Breezy Breakfast Radio Hour

Episode 212: Food Security, Tariffs, Survival

Food insecurity represents an uncomfortable reality for a growing number of residents in the City of Guelph.

Rising food prices lead to inevitable changes:  less fresh food and more processed food available, and fewer foodstuffs consumed overall.
This week, we hear from three local groups supporting food security in the Royal City.

Our guests are:

Barb McPhee from the North End Harvest Market,

Dr. Janet Wood of the Chalmers Centre,

Greg Kennedy outlines the value of the Ignatius Centre:  food for the body and soul.

The Breezy Breakfast Radio Hour is broadcast Mondays at 9AM on CFRU 93.3 FM.
Major props to the talent at CFRU for making us sound great.
Listen to our podcast on Spotify and Podbean.
Find us on Facebook at Breezy Breakfast.
@Breezy Bullhorn marks the spot on X.
Join us in person 8 AM on Thursdays at DeBar (105 Wyndham St. N.)

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Breezy Breakfast:  healthy dialogues over healthy breakfasts.

Episode 211: Ontario's Oversalted Streets

March comes in like a lion at Breezy Breakfast.

Ontario uses over 2 million tonnes of salt every winter.  This excessive amount of salt has many deleterious effects on rivers, wetlands, infrastructure, and groundwater aquifers.

Dani Lindamood and Karen Rathwell - members of the Ontario Salt Pollution Coalition - explain the harmful effects of over-salting and the need for provincial legislation to reduce the amount of salt used during Ontario winters.

Among other topics, we discuss the astronomical insurance premiums paid by independent snow and ice removal contractors, public safety issues, and the long-term effects of salt on watersheds.

The Breezy Breakfast Radio Hour is broadcast Mondays at 9AM on CFRU 93.3 FM.
Major props to the talent at CFRU for making us sound great.
Listen to our podcast on Spotify and Podbean.
Find us on Facebook at Breezy Breakfast.
@Breezy Bullhorn marks the spot on X.
Sign up here to receive our newsletters.
Join us in person 8 AM on Thursdays at DeBar (105 Wyndham St. N.)

Breezy Breakfast:  where our guests are always worth their salt.

 

Episode 210: History of the Ontario Reformatory

The Ontario Reformatory was built on 1,000 acres of farmland along the Eramosa River and was a self-sufficient prison farm.

Heritage advocate P. Brian Skerrett describes the compelling and complex history of the Ontario Reformatory.

The Breezy Breakfast Radio Hour is broadcast Mondays at 9AM on CFRU 93.3 FM.
Major props to the talent at CFRU for making us sound great.
Listen to our podcast on Spotify and Podbean.
Find us on Facebook at Breezy Breakfast.
@Breezy Bullhorn marks the spot on X.
Sign up here to receive our newsletters.
Join us in person 8 AM on Thursdays at DeBar (105 Wyndham St. N.)

Breezy Breakfast:  where you can start your day with some hot coffee and local history.

 

Episode 209: Provincial Election, Local Community

Today it was standing room only at Breezy Breakfast!

It's election time in Ontario - the first winter election since 1886!  Well, except for in 1980, when the election was held on March 19th...

What do voters in Guelph need to know about this election? We recently heard from MPP and Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner, but this week we hear from Adam Donaldson, local political gadfly, who ponders on what this election means for Canada, Ontario, and Guelph.

Zooming in to the local level, we meet local business owner Matthew Forbes.

"La Poche" is a bar, barbershop, and co-working space.  It got flooded with water before being flooded with support through a GoFundMe page.  Matt expresses his views on community engagement and what makes Guelph so great.

The Breezy Breakfast Radio Hour is broadcast Mondays at 9AM on CFRU 93.3 FM.
Major props to the talent at CFRU for making us sound great.
Listen to our podcast on Spotify and Podbean.
Find us on Facebook at Breezy Breakfast.
@Breezy Bullhorn marks the spot on X.
Sign up here to receive our newsletters.
Join us in person 8 AM on Thursdays at DeBar (105 Wyndham St. N.)

Breezy Breakfast:  where the coffee is as hot as the conversations, and voting is on the menu.

Episode 208: Bill 212 and Bike Lanes

In November 2024, Bill 212 - Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act - was passed in Ontario.

In essence, this bill prioritizes vehicular traffic and the building of highways over all other considerations.  Highway 413 will be fast-tracked, municipalities will need to ask permission to replace vehicular lanes with bike lanes, and three existing bike lanes in Toronto will go back to cars.

 

Will this bill reduce gridlock?

What are the costs of implementing this bill?

 

Guests:

Mike Marcolongo of Environmental Defence

Alison Stewart of Cycle Toronto

Mike Darmon of GCAT (Guelph Coalition for Active Transport)

 

The Breezy Breakfast Radio Hour is broadcast Mondays at 9AM on CFRU 93.3FM.
Major props to the talent at CFRU for making us sound great.
Listen to our podcast on Spotify and Podbean.
Find us on Facebook at Breezy Breakfast.
@Breezy Bullhorn marks the spot on X.
Sign up here to receive our newsletters.
Join us in person 8 AM on Thursdays at DeBar (105 Wyndham St. N.)

Breezy Breakfast:  Where a warm breeze of public engagement keeps the coffee and passions hot.

Episode 207: Accessibility in the Arts

We covered accessibility in recreation a few weeks ago, but what about in the arts?

This week we highlight two organizations committed to arts accessibility in Guelph.

Michelle Peek from Art not Shame explains the importance of accessible spaces for all.  Everything from air quality to bariatric toilets helps to ensure that talented people of different abilities can create in a welcoming space.

Ashley Ferraro Kizis from Kidunified shares her passion to provide a space for all children.  Inclusivity involves accommodations for kids with autism, quadriplegia, and everything in between.

Several audience members share their experiences and perspectives on accessibility.

The Breezy Breakfast Radio Hour is broadcast Mondays at 9AM on CFRU 93.3FM.
Major props to the talent at CFRU for making us sound great.
Listen to our podcast on Spotify and Podbean.
Find us on Facebook at Breezy Breakfast.
@Breezy Bullhorn marks the spot on X.
Sign up here to receive our newsletters.

Breezy Breakfast:  Live every Thursday at 8 am at DEBAR, 105 Wyndham St. N. Guelph.

Where Guelph gets hot news with a hot breakfast.

 

Episode 206: Queen's Park Update with MPP Mike Schreiner

Happy New Year!  In our first show of 2025, Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner gives us an update from Queen's Park.

We also pay tribute to Kate Nixon who passed suddenly at too young of an age.  Kate was a tireless advocate for vulnerable and marginalized populations living near the Guelph downtown core.  The legacy of her passion lives on in Your Downtown Guelph Friends, the group she founded to support her neighbours rooted in love and dignity. 

The Breezy Breakfast Radio Hour is broadcast Mondays at 9AM on CFRU 93.3FM.
Major props to the talent at CFRU for making us sound great.
Listen to our podcast on Spotify and Podbean.
Find us on Facebook at Breezy Breakfast.
@Breezy Bullhorn marks the spot on X.
Sign up here to receive our newsletters.

Breezy Breakfast:  Live every Thursday at 8 am at DEBAR, 105 Wyndham St. N. Guelph.

Where you hear the news first.  That's not conjecture, that's a fact!

Episode 205: Making Change in Guelph

Today's Breezy Breakfast topic is a bit of a play on words.  Our guests represent groups that are dedicated to making positive changes in the communities they serve.  Alas, these groups rely heavily on donations:  fundraising isn't the easiest way to make ¢hange.

Cindy Kinnon of Community Living Guelph Wellington outlines the barriers faced by those with special needs in Guelph.  Underfunding has led to staffing being held at two thirds of what is needed.

Kevin Coghill shines a light on how the Royal City Mission assists those on limited incomes via food programs, storage lockers, and even a rudimentary banking system for those without bank accounts.

Linda Busuttil from the West Village Cooperative addresses the challenges in offering full services to New Canadians and others who are on limited incomes.  This Co-op has created the largest urban farm garden in Guelph.

Crystle Avery describes the difficulties encountered by the Chalmers Centre in providing fresh food to their clientele.

The Breezy Breakfast Radio Hour is broadcast Mondays at 9AM on CFRU 93.3FM.
Major props to the talent at CFRU for making us sound great.
Listen to our podcast on Spotify and Podbean.
Find us on Facebook at Breezy Breakfast.
@Breezy Bullhorn marks the spot on X.
Sign up here to receive our newsletters.

Breezy Breakfast:  Live every Thursday at 8 am; back in 2025 on January 9 at DEBAR, 105 Wyndham St. N. Guelph.

Where the smiles are warm, the coffee piping hot and the opinions "steaming!"

Episode 204: Accessible Athletics in Guelph

This week on Breezy Breakfast, we hear from gold medalist Giovanni DeSero who is the Head Coach of the Royal City Boccia Rollers, a new program coming in 2025.

We explore the world of disabled athletics and hear local perspectives from members of Guelph's disabled community.  What does the city already offer by way of accessible recreation?

Giovanni and Mike Ashkewe also give us the scoop on the good, the bad, and the ugly regarding accessibility in Guelph.

Mike Ashkewe is a Indigenous content creator and disability advocate.

The Breezy Breakfast Radio Hour is broadcast Mondays at 9AM on CFRU 93.3FM.
Major props to the talent at CFRU for making us sound great.
Listen to our podcast on Spotify and Podbean.
Find us on Facebook at Breezy Breakfast.
@Breezy Bullhorn marks the spot on X.
Sign up here to receive our newsletters.

Breezy Breakfast:  Biscotti, Bacon, and Banter - Bright and Early!

Episode 203: Royal City Science

Today we're talking science with Dr. Joanne O'Meara, a Physics professor at the University of Guelph and co-founder of Royal City Science (RCS).

Through a variety of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) pop-up events in and around Guelph, RCS aims to ignite curiosity, build confidence, and inspire the inner scientist in us all.

The ultimate goal is to create a state-of-the-art facility for informal science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.

Dr. O'Meara gives us an update on the what, where, when, how, and why of the Royal City Science Centre.

With its growing population, Ontario is ready for a third Science Centre.  Would Puslinch be a good location?

The Breezy Breakfast Radio Hour is broadcast Mondays at 9AM on CFRU 93.3FM.
Major props to the talent at CFRU for making us sound great.
Listen to our podcast on Spotify and Podbean.
Find us on Facebook at Breezy Breakfast.
@Breezy Bullhorn marks the spot on X.
Sign up here to receive our newsletters.

Special thanks to the good people at DeBar, located at 105 Wyndham Street North in beautiful downtown Guelph.

Breezy Breakfast:  where curious people learn about topics that are as hot and sizzling as the coffee and bacon.