I Asked. You Answered.
178 Insights to Unlock Peterborough's Full Potential
If we want Peterborough to be one of Canada's great cities, we need to do listen to the thoughtful residents who tell me they feel ignored and unseen when important decisions are being made.
That's why I hosted five Together, We Will policy sessions on the most critical topics facing Peterborough, and held them across every ward in the city. I have the vision and plan for Peterborough to become one of Canada's great cities, but I needed to road-test that vision with the residents who see our challenges and opportunities every day.
We didn't sugarcoat things. Together, we delivered exactly 178 insights to get Peterborough back on track.
Here are the key themes that came through loud and clear — and the themes that will add to my vision and plan, and inform my blueprint for action:
1. Purposeful Municipal Investing
You made it clear that you expect a return on your municipal investments. You want a City Hall that treats your tax dollars with the exact same respect and discipline that you use when managing your own household budget.
You want to see property tax increases capped at the rate of inflation, a focus on eliminating waste, and a shift toward "upstream" investments — like reliable transit and youth recreation — that prevent community crises before they require expensive emergency responses. Every dollar spent must deliver measurable value.
2. Economic Growth as the Engine
You know that we can't tax our way to prosperity. You told me that Peterborough needs to grow, and that growth requires cutting red tape so our job creators can thrive.
You want City Hall to actively partner with the private sector. Ideas like expanding our industrial land and establishing public-private partnerships show your desire to expand our commercial tax base so the burden stops falling entirely on residential property owners.
3. Compassion Paired with Accountability
When discussing the state of our downtown and the housing crisis, you told me that compassion is vital, but compassion without boundaries is failing everyone.
You want expanded supportive housing and shelter capacity, but you demand accountability in return. Enforcement of public park bylaws once alternatives exist prove that we can support our most vulnerable while keeping our public spaces safe and welcoming.
4. Reclaiming Civic Pride & Public Spaces
You don't want to see vacant storefronts downtown and declining property standards. You want a city that looks and feels like a community we're proud to call home.
You brought forward incredible ideas to help local businesses and city-led initiatives that empower neighbourhood groups to adopt and clean up their own blocks.
5. A Co-operative, Bottom-Up City Hall
You told me you're tired of showing up to council meetings only to realize that minds have already been made up. You want to be involved early in the decision-making cycle, and you want full transparency on how contracts are awarded and money is spent.
You called for an end to the status quo. Ideas like annual resident budget surveys, transparent open-contracting portals, and regular mayoral "office hours" show that you expect City Hall to be a partner, not a gatekeeper.
From Listening to Investing
Along with my vision and plan for Peterborough, these 178 insights — plus ongoing “100 Coffees” discussions and input gathered while canvassing thousands of residences — inform my blueprint for action, the comprehensive policies to unlock Peterborough's full potential.
The key word I heard is invest. You want informed, collaborative actions with a specific return expected. When you see real value for your tax dollars, trust begins to grow. When trust grows, so does civic pride. By taking your ideas and investing them wisely, Peterborough will unlock its full potential.