The Decibel

Jeffrey Jones, a Globe and Mail energy reporter with decades covering oil markets, breaks down why fighting near the Strait of Hormuz has spiked global prices. He walks through shipping disruptions, how global markets push Canadian pump costs, logistics limiting Alberta oil flows, and what policymakers might do to ease consumer pain.

Jeff Gray, Queen's Park reporter for The Globe and Mail who covers Ontario politics. He walks through how freedom of information has uncovered past controversies. He outlines proposed changes to exempt the premier and ministers from FOI. He discusses the government’s privacy rationale and critics’ concerns about reduced transparency.

Oliver Moore, Globe and Mail editorial board member and former urban affairs reporter, explains why cities keep choosing light rail. He contrasts LRTs with subways and BRT, unpacks cost and planning trade-offs, and explores execution problems like P3 contracts and delays. He also points to international successes and offers fixes for building better transit in the future.

Shannon Proudfoot, Globe and Mail feature writer covering federal politics, analyzes Mark Carney’s first year as prime minister. She explores his technocratic, crisis-manager persona and how he cultivated an apolitical image. Short scenes cover his arrival, campaign moments, clashes with political rivals, moments when his mask slips, and whether his style can hold up against long-term political pressures.

Mark MacKinnon, senior international correspondent with on-the-ground Middle East reporting, offers firsthand coverage from Lebanon. He maps how fighting has spread across Beirut and southern Lebanon. He describes mass displacement, rising sectarian strain, Israel’s buffer-zone aims, and why Lebanon’s institutions struggle to contain Hezbollah.

Molly Hayes, Globe and Mail reporter who has investigated violence and corruption in towing, explores why towing attracts criminal activity. She discusses turf wars and violent clashes at crash scenes. She outlines fraud schemes tied to repairs, physio and legal kickbacks. She explains how police control of tow assignments and data can enable corrupt networks.

Donia Ziai, Montreal-based Iranian-Canadian critic of Canada’s support for the war. Mehdi Falahi, Ottawa resident wrestling with anxiety and hopes for democracy. Samira Moyadin, journalist and émigré skeptical of foreign-led regime change. Niku Mansurifar, Halifax musician and mother coping with family fear. They discuss civilian toll, mixed emotions over leadership deaths, diaspora divisions, and debates about intervention vs. democracy.

Andrea Woo, a B.C.-based Globe reporter who investigated rural mental-health access, shares the story behind the Tumbler Ridge shooting. She outlines gaps in local services and specialist shortages. She describes families’ struggles with long waits, canceled visits and transports. She discusses limits of virtual care, school support shortfalls, and the challenge of sustaining post-crisis services.

Emily Donahue, helpline lead at the National Eating Disorder Information Centre, notes rising calls tied to GLP-1 talk. Tigress Osborne, NAFA executive director, critiques systemic anti-fat discrimination. Zoë Bisbing, psychotherapist and Body Positive Home founder, explores how body-positivity meets GLP-1 culture. Maiyhet Burton, designer and GLP-1 user, shares personal health and body-image changes. They discuss stigma, activism, marketing and mental-health impacts.

Joseph De Koninck, psychology professor and sleep researcher at the University of Ottawa, studies circadian rhythms and daylight saving harms. He talks about how clock shifts desynchronize our biology and why spring’s one-hour loss is especially disruptive. He explains who is most vulnerable, the role of morning light in timing sleep, and practical tips to cope with the time change.