Canada's carbon tax goes up by $10/tonne today, reaching a total of $40/tonne. This means bigger bills at the gas pumps and for heating homes, but Ottawa is promising the tax will balance out with bigger rebate cheques when Canadians file their taxes. Following last week's loss at the Supreme Court, Premier Scott Moe has promised a made-in-Saskatchewan carbon pricing plan, and he joins Gormley to tell us more.

A Saskatoon institution will be closing its doors at the end of May. After almost seven decades in the clothing business, Elwood Flynn is retiring and closing his downtown store. Flynn says he loves the menswear industry and it never felt like work, and he joins Gormley to tell us more about his long career and what's next for the 91-year-old.

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Canada joined more than a dozen other nations yesterday in calling for the a more thorough and transparent investigation into the origins of COVID-19. The joint report by the World Health Organization and China into the virus' origins was released Tuesday, finding the virus was probably transmitted to humans from another animal, but many are casting doubt on the findings due to China's secrecy and track record. Sarah Teich, international human rights lawyer and fellow with the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, says China can't be trusted to tell the truth, due to its long record of concealment and silencing whistleblowers, and she joins Gormley to discuss the issues with Tuesday's report.

The Hour of the Big Stories… Open Session

Anyone in Saskatchewan aged 60 and over can now book their vaccination, and 180,000 more doses are expected to arrive in the province by mid-April. Meanwhile, the current public health order, which prohibits private gatherings and dine-in restaurant meals in Regina, was extended to April 12. Dr. Saqib Shahab, Saskatchewan's chief medical health officer, joins Gormley to discuss the latest on COVID-19 in our province.

They did it as a winter trial and had great success, now SaskParks is looking for people who want to operate their own businesses within Saskatchewan Provincial Parks for the summer months. You could be an avid hiker, biker or canoeist, maybe a photographer or could offer lessons on kite surfing - SaskParks says all ideas will be considered for their recreation and adventure-based business opportunities.

According to the Taking the Pulse Canada survey through the University of Saskatchewan, when it comes to the post-pandemic future, Canadians are hopeful about new workplace arrangements, but are apprehensive about dark days to come for their mental health, the economy, and personal finances. Dr. Erica Carleton with the University of Saskatchewan joins Gormley to discuss what the survey found on adaptations to work and some of the alternate workplace arrangements people are feeling optimistic about. Will some changes you've made during the pandemic be the new normal for you going forward? Let Gormley know at 1-877-332-8255.

Last Thursday's Supreme Court decision on the federal carbon tax has some giving money to one of Western Canada's separatist political parties. Jay Hill is interim leader of the Maverick Party (formerly Wexit Canada), which seeks greater fairness and self-determination for Western Canadians through constitutional change or the separation of the West from Canada. Hill says the Maverick Party has seen a big influx of donations since the carbon tax decision, and he joins Gormley to tell us more.

The Hour of the Big Stories… Open Session