Consider This (https://consider-this.ca/)
Taking care of oneself is critical to good health. Today, I have two guests talking about some serious health-related issues. My first guest will be talking about vaping, which has made headlines recently across North America — as of yesterday, USA Today reported the number of vaping illnesses surged to 1,299 cases, and the death toll sits at 26. In September, Ontario health officials were watching three cases possibly related to vaping.
For candidates running for the People’s Party of Canada, the CBC news story published yesterday surely drew a reaction from both supporters and detractors. A People’s Party of Canada candidate in Saskatoon is coming under fire for sharing a cartoon photo on Twitter that depicts NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh wearing a turban with a bomb on it. The candidate said he did not realize it was a bomb, saying it appeared to look like a toque. However, the executive director for the Canadian Anti-Hate Network said the cartoon is racist. The network is monitoring all candidates from all parties during the federal election.
To local NDP supports in Northumberland-Peterborough South, the IPOS poll released on Wednesday must have been music to their ears. While the party has polled at about 15 percent over the last few weeks, the leader of the party, Jagmeet Singh, watched as his personal appeal numbers took a dramatic jump. When people were asked which leader would make the best prime minister, 14 percent named Singh. That is up from 10 percent only a week ago.
Green Party candidate Jeff Wheeldon talks at length about the impact of his party’s platform to fight climate change, while maintaining a strong economy. He does not back off of the predicted job losses in the oil and gas sector, along with several other sectors of the economy, saying other jobs will be created. He also talks about a basic income program for the country, among other policies. Wheeldon speaks directly to the revelation regarding Justin Trudeau’s use of blackface, its influence on the national election campaign and its effect locally.
Northumberland Incumbent Liberal candidate Kim Rudd defends the Prime Minister regarding his absence during the first televised debate for City TV/Macleans. She also provides her views on the SNC Lavalin affair, the Trans Mountain pipeline, carbon tax, climate change, precarious jobs in our county, along with anecdotes about her early life and her life-long activism. Please take the time to listen. As part of the ongoing efforts of Northumberland 89.7 FM and Consider This, we continue our series of candidate interviews for this all-important job of being a member of parliament for our riding.
While we anxiously await the writ to be dropped on or before September 15, there is no doubt the federal election campaign is already underway. In fact, some would argue, locally it has been going on for nearly a year now – minus the lawn signs. As we prepare to cast our votes on Oct. 21, it is far too easy to get swept up with the party leaders in a national race. One can forget that it is not just five people in a horse race for the top job. Continue Reading →
A task force led by the health unit involving local police, Northumberland Hills Hospital, and emergency services (fire and paramedics) will take place in September. It is being called the first step in addressing the opioid crisis in Northumberland County. There will also be an effort by a tri-county group tasked with formulating a drug strategy for the area to engage the community and front-line workers, addicts and families, to build a comprehensive response. Megan Deyman, the Coordinator of the Haliburton, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland Drug Strategy, and Catherine MacDonald, substances and harm reduction coordinator at the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge Health Unit talk at length about these and other measures. But provincial cuts to the health unit and grants to the drug strategy group are hanging in the balance, threatening these and other initiatives to fight opioids in the community. Continue Reading →
We have certainly talked to many different people over the past few weeks about Opioids in Northumberland. We have heard from a doctor, a mental health worker, law enforcement, two recovering addicts, and a politician. Their perspectives are provoking, the stories are compelling, and at times heartbreaking. But all have spoken their truth. And, we were given incredible insights into what is happening in the community around opioids from those with first-hand knowledge. Continue Reading →
So far in the series on Opioids in Northumberland, we have heard from law enforcement and the role they play on the front lines. Today, we are about to hear more from those in the field dealing with this issue directly. It would be hard to imagine anyone who sees the impact more than doctors and addiction counsellors. They experience first-hand the horrific consequences of opioid overdoses and addictions. And, while there may be some who they can pull back from the edge, there are also those who do not make it. Continue Reading →
It is one thing to hear from officials about opioids in Northumberland County. But it is quite another to hear from people who have walked through the darkness of opioid addiction. Today, my guests have undertaken that journey and continue to walk the path towards recovery and a life without drugs. Now, before you start creating an image in your mind about these people, they are not stereotypical. In fact, one is a prominent politician and the other a new Canadian. Continue Reading →