The rise of digital media and technology has transformed how we engage in democratic processes and public debate. In Canada and around the world, digital threats are contributing to polarizing societies and weakening institutions. That’s why Canada 2020 launched Democracy in the Digital Age, a new series challenging Canadians to rethink their approach to defending our democratic institutions.

Listen to a conversation between Minister Steven Guilbeault, Canada’s Minister of Canadian Heritage, in conversation with Anja Karadeglija, Parliamentary Reporter at the National Post, exploring Canada’s approach to reducing the harms of digital technology on democracy and public life, as well as a follow up panel with Laura Tribe, Executive Director of Open Media, Will Perrin, Trustee at Carnegie Trust UK, and Vivek Krishnamurthy, the Samuelson-Glushko Professor of Law and Director of Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic.

Democracy in the Digital Age: Addressing Online Harms

Listen to a conversation with Mark Carney on his new book VALUE(s): Building a Better World for All, a bold and urgent examination of the radical, foundational change required if we are to build an economy and society based not on market values, but on human values.

VALUE(S): Building a Better World for All, in-conversation with Mark Carney

There are plenty of criticisms of democracy in Canada. While the country ranks in the upper echelons of mainstream reviewers concerned with global comparisons, there are disconcerting cracks in the foundation of our self-government. 

Indeed, the foundation itself is fundamentally flawed. One could—and should—point out the country’s inequities and inequalities, embedded colonialism, vestigial electoral system, and so forth. But on this episode, our focus is on a sort of immanent critique of Canada’s Westminster system itself, on its own terms. And so we ask: What’s wrong with Canada’s democracy?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Emmett Macfarlane, associate professor of political science at the University of Waterloo and author of Constitutional Pariah: Reference re Senate Reform and the Future of Parliament.

Open to Debate: What’s wrong with Canada’s democracy?

Almost six years after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) presented its 94 Calls to Action, only 13 have been completed. 

In this first episode of Everyday Reconciliation, host Elin Miller speaks to TRC commissioner Marie Wilson and former Premier of the Northwest Territories Stephen Kakfwi about what individual Canadians can do to help implement the Calls. Content warning: This conversation mentions sexual abuse and may be upsetting for some listeners.

Everyday Reconciliation: Calling for Action

No Second Chances is back, and we’re taking the show on the road. Well, sort of. Join host Kate Graham for a (virtual) world tour, exploring what’s worked in countries around the world towards getting women into the top political roles. Hear stories and voices that you may not know yet -- but that we should all be paying attention to. Pack your bags. Our journey starts on January 10, 2022.

No Second Chances: A Second Chance

There is no reconciliation without economic reconciliation. So why do we tend to shy away from talking about it? Perhaps too few of us understand what economic reconciliation means, beyond mere resource development. 

On this episode of Everyday Reconciliation, host Elin Miller speaks with Chief Leanne Joe, Transformative Storyteller for Economic Reconciliation with Simon Fraser University and one of sixteen hereditary chiefs of the Squamish First Nation about why  economic reconciliation is hard to define, and why every Canadian should care about it.

Everyday Reconciliation: Wealth and Well-being

To see modern democracy in action, look no further than Chile. This week on No Second Chances, we’ve landed in South America. Host Kate Graham talks to Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Western University, Dr. Verónica Schild, as well as former President, and current United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet about Chilean politics, the country’s progressive new government, and its roots in a strong feminist movement.

No Second Chances: Chile

In February, 2021, we took a deep breath and mixed things up by checking in with one of our favourite comedians as we celebrated our 40th episode. At the time, we’d been in the pandemic for a year. Now, we’ve been at it for over two years and we’re approaching 70 episodes. So, what better time to check back in with one of our best-loved guests.

Last time, we asked “How are you doing?” It would be lazy to ask the same question, so this time we ask: How are you doing-er? 

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Brittlestar— Stewart Reynolds—comedian, video-maker extraordinaire, and, according to his website, The Internet’s Favourite Dad* (*still unproven).

Open To Debate: How are you doing-er?

In May of 2022, Indigenous leaders from across sectors came together with Canada 2020 to reflect on the importance of economic reconciliation to their communities, and to demonstrate the unquestionable value of Indigenous economic leadership, stewardship, and innovation. 

This special edition podcast is a featured conversation from that summit, with insights from Mark Podlasly, Director of Economic Policy at the First Nations Major Projects Coalition; Cherie Brant, Partner and National Leader, Indigenous Law at BLG; and the Hon. Marc Miller, Minister of Crown Indigenous Relations.

In conversation: The imperative of economic reconciliation

Infrastructure, connectivity, and access to energy remain a significant barrier to quality of life in many Indigenous communities, with the net-zero transition presenting both urgent challenges and unprecedented opportunities. In a conversation featuring Hillary Thatcher (Managing Director, Indigenous and Northern Investments at Canadian Infrastructure Bank), Angel Ransom (Senior VP, Environmental Services at First Nations Major Projects Coalition), Mihskakwan James Harper (Business Development Manager at NRStor Inc.), Cole Crook (Vice President, Indigenous Relations at ATCO Group), and Dan Pudjak, (former Director of Policy for the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs), we explore how we can bridge infrastructural gaps with sustainability in mind.

This conversation was part of Canada 2020’s summit on economic reconciliation, The Indigenous-led Economy, hosted on May 16 in Ottawa, and is part two of three conversations we are sharing on the 2020 Network.

In Conversation: Reconciliation and Leadership for the Net-zero Transition

Canada’s housing crisis continues with no end in sight. Shelter – a fundamental human need – is unaffordable for millions, and the surge in property value has created two classes, homeowners and non-homeowners. These two classes are often at odds, with competing interests. Those who wish to enter the market often prefer lower housing prices, while those who own stand to benefit from higher prices.

Governments at every level have been slow to respond to the crisis and their actions have been insufficient to curb the problem. These governments often try to have it both ways, cheaper housing without costs to existing homeowners who wish to preserve their equity. At the same time, while many experts preach supply, which is essential in lowering prices, that may not be enough. Is there another way out of the housing conundrum? What if we change how we taxed property? Could a land value tax help solve the housing crisis?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Floyd Marinescu, an activist, entrepreneur, angel investor, and the head of Commonwealth Canada and UBI Works.

Open to Debate: Could a land value tax help solve the housing crisis?

2024 will be a stress test for democracy, with the election in the United States among the most dangerous potential breaking points. More often than not, awareness and the public debate will be shaped by and in the digital sphere. In the next of our series of highlight sessions from the 2023 Global Progress Action Summit, Roberta Braga (Director, Counter Disinformation Strategies at Equis, Supriya Dwivedi (Director of Policy and Engagement at McGill’s Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy and member of the Canada 2020 Advisory Board), Ben Scott (Executive Director at Reset Tech) talk with Megan Shahi (Director of Technology Policy at CAP Action) about the responsibility of governments, civil society, and platforms to prepare for these elections, and what’s at stake in 2024.

This conversation took place on September 16, 2023, at the 2023 Global Progress Action Summit in Montréal hosted by Canada 2020 and CAP Action. It has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

In Conversation: Democracy in the Digital Era

Everybody loves a quadrilogy. In March of 2020, host David Moscrop and guest Amanda Watson discussed how we were managing our lives during the early days of the pandemic. Twice more the two discussed the pandemic, anxiety, and managing life during what felt like the end times. Now, Watson is back for a fourth time, at the dawn of 2024, to ask “What does 2024 have in store for us?”  [this was originally “What fresh hell is this?” in the spirit of humour, but I presume you prefer to not have that and so have adjusted. Though it made me laugh!

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks once more with Amanda Watson, feminist theorist, senior lecturer at Simon Fraser University and author of The Juggling Mother: Coming Undone in the Age of Anxiety. She joins the show this week from the south of France.

Open to Debate: What does 2024 have in store for us?

In January, former New Democratic Party leader Ed Broadbent died at the age of 87. Outpourings of grief, respect, and gratitude followed throughout the country, culminating in a state funeral in Ottawa. 

Broadbent’s legacy is the product of decades of tireless work as an elected representative and as an ambassador for the left at home and abroad. His commitment to justice and equality is paralleled by few in Canada, and this episode is dedicated to understanding and celebrating his service to this country and to left movements worldwide.

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Luke Savage, columnist, co-host of the podcast Michael and Us, and co-author, with Ed Broadbent and others, of Seeking Social Democracy: Seven Decades in the Fight for Equality.

Open to Debate: Remembering Ed Broadbent

Trans rights are under attack throughout Canada. Policy changes in New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, and Alberta have already constrained rights and other provinces, most notably Ontario, may be set to follow. At the same time, the Conservative Party is set to go all-in on the culture war ahead of the next federal election, and to throw trans people under the bus in the process.

The struggle for trans rights intersects with similar movements to establish, expand, or preserve social, cultural, economic, and political equality. But trans folks are up against powerful, well-funded opponents and constrained by limited resources, leaving us to ask: What is the future of trans rights?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Fae Johnstone, Executive Director of Queer Momentum.

Open to Debate: What is the future of trans rights?

Nearly half the people on earth live in countries that will hold national elections in 2024. It's the world's biggest election year ever, with approximately 2 billion people heading to the polls.

No election will have its impacts echo more widely than that of the United States of America. Its effects will be palpable worldwide, and felt especially strongly here in Canada — with Donald Trump in the running for the third straight U.S. presidential election cycle. Hear from Sarada Peri (former Special Assistant to the President, Senior Speechwriter for President Barack Obama, and Senior Fellow with the Dais at TMU) on the state of the Biden presidential campaign, the health of global democracy, the challenges of the new media ecosystem, and the future of our shared economic and security partnerships.

This conversation took place on March 7, 2024 at the Canada 2020 Studio, and was hosted in partnership with The Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University. It has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

In Conversation: Progress in the Balance, with Sarada Peri

Canada’s small businesses employ a staggering 11 million people from coast-to-coast-to-coast, and represent an incredible 98% of Canadian-owned enterprises. Moving to a digital-first economy presents unprecedented opportunities for small businesses across Canada to innovate, expand, and spur new job creation and prosperity. Hear from the Honourable Rechie Valdez (Canada’s Minister of Small Business), Debbie Gamble (Chief Innovation Labs Officer at Interac), and Viet Vu (Author and Manager of Economic Research at the Dias) on how can we catalyze digital adoption, level up digital government, ensure the resilience and growth of small businesses, and ensure that no one is left behind.

This conversation took place on February 28, 2024 at the Canada 2020 Studio, and was hosted in partnership with Interac. It has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

In Conversation: Small Business Re-Wired, with Minister Rechie Valdez

The Alberta New Democratic Party leadership race is underway. In June, the party membership will select a new leader to replace Rachel Notley and square off against United Conservative Party premier Danielle Smith. 

Let’s meet the candidates and get a sense of what they’re about as we ask: Who wants to lead the Alberta NDP?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Tiffany Balducci, a union organizer, negotiator, and job evaluation specialist with the Canadian Union of Public Employees in Alberta.

Open to Debate: Who wants to lead the Alberta NDP?

There’s no sharper way to assess the state of life in the early 21st century than through a lens of “enshitification,” a term this week's guest coined. 

It’s described as the slow and steady worsening of each and every bit of our daily existence, and as Cory Doctorow has argued, particularly as it pertains to the work of technology companies that have captured our attention, our dollars, or both.

But some people have it worse than others. For instance, the incarcerated, on whom – as this week’s guest explores in his new novel – companies test and roll out strategies and technologies and a surveillance apparatus that is later used to exploit populations at large.

So, just how is life becoming “enshitified?” and how can we make things better?

On this 100th(!) episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Cory Doctorow, best-selling science fiction author, activist, and journalist. His latest book, The Bezzle, is out now.

Open to Debate: How is life becoming “enshitified"?

A few weeks back, we spoke with Tiffany Balducci about the Alberta NDP leadership race. This week, we’re keeping on theme, but instead of looking ahead, we’re looking back. 

You may have forgotten Jason Kenney. After his dismal leadership review, the Harper-era Cabinet minister resigned as premier of Alberta and left politics. But Kenney’s legacy continues to shape the country. A new book assesses his career, its effects, and the state of the right in Canada. 

So, what is Kenneyism and why should we care?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Jeremy Appel, an Alberta-based journalist and author of Kenneyism: Jason Kenney’s Pursuit of Power.

Open to Debate: What is Kenneyism and why should we care?

In 2024, Canada finds itself at a crossroads of several immense transformations sweeping the world, whether through the rewiring of the global economy and geopolitics, of our energy systems, or with rapid advances in A.I., even of intelligence itself.  In this time of great transitions, Canadians are facing new worries together about their homes, their wages, their kids, and our shared future. How do we rise to these challenges and opportunities? Mark Carney (United Nations Special Envoy for Climate Change and Finance, former Governor of the Bank of Canada and of the Bank of England, and chair of Canada 2020’s Advisory Board) talks about our country’s economic outlook, and what governments, innovators, and economic leaders can do to build growth for all. Eme Onuoha joins him in conversation.

This conversation took place on April 8, 2024 in Ottawa. It has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

In Conversation: Economic Lookahead with Mark Carney

Dominic Barton is a busy guy. Not only is he on Finance Minister Bill Morneau's speed dial, serving as Chair of the Council for Economic Growth, he's also the global managing partner of McKinsey & Company. What's heavy on Dominic's mind lately is what he calls Canada's agri-food destiny and how we need to seize on our massive endowment of land, resources and innovative people. Dominic joins Mike Moffatt in the Interac Studio for the very first episode of Wonk With Mike.

The 2020 Network

Wonk with Mike #1 : 10,000 Years of Food, with Dominic Barton

Conservative MP and Canada's former Justice Minister Peter MacKay joins Aaron Reynolds to explain the what, why, and how of cabinet shuffles.

Explain like I'm Five #5 : Cabinet Shuffle, with Peter MacKay

Mark Cameron, executive director of Canadians for Clean Prosperity, joins host Aaron Reynolds to demystify carbon pricing, including the origins of carbon tax and cap-and-trade, how C02 emissions are measured, how these mechanisms are enforced, and where the money ends up.

Explain Like I'm Five #16: Carbon Pricing, with Mark Cameron

Host Aaron Reynolds is joined by Larry Vance, former Government of Canada pilot, former investigator with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, and the original author of the organization's Manual of Investigations Operations. Vance shares what's known about the Ethiopian Airlines plane crash last weekend that involved a Boeing 737 Max 8 plane, its similarities to the Lion Air plane crash in Indonesia just five months ago, and the role of automation in aviation.

The 2020 Network 

Explain Like I'm Five #31: Boeing 737 Max 8, with Larry Vance

Kelsey Johnson, agriculture reporter at iPolitics joins Sarah Turnbull to talk about the significance of canola production in Canada and why the industry is facing major uncertainties due to a "scientific-based disagreement" with China.

Explain Like I'm Five #33: Canola Crisis, with Kelsey Johnson

On the latest Quality Content, Alex Paterson sits down with the founder of The Martin Family Initiative, former prime minister of Canada, Paul Martin, and the organization's Early Years Program Director, Chloe Ferguson to chat about MFI's central program pillars, the importance of community involvement and leadership, and how lessons at the grassroots level can be applied to government decision-making.

Quality Content #28: The Martin Family Initiative, with the Rt. Hon. Paul Martin and Chloe Ferguson

The 2019 Women Deliver conference was held in Vancouver, B.C. and hosted thousands of attendees from across the globe. It is the largest gathering on gender equality with a focus on the health, rights, and wellbeing of girls and women. The 2020 Network team was on the ground to speak with activists, politicians, and community groups about the benefits of investing in women, how to advocate on behalf of all women, and what it will take to build a more gender-balanced world.

2020 Live #17: On location at Women Deliver in Vancouver

Democracy has survived ideological challengers, economic disruption, and even war. But can it survive the internet? In this episode, we discuss digital threats, to democratic health--from at home and abroad.

Open to Debate: Can democracy survive the internet?

We start where all good stories do: the beginning. In this episode, host Kate Graham speaks with Canada’s 12 female first ministers about their childhoods, whether politics was a lifelong dream, and who shaped them along the way.

No Second Chances

Part Two: Raising Leaders

Two of these stories are not like the others. Eva Aariak and Nellie Cournoyea are both Indigenous women, leading within consensus-style governments. In this episode, host Kate Graham examines whether this political environment is more conducive to women’s leadership.

Part 10: Consensus in the North, with Eva Aariak and Nellie Cournoyea

The COVID19 pandemic is moving quickly, as is the news and information around it. That’s why our team on the 2020 Network is focused on giving you some balanced perspective on the story as it develops.
On this episode of the 2020 Network, host Jodi Butts speaks with Alex Usher, President of Higher Education Strategy Associates about the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the postsecondary education system.
Jodi also speaks with Gabrielle Menes, a third-year law student at UOttawa about how the pandemic is affecting her life as a student.

Learning during a pandemic, with Alex Usher

The COVID19 pandemic is moving quickly, as is the news and information around it. That’s why our team on the 2020 Network is focused on giving you some balanced perspective on the story as it develops. 

On this episode of the 2020 Network, host Jodi Butts speaks with Shelly Ambrose, the Executive Director and Publisher of The Walrus, about the impact of COVID19 on the arts and cultural community.

Creativity in crisis

Around the world, the calls have begun to “build back better.” The slogan, or some variant of it, is ubiquitous. Even as we continue to manage life during the pandemic, we start to look beyond it, towards something better, we hope.

In Canada, the idea of a universal basic income has been circulating for decades. However, as the discussions and debates around our post-pandemic world pick up, it’s an idea that is enjoying a moment. And so on this episode, we ask: Should Canada adopt a universal basic income?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Armine Yalnizyan, Atkinson Fellow on the Future of Work at the Atkinson Foundation.

Open to Debate: Should Canada adopt a universal basic income?

The 2020 Network, presented by Interac, is a new podcast channel for all things Canadian politics, policy and national affairs. Produced at the Canada 2020 Studios in Ottawa, the 2020 Network serves up new shows each week that dig deep into the big ideas shifting and shaping the political conversation in Canada. Home to shows like "Wonk With Mike", "Explain Like I'm Five", "/Thread" and more, the 2020 Network is for the #cdnpoli nerd in us all. Subscribe today.

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