This Matters

Dr. Allen Upton talks to "This Matters" host Saba Eitizaz about how Black health leaders pushed for a grounbreaking pilot project to find out why COVID-19 was disproportionately impacting Black communities and what the research has revealed so far. He also talks about his work on the Black Scientists Task Force launched by the City of Toronto to address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and misconceptions. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters.

Despite restrictions, immigration data shows more than 322,000 people were granted work permits under temporary foreign worker programs. The second largest number of permits went to migrant workers. What do the numbers suggest about Canada's priorities on immigration, especially in a pandemic? Who gets left out? Nicholas Keung, Toronto Star's an immigration reporter who often covers refugee issues, joins "This Matters" to talk through the numbers, what this means for permanent residents with dreams of citizenship and whether there is a fundamental shift underway with Canada's immigration policies.

Ontario is now fully in reopening mode after Toronto and Peel Region moved into the grey zone on Monday. Yet despite this sign of progress, case counts are inching upward and hit 1,600 earlier this week. With concerning COVID variants circulating and the vaccine rollout really getting underway, a lot of numbers are flying around. To help sort through them, "This Matters" is joined by Ed Tubb, a Star assignment editor who has been tracking and reporting on COVID-19 information for the past year.

Research has revealed despite a steady growth in recent years, Canadian businesses owned by Indigenous women already up against systemic barriers have fallen prey to COVID. Tabatha Bull, an Anishinaabe woman from Nipissing First Nation and the president and CEO of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, joins "This Matters" host Saba Eitizaz to speak about how we level the playing field for Indigenous women in business and why it is essential for Canada's economy to do so.

There's a reason why some people refer to COVID-19 variants as "scariants." If widespread, some of the modelling numbers are quite scary and eventual cases could overwhelm our health care system. If that happens some are worried the Health Care Consent Act of Ontario, a law that states a person has the right to consent to or refuse treatment, could potentially be suspended. Mariam Shanouda and Jessica De Marinis are lawyers at the ARCH Disability Law Clinic and join "This Matters" to explain why people should be concerned.

The airline industry is in a financial tailspin as travel remains limited and borders of many countries are restricted because of COVID-19. In Canada's aviation industry, airlines are under more pressure than ever before. The largest airlines are laying off thousands, while smaller ones could face bankruptcy. Robert Kokonis, founder of aviation consulting firm AirTrav, talks to "This Matters" host Adrian Cheung on the dire state of the industry, why the costs will be passed onto flyers (eventually) and what the federal government should be doing to help.

In Canada's non-profit sector, where many disenfranchised and racialized communities are considered, there is actually a diversity problem. A recent survey has revealed BIPOC are not represented in leadership at the table in their boardrooms. Today on "This Matters," we hear a powerful personal story of what that looks like from Soofia Mahmood, an immigrant who works in non-profits. Later, Toronto Star reporter Nicholas Keung explains what the data reveals and what the impact is on the ground. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters.

Hundreds of encampments have popped up in Toronto's city parks since the start of the pandemic. On "This Matters" we hear first-hand stories from Dom, an encampment resident who lives in Alexandra Park, who shares his experience surviving on the street. Lorraine Lam, an outreach worker from Sanctuary Toronto, joins part two of the episode to talk about what the city needs to do to help the most vulnerable. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters

If you're feeling tired and rundown: you're not alone. There's a name for what you're feeling — pandemic fatigue — a biological response to your brain processing the "fight or flight" instinct over and over again, with no definitive timeline on when the pandemic will end. Steve Joordens, psychology professor at the University of Toronto Scarborough, talks to "This Matters" host Adrian Cheung about the fatigue we're all facing, what "staring at the bear" does to your brain and strategies on how to re-fill your mental 'tank' through the pandemic.

The boys of summer have reported for Spring Training, and thanks to some new additions, excitement for the Blue Jays is very high. Gregor Chisolm and Mike Wilner, the Star's baseball columnists, join "This Matters" to talk about the team's prospects, what the new additions add and why Toronto sports fans have reason for hope. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters.

Digital culture has long had an impact on our relationship with our bodies. Now, the COVID-19 pandemic has fed into that too. Managing our health is harder than ever. One result is an alarming rise of people with eating disorders. On today's episode, mental health reporter Nadine Yousif talks to "This Matters" host Saba Eitizaz about eating disorders, why they are on the rise and why we need to take the rise in cases seriously. If you need information about understanding or finding help for an eating disorder, click here. https://ontario.cmha.ca/documents/understanding-and-finding-help-for-eating-disorders/

A new voice chat-based social media app called Clubhouse has become the talk of tech town. Clubhouse offers something different in the social media space in that it's focused on audio. Data shows downloads just crossed 10 million in the Apple app store. The majority of those were just in the month of February alone. For an app that was little more than a blip on the radar until recently, it has also caused a fair share of controversy. On February 8, China blocked access to the app across the country, adding it to a list of thousands of websites and apps the ruling party doesn't want the people to see or use. The Star's Vancouver-based reporter Joanna Chiu joins "This Matters" host Saba Eitizaz to talk about the good, the bad and the ugly of Clubhouse.

The Conservative Party of Canada is in a rebuilding phase as leader Erin O'Toole says there is "no place for the far right" in the party and has signalled a shift to the middle of the political spectrum. Susan Delacourt, national columnist for the Toronto Star, joins "This Matters" host Adrian Cheung to talk about the current state of the Tories, the idea of centrism in 2021 and what the long game strategy is for Canada's official opposition party. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters

The battle over the multibillion dollar estate of Barry and Honey Sherman is something worthy of Shakespeare or HBO's "Succession." From business to charitable pursuits, the children of the Shermans are in a bitter dispute over how to manage their fortune. Kevin Donovan, chief investigative reporter at The Star, has been investigating this case since the December 2017 double homicide and wrote the book "The Billionaire Murders." He joins "This Matters" to detail what happened to the Sherman family and fortune, and gives an update on the investigation. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters.

In 2008, Canadian journalist Mellissa Fung was abducted while on assignment in Afghanistan. She survived 28 days of torture and captivity inside a hole in the ground. In her new documentary "Captive," she makes the rare and difficult move to use the lens of her trauma to revisit the story of the Nigerian school girls who were kidnapped and brutalized by Boko Haram militants. Fung speaks to "This Matters" host Saba Eitizaz about the survivors, their struggle to move on and the strange complexity of shared trauma. Correction – The audio has been updated to reflect that Mellissa Fung was kidnapped in Afghanistan in 2008, not five years ago as stated in the original version of this podcast. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters.

The Province of Ontario is facing several battles over zoning after use of a tool called MZOs — Ministerial Zoning Orders — was found to expedite the planning process for new development. Some communities are fighting back against the controversial practice. Noor Javed, a Toronto Star reporter, has been following a story in Stratford, Ont. where the community successfully lobbied against the development of a controversial glass factory that benefited from MZOs and in doing so, may have set the standard on how to combat them. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters.

As lockdown orders have eased, many elements are still at play in the fight against COVID-19. Dr. Colin Furness, epidemiologist at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, joins "This Matters" host Adrian Cheung to sort through the science of face masks, the vaccination program, debates around reopening and a possible third wave down the road. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters

Are your travel plans up in the air? Do you want to make a run for the border? Canadians have been warned about non-essential travel, but for those who still cross borders the federal government has enacted tougher measures and now requires COVID testing and quarantining when entering Canada. Those who try to dodge the rules will face possible fines. Will it help curb case numbers? Critics say there are still loopholes to travel through. Jacques Gallant, a federal politics reporter, has been following the travel file. He joins us to discuss the government's latest moves. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters.

Millions of Canadians say their lives are noisier than they were before the pandemic. Today, Brian Bradley, digital producer for the Star, tells us about the impact of the symphony of noise in downtown Toronto, especially for those whose professional livelihoods depend on peace and quiet, like musicians and performers. Later on, Vancouver-based reporter Joanna Chiu helps cut through the noise and talks about what kind of sounds are driving us batty and how they can affect our health. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters.

Advocates and families are calling for more cultural inclusivity for Canada's aging immigrant population living in long-term care, where there is more people of colour than ever before. Toronto Star reporter Olivia Bowden talks to "This Matters" host Saba Eitizaz about what we mean by cultural inclusivity and why we need it in long-term care. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters.

Toronto Public Health (TPH) defines a workplace outbreak as "two or more people who test positive for COVID-19 within 14 days that are connected to the workplace setting." Rosa Saba, business reporter for the Toronto Star, joins "This Matters" host Adrian Cheung to sort through the details of workplace outbreaks, and what public health and businesses are doing to report outbreaks to the public when and where they happen.

The pandemic has shrunk people's lives. We've been limited to seeing the people in our homes, some family and maybe close friends. What happens when lose contact with acquaintances and serendipitous interactions in the world? The loss of this engagement and relationships can have a detrimental effect on our lives. Amanda Mull, staff writer for "The Atlantic," wrote an article about this and joins "This Matters" to discuss. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters.

A Reuters report looking at the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) has revealed that Canada has been deporting thousands of people since November last year, and lawyers say these deportations are ramping up even as COVID-19 rages, putting people needlessly at risk. The government says the deportations were necessary and done safely. Maureen Silcoff, president of the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers talks to "This Matters" host Saba Eitizaz about how mass deportations during a devastating pandemic could potentially become a serious health and humanitarian concern. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters.

It's a story fit for a Hollywood script: anti-corruption crusader survives an assassination attempt, taking on an iron-fist government, inspiring thousands to take to the streets in protest. But this is Russia's reality and one of the biggest political stories in the world. Alexei Navalny, opposition leader and political enemy of Russian president Vladimir Putin, has been sentenced to prison after returning to Russia, following a widely-reported poisoning. Isabelle Khurshudyan, Moscow-based correspondent for the Washington Post, talks to "This Matters" host Adrian Cheung about the mass protests in Russia, Navalny's fight with Putin, and whether this amounts to a real threat against the Kremlin for the first time in decades. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters

With the Ontario government announcing its plan for all schools across the province to reopen, parents responded with a mixture of joy and uncertainty. The majority agrees kids should go back to the classroom, but concerns about safeguards remain as new more contagious variants of COVID-19 spread through the community. Kris Rushowy is a reporter for the Star's Queen's Park Bureau who has followed the school element of the pandemic. She shares what to expect and what we still don't know about the "lesson" plan. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters.

As governments look for new ways to regulate big technology companies and social media networks, Google and Australia are locked in a dispute that has other nations and industries watching closely. Australia is working on a plan to have online companies compensate publishers whose content they link to. Google says they are in an untenable position and warned the plan may cause them to pull their search engine from the country. Toronto Star reporter Kieran Leavitt has been covering this story and joins "This Matters" to explain what is happening and how it could affect plans in Canada. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters.

Tenants and landlords in Ontario fight the same fights — an unsteady economy, unemployment and missed rent payments — and since the pandemic began, they have only gotten worse. The Star's affordable housing reporter Victoria Gibson talks to "This Matters" host Adrian Cheung on the precarious living situation of thousands, details of the second eviction moratorium and what a long-term fix to a long-standing problem could look like. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters

QAnon, the Boogaloo movement, the Proud Boys — names once lurking on the fringes of the internet are now making mainstream headlines. On today's episode, Saba Eitizaz talks to Amarnath Amarasingham, a veteran researcher on terrorism and political violence, about what could be next for the American far-right and whether there are some global parallels to how they operate. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters.

While we acknowledge Black History Month every February, there is a need to extend learning and acknowledgment and not ignore it for the rest of the year. Considering this and the work of Black Lives Matter, four Black teachers at a Toronto high school have come up with a unique course to ensure that learning is ongoing. Toronto Star reporter Angelyn Francis takes us through the story and discusses why we need to keep talking about anti-Black racism in Canada. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters.

Statistics Canada data shows more than 50,000 Toronto residents left between July 2019 and July 2020, while surrounding areas saw a population boom. The COVID pandemic had a big part in that. But what happens to Toronto now? David Rider, Toronto Star's city hall bureau chief, joins "This Matters" about a shrinking Toronto and the opportunities for reinvention of how this city works in the long-haul. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters.

A joint investigation between the Toronto Star and the Guelph Mercury Tribune reveals how products of some of the biggest Canadian companies can be traced to manufacturers in China that have been accused of human rights violations. Jeremy Nuttall, investigative reporter for the Toronto Star, and Graeme McNaughton, reporter for the Guelph Mercury Tribune, join "This Matters" to talk about the revelations of their reporting, how the supply chains of major brands are tied to forced labour and the call for more accountability from business and governments. When reached for comment on the investigations, the companies discussed in this episode had the following responses: Following this story, Bombardier says they "do not anticipate further shipment from KTK China in the near future as those were deliveries on long lead items, prior to current regulations." Costco did not respond to repeated requests for comment. Greg Nakonechny, the Brick's vice-president for legal and corporate secretary, said The Brick "has in place a program, including audits, to ensure vendors comply with its standards, including a prohibition against forced labour." Jim Estill, Danby's CEO, said the company "takes very seriously the working conditions and safety of everyone who works in our supply chain. We would never knowingly use factories that use forced labour." If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters.

The GTA's tow truck turf wars are once again in the news. Despite high profile busts in York Region, there have been more shootings and incidents of arson as organized crime factions battle over this lucrative industry. Three GTA police officers have been charged with bribery and extortion in the ongoing investigation. The Star's Peter Edwards has written extensively on organized crime and gives us an update on the cops, corruption and this crime wave.

For those of you looking for a good book to curl up with during this lockdown (and also, winter!) this episode has got you covered. The Star's books editor Deborah Dundas joins us today to talk about the latest news from the world of books and to recommend some of those buzz worthy titles to add to your reading list. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters.

Devastation has swept through long-term-care facilities all through the COVID pandemic and shone a harsh light on how under-resourced and ill-prepared facilities are to cope with a crisis like this. Despite some government support in the first wave, things are only getting worse in the second. How do we protect those who once protected us? Star reporters Moira Welsh, who literally wrote a book on long-term care, and Donovan Vincent, an expert on housing, join us to explain where we are and where we can go. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters.

On his first day in office, Joe Biden signed 17 executive actions relating to protections against deportations of immigrant children, the Paris climate accord and a new leader in COVID response. Edward Keenan, Toronto Star's Washington bureau chief, talks to "This Matters" host Adrian Cheung about the final days of the Trump presidency, what to expect from Biden and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris in their first 100 days and what the Canada-U.S. relationship looks like now. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters.

If ever there was something that figuratively needed a shot in the arm, it's the vaccine rollout across Canada, and unfortunately due to manufacturer delays, many Canadians will be waiting a while longer until they get that literal shot in the arm. The Star's Alex Boyd has covering vaccines and joins us to talk about what the holdup is and what other COVID-19 medicines we are waiting for and why. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters.

Just as Canada and countries around the world struggle to contain COVID, another wrench has been thrown into the mix. How does a virus mutate? Should you be worried about the COVID variants? Does it affect how existing vaccines work? Two experts, two interviews: Dr. Tony Mazzulli, Microbiologist-in-Chief of the University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital's microbiology department, along with Dr. Isaac Bogoch, infectious disease expert and clinician at the University Health Network, join "This Matters" host Adrian Cheung to demystify the science behind virus mutations, what to know about protecting yourself and what can be done to control the new strains of the virus.

In late 2020, a scientific breakthrough happened that had nothing to do with COVID vaccines. Singapore became the first country in the world to authorize the sale of lab-grown meat. Matt Simon, science reporter for WIRED Magazine, talks to host Adrian Cheung about the mystery behind the meat, fact checks the claims made by cultured meat companies and discusses why the future of meat might (or might not) be found inside of a test tube. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe here.

Disinformation and misinformation can make us emotional and angry and can even lead to violence. So how do we learn to recognize that and better assess the information we are flooded with? On today's episode, disinformation expert and critical thinking advocate Helen Lee Bouygues talks about the power and the dangers of dis- and misinformation in a hyperpolarized world and how we can improve our critical thinking skills in these uncertain times.

In the wake of the insurrection at the Capitol building, Donald Trump's second impeachment and Joe Biden's upcoming inauguration, eyes are on the U.S. capital. As the end of Trump's term comes a close, Toronto Star Washington Bureau Chief Edward Keenan sat down with his predecessor Daniel Dale, now a reporter at CNN, to discuss the current state of U.S. politics and just what it's been like to cover Trump for the last six years. In a wide-ranging interview, they discuss the storming of the Capitol, the second impeachment, how Dale began his fact checking journey, the parallels of covering Rob Ford in Toronto, the most dangerous lies Trump has told and what's next for the incoming Biden administration. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters.

With warnings of "fall off [our] chair" coronavirus modelling data, Ontario Premier Doug Ford enacted what he calls a tougher lockdown, but critics are calling its guidelines confusing and contradictory and too little, too late. Rob Ferguson, a reporter in the Star's Queen's Park bureau, joins "This Matters" to explain the scary numbers, the new rules and the balance the government is trying to strike.

The Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse team are ranked as one of the top teams in the world, but were passed over for the upcoming World Games likely in part due to their fight for sovereignty. This slight inspired an act of sportsmanship that has helped bring two nations closer together. Rex Lyons is a former player and board member of the Iroquois Nationals, and he joins "This Matters" to explain this remarkable sports story.

Toronto's Sidewalk Labs might have started with a splash and ended with a splatter, but "smart tech" to run cities is still part of a future we cannot avoid. On today's episode John Lorinc, Spacing senior editor and Atkinson Fellow who has been working on a series about smart cities for the Toronto Star, talks about the their potential and how the COVID-19 pandemic might have helped paved the way for a smart city future in Toronto.

Ontario's long-term care homes are in crisis once again, and doctors and medical experts are criticizing the province for delays in the vaccination rollout, a lack of transparency and its failures to address institutional problems in the LTC system. Dr. Samir Sinha, Director of Geriatrics at Mount Sinai Hospital and University Health Network, explains what lessons weren't learned in the first wave, why ageism kills and what must be done now to save seniors in the months ahead.

On the day the U.S. Congress voted to certify the ballots confirming Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States, a pro-Trump mob stormed into the U.S. Capitol threatening to upend the results of the election. Edward Keenan, Toronto Star's Washington bureau chief, joins "This Matters" to talk about what he saw unfold at the insurrection and how it shook American democracy.

If we buckle down for one last, longer lockdown, could we avoid a third wave of COVID-19, save lives and see improved economic outcomes? A new report says just that. Saba Eitizaz speaks with Robert Greenhill, executive chair of Global Canada, who spearheads a task force advocating for the new strategy called "the Canadian Shield approach."

After pressure from advocates and health officials, Toronto will be naming employers with COVID-19 outbreaks that pose a significant risk to public health. It's a change in policy many have long been calling for. Sara Mojtehedzadeh is The Star's work and wealth reporter and joins "This Matters" to discuss what this means for essential workers and why the data is important.

COVID-19, among other things, has been a global pandemic of unemployment. Millions have been laid off, asked to take indefinite leave or outright fired. On "This Matters" today, host Saba Eitizaz talks to experienced career coach and talent recruiter Michelle Nadon about how one can go about kick-starting 2021 on a better note, whether it's your career, a prospective new job or life in general.

This is a rebroadcast from July 6, 2020. How do we travel now? What are the ways that are safest? Travel bubbles, a road-trip renaissance, camping, RVing, longer and more meaningful trips, visiting friends and family. Sarah Khan, travel writer, talks to Adrian Cheung about what the future of travel looks like and why this could be the great re-set on how we see the world. The way we travel has changed, perhaps forever.

This is a rebroadcast from May 8, 2020. Murder hornets. Murder. Hornets. The Asian giant hornet has quite the moniker, given for its sting and appetite for the offspring of honey bees, and the threat it poses to honey bee populations. News recently emerged that these hornets were in North America. But eight months ago, after hearing about sightings, B.C. beekeepers John and Moufida Holubeshen first tracked, got stung, and then went home, got suited up with better defence and brought reinforcements to terminate and extract a nest of over 100 Asian giant hornets and 600 larvae. This is not the script outline for a B-movie. This happened and the Star's Alex McKeen sat down with John and Moufida, who told their story of a showdown at Robins Park...at the end of Honey Drive (really, that's the road where they found the nest).