Fight Back With Libby Znaimer

TUNE INTO THE TOWN:  ANOTHER CYCLIST DEATH IN TORONTO & LACK OF CLARITY ON WHEN 24/7 GARDINER EXPRESSWAY CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, David Crombie, a former Toronto mayor and Karen Stintz, a Conservative Party of Canada Candidate for Eglinton-Lawrence, a former Toronto City Councillor and the CEO of Variety Village. Our panel reacts to the latest cyclist death in the City, the question about when 24/7 construction will begin on the Gardiner Expressway after the province announced its $73 million in funding to help speed up the timeline and also the latest wave of antisemitism targeting the Jewish community in the GTA. AUGUST 1ST MARKS EMANCIPATION DAY Libby Znaimer is now joined by Rosemary Sadlier, author and a former president of the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) who helped to make Emancipation Day official. Today marks Emancipation Day, the annual celebration of the day in 1834 when the abolition of slavery officially took ef

What we know about the latest wave of antisemitic attacks on the local Jewish community--this time in Vaughan--and our guests weigh in on whether our government leaders, at all levels, are doing enough to address the problem of antisemitism. 

THE MEDICAL RECORD: IS EXPANDING THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF PHARMACISTS IN ONTARIO A GOOD IDEA?  Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a former head of the BC Cancer Agency, Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto and Dr. Alon Vaisman, Infectious diseases physician at the University Health Network (UHN).  Our panel reacts to the province ending its COVID-19 wastewater surveillance program, and other healthcare news of the week.  THE LATEST WAVE OF ANTISEMITISM TARGETING THE JEWISH COMMUNITY Libby Znaimer is joined by MP Melissa Lantsman,  Deputy leader of the Conservative Party (Thornhill) as well as Richard Robertson,  Director of Research and Advocacy at B'nai Brith Canada and Rabbi Jeff Forman of City of David Messianic Synagogue. What we know about the latest wave of antisemitic attacks on the local Jewish community--this time in Vaughan--and our guests weigh in on whether our government lead

RECOVERING POLITICIANS: THE ONTARIO GOVERNMENT IS INVESTING $134 MILLION IN FIVE NEW POLICE HELICOPTERS Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, former Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre, Robin V. Sears, Crisis Communications Consultant and former NDP Strategist, and Lisa Raitt, former Deputy Leader of Conservative Party of Canada. Libby and guests touch on various political issues: Premier Doug Ford's decision to push tougher crime measures, including tracking bail decisions and increasing helicopter funding for car theft. At the municipal level, no sign of action to ease the terrible congestion since last week's announcement of $73 million for 24 hour construction and more. SOMALI COMMUNITY CENTRE PLAN IN ETOBICOKE PARK FACES DISPUTE OVER THE GREEN LAND Libby is now joined by Councillor Stephen Holyday of Ward 2 Etobicoke Centre and Christina Manulak, President of the Buttonwood Hill Residents Association. Toronto's Somali Centre for Culture and Recreation (SCCR) proposal faces hurdles amid strong o

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: A ‘LONGEVITY-OPTIMIZED’ DIET COULD INCREASE LIFE EXPECTANCY UP TO 10 YEARS, STUDY SUGGESTS Libby Znaimer is joined by Bob Richardson, Public Affairs Consultant, Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP and John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion. The Zoomer Squad panel discusses a new study that suggests a ‘longevity-optimized’ diet could add 10 years to your life. Then, we move to the ever-relevant topic of terrible Toronto traffic. And it's been a year since vehicles were banned from entering High Park, has it been beneficial? UNLESS YOU HAVE A GENE VARIANT, DOUBLE MASTECTOMY HAS NO SURVIVAL ADVANTAGE Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Ellen Warner, Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto and a staff medical oncologist at the Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook, and Dr. Eileen Rakovitch, Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at UofT and the Cancer Program Director of Research at Sunnybrook. A study in JAMA Oncology finds that removing the unaffect

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners weighed in on Canada's soccer scandal at the Paris Olympic Games, Toronto looking into a storm water charge that would pertain to commercial properties as the city grapples with the issue of flooding, and other news of the week. 

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: PROVINCIAL FUNDING TO SPEED UP CONSTRUCTION ON GARDINER EXPRESSWAY Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village and David Crombie, a former Toronto Mayor. The province is providing funding to speed up the completion timeline of the Gardiner Expressway. Our panel reacts to the latest. HOW PHARMACISTS MAY PLAY A GREATER ROLE AMID PRIMARY CARE SHORTAGE   Libby Znaimer is joined by Justin Bates, CEO of the Ontario Pharmacists Association. The Ford government is considering expanding responsibilities for pharmacists for things like treating additional health conditions and administering additional kinds of vaccines...it comes amid a primary care shortage. CANADA FACES A SCANDAL AT THE 2024 PARIS OLYMPICS  Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Michael Naraine, Assistant Professor in the Department of Sport Management at Brock University. Canada is facing a scandal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games with two staff with Canada Soccer

THE MEDICAL RECORD: WHAT THE CMA OUTLINES IN ITS LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist at Unity Health Toronto and Canada Research Chair in Data Informed Healthcare Improvement at the University of Toronto, Dr. Aaron Schimmer,  the Director of Research at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre as well as a staff physician and a senior scientist and Dr. Iris Gorfinkel, Family Physician and Founder PrimeHealth Clinical Research. Today: our panel of doctors react to draft recommendations made by the Canadian Medical Association and also how doctors communicate with their patients about stress and managing it.  BANK OF CANADA CUTS KEY INTEREST RATE TO 4.5 PERCENT Libby Znaimer is now joined by Jim Stanford, Economist and Director, Centre for Future Work. We have learned this morning that the Bank of Canada has cut the key interest rate to 4.5 per cent. So, what are the implications of this on peoples' mortgages and more? PROVINCIAL FUNDING WILL MEAN 24/7 CO

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL:  BIDEN IS OUT OF THE RACE & CANADIAN POLITICIANS FACING DEATH THREATS  Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, former Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre, Health minister, and Deputy Premier, Cheri DiNovo, a former NDP MPP, and John Mykytyshyn, Conservative Political Consultant and President of Bradgate Research Group. This is the first time we speak with our recovering politicians since U.S. President Joe Biden has departed from the race and has endorsed his VP Kamala Harris. And, here in Canada, two individuals have been charged for allegedly making death threats against Canadian officials including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. ISRAEL'S NETANYAHU VISITS WASHINGTON THIS WEEK Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Amos Guiora, Professor of Law at the University of Utah and a former legal advisor to the IDF in Gaza, and Jon Allen, a former Canadian Ambassador to Israel from 2006 to 2010. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in Washington D.C. this week where he

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: STEVEN MACKINNON IS CANADA’S NEW MINISTER OF LABOUR AND SENIORS FOLLOWING SEAMUS O'REAGAN'S DEPARTURE Libby Znaimer is joined by Bill VanGorder, Chief Advocacy and Education Officer of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP, and John Wright, Executive Vice President, Maru Public Opinion. In the aftermath of President Biden's decision not to seek re-election, the nation witnessed a saga of public drama culminating in widespread accolades. The unfolding events have sparked conversations about potential ageism implications, prompting reflections on a shifting political landscape and the emergence of new leadership in senior roles. Libby and panelists discuss. JOE BIDEN HAS HANDED OVER THE REINS TO KAMALA HARRIS AFTER OFFICIALLY STEPPING DOWN FROM THE RUNNING TO BE THE NEXT U.S. PRESIDENT  Libby Znaimer is joined by Brad Polumbo, a conservative commentator and editor-in-chief & co-founder of BASEDPolitics and Matthew Wilson, Associate Professor of Political Science at South

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners weighed in on the attempted assassination of former U.S. President Donald Trump at his Pennsylvania rally last Saturday evening, the ongoing issue of "shrinkflation" at grocery stores and the major rainstorm that hit Toronto hard this past week.  

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: DID MAYOR OLIVIA CHOW  DO A GOOD JOB RESPONDING TO THE RAIN STORM?   Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village and David Crombie, a former Toronto Mayor. This week, we ask the question: did Mayor Olivia Chow do a good enough job and show strong enough leadership in response to the epic rainstorm that hit Toronto? WHAT A REPORT TELLS US ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF SHRINKFLATION AT THE GROCERY STORE Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University. During your trip to the local grocery store, have you noticed that the products you love to buy are getting smaller in size? Well, a new report by the non-profit group Community Researchers explored key products that are impacted. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LISTERIOSIS Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Alon Vaisman, Epidemiologist at the University Health Network (UHN). In the aftermath of two Ontarians dying

THE MEDICAL RECORD: WHY PREMIER DOUG FORD WANTS TO SPEED UP THE APPROVAL PROCESS FOR PHARMACEUTICAL DRUGS  Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist at Unity Health Toronto and Canada Research Chair in Data Informed Healthcare Improvement at the University of Toronto, and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, Internal Medicine and Critical Care Physician at Humber River Hospital. Ontario Premier Doug Ford wants the approval process for life-saving pharmaceutical drugs to be sped up. And a new study out of the American Cancer Society indicates that nearly half of cancer cases could be prevented by better lifestyle choices. WAS TORONTO TRULY PREPARED TO HANDLE THE SEVERE RAIN STORM   Libby Znaimer is joined by Toronto City Councillor Brad Bradford,  Ward 19 Beaches-East York and Constable Scott Stratton of the  OPP Highway Safety Division. Yesterday’s epic rain dumped about a month's worth on Toronto in just a few hours. How pre

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: HOW OTTAWA SHOULD PREPARE FOR A POTENTIAL TRUMP ADMINISTRATION Libby Znaimer is joined by Lisa Raitt, a former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, John Milloy, a former Ontario Liberal MPP who served as a cabinet minister under the Dalton McGuinty and Kathleen Wynne governments and Robin Sears, a former NDP strategist and crisis communications consultant. This week, there is lots to unpack with our panel: we get reactions from them about the attempted assassination of U.S. President Donald Trump this past weekend at his Pennsylvania Rally, and we explore Canada's relationship with the U.S. U.S. INTELLIGENCE OFFICIAL SUGGESTS IRAN IS FUNDING AND INFLUENCING ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTS IN AMERICA Libby Znaimer is now joined by Kaveh Shahrooz, a lawyer and human rights activist and a Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. A U.S. intelligence official has accused Iran of influencing and funding anti-Israel protests in America. So, how exactly are they doing

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: NACI RECOMMENDS RSV PROGRAM FOR OLDER ZOOMERS + REMEMBERING DR. RUTH Libby Znaimer is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP, and Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs. NACI is recommending an RSV program for older Zoomers. And, the legendary sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer has passed away at 96 years old.   THE NUMBER OF ONTARIANS WITHOUT A FAMILY PHYSICIAN Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Mekalai Kumanan, a family doctor in Cambridge and President of The Ontario College of Family Physicians.  We carry on the conversation in this segment about the ongoing shortage of family doctors here in Ontario, the contributing factors to the problem, and how this reality can impact the quality of life and health of patients.  THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON DONALD TRUMP: WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR Libby Znaimer is now joined by Javed Ali, an Associate Professor of Practice at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University

Today on Free For All Friday: our listeners weighed in on Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow's track record one year into office, the ongoing LCBO strike and U.S. President Joe Biden's mental acuity.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT MAYOR OLIVIA CHOW'S RECORD ONE YEAR IN Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village, and David Crombie, a former Toronto Mayor. We look at Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow's track record as she hits her one year milestone on the job. And, we continue the conversation about the Ontario Science Centre. THE IMPACT OF THE LCBO STRIKE ON LOCAL BUSINESSES  Libby Znaimer is joined by Erik Joyal, President of Ascari Group, which owns three restaurants and Kenny Shim, President of the Ontario Convenience Store Association followed by Jason Lietaer, President of Enterprise and a Conservative strategist. We discuss the impact of the LCBO strike on restaurants in the province and we find out how convenience store owners are planning for the future of selling alcohol. THE LATEST ON CONDO SALES IN TORONTO: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW  Libby Znaimer is joined by Phil Soper, President and CEO of Royal LePage. We take a clo

THE MEDICAL RECORD:  HOW DOCTORS COMMUNICATE CANCER DIAGNOSES TO PATIENTS  Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Aaron Schimmer, the Director of Research at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre as well as a staff physician and a senior scientist and Dr. Fahad Razak, Canada Research Chair in Data Informed Healthcare Improvement at the University of Toronto and a general internist at a Toronto hospital, as well as Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto. Today: a conversation about how doctors communicate cancer diagnoses to their patients. We also explore ways to keep cool during the heat waves this summer. THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE WHILE ON BAIL Libby Znaimer is now joined by Frank Caputo, a Conservative MP for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, followed by Kim Schofield, Criminal Defense Lawyer with Kim Schofield & Associates. Just how many individuals have been charged for homicide while out on bail or some other form of release? It was a question

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: DOUG FORD CLAPS BACK AT LCBO STRIKE WITH ONLINE BOOZE MAP AND PROMOTIONAL VIDEO   Libby Znaimer is joined by Lisa Raitt, a former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, George Smitherman, a former Ontario Liberal Deputy Premier and Health Minister, and Cheri DiNovo, a former NDP MPP. Today: we kick things off with a discussion about the latest on the LCBO strike and Premier Doug Ford's response to it, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Washington this week attending the NATO Summit. THE LATEST ON THE CANADIAN DENTAL CARE PLAN Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Maneesh Jain, President of the Ontario Dental Association. Ottawa has made a change to the Canadian Dental Care Plan with the aim of getting more dental professionals on board. We discuss what that will mean for both dentists and patients. ANOTHER LONG TERM CARE HOME CLOSURE IN TORONTO Libby Znaimer is now joined by Jane Meadus, Institutional Advocate at the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly and

THE U.S. PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE RESPARKS CONFUSION TOWARDS BIDEN’S FRAILTY. IS HE TOO WEAK? OR IS IT JUST AGEISM? Libby Znaimer is joined by Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer, CARP, Rudy Buttignol, President, CARP, and John Wright, Executive Vice President at Maru Public Opinion. The squad talks about U.S. President Biden's performance at last week's debate as he admitted to "making mistakes" and "screwing up" during the debate against Donald Trump.  People online say that he is too old to re-run for presidency. Is it true or is it just ageism? Environment Canada issued a heat warning yesterday for Toronto, which begs the question: should it be mandatory for all rental units and houses to provide air conditioning? POLITICAL CHAOS ENSUES IN FRANCE AS THE COUNTRY FACES HUNG PARLIAMENT AFTER ELECTION RESULTS Libby was joined by Randall Hansen, political science professor at UofT and Stephanie Carvin, political analyst and assistant professor at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Car