Advertise on podcast: Blue Skies Podcast with Erin O'Toole

In this episode, Erin is joined by Dr. Heather Exner-Pirot, Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and the country’s most prominent energy policy expert, to explore what it will take for Canada to live up to our role as a modern energy superpower. From oil and gas to nuclear energy, hydroelectricity to critical minerals, they look at Canadian resource potential and the opportunities to strengthen our economy while leveraging energy security as part of Canada’s new ‘variable geometry‘ on the world stage. They also dig into the future of major energy projects, the race to secure global energy supplies and whether Canada is truly ready to seize this moment.

In this episode, Erin is joined by defence policy expert Professor Philippe Lagassé, author of Debating Canadian Defence, to explore whether Canada can turn its ambitious new defence spending commitments into real military capability. They look at the push to meet NATO targets, the challenges holding back defence procurement, the future of Canada’s fighter jets and submarines, and what it will take to build a stronger Canadian defence industry.

In this episode, Erin is joined by transit policy expert Reece Martin, author of The Transit Brief, to discuss why transportation projects in Canada cost far more than in other countries and why many have recently been coming in well over budget. They also discuss the challenges and opportunities related to the Alto high-speed rail project and the ongoing debate surrounding more stops, speeds and public engagement.

In this episode, Erin sits down with Ryan Manucha, author of Booze, Cigarettes and Constitutional Dust-Ups and one of the leading commentators on internal trade in Canada. They discuss the economic opportunity of breaking down internal trade barriers and the history of how we  got here including the history behind the famous Gold Seal and Comeau Supreme Court cases. They explore the barriers between provinces that continue to hold back the ‘One Canadian Economy’ concept that the Carney government is promoting.

Erin is joined by Dr. Alika Lafontaine for a discussion about his new book The Outrage Cure. The book is a reflection from Lafontaine on his leadership of the Canadian Medical Association during the challenging years of the pandemic and the personal toll of that time. They discuss how to bridge differences and take the temperature down in this period of polarization.

In this episode, I sit down with J.D.M. Stewart, author of The Prime Ministers, to talk about Canada’s history, leadership, and how we understand our national identity today. We discuss the legacy of past prime ministers, including figures like Sir John A. Macdonald, Robert Borden, and Louis Saint Laurent, and how their records are being revisited in modern debates. The conversation explores how Canadians are balancing modern-day values with our past, including questions around cancel culture, historical memory, and how we assess leadership over time. We also touch on how arts, writing, and storytelling shape how we see ourselves as a country — and why they are central to Canadian identity.

Erin is joined by Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce to discuss his Energy for Generations plan and broader developments in the electricity sector. They explore Ontario's pioneering efforts in nuclear energy, specifically the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) in Darlington. They also discuss critical minerals, grid security,  modernization of the electricity distribution sector and the idea of a sovereign electricity grid as part of Ontario's continued technology leadership within the G7.

In a special Remembrance Day Blue Skies Podcast, Texture Communications President Melanie Paradis hosts Blue Skies and guides Erin through a heartwarming conversation about some of the inspiring Canadian Veterans he met as a Minister and MP. He tells their stories of service and of sacrifice with some tender moments in war with the kindness of a Canadian soldier to the horrors of war that Veterans took with them after it ended. Melanie and Erin talk about memories that touched Canadian families and the importance of honouring the service and sacrifice of our fellow citizens.

In this episode of Blue Skies, Erin speaks with James Scongack from Bruce Power to talk about the momentum for nuclear energy in Canada and around the world. They also discuss the innovative public-private partnership model of Bruce Power, mitigating construction risks with big projects and the recent expansion of medical isotope production at Bruce in partnership with Indigenous communities.

In this episode of Blue Skies, Erin is joined by Senator Peter Boehm, who served as the Canadian ‘Sherpa’ for the last Canadian hosted G7 in 2018. Boehm provides a behind-the-scenes look at how these diplomatic summits take place and how Canada prepares to succeed during the Kananaskis G7 summit. Senator Boehm shares his perspective on everything from trade tensions to multilateral diplomacy to Arctic policy. He also shares some stories from the G7 in Charlevoix including the iconic photo from the meeting. Peter shares insights from decades of public service and reflects on how Canada can lead in an uncertain world.

In this episode, Erin is joined by Dr. Elizabeth Buchanan, Senior Fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and Polar expert, for a conversation on the growing importance of the polar regions from the Arctic and Antarctic, and how countries like Canada and Australia can deepen partnerships amid this era of geopolitical realignment. The also discuss the increasingly controversial AUKUS agreement and blue sky whether Aussies will ever sail the nuclear submarines the alliance envisions. From polar strategy to procurement to talk about CANZUK, this episode explores how like-minded and value aligned countries can do more together is isolationism of the United States rises amid growing global tensions.

In this episode, Erin is joined by Admiral Mark Norman to discuss the evolving landscape of Canada's defence at a time when the United States is walking away from its role as our key ally and security partner. They explore key issues around national security, military spending, and the challenges of maintaining our sovereignty in the Arctic. Admiral Norman shares his perspective on Canada’s shipbuilding capacity, the strategic role of submarines, and the importance of rebuilding domestic defence production. They also discuss recruitment and culture changes within the Canadian Armed Forces. This episode offers insight into what it means for Canada to take ownership of its national defence in an increasingly unpredictable world.

On this episode, Erin is joined by Vass Bednar, public policy expert, podcast host, and co-author of The Big Fix, for a wide-ranging conversation on competition law and anti-trust issues in an age of technological and geopolitical change. They also discuss affordability issues and how different generations of Canadians view the Canadian economy differently.  Vass shares her unique insights on high profile sectors like telecom, grocery, AI and data, as well as what Canadian policy makers should take from global anti-trust trends. If you’ve ever wondered why your bills may be too high and what Canada needs to do to become more competitive and productive, this episode is for you.

Erin is joined by four-time Grey Cup champion Tim Fleiszer to talk about his professional sports journey and transition into a leading Canadian advocate on brain injury with the Concussion Legacy Foundation. They discuss the growing challenge Veterans are facing with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and the wider need for education and better treatment options for people living with a brain injury.

Erin is joined by Darrell Bricker, one of Canada's most respected pollsters and thought leaders. Co-Author of The Big Shift, Darrell discusses the decline of the "Laurentian consensus" (a term coined in that book) and the shifting political and cultural landscape as Justin Trudeau leaves office. They also discuss the acute crisis of Canadian identity and how changing demographics and a decade of identity politics are reshaping debate and causing a major decline in Canadian pride at a time that the country needs to come together.