Premier Doug Ford recently declared that he thought it was time for Ontario to start electing judges, ranting against "bleeding heart" jurists and suggesting that all appointments are political. Could tougher judges indeed help fix our system? What's the best way to ensure judicial independence, and who gets to define it?

To discuss, we're joined by

Donna Kellway
President of the Ontario Crown Attorneys' Association

Boris Bytensky
President of the Criminal Lawyers' Association of Ontario

Peter Copeland 
Deputy director of domestic policy at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and former director of policy to the solicitor general of Ontario

and

Shakir Rahim
Director of the criminal justice program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association

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

Does Ontario Actually Need Tougher Judges?

Some transit riders say the experience in Ontario is changing, with more visible drug use and increasingly unpredictable behaviour on buses, streetcars, and subways. But is public transit actually becoming less safe, or are perceptions outpacing the data? And would expanding the powers of special constables improve conditions for riders and staff?

We examine what is known about recent safety concerns, how they are being measured, and what policy responses are under consideration. Andrew Pulsifer, executive director of TTC Riders, David Cooper, principal of Leading Mobility Consulting, and Kelly Aizicowitz, board member at A Better City, discuss the data, the lived experience, and what changes, if any, could make a difference for transit systems and the people who rely on them.

Is Ontario Transit Becoming Less Safe?

What can a rare hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship tell us about broader public health risks, and are there warning signs closer to home that we may be overlooking? After a Dutch vessel was linked to the Andes strain, questions emerge about how such diseases spread, what makes them dangerous, and whether other threats, including tick-borne illnesses, are already taking hold. We examine what is known about hantavirus, how it compares to more familiar risks, and what it could signal about shifting patterns in human and environmental health. Dr. Fahad Razak, an internist and epidemiologist at St. Michael's Hospital, looks at the implications for surveillance, preparedness, and public awareness.

We then turn to a different kind of signal: the ways animals respond to changing conditions. If animals are constantly communicating, what might humans be missing, and could those observations offer insight into environmental change? Amelia Thomas, journalist and author of "What Sheep Think About the Weather," explores how animals interpret their surroundings, what their behaviours might reveal, and whether learning to pay closer attention could deepen our understanding of the forces shaping both animal and human health.

Another Virus to Worry About?

Is surveillance pricing reshaping what Ontarians pay, and what happens when labour protections fail the people they are meant to protect? As affordability and cost of living dominate public concern, the growing use of consumer data to tailor prices raises new questions about fairness, transparency, and oversight. We examine how this practice works, who benefits, and where safeguards may be falling short. Vass Bednar, managing director of the Canadian Shield Institute, looks at the implications of data-driven pricing and how it could affect everyday costs.

We then turn to wage theft, where workers report being paid below minimum wage, paid late, or not paid at all. If these violations are not rare, what does that say about enforcement, and who is most at risk? Ghada Alsharif, immigration and work reporter for the Toronto Star, and Jared Ong, organizer with the Workers' Action Centre, discuss the scope of the problem, the barriers workers face in seeking accountability, and what stronger protections might require.

Does Ontario Actually Need Tougher Judges?

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