In this episode of Backroads Bill, we take you inside the Canadian Ecology Centre's summer programs, where students leave the traditional classroom behind and experience learning in the heart of nature.Bill and Ben are joined by Josh, Shelby and Sarah who are just 3 of the educators who spend their time in the summer to help teach different courses. They share what makes this immersive program so unique, from teaching science and geography outdoors to using hands-on activities, fieldwork, and real-world experiences to bring lessons to life.They also discuss how living, learning, and exploring together helps students build confidence, curiosity, and a deeper connection to the natural world.0:00 – Inside a Unique Way to Teach4:17 – Why Teachers Keep Coming Back10:48 – Learning Through Hands-On Outdoor Activities19:08 – Building Stronger Student Connections32:34 – Why Experiential Learning Works

In this episode of Backroads Bill, we sit down with geologist, prospector, and landman Mark Hall to explore the fascinating world of gold prospecting in Northern Ontario.Mark explains how gold forms, where prospectors look for it, and what it really takes to find it.We also follow along as Bill tries his hand at gold panning, uncovering a few flakes along the way while learning the techniques, tools, and history behind one of Canada's oldest outdoor pursuits.0:00 – Meet Geologist & Prospector Mark Hall3:16 – Where to Find Gold in Northern Ontario06:13 – How to Choose the Best Gold Panning Location12:18 – Gold Panning Tools & Techniques19:01 – Can You Actually Make Money Panning for Gold?

In this episode of Backroads Bill, Bill shares the story behind the North Bay Centennial Heritage Map, a special project created to highlight 100 years of North Bay history.He walks through the stories, landmarks, waterways, railways, military history, and community moments that helped shape the city. From the evolution of North Bay's waterfront to its role as a transportation hub and gateway to the North, this episode looks at how the city has changed while still holding onto its roots.0:00 – Intro4:25 – How the Map Project Came Together11:31 – North Bay's Origins, Railways & Early Growth17:44 – The Transformation of North Bay's Waterfront28:19 – The Process of Creating a Heritage Map

In this episode of Backroads Bill, we sit down with Sheri and Jay, the creators behind The Beauty of the Backcountry YouTube channel.The couple shares how a love of hiking, canoe tripping, and exploring Northern Ontario grew into a successful YouTube channel that inspires thousands of outdoor enthusiasts.From Lake Superior and Killarney to the French River and Wabakimi, they discuss some of their favourite adventures, the challenges of filming in remote locations, and what it takes to capture the beauty of the wilderness on camera.We also talk about camping lessons learned the hard way, winter adventures, backcountry travel, and how Jay creates original music for their videos, giving each story a unique personal touch.Find Jay and Sherri's channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@beautyofthebackcountry 0:00 – How Beauty of the Backcountry Began9:37 – Favourite Canoe Routes in Northern Ontario13:42 – The Power of Lake Superior16:40 – Essential Backcountry Camping Tips29:26 – Creating Original Music for YouTube Videos

This episode 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.  The mining sector issues a challenge to help the environmental education centre.Our guest is 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.0:00 – Intro6:53 – Modern Mining & Technology13:28 – Mental Health in Mining21:13 – Teachers Mining Tours30:09 – Careers & Hiring in Mining

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

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

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

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

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