Exit 425

Sami Elhajjeh is a rookie Local Councillor who is a self proclaimed idealist because of the hope he has for his community and the residents he represents. Hear his thoughts about what lies ahead for Courtice including his ideas about downtown, development and what brings him joy! You can reach Sami at selhajjeh@clarington.net

Granville Anderson, our Regional Councillor shares the things that he looks forward to, for Exit 425 in the coming year, along with concerns at the local and regional level. Granville also talks about getting Santa to come back to Exit 425. Granville can be reached at ganderson@clarington.net, or by phone at 289 928 2522 or 905 419 2517.

Mayor Adrian Foster joins Exit 425 again and shares that we shouldn't be too concerned about MZOs but still havent heard what will replace development charges! Exciting things and issues, with Mayor Adrian Foster!

Feed the Need In Durham (www.feedtheneedindurham.ca) CEO Ben Earle and Board President Gail Nyberg speak with Steve Rae about what poverty looks like in Exit 425, Clarington and Durham and what we can do to help Feed The Need help those most in need, incuding what we need to share with our political leaders.

You have probably already heard or have seen Dan McTeague ont eh news today as the president of Canadians for Affordable Energy. Certainly as long as Dan McTeague was a Member of Parliament he has spoken clearly and answered questions directly. He continues to do that as he speaks with Steve Rae, Exit 425, about the role of the MP, personalities in the news, and energy policy in Canada.

Mark Carlos of Redemption House Recovery talks to Exit 425 about poverty in Durham in the 61st episode of Exit 425, the first episode of Season 2, and the first part of a series about poverty in Exit 425, Clarington and Durham.

Strong Mayor Powers were introduced to Ontario in a limited way in September of 2022, and more broadly July 1, 2023. Mayors in Ontario typically are elected by the whole community that they represent, but on their council, have the same voting power that other councillors have, who were elected to represent a portion of their community. In Ontario, that means mayors, even of the largest cities lik...

 John Mutton has been a local councilor and the Mayor of Clarington. He is still involved in municipal politics and affairs through his business, Municipal Solutions, and his work with the provincial government.  City and town councils vary in makeup in Ontario but basically elect councilors to represent sections of the municipality, and mayors (or something similar) are elected by the entire muni...

Adrian Foster is the mayor of Clarington and knows the business of Clarington well, after almost 13 years in the role. He joins Exit 425, as a resident of Exit 425, for the 4th time to update us on his requests for clarity on development charges (a big deal for current Clarington residents with so much growth coming) from provincial representatives. He also chats about OPG's HQ move and the GO...

Tony Stravato is a Durham guy who is the father of twin boys, who have autism. Tony’s experience, particularly as a passionate advocate for people with autism, has shown him that politicians at Queens Park do not care about the children of Ontario. He feels that so strongly, he ran as an independent candidate in the 2022 Provincial General election…as you know from listening to Exit 425. Tony ran...

Mike Schreiner does not fit the bill of a stereotypical politician. He was named the most forthright leader in Ontario in the 2018 election, when he was first elected to the provincial legislature. His affable smile and, conservative appearance are what we see of the business degree and masters degree holder with experience in the food distribution business. He is experienced building a business,...

Businessman, family man and paddleboarder Sami Elhajjeh was elected to represent Exit 425 (Ward 1) on the Clarington Council, in October of 2022. Find out what Sami has learned in the first few months with significant provincial legislation and a budget to build. You can reach Sami at selhajjeh@clarington.net.

Exit 425's Regional Councillor (Wards 1 & 2 Clarington) Granville Anderson shares his priorities, thoughts about the Clarington budget, the greenbelt, and community safety. If you need to communicate with Granville, email him at ganderson@clarington.net.

Marc Kealey is a lifelong liberal and Liberal. Stephen Ledrew refers to Marc as a 'Liberal Bigshot' so his perspective on changes to the Greenbelt and what needs to be in place to protect it, may surprise you a little bit. Or will it? Marc has high praise for Durham's leadership as we move into a period of rapid growth.

Mark Morissette, known in Courtice for his involvment with Courtice Commuity Connect, along with Janice Jones form our panel for this conversation about local coffee, municipal spending on infastructure and charities, greenbelt changes and getting our residents engaged in local governance!

Steve Rae, Exit 425, speaks with Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster about the effects of recent provincial legislation on how we live and how much we pay in taxes in Courtice, and throughout Clarington (and Durham and Ontario?).

David Piccini is the provincial member of Parliament  for Northumberland-Peterborough South and the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for Ontario, in the Doug Ford Progressive Conservative government. David is the first Clarington MPP (or MP) to speak with Exit 425. In Episode 50 of Exit 425 since the summer of 2021, David talks about his government's approach to education w...

Tim is the Executive Director of Environmental Defence, who for over 35 years has worked at every level of government to protect our water and create livable communities, among other really important things. They seriously know about what the most recent round of provincial legislation affects.  Find a wealth of background information at environmentaldefence.ca. Tim and Steve talk about chang...

In episode 48 we introduce the new Exit 425 Hometown Panel, and actually get to speak to half of them! Meet Courtice stars Jim Boate and Janice Jones today, and anticipate meeting Mark Morissette and Kelly O'Sullivan, Co-Admins of Courtice Community Connect on our next Hometown Panel. Find out the Panel's thoughts about the best part of living in Courtice as well as some ideas for making it even b...

Since 2014 Jennifer French has represented Oshawa at Queen's Park as a member of the NDP caucus.  Oshawa is immediately adjacent to the Courtice, and Clarington, and Oshawa has an interest in what happens on the rural urban frontier that is sweeping across Clarington. Jennifer joined Exit 425 to talk about what has gone on at Queen's Park with the education workers and the 'Keeping Students i...

The Ontario government has, from time to time, implemented legislation to change the way education in Ontario works. At face value, Bill 28 makes sure that in the post-covid-lockdown days, students are able to remain in class. But, what else is at stake? Will the Ford government be transparent with us so we know where we are really going.  My voice on this interview is terrible, but I wanted...

Kathleen Flynn believes that as a trustee for Clarington in the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board, together with you, a difference can be made for the children of the KPRDSB. Kathleen believes that her intersectional experience as a parent, student, teacher, school administrator, community member and educational researcher and professor, makes her the best choice to be one of your next thr...

Bernard Sanchez thinks that an infusion of fresh ideas is needed in Clarington to properly address Investments, jobs and taxes; safety, security and housing…things that he has identified as priorities. Bernard Sanchez also believes that he is the right person to become the next Regional Councillor for Wards 1 and 2 in Clarington….Exit 425! Bernard is here on Exit 425 to tell us why!

Granville Anderson spends his days solving problems. As a mediator by profession, he has been  a school board trustee, a member of provincial parliament, and a regional councilor in Clarington for wards 3 and 4. Now Granville is running to be the regional councillor in wards 1 and 2. He says, if elected on October 24,  he will use  his experience and natural ability to bring people...