Peterborough’s mayor and current City Council have 23 months left in their mandate before the next municipal election in October of 2022. What should Council’s main priorities be as their mandate winds down? What should they be sure to get done? Our guest panel from across the city representing a wide cross-section of interests and sectors weighs in: Jonathan Bennett of Laridae Consulting (non-profits), Kate Story, writer & theatre artist (arts community), Cheryl Lyon of Transition Town (housing & urban planning), Kaia Martin, student (youth & environmental activist), Paul Bennett of the Downtown Business Improvement Area & builder, business owner & planner (housing & urban planning) and Ian Attridge, lawyer, university instructor (finance & community engagement).

Our panel wants this Council to tackle the immediate problems facing our community with an eye to both short-term effectiveness and long-term wisdom. Topics considered include affordable housing, housing supply at all levels, urban intensification, suburban sprawl, public transit, how to invigorate downtown, the survival of the arts community, environmental restoration, and business recovery. This panel discussion was recorded on November 17th and broadcast by Trent Radio on November 26th.