Peterborough voters may be spoiled for choice in this year’s municipal election with all ward seats (and the mayoral chair) already having numerous candidates registered.

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

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

Meanwhile, seven incumbent councillors have already begun their campaign for re-election. With 15 first-time or repeat candidates fighting to take their roles, each seat will be hotly contested. The nomination period is still open until August 21, so it’s possible even more candidates may decide to throw their hats in the ring.

kawarthaNOW will be contacting all registered ward candidates to ask for their position on key election issues such as housing, affordability, and council transparency, with comments from new candidates added as required.

Ward 1 – Otonabee

In Ward 1 – Otonabee, both incumbent councillors — Lesley Parnell and Kevin Duguay — will be seeking another term in office.

For Parnell, who filed her nomination papers on May 7, this would be her fifth term as Otonabee Ward councillor, having served in the role since 2010.

“I remain strong, energized, professional, optimistic and dedicated to this important role as your city councillor,” Parnell states on her website.

Duguay is seeking a second term on council after winning former councillor Kim Zippel’s empty seat in 2022. On his website, Duguay lists his four key priorities as being accessible and responsive to ward residents and businesses, working to increase the housing supply, improving the quality of life in the community, and supporting infrastructure investments throughout the ward and city.

First-time candidates Chris Potter and Jessica Correa joined the Otonabee Ward race on May 1 and May 19 respectively.

Potter, who was the first candidate to file in the ward, has said his campaign will focus on affordability and accountability.

“People are already feeling the pressure of rising costs. Every decision at City Hall needs to reflect that reality and focus on where we can deliver the most value for the community,” said Potter in a May 1 media release.

Correa is a Trent University alumna with a background in sustainability and project management. In a media release, she said she is “running to bring practical, community-rooted leadership to City Hall.”

Grief counsellor Noella Koshul filed her candidacy on May 7 but has since withdrawn from the race and endorsed Correa. In a Facebook post on May 29 announcing her withdrawal, Koshul said she wants to see both incumbent councillors in the ward replaced.

Ward 2 – Monaghan

Ward 2 – Monaghan has already seen three first-time candidates put their names forward in AJ Shearer, Jen Lacey, and Ashley Flynn. They join incumbent councillor Matt Crowley in the race.

Crowley was elected to council for the first time in 2022 after longtime Monaghan ward councillor Henry Clarke entered the mayoral race. Crowley, who received the most votes of any Monaghan candidate in 2022, filed his papers for re-election on May 1.

“I’ve always believed that strong communication and accessibility matter, and I’ll continue to make sure residents feel heard, informed, and represented,” wrote Crowley in a Facebook post.

Shearer, a real estate broker, entered the race on May 4. His website highlights affordability, prosperity, and accountability as key facets of his campaign.

“I’m running because I believe we can make smarter, more practical decisions that help keep our city affordable, safe, and moving in the right direction,” Shearer states on his website.

Lacey, who recently was a lead advocate for tenants at 700 Parkhill Road, became a first-time candidate in May 8, identifying affordability and accountability as priority values.

“I’ve worked in systems where people often feel invisible. My goal is simple: make sure the people of Monaghan Ward and Peterborough feel heard, respected, and supported,” she says on her website.

Flynn, a recent Luminary Award winner and owner of Black Rock Developments, entered the race on May 13 positioning herself as a “fresh voice” for the ward where she has lived for the past seven years.

“I have no right to complain about the city we live in if I’m not willing to step forward and try to make a difference,” Flynn says on her website.

As for incumbent councillor Don Vassiliadis, who was first elected to council in 2015, he has not yet announced whether he intends to stand in 2026.

Ward 3 – Town

Ward 3 – Town incumbents Joy Lachica and Alex Bierk officially launched their campaigns together on May 1. They have worked closely throughout their first term, bringing joint motions and generally voting in alignment.

Lachica, who also serves as second deputy mayor, told kawarthaNOW in an interview earlier this year that she is excited to run for re-election and is dedicated to continuing the work she has begun over the past four years.

As for Bierk, he said in a June 5 Facebook post that he wants to continue “to be a strong voice for our downtown, for housing and homelessness solutions, for arts and culture and community groups, and for residents who want a more transparent and accountable City Hall.”

Challenging the two incumbents are Jessica Kuhlmorgen-Hille and Jenni Cathcart, who filed their nomination paperwork on May 1 and June 23 respectively. Both are first-time candidates.

“I want to be someone you can relate to, and rely on, to get things done. I want to help steer this ship back on course for us all,” said Kuhlmorgen-Hille in a Facebook post when announcing her candidacy.

As for Cathcart, she is a career development coach and speaker originally from Wisconsin whose husband is Canadian. The family moved to Toronto in 2017 and then to Peterborough almost two years ago.

Ward 4 – Ashburnham

In Ward 4 – Ashburnham, longtime incumbent Keith Riel has left his seat vacant by entering the mayoral race while fellow incumbent Gary Baldwin, who also serves as first deputy mayor, filed his nomination papers on May 4 to seek a fourth term on council.

Returning to the Ashburnham Ward race is Dreams of Beans owner Andrew McGregor, who failed to unseat either incumbent in the 2022 election. McGregor, who entered the 2026 race on June 16, also previously ran for federal office in 2019 as the Green Party of Canada candidate.

Ashley Bonner, a proud East City resident and community organizer, became a first-time candidate when she filed on May 7. Bonner is the founder of the Facebook group East City PTBO which creates connections within the neighbourhood.

“I’m running because I believe in this ward, I believe in the people who call it home, and I believe we can build a more informed, connected, and resilient community together,” she says on her website.

Jason Stabler, a governance and strategy consultant who has volunteered with numerous community and charitable organizations, launched his campaign on May 28. He previously ran in the 2014 municipal election as a Town Ward candidate.

“I will always act with honesty and integrity, and I am willing to engage in difficult conversations because this community deserves nothing less,” Stabler said in a media release. “We may not always see eye to eye on every single issue, but I will listen genuinely, and act respectfully and you will always be able to trust that I am acting in the best interests of Ashburnham Ward.”

Ward 5 – Northcrest

As for Ward 5 – Northcrest, while incumbent Andrew Beamer filed on May 8 to run for his fifth term on council, incumbent Dave Haacke is not seeking re-election.

First-time candidate Phil Jolicoeur entered the Northcrest race on the first day of the nominations period, May 1. Jolicoeur, who is the owner of Be Your Brand marketing agency, is known in Peterborough for his community and charity initiatives such as Harmony for Healing.

“I’ve spent two decades figuring out how to get things done with limited resources, diverse stakeholders, and real community stakes. That’s exactly what municipal governance requires,” says Jolicoeur on his website.

Another first-time candidate, Gavin Muir, filed his nomination papers on May 19. He has a background as a lawyer, entrepreneur, and professional voice actor.

“Northcrest has been my home for my entire adult life. My kids have grown up here, I’ve volunteered here, I’ve built things here – businesses and a family. This ward isn’t abstract to me. I know it, I love it, and I want to fight for it,” said Muir in a media release.

Paul Lawton, who registered his candidacy on June 5, is a first-time candidate for city council but has previously run a political campaign as the representative for the People’s Party of Canada in the 2021 federal election.

“Paul believes leadership is both a responsibility before God and a trust given by the people we serve. His priorities are practical and local: safe neighbourhoods, responsible spending, supporting families, and well-managed city services,” reads Lawton’s website.

Another candidate with campaign experience is Charmaine Magumbe, who previously ran for city councillor in Monaghan Ward in 2022. Magumbe, who is chairperson of the Community Race Relations Committee of Peterborough and co-founder of the Afrocentric Awareness Network of Peterborough, registered as a candidate for Northcrest on May 8.

According to a media release, Magumbe will focus on affordability, housing, neighbourhood safety, and access to basic needs. She also highlights the importance of environmental protections and green infrastructure.

The registration of photographer Debbie Halstead brings the total number of candidates in Northcrest Ward to six — the most registered candidates of any ward in the city.

The original version of this story has been updated with a correction. Jason Stabler is not a first-time-candidate; he previously ran in the 2014 municipal election as a Town Ward candidate.

For the past five years, the New Canadians Centre (NCC) has made Canada Day an opportunity to pause, learn about, and reflect upon Canada’s history with Indigenous peoples.

This year, the non-profit organization will be hosting the sixth annual “Lessons from the Land” event from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1 at the Jiimaan Kinomaagewin / Canadian Canoe Museum in Nogojiwanong-Peterborough.

Funded in part by the Government of Canada, the day will include free immersive workshops led by local Indigenous leaders and opportunities to learn about and celebrate Indigenous heritage, culture, and knowledge. Attendees are encouraged to wear orange shirts.

Before 2021, NCC celebrated July 1 with a Multicultural Canada Day to recognize the rich diversity of Peterborough. However, when more than 200 unmarked children’s graves were discovered at a residential school in Kamloops, B.C. that year, NCC changed its approach to Canada Day.

“That particular event gave us pause to think about our role as an organization in Truth and Reconciliation, so we decided to proceed in a different way to put our words into action,” says NCC Director of Community Development Yvonne Lai. “We decided to turn our one-day celebration of multiculturalism into the two-week Canadian Multicultural Festival and then to make space on July 1st for listening, reflection, and learning about Indigenous knowledge.”

Like many of the clients NCC supports, Lai herself was once a newcomer to Canada and says she knew “very little” about the history of the land’s original inhabitants when she arrived.

“I think it’s important that while we celebrate the present and the future, we also hold this tension that we have with our past,” she explains. “For us to fully embrace our identity as newcomers to Canada, it’s important to know that full spectrum.”

“This event isn’t just a one-off thing — it’s a learning journey. The more opportunities we can provide for newcomers to learn and be exposed to parts of our history and culture, the more we hope they will feel encouraged to participate and be active in reconciliation in the future.”

Here’s the schedule for Lessons from the Land.

Opening – Community Drum Circle (9:30 a.m.)

Since hosting Lessons from the Land, NCC has sought advisory support from Curve Lake First Nation leader and advocate Janet McCue, who says the event is an opportunity to “learn about what Canada is all about and what native people represent.”

McCue, who is a part of the traditional hand-drumming quartet Naandewegaan (Healing With Drums), will begin the day with a community drumming circle at 9:30 a.m. joined by her sister Linda. The two women will be playing the conundrum, a 16-foot canoe drum. Made by artist David Hines, there are only two in the world: one at the Canadian Canoe Museum and one that travels with McCue.

“Anyone can join and have a chance to play the conundrum,” McCue says of those who attend Lessons from the Land. “A lot of people want to know what it’s made out of and how it’s constructed. They want to learn songs and we dance around, so there’s lot of opportunity to learn about the native culture.”

McCue will also speak about the history of wild rice in Curve Lake and how its revival supports wildlife including muskrats, fishers, and red-winged blackbirds.

Concurrent activities (10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.)

Following the opening ceremony, there will be four concurrent activities taking place from 10:30 a.m. until noon.

Voyageur Canoe Tour

You can take to the water to explore Little Lake with a free Voyageur canoe tour guided by the team at The Canadian Canoe Museum. No paddling experience is required, though participants must weigh at least 30 pounds and wear a provided personal flotation device. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver.

The Voyageur Canoe Tour is limited to 35 participants and must be booked in advance.

River Race

Alternatively, you can join an interactive game called River Race that explores the journey of salmon, eels, and sturgeon during spawning season in Lake Ontario tributaries.

The activity is led by TRACKS Youth Program, an educational program that combines Indigenous and western science within an environmental context.

Participants will learn about the obstacle faced by the species, as well as the importance of waterways, and the role of traditional knowledge in understanding local ecosystems.

From Traditional Medicines to Sustainable Futures

There’s also an opportunity to learn about traditional medicines from Robyn Ivory, the founder of Curve Lake First Nation’s Indigenously Infused.

By talking about Indigenous teachings surrounding traditional medicines and sustainable harvesting, Ivory will explore how respectful relationships with the medicine and land continue to guide stewardship practices, inspire innovation, and foster a more sustainable future for generations to come.

Quill Workshop

New to Lessons from the Land this year, Curve Lake artist Donna Jacobs will lead a quill workshop, guiding participants in making an orange shirt pin using porcupine quills that she has harvested and cleaned. Jacobs is a self-taught artist who creates beadwork, quillwork, and paintings using natural materials like birch bark, leather, and caribou fur.

A limited number of kits will be available for free. Additional kits are available for purchase at $45 each. Advanced registration is required.

Community Lunch (12 – 12:30 p.m.)

Following the morning’s activities, everyone will come together at noon for a community lunch provided by Thomas Olszewski of Grandfather’s Kitchen.

You can enjoy Three Sisters Soup, an Indigenous dish made from corn, beans, and squash and named for the companion planting method used by Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island.

There will also be bannock, a bread that is often served at Indigenous family gatherings, feasts, and powwows, and wild strawberries in celebration of June’s strawberry moon (Odemin Giizis). Since the berry is heart-shaped and the first to ripen in late spring and early summer, it’s considered a sacred food associated with healing.

Closing with Janet and Linda McCue (12:45 – 1 p.m.)

After a closing ceremony at 12:45 p.m. with Janet and Linda McCue, anyone attending Lessons from the Land can request a stamp at NCC’s information booth for free admission to The Canadian Canoe Museum.

You can see the 100-plus canoes, kayaks, and other paddled watercraft on display in the museum’s 20,000-square-foot Exhibition Hall, which features six unique, thematic exhibits inspired by watercraft from around the country and the world.

Through a variety of engaging and inspiring means, these exhibits honour Indigenous knowledge, cultures, histories, and ingenuity. They also share the diverse stories of people connected to the watercraft in the collection, provide a testament to the many different ways of building canoes, kayaks, and other watercraft, facilitate hands-on learning, and celebrate the role of watercraft as a path to inspiration, self-discovery, and well-being.

Virtual Education Hub

To extend the learning and help clients practise Truth and Reconciliation all year long, the NCC also offers a Virtual Education Hub full of resources to learn more about Indigenous history, culture, and teachings.

It provides education about land acknowledgements, the history of Canada’s Residential School System, the 94 Calls to Actions toward reconciliation outlined by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and much more.

“It’s an invitation to take an ongoing and active role in reconciliation and to think about mutual respect, cooperation, and building relationships to thrive together as a community,” says Lai.

VIDEO: “An Ojibway Story of Creation” – Pic River First Nation

For her part, McCue hopes that events like Lessons from the Land inspire the public to want to learn even more about Indigenous culture and histories.

“Hopefully people come out and enjoy the day and understand why we’re so proud of who we are as Anishinaabe people,” she says.

If you attend Lessons from the Land, NCC asks that you bring a reusable water bottle (there is a water fountain on-site), a dish pack for the community lunch (a bowl, plate, spoon, and fork), snacks, and your own lawn chair or blanket as activities will be conducted on the grass as much as possible. All activities are family friendly, but children should be accompanied by a caregiver.

To learn more about Lessons from the Land, visit nccpeterborough.ca/lessons-from-the-land-2026/.

This branded editorial was created in partnership with the New Canadians Centre. If your organization or business is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.