The Rundown

The world has just observed the one-year anniversary of Russia's illegal attack on Ukraine. Accurate estimates are hard to come by, but the estimates are that 200,000 Russian soldiers, 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers, and 30,000 Ukrainian civilians have died. For an assessment of where things stand and what's needed to bring the war to an end, we welcome veteran journalist Diane Francis, who has visited Ukraine dozens of times.

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The Agenda's week in review begins considering the fate of the Line 5 pipeline. Then, why can it be harder for adults to make new friends? Why are more permanent residents to Canada not becoming citizens? And what is the history of blackface in Canada?

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A shortage of Black-led and Black-serving social infrastructure spaces in north Etobicoke Scarborough where Somalis predominantly live has led to the creation of the Somali Centre for Culture and Recreation. Now all the group needs is a permanent location to serve the community. TVO's diversity reporter Vicky Mochama discusses the progress on that goal.

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Lawrence Hill's "Beatrice and Croc Harry," is a novel for tweens that's full of fantasy, adventure, and wordplay with underlying themes of segregation, racism, identity and belonging. The award-winning Canadian author talks to Nam Kiwanuka about why he chose to write a children's book, how he wove in those themes, and how the approach differs from crafting adult fiction.

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Earlier this month, we had a discussion on the effort to preserving the Negro Creek Road sign and Black heritage in rural Ontario. Tonight, two community organizers share stories about the Black pioneers in Grey County and why they want more people to learn about this history.

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Good friends are among the greatest gifts we get in life. But the more we age, the harder it can be to meet friends and make connections. Are platonic relationships undervalued in our society? Is it harder for men to maintain friendships? Can Gen-Z no longer make friends at work? Four experts share their insights on these questions and talk friendship.

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Canada set ambitious new immigration targets recently. But numbers just out from Statistics Canada suggest that while the country may attract plenty of newcomers, it doesn't seem to be doing such a good job keeping them. Daniel Bernhard is the CEO of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, tells us more.

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Nearly one year ago, Putin launched an invasion in Ukraine that made the world wonder if a third world war was on the horizon. This week, Putin's anniversary speech indicated that he shows no signs of easing up, and he announced Russia's suspension of its participation in the New START nuclear arms treaty. On the same day, President Biden gave a speech in Poland assuring Ukraine that it will continue to have support from the U.S. We welcome Ian Garner, author of "Stalingrad Lives: Stories of Combat and Survival," and "Z Generation: Into the Heart of Russia's Fascist Youth," to discuss Putin's speech and whether there are any signs that the war will end.

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It may come as a surprise to some, but Canada has a long and deep history with blackface. To take us through that history, we welcome Cheryl Thompson, associate professor of Performance at Toronto Metropolitan University.

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An ongoing standoff between the U.S. State of Michigan and Canada over Enbridge's Line 5 will likely be on the agenda for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's meeting with President Joe Biden in March. Experts in Michigan, Calgary, Quebec, and Ontario discuss developments related to ageing pipeline, what the two leaders should address, the environmental transition underway in Canada and abroad, the safety of the Great Lakes, the ripple effects disruptions to Line 5 could have, all against a backdrop of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its impacts on global energy supply and markets.

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