What We Give: Recent Episodes
John McKay
I’m John McKay and I have been the Member of Parliament for Scarborough-Guildwood since 1997. In my role as our community’s representative in Ottawa, I meet many incredible individuals making remarkable contributions to our community. What We Give is dedicated to telling the stories of these individuals, whose work often goes unrecognized. Listen and subscribe to What We Give on your favourite podcast player today.
This episode features Jin-Ling Chen, the Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Toronto. She has decades of diplomatic experience all over the world, including Vietnam, Malaysia, the USA, and Canada. On this episode, I was pleased to speak with her about Taiwan’s political switch from dictatorship to democracy, Taiwan's relationship with Canada, and what Jin-Ling’s hopes are for the future of Taiwan on the international stage.
This episode features Althia Raj, an award-winning journalist and national columnist with the Toronto Star. Althia serves as a host and producer of the bi-monthly podcast, “It’s Political” and you may also find her as a regular weekly panelist on CBC's "At Issue" panel. Althia and I discuss her unique perspective on the intersection of politics and journalism.
On this episode, I will be speaking to Rev. Dr. Andrew P.W. Bennett, Director of Cardus Faith Communities at Cardus, Canada’s faith-based think-tank and ordained deacon in the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church. Andrew has served in numerous leadership positions throughout his life, including Canada's first Ambassador for Religious Freedom and Head of the Office of Religious Freedom from 2013 to 2016. I was pleased to speak to him about his role in bridging the gap between religion and politics.
Today I'm joined by Carmen Tan and Mila Abellera, Outreach Workers of the Ministry Team for the Toronto City Mission. It's a non-profit, Christ-centred organization that focuses on community and relationship-building in areas impacted by poverty. During our conversation, I was pleased to learn more about Carmen and Mila's remarkable work with the organization in our community.
On this episode, I'll be speaking to Chris Hall, retired editor of CBC’s National Affairs and Host of the weekly political program, “The House.” Chris has been a prominent figure in Canadian media over the past decades, providing unparalleled coverage of national and international events. I was pleased to talk to him about his career in journalism and his insights on Canadian politics.
In this episode, I talk to John Ivison, journalist for the National Post and Ottawa Bureau Chief. He is also the author of two books, “The Riotous Passions of Robbie Burns” and “Trudeau: The Education of a Prime Minister.” I have known John for years and was pleased to hear his insights on politics and his experiences covering major events in Canadian history.
Join me, City Councillor Paul Ainslie, and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority's Chief Executive Officer John MacKenzie, in a recording of a Town Hall Meeting from April 27, 2023.
This episode features Georgina Steinsky, Co-President of the Masaryk Memorial Institute. It's an organization that promotes the Czech and Slovak culture through community events and has contributed to the protection of the local park. Georgina speaks to me about the profound impact her organization has had on our community of Scarborough-Guildwood.
In this episode, I talk to Sheri Meyerhoffer, the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise. Sheri was appointed Canada’s first Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise in April 2019 and established the office of the Ombudsperson at the beginning of May 2019. Sheri shares her story about working on human rights cases related to Canadian companies operating in the garment, mining, and oil and gas industries.
In this episode, I talk to Geetha Moorthy, the founder and executive director at South Asian Autism Awareness Centre (SAAAC). She shares her remarkable story of how she immigrated to Canada and founded a non-profit organization that serves the needs of children on the autism spectrum and over 400 families across the GTA each year.
This episode features Jeanie Argiropoulos, CEO of the Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities. It's an organization that addresses health and social needs in Scarborough. Jeanie speaks to me about how SCHC is working with its partners to help finish the fight against COVID-19.
In this episode, I talk to Larry Whatmore, President of the Scarborough Community Renewal Organization. Larry shares how SCRO is improving the wellbeing of our community and helping put Scarborough on the map.
In this episode, I speak with Lee Soda, the Executive Director of Agincourt Community Services Association. ACSA is providing services to underprivileged members of our community. Lee talks to me about how her organization is contributing to vaccine confidence in Scarborough and helping finish the fight against COVID-19.
I am honoured to have Dr. Jeffrey Schiffer on my podcast again! In this special feature of my Town Hall with Mitzie Hunter and Paul Ainslie, Dr. Schiffer answers some tough questions from constituents and offers excellent advice to us all.
As you know, this podcast is a reflection of Winston Churchill's quote: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” In this instance, I hear from volunteers in Scarborough about why they give back to our community at my Annual Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony. I greatly appreciated their wisdom and even jotted down some of their thoughtful insights.
This episode features Greg Fergus, my long-time Parliamentary friend. He is the Member of Parliament for Hull—Aylmer and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, to the President of the Treasury Board and to the Minister of Digital Government. I've known Greg for as long as I have worked on the Hill and was pleased to hear his insights on religion, politics, and systemic discrimination.
To celebrate National Indigenous History Month, I am showcasing my interview with Dr. Jeffrey Schiffer, the Executive Director of Native Child and Family Services of Toronto. Dr. Schiffer has done extensive work in program development with Indigenous communities in Canada and Central America. We discussed cultural reproduction theory, decolonialization, Indigenization, and the importance of honouring Indigenous culture in our community.
On today's episode, I sit down with Manjura Rehman, the Executive Director of Canadian South Asian Growth & Support Services (CSAGSS). It's a non-profit that offers social service programs to newcomers in Canada. Manjura discusses the growing demand for her organization's food assistance programs in Scarborough-Guildwood. She has witnessed firsthand how the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected our community and exacerbated food insecurity.
On this episode, I'm joined by my longtime friend Brian Stiller, Global Ambassador of the World Evangelical Alliance. We discuss the rise and fall of evangelicalism in Canada and around the world as well as the role of religion in the public sphere.
This episode features Alicia K. Harris, an emerging Black director from Scarborough. I was honoured to hear some of her story and how her life experiences have influenced her work and the creative process of filmmaking.
This episode is a conversation between myself, MPP Mitzie Hunter, Councillor Paul Ainslie and Dr. Shovita Padhi with questions generated from our community. Dr. Shovita Padhi is the Associate Medical Officer of Health at the City of Toronto. Her extensive medical background enables her to speak about vaccine planning and distribution in Toronto with a remarkable breadth of knowledge and expertise.
On this episode, I am joined by my two friends Imam Abdul Hai Patel and Zulfikar Hathiyani from the Ansaar Foundation. It's a charitable organization that focuses on poverty reduction and addressing homelessness in Toronto. While I have known both men for quite some time, I was pleased to learn more about their story and their organization's remarkable work in our community!
This episode features Anne Gloger, the founding Director at East Scarborough Storefront and Principal at the Centre for Connected Communities. I've known Anne for many years but was privileged to learn more about her story and her inspiring vision for East Scarborough in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On today's episode, we have Muhammad Iqbal Ali, the Vice President and Secretary of Muslim Welfare Canada (MWC). It's an organization that helps vulnerable populations in our community, across the country, and around the world. I was pleased to speak to him about MWC's various social service programs including food banks, meals on wheels, school nutrition programs, and emergency shelters.
This episode features my colleagues MPP Mitzie Hunter, Counsellor Paul Ainslie, and special guest MP Steven MacKinnon, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement. We talk about all things vaccine related, including vaccine safety, new vaccine shipments to Canada, and other topics important to our community.
On today's episode, I'm joined by Christie Gray. She's the Executive Director at Sistema Toronto, a phenomenal program that not only offers free musical lessons to at-risk youth in East Scarborough, but also transforms the lives of the next generation.
On today's episode, I speak to Hamza Wardak and Shiraz Mohideen, the imam and president respectively at Masjid Al Jannah. They talk to me about the upcoming Holy Month of Ramadan and the impact of COVID-19 on their faith community.
On this episode, I'll be speaking to John Mackenzie. He's the CEO at the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), an organization that aims to protect the natural environment, particularly watershed communities. I was pleased to talk to him about some of my favourite parks in Scarborough-Guildwood.
Today I’m joined by my colleagues MPP Mitzie Hunter and Counsellor Paul Ainslie for a special feature of our Town Hall with Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an Infectious Diseases Consultant at Toronto General Hospital. He shares his expertise on COVID-19 vaccines and other health-related questions generated by our community.
This episode features Trevor Bullen, principal at my former high school West Hill Collegiate Institute. Trevor talks to me about overcoming some of the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in the classroom and our community.
Today I'm joined by Helen Juvonen and Tyler J. Seguin, co-Artistic directors of the Guild Festival Theatre. Both Helen and Tyler have extensive careers as actors, directors, and filmmakers for numerous credits, including the Guild’s production of Anne, Toronto’s FringeKids’ Handle with Care, and award-winning short film Advances.
Today, I'll be talking with Hon. Jean Augustine, mover of the unanimous motion to designate Black History Month and the Famous Five statue on Parliament Hill. She has had a remarkable life journey and is still going strong at the age of 83.
On today's episode, I talk with Chanelle Linton, the Youth Program Manager at the Progress Career Planning Institute. She shares how she helps people develop their soft-skills and sets them up for career success! Listen to #WhatWeGivePod here:
On today's show, I'm talking to Dr. Jeffrey Schiffer, the Executive Director of Native Child and Family Services of Toronto. He has a PhD in anthropology and has done extensive work in program development with Indigenous communities in Canada and Central America. I was delighted to speak with him about his impressive background and research.
In the upcoming episodes, I'll be speaking with Dr. Jeffrey Schiffer, the Executive Director of Native Child and Family Services of Toronto, and the Honourable Jean Augustine, my parliamentary buddy and friend. Stay tuned for many more stories of remarkable people in our community and don't forget to leave a review!
In this episode, I’ll be speaking to Seema David, the co-founder of 5n2 Kitchens. Seema and her husband Roopan started the soup kitchen in 2013 and have now served over 3,500 meals to those in need. They are wonderful examples of giving back to our community.
In this episode, I’m talking to Greg Fergus, my Parliamentary buddy. Greg’s the MP for Hull—Aylmer and the Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board. Greg has a strong background in politics -- he has worked at all levels of the Liberal Party of Canada, including as its National Director. I’ve known him for more years than either of us are willing to admit, however in this conversation I will learn things about Greg I did not know
On this episode, I’ll be speaking with Dolf DeJong, the CEO of the Toronto Zoo. He has an extensive background working in conservation, education and has unique perspectives about environmental issues and sustainable businesses. I was delighted to talk to him about his work and his background.
This episode features David Rydzik from the Toronto Police Service. Born and raised in Scarborough, he’s the Superintendent and Unit Commander of Scarborough’s 43 Division. He’s served as a police officer for the past 30 years, at all three Scarborough police divisions. He’s passionate about developing community programs such as the Mobile Crisis Intervention Team and the Neighbourhood Officer Program. These programs directly support, assist and empower communities to deal more effectively with the root causes of crime. To share more about what he’s been working on since taking his latest post in Scarborough, here’s my chat with David
Today, my guest is Utcha Sawyers, the Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of East Scarborough. She is an internationally recognized food and social justice expert, land steward, and educator. She was born and raised here in East Scarborough, which makes her a saint of the universe. In addition to being the full-time Executive Director, Utcha and her family raise organic food, sheep, goats, and other animals on an 80 acre farm north of Toronto.
To learn more about the Rouge National Urban Park, access the Park's trails, and download the Park's app, click here
To learn more about the Daily Bread Food Bank, access their programs, or donate, please visit their website
On today’s episode I’m speaking with Dip Habib, one of Scarborough’s true saints. He manages Volunteers, Events and Facilities at the East Scarborough Storefront and has helped make it the vibrant hub it is today. Dip always stands up for the Kingston-Galloway/Orton Park community. His contribution is vital to the East Scarborough community. In 2012, Dip was honoured with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal Award and in 2017, the Scarborough-Guildwood Parliamentary medal.
Hello, I’m John McKay - the Member of Parliament for Scarborough-Guildwood. Winston Churchill once said -- “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” This podcast is called What We Give. It features the remarkable ways people are contributing to our community. Subscribe now to What We Give on your favourite podcast player and stay tuned for new episodes regularly.