Blue Skies Podcast with Erin O'Toole

In this episode, I sit down with J.D.M. Stewart, author of The Prime Ministers, to talk about Canada’s history, leadership, and how we understand our national identity today. We discuss the legacy of past prime ministers, including figures like Sir John A. Macdonald, Robert Borden, and Louis Saint Laurent, and how their records are being revisited in modern debates. The conversation explores how C...

Erin is joined by Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce to discuss his Energy for Generations plan and broader developments in the electricity sector. They explore Ontario's pioneering efforts in nuclear energy, specifically the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) in Darlington. They also discuss critical minerals, grid security,  modernization of the electricity distributi...

In a special Remembrance Day Blue Skies Podcast, Texture Communications President Melanie Paradis hosts Blue Skies and guides Erin through a heartwarming conversation about some of the inspiring Canadian Veterans he met as a Minister and MP. He tells their stories of service and of sacrifice with some tender moments in war with the kindness of a Canadian soldier to the horrors of war that Veterans...

In this episode of Blue Skies, Erin speaks with James Scongack from Bruce Power to talk about the momentum for nuclear energy in Canada and around the world. They also discuss the innovative public-private partnership model of Bruce Power, mitigating construction risks with big projects and the recent expansion of medical isotope production at Bruce in partnership with Indigenous communities.  

In this episode of Blue Skies, Erin is joined by Senator Peter Boehm, who served as the Canadian ‘Sherpa’ for the last Canadian hosted G7 in 2018. Boehm provides a behind-the-scenes look at how these diplomatic summits take place and how Canada prepares to succeed during the Kananaskis G7 summit. Senator Boehm shares his perspective on everything from trade tensions to multilateral diplomacy to Ar...

In this episode, Erin is joined by Dr. Elizabeth Buchanan, Senior Fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and Polar expert, for a conversation on the growing importance of the polar regions from the Arctic and Antarctic, and how countries like Canada and Australia can deepen partnerships amid this era of geopolitical realignment. The also discuss the increasingly controversial AUKUS ag...

In this episode, Erin is joined by Admiral Mark Norman to discuss the evolving landscape of Canada's defence at a time when the United States is walking away from its role as our key ally and security partner. They explore key issues around national security, military spending, and the challenges of maintaining our sovereignty in the Arctic. Admiral Norman shares his perspective on Canada’s shipbu...

On this episode, Erin is joined by Vass Bednar, public policy expert, podcast host, and co-author of The Big Fix, for a wide-ranging conversation on competition law and anti-trust issues in an age of technological and geopolitical change. They also discuss affordability issues and how different generations of Canadians view the Canadian economy differently.  Vass shares her unique insights on high...

Erin is joined by four-time Grey Cup champion Tim Fleiszer to talk about his professional sports journey and transition into a leading Canadian advocate on brain injury with the Concussion Legacy Foundation. They discuss the growing challenge Veterans are facing with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and the wider need for education and better treatment options for people living with a brain injury.

Erin is joined by Darrell Bricker, one of Canada's most respected pollsters and thought leaders. Co-Author of The Big Shift, Darrell discusses the decline of the "Laurentian consensus" (a term coined in that book) and the shifting political and cultural landscape as Justin Trudeau leaves office. They also discuss the acute crisis of Canadian identity and how changing demographics and a decade of i...

Erin is joined by the Hon. Ed Fast, the MP for Abbotsford and former Trade Minister who led the Harper government’s ambitious trade agenda. They talk about Ed’s work on growing markets in Europe and Asia and the global shift away from liberalized trade to more managed trade given US-China relations. They also tackle issues like the Foreign Investment Protection Agreement (FIPA) that Canada signed...

In this episode of Blue Skies, Erin is joined by Jim Leech, former CEO of the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and a well-respected voice on business issues, to discuss the current debate about whether governments should mandate public pension plans like the CPP to invest more in Canada. They explore the development of the 'Canadian Model' for pension governance and why it has gained international a...

MP Alicia Kearns, the Chair of the United Kingdom's Foreign Affairs Select Committee, joins Blue Skies to discuss the AUKUS alliance, the war in Ukraine, the Balkans, China and the need for democracies to stand against foreign interference. The conversation with MP Kearns provides an interesting view on geopolitics and how one of Canada’s closest allies views the state of our defence spending and...

Erin is joined by Robert Baines, the President of the NATO Association of Canada to discuss the importance of the NATO alliance as it marks 75 years of providing peace and security for its members. They discuss the role of Canada in the alliance and how NATO helped usher in the post-WWII era of prosperity and opportunity. They also discuss risks facing the alliance today ranging from the war in Uk...

Erin is joined by long-serving Liberal MP John McKay to talk about his decades of work on international development and defence issues in the House of Commons.  Ahead of the annual Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada conference in Toronto, they discuss the impact of Canada's new law to help prevent forced and child labour from being part of Canadian supply chains.  The impact of thi...

A special Blue Skies to mark the second anniversary of the war in Ukraine. Hon. Erin O’Toole gives his quick take on the war, and explains why it’s time to reconfirm support and counter the complacency

Blue Skies returns and continues its series on the important role of nuclear energy in our economic and environmental future. Dr. Chris Keefer, the President of Canadians for Nuclear Energy, joins Erin to discuss his own nuclear ‘conversion’ and how his advocacy is educating Canadians and changing the public policy debate. They discuss Canadian industry advancements from Small Modular Reactors and...

Before finishing up as Durham MP, Erin interviewed two leaders to talk about the continued growth of nuclear for Canada’s lower emission future and the tremendous innovation and economic activity across Canada. He welcomed Bill Walker, President of the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries as well as Rory O'Sullivan, the President of Moltex who is leveraging technology to the issue of waste...

Erin is joined by Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter to discuss the rising challenges facing cities in North America with addiction, mental health and homelessness levels peaking along with public frustration. Dan speaks about his own struggles with addiction and homelessness and how he tries to bring compassion alongside the leadership needed to make tough decisions to balance wellness and public safety.

Historian Ted Barris sat down with Erin to talk about his new book covering the longest WWII battle - the Battle of the Atlantic - and Canada’s contributions to this critical battle that forged the foundation of the North Atlantic alliance we know today. Canadian heroism and perseverance as told in “Battle of the Atlantic: Gauntlet to Victory”.

Erin is joined by the Hon. Gary Mar, CEO of the Canada West Foundation to take economic priorities for western Canada. A former Alberta Minister, Diplomat, Business and Thought Leader, Gary shares his perspective on the role Canada can play in global energy and food security and how respect for western interests will help build a strong and prosperous Canada.   Like, subscribe, and share the Blue...

Erin is joined by James Scongack, Executive Vice-President at Bruce Power. James shares his perspective as a corporate leader in this renewed interest and understanding about nuclear energy and its importance to our climate change goals. They also discuss the innovative private sector approach at Bruce Power and how the industry is regulated. They conclude by touching on innovations in the sector...

Erin welcomes Daniel Hannan, a member of the UK House of Lords and a well-known conservative commentator. They discuss the last few years of upheaval in the UK Tory party and the challenges of governing in a pandemic. They also touch on the Labour Party's lead in the polls and public views towards Brexit six years after the UK voted to leave the EU.

Erin welcomes back Canadian-Ukrainian military expert Ihor Kozak for an update on the war in Ukraine. Ihor discusses Ukraine's successes in taking back territory, and explains why supplying tanks and other equipment will be critical to withstanding Putin’s offensives this spring. They also tackle the issue of Russian trolls and the Kremlin’s disinformation machine, including how you can protect yo...

Erin was a guest on Canadian Defence Review’s podcast for a wide-ranging discussion on the changing global security balance and the need for Canada to have a more strategic approach to defence and our role in the world. They discuss the war in Ukraine, cyber warfare, the Arctic and a range of challenges the Canadian Armed Forces will face in the future. This podcast was recorded in September 2022.