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PODCAST

Closer Look

Village Media Inc.

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 podcast from Village Media — ‘Closer Look’ — is all about the stories we tell. Every Sunday morning at 8, 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.

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All Episodes

16:42

Nothing stays the same, and our podcast is no exception

Closer Look ·

2026/04/10

Every day, our Closer Look podcast chases the same mission: to learn something new. Whether we're dissecting a pressing issue, or speaking to a prominent guest, we try to leave the conversation knowing a bit more than before. We hope you've learned some things, too. Starting next week, we're shaking it up a bit. Closer Look is moving from a nightly podcast to a weekly show, with new episodes dropping every Sunday morning across the Village Media network. Shifting to a weekly show gives us mor...

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21:50

This is why Canada’s Wonderland adopted a new...

Closer Look ·

2026/04/10

Canada’s Wonderland rode a roller coaster of headlines this week when it announced a new chaperone policy for kids. After 4 p.m., all children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult in order to stay at the iconic park. Any guests 15 or younger found inside Wonderland without a chaperone during those hours will be “immediately subject to removal.” Canada’s Wonderland insists the new policy wasn’t triggered by a specific incident, but rather in response to "unruly" behaviour report...

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27:56

AI robots for seniors? Time we start talking about...

Closer Look ·

2026/04/09

In Ontario, the number of people over the age of 80 is set to soar — and advocates say we're not doing enough to prepare for the demographic shift. We are definitely not alone. Countries around the world are grappling to prepare for the inevitable rise in elderly populations. Could AI dolls help combat loneliness among seniors? Are robots the answer, a hi-tech way to help elderly people perform basic tasks? Those options — and many more — are on the table. On tonight's episode of Villag...

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33:30

As final game looms, voice of the Leafs looks back on...

Closer Look ·

2026/04/08

For 44 years, Joe Bowen’s signature voice has been the soundtrack of Leafs Nation. But this season will be his last behind the mic — and with the Toronto Maple Leafs officially out of playoff contention, Bowen’s legendary career is down to its final few periods. His last game on the airwaves will be April 15. On tonight’s episode of Village Media’s Closer Look podcast, we revisit our recent interview with the voice of the Leafs — and the pride of Sudbury — who has received plenty of love from...

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20:26

Every teenager needs to listen to this interview...

Closer Look ·

2026/04/07

Our guest on tonight’s Closer Look is Ian Howcroft of Skills Ontario, an organization that empowers youth to explore careers in skilled trades and technologies.

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16:40

Minimum wage is going up, but it’s still nowhere near...

Closer Look ·

2026/04/02

Ontario's minimum wage is set for another bump later this year, rising 35 cents to $17.95 an hour. But is that a living wage? Not even close. On tonight’s episode of Village Media’s Closer Look podcast, we dig deeper into the numbers with Craig Pickthorne of the Ontario Living Wage Network.

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29:11

These hi-tech mugshots help police track down...

Closer Look ·

2026/04/02

Six months ago, we told you about the latest list of Canada's 25 most-wanted fugitives. The hi-tech mugshots are released annually by Canada’s Bolo program — “Be on the Lookout” — which is dedicated to helping police forces track down notorious murderers, drug traffickers and gang members. In the last month alone, three of those high-profile fugitives have been located and arrested — including the number one person on the list: accused murderer Bryan Fuentes Gramajo. On tonight’s episode of V...

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21:40

Ford plus Carney equals more housing across Ontario?

Closer Look ·

2026/04/01

Joining us on tonight’s Closer Look podcast is Aidan Chamandy, a reporter at TorontoToday who covered Monday's announcement by Prime Minister Mark Carney, Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow.

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23:55

You have one more day left to tell the government...

Closer Look ·

2026/03/30

Six years ago, the Trudeau government made the decision to ban 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 back when they were legal, what now? The answer took a long time to materialize, but the promised federal buyback program is now live. In fact, tomorrow — March 31 — is the deadline for gun owners to declare those firearms and qualify for compensation...

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26:43

Everything you need to know about Doug Ford’s latest...

Closer Look ·

2026/03/27

The Ford government unveiled its latest provincial budget on Thursday — a record $244-billion fiscal roadmap (with a projected deficit of $13.8-billion). Joining us on tonight’s Closer Look podcast to break down all the numbers is Jessica Smith Cross, editor-in-chief of our Queen’s Park team at The Trillium.

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27:47

Play ball! Blue Jays broadcaster Dan Shulman joins us...

Closer Look ·

2026/03/27

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 another magical run? The journey begins Friday with an Opening Day match-up against the Oakland Athletics. Our guest on tonight’s episode of Village Media’s Closer Look podcast is a person who knows this team as well as anyone: Dan Shulman, the Sportsnet broadca...

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22:08

What is ‘maple washing’ — and why are grocery stores...

Closer Look ·

2026/03/26

The ‘Buy Canadian’ movement is still going strong — and federal food inspectors say they’re determined to help ensure shoppers know exactly what’s in their grocery carts. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency recently revealed that over the past year, it has fined five stores a combined $47,000 for misleading country of origin labels. “Canadians have been clear that they want to support Canadian businesses and buy Canadian products,” the agency says. “Consumers deserve origin labels they can tr...

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27:28

Here’s a winning bet: Let’s lose all those gambling...

Closer Look ·

2026/03/25

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 and Scott Sexsmith, and produced by Derek Turner, Closer Look is a new daily podcast that goes way beyond the headlines with insightful, in-depth conversations featuring our reporters and editors, leading experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers. Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right i...

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21:58

Canada’s population actually shrank last year — is...

Closer Look ·

2026/03/24

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 population shrank by approximately 102,000 people — driven largely by the federal government’s efforts to shed the number of non-permanent residents. Joining us on tonight’s Closer Look podcast to break down the latest numbers is Doug Norris, the chief demographer at Environics Research.

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35:24

As retail theft soars, some businesses are eyeing...

Closer Look ·

2026/03/20

A recent report found that retail crime in Canada “has escalated into a national crisis” that costs businesses across the country a whopping $9-billion a year. The situation is so dire in Winnipeg that some businesses are considering drastic measures — including asking customers to hand over their ID before they shop, or demanding that diners pre-pay for food. On tonight’s episode of Village Media’s Closer Look podcast, we revisit a timely interview with Rui Rodrigues, a loss prevention advis...

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17:48

Why it’s time to start screening much sooner for...

Closer Look ·

2026/03/20

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 previous generations. That is why experts are calling on provincial and territorial governments to lower the age of screening from 50 to 45 — and to provide people with stool tests every second year to look for early evidence of colorectal cancer. Our guest o...

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24:49

Should Canada ban all kids from social media?

Closer Look ·

2026/03/19

Three months ago, Australia became the first country in the world to ban social media for kids under the age of 16. Many other governments are now eyeing the same idea, including Greece, Denmark, Malaysia and Norway. Should Canada legislate a similar social media ban? Prime Minister Mark Carney said he hasn’t made up his mind just yet, but he agreed it’s an issue that “merits an open and considered debate.” As we wait to hear what the federal government decides, it’s the perfect time to revis...

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18:36

This Ontario township is wiping Prince Andrew off the...

Closer Look ·

2026/03/18

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 produced by Derek Turner, Closer Look is a new daily podcast that goes way beyond the headlines with insightful, in-depth conversations featuring our reporters and editors, leading experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers. Fresh episodes drop every Monday to F...

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22:42

What is Doug Ford trying to hide? More than ever before

Closer Look ·

2026/03/13

"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 sudden news that the Ford government plans to overhaul the province’s freedom-of-information law to deny the public access to documents held by the offices of the premier and his ministers, and their parliamentary assistants and staff. The change would undo more than 35 years of lawful access to those records — and apply retroactively...

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21:48

This is your captain speaking: Doug Ford bent on...

Closer Look ·

2026/03/13

Premier Doug Ford says the province will take over the City of Toronto’s stake in Billy Bishop Airport, clearing the path for larger planes on the island. “This is a crown jewel,” Ford said of Billy Bishop. “We need this. We need this desperately.” Lots of details still need to be ironed out, but Ford insists that jets are coming "one way or another." Buckle your seat belts. Joining us on tonight's Closer Look podcast to talk about Ford's plan is Aidan Chamandy, one of our reporters at Toront...

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279 results

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