The Rundown

What's Behind Canada's Romance Book Boom? 26.06.2026 28min

Romance novels have become one of Canada's fastest-growing publishing genres, with print sales soaring, ebook readership growing, and dedicated romance bookstores opening across the country, raising questions about what's fueling the boom. Amy Lea, author of romantic comedies including "The Bodyguard Affair," joins Jeyan to discuss how shifting reader tastes have created new opportunities for Canadian voices in romance and why she now feels more confident setting stories closer to home. Then, Kaitlynd Carmichael of Indigo Canada and Kearston Bergeron, co-owner of Toronto's Hopeless Romantic Books, explore the factors behind romance's rapid rise and what its growing popularity reveals about today's readers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can Students Help Save Canada's Queer History? 25.06.2026 28min

For generations, many 2SLGBTQ+ stories were left out of history books, archives, and classrooms, raising questions about whose experiences are preserved and whose are forgotten. Now, some educators are working to recover that history before more of it is lost. Ian Duncan, a history teacher at Garth Webb Secondary School in Oakville, joins Jeyan to discuss how students are helping uncover, document, and share Canada's queer history. Then, Windsor teacher Chris Rabideau explains how a local project is preserving 2SLGBTQ+ stories from the community, one story at a time, and why documenting these experiences matters for future generations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who Should Control Ontario's Water Infrastructure? 24.06.2026 28min

As Ontario municipalities face growing pressure to repair and expand aging water and wastewater systems, some are asking whether new governance models could help manage the costs. Could municipal services corporations offer a viable solution, or do they raise new questions about oversight and public accountability? Michele Grenier, executive director of the Ontario Water Works Association, and Barbara Robinson, president of Norton Engineering, join Jeyan to discuss. Then, new research suggests a warming Arctic is reshaping vast lakes in northern Canada, raising concerns about what these changes could mean for freshwater ecosystems. Kathleen Rühland, senior scientist at Queen's University's Paleoecological Environmental Assessment and Research Laboratory, explains what scientists are finding and why it matters.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why Are So Many Young Men Suffering in Silence? 23.06.2026 28min

Young men are often told to tough it out, but a new report from GreenShield and Mental Health Research Canada suggests many may be struggling in silence, raising questions about why so many are reluctant to seek help when they need it most. Khush Amaria, director of clinical services at GreenShield, joins Jeyan to unpack the findings. Then, as loneliness becomes a growing concern, some people are turning to AI chatbots for companionship. Can a machine provide meaningful connection, or does it risk deepening the problem? University of Toronto psychology professor Paul Bloom weighs in.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can Indigenous Voices Reshape Canada's Next Big Projects? 19.06.2026 28min

Canada is preparing for major nation-building projects while entering trade talks with the United States and Mexico, promising partnership with Indigenous peoples but leaving questions about what that means in practice. How will those commitments be carried out, and whose voices will shape the outcome? At the same time, Indigenous humour offers insight into culture, identity, and connection, reflecting shared experience while challenging assumptions. What makes it distinct, and can it help build understanding across communities? Anishinaabe journalist Tanya Talaga and playwright and author Drew Hayden Taylor join the conversation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Should Canada Handle CUSMA & Trump? 18.06.2026 28min

Prime Minister Mark Carney met with world leaders at the G7 in France, trying to position Canada in an increasingly uncertain global order, new questions are emerging about the country's economic stability and its most critical trade relationship. U.S. President Donald Trump has cast doubt on the future of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, saying "I'm not looking to renew it" and "we don't need anything that Canada has," with a key deadline approaching. How exposed is Canada if that deal unravels, and how should its foreign and economic strategy adapt? Arif Lalani, Shannon Gormley, Adam Chapnick, and Drew Fagan join Jeyan to discuss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why Is Northern Ontario Still Waiting on Infrastructure? 17.06.2026 28min

Closures on Highways 11 and 17 can cut off entire northern communities and disrupt supply chains, raising questions about why long-standing calls for more resilient infrastructure have yet to be answered. Charles Cirtwill, founding president and CEO of the Northern Policy Institute, and Maggie Horsfield, first vice-president of the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities and deputy mayor of North Bay, join Jeyan to discuss. Then, in Sault Ste. Marie, a decades-old vision for a deep-water port is back in focus. Could the project finally move forward, and what would it take to make it viable? Mayor Matthew Shoemaker weighs in.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can Mobile Clinics Fix Ontario's Care Gap? 16.06.2026 28min

What do recent shifts in public health policy reveal about how care is delivered, and who can access it? After a woman was killed outside a Toronto community health centre in 2023, the province reviewed supervised consumption sites, introduced a new model, and this month cut public funding, raising questions about safety and access. At the same time, mobile health clinics are appearing outside Toronto libraries, aiming to connect more people with primary care. Journalist Adam Zivo, joining from Odessa, Ukraine, Montreal-based writer Emma Paling, and Martin McIntosh of the Regional HIV/AIDS Connection examine what these changes signal. Then, Dr. Andrew Boozary and Aly Velji consider whether mobile care can fill gaps or create new ones.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are Data Centres Taking Over? 12.06.2026 28min

The federal government has unveiled a two-billion-dollar AI strategy aimed at boosting jobs, skills training, and business growth, alongside plans to build large-scale AI data centres powered by clean energy. But as these projects move into communities, opposition is mounting. Recent protests in Hamilton and an Angus Reid poll showing 68 per cent of Canadians would oppose a data centre near their home raise questions about public buy-in. With roughly 100 data centres already in Ontario, do more bring opportunity or risk? We examine the concerns and separate fact from fiction with Kathleen Kauth of the Advanced Energy Centre at MaRS and Mark Winfield of York University.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Do High-Speed Rail and E-Bikes Fit into Ontario's Future? 11.06.2026 28min

Politicians have been promising high-speed rail in Canada for decades, and with a new federal plan now on the table, questions remain about whether it will finally move forward and what it means for communities along the route. Jeff Leal, mayor of Peterborough, and Bonnie Clark, warden for Peterborough County, join us. Then, the rapid rise of e-bikes is transforming how people get around, embraced by commuters and delivery drivers but raising new safety concerns as well. With the province now considering updated rules of the road, Michael Longfield, executive director of Cycle Toronto, weighs in on how to balance accessibility, convenience, and public safety.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What Happens When Community Spaces Vanish? 10.06.2026 28min

What happens when the spaces people rely on to connect outside of home and work begin to disappear? The idea of the "third place," first defined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg, points to the everyday settings that foster community and belonging, and experts say they remain critical to health and happiness. Debbie Laliberte Rudman of Western University, urban planner Corey Horowitz of DIALOG, and cultural programmer Said Yassin examine how these spaces shape social life and what is at risk as cities evolve. Then, a fight to save one of Toronto's most recognizable gathering spots brings that question into focus, as organizers mobilize petitions and pack city hall committee rooms to protect the iconic dive bar Sneaky Dee's, with general manager George Diamantouros on the front lines of a battle over what the city stands to lose.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's Next for Cuba? 09.06.2026 28min

As conditions in Cuba worsen, President Donald Trump's intentions toward the island remain unclear, raising questions about what happens next and what role Canada should play. Mark Entwistle, Canada's ambassador to Cuba from 1993 to 1997 and now a senior fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, joins us. Then, the ripple effects closer to home as Ontario's small but longstanding Cuban diaspora reflects on the crisis, with roots dating back to the 1800s. A trip to Niagara brings one man's journey into focus and sheds light on what people on the island are facing today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alberta Referendum: How Far Could It Go? 05.06.2026 28min

In just a few months, Alberta voters may weigh a referendum on separation as a coalition pushes the case for staying in Canada. What's driving the renewed separatist push, and how strong is the argument against it? Jen Gerson of The Line and Lead Not Leave joins us. Then, Ottawa's climate agenda under scrutiny after the Carney government scrapped the consumer carbon price, EV mandate, and oil and gas cap. Is this a retreat from climate action or a policy reset? Martha Hall Findlay and Caroline Brouillette weigh in.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is Canada Becoming Uninsurable? 04.06.2026 28min

As extreme weather drives parts of the U.S. toward becoming effectively uninsurable, what signals are emerging in Canada as fires, floods, and droughts intensify and reshape risk? Craig Stewart, co-founder and CEO of the climate risk company Mycinity, examines whether Canada is on a similar path and what that could mean for homeowners and insurers. Then, in part two of a wide-ranging conversation, Suzanne Simard, author of When the Forest Breathes, takes a closer look at Canada's forestry practices, questioning how human intervention has altered natural systems and why she argues it has effectively detonated a carbon bomb.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How are Voters Feeling About the Ford Government? 03.06.2026 28min

OSAP. School boards. Airports and jets. As Queen's Park breaks for the summer, the Ford government is facing growing scrutiny over a series of high-profile decisions and the public response to them. TVO Today's John Michael McGrath breaks down the latest moves and the political stakes behind them. Then, how are voters feeling about the government, and is there an opening for the opposition? We hear from a panel of political watchers: Kim Wright of Wright Strategies, Ontario Liberal strategist Andrew Perez, columnist Michael Taube, and John Michael McGrath.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What Makes Ontario... Ontario? 02.06.2026 28min

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 28min

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 28min

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 28min

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 28min

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.