This Matters

Guest: Dr. Saskia Sivananthan, neuroscientist and health data scientist A new landmark study predicts that the number of Canadians living with dementia will increase by 187 per cent by 2050. That would mean more than 1.7 million Canadians with dementia, nearly three times the estimated 650,000 today. More than a quarter of them will be people from South and East Asia. The report also looks at a major shift in dementia demographics in Canada. Experts say we're at a pivotal moment. This might be the only time to make the right decisions and choices to get ahead of an impending crisis. This episode was produced by Saba Eitizaz and Paulo Marques. What would you like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Guest: Richard Warnica, staff reporter The housing crisis in Toronto, and in Canada, has become the dominant issue for politicians at all levels of government and for voters up and down the income spectrum. Star reporter Richard Warnica took a deep dive into the many facets of the issue, from the lack of public housing and the shortage of rentals to zoning and development delays, NIMBY objections to multiplexes, and construction that can't keep up with population growth. Experts told him we need to do a lot of things, all at once, to make things better and that might mean changing our ideas of how we build housing, and where, and what kind. Plus: The one weird trick from Sweden's history we should look at. This episode was produced by Edward Keenan, JP Fozo, Julia De Laurentiis Johnston and Paulo Marques. What would you like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Guests: Maryam Affana, Mirvat Al-Sharafi and immigration lawyer Aidan Simardone Last month, Canada launched a new emergency program permitting up to 1,000 Palestinians who are extended family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to apply to come to Canada. Members of the Palestinian-Canadian community say they are struggling with delays, logistical issues and what some experts say is an unprecedented and invasive level of personal information requirements. They wait with the clock ticking for their trapped loved ones in a four-month war that has ravaged Gaza, with more than 27,000 people killed in Israeli airstrikes, thousands more displaced and almost half the population at risk of starvation according to the United Nations. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada says that the multi-stage screening approach was developed to protect the safety of Canadians and is part of a standard practice where IRCC doesn't have presence on ground to conduct the initial screening and biometrics. In an emailed response to the Star, it has also shared that as of January 29, more than 900 applications are already being reviewed. IRCC confirmed they're all still in the preliminary stages and not approved. We speak to Palestinian-Canadians impacted by this and later, an immigration lawyer helps us break down the new immigration measures and their implications. This episode was produced by Saba Eitizaz and Paulo Marques, with additional support from Ben Cohen. What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Mayor Olivia Chow's version of the city budget was released this week, and one of us was there in person at the Scarborough Town Centre to hear about it. The tax rate's a bit lower, the feds came through with some money, the police still didn't get as much as they want. So what do we think? And what's left to fight about? Also, some jerk disrupted a women and trans shinny game in a Toronto park, something Emma says she's experienced as a disturbing trend this year. And one of us explains why we're lamenting the loss of diners and doughnut shops as essential hangout spots he thinks are essential to decent city life. Plus, what has four thumbs and isn't a big fan of raccoons? Our entire panel, that's what. Audio Sources: CP24, Global, Columbia This episode was produced by Paulo Marques, Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Emma Teitel and Edward Keenan. What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

"This Matters" would like to share an episode of the third season of the Toronto Star podcast "Millennial Money." The show includes millennials speaking about relatable financial dilemmas that are often taboo or embarrassing but that many are grappling with behind closed doors. Like many of us, Amy learned about trigonometry in school but nothing about the basics of financial literacy of investing. And she didn't have any financial models growing up; no one she knew really had any money. But recently, Amy got an unexpected chunk of cash. Now, for the first time, she's trying to learn how to make it grow before she spends it all. Jason Heath, managing director of Objective Financial Partners, Inc., shares practical advice on how to start planning for your financial future, regardless of how much money you have in the bank. This episode was produced by Ghada Alsharif, Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Sean Pattendon, Kevin Sexton and Andrea Varsany

The city budget moves from committee to mayor's office, though tax rates, federal funding commitments and other big questions are still in flux. Ed and Emma met with Budget Chief Shelley Carroll this week to discuss, and share some of her thoughts, alongside some of their own. And while Ed was recently sounding the alarm on a toboggan ban in Toronto, Emma is not so sure there's all that much to be alarmed about. Maybe a bigger issue is how much time kids spend on phones (including in classrooms), rather than out taking risks and learning about the world? PLUS: Toronto women's hockey tickets are sold right out, but there's a chance for lots of those left out to see a game in person coming up. This episode was produced by Paulo Marques, Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Emma Teitel and Edward Keenan. What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Guest: Nicholas Keung, immigration reporter On Monday Canada's immigration minister Marc Miller announced the federal government's move to introduce a temporary cap on foreign students as part of an ongoing set of measures to limit and curb the abuse of Canada's international student program. While the government is framing it as a solution to exploitation and a burgeoning housing and affordability crisis, there are also some concerns that international students are being made into scapegoats for domestic problems. International students also contribute more than $20 billion to the Canadian economy and 200,000 jobs. We unpack what the new plan is, who it affects and why. Audio sources: CTV News This episode was produced by Paulo Marques and Saba Eitizaz.

Guest: Robert Benzie, Queen's Park Bureau Chief Yet another wrinkle emerged in the Greenbelt scandal with the revelation of an email showing the Premier's office might have been engaged with the matter earlier than it has previously said (under oath, even). Is this a big "net new" deal, or a nothingburger? Is it significant that this government can't seem to read a calendar or that personal emails were used here? On another front from Queen's Park, elected officials haven't had a raise since 2008. Some of them are quietly grumbling about it even though there is little prospect it's going to change any time soon. As well, what people call you if your last name sounds like a nickname or if you share a name with a beloved talking barnyard animal, plus a brief but fond farewell to a Hollywood giant who was an east-end Toronto kid. This podcast was produced by Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Paulo Marques and Edward Keenan. What would you like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

"This Matters" would like to share an episode of the third season of the Toronto Star podcast "Millennial Money." The show includes millennials speaking about relatable financial dilemmas that are often taboo or embarrassing but that many are grappling with behind closed doors. jes sachse has been fighting an eviction for about two years. And they're not alone. As rent and property prices soar, eviction is a threat for many Torontonians. Geordie Dent, executive director of the Federation of Metro Tenants Associations, lays out your options when you're faced with an eviction. We also explore the potential financial implications of complying with an eviction notice, or fighting it. This episode was produced by Ghada Alsharif, Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Sean Pattendon, Kevin Sexton and Andrea Varsany.

Guest: Toronto Star reporter Richard Warnica, reporting from the U.S. Amid criminal trials, civil convictions, and courts ruling him ineligible to serve again, Donald Trump remains the dominant force in American politics, as shown again with a landslide victory in the Iowa caucuses that kick off the presidential nominating contest. The Star's Richard Warnica is on the scene, and talks to host Edward Keenan about the cartoonish former president's enduring appeal to his supporters, the prospects for his opponents and what has remained the same or changes from his earlier political life. This podcast was produced by Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Paulo Marques and Edward Keenan. Audio sources: NBC and Global News What would you like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Daniel Langlois may not be a household name but his work is. He was a pioneer of Hollywood 3-D movie effects, working on films like "Jurassic Park," "Harry Potter" and "The Matrix." On Dec.1, he and his partner Dominque Marchand were found shot in a burnt out car in Dominica. Court documents revealed they'd been in a dispute with their neighbour who, along with another man, have been charged with the crime. Investigative reporters Kenyon Wallace and Sheila Wang were assigned this story when it broke, with Wang recently returning from a trip to Dominica where she found heartbreak, suspicion and a lot of questions. On this episode, the two reporters have a conversation about what they know and what they think about this gripping and tragic story. This episode was produced by Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Paulo Marques, Sheila Wang and Kenyon Wallace. What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this surveyand you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

He's still waiting for the Guinness people to certify it, but former advertising executive (and long-ago Toronto punk musician) Ben Pobjoy believes he's set a record for walking the most "freestyle marathons" in one year, with a 2023 globe-strolling pace of almost five per week. That amounts to a distance longer than the circumference of the moon, on a journey that took him to five continents and 70 countries. He talks about what he saw and learned on his grand adventure, the best and worst days of the trip, and what he noticed most about Toronto when he came home. This episode was produced by Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Paulo Marques and Edward Keenan. What would you like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Voters seemed to want change when they voted for Olivia Chow to run Toronto, and a property tax increase of as much as 16.5 per cent certainly is a break from the past. Edward Keenan and Emma Teitel discuss how the city got here, whether a double-digit increase is justified, how people are likely to react and what the key for Chow is if it is going to be accepted. They also talk about a wave of antisemitic and Islamophobic crimes in Toronto and how officials here ought to react to them. Plus, a public square by any other name just isn't as popular. This episode was produced by Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Paulo Marques, Emma Teitel and Edward Keenan.

Guest: Kevin McGran, hockey reporter The Toronto Maple Leafs signed star forward William Nylander to a record-setting $92-million, eight-year contract, a monster deal amid what has been a monster season for the winger. At a time when every sports fan is expected to be a salary cap expert, can any of us just be happy that we get to watch one of the most talented and entertaining teams to play around here in decades? Nylander's had "just like us" moments, like his riding the subway to work and, like many in Toronto, finding a home here after moving all around the world. "Uncle Kevin" also shares some early notes about Ilya Samsonov returning to the ice with the Leafs and making sense of the goalie situation. This episode was produced by Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Paulo Marques and Edward Keenan. What would you like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

The city is hyped for the sold-out inaugural season of Toronto's new professional women's hockey team, and so are hosts Ed Keenan and Emma Teitel. They also turn their attention to city hall, talking over increased photo radar enforcement, the mayor's rush to get things done, the threat of cybercrime and the city budget process kicking into high gear in the coming week. Plus: why shootings have gone down in Toronto and whether Trudeau's government should be taking credit. This episode was produced by Paolo Marques, Julia De Laurentiis Johnston and Edward Keenan. Audio Sources: CTV, CBC

This Matters would like to share the first episode of the third season of the Toronto Star podcast "Millennial Money." The show includes millennials speaking about relatable financial dilemmas that are often taboo or embarrassing but that many are grappling with behind closed doors. Maria was saving up to freeze her eggs, but some tough financial decisions forced her to change her plans. Competing financial priorities as an adult makes her wonder: travel, own a home or have a kid - does she have to choose just one? Personal finance and travel expert Barry Choi offers practical advice on how to balance the life you want while also planning for kids. He also talks about the financial and emotional cost he and his partner experienced while going though the IVF process and the real cost of having a kid. Returning for its third season, "Millennial Money" host and Toronto Star business reporter Ghada Alsharif speaks to fellow millennials about relatable financial dilemmas that are often taboo or embarrassing but that many are grappling with behind closed doors. Alsharif then brings the topic straight to an expert to work out some options. This episode was produced by Ghada Alsharif, Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Sean Pattendon, Kevin Sexton and Andrea Varsany

This Matters is pleased to publish the year-end episode of the Toronto Star's political podcast It's Political, featuring: National Columnist Susan Delacourt, Ottawa deputy bureau chief Stephanie Levitz and reporter Mark Ramzy, who join host Althia Raj. It's been quite a tumultuous year in federal politics, from allegations of foreign interference involving China and India, to the expansion of industrial and dental subsidies, and a rejigging of public support for Canada's two main parties. We asked Toronto Star readers and "It's Political" podcast listeners for their questions — and received many probing queries about themes from the last year, especially about the influence of Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre on Canadian politics and the future of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. We gathered a few of our parliamentary journalists to answer them. Some of the clips this week were sourced from CPAC, CBC, CTV, Global, the NDP's Instagram account, Rex Murphy's Full Comment podcast and Pierre Poilievre's Facebook page. This episode of "It's Political" was produced by Althia Raj and Michal Stein. Kevin Sexton mixed the program. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

For years, you may have heard the whispers about Santa Claus. Some say he's a big hoax, an inside job. When you look at the evidence, it may seem these skeptics have a point questioning the flying sleigh and magical reindeer. But then you start to consider just how many people would have to be in on this thing to keep it secret, and wonder why they would do that. Is it possible that behind Santa Claus there's a truth even bigger than the facts? This podcast is adapted from my 2017 column "Unearthing the truth about Santa." This episode was produced by Paolo Marques, Julia De Laurentiis Johnston and Edward Keenan. Star readers help the magic of Christmas reach children across the GTA with the Santa Claus Fund. You too can help create joyful Christmas memories that will last a lifetime. So, please, donate what you can. The Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund GOAL: $1.5 million How to donate Online: To donate by Visa, Mastercard or Amex use our secure form at https://www.thestar.com/scf By cheque: Mail to The Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund, 8 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON M5V 0S8 By phone: Call 647-250-8282 Tax receipts will be issued. Follow us on social Instagram: @torontostarchildrenscharities Facebook: @thetorontostarchildrenscharities X: @TStarCharities LinkedIn: #StarSantaClausFund

Guest: Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow At the start of 2023, Olivia Chow was retired from politics and teaching university students but a shock to Toronto's political system brought her back to the front pages and into the mayor's office. She reflects on the year that was, including her campaign, her unexpected partnership with Premier Doug Ford, the city's budget struggles, her response to those who wish she was a bit less of a compromiser than she's been and her plans for 2024, including trying to find ways to create more spaces for community to form, meet and develop. This episode was produced by Paolo Marques, Julia De Laurentiis Johnston and Edward Keenan. What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Today's episode features our 2023 in Toronto politics chat, including the shocking resignation of one mayor, the comeback election of another, the sinking fortunes and desperate reversals of the premier and the multiple instances of the city government "loving things to death." Then there are the things that didn't chang, including the limbo of the crosstown transit project. What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Guest: Matt Blackett, "Spacing" magazine founder and creative director "Spacing," the independent magazine about public space issues in Toronto, turns 20 years old this month — somehow surviving and even thriving in a media landscape that's been punishing to much more established titles. Founder Matt Blackett joins "This Matters" to talk about how the magazine began and how it has developed unconventional ways to make money and influence people from subway merchandise to the opening of a retail store. Blackett also talks about why, after everything, he remains optimistic about the city's future. This episode was produced by Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Paolo Marques and Ed Keenan. What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Guest: Jacques Gallant, courts and justice reporter In November, a jury convicted the now disgraced fashion mogul Peter Nygard with four counts of sexual assault after five women testified disturbing details of what happened to them inside his former Toronto headquarters. Behind them were a Toronto therapist, a #MeToo lawyer, a business nemesis and more than 100 women who helped bring him down. This episode was produced by Brian Bradley, Paulo Marques and Saba Eitizaz Audio Sources: CBC News, Life of Luxury, ABC News What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Guest: Mahdis Habibinia, reporter For seven years the family of Soleiman Faqiri has been searching for answers after his death in an Ontario jail. At last, a jury at a coroner's inquest confirmed his death was a homicide. It is a landmark verdict after emotional testimony showing how jail guards, health care staff and supervisors failed to address Faqiri's spiralling mental health crisis. The Star's Mahdis Habibinia has been covering the proceedings and explains. This episode was produced by Paulo Marques and Saba Eitizaz. What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Guest: Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, technical lead for the COVID-19 response at the World Health Organization It's been four years since the first human COVID-19 case emerged in Wuhan, China. Since then, the disease has gone on to kill an estimated 15 million people, infect more than 750 million and upend the lives of countless more. A scientific consensus has emerged among many of the world's top virologists about how it most likely spread to humans — from wildlife sold at the Huanan seafood market in Wuhan — but to date a culprit animal has not been found. Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, technical lead for the COVID-19 response at the World Health Organization, talks about what we do and do not know about the virus' origins and why finding the source is so important for how we respond to future pandemics. This podcast was produced by Kenyon Wallace, Julia De Laurentiis Johnston and Paolo Marques. Audio Sources: NBC What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Ed Keenan and Emma Teitel's Toronto politics chat considers the implications and possible motivations for the likely next stop on the premier's policy revolving door, discusses new Ontario Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie's retail appeal, considers both the impact and the implications of the library's ongoing victimization by hackers, and talks about possible progress on the King Street transit priority situation. Produced by Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Paulo Marques and Edward Keenan What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Guest: Moira Welsh, journalist Canada's population is aging fast. Over the next two decades, one in four Canadians are going to be over the age of 65. As experts say our health care system isn't ready, the devastation in long-term care homes during COVID-19 offered a terrifying glimpse into the future. As such, many older adults fear nursing homes and instead struggle to age at home, alone, often without support, human contact or dignity. Moira Welsh, Toronto Star journalist and author of the book "Happily Ever Older: Revolutionary Approaches to Long-Term Care," joins us to explain. What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card. This episode was produced by Paulo Marques and Saba Eitizaz.

This Matters would like to introduce you to another Toronto Star podcast: Millennial Money. Millennials face an unprecedented financial landscape in modern life. They've been told all along there are financial markers to being a grown-up: owning a home, having kids, travelling, having some kind of social life. But for many, lots of those things feel well out of reach. Returning for its third season, the "Millennial Money" podcast is doing things differently this time around. New host and Toronto Star business reporter Ghada Alsharif speaks to fellow millennials about relatable financial dilemmas that are usually taboo or embarrassing, that everyone is grappling with behind closed doors. Alsharif will then bring the topic straight to an expert to work out some options. Episode 1 (Home ownership or kids: do I have to choose?) is now available on podcast platforms or at thestar.com/millennialmoneypodcast.

Guest: Robert Benzie, Queen's Park bureau chief The Ontario Liberals have elected Bonnie Crombie as their new leader. She is tasked with taking down Premier Doug Ford, whose government is already labelling her as an elitist, and bringing her party back in from the wilderness after two crushing and consecutive defeats and no official party status. You could say she's got her work cut out for her. Robert Benzie, The Star's Queen's Park bureau chief and our very own Ontario politics expert, helps unpack Crombie's victory and what the next two and a half years could look like for the Liberals in Ontario politics before the next provincial election in June 2026. This episode was produced by Paulo Marques and Saba Eitizaz. What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Guest: Emma Teitel, columnist Columnist Emma Teitel joins again for a Toronto politics chat after an extended absence with lots of fresh news to talk about, including the election of a new councillor to replace Gary Crawford in Scarborough. It was a race that will affect council's ideological composition, with a winner who wants to emphasize transit and child care. Meanwhile, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a new financial deal for Toronto. We get into the nuts and bolts of it, what it means, what it doesn't and evaluate the trade-offs for the city. Produced by Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Paulo Marques and Edward Keenan

Guests: Toronto Star hockey reporter Kevin McGran, basketball reporter Doug Smith and Deputy Sports Editor Patrick Ho Our sports department spent much of a year compiling historical information and debating tough questions on a simple, maybe even silly, question: when you look at jersey numbers, who is the ultimate Toronto pro athlete to have worn each one? It's a fun assignment, but more difficult that it might seem. At #27 forever, you have at least two bone fide Toronto Maple Leafs legends and a potential Blue Jays legend in the making. Kyle Lowry would seem to be a shoe-in at #7 for Raptors fans, but he's up against a Leafs defender who is a household name across Canada. Meanwhile, the eccentricities of the project mean for some numbers, we're left with an athlete who may leave even seasoned sports fans asking, "who's that?" Our panel goes over some of the most interesting and contentious numbers on the list, including the only one we know of that was retired in honour and then unretired in disgrace. It's the most fun kind of sports conversation, the kind where you remember some players and debate the most interesting and exciting moments from the history of the Raptors, Argos, Toronto FC, The 6, Furies, Blue Jays and Leafs. Produced by Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Paulo Marques and Edward Keenan Audio Sources: Toronto Blue Jays, Heritage Hockey, NBA, CBC, Global News

Guest: Mark Ramzy, reporter Canada is home to thousands of diaspora communities. It's known as the hub of multiculturalism and diversity, which is sown into the social fabric and even its legislation Data shows that out of the 1.3 million immigrants who arrived in Canada between 2016 and 2021, more than 900,000 had a mother tongue that was neither English nor French. There are almost 400 nonofficial mother tongues in the country today, but why are the younger generations of these diaspora communities losing their first languages? Special thanks to: Manuela Vega, Akrit Michael, Sheila Wang, Annette Ejiofor, Ghada Alsharif This episode was produced by Paulo Marques and Saba Eitizaz.

Guests: Matt Elliott and Shawn Micallef, contributing columnists So much has been happening in Toronto this week. As encampments are cleared, the mayor and the federal government are fighting over shelter and housing dollars and the city is cancelling plans for public washrooms even as it opens all of its ice rinks. Joined by Shawn Micallef, Matt Elliott issues his first look at how Mayor Olivia Chow's council support has lined up in her first months (and the dynamic duo of consistent oppositions to her). Plus, a little sliver of good news for GTA transit riders. This episode was produced by Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Edward Keenan and Paolo Marques. Audio Sources: CP24

Guests: Nicholas Keung and Andy Takagi, staff reporters For years, Canada has been a dream destination for young people around the world with a record number of international students arriving in 2023. But that dream is unaffordable for many. As the cost of living keeps rising and tuition remains high for students from out of country, many international students have limited resources and turn to strained food banks for support. Yet, one Brampton food bank banned international students and puzzlingly cites abuse. That made headlines and brought attention to what these students have been grappling with. This episode was produced by Paulo Marques, Brian Bradley and Saba Eitizaz.

Guest: Wendy Gillis, crime and policing reporter Over the past nine weeks, a Canadian courtroom heard disturbing testimonies of how and why 22-year-old Nathaniel Veltman murdered three generations of a Muslim family in 2021. Now guilty for the deaths of Salman Afzaal, his wife Madiha, 15-year-old daughter Yumna and 74-year-old mother Talat, and for the attempted murder of Salman's nine-year-old son, the upcoming sentencing will be a significant litmus test for Canada's anti-terror laws. What is also critical is the need to unravel how a small-town factory worker just out of his teens became a deadly mass murderer. Veltman's descent down the rabbit-hole of far-right extremism has exposed a deadly threat in Canada, as hate is once again on the rise. We retrace the digital footsteps of Veltman's radicalization. This episode was produced by Paulo Marques and Saba Eitizaz.

Guest: Toronto Star reporter Kerry Gillespie The interview today is timed to run 17 minutes and 28 seconds, the exact length of Stouffville 12-year-old Sawyer Nicholson's world-record-breaking 5-kilometer run. So listeners are invited to jog along as they listen and see how their own progress stacks up. Star reporter Kerry Gillespie talks about the tiny running phenomenon, and how she took up running as training for another sport, how she developed, and the blowback her family has gotten online as a result. And Sawyer herself checks in with us from checkpoints on her own 5K training run. PLUS: the world-record holder's pump-up playlist. This episode was produced by Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Edward Keenan and Sean Pattendon.

Guest: Sara Mojtehdzadeh, investigative reporter Did you know that a victim of labour trafficking could be right in front of you? Hundreds are working in plain sight, changing our hotel sheets, renovating our houses and growing the food we eat. In an investigative series by reporters Sara Mojtehdzadeh and Rachel Mendlesen called "Work Forced," The Star identified 10 cases across the GTA and southwestern Ontario since 2019 where police have raided labour trafficking operations. They have led to complex legal proceedings, which are ongoing, dozens of arrests and involve more than 200 victims – desperate to make a better life for their families – who got caught in this web. Mojtehdzadeh talks about it on the podcast. This episode was produced by Paulo Marques, Julia De Laurentiis Johnston and Saba Eitizaz.

Guest: Ghada Alsharif, business reporter Concerns of worker exploitation, especially on farms, are escalating as Canada significantly increases its foreign workforce in order to race towards an ambitious $100-billion food export target. In the momentum to win this race, is enough being done to secure the rights and protections of those migrants who arrive under Canada's Temporary Foreign Workers program? This episode was produced by Paulo Marques, Kevin Sexton and Saba Eitizaz.

In our series, "The Kids Aren't All Right," the Star has been highlighting the many ways in which children are struggling in Toronto. Mayor Olivia Chow joins "This Matters" to talk about why she thinks a lot of these areas stem from housing affordability and about her plan to try to break the logjam on that file. She also discusses her history of advocating for children at the city and what inspired it, and gives some concrete steps she plans to take in the next year or two to try to make things easier for families and children.

Guest: Dr. Amy Gajaria, psychiatrist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Wait times of up to two years. There are not enough publicly funded therapists. Emergency rooms are overwhelmed by children in crisis. Ontario's child and youth mental health system is at a breaking point. The Mental Health Commission of Canada reports that mental illness affects more than one million children and youth in the country. And while the provincial government has stood up and started to take notice with new funding announcements this year, there remain simply not enough resources to help young people suffering from mental illness. As part of "The Kids Aren't All Right" series, reporter Kenyon Wallace – who wrote on mental health and children – speaks with Dr. Amy Gajaria. Audio Sources: CBC News This episode was produced by Paolo Marques, Brian Bradley and Kenyon Wallace.

Guest: Ivy Lynn Bourgeault, Professor in the School of Sociological and Anthropological Studies at the University of Ottawa Ontario's registered nurses will now be able to independently prescribe some medications such as vaccines, medicines to quit smoking and for pain relief or wound care. The government sees this as an effort to tackle Ontario's acute health care crisis, where more than two million people currently lacking a family doctor. This is the latest in a series of recent moves to expand the role of some health professionals to try and fill the gap, including pharmacists and midwives. We explore what this means for health care. This episode was produced by Paulo Marques, Brian Bradley and Saba Eitizaz.

Guest: Noor Javed, city news reporter At the peak of the pandemic, the Ford government turned to Minister's Zoning Orders (known as MZOs) as the speediest solution to the housing crisis and direly needed construction of long-term-care facilities. Former housing minister Steve Clark issued more than 100 MZOs between 2019 and 2023. But in the wake of the Greenbelt scandal, scrutiny is now shifting to these MZOs and if they have actually fast-tracked development efforts. The Star did its own analysis and found little progress in the past four years to support that claim. Audio sources: Ontario Nature, CHCH News This episode was produced by Paulo Marques, Brian Bradley and Saba Eitizaz.

Guest: Richard Warnica, business feature writer When Toronto hosted a packed WNBA exhibition game in May, hopes were high that the city would soon get its own team, but by then, "the game was already over," writer Richard Warnica says. Local sports powerhouse Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) had already considered and rejected the idea, mostly because two particular members of the board were set against it. At a time when women's professional sports seem to be awakening across the continent, Warnica has the exclusive on how Toronto ruled itself out, possibly missing an opportunity for exponential growth in the fan base. Audio Source: Sportsnet

Guest: Katie Daubs, senior writer As Ontario's schools struggle with resources and ripple effects of the pandemic, experts say students with diverse needs like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) aren't getting the help they require. ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children, yet there is no official ministry categorization making it difficult to support in classrooms. As part of the Star's "The Kids Aren't All Right" series, senior writer Katie Daubs talked to one high school student about her experience. This episode was produced by Paolo Marques and Brian Bradley.

Guest: Jennifer Pagliaro, crime reporter Many parents across Toronto struggle to balance keeping their kids safe and letting them develop a sense of independence. In a city where crime concerns are rising and rising faster for younger people, some weigh on that balance more than others. In one family, their son was shot before he was two years old. For the Star's "The Kids Aren't All Right" series, reporter Jennifer Pagliaro looked at life after a shooting and what could work to prevent others from suffering the same tragedy. This episode was produced by Paolo Marques, Julia De Laurentiis Johnston and Edward Keenan.

Guest: Kate Allen, climate change reporter Fresh air, trees, grass on bare feet. The sound of birds while playing on a playground. Leisurely swinging in the shadow of a tree. Many of us have childhood memories outside in parks and forests, and research shows this time is key to our physical, mental and social well-being and development. So what about the children being raised in urban centres like Toronto, where green space has shrunk significantly over the past two decades as the region faces pressure to build housing and city reports warn that the amount of parkland per person risks falling further. As part of the Star's "The Kids Aren't All Right" series, climate change reporter Kate Allen joins "This Matters" to discuss the impacts on children and their development. This episode was produced by Paolo Marques and Brian Bradley.

Guest: jade guthrie, FoodShare Toronto When kids don't get enough to eat at home or they worry about running out of food, it can affect everything in their lives from their ability to learn and grow, to their ability to be healthy and resilient. Yet food insecurity is the reality of 1.8 million kids in Canada. In this episode from the Star's "The Kids Aren't All Right" series, guest host Alyshah Hasham and jade guthrie of FoodShare Toronto discusses what we can do to turn the crisis around. This episode was produced by Paulo Marques, Julia De Laurentiis Johnston and Alyshah Hasham.

Guest: Victoria Gibson, affordable housing reporter Housing affordability and accessibility are only getting worse. For many Canadians, they might be just one bill or unexpected expense away from being unable to afford that month's rent. Renovations, rent, or repair expenses are all factors that have led to more than 600,000 kids growing up in precarious housing across the country. As part of the series "The Kids Aren't All Right," we take a look at what that means and how a child might experience these challenges. This episode was produced by Paulo Marques, Brian Bradley and Saba Eitizaz.

Guest: Megan Ogilvie, health reporter Ever since the COVID pandemic, Canada's health care system is near a breaking point and may take years to fix. Among the issues, experts are worried that many children are not getting needed surgery within the safe medical window. An estimated 17,000 children are on long waiting lists for surgeries that could improve the quality of their lives. Some of them wait for months or years. Some might never recover. The Star's health reporter Megan Ogilvie unpacks the impact it has on children and their families. This episode was produced by Paulo Marques, Julia De Laurentiis Johnston and Saba Eitizaz.

Guest: Amy Dempsey, series editor In many different aspects of life, kids in Toronto are struggling right now. Housing is unaffordable, educational supports are lacking, surgical wait times are long and the social safety net is frayed. Amy Dempsey is editor of the series "The Kids Aren't All Right," which looks at the varied and interconnected ways we're letting down the next generation and what we might start doing to fix it. This episode was produced by Sean Pattendon, Julia De Laurentiis Johnston and Edward Keenan.

Guests: David Rider and Ben Spurr Since her election in June, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow has begun the work she was elected to do — building relationships with councillors and the premier, trying to kick start affordable housing and working to fix the city's budget hole. David Rider, city hall bureau chief, and Ben Spurr, reporter, have talked to her allies, opponents and city experts to evaluate how far she's come, how much further she has to go and potential political landmines in the coming mayoral schedule. This episode was produced by Sean Pattendon, Julia De Laurentiis Johnston and Edward Keenan.