This week on The Next Take Podcast, Canadian hosts Mikel and Tanyka take a closer look at some of the country’s most talked-about headlines. They discuss why hospitals are reporting a surge in cannabis-related cases, Canada’s decision to end hotel funding for asylum seekers and what this means for vulnerable communities, and the frustrating delays many people face when trying to legally change their names.
As cannabis use has become more common across Canada, hospitals and emergency departments have also seen an increase in cannabis-related health cases. Patients may seek medical attention for issues ranging from cannabis poisoning and severe intoxication to mental-health complications and accidental consumption. Canadian research shows that cannabis-attributable hospitalizations and emergency-department visits have risen significantly over the long term, raising questions about how changing cannabis use, stronger products, edibles and legalization may be affecting public health. (via Source: Canada - Public Health Agency of Canada — Cannabis Hospitalizations & Emergency Department Visits )
Canada has officially ended its federally funded hotel program for asylum seekers, marking a major shift in how the country handles temporary accommodation for people seeking refugee protection.
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), all hotels directly funded and managed by the federal government for asylum claimants were closed as of October 1, 2025. Between April 2020 and September 2025, approximately 61,000 asylum seekers received temporary hotel accommodations through the program, which cost the federal government roughly $1.2 billion for accommodations, meals, security, transportation and support services. (via Source: Government Of Canada - Government of Canada — Support for Asylum Seekers )
People looking to legally change their names in Ontario are facing significant processing delays, leaving some waiting months for their applications to be completed. In this discussion, we look at why the process is taking so long, how these delays can affect people trying to update important identification and documents, and what the Ontario government says applicants should expect. With current processing times reaching up to 24 weeks, we also ask whether Ontario needs to improve and modernize its name-change system to make the process faster and more accessible. (via Source: City News Toronto - CityNews Toronto )
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Episode Produced By: Tanyka
Uploaded By: Mikel Miles
Welcome to the Next Take Podcast—your go-to spot for real conversations about music, art, social issues, pop culture, politics, the economy, and so much more! Hosted by Two Canadians Mikel,Tanyka and Friends, each episode brings fresh takes, bold discussions, and a whole lot of heart. New episodes Monday to Friday -- don’t miss out!"
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