Inside the Village - A weekly podcast featuring newsmakers in Ontario

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 one small part of her story.Walsh's new book — Brassy Bit of Aging Crumpet: A Memoir in Pieces — lays it all out there, from her rocky childhood in Newfoundland to her struggles with alcohol to the dread she often felt while trying to make people laugh.Walsh is our guest on this week's episode of Village Media's Closer Look podcast.Reach out to Frisco and Scott

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 episodes dropping every Sunday morning across the Village Media network.Shifting to a weekly show gives us more room to focus on the stories that really matter. You can expect more context, more perspective, and more thoughtful conversations with our reporters and editors, leading experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Stay tuned!Reach out to Frisco and Scott

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 policy wasn't triggered by a specific incident, but rather in response to "unruly" behaviour reported at other theme parks.Joining us on tonight's Closer Look podcast to talk more about the policy — and the public reaction — is Grace Peacock, director of public relations at Canada's Wonderland.Reach out to Frisco and Scott

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 perform basic tasks? Those options — and many more — are on the table.On tonight's episode of Village Media's Closer Look podcast, we revisit our recent interview with Laura Tamblyn Watts, the CEO of CanAge, a national, non-partisan organization that works to improve the lives of older adults through advocacy, policy and community engagement.Reach out to Frisco and Scott

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 interview with the voice of the Leafs — and the pride of Sudbury — who has received plenty of love from fans throughout the season.“It's been overwhelming, it really has,” Bowen told the podcast. “I've gotten letters, I've gotten texts, emails…It breaks your heart sometimes, but it warms your heart so many times, all of the great stories that everybody has.”Reach out to Frisco and Scott

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 — including the number one person on the list: accused murderer Bryan Fuentes Gramajo.On tonight's episode of Village Media's Closer Look podcast, we revisit our eyeopening interview with Max Langlois, executive director of the Bolo program.You can find all the mugshots HERE.Reach out to Frisco and Scott

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 — March 31 — is the deadline for gun owners to declare those firearms and qualify for compensation.As the deadline approaches, we revisit our recent Closer Look podcast interview with Noah Schwartz, a professor of political science at the University of the Fraser Valley, and author of the book Targeted: Citizenship, Advocacy and Gun Control in Canada.You can watch the full interview HERE.Reach out to Frisco and Scott

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 Look podcast is a person who knows this team as well as anyone: Dan Shulman, the Sportsnet broadcaster who calls every pitch.Play ball!Reach out to Frisco and Scott

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 businesses and buy Canadian products,” the agency says. “Consumers deserve origin labels they can trust so they can make informed choices. Accurate origin labelling creates a fair marketplace that benefits both consumers and businesses.”Joining us on tonight's Closer Look podcast to discuss the ongoing crackdown is Richard Leblanc, a professor of governance, law and ethics at York University.Reach out to Frisco and Scott

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 experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca 

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 demographer at Environics Research.

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's Closer Look podcast, we revisit a timely interview with Rui Rodrigues, a loss prevention advisor at the Retail Council of Canada.

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 people with stool tests every second year to look for early evidence of colorectal cancer.Our guest on tonight's episode of Village Media's Closer Look podcast is Brandon Purcell, advocacy manager of prevention and early detection at the Canadian Cancer Society.

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 considered debate.”As we wait to hear what the federal government decides, it's the perfect time to revisit our recent podcast interview with a leading expert on teens and screens: Katherine Martinko, an author, public speaker and contributing columnist at The Globe and Mail.

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 editors, leading experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

"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 their parliamentary assistants and staff.The change would undo more than 35 years of lawful access to those records — and apply retroactively, which means it would impact all in-process requests, including FOIs for documents related the Greenbelt scandal, the Skills Development Fund controversy and Ford's personal cellphone records.In a statement released late this afternoon, Patricia Kosseim, Ontario's Information and Privacy Commissioner, called on the government to withdraw the proposed changes.“Freedom of information laws exist to provide Ontarians with vital information about how government decisions are made, on what basis, who influenced them, and whether the public interest is being served,” Kosseim said. “If records about government business can be shielded from scrutiny simply because they sit in a minister's office, on a staffer's device, or within a political account, public accountability is eviscerated.”Our guest on tonight's episode of Closer Look is Jessica Smith Cross, editor-in-chief of The Trillium, Village Media's news source at Queen's Park.

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 on tonight's Closer Look podcast to talk about Ford's plan is Aidan Chamandy, one of our reporters at TorontoToday.

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 highways.Joining us from their car is Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles and John Vanthof, who represents the riding of Timiskaming-Cochrane.The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) has previously called on the federal and provincial governments to invest in the so-called 2+1 model for widening highways.You can learn more about that HERE.

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 combined $10-million in compensation to approximately 250 claimants.The class members include people who were injured in the collapse, business owners who leased space in the mall, and employees who lost their jobs.Joining us on tonight's episode of Village Media's Closer Look podcast is David O'Connor, one of the lawyers acting for the plaintiffs in the class-action suit.You can read more about the proposed settlement HERE.

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 insightful, in-depth conversations featuring our reporters and editors, leading experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca

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 the headlines with insightful, in-depth conversations featuring our reporters and editors, leading experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca

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 insightful, in-depth conversations featuring our reporters and editors, leading experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca

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, in-depth conversations featuring our reporters and editors, leading experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca

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-depth conversations featuring our reporters and editors, leading experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca

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, in-depth conversations featuring our reporters and editors, leading experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca

'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-depth conversations featuring our reporters and editors, leading experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca

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-depth conversations featuring our reporters and editors, leading experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca 

Send a textAre 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 were loans. Under the new system, the grant portion will be capped at just 25 per cent.Bottom line: OSAP recipients will now have much bigger debt loads when they graduate.Joining us on Closer Look to break down all the numbers — and all the angry text messages students are sending Doug Ford — is Jack Hauen, one of our Queen's Park reporters at The Trillium.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 experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca 

Send a textCanada has a new Chief Public Health Officer.Dr. Joss Reimer, a Manitoba physician who helped lead that province's COVID-19 response, has been appointed to replace Dr. Theresa Tam, who is retiring.On tonight's episode of Closer Look, we revisit a recent interview with Dr. Reimer, who spoke to our podcast about the country's doctor shortage, the rise of medical misinformation, and why empathy is sometimes more important than expertise.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 experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca 

Send a textIt was a huge day for Canadian hockey, as our men's Olympic team won again in comeback fashion to clinch a spot in Sunday's gold medal game.So on tonight's episode of Closer Look, we're going to stay on the ice.If you haven't heard already, the legendary voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs — Joe Bowen — is retiring at the end of this season after more than four decades behind the mic. On Family Day, he travelled to his hometown of Sudbury, where he was the guest of honour at a Sudbury Wolves game.The best part? He joined his son, David, in the broadcast booth to call the game.On tonight's podcast, we revisit our in-depth interview with Bowen, who chatted with us back in December.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 experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca

Send a textThe Ford government has promised to connect every Ontarian to a family doctor or primary care team by 2029 — and at last check, they're making progress.But are the patients most in need of a doctor being connected first?A new study has found that Ontarians who lost their family physician face a higher risk of death — and that the risk is even higher for patients with multiple chronic health conditions.Dr. Jonathan Fitzsimon, the study's lead author, says the research carries “crucial policy implications” for Ontario as it continues to link every resident to primary care. He 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 experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca.

Send a textWe hear it often: democracy is broken. But is it? Or is democracy just stuck?That is the central question of the new book Democracy's Second Act: Why Politics Needs the Public, written by Peter MacLeod and Richard Johnson.MacLeod 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 experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca.

Send a textWhen Canada played the United States in the final of last year's 4 Nations Face-Off, it was so much more than a single hockey game. It felt like our very existence was on the line.A new CBC documentary — released just in time for the Olympics — tells the full story of that historic tournament, featuring behind-the-scenes footage and exclusive interviews.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 experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca.

Send a textImagine a car that can sense whether the driver is impaired.The technology already exists, and it's far more sophisticated than traditional interlock devices that force a driver to pass a breathalyzer test in order to start their vehicle.Known as “passive impairment detection," the technology includes sensor systems that can detect alcohol levels through touch or ambient air, monitor erratic lane departures, and even assess a driver's head and eye movement.If something doesn't seem right, the car is automatically brought to a safe stop and shut off.In the United States, regulators are pushing for all new vehicles to include this feature by 2030 — and according to a recent poll, Canadians are heavily in favour of our government following suit.“We need to do more of what we're doing: education, awareness, law enforcement,” said Steve Sullivan, the CEO of Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada, during a recent interview on our Closer Look podcast. “But ultimately the solution will be in technology. That will have a huge impact, because it may detect, it may intervene if someone is impaired, and ultimately I think it'll be technology that will be one of the biggest game changers in this area.”On tonight's episode of the podcast, we revisit our in-depth interview with the head of MADD Canada.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 experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca.

Send a textWhere is Liam Toman? More than a year later, his sudden disappearance remains a mystery.Last winter, the 22-year-old from Whitby, Ont., was on a ski trip with some friends in Mont-Tremblant, Que. After a day on the slopes and dinner out, he and a buddy made their way to a popular bar at the resort.Early the next morning, at around 3:15 a.m. on Feb. 2, 2025, a security camera recorded Toman near the outside of his hotel. Then he vanished.As provincial police in Quebec continue to investigate, Toman's loved ones in Ontario have done everything they can to keep his case in the public eye.Our guest on tonight's episode of Closer Look is Liam's mother, Kathleen Toman. Anyone with information on the case is urged to contact the Sûreté du Québec at 1-800-659-4264.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 experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca.

Send a textDon't have a doctor? Don't do this.Nearly half of Canadians are turning to AI to diagnose or treat their health issues, according to a new survey — and the answers being spit out are putting a lot of people in danger.Released by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), the survey found that people who follow health advice from AI are five times more likely to experience harms than those who do not.“For years, we've been talking about how too many Canadians struggle to access health care when they need it,” says Dr. Margot Burnell, president of the CMA. “This leaves people little choice but to turn to dubious sources of information, and now we know that it is hurting them. We fear what this will mean for patients in the future if action is not taken now.”Dr. Burnell 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 experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca.

Send a textPeople can be pretty biased when it comes to their hometowns. Ask someone which city is the best, and chances are they'll choose their own.But when it comes to livability, which Canadian city actually comes out on top? Is “good place to live” a concept that can be measured?The Globe and Mail set out to try — and the latest results are in.The newspaper's third annual “Canada's Most Livable Cities” ranking uses 58 variables across 10 key categories — from health care and the economy to housing and transportation — to produce a composite score for 454 different cities coast to coast.The detailed report also includes an interactive tool that allows readers to prioritize the attributes they value most. Click HERE to find out how your city measures up.Joining us on tonight's Closer Look podcast to talk about the project is James Cowan, The Globe and Mail's investing and personal finance editor.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 experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca.

Send a textSid Seixeiro is back in the game.The longtime Toronto sports personality — who rose to prominence as one half of the iconic Tim and Sid show — launched his latest venture earlier today: a new live-stream solo podcast that runs every weekday at noon on YouTube, Facebook and X.As loyal fans will remember, Seixeiro walked away from his signature sports show in 2021 to co-host CityTV's Breakfast Television — but was abruptly fired last February, along with co-host Meredith Shaw.After spending the past 12 months on the sidelines, Seixeiro says he is excited to be back in front of a mic and working with Sick Media, an independent production company.“We have 100 per cent control of editorial so we'll decide where we go and when, and that includes Olympics, that includes World Cup,” Seixeiro told our Closer Look podcast. “I'm gonna get angry at some stuff. I'm gonna give some people some respect. I've been pigeonholed a little bit as ‘angry guy.' I'm not always ‘angry guy.' That's only 85 per cent of my day.”Asked about his high-profile break-up with Breakfast Television, Seixeiro told us he plans to address all the details on his Friday show.“I haven't really talked about it publicly, but something happened to me online after I left BT that I wasn't used to — people were nice to me," he said. "And so I'm going to go through my version of that later this week. It's not like some tell-all salacious thing. It's going to be rather boring, but there's more to it on my end than people know.”Click HERE to check out the official site of The Sid Seixeiro Show. 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 experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free

Send us a textNearly six years ago, the Trudeau government banned 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 are they supposed to do with it now?The answer took years to materialize, but the promised federal buyback program is now live. Gun owners have until March 31 to declare their interest in receiving compensation in exchange for their firearms — and by the end of the year, it will be a Criminal Code offence to own any of the listed models.It's a controversial initiative, to say the least, with many critics adamant that the buyback won't do a thing to actually lower gun crime in this country, which is fuelled largely by illegal weapons smuggled into Canada from the United States. Some provinces — and many Ontario police forces — are refusing to even participate in the program.Our guest on tonight's episode of Closer Look is a man who spends more time than most researching gun laws: Noah Schwartz, a professor of political science at the University of the Fraser Valley, and author of the book Targeted: Citizenship, Advocacy and Gun Control in Canada.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 experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca.

Send us a textBack in 2018, now-Premier Doug Ford campaigned on a promise to end “hallway healthcare.” Eight years later, not much has changed.According to the latest available data, an average of nearly 1,400 Ontario hospital patients per day were treated in “unconventional spaces” — which includes not only hallways, but closets, cafeterias and even bathrooms.But there is one thing that has suddenly changed: the Ford government's willingness to publicly disclose the latest data on hallway healthcare. For years, that metric was included in an annual report released by Ontario Health, the agency that oversees the province's health-care system. Not anymore.One emergency room physician called the change “complete and utter malpractice in terms of public accountability and transparency,” while NDP health critic France Gélinas said it's clear the Ford government has “decided hiding this data is easier than fixing the problems.”Joining us on tonight's Closer Look to explain the change is the journalist who broke the story: Sneh Duggal, deputy editor of The Trillium, Village Media's bureau at Queen's Park.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 experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca.

Send us a textLast month, Rogers asked Canadians everywhere to donate their old hockey jerseys for a unique display of national pride and unity. They wanted a wide variety of colours and logos from coast to coast — from Timbits to beer leagues and everything in between.Cameron Lizotte took over from there.A former OHL hockey player who traded his skates for fashion design, the Sudbury native was handpicked to slice up the donations and transform them into five one-of-a-kind jerseys. His final creations — The Great Canadian Jerseys — were unveiled just in time for the Winter Olympics.Lizotte 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 experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca.

Send us a textNew research might help explain why some Ontario teenagers are feeling so distressed these days.The study, published in the journal Addiction, analyzed data from more than 35,000 students in grades seven through 12 — and found that symptoms of depression and anxiety nearly tripled over the past decade, from 10.7 per cent in 2013 to 27.4 per cent in 2023.At the same time, researchers also found that youth who used cannabis 40 or more times a year reported an 18 per cent higher prevalence of psychological distress in 2023.Does that mean cannabis use is contributing to youth mental health problems? Or are some teens turning to the drug to help cope with those problems?Our guest on tonight's Closer Look podcast is André McDonald, a post-doctoral fellow at McMaster University and the lead author of the study.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 experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca.

Send us a textDonald Trump's tariffs have forced Canada to take a hard look in the mirror. Simply put, a national economy based around U.S. dependency is no longer viable.Is it also time to rethink how we deliver postsecondary education in Canada? A new report says yes — and that the necessary changes must be “urgent and coordinated.”Released back in October by the Royal Bank of Canada, the report calls for a “postsecondary pivot” to advance national goals, including a focus on defence and space exploration, artificial intelligence and major energy projects.Some of the notable proposals include retraining auto workers for the shipbuilding and space sectors, teaching AI skills across all academic disciplines, and positioning Canada as NATO's “firefighting nation.”On tonight's episode of Closer Look, we revisit our interview with Jackie Pichette, director of skills policy for RBC Thought Leadership.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 experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca.

Send us a textFour stars? More like five-alarm fire.‘Heated Rivalry' is about as hot as a TV show can get, reaching huge audiences and critical acclaim across the globe.Filmed in Guelph, Hamilton, Dundas and Toronto, the made-in-Canada Crave series has also been quite a boon for local tourism, as fans of the show flock to visit some of the sites where the show was shot — including Dundurn Castle and the Sleeman Centre, home of the Guelph Storm.Joining us on tonight's episode of Closer Look to talk about the hit show — and the many hometown connections — is reporter Taylor Pace, one of our colleagues at GuelphToday.You can read her latest Heated Rivalry feature story HERE.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 experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca.

Send us a textNo matter how you crunch the numbers, the answer comes out the same: Ontario hospitals are desperate for more money.Last week, the Ontario Hospital Association told the Ford government that the sector is facing a structural deficit of $1-billion — a situation that requires not only more money this year, but a predictable, multi-year funding plan.A separate report says the problem is actually much worse. Released this week by the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions, the report says the provincial government would need to increase core funding by $3.2 billion in order to match per capita hospital spending in other provinces.A spokesperson for Health Minister Sylvia Jones called the union's interpretation “misguided.”“Ontario is proud to have one of the largest publicly funded health-care systems in the world, with the largest health-care workforce in Canada, and we continue to make record investments in our health-care system, including investing $91.5 billion this year alone, a $30 billion increase since 2018,” the spokesperson said.Michael Hurley, president of Ontario Council of Hospital Unions, 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 experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca.

Send us a textImagine a world where every weekend is a long weekend.For Joe O'Connor, it's no pipe dream. He's been pushing the concept of a four-day workweek for a long time — and he's convinced plenty of organizations to embrace his vision and reap the rewards.To be clear, O'Connor is not advocating that people squeeze 40 hours of work into four days. Instead, he is trumpeting the many benefits of a 32-hour workweek.Not convinced? Check out his new book, co-authored by journalist Jared Lindzon: Do More in Four: Why It's Time for a Shorter Workweek.O'Connor 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 experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca.

Send us a textEight years ago, the entire country mourned alongside the tight-knit community of Humboldt, Saskatchewan.A bus carrying the local junior hockey team — the Humboldt Broncos — collided with a transport truck on April 6, 2018, killing 16 people and injuring 13 others.Last week, Netflix released a teaser about a new fictional series that sounds eerily familiar: a team in a working-class town where hockey is everything — until a bus crash kills a group of young players and their coach.The show's concept doesn't sit well with a lot of people, including some who lost loved ones in the Humboldt crash. One of the family members speaking out is Scott Thomas, whose 18-year-old son, Evan, was among the players who died.Thomas 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 experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca.