Just Asking

With the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil this week, Canada wants to be seen as a leader in climate action. But are we on the right track? Reports are warning that fossil fuel emissions have hit a record high. The world is still on track for a catastrophic 2.6C increase in temperature. That is surpassing the thresholds set out in the Paris agreement. At COP30 this week, Canada highlighted $39...

Coffee prices are skyrocketing. Statistics Canada says the price of your morning cup of coffee is officially 41% higher than it was in Fall 2024. So what’s behind those numbers? On this episode of Just Asking, we take all your questions about coffee production and where those costs are coming from - from supply chains to climate change. We get the facts straight from the roastmasters themselves. N...

It's been just over six months since Prime Minister Mark Carney got elected. So how is the Carney era treating Canadians so far? And with his first federal budget tabled this week, how will he deliver on what was promised during the campaign? On this episode of Just Asking, we take all your questions about Prime Minister Carney, his policies, and how much he’s accomplished so far. To dig into all...

Four young Canadians are suing the Canadian Pension Plan who claim that CPP Investments is failing to manage climate-related financial risk. With the fund's investment in fossil fuels, the lawsuit alleges that CPP is being grossly underestimating the market impact of a warming climate. So if you want to be a climate-conscious investor, where do you start? On this episode of Just Asking, we take al...

As Canadians celebrate the Blue Jays epic world series run, every player statistic is being dissected by an analytics team behind the plate. So what is it about the Blue Jays that helped them get this far? The 4-billion dollar sports analytics industry has become a major part of how teams scout talent, and how the game is played.  On this episode of Just Asking, we take all your burning...

Divorce can turn your life upside down. From money, to housing, to how your kids are going to cope. Prenups are getting more popular, as Gen Z and millennials try to plan ahead, according to recent polling.  On this episode of Just Asking, we take your questions about how to make social media safer for kids, and what parents and policymakers need to prioritize. Vikki Stark is a psychotherapis...

This week, the Liberals unveiled part of their plan to crack down on violent crime in Canada with Bill-C14. But will it make people safer?  The Canadian Police Association and politicians, including Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, have long been calling for bail reform. The new legislation makes dozens of changes to the criminal code – targeted at Canada’s bail and sentencing frameworks...

This week, Meta announced its new "PG-13 guidelines" for teen account settings on Instagram. The push to make the app safer for kids comes as countries like Australia have moved to ban social media for children under 16, with jurisdictions like Nova Scotia, Quebec, France and Denmark considering similar legislation.  On this episode of Just Asking, we take your questions about how to make soc...

The cost of living spills over into every aspect of our lives - including our romantic relationships. Do you and your partner have the same attitude towards money and how much you spend? What red flags should you look for before you tie your finances to someone? And what if one person makes more money than the other?  On this episode of Just Asking, we take all your questions about dealing wi...

Are you filled with excitement or dread about cooking a big meal for family and friends? Maybe you aren't a fan of the traditional Thanksgiving dinner, and are looking for more creative ideas to impress your guests. Or maybe you're just shifting into soup mode as leaves change, and want to take advantage of all the seasonal vegetables in your fridge.  On this episode of Just Asking, we take y...

On Friday, Israel’s cabinet approved Donald Trump's plan for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, paving the way for the release of all hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees. But beyond those initial steps, the future for Israelis and Palestinians is anything but clear.  On this episode of Just Asking, we take your questions about the ceasefire plan and what happens next. Ian...

The AI-generated actress Tilly Norwood has prompted massive backlash from Hollywood stars and labour unions, decrying the move as an attempt to steal jobs from film industry workers. Particle 6, the AI production company responsible for this computerized character, claims there are multiple talent agents interested in signing the machine-generated ingénue.  On this episode of J...

It's been two years since the war between Israel and Hamas began. But as time goes, talking about the conflict hasn't gotten any easier. Whether it's with family and friends, at school or at work, these conversations are fraught with emotional baggage, and decades of historical trauma.  On this episode of Just Asking, we take your questions about how to engage in these con...

The suspension of a U.S. late-night host has reignited debate on both sides of the border about where free speech ends and harm begins. In Canada, conversations around book bans, anti-hate laws, campus protests, and online speech are forcing us to ask tough questions: what can you say, and when does it cross the line? On this episode of Just Asking, we take your questions about freedom of expressi...

This Tuesday marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission published 94 Calls to Action. But nearly a decade later, what progress has been made and what role can each of us play? On this episode of Just Asking, we take your questions about making reconciliation meaningful at our schools, offices and in our communities. Our gues...

Since the birth control pill was introduced in 1960, contraceptive options have expanded to include the patch, the ring, injections, and IUDs. And this year, some provinces began offering free prescriptions for contraception. But even with more access, there’s still widespread skepticism and misinformation, much of it spreading quickly online. On this episode of Just Asking, we take your questions...

Canada’s housing crisis has left many people struggling to find affordable places to live, whether renting basement apartments, living with roommates, or waiting years for public housing. The federal government has announced a new agency, Build Canada Homes, with $13 billion set aside to supercharge the construction of affordable units. But will it work, and what other ideas could make housing mor...

Back-to-school season can be exciting — but also stressful, especially for families raising neurodivergent kids. Parents may find themselves navigating new routines, advocating for classroom support, and helping their kids manage big emotions. On this episode of Just Asking, we take your questions on raising and supporting neurodivergent children. Joining us are Adelle Purdham, mom to her daughter...

Sanctions have become one of the most commonly used diplomatic tools in the world, whether aimed at Russia over Ukraine, Iran’s nuclear program, or individuals linked to extremist violence in the Middle East. But what exactly are sanctions, how effective are they at changing behaviour, and what are the humanitarian costs when they go too far? To take your questions on how sanctions work and what t...

Former astronaut Chris Hadfield will be releasing his novel Final Orbit , set against the backdrop of the 1970s Space Race. As NASA prepares for its second year-long Mars simulation mission, Hadfield will explore what it will take for NASA to get humans to Mars by 2030, how astronauts are preparing, and what we can expect from the next phase of space exploration. Chris Hadfield joins Just Asking t...

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre called on the federal government to scrap the temporary foreign worker program, and create a separate immigration stream for farm workers under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program. Poilievre claims the TFW program has made it harder for young people to find work, but economists are pushing back on that assessment. So what are the facts about the TFW p...

How do you know when your family relationships are fixable or when it's time to set boundaries? Clinical psychologist Heather MacIntosh and writer Gabrielle Moss answer your questions.

What are the economic and political risks at stake when it comes to Canada's trade with China, and how should our leaders approach it? Co-Director of the China Strategic Risks Institute Margaret McCuaig-Johnston and director of StrategyCorp's Geopolitical and International Business Advisory Jeff Mahon answer your questions.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government ordered public servants to work from the office four days a week starting this fall, then full-time in January. Now, he's calling on municipalities to send their workers back to the office five days a week. Large private corporations, like Amazon and major banks, are ending remote work for employees as well. Working from home was a success during the pandemic...

The return to school is just around the corner and some older students will be taking classes in post-secondary institutions for the very first time. It can be as scary, anxiety-filled and exciting as the first day of kindergarten. And that's just for the parents and guardians. So, how do you turn that stress into success? How do you make friends? Eat healthy? And stay focused on learning? Dr...