Ontario Morning

Saturday Night Live celebrates their 50th anniversary. Host Nav Nanwa speaks with Canadian comedian and SNL alumnus Mark McKinney about his time on the show as a writer and cast member.

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health unit says nearly three thousand students face suspension orders. Those students are in grades 4, 5, and 6 and have missing or incomplete vaccination records. Host Nav Nanwa spoke with Dr. Colin Lee about the situation. He is the associate Medical Officer of Health with the health unit. The washed-up hull of a shipwrecked boat has washed up on the shore of Lake Erie. It is thought to be from the 19th century and could possibly be one of hundreds of shipwrecks at the bottom of the Great Lakes. Host Nav Nanwa spoke to Jeff Vidler, someone who has been studying this shipwreck for some time, about the intricate predicament.

The Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre in Midland is urging visitors to refrain from hand-feeding chickadees, due to the spread of the H5N1 avian flu. The visitors are used to around with handfuls of birdseed and having chickadees swoop down to feed. We spoke with Craig Pezik about the situation. He is the Stewardship & Conservation Manager at the Wye Marsh Conservation Centre in Midland, Ontario. Between 2016 and 2021, the town of Innisfil saw an almost 50% increase in its newcomer population. That creates a lot of different needs including for more diverse language collections and services at the local library. To better understand those needs, the Innisfil ideaLAB & Library is inviting residents to participate in a new survey, to gather more information on those needs. We spoke to Mandy Pethick, director of Public and Information Services at the library, about the new found dilemma

A new shelter in Cobourg just opened before new year, but not without controversies. The Transition House offers 35 emergency shelter spaces, a significant upgrade from the previous location. But the excitement is clouded by a by-law enacted last year that puts conditions on shelters and transitional housing. To get a better perspective on the situation, we spoke to Ike Nwibe about it. He is the Executive Director of the Transition House Coalition of Northumberland. Hundreds of pets across the province were adopted over the holiday season through the Ontario SPCA's iAdopt for the holidays campaign. We spoke to community outreach coordinator Natalie Harris about how the campaign worked! She is based out of Orillia.

Host Nav Nanwa spoke to the winner of a prestigious Schulich Builders scholarship, Andy Jiang, about his pursuant career in HVAC Technology at Georgian College. Coming out of a contentious US Presidential Election, it might feel like civil conversation is in short supply. To tackle this, The Cornwall Interfaith Partnership is presenting a discussion called 'Civil Conversations for a Healthy Democracy' on Saturday at the Cornwall Public Library. Host Nav Nanwa spoke with moderator Senator Bernadette Clement about the upcoming discussion.

Comedian Deb Kimmett will be returning to Belleville and Tamworth, sprinkling her years of accumulated wisdom with some welcome wit. Host na Nanwa talked it up with her about what it means to be back in Ontario Morning country. Libraries have all kinds of functions that they didn't used to have. Maybe you've seen a recording studio at a local library, or a 3D printer. Our Producer Paul Mcgeowan got to get a first person look at the new stuff happening at Trent University's Bata Library… a canoe building room!

A new show on TVO Kids is profiling jobs that young people may not have known about. Showcasing trades like an arborist, an ironworker, or goldsmith, they are hoping to bring awareness to these jobs right from the beginning. Host Nav Nanwa spoke with Akeylah James, co-host of the show, for a sneak peak at “Trading Skills.” Inspired by family history, Kingston writer Judii Merle's new novel follows a young Anishanaabe woman from the 1600s named Sigwin, who's struggling to keep her heritage alive. Host Nav Nanwa has had a conversation with the author about the story. Donald Trump will be the 47th President after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris. It's a result that is certainly being felt near Ontario Morning Country, particularly in the North Country area of upstate New York. Host Nav Nanwa spoke with Reporter and Assistant News Director of North Country Public Radio, Emily Russell, about the electoral conclusion.

Manitoba's first Indigenous judge. Murray Sinclair died yesterday at the age of 73. He will be remembered as a pillar of Canada's attempt at reconciliation and his impact as Chancellor of Queen's University. Host Nav Nanwa spoke with Queen's principal Patrick Deane about his legacy. It's National Skilled Trade and Technology week and we're using the occasion to look at the growth of trades in Ontario. On today's segment, Loyalist College is appealing to potential future students as early as elementary school by connecting science with the trades; showing what an education in the trades could look like. Host Nav Nanwa spoke to dean of Interdisciplinary Studies at Loyalist College in Belleville, Chad Murray, about the initiative. Yesterday, we spoke with Transition House about a recent reduction in capacity from 22 spots down to 10 and about the fact that a Town of Cobourg bylaw was standing in the way of a new, expanded shelter on Division Street. Cobourg is currently in discussion with Northumberland County about parts of that bylaw. Host Nav Nanwa spoke with Cobourg’s Warden Brian Ostrander about the whole situation. Brian is also the Mayor of Brighton. Heidi Schreck has probably thought more about the United States Constitution than most average Americans. As a teenager, she won enough speech and debate competitions about the Constitution to pay her way through college. Now she’s turned her debate experience, and insights, into a play at Soulpepper Theatre in Toronto. Host Nav Nanwa had the pleasure of speaking to Heidi while she was in Brooklyn.

During National Skilled Trade and Technology Week, We're going to speak to kids, parents, and to schools about what they think about the trades! But first Nav, Nanwa spoke to CEO of Skills Ontario Ian Howcroft, an organization that promotes skilled trades and technologies. Every Monday, we start your week with a journey through Ontario Morning country to get a sense of the music coming out of our listening area. Today we chatted with Platinum selling artist and award-winning producer Tebey who had just released a new duet with Tenille Arts. Host Nav Nanwa had a delightful conversation with him about his career and meeting the Jonas Brothers. Cobourg’s only emergency shelter was forced to downsize last week from 22 to 16 spaces then down to just 10. The reduction in spaces comes as colder weather is beginning to set in and as the town and Northumberland County try to agree on who assumes liability for that shelter. Nav Nanwa spoke to Meaghan Macdonald, board chair of Transition House, about the current situation. Kawartha Lakes Food Source is four days into their ‘reverse advent calendar’ food drive for 2024 and they are ready to help spread that Christmas spirit. Host Nav Nanwa got to partake in the fun with Executive director Heather Kirby.

Every Monday, we start your week with a journey through Ontario Morning country to get a sense of the music coming out of our listening area. Today's artist is someone who was once described by CBC's Tom Power as 'one of the shining jewels in the crown of Canadian songwriters. Host Nav Nanwa got to sit down and speak with singer/songwriter Jadea Kelly and her latest project.. Canada's first Prime Minister has long been an important figure of Canadian history and in his adopted hometown of Kingston. Lately however, there's been a public discussion of Sir John A Macdonald's life and legacy ,particularly with regard to Indigenous peoples. In 2015, a performance art series in Kingston explored different views of Canada's first Prime Minister. This week, there is an updated version of that performance art series returning to City Park. Host NavNanwa spoke to co curator of Talkin' Back to Johnny Mac, Erin Sutherland, about the recent changes.

The official matchup for homecoming at Queen's this weekend is the Gaels against the Waterloo Warriors. As the weekend looms, the Kingston community is on alert against the student celebrations to follow. Host Nan Nanwa spoke to Inspector Greg Sands about the precautions being taken. He's with the Kingston Police Service. The Saugeen Shores Community Church in Port Elgin will be celebrating their annual 'Pumpkin Drop’ this weekend. Host Nav Nanwa spoke at great lengths about this cherished celebration with Pastor Gary Harvey.

The Kingston Art Tour is all about becoming part of the art. Local artist Joanne Gervais wanted to create a uniquely eclectic range of art experiences for people to enjoy around town. Among the many cultural events on the Kingston Art Tour will be an encounter with Vikings. These ones have come not from Scandinavia, but rather from Gatineau. Host Nav Nanwa had a fun chat with both Joane and the Jarl of Hafn Hullsborg. You might remember our conversation with Huntsville councilor Bob Stone. He talked about the town offering riverfront homes and $80-thousand dollar return-of-service agreements. As nice as that sounds, a local facebook group thinks there might be something more to offer. Host Nav Nanwa spoke to Karen Patterson, founder of the Huntsville And Friends Help Out Group on facebook, about the extra bonus. The Port Elgin Pumpkinfest begins this week for all your pumpkin carvings and cravings! A highlight of it is the growing competition as local farmers show off their biggest sunflowers,squash, tomatoes, and of course, pumpkins! HosT Nav Nanwa had the pleasure of speaking to Doug Court who is competing with the best from his garden. Writer and director Megan Park released her film “My Old Ass” this week for cinemas all over North America. The movie was filmed in and takes place in Muskoka and is filled with Can-con Pride. Host Nav Nanwa, got the insider scoop about the film from Meagan. The Ontario Festival of Small Halls will be presenting 11 shows across the province this weekend. It's all about sharing big music in small places. Host Nav Nanwa spoke with the executive director of the festival, Mark Monahan, about it.

Forty children in Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton are waiting for a Big Brother or Sister. The local agency says it's had to pause intake because of a lack of volunteers and a shortage of funding. Host Nav Nanwa spoke to Janice Balfour, the executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kawartha-Lakes Haliburton, about the shortage. We've been bringing you stories about the need for music venues across our listening area. Due to sudden venue closures or make-shift performance areas requiring permits, finding a place to play within our communities is challenging.Large scale festivals like Peterborough Musicfest are also concerned. Although it managed to host its 38th season this past summer, organizers want a new stage built at Del Crary Park. Host Nav Nanwa spoke to Tracey Randall, the Executive Director of Peterborough Musicfest, about the turmoil. After months of being closed, the LaSalle Causeway is set to reopen. Now a report, obtained by CBC through freedom of information laws, provides an expert opinion on what caused part of the bridge to buckle. Host Nav Nanwa spoke to CBC's Dan Taekema about the findings.

The Doctor Is In: The struggle of internationally trained physicians to find work. Change is coming to how Simcoe County Paramedics respond to calls. It's Banned Books Week, and the Innisfil Library is encouraging people to read.

Municipalities are using different approaches to entice doctors to come to their town sometimes with big signing bonuses,houses, and even golf club memberships. Host Nav Nanwa spoke to Peterborough healthcare advancement coordinator, Lori Richey, about what the city is offering. The 16th annual Kingston Writersfest begins this week with a new twist. A new event called Homecoming will kick off the festival starring artist and activist Danny Ramadan. Host Nav Nanwa spoke with him in the studio.

A Kincardine monument to Dr. Solomon Secord has been dismantled, after a year-long public debate about his complicated history. But another monument, to the same doctor, will remain up. Host Navnanwa gets to the bottom of the weird situation while talking with the mayor of Kincardine, Kenneth Craig. Bradford council voted 5 to 4 during a committee meeting against Jalsa Salana, the Muslim conference in the country, coming back in 2025. This comes despite being considered a success in terms of attendees and economic benefits to the area. Host Nav Nanwa spoke to Safwan Choudhry, spokesperson with Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at, about the decision. The Early Bird Barber Shop officially opened in Lefroy, near Innisfil with a focus on bringing back the old school barbershop experience. Host Nav Nanwa had the pleasure of speaking to Marco Conetta and learning about the old and the new.

The Ontario PCs held on to their seat in the Bay of Quinte yesterday with candidate Tyler Allsopp pulling in close to 39 per cent of the vote. Host Nav Nanwa spoke to Hollie Pratt-Campbell, co-publisher of Quinteist, about the results. The music symphony, Tracing Colville, is being celebrated in the Netherlands’ 80th anniversary of the Liberation. Based on a diary and art/ work of late war artist Alex Colville that documented the Canadian experience in World War 2, the first two movements will be played and highlighted in the Liberation Concert Series as one of the four prominent countries that took part in the Second World War. Host Nav Nanwa reached the Canadian composer behind the music, Dean Burry, in the Dutch city of Nijmegen to talk about the story and music. The Michelin Guide Toronto 2024 was recently released and, although most restaurants were in the GTA, one restaurant earned a star on the guide list in Clearview Township (originally a village called Creemore). The Pine celebrated the good news And we got the scoop about the night from our man behind the board, James Tulloch. WHY IT'S POSSIBLE is a one woman show that explores a mother navigating her parental role as her child transitions between genders. It is a new play premiering in Kingston that explores that ubiquitous struggle in a topical context of when a child embraces a different gender. Host Nav Nanwa spoke to Kingston local playwright, Sophia Fabilli, about her work. 'NO DRESS REHEARSAL' is the new docuseries covering the Kingston band “The Tragically Hip” which was released recently on Amazon Prime. The band has long been considered a symbol of Canadian culture., and now, since the death of frontman Gord Downie, audiences will be able to get a more intimate look at the Hip's journey from small town band to cultural icons. Host Nav Nanwa had the pleasure of speaking to director Mike Downie, brother of the late Gord Downie, about why he needed to tell this story now.

Student consultations at the Trillium Lakelands District School Board last spring showed that kids felt that their learning was being disrupted by bullying. Host Nav Nanwa spoke with Wes Hahn, the director of learning with the Trillium Lakelands District School Board, about how they plan to tackle this problem area. Rod Carley's “RUFF” tackles a fictional telling of William Shakespeare tackling issues of equality, gender, justice and censorship. If this sounds like a lot to take in, Nav Nanwa had the pleasure of talking to the author about the whole idea for the book and why it's a book you need to read.

New data says that the Peterborough Wolfe Street "bridge housing" is making a difference. City council heard recently that police calls to the former unhoused encampment site are down 96% since the modular cabins went in. Host Nav Nanwa spoke to Debbie Carriere, executive director of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough, to help break down all the numbers. The agency oversees the Wolfe Street community. We heard from candidates last week about being caught off-guard by the timing of this byelection and how it left little time to put things in motion. Elections Ontario has also been under the very same time crunch as they get the region ready to vote. Host Nav Nanwa spoke to Christine McIvor, Returning Officer in the Bay of Quinte, about how it all goes down in the background. The Blue Mountains Public Library is looking to digitize a popular book in their collection due to its deteriorating state. The book "An Illustrated History of Collingwood Township" is often taken out regularly which leads to a lot of wear and tear as well as missing copies. Host Nav Nanwa spoke to Jennifer Murley, CEO of The Blue Mountains Public Library, about its stardom.

Turkey Farmers of Canada are looking to bring Thanksgiving to new Canadian citizens that are unfamiliar with the thanksgiving tradition. How do they do it? Well, it's all happening through a turkey contest!. We spoke to Liam Lewis, chef ambassador for the national industry contest, about the upcoming event. Following the recent violent act at the Integrated Care Hub in Kingston, the injection site remained closed this week as the investigation continues. But Kingston mayor Brian Paterson wants it to be permanent. He called for the care hub to shut down and for the nearby encampment to be cleared. We spoke with long time volunteer, Pam Gray, for her perspective Quinte Conservation wants to help you get an even healthier dose of nature through offering wellness activities in the woodlands, to boost the benefits of being outdoors. It's launching a series of events, encouraging people to take in nature and also work out while there. We spoke to Lindsay Nash, Quinte Conservation outreach and stewardship coordinator, about how it works and why you have to be there.