Fight Back with Libby Znaimer

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: ROAD SAFETY AND BICYCLE LANES 

Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Karen Stintz, a Conservative Party of Canada Candidate for Eglinton-Lawrence, a former Toronto City Councillor, Councillor James Pasternak of Ward 6 York Centre and Councillor Stephen Holyday of  Ward 2 Etobicoke Centre.

Today: a discussion about road safety and bicycle lanes in Toronto, and the Ontario NDP enlist former Toronto Mayor David Miller as a "special advisor" to their leader Marit Stiles "on crafting a New Deal for municipalities" according to the Ontario NDP press release.

THE UPCOMING PAUL BERNARDO PAROLE HEARING

Jane Brown is joined by Ari Goldkind, a criminal defence lawyer based in Toronto.

Paul Bernardo has a parole hearing coming up on November 26th. We found out late last night, the Parole Board of Canada is working with the families of Kristen French and Lesley Mahaffey to appear in person at Paul Bernardo’s next parole hearing on Tuesday after earlier saying they could not do so related to security concerns.

REACTION TO PM JUSTIN TRUDEAU ANNOUNCEMENT ON TEMPORARY HST + GST RELIEF

Jane Brown is joined by Muhammad Ali, Liberal Strategist and a Vice President with Crestview Strategy in Ottawa and Tom Parkin, Publisher of the "Data Shows" newsletter.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced today that his government plans to temporarily lift the federal sales tax off a number of items just in time for Christmas and send 250 dollar cheques to some 18 million Canadians in the spring. The proposed affordability measures come ahead of the government's fall economic statement.

THE MEDICAL RECORD:  A MEASLES OUTBREAK & CATARACT PROCEDURES

Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and former head of BC Cancer, Dr. Iris Gorfinkel, a family doctor based in Toronto and Dr. Fahad Razak, Canada Research Chair in Data Informed Healthcare Improvement at the University of Toronto and a general internist at a Toronto hospital.

We discuss a measles virus outbreak in New Brunswick, get reaction to Donald Trump nominating RFK Jr. to head the U.S. government Department of Health and Human Services and what to consider if you are undergoing a cataract procedure.

IT'S WORLD COPD DAY

Libby Znaimer is joined by Henry Roberts, Director and a co-founder of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Canada.

Today marks World COPD Day. COPD is a progressive lung disease with symptoms like shortness of breath and chest tightness to name just a few. It affects about 1.5 million Canadians and possibly about a million more who are undiagnosed. Henry is here to raise awareness and answers listeners' questions.

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: WHAT'S THE LATEST REGARDING CANADA POST STRIKE? 

Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal Health Minister and Deputy Premier, Lisa Raitt, a former Deputy Leader of Conservative Party of Canada and Robin Sears, Crisis Communications Consultant and former NDP Strategist.

This week: Canadian MPs have come together to condemn an alleged Iranian assassination plot against human rights leader and former justice minister Irwin Cotler which was foiled by police. And, what's the latest on the Canada Post strike?

BEST CREDIT CARD OPTIONS FOR CANADIANS TRAVELLING SOUTH OF THE BORDER?

Libby Znaimer is now joined by Patrick Sojka, Founder of RewardsCanada.ca

In this segment, we discuss some of the best credit card options out there currently for Snowbirds travelling stateside. 

WHEN CARE FALLS THROUGH THE CRACKS AT MUNICIPAL LTC HOMES

Libby Znaimer is joined by Jane Meadus, staff lawyer and the Institutional Advocate at the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly (ACE) and Dr. Doris Grinspun, Chief Executive Officer of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO).

A conversation about staffing and retention challenges at municipal long-term care homes in Toronto.

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: HOW CANADA POST STRIKE IS IMPACTING SENIORS 

Libby Znaimer is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP,  Anthony Quinn, Chief Operating Officer of CARP, John Mykytyshyn, Conservative Activist, Political Consultant and President of Bradgate Research Group.

The Canada Post strike is still on. How is it going to impact the senior demographic? And, we continue the discussion about OAS.

HOW WILL OTTAWA AND TRUMP APPROACH IMMIGRATION POLICY

Libby Znaimer is joined by Guidy Mamann, a Toronto immigration lawyer and Partner at Mamman & Sandaluk LLP Immigration Lawyers, and Kelly Sundberg, an Associate Professor at Mount Royal University and a former CBSA Officer.

We unpack what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in his short video over the weekend that detailed Ottawa's shift in regards to its immigration policy. And, what will the Canada-U.S. border look like under a second Trump Presidency? 

BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ALLOWS UKRAINE TO USE LONG-RANGE MISSILES INSIDE RUSSIA 

Libby Znaimer is joined by Andrew Rasiulis with The Canadian Global Affairs Institute and Dr. Eric Ouellett, Professor in the Department of Defence Studies at Royal Military College of Canada.

The war between Russia and Ukraine reached the grim milestone of 1,000 days over the weekend. The Biden administration is now allowing Ukraine to use ATACMS inside Russia. How will this development be received by Russian President Vladimir Putin and how impactful will this be for Ukraine?

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: WHAT IT WILL COST TO REMOVE BIKE LANES IN TORONTO ACCORDING TO A CITY STAFF REPORT

Libby Znaimer is joined by Karen Stintz, a Conservative Party of Canada Candidate for Eglinton-Lawrence and a former Toronto City Councillor, Councillor Paula Fletcher of Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth and Councillor James Pasternak of Ward 6 York Centre.

We continue our coverage of the deeply concerning news of a "vigil" being planned for Yahya Sinwar--the late Hamas terrorist leader and architect of October 7th massacre--set to take place at Mississauga's Celebration Square. And, why has the cost of Toronto's crossing guards program increased so much?

THE LATEST SCAMS TO BE AWARE INCLUDING TAYLOR SWIFT TICKET FRAUD

Libby Znaimer is now joined by Detective David Coffey of Toronto Police Service's Financial Crimes Unit.

Libby shares with Detective David Coffey a scam she got recently, and he cautions about Taylor Swift concert ticket scams and how to avoid falling victim to them.

OTTAWA SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE WEIGHS IN ON REMEMBRANCE DAY INCIDENT AT SIR ROBERT BORDEN HIGH SCHOOL

Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Nili Kaplan-Myrth, an Ottawa-Carleton District School Board trustee.

Dr. Kaplan-Myrth weighs in on the controversy of a Palestinian protest song being played at Sir Robert Borden Highschool as part of a Remembrance Day ceremony.

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners called in with their concerns about a planned "vigil" for Yayha Sinwar in Mississauga and organized by an anti-Israel group, Donald Trump's cabinet nominations as of late and more news of the week.

THE MEDICAL RECORD:  WHAT IS THE ONE MEAL A DAY DIET?

Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and former head of BC Cancer, Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing in Toronto,  and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, internal medicine and critical care physician at Humber River Hospital.

Have you heard of the one meal a day diet? It's a dietary trend that even high-profile figures like Bruce Springsteen subscribes to. The question is: how healthy is it for you? We discuss that and other health related topics of the week.

HOW TORONTO IS PREPARING FOR TAYLOR SWIFT CONCERTS    

Libby Znaimer is joined by Stuart Green, spokesperson with the TTC, Trevor Brodie, Director of Operations at Amsterdam Brewhouse and Tony Elenis, President and CEO of The Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association (ORHMA)

Our local restaurants, hotels, and public services have been in preparation mode ahead of Taylor Swift's concert series and the wave of fans coming into town for that.

THE STATUS OF TORONTO POLICE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION    

Libby Znaimer is now joined by Clayton Campbell, President of the Toronto Police Association.

Toronto Police Services is hiring! Their board adopted a motion for a five year plan. The TPA discusses recruitment and also the resources they require as they deal with auto theft and more.

RECOVERING POLITICIANS: DONALD TRUMP IS PICKING HIS CABINET & BONNIE CROMBIE PROPOSES A TAX CUTTING PLAN

Libby Znaimer is joined by Lisa Raitt, a former Deputy Leader of Conservative Party of Canada, Andrew Perez, Principal at Peres Strategies and a Liberal strategist as well as Cheri DiNovo, a former NDP MPP.

This is the first time we speak to our Recovering Politicians panel about the outcome of U.S. Presidential election which Donald Trump won, and he is already making some high profile nominations. Closer to home, Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie makes an announcement.

A VIGIL FOR TERRORIST YAHYA SINWAR IS BEING PROMOTED IN MISSISSAUGA 

Libby Znaimer is now joined by Tasha Kheiriddin and Tristin Hopper, columnists with the National Post.

There's a lot of concern that a "vigil" for the late Hamas terrorist leader Yahya Sinwar--the architect of the October 7th Massacre-- is going to be held later this month at Mississauga's Celebration Square. In a statement on X, Mayor Parrish said "No organization exists. No vigil is planned.", but it's being promoted online by a group called Defenders 4 Human Rights.

HOW A TRUMP ADMINISTRATION COULD SHAPE CANADA’S AUTO SECTOR

Libby Znaimer is joined by Flavio Volpe, President of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association.

How is Canada’s auto sector preparing for the next Trump administration? Flavio explains.

REMEMBRANCE DAY SPECIAL 

Libby Znaimer is first joined by the Honourable Lt. General Richard Rohmer as well as Major Jim Parks, veterans of WW2. They are followed by Retired Major John Stewart who served on numerous deployments with the Canadian Armed Forces including in Afghanistan (from 2003 to 2004).

On today's Remembrance Day episode, we hear the stories of Canadian veterans who served in World War 2, as well as those of a veteran who served in numerous deployments with the Canadian Armed Forces including in Afghanistan from 2003 to 2004.

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: WHAT REMEMBRANCE DAY MEANS TO ZOOMERS 

Libby Znaimer is now joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Operating Officer of CARP, Bill VanGorder, Chief Advocacy and Education Officer and Bob Richardson, a public affairs consultant.

Remembrance is vivid for the Zoomer generation - some were alive during World War 2. Certainly our parents went through it. We talk about the significance of this day.

A DEEP DIVE INTO A REPORT CALLING FOR ACTION TO ADDRESS NEEDS OF AGING VETERANS

Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Madison Brydges, Health Policy Researcher at the National Institute on Ageing (NIA).

The NIA is calling for a detailed plan to address the needs of aging veterans, including a special emphasis on mental health, chronic pain, social isolation and resources around long-term care.

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners reacted to Donald Trump winning the U.S. Presidential election and Premier Ford calling for an audit of all school boards in the province.