Long COVID, the pandemic that never ended for millions of Canadians

Guests: Star reporters Amy Dempsey Raven and Megan Ogilvie A new Ontario law was meant to protect vulnerable children in care, but it may be deepening the very crisis it set out to solve. The province has expanded police background checks for people working or volunteering in the child welfare system. But under the new rules, it is not just criminal records that show up. Any documented interaction with police, including traffic stops, noise complaints or mental health calls, could be flagged.Experts warn this opens the door to discrimination and bias, especially for racialized and marginalized communities who face disproportionate police contact. Meanwhile, child welfare agencies say the rollout has been chaotic, delaying adoptions and disrupting foster placements at a time when the system is already under strain. This episode was produced by Sean Pattendon and Paulo Marques. 

This year marks TIFF’s 50th anniversary. The festival has done many things over the years - it’s been a bellwether for industry talent along with changing how movies are made and marketed. It’s also really helped shape the identity of this city. Today we speak with two veterans who have been covering TIFF for decades. Peter Howell, long-time Toronto Star film critic remembers his first time covering TIFF in the 70’s all the way up until present day; what’s changed, what’s stayed the same (for better or worse) and an elevator encounter with a beloved movie star who’s *almost* as tall as Peter 6’6" frame. Then we speak with Richard Lautens, a long-time photojournalist with The Star, about memorable red carpet moments, shooting divas & nice guys alike and a tiny object - still in his possession - that got him into those *special*, special TIFF parties. Clips from: Miramax, BritBox, Rotten Tomatoes

Guest: Manuela Vega, Toronto Star housing reporter A new study has found that financial landlords are filing eviction applications at much higher rates than other types of landlords in Toronto, especially after acquiring new buildings. In one case, more than half the tenants in a building received an eviction notice in a single year. Experts say this reflects a wider business strategy and it’s reshaping the rental market, raising concerns about affordability, and who gets access to housing in this city. On today’s episode, we unpack the numbers, what the study reveals and its implications. This episode was produced by Paulo Marques

Guests: Star reporters Raisa Patel and Josh Rubin Prime Minister Mark Carney is pulling back on Canada’s trade fight with the U.S., dropping retaliatory tariffs on goods covered under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) even as Donald Trump escalates with new penalties on Canadian steel, aluminum, and hundreds of manufactured products. It’s a sharp turn from Carney’s “elbows up” campaign promise, and it’s raising questions in business and political circles alike. We unpack the political strategy behind Carney’s pivot, which Canadian industries are hardest hit by the trade wars, and whether another U-turn will win any ground with Trump. Audio sources: CBC News, Toronto Star  This episode was produced by Saba Eitizaz and Paulo Marques

Guest: Kris Rushowy, Toronto Star reporter It’s back-to-school season and Ontario universities are packed like never before. A record number of more than 84,000 first-year students are starting this fall. But even with record enrolment, schools are facing an $80 million shortfall. For years, international students have been the financial safety net, paying up to six times the tuition of Ontario students. Now, with Ottawa tightening immigration rules and visas harder to get, those numbers are dropping. Universities say the system is already in distress. Programs are being cut, staff laid off, and almost half are running deficits. And now, with higher demand from local students, there is even less money to teach them. Produced by Saba Eitizaz, Sean Pattenden and Paulo Marques

Listen here or subscribe at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can at thestar.com/subscribe. Guest: Nathan Bawaan, Toronto Star reporter Youth unemployment in Toronto is at its highest level in decades outside of the pandemic and it’s not just a tough job market. A new report reveals that discrimination based on race, age, gender, language, and even postal code is one of the biggest barriers keeping young people from getting hired. Some recent grads are giving up on job hunting altogether and turning to grad school, not out of ambition, but because they feel stuck. We break down what’s behind the crisis. Produced by Saba Eitizaz and Paulo Marques

Guest: Kevin Jiang, Toronto Star reporter  Nearly one in five Canadians who had COVID—more than more than 3 million people—went on to develop long COVID, also called post COVID 19 Condition (PCC). Symptoms can include fatigue, brain fog, breathing problems and heart damage, sometimes lasting for years. In Ontario there is still no coordinated plan for care. Funding for specialized clinics has disappeared, rehab services often have to be paid for out of pocket and most patients report getting little to no treatment. Toronto Star’s Kevin Jiang takes a look at what it is like to live with the long tail of a pandemic that is far from over for those still living with it.  Produced by Sean Pattendon, Paulo Marques and Saba Eitizaz 

Guest: Andy Takagi, Toronto Star transportation reporter  Premier Ford says he’s pitching an unprecedented plan to tackle one of the GTA’s biggest headaches; gridlock on Highway 401, the busiest road in North America. His vision is a single three-level tunnel running under the highway, which could stretch from Brampton to Scarborough. He outlined the concept at an unrelated press conference this week, but he’s been talking about it for nearly a year. Ford says this will serve people for decades to come, but a two-year feasibility study has just begun, and experts are raising questions about the costs, the timelines and whether this would actually ease traffic congestion.  We take a look at what Ford is proposing, why experts say it might not work and what it could mean for commuters and communities along the  401.  Audio sources: CP24 Produced by Saba Eitizaz and Sean Pattenden 

Guest: Dr. David Barber, Chair OMA’s General and Family Practice Two million people in Ontario do not have access to a family physician, and that number is expected to more than double by 2026. At the same time, many doctors are stepping away from comprehensive care, citing burnout, bureaucracy, and financial strain. In this episode, Dr. David Barber shares what is happening inside the system through his own lived experience. He is a family physician in Kingston and chair of the Ontario Medical Association’s Section on General and Family Practice. He explains what it looks like to stay in the profession as the pressures mount, why so many of his colleagues are walking away, and what it means for patients who are being left behind. Produced by Saba Eitizaz, Paulo Marques and Sean Pattendon

Guest: Star Queen’s Park Bureau Chief, Robert Benzie Last week, Canada’s premiers wrapped up their annual Council of the Federation meeting in Ontario’s cottage country, against the backdrop of serious political and economic pressure. With Trump’s threat of tariffs on August 1 looming large, and Prime Minister Mark Carney facing his first major leadership test, the summit was framed as a show of strength and unity. But was that solidarity real behind the scenes? And how prepared are the provinces for an unpredictable trade fight with Trump? Toronto Star Queen’s Park Bureau Chief Robert Benzie joins This Matters to break it all down.