Zoomer Week in Review: Recent Episodes
Libby Znaimer
Join host Libby Znaimer as she brings you the latest Zoomer Headlines from around the world and shines a spotlight on the key issues affecting you. Youll also get the freshest perspective from CARP and Zoomer Media experts on health, wellness and living the good life!
November 17 2024-Charities Making the Biggest Impact & A History of Big Concerts that Took Over TorontoIn this season of giving, it can be overwhelming deciding which charity deserves your donation. Most charities claim to make a difference in the lives of those they work with. But just how difficult is it for donors to tell if their donation really is making a difference? Charity Intelligence has just released this year’s top 10 impact charities to help Canadians find charities making the greatest impact. We reached Greg Thomson, Director of Research at the non profit organization. AndTaylor Swift fans are converging on Toronto for a series of sold out concerts, over two weekends, drawing a crowd of 50 for each night. It’s considered the most commercially successful concert series the city has ever seen. We reached music publicist Eric Alper to get his take on the concert and how it compares with some other big Toronto concerts of the past that many Zoomers attended.
November 10 2024-HOW TRUMP MAY SHAPE CANADA'S TIES WITH THE U.S. & THE 2024 SILVER CROSS MOTHER ON REMEMBRANCE DAYThe consensus is that Donald Trump's resounding victory will have a huge impact on everything from the price of groceries to the Western alliance. I talked with Conservative strategist Will Stewart about how Canada’s place in the world may shift with the new US administration.AndMaureen Anderson lost both her sons because of their military service although they died years later. Sgt Ron Anderson took his own life and Sgt. Ryan Anderson died of an overdose after suffering from PTSD. I talked with Maureen, this year’s Silver Cross Mother, as she prepared for Remembrance Day.
November 3 2024-The Only Canadian Hostage Still Being Held by Hamas & Continuing the Dialogue About Women's Rights Judih Weinstein, a 70 year old Canadian-born Senior and her 72-year-old husband Gadi were murdered by Hamas terrorists while on their morning walk on Oct. 7, 2023, in Southern Israel. Their bodies are still being held in Gaza. Judih is the only Canadian hostage still being held by Hamas. Their daughter, Iris, lived a nightmare not knowing if her parents were alive or dead for an agonizing 83 days. Now, she wants answers from the Canadian government to act and secure justice for Canadians targeted by Hamas and is suing a number of terrorist organizations including Hamas and Samidoun. We reached Iris Weinstein Haggai in Ottawa. AndFor two decades, journalist and author Elizabeth Renzetti has written about women’s rights and has just penned a new book on the subject called "What She Said: Conversations About Equality".She writes about women’s rights being rolled back around the world and the continuing injustices like violence, loss of reproductive rights and misogyny but urges us all to keep the faith and continue the dialogue.
October 27 2024-Dr. Jane Philpott Wants to Fix Primary Care in Ontario & Exploring the Origin Story of Poutine Former federal health minister Dr. Jane Philpott will head a new provincial health team with the goal of connecting every person in Ontario with a primary care provider in the next five years. She’ll step down as dean of Queen’s University Health Sciences to begin her new role December 1st. Some estimate there were more than 2.5 million without a family doctor, and other studies peg that number even higher at over 6 million. Up to now, reforms haven’t fixed the crisis in healthcare and we reached Dr. Philpott to find out why she claims to have the answer.AndIt’s french fries smothered in gravy and cheese curds but where did this food combination originate and why is the world now becoming obsessed with this Canadian cuisine? Journalist and author Justin Giovannetti Lamothe explores all these questions in his new book Poutine: A Deep-Fried Road Trip of Discovery that takes the reader on a Québécois culinary journey to find the roots of this popular food.
October 20 2024-Challenge for Older Canadians Accessing Primary Care & A New Catalogue on Painter Jack BushMany older Canadians are struggling to get the healthcare they need. And a new report by the National Institute on Ageing is sounding the alarm, finding access to a primary care physician may be even worse than previously understood. The NIA finds that nearly 5 million Canadians 50 and older are without primary healthcare and, with an aging population, it will only get worse unless the problem is remedied. We reached Natalie Iciaszczyk, a research program manager at the National Institute on Ageing.AndHe was Canada’s most internationally acclaimed artist of the 20th century. And now, a new catalogue on abstract painter and founding member of the Painters 11 Jack Bush has been produced. Written by Sarah Stanners, who has published widely on modern and contemporary art, this four box set is the first full biography of the artist, tracing his life from birth to death. We reached art historian Sarah Stanners who is an Adjunct Professor of Art History at the University of Toronto.
October 13 2024-Marc Garneau's "A Most Extraordinary Ride" & Preventing Pain After Breast Cancer SurgeryHe made history as the first Canadian to fly in outer space. Then he notched another first - becoming the first astronaut to be elected as a Member of Parliament. Marc Garneau went on to serve in cabinet through some of the biggest events of the past decade. He came to our Liberty Village studio to talk about his memoir, “A Most Extraordinary Ride.”And It is a common but debilitating complication after breast cancer surgery. Persistent pain prevents patients from getting back to work and resuming normal life. And it is becoming a larger problem, as more and more people survive breast cancer. Local researcher and pain specialist Dr. James Khan is launching a world-wide study to test the best ways to prevent and treat it.
October 6 2024-Amir Tibon Recounts the October 7th Massacre and his RescueTomorrow marks the one-year anniversary of the October 7 Hamas massacre. For the most part, we have been dealing with the fallout from that terrible event, the war, the fate of the hostages, the displacement and destruction and the worldwide rise in anti-Semitism. I talked with journalist Amir Tibon, author of The Gates of Gaza: A Story of Betrayal, Survival, and Hope, who spent that terrible and terrifying day with his family in his border kibbutz safe room - here is his story.
September 29 2024-Donating the Brain for Research & Cooking for the Holidays Ontario’s Minister of Sport, Neil Lumsden, has made a commitment to donate his brain to research after he dies. The 10-year CFL veteran and four-time Grey Cup champion is one of several former football players making that legacy through the Concussion Legacy Foundation. I talked with about what he hopes this will accomplish.ANDHow do famous chefs cook at home and can we do the same as we prepare special meals for Thanksgiving or the Jewish new year? The answer is yes and there are tips, tricks, and recipes in Zahav Home: Cooking for Friends & Family -the book celebrity chef Michael Solomonov cooked when he had to cook at home during the pandemic.
September 22 2024-Exploding Pagers in Lebanon & AI Saving Lives in HospitalsThe use of pagers and walkie talkies may seem like a relic from the 1990’s but in Lebanon, this week, they were the targets of an entirely new level of electronic sabotage. Over two days, thousands of devices carried by Hezbollah terrorists exploded. Israel is presumed to be behind the attack. We spoke with Dr. Amos Guiora, a Law Professor at the University of Utah and former legal advisor to the IDF in Gaza.ANDIt’s an AI early-warning system that can save lives in hospital. The technology called Chartwatch, predicts which patients are at risk of deteriorating while in hospital and a new study from St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto found it was associated with a 26% decrease in unexpected deaths. We talked with lead author and internist Dr. Amol Verma.
September 15 2024- Athletic Fundraising Events vs. Traditional Galas & When Is It The Right Time To Take Your CPP? This morning the annual Terry Fox Run is underway with 15,000 participants here in Toronto and many more across the country. Last weekend, The Princess Margaret's Walk to End Cancer raised a record 3.5M with 1500 walkers. As fundraisers recover from Covid, athletic participation events are eclipsing traditional galas more than ever. I talked with Steve Merker, Vice President Corporate and Community Partnerships, PMCF, and co-founder of Ride to Conquer Cancer.AndIt’s one of the most critical financial decisions Zoomers face, and most of us don’t give it the attention it deserves. The decision about when to take CPP will affect your finances for decades and you can collect a great deal more if you defer it from the age of 65 to the age of 70. Dr. Bonnie-Jeanne MacDonald, is the Director of Financial Security Research of the National institute on Ageing and she looked at the reason why more people don’t do that.
September 8 2024-On the Road with The Beatles & It's Arthritis Awareness MonthIt’s been 60 years since Beatlemania gripped the world. And one man..then a reporter with the London Daily Express..spent six weeks of unrestricted access to the fab four during their iconic 1964 North American tour. In his book ‘The Beatles And Me On Tour- 60th Anniversary Edition’ Ivor Davis recalls his life on the road, serving up the stories behind the stories. We reached author Ivor Davis at his home in Southern California. AndCutting-edge research is helping the over 6 million Canadians who suffer from arthritis, find some life changing relief. But, arthritis remains the leading cause of workplace disability in Canada, impacting sleep, mental health, physical activity, and more. We speak with Dr. Megan Himmel, Rheumatologist with UHN’s Schroeder Arthritis Institute.
September 1 2024-Tips For This Wasp Season & The "Grandma Babysitting Club" They seem to be everywhere this summer…unwanted guests at our backyard bbq’s, outdoor family gatherings forcing many of us indoors. Why so many wasps now, is there anything you can do to keep them away, and what should you do if you get stung? We posed these questions and more to Royal Ontario Museum’s entomology expert Antonia Guidotti.AndAn Ontario grandmother has come up with a novel approach to help families find temporary childcare. Since launching the ‘Grandma Babysitting Club’ earlier this year, founder Maria Martin has recruited six other Grandmas to the club offering in-home child care, with the goal of expanding the program. It has the added bonus of keeping the retirees young. We reached Maria Martin at her home in Kitchener.
August 25 2024-Wait Times for Surgery in Ontario & What Are We Agreeing to When We Click “I Agree”There is a staggering variation in wait times for elective surgery in Ontario. For cataract surgery for instance, it ranges from 15 days for some patients to 249 days for others. And it’s not just the difference from one hospital or clinic to another, but from surgeon to surgeon. I talked with Dr. David Urbach, head of surgery at Women’s College Hospital, and author of a study that tracked the time between a diagnosis and the date of surgery.AndThankfully Disney has backed off its bid to block a wrongful death lawsuit. But the entertainment giant had been claiming that a man could not sue it over the death of his wife because of terms he signed up to in a free trial of Disney+. But the question remains: what are we agreeing to when we click “I agree.” I talked with Technology analyst Carmi Levi.
August 18 2024-Professional Grief Counselling For The Loss Of A Pet & The Rich History Of The Noble AnchovyTo take on ownership of a pet is to welcome a new, full-fledged member into your family, and there is an entire industry devoted to their care. With the strong emotional ties that bind people to pets, there is even professional help available to overcome the loss when they die. Certified pet grief counsellor Helen Goldberg helped us explore this service.And For something so small, they get a big reaction on both sides of the spectrum. Love 'em or leave 'em, anchovies have a rich, storied history dating back thousands of years. We caught up with author Christopher Beckman, who wrote the book on them.
August 11 2024-LTC Home Offering 24/7 Medical Record Access & How Flooding Can Damage Your Vehicle It’s believed to be a first in this country. A Toronto long-term care home is offering families direct access to their loved ones’ medical records 24 hours a day..the first not for profit to offer the service. Meighen Health Centre, run by the Canadian Salvation Army, reports that 84 percent of families are using the app regularly, cutting down on time spent calling staff about their loved ones.We reached Varsha Chaugai, a biomedical engineer in Ottawa and co-founder and CEO of Evoke Health.AndScenes of flooding and driver rescues on the DVP and other arteries this Summer come amid a record rainfall for July. And with climate change, comes a stark reminder of the dangers of heavy rainfall when travelling. For some tips on what to do if you’re caught in high rising water, we reached Shari Prymak, Senior Consultant with Car Help Canada.
August 4 2024-Are the Olympics Worth the Cost for Host Cities & How Olympics Will Impact Upcoming Tennis Tournament in Toronto Billions of people around the world are watching the Summer olympics in Paris. There’s no question the spectacle is entertaining and sometimes uplifting. But Sports Economist and senior lecturer Moshe Lander argues the games and similar events like the World cup do not deliver the benefits they promise to the locals who foot the bill.And,We’ve been talking about the perils of hosting a big international event like the Olympics. How does it compare to smaller annual events like the National bank Open Tennis set to start next week? The experts say those can make money and benefit the local economy because they come back to the same venue year after year. I talked with Tennis Canada CEO Gavin Ziv.
Toronto was already one of the most congested cities in the world, But the simultaneous construction projects now underway have made it unbearable. It takes hours more to commute on the Gardiner. Travel time has tripled along Spadina and it can take 40 minutes to drive a few blocks on the only road now open in and out of Liberty Village. It may also be shortening our lives. I talked with Jeffrey Brook, Associate Professor at the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health.AndLibby speaks with cyclist Lloyd Taylor about his journey with Parkinson's disease, how exercise has been helping to alleviate symptoms he deals with and how he is raising awareness about the benefits of movement and exercise through the Spinning Wheels cross-Canada relay.
July 21 2024- What a Trump Presidency Would Mean For Canada & Backlash From Overtourism What would a Donald Trump victory in the US mean for Canada? At this week’s Convention, Republican leaders blamed free trade for massive job losses in the American rust belt. And there’s the impact of trying to meet our NATO spending target and trying to compete with lower American taxes. Canadian politicians on all sides of the political spectrum are worried. I talked with Jack Mintz of the Macdonald Laurier Institute and the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy.AndFor most of us, it’s a great thing - the ability to get on a plane, to fulfill a bucket list item or capture the perfect Instagram shot by visiting one of the great cities of the world. But with tourism approaching record levels, the strain on local resources and residents is bringing a backlash. I asked Toronto Metropolitan University Hospitality Professor and author Rachel Dodds what we can and should do about it.
July 14 2024-What Ottawa Promised at the NATO Summit & The History of Our Obsession with CatsPrime Minister Justin Trudeau has finally announced that Canada intends to meet Nato’s 2% military spending target by 2032. The last minute announcement came after heavy criticism from allies at this week’s NATO summit in Washington. Libby Znaimer reached Prof. Stephen Saidman at the NATO Summit Expert Forum in Washington DC.And,Their antics take up a huge amount of bandwidth on the Internet and we are vastly amused at seeing them dressed as humans and doing human-like things. I am speaking , of course, about cats. But it wasn’t always this way. Cats were seen as common pests mainly useful for catching mice until the end of the 19th century. That’s when author and historian Kathryn Hughes says the great cat mania set in. Libby reached her in London to talk about her book, "Catland".
July 7 2024-Dan Hill Reflects On His Father's Legacy & Heritage Sites Lacking Safeguards In Canada The name of a Canadian human rights defender will appear on a Toronto public library after a six month renaming effort. It's another piece of Toronto that's been stripped of the Dundas name, joining Yonge Dundas Square, to be renamed Sankofa Square. This fall, the Jane Dundas branch will be named after the late Daniel G. Hill, a historian, writer, and activist who served as the inaugural director of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, later as commissioner. In the 90s, Hill was awarded the Order of Ontario and appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada.We reached his son, Grammy and Juno award -winning artist Dan Hill. AndLast month's devastating fire at Toronto's St. Anne’s Anglican Church is a cautionary tale about preserving historic buildings. Built between 1907 and 1908, the church did not have a sprinkler system to protect its collection of religious murals — including some by the Group of Seven — that have now been lost. Experts warn that hundreds if not thousands of churches across Canada are in the same predicament of lacking certain safeguards. We reached Deb Crawford, Chair of the Architectural Conservancy Ontario.
June 30 2024-Canada's Changing Population & New Biography Reflects on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Triumphs and Failures The number of Canadians 85 and older is expected to triple by the year 2073 to as many as 4.3 million. The projections released this week by Statistics Canada aso finds that the overall population could reach 63 million in half a century. Low birth rates mean migration will be the main driver of Canada's growth for the foreseeable future. We reached demographer Doug Norris who worries the trends will put added pressure on several fronts. And The triumphs and failures of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are chronicled in a new biography by award-winning journalist and author Stephen Maher. Maher spoke with over 200 insiders to reveal the public and private life of the man who’s led this country for nine years, chronicling the Liberals leader’s triumphs and failures. We reached Stephen Maher to talk about his book called Prince: The Turbulent Reign of Justin Trudeau
June 23 2024-Best Before Dates & June is Migraine Awareness MonthBest before dates are prompting Canadian consumers to throw away food, wasting up to $400 dollars worth of edible groceries each year. In financial terms, the value of this potentially rescuable food is an astonishing $49.5 billion. That's why there’s a new campaign called Look, Smell, Taste: Canada's Recipe for Reducing Food Waste as experts try to dispel the belief that ‘best before’ does not mean ‘bad after.’ We reached Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University to find out how it works.AndJune is Migraine Awareness month, and there’s a national campaign to offer more supportive working environments to the millions of Canadians living with the debilitating neurological disease.As a show of solidarity with sufferers, Canadians are encouraged to turn their out of office alert for four hours - which is the minimum duration of an average migraine headache. We reached Dr. Elizabeth Leroux, neurologist and founder of Migraine Canada to find out about the campaign and new treatment options available.
June 16 2024-B.C.'s Senior Advocate Is Championing the Rights of Canada's 65 + & This Canadian Zoomer Makes Miss Universe Pageant HistoryHe’s only been Seniors Advocate for B.C. for several months but Dan Levitt has been a champion for Seniors for years and, as you’ll hear, this acclaimed international speaker, elder care leader, writer and gerontologist has returned from New York where he attended the UN Summit on Ageing on behalf of all older Canadians. He spoke with Bob Komsic.AndRegardless of what your take is on beauty pageants, the Miss Universe pageant-- the one Donald Trump co-owned from 1996 to 2015--has dropped its age requirement this year. For the first time in 72-years anyone over 28 is permitted be they married, pregnant, gay or trans. Lorraine Peters of New Brunswick will make history next month in Windsor when she becomes the oldest contestant at 58. She spoke with Bob Komsic.
June 9, 2024- Cyclist raises cancer awareness at the age of 81 & Where should people spend their summer?This weekend will mark the 17th annual Princess Margaret RIDE to Conquer Cancer. More than 5,000 cyclists will ride over 200 kms over the two days, starting from the Exhibition Place in Toronto to Niagara Falls, with a pit stop in Hamilton. Last year, the ride received a contribution of $17.3 million with the help of cyclists, donors and sponsors. We reached 81-year-old Mary Jane McKeen, to tell her story about suffering from long-term cancer and biking her 15th ride this year. ANDIt�s going to be summer soon! Are you looking for suggestions for your next adventure? What should you do? Where should you go? Bob Comsic talked to Doug Wallace, travel journalist from TravelRight.Today to update our listeners on the latest travel trends.
June 2 2024- 80th Anniversary of D-Day & The Health Benefits of Tai ChiOn D-Day, 6 June 1944, the Allies came ashore in Normandy, France when some fourteen thousand Canadians stormed Juno Beach that day, and launched a campaign that helped turn the tide of the Second World War. Both in this country and abroad, Canadians are encouraged to explore the stories of those who courageously served in this campaign. We reached Alex Fitzgerald-Black, Executive Director of the Juno Beach Centre Association about what to expect this coming Thursday. ANDThere's plenty of evidence that exercise can help protect our bodies and brains. In fact, a new study finds Tai Chi, a slow-moving form of martial arts, can help slow cognitive decline and protect against dementia. It�s a gentle, low-impact exercise in which practitioners perform deliberate, flowing motions while focusing on deep, slow breaths. Dr. Patricia Huston and public health expert in the department of Family Medicine at the University of Ottawa has been doing Tai Chi for a decade and says there are even new benefits emerging. She joined Christine Ross in conversation.
May 26 2024-Canada's Truck Problem & Cancer Diagnoses in the ERHave you noticed that most of the vehicles on our roads are very big and getting bigger every season? Eight of the top 10 are now defined as trucks and some experts say they are a health and safety hazard. Libby Znaimer spoke with HEC Montr�al Associate Finance Professor Amir Barnea.ANDIt�s bad enough to get this news from a doctor you know well and trust, but receiving a cancer diagnosis in an emergency room is becoming more routine in Canada. That�s how one in four new patients find out. Libby Znaimer talked with critical care physician Dr. Jamie Spiegelman
May 19 2024- Dr. Eileen De Villa reflects on her leadership during COVID-19 & Life after CaregivingShe became a household name as one of the key leaders who guided us through the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Eileen de Villa announced she will step down as Toronto�s Medical Officer of Health at the end of the year. She spoke with Libby Znaimer about her reflections on navigating the crisis.ANDNearly 6 and a half million Canadians do the same for family and friends - on average, 5 hours a day for four and a half years. We�ve heard a lot about the challenges of providing this unpaid care. But what happens after? That�s the focus of the latest series from Best Part Productions. Libby Znaimer talked with founder Brenda Rusnak.
May 12 2024-Anti-Israel protests are not peace protests & Liberal MP Pam Damoff describes toxicity in politicsThe late iconic anti war activist Jerry Rubin's son has written an article titled "This is definitely not my dad�s antiwar protest", referring to the current anti-Israel encampments at universities and elsewhere across the globe following the October 7th attacks in Israel by Hamas terrorists.Adam Rubin argues that his father and others in the anti war movement six decades ago advocated for peace and justice, unlike today where he says genuine activism has turned to violent extremism. Adam Rubin joins Christine Ross from his home in Los Angeles.ANDShe�s the latest in a series of politicians to step away from public life due to threats to their safety and mental health. Federal Liberal MP Pam Damoff says she�s experienced misogyny since the day she was elected 9 years ago. What�s even more disturbing than the chaos on Parliament Hill, Damoff says the toxic culture has spread to the riding level leaving her feeling unsafe in her hometown of Oakville. She joins Christine in conversation.
May 5 2024-Sophie Gr�goire Trudeau's Journey to Self-Acceptance & Jane Philpott on the Primary Care CrisisIt�s not exactly a memoir - though the Prime Minister�s ex, Sophie Gr�goire Trudeau talks about her struggle with an eating disorder, growing up an only child, and meeting Justin Trudeau. Her book is about her journey to self-awareness and self-acceptance. Libby talked with Sophie Gr�goire Trudeau about �Closer Together, Knowing Ourselves, Loving Each Other".ANDIf there�s anyone qualified to figure out a fix for our health system, it�s former Liberal Health Minister Jane Philpott - currently the Dean of Queens� University School of Medicine. She�s calling for a radical overhaul with one crisis at the core: the shortage of family doctors. I talked to Jane Philpott about "Health for All: A Doctor's Prescription for a Healthier Canada".
April 28 2024-Crossing the Trans Canada Trail at 50 & Preparing Your LawnThe first person to cross the Trans Canada Trail:500 DAYS IN THE WILD, a documentary by the award-winning filmmaker Dianne Whelan who spent six years crossing the entire 24,000 kilometre Trans Canada Trail, mostly alone. She began in St. John�s Newfoundland in 2015 ending in Victoria BC in 2021 and has documented her trek across the world�s largest trail in her new film that�s now streaming.Preparing your lawn after the damage from winter:Itching to get your lawn green and lush again after the damage of winter that can cause long-lasting damage? We live in a lawn obsessed culture, some say embrace the dandelions others mortified by the sight of annoying weeds on their lawn. What are the best practices you can do right now to get your lawn in the best shape? We consulted an expert, Professor Katerina Jordan, the Director of the Guelph Turf Grass Institute.
April 21 2024- Canadian charitable donations dropping: report & National Volunteer WeekHave you ever made any charitable donations? Do you still make them? Any? Or have you stopped? Many have as Nicole Danesi at CanadaHelps explains.ANDNational Volunteer Week that just ended is held annually as a way to celebrate the many who give of their time to help others in the community, who possibly would be in even more difficulty without volunteers. Bob Komsic spoke to a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels.
How a Runaway Orphan Became a Big Time ChefA new documentary-"Born Hungry"-tells the real life rags to riches tale of Sash Simpson, a runaway child from the streets of India, who was adopted into a Toronto family with 31 siblings before becoming a world-renowned chef. Libby spoke with Chef Sash Simpson about his life and why he decided that now was the time to make a movie about it. Are We Too Afraid of Cancer? April is Daffodil Month, a time devoted to raising awareness about Cancer.The all-consuming fear of it is still with us even though survival rates have skyrocketed. Author David Ropeik argues that this fear is also harming us. I talked with him about "Curing Cancerphobia: How Risk, Fear, and Worry Mislead Us".
An Elder Rights Lawyers Fight Against For-Profit Homes is the subject of new Doc "Stolen Time" Elder rights lawyer and advocate Melissa Miller is the subject of a new documentary�titled �Stolen time�-- that follows her legal battle against some of the world�s most powerful long-term care corporations. I talked with her about the film which chronicles her toughest case yet�a mass tort representing hundreds of familiesAre You Suffering from Tinnitus? Here's What You Need to KnowRinging, buzzing, clicking and hissing. Those are the kind of sounds you may hear if you�re afflicted with Tinnitus. The symptoms range from mild to debilitating and more than 9 million Canadians are affected. I talked with Dr. Yvonne Chan, Otolaryngologist-in-Chief, St. Michael�s Hospital, Unity Health.
March 31 2024 - Religion in Canada & Ottawa�s Arms Embargo with Israel What Research Tells Us About Canadians� Relationship with ReligionIt�s Easter Sunday and it�s likely that family dinners and easter egg Hunts outstripped church attendance as a way to mark the holiday. Formal religious observance has been declining for years in our country though about half the population still believe in God. And many people are closely attached to their religion but do not have faith in a higher power. Libby talked with Dr. Jack Jedwab about the state of our spirituality.Ottawa�s Arms Embargo with Israel Last week Melanie Joly, Canada's foreign minister, announced an arms embargo on Israel. But it turns out Canada has spent much more - over a billion in recent years- on Israeli weapons systems and they are being used to protect Canadian pilots, fighters, and naval combatants around the world. Libby spoke with israel�s ambassador to canada Iddo moed.
Cottage Country Prices Set to Spike in OntarioCottage country prices are set to soar again as Zoomers look to switch family homes for country retirement living. According to a recreational property report out this week from Royal LePage, the national median single-family price forecast is set to increase by 5%, with all of Canada's provincial recreational markets seeing an increase in single-family home prices in 2024. Libby Znaimer spoke with Phil Soper, CEO and president of Royal LePage, to unpack this information.Save The Date! A Total Solar Eclipse is Coming April 8, 2024The next total solar eclipse visible in North America will occur on April 8, 2024. The path of totality will cross over parts of Mexico, the United States, and Canada, with millions of people expected to witness this spectacular phenomenon. Libby checked in with Bill Archer, a Mission Scientist with the Canadian Space Agency, to discuss this rare event.
Eldercare Evolved: AI Companions & CompassionExploring AI companions in eldercare: Meet VIV, offering conversation and compassion. We discuss the latest report from the National Institute on Ageing and the transformative role of technology, featuring Catherine Phee's experience with dementia. Is this the future? Dr. Adriana Shnall weighs in. From Actor to Icon: Zelensky's Showman JourneyDive into the captivating journey of Volodymyr Zelensky, from actor to wartime leader, as we discuss "The Showman" with Time Correspondent Simon Shuster. This intimate portrait traces Zelensky's evolution from the bright lights of variety shows to the front lines of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Explore how he transitioned from comedic actor to an iconic figure leading Ukraine's fight for its future. Join us as we unravel the personal transformation of President Zelensky and the pivotal moments captured in "The Showman."
UN Report finds Hamas likely committed rape during Oct. 7th massacre: This week, the UN special representative on sexual violence in conflict presented a report concluding that rape and gang rape likely occurred during the October 7 Hamas attack in Southern Israel. It also found �clear and convincing� evidence that hostages were raped while being held in Gaza and that those currently held are still facing such abuse. The UN was late to acknowledge these crimes and the fact-finding mission leading to the report took place largely because of the efforts of Professor Ruth Halperin-Kaddari, Director of the Rackman Center for the Advancement of the Status of Women at Bar Ilan University. I spoke with her when she was in town earlier this week.The Rise of a 100-year-old social media star: Social media star Mildred Kirschenbaum recently celebrated her 100th birthday. She�s been an online sensation since her 99th birthday when her daughter posted a video with her tips on living to her age. They were so popular that she wrote a book and Libby spoke with her ahead of the launch.
Older Zoomers Are Delaying Their Home Downsizing Plans:There�s been a demographic shift when it comes to Boomers downsizing from their homes. In fact, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing, Seniors are now less likely to sell their homes before the age of 85, a big change from three decades ago. Boomers are not expected to downsize in a meaningful way until mid-2040. Better health and lack of housing are driving the trend. We reached CMHC Economist Francis Cortellino who authored a recent study that confirms the trend.Toronto Funeral Homes Worried About Burial Shortages:Death is often considered a taboo subject, but funeral homes in Toronto are sounding the alarm about a crisis: a lack of space to bury the dead. Some industry experts predict space will run out in a little as 10 years. The dire situation reflects the current housing crisis, where land is a premium. We reached Kim Hunter, Owner of Humphrey Funeral Home to talk about changes in the funeral industry.
Homesharing program pairing Students with Seniors:An Ontario based company is making intergenerational living normal in Canada. SpacesShared is a home sharing platform that matches students with Seniors who have empty bedrooms and the company says it�s been overwhelmed by requests. With affordable housing more elusive than ever, this program is not only a win for students, but it creates some income and connections for Seniors who face isolation in growing numbers. We reached SpacesShared co-founder and CEO Rylan Kinnon.New Cars Zoomers Love to Drive: The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada has just named the 2024 car of the year. And the winner is: the Toyota Prius. And Toyota also claims other top spots. The awards were just handed out at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto. Jil McIntosh has been writing about cars for years for various industry publications and she was also a judge at this year�s car show. We reached Jil to find out what older drivers want in a car.
How Canadians Are Enjoying Sex: On Valentine�s day this week, Sociologist Tina Fetner released a book on Canadian sexual practices based on the first ever survey of what Canadian adults do in the bedroom and who they do it with. It�s called "Sex in Canada: The Who, Why, When, and How of Getting Down Up North". And Libby started the conversation by asking how we are different from Americans.Ageism in Politics:This week a special counsel cleared U.S. President Joe biden of criminal wrongdoing in his handling of classified documents, But Robert Hur, who is associated with Donald Trump and has no neurological expertise, characterized the 81-year-old Biden as a �well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory�. By that point the President�s age was already a widely debated campaign issue. Is that partisan politics or ageism? Libby reached Larry Haas- a Senior Fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council, in Maryland.
The King's Cancer Diagnosis: There�s been an outpouring of sympathy and support since King Charles III revealed that he�s been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer. At the age of 75, he was finally putting his own stamp on the monarchy after ascending the throne in September 2022 following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth. Libby talked about the implications with Suzanne Boyd, Editor-in-chief and Publisher of Zoomer Magazine/everythingzoomer.com Reforming our system of clinical trials for Cancer PatientsIn recent years, there have been huge innovations in cancer treatment that target the disease with ever increasing precision. Clinical trials are often the best or the only treatment option for cancer patients. But surgical oncologist Dr. Rebecca Auer argues that they are outdated and need to be reimagined to help thousands of Canadians.
What a new report tells us about Cardiac ArrestA new report from the Heart and Stroke Foundation finds that this potentially fatal event occurring outside a hospital is far more prevalent than we thought. Cardiologist Dr. Christopher Labos tells us simple training could save lives.Are you exercising right after the age of 50?��Are you still sticking to your New year�s exercise resolution? And are you working out the right way? Author and personal trainer Igor Klibanov specializes in training people over 50 and as the title of his bestseller says: Stop Exercising! The Way You Are doing it Now�
Michael Levy's brother is still being held by Hamas. He shares his story:Like so many around the world, and specifically Israel, just mention October 7th and the nightmare of that day replays in their minds many times each day. Michael Levy's brother was taken hostage by the terrorist group while attending the Nova Music Festival and his sister-in-law was murdered. He shares his story. How accurate are the five love languages? It�s been 30-plus years since a series of books titled The Five Love Languages came out. Not to help someone fall in love but to keep a relationship fresh and growing amid conflicts, demands, and just plain boredom of everyday life. Dr. Emily Impett, a University of Toronto Mississauga psychology professor and her team of researchers were curious cupids who decided to check out the concept.
January 21 2024-National Non-Smoking Week & Ontario Launches New LTC Investigations Unit National Non-Smoking WeekQuick quiz: What�s the leading preventable cause of disease and death in Canada? If you said tobacco then you�re right. With 46-thousand dying from it each year and National Non-Smoking Week upon us, Rob Cunningham, Senior Policy Analyst with the Canadian Cancer Society looks at how far we�ve come and also how much more we�ve got to go.Ontario Launches a New Long-Term Care Investigations UnitThe province now has a team of 10 investigators designated as Provincial Offences Officers who have the authority to add more accountability in long-term care with the aim to help address the most serious forms of non-compliance.Will these 10 make a difference? Jane Meadus is a lawyer at the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly.
Blue Monday and research about Seasonal Affective DisorderBlue Monday has officially been called the most depressing day of the year. It was dreamed up to help advertisers cash in on everything from travel to gym memberships. But the broader Seasonal Affective Disorder is when the post holiday lull, stretched finances, and poor weather with less daylight all converge. We reached Laura Cavanagh Professor of Behavioural Sciences at Seneca College and a registered psychotherapist. CARP's Survey shows Zoomers are hungry for travelTravel bug got you planning a big trip? You�re not alone. A just-released survey by the Zoomer Advocacy group CARP finds a whopping 86 percent of older Canadians plan to book an international flight within the year marking a return to the first �normal� travel season in three years. Rudy Buttignol, President of the Zoomer Advocacy group CARP joined us in the studio to break it all down.
David Macdonald On Canada's highest-paid CEOsAlmost 15 million dollars. That�s how much 100 of Canada�s top CEOs were paid in 2022--an all time high. And it's more than double what the top executives were paid in 2008. Compare that to the typical Canadian worker who got an average three per cent raise to just over 60 thousand a year. By comparison, the top CEOs made that in 8 hours. So, at a time when the average Canadian is facing food inflation and housing affordability, why do Canada�s richest keep getting richer? We reached David Macdonald, senior economist at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, who released a report this week.Professor Jim Davies On Best Strategies to Keep Our New Year Resolutions: We�ve just said goodbye to 2023 and are a few days into 2024. Do you plan to make changes this year? Experts agree that New Year�s resolutions usually fail because they�re too big of a goal. So the best advice is start small. In fact, one study finds 9 in 10 Americans fail at resolutions. We reached Jim Davies, a cognitive science professor at Carleton University, for some do�s and don'ts when it comes to resolutions.
Erika Buckman: Unveiling a Beatles' Secret: Erika Buckman reveals a surprising and bittersweet connection: her late daughter, Caroline Buckman unknowingly played a part in this last melody from the legendary Fab Four. With this revelation, Buckman shares a unique perspective on the song's significance and her daughter's unintended legacy.Dr. Allison Crawford: Addressing the Mental Health Crisis: Amidst the pandemic, while suicide rates remained stable, crisis lines experienced a surge in calls from individuals grappling with heightened stress. In response, Canada introduces a comprehensive, around-the-clock, three-digit suicide prevention hotline, 9-8-8. Dr. Allison Crawford, Chief Medical Officer at Toronto's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, joins Bob Komsic to discuss this critical initiative and its potential impact on mental health support in the country.
Brain Canada researchers along with ones from the world renowned Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel are teaming up to better understand the brain and its disorders. One-and-a-half million dollars will support up to three team grants of half-a-million each over two-years.Professor Rony Paz of the Weizmann Institute from Israel and Brain Canada�s President and CEO Dr. Viviane Poupon�s in Montreal joins Bob Komsic to discuss.ANDHow old is too old for one to be driving? The province is considering introducing an enhanced road test for those over 80. Currently, drivers have to renew their licence every two years after reaching that milestone. The renewal process involves attending a senior driver education session that involves a vision test and having to draw a clock which measures cognitive abilities. It does NOT examine motor function and co-ordination, concentration, hearing ability, spatial perception, and reaction time.Ministry of transportation research in 2020 showed more than one-third of drivers older than 80 who passed the clock-drawing test could not pass a road test. The recommendation is for the introduction, by 2026, of an enhanced road test that could combine driving manoeuvres of a standard highway test with additional scoring to gauge cognitive abilities related to safe driving.The Zoomers� advocacy group CARP and its chief policy and operating officer Bill VanGorder thinks the province should reconsider.
Irwin Cotler is a former Canadian justice minister who served as Canada's special envoy on Holocaust remembrance and combatting antisemitism and is the focus of the cover story in the latest issue of "Zoomer Magazine". He's also under around-the-clock police protection because of a threat to his life.His daughter, Michal Cotler-Wunsh was named Israel's new special envoy to combat antisemitism just before October 7th. She joins Bob Komsic to discuss the current state of rising international antisemitism and Canada's failure to address it.ANDA study carried out by two U of T doctors has discovered that the gender of a surgeon can save health-care a lot of money. It involved over one-million adult patients who had about two dozen common elective and emergency surgeries between 2007 and 2019.The co-authors found costs for patients, whose health data was checked at one-month, three-months, and one-year after surgery, were about 10% lower if they had a female surgeon.�The study can be found in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Surgery.Co-author Dr. Angela Jerath joined Bob Komsic to discuss their study.
There's no scenario where a former senior Israeli army officer sees Hamas freeing ALL remaining hostages. Moty Cristal served for several years in various official negotiation capacities in the prime minister's office and Israel's ministry of defense and for the past 22-years has been an expert negotiator in the private sector.ANDThe shriek of a boy or girl on Christmas morning when they open their presents overjoyed they got what they�d wanted. For that child in most of the rest of us that�s a present in itself and, for most of us, luckily not the only one. But what about those seniors who may not otherwise get gifts? Home Instead partners with nursing homes and other groups interested in bringing them presents and smiles with its "Be a Santa to a Senior Program" as Mark Maclean explains.
The lead up to the holidays has begun. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday, when charities, companies and individuals rally for favourite causes.The world�s largest generosity movement, Giving Tuesday, encourages donation of time, talents, and resources to address various challenges.Charity Intelligence does the homework and is the go-to source for info so that donors can give intelligently. Greg Thomson is research director.ANDLooking for something different in a dining experience? Check out Canada�s best new restaurant, Kappo Sato, in Toronto on Mt Pleasant Road. Takeshi Sato is chef owner of the Kappo-style Omakase restaurant. Its Marketing Director, Ken Masuda, explains why such restaurants are so rare in Canada.Food Critic Amy Rosen was the one who determined Kappo Sato to be Canada�s best new restaurant. She dined anonymously at over 30 establishments nominated by food industry experts during her month-long journey and shares her experience.
Sharon Avery: Lonely in TorontoToronto could be one of the loneliest cities in Canada. A new report on the quality of life in this city paints a grim picture. Released this week, the Vital Signs Report by the Toronto Foundation finds residents more lonely, struggling more with mental health, and less civically engaged. We reached Foundation CEO Sharon Avery about the findings and how to remedy the problem.Cathrin Bradbury: A Warning About RetirementIs it time to think of a 60 year career rather than 40? One recent Toronto retiree thinks yes, as it�s been a less than dreamy passage to retirement than she planned. Author and journalist Cathrin Bradbury is among the largest generation in Canadian history to move into retirement. In a just published article, she spoke with dozens of experts on everything from finances to health and discovered retiring in your early to mid 60�s can be summed up in one increasingly terrifying word - longevity.
Israel is receiving help of all kinds from all corners of the world and from all types of organizations, such as American humanitarian group HaYovel, whose volunteers include cowboys.The operations director is Joshua Waller and joined Bob Komsic from Israel.ANDFollowing years of delay, the bronze sculpture of the late Queen Elizabeth II is finally on public display, joining a statue of her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria elsewhere on the grounds of the legislature also known as "Queen�s Park."The woman behind the work, artist Ruth Abernethy, joined Bob Komsic to discuss.
When medicine called, Brad Strauss answered. A cardiologist at Toronto�s Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre for years, he answered another call in early October when he, like the world, witnessed the terrorist attack against Israel and decided to head there to try to save lives. He joined Bob Komsic on the phone from Israel to share his experiences.ANDFor many, the only way to see your doctor or therapist was in-person. But, like so many things in the world, March 11th 2020 changed everything, likely forever in a lot of cases.That�s why the Canadian Psychological Association decided it was necessary to come up with new tele-psychology guidelines. Psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Church chaired the working group and joined Bob Komsic to discuss.
Shortly after the news of what happened in Israel, on October 7th, reached the eyes of the world condemnation followed but at least two American academics couldn�t believe what they were hearing and not hearing from leading universities in the U.S. The two wrote an article titled "Why Was It So Hard for Elite Universities to Condemn Hamas Terrorism?" One of their opening lines pulls no punches, "What they said, and what they did not say, provides a window into the culture of intellectual and moral rot and cowardice that reigns at these once great institutions." Co-author Michael Poliakoff, adjunct professor of classical studies George Mason University in Virginia, joins Bob Komsic to discuss.ANDRemember the "triple-demic" of last fall and winter? Seasonal flu, COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). With a new highly effective RSV vaccine recently approved for those 60 and older, the National Institute on Ageing feels a lot more needs to be done as vaccination rates in this age group are underwhelmingly low. Arushan Arulnamby co-authored the Institute�s report on this and joins Bob Komsic to explain.
With many in Canada and around the world having ties with Israel, families in the region whose relatives were taken hostage by Hamas are doing all they can to help the government secure the release of all captives.Among them is Malki Shemtov who recalls the day terrorist gunmen grabbed his 21-year-old son Omer.ANDWith Small Business Week now in the rearview mirror it�s not too late to recognize and celebrate the more than 400-thousand small businesses in Ontario and their 2-million employees.The president of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Rocco Rossi, begins by looking down what the Bank of Canada still sees as a rocky road as companies expect sales growth to slow over the coming year.
Simcha Jacobovici, the filmmaker behind "The Naked Archeologist" lives in the centre of Israel but one of his daughters was stuck in a shelter in the border town of Sderot for 30 hours and made a narrow escape while terrorists rampaged through the streets. His son�s best friend was killed in the fighting and his assistant�s nephew has been taken hostage. He joins Libby Znaimer on the phone from Israel to offer a first-hand account of life in Israel in the week following last Saturday's barbaric terror attacks by Hamas.ANDThe images coming out of the barbaric Hamas attack on Israeli civilians are more graphic than ever, they have been playing out on social media in real time, and they are also being broadcast on mainstream media. The perpetrators want to instill terror and the victims want the world to know what is happening but watching these images can be traumatic. Libby talked to psychologist Dr. Sam Klarreich to discuss the mental toll that come with closely following the news on the war.
If Argentina was always known as the haven for Nazis then Canada is the unknown one. Canadians got a reminder that many Nazis fled to this country when 98-year-old Yaroslav Hunka was recognized in Parliament during the recent visit of Ukraine�s president. Among the many who�ve known for decades that ex-Nazis found safe harbour here is Steve Rambam, a war crimes investigator who joined Libby Znaimer to discuss.ANDLosing a loved one is hard and putting what they meant to you in words can also be difficult. But for some it�s actually easy. Take the case of Amanda Denis, who lives outside Sudbury and lost her father. Saying she believes the dead have a responsibility to the living Amanda wrote a "good riddance" obit for her dad. She joined Bob Komsic to explain.
The restaurants that made it into this year�s Michelin Guide were announced with great fanfare earlier this week. But what is the benefit and what is the cost of that designation? I checked in with food writer and consultant Cory Mintz who is something of a contrarian when it comes to the hype around the world-famous Michelin stars.ANDSaffron Cassaday�s Designer Shit is a documentary which follows her years long efforts to cure her ulcerative colitis with fecal transplants using with her husband as the donor. The transplants have become a mainstream treatment for C-difficile and trials are underway to test their efficacy for everything from Irritable Bowel Syndrome to depression.
The consequences have been mounting since Prime-Minister Justin Trudeau's bombshell accusation that India may be behind the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Diplomats from both countries have been expelled, India has issued a travel advisory against Canada, and India has suspended visa services in Canada. There are also growing concerns about whether it was the right move. Libby Znaimer talked with former CSIS agent Phil GurskiANDToronto�s leaders have shaped the city in its 19 decades of existence, and they run the gamut of rogues and rebels as well as forward-looking social crusaders. Mark Moloney looks at all of them in Toronto�s Mayors: A History of the City�s Leaders.
The rates of opioid prescriptions in this country have steadily climbed the past 30-years as Canadians have become one of the top consumers of prescription opioids in the world.While the perception of the crisis focuses on the young, a new study found that it is older Canadians who have the largest overall consumption rate of opioids.All this is found in the latest report from the National Institute on Ageing, one of its co-authors is Dr. Samir Sinha.ANDThink hockey and Gretzky comes to mind. Think just about almost anything else in Canada and Jean Augustine should come to mind. The Grenada-born Canadian recently turned 86, the same day the Caribbean Tales International Film Festival celebrated its 18th year with the first presentation of the Augustine Award of Excellence.Jean is the first Black woman MP and cabinet minister, parliamentary secretary to then Prime Minister Jean Chretien, First Ontario Fairness Commissioner and, after leaving that job, she�s continued working with many organizations for education and social justice.
If you�re retired, how�d you make the transition, are you just starting to give it some thought, or maybe you're right in the midst of starting the next chapter? It�s not only a financial decision but an emotional and socially challenging one as well, as Mariella Hoy discovered on her journey to becoming a retirement coach.ANDWhich are some artists that come to mind who are on the soundtrack of your life? The Beatles? Rolling Stones? Just about any Motown act What about Sharon Hampson?One-third of "Sharon, Lois and Bram", Sharon Hampson and Bram Morrison have continued carrying on the legacy after Lois Lilienstein passed away in 2015.Not only are they celebrating the 45th anniversary of their first album, they�ve just released their third children�s book based on another of their popular songs, "Peanut Butter & Jelly", both of which Sharon was more than happy to talk about.
In its 48 year history, the Toronto International Film Festival has had to face the challenges of 9-11, SARS, and the pandemic to name just a few. This year there�s a strike to contend with. Libby talked with TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey.ANDIt�s hardly the kind of announcement that you�d think would inspire warm wishes, support, and personal stories - but that was the reaction Justin Trudeau got after he and his wife of 18 years announced their split. What is behind 21st century divorce? Libby reached psychologist Dr. Sam Klarreich
For the last 15 years or so, the increasingly wild and wacky selections of food at the CNE has taken centre stage. Libby Znaimer chats with the man behind them, the manager of midway concessions and outdoor exhibits at the CNE, Michael Knott.ANDIt's been a neighborhood gathering place and a local landmark for more than 40 years. The Acropolis Bakery on the danforth is being forced to move and to close to make way for the Ontario Line. Owner Bill Gekas tells us what it is like to take on Metrolinx.
Her cells allowed researchers to develop vaccines for polio, the coronavirus, and treatments for disease including cancer, Parkinson�s, and the flu. But they were taken from Henrietta Lacks, a poor Black mother of five, who was dying of cervical cancer in 1951, without her knowledge or consent. Her descendants recently reached a settlementwith a biotech company they claimed were profiting from her cell line named for her. But it raises the question: do we own our genes and DNA? Libby Znaimer reached medical ethicist Dr. Kerry BowmanANDFor most Zoomers, it�s a choice between retiring or continuing to work at a slower pace or volunteering. But what about taking up something entirely different? Libby Znaimer spoke with barber�s apprentice Brad Ross, the former chief spokesman for the city of Toronto.
Should breast cancer screening start at 40? That�s a key recommendation in a new study from researchers at the Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa. Breast Cancer is among the leading causes of death for women in their 40�s and 50�s in Canada. But currently, only women 50 and older get routine screening through the Ontario Breast Screening Program. This new study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology argues that lowering the age will offer a better chance of survival. We reached one of the authors, Professor Dr. Jean Seely, head of breast imaging at the Ottawa Hospital.ANDAnthony Quinn, the Community Officer with the Zoomer advocacy group CARP, has sent a letter to Mayor Olivia Chow asking the city to reconsider new rules banning cars from High Park. He calls it a �leave grandma at home policy.� Meantime, protestors continue to gather at the west end park in a turf war over City Hall's new anti-car measures that bans vehicles on weekends and holidays while city staff work on a plan to eventually ban cars altogether. But there are many groups who support the car ban, pointing to the success of other big cities around the globe. Tensions recently boiled over at one of the rallies. We reached 84 year old Diane Buckell, of the group High Park Access For All who wants the city to ensure that everyone has access to the park.
Jean Augustine made history in 1993, as the first African-Canadian woman elected a Canadian MP. The 85 year old attended this week�s Emancipation Day in Toronto kicking off a month of events as this city recognizes the struggle for human rights and the contributions by people of African descent. The annual event marks the freeing of slavery of more than 800-thousand Africans in British controlled regions around the world including Canada. We reached Canadian Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard, a strong advocate of social change and also the first African Nova Scotian woman to serve in the Canadian Senate.ANDCanada falls far behind the European Union when it comes to compensation for air travellers. In fact, if possible when travelling overseas, advocates recommend choosing a European carrier as the EU is considered the �gold standard� when it comes to compensation for cancelled or delayed flights. In Canada, the much criticized air passenger rights legislation is under review. We reached air passenger rights advocate Gabor Luckacs about what you need to know about compensation plans for other countries when your flight is delayed or cancelled.
Millions of people on three continents are baking under blistering temperatures and scientists are reporting that this month will be the planet�s hottest on record by far. One thing is certain, it is even riskier if you are older or have health problems. It is important to be cautious and get relief quickly when you are overheated. Dr. Samantha Green joined Libby Znaimer with some tips on staying safe.ANDCountries and retailers around the world are getting rid of best before dates on fresh food in a bid to cut food waste. How can you tell if a product is still good to eat even if it may be past the peak of freshness? Libby Znaimer talked with Sylvain Charlebois, professor in food distribution and policy at the agri-food analytics lab at Dalhousie University.
Alzheimer�s disease experts are revamping the way doctors diagnose patients by creating a seven point rating scale based on cognitive and biological changes. Unveiled this week at the Alzheimer's Association Conference, the change promotes a numerical system to assess the disease progression similar to one used in a cancer diagnosis. These changes come as new treatments, including blood tests, offer faster and more effective Alzheimer�s diagnosis. We reached Canada�s foremost expert on Alzheimer�s disease and dementia research, Dr. Sandra Black, a senior scientist at Toronto�s Sunnybrook hospital who calls the recent developments �game changing.�ANDThe late Queen of Soul is offering a cautionary tale about estate planning. When Aretha Franklin died in 2018, it�s believed she left no will meaning the bulk of her fortune in real estate, jewelry, and music royalties would be split among her four sons. But after her death, not one but two handwritten wills were discovered and this month, two of her four sons went to court to contest one of them. A Michigan jury ruled the will from 2014, found in her couch, is valid and overrides one found four years earlier. We reached Toronto lawyer David Mills for some tips on estate planning.
During the last two federal election campaigns, the Trudeau Liberals vowed to hike the C.P. Survivors Benefit by 25%. They delivered on a promise to increase old age security for those 75 and older but the survivors pensions continue paying little or nothing, in some cases. Actuary Doug Chandler explains where things stand now.ANDDo you have a go-to place to eat, be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner? You may want to check out a new book that features many well-known eateries, some that you may not have heard of or haven't yet checked out. There are even some listed that predate confederation! Thus the title, "Where We Ate". Bob Komsic caught up with Gabby Peyton, on the East Coast, to learn what inspired her to write it.
Affordable housing was the key issue in this week�s Toronto byelection that swept Olivia Chow into the mayor�s chair.� Now, real estate giant RE/MAX is getting behind an idea that could deliver more of it. The 15-minute neighbourhood is a place where residents are a 15-minute walk, bike, or transit ride away from all their daily needs. Libby Znaimer talked with veteran urban designer Ken Greenberg.ANDHow much time and energy do you spend thinking about food? Does it make you eat more even if you already feel full? It�s called food noise and Libby talked with obesity specialist Dr. Sean Wharton about it.
"Necessity is the mother of invention" and that�s what motivated a retired Ontario woman to create a network for other women who found themselves retired and unable to afford rising housing costs. Average rent across Canada is up about 20 percent from pandemic low and still rising. So Pat Dunn of Peterborough founded "Senior Women Living Together", to help others find roommates to share rising housing costs. Christine Ross caught up with the resourceful 73 year old, and former public health nurse, who calls this her mission.ANDCanada Bread will pay a historic fine of 50-million dollars after pleading guilty to its role in a criminal price-fixing arrangement that raised the wholesale price of fresh bread. This country�s Competition Bureau says it's the highest price-fixing fine ever imposed by a Canadian court. Canada Bread admitted it arranged with its competitor, Weston Foods, to increase prices for various bagged and sliced bread products. It�s the first time any companies besides Loblaw and Weston admitted to being involved in the scheme since the story broke in 2015. We reached Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director with the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, to ask is if this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to food price fixing.
Canadian AI experts are sounding the alarm about the dangers of artificial intelligence by urging Ottawa to pass legislation quickly as the technology advances. The government is currently working on legislation that would eventually penalize companies and individuals who use the technology unethically but experts fear it�s too far off. To break this all down, we reached Luke Stark, assistant professor at Western University who studies the ethical and cultural impacts of AI.ANDWhy are there so many pesky mosquitoes this year? The thirsty bloodsuckers appear to be increasing in numbers across Canada and experts point to a number of reasons why and how you can best protect yourself, your family, and even your pets! We reached biologist, mosquito researcher, and assistant professor at Acadia University, Laura Ferguson, who�s based in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling for the removal of the Commissioner of Corrections Canada after its quiet and unexplained decision to transfer notorious serial killer Paul Bernardo from maximum to medium security lockup. And the federal government has expressed shock over the move that was done in secrecy. Outrage is growing over the transfer leaving many asking about victims rights vs the rights of convicted criminals. We reached Memorial University Associate Professor Dr. Scott Kenney who specializes in criminology and victims rights.ANDThis week marked the 79th anniversary of D-Day that still resonates today. Historians often refer to it as the beginning of the end of World War II. June 6th 1944 marked the invasion of the beaches at Normandy in northern France by troops from Canada, United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and other countries during World War II. The operation became known as the largest amphibious invasion in military history. Juno Beach is most famous for being one of the five landing spots for the D-Day invasion. We reached Alex Fitzgerald-Black, executive director with the Juno Beach Centre Association based in Canada that runs a war museum in France.
It�s a world first that experts hope will have a huge impact. As of August 1, Canada will become the first country in the world to print warning labels directly on individual cigarettes. They will carry messages like "poison in every puff" and "cigarettes cause cancer". The hope is that this will deter new smokers and encourage more quitting. Libby Znaimer reached Rob Cunningham of the Canadian Cancer Society.ANDIt�s a conundrum for both the rich and the poor. Zoomers worry about outliving their money. It is the result of good news, that we are living longer, but the problem is not knowing how much we will need and when. It can prevent us from enjoying our hard earned money when we are alive. Of course, it is worse for those who don�t have enough to handle rising prices and rampant inflation. The National Institute on Ageing had an in-depth look at the stress of this uncertainty and Libby talked with Dr. Samir Sinha.
This week, special rapporteur David Johnston tabled his long-awaited first report by announcing he�s not calling for a full public inquiry into Chinese interference in Canada because of the sensitive and classified information involved. While not surprised with the decision, critics say it�s misguided amid accusations of a conflict of interest. So what will be the political fallout? We reached Ian Steadman, Professor of Canadian Public Law and Governance in the School of Public Policy and Administration at York University who argues in this case, perception is reality.AND95 year old Bill Wall lost his vision in 2003 due to macular degeneration but says he hasn�t lost his drive. That�s why the nonagenarian will hop on a tandem bike to again take part in the Ride to Conquer Cancer next month for the 11th time. Now in its 16th year, the 200 km trek from Toronto to Niagara Falls has raised more than 250 million for cancer research at Toronto Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, among the top 5 research centres in the world.
A review of scientific literature published this week isn�t offering new advice, according to one expert in the field of gynecology who has 30 years experience studying menopause and who helped author guidelines for women looking for relief. The study just published in the Canadian Medical Association reinforces a shift already underway, that hormone replacement therapy should be the first treatment offered to menopausal women to help manage symptoms, and it also highlights the overstated risk of HRT from two decades ago. We reached Dr. Jennifer Blake, Professor and past CEO of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of CanadaANDSpring has sprung as bird watching takes �flight� with more of us paying more attention to �tweets� and NOT the twitter variety!50 million birds will visit Toronto this spring and there are dozens of events on the calendar for bird enthusiasts who learned this week that, after 50 years, Ontario removed bald eagles from its at-risk list. Ironically, while the hobby grows in popularity, bird populations are declining. Jody Allaire is Director of Community Engagement with Birds Canada.
We�re wrapping up Nursing Week in Canada, a time to recognize nurses for their important role in health care. Many believe Ontario�s nursing shortage has reached a crisis point, impacting nurses and the quality of care patients receive. Poor working conditions and the pandemic have left them burnt out with many considering or actually leaving the profession they once loved. We reached Dr. Claudette Holloway, President of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario.ANDGeneration gaps are just as big as they were in the late �60�s when it was the Boomers who weren�t understood by their parents. That�s the conclusion of Generations Expert Jean Twenge who�s out with a groundbreaking research into how the different generations connect and conflict with one another. In her new book, �Generations, The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents�and What They Mean for America's Future� Jean chronicles the six living generations each with their own values and attitudes and she dispels some myths like the belief millennials are broke and Boomers are the only rich generation. We reached author and San Diego State University Psychology Professor Jean Twenge.
The U.S. Surgeon General is calling it a public health crisis. Dr. Vivek Murthy released a new Surgeon General Advisory calling attention to the dangers of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection. Even before the pandemic, about half of American adults reported experiencing measurable levels of loneliness, which can increase the risk of disease and death. The situation is most likely the same here in Canada. Libby Znaimer talked with loneliness expert Dr. Nancy Newall, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology at Brandon University.ANDBob Hunter was a co-founder of Greenpeace and of the environmental movement as a whole. He was also our friend and colleague for years at City TV. His widow, Bobbi Hunter, edited a new book about his extraordinary life, "Mr. Mindbomb - a Life in Stories".
Is it third time lucky or strike three you�re out? Earlier this week, Liberal Transport Minister Omar Omar Alghabra unveiled his latest fix to the Airline Passenger Rights Bill. It sparked lots of criticism and has critics wondering why Ottawa doesn�t just follow a model that works? Libby Znaimer talked with NDP Transport critic Taylor BachrachANDThis week Zoomer Media launched it's very own line of cosmetics. Right now, when the beauty industry markets to older women, the watchword is anti-aging. Our concept is simple: celebrating Zoomer beauty. Libby Znaimer talked with Natasha Reay GM of The Zoomer Store.You can check out the offerings at zoomerstore.com
65 percent of organizations across Canada are facing a volunteer shortage and the decline is leaving organizations that depend on volunteerism struggling to move forward post COVID. As we wrap up National Volunteer Week that celebrates Canada's 24 million volunteers, we look at how the pandemic has created a critical shortage of volunteers, many are Zoomers who donate their time to help others. We reached Dr. Megan Conway, President and CEO of Volunteer Canada.ANDHow happy are you? Research shows it�s critical to our overall well being, affecting everything from our physical health, our relationships and even our productivity at work. In recent years, Canada has been consistently ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world. This year, of the 137 countries ranked, Canada placed No. 13, two positions higher than the United States. Libby Znaimer spoke with the creator of the most popular course in Harvard�s history - the happiness course - Dr Tal Ben-Shahar.
British Gardener Charles Dowding�s influence stretches across the globe, renowned for his gardening method with 40 years experience. The �No Dig� approach isn�t just saving him time, it costs less. In this conversation with Libby Znaimer, Charles presents a convincing case for �No Dig� as not only easy but more productive.ANDAfter 40 years of marriage, Rona Maynard fell in love with another male. And it was all set up by her husband! At 65, Rona let her husband convince her to get their very first pet dog, a rescue mutt named Casey. A pet can complicate plans, at a time when older adults look forward to travel and hobbies, but it didn�t take long for Rona to fall in love with Casey and she�s sharing her story in a new book called Starter Dog: My Path to Joy, Belonging and Loving This World.
It�s the holiest time of the year for many religions. This year, Ramadan, Passover and Easter converge for the first time in 30 years. In Toronto, at St. Michael's Cathedral Basilica , there will be a new face at the altar guiding the Catholic congregation through Easter service. 51 year old Archbishop Francis Leo was installed last month, weeks after Pope Francis formally named him to the post, replacing Cardinal Thomas Collins who stepped down on his 75th birthday. We caught up with Archbishop Francis Leo during holy week, to learn about his role leading Toronto�s Catholic community.ANDThe data is overwhelming. One-in-four Canadians is a caregiver for a vulnerable person. They�ve been called the unseen backbone of the healthcare system and many are in crisis and at the breaking point because most must hold down full time work. Tuesday marked National Caregiver Day, to honour those who play an essential role to provide critical support for those in need. We reached Amy Coupal, CEO of the Ontario Caregiver Organization.
Are you tired of "tip-flation", of being asked for more money, on top of tax, at every point of sale, even for the teensiest transactions where no service is involved? An Angus Reid poll finds that nearly 65% of us have been asked to tip more often and dole out larger tips. Over the last 5 years, the average gratuity has jumped from 16 to 20 per cent. Libby Znaimer talked with Digital and Cyber lawyer and strategist Ritesh Kotek.ANDIt�s a massive research investment to change the outcomes in cancers with the lowest survival rates. Six charities and agencies, including the CCS, have awarded fifty-five million dollars to find breakthroughs in pancreatic, esophageal, brain, lung, liver, and stomach cancers. Libby Znaimer talked with lead investigator Dr. Steven Gallinger.Note: Libby is involved in the project as a patient partner.
It�s a grisly last resort for many families struggling to settle the estate of a departed loved one. They hope a fingerprint or face scan from the deceased body will unlock the digital assets behind phone and computer screens which they can�t get into. Libby Znaimer talked with technology expert Carmi Levy about how to protect and pass on your online legacy.ANDThe documentary "Four Winters" tells a little known story of Jewish Partisan resistance during the Holocaust that focuses on women. The documentary tells the tale of a group that took up arms in the forests of Eastern Europe to fight Nazis and their collaborators. It unfolds through the testimony of the fighters who were there, including Toronto resident Faye Shulman who added a touch of panache with the leopard coat she wore. Director Julia Mintz dropped by the studio to talk about the film ahead of the Toronto premiere.It will will be screened daily at Hot Docs Cinema until Sunday April 2, 2023.
March is Fraud Prevention Month and police are giving special attention to grandparent, or emergency, scams. They have been around for years but now a growing number of people are falling victim and the amount of money they reported losing last year was over $9.2 million, up exponentially from $2.4 million in 2021. Libby Znaimer spoke with Det. Constable Kristin Thomas from the Major Fraud Unit at Toronto Police.ANDHer approach is the opposite of No Pain No Gain. Miranda Esmond White is a former ballerina who developed Essentrics after enduring weeks and months in bed because of back pain. She says her system redefines gentle stretching and it can keep us fit and even reverse damage. We talked about her new book: The Movement Miracle
We set the clocks ahead an hour overnight, returning to daylight saving time. It�s no secret that a good night's sleep is important for overall mental and physical health and it fact, it�s been proven that irregular sleep can lead to heart disease and a host of other health issues. New research presented recently at the American College of Cardiology annual meeting suggests our bedtime habits could be key to a longer life. We reached sleep specialist Colleen Carney, director of Sleep Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University for reaction.ANDThe impact of fraud on the elderly can be more emotional than financial. We�re hearing more about fraud cases targeting older adults, like the grandparent and romance scams, and cybercrime. While the number of reported cases rose 40 percent last year, many more go unreported. But we rarely hear about the non-financial cost to the victims who are dealing with trauma, guilt, and shame that can linger far beyond the crime. We speak with registered clinical psychologist Laura Devlin to learn more.
At first it was dismissed as a conspiracy theory but this week both the FBI and the U.S. Department of Energy� concluded that an accidental laboratory leak in China most likely caused the coronavirus pandemic. Other government agencies believe the virus jumped from animals to humans and the authorities concede there is no consensus on the matter. That�s why we thought it was a good time to revisit our October 2021 interview with Toronto investigative journalist Elaine Dewar who wrote a book on the subject. She explained how she reached her conclusions in ��On the Origin of the Deadliest Pandemic in 100 Years: An Investigation. �ANDWhen it comes to the subject of book banning, most of us think about the Middle Ages, or the Nazi Regime, or science-fiction but it is happening more and more often, especially in the U.S., where the volumes that have been challenged include Anne Frank�s �The Dairy of A Young Girl,� and Margaret Atwood�s �The Handmaid�s Tale. That�s why the Toronto Public Library system has become a book sanctuary offering special sections with 50 banned titles aimed at all age groups. Libby Znaimer talked with chief Librarian Vickery Bowles.
As we wrap up Black History month, you may be surprised to learn that tipping has roots in racism. After the US Civil War, tips or gratuities were an exploitative measure to keep wages down for newly freed slaves in service jobs. Skip ahead to modern day and the practice is expanding in the gig economy. But advocates for fair and liveable wages say the pandemic has "tipped the scale" in the fight for service workers to earn a decent living. .Christine Ross reached Saru Jayaraman, Director of the Food Labour Research Centre at UC Berkeley.ANDThe pandemic put all major international auto shows on pause but it�s not the only driver of poor attendance. Even before COVID-19, the once popular shows had been on the decline in popularity but not just with consumers. Automakers are turned off by the huge expense and like the rest of the world are going digital. Christine Ross reached Bernard Wolfe, Professor Emeritus of Schulich School of Business for some insight.
The bombshell that led to the resignation of Toronto Mayor John Tory underscores some long term trends affecting many in the Zoomer demographic: a lengthy marriage in trouble, a much younger woman, a relationship apparently born during a very intense and stressful time at work. Libby Znaimer talks with Family Demographer Rachel Margolis, of the University of Western Ontario.ANDIt seems unfair. Many manufacturers force consumers to use only their own proprietary services and components when they need to repair products they have paid good money for. The Right to Repair is the movement to change that. Libby reached Aaron Perzanowski, a Professor of Law at University of Michigan
It�s a conundrum for older people who want to age in place and their children: How to make sure a senior is doing well when family can�t always be there. A new report titled Special Delivery from the National Institute of Ageing finds that postal workers could provide the answer. The idea is a service where the workers would check in on clients who subscribe along their mail routes. Libby Znaimer talked with Dr. Samir Sinha, head of geriatrics at Sinai health and UHN, and a co-author of the report.ANDKitchen utensils. Books. A child�s shoe. These are some of the objects discovered during recent archaeological excavations on the site of the HQ of the WW2 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. The discoveries were made at Mila 18 - also the name of the famous Leon Uris novel - and are shedding light on the lives of the hundreds of thousands of Jews confined to the area and the history of the 1943 Uprising. Libby spoke to Holocaust educator Tsvi Sperber after he toured the site.
The documentary, "First to Stand", tracks the cases and causes of Irwin Cotler. You know him as a Former Justice Minister currently serving as a Special Envoy to Combat Anti-Semitism. Cotler, above all, is a renowned human rights lawyer who set a template for freeing political prisoners going back to his first case: Soviet dissident Anatoly Natan Sharansky who was imprisoned in 1977. Libby Znaimer reached Irwin Cotler in Jerusalem.AND She was a force of nature, a legend and an icon. Hazel McCallion was a rare politician who was beloved as well as respected. She also epitomized aging well, remaining engaged and relevant until she died last week at 101. Here we share some of the best of the interviews Libby did to mark her 100th birthday.
It sparked debate in recent weeks with word the US Consumer Product Safety Commission was looking to take action on hazards posed by gas stoves used in millions of homes. An outright ban is now off the table but the renewed concern has ignited debate in the US and Canada. So what should consumers do? We reached Dr. Jeffrey Siegel, a professor of civil and mineral engineering at the University of Toronto.ANDIt�s hard to believe and it�s happening more than you may think. Organized crime groups are behind a string of real estate frauds in the GTA. Thirty homes have either been sold or mortgaged without the real owners� knowledge and experts say the majority of victims are boomers. So what can you do to safeguard against becoming a victim? Christine Ross spoke with Brian King, President of private investigation firm King International Advisory Group.
Elon Musk says it�s the reason he looks fit and ripped and there are unconfirmed reports the drug Ozempic enabled Kim Kardashian to fit into Marilyn Munroe�s dress for the Met Gala. The drug was approved to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity but its popularity on social media, and with celebrities, has led to shortages and a debate on who should have priority access. Libby Znaimer talked with Dr. Sean Wharton. He specializes in treating obesity and is medical director of the Wharton Medical Clinic.AND1-in-4 Canadians provide unpaid care for a friend or loved one and they spend a total of 5.7 billion unpaid hours doing that each year. Many struggle to balance care and paid work, and to manage burnout. � The Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence was recently launched� to give them a new voice. Libby Znaimer talked with ED Liv Mendelsohn.
It�s not unusual this time of year for people to make healthy resolutions around food. This year, there�s a new spin that is also good for the environment: cutting food waste, which averages 140 kilos per year. Libby Znaimer talked with leading health and wellness expert, Rose Reisman, about practical ways to rescue much of what usually ends up in your bin.ANDHe�s an Emergency Room doctor, author, and survivor of advanced stage 4 cancer. Dr. James Maskalyk has also recently been named executive editor of CMAJ. Libby caught up with him now that he has returned to work with a new perspective on practising medicine
He�s been on the front lines of fighting misinformation for years - from debunking wacky wellness trends to countering anti-vaxx conspiracy theories. Edmonton professor and author Timothy Caulfield, whose Cheating Death series was featured on Vision TV, is a newly minted member of the Order of Canada.ANDIt�s the latest take on eating healthier in January: the Reducetarian diet. No one will win a marketing award for that name but it offers guidance on reducing the amount of animal products we consume without eliminating them entirely. Libby Znaimer reached founder Brian Kateman in New Jersey.
The start of a new year used to see many making resolutions, in hopes the year ahead would be better over the one just passed. Another annual ritual we�re seeing more is that of predicting trends. Will you be one of the boomerang retirees returning to work in 2023? Freelance writer/columnist Radhika Panjwani says that�s one of the expected workplace trends to come out of a Microsoft survey of some 20-thousand workers in 11 countries.ANDAfter a year in which the Bank of Canada raised its key interest rate seven times in an attempt to slow down inflation, many experts believe the central bank is set to take a breather in 2023.Gordon Pape is the editor and publisher of the Internet Wealth Builder and Income Investor newsletters, and also a regular contributor to EverythingZoomer.com and this show.
Significantly fewer Canadians intend to give to charity this holiday season and those who do, plan to give less. Inflation, surging demand, and falling donations have combined to create a perfect storm for Canada�s charities and nonprofits. A new Holiday Giving survey by Imagine Canada finds fewer than half of Canadian adults intend to donate, down from last year. And a third say they�ll give less.We reached Imagine Canada�s President and CEO Bruce MacDonald.ANDChristmas usually evokes a time of peaceful family gatherings. But for separated parents, their children, and grandparents, it can be a stressful time of year as kids are caught in the middle of access over the holidays. This year, divorced parents are speed dialing their lawyers, demanding access to their children over the holidays as travel plans ramp up following years of stay-at-home Christmases due to the pandemic. We reached lawyer Diana Isaac, Partner at Shulman & Partners family law for some tips on how to create a conflict free Christmas and New Years.
This week US Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff convened a roundtable on anti-Semitism at the White House to address what he is calling an epidemic of hate. The alarming rise of anti-Semitism here in Canada and around the world has been fueled by conspiracy theories on the right and the cover of anti-Zionism on the left. I talk with Dara Horn author of "People Love Dead Jews - Reports from A Haunted Present".ANDThe man charged in two grisly murders, perpetrated nearly forty years ago, made his first court appearance on Friday. Police believe they were able to solve the case all these years later because of advances in investigative genetic genealogy. Det. Sgt. Stephen Smith explains how this technique led to the arrest of Joseph George Sutherland.
Zoomers will remember the time when you had to go to the library to get books and you had to search for them using a card catalogue. Today our libraries are used more as social centres, like seeking protection from harsh weather, and finding jobs online. Libby Znaimer spoke to Vickery Bowles, the City Librarian at Toronto Public LibraryANDTim Christian was a prominent lawyer and Dean of the Law School at the University of Alberta throughout his career. It�s not that unusual for people to write books in retirement - but the level of success on his first foray into biography is remarkable. We talked about his transition and "Hemingway�s Widow", his groundbreaking book on Mary Welsh, Hemingway�s fourth wife.
How connected are you to family and friends? We keep talking about how important that is and how the pandemic has taken its toll. In its second ever in-depth look at social capital in the city, The Toronto Foundation found a shocking number of people who say they have no friends or family to turn to as well as a big drop in the number of people who volunteer. Libby Znaimer talked with the foundation�s CEO Sharon Avery.ANDIt�s Diabetes Awareness Month and every day, 640 Canadians are diagnosed with diabetes. That�s 1 person every 3 minutes. Many more are unaware they have diabetes or pre-diabetes�and that raises their risk for heart disease. Libby Znaimer reached cardiologist Dr. Shelley Zieroth at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg.
Last year Canadians donated $18 billion to charity and this is the time of year when many of us plan our year-end giving. How can you know if the causes you support are actually making a difference? Charity Intelligence is out with its annual ranking of the organizations that make the biggest impact for every dollar donated. Libby Znaimer spoke with Greg Thomson.ANDIt�s a given that failure can lead to dramatic life changes and sometimes those changes can be very positive. Radio host and prolific author Terry O�Reilly recounts how some of the biggest breakthroughs and best-loved products originated with a mistake. Libby Znaimer talked to him about his new book, My Best Mistakes, Epic Fails, and Silver Linings.
It was a defining moment in labour negotiations in Ontario this past week. Amid growing support for CUPE education workers, and poll numbers suggesting he was to blame, did Doug Ford blink and back down by rescinding Bill 28? We reached Dr. Simon Black, associate professor of labour studies at Brock University, about these unprecedented turn of events.ANDCalgary-based writer Suzette Mayr has won this year�s Scotiabank Giller Prize for her novel The Sleeping Car Porter. This is Mayr�s sixth novel that tells the story of a Black man in 1929 who works as a sleeping-car porter on a train that travels across the countrywhile living a secret life as a gay man. It brings to life an important part of Black history. Mayr is a past president of the Writers' Guild of Alberta, and has been teaching creative writing at the University of Calgary since 2003. We reached her hours after her big $100,000 win.
An Alberta mother of the last Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan has been chosen as this year's Silver Cross Mother. Candy Greff will lay a wreath at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on Remembrance Day, placing it on behalf of all mothers who have lost children to the service of Canada. Her son, Master Corporal Byron Greff, was killed in a suicide bombing in October of 2011 becoming the 158th Canadian soldier to die in the country and the last before Canada's mission there ended in 2014. We reached this year�s Silver Cross Mother, Candy Greff.ANDHow was your sleep last night? We changed the clocks back an hour overnight, ending daylight saving time in Ontario. According to experts, some people will experience a shock to their bodies' internal clock much like the jet lag after flying across time zones. It�s a tradition that first began in Ontario in 1918 and remains controversial. We reached Dr. Patricia Lakin Thomas, professor of biology at York University, whose research includes our circadian rhythms and internal clocks.
There is always a lower turnout for municipal elections than for the higher levels of government but Monday�s races set a record low. In Toronto, voter turnout was 28.58%. In Mississauga and Brampton, it was less than 25%. Across the province, just 34%. John Beebe of The Democratic Engagement Exchange tells Libby Znaimer that�s bad news for all of us!ANDSalt is essential for preserving, fermenting and transforming food. We need it to maintain health and it has been used since ancient times. "The Miracle of Salt" charts some of its history and the different ways it�s used around the world. Libby talked with author Naomi Duguid.
INFLATION�This week was all about inflation - especially in the cost of food. Are the large grocers passing on legitimate increases in their own costs or are they using it as an excuse to price gouge? In the House of Commons politicians of all stripes voted unanimously to investigate so-called "Greedflation". Libby Znaimer asked left-wing economist Jim Stanford for his take on the evidence.�MODERN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGYModern medical technology can extend our lives in ways that would have been unimaginable just decades ago. But it can also leave patients in the grey zone between life and death robbing them of important human moments at the end. Libby Znaimer talked to ICU doctor and former paramedic Blair Bigham about his book; Death interrupted : How Modern medicine is Complicating the way We Die.�
Municipal elections are less than two weeks away and a lot of people in Toronto are frustrated. There is a sense of a city that has given up trying to manage and co-ordinate and deliver the basics while we are in the midst of a tremendous growth spurt. That growth seems to be the justification for dirty streets, overflowing garbage cans, year-old potholes, abandoned construction equipment blocking traffic lanes, the stench of overflowing sewage invading a neighbourhood. Earlier this week, Libby Znaimer moderated the first of only two mayoral debates, and she asked the five candidates how they would actually improve this and get things done. You�ll hear incumbent John Tory, followed by Urbanist Gil Penalosa, analyst Chloe Brown, entrepreneur Jack Yan and activist Sarah Climenhage.ANDIt�s an extension of the farm to table movement and the embrace of local food. Many people are embracing an age-old pastime that takes us into the forests - foraging. A new book explores the mysteries of mycology. Libby Znaimer talked with author Dianne Borsato about Mushrooming: the Joy of the Quiet Hunt.
The now disbanded Ontario Science Advisory Table has released a final report that focuses on the response to the pandemic by family doctors and nurses. It�s recommending a team based approach would better serve patients and help address the alarming number of Ontarians without a family doctor. There are currently 1.8 million without a family physician and 1.7 million have a doctor who is 65 or older. We reached one of the authors of the brief, Dr. Kamila Premji, from the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine.ANDThis Thanksgiving will mark the first big fall gathering for many since the pandemic began as restrictions are lifted. But Thanksgiving dinner will come with a hefty price tag for Canadians this year as dinner staples increased by as much as 26 percent. With fewer discounts out there than previous years, how will families adjust their special meal?We reached nutritionist and author Rose Reisman
As the cold months approach, snowbirds will have a lot more to consider this coming winter as the price of accommodation, groceries and dining out have all risen. Many are opting for shorter trips south, and looking at different destinations as a result. And it�s not only travel to the U.S. that will be impacted as travellers will notice the effects of inflation wherever they go. Add into the mix, hurricanes. We reached travel expert Steven Fine, president of Snowbird Adviser.ANDIt�s �sweater weather� and the vibrant Fall colours are arriving with Ontario offering stunning views that are perhaps among the best in Canada. While apple picking and taking in the fall colours have always been quintessential fall activities .. if you�re looking to add a bit more adventure this fall, we reached Kevin Forget from Destination Ontario. And who better to give staycation tips. Kevin�s twitter profile reads "My job is to tell you about all of the cool things to do in Ontario"!
How many times have you heard people underestimate the seriousness of their chronic condition with a statement like, "It's just arthritis"? Arthritis is not rare, it plagues 1 in 5 Canadians and it is not an inevitable part of aging. To learn more, Libby Znaimer sat down with Trish Barbato President and CEO of The Arthritis Society.ANDWe often feel a deep sense of loss when someone we admire dies and many of us feel the need to pay tribute whether we knew the person or not. This week, hundreds of thousands of people lined up for hours to pay respects to the Queen and closer to home thousands turned out to honour murdered Constable Andrew Wong - although he was not a household name.What is behind these expressions of public grief? Libby talked with Dr. Darcy Harris, a professor from the Department of Thanatology, which is the scientific study of death, at King�s University College at Western University.
Along with three other former Prime Ministers and other dignitaries, the Right Honourable Jean Chretien will be part of Canada�s delegation to the Queen�s funeral tomorrow. He knew her for more than 50 years and he shared some of his memories with Libby Znaimer.ANDFood is all about comfort and connection and that may be more true than ever over the next few weeks. Many of us will be hosting the first in person holidays since Covid with Jewish High Holidays and Thanksgiving around the corner. Bestselling cookbook author Bonnie Stern is promising that she has done all the worrying for us in her new book: �Don�t Worry, Just Cook!�
This week the Ford government unveiled measures designed to take pressure off the healthcare system. Meanwhile, most people don�t know about one innovation that has been in place for more than a year and a half. The major Toronto hospitals have banded together to offer a Virtual Emergency Deparment. Emergency may be a bit of a misnomer because it is to be used to address urgent but not life-threatening conditions. Libby Znaimer got the details from Dr. Justin Hall, Deputy Chief of the Emergency Department at Sunnybrook Health Sciences.You can access the online portal at torontovirtualed.caANDSalman Rushdie was greeted with thunderous applause at a Toronto PEN gala back in 1992. It was a momentous occasion that helped him emerge from hiding following Ayatollah Khomeini�s death threat against him. Then premier, Bob Rae, was one of the first politicians to meet and greet Rushdie publicly, appearing on stage with him . Libby spoke to Ambassador Rae after the horrific attack on Rushdie last week.
It�s being called a mass exodus: at least 7 Toronto City Councillors aren�t running again and with a week left to register only 85 people are running for the 25 seats. Why is the job undesirable and could the answer be recruiting Zoomers? Libby Znaimer talked with the man known as the tiny perfect mayor, former mayor David Crombie.ANDHappy Wife Happy Life! It�s an old old saying we�ve all heard and probably some have lived it. But does it have validity in keeping a relationship together? Professor Matthew Johnson of the University of Alberta tested it with the tools of social science.
It�s a breathtaking new way to see one of the natural wonders of the world. Niagara Parks Power Station just opened its new attraction, The Tunnel. You start with a look at a century old power station before descending 180 feet beneath the main generating floor. The tunnel takes you along the same path travelled by water and leads you to a viewing platform with a spectacular new perspective. Libby Znaimer got a tour from Kim Viney Niagara Parks� VP of Business development.ANDCanada�s premier tennis event is fully back for the first time since 2019 and it comes as our country is establishing itself as a tennis powerhouse. Libby talked with Tennis Canada President and CEO Michael Downey.
It�s likely that you, a loved one, or a friend suffers from chronic pain � especially in the lower back.Researchers at McGill University and scientists from Italy conducted a study that suggests blocking inflammation after injury might make that pain chronic, challenging the standard approach to treating pain.One of those who worked on it was Jeffrey Mogil, psychology professor at McGill.ANDAugust 1st is the Civic holiday in Ontario but did you know it's also Emancipation Day in Canada?It's due to Rosemary Sadler.As president of the Ontario Black History Society, from 1993 through 2015, she advocated for Canada's Black history and the eventual designation of August 1st as Emancipation Day just last year.Does the author of seven books on the subject, and recipient of the Order of Ontario for her contributions, feel Black children are still facing the same issues she did when she was young?
This week learned that at 8.1%, inflation has hit a 39 year high. As if we wouldn�t have known that from buying groceries and filling the gas tank. Galloping inflation is especially hard on people on fixed incomes. But rising interest rates can be good news for your portfolio and are making products like annuities more attractive. The Longevity Pension Fund is only a year old and bills itself the world's first income-for-life mutual fund for Canadian retirees. Libby Znaimer talked with Fraser Stark of Purpose InvestmentsANDEvery day, 48 Canadians die and 634 are hospitalized because of falls. It�s the leading cause of injury deaths, hospitalizations, emergency department visits and disabilities in Canada. Especially for older people. It was shocking to learn that Ivana Trump died from a fall in her apartment at the age of 73. A spilled coffee cup was found beside her body. Libby turned to falls prevention expert Dr. Geoff Fernie, for some practical tips.
Last week�s massive Rogers outage left more than 12 million Canadians without access to everything from the internet to emergency services and banking. The government is demanding a plan to ensure it won�t happen again. Author and pollster Darrell Bricker says the fallout goes beyond communications and points to a wider breakdown of the basics.ANDIt�s a completely new way to view what aging is. Instead of a relatively short, unhealthy period of decline, aging now becomes a positive time of life � much longer, and with plenty of scope for personal development, accomplishment, and fulfillment. Libby Znaimer talks to author and Zoomer Media VP, David Cravit, about his new book.
Conservative activist Tasha Kheiriddin went to Calgary during the Stampede to launch her book which offers a prescription on how to unite the deeply divided party. But the disqualification of Patrick Brown has overshadowed all aspects of the leadership race and thrown the fundamental questions into high relief: will the Conservative party of Canada choose populism or the moderate centre? Will Canadians accept it as a viable alternative to the Liberals? Libby Znaimer reached Tasha Kheiriddin in Calgary.ANDIt�s a stunning life-saving achievement! A study published in the Lancet Infectious Disease estimates that COVID-19 vaccines helped reduce the global death toll by 63% during the first year they became available. That adds up to 20 million lives saved. I reached Dr. Oliver watson at Imperial College London.
Air Canada is canceling dozens of daily flights in an attempt to alleviate the chaos at our airports. The move will see more than 9,500 flights, or 154 per day on average, dropped from the airline�s schedule, and it will affect about 400,000 passengers. The flights are mainly domestic and Canada-U.S. routes out of Toronto and Montreal. What does it mean for your holiday? Libby Znaimer talked with travel expert Vivian Vassos, Executive Editor of Zoomer Magazine.ANDFor more than 2 decades, neurologist and medicinal chemist Donald Weaver has been pursuing a novel approach to Alzheimer�s Disease. He believes it is actually an auto-immune disease and that theory has now won him the silver Oskar Fischer Prize, worth US$400,000. Libby talked to him about his research.
This week brought more tragedy for the victims of drunk driver Marco Muzzo. Edward Lake, father of the three children who were killed with their grandfather, died by suicide. That prompted a petition signed by thousands to remove the Muzzo name from a hospital building. It�s part of a larger controversy over the rights to naming rights. Libby Znaimer reached Prof. David Soberman of the Rotman School of Management to discuss.AND�Creature Comforts� is a new VisionTV series that explores the elevation of pets to full family members. More than 50% of Canadians own pets and Zoomers say their animal companions help them enjoy life and feel loved. Libby talked with the show�s creator Erin Oakes.
Canada�s Jewish Immigrant Aid Services has been supporting refugees to this country for a remarkable 100 years, an anniversary marked this week here at the Zoomerplex.June 20th is World Refugee Day and this year it carries more significance as beleaguered Ukrainian refugees crossed their nation's border to various destinations including Canada. Ukraine has the fastest growing refugee crisis since the second world war and the numbers are growing. Whether it�s this crisis or others, JIAS has welcomed newcomers forced to flee their homeland. Elise Herzig, herself the daughter of an immigrant, is executive director Jewish Immigrant Aid Services, Toronto.ANDThere�s an urgent call for more blood donors as demand is back amid the smallest donor base in a decade. And officials warn it�s not sustainable. In fact, Canadian Blood Services needs to find another 100-thousand donors over the next year. That number is more than double that which currently donate on a regular basis. Rachel Solomon is development manager for the Toronto area
Delayed and cancelled flights, huge waits on the tarmac after landing, even longer delays to get through security and customs. That is reality around the world as tens of thousands of people rush to fulfill their delayed holiday plans. Travel insurance expert Martin Firestone experienced it all first hand this week. Libby Znaimer reached him a few hours after he got home to talk about what to expect and how to prepare.ANDThis week marked the 78th anniversary of D-Day amid an ongoing effort to re-consecrate the graves of Jewish soldiers who were killed in World War 2. While many were keen to join the Allied forces to fight the Nazis - some concealed their faith because they feared worse treatment if they were captured. The result? They were buried under Christian crosses and given Christian rites. The work of finding those graves, replacing the headstones and offering descendants the proper religious ceremonies has resumed for the first time since the pandemic. But the work began in the U.S. when Shalom Lamm, an amateur historian, started Operation Benjamin.
The Progressive Conservative�s huge majority victory this week means it will be harder to hold that government to account. But CARP has a plan to push its healthcare priorities to the top of the agenda. Anthony Quinn, CARP�s Ontario Election Lead, shared the strategy.ANDLangdon Hall, in Cambridge - is one of Canada�s most luxurious and celebrated country inns and it boasts one of the best restaurants in the country. Now home cooks can try their hands at recreating some of Chef Jason Bangerter�s sumptuous dishes. I talked to him while flipping through �Langdon Hall: A Cookbook.�
Experts say we should expect more extreme weather events like last weekend�s devastating storms which killed 11 people. But are we doing the right things to limit the damage? Libby Znaimer reached Blair Feltmate, head of the University of Waterloo�s Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation.ANDMaye Musk�s billionaire son Elon has been all over the news lately, but now she is making headlines of her own. The 74-year-old Saskatchewan-born model, author and dietitian has become the oldest person to appear on the cover of the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. She appears wearing a one-piece beige and orange bathing suit accentuated with ruffles. What does it mean for Zoomers? Libby asked Zoomer Magazine Editor-in-Chief and Publisher Suzanne Boyd.
This week�s whirlwind Royal visit by Prince Charles and his wife Camilla focussed on reconciliation with Indigenous people. But for many Canadians it raised the question of whether it�s time to cut ties with the monarchy. Recent polls show a slim majority think that should happen when Charles becomes king. Libby talked with David Onley who served as the Queen�s representative, the Lieutenant Governor, from 2007 to 2014.ANDHuge lineups at security and customs. Passengers held on the tarmac for hours because there is literally no room for them in the airport. The government, the airlines, and the airports are all blaming each other. Even transport minister Omar Al�Ghabra is pointing the finger at inexperienced passengers.Al-Ghabra denied that the government asked airlines to cancel flights to ease the backlog. That is where Libby started her conversation with Duncan Dee former COO of Air Canada.
Israel�s Emergency Medical Service is unique in the world because its 25,000 staff medics work alongside 29,000 trained volunteers and filmmaker Martin Himel is one of them! Libby Znaimer sat down with Martin at our Liberty Village Studios.Tel Aviv 911 premiers Monday, May 16, 2022 at 9pm ET on our sister station VisionTV.ANDThe recent carnage in the markets has many Zoomers reviewing their financial plans. But what is possibly the best advice ahead of retirement applies no matter which way the numbers are headed. Ten years ago, three quarters of the respondents to RGF Integrated Wealth Management�s retirement survey were very confident their marriage would adapt to retirement. Now fewer than half can say that. Which is why Financial Advisor Clay Gillespie says the best preparation is to work on your marriage. Libby reached him in Vancouver.
Marsha Lederman first learned that her family went through the Holocaust at the age of five. But it has taken all these years to learn about their epic stories of survival and to understand their impact on her. Her new book is called �Kiss the Red Stairs� and Libby's conversation with her was intensely personal because her parents also went through the Holocaust and she's still trying to piece together their very different stories of survival.ANDIt�s one of the few good things caused by the pandemic. Gardening is more popular than ever and a new study estimates a cool million of us are getting into it for the first time this season. Libby reached study author Janet Music from the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University.
The Palace Papers promised to share riveting details about the British Royal family since Diana's death - and it delivers. Author Tina Brown is the celebrated former editor of Tatler, The New Yorker, and Vanity Fair and she tapped more than 100 sources for the juicy details. We talked when she was in town this week.
Will the monarchy survive after Queen Elizabeth? Tina thinks Charles and Camilla will do just fine - but for Harry and Meghan, the future is uncertain.
It's more proof that traditional retirement, and especially retirement planning, is long gone. JP Morgan told its asset management advisors ''to plan for clients to live to 100 if they are in excellent health and non-smokers.'' This caught the attention of David Cravit, vice-president at ZoomerMedia, who's written books and blogs about the ''reinvention'' of aging.
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Prostate cancer is the 4th most common cancer in Canada and in men its number one. A new medical paper published in the American Journal of Clinical Oncology is reviving debate about dropping the word cancer when patients receive the results of low-risk biopsy findings.
For a Canadian perspective, Bob Komsic spoke with Dr. Tony Finelli, Surgical Oncologist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and head of the Urology Division.
A new report from food rescue organization Second Harvest reveals the severity of Canadas food waste problem and suggests solutions the food industry can implement to resolve the issue. WASTED OPPORTUNITY finds a staggering 96 percent of surplus edible food is wasted instead of being donated to feed those in need. And with nearly two-thirds of Canadians reporting difficulty feeding their families - and only getting worse with record high inflation - advocates say it's vital to take action now. Lori Nikkel is the CEO of Second Harvest, Canada's largest food rescue organization.
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Weve all seen someone weve mistaken for someone else, and many of us have even been mistaken for another person. The theory that everyone has a doppelganger somewhere in the world has been around for a while, but a Montreal photographer set out on a mission to capture the likeness of people whove never met in a series of black and white portraits. We reached artist and photographer Francois Brunelle.
After two pandemic seasons, summer festivals are set to resume. One organization - the Shaw Festival - is emerging in much better shape than its peers and its because of one very smart decision. Libby Znaimer talked with Executive Director Tim Jennings.
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She started her career in the maternity ward and pivoted to the end of life. Dr. Stephanie Green was one of the first doctors to deliver MAID in Canada and she tells the powerful story in her new book "This is Assisted Dying".
Can the lessons of history help us make sense of the war on Ukraine? What is the impact of a single unexpected figure like Ukrainian President Volodimir Zylenskyy? Libby Znaimer turned to eminent historian Margaret MacMillan, former warden and professor at St. Anthonys College, University of Oxford.
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Its well known that Leonard Cohens classic Who By Fire is based on a Hebrew prayer recited on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Matti Friedmans book by that name tells the little-known story of Leonard Cohens concert tour to the front lines of the Yom Kippur War, In October 1973, when he wasthirty-nine , famous, unhappy, and at a creative dead end. I talked with the author about the iconic poet and singers wartime tour of the Sinai desert.
Liana Markunina and Leonid Markunin are among the first Ukranians to arrive in Canada since Russia invaded a month ago. They already had visitors visas because they have two sons who live in Toronto. They had been hoping to eventually immigrate here under the family reunification program. Instead they fled their home in Odesa to escape Russian bombing. Libby Znaimer talked with them, through a translator, about their harrowing journey.
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This week, Vladimir Putins press secretary reiterated the Russian dictators most potent threat - that he may resort to nuclear weapons. Dmitri Peskovs comment had western defense experts worrying about the true level of threat. We reached Michael Krepon, Co-founder of the Stimson Center, a Washington think tank and author of "Winning and Losing the Nuclear Peace".
Today marks the International Day of Happiness and its hard to remember a time when we needed it more. This years World Happiness Report says Canada is 15th out of 146 countries in the ranking of places with the happiest people - and theres a surprising finding on the wellbeing of Zoomers amid the pandemic. Libby Znaimer talked with economist John Helliwell, the editor of the report and an ideaCity alum.
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Canadas Ambassador to the United Nations says Russias war on Ukraine is an attack on the world order. Can the U.N. do anything about it? We reached ambassador Bob Rae in between meetings in New York.
This past Friday marked a grim milestone. Its been two years since the World Health Organization officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic. While theres been no official end to the virus and its variants, the world tries to turn the page on this once in a lifetime pandemic that upended the world. In the same week of the two year anniversary, the global COVID-19 death toll surpassed 6 million. For some perspective on where weve been, and whats ahead, we reached Dr. Susy Hota, Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control at University Health Network.
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Its National Nutrition Month, an annual campaign to promote healthy food choices and physical activity habits. At the start of the pandemic, worries about food shortages inspired people to get creative in the kitchen, buying flour in bulk to make their own bread. Some went old school and started pickling, leading to a shortage of mason jars. Now two years in, how have our food choices changed? We reached Registered Dietician and Food Advocate Irena Forbes.
As Russias further invasion of Ukraine goes on, many of Ukrainian heritage living around the world are returning to their homeland to defend it. Mark Preston-Horin of Victoria B.C. is one of them. Bob Komsic talked to him as he was finalizing his travel plans.
If youre 50 and older, or have a loved one who is, hopefully you or they have received vaccine shots to prevent Shingles. The number who have is low - only about one-in-four Zoomers. Here to help raise awareness is Dr. Samir Sinha, director of research with the National Institute on Aging at Ryerson University and head of geriatrics at Sinai Health System and University Health Network.
We live in a world of misinformation which is described as any information that turns out to be false. It infiltrates current events ranging from elections, the pandemic, the recent blockades and protests in Canada and now, the war in Ukraine. While its not a new phenomenon, gone are the days of getting all of our information from the newspaper. And experts who study this influence of peoples reasoning even after its been corrected call it the continued influence effect. Here to explain is Dr. Maddy Jalbert with The Centre for an Informed Public at the University of Washington
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A trip to the maple sugar bush is a rite of spring for many. And producers are hoping for a sweeter season this year after last springs less than ideal weather and the ongoing pandemic created the worst season in half a century. But if weather and daylight conditions are ideal, Purple Woods Conservation Area in Durham Region hopes to produce up to 1,200 litres of the liquid gold. We reached Dan Hope whos with the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority.
This long weekend, we mark Family Day. It comes as the two-year pandemic has changed our demographics and the structure of our families: more people live alone or in couples and there are fewer households with children. Doug Norris, chief demographer at Environics Analytics says it all flows from the aging of the population.
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Theres always lots of public discussion about immigration. This week the government announced it is increasing the target for the year - looking to welcome 432,000 new immigrants. But what about movement in the opposite direction, when immigrants return to their countries of origin? Kamal Al-Sleyli is the author of Return: Why We Go Back to Where We Come From. Libby Znaimer reached him in Vancouver.
The blockading protests calling themselves the Freedom Convoy have raised millions of dollars in a very short period of time. When GoFundMe froze their funds, sites like GiveSendGo took over. Reports suggest much of that cash is coming from the US and much has been donated anonymously. Whos behind the money? Christian Leuprecht is a Professor of Political Science at the Royal Military College of Canada and Senior Fellow at the Macdonald Laurier Institute.
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Along with most everything else, the pandemic has curtailed volunteering. Still, philanthropist Salah Bachir found ways to continue raising the funds for St. Josephs Health Centre and its new dialysis centre. He is well known in the entertainment industry and and is a long standing supporter of the arts and gay rights activist. He has just been honoured with a June Callwood Outstanding Volunteer Award.
Over half of CanadaÂs 30,000 deaths from COVID-19 were in long term care homes. Two years in, as hundreds of homes report new outbreaks of the Omicron variant, new draft national standards for the sector have been released that the authors claim would have saved many lives. Advocates say the changes are long overdue. Critics say they donÂt go far enough. Dr. Samir Sinha is director of geriatrics at Sinai Health and also on the committee that wrote these proposed new standards.
To offer your input, visit longtermcarestandards.ca
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Black Americans have been fighting for reparations tied to slavery for generations. But how close are legislators to making it happen in 2022? Opponents say maybe the time to redress slavery and the discrimination that followed has passed. The issue of reparations are back in the spotlight this month during Black History Month. We reached Dr. Earl Lewis, Founding Director of the Center for Social Solutions and professor of history at the University of Michigan.
When the pandemic began, it seemed that Covid would convince many Canadians to retire early. The science made it clear that the risks increased with age and the demands of moving everything online required a massive shift. But the opposite has happened. The pandemic is making Canadians delay retirement. Fidelity Canada explored the reasons in its most recent report. I talked with Michelle Munro, Director of retirement research.
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This week marked Holocaust remembrance Day and the 77th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp. With the numbers of survivors dwindling, and anti-Semitism rising around the world, 92-year-old Max Eisen says telling his story is more important than ever.
A new book details how a cold case team brought modern investigative techniques to a decades-old Holocaust mystery: who betrayed Anne Frank and her family? The project took nearly five years, and used AI in addition to more than 20 people and dozens of consultants. Libby Znaimer talked with Canadian author Rosemary Sullivan about The Betrayal of Anne Frank: A Cold Case Investigation.
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ItÂs a hypothesis thatÂs been investigated for years but now for the first time there is compelling evidence that Multiple Sclerosis is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. ItÂs a difficult connection because while 95% of us have been infected by Epstein-Barr, MS is a relatively rare inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. Libby Znaimer reached Dr. Kassandra Munger, co- author of the paper and director of the Multiple Sclerosis studies at Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health
Do you still carry a lot of cash and how often do you use it? ThereÂs no question the pandemic has accelerated the move to contactless payment. Our next guest argues that the end of cash is almost here and it will affect us in many ways. Libby Znaimer reached Eswar Prasad, a Cornell professor, an author, and a fellow at the Brookings Institution.
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According to research from the CMHA and the University of British Columbia, the pandemic is taking a big toll on our mental health. The dead of winter is always a difficult time. Margaret Eaton of the CMHA has some coping tips as we approach Blue Monday - on the third week in January - which some say is the saddest day of the year.
On January 6th 2021, the world watched in horror as the United States capitol building was attacked. Since then, over 700 rioters have been charged, many remain in jail, and a commission is tasked with finding the roots of the insurrection and plans to release its final report this summer. Christine Ross spoke with political science professor Dr. Christopher Gelpi to reflect on the one year anniversary of the attempted coup.
And
Abstaining from alcohol for 31 days this month may not seem like a big sacrifice but health experts say it not only offers immediate benefits, but can be a good test for whether you have a problem. And with more Canadians drinking as the pandemic continues its relentless grip, giving up booze may be harder than ever. Christine Ross spoke with Dr. Peter Selby, who specializes in addictions at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health about Dry January.
Feeling too overwhelmed to make New Year's resolutions as we head into yet another uncertain future amid a pandemic? According to science, making small positive changes in your life may matter more in these times. Exercise ranks among the top resolutions this year as more people vow to lose the pandemic pounds but the best advice is self care and no need to go big. Christine Ross spoke with Dr. Anne Wilson, psychology professor at Wilfrid Laurier University.
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Holiday meal prep and cooking left you burnt out? How about a gourmet tasting meal without all the fuss? You should check out "A Pot, A Pan and A Bowl", the latest cookbook offering from beloved celebrity chef and Emmy award winning TV personality Lidia Bastianich. It contains 100 homey recipes, that require fewer steps and fewer ingredients. But sheÂs quick to remind us this minimal approach still requires finesse. Lidia joins Christine to Âdish on her new no-fuss recipes.
ItÂs traditional at this season to forecast trends in business, technology, fashion, design, and even food. One major consulting company says this year there are changes that are more profound that will alter our relationships and how we see ourselves. I talked with AccentureÂs Ryan McCRacken.
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How did hostages Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor become innocent pawns in the geopolitical conflict between China and the U.S.? And how did Canada finally manage to secure their release after 1019 days in captivity? Fen Osler Hampson and Mike Blachfield take us behind the scenes in their book ÂThe Two Michaels. I talked with Mike Blanchfield.
One in four Canadians over 15 lives with this condition and it is notoriously hard to treat. Alan Gordon developed the method called ÂPain Reprocessing Therapy which relies solely on talk therapy. Libby Znaimer reached him in Los Angeles.
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Thousands of people are rethinking holiday plans because of the rampant Omicron variant. Hosts are cutting back, guests are cancelling, and itÂs all up in the air. How to decide what to cook? Libby consulted cookbook author and food columnist Lucy Waverman.
SheÂs probably the most prominent lawyer in Canada and also the most vilified. Defending notorious clientsÂespecially former CBC star Jian GhomeshiÂmade Marie Henein a lightning rod and a target for ÂCancel Culture. It also inspired her to write her memoir ÂNothing But the truth.Â
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The Toronto Board of Health is asking the federal government to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of illegal drugs in the city. ItÂs just one of the bids to override the law to help tackle the opioid overdose crisis which has reached record levels. Libby Znaimer talked with Dr. Leslie Buckley, Chief of the Addictions Division at CAMH, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer death and now thereÂs a new program that will save lives. Ontario is the first province to start screening people who are at high risk for the disease. Dr. Paul Wheatly Price is an Oncologist, specializing in lung cancer at The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre. Libby Znaimer talked with him about how the program works and who is eligible.
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These days we talk a lot about trauma - but rarely mention its antidote - consolation. Music, painting, literature and religion are all places we have turned to through the ages to find comfort in dark times. ThatÂs the subject of former Liberal leader Michael IgnatieffÂs latest book: On Consolation.
Mark Schatzker Interview
ItÂs a fascinating new theory on whatÂs behind the huge increase in obesity. It turns on the idea that the solution to a different epidemic - 100 years ago - became one of the causes of the obesity epidemic. And it also explains why many Europeans who eat calorie-rich diets manage to stay thin. I talked with author Mark Schatzker about ÂThe End of Craving - Recovering the Lost Wisdom of Eating Well.Â
Born out of an urgent need to help seniors get vaccinated against COVID-19 early in the pandemic, York RegionÂs PinkCars is still in high gear driving seniors to get their COVID booster shots, and helping them download vaccine QR codes. But PinkCars is providing more than a chauffeur service, itÂs helped lift the isolation felt by so many seniors during the pandemic. Shonta Sundarason is the driving force behind Pink Cars. AND Author Sheila VanZile had a seemingly successful and satisfied life. But like many women of her generation, by age 60, she felt disconnected, unhappy and unfulfilled after neglecting her own needs. Her awakening came after her MotherÂs death, launching Sheila on a new path where sheÂs learning to let go of trauma and self loathing. In her book MY WATERFALL OF AWAKENING, VanZile explores forgiveness, grief and invites the reader to share their own feelings through a guided journal.
How do you choose the charities you support and how do you know if your contribution is making an impact? With the holiday giving season about to begin, the non-profit Charity Intelligence is out with its annual analysis and rankings. Libby Znaimer talked with researcher Greg Thomson.
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She was the first female foreign correspondent on network television. Libby Znaimer first met Canadian Hilary Brown when she was a fledgling reporter in the Tel Aviv bureau of the Associated Press and she was a star correspondent for NBC. By that time, she had already covered the Vietnam War and the Yom Kippur War. She came by our studios to talk about her memoir ÂWar Tourist.Â
This year marks a century since the poppy became a symbol of remembrance in Canada. We became the first country to adopt it - after the cause was taken up by a French woman inspired by John McCraeÂs iconic poem In Flanders Field. Libby Znaimer learned about the history of the poppy from Steven Clark National Executive Director of The Royal Canadian Legion.
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The discovery of insulin was one of the greatest medical breakthroughs ever and it remains the only effective treatment for Type 1 diabetes. A hundred years ago this week, the first experiments at the University of Toronto were successful. And while the credit usually goes to Sir Frederick Banting and Charles Best - there were two others who made it all possible. Libby reached Dr. Jacalyn Duffin, to learn more.
Have you helped an adult child buy a home by giving them a large cash gift? With housing prices through the roof, two thirds of first time buyers say the Bank of Mom and Dad was the main source of their down payment. And according to a new report from CIBC , Canadian parents kicked in a total of $10 billion last year - with the average gift here in Toronto topping $130,000. Libby Znaimer talked with CIBC economist Benjamin Tal for the story behind these numbers. AND Like every other medical procedure, the treatment for stroke was set back because of the pandemic with many patients waiting too long to go to the hospital. This week marked World Stroke Day - a good time to go over the signs, symptoms and most of all the timeline for ensuring a good recovery. Libbt talked with Dr. Atif Zafar, Director of the Comprehensive Stroke Program at St. MichaelÂs Hospital.
Will you have enough income for a comfortable retirement? Have you taken the cost of ageing in place into account - especially if you need extra care? The National institute on Ageing says the answers to these questions is a resounding no. And Bonnie-Jean MacDonald, the director of financial security research has some suggestions.
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Less than two weeks ago a U.S. expert panel said Doctors should no longer routinely prescribe daily low-dose aspirin, for most people who are at high risk of heart disease. ThatÂs because the risk of bleeding outweighs the benefit. But it only applies to people who have not had a cardiac event. ThatÂs why cardiologists here are worried this guideline could cause harm. I talked with Dr. Mike Farkouh Cardiologist at UHN.
Cartoonists make a living lampooning the establishment - but now five of them are getting an honour reserved for national icons - their own stamps! The legendary Terry Mosher is also a prolific author and ideaCity alumnus who draws for the Montreal Gazette under the name Aislin. Libby Znaimer reached him in Montreal.
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We usually talk about loneliness in terms of health - but author Noreena Hertz has put an economic lens to it - explaining how the way we live has fragmented our communities and what we can do about it. Libby called her in London to talk about ÂThe Lonely Century.Â
It is one of the most beautiful aspects of our northern climate - the changing colours of fall foliage make for dazzling displays all across Ontario. But while most of us concentrate on where to to look at leaves Libby Znaimer asked Dr. Marc Cadotte, of the Department of Biological Sciences at University of Toronto-Scarborough, why their colours change.
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ItÂs something we should do every day, not just on Thanksgiving. ThereÂs a school of thought which holds that practising gratitude can make us happier. Libby talked with psychologist Dr. Sam Klarridge.
ItÂs one of the biggest unanswered questions about the pandemic. How and where did it start? Last year, the most commonly accepted explanation was that it originated in the wet market in Wuhan. The thinking on that it changing but it bothered Toronto investigative journalist Elaine Dewar from the start. Libby Znaimer talked with her about her new book: On the Origin of the Deadliest Pandemic in 100 Years: An Investigation.
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CARP convened a huge virtual meeting to mark National Seniors Day on October 1. It was billed an emergency meeting because of their take on the approach or lack thereof to older Canadians by all parties in the recent election. Libby chatted with David Cravit, CARPÂs Chief Membership Officer.
Was it a 600 million much ado about nothing? The dust is settling on the federal election that did little to shift the balance of power in Ottawa. Call it groundhog day, or deja vu, but Justin Trudeau returns to power again to form a minority government. No leaders have stepped down, but Trudeau failed to secure a majority, Erin O'Toole and Jagmeet Singh failed to achieve breakthroughs for the Conservatives and N-D-P, and the leaders of the People's Party of Canada and the Green Party failed to win their seats. Zoomer News VP Libby Znaimer assembled a group of political pundits to weigh in.
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Citing air pollution as one of the biggest environmental threats to human health, the World Health Organization has just introduced new guidelines aimed at reducing deaths from key pollutants that cause cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The agency believes these new stricter rules could save millions of lives after finding air pollutionÂs impact on health is far worse than previously thought. We reached Environmental Health Scientist Dr. Jeffrey Brook at the University of Toronto.
ÂOops I forgot to Save Money - The book title captures a conundrum that many people, especially women, face. ItÂs a big problem that author, actor and screenwriter Monica Parker owned up to and overcame. We talked about her story.
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When the election was called he was unfamiliar to most Canadians and not especially popular even with Conservatives. But Erin OÂToole has led his Conservative Party to a dead heat with Justin TrudeauÂs Liberals. I talked with him earlier this week about his plans for older Canadians.
There are some events, when recalled, that take us back to that day. The assassinations of the Kennedy brothers, John and Robert, or Martin Luther King Jr. And the 9-11 attacks are another such tragedy.
Two of the four coordinated terrorist attacks targeted New York's World Trade Center, 20 years ago. Sharing his recollection now, Hans Gerhardt, former general manager of Toronto's Sutton Place, who lost one of his sons, Ralph, who worked at the World Trade Centre.
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As many Canadians and their families know, COVID-19 has exhausted so many healthcare workers, including nurses that many want out. And while the country faces an urgent shortage, nursing schools are having to turn away some of those wishing to make it a career. Bob Komsic spoke with Linda Silas, president of the federation of nurses unions that represents almost 200-thousand unionized nurses and nursing students.
This time of year marks an annual rite of passage for many as parents send their kids off to university for the first time. Heading back to school no matter the age, often brings its own challenges and one of them this time is anxiety about being separated from families after months of togetherness. Now add into the mix, a pandemic with worries about distancing, vaccines and new ways to socialize. It can all seem overwhelming for parents and students. Dr. Sam Klarreich is a Toronto psychologist with some advice on how to mitigate these extra challenges.
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Bird watching? Or cooking? Just two popular courses offered for older adults this year thru the Toronto District School BoardÂs Learn 4 life program that serves older adults. Register now for not only credit programs but general interest courses and it seems the pandemic has boosted the number of older adults wanting to learn something new. Belkis Romero is a continuing education program manager with the Toronto District School Board.
Canada has ended its airlift mission from Afghanistan but Ehsan Saadat, his wife, and four children are among the lucky ones who got out in time. Their escape to Canada had to be kept a secret even from immediate family members because the mission was just too dangerous. The 33-year-old researcher on women's rights put him at risk, but just days after applying to come to Canada the family of six boarded a plane just seven days before the country fell to the Taliban and are starting their new lives in Kitchener.
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Once told he would never graduate high school, Dr. Alika Lafontaine is set to become the first ever indigenous president of the Canadian Medical Association next year. He struggled in school but credits his success to mentors along the way, including his parents and siblings. After witnessing systemic racism in Canadian health, the Grande Prairie Alberta anesthesiologist created an app where patients can anonymously report racism.
More mail-in ballots, delayed results, and different polling places. These are just some of the changes to expect during this pandemic election. Libby got the details from Elections CanadaÂs Dugald Maudsley
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It may be high summer but this is usually the time when snowbirds start sorting out their insurance for the winter trip. Last year, most of the one million Canadians who usually go south stayed home. But surveys show that this year, the vast majority intend to spend winter in warmer climates. Libby talked with Travel Insurance expert Martin Firestone of Travel Secure about what you need to know
ItÂs Finals day at the National Bank Open, one of the first large events to resume in the wake of COVID-19. The week-long tennis tournament in Toronto and Montreal was a very different experience for both players and fans. Libby talked with managing director Gavin Ziv about the demands of pandemic planning.
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Unlike the tennis tournament, many charities will be holding their big events virtually for the second time. ThatÂs why, this week, the Terry Fox Foundation unveiled a star-studded show it produced called Terry Fox - the Power of One. It began with Tom Cochrane on stage while images of TerryÂs run 41 years ago were projected behind him.
We thought it was a good time to revisit our interview with TerryÂs brother Darryl Fox, recorded a year ago to mark the 40th anniversary of the Marathon of Hope.
We know him as a leading geriatrician and member of OntarioÂs COVID-19 Science Advisory Table - and heÂs also a frequent guest on this radio station. So what is making Dr. Nathan Stall turn to politics? Libby talked with him shortly after he announced that he is seeking the Ontario Liberal nomination in Toronto-St. PaulÂs.
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Beekeeping has been booming because of the pandemic. With people spending more time at home; an increased focus on the natural world; and local, sustainable food has made this a big covid-era hobby. Libby chatted with Michelle Wolfson of the Ontario Beekeepers Association.
Vaccine hesitancy is declining in Canada. But recent polling shows that between 17 and 20% of Canadians still need to be convinced to get their shots. Why are they fearful and what makes them come around? Libby talked with Peta-Gay Batten - executive assistant at the RNAO who recently rolled up her sleeves.
Last week, museums re-opened their doors to the public, You can already go to the movies and theatre are preparing to welcome back audiences in house. Are you ready? And Is this enough to help our battered cultural sector recover. Libby talked with Claire Hopkinson, Director and CEO of Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation
This week the government convened two summits to combat hate: one on Islamophobia, one on Antisemitism. The circumstances of the latter gathering were dictated by the alarming rise in hate against the Jewish community. It was mostly closed to the public to ensure the safety of those participating. Former federal justice minister Irwin Cotler, now Canada's special envoy for preserving Holocaust remembrance and combating antisemitism, was front and centre. Libby reached him in Montreal.
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The pandemic has changed the way we see ageing and our priorities for healthcare as the virus fades. According to the National Institute on Ageing, older Ontarians want adequate homecare while the government is focused on building new LTC homes. And the homecare system is dysfunctional - with the public agency the PCÂs promised to abolish still in place while private companies deliver the care. Libby talked to leading geriatrician Dr. Samir Sinha, who is the NIAÂs Director of health policy research
ItÂs an invisible injury that many, including Zoomers, may suffer in their lifetime, concussions. Now, Toronto researchers have created a calculator to identify those at high risk for prolonged symptoms. We reached Doctor Mark Bayley, medical director at University Health Network's Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, who says the tool gives doctors a risk score based on patients' answers to five questions.
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Canadian retirements are beginning to return to normal after the uncertainty of the pandemic held many back. A new report by RBC economic predicts a renewed surge of retirement in the second half of this year, after retirements fell about 20 percent last year as a result of uncertainty about retirement savings as the pandemic arrived. Andrew Apogsowicz is senior economist with RBC.
Mary Simon will be CanadaÂs first Indigenous governor general. The 74-year-old Inuk leader and former diplomat grew up in a remote village in northern Quebec and has committed her life to advocating for Inuit rights. Parallels can be drawn between Mary Simon and CanadaÂs 26th government general Adrienne Clarkson, this countryÂs first person of Asian descent appointed to the position, who also championed the rights of northern indigenous communities during her tenure. We reached the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson to get her reaction to the new appointment.
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The pandemic meant people focused on the three PÂs - puppies, peletons and property as people spent more time at home. Now a new study by Royal LePage dispels some myths about boomers and property...and finds when it comes to housing, the older generation has no intention of slowing down and are turning a cold shoulder to retirement. We reached Royal LePage President CEO Phil Soper to dig deeper into these emerging trends.
Technology is enabling the discovery of unmarked graves of indigenous children on sites of former residential schools. The system is called ground penetrating radar and it is also used extensively in the construction industry. Dr. Terence Clark of the University of Saskatchewan is a practitioner and he tells Libby Znaimer that locating these burial grounds involves art as well as science.
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How does our response to COVID-19 compare to the way other catastrophes have been handled through the ages? Why have some countries been so much more successful at controlling the pandemic? Historian Niall Ferguson tackles these questions in his latest book ÂDoom: the Politics of Catastrophe. Libby reached him in London.
Where is the first place you want to travel post-COVID? Zoomers are starting to prepare and plan now that fully vaccinated Canadians wonÂt have to quarantine when they return home from abroad. Libby Znaimer chatted with Zoomer MagazineÂs Executive Editor and travel expert Vivian Vassos.
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ItÂs a problem that plagues our healthcare system: patients who no longer need to be in hospital but canÂt go home and have nowhere else to go. There are about 4000 of these patients in Ontario hospitals, and some are stuck there for years. ItÂs miserable for them, expensive for the system, and takes up much needed acute care beds. One organization found a solution for people with mental health and addiction issues. Libby talked with Heather MacDonald CEO of Loft Community Services.
Canadians are waiting longer for hip and knee replacements because tens of thousands of operations were postponed or cancelled during the pandemic. According to numbers from the Canadian institute for health information, 50% percent of patients did not get their new joints within the recommended 6 month wait time frame. How long will it take to catch up? Libby Znaimer talked with Dr. Peter Ferguson, the Albert and Temmy Latner Chair Division of Orthopaedics at the University of TorontoÂs Department of Surgery.
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Are you anxious about going back to the office, or a concert, or finding yourself in a crowd or a close lineup? A recent poll finds more than half of Canadians are uneasy about going back to the way things were. Libby reached Dr. Steven Taylor, professor of psychology at UBC and author The Psychology of Pandemics: Preparing for the Next Global Outbreak of Infectious Disease.
ItÂs being hailed as the first new AlzheimerÂs treatment in 18 years and the first to slow disease progression. But some experts say thereÂs not enough evidence that Aducanumab actually works. Dr. Sharon Cohen, director of the Toronto Memory Program, was a clinical trial investigator in the drugÂs phase 3 trial and has a number of patients who are taking it. Libby Znaimer reached her in Toronto.
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New research suggests there is a hard upper limit to the human life span - but according to the study in Nature Communications, it could be as high as 150 years! Dr. Jay Olshansky is a Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. His work focuses on estimating the upper limits of longevity and what that means for the aging population.
Over the last two decades, the number of Zoomers in the workforce has nearly tripled. But they are subject to pervasive negative typecasting that holds them back. A new report from Federal, Provincial, and Territorial ministers responsible for seniors, surveys the stereotypes that feed into ageism. Libby Znaimer talk to demographic expert David Cravit, CARP's chief membership officer.
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ItÂs the first ever cookbook inspired by the two year old Canada Food Guide and it comes just as many of us are trying to get back on track after pandemic stress-eating and weight gain. Libby talked to author Rose Reisman about what she calls a Meal Revolution.
Women executives in this country earn about 56% less compared with men and are on average slightly younger. That's according to a recent study from Statistics Canada. Economist Marina Adshade, an assistant professor at the University of B.C., says the finding about age may offer a clue as to the cause of the pay gap.
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She's been in the real estate game for decades in cottage country, but Muskoka agent Catharine Inniss says sheÂs never seen anything like this.
The term "war crimes" has been thrown around a lot amid the fighting between Israel and Hamas. Libby Znaimer turned to Janice Stein, an expert in Middle East studies and conflict management and Founding Director of the Munk School of Global Affairs.
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What will happen to COVID-19 patients who leave the ICU with long-term side effects of the illness? Dr. Raphael Rush is clinical director of Complex and Continuing Care at the Salvation Army-Toronto Grace Hospital. He says their recovery will require many more resources and he is warning that rehabilitation could become the fourth wave.
AlzheimerÂs disease afflicts half a million Canadians and there is still no effective therapy. A pilot study from baycrest and Sunnybrrok finds that low dose radiation can bring remarkable improvement at least for awhile. And it started when a researcher had an idea to help a friend. Researcher Jerry Cuttler joins Libby to share his experience.
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Perdita FelicienÂs memoir is a love letter to her mother Catherine, who faced racism, abuse and hostility after coming to Canada from St. Lucia as a domestic worker. Felicien tells the story of how the two beat the odds together as she went on to an illustrious career as a ten-time Canadian hurdling champion, a world champion, and an two-time Olympian. Libby talked to her about the book, My MotherÂs Daughter: A Memoir of Struggle and Triumph.Â
Like most things during the pandemic, thereÂs been a stampede to pivot online. This includes the health care system. Family physician, and U of T professor, Sheryl Spithoff recently wrote an op-ed piece condemning health careÂs pivot to virtual learning arguing that with so many corporations wanting a slice of the pie, itÂll drive up costs, create fragmented care and pose a risk to privacy.
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Two Toronto-based engineers have created a texting tool to help us all amid the confusing world of booking COVID-19 vaccines. It offers a more user friendly way to book without navigating website portals or calling around to different pharmacies. ItÂs just one more tool in the provinceÂs fight against COVID-19. Christine Ross spoke with Zain Manji, one of the two men behind it, to find out how it works.
This week, two devastating reports detailed the failure of OntarioÂs long-term care sector to protect elder residents. Where should we look for the right kind of change? Author Moira Welsh takes us through unique facilities that show how the right living arrangements can help people live with purpose and connection. We talked about her book "Happily Ever Older: Revolutionary Approaches to LTC.Â
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Most of us donÂt give it much thought: polite small talk with a co-worker or a quick conversation with a stranger we pass in the park. Some of us write off these interactions as meaningless. But the pandemic has shown that they are integral to our wellbeing and sense of belonging and we miss them more than we realize. Psychology Professor Dr. Francis McAndrew has done research on the subject and Libby Znaimer reached him at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois.
An independent review recently found systemic discrimination contributed to deficiencies in a number of missing-persons investigations conducted by Toronto police.
The review, led by former judge Gloria Epstein, examined policies and procedures related to missing-persons cases, as well as how officers investigated the disappearances of residents who were later found to have been killed.
It focused on 10 cases, including the eight men murdered by serial killer Bruce McArthur. Epstein says she found ''serious flaws'' in how missing-persons cases, even beyond those at the centre of the review, were investigated.
For reaction, Bob Komsic spoke with Justin Ling, author of "Missing from the Village" the story of Bruce McArthur.
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Community organization needs and volunteer roles are changing rapidly as a result of the pandemic. The slogan of this yearÂs National Volunteer Week is "The value of one. The power of many". Volunteer Canada is a charity that helps to increase the giving of oneÂs time. Its president is Paula Speevak.
Despite a turbulent year of grounded air travel around the world, experts predict travel will be cleared for take off post pandemic but with some noticeable changes. Post pandemic air travel will be more complex and carry a few unavoidable features, like higher travel and insurance costs, and possible vaccine passports. Christine Ross spoke with Richard Smart, CEO of the Travel Industry Council of Ontario.
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After more than a year of lock down, many of us have lived a more sustainable lifestyle, sometimes not by choice, whether driving less to work or shopping less.
And thereÂs been hope amid a dark year as we celebrate Earth Day this coming Thursday, as vaccines were rolled out quicker than even the experts predicted leaving some to argue if the world can unite to tackle an unseen monster like COVID 19, surely we can defeat an invisible beast like climate change.
Not so fast says Douglas Macdonald, with School of the Environment at the University of Toronto, who argues they are distinctly different.
Half of all Canadians now say COVID-19 has impacted their mental health. A recent survey finds for women itÂs 6-in-10, jumping to 7-in-10 for those aged 18 to 24 as the current stay-at-home order has some wondering just when will the pandemic end. This has led many to reach out for, or consider, mental health support. And with so many taking long walks, more and more counsellors are offering nature-based sessions. Among them is Adrian Juric of Vancouver Walk & Talk Therapy.
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Spring is not only when homeowners have to clean up their yards and gardens. ItÂs also the time some get the urge to purge and organize their place. It doesnÂt matter whether oneÂs looking to prepare to possibly downsize in this hot market or stay put, organizing and moving expert Kathy McEwan of Second Set of Hands is here to help.
Flexibility of working from home and the desire for larger living spaces have fuelled a boom in finding a place away from big cities this past year. With that in mind, ratesdotca set out to identify the best small towns or rural areas to live in. Mortgage editor Rob McLister is here to talk about their "Livability Report".
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While robins remind us springÂs here, the temperatures sometimes slap us in the face, literally, and we remember itÂs EARLY spring. But itÂs not too soon to think about returning to our gardens or starting one. Just ask Charlie Dobbin, host of the Garden Show, SaturdayÂs at 9 on Zoomer Radio.
This weekÂs Ontario budget doubled the child benefit for parents. But for those caring for their elders, there was nothing - despite the increased financial burdens caused by Covid-19. Aimee Roberto cares for her mother Julieta Pante and she shared the struggles of the last year.
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By now, itÂs old hat, the internet is full of pandemic Passover memes and e-book offers. But for the second year the community wonÂt be able to gather around crowded family tables and next weekend churches will only be able to accommodate a small number of worshippers to celebrate Easter. I reached Rabbi David Seed of the Adath Israel Congregation and Father Michael McGoarty of St. PeterÂs Parish.
There is another scourge that has come along with the pandemic and itÂs so bad that the World Health Organization has given it an official name, "The Infodemic". Tim Caulfield is a professor at the University of Alberta who specializes in health law and has written extensively on debunking junk science and misinformation. HeÂll be one of the speakers at the Vaccine Summit presented by CARP on Thursday March 25th. To sign up go to: carp.ca/vaccinesummit
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It is an all too common affliction that affects more than 3 million Canadians, mostly women and costs the economy billions in lost productivity. But there has been progress in treating migraine. To mark Brain Health Awareness Week, I talked to Peter Goadsby, professor of neurology at UCLA and one of the winners of the 2021 Brain Prize.
Millions of people around the world watched last weekÂs explosive interview with Harry and Meghan. They accused the royal family of racism and callous indifference to a mental health crisis. It left many people questioning the value of the institution - here at home, more Canadians than ever think itÂs time to drop the monarchy. Libby Znaimer talked with pollster Mario Canseco, President of Research Co.
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One year on, the pandemic has found its way into culture and art. Toronto s Poet laureate Albert Moritz captured the tragedy in long term care in his poem, ÂExactly Here the Marvel Spoke to commemorate one year since the beginning of the pandemic.
Interview 1: Andre Picard
What will it take to finally fix our eldercare system in Canada? ItÂs a question that is at the top of our agenda and now award-winning Globe and mail Health columnist Andre Picard has a prescription in his new book "Neglected No More: The Urgent Need to Improve the Lives of Canada's Elders in the Wake of a Pandemic," Libby reached Andre in Vancouver.
Interview 2: Sarah Willen
Usually, history is written only by the powerful. ThatÂs the starting point for the Pandemic Journaling Project - which wants to ensure that what you and your family are living through is not forgotten. Libby talked with Sarah Willen at the university of Connecticut.
Interview One: Dr. Michael Verbora
Zoomers remember psychedelic drugs and the backlash against them, as part of the counterculture of the 60Âs. Now they are re-emerging as a promising area of research and treatment for mental illnesses like anxiety, depression and PTSD. Libby talked with Dr. Michael Verbora. HeÂs a practitioner of psychedelic-assisted therapy and he was a presenter at the Psychedelic Summit held at Zoomer Hall.
Interview Two: Mark Hawkins
Most of us think of boredom as something very negative. And it is easier than ever to distract ourselves from it with social media, binge-watching, and busy-making activities. But author Mark Hawkins argues we can use boredom to create a life full of purpose and meaning.
Interview One: Hazel McCallion Part 2
It started with volunteering in her local community. ThatÂs what propelled Hazel McCallion into an extraordinary career in politics, at a time when women politicians were a rarity. HereÂs part two of our interview marking her 100th birthday.
Interview Two: Dr. Marcus Butler
For decades, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation were the primary treatments for cancer patients. Now, the biggest advances are in immunotherapy, which harnesses the patientÂs own immune system.
ItÂs becoming a go-to treatment for some metastatic cancers and improving survival rates for these patients. Who can benefit the most? Libby Znaimer talked with Medical Oncologist Dr. Marcus Butler, Director of Princess Margaret Immune Monitoring Laboratory,
Interview One: Hazel McCallion
Today is Hazel McCallionÂs 100th birthday! We were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to sit down with her a few weeks ago to talk about her to talk about her remarkable life. While most of us are familiar with the broad outlines of her career, the story of how she got there from very modest beginnings is not. In this episode are some of our very long, very long socially distanced talk in Zoomer Hall.
Next week weÂll have part two, talking about HazelÂs remarkable career. And in the meantime, you can watch the TV version tomorrow Monday Feb. 15 on The Zoomer at 10 PM on our sister station VisionTV
Interview Two: Kirk Pickersgill
Amanda Gorman, AmericaÂs National Youth Poet laureate, made headlines reciting a poem at the recent Presidential Inauguration. The performance catapulted her to international fame and landed her on the cover of Time Magazine. The gown she chose for that prestigious picture is by Canadian fashion label Greta Constantine, designed by Stephen Wong and Kirk Pickersgill. Libby Znaimer reached Kirk in his studio.
INTERVIEW ONE: JEAN AUGUSTINE
It was December 1995 when the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month in Canada, after unanimously passing a motion introduced by Jean Augustine, who two years earlier was the first African-Canadian woman elected as MP, representing the Toronto riding of Etobicoke-Lakeshore.
After deciding not to seek re-election in 2006, she moved on to new challenges, which to this day involve addressing systemic barriers and racial inequalities in education through the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora at York University.
INTERVIEW TWO: JAMIE GOLOMBEK
COVID-19 has put a lot of pressure on couples. In fact, the pandemic is leading more to seek advice about separation and divorce. With the COVID-related financial pressures, and money being one of the key sources of friction among couples, Jaime Golombek, managing director of tax and estate planning at CIBC, goes over what they should be thinking about as they consider and make life altering decisions.
The pandemic has dramatically widened the income gap between rich and poor in Canada. ThatÂs the conclusion of research from CIBC, which found that low-paid workers suffered the vast majority of the job losses while there has been a surprising increase in higher-paid jobs. Libby Znaimer talked with economist Benjamin Tal.
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HeÂs poached salmon in the dishwasher and made garbage pizza with old potatoes and other discarded vegetables. Cookbook author and TV food personality Bob Blumer has learned from everyone, from top chefs to faraway street vendors around the globe. He has tips we can all use in our home kitchens in his latest book Flavorbomb: A Rogue Guide to Making Everything Taste Better. Libby reached him at home in Los Angeles
This week, the Biden administration took power in the U.S. with 25,000 national guard troops standing by. Since the storming of the capitol two weeks earlier, security experts agree that right wing extremists pose the biggest domestic threat to America. Libby Znaimer talked with Bryan Hughes, associate director of the Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab (PERIL) at American University.
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As if caring for a loved one with AlzheimerÂs wasnÂt hard enough, the pandemic has magnified the challenges for both caregivers and patients and for many, it has hastened the course of the disease. Kerri Thompson is the essential caregiver for her mom Joyce, who lives at a retirement residence in Aurora.
Next week, Kamala Harris will be sworn in as the first female, first Black, and first South Asian Vice-President of the United States. She will also grace the February cover of the iconic Vogue magazine. But thereÂs growing backlash over the casual styling of the cover shot, which you can see here, and which critics say is disrespectful. Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour says there was no disrespect intended. Libby asked Suzanne Boyd, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Zoomer Magazine, to decode the controversy.
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Given that the pandemic is hitting the older population especially hard, we think itÂs a good time to take another look at the science behind aging well. Neuroscientist Daniel LevitinÂs book, Successful Aging has just come out in paperback and Libby reached him, in lockdown, in Los Angeles.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has delivered a blunt message for Canadians wanting to head south - If you get stuck in the US or elsewhere, Canada won't help you get home. But a growing number of Zoomers are ignoring his advice now that they can get vaccinations in Florida. Travel Insurance broker Marty FirestoneÂs phone has been ringing off the hook with Snowbirds changing their minds about making the trip.
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If there is anything we are learning from the pandemic, it is the urgent need to reform homecare so that most of us can age in place and stay out of nursing homes. Libby Znaimer talked to Andre Picard, the Globe and MailÂs award winning health columnist , when he was part of a panel on a special edition of the Zoomer, on our sister station VisionTV.
You watch the special homecare edition of the Zoomer Monday Jan. 11 at 11 PM Channel 60 on Rogers 261 on Bell satellite TV.
What are your resolutions for 2021? Do they include the usual ones? Eating better, exercising more, or keeping up your physical fitness regime? A lot of Canadians walked more than they probably ever have in the past year but if youÂre stuck in making resolutions Bob Komsic spoke to University of Regina psychology professor Katherine Arbuthnott and began by asking just how difficult is it to make for THIS year.
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Have you decided when to start collecting your Canada Pension Plan? A thousand Canadians make that decision every day and most start taking CPP early at the age of 60. But if you can afford it, delaying until age 70 means an extra hundred-thousand-dollars over the course of your retirement. Libby Znaimer spoke to actuary Bonnie-Jeanne MacDonald, who crunched the numbers in a paper for Ryerson UniversityÂs National Institute on Ageing.
ThereÂs less than a week left to make a tax deductible charitable donation for 2020. Normally nearly two thirds of Canadians would be scrambling to get those contributions in before the deadline. But pandemic financial pressure means fewer people will be donating and those who are able to give will give less. Libby talked with Bruce Macdonald, CEO of Imagine Canada, about a survey on the state of our giving.
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Are you looking forward to enjoying a meal out? ItÂs a simple pleasure that many of us took for granted before Covid-19. But with many places forced to close up for good, what will the post-vaccine, post-pandemic restaurants look like? Libby talked with food writer Corey Mintz.
Are you still debating your holiday plans even though most of the authorities are recommending that we celebrate with our own households only? ThereÂs an online questionnaire to assess your risk depending on your answers to a whole raft of questions. Leading gerontologist, Dr. Samir Sinha, designed the tool called "My Covid Visit Risk" for Ryerson University's National Institute on Ageing.
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This Christmas, big family gatherings are out...so what do you do about the big festive Christmas meal that is so much a part of the holiday, the tradition, and family history? Libby gets some ideas from food columnist, editor, and cookbook author Lucy Waverman.
A quarter of Canadians over 65 are caregivers and it's no surprise that the pandemic has been especially hard on them. With less outside help, they are spending more time and money on their loved ones, making it much more difficult to manage. Libby talked with Amy Coupal of the Ontario Caregiver Association about the groupÂs latest spotlight survey.
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Have you ever heard of Pitseolak Asuna or Robertine Barry? They are two of eight short-listed candidates to be the face of our new five dollar bill. Public opinion polls show that Terry Fox is the popular favourite but that may not be a deciding factor in who gets to replace Louis St. Laurent, our 12th Prime Minister. Bank of Canada spokesperson Amelie Ferron Craig filled Libby in.
This week, the Trudeau government announced a 1.5-billion dollar Safe LTC Fund. Advocates worry that there arenÂt enough strings attached to the money to ensure that the provinces will do the right things to protect vulnerable residents now. Libby Znaimer talked with Minister of Seniors Deb Schulte.
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The stress of the pandemic is making things worse for many people suffering from conditions like chronic pain, arthritis and fibromyalgia. Medical cannabis may be the answer. Libby Znaimer reached Dr. Arash Taghvai, Apollo Cannabis Clinics Manager of Clinical Affairs.
For more than a year, Toronto City Councillor Jaye Robinson has been sidelined by a gruelling and lengthy treatment for a complicated case of breast cancer. She went through most of it at the height of the pandemic. Libby Znaimer talked with Jaye about her experience after she returned to her first council meeting this week.
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ThereÂs no question that the pandemic has disrupted the spectrum of cancer care, delaying diagnoses and treatment for many patients, and halting some clinical trials. And although healthcare systems have been reorganizing to meet the challenge, itÂs also made things much harder for the doctors provisioning care. Libby talked with Dr. Sharlene Gill, a BC Medical Oncologist, and President Elect of the Canadian Association of Medical Oncologists.
"What About Black Lives?" is the the new single from Dan Hill's first album in 11 years. It's been about 4 years since we talked to the award-winning singer-songwriter, as he took time out to deal with personal and mental health issues. It was a pleasure to chat with him again.
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This week there was great news about the promising results of two potential Covid-19 vaccines. The federal government has purchased millions of doses of both the Pfizer and the Moderna versions, which have yet to be approved. In addition to the logistics which have to be sorted out, there are big ethical questions to answer, about who will get vaccinated first. Libby talked with Dr. Alison Thompson, a university of Toronto bioethicist, who is advising the province.Â
This week began with the good news that Pfizer and its partner, the German company, BioNTech, have a vaccine that is 90% effective, at least according to preliminary results. How good is that news and what will it take to vaccinate Canadians. Libby Znaimer reached Dr. Jillian Kohler, professor at the University of Toronto's Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy.
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This year's Scotiabank Giller Prize winning book, "How To Pronounce Knife" is part of a long tradition of Canadian literature about the immigrant experience. Author Souvankham Thammavongsa was born in a refugee camp in Thailand and arrived with her parents at the age of one. Libby chatted with her after she won the $100,000 prize.
Either the 74-year old Donald Trump, or Joe Biden, who turns 78 on Nov. 20, will break the record for oldest president ever inaugurated. There have been questions about both their mental states, but both have come through grueling campaigns. Will this change society's view of aging? Libby Znaimer reached Brent Green, an American expert in demographics and generational marketing.
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This holiday giving season presents the perfect storm for frontline charities. The pandemic is causing a huge drop in donations along with a massive increase in demand. Charity intelligence is out with its annual top 100 ratings to help you make sure to get the biggest impact from the dollars we donate. Libby talked with managing director Kate Bahen.
What is Q'Anon? People around the world are asking that question now that this extreme American conspiracy theory keeps gaining followers and heading closer to the mainstream. It centres on the belief that the US is run by a Liberal cabal of child sex traffickers who can only be stopped by Donald Trump. Libby Znaimer talked with Josh Pasek, a University of Michigan professor and expert on political communication and misinformation.
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You probably know her from television. Veteran broadcaster Marci Ien is trading one microphone for another after winning the federal bi-election in Toronto Centre for the Liberals. She's the daughter of immigrants from Trinidad eager to bring her experience as a Black woman to the political scene. We chatted a few days after her victory.
Zoomers are a demographic that is key to success at the polls in America - as well as other countries including ours. Even though younger generations have surpassed baby boomers in sheer numbers, an overwhelming proportion of the older generation votes. In 2016, they were regarded as the most pro-Trump demographic and they were instrumental to his victory. Where do they stand now? Libby Znaimer checked in with in Dr. Charles Zelden, a political science expert from Nova Southeastern University in Florida.
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She was Ontario's first female and openly gay premier. Kathleen Wynne led the Liberal party to regain a majority in 2014 only to suffer a crushing defeat in 2018. Libby talked with Kathleen Wynne about her career after she announced she won't be running again in 2022.
It's an unintended consequence of the pandemic's devastating toll in long-term care. A majority of Canadians are reevaluating their plans, hoping to avoid ever moving into nursing or retirement homes. That's the conclusion of a poll From The National Institute on Ageing at Ryerson University. Libby Znaimer reached executive Director Michael Nicin.
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It's the scourge of humanity, but war also drives massive change in society and technological innovation. Eminent Canadian historian Margaret MacMillan lays this out in sweeping detail in her latest book:"War: How conflict Shaped Us"'. Libby reached her in England.
Her election to lead the Green party of Canada marks a series of firsts. Annemie Paul is the first Black, Jewish woman to lead a federal party in this country. We had a chat to get to know her earlier this week.
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Here's something to be thankful for and lift our spirits in the midst of the pandemic. Fall colours are at their peak and it's easy to enjoy the majestic reds and glorious golds safely. Libby Znaimer reached Sarah MacMichael of Ontario parks.
As we head into the second wave of the coronavirus, it's instructive to remember that Canada went through this a hundred years ago. The death toll was staggering - pegged at between 50 and 100 million worldwide. But many, like Edward G.R. Ardagh of Toronto, survived and he wrote his experiences down in his diary for us to be able to read today. Some of his symptoms are eerily similar to today, as was the rush to try unproven remedies. But we've come a long way, starting with our ability to get a handle on the numbers. Libby Znaimer spoke with historian Neil Orford.
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Love fresh Ontario produce? Or did you grow way more than your family can eat in the backyard garden and want to preserve it for year-round access? Preserving food has been handed down from generations and it's making a comeback. From canning, to pickling, preserves to jellies. Collette Murphy owns seed company Urban Harvest and she's been preserving food for half a century. No matter the reason, nostalgia, saving money or if you want to eat locally year round, Colette shares some tips for beginners and experts alike.
It's more fallout from the pandemic. At a time when the need is greater than ever, Canadians are giving less to charity. According to the Angus Reid Institute, 37% of donors who have to given to at least one charity in the last two years have decreased their donations because of COVID-19. It adds up to a loss of hundreds of millions of dollars for the country's 86,000 charities. Libby reached Angus Reid's Research Director Dave Korzinski.
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On Friday, the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg became the first woman to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol - after her body lay in repose at the Supreme Court earlier in the week. It culminated a distinguished career full of firsts, giving the public a chance to pay respects as the national outpouring of grief continued unabated since her death from pancreatic cancer on September 18th. It also deepened partisan divisions as Republicans moved to name a replacement before the November election. We'd like to revisit the 2018 interview with Julie Cohen and Betsy West - producers of the documentary RBG - starting with Bader Ginsburg herself reading famous words she used at her first Supreme Court argument.
VisionTV has a new documentary called "Blasphemy." And if you think it's an outdated concept, you'd be mistaken. Blasphemy laws are still on the books in about a quarter of the world's countries with devastating results. And not all blasphemy relates to conventional religion. Libby talked with filmmaker Martin Himel.
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The idea has been around for decades and it spawned two major experiments over the years. Now there is speculation that a guaranteed basic minimum income is on the Liberal government's agenda amid reports that it was a major topic at this week's cabinet retreat. Sheila Regehr is chairperson of the Basic Income Canada Network.
COVID-19 has hit Canadians and their families hard, none harder than those in long-term care and assisted living facilities. In B.C., older residents and their family members are being asked to take part in a survey examining their experiences. Seniors advocate Isobel Mackenzie told Libby Znaimer why she feels it's important to gather such information.
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Late last year the airline industry forecast a 4-percent increase in global travel demand for 2020 with post-tax profits for North American carriers of $16.5 billion American. This summer the International Air Transport Association is predicting that 2020 will go down as the worst financial performance in the history of commercial aviation. In light of COVID-19, will Zoomers, who love to travel, be so eager to return to the skies? To discuss, Bob Komsic reached John Gradek, who, before becoming a lecturer and coordinator of the Global Aviation Leadership Program at McGill University, held senior management jobs with Air Canada and CP Rail.
There will be a confidence vote when parliament resumes later this month and that means the government may fall. Would we be ready for a pandemic election? In addition to an exponential increase in mailed in ballots, we'd need bigger polling places for social distancing, more workers and even single use pencils. Libby reached Natasha Gauthier of Elections Canada.
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The woman behind the song "I Am Woman", Helen Reddy, became an icon of the feminist movement. She sold 25 million albums and was the first Australian to win a Grammy in 1973. Her story parallels the trajectory of the push for women's liberation. This month, a movie about her life is being released digitally and on demand. Libby reached director Unjoo Moon in Australia.
Next week a new book will mark the 40th anniversary of Terry Fox's iconic Marathon of Hope with 40 letters from 40 contributors ranging from Margaret Atwood to Bobby Orr. Terry's younger brother Darrell Fox edited Forever Terry: A Legacy in Letters,and Libby reached him in Vancouver.
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The newly launched Institute for Pandemics at the University of Toronto has a very ambitious mandate to help the world prepare better, and recover faster from crises like the coronavirus. Libby reached the Dean, Steini Brown.
It's being called a new era in the treatment of Alzheimer's, a disabling and deadly disease of the brain that affects up to 50 million around the world, with 10 million new cases each year. Current approved treatments do not slow its progression but Dr. Sharon Cohen, director of the Toronto Memory Program, says that could soon change.
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As children prepare to return to school, the children aren't the only ones who are nervous. So are their parents, and grandparents, and/or caregivers. Six-time award winning author and spokesperson on parenting, and now grandparenting, Kathy Buckworth sat down with Bob Komsic.
For years, it was a source of irritation for millions of loyal Air Canada customers collecting Aeroplan points. Now the airline is revamping its loyalty program to make it easier to book seats. ItÂs part of an effort to boost membership while the global travel industry is devastated by COVID-19. Libby speaks with columnist and consumer advocate Ellen Roseman. AND ThereÂs a new medical clinic in the Lawrence and Dufferin area of Toronto, but itÂs not being run by the doctors who work there. ItÂs a pilot clinic opened by Shoppers Drug Mart - one of three test clinics planned for the GTA this year. The company says their model will make it easier and more convenient for patients to get primary care. Libby reached Theresa Firestone, senior vice president of health and wellness at Shoppers Drug Mart, which is owned by Loblaw Companies.
There are new guidelines for both treating and defining obesity. The focus is on whether a personÂs body fat impairs their health, rather than on their weight and size. Libby talked with the lead author, Dr. Sean Wharton-medical director of the Wharton Medical Clinic, a weight management clinic in Burlington.
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The loneliness of the pandemic has made us crave companionship of the canine variety. And if you are an aspiring pet parent, youÂre going to have to wait and pay a pretty price. Libby reached Richard Paquette, a director with the Canadian Kennel Club in Ontario
(3:58) This week the province released details of the the independent commission to look into the devastating impact on COVID-19 on our LTC sector, which saw 80% of the deaths from the coronavirus. It will be led by Associate Chief Justice Frank Marrocco who was lead counsel for the province in the Walkerton inquiry and lead prosecutor in the Bre-X securities prosecution. At the same time the province has responded to the Gallese Commission on the Wetlaufer murders, released a year ago - recommending a minimum four hours of care a day per resident. Which brings us to the question: what more do we have to learn before we can fix LTC? Libby Znaimer got a contrary view from Doris Grinspun CEO of the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario.
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(11:53) The cover is adorned with the iconic cartoon of Former Prime minister John Diefenbaker as Marie Antoinette. It's probably the best known work by Duncan MacPherson, a monumental figure in Canadian cartooning. There's a new book on his life and work by another maestro of cartoon satire: Terry Mosher who draws under the name Aislin. Libby reached him in Montreal.
(3:38) Over a million Canadians use medical Cannabis to treat everything from nausea to chronic pain. But there is a lack of rigorous, clinical evidence demonstrating its efficacy for specific conditions. That's why the university health network is launching a new clinical trial in partnership with Shoppers Drug Mart to help doctors prescribe the right medicine for the right patient at the right dose. The Medical Cannabis Real-World Evidence study will track the outcomes of 2000 patients using verified and validated medical cannabis products. Libby talked with trial lead, Dr. Hance Clarke, Director of Pain Services, Toronto General Hospital.
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(9:46) If the restrictions of COVID-19 have you hankering for a more bucolic setting, you're not alone. Being cooped up and working from home has led to a boom in cottage country as city dwellers look to escape. Libby reached Catharine Inniss, a realtor with Johnston and Daniel Rushbrooke Realty.
There's more to being healthy than staying physically fit. Mental health is just as important, but a lot of the time gets buried beneath the stigma that surrounds it. Unfortunately those long held, negative beliefs have led to nearly two-thirds of the world's population refusing to seek help. Dr. Murali Rao is a geriatric expert and psychiatrist from Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago. He's also written "50+ (Plus) And Healthy: What You Need To Know About Mental Health and Healthy Aging -- for You and Your Loved Ones".
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The Ford government is launching a pilot project with North York General Hospital to give vulnerable or alternate level-of-care patients priority access to a long-term care bed to help reduce waitlists and hopefully end hallway healthcare.
ALC patients are those who no longer need to be in hospital but remain  because their status prevents them from going home and there's no space in long-term care.
Dr. Joshua Tepper is President and CEO of North York General.
He's was Ontario's first NDP Premier before switching parties and becoming interim Liberal leader. Now Bob Rae becomes Canada's ambassador to the United Nations at a trying time: in the midst of a pandemic, after the loss of our bid for a security council seat, and as the UN is increasingly dominated by authoritarian regimes. But he told Libby Znaimer that the appointment is taking him full circle.
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As if the pandemic hasn't disrupted our lives enough... what to do and where to go for a summer vacation? Zoomer magazine executive Editor Vivian Vassos says we should start in our own backyard with some fresh destinations that are an easy drive!
Will a woman's perspective help navigate policing during these turbulent times? Chief Antje McNeely of Kingston becomes the third woman to serve as President of the Ontario Association of Police Chiefs and she sees change ahead.
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This week we learned the economy dropped 11.6% in April, the largest monthly drop on record due to the pandemic. The massive expansion of government spending and debt has many comparing COVID-19 to fighting a war and looking to history to point the way to recovery. That's the wrong approach, according to Phillip Cross, a 36 year veteran of Statistics Canada and a Munk Senior Fellow at the Macdonald Laurier Institute.
A new report confirms a shameful statistic: CanadaÂs proportion of COVID 19 deaths in long term care is double that in other Western countries. But Tracey Johnson of the Canadian Institute of health Information says the numbers point the way to preparing for a second wave.
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The pandemic has us spending much more time in the kitchen which is now the centre of most homes. It wasnÂt always like that. Author and architect John Ota toured and cooked in some of the most iconic historical kitchens in search of the perfect one. Libby Znaimer talked to him about his book simply called ÂThe KitchenÂ.
In the midst of an international and national conversation about systemic racism, a very familiar voice of the Zoomer generation is stepping forward with his experience. Hal Johnson, recounts how BodyBreak came about. The popular fitness segment he starred in, and produced, with his wife Joanne McLeod since the late 80Âs was created as a way to overcome the racism and normalize interracial relationships.
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She walked away from the pinnacle of Canadian politics over a matter of principle. Former health minister Jane Philpott held a variety of cabinet posts until she was ejected from the Liberal caucus because of her objection to the handling of the SNC Lavalin affair. When the pandemic hit, she returned to her roots as a physician and now the OntarioÂs Progressive conservative government is tapping her to organize the provinceÂs diffuse and dysfunctional medical data system.
Former federal health minister Jane Philpott dishes on the pandemic, the fix for long term care, and her new assignment trying to organize all the Covid related data in Ontario. AND The financial and emotional toll of Covid-cancelled weddings. We talk to a lawyer who is also a groom trying to reschedule his big day.
While most of us have been sheltering at home, Israeli Mishel Zrian has been travelling on airplanes non-stop for more than 80 days, delivering lifesaving bone marrow to patients around the world. In order to avoid quarantines for travellers, he sleeps on planes or airport hotel rooms. Libby Znaimer caught up with the volunteer courier after he made a delivery in the Netherlands.
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Will there be a treatment for COVID-19 before a vaccine to prevent it? That's a big question for the medical community, as scientists pursue both avenues. Dr. Josef Penninger, head of the University of British Columbia's Life Sciences institute and an ideaCity alum, is developing a medicine to treat the disease, with a drug first made here in Canada. Libby reached him in Europe, where clinical trials are underway.
Tens of thousands of Canadians are out of pocket after their flights were cancelled because of COVID-19. But, passenger rights advocate, Gabor Lukacs, says it is actually illegal. Air Canada, and WestJet are giving vouchers rather than refunds to passengers who bought non-refundable tickets. Libby Znaimer reached Dr. Lukacs in Halifax.
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The violations cited in this week's explosive military report on the conditions in our Long-term care homes are horrific, but not a surprise to anyone who has followed the system over the long term. How did we get here and how do we reform it? Libby talked to Dr. Tamara Daly, Professor and Director, York University Centre for Aging Research and Education.
It's an understatement to say investors have had a rough ride for the last few months. Markets have regained about half the huge losses at the beginning of the pandemic. But there is no shortage of predictions of doom and gloom for the foreseeable future. It's a special worry for Zoomers, at or near retirement. Libby Znaimer consulted market guru and Zoomer magazine contributor Gordon Pape on how to make your portfolio pandemic-proof.
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After months of social isolation and growing fears of contracting the virus or losing loved ones, COVID-19 is taking a psychological toll on all of us. A recent Angus Reid poll found half of Canadians say their mental health has deteriorated. Libby reached psychologist and IdeaCity alum Susan Pinker in Montreal. She is the author of "The Village Effect" which details how face-to-face contact makes us happier and healthier. They talked about how to cope.
This week we marked International Nurses Day, which is celebrated annually on Florence Nightingale's birthday. It's the 200th anniversary of the birth of the founder of modern nursing, and COVID-19 is making her legacy more relevant than ever. Professor Emerita Lynn Macdonald has written extensively about Florence Nightingale and is co-founder of The Nightingale Society.
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Imagine the anxiety of going through cancer during the pandemic. It has delayed or changed treatment plans for some patients and also prevented them from bringing along loved ones for support. But it has also brought some welcome innovations. Libby reached Dr. Sandy Sehdev, a medical oncologist at the Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre.
This week we learned the devastating news that Canada has the highest proportion of COVID 19 deaths in long term care in the western world. And the National institute on Aging says official numbers do not reveal the full picture because they exclude retirement homes. According to their figures, a staggering 82% of this country's COVID-19 deaths occur in these care settings which house only 1% of the population. Libby Znaimer talked with Dr. Samir Sinha, one of Canada's leading geriatricians.
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The province has released a framework for resuming elective surgeries, but so far there is no timeline and it will be up to individual hospitals. Libby talked with Lyndsey Forsythe Brochu, a young woman waiting for a double lung transplant.
A report from Ontario's Financial Accountability office estimates 35 people have already died after their surgery was delayed because of COVID-19. More than 52,000 operations have been postponed since the lockdown, with another 12,000 put on hold each week. Libby Znaimer talked to Dr. Shaf Keshavjee, Surgeon-in-Chief at the University Health Network's Sprott department of Surgery.
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It seems that every day the government announces new help for people whose livelihoods are threatened during the pandemic. Many Zoomers feel their needs are being ignored and CARP is working hard with governments to advocate on their behalf. Libby talked to Chief Policy Officer Marissa Lennox.
We've all viewed chaotic and horrific scenes from hospitals overwhelmed with COVID-19 in places like New York, Italy and Spain. But what is it like here? Tom Jocic spent two days in an Oshawa coronavirus ward while waiting for his test results. Libby Znaimer spoke with him a few days after he was discharged to his home.
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It's that of year when we take on spring cleaning. Now that we are all spending so much more time at home there's no excuse for avoiding the task, and the experts say it will actually make us feel better in self-isolation. Libby got some tips from the star of "The Big Downsize" professional organizer Jane Veldhoven, who helps retirees and moving couples downsize their homes and live with less.
HeÂs calling it ChinaÂs Chernobyl moment. Former Justice Minister and leading Human Rights champion Irwin Cotler is blaming the Chinese government for covering up the pandemic during its early stages,while punishing whistleblowers. Along with a hundred international politicians he says Chinese leaders must be held to account for withholding the information for the first 40 days. Libby Znaimer reached him in Montreal.
While the Ford government has been working with public health experts in order to protect seniors during the pandemic, Ontario Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath wants the province to do more for residents of long-term care homes and those working in the facilities.
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The pandemic has forced many in the world to stop... which has given us more time to think, and worry, even feel frightened. To help keep our feelings in check during the pandemic, you may want to check out 'Mind Control: Managing Your Mental Health During COVID-19'. U of T Psychology Professor Dr. Steve Joordens spoke with Libby Znaimer about the free online course.
Is Ottawa doing enough to help Zoomers? In addition to measures targeting low-income and frail elders, the government lowered the amount of mandatory RRIF withdrawals by 25% for this year. CARP says they should be suspended altogether in light of the plunging markets. ThatÂs where Libby Znaimer began in a wide-ranging conversation with minister for Seniors Deb Schulte.
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Canadians, especially those over 65, need eyecare. Routine checkups are cancelled because of the pandemic. But the Ontario Association of Optometrists has come up with protocols to provide urgent care during this extraordinary time. Libby talked with Dr. Joshua Smith.
The economic devastation of COVID 19 is affecting us all. But the hardest hit are those least able to afford it. Low wage workers and women. Two in five making $14 an hour or less and one in three earning 14-16/hour are at risk of immediate job loss or have been laid off already. Libby Znaimer reached David MacDonald of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives AND Despite all this we salute a huge outpouring of generosity from our audience. Daily Bread Food Bank CEO Neil Hetherington was gobsmacked by the response from our audience.
Life has changed as we confront Covid-19. And while the hope is that many aspects return to pre-pandemic norms, the prediction is that this event will mark a turning point in transforming our lifestyles. Libby Znaimer talked with futurist Richard Worzel.
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What will Canadians need and want in the years to come? Where and how will we live? Pollster Darrell Bricker looked at those questions through the lens of demographics. And the Zoomer generation is at the centre of the answers.
New numbers from the Ministry of Health show that patients waiting to be admitted to hospital in January spent an average of 18.3 hours in the emergency room until a bed became available on a ward. That matches the previous monthly record set a year ago and it suggests there has been no progress in ending hallway healthcare. Libby Znaimer reached NDP Health Critic France Gelinas at her constituency office in Sudbury.
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With most of us spending more time at home than usual, healthy eating is more important than ever. For the tens of thousands of Canadians suffering from diabetes it is crucial to manage weight and stave off heart disease. This is a passion for celebrity chef Mark McEwan. He dropped by our studios with some delicious food and advice on how to make it easy!