October 23, 2025 – Peterborough, ON –– In celebration of Small Business Week 2025 Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) has released a new free resource to support local entrepreneurs and small business owners as they take one of the biggest steps in business growth, hiring their first employee.

“Small businesses are the economic engine of Peterborough-Kawartha, and the decision to hire a first employee is a critical milestone that fuels our community’s growth. Every single new job created here is an investment in a stronger, more prosperous future for our entire region. I commend Community Futures Peterborough and the Business Advisory Centre for creating this practical resource to give our local entrepreneurs the confidence and tools they need to take that important next step,” said Dave Smith, Member of Provincial Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha.

The Hiring Your First Employee guide is designed to help small business owners navigate the complex process of becoming an employer for the first time. Developed in collaboration with the Business Advisory Centre, the guide provides practical, step-by-step insights on topics ranging from understanding employment laws and setting up payroll to writing job descriptions, conducting interviews, and onboarding new team members effectively.

“Hiring your first employee is a major milestone, but it can also feel overwhelming,” said Devon Girard, Executive Director of Community Futures Peterborough. “This guide simplifies the process by breaking down what business owners need to know, what steps to take, and where to find trusted local resources to make confident, informed decisions.”

The comprehensive guide covers key areas such as:

• Understanding Ontario employment standards, human rights, and health and safety laws
• Registering with the CRA and WSIB
• Deciding when and how to hire
• Differentiating between employees and independent contractors
• Best practices for recruitment, interviewing, and onboarding
• Maintaining compliance through workplace policies and documentation

The Business Advisory Centre at Community Futures Peterborough is experiencing significant and substantial growth, with over 300 in-depth one-on-one business advisory sessions conducted in the first six months of the fiscal year. After noticing trends from these clients with questions on hiring practices, CFP responded by creating a resource guide to support entrepreneurs in the hiring process.

“This is a common inquiry we receive at the Business Advisory Centre, so the comprehensive guide was created to empower entrepreneurs with the knowledge they need to onboard their first employee responsibly and sustainably,” said Rose Terry, Manager of the Business Advisory Centre and Corporate Communications. “By helping small business owners with a free resource to support their first hire, we are growing jobs in our community one-by-one and creating a more resilient local economy.”

The Hiring Your First Employee guide is available now on the Community Futures Peterborough website. In addition to this resource, entrepreneurs can also book a free advisory session with CFP to receive personalized support through the hiring process. A workshop has also been added to CFP’s popular series, E101, supporting employee hiring. The Staff Smart: Hiring Your First Employee workshop will be held in person in December. Those interested in the workshop can register for free through this link or the Community Futures Peterborough website.

About Community Futures Peterborough

Community Futures Peterborough has a mission to support small businesses with flexible financing in the City and County of Peterborough. It has invested more than $42 million in loan dollars supporting 1,300+ small businesses since 1985, creating or maintaining more than 4,600 jobs in the City and the County. CFP is a not-for-profit organization funded by the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), as part of the Community Futures Program. In 2024, Community Futures Peterborough began delivery of the Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) program, funded by the Province of Ontario. The Business Advisory Centre also receives operational funding from the City of Peterborough and Peterborough County. The Business Advisory Centre provides a full suite of wrap-around business advisory services from launch to exit and currently advises hundreds of local businesses annually.

Media Contact:

Devon Girard, Executive Director
devon@cfpeterborough.ca

Cell: 705-957-3641