The Agenda with Steve Paikin (Video)

Bruce Hicks: Senate Shenanigans

Fri, 17 May 2013 21:00:00 EST

Canada's Senate is facing increased scrutiny following an independent auditor's report into the expenses of four senators. Now, the RCMP is examining the issue. In our Story of the Week, The Agenda sits down with Carleton University professor Bruce Hicks to get his sober second thoughts on the red chamber's latest scandal.

The Agenda's Week in Review

Fri, 17 May 2013 21:00:00 EST

From public struggles with addiction to sustaining the middle class, The Agenda's Week in Review.

Matthew Pearson: Where "Second Career" Falls Short

Thu, 16 May 2013 21:00:00 EST

A program designed to help launch a second career for unemployed Ontarians shut out thousands from getting help. Ottawa Citizen reporter Matthew Pearson tells Steve Paikin how the program failed those that needed help most.

Young Entrepreneurs, Young Jobs?

Thu, 16 May 2013 21:00:00 EST

"Starting up" employment: Ryerson University president Sheldon Levy and young entrepreneurs tell Steve Paikin about the job growth from startups and Ryerson University's plans to help Toronto become a startup hub.

Rafael Gomez: The Jobless Youth

Thu, 16 May 2013 21:00:00 EST

No shades required: University of Toronto industrial relations professor Rafael Gomez on the economic cost and problem of high youth unemployment.

How to Save the Middle Class

Wed, 15 May 2013 21:00:00 EST

Both the left and the right harken back with nostalgia to days when things were better for the middle class. Were things really better for everyone? If so, what can be done to regain what both the left and the right feel has been lost?

Frank Iacobucci: Justice for All?

Tue, 14 May 2013 21:00:00 EST

Retired Supreme Court Justice Frank Iacobucci was asked by the Ontario government to look into the lack of First Nations peoples on jury rolls. His report finds that Ontario's justice system is in crisis for First Nations. He sits down with Steve Paikin to explain why.

Kathleen Wynne: Queen's Park Showdown

Tue, 14 May 2013 21:00:00 EST

Two big items are front and centre at Queen's Park: the continuing fallout from the gas plant cancellations and questions surrounding what will happen with the budget. Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne sits down with Steve Paikin.

Warren "Smokey" Thomas: A Strike at the LCBO?

Tue, 14 May 2013 21:00:00 EST

An LCBO strike looms before the Victoria Day long weekend. OPSEU president Warren "Smokey" Thomas tells Steve Paikin if Ontarians should stock up for Victoria Day.

Mental Health Matters Highlights

Tue, 14 May 2013 21:00:00 EST

Mental Health Matters was a week of programming featuring important issues in the field of mental health. The Agenda brings you highlights of our broadcasts and web-exclusive content.

Jowita Bydlowska: Drunk Mom

Mon, 13 May 2013 21:00:00 EST

As a new mom, author Jowita Bydlowska struggled with alcoholism. The Toronto-based writer sits down with Steve Paikin to discuss her new memoir, "Drunk Mom," and reflect on that first year of her son's life.

Addiction and Public Life

Mon, 13 May 2013 21:00:00 EST

Should public figures be expected to go public with their addiction struggles? The Agenda explores to what extent there is a responsibility that those in the public eye openly air their dirty addiction laundry.

More Anxious Than Ever?

Fri, 10 May 2013 21:00:00 EST

Are we collectively more stressed and anxious than before? Is it because of the rapid pace of technological change, economic pessimism, stories of ecological doom, or just a feeling of being individually disconnected? The Agenda analyzes our collective angst and discusses what is needed to help people cope. The final installment in our Mental Health Matters series.

When Anxiety Attacks

Thu, 09 May 2013 21:00:00 EST

Anxiety disorders may be as pervasive a condition as depression, yet they are still not as widely discussed as depression. As part of The Agenda's Mental Health Matters coverage, we'll examine the research around anxiety disorders and the best treatments being used today.

Aboriginal Mental Health

Wed, 08 May 2013 21:00:00 EST

Last month, the Neskantaga First Nation in northern Ontario declared a state of emergency following two suicides in one week, not counting 20 other attempts. Neskantaga and other remote First Nations in Nishnawbe Aski Nation face a much higher suicide rate than the rest of Canada. This while other First Nations saw a decline in the number of suicides and some, no suicides at all. Why are some communities overwhelmed with suicides and others suicide-free? The Agenda examines aboriginal mental health in the latest installment of our Mental Health Matters series.

Resilience in Children

Tue, 07 May 2013 21:00:00 EST

Some children seem to constantly worry while others seem to breeze through life. Do those traits follow people into adulthood? As part of our Mental Health Matters series, The Agenda examines why some individuals are more resilient than others and look at the importance of developing resiliency in the efforts to attain good mental health.

The Risk of Immigration

Mon, 06 May 2013 21:00:00 EST

Mental Health Matters on Immigration: Is immigration good for your mental health? How do immigrants cope with the emotional pressures of leaving home? How resilient does one have to be to be able to create a new life for oneself in a foreign country? How does a country like Canada, which depends on the ongoing inflow of immigrants, deal with immigration-induced mental illness?

Innovations in Mental Health

Fri, 03 May 2013 21:00:00 EST

Knowledge of the brain is growing exponentially. What are the latest innovations helping people with mental illness lead richer emotional, social and productive lives? As The Agenda prepares to launch the Mental Health Matters series of programming, we bring you our in-public, joint MaRS-CAMH event from the MaRS Discovery District in Toronto.

Charles Sousa: The 2013 Ontario Budget

Thu, 02 May 2013 21:00:00 EST

Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa tells Steve Paikin why he thinks his first budget is right for the province.

Time for an Ontario Election?

Thu, 02 May 2013 21:00:00 EST

The Ontario Liberals need the support of either the PCs or the NDP to pass the 2013 Ontario budget. What do the opposition finance critics think of the budget? Ontario PC MPP Peter Shurman, NDP MPP Michael Prue and Green Party of Ontario finance critic Kevin O'Donnell tell Steve Paikin if this budget is worth supporting.

Fiscal Planning, Political Calculus

Thu, 02 May 2013 21:00:00 EST

A new premier, a $9.8-billion deficit, and a minority government. Is Ontario headed for an election? Martin Regg Cohn of the Toronto Star and Scott Stinson of the National Post discuss the events of budget day with Steve Paikin.

Jim McCarter: The Exit Interview

Wed, 01 May 2013 21:00:00 EST

After ten years as Ontario's Auditor General, Jim McCarter is stepping down. He sits down with Steve Paikin to discuss defining moments of his tenure and the findings of his last report as Auditor General on the Mississauga Power Plant cancellation costs.

David McFadden: Electricity's Smart Future

Wed, 01 May 2013 21:00:00 EST

David J. McFadden, co-author of the "Renewing Ontario's Electricity Distribution Sector" report, discusses Ontario's uniquely complex and inefficient electricity system, and what needs to change so that it can support the province's economic future.

Duncan Hawthorne: Powering Up Ontario

Wed, 01 May 2013 21:00:00 EST

For the first time in about two decades, all eight units at Bruce Power are sending power to the grid. Bruce Power President and CEO Duncan Hawthorne sits down with Steve Paikin to discuss the energy potential for Ontario that comes with this achievement.

Jacques Berlinerblau: How to Be Secular

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

Atheists such as Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris decry the crimes of religion in books entitled, "The God Delusion" and "The End of Faith," while religious conservatives urge the defense of marriage and religious values in public life. Increasingly, we are becoming stuck in an all-or-nothing landscape for religion in the public square. Jacques Berlinerblau, author of "How to Be Secular: A Call to Arms for Religious Freedom," sits down with Steve Paikin to discuss how the solution lies in a return to our secular roots and why he believes "new atheists" like Dawkins are, in fact, an obstacle to secularism.

Rise of the New Atheists?

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

As the documentary "The Unbelievers" premieres at Toronto's Hot Docs Festival, two of the men featured in the film: professor Richard Dawkins and physicist Lawrence Krauss sit down with Steve Paikin to tell us why indeed, they don't believe.

Combatting Homegrown Terror

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

After the arrest of two men for their role in an alleged terror plot to attack a Via Rail passenger train, many Canadians are wondering how and why extremism came to grow within our borders. In The Agenda's Story of the Week, Imam Shabir Ally and columnist Sheema Khan discuss the role moderate Muslim voices have in combatting homegrown radicalism.

The Agenda's Week in Review

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

A week that examined future innovation. A week that looked at a different kind of gender politics. And a week that wondered if Porter Airlines expansion plans would take off. The Agenda's Week in Review.

Helping Hidden Lives

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

We rarely talk about them, but we all know who they are. They cycle through the system, from police to mental health services to the street and back again. None of us would trade places with them, but new approaches are trying to bring them closer to a decent quality of life. The Agenda sits down with frontline experts to talk about the challenges faced by this population, options for addressing the problem and what we owe these marginalized people.

Toronto Island Airport Dilemma

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

Porter Airlines seems to have been a commercial success and now, it wants to expand. Expansion plans call for the introduction of "whisper" jets and a runway extension into Lake Ontario. Toronto has been here before: witness the 2003 municipal election. While residents have flashbacks to those days, The Agenda examines the pros and cons of an expanded Island airport. Does Toronto need it? Does Toronto want it? And what do the debates about airports and casinos say about how we view communal urban spaces?

David Schwartz: Casino History

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

As Toronto's casino debate continues, David Schwartz of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas tells Steve Paikin about what has fueled the expansion of casinos across the US over the past two decades.

Kathleen Wynne: Female Premier, Female Politics?

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

Kathleen Wynne is Ontario's first female premier. Premier Wynne sits down with Steve Paikin to talk about how she is approaching the job differently with her collaborative, respectful and conversational style of politics. How much of her political style is influenced by her gender?

Female Politicians, Female Politics?

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

Ontario's first female premier is bringing a new style of politics to Queen's Park. How has that changed the government's relationship with opposition parties? Steve Paikin asks PC MPP Christine Elliott and NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo.

What's Gender Got to Do With Politics?

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

We have a female premier. And, we have a female opposition leader whose cooperation is essential to keeping Premier Kathleen Wynne's government alive. Does having two women at the helm change the political landscape in Ontario? What effect has it had on voters? And how has it changed the way parties interact? The Agenda examines if gender influences politics.

Kamran Bokhari: Boston Marathon Bombing

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

From today's events in Watertown, Massachusetts, to the alleged Chechen connection, our Story of the Week: the latest on the Boston Marathon bombings.

The Week in Review

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

A week that looked to the future of higher learning. A week that looked at getting southern Ontario moving. And a week that connected the dots across the globe. The Agenda's Week in Review.

David Herle: Evaluating Attack Ads

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

The Conservatives launched an attack ad against newly elected Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau, provoking a backlash on social media over the negative tone. David Herle from the Gandalf Group sits down at The Agenda to discuss the efficacy of attack ads in politics.

Mario Martinez: How Culture Influences Aging

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

After studying centenarians all over the world, Mario Martinez has found that cultural and spiritual beliefs are more significant than genetics when it comes to health and longevity. He sits down with Steve Paikin to discuss how his theory can be applied in practice.

Spencer Wells: A Global Family Tree

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

Where did we come from and how did the earth's population patterns come to be? The National Geographic and IBM are trying to find out through the Genographic Project. National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Spencer Wells tells Steve Paikin what the project can reveal about the earth's population history.

Mohamed Aboul Ghar: Egypt in Turmoil

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

Egypt's revolution promised new freedoms and dignity for the country's 90 million people. Yet two years after the fall of Hosni Mubarak, the situation appears to be getting worse. An unstable political system, deteriorating economy, and sectarian violence are tearing Egypt apart. Dr. Mohamed Aboul Ghar, president of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party, was one of the leaders in the protests that toppled Mubarak. The Agenda gets his perspective on Egypt's turmoil.

Moving the GTA

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne has made it clear: The Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area needs new transportation infrastructure and the Ontario government doesn't currently have the revenue to pay for it. The Agenda with Steve Paikin examines what transportation infrastructure the GTA needs and how we should pay for it with the Board of Trade's Carol Wilding and Metrolinx's Bruce McCuaig.

905 Mayors Get You Moving

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

Four mayors from the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area share their thoughts on raising taxes to ease gridlock.

Taxing Congestion

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne appears to have opened the door to new revenue tools for transportation spending. Are taxes, levies and tolls good politics? Martin Regg Cohn and Adam Radwanski join Steve Paikin.

A Continental Energy Strategy?

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

Canada has an important trade and energy relationship with our neighbour to the south. We've harmonized our GHG emission reduction targets. Is it time for a formalized continental energy strategy?

Higher Education at the Crossroads

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

The world is changing. Education is not immune from this change. How different will higher education be by the year 2030? If it is to survive and thrive, very different. The Agenda examines the future of higher education in the latest installment of our Learning 2030 series.

Sean Silcoff: RBC Outsourcing Controversy

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

The Royal Bank of Canada is facing a major backlash for outsourcing jobs to foreign workers, putting the federal government's Temporary Foreign Worker program in the spotlight. In our Story of the Week, The Globe and Mail's business writer Sean Silcoff explains what this program means for Canadian workers.

The Week in Review

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

A week that asked if a casino will be built in Canada's largest city. A week that looked at the new cyber-espionage. And a week that examined the role of Parliament. The Agenda's Week in Review.

Europe's Growing Divide

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

The latest Eurozone bailout in Cyprus has highlighted a growing bitterness in Europe between the poor southern economies and richer northern economies. What does this mistrust mean for the future of the Eurozone? Professor Costas Douzinas from the University of London and Adam Lerrick from the American Enterprise Institute debate Europe's growing divide.

Mark Blyth: Is Austerity a Dangerous Idea?

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

Governments the world over are looking at austerity measures to help battle the financial crisis. Author and Ivy League professor Mark Blyth tells Steve Paikin why he thinks this is a bad idea.

Chrystia Freeland: On Inequality

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

Chrystia Freeland, author of the Gelber Prize-winning book "Plutocrats" talks about the state of income inequality and tensions between rich and poor states in Europe.

Making Parliament Matter

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

From a rebellion on the backbenches, to efforts to civilize and modernize representation, The Agenda examines what it would take to make Parliament a place to really debate the peoples' priorities.

Dave Meslin: A Preferable Ballot

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

Civic organizer Dave Meslin explains the ranked ballot proposal for Toronto municipal elections, and why such a change could improve representation well beyond the borders of the GTA.

Simon Jackman: Obama's Unremarkable Re-election

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

Far from close? Stanford University professor Simon Jackman on Barack Obama's re-election, and how data science is pushing its way into the political realm.

Zbigniew Brzezinski: The New Rules of Cyber-War

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

It is a new area of conflict: cyberspace. While there is a large body of international law about the rules of armed conflict, there are no international regulations around cyber-warfare. Former security advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski raises his concerns with Steve Paikin.

Gordon Chang: China's Cyber Attacks

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

A report by an American security firm says that a secret Chinese military unit is behind hacking attacks against companies across the world, including some American news organizations like The New York Times. Forbes.com contributor Gordon Chang sits down with The Agenda to discuss whether this cyber-espionage is a prelude to something more dangerous.

Alan Feldman: MGM's Plans for Toronto

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

MGM Resorts International's Alan Feldman discusses MGM's plans for a Toronto casino, what the potential benefits would be and what MGM would be willing to do to mitigate public health concerns.

Casino Toronto?

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

Toronto has been grappling with the idea of a downtown casino. Proponents say it will garner much-needed revenue and jobs, while opponents warn of the high social costs. Is it time for Toronto to get into the casino business?

Eric Margolis: Tensions on the Korean Peninsula

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

The Story of the Week: As the rhetoric between Pyongyang and Seoul escalates, The Agenda looks at whether or not tensions on the Korean peninsula could spill into war. Syndicated columnist Eric Margolis joins Steve Paikin for his perspective.

The Agenda's Week in Review

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

A week that examined religious rebirth. A week that considered who we are. The Agenda's Week in Review.

Carolyn Abraham: The Genes that Bind Us

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

Author Carolyn Abraham sits down with Steve Paikin to tell him about her journey to India and Jamaica, and through stacks of archive documents and genetic tests, to solve the mysteries of her family history and find out who and what she is.

Greg Lyle: Budget First, Election Next?

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

Politics by the numbers: Innovative Research Group's Greg Lyle sits down with Steve Paikin for the latest polling numbers in Ontario politics.

Planning for the Polls

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

Ready, set, wait? The teams are ready for Ontario's next election, despite the fact that one hasn't been called. The chairs and co-chairs of Ontario's four main political parties tell Steve Paikin what it's like to work towards an election that hasn't yet been called.

George Weigel: A New Catholicism

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

Author and theologian George Weigel says to understand the future of the Roman Catholic Church, one has to look back a century and a half to reforms put in place by Pope Leo XIII. George Weigel tells Steve Paikin what this version of the church looks like and how it will respond to modernity.

Stephen Bede Scharper: Green Christianity

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST

In a time of increasing secularization, could a Christianity that addresses climate change and environmental crisis breathe new relevance into the faith? Author and professor Stephen Bede Scharper tells Steve Paikin about Christianity's green future.

Fair, Fairer, Fairest?

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST

We want things to be "fair". We want all individuals to be deserving of similar treatment. But that runs in the face of the fact that most human beings tend to naturally favour family and kin. Is it healthy for society to promulgate ideas which do not jibe with the evolutionary underpinnings of human psychology?

The Role of Yonge-Dundas Square

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST

In the centre of downtown Toronto lies the bustling Yonge-Dundas Square. The Agenda examines the role of the square, and asks if this public space has lived up to its promise.

What is Legitimate Protest?

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST

Many of the parks and squares in major cities are filled with protesters, activists and preachers - but to what extent are these efforts legitimate? The Agenda explores what constitutes legitimate activism.

Kevin Page: Budget Watchdog Reflects

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST

After five tumultuous years as Canada's first parliamentary budget officer, Kevin Page takes his leave as his term expires. Steve Paikin talks to Page about the controversial accountability office he built, its greatest challenge and what the future holds.

Parliament and the Public Purse

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST

Another year, another budget tabled in the House of Commons, another rubber stamp vote on the horizon. Experts across the country lament the state of Parliament's ability to really scrutinize the billions in taxpayer's money. Former PBO Kevin Page joins a panel of budget watchers to ask what happened to Parliament's power of the purse and what can be done to reclaim it.

Jim Stanford: Is Austerity Harming Ontario?

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST

A recent Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives report finds that austerity measures put in place by the Ontario government in 2012 have harmed the province. Is it time to reverse the trend? CCPA author and CAW economist Jim Stanford sits down with Steve Paikin.

Canada's Energy Crossroads

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST

Canada currently doesn't have a clear energy strategy. If we want to become a global energy power player, what needs to happen?

Theodore Tolias: Economic Crisis in Cyprus

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST

The latest casualty in the Eurozone Crisis: Cyprus. If the island nation collapses, what will that mean to the future of the European Union? The Agenda's Story of the Week.

The Week in Review

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST

A week that looked at the role of the teacher. A week that weighed Canada's military role. And a week that asked why the Great Lakes are losing water. The Agenda's Week in Review.

Rural Ontario Reacts

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST

Viewers responded after The Agenda examined the challenges facing rural Ontario. Producer Mark Brosens tells Steve Paikin about the comments, and looks at what it says about how rural Ontarians view themselves.

Trouble on the Great Lakes

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST

From climate change to suspicions that liquid "blue gold" is being siphoned off and sold, why are water levels in Ontario so low? Part of The Agenda's contribution to Water Week.

A Teacher's Work is Never Done?

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST

The fight over extra-curriculars drew attention to a teacher's work day and what parents - and school boards - have come to expect. From coaching, to field trips, to maintaining curriculum standards, what should teachers really be doing in their jobs?

The Military We Can Afford

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST

Canada's military finds itself facing budget cuts of an estimated $1 billion - $2.5 billion. Andrew Leslie thinks this is a golden opportunity for Canada's military to transform into a leaner, more efficient and effective force. The Agenda asks: Is it possible for Canada to fight more, with less?

Andrew Leslie: Forcing Change in Canada's Army

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST

Canada emerged from the Afghanistan Mission with a transformed Canadian Forces prepared for much more than the peacekeeping missions it was used to. Retired General Andrew Leslie tells Steve Paikin about the tragedies that forced the army to change and the economic forces that are conspiring to force change again.

Charles Taylor Prize 2013

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST

They are books about war. Books about faith and politics. Books about lives lived. The finalists for the 2013 Charles Taylor Prize sit down with Steve Paikin to talk about their work, their books, and the power of non-fiction.

Ontario's Cross-Border Economics

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST

Ontario's economic fortunes long relied on our deep integration with the US Great Lakes border region. But while we depend on open borders, cross-border shopping, the price gap between American and Canadian goods and the strong loonie complicate the picture. The Agenda looks at the complex economic realities of how the border gives and takes, and what the key challenges are today.

Border Towns, Border Trade-offs

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST

Cross-border brouhaha? Producer Hilary Clark asked Ontarians to share their thoughts on cross-border shopping. Now, The Agenda goes to the source to hear from the frontlines of three Ontario border towns.

Alicia Ambrosio: New Pope, New Start?

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST

A pontiff of firsts? Pope Francis is the first South American pontiff and the first Jesuit pontiff. In The Agenda's Story of the Week, what does the election of Pope Francis mean for the direction of the Catholic Church?

The Agenda's Week in Review

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST

A week that asked why there are so few non-white guests in the media. A week that looked at Canada's shifting power base. And a week that visited rural Ontario. The Agenda's Week in Review.

What is Rural Ontario?

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST

We are told that rural Ontario is idyllic landscapes, happy families, and farms. But what is rural Ontario? And does it have a future?

John Ibbitson: Farewell "Canada"

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST

Author John Ibbitson paints a picture of a Canada that is not as we knew it. A Canada whose power base has shifted from Ontario and Quebec to the West and the suburban middle class. He tells Steve Paikin what this means for the governance of our country.

Eduardo Gonzalez: Canada's Truth and Reconciliation

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST

Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established to uncover what happened in Indian Residential Schools, but many Canadians aren't even aware it exists or what its mandate is. Eduardo Gonzalez, Director of the Truth and Memory Program for the International Centre for Transitional Justice, discusses what the commission is set up to do, and what Canada can learn from other countries' truth and reconciliation commissions.

Bruce Campbell: Norway's Petro-Lessons for Canada

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST

Like Canada, Norway has considerable petro-wealth. Where we diverge? The Norwegian government has a hand in the development, allocation and sharing of the resource. What can Canada learn from the Scandinavian country?

Binders of Non-White Guests Needed?

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST

"Why are there always middle-aged white men on your program?" It's a question The Agenda receives fairly often from viewers. Earlier this season, we aired a program which explored the unique considerations around why women are less visible in punditry. And now, as a follow-up to that program, The Agenda examines how we go about better reflecting the diversity of the province on TV.

After Chavez

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST

After a two-year battle with cancer, Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez died this past week at the age of 58. In The Agenda's Story of the Week, we examine his divided legacy.

The Agenda's Week in Review

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST

A week that asked why some sports figures self-destruct. A week that examined changing leadership styles. And a week that looked to the teachers of the future. The Agenda's Week in Review.

Women: Transforming Leadership?

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST

Political and business worlds see more and more women in prominent leadership positions. The Agenda examines if this development is changing our perception of what makes a leader.

Why Mighty Athletes Fall

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST

Tiger Woods. Lance Armstrong. Oscar Pistorius. Elite athletes who have fallen from grace. The Agenda examines why we idolize sports figures, and the role the public plays in contributing to their downfall.

Tom Flanagan Responds

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST

Former Harper advisor, conservative pundit and University of Calgary professor Tom Flanagan recently offered a libertarian view of individuals who look at child pornography. As a result, he's been fired from his job as a CBC political commentator, dis-invited from a talk at a conservative think tank, and is facing condemnation from his former political allies. He explains his position to Steve Paikin.

Teaching Towards the Future

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST

2030 sees a very different classroom and different students. As part of The Agenda's special Learning 2030 series, we ask: Are Ontario teachers ready for the digital future? From Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario.

Tim Hudak: Time for an Election?

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 21:00:00 EST

Ontario PC leader Tim Hudak says the selection of a new premier hasn't righted the direction of the Liberal government. He sits down with Steve Paikin to discuss the throne speech, Ontario's mounting debt and the ever-present gas plants controversy.

Andrea Horwath: Working with the Premier

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 21:00:00 EST

Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath says she'll let the throne speech go, but expects more of the upcoming budget. She sits down with Steve Paikin to discuss her next moves, and what her party wants to see in the budget.

Liz Sandals: Making Peace in the Classroom

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 21:00:00 EST

Liz Sandals has been given a tough job as Ontario's new Minister of Education. She inherits the fallout of Bill 115, angry teachers, angry parents, and a whole lot of uncertainty. She sits down with Steve Paikin to talk about taking on this tough job.

Dave Toycen: Syria's Refugees

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 21:00:00 EST

World Vision Canada president and CEO Dave Toycen visited Lebanon's Bekaa Valley in December. While there, he spoke with Syrian refugee children, who shared their stories of what they saw in war-torn Syria, and how they escaped the violence. The stories of fear and uncertainty are part of a new World Vision report called "Running from War."

Naomi Kikoler: Guarding Against Atrocity

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 21:00:00 EST

Its goal was to prevent crimes like genocide and ethnic cleansing. Eight years since the initiative was launched, how has the Responsibility to Protect doctrine worked around the world? Naomi Kikoler from the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect gives us an update on the doctrine, the challenge in enforcing it, and criticisms of its efficacy.

Janice Stein: March of the Drones

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 21:00:00 EST

The Obama Administration's drone strikes program has come under heavy criticism following a leaked U.S. Justice Department memo defending the targeted killing of Americans. TVO's foreign affairs analyst Janice Stein explains the legal and diplomatic dilemma posed by drone strikes.

The Anti-Science Left

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 21:00:00 EST

There has been a long-time anti-science current in right wing ideology, which sees evolutionary theory as a threat to religion and morality and climate change science as a threat to economic prosperity. But flip the coin over and you'll see an equally distressing mistrust of science by the left of anything that is unnatural: in food and food additives, of pharmaceutical drugs or vaccination, and of energy choices from nuclear options to fossil fuels, hydroelectric and wind power. Does your political ideology colour the kinds of science biases and suspicions you may hold? Is the current anti-science streak in our society a symptom of corresponding political extremism? Or are we all just afraid of the future?

A Healthy Alternative?

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 21:00:00 EST

There is a movement to make complementary alternative medicine a regulated field. While some patients have found results and improvements in their health and well-being, critics like Timothy Caulfield say alternative medicine isn't science-based. Will new regulations legitimize questionable practices or protect patient choice?

Bill Marra: Windsor Goes Fluoride-Free

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 21:00:00 EST

Trouble for teeth? After more than 50 years, the City of Windsor has voted to remove fluoride from its water supply. City Councillor Bill Marra tells The Agenda why Windsor has gone fluoride-free.

The Agenda's Week in Review

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 21:00:00 EST

From the latest in our Learning 2030 series to the limits of innovation, The Agenda's Week in Review.

Kathleen Wynne: Ontario's 25th Premier

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 09:00:00 EST

In her first visit to The Agenda since officially becoming premier, Kathleen Wynne sits down with Steve Paikin to discuss the challenges ahead at Queen's Park and her history-making position.

Learning Through Play

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST

Who says learning must be approached seriously? "Gamification" has entered the world of education. Will the combination of education and gaming encourage children to embrace learning? If so, will that path lead to more students developing a lively curiosity and interest in a life-long pursuit of knowledge and skills? As part of The Agenda's Learning 2030 series, it's all fun and games.

The Week in Review: Aging in Ontario

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST

From planning for retirement to the social costs of aging, The Agenda brings you a review of our Aging in Ontario series.

Living Retirement to the Fullest

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST

People spend a lot of energy planning for their financial needs in retirement, but rarely do they consider what they will actually do once they leave their working lives. The Agenda asks: What makes for a good retirement, and what do individuals and government need to do to prepare?

Gerda Kaegi: Are Pension Reforms Needed?

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST

As the nature of the workforce changes, so does financial planning for retirement. Former president of the provincial and national divisions of Canadian Pensioners Concerned, Gerda Kaegi, joins Steve Paikin to discuss potential reforms to the Canadian Pension Plan and what countries we should be emulating when it comes to pension planning.

Andre Picard: Legislating Assisted Suicide

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST

A British Columbia court has opened the door for physician-assisted suicide. And now, Quebec has promised a bll which would allow for euthanasia under certain circumstances. The Globe and Mail's medical columnist André Picard tells Steve Paikin what the changes mean to the state of the debate in Canada.

Residence Life, Senior Style

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST

For many seniors, when it's time to leave home, the residential future is anything but clear. Nursing homes, long-term care homes and retirement homes all offer different things to different populations. The Agenda examines how Ontario's seniors are being served by the facilities on offer.

Ontario's Senior Strategy

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST

After extensive consultations with 5,000 Ontario seniors, 2,500 stakeholders and more than 1,000 caregivers, the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care has released its "Living Longer, Living Well" report which looks to redefine care for Ontario's aging population. Expert lead and geriatrician Dr. Samir Sinha and Ontario Minister of Health Deb Matthews join Steve Paikin for an in-depth look at the strategy and which of its 169 recommendations the current provincial government will be acting upon.

Aging in a Changing World

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST

Smart phones. Tablets. Personal computers. We often hear about how these technologies make it easier for us to connect with one another, but for some senior citizens, these devices present a steep learning curve. As part of The Agenda's Aging in Ontario series, three senior citizens tell Steve Paikin what they see as the positives and negatives of 21st century technologies.

Agenda Plus: Deb Matthews

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST

Shortly after the Ontario Liberal leadership convention, Steve Paikin spoke with Minister of Health and Long Term Care Deb Matthews about her political prospects in the incoming cabinet.

Marcel Wieder: New Cabinet, New Ontario?

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST

It's official: Kathleen Wynne is Ontario's 25th premier. The Agenda examines Premier Wynne's new cabinet and what Queen's Park life will look like going forward with insider Marcel Wieder.

Common Ground at Queen's Park

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST

Ontario's opposition parties are coming forward with new ideas. The province has a new premier, and a new cabinet. Can Kathleen Wynne and the Liberal Party make this new legislature work?

Jesse Hirsh: BlackBerry's Odd Future

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST

Technology analyst Jesse Hirsh discusses the fickle nature of the technology market in the wake of BlackBerry's latest product launch.

The Week in Review

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST

A week that looked at the reality of the modern medical system. A week that revealed our genetic history. And a week that examined economic fundamentals. The Agenda's Week in Review.

Benjamin Tal: Labour Market Gap

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST

"People without jobs, and jobs without people." A CIBC World Markets report says Canada's growing labour market gap is threatening the nation's economic prosperity. Report author Benjamin Tal sits down with Steve Paikin.

Phil Angelides: Fighting Financial Fraud

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST

Phil Angelides is the former chairman of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission. He tells Steve Paikin why no one has been prosecuted for involvement in the 2008 financial crisis.

Alan Blinder: Recovering From the Collapse

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST

Former Federal Reserve vice chairman and Princeton professor Alan Blinder explains the causes of the 2008 financial crisis, the aftermath, and the work ahead.

What's in Your Genes?

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST

As the cost of decoding our DNA continues to drop, direct-to-consumer genetic testing becomes common and research projects, like the newly launched Personal Genome Project Canada, crop up. Soon, more of us may be learning the secrets of our genomes and opening the door to a raft of ethical quandaries. The question is: How much do we really want to know? Can we really understand this confusing code or do we need a doctor or genetic counselor to help us decipher it?

Living with Huntington's Disease

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST

Dr. John Roder, a world-renowned molecular biologist, is the subject of a new documentary "Do You Really Want to Know?" about people making the decision to have genetic testing done to see if they carry the Huntington gene. He and his wife Mary Lou Roder tell Steve Paikin about their decision to get tested and living with the results.

More or Less Medicine?

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST

The Agenda asks: are patients over treated and overprescribed in modern health care? The second of two programs looking at the modern realities of medicine.

Doug Weir: Personalized Health Reviews

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST

Ontarians aged 18-64 will no longer be receiving an annual physical. Instead, Ontario physicians will take part in "personalized health reviews", involving limited examination and more discussion. Ontario Medical Association President Doug Weir tells Steve Paikin why this is a prudent approach.

Patrick Martin: Syria, Rising Regional Tensions?

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST

Syria says Israeli warplanes carried out a strike along its border earlier this week, for the first time raising the risk that the two year old conflict may spread outside the country's borders. The Globe and Mail Middle East correspondent Patrick Martin shares the latest with Steve Paikin.

The Agenda's Week in Review

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST

A week that saw a new premier for Ontario. A week that heard first-hand from teachers. And a week that searched for new worlds. The Agenda's Week in Review.

Doug Smith: Rebounding from Trauma

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

Doug Smith lived the dream that so many young Canadian kids have. He was a first round draft choice and played in the National Hockey League. But 20 years ago, Smith went head first into the boards while playing hockey in Europe. The collision shattered his neck, leaving him paralyzed. He shares his story of recovery with Steve Paikin.

Lyle Palmer: Ontario Health Study Check-up

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

The Ontario Health Study is rolling out Phase 2 of the most ambitious research project this province has ever seen. Lyle Palmer, executive scientific director of the Ontario Health Study, tells Steve Paikin more about the research.

Crowdsourcing: The Sky's the Limit

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

Astrophysicist Chris Lintott has used crowdsourcing as an instrumental tool for getting the public involved in cutting edge research in the field of astronomy. Physicist Rupinder Brar is taking that technology into the classroom here in Ontario. They join Steve Paikin for more.

The Teachers' Agenda

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

Bill 115 may have been repealed, but Ontario's education labour dispute is far from over. A group of Ontario teachers join The Agenda to talk about the dispute with the government and where they believe the conflict resides.

Matthew Fisher: Canada and the World in 2013

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

Matthew Fisher is Canada's longest-serving foreign affairs correspondent. He sits down with Steve Paikin to discuss what 2013 holds for the world, and Canada.

Doug Hart: Public Attitudes, Public Education

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

OISE examines public attitudes toward Ontario's education system every two years. OISE researcher Doug Hart provides a barometer of public sentiment around the province's school system.

Ontario's Political Future

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

A new leader for Ontario's Liberal Party. The possibility of an upcoming election. The Agenda examines Ontario's current political landscape.

The Agenda's Week in Review

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

From amending the Indian Act to improve First Nations' lives, to the vagaries of managing Ontario's largest hospitals, The Agenda brings you the Week in Review.

Adam Radwanski: Ontario's Liberal Future?

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

Ontario Liberals are gathering in downtown Toronto to pick the province's new premier. The Globe and Mail columnist Adam Radwanski gives Steve Paikin the latest on the state of the race.

Robert Fisk: The Arab Spring's Uncertain Future

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

Middle East correspondent Robert Fisk shares his insights on the Arab Spring, the situation in Syria, and the Islamist tide sweeping through North Africa and the Middle East.

Stephen Starr: Eye-Witness to the Syrian Uprising

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

Author and journalist Stephen Starr was an eye-witness to the Syrian uprising. He tells Steve Paikin how the sectarian divisions in Syrian society have produced the Arab Spring's most violent conflict.

Digital Promise: No One Left Behind

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

Can digital technology in schools help each student become as educated as she or he can be? Part of The Agenda's special series of "Learning 2030" programming.

Moving Beyond the Indian Act

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

Idle No More is not the first movement to inspire public debate about the Indian Act. The Agenda examines the key concerns coming out of the Idle No More movement and how to go about amending or scrapping the Indian Act altogether in an effort to improve the lives of First Nations in Canada.

Ontario Hospital Insiders

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

They are the heads of four of Ontario's largest hospitals: University Health Network, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children and St. Michael's Hospital. They sit down with Steve Paikin to detail how they handle the toughest decisions in healthcare.

Sandra Pupatello: Ontario's Next Premier?

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

In less than a week, Ontario Liberals will select the candidate to fill Dalton McGuinty's shoes. Odds are, it will be a woman, and that woman might be Sandra Pupatello. She sits down with Steve Paikin.

Eric Hoskins: Ontario's Next Premier?

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

Ontario Liberal leadership candidate Eric Hoskins says "we must ensure, always, that no one is left behind." Even though he represents the riding of St. Paul's in Toronto, Hoskins says he has a plan to bring rural Ontario back to the Liberal Party. He sits down with Steve Paikin to explain his vision for Ontario.

The Agenda's Week in Review

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

From getting the government out of the alcohol business to choosing Ontario's next premier, The Agenda brings you the Week in Review.

Gerald Butts: Companies and the Environment

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

Former WWF-Canada president and CEO Gerald Butts on making large corporations environmentally responsible.

Fuels of the Future?

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

All energy sources have benefits and detriments. The Agenda examines the financial and environmental costs behind alternative energies.

Kathleen Wynne: Ontario's Next Premier?

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

She is the former education minister, largely credited with the nearly ten years of educational labour peace under the McGuinty Liberals. But Ontario no longer enjoys that same labour peace. Will that help or hurt Ontario Liberal leadership hopeful Kathleen Wynne?

Bill Laidlaw: Banking on Food

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

Ontario Association of Food Banks executive director Bill Laidlaw tells Steve Paikin about the dire need for food across Ontario's 1200 food banks.

David Lepofsky: Creating a Barrier-Free Ontario

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

As Ontario Liberals prepare to select a new leader, disability advocate David Lepofsky gives Steve Paikin an update on how Ontario is doing in breaking down barriers for persons with disabilities.

Wealth is in the Eye of the Beholder

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

Most of us would consider an individual earning $250k wealthy. But what if that person doesn't "feel" rich? Since the beginning of the economic downturn, we've seen an increased use of the words "rich" and "poor," but what do those definitions really mean? Is the precise definition of the words as important as the ideals prescribed to the notion of "rich" and "poor"?

Charles Sousa: Ontario's Next Premier?

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

"In Ontario, there's room for everyone." Words reiterated by Ontario Liberal leadership candidate Charles Sousa's father. Now, the former banker wants to combine his business background and social values to become Ontario's next premier. Charles Sousa sits down with Steve Paikin.

Backing Off the Booze Business?

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

Last month, Ontario's Progressive Conservatives suggested it was time again to consider privatizing the LCBO. Then, the Liberal government announced that some LCBOs would open in grocery stores. Choice, convenience, competition, and a possible spring election - what should Ontario's next steps be in the sale of beer, wine and liquor?

The Agenda's Week in Review

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

From rape protests in India to the future of the Idle No More movement, The Agenda brings you the Week in Review.

Mark Geiger: The Labour Board Rules on Teachers

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

Elementary teachers are in the classroom today after the Ontario Labour Relations Board ruled a walkout unlawful. The province's secondary teachers' union has also called off next week's day of protest, but is still encouraging its members to withhold extracurriculars. The Agenda examines the legality of these job actions and the next steps for the governments, and the unions.

Too Much Stuff?

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

Hot on the heels of the holiday season: gifts, garbage and for some of us, debt. The Agenda asks: Are we accumulating too much stuff?

Tim Hudak: A New Path for Ontario?

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

Ontario PC leader Tim Hudak is travelling the province, delivering what he characterizes as "straight talk" about the state of Ontario's economy. He sits down with Steve Paikin to lay out his prescription for change.

Gerard Kennedy: Ontario's Next Premier?

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

There are seven candidates vying to fill Dalton McGuinty's shoes. Gerard Kennedy is one of them. He sits down with Steve Paikin to talk about his approach to balancing Ontario's books while staying true to Liberal values.

Ed Burlew: The Right to Self-Defense

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

St. Catharines resident Ian Thomson used a gun to defend his home against arsonists. Then he was charged with weapons offenses. While Thomson was acquitted of the charges, does this case highlight the need for a change to Canada's firearms laws?

Agenda Plus: Gerard Kennedy

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

Gerard Kennedy lost to Dalton McGuinty on the final ballot of the 1996 Ontario Liberal leadership convention. How would the province have been different if Kennedy had won?

Ananya Mukherjee-Reed: India, Culture of Misogyny?

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

As protests continue over the rape, beating and subsequent death of a 23-year old female student in India, The Agenda examines the role of women in Indian culture, and whether the violent crime is a tipping point for change in the country.

Jaclyn Friedman: A Culture of Rape?

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

The world was shocked over the rape and killing of a student in India. Yet the word "rape" is bandied about casually in the Western world. Does the word no longer have power?

Rosemary McCarney: The Future of the World's Girls

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

Plan Canada CEO Rosemary McCarney tells Steve Paikin about the "Because I am a Girl" campaign and efforts to improve the lives of girls and young women abroad, and at home.

Idle No More: Protest to Change?

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

Momentum and a movement: Idle No More organizers, supporters and observers discuss the objectives and significance of the movement with Steve Paikin.

Sean Carroll: The Hunt for the Higgs Boson

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

Does it matter? Physicist Sean Carroll tells Steve Paikin about the decades-long search for the "God particle".

Adrian Owen: Searching for Consciousness

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

Canada's top court is currently hearing arguments in the Hassan Rasouli case. How it rules could be ground-breaking for the medical system, and end of life care. Canada Research Chair Adrian Owen tells Steve Paikin more about vegetative states and what we know about consciousness.

Ray Jayawardhana: Searching for Alien Planets

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

For centuries, we've looked to the skies and wondered: are we alone in the universe? Could there be alien "Earths" that harbour, or sustain life? University of Toronto astrophysicist Ray Jayawardhana spends his time searching for such planets. He joins Steve Paikin.

Dorothy Engelman: Volunteering in Canada

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

Get Involved Founder Dorothy Engelman joins Steve Paikin to explain how volunteering in Canada has evolved and how to navigate through the various volunteer opportunities to find the right one for you.

The Agenda: On Giving

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

Highlights from The Agenda's programming on giving. From contributions to TVO's "Why Poverty?" initiative, to an examination of the evolution of charitable organizations, The Agenda explores helping those in need from a variety of angles.

Jowi Taylor: Six String Nation

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST

Jowi Taylor wanted to do something original and remarkable to celebrate how great it is to be a Canadian. He chose to create a guitar. He sits down with Steve Paikin to discuss this musical labour of love.

The Week in Review

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST

From remembering a jazz great to celebrating with family, The Agenda brings you the Week in Review.

Brad Barker: Take 15 to Remember Brubeck

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST

JAZZ.FM91 radio host Brad Barker joins Steve Paikin to discuss pianist Dave Brubeck's influence on the world of jazz.

Don Schmitt: The Legacy of Oscar Niemeyer

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST

Architect Don Schmitt reflects on the lessons he learned from the late Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer. Schmitt discusses his travels to Brasília and the nuggets of wisdom Niemeyer left behind.

Deepa Mehta: Portraying India Through Art

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST

Deepa Mehta, Director of Midnight's Children, sits down with Steve Paikin to discuss her film adaptation of Salman Rushdie's classic novel and how she approached portraying the story of India's independence through film.

Manufacturing 2013: An Economic Engine Revived?

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST

Once an economic driver of the country, Ontario's manufacturing sector has taken it on the nose this past decade. As the province's economy attempts a rebound, what role can a re-tooled manufacturing sector play, and what do industry shifts like reshoring and advanced manufacturing mean for its long term prospects?

Steven Greenhouse: US Labour Pain

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST

In 2011, labour took a big hit in the stronghold of Wisconsin. Last week, Michigan shocked many by making union dues optional in the heartland of the US auto industry. The New York Times labour reporter Steven Greenhouse joins Steve Paikin to talk about Michigan's "right to work" legislation and what it says about challenges facing the US labour movement.

Tragedy at Newtown

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST

On Friday, December 14, 2012, an unfathomable tragedy befell Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut. It could have been any school, in any town. The Agenda examines the tragic events at Newtown.

Amitai Etzioni: We Are What We Celebrate

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST

It's the holiday season. A time for celebration. The Agenda examines why family plays such a central role in holiday celebrations.

The End of Family?

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST

Author Joel Kotkin says that the notion of family, as we know it, is no longer a central tenet of society. People are choosing not to have children, or to delay marriage - if they marry at all. Does this spell the end of family, or is it just a re-imagining of what we've come to know?

Laurel Broten: Defending Bill 115

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST

Rotating strikes, extra-curriculars cut: in The Agenda's Story of the Week, Ontario Minister of Education Laurel Broten defends her government's stance on Bill 115.

Marijuana: Good, Bad or Benign?

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST

Both Colorado and Washington states legalized the recreational use of marijuana on November 6th. A recent poll suggests 65% of Canadians support the legalization or decriminalization of pot. While the jury of public opinion seems to be shifting on the issue, a recent study in New Zealand found adolescents who used marijuana at least four days a week lost an average of eight IQ points between the ages of 13 and 38. Just how safe is pot? The Agenda examines the psychological and physical effects of marijuana.

Ian Mulgrew: The Economics of Pot

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST

Marijuana is estimated to be a $19-21 billion dollar industry in Canada, but no one knows for sure. It just may be Canada's most valuable agricultural product - bigger than cattle, wheat or timber. Journalist and "Bud Inc." author Ian Mulgrew joins Steve Paikin to discuss the marijuana industry in Canada and its loss of two big markets, Colorado and Washington.

Criminal Justice and the Mentally Ill

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST

The federal government's proposed changes to the criminal code will make it more difficult for mentally ill offenders found not criminally responsible for their actions to be released from custody. The Agenda asks: What is best for these prisoners, and how do you balance their rights and the right to public safety?

Steve Lurie: Housing the Mentally Ill

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST

Some of Ontario's mentally ill are homeless. As winter approaches, the need for safe shelter becomes more pertinent. Steve Lurie of the Canadian Mental Health Association Toronto tells Steve Paikin about possible solutions to this problem.

Job Action: Teaching Us a Lesson?

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST

Ontario teachers are poised to up the ante in the ongoing fight against Bill 115. As strike action gets underway, The Agenda examines what happens next in the current political climate.

Safer Streets

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST

A German exchange student, studying in Waterloo, was killed in a traffic accident a few months ago. University of Waterloo professor Jeff Casello and University of Applied Sciences professor Christoph Hupfer discuss the tragic death and consider whether changes in transportation policy might avert future deaths.

Anne Applebaum: From History to Cuisine

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST

Anne Applebaum is perhaps best known as a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and journalist who has written extensively about Russia and Eastern Europe. She joins Steve Paikin to discuss her two new books, "Iron Curtain: The Crushing of Eastern Europe, 1944-1956" and "From a Polish Country House Kitchen: 90 Recipes for the Ultimate Comfort Food".

Frank Stronach: On Team Stronach

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST

He built one of the world's largest auto parts manufacturers. Now he's trying to build a new political party in Austria. Author and former Magna CEO Frank Stronach on how his business success has made him well-suited to political success.

The Agenda's Story of the Week: Egypt and Syria on the Brink

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST

As clashes intensify between Mohamed Morsi's supporters and opponents, The Agenda examines the risk that the North African nation is falling into civil war. And Syria, a country under siege, but possibly reaching its endgame, as the opposition gains ground and NATO leans closer to intervention. The Agenda's Story of the Week.

The Week in Review

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST

From the poaching of the Bank of Canada governor to the next Liberal Party of Ontario leader, The Agenda brings you the Week in Review.

Ontario's Next Liberal Leader

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST

Seven candidates, one leader: Steve Paikin asks the seven Ontario Liberal Party leadership candidates how they would balance the province's books and reinvigorate the Liberals' sagging popularity?

Corruption, Canadian Style

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST

After more than a decade of scandals and inquiries at the municipal, provincial and federal levels, corruption allegations keep on coming. The Agenda asks: does Canada have a bigger corruption problem than we think?

Antoni Wisniowski: Assessing MPAC

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST

Every four years, taxpayers in Ontario get that dreaded envelope from MPAC, often a harbinger of the tax bill to come. MPAC President Antoni Wisniowski tells Steve Paikin about MPAC's mandate and how it assesses the province's property values.

Ontario's Horse Racing Future

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST

The cancelled "Slots at Racetracks" program cost Ontario taxpayers $345 million a year. The three former Ontario cabinet ministers responsible for a report on the future of the province's horse racing industry back the government's decision to cut the program. They sit down with Steve Paikin to tell him their vision for a sustainable horse racing industry.

David McKeown: Gambling as a Health Hazard

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST

Gambling with public health: A report from Toronto Public Health says that greater access to gaming would be detrimental to Torontonians. Toronto's Medical Officer of Health David McKeown tells Steve Paikin more about his concerns.

Chrystia Freeland: The Super-Rich, and the Rest of Us

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST

Author and journalist Chrystia Freeland tells Steve Paikin about her new book "Plutocrats: The Rise of the New Global Super-Rich and the Fall of Everyone Else", and what it means to the growing income divide.

Don Coxe: Fiscal Cliff-onomics

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST

Teetering on the edge: BMO Financial Group strategy advisor Don Coxe walks Steve Paikin through the five Ws of the pending fiscal cliff in the United States.

Stockwell Day: Canada's Dance with China

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST

Canada and China have negotiated an investment agreement that has some China watchers nervous. Privy Council member Stockwell Day explains why we have nothing to be afraid of.

Grey Bruce: Poverty Outside the City

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 13:30:00 EST

As part of the series "Why Poverty?", The Agenda spoke to charitable organizations and people struggling with a low income in Grey and Bruce counties about the challenges involved in helping those in need in a large, rural community.

Janice Stein: Palestinian Statehood (sort of)

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

The UN General Assembly has voted to grant Palestine "non-member observer state" status. TVO Foreign Affairs Analyst Janice Stein explains the significance and how this might affect the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Week in Review

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

From fighting for human rights to answering Canada's energy woes, The Agenda brings you the Week in Review.

Boris Dittrich: Fighting for LGBT Rights

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

By many accounts, Canada is a leader when it comes to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights. But in many parts of the world, being gay is a crime. Gays and lesbians find themselves confronted by human rights abuses and constant threats. And in some countries, being gay is punishable by death. Boris Dittrich of Human Rights Watch sits down with Steve Paikin to talk about the fight to have LGBT rights recognized on a global stage.

Consuelo Morales: Human Rights in Mexico

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

For 20 years, Consuelo Morales has been anything but silent amid the drug violence and threats of intimidation in her native Mexico. She tells Steve Paikin why she continues the fight against human rights violations in Mexico.

Liesl Gerntholtz: The State of Women's Rights

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

17 years ago, then-First Lady Hillary Clinton said women's rights cannot be separated from human rights. Liesl Gerntholtz from Human Rights Watch sits down with Steve Paikin to offer an optimistic and realistic look at the state of women's rights today.

Are "Binders Full of Women" Needed?

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

The Agenda hears criticism that there aren't enough female guests on our programs. We've blogged about it. Producers have spoken about it online. Now, The Agenda asks: If women are half of Ontario's population, why are they underrepresented in the media?

Mark Kingwell: The Politics of Luck

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

How closely aligned are reward and merit? University of Toronto philosopher Mark Kingwell argues that if we properly consider the role of luck, the notion of a meritocracy becomes a fading mirage. He joins Steve Paikin to discuss how luck should affect the way we think about our democracy.

Robert Frank: The Economics of Luck

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

Cornell economist Robert H Frank tells Steve Paikin about the role luck should play in our economic policies - especially when considering taxing the most affluent.

Ellen Langer: The Psychology of Luck

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

Are we the masters of our own destiny? Or do random events outside of our control decide the course of our lives? Harvard psychologist Ellen Langer argues we are psychologically repelled by the idea of randomness in our lives, instead opting for an "illusion of control." She sits down with Steve Paikin to discuss how we can take greater control over our internal world.

Rick George: The Case for the Oil Sands

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

Success, Suncor and the oil sands: Former Suncor CEO Rick George on turning Suncor from the "unluckiest oil company" to a Canadian success story and shares his view on the future of Canada's energy needs.

Cara Clairman: The Return of the Electric Car

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

The electric car is making a comeback. Plug 'n Drive CEO Cara Clairman tells Steve Paikin how this advance can help alleviate Ontario's energy woes.

Jon Dwyer: The Economics of Renewable Energy

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

Three needs, one source: Flax Energy CEO Jon Dwyer explains how his company can produce food, feed and fuel from a single energy source, and why the sustainability industry needs a new business model.

Bessma Momani: Old Battles, New Middle East

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

The Agenda examines the Middle East conflict from the viewpoint of different international players, from Iran and Egypt to the United States. The Agenda's Story of the Week, as chosen by our viewers.

The Agenda's Week in Review

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

From the new meaning of family to closing Ontario's prosperity gap, The Agenda brings you the Week in Review.

Mark Cohon: The CFL is Canada

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

CFL Commission Mark Cohon tells Steve Paikin why the Canadian Football League is a reflection of Canada.

Stephen Brunt: 100 Grey Cups

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

They played the first Grey Cup game back in 1909 in Rosedale Park in Toronto in front of 4000 spectators. Author and journalist Stephen Brunt chronicles a century's worth of Canadian gridiron history with Steve Paikin.

Michael Collymore: Red, White and Grey All Over

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

If you grew up in Canada watching the CFL, chances are you dreamed about hoisting Lord Grey's Mug. Former CFL wide receiver Michael Collymore joins Steve Paikin to reflect on the quest for the Grey Cup.

Your Brothers' Keepers

Thu, 22 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

Am I always my brother's keeper? Not all Canadians feel that all poor people deserve public support. As part of tvo's 'Why Poverty?' series, The Agenda examines the divide between who needs public support and those who ought to be able to help themselves.

Reinventing Ontario's Economy

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

Ontario is falling behind. Global competition is increasing and the only way to stay afloat is to reinvent Ontario's economy. The Agenda examines what is needed to reverse the province's fortunes with members of Ontario's Jobs and Prosperity Council.

Transforming Ontario's Social Assistance

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

One stop shop for help: The final report on the reform of Ontario's social assistance has been released by Frances Lankin and Munir Sheikh. It calls for a more integrated approach for helping Ontarians in need. The Agenda examines the recommendations.

Andrew Solomon: We Are Family

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

Just like Mom, or just like Dad? What happens when the apple falls far from the tree? The Agenda examines the challenges of parenting children with vastly different values or capabilities than their parents with "Far from the Tree" author Andrew Solomon.

A Bully Culture?

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

Bullying makes headlines every day in Canada, as a social problem for schools, workplaces, families and friends. We tell kids to stop, to intervene and to speak up. But when they look around, from politics to popular culture, they see an adult society that often rewards the types of behaviours they're told to shun. How can we tackle the problem of bullying in a society that seems conflicted about how it really feels about it?

Your Agenda: Bill 115

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

You spoke, we listened. Tonight, the Agenda brings you the latest on the Bill 115, the Putting Students First Act. Ontario teachers are preparing strike action and work-to-rule campaigns to protest the controversial law, which governs the collective bargaining rights of teachers. The Globe and Mail education reporter Kate Hammer discusses the most recent developments in the standoff between the province and teachers.

The Week in Review

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

From remembering those before us, to solutions for poverty, The Agenda brings you our Week in Review.

Politics Around Poverty

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

Why are people still impoverished in today's Canada? As part of tvo's "Why Poverty?" coverage, The Agenda examines what stands between poverty and its solution.

Chronic Condition

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

A dated and broken system: In his new book "Chronic Condition," The Globe and Mail columnist Jeffrey Simpson says Canada's health care system needs to be dragged into the 21st century. Simpson joins the debate as The Agenda examines his arguments.

Agenda Plus: History of Medicare

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 05:00:00 EST

"Chronic Condition" Author Jeffrey Simpson on what Tommy Douglas would think of the medical system that has emerged from what he started.

Richard Bruton: Celtic Comeback

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

Ireland was hit hard by the financial crisis, but their government is confident they will exit their bailout program by next year. Irish Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton tells Steve Paikin how that country's exports and jobs strategy is leading Ireland out of debt.

Five Years After the Fall

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

Five years after the global economic collapse, how are different parts of the world faring economically and how can countries and international institutions come together to move the global economy forward?

Ray Wiss: Soldier, M.D.

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

Major Ray Wiss says Canada's mission in Afghanistan was a moral one, and that now is not the time to give up the fight. He sits down with Steve Paikin to explain why that is.

Tom Porteous: Slaughter in Syria

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

As in most wars, civilians are shouldering the brunt of the conflict in Syria. Human Rights Watch deputy program director Tom Porteous tells Steve Paikin the latest from the conflict.

Sonke Neitzel: Mindset of WWII German Soldiers

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

They are vivid, sometimes chilling descriptions of the life of German soldiers during World War II. All brought to life in secretly recorded transcripts of German POWs. Historian Sonke Neitzel, co-author of "Soldaten: On Fighting, Killing, and Dying - The Secret WWII transcripts of German POWs," tells Steve Paikin more about the significance of the transcripts.

Gordon Chang: China's 18th Party Congress

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

China's once-in-a-decade leadership transition kicks off amid great turmoil within the Communist Party. We ask Forbes.com contributor Gordon Chang what's in store for the People's Republic.

The Agenda's Week in Review

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

From deep pocket politics to the OPP vs. Ontario's Ombudsman: The Agenda's Week in Review.

Fredrick Harris: Obama's Unfulfilled Promise

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

Columbia University's Fredrick Harris and why, despite being the first black president, Barack Obama has fallen behind in addressing racial inequality in the United States.

Barbara Finlay: Suicides in the OPP

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

Ontario's Ombudsman says the OPP is behind the times when it comes to helping its police officers who have mental health problems resulting from their duties. Ombudsman André Marin also thinks the OPP tried to give him the "bureaucratic brush off." Deputy Ombudsman Barbara Finlay tells Steve Paikin how the OPP could better help its officers.

Chris Lewis: Responding to the Ombudsman

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

The OPP says it welcomes the Ombudsman's report and will study its recommendations. OPP brass also point to programs they already have in place to help officers who have operational stress injuries. Commissioner Chris Lewis tells Steve Paikin how the OPP helps officers struggling with mental health problems.

Katy Kamkar: The Psychology of Trauma

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

Stress, violence, terrible experiences: Why do some people seem able to deal with trauma better than others? CAMH psychologist Katy Kamkar details the psychology of trauma to Steve Paikin.

2012 US Election Reaction

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

The day after Americans went to the polls, The Agenda assembles a group of observers to tell us what the results mean.

Money in the American Election

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

From Congress to the White House, it takes more and more money to get into office. As the American presidential election winds down, campaign spending on both sides is approaching a billion dollars, not including money spent by independent Political Action Committees (PACs). Do these donations come with any expectations or are they merely an expression of free speech? The Agenda asks author Lawrence Lessig and Reason's Matt Welch: Can money buy you a seat in the Oval Office?

Robert MacDermid: Money in Canadian Politics

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

York University Professor Robert MacDermid tells Steve Paikin about campaign financing in Canada and the link between contributions and land development contracts at the municipal level.

Mark Kingwell: Coarse Discourse

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

Twitter, talking heads and attack ads: has political discourse run away from reason and headfirst into the set of a reality TV show? "Unruly Voices" Author Mark Kingwell joins Steve Paikin on the new political discourse.

David Jacobson: One Election or Fifty-one?

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

As Americans prepare to head to the polls November 6th, US Ambassador to Canada David Jacobson sits down with Steve Paikin to give us a primer on what exactly happens on election night, and why election night isn't just a national election, but also 50 separate elections, in 50 states.

The Agenda's Week in Review

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

A superpower suffering, learning from economic history, and deliberating Bill 115: The Agenda's Week in Review.

Financial Friendship: Canada and the EU

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

Europe remains on the economic brink and the United States is still struggling. The Agenda takes a look at Europe's economy and whether Canada should pursue closer ties with the EU.

Surin Pitsuwan: South East Asia's Rise

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

The ten member nations of ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, stand to play a valuable economic and geo-political role. But as China grows, can the ASEAN nations push their clout on the international scene?

Fearing America's Decline

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 18:00:00 EST

With the United States at the height of election fervour, there's a shared anxiety that looms larger than the choice of leader. And both parties wish it would go away. It's a fear that America in 2012 and beyond is a nation in decline - a superpower no longer certain of its role in the world. Is this just another incarnation of declinist fear, or is Rome really burning? The Agenda examines how Americans are dealing with this malaise, and if it is killing American optimism and exceptionalism.

The Legal Challenge to Bill 115

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 18:00:00 EST

The battle between Ontario teachers and the Ontario government over Bill 115, the "Putting Students First Act," is headed to the courts. Steve Paikin sits down with two labour lawyers for a walkthrough of the key issues on both sides of the legal argument.

The Public and its Spaces

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 18:00:00 EST

There was a time in Ontario when governments dreamt big and built big. Public projects like Ontario Place claimed public space as a reflection of the aspirations of a province and a public. In today's economic climate and cash-strapped governments, is this version of public space part of a bygone era? Steve Paikin hears from a group of emerging public-minded Ontarians on what they think about the state of the public and its spaces.

The Classroom of 2030

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 18:00:00 EST

The internet, individual tablets, smart screens: will digital technology realize the promise of customized, student-centred education? The first in The Agenda's Learning 2030 series, from the Communitech Hub in Kitchener, Ontario.

Brian Lee Crowley: "Net Gain" Games

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 18:00:00 EST

In The Agenda's Story of the Week, Brian Lee Crowley on Canada's cautious approach to state-owned companies taking an interest in Canadian corporations and natural resources.

The Agenda's Week in Review

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 18:00:00 EST

A premier speaks, Ontario's bottom line and the true cost of a market economy: The Agenda brings you the Week in Review.

Carlo Dade: The Latinization of America

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 18:00:00 EST

The United States is being transformed by Hispanic influence: in politics, in corporate culture, in sports and entertainment. The Agenda examines how this is changing the U.S., and what it means for the upcoming presidential election.

Somali-Canadian Killings

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 18:00:00 EST

Dozens of young Somali-Canadian men have fallen victim to gun violence in Ontario and Alberta, victims of the same violence their families came to Canada to escape. The Agenda examines why.

Should Money Buy Everything?

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST

Everything has value. Groceries. Cellphones. Now, in our market society, kidneys. What can't money buy? Do we want a society where everything is up for sale? Or are there certain moral and civic goods that markets do not honour and money cannot buy? The Agenda examines the true cost of putting a price tag on everything.

Dalton McGuinty: A Conversation with the Premier

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST

Twenty two years as an MPP. 16 years as Ontario liberal leader. Nine years as premier. And yet, Ontario's 24th premier surprised everyone with his decision to step down. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty tells Steve Paikin why he's leaving, why he's proroguing, and what his ultimate legacy on this province will be.

The Future of Brand Liberal

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST

Out of all the governments in Canada, only three are Liberal - and Ontario's has seen better days. Is there room for the Liberal Party in Canadian politics today?

Dwight Duncan: State of the Ontario Economy

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST

Ontario Minister of Finance Dwight Duncan tells Steve Paikin who will take on the challenge of meeting Ontario's deficit deadlines now that Dalton McGuinty has resigned.

Getting Ontario Back to Balance

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST

The Drummond Report aimed to layout a blueprint to rein in Ontario's deficit. Eight months later, has the McGuinty government followed the plan or gone off-blueprint?

Peter Russell: Prorogation Condemnation

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST

University of Toronto Professor Emeritus Peter Russell challenges the legitimacy of proroguing the legislature. The Agenda brings you the Story of the Week.

The Agenda's Week in Review

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST

From the leader of the free world, to a new urban landscape for Canada's largest city, The Agenda brings you the Week in Review.

Toronto: Towers, Triumphs and Troubles

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST

Daring and innovative: two adjectives not typically used to describe Toronto's skyline. But times are changing. A proposal by theatre impresario David Mirvish and architect Frank Gehry plans to shake up an unimaginative strip in the city's downtown core. Will these proposed towers finally help Toronto achieve world class status, or are the multitude of condo towers popping up a Pandora's box of urban planning gone awry?

John Lorinc: Toronto's City Dynamics

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST

Urban affairs reporter John Lorinc on Toronto's burgeoning condo development, Metrolinx stumbles and what the Queen's Park shake-up means for Canada's largest city.

The Global President

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST

For other nations, following U.S. politics is as natural as following one's own nation. Whoever is elected president of the United States will have a profound impact, not only on the lives of Americans, but across the globe. As election day draws near, what are other nations thinking and fearing? Who is the best presidential candidate for peace in the Middle East? How are European nations feeling during their own economic uncertainty and which outcome does China prefer? The Agenda examines the role of the global president.

McGuinty's Departure, Ontario's Future

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST

Dalton McGuinty surprised Ontario with his sudden resignation. The Agenda speaks to Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath and Ontario Liberals about what this means for Queen's Park, and the province.

Rob Leone on Contempt Motion

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 18:00:00 EST

Rob Leone once taught at Wilfrid Laurier University. He wrote his PhD thesis on the circumstances under which ministers of the crown should resign. Now he's a rookie MPP at Queen's Park leading the effort for the opposition conservatives to find Energy Minister Chris Bentley in contempt of the legislature.

Murtaza Haider: Shooting of a Pakistani Schoolgirl

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST

Malala Yousafzai was only 11 when she started speaking out against Taliban militants and promoting equal education for girls. Three years later, those same militants targeted Malala while she was walking home from school. In The Agenda's story of the week: the attack on Malala Yousafzai, and what it means for Pakistan.

The Agenda's Week in Review

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST

Pushing federal voting boundaries, trouble in emerging economies and the better president for Canada: The Agenda's Week in Review.

50 Years of Vatican Two

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST

Conventional wisdom says the Roman Catholic Church resists change at all costs. However, 50 years ago today, Pope John XXIII opened the Second Vatican Council, which dramatically changed Catholic worship and thought. The Agenda examines the legacy of Vatican II.

George Valin: Ontario's Proposed Federal Electoral Map

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST

After every decennial census, Canada redistributes and realigns its federal electoral map. Justice George Valin, chair of the 2012 Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario, joins Steve Paikin to discuss the commission's proposal for new boundaries for Ontario's soon-to-be 121 ridings.

Redrawing Ontario

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST

Redistricting happens every ten years in Canada. This time there is another layer of complexity, as the province of Ontario is receiving 15 new seats. What's more important: that each vote count for the same weight, or that communities of interest have full representation? Should ridings blend rural and urban voters? Does it matter if a town is divided in half by its federal ridings? The Agenda examines the proposed changes, and what they will mean for the House of Commons over the next decade.

The Better President for Canada

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST

The next president of the United States will have an enormous impact on what happens in our country. The Agenda examines whether Obama or Romney would be better not for America, but for Canada.

William Fowler Jr.: Empires at War

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST

Although it took place two and a half centuries ago, the consequences of the French and Indian War are still with us today. Author William Fowler Jr. tells Steve Paikin more about the event that has been called the real first world war.

Yuen Pau Woo: China's Hard Landing

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST

China's economy has not been immune from the global economic slowdown. While the Republic's boom has buoyed the global economy, its growth is slowing down. Asia Pacific Foundation President Yuen Pau Woo tells Steve Paikin more about what that means for China and the globe.

Nick Chamie: Brazil's Bottlenecks

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST

In the past year, Brazil overtook the United Kingdom as the world's sixth largest economy. But for all of its size and success, the South American nation faces significant problems. RBC Capital Markets' Nick Chamie tells Steve Paikin about Brazil's bottlenecks.

Kasi Rao: India's Growing Pains

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST

India is in the midst of significant economic reforms as the government moves to boost slowing growth. Canada-India business consultant Kasi Rao tells The Agenda what the reforms will mean for India's bottom line.

Maria Babbage: In Contempt of Parliament

Fri, 05 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST

CP's Maria Babbage on the latest in the contempt motion against Minister of Energy Chris Bentley. The Agenda brings you the story of the week.

The Agenda's Week in Review

Fri, 05 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST

Plagiarism allegations, the future of feminist thought and charitable offerings. The Agenda examines the Week in Review.

Feminism's Future

Fri, 05 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST

Author Naomi Wolf's new book "Vagina: A New Biography," has been criticized and rejected by many feminists young and old. What does this reaction tell us about where the feminist movement stands today and where it is headed? Erica Jong joins a group of young women as they tell Steve Paikin what they think about the future of feminism.

Being Charitable Today

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST

We wear yellow bracelets. We pin pink ribbons to our clothing. We run a marathon with the motivation that we're helping a fellow human being in need. But how much do we help the cause when we do these things? The Agenda examines what being a charitable person means today, and how religious and secular giving differs in the 21st century.

Canadian Disagreements

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST

Big Ideas lecturers Armine Yalnizyan, Andrew Coyne, John Ibbitson and John Duffy discuss the changing nature of Canada's political culture.

Truth in Modern Journalism

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST

High-profile journalists have recently been accused of plagiarism on both sides of the border. The Agenda examines how the online world is changing journalism.

Sid Ryan: Public Sector Wage Freeze

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

The McGuinty government has unveiled legislation that would ban strikes and lockouts, as well as rein in wages and cut benefits for almost half of all Ontario public sector workers over the next two years. Steve Paikin sits down with Ontario Federation of Labour President Sid Ryan to find out how labour plans on fighting back.

The Agenda's Week in Review

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

Invigorating Canadian technology, wind turbine controversy, the American election and Paul Henderson's famous goal. The Agenda examines the Week in Review.

The Goal That Changed Canada

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

They were words that captivated a nation: "Henderson has scored for Canada." Forty years later, The Agenda looks back on the 1972 Summit Series win against the Soviet Union.

Andrew Podnieks: The Summit Series at 40

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

Andrew Podnieks has written a coffee table book on the great hockey series ever played. "Team Canada 1972: The Official 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Summit Series, as told by the players." He talks to Steve Paikin about his book and this series.

Bruce Dowbiggin: Hockey in Limbo

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

Off the ice: Author and sports journalist Bruce Dowbiggin talks to Steve Paikin about the current lockout of the NHL players by the owners, the fourth work stoppage in the past couple of decades.

Jane Wilson: Ontario's Wind Controversy

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

The wind turbine debate in Ontario is still spinning. In July 2012, Health Canada announced a new study that will look into the possible adverse effects of living near wind power projects. Steve Paikin speaks with Wind Concerns Ontario's Jane Wilson about the health, environmental and economic concerns of those who live near industrial wind turbines.

How Green is My Ontario?

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

From anger to support, has the Green Energy Act benefited Ontario? The Agenda looks back on its programs examining the Green Energy Act.

Michele Mosca: Quantum-Nano Centre

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

Quantum computing and nanotechnology aim to map the next groundbreaking frontier in technological innovation. The University of Waterloo is launching a brand new, state of the art facility with the opening of the Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre. Michele Mosca, Deputy Director of the Institute for Quantum Computing, joins Steve Paikin to talk about the enormous potential of bringing two giants of tiny research together in one facility.

Beyond RIM: Innovating in K-W

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

The Waterloo region glittered on Ontario's innovation economy map for more than a decade as Research in Motion led the world in smartphone and other digital breakthroughs. But after several rounds of layoffs at RIM, does the region's star shine as brightly? The Agenda looks at the impact the shift in RIM's fortunes has had on the local innovation economy and how its ecosystem aims to thrive rather than survive.

David Shribman: Who Are the 47%?

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney says he's not going to bother courting the "47% who pay no federal income tax". In The Agenda's story of the week, we unpack who the 47% are, and how those individuals factor into the upcoming US election.

The Agenda's Week in Review

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

From Ford Nation to the rise of ethnic hatred in the West, The Agenda brings you the Week in Review.

Charles Catto: Advancing an Aboriginal Agenda

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 17:17:00 EST

Charles Catto, honourary chief of the Wasauksing Ojibwa First Nation, talks about home building projects across the country that the Frontiers Foundation is doing.

The Morality of Drone Warfare

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

Drones are increasingly used as a method of warfare, valued for their accuracy and limited troop casualties. The Agenda asks: Are these modern war machines a legitimate and moral form of warfare?

Ford Nation, Year Two

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

A court case. Public blunders. An angry electorate. A supportive electorate. As Toronto Mayor Rob Ford enters his third year at the helm, The Agenda examines the state of Ford Nation.

Bill Schneider: An Angry American Electorate

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

With the American presidential election just over a month away, voters seem divided and angry. The Agenda takes the temperature of the US electorate.

Tim Hudak: On Healthcare

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak tells Steve Paikin about his party's latest policy discussion paper on the reform of Ontario's healthcare system.

Progressive Conservatives on Labour

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

Ontario's Progressive Conservatives have a plan to reform labour laws in the province. The Agenda looks at the merits of the Tories' proposals.

Doug Saunders: The Myth of the Muslim Tide

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

Author and journalist Doug Saunders says that despite what many believe, Muslim immigrants don't pose a risk to Western values. He sits down with Steve Paikin.

The Western Rise of Hate

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

How is it that Anders Breivik, mass murderer of 69 young people could exist in a seemingly tolerant Scandinavian country like Norway? Or that anti-Semitism can be alive, well and expressed through violence in Germany and France? Or that a Sikh temple service in Wisconsin could be so violently disrupted on a quiet Sunday morning by a white supremacist with a semiautomatic handgun? What drives ethnic hatred and why do history's lessons not seem to resonate?

Patrick Martin: Muslim Anger and Anti-Americanism

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

An anti-Islamic film is inciting mass protests against American interests in parts of the Middle East and North Africa. Is this reigniting old grievances against the United States or the beginning of a new form of anti-Americanism? The Agenda examines what the growing unrest means.

The Agenda's Week in Review

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

From the environment to gun violence to youth and mental health, what were people talking about on The Agenda this week? Find out on our Week in Review.

Bill Blair: Toronto's Anti-Violence Strategy

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair tells Steve Paikin what the Toronto Anti-Violence Strategy is, and how the new infusion of money from Queen's Park will help Toronto police combat gun violence in the city.

Toronto's Gun Problem

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

It's time for some new thinking on solving gun violence in Toronto. Should Canada's largest city emulate anti-violence models from other urban centres, or develop its own approach?

Curing Violence in Chicago

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

The city of Chicago, Illinois sees violence as a disease. Gary Slutkin hopes to change that with the CeaseFire campaign. He tells Steve Paikin how combining science and street outreach is cooling violent crime in his city.

Not Green in My Back Yard

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

From wind farms to waste-to-energy projects, how can Ontario's green initiatives flourish if concerned citizens don't want them in their communities?

Gord Miller: Ontario in Canada's Energy Strategy

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

The Environmental Commissioner of Ontario is set to release three reports this fall, all of which tackle energy conservation. He tells Steve Paikin why he thinks the Green Energy Act fell short and what the province can and should do to contribute to Canada's energy strategy.

Michael Bryant: 28 Seconds

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

On August 31, 2009, former Attorney General of Ontario Michael Bryant was charged with the death of cyclist Darcy Sheppard. While all the charges against Bryant were dropped, he tells Steve Paikin that this incident changed his life forever in ways he never thought imaginable.

The Powerful and the Powerless

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

David versus Goliath is a thrilling story, but surely the "little guy" isn't always right and the "big guy" isn't always wrong. Why do we identify with the little guy?

Teenage Mental Health

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

Behind the recent tragic headlines of young people taking their lives, there are stories of pain, shame and silent suffering. Parents, schools and peers are grappling with teen depression and trying to find ways of reaching out and helping. As part of The Agenda's continuing Mental Health Matters coverage, we look at depression in young people.

Greg Sorbara: An Exit Interview

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

After more than a quarter century in public life, Liberal MPP Greg Sorbara is leaving his Vaughan seat. He sits down with Steve Paikin to talk Queen's Park then and now.

The Agenda's Week in Review

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

Education labour strife. The forecast for a political autumn. Big banks on the brink and private corporations with tight purses. The Agenda brings you the Week in Review.

Sitting on Cash

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney says Canadian corporations are holding on to too much cash. Should private companies share the wealth? Canadian Council of Chief Executives John Manley says companies are rightly saving for a rainy day. Then, economists Armine Yalnizyan and Mike Moffatt weigh in on Manley's argument.

Breaking the Banks

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

No criminal charges in the financial crisis, and big banks that keep getting bigger. Are we at risk of repeating another financial crisis? The Agenda examines if it's time to break up the big banks.

Luisa D'Amato: Kitchener-Waterloo By-election

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

The race for Kitchener-Waterloo: The Agenda looks at a by-election race that could decide the fate of Premier McGuinty's hopes for a minor majority.

Projecting Ontario Politics

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

The stage is set for an interesting autumn in Ontario politics. Steve Paikin talks to Queen's Park watchers about what's on the horizon in the post-Drummond era province.

Laurel Broten: "Putting Students First"

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

Ontario Minister of Education Laurel Broten defends her government's teacher wage freeze legislation.

Ken Coran: The OSSTF and "Putting Students First"

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

OSSTF President Ken Coran on the Ontario government's teacher wage freeze legislation.

Brian Burke: Homophobia and Hockey

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 20:00:00 EST

It's a collective message from prominent NHL players: "If you can play, you can play." Homophobia has no place in Canada's game. The You Can Play project was created to honour the memory of Brendan Burke. His father, Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke, sits down with Piya Chattopadhyay to tell us how professional sports can move beyond the concept of a "gay athlete," to simply an "athlete."

Who Really Won the War of 1812?

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 21:00:00 EST

Canada did. No, America. No, Canada. The War of 1812 seems to have ended in a draw. The Agenda examines who really won, and what the war's legacy has meant for North America.

Mike Lake: Autism Awareness

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

Alberta MP Mike Lake has an autistic son named Jaden. He joins Steve Paikin to explore what autism is, how it affects Jaden's life and what's being done for people with autism.

Premiers of Ontario

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 05:00:00 EST

Steve Paikin is joined by former Ontario premiers David Peterson, Bob Rae, Mike Harris, and Ernie Eves to discuss the call to politics, the demands of the Office of the Premier, and life after politics.

Remembering Jack

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 21:00:00 EST

Jack Layton leaves a legacy of three decades in public life. Five guests who knew him well consider Jack Layton's contribution to Canadian politics.