Guelph Politicast

Open Sources Guelph - July 16, 2020

With the literal spectre of death hanging over us, we will convene this week's episode of Open Sources Guelph. On this week's show, we have four very big topics to discuss including the latest on the WE scandal, the latest on the investigation into a downed plane in Iran, and how COVID and cancel culture is destroying America, but the government is talking only one of those seriously.
This Thursday, July 9, at 5 pm, Scotty Hertz and Adam A. Donaldson will discuss:
WE Need to Talk. There seems to be no end in sight as a scandal around a plum government contract for the WE organization has now absorbed Finance Minister Bill Morneau, and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, albeit on an entirely different matter. WE now finds itself under a microscope, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau finds himself under his third ethics investigation in five years, so is Trudeau about to lose the sheen of his better than terrible response to COVID-19?
Plane Truth. Remember before COVID when one of the biggest foreign policy issues of the year was when Ukrainian Air Flight 752 was shot down by Iran? Well, it turns out 176 people were killed due to bad communications and poor alignment. So that's that, right? Not so fast, because this is Iran's own investigation, and others are waiting to finally get a second look at the black box. So what else is left to learn, and what consequences will there be for the Iranian regime?
Casket Case. When President Donald Trump got up in the White House Rose Garden on Tuesday, he talked about almost everything except the fact that the U.S. is rapidly approaching four million cases of COVID-19. Nearly four out of five states are showing increases in cases now, some are returning to lockdown, and expanded Federal employment benefits are running out, while Trump's team publicly demeans the nation's chief virologist. Has COVID defeated America?
Culture Club. The two most controversial words in politics right now is "cancel culture", but what the heck is that? To some people, it means the erosion of speech as some people say the wrong thing and are then inundated by the "liberal mob", but to others it means the democratization of speech and a call to account for outdated thinking and talking points. So is cancel culture a sign of the beast, or is it, as Desmond Cole said, more of a culture of responsibility?
Open Sources is live on CFRU 93.3 fm and cfru.ca at 5 pm on Thursday.

End Credits - July 15, 2020 (Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado)

This week on End Credits we enter a realm of the mysterious and the unknowable where only the stars have the answer you seek. If you think that's over-the-top wait until you see the subject of this week's review, which is entitled Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado. We'll have that, and we'll also kick-off our latest listicle series featuring a very famous "Steven."
This Wednesday, July 15, at 3 pm, Adam A. Donaldson and Peter Salmon will discuss:
Uneven Stevens Part 1 of 3. Forty-five years ago this summer, Steven Spielberg changed movies forever with the release of Jaws, and that was merely just another step on his run as the most successful filmmaker in 125 years of cinematic history. This week we kick off the definitive* ranking of Spielberg's films with the bottom 12. (*May not actually be definitive.)
REVIEW: Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado (2020). In 1969, Walter Mercado delivered the weekly astrology segment on the local Puerto Rican TV station while dressed flamboyantly for another show, but the gusto of his delivery made him an instant sensation. Fifty years later, Mercado stands as a legend in both the Latinx community as well as the queer community for being a pioneer in non-binary gender conformity, and now everyone can appreciate that legend anew with this Netflix documentary. So how it is?
End Credits is on CFRU 93.3 fm and cfru.ca Wednesday at 3 pm.

GUELPH POLITICAST #229 - Black Votes Matter!

This is where the hard work of changing the system, and combating systemic racism, begins. For almost two months there have been marches, demonstrations and meetings all designed to promote the cause, but if we’re going to tear down the system, and build something more equitable, it's going to be a more long term fight. So how do we begin? Why don’t we begin with this podcast?
This week, Velma Morgan, the Chair of Operation Black Vote Canada, joins us to talk about how we get more representation for the 18.8 per cent of our population in Guelph who are visible minorities. All things being equal, three of the spots on city council should be represented by People of Colour, which doesn't seem hard, but how do we make People of Colour in our community more comfortable in the council chambers, and how do we make more space for them in our politics?
Morgan's list of accomplishments is too long to list here (you can read them here though), but sufficient to say that her experience in promoting more involvement by Black Canadians in all levels of politics is a good place to start having the discussion. At Operation Black Vote Canada, Morgan and her colleagues run programs to educate, promote and support Black Canadians’ participation in Canada’s political process at all levels and elected offices, whether that’s local boards, or seats in government. Her advice should be essential listening on this topic, so let's listen.
In this episode of the podcast, Morgan will lay out the work of Operation Black Vote Canada, their accomplishments, and the current picture of Black representation at all levels of government here in Canada. She will also talk about voter turnout among Black Canadians, and the extent of the barriers for Black Canadians to get involved in politics. She will discuss the racial bias in municipal politics, what current members of city council should be doing to encourage diversity, and what we all should be doing in our community for the next two years to get more People of Colour involved in politics before the next municipal election.
So let's talk about getting out the vote among our racialized communities on this week's Guelph Politicast!
To learn more about Operation Black Vote Canada, or to take Velma Morgan up on her generous offer for political engagement training, you can find that information on their website here. Keep in mind, the opening of nominations for the 2022 Municipal Election is now less than two years away...
The host for the Guelph Politicast is Podbean. Find more episodes of the Politicast here, or download them on your favourite podcast app at iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, and Spotify.
Also, when you subscribe to the Guelph Politicast channel and you will also get an episode of Open Sources Guelph every Monday, and an episode of End Credits every Friday.

Open Sources Guelph - July 9, 2020

Get some friends together and watch this week's episode of Open Sources Guelph! (Maybe not those ^^^ friends.) We're going to talk about those friends and the disturbing allegations around them, and we're also going to talk about the latest protests erupting from China's newest crackdown in Hong Kong. After that, we're going to catch up (virtually) with a member of our own local city council to talk about some of the latest developments in Guelph news.
This Thursday, July 9, at 5 pm, Scotty Hertz and Adam A. Donaldson will discuss:
Grief of Security. The Chinese government is at it again in Hong Kong, with a brand new security law that basically makes it illegal to be critical of the government, and makes allowances for closed door trials, unlimited wire tapping, and a rather open definition of what can be called 'terrorism.' This was welcomed in the former British colony with about as much enthusiasm as you'd expect. Is this the end of one government/two systems?
Maxwell's House. When Jeffrey Epstein killed himself while in custody in 2019 it was assumed that he took many of his secrets with him to the grave, but as Yoda once said, "There is another." The arrest of Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's partner in business and, allegedly, sex trafficking, changes that, and Maxwell's arrest opens the door to finally get answers to questions about Epstein's systematic abuse and how we got away with it for so long. What new insights are we looking for?
James of Mind. For the last few months, Guelph City Council has been carrying out business virtually, and have had to make some pretty big decisions on the fly as new information developed quickly. So let's start talking about that by welcoming back to the show some members of the horseshoe, starting this week with James Gordon. The Ward 2 Councillor will discuss COVID-19, the Black Lives Matter protest, and the impact of the pandemic on his other job as a local rock star.
Open Sources is live on CFRU 93.3 fm and cfru.ca at 5 pm on Thursday.

End Credits - July 8, 2020 (Brittany Runs a Marathon)

This week on End Credits, we're getting in shape. Actually, we're going to watch other people get in shape because self-improvement is best left to the people in the movies; we're just trying to survive COVID-19 here. Speaking of which, the effects of the pandemic still weigh heavily on the news of the week even though we're still making future plans.
This Wednesday, July 8, at 3 pm, Adam A. Donaldson and Tim Phillips will discuss:
News of the Week. In this week's round up of the latest movie news, we see that going back to the theatres might still be a long way off even in the places where they're currently re-opening. On top of that, Cineplex is suing their would-be buyer, TIFF is announcing a mixed program of at-home and in-festival offerings, and there's another wrinkle in the behind-the-scenes drama on Justice League.
REVIEW: Brittany Runs a Marathon (2019). It's been pretty hot outside these days in Guelph, so it's maybe not the best time to actually run a marathon. Instead, why don't you stay in where it's cool and watch a movie about a woman training to run her own marathon. Jillian Bell plays the titular runner in this comedy streaming on Amazon Prime that talks about millennial angst, body image, realistic expectations, and running, but is it funny?
End Credits is on CFRU 93.3 fm and cfru.ca Wednesday at 3 pm.

GUELPH POLITICAST #228 - Still COVID with Doctor Mercer

Our area has been under Stage 2 of the re-opening for nearly a month now, and people are eagerly looking for signs that we might soon enter the final stage. Still, our position is precarious. We see what is happening in the United States, and if there’s one thing that we can all agree on, it’s that we do not want to re-enter lockdown. So shall we get a doctor’s advice on how to avoid all that?
This week, we're joined by Dr. Nicola Mercer, who is the Medical Officer of Health for Wellington County, Dufferin County and Guelph. It seems like a million years ago, but Dr. Mercer appeared on the podcast barely four months ago at the beginning of March when a COVID-19 outbreak in Canada still seemed like a theoretical exercise. It was barely two weeks later that everything started shutting down; we went from a regular day’s routine of work, school and errands, to three months of lockdown and quarantine and empty streets, and it's been a long way back.
Now, four months later, Dr. Mercer joins us again as we look ahead, as well as behind, about the local response to COVID-19 so far. She will talk about how the medical advice on masks evolved over the course of the pandemic, and whether or not they will now be a regular part of life. She also discuss how the virus is spreading now in the Guelph area, and the best tips on how to avoid it as we go out more. And finally, she will offer her insights on how we will move to Stage 3, when the local state of emergency will end, and how public health is preparing for that eventual return of COVID-19 in the fall and winter. 
So let's talk about the past, present and future of the pandemic in our region on this week's Guelph Politicast!
There’s a Board of Health Meeting Wednesday July 8 at 2:30 pm where we will get an update on the local battle of COVID-19 from the public health perspective. And for all advice public notices regarding COVID-19, or any public health matter, you can go to the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health website here.
The host for the Guelph Politicast is Podbean. Find more episodes of the Politicast here, or download them on your favourite podcast app at iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, and Spotify.
Also, when you subscribe to the Guelph Politicast channel and you will also get an episode of Open Sources Guelph every Monday, and an episode of End Credits every Friday.

Open Sources Guelph - July 2, 2020

This week on Open Sources Guelph, the Canada Day long weekend is five days long, and we've got to work! On the plus side (?) there's so much work to do, and so many stories to cover. Considering the holiday, we will look at the issue of our beloved prime ministerial statues, and how the current PM is making it rain for his friends. After the break, we'll look at the latest foreign policy controversy for the White House and the political question of mandatory masks.
This Thursday, July 2, at 5 pm, Scotty Hertz and Adam A. Donaldson will discuss:
John A Neurotic. The new wave of Black Lives Matter demonstrations has included Indigenous people and the some 500 years of colonialism they've endured. Cut to Baden, ON, where a statue of Sir John A. MacDonald, Canada's first prime minister, has been vandalized with red paint three times in the last week for his role in creating residential schools. What should the fate of the statue be, and how do we present our history in the context of systemic racism?
WE Don't Need No Consultation! It's only millions of dollars in taxpayer money, so how did it all end up in the hands of a charity that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has taken such a pretty big part in? WE Charities received $900 million from the Federal government for youth volunteer programs, and given Trudeau's past involvement in WE, it's raised a lot of serious questions about why and how WE got the money? Is the PM using COVID to give hand outs to good friends?
Bounty Punter. A shocking report initially delivered by the New York Times, and now confirmed by various other media outlets, describes a program by the Russians to pay a bounty to the Taliban and other Afghan insurgents for killing American soldiers. Even more shocking still is the report that the Trump Administration has known about for over a year and done nothing, which adds to suspicions about inappropriate ties between Trump and Vladimir Putin. We'll talk about the latest developments.
Behind the Mask Debate. Aside from washing your hands regularly, the number one recommendation to stop the spread of COVID-19 is now to wear a mask or face covering while you're out in public. To most people this is common sense, but to a small group of very loud dissenters, the importance of wearing masks has become an issue of cultural identity and eroding freedoms. How have masks become a wedge issue, and what will it take for people to universally embrace the recommendation?
Open Sources is live on CFRU 93.3 fm and cfru.ca at 5 pm on Thursday.

End Credits - July 1, 2020 (Scare Package)

This week on End Credits, it's a holiday episode. As fate would have it, this week's episode falls on Canada Day proper, which makes us want to look at the movies from here at home to celebrate, and if you feel like celebrating, we'll tell you where you can find some great Canadian films. After that, pull the drapes and get under the covers because we've got a horror movie anthology to review.
This Wednesday, July 1, at 2 pm, Adam A. Donaldson and Candice Lepage will discuss:
Streaming Canada. In case you didn't notice, today is Canada Day. Now people's choice for movie options don't usually begin with what's Canadian, and Canadian options aren't usually presented in the menu, so for this week's pre-review segment, we're going to rundown some of the Canadian flicks that are available now on the major streaming services.
REVIEW: Scare Package (2019). Horror and comedy together is like chocolate and peanut butter, two things that shouldn't work well when combined, but when it's good, it's reeeeally good. Does the combination work when you throw in a third element, an anthology? Scare Package, a new film on Shudder, has laughs, has gore, and has about eight different stories reflecting various horror subgenres, but does the chemistry work or is it a big green gooey mess with a talking skull head in the middle?
End Credits is on CFRU 93.3 fm and cfru.ca Wednesday at 3 pm.

GUELPH POLITICAST REPLAY - A History of Guelph's Birthdays

This week, in honour of Canada Day, we have a repeat of the podcast. That doesn't make a lot of sense, but it is a holiday, and we could all use a nice break from the routine and skullduggery of the pandemic news cycle. So let's revisit happier times from the recent and distant pasts.
In 2017, as Canada celebrated the 150th anniversary of its creation, we looked back at how Guelph marked its own birthday over the years. Today, Guelph’s 200th anniversary is less than seven years away, and despite the pandemic, the city continues to evolve and change and grow into something both familiar and totally different. What will that be? Who knows? Where have we been? Well, that question is easier to answer.
Recapping a review of Guelph history is the basis for this week's Guelph Politicast!
The Guelph Politicast will return next week with a new episode!
The host for the Guelph Politicast is Podbean. Find more episodes of the Politicast here, or download them on your favourite podcast app at iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, and Spotify.
Also, when you subscribe to the Guelph Politicast channel and you will also get an episode of Open Sources Guelph every Monday, and an episode of End Credits every Friday.

Open Sources Guelph - June 25, 2020

This week on Open Sources Guelph, we're going to take a break from the ongoing stories that have so pre-occupied us these last few weeks to revisit some golden oldies. We've got Canada-China relations, we've got some Donald Trump stuff, and we've got the Conservative leadership race for a well-rounded news diet. On top of that, we'll discuss some good old fashioned investigative reporting.
This Thursday, June 25, at 5 pm, Scotty Hertz and Adam A. Donaldson will discuss:
Informer? In April, Gabriel Wortman committed the worst mass murder in Canadian history, but before that, could he have been an RCMP informant? That interesting question comes from a Maclean's article that points to $475,000 in cash that Wortman withdrew from a bank that he theoretically shouldn't have been able to get. In some quarters, this is considered a type of "trade-craft" used by our Federal police service, so what does this mean, and are we missing a bigger piece of this story?
China Beseech. China is moving ahead with the prosecution of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, two random Canadians they picked up and charged with espionage out of apparent retaliation for the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou. Moving to a prosecution phase is an escalation for the Chinese government, and seen as a warning to Canada and the Trudeau government, but are there any reasonable moves that Canada can make to save the Michaels?
How Deep is My Rally? It was not a good week for Donald Trump. He had multiple failures at the Supreme Court, he had a near-Saturday Night Massacre with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Southern New York, and then the rates of COVID-19 hospitalizations have sky-rocketed, so Trump really needed that Tulsa campaign kick-off rally to go off without a hitch. It did not. We'll talk about how and why things are not going well for Trump and his re-election efforts.
Debate Society. Last week, the four Conservative leadership candidates - Leslyn Lewis, Peter MacKay, Erin O'Toole, and Derek Sloan - all made their case to lead the Official Opposition into the next election. Unfortunately, what was going on in the campaigns was more interesting than the debates with the O'Toole camp accusing the MacKay team of stealing data and information. Can the Conservatives get behind a leader with such a stunning amount of animosity?
Open Sources is live on CFRU 93.3 fm and cfru.ca at 5 pm on Thursday.