The Paikin Podcast

They won power in BC for the first time in nearly a century. They’re now in power in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and PEI. Is conservatism actually making a comeback in Canada? Eleanor McMahon joins the Everything Political panel with former MPs Tony Clement and Martha Hall Findlay to discuss the BC election, conservatism in Canada today, and Carney’s “globetrotting” and his deal with Turkey. McMahon then shares the story of the traffic “accident” that killed her husband, her mission to make roads safer, the decision to remove bike lanes in Toronto, and how cars, bikes, transit, and pedestrians can better share the road.

Edward Fishman joins Steve to discuss his book, Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare, the emerging rules of this new era of economic war, whether globalization is dead, why the old era was abandoned, and the key chokepoints around the world, including China’s rare earth minerals, the U.S. dollar, and the Strait of Hormuz. They also discuss weaponizing chokepoints, Trump’s tariffs, whether Canada holds any cards in its trade war with the U.S., how a middle power like Canada can survive in an era of economic war, whether we’ll all be worse off as more and more countries retreat inward, and whether this makes a major war more likely.

Normally on World on Edge, we look at other countries in the thick of significant upheaval. But today, we turn the camera lens on ourselves. Martha Hall Findlay joins Janice Stein to discuss Alberta’s referendum results, what they mean, what comes next, what Danielle Smith will do with the separatists in her party, the referendum’s nine other questions, and rising anti-immigration sentiment. Then Janice and Steve discuss the protests and riots in France and across Europe, the grievances and economic pressures driving them, France’s long history of protest, the looting, and Trump’s claim that “the migrants have taken over France.”

Joseph P. Kennedy III joins Steve to discuss the upcoming midterm elections, the Republicans’ spending advantage, recent polls, the possibility of flipping Texas, the 51st-state talk, whether Trump’s treatment of Canada is an issue for voters, Trump’s personal enrichment and “grifting,” and the possibility of inappropriate or even illegal efforts to overturn the election results. They also discuss “moral capitalism,” the rise of Democratic Socialists, how different American history would have been had his grandfather, RFK, not been assassinated, and the Kennedy family’s relationship with RFK Jr.

The Everything Political panel, with former MPs Martha Hall Findlay and Tony Clement, discusses Alberta’s referendum, Danielle Smith’s high-wire act, and the role Canada’s premiers played in the lead-up to the referendum. Then they open up the mailbag and take questions on term limits and the gerontocracy, open borders, media bias, Tony’s boomer remarks, the risk Carney is running by trying to sell our airports, the most exciting election Steve has covered, and the most underrated politician in Canada.

Gary Marcus joins Steve to discuss calls to slow down AI development, Anthropic’s IPO and mounting debt, Trump’s self-policing approach, the Hugging Face incident, rogue AI agents, anthropomorphizing AI, and whether LLMs, at their core, are incapable of ever truly aligning with human values. They also discuss whether AI is better than we are at writing literature or doing math (and if so, whether we should let it be), mathematician Tristan Buckmaster’s accusation that OpenAI stole from his unpublished work, how to regulate AI, and whether politicians who barely understand how it works are up to the task.

Andrew Cohen joins Janice Stein on World on Edge to discuss Canada’s foreign policy, whether Canada is now “awake,” the peacekeeping era, Carney the statesman, whether his “middle powers” coalition is more than just speeches, Canada’s defence spending, and whether “soft power” still matters in the world today. They also discuss Arctic sovereignty, Canada becoming an “associate member” of the EU, to what extent we can go our own way without America, and Quebec’s recent election.

Bob Rae and former Canadian Supreme Court Justice Rosalie Abella join Steve for a live taping of the podcast in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, at the Confederation Centre of the Arts. They discuss the great "rupture" in Canada-U.S. relations, the day the world turned upside down, the "arsonist" in the White House, why Abella thinks we have been tolerating intolerance for too long, Trump's tariffs and threats of annexation, how Rae thinks Trump could try to divert fresh water from Canada, the ideological nature of the U.S. Supreme Court, rights being systematically rolled back in America, and Rae's new book, Reclaiming Canadian Sovereignty in a Ruptured World.

Dimitri Soudas joins Everything Political with Martha Hall Findlay to discuss the state of the Conservative Party, Pierre Poilievre’s leadership, Conservative MP Scott Aitchison announcing his retirement, the upcoming referendum in Alberta, elections in Quebec and BC, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and Trudeau’s record on Indigenous issues.

Martha Hall Findlay joins Steve to discuss the University of Calgary’s new study on the economics of Alberta’s separation, how much it would cost Alberta to separate, estimates of up to $170 billion in the first five years, the difficulty of negotiating pipelines if you’re not part of Canada, and the smoother versus more “turbulent” fiscal possibilities. They also discuss Indigenous treaty complications, hiring 60k people into a new Albertan civil service, the possibility of Alberta becoming the 51st state, why Alberta would end up more like Puerto Rico than Texas, and the comparisons of the upcoming referendum to Brexit.

Janice Stein joins Steve on World on Edge to discuss the geopolitics of AI, whether growing fears that AI could annihilate humanity are overblown, the AI arms race with China, and Trump's threats to "destroy" Iran. Then Sandy White joins to discuss Canada's dual separatisms and whether the huge national focus on Alberta's upcoming referendum may leave us vulnerable to separatists in Quebec.

Kristina Kallas joins Steve for a live taping of the podcast to discuss her mission as Estonia’s Minister of Education, the role education plays in national security, declining trust in governments, AI as a mass misinformation machine, and the challenge of processing the sheer volume of information coming at us. They also discuss Estonia's experience living next to a belligerent neighbour in Russia, this era of information warfare, the war in Ukraine, Putin's aspirations in the Baltics, why education systems need to train us to be in a constant state of learning, and bringing AI into classrooms.

The Everything Political panel, with former MPs Martha Hall Findlay and Tony Clement, discusses the prospect of Canada joining the EU, what exactly an "associate" membership entails, growing concerns over AI, the AI arms race with China, calls from the heads of Anthropic and other major AI companies to slow down, and whether Canada is prepared. They also discuss Carney's investment summit, privatizing Canada's major airports, and the usual round of "Good on Yas."

Carol Off joins Steve to discuss her book, True Patriot Love: Reporting from the Frontlines of Canadian Sovereignty, how Canada has become a beacon for liberal democracy, the rising threat to our sovereignty, how we can find our own way beyond American dependence, and the free trade debate of the 1980s. They also discuss her childhood, Pierre Trudeau's decision to move ahead with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms without Quebec's signature, the Meech Lake Accord, the CBC's role in Canadian identity, criticisms of left-wing bias at the CBC, and her experiences reporting in Bosnia, Rwanda, Somalia, and Afghanistan.

Canada's foreign minister during 9/11, John Manley, joins Janice Stein on World on Edge to look back on the attacks, whether they were the most significant event of the 21st century, how they reshaped the global order, the war on terror, the forever wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and PM Jean Chrétien's decision not to join the coalition that attacked Iraq. They also discuss Canada's involvement in Afghanistan, the Canadian relationship with the United States in the early 2000s, the revival of George W. Bush's legacy, Canada's role in the post-9/11 world, and how the world saw America in 2001 versus how it sees it today.

Canada's former transport minister David Collenette remembers 9/11, the immediate aftermath, the decision to close Canadian airspace, how he managed the 500 flights carrying 75,000 people that were headed to Canada at that moment, the bomb threats called into Canadian airports, and the story of Gander, Newfoundland. He and Steve also discuss concerns about a possible attack in Canada, working with his American counterparts, and our relationship with the United States then versus now.

What are the world’s most troublesome hotspots? Kamran Bokhari joins Janice Stein to discuss the United States rolling out a new foreign policy to replace an 80-year-old approach, whether there is any strategy or it’s just chaos, tensions between the U.S. and China, whether China is America’s enemy, the ongoing Ukraine war, the future of Russia, the Iran war and the emerging Middle Eastern security architecture, and, of course, U.S.-Canada relations.

The Everything Political panel with former MPs Martha Hall Findlay and Tony Clement discusses Carney’s decision to call off trade negotiations with the United States, whether this was a negotiating tactic, the possibility of a deal, whether retaliatory tariffs are a good idea, and a “united front” for Canada’s premiers. They also discuss the “good politics, bad economics” of being Elbows Up with Trump, Doug Ford’s comments, Trump’s zero-sum approach to negotiations, American booze on Canadian shelves, and the usual round of “Good on Yas.”

In our “Best of The Paikin Podcast,” historian Margaret MacMillan joins Steve to discuss the history we are living through, how it reminds her of the zero-sum period before the First World War, how seriously Canada should take Trump’s 51st state rhetoric, and the history of American attempts to invade Canada. They then discuss Canada’s defence spending, how Trump is unlike any president in American history, how he reminds her of Louis XIV or Henry VIII, the history of middle or smaller powers holding off greater powers, and the cracks growing in the MAGA movement.

Michael Decter and Michael McCarthy join Steve to discuss their book The Canadian Health Care Guerrilla Handbook, how to be a “ninja warrior” for your health care, the role of family doctors as “gatekeepers,” non-urgent emergency room visits, and why patients need to advocate for themselves to get good care. They also discuss Canadians going to the United States for health care, the crisis of accessing mental health care, and concerns over MAID.

In our “Best of The Paikin Podcast,” we look back at our most popular episode of all time. If American democracy ends, what happens to Canada? Stephen Marche joins Janice Stein on World on Edge to debate the threat America poses to Canadian sovereignty, whether we are prepared for Trump’s new world order, how we can learn from Ukraine and Finland, and how we can defend ourselves both economically and militarily.

Danielle Crittenden joins Steve to discuss her book, Dispatches from Grief: A Mother's Journey Through the Unthinkable, being deported to an “alternative universe,” her daughter Miranda’s diagnosis with a brain tumour, Miranda’s unexpected death, navigating the “bureaucracy of death,” why “everything is wrong” about parental grief, the physicality of grief, EMDR therapy, not letting grief control your days, and learning to live with the unthinkable.

Steve and Martin Short discuss what it’s like being a proud Canadian in America, Jimmy Kimmel being pulled off the air, if there is increasingly a cost to be paid for making jokes about the wrong people in America, and Mark Carney’s "elbows up" commercial with Mike Myers. Then, a deep dive into Short’s comedy career, his experiences on Johnny Carson and David Letterman, making fun of Conan, his love for Diane Keaton, meeting his hero Frank Sinatra, who he thinks was the greatest late show guest of all time, and why he and Steve Martin are the bestest of pals.

Rocco Rossi has had an eclectic career. He ran for mayor of Toronto in 2010 and for Queen’s Park in the 2011 Ontario election. He has headed up the Heart and Stroke Foundation and Prostate Cancer Canada, and is currently president and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. He has also walked the Camino de Santiago in Europe multiple times. He talks with Steve about why he makes the trek, what it offers him, the solitude he finds, walking it with his son, and the novel he wrote based on those adventures. They also discuss his run against Rob Ford for mayor of Toronto and flipping over to the Progressive Conservatives in the 2011 Ontario election.

In our “Best of The Paikin Podcast,” we go back to our very first episode. Steve flew to Calgary to sit down with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to discuss Alberta’s sovereignty act, if this could be Alberta’s "Brexit moment," Doug Ford and his Ontario brand of conservatism, getting “Jason Kenneyed,” meeting with Trump at Mar–a-Lago, how to play Trump’s ego, the future of conservatism and the rise of the right-wing podcast sphere – and, well, a few more things.

Ontario’s 21st premier and Canada’s former ambassador to the United Nations, Bob Rae, joins Steve for one of their monthly chats to discuss the federal government saying no to expanding Billy Bishop Airport on Toronto’s waterfront, the fallout between PM Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, the wildfires in Canada and Europe, whether the Liberal government has decided national unity is more important than climate change, and whether Canadian voters still give a damn about climate change. They also discuss British politics, Andy Burnham becoming the seventh British PM in ten years, Nigel Farage’s resignation and by-election “stunt,” and the legacy of Lindsey Graham.

In this episode of World on Edge, Janice Stein and Steve discuss the NATO summit in Turkey, the “Trump whisperer” Mark Rutte, why Turkey matters to NATO, Article 5, Germany’s steep increase in defence spending, and growing concerns that Russia could attack Europe. They also discuss Trump’s changing tone on Zelensky and Ukraine, the strength of Putin’s position within Russia, how the Ukraine War ends, and the nuclear agreement between Saudi Arabia and the United States.

Christine Elliott joins the Everything Political panel with former MPs Martha Hall Findlay and Tony Clement to discuss Trump's wildfire tariffs, the Gordie Howe bridge opening, and Elliott's organization Decency Matters. They also get into past incivility in politics, including an assault in Parliament with a hickory stick, whether politics is more civil behind the scenes than in front of the cameras, and what can be done to make politics more decent. They also take audience questions, including one on growing Canadian government debt and another on Conservative Party candidates being barred from participating in debates during elections.

Canada’s Minister of AI and Digital Innovation Evan Solomon joins Steve to discuss whether the AI revolution will make the Industrial Revolution more than a century ago look like a tea party, his role as Canada’s first-ever AI Minister, growing concerns about job loss, whether we are marching into a political revolution, the backlash against energy-consuming data centres, and whether we can trust big technology companies. They also discuss NDP leader Avi Lewis’s statement that “we are rushing into an unregulated experiment” run by some of “the plain weirdest people that have ever been masters of the universe on planet Earth,” Geoffrey Hinton’s concerns about the existential risk AI poses, and Solomon’s decision to get into politics and the transition from journalist to cabinet member.

Walter Russell Mead joins Steve to discuss America’s 250th anniversary, how “we’re in an uncharted world with a man who doesn’t believe in charts,” Trump’s political genius, how he sees drama as the core of power, not achievement, and a possible successor to Trump. They also discuss Trump’s foreign policy, whether there is a Trump doctrine, the unpredictability and chaos in which he operates, the rise of asymmetrical warfare, the Iran war, Trump’s relationship with Putin, and how Mead compares them to two mafia guys.

In our third edition of “Paik’s Takes,” Steve is joined by The Big Story’s Caryn Ceolin to discuss why Steve thinks soccer is boring, whether the World Cup was worth it for Canada, why Steve thinks municipal politics should be capturing more of our attention, including the race for Toronto mayor, and Caryn’s take that America’s next Democratic presidential candidate will not run on a platform of free trade. They then answer a wide range of listener and viewer comments and questions: - Steve’s greatest political disappointment? - Canada joining the EU? - Gavin Newsom and the 2028 Democratic nomination - American influence on Canadian politics - National unity over climate change? - Is net zero 2050 still a thing? - The scourge of modern dating?

Stephen Marche, host of the Gloves Off podcast, joins Steve to discuss Canada-U.S. relations, how Canada is making its way through the “mess” south of the border, the weakening of American power worldwide, and his optimism for Canada’s ability to navigate the Trump era. They also discuss America’s “Doomsday Clock,” authoritarianism on the right and left, whether the Supreme Court is creating an “imperial presidency,” whether America can go back to normal, the divide between “Old Canada” and “New Canada,” and the decline of authoritarianism worldwide.

James Scongack, COO and Executive Vice President at Bruce Power, joins Steve for a sponsored piece of content in partnership with Bruce Power to discuss the history of nuclear power, when the nuclear era began in this province, the nuclear accidents at Chernobyl and Fukushima, what impact that had here in Canada, Germany’s response to Fukushima and the decision to entirely phase out nuclear power in the country. They then discuss “energy tribalism,” the role of natural gas, the need for a mix of different energy source, getting the grid to net-zero, the future of nuclear power, Bruce Power’s C project, small modular reactors, Ontario’s role in providing medical isotopes and how energy could factor in to the on-going CUSMA negotiations with Trump.

The Everything Political panel with former MPs Martha Hall Findlay and Tony Clement discusses the campaign to restore 24 Sussex Drive, if it should be torn down entirely, and if it’s an embarrassment to Canada. They also discuss the federal government’s plan to buy condos in B.C. that developers can’t sell in the hope of turning them into affordable housing, if this is a good idea, the blowback to it, and then take some “letters to the editor,” including one letter on whether Carney is an out-of-touch international elite and another from a listener who feels a “sense of confidence that Canada is being represented by someone with the experience, intellect, and emotional maturity required for this moment.”

“I’ve fought Putin for 17 years.” Bill Browder, head of the Global Magnitsky Justice campaign, joins Steve to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine, how Russia is now incurring eight men killed or seriously wounded for every one lost by Ukraine, whether Russia is losing the war, Putin’s recent statement that he wants to negotiate, and why Browder thinks Putin would rather watch Russia burn than admit he can’t win the war. They also discuss how Putin may become a “drowning man,” how he could react if cornered, how Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries are shifting support for the war in Russia, whether Trump’s new world order is a win for Putin and Russia, European security, the Global Magnitsky Act, and Russia’s recent sanctions on Browder’s teenage son.

Let’s review this, shall we? The United States and Israel decided to unilaterally attack Iran. There were a number of justifications for the attack: stopping Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, deterring Iran’s ability to export terrorism, punishing the Iranian regime after it killed tens of thousands of its own citizens, having greater control over shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, enhancing Israel’s security from its most dangerous neighbour, and if they got really lucky, precipitating regime change. Has any of that happened? What has, in fact, been achieved? Janice Stein breaks it all down on this episode of World on Edge.

Harvey Brownstone’s “life story is one of the most astonishing you’ll ever encounter.” He joins the pod to discuss his book, Without Prejudice: My Life as a Gay Judge, his early life, his traumatic experience coming out to his parents, being disowned, and living in poverty at Queen’s University. From there they discuss his early years as a lawyer, the homophobia and hate he experienced, how levity can sometimes be the best response, becoming Canada’s first openly gay judge, and the upcoming movie about his life.

The Everything Political panel with former MPs Martha Hall Findlay and Tony Clement discusses “Carney infatuation syndrome,” if the honeymoon will ever end, rumours that Carney may stand down after one term, the G7 summit, if the “strands” of a new world order are being woven, and Canada’s “conscious uncoupling” from the United States. They also discuss the World Cup, the corruption of FIFA, and the usual round of “Good on Yas.”

In our second edition of a monthly segment, Steve is joined by “the most difficult man to introduce in Canada,” Bob Rae, to discuss Trump’s negotiating style, how we’ve “seen this movie before,” and if America First doesn’t mean America alone. They then discuss the deal with Iran, how it is not a victory for Trump, the diverging interests of Israel and America, the possibility that Netanyahu may step down and not run for another term, and the expansion of the Billy Bishop Airport.

Welcome to the first collaboration between The Paikin Podcast and Charlie Angus’s Meidas Canada. Steve and Charlie get into how we should understand this moment in history, how we are in a “new age of monsters,” and the rising authoritarian threat. They then discuss fears they have for the future of Canada, the two separatisms in Alberta and Quebec, whether Avi Lewis was the right choice for the NDP, where the NDP goes from here, and whether the left can build a durable populism that can rival right wing populism.

In a special episode recorded in front of a live audience at The Albany Club, Greg Brady joins the Everything Political panel with former MPs Martha Hall Findlay and Tony Clement to discuss Carney's speech on antisemitism — whether it hit the mark, why he didn't mention anti-Zionism, and whether Israel's actions have contributed to the rising antisemitism in Canada. They then discuss the mood of conservatives in Canada today, the frustration within the Conservative Party, whether Pierre Poilièvre is the right leader, whether Carney is the worst possible matchup for Poilièvre, and the usual round of "Good on Yas."

We got some more evidence this past week that our relationship with the United States is not business as usual. Canada is going to purchase a whack of surveillance jets, and we are not buying them from the US. Sweden got the contract and the Americans are ticked. Did the federal government make the right choice here? And will we have to pay a political price for angering our neighbors? Stephen Saideman joins Janice Stein on World on Edge.

George Takach, author of Inspired by Taiwan: Why Supporting Taiwan Matters for Global Democracy, joins Steve to discuss his book, the possibility of China invading Taiwan, why the West must make sure China doesn’t “take a run” at Taiwan, how we are all dependent on Taiwan through its semiconductors, and if President Trump would protect Taiwan if China invaded. They also discuss whether Canada should recognize Taiwan as an independent country, the political price Canada pays with China every time a delegate visits the island, and how seriously we should take China’s military maneuvers, including when they move warships through the Taiwan Strait.

Steve Paikin and Caryn Ceolin reflect on the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran three months after the war began, examining Donald Trump’s struggle to secure a deal and the political and economic fallout ahead of the U.S. midterms. They also discuss Canada-U.S. trade talks, Mark Carney’s foreign policy ambitions, and wrap up the season with a few summer plans. This is your Morning Brief for Friday, May 29th.

Everything Political panel with former MPs Martha Hall Findlay and Tony Clement discusses Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s approach to separatism and a potential referendum, why she is being criticized from all sides, why Tony thinks she can’t squash a referendum right now, the tightrope she is walking, if she is fanning the flames of separatism, and if it could backfire and become another Brexit situation. They then discuss the 14 Liberal MPs questioning Carney’s stance on the environment, MP Steven Guilbeault’s announcement that he is resigning, if Canada is “backsliding” on climate, and the usual round of “Good on Yas.”

Steve Paikin and Caryn Ceolin discuss Mark Carney’s candid hot mic moment on Alberta separatism, the political fallout for Danielle Smith, and the Montreal Canadiens’ playoff collapse against Carolina. This is your Morning Brief for Thursday, May 28th.

Frank McKenna, former Premier of New Brunswick and Canadian Ambassador to the United States, joins Steve for this special edition of The Paikin Podcast in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. They discuss McKenna's experience as ambassador, dealing with George W. Bush, how he would deal with Trump, whether Trump's unpredictability is constrained by markets, and whether we live in a more dangerous time than the height of the Cold War. They then discuss Brian Mulroney's Meech Lake Accord, how McKenna regrets not supporting it, whether he regrets not running for the federal Liberal leadership, his $20-million donation to St. Francis Xavier University, and the world young people are confronting today.

Steve Paikin and Caryn Ceolin discuss Mark Carney’s sharp warning against Alberta separatism, comparisons to Brexit, rising tensions with Danielle Smith and, of course, late-night reactions to the Montreal Canadiens overtime loss. This is your Morning Brief for Tuesday, May 26th.

Steve Paikin and Caryn Ceolin discuss Donald Trump’s proposed Iran ceasefire deal, growing skepticism over what the conflict actually achieved, rising gas prices in the U.S., and mounting tensions between Alberta and British Columbia ahead of the Western Premiers’ Conference. This is your Morning Brief for Monday, May 25th.

Steve Paikin and Caryn Ceolin discuss Danielle Smith’s plan to put an Alberta independence question on the ballot, the growing pressure from separatists within her base, and why Pierre Poilievre is pledging to campaign to keep Alberta in Canada. This is your Morning Brief for Friday, May 22nd.

MIT’s Vipin Narang joins Janice Stein to discuss the global nuclear arms race, how the United States “now faces a Category 5 hurricane of nuclear threats,” why China wants to become a nuclear powerhouse, how Russia and Putin plausibly threatened the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine, and why this was the closest we came to nuclear war since the height of the Cuban missile crisis. They then discuss the Iran War, how it makes us “way worse off now,” the bar for the deployment of American nuclear weapons, whether more countries such as Saudi Arabia or South Korea want a nuclear weapon now, if Canada should get a nuke, and if the rationale of mutual assured destruction (MAD) is still in play today.

In our second edition of “Paik’s Takes,” Steve is joined by The Big Story’s Caryn Ceolin to share, well, a few takes and answer some listener questions. Should we stop subsidizing the auto industry in Canada? Should Canada start its own automaker? As Canadians are we obliged to cheer for the Montreal Canadiens – especially if we are Toronto Maple Leaf fans? They also discuss why trust in institutions is cratering, the future of Canadian identity, “Maple MAGA” and rising discontent, Mike Harris stepping down as Premier, and Tragically Hip Kawartha Lakes flavour due out on Canada Day.

Steve Paikin and Caryn Ceolin discuss Mark Carney’s expected industrial carbon pricing deal with Alberta, the political balancing act around western alienation, and Donald Trump’s meetings with Xi Jinping in Beijing as the war in Iran continues. This is your Morning Brief for Friday, May 15th.

Liberal MP Karina Gould joins the Everything Political panel with former MPs Martha Hall Findlay and Tony Clement to discuss the meeting between Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and PM Mark Carney, respecting environmental law and Indigenous rights, if Carney is letting the pro-environment side of the Liberals down, meeting both our environmental commitments and utilizing our oil resources, and if we have too many regulations in Canada that inhibit us from building big things. They also discuss Brexit and separatism in Alberta, if a referendum “spreads the poison,” as Bob Rae said, partisan vs. independent Senate appointments, the census, and Tony’s decision to end the mandatory long-form census back in 2011.

Steve Paikin and Caryn Ceolin discuss Donald Trump’s high-stakes trip to Beijing, the ongoing fallout from the war in Iran, China’s role in the Strait of Hormuz and what it all could mean for Taiwan. This is your Morning Brief for Wednesday, May 13th.

In our first edition of a monthly segment, Steve is joined by “the most difficult man to introduce in Canada,” Bob Rae, to discuss how we are increasingly seeing behaviour in the world that is “tyrannical,” the fallout from the Iran War, why it has achieved nothing, why Canada must be more than just a bystander, and why Blaise Pascal’s maxim from the 17th century helps us understand the world today: “Justice without force is powerless; force without justice is tyrannical.” They also discuss Canada’s new Governor General, Louise Arbour, the rising separatist sentiments in Canada, the dilemma Pierre Poilievre is facing, and the state of the Toronto Blue Jays.

MP Ali Ehsassi joins Janice Stein on World on Edge to discuss the ongoing Iran War, if this could become a forever war, why regime change doesn’t come out of the barrel of a gun, and what the United States failed to understand about Iran. They also discuss the economic fallout in Iran, the Iranian diaspora in Canada, if Iran is farther away from a nuclear weapon, the possibility of nuclear proliferation across the region, the weaponization of the Strait of Hormuz, and why this is one of the worst performances ever by a United States president.

President and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays, Mark Shapiro, joins Steve at the Rogers Centre, perched atop the dugout, to discuss last year’s World Series, the heartbreak of game 7, chasing excellence instead of outcomes, his father, Ron Shapiro, and if he thought he’d be with the Blue Jays this long. They also discuss why the election of Trump has made him happier to be in Canada, geopolitics and Israel, rising antisemitism in Canada, his Jewish identity, the expiring CBA, the prospect of a salary cap in baseball, and the impending negotiations.

Michael Bonner joins to discuss his book, The Crisis of Liberalism: The Origin and Destiny of Freedom, the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, then they go back and look at the early 90s and the promise of the end of history, the growing tension between individual and group identity, and why many misunderstand the origins of liberalism. Then they discuss the backlash to DEI, whether wanting to be free is part of our DNA, the western assumption of progress, and the usual round of “good on yas.”

Ric Bienstock joins Steve to discuss her documentary Speechless, the explosion of the culture wars on college campuses, why we have lost the ability to talk to each other, and how free speech has been reshaped in colleges and beyond. They also discuss the rise of the “woke right,” if they have come to mirror the woke left they oppose, if anyone really cares about free speech anymore, how to do DEI right, and if she was surprised CBC aired her documentary.

Francis J. Gavin joins Janice Stein to discuss his new book, Thinking Historically: A Guide to Statecraft and Strategy, why we need to know history to understand the uncertain geopolitical order today, whether Trump and his advisors understand history, why it’s necessary to understand countries such as China, Russia, and Iran, and which President of the United States knew the most history. They then discuss how history is misused, how to use the often contested lessons from history, the lessons from the Vietnam and Iraq wars, why we need to complicate our story of the Cold War, and why history makes the "unfamiliar familiar and the familiar unfamiliar."

Gord Stellick and Ronnie Shuker join Steve to discuss the 75th anniversary of Bill Barilko’s overtime goal to win the Leafs the Stanley Cup in 1951, if it was the greatest Leafs goal ever scored, and the mystery around his disappearance that summer while on a fishing trip. They also discuss the new feature-length documentary in production, “Frozen in Time: The Bill Barilko Story,” that will break new ground on the story.

The Everything Political panel with former MPs Martha Hall Findlay and Tony Clement discusses Hungary voting out Viktor Orban, if populism is waning, if we have hit “peak Carney,” the history of “outsider” Prime Ministers, and American influence on Canadian politics. They also discuss Alberta and proportional representation, the cynicism many feel in politics, declining economic prospects, and what happened to progressive conservatives in federal politics.

Former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Elizabeth Dowdeswell joins Steve to discuss the threats to Canada’s democracy, how fragile democracy can be, and her new award for “advancing democracy through education.” They also discuss her decade as Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor, voter turnout, if we should lower voting age, social media, the growing threat from AI, and how education can safeguard democracy.

Justin Ling joins the Everything Political panel with former MPs Martha Hall Findlay and Tony Clement to discuss the newly minted majority government in Canada, why Justin thinks this is now a true national unity government, why Tony thinks Carney is actually now a “pottery barn” government, whether a stronger mandate will enable the government to address the dual unity crises in Quebec and Alberta, and the democratic legitimacy of this majority. They also discuss whether Pierre Poilievre’s leadership is to blame for the floor crossings, how stable this “tiny majority” government really is, and then the usual round of “good on yas.”

John Fraser joins Steve to discuss his new book, The Governors General: An Intimate History of Canada's Highest Office, why he cares about this history when so few do, why it took 80-plus years to get an actual Canadian Governor General, and why it’s a position that is “merciless.” They also discuss every single Governor General since 1952, including the “magisterial” Vincent Massey, Georges Vanier, Adrienne Clarkson, and the “catastrophic” mandate of former astronaut Julie Payette.

Janice Stein and Steve discuss Trump’s threats to leave NATO, what that would mean for Canada, his threats to Iran, and, although Trump has sown chaos and uncertainty in world affairs, if the markets operate as a significant guardrail to his actions. They then answer some viewer questions on what will replace the old world order, if consensus can ever be achieved in global forums such as the UN on climate or AI, how drone technology has changed warfare, why the EU puts up with Hungary, what the post-communist future looks like in China, and what happens to trade deals if the United States and its Navy stops guaranteeing safe passage in international waters. They also, most importantly, discuss who has better bagels: Toronto or Montreal?

Ashley Prime, former UK diplomat who has served all over the world, including in China, Italy, Jamaica, and Canada, joins Steve to discuss King Charles’s visit to America, if he will push back on Trump and defend Canada, PM Starmer’s plunging popularity, what Brits think of the Iran War, and why many people feel “politically homeless” in the UK. They also discuss Russia’s war in Ukraine, the “useful idiots” in Britain, why PM Starmer – after Brexit – is saying Britain needs to get closer to Europe, how Brexit killed the Tories, PM Starmer’s failure to stick up for Canada during Trump’s initial 51st state rhetoric, and if Canada can still rely on Britain.

Kathleen Monk joins the Everything Political panel with former MPs Martha Hall Findlay and Tony Clement to discuss the NDP convention, Avi Lewis’s first ballot victory, whether he is the right choice to rebuild the NDP, and the passing of his father Stephen Lewis. They also discuss how the NDP can be relevant again, the equity card moment at the convention, whether the NDP will be about “the factory floor or the faculty lounge,” if they have learned lessons from Mamdani’s rise in New York City, where Lewis will find a seat, and where exactly the NDP go from here.

Former premiers Kathleen Wynne and Philippe Couillard join Steve Paikin at York University’s Glendon College to discuss the rise of populism in Canada, decreasing levels of trust in government, and the threat populism poses to democracy in Canada. They also discuss where things went wrong, rising levels of inequality, the disenchantment young people feel with the political system, why young folks are skewing right, and what can be done to restore trust in democratic politics. Panelists also include Obama Foundation scholar Victoria Kuketz and Allen Sutherland from the Institute on Governance.

Arif Lalani, former Canadian Ambassador to Jordan, Iraq, Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates, joins Janice Stein to discuss George H.W. Bush’s approach to the Gulf War in 1990 compared to Trump’s war in Iran, why he did not bother to build any coalition, how Janice sees this as an incoherent and “shambolic war,” the work of Witkoff and Kushner, and how nobody seems to be doing their homework in the Trump administration. They then discuss why this was a military action of choice, how Trump saw this as another Venezuela, why the UN is increasingly irrelevant, the possibility of a ceasefire and diplomacy, and if Trump is looking for an off-ramp.

In the first ever edition of “Paik’s Takes,” Steve offers a few, well, takes and answers questions from viewers. Is this the most dangerous and uncertain time Steve has experienced in his more than four decades as a journalist? Should athletes make political statements? Is Canada still a meaningful ‘middle power,’ or is that just a comforting myth we tell ourselves? Then, in response to our first ever Redline Debate on the Freedom Convoy and the protests in Ottawa, Steve invites on a viewer who wrote in with his “take.” That viewer is Peter Sloly, former Ottawa Chief of Police.

The Everything Political panel with former MPs Martha Hall Findlay and Tony Clement discusses the most recent floor crossing to the Liberal caucus, how Carney has been able to convince four different MPs to come over, if it’s wrong or undemocratic to get a majority through these means, and how unprecedented historically all these crossings are. They then discuss Pierre Poilievre’s international excursions, how Tony thinks it shows his “seriousness,” and if playing partisan politics abroad is a breach of protocol.

One episode. Two very different views on the Middle East. The Deputy Foreign Minister of Israel, Sharren Haskel, joins to discuss her country’s decision to attack Iran, their strategy and endgame, as well as Israel’s conduct in Gaza. You’ll also be hearing from someone who appeared before the International Court of Justice on behalf of Palestine. That's Queen’s University international law professor and former UN official in the Middle East, Ardi Imseis. He explains why he thinks this is an illegal war and shares his view on Israel’s conduct in Gaza.

Thomas Juneau joins Janice Stein to discuss the war in the Middle East, if doing nothing is an option for Canada, the diaspora politics involved, what role middle powers can play, and how Canada has been “lazy” about its national security. They also discuss the incredible pace of this war, why you cannot “bomb your way to regime change,” the incoherent strategy of this war, how the Iranian regime could become weaker but nastier, the possibility of escalation, the rising nuclear threat, and the role global oil markets played in motivating the American airstrikes.

John Baird, Canada’s former foreign minister, joins Steve to discuss the war in Iran, whether Canada should support it, PM Mark Carney’s evolution on reacting to this war, and if it could turn out like another Iraq or Libya. They then discuss the internal deliberations within the federal government when a war breaks out, how decisions are made to support a war or not, and the tough choices Canada has to make as this war continues.

The Everything Political panel with former MPs Martha Hall Findlay and Tony Clement discuss PM Carney’s initial support of American airstrikes on Iran, his recent comments about giving diplomacy a chance, how Canada was not consulted beforehand, whether this is an illegal war, whether the UN and international law matters anymore, and the viability of Carney’s middle power theory. Support us: patreon.com/thepaikinpodcast Mentions in the episode: Our episode with Margaret MacMillan on th...

Ryan Hass joins Janice Stein to discuss the prospect of an American intervention in Iran, regime change, and the negotiations between America and Iran on the nuclear issue. They then look at how close China is to invading Taiwan, what China wants, how China sees its role in the new emerging world order, the rising global nuclear threat, and what sort of relationship Canada should build with China. Support us: patreon.com/thepaikinpodcast Follow The Paikin Podcast: YOUTUBE: http://www.yo...

Welcome to the first edition of The Paikin Podcast "Redline Debates." Four years ago this month, a convoy of truckers essentially took over the nation's capital, and beyond disrupting life there, it became a Rorschach test on how you felt about everything from vaccinations to parliamentary democracy. Justin Ling from the Toronto Star and Candice Malcolm from Juno News join to debate what the Freedom Convoy was all about, how history should remember it, how the media covered it, the fact...

Linda McQuaig joins the Everything Political panel with former MPs Martha Hall Findlay and Tony Clement to discuss her book, “Cancelling Billionaires Before They Cancel Us: The Urgent Case for a Wealth Tax,” whether billionaires should exist, how current levels of inequality can lead to “revolution,” how Canada’s tax system needs to change, the politics around bringing in a wealth tax, and if it would cause the rich to leave Canada. They also discuss the alternate option of a universal...

As the Ukraine War nears its fourth anniversary, we devote a special edition of The Paikin Podcast to understand where things stand today, the toll four years of war has had on the Ukrainian people, and how much longer it can go on. The episode features a variety of different voices and interviews, including: - Former MP Chrystia Freeland - Deputy Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine, Dariia Marchak - Roman Shimonov from Roshel Smart Armoured Vehicles - Anastasiia Bilchenko from Peacefu...

Stephen Marche, author of “The Next Civil War,” joins Janice Stein to discuss why America is a bigger threat to our freedom and democracy than China or Russia, why the West is feeling its betrayal turn into rage, and how Stephen thinks “we’re all Canadian now.” They also discuss the American midterms, to what extent we can “return to normal” if the Democrats win back the White House, American officials meeting with members of the Alberta separatist movement, and if Janice has changed her mind...

Rob Ashton joins Steve to discuss his NDP leadership bid, why he thinks the NDP needs to return to its working-class roots, if the Conservative Party outflanked them, and what he offers as an NDP leader that the other candidates do not. They then discuss housing, the level of unionization in Canada, Carney’s speech in Davos, Canada’s foreign policy approach in Ukraine and the Middle East, and Ashton’s favourite PM in Canadian history. Support us: patreon.com/thepaikinpodcast YOU...

Canadaland’s Jesse Brown joins Steve to discuss his investigative podcast series, “What is Happening Here,” how October 7th made his world “fall apart,” the rise in antisemitism in Canada, the “double standard” in how it’s covered, and the pushback and attacks his reporting on antisemitism has received. They also discuss the left’s antisemitism problem, how Jewish people are seen as white privileged “oppressors,” if anti-Zionism is racist, and if he’s lost friends or advertisers doing t...

The Everything Political panel with former MPs Martha Hall Findlay and Tony Clement discuss Pierre Poilievre’s leadership review, what 87.4% support means, the level of unity in the Conservative Party, and how Poilievre gave the “best speech of his life.” They then discuss if Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative Party can win a general election, if he’s the right man for this geopolitical moment of uncertainty, Carney’s international background and experience, and why the next election will be Po...

Heather McPherson, NDP MP from Edmonton Strathcona, joins Steve to discuss her NDP leadership bid, why we still need the NDP even though 94% of Canadian voters rejected them in the last election, and how the party, in her view, has lost its way. They then discuss climate change, whether the NDP is a pro-pipeline or anti-pipeline party, Canada’s decision to recognize Palestine, Canada’s foreign policy in a new world order, her favorite prime minister, and her battle with cancer. S...

Christian Leuprecht joins Janice Stein to discuss Carney’s speech in Davos, how it was the “most consequential” international speech ever delivered by a Canadian prime minister, why we must move on from the rules-based international order, and why nostalgia is not a strategy. They also discuss middle power alliances, Canada’s foreign policy, “taking the world as it is,” and whether Canada can be both principled and pragmatic in its approach to the world. Support us: patreon.com/thepaiki...

Historian Margaret MacMillan joins Steve to discuss the history we are living through, how it reminds her of the zero-sum period before the First World War, Trump’s claims over Greenland, his letter to the PM of Norway, how seriously Canada should take Trump’s 51st state rhetoric, and the history of American attempts to invade Canada. They then discuss Canada’s defence spending, how Trump is unlike any president in American history, how he reminds her of Louis XIV or Henry VIII, the history o...

Peter Donolo joins the Everything Political panel with former MPs Martha Hall Findlay and Tony Clement to discuss Carney’s deal with China. They explore why Tony thinks it’s a terrible decision for Canada, the need to chart a new path away from America, China’s history of foreign influence in Canada, and the future of Canada’s auto industry. The panel then considers whether Carney has come through on his “elbows up” campaign promise, the economic war that Canadians face with America, why Carn...

Kory Teneycke, senior advisor to Premier Doug Ford, joins Steve to discuss the Premier, his “awful” first year in government, how he turned it around and won three straight majorities, the Greenbelt and Skills Development Fund controversies, and Ford’s earlier praise for Donald Trump. They then discuss if Ford has any designs on federal politics, the terrible relationship between him and Pierre Poilievre, Teneycke’s remarks of “campaign malpractice” during the last federal election, an...

Janice Stein is joined by Jon R. Lindsay from Georgia Tech to discuss if the kidnapping of Maduro signals the death of the liberal international order, if Venezuela was an inside job, and if Trump has turned the world into a “den of thieves,” as the President Steinmeier of Germany said last week. They then discuss Canada’s response to America’s attack on Venezuela, Poilievre’s vs. Carney’s statements, and what this means for Greenland, Taiwan and, well, Canada. In other words, how seriously s...

The Everything Political panel with former MPs Martha Hall Findlay and Tony Clement discuss the new mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani, his “big hairy audacious goals,” his response to Maduro’s kidnapping, the fight for the soul of the Democratic Party, and if a left wing populism could tap into the same anger and frustrations that Trump has. They then discuss Pierre Poilievre’s response and support for Trump’s actions in Venezuela, what this all means for Canada and Canada’s oil industr...

Jim Balsillie joins Steve to discuss how he thinks Canada is sabotaging its own economy, how we have consigned ourselves to being a low value-added petro state, why we are operating from an outdated playbook, and Canada’s productivity crisis. They then discuss a real made-in-Canada approach, why foreign investment is overrated, and how to create a more sovereign future for Canada. Follow The Paikin Podcast: YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePaikinPodcast X: x.com/ThePaikinPod ...

Former federal Liberal cabinet minister Sergio Marchi joins Steve to discuss his book, Pursuing a Public Life: How to Succeed in the Political Arena, the fragile state of our democracy, the rise of polarization and cynicism, his 30 years in politics as a city councillor, MP, cabinet minister, and ambassador, and how to survive and succeed in a political climate that has become nastier and more divided.

Ontario’s 20th Premier David Peterson joins Steve on stage at The Pearson Centre to look back on his early life, his father’s politics, and “why the more you have, the more you owe.” They also discuss any regrets he had as premier, the Human Rights Code, the failure of the Meech Lake Accord, the separatist scars in Canada today, the state of Ontario’s Liberals in 2025, and what’s next for David Peterson at 82. Follow The Paikin Podcast: YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePaikinP...

Dan Dunsky joins Janice Stein to discuss why the news seems to be driving us crazy, how our brains are being hijacked, how digital media has created a "constitution of confusion,” the erosion of institutional trust, the collapse of the post-war liberal world order, and how exactly we can stay informed without going mad. Follow The Paikin Podcast: YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePaikinPodcast X: x.com/ThePaikinPod INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thepaikinpodcast BLUESKY: bsky.app/pro...

The Atlantic’s Tom Nichols joins Steve to discuss Trump’s “ghoulish” comments about Rob and Michele Reiner’s murders, if this is a new low for him, how he sees the Trump administration as a “confederacy of toddlers,” if Trump is losing his grip on the Republican Party, the growing rift within the GOP, the resentments Americans feel, and what happens after Trump. Is it possible for someone to restore the guardrails that Trump has obliterated? Is it possible for someone to win an election on r...

Tony Keller joins the Everything Political panel with former MPs Martha Hall Findlay and Tony Clement to discuss his book “Borderline Chaos: How Canada Got Immigration Right, and Then Wrong,” the historical consensus on immigration, the rise in levels under Trudeau, the temporary foreign workers program, if the Canadian consensus on immigration has been broken, where we are now, and what it will take to recapture that consensus. Follow The Paikin Podcast: YOUTUBE: https://www.yout...

Bob Rae recently stepped down as Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations. He joins Steve to discuss his five years at the UN, how America has left “the democracy club,” the Orwellian world Canada is entering, and the danger and uncertainty of this geopolitical era. They also consider the Israel-Gaza war, Canada’s decision to recognize Palestine, the Russia-Ukraine War, dealing with the Trump administration, his dispute with China over their persecution of ethnic Muslim Uighurs, and what’s n...