We know how that went. There is a danger to credibility when you attempt to make those forecasts. Of course, no one saw what was coming: Trudeau’s resignation followed by Carney taking over the helm of the Liberals and Poilievre on the outside looking in. 

Just one of the surprises in 2025... 

Our UnpublishedVote poll question asks: 

Who will have the biggest impact on Canada in 2026? 

• Mark Carney 
• Pierre Poilievre 
• Donald Trump 
• Other

You can log on and vote right now–Vote, email your MP, and share your thoughts at Unpublished.vote and Unpublished.ca. 

Coming up on the show, we’ll discuss that and many other surprises and not so surprising with our Unpublished TV…

Guests: 

1. Elliot Tepper, Norman Paterson School of International Affairs
2. Mario Canseco, Research Co. 
3. Garry Keller, Strategy Corp.

There has been a lot said about this election being the “most consequential“ in modern history. It could be for the Conservatives. They had been sailing along with a 20+ point lead on the Liberals for more than a year. All they needed was an election.

So, they pushed and pushed, doing everything they could to force an earlier election. For a brief moment it looked like their efforts had paid off. The NDP pulled the plug on their alliance with the Liberals. Trudeau stepped down from internal pressure, and so it seemed the stars were aligning for Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre.

But, politics can turn on a dime. With Mark Carney now leading the Liberals, a dramatic shift has unfolded. If the polls are to be believed, the Liberals now have a significant lead.

Our Unpublished.vote question asks:

Which party will you vote for in the upcoming election?

You can log on and vote right now. Don’t forget to email your MP afterwards using our tool, to them why you think what you do.

All comments on the Unpublished.ca website will be entered into a draw for a one year membership.

Guests: 

Marvin Ryder of McMaster 

Richard Johnston of UBC. 

Andrew Enns, Exec VP of Leger.

February 27th Ontarians head to the polls to elect our government. The PC’s had a majority in the Legislature with a fixed election date 15 months away. Premier Doug Ford says he needs a strong majority to deal with tariffs and Trump. 

Our Unpublished dot vote question asks: 

Did Ontario need to go to the polls 15-months before the next scheduled election? 

• Yes
• No
• Unsure

You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote. 

Don’t forget to email your MP using our tool to tell them why you think what you do. All comments on the Unpublished.ca website will be eligible to win a one-year free membership to Unpublished.ca. Free memberships are awarded monthly. 

Guests: 

Coming up on the show today: 

1. Stefan Dolgert, Brock University
2. Lori Turnbull, Dalhousie University
3. Andrew Enns, Leger

Our Unpublished dot vote question asks: 

Who do you think will make the best leader of the Liberal Party of Canada? 

Gould, Dhalla, Baylis, Freeland, or Carney? 

You can log on and vote right now at: Unpublished.vote! 

Don’t forget to email your MP afterwards using our tool to tell them why you think what you do. All comments on the Unpublished.ca website are eligible to win a one-year membership to Unpublished.ca. Memberships awarded monthly. 

Guests: 

Joining us today to discuss the Liberal Leadership contest is:

1. Warren Kinsella, former special advisor to PM Jean Chretien. 
2. Frank Graves, Ekos Research 
3. Jack Jedwab, Association of Canadian Studies

With a US election less than a month away and a Canadian federal election on the horizon next year, misinformation and disinformation is rampant. The FBI has shut down Tenet Media in Tennessee, which was run by two Canadians, because it was discovered that the Russian owned RT (Russian Today) channel was funnelling money to Tenet to amplify it’s pro-Trump stance. 

That’s called “propaganda “. It has massive implications for our democracy. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asks: 

Should attempts by foreign agents to sway voters in an election, be considered an attack on a Nation? 

• Yes 
• No
• Unsure

You can log on and vote right now. Don’t forget to email your MP afterwards using our tool to tell them why you think what you do. All comments on the Unpublished.ca website will be entered into a draw for a one-year membership to Unpublished.ca. 

Guests: 

Joining us to discuss the problem of misinformation and disinformation on today’s show are: 

1. Yuriy Novodvorsky, Founder of the Russian-Canadian Democratic Alliance
2. Marcus Kolga, Director of Disinfowatch 
3. Lori Turnbull, Dalhousie University 

A recent Angus Reid poll found that two thirds of Canadians believe Trump will be bad or terrible for Canada. Meanwhile, in the few weeks Kamala Harris has been in the race, she has jumped ahead in the polls. But polls don’t win elections. 

Our Unpublished dot vote question asks: 

Which candidate in the US Presidential election would be better for Canada? 

1. Donald Trump
2. Kamala Harris 
3. Unsure 

You can log on right now and vote at Unpublished.vote. Don’t forget to email your MP afterwards using our tool, to them why you think what you do. All comments on the Unpublished.ca website will be entered into a draw for a one-year membership. 

Guests: 

1. Warren Kinsella, Political strategist. Former advisor to PM Jean Chretien. 
2. Colin Robertson is Former Canadian diplomat/ Sr. Advisor Canadian Global Affairs Institute.
3. Elliot Tepper Senior Fellow Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asks: Will Canada’s new Foreign Influence Transparency Registry make you more confident in our elections? 

• Yes
• No
• Unsure

You can cast your vote on this topic at Unpublished.vote. Don’t forget to email your MP afterwards using our tool to them why you think what you do. 

All comments on the Unpublished.ca website will be entered into a draw for a one-year membership to Unpublished.ca. You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote and have your voice heard.

Guests: 

1. Charles Burton, Senior fellow, Macdonald-Laurier Institute and former diplomat at Canada’s embassy in Beijing;
2. Tom Parkin, NDP strategist and commentator
3. Marvin Ryder, DeGroote School of Business McMaster University

Concerning Canadian politics, our Unpublished Vote question this week asks: 

What kind of change do you want to see most?

• A. Change in Liberal Party leadership
• B. Change of government
• C. Cabinet shuffle
• D. Electoral Reform
• E. Other
• F. No change

Share your opinion on this topic at Unpublished.vote by voting in our audience poll, commenting on Unpublished.ca and emailing your MP using our tool to tell them why you think what you do. 

All comments on the Unpublished.ca website will be entered into a draw for a one-year membership to Unpublished.ca. You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote to have your voice heard.

Podcast Guests: 

1. Mario Canseco, President of Research Co.
2. Lori Turnbull, Dalhousie University and 
3. Aaron Wudrick, Macdonald Laurier Institute 

The federal government’s latest increase to the carbon tax is set to rise on April 1st. First introduced in 2019 at $20 a tonne, the latest increase will see it rise from $65 a tonne to $80 a tonne. Has it become Politicized? 

Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre calls it a 23% increase. The Liberals point out it’s about 3 cents a litre. 

Our Unpublished Vote question asks: 

Do you receive the Canada Carbon Rebate? 

• Yes 
• No
• Unsure 

You can cast your vote on this topic at Unpublished.vote. Don’t forget to email your MP afterwards using our tool to them why you think what you do. 

All comments on the Unpublished.ca website will be entered into a draw for a one-year membership. You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote and have your voice heard. 

Guests: 

Joining us to discuss the carbon tax is: 

1. Christopher Ragan, Associate Professor and Director, Max Bell School of Public Policy, McGill University
2. Ralph Torrie, Director of Research for Corporate Knights
3. Jon Roe, Angus Reid Institute

Our Unpublished Vote question asks: 

Do you feel police in Canada are addressing the violence and antisemitism professionally? 

• Yes
• No
• Unsure

You can cast your vote on this topic at http://Unpublished.vote. Check out the supporting articles and then email your MP afterwards, using our tool, to them why you think what you do. 

All comments on the Unpublished.ca website will be entered into a draw for a one-year membership. You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote and have your voice heard. 

Guests: 

1. Warren Kinsella: Political commentator, author, and former special advisor to PM Jean Chretien
2. Joe Adam George: Research analyst specializing in Middle East and South Asia Affairs. Macdonald Laurier Institute contributor.
3. Richard Robinson: Director of Research and Advocacy at B’Nai Brith, Canada

So many questions. But by far the biggest one is whether or not Canadians will go the polls in 2024? 

So we ask in our Unpublished Vote question this month: “Do you expect a Canadian federal election in 2024? 

• Yes
• No
• Unsure

You can cast your vote on this topic at http://Unpublished.vote. Don’t forget to email your MP afterwards using our tool to them why you think what you do. All comments on the Unpublished.ca website will be entered into a draw for a Free 1-year membership. 

You can log on and vote right now at http://unpublished.vote and have your voice heard.

Guests: 

1. Darrell Bricker CEO Ipsos Public Affairs @darrellbricker
2. Stephanie Chouinard Associate Professor Dept. Political Science Queen’s University @DrSChouinard
3. Lori Turnbull Chair, Public & Int’l Affairs Dept. Political Science Dalhousie University @LoriLturnbul

Our Unpublished Vote question over the last 10 days asked, “Is the NDP squandering its chance by supporting the Liberals?

While the delegates in Hamilton gave Singh 80 % support, our voters saw it differently: 

• 82 % Yes
• 16 % No
• 2 % Unsure

If you haven't voted yet, you can still cast your vote on this topic at http://Unpublished.vote. Don’t forget to email your MP afterwards using our tool to tell them why you think what you do. 

All comments on the Unpublished.ca website will be entered into a monthly draw for a Free Membership to Unpublished.ca for one year. 

Guests: 

• Tom Parkin is an NDP strategist and commentator
• Marvin Ryder is with the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University
• Mario Canseco is the President of ResearchCo in Vancouver

The Liberals don’t mind as they’re still in power, but the NDP, which is propping them up, hasn’t seen much in gains when it comes to the deal? They didn’t ask to form a coalition government with the Liberals, but they seem to be wearing every mistake the government makes.  Is time running out for the New Democrats? 

Our Unpublished Vote question asks:

Has the NDP squandered its chance by supporting the Liberals in Parliament? 

• Yes 
• No 
• Unsure 

You can cast your vote on this topic at Unpublished.vote. Don’t forget to email your MP afterwards using our tool to them why you think what you do. All comments on the Unpublished.ca website will be entered into a draw for a $10 gift certificate. 

Guests: 

• Warren Kinsella, Politico and columnist
• David Coletto, Abacus Data

Have your say on the 

Unpublished Media Network

Yes 90%+

No 8%

Unsure 1.2%

However you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more—I would like to remind you that you can “cast your vote” on this topic at Unpublished.vote, and then email your MP to tell them why. Our new portal for political discussion and debate.

Guests:

• Gar Pardy Former Canadian diplomat/author China in a Changing World
• Colin Robertson Former Canadian diplomat/ Sr.Advisor Canadian Global Affairs Institute @DonaldColinRob1
• Charles Burton Charles Burton Senior Fellow Macdonald Laurier Institute Served as Counsellor at the Canadian Embassy to China between 1991-1993 and 1998-2000

The head scratcher is why the federal government is not holding a public inquiry into what happened. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asks: 

Do you feel there should be a full public inquiry into the allegations of election interference? 

• Yes
• No 
• Unsure

You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote and have your voice heard. 

Guests: 

Joining us to discuss the issue about the interference and a public inquiry is:  

1. Warren Kinsella, political commentator; Former special advisor to PM Jean Chretien
2. Elliot Tepper, Senior Fellow Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University
3. Charles Burton, Senior Fellow, Macdonald Laurier Institute

In today’s show, we look back at some of those events of 2022 and where they may lead us in 2023. 

Our Unpublished.vote question is: 

What do you feel was the biggest story in Canada this year? 

• The Freedom Convoy and use of Emergencies Act 
• Liberal NDP Cooperation pact 
• Pierre Poilievre winning the Conservative leadership race 
• Russia’s invasion of Ukraine 
• Healthcare crisis in hospitals 

You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote…

Guests: 

1. Nik Nanos, Chief Data Scientist and Founder, NANOS RESEARCH 
2. Tasha Kheiriddin, Columnist National Post, Principal Navigator 
3. Nelson Wiseman, Professor Emeritus Dept. Political Science, University of Toronto
4. Tom Parkin, Commentator / Columnist and Principal at Impact Strategies

As you sat down for Thanksgiving dinner, you likely noticed it cost you much more than a year ago. The economy is still being roiled by other impacts which have many worried about which way it will go. Are we headed for a recession? That’s the question we ask our panel this week on Unpublished TV with host Ed Hand.

Our Unpublished Vote question asked:

Do you feel the Canadian economy is on track for a recession? Yes, No or Unsure.

Our audience voted:

• 84% = Yes
• 12% = No
• 4%   = Unsure

However, you’re watching and listening to Unpublished TV, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, YouTube, or on our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more—We would like to remind you that you can “cast your vote” on this topic at the link below, and then email your MP to tell them why. Only on Unpublished.ca—Canada’s forum for political discussion and debate.

Guests: 

Lori Turnbull Director School of Public Administration Dalhousie University @LoriLturnbul 

Retired Senator Vern White @SenateCA 

Warren Kinsella Political commentator @kinsellawarren 

Marvin Ryder Associate Professor McMaster University DeGroote School of Business @DeGrooteBiz 

Karl Nerenberg Parliament Hill Correspondent Rabble.ca @KarlNerenberg

From this vantage point the one thing that is very clear is that no level of government was competent in ending the occupation until the Act was finally implemented. A municipal government that was led by a questionable police force, a provincial government that sat on its hands and continues to do so. And a federal government with a front row view of the occupation that paralyzed the city for more than three weeks. 

Through it all, the residents of Ottawa were tormented by the hundreds of truckers and thousands of protesters who initially came to demonstrate against vaccine mandates. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asks: 

Was the Emergencies Act required to bring an end to the occupation? 

• Yes
• No
• Unsure

You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.ca—Our new portal for political discussion and debate. 

Guests: 

1. Lori Turnbull, Director School of Public Administration, Dalhousie University

As you sat down for Thanksgiving dinner, you likely noticed it cost you much more than a year ago. The economy is still being roiled by other impacts which have many worried about which way it will go. Are we headed for a recession? That’s the question we ask our panel this week on Unpublished TV with host Ed Hand. 

Our Unpublished Vote question asked:

Do you feel the Canadian economy is on track for a recession? Yes, No or Unsure. 

Our audience voted: 

• 84% = Yes
• 12% = No
• 4%   = Unsure

However, you’re watching and listening to Unpublished TV, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more—We would like to remind you that you can “cast your vote” on this topic at Unpublished.vote, and then email your MP to tell them why. Only on Unpublished.ca—Canada’s forum for political discussion and debate.

If you haven’t voted yet, you can still do so at: 

Guests

1. Ian Lee, Associate Professor at the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University
2. Michael Veall, Economics Professor at McMaster University

The latest inflation numbers peg the cost of living at 7% for August, which is down marginally from the previous month. The Bank of Canada has been aggressive in hitting the brakes on an overheated economy, hiking the prime rate in dramatic fashion which has seen a somewhat cooling of our scorching housing market. 

Economists do expect inflation to remain above 6 percent through the end of the year. Fuel prices and shelter have seen a bit of a dip but grocery prices remain at their highest level since the Empire Strikes Back hit the big screen in 1981. 

Our Unpublished Vote Question asks: 

• Do you feel the Canadian economy is on track for a recession? 

Yes | No | Unsure

You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote to cast your vote and email your MP to them why you feel the way you do.

Guests: 

Ian Lee from the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University

Moshe Lander from Concordia University.

Mostafa Askari, Chief Economist at Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy, uOttawa.

Jim Watson had announced late last year that he would not seek re-election. There will also be a number of new faces around the Council table as many have decided not to run again. 

Coming up on the show we will take a look at the candidates running to lead the City of Ottawa over the next four years. Of the fourteen candidates, some names are familiar. Catherine McKenney, the former councillor for Somerset threw her hat in the ring early. So did former Regional Chair, Mayor and MPP, Bob Chiarelli. 

Long-time broadcaster and entrepreneur, Mark Sutcliffe has waded into the election waters for the first time and Mike Maguire, who finished second to Jim Watson in 2014 has jumped back in again. Nour Kadri is doing surprisingly well for a first-time candidate if Mainstreeet’s last poll is any indication of how he is doing. 

Coming up on the Unpublished Cafe, we’ll chat with the editor and publisher of the Orleans Star, Fred Sherwin, a long-time watcher of City Hall. As well, Brigitte Pellerin, columnist with the Ottawa Citizen will share her views on the hotly contested race.

The member from Carleton was first in the race and had an insurmountable lead he would not relinquish. Almost 70 percent of members supported him, giving a first ballot victory. Let’s face it. Poilievre was in control from the outset drawing big crowds and training his eye not only on the other contenders, but of course the Prime Minister as well.

 Our Unpublished poll question asked: 

Can a Pierre Poilievre led Conservative party win the next federal election?

• 76.87% = Yes
• 20.56% = No
• 2.57% = Unsure

However, you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more—I would like to remind you that you can still “cast your vote” on this topic and email your MP to tell them why. Click on the link below to do so. 

Guests

1. Darrell Bricker, CEO Ipsos Public Affairs @darrellbricker
2. Warren Kinsella, Political commentator/ former advisor PM Chretien @kinsellawarren
3. Lori Turnbull, Director School of Public Administration Dalhousie University @LoriLturnbul
4. Garry Keller, Strategy Corp / former Chief of Staff John Baird/Rona Ambrose @garry_keller

Pierre Poilievre has led from the beginning and shows no sign of easing up. Jean Charest is a distant second in the race leaving Leslyn Lewis, Scott Aitcheson and Roman Baber in the dust. Former Ontario PC leader, Patrick Brown was turfed from the contest over the summer for what the party called initially, “improper corporate donations”, which then became “suspicious memberships”. That move has drawn legal action from Brown. 

The Party has been unable to knock Prime Minister Trudeau out of office three times despite ample opportunity to make their case with the electorate. In our last show before the Summer, we asked you which candidate would win the Conservative Crown and Pierre Poilievre was overwhelmingly the favourite. 

Our Unpublished Vote question today asks: 

Can a Pierre Poilievre led Conservative Party win the next federal election? 

• Yes 
• No
• Unsure

You can log on and vote right now at our new portal for political discussion and debate,  Unpublished.ca, and have your voice heard. 

Guests: 

• Lori Turnbull Director School of Public Administration Dalhousie University 
• Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. 
• Warren Kinsella, Political commentator, and former advisor Prime Minister Jean Chretien

The Bank of Canada has moved to curb inflation by hiking interest rates with further increases on the horizon. Fully three quarters of Canadians feel we are headed toward recession or are already there. This is more than a Made in Canada problem as the issues sparking it are global. Supply chain breakdown, Covid lockdowns in China and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have all thrown fuel on the red hot economy.

Is Canada headed for a recession?

Our Unpublished Vote question asks: Do you feel the Canadian economy is heading for a recession?

Audience Response: 
88% = Yes
6% = No
6% =  Unsure

Joining us to discuss the potential for a global recession and the impact on Canada: 

• Jim Stanford Director, Centre for Future Work @JimboStanford
• Moshe Lander, Professor Economics, Concordia University @CU_researchnews
• David Macdonald, Senior Economist Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives @DavidMacCdn
• Ian Lee, Associate Professor Sprott School of Business Carleton University
• Mike Veall Professor Economics McMaster University @McMasterEcon

But this is far from a “Just in Canada” type of thing. So many other dominoes had to fall into place to get us here. Recently, a survey of economists found that half felt Canada was heading for a recession while the other half did not. 

Our Unpublished Vote question this week asks: 

Is the Canadian economy heading for a recession? 

• Yes
• No
• Unsure

You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote and have your voice heard. 

Guests: 

1. Ian Lee, Associate Professor at the Sprott School of Business, Carleton University 
2. Moshe Lander, Economics professor at Concordia University

Hello and welcome to Unpublished TV. It’s been a bare-knuckle brawl in two debates so far. The party reports a record 600,000 party memberships sold, giving those people a say in who will capture the leadership. 

First to declare was Carleton MP, Pierre Poilievre, in the middle of the trucker protest in Ottawa. He has grabbed the most attention and support thus far. But it’s a long campaign with the vote not coming until September 10th in Ottawa. 

Our Unpublished Vote question asked: Which candidate will the Conservatives select? 

Our audience responded:

Pierre Poilievre = 83.02%

Jean Charest = 4.72%

Leslyn Lewis = 3.30%

Patrick Brown = 5.19%

Roman Baber = 3.77%

Scott Aitchison = 0% 

However you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more—we would like to remind you that you can “cast your vote” on this topic at http://Unpublished.vote, and then email your MP to tell them why.

Guests: 

1. Warren Kinsella, Political commentator / former advisor PM Chretien 
2. Lori Turnbull, Director School of Public Administration, Dalhousie University
3. Cristine de Clercy, Professor Political Science, Western University
4. Mario Canseco, President Research Co
5. Rick Peterson, Co-founder, Centre Ice Conservatives

Animosity is driving the bus in the Conservatives largest leadership race ever. More than 400,000 memberships have been sold according to the Party leadership committee, with the closing deadline today. 

Six candidates in all are looking to lead the party into the next election with Carleton MP Pierre Poilievre siphoning off most of the air in the room. Former Quebec Premier and leader of the PC Party, Jean Charest is on the list, along with former Brampton Mayor and Ontario PC leader Patrick Brown and former leadership candidate, Leslyn Lewis in the ring. Roman Baber, a former Ontario MPP, and current Conservative MP Scott Aitchison round out the list. 

Two debates are behind us with the leadership convention set for September in Ottawa. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asks: 

Which candidate will the Conservatives select? 

• Pierre Poilievre
• Jean Charest
• Leslyn Lewis
• Patrick Brown
• Roman Baber
• Scott Aitchison

You can log on and vote anytime at Unpublished.vote to have your voice heard. 

Guests: 

1. Jack Jedwab, President of the Association of Canadian Studies
2. Lori Williams, Mount Royal University 
3. David Coletto, Abacus Data 
4. Nelson Wiseman, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto

But around it? Severe thunderstorms raked the southern and eastern part of the province, leaving hundreds of thousands in the dark. Factor in the sky-high prices for everything, a war in Eastern Europe and another school shooting in the US, and the electorate could be forgiven for being distracted from the election. 

When the writ dropped, Ford’s PCs were in the lead and in majority territory. They haven’t relinquished much of it since. 

Our Unpublished Vote question this week asked: What do you think will be the outcome of the Ontario election?

• PC Majority: 56%
• PC Minority: 20.5%
• Liberal Majority: 0%
• Liberal minority: 7%
• NDP minority: 4%
• Other: 12%

However, you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more—we would like to remind you that you can “cast your vote” on this topic at Unpublished.vote, and then email your MP to tell them why.

Guests: 

1. Andrew Enns, Executive VP Leger
2. Marvin Ryder, Associate Professor DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University
3. Tasha Kheiridden, Principal, Navigator
4. Stephanie Chouinard, Assistant Professor, Political Science at Queen’s University

The final debate was Monday, the last chance for leaders to make an impression and perhaps a knockout punch. This campaign appeared to be a referendum on Doug Ford’s handling of the pandemic. But the skyrocketing cost of living has surged to the top of the list of concerns of Ontarians, distracting from the last four years. 

Our Unpublished Vote question asks: 

What do you think will be the outcome of the Ontario election? 

You can vote in our weekly poll by clicking the link below when it appears, and then comment on our site and email your MP to have your voice heard! 

Coming up on the Unpublished Cafe, we’ll chat with Andrew Enns, Vice President of Leger360 about how Ontario views the candidates. As well, Genevieve Tellier of the University of Ottawa will join us. First, we’re pleased to be joined by Mark Winfield, Professor of Political Science at York University…

Seven weeks and counting since Russia invaded Ukraine all in the name of “deNaziifying” the country. Just over a year ago, Russian troops and equipment began to amass along the border with Ukraine all in the name of “training”. Since Russian troops crossed into Ukraine, they have been met with fierce resistance. NATO and European countries have been outraged by the invasion and attack, but NATO has not enforced a no fly zone over Ukraine for concern of broadening the conflict. 

Our Unpublished dot vote question asks, Does Russia’s war on Ukraine amount to genocide?

Yes

No

Unsure

Log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote and have your voice heard. 

Listen to the podcast, read the articles, cast your vote, email your MP to tell them why, and then take a moment to check out the new Unpublished.ca portal for politics and current affairs in Canada, as we roll it out one section at a time in the coming weeks. 

Guests:

John Packer Professor of International Conflict Resolution University of Ottawa’s Human Rights Research and Education Centre @JP_Peacekeeping

Yves Engler writer Canadian Dimension @EnglerYves

Elliot Tepper Senior Fellow Norman Paterson School of International Affairs @CU_NPSIA

Radoslav Dimitrov Associate Professor Department of Political Science

Western University @WesternuPoliSci

Canada’s MP’s unanimously approved a motion to call Russia’s attack, genocide. US President Biden and other world leaders have made the same accusation. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said it as well, citing “attacks on Russian speaking people in the eastern party of the country by Ukraine” as genocide against Russia. The term itself is very political and in need of thorough investigation. 

Our Unpublished dot vote question asks you: Is Russia’s attack on Ukraine genocide? 

• Yes
• No 
• Unsure

Log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote and have your voice heard. 

Listen to the podcast, read the articles, cast your vote, email your MP to tell them why, and then take a moment to check out the new Unpublished.ca portal for politics and current affairs in Canada, as we roll it out one section at a time in the coming weeks. 

Guests:

• Yves Engler is a writer with Canadian Dimension
• Elliot Tepper is a Senior Fellow at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University.
• John Packer is a Professor of International Conflict resolution with the University of Ottawa’s Human Rights Research and Education Centre

Four years after Doug Ford landed at Queen’s Park, he is looking for another mandate. The party’s just announced platform comes with some big spending, more than $198 billion. A return to balance will be further down the road. The NDP platform focuses on healthcare with promises of more nurses and PSW’s although there was no price tag. The Liberals have announced a pay transparency plan and “before and after “ school care to run in line with the feds child care plan. 

Our Unpublished dot vote question asks you: If the election was held right now, which party would you vote for?

PC’s. 50 percent

Liberals. 20

NDP. 15

Green. 15

Log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote and have your voice heard. 

Listen to the podcast, read the articles, cast your vote, email your MP to tell them why, and then take a moment to check out the new Unpublished.ca portal for politics and current affairs in Canada, as we roll it out one section at a time in the coming weeks. 

Guests:

Darrell Bricker CEO Ipsos Public Affairs @darrellbricker

Tom Parkin Political commentator @TomPark1n

Karl Nerenberg Columnist Rabble.ca

The last time Ontario went to the polls, the governing Liberals were reduced to a rump party of just seven seats. The N.D.P made gains and became the official Opposition. Midway through the mandate, the pandemic arrived turning everything upside down. As we grapple with a sixth wave while politicians try to turn the page on Covid, Russia has invaded Ukraine and the price of a home in Canada is the highest it’s ever been. 

Our Unpublished dot vote question asks you. If the election was held tomorrow, who would you vote for, PC, Liberal, NDP, or Green? 

Yes

No

Unsure

Log on and vote right now at Unpublished dot vote and have your voice heard. 

Listen to the podcast, read the articles, cast your vote, email your MP to tell them why, and then take a moment to check out the new Unpublished.ca portal for politics and current affairs in Canada, as we roll it out one section at a time in the coming weeks. 

Guests:

Lori Turnbull from Dalhousie University

Tim Abray from Queens

Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs.

When we talk about about affordability, by far the biggest concern is the cost of buying a home. Prices were high before the pandemic, but they rose 20 percent last year, putting the average home at $816 thousand. Hardly chump change. Our Unpublished dot vote question asks you; Does the 2022 Federal budget address your economic concerns?

0 Yes

100 No

0 Unsure

However you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more—I would like to remind you that you can “cast your vote” on this topic at Unpublished.vote, and then email your MP to tell them why.

Guests:

Ian Lee Associate Professor Sprott School of Business Carleton University @SprottSchool

Philip Cross Senior Fellow Macdonald Laurier Institute @MLInstitute

Our Unpublished dot vote question asks: Does the 2022 federal budget address your economic concerns? 

Yes

No

Unsure

You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished dot vote.

Listen to the podcast, read the articles, cast your vote, email your MP to tell them why, and then take a moment to check out the new Unpublished.ca portal for politics and current affairs in Canada, as we roll it out one section at a time in the coming weeks. 

Guests: 

1. Warren Kinsella, Political commentator and former special advisor to PM Jean Chretien
2. Jim Stanford is an Economist and the Director of the Centre for Future Work
3. Dan Kelly is the President of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business

About two weeks ago, the parties unwrapped their agreement which would see the NDP support the minority government for progress on some NDP priorities, namely dental care and a pharma program. This is different than a coalition government which it is often referred. For one, no NDP members would be in Cabinet which is often a result in a coalition. The Conservatives, whom are in the middle of a leadership race, call it “backdoor socialism” and “undemocratic “. 

Our Unpublished dot vote question asks, Will the supply and confidence agreement between the two last until 2025? Yes, No or Unsure.

The results of our survey find

0% Yes

88:46 No

11.54 Unsure

However you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more—We would like to remind you that you can cast-your-vote on this topic at Unpublished.vote, and then email your MP to tell them why.

Guests:

Nelson WisemanProfessor Emeritus Dept. Political Science University of Toronto @UofT_PolSci

Tasha Kheiriddin Columnist National Post @TashaKheiriddin

Tom Parkin Commentator/ Columnist @TomPark1n

Mario Canseco President Research Co

The talks were off and on since January and really ramped up during the Ottawa occupation by the so called trucker convoy. The deal means the NDP will support the Liberals on a number of policies they mutually agree upon. Think dental care and pharmacare. It will also see the NDP support the Liberals on confidence votes like budgets. It could spare Canadians a trip to the ballot box for three years. 

Our Unpublished dot vote question asks:

Will the supply and confidence agreement between the two last until 2025? 

Yes, No or Unsure. 

You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished dot vote and have your voice heard. 

Guests

1. Lydia Miljan, Professor of Political Science at the University of Windsor.
2. Karl Nerenberg of Rabble who covers the Hill. 
3. Karl Bélanger, President of Traxxion Strategies

While most of the West has levelled punishing economic sanctions on Russia, others have stood by Russia’s aggression. Ukraine has made no qualms about joining NATO which Russia sees as provocation, despite Ukraine being a sovereign nation. NATO members have rejected a no-fly zone over Ukraine for fear of being dragged further into the fray. 

Our Unpublished Vote question this week asks: Should NATO put boots on the ground to defend Ukraine? 

Our audience voted: 

• Yes = 59%
• No = 35%
• Unsure = 6%

However you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more—We would like to remind you that you can cast-your-vote on this topic at Unpublished.vote, and then email your MP to tell them why.

Joining us to discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Canada’s role to play…

Guests: 

1. Elliot Tepper, Senior Fellow, Norman Paterson School of International Affairs; 
2. Peggy Mason, President, Rideau Institute; 
3. Gilles Breton, Former Canadian diplomat in Russia; and 
4. Gar Pardy, Former Canadian Ambassador 

Where will it lead the world? 

All apologies to those who thought the Cold War was over, but here we are. While Russia has the numbers and firepower, the Russian army is being held back by Ukraine. And, while Vladimir Putin watches from the Kremlin, Ukraine President Voldimir Zelensky has taken up arms with his forces, while still communicating with world leaders. 

The scenes of destruction are devastating for those on the outside. NATO members have been offering assistance in the form of equipment but will not enforce a No-Fly Zone out of fear of escalating the conflict. 

Our Unpublished Vote question asks: 

Should NATO put boots on the ground to defend Ukraine? 

Yes, No or Unsure. 

You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote and have your voice heard. 

Guests: 

1. Colin Robertson, former Canadian diplomat/Vice President at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute; 
2. Elliot Tepper, Senior Fellow Norman Paterson School of International Affairs 
3. Jane Boulden, Professor, Department of Political Science, Royal former Canadian diplomat /Vice President at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute @CAGlobalAffairs @DonaldColinRob1Military College

The freedom convoy is out of downtown Ottawa but the 3-week occupation is something the residents won’t soon forget. As the collection of truckers made their way across the country, there were rumblings that other groups were using the movement for their own gain. 

The Confederate and Nazi flags that were seen on the first weekend solidified that view for many. Extremism in Canada has increased 320% over the last 5-years according to the Institute for Strategic Dialogue. 

Our Unpublished Vote question this week asks: 

Do you feel “extremism” is on the rise in Canada? 

Our audience responded: 

Yes      = 41.6%
No        = 56.4%
Unsure = 2.5% 

However you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more—We would like to remind you that you can “cast your vote” on this topic at Unpublished.vote, and then email your MP to tell them why.

 

Guests: 

1. Barbara Perry, Professor Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, Ontario Tech University @CHBEOntarioTech
2. Amarnath Amarasingam, Assistant Prof. School of Religion, Queen’s University; Senior Fellow with the International Centre for the Study of Radicalization; Senior Fellow with the Institute for Strategic Dialogue @AmarAmarasingam
3. Andrew Crosby, PhD Candidate, Sociology at Carleton University

The world got a glimpse inside the power of extremism during the January 6th insurrection at the US Capitol. For the residents of downtown Ottawa, the occupation of their neighborhoods felt eerily similar. Canadians, at least on the world stage, like to promote our tolerance for everyone, but that is an illusion. Hate grows here too. 

Our Unpublished Vote question asks: 

Do you feel “extremism” is on the rise in Canada? 

• Yes
• No
• Unsure 

Unpublished.ca

Listen to the podcast, read the articles, cast your vote, email your MP to tell them why, and then take a moment to check out the new Unpublished.ca portal for politics and current affairs in Canada, as we roll it out one section at a time in the coming weeks. 

Podcast Guests: 

1. Barbara Perry, Professor Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, Ontario Tech University; 
2. Stephanie Carvin, Associate Professor of International Relations at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs

While some Tory MP’s stood back, others wilfully egged on the truckers. It cost Erin O‘Toole his job as leader of the Party. While he says he’s staying on as an MP, it sets up a leadership race for a party that doesn’t seem to know its identity. Will it ever unite under one leader? 

With O’Toole now in the rear-view mirror, Conservatives now look toward a leadership race. Carleton MP Pierre Poilievre is the presumptive heir apparent, but others have yet to come forward. 

Our Unpublished Vote question asks: Can the Conservative Party be United?

So far, our audience has responded… 

Yes = 61.59%
No = 29.27%
Unsure = 9.15% 

The Conservative Party of Canada was formed in December 2003, a merger between the Progressive Conservatives and the Canadian Alliance. It aimed to bring all the like-minded Tories together, but the factions still existed. They exploded during the so-called Freedom Convoy. You wonder what it will take to keep everyone happy or will they end up splitting into two again? 

If you haven’t voted yet you can do so here >

GUESTS: 

1. Warren Kinsella, Political commentator / former advisor PM Chretien; Twitter: @kinsellawarren
2. Lori Turnbull, Director School of Public Administration, Dalhousie University; Twitter: @Loriturnbul
3. Samuel Routley, Doctoral Student Western University  @SJRoutley

It will spawn a leadership race for the Tories. Can a new leader stop the party from shooting itself in the foot or unite all the views in the Big Blue Tent? 

The so called ‘Freedom Convoy’ has turned downtown Ottawa on its head. It has also ignited similar protests at border crossings in Alberta, Manitoba and Canada’s busiest crossing to the US, the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor. And in just a few days, the interim Conservative Leader, Candice Bergen has flip flopped from supporting the convoy to now telling them to go home. If you were a Conservative supporter, you might wonder what they’ll say tomorrow. 

The Conservatives were disappointed in their performance in the last election and mumbling about new leadership has been around since late September. Which direction will the party sail now? 

Our Unpublished dot vote question asks:

Can the Conservative Party of Canada be united? 

• Yes 
• No 
• Unsure 

You can log on and vote right now at http://Unpublished.ca and have your voice heard. 

Guests: 

1. Scott Gilmore, Maclean’s columnist and self-described, self-loathing Tory 
2. Frank Graves, Ekos Research 
3. Lori Turnbull, Dalhousie University 
4. Warren Kinsella, Political commentator and Former advisor to PM Chretien

Since November, 100,000+ Russian troops have been stationed along the Ukraine-Russia border for what Russia calls military exercises. Ukrainians are growing more nervous about the prospect of war. Since the 2014 annexation of Crimea, Ukrainians have been dealing with violent insurgencies that have left thousands dead and their homes in tatters. 

French President Emmanuel Macron is meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to try and reach an agreement. The US has been warning of a possible invasion since late last year. Canada is keeping close tabs on the situation as the largest Ukrainian diaspora outside of Ukraine and Russia reside here: 1.2 million. 

This country has sent funding and non-military equipment along with troops for training Ukrainian military. It has not sent lethal military weapons. Macron refers to today’s meeting as “dialogue and de-escalation”. 

This is a pivotal moment in the standoff. 

Guests:

1. Dr. Alexander Lanoszka, Assistant Professor, Political Science Balsillie School of International Affairs, University of Waterloo;
2. Gilles Breton, Former Canadian diplomat to Russia
3. Andrew Rasiulis, Canadian Global Affairs Institute
4. Peggy Mason, President of the Rideau Institute

From the Ukrainian side, they view it as intimidation leading to a possible invasion. Canada has sent military aid in the form of funding, more soldiers to train Ukrainian military and non-lethal equipment such as night vision goggles and Kevlar vests. At this point, the federal government is backing off on lethal equipment. 

Should Canada revisit that decision? 

Russia does not like the western influence in Ukraine and in particular it’s desire to join NATO. Russia sees that as encroaching on its sphere of influence. At the same time, the West is watching as more than 100,000 Russian troops amass on Ukraine’s border. 

US President Joe Biden has been working the phones with allies to put together a response which would likely include sanctions. Russian leader Vladimir Putin has seen his approval dip considerably in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. In the past, when his approval plummeted, he found refuge by invading Georgia in 2008 and later, the Crimea during the Winter Olympics in Sochi.  Some international analysts see this as a way for Putin to shore up his support. 

Our Unpublished Vote question asks: 

Should Canada send military weapons to the Ukraine to defend itself? 

• Yes 
• No
• Unsure 

Log and vote right now at Unpublished.ca and have your voice heard. 

Guests: 

1. Gilles Breton, Former Canadian Diplomat to Russia
2. Marcus Kolga, Founder of Disinfowatch and Senior Fellow at the Macdonald Laurier Institute

There is also the “hostage diplomacy” of holding the two Michaels in prison on trumped up charges for three years in retaliation for the house arrest of Huawei exec, Meng Wanzhou. There have been threats and intimidation of Canadians on this soil for speaking up against the Chinese Communist Party. Add in a crackdown in Hong Kong, military intimidation of Taiwan, and the persecution of Tibetans and Uyghurs, and the Beijing Olympics become more than just a sporting event. In the face of all this Canada is sending its athletes, although it is standing with allies on a diplomatic boycott, a move China calls a farce. 

Then there’s Covid of course. Its spreading across China and Chinese officials have threatened to move any athlete who tests positive from the Athletes Village to a government-run quarantine facility. 

Canadians are paying attention. Recent polls show Canadians support a full boycott of the Games. Considering all that has transpired, should Canada send its athletes to the Games? It’s a complicated situation. 

Guests:

1. Elliot Tepper, Professor  of Political Science at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs; Carleton University
2. Alan Freeman, Professor at the Graduate School of Public & International Affairs; uOttawa
3. Margaret McCuaig Johnson, Senior Fellow with the Graduate School for Public and International Affairs; uOttawa
4. Bruce Kidd, Former Canadian Olympian and Professor of Sport and Public Policy; University of Toronto
5. Chemi Lhamo, Tibetan-Canadian Activist
6. Zumretay Arkin, from the World Uyghur Congress

The Winter Olympics come every 4 years, and with it comes Nations cheering on their athletes, who put everything on the line for the opportunity. Canada has joined the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand in a diplomatic boycott of the games. Athletes will still be able to compete but diplomats, like Canada’s Minister for Sport, will not be attending. 

For more than two years, Canada—China relations were strained due to the “hostage diplomacy “ of the Two-Michaels after Huawei executive, Meng Wanzhou, was detained in Vancouver for the US. 

China has responded to the threat of a boycott with the promise of retaliation. To make the situation even more complex, add in the Omicron variant spreading around the globe… 

Our poll question this week asks: 

Should Canada send athletes to the Beijing Winter Olympics? 

• Yes
• No
• Unsure

Guests: 

1. Jon Roe, Angus Reid Institute
2. Bruce Kidd, former Canadian Olympian 1964
3. Charles Burton, Former Canadian Diplomat to China
4. Elliot Tepper, Distinguished Senior Fellow, Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University

The new variant is now the dominant variant with some unique characteristics, one of which is its extreme transmissibility. The healthcare sector is bracing for the next massive wave of infections. How it will impact the system is yet to be seen. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asks: 

Will the Omicron variant lead to a 5th wave of the pandemic in Canada? 

Our audience responded: 

Yes = 24.3%
No = 70.8% 
Unsure = 4.9.%

If you haven’t voted yet, you can still have your voice heard at unpublished.vote

Guests:

1. Dean Karlen,  Professor of Physics University of Victoria;
2. Steven Taylor, Professor, Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia. He is also the author of Psychology of Pandemics. 
3. Raywat Deonandan, Epidemiologist and Assistant Professor, uOttawa
4. Ryan Mallough, Senior Director, Ontario Canadian Federation of Independent Business

It was discovered in a neighbourhood in South Africa. It was hitting younger people in the largely unvaccinated area. What concerned the epidemiologists was the ability of the virus to spread quickly and to evade protection. How this will impact us, if at all, is yet to be seen, but the federal government was quick to close the border to people from a number of African nations. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asks: 

Will the Omicron variant lead to a fifth wave of the pandemic in Canada? 

• Yes
• No
• Unsure 

You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote. 

Guests: 

1. Raywat Deonandan, Epidemiologist and Assistant Professor, University of Ottawa
2. Steve Joordens, Professor of Psychology University of Toronto, Scarborough 
3. David Coletto, CEO Abacus Data 
4. Dan Kelly, Canadian Federation of Independent 

Our Unpublished.vote question asks you, Which government priority do you want addressed first? 

• Vaccinations
• Paid sick leave
• $10 a day Childcare
• Conversion therapy 
• Indigenous reconciliation 
• military reform
• COP26 commitments 
• Other 
• None of the Above

However you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more—We would like to remind you that you can “cast-your-vote” on this topic at Unpublished.vote, and then email your MP to tell them why.
 

Guests: 

1. Darrell Bricker CEO Ipsos Public Affairs @darrellbricker
2. Marvin Ryder DeGroote School of Business McMaster University @DeGrooteBiz
3. Stephanie Chouinard Assistant Professor Political Science at Queen’s University @DrSChouinard
4. Warren Kinsella Political commentator/ former Advisor PM Chrétien @kinsellawarren

Ontario and Quebec both had announced mandatory vaccines for those workers, who are after all, working with Covid patients. Now both have backed off saying it would lead to thousands leaving the healthcare sector, and potentially leading it to a collapse, although neither provided any detail on their claims. 

We know there have been thousands of cancelled procedures and tests that were scrubbed because of Covid. But, as the last line of defence against the virus, it might seem strange that these workers would refuse to be inoculated, if not to protect themselves, then perhaps their patients or their families. In this case, we’re talking about those who are not allergic to the ingredients in the vaccine. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asks: 

Should healthcare workers be vaccinated against Covid to keep their jobs?

• Yes = 15.5%
• No =  83.7%
• Unsure = 0.8%

However, you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more—I would like to remind you that you can “cast your vote” on this topic at Unpublished.vote, and then email your MP to tell them why.

Guests: 

1. Doris Grinspun, CEO, Registered Nurses Association of Ontario
2. Marty Moore, Lawyer, Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedom 
3. Colleen Flood, University Research Chair in Health, Law and Policy, uOttawa

References:

https://globalnews.ca/news/8376304/covid-vaccine-refusal-termination-poll/

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/11/15/quebec-judge-rules-provinces-abandoned-health-care-vaccine-mandate-is-legal.html

https://angusreid.org/covid-firing-booster/

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/government-supply-firm-employee-loses-bid-to-halt-federal-vaccination-policy

https://www.mcgill.ca/facmed-alumni/article/shelter-twitter-storm

https://www.cmaj.ca/content/cmaj/early/2021/11/09/cmaj.211839.full.pdf

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-quebec-judge-rules-provinces-abandoned-health-care-vaccine-mandate-is/

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-quebec-wont-mandate-covid-19-vaccination-for-workers-in-schools/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/canada-mandatory-vaccines-covid-19-healthcare-workers-1.6111486

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196655321002741

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-experts-argue-why-making-vaccinations-mandatory-doesnt-necessarily/

https://www.jccf.ca/mandatory-covid-vaccine-faqs/

There’s been a lot of road between the last election and the return of Parliament. The Liberals and NDP appear to be planning on working together on some shared goals, although NDP leader Jagmeet Singh says not every vote will be a “fait accompli”. 

The return to Parliament comes with Canada in the fourth wave of the pandemic, the country’s largest trading partner talking protectionism and the devastating flooding that has swamped B.C. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asks: 

Which priority of the government do you want addressed first? 

• Vaccinations 
• Paid sick leave 
• $10/day Childcare
• Ban on conversion therapy 
• Indigenous reconciliation 
• Military reform 
• COP26 commitments
• Other
• None of the Above 

You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote and have your voice heard. 

Guests: 

1. Lori Turnbull, Director of the School of Public Administration/Associate Professor of Political Science at Dalhousie University
2. Tom Parkin, Political commentator

Canada made some bold pledges during the event. Will they make a difference? 

A lot of words were thrown around, but will they lead to any concrete solutions to rising sea levels and rising emissions? Some of Canada’s promises were made by the Liberals during the last election. It seems Canadians are behind them according to the latest Leger numbers which show almost seven in 10 Canadians support the reduction in oil and gas sector emissions to net zero by 2050. 

There is also strong support for other Canadian promises at COP26. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asks: 

Will Canada achieve its climate change pledges made at COP26?

• Yes = 2.5%
• No = 90.9%
• Unsure = 6.6%

However you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more—I would like to remind you that you can still “cast your vote” on this topic at Unpublished.vote, and then email your MP to tell them why.

Guests: 

1. Karl Nerenberg, Parliament Hill Reporter at Rabble.ca 
2. Dr. Thomas Gunton, Professor and Founding Director of the Resource and Environmental Planning Program at Simon Fraser University
3. Dan McTeague, President Canadians for Affordable Energy
4. Eddy Perez, Interantional Climate Diplomacy Manager, Climate Action Network Canada

Will Canada’s military get its act together? 

In searching for a cause to the problems, its best to start at the beginning. In Mark Popov’s case, the beginning is the Royal Military College (RMC) in Kingston, where Canada’s top military prospects are trained to become officers. 

In 2015, we heard stunning reports out of RMC about young soldiers verbally threatening young women with rape while they were touring the facility. Lieutenant Colonel Mark Popov was in charge of the recruits in 2015. He confined them to their barracks, gave them a thorough dressing down and went to search for those who started the episode. 

That was when he ran into interference from above. Mark Popov’s story is a story of the Canadian military chain of command deciding to protect its reputation rather than fixing what appears to be a perpetual problem. 

To find out more about it and whether new leadership of the portfolio might change things, I’m pleased to be joined by retired Lieutenant Colonel Mark Popov.

So, it’s a bit of a head scratcher why Ontario and Quebec have reversed their decision on mandatory vaccines for health care workers. They will no longer be required to be vaccinated to continue to work in a health care setting. Will this lead to a rise in infections? 

Remember when the pandemic set in and turned health care upside down? Then do you recall when a vaccine was approved, and the health care sector was at the front of the line to get it? Many were relieved to be vaccinated to protect themselves, their families and their patients. 

Ontario and Quebec both pledged to make those vaccines mandatory for healthcare workers, but they have reversed course, citing concern about losing those healthcare professionals and the impact it would have on the healthcare system. Not only have they had to deal with a pandemic, but it has pushed back treatments and other surgeries. That is what those provinces consider “real world” evidence. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asks: 

Should healthcare workers be vaccinated against Covid to keep their jobs?

• Yes
• No
• Unsure 

You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote and have your voice heard. 

Guests: 

1. John Fraser, Ontario Liberal House Leader. MPP Ottawa South
2. Kerry Bowman, Bioethicist and Assistant Professor, Department of School of Environment, Faculty of Arts and Science at the University of Toronto

39 ministers in all, including a couple of new portfolios, Emergency Preparedness and Housing. Will this group get the job done? 

While the new government signaled it wanted to get down to business right away, it still took more than a month to name the new Cabinet. And this government won’t be sitting in the House for another three weeks. 

Creating a Cabinet requires more than just picking your strengths or favourites. Gender, geography, experience, and electoral success all play a part. This current crop of Cabinet Ministers features many faces that have slipped over the last few years.

Our Unpublished.vote question asks:

Which Cabinet Minister will be the first to be shuffled out?

• Mélanie Joly, Foreign Affairs = 22.5%
• Anita Anand, Defence = 12.4%
• Steven Guilbeault, Environment = 29.2%
• Jean Yves Duclos, Health = 7.9%
• Patty Hajdu, Indigenous Affairs = 16.9%
• Other = 4.5%
• None of the Above = 6.7%

However you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more—I would like to remind you that you can “cast your vote” on this topic at Unpublished.vote, and then email your MP to tell them why.

 

Guests: 

1. Tasha Kheiriddin, Public Policy Analyst / Political Commentator @TashaKheiridden
2. Mario Canseco, President at Research Co. @mario_canseco
3. Nelson Wiseman, Professor, Political Studies  University of Toronto 

In 2015, consensus was reached to keep global warming below 2 degrees with an aim at 1.5 to avoid a climate emergency. Canada is represented at COP26 with a number of promises made. Will they make a difference? 

More than 200 countries are in attendance at the Conference. Prime Minister Trudeau has made some ambitious promises at COP26 which will have a financial impact here at home. A hard cap on emissions for the oil and gas industry was announced along with encouragement for other countries to follow Canada’s lead on pricing carbon. And, International aid from Canada is earmarked for poorer countries to meet their pollution targets. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asks: 

Will Canada’s pledges at COP26 make a difference in climate change? 

• Yes
• No
• Unsure

You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote. Have your voice heard. 

Guests: 

1. Angela Keller-Herzog, Executive Director—Community Associations for Environmental Sustainability
2. Dan McTeague, President of the Canadians for Affordable Energy
3. Douglas Auld, Professor in the Department of Economics and Finance, University of Guelph

The results were over 61% voting Yes to remove Equalization from the Constitution. Will it ever happen? 

The referendum was a campaign promise by Jason Kenney and the United Conservative Party. Equalization basically distributes wealth to “have not” provinces, primarily at the expense of Alberta and Ontario. What some Albertans see or don’t like is the fact that funds are being given to provinces which have stifled their “perceived “growth. Think Quebec not allowing a pipeline through its territory. 

There are some nuances to adding up what each province will get. For example, in the calculation, the value of natural resource development can impact. It could give provinces the incentive to NOT develop those resources. 

Jason Kenney is not the first to want to change the Constitution. Doug Ford in Ontario used the “notwithstanding clause “ to get legislation through. Quebec wants to open it to enshrine French as the official language of the province and to declare itself a Nation. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asks: Do you feel Canada’s Equalization Program should be changed?

• Yes = 88.9%
• No = 9.7%
• Unsure = 1.4%

However, you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more—I would like to remind you that you can “cast your vote” on this topic at Unpublished.vote, and then email your MP to tell them why.

 

Guests: 

• Warren Kinsella, Former Advisor to Jean Chrétien and political commentator @kinsellawarren
• Janet Brown, Principal Janet Brown Opinion Research @planetjanetyyc
• Daniel Béland, Professor / Director Institute for the Study of Canada @danielbeland
• Stephanie Chouinard, Assistant Professor Political Science, Queen’s University @DrSChouinard

There is a bit of strategy to crafting a Cabinet with a number of considerations to consider, regional representation, defeated incumbents, loyalty and success. It’s not an easy thing to do when you know some egos will be bruised. 

The purpose is to create a “team” to accomplish the government’s goals. There are a number of faces in new portfolios, some that were head scratchers. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asks: 

Which Cabinet Minister will be the first to be shuffled out?

• Mélanie Joly, Foreign Affairs
• Anita Anand, Defence
• Steven Guilbeault, Environment
• Jean Yves Duclos, Health
• Patty Hajdu, Indigenous Affairs
• Other
• None of the Above

You can log-on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote to have your voice heard. 

Guests:

1. Nelson Wiseman, Director of Canadian Studies and Professor of Political Science; University of Toronto
2. Lori Turnbull, Director School of Public Administration; Dalhousie University
3. Tasha Kheiriddin, Public Policy Analyst and Political Commentator

Now the federal government is pivoting to two new, more targeted programs to get Canada across the pandemic finish line. Will it be enough? 

The previous support programs are being replaced by two new programs, the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program which applies to those sectors hit by health restrictions. The other, Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program, for those businesses that can show a 50% decline in revenue from the beginning of the pandemic. The Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit would come into effect if lockdowns return. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asks: 

Should the federal government wind down the Canada Recovery Benefit?

Our audience responded: 

• Yes = 76%
• No = 21.8%
• Unsure= 2.2%

However, you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more—I would like to remind you that you can “cast your vote” on this topic at Unpublished.vote, and then email your MP to tell them why.

Guests: 

1. James Rilett, VP Restaurants Canada | Twitter: @RestaurantsONMB
2. David Macdonald, Sr. Economist CCPA |Twitter: @DavidMacCdn
3. Ryan Mallough, Sr. Dir Prov. Affairs Ontario CFIB | Twitter: @R_Mallough
4. Mikal Skuterud, Professor Dept. of Economics at the University of Waterloo | Twitter: @mikalskuterud

Albertans had a number of referendums on their ballots earlier this week, in municipal elections. The most noteworthy was the vote on whether the Province should pull out of the Canada’s Equalization program. The Premier says this isn’t about playing politics, it’s about fairness. 

When you consider, BC and Quebec are big recipients of Equalization from the federal government with about $20 billion coming from Alberta, they are also the biggest impediments to getting Alberta oil to tidewater. The Equalization program sees the federal government collect from the wealthiest provinces to distribute to other “have not” provinces. Jason Kenney says this is all about gaining leverage with the federal government. The Province feels hamstrung getting its commodities to market.

Our Unpublished.vote question asks: Do you feel Canada’s Equalization Program should be changed? 

• Yes 
• No
• Unsure 

You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote. 

Guests: 

1. Kevin Lacey, Alberta Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation 
2. Barry Cooper teaches political science at the University of Calgary as well as one of the authors of the Free Alberta Strategy
3. Jared Wesley, Associate Professor & Associate Chair, Graduate Programs | Department of Political Science | University of Alberta

In 2015, then Liberal leader, Justin Trudeau said if he won the election it would be the last federal election under the “First Past the Post” system. We’ve had two elections since that claim—both were First Past the Post. 

When you look at the numbers from the last election, Trudeau won with the support of just 20% of voters. Not exactly a rousing endorsement. In Europe, New Zealand and Australia, they have various forms of electoral reform, whether it’s some form of Proportional Representation or Ranked Ballot. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asked you: 

Do you support electoral reform in Canada?

• Yes = 89.3%
• No =  6.2%
• Unsure = 4.4%

However you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more—I would like to remind you that you can “cast your vote” on this topic at Unpublished.vote, and then email your MP to tell them why.

 

Guests: 

1. Duff Conacher Co-founder Democracy Watch
2. Katrina Miller, Program Director Broadbent Institute
3. Real Lavergne, Fair Vote Canada 
4. Karl Nerenberg, Parliamentary Correspondent with Rabble.ca

It’s a sight seen many places across the country as lockdowns were eased and restrictions lifted, small businesses were delighted to resume operations. The only problem was finding people to work. 

When the pandemic arrived and Canada was shut down, the government filled the financial breach with the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). All those thrown out of work due to Covid were able to collect $500/week to make ends meet. It was a quick response to a dire need for many at no fault of their own. 

The government has moved the CERB to Employment Insurance for those unable to find work. The Canada Recovery Benefit followed for those still jobless or making 50% less than they were. But, in the case of the Recovery benefit, the payout was reduced to $300 a week. And the program comes to an end later this month. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asks: 

Do you feel now is the right time for the federal government to wind down the Recovery benefit? 

• Yes 
• No 
• Unsure 

You can log-on to vote and email your MP at Unpublished.vote to have your voice heard. 

Guests: 

1. Dan Kelly, President and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business
2. Jennifer Robson, Associate Professor Political Management at Carleton University

Now, they will have to lay out their agenda with an eye on support from another party. What should be the top priorities of this government? 

The Fourth wave of the pandemic is here, debt and deficit is piling up, employers are having trouble finding help and Indigenous reconciliation is top of mind for many Canadians. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asked: 

What should be the top priority of the new federal government?

Our audience responded:

• Economic recovery = 49.7% 
• Vaccine mandates = 4.5%
• Indigenous reconciliation = 3.4%
• Climate change = 6.1%
• Electoral reform = 24.0%
• Foreign policy and trade = 1.1%
• Other = 11.2%
• Unsure = 0%

However, you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more—we would like to remind you that you can “cast your vote” on this topic at Unpublished.vote, and then email your MP to tell them why.

 

Guests:

1. Tom Parkin, Columnist 
2. Dylan Penner, Climate and Social Justice campaigner, Council of Canadians 
3. Marvin Ryder, DeGroote School of Business McMaster University

Will electoral reform come to Canada? 

The Liberals promised electoral reform in 2015 and a committee was working on it with the suggestion of taking it to the people in a referendum. That’s when the committee was cancelled. Fast forward to the 2021 campaign and late in the race, Trudeau said he was open to electoral reform, although we saw what happened last time. 

There are two main forms of electoral reform: Proportional Representation and Ranked Ballot (preferential voting). The aim is to give more voice to your vote. Currently, the First-Past-the-Post system benefits the larger parties. Proportional representation is alive and working well in particular in Europe and Australia and New Zealand. 

Coming up on the Unpublished.cafe, we’ll take a look at the options and see whether they would strengthen our democracy. 

Our Unpublished dot vote question asks: Do you support electoral reform in Canada? You can log on and vote right now at http://Unpublished.vote and have your voice heard. 

Guests: 

Mike Morrice

Dennis Pilon

Real Lavergne

It’s been three years of frosty relations between Canada and China. Can or will the relationship be repaired? Canada does trade with China, but no-where near to the extent we do with the US. China is the world’s second largest economy trailing only the US. There is huge potential for growth with China, but when you consider what has happened between the two, you wonder if the trust is broken permanently. 

Canadians, according to pollsters, overwhelmingly want Canada to distance itself from China. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asked:

Do you expect Canada-China relations to improve with our new government?

• Yes = 8.7%
• No = 84.8%
• Unsure = 6.5%

However you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more—I would like to remind you that you can “cast your vote” on this topic at Unpublished.vote, and then email your MP to tell them why.

Guests: 

1. Colin Robertson, Former Canadian Diplomat / Vice President Canadian Global 
2. Peggy Mason, President of the Rideau Institute on International Affairs 
3. Robert Hanlon, Asst. Professor Dept. Philosophy, History & Politics; Thompson Rivers University
4. Mimi Lee, Hongkongers Action Group

The snap election called by the Liberals failed to give them a majority which means they will have to work with others to accomplish anything. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asks: 

What should be the top priority of the new federal government? Economic recovery, climate change, Indigenous reconciliation, electoral reform or something else? 

You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote and have your voice heard. 

There is no time to bask in the glow of an electoral win as not much changed in terms of the House of Commons. The Liberals were able to last a year and a half in the House with the support of the NDP. It may be a partnership that makes sense for them again. 

Coming up on the Unpublished.Cafe podcast, we’ll talk about what the priorities should be for the government to get the economy back on track. 

Guests:

Aaron Wudrick, from the Macdonald Laurier Institute

Charles Bird, from Earnscliffe Strategy Group.

Katrina Miller, Program Director at the Broadbent Institute

Quebec initiated the idea to allow those double vaccinated to access non-essential services and events, like restaurants, concerts and sporting events. When you look at the polls on vaccine mandates, vaccine passports and mandatory vaccinations, the majority of vaccinated Canadians support their use. While Covid can breakthrough those who are double vaccinated, 9 in 10 Covid-patients in hospitals now are unvaccinated. 

During the federal election campaign, the Liberals promised to make vaccines mandatory for federal workers and those under federal regulations. There are some exemptions, such as children under 12 who don’t currently qualify, and those with an allergy to the ingredients are exempt. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asked:

Do you support the use of mandatory vaccines and vaccine passports in Canada?

Our audience responded: 

• Yes = 8.2%
• No = 91.6%
• Unsure = 0.3%

However you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more—I would like to remind you that you can “cast your vote” on this topic at Unpublished.vote, and then email your MP to tell them why.

Guests: 

• Alison Braley-Rattai, Assistant Professor Labour Studies at Brock University @alisonbraley
• Sueling Ching, President & CEO of the Ottawa Board of Trade
• Jack Jedwab, President and CEO Association of Canadian Studies @JackJedwab

Will Relations be different this time around? 

There has been a dark cloud hanging over Canada-China relations for 3- years now. Before the pandemic, it was “the two Michaels “ who have been incarcerated and convicted on trumped up charges in the wake of the arrest of Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver. Factor in the Sabre rattling about Taiwan and China’s expansion into the South China Sea and it appears China is not concerned with others. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asks: 

Do you expect Canada-China relations to improve with our new government? 

• Yes 
• No 
• Unsure

You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote and have your voice heard. 

The Canada - China relationship got a free pass during the campaign, but it’s been more than one thousand days since the “two Michaels “ knew freedom, Taiwan continues to be intimidated, Canadians in Hong Kong feel trapped. All eyes are watching what happens next. 

Coming up on the Unpublished Cafe, we’ll take a look at the response from the world including a new partnership to tackle China. Later in the show, we’ll talk to author, Joanna Chiu whose new book, China Unbound, will soon be on shelves. Joanna also covers China for the Toronto Star in Vancouver. First, I’m pleased to be joined by Bijan Ahmadi, Executive Director of the Institute of Peace and Democracy.

Guests: 

1. Bijan Ahmadi, Executive Director of the Institute of Peace and Democracy
2. Elliot Tepper, Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University
3. Joanna Chiu, Toronto Star journalist and author

It was something the Liberals under-estimated and it left the Opposition an opening. Will it work? 

The 36-day campaign saw the Liberals holding an 8-point lead on the Conservatives and hoping for a majority. Now, Trudeau is in a statistical tie with Erin O’Toole and the Conservatives. 

This election comes a bit different. For one, the growth of the PPC has been eye opener. Add to the mix, this is Jagmeet Singh’s second election. In the final week the NDP has seen some growth. Then, there’s the Green Party that was hoping for renewed optimism and support, only to have its campaign derailed by infighting. The Bloc Québécois has seen some enthusiasm for its message coming courtesy of a moderator’s question in the English leader’s debate. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asked: 

Did the federal leaders’ national debate(s) help you to decide who to vote for?

 

• Yes = 32.2%
• No = 60.6%
• Maybe = 5.2%
• Unsure = 1.9%
  
  
   

However you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more—I would like to remind you that you can “cast your vote” on this topic at Unpublished.vote, and then email your MP to tell them why.

Guests: 

• Warren Kinsella, Political Commentator/ Special Advisor PM Chretien 
• Darrell Bricker, CEO Ipsos Public Affairs
• Scott Gilmore, Columnist Maclean’s Magazine
• Stephanie Chouinard, Assistant Professor Political Science at Queen’s University

But it hasn’t. Now we have a divide between the vaccinated and the unvaccinated over mandatory vaccines and vaccine passports. Which side are you on? 

Not only have we had to wrestle with the pandemic and the battle over the unvaccinated, it comes in the middle of a federal election campaign. When put to the public, in both cases, the majority of Canadians support mandatory vaccines and vaccine passports. That doesn’t seem to matter to those who oppose vaccines, to the point of protesting in front of hospitals. The places that have been overwhelmed since the beginning of the pandemic. 

Our Unpublished.vote vote question asks: 

Do you support the use of mandatory vaccines and vaccine passports in Canada? 

• Yes
• No 
• Unsure 

You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote and make your voice heard. 

Coming up on the Unpublished.cafe, we’ll talk about the decision for some employers to make vaccines mandatory as a condition of employment. As well, will vaccine passports make indoor gatherings safer or just a hinderance? 

Guests: 

• Raywat Deonandan, Epidemiologist and Associate Professor at the University of Ottawa
• Alison Braley-Rattai, Assistant Professor Labour Studies at Brock University

What do you think of the plans to get us on the road to recovery? 

More than a year and a half after the pandemic arrived on our shores, Canada continues to grapple with the economic impact. Vaccines are available and lockdowns have eased, but the economy continues to be sluggish. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asked: 

Which party has the best plan to get the Canadian economy back on track?

Our audience responded: 

• Liberals = 3.2%
• Conservatives = 24%
• NDP = 0.7%
• Green = 1.4%
• PPC = 68.7%
• Other = 0.7%
• None of Above = 1.4%
  
   

However you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more—We would like to remind you that you can “cast your vote” on this topic at Unpublished.vote, and then email the candidates in your riding to tell them why. 

Only at Unpublished.vote! 

Guests: 

1. Ian Lee, Sprott School of Business Carleton University 
2. Karl Nerenberg, Political Reporter Rabble.ca
3. Ryan Mallough, Senior Director of Provincial Affairs, Ontario

Did any of them make an impression? 

The one thing not clearly answered by Justin Trudeau is why he called an election. Usually in these debates, everyone wants to make an impression—maybe a knockout punch. 

On the table for discussion in the one and only English language debate were: Climate change, indigenous reconciliation, affordability and the COVID-19 pandemic. The issues were selected by the Federal Election Broadcast Group. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asks: 

Do the debates help you to decide who to vote for? 

• Yes
• No
• Unsure 

You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote! 

We are 10 days away from heading to the ballot box in the 44th Federal election. Polls are showing a tight race between the Conservatives and the Liberals, but no one is sniffing around majority territory. Coming up on the podcast, we’ll chat with Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs. As well, David MacDonald, Senior Economist Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. First, someone who has been around debates and elections, Warren Kinsella, Political commentator and Special Advisor to PM Jean Chrétien, kicks it off… 

Will any of the parties’ plans for affordable housing work? 

Affordable housing is defined as spending no more than 30 percent of the family income on rent or mortgage payments. When it rises above that, it forces people to cut back somewhere else. 

At the beginning of the election campaign, affordable housing was the top priority for most Canadians. Prices across the country have been on the rise with Toronto and Vancouver leading the way. The average price of a home in T.O is now north of $1 Million. Not exactly an affordable price tag for those entering the real-estate market for the first time. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asked: 

Which federal party has the best plan to create affordable housing? The Liberals, Conservatives, NDP, Green Party or People’s Party of Canada?

The Unpublished audience’s response was…  

- Liberals = 6.2%
- Conservatives = 70.1%
- NDP = 9.3%
- Green Party = 2.1%
- People’s Party = 12.4%

However, you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more—I would like to remind you that you can “cast your vote” on this topic at Unpublished.vote, and then email the candidates in your riding to tell them why. 

Guests: 

1. Nik Nanos, Chief Data Scientist and Founder, NANOS RESEARCH
2. Steve Pomeroy, Senior Research Fellow for the Centre for Urban Research and Education (CURE) at Carleton University
3. David Oikle, President Ontario Real Estate Association

Less than three weeks before we go to the polls, we’re getting a clearer look at how each party plans to get the economy rolling again. To get a better perspective on whether any will actually help the economy, we’ll talk to a number of experts. 

Coming up later on the show, Jasmin Guenette of The Canadian Federation of Independent Business will join us. First up is Mark Agnew, Sr. VP of Policy & Government Relations at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Ian Lee from the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University will also join us.

Our Unpublished.vote question this week asks:  

Which party do you feel has the best plan to get the economy back on track? 

• Liberals
• Conservatives
• NDP
• Green Party 
• People’s Party of Canada 

You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote. 

We’re just over two weeks into this campaign and the Liberal campaign is way off course. When the Prime Minister announced the election, it smacked of opportunism. There was no bill defeated to lead to an election. The next vote was to be two years away according to our fixed election dates. 

But numbers had the Grits flirting with majority territory. Since the pandemic started, the minority Liberal government has been able to govern through the pandemic with the support of the NDP. And, there seemed to be little the two were squabbling about to indicate a loss of confidence. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asks, “Do you feel the need for a federal election right now?

 

Our audience response: 

• 30.5% Voted Yes
• 67.5% Voted No
• 2.0%   Voted Unsure

However you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more—I would like to remind you that you can “cast your vote” on this topic at 

Unpublished.vote

, and then email the candidates in your riding to tell them why.

Joining us to discuss whether this election should have been called after two weeks on the campaign trail, I’m pleased to be joined by Quito Maggi, President & CEO Mainstreet Research; Warren Kinsella, Political Commentator/ Special Advisor to PM Chretien; Nelson Wiseman, Professor Political Science U of T; and Katrina Miller, Program Director at the Broadbent Institute.

Did we need a say?

Is there a ballot question or have the parties defined one?

Protesters got nasty in Bolton and then again over the weekend at other Trudeau campaign events in Ontario as anti-vaxers and climate change deniers dogged the Prime Minister to the point of forcing the cancellation of the event in Bolton. 

According to Nanos Research almost 5 million Canadians fear they won’t be able to pay for their housing in the next 30 days. That is an enormous burden on people trying to navigate their way through the fourth wave of the pandemic possibly dealing with employment issues. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asks, which federal party has the best plan to create affordable housing? The Liberals, Conservatives, NDP, Green Party or the People’s Party under Maxime Bernier. 

You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote and have your voice heard. 

Coming up on the show, Dr. Paul Kershaw will join us from the University of British Columbia. He is also the founder of Generation Squeeze. First, I’m pleased to be joined by Nik Nanos, Chief Data Scientist and Founder of NANOS RESEARCH.

Guests: 

1. Nik Nanos, Chief Data Scientist and Founder of Nanos Research
2. Dr. Paul Kershaw, UBC and Founder of Generation Squeeze

The federal Liberals have governed through the pandemic with a minority government propped up by the NDP. In this country we have fixed election dates. This election comes early as there was no need to have one until 2023 unless the government lost a vote of confidence on a money Bill. That hasn’t happened. 

Pollsters have been touting the Grits are within striking distance of a majority, which many observers say is the driving force behind this election. Many see it as opportunistic of the Liberals to call it while the country deals with the fourth wave of the pandemic, fuelled by the highly contagious Delta variant. 

At the same time, BC is being ravaged by wildfires, ground penetrating radar continues to find more children victims of the residential school system and just last weekend, 20 years of work in Afghanistan went up in smoke as the Taliban (remember them?) has taken control of the country again. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asks:

Do you feel Canadians need a federal election now? 

• Yes
• No
• Unsure

You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote and have your voice heard. 

Coming upon the Unpublished Cafe, we’ll take a look where the parties are now with Abacus Data. Later, Stéphanie Chouinard will join us from Queens University to look at how the provinces could impact the results. First up is Warren Kinsella, political commentator as well as former PM Jean Chrétien‘s Chief of Staff.

Guests: 

1. Warren Kinsella, Political commentator and former Special Advisor for PM Jean Chretien
2. Ihor Korbabicz, Executive Director Abacus Data
3. Stephanie Chouinard, Assistant Professor in Political Science at Queens University

The husband and wife team of researchers were escorted out of Winnipeg‘s National Virology Lab in the summer of 2019. All the Public Health Agency of Canada will say is that it was an “administrative issue” and will not elaborate. The pair also had many Chinese students working alongside them. This is one of the most secure facilities in Canada. 

Parliament’s committee on Canada China relations has been demanding the documents regarding the removal of the scientists, but the Public Health Agency won’t release them citing national security issues. The Liberals have even gone as far as filing a lawsuit against the Speaker to keep the documents hidden.

Our Unpublished.vote question this week asked: 

Should the federal government respect the wishes of Parliament and provide the documents on the Chinese scientists?

• 97.9% = Yes
• 1.6% = No
• 0.5% = Unsure
  
   

However you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more—I would like to remind you that you can “cast your vote” on this topic at Unpublished.vote, and then email your MP to tell them why.

 

Show Guests: 

Joining us to discuss this complex issue is: 

1. Mel Cappe, Distinguished Fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, at the University of Toronto; and former Clerk of the Privy Council of Canada 
2. Elliott Tepper, Senior Fellow Norman Paterson School of International Affairs

This is a saga of twists and turns. Back in March, a House of Commons Committee asked the head of the Public Health Agency of Canada to produce documents regarding two Chinese scientists at the National Virology Lab in Winnipeg. It was unclear why the two scientists were escorted out of the building and dismissed. 

The head of the Agency, Iain Stewart, refused as it could have potentially sensitive or injurious information. He was admonished in the House for the refusal, but it sparked a bizarre situation where the sitting Liberals are suing the Speaker of the House to keep those documents secret. 

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a Party take the Speaker, who is also a member of the same party, to Court. It brings up a number of issues... Which is supreme, the courts or Parliament? As well, what we’re Chinese scientists working on at Winnipeg’s National Microbiology Laboratory and why it’s so secret as to their removal? 

Our Unpublished.vote question asks: 

Should the federal government respect the wishes of Parliament and provide the documents on the Chinese scientists? 

• Yes
• No 
• Unsure

You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote! 

Guests: 

1. Steven Chaplin, former Senior Parliamentary Counsel for the House of Commons and uOttawa Faculty of Law member
2. Elliott Tepper, Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University

The residential school system in Canada saw indigenous children pulled from their traditional homes and family with the intent of driving out their culture and language. About two thirds of them were run by the Catholic Church although others were run by the United, Anglican and Presbyterian churches. 

The 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission report outlined the many abuses suffered by the children as well as the knowledge of these grave sites. But as that report aged, it seemed the knowledge of the horror dimmed in the public eye. Then when the first discovery was announced in Kamloops, there was wide-spread outrage and condemnation. It’s surprising that after six years, Canadians finally remember. 

We realize we’re past the holiday, but the Cancel Canada Day movement grew across the country as many reflected on the tragic discovery. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asked: 

Do you feel Canada Day celebrations should be cancelled in light of the discoveries in Kamloops and Saskatchewan?

Yes: 12%
No: 87.5 %
Unsure: 0.5%

However you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more—I would like to remind you that you can “cast your vote” on this topic at Unpublished.vote, and then email your MP to tell them why.

Joining us to discuss the issue and where it could lead is: 

• Melissa Mbarki Policy Analyst and Outreach Coordinator, Indigenous Policy Program, Macdonald-Laurier Institute @MelissaMbarki
   
• Karl Nerenberg, Political Reporter @Rabble.ca

The residential school system in Canada is one of the dark moments in our history. Between the government and predominantly the Catholic Church, the aim was assimilation. While tragic and deplorable, many countries have an inconvenient past. Does that mean you can’t celebrate the positive despite the negative? 

The hashtag “cancelCanadaDay” has been picking up steam. Several communities are scrubbing their plans for July 1st. Should the holiday be cancelled? 

Victoria, Penticton and Port Hardy have pulled the plug for this year. Kelowna and Belleville Ontario have also pressed pause. Several communities in New Brunswick are backing off plans for July 1st. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asks:

Do you feel Canada Day celebrations should be cancelled in light of the discoveries in Kamloops and Saskatchewan? Yes, No or Unsure. 

You can log on and vote anytime at Unpublished.vote and email your MP to tell them why you think what you do. 

Guests: 

• Marcus Gee, Globe and Mail columnist
• David Pratt, Vice Chief of Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations 
• Ellis Ross, Liberal MLA for Skeena and a former chief with the Haisla Nation

Vaccines are being distributed, cases are coming down as are deaths and hospitalizations. The border has been closed since March 2020 and it has had a devastating effect on business, in particular travel and tourism. Cross border towns in Canada and the US have felt it dramatically with much fewer customers. PM Trudeau is calling for 75% of Canadians to be vaccinated with their first shot which Canada just passed this weekend. 20 percent of Canadians now have their second shot. US politicians are getting antsy about reopening and have been putting a bit of pressure on the President. Apparently, Trudeau and Biden spoke briefly about it last week at the G 7 meetings. The US has also declared the border closed for another 30 days.

Our Unpublished.vote question asks you. Do you support the reopening of the Canada—US border to non-essential travel?

Yes 88.2

No. 11.7

Unsure 0.1. 

Guests:

1. Maryscott (Scotty ) Greenwood. CEO Canadian American Business Council
2. Mark Agnew VP Policy & International Canadian Chamber of Commerce
3. Beth Potter President & CEO Tourism Industry Association of Canada
4. Marvin Ryder Professor DeGroote School of Business McMaster University @DeGrooteBiz

The horrors of the residential school system was laid bare in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. In 2008, then PM Stephen Harper apologized to Canada’s aboriginal people for the pain and suffering they had endured. 

Last week, many Canadians were watching Pope Francis after the announcement but there was no apology. The residential school system in Canada was primarily run by the Catholic Church from 1831 to 1997. 

Surprisingly, few Canadians actually know about the dark history. It is an unbelievably tragic story. One that is a stain on this country’s history, yet so few know about it. Very little is taught about it in our schools. Last week, the House of Commons unanimously voted to have the federal government withdraw from its legal battle with First Nations children. The government is arguing against compensating children engaged in a Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. While the vote was unanimous, it was non-binding and many of the Liberal cabinet abstained from voting. 

The story of residential schools in Canada is horrific. It is something that needs to be taught in school across the country. Just because it’s uncomfortable, doesn’t mean it should be ignored or sanitized. Far too often this is the approach Canada has taken. 

Coming up on the Unpublished Cafe, we’ll take a look at the impact of the discovery on Indigenous people across the country. And, we’ll hear from an expert on Church Apologies and why he feels the Catholic Church has no choice. 

Guests: 

1. Pam Palmater, Professor and the Chair in Indigenous Governance at Ryerson University / Mi’kmaw citizen and member of the Eel River Bar First Nation

1. Joanna Quinn Director and Graduate Chair, Centre for Transitional Justice and Post-Conflict Reconstruction; Associate Professor, Department of Political Science at Western University
2. Jeremy Bergen, Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Theological Studies, Director of Theological Studies, University of Waterloo

Is now the time to open the border up? 

14 months and counting, the Canada US border has been closed to non-essential travel. Travel is down 80 percent between the two countries since the pandemic began. The tourism industry on both sides of the border have been devastated by the closure and they’re looking for a clear path to re-open. 

For many people on both sides of the border, the confusion as to who can cross and why has been unclear. Americans with seasonal homes in Canada can’t come across to their property. Yet, there are some Canadians who ignored the restrictions, flew to the US to get vaccinated. 

Our Unpublished.vote poll question this week asks: 

Do you support the reopening of the Canada—US border to non-essential travel? 

• Yes 
• No 
• Unsure 

You can log-on and vote any time starting Saturday, June 12th at Unpublished.vote. Don’t forget to email your MP to tell them why you think what you do. 

Guests:

In this edition of the Unpublished Cafe, we’ll hear from Mark High of the Canada—US Business Association. And Beth Potter, President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada will join us as well. 

Premier François Legault says the main reason for the need is the declining use of French in Quebec. Supporters of Bill 96 see it as essential because there is so much English in North America. 

On the other side of the coin, is minority rights as anglophones in Quebec start to feel targeted. What has many concerned is Quebec’s plan to use the Notwithstanding clause to get what it wants. Constitutional law experts are at odds whether Quebec can unilaterally change the Constitution, which further muddies the water.

Our Unpublished.vote question last week asked: 

Do you feel Bill 96 will violate the Canadian Constitution?

 

• 91.3%—Yes
  
   
• 5.5%—No 
  
   
• 3.3%—Unsure

Joining us to discuss Bill 96 today is: 

• Peter Biro Lawyer, Founder of SECTION 1
  
   
• Warren Kinsella, Columnist, former advisor to PM Jean Chretien
• Daniel Weinstock, Professor, Faculty of Law and Chair, Katharine A. Pearson Chair in Civil Society and Public Policy, McGill University
• Marion Sandilands, lawyer for QCGN

If you haven’t already voted in this week’s poll question on this topic, you can still log-on and vote now at: http://unpublished.vote//issue/1123/bill-96-protecting-the-french-language#.YL4ZKNfO9GE.link

References: 

• https://www.cbc.ca/news/opinion/opinion-bill-96-notwithstanding-clause-1.6042446
• https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2021/05/31/on-quebecs-bill-96-canada-must-protect-minority-rights.html
• https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/the-real-problem-with-quebecs-new-language-
  
   
• https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/opinion-bill-96-language-legislation-infringes-on-civil-liberties
  
   
• https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/brace-yourself-quebec-s-bill-96-8123560/
  
   
• https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-by-allowing-quebec-to-change-the-constitution-trudeau-is-opening-up-a/
  
   
• https://torontosun.com/opinion/kinsella-seeing-past-trudeaus-bill-96-shell-game
  
   
• https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/bill-101-constitutional-curveball-puts-ottawa-on-the-spot-politically-experts-say-1.5427507
  
   
• https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/french-in-quebec-constitutional-experts-warn-of-divisive-debate-ahead
  
   
• https://nationalpost.com/news/experts-divided-on-whether-quebec-can-change-constitution-to-claim-nationhood
  
   
• https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-quebec-seeks-to-amend-constitution-with-new-language-law/
  
   
• https://www.thelawyersdaily.ca/articles/26971
  
   
• https://lfpress.com/opinion/columnists/ravary-quebecs-bill-96-is-about-survival-of-a-people

Have your say on the Unpublished Media network at >>  UnpublishedOttawa.com

Quebec provincial Bill-96 will firmly entrench the French language as the only official language of the province. Quebec Premier, Francois Legault, wants to open up the Constitution to recognize the Province as a nation. On the horizon, there may be a Minister of French language as well as a Commissioner of French to enforce the new language rules. 

Bill-96 also comes with generous use of the “notwithstanding clause” to get what it wants. It brings up a number of questions… What about Quebec anglophones and their rights? As well, can a province open up the Constitution to make changes and do it without a debate? 

Our Unpublished.vote question asks: 

Do you feel Quebec’s Bill 96 will violate the Constitution? Yes, No or Unsure. 

You can log-on and vote starting Sat. May 29th at http://unpublished.vote. 

Podcast Guests: 

1. Jack Jedwab, President & CEO Association of Canadian Studies

1. Francois Charbonneau Associate Professor, School of Political Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences University of Ottawa
2. Marlene Jennings President Quebec Community Groups Network

References: 

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-quebecs-bill-96-creates-opportunity-for-federal-liberals-senator-says/

https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/lise-ravary-bill-96-is-about-the-survival-of-a-people

https://montrealgazette.com/news/quebec/legault-says-he-is-not-surprised-some-anglos-unhappy-with-bill-96

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/conrad-black-quebec-language-law-is-a-political-gambit

https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/kinsella-bill-96-will-ruin-lives-in-quebec-and-radically-change-canada

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/editorials/article-francois-legault-just-set-a-constitutional-trap-for-justin-trudeau/

https://westmount.org/en/bill-96-message-from-the-mayor-of-westmount/

https://www.mtlblog.com/en-ca/news/montreal/bill-96-in-quebec-9-french-language-reforms-proposed-by-the-caq

https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/protesters-denounce-new-language-bill-in-montreal-calling-it-insufficient-to-protect-french-1.5439213

https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/kiff-quebecs-bill-96-is-a-much-needed-defence-of-the-french-language

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-s-bill-96-could-make-french-the-only-language-needed-to-get-a-job-1.6027517

https://cultmtl.com/2021/05/quebec-and-bill-96-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-french-language/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-canada-constitution-changes-language-bill-1.6031828

https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/anglos-allophones-less-proud-to-be-quebecers-due-to-bill-96-poll

https://globalnews.ca/news/7877142/quebec-language-reform-canadian-constitution-experts/

https://globalnews.ca/news/7896966/bloc-quebecois-motion-quebec-nationhood-constitutional-change/

https://montrealgazette.com/news/quebec/trudeaus-comments-on-constitution-spark-backlash-among-quebec-anglos

https://torontosun.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-quebecs-bill-96-reignites-language-issue

https://www.thelawyersdaily.ca/articles/26971

https://www.macleans.ca/opinion/a-sneak-attack-on-language-rights/

https://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/may-2021/quebecs-attempt-to-unilaterally-amend-the-canadian-constitution-wont-fly/

The Broadcasting Act has not been touched since 1991. Long before Facebook, YouTube, Netflix and our lives relied on the internet. Broadcasters have seen these giants swallow up ad revenues and eyeballs from traditional media, radio and television. Those broadcasters have to ensure a certain amount of Canadian content and contribute to a fund for Canadian artists.

Social media has enveloped our world. It is your feed whether Twitter or Instagram and if you have thousands of followers, should that be monitored by a government agency? The CRTC regulates traditional broadcasters but it can’t touch the internet. Our Unpublished.vote question asked:

Do you think Bill C-10 be passed as is or be amended?

The result: 

• Amend: 96.4%
• As is: 3.6%
• Unsure: O%

However you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more—we would like to remind you that you can “cast your vote” on this topic at Unpublished.vote, and then email your MP to tell them why.

Panel Guests: 

• Warren Kinsella, Columnist and Former Chief of Staff for Prime Minister Jean Chretien
• Daniel Bernhard, Executive Director of the Friends of Canadian Broadcasting
• Tim Denton, Internet policy lawyer and Chairman of the Canada Chapter of the Internet Society

Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault has been the one feeling the heat, online and elsewhere over his Bill, which attempts to bring some regulation to the Internet and support for Canadian content. Social media companies like YouTube, Google and Netflix contribute nothing to Canadian content, unlike traditional broadcasters. Or at least that’s what the government is saying. Bill C-10 intends to bring them under regulation and have them support Canadian creativity. The argument has devolved into a dispute whether it would limit or monitor your social media feeds. 

The cry of “censorship “ has rang out across the country as people worry about curbs to their freedom of expression. It has also become a political football as the Conservatives cite C-10 as Orwellian. 

__________________________________________________________

Our Unpublished.vote question asks: 

Question: Do you think Bill C-10 should be passed as is, or be amended? 

Answer choices: Passed / Amended / Unsure

You can log on and cast your ballot at Unpublished.vote right now. 

__________________________________________________________

Today on the Unpublished Café podcast we take a look at the legislation and try and clear up some misconceptions. 

Joining us is Kate Taylor, Visual Arts critic with the Globe and Mail; Daniel Bernhard, Executive Director of Friends of Canadian Broadcasting; and Michael Geist, Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-Commerce Law at the University of Ottawa. 

The massive spending Budget has passed its third reading now in the House of Commons. While it may seem like it’s a done deal, the Liberals still need to pass the Budget Implementation Act. It will be a confidence vote which means the Grits could still lose it, which would mean we would be heading to the polls later this spring. 

The NDP has been propping up the government thus far, but it will be interesting to see whether they stand with the Liberals or pull the plug on Parliament. The key question is will they? 

Our 

Unpublished.vote

 question last week asked: Do you expect the federal budget to be passed or will it fail and lead to a federal election this spring?

52.6. Yes, it will pass

37.7. No, it will not pass

9.6. Unsure

However you are watching or listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more—We would like to remind you that you can “cast your vote” on this topic at 

Unpublished.vote

, and then email your MP to tell them why you think what you do.

More than $100 billion in new spending for job creation, business support, and the jewel in the crown, a $30 billion investment over five years to set up a National Childcare Program with the ultimate goal of getting the cost down to $10 a day. Modelled a lot like Quebec’s current program.

This Budget is their first in more than two years. The NDP has been propping up the Liberals thus far and it will be interesting to see if they will do so again or trigger an election.

Our Unpublished.vote question asks: Do you expect the Federal Budget to be passed or will it lead to a federal election—Yes, No or Unsure?

You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote to email your MP and have your voice heard.

Guests:

1. Warren Kinsella, Political commentator
2. Jim Stanford, Director, Centre for Future Work
3. Mostafa Askari, Chief Economist, Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy

Canada remains in the grip of the 3 rd wave of the pandemic as case numbers rise and lockdowns become the norm. We haven’t been to the polls as a nation since 2019 when the Liberals scored a minority government. Since then, the pandemic has swamped our consciousness.

There are rumblings across the country about a possible spring election. We will see a federal budget on April 17th which will be a confidence vote. The Grits have been propped up by the NDP so it will be interesting to see which side of the budget they land.

Recent polls have put the Liberals as much as seven points ahead of the Conservatives if an election is called. Some might see an election call as being “opportunistic “.

Tonight’s Guests:

1. Stephanie Plante, The Centre for Security, Intelligence and Defence Studies;

Carleton University

2. Karl Nerenberg, Parliament Hill Reporter for Rabble.ca

3. Tom Parkin, Columnist and Commentator

The Unpublished.vote poll question this week asked: Do you want a federal election this

spring? Our audience response so far:

34.5% = Yes

60.0% = No

03.8% = Maybe

01.7% = Unsure

However you’re watching and listening to our show, whether on

UnpublishedOttawa.com or through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter

and YouTube, and our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio

and more—we would like to remind you that you can “cast your vote” on this topic at

Unpublished.vote, and then email your MP to tell them why.

Section 91 of the Canada Election Act aimed to take the misinformation and innuendo out of election campaigns. It could bring charges against a person for sharing misinformation, whether they know it’s false or not. The federal court in Ontario ruled Section 91 was unconstitutional because it infringed on a person’s right to free expression. 

It’s an interesting dilemma as it appears that it would allow the spread of misinformation because it’s protected by the Charter. The federal government has said it will not appeal the decision. How it will impact the next election, whenever that is, is still to be seen. 

Joining us on Unpublished TV for this discussion: 

1.     Eve Gaumond, graduate student Laval University / an affiliate to Quebec's Observatory on the Societal Impact of AI and Digital Technologies

2.     Duff Conacher, Co-Founder, Democracy Watch; @DuffConacher

3.     Christine Van Geyn, Litigation Director, Canadian Constitution Foundation;  @cvangeyn

4.     Samantha Reusch, Executive Director, Apathy is Boring; @samreusch

Our Unpublished.vote poll question…  

Should Canadians be held responsible for what they say and transmit on social media?

The results so far: 

·      Yes = 40.7%

·      No = 55.1%

·      Unsure = 4.2%

If you haven’t voted yet, you can do so at: http://unpublished.vote//issue/1090/election-law-how-section-91-ruling-will-affect-the-next-election#.YGJAGNoeXks.link

It was October 2019 when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Grits won 157 seats and a minority government. Little did anyone know that a global pandemic would grip the planet not long afterwards. Since then, the federal budget has ballooned while the government tries to keep people afloat during the lockdowns. 

There have been rumblings about the want for an election. And, now with a Budget to come on April 17th, the vote on it will be a confidence vote which could bring down the government. 

On the Unpublished Cafe this week, we’ll take a look at the prospect of a federal election call with Lori Williams, Associate Professor and Student Advisor Department of Economics Justice and Policy Studies Mount Royal University. As well, Stephanie Plante at the Centre for Security, Intelligence and Defence Studies at Carleton University will join us. And, leading us off is Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs. 

Our Unpublished.vote question this week: Do you want a federal election this Spring? Log on at Unpublished.vote to voice your opinion and email your MP to tell them why you think what you do. 

References: 

https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/under-25-of-canadians-ready-to-vote-by-mail-in-a-federal-election-survey-shows

https://www.ipsos.com/en-ca/amid-building-election-speculation-liberals-35-pad-lead-over-conservatives-28

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/no-need-for-spring-federal-election-573692972.html

https://angusreid.org/federal-politics-conservative-leadership/

https://www.thechronicleherald.ca/opinion/regional-perspectives/david-johnson-federal-election-in-2021-a-sure-thing-556168/

https://www.thestar.com/politics/political-opinion/2021/02/14/heres-why-canadians-wont-be-going-to-the-polls-before-they-get-their-covid-19-vaccinations.html

https://www.politico.com/newsletters/corridors/2021/02/10/has-the-moment-passed-for-a-spring-election-793296

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-12/trudeau-s-cabinet-shuffle-signals-possible-election-this-year

https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/don-martin-despite-his-denials-trudeau-seems-to-be-budgeting-for-a-spring-election-1.5360910

https://www.680news.com/2021/01/13/federal-election-date-likely-tied-to-covid-19-vaccine-rollout/

https://www.cp24.com/news/unanimous-committee-report-calls-on-trudeau-not-to-trigger-election-during-pandemic-1.5331268?cache=.%3FclipId%3D68596%3FclipId%3D375756

https://www.hilltimes.com/2020/12/14/next-election-a-referendum-on-trudeaus-handling-of-covid-19-and-a-competition-which-party-has-the-most-compelling-blueprint-for-the-future-say-politicos/275711

https://www.ipsos.com/en-ca/conservative-vote-softens-29-3-liberals-36-1-extend-lead-2021

 GUESTS: 

Lori Turnbull Director School of Public Administration at Dalhousie University 

Marcus Kolga Founder Disinfowatch.org / Sr.Fellow MacDonald-Laurier Institute 

Francoise Baylis University Research Professor Bioethics Dalhousie University 

Marvin Ryder Assistant Professor DeGroote School of Business McMaster University.

Honesty in politics. It’s something voters want and look for. Considering the vitriol and abuse in the last few elections, it would be refreshing to have more.
 

Last year, the federal government introduced Section 91 of the Canada Elections Act. Those against the law feel it brings a “chill” to political discourse. On the other side of the coin, those in support see it as taking on “fake news”.
 

The law has been struck down in court, but we do not know whether it will be appealed.

————————————

GUESTS:

Christine Van Geyn - Director of Litigation at Canadian Constitution Foundation -https://theccf.ca/staff/

Duff Conacher - Co-Founder at Democracy Watch -https://democracywatch.ca/biographies/

Nelson Wiseman - Professor Political Science at University of Toronto https://policyoptions.irpp.org/authors/nelson-wiseman/

Réal Lavergne - President at Fair Vote Canada -https://www.fairvote.ca/author/real-lavergne/

————————————

REFERENCES:
 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/elections-misinformation-court-free-speech-1.5948463
 

https://www.lawtimesnews.com/practice-areas/litigation/superior-court-rules-federal-election-misinformation-law-unconstitutional/338355

https://www.lawtimesnews.com/practice-areas/litigation/court-hears-constitutional-challenge-to-election-law-prohibiting-certain-false-statements/333913
 

https://www.dal.ca/news/2019/12/16/how-canada-s-new-election-law-has-silenced-political-debate.html
 

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/pen-canada-successfully-intervenes-in-sec-91-challenge-to-canada-elections-act-845087250.html
 

https://daily.jstor.org/to-predict-the-role-of-fake-news-in-2020-look-to-canada/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/elections-canada-social-media-monitoring-findings-1.5444268

https://www.cigionline.org/articles/fake-news-threatens-canadas-federal-election

https://www.nationalobserver.com/2019/08/07/news/canadians-media-consumption-habits-lead-misinformation-study-finds
 

https://cjf-fjc.ca/sites/default/files/WhitePaper-The%20Stakes%20Are%20High.pdf
 

https://www.thechronicleherald.ca/opinion/national-perspectives/michael-karanicolas-canadas-fake-news-laws-face-a-charter-challenge-thats-a-good-thing-363549/
 

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/groups-ready-campaign-to-help-young-voters-identify-fake-news-in-election
 

https://natoassociation.ca/should-canada-adopt-an-anti-fake-news-law/
 

https://globalnews.ca/news/5907430/canada-election-combating-disinformation/

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/as-misinformation-spreads-here-s-how-canadian-voters-can-stay-vigilant-1.1319397

https://magazine.utoronto.ca/research-ideas/culture-society/how-will-we-fix-fake-news/
 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/09/09/ahead-elections-canadians-must-be-vigilant-about-misinformation-online/
 

https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/safe-to-use-news-researchers-trying-to-track-how-info-moves-during-election-campaign-1.4541315

https://canoe.com/news/national/election-has-been-mostly-free-of-misinformation-research-shows
 

https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/election-law-prohibiting-false-statements-about-candidates-struck-down-by-ontario-court
 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/elections-canada-section-91-2019-election-1.5345250

https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/election-2019/marni-soupcoff-voters-dont-need-governments-censoring-their-opinions

We’ve passed the one year mark of the pandemic this week in Canada.

Economically, the country has been savaged by the lockdowns to curb the spread, in particular now that there are more contagious variants. Vaccines are being distributed giving many the impression that we are out of the woods, but the economic recovery will be much slower. Can vaccine passports help open up the economy again?

The Canada US border has been closed for non-essential travel for a year now. It has had a hue impact on the travel and tourism sectors. The federal government had urged Canadians to avoid non essential travel, but some ignored it anyway. The airline industry has been crippled by the pandemic and many countries are now looking at “vaccine passports” to get people moving again. But is it a “silver bullet”? It certainly opens up possibilities.

————————————

GUESTS:

Karl Moore - Associate Professor in Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University - https://www.mcgill.ca/desautels/karl-moore

Quito Maggi - President and CEO at Mainstreet Research - https://www.mainstreetresearch.ca/about-us/

Francoise Baylis University Research Professor in Bioethics at Dalhousie University - https://www.dal.ca/sites/noveltechethics/our-people/francoise-baylis.html

————————————

REFERENCES:

https://globalnews.ca/news/7682385/coronavirus-vaccine-passports-phac/

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/editorials/article-vaccine-passports-are-coming-is-canada-ready/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/tam-hajdu-canadas-covid-19-response-1.5940273

https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/vaccine-passport-for-international-travel-very-live-discussion-among-g7-countries-hajdu-1.5335995

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/ticket-to-ride-vaccine-passports-divide-world-1.5324301

https://www.thestar.com/business/2021/03/04/its-time-to-talk-about-vaccine-passports-for-the-economys-sake-business-groups-say.html

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-feb-17-2021-1.5916652/covid-19-vaccine-passports-must-address-privacy-equity-concerns-say-experts-1.5916936

https://ppforum.ca/publications/support-for-a-canadian-vaccine-passport/

https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/governments-around-world-mull-the-idea-of-a-vaccine-passport-1.5339309

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-promises-transparency-vaccine-passports-1.5930478

https://www.kitchenertoday.com/coronavirus-covid-19-local-news/people-will-receive-proof-of-vaccination-elliott-says-vaccine-passports-on-the-horizon-3516246

https://ca.travelpulse.com/news/impacting-travel/canadian-government-considering-vaccine-passports.html

https://ipolitics.ca/2021/03/01/canadians-split-on-travelling-post-vaccination-mainstreet-poll/

https://www.narcity.com/en-ca/travel/vaccine-passports-in-canada-feds-are-certainly-working-on-the-idea-says-health-minister

https://www.thechronicleherald.ca/lifestyles/health/why-some-say-vaccine-passports-will-be-inevitable-for-people-who-get-covid-vaccinations-in-canada-553848/

https://www.travelweek.ca/news/travel-agents-tell-us-what-they-think-about-vaccination-passports-for-canadians/

https://montrealgazette.com/news/quebec/dube-arruda-say-variants-could-impede-easing-of-restrictions-after-march-break

https://acs-aec.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Vaccine-passports-March-3-2021-FIN.pdf

https://www.traveloffpath.com/canadas-dilemma-with-vaccine-passports/

https://toronto.citynews.ca/2021/03/09/vaccine-passport-big-story-podcast/

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/vaccine-passports-long-complex-global-dialogue-expert-says-1.5339610

https://globalnews.ca/news/7685488/covid-vaccine-passport-who-inequity/

https://globalnews.ca/news/7685488/covid-vaccine-passport-who-inequity/

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/03/09/trudeau-covid-vaccine-passports-474789

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/keeping-people-in-lockdown-after-covid-vaccination-is-unethical-making-vaccine-passports-inevitable-researcher

https://globalnews.ca/news/7687737/covid-vaccine-passports-eu-canada/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/disaster-choice/202102/can-vaccine-passports-stop-the-pandemic

https://www.thespec.com/opinion/editorials/2021/03/11/vaccination-passports-a-long-tortuous-road.html

https://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/december-2020/please-show-your-vaccination-certificate/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2021/02/05/these-european-countries-are-launching-vaccine-passports/?sh=21db402d77a5

The tug of war over language is again pulling in two different directions in Canada. Who will win?

The Prime Minister has said he is concerned about the decline in the use of French in Quebec. While it may appear there are fewer French speaking people in Quebec, the same holds true for English. Anytime language becomes an issue in this country, the rhetoric ramps up. At issue this time, is the Province of Quebec wants Bill 101, to apply to federally regulated businesses in Quebec, which is a federal jurisdiction.

————————————

GUESTS:

Christian Bourque -  Executive Vice President Leger 360 - https://leger360.com/profiles/christian-bourque-2/

Twitter: @BourqueC

Jean Johnson - President at Fédération des Communautés Francophones et Acadienne du Canada - https://fcfa.ca/notre-equipe/

Twitter: @Jean_H_Johnson

Kevin Sharr - Vice-President at Quebec Community Groups Network - https://qcgn.ca/2020-2021-bod/ -

Twitter: @QCGN

————————————

REFERENCES:

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/government-of-canada-unveils-plan-to-modernize-official-languages-act-825216021.html

https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/trudeau-concerned-about-french-in-quebec-signals-he-may-be-open-to-language-law-changes-1.5238502

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/french-language-quebec-official-languages-act-1.5841014

https://ipolitics.ca/2020/11/26/conservatives-would-apply-french-language-law-to-federal-jobs-in-quebec/

https://globalnews.ca/news/7285619/quebec-bill-101-federal-businesses/

https://fcfa.ca/modernizing-official-languages-act/

https://fcfa.ca/fcfa-welcomes-minister-jolys-blueprint-official-languages-overhaul/

https://montrealgazette.com/news/quebec/reforms-to-federal-language-laws-will-not-affect-english-services-minister

https://globalnews.ca/news/7481924/quebec-french-language-bill-coming/

https://nationalpost.com/news/angst-around-french-language-boils-over-in-quebec-as-politicians-warn-of-decline

https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/french-dwindling-in-quebec-not-exactly-if-you-crunch-the-numbers-says-expert-1.5204950

https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/opinion-questioning-whether-french-is-in-decline-should-not-be-heresy

https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/12/23/qfre-d23.html

https://www.queensjournal.ca/story/2017-09-11/editorials/dont-blame-bilingualism-for-the-decline-of-french-language-in-canada/

https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/angst-around-french-language-boils-over-in-quebec-as-politicians-warn-of-decline-1.5199752

https://globalnews.ca/news/7490669/montreal-rally-quebec-sovereigntists-french-language-activists/

https://globalnews.ca/news/5161753/quebec-oqlf-french-language-report-2019/

https://theconversation.com/quebecs-bill-40-further-undermines-the-provinces-english-language-school-system-131595

https://qcgn.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Joly-OLA-reform-2021.02.19.pdf

https://qcgn.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2021-03-01-Blog-4.pdf
 

GUESTS:

Emma Briant

Jesse Hirsh

Is there anything else that fires up Canadians more than gun legislation? There is no middle ground. Both sides of the debate are entrenched in their views.

Almost two years ago, one of the worst shooting attacks on Canadian soil saw 22 people killed in Nova Scotia over a 16 hour period. The guns in question were illegal in this country originating in the USA. In response to the carnage is Bill C 21, new gun legislation that bans more than 15 hundred types of assault rifles as well as new thresholds for muzzle energy. It would also allow municipalities to legislate a handgun ban in their jurisdiction.

The previous gun registry turned into a financial sinkhole the last time around. Will Bill C-21 be any different?

————————————

GUESTS:

Nathalie Provost -  Spokesperson “Poly se souvient.” https://30yearslater.ca/30-profiles/nathalie-provost
 

Rod Giltaca - CEO & Executive Director at Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights -https://firearmrights.ca/en/who-we-are/

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REFERENCES:

https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/cntrng-crm/frrms/index-en.aspx

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-safety-canada/news/2021/02/government-of-canada-introduces-new-firearms-legislation-to-protect-canadian-communities.html

https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/sault-gunshop-owner-says-new-gun-legislation-won-t-stop-gun-violence-in-canada-1.5317223

https://www.insauga.com/transport-minister-and-mississauga-mp-breaks-down-new-gun-control-legislation-in-canada

https://globalnews.ca/news/7642893/assault-rifle-buyback-program-canada/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/gun-buyback-bill-1.5910338

https://policyoptions.irpp.org/fr/magazines/avril-2019/arent-tougher-assault-style-firearms-canada/

http://www.doctorsforprotectionfromguns.ca

https://lfpress.com/opinion/columnists/baranyai-canadas-gun-control-activists-continue-their-uphill-battle

https://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/gun-owners-argue-canadas-new-gun-control-measures-wont-work

http://www.slaw.ca/2020/05/03/no-right-to-bear-arms-in-canada/

https://www.thespec.com/opinion/editorials/2021/02/22/new-gun-control-law-wont-really-control-guns.html

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/editorials/article-the-trudeau-governments-gun-bill-is-not-what-canada-needs/

https://www.narcity.com/en-ca/news/ottawa/gun-control-laws-in-canada-trudeau-has-a-plan-of-action-to-start-cracking-down

https://ipolitics.ca/2021/02/05/firearm-owners-gun-control-advocates-dis-on-why-gun-violence-is-up/

https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/waterloo-store-says-federal-government-s-firearm-legislation-unfairly-targets-airsoft-industry-1.5317497

https://globalnews.ca/news/7646847/charter-rights-expert-gun-control-measures/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/municipal-hand-gun-bans-1.5916401

https://torontosun.com/news/national/federal-government-confirms-bill-c-21-targets-airsoft

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/federal-law-municipal-gun-bans-1.5916481

Artificial intelligence. The emergence of the technology which allows machines to perform tasks that usually require human intelligence.

What could go wrong?

Many of us were twigged to the notion of artificial intelligence with the investigation into Cambridge Analytica and it’s impact on the election. While artificial intelligence will soon give us self driving vehicles, there is a growing skepticism of applying it in the political realm or public policy making. Politicians consistently rank near the bottom of the list when it comes to being respected. What if A.I could improve on that?

————————————

GUESTS:

Bruce Scheier - Fellow and lecturer at Harvard Kennedy School - https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty/bruce-schneier
 

Darrell West - Vice President and Director of Governance Studies &

Senior Fellow at Center for Technology Innovation Brookings Institute - https://www.brookings.edu/experts/darrell-m-west/
 

Emma Briant - Visiting Research Associate in Human Rights at Bard College -https://www.bard.edu/faculty/details/?id=4493

————————————

REFERENCES:

https://techlaw.uottawa.ca/bankillerai

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kimnilsson/2019/05/14/can-ai-clean-up-politics/?sh=1c49c33575bc

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/03/a-surprising-number-of-people-trust-ai-to-make-better-policy-decisions-than-politicians

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2020/01/future-politics-bots-drowning-out-humans/604489/

https://medium.com/@drpolonski/artificial-intelligence-can-save-democracy-unless-it-destroys-it-first-7b1257cb4285

https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2019/3/27/18283992/ai-replace-politicians-europe-survey

https://www.brookings.edu/techstream/the-tensions-between-explainable-ai-and-good-public-policy/

https://www.wired.com/story/how-censorship-can-influence-artificial-intelligence/

https://www.cigionline.org/articles/policy-deficit-behind-canadian-artificial-intelligence

https://cifar.ca/ai/

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/government-of-canada-creates-advisory-council-on-artificial-intelligence-838598005.html

https://futurism.com/7-reasons-you-should-embrace-not-fear-artificial-intelligence

https://www.aei.org/economics/5-questions-for-darrell-west-on-how-ai-will-impact-society/

https://www.schneier.com/essays/archives/2020/01/bots_are_destroying_.html

https://venturebeat.com/2019/03/06/bruce-schneier-its-time-for-technologists-to-become-lawmakers/

https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/ai-decoded/politico-ai-decoded-how-cambridge-analytica-used-ai-no-google-didnt-call-for-a-ban-on-face-recognition-restricting-ai-exports/

https://www.research.ox.ac.uk/Article/2018-10-15-how-ai-is-shaping-the-future-of-politics

https://towardsdatascience.com/a-i-will-mark-a-turning-point-in-the-history-of-politics-e78e4a961e69

https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-the-grim-consequences-of-a-misleading-study-on-disinformation/

So much for staying in your bubble.

Last week we asked viewers if they sympathized for Canadian travelers facing these new airline restrictions. Their response:

• 65.1% - Said Yes
• 33.4% - Said No
• 1.5% - are Unsure

 With less than a year before the 2022 Beijing Olympics, there is a growing chorus of voices calling for a boycott of the next Winter Games. Will it happen? 

Canada has two citizens in Chinese custody on trumped up charges. They have been in custody for over two years. Many raised eyes have been looking at China over its human rights abuses, in particular of the Igyhur Muslims and Tibetans. Maybe Xi Jinping is feeling the heat about some countries possibly boycotting because he’s promised sanctions for any country that does boycott. That sounds like extortion. 

Boycotts aren’t new when it comes to the Olympiad. Western nation’s boycotted the 1980 Moscow Games. The ’76 Games in Montreal were also boycotted. The collateral damage in a boycott are the athletes who have spent the last four years training for the Games.

 ————————————

 GUESTS:

 Kevin Cai - Associate Professor of East Asian Studies Renison College at University of Waterloo -https://uwaterloo.ca/culture-and-language-studies/people-profiles/kevin-cai 

David Mulroney - former Canadian Ambassador to China -https://munkschool.utoronto.ca/profile/mulroney-david/ 

Marcus Kolga - Senior Fellow at Macdonald-Laurier Institute & Founder of DisinfoWatch.org -https://www.macdonaldlaurier.ca/experts/marcus-kolga/

 ———————————— 

REFERENCES:

 https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/canada-should-consider-hosting-2022-winter-olympics-says-green-leader-annamie-paul-1.5907328 

https://www.axios.com/2022-beijing-winter-olympics-boycott-china-759c66df-df19-4f1b-92a1-744b98276dc9.html 

https://7news.com.au/sport/winter-olympics/china-threatens-sanctions-for-countries-that-threaten-to-boycott-2022-beijing-winter-olympics-c-2126770 

https://globalnews.ca/news/7621469/canada-boycott-beijing-olympics-games-2022/ 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-55938034 

https://www.pri.org/stories/2020-11-12/human-rights-groups-weigh-boycott-2022-winter-olympics-beijing 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-12/australia-encouraged-to-boycott-beijing-winter-olympics/12876106 

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2020/07/24/commentary/world-commentary/covid-19-isnt-crisis-facing-olympics/ 

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202102/1215412.shtml 

https://thediplomat.com/2020/10/a-boycott-of-the-2022-beijing-olympics-would-work/ 

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/oct/24/the-olympics-are-about-diversity-and-unity-not-politics-and-profit-boycotts-dont-work-thomas-bach 

https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/canadian-olympic-committee-says-boycotting-beijing-games-would-be-misguided-1.5265375 https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-olympics-idUSL8N2BG3M2 

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/terry-glavin-do-athletes-really-want-medals-that-have-been-soaked-in-blood 

https://theundefeated.com/features/john-carlos-protests-and-boycotts-will-change-the-world/

When COVID-19 made it’s way to North America, the truth seemed to be opaque. Initially, Canada's Public Health Agency it didn’t want the public to start hoarding masks and making it more difficult to protect those on the front line - so it told the public that masks were not necessary. Would Canada have less infections if we were wearing a mask last March? 

A few weeks ago, the story of Dr.Brooks Fallis goes viral. He was a “shining light” at the William Osler Health Centre in Peel. Great performance reviews, excellent with patients and colleagues. He was relieved of his interim medical director position because the Province started leaning on administration in response to his social media criticisms. The Centre denies it as does the Province. But this has been going on since the pandemic began. Warnings and threats about social media posts that point out shortcomings in response to COVID-19.

The first variant case to arrive in Canada was on Boxing Day. They had not travelled but came in contact with people from the UK.

So much for staying in your bubble.

There will be very little friendliness in Canadian skies as the Federal Government has brought in new air travel restrictions to the Caribbean and Mexico. For those who are returning from an international destination, they must reserve a room in a Government of Canada-approved hotel for three nights at their own cost, and take a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival at their own cost. The new restrictions have created some anxiety and some anger in particular about the timing - but the devil is in the details.

————————————
 

GUESTS:

Karl Moore - Associate Professor for Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University -https://www.mcgill.ca/desautels/karl-moore

Christine Van Geyn - Litigation Director at Canadian Constitution Foundation - https://theccf.ca/staff/

Stephanie Kusie - MP for Calgary Midnapore and Conservative Transport Critic - https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en/stephanie-kusie(96367)

————————————

REFERENCES:

https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2021/01/government-of-canada-introduces-further-restrictions-on-international-travel.html

https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/isolation

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-monday-edition-1.5896324/canada-mulls-new-travel-restrictions-to-close-land-border-loophole-transport-minister-1.5896345

https://www.cp24.com/news/vast-majority-of-canadians-support-new-restrictions-on-foreign-travel-new-poll-suggests-1.5291845

https://globalnews.ca/video/7611317/coronavirus-new-travel-restrictions-creating-uncertainty-for-families-getting-medical-care-outside-of-canada

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/travel-restrictions-maritime-seafood-farm-1.5897055

https://www.cp24.com/news/cancel-travel-plans-prime-minister-justin-trudeau-urges-canadians-1.5283590

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/mandatory-hotel-quarantine-for-international-travel-could-be-coming-very-quickly-1.5290205

https://globalnews.ca/news/7613896/canada-covid-travel-restrictions-poll/

https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-stop-spread#section-6

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/cancer-patients-covid-19-medical-travel-quarantine-1.5895687

https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/canadian-snowbirds-travel-rules-government-1.5895021

https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/201023/dq201023b-eng.htm

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/government-of-canada-introduces-further-restrictions-on-international-travel-898786306.html

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/covid-flights-travel-non-essential-1.5873947

https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/non-essential-travel-ban-would-violate-constitution-but-courts-might-allow-it-expert-1.5279304

https://theconversation.com/why-canada-doesnt-know-how-many-covid-19-cases-are-linked-to-travel-154321

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/some-snowbirds-extending-their-travels-to-avoid-federal-restrictions-expert-says-1.5289496

https://globalnews.ca/news/7609447/canada-travel-restrictions-industry-expert/

https://globalnews.ca/news/7615085/canada-new-travel-restrictions/

https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/international-flights-landing-at-only-4-canadian-airports-as-new-travel-restrictions-take-effect-1.5295326

https://ca.travelpulse.com/news/airlines/from-bad-to-worse-aviation-and-destinations-react-to-trudeau-travel-news.html

https://globalnews.ca/news/7618074/air-canada-rouge-pauses-operations/

https://globalnews.ca/news/7614338/canada-covid-19-travel-rules/

Our economies are tightly linked; we share many of the same interests and issues. With Joe Biden now in the White House, there appears more room for collaboration on key files. 

PUBLISHED: 29/01/2021 

Front line health workers face fear of Covid infection everyday. Almost 1-in-5 account for infections. Yet, added to that fear and anxiety is the ongoing threat of intimidation and muzzling by health care administrators.

 We heard about this disconcerting issue back at the beginning of the pandemic. Physicians and nurses being told not to speak to the media or face the wrath of their employer. Fired, suspended, disciplined for speaking out about concerns they face everyday. 

The healthcare industry has been calling for whistleblower protection since the SARS outbreak. Will the government finally commit to protecting healthcare workers that point out failures in safety?

 ———————————— 

GUESTS: 

Jim Brophy - Adjunct Assistant Professor Dept. Sociology, Anthropology & Criminology at University of Windsor - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/ James_Brophy6 

Doris Grinspun - CEO at Registered Nurses Association of Ontario - https:// rnao.ca/about/board/chief-executive-officer 

———————————— 

REFERENCES: 

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/12/04/health-care-workers-feel-muzzled-and-alone-study.html

https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/hospitals-fire-doctors-nurses-covid-19_n_5ea2fcb1c5b6f9639813d50b?ri18n=true

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/11/third-surge-breaking-healthcare-workers/617091/

https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/06/15/russia-health-workers-face-retaliation-speaking-out#

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/04/hospitals-crack-down-on-covid-19-complaints

https://www.azfamily.com/news/continuing_coverage/coronavirus_coverage/yuma-er-doctor-who-says-he-was-fired-after-covid-19-tweets-returns-to-work/article_0f831dec-3bbd-11eb-a680-f747de66928a.html

https://www.longwoods.com/newsdetail/7723

http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/e_records/sars/report/v5-pdf/Vol5Chp7.pdf

https://theconversation.com/silenced-and-sacrificed-covid-19-health-care-workers-secret-suffering-unveiled-150675

https://globalnews.ca/news/7604134/brooks-fallis-william-osler-health-system/

http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/e_records/sars/report/Interim_Report_2.pdf

https://www.ottawahospital.on.ca/en/documents/2017/01/social-media-policy-en.pdf

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ford-williams-rnao-resignation-demand-1.5708331

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/chief-nurse-fired-for-exposing-safety-maladies-ontario-association-says

https://amnesty.ca/news/global-health-workers-silenced-exposed-and-attacked
 

According to the Federal Government, Canada has secured 80 million doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, enough to vaccinate the whole country twice as two doses is required. But the vaccination rate is pretty sparse with about 420,000 Canadians inoculated. 

Last week, we asked out viewers; who do you think is responsible for the slow vaccination rate in Canada? Our response so far:

• 63% blame the Federal Government
• 22% blame the Provincial Government
• 13% say it doesn't matter - just get needles in arms
• 2% are unsure

If you haven't voted in our poll yet, head over to Unpublished.Vote to cast your vote, and then e-mail your MP to tell them what you think.

With the inauguration of America’s 46th President, Joe Biden has the opportunity to bring fresh air to the Canada-USA relationship.

What exactly will that relationship look like?

————————————

GUESTS:

Maryscott “Scotty” Greenwood - CEO at Canadian American Business Council - https://cabc.co/contact/

Dr. Bill Anderson - Director at Cross-Border Institute University of Windsor -https://www.uwindsor.ca/political-science/355/dr-william-p-anderson

Christopher Sands PhD - Director of the Wilson Center’s Canada Institute - https://www.wilsoncenter.org/person/christopher-sands

————————————

REFERENCES:

https://www.newswire.ca/fr/news-releases/statement-by-the-prime-minister-of-canada-on-the-inauguration-of-joe-biden-as-president-of-the-united-states-of-america-881230864.html

https://fox11online.com/news/nation-world/white-house-holds-first-briefing-of-biden-administration

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-roland-paris-says-joe-biden-will-be-a-better-friend-to-canada-but-at/

https://www.ceasefire.ca/a-quick-look-at-what-foreign-policy-changes-a-biden-presidency-might-bring/

https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/12/23/news/biden-era-canada-us-relations-back-to-normal

https://www.cbc.ca/news/opinion/opinion-biden-trudeau-relations-1.5873231

https://globalnews.ca/news/7587781/joe-biden-buy-american-plan-canada-business/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/biden-presidency-trudeau-1.5880164

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-canada-usa/canadas-ambassador-to-us-shares-most-biden-priorities-worries-about-his-buy-america-policy-idUSKBN29M0KL

https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/20/europe/global-reaction-joe-biden-inauguration-intl/index.html

https://www.usnews.com/news/elections/articles/2021-01-20/biden-honeymoon-unlikely-despite-early-challenges

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2020-12-30/diplomats-weigh-in-on-the-path-forward-for-canada-china-relations

https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2021-01-19/canada-in-touch-with-incoming-biden-admin-about-oil-pipeline




Today on UnpublishedTV, veteran journalist Ed Hand explores the fallout of one of the darkest day in American history, what can be done to prevent something worse happening on President-Elect Joe Biden's Inauguration Day.

GUESTS:

Nelson Wiseman - Professor Political Science University of Toronto

Shauna Sylvester - Executive Director Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue Simon Fraser University

Scott Gilmore - Former diplomat/ columnist at Maclean’s

10 months into the Covid 19 pandemic, and cases continue to rise across the country. A vaccine was supposed to bring this to an end, but the rollout has been hampered and political leaders are pointing the finger of blame at each other.

As we are in Ontario’s second lockdown, we are coming to you from a remote location and practicing physical distancing to enhance safety. According to the Federal Government, Canada has secured 80 million doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, enough to vaccinate the whole country twice as two doses is required.

But the vaccination rate is pretty sparse with about 420,000 Canadians inoculated. That works out to just over 1 percent. Hardly reassuring.

————————————

GUESTS:

Raywat Deonandan - Proffessor of Epidemiology at University of Ottawa - https://health.uottawa.ca/people/deonandan-raywat

Anne McLellan - Former Federal Health Minister & Deputy Prime Minister - https://www.dal.ca/about-dal/dalhousie-originals/anne-mclellan.html

————————————

REFERENCES:

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-provinces-at-odds-with-ottawa-over-vaccine-distribution/

https://covid-19.ontario.ca/covid-19-vaccines-ontario?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_uWGi-Kb7gIVkMmUCR1KSQLAEAAYASAAEgK8cPD_BwE#covid-19-immunization-program

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/tasker-vaccine-rollout-pharmacies-1.5871971

https://globalnews.ca/news/7575689/coronavirus-vaccine-canadian-doctors-transparency/

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/canada-locks-in-20m-more-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-doses-to-arrive-this-spring-1.5263452

https://globalnews.ca/news/7573129/canada-coronavirus-vaccine-rollout-contract/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/canada-slow-vaccine-rollout-covid-19-1.5862358

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/01/13/coronavirus-updates-covid-19-canada-ontario-toronto-gta-jan-13-2021.html

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/video/tons-of-obstacles-in-getting-canada-ready-for-covid-vaccine-rollout-epidemiologist~2075545

http://angusreid.org/canada-covid-vaccine-december/

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-canada-vaccine-exp/explainer-how-canada-will-vaccinate-its-population-against-covid-19-idUSKBN28D3D2

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-could-vaccinate-everyone-by-end-of-march-premier-says-1.5863258

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-provinces-ordered-to-have-sites-ready-to-receive-covid-19-vaccines-by/

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2021/01/cpho-issue-statement-series-on-covid-19-mrna-vaccines.html

https://globalnews.ca/news/7553419/coronavirus-vaccine-canada-distribution-slow/

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-vaccine-tracker-how-many-people-in-canada-have-received-shots-1.5247509

https://www.tvo.org/article/a-crisis-in-trust-epidemiologist-raywat-deonandan-on-ontarios-second-wave

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/vaccine-versus-variant-ontario-is-in-a-race-to-protect-the-most-vulnerable-from-covid-19

https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2020/11/13/ottawa-will-roll-out-covid-19-vaccine-to-provinces-on-basis-of-population-alberta-says.html

The COVID pandemic and its effects are the target in Minister Freeland’s update. Government revenues are down as the feds get set for another round of spending to navigate through the second wave, piling Canada’s deficit to almost 400 billion dollars. We wanted to know from our viewers - which of the measures introduced in the fiscal update do they think will be most helpful to Canadians?

GUESTS:

Ian Lee Professor Sprott School of Business Carleton University

Jim Stanford Economist and Director of the Centre for Future Work

Brenda Slater Association of Canadian Independent Travel Advisors

Aaron Wudrick Federal Director Canadian Taxpayers Federation

Ian Arthur MPP Kingston and the Islands NDP

Dianne Saxe. Deputy leader Green Party of Ontario

Blair Feltmate Blair Head Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, University of Waterloo

Canadians got a snapshot of the country’s finances in the Fall Economic Update, and it comes splashed in red ink.

The COVID pandemic and its effects are the focus in Minister Freeland’s update. Government revenues are down as the feds get set for another round of spending to navigate through the second wave, piling Canada’s deficit to almost 400 billion dollars.

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GUESTS:

Ian Lee - Professor at Carleton University Sprott School of Business - https://sprott.carleton.ca/profile/ian-lee/

David MacDonald - Senior Economist at Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives - https://www.policyalternatives.ca/offices/national/staff

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REFERENCES:

https://www.scotiabank.com/ca/en/about/economics/economics-publications/post.other-publications.fiscal-policy.fiscal-pulse.federal.federal-budget-analysis.canadian-federal-fall-economic-statement-2020--november-30--2020-.html

https://www.osler.com/en/resources/regulations/2020/fall-economic-statement-2020-briefing

https://www.budget.gc.ca/fes-eea/2020/report-rapport/FES-EEA-eng.pdf

https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/ottawa-beefs-up-loans-for-hard-hit-sectors-but-big-airlines-not-included-for-now-1.5210709

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/canada-s-national-airlines-react-to-the-federal-government-s-fall-economic-statement-885149147.html

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-liberal-economic-statement-an-act-of-deception/

https://ipolitics.ca/2020/11/27/mondays-fall-economic-statement-will-try-to-bridge-current-and-future-needs/

https://globalnews.ca/news/7492405/coronavirus-economic-update-canada-2020/

https://policymagazine.ca/fall-economic-statement-2020-let-the-questions-begin/

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/canadians-spend-cautiously-opt-to-save-for-emergency-funds-and-investments-scotiabank-report-reveals-885341684.html

https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/household-savings-in-canada-skyrocket-during-pandemic-as-ottawa-doles-out-billions-in-emergency-benefits

https://ottawacitizen.com/executive/posthaste-canadians-excess-cash-hoard-tops-150-billion-and-that-could-supercharge-the-economy-in-2021/wcm/c7a6061b-2a39-4e68-bff2-8ee456705663

https://globalnews.ca/news/7492399/fiscal-update-child-benefit-wage-subsidy-airline-refunds/

We’ve been locked down or under restrictions since March, and while youth are dealing with the stresses that come with the pandemic, it seems to have opened their eyes to other issues facing society. Mental health concerns, financial worries and the recovery are all on their minds.

While the study shows that this far in to the pandemic, young Canadians are doing OK, there is an impact on the family, society, and employment prospects. We asked you: do you think the government should be doing more to provide mental health services to young Canadians struggling because of COVID-19?

20% of viewers say the government is doing enough
72% of viewers say the government needs to be doing more
8% of viewers are unsure

The report card is in from Ontario’s Auditor General on the province’s environment policies. The marks are low for Doug Ford’s Ontario.

Late last week, Bonnie Lysick released several reports painting a picture that lacked transparency from the government. The AG’s mandate is to review financial issues and public transparency for the public. It appears the Ministry of the Environment is not living up to its obligations.

Ontario Parks comes under the Environment Ministry. It runs the provincial parks and conservation reserves. This past summer, with so many people looking to be outdoors would have used them. But, there are serious issues with them.

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GUESTS:

Lucille Collard - Ontario Liberal MPP for Ottawa-Vanier / Environment Critic -https://www.ola.org/en/members/all/ian-arthur

Ian Arthur - Ontario NDP MPP for Kingston and the Islands / Environment Critic -https://www.ola.org/en/members/all/lucille-collard

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REFERENCES:

https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/11/17/news/auditor-general-rebuke-ford-government-environmental-policies

https://niagaraatlarge.com/2020/11/18/ontarios-auditor-general-takes-a-blow-torch-to-ford-governments-deplorable-environmental-record/

https://www.ontariondp.ca/news/ag-confirms-ford-content-destroy-climate-favour-insiders

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/auditor-general-environment-report-1.5806158

https://ipolitics.ca/2020/11/18/ontario-failed-to-consult-public-on-environmentally-sensitive-projects-ag/

https://ecojustice.ca/ontario-under-doug-ford/

https://www.tvo.org/article/the-ontario-government-isnt-built-to-meet-its-own-environmental-goals

https://torontosun.com/news/provincial/ontario-govt-needs-green-upgrades-auditor

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2020/11/11/the-developers-are-all-in-control-new-rules-by-doug-fords-provincial-government-will-limit-the-power-of-conservation-authorities-sparking-fears-for-the-environment.html

https://environmentaldefence.ca/2020/11/24/the-ontario-government-is-failing-to-protect-the-greenbelt/

https://cela.ca/action-alert-ontarios-conservation-authorities-act-at-risk/

https://www.mondaq.com/canada/construction-planning/603660/bill-139--ignoring-conservation-authorities-will-cost-you

https://www.blogto.com/real-estate-toronto/2020/11/ford-government-gives-developers-power-ignore-conservation-authorities/

https://www.sudbury.com/beyond-local/ontario-auditor-to-release-value-for-money-audits-related-to-the-environment-2891734

https://www.thespec.com/opinion/contributors/2020/11/11/god-help-the-environment-doug-ford-wont.html

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/ontario-thames-conservation-authority-1.5807081

Ian Culbert, Executive Director Canadian Public Health Agency

Elise Legault, Policy and Advocacy Manager ONE

Dr.Jason Nickerson, Humanitarian Affairs Advisor Doctors Without Borders

The world has watched and waited for a COVID-19 vaccine. Could it be here by the end of the year?

Three vaccines are now showing potential - and Canada pre-ordered 20 million of Pfizers. This vaccine requires two shots, so 20 million doses only covers 10 million people. Earlier this year on the Unpublished Cafe, we asked the question: How long did you think it would take to have a safe and effective vaccine? Overwhelmingly, our viewers estimated it would be longer than 12 months.

A vaccine would shift the pandemic on its ear putting us back to as close to normal as we were before COVID. If the Pfizer vaccine is safe and effective according to Health Canada, how soon do you feel it will be available to the public?

Find out TONIGHT on UnpublishedTV-- Be part of the discussion on Facebook, and on Youtube

If you haven't voted in our poll yet, head over to Unpublished.Vote to cast your vote, and then e-mail your MP to tell them what you think.

Youth is the hope of our future according to Jose Rizal. How are they enduring this pandemic?

We’ve been locked down or under restrictions since March, and while youth are dealing with the stresses that come with the pandemic, it seems to have opened their eyes to other issues facing society.

Mental health concerns, financial worries and the recovery are all on their minds. While the study shows that this far in to the pandemic, young Canadians are doing OK, there is an impact on the family, society, and employment prospects.

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GUESTS:

Oksana Kishchuk - Consultant at Abacus Data -https://abacusdata.ca/team/oksana-kishchuk/

Nora Spinks - CEO at Vanier Institute of the Family - https://vanierinstitute.ca/nora-spinks/

Kelsey Beson - Operations Manager at Children First Canada -https://childrenfirstcanada.org/fullbio#kelsey-beson

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REFERENCES:

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/covid-19-poll-canadian-youth-the-most-impacted-by-pandemic-lockdown-848074531.html

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/covid-19-impact-education-1.5717001

https://abacusdata.ca/covid19-and-canadian-youth/

https://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/october-2020/young-canadians-and-the-long-tail-of-the-covid-crisis/

https://www.businesscouncilab.com/work/despite-covid-impact-young-canadians-are-least-worried-about-economy/

https://charlatan.ca/2020/06/young-canadians-face-financial-and-social-burdens-amid-covid-19/

https://vanierinstitute.ca/covid-19-impacts-youth-well-being-in-canada/

https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/10/13/analysis/young-generation-squeezed-rising-costs-less-wealth-and-income-older

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/covid-19-poll-canadian-youth-the-most-impacted-by-pandemic-lockdown-848074531.html

https://www.corporateknights.com/channels/leadership/future-proofing-economy-investing-canadas-youth-covid-19-15948122/

https://www.vicnews.com/news/covid-19-has-depressed-mental-health-of-canadian-youth/

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/09/18/covid-19-stress-hitting-youth-much-harder-than-people-over-60-new-research-shows.html

https://globalnews.ca/news/7368544/coronavirus-canada-youth-social-media/

David J Bercuson Professor of Military and Diplomatic History at University of Calgary
@UCalgary

Marcus Kolga - Senior Fellow at MacDonald Laurier Institute and Founder of Disinfowatch
@kolga @MLInstitute @DisinfoW

Dave Scanlon - Retired Navy Captain and Former Senior Public Affairs Officer
@scanlonjd

The world has watched and waited for a COVID-19 vaccine. Could it be here by the end of the year?

This week, Pfizer announced some promising if not spectacular results from their testing of a vaccine - one that Canada has pre-ordered 20 million of. This vaccine requires two shots. so that 20 million only covers 10 million people. Earlier this year on the Unpublished Cafe, we asked the question How long did you think it would take to have a safe and effective vaccine!? Overwhelmingly, you estimated it would be longer than 12 months.

A vaccine would shift the pandemic on its ear putting us back to as close to normal as we were before Covid. 

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GUESTS:

Raywat Deonandan - Professor of Epidemiology at University of Ottawa - https://health.uottawa.ca/people/deonandan-raywat

David Coletto - President at Abacus Data -https://abacusdata.ca/team/david-coletto/

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REFERENCES:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/pfizer-says-early-data-indicates-covid-19-vaccine-is-effective-1.5794899

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/international-business/us-business/article-a-great-day-pfizer-and-biontech-say-their-covid-19-vaccine-is-more/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-pfizer-vaccine-1.5795160

https://financialpost.com/news/economy/pharma-giant-pfizer-raises-concerns-about-unintended-consequences-of-possible-pandemic-probe-in-canada

https://abacusdata.ca/covid_vaccine_poll-abacus/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/covid-19-vaccine-pfizer-faq-1.5795486

https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/coronavirus-canada-covid-19-vaccine-rollout-1.5797082

https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/pfizer-stock-sale-1.5798089

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/canada-has-option-for-56m-more-pfizer-vaccine-doses-anand-1.1520535

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/despite-pfizer-success-a-lot-has-to-happen-before-vaccine-rollout-in-canada-experts-1.5181385

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine-trials-raise-hopes-for-early-202/

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/9/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-pfizer-vaccine

https://www.theverge.com/2020/11/11/21558237/pfizer-coronavirus-vaccine-covid-19-flatten-curve

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/09/pfizer-ceo-albert-bourla-covid-vaccine-a-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel.html

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-03166-8

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/pfizer-mid-november-earliest-it-can-seek-coronavirus-vaccine-ok-1.5148389

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/pfizer-plans-just-in-time-covid-19-vaccine-distribution-in-canada

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-nov-10-2020-1.5796447/early-trials-for-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-offers-hope-but-experts-say-logistical-challenges-remain-1.5796636

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-developing-a-coronavirus-vaccine-is-just-the-first-step-distribution/

https://ipolitics.ca/2020/11/10/70-firms-have-offered-to-distribute-covid-vaccines-across-canada-minister/

Warren Kinsella Political Commentator
Scotty Greenwood CEO Canadian American Business Council
Elliot Tepper Prof. Norman Paterson School of International Affairs
Richard Jenkins Director Public Sector Research Abacus Data

A Canadian Military operation has recently been brought to light - one that has been using propaganda and technology to influence Canadians.

The Defence Strategic Communication Group is part of plan that has not been approved by the Minister of National Defence, and is currently under investigation concerning the data it collected on the Canadian people during it’s time assisting LTC homes in Ontario and Quebec.

This rings similarly to the Cambridge Analytica scandal of the 2016 US election - what exactly is the Canadian Military hoping to accomplish? And are the Canadian people at risk from their own military?

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GUESTS:
Emma Briant - Research Associate in Human Rights at Bard College New York - https://bard.academia.edu/EmmaBriant

Scott Taylor - Journalist, ex-Canadian Solider - https://www.hilltimes.com/author/scott-taylor

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REFERENCES:

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/canadian-military-to-establish-new-organization-to-use-propaganda-other-techniques-to-influence-canadians

https://www.occrp.org/en/37-ccblog/ccblog/13225-governments-have-failed-to-learn-from-the-cambridge-analytica-scandal

https://www.theguardian.pe.ca/news/canada/canadian-military-spent-more-than-1-million-on-controversial-propaganda-training-linked-to-cambridge-analytica-parent-firm-508717/

https://www.theobserver.ca/opinion/columnists/bonokoski-militarys-wish-list-propaganda-wing-to-fiddle-with-minds/wcm/375a46ef-4a5d-4fa6-88aa-d206ef917cd7

https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/08/12/cami-a12.html

https://www.thetelegram.com/news/canada/militarys-covid-19-influence-campaign-sparks-investigation-development-of-new-rules-to-govern-information-operations-481065/

https://www.canewsottawa.ca/forged-letter-warning-about-wolves-on-the-loose-part-of-canadian-forces-propaganda-campaign-that-went-awry/

https://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3189&context=etd

http://www.journal.forces.gc.ca/Vol19/No4/PDF/CMJ194Ep4.pdf

http://espritdecorps.ca/on-target-4/on-target-canadas-weaponization-of-information

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/26/technology/government-disinformation-cyber-troops.html

https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2019/05/europe/finland-fake-news-intl/

https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/177273.htm

http://espritdecorps.ca/on-target-4/on-target-forget-the-russians-amp-chinese-trump-is-the-biggest-source-of-covid-19-disinformation

http://espritdecorps.ca/on-target-4

GUESTS:

Joel Harden Ottawa Centre MPP

Allan Cutler Anti Corruption and Accountability Canada

John Fraser Ottawa South MPP

David Hutton Centre for Free Expression Ryerson University

It has to be one of the most pivotal elections in US history as Americans go to the polls on November 3rd. What will be the impact on Canada-US Relations?

The countdown is on to determining the next President of the United States. Donald Trump’s unpredictability and protectionist bents rubbed many leaders the wrong way.

The US, being Canada’s largest trading partner, has felt that wrath several times over the last four years. We have enjoyed the longest undefended border in the world, but that has been shuttered since March due to the Covid pandemic.

————————————

GUESTS:

Mark High - President at Canada-US Business Association - https://www.cusbaonline.com/board-of-directors

Frank Graves - President at Ekos Research - https://www.ekospolitics.com/index.php/category/special-interest/commentary-by-frank-graves/

Christopher Sands - Senior Research Professor and Director at Center for Canadian Studies at John Hopkin’s University - https://sais.jhu.edu/users/csands1

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REFERENCES:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/biden-harris-trump-trudeau-trade-presidency-1.5779153
https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/america-votes/either-outcome-of-u-s-election-will-be-significant-for-canada-freeland-1.5164799

https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/america-votes/features/trade

https://peacediplomacy.org/2020/10/06/the-future-of-canada-us-relations-after-the-2020-us-presidential-elections/

https://www.moneysense.ca/save/investing/what-does-the-u-s-election-outcome-mean-for-canadian-investors/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/5-ways-the-u-s-election-result-could-impact-canada-1.5753574

https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/10/28/news/donald-trump-us-canada-relations

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/derek-h-burney-no-matter-who-wins-the-u-s-election-there-will-implications-for-canada

https://globalnews.ca/news/7426688/canada-u-s-trade-joe-biden-presidency/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-us-trump-biden-trudeau-presidential-election-1.5769418

https://globalnews.ca/news/7419021/trump-biden-coronavirus-plans/

https://www.ryerson.ca/news-events/news/2020/10/trump-vs-biden-how-does-the-us-election-impact-canada/

https://ipolitics.ca/2020/10/29/two-canadian-senators-back-trump-for-re-election/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/trade-election-canada-1.5746726

https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2020/09/21/donald-trump-has-taken-the-us-down-a-dark-path-and-these-canadians-are-scared-of-where-it-leads.html

Tensions are running high in Nova Scotia as a conflict between commercial lobster fishers and Indigenous communities. When will the violence end?

Parliament held an emergency debate earlier this week following the vandalism and destruction of Indigenous fishing boat, van and traps. At issue is the Mi’kmaq ability to start their own lobster fishery. Under the 1999 Supreme Court ruling, Mi’kmaq bands have the right to fish for a moderate livelihood.

While the Supreme Court ruled the treaty gave Indigenous people the right to a moderate living, it left out the definition of moderate living which is the crux of the dispute.

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GUESTS:
Dwight Newman - Indigenous Rights and Law Professor at the University of Saskatchewan - https://law.usask.ca/people/faculty/dwight-newman.php

Chief Mike Sack - Chief of the Sipekne'katik First Nation’s in Nova Scotia

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REFERENCES:

https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/policing-must-be-adequate-to-keep-everyone-safe-in-indigenous-lobster-dispute-pm-1.5148495?fbclid=IwAR0q-xZNAq5McPRpvQ-nmDW9ttSlvgwNI4cKMFRxrhXzI8Ze8Qf53WuuxSw

https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/membertou-first-nation-to-become-latest-to-join-mi-kmaw-livelihood-fishery-in-n-s-1.5153100?fbclid=IwAR3i3zfMkBGJE4Dcxd3WHaVw7GvWW6er7Wy-XV0UEiOALu1MCvfBkpzicDE

https://globalnews.ca/news/7410158/dispute-nova-scotias-indigenous-lobster-fishery/

https://globalnews.ca/news/7410066/michael-sack-sipeknekatik-chief-parliament/

https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/we-want-answers-mps-hold-emergency-debate-over-handling-of-n-s-lobster-dispute-1.5150837

https://theconversation.com/nova-scotia-lobster-dispute-mikmaw-fishery-isnt-a-threat-to-conservation-say-scientists-148396

https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/federal-minister-criticizes-rcmp-response-in-lobster-fishery-dispute-as-more-officers-dispatched-to-intervene

https://financialpost.com/commodities/agriculture/no-science-behind-lobster-dispute-unpacking-the-ugly-conflict-exploding-in-nova-scotia

https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/n-s-first-nation-pulls-commercial-lobster-boats-from-the-water-rcmp-commissioner-defends-police-response-1.5154331?fbclid=IwAR0DXfdHVLvRHiR4qamSkyhrvNg1Uo2_RhkOib8nl9XfIox0lZsOemZojEA

https://globalnews.ca/news/7405129/nova-scotia-fishery-dispute-moderate-livelihood/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/mi-kmaw-fishers-reaction-emergency-debate-1.5769918

https://www.thespec.com/opinion/editorials/2020/10/23/its-ottawas-job-to-settle-bitter-lobster-dispute.html

https://apnews.com/article/nova-scotia-canada-bill-blair-24efe61b02ad21609a6239e4a98bf7b8

https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/nova-scotia-lobster-fishing-dispute_ca_5f9042a4c5b6b005f5f1a400

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/10/22/justice-is-needed-in-nova-scotia-to-protect-the-mikmaw-fishers-violence-should-not-be-tolerated.html

Fear is coursing through long-term care homes in Canada as the country slips into the second wave of the pandemic. Will it be as fatal as the first wave?

During the first wave of Covid about 8 in 10 deaths from the virus were in long-term care. In late spring, the federal government called in the military to help with homes dealing with outbreaks and staff shortages. For many PSW’s and staff, they are the lowest paid yet face the most danger.

On top of that, there is little to no whistleblower protection for those workers so they can continue to work in unsafe conditions or take a chance on speaking up, and being fired. Earlier this year, the provinces were presented with recommendation. Now, soon to be debated at Queen’s Park, new legislation which would protect people and organizations from “making an honest effort” from legal action.

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GUESTS:

Allan Cuttler - President at Anti-Corruption and Accountability Canada -http://acacanada.ca/author/allan-cutler/

David Hutton -Senior Fellow at the Centre for Free Expression Whistleblowing Initiative at Ryerson University - https://cfe.ryerson.ca/people/david-hutton

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REFERENCES:

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/advocates-push-to-expand-whistleblower-protection-for-personal-support-workers-in-long-term-care-homes?fbclid=IwAR3Eyddn54ljEYy7RBhuQA0BEos57usCX631rFb4baOjGeh68GXbku-9s54

https://www.advantageontario.ca/oanhssdocs/Media_Centre/LTCHomesActCentralseeSiteNavigation/Staff_Reporting_Whistle-blowing_Protection_PandP.pdf

https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/2020/09/12/front-line-workers-wont-speak-up-without-whistleblower-protection-union-leaders-say.html

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/ontario-patient-ombudsman-pandemic-1.5548991

https://www.patientombudsman.ca/Portals/0/documents/covid-19-report-en.pdf

https://www.cp24.com/news/we-must-prevent-what-happened-from-happening-again-patient-ombudsman-on-ltc-homes-1.5138063?cache=yes%3FclipId%3D373266%3Fot%3DAjaxLayout

https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/ontario-government-memos-coronavirus-nursing-homes_ca_5f8897cfc5b6c5eccffe9022?fbclid=IwAR3Fkh4qw8KXraBRckbU5qwGjH6j7iWcwjosJJxnNzUSH5WGxTLYx4xPnrM

https://www.ombudsmandespatients.ca/Portals/0/documents/covid-19-report-en.pdf

https://www.cp24.com/news/we-must-prevent-what-happened-from-happening-again-patient-ombudsman-on-ltc-homes-1.5138063?cache=xpnlaaqyei

http://catalogue.iugm.qc.ca/GEIDEFile/ontario.PDF?Archive=194321391250&File=Ontario

https://www.cambridgetimes.ca/opinion-story/9999409-who-is-going-to-protect-our-seniors-in-long-term-care-/

https://www.ontariondp.ca/news/ndp-mpp-gretzky-tables-motion-urges-ford-create-covid-19-essential-caregiver-strategy

https://globalnews.ca/news/7408668/ontario-covid-19-liability-protection/?fbclid=IwAR1YHG2PeTZsZfR22w-UaOWpKX593iYqR401FKt6fmtN92zwyrfJHBVPUPQ

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/patient-ombudsman-long-term-care-covid-19-report-1.5754251

https://rsc-src.ca/sites/default/files/LTC%20PB%20%2B%20ES_EN.pdf

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/covid-19-liability-protection-legislation-ontario-1.5769801

https://www.rankandfile.ca/ford-government-moving-ahead-with-home-care-privatization-bill/

https://www.ohscanada.com/features/in-defence-of-whistleblowers/

https://www.cpacanada.ca/en/news/pivot-magazine/2020-04-27-canada-protecting-whistleblowers

The number of Covid cases is on the rise in Canada as the provinces struggle with hot spots. Quebec has gone into Red Alert and ordered residents in three hotspots not to socialize outside their household.

Medical experts are advising against severe lockdown measures, as the virus only stops spreading for as long as the lockdown is in affect - and the consequences on business are far longer lasting and detrimental. Will this second wave be worse than the first?

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GUESTS:

Patrick Saunders-Hastings - Professor of Epidemiology / Gevity Consulting

Jasmine Moulton - Ontario Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation

Mike Schreiner - Leader Green Party of Ontario, MPP Guelph

Ottawa and Toronto are coping with more lockdowns, and several areas in Quebec are in the same situation. The federal government has announced the purchase of almost 8 million rapid tests. It was aiming to conduct 200 thousand a day across the country, but currently we’re seeing about 70 thousand completed. The question for many is ‘why is it taking so long?’ for Health Canada to give approval.

What exactly is available now? What’s coming down the pipe? Will Canada have the lab capacity to meet the demand?

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GUESTS:
Dr Steven Newmaster - Genomics Professor at University of Guelph - https://www.uoguelph.ca/ib/newmaster

David Juncker - Professor & Chair of the Biomedical Engineer/Genome Centre at McGill University -https://www.mcgill.ca/bbme/david-juncker

Christine Neilson - CEO at Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science -https://www.csmls.org/About-Us/About-CSMLS/Staff.aspx

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REFERENCES:
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/canada-approves-new-rapid-covid-19-test-for-use-in-coming-weeks-pm-1.5126678

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/lockdown-rapid-testing-1.5758034

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/10/do-rapid-antigen-tests-have-accuracy-problem/616681/

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ottawa-to-buy-nearly-eight-million-rapid-covid-19-tests-despite-lack/

https://covid-19.ontario.ca/covid-19-test-and-testing-location-information?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8pD23cax7AIVEI_ICh3_ygd2EAMYASAAEgLh-PD_BwE

https://globalnews.ca/news/7369763/canada-rapid-coronavirus-tests/

https://www.thestar.com/business/2020/10/05/health-canada-needs-to-ramp-up-rapid-testing-for-covid-19-as-cases-rise-across-the-country-infectious-disease-experts-say.html

https://globalnews.ca/news/7381031/how-coronavirus-rapid-tests-will-help/

https://globalnews.ca/news/7341338/canada-coronavirus-testing-capacity/

https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/09/30/news/ottawa-unveils-deal-buy-millions-rapid-covid-19-test-devices
https://financialpost.com/opinion/andrew-richter-the-rapid-need-for-rapid-response-tests

https://www.guelphtoday.com/following-up/guelph-company-close-to-bringing-15-minute-saliva-based-covid-test-to-market-2718836

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/health-canada-approves-id-now-1.5744768

https://healthydebate.ca/opinions/falling-behind-rapid-covid-testing

https://www.timescolonist.com/rapid-test-kit-recall-underscores-importance-of-canada-s-lab-technologists-1.24129744

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-press-newsalert-health-canada-green-lights-first-rapid-covid-19-tes

https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/covid-19-antigen-tests-1.5761718

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/rapid-tests-biomedical-engineer-detect-active-infectious-phase-1.5760649

https://www.thespec.com/opinion/editorials/2020/10/15/its-time-for-canada-to-ramp-up-rapid-testing-for-covid-19.html

https://aircanada.mediaroom.com/2020-10-01-Air-Canada-Finalizing-Initial-Order-for-Newly-Approved-COVID-19-Rapid-Testing-Kits-from-Abbott

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/opinion-make-mask-wearing-a-sign-of-personal-strength-not-weakness-lives-depend-on-it?fbclid=IwAR1SHGmozCXCMN2KSAQfLkqeRJy8t9hzfZUK_VzCfs7toSi6Rm34HTqfLdc

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/lockdown-rapid-testing-1.5758034

https://www.thestar.com/business/2020/09/21/a-15-minute-covid-19-test-kit-was-recently-approved-in-the-us-why-is-canada-so-far-behind.html

The Covid 19 pandemic took centre stage along with promises of lots of spending. Extensions of programs and an overhaul of Employment Insurance to help those in the contract and gig economy.

With the support of the NDP to get it off its feet, can the rest of the Liberal’s agenda survive in the house of commons?

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GUESTS:
Lydia Miljan - Director of Bachelor in Arts and Sciences Program at University of Windsor - https://www.uwindsor.ca/political-science/366/dr-lydia-miljan

Michele Caderio - CEO at Vanguard Strategy, Principal at J&M Leadership Network - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-cadario-103217141/?originalSubdomain=ca

Warren Kinsella - lawyer and political consultant - http://warrenkinsella.com/

Tom Parkin - Commentator, previous employee at NDP Canada - https://tomparkin.ca/