3 MAY 2024 · This week on NOW and NEXT: We're joined by Sheila Regehr, Chair of Basic Income Network Canada and Jessie Golem, who is part of a class action lawsuit seeking $200 million in damages from the Ontario government. The lawsuit claims the government breached terms and conditions of a contract it entered with 4,000 low income Ontarians who qualified for a basic income pilot project. The program was cancelled after the Progressive Conservatives defeated the Liberal government in 2018.

27 APR 2024 · This week on Now and Next: Abacus Data CEO David Coletto joins us to talk about his latest research. He wanted to know what Canadians are looking for in a prime minister. David says, "In our survey, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reigns as the premier party host, which might not come as a surprise given his charismatic and sociable public persona. However, in scenarios that required quick thinking and practical skills—like solving an escape room, putting out a kitchen fire, or managing a road trip as the navigator—Pierre Poilievre has the advantage." The problem for the Liberals is Trudeau presents as "the guy who shows up as the party host in the fancy car in the fancy clothes but he leaves before the staff has been paid and the mess has been cleaned up" leaving the guests to hold the bag.

18 APR 2024 · This week on NOW and NEXT: We go deep on two line items in the the federal budget. Legislated poverty is now a nationally funded program. The 2024 Trudeau budget threw pocket change at the Canada Disability Benefit and, in so doing, managed to add to the $80 billion annual cost of poverty in this country. The government's refusal to fully fund the Canada Disability Benefit leaves more than a million Canadians to languish in poverty. It's a polticial play that effectively weaponizes poverty. We talk to Daily Bread Food Bank CEO Neil Hetherington. AND...we talk housing...housing....and housing. Richard Lyall, President of the Residential Council of Ontario says the announcements are promising but will they do anything to lower to cost of building...not the cost to purchase...the cost to build new homes? [Don't hold your breath]

12 APR 2024 · This week on Now and Next: The Ford government in Ontario is patting itself on the back for forcing the Liquor Control Board of Ontario to reversing a ban on paper bags. The LCBO made the move in August 2023, claiming it was an environmental initiative aimed at saving our forests. Premier Ford says it's a matter of affordability for Ontarians. But both the LCBO and premier either misunderstand or are wilfully ignorant pfthe effects of a paper bag ban. Using recyclable paper actually contributes to saving our forests. We explain! Also, we introduce you to Sue Larkin, the COO at Look Good Feel Better. She hosts a Story Studio Network podcast called Facing Cancer Together.. This interview was orginally recorded before the show launched. But we thought it was a good idea to revisit the discussion now that the 13 part series is available on all your podcast apps. AND to celebrate the success of the show. They've had remarkable reach with the remarkable stories they've shared.

5 APR 2024 · We are seven months from election day in the United States and its outcome could prove to be the most significant since Abraham Lincoln was elected with less than 40% of the popular vote in 1860. Lincoln’s election is cited as the primary cause that triggered the US Civil War. With that in mind we ask the question: Will the United States be a safer place if Donald Trump wins or if he loses?  In this episode of NOW and NEXT, we’re joined by veteran pollster, John Wright, SVP at Maru Public Opinion and David Schultz, professor of political science and constitutional law at Hamline University in Minnesota.   We explore the political landscape focusing on the dissonance between the political narrative and the state of the economy.  - David Schultz: Generally, voters’ perceptions of the economy, along with approval rating for the president, are pretty good predictors - not guarantees but pretty good predictors - of what happens in elections. And even though all the numbers look pretty good in terms of the economy, it’s the inflation factor that's souring a lot of people right now. And this is the problem that Joe Biden faces. - John Wright: “You see two things through my lens. Number one is this hyper -partisanship, which drives everything (in the U.S.). But secondly, it's a culture war in the United States. It doesn't surprise me at all that in the last week, Joe Biden has decided with his vice president to go after the Roe v. Wade vote. I mean that's that's the counter measure to the economic piece that's on the other side of the aisle. It just seems that it's not just about the economy, it's about the culture of the United States.” The polarization and extreme partisanship in the United States is driven by cultural issues and amplified by social media bubbles. And the ultimate result will come down to a small number of voters in 5 or 6 counties in 5 or 6 states.  - David Schultz: “I describe it this way. 5 -5 -5, 270 or 6 -6 -6, 270. Either 5 % of the voters in 5 counties and 5 states tell us who gets to 270 electoral votes or 6 % of the voters roughly in 6 counties and 6 states." - John Wright: “It would be like trying to figure out the national election based on doing all of your polling in Cornwall Ontario.”

29 MAR 2024 · In this episode of NOW and NEXT: A funeral was held this week for Roy McMurtry, the former Chief Justice of Ontario and Ontario's Attorney General in Bill Davis' government at Queen's Park. McMurtry at the age of 91 on March 18, 2024. I had the chance to interview the Chief Justice when he retired from the bench in 2007. We replay that sit down for you in this episode of the podcast.

15 MAR 2024 · This week on NOW and NEXT: We explore truth and reconciliation in the mining industry. It's a critical issue, especially when you consider how much mining in Canada is done on the traditional lands and territories of First Nations right across the country. Brandon Ringham, from Creative Fire, sat down with us at the PDAC confernece in Toronto. We're also excited for a new season of Popping the Bubble Wrap! Our friends at Parachute are back in the studio and their CEO Pam Fuselli is going to tell you, it's okay to let the kids engage in risky play. Not dangerous play, but they need to learn by taking risks. And I discovered a beautiful song about Ellis Island this week. It tells the story of Annie Moore. Something to consider as we mark St. Patrick's Day this week. I'll even sing it for you. Now and next is the flagship podcast at Story Studio Network.

8 MAR 2024 · Today on NOW and NEXT: It's been a LONG TIME coming but the feds have finally tabled their legislation aimed at curbing online harm. That includes new measures to deal with hate speech and puts a major onus on the big tech companies to take responsibility for content posted on their platforms. Owen Charters is the President and CEO at BGC Canada. He says it's a good first step. "We do think the government largely...got it right" particularly when it comes to protecting our kids and teenagers when they're online. "It is something we've been waiting to see because we see the harms. We see the harms each and every day. And it's both perpetrated on and unfortunately sometimes perpetrated by young people." We also sit down with Story Studio Network CEO, Erin Trafford. We recorded the segment LIVE from our Podcast Newsroom at the Prospecter and Developers Association of Canada convention in downtown Toronto. It is the largest mining industry gathering in the world. Remarkably, there was next to NO media on site to report on some major economic, environmental and indigigenous stories.

29 FEB 2024 · This week on NOW and NEXT We talk tohttps://www.linkedin.com/article/edit/7168672490129481728/, CEO athttps://www.linkedin.com/article/edit/7168672490129481728/ in Toronto. Those of you who follow us here athttps://www.linkedin.com/article/edit/7168672490129481728/ will know we've been working closely with Neil and his team producinghttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-2030-project--5857556 podcast series. The latest instalment was a limited series focussed on thehttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-new-dawn--56767552. The long and the short of it is, the CDB is aimed at lifting a million Canadians, who live with disabilities, out of poverty. Neil andhttps://www.linkedin.com/article/edit/7168672490129481728/ represented the Daily Bread team in Ottawa last week, pressing MPs to commit to fully funding the CDB in the 2024 budget. The "good news"? It sounds like the feds are ready to commit $1 -2 billion to the cause. The "not so good news"? It would take an average of about $1 billion per province and territory to stabilize the lives of those relying on disability benefits across Canada. The investment of "every billion equals $100 (per person in monthly benefit payments). And so you need to get about $10 to 12 billion." Neil says "People need about $1 ,000 more than what they're currently getting. If you are on disability in Ontario, you're getting $1 ,300 a month. The poverty line is $2 ,300 a month. And so our hope is that it gets to the...thousand or so dollars a month, which is still inadequate, but at least gets to a certain level of being able to hopefully not rely on food banks." Also, we connect withhttps://www.linkedin.com/article/edit/7168672490129481728/ - author ofhttps://www.amazon.ca/Wealthy-Martian-Out-This-World-Earthlings/dp/0228897181. Karen says it's long past time for us to be including financial literacy in our education curriculum. And, finally, we are now into year three of the Russian war in Ukraine. We're joined by Major General (ret)https://www.linkedin.com/article/edit/7168672490129481728/, an RCAF veteran. General Clancy says all eyes are properly focussed on the growing tensions betweenhttps://www.linkedin.com/article/edit/7168672490129481728/ nations and Putin's Russia. But he tells us, we need to broaden our peripheral political vision in this post-Cold War era. "The soft underbelly of NATO and the West is not Europe", says Clancy. "It's not even American forces deploying to Europe. It's North America. And if Russia was really going to come after the Americans, they'd come after them here."

23 FEB 2024 · Welcome to NOW and NEXT - the flagship podcast at Story Studio Network.. It’s our weekly offering - the newest episodes will drop Thursdays! Stories, issues, problems and solutions that just don’t make the cut in the assignment meetings… But they’re stories, issues, problems and solutions that affect you, your family, your home, your job and your community. This week…. - Now that city hall in Toronto has decidedly dinged the local home owners with a 9.5% tax hike… they’re back to the business of complaining about parking fees and dangerous dogs. THAT’S THE BUSINESS THEY SHOULD BE IN! NOT highway maintenance and sheltering refugees. The budget period might have been Olivia Chow’s toughest time so far in the Mayor’s chair. But the next six months will be her toughest test…following through on her “back on track” budget and making sure she delivers on the police, transit and housing promises she’s made. - Back on track…it the political theme of the week….In Chow’s case…it makes sense. But it is the means of memes at Queen’s Park. Ford Nation’s introduction of the “https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/doug-ford-hopes-to-finally-get-it-done-when-legislature-resumes-tuesday/article_a6bddf88-cb4f-11ee-8e76-77bf9386591f.html” bill is aimed at getting the province back on track. Of course, the quick and obvious observation? The bill harkens back tot he 2022 campaign slogan. This week, it begs the inescapable question: What the hell have you been doing for the past two years? We will be diving into that and more this week as we gather for On The LEDGE - your Ontario politics podcast. It will be back in your podcast feed on Friday! - Who would want to serve in government? https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/senate-security-panic-buttons-1.7118064 details plans to issue panic buttons to Senators in Ottawa…over safety and security concerns. The CBC reporting says Senators have “been targeted by online harassment campaigns and threatening phone calls in recent weeks. The panic buttons were offered to MPs in 2022 following the fallout from the Freedom Convoy/occupation in Ottawa. - Last week we learned the FBI informant who was at the centre of the Biden bribery investigation is accused of lying about it. Now, this week, the https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/us-smirnov-charges-hunter-biden-1.7120763affiliated officials. Prosecutors say Smirnov admitted in an interview following his arrest “officials associated with Russian intelligence were involved in passing a story” about Hunter Biden. The FBI would like Smirnov behind bars while awaiting trial. BUT the judge didn’t bite. Daniel Albregts allowed Smirnov to be released…but is subject to GPS monitoring. - Are you a COSTCO customer? A great piece in the Economist this week explaining how and why the big box retailer is so beloved? HINT: forty or so years ago…a Hot Dog and Drink combo at COSTO cost $1.50. Today??? It cost $1.50. Check out the story in the https://econ.st/3I8SG0I. - DID YOU HEAR?….The PM’s pissed off…over the job cuts at Bell… The feds have summoned Bell Execs to the hill for a grilling over the latest round of layoffs…Can’t wait to see how that plays out. So far, Ottawa has managed to only add fuel to the media dumpster fire in this country. And. by the way, if the PM is pissed off about 400 or so layoffs at Bell Media (NO, BELL MEDIA DIDN’T CUT 48 HUNDRED JOBS. BCE CUT 4800 JOBS), where was the PM’s pissed-offedness when the CBC announced 600 layoffs just two months ago? - AND…February 22 is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. It’s happening in plain view and close to home. - We talk to Janet Campbell, CEO and President of https://joysmithfoundation.com/.