Guest: Kevin McGran, hockey reporter

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed star forward William Nylander to a ae38-11ee-9fb7-0326aea317bd.html">record-setting $92-million, eight-year contract, a monster deal amid what has been a monster season for the winger. At a time when every sports fan is expected to be a salary cap expert, can any of us just be happy that we get to watch one of the most talented and entertaining teams to play around here in decades? Nylander’s had "just like us" moments, like his riding the subway to work and, like many in Toronto, finding a home here after moving all around the world. "Uncle Kevin" also shares some early notes about Ilya Samsonov returning to the ice with the Leafs and making sense of the goalie situation.

The city is hyped for the sold-out inaugural season of Toronto’s new professional women’s hockey team, and so are hosts Ed Keenan and Emma Teitel. They also turn their attention to city hall, talking over increased photo radar enforcement, the mayor’s rush to get things done, the threat of cybercrime and the city budget process kicking into high gear in the coming week. Plus: why shootings have gone down in Toronto and whether Trudeau’s government should be taking credit.

This episode was produced by Paolo Marques, Julia De Laurentiis Johnston and Edward Keenan.

Audio Sources: CTV, CBC

For years, you may have heard the whispers about Santa Claus. Some say he’s a big hoax, an inside job. When you look at the evidence, it may seem these skeptics have a point questioning the flying sleigh and magical reindeer. But then you start to consider just how many people would have to be in on this thing to keep it secret, and wonder why they would do that. Is it possible that behind Santa Claus there’s a truth even bigger than the facts?

This podcast is adapted from my 2017 column “c047-5be8-90e0-d8b5c4162928.html">Unearthing the truth about Santa.”

This episode was produced by Paolo Marques, Julia De Laurentiis Johnston and Edward Keenan.

Star readers help the magic of Christmas reach children across the GTA with the Santa Claus Fund. You too can help create joyful Christmas memories that will last a lifetime.

So, please, donate what you can.  

The Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund

GOAL: $1.5 million

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Online: To donate by Visa, Mastercard or Amex use our secure form at https://www.thestar.com/scf

By cheque: Mail to The Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund, 8 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON M5V 0S8

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Guest: Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow

At the start of 2023, Olivia Chow was retired from politics and teaching university students but a shock to Toronto’s political system brought her back to the front pages and into the mayor’s office. She reflects on the year that was, including her campaign, her unexpected partnership with Premier Doug Ford, the city’s budget struggles, her response to those who wish she was a bit less of a compromiser than she’s been and her plans for 2024, including trying to find ways to create more spaces for community to form, meet and develop.

This episode was produced by Paolo Marques, Julia De Laurentiis Johnston and Edward Keenan.

What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Today's episode features our 2023 in Toronto politics chat, including the shocking resignation of one mayor, the comeback election of another, the sinking fortunes and desperate reversals of the premier and the multiple instances of the city government "loving things to death." Then there are the things that didn’t chang, including the limbo of the crosstown transit project.

What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Guest: Matt Blackett, "Spacing" magazine founder and creative director 

"Spacing," the independent magazine about public space issues in Toronto, turns 20 years old this month — somehow surviving and even thriving in a media landscape that’s been punishing to much more established titles. Founder Matt Blackett joins "This Matters" to talk about how the magazine began and how it has developed unconventional ways to make money and influence people from subway merchandise to the opening of a retail store. Blackett  also talks about why, after everything, he remains optimistic about the city’s future.

This episode was produced by Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Paolo Marques and Ed Keenan.

What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Guest: Jacques Gallant, courts and justice reporter 

In November, a jury cf2bd-59c2-a81a-5f192efe8989.html">onvicted the now disgraced fashion mogul Peter Nygard with four counts of sexual assault after five women testified disturbing details of what happened to them inside his former Toronto headquarters. Behind them were a Toronto therapist, a #MeToo lawyer, a business nemesis and more than 100 women who helped bring him down.

This episode was produced by Brian Bradley, Paulo Marques and Saba Eitizaz

Audio Sources: CBC News, Life of Luxury, ABC News

What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Guest: Mahdis Habibinia, reporter

For seven years the family of Soleiman Faqiri has been searching for answers after his death in an Ontario jail. At last, a jury at a 9840-11ee-a694-0b37b8016baa.html">coroner’s inquest confirmed his death was a homicide. It is a landmark verdict after emotional testimony showing how jail guards, health care staff and supervisors failed to address Faqiri's spiralling mental health crisis. The Star’s Mahdis Habibinia has been covering the proceedings and explains.

This episode was produced by Paulo Marques and Saba Eitizaz.

What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.