The Evan Bray Show

It's hard to believe with the snow Saskatchewan saw yesterday, but we are already in wildfire season. As fire seasons grow longer and more complex, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency is strengthening its response through provincial, national, and international partnerships — and to talk about how that better protects communities, we're joined by Marlo Pritchard, president of the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency and Saskatchewan's fire commissioner.

Big Daddy Tazz is a beloved Canadian comedian originally from Saskatchewan, known for his high-energy, off-the-cuff style and strong connection with audiences. He is also a strong advocate for mental health awareness, speaking openly about his own experiences. He has a show tomorrow night at Art Bar in Saskatoon and joins The Evan Bray Show.

What time is it? It's Eatin' Time! with Belton Johnson - powered by the Saskatchewan Cattle Association! Grillmaster Belton Johnson joins Evan with his recipe for Crockpot Roast Beef.

To many, dogs are a man's best friend, but for others, they're a lifeline. Dr. Renatta Varma, ophthalmologist and Chair of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) Guide Dog Gala, joins the show to talk about the life-changing impact of guide dogs and the upcoming gala on May 7. It raises funds and awareness for Canadians who are blind or have low vision.

Every Friday, we open the phone lines and give you a chance to call out or commend anyone you think deserves it. Call 1-877-332-8255 and join the conversation!

Evan goes to the phones to chat with listeners about what's on their minds today. Call 1-877-332-8255.

Last summer, when everyone was asked to evacuate, a handful of people stayed behind to protect the Wadin Bay community from devastating wildfires. Shaun Bergsveinson, FireSmart President for Wadin Bay, was one of those brave volunteers. He joins us now to share his experience and the importance of being prepared for the worst.

Is it time for Pierre Poilievre to step down? This question was posed in front of the Prime Minister, to which he said the question was unfair. But longtime Conservatives are coming forward, saying it is time. Dimitri Soudas, former Director of Communications to the Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, has emerged as a critic of Poilievre and his leadership style. He joins us now to share his thoughts on whether the Conservatives would be better off without their current leader.

We just heard about a Saskatoon clinic that is now charging patients for missed appointments. After three no-shows, patients can even be dropped from the practice. We want to hear from you. Is this fair — or does it go too far? Does it help people show up, or punish those who already struggle to get care?

Lakeside Medical Clinic in Saskatoon has introduced a three-strikes policy for missed appointments, including escalating fees and the possibility of being dropped as a patient. Policies like this are not uncommon but are they fair? Dr. Jason Hosain, a family doctor who studies appointment no-shows, says while doctors' time is precious, clinics need to be cautious about punishing patients.

Saskatoon is continuing to grapple with concerns around downtown safety, including rising public anxiety about crime, disorder, and visible social challenges in the core. To talk about how the city is addressing safety, homelessness, and revitalizing downtown Evan is joined by Jeff Jorgenson, City Manager at the City of Saskatoon.

Open Phones - Evan goes to the phones to chat with listeners about what's on their minds today. Call 1-877-332-8255.

The Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) Convention and Tradeshow just wrapped up in Regina. It's the perfect opportunity for local leaders and community members to connect, share ideas, set priorities and question those in power, like the Premier, about their villages, towns and cities. Randy Goulden, president of the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA), joins the show to recap the event and what progress was made on topics that matter in your community.

There are no shortages of stories coming from Parliament Hill this week. Following the Liberal majority, the gas tax cut and questions about the stability of the Conservative Party, we have a lot to talk about. To break this all down, Evan is joined by Tom Korski, managing editor for Blacklock's Reporter.

A hockey league in Saskatchewan is proving that the love of the game can last a lifetime. The Saskatoon 60+ Hockey League is hosting the Canadian 80+ Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony, where over 30 players will be honoured. Ken Crump, Saskatoon 60+ Hockey League president, Garry Peters, former NHL'er and former Saskatoon Blades coach and Bill Orban, former NHL'er and first NHL player inducted into the 80+ Hall of Fame, join the show to share more about the event this weekend and why this league is so important.

April is Autism Awareness Month, and Autism Services of Saskatoon has a full lineup of events throughout April. We'll also talk about the challenges individuals and families still face in this province, navigating life with an autism diagnosis. Evan is joined by Julian Tomlinson, CEO of Autism Services of Saskatoon and Mike Richards is the Chief Executive Officer of Shercom Industries.

You're quick & clever! And for some weird reason you've carried the right answer in your head for years. Or maybe you just trust Uncle Google. It's time for Saskatchewan's Smartest Radio Listener for Little Town Apparel -- your chance for fame and acclaim and to prove just how smart you are. Not only do you get bragging rights, you'll win prizes too! Call 1-877-332-8255 to play!

Artificial Intelligence Saskatchewan is hosting the first-ever SASK AI EXPO on April 27, bringing together industry leaders, researchers, and businesses to explore how AI is being used today and where it's headed. With a data centre already planned for the province, the question now is what else AI could mean for Saskatchewan's economic future. To talk about the upcoming EXPO is Alex Fallon, chair of the Western Canadian Economic Forum, CEO of The Paradox Group and founder of Artificial Intelligence Saskatchewan (AiSK).

We're continuing our discussion on childcare and education today. Matt Love, Critic for Education, caucus chair and a member of the Board of Internal Economy, joins us to discuss the proposed donation to full-time Kindergarten, if the government decides to match, the new daycare agreement and his concerns about cuts to education in the budget.

Evan goes to the phones to chat with listeners about what's on their minds today. Call 1-877-332-8255.

With a clear majority now secured, Mark Carney no longer has to bargain to survive confidence votes and can focus fully on governing, from trade talks to major domestic files. In simple terms, we're now about to see his Liberal agenda in full, no holds barred. To talk about what that means, we have Tasha Kheiriddin, National Post/Postmedia political columnist.

After a string of overpasses were hit last month in Saskatchewan, municipalities and the province are looking at a big price tag to fix them. Vince Hardy, CEO & Solutions Architect of ConX Wireless, has a system that could have prevented it. He joins the show to talk about the system and how it works.

It's been a busy few days for the Liberal Party, following the Liberal convention and last night's three byelections. Doug Richardson, former Saskatchewan lawyer, former prime minister's Chief of Staff in Ottawa and Liberal supporter, joins the show to recap the convention and lay out what a majority government would mean to the Liberals.

It took over 30 years, but Kris Kinar, a Saskatoon-based construction worker living with EPP, is finally starting to get answers for his rare condition called erythropoietic protoporphyria, which causes intense pain from sun exposure. He met Dr. Amy Yeung, Physician at Massachusetts General Hospital, living with EPP, through a trial at Mass General Brigham, which is seeing great success. The pair join Evan to share their story and what's next in terms of treatment.

Drones are rapidly becoming “flying tractors” in agriculture, with uses ranging from spraying crops and spreading fertilizer to monitoring livestock and mapping fields. To talk about drones and ag, we are joined by Markus Weber, President of the Canadian Agricultural Drone Association and Owner of LandView Drones.

Evan goes to the phones to chat with listeners about what's on their minds today. Call 1-877-332-8255.

With the by-elections now decided, Mark Carney's Liberals have secured a majority in the House of Commons, completing an unprecedented shift from minority to majority, powered by floor crossings and wins in Liberal strongholds. Joining Evan is Stephanie Taylor, National Post politics reporter.

On April Fools' Day, WestJet joked about putting a barefoot ban in place--but for many, this wasn't a joke; it was something they supported! What rule would you implement on airplanes? Would you require headphones for all audio? Enforced boarding zones? Having kid-free flights? Call us at 1-877-332-8255 to join the conversation.

College campuses have changed a lot since their inception when it comes to free speech. This is something that Ric Esther Bienstock, Canadian documentary filmmaker, explores in her new documentary SPEECHLESS. She visits some of the most divisive conflicts on campuses like Harvard and Yale, for example. She joins the show to share what she learned and what she hopes audiences take away from the discussion.

Last week, we welcomed a daycare director to the show to talk about Saskatchewan's new childcare agreement. Directors fear that many daycares could close their doors due to funding problems. Everett Hindley, Saskatchewan's Minister of Education, joins the show to weigh in on the new agreement and share what the government is doing to improve care for children.

Evan goes to the phones to chat with listeners about what's on their minds today. Call 1-877-332-8255.

Last week, Saskatoon's Prairie Harm Reduction closed its doors. The facility offered supervised consumption, a drop-in space, drug testing and other supports for people who use drugs. Organizations and frontline workers worry that this could cause a spike in the already existing overdose crisis. Rand Teed, addiction counsellor, prevention specialist and author, joins the show to share his thoughts about the closure and what this means on the ground.

A fragile U.S.–Iran ceasefire is hanging by a thread as peace talks over the weekend ended without a deal. President Trump warning strikes will resume if negotiations fail, while Iran says that they will not "surrender under threats". To talk about the conflict, Evan speaks with Kaveh Shahrooz, Senior Fellow at the Macdonald Laurier Institute.

Floor crossings are part of the Saskatchewan Party's origin story, but former Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall argues in a recent Globe and Mail op-ed that while some crossings are justified, many — including Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu's recent defection — are driven more by personal or political gain. He joins Evan on the show.

Hopefully you have speedy fingers — because this Monday, Saskatchewanians will be competing online for the best camping spots as provincial park reservations open for seasonal sites. To walk us through what you need to know and share tips for landing your top choices, Evan is joined by Paul Johnson, Assistant Deputy Minister with the Parks Division at the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport.

We're talking about an important men's health issue that doesn't get enough attention: testicular cancer. Michael Paine, testicular cancer survivor, firefighter and Movember Community Member, joins the show to share his story and why it's important to raise awareness and have open discussions about men's health.

What time is it? It's Eatin' Time! with Belton Johnson - powered by the Saskatchewan Cattle Association! Grillmaster Belton Johnson joins Evan with his recipe for Crockpot Pepper Steak.

Every Friday, we open the phone lines and give you a chance to call out or commend anyone you think deserves it. Call 1-877-332-8255 and join the conversation!

Evan goes to the phones to chat with listeners about what's on their minds today. Call 1-877-332-8255.

After another conservative MP crossed the floor to the Liberals earlier this week, we wanted to get thoughts from someone inside the Conservative tent. Andrew Scheer, member of Parliament for Regina—Qu'Appelle, former Conservative Party leader and former Speaker of the House, joins the show to tell us how he reacted to the floor crossing as well as some recent policies the Conservatives have put forward.

A two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran was announced late Tuesday, including terms for the temporary reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, but its durability is already in question as both sides offer conflicting accounts of the deal and hostilities have continued. For a conversation about the latest, we have Ralph Nurnberger, former foreign policy assistant, member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Georgetown University professor and senior fellow at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.

Saskatchewan's new childcare agreement came into effect at the beginning of this month. But daycare operators say there was little to no communication with the ministry beforehand. Bailey Fleck, Weldon Childcare Inc. Director and Chairperson, South East Saskatchewan Directors Association, joins the show to share her concerns and what could happen to daycares around the province if funding continues to be a problem.

We heard from experts and parents on their thoughts on a social media ban for youth 16 and under. But we wanted to hear from the source, the youth! Evan is joined by a panel of teens, Brianna and Jax, who are in Grade 9 and Keaghlan in Grade 10. Brianna is not allowed to use social media, but Jax and Keaghlan are. They join the show to share their thoughts on a proposed ban.

A new report takes a hard look at who really controls Saskatchewan farmland — and the picture is shifting fast. Investor ownership may be limited, but land is rapidly concentrating in the hands of mega-farms, raising red flags about affordability, fairness, and the future of family farming in the province. To talk about this, we have one of the report's writers, Dr. Emily Duncan, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Sociology and Social Studies, University of Regina.

Evan goes to the phones to chat with listeners about what's on their minds today. Call 1-877-332-8255.

Another MP just crossed the floor to the Liberal Party, just weeks away from three critical byelections where the Liberal government could form a majority. Charles Smith, Professor in the Department of Political Studies at St. Thomas More College, University of Saskatchewan, joins the show to explain what this means for Parliament Hill and the Liberal Party as they kick off their three-day convention in Montreal.

A group of hockey lovers, both fans and athletes, are planning to fill up a small town hockey rink to raise money for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Karla Drury, chair of SK Hockey Heroes event and Al Iafrate, former NHL'er, join the show to explain why a small group decided to bring the tournament back and what people can expect at the weekend-long event in June.

You're quick & clever! And for some weird reason you've carried the right answer in your head for years. Or maybe you just trust Uncle Google. It's time for Saskatchewan's Smartest Radio Listener for Little Town Apparel -- your chance for fame and acclaim and to prove just how smart you are. Not only do you get bragging rights, you'll win prizes too! Call 1-877-332-8255 to play!

To wrap up our discussion this week on decorum during the Legislative Assembly, is Todd Goudy, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan. Last week, he gave verbal warnings to Ministers on both sides of the floor due to increased heckling, interruptions and even name-calling. He joins the show to share his role as Speaker and how he plans to remain "firm" with decorum.

Tomorrow marks 109 years since the Canadian Corps attacked Vimy Ridge, marking the first time all four Canadian divisions fought together as a cohesive unit. Nearly 3,600 Canadian soldiers died and about 7,000 were wounded. General Rick Hillier, former Canadian Chief of the Defence Staff, joins the show ahead of the Saskatoon Vimy Dinner to chat about the event and highlight why this notable day in Canadian history remains important.

Evan goes to the phones to chat with listeners about what's on their minds today. Call 1-877-332-8255.