Canadian Politics, Pumpkin Patches, Baron's Repeat & The Geographic Centre of Ontario!
Published 3 days ago • 5 min read
Trudeau, Trump & Carney: What's Next?
Echo Podcast Roundup
Anthony Rota Reflects on the State of Politics in Canada
Former MP of Nipissing-Timiskaming and the 37th Speaker of the House Anthony Rota returns to Echo Essentials for an open book conversation with Chris Piekarski.
From Pierre Poilievre’s missed opportunity to Trump’s impact on Canadian trade and how Mark Carney is toeing the line for centrist policies, Anthony shares what life is like post-politics and offers his unfiltered take on Canada’s political future.
Does Anthony think the Conservatives blew it in the last Federal election? Is Canada finally stepping out of the U.S.’s shadow? And what does Anthony REALLY think about the future of our electoral system?
Pumpkin Cannons, Sweet Treats, and Family Roots: A Day at Leisure Farms
Leisure Farms has become a fall tradition for families across Northern Ontario, but behind the wagon rides and pumpkin cannons is a story of deep community roots, family legacy, and the hard work that makes it all happen.
In this episode, we visit Leisure Farms to chat with Mitch who is at the heart of the farming operations. From the early days of strawberry picking to building a year-round agri-tourism destination, this is a look at what it really takes to grow a farm that feeds and entertains generations.
Hornepayne is the kind of place you might pass on a map and not think twice. But what if you found out it’s actually the geographic center of Ontario?
In this episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, Mayor Cheryl Fort shares how the town is leaning into that identity and turning it into something meaningful.
She talks about Hornepayne’s railway roots, the challenges of being remote, and the pride that comes from building trails, drawing visitors, and putting your community back on the map.
Baron’s Crowned Sr. Football Champions with Win over Trojans
This week’s Sportscast features highlights from the NDA Sr. football final as Algonquin took down West Ferris. We get reactions from Baron’s coach Ryan Desbiens and MVP Mathieu Desbiens.
We also covered the Jr. girl’s basketball quarter final matchup between Chippewa SS and Franco Cite. Volleyball quarter finals saw SJSH host Mattawa with highlights from the Bears straight-set win.
We also have Laker and Panther updates and a recap of Chippewa’s Scarlet and Gold volleyball tournament.
A Porch Full of Spiders, Far Sighted Folly, & have you read the Ni Zha legend?
It's our first two-parter! This week the boys look at the first Ni Zha film and next week is the sequel!
But it's not just an animated movie this week, Drew has a Black Butler Update, Nick has a new show he's excited for, and PB teaches them about branding. IT's just under 90min of fun on this week's Cheap Seats!
Scan the QR code or click the Homewood Suites by Hilton North Bay to book today!
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Last Week's Headlines
Council agrees to suspend North Bay mayor's pay for 60 days
Credit: Nugget.ca
After almost three hours of discussion, North Bay council decided to suspend the mayor’s pay for 60 days after he breached the Code of Conduct. Council had three options: a reprimand, loss of wages for up to 90 days, or do nothing.
Coun. Mark King, Jamie Lowery, Justine Mallah, Sara Inch, Tanya Vrebosch, and Deputy Maggie Horsfield voted in favour of the financial suspension.
But it didn’t come without a lot of discussion and emotion. It took numerous votes and scenarios to reach a majority.
King, Lowery, Mallah, Inch, and Vrebosch had voted in support of a 90-day pay suspension, but it ended with a tie vote with Coun. Lana Mitchell, Gary Gardiner, Chris Mayne, Mac Bain, and Horsfield voted against the recommendation following a presentation by Integrity Commissioner Guy Giorno on Wednesday night.
Coun. King said this situation will cost those who want to run for office again...
Near North board ordered to rebuild public confidence and provide accountable, transparent and effective governance
Credit: BayToday.ca
Following a damning review, the Ontario government has stepped in with binding directives requiring the Near North District School Board to overhaul its leadership practices and governance structure.
Based on the findings and recommendations of the final report on the governance and leadership issues at the NNDSB, the Minister of Education has issued 15 binding directions to the school board. Minister of Education Paul Calandra has already placed five other boards under government supervision,
While being told to be more transparent, the Board got off on the wrong foot on Friday, issuing a "no comment" to a BayToday request for more information. It also denied a request to interview Director of Education Craig Myles and Board Chair Ashley St. Pierre.
“I expect the board to act immediately, without delay or excuse, to correct these failures and put students first,” Calandra wrote. “If they do not, I will not hesitate to take further action to ensure accountability and restore stability.”
Northern Ont. police say suspected morphine found in a chip bag on Halloween
Credit: CTVNews.ca/northern-ontario/
The North Bay detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police is urging parents to carefully inspect their children’s Halloween treats following a report of a suspicious substance found in a chip bag.
A family in the Chenier Road area of Papineau-Cameron of Mattawa reported on Nov.1 that they discovered a chip bag that appeared to have been cut open and resealed.
“Officers conducted a preliminary test, which indicated the presence of suspected morphine,” the OPP said in a news release.
“If you discover any items that appear to be tampered with or suspicious, do not consume them,” police said...
That’s what artist Corbin Elliot says is the inspiration behind the new mural on the former City Laundry building at the corner of McIntyre East and Regina Street.
“It’s celebrating being together in community and nature,” he says. “Finding the beauty within simplicity and finding wonder and wisdom within the complexities of life. Being reminded of our inner child and our desires for play and fun. An overall message of love and peace.”
Elliot says creating the mural was a surreal experience, given how welcoming the community was while he was painting it...
The Rocks That Glow in the Dark! Echo Podcast Roundup Discovering Yooperlites in Northern Ontario They look like regular rocks during the day. But when the sun goes down and the UV light comes out, they start to glow like lava. In this episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, we meet Ray Gionet, a rockhound who has been hunting Yooperlites along the shores of Lake Superior. He shares how he first discovered these glowing stones, what they actually are, and why people are traveling from all over...
The Costs of Hospice Care, Advancing Outdoor Education, & the NDA Football Finals is Set! Echo Podcast Roundup Provincial Support and Fundraising with The Nipissing Serenity Hospice This week on Echo Essentials, Chris sits down with Bernadette Lindsay, Fund Development Coordinator at the Nipissing Serenity Hospice, to uncover the financial truths behind hospice care in Ontario. From eye-opening budget gaps to community fundraising efforts, Chris and Bernadette dive into what it really takes...
The Devastating Impact of Food Insecurity in 2025 Echo Podcast Roundup Checking in with The Gathering Place In this week’s episode of Echo Essentials, we go behind the scenes at The Gathering Place—North Bay’s frontline solution to food insecurity. Chris Piekarski visits The Gathering Place to sit down with Board Chair Peter Gregory and Operations Manager Alicia Smith to unpack the truth about who really uses the service, how they’ve slashed costs by 31%, and why sustainable monthly donations...
