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The Backroads Bill Podcast: Daily Summaries Delivered
by North Bay Echo
It’s time to hit the backroads of Northern Ontario and beyond with Backroads Bill! Tune in every Wednesday to explore the history and beauty of Northern Ontario. Alongside host and producer Ben, Bill (who is the founder and the GM of the Canadian Ecology Centre) goes more in depth to the stories he has been sharing for years on CBC Radio and Village Media.Whether it’s a “day-trip” “overnight-trip” or “Sunday drive” you will discover your next great adventure!Follow Bill on Facebook & Instagram: @backroads_billand on Twitter: @steertonorthONT For the video version of this episode or to explore more North Bay podcasts and to stay updated on local events and news go to NorthBayEcho.ca. For exclusive North Bay updates and insights, subscribe to our newsletter Echo Essentials. Stay connected with Echo on social media: @NorthBayEcho Production Credits:Host: Backroads BillProducer: Ben SargentProduced by Clark Communications
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- 6 days ago34 min
How Mining Powers Northern Ontario's Economy and Future
Mining has helped shape Northern Ontario for generations, and it's continuing to create opportunities for communities across the region.In this episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, we chat with Bryan Wilson, Senior Vice President of Operations, Ontario at Equinox Gold's Greenstone Mine. With nearly 40 years in the industry, Brian shares how mining has changed over the years, from advances in safety and technology to the growing demand for skilled workers.The conversation also explores the impact of the Canadian Ecology Centre's Teachers Mining Tours, which help educators and students get a firsthand look at modern mining and the many career paths it offers.0:00 – Intro6:53 – Modern Mining & Technology13:28 – Mental Health in Mining21:13 – Teachers Mining Tours30:09 – Careers & Hiring in Mining
- 1 weeks ago57 min
Charlie Angus on Democracy, Northern Ontario & Canada's Future
In this episode of Backroads Bill, we sit down with former Member of Parliament, author, and Northern Ontario advocate Charlie Angus for a wide-ranging conversation about democracy, the North, and the future of Canada.After more than two decades representing Timmins–James Bay in Ottawa, Charlie reflects on the issues that defined his political career, from fighting for rural and northern communities to advocating for Indigenous rights, public accountability, and stronger democratic institutions.He shares stories from the road, lessons learned from representing one of Canada's largest ridings, and why Northern Ontario's voice remains as important as ever.0:00 – Charlie Angus' Northern Ontario Journey3:47 – The Adams Mine Battle11:20 – Shannon Koostachin's Legacy21:14 – Democracy in a Changing World46:10 – The Future of Northern Ontario
- 2 weeks ago35 min
Inside the Mind of a Young Piano Prodigy
In this episode of Backroads Bill, acclaimed Canadian author Christine Fischer Guy returns to the podcast to talk about her brand-new novel, The Instrument Must Not Matter.The story follows a gifted young pianist who leaves Toronto for New York City after earning the chance to study under a world-renowned mentor. Christine takes us behind the scenes of writing the novel, including the years of research she devoted to understanding the mindset of professional musicians, the influence of legendary Canadian pianist Glenn Gould, and even taking piano lessons herself to better connect with the experience of performing music.Find "The Instrument Must Not Matter" and more here: https://christinefischerguy.com/books/0:00 – Intro5:19 – Building a Piano Prodigy Character14:31 – Burning an Entire Manuscript22:14 – The Importance of Editors32:06 – Taking Piano Lessons for the Novel
- 3 weeks ago36 min
Living with Lyme Disease: One Northern Ontario Story
In this episode of Backroads Bill, we sit down with Justin Wood, founder of Geneticks.ca and a staff scientist at the University of Guelph, to talk about the growing reality of Lyme disease in Canada and the personal experience that changed his life forever.Justin shares his journey from being a healthy university athlete to suddenly dealing with debilitating neurological symptoms, chronic pain, fatigue, and years of unanswered medical questions. After being bounced between specialists and struggling to find answers, he was eventually diagnosed with Lyme disease, beginning a long and difficult road to recovery.We also dive into the science behind Lyme disease, how ticks spread infection, why early detection matters, and the challenges many patients still face when trying to access proper treatment and diagnosis. Justin explains how his own experience eventually led him to create Geneticks, a company focused on tick testing and helping people better understand their risk after exposure.Check out Justin's website: https://geneticks.ca/0:00 – Intro3:31 – What Lyme Disease Actually Is6:55 – From Athlete to Seriously Ill10:18 – Finally Getting Diagnosed16:05 – Turning His Experience Into a Business24:29 – The Truth About the Bullseye Rash29:07 – The Stigma Around Lyme Disease33:39 – How Tick Testing Works
- May 13, 202641 min
Inside the Environmental Battles Shaping Northern Ontario
On this episode of Backroads Bill, we sit down with Brennain Lloyd from Northwatch, one of Northern Ontario’s longest-running environmental advocacy organizations.For nearly four decades, North Watch has been involved in some of the region’s biggest environmental debates, from forestry and mining to landfill proposals, nuclear waste storage, and land use decisions that affect communities across the North .Brennain takes us through the origins of North Watch in the late 1980s, how the organization grew out of environmental and peace activism, and why public participation in environmental decision-making still matters today.0:00 – Intro3:40 – Climate Change & Younger Generations11:43 – The Nuclear Waste Debate in Northern Ontario20:30 – Why “NIMBY” Isn’t Fair25:23 – The Risks of Nuclear Waste Storage33:52 – The Adams Mine Landfill Controversy38:07 – Why Environmental Advocacy Never Stops
- May 6, 202633 min
The Story Behind The Original Bug Shirt Company
On this episode of Backroads Bill, we sit down with the team behind one of Northern Ontario’s most recognizable outdoor products, The Original Bug Shirt Company in Powassan.What started as a simple idea to help people enjoy the outdoors without being eaten alive by black flies and mosquitoes has grown into a globally recognized brand worn by campers, hunters, forestry workers, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts around the world. Julie shares the incredible story of how the company began in the early 1990s, how she started sewing bug shirts from home while raising her children, and how that small operation eventually turned into a thriving Northern Ontario business. We also talk about buying the company in 2019, navigating the uncertainty of COVID, and how the business adapted as more people turned to the outdoors.0:00 – Intro3:55 – How the Company Started8:10 – Buying the Business10:03 – Why Bug Protection Matters15:21 – COVID & Going Global Online20:08 – Shipping Bug Shirts Around the World26:13 – New Bug Gear for Kids30:24 – Customer Stories from the Outdoors
- Apr 29, 202643 min
How Experts Measure Water Levels Across Canada
In this episode of Backroads Bill, we sit down with Otto Bedard who is an expert technologist in hydrometry, hydraulics and innovation.With recent flooding hitting the North Bay area, the timing couldn’t be better. Otto takes us inside the system most people never think about, the network of gauges, sensors, and data collection points that track how high rivers rise and how fast water moves.We dive into how water levels are actually measured, what “stage” and “discharge” mean, and how this data gets shared across Canada to help inform decisions around flooding, infrastructure, and safety. Otto also walks through how technology has changed the job, from handwritten logs and manual readings to automated systems that update every hour.0:00 – Intro4:34 – What the “Water Office” Actually Does6:46 – How Water Levels Are Measured (Then vs Now)9:21 – Why Water Data Is So Important15:02 – Real-Time Data & Flood Monitoring22:01 – Technology Changing Water Measurement33:06 – Traveling the North to Measure Water
- Apr 22, 202643 min
From Trails to YouTube: Curtis Lafleche’s Outdoor Journey
On this episode of Backroads Bill, we sit down with Curtis Lafleche, a Northern Ontario outdoorsman who has turned his passion for the backcountry into a growing presence on YouTube.What started as simple walks quickly turned into a deep curiosity about the land, eventually leading to backcountry trips, canoe expeditions, and a love for exploring the wild spaces of Northern Ontario . We also dive into how Curtis made the leap from private adventures to sharing his experiences online.From filming solo trips and learning the ins and outs of content creation, to finding his own voice without trying to copy others, he talks about what it really takes to build something authentic in the outdoor space.Check out Curtis' Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/@NotSoEpicAdventurer0:00 – Intro3:06 – Finding the Outdoors8:28 – Why He Started YouTube13:22 – Backcountry Trips & Florence Lake Story20:41 – Entering the Quiet & Winter Camping34:33 – Gear, Filming & Outdoor Lessons
About The Backroads Bill Podcast
It’s time to hit the backroads of Northern Ontario and beyond with Backroads Bill! Tune in every Wednesday to explore the history and beauty of Northern Ontario. Alongside host and producer Ben, Bill (who is the founder and the GM of the Canadian Ecology Centre) goes more in depth to the stories he has been sharing for years on CBC Radio and Village Media.Whether it’s a “day-trip” “overnight-trip” or “Sunday drive” you will discover your next great adventure!Follow Bill on Facebook & Instagram: @backroads_billand on Twitter: @steertonorthONT For the video version of this episode or to explore more North Bay podcasts and to stay updated on local events and news go to NorthBayEcho.ca. For exclusive North Bay updates and insights, subscribe to our newsletter Echo Essentials. Stay connected with Echo on social media: @NorthBayEcho Production Credits:Host: Backroads BillProducer: Ben SargentProduced by Clark Communications
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