The Hard Shoulder

After 100 days of Donald Trump’s second term as President of the United States, how different does it feel from his first run in 2017?Kieran went out to ask local Bostonians for their thoughts, and joins Jerry McDermott, owner of McDermott Realty Associates and former Sheriff of Norfolk County to discuss.

The Hard Shoulder is broadcasting in Boston from the Seaport Hotel this week! With thanks to Gateway to Europe.Joining Kieran to discuss some of the stories of the day that are affecting people stateside and back home is Business Reporter for the Boston Globe Jon Chesto and Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent.

The Hard Shoulder is in Toronto, Canada today as part of Ireland Gateway to Europe.Kieran was able to escape the makeshift studio and found his way to visit William Peat from the Canada Ireland Foundation. They discuss the work being done at the foundation, and the strong history of Irish in Canada.

The annual Ireland: Gateway to Europe trip to the US and Canada is underway.In its 13th year, it comprises an annual trade mission of 50 business leaders and Irish media to key cities across North America. This year, the Hard Shoulder will be broadcasting from Toronto and Boston!Kieran is joined by Robert Mac Giolla Phadraig, CEO of Skillstack and Director of Ireland Gateway to Europe to discuss.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney barely has had little time to find his seat in Ottawa’s post-election, and today he’s face-to-face with US President Donald Trump.It’s the first big test for the new Prime Minister as he promised to be tough on Trump in face of sweeping tariffs and annexation threats.Brian Lilley, Chief Political Columnist for the Toronto Sun and Tasha Kheiriddin, Canadian Public Affairs Commentator to discuss this meeting and the state of play here in Canada post-elections…

Former RTÉ Newsreader and Journalist Eileen Dunne joins Kieran to place her favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris, will inform the Cabinet today that he plans to fast-track legislation to ratify the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). This comes at a time when global trade uncertainty intensifies due to the US’s new tariff policies.Joining Kieran to discuss this and more is Minister for Public Expenditure, Paschal Donohoe.

The Toronto Maple Leafs celebrated a 5-4 win in game one of the second-round series against the Florida Panthers last night.Joining Kieran to discuss this, and the role ice hockey plays in Canada is "The Voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs", Joe Bowen, who has broadcast over three thousand leaf games throughout the course of his career.

In something that might sound familiar to people in Ireland: almost half of Canadians are worried by housing affordability. Obviously, an issue that isn’t confined to one country. But with a new Government on the way, can the crisis be solved?Joining Kieran to discuss is Tim Hudak, Chief Executive with High-Impact Advocacy, Tony Irwin, CEO and Interim President of the Federation of Rental Housing Providers in Ontario, and Sherry Larjani, Canadian Developer & Housing Advocate.

The Hard Shoulder is broadcasting from Toronto, Canada in PJ O’Brien’s Pub, a place known to many of the Irish diaspora in the city.Joining Kieran to discuss some of the stories of the day that are affecting people here and back home is Joe Callaghan, Freelance Feature and Sports Writer and Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent.