Advertise on podcast: Leaders on the Frontier

Alberta has voted. What happens next?  The results are in, but what do they mean for Alberta—and for the rest of Canada? Is this the beginning of a major political shift, and will Ottawa start paying attention?    Join David Leis with Bruce Pardy, law professor and Executive Director of Rights Probe; Cory Morgan, Alberta columnist and political commentator; and Marco Navarro-Genie, VP of Research at the Frontier Centre for Public Policy, for a live breakdown of the referendum results, what policies need to change to move forward, and what happens next.  What does this vote mean for Alberta, Ottawa, and the future of Canada?  Live Thursday at 2pm CT on YouTube.

Are Canadians equal under the law—or does race determine the rules?   John Carpay, President of the Justice Centre, joins David Leis to challenge race-based policies in Canada, from sentencing, access to government funding, and Indigenous policy. He argues that policies intended to advance reconciliation can deepen divisions instead—and calls for equal rights, equal treatment, and a renewed focus on individual freedoms.   Can Canada achieve real reconciliation without treating people differently based on race?

Another pipeline promise or will the Pacific Link Pipeline actually get built?  On October 1, 2026, the Pacific Link Pipeline, formerly known as the West Coast Oil Pipeline, was designated Canada’s first project of national interest under the Building Canada Act. But what happens now—and will it finally become reality?  Join David Leis with Dan McTeague, President of Canadians for Affordable Energy, and Chris Bloomer, former President and CEO of the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association, to discuss the pipeline’s future, the challenges facing Canada’s energy sector, and whether private investment can turn this announcement into a real project.  With Alberta’s referendum approaching and frustration with Ottawa growing, what’s at stake for Canada’s economy, energy security, and future prosperity?  Is this finally a breakthrough for Alberta or will political, and investment hurdles keep the pipeline on paper?  Live show every Thursday at 2pm CT on YouTube.

What if Canada’s tax system is actually discouraging people from creating jobs?  Legal and Moral Analyst Harry Margulies explains why he believes Canada is losing investment, how capital gains taxes can discourage productive investment, and why Sweden took a different approach to rewarding business growth and job creation. Could Canada do this?  Could changing how we tax create more jobs and prosperity?

Are Canadians being told the full story about truth and reconciliation?  What if some of the narratives shaping Canada’s approach to reconciliation deserve to be questioned? What is supported by evidence, what is interpretation, and what are Canadians actually being taught?  Join David Leis with Frances Widdowson, political scientist, Leighton Grey, K.C., senior Partner at Grey Wowk Spencer LLP, and Marco Navarro-Génie, VP of Research at the Frontier Centre, for a challenging conversation about Indigenous policy, the Indian Act and equality under the law.  Should the Indian Act be abolished? Can there be reconciliation without agreement on the truth? And how do we create policies that respect Indigenous Canadians while treating every Canadian equally?

What happens when you’re afraid to say what you really think?  Nigel Biggar, professor at Oxford University in the UK, exposes the growing culture war over free speech, DEI, identity politics, and how history is taught. He reveals what happens when universities and institutions become afraid to challenge popular narratives and why that matters for your freedom, your children’s education, and the future of society.  Are we losing the ability to disagree and still live together?

What happens the day after Alberta votes yes? How would Canada actually negotiate a separation?  Former Reform Party leader Preston Manning joins Marco Navarro-Genie, VP of Research at the Frontier Centre, to discuss the key takeaways from the Alberta and the West Assembly, co-chaired by Manning and former B.C. premier Gordon Campbell.  Why has Western alienation reached this point? What can Canada do to renew the federation, regardless of how Albertans vote? And what could the October 19 referendum mean for the country?  Is Canada at a breaking point or can the federation be renewed?  (We have a live show every Thursday at 2pm CT on YouTube)

Is Canada losing investors?  Jack Mintz breaks down the latest Canada-U.S. trade tensions, tariffs, investment fleeing south, and why he says Canada is becoming less competitive. He also explains why regulatory delays could be costing Canada billions and why our energy resources may be the ace card we’re failing to play.  Is Canada making it too hard to do business?

Is Canada’s new relationship with Europe the answer or a policy nightmare?  Canada is looking to deepen its relationship with the European Union as trade tensions with the U.S. continue. But can closer ties with Europe actually make Canada more prosperous and attractive to investors or could more regulation and closer alignment create new problems?  So what happens next?  Join David Leis with Catherine Swift and Georganne Burke to examine Canada’s trade strategy, the push toward Europe, investment summits, and what it will take to make Canada a place where businesses actually want to invest.  Is Canada on the right track or do we need a different approach?

Canada’s education system is facing growing questions about curriculum, ideology, academic standards, and what students are learning in the classroom. So how did we get here—and how can we make education better?   The Frontier Centre has released a new book, The Peril of Woke Schools and the Value of Traditional Education, a guide for parents who want to better understand what’s shaping their children’s classroom experience.   Host David Leis has a brutally honest conversation with author William Brooks, charter school founder, Caylan Ford, and Marco Navarro-Genie, VP of Research for Frontier Centre. What needs to change? What can parents do to become more informed and involved?   📚 Get your copy at FrontierCentre.org.   Live show every Thursday at 2pm CT on YouTube.

Could Alberta's independence referendum actually change Canada?  Leighton Grey, KC breaks down Alberta's referendum, Western alienation, Ottawa's economic policies, and the growing push for more provincial control.  But the conversation goes beyond Alberta. Grey takes on Canada's justice system, the shift from justice toward social justice, Indigenous identity, Canada's relationship with the U.S., and why Canadians are losing trust in major institutions.  So what's really driving the frustration and what can ordinary Canadians do to change the direction of the country?

Is Canada doing enough to protect the North?  The Arctic is critical to Canada’s sovereignty, national security, and economic future. But what are the biggest challenges and what can we actually do to strengthen our presence in the North?  Join David Leis with Lt-Gen.(ret'd) Michel Maisonneuve, former Liberal MP Robert-Falcon Ouellette, and Marco Navarro-Genie for a conversation about Arctic sovereignty, strategic utility corridors, infrastructure, the military, prosperity, and the role of Canadian citizens.  This conversation continues at Reclaiming the North, a conference taking place September 14–15 in Winnipeg, focused on turning ideas about Canada’s North into action.  🎟️ Get your tickets: Reclaiming the North

Is Canada losing the trade war with Trump before the real fight even begins?  Preston Manning joins David Leis for a blunt conversation about Trump, tariffs, Canada-U.S. trade negotiations, and Alberta’s upcoming referendum.  Manning says counter-tariffs won't solve the problem, they could leave Canadians paying the price. He argues Canada needs a better negotiating team, a smarter strategy, and a willingness to play the long game.  They also discuss why Trump’s criticism gets under Canadians’ skin, how Canada could reach Trump through American voters, and why Alberta’s referendum could have major implications for Canada’s future.

Have Canadian cities gone too far with bike lanes?  Few people are against cycling—but in a country with long, cold winters, does it make sense to spend millions on bike infrastructure and dedicate so much valuable road space to something many people can't use year-round?  Are bike lanes improving safety, or creating new problems for traffic, deliveries, businesses, parking and emergency access? And who are they really serving?  Join David Leis with Marty Gold, Cory Morgan, and economist Randal O’Toole to ask whether Canada's bike-lane push makes sense or whether cities have simply gone too far.

Canada-U.S. trade talks are getting ugly.  Why did Canada walk away from the deal? Has the trade war turned into a political shouting match between Donald Trump and Ontario Premier Doug Ford? And while politicians trade insults, who actually pays the price?  Join David Leis with Sylvain Charlebois, food policy expert, and Georganne Burke, political commentator, for the latest on the trade war, what happens next, and how the escalating war of words could affect jobs, groceries, businesses, and the Canadian economy.  What is the trade policy and strategy to get out of this mess?