Closer Look

Six months ago, we told you about the latest list of Canada's 25 most-wanted fugitives. The hi-tech mugshots are released annually by Canada’s Bolo program — “Be on the Lookout” — which is dedicated to helping police forces track down notorious murderers, drug traffickers and gang members. In the last month alone, three of those high-profile fugitives have been located and arrested — includin...

Joining us on tonight’s Closer Look podcast is Aidan Chamandy, a reporter at TorontoToday who covered Monday's announcement by Prime Minister Mark Carney, Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. Reach out to Frisco and Scott

Six years ago, the Trudeau government made the decision to ban more than 2,000 makes and models of assault-style firearms, including the notorious AR-15. The legislative change raised the obvious question: If a person purchased one of those guns back when they were legal, what now? The answer took a long time to materialize, but the promised federal buyback program is now live. In fact, tomorrow —...

The Ford government unveiled its latest provincial budget on Thursday — a record $244-billion fiscal roadmap (with a projected deficit of $13.8-billion). Joining us on tonight’s Closer Look podcast to break down all the numbers is Jessica Smith Cross, editor-in-chief of our Queen’s Park team at The Trillium . Reach out to Frisco and Scott

The Toronto Blue Jays came oh so close to capturing a World Series title last season — uniting fans from coast to coast in the process. Can they finish the job this year? Does the latest version of the Jays have what it takes to go on another magical run? The journey begins Friday with an Opening Day match-up against the Oakland Athletics. Our guest on tonight’s episode of Village Media’s Closer L...

The ‘Buy Canadian’ movement is still going strong — and federal food inspectors say they’re determined to help ensure shoppers know exactly what’s in their grocery carts. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency recently revealed that over the past year, it has fined five stores a combined $47,000 for misleading country of origin labels. “Canadians have been clear that they want to support Canadian bus...

Bruce Kidd, a now-retired professor at the University of Toronto, is our guest on tonight's episode of Village Media's Closer Look podcast. Hosted by Village Media’s Michael Friscolanti and Scott Sexsmith, and produced by Derek Turner, Closer Look is a new daily podcast that goes way beyond the headlines with insightful, in-depth conversations featuring our reporters and editors, leading...

For the first time in decades, the population of Canada declined from one year to the next. Statistics Canada says in 2025, the country’s population shrank by approximately 102,000 people — driven largely by the federal government’s efforts to shed the number of non-permanent residents. Joining us on tonight’s Closer Look podcast to break down the latest numbers is Doug Norris, the chief demograph...

A recent report found that retail crime in Canada “has escalated into a national crisis” that costs businesses across the country a whopping $9-billion a year. The situation is so dire in Winnipeg that some businesses are considering drastic measures — including asking customers to hand over their ID before they shop, or demanding that diners pre-pay for food. On tonight’s episode of Village Media...

For reasons that still aren’t certain, colorectal cancer is striking younger people like never before. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, people aged 45 to 50 are now two to two-and-a-half times more likely to be diagnosed than in previous generations. That is why experts are calling on provincial and territorial governments to lower the age of screening from 50 to 45 — and to provide peopl...

Three months ago, Australia became the first country in the world to ban social media for kids under the age of 16. Many other governments are now eyeing the same idea, including Greece, Denmark, Malaysia and Norway. Should Canada legislate a similar social media ban? Prime Minister Mark Carney said he hasn’t made up his mind just yet, but he agreed it’s an issue that “merits an open and considere...

Today on Village Media’s ‘Closer Look’ podcast: We speak to the mayor of Selwyn Township about the push to erase the disgraced royal’s name from a local island. Hosted by Village Media’s Michael Friscolanti and Scott Sexsmith, and produced by Derek Turner, Closer Look is a new daily podcast that goes way beyond the headlines with insightful, in-depth conversations featuring our reporters and edito...

"Shocking announcement." "A recipe for a more corrupt government." A "bullshit" move that will "gut public trust." That was just some of the reaction to today's sudden news that the Ford government plans to overhaul the province’s freedom-of-information law to deny the public access to documents held by the offices of the premier and his ministers, and...

Premier Doug Ford says the province will take over the City of Toronto’s stake in Billy Bishop Airport , clearing the path for larger planes on the island. “This is a crown jewel,” Ford said of Billy Bishop. “We need this. We need this desperately.” Lots of details still need to be ironed out , but Ford insists that jets are coming "one way or another." Buckle your seat belts. Joining us...

Welcome to a special road-trip edition of Village Media's Closer Look podcast. On tonight's episode, we catch up with members of the provincial NDP who've spent some quality time over the past week driving along Northern Ontario highways. The MPPs are on a campaign-style tour, meeting with local residents and hearing ideas about how to improve the state of Ontario's northern hi...

Nearly 14 years after the roof caved in at Elliot Lake's shopping mall — killing two women and injuring 19 others — the tragedy is back in the headlines . A proposed settlement has finally been reached in a class-action lawsuit that was launched shortly after the collapse. If approved by a judge at a hearing scheduled for April 10, the settlement will see a long list of defendants pay a combi...

Tonight on Village Media's 'Closer Look' podcast: Premier Ford says he is considering filling in part of Lake Ontario to make room for a multi-billion-dollar 'shock and awe' convention centre in Toronto. Hosted by Village Media’s Michael Friscolanti and Scott Sexsmith, and produced by Derek Turner, Closer Look is a new daily podcast that goes way beyond the headlines with...

Tonight on Village Media's 'Closer Look' podcast: Few phrases get people more riled up than 'spring forward' and 'fall back' — so in advance of this weekend's time change, let's chime in on the debate. Hosted by Village Media’s Michael Friscolanti and Scott Sexsmith, and produced by Derek Turner, Closer Look is a new daily podcast that goes way beyond t...

Tonight on Village Media's 'Closer Look' podcast: The number of people over the age of 80 in our province is set to soar, and advocates say we're not doing enough to prepare for the demographic shift. Hosted by Village Media’s Michael Friscolanti and Scott Sexsmith, and produced by Derek Turner, Closer Look is a new daily podcast that goes way beyond the headlines with insightf...

Tonight on Village Media's 'Closer Look' podcast: As Canada works to shore up its economy in the face of Donald Trump's tariffs, new research reveals the true value of protecting our natural beauty. Hosted by Village Media’s Michael Friscolanti and Scott Sexsmith, and produced by Derek Turner, Closer Look is a new daily podcast that goes way beyond the headlines with insightful...

Tonight on Village Media's 'Closer Look' podcast: Investigative genetic genealogy is helping police across the world solve decades-old mysteries, including the crimes of a Toronto serial killer. Hosted by Village Media’s Michael Friscolanti and Scott Sexsmith, and produced by Derek Turner, Closer Look is a new daily podcast that goes way beyond the headlines with insightful, in-dept...

Tonight on Village Media's 'Closer Look' podcast: Matthew Holmes from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce talks to us about the seemingly endless tariff war, and why he sees 'exciting' days ahead. Hosted by Village Media’s Michael Friscolanti and Scott Sexsmith, and produced by Derek Turner, Closer Look is a new daily podcast that goes way beyond the headlines with insightful...

'Schools cannot be safe places to learn if they are not safe places to teach': Tonight on the Village Media's 'Closer Look' podcast, a new report sheds even more light on a growing problem. Hosted by Village Media’s Michael Friscolanti and Scott Sexsmith, and produced by Derek Turner, Closer Look is a new daily podcast that goes way beyond the headlines with insightful, in...

Tonight on the Village Media's 'Closer Look' podcast: Should you stay away from Mexico? Cuba? Where should you go instead? Our travel expert has all the answers to your pressing vacation questions. Hosted by Village Media’s Michael Friscolanti and Scott Sexsmith, and produced by Derek Turner, Closer Look is a new daily podcast that goes way beyond the headlines with insightful, in-d...

Are you one of the many Ontario students who rely on OSAP to help cover tuition? Brace yourself. The Ford government has announced billions in new funding for colleges and universities, but the cash comes in tandem with a drastic overhaul to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). Until now, approximately 85 per cent of OSAP assistance came in the form of grants, while the other 15 per cent...