Consider This Northumberland - March 13: COVID-19 - Lynn Noseworthy

Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lynn Noseworthy provides timely, relevant information about Covid-19 and its impact on Northumberland County in this 50-minute interview. She addresses everything from a clear understanding of the virus to preventative measures.

Most critically, she gives an outline of the steps people should take if they suspect they are infected and need help. For more information go to the health unit’s website. There will you find out more information about the number of cases of Covid-19, along with an accurate step-by-step if you think you are sick with the virus and other good resources.

Consider This Northumberland - February 21: Bill Cane

A $95,000 study of local fire service across Northumberland is underway, says Hamilton Township Mayor Bill Cane. There are 17 fire stations across the county, costing each municipality about $1 million to $1.5 million annually. With the provincial government anxious to cut costs at the municipal level, this is an important effort towards greater efficiency, Cane said.

He also addresses Northumberland County council’s response to the concern of neighbours living near Transition House, the opioid epidemic and the rise of grow-ops in rural municipalities.

Like all the municipalities within Northumberland, Hamilton Township faces many of the same issues: balancing budgets, providing critical services like fire and police protection. Roads must be renewed or repaired. Families need playgrounds and libraries.

Consider This Northumberland - February 7: MPP David Piccini

There is some very candid talk about where our MPP stands regarding the teachers. And while he balances his views, he also does not pull any punches when it comes to compensation and the reasons for the impasse in negotiations.

Consider This Northumberland - January 31: Bob Sanderson

It does not take Port Hope Mayor Bob Sanderson long to make his mark. At the first meeting of the Northumberland County council as warden recently, he and the rest of the council put the brakes on the 2020 budget, saying there was insufficient time to review all the items in order to make a good decision.

But he also comes to the job at a time when there are many pressing issues. He addresses the concerns from neighbours of Transition House, along with talking about the opioid epidemic. He talks about affordable housing and the final deal with Southbridge.

Consider This Northumberland - January 25: John Henderson

From Hometown Hockey rocking the harbour to finalizing budgets, it was a busy few weeks as 2020 began. However, the past year has been filled with successes and challenges. New developments, passing a cultural master plan to deciding the future of the east pier are only some of the accomplishments for Cobourg council in the past year. It was also when the opioid epidemic reached new heights, homelessness became more apparent, a controversy emerged in the neighbourhood surrounding the county’s only emergency shelter located in the downtown.

Today, I continue my series of conversations with local politicians with an interview with the mayor of Cobourg to his perspective in what can only be described as a busy first year for his council.

Highs and lows seems to be a theme for the past year for the Cobourg council. A good example would be the past few weeks of this new year. As mentioned earlier, the Hometown Hockey broadcast during the first week of this month brought national attention, plus an estimated $1 million in economic benefit, according to the town. Then, just over a week later, Weston Foods announces it is closing Maplehurst Bakeries in the industrial park, putting 180 people out of work. To sort out the rollercoaster of the past year and more, I am pleased to welcome Cobourg Mayor John Henderson into the studio. 

Consider This Northumberland - January 17: Federal MP Philip Lawrence

Can you guess who Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Philip Lawrence will back for the Conservative Party of Canada leadership race? While he does not make any commitments in the interview, if you listen carefully, he gives some pretty big hints.

Also, find out why Lawrence chose to rise in the House of Commons to talk about rising water levels in Lake Ontario as part of his maiden speech. He also talks about why he is promoting the provincial government's environmental plan in Ottawa.

In some of his more candid moments, hear how he is adjusting to life as a politician, trying to find the work-life balance.

It is a wide-ranging, informative and insightful interview. Please listen and share.

Consider This Northumberland- January 3

So, for our first show of 2020, it seemed like a good idea to revisit one of the more significant stories in Northumberland: the ongoing battle with drugs across the county. Following a number of key arrests over the past few months, plus a shocking announcement regarding a more deadly form of drug suspected to be in our region, it is appropriate to talk once more about the state of the opioid situation and some of the developing issues that have come forward since July when we began examining what was going on. Certainly, a lot has happened and there is a more vocal public debate taking place since then.

Back in July, then Deputy Chief Paul Vandegraff sat in this same chair across from me and we talked about opioids. It was the first of a series of interviews done by Consider This around the emerging situation. You will recall Peterborough, Belleville and Oshawa announced their communities were facing a crisis, while Northumberland had yet to publicly, at least, address the nature of what was taking place. That was about five months ago.

Since then, much has changed. Besides the emergence of a citizens group in the Chapel Street area of Cobourg and downtown businesspeople have become vocal about their concerns with illegal drugs and those who use them. Green Wood Coalition has expanded its operation into Cobourg to meet the growing demand of those seeking help. But it has also become a topic of discussion amongst many – both in person and on social media. Since our last conversation, the deputy chief was promoted. So, here to discuss the police response to what is taking place is Cobourg Police Chief Paul Vandegraff.

Consider This Northumberland - December 13

Where we live is one of the most fundamental to our ability to thrive. Having a decent roof over one’s head is critical on so many levels. When purchasing a home or renting a space, we want somewhere that is safe, clean, meets our needs and within our budget. Some of us look for good schools, close to shopping, accessibility and the list goes on. We want neighbours who are friendly to give us a sense of community, who respect their property and ours. We want to be happy about where we live. 

Today’s show digs deep into those foundational values. Two weeks ago, two board members of Transition House, the county’s only emergency shelter, were on this show, I am very please to have a representative of the Good Neighbours Coalition of Cobourg here to give their side of this story to ensure we have another perspective on this situation. 

Next, two county representatives will be in the studio to talk about the next phase of Northumberland efforts to provide affordable housing. On December 2, Cobourg council listened to a report on the specific needs within the town to meet the demand. Other municipalities within the county are also getting the same presentation for their specific areas. We will delve into the details to see what it means.

Consider This Northumberland- December 6: Ecole Polytechnique

Consider This Northumberland - November 29: Transition House / Waterfront

Consider This Northumberland- November 8

Consider This Northumberland - November 1: Animal Welfare / Hamilton Township Ratepayers Association

Since July, the Northumberland Humane Society in Port Hope took on the duties of animal welfare investigation and enforcement. With that announcement came a timeline. The province said there was some new legislation in the pipeline and the situation would be reviewed in the new year. Well, this week the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act 2019 (notice the acronym is PAWS.) was announced by the solicitor general. It means there will be some changes coming in January. To help us understand the legislation and the impact locally, I am pleased to have in studio, Kate Lennan, general manager of the Northumberland Humane Society and co-host of the Weekly Whiskers here on 89.7 FM.

A group of concerned citizens came together in 2015 in an effort to take a more positive approach to engaging with the Hamilton Township council. There was a long history of citizen activism in the township dating back to the 1990s that was inspired mostly by the amalgamation talks of the day. In between then and more recently, the group would be activated around a single burning issue, according to some. This is what the citizen’s council wanted to change. So for the past few years it has looked to impact the relationship between the citizens and the council. It was just a year ago a new council was sworn in with a new mayor and some pretty well-known faces. Here with me today are two people who have been watching things pretty closely over that time, Faye McFarlane and John Davison, two member of the executive of the Citizen’s Council for the Hamilton Township Ratepayers Association.

Consider This Northumberland - October 25: Migrant Workers/ Community Radio

Thousands of low-wage temporary farm workers come to Northumberland County each year to assist with nearly every aspect of the agriculture industry. They come in the very early spring to help prepare the operations. Then, they are involved in the planting, tending crops and mainly harvesting the produce you find in farmer’s markets through to grocery stores. Anytime you sit down to a meal, a migrant worker as most likely been involved. The Toronto Star once again brought to light the conditions many of the temporary workers face in Ontario every year. Today, I will be talking to someone who works with this community that is so vital to the local agriculture industry to find out what it is like for those migrant workers who come to Northumberland County.

My next guest is very special. Not only because she is one of my students from the journalism program where I teach, but she was also the intern who did the 4 p.m. newscasts for four months this summer. As many of you know, Northumberland 89.7 FM is in the midst of its Radiothon to raise $15,000 for new equipment for the station. If you wonder just what a difference a community radio station means to young people, her story is one you want to hear. Olivia is going to tell us just how community radio helped her gain skills and advance her journalism career in the second segment.

Consider This Northumberland - October 11

Taking care of oneself is critical to good health. Today, I have two guests to talking about some serious health related issues. My first guest will be talking about vaping, which has made headlines recently across North America. As of yesterday, USA Today reported the number of vaping illnesses surged to 1,299 cases and the death toll sits at 26. On September, Ontario health officials were watching three cases possibly related to vaping. And, the Health Minister, Christine Elliot has called for a review of the situation related to vaping, calling for more data and input from experts before announcing any action.

My second guest will be talking about an equally weighty topic, cancer. A new support group has launched in Northumberland County and I am so pleased to have the founder, cancer survivor, to tell us more.

E-cigarettes are nothing new. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, e-cigarettes were first introduced in Canada around 2004. But, it was not until 2018 that the federal government began regulating vapign products with nicotine under the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act or the TVPA, as some like to say. Vaping and e-cigarettes can be a confusing subject because for many years it was not regulated and the science around it, like so many things, is not clear or easy to understand. We are fortunate today to have in the studio Maria Papaioannoy, the owner of the E-cig Flavourium and a well-known advocate for vaping and e-cigarettes.

Consider This Northumberland - October 4: Frank Vaughan PPC

For candidates running for the People’s Party of Canada, the CBC news story published yesterday surely drew a reaction from both supporters and detractors. A People's Party of Canada candidate in Saskatoon is coming under fire for sharing a cartoon photo on Twitter that depicts NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh wearing a turban with a bomb on it. The candidate said he did not realize it was a bomb, saying it appeared to look like a toque. However, the executive director for the Canadian Anti-Hate Network said the cartoon is racist. The network is monitoring all candidates from all parties during the federal election.

Well, today’s guest will hopefully shine some light on this and other issues related to the People’s Party of Canada. In studio with me to discuss his campaign and his party’s platform is Frank Vaughan.

Consider This Northumberland - September 27: Mallory MacDonald NDP

To local NDP supports in Northumberland-Peterborough South, the IPSO poll released on Wednesday must have been music to their ears. While the party has polled at about 15 percent over the last few weeks, the leader of the party, Jagmeet Singh, watched as his personal appeal numbers took a dramatic jump. When people were asked which leader would make the best prime minister, 14 percent named Singh. That is up from 10 per cent only a week ago. In another poll I read just this morning his personal numbers were up by six points.

That increase may not seem like much. But when the Conservatives Party gained four points over the Liberals overall during the last week, it made front-page news. So, yes, it is notable.

But what does all that and more meaningful to the local campaign at the doorstep? To find out, I am so pleased to welcome Mallory Macdonald, the candidate for the NDP in Northumberland-Peterborough South.    

Consider This Northumberland - September 20: Jeff Wheeldon

It has been a tumultuous few days for the Canadian federal election campaign as revelations regarding Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau’s use of blackface and brownface at three events in his past. And while he has apologized for his racist behaviour and attempted to explain his actions, this has dominated the news and sits at the forefront of many people’s minds. It is fodder for the political pundits about the political repercussions. In addition, it has struck a nerve amongst many Canadians and launched a discussion about racism in this country.

And yet, there is still an election that is going to happen on Oct. 21. Here is Northumberland-Peterborough South, there are people out knocking on doors, putting up signs, and holding events. In fact, my guest today just rushed in from giving an opening speech at a Climate Strike in Brighton, which I am sure he will tell us about a bit later.

 I am pleased to welcome Green Party candidate Jeff Wheeldon to the show today. Welcome, Jeff.

Consider This Northumberland - September 6: Candidate for the Conservative Party of Canada, Philip Lawrence

While we anxiously await the writ to be dropped on or before September 15, there is no doubt the federal election campaign is already underway. In fact, some would argue, locally it has been going on for nearly a year now – minus the lawn signs. As we prepare to cast our votes on Oct. 21, it is far too easy to get swept up with the party leaders in a national race. One can forget that it is not just five people in a horse race for the top job. Locally, we get to send a person to represent us here in the riding of Northumberland-Peterborough South in Ottawa. Today, we start the interviews for that all important job.

I am pleased to have in studio with me the candidate for the Conservative Party of Canada, Philip Lawrence.

Consider This Northumberland - August 30: Northumberland Drug Strategy

The situation with Opioids in Northumberland has been described on this show as a crisis. We have heard from people representing law enforcement, a mental health worker, a doctor, two addicts, a street-level drug counsellor, the leader of an advocacy organization, along with two recovering addicts. The picture they paint is as painful as it is shocking. People in our community are dying. There are others facing drug addictions. And, there were multiple calls for taking a comprehensive action to address the crisis. 

Today, we bring one more perspective to the table. And, it is one of the most critical in this puzzle: the role of the public health providers. Why? Because these are the people in charge of the Drug Strategy to tackle and reduce the harm associated with drugs and alcohol in the community from two important groups. 

I am pleased to welcome Megan Deyman, the Coordinator of the Haliburton, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland Drug Strategy, AND Catherine MacDonald, substances and harm reduction coordinator at the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge Health Unit.

Consider This Northumberland - August 16: Discussion with Dr. Peter Barnett and Jennifer Cox

So far in the series on Opioids in Northumberland, we have heard from law enforcement and the role they play on the front lines. Today, we are about to hear more from the those in the field dealing with this issue directly. It would be hard to imagine anyone who sees the impact more than doctors and addiction counsellors. They experience first-hand the horrific consequences of opioid overdoses and addictions. And, while there may be some who they can pull back from the edge, there are also those who do not make it. They know the effects of these drugs on individuals, but also on family and friends and the community. We are going to hear those stories and more on this show. I am pleased to welcome Dr. Peter Barnett, Medical Chief, NHH Emergency Department and Jennifer Cox, Integrated Director NHH Community Mental Health and Addiction Services.