8:30 – Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam issued a warning Friday, saying the new variants of COVID-19 could lead to a massive third wave in infections, despite COVID-19 numbers falling nationwide. Tam cautioned that restrictive public health measures must remain in place in order to avoid a big spike in our new infection rate. Microbiologist Dr. Joseph Blondeau joins Gormley to tell us what the science says about the new COVID variants, and just how concerning they are to the experts.
LIVE: Dr. Joseph Blondeau, clinical microbiologist and head of clinical microbiology at RUH and U of S.
9:00 – The Hour of the Big Stories… Open Session
10:00 – The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, alleging that the travel restrictions requiring air travelers to quarantine at an approved hotel at their own expense. The JCCF says the restrictions are a clear violation of the Charter, though some legal experts have suggested the regulations might stand up against a legal challenge. JCCF President John Carpay joins Gormley to tell us more.
LIVE: John Carpay, President of the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms.
11:00 – Lloyd Sandercock is a Saskatchewan snowbird currently living in Yuma, Arizona along with his wife. Sandercock says they’ve already received the first dose of the Moderna vaccine in a very simple and free process, and are awaiting an appointment for their second immunizations. Although they have a flight home scheduled, Sandercock says he’s not sure whether they’ll take that flight due to the travel restrictions imposed at the Canadian border. While snowbirds and travelers have received criticism for international trips during the pandemic, is that criticism really due to real concerns about public health, or is it simple rooted in envy? Call 1-877-332-8255 and let us know what you think!
LIVE: Lloyd Sandercock, Saskatchewan snowbird in Yuma, AZ.
12:00 – If you’re planning on planting a garden this spring, you might want to start planning sooner rather than later. Demand for gardening supplies and seeds is increasing across the board according to Rick Van Duyvendyk with Dutch Growers. Rick joins Gormley to tell us why there’s such a huge demand for gardening supplies this year, and whether or not suppliers and greenhouses are going to be able to keep up with demand.
LIVE: Rick Van Duyvendyk, Dutch Growers owner/GM.