Podcast appearances and mentions of jen gerson

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on June 19th, 2026, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson begin with a foreign affairs roundup. Prime Minister Mark Carney heads to Ireland and France to strengthen ties with Europe while also trying to maintain a workable relationship with Donald Trump. Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visits NATO and delivers some pointed criticism of allies that, while not directed at Canada by name, certainly sounds familiar. Your hosts also discuss the aftermath of America's confrontation with Iran. Matt argues that the United States has, in practical terms, suffered a defeat — an embarrassing outcome for Trump, but perhaps a useful lesson for the rest of us about the limits of military power.This episode is brought to you by Fractional Execs Canada. Need help with a serious business problem? As Canadian businesses grow they often require expert help to solve key business challenges. Fractional Execs Canada have assembled a team of experienced strategists, implementors, sales and marketing operators that can help transform your business into a growth engine. They match you with the right person, or team to move your business forward at a pace your business can manage.Talk to Fractional Execs Canada and discover a better, more collaborative way to take your business and your ‘busyness' in a better direction. Canadian expertise to support the growth of Canadian businesses. Build your business with those that know how.Find them Fractional-Execs.ca.Next, they take a quick tour through the provinces. Matt is increasingly worried that Doug Ford could inadvertently throw Canada-U.S. negotiations into chaos, and explains why. Jen provides an update from Alberta, where the political situation remains bizarre. By the end of the segment, both hosts arrive at a grim conclusion: the incentives facing almost every major political actor now reward escalation, confrontation, and nastiness. That rarely ends well.This episode of The Line Podcast is also brought to you by BioCanRx, a federally-funded Canadian not-for-profit research network helping Canadian researchers bring treatments from labs to patients in clinical trials –– all in Canada.Every day, your immune system finds and destroys different types of threats –– both external invaders like viruses, and internal dangers like pre-cancerous cells in your own body. But cancer can sometimes evade detection. Researchers are working to identify flags found on cancer cells, called antigens. By training your immune system to recognize these antigens, immunotherapy can help your immune system destroy cancer. In addition to funding clinical trials, BioCanRx supports research teams who identify these cancer antigens, and find new ways to target them. Many challenges remain — and we're working on solving them. You'll hear more over the summer. For now, go to BioCanRx.com to learn more.Finally, Jen disappears down one of her trademark rabbit holes and emerges with a sweeping explanation of how she came to fully appreciate the sheer economic power of the United States. Somehow, this journey involves gas pumps, brisket, beef jerky, the Soviet Union, and the defeat of Imperial Japan in 1945. Your hosts find themselves reflecting on what American economic dominance really means, why it has proven so durable, and what lessons Canada should draw from it as we navigate an increasingly uncertain world.All that and more in the latest episode of The Line Podcast. Check us out on our main page, ReadTheLine.ca.#TheLinePodcast#MarkCarney#DonaldTrump#CanadaUSRelations#AlbertaPolitics#DougFord#CanadianPolitics#Geopolitics#NATO#CurrentAffairs

In today's On The Line, host Jen Gerson speaks with Mark Kawar, an amateur historian and journalist whose book America But Bigger explores a surprisingly persistent feature of American history: attempts to expand the United States beyond its current borders.This episode of On The Line is brought to you by BioCanRx, a federally-funded Canadian not-for-profit research network helping Canadian researchers bring treatments from labs to patients in clinical trials –– all in Canada. Cancer can hide from your immune system. So how can we target it? Every day, your immune system finds and destroys different types of threats –– both external invaders like viruses, and internal dangers like pre-cancerous cells in your own body. But no system is perfect — sometimes something evades detection. Researchers are working to identify flags found on cancer cells, called antigens. By training your immune system to recognize these antigens as signals for destruction, some forms of immunotherapy equip your immune system to respond to cancer's asymmetrical threat.   In addition to funding clinical trials, BioCanRx supports research teams who identify cancer antigens, and find new ways to target them with immunotherapies. There's still a lot to figure out. Can we train the immune system to hit these antigens before cancer takes root? Why do some cancers still manage to evade therapies designed to find their antigens? Many other questions remain — and we're working on answering them. You'll hear more over the summer. For now, go to BioCanRx.com to learn more.Kawar walks Gerson through the long history of American expansionist ambitions, from schemes that never got off the ground to serious efforts that came much closer to success than many people realize. Along the way, he notes that not every annexation proposal was unwelcome to the people being annexed, and that the historical record is often more complicated than simple stories of American aggression.This episode is also brought to you by the Forest Products Association of Canada. A stronger forest industry means investing in the mills and facilities that anchor communities across Canada. Companies are ready to modernize with cleaner equipment, better energy efficiency, advanced wood products, biomaterials, and smarter use of every part of the tree. These are productive, lower-emission, export-oriented investments. But good projects need a workable business case. Our economy needs practical tools to unlock private capital and keep investment here. Learn more at fpac.ca.More importantly, Kawar examines why so many of these projects ultimately failed. The United States has often possessed enormous economic, military, and political power, but translating that power into lasting territorial expansion has proven more difficult than many Americans imagined. Again and again, resistance, geography, politics, and simple practicality imposed limits on what even the world's most powerful country could accomplish.The result is a fascinating conversation about ambition, empire, national identity, and the often-overlooked constraints on American power. It's also a discussion that may hold some lessons for Canadians, should they ever find themselves wondering about the limits of U.S. influence. For whatever reason.This episode is also brought to you by Cameco. In nuclear energy, timelines and costs matter. Incomplete designs carry real risk of delays and cost overruns. That's why the AP1000 reactor is the right choice for Canada: it is already operating today and ready now to deliver the power we need, with 100 percent Canadian ownership and strong participation from Canadian suppliers. If we are serious about building Canada and powering it on time and on budget, the choice is clear. The AP1000 reactor is the only option that delivers.To learn more, visit ap1000.cameco.com.Visit our main page at ReadTheLine.ca. Be sure to like and subscribe. We'll be back on Friday with another episode of The Line Podcast.#Canada #Politics #UnitedStates #Greenland #annexation #51 #51State #OnTheLine

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on June 12th, 2026, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson begin with an update from Alberta. Jen reviews Pierre Poilievre's recent speech on why Alberta belongs in Canada. She liked it, with some caveats. Matt was somewhat more encouraged. He also has a few sharp words for Liberals who seem determined to police the boundaries of acceptable federalism. His view is simple: if people are defending Canada, let them defend Canada. Not every argument for national unity needs to come packaged with Liberal talking points. From Toronto, Matt also reflects on a genuine tragedy this week — a police officer killed in the line of duty while confronting a problem that had been allowed to fester for far too long. It's difficult to discuss without emotion. In his view, it never should have ended this way. But, alas, it was always going to: even if the exact tragedy was unforeseen, a tragedy was inevitable. This episode is brought to you by Cameco. In nuclear energy, timelines and costs matter. Incomplete designs carry real risk of delays and cost overruns. That's why the AP1000 reactor is the right choice for Canada: it is already operating today and ready now to deliver the power we need, with 100 percent Canadian ownership and strong participation from Canadian suppliers. If we are serious about building Canada and powering it on time and on budget, the choice is clear. The AP1000 reactor is the only option that delivers.To learn more, visit ap1000.cameco.com.The hosts then take a very different turn. In what may be the strangest segment of the year, Jen reimagines 250 years of Canada-U.S. relations as a raunchy romantic comedy full of love, betrayal, heartbreak, and, yes, sex. Video viewers can watch Matt become increasingly horrified as the bit unfolds — not because he disagrees with the analysis, but because he finds himself unable to refute it.This episode is also brought to you by BioCanRx, a federally funded, not-for-profit Canadian research network that specializes in bringing Canadian cancer immunotherapy research from the lab all the way to patients in clinical trials in Canada. Immunotherapy is about assisting your immune system in identifying unhealthy cells –– especially cancer –– that have found a way to evade detection. One way researchers are doing this is through something called CAR T. They draw your blood, isolate one type of your immune cells –– T-Cells –– and use a virus to inject genetic instructions that cause them to grow new receptors designed specifically to find and destroy your particular cancer. In one of the 16 trials BioCanRx funds based on Canadian technology, CLIC-01, the median number of months remaining for patients with late-stage leukemia and lymphoma tripled. Some have been cancer free for years.You'll hear more over the summer. For now, go to BioCanRx.com to learn moreAfter that, the hosts wrap up with a discussion about children and social media. Both agree that kids probably shouldn't be spending their lives online. Their concern is that any attempt by the government to solve that problem could easily create several new ones. If recent experience is any guide, they aren't especially confident Ottawa can regulate this area without making a mess of it.All that and more in the latest episode of The Line Podcast. Check out our main page at ReadTheLine.ca, and, as ever, like and subscribe. #TheLinePodcast#PierrePoilievre#AlbertaPolitics#CanadianPolitics#CanadaUSRelations#SocialMedia#Parenting#NationalUnity#PoliticalPodcast#CurrentAffairs

In just a few months, Alberta voters may weigh a referendum on separation as a coalition pushes the case for staying in Canada. What's driving the renewed separatist push, and how strong is the argument against it? Jen Gerson of The Line and Lead Not Leave joins us. Then, Ottawa's climate agenda under scrutiny after the Carney government scrapped the consumer carbon price, EV mandate, and oil and gas cap. Is this a retreat from climate action or a policy reset? Martha Hall Findlay and Caroline Brouillette weigh in.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on June 5th, 2026, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson begin with reports that Prime Minister Mark Carney has a tendency to raise his voice behind closed doors when dealing with his Liberal caucus. According to reporting in the Toronto Star, the PM may not always be the calm technocrat he appears to be in public. Your hosts cannot endorse a toxic workplace, of course, but they also suspect many Canadians won't be especially upset by the news. After all, they argue, a lot of voters chose the Liberals out of necessity rather than affection, and more than a few people might conclude that after a decade of terrible Liberal management, the former PM's leftovers deserve a real chewing out.This episode is brought to you by the Forest Products Association of Canada. Canada's forest industry is a national economic anchor rooted in hundreds of communities across the country. The Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force was created to chart a path toward a stronger, more competitive, and more resilient sector. That means practical federal action on long-standing priorities: stronger supply chains, better productivity, more homes, and regional resilience. Learn more at FPAC.ca.After that, they discuss Carney's recent efforts to reassure Canada's Jewish community. Both hosts agree the attempt fell short. Matt argues that putting Marc Miller in charge of a new advisory panel feels like a very Trudeau-era response to a serious problem — process instead of action. Jen then raises reports that the Trump administration may consider offering asylum to Canadian Jews. She also notes, to Matt's horror, that he warned months ago that such a possibility could eventually arise. Perhaps, they joke, he manifested it.This episode is also brought to you by BioCanRx. Nearly half of all Canadians will face a cancer diagnosis in their lives, and Canadian scientists are racing to build better treatments. But it's not just the science — it's the logistics of actually getting it to patients.BioCanRx is a federally funded, not-for-profit research network that specializes in moving Canadian cancer immunotherapy from the lab to clinical trials here at home. Since 2015, they've funded sixteen trials and treated more than four hundred patients — all with made-in-Canada technology.So what is immunotherapy? Your immune system eliminates threats every day, including your own cells when they mutate. But sometimes mutating cells are able to evade the immune system — and that's usually when we call them cancer. Immunotherapy supports or modifies your immune system so cancer can't slip past it.Stay tuned this summer, and visit BioCanRx.com to learn more.Finally, the hosts check back in on Alberta after what was, by recent standards, a surprisingly quiet week. Probably won't stay that way for long, though. It never does.Also: Ricky Martin reference!All that and more in the latest episode of The Line Podcast.#TheLinePodcast#MarkCarney#CanadianPolitics#CanadaPolitics#AlbertaPolitics#MarcMiller#CanadianJews#MediaAnalysis#FederalPolitics#CurrentAffairs

In this episode of On The Line, host Jen Gerson sits down with James McLeod of the Canadian Shield Institute to discuss one of the most talked-about — and least understood — concepts in Canadian public policy: digital sovereignty.This episode of On The Line is brought to you by BioCanRX. Nearly half of all Canadians will get a cancer diagnosis in their lives. Canadian scientists are moving fast to come up with better treatments to help these people. But it's not just about science, it's about the logistics of implementing it.  BioCanRx is a federally funded, not-for-profit Canadian research network that specializes in bringing Canadian cancer immunotherapy research from the lab all the way to patients in clinical trials in Canada. Since launching in 2015, they've funded 16 clinical trials and treated more than 400 patients across Canada, all with made-in-Canada technologies.What is immunotherapy? Most immune systems successfully eliminate threats every day –– including our own cells when they mutate in ways they shouldn't. But when our mutating cells find a way to trick our immune systems, things can start getting out of control. That's usually when we apply the label "cancer." Immunotherapy is about modifying or supporting your immune system so cancer can't evade it. Stay tuned this summer to learn more about what Canadian research is doing to fight cancer. Go to BioCanRX.com to learn more.The word “sovereignty” has become a fixture of Canadian political debate in recent years, particularly in response to economic pressure and even annexation rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump. But what does sovereignty actually mean in a world where much of Canada's digital infrastructure, cloud computing, social media, and online services are controlled by American companies and governed by American laws?McLeod walks Gerson through the realities of living in a digital ecosystem largely built and operated south of the border. They discuss the vulnerabilities that creates for Canada, the limits of what governments can realistically do to regain control, and the difficult trade-offs involved in pursuing greater independence over data, privacy, and critical digital infrastructure.This episode is also brought to you by the Forest Products Association of Canada. Canada's forest industry is a national economic anchor rooted in hundreds of communities across the country. The Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force was created to chart a path toward a stronger, more competitive, and more resilient sector. That means practical federal action on long-standing priorities: stronger supply chains, better productivity, more homes, and regional resilience. Learn more at FPAC.ca.The conversation also explores what a Canadian digital sovereignty strategy might actually look like in practice. Can Canada build more domestic capacity? Should it? And what kinds of regulatory and policy tools are available to a middle power trying to assert greater control in a digital world dominated by American technology giants?It's a timely discussion about privacy, security, national resilience, and what sovereignty means in the twenty-first century. Check out our main page at ReadTheLine.ca and be sure to like and subscribe. We'll be back on Friday with another episode of The Line Podcast.#OnTheLine #DigitalSovereignty #Canada #Technology #Privacy #CyberSecurity #DataPrivacy #CanadianPolitics #JenGerson #JamesMcLeod

Vassy Kapelos is joined by Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr, Former Canadian ambassador to the United States Kirsten Hillman, political strategists Lisa Raitt, Scott Reid, Nathan Cullen, journalists Niigaan Sinclair, Joel-Denis Bellavance, Jen Gerson and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on May 29, 2026, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson begin with discussion of Prime Minister Mark Carney's trip to New York and the state of Canada-U.S. trade negotiations. Your hosts debate whether Canada has actually surrendered ground in the talks or merely put an opening offer on the table. They also discuss Carney's popularity. Matt remains eager to see more concrete accomplishments, but he concedes that, at least for now, the prime minister is decisively winning the vibes war.This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Electro-Federation Canada. Canada's clean electricity grid gives us a competitive edge in attracting global investment — but to maintain that advantage our system needs to break down barriers and unlock the grid. Aging infrastructure, supply chain constraints, and outdated regulations threaten our ability to expand and modernize the grid — essential components of meeting future capacity needs. Electro-Federation Canada has developed a research-backed roadmap for grid readiness focused on smart policy and regulatory alignment. To learn more, visit MakeTheSwitch.ElectroFed.com.Next, Jen asks Matt to explain the Swedish aircraft Canada is buying, giving him an opportunity to walk listeners through the logic behind the deal. Is this a new line for Canada, or just Carney buying himself the room to buy some U.S. equipment next? That conversation quickly expands into a broader rant about Canada's inability to simply get important things done. Once again, governments are creating new mechanisms, new processes, and new workarounds to accomplish tasks that functioning countries often manage through their existing institutions.This episode of The Line Podcast is also brought to you by Dominion Dynamics. Canada has never had true sovereign awareness of our North. Vast parts of our country are a blind spot. And when you can't see your own territory, you can't defend it, secure it, or respond when threats emerge. Dominion Dynamics is changing that. Dominion Dynamics is building a sovereign command and control capability that lets Canada and its allies see, respond, and defend across every domain. Dominion is starting in the Arctic, where extreme conditions demand technology no one else can deliver.Defend the Dominion. Dominion Dynamics.Learn more at DefendTheDominion.com.In the final segment, the hosts return to Alberta and the ongoing federalist-versus-separatist debate. They spend considerable time discussing what role, if any, Canadians outside the province should be playing in the conversation. Can outsiders help the federalist cause, or do they risk making matters worse? Matt and Jen don't agree on every detail, but both recognize that the stakes extend well beyond Alberta itself.All that and more in the latest episode of The Line Podcast.#TheLinePodcast#MarkCarney#CanadaUSRelations#TradeNegotiations#CanadianPolitics#AlbertaPolitics#Federalism#PierrePoilievre#DefencePolicy#Geopolitics

It may be too late to stamp out separatist sentiment in Alberta, but we don't have to fan the flames. Guest host Supriya Dwivedi hashes it out with strategist Zain Velji, commentator Rachel Gilmore, and Lead Not Leave co-founder Jen Gerson in feature interviews presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/ THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY HANSEN DISTILLERY. LOOK FOR HANSEN'S BRAND NEW "DISTILLED BY HER" GIN, WITH A PORTION OF PROCEEDS BENEFITING WIN HOUSE. VISIT https://hansendistillery.com/. TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR THE REAL TALK GOLF CLASSIC on JUNE 18 at THE RANCH: https://www.ryanjespersen.com/real-ta... REAL TALK'S LIVE STREAM IS PRESENTED BY CALIFORNIA CLOSETS. BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULTATION: https://californiaclosets.ca/ SIGN UP for YEGplus, CANADA'S FIRST AIRPORT REWARDS PROGRAM: https://yegplus.com/realtalk SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/ SAVE 10% on ONLINE MEN'S CLOTHING PURCHASES at THE HELM with promo code REALTALK: https://thehelmclothing.com/ SUPPORT INTEGRATED FIREFIGHTER-PARAMEDIC SERVICE IN ALBERTA: https://www.apffpa.ca/ GET A $50 CASINO BONUS FROM PLAY ALBERTA: https://try.playalberta.ca/lp/realtalk/ MUST BE 18+ TO PLAY. IF YOU GAMBLE, PLEASE USE YOUR GAMESENSE FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch SHOPPING FOR LUXURY CASUAL WEAR OR A CUSTOM SUIT? SAVE 10% ONLINE WITH PROMO CODE REALTALK: https://thehelmclothing.com/ RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson devote the first segment to a full catch-up on the increasingly wild situation unfolding in Alberta. Jen is furious, arguing that five million people — and indeed the entire country — are now being dragged through this largely because Danielle Smith is trying to save her political career. She's equally angry at parts of the political right that, in her view, are repeating the mistakes the left made during the peak of woke politics: refusing to challenge allies and friends when things start getting out of control. Still, both hosts agree that now that the fight is fully underway, the issues can at least finally be debated openly. Jen states plainly, with Matt's agreement, that The Line holds an explicitly federalist position. You've been warned.This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Electro-Federation Canada. Canada's clean electricity grid gives us a competitive edge in attracting global investment — but to maintain that advantage our system needs to break down barriers and unlock the grid. Aging infrastructure, supply chain constraints, and outdated regulations threaten our ability to expand and modernize the grid — essential components of meeting future capacity needs. Electro-Federation Canada has developed a research-backed roadmap for grid readiness focused on smart policy and regulatory alignment. To learn more, visit MakeTheSwitch.ElectroFed.com.In the second segment, the hosts discuss some of the major personalities shaping events, including Smith, Naheed Nenshi, Jason Kenney, and Pierre Poilievre. Jen also flags a particular political group that listeners should keep an eye on. Matt spends part of the segment stress-testing two of Jen's arguments, offering an interpretation of Smith's conduct that could potentially prove constructive, and sketching out a possible good-news scenario that Jen reluctantly entertains. He doesn't think he sold her.This episode of The Line Podcast is also brought to you by Dominion Dynamics. Canada has never had true sovereign awareness of our North. Vast parts of our country are a blind spot. And when you can't see your own territory, you can't defend it, secure it, or respond when threats emerge. Dominion Dynamics is changing that. Dominion Dynamics is building a sovereign command and control capability that lets Canada and its allies see, respond, and defend across every domain. Dominion is starting in the Arctic, where extreme conditions demand technology no one else can deliver.Defend the Dominion. Dominion Dynamics.Learn more at DefendTheDominion.com.To close, your hosts briefly revisit last week's CBC controversy, which has only become worse as additional targets — including retired RCMP officers — have emerged. The CBC says it has halted funding and launched a review, but neither host believes that will resolve the problem. Both agree that media organizations tend to forget everything they know about how the media works the moment they become the story themselves. Speaking of institutional trouble, Matt closes by asking, only half jokingly, whether the CRTC could perhaps avoid declaring war on the United States for at least the next month or so. If it's not too much trouble.All that and more on the latest episode of The Line Podcast. Check us out at ReadTheLine.ca, and God help us all.#TheLinePodcast#AlbertaPolitics#DanielleSmith#CanadianPolitics#NaheedNenshi#PierrePoilievre#CBC#CRTC#CanadianMedia#CanadaUSRelations

In this episode of On The Line, host Jen Gerson speaks with Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association, about the increasingly tense state of Canada-U.S. trade relations.This episode of On The Line is brought to you by Dominion Dynamics. Canada has never had true sovereign awareness of our North. Vast parts of our country are a blind spot. And when you can't see your own territory, you can't defend it, secure it, or respond when threats emerge. Dominion Dynamics is changing that. Dominion is building a sovereign command and control capability that lets Canada and its allies see, respond, and defend across every domain. We started in the Arctic, where extreme conditions demand technology no one else can deliver.Threats don't wait for bureaucracy. They are moving faster than our institutions. Dominion is closing that gap. Speed is now the strategic capability, and Dominion Dynamics is proving you can build capability at the speed of the threat.Defend the dominion. Dominion Dynamics.Learn more at DefendTheDominion.com.They discuss the ongoing negotiations around CUSMA, what could happen if the United States ultimately decides to walk away from the deal, and why Canada doesn't have the luxury of negotiating these disputes loudly or publicly. Volpe explains the deeply integrated nature of the North American auto sector, and why a full reshoring of American automotive manufacturing would be far more disruptive — and far less realistic — than many politicians seem to believe.This episode of On The Line is also brought to you by Electro-Federation Canada. Canada's clean electricity grid gives us a competitive edge in attracting global investment — but to maintain that advantage our system needs to break down barriers and unlock the grid. Aging infrastructure, supply chain constraints, and outdated regulations threaten our ability to expand and modernize the grid — essential components of meeting future capacity needs. Electro-Federation Canada has developed a research-backed roadmap for grid readiness focused on smart policy and regulatory alignment. To learn more, visit MakeTheSwitch.ElectroFed.com. The conversation also touches on the political theatre surrounding the talks, including recent comments from Howard Lutnick suggesting that Canada “sucks” at negotiating. Gerson asks Volpe directly: is there any truth to that criticism, or are Canadians underestimating the constraints they're operating under?It's a practical discussion about trade, manufacturing, political leverage, and the realities of economic interdependence between Canada and the United States.This episode of On The Line is also brought to you by ACDC. Canada's defence industrial base is fragmented. Critical platforms are owned and controlled abroad. That model doesn't work anymore.The Alliance of Canadian Defence Companies is rebuilding Canada's sovereign defence-industrial base. ACDC champions Canadian-owned, Canadian-controlled companies that design, build, sustain, and export next-generation defence systems. Change requires new processes, new policies, and new behaviour. ACDC membership is open to Canadian-controlled defence companies ready to lead that change.To join, email Info@AllianceCanada.com.#OnTheLine #Canada #US #Trade #CUSMA #USMCA #Auto #FlavioVolpe #CanadaPolitics #JenGerson

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on May 15, 2026, your hosts Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson start with Alberta. The new energy agreement has been signed. They think it'll help, but only to an extent, because what's happening in Jen's province isn't primarily economic. It's cultural. And a pipeline can't fix that.This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Electro-Federation Canada. Canada's clean electricity grid gives us a competitive edge in attracting global investment — but to maintain that advantage our system needs to break down barriers and unlock the grid. Aging infrastructure, supply chain constraints, and outdated regulations threaten our ability to expand and modernize the grid — essential components of meeting future capacity needs. Electro-Federation Canada has developed a research-backed roadmap for grid readiness focused on smart policy and regulatory alignment. To learn more, visit MakeTheSwitch.ElectroFed.com.Next, they talk a bizarre story where the CBC (and APTN) chose to bankroll a so-called comedy group that was trying to "satirize" prominent people from Canada's heterodox right-wing, such as Frances Widdowson and Lindsay Shepherd. Your hosts walk you through the huge number of concerns here, but focus mostly on the CBC's role. This is not a good look for the public broadcaster, and guess what? The people your hosts have spoken among CBC's journalists get that. Very much so. Why didn't their bosses see the danger?This episode of The Line Podcast is also brought to you by Dominion Dynamics. Canada has never had true sovereign awareness of our North. Vast parts of our country are a blind spot. And when you can't see your own territory, you can't defend it, secure it, or respond when threats emerge. Dominion Dynamics is changing that. Dominion Dynamics is building a sovereign command and control capability that lets Canada and its allies see, respond, and defend across every domain. Dominion is starting in the Arctic, where extreme conditions demand technology no one else can deliver.Defend the Dominion. Dominion Dynamics.Learn more at DefendTheDominion.com.To wrap, they chat briefly about a few overlapping stories that suggest that the world has started to tune Donald Trump out. Matt wonders if that's going to work out — how will Americans, particularly MAGA Americans, end up getting what they want: a world that doesn't rely on American leadership, because we've tuned them out entirely?All that, and more, in the latest episode of The Line Podcast. Happy Victoria Day! We'll talk to you next week.#TheLinePodcast#AlbertaPolitics#CanadianPolitics#CBC#DonaldTrump#CanadaEnergy#PipelinePolitics#MAGA#MediaCriticism#CanadaUSRelations

In today's episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on May 8, 2026, your hosts rush through the recording so they can hang up and go focus on what really matters — today's UFO document dump!Kidding. But it is a short episode, because Jen Gerson is travelling this week. She's in Ottawa, attending not one but two conferences. She reports back on the vibe from Ottawa, including her thoughts on a speech given by Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservatives. She notes that the man is much better at rebranding than at changing. They also discuss why Mark Carney and the Liberals are struggling to change, too — the choice of Louise Arbour as our next governor general isn't bad, the hosts agree. Not exactly. But it is a worrying sign of what Matt identifies as path dependency — Arbour is a very old-fashioned move by a government that, at least in terms of what they're saying, understands this country is in deep trouble, and needs to move fast to prepare for a new normal.This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Electro-Federation Canada. Canada's clean electricity grid gives us a competitive edge in attracting global investment — but to maintain that advantage our system needs to break down barriers and unlock the grid. Aging infrastructure, supply chain constraints, and outdated regulations threaten our ability to expand and modernize the grid — essential components of meeting future capacity needs. Electro-Federation Canada has developed a research-backed roadmap for grid readiness focused on smart policy and regulatory alignment. To learn more, visit MakeTheSwitch.ElectroFed.com.Next, your hosts chat about the latest from Alberta. Even though she's been in Ottawa all week, Jen can't quite escape the unfolding story about the data breach. She updates everyone on the latest. Matt also notes that he's been asking for months where provincial NDP leader Naheed Nenshi has been. Well. Seems like we found him! Jen also offers a word of warning about believing the polls. That way, she says, only complacency lies. This episode of The Line Podcast is also brought to you by Dominion Dynamics. Canada has never had true sovereign awareness of our North. Vast parts of our country are a blind spot. And when you can't see your own territory, you can't defend it, secure it, or respond when threats emerge. Dominion Dynamics is changing that. Dominion Dynamics is building a sovereign command and control capability that lets Canada and its allies see, respond, and defend across every domain. Dominion is starting in the Arctic, where extreme conditions demand technology no one else can deliver.Defend the Dominion. Dominion Dynamics.Learn more at DefendTheDominion.com.After that, with Jen needing to bolt back to her next conference event, Matt tells her about some funny reaction he's been getting to a column he wrote this week for the Toronto Star. He's a bit worried that we have normalized dysfunction in this country to a point where we are starting to see parts of it as heartwarming, not alarming — a perfect real-world example of the "orphan crushing machine" internet meme. (He explains, don't worry.) Jen notes that she's seeing a lot of that herself on her visit to the capital. It's looking a little bedraggled.All that, and more, in the latest episode of The Line Podcast.(Note for video viewers: please forgive the video issues with Jen's feed late in the third segment — we were at the mercy of hotel wifi.)#thelinepodcast #CanadianPolitics #AlbertaPolitics #DataBreach #NaheedNenshi#CanadaUSRelations #UFOs #CurrentAffairs

In this episode of On The Line, host Jen Gerson sits down with author and longtime journalist John Fraser to discuss his latest book, The Governors General: An Intimate History of Canada's Highest Office. The book is part history, part memoir, and part insider account, drawing on Fraser's decades of experience in Canadian public life.This episode of On The Line is brought to you by Dominion Dynamics. Canada has never had true sovereign awareness of our North. Vast parts of our country are a blind spot. And when you can't see your own territory, you can't defend it, secure it, or respond when threats emerge. Dominion Dynamics is changing that. Dominion is building a sovereign command and control capability that lets Canada and its allies see, respond, and defend across every domain. We started in the Arctic, where extreme conditions demand technology no one else can deliver.Threats don't wait for bureaucracy. They are moving faster than our institutions. Dominion is closing that gap. Speed is now the strategic capability, and Dominion Dynamics is proving you can build capability at the speed of the threat.Defend the dominion. Dominion Dynamics.Learn more at DefendTheDominion.com.Fraser brings a mix of personal anecdotes and sharp observation to the conversation, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the Canadian-born Governors General who have shaped the modern office. There's a fair amount of gossip — some of it affectionate, some of it less so — but it's always in service of a larger point: that the personalities who occupy Rideau Hall matter.The conversation widens into a discussion about monarchism, the role of the Crown in Canada, and why the Governor General still plays a meaningful role. Gerson presses Fraser on whether Canadians take the institution for granted.This episode of On The Line is also brought to you by Electro-Federation Canada. Canada's clean electricity grid gives us a competitive edge in attracting global investment — but to maintain that advantage our system needs to break down barriers and unlock the grid. Aging infrastructure, supply chain constraints, and outdated regulations threaten our ability to expand and modernize the grid — essential components of meeting future capacity needs. Electro-Federation Canada has developed a research-backed roadmap for grid readiness focused on smart policy and regulatory alignment. To learn more, visit MakeTheSwitch.ElectroFed.com.Fraser argues that Canada's history offers a deeper reservoir of ideas and solutions than we often assume. In a political culture that tends to look outward — to the United States, to Europe, to global trends — he makes the case for looking inward, and for taking seriously the institutions that have quietly shaped the country.They also talk about how the Governor General's role fits into the modern media landscape, where political leaders dominate headlines. That imbalance, Fraser suggests, can distort public understanding of how power really works in Canada, and where the safeguards in the system actually lie.This episode of On The Line is also brought to you by ACDC. Canada's defence industrial base is fragmented. Critical platforms are owned and controlled abroad. That model doesn't work anymore.The Alliance of Canadian Defence Companies is rebuilding Canada's sovereign defence-industrial base. ACDC champions Canadian-owned, Canadian-controlled companies that design, build, sustain, and export next-generation defence systems. Change requires new processes, new policies, and new behaviour. ACDC membership is open to Canadian-controlled defence companies ready to lead that change. To join, email Info@AllianceCanada.com.#OnTheLine #GovernorsGeneral #CanadaHistory #CanadianPolitics #Monarchy #GovernorGeneral

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on May 1st, 2026, your hosts flip the usual format. This time, Matt Gurney takes the interviewer's chair and speaks with Jen Gerson about how she unexpectedly found herself at the centre of a breaking news story — as a whistleblower.This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Electro-Federation Canada. Canada's clean electricity grid gives us a competitive edge in attracting global investment — but to maintain that advantage our system needs to break down barriers and unlock the grid. Aging infrastructure, supply chain constraints, and outdated regulations threaten our ability to expand and modernize the grid — essential components of meeting future capacity needs. Electro-Federation Canada has developed a research-backed roadmap for grid readiness focused on smart policy and regulatory alignment. To learn more, visit MakeTheSwitch.ElectroFed.com. Rather than running through the week's headlines, Matt asks Jen to walk listeners through how her latest column came together. You can read it at ReadTheLine.ca. Back in March, Jen was presented with information suggesting a major data breach involving sensitive government records tied to millions of Albertans. The potential consequences were severe. Individuals whose identities and locations must be kept private to protect their lives were included. Jen explains what the data was, how it was reportedly released, how it reached her, and what happened when she brought it to the authorities as an urgent matter of public safety.The response, she says, was deeply troubling. Officials did not do much of anything — and then, more alarmingly, they misled the public about what had occurred. It's a stark and unsettling story about a serious issue, and for The Line it represents an unusual moment: being part of the story, not just covering it.This episode of The Line Podcast is also brought to you by Dominion Dynamics. Canada has never had true sovereign awareness of our North. Vast parts of our country are a blind spot. And when you can't see your own territory, you can't defend it, secure it, or respond when threats emerge. Dominion Dynamics is changing that. Dominion Dynamics is building a sovereign command and control capability that lets Canada and its allies see, respond, and defend across every domain. Dominion is starting in the Arctic, where extreme conditions demand technology no one else can deliver.Defend the Dominion. Dominion Dynamics. Learn more at DefendTheDominion.com.So settle in, if you can, as Matt and Jen unpack this strange and disturbing situation out of Alberta — and how Jen ended up right in the middle of it.All that, and not much more, in this episode of The Line Podcast.#TheLinePodcast#JenGerson#Whistleblower#DataBreach#AlbertaPolitics#CanadianPolitics#InvestigativeJournalism#GovernmentAccountability#CyberSecurity#BreakingNews

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on April 24th, 2026, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson open with a plug for their ongoing fundraiser. Day three is off to a great start, but we haven't hit our target yet. If you can help us out, please go here. Every dollar counts. The Line accepts no bailouts and no subsidies, and competes against much larger outlets that have gladly (or even reluctantly) taken the government money. We need your help to compete. Please give what you can by going to Donorbox.org/hold-the-line-928062.Having gotten the telethon out of the way, for the rest of the segment, they run through the latest developments in the Canada–U.S. trade dispute. Jen wonders why there's suddenly so much activity, and Matt offers a surprisingly mundane answer: we're running out of time before the deal runs out. They assess the credibility of both sides in the negotiations and, in a move that may frustrate some listeners, also take a look at comments made by Pierre Poilievre this week. Jen suggests he's living in a fantasy, and Matt explains what he thinks he's doing when he attacks Mark Carney for not wanting a deal. Matt broadens the lens to include the opposition in the United States as well, and warns that if Canada's strategy is simply to rag the puck until the midterms, it may be time to rethink the plan. The Democrats may be more predictable, but they're not necessarily going to be much friendlier on the trade front. Trump, and MAGA, have moved the needle on that one. Probably for a generation.Next, Jen discusses her latest column, which leads to a longer conversation about Canadian complacency and the difficulty of reforming a country that places such a high premium on avoiding hurt feelings. Matt notes that her argument aligns closely not only with his recent writing on the collapse of Canadian accountability, but also with something he wrote years ago — a piece about expectations, and how they can be a problem.They wrap up with a quick, and somewhat frustrated, update from their respective home provinces. As Matt puts it, we're not sending our best.All that and more in the latest episode of The Line Podcast. And if you like what you heard, don't forget to go to Donorbox.org/hold-the-line-928062 to help us hold the line.#TheLinePodcast#CanadianPolitics#CanadaUSRelations#TradeWar#PierrePoilievre#MarkCarney#CanadianEconomy#PoliticalAnalysis#CanadaPolitics#CurrentAffairs

In this week's On The Line, host Jen Gerson speaks with Margaret McCuaig-Johnston, who was recently in the news after receiving hard treatment from newly converted Liberal MP Michael Ma at a parliamentary committee examining the potential security risks associated with importing Chinese EVs. They talk about McCuaig-Johnston's long history studying China and technology and her growing concern about the superpower's use and abuse of its leading technology industry to potentially spy on western nations. How adept is Canada at navigating Chinese relations. And, oh yes, they get into the now infamous committee hearing. Is Canada run by the ChiComs? What was Michael Ma thinking? All this on this week's On The Line, filmed while Gerson was in Montreal. #Canada #Politics #China #EV #MichaelMa #Politics #thelinepodcast

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on April 17th, 2026, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson start with a bit of housecleaning. Jen's recent trip to Montreal for the Liberal convention, along with some of the coverage that followed, has prompted a few questions, and your hosts move quickly to address them before getting into the main discussion.From there, they turn to the big story: Mark Carney now has his majority government. Matt and Jen unpack what that means and offer differing views on whether the way he secured it is ultimately a good thing. They also take aim at the Conservatives, particularly over some of the attacks on Carney's résumé this week. At one point, Matt channels a bit of Donald Trump at his most blunt to explain the kind of Conservative he prefers: the kind that wins. He confesses to his greatest frustration here: the Liberals aren't actually doing that well. The Conservatives ought to be able to land a shot. But they can't. The Liberals are winning, easily. And they'll keep winning until someone in CPC Land can come up with a plan that isn't whining about the media.They close with a discussion of provincial politics and return to a theme from last week — Canada's increasingly fragile accountability mechanisms. It's not the most cheerful conversation, but for anyone curious about Matt's next column, consider this a preview. He more or less lays out the argument on air, while also noting he wouldn't mind writing it from somewhere warmer, with lower taxes and better healthcare. Hint, hint.All that and more in the latest episode of The Line Podcast.#TheLinePodcast#CanadianPolitics#MarkCarney#LiberalParty#ConservativeParty#CanadaPolitics#PoliticalAccountability#FederalPolitics#CanadianMedia#CurrentAffairs

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on April 10th, 2026, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson begin with Jen reporting in from Montreal, where she's attending the Liberal convention. The first segment focuses on the vibe in the room — confident, even a little triumphalist — and what that says about the party's current position. A large part of the discussion centres on Marilyn Gladu's decision to cross the floor. Jen wonders if, at a human level, it may have come down to something as simple as being treated with a bit of kindness. Matt takes a colder view, arguing that the Liberals are simply better at politics, full stop. Until the Conservatives and New Democrats figure out how to compete on those terms, he suggests, the Liberals will keep winning — no matter how angry voters get about the obvious hypocrisy of moves like this one.From there, the conversation turns to what both hosts see as a deeper problem: Canada's broken accountability mechanisms. Matt runs through a series of examples, while Jen focuses more on the media's role in allowing this situation to develop. As they describe it, the traditional “accountability wolves” have effectively been penned up and turned into zoo exhibits. Both agree on what might actually force change — a harsher, more confrontational political culture that relies on shame, embarrassment, and fear to drive accountability. Think American MAGA podcasters doing livestreams from overcrowded Canadian emergency rooms or savage British columnists ripping apart our civil servants. But they're skeptical that Canada's political and media establishment, which they argue created the current system by prioritizing niceness over effectiveness back when things were easier in Canada, would ever allow that kind of environment to take root.Finally, Matt throws Jen a curveball. Drawing on a pair of recent news stories, he floats a new theory about why aliens are suddenly back in the conversation. Jen is delighted. As always, The Line remains firmly pro-alien.All that and more in the latest episode of The Line Podcast.#TheLinePodcast#CanadianPolitics#LiberalConvention#MarilynGladu#FloorCrossing#PoliticalAccountability#MediaCriticism#CanadaPolitics#PoliticalCulture#Aliens

In this episode of The Line Podcast, recorded a day early on April 2nd, 2026 ahead of the Easter long weekend, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson open by saluting the departure of Artemis II on its journey to the Moon. Jen finds herself unexpectedly emotional about it, and the hosts spend some time reflecting on why moments like this matter — and why it's still important to hold on to a sense of hope. It really is the best side of America (with a little bit of Canada!) on display. And then there is the other side of America! They check in on the state of the war in the Persian Gulf, as well as a recent speech by Donald Trump that neither host found particularly reassuring. The overall trajectory worries them, though Matt does offer some grounded analysis. Put simply, he's not expecting Canada to be leading any clearance mission through the Strait of Hormuz.From there, Jen provides an update from Alberta, where recent developments have left her feeling vindicated, albeit in a grim way. They discuss at some length why Jen struggles to convince people of things that are quite obvious; Matt pivots from political analysis to therapy and encourages her to be more comfortable accepting that you can't always argue people into seeing things your way.The conversation then shifts to federal politics, with Matt arguing that Mark Carney needs to tighten up his government's communications before he starts squandering some of the advantages he still enjoys early in his mandate. All that and more in the latest episode of The Line Podcast. Happy Easter and Happy Passover to all our Line family! #TheLinePodcast#ArtemisII#SpaceExploration#CanadianPolitics#MarkCarney#AlbertaPolitics#PersianGulf#DonaldTrump#Geopolitics#CurrentAffairs

Today on On The Line with your host Jen Gerson, we talk about the rise of Alberta separatism with former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney. This episode of On The Line is brought to you by Dominion Dynamics. Canada has never had true sovereign awareness of our North. Vast parts of our country are a blind spot. And when you can't see your own territory, you can't defend it, secure it, or respond when threats emerge. Dominion Dynamics is changing that. Dominion Dynamics is building a sovereign command and control capability that lets Canada and its allies see, respond, and defend across every domain. Dominion is starting in the Arctic, where extreme cold demands technology no one else can deliver. See everything. Defend what matters. Dominion Dynamics. Learn more at DefendtheDominion.com.The former Conservative Party cabinet minister has become an unwitting spokesperson for conservative federalists in the province as the petition to generate enough names to force a separation referendum continues across Alberta. We talk about the deep roots of populism in Alberta, including the merger between the Wildrose and the old Progressive Conservative Party. Gerson asks the former premier some tough questions about how we got here. Why have generations of Alberta's leaders tried to tap the populist well? And will this vote be the time they tapped the anger of western alienation too deep. #Canada #Alberta #Separatism #JasonKenney #Populism #Referendum #thelinepodcast

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on March 26th, 2026, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson open with what they're calling Mark Carney's new China problem. They both understand why the government is trying to maintain a workable relationship with China, but they're struck by how one Liberal MP, Michael Ma, ended up sounding very much like someone echoing Beijing's preferred talking points. They're careful not to accuse Ma of anything beyond saying something China would have been happy to hear, but they also note that the Conservatives are likely to seize on it and not let go. What sweet revenge that will be (given which party Mr. Ma oh-so-recently belonged to).More broadly, the conversation widens into a darker assessment of Canada's political health, with Matt arriving at a bleak conclusion: our only remaining, functional mechanism of domestic political accountability increasingly seems to be ... the United States.From there, the hosts turn to the latest Air Canada bilingualism controversy, centring on Air Canada. Jen offers a characteristically blunt take: Canada keeps returning to language fights, she argues, because they function as a kind of political comfort food — something familiar and easy to argue about while avoiding much harder conversations about a world that is becoming more unstable and dangerous. Matt doesn't have much of a rebuttal to that. Maybe the Americans can fix that for us, too?Finally, the discussion shifts back to the United States. Pierre Poilievre's appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience gets a positive review from both hosts, who see it as a smart move. Jen also shares highlights from a recent trip south, including a rare opportunity to tour the West Wing and the Oval Office. She comes away with a mix of impressions — some good, some less so — and offers a few observations that listeners won't hear anywhere else.All that and more in the latest episode of The Line Podcast.#TheLinePodcast#CanadianPolitics#MarkCarney#ChinaRelations#AirCanada#Bilingualism#PierrePoilievre#JoeRogan#CanadaUSRelations#Geopolitics

In this episode of On The Line, host Jen Gerson speaks with Lucy Hargreaves, CEO of Build Canada, a non-partisan organization devoted to helping Canada overcome its productivity challenges. This episode of On The Line is brought to you by Dominion Dynamics. Canada has never had true sovereign awareness of our North. Vast parts of our country are a blind spot. And when you can't see your own territory, you can't defend it, secure it, or respond when threats emerge. Dominion Dynamics is changing that. Dominion Dynamics is building a sovereign command and control capability that lets Canada and its allies see, respond, and defend across every domain. Dominion is starting in the Arctic, where extreme cold demands technology no one else can deliver. See everything. Defend what matters. Dominion Dynamics. Learn more at DefendtheDominion.com.They speak about why Canada no build good; what's holding the country back, brain drain, and the lost Trudeau decade. Hargreaves, a former Liberal staffer, speaks to Gerson about her moment of disillusionment with the previous Liberal government. Is Donald Trump the cause of Canada's woes, or a convenient scapegoat for our own inability to get our economic house in order? Lastly, what does a former Liberal staffer think about the new Carney government? #BuildCanada #Tech #Liberal #Politics #thelinepodcast

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on March 13th, 2026, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson begin with federal politics. Mark Carney appears to be on track to secure a majority government, and your hosts wonder whether he truly deserves it. Has the country actually improved much over the last year, or have the Conservatives simply squandered their opportunity not only to win, but even to hold him to a minority? They also discuss the government's latest Arctic announcement, which Matt notes isn't especially new. He's frustrated that a leader recycling old announcements may still lock up the majority that will allow him to govern largely as he wishes for the next three years.The conversation then turns to the war in the Middle East. Jen brings some personal perspective to the discussion — many listeners may not realize that she lived in the region early in her career and still has many friends there. She shares some of what she's hearing from people close to the unfolding conflict. At the same time, both hosts reflect on how strange the war feels from afar. Perhaps, they suggest, all of us — hosts and audience alike — are slowly becoming desensitized to events that would have seemed shocking and horrific not that long ago.The final segment takes an unexpected turn. It starts with Matt throwing Jen a conversational curveball: Hitler. You'll have to tune in to hear exactly why that came up. But while they're recording, breaking news emerges from Toronto, and the discussion shifts abruptly. Matt vents some frustration about what he sees as inadequate action to protect the city's Jewish community, and some of that frustration spills out on air. He also makes, only reluctantly, an observation that he hopes no one in the White House hears, in case they use it against us. Jen laughs. She likes the chaos.All that and more in the latest episode of The Line Podcast. Check out our main page at ReadTheLine.ca. #TheLinePodcast#CanadianPolitics#MarkCarney#CanadaElection#MiddleEastWar#ArcticSecurity#TorontoNews#CanadianConservatives#Geopolitics#CurrentAffairs

In this episode of On The Line, host Jen Gerson sits down with Michael Geist, a professor at the University of Ottawa and one of the country's leading voices on digital policy.They begin with the latest United States Trade Priority Report, which singled out controversial Canadian legislation such as Online Streaming Act (Bill C‑11) as a major digital dispute complicating negotiations between Canada and the United States. Gerson asks whether the relationship between the two countries has deteriorated to the point where Canada now feels compelled to defend objectively terrible legislation simply on principle. It certainly seems that way.This episode is brought to you by the Forest Products Association of Canada. Government can't control the global markets, but it can control the efficiency of our own regulatory system. It's been over 150 days since the Red Tape Review, and Canada's forest products sector is ready to move from intent to outcomes. We're advocating for practical fixes — like reducing duplication and improving coordination — so we can get projects built at the speed of business. With greater regulatory efficiency, we can better compete with the Americans and Europeans, grow jobs, bring more of Canada to the world, and secure a stronger Canadian economy.Let's get to work. Visit www.fpac.ca to learn more.From there, the conversation turns to the apparent resurrection of the Online Harms Act, which many observers assumed had died on the order paper. Instead, it may be finding new life following reports that Jesse Van Rootselaar had been flagged by OpenAI as a potential risk before the shooting rampage in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia.Finally, Gerson and Geist discuss Bill C‑4 and the Senate of Canada's effort to block what critics describe as an outrageous move by the House of Commons of Canada: legislation that would carve out a special exemption allowing political parties to avoid the privacy rules that apply to nearly everyone else. The result is a sharp conversation about digital governance, political incentives, and whether Canada is drifting into a regulatory posture that's increasingly hard to defend.For more like this, visit our main page at ReadTheLine.ca. And as always, like and subscribe. #AI #TumblerRidge #CUMSA #UMSCA #Trade #Digital #Geist #SocialMedia #governement #Canada #thelinepodcast

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on February 27th, 2026, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson begin with a close look at what Pierre Poilievre had to say at the Economic Club in downtown Toronto this week. Matt liked much of the speech, aside from one section he considers pure fantasyland. Jen is far less impressed overall. Both hosts agree the message might have landed better a year ago, and both detect lingering signs of denial when it comes to how Conservatives are interpreting what's actually happening in Washington.They then head south, metaphorically, as Jen dissects the State of the Union delivered by Donald Trump. Matt didn't catch the entire speech but offers a few observations about Trump's delivery that Jen happily builds on. The conversation widens to include the Democrats, who, in the hosts' view, seem unusually committed to missing opportunities that are right in front of them.In the final segment, Matt and Jen turn to new polling that shows something odd unfolding out west. The Liberals are gaining traction in places where they traditionally struggle. Jen thinks she understands why. Even people who would never vote Liberal are quietly telling her they find themselves liking Mark Carney. The episode wraps with a brief discussion of Alberta's latest provincial budget, which Matt, speaking as an Ontarian, finds contains more than a few familiar elements.All that and more in the latest episode of The Line Podcast. Check out our main page at ReadTheLine.ca, and always remember to like and subscribe.

In this episode of On The Line, host Jen Gerson sits down with Canadaland founder Jesse Brown to talk about his latest hit series, What's Going On Here. Brown's show delves into the rise of anti-Semitism in Canada in the wake of the war in Gaza; what constitutes normal protest, and what crosses the line into anti-Semitic harassment of Jews in Canada. Plus, Gerson asks -- Is Jesse just crazy? This episode is brought to you by the Forest Products Association of Canada. Government can't control the global markets, but it can control the efficiency of our own regulatory system. It's been over 150 days since the Red Tape Review, and Canada's forest products sector is ready to move from intent to outcomes. We're advocating for practical fixes — like reducing duplication and improving coordination — so we can get projects built at the speed of business. With greater regulatory efficiency, we can better compete with the Americans and Europeans, grow jobs, bring more of Canada to the world, and secure a stronger Canadian economy. Let's get to work. Visit www.fpac.ca to learn more. 

In today's episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on February 20th, 2026, Jen Gerson regretfully informs Matt Gurney that the province of Alberta is, politically speaking, on fire. (Matt thinks she meant politically speaking.) Matt is suitably alarmed. Jen walks him through her concerns in detail, reading direct quotes from recent statements that do little to reassure either of them. Matt responds with what he considers sage advice from the deepest, darkest corner of Laurentian Canada — fully aware of how warmly that kind of guidance is usually received in Alberta.From there, the hosts pivot south of the border. Donald Trump, following up on similar remarks once made by Barack Obama, is now talking about aliens. The Line, as longtime listeners know, enjoys a good alien discussion. But both hosts wonder whether this sudden extraterrestrial enthusiasm might be serving as a distraction from more terrestrial problems, including renewed attention on the Epstein files, signs of growing anti-Trump organization within the Republican Party, and a significant loss at the Supreme Court of the United States, where a six-to-three majority struck down the president's tariffs.Finally, a quick check-in on developments at home. Matt and Jen touch on floor crossing, Jamil Jivani's trip to Washington, and Matt's mixed feelings about Canada's new defence industrial strategy — grateful that it exists, concerned about how it will unfold.All this and more in the latest episode of The Line Podcast.

In today's On The Line, host Jen Gerson sits down with longtime friend and Calgarian Paul Hughes, who left his comfortable home in Alberta to help in Ukraine at the outbreak of war four years ago. Hughes, who was joined by his son, Mac, has now been a witness to the extraordinary heartbreak and courage of the Ukrainian people. His son was seriously injured; Hughes has been kidnapped by Russians; and he's even now regularly bombarded by sirens and bomb threats. He speaks to Gerson from a darkened apartment in Kharkiv, where the latest assault has left him without electricity or heat. They also talk about what his experience has taught him about the separatist threat brewing back home. Note: The CBC did an article on Hughes' experience with the Russians, referenced in this podcast, here. 300 missions in, this Canadian volunteer says he'll stay in Ukraine until he's asked to leave | CBC Radio

In today's episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on February 13th, 2026, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson open with a look at Donald Trump leaning hard into his Art of the Deal approach to pressure Canada over the Gordie Howe International Bridge. Neither host is impressed, and neither thinks the tactic is likely to succeed. They also discuss the threat to pull out of the CUSMA trade agreement and suggest that Trump may eventually discover that constant escalation dulls the impact of his own threats. That said, they do offer appropriate gratitude to the six Republicans who joined Democrats in the House to vote against tariffs on Canada. Six out of 218. How reassuring.From there, the conversation turns to the recent tragic mass shooting in Canada. Both hosts are troubled by the familiar rush to judgment that follows these events, but also by the reluctance in some quarters to discuss facts that are plainly relevant. They argue that the shooter being trans is as important to understand as if the shooter were an incel, a white supremacist, or inspired by the Islamic State. These are not taboos; they are data points. If the goal is to understand the roots of violent crime, then nothing material to motive or ideology should be off limits.Finally, Matt and Jen spend a few minutes contemplating the alternate universe in which Calgary is currently hosting the Winter Olympics. They wonder what that might have meant for Alberta's mood and for Canadian identity more broadly. Unfortunately, both hosts confirm that they are stuck in this timeline with the rest of you. And they aren't happy about it.All that and more in the latest episode of The Line Podcast.

Today on On The Line, host Jen Gerson speaks with noted federalist, former Liberal Party leader, academic and diplomat Stéphane Dion. As author of the Clarity Act, Dion speaks about what secession from Canada actually entails as the separatists gain steam in Alberta. Jen asks, why does Canada have a national suicide pill embedded in legislation? And what promise does the ideal of the country hold to someone who lives and works in Alberta. 

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on February 6th, 2025, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson begin with another close look at separatist pressures in Alberta and the political forces forming around them. Jen spends considerable time unpacking how the various players are organizing and aligning, and both hosts admit they're surprised the federalist side isn't better coordinated. That said, they do have a few thoughts about who could step in to do that work, if anyone is willing to take it on.From there, the conversation turns to the 20th anniversary of the election of Stephen Harper. Both Matt and Jen reflect on how early they were in their careers at the time, assuming they'd even started yet. They discuss Harper's legacy and the conservative movement he shaped, noting that in some ways the party has remained adrift since his departure (though that might be changing a bit). At the same time, they point out that Harper has been sending unusually clear signals, by his own standards, about his views on current political events — including a striking and heartfelt declaration in favour of a strong, united Canada.Finally, the hosts take a quick look at recent developments in the crypto space. Jen approaches the topic from a political angle, while Matt looks at it through a more sociological lens. Whether it's Bitcoin, AI tools, or the next new technological obsession, both agree there's always room for responsible and productive use. The problems start when disaffected people wrap their entire identities around these tools and turn them into substitutes for meaning.All that and more in the latest episode of The Line Podcast. Check out our website at ReadTheLine.ca, and as always like and subscribe.

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on January 30, 2026, one of your hosts starts with a literal public safety announcement. Line editor Gurney was the victim of attempted identity theft this week (like he doesn't have enough going on) and some Line readers may have received bizarre messages claiming to be from me. They weren't! He promises! From there, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson start with a sharp and unsparing look at Alberta separatism. Jen is in no mood for half measures, especially when it comes to Premier Danielle Smith's refusal to firmly commit herself. As she sees it, people who style themselves as free speech warriors don't get to hide behind mealy-mouthed statements when it actually matters. She also takes direct aim at what she calls the loser energy of the separatist movement itself. Matt agrees, adding that many of the separatists he encounters remind him of the gun-ban obsessives or bike-lane warriors in other parts of the country — people whose entire identities are wrapped up in a single cause, and who spend enormous amounts of time constructing elaborate arguments to justify what is, in reality, an emotional state. Both hosts close the segment by wishing, once again, that Canada had a serious and functional ability to monitor foreign interference, because if this movement grows, they strongly suspect outside actors will be eager to help it along.Later, the conversation turns to the Conservative Party of Canada, which is gathering in Calgary to review Pierre Poilievre's leadership. There's no obvious threat to him, but Matt argues the party has wasted the last nine months pretending the election result was a fluke, largely because that fantasy spared them from having to make difficult decisions. Unfortunately for the Conservatives, the facts haven't changed. If anything, the hosts note that Mark Carney is settling into the job better than expected. He still makes the occasional rookie mistake, but overall he's performing competently and growing into the role. That leaves the CPC with a real problem: it now needs a credible plan to defeat a capable Liberal government while also navigating the chaos of a disruptive Trump presidency. Finally, the hosts circle back to the China deal they didn't have time to fully address last week. Matt says he's listened carefully to both the boosters and the critics, and has come to an inconvenient conclusion: he agrees with all of them. The deal contains real opportunities and real risks, and Canada may not be ready for what comes next. As both hosts note, we are entering a geopolitical era where being wealthy and strategically important can make a country a very attractive target, especially when caught between competing hostile powers. It's a position many other countries have experienced before. Maybe, they suggest, it's time Canada started asking the Poles or the Israelis for advice.All that and more in the latest episode of The Line Podcast.

In this week's On The Line, host Jen Gerson sits down with Greg Jack, Senior Vice President of Ipsos Public Affairs. The firm has just put out an in depth survey of separatist sentiment in both Alberta and Quebec. In keeping with previous surveys, about 30 per cent of Albertans said they would vote to leave Canada, but is that sentiment as strong as it first appears? Jack's team did something that pervious pollsters have yet to do -- he stress tested those results, asking people how committed they would be to separation if there were conditions attached, such as the loss of the Canadian passport. When forced to consider these downsides, support for separation fell to about half -- suggesting that a significant proportion of separatists are simply frustrated with Ottawa, but not firmly attached to the idea of an independent state. Of course, separation is in the news of late as Alberta's separatists are moving forward with a petition that may pave the way for a provincial referendum. The Americans are also weighing in, insisting that all Albertans are keen to join the U.S. -- a claim that Jack fact checks. 

In today's episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on January 23rd, 2026, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson are finally reunited after a long absence. Matt briefly explains where he's been (you can see his full statement here) and thanks The Line's audience for their patience and support before the conversation turns to the biggest stories of the week. As Jen notes, it's a perfect moment for Matt to be back. With sudden, serious talk about insurgency, warfare, geopolitical conflict, guns, emergency preparedness, and civil defence, all the subjects Matt has been nerding out about for decades have abruptly become relevant. She jokes that it would have been a shame for him to miss this moment, especially as the Canadian military has quietly been gaming out insurgency and resistance scenarios in the unlikely but no-longer-unthinkable event of a U.S. invasion. Matt, unsurprisingly, has a few thoughts.From there, the hosts turn to Mark Carney's speech in Davos. Jen argues it was really aimed at a European audience and may have doubled as a victory lap. Matt agrees, but adds that Washington was clearly part of the intended audience as well. Still, both hosts think the most important audience is here at home. Everyone seems to agree that major changes are coming and that major changes are needed. The open question is who is going to start proposing them, especially the ones that will be politically painful.Finally, Matt and Jen dig into comments by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggesting Alberta wants to join the United States. Jen is skeptical. Matt, meanwhile, wonders how nice it would be if Canada had a reliable way of noticing when large amounts of foreign money were flowing into the country to influence domestic politics. It's a pity, really, that we haven't already spent years seriously debating foreign interference in Canadian democracy.In any case, your hosts are happy to be back together. Enjoy all this and more in the latest episode of The Line Podcast. Check us out at ReadTheLine.ca, and as always, like and subscribe.

Today on On The Line, host Jen Gerson sits down with economics professor and  founding Director of McGill University's Max Bell School of Public Policy Chris Ragan. They talk about a story that has been absolutely buried under an avalanche of news -- the threatened indictment of U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome (Jay) Powell.Last week Powell put out a statement stating flatly that the Trump administration is abusing the courts in order to put pressure on the independence of the fed. What does that mean, exactly? Why does it matter? And what are the political and economic implications of the US central bank whose independence is increasingly under pressure?  We get right into it today on On The Line. 

Canada agrees to cut its tariff on Chinese electric cars in return for lower tariffs on Canadian farm products and Ontario premier  Doug Ford is positively pissed. In this week's episode of The Line Podcast, host Jen Gerson sits down with The Line Alberta's Rob Breakenridge at the Saskatchewan Crops Forum. This is a live taping of the podcast that took place, and what a topical moment as they were there to discuss China, tarifs, and agriculture just as Prime Minister Mark Carney conducted his delegation to China to ease tense trade relations between the two countries as the friendship between Canada and America continues to fray. The two Calgarians also lament the city's ongoing water restrictions, and the city's report outlining its failures. 

Today on On The Line, host Jen Gerson speaks with Heather Exner-Pirot, the Director of Energy and National Resources and Environment at the MacDonald-Laurier Institute. Exner-Pirot does her damndest to check some of Gerson's rampant New Year's depression as they discuss the U.S. abduction of Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro. It may be bad news for the Venezuelans -- every hour seems to provide greater evidence for America's own greedy intentions and poorly thought out after-plan. However, she's not worried about what this will mean for Canada's own industry. In some ways, she's outright optimistic that the Americans will come around from their current trajectory. Gerson is not so convinced. You decide. 

Twitter/X's Grok is undressing people, including minors, but xAI doesn't seem to care. Now that Twitter is worse than ever, will that be enough to stop Canadian public figures from using the platform? Jen Gerson of The Line joins to consider the future options for an online public square. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Katie Laur (Associate Producer and Fact Checking) Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Jen Gerson Further reading: Elon Musk's Grok AI says images of 'minors in minimal clothing' caused by safeguard lapses | CBC NewsFrance to investigate deepfakes of women stripped naked by Grok – POLITICO Elon Musk company bot apologizes for sharing sexualized images of children - Los Angeles TimesCanadian government officials, what are you still doing on X in 2026? | Canada's National Observer In the age of AI, it's easy to make deepfake porn. But victims find it hard to undo the damage | CBC News City of Calgary ignored two decades of warning signs about water system, report finds - The Globe and Mail Thunder Bay, Ont., once again reports the highest homicide rate in Canada | CBC News Sponsors: Fizz: Visit fizz.ca and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN25 to get 25$ off and 10GB of free data.Douglas: Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress purchase. Get the sheets, pillows, mattress and pillow protectors FREE with your Douglas purchase today. Visit douglas.ca/canadaland to claim this offer.Squarespace: Check out Squarespace.com/canadaland for a free trial, and when you're ready to launch use code canadaland to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. If you value this podcast, Support us! You'll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You'll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch at our store, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you'll be a part of the solution to Canada's journalism crisis, you'll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Line Podcast, hosts Jen Gerson and Andrew Potter discuss trade, immigration, and the attempts to "Globalize the Intifada." Firstly, on the trade file, US trade rep Jamieson Greer has issued a list of grievances. The Americans are villainously committed to giving Canadians more options for eggs, chicken, and dairy. StatsCan shows a dramatic drop in immigration as the LIberals reign in a system gone pear shaped. And lastly, what do the young think "Globalize the Intifada" really means? 

Today on On The Line, host Jen Gerson talks to Brandon Forsyth, long time book buyer at Indigo. They chat about the hottest books heading into the Christmas season which, if you're anything like us, you are absolutely not yet prepared for. He's a list of kids' books, fiction, and non-fiction for the readers in your life. (Note, no, we at The Line are not taking any cuts for any of the books suggested. We just like books and reading. And if your family is like ours, books are pretty much what you all give to one another anyway.) Books mentioned: Don't Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson, illustrated by Dan Santat https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/dont-trust-fish/9780593616673.htmlInvestiGators by John Patrick Green https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/investigators/9781250219954.htmlImpossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/impossible-creatures---indigo-exclusive-edition/9781774888957.htmlThe Poisoned King by Katherine Rundell https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/the-poisoned-king---indigo-exclusive-edition/9781774888964.html The Secret Of Secrets by Dan Brown https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/the-secret-of-secrets-a-novel/9780385546898.htmlWild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/wild-dark-shore-reeses-book-club-pick-a-novel/9781250827951.htmlHeated Rivalry by Rachel Reid https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/heated-rivalry-now-streaming-on-crave-and-hbo-max/9781335534637.html The Wealthy Barber by David Chilton https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/the-wealthy-barber-2025-indigo-exclusive-the-fully-updated-all-time-canadian-classic/9781068975004.htmlWhat A Ride by Andrew Podnieks https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/what-a-ride-the-thrilling-toronto-blue-jays-of-2025/9781552673973.htmlBook Of Lives by Margaret Atwood https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/book-of-lives-a-memoir-of-sorts/9780771096433.htmlThe Prime Ministers by JRM Stewart https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/the-prime-ministers-canadas-leaders-and-the-nation-they-shaped/9781998365777.html

In Today's The Line Podcast, recorded Dec. 12, 2025, host Jen Gerson is joined by special guest Andrew Potter to discuss this country's culture of complacency. We were once a nation that put its engineering achievements -- such as the Syncrude oil sands on a stamp. Now, the very idea that we should strive to be a culture that builds things, grows, and prospers has been sublimated by a culture that prizes symbolic action and good intentions over good outcomes. They talk about the curious case of B.C. passing laws that then have an effect on laws. Seven years ago, the province implemented DRIPA, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People drafted by the U.N. -- despite concerns that the law would be used to undermine B.C.'s own legislation. The law was essentially null in force, a symbolic gesture, the province's NDP government assured at the time. Until, of course, it wasn't. Oops. Lastly, they discuss the future of Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who just lost another MP to floor crossing. Will the leader be able to survive if the Liberals chip away at enough of the Conservative caucus to form a majority? And, perhaps more importantly, is Pierre Poilievre a winner?

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on December 5th, 2025, hosts Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson open with the newly released U.S. foreign policy document, and they're not exactly thrilled. They agree it's an accurate  reflection of how the White House sees the world — uncomfortably accurate, in fact. They've been flagging many of these issues for months, hoping Canadians and Canadian policymakers would start paying attention. Now the White House has packaged all of it into one tidy, unsettling summary.Some of what the document lays out is simply true, and Canadian and other allied politicians, especially on the left, have ignored those realities at their peril. Some of it is debatable, or at least worth taking seriously. And some of it is outright nuts, pulled straight from the conspiratorial anxieties of America's far-right social media ecosystem. But whether reasonable, arguable, or deranged, it is now official White House policy — and the rest of us are going to have to learn to live with it.From there, the conversation turns to how Canadians are, or aren't, learning to live with it. There is still very little evidence that anyone here grasps the scale of the threat or the urgency involved. Jen introduces a new theory: Canada as a nation is increasingly resembling the federal New Democrats — and that's not good news for anyone. She also says that at a moment we desperately need to be pulling together, we're instead getting set to fight another series of sovereignty referendums and a fresh pipeline war. She has concerns, is all. Oh, and also. Katy Perry!All that and more in the latest episode of The Line Podcast. Visit our main site at ReadTheLine.ca.

Today On The Line, host Jen Gerson sits down with Toronto writer Phoebe Maltz Bovy, who has recently completed her book The Last Straight Woman. They dig into "the Discourse," the absolute state of heterosexuality in a post MeToo, post online dating app era. Sexual harassment, cosplay oppression, age gaps in relationships, marriage, the romanticization of the single mother, and why it's almost embarrassing for straight women to just be straight women. There is no subject made taboo today! 

In this week's On The Line, host Jen Gerson speaks with New York Times columnist Ross Douthat, who was in Ottawa this week to give the inaugural Ian Shugart lecture, held by Christian think tank Cardus. Gerson grills Douthat on an infamous column he wrote earlier this year arguing Canada should join Empire America. They go on to discuss the religious and political landscape in the U.S., and what we have right -- and probably wrong -- about the advent of Christian nationalism. 

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on November 21st, 2025, both of your hosts are on the road, and both of them bring stories and observations from where they're visiting.This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Forestry For The Future. Canada's housing crisis demands bold, scalable solutions. Build Canada Homes is an opportunity to leverage Canadian wood in modern construction. Wood-based methods like mass timber and modular construction can significantly reduce build times, waste, and carbon emissions, while supporting local economies. Expanding building codes, streamlining approvals, and prioritizing domestic wood in federal projects could double demand and foster job creation in rural and northern communities.Despite trade challenges and market volatility, a partnership between industry and government is vital to stabilize the sector, enhance competitiveness, and deliver innovative, sustainably sourced Canadian wood products for homes across Canada and abroad. With capacity growing across provinces, stable demand and predictable financing are key to unlocking the sector's potential.We need to Build Canada Homes with Canadian wood. To learn more, visit ForestryForTheFuture.ca.First up, Jen Gerson joins us from Ottawa, where she's at the Cardus conference talking about issues of faith and values in Canadian public life. Your hosts get into a long conversation about what “values” actually mean in a Canadian context, how they show up (or don't) in public policy, and where we might look to find them.They also talk a bit about fighter jets, but that's neither here nor there. From there, the episode shifts into a deeper discussion about immigration. The Conservatives have rolled out some proposals that both your hosts think are reasonable, but the larger conversation becomes one about national identity. What is Canada's sales proposition, and what are we asking new Canadians to adopt as part of becoming Canadian? There's a lot to unpack, including a few shared worries.Last up, Matt Gurney dives into an interesting — and overdue — development in Canadian health-care. And yes, it ties right back into the values theme, making this a rare three-segment through line.All that and more in the latest episode of The Line Podcast.

In this episode of The Line Podcast, recorded one day early on November 13th, 2025 — and yes, your hosts are aware they're tempting the wrath of the news gods every time they do that  — Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson dive into the story that continues to reverberate this week: what happens when MPs decide to leave their party? This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Forestry For The Future. Canada's housing crisis demands bold, scalable solutions. Build Canada Homes is an opportunity to leverage Canadian wood in modern construction. Wood-based methods like mass timber and modular construction can significantly reduce build times, waste, and carbon emissions, while supporting local economies. Expanding building codes, streamlining approvals, and prioritizing domestic wood in federal projects could double demand and foster job creation in rural and northern communities.Despite trade challenges and market volatility, a partnership between industry and government is vital to stabilize the sector, enhance competitiveness, and deliver innovative, sustainably sourced Canadian wood products for homes across Canada and abroad. With capacity growing across provinces, stable demand and predictable financing are key to unlocking the sector's potential.We need to Build Canada Homes with Canadian wood. To learn more, visit ForestryForTheFuture.ca.Jen makes a spirited defence of crossing the floor. Matt agrees, in part, but notes that whatever the theoretical ideal of voting for the candidate over the party might be, the reality is that we're stuck with the voters we have, and they tend to vote for the party first and the candidate second.They also discuss, as an interesting counterexample, Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, who isn't having any difficulty criticizing his own party from within it. He's obviously not thrilled about being dropped from cabinet, but it's noteworthy how comfortable certain disaffected voices seem to be operating inside both the Conservative and Liberal caucuses. They don't know if that tells us more about the parties or about the individual MPs involved, but it's interesting.Lastly, they turn to November 11th, collective memory, obligation, and the limits of lived experience when it comes to learning from history. It's a more intimate and reflective discussion than usual, but one they think you'll enjoy. And they'd love to hear from you in the comments: what was Remembrance Day like in your community this year? Matt was struck by how quiet it felt in Toronto, and he's hoping that was just because of the very early blast of lousy winter weather that has befallen the Centre of the Universe.All that and more in the latest episode of The Line Podcast. Like and subscribe, and check out our main page at ReadTheLine.ca.

This week on On The Line, Jen Gerson sits down with entrepreneur and policy advocate Matt Spoke to talk about Project Ontario — a new movement of small-c conservatives who say Doug Ford's government has lost its way. Spoke argues that after more than seven years in power, Ontario's Progressive Conservatives are governing like Liberals: spending more than ever, doling out billions in corporate subsidies, and failing to fix core problems in housing, health care, and education.This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Forestry For The Future. Canada's housing crisis demands bold, scalable solutions. Build Canada Homes is an opportunity to leverage Canadian wood in modern construction. Wood-based methods like mass timber and modular construction can significantly reduce build times, waste, and carbon emissions, while supporting local economies. Expanding building codes, streamlining approvals, and prioritizing domestic wood in federal projects could double demand and foster job creation in rural and northern communities.Despite trade challenges and market volatility, a partnership between industry and government is vital to stabilize the sector, enhance competitiveness, and deliver innovative, sustainably sourced Canadian wood products for homes across Canada and abroad. With capacity growing across provinces, stable demand and predictable financing are key to unlocking the sector's potential.We need to Build Canada Homes with Canadian wood. To learn more, visit ForestryForTheFuture.ca.Tthe conversation dives into the numbers—sluggish growth, stalled housing starts, and a province now leading the country in corporate handouts. Spoke explains why Ontario's policy choices are driving people out of the province, why school boards have drifted toward activism instead of academics, and how competition and parental choice could push the system back toward better outcomes.The pair close with a look at Ford's enduring popularity and whether it can last. Is this a call for the premier to course-correct — or the beginning of a broader conservative renewal in Ontario? Tune in for a candid, numbers-driven look at what's gone wrong, and what might come next. To learn more about Matt's project, go to ProjectOntario.ca. New episodes of On The Line drop every Tuesday. Subscribe at ReadTheLine.ca, follow us on your favourite podcast app, and don't forget to leave us a nice review. Audio drops every Tuesday morning, with video rolling out Tuesday evening on YouTube and our social channels. Catch it wherever you listen or watch.

In this episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on November 7, 2025, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson react to a remarkably busy week in Canadian politics.This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Forestry For The Future. Canada's housing crisis demands bold, scalable solutions. Build Canada Homes is an opportunity to leverage Canadian wood in modern construction. Wood-based methods like mass timber and modular construction can significantly reduce build times, waste, and carbon emissions, while supporting local economies. Expanding building codes, streamlining approvals, and prioritizing domestic wood in federal projects could double demand and foster job creation in rural and northern communities.Despite trade challenges and market volatility, a partnership between industry and government is vital to stabilize the sector, enhance competitiveness, and deliver innovative, sustainably sourced Canadian wood products for homes across Canada and abroad. With capacity growing across provinces, stable demand and predictable financing are key to unlocking the sector's potential.We need to Build Canada Homes with Canadian wood. To learn more, visit ForestryForTheFuture.ca.They start with the Mark Carney government. Matt's self-imposed six-month grace period for judging the new prime minister has expired, and he's ready to weigh in: better than Trudeau, but not good enough for the moment. Jen is slightly more patient but, somehow, even sharper in her take — especially when it comes to Carney's recent apology to Donald Trump, which she finds baffling and unnecessary. And enraging.This episode is also brought to you by CPA Ontario. There's a saying: “Keep it simple,” and what's true for life is true for taxes. And while this week's historic federal budget introduced some much-needed tax measures to help spur investment and innovation, there is still more work to be done to make Canada's tax system less complex, and more competitive.  Just ask a CPA. In a recent survey, 84 per cent of Ontario CPAs said Canada's tax system is overly complex. They know how complexity drains resources from productive activity, and how high tax rates discourage investment and entrepreneurship, the very things Canada needs. Consider the numbers: real GDP per capita has barely grown in seven years and investment per worker in Canada is less than half that of the U.S.Complexity has a cost, and Canadians are paying it. Our sponsor, CPA Ontario, the regulator of over 105,000 Chartered Professional Accountants, has released a report putting forward 20 bold, practical recommendations to reform Canada's tax system, and simplify the Income Tax Act. The 2025 Budget was a step forward — but more reform is needed to grow the economy, create jobs, and raise living standards.Learn more at cpaontario.ca/taxreformThen attention turns to the Conservatives, where Pierre Poilievre's week has gone from bad to worse. Two MPs have walked away, and the question now is whether this is an isolated hiccup or the start of a real leadership problem. Matt and Jen point out that without the wind of inevitable victory at his back, Poilievre will need to rely on charm and political skill — qualities not generally considered his strong suit.The episode wraps with a wide-ranging discussion on what “woke” and “feminism” actually mean in 2025, and how those words have evolved. Jen is workshopping a new column on the topic, and Matt is clearly looking forward to reading it. All that and more in the latest episode of The Line Podcast.

Carney's sprawling ethics screen covers over 100 companies and reveals the details of what went into his blind trust. Did he lie to Canadians about his conflicts of interest? Jen Gerson joins to make sense of the documents. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate Producer) Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Jen GersonPhoto: REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth Further reading: Carney to recuse himself from dealings with over 100 companies in sprawling government conflict screen - National PostCarney's ethics filing shows more than 100 entities under conflict-of-interest screen - The Globe and MailInvestigation: What Mark Carney Won't Say About Brookfield - CANADALAND [Podcast]Ethics Screen - List of Companies [PDF]Ethics Screen - List of Investments [PDF]https://x.com/HertzBarry/status/1945113658247311799 That white guy who can't get a job at Tim Hortons? He's AI | CBC News Sponsors: oxio: Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free! Squarespace: Check out Squarespace.com/canadaland for a free trial, and when you're ready to launch use code canadaland to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.CarGurus: Buy your next car today with CarGurus at cargurus.ca If you value this podcast, Support us! You'll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You'll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch at our store, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you'll be a part of the solution to Canada's journalism crisis, you'll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.