Inside the Village - A weekly podcast featuring newsmakers in Ontario

Send us a textIn cities and towns across Ontario (and at Queen's Park and Parliament Hill) our journalists work for you. Their mission is to dig for answers and tell you what they find.This daily podcast — Closer Look — is all about the stories we tell.Launched in September, our mission is to go beyond the headlines with in-depth, eye-opening conversations featuring Village Media reporters and editors, leading experts, key stakeholders and major newsmakers.Tonight, as we begin a two-week break for the holidays, hosts Michael Friscolanti and Scott Sexsmith look back at the wide range of stories that we featured on our new podcast. They also look ahead at what's shaping up to be a huge year for Village Media, the publisher that operates this local news site.Frisco and Scott will be back with fresh episodes starting Monday Jan. 5, 2026. In the meantime, we want to express our sincerest thanks to everyone who has tuned in, either here on your local news source or wherever you find your favourite podcasts.See you next year!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 textAustralia has become the first country in the world to ban social media for kids under 16 — a move welcomed by plenty of parents and child advocates.As of last week, popular platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat were ordered to block all Australian kids from using their sites or face hefty fines.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it "a proud day" for the country, saying the ban will “make an enormous difference” on the well-being of millions of children."It's a profound reform which will continue to reverberate around the world," he said.Should Canada follow suit? Would such a drastic step make any real difference? We ask an expert who knows a thing or two about kids and screens: Katherine Martinko, the author of Childhood Unplugged: Practical Advice to Get Kids Off Screens and Find Balance.Spoiler alert: Martinko waited until her son turned 16 before allowing him to have a smartphone. After watching tonight's episode of Closer Look, you might be convinced to do the same.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 textFor decades, a serial killer in Ontario went completely unnoticed. No one had any idea he even existed.His victims — Christine Prince, Claire Samson and Gracelyn Greenidge — were sexually assaulted and brutally murdered in Toronto between 1982 and 1997. But for years, not a single piece of evidence led police to suspect their killings were connected.That all changed last week.Using an emerging forensic technique known as investigative genetic genealogy, Toronto Police and the OPP say they were able to “conclusively identify” the man responsible for the murders: Kenneth Smith, who died in Windsor in 2019 at the age of 72.The case has made headlines around the world, and police suspect there may be more victims. Born in South Porcupine, Ont. — and convicted of the rape and kidnapping of a 14-year-old girl in Barrie in 1975 — Smith left behind a lengthy history of criminal convictions.Det.-Sgt. Steve Smith, who heads up the cold case unit at the Toronto Police Service, said his team was grateful to finally provide some answers to the victims' loved ones.“This was one of the cases that we were fixated on,” Smith said. “I know both the OPP and our investigators, they wanted nothing more than to solve this case, just because it was so unique. It was three vulnerable women minding their own business, and all three were taken, sexually assaulted and murdered viciously. So when we were able to actually say 100 per cent that Kenneth Smith was our offender, it was unbelievable for our investigators. Everybody was just so happy.”Det.-Sgt. Smith is our guest on tonight's episode of Village Media's Closer Look podcast. He lays out in detail how the investigation evolved, how the killer was finally exposed, and what the breakthrough could mean for hundreds of other cold cases across Ontario.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,

Send us a textThe Ontario Legislature has adjourned for the Christmas break — until March 23. (Yes, you read that right.)But don't expect our team of political journalists at The Trillium to slow down as a result. Their work never really stops.Throughout the fall sitting, The Trillium's exclusive reporting on the Ford government's $2.5-billion Skills Development Fund (SDF) led the conversation at Queen's Park. One company at the centre of the controversy is now under OPP investigation.As previously reported, we've also launched a crowdfunding campaign to help pay the hefty cost of ongoing freedom of information requests related to this story. You can learn more about that HERE and HERE.Joining us tonight on Closer Look to talk about the latest SDF developments is Charlie Pinkerton, a reporter 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 us a textBuying some gift cards for Christmas? Don't get scammed.Like so much else these days, gift cards have become a prime target for fraudsters, costing Canadian shoppers millions of dollars a year. (The Retail Council of Canada reported $5.7 million lost to gift card scams in 2024 — up from $3.8 million 2021.)Last week alone, police in both Hamilton and Waterloo Region announced major busts involving fraudulent gift cards. In the Hamilton case, police allege a man was “manipulating” cards on display at a store by replacing the barcodes with ones that belonged to cards he already had.“As a result, when an unsuspecting customer purchased one of the altered cards, the monetary value loaded at the checkout would activate only the card held by the suspect, leaving the purchaser with a worthless card,” Hamilton Police said in a news release.Ritesh Kotak is not the least bit surprised by the recent headlines. A lawyer and cybercrime expert, he is our guest on tonight's episode of Closer Look.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 textHow widespread is human trafficking in Canada? Two new reports offer the clearest evidence yet.According to Statistics Canada, more than 5,000 incidents of human trafficking were reported to police between 2014 and 2024, for a national average of 1.2 per 100,000 people. Among the provinces and territories, Ontario recorded the second-highest rate.The StatsCan analysis comes on the heels of another alarming report from The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking, which revealed that annual calls to its hotline reached an all-time high. In 2024, the centre fielded more than 5,100 calls from victims, survivors and others affected by human trafficking — an average of 14 calls every day.Joining us on tonight's Closer Look to talk about the latest numbers, what they reveal — and what more can be done to help victims — is Julia Drydyk, executive director of the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking.More information about the hotline (1-833-900-1010) can be found 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 textImagine looking at a billboard — then realizing it's watching you back.That's exactly what's happening near Union Station in Toronto, where certain signs are outfitted with small cameras that record every person walking by. Known as anonymous video analytics (AVA), the technology generates stats about people's estimated age and gender, then uses that information to determine which kind of ads to display.The company behind the billboards, Cineplex Digital Media, is adamant that nobody's image is stored or shared. In fact, if someone turns away from the camera and comes back, the company insists the device will think they're a new person.But those assurances aren't nearly enough for many concerned commuters, who want the signs removed because of potential privacy violations. This week, Canada's Privacy Commissioner launched an official investigation.Among those demanding the removal of the billboards is Technologists for Democracy, a newly formed organization that advocates for the responsible use of emerging tech, including AI. Adam Motaouakkil, one of the group's organizers, 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 textCheers to charity? That's what the Ford government is being urged to do.For months, the LCBO has been sitting on an $80-million stockpile of U.S. booze — all of it yanked off store shelves back in March as retaliation for Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs.The Ontario Liberals are now calling on the province to sell all that bourbon, wine and spritzers and donate the money to charitable causes — following the lead of other provinces, including Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.The Ford government hasn't completely ruled out the idea, saying it's “currently exploring options for the products.”“It seems like a no-brainer,” says Tom Cooper, a business professor at Memorial University in Newfoundland and Labrador, one of the growing number of provinces selling its U.S. alcohol to benefit food banks.“I would encourage the Ford government, the Conservatives, to do this,” he continued. “It's a good political win for them to say: ‘Look, we took a hard line. We've been leading the opposition in Canada around the tariffs, but we decided to try and help some groups that really are trying to do good in the community.'”Cooper is our guest on tonight's episode of Village Media's Closer Look podcast. Fill a glass and enjoy the 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 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 textFor more than four decades, Joe Bowen's unmistakable voice has been the soundtrack of Leafs Nation. But this season will be the last of his legendary career behind the mic.Bowen — the pride of Sudbury — is retiring from the broadcast booth after more than 3,800 NHL games and countless magical calls. And next Tuesday night, the Maple Leafs have a special on-ice tribute planned during their game against the Chicago Blackhawks, the same team on the opposing bench when Bowen first called the action way back in 1982.“I wake up in the middle of the night thinking: ‘What in the hell are you going to say after this is done on the ice?' ” said Bowen, during an interview on Village Media's Closer Look podcast. “I'm hoping that I don't end up being a bawling mess, but I think we have a few things [to say] and lots of people to thank, that's for sure."Bowen was gracious enough to spend 30 minutes on our podcast, reminiscing about his favourite calls, the many friends he's made in the game, and his plans for retirement. He also expressed deep gratitude to the many fans who've reached out with best wishes.“It's been overwhelming, it really has,” Bowen said. “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.”You can watch our full interview with Bowen in the above video, or in the YouTube clip below.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

Send us a textThis lottery winner will need to spend a portion of his prize on a defence lawyer.A 70-year-old Toronto man is facing theft and fraud charges after allegedly claiming a $1-million Lotto Max prize that was actually intended to be split among three people.Ontario Provincial Police say they launched an investigation in September and confirmed that the winning ticket was part of a group play arrangement.For the many Canadians who play the lottery with a group, this case is a timely reminder to make sure you keep good records. What kind of records?Stephan Desbiens, a portfolio manager at Exponent Investment Management, has all the answers. He also has some good advice for the lucky few who strike it rich at the lottery kiosk.Desbiens 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 textEarlier this year, the Retail Council of Canada released an alarming report about a "national crisis" facing its members: skyrocketing rates of theft, violence and organized criminal activity.This week, police in Halton Region added to the long list of examples.Three people were arrested for their role in what the cops described as a “large-scale liquor trafficking operation” that moved more than $1.3 million worth of stolen booze across the Greater Toronto Area. Police say the ring included at least ten groups of organized thieves who stole bottles from various LCBO outlets."Our community deserves to shop and work in safe environments," said Inspector Raf Skwarka. “The individuals involved in this operation showed a deliberate disregard for the law and for the safety of others."How is it even possible for a group of people to shoplift more than $1.3 million worth of alcohol? Is this one of the most brazen examples of the crime wave Canadian retailers are grappling with? What is the solution?Joining us on tonight's Closer Look to tackle those questions, and many more, is Rui Rodrigues, a loss prevention advisor at the Retail Council of 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 textDon't expect the new year to ring in lower grocery bills.The latest edition of Canada's Food Price Report, produced annually by several universities, projects that an average family of four will pay close to $1,000 more for food in 2026 than this year — for a total bill of $17,571.79.The report pegs the rate of food inflation at somewhere between four and six per cent, with items such as meat, baked goods and vegetables seeing the biggest price jumps.What's driving the ever-rising prices? What can shoppers do to find some relief? Our guest on tonight's Closer Look podcast is Professor Sadaf Mollaei, an associate professor at the University of Guelph's School of Hospitality, Food and Tourism Management.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 textHosted 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 textRaccoons as pets? Don't laugh.A new study has found that urban raccoons have shorter snouts compared to their rural counterparts — a sign they're heading down the same path of evolutionary domestication that dogs and cats did tens of thousands of years ago.TorontoToday reporter Emma Johnston-Wheeler dug a little deeper into the research, seeking out reaction in a city where the raccoon has risen to the status of de facto mascot.Johnston-Wheeler 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 textThe COVID-19 pandemic exposed a harsh truth about Ontario's long-term care homes: many were woefully understaffed, a factor that helped fuel the rapid spread of the deadly virus.Doug Ford's government promised a major overhaul, including this key goal: by the end of 2024-25, LTC homes would have enough staff that each resident would receive an average of at least four hours a day of direct “hands-on care” from nurses and personal support workers (PSWs).As it worked toward that goal, the government crunched the numbers and regularly disclosed the provincial average. Although Ontario just missed its final target — recording an average of 3 hours and 49 minutes of hands-on care in the fourth quarter of the 2024-25 fiscal year — it exceeded the four-hour mark the following quarter.But data on individual homes' performance has not been made public. Until now.The Trillium, Village Media's bureau at Queen's Park, obtained the internal government data via a freedom of information request. The exclusive report includes a searchable tool that anyone can use to access the data regarding their local long-term care homes.Jessica Smith Cross, editor-in-chief of The Trillium, is our guest on tonight's episode of Closer Look.Along with her investigative report, we also talk about The Trillium's ongoing crowdfunding campaign related to the Ford government's Skills Development Fund (SDF). You can find out more about that project HERE and 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

Send us a textCheers to compromise.Ontario grocers and The Beer Store have reached a tentative deal on a problem that's been brewing for months: Who is going to collect your empties?As of Jan. 1, grocery stores across the province were supposed to be ready to accept empty alcohol containers — all part of the Ford government's expansion of booze sales to grocery and convenience stores.Grocers big and small were never keen on the plan, citing increased costs — not to mention the health and safety risks of having dirty, empty containers near food and other items. In fact, some grocers had threatened to cancel their liquor-selling licences if a compromise wasn't reached.This week, all sides reached an agreement in principle.The details are still being worked out, but here's the gist: consumers will continue to exchange empties for their deposits at Beer Store locations, while grocers pay the brewers a fee depending on how much alcohol they sell at their stores.Joining us on tonight's Closer Look to help break down all the details is Gary Sands, vice-president of policy and advocacy with the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers.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 September, our podcast featured an emotional interview with Hazel van der Werken, a grieving mother who is on a mission to slash wait times at Ontario emergency departments.Her son, Finlay van der Werken, died from sepsis and pneumonia in February 2024 — after waiting more than eight hours to be treated at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. “Everybody knows how bad and how long the wait times are, yet we seem to be complacent because nothing has changed,” Hazel told the podcast. “This is something that has been progressively getting worse, and for us as Finlay's parents, it doesn't even feel like a choice. It feels like we have a responsibility to help with that change and to help make sure that things are reformed.”Along with demanding a coroner's inquest, the family is calling on Doug Ford's government to introduce legislation — “Finlay's Law” — that would establish maximum emergency room wait times for children.They have also launched a lawsuit against Halton Healthcare Services, which operates the Oakville hospital, alleging the facility had an “inadequate system” in place to ensure patients like Finlay were seen in an appropriate amount of time. (In a statement of defence, the hospital operator denies any wrongdoing and says staff provided “reasonable care” that night.)Has the system improved at all since Finlay's tragic death? It doesn't appear so.According to data analyzed by CBC Marketplace and the Montreal Economic Institute, close to 500,000 Canadians actually walked out of ERs last year without being seen by a doctor. Ontario had the lowest rate among provinces, but the data still reveals that approximately 5 per cent of Ontario patients left an emergency room without seeing a doctor in 2024.A separate report reveals another alarming statistic: 23,746. That is the number of Canadian patients (at least) who died last fiscal year while on government waiting lists for surgeries or diagnostic scans.The data, obtained via freedom of information by the think tank SecondStreet.org, further shows that 355 patients in Ontario died while waiting for cardiac surgery or a cardiac procedure. On tonight's episode of Closer Look, we revisit parts of our conversation with Hazel van der Werken. You can watch the full interview 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.

Send us a textIf you don't have your winter clothes ready to go, dig them out. Frigid temperatures are on the way.A polar vortex is expected to unleash a deep chill on most parts of Canada next week, with heavy snow expected in some parts of Ontario.What exactly is a polar vortex? Despite its sinister name, a lot of people don't actually know. So we asked an expert to help us (and you) understand.David Phillips is a longtime climatologist at Environment and Climate Change Canada, and arguably the country's most recognized weather expert. 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 us a textThis week, the OPP announced a major development in an unsolved mystery that devastated a small community in northern Ontario.As reported by TimminsToday, police say they've identified the specific pickup truck believed to have been involved in a hit-and-run incident that killed a young woman in Moose Factory, Ont., more than two years ago.The victim was 21-year-old Loni Chum. A beloved daughter and sister, she was walking home from a friend's house on the early morning of Nov. 7, 2023 when she was struck and left for dead.Police have released a new video with footage of the dark-coloured pickup truck — and a renewed plea for information. There is currently a $100,000 reward for details leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.“Despite extensive investigation, we are still trying to uncover the truth in Loni's tragic death,” Detective Inspector Tom McVey said in the video.For Loni's grieving father, the new lead offers fresh hope after so many sleepless nights.“I just want my daughter's case to be solved, and I want closure for our family and for the community,” said Robert Chum, speaking to Village Media's Closer Look podcast. Robert has been a fierce advocate for his daughter, doing everything he can to keep her case in the spotlight. Every day, he adds a new post to his TikTok page in her memory.Asked if he has a message for the person who was behind the wheel of that pickup truck, Robert did not hesitate.“It's time to admit what you did that night,” he said. “All I ask is: come forward. Close this case. Be honest with yourself. Be honest with your family. Be honest with us.”Anyone with information on Loni's death is encouraged to call the OPP at 1-800-310-1122, or contact their nearest policing authority. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477.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,

Send us a textWhen it comes to our lingering trade war with the United States, reassuring headlines are hard to find. But here's one silver lining: Turns out Donald Trump has been quite a boon to the Canadian tourism industry.While international travel to the U.S. is way down — in part because many Canadians are hesitant cross the border these days — tourism spending on this side of the 49th is on the rise.According to Destination Canada, the busy summer season saw a total revenue increase of $3.3 billion compared to the same period last year. In some cases, international vacationers are choosing Canada over the U.S.; in others, Canadians are opting to explore their own country rather than visit their southern neighbour.“As a Canadian tourism industry, we have a lot of people who are interested in us,” says Wayne Smith, director of the Institute for Hospitality and Tourism at Toronto Metropolitan University. “We have an opportunity to create a sustainable tourism marketplace that I think could go a long way and be established for a long time — and be very profitable on one side but also nation building on the other. I'm hoping that we take advantage of this opportunity to really build something special.”Professor Smith 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 textWhatever your opinion of Dalton McGuinty, this much is difficult to dispute: the man knows a thing or two about leadership.He was Ontario's Liberal leader for 16 years, including a full decade as Premier (2003 to 2013). And long before that, McGuinty grew up as one of the eldest in a house of 10 children. He learned at a young age some of the most important virtues of leadership, including patience, compromise and teamwork.Now 70 and long retired from public life, McGuinty has written a new book about leadership aimed specifically at fellow politicians — “those in the arena,” as he describes them. In fact, he is promising to mail a copy of Be a Good One: Words to Lead By to every federal and provincial representative across the country, as well as big city mayors. During a visit this week to Sault Ste. Marie, McGuinty stopped by Village Media headquarters for an in-depth interview on our Closer Look podcast. We talked about his book, but a whole lot more — including the influence of his parents, how often he pays attention to the current happenings at Queen's Park, and the ever-lingering gas plants scandal."Parties will come and parties will go," he told the podcast. "Leaders will come and leaders will go. Issues will come and issues will go. What counts is how it is that we grapple with the issues of the day. That's where I'm trying to be of some net positive value in a way that transcends partisanship."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 textWe cover a lot of different issues on this podcast: some extremely serious, some much lighter. Today's topic can fall on either end of the spectrum, depending on your viewpoint.Should candy tossing be outlawed at community parades?There was a time, not long ago, when local parades were a literal rain shower of candy chucked from floats. But after a few tragic accidents — including the 2018 death of a four-year-old girl during a Christmas parade in Nova Scotia — many organizers across North America started banning candy throwing altogether.Today, most community parades in Ontario don't allow the practice, opting instead for volunteers walking the route to hand out goodies. It drastically lowers the risk of a child running into the path of a passing float.Not everyone agrees with the change. Some consider it an attack on a beloved tradition, or just another silly example of safety overkill.But there are legitimate liability issues to consider, as well as the need to keep insurance costs down.Our guest on tonight's Closer Look is Tudor Gagea, an associate at the personal injury law firm Oakley Vigmond, whose office locations include Toronto, Sudbury Barrie and North Bay.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 textWould you buy a steak or pork chop that came from a cloned animal? In the new year, you might end up doing just that — without even knowing it.Health Canada has introduced new regulations that will remove cloned meat from the agency's “novel foods” category, which means meat from cloned animals won't need to be labelled.The move raises a whole lot of juicy questions. Is cloned meat safe to eat? Shouldn't producers be forced to tell us what we're eating? Do we even need to clone livestock?Joining us on tonight's Closer Look to answer all those questions — and a lot more — is Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University.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 textIf you follow Ontario politics, you've no doubt heard of the Skills Development Fund (SDF). One of the Ford government's signature initiatives, the multi-billion-dollar program doles out taxpayer dollars to companies and organizations that provide training programs and other support for workers. Premier Doug Ford has called it “the best investment we've ever done in the province.”But the Skills Development Fund has been at the centre of a political firestorm during the current sitting of the Ontario Legislature — in large part because of investigative reporting from The Trillium, Village Media's bureau at Queen's Park.Our reporting has revealed that some recipients of SDF money have close ties to the Ford government, either through leaders who've donated to the PC Party or via well-connected lobbyists. These deep-dive stories have been fuelled by freedom of information (FOI) requests, a process that can be expensive, depending on how much time and effort it takes provincial ministries to find and prepare requested records.How expensive? The Trillium recently filed five more requests for specific information regarding the SDF, including emails and other documents — and the ministry came back with a total estimate of nearly $12,000.That's why we've decided to launch a crowdfunding campaign asking for your support. We're looking for readers and voters who value our reporting and want to help shine a light on how millions in taxpayer dollars are being spent.Joining us on tonight's Closer Look podcast to talk about the contribution drive, and the latest news on the SDF scandal, is Jessica Smith Cross, editor-in-chief of The Trillium.You can read more about the crowdfunding campaign HERE — and if you want to contribute, please click 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

Send us a textSpanning many years, the scheme grew into one of the largest art frauds in Canadian history: thousands of fakes bearing the forged signature of renowned Indigenous painter Norval Morrisseau. When police first revealed the fruits of Project Totton back in 2023, eight suspects were arrested and more than 1,000 alleged ripoffs were seized. At the time, investigators believed the total fraud surpassed $100 million.In a Barrie courtroom last week, the final suspect learned his fate. A jury found Jeff Cowan of Niagara-on-the-Lake guilty of three counts of fraud over $5,000 and one count of uttering a forged document. The 49-year-old, who represented himself during trial, is due back in court next month to set a date for sentencing submissions. An eventual prison term appears all but certain.BarrieToday court reporter Peter Robinson, who covered the high-profile fraud trial, is our guest tonight on 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 textU.S. President Donald Trump is floating a controversial idea to help more Americans achieve home ownership: 50-year mortgages.On the front end, such loans would lower people's monthly payments by stretching out the principal over a much longer period. But in the end, the interest payments would be way higher — more than double the amount forked over during a typical 30-year mortgage.North of the border, Trump's proposal raises the obvious question: Should Canada consider allowing 50-year mortgages?Don't bank on it. On tonight's episode of Closer Look, we break down the pros and cons — and a lot more — with Dan Eisner, founder and CEO of True North Mortgage.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 textLeery of AI chatbots? This podcast episode definitely won't dispel your fears.OpenAI, the company that created ChatGPT, has been slapped with multiple lawsuits alleging the wildly popular chatbot has a glaring dark side: it plunges users into AI-fuelled delusions, mental health crises, and even suicide.One of the plaintiffs is a Canadian: Allan Brooks of Cobourg, Ont., who claims ChatGPT convinced him he'd created a novel mathematical theory that could hack sophisticated encryption algorithms. The chatbot told him he was a “genius” — and said his amazing discovery presented such a risk to global cybersecurity that he must immediately warn authorities.Brooks frantically complied.All told, Brooks spent three full weeks (300 hours) conversing with ChatGPT about his so-called discovery until he finally realized the truth.In a revealing interview on tonight's Closer Look, Brooks talks about how tumbled down the rabbit hole, why he's suing, and what he's doing now to help others headed down the same path.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 textIt's true what they say: records are meant to be broken.Over the summer, the Ontario Provincial Police announced the largest fentanyl seizure in the force's history: 38 kg, or more than 380,000 street doses of the lethal drug. The massive bust was the result of Project Golden, a multi-jurisdictional investigation that spanned 11 months and multiple communities.Today, the force announced an even bigger bust: 46 kg of fentanyl taken off the streets in Windsor, all part of an extensive investigation — Project Rotherham — that the OPP alleges is linked to organized crime.On tonight's episode of Closer Look, we revisit two previous interviews that shed light on how fentanyl is produced and trafficked across Ontario: one with OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique, the other with renowned organized crime expert and author Antonio Nicaso.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 textIt's definitely not something to be proud of.This week, Canada was officially stripped of its “measles elimination status” by the Pan American Health Organization — marking the first time in 27 years that our country was deemed not to be free of the highly contagious disease.Public health experts were hardly surprised by the announcement. For more than a year now, an outbreak of the virus has spread to several provinces, including Ontario, leading to more than 5,000 confirmed cases.What led to such a huge spike? Vaccine hesitancy certainly played a huge role. Ontario has recorded a steady decline in the number of children under 7 receiving the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine, with only 70 per cent immunized in 2023-24.But that's not the only culprit. Many experts — including Dr. Dawn Bowdish, an immunologist at McMaster University — say this week's news exposes other flaws that need immediate fixing, including the province's lingering doctor shortage.Dr. Bowdish is our guest on tonight's episode of Closer Look. If you want to understand the many layers of this story, her interview is a must-watch.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 textIronically enough, David Chilton did something he would never advise a client to do: he cashed out his RRSPs early to help fund his dream.In his case, the dream was to write a book: The Wealthy Barber. Thankfully for him, the risk paid off — countless times over.Released 36 years ago, The Wealthy Barber helped a generation of readers understand money management and sound investing strategies. At last count, the personal-finance guide has sold more than 2.1 million copies.  Chilton's iconic book is still on the shelves — but with a fresh rewrite for a new generation. Released Nov. 4, the updated version explores a lot of subjects that simply didn't exist back in the late-1980s, including TFSAs, FHSAs, and the massive impact of social media on people's spending decisions.David Chilton is our guest on tonight'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 textPremier Doug Ford has made no secret of his dream to build a massive tunnel underneath Highway 401. But is the idea even possible?We're about to find out — at a hefty cost to taxpayers.The province confirmed this week it has awarded a $9.1-million contract to WSP Canada Inc. to conduct a detailed feasibility study."Our government is making significant progress on the transformational project to build a tunnel under Highway 401 that will get people and goods moving across the province faster," said a spokesperson for Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria.On tonight's episode of Closer Look, we revisit some of our previous coverage of Ford's tunnel vision. Is it safe to build? How much would this massive project actually cost? How many years would it take to finish? Would those billions be better spent on other traffic-fighting measures, including public transit?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 textThe Carney government tabled its first-ever budget this week — and like the recent federal election, the spectre of Donald Trump looms large over the entire thing.Although the U.S. President's name doesn't actually appear anywhere in the 493-page document, the budget lays out the Liberal government's detailed plan to defend Canada from America's ramped-up trade aggressions.The key figure is $78.3 billion — the total projected deficit for 2025-2026 — with targeted spending on defence, infrastructure and attracting investment to Canada. The budget also includes major cuts to the country's civil service.Joining us on tonight's Closer Look to break down all the specifics are three Village Media journalists who were on Parliament Hill for the budget's release: Jessica Smith Cross, editor-in-chief of The Trillium, and Katherine DeClerq and Palak Mangat of Parliament Today.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 week, Health Canada gave the green light to a long-awaited drug that slows the progression of early-stage Alzheimer's disease.Lecanemab is the first approved medication that targets the buildup of amyloid plaque in the brain, believed to be an underlying cause of Alzheimer's.For patients and their loved ones across the country, the approval could not have come fast enough. According to the Alzheimer's Society of Canada, there are close to 800,000 people in the country living with some form of dementia right now — a number that's expected to hit 1 million by 2030.Dr. Howard Chertkow is a senior scientist at the Baycrest Academy for Research and Education, and one of Canada's leading experts on dementia. He joins us on tonight's Closer Look to discuss the new drug — but also why he believes this could be a “turnaround decade” in the treatment, prevention and early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia.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 textShould alcohol bottles contain cancer warning labels?That controversial question was at the heart of a recent Senate debate over Bill S-202, which, if passed, would require liquor packaging in Canada to feature cigarette-style warnings.The Canadian Cancer Society says consuming approximately three drinks per day could double the risk of developing cancer of the mouth, pharynx, larynx and esophagus, and increase the risk of colorectal and breast cancer by one-and-a-half times.But is that risk serious enough to warrant warning labels on all alcohol products?Dan Malleck doesn't think so. The chair of Health Sciences at Brock University, and a leading researcher on alcohol policy in Canada, says warning labels would “present a highly unbalanced and distorted understanding of the effects of alcohol on the human body and, more importantly, on human life.”Malleck, who recently testified at the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, is our guest on tonight'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 textLast week, Amazon announced the elimination of 14,000 jobs worldwide as the retail giant ramps up spending on artificial intelligence. "Some may ask why we're reducing roles when the company is performing well," wrote Beth Galetti, a senior vice-president at the company. "What we need to remember is that the world is changing quickly. This generation of AI is the most transformative technology we've seen since the Internet, and it's enabling companies to innovate much faster than ever before.”For many, the Amazon cuts underscore the imminent threat posed by AI, especially for entry-level and other white-collar corporate positions. To borrow the lead of a recent Wall Street Journal article: “The nation's largest employers have a new message for office workers: help not wanted.”But in the long run, will AI actually lead to more jobs? Some high-profile CEOs are going one step further. They predict productivity gains from artificial intelligence will actually usher in an age of shorter work weeks.Zoom CEO Eric Yuan said last week that people could be working four days a week — maybe even three — within five years. Microsoft's Bill Gates said two days a week is even a possibility.Joe O'Connor has been a champion of shorter work weeks for years. The founder and CEO of Toronto-based Work Time Revolution, he has helped many organizations implement the concept.On tonight's episode of Closer Look, we revisit our recent conversation with O'Connor.“The future of work is probably going to look a little bit more fractional,” he told the podcast. “We're going to see lots of different things happening. But I think one thing is for sure: in the next five to 10 years, the idea of a four-day work week, even if it's not the new normal, it's going to be a lot more normal than it is today. It's going to be something that is much more routine.”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 textWill this be the night?The Toronto Blue Jays are one win away from their first World Series title in more than three decades, and they're hosting Game 6 Friday night at Rogers Centre.Win, and they're the champs. Lose, and it will all come down to Game 7 Saturday night.Whatever happens, this has already been a World Series for the ages — a politically charged match-up that featured two international superstars, an 18-inning marathon, and some heartwarming side stories.Joining us on tonight's episode of Closer Look are two people who've been glued to every at-bat: TorontoToday reporter Daniel Ramos, and Matt Betts, a CambridgeToday reporter who also hosts the Canadian Baseball Network 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 text“Canadians have changed the way they use the postal service, and we must change with them.”That was the message this week from Canada Post CEO Doug Ettinger, after dozens of managers were laid off as part of an ongoing overhaul at the Crown corporation — which has racked up massive annual losses since 2018 and needed a $1-billion federal loan earlier this year just to stay afloat.“We need to ensure our costs better align to our financial realities, which means our organization will be leaner at all levels going forward,” Ettinger wrote in his note to staff.News of the layoffs come as Canada Post continues to work toward a new contract with its 50,000-plus unionized employees. Both sides said they planned to meet this week with a mediator to try to advance negotiations, which have dragged on for nearly two years.Key sticking points include wages, job security, and the federal government's recent announcement that allows Canada Post to usher in controversial cost-cutting measures — including ending home-to-home delivery and shuttering some rural post offices. “The most important thing right now is to get a collective agreement that's ratifiable by the membership, which means there needs to be raises, there needs to be job protection, there needs to be health and safety concerns dealt with,” said Jim Gallant, a negotiator with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), during a recent interview on our Closer Look podcast.As for ending home-to-home delivery, Gallant said it's just another example of Canada Post leadership “screwing this corporation into the ground.”  “If we were to look at every other delivery outfit in Canada, who else delivers down the street?” he said. “Does that make any sense? It's supposed to be a service. We're supposed to take care of the elderly and people that can't make it out of their house.”Asked about Canada Post's promise to be "leaner," Gallant did not mince words."I can tell you, they can't be any meaner," he told the podcast. "That's the first thing that I tell you, because these people are a--holes from sunup to sundown. They go out of their way to screw with workers — every day. There's thousands of grievances in the system."You can watch the full interview 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

Send us a textDoug Ford's anti-tariff commercial has stopped airing on U.S. networks, but the controversial ad is still getting plenty of attention.According to multiple reports published today, Donald Trump's Ambassador to Canada was so furious over the ad that he angrily confronted Ontario's representative to Washington at a Monday event.Pete Hoekstra reportedly dropped some f-bombs while scolding David Paterson. The Globe and Mail reported that the ambassador was overheard saying Canada was close to a tariff deal on steel, aluminum and energy — but that Ford derailed all the progress made.Last weekend, President Trump abruptly called off trade talks with Canada and threatened to introduce an additional 10 per cent tariff after seeing the Ontario government's commercial during the World Series broadcast.Speaking to reporters today, Premier Ford called on Hoekstra to apologize to Paterson, describing his profane tirade as “absolutely unacceptable” and “unbecoming of an ambassador.” “Pete, you gotta call Dave up and apologize,” Ford said. “It's simple. The cheese slipped off the cracker. I get it. But call the guy up because you're a good guy, and Dave's my champion.”Who is Pete Hoekstra, Trump's man in Canada?The longtime former Congressman from Michigan was a guest last month on Village Media's Closer Look podcast. He spoke at length about why the Trump Administration has embraced tariffs, his stern belief that Canada enjoys “the best trade deal” of any country in the world, and what he thinks of Canadians who have decided to boycott the U.S.Hoekstra was also asked about his relationship with Ford.“Doug's a great guy,” he told the podcast. “He gave me one of your slightly odd-shaped Canadian footballs.”Hoekstra called Ford's team “a very media-savvy bunch,” and said he and the Trump Administration are very aware of his stances on certain subjects.“Obviously, Doug is on a different page than where the U.S. Administration is,” he said. “I haven't moved Doug to a point where I can get him to be a strong advocate for the Canadian-American relationship.”You can watch the full interview with Hoekstra 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 —

Send us a textHave you tried returning any empties lately? It's not as easy as it used to be.Nearly 100 Beer Stores have permanently shut down since the Ford government expanded alcohol sales to corner stores and grocery stores, and more are expected to close in the coming months.But here's the problem: although all grocery stores with a license to sell liquor will be required to accept empty bottles and cans as of Jan. 1, only a small percentage have actually started collecting.And as the deadline looms, some independent grocers are adamant they'd rather hand back their licenses than deal with such a health and safety hazard.“Where do you suggest in the store that customers bring these dirty bottles and cans?” said Gary Sands of the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers, during a recent interview on our Closer Look podcast. “The stuff that comes crawling out of those cans and bottles should not be anywhere in a food environment. So where should it go? By the bakery section? The fruit and vegetables? By the meat section?”You can watch the full episode 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 textLast week, we told you about a new rule impacting Canadian snowbirds: if you plan to stay in the U.S. for more than 30 days, prepare to be photographed and fingerprinted at the border.This week, another new rule that impacts all U.S.-bound travellers — not just snowbirds: the American government has announced plans to photograph every foreign visitor when they enter and exit the country by all modes of transport.The regulation is set to take effect on Dec. 26, and will likely take years to fully implement. But the message is clear: if Canadians want to cross the border, they will eventually have to comply with America's facial biometrics program."In select cases, fingerprints may also need to be collected, but only as required to better establish links to previously collected traveller biometric records," the department said.Oh, and your photo could be held by the U.S. for up to 75 years.Joining us on tonight's Closer Look to help explain the new rules is Len Saunders, a dual citizen and prominent immigration lawyer based in Washington State.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 textDoug Ford never did secure a one-on-one meeting with Donald Trump — but the U.S. president definitely knows who he is.In a fiery social media post late Thursday night, Trump abruptly cancelled all trade talks with Canada because of the Ontario government's anti-tariff commercial featuring the voice of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan.Trump said the ad “fraudulently” claimed that Reagan opposed tariffs “when actually he LOVED TARIFFS FOR OUR COUNTRY, AND ITS NATIONAL SECURITY.”Ford announced Friday afternoon that the province will run the ads as planned this weekend — including during the World Series — but then hit the pause button.“Our intention was always to initiate a conversation about the kind of economy that Americans want to build and the impact of tariffs on workers and businesses,” Ford said in a statement. “We've achieved our goal, having reached U.S. audiences at the highest levels.”VIDEO: Why Doug Ford is spending $75M on U.S. ads starring Ronald ReaganJoining us on tonight's episode of Closer Look is Julian Karaguesian, an economics professor at McGill University and former special advisor at the federal Finance Ministry. The episode was recorded Friday afternoon, right before Ford announced the ads would be paused.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 textThe Carney government is promising to create Canada's first-ever national anti-fraud strategy, including a new financial crime agency aimed at cracking down on sophisticated scammers.Fraud has taken a massive toll on Canadians in recent years — not only on their wallets, but on their emotional well-being.According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, more than 23,000 people this year have already reported losses totalling $544 million. And that's only the fraction of people who actually come forward to report they've been scammed.Our guest on tonight's episode of Closer Look is Vanessa Iafolla, a financial crimes expert who operates Anti-Fraud Intelligence Consulting.She weighs in on the government's new plan, how people can better protect themselves against the endless stream of online scammers — and why a victim should never feel ashamed for getting duped.Spoiler alert: artificial intelligence is only making it easier for the bad guys to rip you off.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 textBig bats equal big bucks.The Blue Jays' thrilling comeback victory in Game 7 of the ALCS didn't just propel the team into the World Series. It set up the city of Toronto for a huge economic score.Hotels, restaurants, transit services and local tourist hot spots will rake in millions of dollars in extra revenue when fans flock to Toronto for Games 1 and 2 of the Fall Classic, which starts Friday night at Rogers Centre.Will it compare to the massive economic spinoffs from Taylor Swift's Toronto concerts last November? We'll soon find out.Joining us on tonight's Closer Look podcast is Kelly Jackson, vice-president of Destination Development with Destination Toronto. She also happens to be a massive Jays fan.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 textCanadian snowbirds are starting to flock south for the winter — but many are getting quite the surprise when they reach the American border. U.S. officials have confirmed that anyone entering the country for more than 30 days, via land, must agree to be photographed and fingerprinted. The new regulations stem from U.S. President Donald Trump's recent executive order that requires many foreign visitors staying a month or longer to register with the government.How are snowbirds reacting to the new rules? Are any refusing to be fingerprinted, choosing instead to turn around at the border and head home? Do they really have any other option?Joining us on tonight's episode of Closer Look is a person who knows the rules as well as anyone: Stephen Fine, president of the company Snowbird Advisor. As you can imagine, he's been inundated with questions in recent days.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 textNot so fast.That's the message from a growing number of Ontarians trying hard to convince Premier Doug Ford to ditch his plan to outlaw speed cameras.Protesters in cities across the province rallied against Ford's proposed speed camera ban on Monday morning, just as MPPs returned to Queen's Park for a new legislative session. Ford has called the devices nothing but a “cash grab,” and his government is promising to introduce legislation that prevents cities and towns from operating automated speed enforcement (ASE) cameras.But research shows the cameras are not only effective at reducing speeds, they are actually widely supported by the general public. Many municipalities also point out that the bulk of revenue from the devices gets reinvested in road safety measures.Last week, more than a dozen former law enforcement leaders — including retired police chiefs from Peel, Halton, Niagara and Ottawa — joined the chorus of critics calling on Ford to change his mind.“The results are clear: when drivers know that automated speed enforcement cameras are in place, they slow down,” reads a letter from the group. “This means fewer tickets, lower costs, and safer roads for everyone.”On tonight's Closer Look, we revisit a recent episode that featured a panel of expert guests: Pamela Fuselli, president and CEO of the injury prevention charity Parachute; Michael Stewart of the Canadian Automobile Association; and Jack Hauen, a reporter at Village Media's The Trillium.You can watch the full episode 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

Send us a textIn the face of so much economic uncertainty, is it 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 this week 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.”Joining us on tonight's Closer Look to discuss the report is 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 textAn American has been sentenced to four years in prison for a mass cyberattack that targeted school boards across Canada, including Ontario.Matthew D. Lane appeared in a Massachusetts court this week, where he pleaded guilty to charges relating to the cyber extortion of two companies. One was PowerSchool, a software and cloud storage firm used by school boards across the province. The cyberattack breached the personal data of millions of students and teachers, including names, email addresses, phone numbers and medical information. PowerSchool has confirmed it paid a ransom in the hopes of preventing any stolen data from being released, but the specific dollar figure was not revealed.On tonight's episode of Closer Look, we explore the recent surge in ransomware attacks, and how criminal hackers are using AI to up their game.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 textThe Skipper and The Gipper? That's one way of putting it.Ontario Premier Doug Ford is spending big bucks to try to convince Americans that tariffs aren't the way to go — and he's enlisting the unmistakable voice of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan to help in the fight.Ford revealed Tuesday that his government is launching a $75-million advertising campaign across most major U.S. networks, highlighting the pitfalls of protectionism for American workers and consumers.The first ad, found HERE, features Reagan's famous 1987 radio address, in which he says that “high tariffs inevitably lead to retaliation by foreign countries and the triggering of fierce trade wars.”“Then the worst happens,” Reagan goes on to say in the ad. “Markets shrink and collapse, businesses and industries shut down, and millions of people lose their jobs. Throughout the world, there's a growing realization that the weight of prosperity for all nations is rejecting protectionist legislation and promoting fair and free competition.”Will the commercial blitz make any difference? Will average Americans even notice the ads? Or could all those millions be better spent somewhere else?Joining us on tonight's episode of Closer Look is Katherine DeClerq, a journalist at The Trillium who has spent a lot of time covering Doug Ford's fight against Donald Trump's tariffs.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 textLeafs tickets, a Parisian wedding, Rob Ford's favourite nightclub owner — even Drake. This evolving story out of Queen's Park has it all.Last week, Ontario's auditor general had some scathing words for the Ford government's $2.5-billion Skills Development Fund (SDF), which supports “innovative projects” aimed at hiring, training and retraining Ontario workers.Shelley Spence found that the selection process was “not fair, transparent or accountable” — and that provincial labour ministers handpicked groups to receive hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars against the advice of civil servants.The auditor general's findings followed exclusive reporting from Village Media's The Trillium, which revealed that multiple groups connected to the Ford government received generous SDF grants.Beneficiaries included a restaurant business with connections to a former key aide to the premier; a centre that trains people to work in clubs run by a longtime Ford associate; and a dental practice brokerage whose CEO worked closely with the wife of the former labour minister.Joining us on tonight's Closer Look to connect all the dots are three of The Trillium journalists who've been following the money: editor-in-chief Jessica Smith Cross and reporters Charlier Pinkerton and Jack Hauen.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

Send us a textCanada's Bolo program — “Be on the Lookout” — has released its latest list of the country's most-wanted fugitives.But if you scroll through the website, you'll notice a modern twist to the mug shots: artificial intelligence was used to make the heads move and the eyes blink.The list of 25 fugitives includes alleged murderers, drug trafficking and gang members who are wanted by various police services across the country.If you spot any of these individuals, do not approach them. Tipsters are urged to contact police immediately.Joining us on tonight's Closer Look podcast is Max Langlois, executive director of the Bolo program.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 textThe Princess of Wales has added her prominent voice to the urgent discussion around kids and their cellphones.In an essay co-authored by a Harvard Medical School professor, Kate warns that smartphones and other digital devices are responsible for an “epidemic of disconnection” that threatens the development of young children. “We're raising a generation that may be more ‘connected' than any in history while simultaneously being more isolated, more lonely, and less equipped to form the warm, meaningful relationships that research tells us are the foundation of a healthy life,” reads the essay, published by the Royal Foundation's Centre for Early Childhood.Kate's essay comes amid mounting evidence of the harms associated with cellphone use by kids, including increased anxiety and depression, loneliness and suicidal thoughts.“Data from Ontario now indicates that over one in four teens now report being in serious psychological distress, which is pretty alarming,” says Sachin Maharaj, a University of Ottawa education professor who researches the impact of cellphones in schools. “And the number of kids reporting poor or fair mental health has more than tripled over the past 15 years, and there's a lot of reason to suggest that increased time on social media is contributing to this.”On tonight's episode of Closer Look, we revisit Maharaj's interview on our podcast — including the important role parents play in limiting their children's screen time.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.