News and Notices
Baxter Road Proposed Speed Reduction
September 11, 2024
A bylaw will be brought forward for consideration at the October 8th Council meeting to reduce speed on Baxter Road.
The proposed reduction would lower the speed from 80km/hr to 50km/hr.
Meeting details are available at: www.alnwickhaldimand.civicweb.net
Media Release - Northumberland County seeking feedback on draft Corporate Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan for County Operations
Media Release
Cobourg, ON – September 9, 2024 – Northumberland County has taken a significant step forward in its commitment to addressing the climate crisis with the release of its draft Corporate Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Reduction Plan. This plan, part of the County's broader Climate Action Strategy, outlines ambitious targets to reduce the carbon footprint of County operations and identifies ways to help facilitate broader change across the community.
The County’s Climate Action Strategy is a multi-year effort which aims at protecting the environment, building resilience, and improving the quality of life for Northumberland residents. The strategy is divided into two phases. Phase one focuses on climate mitigation, introducing the Corporate GHG Emissions Reduction Plan for County operations for public review. Phase two, beginning in 2025, will focus on climate change adaptation – developing a plan to address the impacts of climate change that are already occurring or are anticipated in the future.
Warden Brian Ostrander emphasized the urgent need for local action in the face of a global challenge. “Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and it demands immediate and sustained action at every level. Municipalities play a crucial role, as they influence approximately 50 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. Northumberland County is committed to leading by example, reducing our emissions, and preparing our community for the impacts of climate change.”
The Corporate GHG Emissions Reduction Plan, which is now out for public review, is a strategic initiative aimed at significantly reducing the County’s carbon footprint and to mitigate climate change. The plan proposes ambitious goals for County operations and services, including a 65% reduction in GHG emissions by the year 2030 compared to 2005 levels, and achieving net-zero emissions by the year 2050.
The County is encouraging residents to review the draft plan and share their feedback. “This plan is a reflects our collective responsibility to ensure a sustainable future,” states Northumberland County Environmental Officer Korey McKay. “We value community input to help refine and strengthen the plan. We encourage everyone to review the draft, participate in the conversation, and contribute to our shared climate goals.”
Starting September 9 through October 18, 2024, the County is inviting residents, businesses, and environmental partners to review the draft Corporate GHG Emissions Reduction Plan and provide feedback. The feedback collected will help shape the final GHG Emissions Reduction Plan, which will be presented to County Council later this year.
The plan is available for review on the County’s website, where the public can participate in an online survey or submit comments directly. The County will also be reaching out to area environmental groups and partners to offer presentations on the plan and gather input. Local organizations interested in further discussion are encouraged to reach out to Korey McKay at: mckayk@northumberland.ca for a conversation or presentation.
For more information or to provide feedback, visit Joinin.Northumberland.ca/Climate-Action-planning.
Track the County’s performance in delivering on key environmental performance indicators by visiting our online performance dashboard at Northumberland.ca/Dashboard.
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For more information:
Kate Campbell
Director, Communications
Northumberland County
Phone: 905-372-3329 ext. 2335
Email: campbellk@northumberland.ca
Web: northumberland.ca
About Northumberland County
Located on the traditional territory of the Mississauga, Northumberland County is a thriving community just one hour east of Toronto along Highway 401, with easy access to urban centres to the north, east and west. As the upper tier level of municipal government for the region, Northumberland County’s vision is to bring together people, partnerships and possibilities for a strong and vibrant Northumberland. Our community includes seven distinct yet complementary municipalities, with County Council comprised of the Mayors of each of these member municipalities:
• Township of Alnwick/Haldimand
• Municipality of Brighton
• Town of Cobourg
• Township of Cramahe
• Township of Hamilton
• Municipality of Port Hope
• Municipality of Trent Hills
Media Release - Northumberland County Releases Welcome Intersection Feasibility Study
Media Release
Northumberland County Releases Welcome Intersection Feasibility Study
Cobourg, ON – September 6, 2024 – Northumberland County has released the Welcome Intersection Improvements Feasibility Study, which provides recommendations for operational and safety enhancements at the intersection of County Road 2, County Road 10, and County Road 74 (Dale Road) in the rural hamlet of Welcome. This intersection, located approximately 1.2 km north of Highway 401 in the Municipality of Port Hope, has a unique configuration that has contributed to traffic incidents and driver confusion.
The study evaluated various design alternatives, including converting the intersection to a four-way stop, constructing a roundabout, or maintaining the current three-way stop configuration with improvements. After detailed data collection, public consultation, and analysis, the study recommends reconstructing the three-way stop as the preferred option, enhancing safety and connectivity while minimizing the impact on private property and utilities.
“We sincerely thank the public for their valuable input and patience throughout the two-year process of completing this important study,” says Denise Marshall, Director of Public Works. “The unique configuration of the Welcome intersection presents complex challenges for any remediation efforts. This required us to take additional time to thoroughly analyze options and advance the design for the preferred option. The feedback we received helped guide our final recommendations for improvements. We encourage area residents to attend the upcoming public information session to learn more about the design enhancements and next steps.”
Northumberland County will host a public information session on Wednesday, October 23 at the New Hope United Church from 6 p.mm to 7:30 p.m., to provide residents and road users an opportunity to learn more about the results of the feasibility study and future intersection improvements. The session will include a presentation of the study's findings, a discussion of the planned 3-way stop intersection reconstruction, and an opportunity for attendees to ask questions.
Public Information Session Details:
Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: New Hope United Church, 4651 CR 2, Port Hope
No pre-registration is required.
For those unable to attend, the Welcome Intersection Improvements Feasibility Study and additional information are available at joinin.northumberland.ca/welcome-intersection-improvements Questions and feedback can be directed to the project team on the project website on Join In Northumberland.
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For more information:
Kate Campbell
Director, Communications
Northumberland County
Phone: 905-372-3329 ext. 2335
Email: campbellk@northumberland.ca
Web: northumberland.ca
About Northumberland County
Located on the traditional territory of the Mississauga, Northumberland County is a thriving community just one hour east of Toronto along Highway 401, with easy access to urban centres to the north, east and west. As the upper tier level of municipal government for the region, Northumberland County’s vision is to bring together people, partnerships and possibilities for a strong and vibrant Northumberland. Our community includes seven distinct yet complementary municipalities, with County Council comprised of the Mayors of each of these member municipalities:
• Township of Alnwick/Haldimand
• Municipality of Brighton
• Town of Cobourg
• Township of Cramahe
• Township of Hamilton
• Municipality of Port Hope
• Municipality of Trent Hills
Media Release - County announces retirement of Community & Social Services Director Lisa Horne
Media Release
Cobourg, ON – September 3, 2024 – Northumberland County is announcing today that Lisa Horne, Director of Community and Social Services, will be retiring after a distinguished 34-year career of public service. Ms. Horne, who has been with the County since 2001 and has served as Director since 2016, will officially retire on October 25, 2024.
“Lisa’s leadership and contributions have significantly impacted our organization and our community,” says CAO Jennifer Moore. “Her unwavering commitment to a people-centered model of service has not only enhanced capacity within our Social Services division to address the evolving needs of our community, but has also fostered long-term stability and empowerment for many individuals and families. While we will miss her leadership and dedication, we wish her all the best as she embarks on this next chapter.”
Ms. Horne began her career in social services in 1990 with the Metropolitan Toronto Social Services Department before moving to Durham Region Social Services in 1993. She joined Northumberland County’s Community and Social Services department in 2001, initially as an Ontario Works caseworker. Her roles evolved over the years, leading to her appointment as Housing Services Manager in 2009 and ultimately as Director in 2016.
During her tenure with the County, Ms. Horne has played a pivotal role in several transformative initiatives. Notably, she led the local implementation of the province-wide System Service Manager model for housing services in 2016, and Early Years services in 2018. This transition created a more integrated, coordinated approach to meeting community needs, and fostered improved collaboration across agency partners in the delivery of these services. Also under Ms. Horne’s guidance, the County developed its first 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan, a 5-Year Early Learning and Child Care Plan, and a comprehensive Affordable Housing Strategy. These strategic plans have significantly shaped service delivery to meet the complex needs of residents.
Ms. Horne’s leadership was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she spearheaded the department’s response, ensuring that vulnerable community members received continuous support and access to essential services. She has often reflected with pride on the exceptional resilience and compassion demonstrated by the Social Services team during this challenging period.
“Lisa's tenure has been marked by a steadfast dedication to improving the lives of our residents,” says Northumberland County Warden Brian Ostrander. “Her ability to lead a team in adapting to evolving community need and a complex social services environment has set a high standard for public service. On behalf of County Council, I extend our deepest gratitude to Lisa and wish her a joyful and fulfilling retirement.”
Effective September 30, 2024, oversight for Community and Social Services will transition to Glenn Dees, Northumberland County Director of Health and Human Services. Glenn will also continue his role in overseeing operation of the Golden Plough Lodge long-term care home.
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For more information:
Kate Campbell
Director, Communications and Information Technology
Northumberland County
Phone: 905-372-3329 x2335
Email: campbellk@northumberland.ca
Web: www.northumberland.ca
About Northumberland County
Located on the traditional territory of the Mississauga, Northumberland County is a thriving community just one hour east of Toronto along Highway 401, with easy access to urban centres to the north, east and west. As the upper tier level of municipal government for the region, Northumberland County’s vision is to bring together people, partnerships and possibilities for a strong and vibrant Northumberland. Our community includes seven distinct yet complementary municipalities, with County Council comprised of the Mayors of each of these member municipalities:
• Township of Alnwick/Haldimand
• Municipality of Brighton
• Town of Cobourg
• Township of Cramahe
• Township of Hamilton
• Municipality of Port Hope
• Municipality of Trent Hills
Media Advisory - Special Meeting of County Council called for Monday, September 9
Media Advisory
Cobourg, ON – September 3, 2024 – A Special Meeting of Northumberland County Council will take place on Monday, September 9, 2024 at 9:30 a.m., for Council to consider a road closure request for the installation of servicing on Brook Road North, Cobourg, for development purposes.
This meeting will be held in open session. The public may attend in-person in Council Chambers at 555 Courthouse Road, Cobourg, view the Council meeting via live stream at Northumberland.ca/Council, or join by phone using Zoom Conference technology by calling 1-855-703-8985, entering the Meeting ID: 819 2879 6841, and entering the Passcode: 100275.
All Council agendas are available at Northumberland.ca/Council.
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For more information:
Kate Campbell
Director, Communications
Northumberland County
Phone: 905-372-3329 x2335
Email: campbellk@northumberland.ca
Web: northumberland.ca
About Northumberland County
Located on the traditional territory of the Mississauga, Northumberland County is a thriving community just one hour east of Toronto along Highway 401, with easy access to urban centres to the north, east and west. As the upper tier level of municipal government for the region, Northumberland County’s vision is to bring together people, partnerships and possibilities for a strong and vibrant Northumberland. Our community includes seven distinct yet complementary municipalities, with County Council comprised of the Mayors of each of these member municipalities:
• Township of Alnwick/Haldimand
• Municipality of Brighton
• Town of Cobourg
• Township of Cramahe
• Township of Hamilton
• Municipality of Port Hope
• Municipality of Trent Hills
Community Safety Zones
September 5, 2024
With the return of school this week, the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand would like to remind drivers that the Hamlet of Grafton is a 40km/h zone.
Community Safety Zone signs have been cleaned and repositioned to help increase awareness. We ask that drivers exercise caution in the area of our local schools and be patient while students adjust to their new routines.
Please slow down, avoid distracted driving, and help keep our community safe.
For more information, please contact:
Dave Dawson, CMMIII
CAO/Fire Chief/CEMC
Township of Alnwick/Haldimand
PO Box 70, 10836 County Rd 2
Grafton, ON K0K 2G0
T: 905-349-2822
Media Release - Eighth Annual Firefighter Memorial Bike Ride – 67 Firefighters to Cycle from Hamilton to Ottawa’s National Firefighter Memorial
For Immediate Release
September 4, 2024
Eighth Annual Firefighter Memorial Bike Ride – 67 Firefighters to Cycle from Hamilton to Ottawa’s National Firefighter Memorial
HAMILTON, ON—The torch of remembrance will light up as a cross-Canada team of firefighters— from Calgary, Chatham-Kent, Woodstock, Hamilton, Oakville, Milton, Toronto, Bradford, Vaughn, Clarington, Whitby, Kingston, Beckwith, Ottawa, and Stephenville, NFLD—gear up for a three-day, 575-kilometre bike ride. Led by the Toronto Professional Firefighter Celtic Society, they will be cycling from Hamilton to Ottawa’s National Firefighter Memorial from September 4-6, 2024, come wind, rain, or shine.
Now in its 8th year, this pilgrimage aims to raise funds and awareness for the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation (CFFF). With a record-setting 110 families attending the National Firefighter Memorial, the memorial will pay tribute to the brave firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty or due to occupational illnesses. A record number of eight wildland firefighters died last year, underscoring the extreme risks of their profession, from battling intense heat and thick smoke to navigating rough terrain.
Their names and the memories of 152 other heroes will be etched onto the Memorial Wall this year, joining the 1897 names of the brave dating back to the late 1800s.
The culmination of this journey is attendance at the National Firefighters Memorial in Ottawa on September 8, 2023. This sombre event of gratitude, honour and remembrance draws hundreds of firefighters across Canada and its territories, reflecting the strong bond that unites all in Canada’s fire service.
Having already raised almost $400,000 to date, the goal for this year's ride is an additional $100,000 for the CFFF.
“The Memorial Ride is a way to bring more firefighters, focus, and support to the Nation's capital for the Canadian Firefighter Memorial,” said David Cossitt, President of the Toronto Fire Celtic Society and Founder of the Memorial Bike Ride. “The ride supports the mission of the CFFF, to honour and remember firefighters who have been killed in the line of duty and to support their families.”
President Cossitt, who has coordinated the Memorial Ride since it began eight years ago, added, “We greatly appreciate people cheering us along the route. Encouragement truly boosts our spirits. Donations can be made at www.celticfireride.ca, where supporters can pick a rider to contribute towards.”
Media are invited to join any stops along the three-day route, included below, for interview and photo opportunities:
Day 1, Wednesday, September 4
1. Hamilton Fire Training Academy, 1227 Stone Church Road, Hamilton
Media availability for the start of Memorial Ride: 8:30 AM
2. Oakville Fire Station 3, 156 Kerr St., Oakville Arrival: 10:05 -10:25 AM
3. Toronto Fire Academy, 895 Eastern Ave: 12:00 - 1:00 PM
4. Whitby Fire Station 3, 1501 Brock Street South, Whitby: 2:45-300 PM
Day 2, Thursday, September 5
1. Cobourg Fire Headquarters: 8:30 -9:00 AM
2. Belleville Fire Station 1, 60 Betts St.: 12:00 - 1:00 PM
3. Napanee Fire Station 1, 66 Advance Ave: 2:30 - 2:50 PM
4. Kingston Fire Station 6, 262 Palace Rd.: 4:30 PM
Day 3, Friday, September 5
1. South Frontenac Fire Station, 5855 Perth Rd.: 9:15 - 9:30 am
2. Perth Fire Headquarters, 1881 Rogers Rd.: 12:00 - 1:00 pm
3. Ashton Brewing Company: 2:30 – 3:00 pm
4. Canadian Firefighter Memorial, 110 Lett Street, Ottawa: 4:00-4:15 PM
To download cue sheets & Garmin/Hammerhead/Whaoo files for turn-by-turn navigation:
Hamilton to Academy: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43974183
Academy to Cobourg: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48083370
Cobourg to Napanee, Kingston: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48077992%20
Kingston to Ottawa: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40642961
Ride Coordinator: David Cossitt, (905) 665-1749, tpffceltic@gmail.com
Media Contact: Kathryn Hendrick, (416) 277-6281, hendrickkathryn@gmail.com
Follow the Ride: www.celticfireride.ca
Facebook: TPFFCS Memorial Ride to Ottawa
Instagram: TPFFCS Memorial Ride to Ottawa
Twitter: @MemorialRide
Media Advisory - Community members invited to apply for Community Liaison Committee to support modernized shelter services at 310 Division Street, Cobourg
Media Advisory
Community members invited to apply for Community Liaison Committee to support modernized shelter services at 310 Division Street, Cobourg
Cobourg, ON – August 28, 2024 – Northumberland County is inviting applications from individuals interested in participating in a Community Liaison Committee (CLC) to support the successful delivery of modernized homeless shelter services at 310 Division Street, Cobourg.
This fall, homeless shelter services will transition to 310 Division Street, with expanded services to help improve pathways out of homelessness for people in need. This new and improved shelter will introduce a 24/7 hub, offering approximately 35 emergency shelter spaces alongside drop-in warming and cooling spaces, health, wellness and skill-building programming and a resource centre – all located in one central facility. These shelter spaces will reduce barriers for couples, 2SLGBTQ+ community members, individuals with pets, and people with disabilities, improving access to shelter for more people in our community.
Earlier this year, Northumberland County and Transition House conducted extensive community consultation to collect feedback from neighbours, community members, local businesses, community partners and people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity to inform plans for 310 Division Street. A key theme identified as part of this process, and presented as a recommendation to County Council, was community interest in the creation of a CLC to facilitate communication between community members and shelter management.
To advance this recommendation, the County engaged OrgCode – leaders in homelessness system transformations – to advise on best and common practices for the establishment of shelter CLCs. OrgCode has assisted in devising a committee framework designed to align with community expectations and foster effective collaboration between shelter staff and residents.
Following endorsement by County Council of a presentation on the matter by OrgCode at the August 14th meeting of Council, the County is now recruiting participants to form the 310 Division CLC. This will be a committee of diverse perspectives, including 12 to 15 members representing shelter neighbours, community members, people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity, local businesses, faith organizations, Cobourg Police Services, Town, County and shelter staff, and community partners that work closely with the shelter and its clients.
“This committee will play a vital role in helping to integrate shelter services effectively within the neighbourhood and the broader community, delivering the best possible support to vulnerable community members, and ensuring strong neighbour relations,” states County Associate Director of Housing and Homelessness Rebecca Carman. “We encourage interested community members to apply to join the CLC to contribute their voice and support the shelter’s success, improving pathways out of homelessness for people in need. We greatly value the opinions and ideas of shelter neighbours and local community members, and look forward to working together to create opportunities and resolve challenges.”
CLCs are generally put in place for a shelter’s first year of operations, focusing on addressing initial concerns, setting up effective communication channels, and integrating the shelter into the neighborhood. As shelter operations stabilize and become routine, the need for a dedicated liaison committee often decreases. Ongoing communication is typically then maintained through established channels, regular community meetings, or other mechanisms that support continued engagement without the need for a formal committee.
The 310 Division CLC will therefore meet once per month for at least a one-year term, with the possibility for continuance. At these monthly meetings, committee members will share information, discuss ideas and collectively problem solve concerns. The committee will be an advisory body, providing guidance and feedback to help the County and Transition House make informed decisions for the shelter’s successful integration within the neighbourhood and community.
Individuals interested in applying to join the 310 Division CLC are invited to submit an Expression of Interest by September 18th to begin their application process. All applicants will be required to attend an in-person training session in Cobourg on September 25th from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. to learn about homelessness in Northumberland, shelter services, and the structure and purpose of a CLC.
Community members who are interested in applying for the CLC must be available to volunteer at least 2.5 hours per month to attend Committee meetings and review materials. To submit an Expression of Interest, visit Northumberland.ca/ShelterModernization.
Homelessness in Northumberland Training Session
Mandatory training* for community members interested in applying for the CLC. Registration required by submitting an Expression of Interest form.
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Council Chambers,
555 Courthouse Road, Cobourg
*Exceptions or alternate arrangements may be available. To be considered for an exception, please submit an Expression of Interest and indicate your level of understanding and experience with homelessness, and explain your interest in participating on the CLC.
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For more information:
Kate Campbell
Director, Communications and Information Technology
Northumberland County
Phone: 905-372-3329 x2335
Email: campbellk@northumberland.ca
Web: www.northumberland.ca
About Northumberland County
Located on the traditional territory of the Mississauga, Northumberland County is a thriving community just one hour east of Toronto along Highway 401, with easy access to urban centres to the north, east and west. As the upper tier level of municipal government for the region, Northumberland County’s vision is to bring together people, partnerships and possibilities for a strong and vibrant Northumberland. Our community includes seven distinct yet complementary municipalities, with County Council comprised of the Mayors of each of these member municipalities:
• Township of Alnwick/Haldimand
• Municipality of Brighton
• Town of Cobourg
• Township of Cramahe
• Township of Hamilton
• Municipality of Port Hope
• Municipality of Trent Hills
Media Release - Northumberland County introduces updated navigation and new metrics for Performance Dashboard
Media Release
Northumberland County introduces updated navigation and new metrics for Performance Dashboard
Cobourg, ON – August 28, 2024 – Northumberland County has published a performance update for the second quarter (Q2), highlighting progress towards the goals set in the 2023-2027 Community Strategic Plan. Earlier this year, the County launched a new online Performance Dashboard to keep residents informed about the current state of key priorities. The dashboard now features 32 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to track specific aspects of service delivery. It also includes 14 Community Health Indicators (CHIs) that provide insights into social, environmental, and economic trends in Northumberland County, but over which the County has limited influence or control. With the addition of 13 new KPIs and CHIs in Q2, the total number of tracked metrics has increased to 46.
“Our Community Strategic Plan serves as a roadmap to foster intentional growth, enhance quality of life, and ensure sustainable development,” states Northumberland County CAO, Jennifer Moore. “The expanded Performance Dashboard offers a comprehensive tool that showcases how we are delivering on our plan and key services, while also providing insights into trends in the health and well-being of our community.”
In addition to the 13 new metrics introduced in Q2, the web-based dashboard has also been enhanced with a more intuitive layout and design, along with updated user-friendly graphics, facilitating easier navigation. The performance dashboard is not only a valuable resource for residents but also a critical planning tool for staff, enabling continuous monitoring and real-time adaptation of strategies to better serve residents and allocate resources effectively.
“Measuring our progress is vital to delivering high quality services. These KPIs help us identify areas of success and pinpoint where improvements are needed,” added CAO Moore. “This transparency fosters accountability, builds trust with residents, and encourages us to strive for excellence.”
Some Q2 performance highlights include:
· 100% of curbside waste collection issues were addressed within one business day of being reported by residents, exceeding the target of 95%.
· Paramedics helped to reduce Community Paramedicine client visits to hospital for non-emergency concerns by 88%, exceeding the target of 80%.
· The goal to increase additional licensed childcare spaces to 410 by 2026 is on track with a current 2024 increase of 14%.
· Public Works is on target to resurface 134 kms of County and municipal roads by the end of September.
· The Emergency Preparedness team's efforts in solar eclipse preparedness were recognized by Emergency Management Ontario for their exceptional support, accurate public outreach, and success in building public trust.
· The goal to support the launch of 60 small businesses in 2024 through the BECN is on track, with an increase in Q2 bumping the status to 48% achieved.
· Court Services processed an average of 47 Provincial Offenses charges per courtroom operating hour, surpassing the target of 45.
· 98% of road permits were issued within ten days of receiving a completed permit, just shy of the 100% target.
· Legislative services posted 90% of all committee and council meeting minutes within three business days, approaching a target of 95%.
A snapshot of Community Health Indicators for Q2 includes:
· An average of 84.3% of spaces were occupied in the emergency shelter system for people experiencing homelessness.
· The number of development proposals received by the County was 4.8% higher than Q2 2023 numbers.
· The number of septic permits issued increased by 10.8% over Q2 2023 numbers.
To view all metrics tracked and to learn about the County’s progress in delivering on Community Strategic Plan priorities, visit: Northumberland.ca/Dashboard.
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For more information:
Kate Campbell
Director, Communications and Information Technology
Northumberland County
Phone: 905-372-3329 x2335
Email: campbellk@northumberland.ca
Web: www.northumberland.ca
About Northumberland County
Located on the traditional territory of the Mississauga, Northumberland County is a thriving community just one hour east of Toronto along Highway 401, with easy access to urban centres to the north, east and west. As the upper tier level of municipal government for the region, Northumberland County’s vision is to bring together people, partnerships and possibilities for a strong and vibrant Northumberland. Our community includes seven distinct yet complementary municipalities, with County Council comprised of the Mayors of each of these member municipalities:
• Township of Alnwick/Haldimand
• Municipality of Brighton
• Town of Cobourg
• Township of Cramahe
• Township of Hamilton
• Municipality of Port Hope
• Municipality of Trent Hills
Media Release - Small ways you can take action to end hunger this Hunger Action Month
Media Release
Small ways you can take action to end hunger this Hunger Action Month
Cobourg, ON – August 28, 2024 – This September, Northumberland County invites you to join in the fight against food insecurity by participating in our ‘30 Ways in 30 Days’ Hunger Action Month initiative. This 30-day challenge invites community members to participate in small actions throughout the month of September to help support local food banks, food security programs, and to reduce food waste.
“Food banks across the province are experiencing record-breaking increases in use,” states County Community and Social Services Director Lisa Horne. “Between April of 2022 and March of 2023, 800,822 adults and children accessed food banks over 5.88 million times in Ontario. Locally, in 2023, over 5,000 residents made over 74,000 visits to food banks in Northumberland. This indicates a 32% increase in use compared to 2022, underscoring the importance of initiatives like Hunger Action Month to raise awareness and galvanize support for community services addressing this issue.”
At the national level, Food Banks Canada supports food banks and raises awareness about food bank usage in Canada. Provincially, this work is carried out by Feed Ontario.
In Northumberland, the County’s Food 4 All Warehouse, along with twelve local food banks, provide food supports to individuals and champion national and provincial initiatives across our communities. Hunger Action Month aims to support these vital programs, while raising awareness of food insecurity and advocating for an end to hunger and poverty in Canada.
On August 14th, County Council officially proclaimed September as ‘Hunger Action Month’ in Northumberland. Each year, throughout the month of September, organizations come together to highlight issues contributing to food insecurity and encourage communities to take action. To get involved in this year’s Hunger Action Month initiative, you can:
· Read Northumberland County’s 2024 Feed Change Report, available on the County’s website, to learn more about local food support and to view distribution and usage data for food banks and school nutrition programs in Northumberland;
· Participate in our ‘30 Ways in 30 Days’ challenge, encouraging community members to get involved by completing one action each day to support food security in Northumberland. To participate, download the calendar on the County’s website or follow the Northumberland County Food 4 All Facebook page (@NCFood4All) for daily reminders of how you can support Hunger Action Month;
· Visit and share the FoodHelpNorthumberland.cioc.ca website to find out where residents can access local food support; and,
· Follow the Northumberland County Food 4 All Facebook page (@NCFood4All) and share our Hunger Action Month content to help spread the word about food security.
For more information about Hunger Action Month and how to get involved, visit Norhtumberland.ca/HungerActionMonth.
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For more information:
Kate Campbell
Director, Communications
Northumberland County
Phone: 905-372-3329 x2335
Email: campbellk@northumberlandcounty.ca
Web: www.northumberlandcounty.ca
About Northumberland County
Located on the traditional territory of the Mississauga, Northumberland County is a thriving community just one hour east of Toronto along Highway 401, with easy access to urban centres to the north, east and west. As the upper tier level of municipal government for the region, Northumberland County’s vision is to bring together people, partnerships and possibilities for a strong and vibrant Northumberland. Our community includes seven distinct yet complementary municipalities, with County Council comprised of the Mayors of each of these member municipalities:
• Township of Alnwick/Haldimand
• Municipality of Brighton
• Town of Cobourg
• Township of Cramahe
• Township of Hamilton
• Municipality of Port Hope
• Municipality of Trent Hills
*Past News and Notices have been archived.