It’s Your Call With John Mielke

Ontario's Premier is set to announce approval for some privately owned clinics to begin offering surgeries for things like hips, knees, cataracts... The idea being to take some of the burden off of our existing health care infrastructure. No Ontario citizen would pay for this care.   The province would, just as they do now. Yet, countless people hear "private" or "for profit" and insist that this must not happen here. I disagree.   We discuss.   It's YOUR Call. www.itsyourcall.ca

In 3 years you won't be able to buy a gas car from a dealer even if they have it in stock, until they sell a mandated number of electric vehicles first. Now they're coming for your gas stove. Today we ask, "should this not be YOUR choice, not the government's?"    It's YOUR Call - weekdays 2pm ET on www.BlastTheRadio.com - www.itsyourcall.ca

Languages, math, science, geography, history... What are the most basic things you feel every student should be taught before they graduate high school? Could your kids: - Name the Governor General? - Name the PM? - Name your province’s Premier? - How many of the Great Lakes could they name? - Where is Hudson Bay? - In which province or provinces would you find the Rocky Mountains? - Could they name all of the oceans that Canada touches? - Do they know Canada has had a female prime minister?  Could they name her? - Do they know the zipper was invented here?  The caulking gun, the paint roller?   The Robertson screwdriver?  Basketball?  The telephone? - Do they know what signal hill is? www.itsyourcall.ca - live weekdays 2pm ET on www.BlastTheRadio.com

Snow and ice were "too much for us to handle" says OC Transpo's GM. As the public service gets set to return to downtown after an absence of two years, our LRT has been broken down for six days and almost exclusively, no elected official in Ottawa has taken to social media to address it. Today I ask, just what does it take to piss you off citizens of Ottawa?   Do you not expect more from council?  The mayor?  Even after just two months on the job? I do. But... It's  your call.    www.itsyourcall.com

On a list of 23, Ottawa is the only Canadian city listed by CNN as a "must visit" destination! We want to find out what you love most about Ottawa - what would YOU suggest a tourist see? It's Your Call weekdays 2pm ET on www.BlastTheRadio.com

Today we hear some of your memories and experiences of the ice storm, which happened this day in 1998. It's Your Call weekdays 2pm ET on www.BlastTheRadio.com - www.itsyourcall.ca

Within moments of news breaking that Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin was administered CPR during Monday night’s game, the messages on social media quickly assumed that his situation was due to Covid vaccines. It had EVERYTHING to do with blunt force trauma from another player’s helmet hitting him square in the chest at 30 mph.  But some just can't accept that and HAVE to blame it on vaccines. We discuss how we’re each managing those types of posts on our social media feeds. And… and OPP officer killed in the line of duty.   Ambushed by two convicted criminals, both out on bail, both with warrants, and one with an illegally obtained firearm. We want to know what you are doing to insists on changes that impact those who use illegal weapons instead of laws that impact those who acquire weapons legally and for zero ill intent. It’s Your Call - weekdays 2pm ET on www.BlastTheRadio.com / www.itsyourcall.ca

Our listeners share some of their fondest memories of Christmas as a kid... And what they love most about Christmas now. From all of us at BTR and It's Your Call, MERRY CHRISTMAS! We're back on Tuesday.

What has happened in the years since we were kids?   How can 8 teenage girls be out of the house in the middle of the night, and commit murder? We discuss where this horrific story is rooted and what to do with young offenders who are responsible for such heinous crimes. It's Your Call - www.ItsYourCall.ca

Vicky Eatrides is the new Chair and CEO of the CRTC.   Coming from the competition law side of things I'm encouraged by her comments that she wants to put "money back in people’s pockets, ensuring more choice and promoting innovation.” Today we find out what you want to see happen as far as competition and the lowering of prices for things like your home phone, cable tv, internet and cell phone bill. It's Your Call - Live 2pm ET on www.BlastTheRadio.com PHOTO: LinkedIn

It's my daily hunt for common ground, and this topic, for some reason, seems to divide us more often than it should, in my opinion. Drag Queens in the same room as kids. Another protest this past weekend, this time in Brockville ON. You calls and comments today may actually have moved the needle for people on both sides!   I hope you'll have a listen. We're live at 2pm ET on www.BlastTheRadio.com and streaming on Facebook, Youtube, Twitch and Twitter.

Today I found out that some malls are charging as much as $80.00 for your kids to see Santa.   While I understand the expenses involved, and, as a photographer myself, I don't begrudge anyone taking Santa photos an opportunity to make money, is a visit to Santa not a "loss leader" for the mall?   How in the world can a family who are down on their luck afford that?      Also... Why is there an option to visit the Grinch?  And just what the hell is a Spooky Santa?  I'm upset.   What about you?   It's Your Call...

Another celebrity suicide... More people asking "what did he have to be depressed about" which is another reminder that far too many still don't get it. Mental health is more than sadness.  Much, much more.    Today we share some very personal stories and ask what you want people in your circle who may be contemplating hurting themselves to know... And what changes you'd like to see happen in our health care system as it pertains to mental health. www.ItsYourCall.ca

The rumour is out there... That public service workers may be told to return to the office, at least for part of the week. PSAC says their members should have the right to work from home and this is now part of contract negotiations. Today, I wanted to find out from you... Beyond the obvious front line workers (passport office etc) do you care if public service employees are in an office or at home? It's YOUR Call... www.ItsYourCall.ca

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre says almost $421 Million has been lost to fraud this year; up from $383.6 million last year. Today we hear from people who have been scammed, and discuss some of the things to be on the lookout for so that you, hopefully, don’t become one of the growing number of victims. It’s Your Call with John Mielke - weekdays 2pm ET on www.BlastTheRadio.com - show page at www.ItsYourCall.ca

If you came here looking for homogenized, you found the wrong Milkman

Canada’s Food Price report says the average family of four will be paying more than $16,000 for food in 2023.     A single woman in her 40’s will spend $3,740 while a single male in his 40’s will spend $4,168. 20% of Canadians say they will require assistance from food banks in the new year. This is madness.   What are YOU cutting back on in order to keep food the table? It’s Your Call weekdays 2pm ET on www.BlastTheRadio.com - www.ItsYourCall.ca

We were lied to, an unsafe, untested and unread LRT system was launched, the mayor knew, the city manager knew, the builder knew and select councilors knew.   Others were intentionally kept out of the loop. Mark Sutcliffe ran on a promise to get this resolved.    Do you think he can?   Where do we go from here? We talk for an hour on this edition of It's Your Call www.itsyourcall.ca

When is a protest no longer a protest? We ask this today in light of our PM saying he believes Chinese citizens should have the right to protest, while many in Canada feel that the right to protest was taken away when he invoked the Emergency Measures Act. It's my search for common ground... And it's your call. Join me live on www.BlastTheRadio.com weekdays at 2pm ET

An access to information report from CTV reveals that Canadians spend an average of $54.75 Million per year for the monarchy. Their report also details the expenses we, the taxpayers, incurred for this summers visit of, then, Prince Charles and Camilla… It’s $1 million more than their last visit in 2017. At the end of the day, the cost to each Canadian to maintain the monarchy in Canada, including the Governor General, is $1.55 Is that worth it to you?    It’s your call!