Brian Crombie Radio Hour

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Peter Dickinson, an editor of the Atlantic Council's Ukraine Alert service based in Kiev, Ukraine, on if Putin wants peace. Peter goes into detail about Russia's occupation strategy in Ukraine and Putin's intentions to dismantle Ukrainian identity and culture in occupied territories. Putin aims to transform Ukraine into Russia without Ukrainians by dismantling Ukrainian culture, language, and identity in the 20% of Ukraine currently occupied by Russia. He explains how Russian authorities are forcibly deporting Ukrainians who refuse Russian passports, banning Ukrainian education, and importing people from less developed parts of Russia to populate the occupied territories.Peter argues that Putin does not want peace and is seeking to bring Ukraine back under Russian control as a vassal state. He suggests that the West should use strength and coercion to force Putin to end the war, rather than offering concessions. Peter attributes the West's limited support for Ukraine to fears of Russian escalation and the potential collapse of Russia as a state, which could lead to the emergence of new nuclear-armed countries.

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Jack Cunningham and Peter Biro on: Should Canada recognize Palestine? Brian hosts them on to discuss Canada's recent announcement to recognize the Palestinian state.Jack and Peter believe the decision was flawed, as it rewarded terrorism, reduced chances for a negotiated settlement, and recognized a state that did not exist. They also criticize the decision for being morally and practically flawed, and emphasize the need for a coherent approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They criticize Keir Starmer's approach, highlighting that it operates as a rebuke to Israel rather than supporting Palestinian human rights. Jack emphasizes that Hamas's military defeat is necessary for peace, and he questions the incentives created by recognizing a Palestinian state, which could encourage Hamas to dig in its heels. Peter believes that the recent calls for recognizing Palestine as an independent state by countries like Canada, Britain, and France are part of a broader trend where Israel's legitimacy is increasingly questioned in international human rights discourse. He argues that while the focus on Palestinian rights is important, the current emphasis is on challenging Israel's founding and ongoing actions, particularly regarding the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. Peter warns that Canada's shift in position could deepen polarization and insecurity among Jewish people, as support for Palestinian statehood might be misinterpreted as anti-Semitism.Jack is Fellow and Assistant Professor at Trinity College in the University of Toronto, where he teaches in the International Relations Program. He is also Program Coordinator at the Bill Graham Centre for Contemporary International History and former editor of “International Journal”, Canada's leading journal on international affairs. In addition to his academic writings, he is a frequent commentator in the media on world events, including several opinion pieces on the war in Gaza and Canadian policy in the Middle East.Peter L. Biro is a lawyer, NGO leader, and the Founder and President of democracy think-tank, Section 1. He is a Senior Fellow of the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights and of Massey College, and Chair Emeritus of the Jane Goodall Institute. He is an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto, where he teaches constitutional law. Peter served as a Governor of the University of Haifa and has written and commented on the Arab-Israeli conflict and on developments after the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel and the ensuing war in Gaza. 

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Dr. Anders Aslund about Trump and tariffs. Anders is a leading specialist on the East European economies, especially Russia and Ukraine. He is presently a senior fellow at the Stockholm Free World Forum. From 2015 to 2021, he was a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center with a dual appointment in its Global Business and Economics program. From 2006 to 2015, he was a senior fellow at the Peter G. Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington, DC. He also teaches at Georgetown University. He served as an economic advisor to several governments, notably the Russian government (1991-4) and the Ukrainian government (1994-7).Anders criticizes US economic policy, particularly the tariff strategy, which he described as arbitrary, aggressive, and lacking a theoretical basis. He argues that the tariffs, which effectively function as a regressive sales tax, are being paid by Americans and are contributing to rising inflation. Anders also contends that the US does not have a significant trade deficit when services and intellectual property are included, and he criticized Trump's approach to foreign investment and job creation as misleading and unfounded.Anders discusses the concerning trend of American institutions and businesses complying with Trump's policies without significant resistance. Anders highlighted the worrying increase in the federal government's power over universities, media, and research funding, and emphasizes how Trump's approach to media censorship mirrors and even surpasses that of Vladimir Putin. He states that the United States is sliding into a gray zone of limited freedom, with Trump systematically using defamation laws to silence critics, while the country's ranking in press freedom has dropped significantly.

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Chris Spoke. Chris is a leading voice in Toronto's housing debate and a passionate advocate for midrise development as a solution to the city's growing affordability crisis. As the founder of August, a firm focused on digital solutions for real estate and urban planning, he combines innovation with a deep understanding of policy and design. Chris champions midrise buildings—typically 4 to 8 storeys—as the missing middle housing Toronto desperately needs. These buildings offer a gentle density that fits seamlessly into existing neighbourhoods while increasing housing supply in walkable, transit-connected areas.

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Deena Theodora about the Divine Feminine and Klaudia Zinaty about Women Empowerment. Deena, an Ottawa-born singer of Greek descent, is a multilingual powerhouse, fluent in English and Greek while showcasing her vocal versatility in seven languages. She describes what she sees a the divine feminine and ten ways women can focus on that and achieve more success and happiness. Klaudia Zinaty is a visionary trailblazer, a powerhouse of innovation, and an advocate for women's empowerment. With over 15 years of experience spanning sports marketing, media, and fashion, her journey in sports marketing at NBA Canada, broadcasting at CHUM Television, publishing at FLARE Magazine, and currently in academics as a professor in marketing, media and PR, her roles have been defined by one core mission: uplifting and championing women across all industries. She is not just a leader – she is a catalyst for change, dedicated to breaking barriers and inspiring the next generation to lead with confidence.

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Jeff Siegler about Urbanism, density, and revitalizing downtowns and suburbs.  Jeff Siegler is an author, speaker, elected official, and consultant concerned with the powerful role place plays in our lives. He is the founder of the civic pride consulting firm, Revitalize, or Die, and co-founder of the organization Proud Places. After obtaining his Master's in Urban Planning from Virginia Commonwealth University, Jeff went to work on Main Street first as a downtown manager, and later as the Ohio Main Street State Coordinator.Jeff Siegel is a municipal commissioner and author of "Your City is Sick". He discusses the impact of the built environment on health, emphasizing how cities have become "sick" due to car-centric urban planning. He highlights how cities have been retrofitted around cars, leading to negative consequences for physical and social health, as well as environmental damage. Jeff suggests that cities need to shift focus from car dependency to creating healthier, more sustainable urban spaces. 

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Charles St-Arnaud, Chief Economist of Alberta Central, about the risks of and economic impacts of Alberta Separation. Charles has over 17 years of experience as an economist in the public and private sectors, both in Canada and internationally (New York, London, Hong Kong). Charles was at the Department of Finance in Ottawa during the global financial crisis, where he advised senior officials on economic policy. He has also worked for the Bank of Canada and Morgan Stanley.Charles St-Arnaud discussed the topic of Alberta separation, comparing it to Quebec's desire for separation and Brexit. Charles notes that Alberta's reasons for separation are more economically driven than culturally motivated, similar to Brexit. He suggests that Alberta is not fully realizing how the global energy market has changed since the early 2010s, making it unlikely to experience another economic boom like the one in 2010. Brian ends this episode with some of his own thoughts on separation desires in Quebec, Brexit, Alberta, and even Peel. 

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews John Lorinc. John is a journalist and editor who reports on urban affairs, politics, business, technology, and local history. His work has appeared in The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, The Walrus, Maclean's, and Spacing, where he is a senior editor. He won the 2019-2020 Atkinson Fellowship in Public Policy for his reporting on politics and governance of smart cities and the 2022 Balsillie Prize for Public Policy for Dream States: Smart Cities, Technology, and the Pursuit of Urban Utopias.John discusses his views on sixplexes and urban density, emphasizing the need for adding density in a way that is acceptable to homeowners while allowing others to live in neighborhoods. He argues that small apartment buildings have historically existed in older parts of Toronto without significant issues and that the city has regulations to manage concerns like parking and tenant behavior. John criticizes suburban councillors for overreacting to exaggerated claims about problematic sixplexes and highlighted the importance of providing housing options for the city's many tenants.  Together John and Brian also discuss transit, tunnels, highways, and how to build a great city. 

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Eric Lombardi. Eric stands at the forefront of urban development and advocacy as the founder and president of More Neighbours Toronto, a volunteer organization committed to ending the housing crisis. Professionally, he specializes in strategy management consulting in the finance and technology sectors. Eric talks about our housing crisis and inter-generational inequity.

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Olena Kryzhanivska about her weekly newsletters “Arms Trends in Ukraine” and how modern war has changed. Olena is a Ukrainian policy analyst and senior editor at the NATO Association of Canada. She has provided expert analysis for the Norwegian Embassy in Turkey and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Currently, she authors the weekly Substack newsletter Ukraine's Arms Monitor, which covers weapons transfers, military cooperation, defense technology, and drone warfare in the context of Russia's war on Ukraine. Some topics of discussion include the main technological challenges Ukraine faces today, the top priority areas in Ukraine's defense production and innovation, and what ways Ukraine and Canada, along with other NATO countries, can cooperate to enhance each other's defense capabilities.

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Darryl Frankfort about the current housing crisis and his Luxury Rental buildings, which he believes are the one positive opportunity in today's market and Brian closes with his ten point solution to the current Housing Crisis. Darryl Frankfort, President and Founder of DealCore Properties is hailed as one the best property developers in the city, focused on high end luxury developments. Together Brian and Darryl discuss real estate development in Toronto, focusing on housing challenges and future directions, including policy changes, community building, and the role of leadership in shaping the future of urban development. Darryl discusses his two high-end luxury development projects in Toronto, one in Forest Hill and another in Bridle Path, both targeting an undersupplied market segment with large suites. While luxury housing has become marketing-driven, with many small units, there is a gap in the market for large, high-end luxury rentals, which he aims to fill with his new development on Bayview, targeting suites of 2,500-3,000 square feet with premium amenities.Darryl discusses the design and amenities of luxury residential buildings, emphasizing the demand for spacious walk-in closets, bathrooms, and bedrooms, along with concierge services and a valet system. He describes a project inspired by New York high-end condo living, featuring brick facades and turnstile doors, and predicted that brick construction might be more cost-effective in the long run than curtain wall systems, which he believes may face maintenance issues in the future. Darryl highlights the current state of the Toronto condo market, highlighting how issues with financing, the introduction of assignment sales, and speculative behavior led to an overheated market with small, expensive units that many buyers didn't intend to keep. He notes that the market's reliance on flipping properties rather than actual occupancy contributed to the current challenges, including a surplus of undesirable units and falling prices. Development charges, fees, and conversions to purpose-built rentals have created issues. He notes that developers who initially targeted the condo market faced difficulties when converting to rentals due to size and cost differences, as well as a mismatch between investment expectations and market realities. 

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Sam Sivarajan about his article “Why Trump's big spending agenda is a worrying sign for investors on both sides of the border”.Sam Sivarajan is a speaker, independent wealth management consultant and author of three books on investing and decision-making. Sam discusses the significant impact of rising debt and deficits in the United States and Canada, highlighting the unsustainable nature of current spending. Sam emphasizes that the U.S. could soon spend more on interest than on defense, while Canada and Ontario are also facing substantial debt-related costs, which could limit funding for essential services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure. They agreed that now is not the time to increase deficits, as it resembles "spiking the punch bowl" rather than "taking it away”. Sam also covers the qualities needed in leaders today, emphasizing the importance of understanding complexity and interconnection rather than just managing risk. He highlights the need for leaders who invest in people, rebuild trust, and embrace reform, while also noting that citizens can influence their leaders. Sam uses the analogy of experienced mountain climbers who stop respecting the mountain to illustrate how leaders should maintain respect for complexity.

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Don Wright about his article on the Canadian economy and gravitation pull of trade with the US. Don Wright, a former Deputy Minister to the Premier of British Columbia, discusses Canada's economic challenges, focusing on wage stagnation, demographic shifts, and the impact of immigration policies on the labor market. He emphasizes the need for balanced generational policies, addressing the "gravity problem" in Canadian business growth, and supporting natural resource industries while encouraging research and development. Wright also highlights the importance of infrastructure improvements and housing affordability to attract skilled workers and boost economic growth, expressing optimism about ongoing economic discussions in Canada.

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Murtaza Haider who is the executive director of the newly established Cities Institute at The University of Alberta's School of Business. Murtaza was at Toronto Metropolitan University and has spent 30-plus years “studying cities, building bridges, working with industry, and being an engineer who researches real estate markets, bringing together disciplines, engineers, planners, computer scientists, people who specialize in machine learning. Murtaza discusses the need to focus on Calgary and Edmonton as key cities for Canada's future growth, highlighting their affordability and potential for expansion compared to Toronto and Vancouver. He emphasizes that building affordable housing in high-cost areas like downtown Toronto is ineffective and suggested developing new cities or populating underutilized areas. Murtaza also notes that Calgary's successful conversion of office buildings to residential units was a result of city planning and incentives, contrasting with other cities' inaction.  Additionally, Murtaza covers the decline in single-family home construction in Canada, attributing it to urban planners' preference for high-density developments and the high cost of building and land for single-family homes. He highlights the need for Canada to grow its population to 60-80 million to enhance economic prosperity and resilience, particularly in light of trade challenges with the United States. He suggests reducing reliance on trade with the U.S., which currently accounts for 80% of exports, by increasing domestic consumption and exploring new trade opportunities with Europe, China, and Asia.

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Madelaine Drohan about her book: "He Did Not Conquer - Benjamin Franklin's Failure to Annex Canada". Throughout his long and illustrious career, Franklin nursed a not-so-secret desire to annex Canada and make it American. When he was not busy conducting scientific experiments or representing American interests at home and abroad, Benjamin Franklin hatched one plan after another to join Canada to the American colonies and then later to the United States. These were not solely intellectual efforts. He went to Montreal in 1776 to try to turn around the faltering occupation by American forces. As lead American negotiator at the 1782 peace negotiations with Britain in Paris, he held the fate of Canada in his hands. Ill health and other American priorities then forced him to abandon his decades-long campaign to possess Canada. Franklin's elevation to the status of an American icon has pushed this signal failure into the far reaches of collective memory in both Canada and the United States. Yet it shaped the future of North America and relations between the two neighbours over the next two and a half centuries.

Tonight on the Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Elena Davlikanova and Sargent Yevheniy Malik about the war in Ukraine. Yevheniy, a veteran of the 36th Marine Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and Elena Davlikanova, Senior Fellow with Sahaidachnyi Security Centre in Ukraine and Centre for European Policy Analysis in DC, discuss Ukraine's resilience in the face of the Russian invasion.Yevheniy shares his experiences fighting in Russian regions and being held as a prisoner of war, describing it as the worst period of his life. He shared his experiences during the battle of Mariupol, where his unit, alongside the Azov Regiment, held off Russian forces despite being surrounded. He explains that the city was eventually destroyed by Russian airstrikes, and the remaining defenders were captured. Yevheniy notes that the Ukrainian military's resilience and strategic actions, including creating a new front line, have hindered Russian advances, leading to a stalemate.Elena explains that Russia's intensified drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian civilians aim to break Ukrainian spirit and force a government compromise on Russian peace terms, which would threaten Ukraine's existence. She emphasizes that despite the attacks, Ukrainian forces are holding firm on the front lines, and the country is developing anti-drone defenses like the Clear Sky project in Kiev. Together Elena and Yevheniy discuss the historical context of Russian-Ukrainian relations, highlighting how Russian propaganda has fueled anti-Ukrainian sentiment, and Elena stressed that Ukrainians are determined to resist Russian occupation and maintain their way of life.

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Kate Kempton. Kate is a Senior Counsel Woodward & Company LLP. She discusses the implications of two laws, Bill 5 (Unleashing Ontario's Economy Act) and the Building Canada Act, on Canadian values and Indigenous rights. Kate criticizes the bills for potentially undermining constitutional rights and called for a balanced approach that addresses both economic needs and indigenous concerns. She says they grant sweeping powers to cabinets, similar to the "Henry VIII clauses" that allow laws to be suspended at the discretion of the government. Kate also covers the importance of including First Nations in decision-making processes and the need for reconciliation. 

Tonight on the Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Richard Lyall, President of RESCON, the Residential Construction Council of Ontario, about our Housing Crisis in the GTA and across Canada. Brian closes with his ten point plan to solve our housing crisis. Richard Lyle discusses the current housing situation in Canada, describing it as a crisis and even a catastrophe in some areas. He emphasizes that it's not just a housing crisis but also a growth management crisis, particularly in Ontario. Richard covers the significant decline in GTA new home and condo sales, noting a 90% drop to 345 units in May, down from a typical 2,700 units monthly average. Despite ongoing construction activity, Richard highlights that the market has reached a critical point where new projects are not being announced, indicating a long-term decline in the industry.Richard expresses concern over high unemployment rates predicting potential layoffs of 200,000 to 300,000 people in Ontario's new home and condo building sector, which could lead to a 1.5 to 2.5% GDP hit. Richard discusses the housing affordability crisis, highlighting that housing costs to income ratios remain unacceptably high, with numbers as high as 14:1 in some areas, compared to the ideal ratio of 3.5-4:1. He attributes the high costs to a combination of factors including excessive taxes, development fees, and regulations, noting that while some costs are beyond government control, others can be addressed through policy changes.Additionally, he expresses concerns about the need for urgent action this fall to address the decline in housing projects and potential layoffs in the construction industry. He emphasizes the importance of preventing Toronto from becoming unaffordable and unattractive for growth. Richard suggests removing sales taxes on new housing, reducing land transfer taxes and development charges, streamlining the planning and zoning process, and standardizing rules across the province.

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Aled ab Iorwerth the Deputy Chief Economist of CMHC about our housing crisis. Aled joined CMHC in 2016, previously had a 15-year career at Finance Canada, in various research and analysis roles that included secondments to Environment Canada and the Council of Canadian Academies. He holds a PhD in Economics from Western University and master's degrees in European and International Relations and Economics. Aled discusses the CMHC's new modeling approach, which still supports the need for increased housing supply to improve affordability. He says there are structural long-term challenges in the GTA and Vancouver with high housing costs deterring talent and causing a shift to other cities like Calgary and Halifax. Aled emphasizes that increasing housing supply could slow the growth of house prices, aiming for a flatline rather than a significant decrease. Additionally, Aled attributes the recent decline in housing prices to macroeconomic uncertainty and a short-term glut of condos, rather than an increase in supply. He notes that the disconnect in affordability metrics began around 2006, and current per capita housing construction rates are about half of what they were in the 1970s. Development fees and GST have significantly increased over the past decade, accounting for about 31% of the cost of housing. Aled also discussed the lengthy regulatory process for rezoning land, which can take 3-5 years in Toronto.Together Aled and Brian explore the potential for a boom and bust cycle due to low housing starts in the current year. Aled says simplifying zoning regulations and moving away from municipal control towards provincial or national oversight could help increase housing supply, highlighting the need for more harmonized regulations to allow for industry consolidation and greater productivity. Aled expressed skepticism about inclusionary zoning, preferring to address affordability through the tax system.

Tonight on the Brian Crombie Radio Hour, Brian interviews Danielle Nonog about her life as an exotic dancer and how she now uses those skills in a branding and marketing and female empowerment business. Together they discuss charisma and Erotic Capital, life choices and life changes. Danielle is a former top-earning entertainer turned high-ticket sales mentor, known for helping women transmute seduction into strategy. After years in the adult industry, she now teaches others how to channel their emotional intelligence and performance skills into scalable success in marketing, branding, and business. Danielle's story isn't just about leaving the industry—it's about reclaiming identity, redefining power, and helping others rise through purpose over performance.

Tonight on the Brian Crombie Radio Hour, Brian interviews Benjamin Bergen and Kean Birch. Benjamin is the president of the Canadian Council of Innovators. “Imagine if we had allowed foreign entities to control the railroad. It ultimately wouldn't allow us to be a sovereign nation.” Kean is the Director of the Institute for Technoscience & Society, Ontario Research Chair in Science Policy, and Professor in the Department of Science, Technology & Society and the Graduate Program in Science & Technology Studies at York University, Canada. “Giv­ing up digital tax a step back­ward”. Together they discuss the digital services tax, what the issue is, and how Canada has a huge digital services deficit with the the US and a tax is only a small solution.

Tonight on the Brian Crombie Radio Hour, Brian interviews Dmitri Boudovitch and Gavin Clark about a health technology company that is using a cannabis product for Crohn's disease. Gavin is an expert in the medical uses of cannabis. Dmitri is a Canadian entrepreneur specializing in health technologies, biotechnology, and natural product innovation. He is the founder of Folium Labs, a company developing advanced drug delivery systems using hyaluronic acid to enhance the oral bioavailability of poorly absorbed compounds, including cannabinoids, psychedelics, and other natural compounds. Folium Labs is currently fundraising to conduct Phase 1 clinical trials in Crohn's disease and is actively seeking partners to co-develop a range of therapeutic and wellness products based on its proprietary delivery platform. 

Tonight on the Brian Crombie Radio Hour, Brian interviews Dr. Carolyn Whitzman, a housing expert and author of "Home Truths: Fixing Canada's Housing Crisis". She is Senior Housing Researcher and Adjunct Professor, School of Cities UofT.  Dr. Carolyn Whitzman, discusses her new book on housing affordability challenges in the Greater Toronto Area and shares insights on successful housing models from other countries. She explores various solutions to Canada's housing crisis, including reforming zoning systems, reducing development fees, and learning from international examples like Finland's approach to homelessness. This discussion highlights the need for affordable housing options, secure rental arrangements, and non-market housing solutions, while emphasizing the importance of long-term policy changes to address the growing affordability issues.

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Michael Manulak. Michael, an associate professor at Carleton University, discusses the importance of a rules-based international order in light of changing global dynamics. He explains that the current international system is facing challenges due to the aging of institutions like the United Nations and the shifting roles of major powers, particularly the United States. Michael noted that the U.S. has less appetite for global leadership, which has implications for Canada and other countries. He also touches on the divided nature of the Republican party regarding foreign policy and suggested that the U.S. is unlikely to engage in extensive military interventions like those in Iraq and Afghanistan.Together Brian and Michael discuss the following:- Strengthening International Rules-Based System- Canada's Defense and Foreign Policy- Missile Defense and Drone Warfare- Nuclear Proliferation and Security Risks- Canada's Diplomatic Efforts- U.S. Isolationism and Global Leadership- Canada's Strategic Foreign Policy Vision- Critique of "America First" Policies

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Lara Finley. Lara is a professional woodworker with 20 plus years of professional experience in the industry and with local teaching experience. She was the lead furniture-maker on Discovery Channel's “Junk Raiders” for all of Season 3 and now owns a furniture/millwork company. Her pieces of furniture have toured the States in different art galleries. For the past several years, she have been a guest educator with the Dufferin Peel School Board, co-teaching high-school woodworking classes at St. Martin's School in Mississauga. Lara's home and woodworking studio are based in Burlington. In 2004 she obtained her Sheridan College Diploma in Furniture Design and Manufacturing and launched her own furniture design/construction and millwork company. She talks about launch of a Woodworking business "Her Rough Hands". 

Tonight on the Brian Crombie Radio Hour, Brian interviews Bryon Wilfert about Fired MPs, or at least life after losing an election. The Honourable Bryon Wilfert, PC, ICD.D, is a former MP who was the Asia Pacific critic for the Liberal Party and former foreign affairs and defence critic. He is currently a senior strategic adviser with Tactix Government Relations and Public Affairs in Ottawa. He holds the Order of the Rising Sun — Gold/Silver Star from Japan.This interview focuses on the experiences and challenges faced by former Canadian politicians after leaving office, including the support services provided by the Canadian Association of Former Parliamentarians and the unique difficulties of electoral defeat. The recent federal election resulted in a large influx of new members, with many unexpected losses due to electoral shifts and vote splitting. The discussion covered various aspects of political life after parliament, including career transitions, mental health challenges, and the importance of having an exit strategy while in office. The conversation concluded with a discussion of Canada's foreign policy approach toward China, emphasizing the value of strategic engagement and maintaining balanced economic and political relationships.

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Dan Donovan who is the editor and publisher of Ottawa Life magazine about the state of Canadian politics. Brian also hears from Murray Simser his hard hitting Canada Day appeal for less division and hate. Dan and Brian discuss Canadian politics, focusing on trade relations with the U.S., the digital services tax, and the new Carney government's approach to handling international affairs and economic challenges. Together Dan and Brian analyze Prime Minister Carney's performance and his impact on restoring government competence, while also examining Canada's current economic issues including debt, inflation, and housing concerns. The conversation concludes with discussions about influential female figures in Ottawa, Canada's relationship with the U.S., and potential future political developments, including Pierre Poilievre's leadership and Ontario politics.

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Brenda Rathbone. Brenda is a seasoned professional in the real estate appraisal and appraisal management industry. She has a strong foundation in residential property valuation, risk assessment and market analysis incorporating sustainability elements. She is passionate about educating homeowners on re-sale advantages incorporating sustainable and adaptive strategies enhancing both asset value and environmental performance. Together Brenda and Brian discuss the future of housing and its intersection with climate change, energy efficiency, and evolving lifestyle needs.

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Dianne Saxe. Dianne Saxe is a Toronto City Councillor, a former environmental commissioner and Green Party candidate, who decided to run for Toronto City Council in Ward 11 after Mike Layton's departure, focusing on climate change and environmental initiatives as her key priorities. She discusses various urban development projects including new parks, housing developments, and healthcare facilities, while emphasizing the need for more affordable housing and improved transit infrastructure. Dianne also addresses broader issues including climate action globally, housing affordability challenges, and the importance of maintaining transparency and accountability in city operations, particularly regarding TTC services and development fees. 

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Mykola Kuleba. Mykola is an Ukrainian statesman, children's rights advocate, and humanitarian. He has led major reforms to advance children's welfare in Ukraine and is co-founder and head of Save Ukraine, an organization that rescues children from conflict zones. He served as Commissioner for Children's Rights and headed the Kyiv Children's Service. Mykola, the organization's founder and CEO, and Anastasiia Dovbnia, responsible for government relations at Save Ukraine, discuss the ongoing efforts to rescue Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, particularly in occupied territories. Save Ukraine has rescued around 680 children, focusing on the most vulnerable, including orphans and those subjected to militarization, trafficking, or sexual abuse. 

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Hugh MacNaught.  Hugh introduces Ventripoint Diagnostics, a Toronto-based company that applies AI to cardiac ultrasound for diagnostic purposes, and discusses the company's technology, product, and market positioning. The system was developed to provide a less invasive alternative for children with congenital heart defects. He emphasizes the system's high accuracy and its ability to characterize all four chambers of the heart, particularly the complex right ventricle. Hugh also discusses the system's applications beyond congenital heart defects, including monitoring cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, heart failure cases, and valve procedures. Pierre Jean from Fournier Capital is also part of this conversation as he expresses excitement about the technology, highlighting its ability to transform echo signals into 3D images of the heart at a fraction of the cost of an MRI. 

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Sergio Marchi. The Honourable Sergio Marchi served as a Councillor in the City of North York, and as a Liberal Member of Parliament. His six years in the Federal Cabinet culminated in his appointment as Minister for International Trade. Sergio talks about PM Mark Carney and the G7. How did he do? As the NATO summit is underway and he travels to European capitals assessing his leadership, policies and style with a longer term experienced politician is helpful and fascinating. Together Brian and Sergio discuss the G7 summit, where Trump's early exit disrupts talks. Sergio praises PM Carney's leadership despite the lack of joint statements on Ukraine and Gaza. They also debate Trump's 30-day trade deadline with Canada. Brian faults Carney for not correcting Trump's errors and Sergio defends a diplomatic strategy. 

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Shoshana Jacobs. Shoshana is a Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Management in the University of Guelph. This interview focuses on addressing climate change through both mitigation and adaptation strategies exploring the integration of environmental insights across different disciplines, particularly in business contexts. This conversation covers various technological solutions and natural system mimicry, including water management, pollination, and the economic value of ecosystem services, while acknowledging the challenges of implementing long-term solutions within short political cycles. The intreview concludes with reflections on the importance of sustainability, the role of technology in adaptation, and the need to balance environmental concerns with social justice and cultural considerations, particularly regarding younger generations' perspectives on climate change. 

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Akbar Zareh. Akbar is a real estate expert, and discusses the current state of the GTA real estate market. He reports that the market has seen significant changes, with the number of listings increasing by about 25% compared to the previous year, resulting in nearly twice as many homes for sale. Simultaneously, sales have dropped considerably across different regions. He notes that while some areas have experienced price drops of around 3%, others have seen more dramatic decreases, with examples of properties selling for nearly a million dollars less than their purchase price just a few years ago. Developers are now struggling to sell units and are offering incentives like free parking to attract buyers. 

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Jacqueline Murray. Professor Murray of History at the University of Guelph specializes in the history of gender and sexuality in the Middle Ages, with a focus on male sexuality and masculinity. Her research explores the medieval foundations of contemporary beliefs and practices about sex, sexuality, and gender. Professor Jacqueline Murray talks about what we can learn from the Middle Ages.

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Kaveh Shahrooz.  Kaveh is a lawyer, a human rights activist, a university instructor, and a Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. A former Senior Policy Advisor to Global Affairs Canada on international human rights policy, Kaveh is a graduate of Harvard Law School and the University of Toronto. He serves as a legal advisor to the Association of Families of Flight PS752 and is also a co-founder of the Iranian Justice Collective, an organization focused on supporting Iranian democratic aspirations.Together Kaveh and Brian discuss the current situation in Iran, noting that the regime's nuclear policy has isolated and damaged the country economically. Kaveh explained that Iranians are angry not at Israel for its attacks, but at their own government for its handling of the situation and for prioritizing defense spending over civil liberties. He also expressed concern that the Israeli strikes, while currently precise, could escalate and lead to broader conflict. Kaveh agrees with the assessment that Iran's nuclear program is aimed at developing a bomb, rather than civilian energy purposes, and that the country is close to achieving nuclear capability.

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Phil Richardson and Danielle Papillon Richardson. Professor Philip Richardson and Danielle Papillon Richardson discussed their upcoming book "Funny, Not Funny: Humanity's Risk Register," which addresses 12 existential threats, eight of which are human-made. They explained their approach of using humour to make these serious issues more accessible and emphasized the importance of creating a dynamic risk register for humanity, similar to how project managers plan for risks. The book, which includes contributions from global experts, will be published in early fall and is available for pre-order on Amazon. They also highlighted the need for resilience and agility in addressing these challenges. 

Brian interviews John J. Kirton. John is director of the G7 Research Group, G20 Research Group and the Global Health Diplomacy Program, and co-director of the BRICS Research Group, all under the umbrella of the Global Governance Program based at Trinity College in the University of Toronto. A professor emeritus of political science, he has taught Canadian foreign policy, global governance and international relations. The G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta was a successful event where leaders demonstrated strong cooperation despite Donald Trump's early departure, with significant progress made on various issues including tariffs, wildfires, AI advancements, and support for Ukraine. Professor John Kirton highlighted the summit's broad impact and new rules established to prevent foreign interference among G7 countries, while noting that Russia's suspension from the group in 2014 was based on democratic actions rather than Trudeau's influence. The discussion concluded with optimism about the G7's commitment to supporting Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of maintaining democratic nations and strengthening economic and military capabilities against global conflicts.

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Eliot Pence. Eliot is the Chief Business Officer of Osmo, a Lux Capital, Google Ventures backed deep tech company. From 2022-2024, Eliot was the Chief Commercial Officer of Cambium, an 8VC Build company that develops advanced materials for aerospace and defense. He discusses how drones have become a critical component of modern warfare and highlighted Ukraine's production capabilities, emphasizing the need for Canada to modernize its military technology and procurement processes.The conversation explores various aspects of drone technology, including manufacturing, defense challenges, and potential applications for border control and Arctic monitoring. Eliot and Brian discuss the importance of investing in autonomous systems, AI, and collaborative combat aircraft, while noting the need for Canada to develop its own military technology capabilities and reform its procurement processes to better respond to emerging security threats. 

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian discusses transit. As we wrap up our week focused on key municipal issues in Mississauga and the GTA, we turn our attention to one of the most vital components of a thriving city: transit. In our final episode of the week, we explore the future of transportation across the GTA and the exciting potential it holds for shaping our urban landscape. Join us as we discuss where we are, what's in motion, and what could be next for transit in the GTA. We hope this episode leaves you informed, inspired, and optimistic about the possibilities ahead for building a smarter, more connected region. 

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Arthur Lam. Arthur Lam of Nexus Strategic Consultants talks about his provocative article: “In clinging to the dying era of free trade, Canada has lost its edge”. Arthur writes: “Canada urgently needs to abandon outdated free trade strategies for a managed trade approach. Canadian businesses need an active government that facilitates commerce, not just negotiates agreements that sit on shelves. We need to concentrate on sectors with strong export potential, bilateral arrangements that facilitate those exports, and an independent Trade Commissioner Service focused on priority markets.” 

Tonight on The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian interviews Brad Butt, Mississauga City Councillor for Ward 11, and Chair of the Budget Committee. Together Brian and Brad discuss the Mississauga budget, tax increases, spending, Peel Police budget, who's to blame, and the future of our city.