Port Hope

Recent Posts

Chambers of Commerce call on all three levels of government to address housing crisis

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The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce recently released a report calling on all three levels of government to tackle the Affordable Housing Crisis. Some people might wonder why a business organization is producing housing reports. Port Hope Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Brenda Whitehead will dive into that mystery in this interview. It has a lot to do with workers being unable to live in the communities where they work. This was not an issue in the past because people were expected to commute to jobs. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Economy, Housing, Northumberland County, Politics, Port Hope, Port Hope Chamber of Commerce

Drug strategy group dealing with opioid crisis returns at public meeting in Port Hope

By: |
HKLN drug strategy public meeting

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

The health unit says there were between one and four deaths in May. There were also close to 30 emergency room visits where a drug overdose was suspected. None of this counts for the police and ambulance calls. Those are some of the highest numbers we have seen since a year ago. As you will hear in this interview, Dane Record, the executive director of the Peterborough AIDs Resource Network, will tell you he is not surprised. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Opioids, Port Hope, Social Justice

Port Hope mayor discusses long-term care proposal details, insights and her thoughts after MZO issued

By: |
Olena Hankivsky

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

A proposed long-term care facility in Port Hope is a complex situation. It is tangled up in myriad issues, from the desperate need for beds for the elderly to preserving heritage buildings. Mixed within this is the need to follow sound planning principles and the varying voices of the public on all sides. If that is not enough, the Ontario government issued a Minister’s Zoning Order or MZO. This will allow the project to go forward and create a seven-storey, 192-bed facility. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Long-term care, Politics, Port Hope, Social Justice

Port Hope reviewing cultural plan from festivals to kids arts camp to Capitol Theatre

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Cultivate Festival

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

In 2012, Port Hope town council adopted a cultural plan with five strategic goals. The municipality would support cultural assets, raise awareness and build on existing assets, strengthen emerging cultural groups, increase cultural participation, and respond to cultural space needs. These lofty objectives have guided the town for the past decade. Now, they are being reviewed by town staff to figure out what should be happening for the next decade. Leslie Murray, Manager of Community Recreation and Culture, is reaching out to the public to get input on what should happen within Port Hope. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Culture, Heritage, Politics, Port Hope

Port Hope’s new police chief an innovator, leader and working on his first 100-days plan

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Port Hope Police Chief Tim Farquharson

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

On March 1, Port Hope got a new police chief. Tim Farquharson arrived from Peterborough, where he has spent 36 years in policing. In this interview, the chief will talk about his career as a young constable in Lakefield until he stepped down as deputy chief for the Peterborough Police. You will listen to his thoughts on the budget and other initiatives. Plus, he will give his plans for his first 100 days. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Police, Politics, Port Hope

Port Hope mayor explains budget increase as some taxpayers and councillor are upset

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Sylvan Glen bridge

The full interview:

Port Hope residents are facing a big tax increase this year, and not everyone is happy. Seniors, business people, farmers, and some councillors are upset. The 2023 budget means an estimated increase of $183 for urban residents and $226 for rural residents on average. Port Hope Mayor Olena Hankivsky will explain the reasons for this increase and the council’s decision. She will describe how inflation, interest rates, and the need to maintain the town’s infrastructure – things like roads, bridges, and other services – played into deliberations. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Politics, Port Hope

Old transit bus becomes new warming centre for Port Hope

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Buddy Bus

The show:

The full show with bonus material:

Jordan Stevenson is a local Port Hope businessman. He is also an advocate for the homeless and affordable housing. An old city transit bus from Windsor arrived at his office on Hamilton Road. He is transforming the bus into a mobile warming centre. He named the project the Buddy Bus after his constant companion, a rescued dog. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Homelessness, Port Hope, Social Justice

Awareness of plight of others higher this year, says Coldest Night of the Year organizer

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Coldest Night of the Year 2023

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

The temperature dropped to minus 16 degrees this past week. It snowed, and it rained, as well. When sitting at home or in an office, it is easy to forget people are living unsheltered in these conditions. The Coldest Night of the Year is a walk held in Port Hope designed to raise money and remind us what it is like to be homeless, especially in the winter. Event director Phil Redford will explain what is happening this year as his group tries to raise money and awareness about struggling people. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Coldest Night of the Year, Community, Port Hope, Social Justice

Fare Share food bank see need skyrocket as people seeking help more than doubles

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Fare Share workers sorting items

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Helen Donovan, the Chief Executive Officer of Fare Share, said in this interview there was a 61 percent increase over last year. A growing list of factors contributes to this surge. These include inflation, grocery prices, high cost of rent, and the number of people living in the community on fixed incomes. Christmas is a particularly rough time for those in need. So, the food bank is responding with numerous efforts. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, #Cobourg, Community, Food Bank, Port Hope, Social Justice

Lees keys in on taxes in the face of inflation, development, affordable housing and more

By: |
Jeff Lees

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

There is only one week left until the municipal election on October 24. Most municipalities have started voting already. This week is the last candidate for mayor for me to interview. Please remember I am only interviewing the mayoral candidates running for office across Northumberland County. I will not be interviewing deputy mayor or council candidates. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Municipal Election 2022, Municipal Election 2022, Politics, Port Hope