Robert Washburn

Professor of e-journalism Publisher of Consider This

Recent Posts

The future of unmarked burials discovered in Alderville, plus a path toward an Indigenous police force

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Workers with ground penetrating radar on Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan.

Across Canada, First Nations are using ground-penetrating radar to uncover the burials of children near residential schools. In 2021, Alderville conducted its radar probes on a site near the Alderville United Church (formerly Wesleyan Methodist) on Second Line Road. This is where an Industrial School existed in 1849 as a training centre for several First Nations in the region. Alderville Chief Taynar Simpson will update the situation related to the burials, along with several recent developments. He will review the history of the Industrial School and its relationship to the burials. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Conversations Towards Reconciliation, Alderville, Chief Taynar Simpson, Indigenous police force, unmarked burials

Internationally renowned Canadian journalist shares stories of women and children facing war and oppression.

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Sally Armstrong

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

The Canadian Federation of University Women in Belleville is hosting a community event with Sally Armstrong on Saturday, April 27. She is an internationally renowned Canadian journalist, author, documentary filmmaker, and human rights activist. She is often called the war correspondent for the world’s women. Armstrong has reported for CBC, CTV, Globe and Mail, and the New York Times from Bosnia, Somalia, Rwanda, Afghanistan, Iraq, South Sudan, Jordan, and Israel. In this interview, she is outspoken, insightful, and sometimes shocking. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Northumberland County, Politics, Social Justice

Merger of two health units moves ahead as application for funding submitted to province, says CEO

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Peterborough Public Health

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Peterborough Public Health and the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit voted to merge voluntarily recently. The Ontario government’s funding offer spurred them on, so the official request went in at the beginning of April. The pandemic response brought the role of public health units into sharp focus. So has the opioid crisis in both communities. Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health and Peterborough Public Health’s CEO, will discuss the merger in this interview. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit, Health, Northumberland County, Peterborough Public Health

Transition House officials respond to impact of Cobourg’s emergency shelter bylaw

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Transition House

The full interview:

Plans for 310 Division Street continue to move forward. Senior staff at Northumberland County and Cobourg are hammering away at a deal to operate an emergency shelter. Meanwhile, the town’s bylaws are now in place to regulate operations at local shelters, including Transition House and Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre. County Warden Brian Ostrander and Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland appeared on last week’s show to discuss the situation. Meanwhile, the provincial government provided $2.5 million to renovate the former senior’s residence, with the caveat that the work must begin within the next four months. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, #Cobourg, Community, Homelessness, Housing, Northumberland County, Politics, Social Justice

Canadian Fire Fighters Museum signs lease and makes plans for a new home in old arena

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Canadian Fire Fighters Museum Chair Michelle Hainey-Kileeg and Treasurer Dickson Wood

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

In 2018, the Canadian Fire Fighters Museum in Port Hope closed its doors. It was a fixture in the town for 34 years. Its collection was one of the most extensive in the country, with a long list of items that captured glimpses of the history of firefighting. Besides several trucks, the museum features a range of items and documents that continue to grow. Sadly, the collection has been in storage for the past five years. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, #Cobourg, Community, Heritage, Northumberland County

New police rules and regulations started on April 1, impacting local police with little fanfare

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Cobourg Police Service

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

A new Community Services and Police Act came into effect on April 1. The irony of the date did not get past Cobourg Police Chief Paul VandeGraaf. It was not an April Fool’s joke. The new legislation significantly overhauls how police are regulated. The last time this occurred was in 1990. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, #Cobourg, Northumberland County, OPP, Police, Port Hope

Cobourg’s mayor explains recent debate over emergency shelter bylaw and its impacts

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The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

At a council meeting on February 28, Cobourg politicians approved a bylaw to regulate emergency shelters regarding operations, safety, and security. The most notable impacts will be on Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre and Transition House. The bylaw is meant to address concerns from the public, town staff, and politicians over the new shelter planned for 310 Division Street, a former senior residence. The county purchased it and recently received $2.5 million from the Ontario government for renovations. During a special county council meeting on March 6, Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland passionately defended his municipality’s decision. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, #Cobourg, Community, Homelessness, Housing, Northumberland County, Politics, Social Justice

County warden addresses concerns over Cobourg emergency shelter bylaw

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Northumberland County Council

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Earlier this month, tensions between Cobourg and Northumberland County were on display. Cobourg passed new bylaws impacting emergency shelters within the town. This would include Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre and Transition House. The bylaw is aimed at quelling concerns raised by many about the relocation of Transition House to 310 Division Street. Since the county is responsible for Transition House, county staff and politicians called a special council meeting on March 6. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, #Cobourg, Homelessness, Housing, Northumberland County, Politics, Social Justice

Metis rights in Bill C-53 raises concerns for Alderville Chief, plus remembering former PM Brian Mulroney

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Cassidy Caron, president of the Métis National Council

Legislation aimed at providing Metis people the same rights for self-governance returned to the House of Commons for a third reading last month. It gives rights like authority concerning internal governance, citizenship, elections, government operations, and child and family services. In the show’s first segment, you will hear Alderville First Nations Chief Taynar Simpson explain the concerns many First Nations representatives express about the legislation, also known as Bill C-53. In the second segment, Chief Simpson reflects on the legacy of former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. Mulroney died on February 29 at the age of 84. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Alderville, Conversations Towards Reconciliation, Indigenous People, Politics

Former Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Kim Rudd remembered as a person, professional, and politician

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Kim Rudd

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

The last interview I did with Kim Rudd:

On March 12, former Northumberland-Peterborough South Liberal MP Kim Rudd died. She was 66. She represented the riding for four years, from 2015 to 2019. In addition to being a politician, she was an entrepreneur and an active volunteer in the community. She was a Rotarian, served on countless committees, and was involved in everything from sports to national and provincial associations. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Northumberland County, Politics