Port Hope council endorses Youth Wellness Hub

By Cecilia Nasmith

Port Hope council finalized its committee-of-the-whole vote in support of a Youth Wellness Hub in the municipality at its regular meeting Tuesday.

With Rebound Child and Youth Services Northumberland as lead agency, the hub is seen as a way to deliver services for young people aged 12 to 25 relating to mental health, substance use, primary health care and other social services through an Integrated Youth Services model.

Provincial funding is being handled through Rebound, Mayor Olena Hankivsky added.

Councillor Vicki Mink said she is hearing questions from many constituents about this project, but the Mayor could only help so much as Rebound is the lead agency and has not yet produced detailed terms of reference.

“I think there's enough information, at least at the front end, about the purpose of the hub, and there will be far more information coming in the coming weeks,” Hankivsky said.

“I wrote extensively about the Wellness Hub in my Mayor's Corner a couple of weeks ago.

“Rebound had a robust communications plan in place and, when the official launch happens on May 2 at 1:30, three ministers will speak to the project.

“As information comes, we will be sharing it.”

The motion council passed confirms Port Hope's endorsement of efforts to establish the Youth Wellness Hub, and the participation of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor on the steering committee.

Easter Cookies fundraiser raises $16,000 for Meals on Wheels

By Cecilia Nasmith

Community Care Northumberland is delighted to announce that their Easter Cookies fundraiser sold an astounding 800 boxes and brought in $16,000 – enough to ensure that 800 Northumberland residents will have access to nutritious meals through their Meals On Wheels program.

Providing vital sustenance to seniors and adults with disabilities who otherwise might have difficulty food-shopping and cooking for themselves, Meals On Wheels has long been one of the key programs offered by CCN. Proceeds from the generous community support of this recent fundraiser will help ensure these individuals do not go hungry.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the entire Northumberland community for their unwavering support, and to Lucy at Roda's Kitchen for her exceptional dedication to this cause,” CCN Manager of Nutrition Services Sheri Birney said in the press release.

“We also express our deepest appreciation to our dedicated staff and volunteers, whose tireless efforts have made this amazing achievement possible. Together, we have made a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most.”

This vital service delivers both hot meals – which are prepared in local communities and delivered fresh at the noon hour several days a week – and frozen meals which are easy to prepare and accommodate several diet types, all delivered by CCN volunteers and staff members. In the 2022-2023 year, 40,421 meals were delivered to 636 clients throughout Northumberland.

With this year's fundraising success under their belt, CCN is already making plans for next year's Easter Cookies fundraiser, “with eager anticipation for continued community support and collective impact.”

Human Rights Commission expresses concerns about new Cobourg bylaw

By Cecilia Nasmith

The Ontario Human Rights Commission has written to Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland to reiterate the importance of shelter availability in a time of homelessness, and to express concerns about the town's new Emergency Care Establishment Bylaw that went into effect prior to an agreement being finalized on the operations of a prospective emergency shelter at 310 Division St.

And because a copy went to Warden Brian Ostrander, the letter was on the agenda at Wednesday's meeting of county council's Social Services committee.

“The ORHC is concerned that Cobourg's Emergency Care Establishment Bylaw may impose unnecessary restrictions on emergency and transitional housing that could have a discriminatory impact on people protected under the Ontario Human Rights Code,” the letter said.

The correspondence referred to its Room For Everyone study of 2013 that set out an overview of human-rights responsibilities in licensing housing and set out guidelines on the kind of health and safety standards that could legitimately be regulated.

“Rules and regulations should be based on objective evidence that they are necessary to address legitimate health and safety concerns, and not stereotypes or discriminatory attitudes towards those living there. Rules and requirements should also be practical, narrowly tailored and manageable,” it said.

A licensing bylaw that prevents or delays a facility from opening, it continued, reduces the availability of housing and creates a human-rights concern.

The bylaw went into effect before the finishing touches could be put on an operational agreement to which the Town of Cobourg, the County of Northumberland and Transition House would have been parties.

The committee accepted the letter for information purposes without comment.

A last-minute addition to their agenda was the letter to the Human Rights Commission from the town solicitor. It was also received for information purposes without comment.

Northumberland OPP investigating fatal collision on County Rd. 45

Northumberland OPP are investigating a fatal two vehicle collision in Alnwick/Haldimand Township that occurred around 11:30 Friday night. Police along with EMS and fire responded to the collision on County Road 45 near Beagle Club Road.

The drivers of both vehicles and a passenger were confirmed deceased. Two other passengers were transferred to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

County Road 45 was closed between County Road 22 and Beagle Club Road during the initial investigation. The road reopened Saturday morning, but the investigation is ongoing. 

The OPP is requesting that if anyone was in the area during the timeframe of the collision and has any information, dash cam or surveillance footage that may assist investigators, to call NorthumberlandOPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Cobourg council refuses county requests on 310 Division Street shelter

By Cecilia Nasmith

At its March 27 meeting, Cobourg council did not stand in the way of its Emergency Shelter Agreement and Emergency Care Establishment Licensing Bylaw going into effect March 28.

The result to the operations of a prospective homeless shelter at 310 Division St. is to scuttle a draft agreement among the Town of Cobourg, the County of Northumberland and Transition House.

Council received a letter from the Northumberland Chief Administrative Officer Jennifer Moore that set out the bare bones of the agreement as it stood following the March 12 meeting between her and Cobourg CAO Tracey Vaughan, setting out recommended terms for an agreement, including three terms that apply to Cobourg.

This includes the repeal of the Emergency Sheltering bylaw before the agreement can take effect, the termination of the agreement “if the Town makes efforts to regulate shelters through any other bylaw or permitting process” and the continuation of the town to work with Northumberland County “to expedite reviews and inspections, where reasonably possible, to operationalize the site.”

Subject to agreement in principle by both the town and the county, it concluded, a formal agreement will be drafted.

Vaughan briefly commented on all the terms, including those directed at Cobourg, explaining that community concerns and input had played a significant role in their development. She also stressed to council that she had made clear to Moore that she has no authority in these three areas that apply to the town, and that it would be up to council to act – or not.
As well, council received Warden Brian Ostrander's formal request to council “to delay the March 28, 2024, force and effect date” of the bylaw “in order to allow County and Town staff time to continue productive negotiation of an agreement.”

Both pieces of correspondence were put on the floor, with the response of a motion to receive for information purposes – in essence, to take no action on the requests.

Asked by Councillor Miriam Mutton for details of what's going on at county council, Mayor Lucas Cleveland said he endeavours to keep as much of the discussion as possible in open session, though not always successfully. But he said he has found a great deal of support and understanding from fellow county councillors about the needs of the town in the context of the needs that would be addressed at 310 Division St.

“There are some very specific requests to repeal the bylaw. I don't recall that being ever asked at the county level as being part and parcel of the request of county council,” Cleveland stated.

“County council directed county staff to engage in negotiations with Cobourg to come to an agreement, and that's still ongoing. 

“I am still very hopeful, looking forward to an agreement between Cobourg and the county and Transition House regarding the operations. That agreement will be best practices and a wonderful opportunity to move forward. 

“I don't believe we need to repeal the bylaw to get to that agreement, and I look forward to moving forward.”

Remember Vienna on her third birthday

By Cecilia Nasmith

Losing their precious daughter in a tragic incident last May does not mean that the date that would have been her third birthday will go by without a commemoration.

As a close friend of the Irwin family – whose daughter Vienna died while at her Baltimore daycare last spring – Heather Field is trying to make sure that this celebration happens, inviting members of the community to join her in a quiet remembrance of the day on March 30.

It takes place at 7:45 p.m. in front of Victoria Hall, Field said in an interview this week. And everyone who wants to show support for Vienna's parents Claire and Clay Irwin is welcome.

Bring your good wishes and, if possible, some celebratory or supportive touch – balloons, glow sticks, your butterfly Justice For Vienna lawn signs, or those butterfly lights that her mother has found comfort in as “a nice way to light up the sky every night for Vienna.”

There is no program as such – no speeches or happenings, just a chance “to show support for her parents, who would be planning a third-birthday party Saturday,” Field said.

“To show them that Vienna is not here, but she is not forgotten.

“Nothing negative – honestly, just to show love and support for Vienna's birthday, because she should be at her house blowing out her birthday candles. This is what we are going to do instead.”

There is also the hope to spread awareness.

“A lot of people think this was an accident – she fell down an open well or tank, and everyone has been cleared and her parents have their answers,” Field said.
“But what actually is happening is, we are doing Justice For Vienna to raise awareness among the community that this is still an actively ongoing criminal investigation. We want answers for Vienna's parents and people to be held accountable.”

And while the investigation goes on, she added, Vienna's third birthday will be celebrated with a quiet rally in front of Victoria Hall.

“We can't celebrate with her here, so this is the only way we know how to celebrate her.”

Transition House to challenge Cobourg's new emergency shelter bylaw

Cobourg’s new emergency shelter bylaw will come into effect March 28th. However, efforts are being made to challenge its implementation. Robert Washburn has more.

Cameco supports Northumberland Food for Thought

Northumberland Food For Thought has received a $4,500 donation from Cameco through its community sponsorship program which focuses on youth, education and literacy, health and wellness, and community development. 

The funds will go to help local schools purchase more healthy foods for their programs.

Cameco has provided thousands of dollars over the years as a long-time supporter of Northumberland Food For Thought.

Dale Clark, the vice-president of Cameco’s Fuel Services Division, says a full stomach means that students can focus on their learning, instead of their hunger and the great work of Northumberland Food For Thought helps to make a positive difference to students and Cameco is proud to support this important work.”

Beth Kolisnyk (cole-is-nick), the Community Development Coordinator for NFFT, said they are grateful to have the ongoing support of corporations like Cameco that so generously give back to their community, adding the support helps to ensure students are well-nourished and have the food they need to learn and succeed in school.

For more information or to support or volunteer with Northumberland Food For Thought, visit

northumberlandfoodforthought.ca.