Andrew Coyne: Is Canada’s democracy falling apart?
Canadians are feeling patriotic these days and acutely aware of what we think makes Canada great. But like a lot of good things, our successes should not be taken for granted. In fact, it's been suggested that our democratic processes have fallen so far over time, we’ve lost sight of what "good" even looks like. Host Amanda Lang talks to Andrew Coyne about his new book The Crisis of Canadian Democracy, and how Canada’s political system and structures are under siege.
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How Canadian housing got so unaffordable
The housing market dominates conversation for many Canadians, especially when it comes to the lack of affordable homes. Absent a trade war, it is the subject that ranks most important to many of us. And it’s not just about the real estate market — housing now dominates the Canadian economy. Peter Gilgan founded the largest private home builder in North America, Mattamy Homes. He talks to host Amanda Lang about what’s been driving up prices, the impact of investors and his bet on modular home building.
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Why Canada can’t break free from America
The risks the world faces today feel not just numerous, but in some cases existential. Ian Bremmer is one of the top political scientists and risk experts in the United States. He’s the head of Eurasia Group, a global consultancy, a highly regarded media commentator and the author of 11 books. He talks to host Amanda Lang about America’s ‘dysfunctional democracy’, the threats leading up to the midterm elections and how Canada lacks the infrastructure of a sovereign nation.
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How to build Arctic sovereignty — and Canada’s economy
The One Canadian Economy Act is supposed to streamline new projects in Canada, including big resource projects. Can the government pursue these nation-building efforts while also answering other aims, including securing sovereignty over Canada's Arctic and working in partnership with Indigenous groups? Sean Boyd helped grow Agnico Eagle into the largest miner in the country and one of the biggest builders in the Arctic. He talks to host Amanda Lang about why his company is so invested in Canada, the importance of building trust on big projects and why the Northwest Passage needs to be developed.
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Inside the fight of Google’s life
AI is both a massive opportunity and a big threat. And that is especially true for Google, a tech innovator whose bread and butter business (search) faces an uncertain future in the age of artificial intelligence. Kent Walker is the president of global affairs at Google and its parent company Alphabet. He talks to host Amanda Lang about fending off anti-trust allegations, why Sergey Brin is coming back into the office and the “most fundamental transformation” of the tech giant.
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.
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