The Rundown

The Ford government is ending Ontario's tuition freeze, which has been in place since 2019. Colleges and universities will be allowed to raise fees by up to two per cent a year, for the next three years. The Ontario Student Assistance Program - better known as OSAP - is changing too. What was once mostly grants will now be mostly loans. The province says the current system isn't sustainable. But will higher tuition actually help colleges and universities facing a funding crunch? And can students afford to take on even more debt? We break down what these changes could mean for the future of higher education in Ontario.

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How is Canada directly and indirectly connected to cartel violence in Mexico, and what responsibility comes with those links?

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Toronto's long-awaited Eglinton Crosstown (Line 5) is finally open-joining the newly launched Finch West LRT after years of delays and billions over budget. In this episode of The Rundown, we examine what these new transit lines mean for getting around the city, whether they'll reduce car use, and what planners must learn to avoid repeating past mistakes. Andy Takagi, transportation reporter at the Toronto Star, breaks down the impact of Toronto's newest LRT projects. We also explore the hidden costs of car-centric cities with Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon, co-authors of "Life After Cars: Freeing Ourselves from the Tyranny of the Automobile" and hosts of The War on Cars podcast.

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Will Prime Minister Mark Carney's upcoming trip to India mark a turning point after years of strained relations and lay the groundwork for a major trade deal? The visit also raises tough questions about diplomacy, security, and trust. Then, what do the rapidly escalating developments in Iran mean for regional stability and global security?

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The end of the New START treaty has removed the last limits on the world's largest nuclear arsenals. As a long time advocate for arms control and nuclear non proliferation, what is Canada's role in an increasingly uncertain world? Then, we trace the history of uranium mining in Ontario.

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Sociologist and extremism researcher Amarnath Amarasingam helps us make sense of a world that seems increasingly primed for radicalization. In Part One, he digs into the psychology of extremism, and how identity, community, meaning, and certainty can become powerful pulls in an anxious and fragmented world. Then, what can be done more broadly to combat loneliness?

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Author Amil Niazi discusses her book, "Life After Ambition," about opting out of obsessive career goals. Then, exploring the trend toward Gen Z workers rejecting the career ladder and corporate norms.

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If you think human trafficking is rare in Canada, think again. Between 2014 and 2024, police reported more than 5,000 cases, according to Statistics Canada. Some of the highest rates were right here in Ontario. Most victims were women and girls, many under the age of 25. Human trafficking may represent a small share of police-reported crime, but its impact on marginalized communities is profound. So what's really happening in Ontario? And, why does it keep happening?

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The Rundown examines the allegations against the Toronto police officers involved in Project South, what happens next in the case, and the broader implications for public trust in policing. It also looks beyond Ontario, using a global corruption index to assess how public-sector corruption is perceived internationally and where Canada ranks.

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National security expert Dennis Molinaro joins us to discuss his new book, "Under Assault: Interference and Espionage in China's Secret War Against Canada." In it, Molinaro uncovers five decades of efforts by the People's Republic of China to influence Canadian politics, infiltrate institutions, and quietly shape decisions that reach far beyond our borders.

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