This episode features a conversation with Kristin Crane, director of Social Research & Planning for United Way Perth Huron, about the living wage, which leapt over $3 from $17. 55 to $20.70 when the most recent calculation was announced in November 2022. The numbers used in this discussion are from the area in which this podcast is produced: Perth and Huron County.
On episode 14, Garth Mullins, host of the award-winning Crackdown podcast, drew on his experience as a drug user and activist to discuss harm reduction and the overdose crisis, the challenge of distributing a safe unadulterated drug supply, defunding the police, the positives and negatives of British Columbia’s decriminalization pilot, starting a grassroots drug user activist group, and his new band Low Dead Space.
On episode 12, Punjabi singer Hira Dhariwal speaks about making changes in his early 50s to follow his passion for music and how he gives back to his community through volunteer work with the Multicultural Association of Perth Huron. His music has been received quite well by audiences worldwide with millions of listens to his songs on Youtube.
On January 31, North Perth Chamber of Commerce Chair Sharon D’Arcy shared a Facebook post on the Chamber page promoting a People’s Party of Canada event, which upset some member businesses and organizations. The PPC and its leader Maxime Bernier have a reputation for being racist, misogynist, and homophobic.
The post was removed on February 2. However, before its removal, D’Arcy sat down with Woodstein Media to discuss the post, the PPC and more.
Episode six features a conversation with Andrea Charest, Executive Director of It Takes a Village in Listowel, Ontario. It Takes a Village is a people-oriented, money-free, shop and social initiative offering community members support with food security, access to resources, and assistance navigating systems such as court appointments, housing, and government support with a focus on being a welcoming and inclusive place to belong.
On episode five, artist and poet Roshan James talks about how her creativity has helped her deconstruct societal norms, allowing her to turn everything she was taught on its head and re-examine it to find out what little things might have been true or make sense and could be helpful to carry forward and what things are just the chaff that needs to go into the wind.
After homophobic vandalism was discovered at Sirkel Foods in Stratford on the morning of Nov. 1, a meeting was planned at the Stratford Pride Community Centre (SPCC) to allow the community to discuss their feelings, thoughts and fears with representatives from Stratford Police Services, City of Stratford council and the Stratford City Centre Business Improvement Area (BIA).
This is the final installment in a series of articles documenting the discussion of how police investigate hate-motivated incidents and what the city and the public can do to help make the community more welcoming and inclusive for all people.
“People should vote for me on October 24 because I’m a fresh voice that has proven through my award-winning local journalism work that I’m an experienced listener with an aptitude for hearing people’s needs,” says Colin Burrowes.
On May 26, over 50 organizations collaborated to host a provincial debate on issues facing the 2SLGBTQI+ community and other marginalized groups of Ontarians. Four parties thought the event was worthy of acknowledgement and participation. The Ontario Party, the New Blue Party and the Progressive Conservative Party chose not to participate in a discussion of the needs of equity-seeking communities.
This is the second of two articles covering the debate. The election is on June 2, and Woodstein Media intends to help people make informed choices at the polls.
Vote.
On May 26, over 30 organizations collaborated as Queer Vote Ontario to host a provincial debate on issues facing the 2SLGBTQI+ community and other marginalized groups of Ontarians. The None of the Above Party, NDP, Green Party and Liberals thought the event was worthy of acknowledgement and participation.
The Ontario Party, the New Blue Party and the Progressive Conservative Party chose not to participate in a discussion of the needs of equity-seeking communities.
This is the first of two articles covering the debate. The election is on June 2. Woodstein Media intends to help people make informed choices at the polls.
Wood-stein.ca Media 