Erinn Beech, a Saskatoon woman, has been doing her utmost to reunite with her husband Felipe, who's stuck in his home country of Honduras due to COVID-19, and she's frustrated that the government has done little to help despite saying they want to do everything possible to reunite families. She's now applied for a temporary visa to get Felipe into Canada, but isn't expecting it to be approved. She can't travel to him because she'd lose her job, and might not be able to fly into Honduras either way. Beech says she's one of hundreds - or possible thousands - of Canadians stuck in the same situation, and they're petitioning the federal government to allow for temporary residency while their permanent resident applications are processed. Beech joins Gormley to explain the situation.

The Canadian Paediatric Society is advocating for children to return to school this fall - with safety protocols like masks and small groups - due to the negative effects the long-term closures have had on children. Dr. Karen Leis says schools are more than just institutions of learning, as they also provide mental health support, healthy food, and for some children even a refuge from issues in the home. Leis joins Gormley to discuss the importance of returning to school and how to keep the risks low.

Open session continues

WTF Team: Ari Avivi, marriage commissioner and stand-up comic & Mike Couros, insurance and benefits broker.

Premier Scott Moe joins Gormley to discuss the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan, as well as the $19B federal support for provinces announced Thursday. Premier Moe, as chair of the Council of the Federation, said he wanted more flexibility for provinces in how they spent the money, and we'll find out his thoughts on the final agreement.

Gormley's executive producer Taylor MacPherson managed to irritate half the province on Twitter after declaring the Saskatchewan term "bunnyhug" to be "stupid." He says he prefers "hoodie" or "sweater" because "bunnyhug" makes him feel ridiculous when he says it out loud. Taylor joins Gormley to explain why he hates the most iconic piece of Saskatchewan lingo. Do you like the term "bunnyhug," or do you avoid using it? Call 1-877-332-8255 and tell us what term YOU use for a hooded sweatshirt.

Will the WE Charity scandal continue to dog Justin Trudeau after his apology at the start of this week, or will it all blow over and be forgotten? National Post Columnist Matt Gurney says Trudeau has got a lot better at damage control (through long practice), says "there is no conventional political wisdom that covers what a political scandal looks like during a summer where the country is largely shut down by a global pandemic." Do you think COVID will distract from the scandal long enough for it to blow over, or will WE Charity scandal lead to a drop in support for the PM? Call 1-877-332-8255 and let us know what you think!

According to new research by the Canadian Energy Centre, meeting Canada's commitments to the Paris Climate Agreement signed in 2016 would cost this nation 300,000 jobs and $54B in GDP losses by 2030. The Paris Agreement committed Canada to reducing its CO2 emissions to 30% below 2005 levels by 2030. Canadian Energy Centre Executive Director Mark Milke joins Gormley to tell us more.

We're continuing our conversation on the Buffalo Project's calls for greater independence for Saskatchewan and Alberta. W. Brett Wilson, who you know from 'Dragon's Den,' was a signatory on the letter the group sent to Premiers Scott Moe and Jason Kenney, and he's pretty fired up about these issues so we thought there was no better way to kick off Bugsday than catching up with Brett!

Then

Bug’s Day… The Hour of Rage!

The Buffalo Project's letter to Premiers Scott Moe and Jason Kenney is making some waves. The group of concerned citizens is calling for greater independence for Saskatchewan and Alberta, including a fair formula for equalization payments, provincial tax collection plans, a review of trade and immigration policy, and the creation of "The Buffalo Corridor," an unobstructed port access route. June Draude is one of the 60 prominent residents who signed the letter, and she joins Gormley to explain why she feels it's time for the prairie provinces to seek greater autonomy.