Giving back to your community through your estate plans can be a deeply meaningful experience. After taking care of your loved ones, donating a portion of your estate to Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation through a will or a life insurance policy can ensure your assets support world-class patient care at your hospital for generations to come.

One of many ways to support the PRHC Foundation, legacy giving — creating gifts during your lifetime to be made through your estate — may help reduce your estate tax burden and allow you to pass on your values, ideals and a sense of purpose, creating lasting change, while not impacting your income today.

“For some donors, gifts made through their will or through life insurance allow them to make a gift of a lifetime, having a transformational impact on the future of healthcare,” says PRHC Foundation President and CEO Lesley Heighway. “There are a number of ways to make a legacy gift, and each one supports world-class care in the community.”

Financial advisor Joe Curry, a father of two young children and a Peterborough business owner, decided to make a significant impact on healthcare in his community by donating a life insurance policy to the PRHC Foundation.

Having grown up in Havelock, Joe has spent his lifetime seeing the regional hospital as an “important fixture in the community” and recognizes the impact it has had on the growing population of 600,000 people it serves. Since 2013, his wife Ashley has been a labour and delivery nurse at the hospital, where their two young sons have since been born. Since then, Joe has repeatedly gone back when his sons have needed emergency care, for his own surgeries, stitches and broken limbs, and to visit countless friends and family.

“It’s important to have the regional health centre where we can get different types of treatments without having to go far from home,” he says. “Obviously there have been happy moments there, like the birth of my kids and my nieces and nephews, but also the serious ones.”

He recalls a particularly scary time when a friend in his 40s had a sudden heart attack while they were playing hockey together in Norwood.

“The cardiac team was ready by the time he got to the hospital in the ambulance, and they were able to make sure there was no serious damage and now he’s in good shape,” Joe recalls. “The fact he didn’t have to go all the way to Durham or the GTA to get that care makes a huge difference. It’s really important because it could be the difference between life or death in some instances.”

Given the important role the hospital has played in their lives, Joe and Ashley knew they wanted to include a donation to the PRHC Foundation when making their estate plans. After considering the many different options, they decided to make a gift of life insurance. After purchasing a policy, they immediately donated it to the PRHC Foundation.

The couple pays the regular policy premium but, since it’s a donation, they receive a tax-deductible charitable donation receipt for the annual premium they pay. Over the course of 20 years, they will pay approximately $100,000 in premiums but, when the policy is paid out after they pass on, the PRHC Foundation will receive $1 million.

“Giving through life insurance is a much more affordable way for us today to have a meaningful impact in the future,” Joe says, adding that being able to deduct the policy premiums from their taxes “comes close to cutting the cost of the policy in half,” down to less than $60,000.

Policies that donors may have taken out during their lifetimes to protect their family and their business interests may be eligible for donation, or the individual may wish to assign the PRHC Foundation as the beneficiary of their policy and to retain ownership to allow for flexibility should their circumstances change.

“Donations of every type and size make an impact and we’re grateful for every single one,” says Heighway. “We know that what’s right for one donor may be different from what’s a good fit for someone else.”

“One of our goals for the Foundation’s current Campaign for PRHC is to help our family, friends and neighbours think about how they give. Joe is helping us do that and inspiring others. For those who can, a gift of life insurance is an easy and economical way to make a lasting and significant legacy gift. Although it won’t be received by the Foundation soon, it will provide sustainable funds to be invested in patient care in the future.”

As president of Matthews & Associates, a Peterborough financial planning firm that specializes in retirement planning, Joe understands the importance of evaluating a client’s financial circumstances when thinking about how to make their giving more meaningful.

“There are many different ways to give, but legacy giving allows people to make more significant gifts even if they don’t have the money right now,” he says. “It’s good to just give funds today if you can, but with a little bit of planning, you might be able to give even more in future.”

A volunteer for the PRHC Foundation, Joe is also chair of the PRHC Foundation Allied Professional Advisory Council where he and a group of other planning professionals — including lawyers, accountants, and financial advisors — promote strategic philanthropy and have conversations with clients about charitable giving through estate planning.

“When people are thinking about giving to charity, it’s because they’re passionate about an organization that has touched their lives, or they had a positive experience or a reason to do so,” he says. “We tell people we want you to give for those reasons, but you should still incorporate charitable giving into your financial and estate planning because, if you give intentionally, it will allow you to make a bigger gift and have a greater impact at the end of the day.”

“We really appreciate the commitment Joe and Ashley have made to PRHC and the PRHC Foundation,” says Heighway. “They’re making an impact in so many ways — through their work, their volunteer efforts, their donations, and their willingness to share their donor story. Not only is that wonderful generosity helping support care for the people they know and love now, but they’ve planned to make a difference in the care provided to the next generation of their loved ones.”

Life insurance gifts are one of many ways donors can choose to support the PRHC Foundation. Those who are in the process of estate planning might alternatively choose to name the PRHC Foundation as the beneficiary of their RRSP or RRIF, leave a gift in their will, or create or contribute to an endowment fund for the PRHC Foundation. In all cases, leaving a legacy gift helps ensure PRHC can continue to provide world-class care close to home.

“I don’t think a lot of people know that PRHC is not just a local community hospital anymore,” Joe says. “A lot of fundraising has been done to make sure we can get care close to home for a lot of areas that never would have been possible in the past. That’s just going to continue to expand. We are so lucky to live in a community that has a regional acute care hospital like PRHC.”

For more information on how to create a charitable gift through life insurance or through your estate plans, visit prhcfoundation.ca/ways-to-give/create-a-lasting-impact/ or call 705-876-5000.

This branded editorial was created in partnership with the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation. If your organization or business is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.

For Our Grandchildren (4RG), a non-profit environmental organization that encourages action against climate change on the local level, has released the responses to questions on four environmental topics that the organization has received from three of the six candidates for Peterborough-Kawartha in the provincial election on Thursday (February 27).

4RG provided the candidates with the opportunity to respond to questions about adding more parks and protected areas, improving land use planning, addressing the climate crisis, and consulting with Indigenous communities and the general public. According to 4GR, the questions and accompanying background information were developed by several people active in Peterborough-area environmental organizations.

Jen Deck of the Ontario New Democratic Party, Lucas Graham of the Green Party of Ontario, and Adam Hopkins of the Liberal Party of Ontario all provided responses to the questions.

Although 4RG initiated contacts at least twice with all candidates after providing the questions, they did not receive responses from incumbent MPP Dave Smith of the PC Party of Ontario, Andrew Roundny of the New Blue Party, or Brian Martindale of the Ontario Party.

Below are the responses received from the NDP, Green, and Liberal candidates on each of the four topics (in some cases, the original responses have been formatted for easier reading).

1. What would you and your party do to add more parks and protected areas?

Would you provide incentives/funds and streamline additions to more parks, protected areas, and Indigenous areas, on both public and private lands? Would you commit to the wider goal of protecting 30% of Ontario’s lands and waters by 2030?

Jen Deck, Ontario New Democratic Party

The Ontario NDP supports the goal of protecting 30% of our lands and waters by 2030. This includes expanding provincial parks and conservation areas, and supporting Indigenous-led conservation efforts in Northern Ontario

Lucas Graham, Green Party of Ontario

Yes, I fully support the goal of protecting 30% of Ontario’s lands and waters by 2030, and the Green Party is committed to making this a reality. We believe in expanding and properly funding parks, protected areas, and conservation lands to preserve Ontario’s natural heritage, safeguard biodiversity, and strengthen climate resilience.

To achieve this, we would:

1. Increase funding for land trusts, conservation authorities, and Indigenous-led protection efforts to accelerate the creation of new protected areas, ensuring communities have the resources to conserve ecologically significant lands.
2. Streamline the process for designating new protected areas by eliminating bureaucratic barriers and working collaboratively with municipalities, conservation groups, and Indigenous nations.
3. Strengthen protections for existing natural areas, including wetlands, forests, and waterways, to prevent further environmental destruction from unchecked development.
4. Support Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs), ensuring that Indigenous leadership and traditional ecological knowledge guide conservation efforts, in line with reconciliation and UNDRIP commitments.
5. Provide financial incentives for private landowners to conserve lands through tax benefits, conservation easements, and stewardship funding.

The Ford government has actively weakened environmental protections, cut funding to conservation authorities, and prioritized short-term corporate interests over long-term sustainability. We will reverse these harmful policies and put nature first.

Ontario is rich in natural beauty, and protecting it should be a priority — not an afterthought. By committing to 30×30, investing in conservation, and partnering with local communities and Indigenous nations, we can ensure that future generations inherit a healthier, more sustainable province.

Adam Hopkins, Liberal Party of Ontario

The Ontario Liberals emphasize the importance of preserving Ontario’s natural landscapes and agricultural resources. This includes a strong commitment to protecting prime farmland, including the Greenbelt, as a way to maintain food security, safeguard the environment, and support the economic well-being of farmers and rural communities.

Recognizing the value of these lands for both current and future generations, we advocate for policies that promote sustainable land use while balancing the needs of development, conservation, and economic growth.

Additionally, we acknowledge the role of a thriving agri-food sector in contributing to Ontario’s economy and ensuring long-term environmental stewardship. We commit to continuing to explore ways to enhance sustainability, address emerging challenges, and collaborate with communities, experts, and stakeholders to uphold responsible land management practices.

2. What would you and your party do to strengthen provincial land use planning policies and community input?

How would you better: protect the Greenbelt, wetlands, and other natural and farmland areas; avoid flooding and forest fire impacts and sprawl; and ensure deeply affordable housing, sustainable and cost-efficient infrastructure, and good building design?

Jen Deck, Ontario New Democratic Party

An Ontario NDP government will update planning rules and policies to make it cheaper and easier to build more types of homes for more types of people, more quickly, in more neighbourhoods. This includes legalizing more affordable “missing middle” housing options like semis, townhomes and four-storey multiplexes in all neighbourhoods, and legalizing midrises along transit corridors transit as-of-right.

We’ll also keep housing infrastructure costs down and protect farmland by focusing growth efficiently and cost-effectively within the pre-2022 municipal urban boundaries. We will also restore the powers of conservation authorities, so they can once again protect people and property from floods and other natural hazards.

The NDP also understands that not everyone can afford what the private market can profitably deliver, which is why the NDP has proposed a new public agency, Homes Ontario, that will provide grants, low-cost financing, public land and other support to enable the construction or acquisition of at least 300,000 new permanently affordable public, non-profit and co-op homes within ten years.

Lucas Graham, Green Party of Ontario

Ontario’s land use planning should prioritize people and the environment — not developers’ profits. The Ford government’s reckless planning decisions have weakened public input, encouraged urban sprawl, and put farmland, wetlands, and the Greenbelt at risk. The Green Party would reverse these harmful policies and implement responsible, sustainable land use planning that balances conservation, housing, and climate resilience.

Here’s how we would do it:

• Protect the Greenbelt, wetlands, and farmland permanently by strengthening land use laws to prevent future attacks on these vital ecosystems. We will also expand protected areas to preserve more agricultural and natural lands.
• End costly urban sprawl by ensuring new development happens within existing urban boundaries, focusing on gentle density, missing middle housing, and transit-oriented communities that reduce car dependency.
• Ensure deeply affordable housing in every community by prioritizing non-profit, co-op, and mixed-income housing developments, and requiring a portion of all new developments to be truly affordable.
• Support flood and wildfire resilience by protecting natural buffers like wetlands, forests, and green spaces, implementing stricter zoning laws to prevent building in high-risk areas, and strengthening climate adaptation measures.
• Invest in sustainable, cost-efficient infrastructure by prioritizing mass transit, energy-efficient buildings, and walkable communities that reduce congestion and emissions while lowering costs for municipalities.
• Restore public input in planning decisions by reinstating local and community decision-making powers, strengthening environmental assessment processes, and eliminating the overuse of Minister’s Zoning Orders (MZOs) that bypass community consultation.

Good land use planning isn’t just about where we build — it’s about how we build sustainable, affordable, and livable communities that protect nature and improve people’s quality of life. The Green Party is committed to smart, forward-thinking planning that serves people and the planet, not just developers.

Adam Hopkins, Liberal Party of Ontario

In addition to our commitment to protecting prime farmland, including the Greenbelt, and supporting a sustainable agri-food sector, our platform highlights the importance of smart, strategic investments in infrastructure to support growing communities.

Recognizing the need to reduce gridlock and improve mobility, we emphasize the value of expanding and enhancing public transit options, as well as maintaining and upgrading road networks to ensure efficiency and safety.

Furthermore, we acknowledge that strong, well-planned communities require essential infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and other public services that contribute to a high quality of life. By prioritizing responsible investment, we aim to foster sustainable growth that balances economic development with environmental stewardship.

Our approach reflects an ongoing commitment to working collaboratively with municipalities, stakeholders, and experts to ensure that Ontario’s infrastructure meets the needs of today while preparing for the future.

3. What are your views on the climate crisis and your and your party’s plans to reduce our growing carbon footprint?

How would you accelerate implementation of nature-based solutions (e.g. protecting trees and wetlands), cycling and transit infrastructure, low carbon electrification, and other technologies? What and when would you add such items in to the Building Code and to energy, funding, and planning policies?

Jen Deck, Ontario New Democratic Party

The NDP has proposed an ambitious plan to help people reduce their energy bills as well as their carbon footprints, while also creating good jobs.

An Ontario NDP government will provide rebates depending on household income, to help households install electric heat pumps, with access to easy interest-free financing. An additional rebate will be available for households that heat with fuels like propane or heating oil. This program would not only help reduce greenhouse gases and help people save money, it would create good jobs for installers, renovators and heat pump manufacturers.

An NDP government will also help Ontario drivers make the switch to an electric vehicle, with income-tested rebates towards the purchase of an eligible new or used battery-electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid. We’ll also ensure that new homes are future-proofed for the energy transition with low-cost EV-ready infrastructure, so homeowners with garages can install electric vehicle chargers cheaply when they choose to make the switch, instead of paying thousands of dollars in retrofitting costs.

We will also enhance Ontario’s SaveONEnergy Energy Affordability program to provide retrofit support to renters and low-income households, ensuring fair access to Ontario’s energy savings programs

Lucas Graham, Green Party of Ontario

The climate crisis is the greatest challenge of our time, and we need bold, urgent action to tackle it. Ontario’s emissions are rising under the Ford government, and its continued expansion of highways, urban sprawl, and fossil fuel use is making things worse. The Green Party has a real plan to cut emissions, transition to a clean economy, and protect our communities from climate disasters.

How we’ll reduce Ontario’s carbon footprint:

• Phase out fossil fuels and electrify Ontario’s energy grid by banning new gas plants, expanding wind, solar, and hydro power, and investing in energy storage to create a reliable, low-cost, 100% clean electricity system.
• Modernize Ontario’s Building Code to require net-zero-ready homes and commercial buildings by 2030. We will also remove outdated rules that block solar panels, electric heat pumps, and energy-efficient retrofits in new and existing buildings.
• Implement a ‘Green Infrastructure First’ policy that prioritizes trees, wetlands, and natural flood prevention in all new developments to prevent extreme heat, wildfires, and flooding.
• Expand public transit and active transportation by increasing funding for buses, cycling infrastructure, and commuter rail while ending costly highway expansion projects that drive up emissions.
• Retrofit 40% of Ontario’s homes and buildings by 2035 to be energy-efficient, cutting emissions and saving people money on heating and cooling bills.
• Invest in low-carbon industries and jobs by supporting Ontario-made clean technology, battery production, green manufacturing, and sustainable farming practices.

The Green Party will accelerate these changes immediately, starting in 2025, to ensure Ontario meets its emissions targets and builds a resilient, low-carbon economy. The time for half-measures is over — we need real leadership on climate action, and that’s what Greens will deliver.

Adam Hopkins, Liberal Party of Ontario

The Ontario Liberals recognize the importance of environmental stewardship and the need for a comprehensive, forward-thinking approach to protecting the province’s natural resources.

As part of this commitment, we will develop a Made in Ontario environmental action plan that will be shaped through collaboration with the federal government, other provinces, and key stakeholders. This plan will focus on safeguarding Ontario’s land, water, air, biodiversity, and communities while ensuring that economic and environmental priorities are balanced in a responsible and sustainable manner.

By working in partnership with experts, Indigenous communities, environmental organizations, and industry leaders, we aim to explore innovative solutions and best practices that support long-term ecological health.

Our approach reflects an ongoing effort to address environmental challenges, promote resilience, and adapt to evolving needs while maintaining a strong commitment to transparency, consultation, and evidence-based decision-making.

What is your party’s approach to consultation with Indigenous communities and enhanced citizen input and appeal processes?

Would you enhance these in land use planning, environmental assessments, the Environmental Bill of Rights, conflict of interest laws, and by reforming Ontario’s open access mining system?

Jen Deck, Ontario New Democratic Party

The Ontario NDP supports the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which includes the right of Indigenous people to free, prior and informed consent with respect to land use activities impacting their traditional territories.

In 2019, NDP MPP Sol Mamakwa tabled Bill 76 to formally enshrine UNDRIP in provincial law. An NDP government will also end the abuse and overuse of Minister’s Zoning Orders that have created a corrupt, two-tier planning system that unfairly allows certain favoured developers to bypass public consultation and the planning rules that apply to everyone else.

The Ontario NDP also supported First Nation calls for a moratorium on the use of electronic mining claims, begun under the Liberals, that has grown out-of-control under Doug Ford.

Lucas Graham, Green Party of Ontario

The Green Party believes that meaningful consultation with Indigenous communities and public engagement in decision-making are essential for a just and sustainable Ontario. The Ford government has weakened Indigenous consultation, environmental assessments, and public input processes — favouring corporate interests over the rights of communities and the environment. We will reverse these changes and ensure true transparency and accountability.

Here’s what we’ll do:

• Respect Indigenous sovereignty and rights by ensuring full, prior, and informed consent in all land use planning, resource extraction, and environmental decisions. We will align Ontario’s laws with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
• End Ontario’s outdated open-access mining system, which allows companies to stake claims on Indigenous lands without consultation. Instead, we will create a respectful, transparent consultation process that prioritizes Indigenous leadership and environmental protections.
• Strengthen public input in land use planning and environmental decisions by reinstating strong environmental assessments, meaningful community consultation, and fair appeal processes. We will end the overuse of Minister’s Zoning Orders (MZOs) that bypass public input and favour developers.
• Restore and expand the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) to give communities a real voice in environmental decisions and ensure that environmental protections are legally enforceable.
• Strengthen conflict of interest laws to prevent backroom deals between the government and private developers, ensuring transparency and accountability in decision-making.

Democracy is more than just voting every four years. The Green Party believes in ongoing public engagement, respect for Indigenous leadership, and policies that put people — not corporations — at the centre of decision-making. We are committed to a fair, transparent, and just Ontario for all.

Adam Hopkins, Liberal Party of Ontario

I strongly believe that Indigenous communities must be consulted and meaningfully involved in matters affecting their lands, resources, and rights. Meaningful engagement is essential to fostering respectful relationships, recognizing Indigenous leadership in environmental stewardship, and ensuring that decisions reflect the interests and knowledge of Indigenous communities.

Collaboration and dialogue play a critical role in addressing shared priorities, supporting economic and environmental sustainability, and working toward solutions that respect Indigenous rights and self-determination. By listening to Indigenous voices and incorporating their perspectives, we can promote more inclusive and informed decision-making processes that acknowledge historical and contemporary realities.

I remain committed to engaging in discussions that strengthen partnerships and advance reconciliation in a way that respects Indigenous governance and traditions.

A 76-year-old Lakefield man was seriously injured in a collision on Highway 7 just east of Peterborough on Friday afternoon (February 21) that closed the highway for almost nine hours.

Peterborough County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and emergency crews responded to a two-vehicle collision on Highway 7 between Keene Road and Burnham Line that happened at around 2:30 p.m. on Friday.

According to police, a sport utility vehicle (SUV) turned out from a business on the south side of Highway 7, attempting to cross over to the westbound lanes as an eastbound tractor trailer approached.

The tractor trailer was unable to stop in time and collided with the driver’s side of the SUV, ejecting the driver from the vehicle.

Witnesses came to the aid of the driver until emergency crews arrived on scene.

The driver of the SUV, a 76-year-old man from Lakefield, was transported to Peterborough Regional Health Centre before being transported by air ambulance to a trauma centre in Toronto due to the severity of his injuries.

Highway 7 was closed in both directions between Keene Road and Drummond Line for almost nine hours while police investigated and documented the scene.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or has surveillance or dash camera footage of the collision, and has not spoken with police is asked to contact the Peterborough County OPP at 1-888-310-1122.

The Peterborough Musicians Benevolent Association (PMBA) has received the largest donation in its history, but has done so with the heaviest of hearts.

Lynn Morris, a fervent and passionate supporter of Peterborough musicians who was a familiar face at live music events in the city, died last Monday (February 17) following a lengthy battle with cancer. She was 67.

Two days earlier, at the monthly PMBA blues jam fundraiser at The Social, headlining act Rob Phillips, cheque in hand, announced that Morris had gifted $50,000 to the association.

To put that in perspective, the PMBA, which provides financial assistance to musicians in need, raised just more than $8,500 during the period from its January 2014 inception until August 2016.

Peterborough real estate agent Jo Pillon, a member of the PMBA’s founding board, says Morris was in palliative care at Peterborough Regional Health Centre on the day her donation was announced. Pillon recorded the announcement at PMBA with her phone and shared it with Morris.

“She hearted it, so I know she saw it,” says Pillon. “The show was dedicated to Lynn. He (Phillips) brought up the cheque, donated it to us, and talked a little bit about the PMBA and what we do. I recorded the whole thing and sent it to Lynn.”

“I spent two hours with her earlier on the day of the show,” adds Pillon. “We had a really good visit. I felt good about being able to say goodbye to her.”

“She was a fighter, for sure, but during her recovery from chemotherapy and radiation treatments, she fell at home and broke her hip. She was hospitalized again for hip surgery. She rallied from that and, even though it was difficult for her, she still came out to PMBA events, sometimes on her own.”

Morris asked Pillon to organize her celebration of life and she’s in the process of doing just that, with help from Al Black and Phillips. Details are still being worked out but it will held Sunday, April 13 at The Social and, yes, local musicians will be featured at the event.

“She was adamant she didn’t want to have it while she was still with us,” says Pillon, adding “I’m honoured that she entrusted me with organizing her celebration of life.”

“About two months ago, I took Lynn to The Social to meet with (co-owner) Cole (Akey) and look at the menu. She picked out what she wanted. I expect a fair number of people will come out that day.”

As a lasting tribute to Morris, Pillon says an award presented annually by the PMBA to the Peterborough Folk Festival’s Emerging Artist will be renamed the Lynn Morris Memorial Award.

Morris’ love of music, and those who perform it, was rooted in her relationship with the late Al Kirkcaldy. He produced and hosted Blue in the Face on Trent Radio for 15 years, and brought a number of top blues acts to Peterborough before he died of cancer in February 2009.

Binding Pillon’s more than 30 years of friendship with Morris was the fact that she too lost her partner prematurely, when singer and keyboardist Phil ‘Mr. Deluxe’ Marshall died suddenly in December 2013.

Wanting to keep alive Marshall’s tradition of helping musicians in need, she approached Don McBride, Norm Kastner, former Pig’s Ear Tavern owner John Punter, and Black to help her establish the PMBA. Debuting in January 2014, the monthly jam was initially held at the Pig’s Ear before moving, first to Dr. J’s BBQ and Brews, and most recently to The Social.

Morris was also a regular patron of the weekly Sunday Blues Jam at Jethro’s on Hunter Street West. In November 2023, she was quoted in a feature article on the jam published by kawarthaNOW.

“It’s the calibre of the entertainment that brings me out,” she said, adding “You never know who’s going to show up.”

As for Pillon, she is sad that her friend is gone but knows Morris be there in spirit at her celebration of life.

“She was a strong personality — she knew what she wanted and she knew what she liked, and she wasn’t afraid to tell people. I’m going to miss her.”