Shows
#FempireEp 9: People Behind the Policy - Conversations on Politics, Community, and ParenthoodEllen Kushnick pulls back the curtain on Canadian politics with rare candor, sharing insights from her years as a strategic powerhouse on Parliament Hill. From the adrenaline rush of managing swing riding campaigns to the delicate art of crafting policy that truly serves communities, her stories reveal how meaningful political change actually happens.The conversation takes us through Ellen's most powerful career moments, including her work developing mental health strategies for first responders and advocating for First Nations communities. Human connections, Ellen argues, are what ultimately create effective policy.As...2025-05-1335 min
Let's Talk PoliticsEp 19: From the Rock to the 905 - Political Shifts Across Canada’s Electoral BattlegroundsThe political landscape of Canada underwent a seismic shift in the 2025 federal election, with dramatic changes from Newfoundland and Labrador to Southwestern Ontario. From historic nail-biters to unexpected flips, this episode takes you behind the curtain of a transformative campaign.Pierce Collier, a seasoned Liberal strategist with deep roots in Newfoundland and Labrador, walks us through the remarkable story of Terranova's 12-vote margin – likely the closest federal race in Canadian history. We explore how demographic shifts, particularly among rotational workers traveling between Newfoundland and Labrador and Alberta, are gradually reshaping Atlantic Canada's traditionally Liberal vo...2025-05-1326 min
Let's Talk PoliticsEp 18: Finance Daddy vs. The Backbencher - Canada's Political Plot TwistThe 2025 Canadian federal election will be remembered as one of the most remarkable political comebacks in the country’s history. Against overwhelming odds, Mark Carney led the Liberal Party from a staggering 24-point deficit to a minority government victory — just shy of a majority — while also securing the popular vote. A sweet triumph over Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives.This wasn’t your typical election. Canadians were casting their votes with an eye on the global stage — in a world where Donald Trump’s America posed direct threats to Canada’s sovereignty and economic security. In the end, voter...2025-05-0931 min
Let's Talk PoliticsEp 17: Voices in the Classroom - Inside Ontario's Education SystemThe politics of education run deeper than most of us realize. When Vito Totino, a councillor on the York Catholic Teachers Executive, joined me to discuss Ontario's education landscape, he revealed startling realities about what's happening in our classrooms.Since 2018, Ontario's education system has been systematically underfunded by more than $1,500 per student annually. This isn't just a number – it's manifested in overcrowded classrooms, teachers lacking basic resources, and most alarmingly, a dramatic rise in classroom violence. Contrary to public perception, this violence isn't happening in high school hallways but predominantly involves our youngest and mo...2025-05-0340 min
Let's Talk PoliticsEp 16: Election Pulse - Unpacking Canada's Divided VoteThe political landscape is shifting rapidly as Canada's federal election reaches its climax. In this timely conversation, Neil McKenna brings his sharp strategic insights to unpack the forces shaping voter decisions in one of the most unpredictable races in recent memory.McKenna cuts through the noise surrounding recent campaign controversies, including the "stop the steal" button incident, explaining why such political theatre might grab headlines but ultimately undermines public trust without significantly moving votes. His analysis of Pierre Poilievre's persistent struggles with female voters highlights a critical strategic failure - "Women make up probably half the...2025-04-2819 min
Let's Talk PoliticsEp 15: The Atlantic Lens - Federal Election Through New Brunswick's EyesNeil McKenna brings nearly a decade of experience from Parliament Hill, the Prime Minister's Office, and the Senate to deliver a refreshing Atlantic Canadian perspective on Canada's federal election landscape. As Senior Associate at Porter O'Brien, one of New Brunswick's top public affairs firms, McKenna offers unique insights that mainstream political coverage often overlooks.The conversation begins with a striking revelation: St. John is considered "the most tariff-exposed city in Canada." This vulnerability creates a palpable anxiety among voters whose livelihoods in export-dependent industries like oil refining and pulp manufacturing hang in the balance of Canada-US...2025-04-2523 min
Let's Talk PoliticsEp 14: Rooted in Resistance: Power, Politics & Community with Nneka AllenWhat does it mean when your very existence becomes political? When a simple lawn sign signals far more than party preference? When motherhood itself becomes a political act?Nneka Allen, founder of the Empathy Agency Inc., guides us through these profound questions in an unforgettable conversation that transcends typical political discourse. Drawing from her family's deep roots in the Underground Railroad and growing up in Windsor's historic Sandwich Town, Allen reveals how socialism and communalism shaped her worldview long before she understood political labels."If one person is struggling, it's...2025-04-2444 min
Let's Talk PoliticsEp 13: Talk Is Cheap. Growth Isn’t: Canada’s Economic CrossroadsThe political landscape in Canada has never been more volatile, with leadership changeovers, looming elections, and economic uncertainty creating a perfect storm for businesses and citizens alike. How can organizations navigate this chaos while preparing for an uncertain future? What does the rise of economic nationalism mean for Canadian policy and prosperity?Conal Slobodin, Vice President at Crestview Strategy, brings his unique perspective from both government and corporate worlds to address these pressing questions. Drawing from his experience at Walmart and in government relations, he offers candid insights about the growing disconnect between political rhetoric and...2025-04-2423 min