There is room for all of us in shaping Peterborough’s future. Together, we can build a city that is affordable, welcoming, and full of opportunity—for our children and for generations to come.
As a musician who has performed with the Kawartha Community Orchestra, plays fiddle with the Fiddle Sticks group, and serves on the board of the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra—along with past work on the Peterborough Theatre Guild board and ongoing experience as an actor and model with Strutt Central—I understand how essential the arts are to our city’s creativity, identity, and quality of life. Our arts community brings energy, connection, and vibrancy to Peterborough.
Equally important is our natural environment. A healthy, protected environment supports public well‑being, strengthens our economy, and preserves the beauty that makes Peterborough such a special place to live.
Meet Charmaine
I’m running for City Councillor in Ward 5 (Northcrest) because I believe in a Peterborough where everyone can thrive—where families feel secure, where young people can build their futures, and where seniors can retire with dignity. This city has been my home for many years, and it’s where I raised my five children as a single mother. Peterborough gave us community, belonging, and opportunity, and now I’m ready to give back in a bigger way.
My journey has been shaped by hard work, resilience, and a deep commitment to community. As a long‑time community activist concerned about social justice, I’ve worked alongside residents to tackle the real challenges affecting everyday people — affordability, housing, safety, and access to basic needs. People who know me will tell you that I listen, I show up, and I work collaboratively to find solutions. I believe leadership is about relationships, trust, and ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard.
Peterborough is a city full of potential. With strong post‑secondary institutions, beautiful neighbourhoods, and a vibrant local culture, we have the foundation to grow a strong and inclusive economy. But to keep our graduates here and attract new industries, we need leadership that proactively works with provincial and federal partners to bring good‑paying jobs and long‑term investment to our community. A stronger, more diversified economy will help reduce the growing increase of residential taxes while supporting the services families rely on.
I’m running for council because Peterborough deserves a representative who understands everyday struggles, who listens with compassion, and who is ready to fight for fairness, affordability, and opportunity. I bring lived experience, positive energy, and a fresh perspective—along with a steadfast belief that our city can flourish when decisions are rooted in community voices.
Why I Am Running
I’ve made my home in Peterborough, where I found a strong sense of belonging and raised my five children. Our family built our lives here, connected with our neighbours, and became part of a community that supports one another. Through many years of community involvement, I’ve focused on issues that affect daily life, including affordability, safety, local economic developments, and access to essential needs.
I believe democracy is working when everyone in the community has what they need: a safe place to sleep at night, enough food to eat, and the security to build a good life. A healthy city is one where families feel supported, where children can thrive, and where neighbours look out for one another. That requires a council that functions with integrity—one that listens, collaborates, and acts for the people.
My experiences as a musician—performing with the Kawartha Community Orchestra, playing fiddle with the Fiddle Sticks group, and serving on the board of the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra—have strengthened my connection to the arts in Peterborough. Past involvement with the Peterborough Theatre Guild board and ongoing work as an actor and model with Strutt Central have also shown me how deeply the arts contribute to our city’s creativity, identity, and quality of life. This artistic community adds energy and vibrancy to the place we share.
Peterborough deserves councillors who genuinely have their ears to the ground, who spend time in the community, and who listen to residents' concerns. We need decision‑makers who understand the real issues affecting everyday people and who bring their voices forward at City Hall. Our ward — and our city — deserves leadership that is accessible, responsive, and committed to fairness.
I also place great importance on our natural surroundings. A healthy environment supports the well‑being of residents, contributes to economic stability, and protects the natural beauty of the surrounding area, which defines Peterborough.
Peterborough is a community where people build families, careers, and long‑term connections. Maintaining a welcoming and supportive place means ensuring that residents have opportunities to learn, work, and build stable futures close to home. Local institutions play an important role in creating these opportunities, and continued economic development can help broaden them.
A strong, diverse environment—supported by a healthy natural landscape and a vibrant arts community—can contribute to a resilient local economy that offers long‑term stability for residents. Working collaboratively with partners at different levels can help expand opportunities and ease pressures on households.
What I Bring
I raised five well-adjusted children. Now an empty nester, I want to give more of my time, energy, and experience back to the community that supported me. I bring a positive spirit, a fresh voice, and the lived experience of someone who understands the challenges faced by everyday families.
As a social justice community activist, I’ve built trust by genuinely listening and working collaboratively. People who know me will tell you that I show up, I listen, and I work hard to find solutions for the people most affected. I believe in meaningful community collaboration—bringing people into the process. I value open community involvement and the participation of diverse voices.
Like many, I’ve faced pushback in my professional and academic life. But I’ve also seen the incredible support that exists when we stand together, regardless of gender, identity, or economic background. There is room for all of us, and I believe in empowering people to fight for what matters.
I want to work with my fellow councilors to get things done — to create positive, lasting change that keeps Peterborough thriving. I want to build a future where our young people can stay, work, and build their lives here; where families feel supported; and where our community continues to flourish for generations to come.