The Decibel podcast

35:45

Is expropriation, or forcing corporations to sell apartments to the government, a way to ease the housing crisis? Berlin seems to think so. In a landmark referendum back in 2021, the majority of Berliners voted ‘yes’ to forced sales, calling for the government to buy 240,000 apartments owned by some of Berlin’s mega landlords - whether they want to sell or not. Some call the strategy “radical” but needed. Others say it’s unconstitutional. But is it a viable solution to Berlin’s housing crisis, and could it work here in Canada? In this episode, we dive into the history behind Berlin’s expropriation campaign and try to figure out if a similar referendum on housing could succeed on this side of the Atlantic. You can find more episodes of City Space here , or wherever you listen to podcasts.…

1
‘Strong borders’ bill grants new powers to tighten immigration 25:31

1 day тому25:31

25:31

Bill C-2, also known as the Strong Borders Act, is one of the first pieces of legislation by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government . The 140-page bill proposes a series of enhanced powers for law enforcement and major changes to how the government processes some asylum claims and immigration applications . Sara Mojtehedzadeh is an investigative reporter at The Globe who writes about immigration and refugees. She explains the details of the bill and why the government believes the changes are necessary. Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com…

1
The Canadian-funded project mapping Ukraine’s missing children 21:51

2 дні тому21:51

21:51

More than three years on, the war between Russia and Ukraine shows no signs of slowing. Ceasefire talks have stalled . Last week, Ukraine landed one of its biggest blows against Russia , when it smuggled drones inside Russian territory and destroyed or severely damaged more than 40 Russian warplanes. Russia hit back with some of its heaviest bombardment yet . Ukraine’s demands for a ceasefire deal include returning the Ukrainian children who have allegedly been taken into Russian custody. According to the Ukrainian government, 20,000 Ukrainian children have been reported missing since the beginning of the Russian invasion. Mark MacKinnon is a senior international correspondent for The Globe. Today, he’s on the show to talk about the efforts of a Ukrainian organization, Save Ukraine. A grant from Global Affairs Canada has funded Save Ukraine’s work with Lisbon-based tech company Hala Systems to locate, track, communicate with, and ultimately bring the children home. Mark will explain how they managed to map the facilities where Russia is allegedly holding the children and what they understand about Russia’s plans for them. Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com…

1
The Hockey Canada trial and how we talk to young men 27:39

3 дні тому27:39

27:39

On Monday, closing arguments are set to begin in the trial of five former members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior Hockey Team . Michael McLeod, Dillon Dubé, Carter Hart, Cal Foote and Alex Formenton were charged with sexually assaulting a woman known publicly as E.M. in London, Ont. in June of 2018. Michael McLeod also faces a second charge of being a party to sexual assault. All five men have pleaded not guilty. Rachel Giese is the author of the 2018 book, Boys: What It Means to Become a Man . She’s also the Culture & Life editor at The Globe and Mail. Today, she’s on the show to unpack what this trial tells us about our cultural understanding of consent and masculinity, and how we can have better conversations with boys and young men by reaching them where they’re at. Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com…

1
To save this baby, doctors had to kill part of her brain 34:40

6 днів тому34:40

34:40

Maryam Fatima was born with a condition called hemimegalencephaly , a rare birth defect where one side of the brain is abnormally large. She suffered from severe seizures from the moment she was born. They became so bad that they stopped Maryam from feeding, sleeping and breathing. Her life was at risk. That’s when a team at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto decided to attempt a first-in-Canada procedure to save Maryam’s life. Health Science reporter Jennifer Yang interviewed some of the medical professionals who performed the procedure, as well as Maryam’s mother, Muzna Nafees. She tells the story of how Maryam’s life was saved. Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com…

1
Trump doubles down on steel, aluminum tariffs 25:17

7 днів тому25:17

25:17

On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a new executive order that raised tariffs on steel and aluminum from 25 per cent to 50 per cent . One Canadian steel producer said this means that their American business is now ‘unviable’ . Jason Kirby is a staff reporter for The Globe’s Report on Business section. He explains why these higher steel and aluminum tariffs could mean higher prices on nearly everything, and what may have contributed to Trump’s escalation. Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com…

1
Unpacking the nationwide push to fast-track major projects 21:31

8 днів тому21:31

21:31

This week, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Ottawa’s plans to fast-track infrastructure projects . The effort aims to bolster the Canadian economy, as our trade war with the U.S. stretches on. Provinces are also in a rush to expedite project approvals and reviews — the controversial Bill 5 is currently working its way through the Ontario legislature, and B.C. just narrowly passed Bill 15 . Some Indigenous nations and leaders, along with conservation groups and civil liberty associations, oppose the fast-track efforts gaining momentum across Canada. And even as governments affirm their duty to consult , Indigenous leaders warn road and rail blockades may be coming. The Globe’s Jeff Gray has been reporting on Premier Doug Ford’s Bill 5 . He’ll explain the wave of fast-track legislation we’re seeing across Canada, and how the effort to speed development up may actually slow things down. Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com…

1
The legal fight over gender-affirming health care in Alberta 19:12

9 днів тому19:12

19:12

The Canadian Medical Association says that the Alberta government has created a “ moral crisis ” for doctors in the province. The CMA, alongside three Alberta doctors, has filed a constitutional challenge against the Alberta government for legislation limiting access to medical treatment for transgender youth. Bill 26 became law last December, and is part of a suite of laws in Alberta that regulate access to health care, participation in sports and use of pronouns in schools for trans youth. Together, they form the most restrictive gender and sexuality laws in the country. Alanna Smith is a health reporter for The Globe. She joins the show to explain the law, the rationale of Danielle Smith’s government, and why the applicants have filed their challenge. Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com…

1
Former Anonymous hacker worries he helped elect Trump 23:18

10 днів тому23:18

23:18

More than 20 years ago, a group of internet users created the online forum 4chan – a mixture of memes, pranks, disinformation and hate speech. Soon, a hacker group on the forum calling themselves Anonymous gained notoriety for their online pranks and disruption. But now, a former member of that hacker group says they regret the role they may have played in driving today’s divisive political environment and wants to make amends. Alexandra Posadzki is the Globe’s financial and cybercrime reporter. She’ll talk about an interview she had with the hacker, who now faces criminal charges , and how memes on a toxic online forum bloomed into real-world consequences. Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com…

1
Fossil feud: Paleontologists have a bone to pick with new find 23:10

13 днів тому23:10

23:10

In 2021, mine workers in Morocco made a huge discovery. They found a fossil that scientists believed to be a new species of mosasaur – a large swimming reptile that lived in the same era as the Tyrannosaurus Rex. However, many scientists, including a group in Alberta, are now questioning whether or not the fossil is real or fake . Ivan Semeniuk is The Globe’s science reporter. He’s on the show today to explain what we know about this fossil, the feud that it’s provoked between paleontologists, and when we might uncover the truth. Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com…

1
Canada revamps standards around ‘forever chemicals’ in water 23:51

14 днів тому23:51

23:51

What’s in your drinking water? On Prince Edward Island, the provincial testing program shows potable water in some communities have higher levels of toxic “forever chemicals” than is recommended by Health Canada. To what extent this affects other provinces is unclear – PEI is currently the only province that systematically tests water supplies to make sure they hit federal targets for toxic chemicals. Patrick White is The Globe’s water reporter. He explains the safety concerns surrounding “forever chemicals” in our water, why the health agency revamped its guidelines and looks into why other provinces are slow to adapt. Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com…

1
King Charles III opens the 45th Parliament 20:53

15 днів тому20:53

20:53

On Tuesday, King Charles III opened the 45th Parliament by delivering Canada’s throne speech . The speech lays out the government’s priorities, and the King is only the second monarch to deliver it – his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, did so twice before. The speech affirmed Canada’s sovereignty amid ongoing tensions with the U.S. , and touched on Liberal election promises, including a middle-class tax cut, an end to interprovincial trade barriers, and rapid approvals of major infrastructure projects. Stephanie Levitz is a senior reporter in The Globe and Mail’s Ottawa bureau. She joins to discuss the significance of the speech and what it signals, Carney’s first days in the House of Commons , and what’s new in parliament after nearly six months off. Questions? Comments? Ideas? E-mail us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com…

1
How Canadian businesses are getting caught up in U.S. tariffs on China 19:06

16 днів тому19:06

19:06

It’s been a challenging few months for Canadian businesses. Even though Canada has been largely spared from the worst of U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, many Canadian small business owners are finding themselves caught in the crosshairs of the U.S. tariffs targeting China . Mariya Postelnyak is a consumer affairs reporter for The Globe and Mail. She’s on the show today to explain how small businesses are being affected by the trade disputes between the U.S. and China, how they have been preparing for potential disruptions , and what this all means for their ability to survive. Questions? Comments? Ideas? E-mail us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com…

1
Carney’s plan to build Canada out of the housing crisis 25:52

17 днів тому25:52

25:52

Canada is facing tariffs, a possible recession and an ongoing housing crisis . The country needs millions of new, affordable homes, and Prime Minister Mark Carney wants the federal government to help build them . But how effective was it the last time the federal government built housing? Today, Dr. Carolyn Whitzman , a senior housing researcher with the University of Toronto, will walk us through the postwar plan Carney is drawing inspiration from. And then, we’ll analyze the challenges Carney and Housing Minister Gregor Robertson will face, and whether their plan can solve Canada’s long-standing housing crisis. Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com…

1
What’s going on with Canada Post? 16:20

20 днів тому16:20