The Morning News with Gord Gillies & Sue Deyell

A very busy start to the week on The Morning News as Gord and Sue delve into the number one issue facing Calgarians: business taxes. Kristi Stuart details what her Barre Belle fitness studio is up against and why she hopes council has a solution. Ward 7 Councillor Druh Farrell explains why she's not sure she'll support the latest proposal to bring tax relief.

The federal Conservatives maintain a healthy lead in the latest polling. Mercedes Stephenson from the Global Ottawa Bureau says that's going to result in more political bar-b-qs this summer than you can shake a stick at.

A new study warns that men are working themselves to an early grave. Wayne Hartrick from the Canadian Men's Health Foundation says some simple lifestyle changes can reduce the risks, for men and women.

Finally, an interview you must hear!  We called Jean Libin to wish her a 100th birthday and she was more than willing to share her secrets on living a long life.

We called up Calgarian Jean Libin as she becomes a centenarian!

Gord and Sue begin with the big story out of Ottawa where the Senate is moving ahead with controversial Bills C-48 and C-69.  Senator Doug Black says the C-48 tanker ban is extremely disappointing, but there may still be a chance to make changes. He’s hopeful the amendments to C-69 will be accepted by the Trudeau Liberals in Ottawa.

The number one story facing Calgary small business owners is sky rocketing property taxes. Sebastian Sztabzyb from Phil and Sebastian’s coffee roasters talks about the massive hike in what they now have to pay. Ward 1 Councillor Ward Sutherland reveals a last minute motion he believes will provide some relief.

This Sunday is the 23rd edition of Betty’s Run, where Calgarians run and walk to fundraise to find a cure for ALS. Payton Moro shares with us how the devastating disease claimed the life of her mom Karen. She says money raised truly does provide hope and incredible support.

And finally, we check in with Brett Megarry to get The Couch Potato picks on the new movies from Hollywood.

Gord and Sue took time Thursday to remember the 75th anniversary of D-Day with interviews from Juno Beach in France. We spoke with Diana H and her two daughters Amanda and Brooke who are with the Drumheller Sea cadets. Their experiences and the connection they now have with the family of two Alberta soldiers who died fighting overseas. We also hear from Tom Leppard who is no stranger to honouring our veterans. The Executive Director of the Field of Crosses in Calgary was touched by how the French still honour their liberators all those years ago. Preparing for the next big emergency. Greg Solecki says some of the best plans come from hard lessons learned during an emergency. He talks about the need for businesses to be a big part of any disaster planning. And finally, comedian Kevin Farley is in town for the annual Funnyfest comedy festival. He talks about what's making him laugh these days and what it was like living with his famous, late, great brother, Chris Farley.

Shaylene White Eagle is the Ambassador of Hope for We Matter from Siksika Nation.

Chestermere Mayor Marshall Chalmers joins Gord & Sue to explain why that city has been able to drop property taxes for 2019.

Hull's Services opens a new facility to focus on the treatment of pre-adolescent teens. Executive director Julie Kerr, executive manager Dr. Emily Want and Shawn O'Grady discuss the work that will be able to be done in the new building.

On World Environment Day, the National Conservancy of Canada announced the conservation of Hansen Ranch. Andrew Holland explained why.

And June 6 marks the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square. Professor Gordon Houlden of the China Institute at the University of Alberta joins Gord & Sue to look back at the notable event in China's modern history.

Property tax rates continue to be a hot topic in Calgary, so Sue checks in with Ward 6 Councillor Jeff Davison to find out how council is moving forward in finding a solution to sky high rates for angry business owners. 

Drowning. It's not how it appears on TV or in the movies. Drowning is silent and undramatic, and can happen right in front of you. Sue talks to Julianna Matson, the drowning prevention coordinator from the Lifesaving Society Alberta and Northwest Territories Branch, to find out what people should watch for in and around the water. 

High River is getting a drive-in movie theatre! Jeff Langford is the president of the River City Classics Car Club, and his group has leased the land from the town, and has purchased the giant movie screen. They’re excited to bring the drive-in theatre back, but they also want to help their community at the same time.

And, when you’re booking a flight, should you pay to reserve your seat ahead of time? The Travel Lady, Leslie Keyter, joins Sue, to share her tips and tricks for booking the best seats on the plane, and what extras are worth paying for.

As always on Mondays, we do a roundup of all things Canadian politics with Mercedes Stephenson, Global News Ottawa bureau chief and host of the West Block. This week, Sue and Mercedes talk about Trump tariffs and NAFTA 2.0, Brexit and organized crime problems plaguing the UK and Canada. 

The people of High Level, Alta., are being allowed back to their town today, two weeks after being evacuated when the Chuckegg Creek wildfire first broke out. Sue checks in with Derek Gagnon, provincial information officer with Wildfire Alberta, to get an update on the size of the blaze and the overall wildfire situation. 

Today is World Bicycle Day and Sue is joined by University of Calgary Chancellor Deborah Yedlin and Olympic cyclist and nutritionist Kelly Anne Erdman who rode in for a chat! Yedlin is an avid cyclist and is launching a brand-new Chancellor’s Bike Ride to raise money for the Chancellor’s scholarships for deserving students. Registration is now open for the 40K, 80K or 113K rides in September. The Chancellor also gives us a sneak peek of her Convocation speech and talks about the importance of the UofC! 

Finally, Sue checks in with Ellen Percival, publisher and editor in chief at Calgary’s Child magazine to talk about the types of summer camps available to your kids and when you should start thinking about getting them registered!

Friday was all about the smoke. Gord and Sue had several interviews regarding the wildfires burning in the province.

Derek Gagnon from Wildfire Alberta talked about growing concerns and Global News' Kent Morrison was on scene in Slave Lake.

We also hear from Dr. Ted Jablonski on what how all of this smoke can impact people with breathing problems.

After getting hammered by thousands of citizens over 2019 property taxes, city council came up with a last minute solution. We talk to Ward 3 councilor Jyoti Gondek about what's on the table and why the province seems reluctant to help out.

Headliner Tommy Savitt joined us to talk about Funnyfest back in Calgary. He offered up some advice to city hall on how to perform better.

And finally, using a tailgate party with the Stampeders to celebrate 30 years of CUPS in Calgary helping our kids.

Sue and Gord begin the show with a look at how we commute in our city. Statistics Canada looked at major cities over the past 20 years and Calgary underwent some dramatic changes when it comes to the downtown core. Executive producer Mike Tarasko joins us with the details.

Okotoks is moving forward on a new development that will include eco-friendly tiny homes between 350-550 square feet in size. Sustainability manager Dawn Smith says 42 homes are part of the project and more than 300 people have signed up to live in them.

As we update the wildfire conditions in Northern Alberta we look at fire prevention. Alberta Wildfire officer Derek Gagnon says there are simple things we all can do to prevent the next one.

Star Wars fans will be in seventh heaven the next time they go to Disneyland. We go 'live' to the new Star Wars Galaxy's Edge theme park for a preview with Global's Liem Vu.

And finally, as Canada prepares to cheer on the Toronto Raptors in the NBA Finals, we wondered what a Raptor really looked like? What Don Henderson the curator of dinosaurs at the Royal Tyrell Museum had to say will likely surprise you.