Erin is joined by the Hon. Ed Fast, the MP for Abbotsford and former Trade Minister who led the Harper government’s ambitious trade agenda. They talk about Ed’s work on growing markets in Europe and Asia and the global shift away from liberalized trade to more managed trade given US-China relations. They also tackle issues like the Foreign Investment Protection Agreement (FIPA) that Canada signed with China, tariffs under President Trump and strategies for navigating these issues in uncertain times.

In this episode of Blue Skies, Erin is joined by Jim Leech, former CEO of the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and a well-respected voice on business issues, to discuss the current debate about whether governments should mandate public pension plans like the CPP to invest more in Canada. They explore the development of the 'Canadian Model' for pension governance and why it has gained international acclaim. They also engage in a wider discussion of issues related to Canadian economic competitiveness and financial security for pensioners. 

MP Alicia Kearns, the Chair of the United Kingdom's Foreign Affairs Select Committee, joins Blue Skies to discuss the AUKUS alliance, the war in Ukraine, the Balkans, China and the need for democracies to stand against foreign interference. The conversation with MP Kearns provides an interesting view on geopolitics and how one of Canada’s closest allies views the state of our defence spending and influence.

Erin is joined by Robert Baines, the President of the NATO Association of Canada to discuss the importance of the NATO alliance as it marks 75 years of providing peace and security for its members. They discuss the role of Canada in the alliance and how NATO helped usher in the post-WWII era of prosperity and opportunity. They also discuss risks facing the alliance today ranging from the war in Ukraine to political indifference in some countries.

Erin is joined by long-serving Liberal MP John McKay to talk about his decades of work on international development and defence issues in the House of Commons.  Ahead of the annual Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada conference in Toronto, they discuss the impact of Canada's new law to help prevent forced and child labour from being part of Canadian supply chains.  The impact of this new law is discussed along with the new office of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise and the need to ensure that Canadian values are always part of our approach to commerce.  Erin and John also discuss defence and geopolitics from their shared interests and work in Parliament.

A special Blue Skies to mark the second anniversary of the war in Ukraine. Hon. Erin O’Toole gives his quick take on the war, and explains why it’s time to reconfirm support and counter the complacency

Blue Skies returns and continues its series on the important role of nuclear energy in our economic and environmental future. Dr. Chris Keefer, the President of Canadians for Nuclear Energy, joins Erin to discuss his own nuclear ‘conversion’ and how his advocacy is educating Canadians and changing the public policy debate. They discuss Canadian industry advancements from Small Modular Reactors and new build at the Bruce site to the extension of Pickering Generating Station and the role CANDU technology has played developing this important sector.

Before finishing up as Durham MP, Erin interviewed two leaders to talk about the continued growth of nuclear for Canada’s lower emission future and the tremendous innovation and economic activity across Canada. He welcomed Bill Walker, President of the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries as well as Rory O'Sullivan, the President of Moltex who is leveraging technology to the issue of waste reduction and power generation.

Erin is joined by Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter to discuss the rising challenges facing cities in North America with addiction, mental health and homelessness levels peaking along with public frustration. Dan speaks about his own struggles with addiction and homelessness and how he tries to bring compassion alongside the leadership needed to make tough decisions to balance wellness and public safety.

Historian Ted Barris sat down with Erin to talk about his new book covering the longest WWII battle - the Battle of the Atlantic - and Canada’s contributions to this critical battle that forged the foundation of the North Atlantic alliance we know today. Canadian heroism and perseverance as told in “Battle of the Atlantic: Gauntlet to Victory”.