Resuming Debate

The COVID-19 pandemic is approaching its second birthday. As people and governments think about how we can get back to some level of normalcy, vaccination has become a central part of this discussion. In November 2021, the Government of Canada announced a mandatory vaccination policy for public service workers.

For the first half of this episode, I am joined by Stéphane Aubry, the National Vice-President of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada. It is the largest union in Canada representing scientists and professionals employed at the federal level, representing a total of 57,000 members. During the second half, I debate Nathaniel (Nate) Erskine-Smith, MP for the riding of Beaches—East York since 2015. We discuss (in his words) “sex, drugs, and vaccination”. Nate has a long history of speaking about civil liberties and spent time doing volunteer legal work for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association before getting elected. We talk about whether policies that limit the rights of unvaccinated people are analogous to certain other limitations on individual freedom.

Today we dive into the inspiring and heartbreaking struggle for freedom in Belarus. I am joined by Valery Kavaleuski, Head of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Cabinet of Representatives and the Cabinet’s Representative of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Kavaleuski provides a fascinating account of Mrs. Tsikhanouskaya’s brave and surprising journey to become the elected and exiled leader of the people of Belarus. Mr. Kavaleuski also shares candid insights with me on the current situation under Aleksandr Lukashenko’s dictatorial and illegitimate regime.

Mrs. Tsikhanouskaya was underestimated by Belarus’ political elite. But she is standing up to dictators in both Belarus and Russia, and she fights for justice for her people and her family. I hope that you enjoy this episode and are inspired and motivated to support the people of Belarus in their struggle for freedom and democracy.

Write letters to political prisoners in Belarus through https://politzek.me/ or https://vkletochku.org/en

Today’s episode features an hour-long interview with former Liberal MP, Celina Caesar-Chavannes. Celina served as a Liberal Member of Parliament during the 42nd Parliament for the riding of Whitby in Ontario, as well as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and then to the Minister of International Development. Following the SNC-Lavalin scandal, Celina resigned as a member of the Liberal caucus and chose to sit as an Independent MP for the remainder of the term.

During this interview, we discuss Can You Hear Me Now?, which is probably the most raw political memoir that I have ever read. Celina discusses personal authenticity, her experience as an immigrant, and finding her passion and purpose. She also shares candid reflections on Justin Trudeau, her reasons for leaving the Liberal party, why she did not run for a second term, and what she thinks of the Conservative Party.

I hope that you enjoy this episode of Resuming Debate.

Every working Canadian has a portion of their income deducted and put towards their pension. This money is then invested by the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB). Today we discuss serious concerns that have been raised about how CPPIB investments in China may be contributing to human rights abuses, as well as steps that we could take to prevent further abuses in the future.

For this first part of this discussion I am joined by Sam Goodman, Senior Policy Advisor for Hong Kong Watch. Hong Kong Watch recently put out a report about CPPIB and other Canadian pension funds which are investing in China. You can find their report here. In the second half I am joined by NDP MP Alistair MacGregor. Alistair has put forward a bill on this issue, Bill C-231. 

In this episode we explore the serious concerns involved and also the practical challenges of legislating in this area.

This week we discuss euthanasia/MAID – expansions implemented in Bill C-7 (including allowing euthanasia for those with mental health challenges) as well as the likelihood that the government will attempt further expansion in the future. During the first half I speak with Dr. Ramona Coelho about how her medical practice has shaped her views on this topic, and Lia Milousis about her personal story struggling with mental health challenges. In the second half I am joined by independent-minded Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith. We don’t agree on much, but we always have great conversations.

On this week’s episode of Resuming Debate, we dive deeply into Bill C-10 and Freedom of Speech in Canada. My guest that I am interviewing today is Michael Geist. Michael is a Canadian academic and author, as well as a professor of law and the Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-commerce Law at the University of Ottawa.

In the second half I am joined by Liberal MP Anthony Housefather. Anthony Housefather was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Mount Royal on October 19, 2015.  From 2015 to 2019, he was the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. Following his re-election in 2019, he was appointed to serve as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour. He is also a standing member of the Heritage committee currently studying C-10.

In recent weeks, the government has been rocked by a scandal involving sexual misconduct allegation in the military. How do we both respond to these kinds of problems and also work to rebuild trust in our key institutions?

My opening guests are Katie Kitschke and Daniel Gilman. Katie Kitschke is the Executive Director for SAFFRON Centre in Sherwood Park, Alberta, a non-profit organization working to help those who have been affected by sexual violence. Daniel Gilman is a Victim’s Advocate with the Whitestone Clinic in Ottawa as well as a full time public speaking coach for pastors, professors, and politicians. I’m joined in the second half by Green MP Jenica Atwin.

We are entering a period of heightened conflict between democratic nations and the government of China, for a lot of very serious and important reasons. At the same time, we are seeing heightened anti-Asian racism within our own societies, including here in Canada. Some argue that we should dampen criticism of Chinese state actions in hopes of not contributing to this racism. Others say that the Chinese state is trying to exploit the situation by intentionally using the threat of anti-Asian racism to blunt criticism and continue abusing human rights.

The first half of today's episode features an interview with Chemi Lhamo and Cherie Wong, followed by a debate with MP John McKay (Liberal MP for Scarborough—Guildwood) and MP Kenny Chiu (Conservative MP for Steveston—Richmond East).

Chemi Lhamo is currently the Communications Coordinator for the City of Toronto’s COVID-19 response team for Downtown West Cluster and the Research Lead at the Parkdale People’s Economy. She has previously served as the CEO/President and Vice President Equity and the Racialized Students' Collective coordinator of the Student's Union at University of Toronto Scarborough.

Cherie Wong is a politico, policy analyst, and advocate.  She is the founder and Executive Director of Alliance Canada Hong Kong (ACHK), a grassroots organization that mobilize the Hong Kong-Canada communities to take civic actions in support of the democratic development of Hong Kong and to combat the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) global authoritarianism. Known as a fierce human rights advocate, Cherie has played an influential role in advancing political changes and is tirelessly raising awareness of the CCP’s oppression of Hong Kong.