New Year, Same Government Shenanigans

If there's one thing governments and regulators want to do, it's save you from yourself because you just don't know better. In this episode, Sabine and Jay take issue with that idea when it comes to nicotine pouches, automated taxes on your booze, and of course, warning labels on everything. Support us: https://consumerchoicecenter.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jay and Sabine are joined by the CCC's Director of Research Emil Panzaru to discuss the Canadian housing crisis and how it compares to other housing crises around the world, and we try and figure out why every level of government isn't doing more to treat the housing crisis like an actual crisis. We have some ideas on how to do it if they are interested!  Here's a link to our latest housing deep dive: https://thehub.ca/2026/01/14/only-the-richest-canadians-are-able-to-afford-homes-its-time-to-free-the-market-deepdive/Support us: https://consumerchoicecenter.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Book an Uber, pour yourself a glass of Crown Royal, and try to find a flight to visit the UAE because Jay and Sabine and back and they are still tired of government shenanigans, 2026 edition. The podcast might take a break but the bad policy decisions from every level of government never do. Support us: https://consumerchoicecenter.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In their last episode of 2025, Jay and Sabine talk about the case of Jeremy Bray, who was at risk of losing a life-enhancing drug until the media made the government step in, and the reasons why Canadians have such limited access to pharmaceuticals they need to live better and stay alive. We'll see you back here on January 7! Support us: https://consumerchoicecenter.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when you think you're done with a certain tax, but it comes back to haunt you in a different way? Plus, we discuss the highs and possible lows of Alberta's bold new move in healthcare.Support us: https://consumerchoicecenter.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sabine and Jay talk about all the ways this years Federal Budget failed them and all Canadians, from the national debt, to emissions caps, to housing, to tax filing. They also discuss Canada exploring its entry into Eurovision, and why we may not be sending our best. Support us: https://consumerchoicecenter.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

U.S. Affairs Analyst Elizabeth Hicks joins Sabine and Jay to talk about the relationship between Canada and the United States, and if there's any hope that the former BFFs might one day make up. Support us: https://consumerchoicecenter.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sabine and Jay discuss the latest in useless government bills, this time on putting warning labels on your alcohol. Plus, they dive into the latest in the Canada Post drama that all Canadians are either tired of or have hardly noticed. Support us: https://consumerchoicecenter.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's one choice we'd rather didn't have to be an option at the Consumer Choice Center, and that's people choosing to leave the emergency room even when they're in critical condition because the wait is just too long. We are joined by our first ever guest, the Montreal Economic Institute's Renaud Brossard, to talk about the MEI's latest report on the amount of Canadians leaving the ER untreated, and how we can make the system better.  You can read more about the MEI's research on this topic here: https://www.iedm.org/too-many-canadians-are-leaving-emergency-rooms-untreated/Support us: https://consumerchoicecenter.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can you feel it in the air? The politicians are back in Ottawa for a new session! Sabine and Jay talk about consumer topics they think will dominate conversation on the hill, like housing, pipelines, TFWs, the big bad budget, and more. Support us: https://consumerchoicecenter.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.