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With the municipal election three weeks away, campaigns are pushing hard towards the finish line. It can be hard to remember that when voters elect a mayor, they also send a representative to Northumberland County Council. This interview is part two of an interview with County CAO Dan Borowec. This time, he is joined by Director of Finance and Treasurer Matthew Nitsch. Together, they will discuss the 2025 Annual Report. It reminds us what goes on at the county level of government. More importantly, it tells taxpayers where their money is spent. Listen carefully as they outline the report's highlights and dig into where your property taxes go. It could affect your vote.

There is an issue lurking in the dark corners of this municipal election. It’s the proposed Wesleyville Nuclear Power Generation project. Stop for a moment and think. The federal government is pushing power generation as part of its Build Canada Strong agenda. The Ontario government recognizes it as a project of national significance, and it has been referred to the Major Projects office. If it gets the green light, the federal government promises approvals could be completed within a year for projects of national significance. Regardless of that timeline, planners still need to plan for roads, sewers, housing, workforce impacts, emergency and health services, and more. None of this includes the discussion about how residents feel about the project. On today’s show is the first part of a two-part interview with Northumberland County CAO Dan Borowec. He is going to make a case that says Wesleyville is going to be on the agenda for Northumberland County council and all the other municipal councils for the next four years. That’s not just Port Hope, but all six other municipalities. He predicts the planning and local property taxes will be impacted at the very least. That’s right, property taxes. Over the next four years. Now, think about that. Who you vote for as mayor and council will be making decisions that will affect your future for the next decade and beyond. It could change the very fabric of your community. Take a listen and see if you agree or disagree with his assessment.

Five years ago, the Ontario government struck an agreement with the federal government to introduce $10/day daycare in The post Five years after $10/day childcare in Ontario Northumberland parents still struggle to find spaces appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: YMCA Northumberland CEO worries about future of daycare in Northumberland Parents get daycare relief as Northumberland County adds 181 new spaces, says manager Parents get a break as province announces $10 per day childcare, says county manager

This interview with Brighton mayoral candidate Brian Ostrander is very nostalgic. Many of the issues from the last The post Ostrander’s campaign issues in 2022 are similar, but the specifics are different in 2026 appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: Physician recruitment, wastewater and taxes on the agenda for Ostrander Brian Ostrander seeks re-election for Brighton Mayor Brighton mayor outlines new strong mayor powers and how he will use them

Nearly 6,000 people were served by food banks in Northumberland, according to the county’s Feed Change Report. Almost The post County says status quo for Food4All warehouse following review as demand increases appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: Food4All program under review by Northumberland County as officials explore a revamp Food4All continues to supply local food banks while preparing for potential increase in demand Northumberland County food banks respond to growing need to feed those struggling to eat

Before casting a ballot on October 26, it is good to learn about candidates. It is even better The post Candidate Grogan’s platform from 2022 to compare to current run for mayor appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: Summer Edition: A blast from the past with Port Hope Mayor from 2022 election Grogan covers a range of topics, including Wesleyville, affordable housing, and taxes Summer Edition: A bit of nostalgia revisiting campaign interview with Cleveland from 2022

After Labour Day, municipal election campaigns across Northumberland County will take off in earnest. Sometimes it helps to The post Summer Edition: A bit of nostalgia revisiting campaign interview with Cleveland from 2022 appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: Cleveland provides his vision for Cobourg, addresses taxes, housing and leadership Summer Edition: A blast from the past with Port Hope Mayor from 2022 election LeBlanc addresses docs, sewage treatment, garbage and transit, and more

After Labour Day, municipal election campaigns across Northumberland County will take off in earnest. Sometimes it helps to The post Summer Edition: A blast from the past with Port Hope Mayor from 2022 election appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: Hankivsky discusses engaging residents, businesses, plus housing and taxes Summer Edition: A bit of nostalgia revisiting campaign interview with Cleveland from 2022 Summer Edition: Revisiting a conversation with Port Hope’s mayor about a proposed nuclear power plant

Most voters in the municipal election may not realize healthcare is on the ballot this October. Doctor recruitment is a critical issue. Finding a doctor or nurse practitioner can be a real challenge for those without. Municipal taxes fund recruitment. Each municipality in Northumberland County contributes to the doctor recruitment efforts. The Ontario Health Team Northumberland is one of many agencies that connects patients with a primary care provider, either a doctor or nurse practitioner. In May, it announced the team helped 1,600 people find one. The health team is developing its next five-year strategy and is undertaking a survey. It wants to know what matters most in your community and the barriers people face. It also wants to improve things. County residents have until September 4 to complete it. In this July interview, Ram Puva, Executive Lead for Ontario Health Team Northumberland, explains how to connect with a primary health care provider. If you missed it the first time, it is a good chance to catch up. With so many people asking how to connect with a doctor, this is a chance to become better informed. So, take a listen.

The summer is winding down. The kids go back to school in one week. That makes it a good time to reflect on some of the challenges facing those running for trustees on local school boards. In May, the Ontario government announced the Putting Student Achievement First Act. In this interview, you will hear the school board chairman talk about the legislation and potential changes. Since then, the board passed its $522 million budget in June. It has also been integrating the legislated requirements ahead of the new school year. Take a listen and see if this can help you prepare to head to the polls in October to select the next trustee.

Back in June, Port Hope’s Fire Chief received top honours from a provincial organization. The Ontario Municipal Fire Prevention Officers Association named Jason Williams the 2026 Fire Chief of the Year. It was a huge honour for him and for the municipality. His distinguished career spans decades, with him working mainly as an investigator for the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office and in various other roles along the way. He gave the interview on the cusp of presenting a comprehensive wildland fire management plan for the Ganaraska Forest. Council adopted it. With all the wildfires burning across the country, his timing seemed spot on.

When we think of virtual reality, we often think of computer-based gaming. But in April, the Northumberland Manufacturers Association and nVenture launched a pilot program to use this technology to help hire workers. Many people leave a manufacturing job within 90 days. This is mainly because they don't understand what is expected once they are hired. This leads to high turnover in factory jobs, which is costly and discouraging for both employees and employers.

Just this week, the Ontario government said it is rethinking its support for a high-speed rail project after the federal government rejected its plans to expand Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto. Eleven MPPs from eastern Ontario, including our own MPP David Piccini, released a statement questioning the Alto High-Speed Rail project. This interview revisits a conversation done in March with Trent Hills Mayor Bob Crate. The Alto High-Speed Rail project has him and his council very upset. So are many residents in Trent Hills. One proposed route goes straight through the heart of the municipality, impacting the village of Hastings and Campbellford, along with the surrounding area. Opposition to the rail project has gained momentum since this interview, including Alderville band council and many other residents and municipalities along the proposed routes across the province and Quebec. Have a listen and think about the Ontario government’s demands in the context of the local disapproval. Will this turn the tide?

Earlier this week, arrests were made in the largest human trafficking case in the history of Halton Regional Police Service. Nine individuals were arrested and 85 criminal charges laid. It is a stark reminder of the exploitation taking place across Ontario, the country and the world. The accused are alleged to have used coercion, deception, manipulation, and psychological harm to maintain control and influence over the victims. In April, Jocelyn Enright, prevention education and community engagement coordinator for the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre, talked about human trafficking in Northumberland County, especially along the Highway 401 corridor. Girls as young as 11-years-old are being recruited into sex work. Her organization had just lost a $1`75,000 grant from the federal government to prevent recruitment and help those who wish to leave sex work. Take a listen and hear the hidden tragedies in our area.

Chad Valyear is a peer support worker and recovery advocate working in Northumberland. Back in May, he was the keynote speaker at the Come Together Northumberland event held at the Cobourg Community Centre. It was a major opportunity to bring a host of frontline agencies together and address many aspects of the county's social safety net. In this interview, he shares his personal journey from addiction to recovery. He discussed various recovery paths, including 12-step programs, Smart Recovery, and faith-based approaches, highlighting the need for more resources and better support systems for people struggling with mental health, addiction, and homelessness. As the municipal elections are on the horizon this fall, it is an opportunity to revisit a person with lived experience sharing his views on key issues within communities. Take a listen.