The Rundown

What does Canada owe its veterans after their service ends? Minister of Veterans Affairs Jill McKnight discusses Ottawa's new report on improving employment opportunities for veterans. Then, Commissionaires Great Lakes CEO Geoff Hamilton questions Canada's commitment to veteran employment after the Canada Revenue Agency awarded a $12-million security contract to a U.S. subsidiary. And, Wounded War...

Ottawa says its new immigration targets will make the system more sustainable. But as Canada faces an aging population, falling birth rates, and a wave of retirements, what could slowing immigration mean for the country's future? Anna Triandafyllidou of TMU's Global Migration Institute examines the government's plan, while Brett House of Columbia Business School and Massey College and Parisa Mahbo...

How do candidates make sense of an election once the votes are counted? We speak with Alvin Tedjo about how he turned a distant third-place campaign into a victory. Then, former candidates Zainab Azim and Krissan Veerasingam reflect on what it's like to lose an election after months on the campaign trail, and whether they'd do it all again. Donate Today : https://tvo.me/ See omnystudio.com/listene...

Ten years after Ontario passed legislation aimed at addressing sexual violence on college and university campuses, questions remain about its impact. What protections does the law provide, how have post-secondary institutions responded, and what can students expect when they come forward with an allegation? Then, in an era where sexual-assault allegations are debated not only in the media but acro...

As Canada looks to deepen its ties with Europe, leaders are promoting a new Canada-EU partnership they say will create greater affordability, opportunity, and sovereignty. But what could closer cooperation mean for trade, security, workers, and Canada's place in a rapidly shifting global economy? We explore the goals and challenges of the agreement with University of Toronto political scientist Ne...

ICE has become one of the most visible and controversial symbols of Donald Trump's immigration agenda. But what exactly is the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, how did it become so powerful, and what does its presence in Canada mean? The Rundown examines ICE's history, expanding role in immigration enforcement, and allegations of human rights abuses. Then, University of Toronto law...

Ghost stories of the Great Lakes are rooted in real tragedies. From legendary shipwrecks to tales of phantom vessels said to still sail these waters, author Mark Leslie, Ghost Stories of the Great Lakes, explores how loss and mystery became enduring folklore. Then, while ghost stories grapple with death through legend, death doulas help people confront it in real life. Catherine Hernandez, grief a...

Ontario's legislature is back in session, with Ontario's legislature is back in session after a 21-week break, and there's no shortage of issues waiting at Queen's Park. From allegations of OSAP fraud and hospital staffing cuts to ongoing tariff tensions with the United States and looming education labour disputes, the Ford government faces a packed legislative agenda. At the same time, Ontario's...

Ontario has given strong mayors and regional chairs new powers in the name of efficiency. But what does that mean for local democracy, community representation, and the future of municipal government? We explore the impact of these changes with Bill Irwin, Councillor for Ward 2 in the Municipality of North Middlesex and Professor Emeritus at Huron University; Lloyd Rang, CEO of Curious Public and...

Ontario is considering changes to the Coroners Act that could end mandatory inquests into deaths in custody, raising questions about transparency, accountability, and what families could lose if public hearings become less common. We discuss the proposal and the state of Ontario's inquest system with advocate Yusuf Faqiri, founder of the Justice for Soli campaign, and lawyer Joel Dick of Howie, Sa...

The trade war is creating profound economic uncertainty for communities across Canada. What role should municipalities play in a "Team Canada" response, and how can they navigate the economic fallout? Then, TVO Today's Nerds on Politics asks whether municipalities should rethink another local tradition: holding elections without political parties. Donate Today : https://tvo.me/ See omnystudio.com/...

Ontario says expanding the role of private clinics could help patients get care faster. But what does the evidence tell us about the impact of private health care? Andrew Longhurst of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives weighs in. Then, NOSM University president Dr. Michael Green explains why Northern Ontario's unique health-care challenges require training more doctors from the north, for...

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Albertans have chosen Canada, while Premier Danielle Smith says voters have backed a stronger Alberta within a united country. So what does the referendum result say about the mood in Alberta, and where does the province go from here? Martha Hall Findlay, director of the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary, and journalist Jen Gerson join us to discu...

Ontario's municipal election rules were written long before social media and AI transformed political campaigning. Are they still up to the task? Andrea Coyne, deputy clerk for the Town of Oakville, and Riley Brockington, president of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, discuss whether the Municipal Elections Act needs an update. Then, Rory White, technology and democracy reporter at Can...

Local government has a major impact on everyday life, but how well do Ontarians understand what municipalities are responsible for? Charlie Buckley hits the streets of Toronto to put voters' knowledge to the test. Then, with voter disengagement and political burnout challenging local democracy, France Bélisle, Peter MacLeod, and Lindsay Jones discuss why Ontarians should vote, what it takes to run...

General Wayne Eyre retired in 2024 after four decades of military service, most recently as Canada's chief of the defence staff. What did his time at the top teach him about the state of Canada's military and the politics shaping it? Then, Ann Fitz-Gerald of the Balsillie School of International Affairs examines Canada's new Defence, Security and Resilience Bank. What role could it play in confron...

Canada's relationship with China appears to be entering a new chapter. Lynette Ong, Distinguished Professor of Chinese Politics at the University of Toronto, and Jeff Nankivell, president and CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, examine what's driving closer economic ties and what they could mean for Canada. Then, as Canada cuts tariffs on some Chinese electric vehicles, Moe Kabbara, CEO...

Sudan is facing what the International Rescue Committee calls the world's largest humanitarian crisis. Political scientist Ian Spears examines the prospects for peace, while Unravelled looks at the International Criminal Court's investigation into possible war crimes. Then, Mamoun Hassan and Walaa Hassanien share what they witnessed after returning to Sudan on a humanitarian mission, and the story...

As governments promise to protect Canadian jobs and industries, are their policies delivering? United Steelworkers president Ron Wells and McMaster University professor emeritus Wayne Lewchuk discuss the fallout from Stelco layoffs and the future of Hamilton's steelworkers. Then, Toronto Star investigative reporter Frédérik Plante examines questions about Ottawa's "buy Canadian" policy and where f...

For many older adults, smartphones have become an important way to stay connected and engaged. We meet Marla Lewis and her daughter Rosie to see the role technology plays in Marla's life after retirement. Then, MediaSmarts' Kara Brisson-Boivin, cognitive neurologist Howard Chertkow, and McMaster University's Nicole Dalmer examine how much screen time is too much and what smartphone use could mean...

Ontario's health-care system is under growing strain, from emergency rooms to family medicine. ER doctors describe difficult working conditions, distress, and thoughts of leaving the field, while more than 2.5 million Ontarians lack access to a family physician. Dr. Rodrick Lim and Dr. Farzan Ansari examine what's driving the pressure in emergency medicine. Then, family physicians Dr. Jennifer Wil...

Gambling addiction can be easy to hide, even for someone in the public eye. Television and radio personality Rick Campanelli opens up about his own struggle with gambling and the impact it had behind the scenes of his successful career. Then, as online betting becomes easier to access and gambling ads increasingly surround sports, we ask whether Canada is doing enough to prevent addiction. Robin C...

What happens when an Indigenous burial ground is uncovered in a city? Reporter Gabrielle McMann examines who decides what happens next and the questions municipalities face. Then, we travel to Garden River First Nation to uncover the story of the men behind the "This Is Indian Land" message painted on a train bridge more than 50 years ago. And residential-school Survivor and Orange Shirt Day co-fo...

Canada's economy is navigating a trade war with the United States, tariffs, and uncertainty few could have predicted just a few years ago. Are we starting to find a way forward? Dawn Desjardins of Deloitte and Pedro Antunes of the Conference Board of Canada assess the economy and what comes next. Then, Erin Kelly of askpolly.ai looks at why Ontarians appear more optimistic about the future than ex...

How well is Ontario's transportation network working for the people who rely on it? Karen Cross and Eric Miller examine VIA Rail's upcoming service changes and what they could mean for communities along the Toronto-Ottawa corridor. Then, John Michael McGrath looks at whether congestion pricing could help address the TTC's financial and service challenges. Plus, Rundown segment host Charlie Buckley...