The Loop: Recent Episodes
CBC Radio
The Loop is your guide to the ins and outs of Edmonton. Each week, we take you behind the stories from the CBC Edmonton newsroom, to dig deeper and bring you closer to your city and community.
An Edmonton theatre is letting you set your own price for tickets. Workshop West Playwrights' Theatre is testing a "pay what you will" idea in the hopes of filling theatre seats. This week, host Clare Bonnyman sits down with Workshop West general manager Jake Tkaczyk, to find out how it all works.
Alberta has introduced three new bills that relate to the health care, educational and recreational rights of transgender Albertans. But what is actually in these bills, and how are groups across the spectrum responding? We break it down with CBC reporter Madeleine Cummings.
The fall sitting of the Alberta legislature began this week with the government's introduction of proposed amendments to the Alberta Bill of Rights. We break down what we can expect as Bill 24 goes to debate.
When there are concerns about Alberta teachers, people need somewhere to complain. Alberta's UCP government decided teachers should no longer police themselves and introduced the Alberta Teaching Profession Commission in 2023. CBC reporter Janet French tells host Clare Bonnyman how those changes are going, and why this new system isn't getting straight A's.
Edmonton is facing a very Canadian crisis. We have a serious shortage of ice time in the city at the start of hockey season. CBC producer Emily Williams joins host Clare Bonnyman to break down the issue, and why it matters so much to families. Plus we visit a possible solution, a private rink south of the city that’s offering a premium skate experience.
In hard times, Edmontonians step up, and recently in the city there have been lots of stories of locals helping out kids and youth so they can access sport. Host Clare Bonnyman shares two stories of people making activity accessible for children and teens in the city.
What does reconciliation in action look like? And how can we use the way we eat, to fuel it? This week, This is Edmonton explores the soft ways we can take “reconcili-action” with host Clare Bonnyman. She talks to the owners of a new restaurant putting Indigenous representation in the spotlight and receiving recognition from across the country.
Community leagues are a quintessential part of Edmonton. The groups form across the city, advocating for and running events to serve their neighbourhoods. But why did the community league model start? And why has it been such a success here in Edmonton? This week, host Clare Bonnyman aims to answer a listener's question, and sits down with the executive director of the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues.
The back-to-school season is almost over. But for Jasper students, their studies are just beginning. After wildfire ripped through the community this summer, destroying a third of all buildings in the townsite, there was a big focus on getting the two school buildings back up and running. Provincial affairs reporter Janet French sits down with host Clare Bonnyman to talk about the return to class and some of the big issues facing Alberta and Edmonton students this school year.
The Canadian Country Music Awards are back in Edmonton for the first time in 10 years. While the city isn’t always considered the most countryfied city on the Prairies, our love for country music runs deep. CBC’s Tristan Mottershead joins host Clare Bonnyman to break down the CCMAs and the national country music scene.
Podcasts about religion are gaining popularity in Edmonton – faith-based shows that broadcast sermons and dig into subjects that matter to the communities they serve. One of these is Upfront with the Archbishop, a biweekly podcast from the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton. This is Edmonton host Clare Bonnyman sat down with producer Matthew Bodnarek and producer/host Jenny Connelly about creating the show and tackling big conversations.
This summer we’re speaking to other local podcasters about the stories they tell and how they do it. This week Mack Male and Troy Pavlek of Taproot’s Speaking Municipally join us to talk about covering city hall, adding just the right amount of spice — and why they care so deeply about our city.
This summer we’re speaking to other local podcasters about the stories they tell and how they do it. This week we speak to Nadine Bailey of Haunted Canada. The Edmonton-based show takes a countrywide view on ghost stories, haunting and mysteries. Nadine shares how her background running Edmonton Ghost Tours pushed her into podcasting.
This summer we’re speaking to other local podcasters about the stories they tell and how they do it. This week we speak to Craig Baird of Canadian History Ehx, a show with more than 550 episodes exploring Canada’s history. Craig talks about the amount of research that goes into these stories and where his passion for Canadiana got sparked.
Connecting people with basic needs. That’s the goal of the Edmonton police HELP team.
The Human-centred Engagement and Liaison Partnership Unit has been around since 2021, pairing police officers and social support workers. CBC’s Pippa Reed went for a ride along with the HELP team and joined host Clare Bonnyman to talk about the role these crews play in our community.
Love or hate sports, nothing has brought a community together quite like the Edmonton Oilers and their 2024 Stanley Cup run. Covering the Cup is itself a journey. This week, host Clare Bonnyman speaks to CBC reporter Sam Samson and producer Kory Siegers about the excitement and challenges that come with traveling between Edmonton and Florida to cover the final. They share what it’s been like to witness the playoffs and see the country rally behind our team.
Indigenous dancers from across the Prairies spend the summer visiting communities for powwows. In Edmonton there are weekly practices to make sure dancers are in tip-top shape. This week, host Clare Bonnyman visits an inner-city powwow practice and speaks with dancer Danni Okemaw about her own dancing journey.
Play La Bamba baby. The Oilers are in the Stanley Cup final for the first time in 18 years and could be the first Canadian team in three decades to hoist the cup. But what are the storylines from this season, and how are fans feeling in the city? Host Clare Bonnyman talks to two Oilers faithful as they prepare for the final round of the playoffs this weekend.
Blatchford was to be the first of its kind — a new, sustainability-focused community in the heart of Edmonton. It’s been 10 years and counting and some say the development is moving way too slowly. But people are choosing to call Blatchford home. This week, host Clare Bonnyman sits down with one resident to talk about living the Blatchford dream.
Did you know that Canada is one of the world’s leading producers of mustard? This week we share an episode of Good Question Saskatchewan, where host Leisha Grebinski explores how the Prairies became a top creator for the condiment and why we don’t process as much on our own.
Step aside Prince Edward Island; Alberta wears the Canadian potato crown. This week, host Clare Bonnyman sits down with CBC Edmonton reporter Liam Harrap to hear about a massive potato processing plant just south of the city that’s one of the contributors to Alberta’s potato prowess.
Edmonton is having a DVD resurgence — sort of. A little free library functioning as a neighbourhood Blockbuster is on a lawn on the north side. And if internet popularity is a sign of anything, it’s going to be popular. Host Clare Bonnyman digs into the analog media available in the city, and how locals are using old-school formats today.
Spring is in the air, and one researcher has a whole new strategy for dating apps: dogs. Host Clare Bonnyman speaks to Maron Demecillo about his research at MacEwan University into “dogfishing”, or the practice of using a cute dog in a dating profile to try and lure a potential partner.
Perogies, green onion cakes and Alberta beef all make the list for top Edmonton foods — but with a food scene that is more and more diverse, what is the most Edmonton dish you can eat? Host Clare Bonnyman sits down with food writers Phil Wilson and Sharon Yeo to talk about the ins and outs of Edmonton’s food culture.
The city is looking at making downtown more fun. New reports are looking at how to improve our night time economy, and plans are in place to create a formal ‘Entertainment District’ on Rice Howard Way. Host Clare Bonnyman goes to check out the proposed district, and hear from the city and business owners about the difference this new space could make.
Edmonton’s relationship with electronic dance music hasn’t always been a good one. Host Clare Bonnyman with DJ David Stone dive into Edmonton’s EDM history, and what the community looks like today.
In neighbourhoods all over Edmonton you can see the growth of the craft beer industry.
So what is our craft beer identity? Host Clare Bonnyman grabs a pint with beer educator Jason Foster and brewer Chelsea Tessier to learn about how these (mostly) small businesses are navigating a challenging landscape.
This week we’re taking spring break, and sharing an episode about coyotes from our colleagues at This Is Calgary. Coyotes are a problem we know well in Edmonton, and as we enter pup-raising season it’s a good reminder to take care around our scruffy neighbours. Calgary podcast host Anis Heydari speaks to an Alberta coyote expert about how we can coexist more peacefully.
Edmonton has a long history of creating high-quality art, music, television and literature for kids. But what does it actually take to make content that resonates with fans of all ages? And what makes Edmontonians so good at it? Host Clare Bonnyman sits down with two experts in the matter — Juno-nominated musician Beppie and playwright and author Marty Chan — to talk about the magic of entertaining children and the power of nostalgia.
Edmonton has had a weird winter and spring hasn’t even started yet. Already the province is preparing for drought, wildfire season and whatever the weather might throw at us. CBC’s climate reporter Stephanie Cram joins host Clare Bonnyman to look at the forecast, and then Clare heads to Gold Bar Park to meet with a University of Alberta researcher who can help us manage our feelings around climate change.
The mornings are getting brighter. So why are you still waking up on the wrong side of the bed? Host Clare Bonnyman talks with two people — an Edmonton sleep doctor and baker who's a certified morning person — about tossing and turning as Alberta springs forward to daylight time this Sunday.
Edmonton’s condo market is well … different. As real estate markets heat up across the country our apartment-style condos remain some of the most affordable in Canada. Host Clare Bonnyman meets with a local real estate agent in one of these condos to find out what they’re seeing. Plus, CBC business reporter Madeline Smith looks at why we’re seeing this unusual market and whether things will stay this cheap.
There are a thousand different ways to work out, but the biggest trend in fitness right now is less about exercise and more about movement. Host Clare Bonnyman explores how scientists and researchers are looking at movement’s ability to support patients through things like cancer. Plus, Bonnyman visits Edmonton’s Antidote Movement Club, to see what it feels like to just ... move.
In honour of Valentine’s day host Clare Bonnyman and guest host Tahirih Foroozan dig into an overlooked, and underappreciated relationship status: being single. Where do our stereotypes around being single come from? And what kind of pressures face the more than 30 percent of Edmontonians who happen to be single right now?
New proposed policies from the Alberta Government would mean sweeping changes to medical care for trans youth, and inclusion policies in schools. Part of the argument, is the rights of parents to know and have a say in their child’s education and healthcare. But what are parental rights? And is it that simple? Host Clare Bonnyman digs into perspectives from across the province.
Over Christmas, Edmonton’s encampment clearings made national headlines. CBC News reporters Paige Parsons and Wallis Snowdon sit down with This Is Edmonton host Clare Bonnyman to discuss what happened then, where we are now and how the city’s approach to people living on the streets has shifted.
Edmonton is home to a lot of public art, installations and murals that range from contentious to celebrated. What does it take to keep our public art shiny and attractive? And how did a private mural downtown become one of the most infamous walls in the city? In the first episode of This Is Edmonton, host Clare Bonnyman tries to answer the question: “What is the most Edmonton thing you can do?”
Living in Edmonton is a weird, wonderful and sometimes frustrating experience. This Is Edmonton explores the essential, random, and occasionally shocking things that are uniquely Edmonton. There’s no story too big or small - host Clare Bonnyman gets into it all.
The Loop podcast signs off. Host Clare Bonnyman looks at the past three-and-a-half years of conversations, connections and community on the show.
If you love holiday music, the most wonderful time of the year has begun. This week on The Loop, host Clare Bonnyman finds out why downtown celebrations have a different feel every year — and why Christmas music is so divisive.
This week it felt like the whole city was jumping on the hype train — literally. The Valley Line Southeast LRT has been serving Edmonton commuters all week, and we talk about opening celebrations, accessibility and what it means for the city at large.
This week, the city confronted two problems at once: drug poisoning and the housing crisis. These two different issues are converging on some of Edmonton’s most vulnerable communities, with devastating effects. Reporter Paige Parsons talks about remembering lives that were lost — and how the community hopes to move forward.
Alberta has a long history of witchcraft and Pagan communities—but what do those look like today? We dig into the supernatural and the stars with Milo Offerein, an Edmonton witch and owner of Inner Nature Astrology.
There are a lot of foods to try if you’re an adventurous eater—but horse meat is rarely mentioned. Yet Canada, even here in Alberta, is home to a thriving industry with thousands of horses slaughtered every year for eating. . CBC Reporter Walis Snowdon talks with Clare Bonnyman about the debate in Canada’s horse meat industry, and the issue of live exports.
Edmonton’s zoning bylaw renewal is up at council next week. So who’s on either side? CBC producer Emily Senger walks us through residents' concerns from across the city, and the Infill Development in Edmonton Association digs deeper into the potential.
With the third highest office downtown vacancy rate in Canada, Edmonton seems ready for a makeover. But what does it take to convert our old office towers into apartments? And can they be the answer to affordable housing? CBC reporter Min Dhariwal walks us through a possible incentive program.
This week, what the price of a house costs up and down the QEII. Reporter Madeline Smith breaks down why affordability looks different across Alberta, and the influences affecting our housing market.
This week, hundreds gathered in the city, to protest sex education and LGBTQ rights — and many counter protested, to show their support for LGBTQ youth. In this episode we look at the actual program people are divided over and explore how we talk about inclusive education. Alexandra Marshall, education co-ordinator at the fYrefly Institute for Gender and Sexual Diversity in the Faculty of Education at the U of A, helps us move the conversation forward.
There’s a new trend in Alberta education. Collegiate schools have been opening up across the province, but what does this new model mean? And what does it promise to students and families? CBC Edmonton reporter Madeleine Cummings breaks it down.
This wildfire season has seen Edmonton become a hub for evacuees from the Northwest Territories. For three weeks, residents from Yellowknife landed in Alberta while they waited for their homes to re-open. This week on The Loop we talk about the challenges those evacuees face and how Edmonton rose to the challenge.
This summer has been a record wildfire season in Alberta and beyond. This week an extended conversation from the latest episode of CBC’s World On Fire podcast, digging into the experiences of reporters covering an unprecedented wildfire season.
This week CBC reporter Liam Harrap joins Clare Bonnyman to talk about some non-traditional sports (think wife carrying) and some locals making waves internationally.
Edmonton is investing in bike lanes and the cargo bike community couldn’t be happier. On this week’s episode of The Loop, Min Dhariwal meets some enthusiastic cargo-bikers to learn more about how they get around. Plus commuters are holding on hope for the Valley Line LRT despite new delays. So what’s the latest hold up?
For Indigenous History Month The Loop talks to Kisha Supernant at her Indigenous Archaeological Field School in St. Albert. A Professor at the University of Alberta, Supernant is a Metis archaeologist, working to connect Indigenous stories and history to the community today.
Alberta heads to the polls May 29 and CBC’s Emily Senger has been following the election across the province. She joins host Clare Bonnyman to talk about the highs, lows and hot takes from the campaign trail.
A special show from CBC Edmonton digs into the “Music We Love to Hate” — and the power of guilty pleasures. Clare Bonnyman and Adrienne Lamb take us behind the scenes of the radio documentary that asks why music that’s bad, can make us feel so good.
The wildfire season opened this year with a vengeance. At times, more than 100 wildfires have been burning across our province, with tens of thousands of Albertans under evacuation order. CBC’s Nancy Carlson and Christy Climenhaga join us on The Loop to talk about what’s happened — and what’s coming.
Edmonton is changing and the process of city building can get a little messy. This week on The Loop podcast we explore changes at Bonnie Doon Mall — where a private space is changing the way it serves its community. Plus, Edmonton urban planner Jason Syvixay joins us to dig into city planning and how to create spaces that meet the needs of a diverse and changing Edmonton.
Alberta is facing a crisis in rural health care. CBC producer and reporter Ariel Fournier has been chasing stories from outside the urban centres, and takes us to communities in northern Alberta trying to address a shortage of services, nurses and doctors.
You’ve probably seen the billboards or heard the ads, but what do the Junos mean to Edmonton? Canada’s biggest music awards are a big deal, but what does this mean for our city and music community? Aimee Hill, co-chair of the 2023 Junos host committee joins Clare Bonnyman and Min Dhariwal to talk about the awards, music recovery and making Edmonton’s music community shine.
This week host Clare Bonnyman focuses on film photography. The analog approach to taking photos is making a comeback and reporter Liam Harrap takes us to a group in Edmonton creating a home for film photos … literally. Plus, CBC business reporter Kyle Bakx takes us through the effect the renewed love of film photography is having on the local business scene.
It feels like more people are receiving and sharing diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. But what’s changed about one of the most common neurological conditions out there? This week CBC reporter Emily Fitzpatrick shares her personal story about diagnosis as an adult, and Edmonton-based counsellor Justin Lessard talks about the changing awareness and understanding of ADHD.
This week The Loop explores all things West Edmonton Mall. Matthew Dutzak of the website 'Best Edmonton Mall' joins us to talk about the history of the shopping centre. Plus, Clare Bonnyman takes a walk through an art show in town that asks, why is WEM still relevant?
Edmonton has hit the small screen with HBO’s new show The Last of Us. On this week’s episode, we’ll hear the effect this might have on the Alberta film industry. Plus, we step inside Alberta’s only foley stage with Little Hook Sound and test our sound effects.
The holiday season is synonymous with alcohol. Rum-spiked eggnog, wine at the holiday party, it seems like there is a cup of Christmas cheer at every corner. But with more Edmontonians experimenting with sobriety, what are the alternatives? This week, Min Dhariwal learns about the booming business of alcohol-free adult beverages, and Clare Bonnyman speaks with the creator of Mock-Ups Mocktails.
This week CBC Edmonton launches its annual campaign to support the Edmonton Food Bank and spread some kindness across the city. We meet with producers Emily Senger, Adrienne Lamb and Liam Harrap who share stories of kindness, and talk about the vital role food banks play in our community.
It's the spending season, but as the cost of living increases, more people are feeling the pinch. This week The Loop talks to a teacher in Edmonton focusing on financial literacy for the next generation. Plus, Credit Canada CEO Bruce Sellery joins us to talk about financial readiness -- and how to holiday on a budget.
Six months after two violent homicides in the business district still recovering from the effects of pandemic restrictions, the community is fighting for a comeback. CBC reporter Wallis Snowdon walks us through recent developments, and Clare goes for a walk with Chinatown resident and advocate William Lau.
Pediatric hospitals are facing serious pressure across Canada. In Edmonton, The Stollery’s inpatient beds are at capacity, and Doctors say the ER is backed up. ER Doctor Shazma Mithani shares what she’s seeing. Plus provincial affairs reporter Janet French talks about the concerns and politics around what we do next.
This week: what’s up with Twitter? University of Alberta professor Timothy Caulfield and Sarah Dharshi, content strategist for Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, join host Clare Bonnyman to dig into what the platform means. Plus, technology columnist Dana DiTomaso joins the show to talk about Elon Musk's purchase of Twitter — and the platform's potential future.
The Loop is back! This week we’re taking a walk around downtown Edmonton with Doug Cook, Business and Community Engagement Liaison with Boyle Street Community Services. More than 2,500 Edmontonians are experiencing homelessness, and some of them share their stories with host Min Dhariwal.
A brief note from The Loop team about the podcast. Plus one of the latest episodes of Slumtown, a CBC Edmonton original podcast.
It’s a complicated time to be Catholic in Canada. This week Loop host Clare Bonnyman talks with local young faithful ahead of the Pope’s visit to Alberta.
Support is available for anyone affected by their experience at Indian or federal day schools, and those who are triggered by these reports. Individuals can access immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention services at the Hope for Wellness helpline by calling 1-855-242-3310 or online at www.hopeforwellness.ca.
Wild boars are a problem in Alberta - and the invasive species is gaining traction around Edmonton. Megan Evans, from the Alberta Invasive Species Council, talks with host Clare Bonnyman about the origins of wild boar. Then CBC’s Wallis Snowdon explains how Edmonton is stepping up its response.
As a bonus episode for Pride Month, host Min Dhariwal explores a local shop that creates community and offers life changing products for Edmonton's 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
June marks Pride month- but what does it mean to be a member of Edmonton’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community? Hosts Min Dhariwal and Clare Bonnyman chat with three young Edmontonians about their experiences as QTBIPOC artists and activists.
This week CBC producer Ariel Fournier shares how a school in Northern Alberta is returning to the land- hunting, eating and preparing food in traditional ways. We’ll also hear from a local Metis artist creating public art around the city about the meaning these spaces hold for her.
This week co-host Min Dhariwal takes us through the ups and downs of the Edmonton Oilers 2022 Playoff run, and asks where do we go from here? The answer: on the road. Angela Amato joins us to walk through a CBC map chronicling Indigenous history on Treaty 6, and CBC’s Adrienne Lamb explores hidden gems, through a new map showcasing Edmonton parks.
Edmonton’s Chinatown was front and centre of the news cycle this week. After violence in the area, the community came to city hall to call for more support. CBC reporter Wallis Snowdon breaks down what happened in the council chambers on Tuesday. Plus, host Min Dhariwal explores a Chinatown business that's been there for more than 25 years.
This week on the Loop, a distraction show. Host Clare Bonnyman talks with CBC meteorologist Christy Climenhaga about her experience up close and personal with our melting glaciers. Plus Reporter Emily Fitzpatrick introduces us to the Esso Bee’s, a St. Albert Slo-Pitch team with a lot of experience, but not a lot of wins.
There’s a lot in the air this spring. Pollen, dust… love? CBC reporter Gabriela Panza-Beltrandi joins Clare Bonnyman to talk about the return of dating post pandemic. Plus, host Min Dhariwal uncovers the heart of Edmonton’s muscle car community. We hear from a local drag racer with an amazing story and learn about Yesterday’s Auto Gallery.
Making transit safe and effective for all is a complicated task. This week on The Loop hosts Clare Bonnyman and Min Dhariwal dig into what’s happening on Edmonton’s transit system. Reporter Janice Johnston shares the story of two women who were attacked in recent weeks and Cheryl Whiskeyjack of Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society tells us about a new initiative they’re running, and how we can make transit work for the entire city.
On April 8, Karanveer Sahota was assaulted at a bus stop. The 16-year-old McNally High School student later died and now the community is trying to move forward. This week on The Loop, CBC reporter Julia Wong joins us with the latest on this story. And Edmonton teacher Andrew Parker shares his advice on handling tough conversations about conflict in school communities.
How do you store memories? This week on The Loop, hosts Clare Bonnyman and Min Dhariwal dig into how and what we remember. First, a teenager documenting the war in Ukraine with his phone as his family travelled from Ukraine to Poland to Edmonton. Plus, keeping a community alive through sport: how Warren Currie created memories in Mill Woods that skateboarders across the city hold onto.
This week The Loop looks for a little bit of good by diving into the nostalgia of handwritten letters with a local stationery shop. Plus, we look into what it takes to feel good about returning to work with an Edmonton psychologist.
This week Tahirih Foroozan joins host Clare Bonnyman. Edmonton-based CBC reporter Kyle Muzyka shares his experience covering the papal apology and he tells us how his Métis roots kept him grounded in Rome. And an Edmonton-idea has hit the big (small) screen. Frick, I Love Nature creators Stephen Robinson and Gordie Lucius share their new season on CBC Gem.
This week on The Loop, hosts Clare Bonnyman and Min Dhariwal look at the shifts in Edmonton’s population. A Canada West Foundation study shows that young people are leaving Alberta, but what does that actually mean? A young Edmontonian tells us what his community is feeling. Plus, the world’s refugee crisis has only gotten worse in recent months. We hear from a Sherwood Park teacher who went to Afghanistan to try and get his friends out.
From bad actors to banned books, this week hosts Clare Bonnyman and Min Dhariwal explore the conversations that stay hidden. We dig into a story of human trafficking that hits close to home. Plus, the research behind banned books and why "limited literature" can start important conversations.
This show discusses sex trafficking. Canada has a national human trafficking hotline. If you or someone you know may be a victim, call 1-833-900-1010.
This week we’ll hear from an Edmonton man who spent months training soldiers in Ukraine and now is watching a community he knows so well under fire. Plus, host Clare Bonnyman and co-host Min Dhariwal meet Anisha Joshi, an Edmontonian who’s a member of the CBC Street Cents reboot. She shares what it’s like to talk about money and life for the next generation on Tik Tok.
This week on The Loop hosts Clare Bonnyman and Min Dhariwal dive into awards season, and the growing awareness of deaf actors and culture on the big screen. We chat with an actor and deaf consultant in the city to share their experiences. Plus, CBC Edmonton is giving out its own awards to the city’s Best ‘Burb. We hear from Edmontonians about what makes their community stand out.
Read the full transcript here: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/transcript-the-loop-episode-mar-4-2022-1.6372470
The Alberta government is predicting a balanced budget thanks to surging oil and gas prices. This week on The Loop, Rod Kurtz takes a look at how the province plans to spend your money. He's joined by political columnist Graham Thomson and Taleesha Thorogood, senior business advisor at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin and a former Conservative staffer.
This week host Clare Bonnyman and co-host Tahirih Foroozan dig into relationships found and lost in the COVID-19 pandemic. They also investigate why the city of Edmonton’s wordle Valentine's message to Calgary seemingly fell flat. And one relationship that never lets us down is Min Dhariwal who checks in from Beijing where he’s discovered robot bartenders
This week on The Loop host Clare Bonnyman is joined by CBC’s Tahirih Foroozan. Together they dig deep into the latest easing of restrictions here in Alberta, and hear reaction from local businesses. Plus an ER doctor and former politician weighs in on the “path back to normal”.
This week CBC's Elise Stolte starts a series focusing on Alberta caregivers. She joins Clare Bonnyman to talk about this community, and a government plan that could see more Albertans aging in place. Plus Min Dhariwal introduces us to the Edmonton Elks new President, and his Hollywood-style story from fan to boss.
This week Clare Bonnyman and Min Dhariwal look at why politicians have turned grocery stores and supply chains into a political tool. Strategist Najib Jutt joins us to talk about what they gain or lose by making voters think shelves are bare. Plus, we hear the voices of Muslim women in Edmonton, featured in the latest edition of Black on the Prairies.
This week, we take a closer look at the search for COVID-19 rapid antigen tests. Min Dhariwal speaks with businesses and community members on the hunt for testing kits. Plus we remember our CBC Edmonton colleague, Adrienne Pan.
This week CBC meteorologist and reporter Christy Climenhaga joins Min Dhariwal and Clare Bonnyman to talk about weather, windchill and wet versus dry cold. And, as the province continues to grapple with the Omicron COVID-19 variant, we talk about pediatric vaccination rates with Dr. Jia Hu, a public health doctor with the group, 19 to Zero.
A year in review. CBC Edmonton’s Tahirih Foroozan takes us on a trip through 2021, pulling apart the biggest of the year and where we go from here.
This week The Loop dives right into the heart of the holiday season with CBC Edmonton’s Make the Season Kind campaign. We’ll hear from Edmontonians making our city better and tell you how your stories of kindness could win you prizes. Plus resident baking expert Liam Harrap braves Min Dhariwal and Clare Bonnyman's cookie experiment and declares a winner of our Holiday Bake Off.
It’s been 21 months of pandemic, and the burnout is affecting all of us. We talk to Dr. Shazma Mithani about the health of our healthcare workers, one year after vaccines. Plus Min and Clare sit down with a ‘baking counsellor’ to learn about a different way to take care of our mental health, and CBC Edmonton’s resident baking champ Liam Harrap throws down the holiday goodie gauntlet.
It’s the holidays, a time of year when everyone is thinking of giving … and getting. This week, CBC’s Natasha Riebe tells us what one Edmonton neighbourhood is putting on it’s wishlist for the future. We hear from Alberta Avenue about what they're asking for from the city. Plus social media strategist Brittney Le Blanc joins us to dig into how social media has changed the ways we give back, and how not to get caught in slacktivism. Finally, we get ready to ‘Make The Season Kind’ with The Loop’s Krystina Silva and talk about CBC Edmonton's annual fundraiser.
The last few weeks have been a reckoning for the NHL, blowing open the conversation of sexual violence in hockey culture. Since Kyle Beach came forward, hockey fans and even players are calling for change. Min Dhariwal and former player Georges Laraque talk about what he's seen since his career on the ice. Then Clare Bonnyman finds out more about masculinity, sexual violence and where we go from here.
If you or someone you know has been impacted by sexual violence, you can call Alberta’s One Line for support. Call or text 1-866-403-8000.
This week the show dives into artefacts- what do we do with problematic pieces of history? Host Clare Bonnyman digs into it with Alex Archibold of Curiosity Inc. And host Min Dhariwal visits Catholic Social Services to meet Afghan refugees finding comfort and safety in our city.
This week, in honour of Halloween we take a look at some of the mysterious news happening around the city. Min Dhariwal walks us through how one family dives head first into the spirit of the season, and we learn about a ‘massive’ heist in the Haddow neighbourhood. Plus CBC reporter Ken Dawson walks us through a missing piece of Edmonton’s Chinatown.
Edmonton voted in a new mayor and council Monday night and in a special early edition of the podcast, we break down the results with three panelists from our The Young Vote series with Edmonton’s NextGen.
How important is it to live in a city where your leaders look and think like you? Just a few days from the Edmonton municipal election, we’re talking diversity, representation and social media in our series ‘The Young Vote’. Hosts Clare Bonnyman and Min Dhariwal dive into it with a panel from Edmonton’s NextGen.
This week The Young Vote series dives into urban planning and climate change. This election is full of platform promises for greener policies and new development, but what are young Edmontonians looking for from the next municipal government? Hosts Clare Bonnyman and Min Dhariwal dive into it with a panel from Edmonton’s NextGen.
We reflect on the country’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and hear from local elders and Indigenous leaders about what this day means to them. Plus we continue our series ‘The Young Vote’ in partnership with Edmonton’s NextGen. This week we dig into business and taxes with our panel of young Edmontoninans.
Support is available for anyone affected by their experience at residential schools. A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for survivors and those affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line at: 1-866-925-4419.
This episode we launch a new mini-series ahead of Edmonton’s municipal election on October 18. Welcome to ‘The Young Vote’. Every week we’re talking to young Edmontonians about the issues that matter to them, and try to learn how a young city is looking to the future. The Young Vote series is a partnership with Edmonton's NextGen.
This week Alberta declared a state of emergency and brought in new COVID-19 restrictions. CBC’s Hannah Kost breaks down the rules and the province’s new ‘restriction exemption program’. On the national side of things, The Loop’s Min Dhariwal digs into the federal election before Canadians hit the polls Monday. Plus we remember Edmontonian Julie Rohr.
Read Julie's essay for CBC Edmonton here: shorturl.at/bisQ3
A federal election has the country focused on debates and lawn signs, but in Alberta the story is still COVID-19. The province is leading the country on daily new cases and active cases and the latest measure is a $100 debit card per dose for the unvaccinated. CBC Reporter Stephanie Dubois digs into the province’s vaccine lottery, and why experts say the new cash incentive isn’t enough. Plus CBC Edmonton's Liam Harrap takes us to a gathering in Edmonton where Indigenous people from across the province are sharing stories and experiences of residential schools and the Charles Camsell Indian Hospital.
Alberta is facing a political mystery. Where has Premier Jason Kenney been for weeks? Provincial affairs reporter Michelle Bellefontaine joins host Clare Bonnyman to talk about the very strange summer of the missing government officials. Plus social media strategist Brittney Le Blanc breaks down the ways organizations and politicians use social media, and whether or not “thirst trap politics” is the best approach.
This week on the Loop we’re looking ahead to more familiar times after months of pandemic — welcome back to reality. Parents are already dreading the school lunches they’ll be making everyday, so chef Doreen Prei helps us think outside the tupperware. And as the city talks about policy ahead of the October election, we’ll look at how ready Edmonton is for the climate crisis we declared three years ago.
There are some seriously big question marks around what comes next for Edmontonians right now. This week on The Loop, we talk to developmental biologist Gosia Gasperowicz about her projections for a pandemic fall. Plus, CBC’s Kashmala Fida Mohatarem shares the story of Afghan Edmontonians wondering what they can do now for their families in Afghanistan, following a Taliban takeover.
COVID-19 is spreading fast again, with the R-value doubling in recent weeks -- yet the provincial government continues to loosen pandemic restrictions. Reporter Paige Parsons explains what’s changing and how medical experts are reacting. We’ll find out how Edmonton’s Heritage Festival is trying to prevent the spread of the virus at Hawrelak Park. Plus: an extraordinary student’s indirect path to winning one of MacEwan University’s highest honours.
This week we get a sneak preview of the latest episode of World On Fire, an original podcast from CBC Edmonton. We explore heat domes, extreme temperatures and the tinder dry conditions that are igniting out of control wildfires across North America this year.
Read more online at cbc.ca/1.6108111
It's been branded as the 'Best Summer Ever' but its at least a great time to get outside and enjoy the city. This week, we do just that! Our Edmonton's Adrienne Lamb takes us to the great outdoors with an interactive map showing green spaces in the city. Clare Bonnyman heads out on the North Saskatchewan for the first time and Edmonton AM's Kim Nakrieko tests hosts Clare and Min Dhariwal on their critter knowledge.
As Alberta reopens we’re all excited to return to family, friends and everything else the pandemic kept at a distance. But how do we get past our pandemic anxiety to appreciate it all? And how do we keep that gratitude going past the first few months of post-pandemic bliss? A local mindfulness coach helps us up our awareness game. And Min Dhariwal shares how the digital connections we made while socially distanced are shifting into in-person experiences as we enter another ‘new normal’.
In recent weeks, attacks on Edmonton’s Islamic community have risen. We look at the vandalism on the Baitul Hadi Mosque, and dig into a political apology for a divisive policy. Plus a founder of the Muslim Feminist Collective joins us to talk about conversations to combat hate. It’s also the end of a very pandemic year of high school. Host Min Dhariwal catches up with some graduates as they cross the stage. And in honour of Pride Month, CBC researcher Ishita Verma shares some coming out stories to celebrate Edmonton’s LGBTQ2S+ community.
A recent spike in opioid overdoses has put Edmonton on high alert with community organizations calling for help against rising numbers of accidental overdoses. We look at the government’s newly announced funding and speak to a member of Treaty 6 Community Outreach about what you can do to help. Plus reopening means events will soon actually happen. We hear from an event space in the city, and two pandemic brides making the most of their socially distanced days.
The long overdue conversation around residential schools and historical injustice is finally gaining traction. We head to Maskwacis where the four nations honoured the lives of the 215 children whose remains were found at an unmarked burial site on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. And an Edmonton business owner shares why they're dropping a historically charged name. Plus Edmonton Oilers’ Ethan Bear and his girlfriend Lenasia join us to speak out on racism online and how he's standing up for people of colour off the ice.
This episode contains content that may be distressing for some listeners. A National Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former students and those affected. Emotional and crisis referral services can be accessed by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.
Indigenous leaders and elders in Alberta are calling out the UCP government over the proposed draft curriculum for K-6 students. CBC Reporter Janet French joins us to share how some feel like ‘the token Indian’ in the push to get the curriculum approved. Plus we celebrate ‘crushing it’ and talk through the UCP’s reopening strategy for summer. Also in this episode, CBC’s Julia Lipscombe walks us through the challenges facing first time city council candidates, and we learn about ‘Grandpa Garth’—a feline with a giant family.
A new online map shows Albertans vaccination rates by community.
We’ll hear from reporter Stephanie Dubois about a push from doctors for targeting low-uptake communities with specialized vaccination clinics.
And the week may have forced Edmonton gardeners to pull their plants inside, but it’s never been more important to invest in our community gardens.
Resiliency and emergency preparedness expert Chaka Zinyemba explains how plants could help us through the end of the pandemic.
Plus: it’s playoff season and co-host Min Dhariwal takes a walk down memory lane to prepare for the Oilers’ run at the Cup.
As we face a third pandemic wave at home, a group of Alberta doctors are providing virtual support to India's COVID-19 crisis. This week on the show we learn about virtual telehealth with a 12 hour time difference. And in a year focused on justice, one organization in the province is calling for a national 'awakening' on disabilities. We speak to the President of Disability Pride Alberta about how an Oscar nominated film sparked her own revolution. Plus, we hear from teens eager to step up and get their shot.
Will mass vaccinations and tighter rules be enough to counteract a vocal minority defying COVID-19 restrictions and the rampant spread of disinformation in Alberta? Professor Timothy Caulfield joins us to talk public health messaging and how this conflict might carry on beyond the pandemic. And five years later we reflect on the Fort McMurray wildfire with memories from the newsroom. Plus reporter Min Dhariwal joins The Loop team for the next few weeks, and takes us behind the scenes of a local bike restoration business.
This week on the show we dive into Black on the Prairies, a CBC interactive series that explores the past, present and future of Black Prairie life through migration, work, culture and community. CBC Edmonton reporter Thandiwe Konguavi joins us to talk about her contribution to the project, as well as explore a racist attack in Edmonton that shows how important this work is. We also hear the voices of Black people from the Prairies talking about belonging and what community means. And CBC reporter Tahirih Foroozan shares the story of two young Black men bonding over the shared experience of small town Alberta life.
Generation X stepped up in a big way this week when the demographic became eligible for the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine. The U of A’s Dr. Lynora Saxinger talks with us about the meteoric uptake of the AZ shot and how this could shift Alberta's third wave. Plus we mark Earth Week with a tour of a local shop that's making small changes for big sustainability, we get some tips about ways to reduce our waste, and associate producer Patrick Connolly takes us south of the equator to meet an Oilers' fan in the unlikeliest of places.
Alberta is seeing doubt and defiance against COVID-19 restrictions, with gatherings outside of Grace Life Church Sunday and the Alberta Legislature Monday. CBC’s Wallis Snowdon walks us through the growing resistance to COVID-19 health restrictions and how the ‘toxic stew of information’ may push Alberta towards more enforcement. And Associate Producer Julia Lipscombe takes us closer to some businesses defying health restrictions, to understand how a year of back and forths has left many feeling forgotten. Plus Edmonton AM’s Emily Senger shares some of the social media buzz behind a new bulk buying option in the city.
Alberta is firmly in the third wave of COVID-19, and the two topics on everyone’s minds are vaccines, and variants. This week on The Loop Reporter Trevor Howlett walks us through the P1 variant, the latest to join Alberta’s rising case count. Local writer and photographer Marielle Elizabeth shares her vaccination story and the emotions that come with getting that first dose. Plus Associate Producer Kashmala Fida Mohatarem noticed a trend in traditions for holidays, and tells us about how celebrations are borrowing from other cultures.
This week on the show we’re exploring time with a special cut of the CBC Radio show ‘It’s About Time’. Host Torah Kachur shares some of the behind the scenes of a year long pandemic-project, and how time has shifted so completely for us over the past year. Looking at the psychology, perception and personal connection we have with time, we get a sneak peek at the hour-long radio special.
The pandemic has been felt by all of us- but some groups have been hit much harder. For Canada’s Asian communities it’s been felt in a different way. Acts of hate. Anti-racism organizations are reporting a rise in verbal abuse, online harassment and physical attacks for Asian Canadians since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. CBC Reporter Min Dhariwal spoke to members of Edmonton’s Asian community, to see how this national problem is affecting our city. And Edmonton’s seniors have faced an uphill battle, experiencing intense bouts of loneliness and isolation in the wake of a global pandemic. We check in with one Edmonton senior in assisted living, to learn a few lessons from long term care. Plus CBC Associate Producer Madeleine Cummings takes us behind the scenes of food blogs, and explains why recipe ‘prologues’ are so important for a pay cheque.
It’s been a year of pandemic life and things can feel heavy at times as we cross that threshold. A lot has changed since the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. And many things continue to shift as we move forward. This week, Edmonton’s Rajah Maggay talks about how she’s hoping to make a change by starting a new support group called Political D.I.V.A.S. It aims to create a safe space for BIPOC women in politics. The Loop producer Clare Bonnyman speaks with CBC reporter Robson Fletcher about some of the lives lost in Alberta to COVID-19 and how we’re dealing with grief. Plus, Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe grew up in Edmonton and started her radio career in the city. Now, she’s the voice of CBC Music’s The Block, which gives Black artists the spotlight on the airwaves.
Tests show that over 500 cases of two highly contagious variant strains of the coronavirus have been identified in Alberta. So, while hospitalization numbers are down, the province only eased a few measures this week to enter Step 2 of the restriction changes. At the same time, Albertans 75 and older are now getting their first dose of the vaccine. But it hasn’t been an easy process for everyone. Radio Active host Adrienne Pan looked into what the experience has been like for seniors booking and going to their vaccine appointments. CBC provincial affairs reporter Janet French crunches some of the numbers in the latest budget from the UCP government. Plus, The Loop producer and sound tech Clare Bonnyman listens closely to the sounds of winter, and we discuss whether the province needs an official sport — and if rodeo is the best pick.
A rally held at the Alberta legislature last weekend was to protest COVID public health orders, but images and footage circulated of protestors carrying lit tiki torches through the streets of Edmonton. The torches are a symbol of white supremacy used by the Nazis, Ku Klux Klan, and more recently at a deadly rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017. Then this week, news came out about another attack on a Muslim woman in Edmonton. These messages and actions of hate have no place in our city, province or country. It has led to calls that provincial leaders speak out to denounce these racist acts. Seeon Smith is a long-time advocate for multicultural tolerance and understanding. He joins The Loop to talk about how the recent rally goes deeper than white supremacy. CBC is currently running a pop-up bureau in Red Deer with reporter Heather Marcoux covering stories in the community. She looks at the need for greater overdose prevention support in the central Alberta city. Plus, why four Somali-Canadian sisters started their own publishing company, and Edmonton students share what Blackness means to them.
(Students featured from J.D. Bracco School are: Khalid Mohammed Ali, Maliyah Kok, Mitchell Emmanuel, Dominnik Despres, John Tamakloe, Lamara Frazer, Jermaine Clarke, Zion Valani, Ibrahim Ali, Joaquin Harriott, Destiny Leacock, Redwan Yusuf, and Ange Louke.)
Edmontonians are voicing their anger, heartbreak and frustration over a video posted on social media last weekend. It shows uniformed police officers ordering homeless people out of the Central LRT station in -21 C weather. An Indigenous-led outreach initiative called Bear Clan Patrol was there, providing people with clothing and food. Officers are heard telling them to leave because they’re eating and not wearing masks, saying “this isn’t a restaurant,” without supporting them to find somewhere warm to go. Councillor Aaron Paquette talks about what needs to be done to better support citizens experiencing homelessness in Edmonton. CBC investigative reporter Jennie Russell looks at why Alberta’s whistleblower legislation needs to change. Local hip-hop artist Arlo Maverick discusses his new single that aims to further the conversation around policing in Black communities. Plus, hear how a community initiative has provided thousands of people with free meals.
This year has already been a big one for Edmonton musician D’orjay The Singing Shaman. She’s receiving a lot of attention for her debut album, New Kind of Outlaw. Her songwriting doesn’t shy away from getting vulnerable and exploring her lived experiences. At the same time, there are important discussions taking place about racism in country music after a video surfaced of chart-topper Morgan Wallen using a racial slur. Tara and D’orjay had plenty to talk about that we couldn’t fit into The Loop this week, so this bonus episode provides their full conversation on her debut success, as well as racism and gender issues in the music genre.
As COVID restrictions ease in the province, some are happy to be back at work, returning to restaurants, and scheduling sports practices again. A handful of Albertans also threw caution to the wind — a video surfaced this week of a group flouting dining rules at a local restaurant. On the other side of it, many managers and organizers are wading through another set of new restrictions, while others have come to the realization that reopening is no longer a feasible option. In this episode, Jay Ouellette with Edmonton Youth Basketball talks about how sports organizations are working through last-minute changes, and Lisa Caputo discusses why it was time to close the doors at Cibo Bistro permanently. CBC reporter Min Dhariwal takes a look at how the farmers’ protest in India is resonating with people in Edmonton. Plus, a conversation with local musician D’orjay The Singing Shaman about her debut album’s success, as well as racism in country music. And we think we’ve figured out the best new name for Edmonton’s CFL team.
As Albertans prepare for an easing of COVID restrictions next week, some business owners are ready to get back at it and some people look forward to working out at the gym again or dining at a pub. However, others think it’s too much too soon as news continues about the presence of variant strains in the province. It brings up questions about whether we know how and where COVID cases are spreading, so CBC reporter and associate producer Stephen Cook takes a look at where we’re at with contact tracing in Alberta. Rowan Ley with the University of Alberta Students’ Union explains how a colony of penguin snow sculptures got the conversation started about cuts to post-secondary education. CBC reporter Josee St-Onge explores the fascinating story of what an antique shop owner discovered when he purchased an estate belonging to the late Madame Rac, a beloved Edmonton piano teacher. Plus, a new local radio station brings Indigenous music and language to Edmonton airwaves.
This week marked one year since the first case of COVID-19 was reported in Canada. Numbers are coming down in Alberta, but there are still over 8,000 active cases in the province and many restrictions remain in place. The pandemic has affected lives in many ways, some for better and some for worse. This week, CBC reporter Janet French looks at how the pandemic is interfering with stages of care for heart patients, while reporter Travis McEwan explores how bridge housing in Edmonton provides a safe place to stay and support to people struggling with homelessness. Local fashion blogger Marielle Elizabeth just had an article featured on Vogue’s website. She joins Tara to discuss welcome changes in the style and sustainability of plus-size fashion. Plus, a new bakery business delivers bread and biscuits by bicycle.
It’s official: Joe Biden is the 46th President of the United States of America. Many have wondered for months what changes this might have on the Canada-U.S. relationship. Then President Biden made a highly anticipated move on his first day in office by revoking a permit for the Keystone XL pipeline expansion. Meanwhile, in Alberta last summer, Premier Jason Kenney rescinded the province’s 44-year-old Coal Development Policy. Now both circumstances are raising questions and concerns about Alberta’s economic, environmental and energy future. CBC Western Business unit producer Tony Seskus looks at what’s next for Keystone XL, while reporter Robson Fletcher examines what the coal policy changes mean and the renewed public response. University of Alberta associate professor Bukola Salami discusses how some Black organizations were denied federal funding because they were deemed not Black enough. Plus, a paddle on the river leads to a rare discovery.
COVID case numbers are starting to drop slightly, but Alberta’s top doctor says our healthcare system is still under significant pressure. We’re 10 months into this pandemic and many people are now focusing on a popular topic for 2021: vaccines. CBC reporter Paige Parsons looks at the vaccine rollout and supply chain for Alberta, while health reporter Jennifer Lee examines how variant strains of the coronavirus are impacting the province. Plus, CBC reporter Sarah Rieger explains how a formal complaint has led to an RCMP investigation into the COVID outbreak at a meat-packing plant in High River. Feel like picking up a new winter hobby? CBC web writer Wallis Snowdon talks about giving winter camping a shot, and there’s now an ice wall to climb in Edmonton’s river valley.
The government’s message to Albertans was to stay home over the holidays, but a growing list of UCP MLAs and staff members spent Christmas vacationing outside the country. The news dominated headlines and social media this week. Premier Jason Kenney released a statement saying the “individuals demonstrated extremely poor judgment.” Grande Prairie MLA Tracy Allard has resigned as minister of municipal affairs, the premier’s chief of staff was reportedly asked to resign, and five other UCP MLAs have been demoted. Even still, Albertans are angry. This week on The Loop, CBC web journalist Drew Anderson looks at the staying power of this political scandal, and reporter Josee St-Onge examines whether this impacts how Albertans will follow COVID restrictions. We’ll also hear from a physiotherapist that says working from home might mean you’re moving less and experiencing more aches and pains. Plus, it has been one year since Flight PS752 was shot down in Tehran by the Iranian government and the husband of one of the victims is still waiting for answers.
It has been a year that none of us will soon forget. Everything changed in March when life took an unprecedented turn to cohorts, constantly washing our hands, wearing masks, physically distancing, and pivoting. However, instead of taking a look back, The Loop is looking ahead to what the new year will bring. CBC provincial affairs reporters Michelle Bellefontaine and Janet French weigh-in with what they’re watching for in politics in 2021. Local business owner Kris Harvey discusses how the hospitality industry finds a path forward and why many in the bar and restaurant business have come together to form the Edmonton Independent Hospitality Community coalition. The new producer for Nextfest shares how the emerging arts festival will continue during COVID. Plus, a chat about what happens next for the live music industry with Steve Derpack, a longtime concert promoter and current artistic director for Festival Place, in Sherwood Park.
The first few COVID-19 vaccinations were administered this week to health-care workers in the province. Many are calling it a welcomed sign of hope, even as active case numbers continue to rise and restrictions remain in place through the holidays. This week, the Edmonton zone reached more than 10,000 active cases at one point. That had The Loop producer Clare Bonnyman thinking about whether she would be prepared if she got the virus. She fills us in on what the experts say you should do to be ready. CBC reporter Madeleine Cummings reached out to a number of single parents in Edmonton to see how they’re facing challenges and coping during the pandemic. Plus, CBC producer Julia Lipscombe shares her love for those so-bad-they’re-good holiday movies, and we’ll hear from a Stony Plain resident who decided simple Christmas decorations weren’t enough.
This 2020 holiday season will be one to remember, but not in the way we might have hoped. The provincial government announced new COVID restrictions this week and urged Albertans to keep close to only household contacts for the next four weeks. This week on The Loop, we’ll take a closer look at the restrictions with CBC reporter Elise von Scheel. Canadians have accessed billions of dollars in federal aid programs during the pandemic, but CBC reporter Stephanie Dubois examines whether it goes far enough to help Alberta businesses. Also, living alone can be isolating without a pandemic to deal with. CBC producer Emily Pasiuk asked some Edmontonians how they’re handling their solo time. And CBC Edmonton is on a mission to Make The Season Kind with our holiday campaign to raise money for the Edmonton Food Bank. Listen to this episode of The Loop and then go to cbc.ca/bekindyeg for the chance to win a special prize.
Alberta health officials have reported over 1,000 new COVID cases each day for two weeks now and hospitalization rates continue to rise. News came out this week that the province has asked the feds and Red Cross for help to supply indoor field hospitals, if needed. CBC reporter Janet French looks at how the province plans to handle the growing number of cases in hospitals. Plus, Premier Jason Kenney says restrictions to fight COVID require a “minimal impairment” of people's fundamental rights, as laid out in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Law professor and constitutional scholar Eric Adams discusses COVID measures in relation to the Charter. Tara also sits down with long-time CBC newsreader Don Bell to hear about his career and wish him a happy retirement. And hear how espresso helped an Edmonton student win first place at the National Spelling Bee of Canada.
The province’s surge in COVID cases had many wondering if and when the government would implement new restrictions. Premier Jason Kenney declared a state of public health emergency and announced new measures to slow the spread of the virus this week. The Loop producer Clare Bonnyman joins Tara for a primer on what those measures are. Plus, reactions to the restrictions from Dr. Noel Gibney (who wrote the initial letter to government and health officials calling for a “circuit breaker” lockdown), Edmonton banquet hall owner Jay Singh, and restaurant owner Katy Ingraham shares her thoughts and explains why she decided to voluntarily close a few weeks ago. And CBC producer Kyle Muzyka takes a look at the settlement reached between Enoch Cree Nation and the federal government over the First Nation’s land that was used as a practice bombing range during World War II.
As COVID cases continue to rise, so does the percentage of cases that can’t be connected to a known source. Contact tracing has been a difficult task for health officials. Dr. Deena Hinshaw acknowledged and confirmed this week that the province is in its second wave of the virus. She said what happens in the future is in our hands. This week on The Loop, CBC reporter Robson Fletcher examines how effective Alberta’s contact-tracing app has been since it launched six months ago. After a boom and bust, reporter Jamie Malbeuf looks at whether real estate in Fort McMurray could be taking a positive turn. Plus, The Loop producer Clare Bonnyman on how Edmonton seniors groups are adapting and preparing for the COVID winter season, and a Whitefish Lake First Nation artist channels personal inspiration into a Marvel comic contribution.
As COVID case numbers continue to rise across the country, some provinces are tightening restrictions. Manitoba has moved into level red of its pandemic response with non-essential services closed to in-person customers for at least two weeks. The Alberta government has so far stayed away from strict, sweeping lockdown measures. Some are happy to hear that, while others say the acute-care system is in jeopardy. This week, an Edmonton doctor discusses why he wrote a letter urging officials to enforce a short, sharp, “circuit breaker” lockdown. CBC reporter Paige Parsons tells us how a group of men are seeking justice after the death of their alleged abuser. Personal trainer and fitness columnist Chris Tse talks about a local business focused on diversity and inclusion. Plus, the number one trend of 2020: pandemic puppies.
Many Albertans are keeping a close eye on the daily COVID updates as the number of new cases continues to rise. There are over 6,200 active cases in the province—the highest total recorded since the pandemic began. What does that mean for the spread of the virus as we enter the winter months? Beyond COVID, how is the city supporting our vulnerable population to find shelter as the temperature drops? This week, CBC web journalist Trevor Howlett looks at the rise in coronavirus cases. CBC’s Andrea Huncar explains why hundreds of women are being notified about a class-action lawsuit against Samson Cree Nation. We’ll also hear how Camp Pekiwewin (an Indigenous-led homeless encampment) is transitioning as winter approaches. Plus, thoughts on a divisive U.S. election from Americans living in Edmonton.
Monday morning began with news that health-care workers walked off the job to stage a wildcat strike at hospitals across the province. At the same time, next week’s U.S. presidential election is drawing attention from those who can and can’t cast a ballot. Many people took to social media recently to celebrate the life and legacy of a beloved Edmontonian, and it also happens to be Halloween this weekend—with COVID restrictions, of course. Clare Bonnyman hosts The Loop this week and gets a closer look at the wildcat strike from CBC reporter Wallis Snowdon. CBC national reporter Raffy Boudjikanian shares what it’s like to be covering the U.S. election in Washington. Mark Connolly remembers Oilers locker-room attendant and legend Joey Moss, and hear how one household has prepared a Halloween scare during the pandemic.
This week the CBC broke a story about proposals to change the curriculum for Alberta students from K-6. Changes that if imposed, could completely restructure the way we educate our kids. And it’s one of many things that makes these days feel faster — more restless. We’re no longer in the early days of the pandemic, when things were quieter and we baked bread at home. COVID case numbers are rising in Edmonton, temperatures are dropping, the days are shorter and it’s hard not to feel a little low. This week on The Loop reporter Janet French helps us dig into those proposed curriculum changes, and we also speak to a psychologist about how to slow down and take care of yourself as the days get colder. Plus CBC News Network Producer Terry Reith tells us the story of Alberta’s iOAT program and those who rely on it, and we meet a newly minted multi-millionaire in Calmar.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been tough on many job sectors. The unemployment rate in Alberta is currently at 11.7 per cent, which is above the national average. While the federal government has opened applications for the new Canada Recovery Benefit, times are still tough for many. Then this week came with an announcement from the UCP government that thousands of jobs will be cut in the Alberta Health Services implementation plan. CBC investigative reporter Jennie Russell takes a closer look at that plan and reaction to the health care cuts. Also, staying home isn’t an easy answer for everyone these days. CBC reporter Josee St-Onge has been looking at how domestic violence cases are affected by the pandemic. Local band nêhiyawak is on the short list for this year’s Polaris Music Prize, so we’ll hear from a member of the band about their sound and nominated album, nipiy. Plus, the thrill of seeing the northern lights for the very first time.
Much like every holiday before it in 2020, Albertans are being asked to be cautious during the Thanksgiving weekend. The province is reporting a steadily increasing number of COVID cases each day and over 50 per cent of the active caseload is in the Edmonton health zone. CBC digital reporter Wallis Snowdon takes a look at what is causing the surge, what public health officials are saying and doing to slow it down, and how COVID fatigue factors in. Plus, it’s Mental Health Awareness Month. Recently, former rugby player Jen Kish publicly shared her bipolar disorder diagnosis, so she joins us on The Loop to tell her story. Producer Clare Bonnyman visits a new coffee shop in Edmonton that has inclusive intentions, and we’ll discuss some new statistics that show millennials aren’t simply a lazy, avocado toast-loving generation.
After this week’s U.S. presidential debate, many took to social media to react, saying it might be time to move to Canada. President Trump’s controversial comments on white supremacy had people examining the current climate in America. Things may be better by comparison in our country, but they are by no means perfect. This week, Irfan Chaudhry, a hate crimes researcher and director of the Office of Human Rights, Diversity and Equity for MacEwan University, looks at the prevalence of right-wing extremism in our province. CBC digital associate producer Madeleine Cummings finds out why some trees in Mill Woods are surprisingly thriving in a paved parking lot. Plus, local writer and poet Nisha Patel tells us why she’s getting personal about chronic illness and Canada’s health care system in her new podcast, 70 Percent Coverage.
Pivot. Adapt. Modify. Transition. No matter what word you use, that’s exactly what individuals and industries have done for over six months now. The pandemic has introduced new challenges, so we’re constantly pivoting and adapting. Even beyond COVID, transitioning is about preparing for tomorrow because the world is always changing. The oil and gas industry has taken many hits over the past few years, so what’s in store for Alberta’s energy sector? CBC investigative reporter Robson Fletcher discusses what experts are saying about how the province can transition to a low-carbon future and what impact that might have. We also speak with Terri Suntjens and Robert Houle, co-chairs of a committee that worked to rename the ward boundaries in Edmonton using various Indigenous languages. Plus, CBC’s Rod Kurtz delves into how daycares are impacted by COVID-19, and we hear why a beloved mac & cheese meal is getting a fall flavour makeover.
When the Black Panther film came out in 2018, it was a big deal and led to renewed conversations about why representation matters. However, pop culture is just one part of a much larger discussion. What about gathering race-based data? How does a lack of information affect the way people and communities are cared for and supported? What about how diverse bodies and skin tones are photographed? Are those behind the lens properly capturing each individual’s true likeness and beauty? Edmontonians are advocating for these sorts of changes. And people are listening. This week, CBC reporter Andrea Huncar looks at a national study on how Black Canadians are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and how news of that data has led to local support. Associate producer Kashmala Fida shares the story of an Edmonton model who is pushing for a stronger focus on diversity in the photography industry. Plus, reporter Min Dhariwal tells us about a new team in the city that’s stepping up to the plate, and our intrepid producer and tech, Clare Bonnyman, makes new friends during harvest season.
On March 11, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic as the number of reported cases around the world continued to rise. Hard to believe it has been six months. No one was prepared for what came next and it has affected each of us in many different ways. In fact, The Loop launched that week when everything changed, which was definitely not something we were expecting. As we continue to look at how things are adjusting, CBC digital journalist Wallis Snowdon joins us to talk about current case numbers in the province and how schools have been impacted. Artist Tim Okamura is from Sherwood Park, but has lived in New York City for awhile now. He shares his story about what it’s been like to see the outbreak unfold in a place that was once the epicentre of it all. CBC senior reporter Erin Collins looks at why a rural community in central Alberta is raising concerns about a proposed wind turbine project. Also, a Cree artist describes how her beadwork reflects what Alberta means to her in a new mosaic map.
It’s been a big week, but a different one as students, teachers and other school staff head back to the classroom. Usually heading back to school comes with excitement about seeing buds again and some anxiousness about getting back to the books. This year, with new restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are also thoughts about sanitizing, wearing masks, and class cohorts. Some students are even staying home to learn online instead. CBC associate producer Ariel Fournier spoke with many Edmonton students, parents and teachers about what this new school year looks like. She joins The Loop to talk about what she’s heard and share the story of one student who is taking a traditional approach to learning. And what about teachers who don’t have contracts right now? Rod Kurtz, from CBC’s Radio Active, found out about this new trend of learning pods, so he’ll tell us what that means. CBC Calgary reporter Sarah Rieger looks at the story of a pregnant woman, originally from Alberta, and her current struggle to return to Canada from Haiti with her adopted children. Plus, a family-owned business out of Saddle Lake Cree Nation has developed personal protective equipment that draws on Indigenous culture.
You might be basking in the lazy, hazy final few weeks of summer, but things definitely hit differently during this time of COVID, ongoing social injustice, and when the news never seems to slow down. Headlines this week were partially dominated by politics as people stayed up late to find out who won the federal Conservative leadership race. Then Premier Kenney did a minor cabinet shuffle just days before the words “debt” and “deficit” took over in the province’s latest fiscal update. This week on The Loop, reporter and producer Elise von Scheel gives us a breakdown on all things politics. Plus, CBC Edmonton associate producer Stephanie Dubois brings you the story of why Edmonton residents are still waiting to hear how the site of a former wood treatment plant may be impacting their health. We’ll also take a deep dive into the world of hold music, and hear how Alberta-raised country singer Tenille Townes found out about her latest award win.
How are you? No, really… how are you? It’s been key that we look out for each other over the course of this pandemic. Now, with rising rates of transmission in Edmonton and the entire city under a COVID-19 watch, it feels like it’s even more important to check in with pals here and abroad. The next chapter is a huge question mark. This week on The Loop, associate producer Stephen Cook walks us through how and why we hit a new high for COVID-19 cases in Edmonton. Investigative reporter Jennie Russell takes us through a disagreement between the city’s police commission and union, and a professor at the University of Alberta discusses some curriculum controversy. Plus, Clare and Tara attempt to rock out with the help of some artificial intelligence.
One of the things we miss most in the pandemic is being around people. But even with our current way of life people are coming together—sometimes for comfort, sometimes for necessity and sometimes to find a little bit of joy. When you’re living in an unprecedented time every little bit helps. This week on the show reporter Jordan Omstead tells us about his visit to Camp Pekiwewin where they’re helping build community for those who need it most. Edmonton’s last standing video store celebrates 15 years of the finest cinema in a basement on Whyte Avenue. Plus two weeks into mandatory masks in Edmonton we look at both sides of the argument and hear about an Edmontonian giving back with bananas.
The back to school season is basically upon us—but it looks a little different. Streetscapes are changing as businesses close due to COVID-19, vacations look different as we stay amused at home all summer and we even look different with most of our face behind a mask. As we approach the next season of cohabitation with COVID-19, we’re still trying to get used to this “new normal”. This week on the show reporter Janet French walks us through Edmonton's back to school plans while Whyte Avenue says goodbye to a beloved home for comedy. Plus, staying safe on the river this summer and celebrating Heritage Festival at home.
In a way it feels like March 153rd. On the other hand it is hard to believe the summer is half over. Time is flying by and big moments are coming at us fast. This week, reporter Natasha Riebe walks us through the city’s plan to mandate masks starting August 1. Edmonton’s Youth Poet Laureate, Timiro Mohamed, joins us to talk about Emancipation Day on August 1 and what that means to her as an artist, a Black woman, and as a Canadian. We’ll have an update on the lengthy legal battle between Habitat For Humanity Edmonton and 57 partner families. Plus, how hockey fans are preparing for the puck to drop this weekend.
On The Loop we bring you closer to the news, sharing the context behind the top stories from CBC Edmonton.This week, we explore three things making headlines that are part of much bigger stories playing out in our community. On this episode reporter Janet French explores the province’s plan to get kids back to school as COVID-19 cases continue to rise across Alberta. Web journalist Drew Anderson analyzes the broken relationship between Alberta’s government and doctors as some threaten to leave. Plus, two Indigenous brothers share the story of an Edmonton ‘starlight tour’ that left them scarred and speaking out against The Edmonton Police Service.
Its the return of recreation, but not without some caveats. July marks the first month since the pandemic began when professional athletes are returning to work. COVID-19 has marked the biggest disruption to the sports calendar in recent memory, while the current social climate is raising questions about what we call our teams and whether or not we can do better. Sports are back in the headlines and this week local podcaster and marketing expert Ryan Holtz joins us to talk about the mounting pressure to change the name of the Edmonton CFL team. In hockey news, germ guy Jason Tetro joins us to break down the NHL bubble as we prepare to become a hub city. Plus, reporter Kashmala Fida talks about a crackdown on Edmonton car meets, and a weather wunderkind might steal Tara’s (other) job.
Skepticism is often confused with cynicism. But really its not about rejection as much as it is curiosity, and trying to understand things better and more deeply. It’s that ‘grain of salt’—not taking it all at face value because there is always the possibility that what we think is true today could be proven false. And a healthy dose of this critical thinking presents itself in many ways. This week reporter Natasha Riebe joins us to dig deeper into Edmonton City Council’s police motion, and explain why some feel it falls flat. An born and bred Oiler’s fan weighs in on the NHL hub city talk, plus communities find new ways forward and new records of the past.
We’re seeing cracks in how things have been done. There’s an urge to update what’s outdated and a demand for change to come after all these challenges. This week we explore situations where the public is pushing for change and making their voices heard. Reporter Janet French brings us into the conversation the EPSB is having over School Resource Officers, and what needs to be done before they can even have that conversation. Reporter Jordan Omstead shares the story of Habitat For Humanity Edmonton, where 57 families are speaking out after a change to the way the program worked—leaving them with questions and concerns. Plus Edmonton musician Josh Sahunta finds a silver lining to social distancing, and a cooking show that gets the whole family involved.
In the media it is the people we speak to who are storytellers. We offer them a platform but it is their voices and passions that drive movement and change—and make our communities what they are. This week we feature stories from those speaking out about things especially when it is tough. Their voices start conversations, open up discussions and can make a difference. Reporter Paige Parsons takes us into her investigation into the life and death of four-year old Serenity, and the years of work her mother has put in to try and find the truth. Two-Spirit artist Shawnee shares her music and Pride, Edmonton teacher Andrew Parker shares his dream as a Black man, and Enoch Cree Nation model Ashley Callingbull takes another step forward… this time, with Nike.
These days its hard not to think about time and examine our collective, complicated and even painful histories as we look to a better future. Right now things are focused on education and acknowledging experiences of colonialism, racial discrimination and public safety. But maybe, the past can inform the present and help us to reconstruct our future. This week Reporter Andrea Huncar takes us into meetings with the public to change the shape of Edmonton’s police force. We reach out to the Edmonton Arts Council to discuss problematic public art and the role it plays — and we look at a new series with a worldwide view on wildfire.
The proof is in the receipts — Canadian independent bookstores are saying nine out of 10 titles on the non-fiction bestseller list are from BIPOC authors. Books on anti-racism are sold out and back-ordered. Canadians are turning to Black, Indigenous and POC authors to learn more and conversations about systemic racism are happening. Still, it is essential to keep them going and to follow them with change. This week, we speak with Edmontonian Bashir Mohamed about his activism work in the city, and the anti-Black racism toolkit he created. Also, associate producer Ariel Fournier shares the story of an Indigenous woman who says the health care system failed her over, and over again. Plus we talk about commuting during a flood, and finding fame at the pool table.
It has been a week of difficult news and important discussions. Yet while much of it happens south of the border, there are conversations we need to start having here at home. It is a time to listen, to educate ourselves, and to do more and do better than we have. This week, reporter Janet French takes us through another big week of announcements from the provincial government. Reporter Min Dhariwal takes a closer look at the city’s craft beer industry amidst COVID-19. Plus, we hear firsthand experiences from Edmonton’s Black Community, and reflect on the year its been since the report on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls was published.
While we’re living in the middle of a global pandemic, it’s important to look forward and figure out what comes next. No matter how hard times are, you’ve got to find a way through it — even if that just means your plans for the next weekend, or how to create a ‘bubble’ of your own to get through this together. This week, reporter Natasha Riebe takes us through how the city is planning for our businesses, services and safety over the coming weeks. Then we check in with a local company that switched gears to make masks and ‘reinvent’ their supply chain. Plus we learn about the birds, and the pigs that are helping us and each other through the hard times.
Edmonton is facing a reset. As the city sets to reopen in phases, we look closer at how the new normal is shaping up. Digital producer Wallis Snowdon walks us through the retail landscape in a city that’s famous for a mall. We take a deep dive into Edmonton’s live music industry with an insider, and reporter Kashmala Fida shares her experience celebrating a solitary month of Ramadan.
With change (hopefully) comes opportunity. COVID-19 is exposing the cracks in our systems— but how this pandemic is affecting vulnerable communities might just change the way we take care of them in the long run. This week investigative reporter Jennie Russell takes us through Alberta’s long term care system and the overhaul experts are asking for. Closer to home, reporter Paige Parsons takes us to Chinatown where the community and its businesses have faced an uphill battle against the economic effect of coronavirus. Plus we learn about how one Indigenous artist is spreading language across the province, and an election thats dividing man’s best friend in Mill Creek.
Things are different — duh. The new normal is hard to adjust to, but what are people doing to make it work? How are we making things possible, in an impossibly hard situation? This week, reporter Trevor Howlett joins us to talk about Alberta opening up. Plus we learn about how a community event turned tradition went digital and how romantics in Fort McMurray are keeping their love afloat.
When the going gets tough — Albertans come together. Just four years after a devastating wildfire, Fort McMurray is facing a flood AND a global pandemic. Reporter Jamie Malbeuf joins us to share what she’s seeing on the ground as the community reacts to another disaster. Plus we talk about shame, blame and stress in the middle of a pandemic with Professor Lynne Honey, and learn how you can take care of yourself and avoid snapping at your neighbours.
Things right now are tough — no matter what your situation, it feels far from ordinary. This week, CBC’s Ariel Fournier helps us navigate maintenance work and what it means to visit other people’s homes right now. From the CBC Business Unit, Kyle Bakx walks us through a historic week for oil prices, and we hear about a summer staple that is officially cancelled due to COVID-19. And we reflect on the shooting in Nova Scotia, and how the tragedy is playing out closer to home.
This week on The Loop- the people stayed home. What that means for healthcare, and for a doctor’s practice. We hear about an Edmonton LGBTQ advocate who filed a human rights complaint against the EPS, after an upsetting call to 9-1-1 — plus we go international to connect with the writer behind a viral ‘pandemic poem’. This weeks show ends on a song by Edmonton’s Brock Tyler, who goes by Anonymotif. Check him out on twitter @anonymotif, or listen to ‘Speaking Moistly’ on Apple Music, Spotify, TikTok, or Google Play.
Happy long weekend! We’re dropping some bonus content- our full interview with U of A PhD student and instructor Emily Hoven, the mastermind behind the twitter thread ‘How To Make Sourdough at the End of the World’. Hopefully we can inspire you to flex your baking skills this weekend, or even just get cozy as you stay home.
The reach of COVID-19 is expansive, and we’re feeling it in almost every part of life in Edmonton. This week reporter Stephanie Dubois guides us through the challenges facing small and medium sized businesses in the province. Meanwhile reporter Josee St-Onge takes us north to the start of wildfire season in Alberta, to look at how a pandemic influences our ability to fight fires. Plus, we’re making masks, baking bread and… howling to pass the time?
All's fair in love, war and a pandemic. Reporter Paige Parsons takes us through some of the Legislature’s latest moves in the time of COVID-19 — and Digital Associate Producer Wallis Snowdown talks about the love lives of Edmontonians, and how some of us are coping in close quarters. Plus, how families are using themes to stay creative, some quarantine haircut advice, and finding meaning in loss.
We’re all adapting to ‘the new normal’ — even if we’re still figuring out what that is. This week, Tara talks to reporter Andrea Huncar about what Edmonton nurses are facing on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how some are arguing for better protection against the virus. Plus we speak with a local Indigenous healing society about how traditional medicine is helping people in isolation, and how Indigenous communities are strengthening local connections in the midst of a global pandemic.
In the last 7 days, life across the province has changed dramatically thanks to COVID-19. School class cancellations, a hit to the economy, social distancing practices and changes to bars and restaurants. We take a look into how and what ‘the new normal’ looks like, with help from Reporter Janet French and TV Anchor Nancy Carlson.
So… the novel coronavirus. We learn about the latest on the pandemic, the measures you need to take, and what this could mean going forward. Plus we explore the new trend of ghost kitchens in the city, and how they could change your Friday food delivery routine, and a toilet paper good Samaritan just south of Edmonton.
Introducing The Loop, launching March 13. We take you behind the scenes of the CBC Edmonton newsroom — because there’s so much more to tell. Host Tara McCarthy keeps you in the know, and yes, in The Loop.