The Rundown

Ottawa was the first municipality in Canada to declare an emergency due to homelessness, back in January 2020. Since then, it's only become worse. Kaite Burkholder Harris, executive director of the Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa discusses her findings from a new report on what needs to be done to address the emergency.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canadian musical icon and cultural ambassador Gordon Lightfoot died this week at age 84. Music journalis Alan Cross and Maripos Festival president Pam Carter discuss his life and legacy.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is a testament to what's possible in this country, and to the strength and brilliance of an individual, that someone could be born a refugee in a camp in Germany after the Second World War and yet one day, sit on the Supreme Court of Canada. That seemingly impossible journey is the subject of a new film, called "Without Precedent: The Supreme Life of Rosalie Abella." To discuss the film, we welcome now retired Supreme Court justice Rosalie Abella; and the documentary's producer, director, and writer Barry Avrich.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The devastation of the opioid crisis has touched every part of this country, and so far, shows little sign of abating. Physician and Giller Prize-winning novelist, Vincent Lam, dissects the crisis at a personal and professional level in his new novel, "On the Ravine."

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent data shows the average scores of Grade 12 students have risen significantly in the past 15 years. Universities in Ontario have seen an increase in applicants with averages over 90 per cent. Experts have speculated that such a spike could be resulting from educational changes like de-streaming and the growth of online learning, a shifting perceived value of post-secondary education, or a new generation of tech-savvy students. Are students just smarter, or working harder? Is grade inflation damaging? If grades no longer distinguish students, what will?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gordon Lightfoot wrote the soundtrack to a certain era of Canadian history. But his music and songwriting, while entirely of this country, transcended eras, genres, and international borders as one of Canada's first true global superstars. He left this world with tour dates still on the books, hardly slowing down even in his mid 80s. To reflect on that incredible musical legacy, we welcome: Pam Carter, president of the Mariposa Folk Foundation and the chair of the Festival Organizing Group; and Alan Cross, music journalist and host of the radio program "The Ongoing History of New Music," on Toronto FM radio station 102.1 The Edge.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Religion clearly plays a diminished role in Canadian society compared to even a few decades ago. But new polling suggests the reasons for that aren't entirely obvious, or what you might expect. In fact, it's not even clear that people connect God and religion as they once did. For insight, we welcome: Sarah Kathleen Johnson, professor of liturgy and pastoral theology at Saint Paul's University;
Alyshea Cummins, instructor of religion in the College of Humanities at Carleton University; and Michael Higgins, inaugural Basilian Distinguished Fellow of Contemporary Catholic Thought at the University of St. Michael's College.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a landlord or tenant has an issue, they can apply for a hearing at the Landlord and Tenant Board. But for years now, the waitlist for a hearing has been many months long. Why is there still such a backlog? And what does it means for landlords and tenants seeking justice? For insight, we welcome: Varun Sriskanda, board member for the Small Ownership Landlords of Ontario;
Geordie Dent, executive director of Federation of Metro Tenants Associations; Kathy Laird, retired human rights lawyer and adjudicator and a spokesperson for Tribunal Watch Ontario; Gloria Salomon, CEO of Preston Group and vice-chair of the Federation of Rental-housing Providers of Ontario.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ontario's latest housing bill is called the Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act. But does it actually do enough to keep tenants in secure housing? The Agenda discusses the changes in the bill, especially to rental replacement bylaws. With guests: Tony Irwin, president and CEO Federation of Rental-housing Providers of Ontario; Carolyn Whitzman, housing researcher and Adjunct Geography Professor at the University of Ottawa.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People around the world look to Canada as a pathway to a better life. They spend thousands of dollars to come here, often employing immigration agents to help navigate what can be a complicated process. But as the experience recently of some international students who are facing deportation shows, there are several ways the process can go wrong. For insight on how to safeguard people and the system from fraud, we welcome Jack Kim, partner at the immigration law firm, Fragomen; Kim Ly, founder and principal of Borders Immigration Consultancy; and Nicholas Keung, Toronto Star immigration reporter.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.