The Rundown

What Makes Ontario... Ontario? 02.06.2026 28p

The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell reflects on her time as Ontario's lieutenant governor and what defines the province she served for nearly a decade. Then, more than 60 years after Canada adopted the Maple Leaf and Ontario unveiled its own flag, why didn't everyone rally around these new symbols? #onpoli's John Michael McGrath explains. And we visit Salem Chapel in St. Catharines, where Harriet Tubman once worshipped and where the legacy of the Underground Railroad and the fight for civil rights still resonates today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why Is It So Hard for Young People to Find Jobs Right Now? 29.05.2026 28p

What's behind the growing challenges facing young job seekers, and could global oil disruptions add further pressure to the economy? As youth unemployment remains stubbornly high, questions are building about what is driving the slowdown in hiring and what it means for those entering the workforce. We examine the factors shaping the job market for young people, from business conditions to structural barriers, and what might change in the months ahead. Dan Kelly, CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, and Ilona Dougherty, managing director of the Youth and Innovation Project at the University of Waterloo, break down the trends and possible paths forward. We then turn to global energy markets. After major disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz linked to the Iran war, what risks do shifting oil flows pose for prices and economic stability? Rory Johnston, oil market researcher and founder of the Commodity Context newsletter, explains what has changed, what remains uncertain, and how these developments could ripple beyond the energy sector.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What Would Airport Privatization Mean for Canadians? 28.05.2026 28p

TQuestions are now being raised about whether Canada's aviation system is facing a dual test of structure and capacity at a critical moment. For decades, major airports have operated under a hybrid model in which non-profit authorities manage operations while the federal government retains ownership of land and core assets. Now, with the Carney government considering a potential shift toward privatization, what could that mean for oversight, costs, and the public interest? At the same time, recent travel disruptions tied to staffing shortages, including a lack of air traffic controllers, have exposed operational strain across the system just as demand is expected to surge ahead of the summer season and the World Cup. Is this a sign of deeper systemic pressure, and are proposed fixes keeping pace with demand? We examine what is changing, what is at stake, and how these parallel pressures may be reshaping Canada's air travel landscape with Jake Fuss of the Fraser Institute, Lily Chang of the Canadian Labour Congress, and Jonathan Bagg of NAV Canada.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are Weight-Loss Drugs Reshaping How We Eat? 27.05.2026 28p

Researchers and analysts are beginning to ask whether two powerful forces are quietly reshaping how and why people eat: the rise of GLP-1 medications and the constant churn of food trends. What happens when drugs like Ozempic don't just reduce appetite but change how the body processes food, forcing users to rethink nutrition to avoid side effects and maintain balance? Could that shift create new demands the food industry is already preparing to meet? And at the same time, why do consumers continue to chase new diets, ingredients, and health claims month after month? What is driving this persistent search for the next solution, even as advice keeps changing? We examine whether these developments are connected, how pharmaceutical intervention may be accelerating longer-term shifts in food culture, and what it reveals about the forces shaping modern eating habits. Sylvain Charlebois, professor at Dalhousie University and director of its Agri-Food Analytics Lab, and Samantha King, professor and director of the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies at Queen's University, discuss nutrition, behaviour, and the emerging questions at the intersection of medicine, markets, and consumer choice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can We Understand Nature's Language? 26.05.2026 28p

Researchers are beginning to investigate two frontiers that challenge long-held assumptions about the natural world: how animals communicate and whether forests function as complex, social systems. Advances in artificial intelligence are helping decode patterns in animal signals once thought to be beyond human understanding, raising difficult ethical and legal questions about what non-human species may be expressing. At the same time, new research on trees suggests forests may operate through interconnected networks that share resources and respond collectively to environmental stress. We examine what emerging science is revealing about animal minds and forest ecosystems, how these findings are being interpreted, and what they could mean for how humans define intelligence, responsibility, and the natural world itself. Kristin Andrews, philosophy professor at York University and York Research Chair in Animal Minds, and Suzanne Simard, forest ecologist and author of "When the Forest Breathes: Renewal and Resilience in the Natural World," discuss communication, connection, and the implications of treating animals and even forests as social beings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is Ontario Transit Becoming Less Safe? 22.05.2026 28p

Some transit riders say the experience in Ontario is changing, with more visible drug use and increasingly unpredictable behaviour on buses, streetcars, and subways. But is public transit actually becoming less safe, or are perceptions outpacing the data? And would expanding the powers of special constables improve conditions for riders and staff? We examine what is known about recent safety concerns, how they are being measured, and what policy responses are under consideration. Andrew Pulsifer, executive director of TTC Riders, David Cooper, principal of Leading Mobility Consulting, and Kelly Aizicowitz, board member at A Better City, discuss the data, the lived experience, and what changes, if any, could make a difference for transit systems and the people who rely on them.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another Virus to Worry About? 21.05.2026 28p

What can a rare hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship tell us about broader public health risks, and are there warning signs closer to home that we may be overlooking? After a Dutch vessel was linked to the Andes strain, questions emerge about how such diseases spread, what makes them dangerous, and whether other threats, including tick-borne illnesses, are already taking hold. We examine what is known about hantavirus, how it compares to more familiar risks, and what it could signal about shifting patterns in human and environmental health. Dr. Fahad Razak, an internist and epidemiologist at St. Michael's Hospital, looks at the implications for surveillance, preparedness, and public awareness. We then turn to a different kind of signal: the ways animals respond to changing conditions. If animals are constantly communicating, what might humans be missing, and could those observations offer insight into environmental change? Amelia Thomas, journalist and author of "What Sheep Think About the Weather," explores how animals interpret their surroundings, what their behaviours might reveal, and whether learning to pay closer attention could deepen our understanding of the forces shaping both animal and human health.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could Surveillance Pricing Be the Future in Ontario? 20.05.2026 28p

Is surveillance pricing reshaping what Ontarians pay, and what happens when labour protections fail the people they are meant to protect? As affordability and cost of living dominate public concern, the growing use of consumer data to tailor prices raises new questions about fairness, transparency, and oversight. We examine how this practice works, who benefits, and where safeguards may be falling short. Vass Bednar, managing director of the Canadian Shield Institute, looks at the implications of data-driven pricing and how it could affect everyday costs. We then turn to wage theft, where workers report being paid below minimum wage, paid late, or not paid at all. If these violations are not rare, what does that say about enforcement, and who is most at risk? Ghada Alsharif, immigration and work reporter for the Toronto Star, and Jared Ong, organizer with the Workers' Action Centre, discuss the scope of the problem, the barriers workers face in seeking accountability, and what stronger protections might require.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are Drones Reshaping Canada's Defence? 15.05.2026 28p

Who controls the systems that shape Canada's security, and how prepared are we for what comes next? We examine the growing use of unmanned aerial vehicles, asking what role Canada plays in developing drone technology, whether low-cost UAVs are changing modern defence, and what capacity the country may be lacking. Katheron Intson, CEO and co-founder of Sentinel R&D, explains where Canada fits and what closing those gaps would require. We then look to the past to better understand the present. At the Canadian Tank Museum in Oshawa, we explore what historic military vehicles reveal about Canada's wartime contributions, industrial support, and long-standing approach to defence. And beyond the battlefield, who controls our security online? In this episode of TVO Today's Unravelled, we ask what we give up when we agree to digital terms and conditions, who gains access to that information, and what meaningful protection of our digital lives would look like.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should Canada Join Eurovision? 14.05.2026 28p

Is Canada ready to step onto the Eurovision stage, and what would that say about how the country sees its cultural role internationally? After the federal government said in the 2025 budget that it was "working with CBC/Radio-Canada to explore Canada's participation in Eurovision," questions remain about how such a move would work, what it would cost, and whether it is a gamble worth taking. From Ottawa, Nomi Claire Lazar, professor of public and international affairs at the University of Ottawa, examines the political and public value of the proposal, while Toronto-based Brock University adjunct professor Karen Fricker brings a critical perspective shaped by her long engagement with Eurovision as a cultural institution. We then look inward, to the cultural legacy Canada has already built. Toronto-made children's television, from Mr. Dressup and Degrassi to Polka Dot Door and Today's Special, shaped generations of viewers in Ontario and beyond. Rundown producer Colin Ellis speaks with cultural historian Ed Conroy about his new book, ImagiNation: The Golden Age of Toronto Kids' TV, and why revisiting these shows is not just an exercise in nostalgia but a way of understanding how public broadcasting, cultural ambition, and national identity have been constructed and contested over time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where Are Canada's Undeclared Firearms? 13.05.2026 28p

Only about half of prohibited assault style firearms were declared under Canada's federal buyback. Tens of thousands may remain outside the system ahead of a 2026 ban that will make possession a criminal offence. Police Chief Mark Campbell and Professor Wendy Cukier examine what low compliance means for enforcement, public safety, and the credibility of the policy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should Schools Ban Phones and Social Media? 12.05.2026 28p

Is limiting cellphone use in schools enough, or should Ontario go further by restricting social media and phones on school property? As the province considers tougher rules, we examine what is driving the push, whether it could improve learning, and what might be lost by narrowing students' access to digital spaces. Mohammed Estaiteyeh, assistant professor of digital pedagogies and technology literacies at Brock University, and Malini Leahy, former teacher and vice-president of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation, weigh the benefits and risks. We then turn to Australia, the first country to ban social media for children under 16. How has that policy worked in practice, and what can Canada learn from it? From Sydney, Katrina Champion, associate professor at the University of Sydney's School of Public Health, joins us to explain what the evidence shows so far and what policymakers should consider next.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What Are the Real Limits of Fertility? 08.05.2026 28p

A women's reproductive health expert offers plain talk on the real limits of fertility and what women should understand before planning a pregnancy. Then, what does it really take to have a child when fertility does not come easily? Author Kathryn Blaze Baum reflects on IVF, surrogacy, miscarriage, and what she uncovered about the business and personal toll behind fertility treatment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What Becomes of Cases Tied to Corrupt Officers? 07.05.2026 28p

When police officers are charged with alleged corruption, what happens to the cases they worked on? We examine how those investigations are reviewed and what it means for past prosecutions when an officer's conduct is called into question. Then, former Toronto homicide detective Hank Idsinga, who investigated more than 80 murder cases, joins us to reflect on the realities of policing, accountability, and trust in the justice system.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will Canada Let Residential School Testimonies Be Lost? 06.05.2026 28p

What happens to the stories of residential school survivors if they are never preserved, and is Canada prepared to let them disappear? With a Supreme Court deadline approaching that could see thousands of survivor testimonies destroyed unless individuals act, we examine why many people remain unaware of the clock running out and what is at stake if those records are lost. Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist Connie Walker, host of Stolen: Surviving St. Michael's and lead of the Indian Residential School Records Project at Toronto Metropolitan University, explains the push to build a permanent national archive. We then turn to Red Dress Day and the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit people. Storyteller and educator Carolyn Roberts joins us to discuss her new children's book, "Tess's Red Dress," and how it helps families and classrooms confront a reality that is still unfolding.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Realistic Is Ontario's Push Toward Electric Vehicles? 05.05.2026 28p

How realistic is Ontario's push toward electric vehicles, and is the province prepared for what comes next? As places like Norway show what large scale EV adoption can look like, we examine how easy it actually is to buy and drive an electric vehicle in Ontario, whether governments are doing enough to support the transition, and how the market could shift as more Chinese made vehicles arrive. Plug'n Drive president and CEO Cara Clairman and clean mobility expert Lindsay Wiginton of Dunsky Energy and Climate Advisors weigh in. We then turn to a growing political flashpoint, Premier Doug Ford's claim that Chinese EVs are "spy vehicles." What are the real cybersecurity risks drivers should and should not be worried about? David Shipley, CEO and co founder of Beauceron Security, helps separate legitimate threats from fear driven rhetoric.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can Ontario Build Its Way Out of Jail Overcrowding? 30.04.2026 28p

Why is Ontario turning to prison expansion after years of chronic jail overcrowding, and what do internal documents reveal about the true cost and impact of that plan? As researchers question whether building more cells will actually ease the strain, we look at what the province is betting on, with analysis from Mackenzie Plumb, a PhD candidate in criminology at the University of Ottawa, and Lee Chapelle, president of Canadian Prison Consulting. Then, how far should government go in regulating sex offenders after a judge ruled key parts of Ontario's registry unconstitutional? As the premier signals plans to make parts of the registry public, employment lawyer and workplace investigator Abigail Knubley weighs the legal risks and consequences.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What Happens When Ontario Shrinks Conservation Authorities? 29.04.2026 28p

On April 18, West Nipissing declared a state of emergency as flooding overwhelmed roads and threatened homes. For residents, the footage raises urgent questions about what protection really exists as floods become more frequent. Conservation authorities are meant to be a frontline defence, but with the Ford government moving to consolidate them, critics and municipal leaders are asking whether communities will be better protected or more exposed. We hear from West Nipissing Mayor Kathleen Thorne Rochon, Janet Stavinga of the Watershed Conservation Coalition, Westport Mayor and AMO board president Robin Jones, Conservation Ontario general manager Angela Coleman, and Ontario Headwaters Institute executive director Andrew McCammon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who’s Really in Charge of Ontario’s Cities? 28.04.2026 28p

What does Ontario’s Better Regional Governance Act, 2026 actually change, and who ends up with more power at the local level? TVO Today columnist and #onpoli cohost John Michael McGrath breaks down what’s in the legislation and what it is meant to fix. We then turn to the government’s claim that strong mayor powers are speeding up housing construction, examining what the evidence shows so far and whether it has come with democratic tradeoffs. Joining the conversation are David Arbuckle of the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario, Lindsay Jones of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and Natasha Salonen, mayor of the Township of Wilmot.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Science is Silencing Depression with Magnetic Waves 24.04.2026 36p

Millions take medications like SSRIs and SNRIs for mental-health conditions and feel the benefits. But what if your depression is hard to treat? One option: something called transcranial magnetic stimulation. Rundown producer Eric Bombicino learns more from Daniel Blumberger, scientific director of the Temerty Centre for Therapeutic Brain Intervention and a senior scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.