Tuesday, June 15th 2021

With the rise of the worrisome Delta variant, Ontario is accelerating second doses of COVID vaccines in hot spots across the province, as well as shortening the length between doses from 12 to eight weeks for people who got AstraZeneca as their first shot. In addition, some have a choice on their hands as vaccine mixing is also now allowed, including for those who have had AstraZeneca. Yet with mixing and matching, there is also mixed messaging. Today we talk with a professional science communicator about how to handle the infodemic, and everything you need to know about getting a second dose.

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Monday, June 14th 2021

Political leaders have publicly condemned the murders of a Muslim family in London, Ont. Terrorism charges have been brought against the alleged killer. But many Muslim Canadians say words are no longer enough, action must be taken to prevent more hate crimes. From fierce opposition against Motion 103, a motion in the provincial legislature to recognize the need to quell the increasing public climate of hate and fear and condemn all forms of systemic racism and religious discrimination, to the bill forbidding teachers, police officers and many government officials from wearing religious symbols in Quebec, anti-Muslim hatred and sentiments have seeped into Canadian institutions and politics. We speak to Iqra Khalid, the Liberal MP who authored Motion 103, on what the work of dismantling Islamophobia in Canada means.

For those experiencing grief, confusion and trauma as a result of these events, Naseeha provides mental health tools to the Muslim community. You can call for support at 1-866-627-3342

Friday, June 11th 2021

Guest: Edward Keenan, the Toronto Star's Washington Bureau Chief

While former president Donald Trump has effectively been muzzled on social media, his power and influence continue to grow as Republicans line up behind the man who still casts a long shadow over the party. His Big Lie — that the last election was rigged so he wouldn’t win — continues to gain support across the GOP’s base, and is being used to fuel restrictive voting bills in several states, prompting experts to warn that American democracy is at a breaking point.

If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters.

Thursday, June 10th 2021

Guest: Noor Javed, Toronto Star reporter
Muslim Canadians have felt profound grief in the wake of the hateful attack in London that left four members of the Afzaal family dead, and one 9-year-old boy orphaned. There is also a sense of betrayal and anger that despite political promises and platitudes, Islamophobia continues to rise in Canada, unchecked. Toronto Star reporter Noor Javed joins “This Matters” to talk about her frustration and fears, sentiments shared by many Muslim women and families across Canada right now.

For those experiencing grief, confusion and trauma as a result of these events, Naseeha provides mental health tools to the Muslim community. You can call for support at 1-866-627-3342

Wednesday, June 9th 2021

Guest: Hayden King, educator and director of the Yellowhead Institute

It was a powerful image seen across Canada: the statue of Egerton Ryerson, chief architect of the residential school system, torn down at the namesake university campus in Toronto. More than 300 signatures from students, faculty and associate deans from Ryerson University back the sentiment behind the event. They want the name to be abolished and (for now) replaced as “X University.” The pressure continues to mount after the discovery of remains of 215 Indigenous children at a former residential school site in Kamloops, B.C. We dive into why this fight at one university campus is a reflection of the much bigger reckoning of truth and decolonization in Canada.