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Task force on opioids to hold first meeting in September, says health unit official

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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 →

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Health, Opioids

Green Wood Coalition reaches out, but also searching for answers to opioid crisis

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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 →

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Opioids

Opioids in Northumberland County – a frontline perspective from Cobourg police

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If you live in Northumberland County, surely there has been a time when you were standing in the sunshine and looked north only to see the dark clouds of a storm. And, you may wonder, it is going to come here or is it just going to pass by. The recent headlines coming out of Peterborough related to the opioid crisis facing that community are shocking. In a single weekend in early June, 13 people overdosed and two died within a 72-hour period. Deputy Chief Timothy Farquharson said in an interview with CBC, he hasn’t seen anything like it in his 33 years in policing. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Opioids, Police, Policing

Need for services; justice for all, says Northumberland Legal Aid executive director

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Northumberland Legal Aid Executive Director Lois Cromarty unpacks the impact of the Ontario government’s cuts to services across the province and in Northumberland County specifically. While the government argues the demand for services is dropping,  Cromarty argues the need is as great as ever. Listen as she makes her case. Originally broadcast: May 10, 2019 Continue Reading →

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

Ontario town crier championships June 1 in Cobourg’s Rotary Park big challenge for local heralder

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Cobourg town crier Mandy Robinson talks about the Ontario Town Crier Championships being held in Rotary Park, next to the Marina, Saturday, June 1, 2019, starting at 9 a.m. and again at 11 a.m. It will then move to Grafton for the finals at the Grafton Inn. The public is welcome to watch. Robinson explains the attraction of being a town crier, along with all the challenges criers face when competing. She also explains her own approach and her preparation for the contest. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community

Ontario Health Coalition provides insightful critique of local response to health care changes

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Ontario Health Coalition board member Sara LaBelle gives a passionate rebuttal to the provincial government’s proposed changes to the health care system. Beyond the arguments against privatization and a stern warning against the new powers included in the legislation, LaBelle delivers a warning to Northumberland residents about potential changes locally. She provides steps residents can take to make their views known, as well. Continue Reading →

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

Government changes to health care system leave community health leader hopeful

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Community Health Care Northumberland Executive Director Duff Sprague remains cautiously optimistic as the Ontario government’s proposed changes to the health care system unfold. He is proud of the work already taking place between the various service providers, but there is still more work to be done. He hopes a recent meeting with health minister Christine Elliott in Northumberland will help make the region a potential choice for a pilot program for the government. Continue Reading →

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

Insights into Cobourg’s cultural master plan by a politician and a patron of local culture

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Cobourg impresario Ken Prue, owner of the Loft, and Cobourg Councillor Adam Bureau talk about the work currently underway regarding the cultural master plan for the town. Consultants MDB Insights are leading the process with a series of focus groups and public meetings to gather input. A public meeting is set for March 21, 2019, at the Cobourg Community Centre, starting at 6 p.m.

The $65,000 study is meant to shape the town’s direction, not only to help enhance the arts and cultural life locally but to also find economic opportunities, as well. Prue provides insights into the significance of the study for those who actually work within the cultural community, while Bureau gives the political perspective. Continue Reading →

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

Cobourg mom shares life caring for autistic son and her fight against proposed funding changes

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Cobourg mom Kristen Ellison is an outspoken critic of a proposal from the Ontario government to fund 23,000 autistic children on waiting lists currently. Her eight-year-old son, Carter, already receives funding to help cover the approximately $90,000 annual costs for support services. Families will be eligible for up to $20,000 a year for children under 6 — up to a lifetime maximum of $140,000. Children older than that can access up to $5,000 a year up to age 18, to a lifetime maximum of $55,000. The changes are slated to begin on April 1. Continue Reading →

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

Cobourg couple are two of the 700 jobs lost in Northumberland due to GM closure

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Northumberland County will lose 700 jobs when General Motors Oshawa plant closes sometime before the end of the year, says the president of the union. Colin James, president of Unifor Local 222, outlined the impact within the area as he explained the repercussions of the announcement by General Motors in November to close the Oshawa operation sometime towards the end 2019, putting 2,600 workers and 340 staff out of work. He warned of the economic effect to Port Hope, Cobourg, Colborne and the rest of the region. “Local politicians should be very concerned,” he said in an interview on Consider This Northumberland. “Not just about GM, but by any large corporation who could potentially just up and leave. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Economy