Doubling down and advancing broad generalizations diminishing the work of journalists working in increasingly understaffed newsrooms. Really good look in 2025.

Doubling down and advancing broad generalizations diminishing the work of journalists working in increasingly understaffed newsrooms. Really good look in 2025.

Learning now Chief Betts called out all traditional media, which is frankly worse. When the chief of police is actively working to foster distrust of journalists in the community he is supposed to serve as a public official, he is working against a basic principle of democracy. Do better, Stu.

Learning now Chief Betts called out all traditional media, which is frankly worse. When the chief of police is actively working to foster distrust of journalists in the community he is supposed to serve as a public official, he is working against a basic principle of democracy. Do better, Stu.

Bierk calls this an issue of equity. Everyone of these orgs are given this money based on merit, and it's important to support these groups because of the impact they have on the community and the city should support the work these organizations do, no matter what their size.

Mayor Leal says that there are "a lot of very worthy organizations that the city is always going to support" citing KSAC and Kawartha Food Share, and Folk Fest but there are others who have successfully transformed into big businesses.

Now Coun. Duguay says that the intention was only ever to provide seed funding, but that this funding has now become key operational funds for organizations that "function as businesses" like GreenUP and the New Canadian Centre (which bought St. James United Church earlier this year).

Bierk reminds "his colleague on his left" (referring to Crowley) the amount of emails councillors received the last time they looked at making cuts to those grants. There's laughter at this. Crowley clarifies that he is just asking for clarity for residents and himself.

Coun. Bierk's amending motion to allocate and additional $25k be added to the Grants to Individual Artists Awards administered by EC3 passes 10-1 with only Coun. Andrew Beamer voting against. All votes adopting the EC3 funding report for 2026 are unanimous.

Coun. Lachica now explains that this program makes Peterborough a home for artists in the area and makes it special. She adds that it costs the same amount to administer $25k as it does $50k for EC3, so it just makes sense. Riel says "this money here is a small token for the arts community."

Duguay says it's a small amount of money and think it'll be put to good use. Coun. Baldwin says that he thinks it's an important use of funds and will support the motion.

Coun. Bierk says that it would add about $0.04 on average per household tax bill a year. Coun. Duguay is now asking how we know that the money will be allocated to individual artists. Laidman says it's a simple process, based on an agreement with the Electric City Culture Council (EC3).

Here is Bierk's motion up for debate now: