Podcasts about vass bednar

Canada's new Online Safety Act could fundamentally change how Canadians (especially young people) experience the internet. From age restrictions on social media and new obligations for tech companies to concerns about privacy, free expression, and government oversight, the legislation is already sparking fierce debate. Digital policy experts Supriya Dwivedi and Vass Bednar (4:30) join us in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West to break down what's actually in the bill, who's likely to be affected, and whether Ottawa is striking the right balance between protecting users and preserving online freedoms.  THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY HANSEN DISTILLERY. KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR NORTHERN EYES SEVEN-YEAR SHERRY CASK, AVAILABLE JUST IN TIME FOR FATHERS' DAY! HANSEN IS PROUDLY LOCAL, ALWAYS ORIGINAL. https://hansendistillery.com/ MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/ CANADIAN SHIELD INSTITUTE: https://canadianshieldinstitute.ca/ 43:00 | Jespo and Johnny debrief after the Supriya/Vass interview, and see what Real Talkers have to say about Canada's Online Safety Act in our Live Chat powered by Park Power. SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/ 54:00 | Are you planning on investing in the SpaceX IPO? Are you worried about all this "technical recession" talk? Cary Williams from North Road Investment Counsel gives us a few important things to think about.  NORTH ROAD INVESTMENT COUNSEL: https://www.northroadic.com/ 1:27:00 | Jespo shares a few thoughts after hosting the Junior Achievement Northern Alberta Business Hall of Fame. What's the best entrepreneurial or life advice you've ever received?  JA of NORTHERN ALBERTA: https://janorthalberta.org/ 1:39:00 | Siksika filmmaker Sinakson Trevor Solway is the inspiration behind this edition of Alberta Wins presented by Play Alberta, submitted by Real Talker Jerry. We feature Solway's documentary Siksikakowan: The Blackfoot Man, winner of the Best of Festival Golden Sheaf Award and Best Feature Documentary at the Yorkton Film Festival.  WATCH THE FILM: https://youtu.be/eJ3zrC0h_lM?si=g3WmT8I_0JrfZ1O7 ALBERTA WINS WITH PLAY ALBERTA BECAUSE ALL REVENUE STAYS IN ALBERTA. WHETHER YOU PLAY, BET, OR BUY - WITH CASINO, SPORTS, OR LOTTERY - KNOW THAT YOUR FUN ALSO HELPS MAKE A DIFFERENCE ACROSS THE PROVINCE. LEARN MORE AT https://playalberta.ca/. MUST BE 18+ TO PLAY. IF YOU GAMBLE, USE YOUR GAMESENSE.  1:42:00 | You'll never guess who Jespo ran into last night. We wrap the show with a "last call" story.  REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR THE REAL TALK GOLF CLASSIC presented by KUBY ENERGY on JUNE 18 at THE RANCH: https://www.ryanjespersen.com/real-ta... GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE: https://kuby.ca/ ALBERTA BUSINESS OWNERS: ALBERTA CHAMBERS of COMMERCE WANT TO KNOW YOUR TOP PRIORITIES FOR THE PROVINCE. PARTICIPATE IN THE ALBERTA PERSPECTIVES SURVEY BEFORE 5PM MT ON FRIDAY, JUNE 12: https://research.albertaperspectives.... REAL TALK'S LIVE STREAM IS PRESENTED BY CALIFORNIA CLOSETS. BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULTATION: https://californiaclosets.ca/ SIGN UP for YEGplus, CANADA'S FIRST AIRPORT REWARDS PROGRAM: https://yegplus.com/realtalk SAVE 10% on ONLINE MEN'S CLOTHING PURCHASES at THE HELM with promo code REALTALK: https://thehelmclothing.com/ SUPPORT INTEGRATED FIREFIGHTER-PARAMEDIC SERVICE IN ALBERTA: https://www.apffpa.ca/ FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch SHOPPING FOR LUXURY CASUAL WEAR OR A CUSTOM SUIT? SAVE 10% ONLINE WITH PROMO CODE REALTALK: https://thehelmclothing.com/ RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Artificial intelligence is advancing at an unprecedented pace—reshaping industries, redefining work, transforming student learning, and accelerating global competition in real time. Jurisdictions that move quickly will lead; those that hesitate risk falling behind. Ontario is at a pivotal moment—and must act decisively.On Friday, May 29, 2026, the Empire Club of Canada convened a thought-provoking panel bringing together leaders from universities, industry, and Canada's AI ecosystem to examine how Ontario can respond with urgency and turn this moment into sustained economic growth, productivity gains, and global competitiveness—while maintaining public trust.Drawing on the insights of the Council of Ontario Universities' AI Task Force, this discussion focused on the actions required now to move beyond early-stage adoption toward leadership in the global AI economy. The conversation will examine how Ontario can rapidly prepare students for an AI-driven workforce through accelerated curriculum transformation and AI-enabled learning; build secure, Canadian-based data and computing infrastructure to ensure sovereignty and strategic control; and support industry in scaling AI adoption to drive innovation, investment, intellectual property creation, and productivity across key sectors.The panel featured Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Waterloo and Chair of the COU AI Task Force, a leading voice on advancing AI talent and responsible adoption; Shannon Bell, Executive Vice President, Chief Digital Officer and Chief Information, OpenText, with deep expertise in scaling Canadian innovation in highly competitive global markets; and Glenda Crisp, President and CEO of the Vector Institute, at the forefront of Canada's AI research and talent ecosystem. Together, they brought a cross-sector perspective on what it will take for Ontario to act decisively and compete at speed. The panel was moderated by Vass Bednar, Managing Director, Canadian Shield Institute.Brief remarks were also be delivered by The Honourable Nolan Quinn, Ontario's Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security; and Karim Bardeesy, Member of Parliament, Taiaiako'n—Parkdale—High Park and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minster of Industry. This event also served as the official public launch of the Council of Ontario Universities' AI Task Force report.  Attendees gained early access to its findings and engage directly with leaders shaping Ontario's response to one of the most consequential technological shifts in decades.

What if companies could figure out the exact maximum you're willing to pay, and charge you exactly that?That's the promise of surveillance pricing: using your personal data, purchase history, location, online behavior, and even financial information to tailor prices specifically to you.In this episode, Cara Stern talks with Vass Bednar, managing director of the Canadian Shield Institute and author of The Big Fix, about why this issue is suddenly on the political agenda in Canada, and what it means for consumers.They discuss:What surveillance pricing is, and how it differs from ordinary dynamic pricingHow companies use your data to predict your “willingness to pay”Why two people could see different prices for the exact same productThe real-world examples already happening with apps, airlines, and delivery platformsWhy 83% of Canadians say this practice should be banned or regulatedWhat governments can actually do to stop itChapters:Research/links:Everything Costs More Because the Algorithm Says So | The Walrushttps://thewalrus.ca/everything-costs-more-because-the-algorithm-says-so/How Corporate Consolidation is Ruining Everything: Discussion with Denise Hearn and Vass Bednarhttps://youtu.be/Uz5DkpZPH2k?si=M_c-2GX4dS7wKF9lCanadians Are Skeptical of Algorithmic Pricing - Abacus Datahttps://abacusdata.ca/canadians-are-deeply-skeptical-of-algorithmic-pricing-and-want-governments-to-intervene/AI-Driven Pricing May Be the Next Shock to Canadian Grocery Shoppershttps://retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2025/12/ai-driven-pricing-may-be-the-next-shock-to-canadian-grocery-shoppers/Algorithms are raising prices for everything. This must stop - The Globe and Mailhttps://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-algorithms-are-raising-prices-for-everything-this-must-stop/Avi Lewis is smart to shed light on surveillance pricing | Canada's National Observer: Climate Newshttps://www.nationalobserver.com/2026/04/24/news/avi-lewis-ndp-surveillance-pricingAlgorithmic pricing: Poll finds half of Canadians againsthttps://www.cp24.com/news/canada/2026/03/18/most-canadians-want-to-ban-or-regulate-algorithmic-pricing-poll-shows/?lid=8z3lanxo654aHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina MaddeauxProduced by Meredith MartinFunded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/

Is surveillance pricing reshaping what Ontarians pay, and what happens when labour protections fail the people they are meant to protect? As affordability and cost of living dominate public concern, the growing use of consumer data to tailor prices raises new questions about fairness, transparency, and oversight. We examine how this practice works, who benefits, and where safeguards may be falling short. Vass Bednar, managing director of the Canadian Shield Institute, looks at the implications of data-driven pricing and how it could affect everyday costs. We then turn to wage theft, where workers report being paid below minimum wage, paid late, or not paid at all. If these violations are not rare, what does that say about enforcement, and who is most at risk? Ghada Alsharif, immigration and work reporter for the Toronto Star, and Jared Ong, organizer with the Workers' Action Centre, discuss the scope of the problem, the barriers workers face in seeking accountability, and what stronger protections might require.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s time for Party for Two! Deb Hutton is hosting the show today and is joined by Vass Bednar, Managing Director of the Canadian Shield Institute, to break down the top stories of the day. Deb then takes your calls on a City Council motion that would have Toronto explore sound‑activated cameras capable of ticketing excessively noisy vehicles. Plus, a look at the DrinkSmart Campus Pulse Survey, which reveals less drinking among students at Ontario colleges and universities. Then, Deb speaks with Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria about the proposed changes to Billy Bishop Airport.

Vass Bednar is the managing director of the Canadian SHIELD Institute. Previously, she was the executive director of McMaster University's Master in Public Policy in Digital Society program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Party for Two, Jerry is joined by Vass Bednar, managing director of the Canadian Shield Institute, to unpack the top stories of the day. Plus, the last names of lottery winners will no longer appear in news releases. Jerry speaks with Tony Bitonti, OLG spokesperson, about why the shift is happening and what it means for privacy and transparency. Canada will get a new Governor General. Jerry speaks with Craig Baird, historian and host of Canadian History Ehx, about the role’s importance, and the last time a Governor General had to hold a government to account. The show wraps up with Jerry’s thoughts on a new Ontario law that caps resale prices, a move that has frustrated many season‑ticket holders.

Have you bought a ticket to a concert or a big game lately? How much did it cost? Ontario has passed a law that caps the price of resale tickets to their original face value. Will that make a difference? Should B.C. follow suit? Vass Bednar from the Canadian Shield Institute joined the show to take your calls.

Lately it's started to feel like tech, big, small and in between has taken more from us than it's given. For sane, humane takes on tech we call on Vass Bednar. She's a public policy expert and the director of The Canadian Shield Institute. She joins the show to talk about two books that focus on life, tech and the future. Plus, CBC Books producer Lisa Mathews recommends The Correspondent by Virginia Evans.Books discussed on this week's show include:Girlfriend on Mars by Deborah WillisAgency by William GibsonThe Correspondent by Virginia EvansCheck us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

It’s time for Party for Two! Today, Jerry is at the party table with Vass Bednar, managing director of the Canadian Shield Institute. Kelly Aizicocitz, interim Executive Director at A Better City Toronto chats with Jerry as we are 7 months from the municipal election. Tom Korski is back for his weekly blacklocks report. Jerry opens the phone lines to discuss should the Air Canada CEO have apologized following the controversy of the English-only condolence video.

As Ontario looks to prevent tickets from being resold for higher prices than their original value, we hear about your experiences in the ticket resale market. Our guest is Vass Bednar, managing director of the policy think tank the Canadian SHIELD Institute.

Free For All Friday - Hour 1 Amanda Galbraith breaks down the biggest stories of the day with Canada's top newsmakers. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre appeared on the highly-popular Joe Rogan Experience this week. Will this podcast appearance help him politically, both in Canada and in the States? Did it help Canada's image in a testy trade war with Trump? Postmedia’s Brian Lilley dissects the key highlights. Alberta is moving to restrict MAiD with new legislation. We dig deeper with Inclusion Canada CEO Krista Carr, a disability advocacy organization which supports the move. Five years and billions of dollars later, Meta is putting the Metaverse on the backburner. Tech analyst Carmi Levy explains why that matters. Free For All Friday - Hour 2 Contributors from all over the country join The Roundtable to discuss the top stories of the week. Today’s edition features Bluesky Strategy Group vice-president Jordan Paquet and Canadian Shield Institute managing director Vass Bednar. Topic 1: Pierre Poilievre’s Joe Rogan Experience: How the leader of Canada's Conservatives handled his appearance on the world’s biggest podcast. Topic 2: Ontario Premier Doug Ford made waves this week when he congratulated a homeowner for shooting a robber who broke in. Our panelists dig into those comments, as well as the wider issue of rising crime. Topic 3: Canada has slipped to 25th in the World Happiness Rankings, according to this year’s World Happiness Report. So why exactly is that frown not turning upside down as often? Topic 4: This Hour Has 22 Minutes recently made a spoof of 'The Pitt', a rising star in today's TV series lineup. The skit itself made fun of Canadian healthcare. Good satire or done in poor taste?

Vass Bednar joins Jerry at the party table to talk about the top stories of the day on Party for Two. Dan Riskin is here for this week's edition of Telescopic Tuesday, looking into the top science stories this week. The family of a Tumbler Ridge shooting victim is suing OpenAI. Lawyer, Gavin Tighe, and tech expert, Francis Syms, discuss the legal, technical, and ethical implications in this case.

Vass Bednar sits down at the party table to chat about some of today's top stories including the reaction to Canada’s new $6.6B defence strategy. Franco Terrazzano joins Jerry to talk about the announcement of an alcohol tax hike. Dan Riskin is here for his weekly segment Telescopic Tuesday where he and Jerry look deeper in science’s top stories, and how important is it to have dinner with your kids, Jerry takes your calls and texts.

Canadians live in an era defined by unprecedented access to information – and equally unprecedented vulnerability to misinformation. False narratives can take root and spread at the speed of lightning and no sector is feeling the impact more severely than health care.Misinformation impacts not only individual Canadians driven to find online health solutions but increasingly impacts the government's ability to trust in health policy data provided by our allies.How vulnerable are Canadians to an information system driven by American big tech, opaque AI-driven search and algorithms and state-sponsored health disinformation of the Trump era? How does this impact the trust in our health care system?On February 10, 2026, the Empire Club of Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Medical Association, presented Diagnosing and Combatting Health Misinformation: 2026 CMA Health & Media Tracking Survey Launch  to answer these questions and provide solutions.The event began with a special presentation by David Coletto, CEO, Abacus Data on exclusive 2026 CMA Health & Media Tracking Survey data followed by Dr. Tom Frieden, former director of the CDC and founder and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives, a global health organization that accelerates action against the world's deadliest health threats.Join us to explore solutions on how to protect the health of Canadians and its own information environment from bad actors. Our expert panel moderated by Vassy Kapelos features Dr. Jen Gunter, Vass Bednar and David Skok.

Jerry and Vass Bednar are at the party table for today’s Party for Two to talk about the top stories of the day. What are the everyday expenses some people might not know you can negotiate? Tom Korski from Blacklocks.ca joins to talk about the latest government stories out of Ottawa on this week’s edition of the Blacklock’s Report. Then Toronto Star education reporter Kristin Rushowy breaks down the province’s move to put the Peel public school board under supervision.

Greg Brady talked to Vass Bednar, managing director of the Canadian SHIELD Institute and co-author of The Big Fix, about Prime Minister Carney announcing a GST credit top up, what this move signals about Canada's economic strategy, who benefits most, and what's missing from the plan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Brady talked to Vass Bednar, managing director of the Canadian SHIELD Institute and co-author of The Big Fix, about Prime Minister Carney announcing a GST credit top up, what this move signals about Canada's economic strategy, who benefits most, and what's missing from the plan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Free For All Friday - Hour 1 Amanda Galbraith breaks down the biggest stories of the day with Canada's top newsmakers. On today's show: Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder and alleged drug kingpin, is now in police custody after being arrested in Mexico. We gather instant reaction from CTV public safety analyst Chris Lewis, who is also a former OPP Commissioner. Prime Minister Carney addressed the world in Davos earlier this week. Some liked what he said. Canada's next-door neighbour did not. Joining us to discuss further is Matina Stevis-Gridneff, the Canada Bureau Chief for the New York Times. Movie critic Richard Crouse offers his take on this year's Oscar nominations, and also talks a little bit of Heated Rivalry. Free For All Friday - Hour 2 Contributors from all over the country join The Roundtable to discuss the top stories of the week. Today's edition features Canada Shield Institute managing director Vass Bednar and former Justin Trudeau senior advisor Supriya Dwivedi. Topic 1: Reaction to Prime Minister Carney’s address in Davos this week. Was it a hit or miss? Topic 2: The Canadian government is reportedly considering a ban on social media for kids under the age of 14. Good idea or bad idea? Topic 3: The House of Commons returns next week, while Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre braces for a party leadership review. Topic 4: Do you plan to embrace the Polar Vortex, or will you hibernate straight through it? Topic 5: The Beckham family drama captivates the Entertainment news cycle.

Greg Brady talked to Vass Bednar, managing director of the Canadian SHIELD Institute, to talk about the growing trend of expensive and ultra-processed foods, why they're so pervasive, and how this shift is affecting our health, economy, and the way we eat Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Brady talked to Vass Bednar, managing director of the Canadian SHIELD Institute, to talk about the growing trend of expensive and ultra-processed foods, why they're so pervasive, and how this shift is affecting our health, economy, and the way we eat Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Richard talks to Vass Bednar about shops removing price tags and if it's a good idea, he also has a chat with the Roadhammers. Richard also breaks down News you may have missed!

Loyalty reward programs are everywhere we shop. They're at coffee shops, retailers, airports and grocery stores. Many of us are connected to our points, but the rewards no longer seem to go as far as they used to.Vass Bednar, the managing director of the Canadian SHIELD Institute, explains the changes to Canadian loyalty rewards programs, what we are giving up when we hand companies our data in exchange for points – and if it's even still worth it to collect rewards points anymore.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Vass Bednar joins Jerry at the party table on today's Party for Two. Caryma Sa'd talks to Jerry about protests in the city. Preet Banerjee speaks with Jerry about why young people are stressed out and broke. Brian Lilley talks about how surging food prices highlight cost-of-living concerns.

Sometimes the universe hands us a gift. Over the past year, our podcast listeners spent a total of 526,915 hours listening to our program. That's 21,954.8 days and that translates to 60 years of listening to us. So what better way to mark IDEAS' 60th year then to look back on the highlights and lowlights of the past six decades. To give you a hint on some of the picks, on the bad list: online identity management. Trickle down economics. On the good: Free Trade. Girl Bosses. Apparently open borders is still an open question.Panelists Jamie Liew, a University of Ottawa law professor and novelist; University of Toronto philosopher, Joseph Heath; and the Canadian Shield Institute's, Vass Bednar, joined IDEAS producer Mary Lynk on stage, in front of a live audience at the Isabel Bader Theatre for this episode — the last in our special series celebrating our 60th anniversary.Listen to more episodes:The time when a guest said, "I love you!"How an IDEAS episode on traffic changed a doctor's practiceCBC Massey Lecturers reveal how the talks changed themHow IDEAS saved a listener from sending a regrettable email

A self-driving mini-van collides with an oncoming car and a couple is killed. Behind the wheel is a seventeen-year-old with his family on board. That's the opening premise of the novel Culpability by Bruce Holsinger, which was an Oprah bookclub pick last summer. Nathan Maharaj, Vass Bednar and Antonio Michael Downing convene to discuss who is responsible. Plus, author Wally Lamb answers the Proust Questionnaire.Books discussed on this week's show include:Culpability by Bruce HolsingerThe River Is Waiting by Wally Lamb

Vass Bednar is at the party table for today's Party for Two. Mark Mendelson weighs in on an undercover cop who secured a murder confession. MLB pitchers have been charged with taking bribes to rig pitches for bettors. Bruce Kidd, a retired U of T professor and chair of the Campaign to Ban Ads for Gambling, weighs in on this. Plus - an NDP bill threatens to jail Canadians for speech. Jerry speaks with Tristin Hopper.

Vass Bednar is at the party table for Party for Two. If the Jays play on Halloween, what are your trick-or-treating plans? Telescopic Tuesday with Dan Riskin looks into the impacts of not sleeping, and how seasonal time changes impact health. Plus - a look into the haunted tour at Queen's Park with David Bogart.

World leaders gathered at the United Nations HQ this week in New York to discuss a wide-ranging set of issues — and Canada made headlines by announcing it now recognizes the state of Palestine. Ambassador Bob Rae joins The House to talk about the federal government's decision, Trump's change of heart over Ukraine and what to make of the U.S. president's hour-long, combative address to the world. Plus, Canada and Greenland already had plenty in common before facing threats of annexation from the White House — but all that attention could make for a timely reason to strengthen a key relationship. CBC's Emma Godmere travels to Greenland's capital of Nuuk to hear from residents about being in the international spotlight and pursuing stronger ties with Canada. Her reporting was made possible by the R. James Travers Foreign Corresponding Fellowship.Then, two Hill watchers discuss how Prime Minister Mark Carney is managing the fallout from the leaked audio recording of his public safety minister appearing to undermine the Liberals' long-promised gun buyback program.Finally, as a group of federal and provincial privacy commissioners raise alarms over how much information TikTok collects from Canadian users, Vass Bednar, managing director of the Canadian SHIELD Institute, explains why these concerns matter and how Canada should manage the social media powerhouse.This episode features the voices of:Bob Rae, Canada's ambassador to the United NationsMiilu Gehlert and Hans Peter Leibhardt, Nuuk boat tour operatorsJoint Arctic Command Deputy Commander Lars NielsenChristian Keldsen, director of the Greenland Business AssociationCarolyn Bennett, Canada's ambassador to DenmarkSara Olsvig, international chair of the Inuit Circumpolar CouncilNikoline Ziemer, biologist and resident of Nuuk, GreenlandFrederik Fuuja Larsen, curator at the Greenland National Museum and ArchivesShannon Proudfoot, columnist for The Globe and MailPaul Wells, author and podcasterVess Bednar, managing director of the Canadian SHIELD Institute

While Donald Trump is bent on achieving and maintaining “unquestioned and unchallenged global technological dominance”, we're just starting to gear up for the race. There are only about 300 data centres across Canada. And about HALF of them are run by American tech giants like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft. Host Noor Azrieh sits down with Don Lenihan and Vass Bednar and asks whether we can control our digital sovereignty. Host: Noor AzriehCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Post Production), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Don Lenihan, Vass BednarFurther Reading On Our WebsiteSponsors: Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more. To claim, visit ARTICLE.COM/canadaland and the discount will be automatically applied at checkoutIf you value this podcast, Support us! You'll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You'll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you'll be a part of the solution to Canada's journalism crisis, you'll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime.Can't get enough Canadaland? Follow @Canadaland_Podcasts on Instagram for clips, announcements, explainers and more.Canadaland Politics is recording a LIVE podcast and Q&A from Calgary on September 22nd, 2025 at 7:30PM MT hosted by Mount Royal University. Let us know you're coming by RSVPing here: https://forms.gle/LoxvdZ8LFfubFpGeA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Monopolies! They're a problem as old as our country itself. On this week's TLDR, we talk to Denise Hearn and Vass Bednar, authors of The Big Fix: How Companies Capture Markets and Harm Canadians, about how Canadian companies got so big. And, we look at a surprising proposal for tackling the problem (at least in the airline industry). Plus, we explore how a new wonder drug could spell the end of the opioid epidemic. And, we watch as the pump and dump gets a makeover for the digital age.This episode was hosted by Devin Friedman, business reporter Sarah Rieger and former hedgefunder Matthew Karasz, with appearances by writers Vass Bednar and Denise Hearn. Follow us on other platforms, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter: linkin.bio/tldrThe TLDR Podcast is offered by Wealthsimple Media Inc. and is for informational purposes only. The content in the TLDR Podcast is not investment advice, a recommendation to buy or sell assets or securities, and does not represent the views of Wealthsimple Financial Corp or any of its other subsidiaries or affiliates. Wealthsimple Media Inc. does not endorse any third-party views referenced in this content. More information at wealthsimple.com/tldr.

In 2004 Facebook was created. Two years later in 2006 Twitter was founded AND the very first episode of the Agenda aired here on TVO. Fast forward to 2011 and social media was seen as helping sow the seeds of democracy in the Middle East during the Arab Spring. And many were optimistic that these growing connections would help harness the wisdom of the crowd. It would be like "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" when you asked the audience. And the audience was almost always right. So ... what happened? How has social media evolved? How has social media changed us? And has it been a net negative or net positive? Cory Doctorow, Vass Bednar, Jeff Jarvis, and Douglas Rushkoff join to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is Canadian content? And why does it matter? The Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission has been hearing very different answers to that question — as they try to come up with new CanCon rules. Commotion's Elamin Abdelmahmoud talks with storyteller Jesse Wente, policy expert Vass Bednar and showrunner Anthony Q Farrell about why getting CanCon right has never been more important.Big laughs. Smart takes. Every day. Commotion is where you go for thoughtful and vibrant conversations about all things pop culture. Host Elamin Abdelmahmoud calls on journalists, critics, creators and friends to talk through the biggest arts and entertainment stories of the day, in 30 minutes or less.More episodes of Commotion are available at: https://link.mgln.ai/L1GJWq

Canadian political leaders are in a precarious moment. Fresh off the resignation of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and ascendancy of his successor, new Prime Minister and Liberal Party leader Mark Carney, the nation faces a brewing trade war with the United States and a deteriorating relationship with its president, Donald Trump.In addition to managing those global tensions, Canadian leaders have a long to-do list on tech policy, including figuring out the nation's approach to artificial intelligence and online harms. How will the new Carney-led government in Canada navigate those issues?Tech Policy Press associate editor Cristiano Lima-Strong spoke to three experts to get a sense:Renee Black is founder of goodbot, where she works on preventing harmful disinformation and bias, and establishing frameworks that protect digital rights.Maroussia Lévesque is a doctoral candidate and lecturer at Harvard Law School, an affiliate at the Berkman Klein Center, and a senior fellow at the Center for International Governance Innovation.Vass Bednar is a public policy entrepreneur working at the intersection of technology and public policy.

We've got a Minister of A.I. Now what?Former Journalist MP Evan Solomon leads Canada's Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, but it's unclear exactly how A.I. fits into the Liberal government's mandate. Vass Bednar explains why she's still optimistic about Canada's A.I. future. Host: Noor AzriehCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate Producer and Fact Checking) Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Vass Bednar Further reading: I had high hopes for Mark Carney, but then he created a Ministry of AI and appointed Evan Solomon to the position - Halifax ExaminerMark Carney wants to use AI to supercharge Canada's economy. It's just not clear how – The Toronto StarCanada is a getting a fresh start on artificial intelligence. Let's not waste it – CTV NewsPride Toronto loses two more corporate sponsors just weeks before festival launch – The Toronto Star Girl on Girl by Sophie Gilbert review — The GuardianSponsors: Douglas: Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress purchase. Get the sheets, pillows, mattress and pillow protectors FREE with your Douglas purchase today. Visit douglas.ca/canadaland to claim this offerThe Oat Company: Head over to oatcompany.com and use code CANADALAND20 for 20% off your order. They ship across Canada so you can enjoy them anywhere.Article: Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more. To claim, visit article.com/canadaland and the discount will be automatically applied at checkoutBetterHelp: Visit betterHelp.com/canadaland today to get 10% off your first month. If you value this podcast, support us! You'll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You'll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch at our store, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you'll be a part of the solution to Canada's journalism crisis, you'll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this conversation, Scott Stirrett sits down with Vass Bednar, Executive Director of McMaster University's Master of Public Policy Program, to unpack what it really means to be a policy entrepreneur. Bednar, who's on a mission to redefine the term from its academic stereotypes, reveals how policy work can be as innovative and impactful as any tech startup. She takes us through her unconventional career path—what she calls her "professional scavenger hunt"—where she's gathered insights from think tanks, political offices, and even live radio shows. Along the way, Bednar shares hard-won lessons for aspiring changemakers: why showing up to events matters more than you think, how to build a "kitchen cabinet" of trusted friends and advisors, and the surprising power of intellectual curiosity in driving policy change.

Bonny Reichert's debut memoir explores the connection between food, memory, and her fathers story as a Holocaust survivor; public policy expert and podcaster Vass Bednar recommends three books about living amongst pervasive technology; get to know the 2024 Booker Prize winner; and a basketball star's experience in Russian prison on this episode of The Next Chapter.Books discussed on this week's show include:Running in the Family by Michael OndaajteTender at the Bone by Ruth ReichlAlso a Poet by Ada CalhounHow To Share an Egg Bonny ReichertA Hero of Our Time by Naben RuthnumBirnam Wood by Eleanor CattonSelected Amazon Reviews by Kevin KillianOrbital by Samantha HarveyComing Home by Brittney Griner, Michelle Burford

The market may be turning around, but judging from our inbox, some investors are still feeling shaky. On this week's TLDR, we ask when, if ever, it's okay to touch your portfolio, and look at the conventional wisdom around changing your investments as you approach retirement. Plus, we get heated over what Tesla's falling sales numbers tell us about the state of the company — and what happens when business leaders get mixed up in politics. And, we talk to Vass Bednar, co-author of The Big Fix: How Companies Capture Markets and Harm Canadians, about the demise of Hudson's Bay Company.This episode was hosted by Devin Friedman, business reporter Sarah Rieger and former hedgefunder Matthew Karasz, with an appearance by public policy entrepreneur Vass Bednar. Follow us on other platforms, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter: linkin.bio/tldrThe TLDR Podcast is offered by Wealthsimple Media Inc. and is for informational purposes only. The content in the TLDR Podcast is not investment advice, a recommendation to buy or sell assets or securities, and does not represent the views of Wealthsimple Financial Corp or any of its other subsidiaries or affiliates. Wealthsimple Media Inc. does not endorse any third-party views referenced in this content. More information at wealthsimple.com/tldr.

With the erratic threats of Trump's tariffs, many Canadians are switching to "Made in Canada" products. But in today's market, what does "Made in Canada" mean? How much of anything we buy is made right here in our country? Despite the highly integrated economy that Canada and the U.S. share, can we become more self-reliant by shifting all production to our home and native land? Jim Stanford, economist and Director of the Centre for Future Work; Vass Bednar, executive director of the Master of Public Policy Program at McMaster University and host of the "Lately" podcast; and Jim Hinton, owner and founder of Own Innovation and a Senior Fellow at CIGI, the Centre for International Governance Innovation, join Steve Paikin to discuss what it takes to make more in Canada.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vass Bednar is the executive director of McMaster University's master of public policy program and co-author of The Big Fix For more of the Shaye Ganam Show, subscribe to the podcast. https://globalnews.ca/calgary/program/shaye-ganam/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even with the tariffs on U.S. goods mostly on pause for the rest of the month, many are still doing what they can to “Buy Canadian” and switch their buying habits away from anything American-made. But how do you actually go about doing that? And should it extend into our digital and media habits too?Vass Bednar, executive director of McMaster University's Master of Public Policy and Digital Society program and author of The Big Fix: How Companies Capture Markets and Harm Canadians, joins us to wade through the murky waters of navigating a trade war in a country that's so intertwined with its neighbour to the south.For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts

Many of Canada's problems can be traced back to its tolerance of corporate consolidation, leading to higher prices and lower wages, say Denise Hearn and Vass Bednar, co-authors of the book “The Big Fix: How Companies Capture Markets and Harm Canadians”.The authors join economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern to discuss the implications of corporate consolidation in Canada, exploring how it creates an illusion of competition, affects consumer prices, and contributes to wage stagnation. They delve into the role of monopolies and monopsonies, the financialization of companies, and the challenges of market access for new businesses. The discussion also highlights potential policy solutions to enhance competition and the importance of consumer awareness in navigating these complex issues.Links: Buy “The Big Fix” bookPrivate Equity Is Gutting America — and Getting Away With ItHow Private Funds Could Hurt Americans Under TrumpHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

On the Saturday November 30, 2024 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet Ronnie Shuker, author, editor, freelance writer, and an editor-at-large for The Hockey News. He has traveled to places such as North Korea, Chernobyl, Transnistria, and the Himalayas, where he took part in the Guinness World Record for the highest altitude hockey game ever played. He stayed closer to home for his new book, “The Country and the Game: 30,000 Miles of Hockey Stories.” In the waning days of the pandemic, sportswriter Ronnie Shuker stuffed his skates, sticks, and backpack into his faithful automobile, Gumpy, named for legendary goaltender Gump Worsley, and set off on a 30,000-mile, coast-to-coast-to-coast investigation of the many ways hockey touches the lives of Canadians. Then, we'll meet Vass Bednar is the executive director of McMaster University's Master of Public Policy in Digital Society program, a contributing columnist to The Globe and Mail, and the host of its podcast Lately. Today we talk about her new book “The Big Fix,” co-authored with Denise Hearn. The book examines how corporate concentration is growing across many industries, leading to higher prices for consumers, lower worker's wages, more inequality, fewer startups, less innovation, and lower growth and productivity. 

The Decibel presents ‘Lately', a Globe and Mail podcast taking on shifts in business, tech and economy with newsmakers and thinkers.In this episode, award-winning journalist Luc Rinaldi takes us behind the curtain of Big Tobacco's machinations to report on how an industry built on addiction is looking to reinvent itself for the wellness age. His cover story on the topic appears in this month's edition of the Globe and Mail's Report on Business Magazine.New episodes of ‘Lately' hosted by Vass Bednar are available every Friday.

If you're living in Canada and you have a cell phone plan, or a bank account, or have taken a flight recently, or struggle to afford groceries, you already know how expensive and dysfunctional the country has gotten for consumers. Our guests on the podcast today have written a book about the rise of corporate monopolies (and duopolies and oligopolies) — and, as they write, this market concentration “goes well beyond the usual suspects.”Vass Bednar is the executive director of McMaster University's Master of Public Policy in Digital Society program, a contributing columnist to The Globe and Mail, and the host of its podcast Lately. Denise Hearn is a resident senior fellow at the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment at Columbia University. Their new book, for the McGill Max Bell Lectures, is The Big Fix: How Companies Capture Markets and Harm Canadians.You can find Tara Henley on Twitter at @TaraRHenley, and on Substack at tarahenley.substack.com

Canada is full of corporations consolidating market power, from grocery stores to internet providers to movie theatres. And people are starting to notice.  Sometimes it's obvious, and sometimes less so. Paul was surprised, for instance, to find luxury cookware brand Paderno at Canadian Tire – until he realized it's one of many brands that Canadian Tire owns.  In their book The Big Fix, Vass Bednar and Denise Hearn talk about how markets in Canada became increasingly dominated by a handful of huge companies, why it harms us, and what to do about it. 

We're off this week, so we're bringing you an episode from our Globe and Mail sister show Lately. That creeping feeling that everything online is getting worse has a name: “enshittification,” a term for the slow degradation of our experience on digital platforms. The enshittification cycle is why you now have to wade through slop to find anything useful on Google, and why your charger is different from your BFF's. According to Cory Doctorow, the man who coined the memorable moniker, this digital decay isn't inevitable. It's a symptom of corporate under-regulation and monopoly – practices being challenged in courts around the world, like the US Department of Justice's antitrust suit against Google.Cory Doctorow is a British-Canadian journalist, blogger and author of Chokepoint Capitalism, as well as speculative fiction works like The Lost Cause and the new novella Spill. Every Friday, Lately takes a deep dive into the big, defining trends in business and tech that are reshaping our every day. It's hosted by Vass Bednar. Machines Like Us will be back in two weeks.

The terms "competition" and "productivity" have filled the minds of policy analysts and economists in recent years. But, what does it all mean for Canadian consumers? Denise Hearn and Vass Bednar wrote about how capitalism has actually hurt consumers in their new book, "The Big Fix: How Companies Capture Markets and Harm Canadians." They join Steve Paikin to discuss more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Introducing ‘Lately': a new weekly podcast from The Globe and Mail about the intersection of business and technology. Every Friday, host Vass Bednar dives into the defining trends that shape our lives.This episode's guest is author and Polaris Award-winning artist and producer producer Cadence Weapon – the tech skeptic behind the new album Rollercoaster– who breaks down the depressing economics of an industry governed by Ticketmaster trauma, streaming algorithms and an AI invasion. Subscribe to the Lately newsletter, where we unpack more of the latest in business and technology.Send your comments, questions or ideas to lately@globeandmail.com.

On May 1st, the people behind a subreddit called r/loblawsisoutofcontrol launched a nationwide boycott of Loblaw-owned stores for the month.The very same day the boycott began, Loblaw Companies Limited released its first quarter earnings numbers. Its profits went up by almost 10%, and its revenue by over $13-billion.Today on Front Burner, why did Loblaw become the primary target of Canadians' grocery anger? Can something like a boycott or more competition really keep it in check? And should we think of Loblaw less like a retailer, and more like Amazon?Vass Bednar is our guest. She's the executive director of McMaster University's Master of Public Policy and Digital Society program.