The Decibel

Most schools are now off for winter break — but this year, some educators are wondering how much their students are learning. A KPMG survey found that over 70 per cent of Canadians over 18 years old now use generative AI to complete their school work. Professors and students are concerned that a growing reliance on tools like ChatGPT and Gemini could be weakening critical thinking skills. Recent research is now giving us further insight into that potential connection.The Globe's Joe Castaldo reports on AI and tech. He tells us what educators and students say about how generative AI is impacting schools and what recent studies tell us about its effect on our collective critical thinking skills.This episode originally aired July 2, 2025.Questions? Comments? Ideas? E-mail us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Maryam Fatima was born with a condition called hemimegalencephaly, a rare birth defect where one side of the brain is abnormally large. She suffered from severe seizures from the moment she was born. They became so bad that they stopped Maryam from feeding, sleeping and breathing. Her life was at risk.That's when a team at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto decided to attempt a first-in-Canada procedure to save Maryam's life.Health Science reporter Jennifer Yang interviewed some of the medical professionals who performed the procedure, as well as Maryam's mother, Muzna Nafees. She tells the story of how Maryam's life was saved.This episode originally aired June 6, 2025.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Canadians have been spending a lot of time thinking about identity and their relationship to Canada. As U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war drags on, taking an ‘Elbows Up' approach isn't just about economics – it's also cultural. Many of the songs and albums that make up the soundtrack to your life are written and performed by Canadian artists – and they've helped shape what this country sounds like. Today, deputy arts editor Rebecca Tucker and reporter Josh O'Kane are here to talk about how they put together a list of 101 essential Canadian albums, and how the music we listen to reflects us as a country. We also called up Tamara Lindeman from The Weather Station, Joel Plaskett, and Torquil Campbell from Stars, all of whom were featured on that list, to tell us about the Canadian album that has inspired their work.This episode originally aired July 17, 2025.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The winter holidays are a time to cozy up with family – even if those family members are furry and of a different species. For many, dogs and cats aren't just animals, they're cherished loved ones who come into our lives at the exact moment we need them.This holiday season, The Decibel's editor David Crosbie, Globe and Mail staffers and Canadians share personal stories about how they met their pets and how caring for them has changed their lives.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Many factors of modern life can make time feel like it's moving faster than it actually is: hustle culture at work, a productivity compulsion at home, over-programmed kids – they're all attempts to get as much as possible out of our time and keep up with the frantic pace of life. But life also has moments where time feels like it's slowing down, or even stops. We know that time can't actually slow down or speed up – but why does it feel like that?The Globe's time use reporter, Zosia Bielski, speaks to The Decibel about why our perception of time can change, what it is about this particular moment that's making us feel so pressed for time and how we can take back control of the pace.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Canadian television show Heated Rivalry has found major success not just in Canada, but with American audiences, too. The show, a love story between two male hockey players, has broken television streaming records and taken over social media.The Globe's television critic J. Kelly Nestruck joins The Decibel to talk about why Heated Rivalry has resonated with so many people, and how significant it is for a Canadian show to break through to global audiences so quickly.Questions? Comments? Ideas? E-mail us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Canadian counter-intelligence military officer Matthew Robar, is facing charges of espionage. The veteran military officer is accused of sharing information with Ukraine in its war against Russia, according to a source for The Globe and Mail. Robar was arrested last week, and charged with multiple offences related to passing highly sensitive government secrets to a foreign entity.Steven Chase, a senior parliamentary reporter for The Globe, speaks to The Decibel about what's known about Robar, what the espionage charges mean, and how this development might affect Canada's relationship with Ukraine.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This travel season, Canadians might be headed away for something other than a vacation.More Canadians are participating in medical tourism, travelling to another country to receive medical treatment, though some question its safety and the threats this poses to Canada's public health care system.Sarah Bartnicka, a freelance writer for The Globe, explains the costs, the risks and what Canadians can keep in mind for best practices when travelling abroad for a medical procedure.Questions? Comments? Ideas? E-mail us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The attack on Jewish Australians at Bondi Beach in Sydney has sent shockwaves around the world. To many in Jewish communities, it mirrors previous antisemitic attacks seen in countries around the world over the past several years. Globe columnist and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette executive editor David Shribman joins The Decibel. He covered the Tree of Life shooting in 2018, where 11 Jewish people were killed in their synagogue in Pittsburgh. Shribman talks about how the recent shooting in Sydney impacts Jewish communities around the world and what living in Pittsburgh has taught him about life after tragedy.  Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Loyalty reward programs are everywhere we shop. They're at coffee shops, retailers, airports and grocery stores. Many of us are connected to our points, but the rewards no longer seem to go as far as they used to.Vass Bednar, the managing director of the Canadian SHIELD Institute, explains the changes to Canadian loyalty rewards programs, what we are giving up when we hand companies our data in exchange for points – and if it's even still worth it to collect rewards points anymore.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The heirs to Canada's multi-billion dollar frozen food empire are fighting. New Brunswick's McCain Foods is the world's largest French fry maker, and is privately owned by the McCain family. Recently, one of its heirs, Eleanor McCain, requested to be bought out of her stake in the company – but her relatives are refusing to.Globe business columnist, Andrew Willis, has been reporting on the showdown inside one of Canada's wealthiest families. He'll explain the fight over ownership, whether it could impact the world's biggest French fry producer, and how these tensions trace back to the 1990s dispute over succession between McCain Foods co-founders.Questions? Comments? Ideas? E-mail us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mark Carney's federal government has introduced its second tough-on-crime bill this fall. The new bill, Bill C-16, focuses on violence against women and children, changes to mandatory minimum sentences and the growing problem of court delays.The Globe's justice reporter, David Ebner, explains the specific changes to the Criminal Code that this bill wants to make and what advocates and critics are saying about it.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Late-stage prostate cancer diagnoses are on the rise in Canada. According to a recent study, between 2010 and 2021, rates of prostate cancer discovered at Stage 4 increased by about 50 per cent in men aged 50 to 74. In men over the age of 75, rates were up over 65 per cent.There is a simple blood test that can screen for early signs of prostate cancer, called a prostate specific antigen, or PSA test; however, in 2014, Canada recommended against using the PSA for widespread screening. Today, Globe health reporter Kelly Grant explains what this study found and why these guidelines are so highly contested in Canada.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hours before a strike deadline, Air Transat and the union representing airline pilots reached a tentative agreement. For customers, it comes as relief in the middle of a busy holiday travel season. And in a year already wracked by airline work stoppages, the threat of disruption and lengthy customer reimbursement periods continue to loom.Mariya Postelnyak, The Globe's Consumer Affairs reporter, speaks about what you need to know as a traveller, what's afforded in air passenger protections, and how to get what you're owed if your flights get cancelled.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Canadian manufacturing sector has been having a hard time, which has been made worse by U.S. tariffs. The impact of these tariffs varies company to company. So a team of Report on Business journalists from The Globe spoke to several manufacturers to see how they've fared this past year.Matt Lundy, The Globe's Economics Editor, speaks about how badly these companies have been hurt, what they're doing to try to cope and whether federal government supports have been any help.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For families, the tragedy of opioids is beyond measure. The opioid epidemic has claimed tens of thousands of lives in Canada and has been recognized as a public health crisis, but it's also an economic one – and it disproportionately affects workers in key sectors like construction and the trades. As Ottawa ramps up its push to build major projects fast, could the ongoing toxic drug crisis slow it down?Today, Globe reporter Jason Kirby joins the show. As part of our Poisoned series, he spoke with workers, companies, unions and health researchers to understand the grip the crisis has on the construction industry and what's being done about it.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Canada is in the midst of reframing its approach to military spending. The reasons for this are twofold; a commitment to fulfilling NATO spending as part of GDP, and the push to diversify spending away from the U.S. To that end, Prime Minister Mark Carney has recently signed a deal joining the EU's military procurement fund, granting Canada access to both selling and purchasing defence materiel.Steven Chase, The Globe's senior parliamentary reporter, is on the show to discuss what this means for our burgeoning national defence industry, the political considerations involved, and where our national armed forces go from here.Questions? Comments? Ideas? E-mail us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's not unusual for business owners to forge ties with governments, but there are rules around conflicts of interest when it comes to procurement. In February, 2025, an Alberta senior public servant stepped forward with allegations of political interference in the awarding of large health contracts. These allegations prompted investigators, auditors and opposition politicians to look closely at the ties between Premier Danielle Smith's government and an Alberta businessman, Sam Mraiche.Mraiche's company, MHCare, had been awarded hundreds of millions of dollars worth of procurement contracts from Alberta Health Services. A Globe and Mail investigation found that the connections between Mr. Mraiche, purchasing officials, and senior Alberta political figures have existed longer – and are more extensive – than than previously reported.Today, Carrie Tait, a reporter with The Globe's Calgary bureau, and Tom Cardoso, an investigative reporter with The Globe, are on the show to talk about their investigation into the ties between a serial entrepreneur and the Alberta government.Questions? Comments? Ideas? E-mail us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the holidays right around the corner, households are getting ready for company and deep cleans are underway. Even the idea of letting family and friends see a clutter-strewn home can be anxiety-inducing, and images of perfectly-clean celebrity homes on social media don't help. But what are we actually losing when we prioritize the act of cleaning over the people we do it for?Zosia Bielski, The Globe's Time Use reporter, digs into the societal pressure we all face over deep cleaning, why the work often disproportionately falls on women and how letting our guard down in our living spaces can deepen relationships.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Across Canada, highways and rural roads are studded with cellular ‘dead zones'. In some provinces, coverage gaps span over 30 per cent of major roads. In some cases, you can't receive calls and texts for more than 100 kilometres. So when something goes wrong, what do people do?Today, the Globe's telecoms reporter Irene Galea and national news reporter Jill Mahoney have been investigating how many of the country's major roads and highways are disconnected. They explain why years-long public safety risk persists, how it affects the Canadians driving through them, and what is being done about the problem.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ontario just passed Bill 60, officially named the “Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act.” It's a big omnibus bill, but it's garnered the most attention for reforms to Ontario's rental system. Doug Ford's government walked back the most controversial part of the bill, but critics are concerned that what remains will still lead to more evictions and worsen the homelessness crisis.Today, Shane Dingman, the Globe's real estate reporter, is on the show to talk about why these legislative changes are so contentious, and what impact they could have on people living in Canada's largest rental market.Questions? Comments? Ideas? E-mail us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have signed an agreement that sets the framework for building a new pipeline, carrying bitumen to the west coast. The deal commits to simultaneously making Canada a “global energy superpower” and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. Indigenous co-ownership is a requirement for development, as is consultation with British Columbia.In response, Liberal minister Steven Guilbeault, a former environment minister and longstanding environmentalist, has resigned from cabinet.Campbell Clark, The Globe's chief political writer, joins the show to explain what's in the deal, the politics involved and how likely the pipeline is to get built.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Canadian consensus on immigration cratered last year. In the fall of 2024, an Environics poll found that for the first time in a quarter century most Canadians felt there was too much immigration. Under former prime minister Justin Trudeau, the country experienced one of the biggest periods of immigration growth in its history, but after the shift in public opinion, the Liberal government reversed course. Despite big reductions to immigration levels, most Canadians still think rates are too high.Today, The Decibel is looking at how Canada's relationship with immigration significantly changed, what it's meant for the country and the people who have immigrated to it, and where we go from here.Tony Keller, Globe columnist and author of Borderline Chaos: How Canada Got Immigration Right, and Then Wrong, will walk us through what motivated Trudeau's dramatic changes to the immigration system and how they impacted the country. And then, Rupa Banerjee, professor and Canada Research Chair in Economic inclusion, Employment and Entrepreneurship of Canada's Immigrants, will explain the effect that whiplash-like changes to the system have had on recent immigrants and our economy.Questions? Comments? Ideas? E-mail us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Some of the world's largest tech companies, like OpenAI, Google and Meta, have invested hundreds of billions of dollars into artificial intelligence as they try to build the data centres they need. And right now, a lot of the stock market's growth is based on AI companies. But what if it's all a big financial bubble? And if it is, what are the signs it's about to pop?Globe business reporter Joe Castaldo, who covers AI, explains why markets are twitchy about AI right now and what's behind investors' concerns.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Last week, the FBI and the RCMP announced 10 new arrests in connection with a $1-billion drug-trafficking ring allegedly run by Canadian former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding. The charges, which haven't been tested in court, include drug trafficking, conspiracy to retaliate against a witness and murder. Wedding, who's been in hiding since 2015, is now one of the FBI's 10 most wanted fugitives.Eric Andrew-Gee is The Globe's Quebec correspondent. He's on the show to talk about what these new charges bring to light, and whether authorities are any closer to capturing Wedding.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

No Canadian province allows doctors to offer care under both private and public systems – but leaked draft legislation obtained by The Globe and Mail shows Alberta is trying to change that. The province says it's proposing the change in an effort to reduce surgery wait times and retain health care workers. But experts say it could result in a two-tiered medical system.Today, Carrie Tait, a reporter in The Globe's Calgary bureau, joins The Decibel. She broke the story last week, and she'll tell us what she's learned about the province's plan, the impact a public-private model could have on access to health care and why some critics say this could violate the Canada Health Act.Questions? Comments? Ideas? E-mail us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For cancer patients, every day of treatment is critical. But the best care possible is not always reaching patients quickly. Despite Health Canada approving a drug treating an aggressive blood cancer, a complex web of organizations, insurance plans and negotiations over drug pricing means it's still not available in Canada.Globe reporters Kelly Grant, who covers health, and Chris Hannay, who covers the business of health care, tell us what is holding up life-changing drugs and why Canadian patients are the ones left with the consequences.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, Prime Minister Mark Carney is in the United Arab Emirates to try to shore up foreign investment ahead of next week's G20 summit in South Africa. Human rights groups and Sudanese activists are calling on Carney to condemn the U.A.E. for allegedly sending weapons to Sudan — a claim the country denies — but federal officials won't say whether he'll raise the issue.Geoffrey York is the Globe's Africa Bureau Chief. He's on the show to talk about what's been happening in Sudan and why Carney and other foreign leaders are hesitant to put pressure on the U.A.E.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Last week, over 20,000 pages of the late Jeffrey Epstein's emails, texts and other documents were released. In one email, Epstein – the deceased child sex trafficker with ties to U.S. President Donald Trump – writes that Trump “knew about the girls.” It has intensified the public outcry for the U.S. government to release all of its investigative files on Epstein. And on Tuesday, the U.S. Congress voted to make all of its information public.Today, the Globe's international correspondent, Nathan VanderKlippe joins the show. He's been following the rift the Epstein scandal has caused within Trump's MAGA base, the President's evolving response, and what the released emails tell us about the Canadians connected to Epstein.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Beef prices are currently around 23 per cent above their five-year average. And there's no relief in sight.Kate Helmore is The Globe's agriculture and food policy reporter. She explains what's going on in the beef industry to cause these sky-high prices.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In May, a B.C. billionaire named Weihong (Ruby) Liu made a $69.1-million deal to acquire 28 leases of former Hudson's Bay stores. Her company, Central Walk, owned malls where three of those stores were located, so those leases went unopposed; however, landlords of the other 25 stores were skeptical of her ability to operate her proposed stores. She had cash, real estate experience, and a vision — but no experience running a major retailer.Susan Krashinsky Robertson is the Globe's retailing reporter. She's been covering the fallout from the demise of Canada's oldest retailer. Today, she's on the show to talk about what she learned about Ruby Liu over the course of the hearings, and why her bid to take over 25 more stores ultimately failed.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has unveiled the next set of projects the federal government plans to prioritize in a bid to jumpstart Canada's economy. The announcement focused on energy and mining, with six projects across the country ranging from liquefied natural gas to critical minerals. But many questions remain about how these projects will work and what disputes they will cause.Adam Radwanski, feature writer and policy columnist for The Globe joins The Decibel to talk about Carney's strategy, how the newly-created Major Projects Office fits in and whether this plan meets the moment.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Where in Canada is it best to rent right now? The Globe analyzed cities from coast to coast to coast, comparing cities' median incomes with their average rental prices, to find out which places are the most renter-friendly.The Globe's personal finance reporter Salmaan Farooqui joins The Decibel to break down where and why rents are trending downward, why it's a good time to take advantage of the rental market and what advice realtors have for renters.Questions? Comments? Ideas? E-mail us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the day the budget was tabled, Chris d'Entremont, the lone Conservative MP from Nova Scotia, crossed the floor to the Liberals. Two days later, Matt Jeneroux, a Conservative MP from Alberta, announced he would be leaving politics altogether. His name had also been circulated as a potential defector to the Liberals. These moves overshadowed news of Carney's first budget — and d'Entremont's move gives him one more crucial seat ahead of next week's confidence vote, which could trigger an election. Poilievre's opposition benches, however, appear increasingly shaky.  Campbell Clark is the Globe's chief political writer. He's on the show to talk about what these moves mean for Poilievre and the Conservatives, why people cross the floor to begin with, and what past defections can teach us about the moment the Conservatives are facing now.  Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A precedent-setting ruling involving Aboriginal title at the B.C. Supreme Court has caused widespread uncertainty and tension in the province. In August, Justice Barbara Young decided that Cowichan First Nation had title to roughly 800 acres in the city of Richmond — including private property. The ruling has raised questions over both residential and commercial property rights, as well as governance of the region. Today, B.C. politics reporter Justine Hunter joins the show. She'll explain the case, the divisive response, and the impact it could have on Indigenous land claims across the province... and the country. Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A big part of the federal budget rests on the assumption that its measures will spur the private sector to invest in Canada…a lot. It's projecting a half-trillion worth of investment. But at a time when Canada is suffering from sluggish productivity and the impact of U.S. tariffs, how realistic is it to expect businesses to invest?James Bradshaw covers institutional investing for The Globe and Mail. He explains how the government is trying to spur 500-billion dollars in investments from the private sector, and how something called a ‘productivity super deduction' is meant to fix an issue that has long plagued the country.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Parents are increasingly relying on elaborate calendar systems to keep track of their families' activities – from a shared calendar or paper planner to high-end devices that can create a calendar for you by scraping data from your emails. Some parents say it helps them better involve their teen children in scheduling their lives; for others, they feel themselves becoming beholden to their calendars – a draconian digital personal assistant.Zosia Bielski is The Globe's time use reporter. She joins us to talk about how families are using technology to try to ease the mental load, and what these ever-evolving calendar systems reveal to us about how we value our time.Questions? Comments? Ideas? E-mail us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For more than a decade, Canada's condo boom was on. Investors, at home and abroad, drove the craze over reselling preconstruction units. Rents skyrocketed, all while the condos themselves shrank in size. Today, the bubble has burst and the housing crisis continues. New condo sales in markets like Toronto and Hamilton are at 35-year lows and prices are driving potential homebuyers out of the city core. Is this actually an opportunity for developers to course correct to find “the missing middle?”Erica Alini, personal economics reporter for The Globe, explains why shoebox condos have been so appealing for North American developers, why the market for them has cratered and what needs to change to build cities with higher density at a liveable scale.Questions? Comments? Ideas? E-mail us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On Tuesday, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne tabled the first federal budget from Prime Minister Mark Carney's government. It had long been advertised as a fiscal plan that would make difficult decisions to put Canada's economy on the right track.The Globe sent more than a dozen journalists to Ottawa to study the details and assess how transformative this budget actually is. We break down what it says in terms of the deficit, job cuts to the federal public service, defence spending, health care supports, immigration plans and other measures that will affect Canadians.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne is set to deliver the first budget under Prime Minister Mark Carney. Early announcements have signalled sweeping cuts to the public sector. There's no guarantee that the budget will pass, given Carney is presiding over a minority government. The NDP has said they wouldn't rule out abstaining from the budget vote; for his part, Carney has said he's ready to fight another election campaign if it comes down to that.But beneath all the politics surrounding the budget are actual policies and plans for the government. It's the job of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, or PBO, to provide non-partisan analysis of these plans to parliamentarians – does the math add up? Are these predictions sound? Today on the show, Yves Giroux, who was the PBO from 2018 until early September this year, is here to walk us through what to watch for when the budget drops later today.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

North Atlantic right whales are nearing extinction, with fewer than 400 left in the world. We know what is killing them: getting hit by shipping boats, entangled in fishing lines and the impacts of climate change — which is changing the location of their food sources. But now, researchers think that human-made noise in the ocean may be having an effect too.Jenn Thornhill Verma is an environmental journalist who has been reporting on the plight of the North Atlantic right whale as part of her Entangled series for The Globe and Mail, in partnership with the Pulitzer Center's Ocean Reporting Network. She explains how scientists are starting to understand how these whales communicate and how loud noises we're making may be driving them closer to extinction.Some of the sounds from today's episode were provided by Syracuse University, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the New England Aquarium and NOAA, the National and Atmospheric Administration in the U.S.Underwater animal and environmental sounds courtesy of NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Passive Acoustics Group. 2021. Stfr_Multisound_NOAA_PAGroup_01. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/science-data/sounds-oceanQuestions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On Sunday, most Canadians gain an hour of sleep as the clocks get turned back to standard time. But while most of us have gotten used to the bi-annual time change, our bodies have not. And with a growing number of experts saying the practice messes with our sleep – should Canadians stop messing with the clock?Today, psychology professor Joseph De Koninck is here. He studies sleep at the University of Ottawa, and his recent research looks at how Daylight Savings Time impacts our circadian rhythms, what we can do to minimize the health effects the change has, and why he thinks Canada should consider staying on Standard Time year-round.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.