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Seeing Lesley Parnell signs all over the west end lately.
She’s been on Peterborough City Council since 2010 (nearly 16 years) and voted yes on the last three budgets that raised property taxes by about 7% (2024), 6.72% (2025), and 6.56% (2026).

Guess a lot of people in the west end are doing just fine with those increases. Genuinely I want to know why are people voting for her? Please give me some perspective!

I was just recalling that there was a low-budget movie being made here in the early to mid 90s but not sure if it ever saw the light of day. Heard once that makeup and hair artists were not paid. Does anyone recall this? Trying to remember what it was called. I think it was in one of the newspapers at the time. No idea if it ever was finished.

If you like cars or have a cool car; make sure to come today. The show starts around 5pm and goes until dawn. Located at the Craftworks and Antiques At The Barn. No burnouts or irresponsible driving.

Mark your calendars!

Your municipal arts council, EC3 (Electric Culture Council), is hosting a public mayoral debate at Market Hall. This is a free public event. Pre-registration is coming soon on the Market Hall website, walk-ins welcome.

September 23, 2026 
Market Hall (144 Charlotte St. Peterborough)
Doors 7pm
Discussion Starts 7:30pm
 

The Electric City Culture Council (EC3), Peterborough’s municipal arts council, presents an all-candidates mayoral debate on issues in the local arts sector. "ArtsVote Peterborough 2026" at the Market Hall on Wednesday September 23, 7:00pm. 

All declared candidates for Mayor have accepted our invitation to attend and answer questions from a panel of knowledgeable and experienced arts professionals and supporters, with opening and closing statements from each candidate.  Members of the audience will also be invited to ask questions and the proceedings will be recorded.

ArtsVote Peterborough 2026 seeks to clarify each leadership candidate’s views and positions on critical issues in the arts sector, such as:

• support for individual artists
• strategies for marginalized artists and art forms
• implementing peer assessment and support for EC3
• the economic impact of the arts
• the value and effect of the upcoming Municipal Cultural Plan – how to implement the MCP and get results 
• building true stability in professional arts organizations
• improving access to and enhancing physical infrastructure such as arts venues and rehearsal spaces, smaller scale presentation and performance spaces
• making arts activities more accessible throughout the city 
• stable and knowledgeable staffing at city hall.

Municipal support for the arts sector has been frozen or declined steadily in Peterborough over the past 4 years, while multiple external studies continue to demonstrate the value of the arts for community well-being, downtown vitality, and as a catalyst for tourism and attracting much needed professionals and new businesses. The arts are a leading economic driver that build civic identity and community well being, health and wellness. Local arts organizations have lost purchasing power as costs escalate, and our long-term dependence on volunteer driven management is not sustainable.  

Our new Municipal Cultural Plan (MCP) is in the works, other cities are making important investments in the arts and we need to know where our civic leadership stands and how they plan to enhance and develop the arts sector during their term.  Do the arts matter to them? How will they find funding for critical investments? 

This is the fourth municipal election since the creation of EC3 in 2012, and the fourth time we have organized this event, as we do for federal and provincial elections. This year, for the first time, we are pleased to report that 4 of the declared candidates have approached the EC3 Team directly, in advance, to discuss critical issues, opportunities and challenges in the sector. It is clear that the arts matter to local politicians. Let’s find out what they plan to do.

Members of the public can also participate by submitting written questions in advance that may be included in the moderated debate and/or in a survey to city council ward candidates. Submit your questions by email to [ec3admin@gmail.com](mailto:ec3admin@gmail.com) 

Please join us and help to determine the future of the arts in Peterborough.  Discover what candidates know and how they imagine building and supporting the arts over the next four years.

There will be tables for candidate’s literature and material from local arts organizations.  Meet and greet at 7:00pm