Ontario Today Phone-Ins from CBC Radio

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Unscripted and honest radio debates. Ontario Today is never shy. The host, studio guests and callers dive right into the contentious issues of the day. CBC Radio One from 12 to 1 ET. Call-in 1-888-817-8995.

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    • Aug 5, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 44m AVG DURATION
    • 1,464 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Ontario Today Phone-Ins from CBC Radio

    Ontario Today's Gardening Show: Advice for moving perennials

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2025 27:49


    Mary Shearman Reid, greenhouse owner and certified landscape horticulturist manager, offers some tips on moving plants around in August and takes your gardening questions.

    Longest Ballot Committee: a scam or a legitimate protest?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2025 24:08


    For a second time, Pierre Poilievre is facing dozens of opponents in a race, this time in Alberta's Battle River-Crowfoot riding where more than 200 names are on the ballot. We hear your reaction and we speak with Jean-Pierre Kingsley, a former Chief Electoral Officer of Canada.

    Your stories when nature took a turn for the unexpected

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2025 51:48


    From snake encounters to extreme weather -- we hear about your camping weekends, canoe trips and other excursions that left you in awe of the power of nature. Our guest is wilderness survival expert David Arama.

    The battle over screen time this summer: How is it going?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2025 51:48


    We hear about your struggles to manage screens this summer and hear from a leading researcher in this area: Caroline Fitzpatrick. She is the Canada Research Chair in Digital Media Use by Children and a professor of education at the Université de Sherbrooke.

    Living with your ex: What was that like?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2025 51:47


    Your stories with registered psychotherapist Shikha Seeboruth, clinical director of the Therapeutic Way Counselling and Psychotherapy Services. Also joining us to talk about legal issues: lawyer and mediator Hilary Linton, president of Riverdale Mediation in Toronto.

    Gen Zed in Ontario's job market -- How bad is it?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2025 51:49


    Your stories on the job hunt and we hear from two guests: 21-year-old Aleksi Toiviainen who is a co-founder of Vote 16 and Wendy Cukier, professor at the department of entrepreneurship and innovation at Toronto Metropolitan University.

    Ontario Today's Gardening Show: Is it too late to plant?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2025 27:47


    Paul Zammit starts the show with a few tips for people who might want to snap up deals at the local garden centre. He's also answers your gardening questions. Paul is a professor of horticulture and environmental studies at Niagara College.

    Beer Store closures: Have you given up on getting a refund for your empties?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2025 24:08


    Since Ontario made beer available in grocery stores and convenience stores, The Beer Store has been closing dozens of outlets and leaving many people without a way to get a refund on the deposit they paid on their beer can or bottle. Our guest is York University research scientist Cal Lakhan, an expert on Ontario's recycling programs.

    Movie theatre behaviour: The good, the bad, the ugly

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2025 51:48


    From standing ovations to sticky floors, what you love and hate about how people act at the movies. Barry Hertz, The Globe and Mail's deputy arts and film editor, weighs in amidst the summer blockbuster season.

    Your reaction as the Hockey Canada sexual assault ruling rolls out

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2025 51:48


    Justice Carroccia said Thursday she didn't find complainant E.M.'s evidence "credible or reliable." We hear your reaction to the case involving five former players with Canada's 2018 world junior hockey team. Our guests are Toronto-based criminal lawyer David Butt and Kat Owens, interim legal director at the Women's Legal Education and Action Fund in Toronto.

    Your stories about "boring" businesses

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2025 51:47


    Vending machines, laundromats and parking lots -- they are examples of so-called boring businesses, we hear your stories about running them. Our guest for the hour is the Globe and Mail's retirement reporter Meera Raman and we also hear from search fund founder Fenton Jagdeo who runs the fund Boring Ventures.

    Police use of force: Why does data matter to you?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2025 51:47


    You react to new research on police data on officer use of force. Researcher Kojo Damptey shares his findings that suggest the over representation of Black, Indigenous and Middle Eastern people continues in communities across the province. London Police Deputy Chief Treena MacSween also joins us to talk about efforts to address the issue in that community.

    Are speed cameras a cash grab or a safety measure?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2025 24:09


    Our guest today is David Rider, a senior politics reporters for the Toronto Star. We hear your thoughts on the growing use of Automated Speed Enforcement in cities like Ottawa and Toronto and the growing backlash by some drivers.

    Ontario Today's Gardening Show: How to nurture your plants through hot and hazy days?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2025 27:48


    Our resident gardening expert, Paul Zammit, shares tips on tending to your plants during a heat wave, and answers your gardening questions as well. Paul is a professor of horticulture and environmental studies at Niagara College.

    Memorable meals over an open flame with Chef Michael Smith

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2025 51:48


    Our guest for the hour is Prince Edward Island's chef Michael Smith. He is a long-time television host and cookbook author. His newest book is called "Wood, Fire and Smoke: Recipes and Techniques for Wood-Fired Cooking."

    Obesity rates jump during the pandemic: Tell us your story

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2025 51:48


    We hear from the lead author of a study looking at the increase in obesity rates Canada saw during the pandemic, McMaster University's Laura Anderson, and we hear from endocrinologist Dr. Tamara Spaic.

    Gen Z economic theorist Kyla Scanlan: What is the real cost of meal delivery apps?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2025 51:47


    Your stories with financial and economic educator Kyla Scanlon, author of the book In This Economy? How Money & Markets Really Work.

    How are you adapting to bad air quality?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2025 51:47


    Your stories with Jeffrey Brook, air quality expert at the University of Toronto's Dalla Lana School of Public Health and a scientist with the federal government's Environment and Climate Change Canada.

    School boards take overs: Power grab or about time?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2025 24:07


    Education Minister Paul Calandra has appointed supervisors to balance the books at several boards citing deficits and depleted reserves. We hear your reaction. Our guest for the hour is Kris Rushowy, the Toronto Star's education reporter at Queen's Park.

    Ontario Today's Gardening Show: How to prep your garden for a vacation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2025 27:48


    Paul Zammitt is our expert gardener on Ontario Today. He starts off today's gardening call-in about ways to prepare your plants for a little neglect while you go away and enjoy summer holidays.

    What did you discover when you tried urban swimming?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2025 51:47


    Your stories about going for a dip in the lakes, ponds, creaks and rivers that run through Ontario's towns and cities. Our guest is Mark Mattson, the Waterkeeper for Lake Ontario and president of Swim Drink Fish Canada, a charity that helps restore the health of local waters

    July 10, 2025: What is changing on the front lines of trucking?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2025 51:47


    Our guest for the hour is Stephen Laskowski, president of the Canadian Trucking Alliance, a group that advocates for trucking companies as well as owner-operators. His group is calling for the federal government to crack down on the use of independent contractors in the industry -- essentially gig work. We also hear from Navi Aujla, service director with the Labour Community Services of Peel who has helped drivers file labour complaints and we hear from CBC reporter Robyn Miller.

    July 9, 2025: What changed after you downsized?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2025 51:47


    We hear your stories of downsizing and we hear from a GTA-based realtor Jacqueline Watson who says the pandemic changed her business to focus on helping older adults move into smaller homes.

    What has your long commute driven you to do?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2025 51:47


    We hear about the impact long commutes have -- especially for middle-class Ontarians who cannot afford to live close to work. Our guest is Jeanhy Shim, she co-wrote a CivicAction report calledThe Human Story of Workforce Housing.

    Ontario Today's Gardening Show: Protecting trees

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2025 27:46


    Our expert gardener, Paul Zammit, says you might be surprised how much care goes into protecting trees. From not mowing around the base of trees to creating barriers that help to minimize compaction, there's a lot you can do help their longterm survival. Paul is a professor of horticulture and environmental studies at Niagara College.

    What is the hardest part of responding to a natural disaster?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2025 24:08


    In light of the tragedy unfolding with the Texas flash flood, we take a look at how Ontario is responding to natural disasters with Rahul Singh, Executive Director of Global Medic.

    Can you still root for the USA?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2025 51:47


    Ambassador (Ret'd) Louise Blais joins us on American Independence Day for a conversation about Canada's strained relationship with the US. Blais served as a Canadian diplomat in the United States and is currently Diplomat in Residence at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia and Laval University in Quebec City.

    When did finding a space outside of home and work become important to you?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2025 51:47


    American sociologist Ray Oldenburg coined the term the "third place" in the 1980s to describe where we find community outside of our work and home. We explore what those environments are in your life with our guest Debbie Rudman who's a distinguished professsor at Western University.

    Travelling with Pets: Your Stories

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2025 51:47


    It's the time of year when people go on holidays -- and some take their furry friends with them. Veterinarian Dr. Cliff Redford hears your stories about holidaying with your pet, shares when it is a good idea (or bad one) to travel with an animal, and offer some suggestions on how to do make the travel plans go smoothly. Also joining us, Gord Hunter, executive director of the Kingston Humane Society.

    Does pride feel different for you this year?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2025 49:11


    We hear from Pride Toronto's executive director Kojo Modeste and board co-chair Nirmalan Vijeyakumar and we hear your thoughts on the meaning of pride this year.

    How did the no-phones go this year?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2025 50:34


    As the school year wraps, 2050 graduates and co-hosts Nanak Sidhu and Bupa Zhang join us to hear student feedback from across Ontario.

    When did you realize revenge had gone too far?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2025 51:46


    Yale researcher and author James Kimmel hears your stories. Kimmel's latest book is called: The Science of Revenge: Understanding the World's Deadliest Addiction--and How to Overcome It.

    Ontario is expanding access to IVF: What difference could it make for you?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2025 51:46


    Your stories with Zane Colt, board chair of the advocacy group Conceivable Dreams. He and his partner have already conceived using IVF and surrogacy, and are now trying for a second child. We also hear from retired Ottawa fertility specialist, Dr. Art Leader.

    How are you handling the heat?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2025 24:08


    Your stories about escaping the blistering heat and we hear from Caroline Metz, managing director of the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation at University of Waterloo.

    Ontario Today's Gardening Show: Plants in the heat

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2025 27:48


    Our expert gardener, Mary Shearman Reid, fills in for Paul Zammit. She offers some advice for gardeners during this heat wave and takes your questions.

    Recovering your lost language

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2025 52:01


    Novelist Waubgeshig Rice and callers share stories of trying to learn lost languages, and what that teaches you about your people and identity.

    Forced addictions treatment: What should the government know about your story?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2025 51:47


    As Ontario mulls involuntary addictions treatment for people who are involved in the criminal justice system, we hear from a Hamilton-based addictions doctor who works in detention facilities, Dr. Lori Regenstreif.

    How do you use AI in your creative work?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2025 51:48


    Writer and educator Jay Dixit hears your stories. Jay just ended his assignment as Writing Community Ambassador with OpenAI, the creators of ChapGPT.

    The Israel-Iran conflict: Who are you thinking about?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2025 51:47


    Your stories with former Middle East diplomat, Mike Molloy, as well as Hossein Raeesi, adjunct professor at Carleton University and long-time Iranian human rights lawyer.

    Why are you watching the international G7 meeting taking place in Canada this week?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2025 24:08


    Your calls with Stephen Saideman, Paterson Chair in International Affairs at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, and director of the Canadian Defence and Security Network.

    Ontario Today's Gardening Show: How replanting could increase your veggie harvest

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2025 27:48


    Our expert gardener, Paul Zammit, takes your gardening questions. Paul is a professor of horticulture and environmental studies at Niagara College.

    The truth about dad bods: What changes did you experience after becoming a dad?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2025 51:38


    We talk about a new Nature of Things documentary, Dad Bods, which goes into some of the emerging science around fatherhood and we hear from the hosts of the Medical Dads podcast about the ways fatherhood changed them.

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