Closer Look

Nearly four years ago, provincial regulators started asking for public feedback on an interesting question: Should Ontario allow human composting? Although it’s legal in a handful of U.S. states, no Canadian jurisdiction has given the green light to this greener alternative to burial and cremation. Could Ontario be the first? To better understand how human composting works — and why it’s slowly gaining popularity — Frisco and Scott spend some time talking to Morgan Yarborough of Seattle-based Recompose, the first funeral parlour in America to allow it. Spoiler alert: a typical composted body from her facility fills the back of a pickup truck. Also on this week’s episode: A huge congratulations to The Trillium, and a big welcome to Oakville News!

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More and more companies are adopting a four-day work week to help reduce employee burnout and increase productivity — and the idea appears to be working. A new report from the non-profit think tank Infinite Potential found that only nine per cent of employees report feeling burned out at organizations that have implemented a reduced schedule at the same pay, compared to 41 per cent at workplaces with a standard 40-hour week. Joining Frisco and Scott to talk work-life balance is Joe O’Connor, CEO of the Toronto-based Work Time Reduction Center of Excellence. Also on the podcast: Is it time to allow composting of dead bodies?

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The numbers are staggering. In Ontario alone, more than 50 vehicles are stolen every single day. For governments of all levels, combating the problem has become a top priority. Premier Doug Ford recently warned car thieves everywhere that “we’re coming after you,” and this week, the Trudeau government pledged $15-million to fight the growing problem across the country. Joining us this week to explain the gravity of the crisis — and why it’s gotten so much worse in recent years — is Bryan Gast, a former OPP officer and now vice-president of investigative services at Équité Association. Gast also offers some handy tips on how car owners can better protect their wheels from wily thieves. Also on the show: A trip down memory lane with some of Village Media’s most memorable Random Acts of Kindness.

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When it comes to fighting homelessness, no idea is a bad idea. But this one is pretty good: building affordable housing — “on stilts” — over city-owned parking lots. Simply put, a municipality can lease a lot to a developer but still keep the parking spaces. Cambridge councillor Scott Hamilton put forward the novel concept at a recent meeting, and although it was voted down by a 5-4 margin, the idea has spread to other municipalities in Ontario. Hamilton joins Scott and Frisco to talk about his idea, along with Brian Doucet, an associate professor of planning at the University of Waterloo. Also on the podcast: A war of words between two Ontario college presidents — triggered by comments made on last week’s episode of Inside the Village. You may want to plug your ears.

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This week on Inside the Village, we dedicate another episode to a controversial subject that continues to generate plenty of headlines: international students. The federal government is determined to slash the number of student visas handed out every year — including by up to 50 per cent in Ontario. But for many cash-strapped colleges, the cap itself isn’t the worst news. Here to explain the devil in the details is David Orazietti, the president of Sault College — and a former Ontario cabinet minister under Kathleen Wynne. Spoiler alert: Orazietti is digging in for a long fight with the feds. Also on the podcast: Welcome FlamboroughToday! Village Media’s latest local news launch was a huge success (with no unforeseen circumcisions).

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On this week's episode of Inside the Village, Frisco and Scott sit down for an in-depth conversation with former NHL coach of the year, Memorial Cup Champion — and now author — Ted Nolan. His new book, Life in Two Worlds: A Coach’s Journey from the Reserve to the NHL and Back, is a brutally honest recollection of his life at the highest levels of our national game, and the racism he endured at points along the way. At a time when the country is grappling with the concept of truth and reconciliation, Nolan’s book is a must-read — and this interview is a must-listen. Also on the podcast: Village Media is expanding yet again, this time to Flamborough. The new site goes live Feb. 6!

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Michael Friscolanti and Scott Sexsmith are back for another episode of Inside the Village. The feds have announced they are putting a temporary cap on the number of international students being granted visas. This move will result in colleges and universities losing millions in revenue. How did we get here and how will that lost money be made up? Dr. Mike Moffatt from the University of Western Ontario joins us to fill in the blanks. Also, big layoffs at Algoma Steel, speed cameras and the ‘lead of the week’ from one of our newest reporters.

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It’s the kick off to season three of Inside the Village with Michael Friscolanti and Scott Sexsmith. With winter late out of the gate this year it has dramatically impacted outdoor sports and recreational activities, particularly snowmobiling. Lisa Stackhouse from OFSC stops by for some trail talk and also some tips as we celebrate Snowmobile Safety week in Ontario. Also on the show a new site launch is in the very near future and political junkies take note, Trillium Talk is here!

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Welcome back to Inside the Village - and Part 2 of our Year in Review. This week we take a look at the lighter side of the news from Hockey Night in Canada’s Ron MacLean to Gurdeep Pandher, the Bangra dancer from the Yukon who spread joy, hope and positivity around the world during the pandemic, to the 18 year old lottery winner from Sault Ste. Marie who gave us 48 million reasons to love her story. Join us for the last show of the season and be sure to check out the premiere of season 3 on January 10, 2024.

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Welcome back to Inside the Village, a one-of-a-kind podcast where all news is local - and no topic is off-limits. In the latest episode, Frisco and Scott take a stroll down memory lane in Part 1 of our year end show. Looking back, we covered a lot of ground in 2023. From the birth of the Trillium to the passing of Gordon Lightfoot, the economy and inflation to one of the greatest tragedies of the year and of course Bill C-18. 

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