Welcome back to another episode of the Couple Casuals Podcast!

In this episode, Stefano sits down with Ned Kuruc, Conservative Member of Parliament for Hamilton East–Stoney Creek, entrepreneur, and longtime community advocate.

Ned shares his journey from growing up in Stoney Creek, building multiple businesses, and working in combat sports before making the transition into federal politics. He explains what motivated him to enter public service, why he believes authenticity matters in politics, and what it’s like representing the community he was raised in.

The conversation explores Canada’s economy, crime, affordability, Parliament, and the future of the Conservative movement. Stefano and Ned discuss what they believe are the biggest challenges facing Canadians today, while offering an inside look at how Parliament operates and the battles taking place in Ottawa.

Throughout the episode, Stefano and Ned discuss:

* Ned’s journey from entrepreneur to Member of Parliament

* Growing up in Hamilton East–Stoney Creek and representing his hometown

* Pierre Poilievre’s leadership campaign and behind-the-scenes stories

* The 2025 federal election and what happened to the Conservative vote

* Mark Carney, Justin Trudeau, and the direction of the Liberal government

* Canada’s economy, affordability, inflation, and the technical recession

* Trump’s tariffs and Canada’s response

* Why Conservatives believe Parliament lacks accountability

* Crime, bail reform, and repeat violent offenders

* Bill C-5, Bill C-75, Bill C-16, and the debate over mandatory minimum sentences

* Home invasions, organized crime, and public safety

* Paul Bernardo, maximum-security prisons, and victims’ rights

* Why Ned believes freedom, fiscal responsibility, and opportunity are core Canadian values

* What Conservatives need to do to earn the trust of more Canadians

Ned also shares his perspective on why he believes Canada needs stronger leadership, greater accountability in government, and reforms to restore public confidence in the justice system, while Stefano discusses the importance of open dialogue, political engagement, and hearing directly from elected officials.

This is an in-depth conversation about Canadian politics, crime, the economy, Parliament, and the future of Canada.

Grab a casual, lock in, and let’s get into it.

Host: Stefano (stefo)

Instagram: @drstefo

https://www.instagram.com/drstefo?igs...

Guest: Ned Kuruc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrpeter905?igsh=c20zNjN2eTd5Z2k5

This episode is brought to you by Canada First — secure your home with Canada’s best home fortification.

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CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro

00:45 Growing Up in Stoney Creek

02:30 Why Politicians Feel Robotic

05:56 The Importance of Open Dialogue

07:04 From Entrepreneur to Politician

10:45 Why Ned Entered Politics

12:00 Meeting Pierre Poilievre

14:11 The Story Behind Pierre's First Rally

16:10 Growing Up Outside Politics

18:33 Why Politics Matters

19:06 What It Means to Be Conservative

21:59 Lessons From the 2025 Election

27:20 Mark Carney vs Justin Trudeau

29:00 Canada's Technical Recession

35:49 Are Trump's Tariffs to Blame?

38:28 Is Canada Really More Affordable?

40:02 Why Canadians Need to Pay Attention

42:30 Bail Reform & Rising Crime

43:43 Bill C-5 & Mandatory Minimum Sentences

45:12 Why Conservatives' Crime Bills Failed

48:31 The Paul Bernardo Debate

52:30 Bill C-16 Explained

57:15 The Crime Crisis in Canada

01:03:40 The Future of the Conservative Party

01:09:45 Final Thoughts & Message to Canadians

01:11:00 Outro