Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has again refused to commit to extending the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), despite the fact that June is the last month when Canadians who have applied for the benefit for four consecutive months will receive a payment.

Trudeau was responding to a reporter’s question during a media briefing on Friday (June 5), after he had announced the federal government would be providing $14 billion to provinces and territories to help them reopen their economies, as well as an automatic one-time tax-free payment of up to $600 to Canadians with disabilities.

A reporter asked Trudeau, in French, whether the federal government will extend the program or end it. The reporter pointed out that people who have been receiving CERB for the last four months need to prepare if the program will not be extended.

“We recognize that deadlines are arriving,” Trudeau replied, also in French. “We’re working as a government to look at the next steps. We will provide information on this to the media and to the citizens as decisions will be made.”

The CERB program currently provides a $2,000 payment per month for a maximum of four months.

Although the program runs until the fall, Canadians who first applied for CERB retroactively in March and then for each subsequent month will receive their last $2,000 payment in June.

Health units in the greater Kawarthas region are expanding testing at local assessment centres as a result of the Ontario government’s COVID-19 testing strategy announced last Friday (May 29).

The expanded testing now includes people with at least one symptom of COVID-19 (even mild or atypical symptoms), people who have no symptoms but are concerned they may have been exposed to COVID-19, and people who are at risk of exposure to COVID-19 either because of where they work or where they live.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 include: fever; chills; a new or worsening cough; a barking cough; making a whistling noise when breathing; shortness of breath or unable to breathe deeply; sore throat; difficulty swallowing; runny, stuffy or congested nose not related to seasonal allergies or other known causes or conditions; lost sense of taste or smell; pink eye (conjunctivitis); headache that’s unusual or long lasting; digestive issues (nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain); muscle aches; extreme tiredness that is unusual; falling down often; and, for young children and infants, sluggishness or lack of appetite.

Here’s where to get tested, whether you have COVID-19 symptoms or not:

Peterborough City and County and Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations

For rural residents, three new one-day clinics are available:

• Friday, June 5th from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Hiawatha First Nation L.I.F.E. Centre. This clinic is only for residents living south of the Hiawatha First Nation checkpoint.
• Saturday, June 6th from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Curve Lake School. This clinic is for Curve Lake First Nation residents only.
• Monday, June 8th from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Township of North Kawartha at the Apsley Paramedic Base, located beside the North Kawartha Medical Centre at 183 Burleigh Street, Apsley. This clinic is open to all permanent residents as well as seasonal residents.

All three one-day clinics are available as drive-through or walk-in clinics, and no is appointment necessary. Other locations throughout Peterborough County are currently being coordinated and will be announced shortly.

The drive-through clinic at the Kinsmen Civic Centre (1 Kinsmen Way, Peterborough) is intended for residents with no COVID-19 symptoms. The clinic is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday only and will continue until at least Friday, June 19th.

Residents with mild symptoms of COVID-19 should make an appointment at the assessment centre at Peterborough Regional Health Centre by calling 705-876-5086. The assessment centre is currently open Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Beginning Monday, June 8th, the hours will change to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

City of Kawartha Lakes

To book an appointment at the Ross Memorial Hospital COVID-19 assessment centre, call 705-328-6217 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

Testing takes place at the Lindsay Exhibition (354 Angeline St. S., Lindsay) from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.

Residents are encouraged to call to book a same-day appointment. While people without appointments can be tested at the centre, they may experience wait times.

Northumberland County

The Northumberland Hills Hospital COVID-19 assessment centre is open daily from 8 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Currently located in the Ambulatory Care Clinic, inside the hospital’s main entrance at 1000 DePalma Drive in Cobourg, the centre moves to a new location adjacent to the Emergency Department effective Monday, June 8th. Those arriving for assessment are asked to enter via the Emergency Department entrance (access to the centre will no longer be permitted through the hospital’s main entrance).

Assessments are available by appointment or on a walk-in basis (appointments are recommended to minimize wait times). People can the assessment centre at 905-377-7783 during operating hours in advance, if they are not sure if they should be assessed.

The Trent Hills COVID-19 assessment centre, located at the Rotary Hall boardroom at 175 Saskatoon Avenue in Campbellford, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.

A referral is no longer required. To book a test, call 705-395-1801 during operating hours.

Haliburton County

The Haliburton County COVID-19 assessment centre, located at the Haliburton Family Medical Centre at 7217 Gelert Road in Haliburton, is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

The assessment centre is for all residents of Haliburton County, regardless of whether they have a family doctor. To book an appointment for testing, call 705-457-1212 (press 6) during operating hours.

While testing is by appointment only, no person who is symptomatic or who is concerned they have been exposed to COVID-19 will be declined a test.

Hastings County

The North Hastings COVID-19 assessment centre, located at Qunite Healthcare Corporation at 1 Manor Lane in Bancroft, is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Appointment are preferred to avoid lengthy wait times. Call 613-332-2825 ext. 2222 to book an appointment.

This story has been updated to note the new location of the assessment centre at Northumberland Hills Hospital effective June 8th.

Farmers’ Markets Ontario has adopted COVID-19 guidelines developed by the Peterborough Regional Farmers Network (PRFN) in consultation with Peterborough Public Health.

The provincially recognized organization, representing over 180 farmers’ markets across the province, has revised the PRFN market operations guidelines document to be more generic for the use of other markets in Ontario.

“We moved early to deal with the impact of COVID-19 at both the downtown Peterborough Saturday and Wednesday markets”, says PRFN board chair Julie Fleming. “The advice and support of Peterborough Public Health throughout this challenging time has been incredible and I am so pleased that our local efforts will benefit other markets.”

Both the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market and the Peterborough Downtown Farmers’ Market are members of Farmers’ Markets Ontario, which operates the MyPick verified local farmer program, and both markets place an emphasis on the promotion of products from verified local farmers.

The Peterborough Downtown Farmers’ Market operates on Wednesdays at the newly renovated Peterborough Square courtyard ast Charlotte and Water streets in downtown Peterborough, and the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market operates on Saturdays at the Citi Centre courtyard at King and Aylmer streets.

As essential services, the markets are operating as “local grocery stores” during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information about the Wednesday market, visit ptbodowntownmarket.com. For more information about the Saturday market, visit ptboregionalfarmersmarket.com.

PDF: Best Practices and Public Health Protocols for Operating a Multi-vendor, Multi-stand Farmers’ Market
Best Practices and Public Health Protocols for Operating a Multi-vendor, Multi-stand Farmers' Market

With schools closed, youth across Ontario are missing out on in-person celebrations of their accomplishments this year. GreenUP’s Wonders of Water team would like your help in celebrating the remarkable achievements of a group of grade 8 students at Monsignor O’Donaghue Catholic Elementary School in the east end of Peterborough.

Please toast with us as you read this story — raise a glass of water in honour of these student leaders.

This story begins in September 2019. The grade 8 class at Monsignor O’Donaghue — MO’D as it is affectionately known — was starting their science program for the year. As part of a new “deep learning” process, the students were given the freedom to lead their own learning through problem solving and collaboration.

The teachers, Ashley Fitzgerald and Krista Wells-Skinners, assumed the role of supportive facilitators instead of directors or leaders.

Their science program began with a screening of A Plastic Ocean, a 2016 documentary film that looks at plastic pollution choking the world’s oceans and emphasizes the need for a “wave of change”.

VIDEO: “A Plastic Ocean” Trailer

“We had group discussions about the documentary,” explains student A.J. Whitney. “We had to be patient and inclusive. It was so much fun sharing my ideas and having very loose guidelines.”

After much discussion, the students narrowed their focus on how they wanted to proceed in their science program for the year.

“The kids were the ones making all the decisions,” observes grade 8 student Erin Livings.

The students felt strongly about being part of that “wave of change” mentioned in the documentary. They wanted to support water preservation with real actions, and they wanted to start with goals for change right at home by focusing on the use of water in the school itself.

“We chose the water refill station as our goal,” says Austin Gallagher, one of the students who led this project. “Our water stations at the time barely worked. We wanted to promote reusable water bottles so less people would bring in disposable water bottles.”

Applying for a Wonders of Water Deep Learning Water Retrofit was one way to realize that goal. Karen O’Krafka, coordinator of GreenUP’s Wonders of Water program, had sent the retrofit grant expression of interest criteria to all Peterborough city and county schools. The students reviewed the criteria and wrote an email to O’Krafka asking for support to change their school’s infrastructure and, ultimately, their relationship with water.

Citing aging water fountain infrastructure at MO’D as a driving reason for dependence on single-use plastic water bottles, the email proposed a student-researched solution. They would install water bottle refill stations at MO’D, and use this important water retrofit as the catalyst for a school-wide water education program designed and delivered by the grade 8 students themselves.

The students named their project “CAPS off Water”, an acronym representing the conservation, awareness, protection, and stewardship of water. These are the core pillars of the Peterborough Children’s Water Festival and the basis of the Wonders of Water Program. “CAPS off Water” is also a useful mnemonic for remembering the goal of reducing single-use plastic water bottles.

The students formed groups to focus on all the different areas they wanted to cover. As part of this school-wide education program, students took on a broad range of projects.

They made art displays communicating the core elements of water conservation. They applied for additional grants, including Ecoleague funding. They designed reusable water bottles. They wrote children’s books about plastic pollution in water. They created awareness-building posters. The students even planned to lead their very own World Water Day assembly in advance of the Peterborough Children’s Water Festival.

Each of these projects was completely spearheaded by the students and their vision for creating an enduring legacy at MO’D.

“We had come to a decision that we thought would have a lasting impact on the school,” says student Lucas Pronk.

As a result of the collaborative efforts of these students, two water refill stations were installed at MO’D before March break.

“After the water stations were installed, it was amazing to see how many kids were using them,” observes student Ireland Payne.

“It was so much fun to see this project go from an idea to having a line-up at the water refill station,” adds student Macy Harper.

To celebrate Earth Day in April, the students had planned to host an assembly, a media event, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. They had eagerly designed an activity centre for the Peterborough Children’s Water Festival to demonstrate peer-to-peer learning.

Then schools closed and the water festival cancelled because of COVID-19.

While we can’t demonstrate this remarkable student-led learning and leadership in large gatherings as the students had planned, we can still celebrate and share the accomplishments of these students with you at home.

Together apart, we can share with you that this group of remarkable student leaders at Monsignor O’Donaghue have been awarded with GreenUP’s School Engagement Award for participation in education workshops and events, including the Wonders of Water workshops and Active School Travel planning.

Thank you for reading this article and sharing in this celebration from home.

You can find out more about the Wonders of Water program at greenup.on.ca/wow or connect with Karen O’Krafka, GreenUP’s Water Education Programs Coordinator, at karen.okrafka@greenup.on.ca.

The Ontario government has lifted restrictions on short-term rentals in the province, including cabins, cottages, homes, hunting and fishing camps, resorts, houseboats, condominiums, and bed and breakfasts.

Beginning just after midnight on Friday, June 5th, short-term rentals can resume. The government says owners and operators are expected to follow occupational health and safety guidelines and general public health advice by consulting:

• the health and safety guidelines related to the tourism and hospitality sector
• the health and safety guidelines for hotel reception, room service, and front-line staff
• the health and safety guidelines for hotel housekeeping and laundry employees
• the advice of local public health officials under s.22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act when considering how they can reopen their doors to guests.

The government originally banned short-term rentals — defined as rentals of 28 days or less — on April 4th in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, short-term accommodations could be provided only to individuals in need of housing.

The story has been updated to confirm the date when restrictions on short-term rentals were lifted and with information about health and safety guidelines.

People with challenges finding employment will be helping clean downtown Peterborough this summer beginning in June.

The One City Peterborough program was originally launched in 2018 as an initiative of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) in partnership with the Warming Room Community Ministries.

The 2018 program saw 13 people with various barriers to employment hired to help clean the downtown core, along with a pair of outreach workers to to reach out to vulnerable people in the area.

This year, clients of One City Peterborough will join workers with Clint’s Property Maintenance to assist with cleaning the downtown during the summer months.

The One City Peterborough “clean team” will be in downtown Peterborough during the day with cleaning carts to sweep sidewalks, pick up litter, remove old posters from lampposts, safely disposing of discarded needles, and other small cleaning tasks.

In 2019, the DBIA issued a new request for proposals for its downtown streetscape maintenance contract, with a request that proposals include a social enterprise component. In January, the DBIA awarded the contract to Clint’s Property Maintenance in partnership with One City Peterborough.

“We’re excited to have One City Peterborough back,” says DBIA executive director Terry Guiel. “This partnership with Clint’s Property Maintenance shows what organizations can do when they add social procurement into their contracts.”

“Not only are we going to end up with a cleaner downtown, but we’re going to help who really need it,” Gueil says. “We’re going to make downtown stronger.”

The One City Peterborough program aims to help people with barriers to employment to get back into the workforce, including connecting team members with local employment agencies and potential employers.

One City Peterborough, which was among 10 charities to receive $200,000 in funding in April from the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough and United Way Peterborough & District’s COVID-19 Community Response Fund, also provides supportive housing for small groups of previously homeless people.

For more information about One City Peterborough, visit onecityptbo.ca.