Latest podcasts
- Ontario’s not-so-strong mayor plan
Thursday, August 18th 2022
Guest: David Rider, City Hall Bureau Chief
Ontario has brought in new legislation to give “strong-mayor” powers to the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa. As it turns out, there are some strings attached. “Strong-mayor” powers generally are supposed to help a mayor cut through red tape and push their agenda through, but now it is clear mayoral powers will be tied to provincial priorities and it’s unknown how those will be decided. Many experts feel that while this will make the mayor stronger in council, it will make them more beholden to the province.
This episode was produced by Alexis Green, Paulo Marques and Raju Mudhar
Audio sources: CP24 and Global News
- Why the cost and use of temp agency nurses is skyrocketing
Wednesday, August 17th 2022
Guests: Star reporters Jennifer Yang and Sara Mojtehedzadeh, as well as Anna Seto, a hospital nurse who joined a temp agency during the pandemic
A Star investigation has revealed that the use and costs associated with using nurse supplied by temp agencies is skyrocketing. Some hospitals have said the costs have grown over 500 per cent, and some agencies may be taking advantage by increasing their rates. Nurses are also choosing to go to work for them because agencies pay more and offer a better work-life balance. What is the larger toll on the health care system? Is this sustainable?
This episode was produced by Alexis Green, Sean Pattendon and Raju Mudhar.
- Back to school and what to expect
Tuesday, August 16th 2022
Guest: Kristin Rushowy, Queen’s Park reporter
As children prepare to return to classrooms in the fall, the Ontario government seems to be pushing for some kind of pre-pandemic “normal.” Mask mandates have been lifted, there’s a push to bring back extracurricular activities and a new “catch-up” plan has been announced to help kids bounce back from COVID related disruptions. The Star’s Kris Rushowy joins “This Matters” to explain what the back to school season will look like.
This episode was produced by Saba Eitizaz, Brian Bradley and Matthew Hearn
- Renovictions and tenant rights: How the city is trying to help renters
Monday, August 15th 2022
Guest: Abi Bond, Executive director of Toronto’s Housing Secretariat
Rents are rising at record rates across the country. While the pandemic brought rent costs down and created higher vacancies, now the rental market is surging because there is a lack of supply. Landlords are also using tactics like renovictions to get tenants out. The City of Toronto recently tabled a new report that looks at ways to help renters and fight against renovictions. Toronto’s top housing official joins “This Matters” to talk about how the city is trying to create more affordable housing.
This episode was produced by Alexis Green, Paulo Marques and Raju Mudhar.
- 905 politicians behaving badly
Friday, August 12th 2022
Guest: Noor Javed, staff reporter
Controversial politicians in Brampton, Richmond Hill and Mississauga have caused several issues for the municipal governments in those communities recently. While the reasons are very different, there has been all kind of political manoeuvring, lawsuits filed and city council meetings disrupted or cancelled. One issue this exposes is the lack of mechanism to punish or remove an elected official from office, other than voting them out in the next municipal election.
This episode was produced by Alexis Green, Paulo Marques and Raju Mudhar.
Audio sources: CityNews, CTV and CAGRichmondHill.