We are taking a couple weeks off for the holidays. We hope to see you in the new year.

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For many many Canadians who grew up in cities, the connection with agriculture and rural life is merely what they drive past on the highway, or produce bought from the store. 

But for others, it’s a story of their family history. 

In part two of our look at the series Abandoned Saskatchewan Dave talks to Saskatoon Star-Phoenix sports editor Kevin Mitchell about growing up on his family farm, his return to the abandoned property, and what the decline of rural Saskatchewan means to him. 

BACKGROUND READING: This old house: Visiting my abandoned home on the Saskatchewan prairie

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To many Saskatchewan is still seen as Canada’s breadbasket. A land of farms and flat stretches of road.

But as Regina and Saskatchewan grow into thriving cities, there has been a decline in the rural heartland.

In the first of two episodes highlighting the series Abandoned Saskatchewan, Dave is joined by Saskatoon Star Phoenix reporter Phil Tank about when the decline started, what’s driving it, and what the potential implications are for the province.

In our next episode we’ll talk with Star Phoenix Sports Editor Kevin Mitchell, who took a journey back to his family’s farm.

BACKGROUND READING: 'Change is necessary;' Saskatchewan's long-standing rural-to-urban shift poses challenges

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The opioid crisis was already ravaging B.C., and then covid-19 showed up.

This has meant a disruption to drug supplies, more overdoses, and in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside an increase in crime and social disorder.

Vancouver Sun columnist Daphne Bramham joins Dave to talk about how COVID-19 crisis has made things worse in the Downtown Eastside, what’s driving an increase in overdose deaths in B.C. and what solutions are being looked at to deal with the opioid epidemic.

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Canada is on its way to having some form of national childcare program.

In its recent fall economic update, the Trudeau government announced it was looking at more than $400 million dollars for the provinces to train qualified staff as preview of more money coming in next year’s budget.

But is a plan to create more child care spaces the right move?

Postmedia columnist Tasha Kheiriddin joins Dave to talk about what the feds are proposing, why it may not meet the needs of kids, and why the government should pursue offering parents more flexibility instead.

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Early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, Alberta was among the provinces that seemed ready to face the challenge head on, and in many ways, that’s what happened at first.

But, as summer turned to fall, Alberta followed many provinces, and countries with mounting case counts in the pandemic’s second wave. And cries have grown louder for the government to do more.

The National Post’s Alberta reporter Tyler Dawson joins Dave to talk about when things started to turn for Alberta, how the government is trying to get a handle on things, and why that may not be enough.

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With three major pharmaceutical companies showing success with COVID-19 vaccines in phase 3 trials, a lot of people are getting their hopes up about the beginning of the end of the pandemic.

But while other countries could see rollouts in the coming weeks, it could be months before Canadians get their turn.

Parliamentary Bureau Chief and National post columnist John Ivison joins Dave to talk about why Canada has to wait, whether the government can do anything to speed that up, and why it could become a political vulnerability for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

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A lawsuit out of Montreal has revealed unorthodox procedures for dealing with sexual assault allegations on campus.

A student at Montreal’s McGill University has filed a lawsuit alleging he was forced to defend allegations of sexual assault which weren’t detailed to him and from an accuser who remained anonymous.

Dave is joined by Montreal Gazette crime reporter Paul Cherry to talk about how this case was handled by a student society panel, the public actions taken against the student and how the process was overturned on appeal.

Background reading: McGill University student sues school, newspaper, associations and accuser

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With COVID-19 cases on the rise in Canada, the lingering question that’s on a lot of peoples minds is “When the heck are we gonna get a vaccine for this thing?”

Well, some promising signs on this front as a pair of pharmaceutical companies say they have vaccines almost ready to go.

Dave is joined by National Post health reporter Sharon Kirkey to talk about why cases are on the rise in Canada, the promise shown by these vaccine developments, and the challenge of getting them distributed once they’re approved.

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Erin O’Toole could well be Canada’s next prime minister. He just needs to do something that has happened just once in the last 30 years, win a Conservative majority.

And to do that, he’s looking for voters you don’t typically see right-wing parties courting. Union members.

Dave is joined by National Post politics reporter Brian Platt to talk about why O’Toole is looking at this voter base as a way to grow support, what the pitch he’s making is, and whether this could actually pave the way to a Conservative win.

Background reading: Why Erin O'Toole is gambling on building a new, union-friendly Conservative voting coalition

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