Media Release for Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Calls for Service:
(Aug 17 at 8:00am – Aug 18 at 8:00am) 107

Utter Threats – Hate Crime Arrest

A 50-year-old Peterborough man is facing several charges in connection with a series of online threats.

In early August, the Peterborough Police Service was made aware of a series of online threats toward several Peterborough residents. As a result of the investigation, officers with the Major Crime Unit requested and were granted a search warrant for a Peterborough residence.

On Thursday, August 13, 2026, officers executed the search warrant and took a Peterborough man into custody.

As a result of the investigation, 50-year-old Kevin Goudreau of Peterborough was charged with:

• Utter Threats Cause Death or Bodily Harm – Motivated by Hatred X2
• Utter Threats Cause Death or Bodily Harm X2
• Fail to comply with Probation Order X5

The accused is currently bound three probation orders with the following conditions: to keep the peace and be of good behaviour and to not post any information about two of the victims in this case.

The accused will make another court appearance today August 18, 2026.  

Two of the online posts in this case were determined to be motivated by hatred.  This is the first time the Peterborough Police Service has laid charges under the new federal hate crime laws. 

Hate/Bias Incident

In recent days, the Peterborough Police Service has been made aware of posters from the Dominion Society of Canada.  These posters have surfaced in the area of Douro Street and Rotary Trail and speak to the groups’ stance on immigration that includes remigration.  The reports have been taken in as information. 

While the Peterborough Police Service understand the presence of the posters is controversial and many may not agree with the policy stance of this group, at this time the presence of the posters does not rise to the level of being a hate crime.

That said, the Peterborough Police Service is interested in being made aware of hate bias incidents.  We thank the residents who have brought these to our attention.  Residents can report such incidents through the online reporting portal at www.peterboroughpolice.ca/online-reporting-portal 

 “There is no room for hate in our community at any time,” says Stuart Betts, Chief of Police, Peterborough Police Service. “The number one goal of the Peterborough Police Service is public safety, and the Service is committed to this goal. In this instance, what we are seeing does not rise to the level of criminality. There are currently laws within the criminal code that can assist and lead to charges.  As the community has seen, most recently last week (August 13) when a Peterborough resident was arrested and charged for online comments, when grounds for charges exist, the Peterborough Police Service will apply them.”

Stunt Driving

A reminder to motorists to slow down.  Earlier this month (August) officers with the Peterborough Police Service Traffic Unit charged two drivers under the Highway Traffic Act for stunt driving and speeding.

In one case, on August 5, 2026, the 55-year-old male driver of a vehicle towing a trailer was recorded going 121 km/hr in a 50 km/hr zone on Lily Lake Road near Eastwood Road. The driver was charged with stunt driving, speeding and fail to surrender permit for trailer under the Highway Traffic Act. Their license was suspended for 30 days and the vehicle impounded for 14 days.

In a second case, on August 5, 2026, a 50-year-old female driver was recorded going 98 km/hr in a 50 km/hr zone on Lily Lake Road near Eastwood Road.  The driver was charged with stunt driving and speeding under the Highway Traffic Act.  Their license was suspended for 30 days and vehicle impounded for 14 days. 

Sandra Dueck
Manager, Strategic Communication Services
Peterborough Police Service
876@peterboroughpolice.ca
705-876-1122 x217