Closer Look

Released nearly four decades years ago, The Wealthy Barber helped countless Canadians understand money management and sound investing strategies.  Last year, author David Chilton released a fresh rewrite of his iconic book for a new generation — and also stopped by our Closer Look podcast for a chat. Amid news that Chilton is retiring at the end of 2026, we decided to revisit some of the sound adv...

If recent headlines are any indication, gift card scams have become a lucrative enterprise for organized criminals. On this week’s episode of Village Media's Closer Look podcast, we revisit an eye-opening conversation we had with Ritesh Kotak , a lawyer and cybercrime expert. He explains how these scammers operate, why gift card fraud is on the rise — and how you can protect yourself as a con...

If you're a sports fan, you've no doubt heard of the acronym CTE. It has made plenty of headlines in recent years. CTE — chronic traumatic encephalopathy — is a devastating, degenerative brain disease triggered by repetitive head injuries. It often impacts athletes, but also soldiers and victims of intimate partner violence. At the moment, the condition can only be diagnosed after death....

This week, Toronto police displayed the fruits of a massive seizure of counterfeit soccer merchandise worth millions of dollars. The haul included 16,000 fake name-brand jerseys and flags — including FIFA, Nike, Adidas and Puma — and even two counterfeit FIFA World Cup trophies. At first glance, it’s easy to downplay such a bust as a “victimless crime.” But don’t tell that to Toronto lawyer David...

Here's a piece of advice: Take a good look at your auto insurance policy. Starting July 1, Ontario is introducing some significant reforms to auto insurance rules. Simply put, some coverage that is now mandatory will soon become optional — including certain accident benefits like income replacement and death and funeral costs. Those in favour of the new system say it gives drivers more choice...

Last month, Mark Carney’s Liberal government announced a $6-billion plan to help recruit, train and hire up to 100,000 new skilled tradespeople over the next five years. The plan acknowledges a longstanding concern: that Canada has an urgent need for more carpenters, plumbers, millwrights and heavy equipment operators. Among the new initiatives is a $5,000 bonus when a worker completes their Red S...

In communities across Ontario, nominations are now open for October’s municipal elections. It is local democracy in action: candidates put their names in the hat, lay out their promises — and you vote. But is that enough? Does democracy demand more of us? On this week’s episode of Village Media's Closer Look podcast, we revisit a very timely interview with an author who has some urgent things...

Even at 92 years old, Don Cherry is never far from the headlines. Back in February, the longtime co-host of “Coach’s Corner” was appointed to the Order of Ontario . A month later, a Conservative MP started a push to honour Cherry with the Order of Canada — a movement that continues to gain steam . And now there’s a new book out, authored by Cherry’s late daughter, Cindy, who passed away unexpected...

Back in December, Australia became the first country in the world to ban social media for kids under 16. Simply put, popular platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat were ordered to block all Australian children from their sites or face hefty fines. Should Canada follow suit? The momentum is growing. Last month, Culture Minister Marc Miller said the Carney Liberals are “very seriously” consid...

The Ford government says it wants to limit the foreign ownership of prime Ontario farmland, all part of proposed legislation aimed at boosting food sovereignty across the province. But some experts say the government’s focus on foreign ownership is missing the real crisis: Ontario’s rapidly vanishing farmland. Over the past 35 years, Ontario has lost 2.8 million acres — or 18 per cent — of farmlan...

Mary Walsh is so much more than one iconic character, but for countless Canadians she will always be Marg Delahunty, Princess Warrior. Her sword-wielding alter ego — who ambushed politicians, cornered them with uncomfortable questions, and even kissed one would-be prime minister on the lips — was a favourite on This Hour Has 22 Minutes , the long-running sketch show she created. But Marg is only o...

Every day, our Closer Look podcast chases the same mission: to learn something new. Whether we're dissecting a pressing issue, or speaking to a prominent guest, we try to leave the conversation knowing a bit more than before. We hope you've learned some things, too. Starting next week, we're shaking it up a bit. Closer Look is moving from a nightly podcast to a weekly show, with new...

Canada’s Wonderland rode a roller coaster of headlines this week when it announced a new chaperone policy for kids. After 4 p.m., all children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult in order to stay at the iconic park. Any guests 15 or younger found inside Wonderland without a chaperone during those hours will be “immediately subject to removal.” Canada’s Wonderland insists the new po...

In Ontario, the number of people over the age of 80 is set to soar — and advocates say we're not doing enough to prepare for the demographic shift. We are definitely not alone. Countries around the world are grappling to prepare for the inevitable rise in elderly populations.  Could AI dolls help combat loneliness among seniors? Are robots the answer , a hi-tech way to help elderly people per...

For 44 years, Joe Bowen’s signature voice has been the soundtrack of Leafs Nation. But this season will be his last behind the mic — and with the Toronto Maple Leafs officially out of playoff contention, Bowen’s legendary career is down to its final few periods. His last game on the airwaves will be April 15. On tonight’s episode of Village Media’s Closer Look podcast, we revisit our recent interv...

Our guest on tonight’s Closer Look is Ian Howcroft of Skills Ontario , an organization that empowers youth to explore careers in skilled trades and technologies. Reach out to Frisco and Scott

Ontario's minimum wage is set for another bump later this year, rising 35 cents to $17.95 an hour. But is that a living wage? Not even close . On tonight’s episode of Village Media’s Closer Look podcast, we dig deeper into the numbers with Craig Pickthorne of the Ontario Living Wage Network . Reach out to Frisco and Scott

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...