Friday, July 4th 2025

Guests: Toronto Star reporters Isabel Teotonio and Kristin Rushowy

With the summer break, Ontario is wrapping up the first full school year under new cellphone restrictions. Last September, the Ford government introduced restrictions on personal mobile devices in schools, with boards required to update their own policies and ban social media sites, such as Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat, from networks and devices. Other provinces have followed suit. But the results have been mixed, and students can still access those sites using personal data. Some teachers did see students more focused and present. Others are still in a constant battle for their attention.

So, did the cellphone ban really change anything? 

This Matters speaks to Toronto Star reporters Isabel Teotonio and Kristin Rushowy. One’s been hearing from teachers and students in classrooms. The other’s been tracking the political story behind the policy.

Audio sources: CBC News, Isabel Teotonio 

Produced by Saba Eitizaz and Paulo Marques

Friday, June 27th 2025

GUEST: Star climate change reporter Kate Allen

Toronto just sweltered its way through one of the most intense heatwaves on record. Many Torontonians seeking relief from the heat were met with disappointment and locked doors at more than a dozen public pools as they ended up being closed because of heat safety protocols for the lifeguards. What followed was a political showdown between Mayor Olivia Chow and Premier Doug Ford, with both sides pointing fingers over who was responsible. 

And amid the public backlash, Mayor Chow has introduced a new motion calling for more resources and look to bringing back 24/7 cooling centred that were cancelled in 2019. 

As extreme heat becomes our new normal, is the city prepared to provide equitable access to cooling for all its residents? 

Produced by Saba Eitizaz and Paulo Marques

Friday, June 20th 2025

Guest: Star climate change reporter Marco Chown Oved

Wildfire season started early this year, with states of emergency declared in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and intense fire activity across Alberta. But while much of the national attention has focused on the west, Ontario is quietly facing a growing crisis of its own. One of the largest fires in the province’s north—recently described by officials as a “sleeping giant”—has now scorched more than 175,000 hectares, triggering the evacuation of hundreds from Deer Lake First Nation and over 2,000 people from Sandy Lake First Nation. Wildfires in Ontario are no longer limited to remote northern forests. Fueled by climate change, they’re burning hotter, spreading faster, and pushing deeper into regions once thought safe. And experts warn that the systems in place to fight them are falling dangerously behind.

Marco Chown Oved joins host Saba Eitizaz to break down why Ontario is more vulnerable than ever and what it was like to become certified as a wildland firefighter to understand the stakes firsthand.

Produced by Saba Eitizaz, Paulo Marques and Sean Pattendon

Thursday, June 12th 2025

Guests: Deputy Governor of the Bank of Canada Sharon Kozicki and Star Business Reporter Ana Pereira

Recently, the Bank of Canada announced their latest interest rate decision, holding it at 2.75% - its second pause after seven consecutive cuts. In attempting to explain this decision, Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem said, ‘The Canadian economy is softer but not sharply weaker.’ And what does that mean exactly, right?

Star Business reporter Ana Pereira sat down with Bank of Canada Deputy Governor Sharon Kozicki to ask about how the bank came to this decision, how the central bank is handling Trump’s volatile tariffs announcements and, generally, how the Bank plans to take care of Canadians as we teeter on the brink of another recession.

Host Julia De Laurentiis Johnston and Ana analyze Governor Kozicki’s answers and talk about what the Bank of Canada is concentrating on right now and the way it affects Canadians, especially Torontonians, in this economic moment.

PLUS: Is the Bank of Canada in the middle of something of a build back trust outreach tour with young Torontonians in particular, based on how they kind of bungled communication during the last recession?

Produced by Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Paulo Marques, Sean Pattendon and Serena Austin.

Tuesday, June 10th 2025

Guests: Star Reporters Nicholas Keung and Mark Ramzy 

Introduced last week by the federal government—the Strong Borders Act seeks to overhaul how refugee claims are processed, expand powers for border and intelligence officials, and tighten enforcement—all framed as a response to sprawling asylum backlogs and escalating pressure from the U.S. and Donald Trump, including concerns about fentanyl trafficking.

The bill is still in its early stages, but it’s already facing strong political opposition and legal criticism over what many are calling sweeping, unchecked powers and potential human rights concerns.

Two Star reporters covering federal politics and immigration unpack the politics, the policy and the politics behind the policy.

Audio source: CPAC