Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP and Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development David Piccini with his parliamentary assistant and Ajax MPP Patrice Barnes during a media event at Humber Polytechnic's Centre for Trades and Technology in Etobicoke on November 26, 2024 to announce the Working For Workers Six Act that, if passed, will support families and help more women enter and remain in the skilled trades. (Photo: Office of David Piccini)
When David Piccini was at a Cobourg high school this fall, he was struck by how many female students were looking to pursue a career in the trades.
The Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP was at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School in October to announce $241,280 in funding for Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) when he made that observation.
“It was incredible to see young girls looking to carve a career in the trades,” Piccini told kawarthaNOW.
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Piccini, who is also Ontario’s Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, shared the anecdote in light of a November announcement about the province’s intention to introduce the Working For Workers Six Act that, if passed, will support families and help more women enter and remain in the skilled trades by creating a new job-protected parental leave for adoptive parents and parents through surrogacy.
The government would also create a new 27-week job-protected leave for workers with serious illnesses, and support women in the trades by requiring all sectors to have properly fitting personal protective clothing and equipment (PPE) for women.
“Our government has a clear mission: ensure Ontario continues to be the very best place to live, work, and raise a family,” Piccini said in a media release.
“That means making sure Ontarians never have to choose between being a worker or a parent, and that if a worker gets sick with a critical illness they can take the time to recover without worrying about their job. We’re also promoting and protecting tradeswomen as an essential part of our workforce in every sector: we see you, we value you, and we can’t build Ontario’s future without you.”
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According to Piccini, investing in women makes sense.
“We cannot build the homes, hospitals, and schools we need leaving 50 per cent of our workforce behind,” he told kawarthaNOW. “It is incredibly rewarding to get out into classrooms and training centres to see so many women with a passion for trades.”
“We have been listening to women in Ontario and working to address their concerns so that the skilled trades environment is inclusive for women,” Piccini added. “We introduced common sense changes to ensure properly fitting PPE — gloves, masks and boots — that are integral to the safety of workers and we need to make sure women are supported on the job site. The work we are doing has already had a profound impact on young women.”
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Piccini cited a “staggering” 225 per cent increase in women registering for apprenticeships since 2018.
“This will have an incredible impact on the workforce of Ontario,” he pointed out.
The province’s upcoming legislation will propose a new 16-week job-protected leave under the Employment Standards Act for adoptive parents and parents through surrogacy, to ensure they have adequate time to meet the demands of the adoption or surrogacy process and attach and welcome their child into their new home. This would also align with upcoming federal changes to create employment insurance (EI) benefits for adoption, according a media release.
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The Ontario government also expects to propose a new 27-week long-term illness leave for employees unable to work due to a serious medical condition as defined by a medical practitioner, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, or Crohn’s disease. If passed, this would be one of the longest provincial leaves in Canada and would ensure workers with a serious medical condition have the time away from work they need to get treatment and recover, without risking their jobs, the province noted.
The government is also ensuring workers have access to clean washrooms by proposing specific requirements on employers that will increase accountability and transparency with washroom cleaning records.
This would build on the new duties for employers and constructors related to clean washrooms that were passed under the Working for Workers Five Act, one of six pieces of legislation the Ontario government has introduced since 2021 to support workers.
Kelly Isfan was appointed president and CEO of Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay in April 2020. She will be retiring from the position and her 35-year career in the healthcare industry in the latter half of 2025. (Photo courtesy of Ross Memorial Hospital)
Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay has announced that president and CEO Kelly Isfan will be retiring in 2025 after more than 35 years in the healthcare industry.
Isfram was appointed president and CEO of the hospital in April 2020, after previously serving as president and CEO of the Norfolk General and West Haldimand General Hospitals and the Campbellford Memorial Hospital. During her career, she has worked in the acute, community, and long-term care sectors in Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and Ontario.
“It has been my honour to be part of the Ross team for the past five years and to end my career here,” Isfan said in a media release. “I am so proud of the work that our team does every day.”
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“The expertise and passion that everyone here has really shines through in the exceptional care that is provided to our patients,” Isfan added. “I know that everyone at Ross Memorial Hospital will continue to deliver on our promise of a better healthcare experience and be a source of community pride in the City of Kawartha Lakes.”
During her time at Ross Memorial Hospital, Isfan led the hospital through the three years of the pandemic, which included more than 70,000 PCR tests, over 60,000 vaccinations, and 10,000 clinical assessments.
She also oversaw the development and implementation of the hospital’s strategic plan that was put in place October 2023, as well as the launch of a transformative new digital clinical information system called Epic and the opening of a women’s health clinic with a priority placed on women with no access to a family doctor or nurse practitioner.
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Isfan will be retiring in the latter half of 2025. The hospital’s board of directors has started the recruitment process for a new president and CEO.
“Kelly Isfan’s leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence have been on full display during her tenure at Ross Memorial Hospital,” said board chair Christine Norris.
“Her contributions and achievements, including navigating through an unprecedented global pandemic, have made a positive and meaningful impact on both our team members and the community we serve. Our board is deeply grateful for Kelly’s continued dedication and contributions and wish her great success in all future endeavours when she departs in 2025.”
Volunteer Peterborough at the Trent University Volunteer Fair on September 11, 2024. A $12,000 grant from The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group will help the not-for-profit organization raise awareness of its volunteer match-making service that was founded by Lois Tuffin in 2023. (Photo: Volunteer Peterborough / Facebook)
Volunteer Peterborough has received a $12,000 grant from The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group to help bolster local volunteerism by raising awareness of the volunteer match-making service.
The not-for-profit organization is one of 11 projects across Ontario that were granted a total of $400,000 in funding this year from The Commonwell’s Learning Engagement and Accelerator Fund (L.E.A.F.), which invests in community-based projects that build capacity and resiliency.
“We received more than $3.7 million in funding requests this year, highlighting its crucial role in supporting communities,” says The Commonwell’s president Tim Shauf about the program. “Our L.E.A.F. grants are about caring beyond us and beyond now.”
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Created in 2023, Volunteer Peterborough is an online and in-person service that helps match people who want to volunteer with non-profit organizations that need volunteers. The organization works in partnership with the Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce, Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough, Age-friendly Peterborough, Peterborough County, Telecare Peterborough, and more.
According to Volunteer Peterborough’s submission to The Commonwell for its “Making Volunteer Connections” project, non-profit organizations lost around half of their volunteers during the pandemic, and only around 40 per cent have since returned.
Although Volunteer Peterborough can facilitate the volunteer recruitment process, many organizations are unaware of the service’s benefits and continue to follow their legacy practices, which makes volunteer matching “more tedious and less successful.”
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“Volunteerism faces a number of barriers, including general awareness,” says Volunteer Peterborough founder Lois Tuffin.
“This program will help to match interested volunteers to opportunities in our community. By matching the right people and skills to roles, we can help build confidence and independence for prospective volunteers while creating lasting benefits for organizations who rely on volunteer support.”
The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group was established in 2014 as an amalgamation of Farmers Mutual Insurance Company (Lindsay), Glengarry Mutual Insurance Company, and Lanark Mutual Insurance Company.
Previously supporting community resiliency through its Create a Ripple Effect (C.A.R.E.) initiative that provided over $5.5 million in grants, The Commonwell recently updated the initiative to create two new core programs: L.E.A.F. and the The SEEDit Initiative, which inspires food sharing by supporting backyard gardening.
Some of the 14 local bands and musicians who are donating their time and talents at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough on March 26, 2025 for the fifth Peterborough Performs - Musicians United Against Homelessness benefit concert for United Way Peterborough & District include (left to right, top to bottom) The Spades, Little Fire Collective, Alyssa Morrissey, Georgia Rose, Michael Bell, Joanna and Danny Bronson, The Weber Brothers Band, Rick and Gailie Young with their Peterborough All-Star Band, The Hippie Chicks, Bread & Soul, Melissa Payne, and Kate Suhr. (kawarthaNOW collage of photos by Andy Carroll, Stuart Roberts, Linda Tough, Peter Rellinger, Wayne Eardley, and more)
What started as a pre-pandemic conversation over coffee between David Goyette and Paul Rellinger has since secured its place as a perennial fundraiser for those who find themselves, for whatever reason, without a permanent roof over their head.
Peterborough Performs – Musicians United Against Homelessness is returning for its fifth time from 7 to 11 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26th at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough.
It was in late 2019 at the Water Street Tim Horton’s that Goyette — then United Way Peterborough & District campaign chair — ran his idea past Rellinger: present, for one night only at Showplace, multiple local singers and musicians on two stages simultaneously, with all proceeds going to United Way partner agencies that provide emergency shelter and temporary housing.
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“I was immediately intrigued,” recalls Rellinger, who was asked by Goyette to come up with a two-stage performance lineup for the inaugural event.
“There were a couple of things at play. First, it’s hard to say no to David, who can be very persuasive, and, second, it was a live music concept that, to my knowledge, hadn’t been done locally at an indoor venue. That got me excited. Add in the cause it was benefiting and it was something I wanted in on.”
On March 5, 2020, just days before the pandemic was declared and related restrictions were put in place, 16 local music acts came together at Showplace for that first Peterborough Performs fundraiser. Three more have been staged since — in 2022, 2023, and 2024 — with the result being nearly $110,000 raised for local agencies on the front lines of homelessness.
VIDEO: “Wild as the Wild Dogs” – The Weber Brothers (Peterborough Performs, 2023)
For Peterborough Performs V, 14 musical acts — both bands and solo performers — will be performing on the David Goyette stage in the Erica Cherney Theatre and in the lower level Cogeco Studio.
Making their Peterborough Performs debut are The Spades, Little Fire Collective, Alyssa Morrissey (with Kyler Tapscott), Georgia Rose, Lizeh Basciano (with Michael Bell for a Adele and Michael Bublé tribute), and Joanna Bronson (with her dad Danny).
Also in the mix are returning Peterborough Performs acts The Weber Brothers Band, Rick and Gailie Young with their Peterborough All-Star Band, The Hippie Chicks (Tami J. Wilde and Joslynn Burford), Dan Hick, Bread & Soul (Ester Mayer and Shelby Crego), Phil Stephenson, Glen Caradus and Ron Kervin, Jacques Graveline, and Melissa Payne, Kate Suhr, Nicholas Campbell, and Kate Brioux joined by Paul Crough and Brandon Monroe.
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General admission tickets, which allow holders to seamlessly go between the main theatre and the lower-level studio as they please, cost $50 each, with a two-tickets-for-$80 deal in place. To order online, visit www.uwpeterborough.ca/peterborough-performs or showplace.org.
“Some prefer the intimacy of the downstairs lounge, which really has a kitchen party feel, and some like the big theatre sound, but many like to experience both and do just that,” explains Rellinger. “Both rooms will provide full evidence of what we already know full well: the musical talent that calls Peterborough home is in a league of its own.”
“But that talent aside, it’s the local live music community’s continued support of their neighbours in need that really sets it apart. Since the inaugural Peterborough Performs, not one musician that I’ve approached has said ‘No’, but rather asked ‘What time do you need me there?’ That selflessness, that level of caring, has inspired and motivated me, and the United Way, to bring the event back for a fifth year.”
VIDEO: “Hot Rod Daddy” – Nicholas Campbell (Peterborough Performs, 2023)
Rellinger says, in total, the first four Peterborough Performs have brought in excess of 40 acts together, comprising well more than 60 singers and musicians. Several of those acts are set to make their fifth event appearance.
Also returning to support the event are kawarthaNOW as exclusive digital media sponsor and Long & McQuade with the in-kind donation of stage audio equipment.
As for financial supporters, Goyette is again stepping up in a big way as a generous patron. Past dollar support has come from LLF Lawyers, Miskin Law, Stephan Ragaz, Brian Mulligan of Desjardins Insurance, Sullivan Law, and McDougall Insurance and Financial.
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As of this writing, additional financial support is being sought, with varying support options available. To learn more, contact United Way Development Officer Jocelyne Stone at 705-742-8839 ext. 32 or email her directly at jstone@uwpeterborough.ca.
Also returning this year is a virtual silent auction, which will be held over the month leading up to the event. More details on that will be revealed in the new year.
As for Rellinger, he says he greatly appreciates the continued support and trust of the United Way for the annual fundraiser.
“I’m so grateful that United Way CEO Jim Russell and the Campaign Cabinet, led by chair Shirley Turner, has seen fit to bring Peterborough Performs back for a fifth year. It has been and remains an all-hands-on-deck affair when it comes to United Way staff and volunteers. It indeed takes a village, and this village of caring people walks the walk every day.”
Peterborough Performs – Musicians United Against Homelessness is returning to Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough for a fifth time on March 26, 2025. Tickets are available now for $50 each, or two for $80. (Poster courtesy of Peterborough Performs)
Looking at this year’s stage lineup, Rellinger asks the same question he posed back in 2020 before the first Peterborough Performs: where else can you enjoy the talents of this many local musical acts for an affordable price while helping to put a serious dent in the scourge that is homelessness in Peterborough?
“Not unlike climate change reversal, eradicating homelessness is an overwhelming challenge,” Rellinger points out.
“As individuals, the tendency is to think that’s there’s nothing we can do to reverse it or ease the plight of those affected. Peterborough Performs offers a way we can do something tangible: buy a ticket, of which more than 95 per cent of the cost will go exactly where it needs to go and make a marked difference in the process.”
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Although the event is still over three months away, Rellinger is encouraging everyone to buy their tickets now, noting they make a great Christmas present or stocking stuffer by gifting both a live music experience and a donation to a worthy cause.
“Who knew something so good would grow out of that chat over coffee back in 2019? I sure didn’t. But here we are, and now sees me not only wishing you and yours a safe and happy holiday season but also hopeful that you’ll see fit to purchase a ticket or two, for yourself and that live local music fan.”
Watch kawarthaNOW for more details on Peterborough Performs V as the event date draws nearer.
In 2019, former United Way Peterborough & District campaign chair David Goyette proposed the idea of a two-stage musical fundraiser at Showplace to Paul Rellinger, who agreed to organize the inaugural Peterborough Performs – Musicians United Against Homelessness on March 5, 2020. Since then, Rellinger has organized the event three more times with Goyette’s support, and both men will do so again for the fifth time on March 26, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Paul Rellinger)
kawarthaNOW is proud to be exclusive digital media sponsor for Peterborough Performs V.
Peterborough police have charged a 47-year-old Kingston man with sexual assault after an incident in Peterborough last Tuesday afternoon (December 10) involving a student at Trent University.
At around 7:50 p.m. last Tuesday, police officers were made aware of an incident that had happened earlier in the afternoon involving a part-time course instructor in the Mathematics Department at Trent University and a student.
The incident happened when the student asked the instructor for extra help to prepare an exam. During the meeting, which took place off-campus at a local business at the request of the instructor, non-consensual touching is alleged to have taken place.
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After an investigation, police arrested a 47-year-old man with the initials A.M. living in Kingston on Friday (December 13) and brought him back to Peterborough, where he appeared in court the following day.
“The Peterborough Police Service takes reports of sexual assault very seriously and is very aware about the importance of a trauma-informed response,” states a police media release.
Anyone with further information is asked to contact Peterborough police at 705-876-1122 ext. 555. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or at stopcrimehere.ca
Police, who state that Trent University has been made aware of the situation and is cooperating, are not releasing any further information as the matter is before the courts.
This story has been updated to replace the accused man’s full name with initials, and to remove a statement from the Peterborough police that they were releasing his name because they were concerned there were other victims, after Peterborough police amended their original media release to do the same.
Ampere, previously known as Pinnguaq, is offering a scholarship for one child or youth between the ages of nine and 12 years old at its Lindsay STEAM school. (Photo courtesy of Ampere)
Students with an interest and passion for science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) can get a jump on their education by applying for an inaugural scholarship being offered in the City of Kawartha Lakes.
Previously known as Pinnguaq, Ampere has announced the launch of a STEAM School Scholarship, which is available to one child or youth between the ages of nine and 12 years old, at its school in Lindsay.
Families of learners passionate about STEAM are invited to submit a completed entry form by noon on Thursday (December 19) for a chance to win.
Ampere has extended the deadline to apply for the scholarship to noon on Thursday, January 2.
A value of more than $1,300, the scholarship allows one child to attend STEAM School one day per week between January and June 2025 (excluding the week of March 10, when the school is not operating).
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Jamie Steel, Ampere’s senior lead of community relations, told kawarthaNOW the non-profit organization has a few goals for the scholarship and STEAM education overall.
“Our hope for this scholarship is that it gives a learner the opportunity to experience the joy of discovery and understanding of STEAM in ways that are most impactful for who they are as an individual, as is the case for all of our STEAM School learners,” Steel said.
“Winning this scholarship, attending STEAM School, could be the first or next step in their journey to fulfilling their dreams.”
She noted STEAM School gives children and youth the chance to explore their interests and passion for the subjects in a hands-on environment.
“Not only will what they learn help prepare them for the STEAM-powered world we live in, the way they learn — in an inclusive community of peers — is intended to support relationship building and a sense of belonging.”
Ampere, previously known as Pinnguaq Association, operates a STEAM school (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) in Lindsay. (Photo courtesy of Ampere)
The STEAM School, which Ampere launched in Kawartha Lakes in September, is a day school that gives learners in Grades 4 to 6 the chance to advance their knowledge of STEAM subjects and learn how they can contribute to the STEAM sector.
“It’s engaging and student-led, with the bonus of access to small class sizes, the latest learning tools, technology and resources,” said Ampere CEO Ryan Oliver in a media release.
“What’s even more exciting is the winner of this scholarship, as well as everyone else who enrols in STEAM School starting in January, will be among the first learners in our new, 3,500-square foot makerspace.”
Oliver said he looks forward to welcoming the community to the new hub at 12 Peel St. in Lindsay in January 2025.
For more information about STEAM School or to apply for the scholarship, visit steamschools.ca.
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Originally from Lindsay, Oliver worked for almost nine years for the territorial government in Nunavut, where he founded the not-for-profit Pinnguaq Association in Pangnirtung in 2012 to provide Nunavummiut youth access to technology through games.
Working alongside rural, remote, Indigenous, and other communities, the organization grew to deliver programs for people of all ages that target cultivating STEAM skills through innovative technology, art, and play. In September, Pinnguaq Association changed its name and branding to Ampere.
“Over the past decade, our organization’s mandate and reach has evolved — it was time for our identity to do the same,” said Steel about the rationale for the name change. “It has been an incredible journey growing from where we started in Pangnirtung to an organization that works in and alongside communities from coast to coast to coast.”
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Ampere is an acronym for advocacy, mentorship, production, education, resources, and employment, which are the six elements of the organization’s lifecycle. It also reflects the word ampere (often abbreviated as amp), a unit of electrical current, and the idea that the world is “powered” by STEAM.
“Pinnguaq is the Inuktitut word for play, which has been and remains an integral part of who we are and how we approach STEAM education. The name Ampere is rooted in our lifecycle, our approach to the complex problem of equitable access to STEAM education, resources, and opportunities in rural, remote and Indigenous communities.”
Five Counties Children’s Centre is striving to help families ensure their holidays are happy by offering tips to keep spirits bright and stress under wraps this season.
The anxiety and upheaval of extra demands and different routines can make the holidays challenging for parents and children alike, according to a media release from Five Counties, which provides therapy services for children with special needs in Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, and Northumberland,
However, “celebrating the season can still be merry and bright when it’s managed right.”
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“The holidays can mean a drastic change in schedules and a lot of disruption to routine — which as any parent will tell you, can impact the rhythm of family life,” Five Counties spokesperson Bill Eekhof told kawarthaNOW.
“There’s also added excitement and anticipation that come with the holidays, especially for kids, given what awaits them under the tree and where or whom they will visit. Parents and caregivers may also feel pressured to ensure their family has an enjoyable holiday season.”
Eekhof added that, while managing the stress of the holidays can be especially challenging for parents and caregivers of children with special needs, it applies to all families.
Nicole Captain, an occupational therapist with Five Counties, has some tips for helping families manage the extra pressure of the holiday season and helping children cope with the excitement, anticipation, and altered routines that come with the holidays.
Tips includes creating a visual schedule or calendar so children can see what is being planned for holiday time (including breaks or downtime), using photos or maps to help prepare children before travelling to visit family or friends for the holidays, and discussing holiday plans as a family to help manage change and expectations and to choose activities that everyone would like to do together.
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“Parents and caregivers often feel guilty and pressured to have the picture-perfect holiday that they see on social media or in the movies, but that isn’t always the reality,” Captain said. “The fact is we can still enjoy happy holidays if we keep things simple, stick to structure, go back to basics, and are flexible.”
Captain, who works in school-based rehabilitation services at Five Counties, provides occupational therapy support to students and often discusses self-regulation in her classes.
“I always tell parents to put on your oxygen mask first, to meet your own regulation needs and support your nervous system so that you can support your child’s needs.”
Captain said it’s important to manage the variables that are within control. This including getting enough rest and sticking to sleep schedules, selecting a quiet space where family members can rejuvenate, and eating well and staying well-hydrated.
“It’s really going back to the basics,” Captain noted. “We’re optimizing our bodies on the inside to cope with all the stress and changes that go on outside and around us.”
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Another tip is to unplug from technology as much as possible and make meaningful connections by spending time together as a family.
“While being together doesn’t require a lot of preparation, make it quality time to really forge that connection,” Captain said.
According to Captain, too much screen time during the holidays can affect a child’s sleep, behaviour, routine, and anxiety levels. If spending time in front of a screen, do it together as a family, but avoid screen time too close to bedtime as children can get overstimulated and their sleep can be affected.
Another tip is to make sure you spend time outdoors having fun as a family.
“I know going outdoors in the winter months in Canada isn’t something we all like to do, but the importance of sunlight, fresh air, and activity are important for everyone to feel their best,” Captain said.
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In choosing outdoor activities to do together, families can be purposeful and organized.
“There’s time to run around in the snow, but planning a scavenger hunt, designing a snow fort, building a snowman, or trying to see how many animals you can spot in 10 minutes can maximize that outdoor experience,” she explained.
If the weather precludes outdoor fun, indoor games are a good alternative. These could include creating an obstacle course, doing a puzzle, or trying out a fun and interactive activity like Cosmic Kids Yoga.
“Pick what works for your family and do what you can,” Captain said, “and happy holidays can be within our reach.”
Ross Memorial Hospital (RMH) in Lindsay is recruiting volunteers for a program that gets elderly patients up and moving while they're in the Kawartha Lakes hospital with the aim of increasing their strength and mobility and accelerating their ability to return home. (Photo: Ross Memorial Hospital / Facebook)
Ross Memorial Hospital (RMH) in Lindsay is calling on community members to help keep patients active and on the “MOVE” during their stay in hospital.
The Kawartha Lakes hospital is recruiting volunteers to join the team responsible for delivering RMH’s MOVE Program, which is aimed at increasing strength and mobility for patients, and ultimately, accelerating their ability to return home.
Taking part in the MOVE Program has benefits for patient and volunteers alike, said Ryan Young, communications and public affairs officer at RMH.
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“Getting people to move prevents deterioration, decreases length of stay, and prevents delirium and pressure injuries,” Young told kawarthaNOW.
Studies show that elderly people can lose one to five per cent of their strength every 24 hours when immobile, and a loss of only 10 per cent can prevent them from returning home, he noted.
“Our MOVE Program is a seniors’ engagement strategy to compliment our nursing and allied health teams who are the primary team members responsible for assessing and treating patients with mobility issues. Our volunteers can engage and socialize with patients to motivate greater participation in mobility and every day living activities.”
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The decision to implement RMH’s MOVE program was based off evidence of similar successful initiatives being offered by other hospitals such as Peterborough Regional Health Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, and other hospitals across the country.
The goal of the program is to have patients move three times a day, whether that be walking, getting up to a chair, sitting up in bed, rolling and repositioning, or doing bed exercises.
Volunteers in the program will receive training and work directly with patients, while supporting the RMH team. Volunteers’ work is hands off. Community members taking part engage with patients at the mobility level of the individual patient and do not work with patients who may be at risk of falls or other adverse health outcomes, RMH noted.
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People who enjoy interacting with others could consider the MOVE Program as an outlet for giving back, Young said.
“Volunteering in our MOVE Program is another opportunity within (RMH) to make an impactful difference within our community,” he said. “We know that direct patient interaction can be one of the most rewarding aspects for some of our volunteers. This is an opportunity to connect with a fellow community member by encouraging patients to move, providing patients and families with information regarding the benefits of mobility, and providing options to stay active.”
“Ultimately, our MOVE program is a complement and enhancement of the exceptional care patients receive at (RMH).”
Single mother, queer farmer, and former Peterborough GreenUP employee Heather Ray will be confirmed as the NDP candidate for the 2025 federal election at a nomination meeting on January 10, 2025. Bringing an interdisciplinary approach to her campaign, she was the only party nominee for the riding. (Photo courtesy of Heather Ray)
At a nomination meeting in early January, Heather Ray will be voted in as the candidate for the New Democratic Party (NDP) for the new Peterborough riding in the 2025 federal election.
With nominations closing earlier this week, Ray was the only nominee, which will make her the party’s candidate to campaign against incumbent Conservative MP Michelle Ferreri.
A member of the riding association executive for about a year, the 40-year-old Ray is a queer farmer and single mother based in Douro-Dummer, where she was born and raised. With a master’s degree in international public policy, she has worked in the not-for-profit sector, including for years at Peterborough GreenUP.
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Coming from a multi-generational farming family, Ray left the not-for-profit sector to work in partnership on an agricultural endear that will spotlight how agroforestry and environmental conservation can work hand in hand to support sustainable business practices. She also works at Peterborough’s Harbr Accounting as an operations coordinator.
As for priority areas of interest as a federal candidate, Ray says Peterborough will notice she is most celebrated for her “interdisciplinary nature.”
“I don’t see political topics as being siloed,” she says. “I really see them as being interconnected, so what you’ll see from me is really weaving conversations and interests, issues, and concerns together in these broader waves.”
Ray notes that, as a single mother who does not come from generational wealth, she knows “what it’s like to not have an extra $10.” She is also advocate for mental health issues and, given her background, environmental concerns.
“The impacts of climate change are going to be vast and they’re going to impact us economically, environmentally, socially,” Ray explains. “We need to really break these things down and talk about them and how it impacts us people on the ground and move forward from there.”
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“We might connect and talk about climate change on many different levels, and we might connect and talk about the cost of living on many different levels, and we might connect and talk about how difficult it is to feel like you’re empowered to be part of our community system,” Ray says.
“What you’ll see for me is a movement towards really wanting to not only listen to community members, but to really get a sense of how we can action your concerns, and how we can make you feel empowered to take an active role in local and national politics.”
Ray says the NDP platform aligns with solutions that are “innovative, creative, and collaborative,” noting Peterborough’s historical advancements with General Electric and manufacturing sector which is still seen today.
“We also have such a strong arts and culture community, and I think we’re known for that and that out-of-the-box thinking that we have at our fingertips could really move us forward,” she says. “There are so many beautiful collaborative groups in the not-for-profit sector within Peterborough that are deep and often work together in such a beautiful way, and I feel that collaborative nature needs to move forward in policy.”
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The next federal election will take place on October 20, 2025, unless the minority Liberal government falls in a no-confidence vote before then or decides to call an early election.
So far, Ferreri is the only known major party candidate for Peterborough. When she unseated former Liberal Cabinet minister Maryam Monsef with 39 per cent of the votes in 2021, Ferreri made history as it was only the second time in 60 years where the riding elected a candidate who was not a member of the party that formed the federal government.
The other major party candidates during the 2021 federal election were Joy Lachica (now a Peterborough city councillor) for the NDP and Chanté White for the Green Party.
Potentially affecting the 2025 election could be the redistribution of federal district boundaries that came into effect on April 23, 2024. It now uses a 343-seat electoral map based on the 2021 Canadian census to ensure a roughly equal number of voters in each riding.
The Peterborough-Kawartha electoral riding became the Peterborough riding on April 23, 2024, and includes significant changes to the electoral boundary. (kawarthaNOW collage of Elections Canada maps)
With the redistribution, the previous Peterborough-Kawartha riding is now called Peterborough and consists of the City of Peterborough, Curve Lake First Nation and Hiawatha First Nation, the part of the Municipality of Trent Lakes comprising the islands of the Curve Lake Indian Reserve No. 35A, and the townships of Asphodel-Norwood, Douro-Dummer, Havelock-Belmont-Methuen, Otonabee-South Monaghan, and Selwyn.
Along with the additions to the riding, two municipalities that were previously part of the riding — the Township of North Kawartha and the Municipality of Trent Lakes — are instead part of the new Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes riding (previously Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock).
“The boundary change is significant, and I think it really does shift the voices that are part of the riding,” says Ray. “But I do think we’ll see a similar narrative and still see similar concerns and we’ll definitely have some of those core issues coming forward.”
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According to the latest CBC News poll tracker updated on December 9, both the Conservatives and the NDP have made gains, while the Liberals have fallen to a new low. The Conservatives are at 42.7 per cent, the Liberals at 21.8 per cent, and the NDP are at 19.1 per cent.
For her part, Ray suggests “it’s too early for polls to be definitive.”
“There is still so much movement that needs to happen and there’s a lot that can happen within a campaign period,” she says. “When people really take time to review the platforms of the parties, to look at the past track (record), to look at things that have been promoted by our current Member of Parliament that perhaps isn’t how we want our community to be known nationally and across this country, people are going to start thinking more orange and look to the NDP.”
Susan Dunkley, vice chair of the board of Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce, speaks at the launch of the chamber's first annual Luminary Awards, held at Bennett's Furniture and Mattresses in Peterborough on September 18, 2024. Organized by the Chamber with presenting sponsor Sullivan Law Ptbo and presenting media sponsor kawarthaNOW, the awards recognize the contributions and achievements of women in the local business community, whether they are business owners or employees. A new "speed nominate" option makes it easier to nominate a woman for one of the five awards by the nomination deadline of January 17, 2025. (Photo: Heather Doughty Photography)
As you’re mingling at parties, galas, and year-end festivities this holiday season, think about the women in the room — whether they are business owners or employees — who you believe are making the community a better place to live and work.
The Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce is inviting you to nominate these women for the inaugural Luminary Awards, which recognize the contributions and achievements of women in the local business community at all levels of their careers.
To make it easier to nominate a deserving woman, the Chamber is offering a new “speed nominate” feature at www.luminaryawards.ca, which allows you to quickly nominate someone without having to know everything about them or having to complete a detailed nomination form.
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“What you’re doing is nominating someone and then, from there, we can start working with the nominee to develop the content of the nomination,” explains Gail Moorhouse, interim president and CEO of the Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce, which has organized the awards with presenting sponsor Sullivan Law Ptbo and presenting media sponsor kawarthaNOW along with other businesses and organizations that are sponsoring the awards.
Nominations for the inaugural Luminary Awards close on Friday, January 17th, with the awards luncheon taking place on Thursday, May 8th at 11 a.m. at The Great Hall at Trent University.
“The awards cover a lot of areas from the up-and-comers to the already successful with legacy and trailblazer awards,” Moorhouse says. “There are many elements so that we can be sure the community is celebrating women in all different walks of the business life.”
Bennett’s Furniture and Mattresses in Peterborough was packed for the launch of the new Luminary Awards for women in business, an initiative of Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce, on September 18, 2024. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)
To further ensure all accomplishments and accolades are considered, the Chamber is also encouraging women to self-nominate.
“People who opt for self-nomination often have tons more detail than what’s generally available when someone else is doing the nomination,” says Moorhouse. “It’s an opportunity to pull out the file and see all the things you’ve done in your career that have made a difference and to see who you’ve impacted.”
With five individual awards open for nominations, the Luminary Awards celebrate the women who inspire the community no matter where they are on the career journey.
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While the Legacy Award celebrates a woman who has spent her business career inspiring others and giving back to the community, the Trailblazer Award recognizes a business owner who has achieved success through innovation, leadership, vision, and commitment.
There’s also the Emerging Entrepreneur Award, which spotlights a woman who has launched a business venture that has been operating successfully for at least two years (but no more than five) and that shows great potential for the future.
“For all of the nominees, they are dedicating significant amounts of both professional and personal resources to make our community a better place,” says Martha Sullivan of Sullivan Law PTBO. “I’m a huge believer that the most significant resource that we all have is our time, and these nominees are giving that resource frequently on a voluntary basis to improve our community.”
Martha Sullivan of Sullivan Law Ptbo at the launch of the inaugural Luminary Awards on September 18, 2024. Sullivan Law Ptbo is the presenting sponsor for the awards and kawarthaNOW is the presenting media sponsor for the awards. (Photo: Heather Doughty Photography)
As someone who herself has been nominated for various community awards in the past, Moorhouse acknowledges that oftentimes it’s not about winning so much as it’s about what the nomination means.
“What really made the difference for me was that the people who recognized what I did and put the effort into recognizing that work by nominating me,” she recalls. “I didn’t need to win the award to have that great feeling and self-confidence, because what I did was already being recognized.”
There are also two Luminary Awards that recognize the contributions and achievements of employees: the One the Watch Award and the Barrier Buster Award. Both awards recognize the women who work behind the scenes and go above and beyond for the businesses for which they work.
“It goes a long way with your employees to have recognition from the business owner,” Moorhouse says.
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Ashley Flynn, CEO of Blackrock Developments, which is the nomination and cocktail sponsor for the Luminary Awards, has already nominated a few of her female employees. She recognizes that, in all workplaces, “women bring a different level to the table.”
“You don’t have to be the person right in the front to be a massive contributing factor to a company,” Flynn says. “I would be nothing if it wasn’t for my employees, and I have 50 per cent female staff. Even though it can be hard to find in the trades, it’s so important to have that diversity and to recognize that, without them, all the leaders have nothing.”
As a female entrepreneur in a male-dominated industry, Flynn has always been an advocate for women in business, which is why she was immediately eager to help sponsor the Luminary Awards.
“It’s an excellent initiative that empowers business owners and creates awareness for other women that might be thinking about going into entrepreneurship,” she says. “It gives them the positive reinforcement and encouragement that they’re valued and respected, and then if they want to do something further with their careers, they can.”
Blackrock Developments CEO Ashley Flynn with her husband Josh at the launch of the Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural Luminary Awards on September 18, 2024. An advocate for female entrepreneurs, Flynn is the nomination and cocktail sponsor for the awards and has already nominated several of her company’s employees for the awards. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce)
Sullivan echoes that motivation when it comes to Sullivan Law Ptbo’s sponsorship of the awards.
“The initiative, talents, and skills of our community can never be promoted enough because those individuals deserve that recognition,” Sullivan says. “It also inspires others to improve our community as well.”
“I know that our community is a better place because of the dedication of all these wonderful women, so giving them the acknowledgement they deserve also inspires all of us to do bigger, better things.”
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With the nomination deadline approaching, Moorhouse suggests the holiday season is a great time to nominate a deserving woman for a Luminary Award, especially with the “speed nominate” feature making it quick and easy to do so.
“When we are socializing during the holidays, it takes two seconds to look around the room and notice a woman you could nominate,” she says.
To complete a speed nomination or a full nomination by January 17, or to purchase tickets for the awards luncheon, visit www.luminaryawards.ca.
kawarthaNOW is proud to be the presenting media sponsor of the Luminary Awards.
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