The Big Story

Plus: the Federal government is trying to relieve concerns after a New York Times report claimed Canada has considered military scenarios to defend against an attack from the U.S., today is the last day to apply for a mail-in ballot for Alberta's October 19th referendum, and September 25 is now Dolly Parton Day.

If you've gone to a concert recently-- or any event really-- you've probably noticed them come out. Maybe they've obstructed your view. Maybe you've pulled one out yourself. Maybe you've judged people for it. Maybe they're so ubiquitous now; you actually haven't thought about them at all. Of course, we're referring to cell phones. They're a topic of contention, with plenty of people ready to tell you they're ruining the concert experience-- but is there also an upside? Let's have the debate. Host Caryn Ceolin is speaking with Andy Greene, a senior writer at Rolling Stone magazine, about his belief that the number of devices at concerts is ruining the experience. Then, Caryn speaks with Wendy Fonarow, an anthropologist, writer, music industry professional, about how whether or not you should be recording at a concert, really depends on what you want from the experience.

Plus: U.S. President Trump hosts Xi Jinping at the White House, two major speeches are planned for the United Nations General Assembly, a new poll shows the vast majority of Canadians support Canada becoming an 'associate member' of the EU, another animal from Marineland has died, and why British Columbians will be heading to the polls two years early.

British Columbians will be heading to the polls two years ahead of schedule this fall. The snap call by Premier David Eby comes amid turmoil within the B.C. Conservative Party, his chief opponents, and at a sensitive time for the province, as the government has attempted to deal with controversy around Indigenous rights legislation. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks with Shannon Waters, a B.C. political and environmental reporter for The Narwhal, about the gamble Eby took by dropping the writ, the drama surrounding the B.C. Conservative Party, and how much of an election issue Indigenous rights and DRIPA might be.

PLUS: Several seniors have been arrested and charged with trespassing on Parliament Hill as they called for stronger government action to address climate change, voters in B.C. will head to the polls on October 24th after provincial NDP leader David Eby called a snap election, the Polaris music prize given to Angine De Poitrine.

U.S. voters will soon head to the polls to determine who will control their Senate and House of Representatives. Happening halfway through President Trump's second term, the midterms are often considered a barometer of how Americans feel their leader is doing - and poll after poll show Trump's approval rating continue to dip to historic lows. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Aaron Parnas, a US-based independent journalist and commentator about what Canadians need to know about this upcoming midterm election, what Trump means when he tells Americans to "vote like my name is on the ballot", and whether or not a new congress could finally put a check on the President.

PLUS: Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is rejecting a claim from her party president that her government is muting its Pro-Canada messaging ahead of the separation vote next month. The British Columbia government has filed a lawsuit against artificial intelligence company Open AI in California over the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge that left eight people dead, including five students and a teacher's aide at the local secondary school- back in February. Canada's privacy commissioner is investigating a data breach at a major online ID verification company. The Carney government kicked off the new Parliamentary session by tabling bill C-39, titled the "Act to Build a Strong Canada."

Alberta's unlikeliest duo is teaming up to make their case to Albertans ahead of the October 19 referendum. Rachel Notley and Jason Kenney, both from opposite sides of the political aisle have joined forces with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce to propel their campaign, 'Alberta and Canada: Stronger Together' into the hearts and minds of concerned Albertans. Host Caryn Ceolin is speaking with the former Alberta premiers on their initiative to keep their province in Canada, how they've been brought together, and what economic challenges a separation could bring for Canadians from all corners of the political spectrum.

PLUS: Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre says Canada will never be part of the European Union, Montreal city council is set to debate a proposed bylaw this week that could ban people from insulting municipal employees and police officers, and Kerry-Lynne Findlay steps down as Conservative leader in B.C.

Camelott Hamblett is a 43-year-old Canadian man who's spent the last 20 years in isolation at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care in Penetanguishene, Ont. His family has been advocating for the Ontario Review Board to reconsider his stay in isolation, as they believe it's not helping improve his quality of life. It's a similar case for 39 year-old Andrew Azevedo, who's spent the last five years in isolation as he lives with schizophrenia. Host Maria Kestane speaks with Jacques Gallant, courts and legal affairs reporter for the Toronto Star to discuss his four-part investigative series '20 Years in Isolation', and how Ontario's only maximum-security psychiatric facility is keeping patients in isolation without what seems like meaningful review.