There are more than 4,000 charities and non-profits active around Saskatchewan, and we're featuring some of the great people doing great work in this province during our new segment called "The Best of Saskatchewan." In this week's feature, we'll check in with Joanne Bracken, CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan, to learn more about their work as the province's leading dementia care and research charity.

A Saskatoon salon is discouraging small talk and offering silent appointments, saying it's helping their clients better manage anxiety and stress. While some talk is still necessary to communicate with their customers, Hairtech Design Salon is doing away with small talk, and manager Kerissa Wright joins John to tell us the reasoning for the move and how it's been received so far. Would you prefer your appointments do away with small talk? Are there any other situations where you think small talk should be eliminated? Call or text 1-877-332-8255 and let us know!

The Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association is holding its 33rd annual Soil Health Conference this week (Wed. and Thurs.), and this year the focus is on carbon. Aldyen Donnelly, founder and director of carbon economics at Nori, a carbon removal marketplace, will be delivering a keynote titled 'Carbon Markets – Where We Are, Where This is Going, and Questions Farmers and Ranchers Should Ask Before Jumping on the Bandwagon,' and she joins Gormley to share her tips for helping producers navigate the carbon marketplace.

Canada's federal government is facing calls from doctors, the tourism industry, and airlines to end COVID-19 testing requirements for travelers. Westjet cut 20% of its flights for March due to the requirements, with CEO Harry Taylor noting that Canada is the only country among the G7 that still requires mandatory PCR testing before departure and arrival. Karl Moore is a professor at McGill and expert on the air travel industry, and he joins Gormley to discuss the impact the restrictions are having on travelers, tourism and Canada's economy.

With the protests continuing in Ottawa, today Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be talking to premiers and holding a rare caucus meeting. Could the PM evoke the Emergencies Act as the convoy protest in Ottawa enters its third week? Toronto Sun columnist Brian Lilley joins John with more on what's happening in Ottawa.

Open Lines

The Saskatchewan Trucking Association opposed the cross-border vaccine mandates that sparked the convoy protest in Ottawa, but additional protests blockading borders have started to create significant issues for the transportation industry. Susan Ewart heads the Saskatchewan Trucking Association, and she joins Gormley to discuss the negative impacts the border blockades are having on truckers and trucking companies in our province.

What time is it? It's Eatin' Time! with Belton Johnson - powered by the Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association! Grillmaster Belton Johnson joins Gormley with his recipe for BBQ smoked meatball subs, just in time for the Super Bowl this weekend!

A lot of Valentine's Day dates are happening this weekend, meaning fresh breath is absolutely essential. Dentist and microbiologist Dr. Harold Katz is perhaps the world's leading expert on bad breath, and he joins Gormley to tell us about some of the surprising causes of bad breath and how you can avoid them to ensure your Valentine doesn't get grossed out!

Open Session

Cameco plans to resume production at its Key Lake processing plant and McArthur River uranium mine this year, hiring hundreds of workers in Saskatchewan. More than 500 people were laid off when the shutdown was extended in 2018, but the new plan calls for 900 employees and contractors to be working at the sites by 2025. CEO Tim Gitzel joins John to share the details, and the economic benefits for our province.

Opinions about the 'Freedom Convoy 2022' in Ottawa are changing rapidly as the protest enters its second week. Many similar convoy protests have sprung up around the world, and several jurisdictions in Canada have dropped vaccine mandates, but the police bills are massive, residents have been harassed, and many are concerned about extremists within the ranks of the protesters. A recent Leger poll found 44% of Canadians sympathized with the convoy's anti-mandate goals, but 65% considered the protesters selfish. This morning we're putting the question to you on in one of Gormley's patented Reality Checks: "Should the Ottawa truck convoy pack up and go home?” Call 1-877-332-8255 and add your voice to our poll!