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.

Guest: Toronto Star court reporter Jacques Gallant

All five former members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior hockey team accused of sexual assault have been found not guilty, ending one of the most closely watched trials in Canadian sports. The case centred on a woman known publicly only as “E.M.” due to a publication ban. Her allegations against the players shook the sport, triggered years of scrutiny, reopened a police investigation, and fueled a national reckoning over Hockey Canada’s handling of sexual misconduct. After eight weeks of testimony, Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia ruled the Crown failed to meet the burden of proof, raising doubts about the reliability of key evidence.

But while the players were acquitted, key questions remain. How do we define consent? Can the justice system support those who come forward while also meeting such a high legal threshold? And what does this outcome say about how society grapples with power and accountability?

Star reporter Jacques Gallant covered this trial from the beginning, and he joins This Matters to explain what we learned inside the courtroom and what might happen next.

Produced by Saba Eitizaz and Paulo Marques

Guest: Toronto Star reporter Abby O'Brien

A bike ride to the local pool. A perfect dive off the board. A backyard trampoline showdown with the kids next door. Childhood can be full of fun but also dangers.

Parents often think about the obvious dangers, like unsupervised swimming or biking without a helmet. But some of the biggest hazards may surprise you.

We spoke with Toronto’s top pediatric emergency doctors about the activities they would never let their own kids do and why. From bouncy castles to shopping carts, they’ve seen it all in the ER.

So if you to keep your kids safe this summer, start here.