Guest: Steve McKinley, Halifax bureau

There is an interesting project off the East Coast involving tidal energy that has accomplished something that no previous one has. Sustainable Marine’s floating tidal turbine platform PLAT-I 6.40 has connected to the Nova Scotia grid, converting the power of the world’s largest tides into electricity. With looming deadlines requiring more green energy from renewable sources, reporter Steve McKinley of the Toronto Star Halifax bureau joins “This Matters” to talk about how tidal energy could be one solution to moving people off fossil fuelled power.

This episode was produced by Alexis Green, Matt Hearn and Raju Mudhar.

Guest: Alex McKeen, reporter

Last June, a wildfire decimated the small town of Lytton, B.C. after three days of record-breaking heat. Months later, floodwaters drowned the farming region of Abbotsford, B.C. and left four people dead and the B.C. interior cut off for months. Canada is warming twice as fast as the world average and will no doubt experience a greater number of climate disasters in the coming years. After the ash settles from a fire or the water from a flood drains away, do we rebuild or retreat? B.C.-based reporter Alex McKeen visited both affected towns and talks about the tough choice ahead.

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

Guests: Rachel Mendleson, investigative reporter at The Star and Steve Buist, investigative reporter at The Spec

A recent Torstar investigation found over 600 cases where a judge found police forces committed serious breaches and violations of people’s Charter rights. As well, nine forces were found to have systemic breaches of not respecting these rights. It is a national problem. The consequences of this are criminal cases being thrown out with alleged suspects walking free as some innocent people have their rights trampled on.

Guest: Alyshah Hasham, courts reporter

Warning: Contains graphic content.

After six days of intense deliberations and being deadlocked twice, a jury has found Canadian rock star Jacob Hoggard guilty on one of three charges. Despite similarities between the accounts of his accusers, jurors were “really internally struggling” over Hoggard’s charges and Hoggard was found guilty of sexually assaulting a young Ottawa woman but not guilty of raping and groping a teenage fan. Alyshah Hasham, courts reporter for the Star, joins “This Matters” to explain the significance of the verdict and whether it can shine a light on how the justice system — and our society — perceives consent and victims of sexual violence.

This episode was produced by Saba Eitizaz, Alexis Green and Matthew Hearn

Guest: Justin Ling, Freelance Investigative Reporter

As the Conservative leadership race continues, several leadership hopefuls are embracing conspiracy theories in order to win support. For instance, some are engaging in theories like the idea that the World Economic Forum is a deep state illuminati that runs the world. It remains to be seen whether it is a politically savvy move that helps them win this race, or a move that could blow up on them, but what is clear is that there are Canadians who are engaged with these ideas and how that could shape our politics bears watching.

This episode was produced by Brian Bradley, Matthew Hearn and Raju Mudhar.

Guest: Jeremy Grimaldi, crime reporter at Yorkregion.com

With other 200 charges and 20 suspects, last year’s Project Platinum was hailed as a successful operation led by York Regional Police. Now, several of those charges have been dropped. It’s not the only high profile case in the region that has fallen apart. From organized crime to drugs and gambling, we take a look at why and how some criminal activities have ended up unprosecuted.

Guest: Stephanie Levitz, politics reporter for The Star

In the shadow of mass shootings in the U.S., and another grim look at America’s lack of gun laws, Canada made a move to tighten its own. Earlier this week Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Bill C-21, which would place a national freeze on handgun sales as part of the latest move to tighten gun laws. We take a look at the content and context surrounding the new law.

Guest: Christine Dobby, business reporter

If you’re a working Canadian, chances are your retirement investments are going into at least one of the country’s big eight funds. But, do you really know where your money is being invested? The country’s eight largest public sector pension funds collectively control about $2 trillion dollars in assets, making them a huge investing force across the world. They say they’re investing responsibly. If they are, why won’t they tell us what they’re investing in? The Star’s Christine Dobby looked for answers.

This episode was produced by Saba Eitizaz, Brian Bradley and Matthew Hearn

Guest: Lex Harvey, politics reporter

On the eve of Ontario’s election, we take a look at the provincial party leaders and how they fared under The Star’s fact-checking process. While touting their own policies and achievements and attacking their rivals, how honest were Mike Schreiner, Andrea Horwath, Steven Del Duca and Doug Ford? Lex Harvey, Star politics reporter and fact checker, joins us to explain how the did.

This episode was produced by Matthew Hearn, Brian Bradley, Alexis Green and Raju Mudhar.

Guest: Bailey Martens, Toronto Star reporter

Despite 2.6 million people in Ontario being disabled, there is no policy mandating barrier-free housing for those who need it. There is not even a mention of housing in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). For many people with disabilities in this province, the search for housing is as challenging as the lack of options. Star reporter Bailey Martens spoke to one family that had to move eight times in eight years to find wheelchair accessible housing for their young child. She tells their story on today's episode.

This episode was produced by Saba Eitizaz, Alexis Green and Matthew Hearn