A number of people spent part of their afternoon protesting in front of Northumberland – Peterborough South MPP David Piccini’s office in Port Hope on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Volunteers from Blue Dot Northumberland, were joined by approximately 65 supporters, gathered along Peter Street protesting a number of provincial issues.
Demonstrators voiced concerns over the proposed amalgamation of Conservation Authorities, the planned Highway 413 project, reductions to the Endangered Species Act, and changes to Freedom of Information rules. Additional participants carried signs protesting insufficient funding for health care and education
Faye McFarlane voiced her concern about the amalgamation of 37 conservation authorities into nine is a bad decision for the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority.
“We don’t know what’s going to happen, but we need (GRCA) here for our needs.
“They know our needs, they our watershed, our farmland. So that knowledge and experience is vital.”
“Amalgamating those will reduce their effectiveness. It’s just not going to work.
McFarlane says a small portion of provincial funds goes into the conservation authorities.
“Most of the costs are covered by the municipalities and they don’t want amalgamation as far as I know.”
Another issue McFarlane voiced her concern about was saving farmland.
“We are losing 319 acres everyday of agricultural land in southern Ontario to development.”
Barbara Wallace says she “continues to be appalled by the Ford government and their lack of caring for the people of Ontario.”
Specifically Wallace says her two grandsons are entering university/college programs.
Their OSAP has now been affected by what Wallace says is Ford’s “attack on students.”
Funding has been reduced significantly and friends of her grandson are not able to further their education even though they’ve been accepted.
The official opposition asked they reverse their decision, but the Conservative party unanimously said no.
“It’s wrong.”
“I feel that this is just despicable because students are the future of Ontario. If we don’t educate our young people, whatever their field is, whatever their strengths are we are failing our young people.”
The 67-year-old said she has never been to a protest before.
“I cannot any longer sit by and watch what is happening in Ontario.”
“It’s evil what is happening.”
“It’s not serving the people of Ontario. We have destroyed the environment, the health care system – we are privatizing things that have no business being privatized. We are dismantling education. We are taking power away from people who need it the most.”
The protest drew visible support from passing motorists, many of whom signaled encouragement as they drove by.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
