Political Traction

Faced with volatile economic circumstances, the federal government presented its 2023 budget, which Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister Freeland argue will help Canada and Canadians respond to global trends like friendshoring and the shift to green energy. Billed as a plan to build a stronger, more sustainable and more secure economy, Budget 2023 includes substantial tax credits for clean tech, new taxes on stock buybacks, and modest efforts to address affordability. Adam is joined by Alex Ballingall, a reporter for the Toronto Star’s Parliament Hill Bureau, and Navigator’s own Daniele Medlej, a Liberal strategist and former communications director, to dive into what implications this budget holds for Canadians.

On Thursday, Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy presented his third provincial budget – signalling a shift in focus from COVID-19 to weathering the coming economic headwinds. On this week’s episode of Political Traction, Adam is joined by Laura Stone, Queen’s Park reporter for the Globe and Mail, Colin D’Mello, Queen’s Park Bureau Chief for Global News and President of the Queen’s Park Press Gallery and Navigator’s very own Brayden Akers, to unpack Budget 2023.

Last month, the federal government banned TikTok from being installed on all government-issued devices, citing security concerns related to the app’s ownership by a company with close ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This week, Adam Owen is joined by Chris Nardi, parliamentary reporter for the National Post, to discuss the government’s decision and its framing within the larger issue of CCP’s interference in Canada’s internal affairs.

Following more than a decade in some of the highest-ranking positions in the previous Ontario government, Charles Sousa has returned to public service as a Member of Parliament in Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government. This week, Adam Owen is joined by Charles to explore his decision to come out of political retirement, and the role he sees himself playing at Parliament Hill.

With Chinese weather balloons, an American news anchor threatening war against Canada, and public broadcasters getting political, silly season has officially begun. This week, Adam is joined by Tasha Kheiriddin, a principal in Navigator’s Toronto office, and Catherine Moar, an associate principal in Navigator’s Calgary office, to discuss these recent issues and the impact they’ve had on the current political landscape.

Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premiers from across Canada unveiled the federal government’s plan for healthcare funding over the next 10 years. Despite high expectations, some experts consider the plan to have fallen short and believe that much more funding and innovation is needed to repair the strained system. This week, Adam is joined by University Health Network’s President and CEO, Kevin Smith, to discuss the challenges facing the healthcare system and if Ottawa’s offer is sufficient to address its systemic issues.

Following two historic electoral losses, the Ontario Liberal Party is facing an existential crisis as it prepares to pick its next leader. Some veteran members and former cabinet ministers made headlines recently by releasing a letter asking Ontario Green Party leader Mike Schreiner to ditch his party and run for OLP leadership. First, Adam is joined by Kate Graham, a former Ontario Liberal leadership candidate and candidate in London North Centre, who signed the letter. Then, he catches up with Sharan Kaur, a Liberal strategist and political analyst who has vocally criticized the campaign, to discuss both sides of the issue, and the future of the party.

We have seen successive governments purposefully cater policy to the oldest among us, and ask the younger generations to pick up the tab. What kind of impact will this have on the opportunities and optimism our youth have for their futures? This week, Adam is joined by Sean Speer, who has sat on Canada’s leading think tanks, acted as a leading policy analyst to Stephen Harper, and currently teaches at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto, to discuss whether this imbalance will create a divide amongst Canadians, or if it’s a necessary part of growing up in an aging society.

Rising incidents of crime are causing anxiety amongst Canadians. With all parties pointing fingers, the Trudeau Liberals have been silent on the issue. What will it take to finally see decisive action? This week, Adam is joined by Tristin Hopper, a columnist for the National Post, to discuss the alarming rise in crime, and what it means for Canadians’ trust (or lack thereof) in the country’s legal system.

In our final episode of 2022, host Adam Owen is joined by Navigator colleagues Michael Cooke, Rosa Ellithorpe and Tasha Kheiriddin. The panel unpacks this year’s top events and highlights what 2023 may bring from foreign affairs and healthcare to grocery prices and the possibility of a federal election.