Kawarthas & Regional Community Round-Up: Local News, Sports & Key Updates

Welcome to your comprehensive community update bringing you the latest local headlines, regional sports, and upcoming events across Peterborough, the Kawarthas, and Central Ontario! 🌲✨

📰 Regional News & Headlines

🧡 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Recognized

Community members gathered across Peterborough to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with solemn remembrance. At the Peterborough County Courthouse flag-raising, Hiawatha First Nation Chief Laurie Carr emphasized honouring the 150,000 Indigenous children forced into residential schools and called for active allyship. Events hosted by the Nogojiwanong Urban Indigenous Working Group at Healthy Planet Arena featured drumming, jingle dress dancing, and elder wisdom. Local leaders, including Mayor Jeff Leal, County Warden Bonnie Clark, and OPP Insp. Chris Galeazza, spoke on shared municipal and policing responsibilities in rebuilding community trust.

🏫 IB Program Review at Kenner Collegiate

Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board trustees have asked staff to explore specialized programming options for Kenner Collegiate Vocational Institute, including possibly reinstating the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Cancelled in late 2023 over equity and financial concerns, teachers presented data demonstrating enrolment loss to local Catholic schools. Enrolling just 25 IB students generates $362,500 annually in provincial funding, helping offset operational costs and revitalizing school culture.

🏛️ Federal "Building Canada Strong Act" Scrutiny

Peterborough MP Emma Harrison defended Bill C-39 (Building Canada Strong Act), emphasizing it will face rigorous parliamentary scrutiny and committee review. Environmental groups, including Ecojustice and the David Suzuki Foundation, warned the proposed legislation could fast-track fossil fuel projects and weaken nature protections via one-year assessment limits. MP Harrison assured the public that committee stages will welcome testimony and amendments from Indigenous partners and experts.

🏗️ Historic 1845 Stone Schoolhouse Demolished

The historic stone schoolhouse at 297 Hunter St. W. in Peterborough has been demolished by Drain Bros. Excavating Ltd. after city council voted against heritage designation. Built in 1845 with stone quarried from Jackson Park, the structure suffered severe arson damage in 2015. The Roman Catholic Diocese requested removal from the heritage register to make way for a proposed fourplex apartment building to help address local housing supply.

💊 Safe Medication Take-Back Campaign

Rexall Pharmacy in Peterborough partnered with Substance Canada, the Health Products Stewardship Association, and local law enforcement to launch the "Together for Safer Homes" initiative. The campaign highlights the hazards of unmonitored household prescription storage. With student non-prescribed drug use rising, residents are reminded that local pharmacies offer free, year-round medication return programs.

☕ Dreams of Beans Café Fuels Living-Wage Model

Downtown Peterborough's Dreams of Beans Café (141 Charlotte St.) continues to thrive as a social enterprise using a living-wage, no-tipping business model. Menu prices incorporate fair wages, and a "pay it forward" fund helps provide meals for those in need. The venue displays local art commission-free and inspired the creation of the "PTBO Friends" social group connecting newcomers.

🐕 Active Together Program Supports Inclusive Community

The Council for Persons with Disabilities Peterborough hosted its bi-weekly "Active Together" event at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 52. The free program offered adults with visible and invisible disabilities lunch, interactive art, and a dog trick demonstration by One Paw at a Time K9.

🍂 "Super El Niño" to Extend Ontario Fall Foliage

Climatologists report that a powerful "Super El Niño" climate pattern will deliver warmer-than-average fall temperatures across Ontario. While warmer weather may slightly temper bright red pigments, healthy summer rainfall ensures a vibrant, extended leaf-peeping season across Central Ontario, Algonquin Park, and the Muskokas.

🏛️ MP Scott Aitchison Announces Resignation

Parry Sound-Muskoka Conservative MP Scott Aitchison announced he will step down from federal politics at the end of the fall parliamentary session after 30 years of public service. Aitchison previously served as opposition housing critic and ran for party leadership in 2022.

⚙️ Canadian Steel Sector Shifts Domestic Strategy

Amid 50% U.S. steel tariffs and international oversupply leading to layoffs at Stelco’s Hamilton cold mill, industry analysts emphasize pivoting Canadian steel toward domestic infrastructure. Experts urge updates to federal procurement guidelines to support local production.

🤖 Social Media AI Support Glitches

A Toronto user experienced a permanent, automated shutdown of her 20-year-old Facebook and Instagram accounts without human review—despite paying for a verified account. The incident underscores growing concerns over user data access and reliance on automated customer service algorithms.

🏒 Regional Sports Updates

• 🏒 Lucas Karmiris Petes Debut: Peterborough Petes forward Lucas Karmiris is set to make his game debut after recovering from dual knee surgeries. He will line up alongside Braydon McCallum and Aiden Young as the Petes host Erie, while newly acquired defenceman Camron Hankai makes his team debut.

• 🏎️ Autumn Colours Classic Finale: The GEN3 Electrical SportsMods season concludes on Friday, Oct. 9, at Peterborough Speedway. Defending champion John Baker Jr. holds a narrow two-point lead over Chad Strawn heading into the championship round.

• ⚾ Blue Jays Season Recap: Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins addressed the team's 79-83 finish, citing power dips and rotation injuries, while expressing confidence in a roster reset for the upcoming season.

🗓️ Community Notices & Events

• 🗳️ Municipal Candidate Forum: "Electionfest" takes place Thursday, October 1, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Healthy Planet Arena (911 Monaghan Rd.). Free admission to meet local candidates.

• 🥧 Thanksgiving Bake Sale: Empress Gardens Retirement Residence (131 Charlotte St.) hosts a bake sale on Wednesday, October 8, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Proceeds support Kawartha Food Share.

• 🏥 PRHC Hybrid OR Campaign: The Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation continues its campaign to bring an advanced hybrid Operating Room to the hospital for complex local surgeries.

👇Help keep our community informed—hit Share to pass this update along to your neighbours. 🏫✨

Questions about anything REAL ESTATE?? Call me for a consultation to help you get to the path of YOUR success….

📞 705-927-6236 👤 Brad Sinclair | Realtor® Re/Max Professionals North 📍 Might as well have the BEST to accomplish your goals.

Families love the Kawarthas/Highlands. Let’s find your place in it.