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 ...
How to govern through an election on top of a trade war
In short order, Canada has experienced a Liberal leadership race, a new Prime Minister, a trade war attack from its closest ally, and now a federal election. How is democratic accountability maintained through this unprecedented action? How do the wheels of government keep turning? Host Amanda Lang talks to Canada’s former top bureaucrat, Michael Wernick, about the "weird place" we’re in, the job of the public service and the changes on the horizon.
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The fight over U.S. fighter jets
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s review of Canada's purchase of F-35 jets is another battle line drawn in the ongoing trade war. But it has also re-opened old scars. Canada has been trying to replace its aging jets for decades now. Two people who have lived the file, former defence minister Peter MacKay and former assistant parliamentary budget officer Sahir Khan talk to host Amanda Lang about the politics of procurement, the need for better discourse and what’s at stake.
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Andrew Furey on the nastiness of politics and facing Donald Trump
Andrew Furey has been the premier of Newfoundland and Labrador for an extraordinarily eventful five years, from the pandemic and its fallout to going all in on oil and gas, and lately, of course, the chaos of Trump and a trade war. The popular leader shocked everyone recently when he announced he’s leaving politics. Host Amanda Lang talks to Furey about why he’s stepping down, his fears about the U.S. president’s motives and the need for a Canada-first strategy.
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David Paterson on fighting the trade war and winning over Americans
After weeks of uncertainty it finally happened: Canada has been plunged into a trade war it desperately hoped to avoid. Even as it unfolds the path is unclear. Already there are signs that some tariffs could be reduced or removed, but it will cause pain on both sides of the border. Make no mistake, we are in a new era of Canada-U.S. relations. David Paterson is Ontario’s representative in Washington, and understands what's at stake and what's happening on the ground like few others. He was former VP at General Motors and BlackBerry, and was chair of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. He talks to host Amanda Lang about what's motivating Trump's tariff attack, how he wins over U.S. lawmakers and why he doesn't think the U.S.-Canada relationship is permanently damaged.
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How to revive local news — and Canadian democracy
Local news has been disappearing at an alarming rate, leaving a huge void in communities and undermining a key pillar of democracy. Guest host Alison Uncles talks to Lisa Sygutek, the publisher of the Crowsnest Pass Herald, Stacey Brzostowski, editor and publisher of The Haida Gwaii News, and Andrew Phillips, former editor-in-chief of The Montreal Gazette and Victoria Times Colonist, and a columnist with The Toronto Star, about misinformation, community ties and why they have a newfound sense of optimism in their battle for survival against big tech. They also delve into the results of a new PPF report outlining some key steps to help put the local back in local news.
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.
Canada - english