10/3: Canada Covered

The premiers and the prime minister met in Ottawa to hammer out a new funding agreement that many hope will address some real pressure points in our health-care system.

Ultimately, the deal amounts to about $200 billion, but will that be enough to address the strain on hospitals, or get Canadians better access to doctors?

National Post political reporter Ryan Tumilty joins the show to discuss the details of the deal, how the premiers have reacted, and whether the provinces will ultimately accept it.

Background reading: Trudeau offers premiers $46.1 billion in new money over next decade for health care

Early signs premiers will accept Trudeau's 'disappointing' health-care offer

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Recent violence on Toronto transit has sparked fears among riders and pushed police and city officials to act to address the problem.

But some are wondering whether the measures will actually improve safety or deal with underlying issues.

National Post reporter Adrian Humphreys joins the show to discuss how severe the violence has been, whether riders feel the measures taken are enough, and if it’s an indication that Toronto is facing a spike in violent crime.

Background reading - 'Toronto turning into Gotham city': Random violence pushing Toronto to tipping point

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The notion of the Trudeau government’s Just Transition legislation has created fears in Alberta that the feds are coming for oil jobs.

This, in turn, has sparked outrage from politicians on the left and the right, with Premier Danielle Smith leading the charge against legislation, which has yet to be unveiled.

National Post reporter, and producer of this podcast, Tyler Dawson joins the show to discuss the political outrage over Just Transition in Alberta, why Danielle Smith has taken a slightly less combative tone with the prime minister, and how the issue could factor into the upcoming Alberta election.

Background reading: Alberta Premier Smith calls for meeting with Trudeau over Just Transition

Rob Breakenridge: Trudeau would be well-advised to accept Smith's invitation, bluff or not

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It was an international hit that potentially brought Canada’s gang wars to tourist hotspots in Thailand.

The violence left one man dead, and sparked an international manhunt for at least two suspects.

Vancouver Sun crime reporter Kim Bolan joins the show to discuss the victim’s links to Canada’s criminal underworld, what we know about the suspects, and what this assassination says about B.C.’s ongoing gang war.

Background reading - A murder in Phuket: B.C. gang conflict moves overseas

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For most Canadians, we think nothing of the ability to wake up and open social media apps on our phones, log onto our laptops for work, or tune into high-definition streaming on our TVs.

But in Canada, that is not the reality for many people. 

For people living in remote areas, or living on low incomes, the simple act of accessing the internet is either too slow, too expensive, or not available. 

Jessica Mundie, the 2022 recipient Michelle Lang Fellowship in Journalism, joins the show to discuss why it’s so hard for some Canadians to access the internet, who is most affected and what the federal government is doing to try to remedy the problem

Background reading: Inaccessible, unreliable, unaffordable: The struggle to get internet in rural Canada

Read the whole Left Behind series here.

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The federal government is expected this year to unveil the much talked about “Just Transition” legislation.

The concept has been the subject of much controversy in recent weeks, with Alberta and its oil industry expected to be greatly affected by the plan

But what does it entail?

Calgary Herald business columnist Chris Varcoe joins the show to discuss what Just Transition is, how many jobs it could affect, and what industry has to say about it.

Background reading: Ottawa's 'just transition' rhetoric adds to oilpatch labour crunch

As Alberta oil output hits record heights, Smith warns federal emissions cap will shut-in production

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Canada has allowed medical assistance in dying for more than five years now, but the issue has remained charged as the law continues to change.

An increase in requests for the practice means providers are stretched thin, and there is an ongoing debate around expanding MAID to include mental illnesses.

National Post Health Reporter Sharon Kirkey joins the show to discuss why there is a growing backlog of MAID patients, the debate over expanding the practice and why controversy over whether doctors should be bringing it up before patients do.

Background reading: Canada's expanding MAID program leading to a crisis in supply of 'willing' doctors

Canadian doctors encouraged to bring up medically assisted death before their patients do

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The world of online dating and dating apps have opened up a potentially vast network of possible matches.

But as technology changes, and expectations for what makes a good partner change, the dating landscape can be even trickier to navigate.

National Post reporter, and producer of this podcast, Tyler Dawson joins the show to discuss how the language of dating has changed, what challenges single Canadians face, and why it leads to some people feeling lonelier than before.

Background reading: What's your attachment style? How the language of dating — and screening — has changed

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Brenda Lucki’s time as commissioner of the RCMP has been eventful, to say the least.

She entered the post four years ago as the RCMP was confronting issues of workplace harassment, the treatment of Indigenous peoples, racism, and a need for internal reform, but things really came to a head in 2022.

National post reporter Adrian Humphreys joins the show to discuss Lucki’s high-profile testimony at two public inquiries, apologies and calls for her resignation, and whether she could see her contract renewed in 2023.

Background reading: 'A wounded leader': Inside RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki's terrible year

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When it comes to the public service, how do women fare compared to men, especially in higher-ranking positions? Is headway being made when it comes to breaking the glass ceiling?

New analysis out of B.C. shows that there’s still a way to go.

Lori Culbert and Nathan Griffiths from the Vancouver Sun join the show to discuss their detailed analysis of 125,000 public servants’ salaries, how women stack up against men, especially in senior positions, and what some feel the solution needs to be.

Background reading: List of B.C.'s 100 highest-paid public servants reveals it's still a rich man's world

Most teachers are women, most school bosses are men

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