The federal government has unveiled a two-billion-dollar AI strategy aimed at boosting jobs, skills training, and business growth, alongside plans to build large-scale AI data centres powered by clean energy. But as these projects move into communities, opposition is mounting. Recent protests in Hamilton and an Angus Reid poll showing 68 per cent of Canadians would oppose a data centre near their home raise questions about public buy-in. With roughly 100 data centres already in Ontario, do more bring opportunity or risk? We examine the concerns and separate fact from fiction with Kathleen Kauth of the Advanced Energy Centre at MaRS and Mark Winfield of York University.

Hosted by Jeyan Jeganathan, The Rundown delivers original journalism and in-depth analysis of the social, political, cultural, and economic issues that shape life in Ontario. Each episode focuses on one topic that’s making headlines, examining it from different angles and through diverse points of view — providing the context you need to understand what’s happening in the province and around the world.

<p data-renderer-start-pos="1">Hosted by Jeyan Jeganathan, The Rundown delivers original journalism and in-depth analysis of the social, political, cultural, and economic issues that shape life in Ontario. Each episode focuses on one topic that&rsquo;s making headlines, examining it from different angles and through diverse points of view &mdash; providing the context you need to understand what&rsquo;s happening in the province and around the world.</p>

Hosted by Jeyan Jeganathan, The Rundown delivers original journalism and in-depth analysis of the social, political, cultural, and economic issues that shape life in Ontario. 

The Rundown

Are Data Centres Taking Over?

Politicians have been promising high-speed rail in Canada for decades, and with a new federal plan now on the table, questions remain about whether it will finally move forward and what it means for communities along the route. Jeff Leal, mayor of Peterborough, and Bonnie Clark, warden for Peterborough County, join us. Then, the rapid rise of e-bikes is transforming how people get around, embraced by commuters and delivery drivers but raising new safety concerns as well. With the province now considering updated rules of the road, Michael Longfield, executive director of Cycle Toronto, weighs in on how to balance accessibility, convenience, and public safety.

How Do High-Speed Rail and E-Bikes Fit into Ontario's Future?

What happens when the spaces people rely on to connect outside of home and work begin to disappear? The idea of the "third place," first defined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg, points to the everyday settings that foster community and belonging, and experts say they remain critical to health and happiness. Debbie Laliberte Rudman of Western University, urban planner Corey Horowitz of DIALOG, and cultural programmer Said Yassin examine how these spaces shape social life and what is at risk as cities evolve. Then, a fight to save one of Toronto's most recognizable gathering spots brings that question into focus, as organizers mobilize petitions and pack city hall committee rooms to protect the iconic dive bar Sneaky Dee's, with general manager George Diamantouros on the front lines of a battle over what the city stands to lose.

What Happens When Community Spaces Vanish?

As conditions in Cuba worsen, President Donald Trump's intentions toward the island remain unclear, raising questions about what happens next and what role Canada should play. Mark Entwistle, Canada's ambassador to Cuba from 1993 to 1997 and now a senior fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, joins us. Then, the ripple effects closer to home as Ontario's small but longstanding Cuban diaspora reflects on the crisis, with roots dating back to the 1800s. A trip to Niagara brings one man's journey into focus and sheds light on what people on the island are facing today.

Are Data Centres Taking Over?

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