Podcasts
WONK is the Public Policy Forum’s weekly podcast exploring the big policy questions shaping Canada’s future. Hosted by award-winning journalist Michael Serapio, the new season asks what it will take to build a more prosperous, resilient and ambitious country. Each episode brings leading voices into thoughtful, non-partisan conversations about investment, trade, major projects, health, Canada’s place in the world and more. Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. (What’s a WONK, you ask? We’ve got you covered.)
Dominic LeBlanc on getting to ‘zero’ tariffs
On WONK this week, the minister of trade and intergovernmental affairs talks to host Amanda Lang about getting a trade deal with America and making 'one Canadian economy'
How Canada’s biggest energy storage project got built
On this episode of WONK, host Amanda Lang talks to the driving forces behind the Oneida Energy Storage Project about Indigenous partnership and the secrets to their success
Measles is back. How did it come to this?
On this episode of WONK, Dr. Joss Reimer and Dr. Michael Gardam discuss the ‘devastating’ return of measles, the vaccination problem and hard COVID lessons
Paul Wells: Is Canadian politics actually getting nicer?
This week on WONK, host Amanda Lang talks to journalist Paul Wells about moving past political animosity, toxic social media and the path ahead for the new PM
Sally Armstrong on the ongoing fight for women’s rights
On this episode of WONK, the groundbreaking war correspondent and author talks to Amanda Lang about the 'greedy men' who start wars and the struggle to protect human rights
America’s slide toward ‘modern tyranny’
On this episode of WONK, Amanda Lang talks to historian and author Timothy Snyder about efforts to weaken the American state and what can be done to save it
Let’s build a better Canada together. Whether you’re looking to support our mission by becoming a member, partnering with us on a project or sponsoring an event, your engagement helps drive informed, inclusive policy across the country.
What Canadians need to be talking about this election
On WONK this week, host Amanda Lang talks to an all-star election panel about the big issues, the rise of economic nationalism and some positive notes from the campaign
Is an EU-like arrangement the answer to Canada’s trade crisis?
On PPF's podcast WONK, host Amanda Lang talks to Roger Martin about the unravelling of global trade and why a customs union could be the solution for Canada
How government works in an election on top of a trade war
On WONK this week, host Amanda Lang talks to former Privy Council clerk Michael Wernick about executive restraint, 'pruning' the public service and learning from U.S. mistakes
Fighting about U.S. fighter jets (and government procurement)
On WONK this week, Peter MacKay and Sahir Khan discuss the perils of public procurement and how the F-35 purchase haunts us still
Andrew Furey on the nastiness of politics and facing Donald Trump
On WONK this week, the popular premier of Newfoundland and Labrador talks about his decision to exit politics, his fears about Trump's 'imperialistic' agenda and a Canada-first response.
David Paterson on fighting the trade war and winning over Republicans
On WONK, Ontario's trade representative in the U.S. talks to Amanda Lang about his message to Republicans and why he's optimistic a resolution is possible
How to save a crumbling pillar of Canadian democracy: local news
Lisa Sygutek of the Crowsnest Pass Herald, Stacey Brzostowski of The Haida Gwaii News, and Andrew Phillips, a columnist with The Toronto Star, talk about the role of local news and stopping its decline
A 30-day window to save Canada’s economy
In this episode of WONK, Riaz Kara, Janice Stein and Edward Greenspon discuss the trade war pause and what Canada has to do to face this existential threat