The Rundown

The biggest question in Ottawa these days is will Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stay on to lead the Liberals into the next election, or is he simply too unpopular to win a fourth term? Author and journalist Paul Wells considers that and Trudeau's nine years in power in his new book, "Justin Trudeau on the Ropes: Governing in Troubled Times." Steve Paikin spoke at the ARC Hotel, just a few minutes from Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

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Requests for asylum in Canada from 2SLGBTQIA+ refugees are popping up from every corner of the globe, driven by hostile environments and laws targeting the community. The Canadian government has partnered with civil society organizations to welcome those facing persecution in their own countries, but are we and other states doing enough to protect this vulnerable minority? For insight, we welcome:
Aleks Selim Dughman Manzur (they/them), co-executive director at Rainbow Refugee Society; Adrienne Smith (she/her), principal lawyer at Smith Immigration Law;
Bali Ali (they/them), queer human rights defender; Devon Matthews (she/they), head of programs at Rainbow Railroad.

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Pride celebrations in Ontario have transformed since the first "Gay Day Picnic" on Hanlan's point in August 1971. Toronto's Pride parade estimated over 2 million spectators last year. As corporate participation increases and celebrations become more mainstream, has pride strayed from its roots as a place of protest? And, are pride celebrations really a place where everyone can freely express themselves?

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It was truly one of the greatest moments in Canadian history. Ben Johnson sprinted his way into the record books with an astonishing 9.79-second 100-metre dash at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. But his gold medal memories didn't last. Johnson tested positive for banned steroid use and lost his gold. Journalist Mary Ormsby takes us back to those emotional days but follows up with some probing questions about what else was going on with the other runners in that race. She chronicles it all in her book, "The Incredible Life of Ben Johnson: World's Fastest Man*" Steve Paikin talks to both the athlete and the author.

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Noah Irvine was just five when his mother died by suicide, and just 15 when his father passed away after an accidental prescription drug overdose. Now Noah has made it his mission to change the way Canada cares for people struggling with mental health challenges and addiction. In addition to writing over two thousand letters to elected officials across the country, Noah has memorialized his parents, his journey, and his vision for the future in his book, "Learning to Live."

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Nicholas Kristof is a two-time Pulitzer Prize winning journalist for The New York Times. His gripping new memoir, "Chasing Hope: A Reporter's Life," takes us behind the headlines of some of the most defining events of our lives, including the Tiananmen Square protests, genocide in Darfur, a civil war in Yemen, and closer to home, the addiction and despair faced by working-class America.

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Travelling from one end of the province to another is not an experience many Ontarians undertake. And, if they did, it seems that a car would probably be one of the best ways to get around. But what if you don't have a car or don't want to use one? Train services are not frequent enough, buses might not get you exactly where you need to go. Flights are expensive and beyond reach of many everyday Canadians. Places all over the world have embraced a more transit-friendly approach, so what's a province to do to get to the same level. We ask four transit and transportation experts to weigh in on how difficult it is to get around in the country's second-largest province and what can be done.

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Despite being declared the national sport by Canada's first prime minister John A. MacDonald in 1867, cricket didn't quite take off in Canada in the way it has in other parts of the world. But that's changed recently with a steady influx of leagues and young talent all over the country, and Canada qualifying for its first ever T20 World Cup. What accounts for this resurgence and what types of investments are needed to ensure cricket continues to thrive here?

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Think about how well you're doing financially these days compared to in 2015, when the current federal government first took power. Are you doing better? Worse? Did COVID have a longstanding impact on your circumstances. Pollster Greg Lyle has been looking into these and other questions. He's the founder and president of the Innovative Research Group.

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The season for outdoor events and festivals is near. Yet the aftermath of most events shows overflowing waste bins and loose litter, not to mention the carbon emissions released to run the event. Some festivals are only doing the bare minimum when it comes to practicing sustainability but there are several who lead the charge in implementing green initiatives to minimize their ecological and carbon footprints. For insights we welcome: Kate Johnston, executive director of Hillside Festival, and Pam Carter, president of Mariposa Folk Festival; and avid event volunteer and Masters of Environmental Studies, Gabriella Dee.

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