THE ZOOMER SQUAD

Concerns are rising over the number of Canadian seniors going lost or missing due to dementia; unprecedented growth among Canada's senior population will mean shift in housing needs; and what to expect from Canada's labour market as the workforce ages.

Liz West is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP; Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP; and Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine to discuss the news that matter most to Zoomers.

TRAVELLING FOR THE HOLIDAYS

We are down to the wire, as many are gearing up for holiday travel during Christmas. Liz West is joined by Martin Firestone, president of Travel Secure Inc. for a conversation about what you need to know ahead of time.

POPE  FRANCIS SAYS PRIESTS CAN BLESS SAME-SEX UNIONS

There was very big news from the Vatican today. A new document gives formal permission for priests to bless same-sex couples, explaining the radical change in Vatican policy by insisting that people seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis” to receive it.

Liz West is joined by Reverend Cheri Di Novo, former Ontario NDP MPP and a recipient of the Order of Canada, and a regular panelist on Fight Back’s Recovering Politicians panel, to discuss this move

Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

Today on Free For All Friday: Our listeners had lots to say about the City of Toronto changing the name of Yonge-Dundas Square.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: FORD GOVERNMENT WILL NOT DISSOLVE PEEL REGION

It’s our Thursday tune into the town panel and we’ve got lots to discuss, so let’s get started with the province's announcement to not dissolve Peel Region.

Joining Liz West is Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village, Alex Blumenstein, Co-founder of The Peak and David Crombie, former Mayor of Toronto.

THE POWER OF LEONARD COHEN'S MUSIC DURING DIFFICULT TIMES

We are inching closer to the shortest day of the year which means the most darkness - many of us struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder - and the news of war and strife only makes matters worse. Can music illuminate these dark times? And in particular, can the songs of Leonard Cohen?

Joining Liz now is Dr. Matthew Robert Anderson, Adjunct professor of Theological Studies at Concordia University and author of "Prophets of Love: The Unlikely Kinship of Leonard Cohen and the Apostle Paul".

OTTAWA SAYS GROCERY CODE OF CONDUCT WILL DEFINATELY BE IMPLEMENTED

When we start a new job or join a sports team we are often asked to sign a code of conduct, something that gives us the perimeters of good behaviour. This week the Federal Industry Minister told reporters that we will have a Grocery Code of Conduct in Canada one way or another.

Let's bring in Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University.

THE MEDICAL RECORD: OTTAWA'S $13 BILLION DOLLAR DENTAL COVERAGE PLAN

Liz West is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto, Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, an Internal medicine and critical care physician at Humber River Hospital.

Our panel reacts to Ottawa's $13 billion national dental coverage program and what that means for Seniors specifically.

RABBI WOLPE RESIGNED FROM HARVARD'S ANTISEMITISM ADVISORY GROUP

Liz West is now joined by Rabbi David Wolpe, a visiting scholar at Harvard’s Divinity School who resigned from the university’s Antisemitism Advisory Group followed by federal Conservative Deputy leader Melissa Lantsman.

Last Thursday, Rabbi Wolpe publicly announced his decision to resign from Harvard University's Antisemitism Advisory Group. The reason for his decision in his own words from a post he made on X (formerly Twitter): "the system at Harvard along with the ideology that grips far too many of the students and faculty, the ideology that works only along axes of oppression and places Jews as oppressors and therefore intrinsically evil, is itself evil. Ignoring Jewish suffering is evil. Belittling or denying the Jewish experience, including unspeakable atrocities, is a vast and continuing catastrophe. Denying Israel the self-determination as a Jewish nation accorded unthinkingly to others is endemic, and evil." So, first of all, what exactly is the antisemitism advisory group and what has been Rabbi Wolpe's reaction to the testimony of America's elite universities at Congress on the topic of antisemitism. Then on the program, Deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada reacts to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decision to support a UN resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. Some MPs in his own party disagreed with this decision including MP Marco Mendicino who said: "At present, that would only place in further jeopardy the safety and security of Israelis & Palestinians in Gaza.".

NEW REAL ESTATE POLICY ON OPEN BIDDING

Liz West is now joined by Steve Jelenic, Toronto Real Estate Agent with Sage Real Estate and Phil Soper, President of Royal LePage.

A new real estate policy on open bidding has taken effect in Ontario starting December 1st. The policy will allow for sellers to publicly disclose submitted bid prices. But just because it is now possible to do so, how many sellers will actually want to do this? And, what is even the benefit of this new policy?

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL:  "SORRY" SAYS MINISTER CALANDRA TO DEVELOPERS IN AFTERMATH OF GREENBELT SCANDAL

Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Lisa Raitt, former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Cheri Di Novo, former Ontario NDP MPP an a recipient of the Order of Canada, and George Smitherman, former Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre. who served both as a deputy premier and minister of health.

In the news: prominent Canadian women leaders including former Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and our own panelists Lisa and Cheri have called upon the RCMP to help in the investigation of sexual violence against Israeli women perpetrated by Hamas terrorists during the atrocities of Oct. 7. Meanwhile, House of Commons Speaker Greg Fergus apologized for recording a tribute video to outgoing Ontario Liberal leader John Fraser. Fergus faces the possibility of resigning from the position which he took on a mere two months ago. If he does resign, he would become the speaker of the shortest period of time in the country's history. And, closer to home in Ontario, Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Paul Calandra apologized to developers in the aftermath of the collapse of the Ford government's Greenbelt development plans.

DO CANADIAN AIRLINES GET A FAILING GRADE FOR THEIR HANDLING OF PASSENGERS WITH DISABILITIES

Jane Brown is now joined by Dr. Gabor Lukacs, President and founder of Air Passenger Rights and David Lepofsky, a lawyer, and disability advocate and Chair Accessibility4Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance.

Does Air Canada and other Canadian airlines do a bad job when it comes to passengers with disabilities? An article published by the Toronto Star's editorial board is highlighting the problem. And, amid a series of troubling incidents, the airline said that it is implementing some measures to reduce barriers for customers with disabilities. But will this be enough? And, how can we hold the airlines and their executives accountable to make real reform happen?

ARI GOLDKIND ON THE KENNETH LAW CASE

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

Kenneth Law, who is accused of selling poison, has been charged with 14 counts of second degree murder in multiple deaths in the province. Ari reacts to the latest.

THE ZOOMER SQUAD:  THE ROLLOUT OF THE DENTAL CARE PLAN

Libby Znaimer is joined by Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP and Bob Richardson, Bob Richardson, Senior Council, National Public Relations.

It’s Monday: time for our Zoomer Squad. And we now have details on the rollout of the dental care plan that is a cornerstone of the Liberals supply and confidence agreement with the NDP. It will be rolled out gradually next year with registration starting next week with older Zoomers over 87. Even that group won’t see any actual benefits until May. So is this the right way to structure the program?

AN UPDATE ON ISRAEL'S WAR WITH HAMAS: IDF SPOKESPERSON

Libby Znaimer is now joined by IDF Spokesperson Lt. Col. (res) Peter Lerner.

The Israel-Hamas war has entered a new intensive phase with heavy fighting in the city of Khan Younis which the IDF says is a terrorist stronghold. Meanwhile, Hamas has threatened not to allow any more hostages to leave alive until Israel agrees to all its demands which include ending the war and releasing all the terrorists held in Israeli jail.

RABBI SHMULEY ON THE RISE OF ANTISEMITISM AND THE UNIVERSITIES

He came to prominence as a so-called celebrity rabbi and the author of books including Kosher Sex…Rabbi Shmuley Boteach has a fascinating take on the huge increase in Antisemitism around the world since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war. He has appeared at  ideaCity and on theZoomerTV.

Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

Today on Free For All Friday we ask the big question: What's your take on self checkout stations at the grocery store or major retailers? And listeners also call in to wish the Jewish community a happy Hanukah!

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: THE CITY IS PREPARING FOR A LEGAL BATTLE WITH UBER

Marissa Lennox is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Karen Stintz, CEO, Variety Village, Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, and Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth.

Yesterday, the Ontario auditor general's office published its annual report—a mixed bag with healthcare nuggets, some stuff about the Ontario Science Centre, and even driver exams and three-point turns. We'll chat about the big stuff with our panel, what stood out in the report.And then, onto the rumble between Uber and the City of Toronto. Uber's throwing punches, taking the city to court over a sudden council move to freeze ride sharing licenses. Toronto City Hall's saying it's all about slashing downtown pollution and traffic jams, part of a plan for zero-emission vehicles by 2030. So, here's my question: Is this cap just the government meddling where it shouldn't? Or could the city be onto something big here?

IS IT TIME TO GET RID OF THE BEER STORE?

Marissa Lennox is joined by Karl Moore, Associate Professor, Strategy & Organization at McGill University and Justin Bélanger Co-owner, Brewer, Stayed Brewing Company.

Will the Ford government make The Beer Store a thing of the past and is this a good idea? Our panel weighs in.

CANADA’S FOOD PRICE REPORT 2024

The annual 2024 Food Price Report was released today, and Canadians hoping for better food prices going into next year may not get their wish immediately but there could be some relief later in the year as inflation cools.

Joining me now — Monika Korzun —co-author of this report, and postdoctoral fellow in the Faculty of Agriculture at Dalhousie University.

THE MEDICAL RECORD:  THE EXTENT OF HOSPITAL CLOSURES IN ONTARIO + ROSTERING IN PRIMARY CARE

Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto, Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, an  Internal medicine and critical care physician at Humber River Hospital.

According to a new report from the Ontario Health Coalition, a healthcare advocacy group, found that there were 1,199 closures at Ontario Hospitals between Jan 1st and Nov 24 of this year and that it was primarily urgent care centres that were affected. To be specific:  "868 temporary or permanent emergency department closures (one is permanent)". Meanwhile, we take a deep dive into the patient roster system in the context of primary care. Dr. Naiman explains how rostering typically works and what you need to know.

BRAMPTON MAYOR PATRICK BROWN CALLS INTO FIGHT BACK

Libby is joined by Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown.

Is Premier Doug Ford on the verge of cancelling the breakup of Peel Region? It was a promise he made to former Miss mayor Hazel McCallion on her deathbed but there are mounting fears that it will lead to big tax hikes and service cuts in Brampton and Caledon.

THE AG REPORT ON THE ONTARIO SCIENCE CENTRE + URGENT CARE IN HOSPITALS

Libby is joined by NDP MPP France Gelinas (Nickel-Belt) and health critic and Floyd Ruskin of Save Ontario's Science Centre.

The AG’s report was tabled just over an hour ago and it is focussed on healthcare and the plan to build a new Science centre at Ontario Place. There are no surprises in the healthcare findings: that one in five patients who went to ER were only there because they did not have a family doctor, that there was no province wide strategy to prevent ER closures and that there has been too much reliance on expensive staffing agencies because of doctor and nurse shortages. The acting AG also found that the province’s case for moving the Science Center was missing key information.

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: BONNIE CROMBIE IS THE NEW LEADER OF THE ONTARIO LIBERALS

Libby Znaimer is joined by Janet Ecker Former Ontario PC minister of finance, George Smitherman, former Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre, minister of health and Deputy Premier and Cheri Di Novo, a former NDP MPP and a recipient of the Order of Canada.

We kick things off with a discussion about Bonnie Crombie's victory as the new leader of the Ontario Liberals. Could she pave the way to a revival of the party? And, the next election is years away but what does she have to do in order to pose a serious threat to the Ford government? Also this week: a large gathering of members of Canada's Jewish community and their allies rallied at Parliament Hill in Ottawa in a show of strength against antisemitism.

RETAIL CHAINS ABANDONING SELF CHECKOUTS DUE TO RISE IN THEFT

Libby Znaimer is now joined by Ellen Roseman, Consumer Advocate and journalist and Bruce Winder, a Retail Analyst & Author.

They’ve been around for about 30 years but self-checkout at the grocery store has become more ubiquitous than ever since the pandemic. Well now the backlash has begun with some chains removing them altogether or at least reducing their numbers. Not only are customers complaining that they are being taken advantage of by doing the work of paid cashiers but the retailers are finding that about a quarter of their shoplifting losses come from self checkouts. Loblaw got even more pushback when it started posting security guards to check receipts at self checkout.