Zoomer Week in Review

INFLATION

 This week was all about inflation - especially in the cost of food. Are the large grocers passing on legitimate increases in their own costs or are they using it as an excuse to price gouge? In the House of Commons politicians of all stripes voted unanimously to investigate so-called "Greedflation". Libby Znaimer asked left-wing economist Jim Stanford for his take on the evidence. 

MODERN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Modern medical technology can extend our lives in ways that would have been unimaginable just decades ago. But it can also leave patients in the grey zone between life and death robbing them of important human moments at the end. Libby Znaimer talked to ICU doctor and former paramedic Blair Bigham about his book; Death interrupted : How Modern medicine is Complicating the way We Die.

Municipal elections are less than two weeks away and a lot of people in Toronto are frustrated. There is a sense of a city that has given up trying to manage and co-ordinate and deliver the basics while we are in the midst of a tremendous growth spurt. That growth seems to be the justification for dirty streets, overflowing garbage cans, year-old potholes, abandoned construction equipment blocking traffic lanes, the stench of overflowing sewage invading a neighbourhood. Earlier this week, Libby Znaimer moderated the first of only two mayoral debates, and she asked the five candidates how they would actually improve this and get things done. You’ll hear incumbent John Tory, followed by Urbanist Gil Penalosa, analyst Chloe Brown, entrepreneur Jack Yan and activist Sarah Climenhage.

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It’s an extension of the farm to table movement and the embrace of local food. Many people are embracing an age-old pastime that takes us into the forests - foraging. A new book explores the mysteries of mycology. Libby Znaimer talked with author Dianne Borsato about Mushrooming: the Joy of the Quiet Hunt.

The now disbanded Ontario Science Advisory Table has released a final report that focuses on the response to the pandemic by family doctors and nurses. It’s recommending a team based approach would better serve patients and help address the alarming number of Ontarians without a family doctor. There are currently 1.8 million without a family physician and 1.7 million have a doctor who is 65 or older. We reached one of the authors of the brief, Dr. Kamila Premji, from the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine.

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This Thanksgiving will mark the first big fall gathering for many since the pandemic began as restrictions are lifted. But Thanksgiving dinner will come with a hefty price tag for Canadians this year as dinner staples increased by as much as 26 percent. With fewer discounts out there than previous years, how will families adjust their special meal?

We reached nutritionist and author Rose Reisman

As the cold months approach, snowbirds will have a lot more to consider this coming winter as the price of accommodation, groceries and dining out have all risen. Many are opting for shorter trips south, and looking at different destinations as a result. And it’s not only travel to the U.S. that will be impacted as travellers will notice the effects of inflation wherever they go. Add into the mix, hurricanes. We reached travel expert Steven Fine, president of Snowbird Adviser.

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It’s “sweater weather” and the vibrant Fall colours are arriving with Ontario offering stunning views that are perhaps among the best in Canada. While apple picking and taking in the fall colours have always been quintessential fall activities .. if you’re looking to add a bit more adventure this fall, we reached Kevin Forget from Destination Ontario. And who better to give staycation tips. Kevin’s twitter profile reads "My job is to tell you about all of the cool things to do in Ontario"!

How many times have you heard people underestimate the seriousness of their chronic condition with a statement like, "It's just arthritis"? Arthritis is not rare, it plagues 1 in 5 Canadians and it is not an inevitable part of aging. To learn more, Libby Znaimer sat down with Trish Barbato President and CEO of The Arthritis Society.

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We often feel a deep sense of loss when someone we admire dies and many of us feel the need to pay tribute whether we knew the person or not. This week, hundreds of thousands of people lined up for hours to pay respects to the Queen and closer to home thousands turned out to honour murdered Constable Andrew Wong - although he was not a household name.

What is behind these expressions of public grief? Libby talked with Dr. Darcy Harris, a professor from the Department of Thanatology, which is the scientific study of death, at King’s University College at Western University.

Along with three other former Prime Ministers and other dignitaries, the Right Honourable Jean Chretien will be part of Canada’s delegation to the Queen’s funeral tomorrow. He knew her for more than 50 years and he shared some of his memories with Libby Znaimer.

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Food is all about comfort and connection and that may be more true than ever over the next few weeks. Many of us will be hosting the first in person holidays since Covid with Jewish High Holidays and Thanksgiving around the corner. Bestselling cookbook author Bonnie Stern is promising that she has done all the worrying for us in her new book: “Don’t Worry, Just Cook!”

This week the Ford government unveiled measures designed to take pressure off the healthcare system. Meanwhile, most people don’t know about one innovation that has been in place for more than a year and a half. The major Toronto hospitals have banded together to offer a Virtual Emergency Deparment. Emergency may be a bit of a misnomer because it is to be used to address urgent but not life-threatening conditions. Libby Znaimer got the details from Dr. Justin Hall, Deputy Chief of the Emergency Department at Sunnybrook Health Sciences.

You can access the online portal at torontovirtualed.ca

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Salman Rushdie was greeted with thunderous applause at a Toronto PEN gala back in 1992. It was a momentous occasion that helped him emerge from hiding following Ayatollah Khomeini’s death threat against him. Then premier, Bob Rae, was one of the first politicians to meet and greet Rushdie publicly, appearing on stage with him . Libby spoke to Ambassador Rae after the horrific attack on Rushdie last week.

It’s being called a mass exodus: at least 7 Toronto City Councillors aren’t running again and with a week left to register only 85 people are running for the 25 seats. Why is the job undesirable and could the answer be recruiting Zoomers? Libby Znaimer talked with the man known as the tiny perfect mayor, former mayor David Crombie.

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Happy Wife Happy Life! It’s an old old saying we’ve all heard and probably some have lived it. But does it have validity in keeping a relationship together? Professor Matthew Johnson of the University of Alberta tested it with the tools of social science.

It’s a breathtaking new way to see one of the natural wonders of the world. Niagara Parks Power Station just opened its new attraction, The Tunnel. You start with a look at a century old power station before descending 180 feet beneath the main generating floor. The tunnel takes you along the same path travelled by water and leads you to a viewing platform with a spectacular new perspective. Libby Znaimer got a tour from Kim Viney Niagara Parks’ VP of Business development.

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Canada’s premier tennis event is fully back for the first time since 2019 and it comes as our country is establishing itself as a tennis powerhouse. Libby talked with Tennis Canada President and CEO Michael Downey.

It’s likely that you, a loved one, or a friend suffers from chronic pain — especially in the lower back.

Researchers at McGill University and scientists from Italy conducted a study that suggests blocking inflammation after injury might make that pain chronic, challenging the standard approach to treating pain.

One of those who worked on it was Jeffrey Mogil, psychology professor at McGill.

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August 1st is the Civic holiday in Ontario but did you know it's also Emancipation Day in Canada?

It's due to Rosemary Sadler.

As president of the Ontario Black History Society, from 1993 through 2015, she advocated for Canada's Black history and the eventual designation of August 1st as Emancipation Day just last year.

Does the author of seven books on the subject, and recipient of the Order of Ontario for her contributions, feel Black children are still facing the same issues she did when she was young?