Thanks to Kawartha Land Trust and Kawartha Conservation, two more of Ontario’s threatened wetlands — located on Nogies Creek and Balsam Lake — have been permanently protected in the Kawarthas region.

While some may look at a wetland and only see a marsh or a swamp with little value, wetlands actually play a critical ecological role. They are among the most biologically diverse of all ecosystems, providing a home for a wide range of plants and animals, including species at risk.

They are also important for people. Wetlands filter and purify water, replenish groundwater, and enhance the resilience of the landscape to many of the impacts of climate change that threaten the health of our communities, including flooding, erosion, and drought. What’s more, they help mitigate climate change by storing carbon.

Because of their value to the natural infrastructure, wetlands contribute an estimated $14 billion in economic benefits for Ontarians each year.

Despite their ecological and economic value, less than 30 per cent of the original wetlands in southern Ontario remain, largely because they have been converted for other uses or have been drained for development and agriculture.

In late 2021, Kawartha Conservation — the conservation authority responsible for the 2,563-square-kilometre Kawarthas watershed — donated two wetland properties on Nogies Creek and on Balsam Lake to Kawartha Land Trust, a non-government charitable organization working to protect land in the Kawarthas. Both of the wetlands contain significant ecological features and provide potential natural wildlife corridors to provincially protected areas.

VIDEO: Nogies Creek and Balsam Lake

“This project has been a great example of collaboration between conservation organizations,” says John Kintare, Kawartha Land Trust’s executive director.

“Wetlands are so important for drought prevention, flood protection, water quality improvement and, most importantly, are immensely valuable to climate resilience. Unfortunately, the properties didn’t fit the mandate of Kawartha Conservation, so they were donated to Kawartha Land Trust to ensure their permanent protection.”

The project was made possible by the Government of Canada through the Natural Heritage Conservation Program, part of Canada’s Nature Fund. The Government of Canada’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program (NHCP) is a unique public-private partnership to support new protected and conserved areas by securing private lands and private interests in lands. The program is managed by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). Federal funds invested in the program are matched with contributions raised by NCC and its partners, Ducks Unlimited Canada, and the country’s land trust community.

The Nogies Creek Property

Nogies Creek flows from Crystal Lake east of Kinmount into the north end of Pigeon Lake near Bobcaygeon. The 40.5-hectare (100-acre) Nogies Lake property is located six kilometres north of the mouth of Nogies Creek and is only accessible by water.

The Nogies Creek property was identified as ecologically significant land as part of Kawartha Land Trust’s Kawarthas Naturally Connected Preferred Scenario project in 2016. The project determined that 29 per cent of the natural landscape in the Kawarthas needs protection, but only 13 per cent is protected.

The property on Nogies Creek includes significant ecological features and is a potential wildlife corridor between Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park and Queen Elizabeth Wildlands Provincial Park. It is directly adjacent to Crown land and to the Nogies Creek Fish Sanctuary maintained by the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry.

The property contains several types of ecosystems including mixed dry forest, mixed fresh and moist forests, and wetlands. The land includes dry mixed forests dominated by oak, maple, and hemlock species in the south, fresh mixed forests dominated by maple, birch, ash, and cedar in the central portion, and finally mixed treed and open wetlands in the north.

The ecosystems on the property are varied and in good health. With its mixed habitat types, both permanent and migratory species use the property, including species at risk and species of interest. Wildlife observed on the property include the eastern wood-pewee, moose, black bears, and white-tailed deer.

While there is some evidence of human activities on the property, including ATV trails, deer feeding stations, and garbage, on the property, the threats to the ecosystem from these types of activities are limited because the property is beside Crown land.

The Balsam Lake Property

Balsam Lake is the highest point along the Trent-Severn Waterway, with water flowing from Balsam Lake westward into the Trent-Severn system and eastward into Cameron Lake. With the communities of Coboconk on the north and Rosedale on the east, the lake receives water from the Canadian Shield via the Gull River and from smaller streams surrounding the lake.

This 29-hectare (72-acre) Balsam Lake property sits entirely within a provincially significant wetland on the south bay of Balsam Lake, and includes 450 metres of natural shoreline along the lake. Bordering Elm Tree Road to the west and Balsam Lake to the east, the property is located around nine kilometres southwest of Kirkfield and 12 kilometres west of Fenelon Falls.

Close to other properties protected by Kawartha Land Trust, including the Fell Wetland, Jones Woodlot, and Cation Wildlife Preserve properties, the Balsam Lake property comprises a patchwork of shallow slow-moving watercourses and temporary water bodies weaving through three different types of wetland ecosystems. The most distinguishable ecosystem is a cattail marsh that abuts Balsam Lake and slowly transitions into treed swamp ecosystems that are found on the rest of the property.

Extensive surveys have established that the property is in good overall health, and provides excellent habitat for rare and at-risk species. It is home to many native species, including the eastern wood peewee, common snapping turtles, and black ash tees.

Because it serves as a winter deer yard, the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Natural Resources, and Forestry has identified the property as significant wildlife habitat.

For more information about Kawartha Land Trust and the properties it protects, to donate to the non-profit organization, or for volunteer opportunities, visit kawarthalandtrust.org. You can also follow Kawartha Land Trust on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

This story was created in partnership with Kawartha Land Trust.

Kawartha World Issues Centre (KWIC) has announced Samantha (Sam) Rockbrune as the Peterborough organization’s new executive director, following a competitive hiring process.

She replaces Julie Cosgrove, who announced her retirement in November 2021. Cosgrove joined KWIC in 2003 at a part-time program coordinator, a role that transitioned into executive director in 2013.

Rockbrune, who began in the role on Monday (January 31), holds a BA Honours Law from Carleton University, with a minor in women and gender studies. She is also a graduate of York University with an MA in socio-legal studies. The co-founder and director of Students for Consent Culture Canada, she specializes in anti-sexual violence connecting global systems to local experiences.

Rockbrune was most recently the community programs director for Art With A Heart Inc. a Whitby-based charitable organization focused on building community through art using an expressive arts lens.

“Ms. Rockbrune brings several years experience working in the not-for-profit sector and higher education, and with a passion for community building and social justice”, says Carmela Valles, KWIC board chair, in a media release. “We are very confident in her ability to lead KWIC through this important transition and beyond.”

A charitable organization that connects global issues to local initiatives, KWIC helps to change how people understand the world and fosters equitable and sustainable communities through community education, youth and school programs, and by providing umbrella support for small and emerging projects.

KWIC currently supports the TRACKS Youth Program, Youth Leadership in Sustainability (YLS), Trent Oxfam and Sustainable Trent, and The Cost of Freedom documentary film project with Tamarack Productions (currently screening at the 2022 ReFrame Film Festival).

For more information about KWIC, visit kwic.info.

Kawartha Lakes police are investigating a shooting incident in Lindsay that took place Sunday night (January 30).

At 9:59 p.m. on Sunday, Kawartha Lakes police responded to a report of a disturbance at a residence on Lindsay Street North, with a second caller reporting a shooting. When police arrived at the residence, they found a gunshot victim who was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

After reviewing video surveillance, police identified a number of suspects involved in the incident and have recovered the vehicle used to transport suspects away from the location.

Police believe the individuals involved in the incident are known to each other and say there is no threat to public safety.

The City of Kawartha Lakes Police Service Criminal Investigation Branch has taken over the investigation. A search warrant was conducted, with the assistance of the Forensic Identification Unit. Video surveillance footage and physical evidence has been seized from the scene.

Police are asking area residents who have security cameras to review footage and contact them with any information that could assist with the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Kawartha Lakes police at 705-324-5252. If you prefer to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit www.khcrimestoppers.com.

What began as a one-off more than nine years ago has evolved into an annual national fundraiser for the Alzheimer Society … and a whole lot of fun for Steve McNeil. Since his inaugural marathon skate on Christmas Eve 2012 at Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square, the Etobicoke resident has laced on his blades across Canada for his 1926 Skate initiative.

Now he’s in the midst of a 10-city Ontario tour that will bring him to Peterborough on Saturday, February 12th to raise funds for the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton.

In the shadow of the Peterborough Lift Lock on the Trent-Severn Canal, McNeil will skate for 19 hours and 26 minutes — starting at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday morning and ending that evening at 7:26 p.m.

Why 19 hours and 26 minutes? That’s seems to be a pretty random time target. Well, there’s a method to McNeil’s skating madness and it has everything to do with honouring the memory of his mother Eunice, who lived with Alzheimer’s disease for more than 20 years.

“There was a point where I realized my mom isn’t going to be around much longer — she was in a fetal position and bedridden and everything else,” says McNeil, noting his inaugural skate was undertaken as “a personal tribute to my hockey mom who, without a driver’s licence, got all five of her boys to their hockey games and practices.”

After his mother passed away in February 2013, McNeil committed to organizing an event that would raise funds for, and awareness of, the Alzheimer Society’s resources and support programs. As she was born in 1926, he set 19 hours and 26 minutes as his skate time.

“Shortly after mom passed, friends at Canada Post and family knew what I did at Nathan Phillips Square and said I should do that as a fundraiser,” recalls McNeil, who’s a mail carrier as well as a recreational hockey referee.

“I didn’t know anything about fundraising. I walked into the Alzheimer Society national office in Toronto and said ‘I want to raise money for you guys.’ The lady looked at me like I was from another planet. It took me awhile to convince them that I was legitimate.”

Since that initial contact, McNeil has skated across the country, including a 2018-19 tour of all seven Canadian National Hockey League (NHL) cities.

A larger-than-life character both on and off the ice, the 60 year old has garnered a lot of media attention and, for many of his skates, has been joined by NHL players, past and present. To date, he estimates he’s brought in well over $100,000 for the society’s chapters in the communities in which he skates.

“When we heard that it was our time to share in the experience, we were really excited,” says Andrea Cant, executive director of the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton.

“Peterborough is a hockey town and we enjoy the ability to skate on the canal, so it’s a great opportunity for Steve to come and gather with the community, the best we can in these circumstances, and just get outside and support our society.”

Donations of at least $19.26 in support of the Alzheimer Society are being sought and can be made at www.1926skate.com/donate (scroll down the page to the button for the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton). You can also donate directly to the society.

Cant emphasizes that, while any money raised is a huge help, the heightened awareness of the society’s work that 1926 Skate brings is equally important.

“Events such as this really do remind people that we’re here,” she says. “They let people know what kind of services we offer, whether it be counselling, education, support groups, or social and recreation programs. We have a basket of services. These sorts of events really bring awareness to the fact that we’re here and we’re here to help and you don’t have go through this (Alzheimer’s) alone.”

While McNeil’s in good shape — a byproduct of his lugging the mail on his route as well as years of refereeing recreational hockey, as well as being a roller skater of some renown back in the day — he admits each year is a little harder physically. Making this marathon skating a tougher go this time around is the fact that opportunities to referee hockey over the past two years have been few due to COVID restrictions.

“But really the skating part is easy,” he says, noting that teaching an old dog new tricks — specifically, promoting his cause on social media — has been a tougher hill to climb. “I’ve had to learn how to use Twitter and Facebook. It’s been so much more difficult for me to deal with all the social media stuff than the skating has ever been.”

As you’d expect, McNeil has faced a number of challenges over the course of his skate events. On January 15 in Kingston, he did his thing as the temperature hovered around -34°C.

In addition, he’s made a number of interesting acquaintances, including one that thrilled him to no end and took his lifelong love of the Australian rock band AC/DC to a whole other level.

“In 2014, a week before I was to skate at Nathan Phillips Square, I heard that (AC/DC co-founder and rhythm guitarist) Malcolm Young was diagnosed with dementia,” recalls McNeil, noting his infatuation with the band dates back to 1978 when he saw them in concert at Massey Hall. “I decided to cue up my AC/DC library and went out and skated exclusively to the band’s music. I just hit shuffle and have been skating to their music ever since.”

In 2019, two years after Young passed way from the disease at the age of 64, McNeil was skating in Calgary when a man standing at the side of the rink asked him if he could do a video chat with the man’s father.

“I said ‘Sure, how long has your dad had Alzheimer’s?’ He said ‘My dad doesn’t have Alzheimer’s. He was the drummer for AC/DC.’ So he hands me his phone and there’s his dad, Chris Slade, playing drums for Mannfred Mann at a Vegas show.”

A few days later, Malcolm Young’s younger brother — AC/DC co-founder and lead guitarist Angus Young — donated $19,260 to the Alzheimer Society of Ontario, asking the society to distribute the funds to dementia music programs across Canada.

As McNeil skates exclusively to AC/DC’s music, his trademark “Thunderstick” (named after the AC/DC hit “Thunderstruck”) is rarely out of his hands.

“Thunderstick is something I’ve had for 25 years now,” he says. “It’s done every skate with me. It’s what I classify as my stride stick. When I’m by myself and the weather is really extreme, that stick is the difference between making it and not making it. I do a lot of air guitar (on it). I just kind of get lost in my music.”

“I can’t empathize enough how much I have when I do this,” McNeil adds. “It’s off the charts for me how much fun I have.”

That said, McNeil will scale back in 2023.

“I’m going to one city each year on National Skate Day in January, which is Alzheimer’s Month,” he says. “I have to be realistic. I’m really lucky I can do what I do to begin with. I don’t take it for granted. I don’t train. I eat chicken wings and pizza and burgers.”

Meanwhile, in the coldest weather, on the darkest of nights when he’s doing his thing in solitude, well, McNeil is never really alone — “My mother is with me the entire time.”

That said, Andrea Cant pledges McNeil will have plenty of company during his Peterborough skate.

“Our staff team as well as our volunteers and board directors are planning to be there at some point during his 19 hours and 26 minutes,” she says.

“One of our donor relations associates plans to be there at midnight when he starts. Those of us with less skating ability will be on the sidelines to support him and let him know how appreciative we are of the event, and also be there if someone has questions about what we do and the supports available.”

“Skating is definitely not one of my strong suits,” she laughs. “I’ll put my skates on and hope for the best. I can handle the cold — it’s the ice. Maybe I’ll wear my curling shoes instead.”

The Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton, based at 18-360 George Street North in Peterborough, is dedicated to improving the quality of life for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and advancing the search for the cause and cure.

For more information about its support services, phone 705-748-5131 or visit the website at alzheimer.ca/pklnh/, where you can also make a donation.

For more information about McNeil and 1926 Skate, visit www.1926skate.com.

This story has been created in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton.

Ontario’s police watchdog is investigating after a fatal collision in Peterborough on Friday night (January 28) in which two men died.

According to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), at around 9:36 p.m. on Friday, a Peterborough police officer was driving east on Lansdowne Street en route to a call. While en route, the officer saw the driver of another vehicle go through a red light at Park Street.

The officer turned around and activated their emergency lights to pursue the vehicle travelling westbound on Lansdowne. After losing sight of the vehicle, the officer discontinued the pursuit and resumed travel to the initial call.

Later, the driver of the vehicle that fled was involved in a collision with another vehicle at Lansdowne Street and Webber Avenue. A witness reported seeing a vehicle on its roof with car parts strewn over a large area.

The two male occupants of the fleeing vehicle, aged 38 and 41 years old, were found dead at the scene. Two women in the vehicle that was struck by the fleeing vehicle were taken to hospital and diagnosed with no injuries.

Lansdowne Street between The Parkway and Clonsilla Avenue was closed for several hours following the collision for a police investigation.

The SIU has assigned four investigators and two forensic investigators to the case, with one subject official currently designated, and is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php.

The SIU is a civilian law enforcement agency, independent of the police, that conducts criminal investigations into circumstances involving police and civilians that have resulted in serious injury, death or allegations of sexual assault.

Local participation in the truck convoy making its way to Ottawa to protest the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for truckers was raised at a Peterborough Public Health media briefing held Thursday (January 27).

Local organizers who support the truck convoy have said on social media they intend to gather in vehicles in the parking lot at Crestwood Secondary School in Peterborough early Saturday morning (January 29), before heading off to join the convoy as it makes its way along Highway 401 to Ottawa. In response, the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board has denied use of its property for that purpose.

“We’re aware of the situation where people may gather at a location where those vehicles may be,” said Inspector John Lyons of the Peterborough Police Service at the media briefing. “We are working with the school board. We’re monitoring any information that comes to our attention. If there’s a presence required, we’ll be there.”

“They (the school board) can make a request of us to act as agent on their behalf,” he added. “I can tell you we’ll be working closely with them (school board officials) moving forward. We’ll be prepared to deal with any issues as they come up. If there’s a presence there, we’ll be positioned to deal with it, again working in relation with the school board.”

The truck convoy issue was raised late in the media briefing, which began with Peterborough’s medical officer of health encouraging residents to remain vigilant in their adherence to personal infection control measures even after the easing of provincially mandated restrictions on Monday (January 31), which he sees as a positive step.

“It makes sense to ease restrictions that have had a negative impact,” Dr. Thomas Piggott said. “But it doesn’t make sense to ease off on things that each of us can do in our day-to-day lives, such as continue use of a tightly fitting mask. Such as making sure we’re ventilating our spaces. Such as staying home if you are sick. These are things that I implore the public to continue to do.”

“Throughout the pandemic, it’s been a balance between the measures that can have a negative impact, and trying to ease those as possible while continuing the measures we know have very little (negative) impact but are still helpful.”

Meanwhile, just more than two years since the first COVID case in Canada was confirmed at Toronto’s Sunnybrook Hospital, a recent downward trend in local active COVID-19 cases continues.

As of late Wednesday afternoon (January 26), 336 confirmed active COVID cases in the Peterborough region were reported. That’s down significantly from 548 active cases reported at last week’s health unit media briefing.

However, the number of local COVID-related deaths has again risen and now stands at 48 — an increase of seven over the past week. There have been 20 deaths from COVID since just before Christmas, involving both vaccinated and unvaccinated people.

“We have seen this number increase because, unlike previous waves where Peterborough managed to have a far lower rate of infection, we have matched the Ontario average in a bad way with omicron, and we have seen the proportionate deaths increase accordingly,” said Dr. Piggott.

Despite noting that the two most recent people who died were both fully vaccinated with three doses each, Dr. Piggott said people’s faith in vaccines’ effectiveness shouldn’t be shaken. He drew on an analogy in making that point, comparing the risk of death for people who drink and drive to the risk of death for people who are unvaccinated.

“We actually see more motor vehicle collisions and deaths among people who have not had a drop of alcohol. That’s because the vast majority — nearly all of the people on the road — do not drink and drive. But when you do drink and drive, the risks are dramatically higher of having a collision and dying.”

“Ninety per cent of our community is vaccinated, so even if a smaller proportion of that population gets sick, gets severe disease and dies, the (death) numbers are actually bigger because it’s 90 per cent of the population,” he added.

Dr. Piggott also pointed to the vulnerability of the local population, comprised of an above-average number of senior residents.

To date this week since Monday, 82 new COVID cases have been confirmed locally. That’s well down from a pandemic-high weekly new case count of 770 recorded for the week of December 27, and 288 recorded just last week. (Editor’s note: because of restrictions on the availability of PCR testing, the number of actual new cases is likely higher than reported.)

Meanwhile, there are 16 active outbreaks. Six outbreaks are ongoing at congregate living facilities while Extendicare Lakefield, Riverview Manor, Fairhaven Long-term Care, St. Joseph’s at Fleming, Rubidge Retirement Residence, Sherbrooke Heights Retirement Residence, Kawartha Heights Retirement Living, Peterborough Retirement Residence, Centennial Place (Millbrook) and the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) are also in outbreak, with the latter currently caring for 21 COVID in-patients.

The local vaccination picture shows that as of late Wednesday afternoon, 87 per cent of those 18 and older eligible for a vaccine had received two doses and 58 per cent in that same group have received three doses. Meanwhile, 51 per cent of children aged five to 11 have received one dose. As for booster shot uptake, 50.5 per cent of all residents eligible aged five and up have rolled up their sleeve for a third time.

“We’re almost two per cent higher in third dose coverage compared to last week,” said Dr. Piggott, but adding there is “lots of room for improvement” in vaccination of the five to 11 age group.

Walk-in vaccination is now available for those age 12 and up (for first and second doses), those 18 years old and up (for booster shots) and those aged five to 11 (for first doses). Visit peterboroughpublichealth.ca/vaccineclinics for more information regarding clinic locations and hours.

During the media briefing, Dr. Piggott also took the time to express his appreciation for the Facebook messages of support he has received, and continues to receive, in the aftermath of last week’s anti-vaxxer protest at his home in East City — an unsettling experience for him and his family that resulted in the arrests of two people under the provisions of newly minted Bill C-3.

The Facebook group Nogojiwanong Peterborough Stands With Dr. Piggott drew 1,400 members over two days after it was formed by a small group led by kawarthaNOW publisher Jeannine Taylor.

Dr. Piggott said he has been particularly touched by the drawings done by children and posted on the group page, including one that depicts him as a superhero.

“That’s very kind and humbling but I assure you there is no superhero costume underneath this,” Dr. Piggott said. “I just went to school for a long time to become a public health doctor. But we do have lots of superheroes, not only our Peterborough Public Health team but people all around the community that are doing their part — frontline workers, health care workers, people in our grocery stores, people in our pharmacies, people in our essential services and our utilities … a whole range of people have been our heroes.”

“It (the support) makes me blush a lot but I really appreciate it,” he added. “It’s the true Peterborough that I knew I moved to.”

Also on the briefing call were Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith, Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien, Peterborough County Warden J. Murray Jones, and Selwyn mayor and Board of Health chair Andy Mitchell.

In addition, Professor Christopher Kyle of the Trent University DNA Centre provided a thorough explanation of how wastewater analysis provides an accurate snapshot of the level of COVID at any given location.

Peterborough-Kawartha MP Michelle Ferreri, who has not attended any of the 10 Peterborough Public Health media briefings held since she was sworn in last fall, had a representative of her office on the call to take questions and then relay them to her.

An online petition calling on Trent University to pull back from its plan to return to in-person learning exclusively on January 31 is gaining traction in a hurry.

The petition, titled “Keep Winter Semester Online At Trent University” and posted at change.org/p/keep-winter-semester-online-at-trent-university/, had garnered over 2,300 signatures as of late Thursday morning (January 27).

Trent students were informed January 24 that they will be required to return to class on Monday (January 31), at which point seminars and lectures will not be recorded or posted online. The original date for that to occur was January 17 but, due to the uncertainty caused by the ongoing fourth wave of the pandemic with its highly transmissible omicron variant, Trent opted to hold off.

In a statement on the matter, Trent University makes it clear the pending return to in-person learning shouldn’t come as a surprise to both faculty and students.

“Our decision to temporarily delay the start of in-person classes in early January, made in consultation with the Province and public health, was clearly communicated with our plan to return to in-person learning January 31,” reads the statement.

“Provincial guidelines indicate that post-secondary institutions (including residences) are not currently considered ‘highest-risk settings.’ Trent is following the requirements established by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities around classrooms and instructional spaces.”

Trent University’s return to in-person learning plan is posted at on the university’s website at trentu.ca/coronavirus/.

While Trent states it is “strongly encouraging all students to get their booster before coming back to campus” and reminding that “everyone is required to wear masks at all times,” the online petition preamble says “many students have expressed concerns over the return to in-person (learning)” for the winter semester, citing “the lack of distancing in many classrooms, difficulty finding housing for 3 months, rising cases, long commutes to campus due to going back home and safety concerns among others.”

“This puts students who are uncomfortable with being on campus in an undesirable position,” the petition reads, adding “Many students have expressed wanting to just finish the semester online rather than the back and forth for only 3 months. Please support the students’ safety and other valid concerns and let us just finish the semester online.”

The petition has caught the attention of Trent University president Dr. Leo Groarke. In a guest column published Wednesday (January 26) in the Peterborough Examiner, Dr. Groarke assured the university will “maintain our vigilant approach to safety as we return to in-person teaching, learning and research.”

“Some have asked me why we are returning to in-person classes,” he writes. “Many more have asked me to assure them that we are. It goes without saying that we are doing what we are doing because we believe, after extensive consultations with scientists, Public Health, and the government, that our campuses are safe and not high-risk environments.”

While reassuring, Dr. Groarke’s words have done little to ease the concerns of petition signees.

“The complete lack of physical distancing in lecture halls is already distressing but crowded designated eating areas are worse,” writes one student in a comment on the petition. “We can’t eat outside anymore, so it’s be hungry or risk COVID.”

Another notes “I commute about 45 minutes to campus and it’s not going to be easy for me to continue going back and forth. Plus we started the semester online, so going back after a month is going to mess everything up.”

“If the students aren’t comfortable returning to in-class, then they should stay virtual,” remarks another. “Safety is the priority … feeling unsafe in the classroom will affect their performance.”

On the same day Dr. Groarke’s guest column was published in the Examiner, an article headlined Back To Normal? Trent Says ‘Yes’ Whether You Like It Or Not was posted on the website of Arthur, Trent University’s independent student press.

In it, writer Evan Robins details students’ frustration and, in some cases, outright anger over the imminent return to in-person learning. Robins notes beyond the on-campus concerns, there’s another red flag.

“Many students are expressing apprehension about returning to the communal spaces that might put them at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19, which would force them to isolate in a cramped dorm room away from friends and family,” she writes.

“Rather than being helpful to students, the lack of disclosure surrounding cases at Trent University leaves students effectively in the dark, unable to make informed decisions and risk assessments.”

Trent University is also hearing concerns from the Ontario Federation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA). On Monday (January 24), it issued a statement titled “Faculty And Academic Librarian Voices Ignored As Universities Rush Return To In-Person Learning.”

According to OCUFA president Sue Wurtele, a Trent University geography professor, “Faculty and academic librarians are tired of having their health and safety taken for granted and ignored.”

“COVID-19 represents a real and substantial threat to those working and studying at Ontario’s universities,” she adds.

“Faculty and academic librarians are tired of having their health and safety taken for granted and ignored,” Wurtele states. “They are tired of shortsighted government and university plans that ignore the reality of this pandemic. The constant pivoting is exhausting.”

“As much as faculty, staff, and students might like to return to normal, this pandemic is not over. University administrations must work with faculty and other campus unions to plot a cautious and safe path forward. This path should be based on facts and science and, where reasonable, exceed local public health guidelines.”

In his guest column for the Peterborough Examiner, Dr. Groarke writes Trent University has been down the return to in-person learning road before and handled it well, ensuring that a number of protocols and measures were in place, and monitored and regulated.

“Our successful fall term did not happen by accident,” he writes. “Rather, it was the product of the many precautions the University has taken to ensure the safety of our campuses. They included vaccine mandates (97% of our students, staff and employees are fully vaccinated); masking, distancing, cleaning and air purifying protocols; special accommodations, where possible, for individuals who have needed them; and the constant monitoring of our buildings and campuses.”

“We plan to maintain our vigilant approach to safety as we return to in-person teaching, learning, and research,” he adds. “Our protocols will include wastewater testing by our scientists, an extra layer of protection which has proved to be an invaluable instrument as we track signs of COVID on our campuses and colleges.”