Alberta at Noon

Is the home ownership dream alive for you? Housing starts are up 34 percent in Alberta but the cost of housing, for buyers and renters, remains a struggle for many. Are you or your kids giving up?

The loonie isn't flying high. In fact it's testing a new low - hitting its lowest in almost 5 years. Where is it headed? What will it mean for you, for travel, for business, for inflation?

The Swifties inspired us today. They pay big bucks and travel thousands of kilometres just to see Taylor Swift. Is there a musician or performer you love that much? A band who you think is the best?

How concerned are you about the possible work stoppage at Canada Post. If the labour dispute can't be resolved, what would that mean for you? What does the future look like for Canada Post?

The lion's share of emissions reductions will need to happen in the next 6 years to hit the 2030 target, according to Canada's Environment commissioner. Are Canadians prepared to do what's necessary to get it done? Are you?

Alberta's unemployment rate remains higher than the Canadian average, and compared to a year ago, it's up 1.4 percentage points. Why is the job market tougher here than most other provinces?

Who are you thinking of this Remembrance Day? We hear from someone who's collected around 2 thousand stories from veterans and also the founder of "No Stone Left Alone", dedicated to honouring and remembering Canada's veterans.

As the cost of food keeps going up, does it feel like you can afford your groceries?

We know fertility rates are down. Fewer of us are choosing to have children. Is it career, lifestyle, cost of living or something else? How did you decide when or if to have kids? 

Canada has been told to 'buckle up', but what about Alberta? We discuss the potential impact of a second Trump Presidency on Alberta, including on our oil and gas sector.

Is it an emissions cap or a production cap? That is the fundamental question that divides the Alberta and Federal governments in the latest move to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. What will it mean for the economy? What will it mean for the environment?

More than 91 percent of delegates at the UCP AGM endorsed their leader, Danielle Smith. The premier now continues the current sitting with the wind at her back. What does this mean for the province?

We asked you to weigh in on the UCP's new bill concerning the use of students' names and pronouns in Alberta schools.

Today. we wanted you to share stories about meeting one of your heroes or idols.

Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-Francois Blanchet says he will work with other federal opposition parties to try and bring down the Trudeau government after the Liberals refused to increase Old Age Security payments to seniors between the ages of 65 and 74. We asked if you think Canadian seniors over the age of sixty-five should get a pay raise.

The UCP government has introduced several amendments to the law. The big one is around the right to refuse vaccines and other medical treatment. They also get into property rights, gun ownership and free expression. Premier Danielle Smith says it was time to update Alberta's Bill of Rights. What do you think?

We heard your stories about some of the physical and emotional challenges you've had to overcome on commercial airlines.

Do you enjoy a good scare? We're diving into the psyche of gore lovers, as two low budget films rule the box office.

This country has been growing quickly, but new, lower immigration targets will change that. How has all that growth changed where you live?

With scissors out, the Bank of Canada cut its key interest rate. Inflation is softening and the bank is worried about some underlying problems the country faces, like too many workers and not enough jobs. What about you? Are you ready for an interest rate cut?

There's a ban coming on flavoured vapes, according to Canada's addictions minister. It's unclear when that may be but it would mean things like Wicked White Peach and Mega Mixed Berries would disappear. Do you vape? Would you still, if the flavour options all but went away?

Are you ready for a federal election? Or would you rather wait a full year when we're supposed to head to the polls anyways. With the news machine driving hard in Ottawa, let's talk about the next federal vote.

The Alberta government expects about half the people in this province will eventually get cancer. If you stop and think about that and look at the people around you, it hits home. Maybe you've already had cancer or your loved ones have. Maybe you work in this area. As the province opens this new cancer centre, what do you want new cancer patients to know?

There's a new way to manage primary care in this province. Primary Care Alberta takes over on November 1st. It's the latest part of the plan to split up Alberta Health Services into various dedicated departments. While there are changes at the top, we wanted to know what your experience is like on the ground.

There you are, strolling along the street or perusing the online aisles and you see it. That item that pulls you in and claims a chunk of your debit or credit card. It's something you didn't really need, but now own. What's the story of that impulse buy you couldn't resist?

The province's fall vaccine program begins next week, and issues with vaccine distribution have been in the news. We heard your questions about vaccines - whether they're for influenza, COVID, or RSV.

Today on Alberta at Noon, we talked extreme weather conditions. Our callers and guests described some of the worst days they've had battling the elements.

There are a lot of skunks around Alberta these days. Maybe you've got one living under your porch right now and today we are asked you to share your skunk experiences. Have you ever been sprayed by one? Has your dog ever been sprayed by one? Do you have any memorable skunk encounters you'd like to share?

A Calgary company wants to build a large nuclear power plant in northwest Alberta. Should nuclear power be part of the mix as this province works toward meeting its climate obligations? Or are the potential risks simply too high?

There's a very good chance that you have a cell phone within easy reach right now and it's probably chirping and buzzing, trying to get your attention. Can you resist? The answer is, increasingly, no. Have you noticed your attention span isn't what it was? Have you found yourself drifting off? Well put your phone down and pay attention.

How are the roads and highways where you live? Is it time for the province to start spending more money to repair and replace them?

We want you to share your experiences as a foster caregiver or someone who has been in care. What do you want others to know about fostering, and if you are considering becoming a caregiver, we'd like to know what's holding you back?

Four provinces have upped their minimum wage this week. Here in Alberta, it hasn't been raised since 2019 and is now the lowest in the country, tied with Saskatchewan at $15 an hour. The question on the show today is if it's time for Alberta to up its minimum wage.

The cost of cleaning up orphan wells in this province might have just doubled. As a result of a recent court case, the number of orphan wells in this province has just exploded. This news comes just a couple of weeks after the province had to repay over 130 million dollars to the federal government. That money was supposed to go toward cleaning up abandoned wells but it wasn't spent quickly enough. Today we ask, Are we doing enough to deal with abandoned oil and gas wells?

Is there a time when you took a chance and just said yes? Bob McDonald, the host of CBC Radio's Quirks and Quarks joins us to talk about his new memoir: Just Say Yes.

Municipal leaders are holding their fall convention. Many say their communities are seeing a rise in the number of people living rough and they're looking for help from the province. We asked what Albertans are seeing in their communities.

Are you at war with a picky eater in your family? A new study has found if you're finicky about your food, it's largely genetic. While that's good information to have, it might not make meal time easier.

The province banned the machines last Spring, saying moving to hand counted votes boost trust in election results, but municipalities are fighting back, saying it will be costly and time consuming. What are your thoughts?

Can you talk politics with someone you disagree with? If you can, what are those conversations like? Do you avoid political conversations?

Horticulturist and arborist, Jim Hole, joins us to answer all of your gardening questions.

Today on the show, we asked if the $8.6 billion announced for Alberta schools is going to address a need where you live. The province says it plans to build more schools in the two largest cities, with a plan to renovate and expand in smaller communities. Do you see a need for this in your community?

Today on the show, we asked what's next for Calgary's Green Line LRT? The city says it's dead, the province says it's not. A lot of money has been spent, and a lot is at risk. What do you make of the Green Line debate?

Today on the show, we asked what's it like buying or selling a house these days. The federal government announced some changes to mortgage rules in an effort to help first time home buyers break into the market. 

Today we asked if you're tired of tipping. You've likely gone to pay for an item and were given a number of tipping suggestions. Some suggest different tipping amounts for good, great or excellent service. What goes through your head when you're asked to tip?

Today on Alberta at noon, we asked "how are rising home insurance costs affecting you?" With a $2.8-billion price tag now attached to that hail storm that swept through Calgary and area last month and an estimated $900-million for the Jasper wildfire, you can bet our rates will continue to climb.

Alberta is home to some remarkable wildlife. Following a bear attack on a hunter near Madden earlier this month, and a family's run in with a cougar at their back door just outside of Calgary, we wanted to hear your wildlife encounter stories. The good and bad.

Kate Middleton took to social media this week to say she's completed her cancer treatment. Today on Alberta at Noon, we asked about that moment when you were told you were in remission meant to you.

Are you all done with online dating? Many are feeling disillusioned by it all. Since 2021, the market value for dating apps has fallen by 40 billion dollars. We wanted to know your online dating stories and whether you've given up on it all.

As we get going into another fall book season, is there a brand new offering that you're particularly excited about? Perhaps there's a book that's been out for decades now that you recommend to anyone and everyone year after year. We ask "What are you reading this fall season?"

The supply and confidence deal between the federal Liberals and NDP has come to an end. What do you want to see happen next?

What's your reaction to the province's decision to withdraw funding for the Green Line LRT project? Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek, Alberta's Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen, journalist Darren Krause, and political scientist Lisa Young join us to discuss the issue.

The province is looking to expand online gambling in Alberta by opening the door to private operators. Is this the right move?

We talk to author David Yeager about his new book "10 to 25: The New Science of Motivating Young People."

For the first half hour of the show, we ask for your stories and memories of Johnny Gaudreau. Horticulturist and arborist, Jim Hole, joins us for the rest of the show to answer all of your gardening questions.

The Calgary Board of Education is not going to remove Sir John A. MacDonald's name from one of its schools. A former student there asked for a name change in the spirt of reconciliation but, the CBE has denied that request. What do you think of that decision?

Whether you're bagging your own groceries, ordering fast food on a touch screen, or putting your own luggage on the conveyer belt - is self service working for you?

The federal government is imposing a 100 per cent tariff on Chinese made EVs that are known for being much cheaper. If you could buy a less expensive EV - would you? Are there other factors that matter to you?

Did you grow up working and living in your parents' restaurant? What was it like being a "restaurant kid"?

As Judy Aldous bids farewell to the host chair on Alberta at Noon, we take your calls and questions about anything and everything related to our program.