The Rundown

As patient advocates and skilled care providers, nurses are the backbone of health care in the province. They're an irreplaceable comfort for families and patients bearing the brunt of an overwhelmed health-care system. The Agenda talks to two Ontarians about the heroic nurses who made their loved ones' time in the hospital a little more tolerable.

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A backlog of more than one million surgical procedures. Sick children flown hundreds of kilometres for health care due to limited beds. A burned out, under-staffed workforce. Long wait times. Continuing waves of the COVID-19 pandemic and a particularly severe season of other respiratory viruses have put extraordinary capacity pressures on Ontario's health-care system, which has long been under strain. Jeyan Jeganathan talks to executive leaders at four health-care organizations and hospitals about the big issues plaguing the system, and their solutions in 2023.

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From year two of a worldwide pandemic, record smashing inflation, an increasingly assertive China, and Putin's shocking invasion of Ukraine, The Agenda welcomes foreign affairs experts to discuss what they witnessed in 2022, Canada's place on the world stage, and what they expect will play out across the globe in 2023.

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They met at a high school band practice in Scarborough, realized that their sound really clicked, and decided to set up their own group. That was 20 years ago for this duo, who have made a lot of beautiful music over the ensuing two decades. Sheila Carabine and Amanda Walther, the principals behind Dala, chat with Steve Paikin and demonstrate their angelic harmonies.

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A century ago, a group of music lovers established what would soon come to be known as the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. And during that time, the TSO has been delighting audiences, first at Massey Hall, and for the last 40 years at Roy Thomson Hall. The orchestra hired a dynamic new music director in 2020, just in time to see his first season cancelled because of COVID-19. Then its chief executive officer unexpectedly left. It's all par for the course in the wild world of classical music. To discuss the challenges of the last few years, and to mark the milestone anniversary, we welcome Maestro Gustavo Gimeno, and CEO Mark Williams.

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From the crypto crash, the FTX collapse and the arrest of Sam Bankman-Fried, what does it all mean for the future of crypto? Is this the beginning of the end? 14 years after the Satoshi Nakamoto white paper, has crypto lived up to its initial promise? Or does it now resemble the traditional banking industry?

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Holiday shopping, secret Santa, New Year parties, 'tis the season of celebrations and presents. But how do people cut holiday spending in a time of inflation? Is it time to rethink gifting practices to ones that are more environmental sustainable? The Agenda considers if it's possible to substantially change the way holidays are celebrated.

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Highlights from our week include: a look at higher rates of violence in Ontario schools. Then, how to talk to young adults about cannabis, why are families dealing with so much estrangement, and what role does geneology technology play in solving cold case crimes?

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Steve Paikin speaks with incoming Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles about what she hopes to bring to the party and province as she assumes the role of leader of the Official Opposition at Queen's Park, facing off against Premier Doug Ford. The MPP for Davenport ran uncontested to replace long-time leader Andrea Horwath.

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Following a series of shooting and stabbings at and around schools in the GTA, the Toronto District School Board now says 2022 may be the most violent in more than 20 years. Fights and physical altercations are leaving some Ontario students and teachers feeling unsafe. The Agenda discusses the possible reasons behind this school violence, who bears responsibility, how it should be addressed, and the role of boards, government, and police.

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