Wonk

After one of the most consequential elections in U.S. history, we've gathered a trio of consequential policy wonks to help us understand what went down in this election and what the result means to Canada and the world. PPF Fellows Don Wright, Janet Annesley and Sean Speer join WONK host Edward Greenspon to talk about President Trump’s decisive victory, the big political shifts that are unfolding and the potential impact on Canada’s future.

Alex Himelfarb served as Canada’s top public servant, Clerk of the Privy Council, under three Prime Ministers: Jean Chretien, Paul Martin and, briefly, Stephen Harper. He knows a thing or two about the immense challenges of governing at the highest levels. He's also been fascinated by the big trends that policymakers must come to terms with, such as inequality and climate change. Himelfarb believes we are in - what he describes as - ‘The Age of Crisis’. He speaks with host Edward Greenspon about the economic and political forces behind it, and what needs to happen to save democracy.

The question on everyone's mind these days: What happens if tariff-loving Donald Trump wins the U.S. election in November? Specifically, what does it mean for Canada, our side of the world's biggest trading relationship? Host Edward Greenspon talks to Canada’s chief NAFTA negotiator, Steve Verheul, about the ‘ugly choices’ we face in dealing with a more protectionist America, changes in global trade and why Canada can’t just ‘sit back and wait’ to see what happens.

The biggest turnaround since the Second World War is underway in Atlantic Canada. But it comes with a bit of a cautionary flag. As PPF’s Atlantic Canada Momentum Index shows, growth is occurring at a more tentative pace than the year before. WONK host Edward Greenspon talks to all-star economist David Campbell — the wonk of the East — about what’s going well and what needs to be going better.