The Decibel

GLP-1 medications to treat diabetes, obesity and several other illnesses have exploded in popularity since Ozempic was approved for use in Canada back in 2018. Ozempic and Wegovy, the GLP-1s which contain semaglutide, are the third-most prescribed drug in Canada and by far the bestselling one.

Chris Hannay, The Globe’s business of health reporter, will explain why the introduction of generic semaglutide will mean lower prices and more options for Canadians. And we’ll explore access to these drugs with The Globe’s health reporter Kelly Grant on who gets their GLP-1 covered by their insurance – and who doesn’t.

Plus, Globe audio producer Kasia Mychajlowycz leads us on a journey to understand just how the virtual pharmacies advertised all over her social-media feed are vetting people who want Ozempic prescriptions.

This episode is the second of a three-part series. It originally aired March 2, 2026.

You can contact the National Eating Disorders Information Centre at their toll-free hotline at 1-866-NEDIC-20 or visit their website.

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Summerland, B.C., has been devastated by the Bald Range wildfire. More than 20,000 people have evacuated, and by Wednesday, it had burned 178 square kilometres.

The evacuees don’t know when they can return home yet, and many don’t know if their home is standing at all. Today, we bring you conversations with people on the ground about how they fled the fast-moving wildfire, and how they’re coping with uncertainty and loss.

Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com

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For years, the Canadian athletic-wear brand Lululemon both pioneered and dominated the athleisure retail market. It turned workout gear into a status symbol, growing its international operations to 30 countries. But there’s trouble – a public battle with its founder, controversies over its marketing and a cratering stock price have all amounted to serious problems for the once-stalwart brand.

Susan Krashinsky Robertson, The Globe’s retailing reporter, dives into the issues Lululemon faces, crunches the numbers of its financial outlook and asks what happens when a big brand loses its cool.

Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com

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Canadian banks are leaning heavily into AI adoption. More than 30 per cent of finance and insurance firms are using AI, compared to just 1.5 per cent of businesses in accommodation and food services. The banks are spending millions, in some cases billions, of dollars on AI programs, like chatbots for customers, for employees, and even for a CEO’s morning briefing.

Today, we’ve got The Globe’s banking reporter Stefanie Marotta on the show. She’ll explain how banks are using AI (including ways customers don’t ever see), the risks they’re weighing, and what it means for the adoption of AI across Canada.

Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com

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Steeped in military and naval history, Halifax is increasingly used as the backdrop for announcements of defence investment. The city is poised to benefit from substantial investment thanks to Mark Carney’s commitment to meeting NATO targets. But as more development arrives, is Halifax able to support the demands of an increased strain on its infrastructure and housing supply?

Chris Wilson-Smith went there to find out. He’s a business reporter and the author of one of The Globe’s daily newsletters, Business Brief. He’s on the show to explain how Halifax is trying to make sure it makes the most of this moment.

Questions? Comments? Ideas? E-mail us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com

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