Social Justice

Issues related to social injustices within the community

Recent Posts

Northumberland labour leader addresses impact of pandemic on local workers

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The show:

There are lots of people and politicians who are quick to express their gratitude to essential workers. The nurses, doctors, grocery store staff, truckers, and some others quickly come to mind. But the cleaning staff, the line workers, those in distribution centres or the roofers, electricians, plumbers, daycare staff, and other workers don’t seem to get the same spotlight. In this interview with Dan Tobin, president of the Northumberland and District Labour Council, you will hear the concerns of those who represent working people. It is not just a debate about paid sick days. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Hyperlocal News, Local News, Community, Politics, Social Justice

Union leader shares hardships facing workers during pandemic on Day of Mourning

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The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Going to work can be deadly. Earlier this week, Canadians took a moment of silence to remember people who died or were injured on the job. It is called the Day of Mourning. What makes this year’s commemoration more significant is the number of workers who have died or become sick from COVID-19. As these deaths appear to most of us as figures in daily reports, the stories behind them are chilling. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Hyperlocal News, Local News, Community, Politics, Social Justice

Coldest Night of the Year goes virtual for 2021, but the message about those in need remains the same

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The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

NOTE: After this interview was complete, the organizers announced the entire event will be virtual due to a province-wide lockdown. We have all had times when we were outside in the bone-chilling cold. You know what I am talking about. Your cheeks start to hurt a bit. The tips of your fingers start to feel numb. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Social Justice

New report shows violence against women on rise; so what is being done?

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Violence Against Women in Northumberland

Opportunities for strategic alliances exist across the region

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

The numbers are not new. For some, they may not even be shocking. Violence Against Women in Northumberland is on the rise. Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre, the Cobourg police, and others will tell you the same thing. What makes this report from Thrive Northumberland different is how it brings the situation into a sharp perspective. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Social Justice

The passing of a community figure and a special Christmas for the homeless

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Lydia Smith and Paul Pagnuelo

(On Monday, I was asked by Northumberland 89.7 FM to produce the newscast. These are two local stories I did for the 4 p.m. update.)

The co-founder of the Cobourg Taxpayers Association and a well-known community volunteer died on Christmas Day. Paul Pagnuelo, 73, had been ill for several years. Pagnuelo might best be remembered as a candidate for deputy mayor in the 2014 municipal election. He was defeated by John Henderson, who is the current mayor. Continue Reading →

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

Perspectives on racism towards Indigenous people from an Alderville elder

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Racism is complicated. That was made really clear during my conversation with this week’s guest, Brian Beaver. He is a band council member for the Alderville Frist Nations. He was born and raised in the community. Then, he went off and worked elsewhere. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Social Justice

Cobourg woman shares a story of abuse, pain and courage

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Quite often, when talking about women who are abused, people will say, “Why don’t they just leave.” But, it is never that simple. On today’s show, Nicole Thompson, a Cobourg resident, will share her story of abuse. It is a story told with conviction and with brutal honesty. More than anything, it is a story about courage. Nicole’s account of her journey away from abuse is like so many others. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Social Justice

Friends rally around woman by forming a new group to fight racism in Cobourg

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Show:

The full interview with bonus material:

When Valerie Gallagher came to Cobourg, she was looking to make a fresh start. She was impressed by the small-town feeling and it looked like a welcoming place for her and her family. But before she even moved into her new home, she was confronted by harassment. From there it grew into a racially motivated conflict involving lawyers and the police. The racism followed her to work, where she was the object of slurs that were both overt and others that were muted. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Social Justice

Diversity initiative launched by town hoping to make Cobourg more inclusive, says councillor

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Show:

The full interview with bonus material

The death of George Floyd ignited an explosion of anti-racism protests around the world, as well as Northumberland County. He was the American man who died at the hands of the Minneapolis Police last spring. Demonstrations were held in Cobourg and Port Hope. There was a flurry of statements by local politicians and community leaders condemning racist behaviour. In September, Cobourg council decided to take it a step further. Continue Reading →

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

Addressing the challenge of race relations in Northumberland is difficult, says committee chair

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WARNING: Some people may find parts of this story disturbing. Podcast from show

The full interview with bonus material

Back in the summer, I posted a picture to my Facebook page from a photojournalist friend. It was a picture of two garden statues of Black children. They were dressed in overalls and straw hats and they were fishing. It was right out of Mark Twain, but it was in Northumberland County. Continue Reading →

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