COVID-19 has had profound implications for international trade. The pandemic led to a marked decline in the demand for traded goods, largely due to unemployment and decreased travel. Supply chains have been disrupted, various means of trade (including by air) have been hit hard, and some governments have responded with protectionist measures. From January to November 2020, total Canadian goods trade (exports + imports) was almost 12 per cent lower than during the same period in 2019.

GUEST: Eugene Beaulieu, Professor in the Department of Economics with the University of Calgary

A new first-of-its-kind study has questioned whether pub operators can effectively and consistently prevent COVID-19 transmission - after researchers observed risks arising in licensed premises last summer.

Led by the University of Stirling, the research was conducted in May to August last year in a wide range of licensed premises which re-opened after a nationwide lockdown and were operating under detailed guidance from the government intended to reduce transmission risks.

GUEST: Niamh Fitzgerald, Director of the University of Stirling's Institute for Social Marketing and Health

IPSOS polling exclusively for global news shows a minority of Canadians – just 46 per cent – believe public education does a good job of teaching Black history in schools… and of those 55 and older – 61 per cent say they believe the level of education is inadequate. 

In the first week of Black History Month, the Black Lives Matter movement was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize…  a full two-thirds of Canadians support the nomination… while 6 in 10 believe the movement should win the award. 

Those numbers carry over to how Canadians believe Black people are treated by police – 66 per cent believe Black people are treated less fairly by Canadian police than white people . More than half of those surveyed - 54 percent - believe there is systemic racism in the Canadian economy, government and educational system. 

But despite those numbers… only 29 per cent of Canadians perceive racism to be a barrier to corporate success. 

GUEST: Shanze Khan, Ipsos Public Affairs

The Bill Kelly Show Podcast:

As Hamilton moves into the second phase of COVID-19 vaccinations, the city revealed that seniors 80 years and older in retirement homes and other congregate settings are likely next in line for the shot when shipments arrive.

Also: Hamilton gets its first confirmed case of the U.K variant.

GUEST: Paul Johnson, Director of Emergency Centre, City of Hamilton

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The medical officers of health for Toronto and Peel Region have written a letter to the province requesting that their respective municipalities remain in shutdown until at least March 9.

Toronto medical officer of health Dr. Eileen de Villa said COVID-19 variants pose a serious risk and as such, restrictions should not be loosened for the time being.

GUEST: Dave Woodard, Reporter for 640 Toronto

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Eroding trust in scientists, CEOs and journalists could hamper the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine in Canada, according to a new survey that links vaccine hesitancy with poor “information hygiene.”

The survey released Wednesday by communications firm Edelman found that trust in scientists was down six points compared with last year’s survey, while trust in academic experts declined 16 points, CEOs fell five points and journalists edged down four points.

GUEST: Lisa Kimmel, Chair & CEO of Edelman Canada

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Rush Limbaugh, the monumentally influential media icon who transformed talk radio and politics in his decades behind the microphone, helping shape the modern-day Republican Party, died Wednesday morning at the age of 70 after a battle with lung cancer, his family announced.

GUEST: Rob Goodman, Professor, Department of Politics and Public Administration with Ryerson University