The Rundown

Have you ever wondered if there is a right way to read? Do writers read differently than those who don't have to think about craft while reading? George Elliott Clarke ("Where Beauty Survived"), Elizabeth Hay ("Snow Road Station"), Vincent Lam ("On the Ravine"), and Thea Lim ("An Ocean of Minutes") discuss whether there is an art to reading. And is there a difference between reading and listening?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do writers write? What inspires new stories? George Elliott Clarke ("Where Beauty Survived"), Elizabeth Hay ("Snow Road Station"), Vincent Lam ("On the Ravine"), and Thea Lim ("An Ocean of Minutes") offer insights on what it means to write a story, whether it can be a political act, and if success can be a form of selling out.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our review of The Agenda's week begins with how hard it is to get access to public information in this country.Then, is Canada is a post-national country and are some places here uninsurable? And, what's next for Raptors basketball.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In his fiery new book, author and political economist Ricardo Tranjan makes the case that Canada doesn't have a housing crisis, but rather a housing market working exactly as intended. Rent hikes and eviction notices aren't the work of an invisible force - it's landlords funneling wealth from working class families and reaping massive profits. Tranjan makes the case for why it's time tenants organize, mobilize, and fight back.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While Canada Day celebrations usually involve big fireworks displays, there are some who want fireworks banned or restricted. Cities like Brampton and Caledon have banned personal fireworks following a surge of complaints over their use. Others argue they're an important part of cultural festivities such as Diwali. We hear from both sides of the debate.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was just four short years ago when the Toronto Raptors - and 1 million of their closest friends - celebrated their NBA championship with a parade for the ages.
It all seems like part of the team's distant past. This year, they didn't even make the playoffs. It's led to big changes in the organization, on and off the court. What's needed to it get the team moving in a more winning direction? We ask freelance basketball journalist, Katie Heindl, the creator behind the "Basketball Feelings" podcast and newsletter; and Vivek Jacob, freelance sports journalist and staff writer for Raptors.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Next month, Tamils around the world will remember the 40th anniversary of Black July. In July 1983, anti-Tamil pogroms erupted in Sri Lanka's capital of Colombo and across the country, lasting a week and plunging the country into a 26-year-long civil war. As the conflict raged on, tens of thousands of people were killed, and it forced thousands more into exile including here in Ontario - home to one of the largest Tamil diasporas in the world. Host Jeyan Jeganathan speaks with members of the Tamil diaspora and looks back at the horrific events and how it has shaped future generations.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The summer season in Ontario brings with it rainstorms - and flooding. One common afterthought is the effect on our sewage systems, which can overflow and become a multi-thousand dollar problem. Steve Paikin talks to Barbara Robinson, better known as ,the sewer lady,, about how to reduce flooding and the costs associated with it.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2022 weather events accounted for $3.1 billion of insured losses in Canada. That's up from just $40 million in 2008. And in the last three years, house insurance prices in Canada have gone up 14 per cent. Is Canada becoming uninsurable? Do we need to change how we build homes and even where we build them? And what does this mean for the housing crisis? The Agenda examines the growing climate risk in this country.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the past two decades, farmers in the Niagara Region have taken the issue of water scarcity into their own hands. Even though the region is surrounded by Lake Ontario, the Welland Canal, Niagara River and Lake Erie, getting water to tender fruit and grapes has always been a challenge and climate change is only exacerbating the problem. The Niagara Peninsula produces over 90 per cent of Ontario's tender fruit and according to local farmers and politicians, that could be at risk if investments in irrigation infrastructure are not taken seriously. Field reporter Jeyan Jeganathan takes a look at the race to irrigate Niagara.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.