Passenger rail service in Peterborough is a step closer to reality — although it will be another decade before the rail service in in place.

Federal transportation minister Omar Alghabra announced on Wednesday (March 9) that the federal government is launching a request for expressions of interest, inviting the private sector to formally express their interest in partnering with the federal government to build the high frequency rail project.

The project which would see electrified rail service through Québec City, Trois-Rivières, Montréal, Ottawa, Peterborough, and Toronto, with shorter travel times and faster trains.

“High frequency rail is a transformational project that promises to fundamentally change the way Canadians travel in southern Ontario and Quebec, improving accessibility, and providing more travel flexibility,” Alghabra said. “The request for expressions of interest marks the first major step in the development and advancement of this project.”

Through the request for expressions of interest, the federal government will seek feedback from experienced private sector companies on the high frequency rail project and provide them with information on the next stages of the procurement process.

“High frequency rail is an infrastructure project with a size and scope that is unprecedented in modern Canadian history, which is why we are seeking to leverage the advice and views of private sector companies with concrete experience in designing and implementing complex infrastructure projects across the world,” said Filomena Tassi, the federal minister of public services and procurement.

After the request for expressions of interest, the next stages in the project include a request for qualifications this fall and a request for proposals in 2023 and 2024.

The federal government expects construction on the high frequency rail service to begin in the mid-2020s, with the service fully operational in the early 2030s.

Diane Therrien is returning to her duties as Mayor of Peterborough.

“Based on advice from my doctor, I am returning to work part time this week, and will be back full time next week,” Therrien wrote in an update posted on Twitter on Wednesday (March 9).

On February 14, she had announced she was temporarily stepping away from her duties for health reasons.

At the time, she asked councillor and deputy mayor Andrew Beamer to act on her behalf.

“I want to thank Acting Mayor Beamer and Deputy Mayor Akapo for filling in for me the last few weeks, and all of council for their ongoing work for our community,” Therrien wrote.

Therrien also thanked everyone who sent her “well wishes and support.”

“We live in strange, trying times,” she wrote. “Take care of yourselves, and be kind — to yourself and others.”

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— Diane Therrien (@DianeNTherrien) March 9, 2022

Two days before the second anniversary of the declaration of the coronavirus pandemic, Ontario has announced the lifting of mask mandates from most indoor settings after March break.

Ontario’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Kieran Moore made the announcement at a media conference at Queen’s Park on Wednesday (March 9), in what was his final regularly scheduled pandemic media update, stating that key public health indicators are stable or continuing to improve.

“With the peak of omicron behind us, Ontario has been able to cautiously and gradually move through its reopening milestones,” Dr. Moore said. “We are now learning to live with and manage COVID-19 for the long term. This necessitates a shift to a more balanced response to the pandemic, and changes are being made with respect to the province pandemic response to reflect a longer-term approach.”

Dr. Moore announced face masks will no longer be required for most indoor settings as of Monday, March 21st — this includes stores, restaurants, schools, and childcare settings. The only exception will be public transit, healthcare settings, long-term care homes, and high-risk congregate care settings.

“Removing the mask mandate does not mean the risk is gone — COVID-19 transmission is still occurring across the province and masks can help protect you and others from becoming infected with COVID-19,” Dr. Moore said, adding that he expects to see cases and hospitalizations increase “slightly” as Ontarians increasingly interact with one another.

“However, thanks to our high vaccination rates and natural immunity that is developing, as well as the arrival of other therapeutics and anti-virals, Ontario has the tools necessary to manage the impacts of this virus.”

Dr. Moore strongly recommended that people most vulnerable to the virus continue to wear a mask, and asked Ontarians to respect the masking requirements that maintain in place, including federal requirements for returning international travellers.

He also appealed to Ontarians to respect those who choose to continue to wear masks after the requirement has been lifted.

“As a society, I am asking that we remain kind, considerate, and respectful towards those who continue to choose to wear a mask,” he said.

At an earlier local healthcare announcement in Brantford, Premier Doug Ford said people can choose to continue to wear a mask if they wish.

“It’s going to be up to the people of Ontario,” Ford said. “If you want to keep your mask on, keep it on. If you want to take it off, take it off. But we have to move forward from this. People are exhausted.”

Dr. Moore noted that Ontarians should be prepared to resume mask wearing if a new variant of concern emerges, or in the winter months when COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses are likely to recirculate, especially if they being to affect the health care system again.

“If we’re seeing multiple different viruses circulating … we would make recommendations to mask at that time if we see an increasing burden on the hospital system,” Dr. Moore said. “We may move from a recommendation to a mandate for masking, but that would follow data, it would follow the surveillance, the circulation of those viruses, and the impact on the hospital before we’d ever make a recommendation to mandate (for masking).”

When asked by a reporter whether he would personally choose to continue to wear a mask after the mandate is lifted, Dr. Moore said he would not wear a mask in outdoor settings, but would continue to do so in some indoor settings.

“If I go to a busy, busy box store, I’ll put my mask on in those settings,” Dr. Moore said. “I don’t want to give away any of my personal health information, but I’ll do my individual risk assessment and if I’m going into that type of environment, where you’re not going to have distancing, other people are not wearing masks, at an individual level I’ll continue (to wear a mask).”

When the reporter questioned why Dr. Moore would choose to continue to wear a mask, given that he is “telling 15 million Ontarians it is safe to remove your mask,” Dr. Moore replied that it is a personal choice.

“The risk is continuing to diminish, but for some individuals that may be at risk to admission to hospital, or who have a negative impact from COVID-19, that’s their decision and choice to make.”

Dr. Moore also announced changes to isolation requirements, case and contact management, and changes to COVID-19 data reporting. Details of the changes are provided in a technical media briefing slide desk from the Ministry of Health, available below.

PDF: Living with and Managing COVID-19 – Ministry of Health
Living with and Managing COVID-19 - Ministry of Health

This original version of this story has been updated with details from Dr. Moore’s media briefing.

Lindsay lawyer Jason Ward has issued a statement that he no longer plans to run for Kawartha Lakes mayor in the 2022 municipal election, citing personal health and family reasons.

Ward, who owns Wards Lawyers PC in Lindsay, had announced his intentions to run for the mayoral position last fall. He previously ran as the Liberal candidate for Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock in the 2003 provincial election, when he was defeated by Laurie Scott.

Below is Ward’s complete statement about his decision to withdraw from the race.

Dear CKL, friends and family:

I withdraw from our mayoral race this year.

Truthfully, I struggled profoundly with my decision — it has been many pensive months in the making, even a few tears. I am upset with myself for not pursuing this opportunity.

Seeking mayorship is in my mind the best way for me to give back to a place that has given so much to me and my family.

But I know this about myself — I could not have been your mayor without giving it everything I have, leaving nothing on the table.

I am very proud of WARDS LAWYERS, to which I also gave my everything — at a personal price. As it turns out, in my own journey, I neglected one, important thing, my own mental health and wellbeing. It is time for me to take better care of myself. Actually, I have no other choice.

I also know how much I love, admire and need to be with my wife and children, who deserve their Dad’s unconditional, undistracted love and support — I must assiduously seize this opportunity, while I still can.

I love our city — a dynamic, altruistic amalgam of so many vibrant, but individualized, communities. We cannot keep only to the past; progress is at our doorstep and must be embraced and managed, but without comprising our community values and way of living. Prosperity beckons, but only if we seek it together. This is my home, alongside you. We are poised to live better, all of us. Our new leaders must embrace growth and change — it is here, like it or not.

Unity will lead us to more prosperity, together. Divisive jingoism will only make us suffer missed opportunities and live at less than our potential.

Sharing our common interests, goals and resources is the prosperity that new leadership can provide — make the right choice.

I will always be giving back in other ways. There are many ways to do so. Giving back is what many of us do everyday — we all live better consequently. Everyone must find a way to give back in their own way; only then will we truly prosper and improve our lives and those of others we know and love.

This is very difficult for me, but I know I am making the best choice for myself and my family. Please understand.

I am very hopeful and optimistic for November — I know, collectively, we will rally and inaugurate leadership who will tirelessly exemplify our values, goals and willingness to benefit from positive change. Now is the time; truly great leadership will lead and take us where we all strive to be.

I hope to see you.

Thank you.

Jason Ward

Former federal NDP candidate Joy Lachica has announced her intention to run as Peterborough city councillor in Town Ward in the October 24, 2022 municipal election.

She issued a media release announcing her candidacy on March 8 — International Women’s Day.

“On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the courage, compassion, optimism, resilience and wisdom of women everywhere,” Lachica says. “Many women, at this very moment, are carrying themselves, their loved ones and their families courageously to face a new unknown.”

“We, in Peterborough, stand in power with women around the world and in our own communities, as we know that troubling times disproportionately impact women who hold front lines as well as their own homes, their families and their children,” she adds.

Lachica ran as the NDP candidate for Peterborough-Kawartha in the 2021 federal election, when she came in third with 18.9 per cent of the vote.

In a media release, she says “the climate emergency ought to be our greatest driver, and needs to inform strategic decision-making at every level of government.”

@joylachicaptbo

“Voice. Vision. Change.” Joy Lachica announces intent to stand as candidate for Peterborough’s Town Ward in the October 2022 Municpal Election

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She also says her other priorities would be addressing the city’s ongoing operational needs while building critical infrastructure, “innovation and investment in non-profit social enterprise as a
key component to addressing disparities, enriching local commerce, and bringing hope to communities.”

Although Lachica has already announced her intention to run, the nomination period for the 2022 municipal election begins on May 2 — the earliest date she can file her candidacy papers.

From 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday (March 8), Lachica will be attending the “International Women’s Day: Advancing Gender Equality in Nogojiwanong/Peterborough”, a virtual event presented by Kawartha World Issues Centre and Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre,

The City of Peterborough is providing a total of $212,505 in community grants to 30 local community groups and not-for-profit and charitable organizations — including INSPIRE: The Women’s Portrait Project, Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival, Peterborough VegFest, Peterborough Poetry Slam, Peterborough Academy of Circus Arts, New Stages Peterborough, and The Theatre on King.

City council endorsed a staff recommendation for the 2022 grants at the general committee meeting on Monday (March 7).

A total of $15,525 will be provided to 18 community groups under the community project grant stream, which is intended for smaller organizations and smaller programs and events from $250 to $1,000. A total of $196,980 will be provided to 12 local not-for-profit and charitable organizations under the community investment grant stream, which provides supports for projects and special events, specific programs, or operating budgets from $1,000 to $15,000.

Here are the organizations receiving community project grants, with the amount of the grant and the organization’s stated purpose for the grant:

• INSPIRE: The Women’s Portrait Project ($1,000) – “The funding will be used to create a video that tells the story of survivors of domestic abuse through photographic imagery and audio files accompanied by interviews with front line workers. The video will be accessible on the INSPIRE website, on social media and at the exhibit.”
• Quilts for Cancer Peterborough County ($1,000) – “The funding is used to purchase cotton fabric, quilting thread, quilting batting and flannel. The quilt tops are 100% cotton fabric. The quilts are given to cancer patients free of charge.”
• Bonaccord Community Garden ($1,000) – “As part of our wider interest in making Bonaccord a welcoming and accessible space for everyone, this proposal is for seed money towards the construction of 2 elevated 4’x4’x36inch garden beds. Currently Bonaccord offers only ground-level plots that pose significant barriers for people with a wide range of mobility challenges.”
• Peterborough Friends in Music Community Band ($1,000) – “Subsidizing students/at-risk youth, to recognize that music is important in their lives ($333); assist with cost to purchase a keyboard and timpani pad to enhance our community performances ($333); new music for learning and performing ($333).”
• Kawartha Wildlife Centre ($1,000) – “Funds will support the continuation of our educational outreach programs within elementary schools within Peterborough. This program teaches students how to build bee, bird, and bat houses for installation in schoolyards and in surrounding greenspace. Programming encourages students to think critically and apply their skills to benefit local wildlife.”
• Peterborough Veterinary Outreach ($1,000) – “Funds will be used to purchase necessary consumable medical supplies for the animals that we serve. These include core vaccines (rabies, distemper, feline upper resp) and flea/tick and parasite treatments. We carry a very limited supply of pain medications and antibiotics. Other supplies include syringes/needles, hand sanitizer, face masks, etc.”
• Sheet Seven Community Garden ($1,000) – “This year we are hoping to double the number of raised garden beds (add 14) to expand our community garden and allow us to provide gardening space for an even greater number of people. This project funding reflects tool rental, lumber, and hardware costs.”
• Operation Catnip Peterborough ($1,000) – “OC will commit $2500 to help subsidize the cost of spay/neuters for low-income caregivers. We pay our participating veterinary clinics a reduced cost of $140/cat, which includes spay/neuter surgeries, rabies and FVRCP vaccines. We would appreciate the full funding available again, as prices have also gone up (last year $130/cat).”
• Ashburnham Memorial Stewardship Group ($400) – “This funding will be used for outreach and engagement within the local community. We want to build local awareness of the group, engage residents and partners in planning for positive changes to the park, through environmental education (Guided Nature Walk, Bird Walks, Heritage Walks).”
• Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival ($1,000) – “Funds will be used again to rent equipment and hire local technical personnel for our performance festival.”
• Peterborough Gleans ($1,000) – “We are requesting $1,000.00 from the City of Peterborough, as we did last year. These funds will be used for communication, co-ordination, and transportation to glean (pick) local produce for those who have low income and food insecurity in Peterborough. Eg.Lone parent-led families, Indigenous and welfare recipients.”
• Peterborough Community Medicine Garden ($800) – “The request is to provide weekly mentoring meetups to mentor and onboard new participants. Although current participants happily manage the gardens, only a handful are able to onboard and mentor new participants. The funds would enable our project to provide small honoraria for mentors to run weekly meet-ups.”
• Peterborough VegFest ($1,000) – “We hope to run a full in-person VegFest once again in 2021, on whatever scale is possible. Our free event features diverse food and product vendors with an emphasis on local businesses, as well as speakers, workshops, performers, and children’s activities.”
• Peterborough County Stewardship ($325) – “The requested funds will be used to support the building of habitat nesting boxes for community groups and individuals in Peterborough. Building materials are purchased locally and PCS works with Fleming College (Industrial Arts program) to build nesting boxes which are then sold to the public.”
• Peterborough Chinese Community Organization ($1,000) – “The funding will be used for a Chinese Culture Enhancement program involving the celebrations of Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival, a Chinese transitional arts show. The show will present Chinese transitional calligraphy, painting, and transitional Opera. We are excepting to have 450-500 clients to be serviced.”
• Peterborough Poetry Slam ($1,000) – “This year’s funds are intended to help us re-launch the PPS with a series of 15 virtual and/or in-person performances, as well as providing workshops, and writing-circles. We have worked virtually since 2020 and are eager to again expand audiences and support artists with safe, Covid-compliant virtual and in-person activities.”
• ME/FM Association of Peterborough & District ($750 – “The requested funds will supplement our 2022 budget, allowing us to continue providing education, encouragement and understanding to sufferers and family members during these uncertain times.”
• Dance Works ($250) – “This funding would allow the workshops to be shared amongst a variety of Impoverished communities such as persons living with disability. It would also allow for rental space within the City of Peterborough.”

Here are the organizations receiving community investment grants, with the amount of the grant and the organization’s stated purpose for the grant:

• The Peterborough Academy of Circus Arts ($15,000) – “To increase the effectiveness of our social programming to Peterborough’s Marginalized populations, to professionally develop our staff, and to adapt for performing conditions in 2022.”
• New Stages Peterborough ($8,000) – “New Stages Peterborough is requesting a Community Investment Grant towards operating costs for our season in 2022-2023.”
• Creating Space Community Arts Studio ($3,630) – “Please continue to sponsor this volunteer-run community arts studio, fostering connection, belonging, and resilience through free low barrier art making for 460-1400 community members annually.”
• The Down Syndrome Association of Peterborough ($8,000) – “The Down Syndrome Association of Peterborough is requesting $10,000 to support its’ Summer School to be held in August 2011 for students with Down syndrome.”
• Peterborough Theatre Users Group ($15,000) – “City funding will support the operations of The Theatre on King, an accessible community art space offering para-professional arts experiences and training.”
• Heads Up for Inclusion ($8,000) – “HUI is seeking support to continue development of a virtual platform, allowing persons with barriers to inclusion to connect to each other and their community.”
• The Art School of Peterborough ($8,250) – “The Art School of Peterborough requires financial assistance to help with the cost of clay for online pottery workshops and community outreach programs.”
• Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario ($1,000) – “The investment grant allows Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario to continue to inspireand prepare students to succeed in a global economy.”
• Trent Radio ($3,250) – “Supporting our local Producer Oriented Radio Undertaking which provides a media platform for community engagement, as well as training in communication and broadcasting.”
• Peterborough Concert Band ($3,200) – “The Peterborough Concert Band looks forward to continuing its 160 year tradition of live music for the citizens of Peterborough with this generous grant.”
• Artisans Centre Peterborough ($9,250) – “ACP is requesting funding to support an accessible artisan facility in downtown Peterborough and the advancement of its instruction in artisan disciplines.”
• P. R. Community and Student Association (Sadleir House Facility) ($1,400) – “We are requesting $15,000 to assist us in covering operating costs to cover the day-to-day costs associated with running a community facility.”

The city’s approved 2022 budget has allocated $20,350 for community project grants and $212,642 for community investment grants, leaving a surplus of $4,825 and $15,662 for each stream.

Surplus funds will be used for emerging 2022 community requests that are approved, and any unused funds at the end of the year will be carried over to the 2023 budget for the community grants.

The Kinsmen Club of Lindsay has donated $50,000 to the Ross Memorial Hospital (RMH) Foundation — the largest single donation the club has made to the foundation.

The funds will support the cost of medical equipment and technology at Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay that are not covered by provincial funding, including the hospital’s new CT scanner and MRI and digital transformation technology.

“This gift will help the hospital acquire the most advanced medical technology and bedside tools, and connect them to patients’ health information records, so that every test and treatment is noted in real time and available to patients and their healthcare team,” says RMH Foundation CEO Erin Coons in a media release.

“The volunteers who champion community causes through their service organizations are local champions,” Coons adds. “They are valued members of our donor family at the Ross.”

The Kinsmen Club of Lindsay, who announced the donation as as part of Kin Canada’s celebrations for the National Day of KINdness on February 20, attribute the significant increase in local
contributions to the growth of the Kinsmen Super TV Bingo.

“If there was any silver lining out of COVID at all, it’s that you stayed home to play bingo with Kinsmen Super TV Bingo,” says Brad Fraser, president of the Kinsmen Club of Lindsay. “As a result, we are able to share those proceeds. Thank you.”

Along with the $50,000 donation, the Kinsmen Club of Lindsay has previously donated to support the Ross Memorial Hospital’s first CT scanner, the redevelopment of the hospital’s maternity ward, and the capital campaign that doubled the size of the hospital 20 years ago. The Kinsmen Club of Lindsay’s cumulative giving has earned it a founder plaque on the hospital’s donor recognition wall.