Closer Look
In cities and towns across Ontario — and at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill — our journalists work for you. Their mission is to dig for answers and tell you what they find. This new podcast from Village Media — ‘Closer Look’ — is all about the stories we tell. Every weeknight, hosts Michael Friscolanti and Scott Sexsmith go beyond the headlines with insightful, in-depth conversations featuring our reporters and editors, leading experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.
Episodes
270 episodes
Everything you need to know about Doug Ford’s latest unbalanced budget
The Ford government unveiled its latest provincial budget on Thursday — a record $244-billion fi...
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26:43
Play ball! Blue Jays broadcaster Dan Shulman joins us for Opening Day chat
The Toronto Blue Jays came oh so close to capturing a World Series title last season — uniting fans from coast to coast in the process.Can they finish the job this year? Does the latest version of the Jays have what it takes to go on ano...
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27:47
What is ‘maple washing’ — and why are grocery stores getting fined for it?
The ‘Buy Canadian’ movement is still going strong — and federal food inspectors
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22:08
Here’s a winning bet: Let’s lose all those gambling ads before it's too late
Bruce Kidd, a now-retired professor at the University of Toronto, is our guest on tonight's episode of Village Media's Closer Look podcast.Hosted by Village Media’s Michael Friscolanti ...
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27:28
Canada’s population actually shrank last year — is that a good thing?
For the first time in decades, the population of Canada declined from one year to the next.Statistics Canada says in 2025, the country’s
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21:58
As retail theft soars, some businesses are eyeing drastic measures
A recent report found that retail crime in Canada “h...
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35:24
Why it’s time to start screening much sooner for colorectal cancer
For reasons that still aren’t certain, colorectal cancer is striking younger people like never before.According to the Canadian Cancer Society, people aged 45 to 50 are now two to two-and-a-half times more likely to be diagnosed than in ...
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17:48
Should Canada ban all kids from social media?
Three months ago, Australia became the first country in the world to ban social media for kids under the age ...
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24:49
This Ontario township is wiping Prince Andrew off the map
Today on Village Media’s ‘Closer Look’ podcast: We speak to the mayor of Selwyn Township about the push to erase the disgraced royal’s name from a local island.Hosted by Village Media’s Michael Friscolanti and Scott Sexsmith, and produc...
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18:36
What is Doug Ford trying to hide? More than ever before
"Shocking announcement.""A recipe for a more corrupt government."A "bullshit" move that will "gut public trust."That was just some of the reaction to today's
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22:42
This is your captain speaking: Doug Ford bent on bringing jets to island airport
Premier Doug Ford says the province will take over the City of Toronto’s stake in
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21:48
‘Absolutely deadly’: Ontario’s northern highways in desperate need of a fix
Welcome to a special road-trip edition of Village Media's Closer Look podcast.On tonight's episode, we catch up with members of the provincial NDP who've spent some quality time over th...
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21:02
How a settlement was finally reached in 14-year mall collapse lawsuit
Nearly 14 years after the roof caved in at Elliot Lake's shopping mall — killing two women and injuring 19 others — the tragedy is
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36:54
Fantasy island? We fill you in on Doug Ford’s grand vision for new convention centre
Tonight on Village Media's 'Closer Look' podcast: Premier Ford says he is considering filling in part of Lake Ontario to make room for a multi-billion-dollar 'shock and awe' convention centre in Toronto.Hosted by Village Media’s Michael ...
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20:19
Daylight saving time is a scam, but don’t forget to change your clock!
Tonight on Village Media's 'Closer Look' podcast: Few phrases get people more riled up than 'spring forward' and 'fall back' — so in advance of this weekend's time change, let's chime in on the debate.Hosted by Village Media’s Michael Fr...
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24:31
Ontario’s population is only growing older — what’s our plan?
Tonight on Village Media's 'Closer Look' podcast: The number of people over the age of 80 in our province is set to soar, and advocates say we're not doing enough to prepare for the demographic shift.Hosted by Village Media’s Michael Fri...
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26:02
Our wilderness is breathtaking — and worth billions to the economy
Tonight on Village Media's 'Closer Look' podcast: As Canada works to shore up its economy in the face of Donald Trump's tariffs, new research reveals the true value of protecting our natural beauty.Hosted by Village Media’s Michael Frisc...
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18:31
How a new DNA technique has helped solve hundreds of cold cases
Tonight on Village Media's 'Closer Look' podcast: Investigative genetic genealogy is helping police across the world solve decades-old mysteries, including the crimes of a Toronto serial killer.Hosted by Village Media’s Michael Friscolan...
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29:46
Trump was the ‘wake-up call’ our economy needed — will we listen?
Tonight on Village Media's 'Closer Look' podcast: Matthew Holmes from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce talks to us about the seemingly endless tariff war, and why he sees 'exciting' days ahead.Hosted by Village Media’s Michael Friscolant...
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37:19
Violence against teachers, staff the ‘new normal’ in classrooms across Ontario
'Schools cannot be safe places to learn if they are not safe places to teach': Tonight on the Village Media's 'Closer Look' podcast, a new report sheds even more light on a growing problem.Hosted by Village Media’s Michael Friscolanti an...
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30:22
Starting to panic about your March Break trip? Here’s what to do
Tonight on the Village Media's 'Closer Look' podcast: Should you stay away from Mexico? Cuba? Where should you go instead? Our travel expert has all the answers to your pressing vacation questions.Hosted by Village Media’s Michael Frisco...
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32:03
Are you a student who depends on OSAP? Your debt load is about to soar
Are you one of the many Ontario students who rely on OSAP to help cover tuition? Brace yourself.The Ford government has announced
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19:42
Meet our country’s new top doctor
Canada has a new Chief Public Health Officer.Dr. Joss Reimer, a Manitoba physician who helped lead that province’s COVID-19 response, has been appointed to replace Dr. Theresa Tam, who is retiring.On tonight’s episode of
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24:31