It is “disappointing” that the City of Peterborough has hired only one of the 16 employees at Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) who will lose their jobs at the end of the year, when the city is set to take over responsibility for economic development and tourism from the not-for-profit organization.

That was one of the comments made by PKED board vice chair Paul Hickey when he addressed city councillors during their general committee meeting on Monday night (September 16).

While the meeting’s agenda included a report from PKED board chair Burton Lee and president and CEO Rhonda Keenan on the organization’s activities for the first and second quarter of 2024, Hickey’s presentation didn’t address the report. Instead, he shared examples of three projects that have been underway at PKED and raised some concerns about the transition of responsibilities from PKED to the city that are “not normally included in reports.”

“Three months from now, the ball’s going to be in your court from an economic development and tourism perspective,” Hickey said. “I thought the chance to be here and just kind of talk to you face to face would be good.”

As for the three projects, Hickey said “I think they’re really representative of the kinds of work that needs to be continued to be done if we’re going to grow, if we’re going to increase our tax base, and increase our population.”

Using the example of the Farnborough International Airshow that took place in July in the U.K., Hickey stressed the continued importance of the aerospace and aviation sector in Peterborough and demonstrated how attendance at these kind of industry events is critical for lead generation.

“I wanted to vote that that continues to be a really strong priority of whoever’s doing economic development in the future,” he said. “Lead generation is a crucial part of what we do.”

Hickey, who noted that PKED staff attended the airshow along with representatives from The Loomex Group and the Peterborough Airport, said PKED came away with “15 really strong leads,” with 11 of them still “what we would consider hot” for potential tenant agreements at the airport.

Hickey then spoke about the Build & Soar program, which is designed to match local employers with students from the local separate and public school boards’ construction and aviation and aerospace specialist high skills major program, a specialized provincially approved program that allows students to focus their learning on a specific economic sector while meeting the requirements to graduate from secondary school.

“One of the pieces of economic development that often doesn’t get talked about is the economic development for existing businesses, making sure that we’re helping them grow, helping them stay here, helping them find land, increased office space, increased manufacturing facilities,” Hickey said.

Hickey said the Build & Soar program, which has been led by PKED in partnership with the two school boards, the Peterborough & The Kawarthas Home Builders Association, and the Workforce Development Board, provided 42 high school students with summer jobs at 15 employers in the construction and aviation sectors. Editor’s note: PKED has clarified that 35 employers participated in the program; of the 42 high school students, 15 are participating in flight simulator training.

“It’s a great example of the kind of work that needs to be done to bring together students, schools, post-secondary institutions, and companies, and making sure that we’re meeting the needs of companies that are here right now,” Hickey said, noting that the Build & Soar program is intended to expose students to career possibilities that they might not have normally considered.

Hickey then spoke about PKED’s engagement with travel media to drive water-related tourism — specifically for the spring opening of the new Canadian Canoe Museum — by first addressing Mayor Jeff Leal.

“Your worship, with respect to some of your comments a few months ago, when you were waving the CAA (Canadian Automobile Association) magazine and wondering why we weren’t in CAA magazine, I wanted to touch on this for a second,” Hickey said. “It’s an example of some things that just get talked about out there and the overall impression that’s left sometimes is that the people at PKED, or The Canadian Canoe Museum, or Le Boat, or whoever, weren’t doing their jobs.”

Hickey was referring to comments Mayor Leal made during council’s general committee meeting on June 17, when councillors voted to endorse a staff report outlining the city’s plan to assume responsibility for economic development and tourism services.

“You would have thought that somebody would have had the initiative to have a story front and centre about The Canadian Canoe Museum,” the mayor said during the meeting, as he held up a recent edition of CAA magazine. “Isn’t that one of the great destinations that we want here in Ontario and Canada? I’m not a marketing guy but it seems to me that would be a pretty elementary thing to do, to get your story in a magazine that is probably on more kitchen tables than any other magazine that we have here.”

In his presentation, Hickey described how over $2 million worth of unpaid media coverage was generated about the new Canadian Canoe Museum, including coverage in the Globe & Mail, Cottage Life, The New York Times, National Geographic, and more.

“The teams involved in this did an incredible job of getting the news out that The Canadian Canoe Museum had launched, and I think that wasn’t really the flavour of what the public saw,” Hickey said. “Honestly, it was crushing at the time.”

“Continuing to build relationships with water-based travel media in the future is key,” he added. “That’s absolutely something you guys should be holding any future teams accountable (for). We need to be leading the world in terms of talking about waterways and tourism and business.”

Hickey also raised an issue related to the city’s use of the term “in house” to describe assuming responsibility for economic development and tourism from PKED. He said that term left the impression with many local businesses that at least some of the PKED staff would end up working for the city, providing continuity of service.

“The reality was, of 16 PKED employees, you guys have hired one,” he pointed out. “You’ve hired one of 16. The county has hired zero.”

That one employee is Cara Walsh, who worked for almost 12 years in various roles with PKED, most recently as tourism marketing and communications officer. The city hired her in August as a communications specialist with a focus on tourism and destination marketing.

“I’ve been involved in enough mergers and acquisitions and absorptions and whatever you want to call them — it’s super important that you maintain a certain level of continuity, of relationships with outside customers, relationships with suppliers,” Hickey said. “I can’t tell you how disappointing it is to see that, of all of these great people, you snapped up one.”

Hickey then turned to the municipal accommodation tax, which is $880,000 this year, noting to council that a “good chunk of that money” needs to be reinvested in event tourism to support the hospitality industry.

“This money is not meant to fund everything else the city does in addition to tourism and economic development.”

Referring to the famous line “If you build it, they will come” from the film Field of Dreams, Hickey emphasized the importance of having serviced land readily available to attract companies, with a veiled reference to the city’s plan to work with the county to identify opportunities for serviceable land.

“The days are gone where it’s enough to promise you can talk to your neighbours and figure stuff out once somebody expresses some interest,” he said. “That’s just not the way things work anymore.”

A long-standing issue facing PKED was its inability to close leads because of a lack of serviced land.

“All of the lead generation in the world is for naught if you haven’t got serviced land ready to go,” Hickey said.

In summing up, Hickey said PKED is going to continue to show fiscal responsibility in the final three months before the organization dissolves, but PKED also has to support its staff as they search for new jobs.

“I’m going to be honest with you,” Hickey said. “I didn’t think we’d be trying to help 15 people (find) jobs in October 2024.”

Hickey then referred to the transfer of knowledge, expertise, and client files as PKED winds down.

“We’re waiting for you guys on that,” he pointed out, using a sales analogy. “You can’t hand over your territory if you can’t sit down and talk to the person who’s going to take over your territory, talk about who’s important, talk about the local businesses that have been on our backs for the last six months or six years. All of that stuff has to happen, and it hasn’t happened yet.”

While acknowledging the city has not hired all of its economic development staff yet, Hickey said it would be a “huge miss” if PKED was unable to share its insights, customer files, and more with the city before PKED dissolves.

In his closing remarks, Hickey thanked the “passionate, talented group” at PKED.

As for Mayor Leal’s comment about being in CAA magazine, Hickey — who is founder and chairman of Peterborough-based advertising agency Outpost379 — pointed out an ad in the magazine costs $50,000 “and I would never recommend it.”

In his final comment to council, Hickey noted that, in a normal October, PKED staff would be working on media campaigns for the following year.

“That’s not in our bailiwick anymore — that’s for someone else to do,” he said. “We really are anxious to start to sit down with your new people, when they’re announced, to start to transfer over some of this knowledge and expertise.”

With the exception of councillor Alex Bierk, who asked about earned media and the value of lead generation from the Farnborough International Airshow, there were no questions or comments from city council, although general committee chair and councillor Andrew Beamer thanked Hickey and the PKED team for their hard work “for what it’s worth.”

Peterborough city council has endorsed keeping the modular bridge housing community (MBHC) program at Wolfe Street in downtown Peterborough beyond November 2025, along with additional funding to improve security, but has deferred a decision to expand the site with more modular cabins.

Meeting as general committee on Monday night (September 16), councillors considered a staff report recommending the MBHC program continue beyond the originally approved timeframe of November 2025, contingent on continued funding under the Ontario government’s homelessness prevention program, and that the program remain at Wolfe Street rather than be moved to another location.

The report also recommended that council delegate authority to the city’s community services commissioner to make decisions about physical and operational modifications to the site, and that the city spend an additional $75,000 to improve security at the site and allocate up to $1.12 million to expand the site with up to 16 additional modular cabins.

In May 2023, city council approved the MBHC program to operate for 18 to 24 months as a measure to provide supported temporary housing options for people experiencing homelessness, largely in response to a controversial tent encampment at the Wolfe Street/Rehill Lot. By fall 2023, the city had constructed 50 modular homes, shared washroom facilities, and a central service hub operated by the Elizabeth Fry Society with 24/7 services and staff support on site.

According to the staff report, an initial evaluation of the program’s effectiveness shows improvements in the stability of residents, successful transitions to permanent housing, and residents making progress on goals and employment, as well has a safer and more positive neighbourhood environment.

Discussion on the staff report began with councillor Keith Riel proposing a motion to defer a decision on the expansion of the site and an amendment to require the city’s community services commissioner to consult with the council co-chairs for the portfolio that includes social services — Riel and councillor Alex Bierk — on decisions about physical and operational modifications of the site.

Riel’s amendment was carried unanimously by the mayor and the nine councillors at the meeting (councillor Matt Crowley was absent), with discussion then turning to Riel’s motion to defer a decision on the expansion of the site.

Riel referred to a conversation he had with Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith about the province’s recent announcement for funding homelessness and addiction recovery treatment (HART) hubs. As part of the August 20th announcement to ban supervised drug consumption sites within 200 metres of schools and child care centres, the Ontario government said it would be investing $378 million in 19 new HART hubs that would add up to 375 “highly supportive” housing units as well as addiction recovery and treatment beds.

According to Riel, MPP Smith told him 16 additional modular cabins at Wolfe Street are not needed as Four Counties Addiction Services Team (Fourcast) is working on a proposal for HART funding that would include transitional housing.

“I’m just bringing that up, the conversation I had with him, that transitional housing is a part of the HART program and he thought that there would be no need for the 16 modulars,” Riel explained. “I said to move it (the decision on expanding MBHC) to a future date because, if that doesn’t happen (the approval of the Fourcast proposal) and we do not get the funding, we may have to come back and revisit this — that we need to put more modulars in or find a place for more modulars to house people.”

After spending some time discussing procedures to separate and vote on the five recommendations in the staff report, councillors spoke to the first recommendation that the MBHC program remain on Wolfe Street beyond November 2025.

“I can’t support the site remaining there any longer than the original 18 to 24 months, so the immediate question is ‘Where do we put them?’,” said councillor Dave Haacke. “We do have other options. I know that there is land at the city boundary.”

Haacke noted that council made a “promise” to residents and businesses in the Wolfe Street neighbourhood when approving the MBHC program that it would be temporary, with a timeframe of 18 to 24 months. He suggested alternative locations, such as land by the Peterborough Airport, could be used as a site.

According to the staff report, it would cost at least $1.68 million to relocate the MBHC to a different site, with additional expenses possible depending on the new site. The current funding under the provincial homelessness prevention program would not be sufficient to cover the cost of moving the program.

In addition to potential costs, the report notes other reasons against moving the program to another location, including minimizing disruptions to the residents at the current location and potential challenges in replicating operational procedures and processes at a different site.

Mayor Leal spoke in support of maintaining MBHC at the Wolfe Street site, saying that it will continue to be needed while other transitional and supporting housing options are being developed in the community. Leal specifically referred to Brock Mission’s recent proposal for a 50-suite transitional housing building.

“If their project is that one that we decide will go forward, it takes time to get the appropriate planning approvals and it takes time to physically build the (units) they want to provide to support people who are making that orderly transition from modular homes into supportive housing into regular apartments,” the mayor said.

In supporting the recommendation, councillor Kevin Duguay said “we’re going to struggle deeply and profoundly” to find another location for the MBHC program.

“The reality is that no neighbourhood in our community will be receptive of a relocation, either in part or in full,” he said, acknowledging that maintaining the MBHC program on Wolfe Street means “we’re kind of going back on our word” to residents and businesses in the Wolfe Street neighbourhood.

After councillors Riel and Joy Lachica spoke in support of the first recommendation, councillors voted 9-1 for the MBHC program to remain on Wolfe Street beyond November 2025, with councillor Haake casting the sole dissenting vote.

In quick succession, councillors then voted unanimously to support the remaining four recommendations.

Councillor voted to delegate authority to the city’s community services commissioner to make decisions about physical and operational modifications to the site in consultation with council co-chairs, after the original recommendation was unanimously voted down and a revised version was introduced that removed a reference to expanding the capacity of the Wolfe Street site.

They also voted to approve $75,000 for improving security at the MBHC site, to defer a decision on expanding the MBHC program with new modular cabins, and to authorize the city’s community services commissioner “to do such things and to execute such documents” for the MBHC program “on terms satisfactory to the city solicitor.”

Items endorsed by general committee on September 16 will be considered by council for final approval the following Monday (September 23), when public delegations will be heard.

Council meetings are streamed live at www.peterborough.ca.

At least two fire chiefs in the Kawarthas region are calling on local residents to be “saved by the beep.”

Both the Town of Cobourg and the City of Kawartha Lakes are among the municipalities taking part in an Ontario-wide effort aimed at increasing safety by ensuring people have working smoke alarms in their homes.

Cobourg fire chief Ellard Beaven and Kawartha Lakes fire chief Terry Jones are asking residents to test their smoke alarms on Saturday, September 28, as part of the provincial “Test Your Smoke Alarm Day” campaign being led by Ontario’s Office of the Fire Marshal.

A working smoke alarm provides the best chance to keep residents and their loved ones safe in the event of a fire, according to media releases issued by both municipalities.

“Being prepared to act in the event of a fire can start with simply pressing the test button and having the confidence that a working smoke alarm is in your home,” both fire chiefs said.

“Lives will be saved by regularly testing smoke alarms at least once a month, refreshing batteries at least once a year, and replacing smoke alarms older than 10 years.”

In 2022, Ontario lost 133 people to deadly fires — the highest number in more than 20 years. Many fires occurred in homes where there weren’t working smoke alarms.

“In Ontario, we’ve seen a significant rise in fatal fires and the number of people we have lost in these fires is very concerning,” said Ontario Fire Marshal Jon Pegg in a statement.

“Entire families have been lost to fire and the most troubling part is that the majority of these fires did not have a working smoke alarm in the home. Had there been working smoke alarms, and a well thought out and practised home fire escape plan, these deaths may have been prevented.”

The Office of the Fire Marshal, with the support of fire services and fire safety partners across Ontario, is asking residents to regularly test their smoke alarms, in addition to the challenge issued to test all smoke alarms in their residences on September 28.

Ontario residents are encouraged to snap a photo of themselves or family members testing their smoke alarms and post it to social media using the hashtag #SavedByTheBeep. For more information, visit savedbythebeep.ca.

Since 2006, smoke alarms have been legally required to be installed on every storey of an Ontario residence, which also includes vacation homes, cottages and cabins, and trailers and RVs.

In rented residences, it is the responsibility of landlords to test alarms annually, after the battery is replaced, and after every change in tenancy. Renters must notify their landlord as soon as they become aware that a smoke alarm is not operating.

Statistics Canada noted in a report released in June of 2023 that just more than one in three residents have a working smoke alarm.

Death rates were lower in homes with working smoke alarms, where 26 per cent of incidents resulted in death. Homes without a working smoke alarm, including those without an installed alarm or the status is unknown, accounted for nearly three out of four deaths, or 74 per cent.

Residential fires accounted for the most fire deaths In 2021. Of the 202 fire-related deaths, three out of four occurred in residences. Among the 10,819 residential fires, one per cent ended in a death, with a total of 156 fatalities.

Cooking equipment, smokers’ materials, and open flames continue to be the leading causes of fire in residential settings.

A 17-year-old from Cavan-Monaghan Township is dead after he was struck by a vehicle in the west end of Peterborough early Saturday morning (September 14).

At around 3 a.m. on Saturday, police officers responded to a 9-1-1 call about a pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle in the North Monaghan Parkway and Dobbin Road area.

The driver of the vehicle remained on the scene and provided first aid to the teenager until first responders arrived.

The teen was transported to Peterborough Regional Health Centre where he succumbed to his injuries.

The roadway was closed for about eight hours while the police investigated and documented the scene.

Police have not released the name of the victim or whether the driver is facing any charges.

Northumberland County council will take a look at the findings of a study exploring police services in Northumberland, including the concept of having one county-wide force, during its next regular meeting of county council.

The results of the Northumberland County Police Services Review study will be before council on Wednesday (September 18). The county council meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. at county headquarters in Cobourg on Courthouse Road and is also accessible on the county’s YouTube channel and can be joined through Zoom.

StrategyCorp, the consultant hired by the county to undertake the review, completed the study following a four-month process that kicked off in April. Council requested the study be completed to assess current policing practices across Northumberland County and explore potential future service delivery models.

Municipality of Brighton Mayor Brian Ostrander, who currently serves as the warden of Northumberland County council, earlier told kawarthaNOW that having one county-wide police force for Northumberland instead of three separate services was worth a second look.

Ostrander said he proposed to council the motion of updating the 2007 study on the same issue for a few reasons.

“It showed there could be some fairly significant savings if there was an amalgamated service or one contract across the county,” Ostrander told kawarthaNOW. “I wondered if it was of interest to have that study updated, and it was.”

As local municipalities prepare for anticipated regional population growth of 35 per cent over the next 25 years, findings from this study are intended to “support informed decision-making around future policing services,” Northumberland County noted in a media release.

Currently in Northumberland County, the Cobourg Police Service serves the Town of Cobourg, the Port Hope Police Service primarily serves the urban area of the Municipality of Port Hope, and the OPP’s Northumberland detachment (with locations in Cobourg, Brighton, and Campbellford) serves the rural area of the Municipality of Port Hope, along with Hamilton Township, Alnwick-Haldimand Township, Cramahe Township, the Municipality of Brighton, and the Municipality of Trent Hills.

At the meeting, council will review the study that looks at existing service models — considering service levels, operational costs, and evolving community needs — and identifies options for future service delivery.

The review was expected to encompass stakeholder interviews and a thorough evaluation of current policing service levels, operational costs, and existing revenue streams. The goal was to provide recommendations for future service delivery based on options ranging from maintaining existing service structures to consideration of a combined model, the county noted.

Following discussion, county council will decide whether to move forward with the second phase of the project, which would involve a full costing of alternative service delivery models identified in the study.

“Ultimately, any changes to local policing models would be at the discretion of each lower-tier municipality, with whom jurisdiction for police services resides,” the county noted.

To learn more about the police services review study, and to access the report being presented at the meeting, visit joinin.northumberland.ca. For the agenda of the September 18 meeting and instructions on how to watch the meeting or join via Zoom, visit northumberland.ca/council.