Mike Schreiner does not fit the bill of a stereotypical politician. He was named the most forthright leader in Ontario in the 2018 election, when he was first elected to the provincial legislature. His affable smile and, conservative appearance are what we see of the business degree and masters degree holder with experience in the food distribution business. He is experienced building a business, focusing on local and sustainable food businesses. He is not a theorist when it comes to the ‘Green ideals’; he was actively putting them in place prior to his election as Green Party leader and MPP for Guelph. Mike is a dad of 2 and a husband, and a pretty normal person.

On episode 56 of Exit 425, Steve Rae speaks with Mike Schreiner about what to look for in a politician, the Greenbelt, bills 23 and 28, where the Greens fit in terms of politics in Ontario, as well as Mike's favourite coffee!

Businessman, family man and paddleboarder Sami Elhajjeh was elected to represent Exit 425 (Ward 1) on the Clarington Council, in October of 2022. Find out what Sami has learned in the first few months with significant provincial legislation and a budget to build.

You can reach Sami at [email protected].

Exit 425's Regional Councillor (Wards 1 & 2 Clarington) Granville Anderson shares his priorities, thoughts about the Clarington budget, the greenbelt, and community safety. If you need to communicate with Granville, email him at [email protected].

Marc Kealey is a lifelong liberal and Liberal. Stephen Ledrew refers to Marc as a 'Liberal Bigshot' so his perspective on changes to the Greenbelt and what needs to be in place to protect it, may surprise you a little bit. Or will it? Marc has high praise for Durham's leadership as we move into a period of rapid growth.

Mark Morissette, known in Courtice for his involvment with Courtice Commuity Connect, along with Janice Jones form our panel for this conversation about local coffee, municipal spending on infastructure and charities, greenbelt changes and getting our residents engaged in local governance!

Steve Rae, Exit 425, speaks with Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster about the effects of recent provincial legislation on how we live and how much we pay in taxes in Courtice, and throughout Clarington (and Durham and Ontario?).

David Piccini is the provincial member of Parliament  for Northumberland-Peterborough South and the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for Ontario, in the Doug Ford Progressive Conservative government. David is the first Clarington MPP (or MP) to speak with Exit 425.

In Episode 50 of Exit 425 since the summer of 2021, David talks about his government's approach to education workers, the greenbelt and municipal government reforms, these past few months.

David also talks about what Clarington needs him to advocate for and why  he hopes future education contracts are settled quickly.

Thank you for supporting Exit 425. Current affairs information and education that goes where you want. This episode #50!

Tim is the Executive Director of Environmental Defence, who for over 35 years has worked at every level of government to protect our water and create livable communities, among other really important things. They seriously know about what the most recent round of provincial legislation affects.  Find a wealth of background information at environmentaldefence.ca.

Tim and Steve talk about changes to the greenbelt, the history of the greenbelt, the integrity of decisions made and the precedents for future decisions about the greenbelt. 

Tim and I discussed, outside of the recorded interview, how Environmental Defence is not an organization that believes we should live off the grid and be anti development. They are concerned about the integrity of the decisions made around the greenbelt in terms of democracy as well as ecology. 

In episode 48 we introduce the new Exit 425 Hometown Panel, and actually get to speak to half of them! Meet Courtice stars Jim Boate and Janice Jones today, and anticipate meeting Mark Morissette and Kelly O'Sullivan, Co-Admins of Courtice Community Connect on our next Hometown Panel.

Find out the Panel's thoughts about the best part of living in Courtice as well as some ideas for making it even better! The real character of our panelists is revealed in the 'Spot Quiz', a new feature on Exit 425 to get to know guests better! 

Since 2014 Jennifer French has represented Oshawa at Queen's Park as a member of the NDP caucus.  Oshawa is immediately adjacent to the Courtice, and Clarington, and Oshawa has an interest in what happens on the rural urban frontier that is sweeping across Clarington.

Jennifer joined Exit 425 to talk about what has gone on at Queen's Park with the education workers and the 'Keeping Students in Class' Act ; concerns over legislation that affects the Greenbelt and what that means for Durham and Clarington; some encouragement for Claringtonians and Courticians (are those even words?) with regard to the municipal waterfront park... I even tried to get some dirt on what Jennifer sees happening on the Government side of the legislature...are they getting along over there?