- How are Olympic athletes in Canada funded
Tuesday, January 25th 2022
The Winter Olympics in Beijing are set to kick off next week, with Canadian athletes looking to match their medal haul from South Korea in 2018. But what goes into making an Olympian. A lot of training and a lot of money. Postmedia national sportswriter Dan Barnes joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss how Canada’s Olympians are funded, how successful the Own the Podium program has been, and how we’re expected to fare at these games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Why Canada's diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics matters
Thursday, January 20th 2022
When Canada appears at the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing in early February, there won’t be a delegation of diplomats and politicians cheering them on. Canada is among a number of Western nations following through on a diplomatic boycott of the games over China’s record of human rights abuses. The move is the latest in a series of tensions with the global superpower. Tasha Kheiriddin, a National Post columnist and principal with Navigator LTD, joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss issues with Canada-China relations, the importance of the boycott, and what this means for politics here at home. Background reading: Tasha Kheiriddin: A diplomatic boycott of Beijing is a no-brainer, except in Ottawa Tasha Kheiriddin: Reinstate Canada-China committee to push back against Beijing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Quebec planning to hit the unvaccinated with a tax for not rolling up their sleeves
Tuesday, January 18th 2022
Facing rising COVID 19 cases in the Omicron wave, and public frustration with those choosing not to get vaccinated, Quebec premier Francois Legault announced what amount to a tax on those who don’t roll up their sleeves. The move comes as hospitals fill up, and politicians are concerned the health system will be overwhelmed in the coming weeks. But it has not been without controversy. National Post political reporter Chris Nardi joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss why the Legault government proposed this new measure, what the criticism has been, and whether a tax is the right measure to crack down on the unvaccinated. Background reading: Quebec plans to hit unvaccinated with a 'significant' tax Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- What role will Doug Ford's pandemic performance play in the upcoming election?
Thursday, January 13th 2022
Amid rising cases of the Omicron variant, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced renewed restrictions to try to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. These latest moves were met with stiff criticism, notably the switch to online learning for students to start the new year. National Post columnist Randall Denley joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss the new restrictions, why they were controversial, and whether the election this spring will be a referendum on Ford’s handling of the pandemic. Background reading: Randall Denley: Flying blind, Doug Ford pulls old lockdown levers that won't work anymore Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- What the NHL pull-out amid COVID-19 surge means for Olympics
Tuesday, January 11th 2022
After NHLers sat out the winter Olympics in South Korea four years ago, there was a lot of hype surrounding their return next month in Beijing. But rising COVID-19 cases in the league, and the postponement of games forced the league and the players association to pull the plug on the professionals’ Olympic plans. Postmedia national sports writer Rob Longley joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss how big a blow this is for the games, what it means for the hockey tournament, and how big a shadow Omicron is casting over these Olympics. Background reading: Beijing Olympics organizers 'regret' NHL player pull-out With or without NHL players, Beijing Olympics still on schedule: Pound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
