Podcast appearances and mentions of jennifer ditchburn

This week, we're once again brining you the audio from one of our most recent event. This time it's from a webinar on Canada-U.S. relations that we held on March 5, 2025. The second Trump administration is turning into an unsettling roller-coaster ride, and Canadians can't seem to get off. Every day seems to bring a new set of goalposts, demands and threats. In this webinar moderated by IRPP president and CEO Jennifer Ditchburn, IRPP Board members Jean Charest, Janice Charette, Ian Brodie and Christopher Sands unpacked the challenges facing Canadian governments in these tumultuous times and discussed what it will take to build economic and social resilience for the long haul. A video version of the event is also available on our website at irpp.org

As a new U.S. administration keeps threatening to impose tariffs on Canadian exports, the IRPP hosted a panel discussion on how to address the intersecting affordability and climate crises. Hosted in partnership with the Affordability Action Council, the panel featured Tyler Meredith, a former economic policy adviser to the Liberal government, Kathleen Monk, former director of communications to NDP leader Jack Layton, Karen Restoule, vice-president of Toronto-based Crestview Strategy and senior fellow at Macdonald-Laurier Institute and was moderated by Jennifer Ditchburn. The panel focused on how to protect households from the rising cost of living, how to minimize the impacts of extreme weather events and how to keep affordable food on the table. This podcast is the audio from that discussion.

​Jeanne Armstrong spoke to Jennifer Ditchburn, president of the Institute for Research on Public Policy, about efforts to make sure no community is left behind during the transition to net zero emissions.

COVID-19 exposed some serious weaknesses in Canada's public institutions. So what have our governments learned? There has been no official attempt to answer that question thoroughly across the country. So two think tanks decided to take it on. They invited experts including politicians, senior public servants, Indigenous leaders and others, to get together and talk about what happened during the pandemic. The Institute for Research on Public Policy and the Institute on Governance released a new report about what they learned. The IRPP's President and CEO Jennifer Ditchburn and Charles Breton, who runs the IRPP's Centre of Excellence on the Canadian Federation, join Paul to talk about it.

It is undeniable that poverty and income inequality are two of Canada's most pressing issues. But it is less clear what policy solutions need to be enacted to address these problems. In response to these challenges, some policy practitioners have called for the implementation of an unconditional Basic Income that would be accessible to all Canadians. Bill S-233, An Act to develop a national framework for a guaranteed livable basic income, is a clear example of this response. Proponents of a Basic Income present the policy framework as a simple and direct response to poverty, on the grounds that sending people a cheque through the tax system seems efficient. However, a host of researchers have called into question the underlying assumptions about the causes of poverty that proponents of a basic income take for granted. For instance, is basic income the best tool to achieve a just society? Could other social policies be put in place to achieve the desired outcome more holistically and efficiently? The book Basic Income and a Just Society, published last year by the IRPP, takes such an approach. This conversation between IRPP CEO and President Jennifer Ditchburn and Senator Kim Pate – a sponsor of Bill S-233 – tackles these questions, which have been at the centre of the IRPP's and Senator Pate's work for years.

At a summit of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) in Ottawa, Health Minister Mark Holland takes part in a discussion on federal transfers and the future of health care in Canada. He is joined by Kathleen Ross, the new president of the CMA, and panel moderator Jennifer Ditchburn, president of the Institute for Research on Public Policy.Ministers Bill Blair (defence), Pascale St-Onge (Canadian Heritage), Sean Fraser (housing), Mélanie Joly (foreign affairs), and Pablo Rodriguez (transport) respond to questions from reporters in Charlottetown as a three-day meeting of the federal cabinet gets underway. They discuss the federal response to ongoing wildfires in the Northwest Territories and British Columbia, Meta's decision to block Canadian news from its platforms as wildfires continue to burn across the country, housing, inflation, and the 2024 presidential elections in the United States.

Jennifer Ditchburn, the CEO of the Institute for Research on Public Policy, fills us in on what she heard from government officials, former political leaders, and other experts during a recent IRPP conference on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Welcome to In/Equality! In this new series from the Policy Options Podcast, we explore various aspects of inequality with experts from political science, criminology, history, and other disciplines. We will hear from researchers about the latest research on economic inequality, racial inequality, disability justice, rural-urban divides, and more. In this first episode, IRPP President and CEO Jennifer Ditchburn helps us get to know the host of In/Equality, Professor Debra Thompson of McGill University. What brought her to research racial inequality? What motivated her to create this series? And what can we expect from the coming conversations.

This week we’ve got a special, bilingual episode of the podcast. To celebrate 40 years of Policy Options, and the end of a truly terrible year, we’re joined by Jennifer Ditchburn, Policy Options’ editor-in-chief. She takes us back to 1980 to discuss what policy concerns of the time still resonate today. And we chat about what the future holds for public-policy debate in Canada, within the magazine and beyond. Plus, let us know how you like the podcast! Fill out our brand-new listener survey here: https://options-po.li/podcastsurvey Download for free. New episodes every other Wednesday. Tweet your questions and comments to @IRPP or any member of the team (@jbugiel, @JRicardoBM or @jenditchburn). ... Pour célébrer les 40 ans d’Options politiques et finir cette année difficile en beauté, Jennifer Ditchburn, rédactrice en chef du magazine, nous ramène en 1980. Dans ce balado bilingue, elle revient sur les enjeux politiques de l’époque et examine leur pertinence dans la période actuelle. Elle se penche également sur l’avenir du débat politique dans les médias et nos instances politiques. Si vous appréciez le balado d’Options politiques, nous vous invitons à répondre à notre sondage (seulement en anglais) en cliquant sur le lien qui suit: https://options-po.li/podcastsurvey Le téléchargement est gratuit. Nous mettons en ligne de nouveaux balados chaque deuxième mercredi. Vous pouvez envoyer vos commentaires par Twitter à @IRPP, @jbugiel, @JRicardoBM ou à @jenditchburn.

Some women are just so smart, it’s intimidating. I remember being a journalism student at Carleton University and watching Jennifer Ditchburn on CBC news - she always appeared intimidatingly composed and brilliant. And, I guess that’s because she was - and is - both those things. But I don’t think that means it came easy for her; I think it means she worked very hard, took risks, embraced challenges, and asked for what she wanted. In my conversation with this award-winning journalist and current editor of Policy Options, she shares how she carved her own path to create a fulfilling and thrilling career (and how everything isn’t always easy for her, either). Comment at womendontdothat.com. We love your questions and feedback. Stuff mentioned in this episode: Policy Options: https://policyoptions.irpp.org/ Book recommendation: Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Christopher Voss and Tahl Raz Connect with us during the week! Instagram and Twitter @WOMENdontDOthat www.womendontdothat.com Produced by Myrrhanda Novak

On Monday night, people across Canada tuned in to the first federal debate hosted by the new Leaders’ Debates Commission. If you were looking for measured discussions of policy alternatives, you were out of luck. Instead, viewers got a taste of the parties’ brand management, followed by the usual media narratives: who’s up in the polls, who scored a hit on whom, who “won.” While the messaging may be familiar, there’s no doubt the media landscape itself has changed. Parties and voters are turning more and more to social media. Individuals now have a forum to actively engage with what they’re reading and to hear directly from experts or MPs. But they can also be subject to mis- and disinformation in ways we’re still trying to account for. Today on the podcast, we’re sharing the conversation from the second event in Policy Options’ election 2019 breakfast series, in which Shree Paradkar, Taylor Owen, Paul Adams and moderator Jennifer Ditchburn discuss media coverage and the campaign online. This event series is held in partnership with the Max Bell School of Public Policy, sponsored by the CBC, and broadcast by CPAC. Download for free. New episodes every second Wednesday. Tweet your questions and comments to @IRPP or @jbugiel.

The 2019 election campaign is under way. The parties have made major policy announcements. But so far, much of the commentary has focused on political bombshells. When we don’t talk policy as much as we should, that’s a shame. First, because the announcements leaders make are good markers of their party’s election strategy. But more than that, because whoever forms government is going to be making good on a number of these election promises. And a healthy policy debate is crucial for citizens looking to make informed political choices. That’s why, over the next several weeks, we’ll be highlighting the policy issues on the campaign trail by covering the three panel discussions in Policy Options’ new Election 2019 Breakfast Series. The events are being held in Ottawa in partnership with the Max Bell School of Public Policy and sponsored by the CBC. This panel explores emerging policy themes. It features Mike De Souza, Tasha Kheiriddin, and Jennifer Robson, and is moderated by Jennifer Ditchburn. For more information, go to: https://policyoptions.irpp.org/po-events/election-2019-breakfast-series/ Download for free. New episodes every second Wednesday. Tweet your questions and comments to @IRPP or @jbugiel.

Countries around the world are grappling with how to identify and prevent a host of new threats to the integrity of their elections and democratic systems. With the next general election around the corner in Canada, is our policy framework up to the task of dealing with the deliberate spread of false information? We put this question to three experts: Elizabeth Dubois (University of Ottawa), Jennifer McGuire (CBC News) and Taylor Owen (Max Bell School of Public Policy). They spoke with Policy Options editor-in-chief Jennifer Ditchburn at our pre-election breakfast on May 7, held in partnership with the Max Bell School of Public Policy and sponsored by CBC and Microsoft. Download for free. New episodes every second Wednesday. Tweet your questions and comments to @IRPP or @jbugiel.

The 2015 federal election was Canada’s first after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 calls to action. Four years later, both the public discourse and the policy landscape have changed. Yet with critics arguing that many of the advances are symbolic, it’s clear Crown-Indigenous relations still have a ways to go. Today on the podcast, K̓áwáziɫ Marilyn Slett (Heiltsuk Tribal Council), Brock Pitawanakwat (York University) and Hayden King (Yellowhead Institute) take stock of this crucial relationship: where it is now, how it has changed over the years and where it might go. Their conversation with Policy Options editor-in-chief Jennifer Ditchburn, introduced by Gilbert Whiteduck of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation, was recorded at Policy Options’ pre-election breakfast on April 2. The event was held in collaboration with the Yellowhead Institute, and our series is held in partnership with the Max Bell School of Public Policy. Download for free. New episodes every second Wednesday. Tweet your questions and comments to @IRPP.

2019 has seen huge developments in Canadian politics, and we still have months to go until the federal election. We know some of the political questions that will define election 43. But what about the policy questions? For the next few podcasts, we’ll be sharing coverage from events held by Policy Options, the IRPP and our partners, where experts come together to discuss some of the key policy challenges facing our country. This week, Nancy Olewiler (director of the School of Public Policy at Simon Fraser University), David McLaughlin (director of climate change at the International Institute for Sustainable Development) and Céline Bak (founder and president of Analytica Advisors) talk climate change. They cover how the debate has fared, what’s on the table and where policy should go next. Their discussion took place on February 25 as part of Policy Options’ pre-election breakfast series. It was moderated by Jennifer Ditchburn of Policy Options and introduced by Chris Ragan of the Max Bell School of Public Policy. Download for free. New episodes every second Wednesday. Tweet your questions and comments to @IRPP or @jbugiel.

What were the highlights of the 2019 federal budget? Policy Options editor-in-chief Jennifer Ditchburn, IRPP research directors Colin Busby and Natalia Mishagina, and Veldon Coburn of Carleton University's Indigenous Studies program share their insights during this special podcast. Download for free. New episodes every second Wednesday.

Journalism and truth in the Trump era, a Policy Options Podcast. As Donald Trump moves into the White House, the American news media is scrambling to get its own house in order. How do they cover a president who is overtly hostile to reporters, and is moving to curtail their access? How does the media connect with a distrustful public, especially when there are powerful voices telling citizens to ignore journalists? What can journalists do to make sure that the truth does not fall victim to a political movement that has its own powerful means of communication? All of these questions swirl as the industry across North America is struggling financially. Policy Options’ editor-in-chief Jennifer Ditchburn discusses these issues on the podcast with one of America’s foremost journalism scholars, Michael Schudson of Columbia University. Download for Free. New episodes every second Tuesday.

Preparing for the transition in Washington, DC, a Policy Options Podcast. The race for the Oval Office is closerthanthis, and both candidates are preparing for victory. Their transition teams are putting in place plans for the aftermath of the election, which will include the naming of a new cabinet and thousands of senior government officials, as well as the setting of legislative priorities and foreign policy objectives. Canadian officials in Washington will be monitoring the transition of power closely, to see what the implications are for our own domestic interests and actions. Gary Doer, the former Canadian ambassador to the United States, talked with Policy Options editor-in-chief Jennifer Ditchburn about the state of American politics and what the future might hold for Canada-US relations. Download for Free. New episodes every second Tuesday. See the Policy Options special feature "The US Presidential Election" at http://bit.ly/2f5G921

Episode 17 brings to you a conversation between Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, and London Mayor Sadiq Khan on the topics of diversity, inclusion & the future of progressive politics. The conversation took place in Montreal and was moderated by Jennifer Ditchburn. You can also read a text version of the conversation here: https://www.socialeurope.eu/2016/09diversity-inclusion-future-of-progressive-politics We would like to thank Canada 2020, the Center for American Progress and Policy Network for their permission to bring this panel discussion to you as an episode of Social Europe Podcast.

Jennifer Ditchburn visited the southwest of France with her husband and children in June 2016 and she comes on the show today to share some of the highlights of their experience. Jennifer is the Editor in Chief of a magazine called Policy Options in Canada, she speaks beautiful French and has visited France on several occasions. But, this is her first time in France with her children, so they selected child-friendly activities. Because we recorded this episode the day the results of the Brexit were announced and because Jennifer is a political junkie, we discuss this news event at the beginning of the show as well.   Subscribe to the Join Us in France Newsletter Click here for show notes and photos. Click here to support the show when booking your hotels. Click here to support the show when you shop on Amazon. Click here to review the show on iTunes. Click here to leave us a voice mail question or comment. Send email feedback: annie@joinusinfrance.com Follow the show on Facebook

Episode 14 of the IRPP’s Policy Options Podcast. In the wake of the Brexit referendum, this week’s episode tackles a Canadian issue that might soon trigger a referendum of its own: electoral reform. To kick off the podcast, podcast host Alex Shadeed briefly explains why some Canadians want to do away with the current system and what lies ahead in the electoral reform debate. Then, Policy Options editor-in-chief Jennifer Ditchburn speaks with Pippa Norris, professor at Harvard University and director of Electoral Integrity Project, about Canada’s electoral reform debate. Download for free. New episodes every second Tuesday. The Policy Options Special Feature on electoral reform http://bit.ly/29gvNXE