It's time for Tech Talk with Adam Oldfield!

Topics include: Artificial Intelligence, smart technology, the metaverse and more!

The Bill Kelly Show Podcast w/ Guest Host Shiona Thompson:

Ottawa is bracing for the arrival of another convoy of protesters this weekend, just four months after the so-called “Freedom Convoy” began a weeks-long blockade of the capital’s downtown core.

The “Rolling Thunder Ottawa” event will see hundreds of bikers and other demonstrators march through downtown streets and stage several rallies on Parliament Hill starting Friday evening.

GUEST: Justin Ling, Freelance Investigative Journalist

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Health Canada has given Canadian Blood Services the green light to lift specific restrictions on blood donations from men who have sex with men.

The federal regulator said in a news release Thursday it has now authorized a request from Canadian Blood Services to lift the restrictions around screening questions for men who have sex with men that banned them from donating blood for three months.

The move officially greenlights a policy change by the blood service that officials said is expected by Sept. 30, 2022.

Guest: Nathan Lachowsky, Research Director at CBRC and PhD Associate Professor, School of Public Health & Social Policy, Faculty of Human & Social Development, University of Victoria

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We didn’t really need the census to tell us that a rapidly aging workforce is a challenge.

The 2021 survey of Canada’s population released Wednesday shows us in stark terms that never before has our workforce been so old, and that dynamic is picking up steam.

Statistics Canada says 22 per cent of us are between the ages of 55 and 64, on the cusp of retirement — the highest proportion ever. For every 100 people in that age group, there were just 81 people aged 15 to 24, gearing up to take their places in the workforce.

With the slow train of aging coming at us, a solid combination of incentives, flexibility, technology and workplace culture could be a persuasive formula to offset the pressure.

Read the full article HERE.

GUEST: Leah Nord, Senior Director of Workforce Strategies and Inclusive Growth for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce

Mayor's Town Hall with Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger 

Topic include: Red Hill Valley Parkway inquiry, road safety, split vote by council NOT to end the vaccine mandate which could mean 500 staff will be let go, and more. 

GUEST: Mayor Fred Eisenberger

With the coming provincial budget and election, politicians and advocacy groups are outlining their respective priorities.

It’s an election — there will be mudslinging, gimmicky promises, and sometimes lofty or untested policy concepts without a price tag. So, what do businesses want?

It’s simple: Predictability. Rocco Rossi joins us to explain.

GUEST: Rocco Rossi, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce

The Bill Kelly Show Podcast w/ Guest Host Shiona Thompson:

As the COVID-19 pandemic response slows, health units are now shifting focus to the School Immunization Catch-Up Program for students.

Typically, vaccinations are offered in school, but there was little opportunity to do so in the past two years.

The health unit says roughly half of the region's student population are behind on Hep B, HPV and meningococcal vaccines.

GUEST:  Dr. Timothy Sly, Epidemiologist and Professor Emeritus with the School of Population and Public Health at Toronto Metropolitan University

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Ordering at your local Freshii may look a little different next time you stop in at the healthy fast-food alternative. The Toronto-based company has launched “Percy” a virtual cashier who takes your order and payment. 

The virtual cashier is a SaaS technology platform which the company says is aimed at helping the restaurant industry grapple with its biggest crisis ​ever – staffing shortages. But some of those employees hired virtually appear to be working from Central America and the move is being criticized by labour groups.

GUEST:  Bruce Winder, Retail Analyst & Author

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Ontario's Green Party is promising to tackle housing affordability by implementing a 20 per cent tax on domestic buyers who own multiple properties as part of its provincial election platform. 

GUEST: Mike Schreiner, Leader of the Ontario Green Party and MPP for Guelph