The Morning News with Gord Gillies & Sue Deyell

Sue and Gord start the podcast by getting to know Calgary's new Police Chief. Mark Neufeld explains his style of leadership and what he sees as the most pressing issues when it comes to public safety. Randy Ferguson of Strategic Group joined us to talk about converting empty downtown buildings into condo's. While he agrees times are tough now, he also believes Calgary's long term future is a 'can't miss'. Climate change and TMX was the big topic with Global's Mercedes Stephenson. Did CPC Leader Andrew Scheer put a price on what big CO2 emitters will have to pay? A new crop of high school grads is about to enter the real world, do they know anything about financial planning? James McCreath of BMO Nesbitt Burns says - 'not enough' - and he has ideas on where to get started.  And while Toy Story 4 raked in more than 110 million dollars on its opening weekend, that's being considered a disappointment. Morgan Hoffman joins us from ET Canada to explain why.

Sue and Gord spend a lot of the time looking at two big issues: pipelines and flooding.

The president of Trans Mountain pipeline joined us for his unique perspective on what federal approval means in order to get the project going again. Ian Anderson says there are still several hurdles that need to be cleared but he's hopeful construction could begin this fall.

Is this the end of the delays? David Taras from Mount Royal University shares his thoughts on what happens now.  We also hear from Gasbuddy.com's Dan McTeague. The senior petroleum analyst looks at what approval means for all levels of government and of course how much it will cost for us all to fill up.

We also look back on the sixth anniversary of the devastating floods of 2013. Mayor Naheed Nenshi talks about how one of the worst disasters in Calgary history, also helped strengthen our community. And Sandy Davis joins us to talk what measures have been put in place to reduce the risk of it ever happening again.

Gord and Sue have reaction to the biggest Oilpatch story in weeks: the federal government re-approves the Trans Mountain pipeline. Tristan Goodman from the Explorers and Producers association of Canada is cautiously optimistic but wants to see construction underway soon. Ward 6 Counselor Jeff Davison says it's great news but Calgary truly needs to diversify the economy to move into the future. The federal government also unveiled a national Dementia Strategy this week. Dr. David Hogan of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute says it's an 'okay' announcement. but much more research is needed. He talks about what we all can do to reduce the risk of developing dementia. And we also talk to the artistic director of Making Treaty 7 theatre company. Justin Many Fingers says having a new home in Calgary's legendary Grand Theatre will help them share First Nation stories with the rest of the world.

Once again Gord and Sue begin the podcast by trying to find ways to cut 60 million $ in costs at city hall. Ward 3 Councillor Jyoti Gondek says there is fat that can be trimmed but the necessary cuts will have a big impact on services.

When the economy really does start to recover, we'd better be prepared. Kent Fellows from the School of Public Policy explains why now is the time to plan for the recovery.

Mercedes Stephenson has the latest from Parliament Hill on how all of the big parties are releasing their election platforms just in time for the summer bar-b-q circuit.

And finally, local singer songwriter Reuben Bullock joins us to talk about playing the Coca-Cola stage on Sneak-a-peak night at the Calgary Stampede. While that is a highlight, he says the big news is how his music is now being used on hit shows like Grey's Anatomy and The Handmaid's Tale.

SUE AND GORD BEGIN THE SHOW WITH A LITTLE CELEBRATION.  THE TORONTO RAPTORS DEFEATED THE GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS TO WIN THE NBA CHAMPIONSHIP.  JAMIE MARACHER JOINS US FROM TORONTO WITH HOW FANS ARE CELEBRATING NOT JUST THERE… BUT COAST TO COAST. WE SAW SOME PRETTY NASTY STORMS THIS WEEK IN SOUTHERN ALBERTA.  WITH SUMMER APPROACHING, WE TOUCH BASE WITH SENIOR CLIMATOLOGIST DAVID PHILIPS FROM ENVIRONMENT CANADA WITH SOME REMINDERS ABOUT SEVERE WEATHER AND WHAT’S BECOME KNOWN AS HAIL ALLEY.  GLOBAL’S JACKSON PROSCOW JOINS US FROM WASHINGTON, D-C WITH THE WEEK IN REVIEW AND FINALLY, AN INTIMATE CONVERSATION WITH COMEDIAN RUSSELL BRAND. HE’S IN CALGARY THIS WEEKEND FOR TWO FUNDRAISING SHOWS FOR FRESH START RECOVERY CENTER. BRAND TALKS ABOUT LIVING LIFE IN THE FISHBOWL, HIS STRUGGLES WITH ADDICTIONS AND HOW ANYONE CAN FIND A WAY OUT IF THEY ARE STRUGGLING.

We begin the show with a look at the tense situation this week in Hong Kong. Nathan Van der Klippe from the Globe and Mail explains what thousands of people are protesting and why what began as a peaceful gathering has turned violent.

Bumble may be a runaway hit as a dating app, but it can also help hook up your career. Emily Ramshaw from Bumble explains what's planned in Calgary this weekend to help you network your ideas.

And finally, what a start to professional soccer for Cavalry FC in Calgary. We talk to head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. about the amazing season so far and whether his team has a chance against the Vancouver Whitecaps to represent Canada on the world stage.

Shruti Shekar Writes for www.mobilesyrup.com

Jeff Baird, City of Calgary roads

Gord and Sue start the morning remembering the Brentwood tragedy and the resulting memorial park opening in Quinterra with Barclay Hunter, Josh Hunter's father.

Alberta Senator Doug Black joins the show to look at which Bill C-69 amendments the Liberal government are planning to approve and which to dismiss.

And Jesse Rogerson of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum joins the show to look at some of the celestial bodies Canadians will be able to see for a limited time.

Sue and Gord begin the show with a look at how Calgary city council will reduce small business taxes in Calgary. MRU's Lori Williams says the relief is important but the big problem remains. Will it lead to big cuts in city services?

A new study on how much plastic we ingest every day raises more questions than answers. Researcher Kieran Cox from the University of Victoria explains why that's still a good thing.

Speaking of research, UBC scientists may have found a way to turn all different types of blood into the 'universal' Type O. Professor Stephen Withers looks at the promising discovery.

Finally, help for women caught in Calgary's sex trade. Teresa Jenkins from RESET Society talks about the support that's available to break free now that the has gone mostly underground and online.