Consider This Northumberland

Currently, the minimum wage in Ontario is $16.55 per hour. But if you live in Northumberland County, that amount should be $20.60. That is what the Living Wage Network Ontario says.

Recently, the Living Wage Network released its figures for 2023. It calculates how much it takes to live and work in one of 10 areas within Ontario. If you add up all the housing, food, transportation, and other expenses for Northumberland County, your hourly wage should be at least $20.60 for a full-time employee.

Craig Pickthorne, an Ontario Living Wage Network spokesperson, will explain how his organization calculates this number and its significance. More importantly, he will explain why local employers should embrace a living wage while busting some myths surrounding higher wages.

Earlier this week, the federal government announced spending $162 million over the next four years to implement a National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence in Ontario. The timing is not by chance. Nov. 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. November is Women Abuse Prevention Month.

On today’s show, we dig deep into intimate partner violence. The recent inquest into the deaths of Gladys and Bill Ryan is our topic. In 2017, Gladys was shot in the head in the emergency department while she was being treated at Northumberland Hills Hospital. Bill died of multiple gunshot wounds after police arrived.

Nancy Johnston, CEO of Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre, attended the inquest in late September and early October. Gladys was known to her. Johnston will discuss intimate partner violence among elderly women. She will review the recommendations from the inquest and what changes they can bring.

A proposal to create sleeping cabins was before Port Hope council recently. The gallery was packed as residents wanted to be heard. When the public learned the matter was being put off to the next meeting, things erupted into chaos. Some members of the public gallery started yelling at the councillors. Decorum broke down as politicians and citizens argued. The mayor stepped in and moved the public to be allowed to speak immediately rather than waiting until the designated time for public input. Calm was restored, and people began to air their concerns.

Councillor Les Andrews is going to talk about this incident. A series of bylaws govern council meetings. These procedural bylaws outline the rules for a long grocery list of ways meetings are controlled. It covers everything from the time of council meetings to public question periods. The big question is: Will it make Port Hope council more democratic?

A recent story challenging the Indigenous heritage of singer and songwriter Buffy St. Marie sent shockwaves through Canada. It distressed many people but also ignited a debate regarding what it means to be indigenous.

In this interview, Alderville First Nation Chief Taynar Simpson will give his perspective. He will shed light on what it means to be Indigenous but also share how the Alderville community determines who is a member and who is not. He will also explain how current federal policies regarding identity may impact the future of his people.

According to the federal government, one in five Canadians struggle to pay for prescription medicines. Three million people don’t fill prescriptions because they cannot afford it. One million Canadians will cut the amount they spend on essentials like food or heat to afford medicine.

In the next few weeks, the federal government hopes to introduce a plan to cover the cost of prescriptions. Many, including the NDP, want to see a universal Pharmacare plan. In fact, the NDP threatened to withdraw their support of the Liberals if that did not happen. Potentially, it could force an election. The program could cost more than $11 million in its first year.

A local chapter of the Council of Canadians, a national social justice group, is trying to raise awareness nationwide of the importance of a universal Pharmacare program. You will hear why the local group feels it is crucial. And you will hear how they answer critics of the proposal.

Over the last few months, residents of Cobourg have faced momentary power outages. There are more than expected. For many, it is frustrating. While these last only a few seconds, it is enough to affect clocks, computers, and PVRs, among a long list of inconvenient items.

The reasons for the outages are varied and surprising. From squirrels to branches to a significant upgrade to the overall system, it will raise your eyebrows. It is also something that cannot be prevented entirely. It is part of the system, like it or not.

Dereck Paul, Chief Executive Officer for Lakefront Utilities, and Mark Turney, Electric Engineer Consultant for the utility, will talk about what is going on and also provide some advice for things residents can do to prevent any inconvenience.

Cobourg council wants to create a thriving community, provide better services, and be more sustainable. These are the three pillars of the new four-year strategic plan it hopes to pass this Monday.

For the past 10 months, Cobourg council has worked with its consultant, Capital Park, towards a strategic plan. It has sought public input. The process is now wrapping up.

In this interview, Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland will explain how the three pillars will work as guiding principles for council. He will also review how the strategic plan will influence politicians as they face the numerous issues confronting Cobourg.

Earlier this month, there were three places where outbreaks of COVID-19 occurred in Northumberland. Besides the hospital, the Golden Plough Lodge was hit and the Victoria Retirement residence. These senior’s homes are located in Cobourg.

The health unit has tracked more than 1,400 emergency room visits across its region for COVID, colds and flu since September.

All this may be a bit disturbing. But for Dr. Natalie Bocking, the chief medical officer of health, it is a lot better than last year. In fact, she is pretty optimistic about how things are going right now.

In this interview, she will give her reasons for her optimism, plus explain what is going on in Northumberland during this cold and flu season. And she will give some sage advice as to what people can do to avoid getting sick.

Northumberland Hills Hospital announced there was a COVID-19 outbreak recently. Eighteen cases were confirmed at the time. Patients in the medical and surgical units were hit, along with some in the rehab unit. Staff were spared.

Visitors and volunteers were restricted from these units. Several preventative measures were taken, similar to those in the past.

This is cold and flu season looks like in Northumberland in a post-pandemic world.

Northumberland Hills Hospital CEO Susan Walsh will explain what is going on with the outbreaks. She will also give her insights into how the hospital copes with this new reality.

One way to ensure a secure future for agriculture is putting farms in a land trust, says Margaret Walton, board chair of the Ontario Farmland Trust.

There are 840 farms in Northumberland County. The vast majority are prime agricultural land. That designation ranks these areas as the best for growing the crops that feed us.

Yet, these lands are under threat.

And that has many people in Northumberland worried, especially farmers.

On July 29, about 100 people gathered at the Best Western in Cobourg to listen to five panelists. They outline the challenges facing those wishing to protect farmland in Northumberland County. The event was organized by residents and farmers known as Northumberland Rural Coalition.

The event was recorded live by Northumberland 89.7 FM. It became a weekly show called Protecting Farmland in Northumberland. It is a five-part series that airs every Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. from Sept. 5 to Oct. 3, 2023. You can hear experts explain how to save prime agricultural lands in the county. If you care about the food on your table, this is a series you will want to hear.