The Rundown

Nobel laureate Alice Munro is widely known as a master of the short story, and one of Canada's most celebrated and beloved writers. In fact, Huron County in Ontario is often called Alice Munro Country. The outpouring of affection for her following her death, last week at age 92 only highlights the relatability of her characters and the precision of her fiction. And so we've gathered some writers who in one way or another have been affected by Ms. Munro's life and work. We welcome: Heather O'Neill, author of "Lullabies for Little Criminals" and the forthcoming, "The Capital of Dreams;" Chanel Sutherland, winner of the 2022 CBC Short Story Prize; Katherine Govier, author of "The Three Sisters Bar & Hotel;" Magdalene Redekop, author of "Mothers and Other Clowns: The Stories of Alice Munro;"and Menaka Raman-Wilms, author of "The Rooftop Garden," and host of the Globe and Mail's Decibel podcast.

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Mike Lanigan, a third generation cattle farmer, turned his life upside down in 2016 when he halted the production and selling of beef on his farm and decided to befriend his cattle instead. With the help of Edith Barabash, Farmhouse Garden Animal Home was born. Located in Uxbridge, Ontario, Mike and Edith spend their days raising cattle and saving animals who need a home. With the help of many volunteers, this animal sanctuary educates the public about the benefits of preserving animal life and choosing compassion over profit.

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When Mississauga votes for its next mayor on June 10, the winner will be just the city's third mayor since 1978. The new mayor will continue Mississauga's transformation from suburb to city, and has the potential to become a significant player in a vote-rich area ahead of the upcoming provincial election. Noor Javed of the Toronto Star, Zachary Spicer of York University, Rahul Mehta from More Homes Mississauga and Sue Shanly of the Mississauga Residents' Associations Network discuss the issues.

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No space is neutral, according to author Tye Farrow, and it either adds to or diminishes a person's well-being. Purpose-designed buildings not only help motivate and inspire the people occupying them, they also improve overall health and performance in their bodies and minds, he says. A look at the links between physiological health and the types of buildings that improve it, with Tye Farrow, architect and author of "Constructing Health: How the Built Environment Enhances Your Mind's Health."

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Growing papayas in Ontario seems impossible, but avid gardener Drew Raine loves a challenge and has a 12-foot papaya tree to show for it. Drew has also been growing mango, kumquats, limes, and grapefruit for more than 10 years - all without a greenhouse. Relying on containers that he can move indoors in cold weather, Drew has maintained his connection to his South American roots by bringing the tropics north.

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Ontario will soon permit tall wooden structures up to 18 storeys, giving encouragement to the province's burgeoning mass timber sector. A look at the potential and practicality of pre-fab wood construction, including its possible impact on Ontarios' economy if the sector continues to grow. Guests include: Christoper Williams of Timber Systems; Philip Silverstein of Moriyama & Teshima Architects; Steven Craft of CHM Fire Consultants; and Anne Koven of Mass Timber Institute.

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Are Ontario politicians over-coached? Then, after several disruptions can the Ontario film and TV industry bounce back? Why are so many young voters gravitating to conservative politics, and the pros and cons of drug decriminalization.

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In his new essay, "The Coming Entropy of Our World Order," futurist and founder of AlphaGeo Parag Khanna looks at the volatile state of geopolitics, and where he thinks the world is headed.

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Decriminalizing small amounts of illicit drugs is supposed to light a path to treatment for users and de-stigmatize addiction. But has harm reduction actually been achieved? The pilot decriminalization project in B.C. - in effect since January 2023 - has hit a snag due to concerns over public safety. Meanwhile, Toronto has been waiting two years for approval of its application to decriminalize drugs. Should that bid be adjusted as the city learns lessons from the west coast? We ask: DJ Larkin, executive director of the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition; and Derek Finkle, journalist and columnist for the National Post.

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The Conservative Party's support among young people appears to be on the rise. What's drawing them to the party, does that echo trends elsewhere in the world, where parties on the right are appealing to the youth vote? Have tough economic times and social media brought a whole new generation of voters to the conservative fold?

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