A change to a 45-year-old coal policy in a province known for resource extraction has people from all walks of life up in arms. And the people are saying the government has gone too far.

On this episode of This Is Why, we learn about the changes to the 1976 coal policy and the people affected by the change.

Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter

Dave McIvor - @d_mac1519 on Twitter

This is Why - @ThisIsWhy on Twitter

Email us - [email protected]

Guests:

Jill Croteau, senior reporter, Global Calgary

Episode resources:

The coronavirus pandemic has hit all of Canada but one group has been hit especially hard -- senior citizens. And through all of the waves of the pandemic, long-term and assisted living homes have been sites of outbreaks, resulting in deaths.

On this episode of This Is Why, we learn about the system weaknesses in the long-term care system, how they were exploited by COVID-19, and what can be done to fix the system.

Contact:

Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter

Dave McIvor - @d_mac1519 on Twitter

This is Why - @ThisIsWhy on Twitter

Email us - [email protected]

Guests:

Carol Estabrooks, scientific director of the Translating Research and Elder Care Program and professor in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Alberta

New variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been discovered around the world, and present new and different threats to public health.

On this episode of This Is Why, we learn about the new variants and what could be done about them.

Contact:

Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter

Dave McIvor - @d_mac1519 on Twitter

This is Why - @ThisIsWhy on Twitter

Email us - [email protected]

Guests:

Dr. Frank Van Der Meer, associate professor of virology at the University of Calgary

Dr. Matthew S. Miller, associate professor in the Michael DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research at McMaster University

With a new president entering the Oval Office on Jan. 20, 2021, a new era can begin in relations between the two countries who share the world's longest undefended border: Canada and the United States.

On this episode of This Is Why, we learn about why the change from President Trump to President Biden will impact Canada.

Contact:

Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter

Dave McIvor - @d_mac1519 on Twitter

This is Why - @ThisIsWhy on Twitter

Email us - [email protected]

Guests:

Melissa Haussman, professor of political science at Carleton

Bruce Heyman, former US Ambassador to Canada

While the coronavirus pandemic rages on, the climate change crisis continues to march on as another threat to the health of people worldwide.

On this episode of This Is Why, we learn about why climate change will affect the health of Canadians while also affecting climate.

Contact:

Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter

Dave McIvor - @d_mac1519 on Twitter

This is Why - @ThisIsWhy on Twitter

Email us - [email protected]

Guests:

Dr. Claudel Petrin-Desrosiers and Dr. Finola Hackett, authors of Lancet Countdown Policy Brief: Canada in 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll on more than 15,000 families, taking their loved ones from this world. And COVID-19 has brought a topic to the forefront that isn't usually brought up in polite society: death.

On this episode of This Is Why, we learn about why talking about death more can change a person's life.

Contact:

Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter

Dave McIvor - @d_mac1519 on Twitter

This is Why - @ThisIsWhy on Twitter

Email us - [email protected]

Guests:

Angela Fama, multidisciplinary artist in Vancouver and founder of the Death Conversation Game

If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help, resources are available. In case of an emergency, please call 911 for immediate help.

For a directory of support services in your area, visit the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention.

Learn more about how to help someone in crisis here.

Staying at home has been one of the most powerful tools in preventing the spread of COVID-19 during this pandemic. But it has contributed to a parallel mental health pandemic.

On this episode of This Is Why, we look at loneliness during the pandemic and what one can do to make it through tough times alone.

Contact:

Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter

Dave McIvor - @d_mac1519 on Twitter

This is Why - @ThisIsWhy on Twitter

Email us - [email protected]

Guests:

Dr. Heather MacIntosh, clinical psychologist and associate professor and director in the MScA in Couple and Family Therapy programme within the School of Social Work at McGill University

The coronavirus pandemic has brought up all sorts of emotions and feelings, as we all try to navigate this 'new normal.' But perhaps instead of asking 'Why is this happening?,' there are better questions to ask, like 'What can I control?'

On this episode of This Is Why, we learn about an ancient philosophy and some of its modern implementation.

Contact:

Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter

Dave McIvor - @d_mac1519 on Twitter

This is Why - @ThisIsWhy on Twitter

Email us - [email protected]

Guests:

Dr. Ranjini George, University of Toronto instructor & practitioner of Stoicism

Episode resources:

Stoicism and the Good Life, the course Dr. George is presenting at the University of Toronto

The coronavirus pandemic has had millions of Canadians work from home for months. Offices in office buildings have largely sat dormant and downtowns are closer to ghost towns. But whether that is a temporary or a structural change is up for debate.

On this episode of This Is Why, we find out what the future of work looks like post-pandemic.

Contact:

Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter

Dave McIvor - @d_mac1519 on Twitter

This is Why - @ThisIsWhy on Twitter

Email us - [email protected]

Guests:

David Zweig, professor of organizational behaviour at the University of Toronto

One of the differences between the 1918 influenza pandemic and COVID-19 is that a majority of citizens have radios and computers they can fit in their pockets -- smartphones. And apps run on smartphones could be an important tool in the fight against the novel coronavirus. But two governments' approaches in Canada have led to very different results in apps that have been developed and how effective those apps are.

On this episode of This Is Why, we look into the pair of contact tracing apps available in Canada.

Contact:

Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter

Dave McIvor - @d_mac1519 on Twitter

This is Why - @ThisIsWhy on Twitter

Email us - [email protected]

Guests:

Ziad Fazel, Calgary-based project manager