‘We need to be open for business’: Bennett

Mayor Daryl Bennett said it’s “humorous” that some people think he stopped rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft from coming to Peterborough because he owns a taxi company.

Both companies “have made inquiries” about setting up shop in Peterborough but decided against it because Peterborough’s population isn’t large enough.

“It’s their choice — not ours,” Bennett said.

The mayor was speaking at the Peterborough Rotary Club luncheon on Monday at the Holiday Inn. He and Diane Therrien, who is running against him for mayor, were invited to take questions from Rotarians.

It’s a two-person race between Bennett, 70, who has been mayor for eight years and Therrien, 32, a Town Ward councillor for four years.

They were responding to a question about whether they’d like to have ridesharing in Peterborough.

Therrien said local entrepreneurs are developing apps now that would ease ridesharing in the city — and she’d like to see those apps get off the ground.

“I think it would be highly beneficial,” she said, “I’d be fully supportive of bringing the city into the 21st century by bringing in some modern ways to get people around.”

Therrien added that she’d also advocate for a car-sharing program in Peterborough; she noted that one not-for-profit firm, Community CarShare, was turned away by council last year when it wanted to do business here.

Meanwhile Bennett said that he stands for development in Peterborough — even as some people object and try to stop new

businesses and subdivisions from being constructed.

He mentioned that even some of the “simpler” developments from the last few years, such as the Mastermind Toys development at Lansdowne and The Parkway, “faced substantial opposition” from special interest groups and some councillors.

“We need to be open for business,” he said.

But Therrien said she wants to see businesses and subdivisions designed with environmentalism in mind — and more infill where there is already sewer and transit service.

“Let’s plan in smart, futureoriented ways,” she said.

Regarding homelessness, Therrien said it’s critical to consider boosting the rent supplement program to keep people from eviction in the first place.

“We know it’s cheaper to keep people housed” than put into emergency shelters, she said.

But Bennett said the city has built “hundreds” of affordable apartments over his eight years as mayor, and that council can’t expect federal money to help build more apartments.

There is money available through the National Housing Strategy, he said — but there’s a catch.

“A lot of that is through loans,” he said, adding that the city would also need investment from private partners.

“It takes leadership… not entrenched ideals” to guide the city through these challenges, he said, adding that he has the “relevant skills and relevant experience” to be mayor.

But Therrien described herself as a “forward-thinking” person who is “a product of the new economy” and understands technology. “I’m well-suited to bring Peterborough into the 21st century,” she said.

The municipal election is Monday. Internet voting continues.