Peterborough—Kawartha

Peterborough—Kawartha is a bellwether riding centred on the city of Peterborough and extending into the surrounding Kawartha Lakes region. Home to Trent University and Fleming College, the riding blends a student population with retirees, young families, and rural residents. Progressive Conservative Dave Smith had won the seat in 2018, flipping it from the NDP, and was seeking a second term in a riding that has historically swung between parties.

The riding faced a growing homelessness and opioid crisis during the 2018–2022 term. On average, roughly 300 people experienced homelessness in Peterborough and Peterborough County each month, and the intersection of addiction, mental health, and housing insecurity was a defining challenge for the community.

Candidates

Dave Smith (Progressive Conservative) — Smith held a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Trent University and an MBA from the University of Fredericton. Before entering politics in 2018, he worked as Manager of Product Development at Cardinal Software. He was named one of the most influential people in Peterborough by Metroland Media in 2013 and 2018.

Greg Dempsey (Liberal) — Dempsey grew up in Peterborough and held degrees from Bishop’s University, a law degree from the University of Victoria, a certificate in International Indigenous Studies from Columbia University, and a cum laude LLM in International Human Rights Law from Utrecht University in the Netherlands.

Jen Deck (NDP) — Deck was an elementary school teacher with the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board for over 20 years. Since 2017, she served as President and Chief Negotiator for the Kawartha Pine Ridge Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario Occasional Teachers’ Local.

Tom Marazzo (Ontario Party) — Marazzo was a former Canadian military officer who reached the rank of captain and worked as a construction engineer. He had taught computer software at Georgian College from 2019 to 2021.

Robert Gibson (Green Party) and Rebecca Quinnell (New Blue Party) also ran.

Local Issues

Affordable housing was the most commonly raised issue among candidates in Peterborough—Kawartha. With a low vacancy rate and escalating rents, competition for units among seniors, students, and individuals experiencing homelessness was intense. Candidates across party lines acknowledged housing as a fundamental challenge, though they differed on solutions ranging from reinstating rent control to increasing the supply of new builds.

The opioid crisis and mental health services were closely intertwined with the housing issue. In March 2022, MPP Smith announced $367,480 in provincial funding for a pilot project called “Moving Beyond Addiction” to address mental health and addictions in the Peterborough area. A consumption and treatment site at 220 Simcoe Street—the former Greyhound bus station—opened shortly after the election. The worsening opioid crisis had contributed to chronic homelessness, straining local social services.

Health care access was also a concern, with residents focused on long-term care capacity, physician recruitment, and the broader impacts of Bill 124 on the health-care workforce.