Resuming Debate

“Woke Capitalism” is the way that large and powerful corporations push their affiliation with socially-progressive movements and causes. Woke Capitalism upends traditional categories of “left” and “right”. The left are usually critics of corporate power, but don’t mind corporate power when it serves their interests. Conservatives traditionally see themselves as allies of the business community, and don’t always know how to respond to businesses that push woke values. I’ve long believed that woke capitalism raises serious problems for the health and independence of democratic debate, and therefore it needs to be discussed and challenged.

In this episode I discuss this topic with Carl Rhodes, author of Woke Capitalism: How Corporate Morality is Sabotaging Democracy. Carl is the Dean of the University of Technology Sydney Business School in Australia. He mostly researches the relationship between business and society. We discuss the implications of Work Capitalism and what we should do about it.

To never miss another episode, follow Resuming Debate on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and don’t forget to leave a review.

Charles Hoskinson is one of the biggest names in crypto-currency. Charles was a co-founder of Ethereum and founder of the Cardano blockchain. The Cardano blockchain has been involved in development projects in Ethiopia and other African countries. As Conservative Shadow Minister for International Development, I wanted to bring Charles on to discuss the exciting potential in this technology for promoting development and fighting poverty around the world.

Whether you’ve been following discussions on blockchain and crypto-currency or not, you’ll learn a lot from this episode. This technology has the potential to create incredible new opportunities for low-income people around the world by making it a lot easier and cheaper to transfer money.

To never miss another episode, follow Resuming Debate on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and don’t forget to leave a review.

Elizabeth May and I disagree on many things, but we've been friends for a number of years and worked together on areas where we can find common ground. Elizabeth is the former Green Party of Canada Leader and current MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands. We discuss the nature of the Green Party, partisanship, environmental policy, and her views on the Convoy and other forms of civil disobedience.

To never miss another episode, follow Resuming Debate on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and don’t forget to leave a review.

We are in the midst of the Global Week of Prayer for China, and in that light I was pleased to be joined for this episode by Pastor Bob Fu. Bob Fu grew up in China and was a student activist who participated in the famous Tiananmen Square democracy protest. His experience at Tiananmen Square led him to pursue a life of faith and eventually to become a pastor. On this episode we discuss his story, as well as the situation confronting the Christian community in China today.

You can find out more about Bob Fu’s work at chinaaid.org.

To never miss another episode, follow Resuming Debate on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and don’t forget to leave a review.

Blockchain technology and crypto-currency has been at the centre of debate in this year's Conservative leadership race, sparking many opinions on both sides. As someone who is not deeply involved in the crypto-currency scene, I hosted two experts from the industry and economic side of blockchain technology to explain the technology, and to discuss the most common debates around the topic.

I am joined by Koleya Karringten, the CEO of Absolute Combustion, Executive Director of the Canadian Blockchain Consortium and Co-Founder of the Canadian Blockchain Association for Women, and Professor Henry Kim, an associate Professor and Director for blockchain.lab at Schulich School of Business at York University. He has authored more than 30 publications on blockchain topics and advised several blockchain startups.

You can find more further information and education on the subject of Blockchain technology through the Canada Blockchain Consortium at https://www.canadablockchain.ca/

All opinions expressed in this podcast are not financial advice.     

On this episode of Resuming Debate I am joined by Giles Milton to discuss his book Churchill's Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare: The Mavericks Who Plotted Hitler's Defeat. The book tells the incredible story of the decisive impact of a special British division aimed at sabotaging the German war effort through clandestine and “ungentlemanly” means. This story is highly relevant now, as the sabotage of Russian supply lines appears to be playing a significant role in the conflict in Ukraine.

In addition to tactical and strategic issues, we also reflect on the important moral questions about guerrilla warfare.

To never miss another episode, follow Resuming Debate on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and don’t forget to leave a review.

Former Chief Justice of Canada Beverly McLachlin continues to serve on Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal, despite the high-profile recent resignation of British judges. Since the adoption of the National Security Law, Hong Kong has effectively lost its distinct legal status and the independence of its judiciary has been under attack. Questions are increasingly being asked about the role being played by foreign judges within Hong Kong’s judiciary, and about what can be done to re-assert Hong Kong’s distinctive status.

Dr. Ryan Alford, Associate professor at the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law at Lakehead University, and Chi-Kun Sun, Lawyer and Mediator in Toronto, join me to discuss the rule of law in Hong Kong. Both have been outspoken critics of Beverly McLachlin's continuing presence on the Court of Final Appeal.

To never miss another episode, follow Resuming Debate on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and don’t forget to leave a review.

I am pleased to be joined by the Member of Parliament for Calgary Shepard, Tom Kmiec. Tom has a very unique story. He was born in Poland during Communist times, migrated to Quebec with his family, and then moved to Alberta as an adult. Tom brings many insights to his role as an MP about responding to Russian aggression and about the role that Alberta can play in contributing to global security.

On this episode, we discuss the current crisis in Europe, the way that Russian energy exports are fueling Putin's war, and how Canada is in a unique position to replace Russian gas and allow Europe to strengthen its sanctions.

You can find Tom's substack of the same name at https://tomkmiec.substack.com/

To never miss another episode, follow Resuming Debate on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and don’t forget to leave a review.

The German resistance to Hitler is a matter of great historical significance, but also of great contemporary relevance. The importance of and the way to push back against the spirit of the age was well demonstrated during this period, and there may be lessons from this resistance about what might be happening right now in Russia.

On this episode I am joined by Dr. Randall Hansen, (Director of the Centre for European, Russian & Eurasian Studies, Munk School, University of Toronto and author of Disobeying Hitler: German Resistance after Operation Valkyrie) and Fr. Daniel Utrecht (priest at the Oratory of St Philip Neri, Toronto and author of The Lion of Muenster: the Bishop who Roared against the Nazis).

Some other books I recommend on this topic are Nein!: Standing Up to Hitler 1935–1944 (by Paddy Ashdown) and Church of Spies: The Pope's Secret War Against Hitler (by Mark Riebling).

To never miss another episode, follow Resuming Debate on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and don’t forget to leave a review.

I am joined by Senator Ratna Omidvar, an independent senator from Toronto. Senator Omidvar has worked extensively in support of Canadian charities, both before and since getting appointed to the Senate. She is the sponsor of Bill S-216, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (use of resources of a registered charity). This bill would end Direction and Control regulation for Canadian charities. Direction and Control regulations impose significant legal burdens on charities and trap them in colonial relationships with communities that they work with. Passing her bill is a top priority for the Canadian charitable sector.

In this conversation, we talk about the role of the Senate, Direction and Control, and other steps that can be taken to support Canadian charities.

You can listen to Senator Omidvar's podcast here: http://www.ratnaomidvar.ca/podcast/

To never miss another episode, follow Resuming Debate on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and don’t forget to leave a review.