The Paikin Podcast

Peter Donolo, a former communications director for Prime Minister Chrétien, joins Martha Hall Findlay, a policy commentator and ex-MP, and Tony Clement, a conservative voice in national security. They dive into Mark Carney's controversial deal with China, debating the risks of foreign influence on Canada’s auto industry. Concerns about growing dependence on China and the tension with the U.S. surface, along with discussions on Carney's diplomatic strategies and the importance of youth engagement in politics. It's a lively conversation filled with divergent views!

Kory Teneycke, a senior advisor to Premier Doug Ford and head of Rubicon Strategies, discusses Ford's political resilience despite a rocky start. He reveals how Ford's authenticity connects with voters and how he turned around his initial struggles to win three majorities. Teneycke dives into controversies like the Greenbelt and Skills Development Fund while critiquing federal campaign strategies. He also shares insights on the complex landscape of Canadian conservatism and the unlikely prospect of Ford pursuing federal politics.

Janice Stein, founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs, and Jon R. Lindsay, cybersecurity expert from Georgia Tech, delve into the implications of recent U.S. actions in Venezuela. They debate whether the liberal international order is collapsing due to Trump's presidency and explore claims of an inside job regarding Maduro's kidnapping. The duo also discusses Canada's stance on these events, highlighting the risks to Arctic geopolitics and potential threats to Taiwan, all while unpacking the contradictions in Trump's foreign policy.

Tony Clement, a former Canadian MP and cabinet minister with a conservative lens, joins Martha Hall Findlay, a centrist political commentator and former MP, to dissect the political landscape. They delve into New York's new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, exploring his ambitious goals and the dynamics within the Democratic Party. The discussion turns to Pierre Poilievre's support for Trump regarding Venezuela and its implications for Canada's economy, particularly in the oil sector. They predict that Canada-U.S. trade negotiations will be pivotal by 2026.

Jim Balsillie, former co-CEO of BlackBerry and innovation advocate, challenges Canada’s economic strategies. He argues that Canada is trapped in a low value-added petro state and outdated policies, explaining the risks of over-relying on foreign investments. Balsillie emphasizes the need for a fresh approach to intellectual property and highlights how small countries can succeed in tech by owning their innovations. He also discusses the dangers of complacency and the importance of expertise in navigating global competition.

Former federal Liberal cabinet minister Sergio Marchi joins Steve to discuss his book, Pursuing a Public Life: How to Succeed in the Political Arena, the fragile state of our democracy, the rise of polarization and cynicism, his 30 years in politics as a city councillor, MP, cabinet minister, and ambassador, and how to survive and succeed in a political climate that has become nastier and more divided. 

David Peterson, the 20th Premier of Ontario and a key Liberal politician from the 1980s, shares insights on politics and legacy. He discusses the impact of his father's immigrant background and CCF activism on his values. Peterson reflects on the scars of the failed Meech Lake Accord and the importance of national unity. He reviews the current state of the Ontario Liberals, expressing hope for future leadership. At 82, he humorously addresses aging, emphasizing the responsibility to leave a better world for the next generation.

Dan Dunsky joins Janice Stein to discuss why the news seems to be driving us crazy, how our brains are being hijacked, how digital media has created a "constitution of confusion,” the erosion of institutional trust, the collapse of the post-war liberal world order, and how exactly we can stay informed without going mad. Follow The Paikin Podcast: YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePaikinPodcastX: x.com/ThePaikinPodINSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thepaikinpodcastBLUESKY: bsky.app/profile/thepaikinpodcast.bsky.socialEmail us at: thepaikinpodcast@gmail.com

The Atlantic’s Tom Nichols joins Steve to discuss Trump’s “ghoulish” comments about Rob and Michele Reiner’s murders, if this is a new low for him, how he sees the Trump administration as a “confederacy of toddlers,” if Trump is losing his grip on the Republican Party, the growing rift within the GOP, the resentments Americans feel, and what happens after Trump.Is it possible for someone to restore the guardrails that Trump has obliterated? Is it possible for someone to win an election on restoring clean, sane government?Follow The Paikin Podcast: YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePaikinPodcastX: x.com/ThePaikinPodINSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thepaikinpodcastBLUESKY: bsky.app/profile/thepaikinpodcast.bsky.socialEmail us at: thepaikinpodcast@gmail.com

Tony Keller joins the Everything Political panel with former MPs Martha Hall Findlay and Tony Clement to discuss his book “Borderline Chaos: How Canada Got Immigration Right, and Then Wrong,” the historical consensus on immigration, the rise in levels under Trudeau, the temporary foreign workers program, if the Canadian consensus on immigration has been broken, where we are now, and what it will take to recapture that consensus. Follow The Paikin Podcast: YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePaikinPodcastX: x.com/ThePaikinPodINSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thepaikinpodcastBLUESKY: bsky.app/profile/thepaikinpodcast.bsky.socialEmail us at: thepaikinpodcast@gmail.com