Consider This Northumberland

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 Carruthers, president of the Northumberland Federation of Agriculture, will provide a local perspective and paint a picture of the consequences of a range of threats. Listen carefully to hear the local implications and see what you think.

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 what people can do, justifying the time and expense. He will also explain the role of the Environmental Sustainability Committee and its involvement.

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 organization prepares to respond to the challenges many people could be facing. These services may become more vital for more residents in Northumberland than anyone realizes. Listen and see if you agree.

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 to what is happening within her membership as they react to the ongoing chaos. She will also review the responses of the Canadian and Ontario Chambers of Commerce as the trade war unfolds.

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 urgent calls. It ensures a heart attack is attended to before a nosebleed. That did not always happen under the current first-called-first-serve approach. Listen and decide if the changes are going to make a difference to you, your family, and your friends.

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 formulate a local response. While the federal and provincial governments outline their action, you will hear what is being done locally to make a difference. See if you think it is sufficient and what else could be done.

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 to an action plan on American tariffs. Compare their assessment to yours.

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 interview, Richard Pope, an advisor to the group and active advocate for the harbour, will discuss what has happened and the future of this green space. The group hopes to have a voice in any further plans.

Town council approved the creation of a Waterfront Nature Park Task Force on Feb. 26 at its regular council meeting. This took place after the interview and before the show aired.

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 invest in it, but it no longer wants to run the operation.

Glenn Dees, Director of Health & Human Services, and Jennifer Glover, the Ontario Works manager for Northumberland County, will explain what is going on in this interview. They will give assurances that little or no impact on the people who use food banks and others who currently depend on Food4All. Listen and see if you think this is a good direction.

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 any team, anywhere. He will explain why he and others think this is good for the game. For some, it means new and better opportunities. Yet, it could be devastating for others in smaller and rural hockey associations. Plus, he will address the impact on taxpayers who foot the bill for local arenas. Now, they will pay for kids outside the area who can play in those arenas under the new rules. Is this a good thing for hockey in Northumberland? Listen and decide.