Guelph Politicast

The first Terry Fox Run took place in 1981, just a few months after the young man it’s named after passed away, and a little over a year after his Marathon of Hope came to an abrupt end. Over the last 43 years, millions and millions of dollars have been raised for cancer research, including over $1 million from Guelph alone, and all of this was done through the power of some very passionate volunteers. This is the story of one of them. Tuesday July 22, 1980 was “Terry Fox Day” in Guelph, it was the day that the man himself passed through the Royal City while on his Marathon. He ran through town, stopped at city hall and was welcomed by Mayor Norm Jary and other dignitaries, and then continued on his way down the road to Halton Hills. It was a little over a month later when Terry called it quits, though not by choice. One of the people inspired by Terry’s run was David Picard, and he started running too. He organized a run at the Ontario Reformatory where he worked, and then when the OR closed he started organ

This week on Open Sources Guelph, we're getting our bearings. In this late summer mode, we're looking to the coming election south of the border and the constantly changing game there, meanwhile on this side of the border the Federal Liberals are hoping that they have enough juice to change their own game. Meanwhile, here in Guelph, the game is "musical chairs" and the players are Guelph city council and community members experiencing homelessness. This Thursday, August 29, at 5 pm, Scotty Hertz and Adam A. Donaldson will discuss: Whale's Head Revisited. One week after the DNC, U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris continues to capitalize on the momentum and energy that has followed her takeover as the Democratic presidential candidate in July. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has been floundering, once again threatening to withdraw from planned presidential debates. Even the endorsement of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., freshly accused of new animal cruelty involving a whale and a chainsaw, hasn't helped. We'll catch up with th

This week on End Credits, we're back! Well rested after summer vacation, we're going to spend this first episode back going to movie jail, or rather a movie set at a jail. Join us as we journey to Sing Sing and an early contender for best picture of the year, and there's about to be a lot of competition for that title because Fall Movie Season is here, and we'll preview it. This Wednesday, August 7, at 3 pm, Adam A. Donaldson and Peter Salmon will discuss: Fall Movie Preview. Okay, so it's been a lacklustre year at the movies so far, but that's about to change because Fall is here! With the biggest film festivals gearing up, and awards season coming into view, studios and distributors have been saving some of their best bets for the last four months of the year. From passion projects, to nostalgic runs, and some blockbuster returns, we will talk about the anticipated hits of Fall 2024! REVIEW: Sing Sing (2024). At New York's notorious Sing Sing prison, there's a program called Rehabilitation Through the Arts

As we do at the end of August, we’re marking Drug Poisoning Awareness Day, and it hasn't been a great week for the people fighting this issue. Last week, the Ontario government decided that no safe consumption site can be within 200 metres of a school or daycare, including the one at Guelph Community Health Centre. The drug poisoning crisis is not getting any better, and now there’s the possibility that it’s going to get worse. In 2023, at least 62 community members died due to substance-related fatalities Guelph and Wellington according to new data from the Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario. This is the highest number of lives lost on record. This is on top of the fact that someone dies from drug poisoning every two-and-a-half hours across Ontario. The conditions are dire, any progress being made is slow going, and there's the constant presence of stigma to overcome. What’s been clear in the last several weeks is that this community is reaching what Dr. Erin Dej called “compassion fatigue”; fed up with

This week on Open Sources Guelph, we're back! We're done with our usual summer vacation and we're eager to hop back on the never ending news cycle to talk about all things breaking and unbreaking. Here in Ontario, there was a big meeting of all the municipalities this week in Ottawa, and abroad in eastern Europe there was a big move in the war happening there. For the interview this week, we're also talking about a big move, a move that someone's trying to make happen right here at home. This Thursday, August 22, at 5 pm, Scotty Hertz and Adam A. Donaldson will discuss: AMO Shorts. This week is the annual conference for the Association of Municipalities of Ontario or AMO. Representatives from the federal and provincial governments join councillors and staff members from municipalities around Ontario to talk about the issues facing cities, which are pretty substantial, but the appearances by provincial party leaders on Monday sounded more like the start of a campaign then a search for answers. So what came out

This week on End Credits, we’re gone. Gone fishin’? Maybe, we don’t watch the co-hosts every minute, especially when they’re not on the air. Yes, it’s that time again, time for the mid-August break. So while we’re breaking, we’ve got some cool – what the kids used to call – “repeats” for you. Get your road maps and your road snacks, because this week we’re vacationing! Let’s Get Goofy! Summer is a time for watching movies, no doubt, but it’s also a time for hopping in the car with the family and hitting the road. It’s a big world out there, with so much to do and so many things to see, so get out of your dreams and into that car. And while you’re driving, listen to some classic End Credits entries, because if you can’t see a movie, you should at least take some time and listen to us talk about them. See you in a couple of weeks! Programming Note: End Credits will return with new episodes on August 28. End Credits is on CFRU 93.3 fm and cfru.ca Wednesday at 3 pm.

Housing. It's an easy problem to diagnosis but it's a hard problem to solve it seems, and that has seems to have stopped the Government of Ontario from even trying. Cabinet ministers have probably been getting an earful about that this week at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference, but there's one member at Queen's Park that still hasn't given up, and you will never guess who... This past February, we were joined on the pod by Guelph MPP and Green Party of Ontario leader. The topic was his private member's bill, the Homes You Can Afford in Communities You Love Act, or Bill 156, which aims to change planning rules across Ontario to allow for fourplexes and four story apartments in neighbourhoods and allow for mid-rise buildings ranging from six to 11 stories on transit corridors and main streets.  Now, there's been no movement on Bill 156 since it was sent to committee in February, but it seems like the Ontario government isn't doing much to try and fill the void by bringing any new policy of

This week on Open Sources Guelph, we’re taking a break, and it’s the same for next week (or last week depending on when you’re reading this). Yes, the time has come for our usual summer vacation, but we’re not leaving you hanging! As we recharge our senses and collect your thoughts, you will be treated to a long-running tradition in the production of rich media: The rerun. As we cash-in some of our vacation days, you will be entertained by the ghosts of Open Sources’ past. Taking a Break from Some of Our Worries. So July was a lot. An incumbent president decided that it was best that he not run for re-election, and an Ontario premier did the impossible and caused a strike at the LCBO. At the same time, Doug Ford is also trying to explain why he closed the Science Centre, why so much of this province’s health matters are being handled by Shoppers Drug Mart, and whether or not we’re going to have an early provincial election. No wonder he’s worked up such an apatite. Then again though, so have we. See you in a

This week on End Credits, we’re gone. Gone fishin’? Maybe, we don’t watch the co-hosts every minute, especially when they’re not on the air. Yes, it’s that time again, time for the mid-August break. So while we’re breaking, we’ve got some cool – what the kids used to call – “repeats” for you. Get your road maps and your road snacks, because this week we’re vacationing! Let’s Get Goofy! Summer is a time for watching movies, no doubt, but it’s also a time for hopping in the car with the family and hitting the road. It’s a big world out there, with so much to do and so many things to see, so get out of your dreams and into that car. And while you’re driving, listen to some classic End Credits entries, because if you can’t see a movie, you should at least take some time and listen to us talk about them. See you in a couple of weeks! Programming Note: End Credits will return with new episodes on August 28. End Credits is on CFRU 93.3 fm and cfru.ca Wednesday at 3 pm.

It was about this time last year that the so-called Greenbelt scandal blew-up. Although the issue had been simmering since fall 2022, the persistent efforts of journalists and activists to get to the bottom of the decision to separate and sell-off portions of protected land resulted in the land being restored, the minister responsible replaced, and the RCMP looking into whether or not anything criminal happened. It started with the Ontario government’s plan to remove parcels of the Greenbelt and allow for new housing developments there despite Doug Ford’s promise that his government would not touch the Greenbelt. Here in Guelph, hundreds and hundreds of people came out on a cold Sunday morning to express their outrage, and so did people in other cities across Ontario, an it was an outrage that didn't burn out over the months that followed. Then things started changing last summer. Ontario’s auditor general released a scathing report into how the Greenbelt land swap came about, and that started a chain of even

This week on Open Sources Guelph, we’re taking a break, and it’s the same for next week (or last week depending on when you’re reading this). Yes, the time has come for our usual summer vacation, but we’re not leaving you hanging! As we recharge our senses and collect your thoughts, you will be treated to a long-running tradition in the production of rich media: The rerun. As we cash-in some of our vacation days, you will be entertained by the ghosts of Open Sources’ past. Taking a Break from Some of Our Worries. So July was a lot. An incumbent president decided that it was best that he not run for re-election, and an Ontario premier did the impossible and caused a strike at the LCBO. At the same time, Doug Ford is also trying to explain why he closed the Science Centre, why so much of this province’s health matters are being handled by Shoppers Drug Mart, and whether or not we’re going to have an early provincial election. No wonder he’s worked up such an apatite. Then again though, so have we. See you in a

This week on End Credits we're getting weird. Now obviously, this show is always a little weird,  but this week we're making it official by talking about movies that stray away from the normal path, and that includes the movie we're reviewing this week. First, we will look at "What the funk?!" movies, and then we will say "WTF?" about a French movie that's a Beast. This Wednesday, August 7, at 3 pm, Adam A. Donaldson and Tim Phillips will discuss: What the Funk Movies. The best part of watching a movie is when it surprises you, when it makes you say "What the funk?!" Well, when we say "funk" we mean another word that almost has all the same letters in the same order, but the feeling is the same; "What the funk did I just watch?!" To begin this week's show, we will turn out some of our favourite WTF? Movies, from the bizarre to the twisted to twist endings. REVIEW: The Beast/La Bête (2024). In the future, artificial intelligence controls everything and if you want to be a good human helper then you have to pu

It took a while to get here, but the Grand River Conservation Authority membership last month approved a management plan for the Niska lands, aka: the old Kortright Waterfowl Park, but this is not the end of the journey. For nearly 20 years there’s been a fierce back and forth about what comes next for the property and who’s responsible for its protection, but even with a plan in place now it doesn't mean that the controversy is over. When we last tackled this topic on the podcast it was October 2023 and the draft land management plan had just been presented to the GRCA board. That plan was adapted by the GRCA board at their June meeting along with its three recommendations: To engage with the City of Guelph and others about future maintenance and use; to manage and monitor the sensitive environmental demands; and dispose the portion called “Agricultural Field B”, which is on the south side of Niska. Now, what you have to understand is that it’s the plan that’s been approved, not necessarily those directions.

This week on Open Sources Guelph, we're doubling the cast. As a summer treat, we have not just one, but two different guests including a federal cabinet minister, and she will be followed by a member of our local city council who will talk to us about the year at city hall so far. And yes, we will also have news, which this week will centre around what is perhaps the most hated corporation in all of Canada! This Thursday, August 1, at 5 pm, Scotty Hertz and Adam A. Donaldson will discuss: Judge Bread. A class action lawsuit against Loblaw, the parent company of Loblaws and other grocery chains, has been settled for $500 million. The case involves the price-fixing of bread products, which the company plead guilty to after being charged under the Competition Act in June 2023, and if you bought a loaf in the last 10 years you might be getting a cheque in the mail. So has Loblaw learned its lesson, or do we need break up the grocery-opoly? After the Sudds. Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Jen

This week on End Credits, we're appreciating that all it takes to make $200 million in one weekend is a foul mouth and lots of gore. Or maybe it's gratuitous cameos from comic book movies you've all but forgot about. If you haven't guessed already, we're reviewing Deadpool & Wolverine, and sticking with the X-Men, we're ranking that whole series. This Wednesday, July 31, at 3 pm, Adam A. Donaldson and Candice Lepagee will discuss: Lists of Future Past. The X-Men movie franchise played a big role in supporting the idea of serious and ambitious comic book movies can be a box office winner, but it seems like the the movement's gotten away from Marvel's Merry Mutants. Before Deadpool & Wolverine there were 13 movies under the X-Men banner, so to say goodbye (hello?) to the movie X-Men, we will rank all those movies from worst to best. REVIEW: Deadpool & Wolverine (2024). It's a team-up that people have been looking forward to for years, and it comes at a precarious time for the once mighty Marvel Stud

A couple of weeks ago at city council, a group of leaders representing four frontline agencies appeared to support the idea of a tiny home project in Guelph. The head of the Guelph Community Health Centre appeared on this podcast a few months ago, and so did the head of the Canadian Mental Health Association, plus the CEO of Guelph General Hospital was our special Christmas guest this past December. So if you've been counting, that leaves one more... The Stonehenge Therapeutic Community has been doing the work for over 50 years when it comes to helping people in Guelph battling addictions and mental health issues. It started as a small, farm-based residential treatment program for men and women in 1971 and has expanded over the decades to include all types of services like compassionate care, peer support, safer supply, and yes, housing.  Stonehenge’s latest achievement is helping to launch the supportive housing project on Shelldale Crescent, the Kindle Communities, a massive community effort that was more t

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 Defen

This week on End Credits, we're thinking about stormy weather! About a week after a major storm washed out so many parts of Ontario, including the Pergola Galaxy Cinemas here in Guelph, we're going to take things up a notch with Twisters. And on the subject of weather and the movies, we will talk about some other movies about the weather. This Wednesday, July 24, at 3 pm, Adam A. Donaldson and Peter Salmon will discuss: Weather Flap. The movie of the week leads to a rather obvious pre-review discussion. There are a lot of movies about the weather, or movies where the weather has a major influence on the plot, and while it my not be obvious, not all of those movies are based in disasters. That brings us to this week's show, where between the snow, and the rain, and the floods we will talk about our favourite movies inspired by the weather. Twisters (2024). It shouldn't be surprising that someone would want to make a sequel to Twister, the 1996 smash about tornado chasers in Oklahoma. It's kinda surprising tha

What could have been a small one-day story about disagreements around the table at Stratford city council has become emblematic of a bigger issue. Aside from the fine line between criticism of our civic leaders and outright threatening behaviour, there’s also a question about whether their mayor and council are being as open and transparent as it should be, and one man - famously - has his doubts. Members from Get Concerned Stratford have appeared on this podcast before. The group itself was born out of concerns around Stratford council’s efforts to approve the construction of a controversial glass plant in the city. But the circumstances that led to the Xinyi controversy lingered, even with a new council, and it all seemed to come together at a council meeting on February 26. At that meeting, there was a report about the use of closed meeting protocols that showed Stratford council was frequently making decisions in-camera, but attention instead went to a matter of zoning where two delegates - Mike Sullivan

This week on Open Sources Guelph, it was a rough one. Looking south of the border these days is a white knuckle ride through all your fears about the future, and it's so bad that we have to dedicate the whole first half of our show to talk about American politics. We will then look closer to home and talk to a member of our local city council about a concern that all of us have these days. You know what we're talking about. This Thursday, July 18, at 5 pm, Scotty Hertz and Adam A. Donaldson will discuss: This is America. It's been a wild week in American politics, and that's really saying something in the year of Our Lord 2024 A.D. On the weekend, there was an attempted assassination of Donald Trump, the Republic National Convention began, MAGA-stan J.D. Vance was named Trump's VP nominee, Elon Musk announced he's giving a Trump PAC $45 million a month, and a pro-Trump judge dismissed his classified documents case. Oh, and the Dems are still in disarray. We'll wrap our heads around this in a super-sized news