Alex Aragona speaks with Graeme Thompson about Canada's evolving role on the global stage, from Confederation through to the post-Cold War era and into the geopolitical uncertainties of today. They explore Canada’s historical balancing act between major powers, its close alignment with the United Kingdom and later the United States, and its present-day challenges in maintaining global relevance amid military underinvestment and economic stagnation. Thompson argues that Canada must become more serious about geopolitics if it wants to protect its sovereignty and remain influential internationally.

“Canadians no longer take geopolitics seriously – and our neglect is going to cost us” by Graeme Thompson (The Hub)

Biography Collection: Ogdensburg Agreement and Canadian Wartime Diplomacy (Dictionary of Canadian Biography)

Statute of Westminster (1931) – Recognized Canada’s legislative independence from Britain

NATO Archives: Canada's Role and Early Involvement

Canada–U.S. Automotive Products Agreement (Auto Pact)

Lament for a Nation by George Grant

Canada’s Military Expenditure and NATO’s 2% Spending Target (Parliamentary Budget Officer)

Including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit:

In this episode from 2023, Matt speaks with Iain Murray about the estrangement of conservative liberalism from identitarian forms of conservative nationalism and the intriguing alliances that may arise in the future between freedom-loving libertarians and some unlikely allies. 

Episode Notes:

Iain's book "The Socialist Temptation" https://a.co/d/5AUQHQp 

One of Iain's articles on the subject https://cei.org/blog/european-populism-is-nationalist-conservatism/ 

"Do Libertarians Have a Political Home Anymore?" by Iain Murray https://www.acton.org/religion-liberty/volume-35-number-1-2/do-libertarians-have-political-home-anymore 

Summary of Hillbilly Elegy by JD Vance https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillbilly_Elegy 

Ezra Klein's comment on "Everything Bagel Liberalism" https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/02/opinion/democrats-liberalism.html 

Matt speaks with Franco Terrazzano about the carbon tax within the broader context of government spending, taxation, and fiscal responsibility in Canada. They discuss the impact of high government debt, the role of the federal budget, and the long-term consequences of deficit spending. Terrazzano critiques the federal carbon tax, arguing that it places an unnecessary burden on Canadians while failing to achieve its intended environmental goals, and points to some glaring instances of hypocrisy on the part of its supporters.

Axing the Tax: 100 Simple and Painless Ways to Save Money on Your Taxes by Franco Terrazzano

https://a.co/d/azlHzK6 

"Carbon tax costs average Ontario family $627 this year" by Franco Terrazzano (Canadian Taxpayers Federation)

https://www.taxpayer.com/newsroom/carbon-tax-costs-average-ontario-family-627-this-year

"PBO confirms carbon tax costs more than rebates" by Franco Terrazzano (Canadian Taxpayers Federation)

https://www.taxpayer.com/newsroom/pbo-confirms-carbon-tax-costs-more-than-rebates

"Carbon tax bureaucracy costs taxpayers $800 million" by Franco Terrazzano (Canadian Taxpayers Federation)

https://www.taxpayer.com/newsroom/carbon-tax-bureaucracy-costs-taxpayers-800-million

"Cut taxes and government spending to combat inflation" by Franco Terrazzano (EnergyNow)

https://energynow.ca/2022/02/news-release-cut-taxes-and-government-spending-to-combat-inflation

Including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit:

In this episode from 2021, Alex Aragona speaks with Graeme Thompson about the classical liberal tradition in Canada, and what the evolution of that tradition has looked like.

References from The Curious Task Episode 94 with Graeme Thompson

Matt Bufton speaks with Matt McManus about the philosophical foundations of liberalism and socialism, exploring how these two traditions intersect and diverge. They discuss McManus’ work on the political theory of liberal socialism, the historical tensions between the two ideologies, and the ways in which contemporary political movements reflect aspects of both. The conversation also touches on critiques of classical liberal thought, the role of the state in economic justice, and the potential for a synthesis between liberal and socialist principles.

The Political Theory of Liberal Socialism by Matt McManus

https://www.routledge.com/The-Political-Theory-of-Liberal-Socialism/McManus/p/book/9781032647234?srsltid=AfmBOorDPxbjpTmpCJ2dgOznjWaxh8s53bHfYJ9odk360mjLFnf77MK_ 

A Critical Legal Examination of Liberalism and Liberal Rights by Matt McManus

https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-61025-8 

Liberalism and Socialism: Mortal Enemies or Embittered Kin? (Edited by Matt McManus)

https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-79537-5

Why Socialists Shouldn’t Reject Liberalism An interview with

https://jacobin.com/2024/08/socialism-liberalism-mill-marx-moyn 

Matt's portfolio on Academia.edu 

https://umich.academia.edu/MatthewMcManus 

Including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit:

Alex Aragona speaks with James Harrigan about U.S.-Canada relations, with a focus on tariffs, trade policy, and economic misunderstandings that shape political discourse. James critiques the expansion of tariffs under Trump and challenges the idea that protectionism helps domestic industries. The conversation highlights the historical benefits of free trade, the consequences of government intervention in markets, and the flawed assumptions underlying modern trade restrictions.

References

James on X:

The Centre for American Culture and Ideas:

The Words And Numbers Podcast:

"Fair Trade Encourages Free Trade" by James Harrigan and Antony Davies:

Thanks to our patrons, including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit https://patreon.com/curioustask.

Matt Bufton speaks with Don Boudreaux about tariffs, free trade, and the economic misunderstandings that drive protectionist policies. Don critiques the balance of trade doctrine, drawing from historical examples and economic theory to explain why tariffs harm both consumers and producers. The discussion covers the impact of tariffs on the U.S. and Canada, how politicians exploit economic misconceptions, and why a policy of unilateral free trade would be the best path forward.

References

Globalization by Don Boudreaux

The Essential Hayek by Don Boudreaux

"The Case for Free Trade" by Don Boudreaux (Mercatus Center)

"Don't Get Played By Protectionists" (Cafe Hayek)

"On America's Trade Deficit With China" by Don Boudreaux

"Adam Smith Doesn't Like U.S. Trade Policy" by Stuart Anderson

Thanks to our patrons, including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit https://patreon.com/curioustask.

Matt Bufton speaks with Ryan Manucha about interprovincial trade in Canada, focusing on the legal and economic barriers that hinder free trade between provinces. They discuss Ryan’s book Booze, Cigarettes, and Constitutional Dust-Ups, examining how constitutional law, historical disputes, and political inertia have shaped Canada’s fragmented trade landscape. The conversation explores key legal cases, the role of the Supreme Court, and potential reforms that could enhance economic cooperation across the country.

References

Booze, Cigarettes, and Constitutional Dust-Ups: Canada's Quest for Interprovincial Free Trade by Ryan Manucha

Gold Seal Ltd. v. Alberta (Attorney-General) (1921) – Key legal case on interprovincial trade barriers

R. v. Comeau (2018) – Supreme Court decision on cross-border alcohol sales

Interprovincial Trade Barriers in Canada: Options for Moving Forward by Alvarez et al.

Provincial Red Tape Report Card by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB)

Internal Trade in Canada: Case for Liberalization by the International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Thanks to our patrons, including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit https://patreon.com/curioustask.

Matt speaks with Bart Wilson about what economists often overlook in their analysis—specifically, the role of morality, human cooperation, and language in shaping economic behaviour. Wilson argues that mainstream economics tends to focus too much on scarcity and efficiency while neglecting the deeper social and moral foundations that make trade and prosperity possible. Drawing on his book Meaningful Economics: Making the Science of Prosperity More Human, he explores how concepts like property, reciprocity, and justice emerge from human relationships rather than being imposed from the top down. 

References:

Meaningful Economics: Making the Science of Prosperity More Human by Bart Wilson

The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith

The Theory of Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith

Knowledge and Decisions by Thomas Sowell

The Invisible Heart: An Economic Romance by Russell Roberts

Thanks to our patrons, including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit our Patreon page. 

Alex Aragona speaks with Tim Thurley about gun policy in Canada, discussing the current state of firearm regulations, the shift away from a past political consensus, and whether recent legislative changes are effectively targeting crime. They explore the role of licensing, background checks, and storage laws, as well as the impact of smuggled firearms and high-profile policy changes like Bill C-21 and the handgun freeze. Thurley argues that recent policy shifts focus on legal gun owners while failing to address the main sources of gun crime in Canada.

References

"Aiming Off Target: Gun Policy in Canada" by Tim Thurley & Noah Schwartz (Macdonald-Laurier Institute)

"On gun control, Liberals opt for wedge politics over actual change" by Noah Schwartz

"More Guns, Less Crime" by John R. Lott Jr.

"The Culture of Fear: Why Americans Are Afraid of the Wrong Things" by Barry Glassner

"The Origins and Development of Canada’s Firearms Laws" by R. Blake Brown

"Armed: New Perspectives on Gun Control" by Gary Kleck & Don B. Kates

Thanks to our patrons, including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit https://patreon.com/curioustask.