The Agenda with Steve Paikin (Audio)

Viola MacMillan, owner of Windfall Oils and Mines, was a rare woman in the Canadian mining industry. In 1964, after three decades in the business, she became the central figure in a Timmins mining scandal that led to regulatory changes at the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Ontario Securities Commission. Author Tim Falconer tells her compelling story in his new book, "Windfall: Viola MacMillan and Her Notorious Mining Scandal." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the most widely debated issues in Toronto in the last two decades has been transit. A plan called Transit City launched 18 years ago. In the intervening years, the City of Toronto and its transit funding partners have had many plans, and stops and starts on infrastructure building to move people around the GTHA. For a look back, and forward, we welcome: David Miller, former mayor of Toronto, and managing director of the C40 Centre for City Climate Policy and Economy. Jennifer Keesmaat, president and CEO of Collecdev Markee, a sustainable housing development group and former chief planner for the City of Toronto. And John Lorinc, urban affairs journalist, and columnist for Spacing Magazine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Canadian Wildlife Service reports that there are approximately seven million Canada geese across North America, making their presence more noticeable than ever. The Canada goose is often hailed as a national symbol for Canada. However, many Canadians and Americans have had frustrating encounters with Canada geese, from their loud calls to their tendency to congregate in urban areas. The Agenda, in partnership with Detroit PBS' Great Lakes Now, explores how we got here and what steps are being taken to manage the goose population. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2006, TVO launched a new nightly current affairs program called "The Agenda." Its first ever guest was none other than Conrad Black, newspaper proprietor, member of the British House of Lords, and prolific author. As The Agenda winds down, we invite Conrad Black back to discuss U.S.-Canada relations and his life almost 20 years later.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford launched his most controversial piece of legislation this session, Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act. Sparking much debate from Indigenous communities and the opposition, The Agenda invites, Chief Peter Wesley of Moose Cree First Nation, Chief June Black of Apitipi Anicinapek Nation and Indigenous rights lawyers, Kate Kempton, senior counsel at Woodward and Company Lawyers LLP, and Zachary Davis, partner with Pape Salter Teillet LLP to discuss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why is a nuclear peace deal between the U.S. and Iran key to stability in the Middle East? What would the global consequences of a full-scale trade war between China and America be? Is the world headed towards another arms race? How should Canada respond to Trump's repeated threats of annexation? And why is liberal democracy worth defending? This is Part 2 of Steve Paikin's wide-ranging conversation with CNN's Fareed Zakaria. Fareed is also the author of "Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present," and a columnist for The Washington Post. Watch Part 1 of their conversation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QXwNq0d26USee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Agenda has welcomed to this studio this country's perhaps best known and most tireless advocate for the rights of the disabled over the years. David Lepofsky has been blind since he was a teenager. And he'd love it if this province were just a bit more mindful of its nearly three million citizens who are dealing with some kind of disability. Here's David Lepofsky, author of "Swimming Up Niagara Falls! The Battle to Get Disability Rights Added to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms." He's also the chair of the AODA Alliance and joins Steve Paikin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-thirds of the RCMP's resources go to contract policing in 11 provinces and territories. Does that leave enough resources for federal policing? Prime Minister Justin Trudeau proposed major structural reform for the force as he was leaving office. Are his ideas the right way forward? We discuss with Catharine Tunney, Kent Roach, and Jason Easton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At a time of serious conflict with our neighbours to the south, perhaps a more concerning conflict might be coming from within. As calls for separation in places like Alberta grow louder, it brings up the question of how a nation can operate with respective regional interests? And, can Canada keep itself from coming apart? Joining to discuss these regional tensions are former premier of Alberta, Jason Kenney; Martha Hall Findlay, a former MP and director of the School of Public Policy and Palmer Chair at the University of Calgary; Felix Mathieu, Professor in the Department of Law at the Université du Quebec en Outaouais and co-editor of the Canadian Journal of Political Science; and John Ibbitson, journalist, writer and co-author with Darrell Bricker for their forthcoming book, "Breaking Point: The Big Shifts That Put Canada at Risk." They join Steve Paikin to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How have the Glorious, French and Industrial revolutions shaped modern politics? How did the Left versus Right divide come about? Might a potential U.S.-Iran nuclear deal be a gamechanger for peace in the Middle East? And how seriously should Canada take Trump's relentless 51st state threat? CNN's Fareed Zakaria joins host Steve Paikin for a wide-ranging discussion on the tumultuous state of play in the world today. He is the author of "Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present," and a columnist for The Washington Post. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Agenda's week in review features an interview with Canada's ambassador to the UN, Bob Rae, on Canada's place in an unpredictable world, a debate on whether the province should be building a spa at Ontario Place, and whether tariffs are causing grocery store prices to go up.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Donald Trump's trade threats and tariffs have brought uncertainty to markets worldwide. Canada has responded with its own counter tariffs. Should Ontarians expect to pay more at the grocery store? And is there a risk that companies could exploit the chaos and bump up sticker prices regardless? We discuss with Stuart Trew, director of the Trade and Investment Research Project at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives; Mike von Massow, food economist and professor at the University of Guelph; Karl Littler, senior vice-president of public affairs at the Retail Council of Canada; and Tu Nguyen, economist and director of environmental, social, and governance for RSM Canada.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TVO original documentary, Dangerous Games: Roblox and the Metaverse Exposed, follows three gamers as they investigate a network of extremists, predators and illicit content in a game designed for children. The Agenda invites Ann Shin, director and producer of the film; Jacques Marcoux, director of research and analytics at the Canadian Centre for Child Protection; and Rachel Kowert, founder of Psychgeist and visiting researcher at the University of Cambridge to discuss the potential consequences of gaming on youth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Toronto has a complicated relationship with its waterfront, which is separated from downtown by the Gardiner Expressway. But groups including Waterfront Toronto, The Beltway and Hoverlink are drawing up plans to attract more people to the shores of Lake Ontario, a stretch of 2.5 km representing billions of prime real estate. A look at current and future projects along the lakefront, and what it will take to keep residents and tourists coming back. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ontario Place was once a go-to summer destination on Toronto's waterfront. It has since fallen into disrepair. The Ontario government has a controversial plan to revitalize the site including a partnership with a private spa company. To debate that plan, we hear from Adam Vaughan representing Therme Canada, and Ann Elisabeth Samson on behalf of Ontario Place for All.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even before tariffs and higher interest rates pressured the economy, housing starts were lagging in Ontario's bigger population centres. A look at the obstacles to construction and affordability – including higher fees, taxes and even NIMBYism – with a panel of pros who know what the holdups are. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is President Donald Trump really reconfiguring American democracy? Should Canada entertain the notion of becoming the 51st state? And has his definition of what it means to be a political conservative changed over the years? Former George W. Bush speechwriter and staff writer for The Atlantic, David Frum, joins host Steve for a wide-ranging discussion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the past decade, there's been much debate around whether Canada's presence on the world stage has diminished. As Canada prepares to host the upcoming G7 summit in Alberta, along with attending next month's NATO Summit in The Hague, is there an opportunity for a Mark Carney led Canada to take on a more prominent role in a shifting global order? Host Steve Paikin asks: Richard Fadden, Former Director of CSIS - the Canadian Security Intelligence Service; Former National Security Adviser to Stephen Harper, and Former Deputy Minister for the Department of National Defence. Adam Chapnick, Professor of defence studies at the Royal Military College of Canada and Co-author of: "Canada First, Not Canada Alone: A History of Canadian Foreign Policy." Kerry Buck, Former Canadian Ambassador to NATO and Senior Fellow at the University of Ottawa. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bob Rae, Canada's ambassador to the UN, talks about the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, Donald Trump's administration, the state of democracy around the world, the recent federal election here at home, and how Canada's geopolitical role is changing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Agenda's week in review looks at how big tech undermines human rights by collecting our data, the state of Ontario's college system 60 years to the day after its creation, and The Globe and Mail's Andrew Coyne on what he calls Canada's democracy crisis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canadians think we live in a democracy, but are our institutions becoming increasingly undemocratic? Andrew Coyne joins us to discuss his new book, "The Crisis of Canadian Democracy."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kyo Lee was the youngest ever winner of the CBC Poetry Prize at just 16, and now at 18 she has released a collection of poems, called "i cut my tongue on a broken country." The poems deal with culture, girlhood, immigration and queerness, and she joins us to discuss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ontario college system was created 60 years ago. How has it changed since its inception, and how will it face its current challenges? We discuss with Ann Marie Vaughan, Lyn Whitham, Maureen Adamson, and Martin Regg Cohn.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For millions of Toronto Maple Leaf fans, this season came to yet another ignominious end. However, 100 years ago, there was another NHL team in Ontario which had a worse fate. Myer Siemiatycki, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Politics and Public Administration at Toronto Metropolitan University joins The Agenda to share the tragic story of the Hamilton Tigers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canada has long celebrated its diversity and multiculturalism. But despite this being a well-admired aspect of Canadian society, racism still exists today. In response, organizations have been established across the country to support diaspora communities, and young people from those communities are also getting involved. Youth leader Ellie Leung and executive director Eleanor Yang of the Chinese Canadian National Council Toronto Chapter; and youth leader Aathini Parthiban and executive director Neethan Shan of Tamil Civic Action join Jeyan Jeganathan to discuss the anti-racism work they are doing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In "We, the Data: Human Rights in the Digital Age," author Wendy H. Wong makes the case that the collection and tracking of our data by Big Tech comes at a cost to our humanity. She's a professor of political science and principal's research chair at the University of British Columbia and her book won the 2024 Balsillie Prize for Public Policy. She joins Steve Paikin to discuss the link between data and human rights. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Paikin asks guests: Which is harder for Canada to re-set relations with: China or India? Then, Nam Kiwanuka explores why some parents don't vaccinate their kids. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Women make up half the population in Canada yet there are still major gaps in women's health research. Experts say investments addressing this gap could add years to life and boost the global economy. The Agenda invites Carmen Wyton, Chair and Founder of Women's Health Coalition of Canada; Dr. Amanda Black, Professor of, Obstetrics and Gynecology at The University of Ottawa; and Christine Faubert, Vice President of Health Equity & Mission Impact, at the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada to discuss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actor and comedian Dave Thomas talks to host Steve Paikin about what he learned from his recent trip to Ukraine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Opposition critics Chandra Pasma, NDP MPP for Ottawa West-Nepean; Stephanie Bowman, Liberal MPP for Don Valley West; and Mike Schreiner, leader of the Green Party of Ontario and the MPP for Guelph react to the Ontario government's 2025 budget. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ontario's Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy joins Steve Paikin to discuss the government's budget for 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Premier Doug Ford recently declared that he thought it was time for Ontario to start electing judges, ranting against "bleeding heart" jurists and suggesting that all appointments are political. Could tougher judges indeed help fix our system? What's the best way to ensure judicial independence, and who gets to define it? To discuss, we're joined by Donna Kellway President of the Ontario Crown Attorneys' Association Boris Bytensky President of the Criminal Lawyers' Association of Ontario Peter Copeland Deputy director of domestic policy at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and former director of policy to the solicitor general of Ontario and Shakir Rahim Director of the criminal justice program at the Canadian Civil Liberties AssociationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Maplehurst Correctional Complex is known as Ontario's deadliest and most overcrowded jail. In recent weeks, it's come under increased scrutiny after video footage from 2023 was released showing inmates facing collective punishment from guards in an incident one judge called a "gross display of power." Is Maplehurst an aberration or a sign of system-wide challenges? What kind of action could and should the province take? To discuss, we're joined by Demar Kemar Hewitt Executive director and general counsel at the Black Legal Action Centre Lee Chapelle Former inmate and president of Canadian Prison Consulting Brendan Kennedy Reporter on the Toronto Star's investigative team and Andrea Monteiro Founder of Ethical Correctional Consulting Inc., former director of corrections in the Yukon, and former manager of the Independent Review of Ontario Corrections See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While headlines about migration might make it seem like a relatively new phenomenon, the movement of people spans hundreds of thousands of years, and according to our guest, has been essential to the survival of the human species. Ian Goldin is professor of globalization and development at the University of Oxford, and author of "The Shortest History of Migration: When, Why, and How Humans Move-From the Prehistoric Peopling of the Planet to Today and Tomorrow's Migrants". See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Mark Carney went to Washington to try and reset relations with Donald Trump. Should he do the same with China and India? Ties with them have been strained in recent years, so can the new PM find a way to work with the world's two most populous countries? Host Steve Paikin asks: Rohinton Medhora, Professor of Practice at McGill University, and a Distinguished Fellow at CIGI, the Centre for International Governance Innovation; Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President of Research & Strategy at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada; And Jeff Mahon, Director of Geopolitical & International Business Advisory at StrategyCorp and Executive in Residence at the Canada West Foundation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robert Francis Prevost – now Pope Leo XIV – is the first American elected to lead 1.4 billion Catholics around the world. He spent much of his time in Peru as a missionary before Pope Francis in 2023 made him a Cardinal, and therefore eligible to become Pope. To help us learn more about the new Pontiff and the direction he may lead the Catholic Church, we welcome: Megan Armstrong, professor of history at McMaster University in Hamilton, and a specialist on Early Modern Catholicism; and Michael Higgins, Basilian Distinguished Fellow of Contemporary Catholic Thought at the University of St. Michael's College, and author of "The Jesuit Disruptor: A Personal Portrait of Pope Francis."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Public Health Ontario's measles report has been rapidly rising since the outbreak began in October. With this highly contagious disease spanning to new parts of the country, why are some parents still reluctant to get their children vaccinated? The Agenda invites André Picard, health reporter and columnist for The Globe and Mail; Dr. Jeffrey Pernica, pediatrics infectious disease position at McMaster Children's Hospital; Dr. Dawn Bowdish, professor of medicine at McMaster University and Jill Promoli, public health advocate to discuss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From mommy bloggers and hyper-organized TikTok moms, to feminist manifestos on the value of domestic labour, motherhood is a hot topic. And in her new book, "Story of Your Mother," – partially written directly to her first-born son – Chantal Braganza looks for fresh ways to define the life-altering experience, both intellectually and very personally. She's also a senior editor at Chatelaine Magazine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In his debut novel "The Riveter," author Jack Wang tells the story of two star-crossed lovers set amidst the backdrop of anti-Chinese racism in Canada that lasted decades before and well through the Second World War. And while the story may be fiction, there is an element of truth in this tale of love and war. Jack Wang joins Jeyan Jeganathan to discuss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been 80 years since Allied forces defeated Nazi Germany in World War II. Why is it still important to recognize Victory in Europe, or VE Day? Three historians discuss the significance of this anniversary, not just to help us understand the past, but to comprehend the present. Margaret MacMillan, emeritus professor of International History at Oxford University and the University of Toronto and author of "War: How Conflict Shaped Us"; Tim Cook, chief historian and director of research at the Canadian War Museum and author of "The Good Allies: How Canada and the United States Fought Together to Defeat Fascism during the Second World War"; and Jeff Noakes, historian at the Canadian War Museum and author of "Forged in Fire: Canada and the Second World War" join Steve Paikin to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

History is easy in the rearview. When you look back things are a lot neater and tidier - you can say this is authoritarianism, this is fascism, this is the obvious threshold or signpost for crossing into it. History though may not be as obvious when you are living it. Has the United States crossed the threshold into authoritarianism? Or fascism? The Atlantic's Tom Nichols weighs in. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For years, fighting was on the decline in the National Hockey League and traditional enforcers lost their place on the roster. But is fighting coming back? It certainly was in that Four Nations Canada/USA game in Montreal, where there were three fights in nine seconds. Is that moment a turning point for fighting in the game? We've also seen our share of brutal headshots in the Stanley Cup Playoffs so far. Is the league succeeding at all in cutting down on those? Guests include: Ryan Pinder, co-host of Barn Burner Podcast at Flames Nation; Sean McIndoe, Senior NHL writer at The Athletic and co-host of two podcasts: Puck Soup and The Athletic Hockey Show; Mary Ormsby, Toronto Star journalist for 35 years; and Ken Campbell, Freelance hockey writer and a long-time writer at The Hockey News.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2017, Tom Nichols wrote, "The Death of Expertise: The Campaign Against Established Knowledge and Why it Matters". The book has been translated into 14 languages and has proved to be, unfortunately, quite prescient. Nichols has recently come out with a second edition of the book. He joins to discuss the on-going attack on expertise, why Elon Musk is cutting thousands of government jobs, and why authoritarians always go after the experts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canada's middle class is being squeezed out of housing markets in Ontario's largest cities, harming not only those people but local economies, too. But the federal Liberals say they have a plan to build hundreds of thousands of affordable units, even creating a new crown corporation for the task. But a lot needs to happen before those homes can be built at the scale and speed needed to get the middle class into homes they can afford. To discuss we welcome Mike Moffatt, Director of the University of Ottawa's Missing Middle Initiative and Leslie Woo, CEO of CivicAction.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After tariffs, policies around crypto currency appear to be a domestic priority for the Trump Administration. As a presidential candidate, Trump vowed to make the U.S. the crypto capital of the world. But some of his moves in crypto – and those of his family – have left even ardent supporters of the sector recoiling. So, what does the U.S. gain from Trump's crypto policies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As ticket prices soar and ads for sports betting increase, are business interests taking some of the magic out of sporting events? We welcome Cheri Bradish, David Macfarlane, and Morgan Campbell to explore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Toronto Tempo will begin playing in the WNBA in 2026. How do you build a brand new team? And what does this team mean for Canadian basketball? We're joined by the team's president and general manager, Teresa Resch and Monica Wright Rogers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Coren and Irshad Manji are back in studio to rehash the old days, as they once did on a segment called "Friendly Fire." The two went head-to-head weekly, debating hot topics on 'Studio 2,' The Agenda's predecessor. With career changes and political lines crossed, what has this dynamic duo learned over the last 30 years?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In their February report, the Committee to Protect Journalists revealed that 2024 was the deadliest year for press in CPJ history, with almost 70 per cent killed by Israel. In honour of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, The Agenda invites Jessica Jerreat, press freedom editor; Jodie Ginsberg, CEO of the Committee to Protect Journalists; Heather Bakken, president of World Press Freedom Canada and Anna Romandash, Ukrainian freelance journalist to discuss what happens when the right to independent information is taken away. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It seems nobody ever loses a bet forecasting that things can only get worse in the Middle East. And the last year-and-a-half has been particularly awful. The Hamas attack and hostage taking in Israel on October 7, 2023. The ensuing Israeli response which has killed so many in Gaza. Does it always have to be this way? Angela Mattar is a Palestinian activist and medical student. Itamar Avneri is an Israeli city councillor for the municipality of Tel Aviv/Jaffa. They are both part of a group called Standing Together, which dares to imagine a future that is very different from the past.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the federal election campaign over and Mark Carney's Liberals securing a new mandate from Canadians, what relationships should the government prioritize going forward in its trade war with the Trump Administration? One country we might look to is Mexico. Given its close geographic proximity and strained relationship with the U.S., what opportunities might exist for Canada and Mexico to team up against Trump? Host Steve Paikin asks: José Luis Granados Ceja, co-host of the Soberanía Mexican Politics podcast and presenter of Sin Muros on Mexico's Channel 11; Solange Márquez Espinoza, Geopolitical analyst and Editor of "Mexico & Canada: Two Nations in a North American Partnership," and Alejandro García Magos, Lecturer of Political Science at the University of Toronto. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.