This Matters

The world is changing every day. Now, more than ever, these questions matter. What’s happening? And why should you care? This Matters, a daily news podcast from the Toronto Star, aims to answer those questions, on important stories and ideas, every day, Monday to Friday. Hosts Adrian Cheung, Saba Eitizaz and Raju Mudhar talk to experts and newsmakers about the social, cultural, political and economic stories that shape your life.

Ontario’s budget: Politics, platforms and how it sets up the election

Apr 29, 2022

Guest: Robert Benzie, Queen’s Park Bureau Chief

The Ontario government just released a record budget for spending, with over $198.6 billion allocated to things like health care, education, tax cuts and much more. With the provincial election writ dropping soon, there’s no way the budget can be passed before June 2...

The changing political dynamics of Toronto city hall

Apr 28, 2022

Guests: David Rider and Jennifer Pagliaro, The Star’s City Hall bureau

With a municipal election coming in October, change is coming to city hall. While Mayor John Tory will be seeking his third term, it is in the race for council seats where a lot of the action and interest will be. While there are no political...

How climate and pandemic anxiety is overwhelming Ontario teens

Apr 27, 2022

Guest: Nadine Yousif, mental health reporter

A recent survey conducted by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has found disturbing trends. More than half of the 2,200 kids in grades 7-12 surveyed are not just reeling from the effects of the pandemic, they are anxious about climate change and the future....

Housing affordability: What can be done to help people get into the market?

Apr 26, 2022

Guest: Paul Kershaw, a professor at UBC’s School of Population and Public Health and founder of Generation Squeeze, a non-profit that works for generational fairness

They say timing is everything, but should it be when it comes to home ownership? Canada’s wealth gap is not just driven by income, but also by real...

How right is too right? Conservatives look to the middle

Apr 25, 2022

Guest: Stephanie Levitz, a reporter in the Star's Ottawa Bureau

The Conservative party leadership race is underway and while the goal is to find a new leader, some think this contest could be for the soul of the party. While there candidates pushing more socially conservative views against others with more progressive...