Newstalk Today

Newstalk Today

By Bell MediaNews
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Newstalk Today episodes

  • Police officer who shut down The Beatles’ last live show tells Evan he doesn’t regret it

    Evan Solomon speaks with the police officer who shut down The Beatles’ famed rooftop concert in 1969 — which also ended up being their last public performance. 

    On today's show: 

    • Dr. Sumon Chakrabarti, infectious diseases physician, on understanding COVID-19 data.
    • The former Bank of Canada governor David Dodge on inflation and housing prices. 
    • Former London Metropolitan police constable Ray Dagg, the police officer who shut down the Beatles’ famed rooftop concert.
    • Jerry Dias, president of Unifor, on the vaccine mandate for cross-border truckers and grocers pressured to bring back 'hero pay'. 
    • Dan Riskin, CTV science and technology specialist, on a new study which finds goldfish are capable of driving cars on land.
      • 1 hr 19 min
    • Free For All Friday

      Free For All Friday features top talent from across the iHeart radio talk network. Hosts from all over the country join the roundtable to discuss the five biggest stories of the week.

      This week's show is hosted by Dave Kaufman and features panelists Jerry Agar, host of The Jerry Agar Show on Newstalk1010 in Toronto, and Dan MacDonald from AM800 in Windsor, host of The Dan MacDonald Show.

      Topics: 

      1. Our health care system is hanging on by a thread. How did we get here? How do we fix this? 
      2. Quebec is now banning the unvaccinated from liquor and cannabis stores. Is this the right way to go? Should other provinces follow suit?
      3. Where is America headed? How do we find covering news at a time when gaslighting is so prevalent?
      4. Are we taking our anger out too harshly on the Sunwing plane party passengers?
      5. The Olympics are coming up in a month. Should Canada be going? If so, why?
        6. 39 min
      6. Canada urged to create surtax on $1-million homes

        Evan Solomon speaks with Dr. Peter Kershaw who published a new report calling for a surtax on Canadian homes worth more than $1 million as a way to rein in skyrocketing home prices and fund affordable housing.

        On today's show: 

        • Dr. Peter Kershaw, Generation Squeeze founder, on a surtax on Canadian homes worth more than $1 million. 

        • Rehana Dhirani. Her father died when the Iranian military shot down Flight 752, killing all 176 people on board. Saturday marks two years since his death. 

        • Daniel Lippman, Politico White House and Washington Reporter, on the first anniversary of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
          • 1 hr 19 min
        • Federal transport minister asks for investigation into Sunwing party flight

          Evan Solomon breaks down the details of a Sunwing Airlines private charter flight where a group of Quebecers partied maskless, drank alcohol, and vaped. 

          On today’s show:

          • Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, on the $40B deal on Indigenous child welfare compensation.
          • Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun on an update to his city’s flood recovery and how his community has been dealing with B.C’s recent cold snap. 
          • ‘The War Room’ with political strategists Zain Velji and Tasha Kheiriddin and former NDP leader Tom Mulcair. 
          • Tarun Nayar, a musician who makes music with plants and mushrooms, translating small bioelectric changes within the organism into musical notes.
            • 1 hr 19 min
          • Hospital CEO urges Health Canada approval of Pfizer's antiviral pill

            Evan Solomon speaks with Dr. Kevin Smith, CEO of the University Health Network, who says the Paxlovid pill is safe and can help decrease the number of hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19. 

            On today's show: 

            • We hear your concerns about measures meant to combat rising COVID-19 case counts, including the closure of schools in Ontario and the implementation of a curfew in Quebec.
            • David Macdonald, senior economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, on 2020 being the second highest year for CEO pay in Canadian history.
            • Dr. Kevin Smith, president and CEO of the University Health Network, on calling on Health Canada to approve Pfizer's COVID-19 antiviral pill.
            • James Magnus Johnston, resident of Prairie Rivers Co-Living Cooperative, on living in a Winnipeg community with a unique arrangement.
              • 1 hr 19 min
            • Ontario imposes new restrictions; remote learning for students, indoor dining, gyms to close

              Zain Velji fills in for Evan Solomon. We break down Ontario’s sweeping new restrictions and measures meant to combat record-high case counts of COVID-19. 

              On today's show: 

              • Colin D’Mello, CTV’s Queen's Park Bureau Chief, on Ontario’s new restrictions. 
              • John Wright, executive vice-president of Maru Public Opinion, on a new poll which highlights the places Canadians would feel most comfortable living.
              • Evan Balgord, Executive Director of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, on developing a tool kit to help teachers spot extremism in students.
              • Dan Kelly, president and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, on what Ontario’s announcement will mean for businesses.
              • Brigette Lacquette, a professional Canadian hockey player who has now become the first Indigenous woman to scout for an NHL team.
                • 1 hr 18 min
              • Ghislaine Maxwell found guilty of helping Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse girls

                Zain Velji fills in for Evan Solomon. He speaks with Gloria Allred, the most famous woman attorney practicing law today who represents 20 of Jeffrey Epstein’s accusers, on Ghislaine Maxwell being convicted of grooming teenagers for abuse.

                On today’s show: 

                • Mohamad Fakih, CEO and President of Paramount Fine Foods, on being named to the Order of Canada.
                • Gabriella Brisson, former Olympic synchronized swimmer, on the eating disorder problem in pro sports.
                • Dr. Katharine Smart, president of the Canadian Medical Association, on Quebec announcing some health workers with COVID-19 will be allowed to work.
                • Dr. Peter Kalmus, climate scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab, on the response to the movie ‘Don’t Look Up’ and how it captures the “madness” he sees everyday.
                • Gloria Allred, victims rights attorney who represents 20 of Epstein's accusers, on the guilty verdict in the Ghislaine Maxwell trial.
                • Eric Alper, music publicist, commentator and radio host on the top music of 2021.
                  • 1 hr 19 min
                • U.S officials cut COVID-19 quarantine period from 10 days to 5

                  Zain Velji fills in for Evan Solomon. He speaks with infectious diseases physician Dr. Isaac Bogoch on his thoughts on the CDC shortening the quarantine period from 10 days to 5 days, and whether Canada should do the same. 

                  On today's show:

                  • Dr. Isaac Bogoch, infectious diseases physician at Toronto General Hospital, on the latest on Omicron. 
                  • Dr. Louis Kwantes, an Edmonton vet and president of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, on Canada's "concerning" veterinarian shortage.
                  • Stephen Carter, Campaign strategist and former Chief of Staff to Alberta Premier Alison Redford, on what political leaders should focus on heading into 2022. 
                  • Movie critic Richard Crouse on the must-see movies of 2021.
                    • 1 hr 18 min
                  • How a future U.S. president helped avert a Canadian nuclear disaster

                    Zain Velji fills in for Evan Solomon. We hear the incredible story of a young Jimmy Carter and how the future US President helped avert nuclear disaster in Canada.

                    On today's show: 

                    • Heather Roy with Team Evelyn Foundation on the loss of her daughter and how to navigate grief during the holiday season. 
                    • Arthur Milnes, author and journalist who has known Jimmy Carter for over 20 years, on how the future US President helped avert a nuclear disaster near Ottawa. 
                    • Jane Rosenberg, a professional courtroom artist who drew Ghislaine Maxwell drawing her back. She has also covered four decades of notorious trials including drug lord El Chapo, R Kelly, the World Trade Center and Boston marathon bombers, assassin of John Lennon and Derek Chauvin.
                    • Oksana Kishchuk, the director of strategy and insights at Abacus Data, on preferences for classic holiday favourites. Do Canadians prefer real or artificial trees? Eggnog or hot chocolate? We bring you the answers.
                      • 1 hr 19 min
                    • Canada expands benefits for workers affected by COVID-19 and lockdowns

                      Zain Velji fills in for Evan Solomon. We break down the federal government’s announcement on expanding eligibility criteria for COVID-19 support programs.

                      On today's show: 

                      • Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek on the fight against Quebec's Bill 21.
                      • The War Room political panel with former NDP leader Tom Mulcair, Tim Powers, chair of Summa Strategies, and Scott Reid, CTV News political commentator.
                      • Deryck Roche, a Toronto-based musician who’s already lost $3,000 worth of gigs since Ontario announced capacity restrictions at indoor live music venues. He reacts to the federal government’s new announcement. 
                      • Demi Skipper, who successfully traded a bobby pin up until she got a house. 
                        • 1 hr 29 min

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