Fight Back with Libby Znaimer

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners weighed in on Toronto increasing the fines for its "Don't Block the Box" initiative as part of the overall strategy of easing traffic congestion, and the province is looking into not allowing bike lanes to be installed if it means those bike lanes lead to car lanes being removed. What do you think about it all?

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: REACTION TO TORONTO'S "DON'T BLOCK THE BOX" INITIATIVE

Libby Znaimer is joined by Karen Stintz, a Conservative Party of Canada Candidate for Eglinton-Lawrence, a former Toronto City Councillor and the CEO of Variety Village, Toronto Councillor Jon Burnside for Ward 16 Don Valley East, and Councillor Paula Fletcher for Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth.

There's plenty happening in Toronto lately...we kick things off with a discussion about the City's "Don't Block the Box" initiative aimed at curbing local traffic congestion with fine increases being announced by Mayor Olivia Chow. Meanwhile, the Toronto Police Association has kicked off a campaign calling for more pay for officers. And, one of the councillors on today's panel thinks that we are not getting enough accountability from our government leaders.

THE MICHELIN GUIDE GOES BEYOND TORONTO WITH AWARDS TO RESTAURANTS

Libby Znaimer is joined by Nick Di Donato, President of Liberty Entertainment Group, whose restaurant DaNico was awarded one Michelin star last night and Chef Jeremy Austin of The Pine in Creemore, Ontario which was also awarded a Michelin Star.

This year's Michelin awards ceremony in Toronto was filled with excitement. It wasn't just Toronto restaurants who were handed awards. The Michelin Guide also awarded restaurants in other parts of Ontario including Oakville, Creemore and Niagara Region.

HEZBOLLAH TERROR GROUP TARGETED WITH EXPLODING PAGERS AND WALKIE TALKIES

Libby Znaimer is joined by Francis Syms,  Associate Dean of Information & Communications Technology at Humber Polytechnic and a cybersecurity and consumer hardware expert, and Phil Gurski, President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting, and a former senior strategic terrorism analyst at CSIS.

Lebanon has been on edge this week. First, because of a wave of pager explosions on Tuesday afternoon targeting members of the Hezbollah terrorist group who have been using the devices in an effort to evade Israeli communications interception. Then yesterday, walkie talkies being used by Hezbollah also exploded. The terrorist group is blaming Israel for the attacks. Meanwhile the Israelis have not publicly commented on these specific incidents. Our guests weigh in on how these developments serve as a setback for Hezbollah and how such technologies can be compromised.

MEDICAL RECORD: WHAT A NEW STUDY TELLS US ABOUT THE USE OF AI IN TREATING HOSPITAL PATIENTS

Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor in Toronto, Dr. Amol Verma, Clinician-Scientist at St. Michael's Hospital and Temerty Professor of AI Research and Education in Medicine at the University of Toronto, and Dr. Aaron Schimmer, the Director of Research at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre as well as a staff physician and a senior scientist.

Today we discuss a groundbreaking study co-authored by Dr. Amol Verma on the use of AI and how it has contributed to a 26 percent reduction in unexpected deaths for patients being treated in hospital. And, should we be moving away from the Body Mass Index and instead use the Body Roundness Index (also known as BRI)?

THE DEBATE AROUND THE FILM "RUSSIANS AT WAR" WHICH SPARKED CONTROVERSY AT THIS YEAR'S TIFF

Libby Znaimer is now joined by freelance journalist Justin Ling and Chris Alexander, Canada’s former ambassador to Afghanistan and Minister of Immigration under former Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

"Russians at War" was going to premiere at TIFF this year but was cancelled amid public backlash and protest. The festival said they suspended the screenings of the film in response to "significant threats". But this week, the film was back on. Yesterday’s screening was greeted by another demonstration by members of the Ukrainian community and supporters claiming that this was just a piece of Russian propaganda. Was this censorship or an attempt to fend off Russian propaganda from infiltrating us and influencing our elections and our people?

PIERRE POILIEVRE EXPECTED TO INTRODUCE NON- CONFIDENCE MOTION NEXT WEEK

Libby Znaimer is joined by Bob Richardson, a Public Affairs Consultant, and Jason Lietaer, a Conservative Strategist and President of Enterprise.

Pierre Poilievre is set to introduce a non-confidence motion next week. The question is, can the Conservatives get the support they need from the Bloc Québécois and NDP? And, if they fail, what can we expect from the Conservatives in future in terms of trying to get a vote of non-confidence? Meanwhile, did you see the video of NDP leader Jagmeet Singh confronting protestors on Parliament Hill? Did he do a good job of responding to the situation?

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: LIBERALS LOSE ANOTHER BYELECTION & FAO LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION INTO COST OF ONTARIO EXPANDING ALCOHOL SALES EARLY 

Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, a former Ontario Liberal MPP, Deputy Premier and Health Minister, Cheri DiNovo, a former NDP MPP, and Janet Ecker, a former Ontario PC MPP and finance minister.

It's another byelection loss for the Trudeau Liberals....this time in the Montreal riding of LaSalle-Émard-Verdun. They lost it to the Bloc Quebecois. Meanwhile, the NDP managed to get re-elected in Manitoba's Elmwood Transcona riding. Our panel weighs in on that and other headlines from Ottawa and Queen's Park.

 

TORONTO INCREASES FINES FOR "BLOCKING THE BOX" BUT HOW WILL IT ACTUALLY BE ENFORCED? 

Libby Znaimer is now joined by Sgt. Murray Campbell of Toronto Police Traffic Services.

Yesterday, we learned from Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow that the City is increasing fines for driver's who "block the box". According to the City of Toronto, "Blocking the Box occurs when a driver enters an intersection on a green or amber signal when there is no reasonable prospect of being able to clear the intersection before the light changes to red. This disrupts traffic flows, causes transit delays and creates serious safety risks." Drivers want further clarity on what does and does not constitute blocking the box and how exactly it will be enforced.

CANADA'S INFLATION RATE AT 2 PERCENT IN AUGUST  

Libby Znaimer is now joined by Moshe Lander, Senior Lecturer of Economics at Concordia University in Montreal and Jim Stanford, Economist and Director of Centre for Future Work

Canada's inflation was at 2 percent in August-- the lowest it has been since February of 2021. So, what are the implications of it all? Moshe and Jim weigh in.

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: SHOULD PHARMACISTS IN ONTARIO BE GIVEN MORE POWERS? 

Libby Znaimer is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Operating Officer at CARP,  Bill VanGorder, Chief Advocacy and Education Officer at CARP, and John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion.

Our panel kicks things off with a discussion about the province's plans to provide pharmacists with additional powers when it comes to treating ailments and administering vaccines. We also look at a real life example of the very high cost of care for older Zoomers. 

QUEBEC PROPOSES BILL REGARDING TIPPING

Libby Znaimer is joined by Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, Donna Dooher, Owner of Mildred's Temple Kitchen, and Dominique Tremblay, Director of Public and Governmental Affairs at Association Restauration Québec.

Québec, through a bill it has tabled, wants to change the way that businesses charge tips to their customers by requiring them to calculate their tips before tax is implemented. What do you think about this idea? 

THE CITY SAYS "DON'T BLOCK THE BOX", BUT THEY NEED TO BE MORE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT THAT MEANS

Libby Znaimer is now joined by Councillor Brad Bradford for Ward 19 Beaches-East York.

Today: Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and other City officials announced that fines are going up for drivers who "block the box" at intersections. According to the City of Toronto, "Blocking the Box occurs when a driver enters an intersection on a green or amber signal when there is no reasonable prospect of being able to clear the intersection before the light changes to red. This disrupts traffic flows, causes transit delays and creates serious safety risks." But even with such a definition, it is still not fully clear what all of the rules are regarding this policy. Councillor Bradford joins to provide some more info.

Today on Free For All Friday: plenty of listeners called in with their beef about the word "like" being used a lot in everyday conversation, crime in Toronto including home invasions and porch pirates, reactions to the Trump-Harris debate, and more news of the week.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN:  IS LIBERTY VILLAGE FINALLY GETTING CONGESTION RELIEF?

Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, a Conservative Party of Canada Candidate for Eglinton-Lawrence, a former Toronto City Councillor and the CEO of Variety Village, and Toronto City Councillor Paula Fletcher of Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth.

Our panel weighs in on the latest strategy by the TTC to crack down on fare evasion, whether Liberty Village is finally getting congestion relief and other headlines making news this week in the city. 

TIPPING CULTURE: ARE WE TAKING IT TOO FAR? 

Libby Znaimer is now joined by Ellen Roseman, Consumer Advocate and journalist, and Tony Elenis, President and CEO of The Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association (ORHMA).

Tipping...it's everywhere. And, we're being asked to partake in the practice even if we don't dine in and get service. You can face a request for a tip when purchasing a loaf of bread, and there are even places that don't sell food that will ask you to tip. Have we gone too far?

WHAT AIR TRAVELLERS MIGHT CONSIDER AHEAD OF A POTENTIAL AIR CANADA PILOTS STRIKE

Libby Znaimer is now joined by Martin Firestone, President of Travel Secure Inc.

Air travellers have a lot to consider as Air Canada faces a potential pilots strike later this month. Marty weighs in on what you might consider especially if you are concerned about flight cancellations and other kinds of disruptions.

THE MEDICAL RECORD: WHAT COMES AFTER CANCER TREATMENT?

Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Fahad Razak, a Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto and General Internist at Unity Health Toronto, Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto, and Dr. Keith Stewart, Vice President, Cancer and Director of Princess Margaret Cancer Program at the UHN.

Today: a discussion about what comes next for cancer patients who complete treatment, a new guideline in the U.S. pertaining to mammogram results and, closer to home, Ontario Health is changing its guidelines on how iron deficiency is measured.

THE PAINFUL REALITY OF ONLINE TRANSACTIONS

Libby Znaimer is joined by Carmi Levy, Technology Analyst and Journalist based in London, Ontario.

Why is making a transaction online such a hassle whether we purchase tickets for a concert or sports match or purchase something from a retailer? There's always a tedious process to follow including registration and providing personal details and even credit card info. Why are companies doing this, and what can we do as consumers to make the process less of an inconvenience?  

REACTION TO THE TRUMP-HARRIS DEBATE

Libby Znaimer is now joined by Brad Polumbo, a Conservative commentator and editor-in-chief  & Co-Founder of BASEDPolitics, Dr. Chris Cooper, Political Science Professor at Western Carolina University, and Lee Strickland, Toronto Chair of Democrats Abroad.

Americans and the world got to watch the first ever debate between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris and it ventured into the absurd at times. Our panel of Americans weighs in on what was said and whether VP Harris or former President Trump won the debate.

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: MARK CARNEY TAKES ON ROLE WITH LIBERALS

Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, a former Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre, Health Minister and Deputy Premier, Cheri DiNovo, a former NDP MPP for Parkdale-High Park, and John Mykytyshyn, Conservative strategist and President of Bradgate Research Group.

Our panel reacts to Jagmeet Singh meeting with his NDP caucus in Montreal, the upcoming federal byelection in the riding of LaSalle–Émard–Verdun, and Mark Carney becoming a special advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

THE BIBI FILES AND RUSSIANS AT WAR SPARK CONTROVERSY AT TIFF 2024 

Libby Znaimer is joined by Robert Sarner, Senior Writer at Friends of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and a regular feature writer for The Times of Israel followed by Peter Schturyn, President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Toronto Branch.

Two films, The Bibi Files and Russians at War, have sparked controversy at TIFF this year...both for different reasons. Our guests weigh in on each film separately.

IS NOW A GOOD TIME TO BUY A CAR (USED OR NEW)?

Libby Znaimer is joined by Shari Prymak, Senior Consultant at Car Help Canada.

Are we in a buyer's market right now for cars? And what should you consider when it comes to buying a used or new vehicle? Shari explains.

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: THE TREND OF INTENSE ENDURANCE SPORTS AMONG OLDER ZOOMERS   

Libby Znaimer is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP,  Anthony Quinn, Chief Operating Officer of CARP, and John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion.

Our panel reacts to disgraced fashion mogul Peter Nygard's 11 year prison sentence and the trend of mid-life Zoomers (ages 45 plus) participating in intense endurance sports like the Ironman, triathlons and various other kinds of activities; clearly this demographic shows no sign of slowing down. And, should Canada institute what is called a "National Silver Alert line" for older adults who go missing? Our panel discusses this controversial idea.

BACK TO WORK FOR MINIMUM THREE DAYS FOR FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVANTS 

Libby Znaimer is joined by Howard Levitt, Senior Partner at Levitt LLP, followed by Duncan Dee, a former Air Canada executive.

Starting today, federal public workers have to go back to the office for a minimum of three days a week, and the latest on the possible impending pilots strike.

SUSPECT FROM CANADA WANTED TO KILL "AS MANY JEWISH CIVILIANS AS POSSIBLE" IN NYC ON OCTOBER 7TH ANNIVERSARY

Libby Znaimer is now joined by Philip Wasielewski, Senior Fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and a former Director of Operations at the Central Intelligence Agency, and Phil Gurski, President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting and a  former senior strategic terrorism analyst at CSIS.

Last week, Canadian authorities arrested a citizen of Pakistan living in Canada with alleged plans to shoot and kill "as many Jews as possible" in NYC on or close to the anniversary of October 7th. Our experts weigh in on the latest.