The Rundown

Ghost stories of the Great Lakes are rooted in real tragedies. From legendary shipwrecks to tales of phantom vessels said to still sail these waters, author Mark Leslie, Ghost Stories of the Great Lakes, explores how loss and mystery became enduring folklore. Then, while ghost stories grapple with death through legend, death doulas help people confront it in real life. Catherine Hernandez, grief and death doula, author, and screenwriter, discusses how we navigate grief, loss, and conversations about mortality.

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Ontario's legislature is back in session, with Ontario's legislature is back in session after a 21-week break, and there's no shortage of issues waiting at Queen's Park. From allegations of OSAP fraud and hospital staffing cuts to ongoing tariff tensions with the United States and looming education labour disputes, the Ford government faces a packed legislative agenda. At the same time, Ontario's opposition parties are preparing to press their own priorities and challenge the government's direction. Jeyan is joined by TVO's John Michael McGrath, Jessica Smith Cross, editor-in-chief of The Trillium; Ahmad Elbayoumi, Toronto-based political journalist and author of Policorner; and Richard Southern, Queen's Park reporter for 680 NewsRadio, to break down the key debates, political battles, and surprises that could shape the legislature's 23-day fall session.

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Ontario has given strong mayors and regional chairs new powers in the name of efficiency. But what does that mean for local democracy, community representation, and the future of municipal government? We explore the impact of these changes with Bill Irwin, Councillor for Ward 2 in the Municipality of North Middlesex and Professor Emeritus at Huron University; Lloyd Rang, CEO of Curious Public and former Councillor for Ward 2 in Clarington; and Clifton van der Linden, Associate Professor of Political Science at McMaster University. Plus, as concerns about voter engagement continue, we look at a case where one Ontario township faced the prospect of having no candidates run for office at all, and what that reveals about participation in local politics.

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Ontario is considering changes to the Coroners Act that could end mandatory inquests into deaths in custody, raising questions about transparency, accountability, and what families could lose if public hearings become less common. We discuss the proposal and the state of Ontario's inquest system with advocate Yusuf Faqiri, founder of the Justice for Soli campaign, and lawyer Joel Dick of Howie, Sacks & Henry LLP. Then, we head to Sudbury to meet Dr. Kona Williams, medical director of the North Eastern Regional Forensic Pathology Unit at Health Sciences North, to learn how forensic pathologists help uncover the truth when deaths occur unexpectedly and why she has dedicated her career to the field.

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The trade war is creating profound economic uncertainty for communities across Canada. What role should municipalities play in a "Team Canada" response, and how can they navigate the economic fallout? Then, TVO Today's Nerds on Politics asks whether municipalities should rethink another local tradition: holding elections without political parties.

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Ontario says expanding the role of private clinics could help patients get care faster. But what does the evidence tell us about the impact of private health care? Andrew Longhurst of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives weighs in. Then, NOSM University president Dr. Michael Green explains why Northern Ontario's unique health-care challenges require training more doctors from the north, for the north.

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Prime Minister Mark Carney says Albertans have chosen Canada, while Premier Danielle Smith says voters have backed a stronger Alberta within a united country. So what does the referendum result say about the mood in Alberta, and where does the province go from here? Martha Hall Findlay, director of the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary, and journalist Jen Gerson join us to discuss. Then, security expert and author Patrick Lennox looks beyond Alberta at claims of foreign interests fuelling the separatist movement and what that could mean for Canada's security and sovereignty.

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Ontario's municipal election rules were written long before social media and AI transformed political campaigning. Are they still up to the task? Andrea Coyne, deputy clerk for the Town of Oakville, and Riley Brockington, president of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, discuss whether the Municipal Elections Act needs an update. Then, Rory White, technology and democracy reporter at Canada's National Observer, examines how AI tools could change the way candidates campaign and what that could mean for future elections.

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Local government has a major impact on everyday life, but how well do Ontarians understand what municipalities are responsible for? Charlie Buckley hits the streets of Toronto to put voters' knowledge to the test. Then, with voter disengagement and political burnout challenging local democracy, France Bélisle, Peter MacLeod, and Lindsay Jones discuss why Ontarians should vote, what it takes to run for office, and how to strengthen participation in municipal politics.

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General Wayne Eyre retired in 2024 after four decades of military service, most recently as Canada's chief of the defence staff. What did his time at the top teach him about the state of Canada's military and the politics shaping it? Then, Ann Fitz-Gerald of the Balsillie School of International Affairs examines Canada's new Defence, Security and Resilience Bank. What role could it play in confronting today's security challenges, and what happens if some countries choose not to join?

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