Consider This Northumberland

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...

In September 2024, a local gravel pit company requested that Cramahe Township council extend its operation to 24 hours a day. In its application, it proposed a possible asphalt plant. Since then, nearby residents and others have raised a long list of concerns about the proposed plant's impact. In fact, a group called the Cramahe Residents Advocates Association was formed to oppose it. In this inte...

Port Hope resident Angela Grogan is promoting Black History Month in Northumberland for the second year in a row. She has already participated in several events commemorating February as a time to honour the various contributions of Black Canadians. Joining her is Dan Buchanan, Brighton's history guy. He is the author of multiple books on local history, particularly the sinking of the HMS Speedy o...

The Northumberland Land Trust and Ducks Unlimited recently saved 300 acres of rare wetlands near Brighton. The Biddy Creek Wetland is located on the south side of Highway 401, north of Little Lake Road. It is a regionally significant area, like unique wetlands, usually found in Northern Ontario. This habitat is critical because it is home to several species at risk and provides flood protection an...

Finding a solution to affordable housing is top of mind for many. Recently, one small group has stepped out of the shadows to shine a light on tiny homes. The group is called Tiny Homes Northumberland. It hopes to create a resource for people wanting to build affordable housing in their backyard and other smaller chunks of property. Monika Turner, chair of Tiny Homes Northumberland, and Jeff Wheel...

The development of new nuclear power plants is a priority for the Ontario government. Four new reactors are proposed for the Darlington New Nuclear project, announced in 2021. Locally, a new reactor is proposed for a site in Welselyville, just west of Port Hope. Both sites are on lands covered by the Williams Treaty. A delegation of the representatives of the Mississauga and Chippewa First Nations...

A major shift in relations between First Nations and the rest of Canada is the assertion of existing treaty rights, especially regarding land and resources. Representatives of the Williams Treaty First Nations recently made deputations at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission hearing based on the principle of the duty to consult. This principle calls on governments at all levels to ensure Indigen...

With over 3,000 families on waitlists across Northumberland County, creating affordable daycare is a priority. In this interview, you will hear from Eunice Kirkpatrick, the President and CEO of Northumberland YMCA. The YMCA runs most of the county's daycare services. She will walk us through several major changes that went into effect earlier this month in Ontario to make daycare more affordable....

Back in July, Northumberland County announced the creation of 181 much-needed additional daycare spaces. Some of these are just opening now. Earlier this week, the county said these spaces were quickly filled. They are in Port Hope, Warkworth, and the Northumberland Centre for Individual Studies. To meet the growing demand, childcare providers are hiring over 10 new staff members to ensure another...

Brighton council's newest member is Hannah MacAusland. She was selected on Jan. 24 at a special meeting. Brighton council selected Hannah MacAusland, 22, as its newest member to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Councillor Byron Faretis. She will be sworn in on Jan. 27. Nine people applied for the job. Each was given a chance to present themselves before council, making their case to be ch...

Northumberland County council had a tumultuous year in 2024. The question is: Will it continue into 2025? In this interview, Northumberland County Warden Brian Ostrander will try to answer that question. Past issues like the Cobourg encampment, 310 Division Street, county finances, and affordable housing are only a few examples of the heated, tense debates in the council chambers from 2024. Then,...

If you live in Northumberland County, there is a huge chance you are on a septic system. Yes, that includes Cobourg, Port Hope, Brighton, and Campbellford. For many, it is not a top priority. But if it breaks down or is not maintained, it could lead to serious problems with drinking water and other environmental impacts It can also lead to serious legal actions if it breaks down and taints your ne...

In November, a public meeting was held in Hamilton Township to discuss the possible development of 1,600 acres of farmland along County Road 2. That is nearly two-thirds of the land between Port Hope and Cobourg from the 401 to Lake Ontario. Many concerns were raised at the meeting, but nothing was moving forward at the time. No sale had occurred. No plans were before the township staff or council...

Two years ago, Northumberland County announced a public-private partnership to provide internet services to rural residents with poor or no service. Relief is on the way. According to the county, shovels will be in the ground by the end of the month to provide high-speed internet to people who struggle to get good internet service. In this interview, you will hear the details as the county is fina...

This interview is pulled from the Consider This Northumberland archive of more than 100 interviews done in 2024. One major change to the local healthcare system in the past year was the reopening of the Port Hope walk-in clinic. After a year of hard work and countless challenges, access began in August. The hours continue to be irregular, and people still need to check the county’s website or call...

This interview is pulled from the Consider This Northumberland archive of more than 100 interviews done in 2024. Nineteen people got to meet someone special in 2024. It is not what you think. Those 19 people experienced a heart attack somewhere in Northumberland County. But thanks to the paramedics, they could attend a ceremony bringing together the lifesavers and the patients. The ninth annual Su...

In this interview, I am sharing two conversations from the more than 100 interviews done by Consider This Northumberland over the past year. The first is a lovely chat I had with Marsha Smoke, the Southeast Regional Chief of the Anishinabek Nation and a member of the Alderville First Nation, in August. Smoke has long been an advocate for Indigenous rights. She takes on many of the pressing issues...

Sally Armstrong is an internationally renowned Canadian journalist, author, and documentary filmmaker. She is also a vocal human rights activist. She is often called the war correspondent for the world’s women. Armstrong has reported for CBC, CTV, and the Globe and Mail. She has filed stories from Bosnia to Somalia and from South Sudan and Jordan to Israel. Her stories often focus on the impact of...

Christmas is only a few days away. While there is great excitement and anticipation, it can also be a time of stress, anxiety, and even depression for some. Kids, grandkids, spouses, partners, and uncles who always have too much to say can cause people to worry and be anxious. The food, presents, and juggling all the responsibilities can be a bit much. In this interview, two local experts from Com...

For 36 years, the Giving Tree has made sure children and teens in Northumberland do not miss out on Christmas. More than 1,000 children will have gifts under their tree on Christmas morning due to the volunteers and generous donors who ensure there are toys, clothing, and other essentials. Cheryl Baker, the coordinator of the Giving Tree, will take us inside this volunteer project to see how it al...

Northumberland County council approved a 6.12 percent increase in taxes, which is $92 more for the average homeowner. Staffing levels were scrutinized during the debate. As of Dec. 4, there were 91 vacancies, including seasonal and summer student jobs. Without the student jobs, 68 positions need to be filled, council heard in a verbal report. This represents about $1.29 million in total. Some posi...

Restructuring Northumberland County is on the table once more. Northumberland County council approved a study to examine options related to reorganizing the upper-level municipal government locally. At the Dec. 16 regular meeting, councillors were told that any concrete steps would not be taken until at least 2026. The study would look at eliminating all seven municipalities into a single municipa...

The decision regarding the process to replace Councillor Byron Faretis was made after a lengthy discussion at the meeting on Dec. 16. Faretis, a first-term councillor, died after a short battle with cancer on Nov. 19. A staff report outlining the various options for filling the vacancy was presented to the council. The council has 60 days to fill the seat. It declared the vacancy on Dec. 17. The r...

This time of year many places collect for local food banks.  It is hard to miss. No matter where you look – nationally, provincially, or locally – food bank usage is up. In Northumberland, more than 5,600 people visited a local food bank in the past year. Altogether, these people used the various food banks over 61,000 times. There are 12 local food banks in the county. However, 52 non-profit grou...

The Salvation Army in Cobourg is one of the key organizations that helps those in need at Christmas and throughout the year. Volunteer Jim Alford and Major Dan Broome were interviewed this time last year. They spearheaded the Kettle Campaign and the Toy and Food program. The Salvation Army raises funds yearly to help pay for all its programs, including Christmas. You will hear details about the Ch...