Marion Nestle, author of "Unsavory Truth: How Food Companies Skew the Science of What We Eat," talks with Nam Kiwanuka about how nutrition science can be slanted by the funding that researchers receive from food companies. Nestle also discusses the role that journalists can play in either spreading or exposing biased research findings.

Centuries ago animals were seen as unfeeling automatons. The growing science of animal cognition has shattered that assumption. Giraffes appear to grieve. Zebrafish can get depressed. Elephants can classify humans by age, gender, and language. Animals are more intelligent than long assumed, and they have complex emotional lives. But, are they conscious? The Agenda examines new research into the inner lives of animals.

Would promoting health rather than treating sickness be a more intelligent use of Ontario's medical budget? The Agenda welcomes Alex Jadad, director of the Institute for Global Health Equity and Innovation at the University of Toronto, to explain why he thinks Ontarians should focus on creating a healthy society.

Health care is the Ontario government's largest expense, but far too many people think the medical system isn't working well enough. The Agenda discusses whether innovation, rather than money spent, could result in better health outcomes.

Five memoirs are shortlisted for this year's RBC Taylor Prize for Canadian literary non-fiction; Bill Gaston's "Just Look Let Me Look At You," Elizabeth Hay's "All Things Consoled," and Darrel J. McLeod's "Mamaskatch," recount family stories; Ian Hampton's, "Jan in 35 Pieces," chronicles a life in music, and Kate Harris's "Lands Of Lost Borders," is an adventure travelogue. Steve Paikin talks to the finalists about their work.

As fulfilling as it can be to raise and nurture children, there comes a time when they grow away from their parents. Journalist Jan Wong saw this happening in her own family, and tried to make the most of it. Her new book, "Apron Strings: Navigating Food and Family in France, Italy, and China," is the result of taking her son, Sam, on a culinary journey. The Agenda in the Summer welcomes Wong to discuss her book and its genesis.

Whether it's the high cost of hydro or inaccessible health care, many northern Ontarians are voicing frustration over what they consider to be a power imbalance between the province's north and south. The Agenda welcomes a panel of experts to identify the boundaries of this cultural divide, the sources of frustration, and how the next Ontario government could work to mend these wounds.

The Agenda discusses what is on offer to voters by Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservatives, with guests: John Duffy of Strategycorp; Gord Miller, Green Party policy advisor; Peggy Nash, former NDP MPP; Ginny Movat , senior consultant with Crestview Strategy, and Marike Walsh of iPolitics.

Ontario has the largest Indigenous population in Canada. The Agenda welcomes Margaret Froh, Métis Nation of Ontario president, and Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day to discuss the campaign, the Liberal record on reconciliation, and whether the major parties are addressing their key issues and concerns.

The Agenda welcomes NDP leader Andrea Horwath for a feature interview on what her party's platform can offer voters in this election - including health care, dental care, and hydro - and how it differs from Liberal promises.