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THE MEDICAL RECORD: FIVE YEARS SINCE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC STARTED    Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and former head of BC Cancer, Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist at St. Michael's Hospital and Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto and Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing in Toronto.  Yesterday marked 5 years since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Our doctors share their personal stories of navigating the early days of it and working on the front lines in healthcare.   U.S. TARIFFS ON STEEL AND ALUMINUM IN EFFECT TODAY AND OTTAWA RESPONDS  Libby Znaimer is joined by Andrea Horwath, Mayor of Hamilton followed by Marty Warren, the Canadian National Director of the United Steelworkers Union which represents 225,000 members in Canada. Today: the Trump administration's 25 percent tariffs on aluminum and steel are in place and Ottawa has responded with reciprocal tariffs.  THE SC

RECOVERING POLITICIANS: PREMIER FORD'S SURCHARGE ON ELECTRICITY TO AMERICANS AND TRUMP'S RESPONSE  Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal Health minister and Deputy Premier, Cheri DiNovo, former NDP MPP and John Mykytyshyn, Conservative Activist, Political Consultant and President of Bradgate Research Group. Our panel reacts to Ontario imposing a 25 percent surcharge on electricity to the U.S. and President Donald Trump's response of doubling tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel. Meanwhile, we talk about Mark Carney as the new leader of the Liberal party and when we might expect a federal election to be called.  DOES BOYCOTTING AMERICAN GOODS AND SERVICES ALSO INCLUDE THE RIDESHARING APPS?   Libby Znaimer is joined by Brett Chang, Co-Founder of The Peak and Kristine Hubbard, Operations Manager at Beck Taxi Limited. Local taxi companies want to be part of the City of Toronto's "Buy Local, Buy Canadian" campaign. What say you about this? And, are you going to boycott

RECOVERING POLITICIANS: PREMIER FORD'S SURCHARGE ON ELECTRICITY TO AMERICANS AND TRUMP'S RESPONSE  Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal Health minister and Deputy Premier, Cheri DiNovo, former NDP MPP and John Mykytyshyn, Conservative Activist, Political Consultant and President of Bradgate Research Group. Our panel reacts to Ontario imposing a 25 percent surcharge on electricity going to the U.S. and President Donald Trump's response of doubling tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel. Meanwhile, we talk about Mark Carney as the new leader of the Liberal party and when we might expect a federal election to be called.  TARIFF LABELS AT LOBLAW? WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW  Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University. What is the reasoning behind this move by Canadian grocery giant Loblaw amid Canada-U.S. tariffs? Sylvain weighs in on that and what consumers should know.

ZOOMER SQUAD: A DECISIVE VICTORY FOR MARK CARNEY Libby Znaimer is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Operating Officer of CARP and David Valentin, Principal at Liaison Strategies. It was a decisive victory for Mark Carney at yesterday's Liberal leadership convention. The former central banker turned politician is now leader of the federal Liberal party and takes on the role of Prime Minister-designate. So when will the federal election be called? In other news, there are some new punitive rules from the U.S. that Canadian snowbirds will want to know about. NOW THAT CARNEY TAKES OVER AS LIBERAL LEADER AND PM-IN-WAITING, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?   Libby Znaimer is joined by Bob Richardson, a Public Affairs Consultant, Peter Donolo, a former longtime Director of Communications to Prime Minister Jean Chretien and Will Stewart, a Conservative Strategist and Senior Vice President with Enterprise Canada. Our guests weigh in on Mark Carney becoming the next Liberal leader and PM-in-wai

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners reacted to the latest on the federal Liberal leadership race and the Canada-U.S. trade war.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: CITY WORKERS COULD GO ON STRIKE STARTING MONDAY  Libby Znaimer is joined by Taylor Scollon,  Co-Founder of The Peak, Jon Burnside, City Councillor for Ward 16 Don Valley East and Brad Bradford, City Councillor for Ward 19 Beaches East York. On Monday at 12:01 AM, there's a good chance that thousands of city workers could go on strike. What are the issues in the negotiations between the City of Toronto and the union representing the city workers and what services will be disrupted? Meanwhile, we get some good news about improved response times for the city's emergency services. THESE ARE THE MOST PREVALENT TYPES OF FRAUD IN TORONTO Libby Znaimer is joined by Detective David Coffey with Toronto Police Service's Financial Crimes Unit. It's Fraud Prevention Month and Toronto Police have detailed the top five most popular forms of fraud that are hurting Torontonians. Detective Coffey breaks it down for us. THE LATEST ON THE FEDERAL LIBERAL LEADERSHIP RACE Libby Znaimer is joined

THE MEDICAL RECORD:  ARE YOU IODINE DEFICIENT? Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and former head of BC Cancer, Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist at St. Michael's Hospital and Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto and Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing in Toronto. Our panel discusses whether Canada's healthcare system should be recruiting doctors right now from the U.S., especially with RFK Jr. in charge of the health and human services file. And, we talk about the issue of iodine deficiency. THE IMPACT OF TARIFFS ON CANADIAN STEEL AND MANUFACTURING  Libby Znaimer is joined by Catherine Cobden, President and CEO of the Canadian Steel Producers Association and Ryan Greer, VP of Public Affairs and National Policy, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME). Now that U.S. President Donald Trump has slapped 25 percent tariffs across the board on Canadian goods, we're taking a closer look at

RECOVERING POLITICIANS:  THE CANADA-U.S. TARIFF WAR HAS BEGUN  Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal Health Minister and Deputy Premier, Cheri DiNovo, former NDP MPP and Lisa Raitt, former Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. U.S. President Donald Trump implemented 25 percent tariffs on Canadian goods today (10 percent on our energy) and Ottawa has retaliated with tariffs in response. Our panel reacts to the latest.  WORLD OBESITY DAY: THE CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND LATEST RESEARCH Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Yoni Freedhoff, Medical Director, BMI Medical Institute. Today marks World Obesity Day. It's a good opportunity to take a closer look at this chronic health condition and the contributing causes, as well as the rise of drugs like Ozempic. SHOULD TORONTO BUSINESSES BE ABLE TO OPEN ON STAT HOLIDAYS? Libby Znaimer is joined by Toronto Deputy Mayor Mike Colle of Ward 8 Eglinton-Lawrence, Fred Naggar, co-owner of Delysées Luxury Desserts and Mary Leon

ZOOMER SQUAD:  REACTION TO PREMIER DOUG FORD SECURING A THIRD MAJORITY  Libby Znaimer is joined by John Mykytyshyn, Conservative strategist and President of Bradgate Research Group, Anthony Quinn, Chief Operating Officer of CARP and David Valentin, Principal at Liaison Strategies. We get reaction from our panel regarding the outcome of the Ontario election and Premier Doug Ford securing a third consecutive majority government. A VERY PUBLIC SHOWDOWN BETWEEN PRESIDENT TRUMP AND ZELENSKYY AT THE WHITE HOUSE Libby Znaimer is joined by Roman Waschuk, a former Canadian ambassador to Ukraine and Andrew Rasiulis with The Canadian Global Affairs Institute. Our guests take a closer look at the very public showdown between Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance at the White House on Friday. What are the implications of this for the U.S. and for Europe?  MAYOR PATRICK BROWN'S CANADA FIRST PROCUREMENT POLICY  Libby Znaimer is joined by Brampton Mayor Patrick B

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners called in to discuss the outcome of the Ontario election in which Premier Doug Ford and the PCs won a third majority government.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: MAYOR OLIVIA CHOW'S RESPONSE TO SNOW REMOVAL Libby Znaimer is joined by Taylor Scollon,  Co-Founder of The Peak, Councillor Jon Burnside, Ward 16 Don Valley East and Councillor James Pasternak, Ward 6 York Centre. We begin today's discussion about Toronto's snow problem and more specifically how Mayor Chow has been dealing with it. Our guests also weigh in on satisfaction levels of living in Toronto presently with all of its challenges including traffic congestion and more. CARP'S ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TAKES PLACE TODAY Libby Znaimer is joined by Dan Levitt, BC's Seniors Advocate. Today is a very important one: CARP's Annual General Meeting begins at noon and this year's theme is Ageism. Also joining the AGM are Seniors Advocates from across the country. To learn more about CARP and the AGM, visit carp.ca WHY A GROUP OF ETOBICOKE BUSINESSES ARE SUING THE CITY OVER BIKE LANES  Libby Znaimer is joined by Cody MacRae, the founder of Balance on Bloor, a not-for-profit group which a

THE MEDICAL RECORD: WHAT ARE THE PROVINCIAL LEADERSHIP CANDIDATES PROMISING ON HEALTHCARE? Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and former head of BC Cancer, Dr. Amol Verma, a physician and professor at the University of Toronto and Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing in Toronto. This week: we get reaction from our doctors on whether they heard any specifics from the provincial leadership candidates about healthcare ahead of election day on February 27th. REACTION TO THE FEDERAL LIBERAL ENGLISH DEBATE Libby Znaimer is joined by Jason Lietaer, Conservative Strategist and President at Enterprise and Bob Richardson, a Public Affairs Consultant. Our guests share their impressions of the federal Liberal leadership English debate that took place yesterday and also weighed in on the platforms of the provincial leadership candidates ahead of the Ontario election on February 27th.

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL:  REACTION TO THE FEDERAL LIBERAL LEADERSHIP DEBATE Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, a former Ontario Liberal Health Minister and Deputy Premier, Janet Ecker, former Ontario PC Finance Minister, and Cheri DiNovo, a former NDP MPP. Yesterday, the federal Liberal leadership candidates participated in a French language debate, and the panel takes a look at the promises being made by the Ontario leadership candidates ahead of election day on February 27. CHARITIES IMPACTED BY CANADA POST STRIKE: WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE NUMBERS Libby Znaimer is joined by Nicole Danesi, Senior Manager, Strategic Communications and Brand at CanadaHelps and Jon Miller, Chief Ministry Officer at The Scott Mission. We are getting a clearer picture of the extent to which Canadian charities experienced mail donation losses as a direct result of the Canada Post strike thanks to findings by CanadaHelps: it is estimated that there were losses of $266 million. Our guests break down the number

ZOOMER SQUAD: HAVE YOU VOTED YET? Libby Znaimer is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Operating Officer of CARP and David Valentin, Principal at Liaison Strategies. The provincial election is fast approaching (February 27th). Are you among the Ontarians who have already cast a vote? And, have you been finding it manageable to go out and vote at your polling station with all of the snow we still have left over on the sidewalks and roads? THE HISTORY OF "O CANADA"  Libby Znaimer is joined by J.D.M. Stewart, a historian and the author of Being Prime Minister. It's time for a deep dive into the history of Canada's national anthem: O Canada. And, we answer the question about whether you are allowed to change the words to it when you perform it.  THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF WAR IN UKRAINE AND GERMANY'S ELECTION RESULTS Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Ivan Gomza, Associate Professor at the Kyiv School of Economics and Dietlind Stolle, Professor of Political Science at McGill. W

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners reacted to award-winning singer Chantal Kreviazuk changing lyrics while singing O Canada at last night's Canada-USA Hockey final. Meanwhile, others called in to tell us who they will be voting for in the upcoming Ontario election.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN:  WHY IS THE CITY'S SNOW REMOVAL TAKING SO LONG? Libby Znaimer is joined by Taylor Scollon,  Co-Founder of The Peak, Jon Burnside, City Councillor for Ward 16 Don Valley East and Vincent Crisanti, Toronto City Councillor for Ward 1 Etobicoke North. Today we discuss Toronto's timeline for snow removal after the city was hit by a few major storms this winter and other municipal news of the week. TENSIONS ESCALATE BETWEEN PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY OVER UKRAINE Libby Znaimer is joined by Roman Waschuk, a former Canadian ambassador to Ukraine and Larry Haas, a former White House communications strategist and Senior Fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council. There's been a battle of words between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with President Trump even calling Zelenskyy a "dictator without elections". How did we get here and what comes next regarding the war between Russia and Ukraine? TORONTO REGION BOARD OF TRADE

THE MEDICAL RECORD: HEART ATTACKS FROM SHOVELLING SNOW AND THE POPE HAS PNEUMONIA   Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto and Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto, Dr. Aaron Schimmer, the Director of Research at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre as well as a staff physician and a senior scientist, and Dr. Nadia Alam, a family doctor and anesthetist in Georgetown, Ontario. This week: the Pope has pneumonia in both of his lungs. Meanwhile, with the amount of snow that fell on the GTA in recent weeks, we discuss the risk of heart-attack from shoveling. FORMER ISRAELI PM EHUD OLMERT JOINS FIGHT BACK Libby Znaimer is joined by Ehud Olmert, a former Prime Minister of Israel. Yesterday, we learned that the Hamas terrorist organization will be handing over the bodies of four Israeli hostages on Thursday and six live hostages on Saturday. Ehud weighs in on that and more. WAS YOUR FLIGHT DELAYED

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL:  REACTION TO THE ONTARIO LEADERSHIP DEBATE  Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, a former Ontario Liberal Health Minister and Deputy Premier, Janet Ecker, former Ontario PC Finance Minister, and Cheri DiNovo, a former NDP MPP. Our panel reacts to the Ontario leadership debate that took place on Family Day Monday. What do you think were the defining moments of the debate? A FORMER AIRLINE PILOT REACTS TO THE DELTA CRASH AT PEARSON Libby Znaimer is joined by John Cox, CEO of Safety Operating Systems and former airline pilot based in Washington, DC. It's a miracle that nobody died as a result of the crash landing of a Delta Airline plane at Pearson International Airport yesterday afternoon, though it did result in 18 injuries. What exactly went wrong during the landing, and what protocol do airports like Pearson follow during emergency situations like this? LIBERTY VILLAGE HAS COYOTE PROBLEM Libby Znaimer is joined by Ruby Kooner, Founder of The Coyote Safety Coali

ZOOMER SQUAD:  IT'S FAMILY DAY   Libby Znaimer is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Operating Officer of CARP and David Valentin, Principal at Liaison Strategies. Today, we discuss Family Day with our panel and also the latest regarding the Ontario election. A CLOSER LOOK AT THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF FAMILIES IN CANADA Libby Znaimer is joined by Doug Norris, Senior Vice President & Chief Demographer at Environics Analytics. What exactly do families in Canada look like today? How many older Zoomers are living alone? How common is living apart together (LAT)? What are we seeing with regards to intergenerational living amid housing affordability challenges? These are the kinds of questions we are asking Doug about on this Family Day Monday. THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S POLICY APPROACH TO THE WAR IN UKRAINE Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Maria Popova, Associate Professor of Political Science and Jean Monnet Chair at McGill University and Dr. Paul Goode, McMillan Chair in Ru

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners shared stories of how they met their loved ones for Valentine's Day, and reacted to U.S. President Donald Trump's position on Canada and the upcoming National Flag of Canada Day on February 15th.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: MAYOR CHOW'S BUDGET APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL Libby Znaimer is joined by Taylor Scollon, Co-Founder of The Peak, Jon Burnside, City Councillor for Ward 16 (Don Valley East), and James Pasternak, City Councillor for Ward 6 York Centre. This week: City Council approved Mayor Olivia Chow's budget that includes the 6.9 percent property tax increase for residents. We discuss that and more municipal news of the week. THE TDSB WANTS A NAME CHANGE FOR THREE OF ITS SCHOOLS Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Patrice Dutil, Professor in the Department of Politics and Public Administration at Toronto Metropolitan University. There is still more to talk about with the TDSB. It is pushing ahead with a plan to rename three schools that carry the names of Sir John A. Macdonald, Egerton Ryerson, and Henry Dundas. A group of prominent historians is asking Doug Ford to intervene and prevent this. What do you think? Is this yet another attempt to push a woke ideology or a justified reevaluation of historical

THE MEDICAL RECORD: PRESIDENT TRUMP'S SUSPENSION OF USAID Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and former head of BC Cancer, Dr. Fahad Razak, general internist at St. Michael's Hospital and Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto and Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing in Toronto. This week, the Trudeau Liberals have chosen the country's new fentanyl czar, and we discuss how U.S. President Trump's suspension of USAID is affecting patients globally who are participating in clinical trials. CAA CONDUCTS TEST OF EV VEHICLE RANGE AND BATTERIES AMID WINTER TEMPERATURES Libby Znaimer is joined by Kristine D'Arbelles, Senior Director of Public Affairs for CAA National. Are you thinking of getting an EV as your next vehicle? Maybe you have one already. There’s been a lot of talk about their poor performance in winter. Now there’s a study behind it. BRAD BRADFORD ON THE TORONTO'S BUDGET Libby

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: THE LATEST ON THE ONTARIO ELECTION   Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, former Liberal MPP, Health Minister and Deputy Premier, Janet Ecker, former Ontario PC MPP and Finance Minister, and Cheri DiNovo, a former NDP MPP. Our panel provides an update on the Ontario election and the latest on U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff decisions. HOW BIRD FLU IS INCREASING EGG PRICES IN THE US  Libby Znaimer is joined by Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University We take a closer look at how the threat of bird flu is impacting the price of eggs in the U.S. and how concerned we should be about that here in Canada. U.S. PRESIDENT TRUMP'S TARIFFS ON CANADIAN ALUMINUM AND STEEL Libby Znaimer is joined by Andrea Horwath, Mayor of Hamilton followed by Ryan Greer, Vice President of Public Affairs and National Policy at Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) and Guio Jacinto with the United Steelworkers Union. U.S. President Donald

ZOOMER SQUAD: AN UPDATE ON THE ONTARIO ELECTION    Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Operating Officer of CARP and David Valentin, Principal at Liaison Strategies. Our Zoomer Squad reacts to the latest polling with regards to the Ontario election and what they think are the key ballot box issues this time around. ARE PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S "CANADA AS A 51st STATE" COMMENTS MAKING YOU ANXIOUS?   Jane Brown is joined by Dr. Steve Joordens, a professor of psychology at the University of Toronto. U.S. President Donald Trump keeps mentioning the idea of Canada becoming the 51st State and we ask our listeners whether this is causing some anxiety in their lives. Steve weighs in on some strategies for staying calm amid the uncertainty.  BUYING CANADIAN AMID TARIFF TENSIONS WITH THE US   Jane Brown is joined by Amy Robinson, Executive Director, LOCO BC and Torsten Jaccard, Assistant Professor at UBC's School

Today on Free For All Friday: Listeners reacted to the latest on the Ontario election and provided their thoughts about "buying Canadian" amid tariff tensions between Canada and the US. Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: CITY COUNCIL APPROVES OF A BUY CANADIAN CAMPAIGN BUT AT WHAT COST? Today: Karen Stintz,  the Conservative Party of Canada candidate for Eglinton-Lawrence, Jon Burnside, City Councillor for Ward 16 (Don Valley East), and Taylor Scollon, Co-Founder of The Peak. This week: a closer look at Toronto City Hall's push for "buy Canadian" amid the ongoing threat of tariffs from the Trump administration and other municipal stories of the week. BONNIE CROMBIE JOINS FIGHT BACK TO TALK ABOUT THE ELECTION Libby Znaimer is joined by Bonnie Crombie, Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party. Bonnie wants to be Ontario's next Premier. So, what is her plan then when it comes to key issues like addressing hallway healthcare and the primary care shortage? MANAGING YOUR PORTFOLIO AMID TARIFF TENSIONS Libby Znaimer is joined by Gordon Pape, Editor and Publisher of the Internet Wealth Builder and Income Investor newsletters. What will Donald Trump do next? That is the source of massive uncertainty and markets

THE MEDICAL RECORD:  THE LATEST ON RFK JR. & A NEW ONTARIO STUDY ABOUT CANNABIS Tasha Kheiriddin is guest host of Fight Back today. She is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and former head of BC Cancer, Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto and Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto, and Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto.   It’s Wednesday, and that means the medical panel is here! We’re tackling the biggest health stories of the week, from RFK Jr.’s latest move toward U.S. Senate confirmation, to the federal government’s new “fentanyl czar.” Plus, a shocking Ontario study linking cannabis use disorders to skyrocketing schizophrenia cases. HOW PRESIDENT TRUMP'S TARIFF THREATS ARE IMPACTING CANADIANS ATTITUDES TOWARDS TRAVEL TO U.S.  Tasha Kheiriddin is joined by Jim Diodati, the Mayor of Niagara Falls, Ontari

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL:  CANADA-USA TARIFFS DELAYED FOR 30 DAYS Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, former Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre, Health Minister and Deputy Premier, Lisa Raitt, a former Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and Gurratan Singh, Vice President at Crestview Strategy and a former NDP MPP for Brampton East. The Trump administration's 25 percent tariffs on Canadian goods (oil only facing a 10 percent tariff) were supposed to come into effect today as was Ottawa's response of 25 percent of tariffs on $155 billion worth of American goods... until PM Trudeau and President Trump engaged in a little phone diplomacy yesterday. Our panel reacts to the latest and to what PM Justin Trudeau has committed to at the Canada-US border. IT'S WORLD CANCER DAY Libby Znaimer is joined by Bev Moir, a Lung Cancer Patient Advocate. In 2019, Bev was diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) despite being a non-smoker and leading an active lifestyle. She join

ZOOMER SQUAD: REACTION TO CANADA-USA TARIFF TENSIONS   Libby Znaimer is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP, Bob Richardson, a Public Affairs Consultant, and David Valentin, Principal at Liaison Strategies. Tensions ramped up between the Trump administration and Ottawa this past weekend over tariffs, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcing Ottawa's official response of retaliatory tariffs should President Trump go ahead with his plan. HOW TARIFFS COULD IMPACT CANADA'S ECONOMY Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Ian Lee, Associate Professor at the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University and Bob Richardson stays with us from the previous segment. As alluded to in the previous segment, Canada has officially made its plan to counter the Trump administration's tariffs against Canadian goods. Ottawa is imposing 25 percent tariffs on $155 billion worth of American goods starting with $30 billion this Tuesday. Is Ottawa making the right move? HOW THE TARIFFS COULD IMPACT CANADA'S RESTAURANT

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners reacted to the Ontario election that kicked off this week and to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threat.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: OLIVIA CHOW'S PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX HIKE Libby Znaimer is joined by Karen Stintz, a Conservative Party of Canada for Eglinton-Lawrence, Jon Burnside, City Councillor for Ward 16 (Don Valley East), and Taylor Scollon, Co-Founder of The Peak. Today: we take a closer look at a "centrist" political advocacy group called "A Better City (ABC) Toronto" that has emerged recently and that is focused on municipal political issues like housing, traffic congestion, and property tax. Meanwhile, we get reaction from our panel on the provincial election currently underway. PARENTS DO HAVE A FAVOURITE CHILD ACCORDING TO THIS STUDY   Libby Znaimer is joined by Registered Psychologists Dr. Oren Amitay and Sara Dimerman. There's a new study published by the American Psychological Association that suggests that parents do have a favourite when it comes to their children. We bring on two psychologists to unpack the complexity of that conversation. PLANNING TRIPS ABROAD AMID HIGHER COST OF TRAVEL  Lib

THE MEDICAL RECORD:  REACTION TO RFK JR.'S CONFIRMATION HEARING TODAY  Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto and Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto, and Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto. Our panel reacts to the Ford government's announcement this week in which they discussed $1.4 billion in new funding towards primary care as part of the goal of connecting every Ontario resident with a family doctor or primary care team within 4 years. So, does the money provided go far enough to address the problems? Meanwhile, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s confirmation hearing for health secretary with the Trump administration begins today. Our panel reacts to the latest. DAVID PETERSON REACTS TO PREMIER DOUG FORD'S ELECTION CALL Libby Znaimer is joined by David Peterson, a former Ontario Liberal

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: THE FORD GOVERNMENT'S UPCOMING ELECTION Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, Former Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre and Health Minister and Deputy Premier, Lisa Raitt, a former Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, and Gurratan Singh, Vice President at Crestview Strategy and a former NDP MPP for Brampton East. This is the first time we get a reaction from our Recovering Politicians about the news of Premier Ford confirming his plans to call an election this Wednesday. On yesterday's Fight Back, veteran pollster John Wright made the interesting observation that there really isn't a clear ballot box question yet for this election. Our panel reacts to the latest. MORE REACTION TO THE FORD GOVERNMENT'S SPENDING PLAN TOWARDS PRIMARY CARE Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Dominik Nowak, President of the Ontario Medical Association. Dr. Nowak reacts to the Ford government's announcement this week of $1.8 billion towards primary care and what other areas need to

ZOOMER SQUAD: IT IS ELECTION SEASON IN ONTARIO   Libby Znaimer is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Operating Officer of CARP, Bill VanGorder, Advocacy and Education Officer at CARP and John Wright, a veteran pollster. We get reaction from the Zoomer Squad about Ontario Premier Doug Ford's confirmation that he will be calling an election this Wednesday. THE LATEST ON THE FEDERAL LIBERAL LEADERSHIP RACE    Libby Znaimer is joined by Bob Richardson, a Public Affairs Consultant and Will Stewart, a Conservative Strategist and Senior Vice President with Enterprise Canada. We talk about the latest developments of the federal Liberal leadership race and Mark Carney. 80 YEARS SINCE LIBERATION OF AUSCHWITZ Libby Znaimer is joined by Dara Solomon, Executive Director of the Toronto Holocaust Museum and Nate Leipciger, a survivor of Auschwitz as well as an educator and author. It's the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz--the Nazi death camp in Poland where 1.1 million Jewish people were syste

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners reacted to the news of Ontario Premier Doug Ford officially confirming that he'll be calling an election next week.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN:  COULD CITY WORKERS GO ON STRIKE IN THE NEAR FUTURE?  Libby Znaimer is joined by Jon Burnside, City Councillor for Ward 16 Don Valley East, James Pasternak, Councillor for Ward 6 York Centre and Taylor Scollon, Co-Founder of The Peak. Our panel weighs in on reports about Premier Doug Ford potentially calling an election as early as next week and what the impact on Toronto would be if city workers end up going on strike over the issue of wages. COULD TORONTO SEE A BYLAW TO PROTECT THE JEWISH COMMUNITY IN THE NEAR FUTURE? Libby Znaimer is joined by Councillor Brad Bradford of Ward 19 Beaches-East York. Councillor Brad Bradford wrote an op-ed in the National Post in which he points to "a lack of leadership at the highest level" when it comes to addressing the rise of antisemitism and attacks on the Jewish community in Toronto since October 7th. ARE MORE AND MORE ZOOMERS FUNDING TRAVEL FOR THEIR KIDS? Libby Znaimer is joined by Natalie Preddie, a Travel Writer and Janet Radley with St

THE MEDICAL RECORD:  THIS IS HOW MANY CANADIANS RELY ON THE INTERNET FOR HEALTHCARE INFORMATION Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto and Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto, and Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto. According to a new survey by Abacus Data and commissioned by the Canadian Medical Association, over a third of Canadians have gone online to look up medical advice. And, we talk about the staggering images out of Walkerton, Ontario that showed people lining up in the cold hoping to get a spot on the patient list of a doctor who is opening a new family practice there. THE IMPACT OF COLD WEATHER ON CARS Libby Znaimer is joined by Nadia Matos, Manager of External Communications with CAA South Central Ontario. What kind of an impact does the very cold weather have o

Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

ZOOMER SQUAD:  WHAT OPTIONS DO LOW INCOME SENIORS HAVE FOR PROPERTY TAX RELIEF?    Libby Znaimer is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Operating Officer of CARP, Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP and John Mykytyshyn, conservative strategist and President of Bradgate Research Group. Our panel discusses what property tax relief options are available to low-income seniors in Toronto and what their requirements are. THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ISRAEL-HAMAS CEASEFIRE Libby Znaimer is joined by Martin Himmel, an award-winning documentary filmmaker based in Tel Aviv whose latest film is "The Forgotten Expulsion: Jews From Arab Lands", Jon Allen, a former Canadian Ambassador of Canada to Israel (From 2006 to 2010) and a current Senior Fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy at UofT, and Professor Gabriel Ben Dor, who teaches National Security and Political Science at the University of Haifa and was formerly the head of the university's program for national security studies.  Israel has

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners weighed in on the latest developments in the federal Liberal leadership race, Toronto's proposed city budget for 2025, and President-elect Donald Trump's upcoming inauguration next week.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: MORE REACTION TO TORONTO'S PROPOSED BUDGET FOR 2025  Libby Znaimer is joined by Jon Burnside, Toronto City Councillor for Ward 16 Don Valley East, Councillor Brad Bradford for Ward 19 Beaches East York and Taylor Scollon, Co-Founder of The Peak. We continue the conversation regarding Toronto's proposed budget for 2025 which includes a 6.9 percent property tax hike (when you include the city building fee). THE LATEST ON THE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR Libby Znaimer is joined by Efrat Machikwana, niece of 80-year-old Gadi Moses followed by Iddo Moed, the current Ambassador of Israel to Canada, followed by Dr. Amos Guiora, a former legal advisor to the IDF in Gaza and Vivian Bercovici, a former Ambassador of Canada to Israel who currently lives in Israel. Our panel discusses the latest pertaining to the Israel-Hamas war and where things are at with negotiations to release the hostages from Gaza.

THE MEDICAL RECORD: NOROVIRUS SPREAD AND KATE MIDDELTON'S CANCER IN REMISSION Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, a medical oncologist with the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre at the UHN, Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist at St Michael's Hospital in Toronto and Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto and Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto. The FDA has banned Red Dye No. 3, Princess Kate Middleton announces that her cancer is in remission, and what are the symptoms of Norovirus? All that and more discussed on the panel today.  BONNIE CROMBIE JOINS FIGHT BACK  Libby Znaimer is joined by Bonnie Crombie, Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party. Canada's Premiers are having a meeting with PM Justin Trudeau amid President-elect Donald Trump's tariff threats. And, can we expect Premier Doug Ford to call an election in the coming weeks? IT'S NATIONAL BAGEL DAY Libby Znaimer is joined by David Fisher, Pres

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: THE LATEST ON THE FEDERAL LIBERAL LEADERSHIP RACE Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, a former Ontario Liberal Deputy Premier and Health Minister, John Mykytyshyn,  a Conservative strategist and President of Bradgate Research Group and Tom Parkin, a social democratic commentator and writer. Our guests provide an update on the ongoing federal Liberal leadership race in Ottawa, and give us their thoughts on the proposed property tax increase for Toronto residents that was brought up yesterday at Toronto City Hall. HOW EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS IN CANADA ARE AFFECTING INSURANCE FOR CANADIANS Libby Znaimer is joined by Mary Kelly, a professor in finance and insurance at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo and Amanda Dean, the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s Vice-President of Ontario. In 2024, Canadians experienced a record-breaking $8.5 billion in insured losses due to extreme weather events according to a new report by the Insurance Bureau of Canada. WILL SA

ZOOMER SQUAD: WHAT IS THE PROPOSED TORONTO PROPERTY TAX INCREASE? Libby Znaimer is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Operating Officer of CARP, Bill VanGorder, Advocacy and Education Officer at CARP and Nik Nanos, chief data scientist at Nanos Research, and research adjunct professor at the Norman Paterson School for International Affairs at Carleton University Is there a demographic divide in the race to replace Justin Trudeau? And, Toronto residents got to see the proposed property tax increase for 2025: 6.9 percent (that includes the city building fee). We dive into those two topics.  ONE ON ONE WITH LIBERAL MP CHARLES SOUSA Libby Znaimer is joined by Charles Sousa, Liberal MP for Mississauga-Lakeshore. We get an update on the ongoing federal Liberal leadership race in Ottawa. MONEY, MONEY, MONEY: LET'S TALK TORONTO'S PROPOSED BUDGET FOR 2025 Libby Znaimer is joined by Shelley Carroll, Toronto City Councillor for Ward 17 Don Valley North + Chair of the City's budget committee followed by Toronto

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners weighed in on the ongoing federal Liberal leadership race in the aftermath of PM Trudeau's resignation announcement this week, President-Elect Donald Trump's comments about Canada and their thoughts on Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS &  SPEED CAMERA VANDALISM  Libby Znaimer is joined by Karen Stintz, a Conservative Party of Canada candidate for Eglinton-Lawrence, Jon Burnside, Toronto City Councillor for Ward 16 (Don Valley East) and Taylor Scollon, Co-Founder of The Peak. Toronto speed cameras are getting vandalized across the city and more are coming to city roads this year. Mayor Olivia Chow also makes a traffic announcement and we revisit the issue of homelessness and homeless encampments in our parks. AN UPDATE ON THE FEDERAL LIBERAL LEADERSHIP RACE Libby Znaimer is joined by Anthony Housefather, Liberal Member of Parliament for Mount Royal and Charles Bird, Managing Principal at Earnscliffe Strategy Group in Toronto. It's time to get an update on the federal Liberal leadership race: who is a confirmed candidate and who are the potential candidates? And there are also concerns around the current voting rules and how they could abet foreign interference. LET'S TALK ABOUT RECIPES A

THE MEDICAL RECORD:  SHOULD WE HAVE CANCER WARNING LABELS ON ALCOHOL? Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Keith Stewart, Vice President, Cancer and Director of the Princess Margaret Cancer Program, UHN, Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist at St Michael's Hospital in Toronto and Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto and Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy is calling for cancer warning labels to be put on alcohol beverage products, pointing to the increased risk that alcohol consumption can have on cancers of the breast, colon, liver and more. Here are some staggering statistics: each year, alcohol consumption leads to 100,000 cancer cases in the U.S. and 20,000 cancer deaths. Murthy's office also explained that, "Alcohol consumption is the third-leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States, after tobacco and obesity, increasing risk for at least seven types of cancer." Murthy

RECOVERING POLITICIANS: MORE REACTION TO PM TRUDEAU RESIGNATION    Libby Znaimer is joined by Lisa Raitt, a former Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, George Smitherman, a former Ontario Liberal Deputy Premier and Health Minister and Tom Parkin, a social democratic commentator and writer. It's the day after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation announcement and his request of the governor general to prorogue Parliament until March 24. Meanwhile, who are the likely candidates running for the leadership race to replace him? CHANGE TO THE RRSP CONTRIBUTION LIMIT IN 2025 Libby Znaimer is joined by Jamie Golombek, Managing Director, Tax and Estate Planning at CIBC and Lesley-Anne Scorgie, Founder of MeVest, a leading-edge financial education company specializing in money coaching for Canadians. There's a change to the RRSP contribution limit in 2025 and other financial news to discuss. IS IT HEALTHY TO REUSE PLASTIC CONTAINERS FOR FOOD? Libby Znaimer is joined by Bryan Le, a Fo

ZOOMER SQUAD: IT'S OFFICIAL - PM JUSTIN TRUDEAU IS RESIGNING Libby Znaimer is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Operating Officer of CARP, and Jason Lietaer, Conservative Strategist and President at Enterprise, followed by Bob Richardson, a public affairs consultant. It's official: PM Justin Trudeau announced that he is resigning as leader of the Liberal party and as Prime Minister. This morning he asked the Governor General to prorogue Parliament until March 24. He will stay on until a new leader is chosen. It comes after weeks of political drama that included the resignation of Chrystia Freeland from Trudeau's cabinet, terrible polling numbers for the Liberals and mounting pressure from within and outside of the party for Trudeau to leave. COURT CHALLENGE AGAINST TRUDEAU'S PROROGUING OF PARLIAMENT? Libby Znaimer is joined by Duff Conacher, Co-founder of Democracy Watch, John Milloy, former Ontario Liberal MPP who served as a cabinet minister under the Dalton McGuinty and

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners shared some of their New Year's resolutions, how they have felt about Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow's track record so far, and whether they would vote for Chrystia Freeland if she were to be the future leader of the federal Liberal party.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: WHERE SHOULD TORONTO AND MAYOR OLIVIA CHOW'S PRIORITIES BE IN 2025?   Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Karen Stintz, a Conservative Party of Canada candidate for Eglinton-Lawrence, Jon Burnside, Councillor for Ward 16 Don Valley East and Councillor James Pasternak for Ward 6 York Centre. 2024 was a difficult year here in Toronto: auto theft, homeless encampments at city parks, terrible traffic congestion and construction, antisemitism and violence against the Jewish community just to list a few of the things we've been seeing. Then there were issues like the debate over the renaming of Yonge-Dundas Square to Sankofa Square and Mayor Olivia Chow's back and forth with the Ford government over bike lanes. But, we've also just entered 2025...perhaps a chance to turn a page to a new, more positive chapter for our city. Our panel details what they think should be the priorities for City Hall and Mayor Chow in the year ahead. WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR ABOUT

A look back at the biggest Fight Back stories from the year that was.

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: THE YEAR THAT WAS IN CANADIAN POLITICS Tasha Kheiriddin is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Lisa Raitt, a former Deputy Leader of Conservative Party of Canada, Bob Richardson, a public affairs consultant, and Tom Parkin, a social democratic columnist and commentator. 2024 has been a year of non-stop, action-packed politics right up until the end. Our panel reacts to the news that made headlines, from the drama in Ottawa with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau facing calls to resign to the four provincial elections that Canada saw this year. MAKING THE CASE FOR IMPROVED HOME CARE Tasha Kheiriddin is joined by Sue VanderBent, CEO of Home Care Ontario. Home Care Ontario has launched a campaign dubbed “Home Not Hallways”; they want to see more support for home care and are highlighting their concerns around waitlists for long-term care and “worsening hallway healthcare”. Sue joins us to discuss. ERIC ALPER ON THE BIGGEST POP CULTURE ZOOMER STORIES OF 202

ZOOMER SQUAD: REFLECTING ON THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JIMMY CARTER   Tasha Kheiriddin is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Operating Officer of CARP, Bill VanGorder, Advocacy and Education Officer of CARP and John Wright, a veteran pollster. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100 after some time in hospice care. We reflect on his legacy during and after his presidency. A ROUNDUP OF THE BIG CONSUMER STORIES OF 2024 Tasha Kheiriddin is joined by Ellen Roseman, a consumer advocate and journalist. Now that we are all done with 2024, it's worth taking a look at some of the biggest consumer stories that unfolded in the past year. That includes scams, the high cost of groceries, auto theft and more. Join us for a comprehensive breakdown. ARE YOU FEELING SAD? Tasha Kheiriddin is joined by Registered Psychologist Dr. Oren Amitay who is based in Toronto. Are you feeling SAD? We're talking about Seasonal Affective Disorder. Dr. Amitay weighs in o

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners called in to discuss U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's joke about Canada becoming the 51st State and the ongoing political drama in Ottawa with calls for PM Justin Trudeau to resign, as well as to share their holiday messages with the Zoomer Radio audience.

A look back at the biggest Fight Back stories from the year that was.

RECOVERING POLITICIANS: TRUDEAU WILL SKI RATHER THAN WALK IN THE SNOW DURING HOLIDAYS Libby Znaimer is joined by Lisa Raitt, a former Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Cheri DiNovo, a former Ontario NDP MPP, and John Milloy, a former Ontario Liberal MPP who served as a cabinet minister under the Dalton McGuinty and Kathleen Wynne governments. Our panel reacts to the ongoing turmoil within the federal Liberals and with Prime Minister Trudeau, who continues to face calls for his resignation. WHY PROPOSED CHANGES TO AIR PASSENGER RIGHTS CHARTER DON'T GO FAR ENOUGH Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Gabor Lukacs, President of Air Passenger Rights and John Gradek, a former executive with Air Canada. Will Ottawa's proposed changes to the Canadian Air Passenger Rights actually going to make any substantial difference? We bring on Gabor and John to react to the latest. IN DEFENCE OF SIR JOHN A. MACDONALD  Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Patrice Dutil, Professor in the Department of Politics

ZOOMER SQUAD: WHAT DOES THE FALL ECONOMIC STATEMENT OFFER OLDER ZOOMERS?  Libby Znaimer is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Operating Officer of CARP, Bill VanGorder, Education and Advocacy Officer at CARP, and Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs. Ottawa has just appointed its new Minister of Seniors as part of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet shuffle. The question is: how much can she expect to get done as the governing Liberals face a bleak future. Meanwhile, what does the Fall Economic Statement from Ottawa (which was greatly overshadowed by drama from within the Liberal party) offer up to Canada's Seniors?  PRINCESS MARGARET IS EXPANDING: HERE'S WHY Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Keith Stewart, Vice President, Cancer and Director of the Princess Margaret Cancer Program at the University Health Network (UHN). The University Health Network's Princess Margaret Cancer Centre is expanding to meet the growing patient population and involves opening up a new building with more cancer care

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners reacted to the dramatic week that was for PM Justin Trudeau, starting with the resignation of Chrystia Freeland from cabinet and ending with the cabinet shuffle earlier today.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: WHAT'S THE LATEST AT CITY HALL?  Libby Znaimer is joined by Toronto City Councillor Jon Burnside for Ward 16 Don Valley East, Karen Stintz, a candidate for the Conservative Party of Canada and a former Toronto City Councillor, and Taylor Scollon, co-founder of The Peak. This week: what are the hot button issues coming out of City Hall before the year's end? And, sadly, we have to revisit the conversation around traffic congestion in Toronto. A SYNAGOGUE IN MONTREAL TARGETED BY ARSON; POLICE FIND FIREBOMB REMNANTS ON THE SCENE  Libby Znaimer is joined by Amir Epstein, Executive Director of Tafsik, a grassroots organization combating antisemitism and Aaron Hadida, the founder of Magen Herut Canada. This week: Montreal Synagogue Congregation Beth Tikvah (located in Dollard-des-Ormeaux) was the target of a firebomb. It's the second time they've been targeted in the past 14 months. They are calling on government officials to take action in addressing the rise in antisemitism. THE

THE MEDICAL RECORD: WHY ARE THERE MORE HEART ATTACKS DURING CHRISTMAS WEEK? Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Dr. Nadia Alam, a family doctor and anesthetist in Georgetown, and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, Internal Medicine and Critical Care Physician at Humber River Hospital. Today: we discuss challenges in primary care, the spike in heart attacks during the holiday season and more healthcare news of the week. BRAD BRADFORD SAYS THAT MAYOR CHOW'S DECISION TO BOOT HIM FROM VARIOUS ROLES IS "POLITICAL"  Libby Znaimer is joined by Toronto City Councillor Brad Bradford of Ward 19 Beaches-East York. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow has removed Councillor Brad Bradford from the City's housing committee this week and from the boards of CreateTO and the Toronto Parking Authority. Councillor Bradford says that the Mayor's decision is a political one. He shares with Libby his thoughts on the situation. WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT A STRING OF TORONTO JEWELRY HEISTS

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: MORE REACTION TO FREELAND’S RESIGNATION LETTER  Libby Znaimer is joined by Bob Richardson, a Public Affairs Consultant, Cheri DiNovo, a former Member of Provincial Parliament of Ontario, and Lisa Raitt, a former Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. Our panel reacts to Chrystia Freeland's resignation letter she put out yesterday that was directed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.  TERRY FOX WILL BE ON THE CANADIAN FIVE DOLLAR BILL  Libby Znaimer is joined by J.D.M Stewart, a historian and the author of Being Prime Minister, and Dr. Ronald Stagg, Professor of History at Toronto Metropolitan University. Canadian icon Terry Fox is going to be the next face of our five dollar bill according to the federal Fall Economic Statement. We discuss that and the importance of preserving our Canadian history. A CONCERNING REPORT ABOUT HOW A CANADIAN CHARITY IS SPENDING ITS MONEY Libby Znaimer is joined by Kate Bahen, Managing Director at Charity Intelligence in

ZOOMER SQUAD: OTTAWA'S GST HOLIDAY AND LATEST ON CANADA POST Libby Znaimer is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP, Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs, and Anthony Quinn, Chief Operating Officer of CARP. There is a lot to unpack today. The Trudeau Liberals' GST holiday is in effect. Meanwhile, Canada Post workers are being sent back to work tomorrow by order of the Canada Industrial Relations Board. It comes after a month of striking. And, Chrystia Freeland has resigned from cabinet. What comes next? A POST-ASSAD SYRIA: WHAT IT MEANS FOR ISRAEL AND THE MIDDLE EAST  Libby Znaimer is joined by Avraham Levine, a Major in the IDF Reserves, a resident of the Golan Heights and an expert with Alma, a research and education centre based in Israel, and Phil Gurski,  President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting and a  former senior strategic terrorism analyst at CSIS. In a post-Assad Syria, a lot remains unknown about what the country's new leadership will mean for Israel and the

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners phoned in to discuss the Canada Post strike, the CEO shooting in New York, Trudeau's meeting with Trump, and more.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: ENCAMPMENT TUNNELS, SHELTER DISPUTES, AND CONGESTION WOES Libby was joined by Karen Stintz, CEO, Variety Village, Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth and Anthony Perruzza, City Councillor Humber River- Black Creek. Hamilton’s discovery of 6-foot tunnels tapping into the electrical grid highlights alarming trends seen in impoverished areas worldwide. Meanwhile, Toronto’s controversial shelter policies, criticized for anti-Black racism, spark a public clash. Reports also warn of worsening congestion and unanswered questions about Uber licensing. POSTAL STRIKE NEARS FOUR WEEKS: WHAT'S THE ENDGAME FOR CANADA POST? Libby was joined by Jim Bookbinder, Professor in the Department of Management Sciences, University of Waterloo and Christina Santini, Director of national affairs CFIB. As the postal strike enters its fourth week, experts say even a swift resolution won’t ensure Christmas delivery. With tensions rising, the question remains: Will this crisis mark the end

THE MEDICAL RECORD: ONTARIO PROPOSES EMPOWERING NURSE PRACTITIONERS TO LEAD MEDICAL CARE IN LTC FACILITIES Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto, Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, Internal Medicine and Critical Care Physician at Humber River Hospital. Ontario's new long-term care bill proposal would allow nurse practitioners to oversee residents' medical care, replacing physician medical directors. The bill also mandates dementia care programs and addresses abuse. Funding for adult day programs, and two innovative pilot projects focusing on emotional care and home-based services is also included. CANADA’S TOBACCO GIANTS PIVOT TO WELLNESS PRODUCTS AMID LANDMARK $32.5B SETTLEMENT Libby is joined by Cynthia Callard, executive director of Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada and Rob Cunningham, Senior Policy Analyst at the Canadian Cancer Society. Canada’s top tobacco com

RECOVERING POLITICIANS: CANADA POST STRIKE REACHES DAY 26 Guest Host Jane Brown was joined by Cheri DiNovo, former NDP MPP, George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal Cabinet Minister and Lisa Raitt, former Federal Conservative Deputy Leader. Mediated talks to end the Canada Post strike remain stalled, with no updates on resumption. The union's latest proposal includes a 19% wage increase over four years, down from 24%, and a guaranteed 20-hour minimum for part-time workers. Canada Post’s wage offer stands at 11.5%, with no word on further changes. The government has yet to intervene. REPORT: GTHA TRAFFIC GRIDLOCK COSTS $44.7B IN LOST PRODUCTIVITY ANNUALLY Jane is joined by Nadia Todorova, executive director of the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario and Teresa Di Felice, Assistant Vice President, Government and Community Relations for CAA South Central Ontario. Traffic congestion in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Areas costs $10 billion in lost opportunities this year alone, ris

ZOOMER SQUAD: OLDER CANADIANS SEE INCOME IMPROVEMENT SINCE 1976, BUT LAG BEHIND WORKING-AGE ADULTS SINCE THE 1990S Libby Znaimer is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Operating Officer of CARP, Bill VanGorder, Advocacy and Education Officer of CARP and John Wright, veteran pollster. A new Canadian Cancer Society report highlights the financial strain of cancer diagnoses in Canada, with patients and families facing an average cost of $33,000. While Ontario recently announced extra support for caregivers, questions remain about its effectiveness. Meanwhile, the holiday GST break on some food items has faced widespread criticism. SYRIA'S UNCERTAIN FUTURE POST-ASSAD REGIME Libby is joined by Dr. Amos Guiora, Professor of Law at the University of Utah and a former legal advisor to the IDF in Gaza and Dr. Elliot Tepper, Professor of International Relations at Carleton University. The Assad regime in Syria collapsed after rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, seized Damascus. The group, once linked to ISIS

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners phoned in to talk about the Canada Post strike, food insecurity, and much more.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: TTC PROHIBITS E-BIKES AND E-SCOOTERS ON VEHICLES DURING WINTER MONTHS  Libby Znaimer is joined by Karen Stintz, CEO, Variety Village, Jon Burnside, City Councillor for Ward 16 (Don Valley East) and Brett Chang, Co-Founder of The Peak. The TTC has banned e-bikes from the subway during winter due to fire risks and space issues. A staff report opposed a permanent ban, warning it could harm low-income delivery drivers. Critics argue the move benefits companies like Uber, which are accused of exploiting workers, while also questioning the city’s cap on rideshare drivers. FOOD PRICES IN CANADA EXPECTED TO RISE BY 3 TO 5% IN 2025 ACCORDING TO NEW REPORT Libby Znaimer is joined by Kristina Kupferschmidt, a data scientist and professor at the University of PEI. A new report predicts food prices will rise by 3-5% in 2025, with Ontario seeing lower-than-average inflation. While some commodities like olive oil may drop in price, beef, citrus, cocoa, and coffee are expected to remain high. B

THE MEDICAL RECORD: NEW FERTILITY PRESERVATION METHOD GIVES YOUNG CANCER PATIENTS HOPE FOR HAVING CHILDREN LATER Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist at Unity Health Toronto, Provincial Co-Lead General Medicine, Dr. Alisa Naiman, family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto and Dr. Aaron Schimmer, Director of Research at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre as well as a staff physician and a senior scientist. Ontario Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie promises every resident will have a family doctor within four years, but is this feasible? Meanwhile, former Liberal health minister Jane Philpott is tasked with finding a solution for the PC government. In Alberta, innovative treatments help young cancer patients preserve fertility, and with Australia facing a record flu season, how will Canada respond? Plus, RFK Jr.’s anti-vaccine stance could impact public health policies across North America. MINISTER WHO WAS PRESENT SAYS TRUMP'S REMARK ABOUT CANADA BECOMING THE

RECOVERING POLITICIANS: ONTARIO'S NEW AG SHELLY SPENCE'S NEW REPORT, METROLINX CEO LEAVES THE COMPANY AND MORE Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, former Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre, Health Minister and Deputy Premier, Cheri DiNovo, former NDP MPP and Janet Ecker, former Ontario PC Finance Minister. Ontario’s new Auditor General, Shelley Spence, has released a damning first report, sharply criticizing Premier Doug Ford's government. In education, the report highlights increased violence and financial mismanagement within the Toronto District School Board. Additionally, the resignation of Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster is seen as a win by many. GIVING TUESDAY, A DAY OF GENEROSITY Libby is joined by Sharon Avery, President and CEO of Toronto Foundation and Bruce MacDonald, President & CEO of Imagine Canada. Since its launch in 2013, Giving Tuesday has expanded globally, now being observed in 90 countries. The event, which takes place on the Tuesday after American Thanksgiving (this year on

ZOOMER SQUAD: EXPERTS WARN OF FLU SURGE IN CANADA AS AUSTRALIA FACES RECORD SURGE Libby Znaimer is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Operating Officer of CARP, Rudy Buttignol, C.M. President of CARP and John Mykytyshyn, Conservative Activist, Political Consultant, and President of Bradgate Research Group. Experts warn of a potential flu surge in Canada, following Australia’s record-breaking flu season. With vaccination rates lower than expected, health officials stress the importance of getting flu shots. Meanwhile, the ongoing Canada Post strike disrupts services ahead of the holiday season. Adding to the uncertainty, the promised $250 rebates are now in question, with initial exclusions now seemingly overturned. TORONTO'S FOOD BANK USAGE REACHES RECORD HIGH Toronto's food banks are facing unprecedented demand, with 40% scaling back services. Over a million people used food banks last year, and nearly half were first-time visitors. Neil Hetherington, CEO of Daily Bread Food Bank, and John Stapleton, S

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners reacted to the Canada Post strike, and PM Trudeau's temporary GST tax break as well as the $250 rebate that excludes retirees.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: TTC CEO CALLS ON TPS CHIEF TO HELP GET RID OF ANTISEMITIC GRAFFITI  Libby Znaimer is joined by Toronto City Councillor James Pasternak of Ward 6 York Centre, Jon Burnside, City Councillor for Ward 16 (Don Valley East) and Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak. The TTC's CEO writes a letter to the Toronto Police Chief expressing concern around the issue of antisemitic graffiti on the transit system's property, a new report details how the City is falling behind its timeline targets for repairing potholes, and according to a Listening to Toronto survey, most Torontonians feel as though the city is not moving in the right direction. IMPACT OF CANADA POST STRIKE ON SMALL BUSINESS AND CONSUMERS Libby Znaimer is joined by Bruce Winder, a Retail Analyst and Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. The Canada Post strike continues, and talks between the union (CUPW) and Canada Post have stalled. We get a sense of how this is all impacting small businesses and

THE MEDICAL RECORD: DO YOU CARE ABOUT CALORIE COUNTS? Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist at Unity Health Toronto and Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto, Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing in Toronto, and Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Libby gives an update post-cataract procedure and we explore a study out of England that reveals the extent to which calorie counts actually influence our menu choices when we go to restaurants.  CALLS FOR PM TRUDEAU TO INCLUDE RETIREES IN HIS $250 REBATE Libby Znaimer is now joined by Will Stewart, a Conservative Strategist and Senior Vice President with Enterprise Canada, and Tom Parkin, a social Democratic commentator. PM Trudeau has excluded some very important groups from the $250 rebate cheques his government will be sending out to some 18.7 million Canadians. One of those important groups are pensioners who still pay tax! We've heard fro

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL:  PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP'S TARIFF THREAT & FORD GOVERNMENT PASSES LEGISLATION ON BIKE LANES Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal Health minister and Deputy Premier, Cheri DiNovo, Ontario NDP MPP and Janet Ecker, a former Ontario PC MPP and finance minister. This week:  President-elect Trump threatens Canada and Mexico with a 25 percent tariff on goods and the Ford government passes legislation pertaining to bike lanes. THE ZOOMER RADIO PRINCESS MARGARET CANCER CENTRE RADIOTHON  Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Aaron Schimmer, Senior Scientist and Research Director at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Dr. Keith Stewart, Vice President, Cancer and Director of the Princess Margaret Cancer Program, University Health Network. Welcome to Zoomer Radio's fourth annual radiothon in support of the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.  Today, we highlight the important work being done at PMCC and the latest research and innovations regardi

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: PM TRUDEAU'S $250 REBATE EXCLUDES RETIREES Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Operating Officer of CARP,  Bill VanGorder, Chief Advocacy and Education Officer and John Mykytyshyn, Conservative Activist, Political Consultant and President of Bradgate Research Group. Today: we get reaction from the Zoomer Squad regarding the fact that retirees are excluded from the Trudeau government's $250 rebate for working Canadians. It's an issue that many of our listeners expressed disappointment over during last week's Free For All Friday. Bill and Anthony also give us an update on what CARP members have been saying regarding the Canada Post strike and how the disruption of service has been impacting them.  GETTING CLARITY ON AMBULANCE FEES IN ONTARIO  Jane Brown is joined by Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, internal medicine and critical care physician at Humber River Hospital. Another hot topic during last week's Free For All Friday had to do with a

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners are upset that the Trudeau Liberals's $250 "Working Canadians Rebate" excludes retirees. We discussed that and many more headlines from the week that was.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: ROAD SAFETY AND BICYCLE LANES  Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Karen Stintz, a Conservative Party of Canada Candidate for Eglinton-Lawrence, a former Toronto City Councillor, Councillor James Pasternak of Ward 6 York Centre and Councillor Stephen Holyday of  Ward 2 Etobicoke Centre. Today: a discussion about road safety and bicycle lanes in Toronto, and the Ontario NDP enlist former Toronto Mayor David Miller as a "special advisor" to their leader Marit Stiles "on crafting a New Deal for municipalities" according to the Ontario NDP press release. THE UPCOMING PAUL BERNARDO PAROLE HEARING Jane Brown is joined by Ari Goldkind, a criminal defence lawyer based in Toronto. Paul Bernardo has a parole hearing coming up on November 26th. We found out late last night, the Parole Board of Canada is working with the families of Kristen French and Lesley Mahaffey to appear in person at Paul Bernardo’s next parole hearing on Tuesday after earlier saying th

THE MEDICAL RECORD:  A MEASLES OUTBREAK & CATARACT PROCEDURES Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and former head of BC Cancer, Dr. Iris Gorfinkel, a family doctor based in Toronto and Dr. Fahad Razak, Canada Research Chair in Data Informed Healthcare Improvement at the University of Toronto and a general internist at a Toronto hospital. We discuss a measles virus outbreak in New Brunswick, get reaction to Donald Trump nominating RFK Jr. to head the U.S. government Department of Health and Human Services and what to consider if you are undergoing a cataract procedure. IT'S WORLD COPD DAY Libby Znaimer is joined by Henry Roberts, Director and a co-founder of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Canada. Today marks World COPD Day. COPD is a progressive lung disease with symptoms like shortness of breath and chest tightness to name just a few. It affects about 1.5 million Canadians and possibly about a million more who are undia

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: WHAT'S THE LATEST REGARDING CANADA POST STRIKE?  Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal Health Minister and Deputy Premier, Lisa Raitt, a former Deputy Leader of Conservative Party of Canada and Robin Sears, Crisis Communications Consultant and former NDP Strategist. This week: Canadian MPs have come together to condemn an alleged Iranian assassination plot against human rights leader and former justice minister Irwin Cotler which was foiled by police. And, what's the latest on the Canada Post strike? BEST CREDIT CARD OPTIONS FOR CANADIANS TRAVELLING SOUTH OF THE BORDER? Libby Znaimer is now joined by Patrick Sojka, Founder of RewardsCanada.ca In this segment, we discuss some of the best credit card options out there currently for Snowbirds travelling stateside.  WHEN CARE FALLS THROUGH THE CRACKS AT MUNICIPAL LTC HOMES Libby Znaimer is joined by Jane Meadus, staff lawyer and the Institutional Advocate at the Advocacy Centre for the El

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: HOW CANADA POST STRIKE IS IMPACTING SENIORS  Libby Znaimer is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP,  Anthony Quinn, Chief Operating Officer of CARP, John Mykytyshyn, Conservative Activist, Political Consultant and President of Bradgate Research Group. The Canada Post strike is still on. How is it going to impact the senior demographic? And, we continue the discussion about OAS. HOW WILL OTTAWA AND TRUMP APPROACH IMMIGRATION POLICY Libby Znaimer is joined by Guidy Mamann, a Toronto immigration lawyer and Partner at Mamman & Sandaluk LLP Immigration Lawyers, and Kelly Sundberg, an Associate Professor at Mount Royal University and a former CBSA Officer. We unpack what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in his short video over the weekend that detailed Ottawa's shift in regards to its immigration policy. And, what will the Canada-U.S. border look like under a second Trump Presidency?  BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ALLOWS UKRAINE TO USE LONG-RANGE MISSILES INSIDE RUSSIA  Libby Znai

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: WHAT IT WILL COST TO REMOVE BIKE LANES IN TORONTO ACCORDING TO A CITY STAFF REPORT Libby Znaimer is joined by Karen Stintz, a Conservative Party of Canada Candidate for Eglinton-Lawrence and a former Toronto City Councillor, Councillor Paula Fletcher of Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth and Councillor James Pasternak of Ward 6 York Centre. We continue our coverage of the deeply concerning news of a "vigil" being planned for Yahya Sinwar--the late Hamas terrorist leader and architect of October 7th massacre--set to take place at Mississauga's Celebration Square. And, why has the cost of Toronto's crossing guards program increased so much? THE LATEST SCAMS TO BE AWARE INCLUDING TAYLOR SWIFT TICKET FRAUD Libby Znaimer is now joined by Detective David Coffey of Toronto Police Service's Financial Crimes Unit. Libby shares with Detective David Coffey a scam she got recently, and he cautions about Taylor Swift concert ticket scams and how to avoid falling victim to them. OTTAWA SCHOOL BOARD TRU

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners called in with their concerns about a planned "vigil" for Yayha Sinwar in Mississauga and organized by an anti-Israel group, Donald Trump's cabinet nominations as of late and more news of the week.

THE MEDICAL RECORD:  WHAT IS THE ONE MEAL A DAY DIET? Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and former head of BC Cancer, Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing in Toronto,  and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, internal medicine and critical care physician at Humber River Hospital. Have you heard of the one meal a day diet? It's a dietary trend that even high-profile figures like Bruce Springsteen subscribes to. The question is: how healthy is it for you? We discuss that and other health related topics of the week. HOW TORONTO IS PREPARING FOR TAYLOR SWIFT CONCERTS     Libby Znaimer is joined by Stuart Green, spokesperson with the TTC, Trevor Brodie, Director of Operations at Amsterdam Brewhouse and Tony Elenis, President and CEO of The Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association (ORHMA) Our local restaurants, hotels, and public services have been in preparation mode ahead of Taylor Swift's concert series and the wave of fans coming into to

RECOVERING POLITICIANS: DONALD TRUMP IS PICKING HIS CABINET & BONNIE CROMBIE PROPOSES A TAX CUTTING PLAN Libby Znaimer is joined by Lisa Raitt, a former Deputy Leader of Conservative Party of Canada, Andrew Perez, Principal at Peres Strategies and a Liberal strategist as well as Cheri DiNovo, a former NDP MPP. This is the first time we speak to our Recovering Politicians panel about the outcome of U.S. Presidential election which Donald Trump won, and he is already making some high profile nominations. Closer to home, Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie makes an announcement. A VIGIL FOR TERRORIST YAHYA SINWAR IS BEING PROMOTED IN MISSISSAUGA  Libby Znaimer is now joined by Tasha Kheiriddin and Tristin Hopper, columnists with the National Post. There's a lot of concern that a "vigil" for the late Hamas terrorist leader Yahya Sinwar--the architect of the October 7th Massacre-- is going to be held later this month at Mississauga's Celebration Square. In a statement on X, Mayor Parrish said "No organization ex

REMEMBRANCE DAY SPECIAL  Libby Znaimer is first joined by the Honourable Lt. General Richard Rohmer as well as Major Jim Parks, veterans of WW2. They are followed by Retired Major John Stewart who served on numerous deployments with the Canadian Armed Forces including in Afghanistan (from 2003 to 2004). On today's Remembrance Day episode, we hear the stories of Canadian veterans who served in World War 2, as well as those of a veteran who served in numerous deployments with the Canadian Armed Forces including in Afghanistan from 2003 to 2004. THE ZOOMER SQUAD: WHAT REMEMBRANCE DAY MEANS TO ZOOMERS  Libby Znaimer is now joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Operating Officer of CARP, Bill VanGorder, Chief Advocacy and Education Officer and Bob Richardson, a public affairs consultant. Remembrance is vivid for the Zoomer generation - some were alive during World War 2. Certainly our parents went through it. We talk about the significance of this day. A DEEP DIVE INTO A REPORT CALLING FOR ACTION TO ADDRESS

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners reacted to Donald Trump winning the U.S. Presidential election and Premier Ford calling for an audit of all school boards in the province.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: DOUG FORD'S APPROACH TO BIKE LANE PLANS Libby Znaimer is joined by Karen Stintz, a Conservative Party of Canada Candidate for Eglinton-Lawrence and a former Toronto City Councillor, and Toronto City Councillors Jon Burnside for Ward 16 Don Valley East and Paula Fletcher of Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth. Our panel reacts to the latest with regards to Ontario Premier Doug Ford's plans with bike lanes in Toronto and we get further reaction to the Ward 15 Don Valley West byelection.  HOW A TRUMP ADMINISTRATION COULD SHAPE CANADA'S ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP WITH THE U.S. Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Ian Lee, Associate Professor at the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University. Many Canadians are wondering how exactly the upcoming Trump administration will shape Canada's economic relationship with the States, especially when it comes to trade. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE CURRENT BREAD RECALL  Libby Znaimer is joined by Ellen Roseman, a consumer advocate and journalist and Dr.

THE MEDICAL RECORD PANEL: ONTARIO LAUNCHING A NURSING PROGRAM & CANCER PATIENTS IN THE ER  Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Fahad Razak,  General Internist at Unity Health Toronto and Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto, Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto, and Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist of Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. This week: there’s an interesting study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal on people going to emergency rooms just before being diagnosed with cancer, or being diagnosed with cancer while there. On the positive side, the first new nursing program in 20 years was announced. It comes after the Ford government announced restrictions on medical school admission designed to boost the number of doctors here in Ontario. DONALD TRUMP HAS WON THE U.S. ELECTION Libby Znaimer is joined by Whitley Yates, a Republican strategist and founder and owner of The Niche Agency, as

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: ELECTION DAY IN THE U.S. Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, a former Deputy Premier and Health Minister of the Ontario Liberals, Cheri DiNovo, a former NDP MPP and Will Stewart, a Conservative Strategist and Senior Vice President with Enterprise Canada. It's election day in the U.S. Either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris will go to the White House, but which President will provide a better outcome for Canada? As mentioned yesterday, according to a Leger survey from this past October, 70 percent of Canadians are engaged in this election. Our panelists react to the latest on that.  ANTHONY FUREY ON WARD 15 BYELECTION OUTCOME  Libby Znaimer is now joined by Anthony Furey, who ran as a candidate for City Councillor for Ward 15 Don Valley West.  Anthony Furey joins the program to discuss the outcome of the Ward 15 Don Valley West byelection. Rachel Chernos Lin won with 55 percent of the vote, Furey getting 31 percent. He reflects on the race that was. MAYOR PAT

THE ZOOMER SQUAD:  WHAT DO CANADIANS THINK ABOUT THE U.S. ELECTION? Libby Znaimer is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Operating Officer of CARP, Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP and John Wright, a veteran pollster. This week: who will win the U.S. election? Will it be Donald Trump or Kamala Harris? And, what do Canadians think about it all, especially Zoomers? Our panel reacts to the latest. REUSABLE BAGS: DO YOU HAVE TOO MANY OF THEM? Libby Znaimer is joined by Ellen Roseman, a consumer advocate and journalist and Ashley Wallis, Associate Director of Environmental Defence. If you regularly go shopping, it's a problem you've likely encountered: the accumulation of more reusable bags than you know what to do with. It begs the question: just how environmentally friendly are these bags? HOW TURNING BACK THE CLOCK CAN IMPACT ROAD SAFETY Libby Znaimer is joined by Toronto Police Acting Superintendent Matt Moyer of Traffic Services and Matthew Camden, Senior Research Associate with Virginia Tech Transp

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners called in to react to the Ford government's $200 rebate for Ontario taxpayers and the latest on Premier Doug Ford's approach to bike lanes.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: WHERE MUNICIPALITIES STAND ON HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS Libby Znaimer is joined by Karen Stintz, a Conservative Party of Canada Candidate for Eglinton-Lawrence, a former Toronto City Councillor and the CEO of Variety Village, as well as Toronto City Councillors Jon Burnside for Ward 16 (Don Valley West) and Paula Fletcher of Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth. Today: thirteen Ontario mayors have accepted Ford's call to use the notwithstanding clause to clear homeless encampments, and a proposal at City Hall to increase the hotel tax as it faces a hefty price tag to co-host the 2026 FIFA games. REACTION TO THE FORD GOVERNMENT'S FALL ECONOMIC STATEMENT  Libby Znaimer is joined by Marit Stiles, Leader of the Ontario NDP followed by Will Stewart, a Conservative Strategist and Senior Vice President with Enterprise Canada, and Bob Richardson, a Public Affairs Consultant. This week: the Ford government officially delivered the fall economic statement. We unpacked what it includes and also got reaction

THE MEDICAL RECORD: FLU SHOTS AND COVID-19 SHOTS AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE IN ONTARIO  Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto, Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, an internal medicine and critical care physician at Humber River Hospital. It’s time to get vaccinated - against both COVID-19 and the flu. They are now available for everyone - not just older people and those who are immunocompromised, and the recommendation is to get them both together. Another topic today is the Canadian Medical Association is calling for an end to the requirement for doctor's notes for employees grappling with brief illnesses. QUEBEC'S PLANS FOR ADVANCED REQUESTS FOR MAiD  Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Wayne Sumner, University Professor Emeritus in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Toronto, and Ron Posno, a patient with dementia and an advocate for advance requests for MAiD.

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: DOUG FORD'S TAXPAYER REBATE Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal Health minister and Deputy Premier, Cheri DiNovo, former NDP MPP and Lisa Raitt, former Deputy Leader of Conservative Party of Canada. It’s Tuesday: time to talk politics. What are you going to do with the $200 Premier Doug Ford just promised every taxpayer in the province? And if that is not enough of an indication that the PC’s are planning an early election, there is also yesterday’s call for tougher bail restrictions. FORD GOVERNMENT CALLS ON OTTAWA TO GET TOUGH ON BAIL AND PRESENTS KEY DEMANDS  Libby Znaimer is first joined by Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, followed by Joseph Neuberger, Criminal Defence Lawyer with Neuberger and Partners LLP. The Ontario government has key demands for Ottawa when it comes to bail reform. Our experts weigh in. EV CAR CRASHES: WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT SAFETY DURING A CRASH AND PUTTING OUT FIRES Libby Znaimer is joined by Jin

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: ARE DRIVING LICENCE RENEWAL RULES FAIR FOR OLDER ZOOMERS?  Tasha Kheiriddin is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Operating Officer of CARP, Bill VanGorder, Chief Advocacy and Education Officer of CARP, and veteran pollster John Wright. Tomorrow is the deadline that the Bloc Québécois has set for the Liberals with regards to OAS. And, are the current requirements for older Zoomers fair when it comes to renewing our driver's licences? WHAT A NEW REPORT TELLS US ABOUT FOOD BANK DEPENDENCY  Tasha Kheiriddin is now joined by Gail Gould, Executive Director of Bernard Betel Centre and Neil Hetherington, CEO, Daily Bread Food Bank. A new report by Food Banks Canada shows the extent to which Canadians are dependent on food banks and the numbers are staggering. Our guests weigh in on the latest and we explore how food insecurity is impacting older Zoomers especially. THE DEBATE OVER DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME & WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE UPCOMING

Today on Free For All Friday: Listeners called in to continue the conversation around bike lanes and traffic congestion, Ottawa's changing policy regarding immigration and a whole lot more.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: FORD IDENTIFIES THREE MAJOR ROUTES FOR BIKE LANE REMOVAL Host Libby Znaimer is joined by Karen Stintz, a Conservative Party of Canada Candidate for Eglinton-Lawrence, a former Toronto City Councilor and the CEO of Variety Village, Toronto City Councilor Jon Burnside for Ward 16 Don Valley West and Stephen Holyday for Ward 2 Etobicoke Centre. This week, the province announced municipalities need QP approval for new bike lanes if they remove car lanes. Meanwhile, the Premier is considering cutting existing bike lanes on Bloor, University, and Yonge. City Hall is also making a crucial move to combat renovictions, but we must remember landlords deserve fair treatment too. Additionally, Kathleen Wynne's recent labeling of Anthony Furey as a bigot raises concerns, especially without evidence. 911 CALL WAIT TIME DELAYS AND GUN CONTROL  Clayton Campbell, President of Toronto Police Association challenged the Trudeau government’s claims of progress on the handgun problem. The TPA highlig

THE MEDICAL RECORD: AT-HOME PATIENTS IN ONTARIO ARE REPORTING DELAYS IN MEDICAL SUPPLIES Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist at Unity Health Toronto and Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto, Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto, and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, an Internal medicine and critical care physician at Humber River Hospital. Why are at-home patients in Ontario reporting delays in medical supplies and drugs for their care? We also discuss the issue of the primary care shortage across the province. A STAGGERING NEW REPORT SHOWS HOW MUCH FOOD IS BEING WASTED (AND THE COST) BY CANADIANS Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University and Dr. Mustafa Koç, Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Toronto Metropolitan University specializing in food security and food policy. A new report by Second Harvest shows the extent of o

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: WHAT KIND OF CAUCUS MEETING CAN PM TRUDEAU EXPECT?  Tasha Kheiriddin is joined by George Smitherman, a former Ontario Liberal Deputy Premier and Health Minister, Cheri DiNovo, a former Member of Provincial Parliament of Ontario and Lisa Raitt, a former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. There is a federal Liberal caucus meeting taking place this week and it comes at a time when there’s talk among some MPs of their dissatisfaction with PM Trudeau as the leader of their party. Meanwhile, the province of New Brunswick has made history this week by electing their first ever woman Premier. The Liberal’s Susan Holt won a majority. TORONTO’S STRATEGY TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS DURING WINTER Tasha is now joined by Gord Tanner, the General Manager of Toronto Shelter and Support Services. Today: the City detailed its strategy to address homelessness in the winter. But, will it go far enough to meet the demand? We also get a recap on City workers dismantling the

THE FORD GOVERNMENT TURNS TO A FAMILIAR EXPERT AS PART OF PRIMARY CARE STRATEGY Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Operating Officer of CARP, Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP and John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion. Former Federal Liberal Health Minister Jane Philpott has signed on with Ontario’s Doug Ford PCs to try and fix primary care. Listeners share their stories of the challenges they face in accessing primary care in Ontario. WHAT SENIORS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ACCESSING HIGH-DOSE FLU SHOTS & UPDATED COVID-19 VACCINES Jane Brown is joined by John Papastergiou, a professor at the University of Toronto and pharmacist and owner at Shoppers Drug Mart, as well as Dr. Alon Vaisman, Infectious Diseases Physician at the University Health Network (UHN). Are you 65-plus and have questions about getting the high-dose flu shot? Or maybe you want to learn more about this year’s updated COVID-19 shots. Our guests fill us in on what y

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners called in to discuss whether more bike lanes are a good idea and how to enhance safety on our roads including Parkside Drive.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE ACCOUNTABILITY AT THE CITY  Tasha Kheiriddin is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Karen Stintz, a Conservative Party of Canada Candidate for Eglinton-Lawrence, a former Toronto City Councillor and the CEO of Variety Village, Toronto City Councillor Paula Fletcher for Ward 14 Toronto Danforth and Barbara Hall, a former Toronto Mayor. Our panel reacts to the damning Toronto auditor general findings regarding City workers responsible for maintaining parks, an online payment system the City uses, and Metrolinx making changes to its senior leadership. Will that lead to projects like the Eglinton Crosstown LRT being sped up towards completion after years of delay?    PM TRUDEAU TESTIFIES OVER FOREIGN INTERFERENCE Tasha Kheiriddin is joined by Will Stewart, a Conservative Strategist and Senior Vice President with Enterprise Canada, Robin Sears,  a Crisis Communications Consultant and former NDP Strategist and George Smitherman, a former Ontario

THE MEDICAL RECORD: REPORT ON DISEASE SURVEILLANCE Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist at Unity Health Toronto who served as a Scientific Advisor of Ontario’s COVID-19 Science Advisory Table, Dr. Aaron Schimmer, the Director of Research at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre as well as a staff physician and a senior scientist and Dr. Nadia Alam, a Georgetown, Ontario family doctor and anesthetist.  Even though it hasn’t been long since we’ve been out of the COVID pandemic, according to a new report it’s time to start preparing for the next global health crisis. COURT CHALLENGE AGAINST FORD GOV’T OVER ORCHARD VILLA LICENSE Jane Brown is joined by Natalie Mehra, Executive Director of the Ontario Health Coalition and Cathy Parkes, whose father passed away at Orchard Villa during the pandemic. Both Cathy and the Ontario Health Coalition are presenting a court challenge this week over the Ford government's decision to greenlight a

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: THE LATEST IN SPAT BETWEEN OTTAWA AND INDIA  Libby Znaimer is joined by Lisa Raitt, a former Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Cheri DiNovo, a former NDP MPP,  and John Milloy,  a former Ontario Liberal MPP who served as a cabinet minister under the Dalton McGuinty and Kathleen Wynne governments. This week: we take a look at the tense relations between Canada and India, and we also discuss the latest effort from within the Liberal party to oust PM Justin Trudeau as leader. ONTARIO PLANS TO GET TOUGHER ON BIKE LANES AS PART OF CONGESTION-EASING EFFORTS Libby Znaimer is joined by Trevor Townsend, Founder of Keep Toronto Moving and Albert Koehl, Cycling and pedestrian advocate. The Ford government has tabled legislation around bike lanes as part of its strategy to ease traffic gridlock. We discuss that plan in greater detail and whether or not it is a good idea. A CLOSER LOOK AT THE LATEST CAMPAIGN BY SOME LIBERAL MPS TO OUST TRUDEAU Libby Znaimer is

ZOOMER SQUAD: CARP ADVOCATES FOR SENIORS AS BILL C-319 STALLS, OAS REMAINS A TOP PRIORITY Jane Brown is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Operating Officer at CARP, Bill VanGorder, CARP’s Chief Advocacy and Education officer, and John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion. The panel addressed the pressing issue of the Bloc Quebecois' Bill C-319, which seeks a 10% Old Age Security (OAS) increase for seniors aged 65-74. CARP’s recent survey reveals that 73.2% of respondents believe current OAS payments are too low, with 77.1% supporting the proposed increase. Meanwhile, discussions around the sustainability of OAS and GIS are crucial as Canada's aging population grows, highlighting the need for ongoing advocacy and support. FOOD BANK USAGE IN THE GTA & THANKSGIVING DRIVE Jane Brown is joined by Neil Hetherington, CEO of Daily Bread Food Bank, who reveals a staggering 35% rise in food bank visits compared to last year. Daily Bread has seen close to 2 million client visits in the past si

Today on Free For All Friday: our listeners phoned in to discuss Mayor Olivia Chow's absence at the October 7th commemoration in Toronto, vehicle access to High Park, the TDSB field trip to the Grassy Narrows protest, and more.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN:  TORONTO MAYOR OLIVIA CHOW ABSENT FROM TORONTO OCTOBER 7TH VIGIL  Libby Znaimer is joined by Karen Stintz, a Conservative Party of Canada Candidate for Eglinton-Lawrence, a former Toronto City Councillor and the CEO of Variety Village, and Toronto City Councillors James Pasternak for Ward 6 York Centre and Brad Bradford for Ward 19 Beaches-East York. This week: Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is facing backlash for her absence at the October 7th Commemoration in the city. And, we get the latest update on where city council is at with regards to Billy Bishop Airport. HURRICANE MILTON: WHAT CANADIAN SNOWBIRDS NEED TO KNOW   Libby Znaimer is joined by Martin Firestone, President of Travel Secure, and Stephen Fine, President & Managing Editor of SnowbirdAdvisor.ca Hurricane Milton has left a trail of destruction damaging homes, flooding roads and knocking out power for millions. However, it “was not the worst-case scenario” that many had been bracing for. Still, where does that leave

THE MEDICAL RECORD: WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT SCURVY   Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and former head of BC Cancer, Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor in Toronto and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, internal medicine and critical care physician at Humber River Hospital. Scurvy - a disease we thought was consigned to the history books - has reappeared and food insecurity seems to be the culprit here according to a study published in in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. And, what a study out of the University of Waterloo tells us about breakfast. CRTC WANTS CANADA'S BIG CELL PROVIDERS TO LOWER THEIR INTERNATIONAL ROAMING FEES Libby Znaimer is now joined by Jean-François Mezei, a telecommunications consultant based in Montreal and Carmi Levy,  a technology analyst and journalist based in London, Ontario The CRTC wants Canada's three big cell companies--Bell, Rogers and Telus--to reduce their international roaming charges. We take a deep dive in

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: HOW HARD ARE OUR CITY WORKERS ACTUALLY WORKING?  Libby Znaimer is joined by Cheri DiNovo, a former NDP MPP, John Milloy, a former Ontario Liberal MPP who served as a cabinet minister under the Dalton McGuinty and Kathleen Wynne governments, and John Mykytyshyn,  a Conservative Political Consultant and President of Bradgate Research Group. Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of the October 7th massacre and we got to hear speeches from both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre at a commemoration in Ottawa. And a report from Toronto's Auditor General shows that city workers responsible for the upkeep of our parks are working less hours than they are reporting in their logs. What will Mayor Olivia Chow do about this? THE SPENDING HABITS OF OLDER VS YOUNGER CANADIANS THIS UPCOMING HOLIDAY SEASON  Libby Znaimer is joined by Ellen Roseman, a consumer advocate and journalist and Bruce Winder, a retail analyst. We get a picture of what we

Today marks the one year anniversary of the October 7th massacre perpetrated by Hamas terrorists. It was the deadliest attack on Jewish people since the Holocaust. Ceremonies in Israel and around the world are marking the moment. Here, on Fight Back, we heard from Israelis on the ground and family members of hostages who shared their stories. We also discussed the rise of antisemitism both in Canada and abroad with local politicians. Today's episode featured: Vivian Bercovici, a former ambassador of Canada to Israel; Harel Lapidot, whose niece was murdered on October 7th; Liberal MP Anthony Housefather, named Special Advisor on Jewish Community Relations and Antisemitism; Conservative Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman; Maureen Leshem, who is a cousin of Israeli hostage Romi Gonen; and Maayan Shavit, whose cousin Carmel Gat was murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before her body was found by the IDF in Gaza.

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners reacted to the confounding conundrum of cars in High Park, Ontario's lease deal with European spa company Therme, the U.S. presidential election, and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: 2025 CITY BUDGET CONSULTATIONS Toronto begins 2025 budget consultations; police in the GTA planning heightened presence ahead of October 7th Hamas terror attack anniversary; and the latest on the Ontario subway line. Jane Brown is joined by Karen Stintz, a Conservative Party of Canada candidate for Eglinton-Lawrence, a former Toronto City Councillor and the CEO of Variety Village; Councillor Paula Fletcher for Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth; and Councillor Stephen Holyday for Ward 2 Etobicoke, for a conversation about all things Toronto. POLICE PRESENCE AHEAD OF OCTOBER 7 ANNIVERSARY Greater Toronto Area police chiefs have announced plans for beefed up patrols and security leading up to the anniversary of the Hamas terror attacks this Monday and in the weeks following October 7th. Jane Brown is joined by Luciano Cedrone, Security Director with Triovest and with the Security Guard Association of Ontario; and Toronto Councillor and Deputy Mayor Mike Colle Ward 8 Eglinton-Lawrence, to

THE MEDICAL RECORD: WHY BREAST CANCER RATES ARE RISING AMONG YOUNGER WOMEN   Marissa Lennox is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a former head of BC Cancer, Dr. Alisa Naiman,  a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto, and Dr. Amol Verma, a clinician-scientist and staff physician in General Internal Medicine at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and new research from the American Cancer Society shows breast cancer rates are rising among younger women, particularly those under 50. What’s driving this rise? How should we be rethinking screening and awareness? And, with everything we know about early diagnosis saving lives, why are so many young women not getting diagnosed until later stages? IRAN ATTACKS ISRAEL TARGETING CIVILIANS & ISRAEL VOWS TO RESPOND Marissa Lennox is now joined by Richard Goldberg, a Senior Advisor at the Foundation for D

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: THE TRUDEAU GOVERNMENT FACES PRESSURE FROM THE BLOC Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, a former Ontario Liberal MPP, Deputy Premier and Health Minister, Lisa Raitt, a former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, and Cheri DiNovo, a former NDP MPP. In the news: we discuss how the Trudeau Liberals are doing in the polls and the demands being made by the Bloc which, if not met, could trigger an early federal election. THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HEZBOLLAH Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Elliot Tepper, a professor of International Relations at Carleton University and Phil Gurski, President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consultants and a former strategic analyst at CSIS. First it was pager explosions followed by a wave of walkie talkie explosions. A short time after those developments, the Israeli Air Force successfully carried out a major strike on the Iran-backed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah while he was meeting with other mem

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: THE BLOC'S PUSH FOR AN OAS INCREASE Jane Brown is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Operating Officer at CARP,  Bill VanGorder, Chief Advocacy and Education Officer at CARP, and John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion. Today: we revisit the discussion looking into the Bloc's push for a 10 percent increase for the Old Age Security of Zoomers between the ages of 65 and 74, which according to the Parliamentary Budget Officer, would come at a net cost of $16.1 billion over 5 years. Meanwhile, tomorrow is National Seniors Day, and Statistics Canada has highlighted some neat data regarding the older demo. So tune in! TODAY MARKS THE 4TH ANNUAL NATIONAL DAY OF TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION Jane Brown is joined by Cat Criger, an Indigenous philosopher and wisdom keeper with deep cultural roots who works extensively in secondary and post-secondary institutions. Today is the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, a federal statutory holiday. Cat mentions the Truth and Reconcil

Today on Free For All Friday: Listeners reacted to the TDSB meeting that took place this week after students were taken to an anti-Israel protest in Toronto and Premier Doug Ford's proposal to dig a tunnel under Highway 401 in the GTA with the aim of easing gridlock. But, how much will it cost? Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: TORONTO IS GETTING A NEW CONCERT VENUE Libby Znaimer is joined by Karen Stintz, a Conservative Party of Canada Candidate for Eglinton-Lawrence, a former Toronto City Councillor and the CEO of Variety Village, Barbara Hall, a former Mayor of Toronto, and Toronto City Councillor Brad Bradford for Ward 19 Beaches-East York. Why does Ontario Premier Doug Ford want to build a tunnel under Highway 401 and how much will it cost? And Toronto is getting a new concert venue at Downsview.  A RECAP OF LAST NIGHT'S TDSB EMERGENCY MEETING Libby Znaimer is joined by Neethan Shan, Acting Chair of the TDSB, followed by Tamara Gottlieb, Founding member of Jewish Educators and Family Association of Canada (JEFA). A resolution came out of last night's TDSB meeting whereby students attending their schools are not allowed to go on field trips to demonstrations until an investigation launched by the Ontario Minister of Education--looking into how students were brought to anti-Israel protest--is concluded.

THE MEDICAL RECORD:  SYNTHETIC BONES FOR CANCER AND TRAUMA PATIENTS? Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a former head of BC Cancer, Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist at Unity Health Toronto and Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto and former Scientific Director of the COVID-19 Ontario Science Table, and Dr. Alisa Naiman,  a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto. This week: we take a deep dive into the controversial Bill 7 here in Ontario (aka More Beds, Better Care Act) which is being challenged in court. And, a team out of the University of Waterloo is 3-D printing synthetic bone with the aim of helping cancer and trauma patients. SOME OF THE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR DON VALLEY WEST COUNCILLOR Libby Znaimer is now joined by Anthony Furey, Rachel Chernos Lin and Dhruv Jain, all three of whom are among the candidates for City Councillor for Ward 15 Don Valley West

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: CONSERVATIVES INTRODUCE NON-CONFIDENCE MOTION TODAY Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, a former Ontario Liberal MPP, Deputy Premier and Health Minister, Lisa Raitt, a former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, and Cheri DiNovo, a former NDP MPP. Today: the federal Conservatives have introduced a motion of non-confidence in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today. What will become of that? And, our panelists react to the TDSB facing backlash after students were brought into an anti-Israel protest the other week in downtown Toronto. BUYING A NEW CAR? HERE'S WHAT TO CONSIDER Libby Znaimer is joined by Robert Karwel, Director of Customer Success with J.D. Power & Associates, and Jil McIntosh, an auto writer who writes for Driving.ca among other publications. So you're thinking about buying a new car and you are looking to narrow down your options. Today, we discuss what consumers might consider as they determine whether a hybrid, electric or regular gas-

THE ZOOMER SQUAD:  ONTARIO'S BILL 7 FACES CHARTER CHALLENGE  Libby Znaimer is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Operating Officer at CARP, Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP, and John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion. The More Beds Better Care Act (also known as Bill 7) is being challenged in court today. Through this legislation, hospital patients are sent to a long term care home not of their choosing or otherwise face a daily fine of $400 to stay put. What do you think? TDSB FACES BACKLASH FOR BRINGING STUDENTS TO ANTI-ISRAEL PROTEST Libby Znaimer is joined by Kevin Vuong, the independent member of Parliament for Spadina—Fort York and Bryan Passifiume, reporter with the Toronto Sun. The TDSB is facing plenty of backlash after students were taken on a field trip that brought them into an anti-Israel protest. The initial idea of the trip was to observe a demonstration calling for the government to address the problem of mercury poisoning within the Grassy Narrows First Nation.

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners weighed in on Toronto increasing the fines for its "Don't Block the Box" initiative as part of the overall strategy of easing traffic congestion, and the province is looking into not allowing bike lanes to be installed if it means those bike lanes lead to car lanes being removed. What do you think about it all?

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: REACTION TO TORONTO'S "DON'T BLOCK THE BOX" INITIATIVE Libby Znaimer is joined by Karen Stintz, a Conservative Party of Canada Candidate for Eglinton-Lawrence, a former Toronto City Councillor and the CEO of Variety Village, Toronto Councillor Jon Burnside for Ward 16 Don Valley East, and Councillor Paula Fletcher for Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth. There's plenty happening in Toronto lately...we kick things off with a discussion about the City's "Don't Block the Box" initiative aimed at curbing local traffic congestion with fine increases being announced by Mayor Olivia Chow. Meanwhile, the Toronto Police Association has kicked off a campaign calling for more pay for officers. And, one of the councillors on today's panel thinks that we are not getting enough accountability from our government leaders. THE MICHELIN GUIDE GOES BEYOND TORONTO WITH AWARDS TO RESTAURANTS Libby Znaimer is joined by Nick Di Donato, President of Liberty Entertainment Group, whose restaurant DaNico was awarded on

MEDICAL RECORD: WHAT A NEW STUDY TELLS US ABOUT THE USE OF AI IN TREATING HOSPITAL PATIENTS Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor in Toronto, Dr. Amol Verma, Clinician-Scientist at St. Michael's Hospital and Temerty Professor of AI Research and Education in Medicine at the University of Toronto, and Dr. Aaron Schimmer, the Director of Research at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre as well as a staff physician and a senior scientist. Today we discuss a groundbreaking study co-authored by Dr. Amol Verma on the use of AI and how it has contributed to a 26 percent reduction in unexpected deaths for patients being treated in hospital. And, should we be moving away from the Body Mass Index and instead use the Body Roundness Index (also known as BRI)? THE DEBATE AROUND THE FILM "RUSSIANS AT WAR" WHICH SPARKED CONTROVERSY AT THIS YEAR'S TIFF Libby Znaimer is now joined by freelance journalist Justin Ling and Chris Alexander, Canada’s former ambassador to Afghanistan and Minister of Im

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: LIBERALS LOSE ANOTHER BYELECTION & FAO LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION INTO COST OF ONTARIO EXPANDING ALCOHOL SALES EARLY  Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, a former Ontario Liberal MPP, Deputy Premier and Health Minister, Cheri DiNovo, a former NDP MPP, and Janet Ecker, a former Ontario PC MPP and finance minister. It's another byelection loss for the Trudeau Liberals....this time in the Montreal riding of LaSalle-Émard-Verdun. They lost it to the Bloc Quebecois. Meanwhile, the NDP managed to get re-elected in Manitoba's Elmwood Transcona riding. Our panel weighs in on that and other headlines from Ottawa and Queen's Park.   TORONTO INCREASES FINES FOR "BLOCKING THE BOX" BUT HOW WILL IT ACTUALLY BE ENFORCED?  Libby Znaimer is now joined by Sgt. Murray Campbell of Toronto Police Traffic Services. Yesterday, we learned from Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow that the City is increasing fines for driver's who "block the box". According to the City of Toronto, "Blocking the Box

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: SHOULD PHARMACISTS IN ONTARIO BE GIVEN MORE POWERS?  Libby Znaimer is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Operating Officer at CARP,  Bill VanGorder, Chief Advocacy and Education Officer at CARP, and John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion. Our panel kicks things off with a discussion about the province's plans to provide pharmacists with additional powers when it comes to treating ailments and administering vaccines. We also look at a real life example of the very high cost of care for older Zoomers.  QUEBEC PROPOSES BILL REGARDING TIPPING Libby Znaimer is joined by Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, Donna Dooher, Owner of Mildred's Temple Kitchen, and Dominique Tremblay, Director of Public and Governmental Affairs at Association Restauration Québec. Québec, through a bill it has tabled, wants to change the way that businesses charge tips to their customers by requiring them to calculate their tips before tax is

Today on Free For All Friday: plenty of listeners called in with their beef about the word "like" being used a lot in everyday conversation, crime in Toronto including home invasions and porch pirates, reactions to the Trump-Harris debate, and more news of the week.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN:  IS LIBERTY VILLAGE FINALLY GETTING CONGESTION RELIEF? Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, a Conservative Party of Canada Candidate for Eglinton-Lawrence, a former Toronto City Councillor and the CEO of Variety Village, and Toronto City Councillor Paula Fletcher of Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth. Our panel weighs in on the latest strategy by the TTC to crack down on fare evasion, whether Liberty Village is finally getting congestion relief and other headlines making news this week in the city.  TIPPING CULTURE: ARE WE TAKING IT TOO FAR?  Libby Znaimer is now joined by Ellen Roseman, Consumer Advocate and journalist, and Tony Elenis, President and CEO of The Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association (ORHMA). Tipping...it's everywhere. And, we're being asked to partake in the practice even if we don't dine in and get service. You can face a request for a tip when purchasing a loaf of bread, and there are even places that don't sell food

THE MEDICAL RECORD: WHAT COMES AFTER CANCER TREATMENT? Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Fahad Razak, a Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto and General Internist at Unity Health Toronto, Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto, and Dr. Keith Stewart, Vice President, Cancer and Director of Princess Margaret Cancer Program at the UHN. Today: a discussion about what comes next for cancer patients who complete treatment, a new guideline in the U.S. pertaining to mammogram results and, closer to home, Ontario Health is changing its guidelines on how iron deficiency is measured. THE PAINFUL REALITY OF ONLINE TRANSACTIONS Libby Znaimer is joined by Carmi Levy, Technology Analyst and Journalist based in London, Ontario. Why is making a transaction online such a hassle whether we purchase tickets for a concert or sports match or purchase something from a retailer? There's always a tedious process to follow including regist

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: MARK CARNEY TAKES ON ROLE WITH LIBERALS Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, a former Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre, Health Minister and Deputy Premier, Cheri DiNovo, a former NDP MPP for Parkdale-High Park, and John Mykytyshyn, Conservative strategist and President of Bradgate Research Group. Our panel reacts to Jagmeet Singh meeting with his NDP caucus in Montreal, the upcoming federal byelection in the riding of LaSalle–Émard–Verdun, and Mark Carney becoming a special advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. THE BIBI FILES AND RUSSIANS AT WAR SPARK CONTROVERSY AT TIFF 2024  Libby Znaimer is joined by Robert Sarner, Senior Writer at Friends of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and a regular feature writer for The Times of Israel followed by Peter Schturyn, President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Toronto Branch. Two films, The Bibi Files and Russians at War, have sparked controversy at TIFF this year...both for different reasons. Our guests weigh in on

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: THE TREND OF INTENSE ENDURANCE SPORTS AMONG OLDER ZOOMERS    Libby Znaimer is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP,  Anthony Quinn, Chief Operating Officer of CARP, and John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion. Our panel reacts to disgraced fashion mogul Peter Nygard's 11 year prison sentence and the trend of mid-life Zoomers (ages 45 plus) participating in intense endurance sports like the Ironman, triathlons and various other kinds of activities; clearly this demographic shows no sign of slowing down. And, should Canada institute what is called a "National Silver Alert line" for older adults who go missing? Our panel discusses this controversial idea. BACK TO WORK FOR MINIMUM THREE DAYS FOR FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVANTS  Libby Znaimer is joined by Howard Levitt, Senior Partner at Levitt LLP, followed by Duncan Dee, a former Air Canada executive. Starting today, federal public workers have to go back to the office for a minimum of three days a week, and the la

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners reacted to NDP leader Jagmeet Singh "ripping up" his supply and confidence agreement with the Liberals and framing the next federal election as a choice between himself and Pierre Poilievre, and more headlines that made news this week.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: TORONTO GRAPPLES WITH VERY VIOLENT LONG WEEKEND Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, a Conservative Party of Canada Candidate for Eglinton-Lawrence, a former Toronto City Councillor and the CEO of Variety Village, and Toronto City Councillor Paula Fletcher of Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth. It was a deadly Labour Day weekend here in Toronto...11 shootings including 3 homicides. Meanwhile, Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Ottawa to make changes to the criminal code. And, licensed participating convenience stores start selling alcohol in Ontario today. How will that go? JAGMEET SINGH DITCHES SUPPLY AND CONFIDENCE AGREEMENT WITH LIBERALS Libby Znaimer is now joined by Andrew Perez, Principal at Perez Strategies and a Liberal strategist, Jason Lietaer, Conservative Strategist and President at Enterprise, and Robin V. Sears, Crisis Communications Consultant and former NDP Strategist. It's official...Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has anno

SOME BUSINESSES STILL CONSIDER CASH TO BE KING Libby Znaimer is now joined by Christina Santini, Director of National Affairs at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), Marco, who owns a corporate catering company, and Mike Ojala, Co-Owner of Swan Dive Bar on Dundas Street West. When shopping or eating at a restaurant, have you been asked to pay with cash or perhaps given the incentive to do so with an offer of a discount? Or was a fee imposed upon you for paying with your credit card? We are joined by a couple of local businesses today to discuss what their transaction policy is and the impact banking fees can have on their profit margins.

SIX HOSTAGES KILLED BY HAMAS  Libby Znaimer is now joined by Professor Amos Guiora, a former Legal Advisor to the IDF in Gaza and Jon Allen, a Senior Fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy and a former Canadian Ambassador to Israel from 2006 and 2010. After six hostages were found murdered by Hamas terrorists in an underground tunnel in Gaza, hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the streets demanding a deal for the remaining hostages to be returned home. Hamas, meanwhile, is threatening to kill any hostages that the IDF tries to rescue. Our experts weigh in on the latest in the Israel-Hamas war. THE STATE OF REWARDS PROGRAMS Libby Znaimer is now joined by Bruce Winder, a retail analyst. It's time to talk about the current state of rewards programs being offered by retail companies like Shoppers and elsewhere and whether they are giving customers the best value. And, on top of that, have you been in a position where you buy a certain product at one store only to have to ret

ZOOMER SQUAD: CANADA'S AGING POPULATION: FINANCIAL STRAINS, HOUSING CHALLENGES, AND HEALTH CARE UPDATES Guest Host Tasha Kheiriddin is joined by Bob Richardson, Public Affairs Consultant, Bill VanGorder, Chief Advocacy and Education Officer at CARP, and Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer at CARP. The panel explored why many seniors prefer to remain in their homes rather than relocate to often-overcrowded nursing facilities. Callers cited concerns about the financial cost and inconvenience of moving, as well as a strong emotional attachment to their long-time residences. LABOUR DISPUTES AND NATIONAL STRIKES IN CANADA  Tasha is joined by Dr. Larry Savage, Professor of Labour Relations at Brock University, and Dr. Ian Lee, Associate Professor at the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University. The youth unemployment rate remains high, with significant struggles among young Canadians. Initially, temporary foreign workers were brought in to address labor shortages in agriculture and manual industr

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners paid tribute to our own Bob Komsic as he retires from Zoomer Radio and begins his next chapter. We also heard from you about the state of tipping these days and your thoughts on the latest developments regarding the Eldidi terror suspects arrested here in Canada.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: MORE THAN 80,000 LETTERS DELIVERED TO PREMIERE OVER CONCERNS OF ONTARIO SCIENCE CENTRE Libby Znaimer is joined by Councillor James Pasternak, Ward 6 York Centre, Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, and Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village. Recent debates on immigration cover abuses of the Temporary Foreign Worker program, visa overstays by international students, and troubling asylum cases like the alleged terrorist father-son duo. Libby and panel also discuss the persisting concerns surrounding the Ontario Science Centre. HOW TORONTO TERROR SUSPECTS GOT THROUGH CANADA'S IMMIGRATION SYSTEM Libby Znaimer is now joined by Phil Gurski, President of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting and a former senior strategic terrorism analyst at CSIS, and immigration lawyer Guidy Mamann. Libby explores the recent case of a father and son accused of terrorism and their asylum process in Canada. The discussion focuses on the asylum application procedures, potential abuses of the system, and

This week, a group of protestors gathered outside of a CUPE office in Thornhill calling for Fred Hahn’s resignation.

THE MEDICAL RECORD:  COVID-19 HASN'T GONE AWAY & WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HYPERTENSION Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, a Medical Oncologist with Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a former head of BC Cancer, Dr. Fahad Razak, a General Internist based in Toronto and Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto and Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto. Do you know someone in your circles who currently has or is getting over COVID-19? Our doctors weigh in on the spike in cases, as well as the importance of keeping track of your blood pressure as you age. CALLS INTENSIFY FOR CUPE'S FRED HAHN TO RESIGN Jane Brown is now joined by Amir Epstein, Executive Director of Tafsik, a grassroots organization dedicated to combating antisemitism around the world, and Salman Sima, a former political prisoner from Iran who joined a protest this week calling for CUPE's Fred Hahn to

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL:  TRUDEAU'S CABINET RETREAT & OTTAWA GETS TOUGH ON CHINA Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by George Smitherman, former Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre, Health minister and Deputy Premier, Janet Ecker, former Ontario PC MPP and finance minister, and Cheri DiNovo, a former NDP MPP for Parkdale-High Park. Today, we kick things off with a discussion about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Cabinet retreat in Halifax. Meanwhile, China is not happy with Ottawa after it made the decision to slap a 100 percent tariff on Chinese electric Vehicles (following in the steps of the U.S.) OTTAWA CHANGING ITS APPROACH TO FOREIGN WORKERS  Jane Brown is now joined by Guidy Mamann, a Toronto immigration lawyer and Partner at Mamman & Sandaluk LLP Immigration Lawyers. Ottawa is making some key changes to its immigration policy which includes an announcement on reducing the number of low wage temporary foreign workers coming to Canada. Guidy weighs in on the lates

THE ZOOMER SQUAD:  AGEISM AT WORK & WHAT DOCS ARE SAYING ABOUT OZEMPIC FOR ADULTS 65 + Tasha Kheiriddin is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP,  Bill VanGorder, Chief Advocacy and Education Officer of CARP, and John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion. This week: we kick things off with a discussion about ageism in the workplace and when you should claim your government pension. AIR CANADA PILOTS COULD GO ON STRIKE NEXT MONTH Tasha Kheiriddin is joined by Dr. Gabor Lukacs, Founder and President of Air Passenger Rights and Dr. Karl Moore, Associate Professor, Strategy & Organization at the Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University. Air Canada pilots could go on strike as early as September 17th after 98 percent of them voted in favour of a strike mandate should negotiations fail. So, how will this impact travelers and what can Ottawa do about this? HOW AN INCREASE IN FOR-PROFIT CATARACT SURGERIES IS IMPACTING LOWER INCOME SENIORS Tasha Kheiridd

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners called in about the Ford government's approach to safe injection sites in the province, the call for CUPE's Fred Hahn to resign and many more headlines from the week that was.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: JEWISH INSTITUTIONS IN CANADA TARGETED WITH BOMB THREATS Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, a Conservative Party of Canada Candidate for Eglinton-Lawrence, a former Toronto City Councillor and the CEO of Variety Village, and Toronto City Councillor James Pasternak for Ward 6 York Centre. Our panel reacts to the news this week that Jewish schools, hospitals and synagogues were targeted by bomb threats, Fred Hahn facing the call to resign from a CUPE position and some residents in Riverdale facing expropriation of their homes amid Ontario Line construction. CALLS FOR CUPE'S FRED HAHN TO RESIGN Libby Znaimer is joined by Carrie Silverberg, a Jewish CUPE member who resigned from the executive of CUPE Local 1734. Carrie reacts to the news of calls from CUPE'S National Executive Board for Fred Hahn to resign from his role as General Vice President for Ontario, as well as Ontario Liberal Minister Dave Piccini confronting him directly and acc

THE MEDICAL RECORD: A CONCERNING STUDY ON ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a former head of the BC Cancer Agency, Dr. Fahad Razak, a Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto and General Internist based in Toronto, and Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto. Today on the show: our experts weigh in on concerning research linking a certain artificial sweetener--erythritol-- to an increased risk of blood clots, heart attack and stroke. And, they explore an alternative treatment to the epipen when it comes to allergic reactions. CANADA'S POLICE CHIEFS CALL FOR HELP AMID A RISE IN PROTESTS Libby Znaimer is now joined by Thomas Carrique, Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police and President of The Canadian Association of Police Chiefs. Commissioner Carrique explains the call by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL:  WHAT ARE ONTARIO'S PLANS FOR SUPERVISED INJECTION SITES? Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, a former Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre, Health Minister, and Deputy Premier,  Lisa Raitt, a former Deputy Leader of Conservative Party of Canada, and Cheri DiNovo, a former Ontario NDP MPP. Our panel reacts to Education Minister Todd Smith's decision to retire from politics, and thus his role, nearly three months into taking over the file. The province is also giving an update today on its plans for safe injection sites.   THE FUTURE OF TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE GTA  Libby Znaimer is now joined by Councillor Brad Bradford, Ward 19 Beaches-East York, and Jessica Smith Cross, Editor-in-Chief, The Trillium. The Trillium has obtained documents from Ontario's Ministry of Transportation showing predictions of worsening traffic gridlock/congestion in the GTA. Our guests react to the latest. THE LATEST REGARDING UKRAINE'S MILITARY OFFENSIVE INSIDE RUSSIA  Libby Znai

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: THE GTA GRAPPLES WITH MORE SEVERE RAINFALL, FLOODING Libby Znaimer is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP, John Wright, Executive Vice President of  Maru Public Opinion and Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP. This past weekend, the GTA grappled with more heavy rainfall and flooding after the major rainstorm. And, today marks the 82nd anniversary of the Dieppe Raid during World War II.  TORONTONIANS IN THEIR 20s ARE STRUGGLING MORE WITH THEIR MENTAL HEALTH AND FINANCES COMPARED TO OLDER DEMOS: TORONTO FOUNDATION Libby Znaimer is now joined by Mohamed Huque, Director of Community Impact for Toronto Foundation.  What a new study from Toronto Foundation tells us about how Torontonians in their 20s are doing when it comes to mental health and their finances and how that compares to the older demographics.  DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION BEGINS TODAY Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Chris Cooper, Political Science Professor at Western Carolina University, and

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners reacted to distracted drivers, the issue of e-bikes and e-scooters in the city, opening day of The Ex, and other news that made headlines this week.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: A BIKE PATH BOONDOGGLE Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak; David Crombie, a former Toronto Mayor; and Karen Stintz, a Conservative Party of Canada Candidate for Eglinton-Lawrence and former Toronto City Councillor and the CEO of Variety Village, for a conversation about all things Toronto. WHAT THE HECK IS GOING HAHN? CUPE Ontario’s president is facing backlash from some of the union's Jewish members for reposting a social media post on Facebook. On Sunday, Fred Hahn shared a video of a diver at the Paris Games, showing the athlete with a prominent Star of David on their arm jumping off the diving board before turning into a bomb that drops on innocent civilians. Libby Znaimer is joined by John Mykytyshyn, Conservative activist, political consultant, and President of Bradgate Research Group to discuss this troubling matter. TORONTO'S QUIET LIST ANNOUNCED TODAY Are you ‘fed up’ with not being able to enjoy a conversation when you dine out, due

THE MEDICAL RECORD: UPTICK IN MPOX CASES, HEALTHCARE WORKER BURNOUT & CANCER PROJECTIONS FOR MEN Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a former head of the BC Cancer Agency; Dr. Fahad Razak, a Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto and General Internist at Unity Health Toronto; and Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto, to discuss the medical news of the day. AMO SURVEY ON HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS The Association of Municipalities of Ontario is asking the province for guidance on how to handle the growing number of homeless encampments in the province. Libby Znaimer is joined by Andrea Horwath, Mayor of Hamilton; and Cam Guthrie, Mayor of Guelph to discuss this issue. CANADA'S POLICE CHIEFS CALL FOR HELP AMID A RISE IN PROTESTS The frequency of protests linked to both domestic and global issues is creating an "unsustainable demand" on policing

THE RECOVERING POLITICIANS An emergency committee hearing was held in Ottawa this morning to vote on whether to call Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Immigration Minister Marc Miller to testify about how the recently arrested father-son accused terror team was able to immigrate to Canada. Libby Znaimer is joined by Cheri DiNovo, former Member of Provincial Parliament of Ontario; Lisa Raitt, former Deputy Leader of Conservative Party of Canada; and John Milloy, former Ontario Liberal MPP who served as a cabinet minister under the Dalton McGuinty and Kathleen Wynne governments to discuss this, and other political news of the day. OTTAWA TURNS A BLIND EYE TO QUESTIONABLE PRO-PALESTINIAN CHARITIES The federal government wants to take away the charity status of the 100-year-old Jewish National Fund of Canada for allegedly breaking the rules, but the Trudeau Liberals aren’t doing likewise with a number of pro-Palestinian charities, some with questionable links to terrorist organizations. Libby Znai

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: GET THAT SHINGLES SHOT! Libby Znaimer is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP; Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP; and John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion for a conversation about the importance of getting a shingles vaccination; overcrowding in Ontario's ERs, and more. ONTARIO PREMIER DOUG FORD'S AUTO INSURANCE PLANS Premier Doug Ford is following through on his promise to make more auto insurance benefits optional in Ontario, but some experts say the results could mean higher rates for drivers. Libby Znaimer is joined by Tom Rakocevic, Ontario NDP Auto Insurance critic and the MPP for Humber River-Black Creek; Ellen Roseman, consumer advocate and journalist; and Mary Kelly; Chair in Insurance at Wilfrid Laurier University’s School of Business and Economics to discuss the issue. WRAPPING UP THE OLYMPIC GAMES Libby Znaimer is joined by Wally Rigobon, co-host of the Naz and Wally Sports Hour on Zoomer Radio AM740, for a wrap-up conversation

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners reacted to the latest assaults against parking enforcement officers in Toronto and other news that made headlines this week.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN:  ASSAULT ON POLICE DURING PARKING DISPUTE IN TORONTO Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Toronto City Councillor Brad Bradford for Ward 6 Beaches-East York, and Karen Stintz, a Conservative Party of Canada Candidate for Eglinton-Lawrence, a former Toronto City Councillor and the CEO of Variety Village. It’s Thursday - time to talk about all things municipal- and today we have to talk about parking! A bylaw officer and the police officer he called for backup were assaulted by a driver who had just been ticketed for parking in a bike lane - the fine for that offense had just gone up on the first of the month. Then we were treated to that viral video of a cop being called out for parking illegally to get coffee. The only physical part of the argument was the finger that was given... by the cop. Both the head of the Toronto Police Association and Premier Doug Ford think this constitutes harassment. So the question is: if you park illegally to get a cop a c

THE MEDICAL RECORD: WHY ARE MEN MORE RELUCTANT TO VISIT THE DOCTOR? Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a former head of the BC Cancer Agency, Dr. Fahad Razak, a Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto and General Internist at Unity Health Toronto, and Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto. Today: a rural town in Ontario has a creative plan in an effort to attract family doctors to work there. And, why is it that men are more reluctant to pay a visit to the doctor? Meanwhile, last week we started the conversation about cracking down on for pay services that are in the gray zone - one of them being virtual visits with doctors in other areas - there’s research which shows that virtual visits with a doctor who knows the patient are great but with someone who is unfamiliar - not so much. BYLAW CHARGES LAID AGAINST COMPANIES FOR BIN LEFT ON BIKE

RECOVERING POLITICIANS:  KAMALA HARRIS HAS CHOSEN A RUNNING MATE Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, a former Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre, Health minister and Deputy Premier,  Lisa Raitt, a former Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and Robin V. Sears,  a Crisis Communications Consultant and former NDP Strategist. Kamala Harris has chosen her running mate: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Ontario Premier Doug Ford is purchasing police helicopters to crack down on auto theft among other types of crime and Ottawa is making an effort to address fraud in the temporary foreign worker program. ISRAEL PREPARES FOR POTENTIAL ATTACK BY IRAN AND ITS TERROR PROXIES Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Amos Guiora, Professor of Law at the University of Utah and a former Legal advisor to the IDF in Gaza, and Jon Allen, a Senior Fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy and a former Canadian Ambassador to Israel from 2006 and 2010. Israel has been bracing for a potential

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: DO SENIORS' DISCOUNTS STILL MAKE SENSE GIVEN THEIR GROWING WEALTH? Guest Host Tasha Kheiriddin is joined by Bill VanGorder, Chief Advocacy and Education Officer of CARP, Bob Richardson, a public affairs consultant, and John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion. Statistics Canada data show 6% of seniors live in poverty, compared to 11.1% of other adults, raising questions about the fairness of senior discounts. Tasha and panelists discuss the need (or not) for senior discounts and the latest top up to Old Age Security. CAA SURVEY FINDS OVER HALF OF ONTARIO DRIVERS ENGAGE IN DANGEROUS BEHAVIOURS Tasha is now joined by Michael Stewart, Community Relations Consultant for CAA South Central Ontario. A CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) study found that 55 per cent of Ontario motorists engaged in risky driving behaviours last year. Tasha and Michael discuss how good or bad these numbers are. RUSSIA AND THE WEST COMPLETE HISTORIC PRISONER SWAP Tasha is now joined

Today on Free For All Friday: Listeners reacted to the latest wave of antisemitic attacks on the Jewish community in the GTA, traffic congestion in the city and the latest excitement from the Olympic Games in Paris.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN:  ANOTHER CYCLIST DEATH IN TORONTO & LACK OF CLARITY ON WHEN 24/7 GARDINER EXPRESSWAY CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, David Crombie, a former Toronto mayor and Karen Stintz, a Conservative Party of Canada Candidate for Eglinton-Lawrence, a former Toronto City Councillor and the CEO of Variety Village. Our panel reacts to the latest cyclist death in the City, the question about when 24/7 construction will begin on the Gardiner Expressway after the province announced its $73 million in funding to help speed up the timeline and also the latest wave of antisemitism targeting the Jewish community in the GTA. AUGUST 1ST MARKS EMANCIPATION DAY Libby Znaimer is now joined by Rosemary Sadlier, author and a former president of the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) who helped to make Emancipation Day official. Today marks Emancipation Day, the annual celebration of the day in 1834 when the abolition of slavery officially took effec

What we know about the latest wave of antisemitic attacks on the local Jewish community--this time in Vaughan--and our guests weigh in on whether our government leaders, at all levels, are doing enough to address the problem of antisemitism.

THE MEDICAL RECORD: IS EXPANDING THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF PHARMACISTS IN ONTARIO A GOOD IDEA?  Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a former head of the BC Cancer Agency, Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto and Dr. Alon Vaisman, Infectious diseases physician at the University Health Network (UHN).  Our panel reacts to the province ending its COVID-19 wastewater surveillance program, and other healthcare news of the week.  THE LATEST WAVE OF ANTISEMITISM TARGETING THE JEWISH COMMUNITY Libby Znaimer is joined by MP Melissa Lantsman,  Deputy leader of the Conservative Party (Thornhill) as well as Richard Robertson,  Director of Research and Advocacy at B'nai Brith Canada and Rabbi Jeff Forman of City of David Messianic Synagogue. What we know about the latest wave of antisemitic attacks on the local Jewish community--this time in Vaughan--and our guests weigh in on whether our government

RECOVERING POLITICIANS: THE ONTARIO GOVERNMENT IS INVESTING $134 MILLION IN FIVE NEW POLICE HELICOPTERS Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, former Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre, Robin V. Sears, Crisis Communications Consultant and former NDP Strategist, and Lisa Raitt, former Deputy Leader of Conservative Party of Canada. Libby and guests touch on various political issues: Premier Doug Ford's decision to push tougher crime measures, including tracking bail decisions and increasing helicopter funding for car theft. At the municipal level, no sign of action to ease the terrible congestion since last week's announcement of $73 million for 24 hour construction and more. SOMALI COMMUNITY CENTRE PLAN IN ETOBICOKE PARK FACES DISPUTE OVER THE GREEN LAND Libby is now joined by Councillor Stephen Holyday of Ward 2 Etobicoke Centre and Christina Manulak, President of the Buttonwood Hill Residents Association. Toronto's Somali Centre for Culture and Recreation (SCCR) proposal faces hurdles amid strong o

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: A ‘LONGEVITY-OPTIMIZED’ DIET COULD INCREASE LIFE EXPECTANCY UP TO 10 YEARS, STUDY SUGGESTS Libby Znaimer is joined by Bob Richardson, Public Affairs Consultant, Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP and John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion. The Zoomer Squad panel discusses a new study that suggests a ‘longevity-optimized’ diet could add 10 years to your life. Then, we move to the ever-relevant topic of terrible Toronto traffic. And it's been a year since vehicles were banned from entering High Park, has it been beneficial? UNLESS YOU HAVE A GENE VARIANT, DOUBLE MASTECTOMY HAS NO SURVIVAL ADVANTAGE Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Ellen Warner, Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto and a staff medical oncologist at the Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook, and Dr. Eileen Rakovitch, Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at UofT and the Cancer Program Director of Research at Sunnybrook. A study in JAMA Oncology finds that removing th

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners weighed in on Canada's soccer scandal at the Paris Olympic Games, Toronto looking into a storm water charge that would pertain to commercial properties as the city grapples with the issue of flooding, and other news of the week.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: PROVINCIAL FUNDING TO SPEED UP CONSTRUCTION ON GARDINER EXPRESSWAY Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village and David Crombie, a former Toronto Mayor. The province is providing funding to speed up the completion timeline of the Gardiner Expressway. Our panel reacts to the latest. HOW PHARMACISTS MAY PLAY A GREATER ROLE AMID PRIMARY CARE SHORTAGE   Libby Znaimer is joined by Justin Bates, CEO of the Ontario Pharmacists Association. The Ford government is considering expanding responsibilities for pharmacists for things like treating additional health conditions and administering additional kinds of vaccines...it comes amid a primary care shortage. CANADA FACES A SCANDAL AT THE 2024 PARIS OLYMPICS  Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Michael Naraine, Assistant Professor in the Department of Sport Management at Brock University. Canada is facing a scandal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games with two staff with Canada Soc

THE MEDICAL RECORD: WHAT THE CMA OUTLINES IN ITS LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist at Unity Health Toronto and Canada Research Chair in Data Informed Healthcare Improvement at the University of Toronto, Dr. Aaron Schimmer,  the Director of Research at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre as well as a staff physician and a senior scientist and Dr. Iris Gorfinkel, Family Physician and Founder PrimeHealth Clinical Research. Today: our panel of doctors react to draft recommendations made by the Canadian Medical Association and also how doctors communicate with their patients about stress and managing it.  BANK OF CANADA CUTS KEY INTEREST RATE TO 4.5 PERCENT Libby Znaimer is now joined by Jim Stanford, Economist and Director, Centre for Future Work. We have learned this morning that the Bank of Canada has cut the key interest rate to 4.5 per cent. So, what are the implications of this on peoples' mortgages and more? PROVINCIAL FUNDING WILL MEAN 24/

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL:  BIDEN IS OUT OF THE RACE & CANADIAN POLITICIANS FACING DEATH THREATS  Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, former Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre, Health minister, and Deputy Premier, Cheri DiNovo, a former NDP MPP, and John Mykytyshyn, Conservative Political Consultant and President of Bradgate Research Group. This is the first time we speak with our recovering politicians since U.S. President Joe Biden has departed from the race and has endorsed his VP Kamala Harris. And, here in Canada, two individuals have been charged for allegedly making death threats against Canadian officials including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. ISRAEL'S NETANYAHU VISITS WASHINGTON THIS WEEK Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Amos Guiora, Professor of Law at the University of Utah and a former legal advisor to the IDF in Gaza, and Jon Allen, a former Canadian Ambassador to Israel from 2006 to 2010. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in Washington D.C. this week where he wi

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: STEVEN MACKINNON IS CANADA’S NEW MINISTER OF LABOUR AND SENIORS FOLLOWING SEAMUS O'REAGAN'S DEPARTURE Libby Znaimer is joined by Bill VanGorder, Chief Advocacy and Education Officer of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP, and John Wright, Executive Vice President, Maru Public Opinion. In the aftermath of President Biden's decision not to seek re-election, the nation witnessed a saga of public drama culminating in widespread accolades. The unfolding events have sparked conversations about potential ageism implications, prompting reflections on a shifting political landscape and the emergence of new leadership in senior roles. Libby and panelists discuss. JOE BIDEN HAS HANDED OVER THE REINS TO KAMALA HARRIS AFTER OFFICIALLY STEPPING DOWN FROM THE RUNNING TO BE THE NEXT U.S. PRESIDENT  Libby Znaimer is joined by Brad Polumbo, a conservative commentator and editor-in-chief & co-founder of BASEDPolitics and Matthew Wilson, Associate Professor of Political Science at Southe

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners weighed in on the attempted assassination of former U.S. President Donald Trump at his Pennsylvania rally last Saturday evening, the ongoing issue of "shrinkflation" at grocery stores and the major rainstorm that hit Toronto hard this past week.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: DID MAYOR OLIVIA CHOW  DO A GOOD JOB RESPONDING TO THE RAIN STORM?   Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village and David Crombie, a former Toronto Mayor. This week, we ask the question: did Mayor Olivia Chow do a good enough job and show strong enough leadership in response to the epic rainstorm that hit Toronto? WHAT A REPORT TELLS US ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF SHRINKFLATION AT THE GROCERY STORE Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University. During your trip to the local grocery store, have you noticed that the products you love to buy are getting smaller in size? Well, a new report by the non-profit group Community Researchers explored key products that are impacted. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LISTERIOSIS Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Alon Vaisman, Epidemiologist at the University Health Network (UHN). In the aftermath of two Ontarians dy

THE MEDICAL RECORD: WHY PREMIER DOUG FORD WANTS TO SPEED UP THE APPROVAL PROCESS FOR PHARMACEUTICAL DRUGS  Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist at Unity Health Toronto and Canada Research Chair in Data Informed Healthcare Improvement at the University of Toronto, and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, Internal Medicine and Critical Care Physician at Humber River Hospital. Ontario Premier Doug Ford wants the approval process for life-saving pharmaceutical drugs to be sped up. And a new study out of the American Cancer Society indicates that nearly half of cancer cases could be prevented by better lifestyle choices. WAS TORONTO TRULY PREPARED TO HANDLE THE SEVERE RAIN STORM   Libby Znaimer is joined by Toronto City Councillor Brad Bradford,  Ward 19 Beaches-East York and Constable Scott Stratton of the  OPP Highway Safety Division. Yesterday’s epic rain dumped about a month's worth on Toronto in just a few hours. H

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: HOW OTTAWA SHOULD PREPARE FOR A POTENTIAL TRUMP ADMINISTRATION Libby Znaimer is joined by Lisa Raitt, a former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, John Milloy, a former Ontario Liberal MPP who served as a cabinet minister under the Dalton McGuinty and Kathleen Wynne governments and Robin Sears, a former NDP strategist and crisis communications consultant. This week, there is lots to unpack with our panel: we get reactions from them about the attempted assassination of U.S. President Donald Trump this past weekend at his Pennsylvania Rally, and we explore Canada's relationship with the U.S. U.S. INTELLIGENCE OFFICIAL SUGGESTS IRAN IS FUNDING AND INFLUENCING ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTS IN AMERICA Libby Znaimer is now joined by Kaveh Shahrooz, a lawyer and human rights activist and a Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. A U.S. intelligence official has accused Iran of influencing and funding anti-Israel protests in America. So, how exactly are they doing

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: NACI RECOMMENDS RSV PROGRAM FOR OLDER ZOOMERS + REMEMBERING DR. RUTH Libby Znaimer is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP, and Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs. NACI is recommending an RSV program for older Zoomers. And, the legendary sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer has passed away at 96 years old.   THE NUMBER OF ONTARIANS WITHOUT A FAMILY PHYSICIAN Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Mekalai Kumanan, a family doctor in Cambridge and President of The Ontario College of Family Physicians.  We carry on the conversation in this segment about the ongoing shortage of family doctors here in Ontario, the contributing factors to the problem, and how this reality can impact the quality of life and health of patients.  THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON DONALD TRUMP: WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR Libby Znaimer is now joined by Javed Ali, an Associate Professor of Practice at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the Univers

Today on Free For All Friday: our listeners weighed in on Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow's track record one year into office, the ongoing LCBO strike and U.S. President Joe Biden's mental acuity.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT MAYOR OLIVIA CHOW'S RECORD ONE YEAR IN Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village, and David Crombie, a former Toronto Mayor. We look at Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow's track record as she hits her one year milestone on the job. And, we continue the conversation about the Ontario Science Centre. THE IMPACT OF THE LCBO STRIKE ON LOCAL BUSINESSES  Libby Znaimer is joined by Erik Joyal, President of Ascari Group, which owns three restaurants and Kenny Shim, President of the Ontario Convenience Store Association followed by Jason Lietaer, President of Enterprise and a Conservative strategist. We discuss the impact of the LCBO strike on restaurants in the province and we find out how convenience store owners are planning for the future of selling alcohol. THE LATEST ON CONDO SALES IN TORONTO: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW  Libby Znaimer is joined by Phil Soper, President and CEO of Royal LePage. We take a c

THE MEDICAL RECORD:  HOW DOCTORS COMMUNICATE CANCER DIAGNOSES TO PATIENTS  Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Aaron Schimmer, the Director of Research at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre as well as a staff physician and a senior scientist and Dr. Fahad Razak, Canada Research Chair in Data Informed Healthcare Improvement at the University of Toronto and a general internist at a Toronto hospital, as well as Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto. Today: a conversation about how doctors communicate cancer diagnoses to their patients. We also explore ways to keep cool during the heat waves this summer. THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE WHILE ON BAIL Libby Znaimer is now joined by Frank Caputo, a Conservative MP for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, followed by Kim Schofield, Criminal Defense Lawyer with Kim Schofield & Associates. Just how many individuals have been charged for homicide while out on bail or some other form of release? It was a questi

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: DOUG FORD CLAPS BACK AT LCBO STRIKE WITH ONLINE BOOZE MAP AND PROMOTIONAL VIDEO   Libby Znaimer is joined by Lisa Raitt, a former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, George Smitherman, a former Ontario Liberal Deputy Premier and Health Minister, and Cheri DiNovo, a former NDP MPP. Today: we kick things off with a discussion about the latest on the LCBO strike and Premier Doug Ford's response to it, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Washington this week attending the NATO Summit. THE LATEST ON THE CANADIAN DENTAL CARE PLAN Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Maneesh Jain, President of the Ontario Dental Association. Ottawa has made a change to the Canadian Dental Care Plan with the aim of getting more dental professionals on board. We discuss what that will mean for both dentists and patients. ANOTHER LONG TERM CARE HOME CLOSURE IN TORONTO Libby Znaimer is now joined by Jane Meadus, Institutional Advocate at the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly an

THE U.S. PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE RESPARKS CONFUSION TOWARDS BIDEN’S FRAILTY. IS HE TOO WEAK? OR IS IT JUST AGEISM? Libby Znaimer is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer, CARP, Rudy Buttignol, President, CARP, and John Wright, Executive Vice President at Maru Public Opinion. The squad talks about U.S. President Biden's performance at last week's debate as he admitted to "making mistakes" and "screwing up" during the debate against Donald Trump.  People online say that he is too old to re-run for presidency. Is it true or is it just ageism? Environment Canada issued a heat warning yesterday for Toronto, which begs the question: should it be mandatory for all rental units and houses to provide air conditioning? POLITICAL CHAOS ENSUES IN FRANCE AS THE COUNTRY FACES HUNG PARLIAMENT AFTER ELECTION RESULTS Libby was joined by Randall Hansen, political science professor at UofT and Stephanie Carvin, political analyst and assistant professor at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners called to weigh in on the ending of the anti-Israel encampment on UofT campus grounds, and No Frills ending its multi-buy offers.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: WELCOME TO TORONTO, WHERE POP STARS ARE HAVING TO WALK TO THEIR OWN CONCERTS Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village and David Crombie, a former Toronto Mayor. If you wanted to get a clear sense of just how bad traffic congestion gets in this city, just ask pop star Niall Horan (formerly of One Direction): he reportedly had to abandon his vehicle mid-traffic and walk over to Scotiabank Arena to make it to his very own concert the other weekend. WHITE HOUSE DENIES REPORT THAT U.S. PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN IS CONSIDERING STEPPING DOWN Libby Znaimer is joined by Larry Haas, a Senior Fellow for U.S. Foreign Policy at the American Foreign Policy Council, and Bob Richardson, a Public Affairs Consultant. Our American friends are probably off celebrating the fourth of July, but the fallout from last Thursday's presidential debate continues. Will Joe Biden stay or go? The White House went into damage control mode following a NYT r

THE MEDICAL RECORD: THE POSSIBLE LINK BETWEEN TATTOOS AND BLOOD CANCER Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a former head of the BC Cancer Agency, Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto, and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, Internal Medicine and Critical Care Physician at Humber River Hospital. Today, our panelists discuss how the amount of coffee we drink and how it affects us individually might come down to our DNA according to research. And, what a study out of Sweden tells us about tattoos and a potential link to a type of blood cancer.   EYLON LEVY, FORMER ISRAELI GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON, WEIGHS IN ON ANTISEMITISM IN CANADA  Libby Znaimer is now joined by Eylon Levy, Co-Founder, Israeli Citizen Spokespersons' Office and Former Israeli Government Spokesman & International Media Advisor to the President of Israel. Eylon is in Toronto this week to, as he explains, strengthen the friendship between Isra

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: PM TRUDEAU AND U.S. PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN FACING PRESSURE REGARDING THEIR LEADERSHIP Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, former Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre, Health Minister, and Deputy Premier, Janet Ecker, former Ontario PC MPP and Finance Minister and Cheri DiNovo, a former NDP MPP. Both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Joe Biden have been facing pressure to step down for very different reasons: The Liberals had a major upset with a byelection loss to the Conservatives in Toronto-St. Paul's, and President Biden is facing criticism after a disastrous debate against former President Donald Trump. So, what happens next? ATTACKS ON TWO TORONTO SYNAGOGUES OVER THE WEEKEND Libby Znaimer is first joined by Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, followed by Steven Bloom, Chair of Pride of Israel Synagogue, and Michael Gilmore, Executive Director of Kehillat Shaarei Torah Synagogue. Our guests react to the latest wave of antisemitism in Toronto in

THE ZOOMER SQUAD:  LET'S TALK ABOUT MENTAL ACUITY IN POLITICAL LEADERSHIP Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP (Canadian Association of Retired Persons), John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion,  and Bob Richardson, a public affairs consultant. In the aftermath of that disastrous debate performance by U.S. President Joe Biden against former President Donald Trump...our panel weighs in on what happened, how it sparked a national conversation South of the border about whether he should step down and about mental acuity in political leadership. And...here at home, Canadians are celebrating Canada Day today. But, how do Canadians feel about Canada lately? Our panel discusses. HIGHWAY ROAD SAFETY THIS CANADA DAY LONG WEEKEND Jane Brown is now joined by Sergeant Sami Nasr of the Ontario Provincial Police. It's the long weekend...which means it's time to revisit the conversation about road safety on our highways. The OPP poin

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners reacted to last night's U.S. Presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden and to the ongoing contentious issue of the renaming of Yonge-Dundas Square.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: CITY COUNCIL EXPECTED TO VOTE ON RENAMING OF YONGE-DUNDAS SQUARE TODAY  Libby Znaimer is joined by David Crombie, a former mayor of Toronto, Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, and Aleem Kanji, Principal at Aleem Kanji and Associates. Today is supposed to be the day City Council votes over the matter of the renaming of Yonge-Dundas Square to Sankofa Square. And we react to the latest regarding the future of the Ontario Science Centre. TORONTO POLICE AND OPP MAKE 124 ARRESTS IN AUTO-THEFT INVESTIGATION  Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dylan Finlay, a Criminal Defence Lawyer with Strategic Criminal Defence, and Detective Inspector Scott Wade from the Ontario Provincial Police. We hear about the carjacking crackdown called Project Titanium in which 124 arrests were made with over 170 stolen vehicles recovered and we discuss how 44 per cent of those individuals arrested were already out on bail. A NEW CAA SURVEY ON DISTRACTED DRIVING IN ONTARIO   Libby Znaimer is now joi

THE MEDICAL RECORD: THE ROLE THAT REGULAR WALKING HAS ON REDUCING OUR LOWER BACK PAIN   Liz West is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto, and Dr. Fahad Razak, Canada Research Chair in Data Informed Healthcare Improvement at the University of Toronto and a general internist at a Toronto hospital. This week: a discussion about the role that regular walking has in helping to reduce lower back pain and what a new study says about loneliness and risk of stroke. CANADIANS' ATTITUDES TOWARDS TIPPING AT RESTAURANTS Liz West is now joined by Barry Choi, Personal Finance Expert, and David Neinstein, Owner of Barque Smokehouse in Toronto. So, what are Canadians' attitudes regarding tipping lately? We look at a survey that gives us a sense about that and we hear from a restaurant owner about why he got rid of tipping and how it's been working out. A 14 YEAR-OLD-BOY IS CHARGED IN SHOOTING OF ZOOMERS IN ETOBICOK

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL:  LIBERALS FACE UPSET AS CONSERVATIVES WIN TORONTO-ST. PAUL'S RIDING Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, Former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre and Health minister and Deputy Premier, Lisa Raitt, former Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and Cheri DiNovo, a former NDP MPP. The Conservatives have won the Toronto-St. Paul's riding with their candidate Don Stewart...a riding that was held by the Liberals for over 30 years. So, what does this mean for Prime Minister Trudeau's political future?   GOAT GRAZING PILOT LAUNCHES TO MANAGE INVASIVE SPECIES AT THE BRICKWORKS IN TORONTO Libby Znaimer is joined by Florentine Maathuis, the owner of The Big Crunch, and Cheryl Post, Natural Environment Specialist with the City of Toronto Urban Forestry. Toronto has enlisted a fleet of 40 goats to do some prescribed grazing at Don Valley Brick Works. Our guests explain why. CANADA’S 85+ POPULATION SET TO TRIPLE BY 2073: ACCORDING TO STATISTICS CANADA

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: THE EXTENT TO WHICH CANADIANS FEEL UNPREPARED FOR RETIREMENT Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP, Bill VanGorder, Chief Advocacy and Education Officer of CARP, and John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion. Today: a discussion about Ottawa Seniors who have had to leave their apartments in their retirement residences after facing an unexpected hike in their monthly rent, and we look at a poll by Abacus Data detailing the extent to which Canadians feel unprepared for retirement. THE FUTURE OF ONTARIO'S SCIENCE CENTRE Jane Brown is now joined by Mike Schreiner, Leader of the Green Party of Ontario, and Liberal MPP Adil Shamji for Don Valley East. The Ford government has closed down the Ontario Science Centre...this after an engineering report said that the roof could collapse soon. What are your thoughts on this unilateral decision-making by the Ford PCs? Do we fix the science centre or mov

Today on Free For All Friday: Plenty of listeners phoned in with a reaction to the online petition co-organized by Daniel Tate demanding a reversal to the renaming of Yonge-Dundas Square. Daniel presented his petition, which has now surpassed 30,000 signatures, to the executive committee as well as Mayor Olivia Chow at City Hall this week.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: OUR PANEL REACTS TO THE ONLINE PETITION WITH 30,000 + SIGNATURES CALLING FOR REVERSAL OF YONGE-DUNDAS SQUARE RENAMING  Tasha Kheiriddin is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, CEO, Variety Village, and David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto. Earlier this week, Daniel Tate, a co-organizer of a petition with 30,000 + signatures demanding that Toronto reverse the renaming of Yonge-Dundas Square, presented his petition to the executive committee including Mayor Olivia Chow at City Hall. He joined Fight Back shortly after his appearance and spoke with our own Jane Brown about it. You can sign the online petition here: STOP the Renaming of Dundas in Toronto Another big issue: the anti-Israel encampment on UofT's campus. UofT is currently in day 2 of being in court as part of its application for an injunction to get rid of the encampment. Our panelists react to the latest. MEMBERS OF TORONTO'S JEWISH COMMUNITY CONCER

THE MEDICAL RECORD: HOW SOME MEDICATIONS DON'T MIX WELL WITH HEAT WAVES & WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT A NEW INSULIN SHOT FOR DIABETICS Tasha Kheiriddin is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a former head of the BC Cancer Agency, Dr. Alisa Naiman, family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto, and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, internal medicine and critical care physician at Humber River Hospital. A first of its kind, one-every-week basal insulin shot will be available to Canadian diabetic patients starting June 30th and what you need to know about certain medications that don't mix very well with heat waves like the one Ontarians are facing this week. AN UPDATE ON HOW UOFT AND MCGILL UNIVERSITY ARE ADDRESSING THE ANTI-ISRAEL ENCAMPMENTS Tasha Kheiriddin is now joined by Eli Mogil, Partner with McCarthy Tétrault LLP who has experience with injunctions but is not involved at all with UofT or McGill University's

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: DOES TORONTO-ST. PAUL'S BYELECTION POSE A SERIOUS THREAT TO PM TRUDEAU? Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by George Smitherman, a former Ontario Liberal Deputy Premier and Health Minister, Cheri DiNovo, a former NDP MPP, and Lisa Raitt, a former Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. Today: we get their reactions to the Toronto-St. Paul's byelection race that includes a whooping 84 candidates. If the Liberals were to lose that riding what implications could that have for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau? And just how angry are Canadians with the Prime Minister these days? PETITION WITH 30,000 SIGNATURES OPPOSED TO YONGE-DUNDAS SQUARE NAME CHANGE IS BEING PRESENTED TO CITY COUNCIL TODAY Jane Brown is now joined by Daniel Tate, a concerned citizen, taxpayer and co-organizer of an online petition to reverse the name change of Yonge-Dundas Square and Councillor Brad Bradford of Ward 19 Beaches-East York. Daniel Tate joins us shortly afte

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: HOW MANY ONTARIANS MOVED TO LTC HOMES NOT OF THEIR CHOOSING? Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP,  Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP, and John Wright, Executive Vice President, Maru Public Opinion. This week: a discussion about how heat waves can impact older Canadians, and the extent to which some alternate level of care patients at Ontario hospitals are ending up in a long-term care home not of their choosing.   HEAT WARNING IN EFFECT IN ONTARIO: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Jane Brown is now joined by Dave Phillips, Senior Climatologist at Environment Canada. Here is what you need to know about the heat wave affecting Ontario and which segments of the population are especially vulnerable. UOFT PROFESSOR EXPLAINS THAT ANTI-ISRAEL ENCAMPMENT DEMANDS TO DIVEST FROM ISRAELI COMPANIES IS "IMPOSSIBLE" A major demand by the anti-Israel encampment at UofT is for the university to divest from Israeli companies,

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners weighed in on the name change to Pioneer Village in Toronto and the government's Capital Gains Tax increase.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: OTTAWA JUST HIRED A NIGHTLIFE MAYOR Tasha Kheiriddin is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Alex Blumenstein, co-founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village, and Toronto Councillor Stephen Holyday, Ward 2 Etobicoke Centre. Ottawa just hired its first ever nightlife commissioner as part of its strategy to wake the city up from its reputation as a sleepy town. And, some Toronto residents are complaining about the Ontario Line construction. When will that all be over? OTTAWA AND THE ONGOING CONCERNS AROUND FOREIGN INTERFERENCE Tasha is now joined by Stephanie Carvin, Assistant Professor of International Affairs at Carleton University and an expert on national security issues. Tensions continue to persist in Ottawa over a report by the The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) alleging some MPs "wittingly assisting" foreign state actors after being elected. We still don't know the names of those MPs involved. BEER

THE MEDICAL RECORD: FDA ADVISORY PANEL BACKS EXPERIMENTAL ALZHEIMER'S DRUG Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Dr. Fahad Razak, Canada Research Chair in Data Informed Healthcare Improvement at the University of Toronto and a general internist at a Toronto hospital, and Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto. In the news: Why an FDA advisory panel supports an experimental Alzheimer's drug, and Moderna is working on a two-in-one flu and COVID-19 vaccine. THE LEGAL BATTLE OVER ONTARIO PLACE'S FUTURE Jane Brown is now joined by Norm Di Pasquale, Co-Chair of Ontario Place for All, and Chris Glover, NDP MPP for Spadina – Fort York. Today we hear why judges threw out a legal challenge against the Ford government pertaining to its Ontario Place redevelopment plans and what comes next.  TORONTO MAYOR OLIVIA CHOW'S MISSION REGARDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING  Jane

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: CAROLYN PARRISH IS MISSISSAUGA'S NEXT MAYOR & THE LIBERALS' CAPITAL GAINS TAX PUSH  Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by George Smitherman, a former Ontario Liberal Deputy Premier and Health Minister, Cheri DiNovo, a former NDP MPP, and Lisa Raitt, a former Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. Carolyn Parrish is the next Mayor of Mississauga. And, we revisit the conversation about the capital gains tax. HISTORIC ST. ANNE'S ANGLICAN CHURCH IN TORONTO DESTROYED IN FIRE: WHAT WAS THE CAUSE? Jane Brown is now joined by The Rev. Don Beyers of St. Anne's Anglican Church in Toronto and Sarah Milroy, Executive Director and Chief Curator, McMichael Canadian Art Collection. It's a tragedy...St. Anne's Anglican Church in Toronto's west end was destroyed in a fire on Sunday morning. Artifacts and art work including those made by The Group of Seven were also destroyed. At this point in time, we still do not know the cause of the fire. Our gues

THE ZOOMER SQUAD:  ARE YOU AN ACTIVE GRANDPARENT? TURNS OUT YOUR ROLE OFFERS IMPORTANT HEALTH BENEFITS Tasha Kheiriddin is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP, Bill VanGorder, Chief Advocacy and Education Officer of CARP, and Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs. The panel reacts to what a new study out of Finland tells us about the important role grandparents have, and then they discuss Ottawa's Disability Benefit program.  PREMIER DOUG FORD'S CABINET SHUFFLE & MISSISSAUGA'S MAYORAL ELECTION Tasha Kheiriddin is now joined by Bob Richardson, Senior Council, National Public Relations, and Jason Lietaer, Conservative Strategist and President at Enterprise. There's plenty of developments in the world of politics across Ontario and the GTA. On Friday, Premier Doug Ford made a major cabinet shuffle which included moving Stephen Lecce out of the role of Minister of Education and replacing him with Todd Smith (Lecce now takes on the ro

Today on Free For All Friday: our listeners phone in to talk about Mark Holland's recent road trip comment, alcohol coming to corner stores, and much more.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: TORONTO BRACES FOR A POTENTIAL TTC STRIKE Marissa Lennox is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, and John Sewell, a former Mayor of Toronto, and Councillor Stephen Holyday, Etobicoke Centre and a TTC board member. This week: Residents are bracing for a potential TTC strike starting Friday and as we heard from ATU Local 113 President Marvin Alfred, this isn't just about higher pay for TTC workers...And, then on the show we discuss a study by Geotab that shows just how much travel times on the Gardiner Expressway have increased since construction began there. THE INSURANCE COST OF STOLEN VEHICLES IN ONTARIO Marissa Lennox is now joined by Amanda Dean, Insurance Bureau of Canada’s Vice President of Ontario and Atlantic and Detective Greg O'Conner with Peel Regional Police. The Insurance Bureau of Canada released a report this week detailing the eye-popping costs of auto theft claims in major cities across Ontario. We also hea

THE MEDICAL RECORD: HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM TICK BITES Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, an internal medicine and critical care physician at Humber River Hospital. As of July 31st, Ontario will end its wastewater surveillance program which played an important role during the height of the pandemic and has proven useful in tracking other infectious diseases out there. Meanwhile, it's tick season and our doctors explain the importance of protecting yourself from potential bites. ATU LOCAL 113 PRESIDENT MARVIN ALFRED ON WHERE THINGS STAND WITH THE TTC AND POTENTIAL STRIKE THIS FRIDAY Libby Znaimer is now joined by Kristine Hubbard, Operations Manager Beck Taxi Limited and Sid Khan with Toronto Pearson Airport Taxi and limousine followed by Marvin Alfred, President of ATU Local 113. This Friday, there's a chance that TTC workers

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: WHO WERE THE MPS WHO "WITTINGLY" ASSISTED FOREIGN ACTORS FOR THEIR OWN GAIN? Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, a former Ontario Liberal Health minister and Deputy Premier, Cheri DiNovo,  a former NDP MPP and Janet Ecker,  a  former Ontario PC MPP and finance minister. It's Tuesday - time to talk politics and today is jam packed! We begin with the auditor general report on the government's use of consultants -without competitive bids. This even though the federal Liberals added about 100,000 public service workers to their payrolls - workers who are now fighting not to go into work! Meanwhile, yesterday we learned that some federal politicians are knowingly working with foreign governments to advance their own interests while subverting our democracy. The foreign governments involved: China and India, but the politicians themselves are not named. And federal Minister of Health Mark Holland made a head-scratching comment about Canadian families taking road trips. O

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: CARP CALLS ON BC GOVERNMENT FOR FREE RSV, SHINGLES VACCINES FOR ZOOMERS Libby Znaimer is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP, Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP and John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion. It’s Monday - time for our Zoomer Squad and CARP is getting some traction on its campaign demanding government coverage for vaccines crucial to the health of older Canadians - like the RSV vaccine. The need to pay for those and for so much else is driving Zoomers back to work out of necessity rather than desire. And former Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz is looking into how the CPP and other pension funds can invest more here in Canada. Is that a good or bad idea? NEW GUIDELINES FOR BREAST CANCER SCREENING Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Martin Yaffe, Senior Scientist at Sunnybrook Research Institute and Co-Director, Imaging Research Program at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research as well as Siobhan Grennan, who was part of the W

Today on Free For All Friday: A lot of our listeners had plenty to say about former President Donald Trump who was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records in his hush money trial. That and more right here on Zoomer Radio.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN:  ROB FORD IS BACK IN THE NEWS & THE LATEST ON THE MISSISSAUGA MAYORAL ELECTION Libby Znaimer is now joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, CEO, Variety Village, and David Crombie, a former Mayor of Toronto. It’s Thursday - time to talk about all things municipal - and last night there was a key debate in the race for Mississauga mayor. It was, as all debates except for one, a Carolyn Parrish-free debate. And on this segment we’ve spent a lot of time talking about the very controversial and unpopular re-naming of Yonge-Dundas Square. The other night we saw another that went down quite differently! WHAT IS BEHIND THE DRAMATIC PRICE CHANGES IN FRUIT AT THE GROCERY STORE? Libby Znaimer is now joined by Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University. We keep hearing that food inflation is coming down yet it’s not unusual to see the opposite at the grocery store  - at least when it comes to certain items. And the swing

THE MEDICAL RECORD: CANNABIS CONSUMPTION & SUNSCREEN MISINFORMATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Nadia Alam, family doctor and anesthetist in Georgetown, Ontario, Dr. Aaron Schimmer, the Director of Research at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre as well as a staff physician and a senior scientist, and Dr. Fahad Razak, Canada Research Chair in Data Informed Healthcare Improvement at the University of Toronto and a general internist at a Toronto hospital. Today: our panel reacts to the latest dangerous social media trend trying to push misinformation about sunscreen...our doctors debunk that. And, in the States, daily cannabis consumption has jumped ahead of daily alcohol consumption. WHY ARE UNIONS DEFENDING ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTERS? Libby Znaimer is joined, first, by tech reporter Carmi Levy, followed by Howard Levitt, Senior Partner at Levitt Sheikh Employment | Labour Law and Michael Teper of Save Our Schools. We’ve just been talking about the latest piece of health misinformatio

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: IS PREMIER DOUG FORD AFRAID OF PIERRE POILIEVRE'S CONSERVATIVES? Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, a former Ontario Liberal Health minister and Deputy Premier, Cheri DiNovo,  a former NDP MPP, and Lisa Raitt, former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. It’s Tuesday - time to talk politics! Is the Ford government preparing to call a snap election? And the panel reacts to the latest on Ottawa's immigration plans. Plus, what's happening with the Mississauga Mayoral race. CANADA IS HAVING A GOOD MOMENT IN TENNIS Libby Znaimer is now joined by Tennis Canada CEO Gavin Ziv and Wally Rigobon, co-host of the Naz and Wally Sports Hour on Zoomer Radio. There is lots to talk about at the French Open this year! We’re wondering if we have seen the last of Rafa Nadal at Roland-Garros - an event he had a lock on for years. He lost his first round match to Alex Zverev in straight sets - a very tough draw for what may be his swan song. And all four Canadians

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: HOW SUPPORTIVE ARE ZOOMERS OF THE FEDERAL LIBERALS? Libby Znaimer is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP,  Bill VanGorder, Chief Advocacy and Education Officer of CARP, and Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs. It’s Monday - time for our Zoomer Squad - and both politics and health are in the spotlight. New polling shows that Zoomers may be the last bastion of support for the Liberal government. And there’s a new Seniors advocate in BC. One of his first acts was to go to NYC to advocate for a binding international convention on seniors’ rights. Is that a useful thing to pursue? ONTARIO PREMIER DOUG FORD'S BIG BEER PLANS Libby Znaimer is joined by Bob Richardson, Senior Council, National Public Relations, and Karl Moore,  Associate Professor, Strategy & Organization AT McGill University. What’s all this about the moving up of the date for selling wine and beer in corner stores? Why does the PC government want to spend $225M on this? And is it a s

Today on Free For All Friday: YOU called in about Ontario Premier Doug Ford's beer announcement, construction on the Gardiner Expressway and the anti-Israel encampment situation on university campuses.  Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: THE CITY'S APPROACH TO HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS & NEW BIKE LANES FOR EGLINTON AVENUE? Libby Znaimer is now joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, CEO, Variety Village, and David Crombie, a former Mayor of Toronto. They are everywhere...or so it feels like...if you live in Toronto you've likely stumbled across a homeless encampment at the local park or public space. And, this week, City staff produced a report about how City Council (which has not passed it yet) might go about addressing the problem. Will it work? REACTION TO CHARGES BEING DROPPED AGAINST SOME INVOLVED IN ANTI-ISRAEL VANDALISM OF INDIGO Libby Znaimer is joined by Richard Robertson, Director of Research and Advocacy at B'nai Brith Canada. This week we learned that charges have been dropped against four of 11 accused individuals involved in the red paint splattering vandalism of an Indigo bookstore in Toronto--a company that is owned by Jewish businesswoman, Heather Reisman.  Richard reacts to the

THE MEDICAL RECORD: HIP FRACTURES AMONG OLDER ADULTS Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto and Dr. Fahad Razak, Canada Research Chair in Data Informed Healthcare Improvement at the University of Toronto as well as a General Internist.  Today we take a deep dive into hip fractures and other bone fractures among older adults, and best practices while in the recovery process of healing from a fracture. We also heard from listeners about their own experiences dealing with this. MARRYING LATER IN LIFE OR IS IT A SECOND MARRIAGE? WHY MORE COUPLES ARE LOOKING AT PRENUPS Jane Brown is joined by John Schuman of  Devry Smith Frank LLP who specializes in family law.  Getting married later in life or entering a second marriage? There's growing interest for couples to sign a prenuptial agreement before making a union…especially when there are separate assets involved. Our expert on family law

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: IRAN'S RAISI KILLED IN HELICOPTER CRASH & OTTAWA'S RESPONSE TO AUTO THEFT Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, a former Ontario Liberal Health minister and Deputy Premier, Cheri DiNovo,  a former NDP MPP and Lisa Raitt, former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. Today: we react to Ottawa's latest measures against auto-theft and the helicopter crash in Iran whereby both Iranian President Raisi and the Iranian foreign minister were killed.  LOBLAWS AGREES TO SIGN GROCERY CODE OF CONDUCT, BUT OTHER COMPETITORS SAY NO Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University. Sylvain weighs in on Loblaw agreeing to sign on to Ottawa's Grocery Code of Conduct, why other competitors like Costco and Walmart have not (so far) and what's in it for consumers. WHY ARE OLDER ZOOMERS INCREASINGLY ENDING UP IN ER OVER CANNABIS POISONING? Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Samir Sinha, Director of Ger

ZOOMER SQUAD: CANADIAN HOSPITALS CONTINUE SEEING LONG WAITING LINES IN EMERGENCY WARDS Libby Znaimer is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP,  Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP, and John Wright, Executive Vice President, Maru Public Opinion. Libby today discusses the wait times skyrocketing in emergency wards partially due to shortage of family doctors. Anthony shares his personal experience as a caregiver to his dad. And finally, Loblaws is ready to sign on to the government’s grocery code of conduct. HELICOPTER CRASH KILLED IRANIAN PRESIDENT EBRAHIM RAISI AND FOREIGN MINISTER Libby Znaimer is joined by Larry Haas, a former White House communications strategist and  Senior Fellow for U.S. Foreign Policy at the American Foreign Policy Council. Continuing the coverage, Libby talks about the future of Iran after President Embrahim Raisi dies in a helicopter crash. According to Iran’s constitution, an election must take place within 50 days. Meanwhile the little-known vice preside

Today on Free For All Friday-we revisited the conversation around the City's plans to change Yonge-Dundas Square to Sankofa Square which plenty of people are not happy about. Plus, other news that made headlines this week! Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

TUNE INTO THE TOWN:  THE COST OF MAINTAINING TORONTO'S INFRASTRUCTURE IS STEEP...VERY STEEP Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto Centre and Councillor James Pasternak, Ward 6 York Centre. Today we discuss the latest on Sankofa Square, and the steep cost for Toronto to keep its infrastructure maintained over 10 years. ONTARIO WANTS TO IMPOSE TOUGHER LEGISLATION ON IMPAIRED DRIVERS Libby is joined by Dylan Finlay, a Toronto-based criminal defense lawyer, and Tanya Hansen Pratt, National President MADD Canada. A closer look at the Ontario government's plan to impose tougher laws on impaired drivers. WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE TTC LINE 2 SUBWAY SHUTDOWN THAT CAUSED CHAOS Libby Znaimer is now joined by Stuart Green, Spokesperson for the TTC. What went wrong with the TTC shutdown of a section of Subway Line 2 earlier this week for 12 hours and where is the TTC at with regards to talks with the union? Stuart has the latest. Listen live

THE MEDICAL RECORD: THE TREND OF CANCER DIAGNOSES AT ONTARIO HOSPITALS Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a former head of the BC Cancer Agency, Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, Internal medicine and critical care physician at Humber River Hospital. We examine why there's a trend in patients receiving cancer diagnoses in Canadian hospitals (part of the reason being the primary care shortage) and more. NUTRITION AND THE PREVALENCE AROUND EATING ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS Libby is now joined by Rob Hobson, a nutritionist based out of the UK and Mark Schatzker who is the writer-in-residence at the Modern Diet and Physiology Research Center at McGill University and  the author of "The End of Craving". Today our guests discuss the latest research around ultra-processed foods, how it impacts our health and why we crave it so much. GOOGLE MAPS MAKES A SANKOFA SQU

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: PM TRUDEAU'S CAPITAL GAINS TAX EXPLAINER VIDEO FACES BACKLASH Libby is joined by George Smitherman, a former Ontario Liberal Health minister and Deputy Premier, Cheri DiNovo,  a former NDP MPP and Lisa Raitt, a former Deputy Leader of the federal Conservatives. We kick the discussion off about new penalties from Queen's Park for auto theft - will they do any good? And, the latest on the Mississauga mayoral race and Prime Minister Trudeau's video explainer on the capital gains tax. MORE ON THE CAPITAL GAINS TAX: MORE ON THE CAPITAL GAINS TAX: IMPACT ON COTTAGES AND DOCTORS Libby is now joined by Kim Moody, an FCPA and the founder of Moodys Tax/Moodys Private Client, and a former chair of the Canadian Tax Foundation as well as Birute Luksenaite, principal lawyer at Toronto-based Portfolio Estate State Law. It’s true the capital gains increase will affect very rich people but also a specific segment of the middle class - people who have family cottages that they have owned

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: THE LATEST ON THE CANADIAN DENTAL CARE PLAN Libby Znaimer is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP,  Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP, and John Wright, Executive Vice President, Maru Public Opinion. Libby and the panel discuss the number of claims processed under the Canada Dental Care Plan since it launched at the beginning of May. CANCER DIAGNOSES IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM Libby Znaimer is joined by Ioana Nicolau, Senior Epidemiologist with the Canadian Cancer Society and family physician, Dr. Iris Gorfinkel Amid Canada’s primary care shortage, there’s a concerning trend whereby patients are being diagnosed with Cancer during visits to hospital emergency departments. TORONTO FIRE CHIEF MATTHEW PEGG IS RETIRING THIS YEAR Libby Znaimer is now joined by Toronto Fire Chief Matthew Pegg. This month, Toronto Fire Chief Matthew Pegg announced that he will be retiring as of October 4th of 2024. He reflects on his career and the leadership role he took on during COVID-1

Today on Free For All Friday: Listeners weighed in on the Toronto Maple Leafs firing head coach Sheldon Keefe, the primary care shortage in Ontario, the Loblaws boycott and more. Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: THE COST OF MAINTAINING TORONTO Jane Brown is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village and Councillor James Pasternak, Ward 6 York Centre. The cost of keeping the City of Toronto in a state of good repair just keeps on increasing.  We learned this week from a city staff report that Toronto needs 26-billion dollars over ten years just to keep much of its infrastructure in the current condition. HOW ARE CANADIANS FEELING ABOUT TRAVEL THESE DAYS?  Jane Brown is now joined by Natalie Preddie, Travel Expert and Travel Freelance Writer, and Martin Firestone, President, Travel Secure Inc. followed by Barry Choi, a personal finance and travel expert. Our guests detail their experiences of travelling lately and to our surprise, they've mostly had a positive experience! And what you need to know about loyalty reward programs that airlines offer. Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

THE MEDICAL RECORD: NEW RESEARCH FINDINGS RELATED TO ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a former head of the BC Cancer Agency, Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto and Dr. Amol Verma, a staff physician in General Internal Medicine at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. Today we discuss new research on Alzheimer’s disease and more healthcare news of the week THE LATEST ON DONALD TRUMP'S HUSH MONEY TRIAL Libby Znaimer is now joined by Brad Polumbo, a conservative commentator and editor-in-chief  & Co-Founder of BASEDPolitics and Larry Haas, a Senior Fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council and a former White House communications strategist. This week: an update on former President Donald Trump's hush money trial involving porn star Stormy Daniels. THE GRIEF ISRAELIS ARE FEELING IN THE AFTERMATH OF OCTOBER 7TH Libby has reunited with her friend Sara who was a

LEAD-RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: A TORONTO COUNCILLOR SPENT $16,000 TO ATTEND A CONFERENCE Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, a former Ontario Liberal Health minister and Deputy Premier, Cheri DiNovo,  a former NDP MPP and Janet Ecker, a former Ontario PC MPP and finance minister. On today's panel discussion: a Toronto City Councillor's very expensive trip abroad, Ottawa's affordable housing funding directly to municipalities in Ontario and the latest on Queen's Parks' policy towards wearing the kaffiyeh on its grounds. THE LATEST ON THE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR Libby Znaimer is now joined by Gershon Baskin, Middle East Director for the International Communities Organization, and Professor Dan Avnon Leon Blum Chair (emeritus) in Political Science at Department of Political Science at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Yesterday, urgent bulletins crossed the wire at the very end of this show saying that Hamas had accepted a ceasefire deal. It turned out it was not the deal that had been on the t

Libby is now joined by Jay Solomon, Chief Advancement Officer, Hillel Ontario which is a campus Jewish organization and Yotam Gubbay, a student at UofT who is about to begin graduate studies. As we have been reporting since last week, the UofT administration has made NO move to dismantle the anti-Israel encampment – not only that – they are allowing the masked  protesters (many of whom have no connection to the university) to control access to that part of the campus. Fight Back reached out to UofT numerous times for an interview. They instead provided this response in an email to the show: "Thank you for getting in touch. Our focus at this point is dialogue directly with the protesters, and with our students, staff, faculty and librarians, so we’re not doing interviews now". Our guests react to what's going on. Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: PLANNING YOUR OAS AND CPP FOR RETIREMENT Libby Znaimer is joined by Bill VanGorder, Chief Advocacy and Education Officer of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP and Dave Korzinski, Research Director of the Angus Reid Institute. Canada Post just reported staggering losses and warns of more to come. Will we see more cuts or even an end to mail delivery? And let’s talk about pensions and money and big questions around how and when to take CPP. And when it comes to Zoomer health, we’ll check in on the campaign to get more of the latest vaccines covered by medicare. THE LATEST ON THE ANTI-ISRAEL ENCAMPMENT AT UOFT Libby is now joined by Jay Solomon, Chief Advancement Officer, Hillel Ontario which is a campus Jewish organization and Yotam Gubbay, a student at UofT who is about to begin graduate studies. As we have been reporting since last week, the UofT administration has made NO move to dismantle the anti-Israel encampment - not only that - they are allowing the masked

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners called in about the cost of groceries at large retail grocery chains like Loblaws, the encampments taking place on North American university campuses, including here in Ontario at the University of Toronto, and more.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: MOST CAFETO PATIOS IN TORONTO WILL BE OPENED BY VICTORIA WEEKEND Libby Znaimer is joined by David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto, Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth, and Councillor James Pasternak, Ward 6 York Centre. It’s Thursday - time to talk about all things municipal. The encampment at U of T is apparently growing despite the university saying it would not tolerate encampments - but they do not appear to be doing anything about it. Why should these protesters, who may or may not be students, take them at their word? OZEMPIC ALTERNATIVE TO BE MADE AVAILABLE IN CANADA STARTING MAY 6 Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Sean Wharton, the Medical Director of the Wharton Medical Clinic in Burlington, Ontario, a community-based internal medicine weight management clinic. We’ve all heard a lot about Ozempic, a drug that has been all over the headlines amid amazing results as well as shortages and controversies. The makers of Ozempic say their new weight-loss drug Wegov

THE MEDICAL RECORD: BC SHIFTS ITS DRUG POLICY Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a former head of the BC Cancer Agency, Dr. Fahad Razak, Canada Research Chair in Data Informed Healthcare Improvement at the University of Toronto and Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto. We get the doctors’ take on BC’s move to roll back decriminalization of drug use at least when it comes to using in public places. WHAT POLICE ARE AND ARE NOT LEGALLY ALLOWED TO DO DURING A HIGH-SPEED CHASE Libby is now joined by Joseph Neuberger, a Criminal Defence Lawyer with Neuberger and Partners LLP. Why were police on that dangerous and ultimately deadly high- speed chase on the 401 that killed an infant and his grandparents as well as the suspect? It was apparently the result of an armed robbery. An investigation is underway into this horrific tragedy. What are police legally and not legally allowed to do du

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: SOME ONTARIO UNIVERSITIES SAY ENCAMPMENTS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, a former Ontario Liberal Health minister and Deputy Premier, Cheri DiNovo,  a former NDP MPP, and Lisa Raitt, a former Deputy Leader of the federal Conservatives.  It’s Tuesday, time to talk politics: some Ontario universities have said they will not tolerate any encampments on their campuses. And, BC shifts its policy towards the use of drugs in public settings. ARRESTS MADE IN MAJOR FRAUD SCHEME Libby is joined by Detective David Coffey with the Toronto Police Service's Financial Crimes Unit. It’s called synthetic fraud - as if we needed yet another type of scam to watch out for. It involves identity theft and the creation of fake identities. Yesterday, Toronto Police announced 12 arrests and charges against 102 individuals. So what do we have to know about this? THE GROWING CAMPAIGN OF HATE AGAINST LOBLAW (NOW THERE'S A MUSIC VIDEO) Libby is joined b

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: CANADA'S NATIONAL DENTAL COVERAGE PROGRAM STARTING THIS WEEK Libby Znaimer is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP and Lorne Bozinoff, President, Forum Research Group. The dental plan is once again at the top of the agenda. It is supposed to start this week and 1.7 million Canadians are signed up but where are the dentists? Also starting this week, those warnings on individual cigarettes-- 12% of the population still smokes. Will this get them to quit? And on a really positive note, the Rolling Stones have embarked on their latest tour - they’re in their 80's! We’ll talk  about that. AN UPDATE ON KING CHARLES'S CANCER DIAGNOSIS FROM THE PALACE Libby Znaimer is joined by Patricia Treble, a veteran royal watcher who has the Write Royalty newsletter on Substack. We just learned that King Charles is set to resume some of his public duties in the midst of his cancer treatment. The palace made the announcement saying that his medical

Today on Free For All Friday: our listeners phoned in to pay tribute to the late Bob Cole, and to talk about parking in High Park, the shingles vaccine, and more.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: AN ASSESSMENT OF OLIVIA CHOW'S FIRST 10 MONTHS AS MAYOR Jane Brown is now joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, CEO, Variety Village, and David Crombie, a former Mayor of Toronto. What a new poll tells us about how Torontonians feel regarding the job that Olivia Chow is doing as mayor. And, the City of Toronto has made car access and parking in High Park off limits for visitors looking to get a glimpse of the Cherry Blossoms in peak bloom. Then on the panel, we discuss the next steps that the City is taking in terms of addressing dangerous dogs. City staff will be visiting owners of dogs who are listed as dangerous and will require them to post a visible sign indicating as such on their property. Currently, there are 373 dangerous dog orders across Toronto. DOSE4DOSE CAMPAIGN: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Jane Brown is joined by Dr. Molly Yang, a pharmacist who is the Director of Pharmacy Innovation and Professional Affairs at Wholehealth Pharmacy Partners, a natio

THE MEDICAL RECORD:THE POTENTIAL RISK OF MICROPLASTICS ON CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Dr. Fahad Razak, Canada Research Chair in Data Informed Healthcare Improvement at the University of Toronto and Dr. Nadia Alam, family doctor and anesthetist in Georgetown, Ontario. What a study says about the care provided by female doctors compared to male doctors, and what medical schools in Ontario want to see happen so that more students pursue family medicine. WHAT AND WHO IS BEHIND THE "STEAL FROM LOBLAWS DAY" CAMPAIGN Jane Brown is joined by Sylvain Charlebois,  Senior Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University. Sylvain reacts to the ongoing issue that consumers have with grocery giant Loblaws and revisits the discussion about "Shrinkflation". WHAT MAKES A TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS FAN...A TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS FAN? Jane Brown is now joined by Wally Rigobon, Co-host

RECOVERING POLITICIANS: FUTURE OF TORONTO POLICE AFTER UMAR ZAMEER TRIAL ENDS WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FORCE Tasha Kheiriddin filled in for Libby Znaimer today. She was joined by George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal Cabinet Minister, Cheri DiNovo, former Ontario NDP MPP and Andrea Mandel-Campbell, former Conservative candidate in Don Valley West. The panel discussed all things politics! From Umar Zameer's lawyer calling out politicians and policemen for "demonizing" his client, to Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles' attempt to reverse the ban of keffiyeh at Queen's Park failing to pass a unanimous vote. Tasha also touched on the multi-billion dollar deal with Honda to assemble electric vehicles in Ontario. HEALTH EXPERTS EXPRESS DISAPPOINTMENT ABOUT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO END FUNDING FOR HIV SELF-TESTING KITS  Tasha Kheiriddin was joined by Khaled Salam, Executive Director, AIDS Committee of Ottawa, and Dr. Sean B. Rourke, PhD, Scientist with MAP Centre of Urban Health Solutions at St. M

ZOOMER SQUAD: TORONTO TO PROVIDE FREE DENTAL CARE SERVICE TO CITY-OPERATED LTC HOME RESIDENTS   Tasha Kheiriddin filled in for Libby Znaimer today. She was joined by Bill VanGorder, Chief Advocacy and Education Officer at CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community & Benefits Officer at CARP and Lorne Bozinoff, President at Forum Research. The panel discussed Mayor Olivia Chow's announcement on the free mobile dental care program for the more than 2,600 residents of the 10 long-term care homes operated by the City of Toronto and more. TORONTO CONDUCTED THE CITY’S THIRD POTHOLE BLITZ OF THE YEAR OVER THE WEEKEND Tasha Kheiriddin was joined by Barbara Gray, General Manager of Transportation Services and Teresa Di Felice, Assistant Vice President, Government and Community Relations for CAA SCO. Kheiriddin and guests talk about the third pothole blitz conducted by the city of Toronto. Gray revealed the city will soon add "Patch Masters" to their equipment inventory. The patch is described online to be an

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners called in to talk about the trial of Umar Zameer, lack of care in LTC homes and much more.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: TORONTO’S SHARE OF THE FEDERAL BUDGET It’s a busy week at Toronto City Hall as Mayor Olivia Chow and councillors react to what was in and not in the federal Liberal budget delivered on Tuesday. And the mayor and councillors today and yesterday have also been taking care of city business which includes the debacle around the rollout of the vacant home tax and how to improve it. Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village, Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak and David Crombie, a former Toronto Mayor. PREMIER DOUG FORD CALLS TO REVERSE THE BAN ON KEFFIYEHS AT QUEEN'S PARK A call by all of Ontario’s party leaders, including Premier Doug Ford to reverse a ban on wearing a keffiyeh in the legislature has failed to pass in a unanimous vote this morning. The speaker, Ted Arnott, who originally imposed the ban acknowledged the request to have the ban reversed and when it was put to a unanimous vote, he said he could hea

THE MEDICAL RECORD: CANCER SCREENING GUIDELINES  Libby Znaimer today is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Dr. Fahad Razak, Canada Research Chair in Data Informed Healthcare Improvement at the University of Toronto, and Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto. It’s Wednesday, time to talk about your health. We’ll begin with the latest cancer screening controversy: a federally appointed body called The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health issues the guidelines that another group of medical experts are now calling dangerous and outdated.   REACTION TO THE FEDERAL BUDGET RELEASED IN OTTAWA THIS WEEK Libby Znaimer today is joined by Taylor Scollon, Co-Founder of The Peak, Muhammad Ali, Liberal Strategist and Senior Consultant at Crestview Strategy in Ottawa, John Mykytyshyn, Conservative Activist, Political Consultant and President of Bradgate Research Group. Canadian Deputy Prime Minis

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: A LOOK AHEAD TO THE FEDERAL BUDGET Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Lisa Raitt, Former Deputy Leader of Conservative Party of Canada, Cheri DiNovo, Former Ontario NDP MPP, and John Milloy, Former Ontario Liberal MPP who served as a cabinet minister under the Dalton McGuinty and Kathleen Wynne governments. Today, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland delivers the federal budget to Canadians. STAFFING SHORTAGES IN LONG-TERM CARE  Jane Brown is joined by Dr. Vivian Stamatopolous, a professor at Ontario Tech University who conducts research on long-term care issues and is an advocate for residents. What we know about staffing shortages in long-term care and how that may be impacting the province's ability to meet the required number of hours of hands-on care for residents. A MEMORIAL RIDE FOR CYCLIST KILLED IN TORONTO Jane Brown is joined by Albert Koehl, cycling and pedestrian advocate and an environmental lawyer

THE ZOOMER SQUAD:  CAN FOREIGN-TRAINED NURSES SOLVE OUR NURSING SHORTAGES? Libby Znaimer is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP, Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine, and Lorne Bozinoff, President, Forum Research Group. Today: the panel discussed what you need to know about the carbon rebate, the challenges that foreign-trained nurses face when it comes to practicing here in Canada and more. ISRAEL'S RESPONSE TO IRAN'S DRONE ATTACK OVER THE WEEKEND Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Amos Guiora, Professor of Law at the University of Utah and a former Legal advisor to the IDF in Gaza, Martin Himmel, Award-Winning Investigative Documentary Filmmaker, and Vivian Bercovici, a former Ambassador of Canada to Israel. Over the weekend, Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel. In turn, Israel alongside a coalition of countries managed to intercept 99 per cent of the fire marking an unprecedented shift in the conflict between the two countries. IT'S NATIONAL VOLUNTEER

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners called in about the state of homelessness in Toronto, litter on our highways and the federal carbon tax.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN:  WHO'S PAYING FOR THE THERME SPA AT ONTARIO PLACE? Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village, and David Crombie, former Mayor of Toronto. Earlier in the week on Fight Back, Toronto Police Association President Jon Reid told Libby that the union has called on Mayor Olivia Chow to condemn a letter signed by some City councillors who expressed concern over a Pro-Palestinian protest in which some demonstrators were arrested for breaking the law. Since his appearance on the show, the Mayor has said she has no plans to condemn that group of councillors. So, how do you feel about this? And, Vaughan in collaboration with York Regional Police are working to crack down on illegal car rallies. PRIME MINISTER TRUDEAU TESTIFIES OVER FOREIGN INTERFERENCE Libby Znaimer is now joined by Bob Richardson, Senior Council, National Public Relations and Phil Gurski,  President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting and a former CSI

THE MEDICAL RECORD: GUIDELINES FOR ATRIAL FIBRILLATION HAVE BEEN UPDATED Libby Znaimer today is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Dr. Fahad Razak, Canada Research Chair in Data Informed Healthcare Improvement at the University of Toronto, and Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto. There have been a number of cases of bird flu among dairy cows in the US and the concern is that there could be spread of the virus into the human population. We ask our doctors if this is something we should be worried about here in Canada. Meanwhile, various medical authorities in the US including The American College of Cardiology and The American College of Chest physicians have introduced an updated guideline for atrial fibrillation. VACCINES FOR PNEUMONIA & OTHER TYPES OF PNEUMOCOCCAL DISEASE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Jia Hu is a family physician from Calgary who is also an expe

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL:OTTAWA'S SPENDING ON NATIONAL DEFENCE Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, a former Ontario Liberal Deputy Premier and Health Minister, Cheri Di Novo, former Ontario NDP MPP, Janet Ecker, Former Ontario PC MPP and finance minister. This week: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced billions of dollars in national defence spending, Premier Doug Ford wants paper bags at LCBO stores to come back and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre shows his support for Toronto's Jewish community. CRIME STOPPERS AND TPS LAUNCH HATE CRIMES AWARENESS CAMPAIGN Libby Znaimer is now joined by Mark Cousins, Vice Chair of Toronto Crime Stoppers. Mark discusses the launch of the Hate Crime Awareness Campaign alongside the Toronto Police Service. According to Robert Johnson, TPS Deputy Chief, "of the reported hate crimes in 2024 over half are anti-semitic and last month was the highest number of antisemitic occurrences for the past 3 years BRAMPTON MAYOR PATRICK BROWN ON AUTO-THEFT Libby

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: MORE ON THE VACANT PROPERTY TAX DEBACLE Libby Znaimer is joined by Bill VanGorder, Chief Advocacy and Education Officer of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP and Lorne Bozinoff, President, Forum Research Group. Today they discuss how thousands of Toronto homeowners have filed complaints with the City over the vacant property tax, and go over their own plans in regards to today's much-anticipated solar eclipse. TPA AND TORONTO POLICE ANGRY ABOUT SIGNED LETTER ON PROTESTS Libby Znaimer is joined first by Jon Reid, President of the Toronto Police Association, followed by Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth. We get reactions from both on a signed letter regarding recent pro-Palestinian protests that saw a number of demonstrators get arrested for breaking the law.

Today on Free For All Friday: Plenty of our listeners have complaints about how the City of Toronto is handling the Vacant Property Tax. Tune in to find out why!

TUNE INTO THE TOWN:  A FREEZE ON THE "RAIN TAX" AND THE FUTURE OF TDSB ADULT CLASSES Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village, and David Crombie, former Mayor of Toronto. This week: The City has put a freeze on its “rain tax”, also known as a stormwater charge. And, why is the TDSB suing social media companies like Tik Tok? SO...WHAT EXACTLY IS A SOLAR ECLIPSE? AND THE IMPORTANCE OF EYE PROTECTION WHEN WATCHING ONE Libby Znaimer is now joined by Rupinder Brar, Senior Teaching Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Ontario Tech University, and Dr. Philip Hooper, president of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society. The day until the Solar Eclipse--Monday April 8th--is quickly approaching. Niagara Region declared a state of emergency with the expectation that as many as a million people could congregate to watch it. That's a lot of people. So...what exactly is a Solar Eclipse and why is it so rare? Also, what measures should you be takin

THE BIG SYSTEM OUTAGE AT THE UHN If you have an appointment today at any of the University Health Network hospitals, you have likely been made to wait even longer than usual due to a system outage caused by the spring storm. Then on the program, the ability of artificial intelligence to detect tumor cells could be key to more accurate bone cancer prognoses. Jane Brown is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, a Medical Oncologist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Dr. Fahad Razak, Canada Research Chair in Data Informed Healthcare Improvement at the University of Toronto, and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, is an Internal medicine and critical care physician at Humber River Hospital. AN ONTARIO/QUEBEC AUTO THEFT CRACKDOWN SHOWS PROMISING RESULTS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST THIS KIND OF CRIME Everyone is talking about auto theft especially if your insurance rates have gone up because you drive a car that is on the list of most stolen vehicles. And, of course you’re talking about it, if you actually have had your vehicle stolen,

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: IS OTTAWA'S FOOD PROGRAM JUST ANOTHER GREAT IDEA WITH A LACK OF A PLAN? Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, a former Ontario Liberal Deputy Premier and minister of health, Lisa Raitt, a former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, and Cheri Di Novo, a former Ontario NDP MPP. This week: the Trudeau Liberals announced their plan to spend $1 billion towards a national school food program. And it is National Caregivers Day. TORONTO POLICE ASSOCIATION ON PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTS Libby Znaimer is now joined by Jon Reid, President of the Toronto Police Association. Today: Jon talks about the kinds of challenges that Toronto Police face when it comes to responding to Pro-Palestinian protests, and the measures they have in place to enforce the law should protesters break those laws. Last Saturday, Toronto Police arrested a number of demonstrators. Jon also responds to criticism that the force is not doing enough to make the local Jewish community feel safe.

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: THE CARBON TAX GOES UP TODAY Libby Znaimer is joined by Rudy Buttignol,  President of CARP and Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP, and John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion. Today: our Zoomer Squad reacts to the Ford government's plan to put $2 billion into homecare as per their latest budget. And, the federal carbon tax goes up today. How will that impact the pocket books of Canadians? WHO MADE THE SUNSHINE LIST + HIGHLY PAID CANADIAN MPS Libby Znaimer is now joined by Franco Terrazzano, Federal Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. Franco weighs in on the latest Sunshine List out of Ontario--which now includes more than 300,000 people! Franco also reacts to the news that starting today, PM Trudeau is giving federal MPs a big raise making them the second highest paid elected officials behind their U.S. counterparts. SOLAR ECLIPSE STATE OF EMERGENCY Libby Znaimer is now joined by Jim Diodati, Mayor of Niagara Falls in Ontario, and Nata

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners debated whether Donald Trump becoming U.S President once again would be a good thing...and things got heated.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: TORONTONIAN SUFFERS LIFE ALTERING INJURY FROM DOG ATTACK Libby Znaimer is joined by Taylor Scollon, Co-Founder of The Peak, Councillor James Pasternak, Ward 6 York Centre, and Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth. Today's topics include: the city's garbage collection, dog attacks, and reaction to the provincial budget and how it may impact Toronto. MARIT STILES REACTS TO FORD GOVERNMENT'S BUDGET Libby Znaimer is joined by Marit Stiles, leader of the Ontario NDP to discuss the $2B for home care recently revealed in the provincial budget. GROWING PETITION CALLS ON LOBLAW TO REPEAL RECEIPT SCANNING POLICY Now we turn to the hugely profitable grocery chain that Canadians love to hate: of course Libby is talking about Loblaw and specifically their pilot project introducing receipt scanners in self-checkout areas where shoppers will be locked in if they don’t have that receipt. Now a growing petition organized by Leadnow is calling for that policy to be abolished.

THE MEDICAL RECORD:  ONTARIO'S HEALTHCARE FUNDING PLANS Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto, Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist with the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and Dr. Amol Verma, a staff physician in General Internal Medicine at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. This week: the province released its budget. Our panel assesses what funding it includes for the healthcare system and give the Ford government a grade on their plans. THE BALTIMORE BRIDGE COLLAPSE: SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS AND BRIDGE SAFETY Libby Znaimer is now joined by Jim Bookbinder, a Professor in the Department of Management Sciences at the University of Waterloo and Rob Handfield, Bank of America Professor of Supply Chain Management at North Carolina State University. The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed this week after a cargo ship collided right into it. As many as 6 people are presumed dead and many questions re

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: A LOOK AHEAD TO THE PROVINCIAL BUDGET It’s budget day in Ontario. Libby Znaimer is joined by former Ontario NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo; former Ontario Liberal Cabinet Minister George Smitherman; and former Ontario PC MPP and finance minister Janet Ecker to discuss. ONTARIO HOSPITALS AND LTC HOMES SPENT ALMOST ONE BILLION DOLLARS ON  AGENCY STAFF LAST YEAR According to a Ministry of Health document, Ontario hospitals and long-term care homes spent nearly $1 billion last year to fill shifts with nurses and personal support workers from private staffing agencies. Libby Znaimer is joined by Lisa Levin, Chief Executive Officer of AdvantAge Ontario; and Jane Meadus, staff lawyer and the Institutional Advocate at the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly to discuss this contentious issue. A NEW REPORT IDENTIFIES THE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES WITH THE MOST PESTICIDES A new report has identified the fruits and vegetables with the most pesticides. Libby Znaimer is joined Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Di

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: WHAT CARP WANTS TO SEE IN THE ONTARIO BUDGET Libby Znaimer is joined by Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP; Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer at CARP; and John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion, for a conversation about tomorrow’s provincial budget, and other topics that matter to Zoomers. CATHERINE, PRINCESS OF WALES, HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER Libby Znaimer is joined by Suzanne Boyd, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher, ZOOMER Magazine and EverythingZoomer.com to discuss the news that Catherine, the Princess of Wales, has been diagnosed with cancer. AN UPDATE ON RUSSIA'S WAR ON UKRAINE Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Maria Popova, Associate Professor of Political Science and Jean Monnet Chair at McGill University; and Dr. Andriy Zayarnyuk, Professor of History at the University of Winnipeg who teaches about the former Soviet Union and Ukraine, for an update on the latest on Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Today on Free For All Friday: Our listeners reacted to new info about Ontario Place; the Conservative Party's non-confidence motion; auto theft in Toronto and more!

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: THE DEALS INKED TO SCORE TORONTO THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP A look at the secret deals Toronto signed to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup; and new information revealed about the province's plans to redevelop Ontario Place. Libby Znaimer is joined by Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth; Councillor James Pasternak, Ward 6 York Centre; and Taylor Scollon, co-founder of The Peak, to discuss these issues, and more.   OUR PRODUCER ZIV HADDI WITH AN UPDATE FROM ISRAEL Libby Znaimer is joined from Israel by her producer Ziv Haddi for an update from Tel Aviv. ALMOST 300 ONTARIO PATIENTS MOVED TO LTC HOMES THEY DIDN'T CHOOSE Almost 300 people in Ontario have been moved from hospitals to long-term care homes not of their choosing under a law the Ford government implemented just over a year ago. Libby Znaimer is joined by NDP Health Critic France Gelinas; Chief Executive Officer of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario, Dr. Doris Grinspun; and Dr. Samir Sinha, Director of

THE MEDICAL RECORD: CONCERNS ABOUT INTERMITTENT FASTING; A LOOK AT HEALTH PRIVACY; AND AN EARLY ALLERGY SEASON A new study suggests intermittent fasting may radically increase the risk of death due to cardiovascular disease. Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre; Dr. Alisa Naiman, family physician and founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto; and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, internal medicine and critical care physician at Humber River Hospital to discuss this issue and more. WHY AREN'T CANADIAN POLITICIANS DENOUNCING INTIMIDATING DEMONSTRATORS? Libby Znaimer is joined by Joanna Baron, Executive Director of the Canadian Constitution Foundation for a discussion about the seeming lack of will in Canadian politicians to denounce intimidating pro-Palestinian demonstrators. NIAGARA FALLS BRACES FOR IMPACT AHEAD OF ECLIPSE Libby Znaimer is joined by Mayor of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Jim Diodati to discuss next month’s total solar ec

RECOVERING POLITICIANS: A LATE-NIGHT DEAL PUSHES A HOT-BUTTON MOTION THROUGH THE HOUSE An 11th hour deal between the Liberals and the NDP agreeing to amend a controversial motion to recognize a Palestinian state saw the removal of the most contentious provision, allowing the seriously watered-down motion to pass the House with the support of the Bloc Québécois. Libby Znaimer is joined by former Ontario NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo; former Ontario Liberal Cabinet Minister George Smitherman; and former Ontario PC MPP and finance minister Janet Ecker to discuss this hot-button issue, and more. AN UPDATE ON THE GARDINER EXPRESSWAY Libby Znaimer is joined by Jennifer Graham Harkness, Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction for the City of Toronto, for an update on the critical construction work on the Gardiner Expressway. CARJACKINGS HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLED IN TORONTO Toronto Police reported yesterday that carjackings have more than doubled so far in 2024, while break-and-enters for t

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: HATE CRIMES ON THE RISE IN TORONTO Libby is joined by John Wright, Executive Vice President at Maru Public Opinion; Bob Richardson, President of Hammersmith Consulting; and John Mykytyshyn, President of Bradgate Research Group, for a conversation about hate crimes on the rise in Toronto, the Mayor of Vaughan getting tough on demonstrators who intimidate, and new developments in long-term care. U.S. MOVING TO BAN TIK TOK Citing national security concerns, the U.S. Congress has moved a big step closer to a crackdown on a popular platform that could have far-reaching implications for social media in the country. But critics say the move could have significant negative consequences for small businesses that rely on Tik Tok to drive traffic to their enterprises. Libby Znaimer is joined by Phil Gurski, former senior strategic terrorism analyst at CSIS and President of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting; Philip Mai, Co-director of the Social Media Lab at Ted Rogers School of Management at T

Today on Free For All Friday: Our listeners phone in to discuss the contentious new Loblaw receipt scanners, the Kate Middleton Photoshop scandal, and more.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: PEDESTRIAN-VEHICLE INCIDENTS ON THE RISE Libby Znaimer is joined by Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village; David Crombie, former mayor of Toronto; and Taylor Scollon, co-founder of The Peak to discuss a streamlined 311, the rash of festival cancellations in the city and the concerning rise in pedestrian/vehicle incidents. NOT SO SWEET: THE RISING COST OF COCOA The good news is Easter is just around the corner. The bad news is the price of cocoa is on the rise. Libby Znaimer is joined by Janet Music, Research Program Coordinator, Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University to discuss this troubling trend. THE LATEST ON THE ARRIVECAN APP Libby Znaimer is joined by Tom Korski, Managing Editor of Blacklock’s Reporter for an update on the latest on the ArriveCan app.

THE MEDICAL RECORD: COVID-19'S FOURTH ANNIVERSARY Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, family physician and founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto; Dr. Fahad Razak, Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto; and Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre to discuss COVID-19’s fourth anniversary, giving birth mid-flight and more. LOBLAW FACING BACKLASH FOR TESTING RECEIPT SCANNERS AT SELF-CHECKOUT  In an attempt to combat theft at its stores, Loblaw is testing receipt scanners at four of its locations, and they’re catching heat for it. Libby Znaimer is joined by consumer advocate and journalist Ellen Roseman to discuss this matter. AI: USING THE TECH TO HELP DEMENTIA PATIENTS  Researchers in Australia have developed an artificial intelligence companion named VIV, who offers conversation and compassion at a seniors' facility in Sydney. Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Adriana Shnall, Program Di

RECOVERING POLITICIANS: FEDERAL FUNDS FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS IN ISRAEL; CALGARY'S FORMER MAYOR SET SIGHTS ON ALBERTA'S TOP JOB Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly says Ottawa will commit $1 million to support survivors of sexually-based attacks in Israel on October 7; and Naheed Nenshi came out of political retirement on Monday, announcing a run for Alberta's NDP leadership to challenge what he termed an “immoral” United Conservative government. Libby Znaimer is joined by Cheri DiNovo, a former Ontario NDP MPP; George Smitherman, a former Ontario Liberal Cabinet Minister and Deputy Premier; and Janet Ecker, a former Ontario PC MPP and finance minister, to discuss these matters and more. GTA FOOD BANKS HIT RECORD HIGH SERVICE NUMBERS Toronto’s Daily Bread Food Bank saw over 300,000 clients last month, a jump from the 215,000 it saw in the same month last year. Libby Znaimer is joined by Neil Hetherington, CEO of the Daily Bread Food Bank to discuss this alarming surge. KATEGATE: THE PRINCESS

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: BIDEN'S FIERY STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS; WHAT CARP WANTS FROM THE UPCOMING FEDERAL BUDGET Amid questions about his ability to lead the country due to his age, U.S. President Joe Biden delivered a fiery State of the Union address Thursday; what CARP wants to see in the upcoming federal budget; and the F.D.A. has decided to delay action on a closely watched Alzheimer’s drug, donanemab, which the agency was widely expected to approve this month. Libby Znaimer is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP; Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP; and John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion to discuss these matters, and more. OTTAWA TO CONTINUE SENDING FUNDING TO UNRWA Many people are shocked, following Ottawa’s decision on Friday to resume funding to a UN Palestinian relief agency, after Israel shared its intelligence with the federal government about UNRWA employees’ alleged involvement in the Hamas attack on his country. Libby Znaimer is joined by Vivia

Today on Free For All Friday: our listeners called in to express their concern over the anti-Israel protests taking place in Toronto and whether the police are doing enough to contain them. Meanwhile, others called to weigh in on the ageism in our politics today, especially as U.S. President Joe Biden faces questions about his age and ability to hold office on a daily basis.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN:  THE MISSISSAUGA MAYORAL RACE IS ON! Marissa Lennox is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village, and Toronto Councillor James Pasternak,  Ward 6 York Centre. This week: the Mississauga mayoral race kicked off with candidates signing up for the top job including Peter McCallion, the son of the late Hazel McCallion. And, Florida is banning homeless people from sleeping on public property. Should Toronto follow suit? BILLING PRACTICES IN PRIVATE CLINICS & A CASE OF SEVERE STREP THROAT Marissa Lennox and guests discuss what Ontario patients need to know when they are going through the private healthcare clinics to undergo procedures like Cataract surgeries. She is joined by Dr. John Mastronardi who is an optometrist that practices in Windsor, Ontario where cataract surgeries are done mostly in private facilities, and Dr. Iris Gorfinkel, Founder of PrimeHealth Clinical Research. MARCH BREAK

THE MEDICAL RECORD: OVER A BILLION PEOPLE ARE OBESE GLOBALLY ACCORDING TO WHO Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto, Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist with the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and Dr. Fahad Razak, Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto. This week: according to the World Health Organization (WHO), over a billion people globally are obese. So, what are the contributing factors of obesity and why has it become so widespread? Meanwhile, is Ontario at risk of a measles outbreak? Recently, a number of individuals contracted the highly contagious disease after travelling overseas. And then on February 19, York Region health officials diagnosed a man in his thirties even though he did not travel anywhere recently leaving the door open to the possibility that it was the result of community transmission. ETOBICOKE TO GET RID OF ITS COAT OF ARMS + TORONTO TURNS 1

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL:  CONSERVATIVES WIN DURHAM & ANGRY MOB DISRUPTS MELONI-TRUDEAU MEETING Libby Znaimer is joined by Lisa Raitt, Former Deputy Leader of Conservative Party of Canada, Cheri DiNovo, Former Ontario NDP MPP, and  John Milloy, Former Ontario Liberal MPP who served as a cabinet minister under the Dalton McGuinty and Kathleen Wynne governments. Conservative Jamil Jivani has won the federal riding of Durham in Ontario: obviously this is great news for Pierre Poilievre. Meanwhile, earlier in the week, a meeting that was set between PM Trudeau and Italy's PM Giorgia Meloni at the AGO was cancelled after an angry mob of pro-Palestinian protesters blocked entrances to the building. And, of course, our panelists weigh in on the life and times of the late Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.  OTTAWA DELIVERS NURSING RETENTION TOOLKIT Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Doris Grinspun, Chief Executive Officer of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO). This week: Federal Minister Mar

THE ZOOMER SQUAD:  WILL THE PROVINCES COOPERATE ON PHARMACARE? Libby Znaimer is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP and Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs. How easy will it be for Ottawa to get all the provinces and territories on board with its pharmacare plan that at this point will cover diabetes medication and contraception like birth control meds? Health Minister Mark Holland hopes to have some provinces adopt the plan by the end of the year. But is that realistic? THE SEXUAL ASSAULT ATTROCITIES COMMITTED BY HAMAS ON OCTOBER 7 Libby Znaimer is now joined by Professor Ruth Halperin-Kaddari, Director of the Rackman Center for the Advancement of the Status of Women at Bar Ilan University. Professor Halperin-Kaddari is on a mission: she is working to get the international community to recognize and address the sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas terrorists on Israeli women during the October 7th massacre. HOW CHANGING YOUR JOB CAN I

Today on Free For All Friday: Listeners called in to weigh in on the life and times of the Rt. Honourable Brian Mulroney who passed away this week. And, listeners called in about the rising cost of hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026 games here in Toronto.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: WILL TORONTO TAX COMMERCIAL PARKING? Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village, and David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto. It’s Thursday - time to talk local politics and, of course, money! Libby and the panel discuss the climbing price tag for Toronto when it comes to hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026 games and Toronto mulls the idea of taxing commercial parking across the City as a source of revenue. Will it actually become a reality? THE CHAOTIC EXPERIENCE OF AIR TRAVELERS RETURNING TO PEARSON AND THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS ON THE ARRIVECAN SAGA Libby Znaimer is now joined by Sean Davidson, a spokesperson for the Greater Toronto Airports Authority followed by Jason Lietaer, Conservative Strategist and President at Enterprise, and Martin Firestone, President of Travel Secure Inc. Today: Libby shares the chaotic experience she had at the airport on her return flight home from vacation. Meanwhile, our guests weigh in on

THE MEDICAL RECORD: A CLOSER LOOK AT A MAJOR STUDY ON ACCESS TO PRIMARY CARE Tasha Kheiriddin is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto, Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist with the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and  Dr. Fahad Razak, Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto. Together they discuss the a major study about the challenges of access to primary healthcare and other medical news of the week! LISA LEVIN CALLS ON FORD GOVERNMENT TO DO MORE FOR SENIORS IN THE NEXT BUDGET Tasha Kheiriddin is joined by Lisa Levin, Chief Executive Officer, AdvantAge Ontario Lisa Levin is calling on the Ford government to consider 21 recommendations to address the needs of residents of long term care in its next provincial budget...whenever that comes out. THE BILL THAT TORONTO TAXPAYERS ARE FOOTING FOR THE WORLD CUP 2026 GAMES KEEPS CLIMBING Tasha

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: DOUG FORD WANTS "LIKE MINDED JUDGES APPOINTED" Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by George Smitherman, a former Ontario Liberal Cabinet Minister and Deputy Premier, Cheri DiNovo, a former Ontario NDP MPP, and Janet Ecker, a former Ontario PC MPP and finance minister. Today: we kick things off with a discussion about Ontario Premier Doug Ford's desire to have "like-minded" judges appointed to the provinces' courts. MP MELISSA LANTSMAN ON THE PROBLEMS WITH UNRWA  Jane Brown is now joined by Melissa Lantsman, Deputy leader of the Conservative Party (Thornhill). This week, MP Lantsman alongside Liberal MP Anthony Housefather attended a conference hosted by NGO UN Watch called "International Summit for a Future Beyond UNRWA". It comes at a time when a number of UNRWA donor countries including Canada made the decision to freeze funding to the agency after it was discovered that some of its employees had taken part or were associated with the Oct. 7th

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: RECAPPING CARP'S AGM & NDP-LIBERAL PHARMACARE DEAL Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP and John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion. CARP hosted its annual general meeting late last week in which Minister of Seniors Seamus O'Regan participated. We get our thoughts from Bill and Anthony on how the meeting went and what specific policies they pressed Ottawa on on behalf of its members and Canadian Zoomers. Meanwhile, we also learned that the federal NDP and governing Liberals have reached an agreement on pharmacare legislation that would make diabetes and birth control medication coverable. So, what do you make of all of this? Call in! ONTARIANS LACKING TRAVEL INSURANCE PREPAREDNESS: CAA SURVEY Jane Brown is now joined by Kaitlynn Furse, Director of Communications for CAA South Central Ontario. According to a new CA

Today on Free For All Friday: amid a Toronto City staff report on addressing dangerous dogs, listeners called in to weigh in what needs to be done and how dog owners must take the necessary steps to keep the community around them safe.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: WILL PARKING FINES GO UP IN TORONTO? Tasha Kheiriddin is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village, and David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto. A Toronto City staff report is recommending that fines go up for parking violations. What do you make of this? THE SHINGLES VIRUS: SHOULD VACCINATION ELIGIBILITY BE REDUCED? Tasha Kheiriddin is joined by Dr. Alon Vaisman, Epidemiologist and Infectious Disease Specialist at the University Health Network, and Molly Yang, Pharmacist and Director of Pharmacy Innovation & Professional Affairs at Wholehealth Pharmacy Partners.  A PEI doctor is calling for the program of free shingles vaccinations through a primary care physician to be expanded to adults 55 and older. Do you agree?  MAYOR PATRICK BROWN RESPONDS TO OTTAWA’S AUTO THEFT PLANS Tasha Kheiriddin is joined by Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown. Ottawa announced it is providing an additional $

THE MEDICAL RECORD: ONTARIANS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT CATARACT SURGERY BILLING Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto, Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist with the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and  Dr. Fahad Razak. Today: a discussion about cataract surgeries at private healthcare clinics in Ontario. TIPS AHEAD OF TAX SEASON! Jane Brown is now joined by Barry Choi, a Personal Finance Expert. Tax season is upon us! The deadline to file is on April 30. So, what do you need to know? Barry weighs in. NORTH YORK SHOOTINGS LEAVE RESIDENTS CONCERNED Jane Brown is now joined by Toronto Police Services Superintendent Andy Singh and Marcell Wilson, Founder of The One By One Movement. Residents of North York have been rocked by the shooting of two innocent pedestrians waiting at bus stops near the Jane Street and Driftwood Avenue intersection over the weekend. We hear the la

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: ARE BONNIE AND MARIT'S PRIORITIES TOO SIMILAR? Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Lisa Raitt, former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who also served as a health minister and deputy Premier and Cheri DiNovo, a former Ontario NDP MPP. Today: the legislature resumes at Queens Park. Are the priorities of both Bonnie Crombie and Marit Stiles too similar to each other? TORONTO CONSIDERS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ADDRESSING DANGEROUS DOGS Jane Brown is now joined by Kristina Rapson, dog trainer and behaviouralist for Hairy Tales Training and Beverley McKee, Senior Manager Public Support Services at Toronto Humane Society. Toronto City Council is reviewing a report of recommendations for dealing with dangerous dogs. Here's what you need to know about it.    LOBLAW TO INVEST $2 BILLION TO EXPAND IN CANADA Jane Brown is now joined by Ellen Roseman, Consumer Advocate

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: HOME CARE AND PHARMACARE With Ontario's senior population about to spike, a new report predicts a huge demand for home care. And the deadline is looming for the governing Liberals to table legislation on a national pharmacare program. The government has until March 1st, otherwise NDP leader Jagmeet Singh says his party will make good on its promise to end their deal. Bob Komsic is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. He is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP; Bob Richardson, Senior Council to National Public Relations; and John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion to discuss these matters, and more. PROPOSED COTTAGE RENTAL LEGISLATION THAT'S BECOME A HOT BUTTON ISSUE IN MUSKOKA New rules proposed for Short Term Rentals (STRs) in the Township of Muskoka Lakes are not being well-received by property owners. Bob Komsic is joined by founder and president of Jayne's Cottages, Jayne McCaw to explore this contentious issue. REMEMBERING ALEXEI NAVALNY AFTER HIS DEATH

Today on Free For All Friday: Listeners called in to weigh in on the death of Putin critic Alexei Navalny, Yonge-Dundas Square, and Toronto's City Budget. Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

LEAD-TUNE INTO THE TOWN: TORONTO MAYOR OLIVIA CHOW'S BUDGET FINALIZED Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village, and David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto. This week: Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow's budget has been finalized with a 9.5 per cent tax hike for residents. The Mayor is also providing additional funding to the Toronto Police Service.  WHAT SHOULD A NATIONAL PHARMACARE PROGRAM LOOK LIKE? Libby Znaimer is now joined by Kyro Maseh, Pharmacist and owner at Lawlor Pharmacy in Toronto, and George Smitherman, a former Ontario Liberal Deputy Premier and health minister and Dr. Steve Morgan, Professor of healthcare policy at the University of British Columbia and an expert in pharmaceutical policy. The federal NDP wants the Trudeau Liberals to deliver a national pharmacare program for Canadians soon. But the question remains: what should that look like?  PPE GROUP SUES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR "MISLEADING" THEM Libby Znaimer is joined by

THE MEDICAL RECORD: ONTARIO AND OTTAWA SIGN HEALTHCARE AGREEMENT Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist with the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Dr. Fahad Razak, Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, Internal medicine and critical care physician at Humber River Hospital In the news: An anti-Israel protest took place in front of Mount Sinai Hospital on Monday night in yet another development making Toronto's Jewish community feel safe. Meanwhile, the Ford government has signed the $3.1 billion healthcare agreement with the federal government. How will the money be spent? Our doctors weigh in. REACTION TO THE ANTI-ISRAEL PROTEST AT MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL Libby Znaimer is joined by Richard Robertson, Director of Research and Advocacy at B'nai Brith Canada. It's a protest that never should have happened. Both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford condemned the pro-Palestinian mob that for

RECOVERING POLITICIANS: BOONDOGGLE DOESN'T BEGIN TO DESCRIBE THE ARRIVECAN APP FIASCO The Auditor General issues a scathing report on the ArriveCan app; Doug Ford’s PCs are set to repeal Bill 124; and Mayor Olivia Chow is looking at a bigger budget for Toronto Police Services. Libby Znaimer is joined by Lisa Raitt, former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada; George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who also served as a health minister and deputy Premier; and Peggy Nash, former NDP MP for Parkdale-High Park to dive into these topics. BEST PRACTICES FOR PROTECTING YOUR VEHICLE AGAINST AUTO THEFT The Insurance Bureau of Canada reported that in 2022, claims paid out for vehicle thefts exceeded $1.2 billion for the first time. As thefts rise exponentially, owners and insurers say manufacturers should address known vulnerabilities in vehicle technology, which are being exploited by thieves. Libby Znaimer is joined by Bryan Gast, Vice-President, Investigative Services

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: FEDERAL FUNDING FOR HEALTH CARE AND FINANCIAL STABILITY FOR SENIORS Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford signed an agreement on Friday that details how the province must spend $3.1 billion in federal funding earmarked for health care; and seniors are increasingly worried that they will outlive their money. Libby Znaimer is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP and Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine to unpack these matters. COUNCILLOR MOISE DISCUSSES PLANS FOR SANKOFA SQUARE What’s in a name? The City of Toronto's decision to strip Yonge-Dundas Square of its current name has faced public push-back from the get-go, and a campaign to stop the renaming of the large public space is gaining ground, while sparking some creative alternatives for the City's chosen replacement name of Sankofa Square. Libby Znaimer is joined by Toronto Councillor Chris Moise for Ward 13 Toronto Centre to discuss this co

Today on Free For All Friday: an overwhelming number of listeners called in to weigh in on the ongoing issue of auto theft. Ottawa held a national summit on auto theft earlier this week. Can we expect an effective crackdown from the authorities?

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: FORMER POLITICIANS OPPOSED TO THE TORONTO BUDGET Tasha Kheiriddin is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village, who plans to run for the Conservatives in the next federal election, and Councillor Brad Bradford, Ward 19 Beaches-East York. It was a ban that had many Torontonians upset: how could you not allow residents to toboggan on hills across city parks? Well, it appears that City Hall has since had a change of heart and city councillors voted in favour of a reversal  (21-3 in favour) at 45 different parks where the ban was imposed. What does our panel think about all of this? Meanwhile, a number of former local politicians are voicing their opposition to Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow's budget plans including the 9.5 percent property tax hike which they say is too much considering the affordability crisis. The former budget chief, Gary Crawford, and Karen Stintz who served as a City Councillor and is one of our regular panelists were among t

THE MEDICAL RECORD: STUDY SHOWS SMOKING CAN INCREASE RISK OF HAIR LOSS FOR MEN Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto, Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist with the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and  Dr. Fahad Razak, Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto. Today: a conversation about food poisoning, how smoking can increase the risk of hair loss in men and also World Cancer Day.  COURT GIVES GREENLIGHT TO CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST FORMER LTC MINISTER Libby Znaimer is joined by Melissa Miller, Partner at Howie, Sacks & Henry LLP. This week, the Ontario Court of Appeal has greenlit a class-action lawsuit against the provincial long-term care ministry for alleged negligence in the way that the government dealt with the COVID-19 crisis. Melissa reacts to the news. IS THE HIGH COST OF LIVING FORCING YOU TO SACRIFICE YOUR RETIREMENT SAVINGS? Libby Znaimer is no

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: CONSERVATIVE LEADER POILIEVRE WANTS HARSHER PENALTIES FOR AUTO THIEVES Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who also served as a health minister and Deputy Premier, Peggy Nash, former NDP MP for Parkdale-High Park and Janet Ecker, a former finance minister with the Ontario PCs. This week: Federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and Ontario Premier Doug Ford did not mince words when it came to the issue of auto theft and a rise in crime. Our panel reacts. KING CHARLES DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER Libby Znaimer is joined by Suzanne Boyd, Editor-in-chief and Publisher of Zoomer Magazine/everythingzoomer.com  This week, Canadians and the rest of the world were shocked to learn that King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer. We don't know what kind of cancer he has but it was confirmed by official sources that it is not prostate-related. This comes on the heels of the news that he had undergone treatment for an enlarged beni

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CANADIAN DENTAL COVERAGE PROGRAM Libby Znaimer is joined by Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP,  Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP  and  Peter Muggeridge, Managing Editor of Zoomer Magazine. We kick things off with a discussion about Ottawa's dental coverage program officially called the "Canadian Dental Care Plan". This month, the program expands to adults 72 years of age and older. GETTING TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SANKOFA SQUARE NAME CHANGE Libby Znaimer is joined by Daniel Tate, a concerned citizen, taxpayer and co-organizer of an online petition to reverse the name change of Yonge-Dundas Square, Toronto Councillor Stephen Holyday, Ward 2 Etobicoke Centre, and Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth. Today: we take a closer look at just how much it's expected to cost for the renaming of Yonge-Dundas Square to Sankofa Square and how Section 37 will play a role in that. And, a majority of Toronton

Today on Free For All Friday: Listeners reacted to the Toronto budget unveiled this week by Mayor Olivia Chow and also the property tax hike of 9.5 per cent (more specifically, 8% property tax increase with an additional 1.5 per cent for the city building levy).

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: TORONTO MAYOR OLIVIA CHOW UNVEILS BUDGET TODAY Libby Znaimer is joined by David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto, Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth, Councillor James Pasternak, Ward 6 York Centre. The mayor unveiled the 2024 City budget today with a slightly reduced property tax. Our panel reacts to the latest. BEWARE OF THE TORONTO TAXI SCAM Libby is now joined by Detective David Coffey of the Toronto Police Service's Financial Crimes Unit and Kristine Hubbard, Operations Manager of Beck Taxi. There's a taxi scam that has been targeting Toronto residents for years. But it's getting worse. Here's what you need to know. ONLINE HARMS U.S. SENATE HEARING: CAN WE EXPECT REFORMS FROM SOCIAL MEDIA GIANTS? Libby is now joined by Carol Todd, Mother of Amanda Todd who took her own life after years of online bullying and who became a victim of sextortion, as well as Carmi Levy, a Technology analyst and journalist based in London, Ontario. U.S. lawmakers pressed the CEOs o

Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: CANADIAN HELLS ANGELS RECRUITED BY IRAN? Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who also served as a health minister and deputy Premier and Cheri Di Novo, Former Ontario NDP MPP and John Mykytyshyn, a Conservative political consultant and President of Bradgate Research Group. This week, we discuss the upcoming federal Conservative by-election taking place on March 4th for Durham whereby MP Erin O'Toole is resigning. And speaking of political races, Fight Back regular panelist Karen Stintz is going to be running for the federal Conservatives in the riding of Eglinton-Lawrence--that's Liberal MP Marco Mendicino's riding. And the panel reacts to a story about members of Canadian Hells Angels being indicted by U.S. and accused of doing crimes on behalf of Iran.  CANADA NOT READY TO EXPAND MAiD TO CANADIANS SUFFERING SOLELY FROM MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESSES: HEALTH MINISTER  Libby Znaimer is joined by Helen Long, CEO of Dying with

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: THE UPCOMING FEDERAL BY-ELECTION IN DURHAM Libby Znaimer is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP and Peter Muggeridge, Managing Editor of Zoomer Magazine. Today: our panel weighs in on the upcoming federal by-election in Durham set for March 4th and we continue the discussion on Toronto’s 2024 budget. BRAD BRADFORD ON THE CITY’S TOBOGGANING BANS AND THE RENAMING OF DUNDAS SQUARE Libby Znaimer is now joined by Councillor Brad Bradford for Ward 19 Beaches-East York. Councillor Bradford weighs in on the tobogganing bans at 45 different parks, the renaming of Yonge-Dundas Square to Sankofa Square and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow’s property tax hike proposal of 10.5 per cent which could be even higher if the feds don’t chip in (as high as 16.5 per cent). LIDAR OF ILTV DISCUSSES THE LATEST FROM THE HAGUE Libby Znaimer is joined by Lidar Grave-Lazi, News Anchor and Editor-In-Chief of ILTV based in Tel Aviv, Israel. Lidar gives us

Today on Free For All Friday: Our listeners called in about their concerns over the proposed property tax hike in Toronto's 2024 budget and other news of the past week.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: WHERE DOES TORONTO MAYOR OLIVIA CHOW STAND ON THE POLICE BUDGET? Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village, and David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto.  How much funding does Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow plan to allocate to the City's emergency services? And Torontonians continue to grapple with a ban on tobogganing at 45 city parks.  A CONVERSATION WITH HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR ANDY RETI  Libby Znaimer is now joined by Andy Reti, a child survivor of the Holocaust.  This Saturday marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day. January 27th also marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp in 1945. Andy Reti is a child survivor of the Holocaust. He joins Libby to share his story.  CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST UNIVERSITIES Libby Znaimer is now joined by Sandra Zisckind, managing partner and co-founder of Diamond and Diamond Personal Injury Lawyers. Still with the issue of anti-Semitism, the law

THE MEDICAL RECORD: CANADIAN CENTENARIANS & AN ALZHEIMER'S BLOOD TEST Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and former head of the BC Cancer Agency, Dr. Fahad Razak, Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto and Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician, Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto. A research study shows promise in a blood test that could be a quicker and more affordable alternative way to diagnose Alzheimer's disease in patients. Also this week, ZoomerMedia celebrated iconic General Richard Rohmer who turned 100 years old. Our guests weigh in on centenarians-- the fastest growing demographic. TRUMP SCORES ANOTHER VICTORY...THIS TIME IN NEW HAMPSHIRE Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Patrice Dutil, Professor in the Department of Politics and Public Administration, and Toronto Metropolitan University Professor Michael Flamm with the department of history at Ohio Wesleya

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL:  TRUDEAU MEETS WITH CABINET & OTTAWA PUTS CAP ON INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Libby Znaimer is joined by Lisa Raitt, former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who also served as a health minister, and deputy Premier and Cheri Di Novo, Former Ontario NDP MPP. Our panel discusses Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet retreat in Montreal this week, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow's town hall meetings on the 2024 budget and Ottawa's cap on international students. WHAT THE LATEST ALZHEIMER'S REPORT TELLS US ABOUT THE DISEASE Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Joshua Armstrong, the lead author of The Landmark Study: The Many Faces of Dementia and can speak to the findings and the research, and Dr. Roger Wong, Alzheimer Society of Canada Board Member, Clinical Professor in the Division of Geriatric Medicine, Vice Dean (Education) in the University of British Columbia (UBC). A new report from the Alzheimer's Associ

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: CARP'S ADVOCACY FOR LOBLAW DISCOUNT & BABY BOOMERS WITHOUT GRANDKIDS Libby Znaimer is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP and Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine. Canadian consumers received some good news late Friday afternoon when Loblaw announced that they would be reinstating the 50 percent discount on food items that are about to hit their best before date. This time last week, CARP members and other older Canadians were fuming about the decision to reduce the discount to 30 percent. And it seems Loblaw heard the discontent and reversed the policy. RISING AUTO INSURANCE PREMIUMS Jane Brown is now joined by Ellen Roseman, Consumer Advocate and journalist, Nainesh Kotak, Founder of Kotak Personal Injury Law, and Tom Rakocevic,  Ontario NDP Auto Insurance critic and the MPP for Humber River-Black Creek. Is your auto insurance getting more expensive? And by how much? You may be aware that Ontario drivers may now o

Today on Free For All Friday: Our listeners weighed in on the Ford government's plans to expand private healthcare clinics and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow's property tax hike proposal.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: MORE ON MAYOR CHOW'S PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX INCREASE Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village, and David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto. Today: we revisit the discussion about Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow's proposed property tax increase. THE FORD GOVERNMENT'S PLAN TO REDUCE WAIT TIMES FOR CERTAIN SURGERIES AND DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES Libby is now joined by Dr. Adil Shamji, Liberal MPP and Health Critic, David Musyj, CEO, Windsor Regional Hospital followed by Dr Fouad Tayfour, Windsor Regional Hospital's chief of ophthalmology and Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto. The province is moving into the next stages of its plan of expanding private care clinics that provide publicly funded tests which it argues will reduce wait times for patients. Meanwhile, advocates argue that this will place more pressure on the public health system and will lead to two-tiered

THE MEDICAL RECORD:  WHAT IS THE "MAN FLU"? Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Jason Profetto,  Family Physician with Profetto Savatteri Family Medicine in Hamilton,  Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, Internal Medicine and Critical Care Physician at Humber River Hospital. Today we kick things off by discussing the phenomenon popularly known as the "man flu". Meanwhile, now that we are experiencing greater levels of snowfall during the Winter, our health experts weigh in on the risk of a heart attack and overall cardiovascular health when shoveling the snow. And, what we know so far about AI and the role it can play in detecting early signs of hidden Pancreatic Cancer in scans. HIGH PARK AND OTHER TORONTO PARKS NOT SO RESIDENT FRIENDLY ANYMORE? Libby Znaimer is joined by Gil Penalosa, a popular urbanist and the Founder of 8 80 Cities who formerly ran for mayor of Toronto and Diane Buckell, founding member of petition 'High Park-Access for All'

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: MAYOR CHOW’S PROPERTY TAX HIKE PROPOSAL  Liz West is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Lisa Raitt, former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who also served as a health minister and deputy Premier and Andrew Cash, Former NDP MP for the Toronto-Davenport district. We discuss Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow's proposed property tax hike, the banning of tobogganing at numerous city parks and more.  TORONTO MAYOR OLIVIA CHOW LAUNCHES TOWN HALLS OVER BUDGET Liz West is now joined by Jay Goldberg, Ontario & Interim Atlantic Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. Starting today, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is hosting a series of telephone town hall meetings to hear from residents about their questions, comments, and concerns as it pertains to the City's 2024 budget.  THE IOWA CACUS: TRUMP WON Liz West is now joined by Dr. Chris Cooper, a Political Science Professor at Western

THE ZOOMER SQUAD:  WILL TORONTO BE CUTTING WINDROW CLEARING SERVICES?   Libby Znaimer is joined by Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP and Quitto Maggi, CEO Mainstreet Research. Loblaw is cutting its discount on food that is about to expire from 50 per cent to 30 per cent. How will this impact older shoppers on a fixed income? And, is the city proposing to cut windrow snow clearing from the 2024 budget? Our panel weighs in.  POLLUTION FROM TRACK REPAIRS HAVE LOCAL TORONTO RESIDENTS FEELING ILL Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Gill, Resident of the neighbourhood who has been exposed to the construction and styrene fumes and Thomas Tenkate, Director and Associate Professor at the School of Occupational and Public Health at Toronto Metropolitan University.  Residents in the area of Bathurst and St Clair are complaining about construction happening there. They are worried about the foul odours, headaches and nausea which

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners phoned in to react to Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow's property tax increase proposal and Toronto Police banning protests at the Highway 401 and Avenue Rd. overpass in the city.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN:  MAYOR OLIVIA CHOW'S EYE POPPING PROPERTY TAX INCREASE PLAN Libby Znaimer is joined by Karen Stintz, CEO, Variety Village, Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth and It’s Thursday - time to talk about all things municipal - and it’s a doozie - an unprecedented proposed 10.5% tax hike for Toronto home owners. We shouldn’t be surprised - during the election campaign we were warned that the increases would be big on her watch. And there’s more - she’s warning about an additional 6.5% hike if the federal Liberals don’t come through with more cash for the city. Is that brilliant piece of political brinkmanship as some are saying or is she overreaching? And does the federal government take Toronto for granted? ISRAEL GOES TO COURT OVER ACCUSATIONS OF GENOCIDE Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Amos Guiora, Professor of Law at the University of Utah and a former Legal advisor to the IDF in Gaza.  Israeli legal representatives are in the Hague this week defending th

THE MEDICAL RECORD:  AN APP TO ALLEVIATE TINNITUS AND THE END OF THE PAP SMEAR? It’s Wednesday and it is time to talk about your health. And we begin with an example of technology helping a common condition: Tinnitus - a ringing in the ears- affects about 10% of the adult population. It ranges from mild to debilitating.Well now there’s a new app that has shown promise in dealing with it. Also it is January and so we have the annual list of best and worst diets. And the top spot goes to the same eating plan that has been recognized for 7 years in a row - the Mediterranean Diet. Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman,  Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto,  Dr. Fahad Razak, Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto and  Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. PAY UP! RESTAURANTS ARE STRUGGLING TO PAY BACK THEIR PANDEMIC LOANS: SURVEY A big deadline for small businesses is com

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL:  TORONTO MAYOR OLIVIA CHOW'S SKATE PARTY DISRUPTED BY PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTERS Libby Znaimer is joined by Lisa Raitt, former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who also served as a health minister and deputy Premier and Andrew Cash, Former NDP MP, Toronto-Davenport district. This week: Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow's skating party at Nathan Phillips Square was disrupted by pro-Palestinian demonstrators. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces criticism for his latest vacation to Jamaica. TORONTO COUNCILLORS CALL ON OTTAWA TO INVESTIGATE ARSON OF JEWISH BUSINESS AS ACT OF TERRORISM Libby Znaimer is joined by Toronto City Councillors James Pasternak, Ward 6 York Centre, and Mike Colle, Ward 8 Eglinton-Lawrence. Both City Councillors on the program today are calling on Ottawa to investigate the vandalism of a Jewish-owned business in North York, International Delicatessen Foods (IDF for shor

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: CARP'S REACTION TO A NEW U.S. DRUG POLICY Libby Znaimer is joined by Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP and Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine. It’s Monday time for our Zoomer Squad and there’s  a very worrisome development South of the border: Florida has passed a law allowing the importation of drugs from Canada. The Floridians are thrilled. They say this can save the $150 million a year but what about us? We are already plagued with serious drug shortages. Remember when busloads of Americans drove to a border pharmacy to buy insulin? And what about Americans buying Ozempic here at a third of the US price and exacerbating the shortage? What if anything can be done? JUSTIN BATES OF THE OPA REACTS TO FLORIDA IMPORTING DRUGS FROM CANADA Libby Znaimer is joined by Justin Bates, CEO of the Ontario Pharmacists Association. What are the rules around those possible sales to the US?  Can

Today on Free For All Friday: Listeners called in to discuss the Israel-Hamas war, and the rise of hate-related crimes in Toronto.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN:  NORTH YORK JEWISH-OWNED DELI TARGET OF SUSPECTED HATE CRIME It’s Thursday - time to talk about all things municipal. And we begin the year with escalating anti-Semitic violence. Yesterday a Jewish owned North York deli was torched and defaced with pro-Palestinian graffiti. Police are investigating and political leaders have come out with pious statements condemning this. But given other incidents targeting Jewish neighbourhoods, and Jewish businesses have gone off with impunity why are we surprised? And speaking of confidence in public servants - what about those typos on new signage that no one caught before they were made and installed? And there’s a plan to increase the use of photo radar. Joining to discuss is David Crombie, former Toronto Mayor, Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak and Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth. "NO MORE NOISE" FIGHTS NOISE POLLUTION IN TORONTO The city of Toronto is reviewing the noise by-law almost five years after it was ame

THE MEDICAL RECORD:  MULTIVITAMINS MAY PLAY A ROLE IN BOOSTING MEMORY OF OLDER ADULTS ACCORDING TO STUDY Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto, Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, an  Internal medicine and critical care physician at Humber River Hospital. It’s Wednesday: time to talk about your health and it is our first medical panel of the new year. Many of us have made health related New Year resolutions - what are the most sensible changes to start and how best to keep them. And before the holidays we talked about the expected increase in heart attacks and overcrowding in emergency rooms. How did this actually turn out? Paediatricians are complaining that a lack of government data on childhood flu is hampering them. And if you listen to weather reports, one of the big questions is when will we see some sunshine? Is the lack of it getting you do

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL:  WHERE ARE OTTAWA AND QUEENS PARK HEADED IN 2024? Libby Znaimer is joined by Lisa Raitt, former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Cheri Di Novo, former Ontario NDP MPP and a recipient of the Order of Canada, and George Smitherman, former Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre. who served both as a deputy premier and minister of health. As we begin the new year of 2024, will it be same old same old when it comes to our politics? Will Bonnie Crombie’s tenure as Ontario Liberal leader change the dynamics at Queen’s Park even though she doesn’t have a seat. Has Premier Ford put the land swap scandal behind him and what about Ontario Place? At the federal level, will Trudeau stay or go? Right now the consensus seems to be that he will stay. And the honeymoon seems to be over for Toronto mayor Olivia Chow. Now she will have to pass a budget through council and with that a tax increase. Numbers. ISRAEL SUPREME COURT STRIKES DOWN JUDICIAL OVERHAUL & ISRAEL WILL COUNTER

This is the second of a two part series where Jane Brown looks back at the very best of Fight Back from 2023. Highlights include welcoming Olivia Chow as Toronto's new mayor in July, the political ramifications of Justin Trudeau's seperation from Sophie Gregoire Trudeau in August, the international embarrassment when a 98 year old Nazi war veteran was celebrated in the House of Commons as a Ukrainian and Canadian hero in September, the breakout of war in Israel in October, the waning support for the Federal Liberals as the NDP vote with the Conservatives in November, and the worrying rise in Food Bank usage in December. To listen to Part 1 you can find the archived podcast episode of the Best of 2023 from our episode posted on December 26, 2023

Today on Free For All Friday: Our listeners phone in about the Yonge-Dundas name change, the Israel-Hamas conflict, and share their best wishes for the new year.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN:  A NEW YEAR OF FINANCIAL WOES FOR TORONTO Jane Brown is joined by Karen Stintz, CEO, Variety Village, Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth and Councillor James Pasternak, Ward 6 York Centre. This week: even after a big deal with the province to help alleviate Toronto's financial woes, the City still has a major budget shortfall of $1.5 billion in 2024. Meanwhile, two Toronto-based churches are having to close their doors by the end of this year to the thousands of refugees they've helped provide shelter for due to the drying up of funds needed to support them. Will this trend only become more widespread? SHOULD CANADA IMPOSE A BAN ON CIGARETTE SALES TO ANYONE BORN AFTER 2008? Jane Brown is joined by Rob Cunningham, Senior Policy Analyst at the Canadian Cancer Society. Canadian health professionals are recommending that Ottawa ban the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after 2008 and have pointed to New Zealand as a role model in this area of health legislation. So, how

THE MEDICAL RECORD:   HOW EFFECTIVE WERE OVER THE COUNTER COVID-19 RAPID TEST KITS? Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre,  Dr. Fahad Razak, Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto and Dr. Sohail Gandhi, an Ontario based family physician and a past President of the Ontario Medical Association. It’s Wednesday time to talk about your health. And there was a huge uptick in Covid cases before the holidays which I am sure is spiking even more after all the Christmas gatherings and the shopping in crowds. Meanwhile, a new report says those ubiquitous home test kits aren’t as accurate as we thought and the company behind them fudged some of the results in order to get the multi million dollar contract. And there’s a new study on physician burnout - again some of that must be related to the holidays. And two of our panelists were working over Christmas. So did a young emergency doctor who was a gues

In the first of a two part series, Jane Brown looks back at the very best of Fight Back from 2023. Highlights include new alcohol guidelines from health Canada in January, paying tribute to Hazel McCallion and the shocking resignation of John Tory as Toronto's mayor in February, April's discussion on Galen Weston's 1.2 million dollar raise amid rising food costs, the coronation of King Charles in May, and the Mayoral by-election in June. Tune in on January 1st to hear the second half of the year that was after the noon news.

Today on Free For All Friday: Our listeners share their thoughts on electric vehicles, the Israel-Hamas conflict, and the Yonge-Dundas Square name change.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN It’s that last gathering of the Tune Into the Town panel before Christmas, and there’s a lot to unpack. Toronto just got a big Christmas gift from Ottawa - $471 million in new housing cash - and we are also getting a new 250-bed respite centre just down the street from Zoomer Radio. As well, the Chair of Yonge-Dundas Square said he's resigning over last week's city council vote to rename the downtown landmark to Sankofa Square; and Olivia Chow has made some big moves in her short time as Toronto’s new Mayor. Libby Znaimer is joined by Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village; Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak; and David Crombie, a former mayor of Toronto, to discuss these issues, and more. LET’S TALK ABOUT THE WEATHER The word has been getting a lot of use lately, but there is no better way to describe it. Our weather this year has truly been unprecedented. Libby Znaimer is joined by Dave Phillips, Senior Climatologist at Environment Canada for a look at the Top Ten weath

THE MEDICAL RECORD: HEALTH AND THE HOLIDAYS It’s time to talk about your health, and there are some holiday related issues we should be aware of. The latest numbers show that less than 15% of us have the updated Covid vaccine - this as we are gathering with friends and family in the midst of the viral soup of Covid, RSV and influenza - which is already clogging hospital emergency rooms. Also, there is an annual spike in heart attacks around the holidays. Why is that and what can you do to protect yourself? And what time are you having your Christmas feast? There’s new work that tries to answer the question: is it bad to eat late at night? Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto; Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre; and  Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist at Unity Health Toronto to discuss. MIDDLE-EAST PROTESTS TARGETING MALLS AND A SPIKE IN ANTI-SEMITISM There was a very

RECOVERING POLITICIANS It's our last Recovering Politicians panel before Christmas. On the international stage, Canada broke with its tradition of supporting Israel at the U.N. and voted for an unconditional ceasefire with no mention of Hamas violence. It also called on Israel to stop settler violence in the West Bank again without mentioning violence on the other side. Also, very ambitious targets for electric vehicles. And at Queen’s Park, the latest poll shows the Ford PC’s bouncing back. Libby Znaimer is joined by Lisa Raitt, Former Deputy Leader of Conservative Party of Canada; Cheri DiNovo, former Ontario NDP MPP and a recipient of the Order of Canada; and John Gerretsen, former Ontario Liberal Cabinet Minister, and former Attorney General to discuss. STATISTICS CANADA POPULATION SURVEY Canada's population grew by more than 430,000 during the third quarter, marking the fastest pace of population growth in any quarter since 1957. Libby Znaimer is joined by Doug Norris, Senior Vice President and

THE ZOOMER SQUAD Concerns are rising over the number of Canadian seniors going lost or missing due to dementia; unprecedented growth among Canada's senior population will mean shift in housing needs; and what to expect from Canada's labour market as the workforce ages. Liz West is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP; Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP; and Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine to discuss the news that matter most to Zoomers. TRAVELLING FOR THE HOLIDAYS We are down to the wire, as many are gearing up for holiday travel during Christmas. Liz West is joined by Martin Firestone, president of Travel Secure Inc. for a conversation about what you need to know ahead of time. POPE  FRANCIS SAYS PRIESTS CAN BLESS SAME-SEX UNIONS There was very big news from the Vatican today. A new document gives formal permission for priests to bless same-sex couples, explaining the radical change in Vatican policy by insisting that people

Today on Free For All Friday: Our listeners had lots to say about the City of Toronto changing the name of Yonge-Dundas Square.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: FORD GOVERNMENT WILL NOT DISSOLVE PEEL REGION It’s our Thursday tune into the town panel and we’ve got lots to discuss, so let’s get started with the province's announcement to not dissolve Peel Region. Joining Liz West is Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village, Alex Blumenstein, Co-founder of The Peak and David Crombie, former Mayor of Toronto. THE POWER OF LEONARD COHEN'S MUSIC DURING DIFFICULT TIMES We are inching closer to the shortest day of the year which means the most darkness - many of us struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder - and the news of war and strife only makes matters worse. Can music illuminate these dark times? And in particular, can the songs of Leonard Cohen? Joining Liz now is Dr. Matthew Robert Anderson, Adjunct professor of Theological Studies at Concordia University and author of "Prophets of Love: The Unlikely Kinship of Leonard Cohen and the Apostle Paul". OTTAWA SAYS GROCERY CODE OF CONDUCT WILL DEFINATELY BE IMPLEMENTED When we start a new job o

THE MEDICAL RECORD: OTTAWA'S $13 BILLION DOLLAR DENTAL COVERAGE PLAN Liz West is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto, Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, an Internal medicine and critical care physician at Humber River Hospital. Our panel reacts to Ottawa's $13 billion national dental coverage program and what that means for Seniors specifically. RABBI WOLPE RESIGNED FROM HARVARD'S ANTISEMITISM ADVISORY GROUP Liz West is now joined by Rabbi David Wolpe, a visiting scholar at Harvard’s Divinity School who resigned from the university’s Antisemitism Advisory Group followed by federal Conservative Deputy leader Melissa Lantsman. Last Thursday, Rabbi Wolpe publicly announced his decision to resign from Harvard University's Antisemitism Advisory Group. The reason for his decision in his own words from a post he made on X (formerly Twitter): "the system at Harvard a

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL:  "SORRY" SAYS MINISTER CALANDRA TO DEVELOPERS IN AFTERMATH OF GREENBELT SCANDAL Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Lisa Raitt, former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Cheri Di Novo, former Ontario NDP MPP an a recipient of the Order of Canada, and George Smitherman, former Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre. who served both as a deputy premier and minister of health. In the news: prominent Canadian women leaders including former Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and our own panelists Lisa and Cheri have called upon the RCMP to help in the investigation of sexual violence against Israeli women perpetrated by Hamas terrorists during the atrocities of Oct. 7. Meanwhile, House of Commons Speaker Greg Fergus apologized for recording a tribute video to outgoing Ontario Liberal leader John Fraser. Fergus faces the possibility of resigning from the position which he took on a mere two months ago. If he does resign, he would become the speaker

THE ZOOMER SQUAD:  THE ROLLOUT OF THE DENTAL CARE PLAN Libby Znaimer is joined by Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP and Bob Richardson, Bob Richardson, Senior Council, National Public Relations. It’s Monday: time for our Zoomer Squad. And we now have details on the rollout of the dental care plan that is a cornerstone of the Liberals supply and confidence agreement with the NDP. It will be rolled out gradually next year with registration starting next week with older Zoomers over 87. Even that group won’t see any actual benefits until May. So is this the right way to structure the program? AN UPDATE ON ISRAEL'S WAR WITH HAMAS: IDF SPOKESPERSON Libby Znaimer is now joined by IDF Spokesperson Lt. Col. (res) Peter Lerner. The Israel-Hamas war has entered a new intensive phase with heavy fighting in the city of Khan Younis which the IDF says is a terrorist stronghold. Meanwhile, Hamas has threatened not to allow any more hostages to le

Today on Free For All Friday we ask the big question: What's your take on self checkout stations at the grocery store or major retailers? And listeners also call in to wish the Jewish community a happy Hanukah!

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: THE CITY IS PREPARING FOR A LEGAL BATTLE WITH UBER Marissa Lennox is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Karen Stintz, CEO, Variety Village, Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, and Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth. Yesterday, the Ontario auditor general's office published its annual report—a mixed bag with healthcare nuggets, some stuff about the Ontario Science Centre, and even driver exams and three-point turns. We'll chat about the big stuff with our panel, what stood out in the report.And then, onto the rumble between Uber and the City of Toronto. Uber's throwing punches, taking the city to court over a sudden council move to freeze ride sharing licenses. Toronto City Hall's saying it's all about slashing downtown pollution and traffic jams, part of a plan for zero-emission vehicles by 2030. So, here's my question: Is this cap just the government meddling where it shouldn't? Or could the city be onto something big here? IS IT TIME TO GET R

THE MEDICAL RECORD:  THE EXTENT OF HOSPITAL CLOSURES IN ONTARIO + ROSTERING IN PRIMARY CARE Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto, Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, an  Internal medicine and critical care physician at Humber River Hospital. According to a new report from the Ontario Health Coalition, a healthcare advocacy group, found that there were 1,199 closures at Ontario Hospitals between Jan 1st and Nov 24 of this year and that it was primarily urgent care centres that were affected. To be specific:  "868 temporary or permanent emergency department closures (one is permanent)". Meanwhile, we take a deep dive into the patient roster system in the context of primary care. Dr. Naiman explains how rostering typically works and what you need to know. BRAMPTON MAYOR PATRICK BROWN CALLS INTO FIGHT BACK Libby is joined by Brampton Mayor Patrick Br

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: BONNIE CROMBIE IS THE NEW LEADER OF THE ONTARIO LIBERALS Libby Znaimer is joined by Janet Ecker Former Ontario PC minister of finance, George Smitherman, former Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre, minister of health and Deputy Premier and Cheri Di Novo, a former NDP MPP and a recipient of the Order of Canada. We kick things off with a discussion about Bonnie Crombie's victory as the new leader of the Ontario Liberals. Could she pave the way to a revival of the party? And, the next election is years away but what does she have to do in order to pose a serious threat to the Ford government? Also this week: a large gathering of members of Canada's Jewish community and their allies rallied at Parliament Hill in Ottawa in a show of strength against antisemitism. RETAIL CHAINS ABANDONING SELF CHECKOUTS DUE TO RISE IN THEFT Libby Znaimer is now joined by Ellen Roseman, Consumer Advocate and journalist and Bruce Winder, a Retail Analyst & Author. They’ve been around for about 30 years

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: BONNIE IS THE NEW ONTARIO LIBERAL LEADER Jane Brown is joined by Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine, Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP and John Wright, Executive Vice President, Maru Public Opinion. It's official: Bonnie Crombie is the new leader of the Ontario Liberal Party. The mayor of Mississauga beat rivals Nate Erskine-Smith and Yasir Naqvi among other contenders. So, what does this mean for the party's future and does she pose a serious threat for Doug Ford?  And, on another note, Moncton's Jewish community wants to know why their city quietly decided to end the display of religious symbols on their property including the lighting of the menorah especially with Hannukah being around the corner. After public outcry, that decision is expected to be revisited by Moncton City Hall today. THE OTTAWA RALLY AGAINST ANTISEMITISM Jane Brown is now joined by Liberal MP Anthony Housefather (Mount Royal) followed by Deputy leader of the Conservative Party Melissa Lantsman (Th

Today on Free For All Friday: our listeners reflect on the potential for Bonnie Crombie to become leader of the Ontario Liberals and what that would mean for the Party and whether that would pose a serious threat to the Ford government, and also we get calls about residents complaining that municipal taxes have gone up way too high.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: THE FUTURE OF TASTE ON THE DANFORTH Libby Znaimer is joined by Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village, Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, and David Crombie, a former Mayor of Toronto. It’s Thursday time to talk about local politics! Up first, what is happening or not happening with the taste of the Danforth - one of our largest and most successful street fairs. Yesterday local businesses voted to cancel it rather than accept a 20% increase in their levies which their BIA said would be necessary to mount the event again. I Think this is a strategy to get either a sponsor or some level of govt to come in and provide the cash. And this is the first time we are talking since that historic funding deal between the city and the province at the beginning of the week. MOST ADULTS PREPARING FOR RETIREMENT WILL NEED TO MAKE LIFESTYLE CHANGES Libby Znaimer is joined by Hwan Kim, A partner at Deloitte Canada. If you are close to retirement, are your finances in order? A new report from Del

THE MEDICAL RECORD: ALBERTA'S NURSING STRATEGY Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, Internal medicine and critical care physician at Humber River Hospital and Dr. Iris Gorfinkel, Family Physician as well as Founder of PrimeHealth Clinical Research. Today: we kick things off with a discussion of both the province's wastewater signal and COVID-19 hospitalizations reaching a one-year high. It's a clear sign that the pandemic still poses a very significant public health threat. Meanwhile, we examine the use of virtual care in the context of urgent care. And, Alberta's plan to give nurses the ability to open up their own publicly funded independent practices as part of a strategy to address the primary care shortage. CONSERVATIVES WANT FURTHER CARBON TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR FARMERS Marissa Lennox is now joined by a cattle, grain and soy bean farmer based in Elgin County in Ontario and Glenn Wright, who has been the National Farm

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: THE PROVINCE WILL NOW OVERSEE THE GARDINER EXPRESSWAY AND DVP Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, Former Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who served as a health minister and Deputy Premier, Cheri DiNovo, Former Ontario NDP MPP and a recipient of the Order of Canada and John Capobianco,  Senior Vice President & Senior Partner, FleishmanHillard HighRoad. It’s Tuesday: Time to talk politics and yesterday’s new deal between the City of Toronto and the province is being called historic. Actually my favourite commentary was in a tweet from Councillor Mike Colle - it said that Mayor Olivia Chow and Premier Doug Ford should get the Nobel Peace Prize! The deal earmarks up to 9 B from the province and much of that money will come from Queens Parks’ agreement to take over both the Gardiner Expressway and the DVP. There’s also cash for housing, for shelters and the TTC. In exchange, the city has agreed to let Ford have his way on that controversial Spa development at Ontar

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: WASTEWATER SIGNAL AND COVID-19 HOSPITALIZATIONS REACH ONE-YEAR HIGHS Jane Brown is joined by Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine, Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP and John Wright, Executive Vice President, Maru Public Opinion. According to the latest data, both Ontario's wastewater signal and hospitalization rates for COVID-19 have reached one-year highs respectively. It's a confirmation that the virus still poses a significant public health threat. Meanwhile, Jane and the panel weigh in on older adults (we're talking about adults 80 years of age and older) and their relationship with technology especially in the context of the busy holiday shopping where you can find such great deals online and also staying connected to their loved ones and family virtually. MORE ISRAELI HOSTAGES RETURN BACK HOME Jane Brown is now joined by David Matlow, a Toronto-based lawyer. Over the weekend, additional groups of Israeli hostages were released as part of ongoing negotiation deals bet

Today on Free For All Friday, listeners called in to weigh in on Justin Trudeau's performance as our Prime Minister, whether or not its time for him to go and who they are voting for in the next election.

The release of the first group of Israeli hostages held by the Hamas terrorist group is scheduled to begin this Friday. It is expected that 50 women and children will be returned as part of the deal. In a conversation with Libby Znaimer, Lt. Col. Conricus explains how the IDF will play a role in bringing the hostages back to safety in Israel, how their families will be notified and the aims of the IDF in the days to come.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: MAYOR OLIVIA CHOW DEMANDS MORE FROM OTTAWA Libby Znaimer is joined by Karen Stintz, CEO, Variety Village, Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak which is now part of the ZoomerMedia family, and Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth. It’s Thursday time to talk about all things municipal. And zmsyornOlivia Chow is pushing back against the federal govt in the wake of the fall economic statement which had very little for Toronto. She is also unhappy with the Immigration Minister’s offer of 5 million for a warming centre at the Better Living Centre. she wants to open the armories as a shelter but Ottawa is against that. Also the fallout from yesterday’s explosion at the Rainbow Bridge which is still closed. CANADIANS SHOPPING HABITS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON & BLACK FRIDAY DEALS Libby Znaimer is joined by Lisa Hutcheson, a retail expert and consultant with JC Williams and Barry Choi, a personal finance expert. Black Friday is tomorrow, as always the day after American Thank

THE MEDICAL RECORD: A SAFE HOME TEST TO CHECK FOR HPV Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto, Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, Internal medicine and critical care physician at Humber River Hospital. It’s Wednesday time to talk about your health. Following yesterday’s economic update there are questions about what is not there. There was nothing about an expansion of the dental care program, something that would be critical for many Zoomers and also not a word about Pharmacare, even though the agreement with the NDP states explicitly that that file must be Acted on by the end of this year. Also, Zoomer women will remember the very uncomfortable routine of regular Pap smears. Canada is moving away from them and there is apparently a safe and effective home test to look for HPV. ISRAEL'S HOSTAGE AGREEMENT WITH HAMAS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Libby Zna

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: WHY THE TRUDEAU LIBERALS ARE TRAILING BEHIND POILIEVRE'S CONSERVATIVES Marissa Lennox is joined by Lisa Raitt, Former Deputy Leader of Conservative Party of Canada, Charles Bird, Managing Principle of Earnscliffe Strategies in Toronto, and Cheri DiNovo, Former Ontario NDP MPP and a recipient of the Order of Canada. Today: A Nanos poll shows that the Trudeau Liberals are trailing behind Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives and that the Conservative brand is "stronger now… than at any time" in the past ten years. Are we surprised? Meanwhile, The Ontario Liberal leader will be voted in next weekend with the results made official on December 2nd. Bonnie Crombie is the front-runner but two of her rivals, Yasir Naqvi and Nate Erskine Smith who are both currently MPs, have a strategy to try to beat her. STUDENTS AT MCGILL SUPPORT PRO-PALESTINE POLICY Marissa Lennox is now joined by Michael Mostyn, CEO of B'nai Brith Canada followed by Toronto-based criminal defense lawyer, Ari Goldkin

LEAD-THE ZOOMER SQUAD: REMEMBERING ROSALYNN CARTER Marissa Lennox is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP,  Anthony Quinn,  Chief Community Officer of CARP and Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine. This week: Ottawa is set to release its Fall fiscal update on Tuesday. CARP wants to know if there will be anything in it for its members. Meanwhile, the wife of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has passed away. Rosalynn Carter was 96. Our panel reflects on their legacy together. Also a report from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation shows a trend of older adults choosing to age at home primarily due to greater wealth and health. The survey looked at major Canadian cities including: Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa and Montreal. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT PARTS WAYS WITH ONTARIO PLACE DEVELOPMENT PLANS Marissa Lennox is joined by Walter Kehm, a former director of the University of Guelph’s school of landscape architecture and former senior principal at Toronto-based LAND

Today on Free For All Friday, we put the question to our listeners: should the Brass Rail Strip club receive heritage status? That's what Toronto's Preservation Board is recommending. Meanwhile, we get calls on the Israel-Hamas war and talk about congestion in the downtown core.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: THE PROBLEM WITH SARA JAMA Marissa Lennox is now joined by David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto, Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak,  and Karen Stintz, CEO, Variety Village. This week: Independent MPP Sara Jama once again made highly offensive comments about Israel. In other news, Toronto's Preservation Board wants City Council to protect the historic Brass Rail strip club in the downtown core. And, Ottawa says it will contribute $1.2 billion in fully repayable low interest loans towards the building of over 2,600 rental homes in Toronto. So, what's that all about? Our panel reacts to the latest. THE MORAL EQUIVALENCE WHEN IT COMES TO ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR Marissa Lennox is now joined by George Monastiriakos, a lawyer and fellow at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy and Sara Teich, an International human rights lawyer, senior fellow at the Macdonald Laurier Institute. Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was called out by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his s

THE MEDICAL RECORD Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto, Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and  Dr. Amol Verma, a staff physician in General Internal Medicine at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. Ontario's Patient Ombudsman Craig Thompson's office has received a 33 per cent jump in complaints and he highlighted a concerning trend about challenges accessing primary care in the province. Meanwhile, the provincial government is getting stricter on masking rules in long-term care homes amid the current respiratory virus season and due to the threat of COVID-19. There have been over 100 deaths of long-term care residents from COVID-19 since late August. Our panel has the latest. TODAY MARKS WORLD COPD DAY Libby Znaimer is now joined by Henry Roberts, Member of the Executive Committee at COPD Canada. Today marks World COPD Day and Henry is here to raise awareness about the horribl

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: THE FUTURE OF TRUDEAU'S LIBERALS LOOKS GRIM + ONTARIO WANTS MORE PROTECTION FOR RESTAURANT STAFF Libby Znaimer is joined by Lisa Raitt, Former Deputy Leader of Conservative Party of Canada, George Smitherman, Former Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who served as a health minister and Deputy Premier, and Cheri DiNovo, Former Ontario NDP MPP and a recipient of the Order of Canada. Today: an Abacus Data survey reveals that the Liberals would lose to the opposition Conservatives if an election were held today. And, the Ford government is proposing new legislation to better protest employees of restaurants. DAILY BREAD RELEASES LATEST "WHO'S HUNGRY REPORT" Libby Znaimer is now joined by Neil Hetherington, CEO of The Daily Bread Food Bank. Daily Bread's new "Who's Hungry Report" is now out and the findings are concerning: in the past year, there were 2.53 million client visits across 150 food banks in Toronto, which is a 51 per cent increase compared to 2002. And, 1 in 10 Torontonia

THE ZOOMER SQUAD 12:00-12:30 Marissa Lennox is joined by Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP and Peter Muggeridge,  Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine. Five Premiers from Saskatchewan, Alberta, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are calling for a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and asking Ottawa to extend the carbon price exemption to all types of home heating and not just home heating oil. Meanwhile, an Alberta CPP exit panel has been launched to hear directly from Albertans about whether they should part ways with the Canada Pension Plan. Earlier in the year, an Alberta government funded study found that the province could save as much as $5 billion if it pulled out of the CPP and entered a different scheme. And, Toronto is seeing a rise in hate related crimes: In recent weeks amid the Israel-Hamas war. Does Toronto have a plan to address this issue effectively? AN UPDATE ON THE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR 12:30-12:45

Today on Free For All Friday: Listeners called in to share stories of their family and loved ones who fought in Canada's wars and to reflect on the sacrifices they made ahead of Remembrance Day this Saturday.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN 12:00PM-12:30 PM Marissa Lennox is joined by David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto, Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth and Karen Stintz, CEO, Variety Village.  The Auditor General has launched investigations into the Ford government's Ontario Place and Ontario Science Centre development plans. Meanwhile, this past Wednesday, City Council voted 24-1 for Mayor Olivia Chow's ambitious affordable housing plan that would involve building 65,000 affordable homes and would require a substantial amount of funding from both the provincial and federal government (we're talking  $36-billion).  A LOOK AHEAD TO REMEMBRANCE DAY 12:30-12:50 PM Marissa Lennox is now joined by 99-year old MajorJim Parks who served with the Winnipeg Rifles during World War 2 and heroically fought at Juno Beach on June 6, 1944  Captain (retired) Steven Dieter served in the military for a total of 21 years working with the Cadet program, as an Infantry Officer, and as a Public Affairs Officer and is a

Marissa Lennox is joined by Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser, a legendary former Canadian hockey player who won five Olympic medals with Canada women's national ice hockey team. Hayley retired from hockey in 2017 and the IOC in 2022. She is currently serving as the Assistant General Manager of Player Development for the Toronto Maple Leafs and is a practicing Family and Emergency medicine doctor. It's Lung Cancer Awareness Month. To mark the occasion, Hayley has partnered with the Be the MVP – Change the Odds campaign which aims to empower Canadians to take charge of their own health by increasing their awareness of lung cancer, including the related risk factors, signs and symptoms, and the importance of early detection. In this special one-on-one conversation with Marissa, Hayley details what the campaign is all about, why early detection of lung cancer is so important and how she feels empowered to help change the odds.

THE MEDICAL RECORD: NURSES HAVE ADDITIONAL PRESCRIBING POWERS NOW 12-12:30 PM Marissa Lennox is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto, Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist at Unity Health Toronto. Ontario registered nurses will now be able to independently prescribe medications including birth control and topical antibiotics. It's all part of a strategy by the province for patients to get certain prescriptions faster. The Ontario Medical Association (OMA), however, believes that this is the wrong approach because it won't give patients “the comprehensive care that a primary care physician offers”. Do our panelists agree? Meanwhile, according to leaked documents that were made public by the Alberta NDP, the Alberta government under Premier Danielle Smith plans to make big changes to its healthcare system including dismantling its province wide healthcare prov

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: ONTARIO AG INVESTIGATING FORD GOVERNMENT'S ONTARIO PLACE PLANS 12:00-12:30 Libby Znaimer is joined by Lisa Raitt, former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Charles Bird   , Managing Principal at Earnscliffe Strategy Group in Toronto andCheri DiNovo, Former Ontario NDP MPP and a recipient of the Order of Canada. Ontario's Auditor General is conducting an investigation on the Ford government's Ontario Place development plans. Meanwhile, many of Canada's Premiers met in Halifax for a two day meeting spanning from Sunday to Monday where they discussed key issues like healthcare and energy costs. And, according to foreign affairs minister Melanie Joly, the first batch of Canadians have left Gaza and into Egypt through the Rafah border crossing. But, it remains unclear how many actually made it through and for how long the border crossing will remain open. DARRIN MAHARAJ ON WATCHING THE HORRIFIC MASSACRE OF INNOCENT CIVILIANS BY HAMAS AT THE ISRAELI CONSULATE 12:30-

ZOOMER SQUAD:  THE PINCH OF HEALTHCARE COSTS DURING RETIREMENT 12:00-12:30 Marissa Lennox is joined by Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP and John Wright, Executive VP of Maru Public Opinion. In the news: a report details how one third of Zoomers are feeling the pinch of health care costs and the impact of that on their retirement savings. Meanwhile, the Ford government is re-examining its use of the ministerial zoning orders and CARP reacts to the province's last fiscal update. NURSES UNION WANTS CANADA'S PREMIERS TO ADDRESS THE NURSING SHORTAGE 12:30-12:45 PM Marissa Lennox is now joined by Linda Silas, President of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions. As we alluded to in the previous segment, most of Canada's Premiers are meeting in Halifax to discuss healthcare among other key issues. Canada's largest nursing union is calling on the premiers to address the nationwide nursing shortage. Linda also details some o

Today on Free For All Friday: with the upcoming time change from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time on Sunday, our listeners debate: should we scrap the time change in future or keep it and why?

TUNE INTO THE TOWN:  OLIVIA CHOW AND DOUG FORD'S SECOND MEETING & A SECRET TTC BOARD MEETING 12:00PM-12:30 PM Jane Brown is joined by David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto, Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth and Councillor Brad Bradford, Ward 19 Beaches-East York. This week: Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Ontario Premier Doug Ford held a second meeting to talk about Toronto's finances. In a letter, they both called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government to get involved in supporting the City as it faces an ongoing budget hole stemming from the pandemic. Also this week, Mayor Chow launched the 2024 budget consultations for the City and from November 1 to 30 Toronto residents can provide their own recommendations for Toronto's budget through public consultations. Meanwhile, what was that closed-door TTC board meeting that took place last week all about? And, earlier in the week, the Toronto Paramedic Union issued a  temporary code red and indicated that there were no available ambula

THE MEDICAL RECORD:  WHAT A CMAJ STUDY TELLS US ABOUT SENIORS AND COVID-19 INFECTIONS 12-12:30 PM Marissa Lennox is joined by Dr. Sohail Gandhi, Family physician, and a past president of the Ontario Medical Association (OMA), Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and Dr. Fahad Razak, Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto. In the news: The Ontario government is reducing breast screening mammograms for women from ages 50 to age 40 with the aim of making early detection easier. Meanwhile, data from a study from CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) shows that 4 in 10 Canadian Seniors ages 80 and older have likely avoided infections so far and that they must continue to be prioritized for vaccination since this demo is at highest risk of hospitalization and even death from COVID-19. And, we are soon going back an hour from Daylight Saving Time to Standard time. We've heard in the past that such a time change can lead to

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: TRUDEAU'S CARBON TAX FLOP 12:00-12:30 Marissa Lennox  is joined by George Smitherman, a Former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who also served as a health minister and deputy Premier, Janet Ecker Former Ontario PC MPP and finance minister and Cheri DiNovo,Former Ontario NDP MPP and recipient of the Order of Canada. Eight years of pushing fossil fuel taxes for climate action, but now, a seismic shift: the Prime Minister announced a suspension of the carbon tax for home heating oil for three years. This handed opposition leader Pierre Poilievre a prime moment to grill him in yesterday's Question Period. The move gives a leg up to one region, namely Atlantic Canada, where 40% of households rely on heating oil. Compare that to Ontario, where only 2% do. Predictably, other provinces like Ontario and Saskatchewan are now voicing their desire for similar exemptions for other fuels like propane and natural gas. Premier Moe said yesterday that if a deal isn't reached to exem

ZOOMER SQUAD: PUBLIC HEALTH MESSAGING FOR COVID-19 VACCINES 12:00-12:30 Marissa is joined by Bill Van Gorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP and Bob Richardson, Senior Council to National PR. We compare the highly effective public health messaging campaigns during the rollout of the first COVID-19 vaccines earlier on in the pandemic vs those around the new COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna for the XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant that is now the dominant strain in Canada which some argue hasn't been very well promoted. And, we remember Matthew Perry, a Zoomer and beloved Canadian who died in his home at the age of 54. THE LATEST IN THE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR, ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTS AT HOME & A MOB THAT ATTACKED A PASSENGER PLANE OF ISRAELIS IN DAGESTAN 12:30-12:50 PM Marissa is joined by Lidar Gravé-Lazi, the Editor-in-Chief of ILTV based in Israel and Michael Mostyn, CEO of B'nai Brith Canada. We discuss the latest in the war between I

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners called in to discuss the latest on the Israel-Hamas war and other stories making headlines this week.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: IT’S BEEN 100 DAYS OF MAYOR OLIVIA CHOW-HOW HAS SHE PERFORMED? 12:00-12:30 Marissa Lennox is joined by David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto, Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth and Karen Stintz, CEO, Variety Village. A couple of days ago marked 100 days since Mayor Olivia Chow took office. So, how has she performed so far? In provincial news, the Ford government has reversed its decision to make numerous municipalities expand their municipal boundaries and earmark thousands more hectares of farm land for potential development. SHOULD IT BE EXPANDED TO THOSE WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES? 12:30-12:45 PM Marissa Lennox is joined by Dr. Jitender Sareen, Professor and Head of the Department of Psychiatry at University of Manitoba. Should Canada expand MAiD to those suffering from mental health illnesses? Ottawa plans to implement the expansion as early as March. Dr. Sareen and a group of psychiatrists have personally written to government officials expressing concern about such

THE MEDICAL RECORD: NURSES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR & BLOOD TEST FOR CANCER DETECTION 12-12:30 PM Marissa Lennox is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto, Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and Dr. Fahad Razak, Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto. With a substantial shortage of nurses across Canada, hospitals and long term care homes have been increasingly turning to private nursing agencies and paying millions in the process. Meanwhile, we take  a closer look at a successful model of primary care in an Ontario city that is setting an example for the rest of Canada. SEGMENT 2: CSIS CONCERNED OF LACK OF CONSEQUENCES FOR FOREIGN INTERFERENCE PERPETRATORS 12-12:30 PM Marissa Lennox is now joined by Phil Gurski, President-CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consultants,former strategic analyst at CSIS,  and Dr. Eric Ouellet, Professor in the Department of D

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: SARAH JAMA BOTH CENSURED FROM LEGISLATURE AND OUSTED FROM CAUCUS 12:00-12:30 Libby Znaimer is joined by Andrew Cash, Former NDP MP, Toronto-Davenport district, Charles Bird, Managing Principal at Earnscliffe Strategies and Lisa Raitt, Former Deputy Leader of Conservative Party of Canada. This week: Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles made the decision to oust MPP Sarah Jamah from the NDP caucus in the aftermath of her offensive remarks about Israel. The legislature also voted in favour of censuring the Hamilton Centre MPP over the same matter. Meanwhile, in other provincial news, the Ford government has decided to scrap its municipal boundary changes in connection with the Greenbelt landswap scandal. ARE ANY OF YOUR FRIENDSHIPS STRAINED DUE TO ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR? 12:30-12:45 PM Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Oren Amitay, a Psychologist based in Toronto. Is the war between Israel and Hamas putting a strain on one or more of your friendships? Naturally, it is bound to happen as

ZOOMER SQUAD:  WILL OTTAWA BE ABLE TO MAKE UNIVERSAL DRUG COVERAGE A REALITY? Libby Znaimer is joined by Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP, Anthony Quinn,  Chief Community Officer of CARP and Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine. Ottawa is expected to table legislation on universal pharmacare as early as this Fall. But doubts have been raised by members of the healthcare community about whether such a plan will be able to become reality even after a bill on it passes. Meanwhile, a cardiology clinic in Saskatchewan has decided to leave the public healthcare system behind. We explore what was behind that decision. PIERRE POILIEVRE'S APPLE MUNCHING GOES VIRAL Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Alex Marland, a professor in the department of politics at Acadia University and author of the book Whipped: Party Discipline in Canada. A video of federal Conservative Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre munching on an apple while answering a journalist's claims about

Today on Free For All Friday... Listeners called in to weigh in on the latest developments of the war between Israel and Hamas terrorists in Gaza.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: ONTARIO NDP WANT FORD GREENBELT SCANDAL TO BE VERY MUCH ALIVE 12:00PM-12:30 PM Libby Znaimer is joined by David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto, Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, and Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth. The Ontario NDP want very much to keep the Ford government Greenbelt landswap deal alive with leader Marit Stiles asking the integrity commissioner to investigate the Las Vegas trip involving Kaleed Rasheed, Former Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery of Ontario. Meanwhile, Premier Doug Ford and his government are continuing their efforts to censure NDP MPP Sarah Jama after she made offensive and irresponsible remarks about Israel. Also, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow has promised local restaurant businesses that she will work to improve the CafeTO program after it rolled out with a lot of problems this year. And, what will Toronto's snow clearing plan look like ahead of the Winter season? Our panel reacts to the latest. THE HVAC/NOSI SCAM

THE MEDICAL RECORD: NEW DATA ON HOSPITAL STAFFING SHORTAGES DURING PANDEMIC 12-12:30 PM Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto,  Dr. Amol Verma, A staff physician in General Internal Medicine at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, and  Dr. Aaron Schimmer, the Director of Research at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre as well as a staff physician and a senior scientist. In the news:  a new report published by CIHI (the Canadian Institute for Health Information) shows that nurses and other front line healthcare workers in hospital in patient units across Canada had logged a lot more sick time hours and overtime during 2021–2022 compared to the year before. Meanwhile, Ottawa has allocated $500,000 for a federal task force to weigh in on the screening age for breast cancer mammograms. Advocates have been calling for it to be brought down from 50 to 40 years of age. BIDEN VISITS ISRAEL & WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE GAZA HO

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: PM TRUDEAU SAYS CANADIANS COULD BE AMONG HAMAS HOSTAGES 12:00-12:30 Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Andrew Cash, Former NDP MP, Toronto-Davenport district, John Milloy, Former Ontario Liberal MPP who served as a cabinet minister under the Dalton McGuinty and Kathleen Wynne governments, and Lisa Raitt, Former Deputy Leader of Conservative Party of Canada. According to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, there may be three Canadians taken hostage by Hamas terrorists. Meanwhile, Ottawa is calling for a humanitarian corridor to be set up in Gaza to help aid innocent civilians trapped in the enclave. Closer to home, Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling for NDP Sarah Jama to not be permitted into the legislature following her apology for making offensive remarks about Israel. The motion by the Ford government said that Jama made "antisemitic and discriminatory statements" and defended "Hamas terrorists in her statements on social media platform X (former

ZOOMER SQUAD:  ZOOMER HEROES DURING THE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR 12:00-12:30 Libby Znaimer is joined by Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP, Anthony Quinn,  Chief Community Officer of CARP and Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine. One of many heroic stories emerging out of Israel as it's war continues to ramp up with Hamas, is that of retired major general in the IDF Noam Tibon, 62, and his wife who grabbed a pistol and made their way all the way from Tel Aviv to the communities near the Gaza border to save their son and his family during the attack on Oct. 7 and that's exactly what he did. And, he's not the only Zoomer to have taken heroic actions to save Israeli civilians! Meanwhile, what about the elderly who were taken hostage by Hamas and brought into Gaza. One of them was reportedly an elderly Holocaust woman who is wheelchair bound. Will Hamas allow the hostages to gain access to medical aid? And, closer to home, the panel reacts to the federal NDP convent

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners called in to respond to the war in Israel after the horrific attack by Hamas terrorists last weekend

Today is World Sight Day and this year’s theme is the importance of eye care in the workplace and, of course, the health of your eyes in general. For our Zoomer audience, the risks of eye disease increase with age. Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve. Glaucoma can occur at any age but is more common in older adults. It is one of the leading causes of blindness for people over the age of 60. Now I am joined by Dr. Nupura Bakshi who is a retina and uveitis specialist, on staff at St. Joseph's Health Centre, Kensington Eye Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, and Mount Sinai Hospital. She is also an assistant professor at the University of Toronto in the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: TORONTO POLICE RAMPS UP SECURITY MEASURES IN JEWISH COMMUNITY 12-12:30 PM Libby Znaimer is joined by Karen Stintz, CEO, Variety Village, Alex Blumenstein,Co-Founder of The Peak, and Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth. We are catching up with local news: The RCMP is investigating the Greenbelt land swap scandal. What implications will this have for the Ford government? Meanwhile, Toronto City Council has voted to increase the vacant home tax to 3 per cent. And, Toronto Police say they are ramping up security measures in and around the Jewish community amid Hamas calling for a day of Jihad (in other words, a call to violence) across the Muslim world against Israel which has been a concern for Jewish communities everywhere. Our panel discusses the latest. WORLD SIGHT DAY-THE IMPORTANCE OF EYE CARE IN THE WORKPLACE 12:30-1:00 Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Nupura Bakshi is a retina and uveitis specialist, on staff at St. Joseph's Health Centre, Kensington Eye Institute, St

THE MEDICAL RECORD: TORONTO PUBLIC HEALTH LAUNCHES FLU/COVID-19 VACCINE CAMPAIGN 12-12:30 PM Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto, Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, Internal medicine and critical care physician at Humber River Hospital. Toronto Public Health has launched a flu/COVID-19 vaccine campaign and has a phased approach to the administration of vaccines with first priority in the rollout going to adults 65 and older, immunocompromised individuals among others. The campaign comes amid flu season. Meanwhile, the war in Israel has led to mounting casualties and deaths among innocent civilians. Our panel discusses trauma medicine and how it works during times of emergencies and also weighs in on Israel's robust medical services programs that are specialized in dealing with situations like this. So far, the death toll in Israel has reportedly reached

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: TRUDEAU AND FORD TAKE A STAND WITH ISRAEL AS WAR RAGES ON 12:00-12:30 Libby Znaimer is joined by Janet Ecker, Former Ontario PC MPP, George Smitherman,  former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who also served as a health minister and deputy Premier, and Cheri DiNovo, Former Ontario NDP MPP. Over the weekend, in a surprise attack, Hamas terrorists launched a vicious attack on Israeli civilians inside Israel by land, sea and air. So far, over 900 Israelis have been killed including women and children and dozens of Israelis of all ages have been kidnapped and taken hostage to Gaza. Israel was caught off guard by the attack as it took hours before they responded with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring that Israel is officially at War with Hamas. Meanwhile, here in Canada rallies in support of Hamas have been taking place. Both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford have called these protests out and made their position clear that Canada stands w

THE ZOOMER SQUAD Marissa Lennox is joined by Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP; Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP; and Gabe De Roche, founder of Pluriel Research. Last month, Premier Danielle Smith’s government said it would launch consultations around the proposal to pull Alberta out of the CPP so the province could have its own retirement fund, and polling numbers are starting to come in to take the public’s temperature on that idea. COVID, influenza, pneumococcal, and, for the first time, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines will all be available this fall for older adults. But while older Canadians might have more options to protect themselves than ever before, physicians are warning that staggered rollouts, patchwork approaches among the provinces, and high costs for certain shots could hinder uptake. Together, Marissa and the Zoomer Squad unpack these issues, and more. THANKSGIVING SURVEY A new survey finds this weekend may well signal

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners called in to discuss their Thanksgiving plans this weekend and to talk about the future of Ontario Place.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: FORD GOVERNMENT FACING MORE HEAT OVER MUNICIPAL BOUNDARIES Libby Znaimer is joined by Karen Stintz, CEO, Variety Village, Alex Blumenstein,Co-Founder of The Peak, and Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth. A new report by the City's integrity commissioner found that former Mayor John Tory violated his code of conduct over his affair with a staffer. Our panel reacts to the latest. CALLS TO OPEN RECORDS OF NAZI WAR VETS LIVING IN CANADA 12:30-12:45 Libby Znaimer is now joined by Michael Mostyn, CEO B'nai Brith Canada Governor General Mary Simon has apologized over the Order of Canada appointment of a former Waffen-SS Peter Savaryn in 1987. He served in the same unit as Yaroslav Hunka. Meanwhile, Jewish organizations like B'nai Brith are calling on Ottawa to release records on Nazi war veterans who moved to Canada post World War 2. ROSE REISMAN ON THANKSGIVING WEEKEND 12:45 TO 1PM Libby Znaimer is joined by Rose Reisman, nutritionist and cookbook author. Rose joins Libby

THE MEDICAL RECORD: THE WIDESPREAD ISSUE OF CHRONIC PAIN 12-12:30 PM Liz West is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist at Unity Health Toronto. We begin the discussion with a closer look into the widespread issue of chronic pain. One in five Canadians suffer from it. So, how does Canada's healthcare system help patients find answers and treatments? Meanwhile, is adult ADHD being overdiagnosed in this country? And, what is even involved in the process of diagnosing a patient with ADHD? Finally, it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Our medical experts explain what adult women should consider on this aspect of health and the importance of regular screening. THE LATEST ON CANADA-INDIA RELATIONS: INDIA WANTS CANADIAN DIPLOMATS OUT 12:30-12:45 PM Liz West is now joined by Robin Sears, a Crisis Communications Consultant and former NDP Strategist. The relationship between Ottawa and New De

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL:  MPs TO ELECT NEW HOUSE SPEAKER TODAY 12:00-12:30 Liz West is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Lisa Raitt, former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Andrew Cash, a former NDP MP for Toronto Davenport district and John Milloy,  a former Ontario Liberal MPP who served as a cabinet minister under the Dalton McGuinty and Kathleen Wynne governments. Today: members of Parliament are expected to vote in a new speaker of the house today. It comes in the aftermath of house speaker Anthony Rota 's resignation over inviting a Nazi war veteran to Parliament during Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's visit. And, Bonnie Crombie says she's raised over $1 million for her campaign to become leader of the Ontario Liberals. Crombie, who is taking a leave of absence from her post as Mississauga mayor, is firing back against her political opponents including candidate Nate Erskine-Smith who are criticizing her for getting donations from developers. FINANCIAL STRES

ZOOMER SQUAD: FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER TURNS 99! 12:00-12:30 Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP, Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine, and Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP. We kick the discussion off by reflecting  on the life and times of former U.S. President and iconic Zoomer Jimmy Carter who turned 99 years old this week as he lives in hospice care. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement marking National Seniors Day yesterday and called them "pillars of our community". Finally, we discuss finances and how many Seniors are going back into the workforce amid the pressures of inflation and other economic factors. OTTAWA PLANS TO REDUCE MILITARY SPENDING BY $1 BILLION 12:30-12:50 PM Jane Brown is joined by Dr. Adam Chapnick, A professor of defence studies at the Royal Military College of Canada and deputy director of education at the Canadian

Today on Free For All Friday: our listeners weighed in on a former Nazi war veteran being invited to the House of Commons during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's address to Parliament. Since that happened, house speaker Anthony Rota resigned and, after some time, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized for the incident.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN:  GREENBELT BOUNDARIES & CROSSTOWN LRT 12-12:30 PM Libby Znaimer is joined by Matt Buckman Former Senior Advisor to former Mayor John Tory, Councillor Paula Fletcher, Toronto City Councillor for Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth, and Councillor James Pasternak, Toronto City Councillor for Ward 6 York Centre. The Ford government is planning to introduce a bill that will protect the boundaries of the Greenbelt and enshrine them into law. This comes after Premier Ford backed down from the Greenbelt scandal and apologized to Ontarians over it. Meanwhile, it's a never ending story from Metrolinx as they continue not to give answers about when the Eglinton Crosstown LRT will open up. Our panel reacts to the latest. MINIMUM WAGE TO INCREASE IN OCTOBER: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW 12:30-1 PM Libby Znaimer is joined by Jim Stanford Economist and Director, Centre for Future Work and Robert Chee, Owner / operator of AVIV immigrant kitchen restaurant located at 779 St Clair west and Neil Hetherington, CEO of

THE MEDICAL RECORD:  FOOD BANK REPORT GIVES FAILING GRADE TO PROVINCES OVER POVERTY MEASURES 12-12:30 PM Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto, Dr. Malcolm Moore,Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, Internal medicine and critical care physician at Humber River Hospital. This week: a new report from Food Banks Canada has been released. Meanwhile, The European Commission has approved marketing for ritlecitinib to treat adults and youth 12 years of age and older who suffer from severe alopecia areata. And, demonstrations took place at Queen's Park this week against the privatization of healthcare in the province. THERE'S A LOOPHOLE WITH CITY PARKING LOTS BUT THAT COULD CHANGE SOON 12:30-12:45 PM Libby Znaimer is joined by Councillor Stephen Holyday, Ward 2 Etobicoke Centre and Coun. Paul Ainslie (Ward 24, Scarborough Guildwood), who chairs the general government committee.

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL:  CANADA'S EMBARRASSING WEEK OF BAD DIPLOMACY Libby Znaimer is joined by Lisa Raitt, former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who also served as a health minister and deputy Premier and Andrew Cash, Former NDP MP, Toronto-Davenport district. Canada is having a tough couple of weeks when it comes to diplomacy. First, Trudeau's announcement in the House of Commons linking India to the killing of a Sikh leader in BC earlier in the Summer which has soured the relationship between the two countries and now the revelation that a former Ukrainian WW2 vet who fought in a Nazi Waffen-SS unit and received a standing ovation in the House of Commons during Zelenskyy's visit to Parliament. Of course this was only discovered after the fact, but seriously: how was he not vetted? Now experts are saying that it could be used to fuel Russian propaganda. Our panel weighs in on the latest diplomatic mishaps to come o

THE ZOOMER SQUAD Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP and Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine for a conversation about Ontario getting back to business; Canadians navigating their health care; and more. HOUSE OF COMMONS SPEAKER PRAISES VETERAN WHO FOUGHT FOR NAZIS Jane Brown is joined by Dr. Eric Ouellet, professor in the Department of Defence Studies at Royal Military College of Canada; and Bob Richardson, President, Hammersmith Consulting to discuss House Speaker Anthony Rota praising a veteran who fought for the Nazis. CARS IN HIGH PARK Jane Brown is joined by Diane Buckell, 40-year resident and supporter of High Park, and founding member of the petition 'High Park-Access for All' for a conversation about the contentious issue of cars in High Park.

Today on Free For All Friday: the BIG news of the week is that Premier Doug Ford has backed down on his Greenbelt development plans after facing backlash from the general public, and in the aftermath of scathing reports from both the provincial auditor general and integrity commissioner. So, is this scandal now completely over?

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: THE LATEST BLOW TO THE FORD GOVERNMENT 12-12:30 PM Libby Znaimer is joined by Karen Stintz, CEO, Variety Village, Alex Blumenstein,Co-Founder of The Peak which is now part of the ZoomerMedia family, and Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth Ontario PC MPP Kaleed Rasheed is resigning in what has become the latest blow to the Ford government in the aftermath of the Greenbelt scandal. MPP Rasheed stepped down after providing incorrect information to the integrity commissioner during his investigation which involved a trip to Las Vegas where a developer involved in the Greenbelt deal was also on vacation at the time. And, this is the first time we convene with the panel after Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Premier Doug Ford met to discuss the City's budget hole stemming from the pandemic and out of that came a working group that will address it. MORE ON MPP RASHEED’S RESIGNATION 12:30-12:40 PM Libby Znaimer is now joined by NDP MPP and finance critic Catherine Fife (Waterl

THE MEDICAL RECORD: THE IMPACT OF QUITTING SMOKING ON YOUR OVERALL SURVIVAL 12-12:30 PM Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto, Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist at Unity Health Toronto. We begin with a study published in Lancet that indicates that quitting smoking can help your survival even if you get diagnosed with lung cancer. The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre lead the study. Meanwhile, research in the U.S. shows that multiple emerging risk factors for heart disease in women must be looked at in order to make early diagnoses and treatment happen. Risk factors include pregnancy complications, depression, breast cancer among others that will be discussed on today's show. And, our panel discusses the latest ways in which AI are proving useful in the healthcare system. NATION WIDE PROTESTS OVER SCHOOL GENDER POLICIES: WHEN DID THIS ALL BEG

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: PREMIER DOUG FORD AND MAYOR OLIVIA CHOW'S MEETING 12:00-12:30  Libby Znaimer is joined by Lisa Raitt, former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who also served as a health minister and deputy Premier and Andrew Cash, Former NDP MP, Toronto-Davenport district. This week, the heads of big grocery retailers like Loblaw, Sobeys, Metro, Walmart and Costco met with Ottawa to discuss stabilizing food prices ahead of Canadian Thanksgiving weekend as Canadians continue to grapple with high inflation. According to industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne, they have agreed to work with the government on this. But what will that actually look like? Meanwhile, both Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow looked to be chummy after their meeting yesterday afternoon to discuss getting support from the province to help fill the City's billion dollar shortfall stemming from the pandemic. They announc

ZOOMER SQUAD: THE RESURGENCE OF COVID-19  Libby Znaimer is joined by David Coletto, CEO and Founding Partner of Abacus Data, Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine, and Anthony Quinn,  Chief Community Officer of CARP. Ottawa has called on the big grocery retailers for a meeting to discuss how they can stabilize their food prices as inflation continues to impact Canadians. Meanwhile, In the U.S., COVID-19 infections are reaching levels comparable to that early on in the pandemic in 2020. The World Health Organization is encouraging those at higher risk (including the immunocompromised and older adults) to get their booster shots as soon as possible regardless of whether it's the latest version of the vaccine or not. So, what is happening here in Canada on the COVID-19 front? OTTAWA WANTS GROCERY RETAILERS TO STABILIZE THEIR FOOD PRICES Libby Znaimer is now joined by consumer advocate Ellen Roseman. Ottawa has called on the big grocery retailers including: Metro, Loblaw, Sobeys, Walmart and C

Today on Free For All Friday-Listeners weighed in on a variety of topics including the Trudeau Liberals' plans to ask grocery retailers to stabilize their food prices as costs continue to be high due to inflation. Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: A NEW "RAGE POLL" & BONNIE CROMBIE TAKING LEAVE OF ABSENCE 12-12:30 PM Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto, and Karen Stintz, CEO, Variety Village. Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie is taking a leave of absence from her role as Mayor as she pursues her leadership of the Ontario Liberal party. A spokesperson for the Ontario PC Party was quick to respond saying, "“It must be nice to take a prolonged vacation from your job. It’s clear Bonnie only sees being mayor as a backup plan rather than what it is: a full-time job. She’s hedging her bets on becoming leader of the Ontario Liberals when she should be serving the people of Mississauga. Classic Bonnie: It’s always about her.” Meanwhile, a new "rage poll" by Pollara indicates that as many as 69 per cent of Ontarians are angry with Premier Doug Ford's Greenbelt plans which has developed into a scandal. ONTARIO SCHOOL BOARD REMOVES BOOKS FROM SHELVES. WHY? 12:

Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto, Dr. Malcolm Moore,Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, Internal medicine and critical care physician at Humber River Hospital. If you’ve been buying over the counter meds in the hope that they will unstuff your stuffy nose - you’ve been wasting your money. The U.S. authorities have ruled that the main ingredient - phenylephrine - does not work. It replaced an older ingredient in 2006 and it is in up to 250 medications. So my big question for the panel is: do these pills do anything else? Anything useful? Also a disturbing study that finds that older people bear the biggest burden of the opioid crisis. ---- DINE-INS AT TORONTO RESTAURANT ESTABLISHMENTS ARE ON THE DECLINE Libby Znaimer is now joined by Tracy Macgregor, Vice President, Ontario, Restaurants Canada andAnita Thompson, Founder and owner of Zitto Zitto, an Italian restaurant

Libby Znaimer is joined by Lisa Raitt, former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who also served as a health minister and deputy Premier and Andrew Cash, Former NDP MP, Toronto-Davenport district. The Conservative Party convention took place in Quebec City over the past weekend with speeches from leader Pierre Poilievre among others. Meanwhile, Doug Ford called out school boards in the province over their gender-identity policies in the classroom. It comes at a time when the Ford government continues to face heat over its ongoing Greenbelt scandal. ---- TTC CELL SERVICE FOR ALL RIDERS COMING SOON     Libby Znaimer is now joined by Councillor Paul Ainslie, Ward 24 Scarborough-Guildwood, and Councillor Brad Bradford, Ward 19 Beaches-East York. According to Canada's federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, François-Philippe Champagne, all riders of the TTC will have cell service by Oct. 3. He went on to say, "We

Liz West is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs, Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine, and Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP. A new report from Ontario's Ombudsman has concluded that the Ministry of long-term care was unprepared when it came to inspections of homes during the first COVID-19 wave. Meanwhile, as the Ford government continues to grapple with the Greenbelt scandal, Premier Doug Ford decided to call out Ontario School Boards for "indoctrinating" students on gender issues. Our panel weighs in on the latest. WHEN IT COMES TO SELLING BREAD  Liz West is now joined by Consumer advocate Ellen Roseman as well as an Dr. Jennifer Quaid, an Associate Professor and Vice-Dean Research in the Civil Law Section at the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Law. An investigation by the Halifax Examiner that focused on Nova Scotia found that Dollarama stores that shared properties with a Sobeys grocery stores were not selling

Today on Free For All Friday-listeners called in to weigh in on the ongoing Greenbelt Scandal plaguing the Ford government.

Libby Znaimer is joined by Karen Stintz, CEO, Variety Village, Councillor Paula Fletcher for Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth, and Councillor James Pasternak for Ward 6 York Centre. This week: Toronto City Council has voted on a number of different revenue tools to alleviate the City's billion dollar budget hole. And, Doug Ford's government continues to grapple with the Greenbelt scandal. ---- A NEW PROGRAM AIMS TO ALLEVIATE FAMILY PHYSICIAN SHORTAGE  Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Tara Kiran, a family doctor and researcher at St. Michael's Hospital and Dr. Nadia Alam, a family doctor and anesthetist in Georgetown Ontario who is a past president of the Ontario Medical Association. Queen's University is implementing a program to help address the family physician shortage by training first year med students to become family doctors. Our family physician guests weigh in on how that program would be a useful strategy. TRUDEAU GOVERNMENT TO FINALLY LAUNCH PUBLIC INQUIRY INTO ALLEGED CHINESE INTERFERENCE Libby Znaime

THE MEDICAL RECORD: BOOSTER SHOTS, VITAMINS AND ASPIRIN Marissa Lennox is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Dr. Amol Verma, a staff physician in General Internal Medicine at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, Dr. Aaron Schimmer, the Director of Research at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre as well as a staff physician and a senior scientist and Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto. A study by Canadian researchers points to keeping up to date with your booster shots rather than relying on previous infections as the best defense against getting future infections of COVID-19. Meanwhile, another study from the Journal of Clinical Investigation shows that vitamins could contribute to the growth of Cancerous tumours. Additionally, new research reveals how low doses of the Aspirin drug can reduce the risk of Type 2 Diabetes in adults 65 years of age and older. Our panel of doctors weigh in on the latest. THE BANK OF CANADA INTE

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: ONTARIO HOUSING MINISTER RESIGNS & A FORD GOVERNMENT CABINET SHUFFLE 12:00-12:30  Libby Znaimer is joined by Peggy Nash, the former NDP Member of Parliament for Parkdale—High Park, John Milloy, former Ontario Liberal MPP who served as a cabinet minister under the Dalton McGuinty and Kathleen Wynne governments and John Mykytyshyn, a Conservative political consultant and President of Bradgate Research Group. Two major developments have emerged from Queen's Park this week. The first being that Ontario Housing Minister Steve Clark has resigned amid the Ford government's controversial Greenbelt plans. Then we learned that Premier Doug Ford has shuffled his cabinet and appointed Paul Calandra (previously minister of long term care) as the new housing minister. Our panel weighs in on the latest. SEGMENT 2-MORE REACTION TO THE FALLOUT FROM THE GREENBELT SCANDAL 12:30-12:50 Libby Znaimer is now joined by Mike Schreiner, Leader of the Green Party of Ontario followed by Bob Richard

SEPTEMBER 01 2023-FREE FOR ALL FRIDAY

AUGUST 31 2023 THURSDAY-MORE GREENBELT FALLOUT; BANKS BRACE FOR SPIKE IN BAD LOANS; AND A STEAMY SEPTEMBER?

MEDICAL RECORD Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist at Unity Health Toronto; Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre; and Dr. Alisa Naiman, family physician and founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto to discuss England poised to rollout a world-first seven-minute cancer treatment injection; food insecurity among Canadian school-age children jumping by nearly 30%; and more. GLOBAL AFFAIRS CANADA ISSUES LGBTQ+ TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR THE U.S. Global Affairs Canada has updated its international travel advisories to warn members of the LGBTQ+ community that they may face discrimination if they travel to some places in the United States. Libby Znaimer is joined by Helen Kennedy, Executive Director at LGBTQ+ advocacy group Egale; Douglas Elliott, Partner at Cambridge LLP; and Curran Stikuts, Director of Advocacy and Strategic Communications at The 519 to discuss. SUPER BLUE MOON TONIGHT It’s an astronomical event we won’t see th

AUGUST 29 2023-THE GREENBELT GRIFT GROWS; THE PM PLUMMETS IN POLLS; CYBER FRAUD; AND AN UPDATE ON THE KENNETH LAW CASE

AUGUST 28 2023 - PRESIDENTIAL AGEISM; MARCH ON WASHINGTON ANNIVERSARY; AND E-COMMERCE CUSTOMER SERVICE

Today on Free For All Friday, listeners weighed in on the Greenbelt boondoggle and the housing crisis.

AUGUST 24 2023-TORONTO'S FIFA FIASCO; THE METRO STRIKE AND THE REPORTED DEATH OF YEVGENY PRIGOZHIN

AUGUST 23 2023-A NEW GENERIC DRUG PRICE DEAL; NEW COVID VARIANTS; MORE GREENBELT FALLOUT AND CANADA VERSUS META

AUGUST 22 2023-FEDERAL CABINET RETREAT; THE HOUSING CRISIS; AND THE NEW DESIGN PLANS FOR ONTARIO PLACE

AUGUST 21 2023-CHALLENGES EVACUATING SENIORS FACE; NEW COVID-19 REINFECTION STUDY AND SAVING THE MARIAN SHRINE

Today on Free For All Friday, listeners weighed in on Toronto's new revenue tools report to address its budget shortfall which recommends a municipal sales tax among other strategies. Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto, and Karen Stintz, CEO, Variety Village. Toronto City staff have released a "long-term financial plan" report providing recommendations as Toronto hopes to find ways to fill the billion dollar budget hole left from the pandemic. ---- BIKE COURIERS ARE CROWDING THE GO TRAIN AND TORONTO ROADS. ARE THEY SAFE? Libby Znaimer is now joined by Brian Patterson, President and CEO, Ontario Safety League and Diane Saxe, Toronto City Councillor for University Rosedale. More and more food delivery couriers are using the Go Train as part of their daily commutes for work. So much so, that the transit system has had to adjust its operations But how does this increase in courrier traffic impact rider safety? And, with more of them using roads across Toronto, is there a plan in place to ensure the safety of pedestrians? A number of months ago, Councillor Saxe put forward a motion calling for increased safety measures

Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre,  Dr. Alisa Naiman,  Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto, Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, Internal medicine and critical care physician at Humber River Hospital. Today: we have a much needed discussion about the problematic method through which family doctors are getting paid and how it's impacting both physicians and patients. We also discuss MAID in Quebec. ----- TORONTO TO RELEASE SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVE NAMES FOR DUNDAS STREET THIS FALL Libby Znaimer is now joined by Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth followed by Jennifer Dundas, Chair Person of Chairperson of Henry Dundas committee of Ontario and a descendent of Henry Dundas. It appears Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Ontario Finance Minister are at odds about a renaming of Dundas Street. She wants it to get done. But when asked lately about whether the province will provide more funding to the C

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: FORD GOVERNMENT SETTING UP WORKING GROUP TO DEAL WITH AG REPORT 12:00-12:30 Marissa Lennox is joined by Lisa Raitt, former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Glenn De Baeremaeker, a former Toronto City Councillor and Deputy Mayor and George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who also served as a health minister and deputy Premier. Meanwhile, it’s Tuesday, and we’re kicking things off with our assembly of Recovering Politicians and a lot has happened since we last spoke with them, none more conspicuous than the lingering Greenbelt issue, which doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon. The very latest is an announcement by the Ford government to establish a working group to deliver a quote “comprehensive response to the report” – a top priority for the government. But what's the actual deal here? Is this just a sideshow to divert attention from the fact that they're resolutely treading the path toward development – the result is the

Marissa Lennox is now filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer CARP, Bill VanGorder,  Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP and John Wright,  Executive Vice President, Maru Public Opinion. Over the weekend, hundreds of protesters gathered in Pickering right outside of Ontario finance minister Peter Bethlenfalvy's office calling on the Ford government to protect land on the Greenbelt. The Ford government said it will follow 14 of the 15 recommendations in the auditor general's report. The one recommendation it has not agreed to follow is to revisit the land swaps and potentially reverse course on the Greenbelt plans. ---- WHAT IS "SKIMPFLATION"?  Marissa Lennox is now joined by Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University. A headline in the Toronto Sun this weekend read: Unveiling Skimpflation – the latest consumer squeeze. Written by Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, who is the Senior Directo

Today on Free For All Friday: Listeners called in to react to Ontario Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk's damning report regarding the Ford government's plans.  Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

Marissa Lennox is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto, Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth, Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak. This week, Ontario Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk released her highly anticipated report on Premier Ford's Greenbelt plans. And, today we are learning that the Premier's office has made a request to the Ontario integrity commissioner to investigate how the housing Minister's Chief of Staff, Ryan Amato dealt with the opening of Greenbelt lands to developers. Meanwhile, closer to home at Toronto City Hall, Mayor Olivia Chow is handing out appointments to City Councillors for various committees today. We unpack who got what and why it matters. ---- REACTION TO THE AG REPORT FROM ONTARIO NDP OPPOSITION LEADER Marissa Lennox is now joined by Marit Stiles, leader of the Ontario NDP. Marit reacts to the Auditor General's report on Premier Doug Ford's Greenbelt plans. ---- NEW PAYMENT OPTION ON THE TTC Marissa Le

Liz West is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto, and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, Internal medicine and critical care physician at Humber River Hospital. Today we kick things off with a Journal of Clinical Oncology study indicating that women who are screened for breast cancer before age 50 have a higher chance of survival. Meanwhile, there is cause for concern over a new COVID-19 variant called "EG.5". ---- THE ONTARIO AG REPORT ON DOUG FORD'S GREENBELT PLANS Liz West is now joined by Mike Schreiner, leader of the Green Party of Ontario. The Ontario Auditor General's highly anticipated report on Doug Ford's Greenbelt plans is finally out and what we are learning from it is that developers had a role in influencing the government's decision on where to open up the land for housing development. And, as the 95-page report indic

ZOOMER SQUAD: RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Lisa Raitt, former Deputy Leader of Conservative Party of Canada, Peggy Nash,  a former New Democratic Party Member of Parliament for the Parkdale—High Park electoral district in Toronto and Glenn De Baeremaeker, A former city councillor in Toronto and Deputy Mayor of the City. It's the first time we are chatting with our recovering politicians since the high profile split between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife of 18 years, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau. We ask them about the pressures of political life on families. Meanwhile Ontario Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk is set to release her report on Premier Doug Ford's Greenbelt plans. What can we expect from that? THE DATA SHOWS GUN CRIME DOWN, BUT WHAT ARE RESIDENT'S PERCEPTIONS ON SAFETY IN THE CITY? Jane Brown is now joined by Joseph Neuberger, criminal defence lawyer with Neuberger and Partners LLP. According to police data, Toronto is on

ZOOMER SQUAD: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SENIORS AND AI Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer CARP, Bill VanGorder,  Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP and John Wright,  Executive Vice President, Maru Public Opinion. In the news: We kick things off with a discussion about the relationship between Seniors and AI technology. According to scientists from Baycrest, adults ages 60 and older were less able to distinguish AI speech compared to adults 30 and younger. Meanwhile, Health Canada has approved the first RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) for adults 60 and older. TRAVELING THIS SEASON + MARTY'S TRAVEL STORY FROM IRELAND Jane Brown is now joined by Martin Firestone, President, Travel Secure Inc. and Doug Wallace Editor & Publisher of Travel Right.Today. Martin Firestone details the travel chaos/disruption he faced with Air Canada ahead of his trip to Ireland this Summer. And, we talk about the steps you might consi

Today: listeners call in to weigh in on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's separation from his wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, of 18 years and whether this could impact his ability to govern the country. Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

Liz West is joined by David Crombie, former Mayor of Toronto, Toronto City Councillor James Pasternak for Ward 6 York Centre and Alex Blumenstein, Co-founder of The Peak. In the news: A draft of the audit by Ontario AG Bonnie Lysyk looking into Premier Doug Ford's Greenbelt development plans has been shared with Ford himself. The report doesn't officially come out for another few weeks but one of the key questions we have about it is: has Ford tipped off developers in the private sector as it relates to the Greenbelt? Meanwhile, a lot of residents are complaining about accessibility issues with High Park after it underwent some changes. And, yesterday we learned that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife have separated. It opens up a conversation about how much of a toll political life can have on couples and families. ----- WILL JUSTIN TRUDEAU'S SPLIT FROM WIFE AFFECT HIS LEADERSHIP? Liz West is now joined by Bob Richardson, Senior Council to National Public Relations and John Capobianco, Senior Vice

Liz West is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Dr. Amol Verma, a staff physician in General Internal Medicine at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, and Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto. A study published in the Canadian Journal of Surgery and based in Toronto reveals that Canadian surgeons are getting paid on average 28 per cent less for operating on female patients compared to similar types of surgeries on male patients. ---- META ENDS NEWS SHARING ON ITS PLATFORMS IN CANADA Liz West is now joined by Carmi Levy, a technology analyst and journalist based in London, Ontario. Meta (owner of Facebook and Instagram) is dropping news from its platforms in Canada as of this week. It's a direct response to Ottawa's  Online News Act, Bill C-18, which is passed in June of this year. That legislation requires the big tech giants like Google and Meta to pay Ca

Liz West is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Dr. Amol Verma, a staff physician in General Internal Medicine at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, and Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto. A study published in the Canadian Journal of Surgery and based in Toronto reveals that Canadian surgeons are getting paid on average 28 per cent less for operating on female patients compared to similar types of surgeries on male patients. ---- META ENDS NEWS SHARING ON ITS PLATFORMS IN CANADA Liz West is now joined by Carmi Levy, a technology analyst and journalist based in London, Ontario. Meta (owner of Facebook and Instagram) is dropping news from its platforms in Canada as of this week. It's a direct response to Ottawa's  Online News Act, Bill C-18, which is passed in June of this year. That legislation requires the big tech giants like Google and Meta to pay Ca

Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Lisa Raitt, Former Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who also served as a health minister and deputy Premier and Peggy Nash, the former NDP Member of Parliament for Parkdale—High Park. We kick things off with a discussion about reports that Ontario Premier Doug Ford is angry over two by election defeats (Scarborough-Guildwood and Kanata-Carleton) according to a Toronto Star article by Robert Benzie. Liberal candidates one those seats instead. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently made comments saying that it was "unacceptable" that refugees in Toronto were sleeping on the streets. ---- CITY OF BURLINGTON OFFERING SENIORS FREE TRANSIT Jane Brown is now joined by Burlington City Councillor Paul Sharman for Ward 5 and  Deputy Mayor for Strategy and Budgets. The City of Burlington, starting today, is allowing Seniors to ride its transit system for f

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: CABINET SHUFFLE AND AGE LIMITS FOR PUBLIC OFFICE Jane Brown is joined by Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine; Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP; and John Wright, Executive Vice President, Maru Public Opinion. Together, Jane and the Squad dive into such topics as the federal cabinet shuffle including Seamus O’Regan taking over the seniors’ portfolio; Ontario’s recent byelection results; and the tricky question of whether age limits for senators should be on the table. METRO GROCERY STRIKE As the strike by Metro grocery workers continues, experts say the job action is part of a larger trend of lower-wage earners pushing back against employers for better pay in industries that have seen huge gains in profits in recent years. Jane Brown is joined by David Macdonald, Senior Economist at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives; and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director of Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, to disc

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From Shingles vaccines to the heat wave we are currently experiencing in Ontario, nothing was off the table during this Free For All Friday. Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

TUNE INTO THE TOWN:  DOUG FORD HIRING AUDITOR TO INVESTIGATE FINANCES OF MUNICIPALITIES 12-12:30 PM Libby Znaimer today is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak which is now part of the ZoomerMedia family, David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto,  Karen Stintz, CEO, Variety Village. Ontario Premier Doug Ford is hiring auditors to investigate the finances of numerous municipalities including Toronto, Brampton,  and Mississauga. Ernst and Young LLP has been hired for the job and it is estimated that these audits will total $3.8 million. THE SCOPE OF FRAUD IN CANADA ACCORDING TO LATEST STATS CAN REPORT 12:30-12:50 PM Libby Znaimer is joined by Vanessa Iafolla, principal at Anti-Fraud Intelligence Consulting and an instructor at Wilfrid Laurier University focusing on financial crimes and fraud and Detective David Coffey of Toronto Police Service's Financial Crimes Unit. According to a new Statistics Canada report, Canadians have been defrauded more than $16 billion in five years leading up t

Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre,  Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist at Unity Health Toronto and former head of Ontario's COVID-19 Science Advisory Board, and Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto The British Medical Journal has published a report detailing why Canada should conduct a wide-scale review of its response to COVID-19 and it gave five key arguments including that doing so would provide accountability for the losses the country faced including the more than 50,000 deaths from COVID-19. ---- OTTAWA'S CABINET SHUFFLE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Libby Znaimer is joined by Bob Richardson, Senior Council to National Public Relations. The Trudeau Liberals underwent a major cabinet shuffle in Ottawa today. So, who was dropped, moved around and who will not be seeking re-election? ---- CAA INSURANCE SURVEY ON ONTARIANS CONCERNS REGARDING AUTO THEFT Libby Znaimer is now joined by

Libby Znaimer is joined by Lisa Raitt, Former Deputy Leader of Conservative Party of Canada, George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who also served as a health minister and deputy Premier and Glenn De Baeremaeker, a former Deputy Mayor and Toronto City Councillor. Today: We kick things off with a discussion of the upcoming Trudeau cabinet shuffle expected to take place this Wednesday. ---- SHOPPERS DRUG MART PHARMACY CARE CLINICS ARRIVE IN ONTARIO  Libby Znaimer is now joined by Jeff Leger, President of Shoppers Drug Mart. Shoppers Drug Mart announced a new initiative whereby it will be opening up its first Pharmacy Care Clinics in the province. These walk-in clinics will allow patients to access assessments and treatments for certain common ailments. It's all part of a strategy to help alleviate the current strains on the province's healthcare system. ---- JUDICIAL OVERHAUL IN ISRAEL: FIRST KEY BILL PASSES  Libby Znaimer is now joined by Larry Haas, Senior Fellow at the Americ

Libby Znaimer is joined by Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine, John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion, and Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP.  Today: we kick things off with a much needed discussion about ageism, especially when it comes to women facing it across our society. Not long ago, Bonnie Crombie, Mississauga Mayor and candidate for leader of the Ontario Liberal Party accused Nate Erskine-Smith, another candidate running for leadership of the party, of ageism. Bonnie who is 63 years old, took issue With Erskine-Smith's remarks that, "we should be thinking of this as what kind of party do we want to build for the next 15-20 years.” But, ageism is not only felt by women leaders in the political landscape. They are also experiencing it in other settings. ---- NURSES TO GET AVERAGE 11 PER CENT RAISE OVER NEXT TWO YEARS Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Claudette Holloway, President of the Registered Nurses Association of On

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners called in to weigh in on refugees who are in Toronto and desperately in need of housing and to talk about the latest with Paul Bernardo and the controversy over his transfer to a medium security facility in Quebec. Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto,  Karen Stintz, CEO, Variety Village. Olivia Chow had her first official council meeting as Mayor this week and was able to successfully push a motion forward to open up additional shelter beds for refugees--150 of them. City Council approved the motion unanimously with a 26-0 vote in favour. The federal government announced this week roughly $97 million in funding to help the City of Toronto with supporting refugees. And, it looks like Chow and Premier Doug Ford can work together considering they issued a joint-statement calling on Ottawa to assist refugees and hike its stopgap funding. City Council has also approved a pilot allowing for drinking alcohol at 27 different parks (from Aug. 2 to Oct. 9), and we take a closer look at the City's plans for e-scooters and gas powered leaf blowers. ---- NEW STUDY LINKING HEARING AID USE WITH POTENTIAL SLOWING OF COGNITIVE DECLINE  Libby Znaimer today is joi

Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Aaron Schimmer, the Director of Research at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre as well as a staff physician and a senior scientist, Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist at Unity Health Toronto and Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto. Experts in the field of Alzheimer's have introduced a seven point rating scale for doctors to use when diagnosing patients with the brain disease. The numerical scale is proposed guidance that was unveiled at the Alzheimer's Association conference in Amsterdam and is similar to the system used for cancer diagnoses. Speaking of Cancer, the Canadian Cancer Society has introduced a new strategy to collect data on Cancer in Canada. This strategy aims to better inform healthcare policies targeted to cancer patients across Canada. Our medical experts weigh in on the latest. OTTAWA TARGETS TECH EXPERTS THROUGH IMMIGRATION PROGRAM Libby Znaimer is joined by Guidy Mamann, a Toronto immigrati

Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Lisa Raitt, Former Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who also served as a health minister and deputy Premier and Peggy Nash, the former NDP Member of Parliament for Parkdale—High Park. Today: we kick things off with Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow's call on Ottawa to deal with the refugees in Toronto who lack housing and other important resources. Meanwhile, former mayor John Tory resurfaces with yet another endorsement: residents of Scarborough-Guildwood were getting robocalls from him endorsing PC candidate Gary Crawford who used to serve as Tory's budget chief at City Hall. And, Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie who is also running for leadership of the Ontario Liberals wrote a piece in The Star in which she accuses fellow candidate Nate Erskine-Smith of ageism. ---- INFLATION RATE IN CANADA DOWN, BUT FOOD INFLATION REMAINS HIGH Jane Brown is now joined by Dr. Sy

Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine, John Wright, Executive Vice President, Bob Richardson, Senior Council to National Public Relations. In the news: Experts of Alzheimer's have established new guidelines for physicians to diagnose patients with the disease which includes a 7 point plan. Meanwhile, we discuss the impact of the latest Bank of Canada hike of the key lending rate to five per cent on homeowners with variable mortgages with fixed payments. And, Desjardins released a report today detailing the need for Ottawa to boost immigration to counter-balance our country's aging demo. ---- HOW TORONTONIANS REALLY FEEL ABOUT A SPA AT ONTARIO PLACE Jane Brown is now joined by Dianne Saxe, Toronto City Councillor for University-Rosedale and Norm Di Pasquale, Co-Chair of Ontario Place for All. So...how do Torontonians truly feel about having a Spa developed at Ontario Place? According to City of Toronto consultations so far that

Libby Znaimer today is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak which is now part of the ZoomerMedia family, David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto,  Karen Stintz, CEO, Variety Village and a former Toronto City Councillor and mayoral candidate. It's official: Olivia Chow is now the mayor of Toronto after being sworn in at City Hall yesterday in a ceremony that featured Indigenous drumming and other artistic and cultural elements. So, now that it's time to get to work, what are her official priorities? ---- BANK OF CANADA HANDED OUT $20 MILLION IN BONUSES LAST YEAR Libby Znaimer today is now joined by Franco Terrazzano, Federal Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. Through an FOI request, Franco found out that the Bank of Canada handed over $20 million in bonuses to its staff in 2022 despite the fact that inflation reached a forty year high. The average bonus amount was $11,200 and 80 per cent of staff got one. This all happened as the interest rate went up numerous times! How much sense

THE MEDICAL RECORD: CONCERNS AROUND ASPARTAME AND PREMIERS MEETING OVER HEALTHCARE Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto, Dr. Amol Verma, A staff physician in General Internal Medicine at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto and Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto Today: should you be cutting out Aspartame from your diet if you use it? The WHO is expected to declare it a potential carcinogen on July 14. And, our panelists explore a NYT article that discussed that drug addiction is increasing among the baby boomer demo. ARE SAFE INJECTION SITES CAUSING VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITIES Libby Znaimer is joined by Brian Lilley, Political Columnist for the Toronto Sun. Some local residents living near a safe injection site in Leslieville near the intersection where a 44-year-old mother was struck and killed by a stray bullet are concerned about safety around thes

Libby Znaimer is joined by Charles Sousa, Liberal MP for Mississauga-Lakeshore, Peggy Nash, the former NDP Member of Parliament for Parkdale—High Park and Janet Ecker, a former Ontario PC MPP and Minister of Finance. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has headed to Lithuania for the NATO Summit. He has promised that Ottawa will increase Canada's contributions to NATO's mission in Latvia but it will take another three years to do so. And, is Canada falling behind on defense spending as part of the alliance? Meanwhile, Ontario Premier Doug Ford is in Winnipeg as part of the Premiers meeting that will include discussions on healthcare and the economy among other key issues. And, today is the last for Olivia as mayor-elect. Tomorrow, she is officially sworn in as the mayor. ---- CHOW CALLS FOR REVIEW OF MPAC Libby Znaimer is now joined by Councillor James Pasternak for Ward 6 York Centre and Councillor Brad Bradford for Beaches East York. Today: Mayor-elect Olivia Chow is calling for a review of  the Municipal P

ZOOMER SQUAD: PREMIERS MEET & THE BEST AGE FOR A PRESIDENT Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP and Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine and John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion. Today: We kick things off with a discussion about the Premiers meeting in Winnipeg to discuss healthcare and the economy among other issues. And, roughly half of Americans (49 per cent), according to Pew Research, say that they prefer a President who is in their 50's. What do you think is the ideal age for someone to be President? A LOOKAHEAD TO THE NATO SUMMIT Jane Brown is now joined by Dr. Eric Ouellet, Professor in the Department of Defence Studies at Royal Military College of Canada, Dr. Stephen Saideman, Paterson Chair in International Affairs at Carleton University. Leaders of countries belonging to NATO, including Canada's Justin Trudeau, will be heading to Lithuania for a Summit where discussions about expa

Today on Free For All Friday-Listeners called in to talk about the future of Ontario Place, the possibility of being able to drink at parks in Toronto should City Hall vote in favour of that, and the state of our healthcare system.  Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

Liz West is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak which is now part of the ZoomerMedia family, David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto,  Karen Stintz, CEO, Variety Village and a former Toronto City Councillor and mayoral candidate. Today: we kick things off with a discussion about Mayor-elect Olivia Chow calling out Ottawa for not housing refugees it brings into the country. Meanwhile, on the topic of housing, our panel revisits the major encampments at popular Allan Gardens in downtown Toronto. Is it a case of neglect on the City's part? And, finally, we discuss Premier Doug Ford's differences with Olivia Chow when it comes to the future of Ontario Place.  OTTAWA TAKES ON TECH GIANTS OVER BILL C-18  Liz West is now joined by Dr. Michael Geist, A law professor at the University of Ottawa who holds the Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-commerce Law. Ottawa has received pushback from tech giants like Google and Meta (owner of Facebook) after Bi

Liz West is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto, Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist at Unity Health Toronto and Dr. Sohail Gandhi, a family physician and former president of the Ontario Medical Association. Today: we kick things off with a discussion about Tick season. According to Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore, there is an increase in cases of three types of tick borne illnesses in the province in addition to Lyme disease. So, what are the factors contributing to this increase (hint: climate change is a big one)? And, Dr. Razak recently published a piece in The Globe and Mail about why Canada needs a serious long COVID-19 strategy. Do you or someone you know suffer from the symptoms of long COVID? If so, we would love for you to share your story about it. ---- NEARLY 2,000 AIR CANADA FLIGHTS DELAYED OR CANCELLED OVER LONG WEEKEND  Liz West is joined by Dr. Gab

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THE ZOOMER SQUAD Bob Komsic is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer at CARP; Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine; and John Wright, Executive Vice President at Maru Public Opinion. Last week the Zoomer Squad weighed in on what Zoomers would be looking for in a new mayor, and now we've got one. So today, the Squad dives into that. Also, as of July 1st, seniors in Montreal can ride public transit for free...could such an initiative work here with the TTC? Meanwhile, out West...the B.C. government is investing $10 million to provide free air conditioners to some seniors. Could Ontario see fit to help seniors 'chill out'? LEGER POLL: MOST CANADIANS WOULD FLUNK A CITIZENSHIP TEST; AND CANADIAN HERITAGE MOMENTS We Canadians love our county, but a recent poll suggests that very few of us could actually pass a citizenship test. Bob Komsic is joined by Anthony Wilson-Smith, President and CEO of Historica Canada and producer of Heritage Minutes to discuss this concerning issue. FIREWORKS

Today on Free For All Friday, with guest host Jane Brown, listeners called in to talk about whether we should have fireworks this Canada Day weekend and the air pollution caused from wildfires in Northeastern Ontario. Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak which is now part of the ZoomerMedia family, David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto,  Karen Stintz, CEO, Variety Village and a former Toronto City Councillor and mayoral candidate. It's our first Tune into the Town panel since Olivia Chow became the declared winner of Toronto's mayoral by-election. What do our panelists think about this? And, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated Chow on her victory. But he has ruled out major aid to Toronto which has an approximately $1.5M budget hole. He said that the provinces need to step up when it comes to supporting the cities that fall within their jurisdictions. ---- INCREASE IN DISTRACTED DRIVING IN ONTARIO  Libby Znaimer is joined by Teresa Di Felice, Assistant Vice President, Government and Community Relations for CAA South Central Ontario. Today: The CAA has released its survey showing that 44 per cent of drivers in Ontario admitted to being distracted at some point while driving--a 4

Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto , Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist at Unity Health Toronto and Dr. Nadia Alam, A family doctor and anesthetist in Georgetown Ontario and a former president of the Ontario Medical Association. Today: We kick things off with a discussion of the poor air quality we are experiencing because of the wildfires. And, a new mental health study reveals that roughly half a million Canadian employees miss work on a weekly basis due to poor mental health. ---- COMPETITION BUREAU'S FINDINGS ON GROCERY RETAILERS Libby Znaimer is joined by Gary Sands, Senior Vice President of Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers and Ellen Roseman, a consumer advocate. We recap the Competition Bureau's report on grocery retailer competition in Canada. Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

Libby is joined by John Mykytyshyn, a Conservative strategist and President of Bradgate Research Group, George Smitherman,  former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who also served as a health minister and deputy Premier, Peggy Nash, the former NDP Member of Parliament for Parkdale—High Park and Janet Ecker, a former Ontario PC MPP and former finance minister. It's official: Olivia Chow has become the next mayor-elect for the City of Toronto. She is the first immigrant woman and member of a visible minority to be elected to office. She got 37 per cent of the vote while Ana Bailão came in second with 32 per cent of the vote. And remember when, not long ago, Premier Doug Ford said Olivia would be an "unmitigated disaster" for Toronto? Well after her victory, he put out a statement congratulating Olivia and saying, "I will work with anyone ready to work with our government to better our City and province". So, can we expect a cordial and good working relationship between the two leaders? ---- OLIVIA CH

Libby is joined by Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP,  and Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine. It's official: today is election day in Toronto and shortly after 8 pm we will find out who will be Toronto's next Mayor. The latest polls by Forum Research and Mainstreet Research from this past Sunday show Olivia Chow still in the lead but only by single digits. Ana Bailao is right behind her in second place. Did the endorsements from John Tory and others possibly contribute to giving her a boost? Our panelists weigh in on the latest. And, we preview our special election coverage which will be taking place in real time tonight as the results come in. ---- PROVINCE USING MZOs TO SPEED UP NURSING HOME REDEVELOPMENTS Libby is joined by France Gelinas, NDP MPP for Nickel Belt and the health critic as well as Cathy Parkes. Her father passed away at Orchard Villa in April of 2020 from COVID-19. Local residents are

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners called in to weigh in on the final days of the Toronto mayoral race and some offered some thoughts on who they will be voting for! Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: FINAL SHOW BEFORE ELECTION DAY! 12-12:30 PM Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak which is now part of the ZoomerMedia family, David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto,  Karen Stintz, CEO, Variety Village and a former Toronto City Councillor and mayoral candidate. Today: It's the final Tune into the Town panel before election day on June 26 when the new mayor of Toronto will be announced. Ana Bailao got an endorsement from former mayor John Tory and Doug Ford put up a Mark Saunders sign on the lawn of his home in Etobicoke. Do these endorsements mean much and will they ultimately help the candidates? Meanwhile, Olivia maintains her lead in the polls and Libby has thoughts about how much that has to do with people associating her to a time when Toronto saw better days. ANA BAILAO GIVES FINAL PITCH AHEAD OF ELECTION DAY 12:30-12:45 PM Libby Znaimer is now joined by Ana Bailão, Toronto Mayoral candidate and the former deputy mayor of the city under John Tor

THE MEDICAL RECORD: A NEW URGENT CARE CLINIC IN MINDEN Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto, Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Dr. Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist at Unity Health Toronto. We kick things off with a discussion about the news that the Ford government will fund an urgent care clinic in Minden but it won't have any doctors. Starting on June 30, it is expected to be open on weekends and staffed by nurse practitioners and nurses according to health care minister Sylvia Jones. And, we continue the discussion on Ozempic. The maker of the obesity drug just announced lawsuits against clinics selling copycat versions of the drug. THE LATEST ON THE HIGHWAY 401 CRASH THAT LEFT TWO PEOPLE DEAD Libby Znaimer is joined by Sgt. Kerry Schmidt of the OPP Highway Safety Division. A segment of the 401 highway in Pickering is closed after a major crash left two people dead at

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: THE FINAL STRETCH OF THE TORONTO MAYORAL RACE Libby Znaimer is joined by Lisa Raitt, former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who also served as a health minister and deputy Premier, and Peggy Nash,  the New Democratic Party Member of Parliament for the Parkdale—High Park electoral district in Toronto. Today: A look at the final stretch of the Toronto mayoral election campaign. Libby and our recovering politicians take a look at what the leading candidates are saying so far this week and Libby shares her thoughts on why Olivia is the front runner. Meanwhile, the Ontario government has taken public sector workers to the Court of Appeal over Bill 124 being struck down by a judge at the Superior Court of Justice. According the fiscal watchdog of the province, the government will owe $8.4 billion over five years to public sector workers if the law remains overturned. WHAT'S UP WITH ALL THAT PLASTI

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: TORONTO'S MAYORAL RACE AND CANADIANS WHO CAN'T RETIRE Jane Brown is joined by Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine; Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP; and John Wright, Executive Vice President at Maru Public Opinion. Together, Jane and the Squad unpack the latest on Toronto’s mayoral campaign trail; and discuss a recent survey that found 44% of non-retired Canadians aged 55 to 64 have less than $5,000 in savings, with one in five from that group saying they have not set anything aside for retirement. FOUR FEDERAL BYELECTIONS TODAY Four new MP’s will be elected to the House of Commons today in a handful of byelections that politicos say could expose rifts within the Conservative party and possibly bring a new Liberal cabinet hopeful into the fold. Jane Brown is joined by Bob Richardson, Senior Council, National Public Relations to discuss what this could mean for Canadians. JUNE IS MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH MONTH June is Men’s Ment

Marissa Lennox is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by David Crombie, former Mayor of Toronto, and Toronto City Councillors James Pasternak for Ward 6 York Centre and Paula Fletcher for Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth. According to the latest Liaison Strategies poll, Josh Matlow and Mark Saunders are tied for second place underneath front runner Olivia Chow as the race for mayor continues to develop. Also, according to the City of Toronto, advanced voting which started on Thursday June 8th and ended on Tuesday June 13th, saw 129,745 eligible voters went to the advanced polling stations to vote--that's an 11.9 per cent increase from those who voted in advanced voting from the last election that totaled 115,911 voters in October of 2022. ---- RUSSIA-CANADA RELATIONS COULD SEVER...OVER A PLANE  Marissa Lennox is joined by Dr. Maria Popova, Associate Professor of Political Science and Jean Monnet Chair at McGill University. Canada and Russian relations could get a whole lot worse.  Moscow says that

Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, a medical oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Dr. Alisa Naiman, family physician as well as founder and medical director of The Medical Station in Toronto and John Papastergiou, a pharmacist at Shoppers Drug Mart. Today: a discussion about new clinical trial data that indicates that it is safe to stop immunotherapy after two years if a patient with lung cancer is "progression-free". In other news: patients with a certain type of brain tumor may soon be able to get an oral treatment that would serve as an alternative to radiation and chemotherapy. And, in Ottawa, the federal NDP have tabled a pharmacare bill to implement a universal single-payer pharmacare system in Canada. Our panel weighs in on the latest. ARBITRATION RULING FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS Libby Znaimer is joined by Sharleen Stewart, President of SEIU Healthcare. An arbitration ruling has granted 45,000 healthcare workers in the province with a 6.25 per cent wage increase. Sharleen provid

Libby Znaimer is now joined by Tasha  Kheiriddin, principal with Navigator Ltd., Peggy Nash, a former New Democratic Party Member of Parliament for the Parkdale—High Park electoral district in Toronto and Charles Bird, Managing Principal at Earnscliffe Strategy Group in Toronto. Erin O'Toole is stepping down as MP of Durham. O'Toole served as leader of the official opposition Conservative Party prior to the current leader, Pierre Poilievre. Meanwhile, the race for mayor in Toronto continues to pick up the pace as we quickly approach election day on June 26. Our panelists weigh in on the latest news. ---- WHAT'S UP WITH CANDIDATE GONG? Libby Znaimer is now joined by Ben Spurr, a Toronto City Hall Reporter. Who is mayoral candidate #44 and why is everyone noticing him? Wealthy businessman Edward Gong has planted his signs everywhere - having paid for that marketing, including on our station and people have noticed. ---- DONALD TRUMP'S LEGAL BATTLES AS HE CAMPAIGNS FOR 2024 PRESIDENTIAL RUN  Libby Znaime

Today on Free For All Friday: We heard from you about the Toronto mayoral election which is fast approaching. Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

Libby Znaimer is joined by David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto,  Karen Stintz, CEO, Variety Village and a former Toronto City Councillor and mayoral candidate, and  Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth. Today: we kick things off with a recap of the CARP-Fight Back Toronto mayoral debate hosted by Libby Znaimer. It was the only debate that featured candidates Chloe Brown (who came in third in the previous election against John Tory) and Anthony Furey. The debate touched on key themes like Seniors, public safety and affordability. But, things certainly got heated between the candidates at times with them talking all over each other. And, the man who threatened mayoral candidates is now out on bail! What's up with that? Our panelists weigh in on the latest. --- STEVE KEE ON HOME INSURANCE FOR OLDER ADULTS Libby Znaimer is joined by Steve Kee, the former Director of External Communications and the CEO of Steve Kee Communications. Steve talks to Libby about insurance for homeowners for all k

Today: CARP-Fight Back hosted a lively Toronto mayoral debate which featured Josh Matlow, Ana Bailão, Mitzie Hunter, Brad Bradford, Mark Saunders, Anthony Furey and Chloe Brown. The key issues included public safety, Seniors and affordability. Listen for the full debate in podcast form. Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman,  former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who also served as a health minister and deputy Premier, Janet Ecker, former Ontario PC MPP who was a senior cabinet minister in the governments of Mike Harris and Ernie Eves and Peggy Nash, a former New Democratic Party Member of Parliament for the Parkdale—High Park electoral district in Toronto This morning: David Johnston, special rapporteur on foreign interference, testified in the house of commons where he took questions from MPs about allegations of conflict of interest in his role and his report into election meddling. We then pivot to the controversial news that Paul Bernardo gets a prison transfer to a medium security facility which has sparked plenty of backlash. ----- A PREVIEW TO THE FIGHT BACK-CARP DEBATE THIS WEEK Libby Znaimer is joined by Gil Penalosa, a former mayoral candidate and a popular urbanist and the Founder of 8 80 Cities and Jason Lietaer who is a conservative strategist and President

ZOOMER SQUAD: A LOOK AHEAD TO CARP-FIGHT BACK'S MAYORAL DEBATE THIS WEEK Libby is joined by Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP,  and John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion Today: we do a look ahead to the special CARP-Fight Back Toronto Mayoral debate that will be taking place Wednesday, June 7, during Fight Back's live broadcast and will be hosted by Libby Znaimer. One of the factors that will make our debate stand out from the rest is that we are inviting on some candidates who have not been invited to the others including Anthony Furey, and Chloe Brown (who also ran during the previous general election for mayor and came in third then). Libby says the focus of this debate will be on practicality. All the candidates have ideas that they are proposing, but how exactly will they get it done? PAUL BERNARDO MOVED TO MEDIUM SECURITY IN QUEBEC Libby is joined by Ari Goldkind, a criminal defence lawyer

Today on Free For All Friday-we had a lively debate about whether or not one word should be changed in our national anthem of "O Canada". Tune in to hear it all. Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

Libby Znaimer is joined by Councillor James Pasternak for Ward 6 York Centre, Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village as well as a former Toronto City Councillor and mayoral candidate and Councillor Paula Fletcher for Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth. In the news: we are in the final few weeks of the election campaign for Toronto next mayor. What does our panel think about the latest promises being made by the candidates? And then there's the latest violent incident on the TTC--a 14 year old girl has been charged after she set a firework off in a packed bus in Scarborough. ---- ONTARIO HOSPITAL URGENT CARE HOURS BEING REDUCED DUE TO STAFFING SHORTAGES Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Johan Viljoen, Chief of Staff at Niagara Health. Niagara Health is reducing the operating hours of its Fort Erie and Port Colborne urgent care centres in order to keep their emergency departments in Welland, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines open. Dr. Viljoen details the new policy and the impact of staffing shortages. ---- SENIORS ARE PROT

Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Aaron Schimmer, I am the Director of Research at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre where I am also a staff physician and a senior scientist, Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, an internal medicine and critical care physician at Humber River Hospital and Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto. In the news: Libby and the panel discuss the rise of invasive Group A streptococcus (iGAS), how that came about and what the associated symptoms are. And, we continue the discussion about the upcoming Minden ER closure that has residents in the community very worried. ---- TORONTO RESTAURANTS FRUSTRATED WITH CAFETO PROGRAM APPLICATION DELAYS  Libby Znaimer is now joined by Tony Elenis, President and CEO of The Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association (ORHMA). Some Toronto restaurants are still waiting for approvals to come through as part of the CafeTO program and it has them feeling frustrated as patio weather finally arrives in t

Marissa Lennox is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Lisa Raitt, Former Deputy Leader of Conservative Party of Canada, Peggy Nash, the former New Democratic Party Member of Parliament for Parkdale—High Park, George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who also served as a health minister and deputy Premier. In the news: The House of Commons voted down a motion by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre that took aim at the Trudeau government's harm reduction strategy in a vote of 209 to 113 on Monday. Meanwhile Jagmeet Singh, leader of the federal NDP, has called on Ottawa to get rid of David Johnston from overseeing foreign election interference and along with the Conservatives, is calling for a public inquiry into the matter. ONTARIO HOSPITAL ERs ARE BRACING FOR STAFFING SHORTAGES THIS SUMMER Marissa Lennox is now joined by Natalie Mehra, Executive Director of the Ontario Health Coalition. Hospitals in rural Ontario are bracing for ER staffing shortages this Summer.

Marissa Lennox is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP and Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine. Today: we kick things off with a recap of this past weekend's Doors Open Toronto at the Zoomerplex that saw hundreds of people come by to explore our state of the art broadcasting and media facilities. Some of those guests were key mayoral candidates who rolled through to share their platforms with the voters and talk to CARP about what they are promising Zoomers. Meanwhile, the City of Toronto has been putting up signs at City parks stating that setting up tents/encampments are forbidden. But, will these signs actually go far enough when it comes to stopping such activity from happening? We all remember the summer of 2021 which saw police take them down by force as protestors tried to fight back. ---- CANADIANS FIND THE CITIES THEY LIVE IN ARE TOO NOISY  Marissa

Libby Znaimer is joined by Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village and former Toronto City Councillor and mayoral candidate,  Councillor Paula Fletcher for Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth, and Councillor James Pasternak for Ward 6 York Centre. Today: we discuss the latest on the Toronto mayoral contest. ---- HOW MUCH MONEY DO YOU NEED TO LIVE COMFORTABLY? Libby Znaimer is joined by Oksana Kishchuk, Director of Strategy and Insights at Abacus Data and author of the report. So...how much money do you really need to live comfortably? According to a report by Abacus Data, on average, individual Canadians say they need as much as $72,919. Those with a partner say they need $85,445 to live comfortably. Libby and Oksana discuss the report in greater detail and we ask you: how much is enough for you to live the kind of life you want. ---- BONNIE CROMBIE TALKS ONTARIO LIBERALS AND PEEL REGION Libby Znaimer is joined by Bonnie Crombie who has been in the headlines for two major reasons as of late. The first reason being th

Liz West is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist at Unity Health Toronto, Dr. Malcolm Moore, medical oncologist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and the former head of the BC Cancer Agency, as well as Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto. We begin the discussion today about the B.C. government's decision to send over as many as 4,800 cancer patients for radiation treatment to the U.S. over the next two years and it will be fully funded by the province (which will cost aprox. three times more than what it would cost in our healthcare system). Next, we get into the very important discussion on nutrition and the need to ensure that Seniors in the healthcare system get access to healthy, nutritional food programs.  ---- DAVID JOHNSTON CONCLUDES: NO PUBLIC INQUIRY NEEDED INTO ALLEGED FOREIGN INTERFERENCE Liz West is now joined by Robin Sears, a former NDP strategist and crisis communications adv

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: BONNIE CROMBIE MULLS RUN FOR ONTARIO LIBERAL LEADERSHIP Libby Znaimer is joined by Lisa Raitt, Former Deputy Leader of Conservative Party of Canada, Peggy Nash, the former New Democratic Party Member of Parliament for Parkdale—High Park, George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who also served as a health minister and deputy Premier. Today: We begin with the news that Bonnie Crombie, the mayor of Mississauga, is exploring a run for the leadership of the Ontario Liberals. And, of course there's the news about Peel Region--Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga will be splitting up by 2025. We then pivot to Ottawa where former Governor General David Johnston, Special rapporteur, concluded that there is no need for a public inquiry into alleged foreign interference in our political system by China. TRANSPORT MINISTER ANNOUNCES MORE EFFICIENT AIRPORT SECURITY SCREENINGS Libby Znaimer is joined by Martin Firestone, travel expert and President of Travel Secure

Bob Komsic is joined by Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP and Lorne Bozinoff, President and CEO of Forum Research. Today: It's Victoria Day so we'll kick things off by asking everyone on the panel how their long weekend is going and what plans they've got. Then, we pivot to the mayoral election in Toronto. What do you think is the key election issue for this race? Crime, affordability, congestion? Anthony previews the CARP Mayoral Candidates Fair that will be taking place at the Zoomerplex during this year's Doors Open Toronto. Meanwhile, we haven't yet had a chance to discuss the future of Peel Region that will see the divorce of Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon and will see them become independent municipalities by 2025. ---- SAFE BOATING AWARENESS WEEK: A PSA  Bob Komsic is now joined by Barbara Byers, Spokesperson for the Canadian Safe Boating Council. This long weekend, some of us are up at the cottage or at least

Today on Free For All Friday: Listeners called in to give thanks on this Personal Support Worker Day in Ontario, the future of Peel Region and the latest developments regarding Toronto's mayoral by-election.

Libby Znaimer is joined by David Crombie, former Mayor of Toronto, Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village and a former Toronto City Councillor and mayoral candidate and Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth. It's official: the Ontario government will dissolve the Region of Peel by 2025 which means that Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon will all become independent cities. So, what are the implications of that and how much will it all cost? Our panel also weighs in on the latest developments of Toronto's mayoral race. Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

Libby Znaimer is joined by Vivianne Gauci, Senior Vice President, Customer Experience, and Chief Marketing Officer at HomeEquity Bank. We have a special segment on financing your retirement and especially some of the costs most people are not prepared for. We talk a lot about aging in place - usually in the context of the kind of retirement most people say they want. It can cost a lot of money especially if at least for part of the time you get the kind of retirement you do not want which involves being sick and requiring increasing amounts of home care or being disabled. That is why CHIP Reverse Mortgage is focusing on home care - since a reverse mortgage is one of the ways to finance that. Also, ahead of Personal Support Workers (PSW) Day in Ontario on May 19, HomeEquity Bank is celebrating home health professionals with their Home Care Heroes Awards for the second year.  Learn how the CHIP Reverse Mortgage can help you afford in-home care and age in place by visiting www.chip.ca/health HomeEquity Bank

Marissa Lennox is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist and epidemiologist at Unity Health Toronto and Dr. Alisa Naiman, family physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station clinic in Toronto.  This week:  We kick things off by taking a closer look at a study that recommends hormone replacement therapy as the first treatment offered to women under the age of 60 who experience menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and other challenges. We then take a deep dive into the negative health impacts of the processed foods (also known as ultraprocessed foods or UPFs) that are so prevalent in many of our diets.Finally, the WHO is recommending that we avoid consumption of non-sugar sweeteners in our efforts to lose weight. The panel has the latest.  ---- OTTAWA PROPOSES STRONGER BAIL REFORM LEGISLATION  Marissa Lennox is now joined by Toronto-based criminal defence lawyer, Ari Goldkind. Ottawa has proposed bail reform legislation t

Jane Brown is joined by Peggy Nash, the former New Democratic Party Member of Parliament for the Parkdale—High Park, George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who also served as a health minister and deputy Premier, and John Mykytyshyn, Conservative Political Consultant and President of Bradgate Research Group. Today: we kick things off with a recap of last night's mayoral debate that was hosted by the Daily Bread Food Bank in Etobicoke. The theme of the two-hour debate was tackling the affordability crisis. The candidates at the podium were Brad Bradford, Josh Matlow, Mitzie Hunter, Olivia Chow and Ana Bailao. Meanwhile, Premier Doug Ford supports the idea of Mississauga breaking away from Peel Region. An official announcement from his government could come as early as this Thursday. And the construction company building the Eglinton Crosstown LRT is suing and planning to stop working for the TTC. What's that about? Our panel weighs in. ---- BLADDER CANCER AWARENESS MONTH Jane Brow

Jane Brown is joined by Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP and Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine. Today: we recap the latest regarding Toronto's Mayoral race. There are 102 candidates...including a dog! Polls show Olivia Chow in the lead. Anthony gives us the numbers on how CARP voters are planning to vote in this by-election. CARP also just produced a report card on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's record on Seniors issues and policies. Is he doing enough? And, world renowned actor Robert De Niro is having a child at 79. And, it's part of a growing trend of parents having kids at an older age in life. Our panel weighs in on the latest. ---- THE LATEST POLLING ON THE MAYORAL RACE  Jane Brown is joined by Lorne Bozinoff, President of Forum Research Group. According to a Forum Research poll from this past Saturday, Olivia Chow has the competitive edge in Toronto's by-election race for mayor. The poll found

Today on Free For All Friday: Listeners called in about their concerns over the Minden hospital ER closure, the Toronto Mayoral race and a TDSB school sign that frustrated some community members.

Libby Znaimer is joined by David Crombie, former Mayor of Toronto, Councillor James Pasternak, Ward 6 York Centre and Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth. Today: the Toronto mayoral race continues with Olivia Chow polling as the front runner. And, Toronto taxpayers will be footing the bill for the 2026 world cup event taking place here after a deal was struck between City staff and the MLSE without being made known to the City's actually elected officials. What's the deal with that? Our panel reacts. ---- THE MINDEN HOSPITAL ER CLOSURE: WHY IT MATTERS   Libby Znaimer is joined by NDP MPP France Gélinas (Nickel-Belt) and Health Critic as well as Bob Carter, Mayor of the Township of Minden Hills Residents of Minden are deeply concerned over the closure of their local hospital's ER and are asking the province for a one-year moratorium on the matter with a petition of over 17,000 signatures. Listeners of Fight Back have been calling in about this very topic in the past two weeks. Our guests

Libby Znaimer is joined by  Dr. Malcolm Moore,  Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre,  Dr. Alisa Naiman,  Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto,  and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman,  Internal medicine and critical care physician at Humber River Hospital This week: Ontario passes the controversial Bill 60 that would see the expansion of certain surgeries and diagnostic tests in private care clinics. Meanwhile, doctors and breast cancer survivors are urging Ottawa to lower the regular mammogram screenings to age 40 following a recommendation by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. And, it's national nursing week and provinces across Canada are licensing nurses who are foreign trained. Our panel has the latest. ---- COMMUNITY LITTER CLEANUPS Libby Znaimer is now joined by Diane Saxe, Toronto City Councillor for University Rosedale and Wesley Reibeling, Toronto Program Manager, Park People. Have you noticed lots of litter in your neighbourhood at all

Libby Znaimer is joined by Lisa Raitt, Former Deputy Leader of Conservative Party of Canada, George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who also served as a health minister and deputy Premier and Peggy Nash, the former New Democratic Party Member of Parliament for the Parkdale—High Park electoral district in Toronto. Today: The province has passed the controversial Bill 60 that expands surgeries in private care clinics. Meanwhile, Ottawa has expelled Toronto-based Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei and in a tit for tat response, Beijing expelled Canadian diplomat  Jennifer Lynn Lalonde from Canada's consulate HQ in Shanghai. And, Ottawa is also organizing a list of names of foreign labs and universities that pose a risk to Canada's national security.  ---- CHINA-OTTAWA TENSIONS ESCALATE AS BOTH COUNTRIES EXPEL DIPLOMATS Libby Znaimer is now joined by Charles Burton,  Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and expert on Canada-China relations,  Cheuk Kwan of the Toronto Associati

Libby Znaimer is joined by Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP and Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine. Today: the squad recaps King Charles III's Coronation this past weekend and they talk about working during your retirement years! ---- THE FUTURE OF ONTARIO PLACE Libby is now joined by Norm Di Pasquale, Co-Chair of Ontario Place for All, and NDP MPP (Toronto-Danforth) Peter Tabuns. Ontario's NDP are calling for the cancellation of a contract between the Ford government and Austrian developer Therme to build a spa at Ontario Place in what they describe "a shady scheme".  Norm alongside Ontario Place for All want to see the space remain publicly accessible. The two of them also weigh in on the future of the Ontario Science Centre. Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners called in with their concerns about Bill 60, which would allow for the expansion of private clinics to perform OHIP-covered surgeries and diagnostic services as well as the upcoming Coronation for King Charles III.

Libby Znaimer is joined by Paula Fletcher, Toronto City Councillor for Toronto-Danforth, David Crombie, former Mayor of Toronto, and Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village and a former Toronto City Councillor and former mayoral candidate. The mayoral race keeps growing. There are now at least 68 candidates vying for the City's top job. Will we reach 70 by week's end? And, what about the closure of a section of Queen Street in the downtown core as construction for the Ontario Line commences there? Do we really expect that it will only last four years? And what about the impact it will no doubt have on pedestrian, car and transit traffic? There are clearly many questions left unanswered about the challenges our City currently faces. ---- MILLINER DAVID DUNKLEY ON HATS AT THE CORONATION Libby Znaimer is now joined by David Dunkley, a Toronto-based milliner who specializes in making couture hats. David is in London as part of the Coronation festivities for King Charles III. The master milliner will be on demand

Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Fahad Razak, a  General Internist and epidemiologist at Unity Health Toronto, Dr. Alisa Naiman, family physician and the founder and medical director of The Medical Station in Toronto, and Dr. Malcolm Moore, a medical oncologist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. This week: The U.S. Surgeon General has declared loneliness as the new public health epidemic. A report from his office indicated that it increases premature death by almost 30 percent, increases risk of stroke and heart disease and is as deadly as smoking as many as 15 cigarettes a day. So, how did we get to this point? And, how severely does loneliness impact older adults specifically? ---- KING CHARLES' CORONATION: WHAT TO EXPECT  Libby Znaimer is joined by Suzanne Boyd, Editor-in-chief and Publisher of Zoomer Magazine/everythingzoomer.com . Will you be up early on Saturday morning to witness King Charles' Coronation ceremony? Suzanne weighs in on what we might expect to see on the milestone day for the King an

Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by John Mykytyshyn, Conservative Political Consultant and President of Bradgate Research Group, John Milloy, Former Ontario Liberal MPP who served as a cabinet minister under the Dalton McGuinty and Kathleen Wynne governments and Glenn De Baeremaeker, a former city councillor in Toronto who represented Ward 38 Scarborough Centre. Today, we discuss the tentative agreement between PSAC and Ottawa which will cost taxpayers approximately $1.3 billion per year. It includes a 12.6 percent raise over four years plus a one time payment of $2,500 that is pensionable. Did the Trudeau government cave to the union's demands? And, we also discuss the latest on the Toronto Mayoral election that has over 50 candidates running so far. ---- ARE THE LARGE GROCERS BULLYING SMALL SUPPLIERS?  Jane Brown is now joined by Ellen Roseman, consumer advocate and journalist as well as Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie Uni

Jane Brown  is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer at CARP and John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion. Today: We discuss the latest regarding PSAC. A tentative deal has been made between the Treasury Board and the union. Meanwhile, here in Toronto, the mayoral election continues to ramp up with over 50 candidates. Olivia Chow and Ana Bailao are leading in the polls currently. But what kind of important issues for Seniors are being promised by the candidates. And, we weigh in on King Charles' upcoming Coronation. ---- WHAT THE PARTIAL CLOSURE OF QUEEN STREET MEANS FOR TRAFFIC Jane Brown is now joined by Stuart Green, Spokesperson for the TTC. A large section of Queen Street (between Victoria Street in the east and Bay Street in the west) is going to be closed for at least four years starting today as construction for the Ontario Line takes place. How will

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners called to weigh in on Toronto's mayoral election and the latest on the PSAC strike.  Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

Libby Znaimer is joined by Paula Fletcher, Toronto City Councillor for Toronto-Danforth, David Crombie, former Mayor of Toronto,  Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village and a former Toronto City Councillor and former mayoral candidate. Today, we discuss the latest on the Toronto mayoral race. This morning, Councillor Stephen Holyday announced that he is dropping out of the race to endorse candidate Mark Saunders. So far, the race has at least 50 candidates. ---- FEDERAL WORKERS CONTINUE TO GET SALARIES WHILE STRIKING Libby Znaimer is joined by Franco Terrazzano, Federal Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. Today: we discuss the latest on the PSAC strike. Government employees who are currently striking will continue to get paid their regular salaries until at least May 10 according to Ottawa. More than 100,000 federal workers have been striking since April 19. Franco weighs in on the latest. ---- OTTAWA WANTS TO INCREASE MAXIMUMS FOR GUN CRIMES  Libby Znaimer is now joined by Chris Rudnicki, a Cr

Libby is now joined by Joshua Chong, a staff reporter for the Toronto Star. One of the items on King Charles’ Coronation menu is a quiche. Joshua decided to make the quiche himself (following the publicized recipe) and, sadly, it was yuck! He tells Libby all about it. Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Fahad Razak, a  General Internist and epidemiologist at Unity Health Toronto, Dr. Alisa Naiman, family physician and the founder and medical director of The Medical Station in Toronto, and Dr. Malcolm Moore, a medical oncologist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. This week: we start things off by discussing some good news-the survival rate for pancreatic cancer is increasing according to The American Cancer Society. The 5-year survival rate for this type of cancer went up by one per cent and is now at 12 per cent. This is good news considering that this particular type of cancer has a very low survival rate. Libby has been open about her battle with it in the past and about her successful recovery. ---- OLIVIA CHOW IS RUNNING TO BE MAYOR OF TORONTO Libby is now joined by Olivia Chow who is running to be the next mayor of Toronto. She is part of a roster of at least 50 other candidates vying for the City's top job. She talks about her specific vision for the City and how she

Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who also served as a health minister and deputy Premier, Janet Ecker, former Ontario PC MPP who was a senior cabinet minister in the governments of Mike Harris and Ernie Eves and Glenn De Baeremaeker, a former Toronto City Councillor  who represented Scarborough Centre.  Libby and the panel discuss the latest on PSAC's strike and Ottawa's open letter to Canadians indicating its four key positions in the ongoing negotiations with the union. Meanwhile, closer to home, we talk about the future of Ontario Place and the Ontario Science Centre. ----- OTTAWA MAKES CHANGES TO AIR PASSENGER RIGHTS  Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Gabor Lukacs, President and Founder of Air Passenger Rights, Dr. Martin Firestone, President of Travel Secure Inc. and John Gradek, a former executive with Air Canada and faculty lecturer at the Aviation Management Program at McGill University.     This week: Federal transportation minister Om

Bob Komsic is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer at CARP and John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion. We begin with a recap of CARP's meeting with NDP leader Jagmeet Singh where they brought up their desire to see the OAS 10 per cent increase extend to all qualified Seniors over the age of 65 and and to eliminate mandatory withdrawals from retirement savings accounts. We also turn to the latest on the mayoral election here in Toronto that has so far reached 50 candidates! ---- WILL NEXT MAYOR PRIORITIZE BIKE LANES?  Bob Komsic is now joined by Trevor Townsend, Founder of Keep Toronto Moving and Albert Koehl, a cycling and pedestrian advocate as well as an environmental lawyer. Keep Toronto Moving, a not-for-profit organization, is blaming the City's increased congestion on what they see as badly implemented bike lanes. They put out a poll and the findings

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners called in to react to the demands being made by PSAC as government workers continue to strike and also about Toronto's mayoral race. Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Paula Fletcher, Toronto City Councillor for Toronto-Danforth, David Crombie, former Mayor of Toronto,  Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village and a former Toronto City Councillor and former mayoral candidate. There's been a bit of a plot twist to the Toronto mayoral election this week. Popular urbanist and mayoral candidate Gil Penalosa who lost to Mayor John Tory in the last election has announced that he is now dropping out of this one and...he's endorsing mayoral candidate Olivia Chow. Meanwhile, we get a sense from Paula Fletcher about whether Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie has had any progress when it comes to getting money from higher levels of government to address the billion dollar shortfall in the City's budget. And the Cherry Blossoms are now in peak bloom--earlier than in previous years. The flowers are a popular sight to see for many Torontonians who gather at locations like High Park to get a glimpse. ---- TUNE INTO THE TOWN: A C

THE MEDICAL RECORD: CANADA'S DRUG CRISIS Marissa Lennox is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Dr. Fahad Razak, a General Internist and epidemiologist at Unity Health Toronto, Dr. Alisa Naiman, family physician and the founder and medical director of The Medical Station in Toronto, and Dr. Malcolm Moore, a medical oncologist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. This week: we shed light on the scope of the drug crisis here in Canada with over 30,000 individuals losing their lives to drug overdoses in the past 7 years. Earlier this year, we learned that Toronto Public Health is partnering with Unity Health Toronto and University Health Network hospitals to implement additional supervised injection sites. But, is this the right approach that our healthcare system should be taking to address the drug crisis among its other strategies? Meanwhile, Sunnybrook and Michael Garron Hospitals will be helping to tackle the surgery backlog by performing hip or knee replacement operations over weekends.