The Line

In this episode of On The Line, Jen Gerson sits down with former Alberta deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk, who is the lead of Forever Canadian — Keep Alberta in Canada - a petition to force the question of separation to the table before the separatists have a chance to take a crack at it. Lukaszuk speaks about his time in office, his goals with the petition, and his oftentimes testy relationship with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.

In this episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on Aug. 25, 2025, the hosts start with the return of politics. Carney is striking the right tone, with a new major projects office and a European trip under his belt, but whether the country actually gets its act together is still an open question. Jen explains why she always hated Trudeau’s “business case” comments, while Matt notes that the business case for the entire country has been called out by Donald Trump.This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Forestry For The Future. Canadian forestry supports 200,000 workers, generates $87 billion in annual revenue, contributes $21 billion annually to our nation's economy, and provides the products we need to build homes and drive economic growth. While trade barriers from the U.S. are siphoning jobs and investment away, Canada’s own approval processes and regulations are preventing critical projects that both prevent wildfires and boost our economic self-reliance. We can and should have programs that expand domestic wood use, advance biomass use and pulp market opportunities, and cut red tape and regulatory barriers. The government of Canada 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 ForestryForTheFuture.ca/The conversation then discusses fascism in the U.S. Matt talks about an essay from a generally reasonable U.S. writer who says the U.S. has crossed the line. Matt isn’t convinced, but neither host loves the trendlne. They suggest a test for the viewers and listeners: write down your own personal “red line.” Send them to us. And we'll review in a year.This episode of The Line Podcast is also brought to you by Airbnb. Canada needs to take real action on bringing housing costs down — but experts agree that regulating short-term rentals like Airbnb is nothing more than a distraction. This makes sense when you consider two key statistics: Canada needs 5.8 million homes to reach affordability by 2030, and Airbnbs account for only 0.6 per cent of Canada’s overall housing stock. The closer you look, the clearer it gets that Canada needs bold action that addresses the entire housing market, not just 0.6 per cent of it. Additionally, regulating short-term rentals would limit the productive role that Airbnbs play in helping Canadians get by. Did you know that 47 per cent of Airbnb hosts in Canada report that income from hosting has helped them stay in their homes? To learn more about how Airbnb is helping, not hurting, Canada’s economy, visit Airbnb.ca/closerlook.In the final stretch, Alberta’s battles over book banning take centre stage. Passive-aggressive librarians may have found a way to box in the provincial government.All that and more in the latest episode of The Line Podcast. Check us out and like and subscribe at ReadTheLine.ca.

This week on On The Line, Matt Gurney is joined by two guests for two very different conversations. First up is Christopher Nardi, a parliamentary reporter at the National Post’s Ottawa bureau, and an old friend of Matt’s. They talk about the end of the summer — yes, sadly it’s true — and what we’ve seen so far from the Carney government. Chris offers some hope that there might be more going on than has met the eye, but he’s also a realist about the challenges the new government is going to face. The two also touch on the Conservatives, and why that party is glad to have its leader back in the House, before musing about the future — if any — of the federal NDP. They aren’t writing the New Democrats off entirely, but making it back from here will be a steep climb.This episode of On The Line is brought to you by Airbnb. Canada needs to take real action on bringing housing costs down – but experts agree that regulating short-term rentals like Airbnb is nothing more than a distraction. This makes sense when you consider two key statistics: Canada needs 5.8 million homes to reach affordability by 2030, and Airbnbs account for only 0.6 per cent of Canada’s overall housing stock. The closer you look, the clearer it gets that Canada needs bold action that addresses the entire housing market, not just 0.6 per cent of it.Additionally, regulating short-term rentals would limit the productive role that Airbnbs play in helping Canadians get by. Did you know that 47 per cent of Airbnb hosts in Canada report that income from hosting has helped them stay in their homes? To learn more about how Airbnb is helping, not hurting, Canada’s economy, visit Airbnb.ca/closerlook.After that, Matt is joined by Ian Runkle, a lawyer with expertise in firearms law and self-defence, and also the voice behind the YouTube channel Runkle of the Bailey. The conversation is all about, as they say, "just the facts." What is the law on self-defense in Canada? What can you do, and what can’t you do? Why did an attempt by the Harper government to make the law better for people defending themselves actually end up making things worse in some ways? And if Ian had the chance, how would he fix it? As it turns out, he and Matt are thinking along very similar lines.This episode is also brought to you by the Métis Nation of Ontario. It's Penetanguishene, 1840. More than a decade after relocating from Drummond Island, a group of Métis families signed their names to paper. Their petition was simple: recognize us and our rights. The answer was a policy formally excluding Métis communities from recognition, denying their existence for generations. But the petitions did not stop. From Penetanguishene to Sault Ste. Marie, Fort Frances and north to Moose Factory, Métis in Ontario insisted they are a distinct Indigenous people, with their own history, identity, and rights. That fight has carried forward into self-government agreements with Canada. Today, the Métis Nation of Ontario is a recognized Métis government, with the authority to build its own laws, institutions, and future. What began as a petition nearly two centuries ago lives on in the work of the MNO today, ensuring that Métis rights are recognized for generations to come. To learn more, visit OntarioMetisFacts.com.Subscribe at ReadTheLine.ca, follow us on your favourite podcast app, and don’t forget to leave us a nice review. Audio drops every Tuesday morning, with video rolling out Tuesday evening on YouTube and our social channels. Catch it wherever you listen or watch.

In this episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on Aug. 22, 2025, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson have lots to talk about. And carefully avoid confessing to any crimes.The show opens with breaking news: Canada is dropping many — though not all — of its retaliatory tariffs against the United States. Matt and Jen agree the economic impact is limited, but the political optics could be rough for a prime minister who built a reputation on opposing Washington. This leads naturally into a discussion about when it’s fair to start judging Mark Carney’s performance. Jen presses Matt on what Canadians could reasonably have expected by now; Matt, in turn, asks her how long she’s willing to wait before demanding results.This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Forestry For The Future. Canadian forestry supports 200,000 workers, generates $87 billion in annual revenue, contributes $21 billion annually to our nation's economy, and provides the products we need to build homes and drive economic growth. While trade barriers from the U.S. are siphoning jobs and investment away, Canada’s own approval processes and regulations are preventing critical projects that both prevent wildfires and boost our economic self-reliance.We can and should have programs that expand domestic wood use, advance biomass use and pulp market opportunities, and cut red tape and regulatory barriers. The government of Canada 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 ForestryForTheFuture.ca.Next, the hosts turn to a controversial story out of Lindsay, Ontario, where a man has been charged after using a knife against a home invader. With key details still missing, both Matt and Jen caution against rushing to judgment, but they stress that Canadians need stronger protections for people defending themselves. They stop short of calling for U.S.-style “castle laws,” but argue that Canada must do much better in balancing the scales between citizens and criminals. They share a few stories of their own experiences. Very carefully share them.This episode is also brought to you by Airbnb. To solve the housing crisis, Canada needs 5.8 million new homes by 2030. And while some think short-term rentals like Airbnb are taking homes away, that's just not the case. Because — according to Statistics Canada — the number of Airbnbs that could be converted into long-term homes amounts to only 0.6 per cent of Canada’s housing stock.How can you solve the problem when you're focused on less than one per cent of the housing market?To learn more, visit Airbnb.ca/closerlook.Finally, the episode closes with a quick take on Pierre Poilievre’s victory in a new Alberta riding. What does it mean? What doesn’t it mean? And why are so many people working overtime to spin this into a seismic event? Matt and Jen break down the hype and the reality, and they don’t mind pointing out who looks silly in the process.All that and more in the latest episode of The Line Podcast. Check us out and like and subscribe at ReadTheLine.ca and follow us on YouTube or your favourite podcast app. New episodes drop every Friday. And also! Help The Line grow. Share us with a friend, or two. Spread the word.

In this conversation, Jen Gerson and Karen Valis delve into the multifaceted world of artificial intelligence (AI), exploring its implications on human cognition, creativity, and mental health. They discuss the evolving role of AI engineers, the limitations and capabilities of AI, and the ethical considerations surrounding its use. The dialogue highlights the psychological impact of AI on individuals, particularly in terms of cognitive offloading and dependency. Vallis emphasizes the importance of understanding AI as a reflection of human behavior and the potential risks and benefits of AI companionship. The conversation concludes with reflections on the future of AI and its relationship with humanity.Karin Valis is a freelance Berlin-based machine learning engineer and writer with a deep passion for everything weird. She writes Mercurial Minutes.

This episode of The Line Podcast was recorded Friday, August 15th, with Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson — newly back from her vacation.We start off with a look at how the Toronto International Film Festival has managed to completely beclown itself in an utterly avoidable controversy over the airing of a film depicting one family's nightmarish experience during the October 7th attacks. TIFF eventually gave way and did the right thing — but only after waiting long enough to damage its own credibility and, tragically, worsen antisemitism. Matt also has some strong words for those who see creeping fascism everywhere except in the surging hate directed at Canadian Jews.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 Unsmoke.ca.In our second segment, we dig into a report from the U.S. State Department that levels some sharp criticisms at Canada. Jen goes through what's in the report and points out that there are some honest truths Canadians should take seriously — but it’s also amateurish, lacking nuance, and, coming from the Trump administration, not exactly a credible assessment.This episode of The Line Podcast is also brought to you by Forestry For The Future. Canadian forestry supports 200,000 workers, generates $87 billion in annual revenue, contributes $21 billion annually to our nation's economy, and provides the products we need to build homes and drive economic growth. While trade barriers from the U.S. are siphoning jobs and investment away, Canada’s own approval processes and regulations are preventing critical projects that both prevent wildfires and boost our economic self-reliance.We can and should have programs that expand domestic wood use, advance biomass use and pulp market opportunities, and cut red tape and regulatory barriers. The government of Canada 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 ForestryForTheFuture.ca.We wrap up on a more philosophical note. As Jen noted in a column published this week, The Line has just hit its fifth anniversary. We talk about how it all started, what our lives and the world looked like back then, what’s changed since, and why The Line now needs to pivot — both to fend off attacks from the right and to begin repairing some of the social damage our politicians caused during COVID, damage they’ve neither apologized for nor made any effort to fix. This episode is also brought to you by Airbnb. To solve the housing crisis, Canada needs 5.8 million new homes by 2030. And while some think short-term rentals like Airbnb are taking homes away, that's just not the case. Because — according to Statistics Canada — the number of Airbnbs that could be converted into long-term homes amounts to only 0.6 per cent of Canada’s housing stock. How can you solve the problem when you're focused on less than one per cent of the housing market?To learn more, visit Airbnb.ca/closerlook.Check us out and like and subscribe at ReadTheLine.ca and follow us on YouTube or your favourite podcast app. New episodes drop every Friday. And also! Help The Line grow. Share us with a friend, or two. Spread the word.

This episode of On The Line with host Matt Gurney has two conversations worth your time.First up, Matt speaks with Denys Prevost, a retired firefighter with nearly 40 years of service in Ontario and Nova Scotia. Denys walks us through what’s been happening in Nova Scotia’s forests, how and why these fires can spread so quickly, and — most importantly — what homeowners and property owners can actually do to protect themselves.This episode of On The Line is brought to you by Airbnb. To solve the housing crisis, Canada needs 5.8 million new homes by 2030. And while some think short-term rentals like Airbnb are taking homes away, that's just not the case. Because  —   according to Statistics Canada  —   the number of Airbnbs that could be converted into long-term homes amounts to only 0.6 per cent of Canada’s housing stock. How can you solve the problem when you're focused on less than one per cent of the housing market? To learn more, visit Airbnb.ca/closerlook.Then, Matt connects with Andrew MacDougall, director at Trafalgar Strategy in London and former director of communications to prime minister Stephen Harper. Andrew recently wrote a policy paper for the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, and a supporting op-ed for The Line, making the case that social media should be something we pay for — because only then can we break the addiction and dismantle the toxic business models propping up these companies. They also get into Andrew’s time in politics, watching social media evolve from a niche comms tool to the entire battlefield.This episode of On The Line is also brought to you by the Métis Nation of Ontario. Twenty-two years ago, the Supreme Court of Canada made history. In R v. Powley, the existence of a rights-bearing Métis community in Ontario was affirmed. The next year, Ontario signed a harvesting agreement recognizing the Métis. Since then, governments have invested significantly in Métis people in Ontario. For better health care, education and training, jobs, housing, and for programs that protect the environment and keep Métis language, culture, and communities alive. Now, some would take that away. They would erase those hard-won rights, and undo more than twenty years of progress. But the law and history are clear. The Métis aren’t going anywhere. To learn more, visit OntarioMétisFacts.com.Subscribe at ReadTheLine.ca, follow us on your favourite podcast app, and don’t forget to leave us a nice review. Audio drops every Tuesday morning, with video rolling out Tuesday evening on YouTube and our social channels. Catch it wherever you listen or watch.

With Jen off this week, Matt is joined by Line contributor, author and McGill professor Andrew Potter for a talk about the state of our politics — and the unsettling sense that few people ate taking things seriously.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 Unsmoke.ca.They start at the federal level, where neither the Liberals nor the Conservatives appear especially motivated to do much of anything. There’s drift, inertia, and a general absence of urgency on all sides. Potter explains why he thought Matt was being too hard on Carney in his latest column, but is now starting to change his mind. They also talk about belated signs of life from the CPC, but only in very tiny little blips. It’s August, yes — but still.This episode of The Line Podcast is also brought to you by Forestry For The Future. Canadian forestry supports 200,000 workers, generates $87 billion in annual revenue, contributes $21 billion annually to our nation's economy, and provides the products we need to build homes and drive economic growth. While trade barriers from the U.S. are siphoning jobs and investment away, Canada’s own approval processes and regulations are preventing critical projects that both prevent wildfires and boost our economic self-reliance.We can and should have programs that expand domestic wood use, advance biomass use and pulp market opportunities, and cut red tape and regulatory barriers. The government of Canada 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 ForestryForTheFuture.ca.Things aren’t much better in the provinces. The same political stagnation seems to be seeping through every level of government, and Andrew shares a particularly sharp metaphor for how things get — or don’t get — done in this country. The guys also discuss a new Quebec survey that ought to be triggering national alarm bells. It isn’t. Because it’s August. And no one’s paying attention.This episode of On The Line is brought to you by Airbnb. It’s no secret that Canada is in a housing crisis. Some think that short-term rentals such as Airbnbs are the problem. But the total amount of Airbnbs that could be converted into long-term homes accounts for only 0.6 per cent of Canada’s housing stock. In reality, Airbnbs play a key role in stimulating local economies across Canada, with Airbnb guests generating an estimated $10.8 billion in visitor spending. Learn more at Airbnb.ca/closerlook.In the final segment, a shift in tone as Matt and Andrew unpack new data out of the U.S. on how young adults are faring — and the picture isn’t pretty. Rising rates of dysfunction, isolation, and distress suggest something deeper is going wrong. They’re careful not to bash an entire generation (that's Jen's job), but the numbers point to a growing generational divide with serious long-term implications. The solution probably involves all of us putting down our phones. But maybe do that after liking and subscribing at ReadTheLine.ca and following us on YouTube or your favourite podcast app. New episodes drop every Friday. And also! Help The Line grow. Share us with a friend, or two. Spread the word.

In this episode of On The Line join Jen Gerson as she delves into a fascinating conversation with Professor Avi Loeb, a renowned astrophysicist, about the mysteries of interstellar objects and the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence.This episode of On The Line is brought to you by Airbnb. It’s no secret that Canada is in a housing crisis. Some think that short-term rentals such as Airbnbs are the problem. But the total amount of Airbnbs that could be converted into long-term homes accounts for only 0.6 per cent of Canada’s housing stock. In reality, Airbnbs play a key role in stimulating local economies across Canada, with Airbnb guests generating an estimated $10.8 billion in visitor spending. Learn more at Airbnb.ca/closerlook.Leob is best known for his work arguing for the possibility that many recently discovered interstellar objects, like  Oumuamua may, in fact, be extraterrestrial in origin. Either space trash from a distant civilization or even an intelligent probe. He's back in the news this week with thoughts about a recently discovered object now heading toward our sun known as 3I/ATLAS. This episode is also brought to by the Métis Nation of Ontario. It's Sault Ste. Marie, in 1820. In the early 1800s, on the St. Mary’s River, Métis traders moved fur, fish, and goods through the water highways of the Upper Great Lakes. Before Confederation, there was a country being built with supplies brought one canoe at a time. Today, Métis governments like the Métis Nation of Ontario are building again. Canada is investing billions to strengthen the economy against tariffs. To last, this next economy must include the people who built the first one. The MNO is calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney to work with Métis governments to improve consultation and partnerships on major projects and expand investments in Métis businesses and communities. The Métis were here at the beginning building this great country. And they’re still here, ready to build again. Learn more at OntarioMétisFacts.com.Oh, and he has some things to say about academia and the general incuriosity of the scientific establishment.  Discover insights into the scientific community's approach to anomalies, the potential of alien technology, and the importance of maintaining curiosity in the face of skepticism.

In this episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on Aug. 1, 2025, your hosts talk about various conflicts. And celebrities ... and aliens.First, we kick things off with the latest on the trade war front. Friday was the deadline for a deal, and ... there is no deal. Matt shares why his patience with the prime minister is running thin. The conversation somehow takes a hard left into pop culture, touching on Katy Perry and Sidney Sweeney. We don't think we said anything cancelable. Probably.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 Unsmoke.ca.From there, to something more serious: Canada has announced it will formally recognize the state of Palestine this September, assuming some pretty challenging conditions are met. Matt is unimpressed by the timing and strategy. Jen is unimpressed with Israel, full stop. They talk about regional peace, policy, and the persistent failure to find a workable path forward in the Middle East, and why Canada is responding the way it has. They do not solve the problem, alas.This episode of The Line Podcast is also brought to you by Forestry For The Future. Canadian forestry supports 200,000 workers, generates $87 billion in annual revenue, contributes $21 billion annually to our nation's economy, and provides the products we need to build homes and drive economic growth. While trade barriers from the U.S. are siphoning jobs and investment away, Canada’s own approval processes and regulations are preventing critical projects that both prevent wildfires and boost our economic self-reliance.We can and should have programs that expand domestic wood use, advance biomass use and pulp market opportunities, and cut red tape and regulatory barriers. The government of Canada 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 ForestryForTheFuture.ca.We wrap with a classic Line topic: aliens! Jen previews her upcoming On The Line interview with Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb. We also discuss the fast-moving object heading into the inner solar system. It’s almost certainly a rock — but it’s weird enough to warrant attention, so we’re keeping an eye on it.This episode is also brought to you by Airbnb. If you’ve been following the pod the last few weeks, you’re familiar by now with the fact that all the Airbnbs that could be converted into long-term homes account for only 0.6 per cent of Canada’s housing stock – and Canada can’t solve a housing crisis with less than one per cent of a solution.But did you know that 47 per cent of Airbnb hosts in Canada report that income from hosting has helped them stay in their homes?Learn more about the critical role Airbnb plays in helping Canadians get by at Airbnb.ca/closerlook.All that, and more, in the latest episode of The Line Podcast. Subscribe at ReadTheLine.ca and follow us on YouTube or your favourite podcast app. New episodes drop every Friday. Don’t forget to leave a nice review, and as always, like and subscribe.