be better positioned to soar to new heights.

Adding another 10,000 square feet of space, the strategic renovation will aid the global aviation parts supplier with improved efficiency and operations, further enhancing customer experience and supporting significant growth across North America and the globe.

“This has been in the making for a while,” says Jordan Lavery, Vice President of Business Development at KADEX. “I’m glad we expanded so we can have more product on the shelves to continue delivering the operational excellence and customer satisfaction we have been committed to for over 30 years.”

 

Growing from Peterborough to serve a global aviation market

KADEX Aero Supply employees Aaron Davidson, Jeff Lang, Larry Mann, Tyler Primeau, and Matt Wyatt stand in the company's recently renovated and expanded warehouse at the Peterborough Airport. The upgrades include an additional 10,000 square feet of warehouse space, workspace adjustments that improve workflow, and the addition of tools and infrastructure that supports KADEX's commitment to green initiatives. The upgrades will improve workplace efficiency and operations to enhance customer experience. (Photo courtesy of KADEX Aero Supply)
KADEX Aero Supply employees Aaron Davidson, Jeff Lang, Larry Mann, Tyler Primeau, and Matt Wyatt stand in the company’s recently renovated and expanded warehouse at the Peterborough Airport. The upgrades include an additional 10,000 square feet of warehouse space, workspace adjustments that improve workflow, and the addition of tools and infrastructure that supports KADEX’s commitment to green initiatives. The upgrades will improve workplace efficiency and operations to enhance customer experience. (Photo courtesy of KADEX Aero Supply)

An aircraft parts and service distributor, KADEX was launched in Peterborough in 1994 by President and CEO John Lavery and Vice President Ken Blow.

Specializing in OEM and FAA-approved PMA parts, KADEX stocks over 200,000 products from over 70 manufacturers at its two main facilities in Peterborough and Calgary. The addition of 10,000 square feet at its Peterborough facility brings the company’s total space at both locations to around 50,000 square feet.

The Peterborough warehouse expansion comes as the company enters a new era following its recent acquisition by Chorus Aviation, a Canadian publicly traded holding company that also owns regional airlines Jazz Aviation and Voyageur Aviation, as well as professional flight training operation Cygnet Aviation Academy and Elisen & Associates, a provider of aerospace engineering and certification services.

The acquisition will allow KADEX, which will continue to be operated locally by existing teams, to access additional resources to support its long-term growth and further strengthen strategic relationships.

 

Reclaimed hangar space doubles storage capacity and streamlines operations

A global aviation parts supplier specializing in OEM and PMA parts, KADEX Aero Supply over 200,000 products from over 70 manufacturers at its two main facilities in Peterborough and Calgary. The renovation and expansion of its Peterborough warehouse means the company can maintain more inventory on site, minimizing delivery delays for customers. (Photo courtesy of KADEX Aero Supply)
A global aviation parts supplier specializing in OEM and PMA parts, KADEX Aero Supply over 200,000 products from over 70 manufacturers at its two main facilities in Peterborough and Calgary. The renovation and expansion of its Peterborough warehouse means the company can maintain more inventory on site, minimizing delivery delays for customers. (Photo courtesy of KADEX Aero Supply)

The expansion of KADEX’s headquarters at the Peterborough Regional Airport began after the company reclaimed a hangar space it had leased to another company. Meeting KADEX’s need for growth, the additional space was updated with all-new flooring and metal-clad walls.

The expansion has doubled the KADEX’s storage capacity, and allowed the company to also move oil previously stored in sea-can shipping containers into the temperature-controlled warehouse.

“We have lots of customers worldwide, so we’ve wanted more space for all our stock and products to allow for more capabilities for shipping and receiving,” says Sydney Bainbridge, Rotables and Warranties Administrator at KADEX.

The additional storage space also helps KADEX streamline operations, allowing for faster order processing and helping the company fulfill same-day and overnight shipping.

This will increase existing business opportunities for KADEX at the airport, where fellow aviation and aerospace businesses and flight training schools will benefit from having more parts available on site, and could foster future opportunities as the airport continues to grow, as seen with the new Canadian Flight Academy landing at the airport in March.

Among the upgrades to its warehouse at the Peterborough Airport, KADEX Aero Supply has installed a spray foam system from Sealed Air that stabilizes parts so they cannot move when being shipped. For large and heavy parts like landing gear and brakes, this is crucial for preventing damage while in transit. (Photo courtesy of KADEX Aero Supply)
Among the upgrades to its warehouse at the Peterborough Airport, KADEX Aero Supply has installed a spray foam system from Sealed Air that stabilizes parts so they cannot move when being shipped. For large and heavy parts like landing gear and brakes, this is crucial for preventing damage while in transit. (Photo courtesy of KADEX Aero Supply)

The expanded warehouse also means KADEX can maintain more inventory on site, minimizing delivery delays for customers.

“We’re one of the main distributors nationally for oil and tires,” Lavery says. “They take up a lot of space, so this gives us an advantage of stocking more parts in-country and not having to worry about bringing them across the border or about the factory’s shipping time. With production delays happening with many manufacturers, it’s good to have as many parts on the shelf as possible.”

On the shipping side of operations, the renovations included the installation of a spray foam system from Sealed Air, which stabilizes parts so they cannot move when being shipped. For large and heavy parts like landing gear and brakes, this is crucial for preventing damage while in transit.

In addition, KADEX has made adjustments for easily sorting and organizing consumables like boxes, tape, and shipping labels to maintain a more efficient packing process.

 

New space helps employee communication and morale as well as the environment

KADEX Aero Supply employee Tyler Primeau uses one of the new workspaces at the company's recently expanded and renovated warehouse at the Peterborough Airport. The individualized workspaces improve workflow by ensuring staff members are not waiting on a station and computer to do their work. The close proximity additionally makes it easier to call out urgent orders and ensure streamlined communications between team members. (Photo courtesy of KADEX Aero Supply)
KADEX Aero Supply employee Tyler Primeau uses one of the new workspaces at the company’s recently expanded and renovated warehouse at the Peterborough Airport. The individualized workspaces improve workflow by ensuring staff members are not waiting on a station and computer to do their work. The close proximity additionally makes it easier to call out urgent orders and ensure streamlined communications between team members. (Photo courtesy of KADEX Aero Supply)

While KADEX’s receiving, shipping, and inventory operations were previously all located in different areas, the new warehouse consolidates them into a single space, enhancing efficiency and speed.

“Being within the same space has greatly increased communication between the team,” Bainbridge explains. “It allows us to call out urgent or critical orders so we can jump on them right away, advising one another when an urgent part arrives, and enabling quicker receiving and turnaround for outbound shipments.”

The warehouse expansion has also allowed KADEX to add workstations for all employees so they don’t have to wait for one to become available. Paired with additional locker space and more natural light with the installation of new windows on the hangar doors, these upgrades not only enhance workflow but also increase employee morale.

As one of several green initiatives, KADEX Aero Supply at the Peterborough Airport switched to an electric forklift to reduce emissions. As a result of its recent warehouse renovation and expansion, the company has also doubled insulation ratings and installed high-efficiency LED lighting and heating systems. (Photo courtesy of KADEX Aero Supply)
As one of several green initiatives, KADEX Aero Supply at the Peterborough Airport switched to an electric forklift to reduce emissions. As a result of its recent warehouse renovation and expansion, the company has also doubled insulation ratings and installed high-efficiency LED lighting and heating systems. (Photo courtesy of KADEX Aero Supply)

“We wanted more streamlined positions so that we’re all in a group and working together better,” Bainbridge says. “It expands our opportunity to ship more product, receive more product in, and be able to store it for customers that possibly might be AOG (Aircraft on Ground).”

The new facility also demonstrates KADEX’s green commitment through significant infrastructure investments, including doubling the insulation ratings, moving to high-efficiency LED lighting and heating systems, and switching to an electric forklift.

“We want to be as conscious as possible and try our best to reduce emissions to make an impact,” Bainbridge says. “Packaging for aircraft parts can contribute a lot to the landfill so, where we can, we try to compensate with initiatives like shredding boxes to use as packaging peanuts in place of styrofoam. We do try to do different things to reduce our footprint and see if it works for us and also for our customers.”

 

Expansion could create new jobs and benefit the community

KADEX Aero Supply employee Jeff Lang prepares a customer order at the company's newly renovated and expanded warehouse at the Peterborough Airport. KADEX now has more space to stock parts in Canada rather than bringing them in from the U.S. (Photo courtesy of KADEX Aero Supply)
KADEX Aero Supply employee Jeff Lang prepares a customer order at the company’s newly renovated and expanded warehouse at the Peterborough Airport. KADEX now has more space to stock parts in Canada rather than bringing them in from the U.S. (Photo courtesy of KADEX Aero Supply)

KADEX’s warehouse expansion and subsequent customer growth could result in local employment opportunities with an increased need for pickers, packers, and shippers, as well as the creation of new roles.

Bainbridge also hopes the business growth will allow KADEX to continue giving back to the community by making donations, participating in local events and celebrations, and investing in the growth of the community – just as KADEX has been doing for over 30 years.

“That’s a benefit to being a part of a medium-sized business,” says Bainbridge. “It’s important for us to show up in the community and give back where we can and this growth will allow us to do that. We’re excited to continue to work with more companies and give back to Peterborough even more.”

To learn more about KADEX Aero Supply, visit kadexaero.com and follow KADEX on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Located at the Peterborough Airport, KADEX Aero Supply is an aircraft parts and service distributor specializing in OEM and FAA-approved PMA parts founded in Peterborough in 1994 by John Lavery and Ken Blow. KADEX has been acquired by Chorus Aviation, though continues to be led by existing teams locally. The renovated and expanded warehouse at the Peterborough Airport could provide job opportunities and more profit that KADEX can invest in other businesses and organizations locally. (Photo courtesy of KADEX Aero Supply)
Located at the Peterborough Airport, KADEX Aero Supply is an aircraft parts and service distributor specializing in OEM and FAA-approved PMA parts founded in Peterborough in 1994 by John Lavery and Ken Blow. KADEX has been acquired by Chorus Aviation, though continues to be led by existing teams locally. The renovated and expanded warehouse at the Peterborough Airport could provide job opportunities and more profit that KADEX can invest in other businesses and organizations locally. (Photo courtesy of KADEX Aero Supply)

 

This branded editorial was created in partnership with KADEX Aero Supply. If your business or organization is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.

Pop-rock music time machine that is Dwayne Gretzky returns to Peterborough Musicfest on Wednesday night

By Paul Rellinger -
Described as Canada's greatest party band, Toronto collective Dwayne Gretzky will perform for the sixth time at Peterborough Musicfest with a free-admission concert at Del Crary Park on July 29, 2026. (Photo: Geoff Fitzgerald)

When a group of Toronto friends who shared a love of the music that defined the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s got together for an impromptu jam in 2011, they couldn’t have imagined they’d still be doing it 15 years later.

Peterborough Musicfest presents
Dwayne Gretzky

When:Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at 8 p.m.
Where: Del Crary Park (100 George St. N., Peterborough)
How much: Free admission

The evening will also feature JJ Thompson at 6:30 p.m. as part of the Cogeco Future Sound Series. Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets (lawn chairs are available to rent). VIP seating available for sponsors. No smoking, alcohol, or pets permitted. There’s no public parking at Del Crary Park, but there’s neighbourhood street parking nearby and ample parking in downtown Peterborough.

“Tyler (Kyte) and I were playing in a band call Sweet Things that was kind of winding down,” recalled Lindsay native Nick Rose in a 2018 chat with Bill Bodkin of The Pop Break.

“We were living in the same apartment building with a few other musician friends of ours. We befriended the superintendent, who gave us access to his top-secret jam space in the basement. We’d go down there and watch hockey and muck around, playing Tom Petty songs and such.”

“Once we had learned enough songs for a set, we booked a couple shows just for the fun of it.”

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A residency at Toronto’s famed Dakota Tavern really got the ball rolling, followed by a regular show at The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern. Now here we are, with Rose et al returning to Del Crary Park with an extensive catalogue of more than 800 songs to choose from for its set.

On Wednesday (July 29), Dwayne Gretzky makes its sixth Peterborough Musicfest appearance, again breathing exhilarating new life into classic hit songs. Admission to the 8 p.m. concert as always is free, thanks to numerous sponsors including kawarthaNOW, which is co-presenting this show.

This will be Dwayne Gretzky’s fifth Musicfest gig since 2018. While that may prompt some to ask “Was there no else available?” there’s no denying the multi-member ensemble loves headlining Musicfest, and the festival loves having them. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

VIDEO: “You Can Call Me Al” by Paul Simon – Dwayne Gretzky

But more notably, the reception granted the band by Peterborough audiences has been consistently off-the-charts; a response rooted in the truth that Dwayne Gretzky’s fun stage presence, infectious high energy, and superb musicianship have allowed it to surpass cover band status.

In a September 2019 interview with BeatRoute, Kyte said what became Dwayne Gretzky “grew naturally.”

“We didn’t plan to start a band with 10-plus band members, but one thing led to another and I think we’re stronger because of it,” explained Kyte, who is Rose’s childhood friend from Lindsay.

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“The whole point of the band is just celebrating the best songs, or at least our favourite songs,” added Rose in the same interview, noting “We started covering songs we grew up listening to, sifting through albums that our parents had.”

As for the band’s unusual name, that was as spontaneous as the jam that started it all.

“When we began playing shows in Toronto, we didn’t have a band name,” recalled Rose.

“It didn’t really seem necessary somehow — we were just a bunch of friends playing covers for the fun of it. But then at one of our first shows, somebody inevitably yelled out ‘What’s your band called?’ and I replied ‘Dwayne Gretzky’ for a laugh. Honestly, it was the first thing that popped into my head.”

VIDEO: “Take On Me” by A-Ha – Dwayne Gretzky

“Then, a few days later somebody posted a video of us on YouTube and referred to us as Dwayne Gretzky and that was that,” Rose said. “Luckily, I think it kind of suits us. Thank God I didn’t shout out something stupid.”

Now, hundreds of shows later, including highly publicized and appreciated performances that were streamed on New Year’s Eve during the pandemic years, one truth remains: you can take in Dwayne Gretzky each night for a week, and no two of those shows will be the same.

Musically, it’s all there — from Janis Joplin’s “Piece Of My Heart” to Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain” to Queen’s “Radio Ga-Ga” to New Radicals’ “You Get What You Give” and pretty much everything in between.

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Rose admitted the band has faced some questions about performing songs written and made famous by others, as opposed to performing original material.

“The archetypal cover band conjures up images of middle-aged men in fedoras and vests going through songs at a bar mitzvah, so it has an odour to it,” he said.

But those questions don’t bother him, because the joy he sees on the faces of audience members makes it all worthwhile.

“Besides, there are just so many good songs,” Rose added.

VIDEO: “The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac – Dwayne Gretzky

Audiences obviously feel the same way, based on the growing cross-Canada fan base that has flocked to any one of hundreds of shows, including a 2025 gig before a crowd of 7,000 at Toronto’s Budweiser Stage.

Also last year, Dwayne Gretzky launched a YouTube series, titled Dwayne’s World. It has since gone viral, capturing the attention of music fans globally.

“This band is based on nostalgia,” said Kyte, adding “When we play a song that someone has forgotten about, it maybe brings them back to that place before they grew up. It’s a powerful thing when it works.”

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The quality of the music aside, there is another factor at play that is key to Dwayne Gretzky’s sustainability: each member of the band is given the opportunity to shine, depending on the song being performed. That musical democracy makes for one very happy band.

“You’ll see a lot of people on stage having fun celebrating the greatest songs,” said Rose as a primer for the uninitiated.

“We’re very fortunate that we get to do this as a full-time gig — play our favourite songs with our best buds. We’ve got a really great group of people in this band and I’m very grateful for that. They’re all a bunch of sweethearts and there’s never a shortage of dumb jokes to go around.’

Following its Musicfest appearance, Dwayne Gretzky will hit the road into November for multiple shows in Ontario, Quebec, BC, and Manitoba, with an August 23 date at the Iowa State Fair thrown in for good measure.

Then there’s the big one: an October 16 appearance at Toronto’s famed Massey Hall.

Not bad at all for a bunch of friends who came together on a lark all those years ago and haven’t taken themselves too seriously since.

VIDEO: “1999” by Prince – Dwayne Gretzky

Of note, Dwayne Gretzky’s appearance coincides with Musicfest’s annual Invest in Musicfest fundraising drive that supports the appearance of premier artists at Del Crary Park.

All donations will go the festival’s entertainment budget, helping ensure it remains what has been since day one back in 1987: free and accessible to all. Musicfest volunteers will be spread out throughout the park, accepting donations by cash, debit, or credit card.

Prior to Dwayne Gretzky taking the stage, the Cogeco-sponsored Future Sound Series will see JJ and the Pillars frontman JJ Thompson perform from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., near the food trucks at the George Street entrance to Del Crary Park.

VIDEO: “Piece of My Heart” by Janis Joplin – Dwayne Gretzky

Peterborough Musicfest is presenting 16 free-admission concerts during its 39th season, staged in Del Crary Park on Wednesday and Saturday nights until August 19.

Overseen by executive director Tracey Randall and staff, a board of directors, and numerous volunteers, Peterborough Musicfest’s stated mission remains “to provide diverse, affordable live music to enrich cultural and economic prosperity in our community.”

For more information on this concert or the 2026 season, visit www.ptbomusicfest.ca or call the Peterborough Musicfest office at 705-755-1111.

 

kawarthaNOW is proud to be a headline sponsor of Peterborough Musicfest’s 2026 season.

54-year-old Oshawa motorcyclist dead after single-vehicle collision in North Kawartha

By kawarthaNOW -

A 54-year-old motorcyclist is dead after a single-vehicle collision in North Kawartha Township late Saturday afternoon (July 25).

As around 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, Peterborough County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), emergency medical services, and fire responded to a single-vehicle collision involving a motorcycle on Northeys Bay Road, near Fire Route 19 on the north shore of Upper Stony Lake.

The motorcyclist, a 54-year-old resident of Oshawa, was pronounced dead at the scene.

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While police have not released any information about the nature of the collision, Northeys Bay Road is a winding road in the area.

A section of Northeys Bay Road was closed in both directions for several hours while police investigated and documented the scene.

Anyone with information or dashcam footage related to the collision is asked to contact the Peterborough OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip online at ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

’10 Minute Sunday’ short play festival returns to the Peterborough Theatre Guild on August 9

By Megan Gallant -
Director Jack van Roosmalen (standing) with actors Eddy Sweeney and Rebecca Birrell during a rehearsal for "Photographic Memory" written by Ron Davies. The 10-minute play, about a man who finds that photos can be as hard as memories to erase after his ex asks him to delete some photos she sent him, is one of 10 plays to be staged as part of the "10 Minute Sunday" short play festival hosted by the Peterborough Theatre Guild on August 9, 2026. (Photo courtesy of D'Arcy Jenish)

After a successful inaugural year, “10 Minute Sunday” is making its return to the stage at the Peterborough Theatre Guild on Sunday, August 9.

For $10, audiences will be able to see 10 original plays that are each 10 minutes long and staged back to back, with a matinee show at 2 p.m. and an evening show at 7 p.m.

“When you put 10 of these on in quick succession, the audience never knows what’s going to happen next or what they’re going to see next,” says founding producer D’Arcy Jenish. “It comes as a really big element of surprise.”

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“The basis of a good festival is good scripts,” Jenish adds. “We have 10 very good scripts coming from a mix of professional and community theatre veterans.”

Jenish was inspired to produce the series in Peterborough for the first time in 2025 after writing works for the 10-Minute Play Series held during the Port Hope Arts Festival for several summers before. Hosted by the Municipality of Port Hope, the series and festival will be held in downtown Port Hope on Saturday, August 8 this year.

“There are actually ten-minute play festivals all over Canada and the United States, so it’s just an addition to the theatre scene here (in Peterborough) that I think we should have,” Jenish says. “It’s the most affordable ticket in town.”

Staged at the Peterborough Theatre Guild with matinee and evening performances on August 9, 2026, "10 Minute Sunday" features 10 plays that are each 10 minutes long at a cost of $10. (Graphic courtesy of D'Arcy Jenish)
Staged at the Peterborough Theatre Guild with matinee and evening performances on August 9, 2026, “10 Minute Sunday” features 10 plays that are each 10 minutes long at a cost of $10. (Graphic courtesy of D’Arcy Jenish)

With last year’s success, which included a sold-out matinée show, Jenish saw the potential in bringing the series back to the Peterborough Theatre Guild and is hoping to expand it in the years to come.

“I don’t think anybody knew what to expect last year and everybody came out (of the theatre) thinking, ‘Wow, this is great!’ because the plays are good, the acting is good, the stories are good,” says Jenish.

Related story

Peterborough Theatre Guild announces 2026-27 season featuring three dramas, two musicals, and a comedy

“It’s an opportunity to bring new audiences to the Guild and make sure we’re always refreshing our audience by attracting new people, and then making sure the (Peterborough Theatre Guild’s) season is also available to them. It gives people a reason to look at the upcoming season and, I must say, we’re going to have a great ’26-27 season.”

Gathered through a call-out for submissions, this year’s lineup of 10-minute plays consists of work by first-time playwrights as well as playwrights who will be familiar to Peterborough Theatre Guild audiences.

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Jenish will stage Ten Minute Jitters, which is about two desperate-for-work actors who agree not to respond to notifications on their cell phones for 10 minutes. If they succeed, they will get an audition.

Jenish, who wrote the full-length historical play The Tilco Strike staged at 4th Line Theatre in 2023, says writing a play in a 10-minute format can be a “challenge.”

“You have to be able to tell a complete story and introduce it really fast, so the audience knows immediately in the first couple of lines what’s going on,” he explains. “Then you develop it with the middle of the story and bang, you have to quickly bring it to a satisfactory conclusion. I find it very rewarding to write in a short piece.”

Born and raised in Peterborough, Dave Carley's many plays have seen over 500 productions across Canada, the United States, and in many countries around the world. He wrote the musical spoof "Susanna!" for the Peterborough Theatre Guild in 1979 while he was a student at the University of Toronto. "Midnight Madness" is set in the fictional city of Ashburnham, based on Carley's hometown. Not long after his play "Midnight Madness" was staged by the Peterborough Theatre Guild for its 2025-26 season, Carley will stage his 10-minute play "Passion in Peterborough" as part of the Ten Minute Sunday festival hosted by the Peterborough Theatre Guild on August 9, 2026. (Photo: Stephanie Hanna)
Born and raised in Peterborough, Dave Carley’s many plays have seen over 500 productions across Canada, the United States, and in many countries around the world. He wrote the musical spoof “Susanna!” for the Peterborough Theatre Guild in 1979 while he was a student at the University of Toronto. “Midnight Madness” is set in the fictional city of Ashburnham, based on Carley’s hometown. Not long after his play “Midnight Madness” was staged by the Peterborough Theatre Guild for its 2025-26 season, Carley will stage his 10-minute play “Passion in Peterborough” as part of the Ten Minute Sunday festival hosted by the Peterborough Theatre Guild on August 9, 2026. (Photo: Stephanie Hanna)

Peterborough-born playwright Dave Carley, whose full-length play Midnight Madness was performed at the Guild during the 2025-26 season, will be staging Passion in Peterborough, about two would-be lovers who meet at Rogers Cove but are separated by centuries when an unexpected stranger changes everything.

Also returning as emcee and playwright, Toronto-based playwright Marcia Johnson is staging A Fairy’s Request, about a young actor trying to persuade her theatre-allergic former nanny to see a play.

“There’s a really good mix of plays,” Jenish notes. “We’ve got some humour, we’ve got some issues-oriented plays, and we’ve got these life stories.”

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The latter is apparent in the two-part 10-minute plays written by the Guild’s own Bea Quarrie for this year’s series. Audiences will recognize her as a local actor, director, and producer, though Quarrie is donning her playwriting hat for the first time.

Leave Now! follows her own family making a fateful decision in 1956 when Russia invades Hungary, while Fifty-Sixer takes place in 2026 and follows Quarrie’s granddaughter becoming curious and asking questions about her grandmother’s escape 70 years earlier.

11-year-old Skye Beaton will be playing the role of Quarrie in the first play, and the role of her granddaughter in the second.

Well known to Peterborough Theatre Guild audiences, Bea Quarrie is an actor, director, and producer. During the 10 Minute Sunday festival of short plays being held at the Peterborough Theatre Guild on August 9, 2026, she will be making her playwriting debut. Told in two parts, her works "Leave Now!" and "Fifty-Sixer" follows a fateful decision made by her family in 1956 and her granddaughter's curiosity about it in 2026. (Photo: Peterborough Theatre Guild)
Well known to Peterborough Theatre Guild audiences, Bea Quarrie is an actor, director, and producer. During the 10 Minute Sunday festival of short plays being held at the Peterborough Theatre Guild on August 9, 2026, she will be making her playwriting debut. Told in two parts, her works “Leave Now!” and “Fifty-Sixer” follows a fateful decision made by her family in 1956 and her granddaughter’s curiosity about it in 2026. (Photo: Peterborough Theatre Guild)

The other five plays being staged are A Flicker by Guy Newsham, about an irate man who tries to smash a streetlamp that prevents him from sleeping until a widower begs him to stop, Blaze McSizzle: Man on Fire by Cooper Bilton, about a famous old daredevil who insists on yet another life-risking stunt against the better judgment of his assistant, Photographic Memory by Ron Davies, about a man who finds that photos can be as hard as memories to erase after his ex asks him to delete some photos she sent him, Second First Date by Wyatt Lamoureux, about a couple who are matched on a dating app years after they met and broke up as teenagers, and The Future Looks Bleak by Jean Parker, about a bickering couple who consult a mystic with hilarious results.

“A ten-minute play is a really great training ground because you have to get a lot done in ten minutes in under 2,000 words with two or three characters,” Jenish says. “It’s good training for writers, good training for directors, good training for actors who want to have feature roles. It really can be a benefit to all parts of the theatre community.”

While this year’s 10 Minute Sunday festival accepted submissions from outside the region, Jenish hopes to include more work from Peterborough playwrights and performers in the years to come.

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“My long-term goal is to develop some young writers here in Peterborough, because I feel that Peterborough is a great place for performance and for people to act and to perform on stage,” Jenish says.

“I think it would be something to add to the cultural mix here.”

Tickets for 10 Minute Sunday are priced at $10 plus fees and can be purchased at https://ci.ovationtix.com/35868/production/1279438.

New Peterborough Tenant Union aims to educate, support, and empower local renters

By Bethan Bates, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter -
Tenants in Etobicoke protesting a property management company's above-guideline rent increase (AGI) on May 24, 2026. (Photo: Toronto Tenant Union / Facebook)

Amid rising rental costs, a lack of available units, renovictions, and growing tenant frustration, a new grassroots community group has been established in Peterborough to educate and support renters.

“I wish I had had a community to guide me in the right way and give me some information,” Lydia Lambert, founder of the Peterborough Tenant Union (PTU), told kawarthaNOW in a recent interview about her motivations for organizing the group.

Lambert said she had been experiencing a number of issues within her home and she was unsure of where to turn for support.

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Concerns raised about repair delays, lack of communication, health and safety issues

When Lambert began sharing her experiences and questions on social media, she found others facing the same challenges in rental properties across the city. According to a housing needs assessment completed for the City of Peterborough in 2023, over 40 per cent of Peterborough residents were living in rental accommodation.

“From my own experience I realized that I can’t be the only one who feels this way,” said Lambert.

Some of the issues that have been raised thus far include significant delays for essential repairs, a lack of clear communication from landlords and property management companies, and health and safety concerns such as bug infestations.

Similarly, on the popular r/Peterborough Reddit page, there are numerous posts from renters detailing the challenges they have faced in local properties.

“Cockroaches and bedbugs,” says one post.

“The owner kind of sucks … They’ll half-ass any fixes,” says another.

“Cheap rent but you’ll have ptsd from all the bugs crawling on you, not to mention the landlords are awful,” another reads.

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Tenants fear speaking up will result in retribution

Lambert said that when confronted by these types of issues, many people are uncertain on how to manage them, especially when there is a lack of understanding of tenant rights in such situations.

In Ontario, the Residential Tenancies Act (2006) establishes the responsibilities and rights of both tenants and landlords. Despite these regulations, for many the fear of retribution for speaking up is too high to justify challenging their landlord.

“I found when I would talk to other tenants that they were often just as in the dark,” said Lambert. “They wonder, ‘How do we go about these situations? Are we going to get retaliated against if we bring something up?'”

One of the aims of the PTU is to foster positive relationships between tenants and landlords, Lambert said, by providing information and advice to landlords on their rights and responsibilities.

“We want to keep a good relationship and build something that everybody can walk away from feeling like things are fair and safe and good and healthy,” Lambert said.

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Tenant unions forming across Canada

In addition to information sharing and providing support to renters, Lambert said that she wants the PTU to be active in creating positive change for tenants in Peterborough by advocating for systemic change.

“We would like to be a community that gets together and advocates for things to be better,” said Lambert.

Across Canada, groups like ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) have successfully advocated for tenant rights on issues such as rent controls, maintenance and repair costs being passed down to tenants, and protection from renovictions.

In Toronto, the city-wide Toronto Tenant Union was officially established on April 18 as a collaboration between York South-Weston Tenant Union (YSWTU) and Climate Justice Toronto. YSWTU was established in 2017 and has been involved in advocacy work, including letter-writing campaigns and rental strikes.

Lambert is looking to the success of these organizations with hope for tenant rights in Peterborough.

“It’s really encouraging that other communities are doing this and moving forward and advocating for things and seeing results,” said Lambert.

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Group is holding its first meeting on August 2

Lambert said that at this stage the group is looking for feedback from the community about the issues they are facing, the support they need, and how the union should develop.

“The direction we take and where we go with this is really going to be geared to what we find is brought up a lot in our group,” she said.

PTU will be hosting its first virtual meeting on August 2 at 4 p.m., with details to be provided.

For updates and more information about PTU, follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and Reddit.

The Beach Report for July 24 to 30, 2026

By kawarthaNOW -
Selwyn Beach Conservation Area is located on the northeast shore of Chemong Lake. It is best known for its excellent swimming with a gently sloping sandy beach. Parents and caregivers are advised that the beach and swimming area are not supervised. (Photo: Otonabee Conservation)

Every Friday during swimming season, we post The Beach Report™ — our weekly report of the results of water quality testing at beaches in the greater Kawarthas region — and update it throughout the week as conditions change.

As of Thursday, July 30, the following beaches are at moderate risk for swimming, meaning swimming is not advised due to elevated bacteria levels:

  • Beavermead Beach – Peterborough
  • Rogers Cove – Peterborough
  • Lime Kiln Park – Curve Lake First Nation
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Below are the complete results of water quality testing at beaches in the City and County of Peterborough, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, Northumberland County, and Hastings and Prince Edward Counties.

Peterborough City/County
City of Kawartha Lakes
Northumberland County
Haliburton County
Hastings and Prince Edward Counties

Important note

The following test results may not reflect current water quality conditions. Water samples can take one to three days to process and heavy rainfall, high winds or wave activity, large numbers of waterfowl near a beach, or large numbers of swimmers can rapidly change water quality.

You should always check current conditions before deciding to use a beach. You should also monitor other factors that might suggest a beach is unsafe to use, such as floating debris, oil, discoloured water, bad odours, and excessive weed growth.

While we strive to update this story with the current conditions, you should confirm the most recent test results by visiting the regional health unit websites at Lakelands Public Health and Southeast Public Health.

In the following results, low risk means the water is safe for swimming, moderate risk means swimming is not advised due to elevated bacteria levels, and high risk means a beach is closed due to high bacteria levels or hazardous water conditions.

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City and County of Peterborough

  • Beavermead Beach – Peterborough – Moderate Risk
  • Lime Kiln Park – Curve Lake First Nation – Moderate Risk
  • Rogers Cove – Peterborough – Moderate Risk
  • Belmont Lake – Havelock-Belmont-Methuen – Low Risk
  • Chandos Beach – North Kawartha – Low Risk
  • Crowe's Line Beach – Trent Lakes – Low Risk
  • Douro Park North – Douro-Dummer – Low Risk
  • Ennismore Waterfront Beach – Selwyn – Low Risk
  • Henry's Gumming – Curve Lake First Nation – Low Risk
  • Hiawatha Beach – Hiawatha First Nation – Low Risk
  • John Street Beach – Trent Lakes (Buckhorn) – Low Risk
  • Jones Beach – Selwyn (Bridgenorth) – Low Risk
  • Kasshabog Lake – Havelock-Belmont-Methuen – Low Risk
  • Lakefield Beach – Selwyn – Low Risk
  • Quarry Bay Beach – North Kawartha – Low Risk
  • Sandy Beach – Trent Lakes – Low Risk
  • Selwyn Beach Conservation Area – Selwyn (Owned by Otonabee Conservation) – Low Risk
  • Squirrel Creek Conservation Area – South Monaghan (Owned by Otonabee Conservation) – Low Risk
  • Warsaw Caves Conservation Area – Douro-Dummer (Owned by Otonabee Conservation) – Low Risk
  • White's Beach – Trent Lakes – Low Risk
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City of Kawartha Lakes

  • Beach Park – Bobcaygeon – Low Risk
  • Birch Point – Fenelon Falls – Low Risk
  • Blanchards Road Beach – Bexley – Low Risk
  • Bond Street – Fenelon Falls – Low Risk
  • Burnt River Beach – Somerville – Low Risk
  • Centennial Beach – Verulam – Low Risk
  • Centennial Park West – Eldon – Low Risk
  • Four Mile Lake Public Beach – Somerville – Low Risk
  • Head Lake Beach – Laxton – Low Risk
  • Lions Park – Coboconk – Low Risk
  • Norland Bathing Area – Laxton – Low Risk
  • Omemee Beach – Low Risk
  • Riverview Beach Park – Bobcaygeon – Low Risk
  • Sturgeon Point Beach – Fenelon Falls – Low Risk
  • Valentia Sandbar Beach – Low Risk
  • Verulam Recreational Park – Low Risk
  • Centennial Verulam Parkette – Testing Season Closed – Beach Closed For Construction
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Northumberland County

  • Caldwell Street Beach – Port Hope – Low Risk
  • Crowe Bridge Park – Trent Hills – Low Risk
  • East Beach – Port Hope – Low Risk
  • Hastings Waterfront North – Trent Hills – Low Risk
  • Hastings Waterfront South – Trent Hills – Low Risk
  • Little Lake – Cramahe – Low Risk
  • Sandy Bay Public Beach – Alnwick-Haldimand – Low Risk
  • Victoria Beach- Cobourg – Low Risk
  • West Beach – Port Hope – Low Risk
  • Wicklow Beach – Alnwick-Haldimand – Low Risk

 

Haliburton County

  • Bissett Beach – Minden Hills – Low Risk
  • Dorset Parkette – Algonquin Highlands – Low Risk
  • Eagle Lake Beach – Dysart et al – Low Risk
  • Elvin Johnson Park – Algonquin Highlands – Low Risk
  • Forsters Beach – Minden Hills – Low Risk
  • Gooderham Lake Beach – Highlands East – Low Risk
  • Glamour Lake Beach – Highlands East – Low Risk
  • Haliburton Lake Beach – Dysart et al – Low Risk
  • Horseshoe Beach – Minden Hills – Low Risk
  • Paudash Lake Beach – Highlands East – Low Risk
  • Pine Lake Beach – Dysart et al – Low Risk
  • Rotary Beach Head Lake – Dysart et al – Low Risk
  • Rotary Head Lake Beach Lagoon – Dysart et al – Low Risk
  • Rotary Park Lagoon – Minden Hills – Low Risk
  • Rotary Park Main – Minden Hills – Low Risk
  • Sandy Cove Beach – Dysart et al – Low Risk
  • Sandy Point Beach – Dysart et al – Low Risk
  • Slipper Beach – Dysart et al – Low Risk
  • Twelve Mile Lake Beach – Minden Hills – Low Risk
  • Wilbermere Lake Beach – Highlands East – Low Risk

 

Hastings and Prince Edward Counties

Beaches sampled monthly

  • Moira Lake Park – Moira Lake – Low Risk
  • Centennial Park, Deseronto – Bay of Quinte – Low Risk
  • Frankford Park – Trent River – Low Risk
  • Kingsford Conservation Area – Salmon River – Low Risk
  • Tweed Park – Stoco Lake – Low Risk
  • Wellington Beach – Wellington Bay – Low Risk

Beaches sampled once at the start of bathing season

  • Centennial Park, Northport – Bay of Quinte – Low Risk
  • Legion Park, Marmora – Crowe River – Low Risk
  • Roblin Lake Park – Roblin Lake – Low Risk
  • Booster Park Beach – Crowe Lake – Low Risk
  • Diamond Lake Beach – Diamond Lake – Low Risk
  • Echo Beach – Papineau Lake – Low Risk
  • Foster’s Lake Beach – Foster’s Lake – Low Risk
  • Hinterland Beach – Kaminiskeg Lake – Low Risk
  • L’Amable Lake Dam – L’Amable Lake – Low Risk
  • Riverside Park, Bancroft – York River – Low Risk
  • Steenburg Lake – Low Risk
  • Wollaston Lake Beach – Wollaston Lake – Low Risk

Gauvreau’s ‘Gear Up for Good’ school backpack campaign expands beyond Peterborough to include Manitoba

By kawarthaNOW -
Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory founder and CEO Robert Gauvreau (front) announced the fifth annual "Gear Up for Good" campaign outside the firm's King Street office in downtown Peterborough on July 23, 2026. This year's campaign aims to prepare 300 fully stocked backpacks for children heading back to school this fall including, for the first time, 100 backpacks for children in Manitoba, where Gauvreau has two offices. (Photo: Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce / Facebook)

An annual initiative by a Peterborough-based firm that helps children in need head back to school with confidence is expanding beyond Ontario for the first time.

Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory launched its fifth annual “Gear Up for Good” campaign on Thursday (July 23) outside the firm’s King Street office in downtown Peterborough, complete with a school bus.

After previously only supporting children in the Peterborough area, this year’s campaign aims to prepare fully stocked backpacks for children in Manitoba as well, increasing the goal to 300 backpacks.

Of those, 200 will be distributed in the Peterborough region through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough and the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation. Another 100 will be distributed in Manitoba through United Way Winnipeg.

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The expansion reflects Gauvreau’s growing presence beyond Ontario. In addition to its Peterborough headquarters and offices in Toronto and Ottawa, the firm has two Manitoba offices in Winnipeg and Steinbach.

“Every child deserves to feel prepared and excited when they walk into their first day of school,” said Gauvreau founder and CEO Robert Gauvreau in a media release.

“Gear Up for Good is about more than backpacks — it’s really about bringing businesses, employees, and community members together to make a meaningful difference for families who need support.”

Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory founder and CEO Robert Gauvreau announced the fifth annual "Gear Up for Good" campaign outside the firm's King Street office in downtown Peterborough on July 23, 2026. This year's campaign aims to prepare 300 fully stocked backpacks for children heading back to school this fall including, for the first time, 100 backpacks for children in Manitoba, where Gauvreau has two offices. (Photo courtesy of Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory)
Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory founder and CEO Robert Gauvreau announced the fifth annual “Gear Up for Good” campaign outside the firm’s King Street office in downtown Peterborough on July 23, 2026. This year’s campaign aims to prepare 300 fully stocked backpacks for children heading back to school this fall including, for the first time, 100 backpacks for children in Manitoba, where Gauvreau has two offices. (Photo courtesy of Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory)

Over the past five years, the campaign has grown through the support of Gauvreau employees, clients, local businesses, and community members. The firm says the campaign has provided more than 600 fully stocked backpacks to children and families since it began.

During last year’s fourth annual campaign, Gauvreau met and exceeded its goal of 200 backpacks by collecting and distributing 207.

Those backpacks were provided to Peterborough-area children through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough and the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation. The campaign also provided participating children with snacks, haircuts, gift cards for future haircuts, and pizza dinners.

Peterborough business Ricart Branded Apparel & Promo donated 100 backpacks to last year’s campaign, while around 200 Gauvreau employees contributed by donating and packing supplies and helping coordinate the initiative.

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This year, Gauvreau is once again inviting businesses, organizations, and community members to donate backpacks and school supplies, along with healthy snacks, water bottles, lunch bags, children’s haircuts, salon or barber services, and financial contributions that can be used to purchase needed items.

“Community partnerships are what make this campaign possible,” Gauvreau said.

“Whether it’s a fully stocked backpack, a haircut before the first day of school, or a donation of supplies, every single contribution helps set a child up for success — and gives them confidence to start the school year.”

Requested school supplies include backpacks, lunch bags and food containers, water bottles, pens, pencils, crayons, pencil cases, sharpeners, erasers, markers, highlighters, scissors, and calculators.

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The Gear Up for Good campaign continues until Wednesday, August 12. Separate Amazon wish lists for Ontario and Manitoba, along with more information about contributing, are available at gauvreaucpa.ca/gearupforgood.

Donations can also be dropped off by noon on August 12 at Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory at 150 King Street West, Suite 100, in downtown Peterborough.

The backpacks are scheduled to be distributed on August 18.

Peterborough County accuses city of violating confidentiality agreement over regional growth talks

By Bruce Head -
The Township of Cavan Monaghan, Peterborough County, and the City of Peterborough are engaged in confidential discussions about land use facilitated by the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. (Photo: Bluewater)

A longstanding dispute over land needed for growth in the Peterborough region has flared up again, with Peterborough County accusing the City of Peterborough of violating a confidentiality agreement governing provincially facilitated negotiations.

On Thursday (July 23), the city issued a media release announcing that representatives of the city, county, and the Township of Cavan Monaghan had attended their first meeting with a facilitator appointed by Ontario’s Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Hours later, the county issued a brief and sharply worded response saying the city’s public announcement was contrary to an agreement signed by the participating municipalities.

“I am very disappointed that Mayor Leal has decided to issue a release contrary to the agreement,” said Peterborough County Warden Bonnie Clark in a media release. “We take agreements and confidentiality as paramount.”

“To my knowledge, there has been no proposal put forward by the city, and this release (from the City of Peterborough) seeks to undermine the agreed-upon collaborative process.”

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The city’s media release said the province had appointed a facilitator from the Office of the Provincial Land and Development Facilitator in response to the city’s request regarding its future employment and residential land requirements.

According to the city, it and Cavan Monaghan Township — one of the eight lower-tier municipalities that make up Peterborough County — have completed independent land needs studies prepared by third-party consultants.

Describing the studies as confidential, the city said they “provide critical data to support informed discussions regarding future growth opportunities within the region.”

The city said “representatives from all participating municipalities and stakeholders” attended Thursday’s meeting to review and share the findings of the land needs studies, with more meetings planned over the coming months to review the studies “and discuss potential options for accommodating future growth.”

However, the county said Thursday’s session was the first and only meeting held so far and that only the city had presented its land needs study.

“The county and township have not yet had a similar opportunity,” the county stated.

The county said it would not provide any further information because the municipalities are involved in negotiations led by the provincial facilitator and are bound by a confidential process.

“The county will abide by the terms of the agreement that all parties signed,” the county’s media release stated.

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The city’s public announcement acknowledged the confidentiality requirement, stating that discussions would remain private so participants could engage in “open and constructive dialogue.”

The city did not reveal any details about the discussions, but said “This collaborative process aligns with both provincial and local priorities by supporting responsible growth, increasing housing opportunities, creating employment lands, fostering economic development, and ensuring communities are positioned to meet future needs.”

“Our focus as a region is on enabling growth, housing construction, employment lands for job creation, and opportunities for residents,” said Peterborough mayor Jeff Leal in the city’s release.

“Peterborough is committed to finding solutions that contribute to shared economic growth and long-term sustainability. I want to personally thank the Province of Ontario for its strong leadership on this critical need for housing and economic prosperity in the Peterborough region.”

The city added that any mutually supported proposal requiring provincial approval would eventually be made public through a future community engagement and approval process.

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According to the Ontario government, the Office of the Provincial Land and Development Facilitator provides impartial facilitation services or acts as a negotiator for the province. Its work can include disputes involving growth management, land use, infrastructure planning, municipal governance, and environmental protection.

The new “facilitated discussions” appear to be the latest attempt to resolve a dispute that has persisted for decades, particularly over the availability of serviced employment land near the city’s western and southern boundaries with Cavan Monaghan Township.

In 2017, city, county, and township staff developed a memorandum of understanding under the guidance of a provincial facilitator that proposed transferring around 4,140 acres from Cavan Monaghan Township to the city. The land was intended to accommodate future employment and residential growth, with the township and county to receive compensation over 25 years.

Peterborough city council declined to proceed under the proposed agreement’s financial terms. Council directed the city’s chief administrative officer to ask the province to act on a boundary adjustment, stating that a mutually agreeable solution had not been reached despite extensive negotiations and that the proposed compensation for the township and county was too high.

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The issue resurfaced in late 2021, when then-Cavan Monaghan mayor Scott McFadden proposed a much smaller boundary adjustment involving five properties comprising approximately 138 hectares of employment land south of the North Monaghan Parkway and west of Airport Road. The proposed transfer excluded airport lands and residential properties.

Peterborough County council endorsed entering negotiations over the proposal, subject to the approval of Cavan Monaghan council. The county’s conditions included requiring the transferred properties to be designated as employment lands in the city’s new official plan.

At the time, the county and local economic development officials argued the Peterborough region did not have enough appropriately located and serviced employment land to respond to potential investors.

The city’s 2021 land needs assessment projected that an additional 110 hectares of employment land would be needed to accommodate 3,300 jobs outside existing employment areas by 2051. The assessment said new employment areas would have to be evaluated based on access to municipal services, highways and goods-movement routes, the availability of different parcel sizes, and their proximity to sensitive land uses.

During his mayoral election campaign in 2022, Leal promised to complete the annexation of lands from Cavan Monaghan Township. With less than a month before the nomination period closes on August 21 for the October municipal election, he has not yet declared whether he will run for a second term.

Hiawatha First Nation comes together to support Indigenous and rural communities affected by wildland fires

By Megan Gallant -
Sisters Bree and Chloe Paudash of Hiawatha First Nation collected a truckful of clothing, shoes, toiletries, toys, and more to donate to a wildfire relief drive being held by the First Nations Technical Institute (FNTI) and Honouring Indigenous Peoples (HIP). The donations will be sorted and delivered to individuals and families displaced by wildland fires in northwestern Ontario. (Photo courtesy of Bree Paudash)

With forest fires in northwestern Ontario forcing the evacuation of thousands of people from their homes, two sisters have collected donations to show affected communities that Hiawatha First Nation has their back.

On Monday (July 20), Bree Paudash drove to Tyendinaga to deliver a truckful of donations that she and her sister Chloe collected from neighbours, friends, business owners, and strangers.

The items were given to a wildfire relief donation drive being held by First Nations Technical Institute (FNTI) and Honouring Indigenous Peoples (HIP), to be delivered to individuals and families displaced by the forest fires.

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“Being Indigenous, devastating loss and everything like that is just genetically embedded in us, so when you see a fellow Nation of any sort struggle like that, I think it comes as a firsthand emotion almost — it’s natural,” Bree says. “And not just for the First Nation communities that are being affected by this, but even all the remote communities up there who are also having to evacuate.”

They suggest it also hit close to home for them given that, in early March this year, their own father lost his home and belongings in a house fire.

As the wildland fires continue to burn, several communities — including some fly-in communities — have been under mandatory evacuation orders, including First Nations communities like Whitesand, Namaygoosisagagun (Collins), Eabametoong, and many more.

When sisters Chloe and Bree Paudash put a call out to Hiawatha First Nation that they would be making a trip to Tyendinaga to drop off donations for a wildfire relief drive, they didn't anticipate being able to fill a whole truck full of clothing, shoes, gift cards, toiletries, toys, and more. (Photo courtesy of Bree Paudash)
When sisters Chloe and Bree Paudash put a call out to Hiawatha First Nation that they would be making a trip to Tyendinaga to drop off donations for a wildfire relief drive, they didn’t anticipate being able to fill a whole truck full of clothing, shoes, gift cards, toiletries, toys, and more. (Photo courtesy of Bree Paudash)

As the Paudash sisters watched it all from their phone screens, they say they felt “helpless” and looked for ways they could do more.

When they learned about the TFNI collection drive, they began sorting through their own clothes for items they could donate and also purchased pet supplies.

Since Bree lives near Havelock, closer to the Tyendinaga drop-off location, they put a call out on Facebook to see if any other members of Hiawatha First Nation and surrounding communities were interested in donating clothes, shoes, toiletries, hygiene products, gift cards, and other much-needed items.

“Hiawatha is such a small community, and everybody’s watched me and Chloe grow up our entire lives, so I think when I made the Facebook post, everybody just swarmed to it,” says Bree. “It definitely snowballed very quickly.”

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Trina Edwards, a proud Hiawatha First Nation member and owner of Last Crumb Kitchen, was one of the donors. She and her 14-year-old daughter Marley Williams went out to purchase clothing, shoes, toys, books, toiletries, and more to give the drive.

“These are northern reserves that don’t even have roads. They just have to go in on boats,” she says. “They were jumping in boats and that fire was right behind them. That’s how scary that was.”

“They have supported my business down there (in Hiawatha), so I needed to support doing this for another community. It’s just everybody coming together, donating what they can. All reserves are different. Not one is alike, but we all come together as one in the end.”

Last Crumb Kitchen owner Trina Edwards and her granddaughter Marley Williams (pictured) spent the weekend shopping for items to be donated to a collection drive in support of families displaced by wildland fires in northwestern Ontario. They were one of many families, individuals, and businesses in Hiawartha First Nation and surrounding communities to make donations. (Photo: Last Crumb Kitchen / Facebook)
Last Crumb Kitchen owner Trina Edwards and her granddaughter Marley Williams (pictured) spent the weekend shopping for items to be donated to a collection drive in support of families displaced by wildland fires in northwestern Ontario. They were one of many families, individuals, and businesses in Hiawartha First Nation and surrounding communities to make donations. (Photo: Last Crumb Kitchen / Facebook)

Bree’s business Bee Kleen made donations, the Hiawatha Powwow Committee donated several boxes of T-shirts and sweaters of various sizes, and much of the rest of the donated items came from individual donors and neighbours. The sisters say they didn’t expect to get so many donations that they would have to rent a 15-foot U-Haul to transport them.

Joined by their father, Chloe and Bree spent a weekend picking up donations, sorting through the boxes, and labelling them before making the trip to the drop-off location.

“I’m so proud of them,” says Edwards. “These two young Indigenous women have just taken the reins, and they decided this is what they were going to do, and they put it out there.”

For their part, the Paudash sisters hope it gives the communities devastated by wildfires a “sense of relief” and shows them they’re not alone.

“I think rallying together and acting as one Nation has always been our way of life, our way of being,” Bree says. “It comes so naturally I think to every Indigenous person. I hope they know that all of their relatives all over Turtle Island are flocking to them in every way that they can.”

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As of Thursday (July 23), there are 145 active wildland fires burning in northwestern Ontario, with 41 not under control.

In addition, there are 40 active wildland farms in the northeastern Ontario.

According to an update posted on Facebook on Wednesday by Ontario minister of emergency preparedness and response Jill Dunlop, 2,861 people have been evacuated from 13 communities and art staying in eight official host communities.

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