Resuming Debate

On this week's episode we have a wide ranging conversation about the state of the Canadian economy with former NDP Member of Parliament Erin Weir and Canadian Taxpayers Federation President CEO, Scott Hennig. We focus on what the longer term economic effects of various pandemic-related economy policies will be and on what to expect on the economic front as we (hopefully) move out of the pandemic....

As all eyes are on the situation in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Church is playing an important role, rooted in its long and diverse history. Unlike in Russia, Ukraine’s religious life is characterized by freedom and pluralism, with various Christian denominations and prominent Jewish and Muslim communities. In this dark hour, faith leaders are serving their country in unique ways. On this week's episod...

For this week's episode of Resuming Debate , I speak with MP Arnold Viersen, my colleague and roommate in Ottawa. Arnold was elected in 2015 and represents the riding of Peace River—Westlock in Northern Alberta. He is the Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) to End Modern Day Slavery & Human Trafficking, and is a vocal advocate against online sexual violence. We dedicate the fi...

On this week’s episode of Resuming Debate, I speak with Andrew Monkhouse, Managing Partner at Monkhouse Law. Andrew founded and runs an employment law firm based in Toronto that serves both employees and employers. We discuss the law around COVID-19 vaccine mandates, getting into the nitty-gritty of how the law applies in different situations and the remedies that are available to people who face...

The "Freedom Convoy" taking place in Ottawa and across Canada has sparked intense debate. What is this new protest movement all about, and what do we do about the mandates that have caused it? Thousands of truckers and other protestors have made their way to our nation’s capital to voice their concerns with the federal government, yet there appear to be some people here with other agendas. For thi...

Today’s episode features a full-length interview with Bill Browder, CEO and co-founder of Hermitage Capital Management and leader of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign. During this interview, we discuss Bill’s book, Red Notice , which is probably one of the best political thriller novels I’ve read in a long time and the story of how Bill became Vladimir Putin’s "No. 1 Enemy". In the wake of inc...

The COVID-19 pandemic is approaching its second birthday. As people and governments think about how we can get back to some level of normalcy, vaccination has become a central part of this discussion. In November 2021, the Government of Canada announced a mandatory vaccination policy for public service workers. For the first half of this episode, I am joined by Stéphane Aubry, the National Vice-Pr...

Today we dive into the inspiring and heartbreaking struggle for freedom in Belarus. I am joined by Valery Kavaleuski, Head of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Cabinet of Representatives and the Cabinet’s Representative of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Kavaleuski provides a fascinating account of Mrs. Tsikhanouskaya’s brave and surprising journey to become the elected and exiled leader of the people of Belarus. M...

Bill 21 in Quebec prevents people from holding certain positions in Quebec’s public service if they wear a visible religious symbol. During the last federal election, a question on Bill 21 during the English leader’s debate provoked significant ire in Quebec and probably had a consequential impact on the overall election outcome. What is going on with Bill 21, and should people outside the provinc...

Today’s episode features an hour-long interview with former Liberal MP, Celina Caesar-Chavannes. Celina served as a Liberal Member of Parliament during the 42nd Parliament for the riding of Whitby in Ontario, as well as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and then to the Minister of International Development. Following the SNC-Lavalin scandal, Celina resigned as a member of the Liberal c...

Every working Canadian has a portion of their income deducted and put towards their pension. This money is then invested by the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB). Today we discuss serious concerns that have been raised about how CPPIB investments in China may be contributing to human rights abuses, as well as steps that we could take to prevent further abuses in the future. For this f...

Today’s episode features three guests; Graydon Nicholas, Maria Lucas, and former Liberal MP, Robert Falcon-Ouellette. Graydon is the former Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick and the first Indigenous person to hold that role. He has had many prominent roles before and since, including President of the Union of New Brunswick Indians and chair of the Native Studies program at St. Thomas University...

This week we discuss euthanasia/MAID – expansions implemented in Bill C-7 (including allowing euthanasia for those with mental health challenges) as well as the likelihood that the government will attempt further expansion in the future. During the first half I speak with Dr. Ramona Coelho about how her medical practice has shaped her views on this topic, and Lia Milousis about her personal story...

On this week’s episode of Resuming Debate, we dive deeply into Bill C-10 and Freedom of Speech in Canada. My guest that I am interviewing today is Michael Geist. Michael is a Canadian academic and author, as well as a professor of law and the Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-commerce Law at the University of Ottawa. In the second half I am joined by Liberal MP Anthony Housefather. Anthony H...

In recent weeks, the government has been rocked by a scandal involving sexual misconduct allegation in the military. How do we both respond to these kinds of problems and also work to rebuild trust in our key institutions? My opening guests are Katie Kitschke and Daniel Gilman. Katie Kitschke is the Executive Director for SAFFRON Centre in Sherwood Park, Alberta, a non-profit organization working...

We are entering a period of heightened conflict between democratic nations and the government of China, for a lot of very serious and important reasons. At the same time, we are seeing heightened anti-Asian racism within our own societies, including here in Canada. Some argue that we should dampen criticism of Chinese state actions in hopes of not contributing to this racism. Others say that the C...

Today we’re going to be discussing the federal budget, with the opening interview featuring Scott Hennig from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, and then I’m very pleased to be joined by Liberal MP John MacKay and former NDP MP Erin Weir for further discussion.