Wednesday, February 8th 2023

Guest: Estair Van Wagner of Osgoode Hall Law School

A recent court ruling in Waterloo concluded the city could not evict people from an encampment if there was not adequate shelter space available in the system because it was a violation of their human rights. This could have ramifications over how other municipalities deal with unhoused people but, like with most legal decisions, it is complicated. Estair Van Wagner, a professor at York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School and advocate for the rights of the unhoused, takes us through the ruling and how it might change how the City of Toronto may deal with unhoused people.

This episode was produced by Alexis Green, Paulo Marques and Raju Mudhar.

Tuesday, February 7th 2023

Guests: Raisa Patel and Asmaa Malik

It was Jan. 26 when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed Amira Elghawaby, a visibly Muslim woman, as point-person on Islamophobia and just days later, Elghawaby found herself at the centre of a media storm with government officials calling for her resignation. Why? A 2019 opinion piece Elghawaby co-wrote about Quebec’s controversial Bill 21 resurfaced, in which she quoted from a poll that said support for the bill was linked to anti-Muslim sentiment. New reaction saw a dizzying wave of criticism from Quebec and members of the federal government that gave her the job, raising serious questions about Islamophobia in this country. Toronto Star Raisa Patel and Asmaa Malik, an associate professor of journalism at Toronto Metropolitan University, join “This Matters” to discuss.

This episode was produced by Saba Eitizaz, Alexis Green and Paolo Marques.

Audio sources: CPAC and Global News

Monday, February 6th 2023

Today, we're bringing you the first episode of season 2 of It's Political with Althia Raj. She welcomes the Star's Susan Delacourt, in conversation with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Friday, February 3rd 2023

Guest: Jessica Mudry, associate professor at Toronto Metropolitan University

When the change in recommended guidelines for alcohol use was served last month, the reaction was spirited. While once the guideline said 10 to 15 drinks per week was the recommended maximum, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) now says no amount of alcohol is good for your health and anything beyond two glasses a week increases your risk for alcohol-related consequences, from injury to cancer. The updated recommendations, funded by Health Canada and based on solid research, have not been well received and met with disbelief, displeasure and denial. Jessica Mudry, an associate professor at Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Professional Communication, joins “This Matters” to talk about how the guidelines are being received and how they could have been better communicated.

This episode was produced by Saba Eitizaz, Brian Bradley and Paolo Marques.

Audio Sources: CHCH News

Thursday, February 2nd 2023

Guest: Victoria Gibson, affordable housing reporter

While hospitals are still struggling with staff shortages and overflowing ERs, some have also been pushed to the front lines of Toronto’s homelessness crisis. As almost 5,000 homeless Torontonians came through St. Michael’s downtown trauma centre last year, some were there simply because they had no place to stay. It prompted hospital staff to launch an outreach program that connects patients to crucial supports beyond just immediate medical care. This includes providing a warm bed, clothes and even free legal advice to the city’s vulnerable. We take a look at the scope and span of this program.

This episode was produced by Alexis Green, Paulo Marques and Saba Eitizaz.

Audio Sources: City of Toronto