Uncommons with Nate Erskine-Smith

Justice David Stratas sits on the Federal Court of Appeal, he's been prolific in writing judgments, and he's been vocal about the role judges should play. He was also a mentor to Nate and as a professor at Queen's University he taught Nate constitutional law. In this episode, the two have a conversation about the separation of powers: the role of courts versus the role of the legislature. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.uncommons.ca

Cities are in dire financial straits and need federal support. Nate is joined by Toronto Mayor John Tory to discuss the city's financial needs in this crisis, how Toronto can better address racism in the wake of the tragic death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet, as well as important issues of affordable housing and public health.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.uncommons.ca

Protests against police violence and discrimination have taken place across the US and in Canada, and we need to do more to recognize and address racism. Nate speaks with Professor Akwasi Owusu-Bempah, a criminologist at U of T, Director of Research at Cannabis Amnesty, and expert in race, crime, and criminal justice. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.uncommons.ca

Former Senators Art Eggleton (Liberal) and Hugh Segal (Conservative) have been champions of a basic income in Canada. In part 2, Nate is joined by Hugh to discuss one Tory’s lonely battle to end poverty in Canada. Hugh is a former Senator, and served as Chief of Staff to both Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and Premier Bill Davis. His recent book on the subject: Bootstraps Need Boots: One Tory’s Lonely Fight to End Poverty in Canada. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.uncommons.ca

Former Senators Art Eggleton (Liberal) and Hugh Segal (Conservative) have been champions of a basic income in Canada. In part 1, Nate is joined by Art to discuss his passion for social justice and ending poverty through a basic income. Art has a long history of public service, as a former Senator, Minister, MP, and Mayor of Toronto. As a Senator, he founded the all-party anti-poverty caucus which Nate has carried on. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.uncommons.ca

A recent military report has highlighted the deplorable state of private nursing homes in Ontario, a scandal that experts and families have drawn attention to for years. It is hard to understand, impossible to accept, and Pat Armstrong has solutions. She's a distinguished research professor and sociologist at York University, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and has researched and published for decades on the issue of seniors care. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.uncommons.ca

Maria Ressa is a highly-regarded journalist and author in the Philippines. As an outspoken critic of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte she was arrested on multiple occasions for critical reporting on the government. Maria is one of the journalists included in the Time's Person of the Year 2018, and in 2019, she received a Tribute honour from the Canadian Journalism Foundation for "her powerful defence of truth in the face of daunting obstacles, including threats to her life”. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.uncommons.ca

Dr. Michael Warner is the Director of Critical Care at Michael Garron Hospital, working on the frontline to treat patients with COVID-19. He speaks to Nate about how we are falling short in necessary efforts to test and trace, and the need for more serious action to save lives. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.uncommons.ca

Adam van Koeverden won four Olympic medals for Canada as a paddler, including a gold medal in 2004, and he's been Canada's flag bearer in both opening and closing Olympic ceremonies. He's now the Liberal MP for Milton, and speaks to Nate about how and why he made the move from paddling to Parliament, and the important work of Conquer COVID-19 (www.conquercovid19.ca).  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.uncommons.ca

Ken Price and Claire Smith’s daughter is a victim and survivor of the Danforth shooting. They talk to Nate about their journey as gun control advocates with the Danforth Families for Safe Communities (danforthfamilies.com), their views on recent government action to ban assault rifles, and what more they want to see. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.uncommons.ca