Leaders on the Frontier

Canada's grocery bills are out of control, hitting 6.2% inflation, the highest in the G7. But this isn't just about rising prices, it's about government policies and structural problems that are making it worse.  Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Canadian professor and researcher, exposes how trade barriers, weak competition, and financial programs are fuelling food inflation. Sylvain says Canada's economy is drifting behind the U.S. and shares what policymakers are failing to tell you.  Your wallet is on the line, and the warning signs are clear: without real policy change, prices will keep climbing and Canada's economy could face serious consequences. 

Canadians have lost trust in the media but how did it happen?  Join David Leis live with Jasmin Laine, former radio DJ turned podcaster, Derek Fildebrandt, Publisher at Western Standard, and Gene Valaitis, Host at 610 AM Niagara, as they break down the state of media in Canada.  Where did the media go wrong? What role should journalism play in a free and democratic society? Are regulators helping or hurting? And what policy reforms could restore credibility and strengthen independent media? 

A court of Appeal deemed the Emergencies Act was used illegally in February 2022. If another crisis hits tomorrow, what standards would government have to meet? Did we learn any lessons, or will this happen again?  David Leis speaks with Josh DeHaas of the Canadian Constitution Foundation, the team behind the court action. Josh explains how vague emergency definitions, secrecy in governance, and unchecked executive power could shape future policy decisions.  With legislation like Bill C-8, Bill C-9, and Bill C-15 expanding government authority, the real question is no longer what happened, but what policy changes, if any, are being made to stop it from happening again. 

Separatist movements in Alberta and Quebec are rising but could they actually help Canada rethink its policies and unite the country?  Join David Leis live with political scientist Dr. Barry Cooper and Marco Navarro-Genie, VP of Research at Frontier Centre, as they break down why these movements have emerged, what concerns are driving them, and what policy responses could address grievances while keeping Canada together. 

Canada's economy is quietly unraveling, and it could hit your wallet, your job, and your future. David Leis sits down with former Finance Minister Joe Oliver to reveal the hard truth: government overspending, ballooning deficits, and mismanaged trade are sending Canadian money overseas, leaving families struggling and businesses looking elsewhere. Productivity is falling, innovation is stalling, and our reliance on natural resources isn't enough to secure our future. If Canada doesn't act now, jobs will vanish, wages will stagnate, and the next generation will be stuck paying the price. This is about your family, your savings, and the Canada you thought you knew.

Canada is at a crossroads. After the Conservative convention and with talk of a possible 2026 snap election, big questions loom over Parliament, policy, and Canada's future.  What does this mean for Canadians? How will our challenging relationship with the U.S. shape trade, security, and the economy? And what major issues should Parliament tackle to keep Canada moving forward?  Join David Leis live with former Liberal MP Robert-Falcon Ouellette and Marco Navarro-Genie, VP of Research at the Frontier Centre, as they unpack the political fallout, what's at stake, and give Canadians an insider's perspective on what's next. 

Canada is quietly taxing itself into decline. David Leis sits down with tax expert Kim Moody to explain why high taxes are driving jobs, investment, and talent out of the country—and how government spending is fuelling inflation while everyday Canadians fall behind. From CRA inefficiencies to the case for a flat tax, this conversation breaks down why a major tax reset may be the only way to save Canada's economic future. If you work, save, or run a business in Canada, this affects you.

This is major and almost no one is talking about it.  Canada's Federal Court of Appeal has upheld that the Emergencies Act was used illegally against peaceful protesters in February 2022.   Who is responsible, and could it happen again?  David Leis is joined by Josh Dehaas (Canadian Constitution Foundation), Bruce Pardy (law professor), and Ray McGinnis (author of bestselling book Unjustified) to unpack why this ruling matters, who should face consequences, and what it signals for the future of democracy in Canada.  Live Thursday at 2pm CT | YouTube, Facebook & X 

Canada's healthcare system is failing—and people are dying while waiting for care. In this explosive episode, David Leis sits down with Dr. Brian Day to reveal the shocking truth about long wait times, the moral and economic cost of our broken system, and Alberta's bold plan to give patients real choice between public and private care. Will Canada finally fix its healthcare crisis, or are lives going to keep being lost?

Prime Minister Mark Carney says we've entered a “new world order.” But what does that really mean for Canada? Plus, a lot of reaction from Trump and Carney's World Economic Forum Speeches.   As Ottawa moves closer to China and signs a new economic roadmap with the China despite Carney previously calling them, Canada's “greatest threat”.   Is Canada changing sides? And what does this mean for our economy, security, and relationship with the United States, which is taking a harder line on China?  Is this strategic leadership or short-term politics that could put Canada at risk?  Join David Leis live with David Redman, Scott McGregor, and Marco Navarro-Genie as they unpack the real meaning behind Carney's “new world order” comment and what it signals for Canada's future. 

Canada's energy future may be at risk—but most Canadians don't realize it yet.  David Leis talks with Dan McTeague of Canadians for Affordable Energy about how Canada “put all its eggs in one basket” by relying almost entirely on the U.S. as its oil customer.   With the recent U.S. removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Washington tightening control over Venezuela's massive oil reserves, the United States could shift its energy strategy—potentially boosting Venezuelan heavy crude supply and reducing its dependence on Canadian oil. Venezuela once supplied the U.S. Gulf Coast with heavy oil, and its resurgence could squeeze Canada's export advantage.   Canada has already been filling the gap left by Venezuela's 30‑plus years of decline, helping U.S. refineries that are designed for heavy crude. Now, the question is whether Canada's energy policy, pipeline capacity, and trade strategy can adapt fast enough or whether Canada has lost its bargaining chip and put its economy in jeopardy. 

Canada's economy is stuck in neutral while the U.S. makes bold global moves—from the arrest of Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro to talk of taking over Greenland. Is Canada moving in the right direction, or being left behind? What policies could actually jumpstart growth, attract investment, and protect jobs as the global economy shifts?   Join David Leis live with Columnist Jay Goldberg and Economy expert Catherine Swift as they break down what's holding Canada back, what must change, and why every Canadian should care. 

Canada is rewriting the rules on speech and few are paying attention. David Leis sits down with John Carpay from the Justice Centre to discuss Bill C-9, censorship, and the growing pressure on religious expression. From selective law enforcement to race-based rights, this conversation exposes why freedom in Canada may be more fragile than most realize. 

The U.S. arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro has shaken the world and, Canadians are reacting. Refugee Ana Rizo explains what this means for her people, Venezuela, and Canada.  She joins David Leis, former Liberal MP Dan McTeague, and Marco Navarro‑Genie to unpack the fallout, the misinformation, and what comes next for international relations and Canadian policy. 

The US is heading into a turbulent 2026 midterm season, and corruption, voter fraud, and political missteps could shake the nation. David Leis sits down with American writer and publisher, Jeffrey Tucker, to break down what really went wrong with President Donald Trump's tariffs, why US manufacturing isn't bouncing back, and how America is falling short of promises of a “New Golden Age.”  From Trump's attacks on Canada to ICE deportations, DOGE, and fraud in Minneapolis, Tucker reveals the stark reality behind the headlines. Could these issues reshape the midterms and America's future? 

Is there really a war on Christmas and has it happened before?  Historian Dr. Gerry Bowler shares how Christmas has long been a political and cultural battleground. From Dickens and Santa Claus to Nazi attempts to reshape the holiday, this conversation connects history to today's culture wars, moral relativism, and the fading influence of Judeo-Christian values. What happens when truth itself is up for debate and what does it mean for Canada's identity? 

B.C. nurse Amy Hamm has been fined $93,639 and suspended for one month by the BC College of Nurses and Midwives over her views on sex and gender. Part of the case stems from a billboard she co-sponsored that read: “I ❤️ J.K. Rowling.”  Now she's fighting back—and the policy consequences could affect every Canadian.  David Leis is joined live by Amy Hamm, her lawyer Lisa Bildy, and Marco Navarro-Genie, VP of Research at Frontier Centre, to examine how regulatory policies are being used to discipline speech outside the workplace, what this means for professional freedom, and whether current policies protect Canadians' rights—or quietly erode them.  Is this really about patient safety, or about enforcing ideology through policy? 

Is Canada silently allowing religious freedom to be erased? Over 100 churches have burned down, and the government's silence is deafening. Now, a shocking recommendation from Ottawa could strip churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples of their charitable status. David Leis and Professor Pierre Gilbert reveal what this really means, why it threatens the foundations of Western civilization, and how faith communities could face unprecedented challenges. Are we witnessing the start of a cultural reset—or an attack on religious freedom? What can we do about it?

Ottawa and Alberta have a new energy MOU—but will a pipeline actually get built? BC's premier is suddenly shifting his stance, yet he still wants an oil-tanker ban. So what's the point of a pipeline? Meanwhile, BC First Nations have already voted no. Will PM Mark Carney let them veto the entire project? What policies will get Canada's economy moving again? No one seems to have a plan. Join me and my guests Catherine Swift from the Coalition of Concerned Manufacturers & Businesses of Canada, and Chris Bloomer from the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association. 

“I don't trust the government of Canada,” warns engineer and energy expert Gwyn Morgan. With the new Alberta-Ottawa Memorandum of Understanding, which includes a new pipeline from Alberta to the BC coast, Canadians are being promised a brighter energy future—but is it real, or just hype? Morgan breaks down how skyrocketing carbon costs, political uncertainty, First Nations opposition and shifting U.S. energy policies are putting Canada's growth at risk. Who's really standing in the way of our energy sector and what can we do to protect Canada's future?

Is Health Canada taking away your right to stay healthy? David Leis sits down with Lawyer Shawn Buckley with the National Health Product Protection Association to expose how natural remedies, essential supplements, are being banned and why cloned meat are being pushed on Canadians—while big pharma profits. Are these foods and policies really safe for Canadians?

A BC judge handed 800 acres in Richmond to the Cowichan First Nation—and now Secwépemc Nation is asking a court to grant them the entire city of Kamloops and more. Is this the start of a wave that could erase property rights in Canada? If investors can't trust ownership, who will build anything here? Our economy is on the line, and almost no one is talking about it.  Former Manitoba judge Brian Giesbrecht, Lawyer Bruce Hallsor and VP of Research at Frontier, Marco Navarro-Genie join David Leis to reveal what's going on here, and what could come next. This is a wake-up call every Canadian needs to hear. 

Is Canada bringing in too many immigrants? Professor and urban affairs writer Joel Kotkin thinks so and says it's happening faster than anyone in power is willing to admit. David Leis and Kotkin break down why young Canadians can't afford homes, why the middle class is shrinking, and how Canada is drifting into a new form of “neo-feudalism” where a small elite thrives while everyone else falls behind.  

Prime Minister Mark Carney's first budget has barely passed—a massive, expensive plan that raises questions: Will it actually get Canada moving forward, or will we be left asking what just happened?  Join David Leis live on YouTube with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and Marco Navarro-Genie as they break down the budget, explain why it matters to every Canadian, and discuss what citizens can do to make sure it works for the country. 

A groundbreaking court decision in BC has shaken property rights across Canada. The Cowichan Tribes land ruling has left homeowners in Richmond unsure if they even own their land anymore. One resident says his bank refused to renew his mortgage.  Does this judgement set a precedent that could put everyone's land ownership at risk? Law professor Bruce Pardy joins David Leis to break down what this decision really means, why it threatens property rights nationwide, and what must happen to reverse it. Every Canada should care about this.  

In 2025, Canada faces growing threats to our rights, freedoms, and prosperity. We just marked Remembrance Day and now more than ever we need to stand up for the sacrifices that so many made in order for us to live in a free nation. What can we do to turn things around?  Host David Leis is joined by Col. David Redman and Dr. Gerry Bowler to talk about the true cost of freedom, the lessons from our forgotten history, and what we must do now to renew and protect the nation soldiers died to preserve. 

Canadian economist Jack Mintz joins David Leis with a warning: “We're not broken… yet.” But if more businesses and jobs leave Canada, that could change fast. He reacts to Canada's latest budget and if it'll get Canada moving in the right direction.   Mintz breaks down why Canada's soaring debt, stalled economic growth, and rising inflation are putting families under pressure. He says a country as rich in natural resources as Canada should be thriving but instead, we're keeping minerals in the ground and piling on more debt.  He also makes a surprising case for why tariffs might actually be good for Canada's economy and what needs to happen before it's too late. 

Prime Minister Mark Carney has finally released his long-awaited federal budget and it's making waves. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne's first budget includes massive new spending, deep cuts to the public service, and a $78 billion deficit for 2025-26.  Join David Leis live with former MP Dorothy Dobbie and former Stephen Harper speechwriter Nigel Hannaford, insiders who know what a real budget should look like. They break down the numbers, reveal what's missing, and explain why this budget could change everything for Canada. Will this budget restart Canada's economic future? 

Are your freedoms quietly being eroded in Canada? David Leis talks with Josh Dehaas about Bills C-8, C-9, and C-14—and why they should worry every citizen. Bill C-8 threatens free speech by regulating what you can say online, Bill C-9 could interfere with property rights, and Bill C-14 expands government powers in ways that could impact personal freedoms.  From court decisions in BC to schools shaping the next generation's values, this conversation exposes how rights we take for granted are under pressure. But it's not all doom and gloom, citizens can act.    

With Budget Day looming on Nov 4, Prime Minister Mark Carney has warned that sacrifices will be required from Canadians but what does that really mean? Meanwhile, trade talks collapse after Doug Ford's commercial, tariffs rise, and the country's economic future hangs in the balance. Who's really managing Canada and can we turn things around?  Join David Leis live with former Liberal MP Dan McTeague, Georganne Burke, and Marco Navarro-Genie, VP of Research at Frontier Centre, as they break down the looming financial challenges, explore solutions to rebuild Canada's economy, and share why there is still hope for Canadians. 

Are we being lied to about climate change? Leading scientists Dr. Steven Koonin and Dr. William Happer—fresh off his Joe Rogan appearance—reveal the shocking truth: carbon dioxide is essential for life, yet we're told it's a pollutant. Is climate fear overblown? Should we stop blindly trusting massive media reports and start facing reality? From the hidden costs of energy policies to the myths of electric vehicles and net zero, this episode exposes what the media won't tell you.  

Our economy is stagnating, growth has flatlined, and jobs are going south. Export Development Canada just reported a dismal 0.9% increase, well below global averages, while the U.S. surges ahead at 2%. So what went wrong? Are we driving away business, jobs, and prosperity? And what actions do we need to take to turn our economy around?  Join David Leis live with Catherine Swift, Ron Koslowsky, and Rob Anderson as they expose the policies holding Canada back, and how we can rebuild a nation that's open for business again. 

Canada's banks are the most expensive in the industrialized world—and it's costing you big. David Leis and banking expert Andrew Spence reveal why fees are sky-high, small businesses struggle, and how FinTech and open banking could finally shake up the system. The truth banks don't want you to hear! 

As the world marks the Gaza peace agreement, Canada is seeing a dramatic rise in anti-Semitism and violence at home. Is this surge a threat to our rights, freedoms, and democracy?  Join David Leis live with award-winning columnist Barbara Kay, Daniel Koren of Allied Voices for Israel, and lawyer Collin May as they unpack what this “peace” deal really means — for the world, and for Canada's future. 

Many Indigenous communities support pipelines and resource projects—but their voices are often drowned out by noisy activists and media narratives. Engineer and policy expert John Desjarlais, who works closely with First Nations, explains what Indigenous communities actually want and why their perspectives are ignored. Projects like Cedar LNG and Woodfibre LNG show Indigenous leadership and co-governance in action. Natural resources are foundational for Canada—and his vision might surprise you.

The leaders of the Freedom Convoy have been sentenced in Ottawa. Tamara Lich and Chris Barber received 18-month conditional sentences, including 12 months of house arrest, while the Crown had pushed for 7–8 years in jail. Was this justice—or an overreach? Could the process itself have been the punishment? Was this prosecution or persecution? And does it undermine your rights and freedoms?  David Leis is joined by John Carpay and Ray McGinnis to break down what these rulings really mean for civil liberties, the rule of law, and accountability in Canada, and what this could signal for activism across the country. 

Canada's Parliament isn't working—and that should worry every Canadian. Preston Manning, former Leader of the Opposition, says unelected officials are now pulling the strings, while taxpayers foot the bill.  With a federal budget finally set for November 4, Canadians could be staring down $90 billion… even $130 billion in new debt. Who pays? You do. And why would businesses invest in what Manning calls a sinking ship?  The first step to getting out of a hole is to stop digging. But will Ottawa ever listen? And what's the real way forward for Canada? 

Ottawa is pushing Bill C-9, the so-called “Combatting Hate Act.” But behind the nice name is a dangerous plan to give government sweeping power over judges, free speech, and even how Canadians can express dissent. Is this the biggest threat yet to our justice system?  John Carpay, with the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, and Marco Navarro-Genie, VP of Research for the Frontier Centre, join David Leis. They'll break down what Bill C-9 really means, why “reconciliation” is meaningless without truth, and how law societies and professional associations are being weaponized to enforce political conformity. 

Former Canadian politician and historian Conrad Black was in the Oval Office with Donald Trump when the news of Charlie Kirk's assassination broke. He recounts the exact moment, what was said behind closed doors, and the advice he gave to Trump and JD Vance in that critical hour.  David Leis presses Black on whether this is a turning point for Canada too. They also discuss Alberta's fight for pipelines, what Trump really thinks of Canada, and the blunt advice Black gave him on striking a trade deal. 

During the Freedom Convoy in 2022, Canadians watched as bank accounts were frozen for supporting the protest. Now, in July 2025, it's happening again. Eva Chipiuk — the lawyer who represented Convoy protestors and cross-examined former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau — says Royal Bank of Canada suddenly dropped her after a few cryptocurrency transactions.  Is this a warning to all Canadians? If banks can cut off truckers, lawyers, and ordinary citizens, who's safe? Weaponizing bank accounts is a full-frontal assault that puts democracy at risk.  Join David Leis live as we break it all down and discuss why this matters for every Canadian with:  Brett Oland, CEO of Bow Valley Credit Union  Marco Navarro-Genie, VP of Research at Frontier Centre  Lee Harding, Research Fellow at Frontier Centre 

Parliament has returned, but Canada is facing deep division at home and chaos abroad. The assassination of Charlie Kirk has sparked vigils across the country, while Canadians are asking tough questions: Can our leaders rise to the moment? Will national projects unite us or is politics as usual dragging us down?  Joining David Leis live to break it all down:  Marco Navarro-Genie, VP of Research at Frontier Centre  Robert-Falcon Ouellette, Former Liberal MP  Dan McTeague, Former Liberal MP 

He was silenced by the media for questioning lockdowns, now Dr. Jayanta Bhattacharya has been appointed Director of the U.S. National Institute of Health.  In this exclusive interview, he shares his shock at the appointment, his first mandate to rebuild trust in science, and why lessons from Sweden's pandemic response, no lockdowns, lower mortality than Canada, must not be ignored.  Dr. Bhattacharya warns another pandemic is coming, and unless policies change, lockdowns will return. Why isn't the media telling the truth? 

Terrorism is still alive and well and yet Canada has not learned the hard lessons of 9/11. With our military in decline, global instability rising, and a government slow to act, are we leaving ourselves vulnerable?  Lt.-Gen. (Ret.) Michel Maisonneuve and Col. (Ret.) David Redman join David Leis to reveal what it will take to rebuild Canada's armed forces, renew our national strength, and protect Canadians before it's too late? 

The U.S. is taking bold action, labeling cartels as terror groups and even bombing their operations. But in Canada? Silence. Meanwhile, cartels are already here, flooding our streets with enough deadly drugs to kill every Canadian twice.  Security expert Scott McGregor warns this isn't just about crime, it impacts our economy, our safety, and even our reputation. The U.S. now sees Canada as a national security threat.  So why isn't Ottawa acting? And what happens if we don't? 

Who really owns the land in Canada? The land isn't “stolen,” but confusion over treaties, land claims, and protests is tearing our country apart.  Canadians are being divided into classes of citizens, and few even remember what the treaties actually say. Recent roadblocks by Bloodvein First Nation banning hunters from Crown land, and court rulings like B.C.'s 800-acre land decision are creating chaos. Who's benefiting from this division? What's the vision for Canada moving forward?  Retired judge and author Brian Giesbrecht and policy advisor Tom Flanagan join David Leis to tackle the big questions: Can we find common ground? What are the real solutions to this growing impasse? 

Canadians are working harder than ever but almost half of what you earn goes to taxes. David Leis talks with tax expert Kim G.C. Moody about why Canada's tax system is driving talent, investment, and opportunity south of the border.  They break down why our tax policy is uncompetitive, the dangers of a possible home equity tax, and how government overspending is fuelling economic stagnation.  

A BC Supreme Court judge just handed 800 acres to the Cowichan First Nation and declared Aboriginal title a “prior and senior right” over private property. Translation? It could trump the title to your house, farm, or business.  Is this ruling the end of private property rights in Canada? Could your land be next?  Lawyers Bruce Pardy and Bruce Hallsor join the live this week to break down this landmark case and what it really means for every Canadian. 

What really happened in Canada's colonial past and why does the truth still matter today? David Leis sits down with Lord Nigel Biggar, author of Colonialism: A Moral Reckoning, to unpack the complex history between colonial powers and Indigenous peoples.  From early cooperation to painful conflicts and the controversial legacy of residential schools, Biggar challenges the oversimplified narratives shaping public debate. He also confronts the moral record of the British Empire and its role in both oppression and the abolition of slavery—arguing that only by facing history in full, not just the parts that fit an agenda, can we pursue real justice and reconciliation.  #IndigenousHistory #Colonialism #CanadaHistory #NigelBiggar #TruthInHistory #ResidentialSchools #Justice 

The Air Canada and government dispute showed us how fragile our economy is. On top of that, Parliament isn't sitting, there's no budget, trade talks are stalled, and housing is in crisis. Meanwhile, the U.S. is growing, President Donald Trump is pushing peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, and Canada is busy advocating for Palestinian statehood. How do we get Canada moving again?   Former Saskatchewan Premier Grant Devine and former Liberal MP Dan McTeague join David Leis to unpack what's really going on and what Canadians can do to help turn things around.  

Is Canada still a free country or are we sleepwalking into decline? David Leis sits down with constitutional lawyer Leighton Grey to discuss how political prosecutions, activist judges, and a crumbling national identity are threatening the very fabric of the nation.  They get into the shocking decline of Canada's economy compared to the U.S., the fallout of multiculturalism without a unifying identity, and how the courts are now rewriting the rules. Grey warns: “The rule of law is on life support.”  Check out Leighton's podcast, Grey Matter.  

Canada should be booming but instead, we're bleeding talent, crushing opportunity, and killing the middle class. Politicians seem more interested in controlling Canadians and are driving investment to the U.S. The result? You can't afford a home, the middle class is disappearing, and a net outflow of money is eroding confidence in our economy and our democracy.  David Leis is joined by Chris Bloomer, former CEO of the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association, and Gina Pappano, Executive Director of Invest Now, to expose the policies holding Canada back and what it will take to get our country moving again.