Timid CEOs; Endless war in Syria; Steve Earle; Fall in Vermont

The CEOs of Canada's largest companies are sitting on billions, rather than investing in the economy - Michael's essay: Here's an excerpt: "This allegation isn't coming from some upstart startup run by nerds in linty sweaters and sneakers without socks. Deloitte is the largest business services network in the world, with revenues this year of $36.8 billion."

Is there a solution to the crisis in Syria?  As the civil war grinds on, the humanitarian crisis grows. There are so many players, it's hard to keep up with who's fighting who. For a clear and passionate explanation of the Syrian tragedy, Michael turns to three guests: Father Nadim Nassar, the only Syrian priest in the Church of England, and co-founder of The Awareness Foundation, a charitable peace group that addresses religious violence; Barbara Slavin, author and  acting director of the Future of Iran Initiative at the Atlantic Council in Washington; and Dr. Samantha Nutt, founder and executive director of War Child Canada.

Country music star, writer and actor Steve Earle tours to help refugees: Of all the outlaws country music has produced, Steve Earle has always been among the most willing to put himself on the opposite side of popular opinion. He fought the death penalty, and was a vocal critic of America's "war on terror" and its wars abroad. Now, on the 30th anniversary of his seminal debut album, "Guitar Town", he has taken up the cause of refugees from Africa and the Middle East.

Music this week by: The Rakish Angles, Franz Schubert, guitarist Margaret Stowe, Steve Earle and Shawn Colvin, Aaron Davis, the Bramwell Tovey Trio.