Episodes
Our podcast is changing names. To stay tapped into the stories the GTA is talking about, follow This is Toronto. Sanjay Ruparelia, associate professor in Politics and Administration at Toronto Metropolitan University, breaks down a recent skirmish outside a Hindu temple in Brampton. And personal finance expert Shannon Lee Simmons makes the argument for starting your holiday shopping now, even if it feels way too early.
Published 11/04/24
Deputy mayor Ausma Malik explains how the city is preparing for T-day(s) in Toronto. Plus, the Competition Bureau says pharmacies are unfairly blocked from stocking drugs for pets. Wendy Chui, the pharmacist who made the initial complaint to the agency, spoke to David Common about the choked-off supply chain.
Published 11/01/24
Metro Morning's political panel unpacks Ontario's Fall Economic statement. Plus, the province's former chief economist talks about Ford government's pricey promises as Ontario maintains the highest debt of any sub-national government in the world.
Published 10/31/24
Metrolinx banned some e-bikes because of the fire risk. The TTC is looking to follow but voted to first study the risk and impact on gig workers. Host David Common speaks to TTC Chair Jamaal Myers about that balance. Also, writer Monika Warzecha talks about the "golden age of garbage clothing."
Published 10/30/24
TTC councilor Stephen Holyday is proposing a new program to hand out 'Baby on Board' pins to pregnant women who ride transit, to help them get seats. Doula Shani Belle says pins won't solve the problems with public transit for pregnant women. Plus, are sirens still the best way to communicate a public emergency? Haydn Watters looks into that.
Published 10/29/24
On the heels of federal changes to immigration and a cap on international students, Seneca Polytechnic is temporarily closing its Markham campus. President David Agnew explains why he thinks the policies are not comprehensive enough. Plus, journalist Justin Ling looks at polarization on the campaign trail, and its connection to Canadian narratives.
Published 10/28/24
Outreach worker Diana Chan McNally and Toronto shelter and support services manager Gord Tanner discuss the options to keep homeless people out of the cold. And influential American organizer Marshall Ganz stops by the studio ahead of a talk about his new book People, Power, Change: Organizing for Democratic Renewal.
Published 10/25/24
George and Karen Amaro break down their message to the Premier and Transportation Minister: "Bike Lanes Could Have Saved Our Daughter." And Gurpreet Malhotra of Indus Community Services explains why international students in Brampton are vulnerable to human trafficking.
Published 10/24/24
David and Hannah Mirvish discuss their company and the state of the performing arts in the city. And Toronto resident Samantha Fraser introduces us to Chappell Bone, a 12-foot skeleton decked out as the pop star on her front lawn.
Published 10/23/24
Dr. Joyce Cheung, chair of the Section of Palliative Medicine at the Ontario Medical Association, explains what she and other palliative care doctors are seeing with medical supply shortages around the province. NDP leader Marit Stiles outlines her party's priorities ahead of what's expected to be an early provincial election. And neighbourhood activist Faraz Gholizadeh reacts to a proposed redesign of one of the city's deadliest streets, Parkside Drive.
Published 10/22/24
Menopause educator Shirley Weir talks to David about why she's dedicated her life to helping other women get the right advice. Consultant Tristan Knight explains what actually goes into an environmental assessment, and what it means that the Ford government wants to fast-track the process for the planned Highway 413. And criminologist Natalie Delia weighs in on the court case of a woman charged with the unprovoked killing of three people in the GTA over the span of a few days.
Published 10/18/24
Host David Common talks politics today on the podcast; from Metrolinx shake-ups to bike lane crack-downs to the loaded accusations against the Indian government, and more. Plus, they may be ugly but we are all indebted to turkey vultures, says a member of the Toronto Field Naturalists.
Published 10/16/24
Coyotes be warned, penned dog hunting is legal in Ontario again. An infectious disease specialist tells David Common why this isn't only bad news for prey, but also for humans. With less than a month to go into until the U.S. Presidential election, David speaks to longtime MSNBC correspondent Ali Velshi about the campaign, the stakes for Canada, and democracy itself. Plus, why the alternative food aisle is the right place for a singles mixer.
Published 10/15/24
The worst of Hurricane Milton may have passed, but the challenges are just beginning. Host David Common checks in on recovery efforts. And, on Thanksgiving Monday, a conversation about how food evokes memory. Plus, David tries his hand at cozy gaming.
Published 10/14/24
At a special show on-location in Oshawa, David Common hears from Melissa Schneider, who helped create a drop-in for homeless people in the city's downtown. Ene Underwood from Habitat for Humanity GTA and Tracy Greig from the Durham Region Non-Profit Housing Corporation discuss building 50 new affordable homes in the city. Developer Richard Summers explains why he is turning a rundown Oshawa institution into a new apartment building. And Mary Krohnert drops by in the Living Room Community Art...
Published 10/10/24
Dr. Dominick Shelton, the assistant dean of admissions at TMU's new medical school, tells David what he hopes the school can accomplish. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow addresses calls for a public inquiry into Metrolinx and more. And culture writer Sadaf Ahsan talks about why so many people love watching a catfishing documentary.
Published 10/09/24
Toronto AI researcher Geoffrey Hinton talks about being awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics. Closer to home, city councillor Brad Bradford reacts to a report on the habits of City Parks and Recreation workers. And breast cancer survivor Sherry Wilcox discusses the impact of lowering the age for regular breast cancer screenings.
Published 10/08/24
David Common speaks with Geoffrey Milder, who is competing in a home pickling contest at Toronto's Picklefest. Toronto Metropolitan University DMZ director Abdullah Snobar muses on whether Canadian businesses are lacking ambition. And CAMH psychiatrist Dr. David Gratzer explains why the idea of forcing people with addictions into treatment is catching momentum.
Published 10/03/24
The creators of the award-winning horror podcast Parkdale Haunt join David Common to talk about their new work, Woodbine. Munk School founding director Janice Stein sheds light on what the next steps may be after Iran's missile attack on Israel. And a Torontonian in Beirut shares why she's not planning to leave Lebanon just yet, despite calls from the government and her own family.
Published 10/02/24
Host David Common speaks to a wildlife expert on International Raccoon Appreciation Day. City manager Paul Johnson talks congestion, bike lanes and Billy Bishop airport. And producer Sam Juric speaks to the organizer of a global effort to restore a 200-year-old Torah scroll.
Published 10/01/24
Host David Common speaks with writer and professor, Niigaan Sinclair, about Canada's progress on the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. Also on the podcast; Benjamin Felix, the Chief Investment Officer for PWL Capital, who makes the case that home ownership is no longer the holy grail for many. Money Shannon Lee Simmons also weighs in on the debate.
Published 09/30/24
A tunnel under the 401? Metro Morning's political panel discusses the Premier's new idea. Plus, need a social life? You can get a prescription for that. And a TDSB student and trustee weigh in on a now-controversial field trip to a Grassy Narrows protest.
Published 09/26/24
Rob Dods, who spent years living on the streets and in encampments, responds to Premier Doug Ford's comments about homeless people needing to "find a job." He is joined by Sanctuary Toronto's pastoral director Tanja Futter.
Published 09/25/24
David Common speaks with author and educator, Bear Bergman, about why gentle parenting is leaving parents a little roughed up. Also on today's podcast, one of the masterminds behind looney dog days at the Jays and a woman fighting the Ontario law that allows hospitals to place discharged patients into long-term care homes not of their choosing.
Published 09/24/24