Robert Washburn

Professor of e-journalism Publisher of Consider This

Recent Posts

Protecting Farmland in Northumberland: Placing precious lands in a trust

Aerial shot of farmland

Margaret Walton, board chair, Ontario Farmland Trust

 

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. Continue Reading →

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Protecting Farmland in Northumberland: Political critique from the provincial Liberals

Queen's Park legislature

Liberal Agriculture Critic MPP Stephanie Bowman

Farmers can advocate for change, according to MPP Stephanie Bowman, Liberal agriculture critic. 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. Continue Reading →

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Protecting Farmland in Northumberland: An overview from the county warden

Northumberland County Council Chambers

Northumberland County Warden Mandy Martin

Warden Mandy Martin reviews efforts by the county to preserve farmland. 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. Continue Reading →

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Protecting Farmland in Northumberland: Local farmer gives dire warning

Burnham Family Farm Market

Paul Burnham, director, Northumberland Federation of Agriculture

 

Northumberland Federation of Agriculture Director Paul Burnham warned of the consequences of failing to protect farmland in the county both now and in the future,

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. Continue Reading →

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Not all small newspapers in southwestern Ontario are closing. One town just got a new one

Not all small newspapers in southwestern Ontario are closing. One town just got a new one

The loss of dozens of journalism jobs and print editions of Metroland papers has many concerned about the impact on the availability of accurate news and democracy. (Erik White/CBC ) Some southwestern Ontario newspaper publishers are bucking trends by continuing to print paper versions of small-town newspapers at a […]
Click here to view original web page at www.cbc.ca Continue Reading →

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Protecting Farmland in Northumberland: Legislative agenda facing farmers

Northumberland County farm

Eric Gillespie, EKG Corporation

Lawyer Eric Gillespie reviews new regulations, policies, and legislation introduced by the Ontario government impacting farmland in this episode. 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. Continue Reading →

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Alderville Chief shares a unique perspective on Orange Shirt Day 2023

Alderville residential schools

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

On Sept. 30, many people will commemorate Orange Shirt Day. It is a time to reflect on the horrors of residential schools and to recommit to Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous people in our community and across the country. In this interview, you will hear from Taynar Simpson, chief of Alderville First Nation. He brings a different perspective. Continue Reading →

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Annual report give complex picture of trends for Port Hope police

The full interview:

Calls for service are down. Foot patrols are also down. Vehicle patrols are also down. Cannabis charges are up. Violent crimes, such as assaults, are up by 80 percent. Continue Reading →

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Proposed walk-in clinic aiming to open in former Toronto Road location in Port Hope Nov. 1

PORT HOPE WALK IN CLINIC

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, a walk-in clinic is on the cusp of opening at its former site on Toronto Road in Port Hope. In this interview with Mayor Olena Hankivsky you will get the details of this ambitious proposal. The journey to get the clinic open has not been smooth for the mayor and Councillor Les Andrews. You will hear how some doctors expressed concerns about the clinic. But you will also hear of the outpouring of support from other doctors, community organizations and the public. Continue Reading →

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School board chair addresses possible strike by teachers, gender identity and new curriculum

CR Gummow

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

As students settle into school, the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board faces several challenges. The school board’s chair, Steve Russell, will address critical issues on today’s show. At the forefront is labour unrest. While negotiations continue, there is significant uncertainty. That is especially true for elementary teachers. Continue Reading →

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