Fight Back With Libby Znaimer

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: IS OTTAWA'S FOOD PROGRAM JUST ANOTHER GREAT IDEA WITH A LACK OF A PLAN? Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, a former Ontario Liberal Deputy Premier and minister of health, Lisa Raitt, a former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, and Cheri Di Novo, a former Ontario NDP MPP. This week: the Trudeau Liberals announced their plan to spend $1 billion towards a national school food program. And it is National Caregivers Day. TORONTO POLICE ASSOCIATION ON PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTS Libby Znaimer is now joined by Jon Reid, President of the Toronto Police Association. Today: Jon talks about the kinds of challenges that Toronto Police face when it comes to responding to Pro-Palestinian protests, and the measures they have in place to enforce the law should protesters break those laws. Last Saturday, Toronto Police arrested a number of demonstrators. Jon also responds to criticism that the force is not doing enough to make the local Jewish community feel safe.

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: THE CARBON TAX GOES UP TODAY Libby Znaimer is joined by Rudy Buttignol,  President of CARP and Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP, and John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion. Today: our Zoomer Squad reacts to the Ford government's plan to put $2 billion into homecare as per their latest budget. And, the federal carbon tax goes up today. How will that impact the pocket books of Canadians? WHO MADE THE SUNSHINE LIST + HIGHLY PAID CANADIAN MPS Libby Znaimer is now joined by Franco Terrazzano, Federal Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. Franco weighs in on the latest Sunshine List out of Ontario--which now includes more than 300,000 people! Franco also reacts to the news that starting today, PM Trudeau is giving federal MPs a big raise making them the second highest paid elected officials behind their U.S. counterparts. SOLAR ECLIPSE STATE OF EMERGENCY Libby Znaimer is now joined by Jim Diodati, Mayor of Niagara Falls in Ontario, and Natalie

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners debated whether Donald Trump becoming U.S President once again would be a good thing...and things got heated.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: TORONTONIAN SUFFERS LIFE ALTERING INJURY FROM DOG ATTACK Libby Znaimer is joined by Taylor Scollon, Co-Founder of The Peak, Councillor James Pasternak, Ward 6 York Centre, and Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth. Today's topics include: the city's garbage collection, dog attacks, and reaction to the provincial budget and how it may impact Toronto. MARIT STILES REACTS TO FORD GOVERNMENT'S BUDGET Libby Znaimer is joined by Marit Stiles, leader of the Ontario NDP to discuss the $2B for home care recently revealed in the provincial budget. GROWING PETITION CALLS ON LOBLAW TO REPEAL RECEIPT SCANNING POLICY Now we turn to the hugely profitable grocery chain that Canadians love to hate: of course Libby is talking about Loblaw and specifically their pilot project introducing receipt scanners in self-checkout areas where shoppers will be locked in if they don’t have that receipt. Now a growing petition organized by Leadnow is calling for that policy to be abolished.

THE MEDICAL RECORD:  ONTARIO'S HEALTHCARE FUNDING PLANS Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto, Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist with the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and Dr. Amol Verma, a staff physician in General Internal Medicine at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. This week: the province released its budget. Our panel assesses what funding it includes for the healthcare system and give the Ford government a grade on their plans. THE BALTIMORE BRIDGE COLLAPSE: SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS AND BRIDGE SAFETY Libby Znaimer is now joined by Jim Bookbinder, a Professor in the Department of Management Sciences at the University of Waterloo and Rob Handfield, Bank of America Professor of Supply Chain Management at North Carolina State University. The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed this week after a cargo ship collided right into it. As many as 6 people are presumed dead and many questions rem

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: A LOOK AHEAD TO THE PROVINCIAL BUDGET It’s budget day in Ontario. Libby Znaimer is joined by former Ontario NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo; former Ontario Liberal Cabinet Minister George Smitherman; and former Ontario PC MPP and finance minister Janet Ecker to discuss. ONTARIO HOSPITALS AND LTC HOMES SPENT ALMOST ONE BILLION DOLLARS ON  AGENCY STAFF LAST YEAR According to a Ministry of Health document, Ontario hospitals and long-term care homes spent nearly $1 billion last year to fill shifts with nurses and personal support workers from private staffing agencies. Libby Znaimer is joined by Lisa Levin, Chief Executive Officer of AdvantAge Ontario; and Jane Meadus, staff lawyer and the Institutional Advocate at the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly to discuss this contentious issue. A NEW REPORT IDENTIFIES THE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES WITH THE MOST PESTICIDES A new report has identified the fruits and vegetables with the most pesticides. Libby Znaimer is joined Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Directo

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: WHAT CARP WANTS TO SEE IN THE ONTARIO BUDGET Libby Znaimer is joined by Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP; Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer at CARP; and John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion, for a conversation about tomorrow’s provincial budget, and other topics that matter to Zoomers. CATHERINE, PRINCESS OF WALES, HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER Libby Znaimer is joined by Suzanne Boyd, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher, ZOOMER Magazine and EverythingZoomer.com to discuss the news that Catherine, the Princess of Wales, has been diagnosed with cancer. AN UPDATE ON RUSSIA'S WAR ON UKRAINE Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Maria Popova, Associate Professor of Political Science and Jean Monnet Chair at McGill University; and Dr. Andriy Zayarnyuk, Professor of History at the University of Winnipeg who teaches about the former Soviet Union and Ukraine, for an update on the latest on Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Today on Free For All Friday: Our listeners reacted to new info about Ontario Place; the Conservative Party's non-confidence motion; auto theft in Toronto and more!

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: THE DEALS INKED TO SCORE TORONTO THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP A look at the secret deals Toronto signed to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup; and new information revealed about the province's plans to redevelop Ontario Place. Libby Znaimer is joined by Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth; Councillor James Pasternak, Ward 6 York Centre; and Taylor Scollon, co-founder of The Peak, to discuss these issues, and more.   OUR PRODUCER ZIV HADDI WITH AN UPDATE FROM ISRAEL Libby Znaimer is joined from Israel by her producer Ziv Haddi for an update from Tel Aviv. ALMOST 300 ONTARIO PATIENTS MOVED TO LTC HOMES THEY DIDN'T CHOOSE Almost 300 people in Ontario have been moved from hospitals to long-term care homes not of their choosing under a law the Ford government implemented just over a year ago. Libby Znaimer is joined by NDP Health Critic France Gelinas; Chief Executive Officer of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario, Dr. Doris Grinspun; and Dr. Samir Sinha, Director of Ge

THE MEDICAL RECORD: CONCERNS ABOUT INTERMITTENT FASTING; A LOOK AT HEALTH PRIVACY; AND AN EARLY ALLERGY SEASON A new study suggests intermittent fasting may radically increase the risk of death due to cardiovascular disease. Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre; Dr. Alisa Naiman, family physician and founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto; and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, internal medicine and critical care physician at Humber River Hospital to discuss this issue and more. WHY AREN'T CANADIAN POLITICIANS DENOUNCING INTIMIDATING DEMONSTRATORS? Libby Znaimer is joined by Joanna Baron, Executive Director of the Canadian Constitution Foundation for a discussion about the seeming lack of will in Canadian politicians to denounce intimidating pro-Palestinian demonstrators. NIAGARA FALLS BRACES FOR IMPACT AHEAD OF ECLIPSE Libby Znaimer is joined by Mayor of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Jim Diodati to discuss next month’s total solar eclips

RECOVERING POLITICIANS: A LATE-NIGHT DEAL PUSHES A HOT-BUTTON MOTION THROUGH THE HOUSE An 11th hour deal between the Liberals and the NDP agreeing to amend a controversial motion to recognize a Palestinian state saw the removal of the most contentious provision, allowing the seriously watered-down motion to pass the House with the support of the Bloc Québécois. Libby Znaimer is joined by former Ontario NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo; former Ontario Liberal Cabinet Minister George Smitherman; and former Ontario PC MPP and finance minister Janet Ecker to discuss this hot-button issue, and more. AN UPDATE ON THE GARDINER EXPRESSWAY Libby Znaimer is joined by Jennifer Graham Harkness, Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction for the City of Toronto, for an update on the critical construction work on the Gardiner Expressway. CARJACKINGS HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLED IN TORONTO Toronto Police reported yesterday that carjackings have more than doubled so far in 2024, while break-and-enters for the

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: HATE CRIMES ON THE RISE IN TORONTO Libby is joined by John Wright, Executive Vice President at Maru Public Opinion; Bob Richardson, President of Hammersmith Consulting; and John Mykytyshyn, President of Bradgate Research Group, for a conversation about hate crimes on the rise in Toronto, the Mayor of Vaughan getting tough on demonstrators who intimidate, and new developments in long-term care. U.S. MOVING TO BAN TIK TOK Citing national security concerns, the U.S. Congress has moved a big step closer to a crackdown on a popular platform that could have far-reaching implications for social media in the country. But critics say the move could have significant negative consequences for small businesses that rely on Tik Tok to drive traffic to their enterprises. Libby Znaimer is joined by Phil Gurski, former senior strategic terrorism analyst at CSIS and President of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting; Philip Mai, Co-director of the Social Media Lab at Ted Rogers School of Management at T

Today on Free For All Friday: Our listeners phone in to discuss the contentious new Loblaw receipt scanners, the Kate Middleton Photoshop scandal, and more.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: PEDESTRIAN-VEHICLE INCIDENTS ON THE RISE Libby Znaimer is joined by Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village; David Crombie, former mayor of Toronto; and Taylor Scollon, co-founder of The Peak to discuss a streamlined 311, the rash of festival cancellations in the city and the concerning rise in pedestrian/vehicle incidents. NOT SO SWEET: THE RISING COST OF COCOA The good news is Easter is just around the corner. The bad news is the price of cocoa is on the rise. Libby Znaimer is joined by Janet Music, Research Program Coordinator, Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University to discuss this troubling trend. THE LATEST ON THE ARRIVECAN APP Libby Znaimer is joined by Tom Korski, Managing Editor of Blacklock’s Reporter for an update on the latest on the ArriveCan app.

THE MEDICAL RECORD: COVID-19'S FOURTH ANNIVERSARY Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, family physician and founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto; Dr. Fahad Razak, Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto; and Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre to discuss COVID-19’s fourth anniversary, giving birth mid-flight and more. LOBLAW FACING BACKLASH FOR TESTING RECEIPT SCANNERS AT SELF-CHECKOUT  In an attempt to combat theft at its stores, Loblaw is testing receipt scanners at four of its locations, and they’re catching heat for it. Libby Znaimer is joined by consumer advocate and journalist Ellen Roseman to discuss this matter. AI: USING THE TECH TO HELP DEMENTIA PATIENTS  Researchers in Australia have developed an artificial intelligence companion named VIV, who offers conversation and compassion at a seniors' facility in Sydney. Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Adriana Shnall, Program Director,

RECOVERING POLITICIANS: FEDERAL FUNDS FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS IN ISRAEL; CALGARY'S FORMER MAYOR SET SIGHTS ON ALBERTA'S TOP JOB Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly says Ottawa will commit $1 million to support survivors of sexually-based attacks in Israel on October 7; and Naheed Nenshi came out of political retirement on Monday, announcing a run for Alberta's NDP leadership to challenge what he termed an “immoral” United Conservative government. Libby Znaimer is joined by Cheri DiNovo, a former Ontario NDP MPP; George Smitherman, a former Ontario Liberal Cabinet Minister and Deputy Premier; and Janet Ecker, a former Ontario PC MPP and finance minister, to discuss these matters and more. GTA FOOD BANKS HIT RECORD HIGH SERVICE NUMBERS Toronto’s Daily Bread Food Bank saw over 300,000 clients last month, a jump from the 215,000 it saw in the same month last year. Libby Znaimer is joined by Neil Hetherington, CEO of the Daily Bread Food Bank to discuss this alarming surge. KATEGATE: THE PRINCESS OF WAL

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: BIDEN'S FIERY STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS; WHAT CARP WANTS FROM THE UPCOMING FEDERAL BUDGET Amid questions about his ability to lead the country due to his age, U.S. President Joe Biden delivered a fiery State of the Union address Thursday; what CARP wants to see in the upcoming federal budget; and the F.D.A. has decided to delay action on a closely watched Alzheimer’s drug, donanemab, which the agency was widely expected to approve this month. Libby Znaimer is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP; Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP; and John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion to discuss these matters, and more. OTTAWA TO CONTINUE SENDING FUNDING TO UNRWA Many people are shocked, following Ottawa’s decision on Friday to resume funding to a UN Palestinian relief agency, after Israel shared its intelligence with the federal government about UNRWA employees’ alleged involvement in the Hamas attack on his country. Libby Znaimer is joined by Vivian Berc

Today on Free For All Friday: our listeners called in to express their concern over the anti-Israel protests taking place in Toronto and whether the police are doing enough to contain them. Meanwhile, others called to weigh in on the ageism in our politics today, especially as U.S. President Joe Biden faces questions about his age and ability to hold office on a daily basis. 

TUNE INTO THE TOWN:  THE MISSISSAUGA MAYORAL RACE IS ON! Marissa Lennox is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village, and Toronto Councillor James Pasternak,  Ward 6 York Centre. This week: the Mississauga mayoral race kicked off with candidates signing up for the top job including Peter McCallion, the son of the late Hazel McCallion. And, Florida is banning homeless people from sleeping on public property. Should Toronto follow suit? BILLING PRACTICES IN PRIVATE CLINICS & A CASE OF SEVERE STREP THROAT Marissa Lennox and guests discuss what Ontario patients need to know when they are going through the private healthcare clinics to undergo procedures like Cataract surgeries. She is joined by Dr. John Mastronardi who is an optometrist that practices in Windsor, Ontario where cataract surgeries are done mostly in private facilities, and Dr. Iris Gorfinkel, Founder of PrimeHealth Clinical Research. MARCH BREA

THE MEDICAL RECORD: OVER A BILLION PEOPLE ARE OBESE GLOBALLY ACCORDING TO WHO Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto, Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist with the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and Dr. Fahad Razak, Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto. This week: according to the World Health Organization (WHO), over a billion people globally are obese. So, what are the contributing factors of obesity and why has it become so widespread? Meanwhile, is Ontario at risk of a measles outbreak? Recently, a number of individuals contracted the highly contagious disease after travelling overseas. And then on February 19, York Region health officials diagnosed a man in his thirties even though he did not travel anywhere recently leaving the door open to the possibility that it was the result of community transmission. ETOBICOKE TO GET RID OF ITS COAT OF ARMS + TORONTO TURNS 1