Relations between Canada and Indigenous Peoples have certainly evolved since The Agenda first began covering these issues in 2006. There was Stephen Harper's historic apology to former students of Residential Schools in 2008. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission that followed, led by the late Senator Murray Sinclair. The Idle No More movement of the early 2010s. And much more. As we mark National Indigenous History Month, we thought we'd look back at some of these flashpoints in our history, and find out how much progress has been made. From Kanesatake First Nation, council
Chief Serge Simon; Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Chair on Truth and Reconciliation at Lakehead University; Karyn Pugliese, journalist and instructor at Carleton University; and Riley Yesno, PhD candidate in political science and Indigenous studies at the University of Toronto, join Steve Paikin to discuss.Chief Serge Simon; Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Chair on Truth and Reconciliation at Lakehead University; Karyn Pugliese, journalist and instructor at Carleton University; and Riley Yesno, PhD candidate in political science and Indigenous studies at the University of Toronto, join Steve Paikin to discuss.

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

How Much Progress Has Canada Made on Indigenous Relations?

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.

Could Surveillance Pricing Be the Future in Ontario?

Who controls the systems that shape Canada's security, and how prepared are we for what comes next? We examine the growing use of unmanned aerial vehicles, asking what role Canada plays in developing drone technology, whether low-cost UAVs are changing modern defence, and what capacity the country may be lacking. Katheron Intson, CEO and co-founder of Sentinel R&D, explains where Canada fits and what closing those gaps would require.

We then look to the past to better understand the present. At the Canadian Tank Museum in Oshawa, we explore what historic military vehicles reveal about Canada's wartime contributions, industrial support, and long-standing approach to defence.

And beyond the battlefield, who controls our security online? In this episode of TVO Today's Unravelled, we ask what we give up when we agree to digital terms and conditions, who gains access to that information, and what meaningful protection of our digital lives would look like.

How Much Progress Has Canada Made on Indigenous Relations?

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