Inside Policy Talks

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, the flagship video podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.

In this episode, Peter Copeland, Deputy Director of MLI’s Domestic Policy Program, is joined by Ryan Khurana, Senior Fellow at the Foundation for American Innovation and Machine Learning Lead at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE). Together, they discuss first what it is and what it is not, and the many prospects it has, both good and bad. 

Khurana delves into the great deal of warranted and unwarranted hype and concern for AI across its many applications: it holds great economic and productivity promise, as part of what is becoming known as the fourth industrial revolution, as well as peril. 

Some speculate that we will enter the singularity and be replaced, while others point to more realistic futures and already present scenarios, such as those of job loss and transformation, to other threats to human well-being and dignity, from deployment of psychologically manipulative and addictive algorithms, to the negative effects on health and welfare from a technology-saturated and mediated environment, in which we are increasingly online, disconnected from one another and unwell.

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Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, the flagship podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. 

In this episode, Senior Fellow Alexander Dalziel explores intelligence in Canadian policy-making with Michelle Tessier, a former Deputy Director of Operations at the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). The discussion highlights challenges in developing an "intelligence culture," integrating intelligence into decision-making, and intelligence sharing outside the federal government.

They explore the differences between intelligence and evidence, the importance of the feedback loop between intelligence agencies and policymakers, and the evolution of CSIS's outreach and transparency efforts. 

Tessier also shares her insights on the challenges of building trust and understanding around intelligence work, as well as the potential benefits of leveraging new technologies to enhance intelligence capabilities.

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Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, the flagship video podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.

In this special feature episode of Inside policy, Peter Copeland, Deputy Director in the domestic policy program here at MLI, is joined by Christopher Dummitt, Professor of History at Trent University, National Post columnist, and MLI Senior fellow, as well as Lindsay Shepherd, Researcher, Author, public intellectual and MLI contributor.

In two separate segments, they discuss the state of intellectual discourse in the Canadian educational and university landscape, and in our public sphere more broadly, finding that censoriousness and ideological conformity, are characteristic, and that this detracts from the quality of public discourse, education, and the advancement of knowledge in our society.

On December 3, 2024, the Macdonald-Laurier Institute (MLI) hosted a live panel event in Calgary entitled: The challenge of China and Russia, in the Arctic and in our supply chains. 

The panel featured four of MLI's esteemed thought leaders:

- Balkan Devlen, director of the transatlantic program (moderator)
- Jonathan Berkshire Miller, director of foreign policy, national defence, and national security
- Heather Exner-Pirot, director of natural resources, energy, and environment 
- Rob Huebert, senior fellow

The Macdonald-Laurier Institute gratefully acknowledges the support of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Canada.

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Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, the premier video podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute!

In this episode, Ken Coates, Director of Indigenous Affairs at MLI, sits down with Karen Ogen-Toews, President and CEO of the First Nations LNG Alliance, and Dr. Matt Vickers, CEO of Northern Nations, and a long-time advocate for indigenous economic development.

They discuss the growing involvement of indigenous communities in international business and trade.

Ogen-Toews and Vickers share their experiences leading indigenous trade missions to countries like China to leverage their natural resources and economic partnerships to build prosperity for their communities.

The conversation delves into the importance of education, relationship-building, and overcoming systemic barriers to indigenous participation in the global economy.

Ogen-Toews and Vickers provide insights into the collaborative approach many First Nations are taking to drive economic development.

Don't miss this insightful discussion on the evolving role of indigenous peoples in international business.

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Welcome to Double Trouble, a special foreign policy focused podcast series within MLI's Inside Policy Talks, to address the growing challenge of the Sino-Russian axis of authoritarianism facing the West.

In this episode, MLI's Balkan Devlen sits down with Aaron Gasch Burnett to discuss an innovative policy solution to fund Ukraine's war effort and reconstruction: confiscating the approximately $300 billion US of Russian assets frozen in G7 countries and give it to Ukraine. Western tax payers wouldn't need to pay a cent.

The Macdonald-Laurier Institute gratefully acknowledges the support of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Canada.

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Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, the premier video podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.

In this episode, Ken Coates, Director of Indigenous Affairs at MLI, sits down with Tyee Hasheukumiss (Richard George), Ha’wiih (Hereditary Chief) of the Ahousaht Nation on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, to discuss the unique governance structure and economic development initiatives within First Nations communities on the West Coast.

Hasheukumiss provides insight into the role of hereditary chiefs and how they work alongside the elected band council to steward their nation's lands, waters, and resources.

They delve into the Ahousaht First Nation's efforts to diversify its economy as well as the challenges the nation faces in navigating relationships with various levels of government.

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Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, the premier video podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.

In this episode, Peter Copeland, Deputy Director of MLI's Domestic Program, is joined by Kristopher Kinsinger, an Ontario lawyer and civil liberties advocate, to discuss the pressing issues surrounding freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly in Canada.

They delve into the legal framework and jurisprudence around our fundamental Charter rights, and highlight recent Supreme Court cases that have grappled with the limits of hate speech and offensive expression.

They also explore a current case Kinsinger is involved in, where he represents the Canadian Constitution Foundation in a challenge to a municipal bylaw restricting "objectionable" conduct on public property.

Kinsinger offers sharp insights into the shifting landscape of civil liberties and underscores the urgent need to safeguard the fundamental freedoms that uphold a free and democratic society.

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Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, the premier video podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.

In this episode, Alex Dalziel, Senior Fellow and National Security Project Lead at MLI, sits down with Jamie Tronnes, the Executive Director of MLI's Center for North American Prosperity and Security in Washington, DC. They dive deep into the pressing issues surrounding Canada's immigration policy and its impact on the Canada-U.S. border:

What changes has Canada made to its immigration system in the wake of COVID-19, and how is this affecting the flow of people across the northern border? How are temporary foreign workers and international students faring in Canada, and what are the implications of their potential southward movement? What policy recommendations do experts have to address these complex cross-border challenges?

Tune in to hear Jamie Tronnes' insightful analysis and practical solutions to this critical Canada-U.S. policy issue.

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Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, the premier video podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.

In this episode, Alex Dalziel sits down with Jamie Ferrill, Head of Financial Crime Studies & Lecturer at the Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security, to tackle Canada’s growing challenges with transnational crime and money laundering.

Ferrill explains how criminal networks exploit global trade routes and complex supply chains to shift massive illicit funds across borders and through Canada.

She explore the vulnerabilities in Canada’s trade relationships with the U.S. and China, the rise of trade-based money laundering, and how criminal organizations use tactics like gold smuggling, art undervaluation, and luxury goods trading to conceal millions.

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