Episoder
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Guest: Toronto Star Ottawa Bureau Chief Tonda MacCharles
Canadians have been bracing themselves for a potential trade war for over a month, and on Tuesday U.S. President Donald Trump actually launched it, imposing 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports. And that appears just to be the beginning.
The Starâs Tonda MaCharles talks us through the immediate aftermath, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeauâs âremarkableâ speech, Canadaâs retaliatory tariffs and the logic behind them, responses from others including Pierre Poilievre and Doug Ford, and Trumpâs own speech to the U.S. Congress on the day the trade war was launched.
We look at the ways this is likely to impact the Canadian and American economies, and why Trump may be testing the pain threshold of his own citizens and the investors whose opinion he typically so values. And given that the stated reason for imposing the tariffs â illegal drug trafficking â is obviously not true, host Edward Keenan and MacCharles consider what Trudeau said is the larger logic of Trumpâs aggression: a takeover of Canada.
PLUS: Who exactly signed this âterribleâ North American trade deal Trump is always complaining about?
This episode was produced by Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Ed Keenan and Paulo Marques.
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Guest: Toronto Star Queenâs Park Bureau Chief Robert Benzie
On the one hand, Doug Ford won a third straight majority (the first such feat by a premier in Ontario since the 1950s). On the other hand, he doesnât seem happy about it, because he wanted more seats. The Starâs Robert Benzie explains why, and looks at the similar dark cloud/silver lining result faced by other parties (and shares former premier David Petersonâs observation about why winning too big is as much a curse as a blessing). He also breaks down the results, and the turnout (NOT the worst participation rate ever, FWIW), and discusses the prospects for long-simmering issues such as health care to come to the surface now that the election is over.
PLUS: Why you could consider this a âSeinfeldâ election
This episode was produced by Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Ed Keenan and Paulo Marques.
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Manglende episoder?
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Guest: Toronto Star affordable housing reporter Victoria Gibson
Ontario is racing towards a snap election on Feb.27 and for a lot of voters, two issues loom well above the rest: housing and healthcare. Both are at breaking point, and both are dominating party platforms. As part of our pre-election coverage, weâre delving into these issues. Where do things really stand, are any of the candidates offering actual solutions, and what should you, the voters be thinking about as you head to the polls?
We talk housing on todayâs episode. Millions of people in Ontario are struggling with a reality where housing is not just unaffordable; for many, itâs almost impossible. Rents are out of control, homeownership feels like a distant dream, subsidized housing waitlists are stretching into decades and homelessness numbers have shot up by 25 per cent since the last election. We keep hearing big promises about 1.5 million new homes, more affordable units, incentives for developers, but is any of it actually working?
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Guests: Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie, NDP Leader Marit Stiles, Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner
Star's political columnist Martin Regg Cohn also leads the TMU Democracy forum, where he recently sat down with Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie, NDP Leader Marit Stiles and Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner to discuss what they might do for Ontarians if their party wins the upcoming election. Doug Ford, the Progressive Conservative leader who hopes to be reelected, declined to participate in the forum.
Here in three separate episodes, Martin leads conversations with the leaders who did agree to participate in front of a live studio audience. The leaders speak about what makes them tick and what clicks with voters; the policies, the personalities, and the problems facing our province. Here's the episode with Mike Schreiner.
This episode was produced by Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Martin Regg Cohn and Paulo Marques.
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Guests: Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie, NDP Leader Marit Stiles, Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner
Star's political columnist Martin Regg Cohn also leads the TMU Democracy forum, where he recently sat down with Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie, NDP Leader Marit Stiles and Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner to discuss what they might do for Ontarians if their party wins the upcoming election. Doug Ford, the Progressive Conservative leader who hopes to be reelected, declined to participate in the forum.
Here in three separate episodes, Martin leads conversations with the leaders who did agree to participate in front of a live studio audience. The leaders speak about what makes them tick and what clicks with voters; the policies, the personalities, and the problems facing our province. Here's the episode with Marit Stiles.
This episode was produced by Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Martin Regg Cohn and Paulo Marques.
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Guests: Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie, NDP Leader Marit Stiles, Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner
Star's political columnist Martin Regg Cohn also leads the TMU Democracy forum, where he recently sat down with Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie, NDP Leader Marit Stiles and Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner to discuss what they might do for Ontarians if their party wins the upcoming election. Doug Ford, the Progressive Conservative leader who hopes to be reelected, declined to participate in the forum.
Here in three separate episodes, Martin leads conversations with the leaders who did agree to participate in front of a live studio audience. The leaders speak about what makes them tick and what clicks with voters; the policies, the personalities, and the problems facing our province. Here's the episode with Bonnie Crombie.
This episode was produced by Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Martin Regg Cohn and Paulo Marques.
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Guest: Toronto Star health reporter Megan Ogilvie
Ontario is racing towards a snap election on February 27 and for a lot of voters, two issues loom well above the rest: housing and healthcare. Both are at breaking point and both are dominating party platforms. As part of the Star's pre-election coverage, weâre delving into these issues. Where do things really stand, are any of the candidates offering actual solutions, and what should you, the voters, be thinking about as you head to the polls?
Todayâs episode will focus on healthcare. With overflowing ERs, health-care worker burn-out and more than two million people without a family doctor, Ontarioâs healthcare has been in trouble for years. Can anyone bring it back on track?
Audio sources: Global News, CTV, CBC, Youtube
This episode was produced by Paulo Marques and Saba Eitizaz
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Guests: Toronto Star Queenâs Park Bureau Chief Robert Benzie and Queenâs Park reporter Rob Ferguson
On Valentineâs Day, and then again on Family Day, the provincial leaders engaged in this Ontario campaignâs two debates. Rob and Rob from our Queenâs Park bureau recap why they may be the most substantial events of the campaign so far, allowing viewers to dig into many of the issues that define life in the province.
They also discuss whether they heard any âkill shotsâ or âknock-out punchesâ from the podiums â and what the best lines and most noteworthy exchanges were. And then they discuss whatâs happened since: the polls, the fight between the Liberals and the NDP to poach each otherâs voters, and Doug Fordâs preparations for a second trip out of the country during the campaign.
PLUS: The crudely confrontational challenge that Bonnie Crombie issued to Doug Ford on Wednesday
This episode was produced by Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Ed Keenan and Sean Pattendon.
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Guest: Toronto Star Queenâs Park Bureau Chief Robert Benzie
During an election campaign, itâs unusual for a premier to take his campaign to stops in foreign countries â but these are unusual times, and this is an unusual Ontario election. The Starâs Robert Benzie joined Doug Ford and Canadaâs other premierâs on their visit to a snowy Washington, D.C. this week and tells us who they met with, what they are hoping to accomplish, and the prospects for success in getting their message through when the entire U.S. government is in Trump-inspired chaos. Benzie also unpacks what this might mean for the Ontario election race, and why Ford might prefer to be seen in the U.S. â where approximately none of his voters live â rather than knock on doors here at home. PLUS: What does talk of Canada as the 51st state have in common with a dead cat?
This episode was produced by Ed Keenan and Sean Pattendon.
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Guest: Toronto Star City Hall Bureau Chief Ben Spurr
The city, we often hear, is a âcreature of the province,â and as such almost all city hall business hangs on the indulgence of the premier. So for Toronto, the stakes in the provincial election would seem to be high. Itâs not hard to think of specific examples of issues that could turn based on the results, from bike lanes to Ontario Place to safe injection sites, to the ongoing negotiations about the ânew dealâ financial plan. Even more broadly, the current premier has taken an activist, micro-managing approach to Toronto, and central policies like housing and transit depend on provincial funding.
City Hall Bureau Chief Ben Spurr and host Edward Keenan discuss a range of things that could change for Toronto based on this election, and about why you donât hear much in the way of specific talk about the Toronto angle from the leaders in debates.
PLUS: Why Mayor Olivia Chow has been quiet about the campaign, and is unlikely to endorse anyone.
This episode was produced by Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Paolo Marques and Ed Keenan.
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Guests: Toronto Star Queenâs Park Bureau Chief Robert Benzie and Queenâs Park reporter Rob Ferguson
Doug Ford looked strong in announcing retaliatory measures planned in response to threatened tariffs from Donald Trump, but then after that threat was put on pause, comments he made privately about celebrating the U.S. presidentâs victory became a problem, and even a potential turning point in the election. Our Queenâs Park team explains whatâs happened and what it all could mean, and also discusses the role the opposition leaders hope health care policy will play in the election, the emergence of highways as a major issue for two of the parties, and what the polls tell us midway through the campaign.
PLUS: Why a winter campaign has campaigns shouting âdrill baby drill.â
This episode was produced by Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Sean Pattendon, Paolo Marques and Ed Keenan.
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Guest: Toronto Star Queenâs Park Bureau Chief Robert Benzie
After months of speculation, Premier Doug Ford finally called an election, sending voters to the polls more than a year ahead of schedule. Robert Benzie discusses Fordâs stated rationale for the campaign, and also unpacks the reasons behind the months of groundwork that prepared for this early election. Tax rebate cheques are hitting mailboxes, beer is on sale in corner stores, and the results of the Greenbelt police investigation are still likely months away.
On Fordâs side, the polls and electoral conditions seem favourable now. On the other side, on key issues of housing, health care and transit, itâs hard for him to make the argument heâs âgotten it done.â Hereâs what the Toronto Star team has seen during the first week of the campaign.
PLUS: The potential rewards and substantial risks of making Trump a central figure in the campaign.
This episode was produced by Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Paolo Marques and Ed Keenan.
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Commentator: Robert Benzie
It's likely Doug Ford will call a snap election nearly a year and a half before the province is due. Queen's Park Bureau Chief Robert Benzie gives a brief analysis and explains why now is an ideal time for Ford to call this election: what's at stake, what issues are most pressing, what his opposition thinks, and what is the historical precedence in Ontario for snap elections.
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Guests: Richard Warnica and Alex Ballingall
On Monday, we saw the result of an unprecedented political comeback as Donald Trump was officially sworn in as President of the United States â again. His second run comes four years after being voted out of office, and being impeached for attempting to overturn that result.
Senior Opinion writer Richard Warnica and Deputy Ottawa Bureau Chief Alex Ballingall attend the inauguration and chat about what they saw: the major difference between the 2017 event and this one; what it signals that Trump expressed his return to power as similar to a prophetâs work; the pardons & proclamations he made on day one; and why Elonâs âNazi saluteâ should be of no surprise.
PLUS: Whatâs the single most important thing progressives in both the USA & Canada can do right now?
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Guest: Toronto Star Editor-in-chief Nicole MacIntyre talks about the genesis of the âToronto the Betterâ series which looks for ways to improve life in the city in ways big and small
This is the time of year for winter blahs, and it arrives amid what seems to be a years-long Toronto blues, in which Star Editor-in-chief Nicole MacIntyre admits sheâs felt in danger of âfalling out of loveâ with the city. But itâs also the time of year for resolutions, and so the Star has launched the âToronto the Betterâ series which looks for ways to improve life in the city in ways big and small, from institutional fixes to self-help hacks. MacIntyre talks about the genesis of the idea, including the role her own recreational softball team played in inspiring parts of it, and talks about the things that can make us happyâthings we can do ourselves and things the city can do for usâand breaks apart what being happy even means. Host Edward Keenan and MacIntyre discuss how the personal and the institutional combine and conflict to add up to a life worth living in the city. And we hear about the year-long plan to explore those topics in the Star. PLUS: Revisiting the first time Keenan and MacIntryre met in a conversation on the waterfront, a conversation directly relevant to this new initiative.
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Itâs been a historic week in Ottawa. On Friday, Jan. 10, members of the Starâs Ottawa bureau sat for a discussion about how we got to the point where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau decided he must step down as leader of the federal Liberal party and PM, and exactly where the Liberals must go from here.
Join the Star's Deputy Ottawa Bureau Chief, Alex Ballingall, Ottawa Bureau Reporter, Ryan Tumilty, and moderator Robert Benzie, Queen's Park Bureau Chief.
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Guest: Toronto Mayor Oliva Chow
Host: Edward KeenanIn this episode of This Matters Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow talks about the housing and school nutrition progress she says are her biggest achievements of 2024, reflects on passing the biggest tax increase in post-amalgamation history and fields a question on what Torontonians should expect from the tax increase coming in the 2025 budget. Also, she shares her own response to the shelter crisis report that led the city manager to call the cityâs commitment to housing as a human right âaspirational,â and discusses her plans to open libraries on weekends. Host Edward Keenan also asks her about a raft of issues where her critics and supporters seems to agree sheâs ducking fights they expect her to take onâand she explains whether they all have her all wrong.
PLUS: Seasonally appropriate conversation about why some of the best things about Toronto, in 2024 and beyond, involve ice.
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This week, This Matters is publishing episodes of the Toronto Star's new podcast Small Things Big Climate.
Of all the climate solutions out there, the heat pump is a no brainer. Not only will it reduce your emissions by 60 per cent or more, itâs cheaper to operate, improves air quality and makes your home more comfortable. Despite these many qualities, many people are getting talked out of getting a heat pump by their HVAC contractor.
Guests: John Gultig, heat pump owner, Michelle Hjort, Energy Advisor at Energy Neighbour and carbontech innovator Phil de Luna.
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This week, This Matters is publishing episodes of the Toronto Star's new podcast Small Things Big Climate.
Sometimes it feels like you need a PhD to figure out how to shop for lower carbon groceries. Why isnât there a simple rule of thumb to follow? Host Marco Chown Oved starts this episode with a simple question: Whatâs more important for the climate, what you eat or where it comes from? And the answer is: It isnât even close.
Guests: Jonathan Foley, Executive Director of Project Drawdown, Cory Van Groningen, beef farmer at Hillview Farm, partnered with VG Meats and Rowe Farms, Brent Preston, farmer at The New Farm, President of Farmers for Climate Solutions.
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This week, This Matters is publishing episodes of the Toronto Star's new podcast Small Things Big Climate.
We live in a world built for cars. But as we sit in endless traffic, itâs hard not to think theyâve become a victim of their own success. Enter e-bikes. Theyâre big enough to replace delivery trucks, but small enough to zip past the bumper-to-bumper gridlock. Theyâre increasingly popular among food delivery people, families with young kids and seniors and soon may be replacing pick up trucks as a rural mode of transportation.
Guests: Jennifer McLaughlin, manager of rider experience at Zygg E-Bikes, Kevin McLaughlin, founder of Zygg, AutoShare and Evergreen and Joanna Kyriazis, director of public affairs at Clean Energy Canada.
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