The Agenda with Steve Paikin (Audio)

Rita Miceli discusses her experience raising her autistic child. Tech expert Sinead Bovell on Canada's AI future. Have strong mayor powers made a difference? And, Mandi Gray discusses her book, "Suing for Silence."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the rise of the #MeToo movement, activists noticed an increase in a new tool to fight against allegations of sexual assault. Some men accused of misconduct have turned to defamation lawsuits as a way to protect their career and reputation. Does Canadian law make it too easy for men to sue their accusers? Is this the new avenue to litigate sexual assault cases? Mandi Gray explores these questions in her new book, "Suing for Silence: Sexual Violence and Defamation Law."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sudbury, Ont., has a complicated past. Settlers came to the area with the building of the railway, but the mining and logging industries made the area so toxic that not even shrubs or grasses could grow. But over the last half-century, governments, researchers and the industries themselves have been working to bring natural life back-and it's only halfway done. In this episode, contributor Warren Schlote describes how Sudbury became a desolate wasteland. We'll meet one of the people who has led the 'regreening' process, and hear about how some unresolved industrial damage is harming marginalized people to this day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once upon a time, every Ontario mayor got elected by winning the majority of votes across their municipality. But when it came time to vote at council, they had just one vote like every other councillor. Not so anymore. A little over a year and a half ago, the Ontario government gave the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa so-called strong mayor powers. It meant that under certain circumstances, these mayors could override council votes that they'd actually lost. Today, 46 mayors in total have those extra powers. How's it all working out? Well, we've gathered three of the 46 here to find out: Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath; Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward; and Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We don't often get significant new books on former prime ministers, let alone on two in the same book. But from 1958 to 1968, Canada got two of its most noteworthy PMs. Journalist John Ibbitson's new book is called, "The Duel: Diefenbaker, Pearson and the Making of Modern Canada." Steve Paikin caught up with him in the House of Commons.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the years, Timothy Garton Ash has seen a lot of European history, and now the Oxford University professor has written a book on his first-hand travels through Europe's history, some of which was apparently subversive enough that the Stasi - the East German spy service - had a file on him. The book is called "Homelands: A Personal History of Europe," and it's won the 2024 Lionel Gelber Prize for the best book on foreign affairs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In late 2022, generative AI, like ChatGPT, shook the world and called into question what these advancements meant for our collective future. What impact would it have on the way we work? Was it being used ethically? Should schools be banning its use? Many of these questions remain. Here to give us an update on whether Canada is ready to tackle its future with AI is Canadian futurist Sinead Bovell, founder of tech education company, WAYE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former national news anchor Lloyd Robertson gives us his thoughts on the importance of media literacy and what news sources you should trust and why.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ontario's recent budget announced a $60 million increase for autism programming. But with 60,000 kids on the waitlist, will this be enough? Is the current Ontario Autism Program providing autistic youth with the support they need?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Antimicrobial resistance - when germs are no longer responsive to the drugs used to treat them - is a growing concern in public health. It's estimated by 2050, 10 million people could die if new antibiotics are not discovered. Jeyan Jeganathan visits Carleton University where student scientists are hoping to unearth a solution to the global threat.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In "Giaci and Me," Rita Miceli shares the peaks and valleys of her family's journey raising and supporting their son and brother Giaci, who was diagnosed as autistic at the age of two. As a mother, Miceli worked hard to teach her son many skills while as an educator for over 31 years, she's advocated to bring awareness to autism. Her memoir won the Best New Canadian Manuscript award and it is about finding joy, acceptance, and love in the challenges of her perfect, imperfect life. This story tells parents, friends and professionals that they are not alone, and that autism can be worked with.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, The Agenda debated the controversial carbon tax; examined why Ontario criminal court cases are being delayed or dismissed; looked into whether Ontario can be a leader in AI technology; and discussed the Russia Ukraine war with journalist Tim Mak.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does Canada underreport the severity of wealth inequality? That's the conclusion of a new report that says our official statistics severely underestimate how rich the richest Canadians are. To discuss its findings, we're joined by the report's author Dan Skilleter, director of policy at the nonprofit outfit Social Capital Partners. He was once a senior economic advisor to former premier Kathleen Wynne.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The escalating rates of Parkinson's disease both globally, and here in Canada, have led some researchers to warn that it is becoming a pandemic. To help shed light on a disease that still has no cure, we welcome: Dr. Lorraine Kalia, neurologist and senior scientist at the University Health Network's Krembil Brain Institute. She is also an associate professor at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Medicine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Journalist Tim Mak was there on day one of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He was NPR's war correspondent and most recently returned on his own as an independent journalist, founding the newsletter, "The Counteroffensive." From Ukraine news fatigue to how the human stories of the war need to be told, and the recent U.S. aid package, he gives us a glimpse into life in Ukraine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From MarioKart to MMORPGs, video games have come a long way from their rudimentary beginnings. In Western society some people are inventing new coping mechanisms to deal with loss and grief. Andre Stam is a psychotherapist who uses gaming as a way to connect with his young patients; Dale Andersen-Giberson uses Narrative Therapy to rewrite the dominant stories of his clients' lives; Simon Stanton's brother passed away when he was 11 years old and video games became a crucial aspect of his healing; Ryan Couldrey discovered a trove of his dead friend's games; Gabby DaRienzo designed A Mortician's Tale about cremation and funeral preparation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grade 10 student Xavier asks: how will AI effect the creative arts? Film and TV composer Janal Bechthold discusses how artists might adapt to the new technology.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A look at the policies, infrastructure, and people that have made Ontario a top global destination for artificial intelligence research, investment, and talent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pleas are being made to the provincial government to properly fund and staff the Ontario court system as criminal cases are being thrown out due to delays and backlogs. Victims of cases involving domestic violence and sexual assault are speaking out after their trials have been rescheduled several times, resulting in their alleged abusers freely walking away without any consequences. Due to the Jordan decision, trials must be completed within 18 months of charges being laid or 30 months for federal cases. We dig into what is causing delays and how the situation can be solved.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carbon emissions across the country have fallen since the implementation of a federal carbon tax in 2019, but provincial governments are pushing back, saying the program is too costly for residents. Are there alternatives to the policy, or does it simply need to be refined? We ask: Kris Sims of Canadian Taxpayers Federation; and Stewart Elgie of the University of Ottawa.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.