Sheryl Harrow-Yurach with READ Saskatoon joins Gormley to tell us about this year's Family Literacy Day events.

A master’s student in BC recently penned a piece asking readers to rethink the backyard rink. Kennedy Kneller, a master’s student in kinesiology at UBC, says backyard rinks play a significant role in Canada's cultural identity, but they also create inequality as they're typically only found in the yards of affluent, white Canadians and can be exclusionary. Kneller says it's time to "stop painting backyard rinks as romantic, innocent spaces where Canadians come together to play Canada's game, but recognize them as an often-overlooked player in the game of capitalism and colonialism." Kneller joins John to discuss her piece on the backyard rink.

The Hour of RAGE

The owner and founder of an agricultural recycling company in Saskatchewan says he may be forced to cease operations due to a requirement by the Saskatchewan Government to deal with an Ontario-based company for all grain bag recycling in the province. Dallon Leger is the founder of EcoGenX Agriculture Recycling Ltd., and he says he's been threatened with fines and even jail if he continues to run his programs to sell and recycle grain bags in Saskatchewan. He says the Ontario company, CleanFarms, does have a good track record, but offers an identical service using what he says are inferior methods, and he believes their lobbying efforts have led the Province to favour them over Saskatchewan companies like his. Leger joins Gormley to explain his situation, then we'll hear a response from Environment Minister Warren Kaeding.

According to Environment Minister Warren Kaeding, the Ministry has made every effort to work with EcoGenX and there is still a pathway to resolve the issue. Kaeding joins John to respond to Dallon Leger and explain how the dispute can be resolved.

Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault drew strong criticism this week from CPC Leader Erin O'Toole and others over a comment he made during an interview with The Narwhal this week. Speaking about the need for faster action on climate change, Guilbeault said: "more stringent methane regulations, zero emission vehicle standards, net-zero grid by 2035, cap on oil and gas, and obvious phasing out fossil fuels, all of these things must be in place in the coming 18 months." Tom Korski with Blacklock's Reporter joins John to discuss Guilbeault's comments and his plans for Canada's energy sector. Korski has also been crunching the numbers on the flight costs for climate-related government travel, and he'll share that story as well.

Continuing our agriculture focus, John is joined by Cherilyn Jolly-Nagel, who farms near Mossbank and works with the Global Farmer Network, which is currently looking for new partnerships. Jolly-Nagel also helped spearhead the creation of an online training program called "So... Your Client is a Farmer," which aims to improve relations between producers and those who work closely with them. Jolly-Nagel joins the show to tell us about her work, and why the snow we're currently seeing on the ground gives farmers optimism for the 2022 growing season.

We take you live to the Radio Room at the Legislative Building in Regina, where Premier Scott Moe and Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab will share a COVID-19 update.

Sam Yang, owner of Yip Hong’s Dim Sum in Saskatoon, has introduced a new server that's a hit with customers - a robot named Gina! Yang says he got the robotic server to decrease face-to-face interactions in his restaurant. Customers order through a QR code menu, and Gina returns with their food. The robot has so far been a hit with many customers, but some say they prefer the human touch. Yang says he hasn't cut staff in favour of robots, and is actively looking to hire, but wanted to try something new and reduce COVID transmission at the same time. Yang joins Gormley to tell us about the robot.

It’s time for Saskatchewan’s Smartest Radio Listener! Powered by Minhas Distillery, Winery & Brewery. Your chance for fame, acclaim and to prove just how smart you are. Not only do you get bragging rights, you’ll win a $50 gift card from Minhas Distillery, Winery & Brewery, with locations in Regina and Saskatoon PLUS a "Saskatchewan's Smartest Radio Listener" t-shirt from our friends at Little Town Apparel.

Open Lines

The mother of a 9-year-old who was struck by a vehicle and killed at a Saskatoon intersection last fall is expressing her frustration that criminal charges have not been laid and she has not been kept informed as the investigation progresses. Rochelle Dubois, mother of Baeleigh Maurice, released hard-to-watch footage of the collision onto social media this week to spur the police into action, and Dubois joins Gormley to share her story and why she's criticizing the Saskatoon Police Service.