Marissa Lennox is joined by Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser, a legendary former Canadian hockey player who won five Olympic medals with Canada women's national ice hockey team. Hayley retired from hockey in 2017 and the IOC in 2022. She is currently serving as the Assistant General Manager of Player Development for the Toronto Maple Leafs and is a practicing Family and Emergency medicine doctor.

It's Lung Cancer Awareness Month. To mark the occasion, Hayley has partnered with the Be the MVP – Change the Odds campaign which aims to empower Canadians to take charge of their own health by increasing their awareness of lung cancer, including the related risk factors, signs and symptoms, and the importance of early detection. In this special one-on-one conversation with Marissa, Hayley details what the campaign is all about, why early detection of lung cancer is so important and how she feels empowered to help change the odds.

THE MEDICAL RECORD: NURSES HAVE ADDITIONAL PRESCRIBING POWERS NOW

12-12:30 PM

Marissa Lennox is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto, Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist at Unity Health Toronto.

Ontario registered nurses will now be able to independently prescribe medications including birth control and topical antibiotics. It's all part of a strategy by the province for patients to get certain prescriptions faster. The Ontario Medical Association (OMA), however, believes that this is the wrong approach because it won't give patients “the comprehensive care that a primary care physician offers”. Do our panelists agree? Meanwhile, according to leaked documents that were made public by the Alberta NDP, the Alberta government under Premier Danielle Smith plans to make big changes to its healthcare system including dismantling its province wide healthcare provider and potentially selling off its continuing care facilities. But why? An official announcement by Alberta's government is expected to come out today on that.  And, a new study led by Canadian researchers shows us that one third of the world's population may be at high risk of smart phone addiction. So what are the negative health implications of that? And, finally, our panel reacts to a study about the connection between our sleeping habits and cardiovascular health.

IT'S LUNG CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

12:30-1 PM

Marissa Lennox is now joined by Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser, Legendary former Canadian hockey player who won five Olympic medals with Canada women's national ice hockey team. Hayley retired from hockey in 2017 and the IOC in 2022. She is currently serving as the Assistant General Manager of Player Development for the Toronto Maple Leafs and is a practicing Family and Emergency medicine doctor.

It's Lung Cancer Awareness Month. To mark the occasion, Dr. Wickenheiser has partnered with the Be the MVP – Change the Odds campaign aims to empower Canadians to take charge of their own health by increasing their awareness of lung cancer, including the related risk factors, signs and symptoms, and the importance of early detection. In this special one-on-one conversation with Marissa, Dr. Wickenheiser details what the campaign is all about, how meaningful of an experience it has been for Hayley to be a part of this wonderful initiative and  why early detection of lung cancer is so important. If you have questions or a personal lung cancer story that you want to share, call now and join the conversation.

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: ONTARIO AG INVESTIGATING FORD GOVERNMENT'S ONTARIO PLACE PLANS

12:00-12:30

Libby Znaimer is joined by Lisa Raitt, former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Charles Bird   , Managing Principal at Earnscliffe Strategy Group in Toronto andCheri DiNovo, Former Ontario NDP MPP and a recipient of the Order of Canada.

Ontario's Auditor General is conducting an investigation on the Ford government's Ontario Place development plans. Meanwhile, many of Canada's Premiers met in Halifax for a two day meeting spanning from Sunday to Monday where they discussed key issues like healthcare and energy costs. And, according to foreign affairs minister Melanie Joly, the first batch of Canadians have left Gaza and into Egypt through the Rafah border crossing. But, it remains unclear how many actually made it through and for how long the border crossing will remain open.

DARRIN MAHARAJ ON WATCHING THE HORRIFIC MASSACRE OF INNOCENT CIVILIANS BY HAMAS AT THE ISRAELI CONSULATE

12:30-12:45 PM

Libby Znaimer is now joined by Darrin Maharaj, Video Journalist with ZoomerMedia.

Yesterday, Darrin attended an exclusive presentation hosted by Toronto's Consulate of Israel about the Oct. 7 Massacre of over 1,400 Israeli civilians by Hamas terrorists. The screening was a chance for journalists to get a sense of the brutality of the attacks that Israelis faced on that fateful morning when the country was caught by surprise and thousands of Hamas terrorists stormed the border from Gaza into Southern Israel.

ZOOMER SQUAD:  THE PINCH OF HEALTHCARE COSTS DURING RETIREMENT

12:00-12:30

Marissa Lennox is joined by Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP and John Wright, Executive VP of Maru Public Opinion.

In the news: a report details how one third of Zoomers are feeling the pinch of health care costs and the impact of that on their retirement savings. Meanwhile, the Ford government is re-examining its use of the ministerial zoning orders and CARP reacts to the province's last fiscal update.

NURSES UNION WANTS CANADA'S PREMIERS TO ADDRESS THE NURSING SHORTAGE

12:30-12:45 PM

Marissa Lennox is now joined by Linda Silas, President of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions.

As we alluded to in the previous segment, most of Canada's Premiers are meeting in Halifax to discuss healthcare among other key issues. Canada's largest nursing union is calling on the premiers to address the nationwide nursing shortage. Linda also details some of the working conditions that have prompted so many of her members to leave the profession entirely including unhealthy and unsafe conditions. Are you an active nurse feeling the struggle? Call in and share your concerns with us on the program.

CANADIANS ATTITUDES TOWARDS RETAIL SHOPPING AHEAD OF THIS YEAR'S HOLIDAY SEASON

12:45-1 PM

Marissa Lennox is now joined by Ellen Roseman, a consumer advocate and journalist.

As the busy holiday season comes up, retail experts are predicting that Canadians will be shopping less amid inflation as well as concerns over the state of the economy and personal financial well-being. Ellen weighs in on the reality that Canadians might opt to spend less and tips for making smarter purchases as the cost of goods go up.

Today on Free For All Friday: with the upcoming time change from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time on Sunday, our listeners debate: should we scrap the time change in future or keep it and why?

TUNE INTO THE TOWN:  OLIVIA CHOW AND DOUG FORD'S SECOND MEETING & A SECRET TTC BOARD MEETING

12:00PM-12:30 PM

Jane Brown is joined by David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto, Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth and Councillor Brad Bradford, Ward 19 Beaches-East York.

This week: Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Ontario Premier Doug Ford held a second meeting to talk about Toronto's finances. In a letter, they both called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government to get involved in supporting the City as it faces an ongoing budget hole stemming from the pandemic. Also this week, Mayor Chow launched the 2024 budget consultations for the City and from November 1 to 30 Toronto residents can provide their own recommendations for Toronto's budget through public consultations. Meanwhile, what was that closed-door TTC board meeting that took place last week all about? And, earlier in the week, the Toronto Paramedic Union issued a  temporary code red and indicated that there were no available ambulances in the city.

ONTARIO EXPANDING HOLOCAUST EDUCATION IN HIGH SCHOOLS

12:30 PM-12:45 PM

Jane Brown is now joined by Michelle Fishman, The Director of Marketing and Communications at the new Toronto Holocaust Museum.

The Ontario government has announced new and expanded compulsory learning on the Holocaust for students in their Grade 10 history class as part of its strategy in combating antisemitism. And, it's Holocaust Education Week in Toronto. Michelle discusses the latest.

HOUSING REPORT FROM THE  TORONTO REGIONAL REAL ESTATE BOARD

12:45 PM-1 PM

Jane Brown is now joined by Jason Mercer, Chief Market Analyst of the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board.

It continues to be a buyers market for GTA homes. Are younger adults finally catching a break in trying to purchase property?

THE MEDICAL RECORD:  WHAT A CMAJ STUDY TELLS US ABOUT SENIORS AND COVID-19 INFECTIONS

12-12:30 PM

Marissa Lennox is joined by Dr. Sohail Gandhi, Family physician, and a past president of the Ontario Medical Association (OMA), Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and Dr. Fahad Razak, Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto.

In the news: The Ontario government is reducing breast screening mammograms for women from ages 50 to age 40 with the aim of making early detection easier. Meanwhile, data from a study from CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) shows that 4 in 10 Canadian Seniors ages 80 and older have likely avoided infections so far and that they must continue to be prioritized for vaccination since this demo is at highest risk of hospitalization and even death from COVID-19. And, we are soon going back an hour from Daylight Saving Time to Standard time. We've heard in the past that such a time change can lead to increase in risk of heart attack but what also cannot be discounted is the impact that it can have on those living with dementia and Alzheimer's by causing daily routine changes and worsening symptoms.

FORD GOVERNMENT EXTENDING THE GAS TAX CUT

12:30-12:45 PM

Marissa Lennox is now joined by Dan McTeague, President of Canadians for Affordable Energy.

This week: Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that his government is extending the gas tax cut by 5.7 cents per litre until June of 2024. In the same announcement, Ford called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to drop the carbon tax altogether.

TAKE YOUR KID TO WORK DAY

12:45-1 PM

Marissa Lennox is now joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP and his daughter Celeste Quinn.

It's Take Our Kids to Work Day and today we've got Celeste Quinn joining us. She tells us something new she learned about her dad's work at CARP, what she's got on the itinerary while she spends the day at the Zoomerplex and what career she wants to pursue when she's older (hint: it has to do with animals).

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: TRUDEAU'S CARBON TAX FLOP

12:00-12:30

Marissa Lennox  is joined by George Smitherman, a Former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who also served as a health minister and deputy Premier, Janet Ecker Former Ontario PC MPP and finance minister and Cheri DiNovo,Former Ontario NDP MPP and recipient of the Order of Canada.

Eight years of pushing fossil fuel taxes for climate action, but now, a seismic shift: the Prime Minister announced a suspension of the carbon tax for home heating oil for three years. This handed opposition leader Pierre Poilievre a prime moment to grill him in yesterday's Question Period.

The move gives a leg up to one region, namely Atlantic Canada, where 40% of households rely on heating oil. Compare that to Ontario, where only 2% do.

Predictably, other provinces like Ontario and Saskatchewan are now voicing their desire for similar exemptions for other fuels like propane and natural gas.

Premier Moe said yesterday that if a deal isn't reached to exempt all forms of home heating from the carbon tax before winter hits, "Sask Energy will stop collecting and submitting the carbon tax on natural gas." So how does this play out? If exemptions aren’t given, will provinces go rogue? And is this the start of the end for Trudeau’s carbon tax?

PROVINCE TO REDUCE MAMMOGRAM SCREENINGS FOR WOMEN 40+

12:30-12:45

Marissa Lennox  is joined by Dr. David Jacobs, President of Ontario Association of Radiologists as well as Dr. Martin Yaffe, Breast Cancer researcher at Sunnybrook Research Institute, and The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research and a Professor at University of Toronto.

The Ontario government is reducing the requirement of breast screening mammograms for women from age 50 to age 40 with the aim of contributing to earlier detection. The move will be implemented starting next Fall. According to Ontario’s Minister of Health this will make it so that an additional 130,000 mammograms are completed in the province on an annual basis.

WHY AN ONTARIO MUNICIPALITY IS CALLING ON OTTAWA TO DO ITS PART TO ADDRESS AUTO THEFT

12:45-1 PM

Marissa Lennox  is joined by Jeff Knoll, Oakville Councillor for Ward 5 and chair of the Halton Police Board as well as Bryan Gast, VP, Investigative Services  of Équité Association.

The Town of Oakville is calling on Ottawa to crack down on auto theft both locally and at the national level. On Oct 23rd, City Council unanimously voted in favour of endorsing a motion by Ontario’s Big City Mayors to call on the feds to put more funding into the CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) for inspections of shipping containers at Canadian ports since that is where organized crime ships out stolen cars to the world. They also want to see Ottawa implement a law that would require auto manufacturers to have anti-theft technologies in all new models of vehicles. The Insurance Bureau of Canada explained that auto theft claims for the region of Halton shot up by 200 per cent between 2018 and 2022. Earlier this month, The Port of Montreal received $150 million in funding from Ottawa to expand a container terminal project. But is there enough funding for additional inspections of those shipping containers?

ZOOMER SQUAD: PUBLIC HEALTH MESSAGING FOR COVID-19 VACCINES

12:00-12:30

Marissa is joined by Bill Van Gorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP and Bob Richardson, Senior Council to National PR.

We compare the highly effective public health messaging campaigns during the rollout of the first COVID-19 vaccines earlier on in the pandemic vs those around the new COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna for the XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant that is now the dominant strain in Canada which some argue hasn't been very well promoted. And, we remember Matthew Perry, a Zoomer and beloved Canadian who died in his home at the age of 54.

THE LATEST IN THE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR, ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTS AT HOME & A MOB THAT ATTACKED A PASSENGER PLANE OF ISRAELIS IN DAGESTAN

12:30-12:50 PM

Marissa is joined by Lidar Gravé-Lazi, the Editor-in-Chief of ILTV based in Israel and Michael Mostyn, CEO of B'nai Brith Canada.

We discuss the latest in the war between Israel and Hamas, the mob of hundreds who swarmed a plane carrying Israeli passengers in Dagestan and chanted antisemitic slogans and the local anti-Israel protests taking place in Toronto.

OTTAWA CRACKING DOWN ON INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SCAMS AND "BAD ACTOR" COLLEGES IN CANADA

12:50-1 PM

Marissa Lennox is now joined by Daniel Lee an Immigration lawyer with Fasken Law.

Ottawa's immigration minister says it has put together a plan of reforms to address international student scams here in Canada and any "bad actor" colleges. Daniel explains.

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners called in to discuss the latest on the Israel-Hamas war and other stories making headlines this week.