10/3: Canada Covered

We have known for nearly half a century that drinking alcohol during pregnancy can harm an unborn child. But the rate of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is higher than expected, and could outpace more widely understood disorders such as autism. We talk with Vanessa Hrvatin, recipient of the 2018 Lang Fellowship in Journalism. We look at how great the risk of FASD is, who is most affected, and how myths and stigma complicate understanding of the disorder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Months before a federal election, the Liberal government is embroiled in a potentially damaging scandal. This one surrounds a major Canadian company, SNC Lavalin, that is facing charges related to business dealings in Libya, and whether the Prime Minister’s office applied political pressure on then Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould to order federal prosecutors to expedite the case in a manner that would be beneficial to the company. Dave is joined by National Post reporter Brian Platt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it comes to disrupting major organized crime activities, getting drugs off the streets is the easy part. For officers who are tasked with following the money, getting charges laid and getting convictions to stick is a big problem. Dave and Vancouver Sun investigative reporter Gordon Hoekstra look at how big a problem money laundering is, how criminals are trying to move that cash, and challenges faced by the police and prosecutors who are tasked with dismantling these outlaw operations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Admitted Toronto serial killer Bruce McArthur was addicted to killing, says Toronto Sun columnist Joe Warmington. McArthur is expected to spend the rest of his life in prison for the brutal murder of eight men from Toronto's gay community. Warmington joins Dave to discuss the fallout from the case for police. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You practically can’t go a day without stumbling along a mocking story about an industry or trend being killed by Millennials. But despite taking a lot of flack from Gen-Xers and Baby Boomers, things aren’t so peachy for those born from the early ‘80s to the late ‘90s. Dave is joined by Ottawa Citizen reporter Vito Pilieci. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our police and firefighters and paramedics. They’re the ones who rush to our aid when we’re hurt, or victims of crime, or our homes are burning. And that work — at crime scenes and traumatic injuries and raging infernos — places a heavy burden on those on the job. We take a look how the emotional toll cost a veteran police officer his career. Dave is joined by Windsor Star reporter Trevor Wilhelm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re 100 days into Canada's grand legal pot experiment. And despite a lot of predictions ranging from government blunders to total chaos, is it really all that noticeable? We’ll look at how Canada has fared with legalized cannabis, how the market has grown, what challenges there are to overcome and what the future holds for marijuana in Canada. Dave is joined by Megan Henderson, executive producer of the GrowthOP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, the man alleged to be the head of the Sinaloa drug cartel, is on trial in Brooklyn New York He is accused of running an operation that smuggled tons of drugs into the U.S., as well as into Canada. We look at what was being smuggled into Canada, how far into our country the drug operation reached, and at the men authorities allege were his connections in this country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Obviously the sales job offered by former B.C. realtor Howard Chong was solid, as he’s accused of 10 counts of fraud. He presented himself as everything from a Chinese pop singer to a rep for a high-end investment firm, a private investigator claims. He’s also now on the lam. Dave is joined by Vancouver Sun reporter Dan Fumano. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A major pipeline project saw opposition swell last week, and no, it had nothing to do with Alberta oil. A blockade against a natural gas pipeline from the Peace Country to Kitimat on the West Coast sparked arrests and rallies of support across the country. We look at who is behind the blockade, what issues they have with the project and what the dispute raises about consultations with First Nations when it comes to energy infrastructure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The trial of Gerald Stanley, and the arrest of Eddie Maurice brought the issue of rural crime to the forefront in 2018. Amid the discussion last year, many residents in rural communities said they were worried about an increase in property crime, and an overtaxed RCMP that may not be able to respond to calls in far-flung areas. We sat down to talk about at what drove these concerns, how police were trying to respond, and how rural residents took action. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It has been nine months since the horrific crash between a semi-trailer and a bus carrying players and personnel from the Humboldt Broncos hockey team. On April 6 2018, the driver of the semi failed to yield at a stop sign along a Saskatchewan Highway and hit the team’s bus, killing 16 and injuring 13. Now, nine months later, the driver of the truck has owned up for his actions, pleading guilty to all charges. Dave is joined by Saskatoon Star Phoenix justice reporter Bre McAdam. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

December month marked one year since the slayings of billionaires Barry and Honey Sherman, who were found dead in their North Toronto Mansion on Dec. 15, 2017. And despite a lot of interest in this case from coast to coast, it seems like there has been little movement on the investigation. We look back at the killings, what may have stalled the investigation, and where police are at in their effort to catch those responsible. Dave is joined by Toronto Sun columnist Joe Warmington. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MPs and cyber security officials are worried Canada’s federal election, slated for next fall, could be at risk. Like with the 2016 U.S. Presidential election, there are fears that foreign actors could try to influence our next election using social media, or that data breaches could be weaponized for political gain. We look at what specific concerns are being raised and what’s being done in an attempt to prevent outside forces from subverting Canadian democracy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite many similarities and a shared independent streak, Quebec and Alberta have found themselves on opposite sides in a back and forth over the idea of revamping the Energy East pipeline idea. Dave is joined by Montreal Gazette National Assembly reporter Philip Authier. Update: Quebec sources 82 per cent of its oil from North American sources, according to National Bank of Canada. A different figure was reported within the episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should consenting adults be allowed to strap on a pair of leather gloves, step into the ring and beat the daylights out of each other? Is the entertainment, and payday, worth the risk of potential harm, or even death? These are questions being raised after a Quebec-based boxing champ wound up in hospital with a life-threatening brain injury. Dave is joined by Montreal Gazette editorial pages editor Edie Austin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Earlier this month, a top executive for Chinese tech giant Huawei, Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Vancouver at the request of the U.S. Meng was wanted on fraud charges linked to violating sanctions against Iran. We look at the fallout being felt in the wake of Meng’s arrest, whether this situation could have a chilling effect on Canada-China relations, and how tied in Huawei is with Canada’s telecoms network. Dave is joined by National Post reporter Marie-Danielle Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Canadian politics, the legislature Clerk, Sergeant at arms and Speaker of the house aren’t often thrust into the spotlight. But in B.C. the men in those three roles have been embroiled in controversy since it was revealed that two of them have been suspended from their jobs now the subject of a secret RCMP investigation. Dave is joined is Vancouver Sun political writer Rob Shaw. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amid a fiscal crisis caused by the low price of oil, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley took the drastic step to cut oil production. The move is seen as an attempt to shrink the difference between the price on Alberta oil and global benchmarks. We look at how industry is reacting, whether it will help Alberta’s financial picture, and how federal policy has played a role. Dave is joined by Calgary Herald business columnist Chris Varcoe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

General Motors announced Monday it is closing its Oshawa assembly plant, leaving nearly 3,000 people out of work. We look at what the closure means for the community and what the future holds for Canada's car manufacturing industry. Dave is joined by Financial Post reporters Emily Jackson and Geoff Zochodne. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recent court cases on the Prairies have raised the issue of gun culture and rural crime across Canada. But for many farmers and ranchers, a firearm is not seen as a tool for self defence, but a part of the way of life out in the country. We look at what rural residents have to say about gun culture, the rural-urban divide in attitudes when it comes to firearms, and whether there are concerns about safety on the farm. Dave is joined by Regina Leader Post reporter Mark Melnychuk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The price gap on Alberta oil has hit a crisis point. Business leaders, politicians and everyday Albertans are demanding action to fix a divide that's costing the Alberta treasury and Canadian economy billions. We look at what's being done to mitigate the damage, what help Alberta is asking for from the feds, and what the Prime Minister has to say. Dave is joined by Edmonton Journal provincial affairs reporter Clare Clancy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Conservative politicians across Canada are banding together to fight Justin Trudeau's carbon tax. Last month Trudeau announced that the Liberal government carbon pricing plan will include rebates for people in provinces that do not have their own plan. Dave is joined by National Post reporters Tyler Dawson and Maura Forrest to discuss the origins of the coalition of provincial politicians opposing the federal liberals, and what it may mean for next years election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the world transitions to a knowledge-based, innovation economy, Canada is lagging behind. The Financial Post has kicked off a deep look at how this trend could endanger the country’s economic well-being, and what is needed to help businesses flourish and grow. In this episode, we speak with Jim Balsillie, a leader at the heart of the innovation movement about the challenges companies face, and what role the government can play to help Canadian businesses succeed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It looks like Calgary will not be in the mix to host the 2026 Olympic winter games after all. After months of back and forth, the No side won out in a city-wide plebiscite Tuesday, leaving city council little choice but to scuttle a multi-billion dollar bid. We look at how the Yes side failed to make its case, and what the no vote says about possible future bids. Dave is joined by Calgary Herald reporter Ryan Rumbolt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Sunday, Buglers or trumpeters will stand stoically at ceremonies across the country and their instruments clarion call will usher in two moments of silence. The plaintive notes of the Last Post will resonate in the hearts and minds of those paying tribute to all those who have lost their lives in service of our country. Dave is joined by Ottawa Citizen reporter Bruce Deachman to look at the origins of that familiar melody, and why it is so important. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the trial for Sinaloa cartel kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" guzman kicks off in Brooklyn, the National Post has uncovered the story of a Canadian working as a cocaine smuggler in El Chapo's operation. Mykahylo Koretskyy, also known as Russian mike and cobra was picked up earlier this year in the dutch territory of curacao, on a 2014 u.s. indictment. Dave is joined by reporter Brian Fitzpatrick. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The suspension of a B.C. university professor is being investigated over concern his employer violated his academic freedom. Derek Pyne was suspended without pay over research into the practice of his colleagues publishing in so-called predatory academic journals. And now the Canadian association of university professors is looking into how Thomson Rivers University handled the incident. Dave is joined by Vancouver Sun columnist Douglas Todd. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A gunman walked into a Pittsburgh Synagogue last weekend and open fire, killing eight people. In the wake of Pittsburgh massacre, and the Mosque shooting in Quebec city last year, we look at what is driving hateful rhetoric online, and how we’re seeing a rise in anti-Semitism in Canada. Dave is joined by Montreal Gazette columnist Bill Brownstein. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Toronto Mayor John Tory easily cruised to a second term as leader of Canada’s largest city last week. He did so amid a fight with the provincial government over a push from Ontario’s premier to shrink the size of city council in the thick of a campaign. Dave and Toronto Sun editor-in-chief Adrienne Batra look at how the mayor and the premier are looking to put that fight behind them, and how the changes to city council may help Tory after all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vancouver, a city reeling amid a housing crisis and being on the front lines of the opioid epidemic, has a new mayor. Former NDP MP Kennedy Stewart was elected last weekend as Vancouver's first independent mayor in 30 years. During the campaign he took strong positions on housing, and he has been a staunch opponent of the Trans Mountain pipeline. Dave is joined by Dan Fumano of the Vancouver Sun and Province. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One week into legalized cannabis, and business is booming on the prairies. In Alberta, were retail sales are privatized, stores have been lined up out the door since opening day on Oct. 17 and the novelty hasn’t worn off. One major retail says cannabis sales have even outpaced the company’s liquor business in some stores. Is that just the novelty factor? Or will the popularity, and product shortages, continue? Dave is joined by Calgary Herald reporter Bill Kaufmann. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The case against Vice Admiral Mark Norman doesn’t hit court until next summer, but it caused a big ruckus in the House of Commons last week. Norman, the former vice chief of defence staff is charged with breach of trust for allegedly leaking information related to a shipbuilding contract. The Tories have been making political hay over whether there was interference on the contract from Treasury Board president Scott Brison. Dave is joined by National Post political columnist John Ivison Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Other countries use it, Political parties use it, even the Oscars and the NHL awards use it. But so far, Canada has been reluctant to adopt the idea of ranked ballots for major elections. That could be changing. Dave is joined by London Free Press reporter Megan Stacey to look at how London Ontario is making the shift to ranked ballots for its upcoming municipal election, and whether it could spread elsewhere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are down to the last 24 hours until cannabis becomes legal in Canada. But that doesn’t mean that all the smoke has cleared when it comes to retail sales and police enforcement of new laws around the black market. Dave is joined by Megan Henderson of the GrowthOp, Postmedia's cannabis news site, to look at how the legal pot landscape is shaping up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two of Canada’s most prominent conservative leaders met in Calgary Friday, in front of hundreds of cheering supporters. Doug Ford and Jason Kenney had one other politician politician top of mind: Justin Trudeau and his planned carbon tax. Dave is joined by the always-animated Calgary Sun columnist Rick Bell to look at how the rally frames the debate around the federal climate plan, and what it means for elections next year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week, Alberta became the province with the highest minimum wage in Canada, with a bump to $15/hour. Labour groups are happy, but some businesses are feeling the pinch more than others. Dave and Edmonton Journal food reporter Liane Faulder take a look at how the restaurant industry has been faring. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Quebec politics got turned upside down this week, with Francois Legault and his Coalition Avenir Quebec taking down the governing Liberals. Legault won on a platform of shrinking the size of government, and fixing health and education, but also limiting the number of immigrants to Quebec. Dave and Montreal Gazette politics reporter Philip Authier look at what the change in government will mean for the province, and for the relationship between Quebec and the rest of Canada. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S., Canada, and Mexico have a new agreement to replace NAFTA, but there’s still political fallout to consider. We look at how Canada fared, how the Justin Trudeau government looks in all this, and how this could change future trade agreements. Plus, we catch up on what has apparently been a turbulent first year in office for Julie Payete, Canda’s Governor General. Dave is Joined by the National Post's Marie-Danielle Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Abdulahi Hasan Sharif is charged with five counts of attempted murder in addition to charges for fleeing Edmonton police and possessing a knife. While police initially said they were investigating the events as “acts of terrorism,” no terrorism charges have been laid. Dave is joined by reporter Jonny Wakefield, who spoke with Sharif's partner recently. Read more: https://edmontonjournal.com/news/crime/who-is-abdulahi-hasan-sharif-one-year-later-everything-we-know-about-the-alleged-edmonton-attacke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When people think about sports and Alberta, there are two things that immediately come to mind: The Oilers dynasty of the 1980s, and Calgary’s appearance on the world stage as hosts of the 1988 Olympic Winter Games. It’s a possibility that Calgary and surrounding alpine slopes will once again host the best athletes on the snow But it’s not without controversy. We look at the debate that has a bid for the 2026 games on thin ice. Dave is joined by Calgary Herald city hall reporter Meghan P Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A pair of tornadoes touched down in the Ottawa-Gatineau region Friday, the first time a tornado has hit a major Canadian city in decades. Homes were destroyed, people were injured, but miraculously no one has yet died from the the storm. The aftermath caused the capital to be eerily quiet on Monday. Dave is joined by Ottawa Citizen reporters Elizabeth Payne and Tom Spears. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Canada and the U.S. Negotiate NAFTA behind closed doors, at top U.S. Republican Lawmaker has publicly turned up the heat. The GOP house whip has said there is ‘growing frustration’ in Congress with what he calls Canada’s negotiating tactics. Dave and National Post reporter Tom Blackwell look at what the urgency is in the talks, and what it may take to get a deal done. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The two big drug topics that are front and centre in the minds of Canadians are the coming legalization of marijuana, and the opioid crisis, which has seen thousands die of overdoses from fentanyl and other deadly drugs. Is there anything that can be learned from Portugal, which decriminalized all drugs following a wave of overdose deaths in the 1990s? Dave is joined by Vancouver Sun columnist Daphne Bramham who spent a week in Portugal for a seven-part series on drug policy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As NAFTA talks between Canada and the U.S. roll on, suggestions grow louder that we roll back on supply management in our farming sector That has met with fierce resistance in Quebec, and the issue has become a flashpoint in that province’s ongoing election campaign. Dave and Montreal Gazette reporter Rene Bruemmer look at what’s at stake, and how the Liberal government’s fortunes hang on the outcome of these talks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just as construction was set to begin on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, the Federal Court of Appeal threw a wrench into the process. Dave and Edmonton Journal columnist Graham Thomson look at what the court ruling means for the future of the project, and for the future of two of its biggest backers, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Alberta Premier Rachel Notley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Monday, federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould approved the Dräger DrugTest 5000, a device that will soon be available to police forces across the country to combat drug-impaired driving, as the government prepares for cannabis legalization in October. Lawyers from a Vancouver-based law firm say they are ready to challenge the usage of the newly approved saliva-screening device for marijuana in court as soon as it hits the road. Vancouver Sun reporter Behdad Mahichi joins Dave to discuss the concerns raised over roadside drug testing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Conservative Party of Canada headed to Halifax hoping for a display of unity and momentum as electioneering heats up. But outspoken Quebec MP Maxime Bernier rained on their parade in a big way, announcing he was leaving the party. Dave is joined by National Post reporter Marie-Danielle Smith, who explains the long simmering fight between leader Andrew Scheer, and his one-time opponent, and where the conservative movement goes from here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A war of words is waging between Ontario Premier Doug Ford, and Toronto city council. The fight, over shrinking that city’s council, to just 25 seats from a proposed 47, will spill into a courtroom later this month. Dave is joined by Toronto Sun political bureau chief Antonella Artuso to discuss what both sides are saying and how it’s more than just a fight between two levels of government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since last's month's spree shooting in Toronto that left two people dead and 13 others injured, there has been renewed calls for a handgun ban in Canada. Dave is joined by National Post columnist Chris Selley, who argues why a handgun ban might not have the desired outcome of reducing gun violence in Canada. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices