The South Grey Chamber of Commerce organized a public Federal All Candidates Debate at the Durham Community Centre on the evening of 22nd April 2025. The Chamber's President, Karen Cox kept the candidates' answers in the framework of submitted questions from the Southern Grey area, and ably assisted by the Chamber's Head Office Manager, Chris Keenan who kept the times to a strict measure.

The attending candidates:

• Conservative - Alex Ruff
• Liberal - Anne Marie Watson
• NDP - Chris Neudorf
• Grey Bruce Greens - Natasha Akiwenzie
• United - Ann Gilles

Organized by the Grey Highlands Chamber of Commerce, hosted by Karen Cox and Margot Byers, this was the second event allowing more questions and answers from all the candidates running for municipal council in 2022.

If you have any questions about the voting process, please visit the nice folks at Grey Highlands Municipality for assistance. And see the results as they develop on the Municipality YouTube channel on Monday 24th October starting at 8:15 p.m.

The show's hosts had a great time meeting most of the candidates for council and for the school boards in the October 2022 municipal election. Here they are, in recorded order:

• Paul Allen 6:06mins
• Tom Allwood 8:46mins
• Nadia Dubyk 12:00mins
• Reid Dennison 15:39mins
• Janice Kaikkonen 18:44mins
• Emmett Ferguson 22:12mins
• Gary Franklin 24:35mins
• Melanie Ann Seeley 27:10mins
• Steve Maloney 31:12mins
• Joel Loughead 34:37mins
• Paul McQueen 37:36mins
• Dane Nielsen 40:58mins
• Lynn Silverton 42:50mins
• Roger Tumminieri 46:10mins
• Danielle Valiquette 48:12mins
• Joe Van der Vechte 50:44mins
• Bryden Jones 54:04mins
• John van Goch 57:06mins

The Grey Highlands Chamber of Commerce hosted a meeting of all nine candidates in Grey-Bruce-Owen Sound for the provincial election at the Flesherton Kinplex. The Chamber's president, Karin Cox kept the session running on rails, assisted by Michelle and Darren Patey, Ruben McCallum, and other Chamber volunteers.

The candidates:

• PC - Rick Byers
• NDP - Karen Gventer
• Liberals - Selwyn Hicks
• Green - Danielle Valiquette
• New Blue - Vince Grimaldi
• Ontario Party - Suzanne Coles
• None Of The Above Party - Joel Loughead
• PPO - Joseph Westover
• Independent - Reima Kaikkonen

The excellent recording of the meeting is the work of our associate producer, David Tonks. Set up and cabling by our producers Geoff Bowes and Ron Barnett. Thanks to all the participants for their efforts in presenting so well within the meeting's format. Shoutout from the IGH crew to Steve Meacher and Andy Elliott at the Owen Sound branch of Long & McQuade who always help us get over the finish line with their expertise and kindness. Tim Reilly is the supervising producer at the mighty Leaking Ambience Studio in Flesherton.

A long road from St. Patrick’s Day in 2020. But here it is the tenth episode of In Grey Highlands and a homage to our farmers, the backbone of Ontario.

Stewart got to spend some time with Lorie Smith, Vice-President and Office Manager for Grey Agricultural Services in Markdale. Is there anything Grey Ag, the President and Exec Director Ray Robertson and their staff Patricia Ellingwood, Susan Bos, Keith Reid, and Joni Reid cannot do? We don’t think so.

Ron drops into the session with Lorie to talk with Dale Merrifield at his dairy farm near Eugenia, the conversation reveals some solid truths about the operation of a dairy herd.

Stewart in his President of the Chamber of Commerce capacity does a mid-roll promotion for the first of the Chamber’s twelve highlighted member businesses: The South Grey News.

Our contributing editor, Geoff Bowes (whose book Open Up The Wall beat out all the competition in Grey County Reads program back in March 2020 – well done, Geoff!) has a chat with Jessica Verner of the Golden Legacy in Maxwell.

And Ron and Stewart discuss our local and regional current affairs climate in a time of COVID-19.

The long awaited, super-sized ninth episode! An hour-and-a-half of In Grey Highlands goodness!

This episode with Barry Penhale sitting in for a busy Paul McQueen.

Stewart talks with Michele Harris, Director of Economic and Community Development for Grey Highlands on .. well, development.

Geoff Bowes spoke at length with Darrell Markewitz of the Wareham Forge on Viking iron.

Ron interviewed Amy Kitchen of Sideroad Farm on farming and the Grey Bruce Farmers' Week conference.

Plus Ron and Stewart run through the South Grey News items and Stewart and Barry talk of events and culture.

Paul and Stewart set up and discuss the first interview by our colleague Ron Barnett from the South Grey News of Joan McGee from the Flesherton Love Committee.

Stewart had a talk about weather and dashing snowmobiles with Karen Buratynski, District 9 Manager for the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs and their interactive trail guide.

Marian Doyle and Carl Herman talked with Stewart about their respective Food Bank operations in Flesherton and Markdale. They speak of the services provided, the warm welcome people can expect, and the serious need for help in a Grey Highlands winter.

Ron and Stewart address the South Grey News items for this episode: 'Name your flavour' ice cream contest, and the Forests Ontario 50 Million Tree Program. Ron is busy doing the Top 10 Stories of 2019 and the Grey County Reads contest.

In the episode before Christmas, international dance artist and teacher, Helen Jones and, author and performer, Geoff Bowes present our winter's tales stories.

Paul and Stewart close by noting Paul's election to Warden of Grey and looking back on the In Grey Highlands This Week production season in 2019.

Stewart spends some time with Dr. Ian Arra, the Grey Bruce Medical Officer of Health and covers a lot of ground; state of public health, public health infrastructure, mergers, and budgets, 'flu shots, falls, cannabis, and vaping.

Allan Madden, the CEO of the South East Grey Community Health Centre, discusses the future for CHCs, our Centre's unique rural nature, current clinics and programs, territory and funding, Ontario health teams, combating social isolation, dentistry, mental health structure and importance, community based programs, and home care and palliative care.

Ron Barnett from South Grey News comes by to deliver the first of a regular segment on news and events, and commercial and cultural programs in the area.

Stewart gives pause at the passing of Kate FitzPatrick and the Highland Band's tribute in Markdale. He reviews the presentation of Tony Luciani art at the South Grey Museum and looks forward to a full interview in the New Year.