StrongTowns Ottawa, a local community group, believes that parking should be eliminated on a busy section of Bank Street. And now, they are making their arguments loud and clear to Ottawa City Council. They feel that city officials haven’t properly consulted residents on this specific matter, with a redesign of Bank Street between the 417 and TD Place in high-demand. Kristy Cameron digs deeper with Marko Miljusevic, a board member of StrongTowns Ottawa. Meantime, today’s seniors get a series of discounts at restaurants, recreation centres, and entertainment centres. However, these deals are not being extended to other age groups. Do senior discounts make sense in today’s generation? We open the debate floor in Hour 2. Switching gears to a totally different topic, there’s a promising means of brand-new protection against sexually transmitted infections. Here to explain further is Dr. Peter Phillips, an infectious diseases specialist. Plus, a former CTV Ottawa newsanchor is planning to run for Canada’s Tories.

Robin Gill is filling in for the vacationing Vassy Kapelos this week. We start today’s program in Alberta, as the wildfires at Jasper National Park have consumed 32,000 hectares, the largest burn that park has seen in the past 100 years. Roughly one-third of the park’s structures have been destroyed. Are there any signs of relief on the way? We deliver the latest developments. And as these natural disasters become more common, it begs an urgent question: Do we need a national emergency response agency? We dig deeper in Hour 1. Plus, after they were deducted 6 standings points in the Paris Olympics by FIFA, the Canadian Women’s Soccer Team is appealing the ‘Drone Gate’ punishment.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre said he was open to the idea of compelling drug addicts into treatment, although he remains unconvinced. His remarks on the matter resurfaced a few days after the Alberta government’s recent proposal. It’s a talking point that hits close to home for Ottawa Mission CEO Peter Tilley, who has been sober for the past 16 years after kicking his alcohol addiction. He joins Kristy Cameron in Hour 1. Meantime, Artificial Intelligence products designed to help humans deal with grief are rapidly surfacing. In fact, they could potentially redefine the grieving process, as they offer an attempt to rekindle conversations with loved ones who have passed. Critics, in turn, are raising a slew of privacy concerns. That story is coming up in Hour 2. Plus, wildfires in Western Canada continue to burn through popular Canadian landmarks, such as Jasper National Park. However, a forestry and climatology researcher says changes to zoning bylaws could help lessen wildlife devastation.

Scott Reid is filling in for Amanda Galbraith on this week’s edition of Free For All Friday. And as we examine today’s Hollywood landscape, Deadpool and Wolverine are seeking worldwide attention. Will they reignite the Superhero section of the box office? And if they are successful, will it be enough to revive the box office as a whole? Movie critic Richard Crouse delivers his two cents. In Hour 2, we open the debate floor to tackle today’s biggest headlines. This week’s panel features Jennifer Maddigan of Syntax Strategic and Fred DeLorey of NorthStar Public Affairs. This week’s main menu features a new-look American Presidential race, Canada’s unwelcomed ‘Soccer Drone’ scandal, and the latest grim developments from Jasper.

In the month of July, we have seen a fair amount of whacky weather in Canada’s Capital, some of which has been very nerve-wracking for our listeners to monitor. With some of Wednesday’s nasty systems boasting the potential of producing a tornado, a weather alert could be enough to save you from tragedy. That is, if you get one. And on Wednesday, not everyone did. Kristy Cameron tries to get some answers. Meantime, our city deals with spring flooding almost every single year nowadays. However, as these heavy rainfalls become more frequent, the City of Ottawa fears that no stormwater system is capable of handling an extreme event in Canada’s Capital. Here to tackle this stunning headline is River Ward councillor Riley Brockington. Plus, it’s a Thursday afternoon, which means it’s time to get your green thumbs ready! Gardening expert Carson Arthur is here to tackle your gardening-related texts and emails. And finally, is sitting in a traffic gridlock bad for your health?

A historic Albertan town is surrounded by a wall of flames, as a massive wildfire threatens a national landmark. Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland joins Vassy Kapelos with the latest updates on the raging blaze. Meantime, the Tories are lighting up the Liberals in the latest polls, as a 19-point gap separates Blue from Red. Abacus Data CEO David Coletto has more on that. And finally, it’s a Thursday afternoon, which means it’s time to talk science with CTV’s Dan Riskin.

The city councillor for Barrhaven West is calling on City Hall to implement tougher penalties on ‘the fast and the furious’, which is code for reckless stunt drivers. Last weekend alone, five drivers were charged with stunt driving in his own ward. And with six speeding cameras already installed in Barrhaven, an additional two cameras will be on the way soon. David Hill joins Kristy Cameron in Hour 1. Meantime, Canada’s Privacy Commissioner has opened an investigation into Loblaw’s front office, a decision that stemmed from several allegations that customers couldn’t delete their PC Optimum accounts. That story is coming up in Hour 2. Plus, the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa regretfully remains on the picket lines, as their labour dispute approaches one full month. We get an update on where things stand. And finally, a single drone has caused a lot of controversy in Paris, with Canada Soccer squarely in the line of fire.

The Bank of Canada has made another interest rate cut, this time by 25 basis points. What is the broader impact of Wednesday’s decision? Vassy Kapelos digs deeper with Dawn Desjardins, a Chief Economist with Deloitte Canada. Later in Hour 1, we ask for your feedback, as Vassy opens the phone lines and reads your texts. Over in the United States, President Joe Biden is expected to address the nation tonight. What are we expecting to hear from the now-former Presidential candidate? That’s coming up in Hour 2. Plus, in this week’s Explainer segment, we get into the complex field of shark expeditions with Neil Hammerschlag.

A new survey says the Bank of Canada’s interest rate cuts did little to change Canadians’ negative perceptions about their personal finances. This comes as the quarterly MNP Consumer Debt Index dropped 6 points from the previous quarter. Kristy Cameron digs deeper with David Macdonald, a Senior Economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. In just a few days, the Ford government will be halting further funding for Ontario’s Wastewater Surveillance Program. Researchers who rely on this data fear that an important weapon against COVID will be terminated, which is especially important as a new wave spreads across the province. That story is coming up in Hour 1. Plus, a new study from the University of Ottawa is looking into the science and stereotype of ‘mean girls’, particularly how young women are handling situations of social exclusion. Tracy Vaillancourt, a UOttawa professor, joins the show in Hour 2. And finally, we have another post-pandemic trend to write about.

Vassy Kapelos is back in the saddle, although a little bit under the weather after her business trip to Wisconsin. We start in the world of American politics, where the Director of the U.S. Secret Service has resigned from her post. This is directly linked to a series of failings before a near-fatal assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. CTV’s Joy Malbon delivers the details. Then, we get instant reaction from a former Special Agent. Meantime, parts of a well-known Alberta town have been forced to evacuate due to lingering wildfires. We recount that horrifying experience with Vicki Korogonas, who is the owner of Pine Bungalows in Jasper National Park. Plus, as we inch closer to another interest rate decision, what will the Bank of Canada do?