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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    • Sep 17, 2026 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 44m AVG DURATION
    • 1,785 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Ontario Today Phone-Ins from CBC Radio

    Should Canada become the EU's first associate member?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2026 51:48


    Our guest is Achim Hurrelmann, a political science professor and the co-director of the Centre for European Studies at Carleton University. We also hear from CBC's Mark Carcasole in Washington.

    Teachers day of action: Do teachers have a point?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2026 51:47


    You weigh in as thousands of teachers show solidarity in upcoming labour talks with the province by wearing red or purple. Lana Parker, associate professor of education at the University of Windsor hears your stories. We also hear from OSSTF president Martha Hradowy .

    Is it getting any easier to get involved in elected office?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2026 51:49


    As we head into the municipal election season, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario has crunched the numbers on candidates, and found fewer acclamations and more women running. AMO's executive director Lindsay Jones joins as we hear your stories.

    How should Canada be responding to the U.S. tariff threats?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2026 24:08


    Our guest is Mahmood Nanji, policy fellow at Western University's Ivey School of Business and former Ontario Associate Deputy Finance Minister.

    Ontario Today's Gardening Show: A 100-year-old cucumber magnolia tree wins big

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2026 27:48


    We'll hear about the tree that won this year's Ontario Tree Pageant from volunteer judge and our regular gardening expert, Paul Zammit. When he's not judging trees, Paul is a professor horticulture and environmental studies at Niagara College.

    What place does A.I. and technology have in the classroom?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2026 52:00


    Schools in New York and Los Angeles have all recently announced greater restrictions to students using artificial intelligence in class. And New York is also adding more limits to screen time for its youngest students. So is this part of a "techlash?" What place does A.I. and technology have in today's classroom? Our guest is Tom D'Amico, the former director of education for the Ottawa Catholic School Board, and currently an education consultant who specializes in A.I.

    Your stories of brain injuries in contact sports

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2026 51:49


    New research on brain injuries in former professor football players is affecting how some people approach contact sports. Not just at the professional level but recreationally as well. Neil Vasdev is the scientific director of the Brain Health Imaging Centre at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. And Tim Fleiszer is the executive director of the Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada.

    What's missed, what's gain with the Ontario government getting rid of some bike lanes?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2026 24:08


    The Court of Appeal says the Ontario government reserves the right to remove bike lanes from Toronto's busiest street corridors. This comes a few years after the Ontario government passed legislation that requires municipalities to ask the province for approval to install bike lanes, if the installation could remove a vehicular lane. Hear what people think are the wins and losses of the court decision.

    Ontario Today's Gardening Show

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2026 27:48


    Labour Day has come and gone which marks the unofficial end of summer.

    What difference do siblings make?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2026 51:57


    Canada reports single child households are in the majority now. But social philosopher Catherine Ruth Pakaluk says growing up with a sibling can make a big difference in shaping a person. What difference do your siblings have on your life? Your stories, and an interview with economist and social philosopher Catherine Ruth Pakaluk, author of Hannah's Children: The Women Quietly Defying the Birth Dearth

    When did on-line gambling become a problem for you?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2026 51:47


    Problem gambling support groups are seeing a surge in people seeking information or help. Which they link to the rise in on-line gambling. And they say government funding to help those addicted to gambling has not kept out. We hear what listeners are experiencing, and also from Nerin Kaur, who leads ConnexOntario, which helps problem gamblers.

    gambling connexontario
    Heat waves, floods and wildfires: Stories about what was lost this summer.

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2026 51:47


    We hear your stories about summer plans canceled or changed over extreme weather with Dr. Samantha Green of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment.

    Ontario Today's Gardening Show

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2026 27:48


    We talk about how to make gardens resistant to extreme weather. And hear your questions as well. Our expert gardener, Paul Zammit, is a professor of Horticulture and Environmental Studies at Niagara College.

    What's your reaction to the U.S. renaming Lake Ontario?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2026 24:08


    U.S. president Donald Trump signed an executive order last week that changes Lake Ontario to Lake America. But only Americans will call it that. Here in Canada it will still be known as Lake Ontario. So does it matter? Hear what listeners think. Our guest is Mary Baxter, an expert on the history of the Great Lakes region.

    Can nature actually be the cure?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2026 51:47


    When was the last time you stopped to look at the clouds? Or listened to a bird chirping at a bus stop? Psychology professor Holli-Anne Passmore says noticing the nature around us can help boost our well-being and lower anxiety. More on her research, plus your nature sotries this summer.

    What helps and what hurts in the Canada-US trade war from your experience?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2026 51:47


    Days after trade talks ended with the Trump administration, Canada is rolling out $7.5 billion to help businesses weather the new 50 per cent tariffs imposed by the U.S. We hear from small business owners about ​the impact with former diplomat Colin Robertson​.

    The challenges of accessing mental health services for kids

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2026 51:48


    Your stories with Dr. Peter Selby, physician and Senior scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

    Carney assures Canadians as the trade deal with the U.S. falls apart

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2026 51:48


    Ontario Today covers the Carney news conference in the wake of the collapsed trade deal with the Globe and Mail's Marieke Walsh and Drew Fagan at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy.

    When did dreams become important for you?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2026 51:48


    Karen van Kampen hears your stories. She is the author of a new book "The Brain Never Sleeps: Why We Dream and What It Means for Our Health"

    Why is it important for you to remember the LGBT Purge?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2026 51:49


    A national monument opening this week is dedicated to recognizing the discrimination faced by 2SLGBTQ+ Canadians, including a decades-long campaign to identify and fire thousands of people from the public service and the military. We hear your stories on why this moment matters, with the LGBT Purge Fund's Todd Ross.

    Are Ontarians fed-up of the democratic system?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2026 51:48


    A new poll from Abacus Data suggests one out of 5 people under 44 would prefer an authoritarian system of government. Only half say democracy is the best system. We hear what you think with pollster David Coletto and Freedom House's Yana Gorokhovskaia.

    Can new rules calm the backlash against new AI data centres?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2026 51:49


    As Ontario begins a comment period from citizens on building new AI data centres, we hear what you think the government needs to know. Tech analyst and journalist Carmi Levy hears your stories. Burlington city councillor Lisa Kearns tells us how the debate is going in her community.

    Ontario Today's Gardening Show

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2026 27:48


    During this week's gardening column, we talk about dividing some of your perennials. Our expert gardener, Paul Zammit, takes your gardening questions. Paul is a Professor of Horticulture and Environmental Studies at Niagara College.

    Ontario's hard line on American booze...is it time to compromise?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2026 24:09


    As the trade deadline looms, Ottawa tells premiers that U.S. booze may need to be put back on the shelves should the two countries reach a trade agreement. We dig into the latest with Rob Benzie, Queen's Park Bureau Chief of The Toronto Star.

    What are you looking for when you look up at the sky?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2026 51:47


    We hear about the moments that hooked callers on gazing up at the night sky and we speak to Diane Ferguson, an organizer with Star Fest, Canada's largest amateur astronomy conference and star party.

    When were you surprised by heroism in the Emergency Room?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2026 51:48


    We take your calls about heroism in the ER with Dr. Brian Goldman. He's the host of CBC's 'White Coat, Black Art' and 'The Dose.' He's written a new book called 'The Casino Shift: Stories from an ER on the Edge'.

    Your kid wants an e-scooter: Are you saying yes or no?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2026 51:48


    New data from SickKids and CHEO points to a rise in e-scooter injuries in children -- even though kids under 16 are banned from using them under an e-scooter pilot project in Ontario. We speak to Pamela Fuselli, President and C-E-O of Parachute, a national charity focused on injury prevention. We also hear from Catherine McKenney, NPP MPP for Ottawa-Centre.

    It's been a wet, rainy summer in Ontario. How have the floods affected you?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2026 51:47


    We speak to Kathryn Bakos -- Managing Director of Finance and Resilience, Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation at the University of Waterloo about those record-setting rainfalls. Then, we hear from the Mayors of St. Catharines and Niagara-on-the-Lake whose communities were hard-hit by back-to-back floods.

    Liberals in the audience: Who are you eyeing to lead the party?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2026 24:08


    We hear your thoughts on who should the Ontario Liberal Party. Plus, we'll hear from Sabrina Nanji, journalist and founder of Queen's Park Observer.

    Ontario Today's Gardening Show: saving seeds and planning for next year's garden

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2026 27:48


    This week, we talk to our gardening columnist Paul Zammit about saving the seeds of your favorite plants from this year's garden, planning ahead for 2027.

    Taking an adult gap year and how it changes you

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2026 51:47


    Taking a break isn't just for students. Your stories of mid-career adventures with Michelle Dittmer, President of the Canadian Gap Year Association.

    Addiction in the construction industry

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2026 51:48


    Rates of substance use and overdose are higher in the trades than other types of work. We hear why from callers and Brian Webster, an addiction and mental health counsellor with the Canadian Mental Health Association of Thames Valley. We also hear from Trevor Botkin from the Canadian Men's Health Foundation about a peer-support network he's building.

    No jets for now at Billy Bishop airport -- win or loss?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2026 24:08


    We hear your thoughts on the federal government pulling support for expanding the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and we'll hear from Rob Benzie, Queen's Park bureau chief for the Toronto Star.

    Ontario Today's Gardening Show: Giving your garden an August refresh

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2026 27:48


    Our regular gardening expert Paul Zammit talks about deadheading and other August jobs in the garden and takes your plant-related questions.

    What's the noise pollution driving you crazy?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2026 51:49


    We hear how noise in the city is changing life for you with Ingrid Buday, founder and executive director of No More Noise, a group that advocates for measures to limit noise in Toronto and beyond. We also hear an update from Coun. Lily Cheng who is trying to put forward a noise camera pilot project in Toronto.

    What you learned going through a bad breakup

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2026 51:27


    Callers tell us about what they would have done differently to avoid unnecessary pain and heartache in a bad breakup. Our guest is relationship and sex researcher Serena Corsini-Munt, she's an associate professor at the University of Ottawa.

    Is burnout a problem at your hospital?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2026 51:49


    Your stories and we hear from Dr. Kerstin de Wit. She is an emergency room doctor and the research director for the department of emergency medicine at Queen's University in Kingston.

    What went into your decision to leave Toronto?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2026 51:48


    New research out of TMU in Toronto shows how the deep cut in Canada's immigration levels had a dramatic effect on city growth. We speak wtih Sabrina Maddeaux, Associate Vice President of Communications at the consulting firm Global Public Affairs and co-host of the Missing Middle podcast, about why more and more people are leaving Toronto.

    Ontario Today's Gardening Show: The benefits of growing milkweed

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2026 27:48


    Gardening expert Paul Zammit talks about why you should consider growing milkweed and takes your gardening questions.

    Ontarians react to the opening of the Gordie Howe bridge

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2026 24:08


    We hear about the difference a new international crossing will make for Ontarians and speak with Marta Leardi-Anderson. She's a cross-border expert at the University of Windsor and worked as executive vice president of P3 procurement and policy for the Gordie Howe International Bridge project.

    What's your roadside attraction story?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2026 51:48


    We hear about the roadside attractions that made you stop and we hear from Troy Young, CEO of Attractions Ontario.

    When did outrage become a problem for you?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2026 50:59


    The former president of the Canadian Medical Association, Dr. Alika Lafontaine shares a new way to frame outrage in a new book called: "The Outrage Cure: How Overcoming Anger and Betrayal Can Transform the Way We Live, Connect and Heal"

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