The Rundown

As the province moves ahead with a proposed education bill, the education minister says trustees will still have a role, but one that will "change significantly." What have trustees done until now, and what could change if the bill passes? TVO Today's John Michael McGrath breaks down the background and the stakes, then joins Cathy Abraham, a long-time trustee and former president of the Ontario Public School Boards' Association, and Weidong Pei, Toronto District School Board trustee for Ward 12–Willowdale, on what these reforms could mean for school governance, classrooms, and students across Ontario.

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Why is veterinary care getting harder to access just as more Canadians bring pets into their homes? With clinics facing staff shortages and burnout, and owners paying more for care, we look at what's driving the strain on the pet care system. Then, how well do we actually understand pets? Science broadcaster Jay Ingram explores what research reveals about the animals we live with, and why it matters.

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Why does a narrow stretch of water halfway around the world matter so much? TVO Today producer Lucas Meeuse breaks down the Strait of Hormuz, a key global chokepoint, and why even the threat of disruption can rattle markets far beyond the Middle East. Then, back in Canada, we turn to food prices. Grocery inflation has eased slightly, but prices are still more than 30 per cent higher than in 2021. With pressure on households and uncertainty ahead, we look at what comes next with Feed Ontario CEO Carolyn Stewart, grocery industry advocate Gary Sands, and food economist Mike von Massow.

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Through Freedom of Information requests, journalist Stacey Kuznetsova and critical care doctor Blair Bigham uncovered that some Ontario hospitals are relying on bank loans to cover basic operating costs. They discuss what they found and how the hospital sector is responding. Then, Natalie Mehra of the Ontario Health Coalition weighs in on whether the latest Ontario budget goes far enough to address the problem.

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As Canada marks National Canadian Film Day, new data from Telefilm Canada shows 2025 was one of the weakest box office years this decade for Canadian films. Why aren't audiences turning out? Sonya Yokota William, Francesca Accinelli, and Noah Segal examine what is holding Canadian movies back and what could rebuild viewership. Then, a look at another cultural shift: how the internet changed Canadian music. Rundown producer Colin Ellis speaks with author Cam Gordon about his new book "Track Changes" and the digital forces that reshaped the industry.

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Last year was the second-worst wildfire season in Canadian history, with millions of hectares burned and communities across the country forced to evacuate. As climate change drives longer, more intense fire seasons, how bad could future years get and are we prepared? We examine Canada's growing wildfire risk with Mike Flannigan, a professor of wildland fire at Thompson Rivers University, and look at other extreme weather threats, including severe storms, with Greg Kopp of Western University and Anabela Bonada of the University of Waterloo's Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation.

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Research is challenging the assumption that younger generations are becoming more progressive, suggesting some Gen Z men are adopting more conservative views on gender and masculinity. Heejung Chung of King's College London and University of Toronto Scarborough psychologist Leif Anderson, explain what may be driving that shift. Then, Dalhousie University sociologist Michael Halpin examines the rise of "looksmaxxing," an online subculture centred on physical perfection and social dominance.

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Online betting now brings in major revenue for the province, but experts warn that the financial upside may come with mounting public-health costs. A similar tension shows up in new data on alcohol use: fewer Ontarians are drinking, yet binge drinking rates remain stubbornly high. What explains the disconnect, and what responsibility does government have when it profits from addictive products? We speak with addiction researchers Andrew Kim and Dominique Morisano.

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The federal Liberals are pitching big, costly bets such as nuclear power, critical minerals, and high-speed rail as central to Canada's economic future, raising questions about who pays and whether pension funds should help finance projects tied to economic sovereignty. Matthew Mendelsohn and Keith Ambachtsheer examine the risks and rewards of tapping pension capital. Then, economist Kaylie Tiessen looks critically at the surge in "Buy Canadian" policies and whether they actually deliver on their economic promises.

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Ontario and the federal government are rolling out new housing measures, including HST rebates on new homes and billions in infrastructure funding to cut development charges. Will these moves actually bring down prices and speed up construction, or are deeper structural fixes still missing?

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