Guest: Jeremy Nuttall, reporter at the Toronto Star

In May 2014 the New York Times published an opinion piece that generated much buzz, claiming that Canada might have stolen the famous “American Dream” when it came to median, after-tax income, quality of education and economic equality. Less than ten years and a pandemic later, the “Canadian Dream" might be turning into a nightmare with a spiraling housing, healthcare and economic crisis and the U.S. is once again pulling ahead of Canada when it comes to middle-class prosperity and social mobility. We explore why the tables have turned.

Audio sources: TikTok

This episode was produced by Saba Eitizaz, Paulo Marques and Julia De Laurentiis Johnston.

Guest: Wendy Gillis, reporter at the Toronto Star

Imagine someone going through a serious mental health crisis — and calls for help to prevent hurting themselves — and is then seriously hurt by those who responded to the distress call. It happened to a man called Brent Langille in an example of police on the frontlines of mental health calls. But shrinking budgets for mental health programs has led to the police becoming de-facto front-line mental health workers. We take a look at how this recent case highlighted cracks in the system.

If you are thinking of suicide or know someone who is, there is help. Resources are available online at http://crisisservicescanada.ca or you can connect to the national suicide prevention helpline at 1-833-456-4566, or the Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868.

This episode was produced by Saba Eitizaz, Paulo Marques and Julia De Laurentiis Johnston

Guest: Edward Keenan and Emma Teitel, columnists

Mayor Olivia Chow’s executive committee met this week for the first time to tackle new tax and revenue options and get something started on affordable housing. The only question is whether the provincial and federal governments will join them. Plus: the Ontario Place spa redesign, the final closure of the Scarborough RT and the thrilling siren song of the Polar Express (and the images painted on it).

This episode was produced by Edward Keenan, Sean Pattendon and Julia De Laurentiis Johnston.

Audio Sources: @kissingbanditt/YouTube

Guest: Kate McCullough, reporter at The Hamilton Spectator

It is a story out of East Hamilton that has made headlines, but could happen to anyone. A couple who own a home as an investment property have sold, told their tenants to leave because the buyers intend to live there, but the tenants say they can’t leave because they find a home in their price range in the costly rental market. The situation has now gone to the backlogged Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB), effectively putting a stop on closing of the house sale. Fed up, the buyers temporarily backed their 28-foot trailer into the driveway of their would-be home a few weeks ago, adding to the tensions between parties. Stay tuned for an outrageous, but increasingly common, real estate tale.

This episode was produced by Brian Bradley and Paolo Marques.

Audio Sources: CHCH News

Guest: Megan Ogilvie, health reporter

Health professionals are warning of an earlier than expected fourth wave of COVID-19 and the emergence of yet more fast-transmitting variants. While nothing has changed in terms of how we live with COVID, experts are saying this fourth pandemic autumn will be different from previous waves. This time around Canadians have tools to tackle the virus with high levels of immunity from a combination of vaccination and previous infection, and there are new, reformulated booster shots coming soon to specifically target the new subvariants. In today’s episode, we include all you need to know about the new booster shots and what to do to ride the expected pandemic waves of fall and winter.

This episode was produced by Saba Eitizaz, Sean Pattendon and Brian Bradley.

Audio Sources: CBC, Timiskaming Health Unit, Global News

Guest: Matti Siemiatycki, director on University of Toronto’s Infrastructure Institute

Earlier this month, a scathing report from Ontario’s auditor general revealed that Premier Doug Ford’s decision to open up land for development in the protected Greenbelt area might have been influenced by well-connected developers who stand to make billions of dollars. In the aftermath of growing calls for resignation and political pressure, the Ford government seems undeterred in its plans for development on Greenbelt land. Ford says it’s the only way to tackle the massive housing crisis, but is that really accurate and do we really need to build on the Greenbelt to fix the housing crisis? We explore this question with an expert.

This episode was produced by Saba Eitizaz, Paolo Marques and Julia De Laurentiis Johnston.

Guest: Melissa Haussman, professor of political science at Carleton University

Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s legal web is more tangled than ever after his fourth indictment was handed down in Georgia as he ramps up another run for the White House. Trump has 91 criminal charges against him between Georgia, Florida, New York and the District of Columbia and the stakes could not be higher for him and for American democracy. On “This Matters,” we take a look at the political impact of Trump’s indictments.

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

Audio sources: SkyNews/TikTok, NowThisNews/TikTok

Guest: Jim Rankin and Wendy Gillis, crime and justice reporters

Ayaan Farah, a Black woman, was stopped and questioned by the police in 2011. The documentation of that interaction changed her life, as she was suspended without pay from a job she held for years despite having no criminal record. She’s now the face of a class-action lawsuit over “carding,” a historically controversial and racially skewed police practice of stopping, interrogating and documenting people. Although it’s now outlawed, this lawsuit offers a stark reminder of the continuing socio-economic, mental, and emotional consequences for racialized individuals who have experienced it.

This episode was produced by Saba Eitizaz, Paolo Marques and Julia De Laurentiis Johnston.

Audio Sources: CBC

Guest: Stephanie Levitz, Ottawa Bureau

From cabinet appointments to personal style, our federal political leaders are changing and shaking up how they lead as our Canadian perceptions of them are increasingly divided. As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals mark the lowest approval rating since they formed government, Trudeau shook up the front bench (while also making news in his personal life). On the other side of the aisle, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is shaking up his personal image and launching ads to build on increasing party momentum. It is a time where the personal is eclipsing the politics and it could very well be the start of politicking for the next election.

This episode was produced by Brian Bradley, Sean Pattendon and Julia De Laurentiis Johnston.

Audio Sources: Global News, Reuters, Trending Now

Guests: The Toronto Star All-Star Opinionator Panel featuring Matt Elliott, Shawn Micallef and host Edward Keenan

On Saturday, Olivia Chow marks one month in the job as mayor, and this week, she appointed her team by selecting the committee Some would-be rivals seemed to get plum jobs, and at least one committee will have an odd couple at the helm. Plus: why a fire alarm during the meeting may be an appropriate sound effect for the occasion.

This episode was produced by Ed Keendan, Julia De Laurentiis Johnston and Paulo Marques.