Inside Policy Talks

For decades, we've been told that freedom means throwing off restraint. But what if the sexual revolution didn't liberate us, and instead left us lonelier, unhappier, and adrift?Our culture's promises of autonomy and self-creation have left young people disconnected from family, tradition, and purpose. We're missing something deeper – about what it means to love, belong, and build a life that lasts.To explore this, journalist Louise Perry joins Inside Policy Talks. Perry is the author of the bestselling book The Case Against the Sexual Revolution, which presents a bold challenge to modern sexual ethics. She's also the host of the Maiden Mother Matriarch podcast, and co-founder of The Other Half, a think tank focused on pro-woman, pro-family policy.On the podcast, she tells Peter Copeland, deputy director of domestic policy at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, she discusses a “key historical claim” that progressivism makes about the “shape of history.” It's been argued that “history is linear and has just got better,” says Perry, but now it's time to challenge “this belief that the sexual revolution was obviously good.”

Multiculturalism has been a policy and a political ideal for over 50 years in Canada. It's shaped our immigration system, institutions, and the way Canadians see themselves.Yet its meaning has shifted dramatically since then-prime minister Pierre Trudeau introduced it. It began as a national unity strategy. But for many, it's become a slogan about diversity for its own sake. That's left us divided about what it means to be Canadian.The stakes are high. Immigration, national identity, and multiculturalism affect social cohesion, political stability, and our capacity to share a common civic culture. These aren't just matters for an academic debate. They're at the heart of Canada's future.To dig into this, Geoff Russ and Michael Bonner join Inside Policy Talks. Russ is a journalist whose recent writing for the Macdonald-Laurier Institute examines how Canadian history, symbols, and traditions shape who we are today. Bonner is a historian, former Ontario government policy director, and the author of In Defense of Civilization. He's recently written for MLI on multiculturalism's origins, evolution, and current challenges.On the podcast, Bonner tells Peter Copeland, director of domestic policy at MLI, that Canada needs to focus on unity, and that spending more energy focusing on the differences among the people who live in the country is “not what the present moment calls for.” Russ adds that while he believes in welcoming people from around the world, he cautions against importing social and cultural values, as these risk disrupting Canadian values and democratic institutions.“If you look at the way that democracy has gone since the end of the cold war, democracy is proving to be very much a cultural feature,” says Russ.

Canadian culture is at a crossroads. For over 70 years, Canada's arts and media funding framework has remained largely unchanged, even as the country has become more diverse, more digital, and more disconnected from a unifying cultural vision.Canada now faces a patchwork system riddled with duplication, inefficiency, and uncertainty of purpose – from the CBC to the CRTC, and from municipal arts grants to federal media funds. As geopolitical pressures rise and American cultural dominance intensifies, the stakes have never been higher when it comes to maintaining a strong Canadian culture.To discuss this, Macdonald-Laurier Institute Senior Fellow Peter Menzies – a former CRTC vice-chair and past publisher of the Calgary Herald – joins Inside Policy Talks. Menzies is the author of a new paper, titled Rethinking arts and media funding: A new vision for Canada. In it, he calls for a Massey Commission 2.0 — a bold rethink of how Canada supports its creators, institutions, and cultural sovereignty.On the podcast, he tells Peter Copeland, deputy director of domestic policy at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, that the idea of multiculturalism "has been confused," and that he hopes to see a future Canadian cultural policy that "takes pride in our foundations.""There's one thing to be multiracial, multi-ethnic, welcome people from all countries and backgrounds," says Menzies. "But you also need to have a shared sense of identity."

 As birth rates fall and family formation grows increasingly fragile across the developed world, understanding the forces driving these trends has never been more urgent. In this episode of Inside Policy Talks, we explore the complex interplay of policy, culture, and economics shaping family life in Canada and the United States.Patrick T. Brown, Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington and a leading voice on family policy, joins host Peter Copeland, Deputy Director of Domestic Policy at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute to discuss why marriage and fertility rates are declining, how tax and welfare systems affect families, and what lessons can be drawn from experiences on both sides of the border.Brown shares insights and offers recommendations for policymakers seeking to support families and reverse demographic decline. He also addresses cultural shifts, economic pressures, and housing challenges influencing family decisions today. 

The importance of the Arctic is increasing, both for Canada and for our allies. That means it's critical to better understanding it.While Canadians sense that the Arctic is part of their identity, few are deeply familiar with the region — its environment, its vastness, its diversity, or its challenges.In that context, understanding the Russian Arctic — which is very different from the Canadian Arctic — is particularly important, given Russia's role as a destabilizing geopolitical actor and NATO's principal adversary.To unpack this, MLI Senior Fellow Alex Dalziel joins Inside Policy Talks. Dalziel is an Arctic expert who spent 20 years working in Canada's national security, intelligence, and foreign policy communities. Dalziel has recently published two papers with MLI regarding Russia's approach to the Arctic: Polar Power: The Northern Sea Route in Russia's strategic calculus and Frozen Assets: Russia's ambitions to exploit the Arctic Ocean seabed. Three more papers in the series will follow later this year.On the podcast, Dalziel tells Christopher Coates, director of foreign policy, national defence, and national security at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, that Russia is trying to set itself up "to be the gateway to the arctic," and that Canada must view Russia as its primary challenge in the region.

Free speech was once considered a bedrock democratic value. Now it's become one of the most contested issues in our culture-shaping institutions. Over the past decade, debates about what can and can't be said have intensified across universities, schools, newsrooms, and corporate boardrooms. In many Western democracies, including Canada, speech codes, cancel campaigns, and ideological conformity have become flashpoints in a deeper cultural and political struggle. It's a similar story on the other side of the Atlantic. The United Kingdom has moved from a beacon of free expression to one of the most censorious countries in the western world – with people now being arrested for what are known as “non-crime hate incidents.” To unpack this, Toby Young, founder and director of the Free Speech Union, joins Inside Policy Talks. A well-known journalist, commentator, and author, Toby has been at the forefront of the UK's free speech movement—defending individuals facing ideological persecution, advocating for legislative reform, and helping shape the public debate. He tells Peter Copeland, deputy director of domestic policy at MLI, that he believes rising attempts to restrict expression are driven by political and cultural elites who have “lost their faith” in liberal ideology and its associated policies, like mass immigration. “They don't want to be forced to defend it,” says Young, because they “wouldn't really know how to go about defending it in the pubic square.” Instead, he suggests, they want to “pretend that their particular political position doesn't require a political defence.”

Science is often seen as the gold standard in policymaking – objective, rigorous, and self-correcting. But what happens when the science itself is uncertain, contradictory, or unreproducible?Over the past two decades, concerns about replication, statistical misuse, and institutional bias have shaken public confidence in science – from medicine to psychology to public health. On the other hand, institutional confidence in science seems unshakeable, defensive, and resistant to change. And with rising polarization and decreasing trust in institutions, the need for both epistemic humility and stronger standards of evidence has never been clearer.To discuss this, Dr. John Ioannidis, one of the world's most cited scientific voices confronting these challenges, joins Inside Policy Talks. Dr. Ioannidis, a professor of medicine, epidemiology and population health at Stanford University, is the author of a landmark 2005 paper, Why Most Published Research Findings Are False, which helped spark the understanding of science's replication crisis.On the podcast, he tells Peter Copeland, director of domestic policy at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, that when the term “evidence-based policy” arose in the 1980s, it was initially “seen as kind of a revolution” because it was pushing for “rigorous, unbiased, systematically assessed scientific evidence, instead of just expert opinion.” However, says Ioannidis, the term's popularity soon led to it being adopted by political actors as “an alibi” to sway the public towards positions not grounded in evidence.

On this episode, we tackle one of the most contested—and consequential—issues in public life: the rise of gender ideology and the erasure of biological sex. Over the past decade, the idea that gender is self-declared and disconnected from biology has reshaped our laws, schools, medical systems, and public discourse. But there's growing pushback. In the United Kingdom, we've seen a remarkable reversal against this institutional capture. The shift has come through court challenges, investigative journalism, and public inquiry. To unpack this, Helen Joyce—journalist, editor, and author of Trans: When Ideology Meets Reality—joins the podcast. Joyce is currently the Director of Advocacy for Sex Matters, a U.K.-based organization that promotes clarity about sex in law and policy. Helen has been at the forefront of efforts in the U.K. to reinstate biological reality in public policy—and she's helped shape the international conversation.

Across the Western world, we're seeing a crisis in youth mental health, a collapse in family formation, and growing confusion about sex and gender. At the same time, more young people than ever report feeling lonely, directionless, and disconnected. In this episode of Inside Policy Talks, Dr. Leonard Sax—a family physician, psychologist, and best-selling author of The Collapse of Parenting—joins MLI's Peter Copeland. Sax is a leading voice on how sex differences, parenting styles, and educational environments shape childhood development—and what happens when we ignore the hard truths about human nature. He tells Copeland that, in order to raise health children, parents must embrace their authority, restrict screens and social media, and most importantly, foster strong bonds across generations—because this is the purpose of childhood.

In this episode, Peter Copeland, deputy director of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute's Domestic Policy Program, speaks with Cameron Field, a Toronto Police veteran and financial crimes expert. Field explains that there are three types of mortgage fraud in Canada. First, there's fraud for shelter, whereby some homebuyers committ fraud to obtain a mortgage. Next, there's fraud for profit, in which actors in the mortgage industry act fraudulently in order to complete a sale. Finally, there's fraud committed by organized crime, which sees mortgages used as a way to launder money. Field describes how these types of fraud work, and their impact on the Canadian housing market and public safety. Be sure to like, share, and subscribe to Inside Policy Talks for more thought-provoking analysis on key issues facing Canada!

Ken Coates, director of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute's Indigenous Affairs Program, is joined by journalist and economist Edgardo Sepulveda, an expert data storyteller. Sepulveda's new study for MLI analyzed data for church arsons in Canada and around the world. He found that following reports in 2021 of unmarked graves at residential schools, Canada saw a spike in church arsons compared to other Anglosphere countries, suggesting a correlation to news of the unmarked graves. He says the lack of serious policy response puts reconciliation at risk. Please like, share, and subscribe to Inside Policy Talks for thought-provoking analysis on the key issues facing Canada!

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, where we dive into the ideas and policies shaping Canada's future! In this episode, Ken Coates, director of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute's Indigenous Affairs Program, speaks with Sheila North, a journalist, storyteller, and former Grand Chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak. When it comes to post-secondary education, North tells Coates that some of the greatest successes happen when programs are designed to allow students to complete a large part of their studies while remaining in their home community. Be sure to like, share, and subscribe to Inside Policy Talks for more thought-provoking analysis on the key issues facing Canada today!

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, where we dive into the ideas and policies shaping Canada's future!In this episode, Peter Copeland, Deputy Director of the Domestic Policy Program at the Macdonald Laurier Institute, sits down with Ryan Manucha, a leading expert on interprovincial trade.Manucha offers a compelling vision of how Canada's provinces can recognize each other's professional licenses, business certifications, and regulations to unlock billions in economic potential and strengthen Canada's economic unity in an increasingly complex global environment.Be sure to share, and subscribe to Inside Policy Talks for more thought-provoking analysis on the key issues facing Canada today!

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, where we dive into the ideas and policies shaping Canada's future!In this episode, Balkan Devlen, Studio Fellow at the Macdonald Laurier Institute, sits down with Peter Hefele, Policy Director at the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies.Hefele pulls back the curtain on Europe's high-stakes challenges: Can Germany reboot its economic engine? Will Europe finally build a credible defence capability? And where does Canada fit into this complex geopolitical puzzle?From Germany's political chess match to Europe's urgent defense overhaul, this episode is a front-row seat to the continent's most critical transformation in decades.Be sure to share, and subscribe to Inside Policy Talks for more thought-provoking analysis on the key issues facing Canada today!

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, where we dive into the ideas and policies shaping Canada's future!In this episode, Peter Copeland, Deputy Director of the Domestic Policy Program at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute (MLI), sits down with Peter Menzies, MLI Senior Fellow, former publisher of the Calgary Herald, and past Vice Chair of the CRTC.Menzies offers a provocative analysis of the CBC's future, challenging its current funding model and exploring radical solutions for Canadian public broadcasting. With the federal election looming, he examines how government subsidies impact media trust, journalistic objectivity, and the broader news ecosystem.Menzies argues that the CBC's current structure threatens media diversity and public trust, proposing a bold transition to a subscription-based model that could reshape how Canadians consume news and public media.Be sure to share, and subscribe to Inside Policy Talks for more thought-provoking analysis on the key issues facing Canada today!

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, where we dive into the ideas and policies shaping Canada's future!In this episode, Peter Copeland, Deputy Director of the Domestic Policy Program at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, sits with Ross McKitrick, professor of economics at the University of Guelph.In a recent commentary series for MLI, McKitrick looks at income levels, demography and population change, and housing construction and price data, from the 1970s and ‘90s onwards, to get a sense of what's causing the ‘housing crunch', as he calls it.McKitrick explains that the issues confronting Canada in 2025 go beyond mere setbacks, and that unless they are resolved quickly, we face a deep and potentially permanent loss of our national standard of living and quality of life.Be sure to share and subscribe to Inside Policy Talks for more thought-provoking analysis on the key issues facing Canada today!

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, where we dive into the ideas and policies shaping Canada's future!In this compelling episode, the Macdonald-Laurier Institute's Director of Indigenous Affairs, Ken Coates, sits with Dallas Smith, spokesperson for the First Nations for Finfish Stewardship (FNFFS) and a member of the Tlowitsis First Nations in Campbell River, B.C., to unpack the nuanced world of salmon aquaculture on British Columbia's coastal regions.Smith provides a fascinating insider's perspective on the salmon farming industry, discussing its evolution, economic importance, and critical role in supporting remote First Nations communities.From the groundbreaking Great Bear Rainforest agreements to the challenges of sustainable resource management, this conversation offers a deep dive into how Indigenous leadership is reshaping economic and environmental policy in Canada.Be sure to like, share, and subscribe to Inside Policy Talks for more thought-provoking analysis on the key issues facing Canada today!

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, where we dive into the ideas and policies shaping Canada today!In this episode, Peter Copeland, Deputy Director of the Domestic Policy Program at the Macdonald Laurier Institute, sits down with Tim Carney, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.In their discussion, Carney provides a comprehensive overview of the alarming trends around declining marriage rates, birth rates, and community belonging across North America. He shares insights from his extensive research, examining how government regulations, cultural shifts, and the erosion of civil society contribute to these challenges.Carney also highlights successful policy approaches from other countries that prioritize family-friendly housing and community-building and explains how the housing crisis is intimately tied to the inability of young people to start families and put down roots in their communities.Be sure to share and subscribe to Inside Policy Talks for more thought-provoking analysis on the key policy issues facing Canada today!

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, where we dive into the ideas and policies shaping Canada's future!In this episode, the Macdonald-Laurier Institute's Ken Coates sits down with Linda Sams, biologist with over 37 years of business and management experience in the aquaculture sector, and an expert in the Canadian salmon farming industry. In this insightful discussion, Sams shares her extensive background and experience in salmon aquaculture, and provides an inside look at the evolution of salmon farming, the ecological challenges the industry has addressed, and the vital role it plays in supporting rural coastal communities.Coates and Sams also delve into the controversies and threats facing the salmon farming sector, including poorly informed government policies that could devastate these local economies.Be sure to share and subscribe to Inside Policy for more thought-provoking analysis on the key policy issues facing Canada today!

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, where we dive into the ideas and policies shaping Canada's future!In this episode, Peter Copeland, Deputy Director of the Domestic Policy Program at the Macdonald Laurier Institute, sits down with Cardus' Senior Fellow Andrea Mrozek and Program Director Peter Jon Mitchell.The discussion covers the trends and social effects surrounding marriage and family formation in Canada - Mrozek and Mitchell provide a comprehensive overview of the declining marriage rates and their implications, from poor economic and social well-being to the challenges young adults face in starting families.Both reflect on the importance of marriage as an institution, highlighting its contributions to social stability, economic prosperity, and positive outcomes for children.The guests also explore cultural and policy factors influencing marriage, from individualism to the impact of feminism and propose ways for governments to promote marriage, such as removing policy disincentives and fostering positive portrayals in media and culture.Be sure to share and subscribe to Inside Policy Talks for more thought-provoking analysis on the key policy issues facing Canada today!

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, where we discuss the ideas and policies shaping Canada today!In this episode, the Macdonald-Laurier Institute's Ken Coates sits down with Brian Kingzett, Executive Director of the BC Salmon Farming Association, to discuss the future of salmon farming in British Columbia. Kingzett provides a comprehensive overview of the salmon farming industry - its history, economic impact, and the complex relationships between Indigenous communities and environmental groups.He shares his concerns about the federal government's decision to ban open-net pen salmon farming by 2024, and emphasizes the vital role salmon farming plays in providing jobs, food security, and economic opportunities for coastal communities.He also highlights the industry's commitment to transparency and innovation in reducing its environmental impac as one of British Columbia's most important agricultural sectors.Be sure to share, and subscribe to Inside Policy Talks for more thought-provoking analysis on the key policy issues facing Canada today!

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, where we discuss the ideas and policies shaping Canada today!In this episode, Senior Fellow Alex Dalziel is joined by a panel of experts to examine Greenland's pivotal position at the intersection of global superpowers vying for influence in the North American Arctic.Guests Jon Rahbek-Clemmensen of the Royal Danish Defence College, Christian Keldsen, Director of the Greenland Business Association, Marisol Maddox, Senior Arctic Analyst at the Polar Institute, and Dr. Jessica Shadian, President of Arctic 360, delve into the complex web of security, economic, and diplomatic interests surrounding the semi-autonomous territory of Greenland.The discussion offers insights on the delicate balancing act Greenland must navigate, and explores the potential for enhanced cooperation between North American partners to address shared challenges and opportunities in the region.Be sure to share and subscribe for more thought-provoking analysis on the key policy issues facing Canada today!

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, where we discuss the ideas and policies shaping Canada today!In this episode, Peter Copeland, Deputy Director of the Domestic Policy Program at the Macdonald Laurier Institute, sits down with Dave Snow, MLI senior fellow and associate professor at the University of Guelph, to discuss the growing influence of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at Canada's major federal research granting agencies.The discussion delves into how DEI policies impact intellectual diversity, as the language of DEI becomes increasingly pervasive in research funding guidelines.Professor Snow provides a detailed analysis of the different forms of DEI - mild, moderate, and activist - and offers recommendations on how federal granting agencies can renew their commitment to political and ideological neutrality.Read Dave Snow's report, Promoting excellence – or activism? Equity, diversity, and inclusion at Canada's federal granting agencies, here: https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/promoting-excellence-or-activism-equity-diversity-and-inclusion-at-canadas-federal-granting-agencies/Be sure to share and subscribe to Inside Policy for more thought-provoking analysis on the key policy issues facing Canada today!

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, where we discuss the ideas and policies shaping Canada today!In this episode, a panel of MLI experts discuss the defense and security aspects of the Canada-U.S. relationship in the aftermath of the Trump presidency. Transatlantic Program Director Balkan Devlen is joined by Jamie Tronnes, Executive Director of MLI's DC office, as well as Senior Fellows Richard Shimooka and Alexander Lanoszka.The discussion examines the current temperature in Washington towards Canada's defense commitments and the pressure Canada may face to increase defense spending.They also explore how a potential Conservative government in Canada could meet the challenge and mend fences with the current U.S. administration.Be sure to share and subscribe to Inside Policy for more thought-provoking analysis on the key policy issues facing our country!

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, where we discuss the ideas and policies shaping Canada today!Peter Copeland, Deputy Director of Domestic Policy at MLI is joined by Marcell Wilson, founder and head of the One by One Movement, a groundbreaking organization dedicated to preventing violence and helping people transition out of gang life.Marcell brings a wealth of personal experience and insight into the intersection of crime prevention, policing, corrections, and community rehabilitation.Together they discuss the origins of the One by One Movement and explore key issues in crime prevention, policing, and corrections, as well as the ineffective spending, and the prevalence of activism over results.Finally, they also discuss the importance of strong social support systems, the critical role of mentoring, stable families, and the presence of positive role models and father figures in building healthy, resilient communities.Be sure to share and subscribe to Inside Policy Talks for more insightful discussions on the key policy challenges shaping our nation!

Welcome to Double Trouble, a special foreign policy focused podcast series within MLI's Inside Policy Talks, to address the growing challenge of the Sino-Russian axis of authoritarianism facing the West.In this episode, hosts Balkan Devlen and Jonathan Berkshire Miller look at the year ahead in foreign policy and global security. They talk about Trump's return to the Whitehouse, shifting global alliances, a dangerous year ahead for Ukraine, and much more.The Macdonald-Laurier Institute gratefully acknowledges the support of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Canada.Find Inside Policy Talks on Apple, Spotify, Google, or wherever else you get your audio.Like, comment, share, subscribe!

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, where we discuss the most pressing policy issues shaping Canada's indigenous economic development!In this episode, the Macdonald-Laurier Institute's Indigenous Affairs Program Director, Ken Coates, is joined by Kody Penner, Vice President of Corporate Development for Nations Royalty. Penner provides valuable insights on the innovative model that Nations Royalty is pioneering to transform the financial basis of indigenous involvement in the mining sector. He explains how Nations Royalty is using a mining royalty business model to consolidate and diversify the royalty payments that indigenous groups receive, allowing them to rapidly grow their wealth and economic self-sufficiency.Penner also discusses how this model empowers indigenous communities to take more control over resource projects on their lands, by providing upfront capital that can be invested in community priorities.Be sure to share and subscribe to Inside Policy Talks for more insightful discussions on the key policy challenges shaping our nation!

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, the premier video podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. Please like, comment, share, and subscribe!In this episode, Heather Exner-Pirot, MLI's director of energy, natural resource, and environment, sits down with Lisa Baiton, President and CEO of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, to discuss the future of Canada's oil and gas sector, particularly in light of the tariff threats from President-Elect Donald Trump. Find Inside Policy Talks on YouTube and wherever you get your audio.

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, where we discuss the most pressing policy issues shaping CanadaIn this episode, Patrice Dutil, a senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, sits down with Lindsay Shepherd, the author of the new children's book "A Day with Sir John A."Shepherd discusses her motivation for writing the book, which aims to introduce Canada's first Prime Minister to a young audience in a positive and engaging way. Shepherd shares how the recent controversies surrounding Sir John A. Macdonald's legacy inspired her to create a fictionalized story that allows children to learn about his vision and accomplishments. She also reflects on her own experiences as a public figure and academic who has faced backlash, and how that has shaped her perspective.Be sure to share and subscribe to Inside Policy Talks for more insightful discussions on the key policy challenges shaping our nation!

Welcome to Double Trouble, a special foreign policy focused podcast series within MLI's Inside Policy Talks, to address the growing challenge of the Sino-Russian axis of authoritarianism facing the West.In this episode, host Balkan Devlen sits down with MLI Senior Fellows Alexander Lanoszka and Richard Shimooka to discuss the fall of the Assad regime in Syria and the decline of Russia's power globally.The Macdonald-Laurier Institute gratefully acknowledges the support of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Canada.Find Inside Policy Talks on Apple, Spotify, Google, or wherever else you get your audio.Like, comment, share, subscribe!

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, where we discuss the most pressing policy issues shaping Canada.In this episode, Tim Sargent, Director of the Domestic Program at MLI, is joined by Aled ab Iorweth, Deputy Chief Economist with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC,) a leading voice in housing policy and economics.Together, they dive deep into the challenges facing Canada's housing market, from the impact of record-high immigration levels and shifting population trends, to the role of taxation policies and rising mortgage rates in reshaping affordability for homeowners and renters. Iorweth provides valuable insights on the critical importance of municipal regulations, zoning laws, and construction in either enabling or hindering progress on the housing supply shortage. He also explores the complex, shared responsibility between federal, provincial, and local governments in addressing Canada's housing crisis.Be sure to share, and subscribe to Inside Policy Talks for more insightful discussions on the key policy challenges shaping our nation!

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, the flagship video podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.In this episode, Peter Copeland, Deputy Director of MLI's Domestic Policy Program, is joined by Ryan Khurana, Senior Fellow at the Foundation for American Innovation and Machine Learning Lead at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE). Together, they discuss first what it is and what it is not, and the many prospects it has, both good and bad. Khurana delves into the great deal of warranted and unwarranted hype and concern for AI across its many applications: it holds great economic and productivity promise, as part of what is becoming known as the fourth industrial revolution, as well as peril. Some speculate that we will enter the singularity and be replaced, while others point to more realistic futures and already present scenarios, such as those of job loss and transformation, to other threats to human well-being and dignity, from deployment of psychologically manipulative and addictive algorithms, to the negative effects on health and welfare from a technology-saturated and mediated environment, in which we are increasingly online, disconnected from one another and unwell.Share, and subscribe to Inside Policy Talks for more insightful discussions on the key policy issues facing Canada!

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, the flagship podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. In this episode, Senior Fellow Alexander Dalziel explores intelligence in Canadian policy-making with Michelle Tessier, a former Deputy Director of Operations at the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). The discussion highlights challenges in developing an "intelligence culture," integrating intelligence into decision-making, and intelligence sharing outside the federal government.They explore the differences between intelligence and evidence, the importance of the feedback loop between intelligence agencies and policymakers, and the evolution of CSIS's outreach and transparency efforts. Tessier also shares her insights on the challenges of building trust and understanding around intelligence work, as well as the potential benefits of leveraging new technologies to enhance intelligence capabilities.Share, and subscribe to Inside Policy Talks for more insightful discussions on the key policy issues facing Canada!

On December 3, 2024, the Macdonald-Laurier Institute (MLI) hosted a live panel event in Calgary entitled: The challenge of China and Russia, in the Arctic and in our supply chains. The panel featured four of MLI's esteemed thought leaders:- Balkan Devlen, director of the transatlantic program (moderator)- Jonathan Berkshire Miller, director of foreign policy, national defence, and national security- Heather Exner-Pirot, director of natural resources, energy, and environment - Rob Huebert, senior fellowThe Macdonald-Laurier Institute gratefully acknowledges the support of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Canada.Find Inside Policy Talks on Apple, Spotify, Google, or wherever else you get your audio.Like, comment, share, subscribe!

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, the premier video podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute!In this episode, Ken Coates, Director of Indigenous Affairs at MLI, sits down with Karen Ogen-Toews, President and CEO of the First Nations LNG Alliance, and Dr. Matt Vickers, CEO of Northern Nations, and a long-time advocate for indigenous economic development.They discuss the growing involvement of indigenous communities in international business and trade.Ogen-Toews and Vickers share their experiences leading indigenous trade missions to countries like China to leverage their natural resources and economic partnerships to build prosperity for their communities.The conversation delves into the importance of education, relationship-building, and overcoming systemic barriers to indigenous participation in the global economy.Ogen-Toews and Vickers provide insights into the collaborative approach many First Nations are taking to drive economic development.Don't miss this insightful discussion on the evolving role of indigenous peoples in international business.Share and subscribe to Inside Policy Talks for more conversations on the key policy issues facing Canada!

Welcome to Double Trouble, a special foreign policy focused podcast series within MLI's Inside Policy Talks, to address the growing challenge of the Sino-Russian axis of authoritarianism facing the West.In this episode, MLI's Balkan Devlen sits down with Aaron Gasch Burnett to discuss an innovative policy solution to fund Ukraine's war effort and reconstruction: confiscating the approximately $300 billion US of Russian assets frozen in G7 countries and give it to Ukraine. Western tax payers wouldn't need to pay a cent.The Macdonald-Laurier Institute gratefully acknowledges the support of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Canada.Find Inside Policy Talks on Apple, Spotify, Google, or wherever else you get your audio.Like, comment, share, subscribe!

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, the premier video podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.In this episode, Ken Coates, Director of Indigenous Affairs at MLI, sits down with Tyee Hasheukumiss (Richard George), Ha'wiih (Hereditary Chief) of the Ahousaht Nation on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, to discuss the unique governance structure and economic development initiatives within First Nations communities on the West Coast.Hasheukumiss provides insight into the role of hereditary chiefs and how they work alongside the elected band council to steward their nation's lands, waters, and resources.They delve into the Ahousaht First Nation's efforts to diversify its economy as well as the challenges the nation faces in navigating relationships with various levels of government.Like, share, and subscribe to Inside Policy Talks for more insightful conversations on the key policy issues facing Canada!

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, the flagship video podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.In this special feature episode of Inside policy, Peter Copeland, Deputy Director in the domestic policy program here at MLI, is joined by Christopher Dummitt, Professor of History at Trent University, National Post columnist, and MLI Senior fellow, as well as Lindsay Shepherd, Researcher, Author, public intellectual and MLI contributor.In two separate segments, they discuss the state of intellectual discourse in the Canadian educational and university landscape, and in our public sphere more broadly, finding that censoriousness and ideological conformity, are characteristic, and that this detracts from the quality of public discourse, education, and the advancement of knowledge in our society.

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, the premier video podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.In this episode, Peter Copeland, Deputy Director of MLI's Domestic Program, is joined by Kris Kinsinger, an Ontario lawyer and civil liberties advocate, to discuss the pressing issues surrounding freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly in Canada.They delve into the legal framework and jurisprudence around our fundamental Charter rights, and highlight recent Supreme Court cases that have grappled with the limits of hate speech and offensive expression.They also explore a current case Kinsinger is involved in, where he represents the Canadian Constitution Foundation in a challenge to a municipal bylaw restricting "objectionable" conduct on public property.Kinsinger offers sharp insights into the shifting landscape of civil liberties and underscores the urgent need to safeguard the fundamental freedoms that uphold a free and democratic society.Like, share, and subscribe to Inside Policy Talks for more thought-provoking discussions on the key policy issues facing Canada!

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, the premier video podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.In this episode, Alex Dalziel, Senior Fellow and National Security Project Lead at MLI, sits down with Jamie Tronnes, the Executive Director of MLI's Center for North American Prosperity and Security in Washington, DC. They dive deep into the pressing issues surrounding Canada's immigration policy and its impact on the Canada-U.S. border:What changes has Canada made to its immigration system in the wake of COVID-19, and how is this affecting the flow of people across the northern border? How are temporary foreign workers and international students faring in Canada, and what are the implications of their potential southward movement? What policy recommendations do experts have to address these complex cross-border challenges?Tune in to hear Jamie Tronnes' insightful analysis and practical solutions to this critical Canada-U.S. policy issue.Like, comment, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on the latest from Inside Policy Talks.

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, the flagship video podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.In this extended episode, Peter Copeland, Deputy Director of MLI's Domestic Policy Program, continues his conversation with Senior Fellow Dr. Ramona Coelho, a family physician from London, Ontario, whose practice largely serves marginalized communities. This longer format offers deeper insights into Canada's Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) program.Together, they explore:The history of MAiD in Canada, from its initial legislative framework to the current expanded regime;The criteria and terminology for MAiD eligibility, examining issues like vagueness, lack of medical grounding, and risks of abuse;Dr. Coelho's work with Ontario's MAiD Death Review Committee, including disturbing findings that reveal systemic challenges faced by marginalized groups;The philosophical underpinnings of MAiD, including assumptions about the value of human life, assumptions about autonomy, the negative view of suffering, and the fear of dependence and being a burden; The positive value of suffering and growing closer to one another through times of challenge, highlighting the benefits of giving and receiving care, and the need for robust palliative and other health and social supports.Dr. Coelho strongly argues that MAiD must not become a solution to societal neglect, contending that Canada's regime lacks critical safeguards.If you found the initial conversation valuable, this extended episode takes an even deeper look at this complex and vital issue.Like, share, and subscribe!

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, the premier video podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.In this episode, Alex Dalziel sits down with Jamie Ferrill, Head of Financial Crime Studies & Lecturer at the Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security, to tackle Canada's growing challenges with transnational crime and money laundering.Ferrill explains how criminal networks exploit global trade routes and complex supply chains to shift massive illicit funds across borders and through Canada.She explore the vulnerabilities in Canada's trade relationships with the U.S. and China, the rise of trade-based money laundering, and how criminal organizations use tactics like gold smuggling, art undervaluation, and luxury goods trading to conceal millions.Find Inside Policy Talks on YouTube and wherever you get your audio.Like, review, share, subscribe!

Welcome to Inside Policy, the flagship video podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.In this episode, Peter Copeland, Deputy Director of MLI's Domestic Policy Program, is joined by Senior Fellow Dr. Ramona Coelho, a family physician from London, Ontario, whose practice is dedicated to serving marginalized communities.Together, they discuss Dr. Coelho's recent work with Ontario's Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) Death Review Committee and the disturbing findings from its first report. They delve into the systemic challenges facing marginalized groups who are disproportionately affected by MAiD.Dr. Coelho contends that MAiD should not become a response to societal neglect and argues that Canada's regime lacks robust safeguards.Like, share, and subscribe!

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, the premier video podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.In this episode, Peter Copeland, Deputy Director of MLI's Domestic Program, is joined by Ryan Alford, a professor of law and MLI Senior Fellow. They delve into the pressing issues surrounding mandatory minimums and the evolving landscape of criminal justice reform in Canada.They examine the implications of recent court rulings on mandatory minimums and the ongoing speculation regarding the use of the Notwithstanding Clause in response to perceived judicial overreach.The conversation further explores the broader implications of crime trends in Canada, including the rising rates of violent crime and the challenges that both federal and provincial governments face in addressing public safety concerns.Like, share, and subscribe!

Welcome to Double Trouble, a special foreign policy focused podcast series within MLI's Inside Policy Talks, to address the growing challenge of the Sino-Russian axis of authoritarianism facing the West.In this episode, MLI's Balkan Devlen sits down with Edward Hunter Christie, a senior research fellow at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs and former deputy head of NATO's Innovation Unit, to discuss how the West's policy of fear and non-escalation projects weakness and places Europe and even North America in greater danger. The Macdonald-Laurier Institute gratefully acknowledges the support of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Canada.Find Inside Policy Talks on Apple, Spotify, Google, or wherever else you get your audio.Like, comment, share, subscribe!

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, the premier video podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.In this episode, Peter Copeland, Deputy Director of MLI's Domestic Program, is joined by Dave Snow, a professor of political science at the University of Guelph and MLI Senior Fellow, to explore the complexities of bail legislation and crime trends in Canada.Both discuss MLI's recently released Urban Crime Report, the implications of Bill C-48, which introduced a reverse onus for bail in specific cases, and the potential consequences of this approach on violent crime and the criminal justice system. The conversation also covers the roles of federal and provincial governments in crime prevention and the need for improved reporting mechanisms.Like, review, share, and subscribe!

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, the premier video podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.In this episode, Peter Copeland, Deputy Director of MLI's Domestic Program, is joined by Matthew Spoke, a Canadian tech entrepreneur and Founder of Moves, a fintech company for the gig economy, to discuss what lies at the root of Canada's current housing crisis.Both discuss how restrictive land use policies, high development charges, and rent controls have driven up housing costs, while underscoring the urgent need for provincial leadership to tackle supply shortages and streamline housing policy.Like, review, share,and subscribe!

Welcome to Double Trouble, a special foreign policy focused podcast series within MLI's Inside Policy Talks, to address the growing challenge of the Sino-Russian axis of authoritarianism facing the West.In this episode, MLI's Balkan Devlen sits down with Una Bērziņa-Čerenkova, political scientist and China scholar, to discuss the shifting attitudes towards China across the Baltic countries. In recent years, China has gone from being seen as an economic opportunity (one that the Balkans were in danger of missing out on) to an authoritarian security challenge. The Macdonald-Laurier Institute gratefully acknowledges the support of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Canada.Find Inside Policy Talks on Apple, Spotify, Google, or wherever else you get your audio.Like, comment, share, subscribe!

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, the premier video podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.In this episode, Peter Copeland, Deputy Director of MLI's Domestic Program, interviews Emma Hilton, a leading expert on sex and sports, on the complexities of gender categories in athletic competition, particularly at the Olympics:What are the performance disparities between males and females in sports? Can testosterone suppression level the playing field? How are individual sports federations redefining fairness?Like, review, comment, share, subscribe