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Free For All Friday features top talent across the iHeart radio talk network. Hosts from all over the country join the roundtable to discuss the five biggest stories of the week.  This week's show is hosted by Mark Towhey and features panelists Sean Vanderklis, co-host of One Dish One Mic which airs in Niagara, London and Windsor, and Bob Richardson, senior counsel at National Public Relations and a former Ontario Liberal chief of staff. Topics: WNBA star Brittney Griner has been released from Russian detention in a prisoner swap for a convicted arms dealer. Does this set a bad precedent?The RCMP has suspended a contract awarded to a company with ties to the Chinese government. Why do we continue to do business with China?An Ontario hospital is considering hiring unvaccinated nurses and health-care workers to combat a staffing shortage. Thoughts on this? Marit Stiles is set to be the next Ontario NDP leader after being the only candidate in the race. Meanwhile, the Ontario Liberals are courting Green leader Mike Schreiner for party leadership. Is it time for new political parties?Oxford Dictionaries names 'goblin mode' its word of the year. Have you ever used this term? Are you watching the new Harry and Meghan documentary?

Mark Towhey hosts. He takes your calls about Brittney Griner's release and speaks with Declan Hill, an investigative academic and journalist specializing in the study of organized crime, international issues, and international sports. On today's show:  Eric Alper, a publicist, music expert and radio host, on the death of the key change in music. Overhyped v. Underplayed Scott Reid, CTV News political commentator, and former communications director for Prime Minister Paul Martin.Stephen Woodland, president of the The Royal Canadian Numismatic Association, on the Mint unveiling a new toonie with a black outer ring in memory of the Queen.Riskin It All with Dan Riskin, CTV science and technology specialist.

Deb Hutton speaks with Mary MacDonald, World Wildlife Fund Canada’s chief conservation officer, who is at the critical COP15 biodiversity talks in Montreal.  On today’s show:  Jill Wine-Banks, an American lawyer who was one of the prosecutors during the Watergate scandal, on the Trump Organization being found guilty on all counts of criminal tax fraud. Marit Stiles, who has just won an uncontested race to lead the Ontario NDP party.The War Room political panel with Zain Velji, Tom Mulcair and Tim Powers. Amanda Lang, BNN Bloomberg anchor of Taking Stock, on the Bank of Canada raising its key interest rate again to 4.25%.Diana Matheson, a retired Canadian professional soccer player and 2x Olympic bronze medallist, on launching Canada’s first women’s pro soccer league.

Deb Hutton hosts. She speaks with a man who fell from a cruise ship and treaded water for 20 hours to survive. On today’s show:  A conversation with James Michael Grimes, the cruise ship passenger.It’s been 33 years since the Montreal massacre. We speak with Nathalie Provost, who was shot four times when a gunman stormed École Polytechnique in 1989.Canada’s auditor general has released two highly anticipated reports on the government’s handling of COVID-19 in 2021. Rachel Aiello, senior digital parliamentary reporter with CTV National News, breaks down the key takeaways. Ali Kashani, CEO of Serve Robotics, which creates food delivery robots. What are the challenges that may delay mass adoption?Michel Juneau-Katsuya, former chief of the Asia-Pacific desk at CSIS, on two more 'police' centres run by Chinese authorities that have been found in Canada.Whitney Lackenbauer, an honourary lieutenant colonel for First Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, on the importance and role of our northern Canadian rangers.

Deb Hutton hosts. She speaks with the CEO of a tattoo studio that is offering to remove tattoos of Kanye West for free—an extension of their 'Second Chances' campaign. On today's show: A conversation with Briony Garbett, the CEO of NAAMA, a London-based tattoo removal studio.Farrah Khan, who previously worked with Girl Guides of Canada as a board member on changing the name “Brownies."Food prices in Canada will continue to rise in 2023, a new report has found. We speak with Samantha Taylor, professor at the Dalhousie University’s faculty of management and co-author of the report.The majority of Canadians favoured the Emergencies Act invocation, a poll has found. We chat with Nik Nanos, Chief Data Scientist at Nanos Research. Dr. Dina Kulik, pediatrician and founder of KidCrew Medical, on the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario calling in the Red Cross as it deals with a surge in respiratory patients.

Free For All Friday features top talent across the iHeart radio talk network. Hosts from all over the country join the roundtable to discuss the five biggest stories of the week.  This week's show is hosted by Deb Hutton and features panelists Chris Holski, senior news producer at 580 CFRA in Ottawa, and Karl Dockstader, host of One Dish One Mic which airs in Niagara, London and Windsor. Topics: Alberta premier Danielle Smith has introduced her sovereignty act into the Alberta Legislature. Is this just Alberta politics or does it signal something bigger about where we are as a country?National security officials are planning for a 2023 'Freedom Convoy' reboot. Based on what we’ve heard from the Emergencies Act inquiry, do you think we’re actually prepared to deal with another one of these?Quebec premier Francois Legault wants 100 per cent of all economic immigrants to speak French. How do you feel about this? Do you think this is reasonable?The panellists participate in a lightning round featuring a discussion on Ontario’s auditor general report, Canada's run at the World Cup, and whether they are for or against Elf on the Shelf.

Graham Richardson speaks with a scientist at the Alzheimer Society of Canada on an experimental Alzheimer's drug which slowed cognitive decline overall in a trial, but with major side effects for some.  On today’s show:  A conversation with Dr. Joshua Armstrong, research scientist at the Alzheimer Society of Canada. Michael Findlay, former Canadian Senior Men’s National Team head coach and assistant coach, on Canada’s run at the World Cup. Overhyped v. Underplayed Scott Reid, CTV News political commentator, and former communications director for Prime Minister Paul Martin.Jasbir Romana, a radio host in Vancouver, British Columbia. He was stranded due to the snowstorm this week and had to seek refuge in a stranger’s home.A global 4-day week pilot was a huge success, organizers say. We speak with Juliet Schor, professor of sociology at Boston College and the trial’s lead researcher.When does the holiday season officially start for you? We take your calls. Riskin It All with Dan Riskin, CTV science and technology specialist.

Deb Hutton discusses former premier Jason Kenney’s decision to quit Alberta politics and his critical letter on the state of democracy. Then, we take your calls.  On today’s show:  Paul Boniferro, a labour lawyer and the former Deputy Attorney General of Ontario, on the Ford government planning to appeal after an Ontario court struck down Bill 124. James Snider, vice president of science, knowledge and innovation for World Wildlife Fund Canada, on a new report which finds more than 2,000 wild species are at some risk of extinction in Canada. The War Room political panel with Zain Velji, Tom Mulcair and Tim Powers. Dr. Michael Kalin, a family physician in Côte Saint-Luc, on Quebec’s family doctor crisis.Are you for or against Elf on the Shelf? We take your calls.

Deb Hutton speaks with a woman who alleges she faced discrimination when the Vancouver Canucks terminated her employment at the end of September.  On today’s show:  A conversation with Rachel Doerrie, who has filed a complaint with the BC Human Rights Tribunal against the Canucks. Parliamentary budget officer Yves Giroux, who is challenging Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland’s fall economic statement.Nicole Novroski, an assistant professor and forensic geneticist at the University of Toronto Mississauga campus, on how DNA genealogy can help solve cold cases.Lesia Vasylenko, a Ukrainian member of parliament, on Russian president Vladimir Putin “weaponizing winter.”Michelle Dittmer, president and co-founder of the Canadian Gap Year Association, on an increase in gap year popularity. Rowena Santos, a Brampton city councillor who brought a motion forward to ban election signs on private property.

What is the significance of Canada’s long-awaited Indo-Pacific strategy? How does it address China’s ‘disruptive power’ on the global stage? Deb Hutton speaks with a former Canadian diplomat. On today’s show:  A conversation with Ben Rowswell, director of the Global Democracy Program at the Canadian International Council and former Deputy Ambassador to Afghanistan.What are the key takeaways from the Emergencies Act inquiry? We speak with Peter MacKay, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General and former Minister of National Defence, Michael Kempa, a criminologist at the University of Ottawa, and Sharan Kaur, former Deputy Chief of Staff to Bill Morneau.Ian Bridge, defencement from the 1986 Canada World Cup team, reacts to Canada scoring its first-ever World Cup goal. Carolyn Stewart, executive director of Feed Ontario, on a new report which shows more Ontarians are relying on food banks.

Free For All Friday features top talent across the iHeart radio talk network. Hosts from all over the country join the roundtable to discuss the five biggest stories of the week.  This week's show is hosted by Tamara Cherry and features panelists Robert Benzie, Queen's Park Bureau Chief for the Toronto Star, and Sharan Kaur, political commentator and former Deputy Chief of Staff to Bill Morneau. Topics: Was there anything in the Emergencies Act inquiry that swayed or surprised you this week?Canada put on a show in its return to the World Cup after a 36-year absence. Should we be celebrating a loss that we “deserved to win”?With respiratory infections hitting the health system hard, Canada's Health Minister says more children need to get their COVID-19 and flu shots. Should that be the focus?Quebec restaurants are asking the province to let them charge people for no-shows. Do you support this?Were you lined up outside any stores this morning or has Black Friday lost its lustre? Does looming recession have you changing your spending habits this holiday season?

Tamara Cherry breaks down the key takeaways from Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland's testimony at the Public Order Emergency Commission in Ottawa.  On today's show:  Dwayne De Rosario, a Canadian former professional soccer player, on Canada's first game in the 2022 World Cup. Overhyped v. Underplayed with Scott Reid, CTV News political commentator, and former communications director for Prime Minister Paul Martin. Miniature ponies are visiting patients at a hospital in the U.K. We speak with Sarah Router, the owner. Dr. Blair Feltmate, head of the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, on Canada's new climate adaptation strategy. Marieke Walsh, political reporter with The Globe and Mail, on the Emergencies Act inquiry. Riskin It All with Dan Riskin, CTV science and technology specialist.

Mike Kakuk hosts a World Cup special with a defenceman from Canada's 1986 World Cup team, the former head coach of the senior men's national team, and a soccer analyst who is in Qatar.  On today’s show:  A conversation with Ian Bridge, defenceman from the 1986 Canada World Cup team.Glen McGregor, senior political correspondent for CTV News, provides an update on the Emergencies Act inquiry. Cory Muscara, a former monk who once meditated 15 hours a day for 6 months straight with who he calls “one of the toughest Buddhist monks on the planet.” The War Room political panel with Tom Mulcair, Tim Powers and Laura D’Angelo.Peter Galindo, a Canadian freelance soccer analyst who is currently in Qatar at the World Cup. We check-in with Michael Findlay, former head coach of the Canadian senior men’s national soccer team.

One week after NASA launched its long-awaited Artemis 1 flight, the program manager for the Orion spacecraft tells guest host Deb Hutton the agency plans to have humans living on the moon sooner rather than later.  On today’s show:  Howard Hu, NASA’s Orion program manager. Chris Lewis, CTV public safety analyst and former OPP Commissioner, on Marco Mendicino, Minister of Public Safety of Canada, testifying at the Emergencies Act inquiry.Amanda Lang, BNN Bloomberg anchor of Taking Stock, a podcast and weekly business program on Bell Media networks, on alarm bells that have been sounded on the impact of rising mortgage interest costs on personal finances.How much cleaning should Airbnb guests have to do? We take your calls.Sharan Kaur, former Deputy Chief of Staff to Bill Morneau, on prepping politicians for inquiries.Kevin Laramee, host of the ‘Soccer Today’ podcast, on the Canadian men's national soccer team playing its first World Cup match in nearly four decades.Are you cutting back on holiday spending this year? We hear from you.

Deb Hutton hosts. She speaks with parents of twins who were born on Halloween from what may be the longest-frozen embryos to ever result in a live birth. On today's show:  A conversation with Rachel and Philip Ridgeway, the parents of the twins.Paul Boniferro, a labour lawyer and the former Deputy Attorney General of Ontario on whether educational workers should be an essential service. Then, we take your calls.An Emergencies Act inquiry update with Graham Richardson, chief anchor for CTV Ottawa News at Six. How early is too early to put up your Christmas tree? We hear from you. Gymnasts are testifying on the first day of hearings regarding the safety of girls and women in sport. Among them is Kim Shore, who is also a former member of Gymnastics Canada’s board of directors. She joins the show. Elizabeth May has just been re-elected leader of the Green Party of Canada after three years away from the job. She joins the program alongside Jonathan Pedneault, who plans to co-lead with her.

Free For All Friday features top talent across the iHeart radio talk network. Hosts from all over the country join the roundtable to discuss the five biggest stories of the week.  This week's show is hosted by Mike Kakuk and features panelists Ryan Price, news director and afternoon drive host on CFAX 1070 in Victoria, B.C, and Karen Restoule, CEO of Shared Value Solutions, BOLD Realities and Whose Land. Topics: Are mask recommendations enough? Or should we reinstate mandates?Are we seeing the end of Twitter? Do you think Donald Trump has a shot of becoming U.S. president again?Are you excited for the World Cup? Or do you have a hard time supporting or watching with Qatar’s human rights issues? A new study shows the sounds that Americans love and hate to hear the most. Which ones are on your list?

Researchers may have discovered a breakthrough vaccine for fentanyl. Guest host Mark Towhey speaks with the study's lead author about how this could work. On today’s show:  A conversation with Colin Haile, a founding member of the University of Houston Drug Discovery Institute.The answers to improving Canada's health-care system could be in space. Mark speaks with Dr. Dave Williams, a retired Canadian astronaut. Overhyped vs Underplayed with Scott Reid, CTV News political commentator and former communications director for Prime Minister Paul Martin.Trudeau’s national security adviser is set to testify at the Emergencies Act inquiry. Mark speaks with Marieke Walsh, a political reporter with The Globe and Mail.Phones can now give earthquake early warnings. Robert de Groot, coordinator for communication, education, outreach, and technical engagement for ShakeAlert, joins the show. Why did Xi Jinping publicly rebuke Justin Trudeau and what does it mean for Canada's relations with China? Former diplomat Ben Rowswell joins. Riskin It All with Dan Riskin, CTV science and technology specialist.

Mike Kakuk hosts. He speaks with Canadian astronaut Dr. David Saint-Jacques about the historic Artemis 1 mission.  On today's show:  A conversation with Canadian astronaut Dr. David Saint-Jacques, the most recent Canadian astronaut to fly aboard the International Space Station. Major-General (Retired) Denis Thompson on the missile strike in Poland. Siobhan Morris, Queen's Park reporter for CTV Toronto, on Ontario education workers giving notice to strike again.The War Room political panel with Zain Velji, Tom Mulcair and Tim Powers. Rosie Grant, a Los Angeles social media creator who bakes recipes she finds on gravestones epitaphs.

Mark Towhey hosts. He speaks with Darrell Bricker, co-author of 'Empty Planet: The Shock of Global Population Decline,' about what Earth's population may look like by the end of the century.  On today's show:  A conversation with Darrell Bricker, co-author of 'Empty Planet: The Shock of Global Population Decline' and CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs. Sunira Chaudhri, an employment lawyer and the founder of Workly Law, on whether Canada has a problem managing legal cannabis in the workplace. Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, the 'Food Professor,' on how something as common as rain in Vancouver can send shockwaves through Canada's entire food system.Glen McGregor, senior political correspondent for CTV News, on RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki testifying at the Emergencies Act inquiry.Do you get paid every 2 weeks? Every month? How would you like to get paid every day? We take your calls. Melanie Vogel, a German hiker who has just become the first woman to walk coast-to-coast-to-coast across Canada.