The Line Podcast

In this episode of The Line Podcast , recorded on time on June 20, 2025 — so don't blame us for any catastrophes — Jen Gerson returns from covering the G7 and offers a rare dose of optimism: she’s impressed by Prime Minister Mark Carney. Matt Gurney remains skeptical but gives credit where it's due — Carney has handled everything so far with a steady hand. The question is: can he survive an actual...

In the latest episode of On The Line , Jen Gerson is joined by Dave Cournoyer — Alberta politics watcher, writer at daveberta.ca , and longtime chronicler of this province’s wilder turns — for a conversation that cuts through the noise and gets to the big question: what is actually going on in Alberta right now? This episode is brought to you by the Métis Nation of Ontario. It's the Abitibi River,...

NOTE: We had an audio issue with the episode, but it’s all fixed. The video release is delayed, however. Our apologies! In the latest episode of The Line Podcast , recorded (at great risk) a day early on June 12, 2025, Matt and Jen admit they tempted fate. They had to record on Thursday evening due to travel — and even predicted that a war in the Middle East would probably break out while they wer...

In this episode of On The Line , Matt Gurney speaks with Christian Leuprecht — professor at the Royal Military College and Queen’s University, editor of the Canadian Military Journal , senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, and visiting fellow at the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies in Brussels. His forthcoming book is The Military’s Response to Domestic Crises and Global Pa...

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast , recorded on June 6, 2025, Matt and Jen open with a wide-ranging look at U.S.–Canada relations — and the increasingly difficult balancing act both countries are trying to manage. The Americans need to show they’re getting wins. Canada needs to show it’s not caving. That creates a dangerous mismatch in incentives, especially under an unpredictable U.S. adm...

In today’s episode of On The Line , Jen Gerson and royal watcher Patricia Treble, author of WRITE ROYALTY on Substack, discuss the recent visit of King Charles III to Canada, focusing on the significance of his throne speech and its geopolitical implications. They cover the role of the monarchy in Canadian sovereignty, the authority of King Charles in delivering the speech, and the reactions from...

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast , recorded on May 30, 2025, Matt and Jen assess the early days of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government — and wonder if things are moving fast enough. Parliament is back, the procedural stuff is over, and it’s go-time in Ottawa. Matt asks whether Carney is pushing hard enough out of the gate — how fast can this ship really go? Jen offers up a strange and...

This week on On The Line , we’ve got a packed episode with three sharp conversations on three very different fronts — monarchy, cybersecurity, and continental defence. This episode of On The Line is brought to you by Innovative Medicines Canada. With a new government in place, one thing remains clear: Canada must continue to prioritize patients and healthcare innovation. Innovative Medicines Canad...

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast , recorded on May 23, 2025, Matt and Jen check in on the early turbulence of the Carney era. First up: the new cabinet. There’s a new energy minister visiting Calgary, staffing delays across the board, and yes — god help us — Marco Mendicino is still around. That’s bad news for almost everyone, but possibly justice of a sort for Mendicino himself. They als...

In this episode of On The Line , The Line 's Jen Gerson interviews David Perlich, a CBC producer and Vatican analyst, about his experiences covering papal conclaves. They discuss the intricacies of the conclave process, the role of Cardinals, and the dynamics of voting for a new pope. Perlich shares insights from his time in Rome, the historical significance of the events, and the unique pressures...

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast , recorded on May 16, 2025, Matt opens with what he claims is a harmless anthropological observation about Alberta. Jen hadn’t noticed it before — but to her surprise, she agrees. And no, it shouldn’t piss anyone off. (Probably.) From there, they move on to the first days of Mark Carney’s duly elected government. Matt is... fine. Everything that’s happenin...

In the latest episode of On The Line , Matt Gurney dives into the geopolitics of trade and the early days of a new Canadian government. First up, Ian Lee from the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University joins Matt to talk about the so-called “deal” recently announced between the United States and China. Ian isn’t here to defend Donald Trump — and says so clearly — but he also offers a sha...

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast , recorded on May 9, 2025, Matt and Jen round up the week in Canadian politics — and things are getting weird again. This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the information they need to choose...

In this episode of On The Line , Israeli ambassador to Canada Iddo Moed sits with Jen Gerson to discuss the evolving situation in Gaza, the ongoing hostage crisis, and Israel's strategic objectives in the region. This episode of On The Line is brought to you by Innovative Medicines Canada. With a new government in place, one thing remains clear: Canada must continue to prioritize patients and heal...

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast , recorded on May 2, 2025, Matt and Jen debrief the end of a long, weird federal election — and everything it upended. They start with what surprised them about the results and how the political map has scrambled in unexpected ways. Then, naturally, they pivot to constitutional monarchy. Why? Because it works. And because Matt is now on a mission to figure...

In the latest episode of On The Line , Matt Gurney is joined by Gregory Jack, senior-vice president of public affairs at Ipsos Canada, as they do their best to unpack what the hell just happened on Monday night. And what might happen next. In the first half, they go tactical. Matt and Greg walk through the horse race numbers — who’s up, who’s down, and who pulled off a surprise. The Conservatives...

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast , recorded on April 25, 2025, Matt and Jen take stock of the final days of the election campaign — and of Canada’s increasingly bizarre political mood. Matt kicks things off by previewing his upcoming final column before election day. He spoils it a little, of course. His basic argument? The Liberal pitch to voters rests on one of two assumptions: either M...

In the latest episode of On The Line , it’s a reunion! Jen Gerson podcasts once again with journalist Justin Ling for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of the federal campaign — and the increasingly surreal experience of covering it. This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Westinghouse. Canada’s energy future is being shaped by the choices we make today. Westinghouse is 100...

Programming note: The Anti-Panel will go out on Saturday, but The Line will be taking Easter Sunday off. Watch for our next dispatch on Monday. Happy Easter, and, of course, a happy Passover as well — it’s still goin’ on, so we didn’t miss it! In the latest episode of The Line Podcast , recorded on April 18, 2025, Matt and Jen unpack the weirdest Canadian federal election in recent memory. The rac...

In the latest episode of On The Line , Matt Gurney sits down for an unusually personal — and sometimes raw — conversation with Marcus Kolga: human rights activist, anti-corruption crusader, and a man who’s been sanctioned by both Russia and China. That wasn’t a figure of speech. He’s literally sanctioned by both regimes. This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Westinghouse. Canada’s...

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast , recorded on April 11, 2025 , things get unexpectedly emotional right out of the gate. Jen opens with a raw reflection on the state of public discourse in Canada — how partisanship is melting brains, how the media is under attack (even if no one can quite agree on what “the media” is), and how political parties have become so addicted to campaigning that...

In the latest episode of On The Line , we take a look (through our fingers, which are covering our eyes) at what's happening with the markets, and whole economies, around the world. Guess we'll be delaying retirement a few extra years, eh? This episode of On The Line is brought to you by Westinghouse. Canada’s energy future is being shaped by the choices we make today. Westinghouse is 100% Canadia...

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast , recorded on April 4, 2025, Jen spends a lot more time talking about her internal anatomy than Matt had expected. But he more or less kept his game face on. He thinks. This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including givin...

In the latest episode of On The Line , the key issue is why the Conservative campaign is already being rocked by internal fighting — is the campaign going that badly? Our first guest tackles that issue — Stephanie Levitz joins the show from the Globe and Mail , where she is a reporter covering the campaign. Despite all the doom and gloom, the Conservatives are actually having a decent campaign — t...

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast , recorded on March 28, 2025, your hosts get dark. And deep. And psychological. And have a few inappropriate giggles. Matt almost gets himself cancelled and The Line shut down by quoting a bad lyric ... but stops himself just in time. Been that kind of a week, right? This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a glob...