Zoomer Week in Review

This week, special rapporteur David Johnston tabled his long-awaited first report by announcing he’s not calling for a full public inquiry into Chinese interference in Canada because of the sensitive and classified information involved. While not surprised with the decision, critics say it’s misguided amid accusations of a conflict of interest. So what will be the political fallout? We reached Ian Steadman, Professor of Canadian Public Law and Governance in the School of Public Policy and Administration at York University who argues in this case, perception is reality.

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95 year old Bill Wall lost his vision in 2003 due to macular degeneration but says he hasn’t lost his drive. That’s why the nonagenarian will hop on a tandem bike to again take part in the Ride to Conquer Cancer next month for the 11th time. Now in its 16th year, the 200 km trek from Toronto to Niagara Falls has raised more than 250 million for cancer research at Toronto Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, among the top 5 research centres in the world.

A review of scientific literature published this week isn’t offering new advice, according to one expert in the field of gynecology who has 30 years experience studying menopause and who helped author guidelines for women looking for relief. The study just published in the Canadian Medical Association reinforces a shift already underway, that hormone replacement therapy should be the first treatment offered to menopausal women to help manage symptoms, and it also highlights the overstated risk of HRT from two decades ago. We reached Dr. Jennifer Blake, Professor and past CEO of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada

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Spring has sprung as bird watching takes ‘flight’ with more of us paying more attention to ‘tweets’ and NOT the twitter variety!

50 million birds will visit Toronto this spring and there are dozens of events on the calendar for bird enthusiasts who learned this week that, after 50 years, Ontario removed bald eagles from its at-risk list. Ironically, while the hobby grows in popularity, bird populations are declining. Jody Allaire is Director of Community Engagement with Birds Canada.

We’re wrapping up Nursing Week in Canada, a time to recognize nurses for their important role in health care. Many believe Ontario’s nursing shortage has reached a crisis point, impacting nurses and the quality of care patients receive. Poor working conditions and the pandemic have left them burnt out with many considering or actually leaving the profession they once loved. We reached Dr. Claudette Holloway, President of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario.

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Generation gaps are just as big as they were in the late ‘60’s when it was the Boomers who weren’t understood by their parents. That’s the conclusion of Generations Expert Jean Twenge who’s out with a groundbreaking research into how the different generations connect and conflict with one another. In her new book, ‘Generations, The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents—and What They Mean for America's Future’ Jean chronicles the six living generations each with their own values and attitudes and she dispels some myths like the belief millennials are broke and Boomers are the only rich generation. We reached author and San Diego State University Psychology Professor Jean Twenge.

The U.S. Surgeon General is calling it a public health crisis. Dr. Vivek Murthy released a new Surgeon General Advisory calling attention to the dangers of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection. Even before the pandemic, about half of American adults reported experiencing measurable levels of loneliness, which can increase the risk of disease and death. The situation is most likely the same here in Canada. Libby Znaimer talked with loneliness expert Dr. Nancy Newall, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology at Brandon University.

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Bob Hunter was a co-founder of Greenpeace and of the environmental movement as a whole. He was also our friend and colleague for years at City TV. His widow, Bobbi Hunter, edited a new book about his extraordinary life, "Mr. Mindbomb - a Life in Stories".

Is it third time lucky or strike three you’re out? Earlier this week, Liberal Transport Minister Omar Omar Alghabra unveiled his latest fix to the Airline Passenger Rights Bill. It sparked lots of criticism and has critics wondering why Ottawa doesn’t just follow a model that works? Libby Znaimer talked with NDP Transport critic Taylor Bachrach

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This week Zoomer Media launched it's very own line of cosmetics. Right now, when the beauty industry markets to older women, the watchword is anti-aging. Our concept is simple: celebrating Zoomer beauty. Libby Znaimer talked with Natasha Reay GM of The Zoomer Store.

You can check out the offerings at zoomerstore.com

65 percent of organizations across Canada are facing a volunteer shortage and the decline is leaving organizations that depend on volunteerism struggling to move forward post COVID. As we wrap up National Volunteer Week that celebrates Canada's 24 million volunteers, we look at how the pandemic has created a critical shortage of volunteers, many are Zoomers who donate their time to help others. We reached Dr. Megan Conway, President and CEO of Volunteer Canada.

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How happy are you? Research shows it’s critical to our overall well being, affecting everything from our physical health, our relationships and even our productivity at work. In recent years, Canada has been consistently ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world. This year, of the 137 countries ranked, Canada placed No. 13, two positions higher than the United States. Libby Znaimer spoke with the creator of the most popular course in Harvard’s history - the happiness course - Dr Tal Ben-Shahar.

British Gardener Charles Dowding’s influence stretches across the globe, renowned for his gardening method with 40 years experience. The ‘No Dig’ approach isn’t just saving him time, it costs less. In this conversation with Libby Znaimer, Charles presents a convincing case for ‘No Dig’ as not only easy but more productive.

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After 40 years of marriage, Rona Maynard fell in love with another male. And it was all set up by her husband! At 65, Rona let her husband convince her to get their very first pet dog, a rescue mutt named Casey. A pet can complicate plans, at a time when older adults look forward to travel and hobbies, but it didn’t take long for Rona to fall in love with Casey and she’s sharing her story in a new book called Starter Dog: My Path to Joy, Belonging and Loving This World.

It’s the holiest time of the year for many religions. This year, Ramadan, Passover and Easter converge for the first time in 30 years. In Toronto, at St. Michael's Cathedral Basilica , there will be a new face at the altar guiding the Catholic congregation through Easter service. 51 year old Archbishop Francis Leo was installed last month, weeks after Pope Francis formally named him to the post, replacing Cardinal Thomas Collins who stepped down on his 75th birthday. We caught up with Archbishop Francis Leo during holy week, to learn about his role leading Toronto’s Catholic community.

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The data is overwhelming. One-in-four Canadians is a caregiver for a vulnerable person. They’ve been called the unseen backbone of the healthcare system and many are in crisis and at the breaking point because most must hold down full time work. Tuesday marked National Caregiver Day, to honour those who play an essential role to provide critical support for those in need. We reached Amy Coupal, CEO of the Ontario Caregiver Organization.

Are you tired of "tip-flation", of being asked for more money, on top of tax, at every point of sale, even for the teensiest transactions where no service is involved? An Angus Reid poll finds that nearly 65% of us have been asked to tip more often and dole out larger tips. Over the last 5 years, the average gratuity has jumped from 16 to 20 per cent. Libby Znaimer talked with Digital and Cyber lawyer and strategist Ritesh Kotek.

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It’s a massive research investment to change the outcomes in cancers with the lowest survival rates. Six charities and agencies, including the CCS, have awarded fifty-five million dollars to find breakthroughs in pancreatic, esophageal, brain, lung, liver, and stomach cancers. Libby Znaimer talked with lead investigator Dr. Steven Gallinger.

Note: Libby is involved in the project as a patient partner.

It’s a grisly last resort for many families struggling to settle the estate of a departed loved one. They hope a fingerprint or face scan from the deceased body will unlock the digital assets behind phone and computer screens which they can’t get into. Libby Znaimer talked with technology expert Carmi Levy about how to protect and pass on your online legacy.

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The documentary "Four Winters" tells a little known story of Jewish Partisan resistance during the Holocaust that focuses on women. The documentary tells the tale of a group that took up arms in the forests of Eastern Europe to fight Nazis and their collaborators. It unfolds through the testimony of the fighters who were there, including Toronto resident Faye Shulman who added a touch of panache with the leopard coat she wore. Director Julia Mintz dropped by the studio to talk about the film ahead of the Toronto premiere.

It will will be screened daily at Hot Docs Cinema until Sunday April 2, 2023.