Ontario Today

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Fewer teachers: What Ontario high school classes look like this fall

Students describe large classes, no computers. Teachers can't give the help needed. Courses necessary for university are unavailable.

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Gardening: Keeping raccoons at bay

Plus Ed Lawrence's advice on dahlias, digging up peonies, mandevilla, getting rid of potato beetles, overwintering potted herbs.

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What work-to-rule looks like: Special needs with no supervision, unlocked doors

Callers describe impact of school clerical staff, custodians, EAs and early childhood educators taking job action.

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Greta Thunberg fill you with hope or despair?

Environmental scientist Blair Feltmate argues for hope in the face of climate change.

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Washington's whistleblower

Listen to the testimony about the President and hear why Canadians are watching the debate over impeachment so closely.

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Suicide prevention: How small talk can save a life

A stranger's words can persuade someone in distress that they're not isolated, that there are other options. Open lines with Sunnybrook psychiatrist Dr. Mark Sinyor.

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Blackface: People who did it too

Callers who dressed in blackface reflect on how they feel about it now, with guests: comedian Greg Malone who dressed as Mahatma Ghandi for a CODCO sketch in 1990; and McGill University art historian Prof. Charmaine Nelson.

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Gardening: Raccoons make mess of grape arbour

Ed Lawrence suggests alternative plant for arbour, plus advice on giant sunflowers hydrangeas and more.

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GM Oshawa, layoffs now, bracing for shutdown

Durham Regional Chair John Henry and Oshawa area callers on the future of a city that's relied on the auto industry for more than a century.

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Trudeau, blackface, or banning religious symbols in Quebec

A lawyer for the World Sikh Organization calls the current crack down on religious minorities in Quebec worse than what the Prime Minister did in his past.

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Reaction to Trudeau in brownface: From resign to ridiculous

Callers react to images of Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau in brownface and blackface.

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How to stop gun crime: Front line perspectives

Hear from people working to make safer communities and callers from violent neighbourhoods.

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Undecided: What are you torn about as a voter?

Hear the people the parties are trying to win over. Open lines with York University political scientist Dennis Pilon.

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Gardening: Roses, sumac, apple trees

Ed Lawrence's sage advice for gardeners.

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Do Foodora, Uber, other gig workers want to unionize?

A union drive by Foodora food delivery workers, if successful, would be Canada's first unionized workforce of app-based workers.

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Do e-scooters belong on Ontario roads?

The province wants to allow these battery-operated versions of kids' scooters to where bikes go. But Toronto's Mayor says no to a wild west.

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Cleavage, bare midriffs, saggy pants: What's appropriate at school?

Toronto public schools adopt a new dress code because the old ones were criticized for being sexist, racist and hypocritical.

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Who voters are eyeing as election kicks off

A snapshot of what voters think of the political leaders vying for their vote.

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Makes me feel like a warrior: Why sex assault survivor fought to reveal identity

Does anonymity help victims of sexual assault? Does it add to the stigma? Open lines with lawyer Susan Vella.

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Bianca fan catches autographed ball

Canada's Grand Slam Champ is turning people into tennis fans, with Tennis Canada President Michael Downey.

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Gardening with Ed Lawrence

Advice about trilliums, overwintering herbs, locust trees and more.

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Is it socially acceptable to drop in on friends and family unannounced?

There's no grey zone on this etiquette question: Is is socially acceptable to drop in on friends and family unannounced? Our guest is comedian Martha Chaves.

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Fighting back against a bully: is it ever the right thing to do?

A debate over whether fighting back against a bully is the right thing to do.

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Drugged and assaulted: An everyday occurrence

Ottawa doctor says it`s a very common for people come into the emergency department and say they know they were drugged or suspect they were drugged.

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The days are shorter and the nights chillier which affects whatever is growing in your garden

The days are shorter and the nights chillier which affects whatever is growing in your garden

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Toyota owners frustated by parts delays

Toyota owners frustated by parts delays

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2019 Summer Soundtrack

Songs you got stuck on this summer, with guest Ottawa jazz singer Antoine L. Collins.

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Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: A movie to argue about

Quentin Tarantino's latest movie has been called sexist, racist, gratuitously violent and an affront to history and murder victim Sharon Tate's memory. Toronto Star film critic Peter Howell begs to differ.

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Washington Post art critic Sebastian Smee: Overwhelmed

Being moved by art is part of his job. But the Matisse Chapel caught him completely off guard. Hear his story and how others relate.

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Why people change their minds about same-sex marriage

Some people can reconcile it with their faith. Some can't. Open lines with Toronto Pflag President Anne Creighton.

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Making the garden fun for your pets

Advice from someone who knows how to keep a tiger happy! Open lines with Rie Burrows, Manager of Horticulture at the Toronto Zoo, about how to garden with animals in mind.

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Who doesn't like a picnic?!

A great debate about eating outdoors.

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Someone trying to scam you?

Real life stories about current scammers and advice on how to protect yourself from a senior RCMP intelligence analyst with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

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The extreme and dangerous side of trying to be too healthy

When all the food avoidances add up, there can be some disturbing physical and psychological consequences. Open lines with psychologist and York University researcher Prof. Jennifer Mills.

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Gardening with Ed Lawrence

Many questions about trees and lots of Lynn's!

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Does the Mayor of Ottawa coming out matter?

Yes, it can still a big deal to acknowledge you're gay, say some callers. Others wonder why it's a matter of discussion. Open lines with Stephane Emard-Chabot, who was the first openly gay city councillor in Ottawa.

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A good year for fireflies?

Beetle expert (yes, fireflies are beetles) Hume Douglas answers your questions about fireflies

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The perils of pet-sitting

The weird, wonderful and woeful pet-sitting stories with comedian Kyle Brownrigg

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SNC Ethics Report

The Ethics Commissioner says the Prime Minister violated the Conflict of Interest Act over SNC-Lavalin. Ontarians give their verdict.

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Can't find a family doctor?

Driving seven hours for a prescription re-fill? What lengths are you going to for primary care?

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Leaving home for the first time

Parents in puddles at the drop-off and and new students learning the ropes of life for the first time.

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Gardening with Ed Lawrence

Dying maples, invasive black locust trees and how to attract backyard bunnies. Gardening phone-in with Ed Lawrence

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Mississauga's Bianca Andreescu wins the Rogers Cup

Bianca Andreescu charms the tennis world by comforting injured opponent Serena Williams. We speak to her coach.

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Umbrellas good. Tents Bad. What is not okay at the beach?

A Niagara family were escorted from a public beach by police for refusing to take down a pop up shade tent. We hear both sides of this shady affair.

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Lessons from the Wettlaufer Inquiry

How did "systemic vulnerabilites" in Ontario's Long Term Care system allow a serial killer to go undetected? The lawyer representing victims' families unpicks key findings from the Wettlaufer Inquiry.

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Infant Sleep

Why is it so hard to find good information on helping babies get to sleep?

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Gardening with Ed Lawrence

Ed answers your questions

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Farmers on the growing season

After a long wet spring, how is the growing season treating Ontario farmers?

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Are young workers tapping into the tight job market?

Twenty-somethings talk about how they got their big break, with Ryerson Career Education Specialist Nikki Waheed.

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Breast Implant Safety Recall

Allergan issued a global recall of its Biocell macro-textured breast implants after safety concerns linking them to an increased risk of cancer. Are breast implants worth the risk?

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Autism policy reversal

The province has gone back to the drawing board on its autism policy. What has the impact of the last 6 months been on families?

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Cuts to Legal Aid Ontario

As lawyers and community activists take to the streets in province-wide "day of action" against cuts to legal aid Ontario, listeners call in with their stories of when legal aid made a difference

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Gardening: Attracting butterflies to your garden

Claudette Sims is President of Master Gardeners of Ontario. She has been answering your gardening questions online for four summers.

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Is your cat too fat?

Research shows cats weigh more today than they did 20 years ago. Veterinarian Lynn Morgan explains why and what owners can do about it.

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Cost of attending a wedding over the top?

Documentary filmmaker Bal Brach and callers talk about the tension over expectations to dole out big time.

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Green burials: What you want when you die

Most people in Ontario choose cremation. But there's a renewed interest in a burials, minus the embalming, the fancy casket and the headstone.

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Robert Wickens: Hope after paralysis

Being told your legs don't work is devastating. But it's not the end of the story. Toronto Rehab's Dr. Mark Bayley and callers describe what's possible after suffering a spinal cord injury or stroke.

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Second thoughts about having a baby because of climate change

Writer and new dad Mark Mann on the tension between the hope surrounding a new child and fears about the fate of the planet.

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Gardening: Harvesting tomatoes and peppers

Open lines with Paul Zammit, Director of Horticulture at the Toronto Botanical Garden.

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Organ donation: Should doctors assume you want to?

Open lines with Dr. Stephen Beed, head of the organ donation program in Nova Scotia, the first jurisdiction in North America to make presumed consent the law.

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Does Canada belong in the space race?

Planetary geologist Gordon Osinski, Satellite Canada Innovation CEO Ryan Anderson and callers on what this country is doing in space.

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Zoe the lab finds missing girls and other stories of lost and found

OPP Canine Officer Jon King tells how a dog tracked down lost teens in Algonquin Park. Plus stories from the woods, theme parks, the subway, malls and long term care homes.

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What it's like to be told go back to where you came from

Callers and Wilfrid Laurier professor Jasmin Zine describe why these words cuts so deep.

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OSAP let you down?

Lower tuition but fewer grants and loans means some college and university students are leaving school, others shifting to part-time. Open lines with Alex Usher of Higher Education Strategy Associates.

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Gardening: Squash, peppers, potatoes

Plus advice from Ed Lawrence about majesty palms, rhododendrons.

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New air passenger rules: Can leave after 3 hours on tarmac

Passenger rights advocate Gabor Lukacs and callers react to the federal government's new Air Passenger Protection Regulations.

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Memories of VW Beetles

Ending up in a swamp; stopping for a herd of elephants; seats melting. Volkswagen collector Joe Leroux and callers recall some amazing stories about the iconic Bug as the last model rolls off the assembly line in Mexico.

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Hospital fires 150 for insurance fraud

Postmedia reporter Joseph Brean describes how nearly a tenth of the employees at Baycrest Health Sciences were fired for falsely claiming as much as $5 million in benefits over 8 years.

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UK ambassador: When secrets get out

Leaked investigations, pricing information, T4 slips and emails. HR consultant Alan Kearns and callers describe what happens when confidential information is shared.

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Vegan firefighter's human rights case

Hear Adam Knauff argue why he should have the same right to have his beliefs respected as someone whose diet is shaped by religion.

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Emergency but no cell signal

Close calls when there was no way of reaching 911.

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Gardening: Cooling effect of trees

Ed Lawrence's advice on avocados, transplanting cedars, flooding on Lake Erie, a lilac changing from purple to white, rabbits and butternut trees.

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Life after being fired

Human resources lawyer Lauren Bernardi and callers' stories of what it's like to be axed and what they took away from it.

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Buying pot: What's still not working?

Complaints about traffic, parking, smoking up behind the wheel, dried out product and no return policies.

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Impaired canoeing: Why this Ontario conviction matters to you

A case involving the drowning of an 8-year-old boy has changed what it means to be drunk or stoned in a canoe or kayak.

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