Consider This Northumberland

On May 1, strong mayor powers came into effect in Cobourg, Port Hope, Trent Hills, and Brighton. The province granted these in an effort to push its agenda forward. In particular, to meet its goal of building 1.5 million homes by 2031. Larger urban centres were given these same powers two years ago. On April 9, 169 smaller municipalities got them as well. In this interview, Brighton Mayor Brian Os...

Troops from across the province, including those from the 31 Canadian Brigade Group based in London, Ontario, started arriving in Northumberland County on April 22. By last weekend, 800 soldiers participated in a regional training exercise. It was one of three such massive operations simultaneously taking place in the province. In this interview, Colleen McCabe, Northumberland County’s Health, Saf...

It is easy to forget the current federal election is not just about the party leaders. While a majority of attention focuses on them, local candidates should play an essential role when voting. At least, that the theory. Yet, with all the American tariffs and threats to Canada, it is understandable. Still, there are local issues. Qualifications, affordability, housing, and more is vital. So is ask...

On April 9, the provincial government granted 169 municipalities strong mayor powers. Cobourg was one of them. This means the mayor can create or dissolve committees, appoint or dismiss town directors and managers, reorganize municipal departments, and draft budgets for council’s consideration. One of the most significant powers the mayor will have is the ability to veto council decisions that do...

It is easy to forget the current federal election is not just about the party leaders. While a majority of attention focuses on them, local candidates should play an essential role when voting. At least, that's the theory. Yet, with all the American tariffs and threats to Canada, it is understandable. Still, there are local issues. Qualifications, affordability, housing, and more is vital. So is a...

The Northumberland County Archives and Museum recently announced its opening exhibit scheduled for this fall. It focuses on the Michi Saagiig language spoken by local First Nations. The interactive display will use this ancient dialect as a pathway to understanding cultural teachings, identity, and traditional knowledge. You will learn how this exhibit came to life and how the local Indigenous com...

It is easy to forget the current federal election is not just about the party leaders. While a majority of attention focuses on them, local candidates should play an essential role when voting. At least, that's the theory. Yet, it is understandable with all the American tariffs and threats to Canada. Still, there are local issues. Qualifications, affordability, housing, and more are vital. So is a...

Some people are worried about the future of the historic Strathmore House on the former Brookside property in Cobourg. Architectural preservation advocate Rob Mikel is one of them. As president of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario Northumberland and Eastern Ontario branch, he is very concerned. As an expert in heritage building and preservation, he would know. In this interview, he will out...

It is easy to forget the current federal election is not just about the party leaders. While most attention focuses on them, local candidates should play an essential role when voting. At least, that's the theory. Yet, with all the American tariffs and threats to Canada, it is understandable. Still, there are local issues. Qualifications, affordability, housing, and more are vital. So, is asking d...

Elisabeth Baugh recently received the King Charles III Coronation Medal. In this interview, she will be joined by Alicia Vandine, executive director of the Northumberland United Way. Together, they will share a fantastic story about this Colborne resident, her contribution to Northumberland, Canada, and the world through a non-profit she co-founded, and her contribution to fighting ovarian cancer....

About $2.5 billion in goods and services cross the Canada-U.S. border daily, or nearly $1 trillion annually. Canada supports American manufacturing. About 70 percent of Canadian goods exported by manufacturers to the United States are used to produce other goods, which are then sold worldwide. Northumberland manufacturers contribute to this cross-border trade. In this interview, Darla Price, execu...

Agriculture is one of the top economic drivers in Northumberland County. There were 840 farms in Northumberland, according to a study done in 2021.  The same study found dairy operations are the main agri-business in the county, making up nearly a third of all cash receipts. With dairy and the rest of the agriculture industry under scrutiny from the United States as tariffs loom large, Allan Carru...

Brighton council set aside $100,000 in 2025 to create an environmental sustainability plan. The goal is to find ways the municipality can contribute to the fight against climate change. Councillor Jeff Wheeldon is leading the charge. He wants residents to mirror the town's efforts as part of a local initiative to help the environment. In this interview, Wheeldon will explain what is going on and w...

For more than 40 years, the Help Centre has provided key services to people in need. From finding a place to live to filing taxes to managing money on a tight budget, the Help Centre is there. In this interview, Karin Cummings, Senior Program Coordinator at the Help Centre, and Charolette Monardo, chair of the board of directors for the Help and Legal Centre of Northumberland, explain how the orga...

In the face of American tariffs, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce delivered a stark message to federal and provincial leaders. They said it is “time to prioritize competitiveness over complacency, diversification over dependence and resilience over resistance to change.” This clarion call to action is part of today’s show. Port Hope and District Chamber of Commerce CEO Brenda Whitehead will speak t...

An important change is happening within the ambulance service in Northumberland County on March 26. A new dispatch system will launch then. Its goal is to get the right resources to the right person at the right time. Susan Brown, Chief of Northumberland Paramedics, sayst he new system will alter emergency responses so that ambulances attend high-priority calls first before attending to less urgen...

As the American tariffs come into effect and the economic fallout takes shape, the response by Northumberland County leaders is critical. In an interview, you will get an insight from two perspectives. First, Northumberland County CAO Jennifer Moore and Dwayne Campbell, Director of Economic Development and Planning, will share the results of a joint meeting of municipal staff. They gathered to for...

Port Hope residents experienced a heck of a year in 2024: the Walton Street reconstruction; the fight over the Southbridge proposal for 65 Ward Street; the demolition of the file factory; setting the 2025 budget, and the list goes on. In this interview, you will hear the mayor and deputy mayor reflect on the past year and look ahead to 2025. This includes what the municipality hopes to contribute...

In the fall, concerns were raised about the removal of sand willows from the West Headlands of Cobourg harbour, a green space located behind the storage area for the Dragon Boat and Canoe Club. This launched a reaction from an organization called Preserve Our Heritage Harbour, a group of concerned citizens dedicated to protecting the natural aspects of the headlands and West Beach. In this intervi...

In 2024, more than 5,600 people visited a local food bank in Northumberland. The county’s Food4All warehouse provides food to 52 non-profit groups and 40 student nutrition programs in local schools. County staff are reviewing the Food4All program starting now. They are considering stepping back from running the warehouse and turning it over to a non-profit organization. The county will continue to...

A major change has taken place in kids' hockey. The Ontario Hockey Federation launched its Open Borders program in January. It is a complete overhaul of the rules around where young people can participate in local hockey programs. It is a revolutionary change in the history of hockey in Ontario. On today's show, Phillip McKee will describe those changes allowing players from U16 to U18 to try out...

For those living rough, Coldest Night of the Year is a crucial fundraiser held annually in Port Hope. It hopes to raise $50,000 for the Green Wood Coalition. Already 140 walkers and 34 teams have signed up to walk a two-kilometre or five kilometres along the river and historic buildings. Lana Missen and Kim Jaye are both members of the Green Wood Coalition's board and organizers of the Coldest Nig...

How do the party platforms for the Ontario Election impact Northumberland County? In a series of extensive, in-depth interviews with the major parties, Consider This Northumberland digs into key issues to help local voters cast their ballots on February 27. Candidates discuss major concerns like American economic threats, healthcare, the desperate need for doctors, affordable housing, emergency sh...

How do the party platforms for the Ontario Election impact Northumberland County? In a series of extensive, in-depth interviews with the major parties, Consider This Northumberland digs into key issues to help local voters cast their ballots on February 27. Candidates discuss major concerns like American economic threats, healthcare, the desperate need for doctors, affordable housing, emergency sh...

How do the party platforms for the Ontario Election impact Northumberland County? In a series of extensive, in-depth interviews with the major parties, Consider This Northumberland digs into key issues to help local voters cast their ballots on February 27. Candidates discuss major concerns like American economic threats, healthcare, the desperate need for doctors, affordable housing, emergency sh...