Friday, July 8th 2022

Guest: Jacques Gallant, politics reporter

As Bill C-5 moves through the legislative process, Canadians who have been convicted of simple possession of drugs could see their records disappear in the next few years. Although it won’t be an amnesty, the government is using a system called sequestration that would effectively hide the records. It’s another sign of the changing way authorities are dealing with illegal drugs and how people are punished for having them.

This episode was produced by Sean Pattendon and Raju Mudhar.

Thursday, July 7th 2022

Guest: Armine Yalnizyan, Economist & Atkinson Fellow

Throughout the pandemic, nurses worked long hours with fewer resources and made major sacrifices to keep us safe. For some, perks that made the job appealing like stable income and a pension are wearing off as other issues remain unaddressed. This includes Ontario’s Bill 124, wage cap legislation as the cost of living and inflation continues to rise. As burnt out and exhausted nurses are leaving the profession in large numbers, a growing number of nurses have found an alternative where they can set their own hours and choose the jobs they want, all while earning more money. It’s called agency nursing and it’s skyrocketing across the country. Canadian economist Armine Yalnizyan talks about this new trend and what it could mean for the future of health care.

This episode was produced by Saba Eitizaz, Alexis Green and Matthew Hearn

Wednesday, July 6th 2022

Guests: Dr. Grace Parraga, Tier 1 Canada research chair in lung imaging at Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, and Dr. Michael Nicholson, a respirologist with the post-acute COVID-19 program at St. Joseph’s Hospital in London, Ont.

An estimated one in ten COVID survivors suffer from long COVID. The cause of the condition has puzzled doctors and long COVID sufferers are frustrated by the lack of knowledge and support. With an estimated 200 symptoms associated with long COVID, it’s hard to diagnose and treat. Now, an Ontario research team has made a discovery that could be key in helping to diagnose it and potentially find treatments.

This episode was produced by Alexis Green, Matthew Hearn and Raju Mudhar.

Tuesday, July 5th 2022

Guest: Rosa Saba, business reporter at the Star

The Bay is spending millions on reinventing itself to appeal to Canadians. With a history that predates Canada, the company has a long tradition that in some ways hampers it, as young people think of it as their grandparents’ store. The company is updating its product offerings in-store and its automation for its online operations, which has plans to offer same-day delivery across much of Canada. Are they making the right moves? Or is it too little, too late?

This episode was produced by Brian Bradley, Matthew Hearn and Raju Mudhar.

Monday, July 4th 2022

Guest: Dr. Andrew Boozary, physician and executive director of UHN’s Gattuso Centre for Social Medicine

A pilot project called Food Rx, run in collaboration with the University Health Network (UHN) and the non-profit FoodShare, is aiming to tackle growing food insecurity in Toronto with a “doctor’s prescription” for regular home delivery of fresh fruit and vegetables. Nearly one in five Toronto households have inadequate or insecure access to food due to lack of money, and it has become a serious public health issue. According to the latest Who’s Hungry report by the Daily Bread and North York Harvest Food banks, visits to food banks skyrocketed by 47 per cent last year. Pilot programs like Food Rx are much needed but what does it say about a system where health care workers are providing prescriptions for food and will it work as food inflation continues to rise?

This episode was produced by Saba Eitizaz, Alexis Green and Matthew Hearn