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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 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.

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All Episodes

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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21:02

‘Absolutely deadly’: Ontario’s northern highways in...

Closer Look ·

2026/03/12

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 the past week driving along Northern Ontario highways. The MPPs are on a campaign-style tour, meeting with local residents and hearing ideas about how to improve the state of Ontario's northern highways. Joining us from their car is Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles and John Vanthof, who represents the riding of T...

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36:54

How a settlement was finally reached in 14-year mall...

Closer Look ·

2026/03/10

Nearly 14 years after the roof caved in at Elliot Lake's shopping mall — killing two women and injuring 19 others — the tragedy is back in the headlines. A proposed settlement has finally been reached in a class-action lawsuit that was launched shortly after the collapse. If approved by a judge at a hearing scheduled for April 10, the settlement will see a long list of defendants pay a combined $10-million in compensation to approximately 250 claimants. The class members include people who we...

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20:19

Fantasy island? We fill you in on Doug Ford’s grand...

Closer Look ·

2026/03/09

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 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 newsmake...

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24:31

Daylight saving time is a scam, but don’t forget to...

Closer Look ·

2026/03/07

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 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...

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26:02

Ontario’s population is only growing older — what’s...

Closer Look ·

2026/03/06

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 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....

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274 results

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