One by one, companies are mandating their employees to kiss their hybrid work-from-home model goodbye and head back into the office. But what once was before the pandemic rocked society's work-life balance, is no longer, and companies need to take the extra mile to ensure their offices pose as a productive workspace for their employees to thrive in. Host of In This Economy!? Mike Eppel speaks to Sarah Bramley, Senior VP, Workplace Advisory for Colliers Canada. She co-authored a recent report that detailed the relationship between a great office space and increased productivity.

To post-secondary or to not post-secondary? The back and forth for almost 40% of Canadians who feel unsure whether or not higher education is worth their time and money. A recent Ipsos survey for CourseCompare, a data-based platform on Canadian post-secondary information, revealed that their Gen Z respondents felt the most confused about the value of post-secondary education, with 46% saying they were unsure about what good a degree or diploma could do for them. And besides the numbers, an overall pendulum swing in sentiment towards higher education is also driving uncertainty towards staying in school. Couple that with high tuition prices, changing student visa legislation, and AI's role, and the pendulum just keeps on swinging. Host Pooja Handa speaks to Robert Furtado, the CEO of CourseCompare to discuss their Return on Education index, a database that categorizes which degrees and diplomas give you the best return on investment. The two also talk about what skills you need to protect yourself from the current volatile job market. You can learn more about CourseCompare here: https://www.coursecompare.ca/ https://www.coursecompare.ca/roe-index/

It’s been a busy start to the fall sitting of Parliament. Ahead of the end of its first week back, long-time minister Chrystia Freeland announced she decided to leave her cabinet post at Transport, while the Prime Minister announced her appointment as a new special envoy to Ukraine. Meanwhile the Ottawa confirmed its budget will be coming November 4th, with a substantial deficit attached. Host Cormac Mac Sweeney speaks with Tyler Meredith, a former economic advisor to the government, about Freeland’s departure and legacy, and what to expect in the delayed fiscal plan.

There are growing calls from some federal and provincial politicians for the Carney government to abolish Canada’s temporary foreign worker program, claiming companies are using the it to find cheaper labour. The push came after the job numbers for August showed tens of thousands of losses and a high unemployment rate for young Canadians. But the government is pushing back, saying TFW use is in significant decline and the program is needed. So what’s really happening with Canada’s job market and are foreign workers to blame? Host Cormac Mac Sweeney speaks with McGill economics professor Fabian Lange to find out. 

The denouncement of political violence has never been louder than right now in America, but the gap that positions itself between the country's opposing political ideologies has simultaneously never been wider. In the wake of Charlie Kirk's death, Americans and the world at large, have become reminded, once again, just how severe the reality of political violence has become. Death threats towards politicians, the notorious acts of January 6, and calculated assassinations of influential public figures - to name a few. But what about Canada? How sensitive are we to political violence? And what can be done to further distance our reality from that of America's? Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Justin Ling, a freelance journalist and author of the Bug-eyed and Shameless newsletter to do a pulse check of where things stand on this side of the border, and how Canadians can take matters into their own hands to prevent further widening the political polarization gap.

Federal politicians are back in their seats in the House of Commons today, to kick start the fall sitting of Parliament. It's expected to be a jam packed agenda for the next few months, as the federal government continues to try and stickhandle the tariff war with the US, put together a balancing act budget, releases a new housing plan, and unveils new trade and climate strategies. All this as the opposition parties sort out lingering leadership questions. Host Cormac Mac Sweeney speaks with Mount Royal University political scientist Lori Williams who breaks down the challenges and political risks facing the Carney government.

The name Terry Fox is synonymous with courage, perseverance and promise. After losing his leg at just 18 years old, his run across Canada inspired generations to come – and to date, has raised over $900 million for cancer research. His journey was deeply rooted in wanting to do more, by raising awareness and to help others see strength, not weakness. These same sentiments were true for George Hincks and Marshall McDougall, two Canadian men who both had a leg amputated as a result of injuries sustained in World War I. Their hike across our nation is a story you may not have heard - but once you do, you will never forget. Host Melanie Ng speaks with Eric Story, the author of a feature about George Hincks and Marshall McDougall. Eric is an adjunct professor at Wilfrid Laurier University and a postdoctoral fellow at Western University.

One of Earth's closest planetary neighbours could be harbouring life of its own. That's the finding concluded from what a rock sample, collected by NASA's Perseverance Mars rover, obtained during its time out there. Researchers say that a biosignature was potentially found within the sample, indicating a sign of past or current life on the planet. Host Cormac Mac Sweeney speaks to Dr. Mariek Schmidt, a professor at Brock University, and one of the several Canadian researches a part of NASA's team to discuss how her and the team made the discovery, and how it compares to how life on our planet began.

Being its victim stings pretty bad, but is the hurt worth a criminal record? One - or several - speed camera vandals took to the streets of Toronto this past week, making their mark and message on radar technology known, damaging 16 over the span of one night. And not to mention, the vandals' most sacred target, the Parkside Drive camera that was vandalized 7 times in less than a year. Ontario's Premier denounced the radar technology, calling it a cash grab, and saying he wants them gone from cities. However, safety advocates are sounding the alarm on Ford's comments, calling them dangerous and out of touch. Although dozens of citizens took to social media to share their gratitude for the vandals' Robin Hood-esque style, it begs the question of how far can criminal activity be mimicked and celebrated before it goes too far? Host Richard Southern speaks to Jacqueline Helfgott, a criminology and forensics professor at Seattle University to break down the intersection of media, crime, and notoriety that perpetrates what she calls 'copy-cat crime'.

Russia is being accused of provoking Poland and its NATO allies, after multiple drones violated its airspace during a Russian aerial attack on Ukraine. As NATO fighter jets engaged potential enemy targets in allied airspace, Prime Minister Donald Tusk activated Article 4, signaling his country considered its territorial integrity and security under threat. But regardless of whether the infiltration by Russia was deliberate or accidental, Western officials have few doubts the Kremlin is testing NATO’s resolve. Host Caryn Ceolin is joined by Tim Sayle, associate professor of history and director of the International Relations Program at the University of Toronto, to discuss how the latest incursion raises the stakes between Russia and the security alliance, and what comes next.

A little screen time while on the toilet doesn't hurt anybody... ...the key word here is 'little'. A recent study published in the medical journal, PLOS, shows that those who bring their smartphone with them to do some scrolling while using the bathroom, tend to sit on the toilet longer, increasing their risk for hemorrhoids. Yes, it could be a dagger in the heart for those who see their phone-toilet time as a moment of solitude, however, there are ways you can still enjoy your scrolling while protecting yourself - literally. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Dr. Trisha Pasricha, an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and the senior author of the study to discuss how you can make the right choices while conducting business.

There are still calls for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to step down as the U-S Secretary of Health and Human Services after an intense and – at times – combative hearing in Washington. Kennedy has been criticized by people in his own party – and his own family – for some of the decisions he has made around health care since being sworn in earlier this year. And some of his decisions could impact Canada and Canadians. Host Kris McCusker speaks to Dr. Kashif Pirzada – a Toronto-based emergency physician and co-chair of the Canadian Covid Society about how Kennedy could change things on this side of the border – decades after the introduction of vaccines brought in a different kind of change.

Woodrow Wilson’s hidden stroke. Theodore Roosevelt’s hidden wheelchair. John F. Kennedy’s chronic back pain. There is a historical tendency to obscure the health problems of American presidents from public view. But justifiable question surrounding how far loyal aides and the White House will go to conceal the full picture of the president’s health – and the media’s role in uncovering it – are increasingly being raised following President Joe Biden’s medical decline. Washington journalists find themselves grappling yet again with the fair, but sensitive issue, after unfounded speculation about Donald Trump’s health – and impending death – recently spread online. Host Caryn Ceolin is joined by American author, presidential historian and journalist Garrett Graff to discuss how the president’s health should be covered in an age as volatile as now.

Finding a job is difficult for anyone right now, but especially for a certain sector. Young people are having difficulty finding work. In fact, the youth unemployment rate this summer has been up to nearly 15%. A new study is taking a look at the root causes and offering some possible solutions. Host of In This Economy!? Mike Eppel speaks to L.J. Valencia, one of the co-authors of the Desjardins report.

Prime Minister Mark Carney and his inner circle gathered in Toronto this week for a two day cabinet ‘planning forum’ to set priorities ahead of the Fall sitting of Parliament. At the strategy session, Canadians learned the upcoming budget will be focused on both austerity and investment, and more developments have been revealed in our trade talks with the Trump administration. Host Cormac Mac Sweeney speaks with CityNews Political Reporter Glen McGregor, who covered the cabinet meeting and shares his insights.

Your social media feeds are probably littered with back to school pictures, kids smiling ear to ear. Unfortunately, while we all hope for a positive experience for the next generation, the sad reality is that our youth are facing issues that need attention now. The newly released Raising Canada report says more than 70 per cent of Canadian youth aged 12 to 17 experienced bullying in the last year (with cyberbullying on the rise), and more than 13 per cent of children were living in poverty by the end of 2024 – and these numbers are growing. Host Melanie Ng speaks with Sara Austin, CEO and founder of Children First Canada. The organization is urging immediate action from policy-makers, especially as the fall parliamentary session gets underway.

The Alberta government has reversed its July order for schools to remove books and other materials that contain explicit sexual content. The pause came after several critics spoke out against the Edmonton Public school board's list of the more than 200 titles it planned on pulling from its library shelves. But Premier Danielle Smith and Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides didn't seem to hit the pause button because of those outcries, nor did they indicate how long it should last. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Sean Amato, Alberta political reporter for CityNews, to discuss the potential of the ban rematerializing as the new school year continues to settle in, and who else - other than Margaret Atwood - Premier Smith is looking for support from.

Canada Post is the country's crown mail courier, but year after year, Canadians seem to be seeing less and less of their prominent blue, red and white logo. And the company itself seems to be seeing less green, too, so much so they've remained in a consistent deficit since 2017. Their latest data shows a record $407 million loss throughout the second quarter, and with its 55,000 employees carrying on their overtime ban after being legislated back to work following their 2024 holiday strike, the numbers will continue to trend downward. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Ian Lee, associate professor at the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University, to discuss what lies ahead for the crown corporation if they choose to ignore the writing on the wall, and where contract talks between the company and the union stand more than 21 months later.

Despite weeks of whirlwind American diplomacy, Russia sent wave after wave of drones and missiles across Kyiv and other cities on Thursday. It was the fiercest attack on the Ukrainian capital since President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met two weeks ago in Alaska, and the clearest indication yet of the Kremlin’s resolve to continue its bombardment of Ukraine, leaving the two sides no closer to securing a diplomatic off-ramp. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks with Oleksa Drachewych, an assistant professor of history at Western University, about the challenges in forging a lasting peace in the largest land war in Europe since World War II.

Here we go again. Trade talks between Canada and the US are back on following a lengthy pause between the two sides. Our Canada-US Trade Minister flew down to Washington this week to resume negotiations. Canada dropped many retaliatory tariffs in order to get everyone back to the bargaining table. So what now, and will Canada be able to achieve what other countries can’t on sectoral tariffs? Host Cormac Mac Sweeney dives deeper into the latest round of trade talks with lawyer William Pellerin of McMillan LLP.