Echo Essentials Podcast

When Ontario student Dillon Anderson ran against Pierre Poilievre in Alberta, it wasn’t about winning but making a point.

In this episode of Echo Essentials, Dillon explains what inspired him to join the longest ballot, how he legally ran in a province he doesn’t live in, and why he thinks Canada’s electoral system needs a serious overhaul.

02:30 – The Longest Ballot Committee
05:30 – Protest or Interference?
11:00 – Campaigning Without a Budget
20:15 – What He Learned in Alberta
35:30 – The Future of Local Democracy

What’s it really like being a first-time mayor in one of Northern Ontario’s largest municipalities?

Mayor Kathleen Rochon of West Nipissing joins Echo Essentials to share the highs, lows, and behind-the-scenes stories of running a geographically vast rural community. From fixing broken council culture to taking a stand on controversial environmental issues, Kathleen shares her thoughts.

Mayor Rochon and Chris discuss some local stories surrounding West Nipissing, including the glyphosate spray plan in the West Nipissing Forest, how the OPP became the law enforcement service in the area, big lottery winners and what it's like...

Think you’d never fall for a scam? Think again. 

In this week's episode of Echo Essentials, host Chris Piekarski sits down with Detective Constable Zach Dagg and Constable Merv Shantz from the North Bay Police Service (NBPS) to dive deep into the frightening world of fraudsters and scammers. From door-to-door “contractors” and impersonation scams, to AI-generated voices pretending to be loved ones, their methods are evolving! 

The officers detail with Chris some preventative measures on how to avoid being scammed, detailing how scammers prey on fear, trust, and emotion, and what red flags you need to recog...

What really goes on inside a university student union?

In this episode of Echo Essentials, host Chris Piekarski catches up with Matt Suszter (President, NUSU) and Abby Noonan (Administrative Assistant) for a candid, behind-the-scenes look at life inside the Nipissing University Student Union.

From student politics and leadership to battling food insecurity on campus, this episode dives into the rebranding of the on-campus food bank, “OWLS Week”, how to get involved with clubs & communities, and what struggles students are facing regarding housing, finances, and jobs.

Plus, hilarious stories about hot peppers, campus legends, and the...

In this episode of Echo Essentials, veteran journalist Greg Estabrooks joins host Chris Piekarski to talk about the golden days of North Bay media, wild high school sports rivalries, and how today's journalists are navigating shrinking newsrooms and fascinating local scandals.

Greg shares hilarious behind-the-scenes stories, emotional war memorial moments, and how covering news in a small city can get personal fast.

00:00 – Intro
03:00 – Greg joins the show: Fax machines, phone calls, and pre-internet reporting
06:15 – How local journalism has changed (and shrunk) 
17:00 – The Cenotaph story: Emotions and national significance
22:00 – How Canada Wins: Greg’s new series<...

In this unforgettable episode of Echo Essentials, we say farewell to the legendary Dave Dale as a permanent co-host of the Echo Essentials podcast.

From fierce city hall controversies to the inside story of the Echo Podcast Network's inception, Dave tells all! Alongside Dave, Chris Piekarski is also joined by former Echo Essentials co-host Scott Clark, dive deep into the ethics of journalism, political heat in covering stories around North Bay, and what might be next for the seasoned journalist.

It's not goodbye Dave, it's see you later!

03:44 – How Echo Essentials started: An Important Lu...

In this episode of Echo Essentials, hosts Chris and Dave welcome Will Konken, BayToday’s newest journalist, who’s been thrown into the heart of North Bay’s hottest local stories — from expense scandals to evolving city hall drama.

From discussing what the role of journalism is like in small communities, to the future of local media in the age of clickbait and shortened attention spans, Will shares his opinions and details his processes on being a journalist in the north.

Think sunscreen is just for summer? Think again.

In this episode of Echo Essentials, hosts Chris Piekarski and Dave Dale sit down with Falyn Katz, CEO of Melanoma Canada, to break down the rising rates of skin cancer, the free screening mobile unit visiting North Bay, and the biggest myths that put Canadians at risk.

This episode is full of personal stories, science-backed facts, and easy, life-saving tips. If you’ve ever skipped using SPF, wearing UPF or if you've brushed off a weird-looking mole, seek some shade and hit play!

What hit Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park wasn’t a tornado. It was something else...

In this eye-opening episode of Echo Essentials, Chris Piekarski sits down for a call with Dr. David Sills, Director of the Northern Tornadoes Project, to talk about the storm that devastated part of Highway 17 East of North Bay, and how his team investigates extreme weather events across Ontario and Canada.

Dr. Sills also discusses how how downbursts differ from tornadoes, the science behind tree patterns, drone mapping, and the real reason why Ontario (not the Prairies) is now Canada's tornado hotspot. Ch...

OUTLoud North Bay has been creating safe, affirming spaces for 2SLGBTQ+ youth for the past several years. In this week's episode, Chris Piekarski sits down with founder Seth Compton and volunteer Riley Ong to talk about their surprise invitation to meet the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward in Toronto — and the life-changing work that led to it.

The episode also discuss the emotional moment when Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor was brought to tears during her visit to OUTLoud's space, Riley's ascension into being a student leader at Canadore College, the mental health crises facing queer youth and how OUTL...

When a freak storm ripped through Bonfield, Ontario, no one was ready for what came next: 100+ damaged roadways, families stranded in parks, trees smashing into vehicles, and a state of emergency declared at 4 a.m.

In this episode of Echo Essentials, we sit down with Mayor Narry Paquette and Deputy Mayor Jason Corbett just days after the disaster. They walk Chris and Dave through how emergency response was mobilized in the middle of the night, and why small-town collaboration might be the secret to resilience. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor also outline what needs to happen next — from re...

Is North Bay doing enough to address its housing crisis? In this episode of Echo Essentials, City Councillor Justine Mallah opens up about the city's growing housing challenges—from affordability and zoning to the human impact on renters and first-time buyers.

She breaks down what City Hall is doing, the roadblocks in the way, and why transparency and collaboration are key to making progress.

00:00 – Intro
05:00 – The housing issue North Bay can’t ignore
10:00 – What the city is doing now
15:00 – Barriers to real progress: funding, zoning & red tape
20:00 – Council dynamics and political will
25:00 – J...

What if kindness wasn’t just a feel-good gesture—but a psychological superpower?

In this special Kindness Week episode of Echo Essentials Dr. Andrew Weeks explores the neuroscience and social psychology behind compassion.

From community programs to deeply personal moments, this episode asks: Can kindness really change the way we live together?

In this episode of Echo Essentials, we sit down with Dr. Carol Zimbalatti, Medical Officer of Health/Health Executive for the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, to unpack the alarming resurgence of measles across Ontario and Canada — including confirmed cases in North Bay for the first time since 1995.

Whether you're a parent, educator, healthcare worker, or just someone trying to make sense of the headlines, this episode cuts through the noise with facts, compassion, and clarity. Measles isn’t just a relic illness from the past — it’s a present-day threat with real consequences. Join our co-hosts...

In this episode, we sit down with Rick Champagne, newly appointed Mayor of East Ferris, to talk about stepping into the role, the unexpected path to the mayor’s seat, and how the community is balancing growth with identity.

From his early volunteer work to the council’s decision that led to his appointment, Champagne shares candid thoughts on local leadership, development pressure, and what comes next for East Ferris.


00:00 – Intro
08:50 – Why Rick didn’t run last election
14:20 – Inside the appointment process and council vote
19:45 – The challenges of saying yes to the mayor’s seat

Constable Merv Shantz from the North Bay Police Service joins the show to talk about Ontario’s Road Safety Week — and what it actually looks like on the streets of North Bay.

From cell phone tickets and speeding hotspots to mobility scooters and modded bikes, this episode is a crash course in how enforcement works, what’s legal (and what’s not), and how to keep yourself safer on the road.

00:00 – Intro
05:15 – “150 collisions a month?” What’s really happening in North Bay
10:30 – Radar, LIDAR, and the tech behind traffic enforcement
15:45 – Who’s more dangerous: seniors or sp...

North Bay City Councillor Jamie Lowery joins us for a deep dive into one of North Bay’s most persistent political debates: the ward system.

Why has this idea resurfaced every election for 20+ years? What’s stopping the city from even studying it? And could a customized, hybrid system finally give residents the local representation they deserve?

00:00 – Intro
01:21 – Why we’re talking about the ward system now
05:07 – 20 years of political dodging: Why no one studies it
09:19 – Jamie Lowery joins the show
13:20 – What happened behind the scenes at council
17:30 – “$50,000 killed the conversation”
21:46 – What a ma...

Spring has arrived—and so have the pests. From bedbugs and carpenter ants to fat spiders and cluster flies, pest season is officially here.

Geoff Richardson from Good Riddance Pest Control joins us for a practical, sometimes squirmy, conversation about what to expect this season, how to protect your home, and why some pest problems are more emotional than physical.

Chris and Dave also discuss some of the post election updates including Poilievre's attempt to run in Alberta.

00:00 – Intro & a different kind of pest
02:00 – Creepy crawlies and personal pest trauma
04:00 – Travel tips: avoiding...

In this episode of Echo Essentials, Professor Dr. David Tabachnick of Nipissing University returns to breakdown everything that happened at both the federal and local levels for the 2025 Canadian Federal Election.

This episodes explores how the Liberal Party secured a strong minority government, who the NDP might look to lead the party, and examining what the future holds for Pierre Poilievre. Dr. Tabachnick also shares his thoughts on the nail-biter race in our Nipissing-Timiskaming riding, and if the Conservatives have hit a political ceiling under the present circumstances. The episode also details a look into the near future...

In this episode of Echo Essentials, Chris and Dave sit down with Pauline Rochefort, Liberal candidate for Nipissing–Timiskaming and current mayor of East Ferris, to talk about the challenges—and opportunities—facing the party and the country.

Rochefort shares her thoughts on the Liberal leadership shift from Justin Trudeau to Mark Carney, breaking down her party’s approach to crime, details the Liberal housing affordability plan, and explains why she believes the future of Canada’s economy runs through rural innovation and clean energy collaboration.

We cover everything from her role in Treaty #9 negotiations and Canada’s l...

In this episode of Echo Essentials, we speak with Garry Keller, Conservative Party of Canada candidate for Nipissing–Timiskaming, about his rise from working behind the scenes on Parliament Hill to running for office in his adopted hometown. Keller addresses the hot-button issues of the 2025 federal election—from housing and addiction treatment, to firearm legislation, natural resource development, and Canada’s role in supporting Ukraine.

We also dig into his stance on minority vs. majority governments, electoral reform, and whether Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is really Canada’s “mini Trump.”

Whether you’re a Conservative supporter, undecided vote...

What happens when a hobby farmer and IT contractor steps into politics?

In this episode of Echo Essentials, Chris and Dave sit down with John Janssen, the Federal PPC candidate for Nipissing–Timiskaming riding, for a direct conversation about immigration, housing, firearms, and the future of Canadian democracy.

John shares why he believes the PPC is the only party offering “real change,” his reasons for calling for a moratorium on immigration, and why he says mainstream conservatives and liberals are more similar than they are different.

We also explore vote-splitting, Maxime Bernier as a party...

In this episode of Echo Essentials, we sit down with Valerie Kennedy, the NDP candidate for Nipissing–Timiskaming, to talk about the cost of living, union support, pipelines, rail infrastructure, and her surprising entry into politics. From defending workers' rights to advocating for Indigenous communities and reshaping public services, Kennedy brings a deeply personal and unapologetically grassroots approach to the campaign trail.

We also break down the recent local debate between Keller (Conservative), Rochefort (Liberal), and Kennedy (NDP)—who stood out, what landed, and how strategy is shaping early voter momentum.

If you’ve ever asked, “What hap...

In this episode of Echo Essentials, we sit down with Professor Dr. David Tabachnick of Nipissing University to unpack the upcoming federal election, what’s at stake for northern Ontario, and why this might be the most tense campaign in recent history.

We explore the Trump effect on Canadian politics, the difference between urban and rural voters, and whether a youth-led voter shift could change the game.

Plus: How pipelines, trade, and mining are shaping the conversation here in North Bay. Whether you’re voting for the first time or trying to make sense of shifting alli...

North Bay’s City Council passed its much-anticipated operating budget this week, alongside a new contract agreement for union employees.

In an interview on the Echo Essentials Podcast, co-hosts Scott Clark and Dave Dale sat down with Deputy Mayor Maggie Horsfield to discuss the budget’s impact, the challenges of municipal funding, and the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with city workers.

Jocelyn Green wants to accentuate inclusivity and anti-hate as the newly-hired first-ever executive director for North Bay PRIDE, explaining that she wants to build bridges in the community rather than build walls.

In a landmark moment for North Bay PRIDE, Jocelyn Green has been appointed as the organization's first-ever executive director. She joined co-hosts Scott Clark and Dave Dale on the Echo Essentials podcast to discuss her vision for the organization, the challenges ahead, and the significance of her new role.

North Bay PRIDE has long been a vital force in advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and...

Editorial notes for this episode

The article that Stu Campaigne wrote about the facility on Lakeshore Dr. is not connected to the CMHA NBD-NBRHC bed-based expansion. This is addressed at the 19 minute mark however it is mentioned a few times before which may cause confusion.The segment about mental health spending in Canada (44-minute mark) isn’t entirely clear. The 6 per cent represents the investment in mental health care as a proportion of overall health care budgets, not GDP (as Scott references, which explains his remark that this is “massive:.) In other words...

With Canada’s next federal election on the horizon, big changes are coming for the Liberal Party—but what does that mean for Northern Ontario?

In this Echo Essentials episode, recorded from an ice hut on Lake Nipissing, we sit down with Pauline Rochefort, the newly acclaimed Liberal candidate for Nipissing-Timiskaming, to talk about:

✅ The Future of the Liberal Party – Will a new leader change the direction of the party?
✅ Election 2025 Predictions – What voters in Northern Ontario want from the next government
✅ Biggest Local Issues – From affordable housing to highway safety & transportation
✅ Why She’s Running – Wh...

📰 The media landscape is changing—what does that mean for local journalism?

In this episode of Echo Essentials, hosts Scott Clark and Stu Campaigne explore the challenges facing local newsrooms, from shrinking editorial teams to the growing pressures of digital media.

With investigative journalism struggling to keep up, what’s next for the industry?💡

Topics Covered:
✔️ The decline of newsroom staff and its impact on news quality
✔️ Why investigative journalism is harder than ever
✔️ The role of digital media and the battle for audience attention
✔️ Ethical challenges and the personal toll on journalists
✔...

The Ontario Election scheduled Feb. 27 is the primary topic of today's Echo Essentials podcast with host Dave Dale discussing issues with multiple interview subjects and debate review participants, North Bay Coun. Mark King and Rod Bilz, active community leader, commercial property investor.

It begins with a five-minute interview with Green Party candidate for Nipissing, bilingual nursing student Colton Chaput.

Stand up interviews at the North Bay Home and Garden Expo included East Ferris Mayor Pauline Rochefort, who is seeking the federal Liberal nomination to be the Nipissing-Timiskaming Riding candidate, as well as North Bay city councillors...

The Echo Essentials Podcast #55 features host Dave Dale interviewing the New Democrat and Libertarian candidates for Nipissing ahead of the Ontario Election taking place Feb. 27.

Loren Mick Brings Grassroots Perspective to Nipissing NDP Campaign Mick, currently serving his second term on Mattawa’s town council, emphasized his frontline experience as a healthcare worker and his commitment to tackling the region’s growing crises in housing, affordability, and healthcare. Born and raised in Mattawa, Mick’s local roots shape his understanding of the challenges facing people across the Nipissing district. In addition to his municipal work, he has spent the pa...

Co-hosts Scott Clark and Dave Dale sat down with Vic Fedeli, the longtime Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Nipissing and former mayor of North Bay. With Ontario in the midst of a snap election, Fedeli defended his government’s record and explained why Premier Doug Ford called an early vote.

The discussion also touched on a looming trade war with the United States, key economic concerns, and pressing local issues such as health care and long-term care expansion. Fedeli wasted no time justifying the decision to hold an election ahead of schedule. “We are at war,” he said...

The "sprint" to the Ontario Provincial Election on Feb. 27 is underway and the Echo Essentials Podcast #53 features discussion about the rational for a snap vote and how things might go in the Nipissing Riding.

Co-hosts Scott Clark and Dave Dale talk about the known candidates (no name from the Liberals before this recording) and touch on the latest regarding the looming federal election.

The Near North School Board wants the province to fully review the inefficiencies and redundancies in the Ontario education system to free up funding for priority student needs. Trustee Bill Steer and Parker Robinson, president of the local secondary school teachers federation, join the Echo Essentials podcast with co-hosts Scott Clark and Dave Dale to chat about the potential reduction in the number or shape of school boards.

In this week’s Echo Essentials Podcast, co-hosts Scott Clark and Dave Dale sat down with Brian Baldwin, a retired North Bay resident, to discuss his opposition to the city’s plan to build a sanitary sewer pumping station at the corner of Premier Road and Lakeshore Drive, directly in front of his property. Baldwin recently presented his concerns to city council, highlighting transparency issues and questioning the suitability of the chosen site.

“It was just flabbergasting when I learned they were planning to put the station right in front of my house,” Baldwin said during the interview. “The last I...

The 50th episode of the Echo Essentials Podcast marked a full-circle moment as Shawn Flindall, communications director of the North Bay Snowmobile Club, returned as the guest, having been the very first interviewee when the show launched a year ago.

Hosted by Scott Clark and Dave Dale, the episode delves into the vital role snowmobiling plays in Northern Ontario’s economy, the challenges faced by the industry, and the tireless efforts of volunteers who sustain this beloved activity.

Flindall emphasized the staggering economic impact of snowmobiling in Ontario, generating between $3 billion and $5 billion annually. Northern Ontario re...

The Echo Essentials Podcast this week features long-time Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota, who is retiring from federal politics after 16 years in Ottawa. Topics range from who might make a good candidate to lead the Liberal Party in the future to some of his highs and lows in office, including a flip flop on the issue of the gun registry legislation and the 18-vote loss to Conservative Jay Aspin in 2011.

In the pre-interview banter between co-hosts Scott Clark and Dave Dale, you'll hear a discussion about how and why you won't hear Rota's take on the international incident that...

In today's episode of the Echo Essentials Podcast, co-host Dave Dale conducted an in-depth interview with North Bay Deputy Mayor Maggie Horsfield, who is also the chairwoman of the General Government Committee and the city’s budget chief.

Horsfield shared insights about the city’s ongoing budget process, her role as deputy mayor, and the challenges of her first term in office. Horsfield outlined the city’s approach to its 2025 budget, including a delayed timeline to allow thorough preparation. The process begins in January with the water and wastewater budgets and progresses to the operating and capital budgets in Feb...