The Great Canadian Talk Show

On November 6th of 2006, TGCTS debuted on 92.9 KICK-FM and we mark the occasion by kicking off Episode 44 with former co-host and producer Spirited Kenny. It’s a fun discussion of the legacy of the radio show, the transition to podcasting, and of course some commentary from Kenny on current-day politics, sports and media. 25.44 Part 2- We review two columns about the results of the civic election. In the first, Tom Brodbeck of the Free Press reinforced the accuracy of our investigative reporting as we identified early on what he called the major issues for voters- "public safety, homelessness and transit."You'll hear some explanations for questions asked in the column that Tom seemed to be unaware of, and we add important context to the "mayor needs to pay attention" part. Scott Gillingham said things in his re-election campaign that puts him offside with incoming council members-who are expecting City Hall to deal with those issues. And, as Tom put it, "The new council should be prepared to ask tough questions about what is working, what isn’t and where taxpayers are getting value for their money." 37.50- The smug elitism of urban visionary Brent Bellamy was on full display in his post-election plea for City Council to continue to steamroll what he derisively called, quotation marks included, "neighborhood character" with more infill housing. Blowhard Brent typed up a missive the Free Press was glad to print, a parade of propaganda we have sliced and diced for our audience to enjoy.The architect invented a new term, "housing diversity" to perpetuate the offensive disinformation that the barely-regulated new builds provide "affordable housing". We exposed that lie with our on-the-ground election coverage in the Sun-Tribune. Notably missing from Bellamy's bloviations is any hint that the new builds are straining schools and other resources to the detriment of long-time residents - blackouts and low water pressure anyone? - and are a windfall for land speculators and - guess who? - architects. Mr. "Bigger Picture" also displays zero comprehension that needing to take three transfers and ride a bus for 90 minutes is what's making people choose to use a vehicle and spend LESS TIME commuting to visit family and friends. 49.24 Part 3- Marty Gold reflects on the last 20 years of helming this talk show. You'll hear about the influence of journalists like Peter Warren, Yoram Hamizarachi and Kelly Dehn on this enterprise. We revolutionized drive-home radio in Winnipeg, pioneered public affairs podcasting in our city, and today give thanks to the supporters and listeners who have helped along the way- all made possible by the trust and confidence that 92.9 KICK-FM station manager Rick Baverstock placed in us twenty years ago. Thank you for listening.****New column in the Sun-Tribune: Rural election races showcase scandals, skirmishes, and the importance of scrutineers

Episode 43 welcomes Kelly Ryback, who unseated Shawn Dobson by over 2800 votes to become the new Councillorfor St. James. A longtime advocate for the ward, Ryback discusses the campaign, his priorities his district, and the challenges Winnipeg Council will have to address.Part 1 includes a few words about the civic election, our columns in the Winnipeg Sun-Tribune (links below), and the upcoming 20th anniversary of the debut of TGCTS on 92.9 KICK-FM.8.25 Part 2-After a second place finish in 2022, Kelly Ryback took a solid victory to become the city councillor for St. James. In discussing the election campaign, he notes "there's no repercussion to the rules that are in place" so some candidates willfully break signage rules. More significantly, Ryback says the current time frame from June 30th to election day needs to be reviewed because "it is tough to canvass into October because of daylight. People are not opening their doors once it gets dark... you have very little time to campaign Monday to Friday."He agrees there are issues with the placement of voting stations, citing the absence of advance polls at the Courts of St. James for seniors or at Winnipeg Square for downtown workers. Ryback offers ideas to improve democracy at City Hall and improve stagnant voting rates and believes "we have to give them a reason to vote." Marty Gold references lack of parking and amenities at 510 Main Street and council holding meetings during working hours as impediments to citizen participation. 36.00 Part 3- Ryback established himself as a frequent delegate on council agenda items, starting with the Transit revamp, because "I wanted to have a voice at city hall. I had no intentions of running." He walks though the numerous flaws in the rushed development of the new schedule and routes, especially that "Council placed too much faith in the public service... I thought this was not going to fly, and I was right." It was his intervention that restored services to schools and medical facilities.45.25 - "My message to Council is two things- we are all in this together. And we have one job - make this city better, better value, better safety, better livability , for everybody. And we have to improve customer service."You'll hear the scoop of his idea for easier access to paid parking downtown to put "the resident and the business owner first."A surprising concern Ryback heard from voters was the NDP decision to not having the clocks fall back, and the dangers to seniors and school kids walking in the dark on icy streets and sidewalks with sunrise delayed until after 8.30 am. "Maybe the provincial government would have to change the hours of school," he wonders.57.50 Part 4- Ryback says the next city budget has to identify priorities to fund, trim non-essential spending, find new revenue, and work with governments and aboriginal leadership. The common thread across the country is the costs of the addictions and homelessness crisis. Marty sets out some examples of wasted tax dollars, including the expansion of bike lanes - which Ryback thinks is being done wrong. The other side of the crisis is public safety and the need for more enforcement - "Crime is number one today." In west Winnipeg, people are refusing to go to Unicity Mall and Polo Park."Something has to be done quickly," Ryback states, noting "the shoplifting, the drug dealing, the panhandling" and he wants community policing, beat officers and cadets on site. Also, some talk about infill housing... ******Here are the most recent columns from Marty Gold in the Sun-Tribune - Happy Reading !Election Notebook- Signs of troubleIncumbents Sharma and Santos under scrutiny, while St. Vital hopeful Sigurdson ducks itFamilies want closure of drug houses on Furby Street nowFurby Community Garden to be fenced off from out-of-control addicts  Post-election Notebook: Winners, losers, upsets and unions“If they want to steal, let them steal”: NDP MLA Cross-es the line

Fallout from the televised Mayoral debate, a councillor's last-ditch effort to shore up support from ethno-cultural voters, and a remarkably honest ward report from a retiring EPC member highlight Episode 42.Part 1- All about our hard-hitting election reports in the Winnipeg Sun-Tribune (links below), and a plea from a listener to all other voters in the city to heed the importance of casting a ballot: "I can not see anyone wanting this [downward] spiral to continue and it’s time to hold leaders accountable. "  11.30 Part 2- Marty provides some background about his work with our new sponsor, Canadian Wrestling's Elite. Hear why CWE events are so popular across Manitoba as entertainment, a fundraiser, or a night out, and how to get an event planned for your community.17.50 - The broadcast media didn't notice this, but we did: The mayoral debate on CBC spurred Marion Willis to refute a remark she saw Scott Gillingham make asserting he had funded St. Boniface Street Links.She added:"The decisions made by the current Mayor and Council havesignificantly contributed to the state of homelessness and public safety issues the City now faces."She had more to say the next day: "Kevin Klein was the truth teller." We read both her statements aloud to get it on the record.Then, after a Free Press headline about Gillingham's debate pronouncement about the future of the Portage and Main concourse, critics raised questions about his ignoring the 2018 plebiscite results to keep the corner closed to pedestrians and his evolving explanation about the safety of the underground passageway.Meanwhile, his belated admission the Transit launch was botched gets a hot take from us.30.30- In a fight for his political future, Matt Allard made a late-campaign pledge to hold onto Francophone voters in St. Boniface by promoting extending French language services city-wide. Allard was hoping the English media didn't notice - but we did, and he knows it, because he ignored our question about potential costs when the City is broke.36.48 Part 3- An in-depth review of a Facebook post from retiring Waverley West councillor Janice Lukes. She provided a detailed overview of what's happening in the ward and spills the beans about how federal Liberal policies created a "system overload" that undermined getting civic services to her constituents. "I just want residents to understand – the ‘doors wide open to immigration policy’ had a significant impact oncities, and ultimately in the Waverley West ward." That complicated how the city had approved housing builds in her ward that ran over 50% past the planned rollout pace. Lukes also exposed another key failure in the process: "Managing this rapid growth with an inexperienced developer (Manitoba Housing) has been a significant challenge."We review her comments, and push back on some, but Lukes deserves credit for not only publishing the report, but for allowing comments in response to it. Every council member should distribute a report like this at the end of every year of service. *****Our most recent columns in the Winnipeg Sun-Tribune:Voters can turn the dial back on “unmitigated infill housing” disasterhttps://www.winnipegsun.com/opinion/columnists/voters-can-turn-the-dial-back-on-unmitigated-infill-housing-disaster/article_50c586a0-de53-45c8-89a4-cd96dc5c7133.htmlPublic concerns that didn’t go away, but worsened, during the election campaignhttps://www.winnipegsun.com/opinion/safety-fears-rise-for-families-biking-downtown-amid-drug-use/article_4c521a29-2f67-4526-b09f-62d4407963d4.htmlComing up: The other side of Small Business Week under Scott Gillingham

Episode 41 clears the desk of some correspondence and research that's piled up. Hear what's been said, and needs to be said, in a round-up that's fun weekend listening! Part 1- Dingers: Our columns and podcasts that have garnered big reaction and created important discussions during the civic election. Hear more from readers about unrelenting crime in St. Boniface and their experiences with thefts, assaults, and encampments on the Seine River. 19.40 Part 2- Dingbats: From simply misguided takes to far-left ad hominem attacks on our reporting, the online space can get cluttered by dingbattery. Your favorite podcast host recounts two cases where a public smackdown was in order and delivered with ruthless efficiency and a healthy dash of sarcasm.32.05 Part 3- Dingwall: The loony left have taken a big run at longtime North Kildonan councillor Jeff Browaty in this election. Late-breaking research into unionista Orvi Dingwall revealed an unexpected surprise about her poltiical allegiances.Orvi may have neglected to tell NK voters about the hundreds of financial donations from her to the people who literally trampled our human rights, swung the country's doors open to terrorist-lovers, and cratered the chances of owning a home for young families - Prime Minister Blackface and his trusted deputy, Minister Twitchy.*****This week's columns in the Winnipeg Sun-Tribune: Crime concerns in St. Boniface hit boiling pointas Matt Allard feels the heat Gillingham cornered by audio of Transit’s arrogant anti-business agenda  

A mother of three, Jessica Wiebe has long connections to the Elmwood- East Kildonan ward and in Episode 40 she explains why she entered the election race: "Sometimes you're called for a bigger purpose, and I feel like this is mine. I never thought this would be a direction I'd be going down."7.40 Part 2- Jessica Wiebe says a lot of Elmwood-East Kildonan voters "are just feeling ignored and left out, like our current leaders don't care. There's a lack of compassion and empathy towards everybody now.""Our residents need to know exactly where we're spending tax dollars... I think there's a lack of trust when it comes to certain people spending it." With crime and addictions a top-of-mind ballot issue and social disorder undermining Transit use, Wiebe suggests pro-active neighborhood care be provided through community hubs. She says the new routes and schedules - and bus stops being removed - have harmed seniors and users with disabilities. As councillor, she would fight for service restorations. 23.45- Wiebe cites her background in the addictions and mental health field to substantiate being "really concerned about the direction of Winnipeg and where it's going." Hear her comments about the NDP's safe consumption site, encampments, and seeing "a village" near the Louise Bridge.29.46 Part 3- Jessica Wiebe is an example of a motivated collection of younger candidates who are concerned about the quality of life the city will be able to provide families. A murder down the street from her was a catalyst to entering the world of politics."It's not safe. A lot of families aren't feeling safe anymore just being in their own homes and it's a scary reality for many of us." Wiebe questions the motives of some officials steering public policy, and vows to "flush out the political opportunists."34.35- Ward residents tell her they make calls to 311 "and it doesn't matter what they say, nothing gets done." Back lanes repeatedly flood with no repairs initiated by the City - "where is our money going?" Infill housing "is popping up everywhere ... and people are not happy about it." Issues include crowding, loss of privacy, and construction fatigue. In the campaign, Wiebe keeps hearing about "property thefts, property damage, people that are high, like zombies walking down the street, and there's little kids that are around." Her goal: "A city that we're all proud of." Her pitch to voters of Elmwood-East Kildonan: "We need a powerful voice - someone who is not scared to make the tough decisions that need to be made, whether that goes against the grain or the narrative, and I'm the person that will do that."Find out more about her platform at https://www.jessicawiebeforek.com/*****Read Marty Gold's latest report in the Winnipeg Sun-Tribune:Furby Street turns into “a dumping ground” as requestsfor infill housing ignored