Fight Back With Libby Znaimer

MEDICAL RECORD: LEGIONNAIRES DISEASE & FORD GOVERNMENT GOES AFTER SCIENTIFIC TESTING OF DOGS Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and former head of BC Cancer; Dr. Fahad Razak, general internist at St. Michael's Hospital and Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto; and Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing in Toronto. Our medical panel reacts to what we know so far about the source of a Legionnaires disease outbreak in London, ON. Meanwhile, the Ford government is going after medical testing using dogs and pets with plans to introduce legislation that bans it. WILL THE FORD GOVERNMENT GET RID OF SCHOOL BOARDS IN THE PROVINCE? Libby Znaimer is joined by Anthony Furey, a former Toronto mayoral candidate and longtime Postmedia columnist. Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra has publicly said that he would consider getting rid of school board trustees. Anthony makes the case for why he s

RECOVERING POLITICIANS:  MORE REACTION TO PM CARNEY'S VISIT TO EUROPE 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 Lisa Raitt, a former Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. Does Canada still matter on the world stage? Our panel reacts to Prime Minister Mark Carney's trip to Europe which included a surprise visit to Ukraine. TORONTO POLICE CONDUCT TRAFFIC BLITZ ON E-SCOOTERS  Libby Znaimer is joined by Acting Superintendent Matt Moyer of Toronto Police Traffic Services followed by Councillor Brad Bradford, Ward 19 Beaches-East York. Fight Back has brought up the issue of micromobility vehicles in the City before. There's even a Libby's Take all about it here and we seem to be the only media to have covered the specific issue of e-vehicles making use of dedicated bike lanes. Now, Toronto Police are carrying out a safety blitz campaign on micromobility vehicles until September 13t

ZOOMER SQUAD: A TAX ON SPARE BEDROOMS OF SENIORS TO SOLVE THE HOUSING CRISIS?! Libby Znaimer is joined by Anthony Quinn, President of CARP; Liz West, Host of the Afternoon Express; and David Valentin, Principal at Liaison Strategies. Australia is proposing the concept of taxing spare bedrooms in the homes of older people as part of a strategy to deal with the housing crisis? And, as you might expect, Australians are not happy about it. Our panel reacts to that and other headlines of the week!   PM MARK CARNEY'S TRIP TO UKRAINE: WHAT CAME OUT OF IT? Libby Znaimer is joined by Christian Leuprecht, Professor at the Royal Military College and Queen’s University and Editor of the Canadian Military Journal; and Andrew Rasiulis of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. Prime Minister Mark Carney paid a surprise visit to Ukraine over the weekend as the country marked its Independence Day. What came out of that visit?   OTTAWA PRIDE EVENT CANCELLED DUE TO ANTI-ISRAEL PROTEST DISRUPTION Libby Znaimer is joined b

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: TORONTO GRAPPLES WITH SENSELESS VIOLENCE  Libby Znaimer is joined by Jon Burnside, City Councillor for Ward 16 (Don Valley East) and former Toronto City Councillors Karen Stintz and Rob Davis.  Our panel reacts to the senseless violence in our city as of late including an 8-year-old boy who was shot dead by a stray bullet while he was in his bed in his North York home. And, Karen describes Toronto as a "sucker city". Listen in to hear what she had to say.  A LINDSAY MAN IS BEING CRIMINALLY CHARGED FOR ALLEGEDLY ASSAULTING AN INTRUDER WHO BROKE INTO HIS HOME Libby Znaimer is now joined byJoseph Neuberger, Criminal Defence Lawyer with Neuberger and Partners LLP. A Lindsay man is being criminally charged for defending himself against an intruder who broke into his home earlier this week. Plenty of listeners called into the show today for reaction. And, we ask Joseph about what the laws say about self defence. IT'S NATIONAL SENIOR CITIZENS DAY Libby Znaimer is joined by Anthony Quinn, P

THE MEDICAL RECORD: ANOTHER AREA IN WHICH OZEMPIC IS HELPING DIABETIC PATIENTS: THE KIDNEYS Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing in Toronto, Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, an Internal Medicine and Critical Care Physician at Humber River Hospital and Dr. Keith Stewart, Vice President, Cancer and Director of the Princess Margaret Cancer Program at the University Health Network. Ozempic has now been approved by Health Canada for Type 2 diabetes patients to help reduce their risk of kidney decline. And, there's a growing trend of lung cancer patients who don't have a history of smoking. BRAMPTON MAYOR PATRICK BROWN IMPLEMENTING BACK-TO-THE-OFFICE POLICY Libby Znaimer is joined by Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown. Mayor Brown is following in the footsteps of Ontario Premier Doug Ford and is instituting a back-to-the-office full-time policy for Brampton public servants starting in January. Should Toronto follow suit? TRAGEDY IN TORONTO: AN 8-YEAR-OLD BOY KILLED IN SHOOTING IN NORTH YORK

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL:  PIERRE POILEIVRE IS BACK IN PARLIAMENT AFTER WINNING FEDERAL BYELECTION IN CALGARY 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 Janet Ecker, a former Ontario PC MPP and finance minister. He's back: Pierre Poilievre returns to Parliament as a Conservative MP after winning in the federal byelection in Calgary. So, what does the future look like for the man who, just last federal election, was hoping to become Canada's next Prime Minister? HOW TRAVELLERS WILL BE AFFECTED NOW THAT AIR CANADA AND FLIGHT ATTENDANTS REACH TENTATIVE AGREEMENT Libby Znaimer is joined by Martin Firestone, President of Travel Secure Inc and an expert on travel insurance and Steven Tufts, a Professor at York University and an expert on labour geography. Our experts weigh in on how travellers will be impacted now that Air Canada has reached a tentative agreement with their flight attendants + w

ZOOMER SQUAD: SENIORS HOUSING IS HOT & SHOULD OAS BE REFORMED? Libby Znaimer is joined by Anthony Quinn, President of CARP, Liz West, Host of the Afternoon Express, and David Valentin, Principal at Liaison Strategies. Today: Our panel discusses the Calgary federal byelection that Pierre Poilievre is running in. But even if he returns to Parliament, he'll have to face the reality of Zoomers who moved away from the Conservatives and instead to Carney. Meanwhile, we talk about how the Air Canada strike disrupted older travellers.  THE AFTERMATH OF THE TIFF DEBACLE Libby Znaimer is joined by Michael Posner, a Canadian journalist and author After plenty of public backlash, TIFF has decided that it will in fact screen Barry Avrich's doc about October 7th. But, the damage has been done. Michael reflects on the debacle and how the world viewed this moment.  WHAT HAPPENS IF AIR CANADA FLIGHT ATTENDANTS DEFY BACK TO WORK ORDER? Libby Znaimer is joined by Sundeep Gokhale of SHERRARD KUZZ LLP | Employment &

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners weighed in on TIFF's controversial decision to cancel a screening of a documentary about October 7th and then how it walked back that decision only after plenty of public backlash, and the reality that motorized vehicles have been taking over bike lanes in Toronto. 

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: WHAT ARE MOTORIZED VEHICLES DOING IN BIKE LANES? Libby Znaimer is joined by Jon Burnside, City Councillor for Ward 16 (Don Valley East) and former Toronto City Councillors Karen Stintz and Rob Davis. Libby talks about seeing motorized vehicles taking over bike lanes in Toronto, the City of Mississauga going after "nuisance gatherings" at Ridgeway Plaza and other municipal news of the week. LIBBY'S EXCLUSIVE CONVERSATION WITH AMIR TIBON Amir Tibon tells the shocking story of how his father Noam Tibon, a retired Major General in the IDF, rescued him and his family from Kibbutz Nahal Oz during the Hamas Massacre of October 7 2023. This interview originally aired on The Zoomer on Oct. 7 2024. Earlier this week, TIFF faced plenty of backlash for deciding to cancel the screening of Barry Avrich's doc that covers the story above during October 7th. TIFF has since walked back that decision but only after they were called out on it.   SIMONS OPENS AT YORKDALE SHOPPING MALL IN TORONTO Lib

THE MEDICAL RECORD: WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE CHIKUNGUNYA VIRUS SPREADING IN CHINA Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and former head of BC Cancer; Dr. Fahad Razak, general internist at St. Michael's Hospital and Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto; and Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing in Toronto. There's concerning news about a virus called Chikungunya that is spreading in China. Our doctors weigh in on its signs and symptoms and how worried we should be about it here in Canada. AIR CANADA TO CANCEL FLIGHTS BEGINNING ON THURSDAY AHEAD OF POTENTIAL FLIGHT ATTENDANT STRIKE Libby Znaimer is joined by Karl Moore, Associate Professor, Strategy & Organization at McGill University, and Devyn Perry of Devyn Perry Travel in Toronto. Air Canada is taking measures ahead of a potential flight attendant strike with flight cancellations starting Thursday. Our panel reacts to the latest. T

RECOVERING POLITICIANS:  WHAT CANADIANS THINK ABOUT PM MARK CARNEY'S PERFORMANCE Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, former Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre, Health Minister and Deputy Premier; Robin Sears, a crisis communications consultant and former NDP strategist; and John Capobianco, Senior Vice President & Senior Partner, FleishmanHillard HighRoad. An Abacus Data poll paints a picture of Prime Minister Mark Carney's favorability rating among Canadians & PM Carney speaks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's summit meeting with Russia's Vladimir Putin in Alaska.   WARREN KINSELLA ON CANADA'S ANTISEMITISM PROBLEM AND THE WELL ORGANIZED ANTI-ISRAEL CAMPAIGN Libby Znaimer is joined by Warren Kinsella, a Canadian Journalist and lawyer. In a wide-ranging interview, Warren Kinsella spoke with Libby Znaimer about being a staunch ally of the Jewish community, his thoughts about the explosion of antisemitism post-October 7th and the well-organized

ZOOMER SQUAD: 91-YEAR-OLD MAN EVICTED IN TORONTO Libby Znaimer is joined by Anthony Quinn, President of CARP; Liz West, Host of the Afternoon Express; and David Valentin, Principal at Liaison Strategies. Our panel reacts to the latest polling on Prime Minister Mark Carney's approval rating, the concerning story of a 91-year-old Toronto man who was evicted from his apartment unit, and Toronto Police have introduced a new, easy-to-remember number for non-emergencies. Our panel also reacts to Libby's exclusive interview with Gil Penalosa whereby he talked about seniors' issues. WHY YOU SHOULDN'T RUSH TO REBOOK FLIGHTS AMID POTENTIAL AIR CANADA FLIGHT ATTENDANT STRIKE Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Gabor Lukacs, Founder and President of Air Passenger Rights. Are you worried about how a potential Air Canada flight attendants strike this month could impact your travel plans? Gabor tells us why you shouldn't rush to make changes to your flights. AIR CANADA HAS MADE CHANGES TO AEROPLAN PROGRAM: HERE'S WHA

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners reacted to Canadian tennis player Victoria Mboko beating Naomi Osaka at the National Bank Open Final and other news that made headlines this week. 

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: REACTION TO LIBBY'S EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH GIL PENALOSA ON MAYOR OLIVIA CHOW Libby Znaimer is joined by Jon Burnside, City Councillor for Ward 16 (Don Valley East), Brad Bradford, City Councillor for Ward 19 Beaches-East York and former Toronto City Councillor Karen Stintz. We get reaction from the panel to Gil Penalosa's big interview on Fight Back with Libby Znaimer where he discussed his disappointment in Mayor Olivia Chow's track record. You'll remember he ensured her victory in the last election.  Meanwhile, we discuss Ontario Premier Doug Ford's plans for a Highway 401 underground tunnel and his gripe about the court's ruling on bike lanes. THERE'S POTENTIAL FOR AN AIR CANADA STRIKE: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW Libby Znaimer is joined by Martin Firestone President, Travel Secure Inc. An Air Canada flight attendant strike could come down on August 16th. Martin weighs in on steps you might consider taking if you do have travel plans in August and what you should think about when it

THE MEDICAL RECORD: A DEEP DIVE INTO THE INDUSTRY OF FRAUDULENT SCIENTIFIC PAPERS Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Fahad Razak, general internist at St. Michael's Hospital and Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto; Dr. Nadia Alam, family doctor and anesthetist in Georgetown, Ontario; and Dr. Aaron Schimmer, the Director of Research at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre as well as a staff physician and a senior scientist. Our panel of doctors reacts to the concerning trend of fraudulent scientific papers & RFK Jr. is cutting off $500 million in mRNA vaccine research funding. GIL PENALOSA UNLEASHES ON OLIVIA CHOW'S TRACK RECORD AS MAYOR OF TORONTO Libby Znaimer is joined by Gil Penalosa, a popular urbanist and the Founder of 8 80 Cities who formerly ran for mayor of Toronto. In a wide ranging interview this week, Gil Penalosa, who backed Olivia Chow in the last mayoral election, unleashes on her track record as mayor of the city. He goes on to criticize h

RECOVERING POLITICIANS: MORE REACTION TO PM MARK CARNEY'S PLANS TO RECOGNIZE A PALESTINIAN STATE Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, former Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre, Health Minister and Deputy Premier; Robin Sears, a Crisis Communications Consultant and former NDP Strategist; and Chris Alexander, a former Canadian ambassador to Afghanistan and Minister of Immigration under Stephen Harper. We get reaction from our panel on Prime Minister Mark Carney's announcement last week that he plans to recognize a Palestinian state come September. THE LATEST ON CANADA POST & CUSMA  Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Ian Lee, Associate Professor at the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University. Dr. Lee weighs in on the implications of Canada Post workers opposing the postal service's latest offer and the latest trade tensions between Canada and the U.S.   IS TORONTO CITY HALL DELIVERING FOR RESIDENTS?    Libby Znaimer is joined by Daniel Tate, a concerned citizen, taxpayer and Director of I

THE ZOOMER SQUAD: THE COST OF GOING CASHLESS, CHANGES TO RRIF RULES, AND SENIORS AGEING IN PLACE Tasha Kheiriddin is joined by Anthony Quinn, President of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons; Alex Nanoff, Principal at Liaison Strategies; and public affairs consultant Bob Richardson, to discuss the latest stories that matter to Zoomers. A HISTORY LESSON ON SIMCOE DAY Tasha Kheiriddin is joined by Anthony Wilson-Smith, President and CEO of Historica Canada, for a brush-up on the Simcoe Day holiday. A REFLECTION ON THE NORTH AMERICAN HOLOCAUST MUSEUM MOTORCYCLE TOUR Tasha Kheiriddin is joined by Andy Reti, a child survivor of the Holocaust, who participated in the North American Holocaust Museum Motorcycle Tour.

Today on Free For All Friday: listeners reacted to Prime Minister Mark Carney's announcement on his plans to recognize a Palestinian state in September. What do you think about this?

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: FORD GOV'T APPEALING COURT RULING OVER BIKE LANES  Libby Znaimer is joined by Jon Burnside, City Councillor for Ward 16 (Don Valley East) and former Toronto City Councillors Karen Stintz and Rob Davis. The Ford government is appealing a court ruling over bike lanes and Toronto City Council has approved a colour coding system for rental units that is meant to hold landlords accountable. Our panelists react to the latest! PM MARK CARNEY PLANS TO RECOGNIZE THE STATE OF PALESTINE (WITH CONDITIONS) Libby Znaimer is joined by Iddo Moed, the Ambassador of Israel to Canada. Mr. Moed gives us Israel's official point of view on Prime Minister Mark Carney announcing that he'll recognize a Palestinian state in September, should certain conditions be met including the Palestinian Authorities' Mahmoud Abbas calling an election in 2026 without Hamas being part of that. Just how realistic is that? Also, this is a major change in Canada's approach to Israel. How did we get here? MORE REACTION TO PM M

THE MEDICAL RECORD: PAINKILLER SHORTAGES AND A NEW STUDY ON LIVER CANCER Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and former head of BC Cancer; Dr. Fahad Razak, general internist at St. Michael's Hospital and Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto; and Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing in Toronto. We're facing a shortage of certain common painkiller drugs in Canada; the world's largest Alzheimer's conference is being hosted in Toronto this week; a new study details how 3 in 5 liver cancer cases can be preventable. HE MADE DEATH THREATS AGAINST JEWS AND IS NOW ON HOUSE ARREST: WHY? Libby Znaimer is joined by Richard Robertson, Director of Research and Advocacy at B'nai Brith Canada. A Toronto man made death threats to Jews and also threatened to blow up synagogues. His punishment after being convicted: house arrest. It's prompted Jewish advocacy groups to sound the alarm! 600 FOREIGN NAT