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Context is everything. Join us Monday to Friday for a Canadian daily news podcast from The Globe and Mail. Explore a story shaping our world, in conversation with reporters, experts, and the people at the centre of the news.
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When 1.5 million university students return to campus this month, men will be noticeably underrepresented in the student body. In 2025, the ratio is about 60 per cent women to 40 per cent men. The gender gap has existed for more than 20 years, and universities are well aware of the discrepancy. But it doesn’t appear they’re doing much to address it.Joe Friesen is the Globe’s postsecondary reporter. He’s on the show to talk about where that discrepancy comes from, why it seems like fewer men are pursuing higher education, and how the growing gender gap is playing out on and off campus.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com
The Toronto International Film Festival has kicked off, but not without controversy. This year, the premiere of the documentary, “The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Sacrifice”, took a brief turn on centre stage. Artists, programmers and filmmakers are locked in a debate about whether to screen the film about an Israeli family’s story during the October 7 attacks by Hamas.Barry Hertz, the Globe’s film editor, traces why TIFF pulled the documentary in the first place, why it was brought back into the lineup, and what TIFF’s flip-flopping says about programming public events in arts festivals. What is the responsibility of an arts organization in balancing artistic expression and free speech?Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com
Artificial intelligence in the workplace is here to stay. But what does that mean for the job market? While many Canadian companies are embracing the technology, in a few notable cases, this has led to mass layoffs. In other workplaces, it has meant a revolution in workflow, company culture and hiring practices.The Globe’s Joe Castaldo, who covers AI, and business reporter Sean Silcoff, spoke to executives who are welcoming AI in workplaces. They join us to talk about what this all means for businesses, jobs, and the future of work.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com
In August, a man allegedly broke into someone’s home in a small Ontario town. After an altercation, the intruder was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. Now, both men face charges. The case has sparked a country-wide conversation about the limits of self-defence, with politicians across Canada weighing in.Today, the Globe’s opinion columnist Andrew Coyne joins The Decibel. He’ll tell us how the public discourse is playing out and what Canadian law actually says about self-defense.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com
Maryam Fatima was born with a condition called hemimegalencephaly, a rare birth defect in which 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.This episode originally aired June 6, 2025.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com
Having social media accounts hacked is stressful. Usually, companies have formal channels for users to regain access. But for Meta platforms like Facebook and Instagram, some users say the social media giant isn’t responding.Now, a new kind of broker has sprung up, helping people locked out of their accounts connect with a Meta employee or contractor who can expedite their request … for the right price. In 2022, Meta fired or disciplined employees or contractors who had allegedly abused the internal account recovery system for bribes. Kathryn Blaze Baum, an investigative reporter at The Globe and Mail, and Alexandra Posadzki, The Globe’s cybercrimes reporter, found that three years later, this is still happening.Today, Kathryn is on the show to talk about how this back-door process works, how Meta is cracking down on it, and where this leaves users who have had their accounts compromised.This episode originally aired June 13, 2025.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com
Problem gambling is a real issue in Canada – where reporting shows young people having even higher rates than adults. The increasing monetization of games, especially online, often uses similar mechanics to gambling, despite it being illegal for youth to gamble in Canada. And some experts say these apps and games are reinforcing feelings of risk and reward.Dr. Loredana Marchica is a pediatric psychologist at the Montreal Children’s Hospital and at Pathways Psychology Clinic. Her research focuses on gambling among young people. She’ll tell us how the line between gaming and gambling is becoming blurred – and how to tell it’s become a problem.This episode originally aired May 5, 2025.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com
The way medical records are handled in Canada is a patchwork of disconnected systems – creating massive headaches for patients and doctors. Patients struggle to access their own data, and practitioners have to waste time compensating for inefficiencies. But governments, companies and health care professionals are searching for ways to make all these systems talk to each other.Chris Hannay is a staff reporter at The Globe who covers the business of healthcare. He’ll explain how Canada’s medical record system ended up like this and what Canada could gain from adopting an interconnected system.This episode originally aired April 15, 2025.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com
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.This episode originally aired June 11, 2025.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com
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 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.This episode originally aired May 30, 2025.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com
When the U.S. first imposed sweeping tariffs on Canada, setting off a trade war, businesses and consumers braced for high inflation. But nearly half a year later, prices for consumer goods have not risen as much as expected. So what happened?Consumer affairs reporter Mariya Postelnyak talks about why prices haven’t gone up as much as predicted and why that could soon change.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com
A national strike by Air Canada flight attendants ended on Tuesday morning, three days after it began. One of the key issues that Air Canada and the Canadian Union of Public Employees were fighting over was "ground pay," the amount flight attendants are paid for their work before takeoff and after landing.Jason Kirby is a business reporter for The Globe and Mail. He’s on the show to talk about what we know about the deal so far, and what impact this strike could have on future labour disputes.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com
1Since Wikipedia was founded nearly 25 years ago as a free, online encyclopedia, it has consistently ranked as one of the top 10 most visited websites globally. In an era when so much of the internet is full of misinformation, polarization, and social media platforms designed to keep you doomscrolling for hours, you could argue that Wikipedia – free of ads, and maintained by volunteer editors – is one of the last good places online.Samantha Edwards is the Globe’s online culture reporter. She’s on the show to talk about what motivates these editors to volunteer, how AI is threatening the site’s future, and why going down a Wikipedia rabbit hole might actually be good for you.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com
A Globe and Mail investigation has revealed the extent to which Canadians have been caught up in U.S. President Trump’s immigration crackdown. Analysis of data, obtained through a federal lawsuit, shows nearly 150 Canadians have been detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since the beginning of this year. These Canadians range from 2 years old to 77 years old. Kathryn Blaze Baum, an investigative reporter for The Globe, joins The Decibel to break down the exclusive reporting, explains what the Canadian government says it’s willing to do and whether advocates think that’s enough. Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com
For decades, scientific research at the Great Lakes has meant close partnership between Canada and the U.S., but President Trump’s latest job cuts may be changing that. In March, the U.S. agencies overseeing the health and conditions of oceans, lakes and rivers became the latest target of the Trump administration’s federal job-cutting spree.Patrick White reports on water issues for The Globe. Today, he explains how the partnership around the Great Lakes is changing, why there are new negotiations about water sharing, and why these conversations about freshwater are not just issues of environmental concern – but also of national security.This episode originally aired March 27, 2025.Questions? Comments? Ideas? E-mail us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com
In late July, French President Emmanuel Macron said France would recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September. The U.K. then said it, too, would recognize a Palestinian state if Israel did not agree to a ceasefire. Canada and then Australia soon committed to recognizing Palestine.Dr. Mira Sucharov is a professor of political science at Carleton University in Ottawa. Much of her work focuses on Israeli-Palestinian relations. Today, she joins us to talk about why we’re seeing this change in policy after 22 months of war in Gaza, what this shift means for people on the ground, and what solution she sees could realistically bring peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com
The conversation around sleep is shifting. Hustle culture views sleep as a waste of time. But in a culture increasingly focused on health and wellness, sleep is seen as something to be optimized and even perfected. Sleep hygiene trends are taking over social media, but experts warn that fixating on rigid routines and products may do more harm than good.Dr. Rebecca Robillard is a neuropsychologist at the University of Ottawa and co-chair of the Canadian Sleep Research Consortium. Rebecca writes for The Globe’s The Sleep Whisperer, a short series of columns offering advice and insights on sleep health. She’s on the show to talk about the science behind insomnia, explain sleep hygiene trends and the treatments proven to work, and remind sleep perfectionists why keeping a simple bedtime routine is best.For more information on insomnia in adults and treatments, read here.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com
Popeyes Chicken is one of the most well-known fast food franchises in North America. But its reputation could be tested by a lawsuit alleging that some of the chain’s franchise owners purchased meat from an unauthorized seller. The accusations from a former chicken supplier – which Popeyes’ parent company refutes – include “unsafe” and “rotten” meat, according to the statement of claim.Susan Krashinsky Robertson, The Globe’s retail business reporter, breaks down the allegations, recounts the corporate surveillance and explains what it could mean for the chicken you’re eating.Questions? Comments? Ideas? E-mail us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com
An Afghan family fleeing the Taliban and attempting to join relatives in Canada have been held in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention for months. Their lawyers say they’re stuck in a “legal trap.” Due to the sweeping immigration crackdown and migrant detentions in the U.S., people trying to claim asylum in Canada face a very different reality than they would have a year ago.Sara Mojtahedzadeh is a reporter on the Globe’s investigative team, with a focus on immigration issues. She’ll talk about how this family ended up in this situation, how others are affected by changes to U.S. immigration policy, and the policy changes experts are calling for in Canada.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com
At 18 years old, Andean Medjedovic was a math prodigy, finishing his master’s degree in mathematics at the University of Waterloo before most young Canadians can legally drink. Medjedovic was involved in cryptocurrency trading – and according to the U.S. Department of Justice – engaged in “cryptocurrency hacking schemes” that allegedly netted him US$65-million in digital tokens. Now, he’s on the lam.Alexandra Posadzki, The Globe’s financial and cybercrime reporter, is on the show to talk about how Medjedovic allegedly pulled off the trades, the cases against him, and how the controversial philosophy of “Code is Law” in the world of decentralized finance plays into his story.This episode originally aired May 2, 2025.Questions? Comments? Ideas? E-mail us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com
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how is it that our government is not getting involved in such crime against humanity? I am shocked. I am disappointed in our lack of involvement. if there is intervention from our Canadian side, why don't we know it.
This was a good story to cover, but lacks context and will only make it more difficult for the Canadian military to recruit good people. Why are fewer young Canadians willing to defend their country? A constant barrage of negative media reporting about CAF. The overwhelming majority of Canada's soldiers dedicate their lives to their country and willingly assume unlimited liability to defend our freedom.
ridiculous
2 women discuss what it takes to be a man. ok.
there's way more important things than f****** gender right now
Carney was marvelous, simply. I think the short fingered vulgarian was somewhat intimidated by the quiet adult
I loved Doug Sanders description of Donald speak as 'word cloud'. Canada needs to improve relationship with China. We've adopted US policies in a failed attempt to isolate China, we should turn that around ASAP
it's not antisemitism, it's anti Israeli colonial genocide.
The social pressure is the only thing binding these kids to waisting two more years. My father-in-law left high school at grade 10 to work with his father-in-law as a fine carpenter making furniture. By the time he was in his early 20's he had already had a career bought a house taken education to become a mechanic and had his first of 3 boys. He is a wise and kind man who continues to support his family. I'm sure even first generation Canadian children would honour thier parents sacrifice and hard work by practicing a trade. They will have the opportunity to start thier own business and mentor down the road. As well, as my own father did, save money by building thier own home or providing thier skill to thier loved ones saving them money. The trades need a rebranding in hyper educated metropolitan areas because rural areas where a work-life-balance is struck as cultural, know these are the people who always have jobs, build and care for our communities. Respect to our Trades and the T
a terrorist attack justifies genocide?
Why is no one talking about reducing our population? Why is it always about more, more, more? Why is no one talking about how increasing populations are going to cause massive fresh water shortages? We get every crappy thing we deserve.
lock them up for the max.
Never too late to plant a tree
Fuck housing. What about food supply as farms are sold off or water when we are already experiencing water shortages?
I requested ATIP for the Citizenship application of my family more than a year ago and never got any response fro IRCC. It’s a totally broken system.
what about Dimond and leading Architects who were defending the city. Do we really want seamless to 24/7 servailance? Many who have participated in building this city had questions about the true ability of the servailance at this level.
Goosebumps!!
What is wrong with this podcast's sound? Thr volume goes up and down itself.
what's going on with the sound/volume control of this podcast?
And when will Canada do the same?