Fight Back with Libby Znaimer

Canada Day reflection, Bill Cosby, & Delta variant threat in Ontario.

Rod Phillips apologizes, and Western Canada faces an extreme heat wave.

Women in Canadian politics & renaming Dundas Street.

Miami condo collapse & the tragic discoveries of victims of Canada's residential school system.

The Sunday edition of the Best Fight Back, from the week that was, with Jane Brown

Interviews with:

- Dr. Timothy Sly, Dr. Phrabhat Jha, and Dr. Alon Vaisman on the latest surrounding the Delta Variant

- David Main, Dino Virgona, and Kendra Sozinho respond to new travel rules and how they'll affect local businesses

- Rocco Rossi, Perry Tucciarone, and Annete Palumbo on the reopening of more businesses earlier

- Rose Reisman, Lisa Covens, and Dr. Steve Joordens on reports that Canadians are drinking, eating, and smoking more

- And the best calls of the week!

The Saturday edition of the Best Fight Back, from the week that was, with Jane Brown

Interviews with:

- The Zoomer Squad, with David Cravit, Petter Muggeridge, and Bill Vangorder discuss the removal of Merrilee Fullerton from Doug Ford's cabinet

- The Strategy Panel, with Karen Stintz and Charles Sousa react to Doug Ford's cabinet shuffle

- Dr Peter Juni on the latest recommendations surrounding the AstraZeneca shot

- Richard Smart and Dr. Marion Joppe discuss the new rules for vaccinated travellers

- And the best calls of the week!

Whatever in the news has you talking, the phone lines are open for Fight Back.

The finding of 751 unmarked graves at a former residential school site in Saskatchewan is being felt in many ways across Canada.

It's a horrible time for the survivors who are now going through trauma in recalling the abuse ... which they've had to live with their whole lives.

For Canadians who are not indigenous, it's a time to feel sadness, shame, horror. You're probably wondering what you can do ... how we move forward.

Then there's the latest news around COVID 19 ... are you double vaxxed yet? Have you had a challenging time making an appointment? Are you wondering how you will be able to live your life once you've had two shots of vaccine?

And then there's the hot topic of travel for the fully vaccinated. Have you planned a trip or are you waiting a while longer?

Libby is ready to take your calls.

Libby is joined by health and wellness expert Rose Reisman and Lisa Covens from Leger about a new poll showing how Canadians have coped during the pandemic. It hasn't been good on our waistlines as many Canadians say they've gained weight by eating and drinking more and smoking more cannabis. She'll also speak with Dr. Steve Joordens, as psychology professor from the University of Toronto.

Later, with COVID-19 infections ticking down and vaccinations climbing higher, the Ontario government is reportedly going to announce the province will move into the next stage of reopening a few days early. That means things like salons can start opening up again. Libby will speak with Annette Palumbo, Operations Director with "Hand and Stone Massage and Facial spa" and executive director of Beauty United on the challenges the industry has faced and will continue to deal with. Perry Tucciarone with the Fitness Industry Council of Canada will also speak about the return of that industry after being shuttered for so long. Libby will also speak with Rocco Rossi, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce on the relaxed restrictions and what that will mean for businesses.

The COVID-19 Delta variant is on the rise in Canada. Last week, the number of confirmed COVID cases attributed to the highly contagious variant jumped 66-percent. While Alpha is currently the dominant variant in Canada, Delta is believed to be at least one-and-a-half times more contagious as the Alpha variant. And with word this week that Israel is in the midst of its worst outbreak in two months time, owing largely to the Delta variant, we can’t help but wonder if this is a sign of hard times ahead.

Later, Libby is joined by Toronto Mayor John Tory to discuss efforts by city officials to clear homeless people from Toronto’s green spaces, citing reasons of health, safety and shared park use.

Finally, with word that Canada will be lifting most international travel restrictions for Canadians, allowing those eligible to travel to do so with more ease, we wonder what the business community’s response will be to the new rules, and what challenges business owners might face in working to implement new policies to keep in line with the government’s new rules.

The Premier dumped five ministers, moved eight others, and promoted seven backbenchers in a major cabinet shuffle with less than a year to go before the next election.

And yesterday, word came down that Canada will be lifting most international travel restrictions for Canadians, permanent residents, and certain foreign nationals who are fully vaccinated, starting in early July.

Finally, Toronto police and security guards attended as City of Toronto crews dismantled a homeless encampment at Trinity Bellwoods Park today.