This week, we’re replaying one of our favourite interviews.

• Graham Carr, President and Vice-Chancellor of Concordia University

• Maud Cohen, President of Polytechnique Montréal

• Christopher Manfredi, Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic) at McGill University

Writer, professor and cousin-of-Paul Ira Wells was concerned about the rise of censorship coming from both sides of the political spectrum. So he wrote a book about it, diving into the history of people trying to control what you read.

That book is called On Book Banning: Or, How the New Censorship Consensus Trivializes Art and Undermines Democracy. He talks to Paul about the personal incident that sent him down this path, how the censors justify their actions, new threats to books in the digital age, and much more. 

Season 3 of The Paul Wells Show is sponsored by McGill University’s Max Bell School of Public Policy.

The Conservative leader is planning a big rally in Ottawa this weekend. It follows a sustained slide in the polls. Can he change his message for a world of Donald Trump and Mark Carney? Does he even want to? Our Panel — Garry Keller, Allison Gifford, Marci Surkes — discusses all of this and more.

Jonathan Wilkinson has a lot going on. As the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, he holds a critical position in trade disputes with the U.S. He talks to Paul about dealing with the Trump administration, adapting Canada's energy strategy to a new reality, and the difficult decision not to run for Liberal leadership. 

Season 3 of The Paul Wells Show is sponsored by McGill University’s Max Bell School of Public Policy.

Donald Trump’s return to power could have serious consequences for Canada. First, there’s the threat of tariffs. Then there’s that other thing about making us the 51st state. This week, we get two takes on the situation.

First on the show, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith talks about why she opposes the threats to cut off energy exports to the U.S. in retaliation for tariffs. It's a position that has caused some politicians to say she’s working against Team Canada. 

Then, Penn State historian Amy Greenberg talks about Manifest Destiny, the idea that Americans had a divine duty to expand their territory. Her books include A Wicked War and Manifest Destiny and American Territorial Expansion.

Season 3 of The Paul Wells Show is sponsored by McGill University’s Max Bell School of Public Policy.