Construction of a new outdoor amphitheatre in downtown Peterborough is set to begin this summer.

Trent University announced on Monday (April 25) that the Jalynn Bennett Amphitheatre at the university’s Catharine Parr Traill College has received $560,000 in funding through the federal government’s Department of Canadian Heritage, as a part of the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund Program.

The three-season amphitheatre is named after the late Jalynn Bennett, former chair of Trent’s board of governors, whose foundation provided the university with a gift of $1.13 million in 2018 — part of has been used to seed the amphitheatre project along with several other projects.

“Our dream for the amphitheatre falls directly in line with the challenge from Jalynn, to do something ‘bold, audacious and effective’ for our community,” says Julie Davis, vice-president of external relations and development at Trent University, in a media release. “This funding is incredibly exciting as it allows us to take our dream to the next stage of development.”

Located in the central courtyard of Traill College between London and Dublin streets, the accessible amphitheatre will feature tiered seating for 80 to 100 people, professional lighting, and carefully directed sound using designs of ancient Greece that contain acoustics. The projected cost of the amphitheatre is $1.4 million.

“Not only will the new amphitheatre provide students with a space to practice and perform, but it will be a new home for arts and culture in Peterborough’s historic downtown — uniting music, theatre, expression, and history,” Davis says.

Both the Electric City Culture Council (EC3) and the City of Peterborough’s Arts, Culture, and Heritage Advisory Committee have endorsed the amphitheatre project, along with community partners in arts, culture, and heritage including 4th Line Theatre, New Stages Theatre, Theatre Trent, Anne Shirley Theatre Company, Trent University Music Society, Public Energy Performing Arts, Nogojiwanog Indigenous Fringe Festival, Peterborough Symphony Orchestra, Art Gallery of Peterborough, Peterborough Museum and Archives, and the Peterborough Historical Society.

Along with providing a new outdoor performance space for the community, the amphitheatre will also provide space and hands-on learning opportunities for students studying at Trent.

“Several Trent departments based at Traill offer music, performance, or theatre as a part of their curricula,” explains Dr. Michael Eamon, principal of Catharine Parr Traill College. “The amphitheatre will expand the educational experience as well as offering a new venue to enrich Peterborough’s cultural experience.”

“It will be a space where professional artists and performers will entertain the community and also provide experiential learning and mentorship opportunities for students in various programs including Culture and Media Studies, English Literature, and Canadian Studies.”

The amphitheatre is expected to be completed in September 2022. Rental fees will be waived for student, amateur, and non-profit groups.

Parks Canada is preparing for the opening of the boating season on the Trent-Severn Waterway and will be temporarily closing the Maria Street and Warsaw Road swing bridges for spring maintenance.

The Warsaw Road Bridge on Parkhill Road, between Television Road and Armour Road, will be closed on Tuesday (April 26) from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

The Maria Street Bridge, connecting Maria Street to Ashburnham Road, will be closed on Wednesday (April 27) from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

Motorists are advised to plan alternate routes during these closures. Detour signage will be in place.

The bridge work includes preventative maintenance tasks like washing and greasing swing bridges, and conducting visual inspections to ensure their safe operation.

For more information about the Trent-Severn Waterway, visit www.parkscanada.gc.ca/trent.

Peterborough police have charged white nationalist and neo-Nazi Kevin Goudreau, a Peterborough resident, in an incident police have classified as a hate bias crime.

On March 31, officers responded to a call about a man outside an apartment building who was yelling profanities and slurs.

According to a story by the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, Goudreau threatened his upstairs neighbours, a lesbian couple.

“Goudreau was reportedly circling the building at this time, shouting expletives, slurs, and threats,” reads the story, which reports the couple recorded Goudreau and called the police.

“Shortly after the initial incident more information was brought forward, and reasonable grounds for charges was formed,” reads a media release from the Peterborough police service.

Goudreau, 44, was arrested and charged with two counts of uttering threats – cause death or bodily harm, two counts of criminal harassment – repeatedly communicate, and failure to comply with a probation order. He has been released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on May 10.

“Due to the nature of the comments made at the time of the offence this incident has been classified as a hate bias crime,” reads the police media release. “A hate crime is a criminal offence committed against a person or property which is motivated by the suspect/offender’s hate bias against a racial, religious, ethnic, sexual orientation or disability group.”

Police have released Goudreau’s name “in the event that there are more victims and for public safety.”

Anyone with further information is asked to call Peterborough Police at 705-876-1122 x555. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip online at www.stopcrimehere.ca.

Goudreau organized an “anti-immigration” rally in Peterborough in September 2017. He was originally granted a permit to hold the rally at the public square across from Peterborough City Hall, although the city subsequently withdrew the permit.

Various local groups organized a counter-protest called “Solidarity Weekend”, with hundreds of people attending to celebrate diversity and inclusivity.

While a handful of supporters showed up for the “anti-immigration” rally, Goudreau was not among them.

Goudreau made headlines again in 2019, when he made a series of social media posts encouraging people to murder members of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, journalists, and government workers. Although Peterborough police decided not to press charges, the Canadian Anti-Hate Network was granted a peace bond requiring Goudreau to remain at least 200 metres away from board members for one year.

Peace Bond Issued Against Kevin Goudreau Who Probably Complicated His Life Even Further Without Actually Realizing It https://t.co/Wt9oldzJEq 1/ pic.twitter.com/4fiXlq87Cy

— Kurt Phillips🧛‍♂️ (@ARCCollective) August 12, 2019

Ontario minister of labour, training and skills development Monte McNaughton was at Fleming College’s School of Trades and Technology in Peterborough on Monday (April 25) to announce the expansion of a training program and to take a tour of the school.

Formerly called Second Career, Better Jobs Ontario will now support those looking to train for in-demand work, including people on social assistance, people who are self-employed, gig workers, youth, and newcomers to the province. Previously, only those who were laid off from a full-time job were eligible for the program.

The program pays up to $28,000 in tuition and other costs for short-duration training programs that allow job seekers to match their skills with the needs of hiring employers in the community. Effective Friday, the program is being expanded to include those unemployed for six months or longer and who are part of a low-income household, and will expand eligibility for up to $500 per week in financial support for basic living expenses.

“Whether you are a young person struggling to break into the job market, a gig worker hustling to make ends meet, or unemployed and on social assistance, our government is here to give you a hand up to building a better life and stronger province for us all,” McNaughton said during the announcement.

Mackenzie Barclay, a welding foundation techniques student at the School of Trades and Technology who was part of the Second Career program, also spoke at the announcement.

“When I first started the program, I didn’t know how to weld,” Barclay said. “I had never welded in high school — it was never an option that was provided — and I took a leap of faith. I can happily say that upon graduation, I have definitely been caught on that leap of faith and have a job now moving out of school.”

Fleming College president Maureen Adamson, who attended the announcement along with Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith, Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott, and instructors and students from the school, thanked the province and local MPPs for their support.

“Today’s announcement comes at a really crucial point as we all know it’s been a couple of tough years, and there are workers who are undertuilizied, underemployed, working multiple jobs, and in some cases just trying to get their foot in the door,” Adamson said. “And at the same time we’ve seen in our labour market that there’s desperate need for skilled workers.”

Citing a shift in personal priorities, Town Ward representative Kemi Akapo will not seek re-election to Peterborough City Council this October.

In an exclusive interview with kawarthaNOW, Akapo said reflection on “where I’m at in my life right now” preceded her decision not to run. She also provided kawarthaNOW with an exclusive statement about her decision.

“I’m feeling a pull towards going in another direction — I feel I need to invest my time elsewhere,” said Akapo, adding “I don’t think it’s fair or right to take up the (council) space if I’m not going to be fully invested.”

“My plan has always been to get my Masters,” Akapo explained. “I want to do that now. While it’s possible to do your Masters and be a city councillor at the same time, I don’t know if I want to put that much pressure on myself. It’s a lot.”

“And I want to spend more time with my family. I know every politician says that and it sounds like a cop-out but, in my case, it really isn’t. They live outside of the province. It’s a lot of driving and time spent on the road. The work of being a city councillor requires time and attention. At this point in my life, I can’t do both (be a councillor and connect with family) well.”

A native of Nigeria, Akapo moved to Peterborough in 2005 to attend Trent University where she attained her Bachelor of Arts in both English Literature and International Development Studies. A case management coordinator with the New Canadians Centre since May 2020, she was elected to her Town Ward seat in October 2018 — her first foray into the political ring.

With her announcement, Akapo becomes the third current member of council not seeking re-election, all of whom are women. She joins Mayor Diane Therrien and Otonabee Ward councillor Kim Zippel in making that declaration.

To date, four others have announced their intention to campaign for election in Town Ward: incumbent Dean Pappas, former Peterborough federal NDP candidate Joy Lachica, professional artist Alex Bierk, and social advocate Brian Christoph.

Akapo’s decision not to seek re-election ensures there will be at least one new Town Ward councillor when all is said and done on October 24.

Reflecting on her time in the municipal politics arena, Akapo said while there have been bumps in the road, the experience overall was a good one.

“I feel I’ve been able to accomplish things I’m proud of and this council has done a lot, despite what some of the naysayers say,” she assesses.

“I spent the first year and a half, maybe two years, learning what the job is. Even though you have portfolios, you still need to know a little bit about everything — learning new terminology and processes and procedures. You have to get to know the staff and who to direct questions to.”

COVID-19 also complicated her experience as a first-time councillor, Akapo said.

“None of us planned a global pandemic. You spend the first year and a half learning and then it’s ‘Oh wait, we’re going to change everything you know.'”

Narrowing it down to one word, Akapo said her time at City Hall has been “illuminating”, adding “in both positive and not-so-positive ways.”

“I wasn’t prepared for the politics of politics. I was prepared to go in, do the job, write good policy, make decisions, and move the city forward. I was not prepared for how much time and energy and effort that would take. It was very frustrating. The politics of politics stymies progress.”

“It’s good to have people who have different opinions, but it’s another thing to use what I would call shady mechanisms to push things through. That to me is heartbreaking. I feel if we were able to put that aside, we’d be in a much better place.”

“It wasn’t always focused on best outcomes for the city. Personalities sometimes got in the way of that. I wasn’t prepared for that. It was like ‘I wouldn’t hang out with you on the weekend but we’re both here to do a job, so why don’t we focus on that?’ Often times, that wasn’t the case. That was disappointing.”

Still, said Akapo, this council, “despite some drama,” was able to accomplish “some really good things.” She points to the adoption of the new Official Plan and the Peterborough Transportation Master Plan as evidence of that as well as the passing of “some decent budgets” during the challenging pandemic years.

When she won election in 2018, Akapo became a member of most diverse city council Peterborough has ever had. Led by only the third female mayor in the city’s history, the 11-member council featured four females and two people of colour. While Akapo said such diversity was, and remains, a very good thing for the city, it hasn’t come without some challenging baggage.

“I don’t know if we (women) are held to a higher standard, but I feel we face a lot more criticism than our male counterparts,” she said. “Part of that is a result of who’s leading the charge on what I would consider progressive items and who’s staying the course. Whenever you’re pushing for change, even though people say they want change, it doesn’t come easy, particularly in an institution that is rigid.

“If you’re the one constantly putting yourself out there, you are the face of that change, so people will come to you and share their opinions in favour or against,” Akapo said. “If you’re the one on Twitter — (it’s) myself, Diane (Therrien), Kim (Zippel), and Lesley (Parnell) that are most active on there — people want to engage and you tend to bear the brunt of that. Women, in any sphere, aren’t given as much leeway.”

One advantage that future female members of council will have, Akapo said, is a support system comprised of “more people they can lean on.”

“I’m announcing I’m not running and outlining some of the challenges I’ve faced, but then I’m turning around and saying ‘But you should do it.’ It seems a little bit hypocritical. There are so few of us female or black politicians out there. It was hard for me to find people to talk to or commiserate with (but) they’ll have me, they’ll have Diane, they’ll have Kim. The base of support for them is going to be bigger.”

Unsurprisingly, Akapo is a huge proponent of council term limits being imposed.

“Part of the reason we don’t see new faces is because, as an incumbent, you have a leg up,” she said. “If you have two incumbents (in a ward), it’s hard for other people to get their foot in. That’s not say that continuity and generational institutional knowledge isn’t important, but the world changes and new ideas come out. That needs to be reflected.”

As she now looks forward to new challenges, Akapo wants to make one thing very clear: her decision not to run isn’t based, in whole or in part, on derisive comments aimed at her, either in person and on social media.

“I’m not being run out of council — I’m not letting the haters win,” she said, acknowledging she’s a different person in 2022 than she was just four years ago.

“I’ve changed. My eyes have been opened more. I have a vision of what I want the world to look like but there’s the reality of what the world actually is. I have a better understanding of how things work at the political level.”

“My goal is to create a better world than the one we currently have. Being on council has helped grow my education in that regard. That’s never wasted.”

While she is withdrawing from the political sphere, Akapo wants “to create a better world than the one we currently have.”

“Being on council has helped grow my education in that regard,” she said. “That’s never wasted.”

“Even if I’m not in politics, there’s other ways to create change. I’m refocusing now, but this is definitely not the last of me.”

Statement from Kemi Akapo – April 25, 2022

no
is a necessary magic

no
draws a circle around you
with chalk
and says
i have given enough

– boundaries, McKayla Robbin

From a very young age, I’ve held a strong belief that the world could become a better, more equitable and fairer place for all. I’ve also had an inexplicable internal force driving me to be part of that process towards positive change. That drive has been nurtured by my family and the many communities I’ve been privileged enough to live in. It is this strong belief and drive that led me to run for City Council and your faith in me that led me to be elected as the first Black, openly queer Councillor for the City of Peterborough. I thank you for your faith and trust in me.

I also strongly believe positive change can come about in a multitude of ways. It is, in part, for this reason I have decided not to seek re-election as a Councillor for the City of Peterborough. I know this announcement will come as a disappointment to some, especially those who helped me get elected and who were inspired by me being on Council. However, I am feeling the drive to pursue other approaches to creating a more just, equitable world in which all humans live a good life.

I am proud of the work and contributions I have been able to make to the City during my tenure. I will continue to work hard and strive for positive change until my final day in office.

The past 3 and a half years have taught me a lot, and though I may be leaving office as a City Councillor, I do still believe in the wonderful possibilities that exist for the future of Peterborough. I have a few thoughts and ideas I’d like to share over the coming weeks. I will be sharing them on my website: www.kemiakapo.ca.

Ese pupo, Miigwetch, Thank you, Peterborough.

Kemi Akapo

The Omemee Legion is one of nine non-profit organizations in Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock collectively receiving $875,700 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Resilient Communities Fund.

Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott made the announcement at the Omemee Legion on Thursday (April 21).

“This funding will help local non-profit organizations recover from the impacts of the pandemic and help grow their services and supports they offer,” Scott said. “The Omemee Legion is using their $123,200 grant to construct a fantastic outdoor patio that will benefit community members and support their revitalization plans for the Legion.”

This was the second piece of good news on Thursday for Omemee, with the Ontario government also approving up to $3 million for a City of Kawartha Lakes project to reconstruct King Street.

Other organizations in Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock receiving grants from the Resilient Communities Fund include:

• Kawartha Works Community Cooperative Inc. – $150,000
• Pinnguaq Association – $149,800
• Natural Hosemanship Association – $116,600
• Abbey Gardens Community Trust Inc. – $91,900
• Old Gaol Museum – $87,600
• Kawartha Lakes Arts Council – $77,800
• A Place Called Home – $69,700
• Haliburton Highlands Land Trust- $9,100

The Resilient Communities Fund provides grants of up to $150,000 to eligible non-profit organizations to recover and rebuild from the pandemic. In total, the Ontario government is providing $95.8 million this year through the fund to help 1,146 non-profit organizations across the province.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation will continue to offer the Resilient Communities Fund in 2022-23.

Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, has announced a six-week extension of the provincial mask mandate in high-risk indoor settings.

Originally set to expire on Wednesday (April 27), masks will continue to be required until Saturday, June 11th on public transit, in healthcare settings (including hospitals, doctors’ offices, and home and community care), long-term care and retirement homes, and shelters and other congregate care settings that provide care and services to medically and socially vulnerable individuals.

A complete list of settings where masking requirements continue to apply is available in the Dr. Moore’s class order under section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act (see end of story).

“To protect our progress in managing this latest wave, I am maintaining masking requirements in specific public settings where individuals who are, or may be, at increased risk of severe outcomes, are in close contact for extended periods of time,” Dr. Moore said. “Continuing to follow masking requirements and keeping up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations are the best ways we can prevent transmission and protect our friends, families, and our communities.”

The Ontario government has also announced it will be receiving supplies of Evusheld, an antibody treatment for immunocompromised individuals who are not positive for COVID-19 at the time of administration. Approved by Health Canada on April 14, Evusheld provides protection from COVID-19 for six months through two single-dose injections.

The province says it is expecting to receive its first shipment of Evusheld in late April, with subsequent shipments expected in May and June.

Evusheld will be available to people with the highest-risk of a severe outcome from COVID-19, including solid organ transplant recipients, stem cell transplant recipients, CAR-T therapy recipients, and other hematologic cancer patients undergoing treatment.

PDF: April 27 section 22 class order for continued mask requirements
April 27 section 22 class order for continued mask requirements

The Ontario government has approved the City of Kawartha Lakes’ funding application for the reconstruction project for King Street in Omemee and will provide up to $3 million from the province’s Connecting Links program.

The funding announcement was made on Thursday (April 21) in downtown Omemee.

“This funding is great news for the community and businesses in Omemee and will provide much needed improvements to local transportation and the streetscape downtown to keep people and goods moving,” said Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott.

The King Street project, which has been part of the City of Kawartha Lakes transportation master plan since 2012, will see a full reconstruction of the road between James Street North and the Pigeon River bridge, including replacements of storm sewers, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and streetscape improvements, as well as resurfacing of the road.

“Today’s announcement is exciting as it continues the momentum we’ve built around our downtowns,” said Kawartha Lakes Mayor Andy Letham. “From Lindsay to Fenelon Falls and now Omemee, we’re making our community hubs more accessible and enjoyable to visit. We couldn’t have moved ahead in Omemee without the generous support of the province and our local MPP Laurie Scott.”

Design of the project has been underway since 2020 and was contingent on receiving provincial funding.

“This project means a lot to the people of Omemee,” said Ward 6 councillor Ron Ashmore. “It will make walking, driving, and parking along the Main Street easier and safer. It will also make it more enticing for those who pass through on Highway 7 to stop, stay a while, and support our local businesses. I’m thrilled that the province has assisted council to move forward with the project,”

At a special meeting at the end of November, council approved $1 million contribution to the project from the municipality’s capital contingency reserve, pending the province’s approval of $3 million in funding.

Now that provincial funding has been approved, construction is expected to begin later this spring with a completion date of fall 2022.

During construction, one lane along King Street will be closed. Access to downtown businesses will be maintained, along with as many parking spaces as possible.

VIDEO: Downtown Omemee Reconstruction – Public Information Session #2

Peterborough entrepreneur and environmentalist Carlotta James is running for councillor in the city’s Northcrest Ward in the October 24, 2022 municipal election.

James, who chose Earth Day (April 22) to make her announcement, is best known as the co-founder of Three Sisters Natural Landscapes and the co-founder of the Monarch Ultra Relay Run.

“On Earth Day, we celebrate the work of many in our community to protect our local environment,” James says in a media release. “I am announcing my candidacy on this particular day to showcase my platform that focuses on environmental sustainability and entrepreneurial leadership, and also, to take a moment to reflect on all the ways nature provides for and nourishes us: through water, wildlife, wild spaces, resources, and food, as well as for our collective well-being and mental health.”

A mother of one who describes herself as “a devoted community-builder,” James moved to Peterborough in 2013. For the past seven years, she has run Three Sisters Natural Landscapes, a landscaping business that specializes in transforming spaces into pollinator habitat.

As a pollinator advocate and a marathon runner, James also co-founded the Monarch Ultra Relay Run to raise awareness about the plight of the threatened monarch butterfly and other pollinators.

The inaugural 2019 run, which saw ultra-runners complete a 4,300-kilometre journey from Canada to Mexico, was followed last year by an 1,800-kilometre run across southern Ontario that also raised $10,000 for Camp Kawartha in Peterborough.

According to James, through these local and global experiences she has built strong financial management, large-scale project and logistics planning, and problem-solving skills.

“I will advocate for the residents of Northcrest Ward at city hall with community-first decision-making so that everyday citizens shape our city’s present and future,” James says. “As your city councillor for Northcrest Ward, I will support small-business growth, bring community ideas to life that revitalize our ward, and work with you to build a healthy, resilient, and economically prosperous city.”

Other candidates for Northcrest Ward include incumbent and deputy mayor Andrew Beamer and real estate brokerage owner Dave Haacke. Haacke was Northcrest Ward councillor from 2014 to 2018, when he was defeated by Stephen Wright, who has announced he intends to run for mayor.