RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: CANADIAN HELLS ANGELS RECRUITED BY IRAN?

Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who also served as a health minister and deputy Premier and Cheri Di Novo, Former Ontario NDP MPP and John Mykytyshyn, a Conservative political consultant and President of Bradgate Research Group.

This week, we discuss the upcoming federal Conservative by-election taking place on March 4th for Durham whereby MP Erin O'Toole is resigning. And speaking of political races, Fight Back regular panelist Karen Stintz is going to be running for the federal Conservatives in the riding of Eglinton-Lawrence--that's Liberal MP Marco Mendicino's riding. And the panel reacts to a story about members of Canadian Hells Angels being indicted by U.S. and accused of doing crimes on behalf of Iran. 

CANADA NOT READY TO EXPAND MAiD TO CANADIANS SUFFERING SOLELY FROM MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESSES: HEALTH MINISTER 

Libby Znaimer is joined by Helen Long, CEO of Dying with Dignity Canada, and Dr. Georgia Vrakas, a Professor in the Department of Psychoeducation at Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières.

Ottawa's Health Minister Mark Holland said this week that Canada is not ready to provide MAiD to Canadians whose sole condition is a mental illness. Of course, there are two sides to this debate, and we will hear both from Helen and Georgia. Fight Back reached out to Minister Holland to join the discussion today but he has not yet responded. 

CANADIAN HOCKEY PLAYERS ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

Libby Znaimer is now joined by Joseph Neuberger, Criminal Defence Lawyer with Neuberger and Partners LLP. 

Joseph reacts to the latest news of charges and allegations of sexual assault against some members of Canada's junior hockey team from 2018.

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: THE UPCOMING FEDERAL BY-ELECTION IN DURHAM

Libby Znaimer is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP and Peter Muggeridge, Managing Editor of Zoomer Magazine.

Today: our panel weighs in on the upcoming federal by-election in Durham set for March 4th and we continue the discussion on Toronto’s 2024 budget.

BRAD BRADFORD ON THE CITY’S TOBOGGANING BANS AND THE RENAMING OF DUNDAS SQUARE

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

Councillor Bradford weighs in on the tobogganing bans at 45 different parks, the renaming of Yonge-Dundas Square to Sankofa Square and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow’s property tax hike proposal of 10.5 per cent which could be even higher if the feds don’t chip in (as high as 16.5 per cent).

LIDAR OF ILTV DISCUSSES THE LATEST FROM THE HAGUE

Libby Znaimer is joined by Lidar Grave-Lazi, News Anchor and Editor-In-Chief of ILTV based in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Lidar gives us an update about the International Court’s interim ruling which did not call for a ceasefire to the Israel-Hamas war.

Today on Free For All Friday: Our listeners called in about their concerns over the proposed property tax hike in Toronto's 2024 budget and other news of the past week.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: WHERE DOES TORONTO MAYOR OLIVIA CHOW STAND ON THE POLICE BUDGET?

Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village, and David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto. 

How much funding does Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow plan to allocate to the City's emergency services? And Torontonians continue to grapple with a ban on tobogganing at 45 city parks. 

A CONVERSATION WITH HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR ANDY RETI 

Libby Znaimer is now joined by Andy Reti, a child survivor of the Holocaust. 

This Saturday marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day. January 27th also marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp in 1945. Andy Reti is a child survivor of the Holocaust. He joins Libby to share his story. 

CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST UNIVERSITIES

Libby Znaimer is now joined by Sandra Zisckind, managing partner and co-founder of Diamond and Diamond Personal Injury Lawyers.

Still with the issue of anti-Semitism, the law firm Diamond and Diamond are preparing legal action against schools and school boards across the country for failing to protect Jewish students targeted for abuse because of rising anti-semitism.

THE MEDICAL RECORD: CANADIAN CENTENARIANS & AN ALZHEIMER'S BLOOD TEST

Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and former head of the BC Cancer Agency, Dr. Fahad Razak, Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto and Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician, Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto.

A research study shows promise in a blood test that could be a quicker and more affordable alternative way to diagnose Alzheimer's disease in patients. Also this week, ZoomerMedia celebrated iconic General Richard Rohmer who turned 100 years old. Our guests weigh in on centenarians-- the fastest growing demographic.

TRUMP SCORES ANOTHER VICTORY...THIS TIME IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Patrice Dutil, Professor in the Department of Politics and Public Administration, and Toronto Metropolitan University Professor Michael Flamm with the department of history at Ohio Wesleyan University.

U.S. President Donald Trump is one step closer to the Presidential race after his latest win--this time in New Hampshire. Despite his strong performance, rival Republican candidate Nikki Haley is still in the race putting up a fight. Others, including Vivek Ramaswamy and Florida governor Ron DeSantis have since dropped out and have officially announced their backing of Trump. So, what does this all mean? And Ottawa is already planning for any outcome of the U.S. Presidential election.

THE EMERGENCIES ACT VIOLATED CANADIANS' CHARTER RIGHTS

Libby Znaimer is joined by Andrew House, Counsel and Co-lead for the National Security Group at Fasken Law, and Noa Mendelson Aviv, Executive Director & General Counsel of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association.

Yesterday: the federal court ruled that the Trudeau government violated Canadians' Charter rights when it initiated the Emergencies Act in response to the Freedom Trucker Convoy protests.

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL:  TRUDEAU MEETS WITH CABINET & OTTAWA PUTS CAP ON INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Libby Znaimer is joined by Lisa Raitt, former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who also served as a health minister, and deputy Premier and Cheri Di Novo, Former Ontario NDP MPP.

Our panel discusses Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet retreat in Montreal this week, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow's town hall meetings on the 2024 budget and Ottawa's cap on international students.

WHAT THE LATEST ALZHEIMER'S REPORT TELLS US ABOUT THE DISEASE

Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Joshua Armstrong, the lead author of The Landmark Study: The Many Faces of Dementia and can speak to the findings and the research, and Dr. Roger Wong, Alzheimer Society of Canada Board Member, Clinical Professor in the Division of Geriatric Medicine, Vice Dean (Education) in the University of British Columbia (UBC).

A new report from the Alzheimer's Association of Canada, "The Many Faces of Dementia in Canada", is now out. It paints a detailed picture of how this disease is impacting Canadians across demographics and it shows that by the year 2050 the number of those living in this country with Dementia will jump by nearly 200 per cent! Our guests weigh in on the latest.

WHY ARE WE HEARING ALL ABOUT THE HEALTH COMPLICATIONS PLAGUING THE ROYAL FAMILY?

Libby Znaimer is now joined by Alison Eastwood, Editor-in-Chief of HELLO! Canada.

In just the span of a couple weeks we've been learning about a series of health complications plaguing the Royal Family. First, we found out that Kate Middleton went in for abdominal surgery and then we also learned that King Charles is dealing with an enlarged prostate. His wife, Camilla, reportedly has been telling him to slow down during this time. And, sadly, we've also learned that Princess Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, has been diagnosed with skin cancer. Why are we hearing all about these health issues and does this make the royal family feel more relatable?

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: CARP'S ADVOCACY FOR LOBLAW DISCOUNT & BABY BOOMERS WITHOUT GRANDKIDS

Libby Znaimer is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP and Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine.

Canadian consumers received some good news late Friday afternoon when Loblaw announced that they would be reinstating the 50 percent discount on food items that are about to hit their best before date. This time last week, CARP members and other older Canadians were fuming about the decision to reduce the discount to 30 percent. And it seems Loblaw heard the discontent and reversed the policy.

RISING AUTO INSURANCE PREMIUMS

Jane Brown is now joined by Ellen Roseman, Consumer Advocate and journalist, Nainesh Kotak, Founder of Kotak Personal Injury Law, and Tom Rakocevic,  Ontario NDP Auto Insurance critic and the MPP for Humber River-Black Creek.

Is your auto insurance getting more expensive? And by how much? You may be aware that Ontario drivers may now opt out of direct compensation property damage coverage as a way to make insurance more affordable, but the reality is that such a decision could cost you far more should you ever get into any kind of collision. Our guests weigh in.

Today on Free For All Friday: Our listeners weighed in on the Ford government's plans to expand private healthcare clinics and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow's property tax hike proposal.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: MORE ON MAYOR CHOW'S PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village, and David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto.

Today: we revisit the discussion about Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow's proposed property tax increase.

THE FORD GOVERNMENT'S PLAN TO REDUCE WAIT TIMES FOR CERTAIN SURGERIES AND DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES

Libby is now joined by Dr. Adil Shamji, Liberal MPP and Health Critic, David Musyj, CEO, Windsor Regional Hospital followed by Dr Fouad Tayfour, Windsor Regional Hospital's chief of ophthalmology and Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto.

The province is moving into the next stages of its plan of expanding private care clinics that provide publicly funded tests which it argues will reduce wait times for patients. Meanwhile, advocates argue that this will place more pressure on the public health system and will lead to two-tiered healthcare.

THE MEDICAL RECORD:  WHAT IS THE "MAN FLU"?

Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Jason Profetto,  Family Physician with Profetto Savatteri Family Medicine in Hamilton,  Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, Internal Medicine and Critical Care Physician at Humber River Hospital.

Today we kick things off by discussing the phenomenon popularly known as the "man flu". Meanwhile, now that we are experiencing greater levels of snowfall during the Winter, our health experts weigh in on the risk of a heart attack and overall cardiovascular health when shoveling the snow. And, what we know so far about AI and the role it can play in detecting early signs of hidden Pancreatic Cancer in scans.

HIGH PARK AND OTHER TORONTO PARKS NOT SO RESIDENT FRIENDLY ANYMORE?

Libby Znaimer is joined by Gil Penalosa, a popular urbanist and the Founder of 8 80 Cities who formerly ran for mayor of Toronto and Diane Buckell, founding member of petition 'High Park-Access for All' and a 40+ Year resident and supporter of High Park.

Is Toronto becoming the city that fun forgot or is there more to it than that? Yesterday, we had a big reaction to the city’s move to ban tobogganing in 45 parks. There’s also been lots of protest around the decision to ban cars from High park making it inaccessible for many older people, new parents and people with disabilities. And we just heard about another area in the park that will be closed to people altogether. That’s the place where there was a labyrinth. And remember the delays last year in opening washrooms - another factor keeping people away. Who is responsible for these decisions? Is it bureaucrats? Where are the politicians? And is there a move to keep people out of our parks?

WHO IS FUNDING THESE PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTS IN TORONTO?

Libby Znaimer is joined by Warren Kinsella, a Toronto-based lawyer, author and consultant.

Who is behind these aggressive pro-Palestinian protests taking place in Toronto and who is giving them funding? Warren Kinsella has been following the money and he joins us to discuss what he's found and advocate against the rise in antisemitism here at home.