Fight Back With Libby Znaimer

Libby Znaimer  is joined by Jim Diodati, Mayor of Niagara Falls and Dr. Alon Vaisman, an Infectious Diseases and Infection Control Physician at the University Health Network. Canada's border mayors are calling on Ottawa to lift COVID-19 restrictions for land-based travelers. But, as in many instances related to the government, there is conflicting info on whether the Trudeau Liberals are actually going to be lifting such restrictions by the end of September. On Tuesday afternoon, it was widely being reported that vaccine requirements, random COVID testing and mandatory use of the ArriveCan app would end September 30th. But, on Tuesday night, Health Canada issued a statement that such changes have not been decided on and that easing of restrictions would be informed by scientific data among other factors. Our guests weigh in on the latest. ---- CANADA'S NATIONAL DENTAL PLAN Libby Znaimer is joined by Franco Terrazzano, the Federal Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation followed by Jagmeet Singh, leade

Libby Znaimer is joined by Hugh Segal , a former Canadian Senator, Cheri DiNovo,  former Ontario NDP MPP and a recipient of the Order of Canada, and David Peterson,  former Ontario Liberal Premier from 1985 to 1990. In the news: Inflation dropped to 7 per cent in August (largely thanks to lower gas prices), but Canadians are still feeling the pinch with rising grocery costs. Meanwhile, the public appears to be divided over a video clip of PM Justin Trudeau singing Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" in a hotel lobby in the UK. Was it really a big deal? And, a new Leger poll shows that PM Trudeau edges Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre as the preferred choice for PM. Our panel discusses the latest. ---- THE FUTURE OF IMMIGRATION IN CANADA Libby Znaimer is now joined by Guidy Mamann, a Toronto immigration lawyer and Partner at Mamman, Sandaluk & Kingwell LLP and Dr. Monica Boyd, a Professor of Sociology at the University of Toronto and the former Research Chair in Immigration, Inequality and Public

Libby Znaimer  is joined by David Cravit, Chief Membership Officer of CARP, and John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion. Today: Our Zoomer Squad discusses the funeral procession for Queen Elizabeth II that has members of other royal families, and heads of state on site to pay their respects. They also discuss Canadians' views of the monarchy as it enters a new era with King Charles III now on the throne. ---- CANADA'S RESTAURANT INDUSTRY IS STRUGGLING: SURVEY  Libby Znaimer is now joined by James Rilett, Vice President of Central Canada, Restaurants Canada and Court Desautels of The Neighbourhood Group of Companies, which operates 4 restaurants in Guelph and 1 in Kitchener. According to a recent report by Restaurants Canada, our country's restaurant industry is still struggling even amid a post-pandemic era as businesses continue to face higher costs of food (due to inflation), labour shortages, high debt and low profitability. Both James and Court weigh in on the latest. ---- ROCCO AC

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners called in to weigh in on Ontario's Bill 7 regulations and York Region District School Board's original directive not to honour the Queen. The Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce, has asked all school boards to honour the Queen with a moment of silence on Monday. Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

Libby Znaimer is joined by Lauren O'Neil, Senior News Editor of BlogTO, David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto, and Councillor James Pasternak of Ward 6 York Centre. In the news: this week Ottawa announced that it would implement a $500 one-time rent subsidy for low income renters as part of the Canada Housing Benefit program. This would be initiated by the end of the year should it receive parliamentary approval and royal ascent to become legislation. Meanwhile, here in Toronto, mayoral candidate Gil Penalosa was booted out of Nathan Phillips Square by security while announcing his housing platform. Our panel reacts to the latest. ---- NEW LTC REGULATIONS BY FORD GOVERNMENT Libby Znaimer is now joined by Cathryn Hoy, President of the Ontario Nurses Association, NDP MPP (Niagara Falls) Wayne Gates followed by David Musyj, CEO of Windsor Regional Hospital. In the news: the Ford government announced specific regulations pertaining to Bill 7 this week. Patients awaiting transfer to a long-term care home may b

Libby Znaimer is joined by Jon Reid, President of the Toronto Police Association, followed by the Rev. Sky Starr, founder and executive director of Out of Bounds which provides grief and trauma support to victims of gun violence and Joseph Neuberger, a criminal defense lawyer with Neuberger & Partners LLP. In the news: Toronto is experiencing a surge in gun violence. Between Sept. 9-12, the city saw 8 shootings resulting in 11 victims including the death of a 15-year-old teenager. Constable Andrew Hong, a veteran Toronto police officer, was killed in an unprovoked shooting on Monday while eating lunch at a Tim Hortons in Mississauga. That same day a driver was shot in a carjacking and then three people were shot in Milton resulting in one death. Our guests react to the latest news and Joseph weighs in on the judicial system's bail system. ---- THE MICHELIN GUIDE IN TORONTO Libby Znaimer is now joined by Renée Suen, Food Editor, blogTO  and the Mid USA & Mid Canada  Academy Chair of The World’s 50 Be

Libby Znaimer is joined by Trish Barbato, President and CEO of the Arthritis Society of Canada. September is Arthritis awareness month. According to the Arthritis Society of Canada, as many as 6 million Canadians (or 1 in 5 of us) have arthritis. So, what exactly are the symptoms of this health condition and how does ASC support those who are suffering from it? Trish explains.  Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

Libby Znaimer is joined by Hugh Segal, Former Senator of Canada, Cheri DiNovo, former Ontario NDP MPP and recipient of the Order of Canada and John Milloy, former Ontario Liberal MPP who served as a cabinet minister under the Dalton McGuinty and Kathleen Wynne governments. Today: We begin our discussion by discussing the landslide leadership victory that Pierre Poilievre earned to become the new leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. He got a whooping 68.15 percent of the vote on the first ballot. In a distant second was Jean Charest who only got 16.07 percent of the vote. But, becoming the head of the official opposition is only half the battle. Does Pierre have what it takes to convince voters across Canada that he is worthy of becoming the next prime minister? Meanwhile, across the pond in England, King Charles III, Canada's new head of state, continues to engage in ceremonies in his new role. He is currently on tour in Ireland. Our panel reflects on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and ponder the f

Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by David Coletto, CEO and founding partner of Abacus Data, David Tarrant, Vice President, National Strategic Communications at Enterprise and Anthony Wilson-Smith, President and CEO of Historica Canada. Today: we discuss the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II and what the future of the monarchy could look like now that King Charles III has ascended to the throne. Meanwhile, Pierre Poilievre has achieved a historic leadership win with the Conservative Party of Canada. Poilievre earned a whooping 68.15 percent of the vote on the first ballot. In a distant second was Jean Charest who only got 16.07 percent of the vote. So what does this mean for the future of that party? Our panel weighs in on the latest. ---- PROVINCE ROLLS OUT BIVALENT VACCINE TO ADULTS 70+ AND VULNERABLE RESIDENTS Jane Brown is now joined by Dr. Barry Pakes, Medical Officer of Health for York Region, and Dr. Timothy Sly, an epidemiologist and professor at the school of Occupational a

Today on Free For All Friday: Listeners called in to share their very personal stories of encounters with Queen Elizabeth II who passed away yesterday at the age of 96.

Libby Znaimer is joined, first, by Suzanne Boyd, Editor-In-Chief and Publisher of Zoomer Magazine, followed  by Karen Stintz, CEO, Variety Village, Bob Richardson, Liberal Strategist - Senior Council to National Public Relations, and Councillor Brad Bradford, Ward 19 Beaches-East York. In the news: We begin with discussion about Queen Elizabeth II, who is currently under medical supervision and with family by her side according to Buckingham Palace. ---- BANK OF CANADA RAISES INTEREST RATE FOR FIFTH TIME THIS YEAR Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Thomas Davidoff, Director, UBC Centre for Urban Economics and Real Estate at the Sauder School of Business and Gordon Pape, Editor and Publisher of the Internet Wealth Builder and Income Investor newsletters. This week, the Bank of Canada raised the interest rate yet again (the fifth time this year) 75 basis points to 3.25 per cent. And, our financial experts give you advice on your TFSAs and GICs. ---- CANADA IS FACING A FAMILY PHYSICIAN DEFICIT Libby Znaimer is j

Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Councillor Mike Layton,  Ward 11 University-Rosedale and Albert Koehl, a cycling and pedestrian advocate and an environmental lawyer. Today: "It's called Vision Zero, but we're not at Zero": that was a statement made by a professor at the University of Toronto in reaction to Toronto's deadly road conditions. So far this year, the city has seen 42 traffic fatalities. So, how effective is Vision Zero really? It's a program that cost the City $200 million between 2017 and 2021 and has another $64 million set aside for 2022? Albert weighs in. ---- THIS CANDIDATE FOR TORONTO CITY COUNCIL WANTS A LIFT BRIDGE TO THE ISLAND Jane Brown is now joined by April Engelberg, candidate for Spadina Fort-York. Jane asks April about her proposal for a pedestrian lift bridge that would connect to the Toronto island. ---- BLADDER CANCER CANADA Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined byTony Cornacchia, Chair and VP of Bladder Cancer Cana

Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by David Peterson, former Ontario Liberal Premier, Lisa Raitt, Former Deputy Leader of Conservative Party of Canada, and Cheri DiNovo,  an Order of Canada recipient who passed more private members bills into law than anyone in Ontario’s history and more LGBTQ bills into law than anyone in Canada’s history. Today: We begin our discussion by talking about Liz Truss who became Britain's new prime minister after Boris Johnson resigned. How will her leadership differ from that of Johnson's? Meanwhile, this will be the last time we talk with our recovering politicians about the Conservative leadership race before the election. And, finally, President Joe Biden has been facing criticism for calling Trump supporters extremists and a threat to democracy. Our panel has the latest. ---- DEMENTIA STUDY: ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF CANADA Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Dr. Saskia Sivananthan, Chief Research Officer at Alzheimer

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

Today on Free For All Friday, listeners called in to weigh in on the passing of controversial Bill 7 for long-term care and to share their personal stories of getting care at hospitals in the province.  Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: UBER AND TORONTO'S DRIVER SAFETY PROGRAM Libby Znaimer is joined by Lauren O'Neil, Senior News Editor of BlogTO, Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village and  David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto. Today: our panel weighs in on Uber and Toronto's ride-hailing driver safety program rollout as well as an unusual Mayoral race taking place in Port Colborne. TORONTO'S INTENSE WASP SEASON Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Gard Otis, Professor Emiretus of Behavioural Ecology and Apiculture, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph. Toronto is having a busy wasp season. Dr. Otis details why this is happening and how to protect yourself from any potential danger from the buzzing creatures. PROVINCE TO END MANDATORY COVID-19 ISOLATION Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Fahad Razak, the Scientific Director of Ontario's COVID-19 Science Advisory Table followed by Dr. Adil Shamji, Ontario Liberal health critic. Today: Is it a reasonable move now that we are all used to Covid and it looks li

Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Samir Sinha, Director of Geriatrics at Mount Sinai and the University Health Network Hospitals in Toronto and France Gelinas, Ontario NDP MPP (Nickel-Belt) and Health Critic. Bill 7 has passed without public hearings. The government has given it the somewhat Orwellian name More Beds Better Bare act but many doubt that will be the result. The long term care minister has assured us no one will be forced to go to an LTC they don’t want. The Premier has assured us those people won’t be charged the $1800/day uninsured rate. But we haven’t been told how much they will be charged.  By the numbers about 6,000 patients are in hospital waiting to be placed somewhere else. Less than a third need to go into nursing homes - there’s nothing in the bill increasing access to home care which would also clear many of  those beds. Also, nursing homes have warned they are more short staffed than hospitals. Is this just setting up our elders for another catastrophe when another wave hits? We have m

Libby Znaimer is joined by David Peterson, former Ontario Liberal Premier, Lisa Raitt, Former Deputy Leader of Conservative Party of Canada, and Cheri DiNovo, an Order of Canada recipient and former Ontario NDP MPP. This past weekend, a video was posted online that showed Deputy PM Chrystia Freeland being verbally harassed by a man while she was in Grand Prairie, Alberta's City Hall. The Prime Minister and others have since publicly condemned the attack. But, this recorded video highlights something we've known for a long time: female politicians often face abuse and harassment both online and offline far too often. We've seen it with political leaders from all political stripes including Kathleen Wynne, Lisa McLeod, Gail Shea and many more. So, where does it end? And, will public safety minister Marco Mendicino create a plan to increase security for our politicians as the threats escalate? ---- CHAOS AT THE AIRPORT AND HOTELS BECOMING MORE LIKE AIRBNB STAYS Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Makarand Mody, Ass

ZOOMER SQUAD: THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF PRINCESS DIANA’S DEATH Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine and Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP and David Cravit, Chief Membership Officer of CARP. In the news: this Wednesday marks the 25th anniversary of Princess Diana's death. Our Zoomer Squad weighs in on her legacy and how the royal family changed since her passing. Meanwhile, our very own David Cravit published his thoughts on "Retirement is the enemy of Longevity" in his newsletter. We ask the panel about the benefits of continuing to work well into the golden years of life. Finally, we continue discussion on the controversial Bill 7 proposed by the Ford government to move elderly ALC patients from hospitals to a temporary facility while they await a permanent LTC home of their choice. The big question here is: will consent be required? CMA SURVEY ON DOCTOR BURNOUT AND MENTAL HEALTH Jane Bro

Today on #FreeForAllFriday: listeners called in to weigh in on the Ford government's controversial Bill 7-new legislation that would move elderly hospital patients outside of hospital to a facility not of their choice while they await to be moved into their preferred long-term care home. There is concern around consent for this and also that the province plans to bypass public hearings as they work to pass the bill.