Newstalk Today

Newstalk Today

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Newstalk Today episodes

  • Conservative MP apologizes for comments on COVID-19 vaccines, virus risk

    Zain Velji, filling in for Evan Solomon, discusses Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu’s apology for comments she made on CTV’s Question Period about COVID-19. 

    On today's show: 

    • Conservative strategist Jason Lietaer on MP Gladu’s apology and the Tories asking the national councilor behind the anti-O’Toole petition to turn over emails and phone records.
    • Dr. Slobodan Simonovic, an Ontario flood-control expert, on creating a first-of-its-kind map which outlines Canada's future flood zones.
    • Cynthia Lira, a 20-year-old concertgoer at Astroworld Fest where eight people died and hundreds more were injured, on her near-death experience. 
    • Andrea Gunraj, Vice President of Public Engagement with the Canadian Women’s Foundation, on how a made-in-Canada distress signal may have helped save the life of a North Carolina teen.
    • Andrew Fleming-Brown, managing-director of SWG3 in Glasgow, on creating the world’s first nightclub generated by body heat. 
      • 1 hr 14 min
    • Crowd surge kills at least 8 at Houston music festival

      Zain Velji, filling in for Evan Solomon, speaks with Joey Guerra, a Houston music critic who attended Astroworld Fest where eight were killed and hundreds more injured. He tells Zain the tragedy has changed his views of the live-music experience forever.

      On today's show: 

      • Rich Garton, CTV Windsor News Reporter, on the U.S land border reopening. 
      • Joey Guerra, Houston Chronicle music critic, on the tragedy at Astroworld Fest. 
      • Cpt. Corey Shelson, a retired veteran and advocate with Veterans’ Transition Network, on how the closure of Kabul safe houses that helped Canadians has devolved into an “absolute crisis.”
      • Brothers Antonio and Diego Arrendondo on competing in the Balloon World Cup, which takes the childhood game of ‘don’t let the balloon hit the floor’ to a new level.
        • 1 hr 18 min
      • Free For All Friday

        Free For All Friday, hosted by Amanda Galbraith, 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 features panelists Scott Reid, CTV News political commentator and former communications director for Prime Minister Paul Martin, and Zain Velji, a political campaign strategist and partner at Northweather.

        Topics: 

        1. Is Canada ready for the promises PM Trudeau has made at COP26?

        2. PM Trudeau says his government has been talking to Indigenous communities about how to raise the flags ahead of Remembrance Day. Should they be raised?

        3. Ontario will boost minimum wage to $15 in 2022. Is this high enough?
        4. American Girl dolls, Risk, and sand (yes, sand) have been inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame. Thoughts? 
          5. 40 min
        5. FBI releases declassified documents on 9/11 attacks

          Evan Solomon speaks with 9/11 families’ attorney Andrew Maloney on the FBI releasing newly declassified documents on Sept. 11 attacks.

          On today's show: 

          • We play Evan’s full interview with Canada’s minister of natural resources, Jonathan Wilkinson, on COP26.
          • Dr. Alika Lafontaine, President-Elect of the Canadian Medical Association, on Ontario and Quebec denying COVID-19 vaccine mandates for health care workers. 
          • 9/11 families’ attorney Andrew Maloney on the FBI releasing newly declassified documents on Sept. 11 attacks.
          • Danny Goldberg, President of Gold Village Entertainment, on his new book "Bloody Crossroads 2020".
            • 1 hr 19 min
          • Ontario expands eligibility for third doses of COVID-19 vaccine

            Evan Solomon breaks down Ontario’s announcement on booster shot eligibility with Dr. Andrew Morris, an infectious diseases doctor at Toronto’s University Health Network.

            On today's show: 

            • David Frum, senior editor at The Atlantic and a former speechwriter for President George W. Bush on Virginia's governor race and Trump’s new social media platform.
            • Prime Minister Trudeau is discussing raising flags ahead of Remembrance Day with Indigenous people. We hear from you: should we raise them?
            • ‘The War Room’ political panel with Tasha Kheiriddin, Tom Mulcair and Zain Velji.
            • Dr. Andrew Morris, an infectious-disease doctor at Toronto’s University Health Network on Ontario’s booster shot announcement. 
            • Dan Riskin, CTV Science and Technology Specialist on a study which suggests people often mistake the internet’s knowledge for their own.
              • 1 hr 18 min
            • Kyle Beach's lawyer reacts to comments made by NHL Commissioner

              Evan speaks with Kyle Beach's lawyer, Susan Loggans, about the ongoing fallout of the Chicago Blackhawks sexual assault allegations. 

              On today's show, Evan also speaks with: 

              • Michael Bernstein, Executive Director for Clean Prosperity, about COP26.
              • Luc Denault, Smooth Rock Falls Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Economic Development, about why the Ontario town is seeing an explosion in real estate. 

                • We also discuss the rise in minimum wage, political radicals, and guest producer Colton Praill's poor selection for Christmas gifts.

                1 hr 19 min
              • NHL defends disciplinary decisions in Blackhawks scandal

                Evan speaks with TSN and Forbes legal analyst Eric Macramalla on the Chicago Blackhawks sex assault case. Plus, Evan chats with former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney on the future of the Conservative Party and mandatory vaccines. 

                On today's show: 

                • We play Evan's full interview with former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. 
                • Glen McGregor, CTV National News Senior Political Correspondent on the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow. 
                • We take Gary Bettman's media conference live, where the NHL commissioner discusses the Chicago Blackhawks sexual assault scandal. 
                • TSN and Forbes legal analyst Eric Macramalla on the Chicago Blackhawks sex assault case.
                  • 1 hr 24 min
                • Free For All Friday

                  Free For All Friday, hosted by Amanda Galbraith, 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 features panelists Karl Dockstader, co-host of One Dish One Mic on CKTB, CJBK & CKLW, and Jerry Agar, host of the Jerry Agar show on Newstalk1010 & 1290.

                  Topics: 

                  1. Steven Guilbeault has been named Canada's new environment minister — someone who has been a long-time environmental activist. Are you okay with an activist being our new environment minister?
                  2. Kyle Beach has come forward as John Doe in the Blackhawks investigation. Is there a culture problem with the NHL? What about sports in general?
                  3. Ontario has introduced legislation that would force some employers to develop policies allowing workers to unplug from the office after their shift. Should we have the right to disconnect?
                  4. PETA says the MLB should rename the bullpen to more animal-friendly 'arm barn'. Thoughts?
                    5. 40 min
                  5. Kyle Beach steps forward as victim in Blackhawks sex assault investigation

                    Evan Solomon speaks with Susan Loggans, the lawyer representing Kyle Beach, who came forward as "John Doe" in the Chicago Blackhawks sexual assault scandal. 

                    On today's show:

                    • We play Evan’s full interview with Canada’s Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault on the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference.
                    • Michael Bernstein, the executive director of Clean Prosperity, on his organization releasing a new report which discusses how likely it is the Liberals will meet its 2030 target.
                    • Susan Loggans, the lawyer representing Kyle Beach, who came forward as "John Doe 1" in the Chicago Blackhawks sexual assault scandal. 
                    • Wab Kinew, Leader of the Manitoba New Democratic Party on his new book and Pope Francis announcing he will visit Canada for indigenous reconciliation.
                      • 1 hr 19 min
                    • Police say live bullet was in gun fired by Alec Baldwin in fatal movie set shooting

                      Evan Solomon recaps the investigation of the 'Rust' movie shooting in which actor Alec Baldwin fired a gun that killed the movie's cinematographer and wounded a director.

                      On today's show: 

                      • We take the Rust movie shooting investigation LIVE. 
                      • We play Evan`s full interview with Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland on the federal government`s new cabinet. 
                      • 'The War Room' political panel with political strategists Tasha Kheiriddin and Zain Velji and former NDP leader Tom Mulcair. 
                      • Jean Swanson, a Vancouver city councillor who wasn't charged for handing out heroin. We chat with her about why.
                      • Spencer Sheehan, the lawyer who is representing a woman who has filed a $5 million lawsuit alleging Pop-Tarts don't have enough strawberries.
                        • 1 hr 23 min

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