The Line

• We refuse to believe Trump has a real plan.

  In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on March 7, 2025, your hosts spend a good long while talking about the various new stories to come out of Washington, D.C. this week. A trade war is on! But now it's off! Sort of, maybe! No one really knows! Also, President Donald Trump put on a real masterclass this week in reminding us all that he's a showman, not a career politician. That's a strength in some ways, but it's going to cause problems. They also agree that Canadians should probably start tuning him out a bit until he settles down, and that anyone who would seriously use the term "TDS" — yes, we see you in the comments — is, uh, dumb. (Matt uses stronger language in the podcast. Be warned.)This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the information they need to choose potentially less harmful alternatives. Learn more at https://www.unsmoke.ca/They also touch on federal politics. Another pointless gun ban that no one takes seriously seems to be one of Justin Trudeau's last acts while in office, and sure. Why not go out the way you governed, with ever-more aspirational announcements that lead to nothing. Makes sense. We also do a quick chat about the upcoming Carney coronation, or not? And also gab a little bit about a New York Times report that added some fascinating colour to the behind-the-scenes talks between U.S. and Canadian officials. Matt also yells at his sump pump, if anyone is wondering what kind of a day he's having.This episode has also been brought to you by Forestry For The Future. Forestry supports 200,000 Canadians in hundreds of communities, generating $87 billion in annual revenues and $37 billion in exports — including $29 billion to the United States. It's also key to addressing some of our biggest challenges. We need an action plan for our forest sector and its employees, one that will help build the homes we need with Canadian wood, reduce the risk of wildfires and create more family-supporting jobs right here at home. To learn more about what forestry can do for Canada, visit https://www.forestryforthefuture.ca/After that, they wrap up with a quick chat about provincial politics and their continued efforts to monitor the Ice Bucket Challenge for National Survival. We still wish that list was longer!All that, and more, in the latest episode of The Line Podcast. As always, like and subscribe to our main page at https://www.readtheline.ca/

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• Arming Canada.

  Welcome back for another edition of On The Line. Each week, On The Line will bring you an extended conversation with Matt Gurney or Jen Gerson and a guest — or guests! — that can speak with authority on whatever is in the news.In this episode, Matt Gurney speaks with Richard Shimooka, a Canadian defence expert and senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. They talk about the state of world affairs, especially after last week's dramatic Oval Office shouting match. They agree that America isn't turning into a dystopia, but it's absolutely returning to isolationism. And what's that going to mean for little ole us?This episode of On The Line is brought to you by the Forest Products Association of Canada. Canadian forestry supports 200,000 workers, generates $87 billion in annual revenue, and provides the products we need to build homes and drive economic growth. While trade barriers from the United States threaten jobs and investment, Canada’s own approval processes and regulations are blocking critical projects that increase our self reliance. The Canadian government has a clear opportunity to stand up for Canadian forestry at a time of growing global uncertainty. We need real action that puts Canadians first — supporting employees and their families, securing stability for our businesses, and protecting the long-term potential of our sector and its people. To learn more, visit https://www.forestryforthefuture.ca/Matt and Richard spend a long time talking about the state of the Canadian military today — what can it do, and what can't it do? They also talk about the decades of political decisions that led us here. What is the military for, and what do the politicians think it's for? When you ask those questions, you don't always get the same answer! And that's a problem.This episode is also brought to you by the Métis Nation of Ontario. In 1879, food supplies ran out in Sault Ste. Marie and Bruce Mines. Survival hinged on teams of Métis mail carriers travelling 600 kilometres by dogsled through winter storms to restock stores. Through skill and sacrifice, Métis kept people alive so the Upper Great Lakes in what is now Ontario could grow and thrive. To learn more, go to https://www.ontariometisfacts.com/To wrap up, they talk about the kind of military that Canada should have. What does it need to be able to do? Why will our European allies probably not like the answer? And how can we start to reduce the amount of leverage that this White House, and any future White House, will have over us? By becoming stronger at home. But that won't be easy.As always, like and subscribe. Visit our main site at https://www.readtheline.ca/. And we'll see you next week for the next installment of On The Line.

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  1:16:36
• Make Trump Happy. Make Gretzky the new King of Canada.

  In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on February 28, 2025, your hosts open with a chat about federal politics. Mark Carney had some good stuff going, but then he got caught in a dumb lie. We aren't sure if this will break outside the Twitter bubble, but it's an interesting reminder that the man is pretty new at politics ... This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the information they need to choose potentially less harmful alternatives. Learn more at https://www.unsmoke.ca/They chat about a lot of other stuff, too. High-speed rail. Matt's travel woes this week. (These are not separate topics.) Weird federal polls. Why the CPC and Poilievre need to get serious. Lots of fun and lots to discuss.This episode has also been brought to you by Forestry For The Future. Forestry supports 200,000 Canadians in hundreds of communities, generating $87 billion in annual revenues and $37 billion in exports — including $29 billion to the United States. It's also key to addressing some of our biggest challenges. We need an action plan for our forest sector and its employees, one that will help build the homes we need with Canadian wood, reduce the risk of wildfires and create more family-supporting jobs right here at home. To learn more about what forestry can do for Canada, visit https://www.forestryforthefuture.ca/Having covered off the federal stuff, your hosts move onto some provincial updates. We stay on the topic of the Ice Bucket Challenge for National Survival and give some updates on that. We also ask our viewers and listeners in Nova Scotia to help us out with an answer to an important question! We also discuss a growing scandal in Alberta and a weird election in Ontario. Jen also makes a comparison that'll piss everyone off. It turns out Doug Ford reminds her of ... Mark Carney.After that, they make a quick point about who speaks for Canada, and who doesn't, or won't. And Matt makes a proposal even he finds surprising: we should consider being a republic, or maybe just find ourselves a new king. Wayne Gretzky, anyone?All that, and more, in the latest episode of The Line Podcast. As always, like and subscribe to our main page at https://www.readtheline.ca/

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  1:26:30
• Why is airline travel in Canada and the U.S. falling apart?

  Welcome back for another edition of On The Line, The Line's latest podcast offering. Each week, On The Line will bring you an extended conversation with Matt Gurney or Jen Gerson and a guest — or guests! — that can speak with authority on whatever is in the news.In this episode, Jen Gerson speaks with Duncan Dee, an airline analyst and former chief operations officer of Air Canada. Jen shares her recent harrowing experience with air travel, highlighting the inefficiencies and frustrations faced by travellers in Canada. They discuss the broader implications of air travel networks, the impact of any disruption at major hubs like Pearson Airport, and the need for more regional airports. The week's episode of On The Line is brought to you by the Motion Picture Association of Canada. For decades, Ottawa controlled what is “Canadian” and what isn’t when it comes to series and movies available to Canadians. The rules are out of date and costing Canadians opportunities. It’s time for Ottawa to focus on helping Canadian film and TV workers, and encourage efforts to showcase Canada. Go here to learn more.https://www.mpa-canada.org/press/ottawas-streaming-regulations-will-hurt-canadian-consumers-and-workers/?utm_source=the_line&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=sa_mpac_choice&utm_content=canadianThey chat about the recent crash of Delta Endeavor Flight 4819 at Pearson, which shut down two runways at the airport for days. This was just the latest in a rash of terrible aviation tragedies, and it was wonderful that no one died in the Toronto crash. But the aftermath was a sight to behold. They discuss the poor communication by the airport authority (and Canadian officialdom in general), and why the airline networks are less resilient to shocks like a major airport closing two runways than they used to be. At Fort Frances, a group of Métis leaders signed the “Halfbreed Adhesion” to Treaty 3 with Canada in 1875, becoming the only Métis community in Canada to be included as a distinct Métis party to one of the Numbered Treaties. By standing together, they ensured their place in Canada’s story—one that will never be erased. For more information, visit https://www.ontariometisfacts.com/They also touch on a recent announcement of a $3.9 billion plan to .... announce another plan in five years for high-speed rail between Toronto and Montreal while asking the perennial Canadian question: Why don't we build stuff good here? Sigh.As always, like and subscribe. And we'll see you next week for the next installment of On The Line.

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  50:24
• After Trump threats, Canada (maybe?) starts to get its act together.

  In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on February 21, 2025, your hosts continue to bask in the afterglow of Connor McDavid's overtime goal for Team Canada last night. How sweet it was.They also talk about the news and politics and stuff, but, man. Thank you, McJesus.This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the information they need to choose potentially less harmful alternatives. Learn more at https://www.unsmoke.ca/We don't get to start a lot of podcasts with good news. So yeah, we lean into the hockey a bit. But we also talk about what might be the first major sign of a true structural shift in response to the threat posed by Donald Trump's America. Tim Houston in Nova Scotia has made a fantastic proposal, and one pretty close to what Line editor Gurney had been suggesting in recent weeks. If Houston follows through, and if he can get the other premiers on board, this could be a big deal. To sweeten the pot, The Line hereby makes this pledge: if Houston does what he says he is going to do, Gurney and Gerson will fly to Halifax, throw a party and present the premier with a plaque declaring him the true captain of Team Canada.Unless, of course, another premier beats him to it ...This episode has also been brought to you by Forestry For The Future. Forestry supports 200,000 Canadians in hundreds of communities, generating $87 billion in annual revenues and $37 billion in exports — including $29 billion to the United States. It's also key to addressing some of our biggest challenges. We need an action plan for our forest sector and its employees, one that will help build the homes we need with Canadian wood, reduce the risk of wildfires and create more family-supporting jobs right here at home. To learn more about what forestry can do for Canada, visit https://www.forestryforthefuture.ca/Having committed themselves to a bash in Halifax, your hosts move onto expressing some sympathy for Chrystia Freeland, who is clearly being largely abandoned by her Liberal compatriots and probably regrets running for leader in the first place. But they also talk at length about how long it will be until there is a Canadian political leader who is truly of this moment. It might take 10 or 15 years for someone actually suited to the 2020s to work their way up into a position of real political power. Can we wait that long?Also, your hosts take a quick jaunt around the world and provide many updates. Things could be going better is the key takeaway. Lookin' decidedly suboptimal on a lot of fronts. And not for nothing, if someone would like to sell us some nuclear weapons, we'd be into that. Look, we frontloaded all the optimism for this episode, okay? All that, and more, in the latest episode of The Line Podcast. As always, like and subscribe to our main page at https://www.readtheline.ca/

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