Ontario Today Phone-Ins from CBC Radio

Stand-up comedian Steve Patterson takes your calls and helps you see the humour in the last-minute errands being ran today.

From magical memories to travel nightmares, we hear your stories of traveling by train during the holiday season. Our guest is David Bellerive, an editor and contributor with Rail Fans Canada.

In this cold weather, our regular gardening expert Paul Zammit has some hot tips on how to gift plants, plus he takes your gardening questions.

Your questions and concerns about this year's flu season and how its affecting young children. Our guest is Dr. Anna Banerji, pediatric infectious disease specialist at the University of Toronto.

Your stories with Carleton University professor and developmental psychologist Robert Coplan, author of the new book "The Joy of Solitude."

Your personal stories in the wake of a CBC investigation that finds woman are landing in custody at an unprecedented level. Our guest, Lindsay Martin, President of the Council of Elizabeth Fry Societies of Ontario, says overcrowding is becoming a crisis.

Robyn Fivush, emerita professor of psychology at Emory University, tells us about her research on the benefits of knowing and sharing family stories, and we take your calls.

Your stories with guests Rabbi Steven Wernick of Beth Tzedec Congregation in Toronto, and Ontario MP Ruby Sahota, Secretary of State for Combatting Crime.

Our regular gardening expert Paul Zammit has some ideas for gifts you can give that grow and he takes your gardening questions.

Markham-Unionville MP Michael Ma crossed the floor from the Conservatives to the Liberal last week, and the surprise move has rocked the Conservative Party. CBC Senior writer Aaron Wherry joins us to take your calls.

Clinical psychologist Joshua Coleman takes calls on your stories of going no contact and what it took to rebuild that relationship with an estranged parent or adult child.

You weigh in on the impact of social media on kids under 16 with neuroscientist Emma Duerden, Canada Research Chair in Neuroscience and Learning Disorders.

You weigh in as the Minister of Education launches a review of Ontario's standardized tests. Guest are Kelly Gallagher-Mackay, co-director of the Annual Canadian School Survey and we hear from Mary Reid, an expert in math education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto.

Your reaction to a scathing Ontario Auditor General report suggesting government spent an unprecedented amount on advertising with questionable value to taxpayers.

Our regular gardening expert Paul Zammit has some gift ideas for the gardeners in your life and he takes your gardening questions.

When ghosts visit the "hard and sharp as flint" Ebenezer Scrooge he transforms just in time for Christmas Day to become a better person -- we hear about parallel transofrmations in your own life. Our guest is actor Thomas Gough who plays Scrooge in the sold-out Three Ships Collective production of A Christmas Carol in Toronto's historic Campbell House Museum.

We hear your thoughts on how sports betting is changing the way you watch sports and we hear from Senator Percy Downe from Prince Edward Island who is calling for a ban on sports betting ads in Canada and Dr. Shawn Kelly, a pediatrician and addictions specialist.

Your stories in the wake of the Auditor General's report suggesting the online service aimed at connecting you to a doctor takes too long. Our guest is Dr. Tara Kiran, a family doctor and research scientist at St. Michael's Hospital and we hear from Jess Rogers, CEO of the Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario.

Your stories, from solar energy to the personal sacrifices you're considering, with guest, Dave Sawyer. He's a principal economist with the Canadian Climate Institute.

Your reflections on taking transit in Toronto and we hear from CBC senior reporter Eric Szeto about his year-long investigation into violence trends on transit in major urban centres in Canada.

Paul's advice on indoor plants and he takes your gardening questions. Paul Zammit is a professor of horticulture and environmental studies at Niagara College and our regular Monday gardening expert.

Whether you own a store or you're a customer looking for a deal, we hear about what it's like shopping and making sales this year. Our guests are Doug Stephens, founder and CEO of Retail Prophet and Santo Ligotti, vice-president of marketing and member services with the Retail Council of Canada.

Your stories of breaking the cycle of harmful behaviours passed down through families. Our guest this hour is clinical psychologist Mary Motz, with Mothercraft's Breaking the Cycle program.

Your experiences accessing private health care in Ontario. Our guests are Dr. Danyaal Raza, board director at Canadian Doctors for Medicare, and we hear from Rosalie Wyonch, health policy researcher at the C.D. Howe Institute.

We hear about changes in Bill 60 and how they could affect renters and landlords and we hear from Daniel Tucker-Simmons a lawyer in Ottawa who consults on Landlord and Tenant Board applications.

Critics are calling on Premier Doug Ford's government to begin a mandatory Greenbelt review process. We hear how this review could affect you and we hear from CBC provincial affairs reporter Shawn Jeffords.

Paul's advice on picking out the right tree for the holidays and he takes your gardening questions. Paul Zammit is a professor of horticulture and environmental studies at Niagara College and our regular Monday gardening expert.

Ontario Dog Trainer Karen Laws joins us for the hour to help out with your dog's issues -- big and small.

Today the value of beeing a squeeky wheel -- when did it help improve things? Back on the show today is Ontario's Patient Ombudsman, Craig Thomspon, here to talk about his annual report and reflect on why more complaints to his office might not be a bad thing.

You tell us when you turned to By Now Pay Later and whether it's helped or hurt your finances. Our guest for the hour is Liz Mulholland, CEO of the charity Prosper Canada. We also hear from Rebekah Smylie, manager with West Neighbourhood House in Toronto.

We hear from parents, teachers and other people with a connection to their local school board and we hear from Sabrina Nanji, journalist and founder of Queen's Park Observer for the hour. We also hear from Toronto District School Board Trustee Debbie King, she represents Ward 7 Parkdale—High Park.

Whether it's a fresh bouquet or a poinsettia, you might be wondering how to shield your plants or cut flowers from harsh winter weather on the trip home from the grocery store or florist. Paul has tips on that and answers your gardening questions.

You weigh in with Marion Nader, NDP strategist and CEO of Nexus Strategy Group.

We hear about your relationship with coffee and other caffeine sources and we hear from Michael Chaiton senior scientist at CAMH's Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, co-director of the Collaborative Specialization on Addiction Studies at the University of Toronto.

Your stories of encountering scams online and elsewhere and we speak with expert Vanessa Iafolla, principal with Anti-Fraud Intelligence Consulting. We also hear from OPP Det. Const. John Armit with the Economic Crimes and Corruption Unit.

Conservative voters weigh in on the future direction of the party and the leadership of Pierre Poilievre with conservative commentator, Shak Chambers. He is vice president of external affairs for the Peoples' Group. We also hear from pollster David Coletto, founder and CEO of Abacus Data.

This Remembrance Day comes 80 years after the end of the Second World War. We hear about the memories and stories you're trying to keep alive. Our guest for the hour is Jeff Noakes Second World War historian at the Canadian War Museum and Allan Paige, a pilot with the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association.

Your questions about flu, COVID and RSV vaccines with Dawn Bowdish, immunologist and vaccine expert at McMaster University.

Paul has some ideas to transition your seasonal displays this time of year and he answers your gardening questions. Paul Zammit is a professor of horticulture and environmental studies at Niagara College and our regular gardening expert.

Millennial parents are taking to social media to express their concerns about sleepover risks, we hear your thoughts. Dona Matthews is our guest for the hour. She is a Toronto-based developmental psychologist and author.

Why or why not allow Chinese electric cars into the Canadian market with guests Greg Layson with Automotive News Canada, and Greig Mordue, associate professor at the faculty of engineering at McMaster University.

Our guests for the hour are Mahmood Nanji, policy fellow at the Ivey Business School and a former associate deputy minister with the Ontario Ministry of Finance and Sahir Khan, executive vice president of the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy at the University of Ottawa and former Assistant Parliamentary Budget Officer.