The 2020 Network

Open to Debate: What’s actually getting better? Nov 12, 2024

Everybody loves a pentalogy. In March of 2020, host David Moscrop and guest Amanda Watson discussed how we were managing early pandemic life. In the months and years that followed, the two rejoined to talk about anxiety and late-pandemic life. Twice. In early 2024, they covered what the new year might have in store for us. Now, for a record-shattering fifth time on the pod, Watson is back to talk culture wars, elections, affordability, academia, censorship, and to ask: Is anything getting better?

This episode was recorded before the U.S election. Now, in the wake of Donald Trump’s victory and return to the White House, the themes we discuss are, alas, even more relevant – and reason for grim concern.

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks once more again with Amanda Watson, feminist theorist, Assistant Professor at Simon Fraser University and author of The Juggling Mother: Coming Undone in the Age of Anxiety.

Redefining Progressive Foreign Policy Nov 08, 2024

In the last of our series of highlight sessions from the 2024 Global Progress Action Summit, Antti Lindtman (Leader, Social Democratic Party of Finland), Kati Piri (Member of Parliament, Netherlands), and Gerald Butts (Vice Chairman, Eurasia Group, Canada) have an essential and timely discussion with Tarek Ghani (Professor, Washington University, US) on human rights, peace and security, and building solidarity in a more divided world.

This conversation took place on September 21, 2024, at the 2024 Global Progress Action Summit in Montréal hosted by Canada 2020 and CAP Action. It has been lightly edited for clarity.

Progressive Strategies for Fighting Authoritarianism Nov 08, 2024

In the next of our series of highlight sessions from the 2024 Global Progress Action Summit, Daniel Sachs (Chair, Daniel Sachs Foundation), Tonje Brenna (Minister, MP, and Deputy Party Leader, Norway), Alejandra Parra (Strategy Director, Instituto Update, Mexico), Muthouni Wambu Kraal (Founder & Principal Dunia, US), Gregor Robertson (Special Envoy for Cities in CHAMP, Global Covenant of Mayors, Canada), and Ari Rabin-Havt (Chair, WPC) share their thoughts with moderator Amy Dacey (Executive Director SINE Institute, American University) about creeping authoritarianism around the world and the work of defending democracy without losing your base.

This conversation took place on September 21, 2024, at the 2024 Global Progress Action Summit in Montréal hosted by Canada 2020 and CAP Action. It has been lightly edited for clarity.

Truth and Trust: In Conversation with Maria Ressa Oct 28, 2024

In the next of our series of highlight sessions from the 2024 Global Progress Action Summit, 2021 Nobel Peace Prize Winner and co-founder and CEO of Rappler Maria Ressa joins MP Anna Gainey (NDG-Westmount) on stage to talk about the nuance and policy challenges of navigating new frontiers in AI, social media, and democracy.

This conversation took place on September 21, 2024, at the 2024 Global Progress Action Summit in Montréal hosted by Canada 2020 and CAP Action. It has been lightly edited for clarity.

Growth for All in a Fast-Changing World: In Conversation with Mark Carney Oct 28, 2024

In the next of our series of highlight sessions from the 2024 Global Progress Action Summit, we hear from Mark Carney (former Governor of the Bank of Canada & Bank of England,

UN Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance, and Chair of Canada 2020 Advisory Board) and Frances Colón (Senior Fellow International Climate, CAP Action) on our changing economic landscape and turning several enormous global transformations into generational opportunities for progress.

This conversation took place on September 21, 2024, at the 2024 Global Progress Action Summit in Montréal hosted by Canada 2020 and CAP Action. It has been lightly edited for clarity.

Prosperity and Democracy: In Conversation with Chrystia Freeland Oct 28, 2024

In the next of our series of highlight sessions from the 2024 Global Progress Action Summit, Patrick Gaspard (CEO of the Center for American Action Fund) has an inspirational conversation with Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland about securing inclusive prosperity, fundamental rights, and stronger democracies in an a time of enormous global transformation.

This conversation took place on September 21, 2024, at the 2024 Global Progress Action Summit in Montréal hosted by Canada 2020 and CAP Action. It has been lightly edited for clarity.

In Conversation: Progressive Leadership for a Decisive Decade with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Oct 18, 2024

“We’re fighting for our institutions, and for ourselves.”Canada has worked to be a North Star for the global progressive movement over the years, and like so many democracies, is now reflecting on how it adapts to the tumult and transformations of the coming decade on the world stage.

In this featured session of the 2024 Global Progress Action Summit, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with Patrick Gaspard, CEO of the Centre for American Progress Action Fund about shaping a just future and what it will take.

This conversation took place on September 21, 2024, at the 2024 Global Progress Action Summit in Montréal hosted by Canada 2020 and CAP Action. It has been lightly edited for clarity.

Leading with Empathy and Decisiveness: Jacinda Ardern and the Field Fellowship Oct 18, 2024

In the next of our series of highlight sessions from the 2024 Global Progress Action Summit, former Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern and CEO of Center for American Progress Action Fund Patrick Gaspard are joined in conversation by Field Fellows from four countries: Effie Achtsioglou (Member of Parliament and former Minister, Greece), Klara Dobrev (Member of European Parliament, Hungary), Romina Kuko (Deputy Minister of Interior, Albania), and Kati Piri (Member of Parliament and former Member of European Parliament, Netherlands) on strength in today’s divided politics, connecting with voters, and human-centred leadership.

This conversation took place on September 21, 2024, at the 2024 Global Progress Action Summit in Montréal hosted by Canada 2020 and CAP Action. It has been lightly edited for clarity.

Open to Debate: Is there a better way to do democracy? Oct 01, 2024

Democratic life is increasingly marked by toxic polarisation and partisan hostility. Public institutions are overrun by the few, leaving the many on the sidelines. Many of us are left to assume there’s only one way to self-govern, to let others do it; or else we are so turned off by what we see that we want nothing to do with politics.

But what if things didn’t have to be this way? What if there were some hope that we could do better? What if there were a better way to do democracy? Well, is there?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Diana Smith, an author with a career that has included community organizing, journalism, consulting and more. Her latest book is Remaking the Space Between Us: How Citizens Can Work Together To Build A Better Future For All.

Open to Debate: How do non-profit organizations work – or not? Sep 17, 2024

The non-profit sector is massive. According to Statistics Canada, in 2022 the non-profit sector accounted for over 8 percent of GDP – contributing more than $216 billion to the economy.

Non-profits operate in many spaces, but are essential parts of the healthcare, housing, and education systems. Non-profits exist to serve communities and fill essential functions not covered, or only partially covered, by the state or private market; they’re also sometimes in competition with other sectors, or at least in tension with them, and with one another.

It’s complicated stuff. And when you add changing technologies, trends, economic conditions, and domestic and geopolitical considerations, making a non-profit work is even trickier. So how do non-profit organizations work – or not?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Brooke Struck, strategy facilitator and the founder and CEO of the firm Converge.

Open to Debate: Is Canada ready to get serious about tackling monopolies and oligopolies? A conversation with Denise Hearn Jul 23, 2024

Is Canada ready to get serious about tackling monopolies and oligopolies?

You’ve heard it before, the old joke that Canada is three telecom companies in a trench coat. Or airlines. Or grocery stores. You’ve probably heard it here before. That’s because Canada has a monopoly and oligopoly problem – and it has for a long time.

The United States has long faced its own challenges with market concentration — and for or once, Canada might not be too far behind.

To understand the state and future of competition in this country, we ask: Is Canada ready to get serious about tackling monopolies and oligopolies?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Denise Hearn, writer, applied researcher, and c0-author of the upcoming book The Big Fix, which is out this October.

In conversation with Chief Crystal Smith: Update and Lessons from Haisla Nation Jul 17, 2024

On May 29 and 30 in Ottawa, Canada 2020 hosted our annual Economic Reconciliation Summit: The Indigenous-led Economy 2024. This gathering brought together Indigenous leaders from across sectors and territories for a vital day of conversation and engagement to explore the balance between growth and sustainability, and ensure that reconciliation is at the heart of future prosperity for all. In the next of our series of highlight conversations from this gathering, Chief Crystal Smith speaks with Braeden Caley (President & CEO, Canada 2020) about Haisla Nation’s long term project of own source revenue generation and careful but robust economic development practices.

This conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity ahead of publication.

Economic Growth for the Next Generations Jul 15, 2024

On May 29 and 30 in Ottawa, Canada 2020 hosted our annual Economic Reconciliation Summit: The Indigenous-led Economy 2024. This gathering brought together Indigenous leaders from across sectors and territories for a vital day of conversation and engagement to explore the balance between growth and sustainability, and ensure that reconciliation is at the heart of future prosperity for all. In the next of our series of highlight conversations from this gathering, we hear from Chief Sharleen Gale (Chief of Fort Nelson First Nation and Chair of the First Nations Major Projects Coalition) and Katherine Kootstachin (VP, Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Sussex Strategy Group) on the federal Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program, implementing major projects, leveraging capital, and more.

This conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity ahead of publication.

Building Long-term Sustainability Jul 12, 2024

On May 29 and 30 in Ottawa, Canada 2020 hosted our annual Economic Reconciliation Summit: The Indigenous-led Economy 2024. This gathering brought together Indigenous leaders from across sectors and territories for a vital day of conversation and engagement to explore the balance between growth and sustainability, and ensure that reconciliation is at the heart of future prosperity for all. In the next of our series of highlighted conversations from this summit, we hear Chief Dylan Whiteduck (Kitigan Zibi First Nation), Hillary Thatcher (Managing Director, Indigenous and Northern Investments, Canada Infrastructure Bank), Mihskakwan James Harper (Business Development Manager, NRStor Inc.), and Steve Berna (COO, First Nations Finance Authority) in conversation with Fred Di Blasio (Co-Founder, Managing Partner and CEO of Longhouse Capital Partners) about catalyzing investment, access to capital, and essential infrastructure projects from coast to coast to coast.

This conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity ahead of publication.

Strengthening Nation-to-Nation Relationships Jul 10, 2024

On May 29 and 30 in Ottawa, Canada 2020 hosted our annual Economic Reconciliation Summit: The Indigenous-led Economy 2024. This gathering brought together Indigenous leaders from across sectors and territories for a vital day of conversation and engagement to explore the balance between growth and sustainability, and ensure that reconciliation is at the heart of future prosperity for all. In the next of our series of highlight conversations from this gathering, Cassidy Caron (President of the Métis National Council) and Heidi Todacheene (Senior Advisor to the Secretary at the Office of the Secretary, US Department of the Interior) speak with Braeden Caley (President & CEO, Canada 2020) about relationship-building, co-development, investing in Indigenous communities, and comprehensive and thoughtful policy-making toward reconciliation.

This conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity ahead of publication.

In conversation with Seamus O'Regan: What does an anti-scab worker bill tell us about the state of labour in Canada? Jul 09, 2024

Canada has passed a law preventing federally-regulated businesses from using scab workers. Bill C-58 passed in June and marked a significant milestone in the progress of worker’s rights. That it passed is notable; that it passed unanimously in an era of increasingly toxic polarization is quite remarkable, and speaks to the moment that labour is having in this country.

To understand the government’s thinking on the law and the broader context in which it passed, we talk to the man in charge of the legislation and ask: What does an anti-scab worker bill tell us about the state of labour in Canada?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Seamus O’Regan, Canada’s Minister of Labour and Seniors.

Supporting Indigenous Innovation with Minister Mary Ng Jun 27, 2024

On May 29 and 30 in Ottawa, Canada 2020 hosted our annual Economic Reconciliation Summit: The Indigenous-led Economy 2024. This gathering brought together Indigenous leaders from across sectors and territories for a vital day of conversation and engagement to explore the balance between growth and sustainability, and ensure that reconciliation is at the heart of future prosperity for all. In the fourth of our series of highlighted conversations from this summit, we hear Tiara Folkes (Manager, Indigenous Relations Public Policy, TC Energy) in conversation with Mary Mg (Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development)on the what Indigenous entrepreneurs and exporters offer Canada and the world.

This conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity ahead of publication.

U.S. Case Study: Investing in Tribes, Investing in America Jun 25, 2024

On May 29 and 30 in Ottawa, Canada 2020 hosted our annualEconomic Reconciliation Summit: The Indigenous-led Economy 2024. This gathering brought together Indigenous leaders from across sectors and territories for a vital day of conversation and engagement to explore the balance between growth and sustainability, and ensure that reconciliation is at the heart of future prosperity for all. In the third of our series of highlighted conversations from this summit, we hear Griffin Marsh (Program Director, Martin Family Initiative) talk to Heidi Todacheene (Senior Advisor to the Secretary at the Office of the Secretary, US Department of the Interior) about how the U.S. Department of the Interior under President Biden is investing in Indigenous land and communities, and what we can learn about progress being achieved by our closest neighbours.

This conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity ahead of publication.

Regional Development and Self-Determination with Minister Dan Vandal Jun 21, 2024

On May 29 and 30 in Ottawa, Canada 2020 hosted our annual Economic Reconciliation Summit: The Indigenous-led Economy 2024. This gathering brought together Indigenous leaders from across sectors and territories for a vital day of conversation and engagement to explore the balance between growth and sustainability, and ensure that reconciliation is at the heart of future prosperity for all. In the second of our series of highlighted conversations from this summit, we hear Tiara Folkes (Manager, Indigenous Relations Public Policy, TC Energy) in conversation with Dan Vandal (Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency) on key new milestones like the Nunavut devolution agreement, and what we can learn about regional leadership and investment from the Prairies and the North.

This conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity ahead of publication.

In Conversation: National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak and Minister Patty Hajdu Jun 19, 2024

On May 29 and 30 in Ottawa, Canada 2020 hosted our annual Economic Reconciliation Summit: The Indigenous-led Economy 2024. This gathering brought together Indigenous leaders from across sectors and territories for a vital day of conversation and engagement to explore the balance between growth and sustainability, and ensure that reconciliation is at the heart of future prosperity for all. In the first of our series of highlighted conversations from this summit, Canada 2020 President and CEO Braeden Caley speaks with National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, and Minister of Indigenous Services Patty Hajdu about closing the gaps in infrastructure, investment, and quality of life between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities across this country.

This conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity ahead of publication.

Open to Debate: Are universities ready to modernize? May 28, 2024

Universities are medieval, risk averse institutions. Some like to think of them as bastions of radicalism, but they’re actually quite conservative by nature – and in desperate need of modernization, a process of technological development that would serve students, faculty, and administrators alike.

If there was ever any doubt about the need for post secondary institutions to up their tech game, the pandemic swept it away. So, are universities ready to modernize?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Scott Murray, senior manager, transformation architecture, at EY.

Open to Debate: What are the hidden costs of climate change? May 14, 2024

This week, we have good news and bad news. The bad news, you know already. Climate change is catching up to us. We’re feeling its effects and they stand to get worse. We’re not doing enough, and what we are doing, we’re not doing as quickly as we ought to. Moreover, the hidden costs of climate change are also adding up.

The good news? We are making progress in the fight against climate change and we still have time to address the worst of what’s coming – to mitigate, adapt, and secure a better future for billions upon billions of people.

But first, we need to understand the full scope and depth of the primary and secondary effects of climate change. To that end, this week we ask: What are the hidden costs of climate change?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with R. Jisung Park, an environmental and labor economist at the University of Pennsylvania and the author of Slow Burn: The Hidden Costs of a Warming World.

Open to Debate: What is AI and is Canada ready for it? May 07, 2024

Artificial intelligence means different things to different people. As an amorphous set of technologies deployed in countless applications, AI is tricky to understand, regulate, and integrate into our social and economic lives.

This is especially true when conversations about it, even among experts, may be premised on misunderstandings – or multiple understandings – of the thing itself.

And yet, AI, broadly understood, is already shaping how we do business, how and whether we employ people, how we communicate, and plenty more. In short, it’s kind of a big deal and we need to sort out how we want it to fit into our society and our lives.

So, what is AI and is Canada ready for it?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Murad Hemmadi, a journalist with the Logic and the co-author of Superintelligence: Is Canada Ready for AI?

In Conversation: Economic Lookahead with Mark Carney Apr 24, 2024

In 2024, Canada finds itself at a crossroads of several immense transformations sweeping the world, whether through the rewiring of the global economy and geopolitics, of our energy systems, or with rapid advances in A.I., even of intelligence itself. In this time of great transitions, Canadians are facing new worries together about their homes, their wages, their kids, and our shared future. How do we rise to these challenges and opportunities? Mark Carney (United Nations Special Envoy for Climate Change and Finance, former Governor of the Bank of Canada and of the Bank of England, and chair of Canada 2020’s Advisory Board) talks about our country’s economic outlook, and what governments, innovators, and economic leaders can do to build growth for all. Eme Onuoha joins him in conversation.

This conversation took place on April 8, 2024 in Ottawa. It has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Open to Debate: What is Kenneyism and why should we care? Apr 23, 2024

A few weeks back, we spoke with Tiffany Balducci about the Alberta NDP leadership race. This week, we’re keeping on theme, but instead of looking ahead, we’re looking back.

You may have forgotten Jason Kenney. After his dismal leadership review, the Harper-era Cabinet minister resigned as premier of Alberta and left politics. But Kenney’s legacy continues to shape the country. A new book assesses his career, its effects, and the state of the right in Canada.

So, what is Kenneyism and why should we care?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Jeremy Appel, an Alberta-based journalist and author of Kenneyism: Jason Kenney’s Pursuit of Power.

Open to Debate: How is life becoming “enshitified"? Apr 15, 2024

There’s no sharper way to assess the state of life in the early 21st century than through a lens of “enshitification,” a term this week's guest coined.

It’s described as the slow and steady worsening of each and every bit of our daily existence, and as Cory Doctorow has argued, particularly as it pertains to the work of technology companies that have captured our attention, our dollars, or both.

But some people have it worse than others. For instance, the incarcerated, on whom – as this week’s guest explores in his new novel – companies test and roll out strategies and technologies and a surveillance apparatus that is later used to exploit populations at large.

So, just how is life becoming “enshitified?” and how can we make things better?

On this 100th(!) episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Cory Doctorow, best-selling science fiction author, activist, and journalist. His latest book, The Bezzle, is out now.

Open to Debate: Who wants to lead the Alberta NDP? Mar 19, 2024

The Alberta New Democratic Party leadership race is underway. In June, the party membership will select a new leader to replace Rachel Notley and square off against United Conservative Party premier Danielle Smith.

Let’s meet the candidates and get a sense of what they’re about as we ask: Who wants to lead the Alberta NDP?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Tiffany Balducci, a union organizer, negotiator, and job evaluation specialist with the Canadian Union of Public Employees in Alberta.

In Conversation: Progress in the Balance, with Sarada Peri Mar 18, 2024

Nearly half the people on earth live in countries that will hold national elections in 2024. It's the world's biggest election year ever, with approximately 2 billion people heading to the polls.

No election will have its impacts echo more widely than that of the United States of America. Its effects will be palpable worldwide, and felt especially strongly here in Canada — with Donald Trump in the running for the third straight U.S. presidential election cycle. Hear from Sarada Peri (former Special Assistant to the President, Senior Speechwriter for President Barack Obama, and Senior Fellow with the Dais at TMU) on the state of the Biden presidential campaign, the health of global democracy, the challenges of the new media ecosystem, and the future of our shared economic and security partnerships.

This conversation took place on March 7, 2024 at the Canada 2020 Studio, and was hosted in partnership with The Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University. It has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

In Conversation: Small Business Re-Wired, with Minister Rechie Valdez Mar 13, 2024

Canada’s small businesses employ a staggering 11 million people from coast-to-coast-to-coast, and represent an incredible 98% of Canadian-owned enterprises. Moving to a digital-first economy presents unprecedented opportunities for small businesses across Canada to innovate, expand, and spur new job creation and prosperity. Hear from the Honourable Rechie Valdez (Canada’s Minister of Small Business), Debbie Gamble (Chief Innovation Labs Officer at Interac), and Viet Vu (Author and Manager of Economic Research at the Dias) on how can we catalyze digital adoption, level up digital government, ensure the resilience and growth of small businesses, and ensure that no one is left behind.

This conversation took place on February 28, 2024 at the Canada 2020 Studio, and was hosted in partnership with Interac. It has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Open to Debate: What is the future of trans rights? Mar 05, 2024

Trans rights are under attack throughout Canada. Policy changes in New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, and Alberta have already constrained rights and other provinces, most notably Ontario, may be set to follow. At the same time, the Conservative Party is set to go all-in on the culture war ahead of the next federal election, and to throw trans people under the bus in the process.

The struggle for trans rights intersects with similar movements to establish, expand, or preserve social, cultural, economic, and political equality. But trans folks are up against powerful, well-funded opponents and constrained by limited resources, leaving us to ask: What is the future of trans rights?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Fae Johnstone, Executive Director of Queer Momentum.

Open to Debate: Remembering Ed Broadbent Feb 13, 2024

In January, former New Democratic Party leader Ed Broadbent died at the age of 87. Outpourings of grief, respect, and gratitude followed throughout the country, culminating in a state funeral in Ottawa.

Broadbent’s legacy is the product of decades of tireless work as an elected representative and as an ambassador for the left at home and abroad. His commitment to justice and equality is paralleled by few in Canada, and this episode is dedicated to understanding and celebrating his service to this country and to left movements worldwide.

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Luke Savage, columnist, co-host of the podcast Michael and Us, and co-author, with Ed Broadbent and others, of Seeking Social Democracy: Seven Decades in the Fight for Equality.

Open to Debate: What does 2024 have in store for us? Jan 30, 2024

Everybody loves a quadrilogy. In March of 2020, host David Moscrop and guest Amanda Watson discussed how we were managing our lives during the early days of the pandemic. Twice more the two discussed the pandemic, anxiety, and managing life during what felt like the end times. Now, Watson is back for a fourth time, at the dawn of 2024, to ask “What does 2024 have in store for us?” [this was originally “What fresh hell is this?” in the spirit of humour, but I presume you prefer to not have that and so have adjusted. Though it made me laugh!

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks once more with Amanda Watson, feminist theorist, senior lecturer at Simon Fraser University and author of The Juggling Mother: Coming Undone in the Age of Anxiety. She joins the show this week from the south of France.

In Conversation: Democracy in the Digital Era Dec 15, 2023

2024 will be a stress test for democracy, with the election in the United States among the most dangerous potential breaking points. More often than not, awareness and the public debate will be shaped by and in the digital sphere. In the next of our series of highlight sessions from the 2023 Global Progress Action Summit, Roberta Braga (Director, Counter Disinformation Strategies at Equis, Supriya Dwivedi (Director of Policy and Engagement at McGill’s Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy and member of the Canada 2020 Advisory Board), Ben Scott (Executive Director at Reset Tech) talk with Megan Shahi (Director of Technology Policy at CAP Action) about the responsibility of governments, civil society, and platforms to prepare for these elections, and what’s at stake in 2024.

This conversation took place on September 16, 2023, at the 2023 Global Progress Action Summit in Montréal hosted by Canada 2020 and CAP Action. It has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

In Conversation: Harnessing the Power of Artificial Intelligence Dec 15, 2023

AI presents both enormous risk and as yet unimaginable opportunity. In the next of our series of highlight sessions from the 2023 Global Progress Action Summit, we hear from Dr. Alondra Nelson (Distinguished Senior Fellow at CAP Action, Former Head of the White House Office of Science and Technology), Andy Harrison (CEO of Section 32), and Benedict Macon-Cooney, (Chief Policy Strategist at Tony Blair Institute for Global Change) on regulating the unknowable, managing the risk, and harnessing the power of AI build equitable, progressive societies.

This conversation took place on September 16, 2023, at the 2023 Global Progress Action Summit in Montréal hosted by Canada 2020 and CAP Action. It has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Open to Debate: Could a land value tax help solve the housing crisis? Dec 05, 2023

Canada’s housing crisis continues with no end in sight. Shelter – a fundamental human need – is unaffordable for millions, and the surge in property value has created two classes, homeowners and non-homeowners. These two classes are often at odds, with competing interests. Those who wish to enter the market often prefer lower housing prices, while those who own stand to benefit from higher prices.

Governments at every level have been slow to respond to the crisis and their actions have been insufficient to curb the problem. These governments often try to have it both ways, cheaper housing without costs to existing homeowners who wish to preserve their equity. At the same time, while many experts preach supply, which is essential in lowering prices, that may not be enough. Is there another way out of the housing conundrum? What if we change how we taxed property? Could a land value tax help solve the housing crisis?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Floyd Marinescu, an activist, entrepreneur, angel investor, and the head of Commonwealth Canada and UBI Works.

In Conversation: What Canada Needs to Win in the Clean Economy Future, with Catherine McKenna Nov 29, 2023

On October 31, 2023, Canada 2020 brought together a group of government and business leaders, technology experts, policymakers, and innovators from across the country at our Fall Net-Zero Leadership Summit: A Pre-COP28 Stocktake for Canada. In this featured session of the summit, Catherine McKenna (former Minister of Environment and Climate Change for Canada; Chair of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Expert Group on Net-Zero Commitments of Non-State Entities) speaks with Braeden Caley (Executive Director, Canada 2020) about the policy ambition it will take to achieve real net-zero progress.

This conversation has been lightly edited for clarity.

In Conversation: Building Canada’s Net-Zero Future, with Minister Jonathan Wilkinson Nov 28, 2023

On October 31, 2023, Canada 2020 brought together a group of government and business leaders, technology experts, policymakers, and innovators from across the country at our Fall Net-Zero Leadership Summit: A Pre-COP28 Stocktake for Canada. In this featured session of the summit, Jonathan Wilkinson (Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources) delivers a keynote, followed by a conversation with Lisa Raitt (former Minister of Natural Resources and Minister of Transportation for Canada) about Canada’s competitiveness in moving towards a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous future.

This conversation has been lightly edited for clarity.

In Conversation: The Next Industrial Revolution, with Minister Seamus O’Regan Nov 28, 2023

On October 31, 2023, Canada 2020 brought together a group of government and business leaders, technology experts, policymakers, and innovators from across the country at our Fall Net-Zero Leadership Summit: A Pre-COP28 Stocktake for Canada. In this featured session of the summit, Seamus O’Regan (Canada’s Minister of Labour and Minister of Seniors) joins Anne McLellan (former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources for Canada) in conversation to explore what industry and workers need from governments to spur clean growth now.

This conversation has been lightly edited for clarity.

In Conversation: Net-Zero leadership and a time to build, with Mark Carney Nov 27, 2023

On October 31, 2023, Canada 2020 brought together a pre-eminent group of government and business leaders, technology experts, policymakers, and innovators from across the country at our Fall Net-Zero Leadership Summit: A Pre-COP28 Stocktake for Canada. In this featured session of the summit, Mark Carney (UN Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance; Former Governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England; Canada 2020 Advisory Board Chair) delivers an opening address before talking with Sarah Goodman (Partner and Associate Director, Climate and Sustainability, BCG Consulting Group; Canada 2020 Advisory Board) about Canada’s net-zero leadership opportunity, and why now is the time to build.

This conversation has been lightly edited for audio clarity.

In Conversation: Net-Zero Leadership on the Ballot Nov 27, 2023

On October 31, 2023, Canada 2020 brought together a group of government and business leaders, technology experts, policymakers, and innovators from across the country at our Fall Net-Zero Leadership Summit: A Pre-COP28 Stocktake for Canada. In this featured session of the summit, we join a special conversation about making our politics a positive force for climate progress rather than an obstacle, with Anne McLellan (former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources for Canada), Lisa Raitt (former Minister of Natural Resources and Minister of Transportation for Canada), Sonya Savage (former Alberta Minister of Energy), Mark Cameron (Vice President, External Relations - Pathways Alliance; former Director of Policy Research in the Prime Minister’s Office), and Megan Leslie (CEO, WWF Canada; former MP and Deputy Leader of the New Democratic Party).

This conversation has been lightly edited for clarity.

Open to Debate: Is AI a threat to democracy? Nov 21, 2023

Artificial intelligence is already shaping the way we work, consume, and communicate with one another. It’s also shaping the way we govern ourselves – or, perhaps more accurately, the way we are governed.

While we might imagine ways AI could shape better democratic processes, right now experts are worried about how such technologies can be used to manipulate, divide, suppress, and disinform people. With these concerns in mind, we ask: Is AI a threat to democracy?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Sam Jeffers, executive director of Who Targets Me, and Karim Bardeesy, executive director of The Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University.

In Conversation: Bolstering Democracy in an Age of Impunity Nov 02, 2023

“Democracy is something that we have to win every day. Every week. Every month. Every human. Every new generation. All the time,” says Magdalena Andersson (Former Prime Minister of Sweden, Member of Parliament and Leader of Swedish Social Democrats). In the next of our series of highlight sessions from the 2023 Global Progress Action Summit, Patrick Gaspard (President and CEO at CAP Action) hosts a conversation with Andersson and David Miliband (President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee and Former Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom) on leadership in the age of Trump, right-wing extremism, and proving the value of democracy.

This conversation took place on September 16, 2023, at the 2023 Global Progress Action Summit in Montréal hosted by Canada 2020 and CAP Action. It has been lightly edited for clarity.

In Conversation: Mission-driven Government Oct 31, 2023

How can democracies deliver security and economic growth for people in an uncertain world? In the next of our series of highlight sessions from the 2023 Global Progress Action Summit, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre of Norway and UK Labour Party Leader Keir Starmer talk about decreasing inequity and increasing the democracy dividend with political columnist Josie Pagani.

This conversation took place on September 16, 2023, at the 2023 Global Progress Action Summit in Montréal hosted by Canada 2020 and CAP Action. It has been lightly edited for clarity.

In Conversation: Investing in Quality Jobs to Tackle Climate Change Oct 27, 2023

“We need a new pact: people and planet.” As we got through the most complex and comprehensive transformation in the economy that we've seen since the Industrial Revolution, how do we build economies with both of those in mind? In the next of our series of highlight sessions from the 2023 Global Progress Action Summit, Frances Colón (Senior Director of International Climate Policy - CAP Action) speaks with Gerald Butts (Vice Chairman of Eurasia Group) and Stefan Löfven (Co-Chair of the UN High-level Advisory Board on Effective Multilateralism, President of PES, and Former Prime Minister of Sweden) about investing in green jobs, and climate policy that serves voters.

This conversation took place on September 16, 2023, at the 2023 Global Progress Action Summit in Montréal hosted by Canada 2020 and CAP Action. It has been lightly edited for clarity.

Open to Debate: Can Canada protect itself from American democratic decline? Oct 24, 2023

Around the world, democracies are on the back foot. For years, experts, commentators, politicians, and other practitioners and observers have discussed a global democratic recession. Several countries are of interest as case studies in decline, but the United States stands out. As an established democracy and global hegemon, the retreat of American democracy – always flawed, but increasingly so of late – threatens the world, and particularly its continental neighbours, including Canada.

While Canada cannot be fully independent in a globalized world, particularly as we share a border with the United States, we must consider ways of preserving, indeed expanding, our democracy. But that might be difficult if our largest trading and security partner falls apart. With that concern in mind, we ask: Can Canada protect itself from American democratic decline?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Rob Goodman, assistant professor of politics and public administration at Toronto Metropolitan University and author of the new book Not Here: Why American Democracy is Eroding and How Canada Can Protect Itself.

In Conversation: Progress in a New Age of Geopolitical Competition Oct 16, 2023

Europe is at war. Global competition with China for economic and political influence is stronger than ever. In too many places, we are facing mass democratic backsliding. We have no choice but to face these challenges head on. In the next of our series of highlight sessions from the 2023 Global Progress Action Summit, Magdalena Andersson (Former Prime Minister of Sweden, Leader of Swedish Social Democrats), and Mélanie Joly (Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs), speak with Ben Rhodes (Former United States Deputy National Security Adviser for President Obama and Co-Chair of National Security Action) about a progressive foreign policy for our time.

This conversation took place on September 16, 2023, at the 2023 Global Progress Action Summit in Montréal hosted by Canada 2020 and CAP Action. It has been lightly edited for clarity.

In Conversation: The Future of Government Oct 13, 2023

In the next of our series of highlight sessions from the 2023 Global Progress Action Summit, Tony Blair (Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Executive Chairman of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change) shares the stage with Anna Gainey ( Member of Parliament, Canada) to talk about embracing innovation as a touchstone of new progressive politics, the challenge of confronting populism, and the importance of having clarity of direction as a government.

This conversation took place on September 16, 2023, at the 2023 Global Progress Action Summit in Montréal hosted by Canada 2020 and CAP Action. It has been lightly edited for clarity.

In Conversation: Renewing Middle Class Prosperity, with Chrystia Freeland Oct 12, 2023

In the next of our series of highlight sessions from the 2023 Global Progress Action Summit, Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland delivers a thoughtful keynote on how Canada’s government sees the most pressing economic challenges facing Canadians, their plan to meet that challenge, and how we can renew the promise of the middle class.

These remarks took place on September 16, 2023, at the 2023 Global Progress Action Summit in Montréal hosted by Canada 2020 and CAP Action. It has been lightly edited for clarity.

In Conversation: A Time To Build, with Mark Carney Oct 11, 2023

“Progressives build things that last.” In the next of our series of highlight sessions from the 2023 Global Progress Action Summit, Mark Carney (United Nations Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance, Former Governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, and Advisory Board Chair for Canada 2020) speaks about the closing the gap between what people value and what markets value, and how we can build real results that matter to everyone — like jobs, investment, growth, better incomes, affordable homes, and real climate action.

These remarks took place on September 16, 2023, at the 2023 Global Progress Action Summit in Montréal hosted by Canada 2020 and CAP Action. It has been lightly edited for clarity.

Open to Debate: Does Canada have a foreign policy? Oct 10, 2023

Foreign policy might not win elections, but it shapes domestic politics – and the world. Recent months have seen external affairs intersect with internal affairs, hitting the headlines and shaping the country’s agenda. Foreign electoral interference has been top of mind for quite some time. India’s alleged assassination of a Canadian on Canadian soil grabbed even more attention. Then, during an address from Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the House of Commons welcomed and celebrated a Second World War veteran who fought for a Nazi SS division in Ukraine.

Unmoored, unmade, underspecified, underfunded. There’s lots of ways to describe this country’s approach to managing relations with the rest of the world. In this episode, we drill down even deeper to ask a discouraging, yet essential, question: Does Canada have a foreign policy?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Graeme Thompson, Senior Analyst, Global Macro‑Geopolitics, Eurasia Group.

In Conversation: Progressive Leadership for a Decisive Decade Oct 03, 2023

In a decade that has already faced unprecedented economic, health, and environmental crises, there’s never been a more important time for progressives leaders to be coming together to share bold new ideas for building a better future. In this featured session of the 2023 Global Progress Action Summit, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Jonas Gahr Støre (Prime Minister of Norway), Jacinda Ardern (former Prime Minister of New Zealand ), and Sanna Marin (former Finnish Prime Minister) speak about the challenges and opportunities of progressive leadership with Supriya Dwivedi (Director of Policy and Engagement at McGill’s Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy).

This conversation took place on September 16, 2023, at the 2023 Global Progress Action Summit in Montréal hosted by Canada 2020 and CAP Action. It has been lightly edited for clarity.

Open to Debate: Can Olivia Chow remake Toronto? Sep 26, 2023

In June, Olivia Chow was elected mayor of Toronto. She faces an all-too-often complacent city with a hefty budget shortfall and a series of longstanding policy challenges, and failures. Affordable housing, transit, public safety, taxes, and parks spring to mind, but there’s plenty more.

Chow’s performance may be evaluated on its own merits or demerits and against her predecessor’s; but her time as mayor will also stand as a test of left-wing governance. Fairly or unfairly, her mayoralty is a part that will be taken by some as typifying the whole.

Can Olivia Chow remake Toronto?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Saman Tabasinejad, Acting Executive Director at Progress Toronto.

Open to Debate: How do we solve the housing crisis? Sep 12, 2023

Canada’s housing crisis is persistent and brutal. In August, the average rent was nearly $2,100 a month – and much higher in cities including Vancouver and Toronto. The average cost to buy a home was about $670,000 – and, again, much higher in Vancouver, at $1.2 million, and Toronto at $1.1 million. The Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation says the country must build 5.8 million units by 2030 to hit affordable rates; we are on track for about half of that.

Tackling this problem is going to take a multitude of policy efforts across orders of government – efforts that may benefit some people at the expense of others. And yet, what choice do we have? We must ensure everyone has a safe, affordable place to live. So, how do we solve the housing crisis?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Carolyn Whitzman, housing policy expert, adjunct professor at the University of Ottawa, and author of Clara at the Door with a Revolver.

Open to Debate: What does fire weather mean for our future? Aug 08, 2023

In June, this year became the worst wildfire season in Canadian history. Fires burned throughout the country. And there’s almost surely more to come. So far, over 10 million hectares have burned, sending toxic smoke from province to province and into the United States, where tens of millions of people were put under air quality advisories. The smoke caused some of the worst – on some days the worst – air quality in the world in major North American cities including New York and Toronto.

The 2023 wildfire season, driven by what’s known as “fire weather,” may be a window into our future. As climate change runs amok and hotter, drier temperatures make wildfires more common and harder to control, we risk having to endure a brutal, deadly, and ecologically destructive new normal. So, what does fire weather mean for our future?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with John Vaillant, journalist and author of Fire Weather: The Making of a Beast.

In conversation: Electricity and the new era of energy Jul 31, 2023

On April 19 in Ottawa, Canada 2020 hosted our first Net-zero Leadership Summit, a gathering of leading experts and innovators from across Canada and beyond to explore the challenges and opportunities of achieving a net-zero economy. In the final of our series of highlight conversations from this summit, we hear from Heather Chalmers (CEO of GE Canada), as well as Heather, Ben Greenhouse (CEO of Potentia) and Gilbert Bennett (CEO of Waterpower Canada) in conversation John Gorman (President & CEO, Canadian Nuclear Association) about electricity, regulatory and implementation challenges, leading the rise of clean energy, and a Team Canada approach to our nation’s energy future.

In conversation: Minister Steven Guilbeault on Canada’s Plan for Action Jul 28, 2023

On April 19 in Ottawa, Canada 2020 hosted our first Net-zero Leadership Summit, a gathering of leading experts and innovators from across Canada and beyond to explore the challenges and opportunities of achieving a net-zero economy. As we undergo shared global health and environmental challenges, along with major geopolitical and economic shifts, we must look to how markets, governments, and people can forge a new and better path forward. In the next of our series of highlight conversations from this summit, we hear a closing keynote from Steven Guilbeault (Minister of Environment and Climate Change) , and conversation with Diana Fox Carney (Senior Advisor, Eurasia Group and Strategic Advisory Board Member, Terramera) on the policies and partnerships necessary to achieve a more prosperous and sustainable Canada.

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity ahead of publication.

In conversation: Net-zero Cities Jul 27, 2023

On April 19 in Ottawa, Canada 2020 hosted our first Net-zero Leadership Summit, a gathering of leading experts and innovators from across Canada and beyond to explore the challenges and opportunities of achieving a net-zero economy. As we undergo shared global health and environmental challenges, along with major geopolitical and economic shifts, we must look to how markets, governments, and people can forge a new and better path forward. In the next of our series of highlight conversations from this summit, we join Gregor Robertson (Former Mayor of Vancouver, Executive Vice President of Nexii, and Ambassador for the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy), Alex Lau (Chairman of Carbon America, Vice President of Golden Properties, and Board member at Terramera), and Sandrine Tremblay (Co-President and CTO of Kolostat & Krome) in conversation on the housing and building sector, and future of our built environment.

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity ahead of publication.

In conversation: Mark Carney and Delia Cristea on Net-zero Leadership Jul 26, 2023

On April 19 in Ottawa, Canada 2020 hosted our first Net-zero Leadership Summit, a gathering of leading experts and innovators from across Canada and beyond to explore the challenges and opportunities of achieving a net-zero economy. As we undergo shared global health and environmental challenges, along with major geopolitical and economic shifts, we must look to how markets, governments, and people can forge a new and better path forward. In the first of our series of highlighted conversations from this summit, we hear a keynote from Mark Carney (UN Special Envoy for Climate and Finance and Chair of the Canada 2020 Advisory Board), and conversation with Delia Cristea (Partner, General Counsel, and Sustainability Lead for Power Sustainable) on the net-zero transition internationally, what's happening in the financial sector, and lessons for Canada.

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity ahead of publication.

Open to Debate: Did cable television break America? Jul 25, 2023

The United States of America is a polarized country marked by toxic partisan politics. The state of American politics comes from somewhere. And it might have been otherwise. It has been shaped by powerful interests, technologies, and contingent forces. One of those – one of the most important – is cable television.

A new booktraces the history of cable television and the changing political and cultural landscape in the United States. In the background of the book looms an absolute bruiser of a question: Did cable television break America?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Kathryn Cramer Brownell, an assistant professor of history in the College of Liberal Arts at Purdue University and the author of 24/7 Politics: Cable Television and the Fragmenting of America from Watergate to Fox News.

Open To Debate: How should we think about fat bodies? Jul 04, 2023

There are all kinds of euphemisms for fat bodies. They capture and obscure a persistent social discomfort and prejudice that appears across fields and settings, from pop culture, to airlines, to medicine and beyond. Weight is also a marker for constant abuse, online and offline. When it comes to weight, we have normalized prejudice, moral panic, and shaming, even as we have made such treatment socially unacceptable in relation to other markers.

Where does the pathologizing of fat bodies come from? Who benefits from it and at whose expense? And how can we do better? We explore those questions and others as we ask: How should we think about fat bodies?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with May Friedman, professor in the School of Social Work at Toronto Metropolitan University and the author of several books, among them the recently released co-edited volume, Fat Studies in Canada: (Re)Mapping the Field.

Open to Debate: Who owns the future of public spaces? Jun 20, 2023

For years, private interests have encroached upon public spaces. As time goes on, there are fewer and fewer places that belong to each of us regardless of our socioeconomic status–places where we can congregate or simply exist without needing to bend to the will of the market or worry about being surveilled.

But what if our cities themselves were to fall to privatization? Imagine a city run, for instance, by a big tech company. Proprietary roads and sewers and sidewalks; data collection and surveillance here, there, and everywhere. The notion isn’t so far-fetched. A recent struggle in Toronto over Google’s attempt to pilot a “smart city” is a reminder that we can’t take anything for granted. So, who owns the future of public spaces?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Josh O’Kane, an award-winning reporter with the Globe and Mail and author of Sideways: The City Google Couldn’t Buy.

In Conversation: Land, Economic Independence, and a Self-Determined Future Jun 15, 2023

On May 16 in Ottawa, Canada 2020 hosted this year's edition of The Indigenous-led Economy, a summit on economic reconciliation. In this final episode of our three-part series highlighting important conversations from this gathering, Marc Miller (Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations), Khelsilem (Chair, Squamish Nation Council), and Karen Restoule (Co-Founder, BOLD Realities; VP, Crestview Strategy) explore understanding economic reconciliation through land-back, advancing Indigenous self-determination, and what must come next to build the Indigenous-led economy.

In Conversation: Reconciliation and Leadership for the Net-zero Transition Jun 13, 2023

Infrastructure, connectivity, and access to energy remain a significant barrier to quality of life in many Indigenous communities, with the net-zero transition presenting both urgent challenges and unprecedented opportunities. In a conversation featuring Hillary Thatcher (Managing Director, Indigenous and Northern Investments at Canadian Infrastructure Bank), Angel Ransom (Senior VP, Environmental Services at First Nations Major Projects Coalition), Mihskakwan James Harper (Business Development Manager at NRStor Inc.), Cole Crook (Vice President, Indigenous Relations at ATCO Group), and Dan Pudjak, (former Director of Policy for the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs), we explore how we can bridge infrastructural gaps with sustainability in mind.

This conversation was part of Canada 2020’s summit on economic reconciliation, The Indigenous-led Economy, hosted on May 16 in Ottawa, and is part two of three conversations we are sharing on the 2020 Network.

In Conversation: No Wealth Without Wellbeing Jun 08, 2023

On May 16 in Ottawa, Canada 2020 hosted another edition of The Indigenous-led Economy, a summit on economic reconciliation. When it comes to foundations for community and economic development, access to health care, crucial social supports, and education are no less relevant than infrastructure and investment. In a conversation featuring Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, Dr. Alika Lafontaine, President of the Canadian Medical Association, and Shannin Metatawabin, CEO of the National Aboriginal Capital Corporation Association, we explore how we can build both wealth and well-being as pillars of economic reconciliation.

Open to Debate: What just happened in Alberta–and what comes next? Jun 06, 2023

Last week in Alberta, Premier Danielle Smith and the United Conservative Party held on to government in a race that was much closer than the 49-38 seat count suggests. Indeed, a small shift in votes in a handful of ridings in Calgary would have tipped the contest in favour of the New Democratic Party. But that didn’t happen. NDP leader Rachel Notley says she will stay on as leader after losing to Smith, whose ministry and campaign were marked by gaffes, scandals, and utter absurdity.

If you’re wondering how Smith managed to perform as well as she did after comparing those who received a Covid vaccine to followers of Hitler, and what she’ll do next as she takes aim at the federal government and climate policy, you have come to the right place as we ask: What just happened in Alberta–and what comes next?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Alberta politics writer Dave Cournoyer.

Open To Debate: Who gets to spend time in nature? May 02, 2023

This is the first episode in our three-piece series on the past, present, and future of public spaces in Canada. In these episodes we’ll cover nature, cities, and big national undertakings – things we do, have done, or might do together in spaces meant for all of us. We’ll also discuss threats to public spaces, of which there are many, and what is being done to address them.

Now, nature is the ultimate public space. There is something fundamental about it. Something essential. Nature pre-existed the built world and in one form or another it will outlast it, too. But not everyone has equal access to nature, and some communities and groups are less likely to have that access. In that way, it’s very much like other spaces, the ones we have created.

There are a number of reasons people ought to have both a right and an ability to access public spaces in nature. Among them are physical health, mental health, education, and pure, simple joy. One organization is fighting to secure that access, especially for youth from low-income households and BIPOC communities. To understand their work, and the battle for green public spaces, we ask: Who gets to spend time in nature?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Andrew Young, the executive director of Outward Bound Canada.

Open to Debate: Who should care about rural development? Apr 18, 2023

We spend an awful lot of time talking about housing and development—and we should. But often lost in the conversation is how we manage rural land and housing. The vast majority of Canada is urbanized, but in case you were thinking what happens “out there” has nothing to do with you, think again. Rural areas are home to plenty of houses and residential developments of their own, but they are also the site of the country’s farmland. In the face of geopolitical shifts, climate change, and the ever present concern of food security, rural development is an important issue. The bad news? Things are…not going well, particularly in Canada’s most populous province, Ontario.

To understand the state of rural development, where things are headed, and how we might do better, we ask the fundamental question: Who should care about rural development?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Jeff Wheeldon, a municipal councillor in Brighton, Ontario, a real estate agent, and a housing advocate.

Open To Debate: What does a campus labour struggle tell us about unions in Canada? Mar 21, 2023

At Carleton University, a union local is fighting for a fair deal for its workers–and getting ready for a strike. Across Ontario and Canada, unionized workplaces are fighting similar battles, even while the balance of power continues to favour employers by default.

Democratized workplaces produce better results for employees, and everyone down the line, too. Recent gains in Canada and the United States might point to a new dawn for unions as people struggle with the cost of living crisis and unfavourable working conditions. But the future, as it tends to be, is uncertain. We can, however, follow the clues and ask: What does a campus labour struggle tell us about unions in Canada?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Noreen Cauley-Le Fevre, president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) local 4600 and a PhD Candidate in Geography at Carleton University; and Graham Cox, a research representative at CUPE.

Open To Debate: Can we have a healthy digital public sphere? Mar 07, 2023

Like it or not, we are stuck online. Digital life is a reflection and extension of life offline–if we can even talk about life offline anymore. It’s not like the old days of logging on and logging off. We are constantly connected. Our social, political, and economic lives are bound up with the digital world. So is our public sphere. And much of that world is controlled by a handful of very wealthy, very powerful tech giants.

Digital space presents several significant challenges to the public good. Dis- and misinformation, domestic and foreign. Toxicity by way of name-calling, hate speech, and bullying. Economic exploitation, asymmetrical access, class divides. Doxxing and hacking. Even the threat of physical violence. It’s pretty grim stuff. In light of these challenges, how can we build a healthier digital public sphere?

On this episode of Open to Debate, host David Moscrop talks with Taylor Owen, Beaverbrook Chair in Media, Ethics and Communications, the founding director of The Center for Media, Technology and Democracy, and an Associate Professor in the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University.

In conversation: Growth for all in a fast-changing world Feb 23, 2023

On February 10 in Vancouver, BC, Canada 2020 and the Urban Land Institute of BC co-hosted a special event to discuss how we can face the economic challenges faced by all Canadians.

In a conversation featuring Mark Carney (former Governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, UN Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance, and Canada 2020 Advisory Board Chair), Ken Sim (Mayor of Vancouver), Christine Bergeron (President and CEO of Vancity), and Anna Gainey, (Executive Chair of Canada 2020), we explore what our cities, governments, and economic leaders can do to build a stronger economy and more prosperous future for us all.

Open to Debate: How do we fix Canadian healthcare? Feb 07, 2023

In Ontario, Premier Doug Ford is trying to address the province’s healthcare crisis. With over 200,000 people waiting for surgeries, long emergency room wait times, too few family physicians, and nurses burning out and leaving the profession, something must be done. But Ford’s plan is to introduce more for-profit care into the system. He calls it “innovation.” It’s been done in other provinces. It won’t solve the crisis, but it might introduce new problems.

Saving healthcare in Ontario, and Canada, requires structural changes to preserve and extend the public and not-for-profit elements of the system. And don’t let anyone tell you it can’t be done. It can. There are best practices. We just need to adopt them at scale. So, how do we fix Canadian healthcare?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Dr. Melanie Bechard, a pediatric emergency doctor and Chair of Canadian Doctors for Medicare.

Open to Debate: Will the Canadian marketplace ever be competitive? Jan 24, 2023

Canadians can be forgiven for making a national pastime out of expressing anger at the state of competition in the country. Telecom, grocery, transportation, entertainment, and several other industries are an utter, anti-consumer disaster. As I like to put it, Canada is made up of three telecom companies in a trenchcoat.

There may be some hope for change, however, as the country undertakes a review of its competition policy and the Competition Bureau pushes back a bit more than usual against monopoly and oligopoly. So, will the Canadian marketplace ever be competitive?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Vass Bednar, executive director of McMaster University’s Master of Public Policy Program in Digital Society, senior fellow with The Centre for International Governance Innovation, and the writer of the popular newsletter “regs to riches.”

Open to Debate: How should Canada engage with Indigenous legal traditions? Jan 10, 2023

Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in Canada requires structural transformation. One essential site of institutional reform is the country’s legal systems.

In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada released 94 calls to action. In call to action #42, the TRC called upon “the federal, provincial, and territorial governments to commit to the recognition and implementation of Aboriginal justice systems in a manner consistent with the Treaty and Aboriginal rights of Aboriginal peoples, the Constitution Act, 1982, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples endorsed by Canada in November 2012.”

To understand what meaningful reform could look like, we ask: How should Canada engage with Indigenous legal traditions?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Dr. Val Napoleon, dean, professor, and Law Foundation Chair of Indigenous Justice and Governance at the University of Victoria, and Dr. Hadley Friedland, associate professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Alberta.

Open to Debate: How do cities work? Dec 20, 2022

This is the third and final episode in a three-part series on cities in Canada. So far, we’ve tackled how cities fit within the constitution and explored progressive visions for city life in the 21st century.

We talk about cities all the time. Not that they get the critical, detailed coverage and attention they deserve; but talk about cities and life within them is common. Mostly complaining. But not always.

But how do cities work? That is, how do they actually work? And how will they work now that Toronto and Ottawa mayors have access to the “strong mayor” powers afforded to them by the provincial government?

To the outsider, the process of municipal governance might seem arcane. Probably because for most people, the process is arcane. Luckily, our guest knows the ins and outs of city governance and he's here to share his secrets.

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Shawn Menard, City of Ottawa councillor for Capital Ward.

In conversation: The future of rural Canada and supporting community economies Dec 13, 2022

On December 1, Canada 2020 launched the results of a one-year project of research and convening to establish a practical policy agenda for building wealth and well-being in smaller, rural, and remote communities across Canada.

This special edition podcast is from the launch of this report, “A post-pandemic policy agenda for rural and smaller Canadian communities”, featuring a conversation with Canada’s Minister of Rural Economic Development the Hon. Gudie Hutchings, Shorefast CEO Zita Cobb, Mississaugas of the Scugog Island First Nation Chief Kelly LaRocca , Smart Prosperity Senior Director Mike Moffatt, and Bradford West Gwillimbury Councillor Jonathan Scott, led by Canada 2020 Senior Fellow and author of the report Matthew Mendelsohn.

Open To Debate: What can be done about the biggest issues facing our cities? Dec 06, 2022

Around the world, more than 4 billion people live in cities. That’s just over 50 percent of the global population. The United Nations projects that by 2050, it will be 68 percent. In Canada, 82 percent of people live in urban areas and that number is on the rise, too.

Alongside the growth in urbanization is growth in the number of problems cities and their residents face. The list is long and getting longer. Housing. Transit. Policing. Parks. Infrastructure. The drug poisoning crisis. Safe streets for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. And more.

Tackling numerous and overlapping urban challenges requires political courage and a commitment to doing things differently. To understand just what that entails, we ask: What can be done about the biggest issues facing our cities?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Gil Penalosa, founder of 8 80 Cities and former mayoral candidate in the City of Toronto.

Open to Debate: What is the state of cities in Canada? Nov 22, 2022

This is the first in a three-episode series on cities in Canada. In 1911, 45 percent of people lived in cities in this country. By 2021, that number had risen to 82 percent–and growing.

The growth of cities in Canada has been painful. Today, they face significant challenges including housing policy, policing, and public transit. And yet, they get far less attention than other orders of government and exist under the thumb of provinces. To try to understand what this means for residents, we ask: What is the state of cities in Canada?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Andrea Reimer, Principal at Tawaw Strategies, adjunct Professor of Practice at the University of British Columbia’s School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, and former three-term Vancouver city councillor.

Open To Debate: How should we fight anti-trans hate? Nov 08, 2022

Anti-trans hate and violence is on the rise in Canada and the United States. Indeed, 2021 was the most violent year for trans people on record worldwide. Online and offline, trans people face growing threats driven in large part by right wing extremists and their enablers in the media and politics, as well as those who remain silent. Tackling this hate and violence requires a combination of community and government work across borders. Towards that end we ask: How should we fight anti-trans hate?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Wynne Nowland, chief executive officer of Bradley & Parker and trans advocate.

In conversation: Saving Social Media with Frances Haugen Nov 01, 2022

In 2021, Frances Haugen leaked tens of thousands of internal documents to the Wall Street Journal and testified before the US Senate on the vital challenge of ensuring that the biggest social media companies don’t put profits before public welfare and safety. Now, she's devoted her life to advocating for a reformed social media ecosystem that protects the wellbeing, trust, and health of its users and all of society.

On October 18, 2022, Canada 2020 hosted a conversation with Haugen and Supriya Dwivedi, Director of Policy and Engagement at the Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy, on how we can strengthen the information environment for a healthier democracy, and build social media that brings out the best in humanity.

Open To Debate: What is the future of the labour movement? Oct 25, 2022

The labour movement is having a moment. Both in the United States and in Canada, unions have won breakthroughs at workplaces including Amazon, Starbucks, Medieval Times, and Blizzard alongside union drives at Staples, Indigo, and WestJet. While union rates in both countries are low, particularly in the private sector, recent momentum offers an opportunity for a resurgence. And while management and owners are pushing back against workers, the terrain on which they do battle is changing. And so on this episode we ask: What is the future of the labour movement?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Jon Melrod, activist, human rights lawyer, and author of Fighting Times: Organizing on the Front Lines of the Class War.

Open to Debate: What is the new political capitalism? Oct 11, 2022

In a pluralist society, individuals and groups each have their own preferences, interests, and goals. Together they compete, cooperate, intersect, and diverge in public and private spaces, shaping the world and how we live together. Like it or not, industry plays a central role in that process – and can’t help but be drawn into the politics of the day in public and not-so-public ways.

Beyond advocating for the interests of industry in public policy, businesses may also engage in political activity in public, shaping perceptions, setting the agenda, and taking sides in controversies in good faith and in bad. A new book looks to make sense of how businesses engage in political spaces, when and how they should, and when they shouldn’t – and with it we ask: What is the new political capitalism?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Joe Zammit-Lucia, founder of Radix, a public policy think tank, and author of The New Political Capitalism: How Businesses and Societies Can Thrive in a Deeply Politicized World.

In conversation: The imperative of economic reconciliation Sep 30, 2022

In May of 2022, Indigenous leaders from across sectors came together with Canada 2020 to reflect on the importance of economic reconciliation to their communities, and to demonstrate the unquestionable value of Indigenous economic leadership, stewardship, and innovation.

This special edition podcast is a featured conversation from that summit, with insights from Mark Podlasly, Director of Economic Policy at the First Nations Major Projects Coalition; Cherie Brant, Partner and National Leader, Indigenous Law at BLG; and the Hon. Marc Miller, Minister of Crown Indigenous Relations.

Open To Debate: What does the targeted harassment of journalists mean for journalism and democracy? Sep 13, 2022

Threats and harassment directed at journalists in Canada are on the rise. A vicious coordinated campaign of hate targeted at a handful of women, especially racialized women, in recent weeks stands out as particularly troubling. As the far-right continues to organize and grow in the country, and as cynical politicians and media elites fan the flames, the implications of these campaigns press beyond the borders of news media and into the territory of our democracy.

Protecting journalists and uprooting hate requires an immediate, coordinated, and sustained counter-movement. The effort must also be adequate to the task. Those who choose violence cannot be met with tolerance, since infinite tolerance undermines the foundations of inclusion. But to understand what is to be done, we must start by understanding the nature and extent of the problem. So, we ask: What does the targeted harassment of journalists mean for journalism and democracy?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Erica Ifill, race and equity expert, co-host of the Bad and Bitchy podcast, and founder of Not In My Colour – an anti-racism and equity consultancy.

Open To Debate: What is the future of public healthcare in Canada? Aug 30, 2022

The crisis in healthcare across the country has opened the door for "reform." In Ontario, Premier Doug Ford is pushing "innovation." In recent days, he’s taken that message to Atlantic Canada, too. But what does "innovation" mean? It could mean further starving the public system of the resources it needs. It could mean privatisation. It could mean introducing a two-track system. Supporters of a strong public system aren’t inclined to give conservative reformers the benefit of the doubt, nor should they be.

Understanding the future of healthcare in Canada requires us to understand the challenges the system faces and the battle between those who wish to renew the public system and those who wish to undo it. Those are the questions we’ll dig into as we ask: What is the future of public healthcare in Canada?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Vivian Stamatopoulos, associate teaching professor at Ontario Tech University and LTC advocate.

Open to Debate: What can artificial intelligence do? Aug 16, 2022

Artificial intelligence is embedded in our daily lives whether we notice it or not. It shapes how we live, work, and play. Shopping, gaming, healthcare, cybersecurity, travelling, social media, policing, war and plenty of other facets of contemporary life feature AI technology – and there’s more on the way. And while discussions of AI tend towards questions about sentience – and robot overlords throwing off the yoke of human rule and taking over – the more immediate and pressing concerns of use, abuse, equity, and privacy still need to be answered.

Shaping AI to serve human needs and the public good requires that the community take part in determining the boundaries and ethics of the technology. Determining those uses and limits starts with understanding its applications. So, in this episode we ask: What can artificial intelligence do?

My guest on this episode of Open to Debate, is Yves Jacquier, Executive Director of Ubisoft La Forge.

Open To Debate: What do cattle have to do with climate change? Aug 02, 2022

The agriculture sector is a significant global source of greenhouse gas emissions. In 2019, the United Nations suggested eating less meat was a key step in lowering such emissions – especially beef. But while the sector contributes to climate change, it is also an essential component of our food security, biodiversity, and meeting daily nutritional needs. Understanding how beef consumption fits into our fight against climate change requires us to dig into Canada’s cattle industry, how it operates, and how it fits into domestic and global food and ecological systems.

While it’s easy to say “Eat less beef,” there’s more to it than that. To sort out just what that entails, we ask “What do cattle have to do with climate change?”

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Dr. Tim McAllister, a research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and host of the podcast Cows on the Planet.

Open To Debate: How are you doing-er? Jul 19, 2022

In February, 2021, we took a deep breath and mixed things up by checking in with one of our favourite comedians as we celebrated our 40th episode. At the time, we’d been in the pandemic for a year. Now, we’ve been at it for over two years and we’re approaching 70 episodes. So, what better time to check back in with one of our best-loved guests.

Last time, we asked “How are you doing?” It would be lazy to ask the same question, so this time we ask: How are you doing-er?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Brittlestar— Stewart Reynolds—comedian, video-maker extraordinaire, and, according to his website, The Internet’s Favourite Dad* (*still unproven).

@Risk: Looking Back: Bigger Than Risk Jul 07, 2022

After two seasons of conversations about our increasingly risky world, @Risk is taking a break.

For our final episode of @Risk, we’re looking back on conversations with risk experts on the role risk plays in our bigger picture. Join Jodi for our final look back on the series with evolutionary biologist and professor Carl Bergstrom; journalist and advocate Nana aba Duncan; author and expert on psychology and decision making Dan Gardener; journalist Jeff Jarvis; retired four-star US army general Stanley McChrystal; best-selling author, journalist, and educator Andrew Potter; and writer, legal scholar, and member of the second Obama administration Cass Sunstein.

@Risk: Looking Back: The Art of Risk Jun 30, 2022

After two seasons of conversations about our increasingly risky world, @Risk is taking a break. But before that, we want to look back on some of our favourite conversations through this series.

In this episode of @Risk, we’re looking at risk in the world of art. Join Jodi for a look back at conversations with the brains behind all sorts of creative work: journalist and fashion entrepreneur Jeanne Beker; painter, sculptor, and educator, Eric Fischl; poet and author (and lawyer!) Michelle Good; self-styled “dirty nature writer” David Huebert; novelist Emily St. John Mandel; and one of Canada’s favourite comedians, Mark Critch.

Open To Debate: How should we put ourselves back together post-pandemic? Jun 28, 2022

The pandemic isn’t over. Someday, it will be. But we aren’t there yet. We are, however, at a critical juncture – a fork in the road at which we can choose another path forward. Today, we ought to be devoting much of our attention to an analysis of how we can rebuild or remake our social, political, and economic institutions in ways that serve us more effectively, sustainably, and equitably.

Rebuilding or remaking our institutions requires us to think critically about what has worked in the past, for whom, and what might work better in the future. It requires us to ask a basic question and to be willing to follow where it leads us. It requires us to imagine something different. So, we ask: How should we put ourselves back together post-pandemic?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks once more–for a record-setting fourth time–with Amanda Watson, feminist theorist, lecturer at Simon Fraser University and author of The Juggling Mother: Coming Undone in the Age of Anxiety.

@Risk: Looking Back: Health at Risk Jun 16, 2022

After two seasons of conversations about our increasingly risky world, @Risk is taking a break. But before that, we want to look back on some of our favourite conversations through this series.

In this episode of @Risk, we reflect on something we’re all extremely familiar with: our health at risk. Jodi looks back on conversations with health reporter and columnist for the Globe and Mail, André Picard; CEO of SE Health, Shirlee Sharkey; founder and CEO of Children First Canada, Sara Austin; Science magazine correspondent, Kai Kupferschmidt; and global health reporter, Helen Branswell.

Open to Debate: Where do hate crimes come from and what is to be done? Jun 14, 2022

In the first year of the pandemic, police-reported hate crimes rose by 37 percent. That’s from a recent Statistics Canada report that recorded 2,669 incidents in 2020 – the highest number since such data became available in 2009. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. No one who has been paying attention to the rise in hateful rhetoric, threats, and the growing mobilization of white supremacists in Canada will be surprised by this data. But it’s shocking and troubling nonetheless.

Rooting out hate in Canada requires that we face it head on: going to its source and dealing with both the individuals and the structures that produce violence. So, on this episode we ask: Where do hate crimes come from and what is to be done?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Mohammed Hashim, executive director of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.

@Risk: Looking Back: The Business of Risk Jun 02, 2022

After two seasons of conversations about our increasingly risky world, @Risk is taking a break. But before that, we want to look back on some of our favourite conversations through this series.

In this episode of @Risk, we revisit conversations with cybersecurity expert Shuman Ghosemajumder, Olympic athlete and doctor Hayley Wickenheiser, our 18th prime minister, the Right Honorable Brian Mulroney, NASA systems engineer Dr. Farah Alibay, and the First Canadian Commander of the International Space Station Colonel Chris Hadfield to reflect on what it means when you’re in the business of risk.

Open To Debate: What is the state of abortion rights and access in Canada? May 31, 2022

In the United States, a leaked draft opinion on the constitutional right to abortion has put those who support choice on high-alert. The constitutional protection of that right is at risk, putting the well-being and lives of millions in the path of peril as the country tilts ever further towards Christian theocracy.

As news of the U.S. leak circulated, many in Canada took notice and raised questions about the right to choose in this country, wondering whether it was secure and for how long. As is often the case, a chorus of “It can’t happen here,” emerged. But this country has its own issues when it comes to abortion rights and access. To find out what those are, we ask: What is the state of abortion rights and access in Canada?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Frédérique Chabot, director of health promotion with Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights.

@Risk: Indigenous Capital Gain May 26, 2022

On this episode of @ Risk, Jodi Butts is joined by Mark Podlasy (Nlaka’pamux Nation), the Director of Economic Policy and Initiatives at the First Nations Major Projects Coalition, to discuss how the righting of our nation’s greatest shame can help address one of the world’s top catastrophic risks.

No Second Chances: Canadian Arrivals May 16, 2022

There’s nothing like coming home after a long trip. It makes us appreciate wherever home is, but also opens up our eyes to some of the ways it could be, well, better.

This week on No Second Chances, host Kate Graham lands back in Canada for the last episode of the season. She talks with Dr. Susan Franceschet, a professor of political science at the University of Calgary, and the incredible Marci Ien, Canada’s Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, to take an honest look at what it’s going to take for us to build a fairer, and more equitable Canada. Here’s a hint: each of us has more power than we think we do.

Open To Debate: What does artificial intelligence mean for the future of equitable, accessible healthcare? May 10, 2022

Artificial intelligence is shaping healthcare in Canada and around the world. The role of AI in delivering care will evolve and, indeed, grow. As a series of tools, it offers opportunities for patients and practitioners; yet, as with any technology, it comes with risks. As with any tool, AI will only be as good as those who create and operate it. Given who we are – and our track record – that ought to give us pause.

Understanding, interrogating, and mobilizing new technologies requires care, diligence, and diversity. When it comes to equitable, accessible healthcare, we require heaps and heaps of such considerations. So, in this episode we ask: What does artificial intelligence mean for the future of equitable, accessible healthcare?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Dr. Rim Khazal, an expert on AI policy who holds a PhD in Neuroscience from Carleton University.

@Risk: The Doctor will see you now? May 05, 2022

On this episode of @Risk, Jodi Butts is joined by the Chair of the largest academic department of family medicine in the world at the University of Toronto, Dr. Danielle Martin, to discuss why it’s so hard to find a family doc and what we can do to fix that.

No Second Chances: Back To Reality May 02, 2022

The No Second Chances world tour has taken us to Denmark, Taiwan, Chile, New Zealand, the US, Costa Rica, and Namibia. But before we land back at Canadian Arrivals, let’s take a step back and see what patterns have emerged.

In this week’s episode, host Kate Graham talks to Dr. Rosie Campbell, Dr. Sarah Liu, and Dr. Jennifer Piscopo about political culture, systemic bias, and what else lies at the core of women in leadership getting no second chances.

Open to Debate: Who gets to be a migrant – and where? Apr 26, 2022

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has produced a refugee crisis. Another one, that is. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reports over 80 million people have been displaced globally, including over 26 million who are refugees. According to the U.N. agency, “Syria, Venezuela, Afghanistan, South Sudan and Myanmar account for two-thirds of people displaced across borders.”

The war in Ukraine has produced millions of additional refugees. Many are being welcomed around the world, as they should be. But as news media and states treat the Ukrainian crisis differently than others, a question lingers: Who gets to be a migrant – and where?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Ketty Nivyabandi, Secretary-General of Amnesty International Canada.

@Risk: The Not So United States of America Apr 21, 2022

On this episode of @Risk, Jodi Butts is joined by former Canadian Ambassador to the United States of America, David McNaughton, to discuss the fractured state of that nation and how we might escape a similar fate in Canada.

No Second Chances: Namibia Apr 18, 2022

This week on No Second Chances we’ve landed in Namibia, at last visiting the final continent of our world tour. And - for the first time this season - we’re letting a man join the conversation.

Join host Kate Graham as she talks to the University of Namibia’s Paulus Mwetulundila, as well as the incredible Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhilaa on Namibia’s fight for independence, a 32-year-old constitution, and what zebras have to do with gender equity.

@Risk: Doing Politics Differently with Chi Nguyen Apr 07, 2022

On this episode of @ Risk, Jodi Butts is joined by Ontario Liberal Party candidate for Spadina-Fort York, Chi Nguyen, to discuss the risks on the ballot in the upcoming Ontario provincial election.

No Second Chances: Costa Rica Apr 04, 2022

White sand beaches, lush rain forests, and… gender quotas in the legislature since 1991? Welcome to Costa Rica.

This week on No Second Chances, host Kate Graham talks civic culture, gender parity, and female leadership styles with Dr. Jennifer Piscopo, expert in gender and politics in Latin America, and the one and only Laura Chinchilla, former President of Costa Rica.

No Second Chances: Costa Rica Apr 04, 2022

White sand beaches, lush rain forests, and… gender quotas in the legislature since 1991? Welcome to Costa Rica.

This week on No Second Chances, host Kate Graham talks civic culture, gender parity, and female leadership styles with Dr. Jennifer Piscopo, expert in gender and politics in Latin America, and the one and only Laura Chinchilla, former President of Costa Rica.

Open to Debate: What is racial capitalism and the case for reparations? Mar 29, 2022

As Prince William and Kate Middleton wrap up their Jubilee tour of the Caribbean, Barbados and Jamaica are moving towards becoming republics, casting doubt on the future of the Commonwealth. Ahead of the royal visit to Jamaica, more than 100 prominent Jamaicans signed an open letter to the prince and duchess, calling for “an apology for British crimes against humanity” alongside reparations.

The case for reparations in the Caribbean and beyond is bound up with the past and present of racial capitalism – a form of racialized economic, social, and political extraction, exploitation, and domination. To understand how this system works, how it might be undone, and what is owed from centuries of its existence, we ask: What is racial capitalism and the case for reparations?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Erica Ifill, race and equity expert, co-host of the Bad and Bitchy podcast, and founder of Not In My Colour – an anti-racism and equity consultancy.

@Risk: Critch Please! Mar 24, 2022

On this episode of @Risk, Jodi Butts is joined by comedian, best-selling author and television star, Mark Critch, to discuss political comedy and comedic politics.

No Second Chances: United States of America Mar 21, 2022

When Canadians talk politics, it’s only a matter of time before the conversation turns to our neighbours to the south.

This week on No Second Chances, host Kate Graham explores the challenges - and global effects - of politics and gender in the United States with three brilliant academics: Dr. Kelly Dittmar, political scientist and Director of Research at the Center of American Women and Politics; Dr. Nadia Brown, a professor of government and Chair of the Women’s and Gender Studies Program at Georgetown University; and Dr. Malliga Och, a political scientist and gender and politics expert from Idaho State University.

Open To Debate: Who gets to protest? Mar 15, 2022

As Canada and the world watched a convoy roll across the country to Ottawa, occupy the capital, and terrorize the city, those who have long warned about the risks of the far-right and white supremacists reminded us that this has been a long time coming. Canada has long ignored and neglected growing extremist movements while condemning, suppressing, and over policing morally just protest and state resistance.

It’s cheap and easy to try to apply a one-size-fits-all analysis to all who push back against the state. That impulse should be resisted. We ought to distinguish between forms of protests and between morally just and unjust causes. That work starts by understanding how different movements are treated differently in the current climate, including by asking: Who gets to protest?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Mskwaasin Agnew, an Indigenous activist and knowledge keeper.

@Risk: Global Catastrophic Risks with Jens Orback Mar 10, 2022

On this episode of @ Risk, Jodi Butts is joined by Swedish economist, former politician and Executive Director of the Global Challenges Foundation, Jens Orback, to discuss the world’s top global catastrophic risks.

No Second Chances: New Zealand Mar 07, 2022

This week on No Second Chances, we’re taking a look at a country led by one of the most well-known, and respected, female leaders out there. Welcome to New Zealand. Host Kate Graham explores lush landscapes and progressive politics with American-born New Zealand politician Julie Anne Genter, and High Commissioner to Australia, Dame Annette King, in the hopes of understanding how the country has managed to elect not one, not two, but three female prime ministers.

No Second Chances: Chile Feb 28, 2022

To see modern democracy in action, look no further than Chile. This week on No Second Chances, we’ve landed in South America. Host Kate Graham talks to Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Western University, Dr. Verónica Schild, as well as former President, and current United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet about Chilean politics, the country’s progressive new government, and its roots in a strong feminist movement.

@Risk: Uncivil Disobedience in Ottawa Feb 24, 2022

To try to make sense of the occupation of Ottawa’s downtown core on this episode of @Risk, Jodi Butts is joined by University of Toronto assistant professor, Dr. Akwasi Owusu-Bempah, whose work examines the intersections of race, crime and criminal justice, with a particular focus in the area of policing.

Everyday Reconciliation: Wealth and Well-being Feb 17, 2022

There is no reconciliation without economic reconciliation. So why do we tend to shy away from talking about it? Perhaps too few of us understand what economic reconciliation means, beyond mere resource development.

On this episode of Everyday Reconciliation, host Elin Miller speaks with Chief Leanne Joe, Transformative Storyteller for Economic Reconciliation with Simon Fraser University and one of sixteen hereditary chiefs of the Squamish First Nation about why economic reconciliation is hard to define, and why every Canadian should care about it.

@Risk: Civil Discourse with Senator Pamela Wallin Feb 10, 2022

On this episode of @ Risk, Jodi Butts is joined by Canadian Broadcasting Hall of Fame journalist, entrepreneur, and diplomat, Senator Pamela Wallin, to discuss why the media is you and why that’s maybe not a good thing.

No Second Chances: Taiwan Feb 07, 2022

This week on No Second Chances, we touch down in Taiwan. Host Kate Graham talks to the Director-General of New Taipei, Chingyu Yao; entrepreneur and investor, Elisa Chu; Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada's Christina Nakamura; and journalist turned politician Weiwei Chiang on Taiwan’s history, complexity, and how the nation’s first female president actually did get a second chance.

Everyday Reconciliation: Ajuinnata Feb 03, 2022

On July 26, 2021, the first ever Indigenous governor general of Canada was sworn into office. Twenty-nine people preceded her in the role. In other words: about time.

On this episode of Everyday Reconciliation, host Elin Miller speaks with Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Mary May Simon about her path to Rideau Hall, her plans as governor general, and her lifelong goal of building better understanding between Indigenous people and other Canadians.

Open to Debate: What does the future hold for liberal democracy? Feb 01, 2022

Globally, democracy is in recession. In the United States, it is in crisis. In Canada, it is, at best, plodding, complacent, and exclusionary. The social, political, and economic order that so many have taken for granted for so long now faces upheaval. Some believe that shift is long overdue, but alternatives driven by authoritarian populism and other toxic varieties of self-government threaten to usher in something far worse. Regardless, the status quo is untenable. Those who wish to preserve liberal democracy face a challenge: they must find a way to adapt the system in the face of growing counter-pressures and changing technologies, attitudes, and priorities. So, what does the future hold for liberal democracy?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Manuel Hinds, former minister of finance in El Salvador, former division chief at the World Bank, and author of In Defense of Liberal Democracy: What We Need To Do To Heal A Divided America.

@Risk: Unsportsmanlike Conduct Jan 27, 2022

On this episode of @ Risk, Jodi Butts is joined by Toronto Star columnist and sportswriter, Bruce Arthur, to discuss why it’s hard to have nice things like sports.

No Second Chances: Denmark Jan 24, 2022

The No Second Chances world tour starts in Denmark, the land of smoorebrod, Borgen, and two female Prime Ministers. On this episode, host Kate Graham talks to political scientist Karina Kosiara-Pedersen, and former Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt about the systems and structures that have helped make Danish politics more accessible, representative, and inclusive.

Everyday Reconciliation: Representing Nations Jan 20, 2022

Diplomacy is key for all nation-to-nation relationships. So why don’t we talk about it hand-in-hand with reconciliation?

On this episode of Everyday Reconciliation, host Elin Miller speaks with Deborah Chatsis, former Ambassador to Vietnam and Guatemala, about life in the Canadian foreign service, representing Canada as an Indigenous person, and how we can - and should - approach nation-to-nation relationships within Canada with the same as we do around the globe.

Open to Debate: How important is nuclear energy to a low-carbon future? Jan 18, 2022

Canada is home to several active nuclear power plants and is the second largest uranium producer in the world. Nuclear energy accounts for roughly 15 percent of the country’s electricity production. In Ontario, it meets approximately 60 percent of the province’s energy needs. While the popular image of nuclear power is conditioned by infamous historical events, some climate activists and industry professionals advocate it becoming a larger part of our plan to address climate change. So, we ask: How important is nuclear energy to a low-carbon future?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Chris Keefer, ER doctor, founder and director of Doctors for Nuclear Energy, and host of the podcast Decouple.

@Risk: Having a Think about “Succession” Jan 13, 2022

To lighten the mood a little, host Jodi Butts sits down with Awi Sinha for a fun discussion of corporate governance as seen through the looking glass of Season 3 of HBO’s Succession.

No Second Chances: Canadian Departures Jan 10, 2022

Happy New Year! Before we take off on our virtual world tour, let’s take some time to check in on the home front.

On this episode of No Second Chances, host Kate Graham talks to Jacqueline O’Neill, Anjum Sultana, and Melanee Thomas to take stock of the past two years in Canadian politics, and how we can - and must - do better.

Everyday Reconciliation: Leading from the North Jan 06, 2022

The biggest shift in our fight against climate change came when we began putting a human face to the crisis. But that fight is far from over, and most people still don’t appreciate the human cost of our climate emergency.

On this episode of Everyday Reconciliation, host Elin Miller speaks with Inuit activist Siila Watt-Cloutier on life in the North, her decades-long work tying human rights to climate activism, and using lessons from a traditional upbringing to turn the Arctic into a model of sustainability for the globe.

No Second Chances: A Second Chance Dec 28, 2021

No Second Chances is back, and we’re taking the show on the road. Well, sort of. Join host Kate Graham for a (virtual) world tour, exploring what’s worked in countries around the world towards getting women into the top political roles. Hear stories and voices that you may not know yet -- but that we should all be paying attention to. Pack your bags. Our journey starts on January 10, 2022.

@Risk: Another Winter of Our Discontent with Kai Kupferschmidt Dec 16, 2021

On this episode of @Risk, Jodi Butts is joined by contributing correspondent for Science magazine, Kai Kupferschmidt, to discuss the latest science on the Omicron variant, vaccine equity and the legacy of Angela Merkel.

Reflecting on COP26: Understanding Canada’s Carbon Stores Dec 16, 2021

In this final installment of Canada 2020’s post-COP26 conversation series, WWF-Canada’s President and CEO, Megan Leslie, and Vice-President of Science, Knowledge and Innovation, James Snider talk about Canada’s first-ever national carbon ecosystem map, the enormous amounts of carbon stored in terrestrial ecosystems throughout our country, and the essential part carbon storage can play in fighting climate change.

Reflecting on COP26: Understanding the Net-Zero Economy Dec 15, 2021

In part three of our post- COP26 series, economist and UN Special Envoy on Climate Action and Finance Mark Carney, and Vancity CEO Christine Bergeron talk about reframing the political and economic narrative of climate advocacy, and the challenges of moving towards a net-zero economy. What opportunities exist in the aftermath of COP26? What role must the private sector play in this transition? And what can individuals, organizations, and governments do to champion progress towards essential climate action?

Everyday Reconciliation: It’s Nothing like Law & Order Dec 09, 2021

No one ever thinks of law as simple. But too many of us don’t appreciate one particular complexity: there are multiple legal orders that exist across Canada. And most of them are Indigenous.

On this episode of Everyday Reconciliation, host Elin Miller speaks with Val Napoleon, an activist, educator, and the interim Dean of Law at University of Victoria, about Indigenous legal frameworks, and how essential they are to self-governance, Indigenous knowledge and culture, and reconciliation.

Open to Debate: Are we coming undone during the pandemic? Dec 07, 2021

Everybody loves a trilogy. In March of 2020, host David Moscrop and guest Amanda Watson dug into how folks were managing their lives during the early days of the pandemic. In the spring of 2021, the two checked back to talk about managing anxiety in what was billed, optimistically, as the “late pandemic.” Now, just under two years into this whole thing, the two connect once more to ask: Are we coming undone during the pandemic?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks once more with Amanda Watson, feminist theorist, lecturer at Simon Fraser University and author of The Juggling Mother: Coming Undone in the Age of Anxiety.

After this episode, the show is on break until January 18, 2022. We’ll return in the new year to tackle a handful of pressing issues including nuclear energy, disability rights, big data and the state, and more.

@Risk: Burnt Out with Dr. Katharine Smart Dec 02, 2021

On this episode of @ Risk, Jodi Butts is joined by Dr Katharine Smart, pediatrician and President of the Canadian Medical Association to discuss whether we are doing enough to protect healthcare workers and to stand-up our healthcare system during this tenacious pandemic.

Everyday Reconciliation: Understanding Intervention Nov 25, 2021

Colonialism isn’t yet in Canada’s rear-view mirror, especially for the First Nations of this land. Government intervention in First Nations’ governance and administration is a modern reality, and has wide-reaching effects in Indigenous communities.

On this episode of Everyday Reconciliation, host Elin Miller speaks with Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Arlen Dumas, about his experience growing up on-reserve, understanding what it means for communities to be in “co-management”, and his optimism for the future of Indigenous sovereignty.

Everyday Reconciliation is presented by Rio Tinto.

Open to Debate: How does structural racism shape our politics? Nov 23, 2021

Canada is home to structural racism. As much as some might wish to exempt our provinces, cities, political parties, laws, policies, and institutions from systematic exploitation and discrimination, such practices are routine. They are embedded in the fabric of our social, political, and economic lives. To better understand how these systems work, we look to the very processes by which we are governed and ask: How does structural racism shape our politics?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Balarama Holness, Quebec politician, recent Montreal mayoral candidate, and former CFL safety.

Reflecting on COP26: The climate migration crisis Nov 23, 2021

In part two of Canada 2020’s post-COP26 series, Parag Khanna (Founder & Managing Partner of FutureMap, and international bestselling author of the new book MOVE: The Forces Uprooting Us), Warda Shazadi Meighen (Partner at Landings LLP and co-chair of the climate migration working group at the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers) speak with Kate Hammer (Director of Government Relations at Vancity) about the global climate migration crisis, Canada’s responsibility as a member of the international community, the demographic changes we should expect in the face of the climate emergency, and why the time to act is now.

@Risk: Toxic Sublime with David Huebert Nov 18, 2021

On this episode of @Risk, host Jodi Butts is joined by David Huebert, self-styled “dirty nature writer”, educator, and critic from Kjipuktuk (Halifax), to discuss his new book of short stories, Chemical Valley.

Reflecting on COP26: What’s next? Nov 16, 2021

In the wake of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties, what does the fight for climate justice look like? In the first of our four-part post-COP26 series, former Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, and climate scientist and author Katharine Hayhoe talk about the outcomes of COP26, the future of climate advocacy, and Hayhoe’s new book, Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World.

Everyday Reconciliation: Reconciling Military Service Nov 11, 2021

Indigenous women and men have signed up to serve and defend Canada in impressive numbers throughout history, an act that has often come at a very high price.

On this episode of Everyday Reconciliation, host Elin Miller speaks to Sergeant (Sgt) (Ret'd) Derek Montour about what it means to serve your country and protect your community, and the difficulty of those two things being at odds with one another.

Everyday Reconciliation is presented by Rio Tinto.

Open to Debate: What is to be done about climate policy? Nov 09, 2021

Climate change is real, it is caused by human beings, and it is an existential threat to humankind. Politicians and industry leaders now claim to be taking it seriously. Their performances often fall short of their promises. Theoretical physicist and author Steven Koonin, however, extends climate critique to scientists and the media, arguing that while climate change is real, the consensus conclusions we have reached are overstated, the science is often miscommunicated or misinterpreted, and our policies are headed in the wrong direction. At Open to Debate, we disagree with Dr. Koonin’s thesis, but we ask nonetheless: What is to be done about climate policy?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Steven Koonin, University Professor at New York University and Director of the Center for Urban Science and Progress, former Undersecretary for Science at the U.S. Department of Energy under President Obama, and author of Unsettled: What Climate Science Tells Us, What It Doesn't, and Why It Matters.

@Risk: Risk Bootcamp with General Stanley McChrystal Nov 04, 2021

The greatest risk to us is us.

On this episode of @ Risk, Jodi Butts is joined by Stanley McChrystal, four star U.S. Army General (retired), lecturer at Yale University and corporate board director, to discuss his new book, Risk: A User’s Guide, and why we are our greatest risk.

Everyday Reconciliation: Being Indigenous on Parliament Hill Oct 28, 2021

After the most recent federal election, there are 12 Indigenous MPs in the House of Commons. That’s just over 3.5% of sitting members, and suggests that representation is still a major hurdle on the road to reconciliation.

On this episode of Everyday Reconciliation, host Elin Miller speaks to The Honourable Michael McLeod, the MP for the Northwest Territories about his life in politics, Indigenous representation in Canadian government, and what it takes to get a seat at the table.

Note for listeners: this conversation was recorded before the results of the most recent Canadian federal election were finalised. The conversation indicates that there are 10 sitting Indigenous MPs, where as in actuality there are now 12.

Open to Debate: How should we think about China’s place in the world? Oct 26, 2021

For decades, we’ve heard about the rise of China. A major historical and contemporary power, the country shapes domestic and global politics -- as Canada knows quite well. And yet, coverage of China, its affairs, and its international relations is often hyperbolic, skewed, and incomplete. A new book from a veteran reporter on China-Canada relations adds depth, rigour, and new perspectives to that coverage. So, how should we think about China’s place in the world?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Joanna Chiu, senior reporter with the Toronto Star and author of China Unbound: A New World Disorder.

@Risk: On the Front Lines of Change with George Smitherman Oct 21, 2021

On this episode of the @Risk podcast, host Jodi Butts is joined by George Smitherman, CEO and President of the Cannabis Council of Canada, former Deputy Premier of Ontario, and first openly gay member of the Ontario Legislature, to discuss cannabis, stigma and his personal experiences on the front lines of social change.

Everyday Reconciliation: 150 Acts of Reconciliation Oct 14, 2021

Back in 2017, lots of Canadians were busy celebrating the150th anniversary of confederation. But to many, Canada 150 was rife with problems: Why was Ottawa spending half a billion dollars on a birthday party? Weren’t there better uses for the money, and the spotlight? And doesn’t celebrating confederation mean celebrating the systemic marginalization of the Indigenous peoples of this land? Instead of joining in the festivities, scholars Crystal Fraser and Sara Komarnisky took action.

On this episode of Everyday Reconciliation, host Elin Miller speaks to them about their project: the 150 Acts of Reconciliation.

Open to Debate: What is the role of experts during a pandemic? Oct 12, 2021

Managing the pandemic has required a delicate balance of expert guidance and government decision making. While experts provide knowledge essential for deciding what we should do and how we should do it, politicians are ultimately accountable to the public for the policies, laws, and programs they adopt. So, what is the role of experts during a pandemic?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with David Fisman, professor of epidemiology at the University of Toronto's Dalla Lana School of Public Health.

@Risk: No Substitute for Lived Experience Oct 07, 2021

How to build a more equitable, inclusive and accessible world?

On this episode of @Risk, Jodi Butts is joined by Sara Rotenberg, who self-identifies as a disabled advocate and is a DPhil student in the Nuffield Department of Primacy Care Health Sciences at the University of Oxford, where she studies as a Rhodes Scholar, to discuss her research, insights and lived experience.

To read the full transcript of this episode visit: https://canada2020.ca/risk-no-substitute-for-lived-experience/

Everyday Reconciliation: Calling for Action Sep 30, 2021

Almost six years after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) presented its 94 Calls to Action, only 13 have been completed.

In this first episode of Everyday Reconciliation, host Elin Miller speaks to TRC commissioner Marie Wilson and former Premier of the Northwest Territories Stephen Kakfwi about what individual Canadians can do to help implement the Calls. Content warning: This conversation mentions sexual abuse and may be upsetting for some listeners.

Open to Debate: What is to be done about Canada’s competition problem? Sep 28, 2021

Surveying the state of market competition in Canada, you might be forgiven for thinking the country is a handful of companies in a trench coat. One of the central critiques of capitalism is that it tends towards monopoly -- or at least oligopoly. Canada is a telling case study that supports the hypothesis. Market monopoly and oligopoly makes for a raw deal for consumers, leading us to ask: What is to be done about Canada’s competition problem?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Vass Bednar, Executive Director of the Master of Public Policy Program at McMaster University, Public Policy Forum Fellow, and the writer of Regs to Riches.

@Risk: On Decline with Andrew Potter Sep 23, 2021

It’s only paranoia if the world really isn’t going to hell in a handbasket. On this episode of @ Risk, Jodi Butts is joined by Andrew Potter, associate professor at the Max Bell School of Public Policy and former journalist and editor in chief of the Ottawa Citizen, to discuss his new book, On Decline.

Open to Debate: Election Special: What are the policy priorities of Canada’s political parties? Sep 14, 2021

Canada’s 44th general election is underway. On September 20th, electors will return the members of Parliament who will decide who governs the country. When casting a ballot, however, voters typically think of political parties and their leaders. So, we ask: What are the policy priorities of Canada’s political parties?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with candidates from three of the country’s major political parties: Angella MacEwen of the New Democratic Party, Annamie Paul, leader of the Green Party, and Nathaniel Erskine-Smith of the Liberal Party. The Conservative Party was invited to participate but declined.

The interviews for this episode were recorded at different times and on different dates, beginning with the NDP, followed by the Green Party, and, finally, the Liberal Party. Changes during the writ period after recording will not be reflected in the interviews.

@Risk: The Kids Are Not Alright Sep 09, 2021

It’s back to school time for children across Canada but don’t let all the social media posts of kids with smiles and backpacks fool you into thinking that the kids are alright.

For our season opener of the @Risk podcast, host Jodi Butts speaks with Sara Austin, world class champion for children and the Founder and CEO of Children First Canada, about why Canada is year over year a worse place for kids to grow up and what we can do to change that.

Open to Debate: What’s the state of Canada’s courts? With Beverly McLachlin Aug 03, 2021

Let’s start with a little celebration: This is the 50th episode of Open to Debate! Thanks to each and every one of you for listening. We look forward to many episodes to come.

For this milestone moment, we are excited to welcome a special guest to help us navigate the question: What is the state of Canada’s courts? Plus, as a bonus, we get into the topic of...thriller novels and the virtues of Stephen King.

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with the Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, jurist, former and longest-serving Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, and author of three books, including the upcoming thriller Denial.

@Risk: Preparing for More than the Next Pandemic Jul 22, 2021

Dan Gardner is the New York Times best-selling author of books about psychology and decision-making.

On the final episode of Season 1 of @ Risk, host Jodi Butts speaks with Dan Gardner to discuss whether preparing for the full array of low-probability high-consequence events is as important as preparing for another pandemic?

Open to Debate: What’s the case for employee-owned businesses? Jul 20, 2021

The free market is notorious for its contradictions and inequities. Competition tends towards monopoly. Owners accrue capital at the top but extract it from labour at the bottom. Large enterprises enter, disrupt, and even decimate communities, often leaving workers holding the bag, worse off than they were before.

It doesn’t have to be this way. There are alternative economic systems to capitalism; there are also alternative market arrangements within capitalism--or something like it. One such model sees workers as the owners and beneficiaries of enterprise. So, we ask: What’s the case for employee-owned businesses?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Jon Shell, managing director and partner of Social Capital Partners.

@Risk: Always in Fashion with Jeanne Beker Jul 08, 2021

On this episode of @Risk, journalist, fashion entrepreneur, Canada Walk of Fame and Order of Canada inductee, Jeanne Beker speaks with host, Jodi Butts, about the future of fashion, staying relevant and aging in style.

Open to Debate: Can members of Parliament break the mold? Jul 06, 2021

Despite a steady stream of news about the politics of the day, each of us might be forgiven for being unsure what a member of Parliament actually does. Even members themselves, from time to time, seem unsure. Are they lawmakers? Government foot soldiers? Opposition sentries? Committee investigators? Community service-persons? Issue advocates? An admixture of each?

The fact is that the role of an MP often depends on the member, the party, and context of the day. But as elusive as a simple rundown of the gig may be, it’s still worth asking: Can members of Parliament break the mold?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, member of Parliament for Beaches-East York and member of the Liberal Party of Canada.

@Risk: Truth, Then Reconciliation Jun 24, 2021

On this episode of @Risk, host Jodi Butts is joined by best-selling author and Amazon First Novel Award winner, Michelle Good, and Dr. Lisa Richardson, strategic health advisor on Indigenous health at the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine, to discuss the role of education, collaboration and story-telling in achieving truth and reconciliation.

Open to Debate: What is the future of same-sex marriage in the United States? Jun 22, 2021

In 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States recognized same-sex marriage in the country as a fundamental right protected by the Constitution. The ruling was the culmination of decades of legal battles and advocacy labour by the gay rights community and their allies.

The story of same-sex marriage in the United States is long and complicated. But one author has distilled this history into an accessible and engrossing tale of policy, legal, and personal battles. Yet while the book ends in a ruling for justice and equality, the story of 2SLGBTQ+ rights in the United States continues. And so do the battles. So, we ask: What is the future of same-sex marriage in the United States?

On this live episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Sasha Issenberg, American journalist and author of four books, including his latest, The Engagement: America’s Quarter-Century Struggle Over Same-Sex Marriage.

@Risk: The Road Ahead for Canada’s Seniors with André Picard and Shirlee Sharkey Jun 10, 2021

One year after the public release of reports of the Canadian Armed Forces detailing disturbing conditions in long-term care facilities in Ontario and Quebec battling COVID-19 outbreaks, Globe and Mail columnist and best-selling author, André Picard, and Shirlee Sharkey, the formidable CEO of SE Health join host, Jodi Butts, to discuss how to fix our failing elder care and social support systems once and for all.

Open to Debate: What is the state of 2SLGTBQ+ rights in Canada? Jun 08, 2021

June is Pride Month. For decades, the 2SLGTBQ+ community and their allies have been advocating and organizing for rights recognition. This month is both a celebration of that community and a remembrance of the struggle for justice and equality. A struggle that is ongoing.

Even as we celebrate Pride, the Canadian government is fighting to uphold a discriminatory policy that requires men who have recently had sex with men to wait three months before they can donate blood. The state’s intransigence reminds us that political sloganeering is one thing, but true and complete equality in practice is another. So, we must ask: What is the state of 2SLGTBQ+ rights in Canada?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Chris Karas, a human rights advocate who is challenging the blood donation deferral policy that applies to men who have sex with men, and Gregory Ko, a human rights lawyer at Kastner Lam LLP who represents Karas.

@Risk: Reputational Resilience with The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney May 27, 2021

Whether it’s in the school cafeteria, the House of Commons or on social media, your reputation is out there.

Jodi Butts is joined by The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney to gain his wise counsel on how to build a reputation that can withstand and outlast the fray.

Open to Debate: What’s wrong with Canada’s democracy? May 25, 2021

There are plenty of criticisms of democracy in Canada. While the country ranks in the upper echelons of mainstream reviewers concerned with global comparisons, there are disconcerting cracks in the foundation of our self-government.

Indeed, the foundation itself is fundamentally flawed. One could—and should—point out the country’s inequities and inequalities, embedded colonialism, vestigial electoral system, and so forth. But on this episode, our focus is on a sort of immanent critique of Canada’s Westminster system itself, on its own terms. And so we ask: What’s wrong with Canada’s democracy?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Emmett Macfarlane, associate professor of political science at the University of Waterloo and author of Constitutional Pariah: Reference re Senate Reform and the Future of Parliament.

@Risk: The Mother of All Risks with Brian Gallant May 13, 2021

On this episode of @Risk, host Jodi Butts is joined by the 33rd Premier of New Brunswick and now the CEO of the Canadian Centre for the Purpose of the Corporation, Brian Gallant, to discuss reputation as the mother of all risks (M.O.A.R.) in the corporate context. For a business, reputation is more than a comms issue, it’s existential, and Brian wants to see companies find their purpose in order to protect it.

To read the full transcript of this episode visit: https://canada2020.ca/risk-the-mother-of-all-risks-with-brian-gallant/

Open to Debate: How are we managing late-pandemic anxiety? May 11, 2021

In March of last year, David Moscrop spoke with feminist theorist and friend Amanda Watson about managing life during the pandemic. The conversation included thoughts about compassion, care, inequity, resistance, and, of course, anxiety.

Just over a year later, as the end of the pandemic begins, the two revisit that conversation. This time the focus is on processing...all of this, with special attention given to the question: How are we managing late-pandemic anxiety and what will a return to “normal” look like?

As mentioned, on this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Amanda Watson, feminist theorist, lecturer at Simon Fraser University and author of The Juggling Mother: Coming Undone in the Age of Anxiety.

@Risk: Pressing Forward with Hayley Wickenheiser Apr 29, 2021

On this episode of @ Risk, host Jodi Butts is joined by four-time Olympic Gold medalist, community leader and soon to be doctor, Hayley Wickenheiser. They discuss the importance of sport in our recovery, being a good team player and the impact of the pandemic on the Olympics.

To read the full transcript of this episode visit: https://canada2020.ca/risk-pressing-forward-with-hayley-wickenheiser/

Open to Debate: Should we adopt vaccine certification programs? Apr 27, 2021

In Canada and around the world, anxious, weary populations are looking forward to returning to something that will approximate normal life. That return is predicated on, among other things, mass Covid-19 vaccination efforts that continue along slow and steady.

As more of us get the jab, states, including Canada, are considering vaccine certification programs for domestic use, foreign travel, or both. But concerned individuals, including health, privacy, and social science experts, are raising a number of concerns with the idea. While a vaccine “passport” might intuitively seem like a good idea, it’s fraught with risks and trade-offs, leaving us to ask: Should we adopt vaccine certification programs?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Françoise Baylis, University Research Professor, bioethicist, and author of Altered Inheritance: CRISPR and the Ethics of Human Genome Editing.

@Risk: Crossing Borders with Tareq Hadhad and Marcello Di Cintio Apr 15, 2021

Crossing borders are never without risk, almost always entailing a trade-off of one set of risks for another.

On this episode of @ Risk, Jodi is joined by Tareq Hadhad, the Canadian entrepreneur behind Peace by Chocolate and former refugee who fled war-torn Syria with his family. Jodi is also joined by Marcello Di Cintio, an award-winning travel author who in his latest non-fiction book, Driven, beautifully tells the stories of the men and women behind the wheels of Canada’s taxis. Buckle your seat belts! You’re in for a risky ride!

To read the full transcript of this episode visit: https://canada2020.ca/risk-crossing-borders-with-tareq-hadhad-and-marcello-di-cintio/

VALUE(S): Building a Better World for All, in-conversation with Mark Carney Apr 13, 2021

Listen to a conversation with Mark Carney on his new book VALUE(s): Building a Better World for All, a bold and urgent examination of the radical, foundational change required if we are to build an economy and society based not on market values, but on human values.

Democracy in the Digital Age: Addressing Online Harms Apr 13, 2021

The rise of digital media and technology has transformed how we engage in democratic processes and public debate. In Canada and around the world, digital threats are contributing to polarizing societies and weakening institutions. That’s why Canada 2020 launched Democracy in the Digital Age, a new series challenging Canadians to rethink their approach to defending our democratic institutions.

Listen to a conversation between Minister Steven Guilbeault, Canada’s Minister of Canadian Heritage, in conversation with Anja Karadeglija, Parliamentary Reporter at the National Post, exploring Canada’s approach to reducing the harms of digital technology on democracy and public life, as well as a follow up panel with Laura Tribe, Executive Director of Open Media, Will Perrin, Trustee at Carnegie Trust UK, and Vivek Krishnamurthy, the Samuelson-Glushko Professor of Law and Director of Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic.

Open to Debate: Why are our wireless and broadband bills so high? Apr 13, 2021

In Canada, wireless and broadband prices are too damned high. Why? The recent news of a merger attempt by Rogers and Shaw gives us a hint—and a look into the world of telecom strategy and oligopoly. Indeed, observers would be forgiven for thinking the country is a handful of telecom companies in a trenchcoat, perhaps with an airline or two crammed in there. But there’s more to it than that—a bit more, anyway.

Understanding wireless and broadband policy requires us to dig into the state of the industry, competition or a lack thereof, the question of nationalization, the role of the Competition Bureau and the CRTC, and more. Eventually, we get to answer the big question: Why are our wireless and broadband bills so high?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Michael Geist, Professor of Law at the University of Ottawa and Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-Commerce Law.

@Risk: From Apathy to Climate Action with Andri Snaer Magnason Apr 01, 2021

On this episode of @ Risk, Jodi is joined by Icelandic artist and activist, Andri Snaer Magnason, whose approach to climate change is like no other. Magnason is the author of On Time and Water, a calculated and enchanting invitation to see ourselves in the battle against climate change through mythology, his conversations with the Dalai Lama and our love of family.

To read the full transcript of this episode visit: https://canada2020.ca/risk-from-apathy-to-climate-action-with-andri-snaer-magnaso%e2%80%aan%e2%80%ac/

Open to Debate: What is the future of Canada's left? Mar 30, 2021

Canada’s political left is facing a series of choices. What kind of movement should it pursue in the face of contemporary challenges at home and around the world? How can left-wing parties win at the local, provincial, and federal orders of government? Should communists, socialists, and social democrats work together -- and, if so, when and how? Also, to what extent does the leading social democratic party in Canada, the NDP, serve as a vehicle for successful left politics?

Answering these questions requires us to start by understanding what it even means to be “left-wing.” It requires us to trace the history of Canada’s left, to look around the world, and to embrace the tensions, even contradictions, of contemporary left politics. It also requires us to ask: What is the future of Canada’s left?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Christo Aivalis, historian, writer, left YouTuber, host of the podcast Left Turn, Canada, and author of The Constant Liberal: Pierre Trudeau, Organized Labour, and the Canadian Social Democratic Left.

@Risk: Rockets, Rovers and Reaching for the Stars with Dr. Farah Alibay and Col. Chris Hadfield Mar 18, 2021

Rockets, rovers and reaching for the stars are undertakings rife with risk – but nothing worth doing is without it.

On this special episode of @ Risk, Jodi Butts is joined by Col. Chris Hadfield and Dr. Farah Alibay to discuss how they engineered their successes in space, and other lessons relatable to our more earthy daily lives.

To read the full transcript of this episode visit: https://canada2020.ca/risk-rockets-rovers-and-reaching-for-the-stars-with-dr-farah-alibay-and-col-chris-hadfield/

Open to Debate: How can we solve our long-term care crisis? Mar 16, 2021

In early March, Ontario surpassed 7,000 Covid deaths, over 3700 of which occurred in the province’s long-term care facilities. Around the country, suffering and death in care homes is part of an emergency that has long been ignored -- an emergency that pre-existed the pandemic.

Precarious work, low pay, inadequate staffing, neglect, abuse, unreasonable waitlist times, poor communication, and the urge to put profit before people condition much of the long-term care sector. Because of that, the most vulnerable among us suffer and die. Things could be different. So, how can we solve our long-term care crisis?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Vivian Stamatopoulos, associate teaching professor at Ontario Tech University and LTC advocate.

@Risk: Blowing the Whistle with Dr. John O’Connor and David Yazbeck Mar 04, 2021

Canada is ranked *last* according to a non-partisan study assessing the legitimacy of whistleblower laws globally. What?

On this episode of @Risk, host Jodi Butts is joined by Dr. John O’Connor, the winner of the inaugural Peter Bryce Prize honouring individuals whose courage in speaking up about wrongdoing has served the public interest, as well as by David Yazbeck, lawyer and Advisory Board Member to the Centre for Freedom of Expression’s Whistleblower Initiative, to discuss why we need whistleblowers and how the Canadian and provincial governments can better protect them.

To read the full transcript of this episode visit: https://canada2020.ca/risk-blowing-the-whistle-with-dr-john-oconnor-and-david-yazbeck/

Open to Debate: How are you doing? Mar 02, 2021

We have been at...all of this for about a year now. Maybe it feels longer for you. Maybe it feels shorter. Maybe time has lost all meaning. Whatever the case, on this episode of Open to Debate, we are taking a deep breath and mixing things up as we celebrate our 40th episode and process 12 months of pandemic life.

How do we simultaneously celebrate this podcast and process what the last year has meant? Well, mostly we make jokes for about an hour. And talk about trains. How else would we proceed?

So, without further delay: How are you doing?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Brittlestar -- Stewart Reynolds -- comedian, video-maker extraordinaire, and, according to his website, The Internet’s Favourite Dad* (*unproven).

@Risk: Talkin’ ‘bout Generation Risk Profiles Feb 18, 2021

Each generation carries its unique burdens forward in the face of their own particular headwinds.

On this episode of @Risk, Jodi Butts is joined by Dr. Samir Sinha, geriatrician and Health Policy Research Director for the National Institute on Ageing, and Vass Bednar, Executive Director of McMaster University’s Master of Public Policy Program, to discuss the policy opportunities for improving the risk profiles of older Canadians and Millennials.

To read the full transcript of this episode visit: https://canada2020.ca/risk-talkin-bout-generation-risk-profiles/

The Canada-U.S. Climate Opportunity Feb 17, 2021

U.S. President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have a rare and historic opportunity to make generational progress in the fight against climate change.

Listen to a conversation between John Podesta, Founder, Center for American Progress and Former Chief of Staff to the President of the United States, and Gerald Butts, Vice Chairman and Senior Advisor, Eurasia Group and Former Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as they discuss the ways policy makers, business leaders and citizens on both sides of the border can work together to seize this moment.

Open To Debate: How should we talk about public health during a pandemic? Feb 16, 2021

Throughout the pandemic, the quality and success of communications from government, public health officials, elected representatives, and others tasked with keeping us in the loop have been, let’s say, inconsistent. There have been highs and there have been lows. Quality has varied across jurisdictions. And it shows.

While approaches to good communication work may vary, there are some strategies and tactics that ought to be more common. For instance, meeting people where they are, rather than expecting them to come to you. That is precisely what this week’s guest does. He answers the question: How should we talk about public health during a pandemic?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Dr. Naheed Dosani, palliative care physician, Lecturer in the Department of Family & Community Medicine at the University of Toronto, Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at McMaster University and health justice activist.

Crisis To Resilience: The Hidden Harms Of COVID-19 Feb 09, 2021

The secondary effects of public health interventions against COVID-19 continue to impact the health and wellbeing of Canadians, and must not be ignored.

Listen to a conversation between Dr. Vera Etches, Medical Officer of Health, Ottawa Public Health, Dr. Vivek Goel, Professor, Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Dr. Gail Beck, Clinical Director, Youth Psychiatry Program, The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, moderated by Nadine Yousif, Mental Health Reporter, Toronto Star.

@Risk: Flipping the Property Risk Script with Rinaldo Walcott Feb 04, 2021

Dissatisfied with the amount of progress being made towards freedom and equity for all?

On this episode of @Risk, host Jodi Butts is joined by University of Toronto professor and author of On Property, Rinaldo Walcott, to discuss his radically optimistic prescription for a different kind of freedom that goes daringly beyond greater representation of Black and Indigenous people in positions of authority.

To read the full transcript of this episode visit: https://canada2020.ca/risk-flipping-the-property-risk-script-with-rinaldo-walcott/

Open to Debate: Should white supremacist groups be designated as terrorist organisations? Feb 02, 2021

In late January, the House of Commons unanimously voted on a resolution, proposed by NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, to call on the government to “use all available tools to address the proliferation of white supremacists and hate groups.” The motion included a specific focus on designating the Proud Boys as a terrorist organization. .

The rise of white supremacist and hate organisations poses a threat to Canadaians. These groups and their members must face consequences for their actions. They ought to be resisted and, ultimately, dismantled. But how should that be done? What risks attend to the expansion or further entrenchment of the national security state? Should white supremacist groups be designated as terrorist organizations?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Harsha Walia, director of the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association and author of the forthcoming book Border and Rule: Global Migration, Capitalism, and the Rise of Racist Nationalism

Crisis to Resilience: Building a Better Pharma Ecosystem with Pamela Fralick Jan 28, 2021

The pharmaceutical industry is providing us with a pathway out of this pandemic but manufacturing delays and other disruptions are proving challenging.

On this episode of Crisis to Resilience, you’ll hear from Pamela Fralick, the President of Innovative Medicines Canada about the drug policies and investments that can contribute to a healthier more resilient Canada.

@Risk: Risk Networked with Shuman Ghosemajumder Jan 21, 2021

Since cyber security risk scales as quickly as fortunes are made by network effects, is it time to adopt new approaches to how we protect and sustain cyber security?

On this episode of @Risk, Jodi Butts speaks with F5 Networks’ Global Head of AI, Stanford lecturer and former Googler, Shuman Ghosemajumder to find out if cyber security can keep pace with the evolving threats.

To read the full transcript of this episode visit: https://canada2020.ca/risk-risk-networked-with-shuman-ghosemajumder/

Open to Debate: How does institutionalized racism shape the music industry? Jan 19, 2021

Lady A has been in the music industry for decades. In recent months, she has been in the national spotlight in the United States for reasons other than her music. After the band Lady Antebellum shortened their name to “Lady A” in the wake of the death of George Floyd to dissociate themselves from the “Antebellum South” and the racism bound up with that phrase, the band and Lady A entered into lawsuits over the use of the name. In December, she released the track “My Name is All I got.”

This episode is not about names, but about histories, experiences, power, and the question: How does institutionalized racism shape the music industry?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Lady A, a blues, soul, funk, and gospel singer who has released five solo albums, the latest of which is Lady A: Live in New Orleans. We also hear from John Oliver III, Lady A’s Seattle based producer.

Crisis to Resilience: Canada's Energy Transformation, Part 2 Jan 15, 2021

Canadian policymakers are restructuring our public policy, regulatory, and international approach towards Canada playing a progressive role in the global fight for a more sustainable future. In part 2 of Crisis to Resilience: Canada’s Energy Transformation, we explore the shifting global energy market, Canada’s place within it, and how different stakeholders across the sector are meeting the challenge.
You'll hear from Kim Rudd, Consultant, Canadian Nuclear Association, Former Ontario MPP and former Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources, Robert Hornung, President & CEO, Canadian Renewable Energy Association, Scott Dodd, Director of Business Development, Enbridge Gas Distribution, Monica Gattinger, Director of the Institute for Science, Society, and Policy, University of Ottawa, and Theresa Redburn, Senior Vice-President, Commercial and Corporate Development, Imperial Oil.

Crisis to Resilience: Canada's Energy Transformation, Part 1 Jan 15, 2021

Canadian policymakers are restructuring our public policy, regulatory, and international approach towards Canada playing a progressive role in the global fight for a more sustainable future. In part 1 of Crisis to Resilience: Canada’s Energy Transformation, we explore the shifting global energy market, Canada’s place within it and how different stakeholders across the sector are meeting the challenge.

You'll hear from the Hon. Seamus O'Regan, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, and the Hon. Anne McLellan, Senior Advisor at Bennett Jones, and former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada.

@Risk: The White Space, Brought to You by Risk Jan 07, 2021

It’s always important to understand the why before you get to the what and the how, even in the case of risk.

On this episode of @Risk, host Jodi Butts speaks with national best-selling writer and professor of philosophy, Mark Kingwell, about his new book, “On Risk or If You Play, You Pay: The Politics of Chance in a Plague Year.” Beyond our daily COVID risk calculations, lies a white space of opportunity for greater fairness and meaning.

To read the full transcript of this episode visit: https://canada2020.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/@Risk-09-Mark-Kingwell-3.pdf

Open to Debate: Who’s afraid of modern monetary theory? Jan 05, 2021

For as long as anyone can remember, talk about deficits and the debt have been central to political life. How much can we spend? On what? What are the trade-offs? What will it cost? I mean, what will it really cost. If politics is about choosing, if it is about, as the classic phrase goes, “Who gets what, when, and how?” then spending constraints are central to what makes it so.

But what if deficits and the debt did not induce the constraints we thought? Modern monetary theory invites us to think about money and government spending in a new way, opening up possibilities that were seemingly out of reach before. But is the promise too good to be true? On this episode we take a look and ask: Who’s afraid of modern monetary theory?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Stephanie Kelton, Senior Fellow at the Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis, Professor of Economics and Public Policy at Stony Brook University, and author of The Deficit Myth: Modern Monetary Theory and the Birth of the People’s Economy.

@Risk: The Last COVID Mile with Helen Branswell Dec 17, 2020

Thanks to effective COVID-19 vaccines, we are able to see light at the end of the pandemic tunnel. On this episode of @Risk, host Jodi Butts speaks with Helen Branswell, a great Canadian and STAT News’ infectious diseases and global health reporter. They discuss the causes for celebration and the lingering uncertainties surrounding the last mile of our COVID-19 journey. To read the full transcript of this episode visit: https://canada2020.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/@Risk-08-Helen-Branswell.pdf

Crisis to Resilience: Indigenous Economic Reconciliation, Part 2 Dec 16, 2020

Fostering economic growth and development in Indigenous communities is crucial to reconciliation. This year's Indigenous Economic Development Forum explores how we keep up the momentum on our collective efforts to expand economic opportunities with Indigenous communities across Canada.

In part 2 of Indigenous Economic Reconciliation, you'll hear from Chrystal Smith, Chief of the Haisla Nation Council, Dawn Madahbee Leach, General Manager, Waubetek, Clayton Walker, President & CEO, Iron Ore Company of Canada, and more.

Crisis to Resilience: Indigenous Economic Reconciliation, Part 1 Dec 16, 2020

Fostering economic growth and development in Indigenous communities is crucial to reconciliation. This year's Indigenous Economic Development Forum explores how we keep up the momentum on our collective efforts to expand economic opportunities with Indigenous communities across Canada.

In part 1 of Indigenous Economic Reconciliation, you'll hear from the Hon. Marc Miller, Canada's Minister of Indigenous Services, and Tabatha Bull, President & CEO of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business.

Crisis to Resilience: Turning Point for Small Business Dec 10, 2020

Small and medium-sized businesses are continuing to grapple with the economic impacts of the pandemic. In this episode of Crisis to Resilience, we learn about the importance of building digital skills in Canadian small businesses to support long-term growth and resilience.
You'll hear from the Hon. Mary Ng, Canadian Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, Tabatha Bull, President & CEO of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, Dax Dasilva, CEO of Lightspeed, Neil McLaughlin, Group Head, Personal & Commercial Banking at RBC and Sabrina Geremia, VP & Country Manager, Google Canada.

Crisis to Resilience: Getting the Infrastructure Spend Right, Part 2 Dec 10, 2020

Canada’s long-term growth and resilience will depend on its ability to make transformational and sustainable infrastructure investments across the country. Learn about the opportunities and challenges presented by a new Biden administration in Washington as Canada continues its transformational investments in infrastructure to create jobs, tackle climate change and build inclusive communities.
In Part 2 of Getting the Infrastructure Right, we hear from Carole Saab, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Jacob Glick, Vice President of Public Policy at Telus, Craig Stewart, Vice President of Federal Affairs, Ottawa at the Insurance Bureau of Canada and Helaina Gaspard, Director of Governance & Institutions, Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy at the University of Ottawa.

Crisis to Resilience: Getting the Infrastructure Spend Right, Part 1 Dec 10, 2020

Canada’s long-term growth and resilience will depend on its ability to make transformational and sustainable infrastructure investments across the country. Learn about the opportunities and challenges presented by a new Biden administration in Washington as Canada continues its transformational investments in infrastructure to create jobs, tackle climate change and build inclusive communities.
In Part 1 of Getting the Infrastructure Right, we hear from the Hon. Catherine McKenna, Canada’s Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Jason Bordoff, Professor of Professional Practice in International and Public Affairs, Advisor to the Obama Administration on energy and climate and Founding Director of the Center on Global Energy Policy.

Open to Debate: How can we re-imagine Indigenous healthcare and healing? Dec 08, 2020

Throughout the country, politicians and policymakers routinely talk about the need to address Canada’s historic and ongoing colonial practices. Talk is plentiful. Action, less so.

Among the many manifestations of Canada’s legacy and present-day colonialism is a healthcare and healing crisis in which Indigenous Peoples are overrepresented among those struggling. The challenge calls for decolonization, including robust, structural changes informed by the answers to the question: How we can re-imagine Indigenous healthcare and healing?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with elder Alma Brooks of the Native Women’s Association of Canada.

@Risk: Fictional Meltdowns with Emily St. John Mandel Dec 03, 2020

Meltdowns reveal so much about our dependencies, our vulnerabilities, and our character.

On this episode of @Risk, Jodi Butts speaks with Canadian author Emily St. John Mandel, whose two most recent books, The Glass Hotel, and Station Eleven, follow characters impacted by disaster. Emily and Jodi explore the real and fictional risks we choose and the ones that choose us.

To read the full transcript of this episode visit: https://canada2020.ca/risk-fictional-meltdowns-with-emily-st-john-mandel/

Crisis to Resilience: Keeping Canada Connected Part 2 with the Hon. Maryam Monsef Nov 24, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the urgent need for universal robust connectivity from coast to coast to coast. How can we use this moment of crisis to make generational improvements to connectivity infrastructure?

In Keeping Canada Connected: Part 2 of the Crisis to Resilience series, we hear from the Hon. Maryam Monsef, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Woman and Gender Equality, and Sarah Minnes, President of the Canadian Rural Revitalization Fund.

Crisis to Resilience: Keeping Canada Connected Part 1 Nov 24, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the urgent need for universal robust connectivity from coast to coast to coast. How can we use this moment of crisis to make generational improvements to connectivity infrastructure?

In Keeping Canada Connected: Part 1 of the Crisis to Resilience series, Canada 2020's Alex Paterson speaks with Simon Kennedy from Industry, Science and Economic Development Canada, Michèle Beck from Telesat, Willa Black from CISCO, and Dean Prevost from Rogers.

Open to Debate: Should Canada adopt a universal basic income? Nov 23, 2020

Around the world, the calls have begun to “build back better.” The slogan, or some variant of it, is ubiquitous. Even as we continue to manage life during the pandemic, we start to look beyond it, towards something better, we hope.

In Canada, the idea of a universal basic income has been circulating for decades. However, as the discussions and debates around our post-pandemic world pick up, it’s an idea that is enjoying a moment. And so on this episode, we ask: Should Canada adopt a universal basic income?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Armine Yalnizyan, Atkinson Fellow on the Future of Work at the Atkinson Foundation.

Crisis to Resilience: Natural Resource Recovery Nov 19, 2020

Today on the show, Canada 2020 Executive Director Alex Paterson is joined by Kim Rudd, former Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources, and Michel Trepanier, President of the Quebec Building Trades Council, to talk about their new report Real Jobs, Real Recovery and how we navigate a natural resource sector at a crucial crossroads for recovery.

@Risk: The Calls Coming from Inside Journalism Nov 19, 2020

It is often the people who care the most about an institution who also dare to raise the problems within it. On this episode of @Risk, Jodi Butts speaks candidly with Jeff Jarvis, an American journalist, professor and media pundit’s pundit, and Nana aba Duncan, an award-winning broadcaster, William Southam Journalism Fellow and founder of Media Girlfriends, about some of the overlooked internal threats to journalism and how they can be overcome.

To read the full transcript of this episode visit: https://canada2020.ca/risk-the-calls-coming-from-inside-journalism/

Crisis to Resilience: People, Capital and Ideas with Robert Asselin Nov 13, 2020

On this episode of Crisis to Resilience, Canada 2020's Alex Paterson sits down with Robert Asselin, currently the Senior Vice President at the Business Council of Canada, and former Director of Policy to the Hon. Bill Morneau. The Business Council's new report - Powering a Strong Recovery - lays out a recovery plan for our economy. But, as Alex and Robert discuss, even though times are unprecedented, many of Canada’s challenges (and opportunities) brought on by COVID aren’t exactly new.

Open to Debate: Who will get the Covid-19 vaccine - and when? Nov 10, 2020

Around the world, the race is on to develop a Covid-19 vaccine. So far, nearly 200 candidates are in the works, including dozens at the human-trial stage. The optimistic experts tell us that a vaccine could be ready this year or early next, and set for distribution by mid-to-late 2021. The pessimists suggest it could take longer. But few doubt that we will be able to produce a vaccine.

The question of concern, therefore, is not whether we’ll develop a Covid-19 vaccine or whether it will be safe and effective. The question of concern is ‘Who will get the Covid-19 vaccine--and when?’

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Dr. Alan Bernstein, president and CEO of the Canada-based global research organization CIFAR and member of Canada’s Covid-19 vaccine task force.

Open to Debate: What just happened, America? Nov 06, 2020

In the United States, the votes have been cast. In some jurisdictions, they are still being counted despite the best efforts of President Trump to stop it. But counted they will be.

The presidential election was closer than many expected, despite Joe Biden winning more votes than any contender in U.S. history. We are left with questions about the Biden campaign strategy, polling, and the state and future of American elections and democracy. For now we ask: What just happened, America?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Steven D’Souza, New York correspondent for CBC News.

Crisis to Resilience: The Social Impact of Canada’s Economic Response to COVID-19 Nov 05, 2020

Crisis to Resilience is a new Canada 2020 virtual series exploring how we can build a more resilient future for all Canadians.
In this episode, Canada 2020's Alex Paterson speaks with the Hon. Mona Fortier, Canadian Minister for Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance, about the immediate action taken by the Canadian government to support the most vulnerable Canadians impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, and why it is crucial to consider the social impacts of emergency fiscal policies.

@Risk: Risk for Art’s and America’s Sake Nov 02, 2020

It's election day in America and to mark the occasion, Jodi Butts speaks with internationally acclaimed American painter and sculptor, Eric Fischl, the artist behind the controversial sculpture, Tumbling Woman, inspired by the events of 9/11. Art has forever been a risky endeavour. The artist can never control how any person reacts to their creation. That reaction though -- whether positive or negative -- can reveal the soul of the beholder and a nation.

To read the full transcript of this episode visit: https://canada2020.ca/risk-risk-for-arts-and-americas-sake/

Crisis to Resilience: In-conversation with Christine Elliott Oct 29, 2020

Crisis to Resilience is a new Canada 2020 virtual series exploring how we can build a more resilient future for all Canadians.
Listen to our first episode featuring the Hon. Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier of Ontario and Ontario Minister of Health, speaking with Canada 2020's Alex Paterson, about Ontario’s response to the pandemic, what we've learnt, and what the future might look like.

@Risk: Risks on the Ballot in the US Election with Bruce and Vicki Heyman Oct 29, 2020

When America votes for its President, Canada tends to catch election fever but, with all that’s at stake this time around, it feels like a matter of duty to pay attention.

On this episode of @Risk, Jodi Butts sits down with former U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Bruce Heyman, and former cultural envoy, Vicki Heyman, to discuss the risks on the U.S. presidential ballot, as well as what it all may mean for the Canada - U.S. relationship.

To read the full transcript of this episode visit: https://canada2020.ca/risks-on-the-ballot-in-the-us-election-with-bruce-and-vicki-heyman/

Open to Debate: Can the US have a free and fair election? Oct 27, 2020

On Tuesday, November 3rd, Americans will head to the polls in the country’s 59th election. After four years in power, Donald Trump’s presidency is on the ballot and on the ropes—things are not looking good for the incumbent.

But will the US election be free and fair? For years, Trump has been working to undermine the integrity of American electoral institutions. He has refused to say whether he’ll recognize the results of the vote. He has attacked the postal service and postal balloting. He has made unfounded and incorrect claims of voter fraud. When stacked alongside gerrymandering and long waits to vote, there are more than a few reasons for concern.

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Adam Gopnik, staff writer with the New Yorker and author of, among many other books, A Thousand Small Sanities: The Moral Adventure of Liberalism.

@Risk: Taxing Truths and Flying Falsehoods with Carl Bergstrom and Cass Sunstein Oct 22, 2020

On this episode of @Risk, Jodi Butts sits down with Cass Sunstein, bestselling author of Too Much Information, Understanding What You Don't Want to Know, and Carl Bergstrom, co-author of Calling Bullshit: The Art of Scepticism in a Data-Driven World.

There are lots of salesmen trying to convince us of miracle cures for the things that could kill us, while couching their misleading statements in superfluous mathematical and scientific jargon. There is also a ton of accurate information out there which can confound and overwhelm us without trying. Sunstein and Bergstrom provide us with the tools to better process and understand the data that feeds our risk decision-making and the risks created by too much information and too much B.S.

To read the full transcript of this episode visit: https://canada2020.ca/risk-taxing-truths-and-flying-falsehoods-with-carl-bergstrom-and-cass-sunstein-2/

Open to Debate: Should Canada decriminalize drugs? Oct 13, 2020

Over 500,000 people die around the world each year from drug use, and the vast majority of those deaths are related to opioids. Thousands of the lives lost are Canadian lives. The old ways of thinking about, legislating around, and policing drug use have failed. New ways of thinking about drug policy, including an emphasis on safe supply, destigmatization, and treatment are ascendent. But more must be done.

Decriminalizing drugs reduces harm and saves lives. That’s what the evidence says. The policy is supported by the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse and Addiction, and many, many others. So, should Canada decriminalize drugs?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Scott Bernstein, Director of Policy with the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition.

@Risk: Back to School: The Impossible Uninformed Non-Choice Oct 08, 2020

Risk is all of our business but some decisions really bring it home. On this episode of @Risk, Jodi Butts speaks with four parents about their decision to return their children to in-person learning in public schools.

Hear how these parents carried out their risk decision-making responsibilities during a September unlike any other. We explore their policy ideas for what could have made the decision easier and better informed, and consider how to move towards a safer, more equitable and better functioning public education system.

@Risk: An Entire Life At Risk, with Col. Chris Hadfield Oct 06, 2020

On the premiere episode of @Risk, host Jodi Butts speaks with Col. Chris Hadfield, the first Canadian commander of the International Space Station, New York Times bestselling author and YouTube sensation. Mr. Hadfield has spent his entire life being careful with risk, visualizing defeat and then figuring out how to prevent it.

Hear why risk is all of our business, why we should always be ready for things to go wrong, and other lessons relatable to our more earthy daily lives.

Open to Debate: How can we solve the opioid crisis? Sep 29, 2020

In Canada, the opioid crisis has killed thousands of people and continues to claim more lives each and every day. In August, British Columbia marked its third straight month with over 170 deaths by overdose - and its fifth-straight month with over 100 lives lost. In Canada’s westernmost province, the crisis has been, by far, deadlier than covid-19.

While there is no panacea for the crisis, there are policies that can reduce harm and save lives. Those policies require political will and cooperation across federal, provincial, and municipal jurisdictions. To date, these political efforts have been slow and insufficient. More must be done, and done quickly. To better understand what that “more” is we must ask: How can we solve the opioid crisis?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Travis Lupick, a Vancouver-based, award-winning journalist and author of Fighting for Space: How a Group of Drug Users Transformed One City’s Struggle with Addiction (2018).

Open to Debate: Can democracy survive in the United States of America? Sep 15, 2020

Democracy is in decline in the United States of America. While President Trump is hastening that decline, he is neither the initial nor the sole cause of it. Indeed, prior to Trump’s election, the Economist, in its Democracy Index, downgraded the USA from “Full Democracy” to “Flawed Democracy,” citing the concerns that would help give rise to the 45th president.

Stretching back to the 18th century, the United States has routinely faced democratic crises, but this time may be different. The country now faces the confluence and overlapping of several types of threat, leaving us to ask: Can democracy survive in the United States of America?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Dr. Robert C. Lieberman, Krieger-Eisenhower Professor of Political Science at Johns Hopkins University and co-author, along with Dr. Suzanne Mettler, of Four Threats: The Recurring Crises of American Democracy.

Re-Introducing Open to Debate, hosted by David Moscrop Sep 07, 2020

For over a year, Open to Debate has brought you smart, witty and thoughtful political conversations on current affairs, to help make sense of today's politics and policy, in Canada and around the world. At its core, Open to Debate is a space for agreeable disagreement, driven by the belief that honest, meaningful and vigorous discussion are essential to democracy. Open to Debate returns this fall. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Open to Debate: What does accountability look like in the era of social media? Aug 11, 2020

Social media has opened up opportunities for sharing, networking, self-expression, and collaboration that were previously difficult, if not impossible for many. In plenty of ways, it has pluralized and democratized communication.

While social media offers opportunities, it also comes with risks and costs. At times, it becomes an utter wasteland: a haven for harassment and a steward of violence. One way to manage such behaviour online is by holding people to account for their speech and actions. But how should that be done? And by whom? Or, more to the point: What does accountability look like in the era of social media?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Julie Lalonde. She is an internationally recognized women's rights advocate, public educator, and the author of Resilience is Futile: The Life and Death of Julie Lalonde.

Open to Debate: Can we build resilience in a crisis? Jul 28, 2020

The year 2020 will be, for many, the most difficult year of their life. And yet, there will still be difficult years ahead. We are living through a pandemic. We are facing structural shifts in the global order. We are witnessing the decline of democracy, or at least its stagnation. We are grappling with climate change.

The struggles we face are shaped by factors we control, and factors we cannot control. Managing and solving big problems requires structural changes and action from those in positions of authority. However, we may not be without personal psychological tools to help us manage our lives day-to-day. One such implement is resilience -- a capacity to resist and to recover that can be developed, sharpened, and put to good use. The question is: Can we build resilience in a crisis?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Komal Minhas, interviewer, entrepreneur, and resilience educator. She also hosts a podcast, which you can find on her website at komal.com.

Open to Debate: Can history be erased? Jul 14, 2020

In the United States, the United Kingdom, and around the world, protestors are defacing and toppling statues of figures whose legacy of deeds include oppression, violence, and death. While these monuments purport to celebrate these individuals for other reasons, the mere presence of such tributes speaks to a particular construction and understanding of history.

In Canada, John A. Macdonald has been the focus of those who point out that his role in Indigenous genocide renders him unfit for monumental veneration. Those who come to the first prime minister’s defence argue we shouldn’t “erase” history. But whose history would that be? And, moreover, as we ask in this episode: Can history be erased?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Jim Daschuk, historian, assistant professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies at the University of Regina, and author of Clearing the Plains: Disease, Politics of Starvation, and the Loss of Aboriginal Life.

Insights from Gerry Butts - Part 1, Climate Change and Coronavirus Jul 09, 2020

For this final 2-part episode of the 2020 Network’s special COVID-19 series, host Jodi Butts speaks with Gerald Butts, current consultant with the Eurasia Group, former Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and former CEO of the World Wildlife Fund.

In part 1 of this episode, they discuss climate change in the context of a pandemic, what the new economy might look like post-pandemic, and the challenges that lie ahead.

Insights from Gerry Butts - Part 2, COVID Politics Jul 09, 2020

For this final 2-part episode of the 2020 Network’s special COVID-19 series, host Jodi Butts speaks with Gerald Butts, current consultant with the Eurasia Group, former Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and former CEO of the World Wildlife Fund.

In part 2 of this episode, Gerry shares his unique perspective about some of the most significant public policy impacts of this pandemic, and considers Canada’s road to recovery.

Open to Debate: Do we need the United Nations Security Council? Jun 30, 2020

In June, Canada lost its bid for a temporary seat on the United Nations Security Council. The loss came after four years of campaigning for the spot and is reminiscent of Stephen Harper’s 2010 failure. Back then, we lost to Germany and Portugal. This time, it was to Ireland and Norway. Each time, we have been left asking: Why?

Previously, going back to 1946, Canada had won each of its bids for a UNSC seat. What is it about Canada’s contemporary foreign policy that led to the two losses? And beyond that do we need the United Nations Security Council?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Caroline Dunton, a doctoral student in political studies at the University of Ottawa who studies campaigns for seats on the United Nations Security Council and a researcher with the Centre for International Policy Studies.

Thinking During a Pandemic Jun 24, 2020

The COVID19 pandemic is moving quickly, as is the news and information around it. That’s why our team on the 2020 Network is focused on giving you some balanced perspective on the story as it develops.

On this episode of the 2020 Network, host Jodi Butts speaks with Dan Gardner about how we cope with the uncertainty and unpredictability of this pandemic, and what we are all working towards. Dan Gardner is a New York Times best-selling author of books about psychology and decision-making, and a senior fellow at the University of Ottawa’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.

Open to Debate: Whose pandemic is this? Jun 19, 2020

Since the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, observers have been talking about the “egalitarian” nature of the virus. ‘Covid-19 doesn’t discriminate’ has been a common refrain. But while the virus itself may have common effects across populations, the pandemic and its consequences are far from equally shared.

As with many public health challenges, the effects and costs of the pandemic are distributed unequally, with marginalized individuals and groups often asked to do the most while facing a higher likelihood of becoming ill.

It may comfort us to say we’re all in this together. But that isn’t quite true, leaving us to ask: Whose pandemic is this?

On this bonus episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Arjumand Siddiqi, Canada Research Chair in Population Health Equity and Associate Professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto.

Innovating Vaccine Development Jun 17, 2020

The COVID19 pandemic is moving quickly, as is the news and information around it. That’s why our team on the 2020 Network is focused on giving you some balanced perspective on the story as it develops.

On this episode, host Jodi Butts speaks with Jaykumar Menon, international human rights lawyer and founder of the Open Source Pharma Foundation about whether now is the time to experiment with developing a new model for vaccine discovery.

Open to Debate: Is this time different? Jun 16, 2020

Around the world, Black Lives Matter and their allies - are demanding justice -- and structural change -- in response to years upon years of racist violence, marginalization, and repression. In many instances, activists are being met with further state violence at the hands of police and resistance from elected representatives and officials.

Despite state intransigence, one of the core demands gaining traction right now is the movement to ‘defund the police’. But what does that mean? And, moreover, could it happen? Are we on the brink of lasting, foundational change?

Is this time different?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Fabio Rojas, professor of sociology at Indiana University Bloomington.

COVID19: Race in Healthcare Jun 09, 2020

The COVID19 pandemic is moving quickly, as is the news and information around it. That’s why our team on the 2020 Network is focused on giving you some balanced perspective on the story as it develops.

On this episode of the 2020 Network, host Jodi Butts speaks with Nelson Saddler, second year medical student at the University of Toronto, and member of the Black Medical Students’ Association at UofT, about race in healthcare during a pandemic.

COVID19 and the Future of Work: Part 2 Jun 05, 2020

The COVID19 pandemic is moving quickly, as is the news and information around it. That’s why our team on the 2020 Network is focused on giving you some balanced perspective on the story as it develops.

In part 2 of this special 2-part conversation on the future of work post COVID19, host Jodi Butts speaks with Pedro Barata, Executive Director at the Future Skills Centre to discuss the skills that will be needed in a labour market transformed by COVID, automation and other factors.

COVID19 and the Future of Work: Part 1 Jun 03, 2020

The COVID19 pandemic is moving quickly, as is the news and information around it. That’s why our team on the 2020 Network is focused on giving you some balanced perspective on the story as it develops.

In part 1 of this special 2-part conversation on the future of work post COVID19, host Jodi Butts speaks with Brittany Forsyth, Chief Talent Officer at Shopify about Shopify’s decision to shift to a digital workplace.

Open to Debate: Can capitalism solve climate change? Jun 02, 2020

Humankind is facing an extraordinary threat. No, not that threat. The other one. Climate change. And we are running out of time to develop and implement solutions to meet the challenge -- or, at least, to mitigate the worst of what’s coming.

Tackling the climate crisis requires radical change, including adaptations to -- or perhaps upheavals of -- the social, political, and economic systems that have delivered us into this mess. Some people, however, argue that there is much we can and should want to keep of the old ways, not least of which may be the market economy.

That leaves us to ask: Can capitalism solve climate change? On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Tom Rand, venture capitalist and author of The Case of Climate Capitalism: Economic Solutions for a Planet in Crisis.

America and COVID-19 with Ben Rhodes May 25, 2020

The COVID19 pandemic is moving quickly, as is the news and information around it. That’s why our team on the 2020 Network is focused on giving you some balanced perspective on the story as it develops.

On this episode of the 2020 Network, host Jodi Butts speaks with Ben Rhodes on the state of America in midst of a pandemic. Ben Rhodes is the author of the New York Times bestseller The World As It Is, the co-chair of National Security Action and an advisor to former President Barack Obama. From 2009-2017, Rhodes served as Deputy National Security Advisor to President Obama.

Tourism & COVID-19 May 20, 2020

The COVID19 pandemic is moving quickly, as is the news and information around it. That’s why our team on the 2020 Network is focused on giving you some balanced perspective on the story as it develops.

On this episode of the 2020 Network, host Jodi Butts speaks with Michele McKenzie, principal of McKenzie Strategies about tourism in the time of COVID-19.

Open to Debate: Can the United States of America manage the pandemic? May 19, 2020

As of May 18th, 2020 there are more than 1.52 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States of America. While 280,000 people have recovered from the virus, 90,000 have died -- the most of any country in the world.

The American response to the pandemic has been criticized, appropriately, by just about everyone who is paying attention. And life in the time COVID-19 has just begun, which makes the following question even more important:

Can the United States of America manage the pandemic?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Katie Simpson, CBC foreign correspondent based in Washington, D.C.

Not Just a Visitor May 15, 2020

The COVID19 pandemic is moving quickly, as is the news and information around it. That’s why our team on the 2020 Network is focused on giving you some balanced perspective on the story as it develops.

On this episode of the 2020 Network, host Jodi Butts speaks with Julie Drury, the Strategic Lead, Patient Partnerships at the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement about why family care providers are 'Not Just a Visitor'. Melissa Jones joins to share her family's experience.

Reimagining health care in COVID’s shadow May 13, 2020

The COVID19 pandemic is moving quickly, as is the news and information around it. That’s why our team on the 2020 Network is focused on giving you some balanced perspective on the story as it develops.

On this episode of the 2020 Network, host Jodi Butts speaks with Dr. Sacha Bhatia about the redesign process of the health care system, and what it could look like in the long term in and beyond COVID’s shadow. Dr. Bhatia is a scientist at the Women's College Research Institute, the Chief Medical Innovation Officer and F.M. Hill Chair in Health System Solutions at the Women's College Hospital, a Cardiologist at the Women's College Hospital and University Health Network and Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto.

Gun violence as a public health crisis May 07, 2020

The COVID19 pandemic is moving quickly, as is the news and information around it. That’s why our team on the 2020 Network is focused on giving you some balanced perspective on the story as it develops.

On this episode of the 2020 Network, host Jodi Butts speaks with Dr. Alan Drummond about gun regulation as a public health issue. Dr. Drummond is an emergency doctor in Perth, Ontario, a member of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians, co-chair of its Public Affairs Committee, which has long advocated for red flag laws to curb firearms suicides.

Open to Debate: Is Canada racist? May 05, 2020

Canadians like to tell themselves stories about the serene, progressive country they call home. In certain imaginations, Canada is immune to the social and political toxicity we find around the world -- especially that which we find to the south of us. And yet, a cursory glance at our past and our present tells another tale. Racial prejudice is embedded in Canadian minds and institutions. We must confront the question: Is Canada racist?

On episode 15 of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks about race in Canada with Erica Ifill, economist, writer, entrepreneur, and co-host of the podcast Bad + Bitchy.

The fragility of our healthcare supply chain May 05, 2020

The COVID19 pandemic is moving quickly, as is the news and information around it. That’s why our team on the 2020 Network is focused on giving you some balanced perspective on the story as it develops.

On this episode of the 2020 Network, host Jodi Butts speaks with Dr. Anne Snowdon, Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at the University of Windsor’s Odette School of Business; Academic Chair of the World Health Innovation Network (WIN); and Scientific Director and CEO of SCAN Health, about how health care supply chains work and how they can be improved.

The realities of retailing during COVID-19 Apr 29, 2020

The COVID19 pandemic is moving quickly, as is the news and information around it. That’s why our team on the 2020 Network is focused on giving you some balanced perspective on the story as it develops.

On this episode of the 2020 Network, host Jodi Butts speaks with Willy Kruh, retired Global Chair, Consumer and Retail at KPMG, and business advisor to leading multinational consumer brands about the ever-changing impact of COVID19 on the retail industry.

Creativity in crisis Apr 27, 2020

The COVID19 pandemic is moving quickly, as is the news and information around it. That’s why our team on the 2020 Network is focused on giving you some balanced perspective on the story as it develops.

On this episode of the 2020 Network, host Jodi Butts speaks with Shelly Ambrose, the Executive Director and Publisher of The Walrus, about the impact of COVID19 on the arts and cultural community.

Tracking, tracing & privacy in a pandemic Apr 23, 2020

The COVID19 pandemic is moving quickly, as is the news and information around it. That’s why our team on the 2020 Network is focused on giving you some balanced perspective on the story as it develops.

On this episode of the 2020 Network, host Jodi Butts speaks with Shuman Ghosemajumder, CTO at Shape Security, about how COVID-19 is influencing our thinking about data privacy, security and our online identities.

Shuman Ghosemajumder is the co-founder of the Privacy Council at Google, the co-author of CGI Programming Unleashed, a contributing author to Crimeware, and a regular guest lecturer at Stanford.

Open to Debate: Can we protect our identity online? Apr 21, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic continues. So does lockdown. Before the crisis, many of us used the internet for our day-to-day and month-to-month tasks. During the crisis, more of these tasks will be online. No doubt, that will continue in the future -- and change too. But we must be able to trust this digital identity: trust that it is safe and reliable, that it doesn’t lead to a further commodification of ourselves, and that its proceeds returned, at least in part, to the consumer.

The question, then, is ‘Can we protect our identity online?’

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Debbie Gamble, Chief Officer, Innovation Labs and New Ventures, Interac, about just that.

Supporting our kids through COVID-19 Apr 20, 2020

The COVID19 pandemic is moving quickly, as is the news and information around it. That’s why our team on the 2020 Network is focused on giving you some balanced perspective on the story as it develops.

On this episode of the 2020 Network, host Jodi Butts speaks with Dr. Mario Cappelli, senior clinician-scientist, Ontario centre of excellence for child & youth mental health; clinical investigator CHEO RI, adjunct professor of psychology, psychiatry University of Ottawa- about how we can support our children’s social, emotional and mental health during this pandemic

Supporting seniors through COVID-19 Apr 17, 2020

The COVID19 pandemic is moving quickly, as is the news and information around it. That’s why our team on the 2020 Network is focused on giving you some balanced perspective on the story as it develops.

On this episode of the 2020 Network, host Jodi Butts speaks with Dr. Samir Sinha, Director of Health Policy Research at the National Institute on Ageing at Ryerson University, and Director of geriatrics at Mount Sinai and the University Health Network in Toronto about how to help seniors get through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The social determinants of health and COVID-19 Apr 15, 2020

The COVID19 pandemic is moving quickly, as is the news and information around it. That’s why our team on the 2020 Network is focused on giving you some balanced perspective on the story as it develops.

On this episode of the 2020 Network, host Jodi Butts speaks with Dr. Kwame McKenzie, CEO of the Wellesley Institute, professor of psychiatry at the University of Toronto and Director of Health and Equity at the Centre of Addiction and Mental Health to discuss the social determinants of health and COVID-19.

Canada’s Legal System during COVID-19 Apr 14, 2020

The COVID19 pandemic is moving quickly, as is the news and information around it. That’s why our team on the 2020 Network is focused on giving you some balanced perspective on the story as it develops.

On this episode of the 2020 Network, host Jodi Butts speaks with Vivene Salmon, President of the Canadian Bar Association, about the impacts of COVID-19 on Canada’s legal system.

The road out of quarantine, with Dr. David Naylor Apr 10, 2020

The COVID19 pandemic is moving quickly, as is the news and information around it. That’s why our team on the 2020 Network is focused on giving you some balanced perspective on the story as it develops.

On this episode of the 2020 Network, host Jodi Butts speaks with Dr. David Naylor - Professor of Medicine and President Emeritus at the University of Toronto, about Canada’s approach to COVID-19, and his big-picture forecast for what’s to come.

COVID and the global food industry, with Sylvain Charlebois Apr 08, 2020

The COVID19 pandemic is moving quickly, as is the news and information around it. That’s why our team on the 2020 Network is focused on giving you some balanced perspective on the story as it develops.
On this episode of the 2020 Network, host Jodi Butts speaks with Sylvain Charlebois, professor in food distribution and policy at Dalhousie Univeristy in Halifax, about the impact of COVID-19 on the global food industry.

Open To Debate: What can caremongering do for us -- and what can't it? Apr 07, 2020

As the coronarvius pandemic continues, a mutual aid movement known as ‘caremongering’ has emerged in Canada. The endeavour is encouraging and welcome, but it isn’t new. Mutual aid and solidarity have long been practiced, especially in racialized, disabled, and Indigenous communities. On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with international development scholar Yvonne Su about the history, possibilities, and limits of caremongering.

Introducing the Recovery Project Apr 03, 2020

On this episode of The 2020 Network, Canada 2020's Alex Paterson speaks with Kevin Page and Helena Gaspard from the Institute for Fiscal Studies and Democracy at the University of Ottawa, about The Recovery Project - what we’re trying to accomplish, what you can expect, and how to get involved.

Learning during a pandemic, with Alex Usher Apr 02, 2020

The COVID19 pandemic is moving quickly, as is the news and information around it. That’s why our team on the 2020 Network is focused on giving you some balanced perspective on the story as it develops.

On this episode of the 2020 Network, host Jodi Butts speaks with Alex Usher, President of Higher Education Strategy Associates about the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the postsecondary education system.

Jodi also speaks with Gabrielle Menes, a third-year law student at UOttawa about how the pandemic is affecting her life as a student.

COVID across borders, with Rana Sarkar, Consul General of Canada in San Francisco Mar 30, 2020

The COVID19 pandemic is moving quickly, as is the news and information around it. That’s why our team on the 2020 Network is focused on giving you some balanced perspective on the story as it develops.
On this episode of the 2020 Network, host Jodi Butts speaks with Rana Sarkar, Consul General of Canada in San Francisco about his experience on the ground dealing with the impacts of COVID-19.

Nonprofits on the front lines of COVID-19, with Bruce MacDonald Mar 27, 2020

The COVID19 pandemic is moving quickly, as is the news and information around it. That’s why our team on the 2020 Network is focused on giving you some balanced perspective on the story as it develops.

On this episode of the 2020 Network, host Jodi Butts speaks with Bruce MacDonald, President and CEO of Imagine Canada, about how COVID-19 is impacting charities, nonprofits and social enterprises, and what some are doing to soften the blow.

An economic pandemic, with Brett House Mar 25, 2020

The COVID19 pandemic is moving quickly, as is the news and information around it. That’s why our team on the 2020 Network is focused on giving you some balanced perspective on the story as it develops.

On this episode of the 2020 Network, host Jodi Butts speaks with Brett House, Deputy Chief Economist at Scotiabank about the impacts of COVID-19 on the Canadian economy, and how we can combat the looming economic recession.

Open To Debate: How do we manage life during COVID-19? Mar 24, 2020

The COVID-19 virus has upended life around the world. On this special episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop sits down -- remotely -- with professor, author, parent, and friend Amanda Watson to ask: How do we manage life during COVID-19? We discuss how she and others are managing life during the pandemic and how a lens of compassion and care can help us navigate this difficult time -- and beyond it.

Coping with COVID with Dr. Keith Dobson Mar 23, 2020

The COVID19 pandemic is moving quickly, as is the news and information around it. That’s why our team on the 2020 Network is focused on giving you some balanced perspective on the story as it develops.

On this episode of the 2020 Network, host Jodi Butts speaks with Dr. Keith Dobson, a professor of clinical psychology at the university of Calgary, about how we can look after our mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak, and tips for coping with stress and anxiety.

COVID FAQ, with Dr. Michael Gardham Mar 19, 2020

The COVID19 pandemic is moving quickly, as is the news and information around it.

That’s why our team on the 2020 Network is focused on giving you some balanced perspective on the story as it develops.

For the next few weeks, Jodi Butts will host a special series going deeper into the scientific, policy, public health and economic forces at play with COVID-19.

On this episode, Jodi Butts speaks with Dr. Michael Gardam, Humber River Hospital’s Chief of Staff, and the Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto about how you can stay safe during a pandemic.

Quality Content: The State of America's Democratic Party, with Sarada Peri Mar 12, 2020

On today’s episode of Quality Content, host Alex Paterson speaks with Sarada Peri, former Senior Speechwriter to President Barack Obama and visiting Global Fellow with the Ryerson Leadership Lab, about the 2020 presidential primaries, the state of the democratic party and what it will take for them to win the next election.

Open To Debate #14: What does it mean to become a man? Mar 10, 2020

Masculinity dominates our social, political, cultural, and economic lives. As a way of seeing and being in the world, it is often narrow-minded, aggressive, and oppressive.

Toxic conceptions of masculinity are a threat to all of us; but they are also social constructions. As such, they can be deconstructed and reconstructed in the service of a healthier world for everyone.

But first, we must understand masculinity. Towards that end, we ask: What does it mean to become a man?

On episode 14 of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks about masculinity with Rachel Giese, a journalist and the award-winning author of the book Boys: What It Means To Become A Man.

Quality Content: 5th Annual Health Innovation Summit Mar 09, 2020

It’s been a while, but we’re glad to be back with a brand new episode of Quality Content. Last week, Canada 2020 hosted its 5th Annual Health Innovation Summit which looked the state and sustainability of the Canadian health care system. On this episode, our host Alex Paterson sits down with some Canada’s leading health experts for in-depth conversations around the future of innovation in health care. Here’s who you can expect from this episode of Quality Content:

Bill Charnetski, Executive Vice Presiden, PointClickCare
Elizabeth Toller, Executive Director, Regulatory Innovation, Health Canada
David Lee, Chief Regulatory Officer, Health Canada
Jodi Butts, Independent Board Member, Aphria

2020 Live: 5th Annual Health Innovation Summit, part three Mar 06, 2020

Last week, Canada 2020 hosted it’s 5th Annual Health Innovation Summit, bringing together key representatives from across the health system to expose how advancements in technology and investments in innovation help improve health outcomes and reduce costs.

Here’s what you can expect from Part 3 of this episode of 2020 live:

Special Presentation: Global Context, Global Risks
Dr. James Orbinski, Dahdeleh Centre for Global Health Research, York University
The 3 P’s of Health Politics in 2020 - Pharmacare, Provinces & Pandemic
Tim Powers, Summa Strategies
Anne McGrath, National Director, NDP
Peter Cleary, Santis Health

2020 Live: 5th Annual Health Innovation Summit, part two Mar 05, 2020

Last week, Canada 2020 hosted it’s 5th Annual Health Innovation Summit, bringing together key representatives from across the health system to expose how advancements in technology and investments in innovation help improve health outcomes and reduce costs.

Here’s what you can expect from Part 2 of this episode of 2020 live:

Presentation: Stepping into the Future of Treatment & Care in Canada
Elizabeth Toller, Executive Director, Regulatory Innovation, Health Canada
David Lee, Chief Regulatory Officer, Health Canada
In Conversation
The Hon. Mary NG, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade
In Conversation: Adopting Innovation on the Front Lines
Alex Munter, President & CEO, CHEO
Jodi Butts, Independent Board Member

2020 Live: 5th Annual Health Innovation Summit, part one Mar 02, 2020

Last week, Canada 2020 hosted its 5th Annual Health Innovation Summit, bringing together key representatives from across the health system to explore how advancements in technology and investments in innovation help improve health outcomes and reduce costs.

Here’s what you can expect from Part 1 of this episode of 2020 live:

Welcoming Presentation
Dr. Sandy Buchman, President, Canadian Medical Association
Presentation: Health Care Costs, Demographic Pressures & Emerging Challenges
Mostafa Askari, Chief Economist, IFSD, uOttawa
Panel Discussion: Growing the Health Innovation Ecosystem
Matthew Collingridge, General Manager, Digital, GE Healthcare
Janet Daglish, National Director, Bayshore
Bill Charnetski, EVP PointClickCare

Open to Debate #13: Why protest? Feb 26, 2020

As Canada watches protests, blockades, and other actions from Wet'suwet'en land defenders and their allies, we are reminded that protest and civil disobedience are essential to a free and democratic society.

What purpose does direct action serve? For whom? Why not try other means to achieve your ends? In other words: Why protest?

On episode 14 of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks about protest, civil disobedience, revolt, and revolution with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, curation editor at Buzzfeed News and co-host of the CBC podcast Party Lines.

Open To Debate #12: Does Canadian content need saving? Feb 25, 2020

In January, the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Legislative Review Panel released its report ‘Canada’s Communications Future: Time to Act’. The recommendations are sprawling; some are wise and timely, others are invasive and unnecessary, advocating a highly regulated internet and an interventionist communications regulator in service of, among other things, the future of Canadian content and culture on the internet, in the broadcast sphere, and beyond.

But what the panel and its defenders take for granted cannot simply be asserted. We must ask: Does Canadian content need saving?

On episode 12 of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks about the BTLR review, Canadian content and culture, the future of the CBC, and more with Daniel Bernhard, Executive Director of the advocacy organization Friends of Canadian Broadcasting.

Open To Debate #11: Can Canada defend itself against foreign threats? Feb 11, 2020

Canada’s national defence regime has long been bound up with the United States and our allies. For years, along with our partner states, we have been under various threats from the Cold War to terrorism and beyond. Most recently, challenges from Russia and China have become particularly significant while questions surround the future of American hegemony and the NATO alliance. That leaves us to ask:

Can Canada defend itself against foreign threats?

On episode 11 of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks about the present and future of Canadian national defence with Richard Fadden, a retired civil servant who held a number of distinguished positions in the federal government, including Deputy Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Deputy Minister of National Defence, Director of the Canadian Intelligence Security Service, and National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of Canada.

2020 Live: Progress Towards an Independent Senate Feb 03, 2020

To help map out the path ahead, Canada 2020 welcomed back to our studio Senators Raymonde Saint-Germain and Yuen Pau Woo, facilitators of the ISG, to continue the discussion on progress towards Senate independence, what it means for our parliamentary democracy, and how it will function differently with Canada’s new minority government.

Open To Debate #10: Does Canada need a Monarchy? Jan 28, 2020

The Royal Family is once again front and centre in the news, this time thanks to two of its most prominent members, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, stepping back from their official duties. Whenever the royals take centre stage, the country is plunged headlong into a familiar debate:

Does Canada need the monarchy?

On episode 10 of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Dale Smith, a freelance journalist in the Parliamentary Press Gallery, author of The Unbroken Machine, and contributor of the upcoming book Royal Progress: Canada's Monarchy in an Age of Disruption, about the monarchy and its role in Canada’s past, present, and future.

Open to Debate #9: What is the future of conservatism in Canada? Jan 14, 2020

In June of this year, the Conservative Party of Canada will choose a new leader. Its last leadership race, in the spring of 2017, highlighted competing visions of conservatism within the party springing from different values, priorities, and approaches among the country’s conservatives. What is the future of conservatism in Canada? On episode 9 of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Kate Harrison, Vice-President at Summa Strategies, about the directions that the Conservative Party, and the conservative movement, might take.

2020 Live #22: The Herle Burly Podcast Dec 17, 2019

On December 16th, 2019, Canada 2020 hosted a LIVE event featuring the wildly entertaining and informative Canadian public affairs podcast: The Herle Burly. The Herle Burly podcast is an insightful, fast-paced show offering an insider’s peek behind the curtain of Canadian politics. Back-room strategist and pollster, David Herle was joined on this LIVE showing of the Herle Burly Podcast by conservative strategist Jenni Byrne and political commentator and media expert, Scott Reid. Tune in for an uncut and uncensored conversation with some of Canada’s most experienced politicos.

Open to Debate #8: What should we expect from Canada's 43rd Parliament? Dec 10, 2019

Canada’s 43rd Parliament is in session. The Speech from the Throne has been delivered. Justin Trudeau remains Prime Minister. But the dynamics in the House of Commons are likely to change now that the country has a minority government. What should we expect from Canada’s 43rd Parliament?

On episode 8 of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Tonda MacCharles, senior reporter with the Toronto Star in Ottawa, about the policies and politics of the months to come.

2020 Live #21: National Forum on Agri-Food: Competing in a New World Order Nov 21, 2019

This month, Canada 2020 hosted the National Forum on Agri-Food: Competing in a New World Order. The Forum was the peak gathering of Canada 2020’s Food Brand Project, which is studying a global agri-food system at a crossroads. At the forum, David McInnes, who is leading the Canada Food Brand project, sat down with policymakers, industry leaders and stakeholders to discuss Canada’s unique position as a possible global agri-food leader, and what exactly is behind Canada’s food brand.

In this episode of 2020 Live covering the National Forum on Agri-Food, you’ll hear from Jean-Paul Gladu, President, and CEO of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, Priya Bapat, Consultant at The Economist Intelligence Unit, Bill DiMento, Vice-President of High Liner Foods, Tanya Woods, Managing Director at the Chamber of Digital Commerce Canada, and Noreen Lanigan, Director at Europe & North America Bord Bia (Ireland).

Open to Debate #7: Can we fix the internet? Nov 19, 2019

The internet was once imagined as a free and open communications utopia. Like all utopias, however, it was not to be. But the spirit of an unbound and accessible internet lives on, as does the question “Can we fix the internet?”

On episode 7 of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Laura Tribe, executive director of Open Media, about digital rights and telecom policy in Canada.

Open to Debate #6: What can we expect from a minority government? Nov 05, 2019

Meet the new government, same as the old government. Kind of. On election night, Canada returned a hung parliament with Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party set to maintain power--but now in a minority position. The prime minister remains the prime minister, but he will be forced to cooperate with opposition parties to legislate. On episode 6 of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Aaron Wudrick, federal director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, about what to expect in the next parliament and whether it will be good for Canadians.

2020 Live #20: Canadian Grown, the 2020 cannabis public policy conference Oct 29, 2019

To mark the first anniversary of cannabis legalization, Canada 2020 hosted a number of cannabis industry moguls at the Canadian Grown Conference in Toronto. During the two day event, Canada 2020's Alex Paterson and Jay Rosenthal of The Business of Cannabis, sat down with several people from the industry - from policymakers and researchers to cannabis business owners. In this episode, you'll hear about the challenges of legalization in year one, hopes for the coming year, and what it will take for Canada to maintain its first-mover advantage in the cannabis industry. Voices include Hon. A. Anne McLellan, co-chair of the Government of Canada's Task Force on Cannabis Legalization and Regulation, Chuck Rifici, Chairman at Auxly and CEO at Nesta, Ruth Ross, Professor and Chair of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, and many more.

Open to Debate #5: You've voted. Now what? Oct 18, 2019

On this election campaign special, we discuss one of Canada’s closest races ever -and what you should expect in the days, weeks, and months to come. For episode 5 of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Shannon Proudfoot, a journalist with Maclean’s, about the performances of each party so far, minority and majority parliaments, voter turnout, and some ridings to watch.

Open to Debate #4: Does it matter who wins the election? Oct 15, 2019

On October 21st, Canadians will go to the ballot box and return a government in Canada’s forty-third general election. The race is very close--the incumbent Liberals and the Conservatives are within a few points of one another in most polls. In episode 4 of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Kevin Milligan, a professor of economics at the University of British Columbia, about some of the policy differences between the country’s top four national parties and what they might mean for Canadians.

2020 Live #19: Combating foreign interference Oct 04, 2019

Last month Canada 2020 held a free public event to discuss the challenges facing Canadians in the 2019 federal election. In this episode, you’ll hear a panel discussion from that event covering the issue of foreign interference. Panelists answer questions about what foreign interference looks like, the threat it poses to Canada, and how it's best prevented. Panelists include Richard Fadden, former National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of Canada, former Deputy Minister of National Defence and former Director of CSIS, and Fen Hampson, Director of Global Security Research at the Centre for International Governance Innovation and Co-Director of the Global Commission on Internet Governance. Emma McIntosh, an investigative reporter with the National Observer, is the moderator.

Open to Debate #3: Do we need prisons? Oct 01, 2019

For years, researchers, activists, and both current and former prisoners have asked “Do we need prisons?” The state of correctional services in Canada and around the world--and the disparity between the theory of corrections and its practice--make this a timely and important question that reflects concerns about justice, equity, dignity, and decency. In episode 3 of Open to Debate, David Moscrop sits down with Justin Piché, an associate professor in the Department of Criminology at the University of Ottawa, where he is also the Director of the Carceral Studies Research Collective, and Souheil Benslimane, a former prisoner and a member of the Criminalization and Punishment Education Project, the Ottawa Sanctuary City Network, and the Coordinator of the Jail Accountability and Information Line.

2020 Live #18: Combating Misinformation Sep 27, 2019

How can we work together to stop the spread of misinformation? This month Canada 2020 held a free public event to discuss the spread and impact of misinformation, and the challenges facing Canadians throughout the federal election campaign. In this episode you’ll hear a panel discussion with Kate Gibbs, the Executive Director of Evidence for Democracy, Elizabeth Dubois, Assistant Professor of Communications at the University of Ottawa, and David Moscrop, Author of Too Dumb for Democracy, and Host of The 2020 Network’s Open to Debate.

Open to Debate #2: Can we manage the climate crisis? Sep 17, 2019

Climate change is the most significant threat to humankind in recorded history. Despite increasingly alarming warnings that our way of life is unsustainable—and driving us towards potential ruin—we resist the reforms necessary to save ourselves, opting instead for half-measures that seem to be too little, too late. Can we manage the climate crisis?

Open to Debate #1: Can democracy survive the internet? Sep 03, 2019

Democracy has survived ideological challengers, economic disruption, and even war. But can it survive the internet? In this episode, we discuss digital threats, to democratic health--from at home and abroad.

/Thread #57: A new IPCC report, the aftermath of two mass shootings in the U.S., and why Ottawa is a hot place to live Aug 09, 2019

Host Sarah Turnbull is joined by /Thread panelists Shannon Proudfoot of Maclean's and David Reevely of The Canadian Press. The trio discuss: the findings of a new UN report on land use, the fallout from the two mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio over the long weekend, and why Ottawa places third on Maclean's list of best communities to live in 2019. This is the final recording of the /Thread series.

/Thread #56: Diplomat disputes, USMCA on hold, and Trump's call for cheap drug imports from Canada Aug 02, 2019

Host Sarah Turnbull is joined by /Thread panelists Shannon Proudfoot of Maclean's and David Reevely of The Canadian Press. The trio discuss: the House foreign affairs committee's decision to squash a proposed investigation into alleged pressure by the Prime Minister's Office to filter comments by former ambassadors over the Canada-China dispute, how the delay of USMCA ratification impacts Canada, and the probability, or lack thereof, of President Trump's plan to import cheaper pharmaceuticals from Canada to the U.S.

/Thread #55: Butts is back but is SNC?, BoJo takes the reins, and Mueller testifies Jul 26, 2019

Host Sarah Turnbull is joined by /Thread panelists Shannon Proudfoot of Maclean's and David Reevely of The Canadian Press. The trio discuss: Gerald Butts, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's former principal secretary, joins the Liberal campaign team reigniting the SNC-Lavalin controversy, Boris Johnson gets sworn in as the UK's new leader promising follow-through on Brexit, and former special counsel Robert Mueller testifies before the U.S. judiciary committee about his report on Russian interference in the 2016 election.

/Thread #54: CETA talks, Trump targets 'The Squad,' and the obsession with FaceApp Jul 19, 2019

Host Sarah Turnbull is joined by /Thread panelists Shannon Proudfoot of Maclean's and David Reevely of The Canadian Press. The trio discuss: moving ahead with the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement at the EU summit, the reaction to President Trump's racist tweets targeted at four Democratic congresswomen, and why everyone can't stop talking about the app that makes users look 30 years older.

/Thread #53: China bans Canadian meat imports, Mark Norman retires, and Democrats kick off presidential debates Jun 27, 2019

Host Sarah Turnbull is joined by /Thread panelists Shannon Proudfoot of Maclean's and David Reevely of The Canadian Press. The trio discuss: China's ban on Canadian meat imports after customs agents discovered fraudulent veterinarian certificates and traces of restricted feed additive in pork shipments, why Vice-Admirable Mark Norman has announced his retirement from the Canadian military, and the winners and losers from the first of two Democratic primary debates in Miami.

/Thread #52: Scheer's environmental plan, a climate emergency and a pipeline expansion, and Trudeau's visit to Washington Jun 21, 2019

Host Sarah Turnbull is joined by /Thread panelists Shannon Proudfoot of Maclean's and David Reevely of The Canadian Press. The trio discuss: Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer's plan for the environment, the Liberal motion to declare a climate emergency and the subsequent approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's visit to Washington.

/Thread #51: Ban on single-use plastics, pharmacare plan release, and Raps make history Jun 14, 2019

Host Sarah Turnbull is joined by /Thread panelists Shannon Proudfoot of Maclean's and David Reevely of The Canadian Press. The trio discuss: the federal government's announcement to ban single-use plastics by 2021, the details of the report by the Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare, led by Dr. Eric Hoskins, and the Toronto Raptors' historic NBA finals win.

2020 Live #17: On location at Women Deliver in Vancouver Jun 10, 2019

This year's Women Deliver conference was held in Vancouver, B.C. and hosted thousands of attendees from across the globe. It is the largest gathering on gender equality with a focus on the health, rights, and wellbeing of girls and women. The 2020 Network team was on the ground to speak with activists, politicians, and community groups about the benefits of investing in women, how to advocate on behalf of all women, and what it will take to build a more gender-balanced world.

/Thread #50: Parliamentarians grill tech giants, Wilson-Raybould and Philpott go Independent, and Scheer lays out immigration plan May 30, 2019

Host Sarah Turnbull is back in Ottawa with /Thread panelists Shannon Proudfoot of Maclean's, and David Reevely of The Canadian Press. The trio discuss takeaways from the International Grand Committee on Big Data, Privacy, and Democracy, former Liberal cabinet ministers Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott’s decision to go Independent, and Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer’s immigration plan.

2020 Live #16: On location at Collision tech conference in Toronto May 27, 2019

Thousands gathered at the Collision tech conference in Toronto last week, the first time the global forum has taken place in Canada. The 2020 Network was there to capture the thoughts of entrepreneurs and tech gurus who spoke about where the industry is headed, how the tech sector is working to become more diverse, and how Canada, and specifically Toronto, is attracting innovators. You'll hear from thought leaders like Toronto Mayor John Tory, the co-founder of Collision Paddy Cosgrave, and more.

/Thread #49: A new Digital Charter, NAFTA 2.0 progress, and the Liberal's media bailout plan May 24, 2019

Host Sarah Turnbull is joined by Toronto panelists Marieke Walsh of iPolitics and Murad Hemmadi of The Logic. The trio discuss: The Liberal government's release of Canada's new Digital Charter as a part of the feds larger digital strategy, why a ratified NAFTA 2.0 is looking more likely with the arrival of U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence next week in Ottawa, and the details of the Liberal's media bailout plan.

2020 Live #15: In Conversation with the Hon. Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health May 20, 2019

Hon. Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, joins Alex Paterson in the Canada 2020 studio to discuss the future of Canada's pharmacare plan just months before the release of the Pharmacare Advisory Council's final report. The report will include specific recommendations on the program's design and delivery. Listen to hear Minister Petitpas Taylor take questions from a live studio audience about the scope, shape, and goals of a national pharmacare plan.

/Thread #48: Update on Mark Norman affair, politicians dive into climate talk, and the aftermath of Alabama's abortion ban May 17, 2019

Host Sarah Turnbull is joined by /Thread panelists Shannon Proudfoot of Maclean's, and David Reevely of The Canadian Press. The three catch up after a week away to discuss the latest in the Mark Norman affair, how politicians at the federal and provincial level are pitching their climate plans, and the fallout from Alabama's strict abortion ban.

Quality Content #28: The Martin Family Initiative, with the Rt. Hon. Paul Martin and Chloe Ferguson May 13, 2019

On the latest Quality Content, Alex Paterson sits down with the founder of The Martin Family Initiative, former prime minister of Canada, Paul Martin, and the organization's Early Years Program Director, Chloe Ferguson to chat about MFI's central program pillars, the importance of community involvement and leadership, and how lessons at the grassroots level can be applied to government decision-making.

2020 Live #14: In Conversation with the Hon. Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Rural Economic Development May 06, 2019

Hon. Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Rural Economic Development, joins Alex Paterson in the Canada 2020 studio to discuss the challenges and opportunities of improved connectivity infrastructure across the country. Listen to hear Minister Jordan take questions from the live studio audience about what is being done in rural parts of Canada to improve connectivity, and why it's so important for the economy.

/Thread #47: Canola crisis, managing spring floods, and the Caster Semenya ruling May 03, 2019

Host Sarah Turnbull is joined by /Thread panelists Shannon Proudfoot of Maclean's, and David Reevely of the Canadian Press. The three discuss: the ongoing canola crisis in Canada and trade tensions with China, spring flooding relief and municipal infrastructure dilemmas, and the Caster Semenya court ruling and the implications for female athletics.

Explain Like I'm Five #33: Canola Crisis, with Kelsey Johnson May 01, 2019

Kelsey Johnson, agriculture reporter at iPolitics joins Sarah Turnbull to talk about the significance of canola production in Canada and why the industry is facing major uncertainties due to a "scientific-based disagreement" with China.

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