• The Canadian Identity Crisis: Coming Together at a Critical Time
    Jan 15 2025

    Erin is joined by Darrell Bricker, one of Canada's most respected pollsters and thought leaders. Co-Author of The Big Shift, Darrell discusses the decline of the "Laurentian consensus" (a term coined in that book) and the shifting political and cultural landscape as Justin Trudeau leaves office. They also discuss the acute crisis of Canadian identity and how changing demographics and a decade of identity politics are reshaping debate and causing a major decline in Canadian pride at a time that the country needs to come together.

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    51 mins
  • Trade in the Trump Era
    Dec 19 2024

    Erin is joined by the Hon. Ed Fast, the MP for Abbotsford and former Trade Minister who led the Harper government’s ambitious trade agenda. They talk about Ed’s work on growing markets in Europe and Asia and the global shift away from liberalized trade to more managed trade given US-China relations. They also tackle issues like the Foreign Investment Protection Agreement (FIPA) that Canada signed with China, tariffs under President Trump and strategies for navigating these issues in uncertain times.

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    51 mins
  • The Great Canadian Pension Debate
    Jun 27 2024

    In this episode of Blue Skies, Erin is joined by Jim Leech, former CEO of the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and a well-respected voice on business issues, to discuss the current debate about whether governments should mandate public pension plans like the CPP to invest more in Canada. They explore the development of the 'Canadian Model' for pension governance and why it has gained international acclaim. They also engage in a wider discussion of issues related to Canadian economic competitiveness and financial security for pensioners.

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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Canada in the Age of AUKUS: Talking Foreign Policy with UK MP Alicia Kearns
    Apr 14 2024

    MP Alicia Kearns, the Chair of the United Kingdom's Foreign Affairs Select Committee, joins Blue Skies to discuss the AUKUS alliance, the war in Ukraine, the Balkans, China and the need for democracies to stand against foreign interference. The conversation with MP Kearns provides an interesting view on geopolitics and how one of Canada’s closest allies views the state of our defence spending and influence.

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    38 mins
  • NATO is 75
    Apr 4 2024

    Erin is joined by Robert Baines, the President of the NATO Association of Canada to discuss the importance of the NATO alliance as it marks 75 years of providing peace and security for its members. They discuss the role of Canada in the alliance and how NATO helped usher in the post-WWII era of prosperity and opportunity. They also discuss risks facing the alliance today ranging from the war in Ukraine to political indifference in some countries.

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    44 mins
  • Canadian Values in a Challenging World
    Feb 29 2024

    Erin is joined by long-serving Liberal MP John McKay to talk about his decades of work on international development and defence issues in the House of Commons. Ahead of the annual Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada conference in Toronto, they discuss the impact of Canada's new law to help prevent forced and child labour from being part of Canadian supply chains. The impact of this new law is discussed along with the new office of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise and the need to ensure that Canadian values are always part of our approach to commerce. Erin and John also discuss defence and geopolitics from their shared interests and work in Parliament.


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    1 hr
  • Blue Skies on the anniversary of the war in Ukraine
    Feb 24 2024

    A special Blue Skies to mark the second anniversary of the war in Ukraine. Hon. Erin O’Toole gives his quick take on the war, and explains why it’s time to reconfirm support and counter the complacency

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    6 mins
  • The Nuclear Renaissance: Part III
    Feb 17 2024

    Blue Skies returns and continues its series on the important role of nuclear energy in our economic and environmental future. Dr. Chris Keefer, the President of Canadians for Nuclear Energy, joins Erin to discuss his own nuclear ‘conversion’ and how his advocacy is educating Canadians and changing the public policy debate. They discuss Canadian industry advancements from Small Modular Reactors and new build at the Bruce site to the extension of Pickering Generating Station and the role CANDU technology has played developing this important sector.

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    53 mins