The CDHI Podcast

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s decision to step down has put the controversial capital gains tax plan’s future into question. Is it a bullet dodged, or should it be revived? Jack Mintz of the University of Calgary and the Institute’s Alex Laurin discuss with Michael Hainsworth. Topics covered: Tax policy, capital gains taxes, Canadian politics, economics, the Canadian economy, and Justin Trudeau.

With 2024 almost behind us, Michael Hainsworth shares some of the CDHI podcast's most fascinating interviews and policy conversations during the course of a tumultuous year. Featuring: Wilbur Ross, Conrad Black, Martha Hall Findlay, John Baird, John Manley, Jason Kenney, John Tory, Mitzie Hunter, Rosalie Wyonch, Jane Philpott, Michelle Alexopoulos, Jeremy Kronick, Heather Evans, A.J. Goulding, Nik Nanos, Andrew Coyne, Trevor Tombe, and Martin Wolf. Topics covered include: Canada-US relations and trade, immigration policy in Canada, pharmacare, Canadian economic productivity, the GST and Canadian tax policy, carbon pricing and climate change, Canadian public opinion, federal and provincial budgets finances, healthcare costs, debt-to-GDP ratios, and international relations and trade.

Two bombshells were dropped on Canadians this week with the abrupt departure of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland – and news that Canada spent $20 billion more than it budgeted. On this episode of the podcast, C.D. Howe Institute President and CEO William Robson explains where all this leaves Canada's finances.

The holidays may be about eating to excess, but Ottawa’s “GST Holiday” is little more than “fiscal junk food”. On this episode of the CDHI podcast, Institute CEO Bill Robson and Fellow-in-Residence Don Drummond tell our Michael Hainsworth why a two-month tax break isn’t making these public policy elves jolly this holiday season.

Ever since ChatGPT started making headlines for helping students write their essays, artificial intelligence (AI) has gotten a bad rap. But machine learning algorithms and the AI that comes from them have been used for several years in the healthcare sector. Helen Angus of AMS Healthcare and C.D. Howe Institute’s Rosalie Wyonch join us to discuss AI's impact and potential.

The decision by American voters to send Donald Trump back to the White House continues to reverberate around the world. Canada’s biggest trading partner is about to become more insular, protectionist, and volatile. How do we, as polite Canadians, keep our economy strong, our inflation low, and stay off Trump’s radar? In this week’s podcast, Michael Hainsworth talks to two former senior cabinet ministers with extensive knowledge of the Canada-US relationship: John Manley, who served under Liberal prime minister Jean Chrétien, and John Baird, who served under Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper. They discuss their reaction to Trump’s win, what Canada has to do to up its economic game, and how Canadian leaders should deal with Trump’s America.

When it comes to Canada's finances, the country is aging in more ways than one. With a shrinking workforce, government revenue growth slowing, and costs for healthcare, pensions, and seniors benefits escalating. This issue disproportionately affects provincial governments, who bear the brunt of healthcare spending. In the recent C.D. Howe Institute commentary "Another Day Older and Deeper in Debt: The Fiscal Implications of Demographic Change for Ottawa and the Provinces," we learn that over the next four decades governments face an implicit $2 trillion liability because of these demographic changes. Michael Hainsworth talks to commentary authors Parisa Mahboubi and Bill Robson about their research, their conclusions, and the possible solutions to problems caused by this aging trend.

Like it or not, Canada is living in interesting times. Our only neighbour and biggest trading partner is holding an election that could determine the global order for a generation and send shockwaves through the world economy. How should Canada handle its relationship with the US during such a volatile time? For answers, Michael Hainsworth speaks with US Ambassador to Canada David Cohen. They discuss how Canada should manage a number of irritants between the two countries, such as supply management and defence spending. Cohen also offers advice on how Canadians can advance their interests south of the border.

Should Canada be worried about a possible second Trump presidency, or excited? On September 24th, the C.D. Howe Institute hosted a Regent Debate – Be It Resolved: Canada can turn a Trump presidency from a threat into an opportunity. Podcast host Michael Hainsworth talks to two of the debaters, Conrad Black and Martha Hall Findlay, about what was said at the debate and delved further into their views about what Canada should do in the era of Trump. Hainsworth learns the two are closer on key issues than one might expect.

Since the mid-1980s, US labour productivity has grown by 100 percent. But in Canada, it's only grown by 40 percent. Lower productivity means the economy grows more slowly — and that means Canadians' paychecks grow more slowly as well. Why is Canada less productive? And what can be done about it? Michael Hainsworth speaks with the University of Toronto's Michelle Alexopoulos and the C.D. Howe Institute's Jeremy Kronick to get answers.