Merry Christmas, Happy New Year! On our year end episode, we reflect on the absolute whirlwind that was 2023, and consider what’s next for 2024. From high inflation and interest rates to intensifying global conflicts; from the election of Mayor Olivia Chow to Premier Ford’s Greenbelt scandal and everything in between, we share our thoughts on: the biggest political story of the year; the political event that was most beneficial to both Black Canadians, and Canadians at large; what we’re most con...
Dec 30, 2023•26 min•Season 3Ep. 101
On this week’s episode, we were proud to welcome Toronto’s 23rd and first Black police chief, Mark Saunders to the show, as he seeks to lead Toronto as its 66th mayor. At this critical point just over two weeks from election day, Chief Saunders currently ranks as one of the top three candidates for mayor out of a massive list of contenders, some prominent, some not. Whether it’s on housing, safety, security, mental health, gridlock, safe injection sites or a general sense of disorder, this son o...
Jun 07, 2023•43 min•Season 3Ep. 100
On this week's episode, it was great to welcome former MPP for Scarborough-Guildwood, Mitzie Hunter , to the pod. She's currently one of the top five candidates in a field of more than 70 who are running to become Toronto’s 66th mayor. This daughter of Jamaica, former Ontario cabinet minister, former CEO of CivicAction and former CAO of Toronto Community Housing says she has the skills and experience Toronto needs now . But will Torontonians feel the same come election day? Scarborough's very ow...
May 26, 2023•36 min•Season 3Ep. 99
On this week’s episode, friend of The Drip and Toronto mayoral candidate, former MP Celina Caesar-Chavannes , returned to the pod to discuss her campaign, revealing why Torontonians may want to give her a look before they go to the polls on June 26th. Celina shared her strategy to tackle the numerous challenges Toronto faces, from housing, to crime and safety, to mental health needs, to deteriorating services--a plan based on an evolved partnership with the federal government. We discussed plent...
May 08, 2023•19 min•Season 3Ep. 98
On this week’s episode, Liberal Black Caucus reps and friends of The Drip, MPs Arielle Kayabaga and Michael Coteau , returned to the pod to discuss Budget2023 and its impacts on Canadians. We also had an honest conversation about the state of politics in Canada, and got some insight into what the federal government could do to commemorate The International Decade for People of African Descent, which officially concludes next year. Tap in. -- ‘NightTime’ provided by Toronto's very own, B.ONLOCATI...
May 01, 2023•43 min•Season 3Ep. 97
On this week’s episode, friend of The Drip, Dr Wes Hall , returned to the pod to discuss his book, No Bootstraps When You’re Barefoot . Far more than a rags to riches story, No Bootstraps When You’re Barefoot is a transparent memoir that highlights the absurd hurdles that many Black and racialized people must leap over on a regular basis, arguing that these hardships shouldn’t exist in the first place. He’s refreshingly real about his experiences with poverty, abuse, abandonment and systemic rac...
Apr 09, 2023•55 min•Season 3Ep. 96
It’s tax season, so we’re using this special episode to break down some of the most important tax changes you should know about as a millennial professional or business owner. The goal is to get you in top shape so you get the benefits you’re entitled to, and so the CRA doesn’t have to chase you down. And to help us do it, we’re joined by Faith Thompson, a 15-year accounting vet as well the Principal and Owner of TaxAssist Accountants Midtown Toronto office. -- Special thanks to Fido Mobile for ...
Feb 21, 2023•25 min•Season 3Ep. 95
It’s tax season, so we’re using this special episode to break down some of the most important tax changes you should know about as a millennial professional or business owner. The goal is to get you in top shape so you get the benefits you’re entitled to, and so the CRA doesn’t have to chase you down. And to help us do it, we’re joined by Faith Thompson , a 15-year accounting vet as well the Principal and Owner of TaxAssist Accountants Midtown Toronto office. -- Special thanks to Fido Mobile for...
Feb 21, 2023•23 min•Season 3Ep. 95
From high interest and inflation to Russia's invasion; from the Supply and Confidence agreement to the election of Pierre Poilievre, and a lot more, on this year-end episode, Kurtis and Patience have their usual fun sharing: What they each thought was the biggest political story of 2022; Their thoughts on the political event that was most beneficial to Black Canadians, and Canadians at large; What they're most concerned about heading into 2023; ... And plenty more. Note: The team apologizes for ...
Jan 02, 2023•37 min•Season 3Ep. 94
This is part 2 of our conversation with Amanda Cordner from Sort Of , a hit comedy series co-produced by CBC, HBO Max and Sphere Media shot right here in Toronto. Season 2 of Sort Of is streaming now on CBC and CBC Gem . -- Special thanks to Fido Mobile for their financial contribution, which enables us to reach more people than ever before. Music provided by Toronto's very own, B.ONLOCATION . Remember, if you like what you hear, subscribe and share. #Cdnpoli #ONPoli #TOPoli #CBC #HBO #Netflix #...
Nov 28, 2022•20 min•Season 3Ep. 93
On this week's episode, we welcome Amanda Cordner from Sort Of , a hit comedy series co-produced by CBC, HBO Max and Sphere Media shot right here in Toronto. This is part 1. Cordner was named one of Canada’s Rising Screen Stars by NOW Magazine in April 2022 and was one of that publication’s Top Ten Theatre Artists of 2018. As a television performer, she has garnered enthusiastic reviews for her breakthrough performance as 7ven in Sort Of , which received an ACTRA Nomination for Outstanding Perfo...
Nov 28, 2022•27 min•Season 3Ep. 93
This is part two of our two-part episode with Floyd Kane , the creator, showrunner and executive producer of Diggstown . Diggstown is an authentic legal drama that highlights the very real inequities that exist in the Canadian legal system and has never shied away from delving into issues of class, race, and gender, even changing policy in the process. For example, after years of lobbying, last season’s birth alert storyline helped to call enough attention to the issue that a few weeks following...
Nov 11, 2022•20 min•Season 3Ep. 92
On this week’s two-part episode, we had the pleasure of hosting Floyd Kane , the creator, showrunner and executive producer of Diggstown . Diggstown is an authentic legal drama that highlights the very real inequities that exist in the Canadian legal system and has never shied away from delving into issues of class, race, and gender, even changing policy in the process. For example, after years of lobbying, last season’s birth alert storyline helped to call enough attention to the issue that a f...
Nov 10, 2022•26 min•Season 3Ep. 92
We’re back! On this week’s episode, we discuss some of the top headlines from the week of October 2nd, 2022, including: Pierre Poilievre becoming leader of the Conservative Party of Canada The Liberals and NDP launching the single biggest expansion of healthcare in 60 years Amnesty International joining Black federal employees on their complaint to the United Nations Jackson, Mississippi and its boil water advisory QFTA: Enbridge selling a stake in its pipelines to Indigenous groups for C$1.12B;...
Oct 11, 2022•25 min•Season 3Ep. 91
We ready for di road! This week we're joined by Carnival boss Michelle Lochan, Managing Director of the Festival Management Committee for the Toronto Caribbean Carnival (known informally as Caribana ) who shared the history, energy and benefits of our big bash. Caribana is more than just a summer celebration. It's an explosive expression of Caribbean pride, culture, music, and food that some academic reports say generates up to $2 billion in revenue for vendors and all three levels of government...
Jul 28, 2022•23 min•Season 3Ep. 90
We ready for di road! This week we're joined by Carnival boss Michelle Lochan, Managing Director of the Festival Management Committee for the Toronto Caribbean Carnival (known informally as Caribana ) who shared the history, energy and benefits of our big bash. This is part 2 of that conversation. Caribana is more than just a summer celebration. It's an explosive expression of Caribbean pride, culture, music, and food that some academic reports say generates up to $2 billion in revenue for vendo...
Jul 28, 2022•20 min•Season 3Ep. 90
On this week's episode, we were honoured to have Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie join us to discuss First Steps : A community driven report on making Mississauga more equitable for Black communities. This is part 2 of that conversation, see part 1 for a synopsis of our discussion. Shout out to Claudia McKoy , Principal at Upsurgence, who developed First Steps in collaboration with The Black Caucus and numerous community and civic participants as a blueprint for Black economic, political and soc...
Jul 15, 2022•19 min•Season 3Ep. 89
On this week's episode, we were honoured to have Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie join us to discuss First Steps : A community driven report on making Mississauga more equitable for Black communities. By unpacking the report's findings, we dove into: What is needed to transform policing and the work already being done; Mississauga's plan to develop economic growth in its Black communities by tapping African and Caribbean diasporas; Improving Black political participation and making space for Bla...
Jul 15, 2022•24 min•Season 3Ep. 89
This is part 2 of our chat with special guest Debbie Owusu-Akyeeah , Executive Director at The Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity (CCGSD) for Pride Month. Could Minister Freeland’s plan to fight inflation do more for Canadians, including giving targeted support to the LGBTQ2+ community? Home sales may have slumped, but prices are still soaring in Toronto; Why an apology to Black residents for excessive force by Toronto’s police is inadequate; Stories that highlight the state of LGBT...
Jun 23, 2022•41 min•Season 3Ep. 88
This Pride Month, special guest Debbie Owusu-Akyeeah , Executive Director at The Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity (CCGSD) joined us to tackle the top political, economic and social stories of the week through a more vibrant lens! Could Minister Freeland’s plan to fight inflation do more for Canadians, including giving targeted support to the LGBTQ2+ community? Home sales may have slumped, but prices are still soaring in Toronto; Why an apology to Black residents for excessive forc...
Jun 23, 2022•25 min•Season 3Ep. 88
On this week’s episode, we discuss some of the top headlines from the week of May 29th, including: Premier Ford winning the 2022 election: Which Black MPPs will he include in his cabinet? What’s next for the Ontario NDP and Liberals? The Bank of Canada increases interest rates another half percent to stem inflation: What that means for you if you have loans. Mass Shootings in the U.S. spark legislative change in Canada: A national freeze on the purchase, sale, importation and transfer of handgun...
Jun 08, 2022•32 min•Season 3Ep. 87
This week we had the pleasure of hosting Deputy Mayor Granville Anderson of Clarington, Ontario. He’s running to be the Liberal MPP for Durham in Ontario’s June election. It was a light-hearted conversation where Granville shared what he thought was most impactful for Black, racialized and allied Ontarians in the Liberal platform ; what a Liberal government would do about housing, affordability and transit; the possibility of a Liberal win versus a coalition with the NDP; and more. We definitely...
May 17, 2022•45 min•Season 3Ep. 86
Bonus question from episode 85 with MPPs Dr Jill Andrew and Faisal Hassan on former NDP MPP Kevin Yarde, and the NDP's support for its Black MPPs. Be sure to read the NDP platform to make an informed vote this election. -- Special thanks to Fido Mobile for their financial contribution, which enables us to reach more people than ever before. Music provided by Toronto's very own, B.ONLOCATION . Remember, if you like what you hear, subscribe and share. Support us on Patreon , too. Hosted on Acast. ...
May 12, 2022•7 min•Season 3Ep. 85
On this week’s episode, it was a pleasure to welcome the Ontario NDP’s Dr Jill Andrew and Faisal Hassan to The Drip to discuss the NDP’s platform ahead of the June 2nd election. As you can imagine, it was a thoughtful and fun discussion on Ontario’s political landscape. In part 1, we compared the size of Doug Ford’s budget against the fact that there was barely a morsel for Black and racialized Ontarians; the NDP’s plan to make life more affordable and their approach to enhancing mental health; ...
May 12, 2022•28 min•Season 3Ep. 85
On this week’s episode, it was a pleasure to welcome the Ontario NDP’s Dr Jill Andrew and Faisal Hassan to The Drip to discuss the NDP’s platform ahead of the June 2nd election. As you can imagine, it was a thoughtful and fun discussion on Ontario’s political landscape. In part 1, we compared the size of Doug Ford’s budget against the fact that there was barely a morsel for Black and racialized Ontarians; the NDP’s plan to make life more affordable and their approach to enhancing mental health; ...
May 11, 2022•26 min•Season 3Ep. 85
This week, the Ford Government tabled Ontario Budget 2022 . At $198.6 billion in spending, this is the biggest budget in Ontario history. In fact, it’s 25% bigger than former premier Kathleen Wynne’s last budget was in 2018. That's $40 billion in extra cheese. It’s effectively the platform they’ll be running on in the upcoming election, slated for June 2nd. But it looks super white; there's almost nothing in there for BIPOC Ontarians, and absolutely nothing to combat white supremacy and racism. ...
May 04, 2022•32 min•Season 3Ep. 84
On this week’s episode, we discuss some of the top headlines from the week of April 10th, including: Doug Ford makes good on promise to cut the gas tax The Ontario NDP and Liberals spar for the progressive vote Canada’s record unemployment rate and rising interest rates Mary Anne Chambers becomes the University of Guelph’s 10th Chancellor Another unfortunate and untimely passing happens in Grand Rapids, Michigan … And plenty more. Tap here to access our script with links to the stories we discus...
Apr 24, 2022•37 min•Season 3Ep. 83
On this week’s episode, we discuss some of the top headlines from the week of April 3rd, including: Budget 2022: A Plan to Grow Our Economy and Make Life More Affordable Minimum wage wars are underway as we kick off the provincial election campaigns Amazon gets its first union - much to their chagrin … And plenty more. Tap here to access our script with links to the stories we discussed in each segment. Special thanks to Fido Mobile for their financial contribution, which enables us to reach mor...
Apr 12, 2022•36 min•Season 3Ep. 82
On this week’s episode, we discuss some of the top headlines from the week of March 20th, including: The Liberal-NDP plan for cooperation Former Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders appointed to run for Ford’s Conservatives Appointment of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court Jamaica says “we’re moving on” from the Monarchy … And plenty more. Tap here to access our script with links to the stories we discussed in each segment. Special thanks to Fido Mobile for their financial contributio...
Mar 29, 2022•35 min•Season 3Ep. 81
On this week's episode, we had the pleasure of hosting two lead cast members from The Porter , a Canadian series that tells the story of the first Black labour union in North America, which will air starting tonight (Feb 21, 2022) on CBC and later in the year on BET+. Those cast members are Ronnie Rowe Jr. and Mouna Traoré ! Set in Montreal in the early 1920s and inspired by real events, The Porter follows train porters Junior Massey and Zeke Garrett, Junior’s wife Marlene, and others as a trage...
Feb 22, 2022•35 min•Season 3Ep. 80
