Closer Look - Insightful, credible, unfiltered conversations that matter
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
238 episodes
Why lots of people are up in arms about the federal gun buyback program
Nearly six years ago, the Trudeau government banned more than 2,000 makes and models of assault-style firearms, including the notorious AR-15.The legislative change raised the obvious question: If a person purchased one of those guns bac...
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24:14
What are the latest stats on hallway health care? That’s not public anymore
Back in 2018, now-Premier Doug Ford campaigned on a promise to end “hallway healthcare.” Eight years later, not much has changed.According to the
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27:22
This hockey player-turned-designer crafted something very Canadian
Last month, Rogers asked Canadians everywhere to donate their old hockey jerseys for a unique display of nati...
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27:46
New study may help explain why Ontario teens are feeling so distressed
New research might help explain why some Ontario teenagers are feeling so distressed these days.The study, published in the journal Addiction, analyzed data fro...
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14:54
The world is rapidly changing, and so should our colleges and universities
Donald Trump’s tariffs have forced Canada to take a hard look in the mirror. Simply put, a national economy based around U.S. dependency is no longer viable.Is it also time to rethink how we deliver postsecondary education in Canada? A <...
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23:26
Heated Rivalry fans are fired up — especially the tourists
Four stars? More like five-alarm fire.‘Heated Rivalry’ is about as hot as a TV show can get, re...
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18:39
Ontario hospitals are hurting for cash, but how much is enough?
No matter how you crunch the numbers, the answer comes out the same: Ontario hospitals are desperate for more money.Last week, the Ontario Hospital Association told the Ford government that the sector is facing a
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20:59
Work less, get paid the same (we promise this is not a scam)
Imagine a world where every weekend is a long weekend.For Joe O’Connor, it’s no pipe dream. He’s been pushing the concept of a four-day workweek
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26:29
‘Disappointing’: New Netflix series sounds a lot like the Humboldt Broncos tragedy
Eight years ago, the entire country mourned alongside the tight-knit community of Humboldt, Saskatchewan.A bus carrying the local junior hockey team — the Humboldt Broncos —
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30:47
Yes, that was some record-breaking snow (and no, the army isn’t coming)
For residents of northern Ontario, it’s always tempting to poke fun at how people in southern Ontario react to a heavy dumping of snow.But the
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22:40
Not so golden: Older adults are a lot more lonely (and broke) these days
Golden years? Not so much, it seems.A new survey suggests optimism about aging fell sharply over th...
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24:31
Mark Carney delivered a speech heard round the world — now what?
By this point, you’ve likely seen the speech. Or at least parts of it.Prime Minister Mark Carney told the World Economic Forum on Monday that the rules-based global order is officially dead, and that “middle powers” like Canada must find...
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30:53
Injury time: Hosting the World Cup will put huge pressure on our hospitals
The beautiful game could have some ugly consequences for Canadian hospitals.As Canada prepares to co-host the World Cup — with 13 matches set for Toronto and Vancouver — a new editorial...
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19:01
The truth about human trafficking looks nothing like the movies
How widespread is human trafficking in Ontario? Consider some of the headlines that appeared on our local news sites in the past few days alone.In Barrie, pre-trial motions are underway in the case of an
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24:35
Yes, Canada does need to prepare for possibility of U.S. military action
U.S. President Donald Trump appears determined to take over Greenland —
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37:47
School board chair booted by Ford government has warning for province
At some point soon, the Ford government will
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26:17
What 'super-agers' can teach us about growing old
January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, which is why you might be noticing a lot of discussion lately about education, reducing stigma and
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27:39
The pandemic is long over, but a new report reveals we’re far from alright
The pandemic is long over, but the negative effects still linger.A new survey reveals that five years after COVID-19 thrust our lives into disarray, people in Ontario are
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24:34
Mushroom coffins now a thing — is human composting next for Ontario?
Even in death, some people still worry about their carbon footprint. Which explains the growing popularity of “green burials” — an environmentally friendlier way to inter the dead that involves no embalming chemicals, headstones or traditional ...
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23:47
Penalties for impaired driving just got tougher — will it make any difference?
If you’re going to drink and drive in Ontario, be prepared to face some harsher penalties.New provincial rules that
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27:52
Is the Ford government actually going to scrap school trustees?
As of today, the Ford government has taken control of six school boards across the province — using words like “incompetence,” “mess” and “off the rails” to describe how things were going before the province seized the wheel.The passage ...
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27:11
‘Canada is not for sale’: How a patriotic hat became so much more
Even now, months later, Liam Mooney has a hard time believing just how fast everything came together.<...
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38:43
Will new grocery code of conduct actually help lower your shopping bill?
Years in the making, Canada’s new “grocery code of conduct” is finally in place. The enforcement powers officially kicked in on Jan. 1.Supported by the country’s five largest grocery chains — Empire, Loblaw, Metro, Walmart and Costco — t...
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24:14