10/3: Canada Covered

The death of George Floyd after a Minnesota police officer kneeled on his neck for several minutes has led to protests all over the U.S. Protests here in Canada have also led to a discussion about systemic racism in this country. Dave is joined by the Financial Post’s Vanmala Subramaniam who discusses what that systemic racism is, why there is debate about it in Canada, and how protests sparked by...

The conditions at Ontario long-term care and seniors homes were laid bare in a troubling report from Canadian Forces staff who were working in the facilities to help amid the COVID-19 crisis. But those who follow the issue will tell you that these are ongoing issues in part of the health care system that doesn’t always get the attention it needs. Dave is joined by Ottawa Citizen health reporter El...

A damning report from Canadian Forces staff who were called in to help at the height of the COVID-19 outbreak has revealed horrible conditions at some Ontario long-term care facilities. The report, which focused on conditions at five Toronto-area centres, detailed cockroach infestations, inadequate nutrition, rotten food, and one instance of a resident choking to death after being fed while lying...

The teenager who went on a stabbing rampage at a Toronto massage parlour earlier this year has been hit with terrorism-related charges. The teen’s case marks the first time terrorism charges have been laid in connection with the ideology known as incel, or involuntary celibate, a woman hating online subculture. Dave is joined by the National Post's Joseph Brean. Learn more about your ad choices. V...

Masks. Are you wearing one when you go out? As COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, masks are likely to become a big part of day-to-day life.   They can help stop the spread of the coronavirus. But how do they affect they way others see us? Or how we see ourselves? What kind of communication challenges will we have?   The Montreal Gazette's Monique Beaudin and the National Post's Sharon Kirkey discus...

COVID-19 restrictions are being lifted across the country, and provinces are trying to find a path back to normalcy while trying to limit the severity of a probable next wave. While cases have fallen off in some areas, Ontario is letting people out of lockdown while still seeing increases in cases. The National Post’s Richard Warnica joins Dave to talk about why Ontario is lifting restrictions now...

Montreal has been the hardest hit by COVID-19 in Canada. While the rest of Quebec begins to open up, Montreal's date has been pushed back. So why has it been so bad there? The Montreal Gazette's Monique Beaudin and Philip Authier discuss all you need to know about Canada's pandemic epicentre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alberta has the dubious distinction of being the source of the largest single COVID-19 outbreak in North America. Roughly 1,500 cases have been linked to the Cargill beef processing plant south of Calgary. There are also several hundred cases linked to a JBS beef plant near brooks Alberta. Dave is joined by Calgary herald columnist Licia Corbella about how the virus spread, who has been affected b...

Governments in Canada are beginning to plan reopening schools. The evidence is mixed on how much children spread the virus that causes COVID-19.  What would reopened schools look like and is it even possible to get children, especially small children, to stay two metres apart? The Montreal Gazette's Monique Beaudin hosts and is joined by National Post health reporter Sharon Kirkey. Learn more abou...

In the wake of the deadly shooting spree in Nova Scotia, and amid a nation-wide shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a ban on a number of assault-style weapons. The move, he says, fulfills an election promise, but there is controversy over who it targets and what is left out. National Post columnist Chris Selley joins Dave to talk about the timing of...

We’re getting a clearer picture of what happened the night Gabriel Wortman started his killing spree in Nova Scotia. At the end of nearly 12 hours Wortman had killed 22 people before being gunned down by RCMP at a gas station north of Halifax. Dave speaks with the National Post's Christopher Nardi about what sparked the murders, how Wortman evaded detection for as long as he did and what questions...

People with immunity to COVID-19 could soon be in high demand. For jobs not just in health care, but in retail or restaurants. But should they be given more freedoms than the rest of us? What about the idea of immunity passports? Would this be a responsible way of reopening the economy? Or is it a dystopian nightmare? The Montreal Gazette's Monique Beaudin and the National Post's Sharon Kirkey tal...

Canada has for now avoided a worst-case scenario with COVID-19. Our health-care systems are for now managing the crisis, and our social distancing efforts appear to be working at keeping cases down. But that doesn’t mean Canada’s response to the pandemic has been stellar. Dave is joined by National Post columnist Chris Selley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Canadians have spent the last several weeks cooped up in their homes, many unable to work, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With physical distancing measures in place as the weather warms up across the country. Many are wondering how long till we can get things back to normal. Dave talks with the National Post’s Stuart Thomson about what a roadmap to re-opening Canada would look like, how long that c...

Canada’s worst mass shooting unfolded over the weekend in horrific fashion. A lone gunman, driving a mock police vehicle, and dressed to look like a Mountie, went on a shooting spree in rural Nova Scotia. There are at least 19 victims across 16 crime scenes, including a Mountie, a teacher, and families hunkered down in their homes due to COVID-19 measures. Today we walk through the early stages of...

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused havoc in the medical systems of countries around the world. But the social distancing measures have also landed a body blow on the global economy, with Canada seeing a spike in unemployment and a massive government bailout to those affected by the pandemic shutdown. Dave is joined by Emily Jackson who hosts our Down to Business podcast about what industries are rea...

As many as 22,000 Canadians could die from COVID-19, according to federal modelling released Thursday. But how much can these models really tell us? And what are the risks of making them public?  National Post health reporter Sharon Kirkey explains all you need to know about COVID-19 modelling. Its strengths and its limitations. Monique Beaudin hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaph...

As health care is a provincial responsibility in Canada, much of the focus in the fight against COVID-19 has been on premiers and their health officials. And as he heads Canada’s largest province, a lot of focus has been squarely on the performance of Ontario premier Doug Ford. To the surprise of many, he is handling things quite well. Dave talks with Toronto Sun columnist Brian Lilley about how F...

The shooting deaths of Jake Sansom and Maurice Cardinal shocked many in Alberta. The pair, who had just returned from a hunting trip after Sansom was laid off from his job due to the COVID-19 pandemic, were found slain along a rural highway, with no clear reason why. Lauren Boothby from the Edmonton Journal joins Dave to talk about the investigation into the deaths of the two men. Learn more about...

So should you be wearing a mask? Public health officials in Canada say if you're healthy you don't need to. But, as the COVID-19 pandemic rages, people are starting to question that advice.    National Post health reporter Sharon Kirkey explains all you need to know about masks.   Monique Beaudin hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Health-care officials around the world are working to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, and in some countries, testing is playing a big role.   Dave talks to the National Post's Tom Blackwell about what countries are having success when it comes to testing, how it's helping in contain the virus, and what Canada could be doing to catch up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphon...

The Conservative Party of Canada has suspended the race to replace Andrew Scheer as leader after several candidates called for a delay amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Post’s Brian Platt joins Dave to talk about why party officials came to the decision and why not everyone wanted to see it stopped. Plus, we’ll get you up to date on the latest COVID-19 news from the federal government.   Le...

There is a race on for effective treatments for COVID-19.  Old malaria drugs that may or may not work are being held up as possible treatments. Researchers are busy trying to develop a vaccine, work which is all the more important after a SARS vaccine was abandoned. Guest host Monique Beaudin is joined by National Post health reporter Sharon Kirkey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphon...

On Wednesday, both the house of commons and the senate approved an emergency bill to get billions of dollars in aid into the hands of workers, families and businesses taking a hit because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill offers $2,000 a month for Canadians from the Canada Revenue Agency. Dave brings you up to date with the latest on COVID-19. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/...

The Canadian Olympic and Paralympic committees announced on Sunday that Canada’s athletes would not be going to the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Team Canada feels that it doesn’t make sense to hold the games now as the world is still dealing with the global outbreak of COVID-19 and would like to see a postponement. Then on Monday, Dick Pound, a Canadian who sits on the International Olympic Committee s...