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:

Lachica asks if staff have already looked into possible revenue sources. Commissioner of Social Services Sheldon Laidman says this topics "was definitely on staff's radar" and notes there's reasons for charging for parking, including parking management, noting at times the lot is full.

Chair Andrew Beamer says that this is the way he has always done it, just keeps a speaker list and lets councillors speak in the order in which they raise their hand.

Now Coun. Lachica is raising a procedural matter noting that members of council who have not spoken to a motion should be allowed to speak before a councillor who has spoken before others are allowed to. She says this isn't about favourites, it's about procedure.

Baldwin speaking to his motion, says this is in response to a delegate, and says he wants to provide the opportunity for the professional staff to weigh in on this. Says he's not interested in separating them out at this time.

Now Coun. Riel is asking if Baldwin would be interested in separating the motion into two parts to vote on separately. Ie. one part on charging for parking, and a second for looking into other revenue generating opportunities at the zoo.

Coun. Haacke says that he is generally supportive, Crowley speaks again, saying that he is also supportive of this. "I think it's a worthwhile motion," he adds. Vassiliadis says that the zoo being free is "special" and something to work with on tourism.

Duguay also does not support the idea of charging for parking, noting he is supportive of exploring other revenue generating opportunities, such as sponsorship. He says part of what makes the zoo so special is it's free. "People are astounded," he says. "I can't support it if it includes parking.

Coun. Alex Bierk says that it's not an inclusive policy and looks bad on the city, which took control of the zoo earlier this year. We should look at the positive impacts of this resource being free to all, he says.