Greater Sudbury Northern Life Reporter Bill Bradley
Northern Ontario's resource economy will be the next focus of TVO's flagship show, The Agenda, said host Steve Paikin.
“We will be in Sault Ste. Marie for a two-day interactive event Sunday and Monday, November 16 and 17, examining issues pertinent to the north,” said Paikin.
Forestry, steelmaking and mining, key economic drivers in the north, will be highlighted.
Rick Grylls, president of Mine Mill and Smelter Workers Local 598/CAW, will take part. TVO staff are looking into contacting members of Greater Sudbury's mining cluster, such as Dick DeStefano, executive director of SAMSSA.
The Agenda, in its third season, is the flagship current affairs show for the non- profit television network.
The five traveling road shows are all about the massive economic shift taking place in Ontario.
“Our mandate is to engage our viewers in the biggest issues of our times every night, five days of the week, at 8 p.m.,” said Paikin.
“We went to Windsor last month where we had a good discussion about dealing with the economic problems with the auto industry. A lot of ideas came out on how to diversify the economy there."
As part of the interactive nature, a community forum was held in Windsor.
“People got so engaged they even decided to meet later on in order to set up committees to investigate possible options for the city,” said Paikin.
The same forum, called AgendaCamp, will take place Sunday at Sault College for a day long session with members of the community. Participants will shoot video, take pictures and blog their comments.
The following day, The Agenda with Steve Paikin: On the Road will welcome guest experts to discuss and debate the future of the north's resource sector with a live broadcast at 8 p.m. from the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre.
Sault Ste. Marie was chosen as the site because the city is central to steel making, and has forestry and mining operations in the vicinity, said Paikin.
“The Soo is in the middle of it all. That's why we chose it. But really the show is about all of Northern Ontario,” he said.
The Agenda is now seen all over the world by Internet users, said Paikin.
“I got feedback from all over the world about the Windsor show.”
Future shows will be held in Waterloo on March 29 concerning innovation and in Kingston January 18 regarding rural agricultural economies.
