Is Canada's deficit out of control? Can we afford the COVID-19 relief programs already in place? How will we pay back the cost of pandemic relief? Can we get back to budget balance? What does a proper fiscal recovery look like? The COVID-19 pandemic has simply uprooted Canada's fiscal plan.

Kevin Page, President and CEO of the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy and Canada's first ever Parliamentary Budget Officer, joins us to talk about these questions and more in an in-depth conversation about the country's financial state.

Ontario's Education Minister, the Hon. Stephen Lecce, spent the first half of this year fighting to keep kids inside the classroom. Little did he know, he'd spend the second half fighting to ensure they had the resources needed to learn outside the classroom because of COVID-19. Minister Lecce joins the podcast for a fascinating talk about the decision to close Ontario's schools to protect from the pandemic, the path forward when schools resume, the future of child care in Ontario, and a look back at the recently concluded round of negotiations with the province's big 4 teachers' unions.

Ontario's Education Minister, the Hon. Stephen Lecce, spent the first half of this year fighting to keep kids inside the classroom. Little did he know, he'd spend the second half fighting to ensure they had the resources needed to learn outside the classroom because of COVID-19. Minister Lecce joins the podcast for a fascinating talk about the decision to close Ontario's schools to protect from the pandemic, the path forward when schools resume, the future of child care in Ontario, and a look back at the recently concluded round of negotiations with the province's big 4 teachers' unions.

The Canadian auto show was supposed to be the highlight of early 2020 - but then COVID-19 hit. Flavio Volpe, President of the Auto Parts Manufacturers Association put out the call to convert assembly lines for car doors and engines into factories making everything from ventilators to medical gowns. In a matter of days, they re-tooled and launched the largest peace time manufacturing mobilization Canada's ever seen. Flavio takes us through it and talks about the future of auto as we emerge from COVID-19.

The Canadian auto show was supposed to be the highlight of early 2020 - but then COVID-19 hit. Flavio Volpe, President of the Auto Parts Manufacturers Association put out the call to convert assembly lines for car doors and engines into factories making everything from ventilators to medical gowns. In a matter of days, they re-tooled and launched the largest peace time manufacturing mobilization Canada's ever seen. Flavio takes us through it and talks about the future of auto as we emerge from COVID-19.

Ken Boessenkool, a native of Alberta, was once described as "an election strategist and policy chef who lurks around conservative parties everywhere in Canada." True to form, Ken recently came up with the idea of a Crisis Basic Income - a temporary universal basic income that could be taxed back from wealthier people next year - to respond to COVID-19. On this episode, we discuss that idea in-depth as well as what negative oil prices may mean for Alberta's COVID-19 recovery efforts.

Ken Boessenkool, a native of Alberta, was once described as "an election strategist and policy chef who lurks around conservative parties everywhere in Canada.” True to form, Ken recently came up with the idea of a Crisis Basic Income - a temporary universal basic income that could be taxed back from wealthier people next year - to respond to COVID-19. On this episode, we discuss that idea in-depth as well as what negative oil prices may mean for Alberta's COVID-19 recovery efforts. 

Nathan Cullen, former 15 year British Columbia NDP Member of Parliament, joins us to talk about the impacts of COVID-19 out West, the future of the New Democratic Party, and he gives us an update on what he's up to - including his role as British Columbia's liaison with the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs negotiating over the Coastal Gas Link pipeline. Nathan gives his thoughts on what to watch for in a COVID-19 recovery, a behind the scenes look at what life as an MP was really like, and a synopsis on the state of federal politics today.

Nathan Cullen, former 15 year British Columbia NDP Member of Parliament, joins us to talk about the impacts of COVID-19 out West, the future of the New Democratic Party, and he gives us an update on what he's up to - including his role as British Columbia's liaison with the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs negotiating over the Coastal Gas Link pipeline. Nathan gives his thoughts on what to watch for in a COVID-19 recovery, a behind the scenes look at what life as an MP was really like, and a synopsis on the state of federal politics today.

How will COVID-19 change the Canadian economy? What do policy makers need to do to ensure we can properly recover from COVID-19? Where can relief packages be strengthened and what policies are needed next? On this episode, we're joined by Karim Bardeesy - former Deputy Principal Secretary to the Premier of Ontario and current head of the Ryerson Leadership Lab to talk policy shop related to COVID-19. Listen to Karim's unique thoughts and ideas on everything from auto insurance relief to a made in Ontario small business lender to the need to protect equality and human capital in the policy responses in the months to come.