The Backroads Bill Podcast Podcast By North Bay Echo cover art

The Backroads Bill Podcast

The Backroads Bill Podcast

By: North Bay Echo
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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_bill

and 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 Bill

Producer: Ben Sargent

Produced by Clark CommunicationsCopyright North Bay Echo World
Episodes
  • Ignace: From Fading Town to Future Hub

    Ignace: From Fading Town to Future Hub
    Mar 27 2026
    On this episode of Backroads Bill, we head to Northwestern Ontario to take a closer look at the township of Ignace, a small community facing a big decision about its future.

    Once supported by forestry, mining, and tourism, Ignace has seen its population decline and its economy slow in recent years. With mills closing and opportunities becoming harder to find, the town found itself at a crossroads. That changed when Ignace was selected as the host community for Canada’s proposed deep geological repository for used nuclear fuel, a project that could bring billions in investment, new jobs, and long-term stability.

    We’re joined by Jake Pastore to talk about how the community approached the decision, the years of education and public consultation involved, and what it took to earn support from residents and local First Nations partners.

    We also explore what comes next, from new housing and infrastructure to the construction of a major research and operations facility that could reshape Ignace for generations.
    Show more Show less
    49 mins
  • The Wawa Runestone: Northern Ontario’s Newest Archaeological Mystery

    The Wawa Runestone: Northern Ontario’s Newest Archaeological Mystery
    Mar 18 2026
    On this episode of Backroads Bill, we head to Northwestern Ontario to explore one of the most intriguing archaeological discoveries in the region in recent years.

    Local historian Johanna Rowe joins the show to talk about the discovery of the Wawa Runestone, a rock carving hidden in the bush that contains more than 250 characters written in runic script.

    Johanna walks us through how the discovery first came to light, the process of bringing archaeologists and language experts into the investigation, and the years of careful research that followed.

    Find out more here: https://www.ocare.ca/

    0:00 – The Wawa Runestone Discovery
    4:37 – First Seeing the Carvings
    9:51 – Translating the Runic Message
    17:02 – Who Might Have Carved It?
    31:36 – Why the Discovery Matters
    Show more Show less
    39 mins
  • From the Australian Outback to Ontario’s Ice Roads

    From the Australian Outback to Ontario’s Ice Roads
    Mar 11 2026
    On this episode of Backroads Bill, we connect with a trucker whose journey spans continents. Sludge one of the stars of the Netflix series Outback Truckers, joins the show while passing through Northern Ontario after filming on the winter roads along the James Bay coast.

    Known for hauling freight across the harsh landscapes of Australia, Sludge found himself facing a completely different challenge: driving heavy trucks through deep cold, snow, and ice in the far north.

    In this conversation, Sludge shares how he first became part of the long-running television series, what it was like trading Australia’s heat for temperatures below –30°C, and how the winter road system compares to the remote dirt roads he knows so well from the Outback.

    We also hear about the people he met along the way, the culture of trucking across different parts of the world, and why Northern Ontario left such a strong impression on him.

    0:00 – Introducing Sludge from Outback Truckers
    3:21 – How Sludge Got Started on the TV Series
    9:58 – Experiencing Northern Ontario’s Extreme Cold
    14:43 – Ice Roads vs Australian Outback Driving
    20:21 – Northern Lights & Final Reflections from the North
    Show more Show less
    24 mins
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