The Agenda with Steve Paikin (Video)

Martin Short: I, Martin Short, Goes Washington

Wed, 16 May 2012 21:00:00 EST

He is a comedian. He is an actor. He also has quite a few opinions on US politics. Martin Short sits down with Steve Paikin.

Karen Thorne-Stone: Keeping Ontario Rolling

Wed, 16 May 2012 21:00:00 EST

Ontario's film and television production industry had its best year ever in 2011, contributing over $1 billion to Ontario's economy. Ontario Media Development Corporation president and CEO Karen Thorne-Stone sits down with Steve to talk about their role in supporting Ontario's creative industries.

Jeffrey Steiner: Script for Success

Wed, 16 May 2012 21:00:00 EST

The man behind Toronto's Pinewood Studios, Jeffrey Steiner, tells Steve Paikin about his latest project - adapting the works of author Jeffrey Archer.

Following the Arab Spring

Tue, 15 May 2012 21:00:00 EST

Almost a year and a half since the birth of the Arab Spring, the countries of Egypt, Libya and Syria have experienced very different outcomes. The Agenda looks at the real impact of the revolution, and what changes will take shape next.

Orley Ashenfelter: Big Macroeconomics

Mon, 14 May 2012 21:00:00 EST

Princeton labour economist Orley Ashenfelter uses data from McDonald's to study the economy. For him, Big Macs are a benchmark for comparing wages around the globe. He joins Steve Paikin.

Deconstructing Personal Debt

Mon, 14 May 2012 21:00:00 EST

Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney says Canadians need to rein in their personal debt loads. The Agenda asks: how much debt (if any) is good debt?

Speaking of the "Mentally Ill"

Fri, 11 May 2012 21:00:00 EST

When diagnosing mental illness, words matter. Some words empower, while others stigmatize. How do those with mental illness want to be regarded? The Agenda has a conversation about language, labels and identity. Part of our Mental Health Matters series.

Schizophrenia: A Sentence or a Diagnosis?

Thu, 10 May 2012 21:00:00 EST

Schizophrenia is one of the most feared and misunderstood mental illnesses. Is it a disease of the brain or a condition caused by social circumstances? The latest in The Agenda's Mental Health Matters series.

Police and the Mentally Ill

Thu, 10 May 2012 21:00:00 EST

Although most people who have a mental illness or addiction problem never come in contact with the police, those who do are most often in crisis. As part of The Agenda's Mental Health Matters series, we examine how these special cases should be handled.

Putting Depression on the Couch

Wed, 09 May 2012 21:00:00 EST

It is one of the most common mental health issues: depression. As part of our Mental Health Matters series, The Agenda looks at the latest in treatments for depression.

Depression: A Family Affair

Wed, 09 May 2012 21:00:00 EST

Depression is not just a medical matter. It's a family one, too. Jordan Peterson and his daughter Mikhaila share their story of depression with Steve Paikin. Part of The Agenda's Mental Health Matters series.

Can Mental Health Care Be Fixed?

Tue, 08 May 2012 21:00:00 EST

The Mental Health Commission of Canada has announced its new strategy. Will it help those dealing with mental illness get the treatment they need? Part of The Agenda's Mental Health Matters series.

David Goldbloom: A New Strategy for Mental Health

Tue, 08 May 2012 21:00:00 EST

Changing Directions, Changing Lives: Commission Chair David Goldbloom on the new national mental health strategy from the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

Disturbed Minds or Manuals?

Mon, 07 May 2012 21:00:00 EST

The upcoming 5th edition of the DSM is causing major debate in the psychiatric community. The Agenda examines how changes to the psychiatric "Bible" will create opportunities to diagnose people with mental disorders. Part of tvo's Mental Health Matters series.

Margaret McCain: Investing in Children's Mental Health

Fri, 04 May 2012 21:00:00 EST

Child advocate and philanthropist Margaret McCain sits with Steve Paikin to discuss her latest $10 million mental health initiative for children and youth.

The Origins of Our Mental Malaise

Fri, 04 May 2012 21:00:00 EST

From biology to society, The Agenda examines if we are any closer to understanding the source of mental illness.

Agenda Insight: Beyond Gender?

Thu, 03 May 2012 05:00:00 EST

Gender by any other name: Agenda Insight Essayist Jordan Peterson on what is lost when we attempt to equalize gender roles.

What Makes History?

Wed, 02 May 2012 21:00:00 EST

What if key historic events - like the assassination of JFK for instance - not happened? And do events make history, or the people involved? The Agenda examines how history is made.

Canada's Best Premiers

Wed, 02 May 2012 21:00:00 EST

When Canadians think of political leadership, they often look to the Prime Minister's Office. However, Canada's premiers have built our social services, provided the conditions for the economy to grow and, for the most part, governed us well. We count down the five best premiers of the past 40 years and recount how they made this country a better place.

Peter Lougheed: Canada's Top Premier

Wed, 02 May 2012 21:00:00 EST

Policy Options magazine asked eminent Canadians to vote on the best premiers of the past 40 years. The results are in, and the winner is former Alberta Premier Peter Lougheed. Steve Paikin interviews Lougheed about his career and legacy.

Mental Illness in the Family

Tue, 01 May 2012 21:00:00 EST

What happens when a family member has a mental illness? It can be a time of isolation and frustration for many families as they try to help their loved one. As part of The Agenda's Mental Health Matters series, we examine mental illness in the family.

Occupy: Take Two

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

After a fall and winter of some discontent, the Occupy movement promises to take to the streets of North America in a show of force on May 1. Steve Paikin talks to activists from Occupy Wall Street and Occupy Toronto to find out what they've been doing since the encampments were cleared, and what their aims are for tomorrow and beyond.

From Protest to Change

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

Making change happen: From mobilization to the cultivation of new ideas, The Agenda examines the challenges of creating societal change.

Jonah Lehrer: How Creativity Works

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

Jonah Lehrer says a creative person lurks in all of us. He sits down with Steve Paikin to detail the neuroscience behind our creative thought.

Stephon Alexander: Creativity, Notes and Numbers

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

Stephon Alexander is a theoretical physicist. He is also a jazz musician. He tells Steve Paikin how the marriage of his music and his research makes him a better performer at work, and on stage.

Gordon Chang: A Test for Kim Jong Un

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

A failed missile test is proving to be the first real test of new North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Author Gordon Chang sits down with Steve Paikin for more on North Korea's failure to launch.

Peter Robinson: Mixing Charity and Politics

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

When is a charity a lobbyist? The Suzuki Foundation's Peter Robinson on the Conservative government's new guidelines for charitable organizations.

Donald Johnson: Tax Policy for Good

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

Donald Johnson has succeeded on Bay Street and in philanthropic circles. His next goal: to strengthen charities through tax incentives. He sits down with Steve Paikin.

Agenda Insight: By Virtue of Their Gender

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 05:00:00 EST

In-fighting, equality and keeping a female eye on the prize. Agenda Insight Essayist Carla Lucchetta on women in public eye, and those that attack them.

Andrea Horwath: The Day After the Budget Vote

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath tells Steve Paikin on the deal that saved Ontario from heading to the polls.

Universities: Bang for Our Buck?

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

Ontario is the education province, with a future purportedly based in the knowledge economy. But is the money being spent on Ontario universities delivering what we want?

Imagining the Future

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

Nobody knows what the future will bring, yet much of our thinking about the present depends on how we imagine the future. The Agenda examines the notion of "future".

Martin Wolf: Facing Financial Reality

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

We won't get fooled again: Are we doomed to repeat the same financial mistakes that lead to the global financial collapse? Financial Times columnist Martin Wolf sits down with Steve Paikin.

Chris Kobrak: Learning From the Financial Crisis

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

History will teach us nothing: Business historian Chris Kobrak tells Steve Paikin what we can and cannot learn from past financial crises.

Philip Cross: For the Love of Numbers

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

Numbers tell a story: Former Statistics Canada chief economic analyst Philip Cross on creating good policy around subjective numbers.

Iran: A Path to War?

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

The Agenda examines if international talks between Tehran and six major powers will help avoid military action over Iran's nuclear program.

Jim McCarter: Your Rising Electricity Bill

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

You're paying more on your electricity bill. Ontario Auditor General Jim McCarter tells Steve Paikin what the global adjustment is and why you should care.

Getting Current on the Green Energy Act

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

Rising electricity bills, declining feed-in-tariff rates and a big deficit. Three years later, should we consider the Green Energy Act experiment to be a failure?

Agenda Insight: Dollars, Dumb Policy and Hydro

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:55:00 EST

Green Energy Blues: Insight Essayist Tony Keller on Ontario's failed industrial and environmental policy.

The Three Amigos of the Constitution

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

Looking back on the Kitchen Accord: Three decades ago, three justice ministers met in a conference centre kitchen to hammer out a constitutional deal. Jean Chretien, Roy McMurtry and Roy Romanow sit down with Steve Paikin to reflect on that historic night.

The Constitution at 30

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

Queen Elizabeth II sat down at Parliament Hill on April 17, 1982 and signed Canada's Constitution Act. 30 years later, The Agenda examines the politics behind the proclamation, and if the Quebec question should have been handled differently.

Mental Health at Work

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

It's not something we talk about with our work colleagues, but it affects many of us. Almost 40% of employee benefit claims are related to mental health, and mental health issues cost the Canadian economy $51 billion each year in lost productivity. From cost to stigma, coping to sharing, The Agenda examines mental health in the workplace, in this latest installment in our Mental Health Matters series.

Realigning Canadian Immigration

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

In an effort to modernize Canada's immigration process, the Harper Government has introduced several key proposals. The Agenda looks at what the proposals mean for those coming to Canada.

Jason Kenney: Bottom Line Immigration

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney wants to match the needs of immigrants with Canada's economic needs. He joins Steve Paikin to discuss his plan.

Agenda Insight: Spring, Hope and Revolutions

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 11:58:00 EST

Agenda Insight Essayist Janice Stein on the Arab Spring and failed revolutions.

Labour Pains

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

Austerity is in the air. Both the federal and provincial budgets indicated cuts are coming to the public sector. The private sector has already started cutting. Where does that leave Canada's unions?

Sam Hammond: ETFO Walks Away

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario walked away from negotiations after only one hour. ETFO President Sam Hammond tells Steve Paikin why.

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.

The Economy vs. the Environment

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

A different kind of green: Canada's economy has shifted to a resource economy. The Agenda examines what that means for Canada's environmental movement.

Christianity Goes Global

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

Christianity isn't in decline. In the past century, the religion has more than tripled in size. As Europe and North America become increasingly secular, the "global south" is converting to Christianity. The Agenda asks: What does this mean for the future of the faith?

Hart Pomerantz

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

Hart Pomerantz has spent a lifetime as both a lawyer and a comedian. One might not have thought the courtroom was a funny place, but Hart says it most definitely is. He started his comedy career doing shows with Lorne Michaels, who would go on to create Saturday Night Live. Hart still practices law - and still tells jokes.

Alain de Botton: Religion for Atheists

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

Religion: not just for believers anymore. Philosopher and author Alain de Botton says non-believers can learn a lot from religion - without believing in God. He sits down with Steve Paikin.

China's Changing of the Guard

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

A divine right to rule: The Agenda examines the Chinese leadership model and the current leadership transition in China.

Agenda Insight: The Raj, the Reich and the Good Fight

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 05:00:00 EST

Agenda Insight Essayist Akaash Maharaj on how historical battles and ideologies permeate families for generations.

Race in America

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

Race and the presidential election: From the challenges of the first African American president, to the courting of the Hispanic vote, The Agenda examines how much of a factor race is playing in the US presidential election.

The Roots of Addiction

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

What can current brain science tell us about addiction? As part of The Agenda's Mental Health Matters series, we visit the roots of addiction.

The Godfather at 40

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

An offer you can't refuse: "The Godfather" hit silver screens across North America 40 years ago. The Agenda looks at how the film changed motion picture history.

Civility in Politics

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

Four former speakers of the Ontario legislature share their views on how we can get more civility into public life - not just in question period but across the board.

Judy Rebick: Technocrat Tyranny?

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

The rule of the technocrats: Have democracies given too much control to bureaucrats and policy advisors? Judy Rebick joins Steve Paikin for more.

Agenda Insight: Against Rigid Politics

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 05:00:00 EST

Politics, principles and positions: Agenda Insight Essayist Jordan Peterson and the endless debate that constitutes the soul of our democracy.

A Budget for Canada 2012

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

The Agenda examines the Harper Conservatives' first majority budget and what it means for Canadian policy going forward.

Thomas Mulcair: On Canada's Budget

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair tells Steve Paikin what the Official Opposition thinks of the 2012 Federal Budget.

George Smitherman: The Seeds of Ornge

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

Ontario's auditor general released a report detailing many violations committed by Ontario's air ambulance service, known as Ornge. Much of this happened under former health minister George Smitherman's watch. He sits down with Steve Paikin to answer questions about Ornge's past practices.

Daniel Leigh: The Economics of Austerity

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

An austere time: What are the short-term effects of fiscal retrenchment on economic activity? IMF economist Daniel Leigh sits down with Steve Paikin to explain what an austerity budget typically means.

Bryan Evans: The Politics of Austerity

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

Governing during the bad times: Ryerson University's Bryan Evans and how politics change in times of austerity.

Ontario's Austerity Budget

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

Budgeting in a post-Drummond world: The Agenda examines the 2012 Ontario Budget.

America: The Land of the Future?

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

Once hailed as the land of the future. The leader of the Western World. Today's America looks like it has lost its edge. Is the United States in terminal decline, or will it remain an indispensable power? Robert Kagan, Francis Fukuyama and Walter Russell Mead answer the question: Is the United States declining as a global power?

The Next NDP Leader

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

As the NDP leadership convention begins in downtown Toronto, The Agenda examines the seven leadership hopefuls and their vision for the future of the party.

Ed Broadbent: Time for a Third Way?

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

For the first time in its history, the federal NDP is the government-in-waiting. Would a move to the centre allow the party to garner more votes? Or would it betray the party's roots? Ed Broadbent sits down with Steve Paikin.

Saving Our Water

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

Much is made of the need to conserve water. If we paid more for it, would we be more likely to conserve this valuable resource?

Angus Toulouse: Ontario First Nations' Water Woes

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

Angus Toulouse, Ontario Regional Chief of the Assembly of First Nations tells Steve Paikin his hopes for improving water infrastructure on Ontario reserves.

The Water Brothers

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 01:20:00 EST

Alex and Tyler Mifflin have travelled the globe looking at important water-issues. The Water Brothers join Steve Paikin to tell him about their exclusive series on TVO.

Rod Phillips: Gambling with Our Future?

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

Ontario is faced with a $16 billion deficit. Are new casinos the revenue-generating answer for Ontario's bottom line? OLG president and CEO Rod Phillips sits down with Steve Paikin.

Sandy Garossino: Gambling on Gambling

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

Toronto, not Las Vegas: Former Crown prosecutor Sandy Garossino says the social costs of gaming outweigh the purported benefits.

If a Casino, Where a Casino?

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

The province plans to build a casino in the Greater Toronto Area. The Agenda examines what is involved in planning for a large gaming centre.

Agenda Insight: My Quiet Revolution

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 05:00:00 EST

Please be quiet: Agenda Insight essayist Carla Lucchetta on the quiet power of introverts.

David Healy: Bad Medicine

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

Pharmageddon: Cardiff University psychiatrist Dr. David Healy says evidence-based medicine and industry-controlled drug trials are leading to an over reliance and unnecessary treatment by prescription. As part of TVO 19s Mental Health Matters coverage, he joins Steve Paikin to detail what he sees as the growing pharmaceuticalization of medicine.

Depressed Over Anti-Depressants

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

It's been almost a quarter century since the introduction of Prozac. Since then, Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) have emerged as the dominant anti-depressant. Yet mistrust over SSRIs abounds because of their perceived over-use and initially under-reported side-effects and risks. Are SSRIs the bane of psychiatry, or have they been a panacea for people suffering from depression and anxiety disorders?

Meg French: A Global Target for Drinking Water

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

Thousands of children die daily from water-borne diseases. Many of these deaths are due to poor drinking water. UNICEF's Meg French has some good news on that front: the Millennium Development Goal on drinking water has been met five years ahead of schedule. She joins Steve Paikin.

Dave Toycen: West Africa's Food Crisis

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

There's a food crisis happening in West Africa's Sahel region, and World Vision Canada's President and CEO Dave Toycen recently returned from Mali, where he saw firsthand the worsening conditions. A combination of drought, high food prices, reduced harvests, poverty, and conflict have put 13 million people at risk. Unless a global effort is mounted, more than 23 million people could be affected.

The Coming of Techno-Politics

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

John Duffy says that more and more, our political discourse will not be about the size of government, but about technology. The Agenda examines the new techno-politics.

Ezra Vogel: The Transformation of China

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

Deng Xiaoping: the leader who shaped contemporary China. Gelber Prize winner Ezra Vogel sits down with Steve Paikin to discuss China under Deng Xiaoping.

Nicholas Lardy: Sustaining China's Economic Growth

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

China has weathered the global economic storm. What must China do to ensure this level of growth?

Minxin Pei: China's Crony Capitalism

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

Does economic change equal political change? Minxin Pei says the Chinese economy has fallen victim to crony capitalism. He joins Steve Paikin.

Agenda Insight: Quality Over Quantity

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 05:30:00 EST

Two governments, two fiscal challenges: Agenda Insight Essayist Tony Keller on the economic realities in Ontario and Canada.

Filling Jack Layton's Seat

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

As the federal by-election in Toronto-Danforth heats up, The Agenda assembles the main contenders vying to fill the late Jack Layton's seat.

Susan Delacourt: Political Ethics, An Oxymoron?

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

On robocalls and political rivalry: Toronto Star Ottawa writer Susan Delacourt joins Steve Paikin to discuss the political drama on Parliament Hill.

Big Bad Data?

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

You are leaving digital footprints online. And those footprints are increasingly valuable to advertisers and marketers. How is your data - sites you're visiting, what you're reading online - being used, for good and bad?

Saving Big Auto

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

Bailout vs. bankruptcy: Billions were spent on the auto bailouts and tens of thousands of jobs were saved. But did the auto bailouts accomplish what was truly needed for the industry?

George Magliano: Recharging the Volt

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

General Motors is idling production of the Volt. Auto sector economist George Magliano tells Steve Paikin why consumers aren't buying the vehicle.

Austerity and Ontario's Teachers

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

Dalton McGuinty calls himself the education premier, yet he's asking Ontario teachers to take a wage freeze. Are the years of labour peace under the Dalton McGuinty Liberals about to vanish?

Syria Under Siege

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

11 months of bloody fighting and an estimated 7-thousand dead. The Agenda examines the continuing violence in Syria.

Pat Quinn: A Great Lakes Governor

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

The Governor of Illinois sits down with Steve Paikin to discuss Ontario's relationship with the state and opportunities for growth.

Ontario vs. the Petrodollar

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

Dalton McGuinty ignited a firestorm when he declared that he would prefer a lower dollar rather than a strong oil and gas sector for Canada. Is the petrodollar responsible for Ontario's sagging economy? The Agenda examines whether the economic interests of Canada differ from those of Ontario.

John Stackhouse: Putin, Still on Top

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

Amid rumours of election violations, Russia's Vladimir Putin has extended his hold on power for at least another six years. The Globe and Mail's editor John Stackhouse joins Steve Paikin for more on this modern-day czar.

Agenda Insight: Standing Up to Syria

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 10:40:00 EST

Standing up to Syria: Agenda Insight Essayist Janice Stein on why our options are so limited.

Of Two Minds: The Origins of Our Mental Malaise

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

The divided brain, our biology and social pressures. Psychiatrist Iain McGilchrist joins a debate as The Agenda examines if we are any closer to understanding the source of mental illness.

YouTube, Actions and Consequences

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

A few weeks ago, a YouTube video of two white girls ranting about their black peers went viral. The teenaged girls have since been expelled from their school in Gainesville, Florida and their families face an onslaught of death threats. What does this video say about digital natives, racial tensions and living online? The Agenda examines the blurring line between public and private conversation.

Our Best Literary Non-Fiction

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

Five non-fiction works. 25-thousand dollars. One winner. Steve Paikin speaks with the five finalists for the 2012 Charles Taylor Prize.

Peter Singer: Drone Warfare

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

War by remote control: Brookings Institution senior fellow Peter W. Singer tells Steve Paikin about the increased use of unmanned military systems and the future of drone warfare in the United States.

Patrick Cronin: The South China Sea

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

The South China Sea is the future hot-point of conflict in the world. As India and China focus on increasing their naval capabilities, how is the United States adapting their strategy? The Center for a New American Security's Patrick Cronin sits down with Steve Paikin.

Douglas Macgregor: Special Ops

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

The war in Iraq is over and the war in Afghanistan is winding down, but covert military operations - the bin Laden raid, and hundreds of drone strikes - are on the rise. Is this the future of conflict? US Army Colonel Douglas Macgregor tells Steve Paikin why covert ops are the US military's best option.

Toronto the Dysfunctional

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST

On the upside, municipal politics is rarely this exciting. On the downside, Toronto's transit initiatives have been stopped and started so many times it's hard to keep track. Is the debate over Toronto transit evidence of a functioning and engaged democracy or a dysfunctional and broken system? Is this what politics looks like in Canada's largest city?

Bruce McCuaig: Metrolinx, Toothless on Toronto Transit

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST

A screeching halt? Metrolinx CEO Bruce McCuaig weighs in on Toronto's transit troubles.

Agenda Insight: The Myth of Meritocracy

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 05:00:00 EST

For the first time, an outright majority of Canadians believes our children will be worse off than their parents. What happened to Canadian meritocracy? Agenda Insight Essayist Akaash Maharaj.

Overhauling Ontario's Social Assistance

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST

Frances Lankin and Munir Sheikh were tasked with looking over Ontario's social security system. They join Steve Paikin to discuss the findings from their second discussion paper.

Laura Cattari: Living on ODSP

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST

Laura Cattari wants to reform Ontario's social assistance program. She says it's unwieldy and difficult to navigate. And she should know, as she is an ODSP recipient. She shares her experience with Steve Paikin.

Crystal Murphy: The Caseworker Perspective

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST

Crystal Murphy has been an Ontario Works caseworker in Toronto for almost a decade. She tells Steve Paikin what she believes would help transform social assistance.

What's Killing Ontario's Jobs?

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST

Thousands lost, few replaced: Ontario's job market is in trouble. The Agenda examines what's needed to turn the tide.

Steve Ladurantaye: Toronto's Condo Craze

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST

Worries are escalating that Ontario's condo market is becoming overstretched. Is the condominium market in Canada's largest city is headed for a correction?

What Are Universities For?

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST

Universities have been valued as important places of higher learning for centuries. But as the economy continues to struggle, should these institutions focus more on the needs of the workplace rather than building minds?

Agenda Insight: The Growing Divide

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 05:00:00 EST

Charles Murray's recent book "Coming Apart" pits economic arguments against cultural ones. Jobs vs. values. Agenda Insight Essayist Jordan Peterson comes down on the side of values.

Drummond, Doctors and Dollars

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST

The Drummond Report points out doctors and practitioners account for 27 per cent of last year's health care spending. The report recommends a pay freeze for doctors, re-adjusting fee schedules and providing incentives to encourage physicians into Family Health Teams. The Agenda asks: Will the Drummond health care recommendations see the light of day?

Greg Reed: eHealth Reboot

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST

Ontario's new eHealth CEO Greg Reed speaks to Steve Paikin about eHealth's troubled past and the move toward getting Ontario's long-overdue electronic health records online.

Grant Huscroft: A Mandatory Minimum of Constitutionality

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST

The Agenda examines how one man's awful timing has called the constitutionality of Canada's mandatory minimum sentencing law for handgun possession into question.

Ann Cavoukian: Eye on Online Privacy

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST

The Harper government says laws are needed to respond to the rapidly changing online world. Ontario Information and Privacy Commissioner Ann Cavoukian tells Steve Paikin why she is concerned that Bill C-30 goes too far.

The News About News

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST

Smartphones, tablets, Facebook, Twitter: How we consume news is changing. Is there anything wrong with that?

Do Museums Still Matter?

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST

Increasingly, our world is filled with tablets, smart phones and lap tops. We move at a pace that would have been unimaginable only a few decades ago. Steven Conn's book "Do Museums Still Need Objects" uses museums as a lens to explore 21st century challenges around public space and civic identity. How have globalization, technology and progress influenced our relationship with the museum? Steven Conn joins a panel of world-renowned experts to debate the importance of having a public space to be among tangible artifacts which connect us to the past.

Being Black in Canadian Culture

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST

That's not me: Black playwrights, authors and academics come together on The Agenda to discuss how they feel film, television and literature portrays their culture. To what extent do black Canadians identify with the U.S. African American narrative?

Annie Kidder: Educating Drummond

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST

Some of the toughest recommendations in the Drummond Report focus on education. People for Education's Annie Kidder addresses her concerns on The Agenda.

Agenda Insight: Austerity and the Average Canadian

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:40:00 EST

As average Canadians struggle to make ends meet, austerity measures may fall on deaf ears. Agenda Insight Essayist Carla Lucchetta.

Selling the Drummond Report

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST

Economist Don Drummond says changes have to be made. Ontario politicians say changes are politically unpalatable. The Agenda examines the divide on Drummond.

Don Drummond: The Report

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST

Economist Don Drummond joins The Agenda to discuss the recommendations in his long-awaited report for the Ontario government.

Ontario After the Drummond Report

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST

What next for Ontario? The Agenda examines the Drummond Report findings and what they might mean for the province.

Charles Murray: Coming Apart

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST

Charles Murray's new book "Coming Apart: The State of White America" looks at a divided America. He joins The Agenda to discuss why the cultural divide is more significant than the economic divide in American society.

The Great American Divide

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST

Is Charles Murray's assessment of the class divide in White America accurate? The Agenda examines whether class differences can be overcome by looking at cultural factors alone.

Pakistan's Troubled Year

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST

It's been a bad year for Pakistan: From the embarrassment of the US raid on the bin Laden compound, to the killing of 24 Pakistani soldiers by NATO forces, to a recently leaked report alleging the Taliban are being directly assisted by Pakistani intelligence. The Agenda asks a group of Pakistanis both inside and outside the country: How did things get so bad, and what can be done to turn it around?

Yong Kang: The HIV Vaccine

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST

Human trials are beginning for a Canadian developed HIV vaccine. The vaccine's head researcher Dr. Yong Kang sits down with Steve Paikin.

Jeremy Levenstadt: Options After Medical School

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST

Time to practice: Medical students have many options available to them after graduation. Jeremy Levenstadt is a newly minted doctor. He sits down with Steve Paikin to discuss his career options.

Alex Mantha: Med School North

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine opened in 2005 in an effort to address health care needs in an underserviced Northern Ontario. As part of their training, in year three of the program, each of the school's students spends eight months serving a Northern community. Student Alex Mantha tells Steve Paikin about her experience in the North, and whether she intends to practice in Northern Ontario.

A Lost Year in Ontario Politics?

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST

Policy implementation was in a deep freeze before the Ontario election. Now, as Queen's Park awaits The Drummond Report, Ontario politics is still at a standstill. The Agenda examines the lost year in Ontario politics.

Janice Stein: Iran, State of Play

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST

The Agenda examines where things stand in the international dispute over Iran's nuclear program.

Syria's Neighbours

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST

As unrest in Syria continues, how concerned are surrounding countries, such as Turkey, Iran, and Russia? And what might they be doing to affect the endgame in Syria?

Reva Landau: Catholic School Funding

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST

Ontario Catholics entitled to a publicly funded school system, but no other religious groups are. Reva Landau says that is unfair, and has launched a lawsuit against the Ontario government in a bid to defund the Catholic system. She joins Steve Paikin.

Education and Religion

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST

Ontario is an increasingly diverse province. Why then, are Catholics entitled to a publicly funded school system? The Agenda examines the controversial mix of education and religion.

Laurel Broten: Education on the Front Burner

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST

In her first interview with Steve Paikin since becoming Minister of Education, Laurel Broten talks about her new role as minister and the roll-out of full-day kindergarten in Ontario.

Is Specialized Education Fair?

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST

There is a storm brewing on the education front. Two different GTA school boards are taking very different approaches to education. The TDSB is opening up many new and unique programs to appeal to many different types of students and parents, while York region is contemplating cancelling their niche programs because some feel they are elitist. What's better for Ontario students?

A Bright and Shining Future Awaits

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST

We've looked into the future, and it's dark. Increasingly, we've lost a progressive view of our future. Instead of seeing promise and lives made better by technology, we're seeing lives filled with cyborgs and an uninhabitable society. Should we be afraid? Or are we being unnecessarily pessimistic?

David Berlin: Does Israel Have a Future?

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST

Author and journalist David Berlin on the fate of the Middle East.

Alison Redford: Canadian Energy Strategy

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST

Canada is a nation rich in resources, yet divided on which ones to use to power our homes, towns and cars. Alberta Premier Alison Redford has gained national attention for proposing a national energy strategy to plan the future of energy use, production and exploration. Problem is, it sounds a lot like Pierre Elliot Trudeau's National Energy Policy, and that has a lot of people, both inside and outside Alberta, running scared.

Alberta's Political Landscape

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST

A new premier - the first woman to ever hold the office in Alberta. A Muslim, left-wing mayor in Calgary. Is Alberta undergoing a transformation that would see the end of a 40-year Tory dynasty? The Agenda examines the views of Alberta and Albertans, as they prepare for a provincial election this year.

Agenda Insight: Say Yes to Keystone

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 EST

Given a choice between Keystone XL and Northern Gateway, choose the former. Agenda Insight essayist Janice Stein.

Harper's Economic Agenda

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST

Prime Minister Harper had some tough words for European leaders in Davos. He had similar words for many Canadians. Times are tough. Reforms are coming. Deal with it. The Agenda examines the Harper government plans to pull Canada out of the economic doldrums.

Diane Pacom: Canada, Modest No More?

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST

From gloating Canadian Olympic fans to celebrations for the bicentennial of the War of 1812 to bragging abroad about our sound banks, Canadians don't seem very humble anymore. What happened to the stereotypical Canadian modesty?

Robert Nixon: Ontario's First Political Family

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

Politics in the family: The Nixon family represents one of Ontario's true political families. In 1962, Robert Nixon was elected to the Ontario Legislature, a position to which he has been re-elected three times. Robert Nixon sits down with Steve Paikin to reflect on his - and his family's - political life.

Quebec's Political Pulse

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

Both Quebec Liberal Party and Parti Quebecois trail badly in the polls in the belle province as new parties emerge and the old ones falter. Federally, the NDP's Orange wave just about wiped out the Bloc. Are these mild tremors shifting Quebec's political landscape or do they signify a more profound political realignment?

An Honourless Crime

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

All guilty: As the Shafia trial draws to a close, The Agenda examines the implications of the verdict.

Yanis Varoufakis: Euro at Risk

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

The Euro's problems continue. Greece's sovereign debt is still neither under control, nor resolved, and they're not the only European country struggling. Author and University of Athens economics professor Yanis Varoufakis gives Steve Paikin an update on the Eurozone`s future and the risk to other global economies.

Piracy and the Wild, Wild Web

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

An anti-piracy battle is brewing in the United States. On one side, the entertainment and media industry who say piracy is costing them billions of dollars a year. On the other, tech industry giants who argue the legislation as drafted would break the Internet. Who controls the wild, wild web? Does the Internet need to be civilized?

Agenda Insight: Resistance is Not Futile

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 EST

Civil disobedience movements of the past and present are noble and successful only when their participants are willing to accept grave consequences for their actions. By contrast, tens of thousands of people might press "Like" on Facebook or sign a petition to no real effect. Is this form of public protest enough?

Pipeline Politics

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

The Agenda examines the continuing political controversy over the Keystone XL and the Northern Gateway pipelines.

Samantha Nutt: Damned Nations

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

Samantha Nutt has travelled to some of the most war-torn nations on the planet. She joins Steve Paikin to reflect on humanitarian aid and armed conflicts abroad.

Dave Toycen: Haiti, Two Years Later

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

Two years since a devastating earthquake hit Haiti, The Agenda examines how the island nation is recovering.

Isobel Coleman: Egypt's Women, Progress vs Oppression

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

This week marks the one-year anniversary of the January 25th protests in Cairo's Tahrir Square. Middle East expert Isobel Coleman joins Steve Paikin to discuss the progress and setbacks for women's rights in Egypt one year later.

Promoting Religious Freedom Abroad

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

Prime Minister Harper is fulfilling his 2011 election promise to open an office of religious freedom within the department of foreign affairs. The United States, Italy and Germany all have similar offices designed to promote and monitor religious freedom abroad. But what does a Canadian approach to religious freedom look like?

The Oversight Officers

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

The Auditor General, the Environmental Commissioner, the Information and Privacy Commissioner. Ontarians place a great deal of trust in these independent experts who operate outside of the legislature's partisan mudslinging. But who are these oversight officers? And how do they understand their role in the governance process?

Mary Gordon: The Roots of Empathy

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

Empathy is second nature: Mary Gordon's organization aims to tackle the bullying problem by increasing empathy and reducing aggressiveness in school-aged children. She joins Steve Paikin.

Reframing Federalism

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

It's been years since a First Ministers meeting was convened. And just as the premiers were gearing up for national conversation on health care, the new majority government in Ottawa delivered its non-negotiable funding deal. Is this a new vision of Canadian politics?

Anna Porter: Hungary's New Constitution

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

A new year, a new constitution for Hungary. Despite the fact that the ruling party has overwhelming support in the legislature, thousands have taken to the streets in protest and the EU and IMF are threatening action. Anna Porter sits down with Steve Paikin to explain the uproar.

Fatter Than We've Ever Been

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

It's one of the most common New Year's resolutions: To lose weight. Yet collectively, we are the fattest we have ever been. The more we try to battle that bulge, the more, it seems, we are gaining. The Agenda asks: Is weight loss a losing game in itself?

Agenda Insight: Gender Forever

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

Agenda Insight Essayist Jordan Peterson on the persistence of masculine and feminine traits despite attempts to prove otherwise.

Suzanne Stewart: First Nation Transitions

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

From culture clash to systemic racism, Aboriginal Canadian students face difficulty when transitioning to college or university. OISE's Suzanne Stewart discusses the issues with Steve Paikin.

Sustainability of Remote Reserves

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

Flooding, crumbling infrastructure and a lack of resources: Are Ontario's remote reserves sustainable?

Paul Martin: The Aboriginal Initiative

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

Former Prime Minister Paul Martin has taken up the cause of Aboriginal education as a private citizen. He sits down with Steve Paikin to talk about the Martin Aboriginal Initiative.

Canadian Aboriginals: In or Out?

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

The Agenda examines whether Aboriginal Canadians can better improve their lives by participating in Canadian politics or avoiding it.

Peter C. Newman: The Death of Liberal Canada?

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

Party under the microscope: Peter C. Newman tells Steve Paikin why he believes the Liberal Party of Canada is on the verge of collapse.

Paul Litt: John Turner's Elusive Destiny

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

John Turner was Canada's 17th prime minister. Carleton University historian Paul Litt has written a new book examining Turner's political life, and why he didn't rise to the heights always predicted for him. Paul Litt joins Steve Paikin.

Agenda Insight: New Year, New Hope

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:57:00 EST

Resolutions and relationships: Agenda Insight essayist Carla Lucchetta and her 2012 resolution.

Colin Kahl: Ending the Iraq War

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

Georgetown professor and Pentagon advisor Colin Kahl on the logistics of ending the Iraq War.

Meghan L. O'Sullivan: Iraqi Oil

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

The Agenda assesses the state of the Iraqi oil infrastructure after almost nine years of war.

Michael O'Hanlon: Iraq, After the War

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

How have eight and a half years changed Iraq and what does it look like on the ground today?

Crisis in the Congo

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

Amid allegations of election fraud, rampant violence continues in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. If the First World doesn't get involved, could we face another Rwanda?

Anita Vandenbeld: Election in the DRC

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

Democracy in action or democracy at risk? Anita Vandenbeld was in the Democratic Republic of the Congo this past November for the DRC's second election since the civil war. She joins Steve Paikin to share her observations.

Public Pay, Public Compensation

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

The veil has been lifted on hospital CEO salaries in Ontario. Are hefty public sector salaries a necessity in the competitive business world? To get quality candidates, is this just the cost of doing business?

Lisa Priest: Hospital Transparency

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

New freedom of information legislation requires Ontario hospitals to open their books to public scrutiny. The Globe and Mail health reporter Lisa Priest tells Steve Paikin what this means for Ontarians.

Are Republicans Ready to Govern?

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

As the Republican race for the presidential nomination heats up, The Agenda examines if the GOP is ready for the White House.

Anxiety on Campus

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

Time spent at university is supposed to be some of the best times of your life. But for increasing numbers of young people, the post-secondary experience is rife with chronic anxiety. A group of young people tell Steve Paikin why completing a university degree can be an anxious undertaking for many students.

Should Kids Really "Follow Their Dreams"?

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

We constantly tell young people to follow their dreams and do whatever makes them happy. But in an age of limited economic opportunity, is "follow your dreams" really the best advice?

Glen Murray: Ontario's Post-Secondary Vision

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities Glen Murray sits down with Steve Paikin to talk about Ontario's new tuition grant, and the Liberal vision for post-secondary education in Ontario.

Lee Clarke: Disaster and the Human Response

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

From the economic collapse to the tsunami in Fukushima this past year, disasters bring out a variety of behaviours in human beings. Author Lee Clarke joins Steve Paikin to discuss why we might act in self-interest or altruistic ways when faced with the worst-case scenario.

The End of the World

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

We see it in blockbuster movies like "2012" and "Contagion." We read about it in books penned by environmentalists and existentialists: the apocalypse is upon us. The Agenda examines why prophecies of doom are so prevalent and what the phenomenon says about the human condition.

Randy Bachman's Vinyl Tap Stories

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

Musician Randy Bachman shares his "Vinyl Tap Stories" with Steve Paikin.

Agenda Insight: Healthy Changes

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

Agenda Insight essayist Tony Keller and why the Harper government's new health care funding formula is good for you.

Canada From the Outside

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST

It's a country of cold winters, strong banks and stable government. What does Canada look like from the outside? Does the world need more Canada?

Agenda Insight: Hope for the Holidays

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:48:00 EST

Historically, the Christmas season has been a time when Canadians rose to humanitarian challenges both at home and abroad. Agenda Insight essayist Akaash Maharaj and why Canada is a nation where hope triumphs in the face of adversity.

Russia's Re-evaluation

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST

20 years after the breakup of the Soviet Union, what do recent election results indicate about Russia and the mindset of its citizens?

Agenda Insight: Good News in Africa

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:48:00 EST

There is reason to cheer in a continent that has seen not one, but four lost decades. Janice Stein and The Agenda Insight.

Mexico: Narco Wars and NAFTA

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST

Our NAFTA partner is currently engulfed in an unwinnable war against drugs. The Agenda examines if mounting drug violence and eroding authority are leading Mexico to become a failed state.

Turkey's Power Surge

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST

An important bridge between West and East, Turkey's geo-political influence is growing. The Agenda examines the Neo-Ottoman Turkey.

Canada and the US: Beyond the Border

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST

As Harper and Obama announce a new Canada-US border security pact, The Agenda debates whether further integration with our American cousins strengthens our country or jeopardizes our sovereignty.

David Jacobson: Obama's Man in Ottawa

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST

David Jacobson, the US Ambassador to Canada sits down with Steve Paikin to discuss his role as Ambassador and the new border agreement between Canada and the US.

Stephen Cohen: Pakistan, Friend or Foe?

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST

Brookings Senior Fellow Stephen Cohen on Pakistan's deteriorating relationship with the United States.

Anand Giridharadas: India's Fight Against Corruption

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST

New York Times columnist Anand Giridharadas gives Steve Paikin an update on India's anti-corruption movement. Giridharadas provides some interesting anecdotes on how pervasive corruption is in the day-to-day lives of Indians.

Agenda Insight: Steinem vs. Snooki

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:28:00 EST

Why are there no new feminist icons? Agenda Insight Essayist Carla Lucchetta reflects on Snooki and Steinem.

Niall Ferguson: The Rise (and Fall?) of the West

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST

Niall Ferguson says the West gained power through six "killer apps." How did things like property rights, medicine and consumerism give the West wealth and power? Niall Ferguson joins Steve Paikin for more.

Is Central Canada Still Central to Canada?

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST

The New Canadian Order: Canada is seeing the rise of a new power structure and shifting geo-political alliance. How will the shift of power from Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal to the West influence Canadian politics and identity?

Catherine Zahn: Rewiring the Brain

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST

Connecting the circuits: New research shows that some mental illness may be caused by disruptions in brain circuitry. CAMH has just received a $30 million donation to look into this promise. CAMH President and CEO Dr. Catherine Zahn joins Steve Paikin for more on this landmark gift.

The Origins of AIDS

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST

From Patient Zero to the events of the 20th century, Dr. Jacques Pepin joins Steve Paikin to discuss the origins of AIDS.

AIDS-Free?

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently declared that the U.S. government intends to create an AIDS-free generation. How likely is that to happen given the prolonged economic downturn? Will a lack of funding derail this vision?

Agenda Insight: Happy Daze

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST

Don't dispense with GDP too readily. Economics might be too narrow a gauge, but happiness is too ephemeral an emotion by which to measure our well-being. Jordan Peterson and the Agenda Insight.

Will Occupy Make a Difference?

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST

The Occupy protesters say they represent the 99%. But does the group speak for the 99%?

Youth Leaving Care

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST

Almost 17-thousand of Ontario's 3.1 million children are in the care of Children's Aid Societies. A youth-led group of former crown wards and foster children says the government could be doing a better job. What challenges do these young adults face while transitioning out of care?

Shanna Allen: Our Voice, Our Turn

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST

Shanna Allen was a foster child. She is using her experiences to change the system. She shares her story with Steve Paikin.

Andrew McAfee: The Machines are Coming

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST

Strides in technological innovation are causing more and more jobs to disappear. Machines are increasingly able to perform tasks in which humans were once unquestioned masters. MIT economist and "Race Against the Machine" co-author Andrew McAfee tells Steve Paikin what the robots have in store for us.

Reworking the World of Work

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST

Technology is eliminating steps on the social mobility ladder. Will liberal capitalism survive without a better system of social mobility?

Agenda Insight: Couting Votes that Count

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 18:39:00 EST

The rep-by-pop problem: Tony Keller on Canada's flawed respresentation by population method.

The Right to Choose Death

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST

A recent report by the Royal Society of Canada calls for the legalization of physician-assisted suicide. The chair of the report joins a panel of critics to talk about the right to choose death.

Randy Bachman: Vinyl Tap Stories

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST

That infamous "kid from Winnipeg" has some amazing stories to tell. Randy Bachman shares some of those tales with Steve Paikin.

Steven Pinker: The Decline of Violence

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST

Despite nightly news reports of violence, crime and war, Harvard University professor of psychology Steven Pinker says that we are living in the most peaceful period in human history. He joins Steve Paikin to tell him why violence has waned.

The Legacy of the Great Recession

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST

What will the lasting effects of the Great Recession be on the North American middle class economically, socially and psychologically? Will things eventually go back to the way they were before, or will the effects be more profound?

Poor Economics

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST

Using science to help the impoverished: The developed world has failed in its approach to alleviating poverty in the developing world. "Poor Economics" authors Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo aim to change that. Having just won the 2011 Financial Times and Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year Award for their work, they join Steve Paikin to explain what works, and doesn't, in international aid.

Ontario's Fiscal Fix Up

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST

The struggling economy has forced Queen's Park to reconsider its promise of delivering a balanced budget by 2017. Dalton McGuinty has said he will hold all spending increases to 1% for the next six years, the minimum to maintain Ontario's current service levels. But is that enough?

Who Rules the World?

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST

The world has become smaller and multinational corporations have grown larger. The financial industry has access to capital far greater than the GDP of many individual nations. So who really holds the power? Are we sacrificing power for wealth?

Tom Hamza: Financial Literacy 101

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST

Money matters: Less than 38% of Ontario high school students feel prepared enough to effectively manage their money after graduation. Should financial literacy be taught in schools? The Investor Education Fund's Tom Hamza and bringing money education to the masses.

Pension Envy

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST

There is a great divide in the pension world: those who are on defined contribution plans, and those predominantly public sector workers who are on defined benefit plans. Is one group getting the short end of the pension stick?

Agenda Insight: Euro Debts, Euro Demons

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:07:00 EST

Germany, Greece and the breaking of the Euro. Janice Stein and The Agenda Insight.

Telling Canada's Story

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST

Canadians often say our country has "too much geography and not enough history." However, many new books by Canadians and Americans suggest that this country has a rich story to tell. Where's the disconnect?

Daniel Yergin: The Global Quest for Energy

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST

A new energy world order: Pulitzer Prize winner Daniel Yergin sits down with Steve Paikin to discuss how the Arab Spring and the nuclear disaster in Japan will re-shape the geopolitics of energy.

China's Quest for Energy

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST

Fuelling China: Daniel Yergin joins a panel of Canadian economists and observers to discuss China's growing need for energy. What does this growth means for Canada? What are the political implications of China re-shaping their energy sector?

Yanis Varoufakis: The Greek Gauntlet

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou took the Eurozone crisis to even greater heights last week in announcing a parliamentary vote of confidence in his government. As the European bailout plan hangs in the balance, where is Greece headed? Economist Yanis Varoufakis sits down with Steve Paikin to discuss the evolving economic order in Europe and America.

The Global Economy After Greece

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST

As the G20 meets amid the global financial crisis, The Agenda examines where things stand with the fragile European Union and the struggling global economy.

Who Are the Real Conservatives?

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST

And never the twain shall meet: How will the conflicts among conservatives affect the future of conservatism?

Regulating Reproduction

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST

Last December, the Supreme Court of Canada delivered a long-awaited decision on the Assisted Human Reproductive Act - and left the practice and regulation of the fertility industry in even greater confusion. Can money be exchanged for surrogacy, human eggs or sperm? And who decides what is medically or ethically sound when it comes to the treatment of infertility?

Alison Motluk: A Primer on Assisted Reproductive Technology

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST

There is ongoing controversy behind assisted reproductive technology in Canada. Steve Paikin sits down with science journalist Alison Motluk for a primer on the issues.

Kate Bolick: Marriage and Me

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST

Kate Bolick is 39 and happily single. At one point, she thought marriage would be part of her future. Now, she's not so sure. And she's okay with that. Kate Bolick joins Steve Paikin to discuss her evolving relationship with marriage.

The End of Marriage?

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST

More and more men and women are choosing not only to marry later in life, but not marrying at all. What does this mean for the institution of marriage? How is this changing gender relations at home and in the workplace? And does this mark the end of marriage, or signal the start of new types of partnerships?

Richard Gwyn: The Nation Maker

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST

He was perhaps Canada's greatest Prime Minister: Sir John A. Macdonald. In "Nation Maker," his second book looking at Macdonald's life, author Richard Gwyn traces Macdonald's political life from Confederation to his death in 1891. Richard Gwyn sits down with Steve Paikin.

Ricky Burdett: London 2012 Preparations

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:00:00 EST

Olympics as transformation: The London 2012 Olympics are reshaping the urban landscape of a long neglected area of the UK capital. Ricky Burdett, chief advisor on architecture and urbanism for the London 2012 Olympics, sits down with Steve Paikin to talk about transforming a city.

Mega Quarry, Mega Worry

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 21:00:00 EST

Citizens, farmers, environmentalists and chefs are raising concerns about a proposed mega quarry in Ontario's Melancthon Township. The Agenda examines the competing claims in the Melancthon mega quarry fight.

Agenda Insight: Goodbye to Good Men

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST

What will happen when women aren't able to find desirable partners, and men are no longer will to play the role of husband and father? Agenda Insight Essayist Jordan Peterson finds the future of gender relations bleak.

Attack of the Hacktivists

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 21:00:00 EST

The virtual sit-in: They've shut down sites whose actions they disagree with. They've exposed vulnerabilities in both governments and corporations. Who are these hacktivists? What are they accomplishing? And who should be fearful?

When is Free Speech Hate Speech?

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 21:00:00 EST

William Whatcott is presenting one of the most important freedom of speech cases before Canada's top court. When does freedom of speech and religion trump the rights of homosexuals? The Agenda analyzes the limits of free speech.

(Non) Fiction

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:00:00 EST

Fact + Fiction = Faction? A roundtable of authors come together to discuss how they view the blurring line between fact and fiction in modern day storytelling. What are the consequences of non-fiction authors writing a work of fiction and parading it as the truth?

Energy Policies, Election Results

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 21:00:00 EST

An election post-mortem on energy: Did the Liberals lose their rural seats because of the Green Energy Act? Did they save their west GTA seats by cancelling the Mississauga gas plant? And what is the value of a contract in Ontario now, given that two gas plants have been contracted for build, then cancelled when the political heat got too hot?

The Collapse of Greece

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 21:00:00 EST

Greece is facing a prolonged economic crisis and flirting with default. Is an economic, social or even political collapse of Greece inevitable?

Agenda Insight: For the Love of Books

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:06:00 EST

From Gutenberg to the Kindle. Whither the book? Agenda Insight Essayist Carla Lucchetta's love affair with the printed, bound and published word.

Ron Suskind: Obama's White House

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 21:00:00 EST

Portait of a president: in "Confidence Men", author Ron Suskind details President Obama's handling of the economic crisis. What does the book say about Barack Obama and the United States? Steve Paikin speaks with Ron Suskind.

The Education of Barack Obama

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 21:00:00 EST

From 'yes we can' to 'no we can't': President Obama entered office with great promise. Now, a failed jobs plan, political disharmony and prolonged recession have cast doubts on the president's ability to deliver on that promise.

The Urban/Rural Political Divide

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 21:00:00 EST

Ontario's election saw the Progressive Conservative party garner much of the rural vote, while the Liberals and NDP sit comfortably in urban areas. Is there a rural/urban divide in Ontario? In a politically divided province, how difficult is it to satisfy everyone's interests?

The Fight Over the Keystone Pipeline

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:00:00 EST

A multibillion-dollar megaproject linking Alberta's oil sands to refineries in Texas promises to be a huge economic boost to Canada's oil producers and the US labour force. One problem: It is enemy number one in the books of environmentalists. The Agenda debates the economic benefits and environmental concerns over the Keystone Pipeline.

Siddhartha Mukherjee: A Biography of Cancer

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:00:00 EST

The quintessential disease of modernity: cancer. How has our relationship with cancer changed over the years? Pulitzer Prize winning author Siddhartha Mukherjee sits down with Steve Paikin for a biography of cancer.

Rethinking Cancer

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST

Is cancer a natural part of aging? Author Siddhartha Mukherjee joins a panel discussion on our maturing relationship with cancer, and debates whether we can ever rid ourselves of the mindset that we are at war with cancer.

The Economic Divide

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:00:00 EST

To slay or to spend: What is the best approach to rescue and grow the economy? Should governments slay the deficit dragon and enter a time of fiscal prudence? Or does the economy benefit from an injection of stimulus spending?

On Gratitude

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST

Many of us know what we're thankful for, but how often do we actually take the time to express our gratitude? The Agenda debates giving thanks.

Sam Barringer: Future Politician or Comedian?

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 21:00:00 EST

Not just your typical 11 year old: Sam Barringer considers himself a young political enthusiast. He joins Steve to tell him about his career aspirations, and why Steve may want to watch out for his job.

Agenda Insight: A Crisis of Leadership

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 20:00:00 EST

Where do we find strong leadership during these dismal economic times? Janice Stein and The Agenda Insight.

Ontario Election 2011: The Citizens' Agenda

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 21:00:00 EST

The Agenda travelled the province asking Ontarians what the important issues were in the 2011 election. The Agenda takes a look at those issues and examines whether they were addressed during this campaign.

Jeffrey Simpson: The Risks of Going Green

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST

A green dream gone awry: American solar company Solyndra declared bankruptcy, defaulting on a federal government loan guarantee of $535 million. As Ontario moves on its greener energy plans, The Agenda asks, could the same thing happen here?

Agenda Insight: To Lead or To Serve?

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EST

Agenda Insight Essayist Akaash Maharaj discusses the growing skepticism with politics in an age where politicians lead with a strong fist, rather than serve the wishes of the electorate.

Your Vote 2011: Tim Hudak

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST

Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak sits down with Steve Paikin to defend his party's platform.

Your Vote 2011: Ontario Leaders' Debate

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST

Who won, and who lost? The Agenda gathers five political observers to analyze the Ontario Leaders' Debate.

The Education of Ontario

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST

He's known as The Education Premier, a title Dalton McGuinty wears proudly. But does Ontario have the education system it needs to prepare our students for the new economy? The Agenda examines the Ontario Liberal record on education, and sees how the other three parties stack up.

Your Vote 2011: Ontario First Nations

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST

What are the pressing issues in this election campaign for First Nations across Ontario? Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse sits down with Steve Paikin.

Agenda Insight: Against Environmentalist Self-loathing

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST

Do radical environmentalists support nature at the expense of people? Unfortunately, yes, says Jordan Peterson in this defense of human efforts to manage an ever more complex reality.

Patrice Dutil: The Election that Shaped the Country

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST

September 21, 2011 marks the 100th anniversary of an historic election that brought an end to 15 years of Liberal Party government, and the end of Wilfrid Laurier's tenure as Prime Minister. Patrice Dutil sits down with Steve Paikin to talk about the historical context of that very significant vote.

The Sawmill and the Caribou

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST

The Endangered Species Act. The cancellation of the spring bear hunt. Pieces of legislation that might fly in the south, but ruffle northern feathers. The Agenda examines the north/south political divide.

The Politics of Promises

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST

The electorate thinks it can handle the truth. But can politicians really tell the truth in an age of fiscal restraint? And does the electorate need dangling carrots in order to vote?

Your Vote 2011: Mike Schreiner

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST

Green Party of Ontario leader Mike Schreiner sits down with Steve Paikin to talk about his exclusion from the provincial leaders' debate and whether the Ontario Greens can capitalize on Elizabeth May's win in the last federal election.

Agenda Insight: Politically Speaking

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:39:00 EST

What would it take for you to get politically involved? Carla Lucchetta on her Toronto City Hall sleepover.

Ontario's Fight Over "Foreign Workers"

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST

A Liberal program that would represent less than 0.01% of the provincial budget is the biggest issue so far in the Ontario election campaign. What are the pros and cons of offering tax breaks to speed hiring of skilled immigrants?

Confronting Poverty

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST

Poverty reduction and the platform: The Agenda examines the poverty reduction plans of Ontario's four major parties.

Your Vote 2011: Andrea Horwath

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST

NDP leader Andrea Horwath sits down with Steve Paikin to defend her party's platform and discuss what campaigning is like without Jack.

The Ontario NDP Platform

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST

Tax cuts, a "buy Ontario" policy and balanced budgets by 2017: Andrea Horwath's first Ontario NDP election platform touts theirs as a plan for affordable change. Is this change for Ontario, or for the NDP?

Your Vote 2011: Premier Dalton McGuinty

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST

As Ontarians head to the polls, Premier Dalton McGuinty sits down with Steve Paikin to defend his government's record.

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.

Andrew Revkin: Confronting the Anthropocene

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST

It's a new era...at least that's what some geologists are now arguing. What is the Anthropocene and why do experts think that framing the climate change debate with this label will give us the wake up call we need?

Andrew Revkin: America's Reliance on Oil Sands

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST

Obama wants to slash U.S. oil imports by a third in the next decade. The U.S. oil industry is distancing itself from less stable areas like the Middle East and Venezuela. What does America's growing reliance on our oil sands mean for both the U.S. and Canadian economies?

Andrew Revkin: The Problem with Efficiency

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 21:00:00 EST

The benefits of conserving and living an efficient lifestyle are evident, but does efficiency reach a limit? If our machines use less energy, will we just use them more?

Andrew Revkin: Eco-Friendly Cities

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 21:00:00 EST

From unearthing buried rivers to traffic congestion pricing, a look at initiatives that aim to make our cities more eco-friendly.

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.

Securing Cyberspace

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 21:00:00 EST

Securing Cyberspace: How well protected are you online? How can we secure cyberspace while maintaining the innovation that an open internet continues to provide?

Shelagh Grant: Canada's Polar Imperative

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 21:00:00 EST

Shelagh Grant has a "polar passion." Drawn to the region, she has spent a lot of time exploring Canada's north. Grant sits down with Steve Paikin to lay out the history of the North American Arctic, define "Arctic sovereignty," and describe the two distinct images of the Arctic in the minds of the average North American citizen.

Pamela Griffith-Jones: More Than an Airport

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 21:00:00 EST

Pearson International Airport: Canada's biggest airport. It services more than 30 million passengers a year, but it's more than just an airport, says Pamela Griffith-Jones. She sits down with Steve Paikin to talk about the rebranding of Pearson Airport, and what you can expect to find the next time you're waiting to take off.

Eric Windeler: The Jack Project

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 21:00:00 EST

Jack Windeler was finishing his first year at Queen's University when he took his own life at the age of 18. His family had no idea he was struggling. His father Eric started the Jack Project to try to reach out to young adults and help them before it's too late.

Michael Landsberg: Happy on the Outside

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 21:00:00 EST

On the outside, sports journalist and TSN "Off the Record" host Michael Landsberg looked like an upbeat, sanguine kind of guy. But he held a secret that even his wife or family didn't know: he was battling depression. Michael Landsberg sits down with Steve Paikin.

Rosalynn Carter: The First Lady on Mental Health

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 21:00:00 EST

Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter has spent over 40 years working to improve the lives of people living with mental health issues. Rosalynn Carter joins The Agenda to talk about her four decades in the mental health trenches.

Your Vote 2011: Sudbury

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 21:00:00 EST

What are the issues that matter to Ontarians in the upcoming provincial election? The fourth stop in 2011's Agenda on the Road series: Sudbury.

Political Activism, Cultural Conditions

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 21:00:00 EST

Some groups are more represented in the chambers of power than others. That's obvious. However, the reasons why are not. Is low political activism amongst certain groups caused by socio-economic factors, or an inability to break into political parties? Or are some cultural groups simply more interested in politics than others?

Jane McGonigal: How Video Games will Save the World

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 21:00:00 EST

Author Jane McGonigal on how reality is broken and video games can fix it.

Saeed Naqvi: The Muslims of India

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 06:00:00 EST

Why the world's second largest Muslim nation has avoided radicalization and what the world can learn