In this high-stakes episode of Gristle & Bone, recorded as Canada grapples with foreign pressure and domestic upheaval, hosts Christopher Bourne and Dónal Gill tackle three explosive developments: secret diplomacy with the U.S., the introduction of the Strong Borders Act, and the crisis—and opportunity—facing the NDP.

First, they dissect the revelation that Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump have been texting and calling directly, bypassing public diplomacy and official channels. What does this secret backchannel mean for Canada’s sovereignty, accountability, and negotiating position—especially with Trump doubling steel and aluminum tariffs? And with the G7 Summit looming in Alberta, what kind of “macro agreement” is Carney hoping for?

From backroom diplomacy to frontline political renewal, Episode 3 examines how Canadian democracy is being reshaped by external forces, and whether any party has the courage to push back.

Gristle & Bone continues with academically informed, opinionated, but nonpartisan political analysis for a critical political moment.

Credits for Gristle and Bone

• Hosts: Christopher Bourne and Dónal Gill
• Production: João Roque and Gaëlle Poirier-Morin
• Audio Editing: Gaëlle Poirier-Morin