This Is Why

John Horace Oughton is believed to have sexually assaulted more than 100 women and children across Vancouver's Lower Mainland in the 1980s. He is known as the "paper bag rapist" because he used to make his victims wear a bag over their heads when he was assaulting them. Sometimes he wore a bag as well. In 1987, he was found guilty of committing 14 sexual assaults and has been in prison ever since. The youngest of his victims, Nikki, who wishes to keep her last name private, was just eight years old when she was assaulted. Nikki has spent the past 30 years dealing with the trauma of what happened to her, and in February of this year she decided to meet her rapist face-to-face as part of a restorative justice program. On this week's episode of the Global News podcast This is Why, we hear part one of a two-part series as Nikki shares her story for the very first time. If you enjoy the This is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and please

As people line up for their chance to buy legal marijuana, it marks the end of the criminalization of this drug. But how did pot end up being illegal in the first place? When did this happen and why have attitudes changed since then? If you enjoy the This is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show. Twitter: @thisiswhy Email: thisiswhy@curiouscast.ca  

Following Russia's involvement in a recent flurry of high-profile cyber attacks, Global News' European bureau chief Jeff Semple travelled to Moscow to investigate whether Canada's federal election could be their next target. If you enjoy the This is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show. Twitter: @thisiswhy Email: thisiswhy@curiouscast.ca

Canadians overwhelmingly describe Donald Trump as arrogant, a bully, dishonest, a misogynist and corrupt, according to a recent Angus Reid survey. Nevertheless, Trump still has his supporters here in Canada. On this episode, we hear from those Canadians who support Trump and why they have decided to stand by him. If you enjoy the This is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show. Twitter: @thisiswhy Email: thisiswhy@curiouscast.ca

Canada’s obesity rate has doubled since the 1970s. Around 9.3 per cent of Canadians have diabetes, according to the Canadian Diabetes Association. And about one in 12 Canadians lives with heart disease, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. At a time when there’s never been more information about how to live a healthy lifestyle, Canadians are unhealthier than ever. If you enjoy the This is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show. Twitter: @thisiswhy Email: thisiswhy@curiouscast.ca

Canadian veterans say they were prepared to die for their country, but they were not prepared for their country to turn its back on them. If you enjoy the This is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show. Twitter: @thisiswhy Email: thisiswhy@curiouscast.ca

Many Canadian consumers are retaliating against U.S. President Donald Trump's trade threats and some are considering focusing their spending within Canada to show solidarity, using the hashtag #BoycottUSProducts on Twitter. We examine just how effective this boycott is and if it could have any impact on the U.S. economy. If you enjoy the This is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show. Twitter: @thisiswhy Email: thisiswhy@curiouscast.ca

In this episode: Why the Catholic Church believes it can recover from the latest round of sexual abuse allegations. If you enjoy the This is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show. Twitter: @thisiswhy Email: thisiswhy@curiouscast.ca

We have become all too familiar with stories of sexual abuse by priests in the Catholic Church, but to what extent was it happening in Canada and how much was covered up? If you enjoy the This is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show. Twitter: @thisiswhy Email: thisiswhy@curiouscast.ca

The popularity of eSports is growing so fast around the world, that some experts have predicted it could overtake traditional sports in the next ten years. And here in Canada, stadiums have already been selling out as gamers battle each other for cash prizes of up to $25 million. But what are eSports and how did they get so popular? If you enjoy the This is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show. Twitter: @thisiswhy Email: thisiswhy@curiouscast.ca

The way Canadians work is changing, as companies such as Uber, Airbnb and Doordash have created a large increase in independent contractors and a decrease in traditional employment, that has some human rights lawyers very concerned. If you enjoy the This is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show. Twitter: @thisiswhy Email: thisiswhy@curiouscast.ca

Canada’s first prime minister John A. Macdonald is a controversial figure. But should we be removing statues or symbols of famous Canadians that we believe, in retrospect, have committed offensive acts? If you enjoy the This is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show. Twitter: @thisiswhyEmail: thisiswhy@curiouscast.ca

Across Canada, there have been numerous proposals put forward by politicians to lower the voting age from 18 to 16. But could a 16-year-old really be trusted to make an informed decision at the polls? If you enjoy the This is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show. Twitter: @thisiswhy Email: thisiswhy@curiouscast.ca

Over the past week, Global News reporters Marilisa Racco, Arti Patel and Monique Scotti have been exploring different relationship models, from sexless and arranged marriages to mixed orientation and polyamory, as part of their new series, called State of the Union. If you enjoy the This is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show. Twitter: @thisiswhy Email: thisiswhy@curiouscast.ca

The Canadian government is taking a hard stance against Russia at the risk of provoking the bear. This week, we take a closer at our relationship with Russia with the help of Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, ex-KGB spy Jack Barsky and former Canadian Ambassador to Russia Jeremy Kinsman. If you enjoy the This is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show. Twitter: @thisiswhy Email: thisiswhy@curiouscast.ca

The successful rescue of the young soccer team that was trapped in a Thai cave is the feel-good news story that we all needed. But the fear that these kids went through is somewhat relatable to B.C. resident Andrew Munoz. His incredible story of survival is the subject of this week’s episode. If you enjoy the This is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show. Twitter: @thisiswhy Email: thisiswhy@curiouscast.ca

In this week’s episode, we hear from a former gang member who explains what it's like to be in a gang and the struggle to escape a lifestyle of violence. And, what’s behind the flare-up in gang activity in some of our country’s biggest cities, and what lessons can former gang members teach us so we can break the cycle of criminal activity on our streets? If you enjoy the This is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show. Twitter: @thisiswhy Email: thisiswhy@curiouscast.ca

The sentencing this week of Winston Blackmore and James Oler after a decades-long polygamy case in B.C. has shone a light on the laws surrounding the practice in Canada. But why is polygamy illegal, and why is it considered to be a bad thing? This is Why is produced by @JohnODowdIRL and @Niki_Reitmayer. If you enjoy the This is Why podcast please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Play, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show. Twitter: @thisiswhy Email: thisiswhy@globalnews.ca

The treatment of migrant and refugee families south of the border has received international attention and strong criticism in recent days. But how is Canada treating those coming to our country in search of a better life? And could a clampdown on immigration in the U.S. cause a rise in the numbers of people seeking refuge in Canada? This is Why is produced by @JohnODowdIRL and @Niki_Reitmayer. If you enjoy the This is Why podcast please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Play, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show. Twitter: @thisiswhy Email: thisiswhy@curiouscast.ca

Canada's trade war with the United States of America, our closest ally, reached a near breaking point this past week when staff members of President Donald Trump said, "There is a special place in hell for world leaders like Prime Minister Justin Trudeau". This new tension with the U.S. has many Canadians putting partisan politics aside in favour of patriotism.  This is Why is produced by @JohnODowdIRL and @Niki_Reitmayer. If you enjoy the This is Why podcast please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Play, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show. Twitter: @thisiswhy Email: thisiswhy@curiouscast.ca