Podcast appearances and mentions of matt gurney

In this episode of On The Line, Matt Gurney speaks with Christian Leuprecht — professor at the Royal Military College and Queen's University, editor of the Canadian Military Journal, senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, and visiting fellow at the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies in Brussels. His forthcoming book is The Military's Response to Domestic Crises and Global Pandemics: Civil-Military Relations for Domestic Operations.Their conversation follows Prime Minister Mark Carney's major announcement earlier this week: a historic, immediate increase in Canadian defence spending to hit the NATO target of 2% of GDP. Some of that figure is, yes, a little creative from an accounting perspective. But much of it is real new money — and the scope is massive. This episode of On The Line is brought to you by the Métis Nation of Ontario. June is Indigenous History Month, a time to reflect on how Canada came to be.When American forces marched north in the War of 1812, Métis in the Upper Great Lakes stood in defence of the lands and waters they called home. They fought at Fort Mackinac, at Sault Ste. Marie, and at St. Joseph Island alongside the British to protect what would become Canada. The Crown promised land and security in return. But when the war ended, those promises faded. Métis families who left Drummond Island to remain free from American rule reestablished themselves in Penetanguishene and Sault Ste. Marie. The British promised they'd be able to live free and undisturbed — only to have their land sold out from under them in the following decades. Still, they stayed, built homes, raised families, and held onto their rights.In 2003, the Supreme Court of Canada affirmed what they had always known: that one of the Upper Great Lakes Métis settlements — the Sault Ste. Marie Métis community — holds rights protected under the Constitution.For over two hundred years, Métis in the Upper Great Lakes have fought for this country, contributed to its economy, and defended their place in it. To learn more, visit OntarioMetisFacts.com.But this isn't about expanding capabilities. It's about finally repairing a military that's been allowed to decay. The money won't go as far as you might think. Matt and Christian unpack the geopolitical pressures driving the decision — and the political complacency that's defined Canada's defence posture for nearly 75 years. They talk about the procurement bottlenecks that will make implementation painful, the civil-military dynamics that will determine who's actually accountable, and whether allies in Washington and Europe will be impressed. And finally, they get into the hard questions: how do you sustain this level of spending when Canada is already running structural deficits and showing little economic growth? And for Carney — is this a bold strategic play, or a long-term political gamble? Will the Canadian public really want to spend the amount of money all of this is going to cost?As always, like and subscribe at ReadTheLine.ca. You can also follow us on your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode. Share it with a friend, post about it online, or forward it to your favourite defence procurement officer. They could probably use the morale boost.And don't forget: On The Line drops Tuesday mornings on audio, with the video version rolling out Tuesday evening on YouTube and across our social channels. Prefer to watch? Stay tuned tonight — and follow us to catch the drop.Thanks for listening. We'll see you next week.

This week on On The Line, we've got a packed episode with three sharp conversations on three very different fronts — monarchy, cybersecurity, and continental defence.This episode of On The Line is brought to you by Innovative Medicines Canada. With a new government in place, one thing remains clear: Canada must continue to prioritize patients and healthcare innovation. Innovative Medicines Canada is focused on collaborating with all levels of government to improve access to life-saving medicines and develop a healthcare system that prioritizes patients, ignites innovation, and drives economic growth. Canada's innovative medicines sector plays a critical role—not just in health outcomes, but in keeping us competitive on the global stage. That's why, even during a moment of political change, Innovative Medicines Canada is staying focused on the issues that matter most to Canadians. And as Canada moves forward with national pharmacare, Innovative Medicines Canada believes it's possible to expand access without limiting choice—by strengthening what works and fixing what doesn't. Visit innovativemedicines.ca to learn more.First up, Matt Gurney speaks with Philippe Lagassé — associate professor at Carleton University and one of Canada's top experts on the Crown — about the visit by King Charles to Canada. But more than that, they talk about the subtle tension between Ottawa and London. Phil explains how royal visits actually work, why Canada has the right to ask for one, and what happens when the Brits don't exactly approve. Matt wonders if this is one of those true “Asshole Canada” moments — and Phil says it might be. He also says he'll be adding this visit to his lecture slides.Next, David Shipley of Beauceron Security joins the show to talk about a recent wave of cyberattacks that took down grocery chains in the U.K. While those attackers seem to be financially motivated criminals, the fragility of food distribution systems is becoming alarmingly clear. David warns that if a hostile actor ever wanted to cripple a food supply, it wouldn't take much — and based on what he's seeing, Canada is not remotely ready for that scenario.Finally, Matt has an extended conversation with Scott Clancy, a retired RCAF major-general, former director of operations at NORAD, and now a fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. They walk through the so-called “Golden Dome” — the massive new U.S. missile defence effort. What threats is it actually meant to counter? How does it work? And can Canada seriously partner with the U.S. on this kind of program while Washington is simultaneously taking a more aggressive posture toward us? It's a tough geopolitical moment, and Scott doesn't dodge any of it.As always, like and subscribe at ReadTheLine.ca. You can also follow us on your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode. Share it with a friend, post about it online, or send it to your favourite monarchist or missile silo commander. We're not picky.And don't forget: On The Line drops Tuesday mornings on audio, with the video version rolling out Tuesday evening on YouTube and across our social channels. If you're more of a watcher than a listener, stay tuned tonight — and follow us to catch the drop.Thanks for listening. We'll see you next week.

In this 1696th episode of Toronto Mike'd, Mike chats with Supriya Dwivedi about why she chose law school over medical school, how she ended up co-hosting the morning show on AM 640 with Matt Gurney and then Mike Stafford, why she quit, what she was doing for Justin Trudeau and more. Toronto Mike'd is proudly brought to you by Great Lakes Brewery, Palma Pasta, Ridley Funeral Home, Toronto Maple Leafs Baseball, Yes We Are Open, Nick Ainis and RecycleMyElectronics.ca. If you would like to support the show, we do have partner opportunities available. Please email Toronto Mike at mike@torontomike.com

In the latest episode of On The Line, Matt Gurney dives into the geopolitics of trade and the early days of a new Canadian government.First up, Ian Lee from the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University joins Matt to talk about the so-called “deal” recently announced between the United States and China. Ian isn't here to defend Donald Trump — and says so clearly — but he also offers a sharp take on how Trump's erratic approach to trade could still end up a political win for the U.S. That is, of course, if Trump can stay out of his own way. If he can? If his plan works? The implications for Canada? Not great. Especially if you're a fan of the auto sector.This episode of On The Line is brought to you by Innovative Medicines Canada. With a new government in place, one thing remains clear: Canada must continue to prioritize patients and healthcare innovation. Innovative Medicines Canada is focused on collaborating with all levels of government to improve access to life-saving medicines and develop a healthcare system that prioritizes patients, ignites innovation, and drives economic growth.Canada's innovative medicines sector plays a critical role—not just in health outcomes, but in keeping us competitive on the global stage. That's why, even during a moment of political change, Innovative Medicines Canada is staying focused on the issues that matter most to Canadians. And as Canada moves forward with national pharmacare, Innovative Medicines Canada believes it's possible to expand access without limiting choice—by strengthening what works and fixing what doesn't.Visit innovativemedicines.ca to learn more.Later in the show, Jamie Carroll — Liberal member of The Line's Anti-Panel — returns to talk about the first few weeks of Mark Carney's term as prime minister. He and Matt unpack how the Liberals are settling into their new minority, what the Conservatives are doing (or not doing), and why the NDP still can't seem to catch a break — even after all that's happened.As always, like and subscribe at ReadTheLine.ca. You can also follow us on your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode. Share it with a friend, post about it online, or just drop it into the group chat. You know the one.And don't forget: new On The Line episodes drop Tuesday mornings on audio, with the video version rolling out Tuesday evening on YouTube and across our social channels. Prefer to watch? Stay tuned tonight — and follow us to catch the drop.Thanks for listening. We'll see you next week.

In the latest episode of On The Line, Matt Gurney is joined by Gregory Jack, senior-vice president of public affairs at Ipsos Canada, as they do their best to unpack what the hell just happened on Monday night. And what might happen next.In the first half, they go tactical. Matt and Greg walk through the horse race numbers — who's up, who's down, and who pulled off a surprise. The Conservatives outperformed their polling numbers. The left-wing vote largely consolidated around the Liberals. And a few party leaders lost their seats in results that caught even close observers off guard. Greg brings the data. Matt brings the questions. Together they sketch out what actually happened on election night.This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Westinghouse. Canada's energy future is being shaped by the choices we make today. Westinghouse is 100% Canadian-owned and brings the world's most advanced, operational Gen III+ reactor — the AP1000® — proven, safe, efficient, and ready now. It can be brought online within a decade, delivering clean, reliable power when we need it most. Canada needs energy. Westinghouse is ready. Learn more at westinghousenuclear.com/canada.In the second half, they zoom out to a strategic overview. What does this election really mean? For the NDP, the road ahead is murky: do they rebuild slowly or try to bounce back fast by rolling the dice with an election ASAP? For the Conservatives, it's an open question whether they'll work with the Liberal minority — or move straight into siege mode. And for Mark Carney, the real challenge is just beginning. He has a minority government strong enough to last a while, but too fragile to do anything big or bold. Matt and Greg agree: this isn't the worst-case scenario, but it's pretty close. Canada remains stuck in political drift — and that drift could last a long time yet.This episode is also brought to you by the Métis Nation of Ontario. For generations, Métis communities in Ontario helped build Canada's first great economy — the fur trade. They farmed, traded, raised families, and fought for their rights. In 1993, they founded the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) to protect their future. In 2003, the Supreme Court affirmed their rights. In 2023, Canada recognized the MNO as the Métis Government in Ontario. Now, with a newly elected federal government, it's time to move forward. The MNO is calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney to advance the government-to-government relationship; resolve outstanding historic Métis claims; improve access to health care, mental health, and addictions services; and invest in Métis housing, education, and infrastructure. Generations of leadership brought us here. It's time to get it done. Learn more at OntarioMetisFacts.com.As always, like and subscribe at ReadTheLine.ca. You can also follow us on your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode. Share it with a friend, post about it online, or just drop it into the group chat. You know the one.And don't forget: new On The Line episodes are normally available Tuesday mornings on audio, with the video version rolling out Tuesday evening on YouTube and across our social media channels. (We are delayed by one day this week due to the election.) If you prefer to watch, stay tuned tonight — and make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss it.Thanks for listening. We'll see you next week.

In the latest episode of On The Line, Matt Gurney sits down for an unusually personal — and sometimes raw — conversation with Marcus Kolga: human rights activist, anti-corruption crusader, and a man who's been sanctioned by both Russia and China. That wasn't a figure of speech. He's literally sanctioned by both regimes.This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Westinghouse. Canada's energy future is being shaped by the choices we make today. Westinghouse is 100% Canadian-owned and brings the world's most advanced, operational Gen III+ reactor — the AP1000® — proven, safe, efficient, and ready now. It can be brought online within a decade, delivering clean, reliable power when we need it most. Canada needs energy. Westinghouse is ready. Learn more at westinghousenuclear.com/canada.They talk about what it's like to become a target of foreign interference — how it happens, what it feels like, who's behind it, and what they do. It's not just smear campaigns and trolling. There are reputational hits, financial costs, and personal tolls. Kolga explains how the interference machine works and shares some rare good news: he's finally getting some institutional support, and that isn't something everyone targeted can count on. But there's a reason foreign interference rarely dominates the political conversation — both major parties would rather not talk about it. As Matt and Marcus discuss, it's bad for the business of politics — except, of course, when you can blame the other team for doing it. Sigh.This episode is also brought to you by the Métis Nation of Ontario. After years of denial and misinformation, an independent expert panel of Métis historians and knowledge holders has affirmed what we have always known: Métis communities in Ontario are real, resilient, and are connected to the Métis Nation. Just as the iconic Métis sash is woven by many threads, it was never just one thread that held Ontario's historic Métis communities together. As the panel outlined, the national definition of Métis is woven just like the sash. It includes family and kinship connections, collective political action, shared culture like music, dancing and family values, and a shared way of life deeply connected to the lands and waters. The threads of historic Métis communities in Ontario are strong and have endured more than 200 years. To learn more, go to OntarioMetisFacts.com.Later in the episode, Gregory Jack, senior vice president of public affairs at Ipsos, returns to the show with the latest polling and political insights. He and Matt talk about the (maybe?) narrowing race, the rising public demand for infrastructure development, and why it's still so hard to get shovels in Canadian ground. Even with support, small but vocal opposition groups continue to slow things down. Greg also notes a darker turn in the campaign's tone — as things tighten, the political attacks are getting nastier.As always, like and subscribe at ReadTheLine.ca. You can also follow us on your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode. Share it with a friend, post about it online, or just drop it into the group chat. You know the one.And don't forget: new On The Line episodes are available Tuesday mornings on audio, with the video release rolling out Tuesday evening on YouTube and across our social media channels. If you prefer to watch, stay tuned tonight — and follow us to catch the drop.Thanks for listening. We'll see you next week.

Recorded in the last-pre-election days on March 21, 2025, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson look around and realize that this is as calm as their lives are going to be for about a month. And that's just sad.This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the information they need to choose potentially less harmful alternatives. Learn more at Unsmoke.ca.Your hosts start the podcast this week by talking about Mark Carney. They review his first few days in office, and find some good and some bad. They see some signs that he could mature as a politician. They also see some evidence that he needs that maturing to happen. Could Carney win? Absolutely. Could he lose? Also absolutely. We definitely see and even admire the Liberal battle plan, but it's risky.This episode has also been brought to you by Forestry For The Future. Forestry supports 200,000 Canadians in hundreds of communities, generating $87 billion in annual revenues and $37 billion in exports — including $29 billion to the United States. It's also key to addressing some of our biggest challenges. We need an action plan for our forest sector and its employees, one that will help build the homes we need with Canadian wood, reduce the risk of wildfires and create more family-supporting jobs right here at home. To learn more about what forestry can do for Canada, visit ForestryForTheFuture.ca.Then onto the Conservatives. There are definitely some signs that the Conservatives are, finally and belatedly, beginning their pivot away from the kind of campaign they wanted to run toward the kind of campaign they need to run. The Line is starting to see the outlines of a new CPC campaign take shape. One that can win. But they're also still seeing signs of internal divisions and a degree of leadership paralysis. Much like with Carney, they conclude that Poilievre can win, or lose.This episode of The Line Podcast is also brought to you by Environmental 360 Solutions. Ontario's recycling system is failing local businesses and benefiting large American recyclers. Over $10 million a year is being collected from Ontario consumers in mandatory fees for tire and battery recycling but much of the work is being outsourced to American recyclers. This is starving local Ontario companies of opportunities to do that work and keep good jobs in the province. Worse, enough mandatory fees have been collected from consumers to recycle 100% of the materials, but only a fraction of this work is actually being done. Ontario's recycling regulator is finally taking action, issuing penalties to the companies collecting the recycling fees, but in turn these companies are using these mandatory fees, paid by Ontarians to fund recycling programs, to cover the fines. The result? Ontario consumers are enriching unscrupulous industry participants and American recyclers, undermining recycling, job creation, and investment in Ontario. It's time for real accountability in the recycling industry. Click here to learn more.Last but not least, Jen gives Matt an update from Alberta, where she is looking for any signs of a truly building secessionist movement ... and not finding one. She lays out how that could change, and how it could change fast. Matt wraps up with a quick word on some developments in the other provinces. Lots going on.Like we said, folks, our Aprils are ruined. Because all of the stuff, and more, in the latest episode of The Line Podcast. Check us out at ReadTheLine.ca, and share our pain.

Welcome back for another edition of On The Line. Each week, On The Line will bring you an extended conversation with Matt Gurney or Jen Gerson and a guest — or guests! — that can speak with authority on whatever is in the news.In this episode, Matt Gurney speaks with Richard Shimooka, a Canadian defence expert and senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. They talk about the state of world affairs, especially after last week's dramatic Oval Office shouting match. They agree that America isn't turning into a dystopia, but it's absolutely returning to isolationism. And what's that going to mean for little ole us?This episode of On The Line is brought to you by the Forest Products Association of Canada. Canadian forestry supports 200,000 workers, generates $87 billion in annual revenue, and provides the products we need to build homes and drive economic growth. While trade barriers from the United States threaten jobs and investment, Canada's own approval processes and regulations are blocking critical projects that increase our self reliance. The Canadian government has a clear opportunity to stand up for Canadian forestry at a time of growing global uncertainty. We need real action that puts Canadians first — supporting employees and their families, securing stability for our businesses, and protecting the long-term potential of our sector and its people. To learn more, visit https://www.forestryforthefuture.ca/Matt and Richard spend a long time talking about the state of the Canadian military today — what can it do, and what can't it do? They also talk about the decades of political decisions that led us here. What is the military for, and what do the politicians think it's for? When you ask those questions, you don't always get the same answer! And that's a problem.This episode is also brought to you by the Métis Nation of Ontario. In 1879, food supplies ran out in Sault Ste. Marie and Bruce Mines. Survival hinged on teams of Métis mail carriers travelling 600 kilometres by dogsled through winter storms to restock stores. Through skill and sacrifice, Métis kept people alive so the Upper Great Lakes in what is now Ontario could grow and thrive. To learn more, go to https://www.ontariometisfacts.com/To wrap up, they talk about the kind of military that Canada should have. What does it need to be able to do? Why will our European allies probably not like the answer? And how can we start to reduce the amount of leverage that this White House, and any future White House, will have over us? By becoming stronger at home. But that won't be easy.As always, like and subscribe. Visit our main site at https://www.readtheline.ca/. And we'll see you next week for the next installment of On The Line.

Welcome back for another edition of On The Line, The Line's latest podcast offering. Each week, On The Line will bring you an extended conversation with Matt Gurney or Jen Gerson and a guest — or guests! — that can speak with authority on whatever is in the news.In this episode, Jen Gerson speaks with Duncan Dee, an airline analyst and former chief operations officer of Air Canada. Jen shares her recent harrowing experience with air travel, highlighting the inefficiencies and frustrations faced by travellers in Canada. They discuss the broader implications of air travel networks, the impact of any disruption at major hubs like Pearson Airport, and the need for more regional airports. The week's episode of On The Line is brought to you by the Motion Picture Association of Canada. For decades, Ottawa controlled what is “Canadian” and what isn't when it comes to series and movies available to Canadians. The rules are out of date and costing Canadians opportunities. It's time for Ottawa to focus on helping Canadian film and TV workers, and encourage efforts to showcase Canada. Go here to learn more.https://www.mpa-canada.org/press/ottawas-streaming-regulations-will-hurt-canadian-consumers-and-workers/?utm_source=the_line&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=sa_mpac_choice&utm_content=canadianThey chat about the recent crash of Delta Endeavor Flight 4819 at Pearson, which shut down two runways at the airport for days. This was just the latest in a rash of terrible aviation tragedies, and it was wonderful that no one died in the Toronto crash. But the aftermath was a sight to behold. They discuss the poor communication by the airport authority (and Canadian officialdom in general), and why the airline networks are less resilient to shocks like a major airport closing two runways than they used to be. At Fort Frances, a group of Métis leaders signed the “Halfbreed Adhesion” to Treaty 3 with Canada in 1875, becoming the only Métis community in Canada to be included as a distinct Métis party to one of the Numbered Treaties. By standing together, they ensured their place in Canada's story—one that will never be erased. For more information, visit https://www.ontariometisfacts.com/They also touch on a recent announcement of a $3.9 billion plan to .... announce another plan in five years for high-speed rail between Toronto and Montreal while asking the perennial Canadian question: Why don't we build stuff good here? Sigh.As always, like and subscribe. And we'll see you next week for the next installment of On The Line.

Welcome back for another edition of On The Line, The Line's latest podcast offering. Each week, On The Line will bring you an extended conversation with Matt Gurney or Jen Gerson and a guest — or guests! — that can speak with authority on whatever is in the news. And this week, in something of a break from the routine, we're here with good news. There are ways we can build this country and make it stronger. And a group of Canadians isn't waiting for a task force or government panel to do it. They're getting to work.The week's episode of On The Line is brought to you by the Motion Picture Association of Canada. For decades, Ottawa controlled what is “Canadian” and what isn't when it comes to series and movies available to Canadians. The rules are out of date and costing Canadians opportunities. It's time for Ottawa to focus on helping Canadian film and TV workers, and encourage efforts to showcase Canada. To learn more visit  https://www.mpa-canada.org/press/ottawas-streaming-regulations-will-hurt-canadian-consumers-and-workers/?utm_source=the_line&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=sa_mpac_choice&utm_content=canadianOur guest is Daniel Debow. He's a long-time Canadian tech entrepreneur. He gives his own abbreviated bio during the pod, so don't worry about the CV. What matters is that Daniel is part of a group of Canadians who are all volunteering their time to create policy papers on things Canada can do, quickly, to become more competitive. They're calling it Build Canada, and you can read about it at BuildCanada.com. Their focus is on growth. As Daniel notes, the difference between two-per-cent growth and four-per-cent isn't two per cent. It's 100 per cent! What are areas where Canada can make big changes fast, to become more prosperous in a fast-changing, dangerous world?This week's episode is also brought to you by the Métis Nation of Ontario. The Métis in what is now Ontario have always fought for their rights. In 2003, they took that fight to the Supreme Court and won. To learn more about their journey, go to https://www.ontariometisfacts.com/Daniel talks about how the experience of COVID-19 showed him what Canada can accomplish, but also how hard it is to get Canadians to see a threat coming. He shares some of what he and his fellow volunteers are focused on, and talks about whether tech is really right-wing. And he also talks about the surprising amount of hate mail he's been getting since the project was announced. Matt welcomes him to the club on that one.As always, like and subscribe and check out our main page at https://www.readtheline.ca And we'll see you next week for the next installment of On The Line.

Each week, On The Line will bring you an extended conversation with Matt Gurney or Jen Gerson and a guest — or guests! — that can speak with authority on whatever is in the news. In this episode, Jen Gerson interviews Rob Huebert, a political science professor at the University of Calgary, and director at the Centre of Military, Security and Strategic Studies, to discuss Arctic sovereignty and security. Is Trump serious about Canada becoming a 51st State — and if so, what does the Arctic have to do with his overall strategy? The week's episode of On The Line is brought to you by the Motion Picture Association of Canada. For decades, Ottawa controlled what is “Canadian” and what isn't when it comes to series and movies available to Canadians. The rules are out of date and costing Canadians opportunities. It's time for Ottawa to focus on helping Canadian film and TV workers, and encourage efforts to showcase Canada. To learn more visit https://www.mpa-canada.org/They talk about Arctic geopolitics, particularly in light of climate change and the shifting military dynamics involving the U.S., Canada, Russia, and China. With a growing potential for conflict in the region, Canada's military unpreparedness has never been more obvious, or more alarming to our allies in Washington. This week's episode is also brought to you by the Métis Nation of Ontario. The Métis in what is now Ontario were not just traders or voyageurs — they were strategists and warriors ready to defend their lands and water from invaders, who chose self-determination and freedom from the United States generations before Canada even existed. To learn more, go to https://www.ontariometisfacts.com/They also talk about America's rapidly shifting foreign policy goals under the second Donald Trump administration, the notion of hemispheric security as laid out recently by former Trump advisor Steve Bannon, the urgent need for Canada to bolster its military capabilities, and the dangers of complacency in the face of emerging threats. As always, like and subscribe. And we'll see you next week for the next installment of On The Line.On The Line will be distributed through the same channels as The Line Podcast, which will continue to release episodes on Friday. To never miss an episode of either of our offerings, you should obviously sign up at https://www.readtheline.ca/ but you can also follow us at the most popular podcast viewing/listening destinations.

It's not just tariffs.... healthcare, defense, even the courts are all suffering because of red tape and an inability to react in real time. Matt Gurney and Tara Henley explain. 

Thanks for checking out our first regular episode of On The Line, The Line's latest podcast offering. Each week, On The Line will bring you an extended conversation with Matt Gurney or Jen Gerson and a guest — or guests! — that can speak with authority on whatever is in the news. And this week, well. Like, look around. OMG.The week's episode of On The Line is brought to you by the Motion Picture Association of Canada. For decades, Ottawa controlled what is “Canadian” and what isn't when it comes to series and movies available to Canadians. The rules are out of date and costing Canadians opportunities. It's time for Ottawa to focus on helping Canadian film and TV workers, and encourage efforts to showcase Canada. To learn more visit https://www.mpa-canada.org/All kidding aside, and we suspect our viewers and listeners will understand, we had to change our plans like nine times before recording this, trying to keep up with developments. But we stuck the landing! Our first guest is Stephen Gordon, a professor of economics at Laval University. He joins this week's host Matt Gurney to talk about what Trump's tariff war would mean for Canada. How it would hurt. How Canada would adapt. How you can adapt. And also what could happen if this resumes and escalates. It's not great news. But it might not be as bad as you fear.For clarity: when we recorded this, the tariffs were still happening, but we knew there was a chance they'd be lifted. There was a lot going on! We treated it as something that would happen, but Stephen also told us why even the U.S. would be keen to avoid them …This week's episode is also brought to you by the Métis Nation of Ontario. The Métis in what is now Ontario were not just traders or voyageurs — they were strategists and warriors ready to defend their lands and water from invaders. Their contributions in the War of 1812 shaped the borders of a future Canada. To learn more, go to https://www.ontariometisfacts.com/Our next guest is P.J. Fournier, creator of 338Canada. (Check out his main page at 338Canada.com, and also his newsletter at 338Canada.ca.) P.J. gives us an update on federal polling, and addresses why some of it seems so wonky. He also gives us an update on two provinces — Ontario already has an election underway, and next door in Quebec, an unpopular premier is no doubt watching to see if his pal Doug pays a price for calling an early vote ... As always, like and subscribe and check out our main page at ReadtheLine.ca. And we'll see you next week for the next installment of On The Line.

In this episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on Jan. 24, 2025, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson make some utterly bonkers proposals. And they want you to make some, too. This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the information they need to choose potentially less harmful alternatives. Learn more at https://www.unsmoke.ca/ Your hosts get you started by talking about the latest developments in the ongoing Liberal leadership race. They make some observations and get you all caught up on the latest from Mark Carney and Chrystia Freeland, but what they really ask for, and they're asking you, too, are suggestions on radical things Canada can do to become ruthless scary. Literally. How can Canada fight? How can we make Donald Trump think twice? How can we make China and Russia decide we aren't worth the hassle of messing with. This would require some pretty radical changes, but if our politicians mean it when they keep saying that all options are on the table, well, great. Let's put some absolutely psychotic stuff on the table and dare the world to respond."Canada's back" needs to stop being a promise and a quip, an applause line for preening Canadian officials basking in the warm glow of cozy international summits. "Canada's back" needs to become a threat. We've got some ideas. What do you have?This episode of The Line Podcast is also brought to you by TikTok Canada. TikTok Canada has a team of hundreds of local employees supporting the success of Canadian creators, businesses and advertisers. The federal government, however, has ordered TikTok to shut down its Canadian offices. Shutting down TikTok Canada doesn't make Canadians safer — but it does eliminate jobs and investments in this country. Learn more at https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/They wrap up by getting everyone caught up on what the premiers are up to. Some of it is good. We just aren't sure a lot of it is deliberate.Anyway. Make Canada Scary Again.All that and more in the latest episode of The Line Podcast. As always, like, subscribe, and visit us for more at https://www.readtheline.ca/

In this episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on Jan. 17, 2025, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson try and remember all the things that happened this week. Because it was a busy one!This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the information they need to choose potentially less harmful alternatives. Learn more at https://www.unsmoke.ca/First, your hosts spend some time discussing the (at last) official start of Mark Carney's political career. They talk about the choice to launch on Jon Stewart's American late-night show, and it was indeed quite the choice. They talk about polls which show a slight tightening of what had seemed an imminent Conservative landslide, but they aren't sold on it yet (though the Liberals will bounce a bit, we suspect, especially as the leadership race gets attention). They talk about Carney's resume, and Pierre Poilievre's, and why they aren't as mismatched as some want you to believe. And Matt notes that he hasn't seen progressive voters as excited about a replacement candidate since ... the summer. With Kamala Harris. Remember how that turned out?This episode of The Line Podcast is also brought to you by TikTok Canada. TikTok Canada has a team of hundreds of local employees supporting the success of Canadian creators, businesses and advertisers. The federal government, however, has ordered TikTok to shut down its Canadian offices. Shutting down TikTok Canada doesn't make Canadians safer — but it does eliminate jobs and investments in this country. Learn more at https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-ca/tiktokcanada-notice-to-challenge-local-shutdownJen and Matt then gab about why they think it would be good for national unity if "Team Canada" didn't seem to always mean "Alberta sacrifices." Seriously. Can someone let us know when anyone is proposing an export ban on Ontario auto parts or B.C. lumber or Atlantic fish? STOP IT. YOU ARE RUINING THE COUNTRY.Last but not least, they offer their final thoughts on the Biden years and the imminent re-inauguration of Donald Trump. We're sure it's gonna go great!Sigh.All that and more in the latest episode of The Line Podcast. As always, like, subscribe, and visit us for more at https://www.readtheline.ca/

Understand how to incorporate pre visit sedation protocols with your cat or dog friendly approach This podcast complements the pre-visit medication protocols that we have on Zero Pain Philosophy Learn how to interpret some of the behaviours that anxious dogs are showing in the hospital and how our interactions with those pets are 90% of the solution Review the pre-visit and hospital sedation protocols created by Dr Matt Gurney & Dr Sarah Heath first, as you listen to this podcast Find the sedation protocols at www.zeropainphilosophy.com. Please note access is limited to veterinary professionals and we are unable to answer advice queries from pet owners. Please contact your vet.  For information on behavioural medicine support from Behaviour Referrals Veterinary Practice please visit https://behaviouralreferrals.co.uk/ References Mills, Daniel S et al. “Pain and Problem Behavior in Cats and Dogs.” Animals : an open access journal from MDPI vol. 10,2 318. 18 Feb. 2020, doi:10.3390/ani10020318 Tooley, Carrie, and Sarah E Heath. “Emotional Arousal Impacts Physical Health in Dogs: A Review of Factors Influencing Arousal, with Exemplary Case and Framework.” Animals : an open access journal from MDPI vol. 13,3 465. 28 Jan. 2023, doi:10.3390/ani13030465

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on Dec. 13, 2024, Jen Gerson comes crashing back down to reality. Last week, she was feeling better about everything. She thought Trudeau was figuring it out. She thought the premiers were going to play their parts. She thought Team Canada would rally to take on Donald Trump.She doesn't think that anymore. Matt Gurney is glad to have her back.This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the information they need to choose potentially less harmful alternatives. Learn more at Unsmoke.ca.There's a lot else to discuss. They deal with breaking stories not once but twice during this episode. The federal government has ordered the post office back to work. They chat about that briefly. Jen's Christmas cards are saved, to Matt's enormous relief. They also react to a new poll showing that Canadians are feeling pretty down on their country. They also chat a lot about how different premiers are responding to Donald Trump's tariff threats. Doug Ford and Danielle Smith take some criticism. Scott Moe gets some praise. Francois Legault gets laughed at, but also gets some praise.This episode of The Line Podcast is also brought to you by the Digital Media Association. Costs are going up everywhere, and now streaming could cost you more. Why? Because the federal government has decided to tax your streaming services.This new tax could make life even more unaffordable. To learn more, visit ScrapTheStreamingTax.ca.Also on the agenda today: is Trump going full manifest destiny on us, or is he just trolling Trudeau? Or both? How is Trudeau handling it? What do we make of rumours coming out of Ottawa about Chrystia Freeland being on the way out and Rachel Notley on the way in?And, also, while we're on the topic: don't shoot CEOs. Just don't.All that, and more, in the latest episode of The Line Podcast. Like, subscribe, share, leave glowing reviews and as always, visit us at ReadtheLine.ca for more.If you think you can handle it.

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on Nov. 15, 2024, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson take in a week that was incredibly busy, but also felt shockingly quiet. Maybe it's because we're all still deafened by all the news from last week?This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the information they need to choose potentially less harmful alternatives. Learn more at Unsmoke.ca.First up: a quick review of what U.S. president-elect Donald Trump has already announced in terms of key staffing positions in his cabinet and White House political team. Some of them are very good, even if they might pose particular problems for Canada. Others are just bonkers. Jen remembers enough of Trump 1 to suggest that the bonkers is the point. Feature, not bug.Matt takes over then and offers Jen a theory. He has been reading up about why certain large U.S. cities moved sharply toward the GOP this cycle, and agrees with an American columnist who suggested it was a rejection from the actual policy failures of progressive municipal leaders in the U.S., who are too captured by the appeal of what they're trying to do in theory to ever admit that it's failing in practice. Matt warns that that is likely to play out in Canada, and they then chat about how, across a number of fronts, Canada works in theory. But not in practice. And if we're going to survive Trump 2, we want to survive in practice. Not just in theory.Next: two grim stories out of the GTA this week remind us anew of why our Jewish friends and family are so stressed out these days. It's not encouraging, folks. The trendlines are bad. Then Jen wraps it all up by proposing a radical suggestion: don't ruin Remembrance Day by trying to make it into something it's not. Just let it be what it is.Dangerous thinking, eh?All that, and more, the latest episode of The Line Podcast. Like, subscribe, share, leave a glowing review, and as always, check us out at our main website, ReadTheLine.ca.

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on Nov. 8, 2024, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson provided viewers and listeners with the scintillating experience of a sustained bout of silence, because they have no idea what to say.Like, they also talk and stuff, but, like, wow. Right?This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the information they need to choose potentially less harmful alternatives. Learn more at Unsmoke.ca.First up: a chat about the vibe. The feels. What they are thinking and feeling since the decisive electoral victory of Donald Trump over Kamala Harris this week. They take a look at the latest available numbers, and note the broader societal and political trends that they speak to. They discuss Trump's failures as a human being, and why the Democrats still somehow managed to convince 75 million people that they were fine, or even virtues. They talk about history, and how it feels when one age transforms into another.It's all very uplifting.Next: they zoom in on Canada, and speculate about what's next for us. Trump won't have Canada at the top of his shit list, but we might not be all that far from the top, given how Justin Trudeau and his government have made many public comments about Trump that we suspect the president-elect remembers. We talk about how Canada actually (and sincerely!) excelled at adapting itself to a global order that is now dead, and how we should have begun hedging our bets years ago. But we didn't, so now we need to adjust right now, all at once. And we aren't sure the Trudeau government will survive the G-forces such a sudden pivot is going to create.Last up, and still on the topic of a changing world, your hosts note with alarm and sadness the pogrom in Amsterdam this week. And they add it to the list of things that Canadian officials ought to be worried about, but don't seem to be.All that, and more, in the latest episode of The Line Podcast. Like and subscribe! Tell all your friends! And check out the rest of our work at https://www.readtheline.ca/

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded during the week of Oct. 28, 2024, Matt Gurney finds a way to make a podcast without Jen Gerson. And, it turns out, it involves bringing in Jen Gerson.Okay, okay, let us explain: this episode of the podcast is different than normal since Jen is in Israel. So for the first segment, she joins Matt from her hotel room in Jerusalem for a talk about what she has seen overseas (and she has seen more than planned!) and also, how it's left her feeling. Feeling about the conflict itself, of course, but also feeling about humanity. This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the information they need to choose potentially less harmful alternatives. Learn more at Unsmoke.ca.Matt still had a whole podcast to fill, though, so after his chat with Jen, he got by with a little help from his friends. First up was David Shipley, an old friend and colleague of Matt's who is a former reporter, former soldier and, today, a cybersecurity expert at Beauceron Security, where he is co-founder and CEO. David recently saw a story in the CBC that made his blood run hot — the Canada Revenue Agency has timidly and belatedly acknowledged a major error, and the official reaction was ... nothing? No one cared. David wants us to get mad. Matt thinks he's right.Next, Matt is joined by two friends, who happen to be seasoned political operatives. He has been wanting to get someone to answer — on the record! — a question about what it feels like to lose a campaign. What it feels like when a war room knows it's all going wrong. When the bad news keeps coming. When a winnable campaign starts to slip through your grasp. He has had a hard time finding people who wanted to talk about that — because, honestly, it's asking them to relive something that was upsetting and maybe even traumatic.But he finally found his people! Mitch Heimpel is a regular contributor to The Line, and a consultant today, but spent years inside the Conservative Party of Canada as a staffer and war-room guy. He's with public-affairs firm Enterprise Canada. Erin Morrison has been a political communicator and strategist in two legislatures and at the House of Commons for over a decade, working for multiple NDP leaders. She's been the director of communications and campaign deputy director on campaigns across Canada and federally. She's the founder of Morrison Comms Inc.It's an unusual episode of The Line Podcast, but we think a pretty good one, and we hope you enjoy it. God willing, Jen will be back to Calgary safe and sound by next week, and we'll get back to our normal episodes, but we hope this one tides you over. Like and subscribe! Tell all your friends! And check out the rest of our work at ReadtheLine.ca. 

The Prime Minister's future, the U.S. election, and spies in our midst. The GenX/Millennial panel weighs in: Derek Fildebrandt, Matt Gurney, and Tara Henley share their thoughts.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with Marieke Walsh, Matt Gurney, and Stephen Maher about the week in Canadian politics, Michael Coren reflects on the transitions that have defined his public and personal life, Toluse Olorunnipa, Molly Ball, and Keith Boag break down what the final two weeks in the race for the White House could look like, and political scientist Oliver Stuenkel explains the rise of the BRICS group of nations.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

Host Piya Chattopadhyay breaks down the NDP-Liberal breakup with Toronto Star national columnist Susan Delacourt and The Line's Matt Gurney, writer and publisher Roland Allen explores why the notebook still endures in the digital age, statistician Nate Silver weighs the rewards of taking risks in politics and beyond, and our monthly challenge That's Puzzling! returns.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

In the latest, Labour-Day-weekend edition of The Line Podcast, recorded late on August 29th, 2024, Jen Gerson visibly wilts before Matt Gurney's eyes as the summer-time cold she's battling decisively wins that battle. But before Jen collapses, they start with a quick political round-up from the provinces: chaos in B.C., shock among Ford critics in Ontario, and a controversial announcement in Alberta that Jen agrees may be bad, but not for the reasons people are saying. This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the information they need to choose potentially less harmful alternatives. Learn more at Unsmoke.ca.From there, your Line editors talk about the summer — not like what they did during the summer, but how they felt the political vibe is as the summer (alas) draws to its conclusion. They both agree that the federal Liberals more or less did what they needed to do. They survived! But they glance at the latest polls and conclude that we're likely right back where we left off at the end of June, with the Liberals once again facing down reports of internal discontent and mutinous feelings while the CPC maintains a lead in the 15-20 per cent range. They end with something of a pop quiz from Matt to Jen, and she was really delighted to be hit with a surprise question as her immune system collapsed in real time. But they both shared their best guesses on what Justin Trudeau's "Hail Mary" play will be in what time he has left. Matt suggests we're already starting to see it, in fact.All that, and much more, in the latest episode of The Line Podcast. To subscribe and read more, check us out at https://www.readtheline.ca/NOTE FROM THE LINE: With the long weekend upon us, The Line is returning to a normal publication schedule as of Tuesday (assuming Jen isn't in a coma). There will be no written dispatch this weekend, but we'll get one out early next week. And then back to the grind. We hope our readers, listeners and viewers had an amazing summer, and thank them, as always, for their support.

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded a day earlier than normal on August 22nd, 2024, after Jen Gerson offers up some shockingly TMI stuff, your hosts start by noting, with amusement, that Jagmeet Singh, leader of the federal NDP, tried once again to tweet about how mad he was at Justin Trudeau and got zapped by Twitter's crowd-sourced fact-checking service. The Twitter hivemind, in its wisdom, noted that as Trudeau's confidence-and-supply agreement partner, Singh could hold Trudeau to account basically whenever he wanted. How strange that Singh seems to keep forgetting that. Nothing lasts long on Twitter, Matt Gurney notes. But it was glorious.This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the information they need to choose potentially less harmful alternatives. Learn more at Unsmoke.ca.After that, your Line editors move on to another big chat involving federal politics this week. Charles Adler, long-time broadcaster, has been appointed to the Senate. After Gurney makes a personal disclosure, Gerson takes the lead on a discussion about accountability, bias and the currying of favour, and why all members of the press wince a little bit when one of them makes the jump to political life. She also establishes what Gurney has dubbed the Gerson Scale for political ickiness. From there, they move onto the rail lockout (for the record, this was recorded before the federal government announced that it would use its powers to end the disruption; as we prep this podcast for publication on Friday, it's not yet clear if the trains will actually start running -- everything is moving fast on this one, folks, so bear with us). They don't talk about the disruption itself so much as how vulnerable (or not?) our supply chains are, and how strange it is to live in a time where the average Canadian has to spend so much time thinking about supply chains! It didn't used to be this way.They end with what Gurney dubs a "vibe check." Ontario premier Doug Ford has taken a step that will close down a series of controversial safe injection sites in Toronto, and Gurney believes that this speaks to a bigger, broader cultural shift that's underway. That big ole pendulum is just swinging hard back to the right, ain't it?All that, and much more, in the latest episode of The Line Podcast. To subscribe and read more, check us out at ReadTheLine.ca.

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on August 16th, 2024, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson bring the heat. Actually, Matt's just melting visibly onscreen without air conditioning. (He explains, don't worry. At least his microphone is fixed?) More seriously, your hosts talk about two damning stories out there right now on the immigration front. The first is the latest on the arrest of two apparent/alleged/etc ISIS terrorists who were planning an attack (police claim) on Toronto. This is a bit awkward since both men were fairly recent arrivals to Canada, and obtained Canadian citizenship after one of the men (allegedly!) took part in a brutal ISIS execution video in 2015. Oops. Also, the UN is slamming Canada's temporary foreign workers laws as being akin to modern day slavery. And honestly, The Line thinks that's pretty fair, when you consider the rules.Then, Jen goes off on "Raygun," the Australian breakdancer. Like, she really goes off on her. It was ... surprising. So enjoy that, we guess.Finally: a couple of media stories. Your Line editors note, with regret, the closing of CHML 900, a news-talk radio station in Hamilton, Ontario, that had been operating for 97 years but can no longer survive in the modern media environment. Your hosts explain why. Matt then tells Jen about the brave editorialist who apparently took on Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and won, according to Twitter. Matt checked out the editorial, thinking he was going to read a smackdown of the CPC boss ... and came away less than impressed. He explains why.All that, and more, in the latest episode of The Line Podcast. Take care, and as always, like, subscribe, share, and visit our website at ReadTheLine.ca.

Important correction: During this episode, Line editor Gurney utterly brain cramped and repeatedly referred to Jeff Simpson when he meant Lawrence Martin. No excuses. Just a mortifying flub. Mea culpa.In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on August 2, 2024, your hosts Jen Gerson and Matt Gurney discuss Jen's column this week, but they also discuss the broader problem with Canadian governance these days: disasters aren't to be learned from, they're to be blamed on someone or something else. There are undoubtedly things we should learn from the recent devastation of Jasper. We should learn them before something terrible happens to Banff, just to cite one example. But will we? Of course not. The fire in Jasper, like everything else, is just an opportunity for us all to convince ourselves that we're perfect and the other bastards are to blame again.They also discuss the latest developments in the Middle East, and wonder if something even more awful will have happened by the time anyone actually ends up listening to it. They also make a heartfelt appeal to Canadians, in response to the latest wave of awful antisemitism: maybe don't firebomb and deface Jewish sites? Like, you know, just ... don't? It's not helping! Just a thought!They wrap up with a chat about the latest media news. Matt is less than impressed with a column he read recently, though he thinks we should put it into a museum as a perfect example of how selfish, petty and petulant many Canadians remain. We are, he says, a very spoiled and childish country. They also talk about a new report on the first year for the Canadian media since the Online News Act passed. It hasn't gone great!All that, and more, in the latest episode of The Line Podcast. Take care, and as always, like, subscribe, share, and visit our website at  ReadTheLine.ca.

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on July 19, 2024, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson try and wrap up their thoughts on Quite The Week! in U.S. politics. Your Line editors are not Americans, and generally leave American political analysis to those who actually live in that country. But we can't avoid the events in the U.S. They're too big and too important. So, as a compromise, they tried to mostly stay on the topic of what Quite The Week! in the U.S. will mean for us. They also talk about Biden, his options, and why there is literally no position The Line can take on Trump that will please everyone. It's just too hot a topic.They then move on, back to the relative safety of Canadian politics, and note that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made a move to (politically!) kneecap Mark Carney. They think that's shrewd, but they also think that that confirms what they've suspected: Trudeau won't go unless he's forced out. Also: best wishes to Seamus O'Regan. To wrap up: a cyber catastrophe and the warning we won't heed, Toronto floods and we won't learn from that either, and Matt has to remind Albertans that he loves them (because he's about to say something that will piss them off). But, for her part, Jen agrees.All that, and more, in this episode of The Line Podcast.Take care, and as always, like, subscribe, share, and visit our website at ReadTheLine.ca.

The fate of Joe Biden's presidency loomed large over this week's NATO meeting, but Justin Trudeau had some big news of his own — agreeing to a major increase in military spending. Canada's ambassador to the U.S. joins The House to talk about the summit, the spending and this country's response to the American political drama.Then, a dive into the recent slew of high-profile instances of crumbling infrastructure — from water mains to public pools — and how governments might go about fixing them.Plus — for our Book Smart Summer series, author Wendy Wong talks about far-reaching data collection and its implications for our privacy, our relationships and our very humanity.This episode features the voices of: Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman Matt Gurney, The LineFrances Bula, freelance urban issues reporterMary Rowe, president and CEO, Canadian Urban InstituteWendy Wong, author, We, The Data: Human Rights in the Digital Age

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on July 12, 2024, Jen Gerson and Matt Gurney discuss the likely fate of Chrystia Freeland, deputy prime minister and minister of finance. For those who remember what happened to her predecessor, Bill Morneau, a certain news story in the Globethis week — wherein sources close to the PMO said they're getting fed up with Freeland's terrible communication skills — suggests that bad things are headed the deputy PM's way. Your hosts talk it out — if she does lose her gig at Finance, does she go entirely out of cabinet? Take a different portfolio? Does she quit? Is this deliberate leaking to spook her into quitting, or a genuine leak from chatty insiders? Also, as Gurney notes, if the PMO is mad at her for being a bad communicator, they should blame themselves. She's always been a bad communicator. If they're just noticing that now, that's their fault. This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the information they need to choose potentially less harmful alternatives. Learn more at Unsmoke.ca.They also talk about this week's NATO summit. Gurney recaps his column, published in The Line on Friday, and they also chat about what Trudeau has gotten right on defence. He has gotten things right! But he's also demanding full credit for a promise that, to be blunt, simply isn't very credible, and he's also taking swipes at NATO's two-per-cent target itself. Which is weird .... since he committed his government to it! No one is asking Justin Trudeau to do anything that Justin Trudeau hasn't pledged to do, and Justin Trudeau is apparently unhappy about that. That's something we should reflect on. That's something the PM should reflect on. They wrap up the episode by talking about some of the stories that crossed their desk this week. Shocking revelations about the personal life of Canadian literacy icon Alice Munro are forcing a necessary reevaluation of her legacy. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre received a less-than-friendly reception when he spoke at a meeting of the Assembly of First Nations; your hosts get into that a bit as well. And lastly, the political fate of Joe Biden might already be sealed, and there isn't much that the Democrats can do about it ... probably. Take care, and as always, like, subscribe, share, and visit our website at ReadTheLine.ca.

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson thank the listeners, viewers and sponsors for the new equipment that they're using, which will hopefully punch this podcast up to ever-greater heights. (Once they figure out how to use it!) They also talk about the by-election in St. Paul's. Jen doesn't think the Liberals have enough time to replace Justin Trudeau. Matt says he should feel honour-bound to remain and absorb a defeat, leaving the Liberals better off to fight the next election. They both enjoyed a news report from Justin Ling in the Toronto Star. Note to federal cabinet ministers: don't have sensitive conversations in public places, because a reporter might literally be sitting next to you listening to everything.This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the information they need to choose potentially less harmful alternatives. Learn more at  Unsmoke.ca.They also discuss what they call "cabinet ministers behaving badly." Chrystia Freeland had some weird comments about the byelection, or more specifically the electorate, and Harjit Sajjan is in hot water again. And this time, accusing critics of racism ain't gonna cut it. (It stopped cutting it a while ago, come to think of it.)They also briefly discuss Matt's latest column, which went live on Friday. Check it out!As a programming note: no written dispatch this weekend, but columns to come next week. Happy Canada Day, everyone! Take care, and as always, like, subscribe, share, and visit our website at  ReadTheLine.ca.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with Toronto Star columnist Susan Delacourt and The Line's Matt Gurney about what issues will hang over Parliamentarians as they head home from the House of Commons for the summer, chef Fadi Kattan shares his journey documenting and preserving Palestinian food culture, Dr. Anthony Fauci reflects on his public health career and becoming a political lightning rod along the way, and Marie Wilson recounts her experience helping lead the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

In this episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on June 14, 2024, Matt Gurney finds Jen Gerson at an Alternate Location, having abandoned Calgary due to the lack of water. Just kidding! Sort of. Jen is at a family event in B.C., and it looks like a beautiful place and a fun time is being had by all, but be aware! The internet connection was a problem for Jen, so this episode will have some issues, to put it mildly. Don't worry. We made the most of it with our typical Line aplomb and sense of humour. Thanks for your patience.This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the information they need to choose potentially less harmful alternatives. Learn more at Unsmoke.ca.The main topic for today? Traitors in the House of Commons! Or not! While Justin Trudeau and Pierre Poilievre both continue to say as little as possible, Green Party leader Elizabeth May and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh have read the full report, and they've reached exactly opposite conclusions. So that's not great.Your Line editors also talk about a hilarious photo of Mark Carney, a man who would probably not pose with a Budweiser if he wasn't planning on running for high office. Jen offers a variety of salient points of analysis on matters of Canadian politics and policy. Matt talks about beer and his theory about hockey jerseys. Don't worry, it makes sense.And finally: Matt mostly keeps his powder dry here because of an upcoming column he's working on, but he does note that the bizarre signs of panic among Liberals continue to accumulate, and he wonders if the theme that connects all these stories is that we might, in fact, be headed toward an earlier election than we are expecting. So great. That's something to look forward to.All that, and more, on the latest episode of The Line Podcast. Please like and subscribe, share widely, and find out more about us at our website, ReadTheLine.ca.

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on June 7, 2024, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson find themselves in an Edmonton Airbnb they are about to be kicked out of, still basking in the warm glow of a successful Edmonton The Line Ahead panel discussion, but also grappling with very alarming news out of Ottawa. One of the committees the government tasked with investigating the threat of foreign interference in Canada has come back with an alarming report, warning of apparent traitors within Parliament. The names are inevitably going to leak, but in the meantime, both the Liberals and Conservatives, no doubt fearful of finding out that members of their own parties are implicated, have been slow to react. That isn't going to work. Canada is capable of defending itself — hell, we are willing to defend ourselves — or we aren't. And right now, we aren't confident that we'll pick the good option.This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the information they need to choose potentially less harmful alternatives. Learn more at Unsmoke.ca.Meanwhile, before they leave Edmonton, both Line editors exalt in the joy of being in a city with a functional municipal water system. Jen's hometown, alas, can claim no such luck. They talk about that, and also note that they've both been warning about exactly this issue — crumbling municipal infrastructure reducing our overall quality of life — for weeks. And Calgary kindly stepped up to the plate to volunteer itself as the on-the-nose example.They end with a quick discussion of interest rates — the Bank of Canada cut rates this week, which offers some relief for Canadians, but your editors suspect it's too little, too late for there to be much political benefit for the government. People are just too annoyed already. And a bunch of them have already renewed their mortgages at the higher rates.All that, and more, in the latest The Line Podcast. Please like and subscribe, share widely, and find out more about us at our website, ReadTheLine.ca.

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on May 31, 2024, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson go out of their way to really broaden their appeal, make as many friends as possible, and generally just avoid all the really icky, controversial things that are going to result in their comment section being a dumpster fire.Well, okay, maybe that's what they should have done. But we can redeem ourselves! Join us in Edmonton next week! Enjoy our wit and personal presence! Enjoy our panel of brilliant people! Enjoy food and drinks! That's coming up in just a few days! Grab your tickets now.This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the information they need to choose potentially less harmful alternatives. Learn more at Unsmoke.ca. G&G start off the podcast with Matt noting three weird incidents from senior Liberals — including the most senior Liberal — over the last week. One of them is a serious issue, and they spend some time talking about both the political and policy ramifications of that. The other two are just bizarre and, frankly, hilarious. So enjoy that, but then pause the podcast and have a little cry, because these are the people running the country for at least the next 18 months.The two then, with great reluctance, dare discuss U.S. politics. Donald Trump, former president of the United States and the de facto GOP nominee for the coming election, has been convicted by a jury of New Yorkers on 34 felony counts. Your hosts talk about the trial, a bit, but more about the state of America, and also whether or not Jen should take off her shirt, and then, eventually, they agree that they'd have killed Baby Hitler.It was one of our more free-ranging segments, let's say.And then: a group of independent Canadian media outlets and journalists released a joint statement this week, decrying the government's subsidies for media. The Line, and The Line's editors, did not sign it, even though they broadly agree with it. They talk about their reasons.All that, and more, in the latest The Line Podcast. Please like and subscribe, share widely, and find out more about us at our website, ReadTheLine.ca.

In our last episode, we introduced a new class of drugs that have recently hit the veterinary market for treating pain associated with osteoarthritis: nerve growth factor monoclonal antibody therapy. Just over one year ago, Librela (bedinvetmab) entered the North American veterinary market, shaking up our traditional pharmaceutical approach to osteoarthritis pain management in dogs. However, Librela has been available in the United Kingdom and Europe for years Zoetis, the pharmaceutical manufacturer and distributor of Librela, reports that millions of doses of Librela have been administered to dogs since its introduction in 2021, with veterinarians rating their overall satisfaction with the product at about an 8 out of 10. What can veterinarians in America learn from the experience of European vets about effectively incorporating this novel drug into an overall pain management plan for dogs with osteoarthritis?Host Dr. Bonnie Gatson chats with UK veterinary anesthesiologist and internationally recognized expert on companion animal pain management, Dr. Matt Gurney. Dr. Gurney is past president of the European College of Veterinary Anesthesia & Analgesia and now works as an anesthesiologist and pain management expert at Eastcott Referrals in the UK. He is also co-founder of Zero Pain Philosophy, an educational resource for veterinary professionals around the globe with a mission to help achieve excellence in veterinary pain management. Together, they discuss how Librela has changed the way European vets manage osteoarthritis pain in dogs, clinical pearls on using Librela in practice, and side effects observed by European vets compared to anecdotal adverse events that have been reported out of the United States.Resources mentioned in this episode: The Canine Brief Pain Inventory for dogsThe European and American data sheets on Librela (bedinvetmab)A comprehensive review of nerve growth factor antibody therapy for the treatment of osteoarthritis pain in humans by Dr. Schmelz If a patient experiences an adverse event associated with use of Librela, please contact product support at Zoetis at 1-888-963-8471. Learn more about achieving analgesic excellence at your clinic with Dr. Gurney's Zero Pain Philosophy. You can check out Zero Pain Philosophy Podcast, wherever you get your podcasts. Become a member of NAVAS for access to more anesthesia and analgesia educational and RACE-approved CE content.Our mission: Reduce mortality and morbidity in veterinary patients undergoing sedation, anesthesia, and analgesia through high-quality, peer-reviewed education.Thank you to our sponsor, Dechra - learn more about the pharmaceutical products Dechra has to offer veterinary professionals, such as Zenalpha.All opinions stated by the host and their guests are theirs alone and do not represent the thoughts or opinions of any corporation, university, or other business or governmental entity.Special thanks to Chris Webster, Saul Jimenez, and producer Maria Bridges for making this podcast a reality.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay breaks down the week in politics with columnists Susan Delacourt and Matt Gurney, writer A.J. Jacobs shares what he learned living by an originalist reading of the U.S. Constitution for a year, ex-White House press secretary Jen Psaki reflects on media and politics, and we play another round of our monthly brain game That's Puzzling!Find more at at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on May 3, 2024, Matt Gurney tells Jen Gerson about his visit to the encampment that has sprung up at the University of Toronto. He spends some time describing the scene, but then also goes into detail about what he saw there that he does find disturbing. The two also talk about their past experience covering other encampments, and Matt makes his recommendation: unless U of T wants a real mess on its hands, it is well advised to disperse this encampment before it becomes physically or psychologically entrenched.Your Line editors then move on to discuss the completely eye-rolling theatrics that have been coming out of Ottawa this week. Frankly, we think they're all pretty wacko, at this point. They do talk about some of the interesting things that have happened in Ottawa, including some depressing poll numbers for the prime minister and an interesting op-ed by the opposition leader, but fundamentally, it's clear to your Line editors that Justin Trudeau and Pierre Poilievre really need a vacation. Far from each other. And their phones. Also, is it just us, or is the level of anger and polarization in our society having this specific consequence: political silly season seems to be coming earlier and lasting longer. Great. Just another year and a half of this to go.The Line editors then discuss frustrating comments made by Bill Blair, minister of national defence, about Canada‘s “magical” commitment to NATO. Well, gee, that's not the best possible language, is it? (But, as Matt notes, if we take Blair literally, it actually does explain a lot.) The two editors also acknowledge that the Foreign Interference report was released while they were recording, but you'll have to wait until the written dispatch to really find out their views on that. And, of course, they want you to join them at their upcoming event in Edmonton. They've been telling you about that for a couple of weeks now. They sold out the house in Calgary, and they're trusting Edmonton not to let that other Albertan city outdo them.  Find out more here, and they hope to see you in Edmonton in just over a month.And, of course, as always, like and subscribe. For more: ReadtheLine.ca. 

Jen Gerson of “The Line” readily admits to being a mouthy babe, but only when she writes, she insists she is actually shy. Jen says she's just opinionated, not trying to change anyone's mind. She argues that's not a journalist's job, that only activists try to “comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable”. Well, call us afflicted! Her writing makes us think. Jen has written for The New York Times, The Economist, Macleans, the National Post and The Globe and Mail. Now, she co-hosts “The Line” on Substack with Matt Gurney, and is writing a book about the Satanic Panic! We ask her about the Q-Anon Satanic cult accusations now being slung at the Democrats, and the ongoing attraction of moral panics and conspiracy theories. It seems we eat up all the sex and violence. Amongst all of this, we talk about the changing views on immigration, and how it's catnip for both Justin Trudeau and Pierre Poilievre. You should subscribe to The Line's Substack, and their podcast. You can watch this episode on YouTube. A Transcription of this episode is located on our episode page. We love writing and would love for you to read what we write. Sign up for our Substack Newsletter. If you would like to support the show, we do have partner opportunities available. Please email Wendy and Maureen at womenofir@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this first ever live recording of The Line Podcast, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson took over The Plaza theatre on April 19, 2024 to talk about the Liberals' penultimate budget, a document filled with class angst, intergenerational resentment, and bad ideas for pension plans. Then they talk about when a doctor's note is not adequate to prevent a public shaming for allegedly scoring $20 million in government money as the ArriveCan discoveries drag on. A brief note on why it's not appropriate for the Governor General to host a tea party on online harms; and lastly, an update on Israel and, now, Iran. www.readtheline.ca

The Line has often spoken of the deteriorating global security situation, and what Canada must do to prepare. Much of our focus has been on defence and economics. But what about humanitarian projects? What is happening to the world's aid organizations, and the hundreds of millions of desperate people that rely on them, as conflicts rage and crises deepen across the globe?Line editor Matt Gurney has interviewed Jason Nickerson, the humanitarian representative to Canada from Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières, or MSF) many times across the years. Jason recently returned from a trip abroad to a sprawling refugee camp in Bangladesh, home to a million Rohingya refugees, and told Matt directly that the situation overseas was getting worse, and that not enough was being done to meet the rapidly growing demand for even basic medical care and food deliveries, and not just at that one camp. In the Middle East, Africa, Asia and now even in Europe, the demand for urgent humanitarian relief is rising fast. In the latest episode of On The Line, Jason joined Matt for an extended conversation about the work MSF does, how it does that work even in incredibly challenging situations, and also where and why those situations are getting worse. They also had a talk specifically about Canada's foreign policy and foreign aid priorities. There are crises, including the Rohingya, where Canada has played a leading role that we may be backing away from, leaving vulnerable people even more desperate.To learn more about MSF and support their work, please visit their website.On The Line is The Line's newest podcast, featuring longer interviews by either Jen or Matt with someone who is currently in the news or able to speak to something topical (or, sometimes, simply fun and interesting). To never miss an episode of On The Line and The Line Podcast, follow us on the major streaming platforms. And sign up to The Line itself, of course, at ReadtheLine.ca.

General Wayne Eyre served for decades in the Canadian Army, including as its commander, before being promoted to Chief of the Defence Staff in 2021. During his time as Canada's top soldier, he has overseen not only a series of challenges inside the Canadian military, but also a rapid deterioration in the geopolitical environment. The world is a more dangerous place, and Gen. Eyre has been unusually outspoken in noting that Canada needs to do more to be ready for what's coming.In this conversation with The Line's Matt Gurney, the general provides his take on the state of the world today, shares his thoughts on the recently announced Defence Policy Update, and talks about why he is encouraged by some of what he is already seeing change with Canada's military readiness. On The Line is The Line's newest podcast, featuring longer interviews by either Jen or Matt with someone who is currently in the news or able to speak to something topical (or, sometimes, simply fun and interesting). We are still getting it up to speed, but Line listeners and viewers can expect an episode weekly by next month, at the latest.To never miss an episode of either On The Line or The Line Podcast, sign up today to follow us on YouTube, on the streaming app of your choice and, of course, at ReadtheLine.ca, home of The Line. Like and subscribe!Please note: This interview was recorded on Friday, before the Iranian attack on Israel.

How are Canada's conservatives feeling right now? Pretty good, it turns out. In this episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on April 12, 2024, Matt Gurney finds Jen Gerson in Ottawa, in the media room at the Canada Strong and Free Networking Conference. (And be warned, listeners and viewers, because Jen is in the field, there's some background noise in this episode, especially when some people protesting Israel's military campaign in Gaza show up.)On the agenda for this episode: the conference itself, of course. Jen provides her sense on how the mood is among Canada's broader conservative movement. It turns out that they have also read the polls lately, and are feeling pretty good about themselves. Jen talks a little bit about her own panel on the future of media regulation, and why she was a little worried about some of what she saw in the crowd. The two editors then talk a bit about why conservatives should enjoy this conference, and maybe the next one, if there's still time before the next election. Win or lose, it'll get harder for the conservatives (and Conservatives) from here. They'll soon have all the responsibility and power. And that's where the heartbreak begins. Jen also discusses her raging hangover. Conferences, folks. They'll getcha if you're not careful. They then pivot to the ongoing Foreign Interference Commission, and Matt notes that while the Johnston report is mostly aging badly, one thing remains very true from it. Then as now, it's still very possible that the Liberals are telling the truth when they say they didn't know what China was up to. But at a certain point, that stops becoming a defence and starts becoming a confession. Matt also talks about how this government at times seems bizarrely convinced that it is some kind of a bystander, helpless to fix things that are broken. That's kind of its job!They end on discussing Matt's column this week, wherein he laments that there are women and now children, victims of (alleged!) sexual attacks, who will not ever know justice because the federal government couldn't get its butt in gear and appoint enough judges to oversee the trials. Cheerful stuff. Matt gets pretty angry.All that, and more, in this episode of The Line Podcast.Reminder: we are launching a new podcast as we speak, and hope to have episodes of On The Line being released weekly by next month, at the latest. Indeed, the next On The Line has already been recorded. Look for it early next week. 

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with Toronto Star columnist Susan Delacourt and The Line's Matt Gurney to break down the week in Canadian politics, writer and humourist Eli Burnstein talks about the value of understanding fine distinctions in everyday langauge, humanitarian policy researcher Abby Stoddard discusses the threats facing aid workers in Gaza, our monthly brain game That's Puzzling! returns, and host of CBC Radio's Quirks and Quarks Bob McDonald unpacks the science, mythology and magic of Monday's solar eclipse.Find more at at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on First Contact Day (April 5), 2024, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson discuss Matt's column on former CPC leader Erin O'Toole's testimony before the Foreign Interference Commission, and a pretty nasty and revealing swipe that the PM made against O'Toole afterward. They also get into a much broader discussion about China's deep reach into many elements of Canadian society, much of which is fully legal and unremarkable ... except for how it might give many powerful people an incentive to look the other way when certain awkward questions arise. Including perhaps many people around the prime minister.The intrepid Line-editing duo then talk about Matt's observation last week that he felt like the Liberals were starting to find their fight again. Jen has come to agree with that, but they also talk for some length about jurisdiction. A lot of what the PM is proposing isn't really in federaljurisdiction, which is easily dismissed by some ... but not by those who have any experience seeing what happens when multiple orders of Canadian government try to work together even on things that they actually happen to agree on. Jurisdiction is one of those pesky details of Canadian public policy. You know, the place where you'll find the devil!They get caught up a bit on the state of the fighting in the Middle East, and Jen briefs Matt on why she is nervously researching red cows and Biblical prophecy.... just listen to the podcast, okay? 

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with political columnists Susan Delacourt, Matt Gurney, and Emilie Nicolas about the legacy of Brian Mulroney, Canada's former Ambassador to Israel Jon Allen weighs in on the latest developments in the Israel-Hamas war, author Mitch Albom examines the nature of truth with new novel The Little Liar, and our monthly brain game, That's Puzzling! returns.Find more at at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with Susan Delacourt and Matt Gurney about what awaits MPs as they return to Parliament, This American Life host Ira Glass reflects on his audio legacy, CBC News foreign correspondent Chris Brown brings us the latest on the Israel-Hamas war, law professor Richard Moon outlines the legal landscape of protest in Canada, and journalist Vincent Bevins talks about what makes street movements succeed and fail. Find more at at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with columnists Susan Delacourt and Matt Gurney about the foreign policy debates and domestic crises defining federal politics, deafblind poet and activist John Lee Clark traces the evolution of Protactile language, global affairs analyst Michael Bociurkiw takes stock of the state of the war in Ukraine, technology columnist Taylor Lorenz looks back on the year's biggest moves in the digital world, and we mark the 10th anniversary of the r/AmItheAsshole Reddit forum. For more, visit https://cbc.ca/sunday.

Guest host Rebecca Zandbergen speaks with columnists Kelly Cryderman, Susan Delacourt and Matt Gurney about the CPP clash and the carbon tax carve-out, Jeopardy! champion Amy Schneider reflects on her record-setting 40-game streak and becoming a transgender representative along the way, Middle East expert Younes Zangiabadi explains how Qatar has become a key player in the Israel-Hamas war, and our monthly brain game That's Puzzling! returns. For more, visit https://cbc.ca/sunday.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with columnists Susan Delacourt, Matt Gurney and David Staples about where the federal parties stand ahead of Parliament's return, Métis author katherena vermette discusses her latest novel The Circle, CBC/Radio-Canada President and CEO Catherine Tait outlines her plans to navigate the media industry's challenging terrain, and our monthly brain game That's Puzzling! returns. Find more at at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday