This Matters

4.2 (338)
NEWS
UPDATED DAILY

The world is changing every day. Now, more than ever, these questions matter. What’s happening? And why should you care? This Matters, a daily news podcast from the Toronto Star, aims to answer those questions, on important stories and ideas, every day, Monday to Friday. Hosts Saba Eitizaz and Ed Keenan talk to their fellow journalists, experts and newsmakers about the social, cultural, political and economic stories that shape your life.

18 HRS AGO

Ford wins! But did everyone kind of lose?

Guest: Toronto Star Queen’s Park Bureau Chief Robert Benzie On the one hand, Doug Ford won a third straight majority (the first such feat by a premier in Ontario since the 1950s). On the other hand, he doesn’t seem happy about it, because he wanted more seats. The Star’s Robert Benzie explains why, and looks at the similar dark cloud/silver lining result faced by other parties (and shares former premier David Peterson’s observation about why winning too big is as much a curse as a blessing). He also breaks down the results, and the turnout (NOT the worst participation rate ever, FWIW), and discusses the prospects for long-simmering issues such as health care to come to the surface now that the election is over. PLUS: Why you could consider this a “Seinfeld” election This episode was produced by Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Ed Keenan and Paulo Marques.

37 min
3 DAYS AGO

The Ontario Election: Has housing become not just unaffordable...but impossible?

Guest: Toronto Star affordable housing reporter Victoria Gibson Ontario is racing towards a snap election on Feb.27 and for a lot of voters, two issues loom well above the rest: housing and healthcare. Both are at breaking point, and both are dominating party platforms. As part of our pre-election coverage, we’re delving into these issues. Where do things really stand, are any of the candidates offering actual solutions, and what should you, the voters be thinking about as you head to the polls? We talk housing on today’s episode. Millions of people in Ontario are struggling with a reality where housing is not just unaffordable; for many, it’s almost impossible. Rents are out of control, homeownership feels like a distant dream, subsidized housing waitlists are stretching into decades and homelessness numbers have shot up by 25 per cent since the last election. We keep hearing big promises about 1.5 million new homes, more affordable units, incentives for developers, but is any of it actually working?

20 min
4 DAYS AGO

Mike Schreiner - Ontario Leaders at TMU Democracy Forum

Guests: Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie, NDP Leader Marit Stiles, Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner Star's political columnist Martin Regg Cohn also leads the TMU Democracy forum, where he recently sat down with Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie, NDP Leader Marit Stiles and Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner to discuss what they might do for Ontarians if their party wins the upcoming election. Doug Ford, the Progressive Conservative leader who hopes to be reelected, declined to participate in the forum. Here in three separate episodes, Martin leads conversations with the leaders who did agree to participate in front of a live studio audience. The leaders speak about what makes them tick and what clicks with voters; the policies, the personalities, and the problems facing our province. Here's the episode with Mike Schreiner. This episode was produced by Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Martin Regg Cohn and Paulo Marques.

57 min
4 DAYS AGO

Marit Stiles - Ontario Leaders at TMU Democracy Forum

Guests: Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie, NDP Leader Marit Stiles, Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner Star's political columnist Martin Regg Cohn also leads the TMU Democracy forum, where he recently sat down with Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie, NDP Leader Marit Stiles and Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner to discuss what they might do for Ontarians if their party wins the upcoming election. Doug Ford, the Progressive Conservative leader who hopes to be reelected, declined to participate in the forum. Here in three separate episodes, Martin leads conversations with the leaders who did agree to participate in front of a live studio audience. The leaders speak about what makes them tick and what clicks with voters; the policies, the personalities, and the problems facing our province. Here's the episode with Marit Stiles. This episode was produced by Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Martin Regg Cohn and Paulo Marques.

51 min
5 DAYS AGO

Bonnie Crombie - Ontario Leaders at TMU Democracy Forum

Guests: Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie, NDP Leader Marit Stiles, Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner Star's political columnist Martin Regg Cohn also leads the TMU Democracy forum, where he recently sat down with Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie, NDP Leader Marit Stiles and Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner to discuss what they might do for Ontarians if their party wins the upcoming election. Doug Ford, the Progressive Conservative leader who hopes to be reelected, declined to participate in the forum. Here in three separate episodes, Martin leads conversations with the leaders who did agree to participate in front of a live studio audience. The leaders speak about what makes them tick and what clicks with voters; the policies, the personalities, and the problems facing our province. Here's the episode with Bonnie Crombie. This episode was produced by Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Martin Regg Cohn and Paulo Marques.

58 min
FEB 21

The Ontario election: Healthcare on life-support

Guest: Toronto Star health reporter Megan Ogilvie Ontario is racing towards a snap election on February 27 and for a lot of voters, two issues loom well above the rest: housing and healthcare. Both are at breaking point and both are dominating party platforms. As part of the Star's pre-election coverage, we’re delving into these issues. Where do things really stand, are any of the candidates offering actual solutions, and what should you, the voters, be thinking about as you head to the polls? Today’s episode will focus on healthcare. With overflowing ERs, health-care worker burn-out and more than two million people without a family doctor, Ontario’s healthcare has been in trouble for years. Can anyone bring it back on track? Audio sources: Global News, CTV, CBC, Youtube This episode was produced by Paulo Marques and Saba Eitizaz

22 min
FEB 19

Debating over the long weekend

Guests: Toronto Star Queen’s Park Bureau Chief Robert Benzie and Queen’s Park reporter Rob Ferguson On Valentine’s Day, and then again on Family Day, the provincial leaders engaged in this Ontario campaign’s two debates. Rob and Rob from our Queen’s Park bureau recap why they may be the most substantial events of the campaign so far, allowing viewers to dig into many of the issues that define life in the province. They also discuss whether they heard any “kill shots” or “knock-out punches” from the podiums — and what the best lines and most noteworthy exchanges were. And then they discuss what’s happened since: the polls, the fight between the Liberals and the NDP to poach each other’s voters, and Doug Ford’s preparations for a second trip out of the country during the campaign. PLUS: The crudely confrontational challenge that Bonnie Crombie issued to Doug Ford on Wednesday This episode was produced by Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Ed Keenan and Sean Pattendon.

36 min
FEB 13

Ontario’s campaign goes south

Guest: Toronto Star Queen’s Park Bureau Chief Robert Benzie During an election campaign, it’s unusual for a premier to take his campaign to stops in foreign countries — but these are unusual times, and this is an unusual Ontario election. The Star’s Robert Benzie joined Doug Ford and Canada’s other premier’s on their visit to a snowy Washington, D.C. this week and tells us who they met with, what they are hoping to accomplish, and the prospects for success in getting their message through when the entire U.S. government is in Trump-inspired chaos. Benzie also unpacks what this might mean for the Ontario election race, and why Ford might prefer to be seen in the U.S. — where approximately none of his voters live — rather than knock on doors here at home. PLUS: What does talk of Canada as the 51st state have in common with a dead cat? This episode was produced by Ed Keenan and Sean Pattendon.

34 min

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TRAILER

Introducing This Matters

Coming soon from the Toronto Star, This Matters is a daily news podcast that will help make sense of an increasingly frantic news cycle, one big issue at a time, Monday to Friday. Hosts Adrian Cheung, Saba Eitizaz and Raju Mudhar will cover issues that impact and affect Canadians.

S1

•

1 min

4.2

out of 5

338 Ratings

is Ed even aware he’s doing this?

2024-08-05

mntclr

I listen regularly but find that Ed interrupts and talks over Emma too much. It’s frustrating to listen as it’s so apparent, it’s hard to believe he hasn’t been made aware of it.
Gambling Ads - STOP!!

Jan 18

Oldish Runner

If I hear one more gambling ad I am going to unfollow this show! The gambling companies are designing ads that target the vulnerable, especially the young. This is a public health issue. The ads should be banned. Why is The Star aiding the gambling companies in their efforts to recruit more gamblers???
Interruptions getting irritating

2024-04-23

julieriemersma

I find the episodes with Edward Keenan harder to listen to. He’s constantly talking over his cohost Emma, and even the mayor! Jeeze let others speak!
Conversation, not a monologue

2024-04-09

BJ in Toronto

Love the podcast but, oh my goodness Ed, let Emma get a word in. Save the monologues for your column.

The world is changing every day. Now, more than ever, these questions matter. What’s happening? And why should you care? This Matters, a daily news podcast from the Toronto Star, aims to answer those questions, on important stories and ideas, every day, Monday to Friday. Hosts Saba Eitizaz and Ed Keenan talk to their fellow journalists, experts and newsmakers about the social, cultural, political and economic stories that shape your life.