The use of a procedural tactic to prevent debate at Peterborough city council was front and centre during a brief council meeting early Tuesday evening (November 4).

Council was meeting to endorse a decision made at general committee the previous afternoon to reject a recommendation from the city’s heritage committee that several buildings at the General Electric factory complex be designated under the Ontario Heritage Act in addition to those council approved at its October 14 meeting.

As was the case at the general committee meeting, the matter was dealt with in less than 10 minutes and with no debate after a councillor called the question — a procedural tactic that ends debate and, if supported by a majority of councillors, forces an immediate vote.

At Monday afternoon’s general committee meeting, councillor Dave Haacke called the question. At Tuesday evening’s council meeting, it was councillor Gary Baldwin who did so. In both cases, the councillors called the question before any other councillors had the opportunity to speak to the motion.

A motion to call the question comes from Robert’s Rules of Order, first published by U.S. Army engineer Henry Martyn Robert in 1876 based on traditions of the British Parliament and the U.S. House of Representatives, but simplified and standardized to make them practical for ordinary organizations to conduct meetings fairly and efficiently.

In Robert’s Rules of Order, calling the question (formally known as “the previous question”) is a motion used to end debate and proceed immediately to a vote on the pending motion, but only if the motion to call the question is seconded by another member and approved by a two-thirds vote.

Peterborough city council meetings are governed by the city’s procedure by-law which, although it draws upon Robert’s Rules of Order, does not follow them verbatim. For example, the city’s procedure by-law does not specify whether a motion to call the question must be seconded by another councillor and requires a two-thirds vote — although the by-law does state that Robert’s Rules of Order should be used for guidance in “all unprovided cases.”

At Tuesday’s city council meeting, councillor Baldwin called the question immediately after the general committee motion was moved and seconded.

Councillor Joy Lachica raised a point of order and asked Mayor Jeff Leal, who was chairing the meeting, if a seconder was not required for a motion to call the question.

“It hasn’t been the practice here,” the mayor replied, after checking with the city clerk.

On a second point of order, councillor Lachica said “It’s a shame that we can’t respect all of the voices to discuss such an important issue,” referring to councillors being able to reflect the wishes of the electorate.

Councillor Baldwin then raised a point of order, saying he took exception to councillor Lachica’s comment.

“I think she’s calling into question my integrity,” he said. “This is a practice that we’ve had here at city council since I’ve been a councillor. I don’t think by me moving that the question be put that I should be disrespected.”

On her third point of order, councillor Lachica explained her objection to how calling the question is being used.

“Robert’s Rules of Order speak to calling a question when those who have wished to speak have been given the opportunity and were sawing sawdust,” she said. “There’s no direct person that I’m speaking to, but what’s being observed is that this is an obstruction to the democratic voice of council and it’s being weaponized.”

Before proceeding to the vote on councillor Baldwin’s motion, Mayor Leal told councillor Lachica that a new procedure by-law would be coming forward “and if you want to make changes then, we’ll make them.”

Council then voted on the motion to call the question, which passed 6-4 with Mayor Leal and councillors Baldwin, Don Vassiliadis, Dave Haacke, Andrew Beamer, and Lesley Parnell voting in favour and councillors Lachica, Alex Bierk, Matt Crowley, and Keith Riel voting against. Councillor Kevin Duguay was absent from the meeting.

The vote on the main motion — that council endorse the general committee decision to retain the heritage designations for GE buildings that it had approved at its October 14 meeting — passed 7-3, with councillors Lachica, Bierk, and Riel voting against it (the recorded vote was 8-2, but Riel had inadvertently voted in favour and, on a point of order, asked that his vote be changed).

In an apparent protest on the use of calling the question, councillor Lachica also voted against the by-law to confirm the proceedings of the meeting and the motion to adjourn the meeting — votes that are usually unanimous.

Parks Canada will be replacing the upper and lower lock gates at Lock 20 – Ashburnham in Peterborough from November through April, and is installing a temporary bridge to allow access to the Trans Canada Trail during the construction period.

The trail at Lock 20 between Beavermead Park and Rogers Cove will be closed on Friday (November 7) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. so Parks Canada can install the temporary bridge that pedestrians would use over the next six months in lieu of crossing at the top of the lock gates.

Also known as a Bailey bridge, the temporary bridge is a type of portable and pre-fabricated truss bridge that will provide a safe and functional crossing while the replacement work is completed.

The Trans Canada Trail crossing at Lock 20 will reopen to the public once the Bailey bridge installation is complete on Friday, and will remain accessible until construction begins on the gate replacement work and the Bailey bridge goes into use.

In October, Parks Canada erected construction fencing from south of Maria Street to just north of the trail at Lock 20 to prevent vehicle and pedestrian access, including along the canal road.

“Parks Canada appreciates the public’s understanding and cooperation as we work to ensure the continued safety, functionality, and long-term sustainability of the Trent-Severn Waterway,” read a media release from Parks Canada.

Peterborough residents could see a 7.43 per cent all-inclusive rate increase next year, according to the city’s 2026 draft budget presented to city council’s general committee on Monday evening (November 3).

The all-inclusive rate consists of municipal property tax, education tax, and municipal sanitary sewer surcharge rates.

Richard Freymond, the city’s commissioner of finance and corporate services, provided councillors with a summary of the draft budget document prepared by city staff.

“We’re not asking council here this evening to make any decisions,” Freymond said. “The presentation is simply a high-level overview.”

Freymond noted that, in the spring, Mayor Jeff Leal had directed him to prepare a draft budget that maintains current service levels, provides for inflationary increases, and assumes a 10 per cent increase in the police budget to meet provincial requirements under the Community Safety and Policing Act. In June, general committee was presented with preliminary information about the 2026 budget.

Freymond presented council with a line-by-line comparison of differences between the June forecast and what is included in the draft budget document.

Some of the changes include funding housing and homelessness from the municipal tax levy rather than from reserve, higher costs for insurance and fuel, decreased interest income, decreased rezoning application and landfill tipping fees, increased transit revenues, a police budget increase request of 9.8 per cent instead of 10 per cent, a paramedics budget increase request of 7.3 per cent instead of the expected three per cent, a public health budget increase request of five per cent instead of the expected three per cent, and an increase in the sewer surcharge water rate and wastewater protection.

These and other changes amounted to a net increase of $1.5 million to the budget over the June forecast.

Although the printed version of the draft 2026 budget presented to council shows a 7.84 per cent increase to the all-inclusive rate, Freymond advised council that the city had received additional information on benefits costs for employees and an updated amount of the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund grant to the city since the budget was printed that decreases the all-inclusive rate increase.

The reduction in benefits for city employees is estimated at $445,000 for city employees and $220,000 for police employees, for a total reduction of $665,000. The increase in the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund grant is $269,000. In combination, the reduction in expenses and increase in revenue decreases the all-inclusive rate from 7.84 to 7.43 per cent.

For a residential home in the city of Peterborough with a median assessed valued of $260,000, the 7.43 per cent rate increase would equal about $385 for the year (around $148 per $100,000 of assessed value).

The 2026 draft budget includes an operating budget increase of 2.93 per cent to maintain existing levels of service, an increase of 2.18 per cent for infrastructure and capital needs, an increase of 0.53 per cent in the sanitary sewer fee, and an increase of 1.79 per cent increase for city-funded external agencies.

The budget includes $433.7 million in spending on municipal services, funded by revenues of $232.7 million from non-municipal property tax sources such as user fees, grants from other governments, recoveries, interest from investments, and service charges, resulting in a tax requirement of $201 million.

The budget also includes $140.5 million in capital investments, including capital projects such as the police station renovation and expansion, Lansdowne Street West between Spillsbury Drive and Clonsilla Avenue, Wastewater Treatment Plant revitalization, extending a taxiway at the Peterborough Regional Airport, road paving, purchasing transit buses, and water service distribution infrastructure.

It’s important to note that the 7.43 per cent all-inclusive rate increase is subject to change during public consultations as well as council deliberations on the draft 2026 budget. After consultations and deliberations are complete and the budget is finalized, the city expects the 2026 budget will be adopted by council on December 8.

A public information session that includes a brief presentation on the draft budget, followed by an opportunity for residents to speak with city staff, will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday (November 5) in the Banquet Hall at Healthy Planet Arena at 911 Monaghan Road.

That will be followed on Monday, November 10 by a 3 p.m. general committee meeting at city hall where council will hear presentations from invited local boards and agencies. While public delegations will not be heard, the meeting is open to the public.

Later on Monday from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m., an informal drop-in will take place in the main foyer of city hall. While there will be no presentation of the budget during the drop-in, residents can speak with the city’s budget team to ask questions and share comments ahead of the general committee meeting at 6 p.m.

At the general committee meeting on Monday evening, council will hear from registered public delegations about the draft budget.

Following these meetings, general committee will reconvene on November 17 and 18 to review, discuss, and debate the draft budget. While public delegations will not be heard, these meetings are open to the public.

More information about the draft 2026 budget, including a copy of the budget book, is available at peterborough.ca/budget.

Last month, a sold-out crowd of 300 people filled The Venue in downtown Peterborough for a sobering yet inspiring evening with former MP, activist, musician, and author Charlie Angus.

The October 15 event, co-hosted by Justin Sutton and Danielle Turpin, brought people together around a shared concern for democracy, truth, and community at a time when division is spreading, while also helping to reduce and prevent homelessness among youth and families.

With support from sponsors including the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough, the Peterborough and District Labour Council, Home Care Workers Cooperative, Andrea Laforet Consulting, and kawarthaNOW, the evening raised $4,300 for the YES Shelter for Youth and Families.

Tickets sold out in just 13 days, and half of all the attendees voluntarily paid higher-tier prices, a gesture that reflects the community’s generosity and commitment to caring for their neighbours.

The night began with a grounding and inclusive welcome from Healing with Drums, whose songs and smudge invited the audience into a space of reflection and connection.

Local singer-songwriter VanCamp (Calvin Bakelaar) followed with a stirring performance of Woody Guthrie’s “All You Fascists Bound to Lose,” setting the tone for Angus’s keynote address.

VIDEO: Charlie Angus in Peterborough

After Angus took the stage, he spoke about the growing threat of authoritarianism and the erosion of trust in democratic institutions.

Drawing on 20th-century Italian philosopher Antonio Gramsci, he described our current period as an “interregnum” — a time when the old world is breaking down and a new one struggles to be born.

His central message was the need to rebuild solidarity and civic cooperation from the ground up to stop the politics of fear and division and build a country rooted in truth and care.

“This event was meant to bring people together to resist the bots and algorithms that are working so hard to divide us,” said co-organizer Justin Sutton. “Many people told me that being in that space helped them feel less alone, which is deeply meaningful to me. And in a wonderful gesture of solidarity, we raised a significant amount of money for a charity doing crucial frontline work in our community.”

Co-organizer Danielle Turpin said Angus’s message struck a chord with many attendees.

“Charlie reminded us that democracy isn’t something we can take for granted — it’s something we keep alive by working at it, side by side,” she said. “This night was proof that people are hungry for connection and ready to stand up for one another.”

Sara Mountenay, fundraising and communications lead at YES Shelter for Youth and Families, said the $4,300 donation will have a real and immediate impact.

“We’re so grateful for this contribution and for the spirit behind it,” Mountenay said.

“The YES Shelter provides safety, stability, and hope for young people and families facing crisis. To see the community come together in this way, to raise funds, share ideas, and stand for compassion, that’s exactly the kind of collective action that helps us build a more welcoming community for everyone.”

The event was organized entirely on a volunteer basis by Sutton and Turpin, with on-site support from a team led by Ryan Kerr, founder of The Theatre on King. All artists, performers, and technical staff were paid for their work. Take Cover Books was also on site to sell Angus’ books.

Following Angus’ keynote, local artist and novelist Kate Story joined him for a thoughtful conversation on organizing, hope, the power art has to unite us, and the work of rebuilding community.

The discussion then opened up into a lively audience Q&A, closing the night with a sense of shared purpose, and proof that solidarity can thrive, even in difficult times.

With the funding of a new psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) courtyard, the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation and generous donors like LLF Lawyers in Peterborough are helping change where and how PICU patients heal and how mental healthcare teams deliver care.

Launched with a celebratory opening event on August 6, 2025, the PICU courtyard is a pragmatic and groundbreaking healing space for some of the hospital’s most vulnerable patients. It was built with a $1.5 million investment made possible by community donations to the PRHC Foundation’s Campaign for PRHC.

“At PRHC and the PRHC Foundation, we recognize that mental health is as essential a component to healthcare as physical health and that where you heal helps determine how you heal,” says PRHC Foundation President and CEO Lesley Heighway. “Mental health is a crucial pillar of our Campaign for PRHC and we’re committed to supporting investment in modern, safe, and healing indoor and outdoor mental health spaces.”

Since the hospital opened in 2008, donors have funded the creation of all of PRHC’s other courtyards. The latest supports individuals who are experiencing a severe episode of mental illness and who often struggle with more than one condition or diagnosis at a time. Thanks to donations, PICU patients — who stay at PRHC for days or weeks at a time — will for the first time have outdoor access to natural light and fresh air, which has been proven to improve recovery outcomes and shorten hospital stays.

The partners and staff at LLF Lawyers LLP unanimously decided to allocate their donation towards the building of the PICU courtyard. Though they are regular donors to various local organizations, the gift to the PRHC Foundation was the largest ever provided by the firm.

“From the work we do with elderly people and people that have cognitive issues, we recognize that healing is not only medical,” says founding partner Bill Lockington. “Healing is contextual in some respects, including environment. Whether for respite or clinical needs, we firmly believe that environment has so much to do with success, especially in mental health.”

Taking into consideration safety and comfort, the new PICU courtyard includes seating areas that offer space for solitude or for patients to connect with care providers and loved ones, open gathering areas for socializing and group activities, shaded areas, and a tactile recreation surface.

The surroundings of the courtyard will continue to be landscaped in the coming months. A rock wall and gardens full of shrubs, trees, pollinators, and perennials will be added to the hill leading to the hospital’s south entrance.

“When you think about community and the assets of a community, healthcare is generally top of the list for people,” Lockington says. “Access to good care is really important — and not only access in terms of distance, but making sure that we have access to the best possible healthcare for our community.”

In addition to now being a member of the PRHC Foundation’s Campaign Council (a group of volunteers who champion the campaign in the community), Lockington served on the board of what was then the Civic Hospital during its amalgamation with St. Joseph’s, leading to the opening of PRHC in 2008. Back then, Lockington says, there was a lot more stigma around mental health.

“At that time, mental health was what I might almost call the ‘forgotten brother,'” he says. “We’re all very happy that over the years the hospital is expanding their services because for a long while we didn’t have adequate mental health services in the region. This is just one more step in making sure that we have the full resources that we need.”

In 2022, one in three Canadians reported their mental health had gotten worse since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and locally the number of patient visits to PRHC’s Emergency Department Mental Health & Addictions Crisis Response Unit has more than doubled in the past decade.

Within the Peterborough region, the challenge is further weighed by a rapidly growing and aging population, as well as rising rates of dementia, addictions, and mental illness. Despite this increasing need, Heighway says mental health remains a difficult area of care for fundraising.

“It’s easier to raise money for heart health and cancer care because they’ve been on people’s radar for a longer time,” she says. “So we’re incredibly grateful that there are generous donors in our region who want to direct their gifts specifically to mental healthcare priorities. They know that a mental health crisis can strike at any time and that any one of us could be just one life-changing moment away from mental illness or a substance use disorder.”

LLF founding partner Pete Lawless, who saw firsthand the result of the firm’s donation at the August 6 opening celebration, says the growing need and lingering stigma was one of the reasons the firm was compelled to direct their donation to the PICU courtyard.

“All of us were really keen on making sure that donation went to that area and this courtyard was a real natural. We were very happy to be involved and to make the gift that we did,” he says.

Given that the spaces being used for mental healthcare at PRHC were built 17 years ago and weren’t designed to support the best care possible by today’s standards, the opening of the PICU courtyard has set a new gold standard in mental healthcare. Very few hospitals in Ontario have a courtyard of its kind, and few have prioritized access to the outdoors for PICU patients.

Since the courtyard’s opening, Heighway says other health centres have reached out to PRHC’s mental health team with interest in building their own.

“An absolutely essential component to that impact is the generous region we live in,” she says. “Creating a new standard of mental healthcare at PRHC — and for the province — happened because donors were willing to give.”

For Lawless, comfort comes from not only knowing that the hospital that serves his clients and his family is making advancements in mental healthcare a priority, but that it is continually being upgraded with the most up-to-date technology and advancements because of the PRHC Foundation’s Campaign for PRHC.

“The fact that so many more things can be treated in Peterborough as a result of this campaign is so beneficial to our regional community,” he says. “The better our hospital is, the better it is for everybody who lives here. It’s very important for us to support the hospital because we all benefit from it.”

“I’m not sure everybody understands that the hospital and its services are not totally funded by the government,” Lockington adds. “The equipment depreciates while continuous innovation happens, and we need to be replacing this to keep current and to attract the very best physicians.”

While LLF Lawyers usually refrains from publicly announcing all the charitable donations they provide to the community, Lawless says this time the firm wanted to be vocal to alert more people to the benefits of supporting mental healthcare.

“We decided it was important, especially when it came to mental healthcare because it’s an area that just doesn’t get enough attention,” he says. “We wanted to make a meaningful gift, and we wanted to help inspire other people to do it, too.”

If the recent increase in the Campaign for PRHC goal from $60 million — which was already the largest Foundation campaign to date — to $70 million is any indication, LLF Lawyers has certainly been an inspiration.

“Donors like LLF who’ve jumped on board the Campaign for PRHC have inspired many more to do the same,” says Heighway. “We’re grateful not only for LLF’s donation, but their vision, leadership, and willingness to help us explain the importance of this campaign to others.”

“Every single donation of every size counts when the goal is to reimagine healthcare, and it’s that response that gave us the confidence to increase our campaign goal. We know the community is right behind us.”

If you’d like to make a donation to the Campaign for PRHC or find out more about it, visit the PRHC Foundation website at prhcfoundation.ca.

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.