A horrific shooting spree in rural Nova Scotia becomes the worst Canadian mass shooting in memory.

And a tiny American enclave becomes known as the 'safest place in America' during the COVID-19 pandemic....because it's cut off from the rest of the USA by a Canadian suburb. 

Contact:

Guest host Niki Reitmayer - @Niki_Reitmayer on Twitter

This is Why - @ThisIsWhy on Twitter

Email us - [email protected]

The novel coronavirus outbreak continues to spread, as does the amount of time Canadians have spent social distancing and, in some cases, working or teaching from home.

All that time staring at the same four walls, interacting with the same people in a household, with the constant threat of catching the novel coronavirus is wearing no people.

On this episode of This Is Why, we look at the mental health challenges people around the world are facing and what can be done about it.

Contact:

Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter

Dave McIvor - @d_mac1519 on Twitter

This is Why - @ThisIsWhy on Twitter

Email us - [email protected]

Guests:

Dr. Karen Cohen, registered psychologist and CEO of the Canadian Psychologist Association

Dr. Ganz Ferrance, registered psychologist

With so much going on right now in the country, you might not know that April is Sikh Heritage Month in Canada.

Canada's Sikh community has often shown up with support for their neighbours in time of disaster - and as the country grapples with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations like Khalsa Aid are learning how to lend a hand with a whole new set of challenges.

Contact:

Niki Reitmayer - @Niki_Reitmayer

Email us - [email protected]

Guests: 

Jatinder Singh, Khalsa Aid Canada Director

The novel coronavirus outbreak continues to spread, with cases across Canada surpassing the 10,000 mark.

Doctors and nurses have raised alarms of looming personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages, a vital piece of equipment to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

On this episode of This Is Why, we look at why front line health care workers are facing PPE shortages, who uses the PPE and how, and what everyday Canadians are doing to help out.

Contact:

Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter

Dave McIvor - @d_mac1519 on Twitter

This is Why - @ThisIsWhy on Twitter

Email us - [email protected]

Guests:

Dr. Gigi Osler, past president of the Canadian Medical Association

Claire Betker, RN and president of the Canadian Nurses Association

Bryan Frischbutter, president of Birchwood Furniture

Mike Chen, engineer and organizer of YYC Shield Makers

The novel coronavirus has led to the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics - but it's not the first time that the Olympics have been pushed off track by global events. 

Guest host Niki Reitmayer tells the history of Olympic Games cancellations and boycotts - and a surprising pattern emerges. 

Plus: essential workers are showing up at work every day, but they're coping with the pandemic in their own ways. 

Contact:

Guest Host Niki Reitmayer - @Niki_Reitmayer on Twitter

This is Why - @ThisIsWhy on Twitter

Email us - [email protected]

The Ontario and Saskatchewan governments were set to go to the Supreme Court of Canada over the federal carbon pricing backstop, or carbon tax, after their respective provincial courts decided that the carbon tax is constitutional.

On this episode of This Is Why, we look at the arguments behind carbon pricing, the arguments against, and how a decision in an Alberta court could affect the outcome.

Contact:

Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter

Dave McIvor - @d_mac1519 on Twitter

This is Why - @ThisIsWhy on Twitter

Email us - [email protected]

Guest:

Martin Olszynski, associate law professor, University of Calgary

The novel coronavirus outbreak continues to spread, with more than 150 cases verified in Canada, including Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, the prime minister's wife. Cases have been reported in more than 115 countries around the world. 

Panic buying has also set in, as stores sell out of hand sanitizer, toilet paper and canned goods.

On this episode of This Is Why, we continue our two-part series looking at the biological and psychological aspects of COVID-19, and how perhaps the biggest challenge in facing a pandemic is in our own heads.

Contact:

Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter

Dave McIvor - @d_mac1519 on Twitter

This is Why - @ThisIsWhy on Twitter

Email us - [email protected]

Guests:

Dr. Steven Taylor, professor and clinical psychologist at UBC & author of “The Psychology of Pandemics: Preparing for the next global outbreak of infectious disease”

Dr. Chris Mody, head of the department of Microbiology, Immunology & Infectious Diseases at the University of Calgary

The novel coronavirus outbreak continues to spread, with more than 30 cases verified in Canada and cases in more than 80 countries around the world. 

On this episode of This Is Why, we begin a two-part series looking at the biological and psychological aspects of COVID-19.

Contact:

Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter

Dave McIvor - @d_mac1519 on Twitter

This is Why - @ThisIsWhy on Twitter

Email us - [email protected]

Guests:

Dr. Chris Mody, head of the department of Microbiology, Immunology & Infectious Diseases at the University of Calgary

Dr. Steven Taylor, professor and clinical psychologist at UBC & author of “The Psychology of Pandemics: Preparing for the next global outbreak of infectious disease”

Steve Vogelsang was a beloved member of Winnipeg's media who went on to instruct journalism students in the art of telling news. Leaving Manitoba's capital started a downward spiral for him, ending in the robbery of six banks in Alberta and Saskatchewan, and serving time in the Drumheller Institution.

On this episode of This Is Why, we look at what led Vogelsang to stick up banks in Canada's Prairies, and how that affected his legacy among a significant cohort of journalism students and journalists.

Contact:

Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter

Dave McIvor - @d_mac1519 on Twitter

This is Why - @ThisIsWhy on Twitter

Email us - [email protected]

Guest:

Melissa Martin, reporter-at-large, Winnipeg Free Press

Brett Megarry, co-host of "The Start with Mackling, Megarry and McNabb" and "The Couch Potatoes" on 680 CJOB

The Wet’suwet’en protests over the Coastal GasLink pipeline have captured the attention of Canada, with support protests popping up from coast to coast.

In this episode of This Is Why, we get some background on why, despite an existing agreement with some members of the northern B.C. First Nation, opposition remains and how history with the Canadian government plays a role.

Contact:

Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter

Dave McIvor - @d_mac1519 on Twitter

Email us - [email protected]

Guest:

David Khan, Indigenous rights constitutional lawyer.