Closer Look

Canada’s Wonderland rode a roller coaster of headlines this week when it announced a new chaperone policy for kids.

After 4 p.m., all children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult in order to stay at the iconic park. Any guests 15 or younger found inside Wonderland without a chaperone during those hours will be “immediately subject to removal.”

Canada’s Wonderland insists the new policy wasn’t triggered by a specific incident, but rather in response to "unruly" behaviour reported at other theme parks.

Joining us on tonight’s Closer Look podcast to talk more about the policy — and the public reaction — is Grace Peacock, director of public relations at Canada's Wonderland.

Reach out to Frisco and Scott

In Ontario, the number of people over the age of 80 is set to soar — and advocates say we're not doing enough to prepare for the demographic shift.

We are definitely not alone. Countries around the world are grappling to prepare for the inevitable rise in elderly populations. 

Could AI dolls help combat loneliness among seniors? Are robots the answer, a hi-tech way to help elderly people perform basic tasks? Those options — and many more — are on the table.

On tonight's episode of Village Media's Closer Look podcast, we revisit our recent interview with Laura Tamblyn Watts, the CEO of CanAge, a national, non-partisan organization that works to improve the lives of older adults through advocacy, policy and community engagement.

Reach out to Frisco and Scott

For 44 years, Joe Bowen’s signature voice has been the soundtrack of Leafs Nation. But this season will be his last behind the mic — and with the Toronto Maple Leafs officially out of playoff contention, Bowen’s legendary career is down to its final few periods.

His last game on the airwaves will be April 15.

On tonight’s episode of Village Media’s Closer Look podcast, we revisit our recent interview with the voice of the Leafs — and the pride of Sudbury — who has received plenty of love from fans throughout the season.

“It’s been overwhelming, it really has,” Bowen told the podcast. “I've gotten letters, I've gotten texts, emails…It breaks your heart sometimes, but it warms your heart so many times, all of the great stories that everybody has.”

Reach out to Frisco and Scott

Our guest on tonight’s Closer Look is Ian Howcroft of Skills Ontario, an organization that empowers youth to explore careers in skilled trades and technologies.

Reach out to Frisco and Scott

Ontario's minimum wage is set for another bump later this year, rising 35 cents to $17.95 an hour.

But is that a living wage? Not even close.

On tonight’s episode of Village Media’s Closer Look podcast, we dig deeper into the numbers with Craig Pickthorne of the Ontario Living Wage Network.

Reach out to Frisco and Scott

Six months ago, we told you about the latest list of Canada's 25 most-wanted fugitives.

The hi-tech mugshots are released annually by Canada’s Bolo program — “Be on the Lookout” — which is dedicated to helping police forces track down notorious murderers, drug traffickers and gang members.

In the last month alone, three of those high-profile fugitives have been located and arrested — including the number one person on the list: accused murderer Bryan Fuentes Gramajo.

On tonight’s episode of Village Media's Closer Look podcast, we revisit our eyeopening interview with Max Langlois, executive director of the Bolo program.

You can find all the mugshots HERE.

Reach out to Frisco and Scott

Joining us on tonight’s Closer Look podcast is Aidan Chamandy, a reporter at TorontoToday who covered Monday's announcement by Prime Minister Mark Carney, Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow.

Reach out to Frisco and Scott

Six years ago, the Trudeau government made the decision to ban more than 2,000 makes and models of assault-style firearms, including the notorious AR-15.

The legislative change raised the obvious question: If a person purchased one of those guns back when they were legal, what now?

The answer took a long time to materialize, but the promised federal buyback program is now live. In fact, tomorrow — March 31 — is the deadline for gun owners to declare those firearms and qualify for compensation.

As the deadline approaches, we revisit our recent Closer Look podcast interview with Noah Schwartz, a professor of political science at the University of the Fraser Valley, and author of the book Targeted: Citizenship, Advocacy and Gun Control in Canada.

You can watch the full interview HERE.

Reach out to Frisco and Scott

The Ford government unveiled its latest provincial budget on Thursday — a record $244-billion fiscal roadmap (with a projected deficit of $13.8-billion).

Joining us on tonight’s Closer Look podcast to break down all the numbers is Jessica Smith Cross, editor-in-chief of our Queen’s Park team at The Trillium.

Reach out to Frisco and Scott

The Toronto Blue Jays came oh so close to capturing a World Series title last season — uniting fans from coast to coast in the process.

Can they finish the job this year? Does the latest version of the Jays have what it takes to go on another magical run? The journey begins Friday with an Opening Day match-up against the Oakland Athletics.

Our guest on tonight’s episode of Village Media’s Closer Look podcast is a person who knows this team as well as anyone: Dan Shulman, the Sportsnet broadcaster who calls every pitch.

Play ball!

Reach out to Frisco and Scott