Open Sources Guelph #479 - July 25, 2024

This week on Open Sources Guelph, we need a drink. Good thing the liquor stores are open again, and to talk about why that is and what the workers in those stores are thinking, we're joined by one of their union leaders on this episode. Why are we drinking? Drama! So much drama in the U.S. Presidential election this week as the odds changed again, and meanwhile, closer to home, we've got some big decisions to make in terms of our own defence.

This Thursday, July 25, at 5 pm, Scotty Hertz and Adam A. Donaldson will discuss:

Bye-Bye, Biden. After weeks of consternation, not to mention a bout of COVID-19, President Joe Biden announced on the weekend that he would not seek re-election in this November's presidential election. Instead, Vice-President Kamala Harris will carry the Democratic banner against Donald Trump, and any concern about party strife quickly disappeared as Harris secured enough delegates to get the nomination in less than 30 hours. So what happens now in this historic campaign?

Defence on Defense. Gen. Jennie Carignan, the new chief of the defence staff, says that Canada has five years to get ready for threats posed to the country resulting from the loss of Arctic ice and other challenges. Canada is in last place among NATO countries to reach the two per cent of GDP spending goal, and that has not gone unnoticed by our allies, many of whom are under threat without, and within. Is Canada finally ready to address the gap in defence spending, or are we going to continue to waffle?

Booze Dues. The workers of the LCBO ended their strike on the weekend, but that was not the end of the animus. The stores are open, but the blame game is still being played between the Premier and union leaders, and this week, we will get some insight from one of those parties. Colleen MacLeod, the bargaining team chair for OPSEU, will join us to talk about the negotiations, trading statements with Doug Ford, and what the future of the LCBO looks like along with the future of its workers.

Open Sources is live on CFRU 93.3 fm and cfru.ca at 5 pm on Thursday.