BUDGET

With more news on the federal budget, the Member of Parliament for Bay of Quinte, Chris Malette, welcomed the 2026 Federal Budget, entitled Masters of Our Destiny, highlighting its focus on economic growth, affordability, fiscal responsibility and support for local communities.

He stated that the budget includes major investments to strengthen Canada’s economy, attract private investment, create skilled jobs, build more homes, modernize infrastructure and improve affordability for families.

For our region, Budget 2026 is expected to help:

· Support local farmers and food processors through the National Food Security Strategy.

· Strengthen Prince Edward County’s wine industry through the pro-posed renewal of the Wine Sector Support Program, investing $176.9 million over three years beginning next year.

· Build more homes and improve housing affordability.

· Create skilled jobs through investments in manufacturing, infrastruc-ture, clean energy, critical minerals and defence.

· Support 8 Wing CFB Trenton and military families through defence modernization and growth.

· Lower costs for families through grocery assistance, housing measures, mortgage supports and energy-efficient home retrofits.

· Invest $1.2 billion to extend federal funding agreements for mental health, addictions treatment, and home and community care ser-vices.

Hastings-Lennox and Addington-Tyendinaga MP Shelby Kramp-Neuman issued a statement yesterday saying the budget fell short of expectations. She noted that with $142 billion in additional spending, the continuation of the industrial carbon tax, and a renewed commitment to the proposed $90-billion-plus ALTO high-speed rail project including measures to accelerate land expropriation, the government is making significant commitments without adequately addressing the pressures facing Canadians today. The concern is not simply how much government spends. It is whether that spending reflects sound priorities, delivers measurable results, and leaves our country on stronger financial footing.

UNEMPLYOMENT

Statistics Canada reported today that Canada’s unemployment rate went up to a six-month high in October and the economy lost a few thousand jobs as the private sector and full-time employment saw declines.

The unemployment rate edged up to 6.7 per cent in October from 6.5 per cent in the prior month. The last time it was higher than this level was 6.9 per cent jobless rate in April.

Locally in the Belleville–Quinte West region, the unemployment was 6.4%. That is up from 5.4% in August 2026.

The October report highlights a continued weakness in the labour market in Canada that has failed to post any job gains on average this year as trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada worsened and businesses hunkered down to save costs.

And finally, how far can you walk in seven hours? For Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk that would be 192,500 kilometres. During his spacewalk at the International Space Station this week, he circled the Earth almost five times in 6 hours and 59 minutes. If Joshua was travelling that fast in the County, he could walk from Point Traverse to Carrying Place in about 10 seconds. That is if he doesn’t have to stop on our Main Streets on the way through the County.

Sports

Locally, you may want to take in the Wellington Duke home game tonight against the St Michaels Buzzers because this is playoff weekend in the sports world.

CFL

Saturday is the CFL conference finals which determines who will go to the 113th Grey Cup on Sunday November 15th in Calgary. At 3:00 the Winnipeg Blue Bombers travel to Montreal to face the East’s top Team the Alouettes. At 6:30, the West’s top team Edmonton Elks welcome the BC lions to Commonwealth Stadium.

SOCCER

In Canadian Women’s professional soccer, it is the second leg of the Northern Super League semi-finals. On Saturday the Ottawa Rapid need a strong game at FC Toronto. Toronto took leg one 4-2, so Ottawa needs at least a two-goal differential to trigger the tie breaker. The Montreal Roses have it a little easier as they travel to face the Rise in Vancouver on Sunday. Montreal took leg one 3-0.

The Men’s Canadian Premier League semi-final second leg is on Saturday. The Hamilton Forge and Atlético Ottawa had a 2-2 draw in leg one. Their final match goes at 1:00 in Hamilton. That match will be followed at 4:00 in Calgary’s where Cavalry FC lost to Supra du Québec 2-1 in leg one.

F1

In F1 racing, the third weekend in a row will see the 22 teams in Sao Paulo for the Brazilian Grand Prix. Kimi Antonelli wrapped up the driver’s championship last week for Mercedes. If that team can take two of three podium spots, then they will also secure the constructor’s championship.

The 71 lap, 305 km race goes at noon on Sunday.

The post November 6, 2026 appeared first on 99.3 County FM.

In the U.S. election: The Democrats will take control of both the House and the Senate, a mid-term defeat of President Donald Trump’s Republican Party. At this point, the Democrats will hold a majority in the House of Representatives, with 222 of the 435 seats, and in the Senate, with 54 of the 100 seats. The Democrats even won the Senate races in South Carolina, Texas, and Kansas, which haven’t sent a Democratic senator to Washington since 1998, 1988 and 1932, respectively. The Democrats also flipped the governors in five states. The Democrats are expected to restore the health insurance subsidies that had been cut by the Republicans, take down Trump’s tariffs, and block authorization for the war against Iran. Control of the Senate means the Democrats can block or slow confirmation of Trump’s nominees for cabinet, federal judges, ambassadors, or senior leadership roles at many federal agencies. Democrats could also launch investigations into allegations that Trump’s family and friends are profiting from his presidency. And impeachment proceedings are a definite possibility, if not against Trump, then against his Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. The election outcome could also give Canada more leverage in trade talks with the Trump administration. The President is weakened, but he has plenty of time left in the White House to exercise the executive power voters gave him last election, including the power to veto Democrat bills. Politically speaking, though, this midterm vote could mark the beginning of the end of the Donald Trump era of U.S. politics, as the jockeying for position to replace him has already begun.

In other election news: Israeli President Isaac Herzog says he will begin consultations with party representatives on the formation of a new government. He has accepted the certified results from last week’s parliamentary elections, effectively pushing aside claims of voter fraud.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s had tried to discredit the vote, in which his religious-nationalist bloc lost its majority in the Israeli parliament, while Arab-led parties made historic gains. Netanyahu and his supporters have repeatedly made unsubstantiated claims that the Arab-led parties had stolen the election, possibly with foreign assistance.

In national news: Prime Minister Mark Carney says Russia will not be allowed to compete at next month’s world junior hockey championship in Alberta. Carney’s comments come after the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled Friday that Russia must be reinstated to international hockey competition, starting with the world junior tournament. Russian teams have been banned since Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Several European hockey federations, including Sweden, Finland, Czechia and Latvia, have said their teams will refuse to face Russia. Hockey Canada released a statement supporting the federal government’s position. And the Ukrainian foreign minister thanked the federations that had refused to play Russia and urged other hockey powers to follow suit. In his response, the Russian Ambassador to Canada suggests Ottawa has discovered a novel approach to winning international tournaments. Prime Minister Carney also says Russian and Belarusian athletes will not be permitted to represent their countries in Canada as long as the war in Ukraine continues. The federal government would use its immigration powers to prevent athletes and officials from entering Canada.

Sports

It was a tough week for the PECI Panthers last week with some heartbreaking losses.

Tuesday, both boys volleyball teams were in action against Central Hastings and Nicholson. The Juniors battled hard against Central Hastings then fell 3 – 1 to Nicholson while the seniors lost 2 – 0 to both Central Hastings and Nicholson.

Also on Tuesday, the junior boys soccer team battled number one seed Bayside to a 1 – 1 draw but lost on penalties. The lone PECI goal was scored by KJ Blair. The seniors also lost on penalties to St. Theresa after drawing 1 – 1 in regulation time.

Thursday the junior girls basketball team fell to Centennial 47 – 39 while the seniors battled to the final moments before Centennial was able to pull into the lead for a 46 – 38 win.

In rugby action, the senior girls lost a tough one 55 to 0 against a strong Weldon squad.

And in breaking news today, the junior girls Rugby team lost a hard fought semi-final game against Fenelon Falls 27-17.

Tune in every Tuesday at 4 and 6 pm for all the PECI Panthers scores.

BC Lions linebacker Darnell Sankey was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player today. The 32-year-old Sankey had a league-leading 114 tackles as well as three sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery this season.

In NHL action tonight, the Utah Mammoth are in Toronto for a 7 pm start against the Leafs, The Jets and the Canadians also get underway at 7 in Montreal and the Oilers and the New Jersey Devils drop the puck at 7 in New Jersey. Out west, the Anaheim Ducks travel to Vancouver to face the Canucks. That game starts at 9.

The post November 4, 2026 appeared first on 99.3 County FM.

It’s mid term election day in the US with control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in play. The Democrats are widely expected to win control of the House where they need only three seats to change hands. The Senate, however, is expected to be a much closer race with only one third of the seats up for reelection and the Democrats and Republicans running neck and neck in a number of contests. Results will begin to trickle in at 6 pm local time but could take days before all districts are finalized.

The County released the October building report today and construction is up significantly from the same time last year. The number of building permits issued rose only slightly but the value of work approved more than doubled from just under $8 million in October 2025 to more than $16 million for 2026. More importantly, 127 new residential units were approved this year compared to just 5 last year. Included in this year’s total is a 120 unit apartment building that will be located at Base 31.

Traffic was held up as a result of a two vehicle collision at the intersection of Sidney Street and Bridge Street West yesterday around 5:30 p.m. No one was injured but the driver of one vehicle was observed with signs of impairment. Police charged a 31 year old Belleville woman with driving while impaired.

Conservative MP Jamil Jivani is asking the ethics commissioner to investigate the relationship between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Telesat Corporation CEO Dan Goldberg. Jivani says Goldberg and Carney have a relationship going back two decades and describe themselves as good friends. Jivani is asking the commissioner to determine if Carney was involved in a recent decision to award Telesat a $2.3 billion military satellite deal and whether he should be recused from future decisions involving Telesat. A spokesperson for Telesat said Goldberg has never asked for special treatment from Carney on the ESCP-P project or any other project either before or after Carney took office.

President Donald Trump announced today that the United States will halt more $4 billion in annual funding for Israel at the end of this year. Trump said he made a deal with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the funding but it is unclear what funding Trump is referring to and whether Netanyahu will even be in power following the inconclusive results of the recent election in Israel. The US has a memorandum of understanding that provides $3.8 billion in US military aid to Israel until September 2028 but Trump said Israel no longer needs the money and he wanted to stop the left from using it as a bad talking point. Support for Israel has fallen recently and Democrats have used Trump’s support of Netanyahu to woo Republican voters.

The County announced the closure of a number of sidewalks today in preparation for winter. Seasonal sidewalks are not maintained by County staff during the winter and will not be cleared of snow or ice. A full list of the designated sidewalks is available on the County website.

And paving operations are planned for tomorrow on sections of Buchanan Avenue, Stirling Crescent, and Farrington Crescent in Picton as part of the work for Phase 2 of the Talbot Ridge subdivision. Motorists can expect minor delays while this work is underway.

Sports

It was a tough week for the PECI Panthers last week with some heartbreaking losses.

Tuesday, both boys volleyball teams were in action against Central Hastings and Nicholson. The Juniors battled hard against Central Hastings then fell 3 – 1 to Nicholson while the seniors lost 2 – 0 to both Central Hastings and Nicholson.

Also on Tuesday, the junior boys soccer team battled number one seed Bayside to a 1 – 1 draw but lost on penalties. The lone PECI goal was scored by KJ Blair. The seniors also lost on penalties to St. Theresa after drawing 1 – 1 in regulation time.

Thursday the junior girls basketball team fell to Centennial 47 – 39 while the seniors battled to the final moments before Centennial was able to pull into the lead for a 46 – 38 win.

In rugby action, the senior girls lost a tough one 55 to 0 against a strong Weldon squad.

And in breaking news today, the junior girls Rugby team lost a hard fought semi-final game against Fenelon Falls 27-17.

Tune in every Tuesday at 4 and 6 pm for all the PECI Panthers scores.

BC Lions linebacker Darnell Sankey was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player today. The 32-year-old Sankey had a league-leading 114 tackles as well as three sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery this season.

In NHL action tonight, the Utah Mammoth are in Toronto for a 7 pm start against the Leafs, The Jets and the Canadians also get underway at 7 in Montreal and the Oilers and the New Jersey Devils drop the puck at 7 in New Jersey. Out west, the Anaheim Ducks travel to Vancouver to face the Canucks. That game starts at 9.

The post November 3, 2026 appeared first on 99.3 County FM.

99.3 County FM is dedicated to keeping you informed about our programming.

To this end, we are sharing with you highlights of the next week on Sunday’s The County Writes…The County Reads and Monday to Friday Grapevine (noon hour & repeat 6:00 p.m.) plus any other unique programming specials.

This newsletter is sent once per week.  If you prefer not to know what’s happening on Grapevine, please inform us by emailing reception@993countyfm.ca.

Sunday, November 1, 2026

THE COUNTY WRITES….THE COUNTY READS

The story tellers edition! Grab a warm drink, curl up on the couch and listen to an eclectic mix of stories from local writers – Dominic Smith (Albert, the Loser), Dorothy Speirs (Family Dynamics), Adam Cavanaugh (Community Standards), Lawrence Scanlan (Luck of the Draw), Dawn Miller (Mother Said I Was Air) and Peter Blendell (10,000 Tears).  

Monday, November 2, 2026

TOPICAL ISSUES & CURRENT EVENTS

 Mayor-elect Ernie Margetson returns to the Monday Grapevine to discuss the election results, the makeup of council, and his priorities going  forward. (photo credit Sue Capon www.countylive.ca)
County resident Judy Kent describes what it was like to be invested as a Member of the Order of Canada by Governor General Louise Arbour at Rideau Hall on October 2^nd.
Todd Kline of Shawville, Quebec, was the winner of Pumpkinfest’s giant pumpkin contest with his entry which weighed in at 1,957 pounds.  He reveals his strategy for growing over-sized, prize-winning vegetables.
(photo credit Brenda Little 99.3 County FM)

Tuesday, November 3, 2026

VITAL CONVERSATIONS 

Why does intimate partner violence happen, why can it be so difficult to leave an abusive relationship, and how can communities help prevent it? In the second instalment of Vital Conversations, The County Foundation’s Dominique Jones speaks with Detective Constable Aaron Miller, Detachment Abuse Issues Investigator, and Valerie Blower, Interim Executive Director of Alternatives for Women. Together, they look beyond the statistics to explore the roots of intimate partner violence, barriers to finding safety, and actions we can take as a community.

WORLD OF WINE: Champagne

What do Cava, Crémant, and Champagne all have in common? … Bubbles! Sommelier Jay Whiteley talks to us about how sparkling wines are made, and just how many deliciously fizzy options there are beyond the champagne shelf. After tuning in, you may be more apt to celebrate your next big moment with a brand new bubbly!

SERVICES: Corporate Law 

As part of our Seniors in Transition series, local lawyer and business owner Sonya Szabo joins us to discuss planning for the next generation of a family business. If you’ve built a successful business, how do you prepare for a time when you can no longer run it and how will it pass to your beneficiaries after your death? Sonya will explore who might take over, the options if some or all family members don’t wish to inherit or operate the business, and how taxes can affect those decisions. 

Wednesday, November 4, 2026

COUNTY COOKS

Krista Hepburn speaks with fellow segment host, Liz Moran. They discuss the recipes they have both enjoyed through their lives and new ones they’ve learned while hosting the show. Tune in for this special crossover episode of County Cooks! 

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

Craig Mills speaks with Mark Armstrong of Armstrong Glassworks about what it takes to run a successful glass studio now located in the beautiful village of Wellington.

THE COUNTY, NATURALLY

Photo: Yeagov

What happens when a museum makes a mistake about a specimen? Apart from red faces, that is. If you’re the Getty Museum in California, you label a sculpture as “ancient Greek — or a modern fake”. If you’re the University of Alaska Fairbanks, you find out everything you can about a weird specimen and then … but Pamela Stagg will let Mat Wooller of the University tell that hilarious story.

Thursday,   November 5,  2026

COUNTY GROWS

Krista Hepburn speaks with Gemmy of the Horticulture Society as she details the best ways to preserve your houseplants in the winter and keep them healthy. 

COUNTY PROFILE

Andy Kim, writer of “Rock Me Gently” and “Sugar, Sugar”, speaks with JJ Johnston about life, music, and an upcoming performance at the Regent. 

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Anne Russell interviews Ross Hamilton of the Bloomfield Rec Committee about the Night time Santa Claus Parade in Bloomfield on Nov. 27th.

Roxanne speaks with Ava Darling, facilitator of the Death Cafe.  Ava shares how these meetings have created a comfortable environment for people to engage in open, respectful, and gently facilitated conversations about all aspects of death since 2016.  Since 2023, the “Death Cafe at The Andrew” has started a new Facebook page and has continued to offer 3 gatherings in both the fall and spring.  

Friday,   November 6, 2026

ARTSCENE

Co-host Catelyn Thornton talks with two County artists, Susanne Larner and Hri Neil from the Dept. of Illumination about their preparations for the 14th magical Firelight Lantern Festival on Nov. 6th and 7th. They also discuss the cultural impact of this annual event on community building in the County. 

SPORTS ROUNDUP  

The Prince Edward County Sports Hall of Fame showcases memorable athletes and events.

PET REPORT

Dave Wheatley reports on lost and found cats as well as profiling the ones looking for a forever home. 

WHAT’S THE BUZZ? 

New Music

Pat Larkin presents current music trends, artists, and releases. 

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS  Nov 1-7

War of the Worlds October 31st

Halloween night at 9, tune in for County FM’s annual broadcast of Orson Welles’ 1938 radio drama, War of the Worlds. Witness the chilling story that caused a whole generation to believe that Earth was truly being invaded by little green men from Mars! Sponsored by JJ International Media/Management Solutions. 

14th Annual Firelight Lantern Festival Nov 6 & 7

The Department of Illumination returns with one of our most cherished community events. The Department of Illumination lights up the night with The Firelight Lantern Festival including two magical evenings of arts and music at the Crystal Palace in Picton and of course the wonderful Festive Parade (gather at Benson Park Nov 7 at 6pm). Media sponsor 99.3 CountyFM.   Learn more

Seniors’ Information and Active Living Fair Nov 12
Join CountyFM at the Wellington and District Community Centre. Over 50 vendors from the community showcasing the services they offer, as well as presentations and entertainment. This free event runs 10am – 2pm. All are welcome! Free lunch and refreshments while supplies last.

Accessibility Minded Information Session Nov 16

Calling all county business owners and community leaders. Learn how accessibility minded sponsorship can drive your bottom line and create a welcoming environment for all. Attend the Accessibility Minded information session.November 16th 8:30 – 10:30am at St. Andrew Anglican Church in Wellington. Register by November 9th www.accessibilityminded.com   Media sponsor 99.3 CountyFM.

Shatterbox Theatre “Next to Normal” at The Cape Nov 12-21, CountyFM presents

Winner of 3 Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Next to Normal is a powerful and deeply moving contemporary musical that explores family, mental health, love, loss, and resilience. Recommended for 14+, there is also a content advisory.  Learn more.  Keep listening for your chance to win tickets.

Volunteer Opportunities
Indigenous host – IndigiVibes Wednesday 7p-8p

French host – C’est Bon – Wednesday 8p-9p

Admin/reception – shifts available Monday- Friday.

Call the station –  613-476-2229 or email volunteer@993countyfm.ca

Newsletter Sign Up

99.3 Grapevine newsletter, signup button on the top right of our website.

The post GRAPEVINE NEWSLETTER – Sunday, November 1 – Saturday November 7, 2026 appeared first on 99.3 County FM.

In local news, the major structural rehabilitation of County Road 49 reached another key milestone this week as the contractor completed rubblization of the existing concrete roadway. The contractor anticipates that the first layer of asphalt will be installed on the entire 17.2 km span of County Road 49 by the end of this weekend (Sunday, November 1).

Next week, the contractor will focus on crossroad intersections in order to blend to the new raised elevation of County Road 49. Single lane traffic will remain open during intersection work with traffic control and flagging.

Work will also take place next week to prepare the existing gravel shoulders for asphalt. The second and third lift of asphalt will be paved wider than the first base lift. This will result in 2.0 metre (6.5 feet) paved shoulders.

IIHF

In world sports news, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled today that Russian teams must be allowed to play in International Ice Hockey Federation events such as the world championships. The Courts ruling overturned IIHF decisions which excluded Russia from events in the 2026-27 season including the men’s and women’s world championships following their invasion of Ukraine.
CAS said its ruling did not address issues such as whether Russia should be required to play without national symbols as a team of neutral athletes, as in some other Olympic sports. The IIHF expressed disappointment with the ruling and said it “maintains that its decisions were necessary to protect the safety and security of all participants and safeguard the integrity of its competitions.

ECONOMY

This morning, Stats Canada released its report on our economy through August showing that growth has stalled for a second month in a row. They forecast a further decline in September. Real GDP was essentially unchanged in August, falling short of economists’ calls and the agency’s own early expectations for a gain of 0.2 per cent.

Some good news for County businesses is that retail trade was among the bright spots in the month, posting 1.2 per cent growth and more than making up for a decline in July.

For the province’s economy, Ontario’s deficit has grown by more than $3 billion in the past few months as the province continues to face economic headwinds blowing up from the U.S. In an economic update delivered yesterday, the Ford government said the deficit for 2026-27 is now projected to be $16.9 billion, up from the $13.8 billion that was projected in the budget back in March. The rise is mainly due to the impact of U.S. tariffs and global unrest impacting the price of gas.

And finally, millions of Canadians will turn their clocks back one hour this weekend, while millions of others will not. This divide is putting Canadians under different time systems — with potentially different consequences for their health. Most of British Columbia, as well as Alberta, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories are no longer changing their clocks twice a year, joining Yukon and Saskatchewan. Most of Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces will still turn their clocks back on Nov. 1 for the end of daylight saving time.

For Quebec, this could be the last time. The Provincial Government is moving to end the twice-yearly clock change, but it has not yet decided which time the province will keep and that a decision will be made after consulting experts.

Research suggests permanent standard time — the time we return to in the fall — is more closely aligned with the body’s internal clock than permanent daylight time, which several provinces have chosen.

Sports

Locally, you may want to take in the Wellington Duke home game tonight against Aurora because this is playoff weekend in the sports world.

On Saturday afternoon, the CFL conference finals get underway. At 1:00 the Winnipeg Blue Bombers travel to Toronto to face the Argonauts, The winner will face Montreal in the conference final next weekend. In the West it is the BC Lions hosting the Saskatchewan Roughriders at 4:30. That winner takes on the Edmonton Elks a week later.

In Canadian professional soccer playoffs, the Women’s Northern Soccer League semi-final starts tomorrow as FC Toronto travels to Ottawa to face Rapid FC. On Sunday afternoon, the Montreal Roses host the Vancouver Rise. Each semi-final is a two game aggregate format.

The Men’s Canadian Premier League semi-final starts Sunday with the Hamilton Forge at Atlético Ottawa at 1:00. That match will be followed at 4:00 with Calgary’s Cavalry FC at FC Supra du Québec. The CPL also uses a two game aggregate format.

F1

In F1 racing, could this be the weekend that the the youngest ever drivers’ champion be crown. That is what awaits Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli at the Mexico Grand Prix this weekend. He has a 123 point lead over teammate George Russell and 124 over Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari with 125 left this season. So, if by the end of the race on Sunday afternoon at 3:00, he is more than 100 points ahead, he is uncatchable.

The post October 30, 2026 appeared first on 99.3 County FM.

Good afternoon. From the heart of Prince Edward County, I’m Will Pearson with your County FM News.  

The Bank of Canada has raised its benchmark interest rate to 2 ½ from 2 1/4 per cent, marking its first increase since 2023 after holding it seven consecutive times. The announcement comes after much speculation from economists who predicted Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem would announce a raise, based on statements he had made about inflation, calling it too high.

The annual Consumer Price Index rose 3.1% in September, led by higher prices for gasoline, which rose by almost 28 per cent, amid ongoing uncertainty about the wars in the Middle East. Officials at the Bank of Canada expressed concern that the longer gas prices remain elevated, the more likely it is that businesses will raise prices on other good and services.

In personal finance news: A review of banking fees in Canada was released last week by the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada. The review found that the way some banking fees are structured can make costs harder to understand and compare. For example, multiple fees can apply to a single transaction, increasing its total cost. Foreign exchange and cross-border debit fees can be embedded in the cost of a transaction, making the amount consumers pay in fees less visible. And usage-based fees can make costs difficult to predict, particularly when consumers have difficulty tracking how many transactions they have made. Individually, these fees can appear relatively small, but the Review found that they can add up over time. 

In consumer news: A third of Canadians are borrowing funds and dipping into savings to put food on the table, according to Dalhousie University’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab. When making decisions at the grocery store, most Canadians have affordability at top of mind, beating concerns for nutrition, taste, or environmental responsibility. And the familiar cost-saving strategies don’t appear to work as well anymore. Clipping coupon, shopping at cheaper stores, looking for better prices online, buying fewer non-essential foods, seeking sales and discounts, and switching to cheaper brands are all on the decline. Consumers might be reaching a degree of adaptation or strategy fatigue after several years of elevated food prices.

Finally, Monday’s municipal elections ushered in some notable wins for women across Ontario.  Voters elected their first female mayors in some cities, new female mayors in several others, and an all-female council in a village southwest of Ottawa. These are some encouraging signs that women are making inroads in Ontario municipal politics, according to Tracey Raney, a professor in the department of politics and public administration at Toronto Metropolitan University. We’re inching closer to gender parity in Canadian politics, but the pace of change is very slow and setbacks do occur, notes Elizabeth Goodyear-Grant, a political studies professor at Queen’s University. Those setbacks include highly-visible female incumbents like Mississauga’s Carolyn Parrish and Hamilton’s Andrea Horwath facing defeat. And women continue to face barriers in politics, including less access to donors and fundraising, gendered stereotypes about their qualifications, and harassment on the campaign trail and in office. 

Sports

In Bay of Quinte high school boys’ soccer action yesterday, PECI lost in double overtime in their semi final against St. Theresa’s. PECI has qualified for COSSA, which they’ll host.

In the fourth game of MLB’s World Series last night, the Milwaukee Brewers were three outs away from a sweep, but the Tampa Bay Rays staved off elimination at home, winning 4–3 in 12 innings to force Game 5 tonight in Tampa Bay. Both teams are looking for a first-ever World Series title.

In the NHL, four Canadian teams played last night. The Ottawa Senators lost 4 – 1 to the Vegas Golden Knights. The Montreal Canadiens shut out the St. Louis Blues 2 – 0. The Winnipeg Jets lost 5 – 1 to the Florida Panthers for their sixth straight loss. And the Vancouver Canucks beat Anaheim 6 – 5, in a come-back, overtime win to snap a 10-game losing streak. Tonight, three Canadian teams are in action. The Leafs visit the Seattle Kraken, and the Edmonton Oilers host the Calgary Flames, who are on a four-game winning streak.

Game 6 of the WNBA Finals goes tomorrow afternoon in Atlanta, with the Golden State Valkyries up three games to two.

In the NBA, the Toronto Raptors host the Orlando Magic for their next two games, tonight and Friday night.

And in MLS tonight, Toronto FC hosts DC United with a playoff spot on the line, CF Montreal is in Charlotte, and the Western-Conference-leading Vancouver Whitecaps host San Diego FC.

The post October 28, 2026 appeared first on 99.3 County FM.

A Roseneath man has been charged with child sexual abuse by Cobourg Police. Police received a report involving child sexual offences in August and arrested the accused following a criminal investigation. The 34 year old man has been charged with luring, invitations to sexual touching, possession of sexual material and making sexually material available to a minor. He is being held in custody pending a hearing.

European Union officials say discussing Canada’s relationship with the EU is a priority at this week’s European summit in Montreal. Senior EU officials say no timing has been established yet and the details are still being discussed but the 27 EU member states are united in a desire for the closest possible relationship with Canada. If the EU creates a new associate member status, Canada would be the first country to join. Prime Minister Mark Carney has been aggressively pursuing a stronger relationship with Europe but has repeatedly said Canada is not seeking full membership in the EU. Closer ties would help both parties to counterbalance escalating tariffs and security threats from the US under Donald Trump.

In another deal to diversify Canadian trade, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates, is in Ottawa today to sign an agreement on a free trade deal that will see the UAE invest $70 billion in Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney said details of the strategic partnership will be released later today.

The federal government has introduced new legislation that will exclude people suffering solely from mental illness from medically assisted death. Justice Minister Sean Fraser said today that the decision to exclude mental illness follows extensive consultation with lawmakers, a special parliamentary committee and a review by his own department. The new legislation will also allow people to make an advance request for Medically Assisted Death before they lose the ability to consent. Advanced consent will need to meet certain criteri to be approved. The option for advanced requests would only be offered in provinces that introduce specific legislation regulating those requests. The bill for the new Federal legislation must pass through multiple parliamentary steps and is not expected to become law for a year or more.

A Newfoundland couple have been fined $4,000 each for disrupting a Flair Airlines flight to Deer Lake. Apparently the man refused to remain in his seat, yelled at passengers and crew and removed his shirt. He also threatened cabin staff when a meal service item he wanted to buy was unavailable. The woman also refused to remain seated and at one point removed all her clothing below the waist and walked up and down the aisle yelling at passengers. While the fines are substantial, the judge trying the man’s case said disrupting the safety and comfort of airline passengers is a serious offense and if the prosecution had not requested the fine he would have imposed a jail sentence.

And the Los Angeles Public Library is celebrating it’s 100th anniversary with the world’s largest pop up book. Luceros y Penumbras, or Starlight and Shadows in English, is nearly 5 meters wide and more than 6 meters tall with some pop up designs reaching almost 4 meters high. The book is made of specially engineered paper and requires eleven people using special sticks to turn the pages and open the pop ups. And, no, you can’t sign the book out.

Sports

It was a tough week for the PECI Panthers with playoffs and Bay of Quinte Championships.

Monday, the senior girls basketball team fell 38-34 to Quinte Christian at home.

Tuesday the senior girls lost a close one to ENSS 48-45 while the jniors fell 49-32. In soccer, the senior boys opened the playoffs with a dominant 5-1 win over St. Pauls including a long range goal by Aleks Gierak. In volleyball, the junior boys split their matches, falling 2-1 to Quinte Christian before bouncing back with a 2-0 win over ENSS while the seniors lost 4-0.

Wednesday Isla Kamink led PECI at the Bay of Quinte Cross Country Championships placing fith in novice girls and helping the PECI team to a third place finish.

Thursday, the junior boys soccer team advanced to the next round with a 1-0 playoff win over Nicholson on a lone goal by Remington Leavitt.

Friday was a big day for girls rugby. The juniors captured gold at the Bay of Quinte Championships, outscoring their opponents 69-10. The seniors took home bronze after falling to Centennial in the semi-finals.

Listen every Tuesday at 4 and 6 pm for the weekly roundup of PECI Panther’s action.

In NBA news, Kawhi Leonard’s return to Toronto is going to be interrupted for a few weeks. The popular forward will be sidelined while swelling in his knee is addressed according to the team.

Four Canadian teams will see action in the NHL tonight. Montreal is in St. Louis for an 8 pm start, the Florida Panthers travel to Winnipeg for an 8 pm face-off against the Jets, The Sens are in Las Vegas for a 10 pm game with the Golden Knights and Vancouver is in Anaheim to face the Ducks, also at 10.

The post October 27, 2026 appeared first on 99.3 County FM.

99.3 County FM is dedicated to keeping you informed about our programming.

To this end, we are sharing with you highlights of the next week on Sunday’s The County Writes…The County Reads and Monday to Friday Grapevine (noon hour & repeat 6:00 p.m.) plus any other unique programming specials.

This newsletter is sent once per week.  If you prefer not to know what’s happening on Grapevine, please inform us by emailing reception@993countyfm.ca.

Sunday, October 25, 2026

THE COUNTY WRITES….THE COUNTY READS

12^th anniversary show! Terry Fallis was the first author to appear on The County Writes…The County Reads with his fourth novel No Relation. He returns to the show with his eleventh novel, An End in Itself that imagines a world where literature rules—and one humble writer discovers that success can be the strangest fiction of all. Excerpts from Show #1, October 26, 2014: Alan Gratias was the first story teller and his tale of Harry and Henry remains a classic. John Mather and Deb Simpson read the first pages of books which were available for book clubs through the library.

Monday, October 26, 2026

TOPICAL ISSUES & CURRENT EVENTS

Dr. Dawn Bowdish, Executive Director of the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, discusses the early arrival of flu season, available vaccines for flu, covid and rsv, high risk groups and prevention. 
Michele Lintern-Mole and Philip Knox of www.atcaudiopodcasts.com describe discovering An Untitled Play by renowned poet Al Purdy, adapting it for radio, and upcoming casting call on Oct. 28 & 30.
Craig Foster, County FM’s news director reflects on the municipal election campaign and previews the station’s coverage of election results Monday, Oct. 26.

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

OCCUPATIONS OF INTEREST — Helicopter Pilot What does it take to become a helicopter pilot, and what’s involved in flying one of these remarkable aircraft? We’re joined by Steve Toews, Managing Director of eXigo Aviation International, whose career has taken him into a wide variety of flying operations. We’ll explore how helicopter training and technology have evolved, what’s involved in flying across international borders, how pilots assess unfamiliar landing sites, and what kinds of things can go wrong. From the challenges of weather to the responsibilities of carrying passengers, Steve offers us a fascinating look into a profession most of us know very little about. 

(Interviewer: Suzanne)

COUNTY DOG WITH TASHA 

What comes after sit, stay, and come? In this month’s County Dog, trainer Tasha Shaw-Verbic joins us to explore taking dog training beyond the basics. We’ll talk about the possibilities, the commitment involved and how to find a challenge that both you and your dog enjoy. Plus, could the skills you develop together carry over into other parts of your life?

(Interviewer: Suzanne)

Wednesday,   October 28, 2026

COUNTY COOKS

With the frost’s arrival in the County, it is time to dig under the earth for flavour and nutrition. And oh what delights we find! Chef Chris Byrne stops by and brings the funky beets, an underutilized root that is so versatile. Tune in for all things beets. 

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

Pearl Hucul speaks with Katy McIntyre, owner of Idyll Books in Bloomfield where you can find a hand picked selection of new and pre-loved books by your favourite, popular, and local authors.

THE COUNTY, NATURALLY

       Photo: Cbaile19

Southern Ontario is ground zero for invasive alien species, whether it’s a plant (dog-strangling vine), an insect (emerald ash borer) or an animal (grass carp). That’s because invasive species can arrive by plane, vehicle or water. The trick is identifying them early and eradicating them fast. Spotted knapweed has now been seen in the County and Pamela Stagg will talk about it with Vicki Simcovic of the Invasive Plant Species Council.

Thursday,  October 29,  2026

COUNTY GROWS

Cheryl McLellan interviews local horticulturalists, farmers, and gardeners to learn more about the care and variety of the many green growing things in our county.

COUNTY PROFILE

Danielle Crittenden and Friend! Danielle shares the details of the life of a journalist traveling around the world with great love and curiosity, in a conversation with Renay Weissman-Stanners.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Barbara Sweet and Liz Zylstra talk about the upcoming Repair Cafe to be held on Nov 7 at the Picton Branch Library, organized by Feral Folc. 

Friday,  October 30, 2026

ARTSCENE

This week we step inside the world of Next to Normal, the powerful, award-winning rock musical being brought to the stage by Prince Edward County’s Shatterbox Theatre. Join Cheryl Singer as she chats with director Julie Lane and assistant director Robin Snip about the emotional heart of the show, the challenges of bringing this complex story to life, and the magic of community theatre. Catch the conversation on Artscene!

SPORTS ROUNDUP  

The Prince Edward County Sports Hall of Fame showcases memorable athletes and events.

PET REPORT

Dave Wheatley reports on lost and found cats as well as profiling the ones looking for a forever home. 

WHAT’S THE BUZZ? 

It’s the first ever I Know That Voice, “Halloween Spooktacular!” On this very special episode, host Gage Broderick will highlight some of the most iconic voices that stick with us through the most haunted season of the year. From Bela Lugosi to Vincent Price, see if your favorites end up on the list!  

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS  Oct 25-31

Election Coverage on the 99.3 CountyFM Archive 

Use the search button at our website, to hear the mayor’s debate or to listen to profiles on the councilors (search by your ward such as “Ward 5” or by the name of the candidate).  Our Newsteam bring you all the action Monday night with live reports!  The Municipal election is Monday, October 26, 2026, if you have voted – great, if not – please get out and vote.

Casting Call “An Untitled Play by Al Purdy” Oct 28 & 30

Wednesday Oct 28th 6:30pm and Friday Oct 30th 6:30-8:30pm Bethany Christian Reform Church, 158 Bloomfield (west door – basement).  A radio adaptation by Phil Knox. Roles for all ages.  Contact philipaknox@gmail.com

14th Annual Firelight Lantern Festival Nov 6 & 7

The Department of Illumination returns with one of our most cherished community events. The Department of Illumination lights up the night with The Firelight Lantern Festival including two magical evenings of arts and music at the Crystal Palace in Picton and of course the wonderful Festive Parade (gather at Benson Park Nov 7 at 6pm). Media sponsor 99.3 CountyFM.   Learn more

Accessibility Minded Information Session Nov 16

Calling all county business owners and community leaders. Learn how accessibility minded sponsorship can drive your bottom line and create a welcoming environment for all. Attend the Accessibility Minded information session.November 16th 8:30 – 10:30am at St. Andrew Anglican Church in Wellington. Register by November 9th www.accessibilityminded.com   Media sponsor 99.3 CountyFM.

Shatterbox Theatre “Next to Normal” at The Cape Nov 12-21, CountyFM presents

Winner of 3 Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Next to Normal is a powerful and deeply moving contemporary musical that explores family, mental health, love, loss, and resilience. Recommended for 14+, there is also a content advisory.  Learn more. 

Volunteer Opportunities
Indigenous host – IndigiVibes Wednesday 7p-8p

French host – C’est Bon – Wednesday 8p-9p

Admin/reception – shifts available Monday- Friday.

Call the station 613-476-2229 or email volunteer@993countyfm.ca

Newsletter Sign Up

99.3 Grapevine newsletter, signup button on the top right of our website.

The post GRAPEVINE NEWSLETTER – Sunday, October 25 – Saturday October 31, 2026 appeared first on 99.3 County FM.

In local news, as reported this morning, the Southeast Public Health website continues to be temporarily offline while critical software updates are being made. These updates will address any vulnerabilities in the site’s software, which have been identified.

This is a precautionary measure, and Southeast Public Health wants to assure the public that there has been no unauthorized access to the website.

Public health enquiries can still be made by calling 613-966-5500 or 1-800-267-2803

MAPLE SYRUP

The head of Quebec’s maple syrup producers’ association says the province’s strategic syrup reserve has run dry amid high demand for the product. The producers’ association has established a strategic reserve to ensure prices and supply remain relatively stable. Last year, U.S. commercial customers stocked up, fearing that President Donald Trump would carry out his threat to impose tariffs.

Canada produces about 75% of the world’s supply of maple syrup. 90% of that $1.2 billion comes from Quebec. Ontario supplies 3.7%

Like many other Canadian industries, maple syrup producers have been diversifying their export market. Twenty years ago, 80% of exports went to the United States. This year that has dropped to 65%. As well, with the dwindling of reserves, price increases are inevitable. The Producers’ Association are seeking provincial government assistance to stem that increase and help maintain global market share for maple syrup.

NATIONAL PARKS

Parks Canada expects to eliminate the equivalent of 500 full-time jobs across the country as part of a “workforce adjustment due to decreases in federal funding. Nearly 3,000 Parks Canada staff were notified this week that their jobs are at risk.

There are 37 national parks and 11 national park reserves that protect over 343,000 square kilometres of lands in Canada.

Thousand Island National Park is the closest one to Prince Edward County. Kingston Fortifications National Historic Sites, like Fort Henry, are privately operated and should not be impacted. The closest park to Prince Edward County is Thousand Island National Park.

And finally, the haunting call of Canada’s common loon, that is synonymous with nightfall in the summer, is becoming less common amid widespread declines.

New research suggests substantial North American declines, with Prairie and Atlantic populations suffering among the steepest losses.

“The most alarming thing is the extent of this decline,” said Matthew Fuirst, an ecologist with Birds Canada and one of the authors of a study published yesterday.

Canada is home to 94 per cent of the global common loon population, with an estimated 254,000 breeding couples (half a million individuals) that migrate north to make the next generation every spring.

The iconic species, a minted representation of which many Canadians routinely carry around in their pockets and purses, has faced threats before from DDT, lead based fishing tackle and mercury poisoning. Now, the latest team of nearly two dozen collaborators from Canada and the U.S. cite climate change among a list of possible drivers for declines in loon chicks.

Sports

HOCKEY

The second place Wellington Dukes had another busy stretch ahead of them. They got a bit of a reprieved as their game last night was postponed. Tonight they are in Markham at 8 PM to battle the first place Royals. On Monday night they will be in Toronto facing off against the Warriors.

In the Northern Premier Hockey League, The County Royals are off to Stone Mills tomorrow night to take on the Tamsworth Sabres at 6:35.

CFL

In the CFL, it is the final week of the regular season. Three teams and vying for two playoff spots. The Saskatchewan Roughriders have clinched a playoff spot but don’t know where they’re going to finish. They face the West Leading Edmonton Elks tomorrow afternoon.

It is win and you are in for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers who face the playoff bound BC Lions tonight. Lose and the Calgary Stampeders are in.

One of those three teams will finish third in the West Division and visit the BC Lions in the Western Semi-Final on October 31. One will finish fourth, clinch a crossover playoff spot, and take on the Toronto Argonauts in the Eastern Semi-Final that same day. And either Winnipeg or Calgary will not qualify for the postseason.

F1

Fi racing is back this weekend. This time the site is Austin, Texas for the United States Grand Prix. Practice sessions start this afternoon and wrap up tomorrow at 1:30. The qualifying session starts at 5:00 tomorrow afternoon with the main race going Sunday afternoon at 4:00 pm. Kimi Antonelli, with a win this weekend or at least finish higher than his teammate George Russell, could claim the Drivers’ Championship. He would be the youngest driver to do so in the history of F1 Grand Prix racing.

The post October 23, 2026 appeared first on 99.3 County FM.

They are still counting the ballots but it looks like Albertans have decisively rejected the idea of independence. At last check, the remain in Canada side leads with more than 75% of the vote while less than 25% are in favour of separation. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre all said they were pleased with the result. The other 9 questions on topics ranging from immigration to social benefits for newcomers are much closer and could still swing either way but the yes side leads on all but one, question 8, which relates to federal fund transfers to the provinces. There were reports of ballot shortages and delays at a number of polling stations yesterday but elections Alberta officers say the problems were addressed.

And, if you are looking for more information before voting in the upcoming municipal election, Community Reporter Brenda Little had this to say about two new websites that might be helpful:

Voting started on Saturday but if you are still undecided who will get your vote there are two new free websites available to give you more information about the candidates. The Prince Edward county Field Naturalists collaborated with 17 other local environmental groups to create a survey that was sent to all 35 candidates. Of the 23 that replied, Ernie Margetson was the only mayoral candidate to respond. The 4 questions asked the candidates where they stand on issues such as conservation, development, natural heritage protection and municipal planning. To see how candidates feel about our natural heritage go to pecfieldnaturalists.org.
The other free website to check out is pecvotes.ca. The site includes profiles of all candidates running for council with links to their platforms, a motion database from every council meeting since 2010 and regarding incumbents, one can see how they voted on real motions and their meeting attendance. The site is not affiliated with the corporation of Prince Edward. It is so important to have your say with your vote so check out pecvotes.ca or pecfieldnaturalists.org to help you make your decision.

If you live on or regularly use Fry Road, you may want to change your route. County staff announced today that Fry Road will be closed near the intersection of County Road 5 for three weeks starting next Monday so three culverts can be replaced. Access for local residents will be maintained from County Road 4 but there will be no access from County Road 5.

And a section of County Road 2 that was to be closed today to replace a culvert at Bowerman Creek will now close tomorrow according to County staff. The closure will be between Wilson Road and Closson Road with traffic control in place. Motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible.

What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas but there can still be serious consequences as an Ontario man learned this week. Mitchell Fairburn was in Las Vegas attending a Contractor’s Convention last March when, by his own admission, he drank 30 to 40 beers over a 24 hour period. He then got the bright idea of taking a bird from the Flamingo Hotel’s Flamingo enclosure as a joke. Fairburn grabbed Peachy, a 27 year old Flamingo, and put him in his friends room. The friends woke up to find the bird sharing their accomodation and put him out in the hall where he was discovered by hotel staff. Peachy was injured and traumatized during the incident and required vetrinary care. Fairburn was convicted of cruelty to animals in a Nevada courtroom this week and will be sentenced in December. Peachy has fully recovered but Fairburn faces up to 4 years in prison.

Sports

It was another busy week for the PECI Panthers,

Tuesday, the junior girls rugby team picked up a 31–12 win over Bayside, while the seniors fell 29–5.Wednesday, the junior girls basketball team beat Central Hastings 31–23, while the seniors battled hard but came up short, losing 49–46.

Thursday, junior boys soccer had a big 6–2 win over Quinte Christian, led by a hat trick from Kolby Boschma.

Friday was a busy one. The senior boys soccer team fell 3–1 to Nicholson, with Kayden Bowman scoring the lone goal, while the juniors bounced back with a 3–0 win

In rugby, the junior girls narrowly lost 21–17 to St. Paul’s, while the seniors dominated St. Theresa’s 33–5. Sophie Caissie scored twice, and Kensey Koutroulides added four converts.

And the Elementary 7 and 8 boys soccer team won the school group tournament and are headed to the districts next week!

That’s your PECI Panthers update for last week. Listen every Tuesday at 4 and 6 pm to hear all the scores.

In NHL action tonight, The Sharks are in Montreal for a 7 pm start against the Canadiens, the Leafs travel to Columbus for a 7 pm faceoff against the Bluejackets, the Jets and Blues get underway in St. Louis at 8, the Wild are in Edmonton for a 9 pm puck drop with the Oilers and the Hurricanes and the Canucks face off at 10 pm in Vancouver.

The post October 20, 2026 appeared first on 99.3 County FM.