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PODCAST

Wonk

Public Policy Forum

WONK is a show about big ideas in unprecedented times. Hosted by Amanda Lang, we unpack some of the most pressing issues and challenges facing Canada, and talk to some leading thinkers and policymakers about how to tackle them. New episodes drop on Thursdays. This feed also hosts the archive for Public Policy Forum"s podcast, Policy Speaking.

news politics

All Episodes

00:37:50

U.S. panel: Is Canada ready for President Trump?

Wonk ·

2025/01/16

In the lead-up to President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, he has escalated his taunts and economic threats against Canada. How can we prepare for the potential upending of a trade relationship that is the backbone of the Canadian economy? To help sort through this we've gathered one of our all-star panels: Marta Morgan, former deputy minister of foreign affairs, Peter Loewen, the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University, and Mark Cameron, a former director of policy

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00:39:22

WONK panel: A game-changing bet on wind power in B.C.

Wonk ·

2024/12/12

British Columbia gave the green light this week to nine wind energy projects intended to meet the insatiable demand for clean electricity. In the words of B.C. Premier David Eby, "we need a lot more juice." Eight of these projects are majority owned by First Nations communities and all are set to proceed without the regular environmental assessments. Host Edward Greenspon speaks with an all-star panel of Western wonks — Janet Annesley, Kwatuuma Sayers and Don Wright — about why this is such a big

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00:29:33

Brett House on understanding the rise of Trumponomics...

Wonk ·

2024/11/14

From tariffs to tax cuts, Americans, Canadians and people around the world are thinking through the implications of Donald Trump’s proposed economic plans. Wonk host Edward Greenspon talks to Brett House, a professor at Columbia Business School and a former deputy chief economist at Scotiabank about the major flaws in Trumponomics, why CUSMA sowed doubt in the minds of investors... and how Taylor Swift’s tour helps explain some of the economic trends unfolding today.

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00:28:38

Raven Lacerte on leading a national movement to end...

Wonk ·

2024/09/26

Over 13 years, the organization Raven Lacerte co-founded with her dad has distributed seven million little squares of moose hide that people wear on their lapels. The Moose Hide Campaign has sparked an estimated 30 million conversations about ending violence toward women and children in Canada. She speak with host Edward Greenspon about how it all started and the progress she’s seen in that time.

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00:32:34

John Risley on his big green hydrogen bet

Wonk ·

2024/05/09

John Risley is best known for his by-the-bootstraps creation of global seafood giant Clearwater — and for orchestrating its sale to a coalition of First Nations. The self-made billionaire’s next big project is as chairman of World Energy GH2, which plans to build a massive green hydrogen project on Newfoundland’s west coast. He talks to host Edward Greenspon about why the project could be revolutionary, what keeps him anchored in Atlantic Canada and why he went to "wind farm academy."

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00:31:49

Halifax Mayor Mike Savage on how a big city keeps up...

Wonk ·

2024/03/28

After 12 years leading one of Canada’s fastest growing cities, Halifax Mayor Mike Savage recently announced he’ll be stepping down. In his time as mayor, Halifax went from worrying about its declining, aging population to becoming a magnet for newcomers and residents from other provinces. Savage joins host Edward Greenspon to talk about his successes, managing growth and the importance of local journalism.

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00:31:38

David Shoemaker: How to win at the Olympics

Wonk ·

2024/03/21

David Shoemaker is the CEO of the Canadian Olympic Committee, the organization tasked with promoting Olympic values and helping get Canadian athletes onto the podium. He talks to host Edward Greenspon about why he expects big things in Paris, the challenge of making sport safer in Canada, and the delicate balance of international competition in a time of war.

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00:31:24

What does Canada really want from immigration?

Wonk ·

2024/03/14

Canada is perhaps the most successful immigration nation in the world. But its system is showing some cracks, as immigration is twinned in the public mind with housing shortages and high rental costs. Rupa Banerjee, Canada Research Chair in Economic inclusion, Employment and Entrepreneurship of Canada’s Immigrants, talks to host Edward Greenspon about what Canada’s getting wrong and why it’s unfair to blame foreign students for housing woes.

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00:32:29

John Hannaford on the historic challenges facing the...

Wonk ·

2024/02/22

John Hannaford is the Clerk of the Privy Council, the most senior job in the public service. It is really three jobs rolled into one: deputy minister to the Prime Minister, Secretary to the cabinet and head of the public service. Hannaford talks to host Edward Greenspon about the historic challenges facing the public service, the renewed focus on ethics and the importance of fearless advice.

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00:32:01

Paul Wells on not being mean, and building an empire

Wonk ·

2024/02/15

Paul Wells is the dean of political reporting in Canada. For 30 years he wrote for national news outlets before recently launching his own little media empire. He has a buzzing Substack and podcast. His brand name is now, well, his name. He joins host Edward Greenspon to talk about his life in a fast-changing media landscape, the future of journalism and why he stopped caring about being edgy.

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00:34:29

‘Are you a bot?!’ Shingai Manjengwa on why we...

Wonk ·

2024/02/08

Shingai Manjengwa is one of the leading AI educators and thinkers. She is the head of AI education at chainML, the founder of Fireside Analytics, and the director of professional development at the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence. She talks to host Edward Greenspon about how AI actually works, its challenges and why we shouldn’t fear the future.

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00:31:12

Wearables for everyone: Dr. Vivek Goel on data-fueled...

Wonk ·

2024/02/01

Dr. Vivek Goel was an ace up Canada’s sleeve when the pandemic hit. He’s a physician and top public health researcher. He was on COVID-19’s Immunity Task Force and advised the national body for COVID-19 research. He’s also the president of the University of Waterloo. He talks to host Edward Greenspon about the unrest in higher education institutions, the importance of health data and what a better pandemic response could have looked like.

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00:31:39

It’s not easy being a Liberal in Alberta. Anne...

Wonk ·

2024/01/25

Anne McLellan is known as ‘Landslide Annie’ for her nail biting wins as a Liberal MP in Alberta. She served as Minister of Natural Resources, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Minister of Public Safety, Minister of Health and deputy Prime minister. Today, she’s a co-chair, along with former conservative cabinet minister Lisa Raitt, of the coalition for a Better Future. She talks to host Edward Greenspon about working for Jean Chrétien, why Alberta is misunderstood and Canada’s lack of focus

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00:29:22

Chief Crystal Smith on the life-changing impacts of LNG

Wonk ·

2024/01/18

Crystal Smith is the elected chief of the Haisla National Council and the guiding force behind a multi-billion-dollar LNG project on Haisla territory that is fast becoming a model for Indigenous led and owned development. She talks to host Edward Greenspon about the dramatic changes occurring in her home town of Kitimaat Village, overcoming environmental opposition to LNG, and her hopes for the future.

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00:34:13

From space to cabinet: Marc Garneau on a remarkable life

Wonk ·

2024/01/11

Marc Garneau has been a naval officer, an astronaut and a cabinet minister. He’s led the Canadian Space Agency and served as ‘Capcom’ at NASA – that is, the voice of Houston on shuttle missions. For his remarkable career(s), his name is etched in the history books, on two highschools and a postage stamp. Garneau talks to host Edward Greenspon about a life of no regrets, the highs and lows of astronaut life, and why he’s never asked Justin Trudeau about his exit from cabinet.

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00:34:41

Mentoring Elon Musk and the future of wind: Peter...

Wonk ·

2023/12/21

Peter Nicholson has advised leaders of the OECD, major corporations and was instrumental in Canada's deficit busting 1995 budget. Today, the dean of public policy thinking in Canada has turned his efforts to the topic of wind power, and its potential to make Atlantic Canada the next energy superpower. He talks to Edward Greenspon about the urgent energy transition, why he ‘marches toward the sound of gunfire,’ and how he became mentor to a young Elon Musk.

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00:24:40

Jayna Hefford on launching the Professional Women’s...

Wonk ·

2023/12/14

Jayna Hefford is one of Canada’s most decorated Olympians, having won four straight gold medals. She’s also one of the top goal scorers ever to play the game of hockey. Now she’s turning her considerable talents to the Professional Women’s Hockey League, a six-team league of elite players that hits the ice next month, on Jan. 1, 2024. She talks to host Edward Greenspon about inspiring a new generation players, working with Billie Jean King and what it takes to launch a brand new league.

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00:33:07

Jeff Elgie on his fight to save local news in Canada

Wonk ·

2023/12/07

At a time when news outlets are falling into decline and disappearing from the map, Jeff Elgie has been steadily growing Village Media from his base in Sault Ste Marie, Ont. In the process he has wound up at the centre of one of the most important debates of the digital news era: how to effectively sustain journalism and, by extension, the strength of our democratic fabric. He talks to host Edward Greenspon about the government's recently announced $100-million agreement with Google, and what

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00:23:40

Bob Rae on life at the UN and following in his dad’s...

Wonk ·

2023/11/30

As Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations Bob Rae has taken on what may be his most consequential role in a 45-year career largely in public service. From the invasion of Ukraine to the war between Israel and Hamas, he speaks for Canada with a rare and often critical clarity. Ambassador Rae talks to host Edward Greenspon about the emotional toll of life at the UN and Canada’s recent diplomatic efforts.

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00:00:35

Introducing Wonk

Wonk ·

2023/11/29

Sounding out smart policy and the passionate people behind it. Wonk is a weekly conversation with the leaders and policymakers who are shaping our democracy, driving the economy, and tackling the issues that matter to Canadians. Hosted by author, former journalist and president and CEO of the Public Policy Forum, Edward Greenspon, Wonk is rooted in the belief that good policy – and thoughtful discussion -- make a better Canada. New episodes on Thursdays.

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118 results

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