Fight Back With Libby Znaimer

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: DOUG FORD WANTS "LIKE MINDED JUDGES APPOINTED" Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by George Smitherman, a former Ontario Liberal Cabinet Minister and Deputy Premier, Cheri DiNovo, a former Ontario NDP MPP, and Janet Ecker, a former Ontario PC MPP and finance minister. Today: we kick things off with a discussion about Ontario Premier Doug Ford's desire to have "like-minded" judges appointed to the provinces' courts. MP MELISSA LANTSMAN ON THE PROBLEMS WITH UNRWA  Jane Brown is now joined by Melissa Lantsman, Deputy leader of the Conservative Party (Thornhill). This week, MP Lantsman alongside Liberal MP Anthony Housefather attended a conference hosted by NGO UN Watch called "International Summit for a Future Beyond UNRWA". It comes at a time when a number of UNRWA donor countries including Canada made the decision to freeze funding to the agency after it was discovered that some of its employees had taken part or were associated with the Oct. 7th

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: RECAPPING CARP'S AGM & NDP-LIBERAL PHARMACARE DEAL Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP and John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion. CARP hosted its annual general meeting late last week in which Minister of Seniors Seamus O'Regan participated. We get our thoughts from Bill and Anthony on how the meeting went and what specific policies they pressed Ottawa on on behalf of its members and Canadian Zoomers. Meanwhile, we also learned that the federal NDP and governing Liberals have reached an agreement on pharmacare legislation that would make diabetes and birth control medication coverable. So, what do you make of all of this? Call in! ONTARIANS LACKING TRAVEL INSURANCE PREPAREDNESS: CAA SURVEY Jane Brown is now joined by Kaitlynn Furse, Director of Communications for CAA South Central Ontario. According to a new

Today on Free For All Friday: amid a Toronto City staff report on addressing dangerous dogs, listeners called in to weigh in what needs to be done and how dog owners must take the necessary steps to keep the community around them safe. 

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: WILL PARKING FINES GO UP IN TORONTO? Tasha Kheiriddin 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 David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto. A Toronto City staff report is recommending that fines go up for parking violations. What do you make of this? THE SHINGLES VIRUS: SHOULD VACCINATION ELIGIBILITY BE REDUCED? Tasha Kheiriddin is joined by Dr. Alon Vaisman, Epidemiologist and Infectious Disease Specialist at the University Health Network, and Molly Yang, Pharmacist and Director of Pharmacy Innovation & Professional Affairs at Wholehealth Pharmacy Partners.  A PEI doctor is calling for the program of free shingles vaccinations through a primary care physician to be expanded to adults 55 and older. Do you agree?  MAYOR PATRICK BROWN RESPONDS TO OTTAWA’S AUTO THEFT PLANS Tasha Kheiriddin is joined by Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown. Ottawa announced it is providing an additional $15

THE MEDICAL RECORD: ONTARIANS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT CATARACT SURGERY BILLING Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She 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. Today: a discussion about cataract surgeries at private healthcare clinics in Ontario. TIPS AHEAD OF TAX SEASON! Jane Brown is now joined by Barry Choi, a Personal Finance Expert. Tax season is upon us! The deadline to file is on April 30. So, what do you need to know? Barry weighs in. NORTH YORK SHOOTINGS LEAVE RESIDENTS CONCERNED Jane Brown is now joined by Toronto Police Services Superintendent Andy Singh and Marcell Wilson, Founder of The One By One Movement. Residents of North York have been rocked by the shooting of two innocent pedestrians waiting at bus stops near the Jane Street and Driftwood Avenue intersection over the weekend. We hear the lat

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: ARE BONNIE AND MARIT'S PRIORITIES TOO SIMILAR? Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Lisa Raitt, former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who also served as a health minister and deputy Premier and Cheri DiNovo, a former Ontario NDP MPP. Today: the legislature resumes at Queens Park. Are the priorities of both Bonnie Crombie and Marit Stiles too similar to each other? TORONTO CONSIDERS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ADDRESSING DANGEROUS DOGS Jane Brown is now joined by Kristina Rapson, dog trainer and behaviouralist for Hairy Tales Training and Beverley McKee, Senior Manager Public Support Services at Toronto Humane Society. Toronto City Council is reviewing a report of recommendations for dealing with dangerous dogs. Here's what you need to know about it.    LOBLAW TO INVEST $2 BILLION TO EXPAND IN CANADA Jane Brown is now joined by Ellen Roseman, Consumer Advocate an

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: HOME CARE AND PHARMACARE With Ontario's senior population about to spike, a new report predicts a huge demand for home care. And the deadline is looming for the governing Liberals to table legislation on a national pharmacare program. The government has until March 1st, otherwise NDP leader Jagmeet Singh says his party will make good on its promise to end their deal. Bob Komsic is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. He is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP; Bob Richardson, Senior Council to National Public Relations; and John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion to discuss these matters, and more. PROPOSED COTTAGE RENTAL LEGISLATION THAT'S BECOME A HOT BUTTON ISSUE IN MUSKOKA New rules proposed for Short Term Rentals (STRs) in the Township of Muskoka Lakes are not being well-received by property owners. Bob Komsic is joined by founder and president of Jayne's Cottages, Jayne McCaw to explore this contentious issue. REMEMBERING ALEXEI NAVALNY AFTER HIS DEATH

Today on Free For All Friday: Listeners called in to weigh in on the death of Putin critic Alexei Navalny, Yonge-Dundas Square, and Toronto's City Budget. Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

LEAD-TUNE INTO THE TOWN: TORONTO MAYOR OLIVIA CHOW'S BUDGET FINALIZED Libby Znaimer is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village, and David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto. This week: Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow's budget has been finalized with a 9.5 per cent tax hike for residents. The Mayor is also providing additional funding to the Toronto Police Service.  WHAT SHOULD A NATIONAL PHARMACARE PROGRAM LOOK LIKE? Libby Znaimer is now joined by Kyro Maseh, Pharmacist and owner at Lawlor Pharmacy in Toronto, and George Smitherman, a former Ontario Liberal Deputy Premier and health minister and Dr. Steve Morgan, Professor of healthcare policy at the University of British Columbia and an expert in pharmaceutical policy. The federal NDP wants the Trudeau Liberals to deliver a national pharmacare program for Canadians soon. But the question remains: what should that look like?  PPE GROUP SUES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR "MISLEADING" THEM Libby Znaimer is joined by Barr

THE MEDICAL RECORD: ONTARIO AND OTTAWA SIGN HEALTHCARE AGREEMENT Libby Znaimer is joined by 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 and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, Internal medicine and critical care physician at Humber River Hospital In the news: An anti-Israel protest took place in front of Mount Sinai Hospital on Monday night in yet another development making Toronto's Jewish community feel safe. Meanwhile, the Ford government has signed the $3.1 billion healthcare agreement with the federal government. How will the money be spent? Our doctors weigh in. REACTION TO THE ANTI-ISRAEL PROTEST AT MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL Libby Znaimer is joined by Richard Robertson, Director of Research and Advocacy at B'nai Brith Canada. It's a protest that never should have happened. Both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford condemned the pro-Palestinian mob that for

RECOVERING POLITICIANS: BOONDOGGLE DOESN'T BEGIN TO DESCRIBE THE ARRIVECAN APP FIASCO The Auditor General issues a scathing report on the ArriveCan app; Doug Ford’s PCs are set to repeal Bill 124; and Mayor Olivia Chow is looking at a bigger budget for Toronto Police Services. Libby Znaimer is joined by Lisa Raitt, former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada; George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who also served as a health minister and deputy Premier; and Peggy Nash, former NDP MP for Parkdale-High Park to dive into these topics. BEST PRACTICES FOR PROTECTING YOUR VEHICLE AGAINST AUTO THEFT The Insurance Bureau of Canada reported that in 2022, claims paid out for vehicle thefts exceeded $1.2 billion for the first time. As thefts rise exponentially, owners and insurers say manufacturers should address known vulnerabilities in vehicle technology, which are being exploited by thieves. Libby Znaimer is joined by Bryan Gast, Vice-President, Investigative Services a

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: FEDERAL FUNDING FOR HEALTH CARE AND FINANCIAL STABILITY FOR SENIORS Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford signed an agreement on Friday that details how the province must spend $3.1 billion in federal funding earmarked for health care; and seniors are increasingly worried that they will outlive their money. Libby Znaimer is joined by Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP, Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP and Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine to unpack these matters. COUNCILLOR MOISE DISCUSSES PLANS FOR SANKOFA SQUARE What’s in a name? The City of Toronto's decision to strip Yonge-Dundas Square of its current name has faced public push-back from the get-go, and a campaign to stop the renaming of the large public space is gaining ground, while sparking some creative alternatives for the City's chosen replacement name of Sankofa Square. Libby Znaimer is joined by Toronto Councillor Chris Moise for Ward 13 Toronto Centre to discuss this cont

Today on Free For All Friday: an overwhelming number of listeners called in to weigh in on the ongoing issue of auto theft. Ottawa held a national summit on auto theft earlier this week. Can we expect an effective crackdown from the authorities?  

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: FORMER POLITICIANS OPPOSED TO THE TORONTO BUDGET Tasha Kheiriddin is joined by Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak, Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village, who plans to run for the Conservatives in the next federal election, and Councillor Brad Bradford, Ward 19 Beaches-East York. It was a ban that had many Torontonians upset: how could you not allow residents to toboggan on hills across city parks? Well, it appears that City Hall has since had a change of heart and city councillors voted in favour of a reversal  (21-3 in favour) at 45 different parks where the ban was imposed. What does our panel think about all of this? Meanwhile, a number of former local politicians are voicing their opposition to Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow's budget plans including the 9.5 percent property tax hike which they say is too much considering the affordability crisis. The former budget chief, Gary Crawford, and Karen Stintz who served as a City Councillor and is one of our regular panelists were among the

THE MEDICAL RECORD: STUDY SHOWS SMOKING CAN INCREASE RISK OF HAIR LOSS FOR MEN 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. Today: a conversation about food poisoning, how smoking can increase the risk of hair loss in men and also World Cancer Day.  COURT GIVES GREENLIGHT TO CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST FORMER LTC MINISTER Libby Znaimer is joined by Melissa Miller, Partner at Howie, Sacks & Henry LLP. This week, the Ontario Court of Appeal has greenlit a class-action lawsuit against the provincial long-term care ministry for alleged negligence in the way that the government dealt with the COVID-19 crisis. Melissa reacts to the news. IS THE HIGH COST OF LIVING FORCING YOU TO SACRIFICE YOUR RETIREMENT SAVINGS? Libby Znaimer is n

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: CONSERVATIVE LEADER POILIEVRE WANTS HARSHER PENALTIES FOR AUTO THIEVES Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, former Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre who also served as a health minister and Deputy Premier, Peggy Nash, former NDP MP for Parkdale-High Park and Janet Ecker, a former finance minister with the Ontario PCs. This week: Federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and Ontario Premier Doug Ford did not mince words when it came to the issue of auto theft and a rise in crime. Our panel reacts. KING CHARLES DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER Libby Znaimer is joined by Suzanne Boyd, Editor-in-chief and Publisher of Zoomer Magazine/everythingzoomer.com  This week, Canadians and the rest of the world were shocked to learn that King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer. We don't know what kind of cancer he has but it was confirmed by official sources that it is not prostate-related. This comes on the heels of the news that he had undergone treatment for an enlarged benig

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CANADIAN DENTAL COVERAGE PROGRAM Libby Znaimer is joined by Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP,  Anthony Quinn, Chief Community Officer of CARP  and  Peter Muggeridge, Managing Editor of Zoomer Magazine. We kick things off with a discussion about Ottawa's dental coverage program officially called the "Canadian Dental Care Plan". This month, the program expands to adults 72 years of age and older. GETTING TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SANKOFA SQUARE NAME CHANGE Libby Znaimer is joined by Daniel Tate, a concerned citizen, taxpayer and co-organizer of an online petition to reverse the name change of Yonge-Dundas Square, Toronto Councillor Stephen Holyday, Ward 2 Etobicoke Centre, and Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth. Today: we take a closer look at just how much it's expected to cost for the renaming of Yonge-Dundas Square to Sankofa Square and how Section 37 will play a role in that. And, a majority of Torontonian

Today on Free For All Friday: Listeners reacted to the Toronto budget unveiled this week by Mayor Olivia Chow and also the property tax hike of 9.5 per cent (more specifically, 8% property tax increase with an additional 1.5 per cent for the city building levy).

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: TORONTO MAYOR OLIVIA CHOW UNVEILS BUDGET TODAY Libby Znaimer is joined by David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto, Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth, Councillor James Pasternak, Ward 6 York Centre. The mayor unveiled the 2024 City budget today with a slightly reduced property tax. Our panel reacts to the latest. BEWARE OF THE TORONTO TAXI SCAM Libby is now joined by Detective David Coffey of the Toronto Police Service's Financial Crimes Unit and Kristine Hubbard, Operations Manager of Beck Taxi. There's a taxi scam that has been targeting Toronto residents for years. But it's getting worse. Here's what you need to know. ONLINE HARMS U.S. SENATE HEARING: CAN WE EXPECT REFORMS FROM SOCIAL MEDIA GIANTS? Libby is now joined by Carol Todd, Mother of Amanda Todd who took her own life after years of online bullying and who became a victim of sextortion, as well as Carmi Levy, a Technology analyst and journalist based in London, Ontario. U.S. lawmakers pressed the CEOs of

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