Newstalk Today

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 panelists are Tom Mulcair, CTV News political analyst and former NDP Leader, and Leslie Roberts, host of Ottawa at Work on 580CFRA, and anchor on CTV Morning Live Ottawa. 

Topics: 

Prince Philip dies at age 99. 

COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions happening across the country amid the third wave. 

The online controversy over Jill Biden's tights and why people care so much about politicians' clothes and appearances. 

The capital gains tax debate happening across Canada. 

Manitoba debates whether or not gym class should be mandatory until Grade 12.

Evan Solomon discusses the mixed messages and confusing communication from all levels of government during the third wave of COVID-19. 

On today's show: 

Tom Mulcair, CTV News political analyst and former NDP leader, discusses the NDP and Liberal policy conventions.

Scott Reid, CTV News political commentator and former communications director for  Prime Minister Paul Martin, plays Overhyped vs. Underplayed. 

Zain Velji, a political campaign strategist who formerly worked with Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi and Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley, talks about the Alberta MLAs who are opposing the new COVID-19 restrictions. 

Dan McTeague, President of Canadians for Affordable Energy, explains why gas prices are so high right now.  

Suzie Bruce tells the story of how an RCMP officer tracked down her husband, Ray, for his heart transplant while he was out of cell reception.

Evan Solomon discusses the mixed messages and confusing communication from all levels of government during the third wave of COVID-19. 

On today's show: 

Tom Mulcair, CTV News political analyst and former NDP leader, discusses the NDP and Liberal policy conventions.

Scott Reid, CTV News political commentator and former communications director for  Prime Minister Paul Martin, plays Overhyped vs. Underplayed. 

Zain Velji, a political campaign strategist who formerly worked with Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi and Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley, talks about the Alberta MLAs who are opposing the new COVID-19 restrictions. 

Dan McTeague, President of Canadians for Affordable Energy, explains why gas prices are so high right now.  

Suzie Bruce tells the story of how an RCMP officer tracked down her husband, Ray, for his heart transplant while he was out of cell reception.

Evan Solomon discusses the new restrictions and lockdowns happening in several provinces as the third wave of COVID-19 hits Canada hard. 

On today's show: 

We play clips of Evan's interview with Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu on Canada's vaccine rollout.

Harvey Bischof, President of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation, discusses the calls to close schools amid the third wave. 

Laura Stone, Queen’s Park reporter for The Globe and Mail, and Aaron Derfel, health reporter for the Montreal Gazette, discuss the new restrictions and vaccine rollouts in Ontario and Quebec.

Evan talks about a new podcast, Unascertained, which investigates Soleiman Faqiri's death in an Ontario jail, with Yusuf Zine, producer and host of the podcast, and Yusuf Faqiri, Soleiman's brother.

Evan Solomon discusses the new restrictions and lockdowns happening in several provinces as the third wave of COVID-19 hits Canada hard. 

On today's show: 

We play clips of Evan's interview with Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu on Canada's vaccine rollout.

Harvey Bischof, President of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation, discusses the calls to close schools amid the third wave. 

Laura Stone, Queen’s Park reporter for The Globe and Mail, and Aaron Derfel, health reporter for the Montreal Gazette, discuss the new restrictions and vaccine rollouts in Ontario and Quebec.

Evan talks about a new podcast, Unascertained, which investigates Soleiman Faqiri's death in an Ontario jail, with Yusuf Zine, producer and host of the podcast, and Yusuf Faqiri, Soleiman's brother.

Evan Solomon discusses Canada's COVID-19 vaccine rollout and the calls to vaccinate essential workers.   

On today's show: 

Amanda Lang, BNN Bloomberg, explains the discussions currently happening on a global corporate minimum tax rate.

Dr. Michael Warner, ICU doctor and Medical Director of Critical Care at the Michael Garron Hospital, talks about the rising cases of COVID-19, variants of concern and the vaccine rollout.  

Wendy Wild, iHeartMedia Midwest News Director, provides the latest updates on Derek Chauvin's trial.  

Jeff McGuire, executive director of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, talks about the police officers in Ontario who are suspended with pay. 

Rob Hindi, reporter for AM800 in Windsor, provides a live update from a protest happening at a restaurant in Windsor.  

Laura Stone, Globe and Mail Queen’s Park reporter, talks about the latest updates out of Ontario Premier Doug Ford's press conference.

Evan Solomon discusses Canada's COVID-19 vaccine rollout and the calls to vaccinate essential workers.   

On today's show: 

Amanda Lang, BNN Bloomberg, explains the discussions currently happening on a global corporate minimum tax rate.

Dr. Michael Warner, ICU doctor and Medical Director of Critical Care at the Michael Garron Hospital, talks about the rising cases of COVID-19, variants of concern and the vaccine rollout.  

Wendy Wild, iHeartMedia Midwest News Director, provides the latest updates on Derek Chauvin's trial.  

Jeff McGuire, executive director of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, talks about the police officers in Ontario who are suspended with pay. 

Rob Hindi, reporter for AM800 in Windsor, provides a live update from a protest happening at a restaurant in Windsor.  

Laura Stone, Globe and Mail Queen’s Park reporter, talks about the latest updates out of Ontario Premier Doug Ford's press conference.

Evan Solomon discusses the crisis of trust happening during the third wave of COVID-19 in Canada. 

On today's show: 

Amanda Lang, BNN Bloomberg, discusses Canada's housing market.

Dr. Abdu Sharkawy, CTV infectious diseases specialist, talks about Canada's COVID-19 vaccine rollout and vaccine hesitancy. 

Michael Bryant, executive director of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, discusses the call from the Quebec coroner for legislation to allow quick access to cellphone data in missing persons cases. 

Jeff Patterson, WFLA reporter, explains why Florida is potentially facing a devastating flood.

Evan Solomon discusses the crisis of trust happening during the third wave of COVID-19 in Canada. 

On today's show: 

Amanda Lang, BNN Bloomberg, discusses Canada's housing market.

Dr. Abdu Sharkawy, CTV infectious diseases specialist, talks about Canada's COVID-19 vaccine rollout and vaccine hesitancy. 

Michael Bryant, executive director of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, discusses the call from the Quebec coroner for legislation to allow quick access to cellphone data in missing persons cases. 

Jeff Patterson, WFLA reporter, explains why Florida is potentially facing a devastating flood.

Mark Towhey fills-in for Evan Solomon. 

On today's show: 

Dr. Karim Kurji, York Region medical officer of health, shares his thoughts on Ontario's province-wide shutdown.

Anthony Furey, national columnist for the Sun newspapers in Canada, discusses lockdowns happening across the country. 

Listeners share their thoughts on lockdowns and COVID-19 restrictions.   

We carry Ontario Premier Doug Ford's press conference live.