Consider This Northumberland

Summer Edition: Peer support worker and recovering addict Chad Valyear shares his journey and insights

Chad Valyear is a peer support worker and recovery advocate working in Northumberland. Back in May, he was the keynote speaker at the Come Together Northumberland event held at the Cobourg Community Centre. It was a major opportunity to bring a host of frontline agencies together and address many aspects of the county's social safety net. In this interview, he shares his personal journey from addiction to recovery. He discussed various recovery paths, including 12-step programs, Smart Recovery, and faith-based approaches, highlighting the need for more resources and better support systems for people struggling with mental health, addiction, and homelessness. As the municipal elections are on the horizon this fall, it is an opportunity to revisit a person with lived experience sharing his views on key issues within communities. Take a listen.

Summer Edition: Revisiting a conversation with Port Hope’s mayor about a proposed nuclear power plant

It is heralded as the World’s Largest Nuclear Power plant. It promises to create thousands of jobs and add billions to the provincial economy. So, when Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and Port Hope signed a partnership agreement known as a Memorandum of Understanding in February, it set a process in motion. In this interview, Port Hope Mayor Olena Hankivsky set out what is included in this agreement as council and residents began to debate the project. She outlined the terms, the money, the goals, and the objectives for this initial stage. Since then, there has been a lot of debate and details shared. Have a listen and see if you think this could be an issue for the upcoming municipal election.

Summer Edition: Help Centre experiences a 15 percent increase in number of seniors facing homeless in January 2026

Back in January, 11 seniors went to the Northumberland Help Centre because they were facing homelessness. One of them is a 90-year-old woman. In this interview, Kim Lauder, executive director of the Help Centre, said at the time there was a 15 percent increase in the number of elderly people seeking assistance as they faced the possibility of becoming homeless. She said the situation in the county is a crisis. It remains a concern even today. The recent Northumberland County Homelessness and Housing Report, including stats on the number of seniors facing possible homelessness, is rising. Lauder discussed the diverse reasons why seniors become homeless, including financial difficulties, lack of family support, and challenges accessing benefits, while highlighting the importance of creative solutions and collaboration among stakeholders.

Summer Edition: Northumberland County warden weighs in on seniors facing homelessness

One week after the interview with Kim Lauder, executive director of the Help Centre, Northumberland County Warden Bob Crate came on the show to contradict her. He said that, on a scale of one to 10, the situation in which seniors face potential homelessness may be a four to six. Crate will talk about the state of seniors in the county, from affordable housing to unsheltered individuals. He will discuss what is being done and what also needs to be done. This includes the possible expansion of 310 Division Street. The warden will also talk about the recent Rural Ontario Municipalities Association (ROMA) conference he attended earlier this week. Many municipal politicians were also in attendance. Homelessness and housing were a major takeaway for him. Take a listen to see if you think the county is doing enough to help seniors and address affordable housing.

Northumberland Hills Hospital officials explain how year ends with $1.1 million surplus

This year, Northumberland Hills Hospital had a $1.1 million surplus. It was slightly more than the previous year’s The post Northumberland Hills Hospital officials explain how year ends with $1.1 million surplus [https://consider-this.ca/annual-report-says-northumberland-hills-hospital-ends-year-with-1-1-million-surplus/] appeared first on Consider This [https://consider-this.ca]. Related posts: 1. Pandemic created challenges and opportunities over the past year, says hospital board chairperson [https://consider-this.ca/pandemic-created-challenges-and-opportunities-over-the-past-year-says-hospital-board-chairperson/] 2. It’s no mystery where Northumberland County taxes go, just read the 2020 annual report [https://consider-this.ca/its-no-mystery-where-northumberland-county-taxes-go-just-read-the-2020-annual-report/] 3. New health centre next to hospital under consideration, says CEO [https://consider-this.ca/new-health-centre-next-to-hospital-under-consideration-says-ceo/]