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PODCAST

Echo Essentials Podcast

The Echo Podcast Network

The Echo Essentials Podcast ties together all the elements of the North Bay Echo Community Podcast Network, hosted by Essentials newsletter editor Dave Dale and Echo"s principal partner Scott Clark.Guests on the weekly show will reflect the challenges and issues facing North Bay while Scott and Dave discuss the topics and podcasts featured in the newsletter ... as well as upcoming projects.References to the To North Bay With Love, Backroads Bill, Frontline and Cheap Seats episodes will be common.The

society & culture news commentary

All Episodes

54:10

185 Years of Democracy Gone? How to Save Trustees in...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2026/01/29

What happens when elected school trustees lose their power, and what does that mean for democracy in Ontario?In this episode of Echo Essentials, Jay Aspin and Bill Steer join the podcast to talk about the petition to keep trustees in Ontario's public school system. Both men bring deep experience in public life and education governance, and they speak candidly about what has unfolded and why it matters.The conversation explores the role of elected trustees, the difference between governance and

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57:30

Inside North Bay’s Homelessness and Housing Issues...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2026/01/24

In this episode of Echo Essentials, North Bay City Councillor Mark King joins the show to talk candidly about the state of housing and homelessness in the city. As chair of the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board and vice chair of the Northern Ontario Service Delivery Association, Mark brings a regional and on the ground view of what is happening and why.The conversation covers new data showing sharp increases in homelessness across Northern Ontario, the limits of what

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52:26

MADD Nipissing and the Ongoing Fight Against Impaired...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2026/01/15

Impaired driving is not something from the past. It is still happening in our communities, and the consequences are still devastating.In this episode of Echo Essentials, we sit down with Shona Camirand and Bobbie-Lyn Shank, members of MADD Nipissing, about the ongoing fight against impaired driving.They share why education and awareness still matter, how attitudes around drinking and driving have changed, and where dangerous misconceptions still exist.0:00 – Intro8:36 – Red Ribbon campaigns and Ride

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62:22

Let’s Remember Adam: The Push to Make Drivers Stop...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2026/01/08

In this episode, we sit down with Pierre Ranger, the voice behind the Let’s Remember Adam campaign. Pierre shares the heartbreaking story of his brother Adam, a young boy who was hit and killed by a driver who didn’t stop for a school bus.Since that moment, Pierre and his family have made it their mission to make sure no one else has to go through what they did. The campaign has become a powerful reminder about the importance of stopping for school buses and protecting children as they get on and

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61:30

Deputy Mayor Maggie Horsfield on FONOM, Centennial...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2026/01/01

North Bay is heading into an important stretch. Major projects are underway, big questions remain, and decisions being made now will shape what the city looks like in 2026 and beyond.In this episode of Echo Essentials, Deputy Mayor Maggie Horsfield joins us to talk through what’s on the table. From the work that FONOM is doing for our community, to a look back at the centennial, to long-term budget pressures and growth, Maggie shares how council is approaching the next few years and what residents

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58:20

The Stories That Shaped Politics in 2025 with Dr...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/12/25

As the year comes to a close, it’s a good time to step back and make sense of everything that happened in politics.In this Christmas Day episode of Echo Essentials, political scientist Dr David Tabachnik joins us to reflect on the stories that shaped politics over the past year. From local decisions to national debates and global shifts, we talk about what mattered, what surprised us, and what may have lasting consequences.0:00 Intro4:30 Key Local Issues in 202511:30 Provincial politics and the Near

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47:43

No One Alone on Christmas Day: What Happens When You...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/12/18

Every year in North Bay, hundreds of people gather for something truly special. It’s called The Big Christmas, and it’s more than just a meal. It’s a place where anyone can come in, sit down, and feel like they belong.In this episode of Echo Essentials, we talk to Shawn Kettner one of the many people behind the event to hear how it all started, what it takes to bring it to life.To find out more check out their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/98402051258/0:00 – Intro4:00 – How Big

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73:33

Who Speaks for Our Schools Now? A Former Trustee's...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/12/11

In Northern Ontario, something serious is happening in public education. The Minister of Education has stepped in and taken control of the Near North District School Board, removing authority from elected trustees and shifting decision-making away from the community.In this episode of Echo Essentials, former trustee Louise Sargent shares her perspective on what led to this decision, how it has impacted transparency and trust, and what the future holds now that there are no publicly elected

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49:17

Fighting for PADDLE When the Province Looks Away

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/12/04

PADDLE is a community-based day program in North Bay that supports adults with developmental disabilities. It’s a lifeline for families, a space of independence for participants, and a model of care that should be celebrated.In this episode of Echo Essentials, we sit down with executive director Megan Johnson to talk about the growing funding crisis, what PADDLE does every day, and why people across the North are stepping up to keep it alive.BayToday Letter to the Editor:

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55:24

Talking Doug Ford and Ontario Politics with Professor...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/11/28

In this episode we are joined by Dr David Tabachnick, Professor of Political Science at Nipissing University, to talk about the current provincial government.We also talk about the newest bills that have past in the province and he gives his take on why the Near North District School Board should not be taken over by the ministry.

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45:03

A New Era Begins: Introducing Isaac to the Echo Team!

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/11/20

In this episode, we introduce Isaac Sturkey, the newest member of our team. He’s stepping into the role of Content Director and Client Strategy with a passion for storytelling and a strong connection to the North Bay community.Isaac shares a bit about his background, what drew him to Echo, and how he hopes to shape the stories we tell going forward.Chris also shares his future plans and how he will remain connected with Echo0:00 – Intro3:36 – Isaac’s Background and Why He Joined Echo7:12 – Why

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57:42

"Would You Still Drink It If You Knew What Was In...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/11/13

North Bay’s drinking water might look, taste, and smell normal—but do you really know what’s swimming around in your glass?In this week's episode of Echo Essentials, host Chris Piekarski sits down with Liza Vandermeer and Carol Hansman to detail the shocking story of PFAS contamination in Trout Lake, North Bay's main drinking water source.From discussing how the decades-long dumping and use of firefighting foam and how it's contaminated Trout Lake and Lees Creek, this episode dives into the science,

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72:06

Did North Bay's City Council Get It Right? Dissecting...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/11/06

City Council has made it's decision, so it's finally time for us to talk about it...The City of North Bay has been buzzing after Mayor Peter Chirico’s expense controversy, and former host Dave Dale is back to break it all down with Chris.From questionable meal claims to battalion tickets and golf outings, we dive deep into what the integrity commissioner said in his report, and whether 60 days of docked pay was enough to satisfy the citizens.We talk political fallout, future elections, and if Dave

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62:41

Trudeau, Trump and Carney: Anthony Rota Reflects on...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/10/30

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

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56:49

The Compassionate Committee for the Homeless in North...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/10/23

In this episode of Echo Essentials, we’re joined by Leah Pierce and Lisa Henry from The Compassionate Committee for the Homeless in North Bay.They share the story of how one emotional moment sparked a movement that's bringing churches from across the City together, by providing unhoused persons with essentials, and challenging the stigma around homelessness in our community. Leah and Lisa also detail their upcoming annual information session, titled "What you need to know about helping people who

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42:25

The Costs of Hospice Care — Provincial Support and...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/10/16

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 heartwarming community efforts, this episode is dives into what it really takes to keep the doors open and the lights on for end-of-life care facilities.Bernadette and Chris detail the surprising dollar number that must be fundraised every year just to cover what the

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52:56

Checking in with The Gathering Place: The Devastating...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/10/09

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 are now more critical than ever.From confronting outdated stigmas to showcasing the daily hustle of volunteers,

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51:57

What Froze Development on Trout Lake for 40 Years?

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/10/02

In this episode of Echo Essentials, host Chris Piekarski sits down with the City of North Bay’s Planning Manager Beverley Hillier to unpack the long-awaited Trout Lake Watershed policy review.Beverley reveals the reason why lot creation was frozen in the 90s, what 400+ new lots could mean for Trout Lake, and how phosphorus, septic systems, and shoreline buffers are now at the center of North Bay’s environmental planning.They also dig into the next phase of the Downtown Waterfront Master Plan,

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47:15

Vision Park North — The Future Jewel of North Bay's...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/09/25

In this episode of Echo Essentials, host Chris Piekarski sits down with Brannyn Hale from Green Vision Developments to discuss Vision Park North, a transformative waterfront condo development that’s set to reshape the downtown and waterfront of North Bay.Brannyn shares the years-long journey behind this project, what makes this development unlike anything else in the region, and how it was designed for northern Ontarians. From luxurious rooftop terraces and sauna to a walkable lifestyle right on the

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57:49

Creating, Innovating & Surviving in the Education...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/09/18

What does it really take to lead a university, through good times and bad? In this episode of Echo Essentials, host Chris Piekarski sits down with Dr. Kevin Wamsley, President and Vice-Chancellor of Nipissing University, to talk about the behind-the-scenes decisions that helped the school avoid the financial collapse many thought was insurmountable.From strategic budgeting and expanding STEM programs, to supporting international students and building cultural inclusivity, Dr. Wamsley shares powerful

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108 results

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