Intended Consequences

In the second episode of our podcast series on the Ontario municipal elections, we explore why housing is a major theme for candidates and voters.
Our guest Michelle German, Senior Advisor at StrategyCorp, argues that housing might be the most important issue in this year's municipal elections as individuals have never been more challenged to find the right kind of housing. She highlights how specific local realities are shaping what voters are looking for and, ultimately, the housing promises of municipal candidates across the province.

The Ontario municipal elections are in full swing. In this new podcast series, StrategyCorp's Institute explores the themes that are shaping the elections across the province.
Ed Archer, Vice President at StrategyCorp, joins the podcast to talk about why infrastructure is a crucial topic in this year's municipal elections. He explains how local realities and other municipal priorities shape discussions on infrastructure.

After a summer marked by geopolitical developments, byelections, and the threat of separatism in Alberta and Quebec, Parliament returns for what promises to be an eventful fall in Canadian politics.
StrategyCorp's Rebecca Caldwell, Garry Keller, and Nathan Cullen join the podcast to discuss current dynamics and priorities in government. They highlight what may be next for the Conservatives and the NDP as both parties look to cautiously navigate the "Team Canada" moment we are in amid the tension with the United States and Donald Trump. Our panelists also explain how federal politics will be shaped by provincial dynamics this fall.

Canadian high-performance athletes train hard every day to compete at the highest levels and proudly represent Canada on the world stage.
Countries and sport federations are constantly thinking about how to enable athletes and national teams to perform at their best. Government funding and a strong sport ecosystem are critical enablers of high performance.
The Government of Canada announced $755 million in the latest Spring Economic Update to support Canadian athletes and National Sport Organisations. The funding will also help host large sporting events and get more people involved in sport.
Susanne Wereley, President of AthletesCAN, joins the podcast to discuss the state of high-performance sport in Canada. A two-time Olympian in rowing and an Olympic gold medalist, Susanne discusses how Canada attracts, retains, and supports high-performance athletes. She provides insight into the state of sport infrastructure and how adequate funding underpins the playground-to-podium continuum.

Between the Milano Cortina Olympics, the Paralympics, and the FIFA World Cup, 2026 is a dream year for sports fans. But these mega-events go beyond sports and medals; they are highly political and extensively covered by the media.
Large international competitions are opportunities for host countries to achieve diplomatic, political, and economic objectives through sports. How these events are conveyed to fans locally and globally also matters, as sports and media constantly influence one another.
To unpack these topics, Intended Consequences welcomes Cecilia Arregui Olivera and Vitaly Kazakov, Postdoctoral Fellows at the Media and Journalism Studies Department at Aarhus University.