The Great Canadian Talk Show

Last Thursday, Premier Wab Kinew told the media his promise to open a safe consumption site was going to be fulfilled next month. But based on the comments given at a panel discussion on May 12th, it's apparent the police chief and SCS "medical facility" operators at 366 Henry aren't prepared. In Episode 22, listeners will hear what top cop Gene Bowers and Monica Cyr of the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre said- and can decide if it stands up to scrutiny. Part 1- With the announcement an SCS is going to open before July 1st, it's important for the community to hear what was recently said by the officials responsible to mitigate safety concerns. You will first hear police chief Bowers make introductory remarks. 12.12 - Bowers is asked by panel moderator Derek Finkle of the National Post about how the WPS will deal with drug dealers near the site, referencing a now-shuttered Toronto site where a mother was murdered by a drug dealer. Police there were pressured by the "harm reduction" lobby to ease up on arresting dealers.20.05- Marty assesses the comments of Bowers and his assurance "we act" and that people's concerns are heard - yet, there's still no policing plan the North Logan neighbourhood can evaluate. Our question: What is the plan to deal with addicts showing up early or lingering outside of business hours? We recap examples where there was no action for residents and business owners in Point Douglas, the East Exchange, and Mynarski who've been confronted with crime and disorder. 30.18 Part 2- A question was posed by Finkle for the CEO of Aborginal Health and Wellness Centre, Monica Cyr.He cited the TOSCA study that demonstrated that addicts would not travel more than a few blocks after buying drugs to go to a "safe site" to get high. How can AHWC tell the community that drug dealers will be prevented from descending on the neighbourhood?Cyr spoke of "security" being contracted that has no authority to enforce laws, and of "eyes and ears" among harm reduction allies, but didn't mention that many of them are anti-policing and lobby for drug decriminalization.Marty raises those and a few other points about the slack AHWC approach to what safety means for affected businesses and families, and probes Cyr's reliance on a 'peer group' of other drug addicts to liase with her target clientele.******Check out our latest columns in the Winnipeg Sun-Winnipeg encampment policy failing as tents return to river banksVoters may want to quiz city councillors over ward expenses****Our Season Seven Funding Drive is now at $865.00- join the donors who are helping us stay on the beat by donating via https://actionline.ca/2024/02/donate-2/

May 12th will mark the opening of the horse racing season at Assiniboia Downs, and in Episode 20 we speak with a perennial front-runner in the win column, jockey Antonio Whitehall!Part 1 has an overview of the kick-off luncheon, the notable attendees, and the remarks of the CEO of ASD, Darren Dunn. With the 69th season of live racing scheduled to open on Tuesday evening with the Don Gray Memorial, the new season is building on record-setting wagering and the best attendance in a decade in 2025, with both the excitement of the races and promotions like Family Fun Night drawing enthusiastic crowds of all ages.A key aspect of the evolution of the track has been scheduling race nights to Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, with six Mondays also on tap this year. That move eliminated the problem of competing for attendance with other sports and community events and “lake life” on the weekends, and ASD has grown their customer base substantially.Owned by the non-profit Manitoba Jockey Club since 1993, the importance of ASD to Manitoba’s economic sector includes, on the agriculture side, support for the stables with breeding and training, grooms and exercise riders, feed and equipment. In terms of staging the races and events, the facility employs hundreds of people as service personnel, chefs, cooks, security and at the betting windows. ASD also provides substantial support to local charities and causes.The revitalization of the facility has been achieved through a joint partnership with Peguis First Nation, and CEO Darren Dunn says it all reflects on how the Downs “is part of the cultural fabric of the community since 1958- and we’re very proud of that.” Their pride is also reflected in the race results as over the past 17 years, “thirteen of the annual leading trainers have been of indigenous heritage.”9.58 Part 2- Antonio Whitehall is an engaging and personable athlete who truly loves his work and the fans of the King of Sports.Since arriving at ASD in 2016 from Barbados, he has become a dominant rider with three titles as top jockey and is in demand at other tracks. He’s been in the money (top three spots) with over 50% of his mounts and has earned $5.6 million for the horse owners.Whitehall cites his relationship with the trainers as an important factor in his success.“We get along pretty good because I’m a hard worker. I go out there every morning and work out the horse and give them honest feedback. They trust me with their horses and I’m grateful and thankful for the opportunity. It’s like I was meant to be here.”He talks with Marty Gold about his background in Barbados, his accomplishments and "dream year" in 2020, and the great owners, trainers, stablehands and staff who come together to make ASD a model venue for the athletes, owners and fans.“They come here, they feel safe here, it’s friendly, free admission… it’s a beautiful place to come out in the evening, enjoy your time, place a few bets, watch the horses go around. It’s a beautiful place to be, the atmosphere, the staff are phenomenal.” Whitehall enjoys meeting with the fans, mentioning giving kids goggles and posing for photos. “I do it for the game, for the love of the sport- and for the love of Assiniboia Downs.”The conversation takes a turn as the subject of this year's Kentucky Derby and the tremendous run down the stretch by the winning horse, Golden Tempo, is discussed.Among the highlights of the season will be the 50th running of the Golden Boy Stakes and the marquee event, the 2026 Manitoba Derby on Monday, August 3rd. With the on-site food and games, the spectacle of competition, and the potential of picking a winning ticket, there’s never been a better time to Do the Downs than this year. For more on ASD, here is today's column by Scott Taylor in the Winnipeg Sun.***** To support our reporting of public affairs and about the community, email martygoldlive@gmail.com

April ends with controversy at City Hall - Episode 18 reviews two stories that's put the pressure on council. In one case, Salisbury House being sidelined on a longstanding contract for a pair of golf courses; in the other, inaction by the city has put a venerable community and Metis heritage site at risk of erasure. Part 1- Marty briefly touches on his attendance at the 2026 Retail Crime Prevention Conference at X-Cues Event Centre and the comments of "harm reduction" workers to the audience, and then on his most recent Winnipeg Sun columns.- You'll be seeing some public relations posts online by Sunshine House, which operate a MOPS (mobile drug use enabling) van. This week, the violence around their service locations, and the way they acquired federal drug site exemption, are under the microscope. Read why - Sisler High School in the North End has earned praise for building a powerhouse in Reach For The Top competitions, winning the Manitoba senior high championship this year.9.40 Part 2- Kelly Ryback is one of the best friends taxpayers have when it comes to monitoring spending and best practices by City Council. He joins TGCTS to review his findings on two important files. The decision to accept a bid from American-owned Aramark to provide food and beverage services at Windsor Park and Kildonan golf courses came at the expense of longtime provider 'Sals'. Ryback says his research shows it's also coming at the expense of local golfers, with far higher pricing than the Winnipeg-owned and operated restaurant chain. The city giving only ten days notice of the change added to concerns about what was in play with the deal- such as revenue sharing or other considerations. Ryback goes through the operational aspects typically considered in such RFP bids, and the political fallout for Mayor Gillingham and other councillors. Even though many on Council have said they aren't happy that bureaucrats claim Sals didn't make the cut, they could be carrying the bag when 'Canada first' voters cast their ballots in October.30.40 Part 3- Kelly Ryback has been involved with the historic Grant's Old Mill on west Portage Avenue for years. Hear him explain the work he and other community volunteers have done to keep it going and raise funds - and provincial government funding commitments - to maintain and improve the facility. As the city dawdled and reversed course on committing annual budget funding, the window to fix the building passed by and it's now been declared beyond repair. Winnipeg Sun: City hall failure shuts historic Winnipeg MillRyback says that area Councillor Shawn Dobson has only attended half of one board meeting in 2 1/2 years, and his failure to meet with advocates and support the project and help meet required deadlines risked the provincial money, and has contributed to the current crisis. Ryback says the Mayor knew about Dobson's flippant attitude and said he'd speak with the St. James councilman. Ryback and Marty discuss the background of the mill site, the legend of Cuthbert Grant starting agricultural commerce in the region, and his standing as a Metis leader.49.52- “Is this now an election issue in St James- Assinboia?”“Yes it is.”Ryback, who was a candidate for the ward seat in 2022, gives an overview of the community affected, the role of former Premier Ed Schreyer whose administration funded the mill as a Winnipeg Centennial Project in 1974, and the role the Manitoba Metis Federation can play. However, unless the chips fall into place and includes sufficient city funding beyond the rebuild for park enhancements and other equipment, Grant's Old Mill may not be open to the public until 2031. Ryback says that’s not acceptable.****TGCTS is Winnipeg's only Public Affairs podcast. This work and our reports in the Winnipeg Sun are made possible thanks to the financial support of listeners and readers. No federal funding is requested or accepted. To contribute, please email martygoldlive@gmail.com

In Episode 16, you'll hear our conversation with Harold "Mr. Bones" Brazil discussing why he is looking at returning to his north end roots and vying to become a city councillor. Part 1- Listeners are brought up to date on the latest ground breaking columns from Marty in the Winnipeg Sun:NDP floats “better health care” and “lower costs” slogans to the masses Asagwara swamped by multiple disasters in health careCity encampment policy failing to protect neighborhood residents 9.44 Part 2- He's "98% sure" he's going to put his name on the ballot in the October election. But first, Harold Brazil wants to gauge public opinion about the issues and public support for a political outsider taking on 16 year Mynarski representative Ross Eadie. With varied careers including starting the Mr. Bones Pizza franchise, becoming an emergency room nurse, and more recently working as a realtor, Brazil has always been an optimist, as well as a hustler. Coming from the Lord Selkirk housing projects, as a kid he collected beer bottles with his wagon to cash in. But the decline of the area troubles him:"I would not let my 9 year old walk that area now, it's not safe... people do not feel safe in Mynarski and the North End and I would like to bring back safety."He says problems with Transit, potholes, snow removal on sidewalks, and community parks are being raised by people urging him to stand for election. Also, how "we have not taken care of downtown." 26.22 Part 3- Brazil talks about the marketing successes of Mr. Bones Pizza in the 90's, and admits that their business model would be challenged nowadays by safety concerns for their delivery drivers and store staff. He also speaks about his experiences as an ER nurse.33.40- Brazil explains that city council's failure to deal with public disorder and arson is undercutting the investment of longtime homeowners in Winnipeg neighborhoods. "The closer you get to downtown, it gets harder to sell and these houses are on the market for 30 days or more."Hear him describe how private mortgage lenders are redlining certain areas of the city, including the North End near St. John's Park. They won't finance a home purchase, "even with a 35% down payment."40.35- Harold Brazil reflects on the fight he had in the 1990's against the Manitoba Telephone System hiking prices on small businesses- and how Peter Warren of CJOB took up the cause. The publicity helped force MTS to back down within 3 weeks. "I helped save Manitoba businesses hundreds of thousands of dollars. As a 22 year old, I went against the big corporate, and I'll do the same thing for my ward when it's time. I think they need a fresh new energy... to try to make change." He can be reached through his Facebook page- https://www.facebook.com/harold.brazil.bones***** With a civic election coming in six months, we are asking listeners of the TGCTS Podcast and readers of our columns in the Winnipeg Sun to support this independent reporting and help us meet our operating costs.* The Season Seven Support campaign has a target of $7500 - there is no funding from government solicited or accepted! The support of the public, and not public funding, is the key to maintaining our presence in the local media market.* Every donation, whether by E-transfer, PayPal or other means, keeps us on the beat, on the road, and keeps us online making sure the hidden facts are published, important questions are asked, and answers pursued. For more information, please email martygoldlive@gmail.com

Episode 13 looks at the details behind the announcement from Point Douglas Councillor Vivian Santos that she's turned thumbs down on Premier Wab Kinew's plan to open a drug consumption site in her ward.Part 1- A funny thing happened on the way towriting the Sunday column for the Winnipeg Sun.Somehow, City Hall failed to put the first few hours oflast week's council meeting online. That meant we couldn't follow up on our bike lobby report yet. While waiting for Speaker Devi Sharma to find out what happened, an email arrived that had been sent by Vivian Santos to stakeholders in the Point Douglas ward about the NDP's proposed safe consumption facility.First, you'll hear a ringing endorsement from a longtimejournalist and political insider about our work covering the SCS issue - and how we've asked some very significant questions and held the government to account. 14.11 Part 2- The press release by Coun. Vivian Santos was sent so late on Friday, and the lede buried so deep, none of the broadcast newsrooms recognized the big news: there's now a deep rift in the "harm reduction" movement. As we reported in the Winnipeg Sun⁠:“Minister Smith and I both represent Point Douglas, and I know she cares deeply about this community and the people we serve. While we share that commitment, do not agree with this particular path forward and, at this time, I do not support opening a permanent supervised consumption site at 366 Henry Avenue.”16.46- Listeners will hear the press release, the cover letter Santos sent to residents and business owners after 5 pm onFriday, and the 851 word statement explaining why she now shares with theneighborhood 's fears of being overwhelmed. However, she also raised questions for Kinew about considering better consultations and a more well-rounded approach to addiction treatment. 29.43- Santos also shut the door on answeringany further questions. Hear what has gone on behind the scenes.We have details of the repeated emails from concernedresidents that have been sent to Santos, city council, Kinew, Smith, federal officials including area MP Leah Gazan, and public servants, seeking meetings to clarify their positions and ways that addictions programs can advance at less costs and with better results.****The mandate of ActionLine.ca is to carry on the hard-nosed, ask tough questions approach pioneered on Winnipeg radio by Peter Warren.We receive NO government funding for our work holding governments, institutions and the legacy media accountable.When you contribute to our Season Seven Support campaign, those funds go to paying for web hosting, back-end and technical support, transportation and other costs that are incurred in our investigations and analysis of public affairs.To make a donation, or to advertise on our podcast, please email martygoldlive@gmail.com

Wab Kinew gulped hard after he read our three exclusive reports in the Winnipeg Sun (here, here and here) about planning documents filed with Health Canada for his promised safe consumption site, and on Monday he backed down. "I have realized that I want this thing to be done right, I don't want it to be done quickly.”Well then... what should be done about the Free Press pundit who demanded it be done quickly regardless of whether it was done right?Episode 12 Part 1 - A brief update for concerned listeners on a recent health issue that for now, won't be affecting our ongoing reporting in the Sun and on the podcast7.00 Part 2- On December 17th, Winnipeg Free Press Dan Lett columnist complained:"At a consultation this week, (Addictions Minister Bernadette) Smith was once again bombarded with allegations that her plan for a supervised consumption site is not fully fleshed out... Allegations that “your plan is not a real plan” is a convenient line of attack." Ninety days later, on March 16th, Canadian Press reported: "The Manitoba government is walking back comments that asupervised drug consumption site could open soon, with Premier Wab Kinew saying the province is taking some time to get things right... It could take months for a networkof services to be set up, he said..."So... the critics of the SCS plan who live in Winnipeg were right, and "harm reduction" champion Dan Lett who lives in Ontario was wrong. How inconvenient.Hear why Dan Lett now owes those people an apology.Listen to a review of Lett's December column and how completely unhinged his comments now appear to be, after Kinew has echoed neighborhood stakeholder concerns about how the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre intended to run the drug user facility without proper oversight by Bernadette Smith. ******Here is our latest column with an analysis of Kinew's comments about why he's stalling on opening the SCS:https://www.winnipegsun.com/opinion/columnists/fumbling-ndp-fails-in-safe-consumption-site-rollout/article_628425ac-86e0-4c7b-87d3-186c6af63960.html*****A former Winnipeg School trustee posted: "Is Marty the only media person who has been able to shape this provincial government this much JUST by exposing the truth?"Among the list of successes:1. Plan20-50 abandoned2. Homeless encampments finally being removed3. Safe consumption site drydockedWE ARE YOUR VOICE!Help keep our work on schedule in 2026 by contributing to the Season 7 Support Fund - with $275.00 collected towards a target of $7500. Email martygoldlive@gmail.com for information on how to make a donation.

Episode 10 addresses a CBC report about Premier Wab Kinew claiming the province had no idea - for months- that his government didn't need to wait for federal approval to open a safe consumption site.Part 1- A brief review of the latest columns from Marty Gold in the Winnipeg Sun, which include:Downtown BIZ survey exposes city’s Transit woes; Bad news that Gillingham and Lukes can’t spinWinnipeg Metropolitan Region membership meltdown; Sinking ship has lost more members than it now has aboardSecret SCS files raise safety alarms; NDP’s consumption site plan lets minors in and lets impaired drivers leave20.16 Part 2- Last Thursday, CBC Manitoba reported: "Premier Wab Kinew says the province has learned it no longer needs Health Canada approval to open a supervisedconsumption site under the "urgent public health needs" stream.”Anchor Brittany Greenslade: “So Ian, what changed?"Reporter Ian Froese: “It’s not exactly clear, Brittany.”Despite CBC having an enormous taxpayer-funded budget, thousands of journalists, hundreds of producers and dozens of researchers, they couldn't be bothered to even look into if and how Wab Kinew was duping them.We explain how, and why it's impossible to believe that the NDP government didn't know until last week.Get the details about how the application for the Henry Avenue site was filed under a different drug law exemption clause under Section 56 of the federal legislation than the abandoned Disraeli Freeway proposal. Even if Kinew didn't realize it (unlikely), then his Addictions Minister Bernadette Smith should have. Then again, as our Sun report about the 311 page Access To Information file released by Health Canada showed, she and officials from the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre repeatedly claimed no one had ever died at an SCS in Canada- yet the application for the Disraeli site specifically admitted a death had occurred. Does Smith not read the material she promotes, or does she just have a problem telling the truth to the public when it comes to her pet project?You'll hear an explanation of the differences between applying for a Sec. 56.1 exemption and a Sec. 56 (1) exemption, which is an "urgent public health need service" provision. That's the reason why CBC is confused- and should be admonished for failing to try to figure out the game the NDP is playing. A key difference is that under the UPHNS rules is that Bernadette Smith would not be responsible to the feds for the operation of the Henry site- it would be a name that has not been mentioned once by Kinew or Smith. Was the NDP trying to shield their embattled Health Minister from public and media scrutiny by keeping the name of Uzoma Asagwara out of their SCS narratives? Because it's Asagwara who will have to defend the policies of allowing children to use drugs at the site and allowing drivers to get their fix and leave. *****Unlike CBC, we don’t get taxpayer subsidies or anygovernment funding. When listeners and readers contribute to the Season 7Support Fund, that keeps the bills paid, the lights on and the investigations moving forward. AND WE GET RESULTS!To make a contribution by E-transfer, cheque, cash orother means – or to sponsor TGCTS podcasts – please emailMartygoldlive@gmail.com

We've led the way in reporting the NDP's attempts to impose a "safe consumption" facility in Winnipeg - and the questions posed by residents to City Council about its responsibility to address concerns about public safety in the targetted neighborhoods. In Episode 8, Transcona councillor Russ Wyatt provides his views on Council's role, the shortcomings of the Province's 'harm reduction' approach, and why City officials are obliged to step into the fray and not turn away.5.44 Part 2- With personal, lived experience with addiction and recovery, Russ Wyatt didn't hesitate to agree that Winnipeg council has to ask the NDP government to specifically exclude youth under 18 from utilizing the SCS proposed for 366 Henry Avenue. (See- NDP under fire for allowing minors at drug consumption site)He addresses the broader issues about overall government policy- "when it comes to mental health and addiction, you might as well call us Mississippi Manitoba, because we're not only one of the poorest provinces in Confederation today, when it comes to health care, it seems we're kind of the most backward as well."Wyatt believes that the Wab Kinew government needs to look towards the model implemented in Alberta, that prioritizes prevention, detox facilities, rural healing centres, court-ordered rehabilitation and private-sector participation. "You put a plan in place for the over-all healing to start." He criticizes the layout of the sobering centre on Disraeli and says the addictions file "should almost be taken away from Shared Health" because that bureaucracy has an "ass-backwards" approach to mental health, with addicts seeking help facing long waits to get into recovery programs. 19.40 Part 3- Coun. Wyatt sees similarities between the NDP's intention to drop a drug user site into North Logan/Point Douglas, and the controversy 20 years ago about a plan for a hog processing plant in his Transcona ward. In the present day, he's concerned that city planners aren't doing their job and are "more concerned about how to establish a bike path or how to take Graham Avenue out of circulation for downtown traffic."Wyatt calls for intervenor funding for the neighborhood groups "to research and double-check our facts and bring their own experts to the table" and there should be a hearing process. "Zoning has fallen behind but that doesn't prevent the area councillor (Vivian Santos) to start moving motions and raising the issue" instead of "leaving it at the Province... she can get a legal opinion on behalf of the residents to challenge that.""There's nothing preventing a member of Executive Policy Committee like Vivian Santos, or the Mayor, from sending this off to the Director of Planning Hazel Borys and asking her to look into this ... they're not blind to what's happening out in the community right now, they can read the same newspapers I'm reading."Wyatt added that "there's nothing preventing the residents also from approaching the public service and saying "where are you professionally on this issue. You're the ones who are supposed to be looking over the whole zoning regimen of the city."""It comes down to political courage and the willingness to represent your community," Wyatt asserts. "I think the resident's concerns are legitimate, that they should be taken seriously, and the local representatives - at every level of government - should be working with them to address their concerns."****Today in the Winnipeg Sun - Coun. Russ Wyatt says that Mayor Gillingham and EPC iced a proposed bylaw to restrict protest demonstrations that harass community groups and facilities "to save their own skin."https://www.winnipegsun.com/opinion/gold-wyatt-accuses-epc-of-self-preservation-in-by-law-vote/article_6950e52b-8241-49cb-9ad5-ec207e527c63.html

Our friend Peter Young, who made his mark in education, in local and network broadcasting, and in sports management across multiple leagues, passed away on Feb. 2nd after a courageous fight against cancer. In Episode 6 we discuss our tribute column in the Winnipeg Sun, tell a few stories that couldn't fit into the newspaper, and reflect on the great friend and mentor he was and his role in Winnipeg's sports scene. He was a product of a freewheeling era, encountering legendary world famous characters almost every day. 21.16 Part 2- You'll hear an audio excerpt from our interview with Peter conducted 3 years ago about Bobby Hull. The full interview can be found at this link - https://actionline.ca/2023/02/feb-5-2023-the-impact-of-bobby-hull-on-winnipeg-in-the-1970s-with-guest-peter-young/******To support our reporting, investigations and analysis, via PayPal, E-transfer or other methods including advertising, please email martygoldlive@gmail.com

The controversies surrounding the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region board continued this week after a sixth rural municipality, Springfield, voted to depart the group. In Episode 4, Councillor Mark Miller elaborates on their reasons, which echoed complaints that derailed the WMR's previous Plan20-50 development blueprint.This interview supplements our column in today's Winnipeg Sun - RM of Springfield exits WMR6.10 Part 2- Ward 3 councillor Mark Miller describes the district of 16,000 residents which includes the towns of Oakbank, Dugald and Anola. It's a rural setting east of Winnipeg with many commuting to the city for work and appointments. He explains how Plan20-50 was set up to allow Winnipeg to "dominate" development planning with a veto that undermines local autonomy. After being ordered back to the drawing board, that hasn't changed."We can breathe a sigh of relief to get out of this bad situation," Miller says, calling it "a horrendous horrible exercise" that cost his RM over $130K. While WMR defenders smeared opposition concerns, "It wasn't misinformation - you were providing accurate information... they did not consult. I'm thankful you were on top of this from Day One."He actually attended to the single Plan20-50 open house the WMR staged in Winnipeg in 2024, held on a weekday when "most of us are working stiffs" and couldn't go."I was disgusted, " Miller states. "They weren't catering to the citizen who is most affected in the rural municipalities... maybe it was strategy that they don't want the public to be involved" 23.23 Part 3- While Springfield will go back to the residents before any vote to re-join the WMR, residents of Winnipeg have had no say whatsoever on remaining in the organization, let alone be able to find out if taxpayers are getting value for their dollars."The hemorrhaging is continuing, and there could probably be more," Miller predicts, as other RMs determine "there's nothing for us. "27.10- The schedule for preparing a new regional plan runs concurrent to the fall municipal elections, which Miller agrees means support for the WMR can become an campaign issue.- "If our Mayor runs that he is for it, I can assure you his vote count will go way down because our residents don't want it. "- "The whole process was flawed and continues to be flawed if they don't consult with the public directly... it isn't an expensive exercise, don't tell me it's too expensive."- "I will not vote for anything that allows the City of Winnipeg to have veto power."At the council meeting before the vote, Mayor Patrick Therrien revealed “The City of Winnipeg will be looking to expand its boundaries in the very near future." Miller asks, "Does he know something we don't?... if that's the case are they just going to take parts of West St. Paul and Springfield and MacDonald or Headingley?... If that's their subtle agenda then we ought to be really cautious about this."*****OUR RECENT COLUMNS IN THE WINNIPEG SUNTop cop silent on drug siteExcuses for ridership decline fails to fool Transit usersTO DONATE TO THE SEASON 7 FUNDING DRIVE, EMAIL MARTYGOLDLIVE@GMAIL.COM

We kick-off Season 7 with a review of the most-listened to podcasts we produced in 2025. Four of the top 10 aired last January which gave TGCTS a strong start to the season, and overall five of the top 10 featured our exclusive interviews with newsmakers!In Part 1 you'll hear which episodes didn't make the top 20 but led the months of May, June, October and December. 11.25 Part 2- Numbers 10 through 20 are discussed - which included 3 episodes about NDP cabinet ministers, 2 about safe consumption site consultations, and our federal election coverage launch.30.33 - You'll hear a countdown from Number 9 to the most popular episode of Season 6 - which may surprise you as it did us. Among the names and topics that helped drive listener interest in the chart-toppers include Dan Lett and Tom Brodbeck of the Winnipeg Free Press, Coun. Jeff Browaty, Police chief Gene Bowers, Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine (x2), and three were interviews with political candidates. A special mention goes to our tribute to our friend entitled 'About Joanne Cochrane, and other things' which finished in second place.****Read our latest column in the Winnipeg Sun- It’s time to throttle Iran-influenced demonstrations https://www.winnipegsun.com/opinion/gold-it-s-time-to-throttle-iran-influenced-demonstrations/article_cb4d6c1a-b3ee-4cf2-a637-54d0fdb8a0ac.html*******To contribute story and interview tips, provide feedback on podcasts and Sun columns, or to advertise on TGCTS episodes, email: martygoldlive@gmail.com

Three pieces of correspondence sent to TGCTS form the basis of Episode 60, which opens with the story of Marty's surprise meeting in a drug store with a former NDP cabinet minister. You'll then hear a letter sent to Premier Wab Kinew and Justice Minister Matt Wiebe by an aggrieved NDP supporter. He had asked for help with an arbitrary punishment imposed by Manitoba Public Insurance on his driving record despite a court dismissing the ticket- and got no response from Kinew or Wiebe."This record has already resulted in my being denied employment. I am a law-abiding citizen with no criminal record who is simply trying to earn a living."14.35 Part 2- A follower of our independent reporting sent a note reflecting on the coverage we have provided this past year. He touched on the federal election campaign, "the rise in unchecked anti-semitism in our city" and "the Province trying to push through a safe injection site that would be so destabilizing to the community it is established in."21.35 - Listen to an op-ed submitted to local media outlets by Portage La Prairie PC MLA Jeff Bereza, after he took part in all four of the public meetings held in December about a proposed Safe Consumption Site for 366 Henry Avenue in the North Logan neighbourhood. Noting how the announcement of the new location was made after the Legislature had wrapped up the fall session- meaning there could be no debate about the SCS in the House, Bereza noted: "Only one thing is abundantly clear following these four sessions: there is no plan."As the Critic of Homelessness, Housing, and Addictions, he itemized the unanswered questions from stakeholders, and the illogical claims from Minister Bernadette Smith and site proponents about staffing and policing for the drug user site. Bereza concluded that "The accusation that push-back and questions from neighbours and businesses is nothing more than nimby-ism is unfair and insulting."You can read the entire op-ed in the post for Episode 60 at ActionLine.ca.******MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR LISTENERS AND SUPPORTERS!

The NDP government attempted to manipulate the public consultation process for a drug use site slated for a small downtown neighborhood off of Logan Avenue- but got big pushback and plenty of questions they don't want to answer. We have a play-by-play recap of the meeting that's a real eye opener about the desperation of the "harm reduction" lobby to give hard-core addicts a place to get high.Part 1 of Episode 58 takes a few moments to note the recent passing of four people who made their mark on Winnipeg. Marty Gold provides personal memories of 1960's Blue Bomber All Star pass catcher Dr. Ken Nielsen, former Free Press education reporter Nick Martin, retired lawyer and city councillor Moishe Kaufman, and Jewish community stalwart Ruthie Gale.11.48 Part 2- The theme of episode 58 is based on a recent comment from Marion Willis of St. Boniface Street Links:“We normalized bike theft, we normalized homelessness, we normalized drug use, we’ve normalized encampment living — we normalized it all." A consequence of it is a collapse of public safety in the inner city, and Wab Kinew'selection promise to enable drug use at a "safe consumption' site". After the first attempt to ram it through on Disraeli failed, they want to try it again on the other side of Main at 366 Henry Avenue.Marty provided an analysis of the tactics to limit public participation, and the way it was immediately challenged by area stakeholders.Dec. 8- NDP tries to rig consumption site consultations- again Dec. 9- North Logan neighborhood demands answers to safeconsumption site concerns Tuesday night, the normalization of the abnormal hit a tipping point at a hastily arranged public meeting. Housing and Addictions Minister Bernadette Smith and other "experts" tried to convince home and business owners in the North Logan area that a safe consumption site is more important than their safety and their property values. At the start it was announced that another meeting was added for next week, a retreat by the NDP of their plan to hold only one public session. Then, Smith proceeded to lay a goose egg with a total reversal of her assurances of a robust police presence near an SCS during the previous Disraeli Town Halls. Calling police to the Henry site would be "a last resort", pumping the Downtown Community Safety Partnership handling things. The DCSP is already under fire for failing to respond to urgent situations in the East Exchange- and it doesn't seem to be trusted in North Logan either.Smith described a pipeline to haul problematic addicts from the SCS to the "sobering centre" now slated for the Disraeli building, but her and her experts repeatedly ducked questions about rehab and recovery programs available for the drug users. Listen to how "a very fragile community" has been spiraling downwards as Siloam Mission expanded operations on Princess Street, with complaints about increasing vandalism, theft, confrontations and human waste resulting. Through it all, Police Inspector Helen Peters didn't utter a peep. Neither did area councillor Vivian Santos.42.45 Part 3- You'll hear how Smith tried to leverage the tragedy of a father whose son died to justify the need for the site. He had already spoken about his opposition to the SCS - and returned to the microphone to admonish Smith, especially because his son was not an addict."You don't get to own my story," Joseph intoned, warning Smith not to use his family to advance her "harm reduction'" agenda. Meanwhile, attendees asked about how much was spent on the Henry Ave. proposal so far- and got no answer.An SCS can affect property insurance and home and property values; drug dealers can lurk in nearby public parks to sell toxic drugs to site users; yet Smith and her experts showed no care for the worries of hardworking residents and business operators. "It will save lives" rings hollow, when the lives and investments of neighborhood stakeholders can be ruined.