Progress Canada

As more Canadians live alone and shoulder rising costs on a single income, finance journalist Renée Sylvestre-Williams joins the Progress Canada Podcast to unpack what she calls "the singles tax."Drawing on her new book, "The Singles Tax," Sylvestre-Williams breaks down how Canada’s tax system, social norms, and cost-of-living crisis quietly penalize single adults. From paying more in rent and hou...

What does it take to lead the Ontario Liberal Party back to power, and can a nearly year-long endurance test actually build the muscle the party needs to defeat Doug Ford? Following the official launch of the 2026 OLP Leadership race, our Ontario Wrap-Up panel is back to break down the newly released rules, the shift to online voting, and the long road to November 21.Featuring Darrell Dean (former...

What does rebuilding the Liberal brand require today, and how should Liberals defend their values in an era of cynicism and polarization? As provincial Liberal parties struggle for relevance across Canada, former Ontario Premier David Peterson joins the Progress Canada Podcast to reflect on how he once led the Ontario Liberal Party out of the political wilderness—and what today’s Liberals can lear...

As Donald Trump asserts a more aggressive vision for U.S. power in the Western Hemisphere, our panel digs into where Canada fits in those plans—and where it doesn’t. We explore how Trump’s approach to trade, security, and hemispheric dominance challenges long-standing assumptions about Canada–U.S. relations, and what this moment means for Canadian sovereignty. How should Canadian leaders talk abou...

In this episode, we’re joined by John Fraser — five-term MPP for Ottawa South and the Ontario Liberal Party’s Leader in the Legislature — for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of Ontario politics heading into 2026, what constructive opposition looks like, and the work required to rebuild public trust after seven years of Doug Ford. Fraser reflects on how this year’s campaign compares to...

In this episode, we sit down with Neil Hetherington, CEO of the Daily Bread Food Bank, for a wide-ranging conversation about poverty, hunger, and the alarming rise in food bank use across Toronto and beyond. We discuss the findings from Daily Bread’s 2025 "Who’s Hungry?" report, which shows food bank visits hitting a record 4.1 million this year — a staggering 340% increase since 2019. H...

In this episode, we sit down with Rob Ashton — National President of ILWU Canada and candidate for federal NDP Leader — for a wide-ranging conversation about class politics, worker power, and what it would mean to elect a leader who comes from working class. We explore Ashton’s 30-year career as a longshoreman, how his background shapes his understanding of Canada’s working class, and why he belie...

In this episode, we sit down with Marit Stiles, Leader of the Ontario NDP and Leader of the Official Opposition, for a wide-ranging conversation about the 2025 election, the party’s fall agenda, and what it will take to build a government ready to deliver for working people. We discuss Stiles’ reflections on her first general election as leader, what she learned from voters across the province, an...

In this episode, we’re joined by Amandeep Sodhi, Member of Parliament for Brampton Centre. Elected to office for the first time in the 2025 federal election, Sodhi is a member of the so-called “21st Century Club”, a group of four Gen-Z Liberal MPs born in this century. Where to Find Us:Social Accounts:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProgressCanadaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/progress_can...

In this episode, we’re joined by Chris Emanuel, outgoing President & CEO of the Central York Chamber of Commerce, to talk about the future of young business owners in Canada. With traditional career paths shifting, we explore what young entrepreneurs need to thrive and how chambers of commerce, policymakers, and other community members can help build a local economy that supports young people....

In this episode, we sit down with Stephanie Smyth, the Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto–St. Paul’s and the party’s Critic for Ethics, Integrity & Accountability, for a wide-ranging conversation about ethics, transparency, and the growing controversies facing Doug Ford’s government. We discuss Smyth’s first year as an MPP, her transition from a decades-long career in journalism, and what she’s l...

In this episode of the Progress Canada Podcast, Theresa speaks with pollster Kyla Ronnellenfitsch about her latest national polling on the 2025 federal budget, Mark Carney’s early days as Prime Minister, and Pierre Poilievre’s favourability numbers ahead of his leadership review. We dig into voter reactions to the Carney budget rollout, where the party horse race stands today, and how Canadians ar...

In this episode, we’re joined by Iain Rankin, the 29th Premier of Nova Scotia and current House Leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party. Where to Find Us:Social Accounts:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProgressCanadaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/progress_canada_podcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/progresscanadapodcastBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/progresscanada.bsky.socialLinked...

In this episode, the On Message Panel tackles the 2025 federal budget, the first by newly minted Prime Minister Mark Carney. We discuss the Carney Government's new approach to managing government finances, the government's approach to the pre-budget rollout, and how the budget is landing in Parliament. Where to Find Us:Social Accounts:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProgressCanadaInstagr...

In this episode, we’re joined by Vass Bednar and Kaylie Tiessen. Vass serves as Managing Director and Kaylie serves as Chief Economist at the newly founded Canadian SHIELD Institute, a public policy organization focused on Canadian sovereignty. We talk about how to define sovereignty, how to measure it, and the challenges Canadians are facing in standing up for our sovereignty in the world today....

In this episode, we’re joined by Sachit Mehra, President of the Liberal Party of Canada. First elected in 2023, Sachit led the party through a leadership race and a general election that resulted in a fourth straight term in power for the party. Where to Find Us:Social Accounts:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProgressCanadaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/progress_canada_podcastFacebook: htt...

In this episode, we’re joined by Joanna Kyriazis. She serves as the Director of Policy and Strategy at Clean Energy Canada, a climate and clean energy think tank at Simon Fraser University. Together, we discuss the future of the electric vehicle industry in Canada and how we can move towards an affordable clean economy. Where to Find Us:Social Accounts:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProgressCan...

In this episode, we’re joined by Hannah Owczar and Kendal David of the Basic Income Youth Collective. We discuss what exactly a basic income is, how it helps create an economic floor in society, and how it can support young people in a precarious economic age. This episode is being released on October 17, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, to help stir more conversation about ne...

In this episode, we're joined by Kate Graham. She holds a PhD in Political Science and teaches in Governance, Leadership, Ethics at Western and Huron University College. Kate is the author of three books about women in politics and the creator of the No Second Chances Podcast. We discuss her latest book and the challenges of female leadership in the digital age. Where to Find Us:Social Account...

In this episode, we’re joined by independent Manitoba Senator Marilou McPhedran, who has introduced legislation to lower Canada’s voting age to 16. We discuss why the change is needed, how other countries are leading the way, and how each of us can help in this effort to make our democracy better reflect all its citizens. Where to Find Us: Social Accounts: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Progres...

In this episode, we’re joined by André Côté, the Interim Executive Director of The Dais, a public policy and leadership think tank at Toronto Metropolitan University. We discuss online harms facing young people, how the internet is shaping the next generation’s views on democracy, and how we can we can arm Canadian citizens with the tools they need to defeat disinformation. Where to Find Us:Social...

In this episode of The Wrap Up: Ontario, we tackle the Ontario NDP convention in Niagara Falls, Marit Stiles' performance on the mandatory leadership review vote, and what it all means for the party going forward. Where to Find Us:Social Accounts:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProgressCanadaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/progress_canada_podcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/progre...

In our first episode of the On Message panel we discuss the summer political season, the return to parliament, and how each party is framing the political debate in Canada. Where to Find Us:Social Accounts:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProgressCanadaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/progress_canada_podcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/progresscanadapodcastBlueSky: https://bsky.app/prof...

In this episode, we’re joined by MP Chi Nguyen. We talk about her transition from advocate to elected official, what she’s learned so far, and the kind of politics she intends to bring to Parliament Hill. Where to Find Us:Social Accounts:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProgressCanadaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/progress_canada_podcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/progresscanadapodca...

The Wrap-Up Ontario panel is back to discuss the 2025 Ontario Liberal Party AGM, the sudden resignation of party leader Bonnie Crombie, and where the party is headed next. #onpoli #olpldr #ontarioliberal #cdnpoliWhere to Find Us:Social Accounts:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProgressCanadaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/progress_canada_podcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/progresscana...