MP Steven Guilbeault resigned from cabinet, claiming the Ottawa-Alberta energy deal signals a major step backwards on climate commitments. The agreement lays the political groundwork for a potential pipeline to the B.C. coast. By designating this possible pipeline as a project of "national interest," it could be exempt from environmental protection laws. The deal will also see Ottawa suspend the proposed federal oil and gas emissions cap, and Alberta's requirements under the Clean Electricity Regulations. 

On this week’s episode of Just Asking, we take your questions about what this deal could mean for Canada's climate future. Our guests are Rick Smith, the President of the Canadian Climate Institute. And Hadrian Mertins-Kirkwood is senior researcher at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, who focuses on the shift towards a zero-carbon future, including energy workers.

Do you have a question you want Just Asking to explore? Send us a text or voice note at 226-758-8924. You can also e-mail us at [email protected]

The holidays are around the corner. What does that look like if your partner has a different cultural background? How do you navigate those differences and bring your two identities together? How do you navigate potential conflicts with both sides of the family, or questions from your kids?

On this week’s episode of Just Asking, we take all your questions about dating and relationships for couples from different cultural background. Whether you’re a part of an interracial couple, or your partner has a different faith or ethnic background, this week’s guests have plenty of advice for you. Yasmeen Rafiq is a therapist and owner of the private therapy practice, Meaningful Connections, where she works with intercultural couples. And Maya Yampolsky is an associate professor of social and cultural psychology at Laval University, where she researches intercultural and interracial relationships. 

We'll also hear from Rabbi Denise Handlarski who is in an interfaith marriage herself and marries interfaith couples. She's also a professor at Trent University and has a LOT of opinions about Netflix’s Nobody Wants This.

Marjorie Taylor Greene says Trump “ripped MAGA apart” with the Epstein case. The uproar may have pushed the President to reverse his previous stance, signing a bill late Wednesday to order the release of the Epstein files. But beyond this week's political drama, how will these fractures within the Republican party affect the MAGA movement moving forward?

On this episode of Just Asking, we take all your questions about what’s happening with the MAGA movement right now, and how things could change one year out before the Midterm elections. Matt Dallek is a professor of Political Management and historian at George Washington University, who’s written multiple books chronicling the rise of the modern conservative movement. (Confirming second guest) Paul Waldman is a columnist with MS NOW (formerly MSNBC). 

Do you have a question you want Just Asking to explore? Send us a text or voice note at 226-758-8924. You can also e-mail us at [email protected]

Like it or not....Winter is coming. Are you ready to bust out the Mariah Carey, or are you bracing yourself for darker, colder days ahead? For a country that spends a significant portion of the year in winter weather, our cities are not always well-equipped to be livable spaces through all seasons. 

On this episode of Just Asking, we take all your questions on how to prepare ourselves, and our communities for the change in seasons. Ana Hidalgo is a lecturer in the Department of Geography and Planning at the University of Saskatchewan who researches urban design for winter cities. Kari Leibowitz is a health psychologist and author of the book "How to Winter: Harness Your Mindset to Thrive on Cold, Dark, or Difficult Days." 

Do you have a question you want Just Asking to explore? Send us a text or voice note at 226-758-8924. You can also e-mail us at [email protected]

With the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil this week, Canada wants to be seen as a leader in climate action. But are we on the right track? Reports are warning that fossil fuel emissions have hit a record high. The world is still on track for a catastrophic 2.6C increase in temperature. That is surpassing the thresholds set out in the Paris agreement. At COP30 this week, Canada highlighted $392 million in funding for global climate action projects. Here at home, Prime Minister Carney unveiled his list of major projects to fast-track. Carney's plan is for Canada to become an energy superpower and a leader in responsible mining for critical minerals. 

On this episode of Just Asking, we take your questions on Canada’s climate change commitments, and our role on the world stage. Sarah Elizabeth Sharma is an Assistant Professor in the School of Political Studies at the University of Ottawa, focusing on climate policy. David Smith is the Coordinator of the Institute for Sustainable Development and Director of the Centre for Environmental Management at The University of the West Indies.

Do you have a question you want Just Asking to explore? Send us a text or voice note at 226-758-8924. You can also e-mail us at [email protected]

How many texts, memes and video calls does it take to make a relationship last? We all have partners, friends and family in different cities to keep up with. How often do you get to have face to face time with those loved ones? As our lives get busier, traveling gets expensive, and technology makes communication both easier and more fleeting, what does it take to make a relationship last from afar? 

On this episode of Just Asking, we take your questions on long-distance relationships and friendships. Dr. Alexandra Solomon is a clinical psychologist, adjunct professor at Northwestern University and host of the podcast "Reimagining Love." Anabel Quan-Hasse is a Professor of Sociology and Media Studies at Western University. 

Do you have a question you want Just Asking to explore? Send us a text or voice note at 226-758-8924. You can also e-mail us at [email protected]

Coffee prices are skyrocketing. Statistics Canada says the price of your morning cup of coffee is officially 41% higher than it was in Fall 2024. So what’s behind those numbers?

On this episode of Just Asking, we take all your questions about coffee production and where those costs are coming from - from supply chains to climate change. We get the facts straight from the roastmasters themselves. Nick Brown is the founder and editor of Daily Coffee News by Roast magazine. And Gavin Fridell is a Professor in Political Science and Global Development Studies at Saint Mary's University where he focuses on trade policy, supply chains and coffee production.

Do you have a question you want Just Asking to explore? Send us a text or voice note at 226-758-8924. You can also e-mail us at [email protected]

It's been just over six months since Prime Minister Mark Carney got elected. So how is the Carney era treating Canadians so far? And with his first federal budget tabled this week, how will he deliver on what was promised during the campaign?

On this episode of Just Asking, we take all your questions about Prime Minister Carney, his policies, and how much he’s accomplished so far. To dig into all this we’re joined by two guests. CBC's Janyce McGregor is a Senior Reporter in our Parliamentary Bureau. And Vandana Kattar is a political consultant and was an advisor to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Do you have a question you want Just Asking to explore? Send us a text or voice note at 226-758-8924. You can also e-mail us at [email protected]

As Canadians celebrate the Blue Jays epic world series run, every player statistic is being dissected by an analytics team behind the plate. So what is it about the Blue Jays that helped them get this far? The 4-billion dollar sports analytics industry has become a major part of how teams scout talent, and how the game is played. 

On this episode of Just Asking, we take all your burning baseball questions. Jane Leavy is a sportswriter, biographer, and author of the new book, "Make Me Commissioner: I Know What's Wrong with Baseball and How to Fix It." And Joe Baker is the Tanenbaum Research Chair in Sport Science, Data Modelling and Sport Analytics at the University of Toronto, where he specializes in talent development. 

Do you have a question you want Just Asking to explore? Send us a text or voice note at 226-758-8924. You can also e-mail us at [email protected]

Four young Canadians are suing the Canadian Pension Plan who claim that CPP Investments is failing to manage climate-related financial risk. With the fund's investment in fossil fuels, the lawsuit alleges that CPP is being grossly underestimating the market impact of a warming climate. So if you want to be a climate-conscious investor, where do you start?

On this episode of Just Asking, we take all your questions about climate change and your finances. Tim Nash is the Founder of Good Investing, a certified financial planner, and an expert in socially responsible investing and sustainability. Anshula Chowdhury is an entrepreneur and expert in social impact measurement and how organizations report on their environmental and sustainability goals.

Do you have a question you want Just Asking to explore? Send us a text or voice note at 226-758-8924. You can also e-mail us at [email protected]