Hub Podcasts
Hub Media Canada
Welcome to Hub Podcasts, the audio version of the big ideas and in-depth conversations found at TheHub.ca, Canada's fastest growing digital news outlet with half a million people engaging weekly with our content.
Hub Dialogues features The Hub's editor-at-large Sean Speer and managing editor Harrison Lowman engaged in longform conversations with leading thinkers on the big issues and ideas shaping the public conversation.
In Conversation with David Frum features the insights and analysis of leading author, journalist, and thinker David Frum, who weighs in every second Friday on global and Canadian news events.
The news cycle never slows down and neither does Hub Hits. Each day we provide you with quick hits on topical stories, big issues and important voices appearing in The Hub.
Every week, editor-at-large Sean Speer is joined by David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data, and Amanda Galbraith, principal at Oyster Group, to dig into the drama and strategy of Canadian politics. Topics range from the issues dominating headlines, the communications battles behind the scenes, to the trends shaping parties, leaders, and voters. Some weeks, they'll focus on the hot story in Ottawa.
The Hub's media criticism podcast Full Press looks at how the media in Canada is covering the major stories of the day. Full press is hosted by The Hub's managing editor Harrison Lowman, and features journalist Tara Henley, and veteran news media executive Peter Menzies.
Hub Headlines features audio versions of the best analysis published daily in The Hub. Enjoy listening to original and provocative takes on the issues that matter while you are on the go.
Each Friday, The Hub Roundtable features Hub co-founders Rudyard Griffiths' and Sean Speer's take on the big political and economic stories making the news.
Hub Dialogues features The Hub's editor-at-large Sean Speer and managing editor Harrison Lowman engaged in longform conversations with leading thinkers on the big issues and ideas shaping the public conversation.
In Conversation with David Frum features the insights and analysis of leading author, journalist, and thinker David Frum, who weighs in every second Friday on global and Canadian news events.
The news cycle never slows down and neither does Hub Hits. Each day we provide you with quick hits on topical stories, big issues and important voices appearing in The Hub.
Every week, editor-at-large Sean Speer is joined by David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data, and Amanda Galbraith, principal at Oyster Group, to dig into the drama and strategy of Canadian politics. Topics range from the issues dominating headlines, the communications battles behind the scenes, to the trends shaping parties, leaders, and voters. Some weeks, they'll focus on the hot story in Ottawa.
The Hub's media criticism podcast Full Press looks at how the media in Canada is covering the major stories of the day. Full press is hosted by The Hub's managing editor Harrison Lowman, and features journalist Tara Henley, and veteran news media executive Peter Menzies.
Hub Headlines features audio versions of the best analysis published daily in The Hub. Enjoy listening to original and provocative takes on the issues that matter while you are on the go.
Each Friday, The Hub Roundtable features Hub co-founders Rudyard Griffiths' and Sean Speer's take on the big political and economic stories making the news.
Episodes
Mentioned books
8 snips
Sep 9, 2025 • 20min
How Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program harms both Canadian and foreign workers
Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner, a former immigration critic, shares her insights on Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program. She argues for its abolition, revealing how it suppresses wages and productivity, harming both Canadians and foreign workers. The discussion highlights the exploitation of vulnerable labor forces and the need for reforms that prioritize local employment. Garner stresses the importance of redesigning immigration policies to create a fairer and more inclusive workforce, ensuring that everyone benefits in today's economy.
Sep 9, 2025 • 14min
Lies, damned lies, and crime statistics
Explore the striking disconnect between official crime statistics and everyday reality in Canadian cities. Discover how unsettling urban disorder challenges political narratives of declining crime rates. Delve into the controversies surrounding bail releases and the urgent need for responsible crime legislation. Finally, analyze the complex dynamics between conservatism and labor unions, advocating for meritocracy to empower workers and newcomers alike.
Sep 8, 2025 • 33min
Zachary Siewert on forecasting, CUSMA's future and Canada-U.S. trade talks
Zachary Siewert, a professional forecaster from Cultivate Labs, shares valuable insights on the evolving role of economic and geopolitical forecasting. He discusses the intricacies of predicting the future of the Canada-U.S. trade relationship, including the potential for CUSMA to be repealed or renegotiated. Siewert highlights how crowd-sourced insights can improve forecasting accuracy and the importance of scenario analysis for businesses and policymakers. His exploration of the intersection between forecasting and strategic decision-making reveals how organizations can thrive amid changing global dynamics.
Sep 8, 2025 • 15min
The Conservative Party is courting unions. Is this the right move?
The podcast explores the Conservative Party's intriguing shift towards courting labor unions in response to changing voter dynamics. Discussion includes whether the party should fully embrace unions or adopt a more nuanced 'pro-worker' stance. The decline of NDP influence among labor and the emergence of a potential two-party system is highlighted. They also delve into challenges of representing workers' interests without traditional union ties, as demonstrated by the Air Canada flight attendants' strike and the Conservatives' unexpected support for them.
Sep 8, 2025 • 15min
Should conservatives support unions?
Bryce McRae, a senior consultant at Summa Strategies and former managed stakeholder for Pierre Poilievre, discusses the evolving conservative stance on unions. He suggests that conservatives should embrace unions for their role in national development and worker rights. McRae highlights a notable shift in younger Canadians' support for unions and examines the historical context of conservatives' relationships with organized labor. Additionally, he touches on the importance of free speech in Canadian universities, advocating for greater ideological diversity.
Sep 5, 2025 • 19min
Canadian unemployment hits 7.1%. Is a recession upon us?
The latest jobs report reveals a concerning spike in Canadian unemployment, reaching 7.1%—the highest since 2016. Analyzing the implications of this trend, the hosts highlight potential recession risks and the government's struggle to balance spending against economic pressures. They delve into Pierre Poilievre's provocative stance on ending the Temporary Foreign Worker program and its potential economic benefits. The discussion emphasizes the need for proactive leadership to instill confidence and navigate these challenging times.
Sep 5, 2025 • 21min
Who are the winners and losers of Trump's tariffs?
Joseph Steinberg, an economist from the University of Toronto specializing in trade and macroeconomics, dives into the mixed impacts of Trump's tariffs. He reveals how these policies could help low-tech sectors like toy manufacturing while hurting higher-value industries such as automobiles. Steinberg also discusses the broader implications for Canadian manufacturing and the complexities of job creation versus loss, illustrating the nuanced trade-offs that come with increasing tariffs. Get ready to rethink the effects of these economic policies!
Sep 5, 2025 • 13min
Canada is experiencing the birth of 'prosecutorial democracy'
Join Collin May, a lawyer and adjunct lecturer at the University of Calgary, as he explores the transition from liberal democracy to 'prosecutorial democracy' in Canada. He discusses the implications for free speech and societal compliance, raising concerns about division and coercion. May also highlights the impact of immigration policy on youth unemployment, tying it to rising xenophobia and alienation. His insights provoke thought on democracy's evolution and the urgent need to defend democratic values.
Sep 4, 2025 • 19min
The end of U.S. unipolarity and the NDP's existential crisis
David Frum, a leading author and journalist, shares insights on the recent meeting between global leaders Putin, Xi, and Modi, highlighting its implications for geopolitics and the decline of U.S. unipolarity. The conversation dives into Canada's strategic position in this shifting landscape, particularly its complex ties with India amid rising tensions and democratic concerns. Frum also addresses the existential crisis of the New Democratic Party, discussing the potential shifts it could trigger in Canadian politics as global power dynamics evolve.
Sep 4, 2025 • 12min
Carney talks austerity. What does this mean for the upcoming federal budget?
Rudyard Griffiths and Sean Speer delve into Prime Minister Mark Carney's austerity rhetoric ahead of Canada's federal budget. They discuss the challenges of implementing spending cuts when much of the budget is protected. The duo examines the contradiction of advocating austerity while facing a $92 billion deficit. They explore whether this language is aimed more at international markets than domestic audiences, highlighting the complexities of balancing political messages with practical fiscal realities.
