Sat, Mar 12, 2022
Our question this week: What conversations are you having about the war in Ukraine? Investigative journalist Tanya Kozyreva shares what she is seeing in the coastal city of Odessa, Ukraine; Maria Popova, associate professor of political science at McGill University, answers questions about the current state of the conflict; and Chad Martz, director of operations for Hungry for Life International, discusses how Canadians can support Ukrainians.
Sat, Mar 26, 2022
A confidence-and-supply agreement between the Liberal and NDP parties, announced Tuesday, could keep Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in power until 2025 and deliver national dental and pharmacare programs. Our question this week: Is the Liberal-NDP deal a bad idea? How important is dental and pharmacare to you? Guest host Peter Armstrong and our political panel of Jason Lietaer, Susan Smith and Kiavash Najafi discuss their reaction and analysis of the deal. Colleen Anderson offers real life experience with the challenges of getting dental coverage. Sahir Khan discusses the political impacts, as well as the potential economics behind the deal. And dental care public health specialist, Dr. Carlos Quinonez, discusses what dental care could look like in Canada. Plus, Ask Me Anything on COVID-19 with Dr. Peter Juni, the scientific director of the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table.
Sat, Apr 9, 2022
The federal government announced an $8 billion increase in military spending in the 2022 federal budget. Our question this week: Is Canada spending too much or too little on defence? Is Canada a country of peacekeepers or fighters?
Sat, Apr 16, 2022
People are gathering for Easter, the Passover and Ramadan across the country, meanwhile Canada is facing a sixth wave of COVID-19. But public health restrictions have eased, and there are no mask mandates in most provinces. Our question: Is it a normal holiday weekend? Is it safe to gather again?
Sat, Apr 23, 2022
It's been a confusing two years of the pandemic for Canadians. From viral COVID-19 conspiracy theories and misinformation circulating online, to mixed messaging from politicians and public health officials about vaccines and masks. Plus, Ask Me Anything with Canadian Jeopardy. champion Mattea Roach, who now has one of the longest winning streaks in the show's history.
Sat, May 7, 2022
May 8, 2022: As interest rates rise in Canada, the housing market is beginning to cool. But for many, the idea of owning a home or renting their own apartment still feels out of reach. Our question this week: How do we fix the housing market in Canada? Craig Dykeman shares his experience trying to buy a home in rural New Brunswick; Brian Doucet, Canada Research Chair in Urban Change and Social Inclusion and associate professor at University of Waterloo, on the Canadian housing market; and Eric Burnet shares why he and his partner moved from Hamilton to Sydney, N.S. Plus, Mattea Roach answers questions from Checkup callers about her 23-game Jeopardy. streak.
Sat, May 14, 2022
The Bank of Canada is calling it a "perfect storm." As gas and grocery prices jump, inflation has hit a 31-year high. For many Canadians, that means making tough decisions as life becomes more expensive. Our question this week: Are rising prices forcing you to make hard choices? How can we beat the high cost of living? Plus, Ask Me Anything with the Kids in the Hall stars Bruce McCulloch and Kevin McDonald.
Sat, May 21, 2022
Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, have wrapped up their royal visit to Canada. They were met with crowds of fans but also calls from Indigenous leaders for an apology over the monarchy's role in Canada's residential school system. Our question this week: Is the monarchy still relevant in Canada? If you met Prince Charles, what would you say to him?
Sat, May 28, 2022
Sally Zhou, a University of British Columbia student and president of the campus group UBC Conservatives, shares why she believes Pierre Polievre should be the party's next leader; Former Conservative MPs Lisa Raitt and Peter McKay weigh in on the leadership race thus far; and Zain Velji, a partner at the marketing and communications firm Northweather, and Ken Boessenkool, a fellow at the C.D. Howe Institute, on the leadership candidates's campaign strategies. Plus, fashion journalist Jeanne Beker answers Checkup callers questions in our Ask Me Anything.
Sat, Jun 4, 2022
Possessing small amounts of illicit drugs - including opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA - will be legal in B.C. beginning next year. Under an exemption to the federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, people will be able to hold up to 2.5 grams. Drug users and advocates say the exemption doesn't go far enough to curb an overdose epidemic in the country. Others have been critical of the plan, including Alberta Premier Jason Kenney who said in a statement on Tuesday that his government would be "monitoring the situation very closely." Our question this week: Should small amounts of drugs such as opioids or cocaine be decriminalized? How does the overdose problem in Canada affect you? Adrienne Rosen, whose daughter died of a drug overdose in 2018, on why she welcomes decriminalization of hard drugs; Gillian Kolla, a post-doctoral research fellow at the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research at the University of Victoria, discusses what more needs to be done; Fiona Wilson, deputy chief of the Vancouver Police Department, on how police are preparing for the policy shift; and Carolyn Bennett, minister of mental health and addictions, discusses the government's decision to decriminalize hard drugs in B.C. Plus, Ask Me Anything with investigative journalist and author Declan Hill on the legalization of single-game sports betting.
Sat, Jun 11, 2022
Cities in some parts of Canada have launched pilot programs that allow people to legally drink alcohol in public parks. But critics of the idea argue legalizing public consumption of alcohol will lead to irresponsible, and potentially unsafe, behaviour. Our question this week: Should it be legal to drink in public parks? Good or bad, what experiences have you had? Why does it matter to you? Gian-Carlo Carra, Calgary city councillor for Ward 9, explains why his city has expanded an alcohol in parks pilot program that began last year and Stephen Holyday, councillor for Toronto's Ward 2, discusses concerns about the idea from residents in that city; Sarah Hillier, a dog walker in St. John's, offers a perspective from someone who visits parks daily; and Dan Malleck, a medical historian and health studies professor at Brock University, shares the history of prohibition in Canada. Plus, Dr. Zain Chagla, infectious diseases physician at St. Joseph's Healthcare in Hamilton, answers questions from Checkup callers about monkeypox in our Ask Me Anything.
Sat, Jul 9, 2022
Our question this week: How has your life been upended by the Rogers outage? What needs to change about telecom companies in Canada?
Sat, Aug 6, 2022
Millions of Canadians are struggling this summer as the price of just about everything rises. Our question this week: How has inflation changed your plans? What can you no longer afford to do?
Sat, Aug 13, 2022
Ask Me Anything: Negotiating a raise, Career coach Sarah Vermunt answers listener questions about negotiating with bosses and asking for a raise.
Sat, Oct 8, 2022
Our question this week: Is the minimum wage enough to make ends meet where you live? What does it mean for your budget or your business?
Sat, Oct 15, 2022
Hockey Canada's CEO and board resigned this week after a secret fund to deal with sexual assault allegations came to light. The news came as political and corporate pressure ramped up over the organization's handling of the situation. What needs to change in locker-rooms across Canada?
Sat, Oct 22, 2022
As Canada's inflation rate continues to slow, the same cannot be said for food prices. Groceries bought at stores are increasing at a pace of 11.4 per cent. And as some economists predict, there's reason to believe food prices could continue to climb because of currency and seasonal reasons. University of Waterloo International Relations assistant professor Alexander Lanoszka joined us on the show. He answered questions on the war in Ukraine, including the political fallout from the events of this week.
Sat, Oct 29, 2022
Dr. Fatima Kakkar joins us for this week's Ask Me Anything segment. She's an infectious diseases pediatrician who answers questions about COVID-19, the flu and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus).
Sat, Nov 5, 2022
This week's segment is with Michael Kempa on the inquiry into the federal government's use of the Emergencies Act. The University of Ottawa associate professor of criminology answers your questions.
Sat, Nov 12, 2022
This week's Ask Me Anything is with comedian Ali Hassan. Hassan is a CBC host and author of the new memoir Is There Bacon in Heaven?. He'll be available to answer your question.
Sat, Nov 19, 2022
A swell of COVID-19, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has Canada's hospital system overloaded with patients, specifically young people. What should be done about it? This week's segment is on former U.S. President Donald Trump announcing his plans to run again in the 2024 election. Political commentator David Frum answers your questions.
Sat, Nov 26, 2022
This week's segment is on the Emergencies Act inquiry, specifically Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's testimony. Michael Kempa answers your questions. He's an associate professor of criminology at the University of Ottawa.
Sat, Mar 11, 2023
This week's Ask Me Anything segment focuses on weight loss facts and myths with dietitian Chinwe Asagwara. From Ozempic to fasting, what would you like to know?
Sat, Mar 18, 2023
A string of highly publicized assaults has raised concern around public safety across Canada, causing municipalities to look for solutions. Toronto's police department temporarily increased its police presence on public transit after a series of assaults. And the city of Edmonton has seen eight violent deaths over just 12 days in March. Our question this week: when it comes to public safety, has anything changed where you live?
Sat, Mar 25, 2023
This week's Ask Me Anything segment focused on cyber and phone scams. Digital and cybersecurity specialist Ritesh Kotak answered your questions.
Sat, Apr 8, 2023
Easter, Passover and Ramadan overlap this weekend. For many, that means family gatherings, prayer and reflection, but this is also a time where more Canadians than ever say they have no religious affiliation, according to census data. This week's Ask Me Anything segment focused on grocery prices. David Macdonald from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives took your questions.
Sat, Apr 15, 2023
Talks are ongoing between the federal government and the Public Service Alliance of Canada, but some 100,000 public sector workers could legally walk off the job between now and June 10, creating service disruptions across a variety of federal government departments. This week's Ask Me Anything segment focused on asking your boss for a raise. Career coach Sara Vermut took your questions.
Sat, Apr 22, 2023
Juggling debt payments while major household costs like groceries remain high is a recipe for stress and can be a tough topic to bring up between families and couples. Our Ask Me Anything guest David Gerhard, head of computer science at the University of Manitoba, took your questions.
Sat, Jul 29, 2023
The Barbie movie is a blockbuster, but sold-out theatres and pink Barbiecore fashion flying off shelves have also stirred up debate about the doll's contested legacy. This week's segment looks at what you can do to adapt your home to the realities of climate change. Blair Feltmate, head of the Intact Centre on climate adaptation at the University of Waterloo, took your questions.
Sat, Oct 21, 2023
Five years after the legalization of cannabis in Canada, public health experts are starting to see trends in the data. Have you noticed an impact on your family or your community?
Sun, Oct 29, 2023
Canadians are using food banks in the highest numbers since Food Banks Canada started tracking statistics in 1989, according to its new report. How close are you to not being able to afford groceries?
Sat, Mar 23, 2024
Kids share a lot on social media, but are there limits on what parents should share? What motivates you to post about your children online and, where do you draw the line between your kids' public and private life? In the second half of the show: the Princess of Wales revealed she's dealing with cancer and is asking for privacy. What was your experience sharing your cancer diagnosis? What helped you and your family cope?