Effectiveness and Efficiency Review Request for Proposals Issued

Peterborough, ON – An Effectiveness and Efficiency Review of the City’s municipal operations and service delivery will be presented to the community and considered by City Council to ensure the City is well positioned to meet the needs of the community today and into the future, Mayor Jeff Leal says.

The City issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the independent review on Friday, December 19, 2025, with a bid closing date of January 21, 2026. It is anticipated that the independent review will begin in April after the contract is awarded.

Municipalities across Ontario are facing growing fiscal pressures driven by inflation, aging infrastructure, climate impacts, and a provincial-municipal funding framework that puts an unrealistic burden on property taxpayers, Leal said.

“The current Canada-Ontario-Municipal fiscal framework is putting undue pressure on property taxpayers, particularly in the fields of housing and quasi-health services,” the Mayor said.

“We need to do what we can for our property taxpayers within the constraints that are imposed on us. The independent review will examine how City services are delivered, how resources are allocated, and where opportunities exist to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and long-term sustainability – while maintaining service quality for residents.

“This work will help us make informed, evidence-based decisions as we plan for the years ahead.”

The review will assess service levels, organizational structure, staffing models, and service delivery approaches, and will benchmark Peterborough against comparable Ontario municipalities

It will be the City’s first independent, comprehensive effectiveness and efficiency review. The recommendation to conduct regularly scheduled organizational reviews is expected to be part of the process with Council.   

The Effectiveness and Efficiency Review will consider whether services continue to meet the public interest, whether the City is the appropriate service provider, and whether alternative or innovative service delivery models could improve outcomes or reduce costs. The review will not presuppose outcomes related to service expansion, reduction, or privatization; all recommendations must be grounded in evidence, best practices, and Peterborough’s local context.

City Council has strongly supported Chief Administrative Officer Jasbir Raina’s recommendation for the City to undertake this Effectiveness and Efficiency Review, said Councillor Andrew Beamer, Council’s Finance Portfolio Co-Chair.

“As a mid-sized city with a limited non-residential tax base, Peterborough faces many of the same challenges as municipalities across Ontario including rising costs, the need to replace or renew infrastructure, and constrained financial flexibility,” Beamer said. “This review will give Council a clearer understanding of where efficiencies can be achieved, how service levels compare to peer municipalities, and how we can continue to deliver value for residents while maintaining responsible and sustainable budgets.”

The selected consultant will undertake a multi-phase process that includes an environmental scan, benchmarking, engagement with Council and the community, a review of current service delivery models and organizational structure, and the development of actionable recommendations supported by cost-benefit analysis and an implementation roadmap.

The review will support both Council decision-making and organizational planning, Raina said.

“This work will provide Council with a clear, independent assessment of how we deliver services and how we can continue to improve,” Raina said. “It will help ensure the City has the right systems, structures, and resources in place to respond to changing community needs, manage risk, and strengthen operational performance over the long term.

“How the City moves forward will be decided by Council after considering the information and hearing from residents. Council, as the elected body, will decide. Based on the timing of this process, I anticipate that this term of Council will consider, debate and provide initial direction on the results from the review, then the next Council elected in October 2026 will provide its direction on the implementation.”

The request for proposals to undertake the review is posted on the City’s bidding portal at cityofpeterborough.bidsandtenders.ca.