Ontario Today Phone-Ins

Emotions researcher Dacher Keltner hears your stories. He heads the Social Interaction Laboratory at the University of California Berkley. His new book is called Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life.Also joining us, University of Toronto researcher Jennifer Stellar to share her research on how to leverage awe to benefit health and wellbeing.

A major battery parts manufacturer has paused construction of a new battery plant in Ontario. At the same time, some early sales figures for the year suggest that while EV sales continue to grown, the growth isn't as strong as it used to be. What's giving you second thoughts on electric vehicles? Our guest is Greg Layson, the digital and mobile editor of Automotive News Canada.

Our expert gardener, Paul Zammit, takes your gardening questions. Paul is a Professor of Horticulture and Environmental Studies at Niagara College.

Catherine McKenna, chair of the UN Zero Emissions working group, and former federal environment minister hears your thoughts. She has just returned from the COP29 international climate change summit in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Your stories following the latest news on the strike from Canada Post, and union members. Our guest is Gilles LeVasseur, professor of business and law at the University of Ottawa. 

Your stories about the challenges accessing care for dizziness and vertigo with one of Canada's leading experts, Dr. John Rutka. He leads the Centre for Advanced Hearing and Balance Testing at Toronto General Hospital.

Psychology professor and kindness researcher Jamil Zaki has just published a new book called Hope for Cynics: The surprising science of human goodness. His work in the lab suggests cynicism is not just bad for, but leads to worse outcomes. What's your experience? 

Kathy Laird with Tribunal Watch Ontario hears your stories, following the watchdog's new report which shows some 96 per cent of claims are now dismissed by the Tribunal. 

And what did you find in that search? The Canadian War Museum's Michael Petrou has spent years collecting stories from veterans and their families about what it was like serving in combat missions -- and then the transition back home after the mission ended. He's our guest as we ask listeners for their own stories of loved ones who've fought in past wars.

Murray Sinclair was a resppected judge, senator and Anishinaabe elder. But he will be best known as the chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission -- mapping out a path for better relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Hear how Murray Sinclair is being remembered by listeners. Our guests are Pam Palmater, with the Toronto Metropolitan University, and Riley Yesno, a research fellow at the Yellowhead Institute.

Daryl Davis is a blues musician by profession. But his obsession outside of work is trying to understand what makes white supremicists tick. He's spent his life reaching out to Ku Klux Klan members and asking the question: Why do you hate me? Hear what drives his work, and how listeners relate to his story.

CBC's former Washington correspondent Keith Boag is our guest as we hear how Ontarians are reacting to Donald Trump's victory. We also hear from a former official with Prime Minister's Office on how the Trudeau government might be changing its strategy with the White House.

The federal government is reducing the number of newcomers who will be allowed to apply for permanent residents status -- a move Immigration Minister Marc Miller says will stabilize population growth and relieve pressure on the housing market. So what changes for you with this decision? CBC senior reporter Janyce McGregor and Toronto Metropolitan University professor Rupa Banerjee join us as we hear what callers have to say.

Ontario's fall economic statement revealed the number of houses being built in province each year is on the decline. Steve Pomeroy joins Ontario Today. He's an industry professor at McMaster University and the Executive Advisor to the Canadian Housing Evidence Collaborative.

Paul Zammit, professor of Horticulture and Environmental Studies at Niagara College, shares what gardeners need to know if they want to plant flowering bulbs for the holidays -- and takes callers questions about their own gardens.

The World Health Organization says its worried that condom use is on the decline among teens. Ontario Today is joined by Jessica Wood, research and project development lead at the Sex Information and Education Council of Canada.

Halloween traditions can be a bit of a head-scratcher for people who come from countries where Halloween is not celebrated. Strangers handing out candy to kids? Neighbours decorating their homes with skeletons and tombstones? We want to hear what it was like for newcomers to wrap their heads around Halloween customs when they first came here.

Your stories with education researcher Devorah Heitner, who's new book: Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in the Digital World examines the struggle with balancing kid security and privacy. 

From shortages of nurses and personal support workers, to shortages of bandages, saline bags and other medical supplies....why is the home care sector facing so many problems? We hear callers stories of home care gone wrong -- and also speak with a home care doctor about what he is seeing with his patients.

Officials from the Ford government says the government plans to mail taxpayers $200 rebate cheques to help stimulate the economy. TVO writer and podcaster John Michael McGrath analyzes whether there could be more behind this move, and we hear what listeners make of the premier handing money back.

Paul Zammit, Professor of Horticulture and Environmental Studies at Niagara College, seeks your tips for keeping wildlife from gnawing at your jack-o-lanterns. He also takes your questions about your garden.

Social media is filled with push back against the latest child-rearing trend called "Gentle Parenting." Researcher Alice Davidson hears your stories and shares her latest study titled “Trying to remain calm…but I do reach my limit sometimes: An exploration of the meaning of gentle parenting.”

A new study has found that in North America, bird populations have dropped by almost thirty per cent. What are you seeing with birds in your community? Marcel Gahbauer and Marie-Anne Hudson are senior biologists with the Canadian Wildlife Service. 

With the US election just around the corner, we're asking Americans living here in Ontario how engaged they are with the election back home, and what's prompting them to send in a ballot. Also with us for the show are David Schellenberg with Democrats Abroad Canada and Georganne Burke with Republicans Overseas Canada.

Your stories about the challenge by police services across Ontario to hire officers. Our guest is Scott Blandford, Program Coordinator of Policing and Public Safety at Sir Wilfred Laurier University.

Toronto city councillor Amber Morley represents a region that's had heated town halls over whether bike lanes on Bloor Street are a good or bad thing for their ward. Hear what she -- and callers -- have to say about the Ontario government stepping into on the issue of where bike lanes should be installed.

Paul Zammit, Professor of Horticulture and Environmental Studies at Niagara College, explains why leaves hold a lot of potential in the garden. He also takes your questions about your garden.

The nurses behind the popular podcast: The Gritty Nurse hear your stories about nursing. They've just released a collection of nursing stories called: The Wisdom of Nurses: Stories of Grit from the Front Lines.

Ontario Today sits down with CBC's Parliament Hill bureau's Aaron Wherry and political analyst Eric Grenier to discuss where the current Liberal leadership stands.

Your stories with Daniel Levitin, author of the best seller of the book "This is Your Brain on Music," and discusses his new book: “I Heard there was a secret chord: Music as Medicine”

Guest gardening expert Mary Reid shares why apple trees have a tougher than usual season.

The federal government now has a pharmacare plan, but deals still need to be made with each province, including Ontario. Does pharmacare matter to you? We hear from the CEO of the Ontario Pharmacists Association, Justin Bates.

Your stories with guest Trevor Adams, a Canadian meterologist now living in Florida, as well as Florida Pheonix reporter Mitch Perry. 

Ontario Today sits down with Kate Mulligan, the scientific director of the Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing

Your stories with Caroline Fitzpatrick, the Canada Research Chair in Digital Media Use by Children. Her latest research suggests too much screen time for preschoolers could lead to emotional and anger management problems.

Your stories with guests Jon Allen, former Canadian ambassador to Israel, and Raja Khour, former commissioner with the Ontario Human Rights Commissioner and founding president Canadian-Arab Institute.

Paul Zammit is a professor of Horticulture and Environmental Studies at Niagara College.

The Ontario government is looking to raise the speed limit to 110 km/hr on more 400-series highways. Hear what listeners across the province think of that idea, and also views from Brian Patterson, head of the Ontario Safety League.

Justine De Jaegher was diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder in her twenties. It was a disorder that she tried to hide from friends and family. Now she's trying to get people to talk about OCD -- to increase public understanding of the disorder. Justine is joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Caitlin Claggett Woods.

Everyone has words that bring out their "Inner Grammando" or "Inner Wordie". That's the thinking from English professor Anne Curzan in her new book "Says Who? A kinder funner usage guide for everyone who cares about words." We hear from her, as well as sociolinguistics professor Sali Tagliamonte. And of course, listeners favourite and least liked words.

The provincial government estimates the cost of congestion is close to $11 billion a year in lost revenue. But what is the cost on you? Our guests -- urban planning professor Matti Siemiatycki and civil engineering professor Shoshanna Saxe -- evaluate the province's latest solutions, including the proposal for a major tunnel project under Highway 401.

Sports referees are often on the receiving end of verbal abuse from coaches, players, and parents. Now there are more efforts to stop this behaviour -- so that referees don't quit. Ontario Today invites Harry Smith, a hockey referee in Etobicoke, as well as Scott Oakman, the executive director and chief Operating Officer of the Greater Toronto Hockey League.

Zammit is the professor of Horticulture and Environmental Studies at Niagara College.

Our guest is Metis elder Tony Belcourt, the founding president of the Metis Nation of Ontario.

Your stories with language researcher Federico Rossano, Associate Professor in the department of Cognitive Science at the University of California, San Diego. The Comparative Cognition Lab, has some 10,000 dogs participating in a study, where they are learning words from a sound pad in their homes.

Your stories with disability advocate, David Lepofsky who shares stories from his latest memoir about his fight for rights for the disability community.

Your stories with American researcher Gloria Mark, who has recently published: Attention Span, sharing scientific findings about multi-tasking, smart phones, and the need for "right to disconnect" legislation.

The Ontario government says the law helps to free up limited hospital beds. But some advocates disagree. Joining us to take your calls is Dr. Maurice St. Martin, a family doctor and the medical director two long terms care facilities in Sudbury.

Our guest is Toronto city councillor and Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie who says yes.

He's a Professor of Horticulture and Environmental Studies at Niagara College.

The Ontario Government is asking for input on what practical skills should be added to the school curriculum. 

You weigh in with the CEO of People for Education Annie Kidder, and Diane O'Shea, a member of the Home Economics Association.

Filling your spare time with side hustles can put more money in your pocket, but what will it cost you? Deena Ladd, executive director of the Workers Action Centre, joins Ontario Today to hear your stories about the impact of the gig economy.

Your stories about turning to the food bank with the head of Feed Ontario, Catherine Stewart. Feed Ontario's recent astonishing report showed a record breaking year in food bank use, up 25 per cent from last.

You weigh in on the growing concern around political polarization with guests Sabreena Delhon with the Samara Centre for Democracy, MP Marco Mendicino, former public safety Minister, and Journalist Justin Ling, author of a final report on polarization for the Public Policy Forum.

You weigh in with Toronto Star national columnist Susan Delacourt. The House of Commons fall session begins with the Conservative leader taunting the NDP to support a vote of non-confidence to topple the minority Liberal government.

Zammit is a professor of Horticulture and Environmental Studies at Niagara College.

Ontario Today is joined by Toronto-based Natalia Juarez, a relationship coach and dating strategist.

Ontario has seen a massive drop in childhood vaccination rates. 

McMaster University immunologist Dawn Bowdish is the Executive Director of the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health. 

She talks about measles, whooping cough, rubella, school suspensions, asthma, COVID, and Mpox.

Ontario Today invites two guests onto the program. Journalist Simon Lewsen who teaches at the University of Toronto and recently published an article in the Walrus entitled, "Are Universities Failing the Accommodations Test?" Jeff Preston also joins the conversation. Preston is an associate professor and chair of disability studies at Kings University College at Western University.

Following the recommendations of the Ontario Human Rights Commission's Right to Read report, the province is now adopting a new science based reading curriculum. But there's still lots of work to do. Your -- sometimes -- emotional stories about efforts by kids to catch up with guests Alicia Smith, exec dir. Dyslexia Canada and Stephen Krause with the Near North District School Board.

Zammit is a professor of Horticulture and Environmental Studies at Niagara College.

The city of Hamilton recently passed a bylaw to stop 'bad faith' renovictions. Toronto is considering doing the same. Ontario Today speaks with Toronto city councillor, Brad Bradford

Ontario Today checks in with Seattle-based writer and mother, Kathleen Donahoe, whose article "Folding Laundry is a Scam," flips the narrative on household chores.

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh said he's ripping up the confidence and supply agreement with the Liberal Party. 

CBC Senior writer Aaron Wherry joins Ontario Today along with former NDP researcher Jordan Leichnitz.

Ontario Today catches up with Canadian track paralympian Zachary Gingras in Paris and four-time paralympian turned researcher, David Howe. Howe is a professor of Kinesiology at Western University and has been researching disability in sport for decades.

Overnight temps just dropped to the single digits this week. What does that mean for your more delicate plants? Paul Zammit gives advice on that and more gardening inquiries.

You weigh in, with the head of the Ontario Convenience Store Association, Terry Yaldo. The Ontario government has approved more than 4 thousand grocery stores to sell beer and wine, as well as coolers for the first time in the province's history.

As we head into the last long weekend of summer - what’s left on your summer bucket list? How will you delay the end of summer?

A show dedicated to teens and kids only, as we head back to class. Our guest hosts include Nanak Sidhu, a student at Chippewa Secondary School in North Bay, and the newly elected president of the Ontario Student Trustees Association. Also, student leaders, Anthony Li, at St. Robert's Catholic High School in Richmond Hill, and Angelika Bell, at William Lyon MacKenzie Collegiate Institute in Toronto.

Ontario Today invites Anabela Bonada to the program.

Bonada is the managing director of climate science at the University of Waterloo's Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation.

The Ontario government is closing 10 supervised drug-consumption sites. 

You weigh in with reaction from Michael Parkinson, head of the non-profit group Drug Strategy Network of Ontario, and Dr. Ahmed Bayoumi, one of the experts behind a review of safety at those sites.

Listeners share their stories with gardening expert, Paul Zammit.

Zammit is a professor of Horticulture and Environmental Studies at Niagara College.

Ontario Today also checks in with Toni Ellis wth the Elora Environement Centre's Tree Trust.