On Civil Society

Join the conversation.
With a new lineup of programs and new ways to get involved, our On Civil Society series pushes boundaries, explores our differences, and takes you deeper into the issues affecting our world today.
Conversations this season focus on local, national and international issues and perspectives featuring leading experts and thinkers from all over the world on the most critical topics of our time. All our On Civil Society programs are presented on the TPL Culture channel on Crowdcast. Tune in for the live conversations or enjoy on-demand replays.
NEW for this year
We’re casting a spotlight on two new On Civil Society streams that invite you to learn more, get involved and take action. Explore our Climate and Democracy series.
On Civil Society: Climate

Our Climate series focuses on the issues our planet is facing and explores what these changes mean for humans and our natural environment. Featuring programs, discussions and topics that delve deep into the environment and climate change.
Watch replays of past programs in our Climate series
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Climate – Waves of Plastic: Fighting Ocean Pollution
A panel conversation featuring experts from around the world who are on the frontlines of studying the impact and attempting to counter the effects of plastic pollution in our oceans.
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Climate – The Changing Arctic: Community, Security, Nature
A panel of experts on the Arctic explore the immense changes in the Far North as ice caps melt, and discuss the implications for communities there, for Canada broadly and for the rest of the world.
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Climate – Alexandra Morton: Not on My Watch
Alexandra Morton talks about her book, Not On My Watch, the interplay of science and activism at the forefront of her work, and the role wild salmon plays in maintaining a delicate balance in our ecosystem.
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Climate – Invaders of the Great Lakes: A Virtual Workshop
Learn about the different species of Asian carps, their arrival in North America and how to aid in the prevention of these invasive species.
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Climate – Frauke Bagusche: Blue, Blue Wonder
Marine biologist, diver and author Frauke Bagusche talks about her fascinating new book, The Blue Wonder, and shares her intimate account of the beauty, mystery and amazing science of the ocean.
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Climate – Jill Heinerth: What I Saw in the Deep
Underwater explorer, filmmaker and bestselling author Jill Heinerth talks about her riveting book, Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver, in conversation with journalist Anne Lagacé-Dowson
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Climate – The Plastic Lake: Fighting Plastic Pollution in Lake Ontario
The Plastic Lake: A panel conversation about monitoring, cleaning and fighting the impacts of plastic pollution in Lake Ontario, with expert guests Kennedy Bucci, Rochelle Byrne, Sam Athey and Mark Mattson.
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Climate – Giulio Boccaletti: Water: A Biography
Author and scientist Giulio Boccaletti talks about his book, Water: A Biography, and discusses humanity's history, reliance on, and relationship to water. In conversation with journalist Anne Lagacé Dowson.
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Climate – Rising Waters, Vanishing Lands
A panel conversation focused on the impacts of rising water levels and vanishing lands on people and places. Featuring expert guests Merrell-Ann Phare, Goneri Le Cozannet, Randy Angus and Michael Miltenberger.
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Climate - Indigenous Cities for a Sustainable Future
A panel conversation with Indigenous architects from Tkaronto/Toronto, Aotearoa/New Zealand and Rapa Nui/Easter Island who apply ancestral ingenuity to their craft.
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Climate - Tree Cities International
Experts working in the international field of urban ecology discuss the use of trees in modern (and ancient) ecological and scientific urban planning practices.
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Climate - Urban Planning and Environmental Racism
A panel discussion about the impact of environmental racism in the planning and development of our cities and the related displacement of Black and Indigenous communities in the creation of our urban infrastructure.
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Urban ecology experts in Ontario discuss tree usage in modern ecological and scientific urban planning practices.
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Letter from City Librarian Vickery Bowles
On Civil Society: Democracy

Our Democracy series features a wide variety of programs which explore how democracy is changing. Conversations include leading experts and thinkers from around the world, and local perspectives and organizations fighting to make our democracy transparent and fair. These programs, discussions and topics range from how democracy functions at the neighbourhood level to the changing role of democracy across entire continents.
Watch replays of past programs in our Democracy series
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Kate Aronoff: Can Democracy Prevent Climate Catastrophe
Journalist and author Kate Aronoff talks about her book, Over Heated, and explores the global climate challenges in conversation with Sanjay Ruparelia.
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Edward Luce: The Persistent Crisis of Western Liberalism
Edward Luce, US national editor and columnist of the Financial Times, explores how the liberal democratic compact that oriented the west following the Cold War continues to face serious dangers – and what can be done to revive its prospects. In conversation with Sanjay Ruparelia.
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Masha Gessen: Navalny vs Putin
Award-winning author and journalist Masha Gessen discusses The Future is History and examines the trajectory and prospects of democracy in Russia, in conversation with Sanjay Ruparelia.
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Rashid Khalidi: The Crisis of Arab Democracy and Palestine
Historian and political commentator, Rashid Khalidi, discusses his book, The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine, in conversation with Sanjay Ruparelia.
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Jonathan Manthorpe: Restoring Democracy
Journalist and author Jonathan Manthorpe discusses his book, Restoring Democracy, and potential steps we can collectively take to encourage a more resilient, inclusive and tolerant democracy.
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Tom Nichols: Our Own Worst Enemy
Author, professor and columnist Tom Nichols discusses his new book, Our Own Worst Enemy: The Assault from within on Modern Democracy, and the divisive nature that is permeating in current democratic society
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Linda Colley: How War Shaped Constitution-Making and Spread (and Limited) Rights
Critically-acclaimed historian Linda Colley discusses constitutional democracies and her book, The Gun, The Ship and the Pen, in conversation with Sanjay Ruparelia.
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Charles Taylor: How Democracies Degenerate
Charles Taylor explores the sources of degeneration in our democracies today and talks about his latest book, in conversation with Sanjay Ruparelia.
How to Get Involved
Built into many of our events are opportunities for you to engage with our guests, topics, each other and organizations around the world.
Learn from some of Toronto’s most important organizations who are working to protect our water, air, land and animals. Check out events with linked Field Trips that will give you the opportunity to participate and engage with other Torontonians who want to get involved in issues that matter.
Civil Forum
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TPL’s Civil Forums take place before or after select events, providing the audience with a virtual space and voice to participate in the discussion.
Audience members are invited to share opinions and personal stories related to our event topics, to listen and learn, and to provide experience, education or expertise on the topic. Guest moderators field your questions, share your comments and stories, and open up the floor to your insights and opinions in the hopes of sparking further engagement and conversations. All are welcome.
Past Civil Forums
- Civil Forum: Drug Use for Grownups
- Civil Forum: A Complex Exile - Homelessness in Canada
- Civil Forum: Basic Income
Reading List
On-Demand
Enjoy conversations that explore democracy, civic engagement and the exchange of ideas.
Videos
Check out Live & Online events from our On Civil Society series and watch replays of past events you may have missed on the TPL Culture channel on Crowdcast, including these featured programs you can enjoy on-demand:
- Tom Nichols: Our Own Worst Enemy
- Revolutionizing the Rural
- Fulfillment and the Future of Work
- Jonathan Manthorpe: Restoring Democracy
- Big Tech, Monopolies and Imagining Alternatives
- Watching, Listening, and Learning: Feeding the Marketing Algorithms
You can also explore our On Civil Society YouTube playlist.
Podcasts
Listen to these featured episodes, and discover more captivating conversations and archived recordings on our Live Mic and Writers Off the Page podcast series.