Blue Skies Podcast with Erin O'Toole

Erin welcomes well-known Conservative commentator Tasha Kheiriddin for a discussion on the impact of demographic change on Canadian politics and how Millennial and Gen Z voters are already starting to drive the policy agenda. On issues like housing, inclusion, climate change and many others, these voters have different views from the Baby Boomers and the economy they are facing is also very differ...

In this second of a two-part series on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) and mental health, Erin is joined by Mark Meincke, a Veteran and host of the Operation Tango Romeo podcast focused on trauma recovery. Meincke made national headlines this fall when he revealed that Veterans Affairs Canada had already suggested to several Veterans that they consider MAID on assistance calls that originated w...

In the first of a two-part series on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) and mental health, Erin is joined by Dr. John Maher, a prominent psychiatrist and medical ethics expert. They discuss the risks and ethical issues related to expanding MAID to Canadians with mental injury or illness as the sole basis for the request for MAID and how this major change is dividing mental health professionals. Dr...

Erin is joined by Robert Zoellick, former President of the World Bank and United States Trade Representative, for a discussion on Russia, China and the need for a renewed North American relationship to rise to the challenges facing the democratic world.   Like, subscribe, and share the Blue Skies political podcast to show you support serious and long-form political debate.

General (Retired) Rick Hillier joins Erin for a Remembrance Week discussion. Hillier shares some memories of what inspired him to join the Canadian Armed Forces and reflections on his time as Chief of Defence Staff during the Afghanistan War. They discuss how Canada can continue to remember the fallen and honour the living, including the Veteran-led campaign to have Jess LaRochelle considered for...

Erin sits down with former energy executive, Chris Slubicki. The two discuss issues related to energy scarcity and abundance, and how the Canadian oil and gas sector can play a key role in global energy security – at home and in Europe. Checkout Chris Slubicki’s TED talk here: https://www.ted.com/talks/chris_slubicki_canadian_energy_leadership Like, subscribe, and tell your friends about the Blue...

Erin is joined by Roddy MacKenzie, a Canadian author and historian who travelled to London to join to the long queue of mourners honouring the Queen. Roddy shares his journey and reflects on Queen Elizabeth’s inspiring life of service. They discuss the role of the constitutional monarchy in Canada, the Queen’s special bond with our country and Roddy shares some fascinating anecdotes about the incr...

Erin is joined by Conservative Foreign Affairs critic Michael Chong for a discussion of the important foreign policy issues facing Canada and our allies. From the war in Ukraine to the Taiwan Strait — Erin and Michael explore the world’s geopolitical hotspots and how Canada can play a role in energy security, Arctic security, and economic sanctions to temper aggressions. NOTE: This podcast was rec...

Erin is joined by Dr. Rob Whitley, associate professor of psychiatry at McGill University and research scientist at the Douglas Research Centre. Professor Whitley digs into the acute men’s mental health crisis in Canada. In this episode we learn that men account for more than 75 per cent of suicides in Canada — equivalent to 50 men per week. Men are also more likely to experience addiction and sub...

Dieppe historian David O’Keefe joins Erin for a special commemorative edition of the Blue Skies Podcast. They discuss the challenges of the raid, Canadian bravery on the beach, and the intrigue behind the secret ‘pinch mission’ at the heart of the mission. Spymaster & Bond author Ian Fleming even played a role in this daring mission to break Nazi codes. Lest we forget. Like, subscribe, review...

Erin is joined by Dr. Charles Burton, senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and leading expert on Canada-China relations. Dr. Burton talks about his decades of work on China and how the evolution and ambition of the Chinese Communist Party requires Canada to be far more cautious in all aspects of Canada-China relations. From trade to security, from human rights to the Belt and Road, and...

MP Erin O'Toole is joined by Vincent Rigby and Thomas Juneau co-chairs of “A National Security Strategy for the 2020s” – a ground-breaking report evaluating the threat environment for Canada and recommending a clear strategy to counter these threats. Vincent Rigby is the former national security and intelligence advisor to the Prime Minister and Dr. Thomas Juneau is an associate professor at the U...

Erin is joined by James Akam, a former interpreter for the Canadian Armed Forces in Afghanistan, to discuss his incredible and dangerous journey to freedom in Canada. James talks about his work for Canada in Afghanistan and the risks the families that are left behind face from the Taliban. The government needs to quickly bring to Canada those Afghans who helped our country in its 12-year mission t...

MP Erin O’Toole is joined by Erin O’Toole, radio host from Colorado, to chat Erin to Erin. Brought together by their shared name on social media, the two Erins share a positive discussion Canada-US relations, the highs and lows of social media and life in general. This light-hearted conversation kicks off the Blue Skies Summer Series. This episode was originally recorded in April 2022. Like, subsc...

MP Erin O’Toole is joined by Chief Kelly LaRocca of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. Chief LaRocca is a dynamic FN leader who has forged strong partnerships in her decade as chief. She sat down with Erin to talk about her nation, her personal journey to leadership, and work on finalizing the Williams Treaties and advancing economic reconciliation. Like, subscribe, and please share t...

MP Erin O’Toole is joined by Dr. Mark Jaccard, a professor at Simon Fraser University with the School of Resource and Environmental Management (REM). Professor Jaccard is an internationally renowned energy and climate change policy expert, economist, and author. He sat down with MP O’Toole to discuss his background advising Canadian governments of all political stripes on environmental policy, usi...

MP Erin O’Toole is joined by Dr. Jack Mintz, one of Canada’s most prominent voices on the economy, our competitiveness and public policy issues more broadly. In this episode, Mintz shares his insights on deficits and rising debt levels in an inflationary economy, as well as productivity and demographic challenges facing Canada. They discuss the need for fresh thinking and policy innovation to attr...

MP Erin O’Toole is joined by Canadian historian Dr. David O’Keefe from Marianopolis College and Dr. Ed Lengel from the National Medal of Honor Museum in the United States to discuss the process of fairly reviewing acts of bravery and valour to ensure that recipients for decorations like the Victoria Cross are not missed due to incomplete information, bias or error. The case of Private Jess Laroche...

MP Erin O’Toole sits down with Dr. Jessica Shadian, President and CEO of Arctic360, to discuss Canada’s Arctic and the absence of a long-term strategic plan for this important region. Dr. Shadian explains how Canada can learn from other Arctic nations to create a strategy which addresses security, sovereignty, investment and infrastructure concerns in our North, and talks about the work of Arctic3...

As part of Mental Health Week 2022, MP Erin O’Toole speaks with LCol. (Ret’d) Christian Lillington, a Canadian Armed Forces officer with a distinguished record of service. Christian talks about what drew him to serve Canada and about the cumulative impact of trauma and challenges of an Operational Stress Injury. He told his story in “Parade State Zero: Leaving Military Leadership to Survive” and i...

MP Erin O’Toole is joined by the Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Honourable Murray Sinclair, to hear his thoughts on the recent Papal apology for residential schools and to discuss Canada’s path to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. Find the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) reports here: https://nctr.ca/records/reports/#trc-reports Like, subscribe, and tell your...

MP Erin O’Toole is joined by Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith to chat about the Liberal-NDP deal, the impact of social media on political discourse and economic policies for working Canadians. Read MP O’Toole’s 2019 blog series on the echo chambers created by social media here: https://erinotoolemp.com/2019/01/27/anti-social-media-part-i/ https://erinotoolemp.com/2019/02/07/anti-social-media-par...

MP Erin O’Toole is joined by former Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, Vice-Admiral Mark Norman for a detailed discussion on the state of the Canadian Armed Forces. With war raging in Ukraine, many Canadians are beginning to realize that Canada's military is in a precarious state. The discussion examines the capabilities of the Army, Navy, and Air Force alongside modern challenges with recruitment a...

MP Erin O’Toole discusses the war in Ukraine with Ihor Kozak, a Canadian Armed Forces Veteran, entrepreneur and prominent leader in the Ukrainian-Canadian community. Ihor provides an important update on the situation on the ground in Ukraine alongside insights into the decades long war of aggression waged by Vladimir Putin that led up to this wide-scale invasion. They also discuss the inspiring re...

Erin O’Toole announces the return of the Blue Skies political podcast. After a busy few years while on hiatus, Blue Skies is back to bring you informed, thoughtful, and respectful discussions on topics important to Canadians, coast to coast to coast. Like, subscribe, and tell your friends about the Blue Skies podcast as we get back into the swing of things.